The Homer Index from Homer, Michigan • 1

index: tine homer VOLUME ONE HUNDRED TWO HOMER, MICHIGAN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1976 15 "Over A Century of Service to the Homer Community TWO SECTIONS 6 PAGES plus 24 PAGE TABLOID NUMBER 30 ECKFORD FARMERS LEND HELPING HAND ECKFORD Twenty-three farmers came out in force here Friday not to protest high taxes, or PBB poisoning but to help their neighbors. That's all. Just to help some neighbors. Riding tilling machinery of all sizes and descriptions, Eckford Township farmers spent the day plowing and fertilizing 370 acres of land for two friends who needed help. The bulk of land, 350 acres, belongs to Carl Harris, whose five-year-old son lies dangerously ill in Ann Arbor University Hospital.

Timmy Harris is suffering from cancer of the kidney and requires constant bedside attention from his parents. That means the farm work, no matter how necessary to the survivial of the family which includes four other children, had to wait. To the Harris' farm neighbors, headed by William Kiessling, a close family friend, banded together Friday and did the plowing. Most of them were noncommittal about their act of charity. As Kiessling put it, "The work had to be done so we did it." The women of the community provided lunch for the men, and Tonys Feed Mill in Eckford provided pop, peanuts and diesel fuel for the tractors.

When the men finished plowing the Harris farm, they moved over to the property of Alan Sunday, who was a patient until Friday at Leila Hospital in Battle Creek. The "Good Neighbor" crew finished the day plowing 20 acres for Sunday. As infectious as neighborliness can be, its likely that Fridays act of kindness will have some long lasting results and an effect cm other generous hearts. This week in National Cancer Crusade Week, and Cancer Fund workers are right now knocking on community doors asking for contributions to aid in the search for a cure for cancer. The money collected also is used to aid cancer patients in their fight against the disease including little Timmy.

Cll 'i OK TIIK VOl.t'NTKKItR who pent Krlil a. plowing for two neighbor wash up for (hr lunch ready to be served by the women of the Krhfurd Community. Photos by Index BICENTENNIAL NOTES The Committee is presently working on a medal to be sold during our July 4th celebration. On one side of the medal will be our Bicentennial symbol, created by David West, and on the other side will be the Blair Historical Farm, our Bicentennial project. The V.F.W.

is in charge of the parade on Saturday, July 3rd. bubs and organizations are urged to enter into the parade with a float of some type or a vehicle to depict their Club. Individuals are also welcome to be in the parade. Contact Ben Rockwell to enter the parade. Following is a list of events that will be occuring during the July 4 celebration.

Saturday July 3rd V.F.W. Pony V.F.W. Chicken Barbecue F.F.A.; Craft Display Homer 3 Cs 4-H; Games Community School; Sandwich and Cold Drink Sale V.F.W. Auxiliary; Water Ball Game Firemen; Canoe Race Boy Scouts; Cutting of Silhouettes Audrey White, Clarklake; Rodeo Lions Gub; Square Dance M-99ers Club. Sunday July 4th Pancake Breakfast Fircbelles; Rodeo Lions; Mini Bazaar Child Study Club; Old Fashioned Day Picnic Cooks Prairie Church; Cake Decorating Contest F.H.A.; Cutting of Silhouettes Audrey White, Garlake; Fire Works Firemen.

The Committee would like more events happening on July 4th. The Lions Rodeo at 2 p.m. Sunday should draw a sizeable crowd so with people here we should give them something to spend their money on. The Committee would appreciate anyone planning an event for this summer celebration to contact the Chairman, Helen Fisk, so we may be the coordinators in getting this celebration all together. BELLS TO TOLL NATIONWIDE A simultaneous, nationwide ringing of bells on July 4th will herald the country's entrance into its third century.

Communities, churches, schools, fire departments, universities and individuals will toll bells and carillons in conjunction with the ringing of the Ubcrty Bell in Philadelphia at 2:00 p.m. (EDST). The time selected is exucty 200 years from the precise moment that the Ubcrty Bell proclaimed the independence of the new nation. John W. Warner, Administrator of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, announced the nationwide bell ringing program after consultations with community, state and regional Bicentennial officials at a special Bicentennial Weekend planning meeting held in Denver, Colorado.

