On the Bicentennial Time Capsule; kudos; and Muck Queen Part II

After a few weeks back here at the Clinton County News, one fringe benefit of the job has been particularly enjoyable.

It's not the witty, verbal commentary of my editorial compatriots - Lynn, Lou, and Dave - that often accompanies work on stories; or the ever-flowing coffee that our smooth-talking salesperson Brian guarantees every morning as being "brewed fresh - last night."

While these perks are certainly noteworthy, it's access to information here in the office that I've given thanks for on more than one occasion already. The info I'm grateful for is contained in the rows and rows of bound volumes of the Clinton County News which line the wall behind Elaine's front reception desk.

Being able to pull a volume (or two, or three) off the shelf and quickly find information from years ago that answers questions in a story you're working on today is pretty much like manna falling from heaven.

Such was the case this past week following discussion at the Courthouse Building Committee meeting about what to do with the time capsules that were retrieved from the old courthouse site. Diane Zuker correctly informed the committee that the large capsule which had been buried by the Centennial Pine actually belonged to the city of St. Johns, having been placed there in 1956 on the occasion of the city's 100th anniversary.

Diane also informed the group that a second capsule had been stored for years in the clerk's office vault. She was pretty sure it dated from the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, and thought it had probably been given to the county by the historical society.

A quick perusal through News' bound volumes from '76 confirmed Diane's suspicions - and provided the detailed information I was hoping to find.

It seems that the 14-inch square box which had a home in the clerk's vault was made by Joseph Spousta and Marvin Barclay at the Burton Mixer Plant in St. Johns. It was presented to the Clinton County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 7, 1976, as a concluding part of the year-long festivities which the Clinton County Bicentennial Committee had orchestrated across the county to celebrate our nation's 200th birthday.

Notable members of that committee included chairperson Maurice Gove, vice chairperson Harold Martin, secretary Alta Reed, and Shirley Karber who served as coordinator for many of the special events and projects - including collecting items for the time capsule.

When county residents peek inside the Bicentennial capsule in 2076, they'll find an American flag, photos and Bicentennial souvenirs and programs, a telephone directory, seeds, newspapers, a ruler and thermometer.

I have to admit those final two items threw me for a moment - until I realized that by 2076, taking measurements with a ruler and thermometer may well be obsolete. I don’t think I'll still be alive, but I sure hope someone can explain to folks who open the capsule what it is they're looking at.

Anyway, we certainly recommend that today's building committee makes provisions to find a suitable home for the Bicentennial capsule at the new courthouse - and that the St. Johns Centennial capsule also finds a good resting place.

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Congratulations and expressions of appreciation are in order to several groups of people.

Jack Bertoldi tipped me off to a 'Good Samaritan" deed made possible by the Clinton County Sheriff Victim Support Team. As they always do on such occasions, the Team responded to the scene of a traffic fatality that took place on US-27 recently.

As it turned out, the accident involved a family from outside the area whose young child escaped serious injury in part because of the use of a child safety seat. Unfortunately - or perhaps, fortunately - the seat was damaged beyond use, leaving the mother with no means to transport her youngster home later that evening.

When a correct-size seat could not be located at volunteer sites that routinely provide used, donated items in time of need, Renae and other Team members came through in the clutch by purchasing a brand new seat for the family using discretionary funds from the Team budget.

It was a simple gesture - but surely one that provided welcome relief to this particular family in a time of personal crisis.

Recognition should also be given for a job well done to the labor and management folks at the St. Johns Federal Mogul plant. Management personnel and labor representatives from UAW Local 925 here in town successfully negotiated a four-year contract that runs to Oct. 8, 2003.

While it's important to provide coverage for new and expanding companies that locate in our community, all too often we fail to recognize and salute the manufacturers which have been a mainstay to the county economy for generations.

We take our hats off to Federal-Mogul in particular for their hard work in arriving at this contract agreement - and also say thanks to Dana, FC Mason, Saylor Beall, and Burton Mixer for their years of providing quality jobs to area residents.

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Last , but certainly not least, it seems I failed the reporter test of accuracy last week when I took facts provided by my anonymous source (R.Z.) on a possible new Muck Queen for '99.

Henning clan members, Paul and Ruth, set the Muck Queen record straight - although they noted that since R.Z. and his lovely wife, Mary, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this weekend, his lapse of memory could be forgiven.

Anyway, the original Muck Queen was Janet Henning Light, not Joyce Henning Wilson as R.Z. led me to report. Paul and Ruth also noted that the throne of current 'muck' royalty, Queen Jean Barnhart, is not being threatened in any fashion.

"Queen Jean is doing a superb job," Paul and Ruth wrote, "and was presented with an achievement award this year - you might want to ask her about it."

Somehow, I'm a little fearful to inquire as to the achievements one must acquire in order to receive a Muck Queen award.

But, I'm equally certain that some of our readers will ask Queen Jean all on their own.