OLIVE BRANCH DAY HONORS FLOOD VOLUNTEERS

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- It's festival time at Olive Branch.

"We had to cancel our Labor Day Festival this year," said Doris Maze, "but there will be a festival atmosphere when area people join us Saturday for Volunteer Day."

Volunteer Day activities have been designed to acknowledge people who have helped the Olive Branch-Miller City community during the Flood of 1993, sid Maze, president of the Horseshoe Lake Chamber of Commerce.

"We want to show our appreciation for everyone who has donated their time, money, food, clothing and cleaning supplies during the flood," said Maze. "We're looking forward to seeing our friends Saturday."

As many as 500 people are expected for the event, including state and ounty officials and representatives of several agencies that helped battle the flood.

Olive Branch and nearby Miller City were among areas that suffered heavy damage from the flood when a Mississippi river levee was breached near Miller City in July. That levee breach flooded thousands of acres of farmland in the region.

"The food is free, entertainment will be provided, and bus rides will be provided for those wanting to view the Mississippi River," she said.

The festival will be held at the Horseshoe Lake Community Center here starting at 10 a.m.

The food will be prepared by the Great Boars of Fire, a barbecue team from Anna, and the Chamber of Commerce. Entertainment will be porovided by Roy Franklin & His Thoroughbreds, a country music band from Cairo.

"We'll have barbecued chicken and pork, baked beans, salad and chile," said Maze.

Arts and crafts will be available.

The daylong event is being sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Bell (Ameritech), Tamms State Bank. Edward Smith of International Laborers of North America Loca. 773, and Rider Bus Co. of Cape Girardeau.

"We're already looking to Labor Day 1994, and the return of our annual celebration," said Maze. "The Labor Day festival was held here 17 years before being cancelled in 1993."

Meanwhile, flood cleanup continues throughout the area.

"We still have a lot of cleaning up to do," said Louis Maze, Alexander County commissioner who lives in the Olive Branch area.

"The Mississippi River came up again recently, and some people had to move out of their homes again."

With the river receding, a lot of homeowners have to start the clean-up all over.

"People are surveying the damage and making new preparations for cleanup," said Maze.

The area is alos hoping for a new levee to replace the old Fayville levee. The Soil Conservation Levee has suggested a setback levee further inland. Although plans are not firm, the new levee may follow an existing country road and tie into the levee where the breach occurred.