Sesser Homecoming Part 1

Sesser Homecoming Commemorative Issue • June, 2009 1

Sesser Homecoming Commemorative Issue • June, 20092



ContributorsPublisher/EditorJim Muir Graphic DesignerMichael Thomas Advertising DesignerStevie Vercellino PhotographerChristopher Kays Contributing WritersRandall CrockerGerry MacKenzieNed MitchellJim Muir

AcknowledgmentsPublisher’s Greeting – Page 7

Mayor’s Row – Page 8

Sesser Homecoming Association – Page

FEATURES Up, Down and at the Top – 10 – Scores of enter-tainers have graced the stage at the Sesser Homecoming – some were on their way up, some on their way down and some were at the pinnacle of their career – regardless … all were entertaining

A Little Slice of Americana – 46 – ‘You’re still what livin’ means to me’

Pride & Community – 24 – When members of the Sesser Homecoming Association were asked why the annual event is important and what has kept them involved, in some instances for more than five decades, two words stood out – pride and community

The Great Sesser Homecoming Ticket Heist – 26 – A life of crime averted

A Crowning Achievement –28 – Regardless of the era or the century involved being crowned Sesser Home-coming queen is a treasured moment

A special thank you to: the Benton Evening News and publisher Danny Malk-ovich for the use of several photographs. Also a special thanks to BEN photogra-phers Diana Winson, Phil Pearson and Del Rea.

Sesser HomecomingTable of Contents


June 17, 1978 … July 8, 2000 – 33 – Those two dates are important to David and Audra (Wangler) Bates. On the first date they walked down the aisle as part of the Sesser Homecoming court. On the second date they walked down the aisle as husband and wife.

Honoring the Past … Anticipating the Future – 34 – A new Coal Miner’s Memorial will greet visitors to the Sesser City Park and will serve as a reminder about the Southern Illinois coal industry’s historic past while looking ahead at its promising future

‘You’ve Come a Long Way Baby’ – 38 – From a modest beginning in 1950 the Sesser Homecoming has evolved through the years and is now one of the longest running and most successful summer festivals in Southern Illinois.

Come One … Come All – 42 – For more than five decades Jackson Shows and Rides have thrilled youngsters at the carnival and midway at Sesser Homecoming

194 Years Old and 112 Homecomings – 44 – That’s the combined age and homecomings for 101-year-old Clarence “Dinger” Jones and 93-year-old Walter Vander, two of Sesser’s oldest residents who both quickly admit that they still enjoy the annual event

Moments in Time … Were You There? – 46 – A look through the years and through the lens at the Sesser Homecoming

Queston: How much food does it take to feed the Sesser Homecoming? – 51 – Answer: A Bunch

Bank Lounge – pg. 54Behrman’s Meat – pg. 54Black Diamond H-D – BackBrayfield-Gilbert – pg. 54Chris Gore –pg. 48City of Sesser – pg. 2Country Financial Services – pg. 54Crocker Insurance – pg. 49Custard Stand – 53Dorris Trucking – 53High Road Publications – pg. 55Franklin County Office holders – pg. 52Print Shop – pg. 54Mane Design – 27Regions Bank – 48Sesser Animal Hospital – 54Sesser Auto Body – 54Sesser Car Care – 54Sesser Concrete – 52Sesser Dental Clinic – 54Sesser Foodland – 54Sesser Homecoming Association – pg. 3State Bank of Whittington – 50State Rep. John Bradley – 27State Sen. Gary Forby – 48Subway – 52



