"Do you know, Peter asked, why swallows build in the eaves of houses? It is to listen to the stories."
---From Chapter 3 of Peter Pan,
by Sir James M. Barrie.
Returning to a topic that I touched on some years ago, I continue to pay tribute to Hallie Love. In my piece published in July of 2019, I cited her contributions to Franklinton - Girl Scouts and Peter Pan - but I somehow overlooked "Expression" which she taught local students in elementary school. Ms. Love made significant impact on young people in Franklinton. This, I am quite sure of after a visit to the lovely home of friends Dianne and Johnny Green where our bridge group - a lively bunch - converged. Over bountiful lunch from Red Brick, our foursome gathered round as Mr. Johnny unspooled stories of summers long ago in Franklinton.
Mary Hannah Cozine Love, better known as "Hallie," was born on October 6, 1874, to Samuel Kerkendoll Cozine (1845-1927) and wife Inez Belle Sandusky Cozine (1850-1930). Hallie had two siblings: John Evans Cozine (1872-1922) and Ermagarde "Erma" Cozine Sheats (1879-1968). And Hallie married John Milton Love (1868-1944). With the assistance of Mr. Johnny and Ms. Dianne, together with Mr. Dick Richardson - the three of them distilled the details - I learned that Marly/Mary Love, who married Emile Wood, was the Loves' offspring. And Marly/Mary and Emile produced one son, Robert Love Wood, the elder Loves' grandson, born around 1940. The family lived together in the Love home on the southeast corner of Lenora and Main - at 505 Main Street. Of course, we all wanted to know more.
Friends Pat Berthelot and Judy Ferrante peppered Mr. Johnny with questions while I made mental notes of his anecdotes. While Ms. Love was well known for her leadership in Girl Scouts, founding The Pinetree Troop which was believed to have been the first troop of Girl Scouts in Louisiana in 1919 (they likely existed as a lone troop in 1916 and were formally recognized in 1920), Mr. Johnny's focus was on primarily Peter Pan and also Expression. He has fond memories of both from the 1940s.
Ms. Terry Cantrell Seal had informed me that "Uncle" Zeke Babington would send the truck to take the boys and girls of Franklinton every Friday, during the summer, to Peter Pan on Hayes Creek just north of Franklinton. The youth assembled at the Love home on Main Street where the truck picked them up. Mr. Johnny described that vehicle to a "T" right down to the wooden slats, making three-foot sides, that worked to hold the children in; I could picture them boarding, filling the back, and hanging off the sides for dear life. The travel prayer the youth faithfully learned and said ensured their safety. Ms. Terry taught it to me some years ago, "May the spirit of the Lord our God go before us making safe our way. Amen."
Then, beginning the wondrous journey, the truck rumbled toward what was known as Burrisville, the property of James W. Burris on Hayes Creek - the site of Peter Pan. The older children had the honor of holding the American and Christian flags. In an article published in "The Era-Leader" in August of 2000, Susan Watts Richardson fondly revealed that opening exercises were held each and every Friday. The flag bearers were positioned to face the children and leaders, all lined up to say their pledges to the flags.
On the summertime schedule at Peter Pan, there was time for pageantry and prayer and expression in addition to crafts, games, and swimming. Mr. Johnny honed in on the swimming. As he explained, there were two separate areas, one for the younger, inexperienced set and another for the older, expert swimmers. Swimming at Peter Pan was much ballyhooed, particularly once participants were old enough to graduate from the shallow waters to the Blue Hole, which was for the older, veteran swimmers. And Mr. Johnny recalled the significant swing. A rope dangling from a nearby oak offered access to the cool, pristine water. The older kids also served as lifeguards.
Crafts included basket making, using native pine needles. And the boys enjoyed the game of flag pursuit in the woods which Mr. Johnny vividly described, just like it was yesterday. Kick-the-can, as he called it, sounded like a veritable adventure. Ms. Terry introduced me to Good Thought Hour, when the children sat on benches and recited precious sayings - poetry, prayers, and songs - that Ms. Love taught. Mr. Johnny revealed his favorite which went something like this, "Good words are bright, winged butterflies. Bad words are wasps that sting. I like to think that when I speak, My words along take wing." My mother always told me that words have wings. Now, I know where she learned that expression. Another popular verse recorded by Susan Watts Richardson was: "To make this world a lovely place, I'll try to do my part. By planting only lovely thoughts In the garden of my heart." Meditation and reflection also took place during the rest period.
From my earlier column, I remember that sandwiches were laid out on tables for lunch and were shared by all the children. Ms. Susan Watts Richardson explained, "[N]o one kept their own." Refreshing, ice cold drinks were plucked from large wash tubs. And prayer followed.
As for Expression, Ms. Love taught scores of elementary school students how to properly speak before an audience and to recite passages. Mr. Johnny referred to it as "elocution" - the skill of expressive and clear speech, with distinct pronunciation. The students not only loved the instruction but utilized the skills they learned for all of life. My mentor and friend, the late Sallie Babington Knight's Book of Expression is occasionally on exhibit at the Varnado Store Museum. Dated 1944, she noted, in addition to "My Heart Garden," the Motto, "Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us."
I regret that I never met Ms. Hallie Love. She succumbed at the age of 85 on October 25, 1959, before I came along, but not before making an indelible impression on a legion of young people in Franklinton. The beloved Hallie Love is buried in Ellis Cemetery.
