The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 8

PAGE'EIGHT BMTHEVJLLE (ARK.) COURIER NEWS Who Delights in Helping Others, Gets Kick Out of Providing Building Sites for GIs By RICHARD KI.K1NER NBA Staff Correspondent E. Oct. 17. (NEA). Michael Bibich has just gijftaxed a lifetime of eood- ne.4 wgivine lo ex-GI's, and promising to 12 more.

The 30 arc rallied nt $15.000. Everybody in Creslline calls him Mik'e." although he's only been Jiving, there for eight years. HP runs a meat but that's just a sidtj-linc. His real business is doing things lor others. Crestline lias a youth center, to keep its youngsters off the streets.

Mike built it and equipped it. Dur- ing'the war. Crcstline's service cen- terras famous; the city is on a couple of main railroad lines, and each'time a train slopped, people canjel through Eivtiic ham sanrt- 5-ichd'i and roffee to the Mike donated most of the Joof; of people in CresiILnc, as elsewhere In the nation, nrc finding' il harder than ever to make )neet nowadays. Every once In a while, a hardship cusp will vake up in morning and find a bli? basket of food on his front, porch. topped by a bis ham.

They don't have to wonder who sent, the bas- was Mike. His hams arc al- I most a trademark. 1 Mike had a tract of land on the I south skle of Cresillne. He- decided, he says. "I'm going to do something for my fellow man.

I'm going to give away those lots." Bui Mike didn't Just give them away. He bad an architect draw np a modern plan for a 30-home community, complete with plenty of recreational areas for the children and the be.st possible arrangement of home sites. Then he notified the newspapers that the 30 lots would be nvnllablc, free of charge, to any cx-Gl in I he four surrounding counties who netted a home. The Telegraph-Forum in nearby Bucynis, ran one story; Mike ran one ad. Tn it he referred to himself as "Sir Michael Bibich.

well-known author, playwright and business man." Then the post office clamped down, warning the pa- Allllliir. playwright, butcher pliillanlhrvpM, Mike Fllhlch his audience: "Don't hr. afralrl In ask mr for what ynu want," SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1947 Mtclinct Ilihicli (Inic'l; lo camera) who most nf hi hamffrom some of the '0 lucky winners nf tlic linllilinc lime Rivtup nls Mlkn gjiv helping nis. Faraway, on the mainland, for the late getting back," she told them. -Jtsti come down to breakfast 'a little earlier than tho others and room waiting few when she saw the sid folded newspapers jonj table.

Carelessly she jlittedi Ilic newspaper on top and pages idly. Suddenly sat erect, bright-eyed and For Steve's face looked Ibafk at her from the newspaper, jand beneath it there was a line iof'print: well-known I correspondent and i commcnlator, who will toni'M at the Andllortnm. I Beside tbe picture, there was "interview with a celebrity." Madelaine and Joyce came in jwith a casual "good morning," but was on her feet, holding jout the paper, exclaiming happily labout Steve's presence in So eager and excited wns that Madelaine looked puz- izled and a liflle disturbed. "It's Steve," Happy explained eagerly, not realizing how much was betraying her inmost lecl- ittigs in the excitement of knowing Stove was so near. "He's in SaVannab! Oh.

I'm going up to MS him. It's not must ibe'busses and things." Madclainc exchanged 1 and Madelaine said "But of course, Happy; three go. It's a fine road. ma ke il' in lwo hours I have some sh only 80 We can or less. opping he herself came bapk into Ihe dining room when and Happy were almost half thfough their meal.

telephoned George he's days, if his schedule will permit." llERE was the a holitiny mood whole excursion. The day was perfect, bright and sunny end warm; am! the road and shining silver- between the woods gray wide ribbon and fields. Happy was so excited at the thought of seeing Steve lhat she was bright-eyed and (lushed, and chaltcred continuously. They reached Savannah shortly after II, and Madelaine brought Ibe car lo a halt in front ot a hotel. "This is the BcSoto," she said, "where the interview said Steve was stopping.

Joyce and 1 will run along and attend lo our shopping and perhaps we can all have lea at the hotel aboul 3 "That would be wonderful," said Happy, and swiftly up tho steps and inlo the lobby. "Mr. Landers?" the clerk said politely, and indicated a row of house phones. Happy picked up the receiver of one and waited for a breathless moment before Steve's voice, a lilllc tired and grumpy, said curlly, "Yes?" For a moment Happy was speechless with delight at bearing his voice, and he spoke impatiently again before she could say shakily, "Hello. Steve.

