The Ludington Daily News from Ludington, Michigan • Page 8

PAGE EIGHT THE LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS, LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN! THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1953 History of Clown Band Covers Half a Century By AUDREY MURPHY ithese feminine musicians and they "The drums so bane, the referred to for several years bals clang, the" horns'they blaze! 35 the Ladies' band, away" a couple dozen "husky I side-kick to the Ladies' band, the "Hungry Five" was or- to make the rounds about beauties" high step down the street. Onlookers are soon aware, from the lettering on the big 1 11 ri the Harvest Festival. drum that this combination of ex-; Among the members of this "out- cellent musicianship and unique -fit" were Bert Pirtle, (h i son. Bertram Schulte and George Long. Seeley Breen of Milan followed in Charles Engfer's footsteps as next director of Scottville costume conglomeration is Scottville Clown band.

One might easily conclude Ihati- the clown band is a group of -Jth cling musicians and that their wonderful display of talent is their cecded bv Ri bread and butter. However, this is not. the case at all. Only a small percentage of the members have chosen music as their careers. They include Gilbert son.

former band director and principal of Scottville high school. In Since Origin Special mention should be made AND AFTER Scottville Clown band pictures above show the band when it was first organized in 1910 (lower photo), which was taken in front of the former Scottvillc Savings bank building, and the photograph (above) which was taken this year while the band was playing in front of Hotel Stearns in Ludington SCOTTVILLE News from Mason County's Second Largest City and Agricultural and Dairying Center MRS MAURICE QUINN. Correspondent telephone: Office, No. I. Home, 32V-J rear paver not receiveo bj 6:30 m.

Telephone 16? prior to 7:00 o. prompt delivery will be made to city lubsertbere, Belles and Cuties Stage Benefit Game Not a dull moment existed during Tuesday evening's performance at McPhail field. After a rousing concert by the Scottville Clown band, a never-to-be-forgotten softball game was staged be- the Scottville Belles and the Scottville Cuties. Clown band members paraded the school building to McPhail field as a prelude to the evening's entertainment. The band Mrs.

Knowlton Hostess to Club Mrs. John Knowlton was hostess to members of the Northeast Side Birthday club at her home Tuesday evening. Mrs. Francis Tallquist was co-hostess with Mrs. Knowlton.

A light supper was served guests and the evening was spent visiting and watching television. Mesdames Eva McClure and eorge Wilson, guests of honor, were presented with birthday gifts and Mrs. Wilson also was the recipient of a' baby gift from the club. Those taking part in the evening included Mesdames Patrick Mur- Ay, Leslie Forbes, R. P.

Graber, Manley Peterson, Kenneth Bent- Wallace Falconer, William Seeback, McClure and' Wilson, honorees, and Knowlton and Tall- quist, hostesses. F. Stansell, band director at Scottville high school, Fritz Stansell and Ted Thompson, music students at Michigan State college. Bob Stakenas. who is studying music at University of Michigan, and Dick Sorensen, a student at Stetson university.

The other members have chosen a variety of occupations ranging from Ed Mercer's employment as armed ago, when a group of musicians a baker to Scottville's Police Officer John Peck. of three members of the Clown band, who have been with the organization since its orifin. They include Ray Schulte, George Long and Clyde Nelson. For several years, from approximately 1942 lo 1947. the Harvest Festival was discontinued because of the war.

The Clown band's career also came to an abrupt halt as the majority of the members at that time were serving with the forces. Activity was re- assembled to play for a celebration mUChH er 3Dd better Clown remainder of the season are the Golden Jubilee at Muskegon Heights scheduled for Aug. 15. A big day will be in store for the Clown band Sept. 7, as-they plan to participate in the Labor day parade at Manistee.

They will then travel further northward to Mackinac island, where they will assist with the two clay celebration of the five state REA convention with festivities getting underway Labor day evening. costumes is the harem type gown which Art Andersen wears with his red henna wig. Jim Fitch likes to imagine himself in his first childhood and chooses a pair of diapers for his costume. All of the members agree Dick Buck manages to use that the Somewhere along the way, probably in September, members will take time to enjoy their annual party before the climax of the gj year's activities, the annual Scott- occurred in 1910. Six years later, a again performed for the celebr the to ville Harvest Festival, which will be an event of Sept.

