The Waldo Phoenix
LLL FREE - TAKE ONE! Published by Waldo Historical Society, Inc. Volume Three - Issue 12, February, 2013 www.WaldoHistoricalSociety.YolaSite.com Cultural Affair - 2013 Waldo’s Kids Bug In A Jar Mary Ann Rich Thelma Bay by Eldon Darrah he City of Waldo has given want to say a special s a child, I distinctly recall the W3C's permission to Thank You to all those being substantially Tuse the Waldo Community Iwho worked so hard to Abewildered by adults who Center the make our Safety Patrol Spaghetti would marvel at something I had entire week of Dinner a done. Sometimes they’d call me February success: dirty names like genius, or prodigy. 18-22, 2013 S h a r on I wanted to kick’m in the shins ‘til I looked the words up in the and all day Eudailey, who dictionary. (took me a while to find Saturday, the cooked for 2 Lawrence Stephens, rd that word prodigy. I figured it had Tuskegee Airman 23 . days, Brenda to have a “T” and at least a couple Mr. Coleman, who “E’s” in it).Those three cylinder Powell, Principal of the Waldo helped cook and words were always so perplexing Community School, will bring the serve, and Kim Worley, who for me. 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students decorated the Family Life Building WOW! Me…?? ... A gifted to the Center on the 19th, 20th, so beautifully. child? Apparently they weren’t &21st from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Our 5th grade teacher, Mr. peering over my shoulder as I The speakers are as follows: Schumacher, has worked hard to struggled not to scrub holes in my • 2/18---Displays out make sure the Safety Patrol kids drawings, as I would erase line 11am-4pm participate in fund raising after offensive line, hoping the • 2/19---Mr. Wayne activities. We had 9 Safety Patrols next scratch of my cantankerous Sparkman will talk about who served our food and drinks pencil would satisfy my worst critic. The Florida Black Heritage and they are: Brian Davis, Isaiah And I never failed to keep a keen Trail. Fletcher, Cody Braund, David Ray, eye on everything I did. Maybe, • 2/20---Mr. Stephen Brianna Bedford, Chloe Keenan, just maybe, this ‘next’ one would Lawrence, one of the James Jackson and Samantha make it beyond my pile of Tuskegee Airmen, will give Caldwell. Thanks to each of you! wretched attempts of the same thing. a presentation. We are in another Box Top Genius? Really now. • 2/21---Mrs. Vivian Filer, will contest at Wouldn’t a genius be able to just be telling stories. school. Last scribe that line perfectly on the first • 2/22--Displays out 11 year we raised try? Believe me, if you attempt am--4 pm nearly $1,500 something over, and over, and • 2/23--10 am - 4 pm There for Waldo over again--- guess what. You’re will be speakers on how Community going to find yourself getting better cane syrup, moonshine and School by working together. Those and better at it. turpentine are made. little pink box top coupons are on NOTE: The above Displays will be on the dozens of products, so if you come paragraph is mostly a lie. I really Military, Black Churches, across any, please save them for am very adept at many things. I Old Black School, and much the school. They really add up. just don’t like patting myself on the more. And last, but never least, back---much. For information about any Thank You to all of you who Now, getting back to of the above, please call came out to the dinner to support reality… I believe it is down-right 352-226-9610 the Safety Patrol kids. cruel to pin such a horrible label on a young person. And in my case I nothing but the truth for everyone where she first blew the whistle on felt obligated to try to learn else. a major technology initiative which “everything,” which is, of course, Now back to some more would control curriculum in impossible. At least for most confusing reality. America's classrooms. Google people. (wink) Well, the way I see it, ‘WE her name.