By Don Steen
DALE – Former County Councilman Jack Kroeger and his wife, Debbie, came to the Dale Library December 20 bearing gifts. The early Christmas present included two framed reproductions of Kroger’s pencil portraits of Abraham Lincoln, commissioned by the Spencer County Historical Society and Think Lincoln Inc. The original portraits were crafted for the President’s 200th birthday and donated to the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.
One portrait will join the Dale Library’s collection of art, with the other going to the Chrisney branch. In tandem with the 12 portraits recently donated to local schools, Kroeger’s artwork can be found almost anywhere in Spencer County, particularly the Courthouse.
Art has been a continuing part of Kroeger’s life even in retirement. In fact, the Dale Library is currently hosting a collection of Kroeger’s woodwork. “Woodwork” is technically a bit of a misnomer, as Kroeger prefers to find naturally occurring pieces of art and working to spruce them up. The exhibit is full of readily identifiable animals shaped by natural forces, such as unique roots dug from the ground and cleaned a bit.
“It’s God’s work,” said Kroeger. “I just expose it. Those designs are there.”
Art is hardly the only think keeping the 86-year-old Kroeger busy. He and his wife have kept up their tradition of hiking through mountains, a tradition of more than 42 years. Kroeger has a particular fondness for the region of Dubois, Wyoming.
“You can catch fish in those mountains with every cast,” he said.
Kroeger has also been known to participate in various sports, 5K runs and other events, even when it can be hard for officials to place him in an appropriate age bracket. He credits local gym facilities and the walking trails across the rolling hills of Santa Claus with his ability to keep up his longtime passions.
The couple also have plenty of grandchildren and great-grandchildren to keep them company, spread out from New York to Florida to Oregon. Certainly a busy proposition for the holiday season, even for a particularly active retiree.
Photos by Don Steen
