Elsie visits "Elsie"

The last time Mrs. Elsie Thorpe set eyes upon Antique 22 it was October, 2005.

Today, just over eight years later, Mrs. Thorpe visited Station 32 to see the fully restored fire truck, now known as Antique 22. And she learned, for the first time, that the fire company named the fire truck "Elsie" in her honor.

On that fall day years ago, a delegation of members and officers of the West Grove Fire Company traveled to northern Pennsylvania near the border with New York to bring home the fire company's original (bought-then-as-new) motorized fire truck, a 1928 Hale. Led by then Fire Chief John Chambers and then President Bill Wohl, the team of Mike Predmore, Matt Wood, Danny O'Connell and Lawrence Coppack brought home the truck - a piece of WGFC and community history - to begin a multi-year restoration. It was on that ride home that the team decided the truck should be named in Mrs. Thorpe's honor.

Mrs. Thorpe and her husband had been in possession of the truck since purchasing it from a Kennett area private owner in the 1960's. Eventually, they transported it to their farm in Tioga County, where it remained until Mr. Thorpe's passing. The story of Antique 22's return to the WGFC is documented on the fire company's website (see the links below).

During her visit today to Station 32, Mrs. Thorpe was very much impressed with the quality and details of the truck's restoration. She helped confirm to us that the bell located during the restoration was likely the original one off the truck. And she told a few stories to Committee Chair Mike Predmore about driving the fire truck around their farm in rural PA.

Everyone at the fire company is grateful that Mrs. Thorpe called the fire company and offered to help return "Elsie" to her original home.

The story of Antique's return can be found here: http://www.wgfc.org/content/antique22/

Extensive pictures of Elsie's restoration can be found here (see pages 6 & 7 for images of the truck's pick up on the Thorpe farm eight years ago): http://www.wgfc.org/apps/public/gallery/index.cfm?Gallery=Antique%2022&PageNum=1

Stories of Antique 22's restoration and return to WGFC after it was finished can be found here: http://www.wgfc.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=159 and here: http://www.wgfc.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=434

The fire company thanks so many residents of the Avon Grove community for donating toward the restoration project. More than $70,000.00 has been raised in donations. Much more is still needed. If you'd like to contribute to Antique 22, you can click on the Donate button on this website found on the wgfc.org homepage, or mail a tax-deductible check to the WGFC, at PO Box 201, West Grove, PA 19390 (Attention Antique 22 Restoration).

We thank Mrs. Elsie Thorpe for visiting "Elsie," and wish her and her family all the best this holiday season!