Who knew why soap operas were so named?

Who knew that in order to maintain soap sales during the depression, Proctor and Gamble, Lever Brothers, Colgate Palmolive, and others began to sponsor daily 15 minute radio serials aimed at homemakers? These “soap operas” proliferated. By the start of WWII, there were 64 of theses “soaps” on the radio across the country. During the War, they advertised some products that would not even be available until the war’s end. In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, I could be playing anywhere outside and hear the theme songs from the same program coming through the open windows most of the neighboring homes, punctuated by static created by the ladies’ electric irons. Source - Museum of Broadcast Communications Website and Ray Harding’s recollections.

Beef Clubs Kept Families in Meat

Who knew that before home refrigeration was available, farmers could have fresh beef year-round through “Beef Clubs"? In the 1930’s, a Mr. Pemberton who lived west of Como ran one such club. Each month, all 12 members would gather at his barn to butcher one cow contributed by a member. The meat would be divided evenly among members so that during the course of a year, each member would have contributed a cow and would have received all cuts of meat in a cow. Source- Mr. Roy Freeman. Submitted by Ray Harding.

Waste Not, Want Not

Who knew that in a more thrifty era, leaky pots, pans, and wash tubs were repaired, not discarded? In 1907, the Collette Mfg. Co. in Amsterdam, New York, began marketing “Mendets” to repair such leaks. The kit consisted of small washers, gaskets, nuts, bolts, and a triangular “reamer wrench”. A staple in Henry County country kitchens as far back as I can remember, demand for Mendet kits has waned, but they are still around. Yep, this week I found the one pictured below at Wallin Hardware! Source, Amsterdam (NY) Daily Gazette, and recollections of Ray Harding.

Heron in a Hurry Wins Twice

Who knew that Snap It!'s June 24 winner also just made the wall at the Paris Landing Hotel...winning first place in the Paris Landing State Park & "The Friends of Paris Landing” 2009 Fall Photo Contest?

"Oscar" in Paris Schoolboy Memories

Who knew that in the 1950's, long before the Chia Pet, a similar toy that we called "Oscar" was popular. Made of porous ceramic in the shape of a human head there were grooves in the scalp and a hole for adding water. Grass seeds were planted in the grooves and the moisture seeping from inside would sprout the seeds, giving Oscar a green head of hair. Submitted by Ray Harding.

Curb Service at 50's Drugstores

Who knew that in the 1950’s downtown drugstores offered "curb service" from their soda fountains. Many remember, parking in front of Sullivan’s or Fry’s drug stores on Sunday afternoon and honking the horn. A clerk would come to the car, take the order and deliver it to the car. Source - Ed Martin, Brenda Carter, and Joan Looney. Submitted by Ray Harding.

First Graders Packed WW2 Care Packages

Who knew that, in 1947, Miss Valentine Cooper’s first grade class at Lee School packed individual Care packages for people in war-torn Europe? The small packages were not much bigger than a cigarette carton and were packed with items from a list supplied by the Care organization. The only items I remember are Lifebuoy soap, toothpaste, chewing gum and a small toy. I sent an inexpensive “jet car” powered by a balloon. I wondered if the child who received it would know how to use it.  I remember that the boxes gave off the pungent scent of the red soap. Submitted by Ray Harding.

Grove High School Alma Mater

Who knew that the Grove High School Alma Mater was borrowed from Cornell University’s alma mater “Far Above Cayuga’s Waters”? Miss Lamar Roberts adapted the lyrics for our school:

Far above the noisy bustling
Of our busy town,
Framed against the arch of heaven,
Proudly she looks down.
Lift the chorus, speed it onward,
Loud her praises cry,
Hail to thee our Alma Mater,
Hail, all hail Grove High.
- Submitted by Ray Harding

Grit Columnist Tied to Paris! Magazine

Speaking of Grit Newspapers (see Who Knew? from Thursday, Nov. 12), Who Knew that Art Nellen, co-founder of PARIS! magazine was once a columnist for Grit? Nellen wrote about cars and car care for several years. Who Knew?

"Grit" Survived Decades of Youthful Sales Force

Who knew that selling "Grit" newspapers was a highly advertised, but rarely lucrative way for Henry County children to earn money in the 1940's and 1950's? Promoted inside the covers of comic books, the hopeful seller was instructed how to order a supply of the weekly tabloid newspapers and sell them for 10 cents each. Headquartered in Williamsport, PA, the paper had a circulation of around 700,000 at that time. Most sales were in towns with a population less than 10,000. The brand never really died; it evolved into a bi-monthly magazine about country life which is now marketed in farm supply stores. Source - My recollections and Wikipedia - Submitted by Ray Harding.

Credit Fuels Youthful Ambition

Who knew that in 1953, a downtown hardware store extended credit to a 12 year old? Mathis Hardware, located on the East side of the square stocked the recently introduced rotary power mowers. My Dad and I made a deal with the owner Dan Mathis that I would purchase one of these new marvels and pay for it with the proceeds from mowing lawns. By the end of that summer, I had paid off the massive $120 debt (at an average $1.50 per yard). Submitted by Ray Harding.

Merry Mincemeat

Who knew that, for 86 years, the Ladies Aid Society at First Christian Church prepared and sold mincemeat during the Christmas Season for the benefit of their Outreach Program? Mrs. A.B. Mitchum started the tradition in 1902 and the last sale was held in 1988. The delicacy was made in large quantities. The recipe was a closely guarded secret but we now know that each huge batch contained 24 lb. of cooked lean beef, a bushel of red apples, 16 lb. of raisins, 36 lb. of sugar and several other ingredients--including suet! Source - Ann Caldwell and a display at The First Christian Church. Submitted by Ray Harding

Cloverine Salve

Who knew that in the 1940's and 1950's, selling Cloverine Salve was a popular way for Henry County children to make money. The product was sold in small tins (price was 25 cents then). Included with each tin was a 9x11 inch colored picture "suitable for framing". The young salesperson could opt for a modest commission or build up credit for nice premiums, including air rifles and bicycles. I never knew anyone who earned either of these. Some of the pictures are probably hanging in local homes today. One of the most popular was "The Angelus", a picture of a farm couple pausing from their work in the field as the vesper bells ring at sunset. The Wilson Chemical Company of Tyrone, PA, manufacturer of Cloverine Salve was founded in 1885 and was in business 100 years. The product is made today by another company. Source, personal recollections and The Tyrone, PA. Historical Society. Submitted by Ray Harding.