Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / May 14, 1987, edition 1 / Page 4
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Perspective Author reflects briefly on the good ole days I've always enjoyed listening to people talk about the "good ole days" and often find myself agreeing with what they say. It seems a dollar would buy so much more years ago, that everything was cheaper, from cars to electricity. They talk about ^ how little they earned then, but little is said about bow much they bad or ' U BKCted The guys at the "dub" were talk ing recently about their utility bills and how high they were. Most were paying from $75 to over $100 per month. They all seemed to remem ber when the "light" bill as it was called then, was only a few dollars a month. That's because it really was a "light" bill. I asked them to tell me how many ; electric clocks thay had in their homes. Most had at least five, with . some having even more. There were ?at least two televisions in each home, number of lamps? one of which usually burned all the time? freez ers, stereos, cassette recorders, elec tric stoves, electric heat, and many other items that require electricity. When I was a boy, our house had a ; single electric clock, shaped like a teapot, hanging on the kitchen wall. There was an alarm, clock, but it was the wind-up type. We had a refrigera tor, a wringer washer, and later, a Mack and white television. There were no lamps in the house, only bare bulbs overhead. There was no hot wa ter heater, electric heat, electric stove, microwave, or clothes dryer. The light bill was about $7 per month and Daddy constantly reminded us to turn lights off that were't needed. Today, my home has over a dozen lamps which seem to be on all the time. There are two electric clocks in the kitchen, one in the bathroom, an other in the bedroom. A battery-pow ered clock and one that winds is in the den. All give a different time. Meals are cooked on an electric stove, in a microwave, or both. Water . is heated by electricity, there are two radios plugged in, two televisions that are usually tuned to different > programs, a refrigerator, a freezer with little in it, porch lights, yard lights and shop lights. In the sum ~ mer, a bug light glows all night. Heat comes from an electric furnace and I am cooled during the summer by electric air conditioning. My daugh ter has a battery-powered car that is plugged in nearly every night to charge. My monthly bill is seldom less than $100 and I complain about lights being used that aren't needed. Perhaps the only thing so great about the "good ole day" was our at titudes and real needs. We did with less because we couldn't afford more. Keeping up with our neighbors wasn't as important as just keeping up, and families were judged by their values rather than the value of what they had. The people wah complain about having difficulty making it today, even when wages are so much greater, have either forgotten how to budget, or never knew how. When I hear people say they used to raise kids on $40 per week, I think they may have forgotten how little they actually provided. While most al ways had something to eat, it was of ten home-grown and the menu had little variety. Most kids had only one pair of shoes, few clothes, and little else. Today, we spend as much to dress one child as many families spent on the entire family years ago. The very popular country duo, The Judds, sing a song asking "Granpa, tell me 'bout the good ole days." Chances are, with the exception of our loss of values, there is little Grandpa has to tell. He probably doesn't remember those days as be ing such good ones. Rather than wish for times that never, we need to take a few mo ments and realize just how fortunate most of us are compared to those who struggled during those times we so foundly call the "good ole days." Raleigh explores North Carolina coast After three years' exploration and attempted colonization of the mid-At lantic coast of North America, Sir Walter Ralegh prepared to outfit an other effort in 1587 colony give up the aettlement on Roanoke Island to re turn to England with Sir Francis Drake after a matter of months. Stability was needed if Englishmen were to make the New World their own. Ralegh sought to insure success by instituting three changes in plans for the 1587 colony. First, this colony was to include women and children. Families would go to the new lands with the intention of making homes. Previously, Ra legh's expeditions had been more like temporary military ventures. Second, the colonists were given a more personal stake in the set tlement. Not only were families promised five hundred acres of land of each, but the entire venture was organized as an incorporated com munity called the City of Ralegh. Government was to be in the hands of ' civilians, with artist John White as governor. Third, the 1587 colony was not to settle on Roanoke Island, which had been found unsuitable for permanent ; occupancy. Instead, White and his ? party were to plant themselves on Chesapeake Bay. , This expedition was t be smaller ; than that of 1585. Only three vessels 1 were to sail. Largest of the three was the 130-ton "Lyon". It was joined by a flyboat and a pinnace. ; The 1587 company was oly about a fourth of that sent out in 1585. Va riously reported as 115 and 150, the new colony did include seventeen women and eleven children. John White's own daughter Eleanor Dare was among them, and she was ex pecting a child that summer. Command of the colony while at sea was given to Simon Feraades, who was well acquainted with the coastal waters but was a difficult man with whom to serve. After some delays at Portsmouth and Cowes, the colony finally set sail from Plymouth o May 8, 1587. Their route would be the familiar one for reaching America; down the Euro pean coast to the tropics, westward with the wids to the Caribbean, and up the Gulf Stream along the Ameri can coast. A stop at Roanoke Island to contract the fifteen men left there as a holding party the previous year, then on the Chesapeake the English would go. Their plans would go astray, as the final months of America's four -hun dredth anniversary celebration will soon remember. -fwplt use more then twice es much mergerine es butter in the United States. Business Builders If you are a new business or a business who does not advertise frequently You can advertise weekly for as little as ?1.50 Weekly for 52 Weeks <2.06 Weekly for 26 Weeks <2.60 Weekly for 13 Weeks (Copy Changes Will Be Once A