25C ^Volume 13, Issue 16 Serving Lowell Area Readers Since 1893 Wednesday, March 1, 1989 Showboat inks B.J. Thomas Performances li will be June 22-24 YMCA STARTS ITS SPRING PROGRAMS A selection process that started The Lowell YMCA has again expanded its program offerings. in September of 1988 is over. The YMCA Spring Programs include programs for youth, adult B.J. Thomas will entertain the and family. Programs start on Feb. 27. summer crowds from the Lowell | For Youth there is Kiddy Gym. Swim Lessons. Kinder Kickers, Showboat on the nights of June Youth soccer and softball. New programs for youth are indoor 22, 23 and 24. soccer for grades 1-6 and T-Ball for 4 year olds. Thomas, a musical craftsman, Horseback riding lessons are available at Meadow View Farms. whose talents and unique vocal This program can be for everyone in the family (youth must be at styling have crossed virtually least 8 years old). Classes include grooming, tacking and riding. every musical arena, earning Classes are held in an indoor riding arena. Classes will be on him five Grammy Awards. Hav- Monday starting Feb. 27; Thursday, starting March 2 or on Satur- ing earned numerous gold re- day, starting March 4. cords, his sales are approaching Y's Way to Weight Management is a program that involves the the 40 million mark. participant in decision making lifestyle changes related to eating "Lowell Showboat is ex- behaviors, physical activity, and food choices. The program is tremely happy with the selec- Piearly not a diet but rather an educational and self help program tion/' Showboat President Gor- which combines these three essential components for successful don Gould said. "Thomas is very long term weight management. much a crossover entertainer. He There are also morning, afternoon and evening fitness classes. draws from more than just one Anyone interested in signing up for YMCA classes should call or segment of musical fans.M stop in at the YMCA office. Financial assistance is available if The selection process which needed. was headed by Ray Quada, worked in cooperation with an agency out of Zanesville, Ohio. VOTING PLACE CHANGE FOR PRECINCT II 'It makes things much easier when working with an agency. ^ Please note that the new voting place for Lowell Area Schools' Agencies know prices and the wrecincl II has been reassigned to the Old Bowne Township Hall type of crowds and events an en- located on the comer of 84lh Street and Alden Nash Road, tertainer will work," Gould said. Voters going to the polls for this school's special March 21, 1989 millage election, please go to this new location. The Showboat board greatly ap- preciates the hard work and YMCA BEGINS YOUTH POOL FUND CAMPAIGN hours of follow-up by Quada even after resigning as the Show- The Lowell YMCA will be kicking off its Invest in Youth/Pool boat President position." Fund Campaign on March lt 1989. (today). All three of the Showboat James Reagan D.D.S. is this year's Chairman. ^Invest in Youth shows will start at 8:30 p.m. dollars go towards scholarships for youth who cannot afford to Tickets will be $12 for reserve ^ay for a YMCA program. No one is turned away because of the seats and $10 for general admis- Wability to pay for a program" Reagan said. sion. Gould said people may call The YMCA has set a goal of $25,000 for 1989. This year's the Showboat office now for re- campaign also includes repairing the King Memorial Pool. The servations Monday through Fri- City Council wants to see the YMCA raise SI I,(XX) to help with day, 9 a.m. til 5 p.m, at 897- repairs of the pool. 8280, or people may write Low- ell Showboat, P.O. Box 213, LAAC OFFERS WINTER WORKSHOPS Lowell. MI 49331, Thomas' hits include the The Lowell Area Arts Council is offering four workshops at the Oscar-winning "Raindrops Keep Arts Center, 149 S. Hudson St. Palling On My Head," which re- For children grades 2 through 6, the Center will hold two work- placed Diana Ross and the Su- tops. "Drawing Basicstaught by Sandra Bartlett, offers children premesonJan, 3 1970 as number B.J. Thomas, most notably remembered for his smash hit "Raindrops Keep Falling On My "chance to learn basic drawing skill such as perspective, shading one on the Billboard's pop chart. Head" will provide the headline entertainment at the 1989 Lowell Showboat, and shadow and linear control, while having fun at the same time. It retained that position for four "Creating a Drama" taught by Dm Rooker, will instruct children straight weeks, when he was fi- in the process of developing and writing a play, creating