Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 25, 1953

Plans are nearing completion for a baseball game in the afternoon and a program of band music and fireworks the night of July Fourth at the fairgrounds in Mount Ayr.

Six organizations join in the sponsorship of the event. They include Ringgold Post No. 172, American Legion; Mount Ayr Post No. 8881, V. F. W.; Mount Ayr Volunteer Fire Department; Mount Ayr Businessmen's Club; Mount Ayr Lions Club; and the Mount Ayr Business and Professional Women's Club.

Nothing spectacular in the way of fireworks is being planned, but the program will be adequate and pleasing to those who plan to observe the Fourth in their community. At the close of the program, families are invited to use the grounds for their own displays, under supervision of the sponsoring organizations.

A reunion is being planned for all musicians who played in the American Legion Band, under direction of Forest L. STEWART, during a 17-year period from 1926 to 1943.

The program includes a concert by this organization which provided Mount Ayr and community with excellent concerts for eighteen consecutive seasons.

Several members of the band still reside in Mount Ayr or in nearby towns. They include Grant L. HAYES, Frank F. WILSON, Loren HAYES, Keith ROGERS, Chas. J. LESAN, Charles W. LAWHEAD, Howard TODD, N. V. TYRREL, Robert HUDSON, Clarence RISCHOFF, Don GUTHRIE, Clair RHOADES, Harold DAVIS, Roy PAYNE, Ed and Ernest HEGGS, Leland DALBEY and Doyle HUNTER.

Out-of-town members, who have been invited to the reunion include John HAYES, Thurman CLARK, Donald, Glen and Alvin HUDSON, Clair DAVIS, Everett FERREE, Orlan MAPLE, Roy SHEESLEY, Alvin LAMOREAUX and Loyd HUDSON.

A concert will be presented by the Mount Ayr high school band under the direction of Oren R. ELMORE.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2012