“ Charlotte Iserbyt “ It is ARE ALL “genius.” In my now 60+ fascinating. years of insatiable tenaciousness Oh yea, about that I’ve discovered that we all possess newspaper clipping. A bug in a jar! ‘natural gifts’. But sadly, through Yep, that’s what I felt like most of social engineering, we’re that day about 48 years ago. I inspected, sorted, labeled, never had a clue about what was stamped, and stuffed into a planned for me. Even at a young societal box, and for the most part age I was not ‘too brite’ “SEE!” Mr. stripped of our ‘genius’ (God Noe knew it. Mrs. Padgett knew it. Given) traits. You see, NO I think that’s why they took it upon governing body, world or themselves to help me all they otherwise, wants its schools full of could. WOW! Talk about being However, I did read our kids with high IQ’s. It is impossible embarrassed! Photographers, complete set of Britannica to control human intellect when Reporters, The whole school being Encyclopedia’s from cover to cover permitted to flourish. Why do you assembled in the auditorium on by the time I was 14. I was terrified think they have ‘tele tubbies’ ‘MY’ behalf---- aaahhh I still have someone would ask me a blubbering at our toddlers while nightmares! question, and I wouldn’t be able to they’re bouncing around in their Note: The part about feeling answer correctly. What kind of walkers? Our children, God’s little like a bug in a jar.. That’s genius would that be!? Very scary creations having their brand-new absolutely true. But it had nothing stuff for an up & coming prodigy! super-computer brains, being fed to do with me winning those Thank goodness I’ve never had to a mind-altering ‘tele’ virus. Our awards. I loved that! All the face such an embarrassment. innocent child’s sponge-like, tiny, attention! WOO HOO! I just wish I Note: The above paragraph absorbing synapses’ being had worn my other shirt! is absolutely true, in terms of how bombarded with mindless babble, my adolescent mind processed their natural genius being subdued Little Bird current information at that time. Oh en-mass. Yes, we’re being ‘socially yea, I started playing lead guitar engineered’. (aka, brain-washed) Lucy Roe Cook and singing in Bobby Akers Turn the TV off! You see, I was told, by a little bird, country band along about that time REALLY do believe “A Mind is a t h a t also. Terrible Thing to Waste!” But when IFebruary Now back to reality again…. the TV tells you that, it’s just for was to be Tenacious, now that’s the word I’d pacification purposes. With very protected from use to describe myself. Every time few minor exceptions, the TV is the mundane. something intrigued me, (nearly not your friend! January began every day) and was something I Please note: The above with several of wanted to do, or know about, I lengthy paragraph is not just my our loved ones letting go of their bought the books, the tools of the opinion. It stems from personal pain. They will be missed from our endeavor. Be what it may. And I research from a book written in the lives but they will live out eternity learned about it. I’d practice early 80’s by Charlotte Iserbyt. The pain free. diligently. And then, one, or two, consummate whistleblower! Keith and Carla Mauldin, of maybe three years later---‘poof’--- Iserbyt served as Senior Policy Cracker Hill, hosted a party for LOOK! This guy’s a genius, he can Advisor in the Office of their daughter, Evon Mauldin, who do that too! Educational Research and turned five years of age. They had Note: The above paragraph Improvement (OERI), U.S. is a near total lie in regards to Department of Education, during a good time. Nana, Vera Mauldin, myself. However, It does speak the first Reagan Administration, was so happy to have her home filled with laughter and love.
