Jerome Township’s first Panama Pete Ice Drop has come to a close. Township officials said they were inspired by the Village of Richwood, which hosts an ice drop challenge with a tree to raise funds for their Trailblazers group which improves the local park. Instead of a tree, Jerome Township used “Panama Pete” – a wooden “man” outfitted with a Hawaiian shirt and life vest. Panama Pete was placed on the ice on the south end of the pond at Harry Wolfe Park. Community members were able to purchase a ticket for $1 to wager on when Pete would fall through the ice. Administrative Assistant Sydney Herbert said Pete fell through either late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. Although no one correctly guessed the date, Herbert said Roads Superintendent Breht Fillinger won the $50 prize with two of the closest bets, Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning. She said approximately $40 was generated in bets for the Parks and Trails fund but the township hopes to expand the program in the future. Panama Pete is connected to a rope and can be retrieved from the water, so Herbert said she hopes he will be able to participate again next year.
(Photo submitted)