Home Town News

Because there were so many gems in those old newspapers I wrote about in my last post, and because I'm rather short on time this week, I decided to share some typical Buford news stories from the 1950s that I recently found.  To me, they are reminders that for all it's industry and bustle, as well as it's reputation as the "New York of Gwinnett County," Buford was also just a small Southern town with a true "home town" feel--where everyone knew everyone (it seems), and social events were highlighted by annual town picnics and church socials--or even children's birthday parties and locally broadcast  radio programs, as these stories from the Buford Advertiser illustrate:

From a 1958 Personal and Social News section:

"Doll Party Honors Petite Miss Hudson" 

"A doll party honored Miss Patsy Hudson on her sixth birthday at a party on Feb. 13th at the Kindergarten. All the dolls were invited and the boys in Kindergarten came as daddies, while the girls came as mothers. Vocations of the fathers included doctors, sailors, sheriffs, policeman, etc. Real life facts about Patsy as told by her mother were portrayed in the flannel graph story of her life. Since it was her birthday, Patsy was the central figure of the imaginary cake and candle celebration depicted by the children at a Kindergarten party. Surprise balls were unwound by the children and found to contain various favors. Refreshments of cake, cokes, peanuts and candy were served. Other than Kindergarten children present, Mary Ann Akin and Joel Bagley were also guests. Mrs D.F. Hudson was assisted in entertaining by Mrs. Garnet Akin and Mrs. Cecil Beard."

How many of us remember those flannel story boards and crepe paper balls filled with small prizes? I know I do!

From the front page of an October, 1953 Buford Advertiser:

"'Mama Goes Shopping' to Broadcast from Doc Simpson's" 

"Doc Simpson's grocery will be the scene of the "Mama Goes Shopping' radio program Friday, October  30 at 10:30 a.m..This very popular radio program is broadcast over WAGA each Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. It is sponsored by Betsy Ross Bread and Gordon Potato Chips. Although the broadcast doesn't come over the air until 3:30 in the afternoon, the program will be put on at 10:30 in the morning and a wire recording is made of it for the broadcast.Radio announcers Bill Lowry and Paul Doherty will be at Simpson's to interview the customers. Each person interviewed will receive a nice basket of groceries. The oldest lady present will receive a beautiful orchid, and the youngest lady present will receive a prize.Doc extends a cordial invitation to everyone to be at his store Friday morning, October 30 at 10:30 a.m. and enjoy this broadcast and share in the nice gifts. "

A few days later a follow up story appeared about the event: 

"Miss Lizzie Edwards Receives Corsage at Radio Broadcast"

"Doc Simpson's Grocery Store was the scene last Friday morning of the very popular radio program 'Mama Goes Shopping.' The program that appears over WAGA each Friday was broadcast from this store and many Buford ladies were interviewed and given lovely gifts. This was through the courtesy of Gordon Potato Chips and Betsy Ross Bread.Miss Lizzie Edwards was the oldest lady present being 84 years young, and was given a lovely white carnation corsage and a large basket of groceries. Mrs. John Wigley was next in age to Mrs. Edwards as she [is] 82 and presented with a large basket of groceries." 

I wonder how the women at the broadcast felt about revealing their ages? But then, a "nice basket of groceries" no doubt made it worthwhile! And apparently the "beautiful orchid" turned into a "lovely carnation." 

And last, from the same October 1953 Buford Advertiser: 

"Better Home Town Contest Closes"

"The Georgia Power  'Home Town Contest' ended Tuesday with hundreds of towns throughout Georgia entering. Buford entered the contest this year in a big way, having one of the nicest scrapbooks we have ever seen. Most people think that nothing ever goes on in Buford or that any good is ever accomplished. But if you had the privilege of seeing the scrapbook, you would see that a vast amount of work is being done in our little city. Climaxing the contest the local home town committee held a luncheon where Mr. Cole from the Georgia Power  Home Town Committee was among the guests...The Scrap Book was presented to Mr. Cole at this luncheon. 

At this meeting the committee agreed to enter the contest again next year, and Mr. Gardner, chairman, signed the entry blank. They also agreed to present a resolution to the city asking that Buford be made a Bird Sanctuary.

Much work and effort was spent on the compiling of this book, and when it is returned to Buford in a few months we trust everyone will have the opportunity to see it. "

That scrapbook would make a great addition to the Museum's archives! I wonder whatever happened to it?

I find each of these stories full of the charm and appeal--maybe because I'm someone who never really had a home town as I was growing up.  They make me believe even though Buford may not have won the Better Home Town Contest in 1953, if I had been old enough, I would have been proud to call it mine. I'm certainly proud to call it that now.

Rebecca