"There is great interest across the land in symbolic national effort to commemorate our 2U0lh anniversary and many communities have already begun planning bell ringing ceremonies as part of their Bicentennial activities," he said. "Now, we are asking all American to join together on this historic occasion, and let the sound of every bell in the country ring out to declare our freedoms and signify our unity." The bell ringing will go on for two minutes in commemoration of the nations' first two centuries. Radio and television stations arc Ix'ing asked to broadcast the sound of hells during the period. The Liberty Bell will be rung (amplified electronically because of the crack) in a symbolic national ceremony conducted by the Sons of the American revolution at Independence National Park at precisely p.m. (EDST).

Our Bicetennial Committee wishes Homer to join in the bell ringing. The Fire Department, High School and our local churches are asked to arrange for the ringing of their bells during this two minute period. We would like as many of our Homer citizens as possible to procure a boll and ring it so we may be a part of this historic occasion. Ilomrr Bicetennial Committee LETTERS TO Letter to the Editor: If you are a member of the Homer Historical Society or a regular Index reader, you are aware of the vast undertaking in progress at the Blair Historical Farm. As you know, Miss Blair donated this farm to be administered by the Historical Society for the benefit of the community.

As members of the Society's Board of Directors, we hope this act will serve to perpetuate the Blair farm and its natural beauty. We also hope that you in the community will formulate some ideas for the farm and for what you want it to be. The farm has the potential for an excellent museum, nature trail, flower and garden spot, craft display area, etc. Many people are already involving their talents in these projects. The Boy Scouts are developing a nature trail.

Garden Club has volunteered to advise and assist with lawn and garden plantings. The Jaycees have donated their labor to install a new roof on the farm house. The Historical Society Board is very appreciative of this effort many people are needed to develop a community project of this scope. Historical Society membeship numbers are growing, but a large percentage of our members are senior citizens, widows or out-of-town residents. All of our members are important to the effort of restoring the farm, but the very nature of our membership and the community focus of the project make non-member, community participation, of the type that has been evidenced at the Waterloo Farm, so essential.

We of the Historical Society Board of Directors are gratified with the progress made by the newly organized group. We have received great support from the people of the area. It is for this reason that we urged your further support contributing your ideas, volunteering your effort, or purchasing your membership in the Homer Historical Society. If you help, you can be a part of making the Blair Historical Farm Restoration Project one that will he a credit to the Blair name and the community. For this farm has been given through the Homer Historical Society to our community, and it is up to us as members of the community to utilize this wonderful opportunity.

Homer Historical Society Board of Directors EDITOR'S NOTES Hats off to the Eckford Fanners! You have restored my faith in human nature during times that often seem selfishly greedy, hectically crazy and generally valueless. BYE. Your Index's general manager is going on vacation. I'm headed home to my mountains for a week. Contrary to the rumors in town, there will be issues May 5 and 12.

The same policies hold as always for deadlines. Slip any classified advertising or news material through the drop-box in the door at the Index office on Main Street or call HARRIETT SCHABERG 56H-4641 for Homer area news; MRS. GLENN CUNNINGHAM 568-4628 for SW Clarendon news; or ANNA SMITH at the Index Office Monday Wednesday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 568-4646.

Deadline for all material is Tuesday, 10 a.m. for that weeks issue. The Ridge Runner KCKKOKl) KAHMKKS mount up for gigantic plowing operation Friday. Rome 23 men apent the day tilling and fertilizing 35 acrei for Carl Harris, whose son Is in the hospital, and 2 acres for Alan Sunday, who Is recuperating from an Illness. WILLIAM KIKSSLINd (left) and David Cook talk over plans for Friday's plowing operation which luob In some 37 acres.

PROCLAMATION Setting aside April 29, 1976 as Maude Blair Day in honor of her 96th birthday in hopes dial her gift that she has given to the Historical Society will he an everlasting monument to her name CHARLES II. LEWIS Village President County 5th Grade Conservation Held Days Set For May 5 12 The annual Conservation Field Days will lie held for 2 separate days this year at the Kiwanis Recreation Area, I murdering Big Marsh Lake in Convis Township. Dates are Wednesdays, May 5th and 12th. Thu alternate rain date will be Wednesday, May 19th. This annual outing, open to all the 5th grade students of Calhoun County, is jointly sponsored by (lie Cooperative Extension Service.

Battle Creek Kiwanis Club, Michigan Dept, of Natural Resources, Soil Conservation Service and the Calhoun County Intermediate School District. Conservation Field Days is an Ecology and Conservation Education program for Calhoun County's 5th Grade students. It is estimated that between 1,200 and 1,300 students will have participated in this year's program. Some of the topics and subjects that the students will sec and hear discussed once they arrive are: Overview and history of the area, Biology and pond life, Conservation and Wildlife, Soil tyies, Importance of rainfall and water. Trees-Forestry, Waterfowl and water habitat and visit with Smokcy the Bear.