This is Happy." She heard his startled there was a second of silence and' then Steve shouted, "Happy! I don't believe it! Where are you?" "Down in (he lobby," she lold him eagerly. "Well, what are yon standing on ceremony for? Come on up. Gosh I can't believe gasp; Happy, on it;" A few minutes later he stood the doorway his suite, his hair still muslcd, though he had combed it hastily, and a dnrk blue obe belted snugly about his as stie- came toward him down the cot ridor. "Happy!" His ar.ms wont about hot and caught her close, lo the frank delight of (he elevator operator, who was lingering to watcp. "Happy migosh you're real! I thought I wns things.

Come on in!" imagining P1IE sitting room of his suits was strewn with newspapers, portable typewriter stood open a table, with an untidy sheaf of manuscript paper on one side, mi equally untidy sheaf of lypcd sheets liberally adorned with penciled corrections on the olber. "Let mo look nt you!" said Steve, and held her away from him. "By golly, you're prettier than life of luxury seems to agree with yon! And wliat a swell Ian!" "Oh. Steve, it's gnmd seeing you again!" she cried. "And seeing you is like coming on a green oasis in a desert.

Wriat the heck are you doing in he demanded. "Mrs. llarrcll and Joyce brought me in. They wanted to do some shopping. And they want us lo have lea with them at we're going lo stay and hear j-our lecture tonight." Steve looked genuinely alartned.

"Don't you dare!" he protested sharply. "Don't you dare come near the place! Good grief, gal, it's touch enough to get through one of these harangues without knowing you are in the place." And Happy, understanding, and laughing a little in warm, tender armifo'ncnt, answered soothingly, "All right, all right; don't look so terrified. We'll just go to movie, then, until you've finished." "Having fun, Happy?" asked after a moment. The color burned-in her checks. "Of course.

Steve! But I'm gelling a little homesick. Isn't Dial silly?" Steve nodded and gave her shoulder a pal. "Wait right here, pretty thing, while 1 loss on some clothes and we'll go out and see the town." (To Jlc Continued) Qur Boarding House with OUT OUR WAY By J. R. FRM'TICE OME WHY SHE OFFERED THA.T BEU5H COWBOY.

FREE PER UOTHIMC-V I -VLL TK WILD CATTLE COULD GET CX1TOF I leRE, AM' HE OtllT AFTER TH' FIRST OME" I TH' c-iET TO DISPERSE so I'M FKKCKLKS HIS KRIBNDS By BLOSSER Catching On AFTfR THAT 71LK, HE WAS POSITIVELY I IX GAVE WIM BACK: CHECK; CK. AMD THLM DONT HAVE MOW ABOUT' SAID You WOULDN'T THEY WANTED TWIEP SEASON SO THEY PPETEWDFO THEY Gee whiz! Look at her, mother, fluffing her hair and putting on fresh lipstick before she'll talk to her new crush on the phone!" I'OP IMore Than One Pop, when I'm dig you Gee, hope so. I'd take him to football game. want enjoy a I things f'm iMICHAKL O'MALLEY and RALPH LANE THJRE'S SOMEONE WtlTWB TO SEE IHTHE ANITA. A TALL.

BlONtt AND DETERMINED GENIltMAN THIS 15 VIC fLINT.ANIM.HE'5 A BUT HE'S A MAR. JANUS DION LtKS FIRES. DID IT EVER OCCUR TO VOt) WHY NOT? DID JT EVER OCCUR TO YOU THAT BEHIND THOSE 8SICKS SOMEWHERE IN Oft AROUND THAT COLD FIRSP14CE AUSHT BE HIDDEN 5OO.OOO IN OLD ISSUE CURRfNCV? CHIMES ITHINKWUVE HIT ON IT WASH TUHliS On With Ihe Bance LESSLIE TURNER WHKT! VOU- YOU WERE OUT FRONT, JVHD SAW WHM HWPENED Ef. 1 DID KO- BMCH 1H5Y VIEREKT IWKESSEO ON EMITH. I NEYEE.

