MAY 22 ISSUE ANSWERS: One source of entertainment in early Romeo was the annual Michigan Peach Festival of Romeo. David McLaughlin wrote a book about the festival. We asked if we could use excerpts from his introduction to his book, and he agreed to help us. Here is David’s introduction: “The talk of a peach festival started with the orchard growers who had a plan that would give the orchards and the village an economic boost. They chose Labor Day weekend because of the peach harvest season. At that time, their inspiration was the Traverse City Cherry Festival that was only a few years old and was well attended. The orchard growers approached Romeo’s village president Edward Jacob with the idea. “In July 1931, Jacob ventured to Traverse City with George and Marvin Faulman of Hillcrest Orchard; Edward Schuneman, manager of Eastview Orchard; and H. C. Brooks, manager of the Shepard and Brooks Farm and Stony Creek Orchards. The men studied the basics of how to begin a festival, and upon their return, Jacob formed a committee and held the first Michigan Peach Festival within a month. “The first festival, in September 1931, was a success; the coronation of the queen, the queen’s ball, and the three parades brought a bit of glamour and excitement to the quiet town. It is safe to say that this event… has put Romeo on the map and has drawn attention to the