Week) Call Anzie at 426-6728 One worm to another, "they hale the stain we leave on the floor when they step on us." Moving to Califwood, Hollyfornia and other places You wouldn't Believe some of the mail I get. Here's an example: "Dear Anyone: As I have time because I ain't busy, I thought I'd write you a few lies eight or ten pages, and let you know the up-to-date news about six months old. We are all well as can be expec ted.. .we ain't sick, we just don't feel well. I am fine. Aunt Mary's dead. I hope this finds you the same. I sup pose you will want to bear about us moving from Texas to Califwood, Hollyfornia. We never started moving until we left, never turned off until we come to a crossroads and stayed on the road that went there. It didn't take us any longer than from the time we started until the time we arrived. The trip was the best part of all. If you ever come here, don't miss that! They didn't see us until we arrived and most of the people we were ac quainted with, we knew, and those we didn't now seemed like strangers. We still live at the sam^ place we moved to last, which is beside our nearest neighbors, across the road from the other place. We are very busy fanners. We have three cows but are going to sell one because we can't milk him. Eggs are a good price; that is why they are so high. Some of the ground on the farm is so poor you can't raise a umbrella on it. But we had a fine crop of corn. I think we'll have five gallons to the acre. Some worms got in our corn last year but we just fished them out and drank it anyway. Our romance started with a gallon of corn and ended with a full crib. The dog died last week and John said he swallered a tape meaure and died by the inches. Martha said he went up the back alley and died by the yard, but Jane said he crawled under the bed and died by the foot. My mother-in-law is sick and near death's door, we sure hope the doctor can pull her through. Jane fell off the back porch and skinned her else where and bruised her somewhat. Every time John gets sick be gets to feeling bad. The doctor said if be got better it might help. If he didn't get worse he would stay about the same. I would have sent you $5.00 1 awed you, but I already had this fetter sealed before I thought of it. I sent you the overcoat but I cut off the but tons so it wouldn't be so heavy. You will find them in the left hand packet. I'm putting your address nside this envelope so it won't rub off. I must close now. If you dont get this letter let me know and I will sent it to you. If you can't read my writing, make a copy and read your own. It took me three days to write this since you are such a slow reader. Write me soon if nothing but a check. With LOve, Someone" i ,z55 people in Perquimans County receive USDA food : 2* YEARS AGO 1.2S5 People la Perquimans Re ceive USDA Food Aid: USDA's Con sumer and Marketing Service said its food programs aided 228,165 needy persons in 96 North Carolina counties during March, 1,255 of these were from Perquimans County. Marching Unit Parents Club Meets: The Perquimans County Marching Unit Parents Club held their regular meeting Monday night in the high school cafeteria. Mrs. Durwood Reed, Jr., president, pre sided. Mrs. Archie T. Lane, Jr., Chairman of the nominating commit tee, presented the following slate of officers for the coining year; Presi dent, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Towe White; V. President, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton White; Secretary, Mr. and Mrs. Mar Letters to the editor Editor The Perquimans Weekly, The Perquimans County Jaycees would like to compliment the people who organized the Jimmy "Catfish" Hunter Day. The smooth execution of the day's eents was attributable to all the hours spent planning the salute to Perquimans County's Favorite Son. The celebration of Jimmy's forth coming induction to baseball' Hall of Fame was a success due to your hard work. Everyone who attended en joyed a day of fun and fellowship hon oring the small-town pitcher who acheived athletic excellence. Again, our compliments and appre ciation to you who gave willingly and cheerfully of your time and effort to make Saturday a day that will long be remembered in Perquimans County. Sincerely, Hie Perquimans County Jaycees The Spani?h once believed brwd on the window ?IH would evert ? ttorm. ltUi PERQUIMANS WEEKLY Established In 1932 Published Eoch Thursday By The Daily Advance, Elizabeth City, N.C. Second Cla*? Postage Paid at Hertford, N.C. 27944 USPS 428 060 GiM K. Jepson Editor Aiuie L Wood Advertising Manager ONE YEAR MAIL SUBSCRIPTION RATES In-County Out-Of-County *10.00 *11.00 1 19 West Grubb Street P.O. Box 277 Hertford, N.C. 27944 ilamh ?? ifivnlDw ? North Carolina Press Association National Newspaper Association North Carolina Association of Community Newspapers ion Swindell; Treasurer, Mrs. Becky D. White; Publicity Chairman, Mrs. and Mrs. W.O. Elliott. Mrs. LeClaire Rogerson was named director of the unit. Perquimans High School Seniors Present Play: Hie senior class of Perquimans County High School pre sents "Tom Jones"; a comedy in three acts adapted by David Rogers and based on the novel, "Tom Jones." The play will be presented Friday night in the Perquimans County High School auditorium. Scholarship Winner: Louis Godf rey has been selected a recipient of the 1MB annual P.E. Berbry Sd|>l arship. Louis is currently a senidrat the Perquimans County Unfen School. His parents are Mr. and Btys. Robert Godfrey, Sr., New Hope. Young Godfrey plans to enter the wtt Technical Institute in the fall wha~e he will pursue a study of electron)ds. NEWS COUPON 1 The news and editorial staff of the Perquimans Weekly would like you to tell us what kind of stories you like to see in* the paper. If there is something or someone you feel is impo tant ? or some provocative issue you would like us to exar ine ? please, let us know. Just clip and fill out this coupon. Include as many details possible (Names, addressses, telephone numbers, etc.) It may not be possible for us to use some of the stories sufH gested but we are always looking for new ideas. So, next time you think of something you feel would make good story, send it to: News Coupon, Perquimans Weekly,^ P.O. Box 277, Hertford, N.C. 27944. STORY IDEA: I COMMENTS: 3 The Perquimans Weekly 119W. GrubbSt. Hertford 426 5728
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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May 14, 1987, edition 1
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