2 Feets Don’t year was a “transient” one for Fail Me Now!! Daddy’s family as he moved us Mary Sue Holton from place to place trying to find something Mama could adjust to. y memories of In the end, nothing worked for her attending outside of going “home” to Waldo. what was then M And that’s exactly what we wound called “Waldo Jr High up doing. School” are some of In Third grade we had a the most cherished in my treasury teacher named Ms. Payne. I don’t Highway 301 of “yesterdays.” We moved quite remember a lot of details about 3rd Cottage at Waldo often when Daddy was still at grade except that’s when Sara Jo home with us, so at times I did by Lajana Hill Adkin’s mother died and we all felt attend schools in Gainesville. But purchased the property so sorry for her. I couldn’t imagine somehow we always found our about 10 years ago with the being in a world that didn’t include way back “home.” Nothing Iintention of opening a my mother. It’s also when Sara Jo compares to the experience of a store. I have an antique store in and I became close friends. small town school where you know Jacksonville, Park Street Fourth grade gave us one of everyone. Where you are afforded Antiques . my favorite teachers of all time, the opportunity to remain This summer I decided to Ms. Menge. I recall a number of “connected” to the same group of get with it. We opened in October incidents from 4th grade. One friends year after year as you and I am very happy with the being that AWFUL permanent climb the ladder of education response, but I do have a few Mama put in my hair. And right towards graduation. spaces available. I still have plans BEFORE pictures!! There are Ms. Sarah Winters was my for yard sales in the spring and an pictures out there which freeze Kindergarten teacher, and she event room later for weddings, and that mistake forever in time to moved to the First grade with our private parties. remind me that yes, it was every class. I wonder how many outside George and I are dancers. bit as awful as I remember. of our group had the opportunity We do Carolina Shag, Beachbob, The thing that I remember to enjoy her for TWO consecutive East Coast Swing and West Coast most about Fourth grade, years. Perhaps we were the only Swing. We would like to get a however, is what happened on ones! dance club organized. Our hours April fool’s day. Ms. Womble was our of operation are Friday Mama believed that the Second grade teacher and I 10:00 to 4:00, Saturday 10:00 to word “fool” was derogatory and remember that our class was on 5:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 4:00. If she would’ve warmed up our the local PBS channel, WUFT in someone would like to contact me, backsides had any of us used it to Gainesville. We did some sort of I can be reached at (904) describe anyone. She didn’t mind “Circus” themed program and I 629-3103. so much, however, if we was Papa Bear (don’t ask me why participated in April Fools I had to be Papa because I don’t Random Fact: shenanigans provided it wasn’t remember. But I do recall that it U.S. citizens are not legally permitted to something mean, cruel or harmful come in contact with extraterrestrials or didn’t bother me one bit) in a in any way. their vehicles, according to the Code of number called “Three Little Federal Regulations, implemented in 1969. Sara Jo Dancing Teddy Bears.” I still and I hatched Bonus Fact : remember the words and tune to In July of 1947, the U.S. Army Air Force a plan which that silly song. announced that they had recovered a flying we thought saucer that crashed near Roswell Air Field Sometime during second would be in New Mexico. Within hours, however, the grade we moved to Gainesville and Army dismissed the statement, claiming the funny , yet perfectly harmless. I went to Stephen Foster and then saucer was a misidentified weather balloon. Since our desks were side by side, to Kirby Smith for a time. That we tied our shoes laces together.
3 My right to her left. Our incessant, attempted to untangle ourselves R5 quiet giggling seemed to amuse from each other. The harder we by Destiny Harrison Ms. Menge and she would tried, the tighter that knot became. occasionally shift her sight to us In desperation, we wound our showing a hint of a smile. When it arms around each other and was time for reading group, Sara hopped to the rear of the line. By Jo and I stood together, put our the time we were in the hallway, arms on the other’s shoulder and the entire office staff was hopped across the room to our standing there trying to hide an assigned group. obvious desire to laugh out loud at During the time that our the sight of us, hopping along like individual groups were reading a couple of conjoined rabbits. their assignments, Ms. Menge By this time I didn’t find the Destiny Harrison slipped out to the office for a situation one bit funny. In fact, I ive years ago four siblings minute and then returned. She was quite sober and aware of how (Rocky Lynch, Riker Lynch, had been back only a few minutes stupid this idea had been. And FRydel Lynch, and Ross when then we came to the steps!! With