The Harlan Days committee is pleased to announce that long time Harlan Days volunteer, Elmer Strautman, will be the 2021 Honorary Citizen. Elmer began volunteering with his high school baseball team by picking up trash at the festival. Then from 1957-1965, Elmer helped organize the Harlan Days Basketball Tourney. During those years he taught at Harlan High School, teaching Biology, Physical Education, Health, and Driver’s Training. He also coached Basketball, Baseball, Track, and Golf at Harlan High School.
Elmer grew up in the city of Rising Sun, which is in Southern Indiana, and graduated from Rising Sun High School. He continued his education at Franklin College where he graduated in 1975. He married his wife, Ronda, on December 21, 1957, at Salem United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne where they still attend today. They now reside on Wood Lane in New Haven which is halfway between Harlan and Woodlan High School. Elmer has 2 sons, 4 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Elmer is now retired and enjoys playing golf and watching both basketball and baseball games. Remembering the great number of people that came to Harlan Days is one of his fondest memories of the festival. It’s a wonderful place to see people whom you have not seen in a long time!
Harlan truly appreciates all the time that Elmer has donated to volunteer at Harlan Days, and he is still a great asset to our community. So come on out to the Harlan Days Grand Parade on Saturday, August 7th and make sure to say ‘thanks’ to Elmer for all he’s done to help our community over the years!
-Harlan Days Committee