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.