March 28, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. “Dollar a Day Boys” was an hour-long multimedia program about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), FDR’s work program in The Great Depression. Over 165,000 men enlisted in Illinois where they built a dozen state parks, worked on farms, built roads and much more.
Dressed in uniform, the Michigan based author Bill Jamerson presented a music and storytelling program about the CCC. He sang songs with his guitar, read from his book. The program was filled with laughter and many heartfelt stories.
In August of 1934 a CCC camp opened in Sparta. The men came into town on weekends and patronized stores, bowling alleys, billiard halls, went to the movies and attended church. This had an economic impact.