SUSQ Vol. 76 No. 26 June 30, 1976 Bhai cn A —- oe ARLE UEHA Susquehanna Times & The M¢ MARIETTA & MOUNT JUTY, ra. Michele McKercher discusses her career during short visit home. Show business is not all glamor says Michele after 6 month tour At this time last year Michele McKercher, daughter of Mrs. Diane Jackson, R.D. 1, Columbia, had just graduated from Donegal High School. This coming Sunday, Ju- ly 4, on the Bicentennial, Michele will be singing in Hanover, Pa., as a member of Fred Waring’s famous Pennsylvanians. Actually, Michele's ca- reer as a Pennsylvanian began immediately after her graduation last year. She had applied for a scholarship in the spring of 1975S and won it on May 13, 1975 And the year before that she had attended a summer workshop sponsored by Fred Waring at Delaware Water Gap. It wasn’t until August, 1975, that Michele was hand-picked by Mr. Waring to be a Pennsylvanian and make their winter tour. And what a tour that was — 41 states in 6 months, usually singing in a differ- ent city each night, six nights a week, with long bus trips between cities. Suitcases have to be out by the bus by 7:30 a.m., which means rising at 6:30, then often riding 12 hours to the next city (Michele doesn’t sleep easily on buses), unpacking, putting on ‘‘tons of make-up ’’ and being on stage poised snd refreshed for the evening concert Michele has learned that show business is not all glamour; it is hard work too. But show business has been in Michele’s mind since she was a little girl of nine. That year, she sang ‘““Honey Bun’’ from South Pacific at a summer camp. The person she has always admired most in show business is Barbra Streisand, and after Strei- sand, Liza Minelli. Michele enjoyed playing a role Minelli made fa- mous, Sally Bowles in the York (Pa.) Little Theatre’s production of Cabaret in the winter of 1975S. Fun for all Still only 18 and already a pro, Michele is looking forward to a long career in show business. Some other Pennsylvanians have gone far: Jane Wilson, Patsy Garret of Benji, Janice Lynde (Leslie in The Young and the Restless). Michele says a person needs not only talent but also ‘“‘uniqueness’’ to make a success of show business. She hasn’t found her own unique style yet, but Michele McKercher is searching for it. LE at Maytown picnic MT A Rae Le 2 Mount Joy ys PA Fro Ratph M, Snyder ‘ A / ” 17552 NOTICE The Susquehanna Times will publish an issue of the newspaper July 7, but will not publish an issue September 8, the Wednes- day after Labor Day. MES FIFTEEN CENTS School board passes tight budget; Donegal School Board passed the ’76-77 budget and decided to keep the Maytown primary building open, at the budget meet- ing last Wednesday night. Taxes were raised only 7 mils, in spite of rising costs and a reduction in state aid. Budget cutting by the board included the elimin- ation of 11% positions, including 42 teaching positions. The board had conmsider- ed closing Maytown pri- mary building as an econ- omy move, but the move was rejected. Maytown parents had vigorously opposed the idea of closing the building. They won the support of board member Dale Arnold who decided that Maytown School would become too crowded if the primary buildng were closed. Guidance councellor John Day III attended the meet- ing to argue against an- other of the board’s money- saving moves. Day and some other staff members had been employed on extended contracts. That is they were paid for 15-20 days of work during the summer. The board eliminated the summer work. Day argued that the summer work was an important preparation Donegal Band to get new dress uniforms The Donegal Band mus- iclans will get new uni- forms this year. The school will pay $15,000 to $20,000 for the uniforms. The current band uni- forms are about 10 years old and are badly worn. New outfits cost $150 to $200 apiece. Since the uniforms last 10 years, the Hot weathier didn’t slow down the kids at Maytown’s Old Time picnic last Saturday. Bicentennial dollars were awarded to the youngest, oldest, newest resident and largest family present. Everyone agreed that the picnic was a success and should be repeated. cost of outfitting one mus- ician is $15-$20 per year. The school will not buy uniforms for the band front this year, but the Band Parents club will buy color- guard equipment, flags, harnesses and a banner. The Band Parents are also hoping to purchase 3 snare drums, a pair of timbales and 2 fiberglass Sousa- phones. The band parents also support band camp, which will be held Aug. 16-21. both Maytown buildings stay open for the school year, and pointed out that the change would cut into his retire- ment pay. School superintendent Ragnar Hallgren said he was willing to set up a plan whereby the guidance counselor could work as he was needed during the summer. Hearing examiner Wil- liam Musser, school attor- ney Roger Reist and Mr. Day will meet to reach a decision. Next year’s budget will equal $3,959,795. Taxes rose from 92 mils to 99 mils. Attendance is expect- ed to drop by about 70 students. Illustrations show general design of the new band uniforms which will be purchased soon.
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