Published: June 26, 2008 06:02 am            

Fund-raiser helps Freedom Flag display

At the last Bunert Park fundraiser, it came down to a struggle over the last slices of Emmaline Gonzales’ secret-recipe cake.

This time, expect her pound cake, Ruby Williams’ homemade peanut brittle, and Redus Warner’s peach pies, along with smoked brisket and homemade sides.

The barbecue lunches will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Corsicana City Annex office, 320 W. Collin St.

For a donation of $8 or more, diners will receive a plate of brisket, sausage, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, dessert and a drink. Additional baked goods will also be available for sale.

Money raised will go towards flags and the future plaza for Bunert Park’s Freedom Flag display.

“The other one was for the grounds, for the park itself, the flowers and trees. This is about the flag project,” explained Ann Massey, one of the committee members. “We’d like to raise $1,000 to $1,500.”

Last year, Oil City Ironworks donated money to buy 100 new flags. This fundraiser will go towards replacement flags and the future construction of the plaza and mural. The plaza will allow visitors to walk up to the flags without having to tramp across the grass.

“As you walk up, it will have 50 stars in it, with dates the states came in engraved on them,” Massey described.

The city is paying $2,500 towards the design and drawings of the plaza. Those renderings are supposed to be delivered this summer. Friday’s fundraiser is a way to start earning some money for the construction project without having to beg local businesses or the city for more donations, Williams said.

It will all go into the flag displays, and some of it will inevitably go towards more flags, said Bob O’Toole, one of the flag committee members.

“It’s mostly for the plaza, but they’re wanting to leave the flags up from Sept. 11 to Nov. 11,” he said. “Our flags don’t last long out there.”

The committee has asked the city to contribute towards a sidewalk leading to the plaza, to make it wheelchair accessible.

“We’re probably going to do it in several different phases, and just go from there,” Williams said.

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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com

        

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