“One eyewitness is of more weight than ten hearsays. Those who hear, speak of what they have heard; those who see, know beyond mistake.”
April 6 was a day similar to days of old in the town of Maben, when a number of business owners hosted a daylong Spring Fling. If you purchased items in certain stores, you received a two-part ticket: one went to you, the other went to the barrel for the drawing that was held at 3 p.m. down at the old City Hall.
The ticket barrel that was used for the drawing was handmade by Mike Cordell, Julie Fulgham’s brother. Being unskilled labor, I am always impressed with handmade items. It is truly a treasure. Hopefully, this event will continue and this barrel will be used many years to come.
That Saturday’s drawing was for one prize of $50, which was won by Elise Chamblee, and two prizes of $25 each; they were won by Cathy Dodd Davis and Shelia Reid. Olde Town Bakery gave a gift certificate, which was won by Sarah Bell Malone.
This venture into the days of old was sponsored by Grantiques (Angela Berry Waller), Olde Town Bakery (Jennifer Buckner Williamson) and Reclaimed Vintage (Julie Cordell Fulgham). There were also in-store vendors: Sky Blossom Nursery and Darling Made present. These women are to be commended for their efforts in promoting the town of Maben.
One special highlight was the arrival for pictures with the children of the Easter Bunny – Rho Williamson.
Hearsay is what I will expound on about the drawing of yesteryear. Thus far, everyone has a different story about the remembered drawing. One thing stayed constant: buy something – get a ticket. You must be present to win.
One remembrance was the prize was $5. If there was no winner, then this money went on next week’s drawing, which was each week. Another said it was for $5, $10 and $15.
As of yet, I have found no one that actually remembers the money amount.
What was remembered most was that the whole town was covered up in vehicles parked whichever way you looked, and there were so many people you could not stir them with a stick.
Back in the day, most people worked all week and did grocery shopping (Williams’ Big Star, Pugh’s Grocery, Burgess’ Grocery), loading up feed for livestock at Shuffield’s Feed and Seed Store, and getting haircuts at Bonner Lee Norwood’s barbershop or Wooten’s Barbershop) on Saturday; so it was a mostly pleasant time to visit with neighbors.
There was little excess money for entertainment, but you could take in a movie at Brat Doyle’s picture show for 15 cents. Kids loved to go to Reed Drug Store for an ice cream cone. So a day in town was a good time for the whole family.
These ladies are making every effort to bring back the pleasure in hometown shopping and visiting with neighbors face to face.
They are tentatively planning a fall festival in September. All the businesses in town are invited to speak with these ladies and get in on the event.
