To Tim Croy, Grand Marshal More Than Just a Parade
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Becca Dupont-
Choosing a Parade Marshall for the Mentone Egg Festival is an important task, and according to Rita Simpson, head of Mentone’s Chamber of Commerce, they picked a winner for this weekend’s festival.
“[Tim Croy] is very humble,” she said in an email. “[He’s] an all around great guy. We couldn’t have chosen a better person who cares more about Mentone.”
Croy was amazed about being picked as the Parade Marshal for this year’s Egg Festival.
“I’m kinda surprised that someone like me was picked,” he said in a phone interview. “I think it’s a very honorable thing.”
While some people may not know him by name, his work around the Mentone community is noticeable. When Croy is not spending his time working as the Town Council President for his ninth year, working with the boys down at the fire department for his eighth year or working with the Bell Museum for his eighth year, you can find him around Mentone working to keep the community beautiful.
“I take a lot of pride in my community,” Croy said.
Croy spends a large amount of his time planting and watering flowers along Main Street which can take anywhere from two and a half to three hours a day and roughly 110 gallons of water. Along with that he can be found picking up trash, mowing lawns and keeping all the flags untangled and looking orderly.
He takes a lot of pride in his work with the United Way in Warsaw with the Day of Caring, which he has been working with for five years. He considers Mentone to be one of their target areas and has close to 21 homes to take care of in town.
“I’m one of those guys that if I see an abandoned home that needs a yard mowed or somebody else’s yard needs mowed, I’ll take care of their yard before I do my own,” he said. “That’s the way I’ve always been. I’m more about the other person than I am myself.”
When Croy is not doing charitable things around the community, you can find him relaxing at the bowling alleys in Warsaw.
He takes part in Warsaw leagues every Monday and Wednesday nights, every other Saturday, and Indiana state and senior tournaments.
He also enjoys NASCAR.
“I make the trip to Michigan twice every year,” he said. “We camp up there for four or five days for the race.”
Recently Croy purchased the old Boggs and Nelson Insurance building in Mentone to turn it in to a craft and décor shop to pursue his love for woodworking.
“[My wife and I] both love woodworking and it’s better than having the empty building sit,” he said. “It gives us something to do together as a family.”
Despite his busy schedule, Croy looks forward to enjoying the Egg Festival as Parade Marshal. His favorite parts of the weekend include the car show on Friday and variety show on Saturday.
While the festival appears to be only about fun and games, Croy recognizes that it is all about the Mentone community coming together.
“Here in Mentone it’s awesome, he said. “If you’ve got a need in the community, everyone’s there to jump right in. I love the small town living.”
