Everyone should have a neighborhood grocery like Jack's Family IGA. A family run business, they are there to serve. You are greeted from the moment you walk in the store and never have to carry out your own groceries. Besides running the store, they raise their families in our town, take coaching postions and serve on numerous community service organizations. I don't know what we'd do without them!
Look who's in town! It's Maranda from WOTV! We spent an hour this morning taping a segment at Hensley's Variety Store about Patricia's book, "Something About Hensley's". Patricia, Old John, and even Molly and Kate from the book were on hand to be interviewed. Watch for the segment to play on WOTV through the month of October.
Following the taping at Hensley's, Maranda came out to Welcome Comfort Farm! How exciting!!! We had a beautiful weather day and all the animals were very photogenic!
Maranda, Ol' John Soncrant, and Patricia Polacco.
For transportation at Saturday's event, we hired 4 teams of horses to carry folks around town. What a delight to see and hear these teams trot about town. Special thanks to Cindy Wieas who helped organize the equines!
"Fi Fi" the clown attends most of our events that we throw here in Union City and if you haven't had your face painted by this awesome clown, then you just don't know what you are missing! Adults and children alike are beaming with their body art.
My neighbor is on the Wolverine Harmonica Club and I asked if he thought his group could play for our Hensley's Event. What a great group of guys! Playing songs to make your heart sing, we were serenaded for two hours on a beautiful afternoon as the community came together to honor 'Ol John and Hensley's Variety Store.
We spent Saturday in Union City celebrating the release of Patricia Polacco's latest book, "Something About Hensley's". Mrs. Hensley herself was on hand to share in the day's festivities. Shown here with Becky Beard and her special friend, Mrs. Hensley enjoyed the long line of well wishers as they passed by after having their book signed by Patricia Polacco and 'Ol John Soncrant.
It isn't often that tears come to my eyes, but Saturday was a day full of emotion. When Mrs. Hensley, at 102 years young, met Ol' John for the first time in years, it was tears all around. Mrs. Hensley offered John the job of managing Hensley's when he gradualted high school. Now owner for the past 12 years or so, and mainstay of Hensley's for the past 55 years, John invited Mrs. Hensley out to participate in the day's festivities. And what a day it was!
Patricia Polacco's new book features 'Ol John and his store "Hensley's Variety Store", located in Patricia's home town of Union City, MI. To celebrate the book's release, we are having a big celebration on Sat, Aug 26 from 11 am to 2 pm. Check Patricia's web site for complete details at www.patriciapolacco.com or look under current events at this blog's home page.
It was an exciting day today as the awning finally went up at Hensley's Variety Store! Patricia signed cases of books in advance of our big celebration this Saturday, Aug 26, from 11 am to 2 pm. Come join us as we honor one of Union City's most beloved resident and business owner! Free horse and buggy rides, lots of old fashioned musical entertainment, give-a-ways-face painting, balloon animals, clowns, and more. Even the real Mrs. Hensley will make an appearance at the store at 11 am! Patricia Polacco will be on hand to sign books at the GAW Center from 11 am to 2 pm.
Best-selling Author Patricia Polacco Hosts Event Honoring Union City’s John Soncrant
Small towns sometimes have big heroes. Some are predictable, like a war veteran or sports star. Some are less obvious, like Union City’s John Soncrant. On August 26 from 11 AM - 2PM, there will be a celebration honoring the contributions Soncrant to the village of 1,700 tucked between Battle Creek and Coldwater. Soncrant is the owner of Hensley’s, an old-fashioned dime store, and is a fixture in the community.
Best-selling author Patricia Polacco pays tribute to this remarkable man and to her hometown in her newest book, Something About Hensley’s. Polacco’s story features Soncrant and recognizes his unique contributions to the people of his community. Polacco, a well-known author, has written and illustrated over 40 books, many of which have been on the New York Times Best Seller list.
The August 26th celebration coincides with the book’s release, but is actually an excuse to pay tribute to John Soncrant.
"There’s hardly a person in this community who hasn’t been touched by this wonderful man," said Polacco. ""He is truly the heart and soul of the community."
"Hensley’s itself is the most charming store you could imagine. The wooden floors creak. The original candy counters are filled with tempting candies, and the tin ceilings are what you might expect. But what makes Hensley’s so magical is John Soncrant. He has a twinkle in his eye, a willing ear, and a piece of candy for every customer. He is the last of a dying breed of businessmen." said Polacco.
Soncrant (who doesn’t offer his age) owns Hensley’s Variety Store and runs the store with his daughter, Sharon Boley. He began working at the store as a young stockboy and has been its manager for 50 years, owner for the past 10. Soncrant has no plans to retire. Hensley’s will celebrate its centennial in a few years.
"When you step in the door of Hensley’s you step back in town 100 years," said Donna Claar, representative of the Union City Chamber of Commerce. "Hensley’s is a fixture in this town. They have everything under the sun – it’s the last of a classic – the variety store before the big chain stores started slipping in to cities, then towns, and now into every wide spot in the road."
The public is invited to meet Soncrant and the other characters of Polacco’s book at the celebration. There will be a wide variety of prizes and give-aways, free horse and buggy rides, clowns, musical entertainment, face-painting, and an assortment of other activities – including a ventriloquist and snacks. Books may be picked up at Hensley’s and Polacco will be available to sign copies of the book from 11 AM to 2 PM.
For more information, contact Sharon Boley at Hensley’s Variety Store at 517.741.7150 or look on-line at www.patriciapolacco.com.
(article by Mary Douglas)