After a guided field lour around the 120-acre wildlife refuge, the children will find lime to enjoy cookies and pop. Before hoarding their buses to leave, the children will be given pine scddlings along with planting instructions to use to help plant the seedlings in their resicctivc backyards and THE EDITOR Dear Wendy, How do you say Thank You to a large number of wonderful people? We'd like to again thank the advertisers who bought ads in the Band Calendar, the students and area captains who did the work, and especially a big Thanks to all who support the Bands by purchasing calendars. And in case you hadn't noticed, we'll say it again. A very special Thanks to the Index and its staff for the fine coverage of the Bands and their activities throughout the year. Carol Gorsline Pres.

B.A.C.H. Club Letter to the Editor: The Homer Branch Board of the American Cancer Society would like to thank all the volunteers who have successfully conducted the 1976 campaign. Our Special thanks goes to Mr. Jack Schermcrhom, a representative of the Homer Lions Club, for conducting the Business campaign, and to the future Homemakers of America for their help in the residential campaign. The Residential campaign will be terminated by Wednesday April 28th.

Anyone wishing to contribute who was not contacted by a volunteer may mail a contribution to the American Cancer Su-icty, Calhoun County Unit, Its E. Emmett Battle Creek, Mi. 49017. Our campaign has again been successful lu'cause the people of Homer have once Again given their all. Thank You.

Mrs. Henry Noller Crusade Chairman I lomer Brunch Board American Cancer Society STATE RAND FESTIVAL May 1st will see a gathering of young High School musicians, at regional sites throughout Michigan to take part in the State Band and Orchestra Festival. The Senior High Band under the direction of James Novess will le traveling to Flint to participate at the Beecher High School. As in the district, the State Festival is not a contest or comet it ion. Each bund entered has received a I rating in district, and will receive comments from a panel of musical advisors.

Each advisor gives an average grade II, III, IV, V. This rating is combined with another based on the ability to sight read. Judging is more critical however, at the Stale level. The Band will leave promptly at 10:30 a.m. and return approximately 7 p.m.

The public is invited to attend, admission free. Tin Homer Band will play at 2:55 p.m. Each band is requested to arrive one boor Icfore their scheduled erfnrinuncc in order to have time to tune and warm up their instruments, have last minute uniform and equipment clucks, and a review or rehearsal if tliey wish. For those Family, Friends, and Faculty who will be driving, you may follow the busses or start later in which case you had better gel a map from Mr. Novess.

If somehow we missed you diuing our Baiul Calendar Sale and you wish to luivc one with our new uniforms pictured. You can still contact Carol Gorsline, 568-4239, 3l3South Byron, Homer Mich. 49245 until May 8. 1976, (lurks should be made pavablc to B.A.C.H. Club.

SCOUTS TO ATTEND "CENTURY III" The Homer Boy Scout Troop No. 156, sponsored by the Homer Lions Club, will be attending Century HI. Approximately thirty scouts and adult scoutcrs will be representing Homer. The Scouts selected an outdoor display based on the theme of back-packing. Lightweight tents, sleeping bags, cooking and camping gear will be on display.

Homer Scouts have been selling tickets to Century III which is a two day event expected to draw more than 6,000 Scouts and 15,000 spectators to the Jackson Community College May 1 and 2. Airplane building and races will also be featured, as will be quilting, first aid and safety, heritage displays, magic shows, centennial dress and candy making. Scouts of all areas will complete in coed track and field events, with races scheduled both days according to age. Highlights of special events include the following activities open to the public: 56 flags will be raised at the 9 a.m. Saturday opening ceremony.

Mr. and Mrs. George Romney will present a challenge to Scouts at the Saturday morning opening ceremonies. A resolution will be introduced in the State Senate honoring Century III. The 3-scrcen multi-media presentation Only in America is to be shown to the public at no extra charge at consecutive 40-minutc intervals throughout the Ccntry III celebration.

The title, Centry III, stands for both Scouting groups' anticipation of another century as nation-wide organizations. Tickets will admit the general public to all displays and events from 9 a.m. through 10 p.m. May 1, and from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m.

May 2. The tickets are available from Scouts throughout Calhoun, Lenawee, Hillsdale and Jackson Counties, and from the Boy Scout Service Center, 729 West Michigan, Jackson. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be used to cover the cost of Centry III. Each unit will earn a commission from the ticket sales. The commission earned from the tickets will help Scout troops with various projects throughout the year.

The Boy Scout and Girl Scout councils are members of the United Way of Jackson..