The Independent-News, Volume 117, Number 9, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 25 July 1991 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - JULY 25, 1991

I EDITORIALS

SPOTLIGHT ON YOUTH In Indiana we are right in the middle of “fair time’’. Each year the many county fairs start unfolding in the middle of July and continue for a few weeks culmating with the big Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis. We are blessed in this area to have some very outstanding county fairs. Although the fairs often use big names, various forms of entertainment, harness racing, midways and just about anything that create interest and help draw people, the spotlight is still on the youth as the 4-H'ers come into the spotlight at these fairs. 4-H is a program that has outlived the many changes of lifestyles over the years and has actually branched out tremendously to keep in step with the world as it changes. It is not just gardening, sewing, raising and showing animals any longer, it is a big variety of projects and activities that change as our way of life continues to change. Even though in many instances 4-H might have slipped a little in participation, it certainly hasn’t slipped in its objectives and goals as well as achievements over the years. It is still a program that adds a lot to the lives of those active in the organization and one that nothing but good can come from being a part of in this or any other period of time. Fairs are fun times, but they also are a time to pay a little respect and attention to the youth of today. As usual, the youth always seem to hold up their end of things they are involved in and those who are active in such as this certainly aren’t the headline makers we read so much about on the negative side. For this short period of time, the spotlight is on the youth. Look and you might just be surprised what you will see.

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“Year Twa Big W’ Dear John Glenn Taxpayer, Many individuals opposed to the current “Middle School Project’’ have asked, “What can we do?” Right now, your Voice is important. Voice your opinion to the current school board, not only on the street, by phone or letter; but come to your school board meetings and speak out. There will be a very important public hearing coming up in August. We’ll let you know

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sou July 26 & July 27 Friday & Saturday SUMMER 1 SALES

the date, time and place. Secondly, your Vote may be important in the school board election in May 1992. This Vote will be important if no one wants to listen to your Voice. Please, get involved I Taxpayers For Education “Under Protest’’ I wasn’t going to write a letter this week but I walked into a local restaurant this morning and was told by the boss that I was going to write a letter. I’ll try to write a short and concise letter. It has been hot and my disposition is nastier than usual. I guess that it doesn’t help when my electricity cuts way back and shuts

PHARMACY - SODA FOUNTAIN GENERAL STORE 129-131 N. Main Strut, North Liberty Phone 656-4722 HOURS: Monday thru Friday - 8:00 a m. - 7:00 p.m. Saturday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday - 9 00 a m. - 3:00 p m.

off the fan and TV at night. I really feel for the price of electricity that it could be better planned for more voltage in the hot summers. The low voltage doesn't help the local businesses with their air conditioners either. That is probably what happened to the Cottage’s air conditioner last weekend. It has been taken care of and it’s nice and cool again. I want to thank Buleah Dollahan and June Malstaff, from Just Sew, for the collard green recipes. We’re going to try them this weekend. In this hot weather we need to be more courteous and use more common sense. Farmers need to know that tractors are supposed to stop at stop signs too. Last Monday night at the crossing of Tyler Road and Highway 23, two farm trucks jumped the stop sign on Tyler and pulled on to 23, almost hitting a car driving south. This is a bad corner at the best of times but Monday night it is even worse. Everyone (including me) should try to be a little cooler in this hot time. When we get our danders up all it does is make us hotter and make us enemies. Be careful of mistreating animals in this weather. Last Sunday we gazed out our window and saw some strange people in our field trying to pet our cows. This is a no-no. Animals, including pets, are very sensitive to hot weather and their dispositions change too. The okra is ready and so are the tomatoes and peppers. It is time to can peaches. I haven’t figured out why it is called “good old Summertime”? Keep it cool, fill the kids’ swimming pool and jump right in yourself. Sincerely, Nedra Williams Coo/ Hits For Summer At Firefly Saturday, July 27, at 8:00 p.m., the Firefly Festival for the Performing Arts will double the fun at

