My uncle’s mother, Mrs. Ward, had a storm shelter. And I snuck into it every chance I got. Few others had one, so a storm shelter was absolutely fascinating to me. At least, a storm shelter is what they told all of the kids it was. It doubled as a storm shelter, but...
As long as I can remember, my family has always had Aladdin Lamps. My dad called them “coal oil lamps.” All of ours were made by a company called Aladdin, although, there were other manufacturers. By John Moore To Login to read the full story or to subscribe, visit...
When Eisenhower, JFK, and LBJ were in office, rarely would you find a kitchen that didn’t have one. Waking up each morning to the smell of bacon, sausage, and fried potatoes was just how the world turned in 1960s Ashdown, Arkansas. And an electric skillet was part of...
It takes a lot of trust to let someone shave your face with a straight razor. But from what the old timers used to say, there’s no better or closer shave. My great grandfather shaved with a mug, brush, and straight razor. So did other men in my family. By John Moore...
Throughout my life, I have always been intrigued by lawyers. I have had friends who have been attorneys and to hear them speak is interesting. One man shared with me that he represented some of the worst people in our city, who he knew committed horrible crimes. I...
When I was growing up in Ashdown, Arkansas, I thought every adult was old. I really couldn’t tell how old someone was, I just knew that they looked old to me, so they were. Maybe that’s why the young man gave me the discount. About a dozen years ago, I went in early...
As I start this article, I’m on a plane back to the U.S. from being in the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico. I was part of a team of 14 people who helped build a building to serve a small community, present childrens programs and visit an orphanage. It’s the orphanage I’m...
Growing up in New York, I’ll never forget the blackout that hit the city in 1977. I remember my mother being in the shower when the lights went out, and blaming my brother and I for playing a prank on her with the lights. But it was far from a prank, the city lost...
My grandfather was a blacksmith. To supply his shop with the metal, wood, and other materials he needed to operate, he attended auctions. Auctions that sold all types of items. Since his shop was located in Ashdown, Arkansas, that gave him close proximity to the...