There’s an old adage that states ‘talk’s cheap’ – or in other words it’s much harder to actually do something than to simply talk about doing something. That phrase might best be used to explain the ‘who, what, when, where and why’ involved in the collector’s issue magazine you hold in your hand. Let me explain. Without fail for the past several years I’ve ran into Keith Ward, who has served as emcee at the Sesser Homecoming for 100 years (actually 49 years) and also with-out fail we’ve discussed the history of the long-running and popular event. Those conversations always go the same way – we talk about how the event started, past queens, entertainment and once again, without fail, we always agree that the dis-tinctive history should be recorded … some day. “Yeah, let’s do that,” one of us would invariably say. And then we’d part company and have the same conversation 12 months later. Last year (2008), while Moe Bandy was cranking out one good song after another, sweet corn and barbecue was in high demand and a dozen carnival rides ran non-stop Ward and I had the exact same conversation. Following the brief conver-sation we made a vow that there would be no more talk and instead this would be the year that talk would turn to action. After all, like I mentioned earlier – talk’s cheap. Perhaps it was a longing on my part for a June day but I recalled our Homecoming conversation on a bitterly cold day in January (2009) and promptly picked up the phone and called Ward. We decided to get the ball rolling and we did, figuring out the key people we needed to contact and what we felt was important for this publication. A meeting was scheduled and several key and longtime players in shaping the Homecoming attended. While the idea of a publication detailing the history of this event had been only an idea up to this point, it was at this meeting that I realized that this magazine would become a reality but also something very special. It was during that meeting that I first started gathering a collection of pictures, pamphlets, newspaper articles, stickers and brochures from past homecomings. The items given to me that day, some were more than 50 years old, came in an assort-ment of packaging. Some were in large manila envelopes, some in scrap books, some in photo albums and some were just crammed into plain folders. But be assured they were all treasured items, every one of them. When that day’s meeting broke up I gently bundled up the large collection of items and headed to my truck and I couldn’t help but think that I was carrying an ‘arm-full of memories and happy times.’ And that’s what I hope this publication is for you – an arm-full of memories about happy times, memories of warm June nights, holding hands with someone you love, meeting old friends, parades, good ol’ country music, Ferris Wheel rides, unforgettable queen coronations and of course, sweet corn, barbecue and plenty of smiles.

Enjoy!

All the best,

Jim Muir

Publisher’s Greeting


On behalf of the citizens of Sesser, city employees, and elected officials we welcome you to our annual Sesser Homecoming Rend Lake Days. This is an event that contin-

ues to grow each year and it is one of the longest running continuous events in Southern Illinois. We are proud to host this event and do everything we possibly can to assist the Homecoming Association in their tireless efforts to bring quality entertainment for the entire family to Sesser. Homecoming is a time to bring all factions of Sesser residents to-gether as we see friends, family, and neighbors roll up their collec-tive sleeves and work together every year at this time. We work hard and play hard together and that is a personal reward for each of us that are involved. Whether you are a volunteer with the fire depart-ment, worker in the concession stand, part of the city work force, elected official, or just citizen, this event allows us to put our best foot forward and showcase what we have to offer in Sesser. Every year we enjoy the opportunity Homecoming affords each of us to become reacquainted with former residents and to meet new friends. Since last year I know of three families who attended our Homecoming from larger cities that have now purchased weekend homes in Sesser. They were so impressed with the safe environment and the friendly nature of those involved that they decided to join us during the summer months on the weekends. Sesser has much to offer not only its’ citizens but those that visit us. We are in the midst of starting a new Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) that is geared toward housing development that will allow new home construction which in turn will bring new families to our com-munity. Homecoming has been a family event for each of our families for decades. I can well remember as a child the excitement that Home-coming week brought. As children we would gather in the City Park or on Main Street days before Homecoming started to watch the workers assemble the rides and set up the various food stands. As I became older the excitement is still there as I moved past the chil-dren’s activities to where I now look forward to meeting a former class mate or two and making new friends. Each year former classes of either Goode-Barren Township High School or Sesser-Valier High School schedule reunions around the Homecoming. This allows those who live away from here to come to a reunion and also attend the Homecoming. We always see an influx of people pouring into town during Home-coming week and that brings revenue to our city. Even though the hours are long and the work is hard, those putting on this event year after year are never complainers about the chores at hand. This year’s Homecoming has a special significance in that we are dedicating a new memorial to the coal miners, past and present, from our area that made this town the great place it is today. This project

