About fifty years ago, the night of the programs at the rural schoolhouse was a big event. The school I attended had a stage at the front of the room with heavy wine colored curtains to be pulled by hand for the plays and pieces the children of the school would perform.
Most of the parents came to watch the children. At this time the parents were all married and no step-parents.
Some of the pieces the children said I remember. The one my little sister recited I remember the best:
“Thanksgiving is coming
The time is drawing near,
When mamma bakes pies
And daddy hunts deer.
We will have turkey
And many things more,
I hope I don’t eat
Til my tummy gets sore.” (She rubbed her tummy, rolled her eyes and ran off the stage – everyone clapping and laughing.)
Betty Jane Atkinson
Fair Grove, Missouri
Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first title – – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the series, all filled to the brim with true tales from Capper’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.
