Found this Lower County News article in a 1954 edition of the St. Mary’s Beacon. Beth McCoy does a great job mentioning the comings and goings of numerous folks in the First District. Her account reads like a Who’s Who in the First District and gives some idea of what life was all about back then. Beth mentions just about everything from killing hogs to cutting oneself with an axe.
My Grandmother Ms. Hattie Ridgell is mentioned as having been ill and due to return home soon. I am unsure just what that was all about. I know that somewhere along the line she had a pacemaker installed, but I remember that happening. Since Beth’s notice was in 1954, I was way too young to recall this hospitalization which may have been the start of her heart problems.
As you read about events ranging from dinners and visits to the Clarkes’ vacuum cleaner backing up, note the newspaper style back then for couples’ references was citing the men’s names and not the women. For example, my folks are mentioned as the Bussy Ridgells having dinner with the Bob Wimberlys. Also, there is mention of the Prices of Callaway hosting a wedding reception for the Goodes. My Grandmother was listed as Mrs. Clarence Ridgell and Mrs. George Gatton retired as postmistress.
Beth does manage to score some feminist points however, when she concludes by nailing Whittier for his “Snowbound” poem (click here if you want to check that out, but I warn you it’s as long as winter itself.)
I caught Tom Hanks’ “Man Called Otto” last Night and enjoyed it since I was familiar with the book and the previous movie that inspired Tom to redo it (click here.) Several of the reviews that I read of Otto were critical of the sound track deeming it too maudlin and sappy. I didn’t pick up on that and kinda enjoyed the music particularly this tune near the end of the movie. It may say that it is recorded by The Fireman, but you should be able to figure out who that is once the vocals kick in.
