Count of Blog Visitors

In checking the blog for recent comments, I noted that the blog has had 5,076 unique (different) visitors and 10,062 total views which includes multiple visits by readers.

Highway Patrolman Jack Cabe

I saw in a recent issue of the TT that Jack Cabe died at the age of 88.  He had a long career as a highway patrolman and an active life after he retired.  He was stationed in Brevard when I was young and lived on Probart.  We were the "law and order" street - Bill Sawyer and Charlie Capell lived on Probart too!

Just a reminder to keep checking the blog for Comments.  Acquaintances of OK Smathers will enjoy a new one about him under "Fourth of July."  Always enjoy hearing your memories...  Keep on leaving Comments!!!

New Blog to Check

I have a new blog Single Life and Living After Fifty and I hope you will pass the link on to your friends who may be interested. Just click on the title and it will take you to the blog.

For New Visitors

A hearty welcome to visitors who continue to find the Brevard blog! I recommend that you click on Older Posts and start reading the posts and comments from the beginning. The first one - drive-in restaurants and drive-in food - was one of the most popular. You don't want to miss it because drive-ins were the core of our social lives. What would we have done without them? Remember that you can still leave comments. The more, the better!

Summertime and Brevard

Long, hot days remind me of my childhood in Brevard. I walked to town in the morning to meet the Ecusta bus which took us to Camp Straus for swimming lessons. When I got back, I walked home, ate a bite of lunch, and then walked to Franklin Pool to spend the afternoon practicing and chatting with friends. Camp Straus and Franklin Pool were great places to meet up with friends. Late in the day when the pool was ready to close, I walked home with my sun-burned shoulders throbbing as I went. As long as the weather was clear and the swimming lessons lasted, the schedule didn't vary.

What a great childhood!

Mother's Day

I've been reminiscing today about my mother and the mothers of my friends and classmates. I knew so many of them through school or their jobs around town.

My mother worked for years at Plummer's Department Store and Brevard Jewelers. I'm sure many of you saw her around town. She didn't get to come to my school functions during the day because of work but she was a dependable baker of cupcakes - even when I didn't remember until 8PM to tell her I'd volunteered her for two dozen the next day. Tired as she was, she dragged herself to the kitchen and didn't stop until they were baked, frosted, and packed to go. Just one of many things she did to support me.

I'm sure the most important influence in my life was my mother's overwhelming commitment to education. She believed it was the key to my future. Through her diligence and encouragement, I became the first person on either side of my family to ever go to college - and it was 100% due to my mother! One weekend when I decided to quit so I could have more time to chase a certain boy, she didn't crack at all. When Sunday night came, she gave me no choice but to be packed and ready when my ride came to pick me up to go back to Western Carolina. That was the end of any talk about dropping out of college! I don't know if I ever thanked her for making me go back that weekend - I hope she knew how much I appreciate her sending me back - it's made all the difference in my life.

I'd love to hear stories about your mothers - please share them with us.

Interesting Comment

I recommend you read a recent comment by Ann Goldberger Yandle on the Fourth of July Picnic post. A member of Harry Straus' family, Ann shares some interesting history of the family. I think you'll find it interesting.

I'm so glad that people are still finding the blog and reading it and leaving comments. I hope they will continue to add their memories.