97-year-old resident has been playing the harmonica for 86 years | Jackson News - - MLive.com 11/25/09 9:05 AM

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Resources harmonica for 86 years • RSS | Newsletters By Jackson Citizen Patriot staff • Follow on Twitter November 24, 2009, 6:35PM • Facebook us!

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Contacts • Jackson Citizen Patriot • MLive.com Jackson News headlines Related • Building damaged in S. Jackson Street blaze was uninsured; Studio of Jackson • Jackson Jobs artist destroyed in blaze 9:26 PM • Jackson Real Estate Katie Rausch | Jackson Citizen Patriot • Police focusing on drunken drivers in • Jackson Autos Jackson during holidays 11:38 PM Orville Emerson, 97, has been playing the harmonica for most of his life. Currently, • Jackson Classifieds he plays with the Rose City Harmonica Club. • Three people injured in crash on Airport Road in Jackson County 10:45 PM • Daybook for Nov. 25: Birth Orville Emerson loves to play the harmonica. It's a hobby he's pursued almost announcements and marriage licenses Browse by month: all of his life, and at 97, that means Emerson's been harping for 86 years. 10:43 PM Select a date • Shooting victim testifies at man's For about the past 10 of those years, he has blown his harmonica with the preliminary exam 10:41 PM Rose City Harmonica Club of Jackson. More: Jackson News »

ADVERTISEMENT "He's a very industrious gentleman," said Carol Franssen Sr., Rose City • The Upper Hand in Business - Harmonica Club president. See the Michigan Advantage • See coupons and values for local Born in Newago County, Mich., in 1912, Emerson started playing the businesses. Click here! harmonica at age 11. He had no formal training, but as a young man in the • Relocation.com will Save you Most Commented on MLive.com Time and Money on your Move early 1930s he helped form a musical group called the Grand Ledge Hillbillies. With the Hillbillies, he sang and played both the harmonica and steel guitar. The stories you're talking about

JACKSON PHOTOS Settling down in the Jackson area in 1999 after living in various locations Matthew Stafford unlikely to play 103 across the state and the country, Emerson soon joined the Rose City Thursday, but Lions won't 'close Challenge Day comments the door' Harmonica Club. Uploaded Lions' Matthew Stafford honored as by Yet Emerson is not satisfied simply to play harmonica and sing with the Club. 70 comments NFC Offensive Player of the Week Scott A man of many interests, Emerson also enjoys sewing, and he focuses his Park | energy on sewing kitchen aprons. Jackson Detroit Lions' Matt Stafford theme 67 Citizen "I've made over 100 aprons," Emerson said, his brown eyes twinkling. song: Jay-Z's 'Run This Town' or comments Tom Petty's 'I Won't Back Down'? http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2009/11/97-year-old_resident_has_been.html Page 1 of 3 97-year-old resident has been playing the harmonica for 86 years | Jackson News - - MLive.com 11/25/09 9:05 AM

Citizen comments Patriot Tom Petty's 'I Won't Back Down'? Although Emerson is hard of hearing, his mind is sharp and his memory is Lions noncommittal on status of More Multimedia remarkable. 67 Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson • 11-7-09: State Cross comments for game vs. Packers Country "He's also active in the garden all year long, and he's a very good organ • 11-21-2009: Lumen player," said Emerson's son, Neil. Lions' Jim Schwartz irked at Christi defeats Muskegon 65 comments made by Browns' Eric comments Heights At a recent ceremony, the Rose City Harmonica Club showed Emerson its Mangini • 11-16-09: Photos of appreciation for his years of service, presenting him with a personalized the Week "Lifetime ‘Harper' Award" plaque. The event was also a good-bye party, 58 Spartans, fans appear content with BUY PHOTOS » because Emerson is moving in December. comments mediocrity after 6-6 football season MORE MULTIMEDIA » Far from leaving with a heavy heart, Emerson looks forward to his move to State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith

Florida, where he can pursue yet another of his interests: shuffleboard. 56 calls for restructuring of Michigan STATEWIDE NEWS comments taxes, graduated income tax

• Americans search for "I love shuffleboard," Emerson said. "When I was down there before, I played it morning, afternoon and night." QB Matthew Stafford's grit on cheaper Thanksgiving 51 game-winning final play bodes well trips comments for Lions' future "It's what keeps me going in my old age," Emerson said of his assorted • Toyota to replace 3.8 million gas pedals as hobbies. "If I just sat down and twiddled my fingers, I wouldn't get very far. I Rookies Matthew Stafford, Aaron 44 part of massive recall want to make it to 100!" Brown impressive in Lions' win comments against Browns • 550 Lansing city workers to get 9-day Recommend (0) furlough 42 Lions sell out Thanksgiving game Print this Email this Share this: comments vs. Packers • Michigan state troopers hunting for drunken drivers Thanksgiving NEWS BLOGS weekend Previous story: Details set for Racing for Dollars Community Benefit

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