the BEACON Newspaper, Indiana beacon12-18 | Page 2
Page 2A
THE BEACON
December 2018
By
Tamara
Taylor
Career Choices
What are you doing for the
next forty-five years? How
about joining the circus?
One gentleman made just
such a choice. Edgar Decker
Kirk spent over forty-five
years handcrafting a circus.
He carved each of over 3500
characters with a penknife
and a foot-powered jigsaw.
Impressive.
When did he find time to
do this? Mr. Kirk, a brakeman
for the Pennsylvania Railroad,
carved the intricate figures
during his breaks throughout
his career. The circus, appro-
priately named the Kirk
Brothers’ Circus, was original-
ly a gift for his four children.
Mr. Kirk completed the
circus in 1955 with a mesh
Mike Bender- an inspiration
to the community.
and canvas tent and strands
of Christmas lights used to
simulate electric lighting. The
entire masterpiece is over
fifteen feet long. When his
children outgrew playing with
the circus figures, Mr. Kirk
would occasionally erect the
three-ring circus for neighbors
young and old alike.
A very cool way to share
one’s passion and dedication
with neighbors while giving
back to the community.
Giving back to the com-
munity has been a mantra of
one of our neighbors for many
decades. Mike Bender is a
vital part of our community
and has given so much in so
many ways.
The Kirk Brothers’ Circus consists of 3500 hand-carved pieces and is considered a
masterpiece of American Folk Art.
After twenty-five years of
owning a business at Findlay
Market, Mr. Bender and his
wife, Diane, decided to focus
on being owners of Logan Su-
permart. (If you haven’t been
there yet, it is well worth the
trip for lunch or pizza!) The
couple’s investment in the
community has changed the
lives of so many in a quiet,
unpretentious way.
“Mike and Diane are two
of the most giving people I
know,” shared Alan Good-
man, a Lions Club member
and previous owner of Logan
Supermart. “Mike has a giv-
ing heart for those who need
it most.”
Mr. Bender was president of
the Bright Lions Club for two
years during which time the
organization nearly doubled
in size. He continues to pour
his heart into the eye screen-
ing program that is provided to
area kindergarten students as
well as those in grades 1, 3, 5,
and 8. The program also focus-
es on the collection of unused
eyeglasses that are redistributed
around the world.
In 2017 Mr. Bender re-
ceived the International
President’s Certificate of
Appreciation for his work
in helping fulfill the mission
of Lions Club International-
serving those in need in our
communities.
Mr. Bender is also instru-
mental in organizing the
Lions’ Trunk or Treat. Each
year over four hundred bags
of goodies are handed out in
the North Dearborn Elemen-
tary School parking lot to
eager trick-or-treaters, ensur-
ing a fun-filled, safe, trick-or-
treating event for all.
“Mike is the kind of guy
who, if he knows there’s a
need, he finds a way to help.
We are very lucky to have
both him and Diane as a part
of our community,” said Art
Little, fellow Bright Lions
Club member.
When asked to describe
Mike Bender, every person’s
comment remains consistent.
Mike is a true individual who
makes every effort to help his
community and fellow neigh-
bors. A perfect example of his
efforts can be found when-
ever the fire department has a
late-night fire. Mr. Bender has
opened the store to help with
drinks, meals, or whatever was
needed by the firefighters. He
has taken Logan Supermart to
the next level and offers excel-
lent service to the community.
So many area organizations
both in and around our com-
munity have benefited from
the quiet volunteerism of Mr.
Bender. He works countless
hours to help with fundrais-
ing efforts for the North
Dearborn Food Pantry, Bright
Area Business Association,
Bright Lions Club, and other
local organizations. He has
also helped with the Findlay
Market Opening Day Parade
for many years.
But Mr. Bender’s willing-
ness to help doesn’t end
there. I learned of countless
occurrences where he qui-
etly helped an individual in
need in so many ways. When
conversing with community
leaders and friends about Mr.
Bender, I repeatedly learned
about how thoughtful and
supportive Mr. Bender is.
I also learned that Mike
is the type of person who
expects no thanks for what he
does. In fact, I am certain that
he will be extremely humble
about the thanks that hope-
fully will be bestowed upon
him because of this article.
I hope that into each of
your lives someone like Mike
Bender will come when you
need him or her the most. If
you are so fortunate, please
remember that the best way
to repay the kindness of such
a person is to “pass it on” to
another in need.
Many thanks for all that you
do for your community, Mr.
Bender.
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monthly publication with
distribution in Dearborn, Ripley,
Franklin and Ohio Counties in
Indiana and Harrison, Ohio.
Published since 1994.
Beacon News, Inc.
PO Box 4022
Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025.
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