MARCH 27 ISSUE ANSWERS: Who were the “Boys in the Band” pictured here? As can be seen on the skin of the drum, it says, “Business Men’s Association, Romeo.” Some call it the merchant band because a store owner would sponsor a musician (paying for a uniform or lessons, perhaps a salary) and in turn they would play for the community, a smart way to “drum” up business. The house museum has photos as well as the early 1900’s baritone horn (ascession#2004.0.102) donated by Nancy Martell Schmidt and William Schmidt. It was Bill’s father’s horn as he told us later upon visiting. There could be as many as a few thousand people, many visitors from out of town, on the streets of Romeo. It seems impossible, however; The Romeo Observer newspaper in July 1909 states, “There was a slight falling off of the usual crowd last Saturday night, the number of people on Main Street being estimated at 3,500. A busy time for the farmers was the cause of the decrease.” The boys played as people shopped. The Observer in May 1909 tells us, “The band was out last Saturday night and the usual crowd listened to the program as rendered. The boys have practiced regularly during the past winter months, under