24 and 25. Traditional Costumes Tradition, especially along the demands, a segment line o) costumes, is connected with the Clown band revolves into a STmSEnE ville Community hall. Band Instigated Around the organized and to pro vid entertainment for this year 1924. one of er with his concertina, Ted Thomp- json and Bob Stakenas playing sax and one of the drummers. the Clown band.

Through the years Kay Schuite has outgrown and worn out several pairs of red underwear, but he plans to contin- affair Scottville Clown band been experiencing such a schedule this year that they band wa7 I was the director of this band. r( se numerous invita- A merchants' band emerged ns to C0nfllcts ln their from the first organization of this band under the direction of Charles! Engfer. This group performed two concerts daily during the Harvest Festival celebration. Although their musicianship was of a fine No definite officers of this anizati on exist. Ray Schulte, who ue this costume for the next two or members three decades.

Butch Claveau's purple shorts with the fringed edges and the bathing suits of 20-year vintage worn by the members of the percussion section lend a traditional air to the band. Unforgettable Is the black velvet gown with "harmonizing accessories" donned by Clyde Nelson, coupled with his expert shimmying quality, band members were dressed in regular men's attire reorganization of the group after the war, has assumed the responsibility in the uiesfieu in regular men attirp i i with the exception of vari4v of leade 'P the band Clar- floppy hats, some ruffled and oth-l servmg as secrc- Anderson as treas- ect of officers ha, but these three am- have taken up- Buffenbarger. Holly ems ve the res William Padelford. Seelev Breen' It 11 as more or ltsi Harry Gosling, Bub Green. noraryo Marks, LeRov Petersen.

Bertram! ers topped with fluffy plumes. Several of the member, of the i ror No merchants' band included Bfrt er bee Pirtle, Walter BuffeSbamr. GPr-l aid Buffenbarer. Holl ems 11 Schulte, Ray Schulte, Karl Ashbacker, George Bowne, Clyde Nelson, VTally Warden. Gu's Hankwitz, George Long.

Ed Carr. Lawrence Ludeman and Herman Brockhaus. The next chapter in the history of the Scottville Clown band progresses to the early 1930's when a parade with a variety of floats added sparkle to the annual festival. With this addition, Clown band members decided it would be a fine opportunity for them to "doll up" and so to keep in style with the changing times, they donned silk gowns, frilly and flowery hats, flashy jewelry and an overdose of make-up. This costume alteration brought about a new name for wn got Crowded Schedule The lengthy list of the f.

band's engagements for 195:3 in February this year band played for the po- at Ludington. This wa.s their participation in i the annual Homecoming celebration at Custer, May 29. In June they performed for the Eagle. 1 convention at Ludington. I with the Fourth of July parade in Ludington next on the agenda.

jThey i raveled to Baldwin for i the rodeo July 12 and to I Fremont where they stole UK; show i with their rlowninc in the Old fashioned Days celebration Julv 2'j. At Grwrid Haven they starred in thf. Coast Guard water fete Aug. 1, and were guests of the Eagles. Included in their plans for 'tht ability.

And flitre is nothing more traditional than the plunger which the drum "majorette" alias George Wilson uses in leading the "husky beauties" in their parade through tho strcclsu Gc orge, a collector of women bathing suits, usually finds difficulty in choosing which flower or hat to place atop his head to complete his ensemble to suit his taste. One of the most eye-catching KIDNEYS MUST REMOVE EXCESS WASTE backache, loss of pep headaohw, and may bf? due to slowdown of Hdru-y fund ion. Doctors Bay Rood kidnoy function is very important to health. Whon everyday condition, fiuch 83 Rtrpr-t; an rj strain, cause? this important function to? down, many "Iks FufrnrnHK- BtriK barl miserable. Minor Mad- do Hue to cold or i jghtfior rc'i'jr-nt vxr Don't, nrxlcct.

your kidneys if those cori'li. tions bother you. Try Doan's J'ilk-a riiurrtir. l' nr nijcrchtfully by millionn for VCr 3 ars amazing how many times happy relief from disi-om- JtWney tubes and niters out. Get Doan's Pills today! most padding and he is gaining notoriety for his exotic dangle earrings.

