THE ARTS: Frances Wolfe Haight of Kane passed along her thoughts on her arts education, as well as a couple of Halloween memories from her childhood.
She writes, “I have always been taught to enjoy the arts and learned at an early age to color and paint, etc., in school. However, at an early age, I learned what is now considered the lost arts. My grandmother, Jennie Wolfe of Mount Jewett, taught me embroidery. Some other things I learned but didn’t care for over the years.”
She’s learned to appreciate those lessons now that she’s older.
“Now, at age 80, I crochet afghans and Christmas items in the winter time and I do embroidery on pillowcases, towels, table runners, etc. in the summer time. It keeps my hands limber and keeps me out of trouble! Haha. Most of the time I donate my finished items to charity and sometimes I sell them.”
HALLOWEEN: Here’s what Frances had to say about celebrating Halloween as a child.
“One year, two other girls and I wore silk robes and braided stockings to wear as Chinese people. We carried two laundry baskets with a sheet or so in them to look like we had a Chinese laundry business.
“Another time, I think at the Halloween parade, one of the bread companies — possibly Holsum? — instead of throwing candy to the kids, they threw wrapped slices of bread. We were all thrilled to get store bread because our families made all our bread at home. We thought that was very special but always enjoyed the homemade bread even more.”
Mmm. Homemade bread is pretty special.
Tony Falconi wrote to us about the mischief he used to get into as a child on Halloween in Bradford.
“I was a little hesitant to send my story in until I read the story about way out Interstate Parkway in last Saturday’s Era,” he stated.
“Here goes — I along with several 5th Ward young boys were going to tip over outhouses way above High Street on Halloween night. Of course, we all had inside toilets on High Street.
“Well, as we pushed over the first outhouse one of the boys fell into the hole, caught his shin on a nail ripping open his skin! We dragged him out of the hole. We dragged him home poop and all for first aid.
“Who owned the outhouse? His parents!!! STORY ENDS THERE! No more pranks like that one ever!”
Well, Tony’s story certainly gave us a chuckle, so we’re certainly glad he shared it.