will be built at a cost of around $90,000 all of which has mainly been raised through the selling of commemorative bricks or through direct dona-tions. Sesser is also building a new sports complex on the east side of town in conjunction with the St. Louis Cardinals Red Bird Rookie organization. This project will be built at a cost of $600,000 and will be used for generations to come as we continue to provide summer activities for all of our young people. Sesser has 300 children that participate in the Little League program each year. We have a proud heritage in Sesser and each of us living here play a part in making Sesser the unique place that it is. We encourage you to consider making Sesser your home if you do not live here already. I think you will find the towns-folk friendly and helpful. City employees are ever ready to lend a helping hand. Our churches are very active in the community and organize several events each year. If you need anything while at our Homecoming celebration please ask and if we can help you in any way we will do so. If you have any comments or suggestions to help us improve either the town or the Homecoming feel free to express those too. Most of all enjoy yourself as you join us in mak-ing Homecoming 2009 better than ever before! We are so happy to have you here in attendance and invite you to see for yourself what makes Ses-ser the really great community it is!

Sesser Mayor Ned Mitchell


V isitors arrive each year on the opening night of the Sesser Homecoming to find delicious food prepared along with a variety of rides in operation in the Mid-way and free entertainment.

However, be assured that there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work each and every year that goes into producing the Sesser Homecoming. Entertainment and carnival rides must be booked months in advance, candidates for queen, prince and princess are selected, there’s a parade to plan and of course those tasty barbecue sandwiches and roasted sweet corn require a lot of advance preparation. And that doesn’t even count the number of hours, all volunteer, that goes into making the annual celebra-tion such a great success. And for me it’s also a time to reflect back on the many people who have helped to make the Sesser Homecoming grow to be-come such a great event. Frank Shelton, Everett Thompson and Dr. Talivaldis Kisle were some of the early ‘movers and shakers’ in the planning of the Homecoming when it began in 1950. In the early 1960s Frank came up with the idea of raising money by selling chances on a trip to Hawaii while Everett thought it would be a good idea to bring entertainment to Sesser from Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Kisle helped promote the coronation by providing a traveling trophy to the winning queen candi-date. With the success of these plans Sesser Homecoming began to grow. The money raised was put to good use for the community. Through Frank Shelton’s influence some of the money was used to provide many of the first street light and street signs for the city. As the Homecoming continued to grow Frank was also a major influence in adding lights to the park. With these improvements to the park, the Homecoming grew in both attraction and attendance. Another name that brings a lot of memories (past and present) is Jim Dorris, who has been associated with the Homecoming for more than 40 years and served as president for many of those years. Jim has been the driving force behind the popu-lar food stand. What you many not know is that the delicious barbeque that is served has to cook for several hours. And form the start-up on Wednesday until the shutdown of the cooker on Saturday night you’ll find Jim close by. Jim was instrumental in construction of the two new pavilions in the City Park. Sesser Homecoming is also a time for me to look around at all the many different people that volunteer their time. The Sesser-Valier Booster Club uses the food stand as a big fundraiser for many athletic programs it supports at the school. Team members

(both high school and junior high) and their friends and families donate time to work in the stand. The football players usually donate their time to the roasted sweet corn stand. Be-cause of all their hard work and support the

Sesser Homecoming Association donates part of the profits to the Booster Club, who in turn donate to the various sports programs. I have always lived in and around Sesser. I remember coming to the City Park dur-ing the Homecoming when all I was interested in was having fun at the carnival. Now, I’m a member of the Homecoming Association and attend the meetings that are held months in

advance to help plan the event. Perhaps the greatest part of the Homecoming is that I get a chance to visit with people that I haven’t seen in awhile. It’s amazing the changes, accomplishments and success that continues to be enjoyed each year at the Homecoming since those days long ago when Everett Thompson, Frank Shelton and Dr. Kisle helped to get the event off the ground.

Randall Crocker SHA member

The program from the first

Sesser Homecoming in 1950

measured 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

and contained only four pages.