its evening concert with performances by blues wizard Mr. B. and folk musicians Sally Rogers and Howie Bursen. In addition, Firefly will provide two opportunities for people of all ages to meet these artists and learn more about their music. Mr. B With the deaths of Little Brother Montgomery, Blind John Davis, Roosevelt Sykes, and James Booker, the world lost some of its greatest blues pianists. Fortunately, there is a gentleman in our midst who mot only pays grand tribute to the original masters, but is embellishing the rich tradition with a style and voice all his own. Mark Lincoln Braun, a.k.a. Mr. B, bom and raised in the Detroit area, has emerged as one of the greatest living boogie-woogie pianists. A compelling performer whose enthusiasm is downright infectious, Braun is more than capable of rolling the ivories with a thundering eight-to-the-bar punch and shaking the walls with a floorrumbling boogie. His richly textured music is accessible and entertaining, as he balances noteperfect technique with a droil wit and warm audience rapport. His great spirit and big singing voice, combined with lyrical whistling, have thrilled audiences from coast to coast and across Europe, Canada, and Mexico. Mr. B is also an adept storyteller, taking his cue from the blues-men he hung out with and learned from, Blind John, Little Brother, Sunnyland Slim, and Champion Jack Dupree, among others. A favorite on a variety of national public radio shows, he has also put out a number of critically acclaimed albums, including “Partners in Time,” with legendary jazz greats J.C. Heard and Marcus Belgrave. Mr. B has become one of the top performers of this classic genre. His unflagging sense of history and his joy in playing guarantee that he will carry on this heritage for many years to come. Saturday afternoon, at 3:00 p.m., Mr. B will give an informal lecture/demonstration of his technique and chat with visitors about the blues, its history, and his own original music. Admission is free, and Mr. B would welcome the opportunity to share his expertise and enthusiasm on-stage at St. Patrick's County Park. You don't have to be a musician to enjoy this opportunity to meet the pianist/ composer/raconteur first hand. Sally Ragers A Howie Bunco Electrifying when performing solo, Sally Rogers and Howie Bursen more than double the excitement when they come together on one stage. With dynamic vocals and instrumental virtuosity, they have been delighting audiences coast to coast since 1982, gaining national prominence through concert performances, appearances at major festivals, and their popular radio visits on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companions.” Sally Rogers performs traditional contemporary, and original ballads and songs, interwoven with stories taken from her life as a performer, wife, and mother. She accompanies herself on guitar and Appalachian dulcimer, and sometimes sings a capella in a voice that critics describe as “mesmerizing.” Sally’s recordings include the award-winning “In the Circle of the Sun,” as well as children’s albums which bring her concerns for world peace and environmental protection to the younger generation. Howie Bursen, an entertaining performer who punctuates his songs with humorous stories and anecdotes, is a talented singer, guitar player, and old-time banjo virtuoso. He is known for his very intricate and melodic “clawhammer” mountain banjo style which allows him to play tunes in jig and other unusual times, once thought an impossible feat on the instrument. (‘Chicago Magazine’ has

hailed him as “easily one of the finest banjo players ever heard.”) An accomplished songwriter whose works have been recorded by the likes of Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Ronnie Gilbert, Holly Near, and Tom Chapin, Bursen has also recorded solo albums of his own, as well as two duo recordings with wife Sally. Their most recent album, ‘When Howie Met Sally,’ gives ample evidence that for beauty, humor, folk, and fun, this duo is a winning combination. Following the evening’s performance, the audience will be invited to join Sally and Howie on-stage to meet the artists and enjoy an informal discussion/question and answer session with the two artists. This meet-the-composer session is partially underwritten by a grant from Arts Midwest. A schedule of events follows: 3:00 p.m., Meet Mr. B on-stage at the park for a lecture-demon-stration. Admission is free. 8:00 p.m., Performance on stage: Mr. B and Sally Rogers & Howie Bursen. See ticket prices below. After performance: Meet the Composer reception with Sally and Howie. Admission is free. The Firefly Festival is held at St. Patrick’s County Park, 50651 Laurel Road, South Bend. Parking is free, and assistance for disabled persons is available. If the performance is moved indoors due to bad weather, an announcement will be made on City Line and on local radio stations at 3:00 p.m. Ticket information for performance, Adults: Avance tickets, $7.00 each; at the gate, $9. Children: Ages 6-16, $2 each; under age 6, free. Group discount: A 20% discount off advance sale prices is available for groups of IS or more adults, call Firefly, 219-288-3472. Box Offices: South Bend, Century Center, 219-284-9111; Notre Dame, LaFortune Student Center, 219-239-8128; Mishawaka, Majerek’s Hallmark, University Park Mall, 219-277-5096; Elkhart, Templin’s. 219-293-3043; LaPorte, Majerek's Hallmark/Reader’s World, 219-326-5980; New Buffalo, Ml, Brennens' Book Store, 616-469-7530; and Niles, MI, Majerek's Hall of Cards A Books, 616-683-1689. The Firefly Festival’s goal of bringing quality and diversity in the performing arts to the broadest possible audience is assisted by generous community and foundation assistance and support from the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. FARMERS DAY PARADE ENTRY DEADLINE NEARS August 2 is the deadline for entries to the Indiana State Fair Farmers Day Parade. The parade, featuring floats, bands, hitches and pets is slated to begin at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, August 21, in front of the grandstand. This years parade theme is "Proud To Be n American . . . .” and trophies and prize money totaling $6,000 will be awarded. "We’ve been very pleased with the response,” said Tom Asher, parade chairman, “So far we have seven bands, seven floats and 17 farm hitches entered. Many pet parade entries also are expected but they usually arrive at the last minute.” Floats are divided into four divisions, adult, youth, non-competi-tive and commercial. The top 10 finishers will receive prize money from $75 to S4OO. The top five finishers will also receive trophies. The farm hitch class is open to any size oxen, mule, or horse team. Trophies through fifth place will be awarded with entries judged on harness, team, driver appearance, and appropriateness of vehicle pulled. People interested in being a parade participant can contact Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. at (317) 263-7819. Shop At Home