Community Services Director Rita Steed retired from Rockville Correctional Facility after 14 years of service on Monday. Steed began her career with the Indiana Department of Correction as a secretary at the front desk of the Rockville Correctional Facility in 1998.
She was promoted to classification secretary in January of 2000 and in December of 2007, she was again promoted to community services director. In this capacity, she worked hand in hand with community organizations and volunteers to provide programming and religious services to the offenders at the facility and to facilitate fundraisers to support charitable organizations.
She was instrumental in increasing the number of volunteers who provide these services as well as in creating the facility’s first holiday choir. She diligently worked at obtaining updated audio/visual equipment for programs in the facility chapel and also served as alternate public information officer and SITCON team leader.
Steed has continuously served as a true example of a genuine, caring attitude toward making a positive difference in the lives of others as evidenced in the pride her work.
“There is no one who puts more heart and soul into her work than Rita Steed and we are grateful for her dedication and service to the facility over the years,” said Assistant Superintendent of Re-Entry Pam Ferguson.
III
Four barbecue cook-off winners were announced at the fifth annual New Year’s Eve Watermelon Drop at the Vincennes Riverfront Pavilion.
Jim Dale of Linton won the first-place prize of $500 for his team, Jimo’s Smoking Butts & Ribs. Steve Fulling of Palestine, Ill., won the second-place prize of $250 for his team, Lone Oak Barbecue & Ribs. Bill Bristol of Vincennes won the third-place prize of $100 for his team, Chuckling Carp & Pulled Pork. Jeremy Carter of Montgomery won the fourth-place prize of $100 for his team, Pork Ninjas & Ribs.
The Barbecue Cook-Off was a new event at the New Year’s Eve Watermelon Drop. The contest attracted eight competitors that submitted 14 entries, seen by organizers as an excellent response for the inaugural event on a day that included both rain and snow.
Cited among the nation’s “top ten quirkiest New Year’s Eve celebrations” by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, the Watermelon Drop rang in 2013 when an 18-foot, 500-pound watermelon rose high in the sky and dropped 13 Knox County watermelons onto a “splatform,” while fireworks lighted the sky.
Since its creation in 2008, the 18-foot watermelon has become a star attraction in Vincennes at its Watermelon Festival and in the July 4 and Christmas parades. People also enjoy sharing photographs and YouTube videos of themselves standing next to the 18-foot-long watermelon.
Indiana’s first city, founded in 1732, Vincennes is the county seat of Knox County, well-known for its multi-million dollar melon crops that are shipped throughout the nation.
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Suspects Butt Dial 911, Lead to Arrest
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Raw: Okla. Tornado Aftermath 'Like War Zone'
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone"
Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt
Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