By Jim Muir

The names of the performers that have hit the stage at the Sesser Homecoming during the past 50 years read like a ‘Who’s Who’ of country music. From the rhinestones of Porter Wagoner to the Outlaw Waylon Jen-nings to the beauty of Dotty West and Connie Smith Saturday night is always ‘the’ night at the annual June event. Scanning the long and impressive list of entertainers it’s evident that some of the performers that have performed in Sesser were scratch-ing to get to the top some had already made it and a few were on the downside of legendary ca-reers. Regardless, the headlining performance on the final night of the Homecoming has always been exciting, entertaining and well-received by the thousands that came to catch the free performance. In 1940 Thomas Wolfe penned the best-selling classic, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” a novel that ex-plains that you can never return to the glory days of your youth once you’ve left them behind.

As far as the Sesser Homecoming is concerned, legendary performer and Valier native Billy Grammer proved that theory wrong five-fold. Grammer holds the distinction of headlining the top spot on the final night of the Homecoming more times than any other entertainer, performing in 1962, 1965, 1969, 1971 and 1974. A 50-plus year member of the Grand Ole Opry, Grammer said he has fond memories of playing in front of friends and family. “Every time I performed at the Ses-ser Homecoming I always enjoyed it, it was a thrill,” said Grammer. “I knew two-thirds of the people there and I always had a lot of stories to tell. It was always like going to a big family reunion.” Grammer gave high marks to the later Everett Thompson, a longtime Sesser businessman and one of the people who spearheaded efforts to start the Homecoming back in 1950. “Everett was just a wonderful person, a fine and upstanding man,” said Grammer. “And the fact that I was already involved in the Grand

Ole Opry, he came to me and asked if I could help get the talent from year to year. And I did that for sev-eral years. He always stressed that they wanted family entertainment.” Grammer said he always used the same routine when trying to secure talent – a routine he says was a monetary savings to the Homecom-ing. “When I’d ask somebody if they were available the third weekend in June then I’d ask them their price … and after I got that I’d ask them to give me their ‘Billy Grammer price,’” he said. “I think I saved the Homecoming some money through the years and I always felt good about that. The Sesser Homecom-ing is a great event and something we’re all proud to be a part of.” Grammer distinctly remembers his first time at the Sesser Homecoming in 1962. “That was one of the years that they had the Homecoming on Main Street and I remember that they had a semi-truck trailer for a stage. It was parked north and south right by where the old bank was located,” said Grammer. “Another thing I remember is that I was leaving for


Germany the next day and we drove all night after I performed in Sesser on Saturday night to catch a plane out of New York.” Keith Ward holds the distinction of introducing every performer that has graced the Sesser Homecoming stage since 1960. Ward said the idea of presenting free entertainment was a trial to begin with and drew the ire of a few of the more frugal Homecom-ing Association members. “We paid $250 for the Wilburn Brothers in 1962 and we had one member who told us ‘you’re all nuts … you’ll go broke and you’ll never make any money,’” said Ward. “But it worked that first year and it continued to work and now we’ll spend $15,000 for en-tertainment and we’re still making money and then giving that back to the community.” Ward said he was proud of the list of performers, some that have reached superstar status in coun-try music. Topping Ward’s list of favorites is Waylon Jennings, Dottie West, Porter Wagoner, T. Graham Brown and Bill Anderson. Ward recalled that Waylon Jennings performed in 1972, only a matter of months before he recorded “Good Hearted Woman” that started the “Nashville Outlaw” craze. “Waylon came into town in an old bus and he had Willie Nelson and Jessie Colter with him … and they all went on and had pretty good careers,” Ward said with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek. Performing with Jennings in 1972 was Dottie West and that one per-

formance marks the only time since the mid-1950s that the Homecoming has not been on the third week-end in June. “That par-ticular

year we moved the Home-coming up two weeks to coincide with the closing of the Rend Lake Dam,” said Ward. “I remember that we paid $3,200 to get both of them on the same night and that was an unbelievable amount of money back then.” Ward said scheduling two nights of country music entertainment year after year has not always gone off without a hitch. “We had one performer (who will remain unnamed) who got to town way to early for the show that night and spent the afternoon at a local watering hole,” said Ward. “He opened up the show that night and

