Treasured Autographs

From 1979

 

By Myrtle Freeman and Illustrated by Lillie Mae Durr

from the collection “More Homespun Memories”

 

When I look at Mama’s Friendship quilt,

At the pretty blocks made by her friends;

I remember the joy it brought to her

before her life-journey’s end.

Each signature was written with care,

Each block was fashioned with love;

I know the affection her friends

showed my Mama

Will be rewarded in heaven above.

When her eyes grew tired from reading her Bible,

She’d say, “I think I’ll rest awhile”; Then she’d sit and look at her

Friendship quilt

And read the names with a smile:

“Nellie Barnhill*

 Beulah Berly

 Gertie Coleman*

Christine Crump*

Amanda Durr*

Hattie Hennigan*

Dahlia Hicks

Lucy Law*

Willie M. “Bill” Knott*

 Idalia Moody*

Velma Moody*

Fran Nelson

Alice Rains*

Jean Rains

Lillie Mae Rains*

Vera Rains

Luvina Smith*

Mary Veuleman*

Myrtie Waldon*

Mae M. Winn*

Sallie M. Winn*

Edna Youngblood*

Edna Youngblood pieced two special blocks in memory of Nettie Rawls* (1902-1978) and Tessie “Babe” Salley*(1889-1975)

 

 

 

 

Mad Men

 

by Terry Isbell

 

The tv show ‘Mad Men’ is a huge hit on AMC.  This high-class soap opera shows the life and loves of Madison Avenue advertising men in the early 1960’s.  The show’s fabulous costumes are influencing current styles, I recently went to a ‘Mad Men’ themed wedding. 

While ‘Mad Men’ provides a fascinating glimpse into a recent era in history, it’s a bit shocking to see the advertising executives chain smoking and drinking (all day) at work.  However, the most jarring thing to modern audiences is probably the incredible sexism.  The way these men treat their secretaries would guarantee sexual harassment lawsuits today.  This behavior was considered the status quo back then, after all, ‘boys will be boys’. 

While the television show does a good job showing the prevailing attitude of Madison Avenue towards women back then, these ads produced by the real ‘Mad Men’ of the era show it best.

Sabine Index,  March 1929

 

Converse Seniors

 

From every corner of dear old Sabine,

And even the center, it would seem,

From places remote, from places near by,

Come poems from classes in every Hi.

 

In order to keep abreast of the times,

We send you a few of our jingling rhymes,

Trusting that they your approval will meet,

And that you’ll not trample

Them under four feet.

 

If you’ll accept this apology,

We’ll try our hand,

At giving a graphic description

Of each individual in our small band,

So be patent, and read this inscription.

 

Dudley Jackson, president of our class,

Had fully determined, I hear,

When he bids school adieu, and

Enters the world,

To become a bank cashier.

 

Lois Paul, secretary and treasurer, too,

Can accomplish much work, for

Her size,

At the Many Fair, which was

Held last fall,

In bookkeeping captured first prize.

 

Mary Belle Henderson, our tall,

Slender lass

Is not given to flirting or petting;

She’s serious minded, and, so I’ve been told,

High honor in History is winning.

 

Houston Cranford comes next,

And I really must say

In athletics, he’s become quite a star;

He’s always good-natured, at

most times he’s gay

And from honor’s path never strays far.

 

Annice Allen, tho timid, can quite hold her own

With others quite gifted and prudent.

She has very cute ways and always has shown

Herself a most loveable student.

 

Edna Derrick is jolly and chuck full of fun;

She never has been known to shudder

At the thought of a test, or even a run

When someone, in jest, call out “Murder!”

 

L.D. Sistrucnk we know, is quite full of “per,”

And intends to leave real soon for college.

If he’ll take my advice, he will watch every step

As he’s climbing the steep hills of knowledge.

 

And now, Mr. Editor, with a found au revoir,

I’ll close this, my first little ditty,

Although I must say that I’m bound to confess,

It is neither amusing nor witty.

                        ANON

by Gale Trussell

Radio was a big hit when it came to the general public back in the late 1920’s or so.  You could get the news, sports, and weather from far and near.  Music was big to.  Some of the early radio shows that were popular were: Dagwood and Blondie, Amos and Andy, the Arthur Godfrey Show, Red Rider, and the Grand Old Opry.  Kid shows that were popular included: Big John and Sparky, Sky King, Flash Gordon, and Lassie.  Radios were simple back then………two knobs……..one for volume selection and one for station selection.  Not exactly rocket science.   Getting good reception was a matter of your particular location.  If you sat on high ground you did better than if you were in a valley.  There was a lot of “popp’n and static” back in those days.  There was no such thing as a “clear channel” station.  Many a Saturday night, there would be several families gathered around one radio to hear the Grand Old Opry or other show.

Those old days are go but not forgotten.  Radio is still around, but they are much more complicated to operate.   The old type radios are just something to remember.

Gale enjoys hearing from his readers.  Please write or e-mail him at the addresses below; 6126 Pineridge Ave, Alexandria, LA  71301-2737 or  e-mail gt_jena@hotmail.com