"The newspaper is a greater treasure to the people than uncounted millions of gold."
--Henry Ward Beecher, American clergyman.
It came as no surprise that the banter revolved around the newspaper, each mentioning his own. Small-town weeklies filled with news and tidbits about people, places, and events, much like our own "The Era-Leader," which traces its start to the late 1800s. The official legal journal of Washington Parish.
This conversation came about courtesy of my better half, Rodney, who more often than not reveals that I write for the newspaper. My sweetheart, he is particularly proud. That aside, it was intriguing to hear the stories, stemming from newspapers, shared by Southerners on the plateau in Tennessee. Invited one evening to join our neighbors for libation, Rodney and I secured a prime spot in one of the pretty porch swings belonging to friends Jeanie and Charlie. It was from this perfect perch that we engaged with the group that had gathered - lovely folks who hail from not only the Volunteer State but also Florida and Mississippi. It goes without saying that the Louisianians felt right at home.
As it turned out, everyone had a hometown newspaper, or local publication of some sort, that appeared in their mailboxes. While talk of what was contained therein varied, it appeared to me that our neighbors' newspapers certainly had made a mark on them.
Historically, newspapers were a primary source of information, and they continue to be an excellent, reliable source of news. The internet will never replace print, for me. In the newspaper, births, marriages, current events, and sports are always covered --- news which folks like being a part of. In addition, there is also coverage of less savory matters --- arrests, obituaries, and sheriff sales --- which few wish to be a part of. But, always positive, there are the columnists.
It was Rodney who told the entourage about the columnists who write the community and church news for "The Era-Leader." Holly Gill Sanders for Mt. Hermon, Karen Thigpen for Enon, Gwen Pigott for Angie/Varnado, Lerand Hunt for Pine/Thomas/Stateline, Brenda Magee for Bethel, Nell Smith for Mt. Pisgah, and Debra Burris for the Vernon community. And I always enjoyed Beverly Taylor, who earlier wrote for Mt. Hermon.
As interesting and effective as they are and were, the writer who sprung to mind, during the lively conversation, was from way back in the day. As is often the case, I was swept into the past - an era I treasure.
Our friends had detonated my memory of "Miss" Reita. The daughter of Frances and Edgar Wilson, Reita (1902-1991) Wilson Varnado grew up an only child in Missouri. Educated at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, she arrived in Franklinton in 1923 to teach music in the Washington Parish school system, and shortly thereafter, in 1925, she married George Varnado. The parents of Kerrin Edgar and Kaye Wilson, the couple was well known in Franklinton where they raised their family.
I learned much about "Miss" Reita, as I called her, in Susan Watts Richardson's write-up entitled "Excerpts from the 1916 - 1932 Diary of Reita Edgara Wilson Varnado" which appeared in "Washington Parish Tales," a terrific local book I often turn to. Therein, Ms. Susan featured intriguing portions of "Miss" Reita's diary. Apparently, the writing was on the wall early on for it wasn't music or teaching that is at the heart of my memory. Rather, it was "Miss" Reita's journalism at "The Era-Leader" where she worked as a reporter and columnist. When she wrote a piece, the reader knew it. Flowery flare would not even begin to describe "Miss" Reita's style, something she had in spades.
The pieces she penned on parties and weddings are classics. Relaying information about the Bowling Green Personality Ball, staged in March of 1977, she wrote, in part: "The gym was transformed into a spring fantasy with the springtime scene a perfect accompaniment for the beautiful southern belles seated in white rope swings. Mellow glow from lanterns cast a subdued opalescence over the scene and tables bordering the dance floor were resplendent with ivy tendrils trailing from clusters of camellias accenting the white cloth covered table canters." Trust me, a 1982 graduate of Bowling Green and an attendee at six Personality Balls in the late 1970s and early 1980s --- I was present and accounted for in March 1977 in the BGS gym --- when I say that Ms. Reita was an expert at embellishing.
And quite seamlessly, she also chronicled the coming and going in Franklinton --- as one of the fellows on the plateau fondly remembered it in his newspaper, who went to church and who didn't. Also, in the March 17, 1977, edition of "The Era-Leader" under her byline "Franklinton's Society & Personals PLEASE CALL MRS. GEORGE W. VARNADO AT PHONE 839-2204 … TO REPORT ITEMS FOR SOCIETY PAGE," I found mesmerizing material about Franklintonians. A sampling follows:
"Mrs. Stephen L. Richardson with Kay and Clay, spent the mid March weekend in Pineville, Louisiana where they were guests in the home of Mrs. Richardson's brother and Mrs. A.M. Stewart, Jr. They went primarily to participate in a family celebration honoring Mr. A.M. Stewart on the occasion of his birthday."
"Mrs. Hunter E. Dobson and Mrs. Dan Durham, both of Hammond, Louisiana were in Franklinton Monday for Miss Laurie Bickham's tonsillectomy, which was performed at Riverside Medical Center that morning."
"Mrs. Jence S. Bickham joined Mr. and Mrs. Fred Blossman, of Covington, Louisiana on Wednesday on a flight to the Bahamas, where they were guests of Mrs. Elizabeth Nutt at her home in Spanish Wells through the remainder of the week."
"Miss Jan Bernstein arrived Friday from Austin, Texas where she is pursuing courses at the University of Texas. She was here to spend the university's spring break from classes with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Coleman Bernstein, other kinsmen and friends."
"Mrs. Carl M. Babington entertained in her home last week when her house guest was Mrs. John Gidden, of New Orleans, Louisiana. Mrs. Jence S. Bickham honored the visiting personality when she hosted a luncheon at the Franklinton Country Club when additional guests were Mrs. Babington and Mrs. James V. Corkern."
Long before I became a columnist in early 2012, "The Era-Leader" held a special place in my heart. It was always a mad dash to retrieve it from the mailbox. The race was against my dad who was fleet of foot. When I got to it first, I was like the cat that got the cream. But as I've said before, were he still alive --- he would be 106 years old --- I would never prevail in a race to get "The Era-Leader," not with my column in it.
