'Friendly Calliope' donated to Lexington Blueberry Festival
A much-loved calliope wagon built for Mansfield resident and talented organist Bernice “Bea” Friend by her late husband Chuck will continue to be a staple in local parades.
Bea Friend died Sunday, Oct. 23, at her home after a brief illness. She was 87. But before she died, Bea's son David called Cathy McGlone, former Lexington Blueberry Festival parade director, saying his mom wanted her to have the calliope and wagon.
On Wednesday, the wagon with its distinct circus organ became the property of the Lexington Blueberry Festival. Bea gave the calliope to McGlone, who then donated it to the festival. Jeff Angelini, current festival director, came to 67 S. Illinois Ave. to pick up the treasured gift. Bea's son David had it stored inside his business.
Bea was known by many for her love of music all her life. She began playing organ in the 1960s. She joined an organ club which met monthly for a meal and music at members’ homes. She met fellow organist Jean Otcasek at the club when meetings were held at Mr. Music in Mansfield. Otcasek said Wednesday she is the last surviving member of the 22-member organ club.
Bea's late husband, Chuck, built a wagon for the calliope and he and Charlie Otcasek, Jean's husband, pulled Bea and Jean, with a tractor or truck as they played during local festivals including the Shelby Bicycle Parade, Lexington Blueberry Parade, Miss Ohio Parade and numerous others for over 14 years.
The entire wagon is powered by a generator which allows for a fan if it's hot outside or a heat lamp for cold-weather parades to keep the organist's fingers warm. The calliope was purchased from a company in Richfield, Ohio, Bea's son said.
Jean Otcasek, also an art teacher, did the artwork on the sides of the wagon.
She urged Angelini to find someone who can play it, asking him not to play the calliope on automatic.
Jean promised to come to the Blueberry Festival Parade in 2023 and play the organ.
She demonstrated the organ Wednesday by playing the Beatles' hit, "When I'm 64."
First she put on her headphones to protect her ears.
"It's loud," she said.
Jean and Bea would ride in the wagon together, one playing the organ, and the other sitting on a stool in a corner of the wagon, cheering on the crowd along the parade route.
"We had a lot of adventures," Jean said.
McGlone said she is honored that Bea chose her to make sure the tradition is carried on.
"I have no words," she said. "I would start sending out the applications for the parade in March and she was one of the first ones who would call me and tell me I got your application."
McClone said Bea was a sweet lady.
"Seeing her play that with that tall hat on, it was special," she said.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
419-521-7223
Twitter: @LWhitmir
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: After Bea Friend's death, her calliope was donated to Blueberry Fest
