Features, Latest Edition

The Meridian Weekly – September 5, 2021

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Cover Photo: Grand Marshals for Carriage Day Parade

by Deb Price

Bud and Wilann Casler have been chosen as the 2021 Ovid Carriage Days Grand Marshals. They have both been a household name in the Ovid community for many many years. “We were totally surprised when we were told about being chosen. We look forward to the festival this coming weekend and will enjoy being in the parade on Saturday,” said Wilann.

They both graduated from Elsie High School, Bud in 1948 and Wilann in 1951. Bud then attended Agriculture classes at MSU. He then did a 2 year barber apprenticeship in Flint and in 1963 joined Stub Stedman and Dean Austin at the corner of Front and Main. In 1965 he took over the shop and Bud’s Barber Shop continued on that corner until his retirement in 1996.

Wilann, a homemaker who also worked outside of the home doing Government work for 7 years, followed by 15 years of office work at MMPA and was the Ovid Village Treasurer for 7 years. She is also very active in United Church activities.

They are both members of the United Church of Ovid who together served as custodians for 19 years. They were previous members of the OE band boosters organization. In earlier years with the family the couple enjoyed camping and family visits to their cabin on Houghton Lake. The Casler’s have two sons, Eric (Karen) Casler of Holt and Mark (Sue) Casler of Ovid. They have 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The Casler’s will be riding in a white horse-drawn carriage by PJ’s Percheons on Saturday, September 11th in the parade starting at 11am. There is still time to enter the parade. Applications are available online at ovidcarriagedays.com and also at the Meridian Weekly office. For more parade information call Jodi at 989-307-3981.