sang a song and then

for his second song he sang the first song again. We’ve had a couple that go slightly inebriated and didn’t give their best perfor-mance. But, overall we’ve really been fortunate through the years to land the entertainment we’ve been able to get. ” The Homecoming began as a two-day event and then a third day (Thursday) was added in the mid-1960s and a fourth day (Wednes-day) was added in the late 1970s. “Through the years we’ve tried to find what people liked and then stay with it and by far for this re-gion country music is what is most popular,” said Ward. “As long as people love it like they do we’re not going to change a thing.”

“Through the years we’ve tried

to find what people liked and

then stay with it and by far for

this region country music is what

is most popular.”

– Keith Ward, longtime emcee

at the Sesser Homecoming –


If people are truly destined to work at certain professions then it’s a fair statement to say that Billy Grammer was

born to be an entertainer. Grammer, a Franklin County native who now lives near Valier with his wife of 64 years, Ruth, carved out a place in country music with his singing and guitar-picking skills. The oldest of 13 children, Gram-

mer was born in 1925 and picked up a fiddle for the first time at age five. In those days nobody could have dreamed that music would shape his life and open a door that would lead him to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry where he was inducted as a member in 1959. And while Grammer began his long musical career with a fiddle in his hands it was a love he developed for playing guitar and later mak-

ing custom guitars that brought him both fame and for-tune. “My dad kept handing me a fiddle but I guess I had ‘guitar-itis’ be-cause all I wanted to do was play the guitar,” Grammer said. “I started playing chords when I was


five and by the time I was seven or eight I was playing most of the songs my dad was playing on his fiddle. I’m certainly not a musical genius by any means, but I do have the natural rhythm and ear of a musician.” Grammer is a 1943 graduate of Valier High School and also served in the U.S. Army. The hardship of the times also played a role in Grammer’s future. Needing a job

after World War II, Grammer heard of a job possibility with nation-ally known disc jockey Connie B. Gay, who had a live radio show at WARL Ra- dio in Arlington,

Va. An example of how difficult the times were can be found in the meth-od and the means that Grammer used to travel to Virginia for the audi-tion.

“I didn’t have the money to

get there, so I went to Palmer Rea, he ran the relief office, and told him what I wanted to do and that I needed help,” Grammer re-called. “He asked me what I needed and I told him that I needed at least $50 to get me there and back. I’d known him all my life and he gave me the money.” With guitar in hand, Grammer then hitchhiked to Arlington, Va. where he was hired for the job over the other 150 guitarists who also audi-tioned.

“After I had worked about three months – I was making pretty good money – I sent a check for $50 to Palmer Rea to repay him,” Gram-mer said. “And maybe he had a feeling I was going to do well, be-cause he never cashed that check, and instead had it framed and hung it on the wall.” A few years later Grammer, with help from the legendary disc jockey Gay, landed a job on the “Jimmy Dean Show” which was based in Washington, D.C. Shortly after Grammer went to work for Dean, the show moved to network televi-sion where it appeared on CBS for five years. In 1958 Grammer formed his own band and signed a recording deal with Monument Records. The following year Grammer reached the pinnacle of his career when his hit single “Gotta Travel On” be-came a million-seller and a Top 5 hit on both country and pop charts. Grammer also recorded other well-known hits such as “Bonaparte’s Retreat,” “Wabash Cannonball,” and “I’m Letting Go.” Grammer’s success in country music led to millions of miles in travel and appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand,” “Bill Ander-son’s Backstage Opry,” “Hee Haw” and others. He also worked as a front man musician for the likes of Patsy Cline and Grandpa Jones and as a session leader for such stars as Charlie Pride, Louis Armstrong, George Jones and Ernest Tubb. – Jim Muir –