According to rumor, George Long sometimes borrows the wigs for his long blonde page boy bob from mannequins in one of the dress shops in Grand Rapids. Non-Profit Group As a summary of the uniqueness in costumes, one of the clown band members remarked, "The costumes are of such a variety that the wives of the members cannot identify their own husbands." Scottville Clown band is a profit making organization non- and donations that they receive are presented to Scottville and Ludington Band Booster clubs. Members thoroughly enjoy every per(Pleast turn to Page 9, Column 1) Canadian Speaks to Rotary Club Kenneth Willis of Ft. Williams, Ontario, was guest speaker at Scottville Rotary club Monday evening at Masonic hall. Mr.

Willis spoke interestingly of his Rotary club in Canada, which has agreed to exchange international programs with the Scottville club. Reports were given by the club assembly chairmen during the meeting. Arnold 0. Carlson presented a report of the club service activities with Harold Hansen giving the vocational service report. Don Rankin gave a resume of the community service committee and the Rev.

Mr. Wirth G. Tennant spoke- about the work of the international service committee. Visitors at the meeting included Mr. Willis of Ft.

Williams, Dr. Benjamin Doll, William J. Mueckler, the Rev. Mr. Emil A.

Runkel, E. Edmundson, I. Silander and T. L. Atkinson, all of Ludington.

Berries are MAKE YOUR JAMS AND JELLIES WITH CERTO FRUIT PECTIN! it's better! GOES FARTHIR! You can make too batches of jam or jelly from one bottfe, 2 EASIIRI You dont have to dfetotve liquid Certo pour it into fruit lambent PASTER Ifs true! You're through IS minutes after your fruit's prepared. TLAVOR-GUARDiO" for richer flavor! Yes, because you boil just one minute, you retain the luscious flavor of fruit at its fun-ripened best! What's more, Certo coded for freshness! Carlo a liquid natural fruit pectin product HOMEMADE JAMS AND JELLIES TASTE LESS! procession was led by David Steinburg, Tommy Green, Bobby Kennedy, George Pratt, Russell Keson and Jimmy Pinkerton, who carried placards stating the time and place of the event. As the band marched onto the field members struck up the strains of "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight." Included in their evening's rep- ertoire were "Robinson's Grand Entry," "The Waves" featuring trumpet triple tonguing, with several polkas and waltzes rounding out the 45-minute program. Hugh Kennedy was announcer and master of ceremonies for the game. The baseball diamond had been chalked off to resemble a snake track and some of the players had difficulty following this crooked trail.

Scottvillc Cuties, alias several local softball players, were attired in silk frocks, hats and bright colored wigs to resemble their wives, although the large crowd of spectators admitted there was not much resemblance. Throughout the game the Cuties were referred to by their wives' first names. One of the highlights of the game occurred when "Ruby" Hoover's skirt fell off. All of the Cuties quickly dashed to the rescue and at the appropriate moment, Kennedy remarked, "My, that's the best form I've seen all evening." The Cuties were trying so hard to win that several of their wigs (Please turn.to Page 9. Column 3) Stanley Boxed Christmas Cards PRATT'S JEWELRY South Main Street SCHOENBERGER'S-AT SOUTH JAMES STREET -LUDINGTON- YOU CAN BUY MEAT FOR LESS BUT NOT THIS GROUND BEEF (No colorings or preservatives added.) BEEF ROAST VEAL STEAK FROM CHOICE VEAL! LB.

45 STEAK TENDER SIRLOIN. SHORT OR CLUB. LB. 45 WATERMELONS AND THIS IS THE TIME TO FILL THAT DEEP FREEZE! BUY YOUR MEAT BY THE QUARTER! EXTRA SPECIAL PRICES ON MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY! EGGS LARGE. DOZEN TRY OUR HOMEMADE, OLD-FASHIONED BOLOGNA IT'S DELICIOUS! CLOSED SATURDAY AT 6 O'CLOCK CLOSED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS FREE PARKING ON OUR LOT YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SAVE! Main Street, Scottville Open Saturday Nite 'til 9:00 p.m.