This dynamic duo have been important movers and shakers in New Carlisle for more than a decade, He’s the mayor of the city of New Carlisle and a very active member of the Heritage of Flight Festival committee.
In addition to being a secretary in the Guidance Office at Tecumseh, April, and her crew brought the New Carlisle Public Pool back from extinction and keep it going. But to this writer’s amazement, these two recently revealed they are also Ghostbusters.
It all started when Mike decided to recreate a proton pack. That is the fancy apparatus that the Ghostbusters carried on their back in the 1984 Ghostbusters movie.
Why? You might ask.
As Mike told me, it was because he wanted to see if he could do it.
Mike is already was well into another huge project, restoring the signature vehicle of the Back to the Future movies. That’s right folks, he is restoring a DeLorean. A simple Ghostbuster proton pack has to seem like a small side project after working on a DeLorean.
Mike decided that not only did his masterpiece have to look like a real proton pack, it had to sound like it as well. After months of research, and spending $1,200 on unusual parts, construction began early last summer.
Mike was amazed to find out how many details about the Ghostbusters equipment could easily be found on the Internet. I took his advice and “Googled.” There were Proton packs of all degrees of sophistication and ranging from $20 to more than $2,000, and there were detailed plans.
All summer long Mike posted photos of the progress of the proton pack on Facebook. He even used a 3D printer for one tricky item.
The final product looks exactly like we see Bill Murray wearing on his back in Ghostbusters.
Now, it does need to be noted that Lowrey’s proton pack does not work like the apparatus on film and it is definitely not nuclear powered. There is no need to call the EPA.
Mike was able to locate a Ghostbusters coverall uniform and had his name tag made in the same manner as in the movie. He also carried a yellow and black striped ghost trap attached to his belt.
When Mike got it all together, he made a very convincing Ghostbuster. He tried to figure out what his wife April might be if she wanted to go with him as a couple for Halloween. He naturally thought of the secretary or even the Sigourney Weaver part.
But April told him not to worry about it and set off on her own plan.
Last week April surprised Mike with her own Ghostbuster gear.
“He didn’t know,” she said, pleased to surprise him and happy to see how well the outfits look together.
Mike even had to admit that the proton pack she bought online wasn’t too bad.
So last weekend New Carlisle’s very own Ghostbusters had their debut at the New Carlisle Farmers Market and followed that with entering the costume contest at Foys in Fairborn.
The Lowreys won first place and brought back a spectacular one-of-a-kind trophy worthy of Christmas Story fame.
So New Carlisle, keep your eyes open this weekend. April may wear her costume to work at Tecumseh High School, but Mike probably shouldn’t wear his costume to work at Wright Patt. Together the Lowreys plan to seek ghosts at the American Legion Post 383.
If the “Stay Puft Marshmallow Man” comes stomping down New Carlisle’s Main Street this weekend, the Lowreys will take care of him. And I’m sure Marshall Gorby or Bill Lackey will get photos for us.
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