props Car Garage." went into the studio to record his sales had surpassed the 20 mil- nally overtaken by the Jacksons, and scenery, producing a play program and performing the play Bom Billy Joe Thomas on first hit. the Hank Williams lion mark. making "Raindrops" one of the for parents and friends at the conclusion of the workshop. Aug. 7, 1942 in Hugo, Ok- classic "I'm So Lonesome I In 1973 and 1974 he released top 25 hits of the decade. Both workshops will be held at the Arts Center on Saturdays, lahoma. he lived there for all of Could Cry." Recalls Thomas. his biggest hits on the Paramount His next number one hit re- March 4, 11, 18, and 25 at 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Fee is SI4 for two weeks. His family moved "My Dad told me not to come label, "Rock and Roll Lullaby," placed Elton John's "Philadel- either four week workshop. often, finally settling in Rosen- back unless I recorded some- featuring guitar great Duane phia Freedom" with "(Hey Won't Two workshops for adults will be offered also. "Life Drawing" burg, Texas. His early musical thing country." Eddy, and (Hey Won't You Play) You Play) Another Somebody begins Monday, March 6, 7 p.m .to 10 p.m. and is an eight week influences included such country One of Thomas' early breaks Another Somebody Done Some- Done somebody Wrong Song." workshop for all area artists and affords the opportunity to work and rhythm and blues greats as look place when Dionne War- Only one other number one cont'd, pg. 8 ^P»m both life and character models. Fee is $32 members and $36 Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and wick. liking his vocal abilities, single, a medley produced in non-members. Also offerd to adults is a 4 week workshop in basket Jackie Wilson. The first record brought him to the attention of Holland, has ever had a longer ICEMAN'S OUTLET - Your making with Barb Caddick, beginnig Wednesday, March 8,7-9-30 the young Thomas boy ever Burt Bacharach and landed him title. Other Thomas hits have in- party specialist. Liquor, beer and p.m. Fee is $7 plus materials. bought was "Miss Ann" by Little one of his biggest hits ever. cluded "I'm So Lonesome I wine specials. Rear entrance To sign up for any of the workshops, phone the Arts Center at Richard. "Raindrops Kepp Falling On My Could Cry," "Hooked On A Feel- across from Lucchesfs Spaghetti 897-8545. Monday thru Friday, I p.m to 5 p.m. At the age of 14, Thomas Head." ing," "Rock and Roll Lullaby." House. Open until 12 p.m. Sun. joined the church choir. While By the time he sang this "Whatever Happened To Old til 6 p.m. SO s DANCE AND BUFFET SET FOR MARCH II still in high school he became a Bacharach tune on the Academy Fashioned Love," "New Looks Get ready to dance the night away. The 5()*s Dance and Buffet, member of the Triumphs. It was Awards in 1970, Thomas' record From An Old Lover," and "Two LUCCHESrS SPAGHETTI sponsored by the Lowell Athletic Boosters, will be held at Shady this band with whom he later GARY'S COUNTRY MEATS - HOUSE - Serving spaghetti, Acres on March 11 from 7 p.m. to I a.m. PRECISION A FASHION For fresh meat cuts, cold cuts and piz/a, submarines, mexican food A Tickets arc S8 each and may be purchased at The Casual Touch VILLAGE INN - Daily specials - HAIRSTYLING - For both men cheese visit Lowell's exclusive and lasagna. Open Tues.-Thiirs, or call Denise at 897-9678 Reservations should ho in by March 6. Kitchen open until 2 a.m. • Beer and women. Man's World specials 2-5 p.m. M-F. Call 897- meat market at 205 K. Main. Call 4-11 p.m.: Frid. & Sat. 4 until Cont'd, pg. 24 Hairstyling. Phone 897-8102. 8880. 897-7306. midnight; and Sun. 4-11 p.m. The Lowell Ledger - Wednesday, March lt 1989 - Page 2 The Lowell Ledger - Wednesday, March I, 1989 - Page 3 Obituaries March blows in "Save Your Vision Week" March is blowing in the an- sponsor of the celebration in care of their eyes with regular Every day, he said, Americans people nationwide use computer Because of the increased need nual observance of Save Your Michigan. eye examinations. watch 630 million hours of tele- terminals at work daily. to remind people to lake care of Vision Week. This year s dales As proclaimed by the U.S. "The message of Save Your vision, read over 62,7 million "These figures don't include their eyes, the Michigan Op- are March 5-11. President and governor of Michi- Vision Week is more important newspapers, borrow nearly 3,2 the many ways people use their tomelric Association is extend- Around since 1972, the event Orval Jessup passes in Florida gan.