12th Annual Library Reception

by Louise Smith Posted on January 11, 2013
1915 Program with similar numbers played. Program courtesy of Victoria K.

Monticello, N.Y., Republican Watchman, May 11, 1917
Miss Minnie Meyer led off with a piano solo and it was of such par excellence that it made the other participants hustle to keep the pace. Miss Anna Meyer and Miss Edna Gardner followed with a piano duet that was especially fine.

Adelbert M. Scriber, the editor of the Watchman, was an invited guest and was introduced by John C. Metzger Jr., one of the trustees of the Hall, as the first speaker of the evening. Mr. Scriber talked on thoroughness.

Mrs. Minnie E. Myers was on the program for a vocal solo and did her part beautifully. That is the word that was coined especially for Mrs. Myers’ solo. Miss Christina H. Leavenworth was another vocal soloist and acquitted herself splendidly. She possesses a sweet voice.

Another pleasing number was a vocal duet by Mrs. Minnie E. Myers and Miss Raola Kelley. Miss Kelley is the Postmistress of Eldred and she sings as well as she handles the mail. Their voices harmonized well…Miss Edna Gardner closed the program with a piano solo.

In the beginning, Sunshine Hall Library was a Sunday School library with about two dozen books. W.B. Styles, the treasurer and librarian of the present institution went to New York City and talked library and worked library among his friends. The patriotic people of Eldred took up the cry and in a year’s time, the two dozen books had grown to 700, and year after year new books were added until now 7,000 volumes grace the shelves of Sunshine Hall and are a standing invitation to every visitor to read. Continue reading →

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The Final Start of Book 3

by Louise Smith Posted on January 10, 2013
Halfway Brook Office.

Today I actually started moving my gargantuan collection of information and photos to the final book file to write Book 3, Farewell to Eldred, the story of the Town of Highland in the years 1920 to 1950.

I am enjoying the Hackintosh (pc computer with a mac OS) my husband built for me and my new 27-inch monitor!

The 4 colors of index cards categorize: places and events; people; boarding houses; and water, bridges, roads that need to be in Chapter 1.

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Eldred, January 1943

by Louise Smith Posted on January 4, 2013

Notes for Aida Austin’s 1943 Diary: Aida (81) often walked to the Village (Eldred, known as Halfway Brook Village when she was young). Art and Bill Austin were her nephews in the Army. Marjorie Bosch was the daughter of Herman and Mary Bosch, Aida’s neighbors, who were so helpful to her and her brother Lon Austin.

1943
Saturday, January 2
I washed some this afternoon. It has been terribly cold all day.

Sunday, January 3
Sunday School this morning in the Methodist Church. Basil Owens funeral this afternoon and church tonight.

Monday, January 4
It rained some last night and Mr. Briggs brought Lon home from church. In the night the rain turned to snow and it has been snowing and blowing nearly all day. I was to the PO and store this afternoon.

Wednesday, January 6
I was to the store a little this afternoon. Lon went down just vefore I did but I got back first. He brought a lot of papers from May. It has been very cold.

Thursday, January 7
Very cold all day, but not windy. I was down this afternoon for the oil and bread. Lon was to prayer meeting last night. Bertha Wilson, Bell, and Mrs. Floyd Boyd were there.

Saturday, January 9
I was to the store a little after noon for bread and oil. I received a letter from May.

Sunday, January 10
Church in the Methodist this morning. Marjorie was down this afternoon and I helped her with her algebra.

Tuesday, January 12
I wrote to May and Arthur last night and went to the office early this morning but the morning mail had gone. I got some groceries.

Thursday, January 14
Lon was to the Village. I got a card from Willie from Hattiesburg. Continue reading →

Posted in Aida Austin Diary, Farewell to Eldred | Leave a comment