Constitution Day celebrated in Lake County

June Perry handed out small hand bells under the shade of the porch at the Clifford House — site of the Eustis Historical Museum — on the afternoon of Sept. 17. Most of the people gathered there brought their own, but a few extra bells couldn't hurt, not on Constitution Day.

At 4 p.m. Perry and fellow members of the Ocklawaha chapter of the Daughters of the American revolution rang their bells with pride. They were joined by city officials and members of the Eustis Historical Society — and thousands of others across the country — in the Bells Across America event marking the 236th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

"Our constitution is very important," said Perry. "It's a small thing we can do to show how much we appreciate the sacrifices of all those who came before us."

Eustis Mayor Michael Holland read aloud a proclamation marking Constitution Week, which ran through Sept. 23, before happily taking part with his own bell. Earlier that afternoon he received a hand-knitted blanket in patriotic colors from Perry as a warm and heartfelt thanks for the city's support.

Afterwards, many people set down their bells on a small table while chatting or posing for pictures. DAR member Gayle Everett looked at the table and remarked on the great variety.

"They're a melting pot of bells," she said.

Sept. 17 also was bittersweet for Gary Marshall, Louise Carter and other members of the Eustis Historical Society. At the end of the event Marshall and the society transferred custody of the museum to the city after many decades of care. While he is confident the city will be a good steward, he admitted he was sad for the group to step away.

"It's like a child leaving the home for the first time," said Marshall.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Let the bells ring: Constitution Day marked in Lake County