An abridged version of the original dedication ceremony of the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower will be the centerpiece of a festive celebration of the tower’s 50th anniversary this Sunday, Oct. 16.
Sunday’s program comes from a transcription of an audio recording of the 1966 event done by Mikki Schwarzkopf as she worked on writing the story of Floyd and Dora Mahanay and the bell tower years ago.
The original ceremony lasted longer than two hours. The abridged version will be much shorter, but will preserve the historical information shared that day.
Bell Tower Community Foundation member Peg Raney has assembled a “cast” to play the roles of the dignitaries at the dedication ceremony. They will work from scripts to accurately portray what was said that day.
Newspaper publisher Fred Morain was emcee. Serving in that role Sunday will be his grandson, local attorney and Greene County magistrate David Morain.
The Rev J.P. McGuire of St Joseph Catholic Church offered an invocation. Father Jeff Schleisman, current pastor of the church, will repeat that invocation. Jefferson mayor Craig Berry will “play” mayor Vern Martin and chairman of the county board of supervisors John Muir will “play” Glen Grow. Charlie Hurd and Ralph Maloney, also county supervisors in 1966, will be “played” by supervisors Mick Burkett and Guy Richardson.
Francis Cudahy, who was Floyd Mahanay’s attorney, was part of the dedication ceremony. His remarks will be made by local attorney David Hoyt. The Rev Dr Marousek gave the benediction. Chris Durlam will offer the same benediction on Sunday.
The 50th birthday celebration of the bell tower begins at 2 pm with music by a multi-generational band composed of the Greene County High School Band and the Town and Country Band. The re-enactment of the dedication ceremony will follow at 2:30 pm. The program will include the debut of a collaborative poem of bell tower memories crafted by David Williamson and selections by the Jefferson United Methodist Church’s hand bell choir and the Greene County Singers.
The program will conclude with the band playing a new arrangement of “Happy Birthday to You” by director Wes Anderson, and then birthday cake for all.
Limited seating will be available.
The Bell Tower Community Foundation has published a commemorative book, written by Schwarzkopf and now available at the bell tower and The Printer’s Box. The book includes photos, history, and some stories not before published about the Mahanays and the bell tower.