Five Decades of Free Entertainment1960 – Chester Razor and the Gay Blades1961 – The Wilburns1962 – Billy Grammer1963 – The Willis Brothers, Guy, Skeeter and Vic1964 – Red Sovine and The Tennessee Valley Boys1965 – Billy Grammer1966 – Charley Louvin1967 – Johnny Paycheck and Connie Hall1968 – Tom T. Hall, George Kent, Marge Bowes1969 – Billy Grammer, June Moore1970 – Osborne Brothers (Rained out and moved to old high school)1971 – Billy Grammer1972 – Waylon Jennings and Dottie West1973 – Don Gibson1974 – Billy Grammer1975 – Charlie Louvin1976 – Little Jimmy Dickens

1977 – Lonzo and Oscar1978 – Faron Young1979 – Jimmy C. Newman & Cajun Country1980 – Del Reeves1981 – Grandpa Jones1982 – Little Jimmy Dickens1983 – Drifting Cowboy Band, Original Hank Williams Band1984 – Vic Willis Trio and Clyde Moody1985 – Grandpa Jones1986 – Friday – Stonewall Jackson & Minute Men Saturday – Jack Greene1987 – Friday – John Hartford Saturday – The Whites1988 – Friday – Billy Walker Saturday – Jim Ed Brown1989 – Friday – Charley Walker Saturday – Porter Wagoner (rained out)1990 – Friday – Stonewall Jackson Saturday – Osborne Brothers

A staple of the Sesser Homecoming for five decades has been free entertainment. Stars on the way up, a few on the way down and some at the pinnacle of their careers have stood in the spotlight at the Sesser City Park. Many times during the year and particularly in the days leading up to the annual June event members of the Sesser Homecoming Association are asked a very familiar question with

a somewhat unbelieving tone in their voice. And the answer to that question throughout the years has remained the same: ‘The entertainment is free … just bring a lawn chair.’

‘Just Bring a Lawn Chair’


1991 – Friday – Jimmie C. Newman Saturday – Johnny Rodriquez1992 – Friday – Johnny Russell Saturday – Gene Watson1993 – Friday – George Hamilton IV Saturday – Jerry Reed (rained out)1994 – Friday – Marty Haggard Saturday – T.G. Shepard1995 – Friday – Kitty Wells Saturday – Glenn Miller Orchestra1996 – Friday – Connie Smith Saturday – Earl Thomas Conley1997 – Friday – Jeannie Sealy Saturday – Bill Anderson (rained out)1998 – Friday – Gene Watson Saturday – Bill Anderson1999 – Friday – Jo-El Sonnier & Cajun Fever Saturday – Jean Shepard2000 – Friday – Jett Williams (rained out)

2000 –Saturday – Johnny Russell2001 – Friday – Jett Williams Saturday – Mel McDaniel2002 – Friday – David Frizzell Saturday – Billy “Crash” Craddock2003 – Friday – Ronnie Prophet Saturday – Gene Watson2004 – Friday – David Frizzell Saturday – Billy “Crash” Craddock2005 – Friday – Michael Twitty Saturday – Gene Watson2006 – Friday – Tommy Cash Saturday – Billy “Crash” Craddock2007 – Friday – Ronnie McDowell Saturday – T. Graham Brown2008 – Friday – Janie Fricke Saturday – Moe Bandy2009 – Friday – Joe Stampley Saturday – Ronnie McDowell

A staple of the Sesser Homecoming for five decades has been free entertainment. Stars on the way up, a few on the way down and some at the pinnacle of their careers have stood in the spotlight at the Sesser City Park. Many times during the year and particularly in the days leading up to the annual June event members of the Sesser Homecoming Association are asked a very familiar question with

a somewhat unbelieving tone in their voice. And the answer to that question throughout the years has remained the same: ‘The entertainment is free … just bring a lawn chair.’

‘Just Bring a Lawn Chair’


Porter Waggoner

1989

Grandpa Jones

1985

T.G. Shepard

1994

Kitty Wells

1995

1981


David Frizzell

Mel McDaniel

2001

Connie Smith

1996

Jett Williams

200420

01 2002

Documents

Sesser Homecoming Part 1