SOU IWBITIOUS 0 DO SOVIET MOS STUPEWTS OF BW-tET WORK. TO SUCCEED. RJI so. THEY CM5LO IkSTO SHJISJG BCT, J.R, I'Nl TWS SrtCTfcCLE TOSETHEC WITH THE TWINS'ST01H EXPERIENCE- (VGED ME TWENTY HEM56 TOUSEE, COCTOE-- Bv FRED HARMAN IF TQD TRT TO GtT To TAKE ONE WITH; CKOrt HWE. To GO Af 1 You AYfci, Neeiah By V.

T. HAIMUN ilTHE VOU AGWEE T'TELL FOLKS I WEVER BLACKED YOUR EVE OR I OOKT UKE NOBODY WHO LIES ABOUT MEf AN'THAT'S WHAT VOU VOU KNOW DANG WELL I NEVER HITCHA5? A A1NTCHA COT NO NOW. IT FOR. YOU ME TO DO VOU A FAVOR. IF YOU DON'T UKE SENSE? LOOK.I COULD BREAK YOU IN TWO WITH.

Speaking of the Devil By KDGAR MARTIN THY. MOST per that il. i.i illegul lo give publicity lo a lottery. Bui Die one story and one ad did thd trick. Mike got 316 lelers.

They ueriS ))ire letters, from people who wore amazed lhat somebody was tiohiK something for the ex-GI. One wrote: "I think this Is one of I lie nicest things Americans do for us. Thanks and God bless you." Another said: "It's hard lo hr- lieve there are sill! people in this world Rood like yon." Twelve of Ihe Idlers so appealed to Mike Ihnt he decided the writers were going to liavc lols, even If they didn't win them In the lottery. He exempted them from Die draw, but, so ns not to go back on his word lhat 30 lots would lie available, he decided to make these 12 extras. He still doesn't know where he'll buy the land, but those 12 cnn rest assured that Mike will find it.

When the drawing was held, tome of the 310 didn't show lip, but, most did. All Hie names were called, so there would be no question of dishonesty. Bach man land or Iwn women) put Ihnir names in Ihe bnx themselves. Then Sharon Sue Rickle drew out 30 slips. Appropriately, the first name drawn was that of the local American lyfiion commander, Harvey A.

Whipplc, who served in the Pacific with the Navy a.s a Chief Peh.y officer. Mike's short speech was touching. He's Vusoslavian by birth, and bis acceiiL is still noticeable. day," said Mike, "and this hour arc KoinK to make me tlio happiest man In Ihe world. I'm doing something for my fellow (nan.

Those who didn't faith in yourself. Jnlth in your fellow man and faith in God, and you'll have home some day. "We have the best government. In the world today. You fought, for us, now we arc RnlnE lo fight for you! I'm going 10 iry to sec that each nnd every one of you get a home.

Don't be afraid to ask me for what you want." That's Mike Bibicli, who came here in 1912 from Voyvmlina. a part of Hungary Dial's now in Yngo- slavia. His family was wcalthv and well-educated. He had studied acting and slnRinR In Budapest. He continued acting in America for a while, and then the urge to do things for others took liim 10 communities where Serbs were living, so he could give them a hand.

In Hamtrainck, nnd Akron. he organized the Serbian National Home and Serbian School. In Crestline, be organized a Jewish Odd Peliows lodge, the lirst such tinit organized by a Gentile. He lias a son who served in Hie U. S.

Navy Medical Corps during the war. and a daughter who is a model. His wife says lie is "the greatest man I ever knew." Giving; things away and making others happy is. Mike says, "just in me." Back in Yugoslavia, his people always helped out needy students nnd the sick and hungry. He sees no reason to change.

Perhaps his philosophy is catching. At any rate, one of Ihe lucky 30. Alexander Cohen, turned around and gave Ills newly-won lot to another ex-Gl, Harry Vaiighan, who needed it more. Indians Help Out SHOREHAM. Vt.

60 Indians from the St. Regis Reservation hi northern New York have conic to Vermont to help pick, a bumper crop of apples. Free Delivery Call PICKARD'S GROCERY I'hone 20 101-1 FOR SALE 4-in. Concrete Sewer Tile Concrete Culvcrl Tile 10 in. A.

H. WEBB Hwy. Bl al Li Thnnc Blj-thcvillr. Ill.