Lynch) started a band. With a love “RIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGGG” an audience of everyone who had for music, they moved to L.A. from A FIRE ALARM!!! already exited the building and Colorado and took dance class. Now I have to admit that I everyone behind us still waiting That is where they met Ellington was a stickler for “proper” to get out, we clumsily hopped Ratliff. After dance class, Rocky behavior. Mama INSISTED on it. down those steps one at a time. taught himself how to play guitar So the first thought in my head Balancing against each other and then taught Ross how to play it. was to get those shoes untied so holding on as best we could. Even Then he taught Riker how to play that we could line up as our drill a fear of the trouble that would be bass. They then learned that their plan instructed, for an orderly, waiting for me at home when friend, Ellington, could play drums. single file exit from the building to mama found out what I’d done, Ellington’s name of course starts the far east side of the school couldn’t override laughter at that with an E not an R. They used his property. point, and the two of us burst into last name Ratliff and named the In a bit of hasty panic, I nervous giggles. band R5. bent over and grabbed one end of We managed, eventually, to In R5 Rocky play’s lead the tied laces. RATS!! It didn’t arrive safely with our class at our guitar, Riker play’s bass, Ross release, but instead turned our assigned reporting station. Only play’s rhythm guitar, Rydel play’s neat “bow” into a secure “knot.” then did we think to take our keyboard and Ratliff play’s drum’s Fear began to rise into my chest, shoes off to be free of the tether and they all sing. reaching my throat as I tried to that had joined us together. R5’s first album is called suppress the urge to call for Applause greeted our found LOUD and will be released “HELP”. It’s not that I was afraid I freedom and each of us curtsied in February of 2013. The youngest in would be left there to burn up in a thanks. the band, Ross, had an album fire, but more that I was terrified I’m convinced that Ms. released in 2012 from the Disney of getting into trouble for not Menge asked for that fire drill. I channel original series Austin and following “proper procedure.” I can’t say that I blame her. The Ally. had a real fear of “authority” which opportunity was just too good to Only the oldest brother, kept me mostly in line and I could pass up. And it offered an Riker, and the youngest brother, hear the disdain in mama’s voice entertaining break for the entire Ross, are actors. Riker play’s as as it made laps in my head. school. Jeff Sterling on WOFL FOX show The rest of the class had I didn’t get into trouble Glee. Ross plays as Austin Moon already managed to form a single when I got home but I can tell you on the Disney channel original line and were all watching and that I never pulled that stunt series, Austin and Ally. Ross will laughing as Sara Jo and I again. NO FOOLING!!!
4 also be starring in the Disney was limited (and of course it is) How many quilts have I channel original movie, Teen would it change the way I live my collected? I've no idea, but far too Beach Movie, coming in the life? You're darned right it would! many. I've been saying that I only summer of 2013. I'd begin with small things, want to keep the ones I use in my Riker also plays as the such as redecorating my bedroom lectures and teaching, but in this Principal Dancer on the Nick JR in lavish luxury. I want to awaken fantasy (or plan) I will retreat from show, The Fresh Beat Band. and slumber in beautiful the lecture and appraising circuit. I I attended their concert in surroundings, and I've not won't need any quilts at all – well, Orlando, Florida. I love their completed decorating my bedroom maybe a few for the beds, a few music and they are Amazing in in the three years since we moved. for the walls, a few for keepsakes, A simple thing, but important. one for each holiday. Next, I would dispense with I'll clean out my e-mail, and possessions. I'm not ready to give unsubscribe from every list or up things that belonged to my newsletter in the world. Quilt list? sweet mama and grandmother – Gone. Writing list? Calls for Entry? some things must be eased into, Decorating, recipes, notices from like a too hot bath, but other than Jiffy Lube – that, it would be nice to pick up my all gone. house, turn it upside down, and Even my shake it, letting things fall where Cadillac they may. Then someone else e-mails me could come pick it all up. monthly, fer I'll stop all magazines, as Pete's sake! concert. If you are looking for a I've held on to twenty five years of Away with new band to listen to, be sure to Ladies Circle Patchwork Quilts, thee! I'll check them out. thirty five years of Quilter's just take mail from my friends. Make sure you follow them on Newsletter. They take up enormous I've been saving things for a Twitter at @RossR5, @RatliffR5, shelf space. Twenty five plus years yard sale; saving “good” things for @RockyR5, @RikerR5 and make sure ago, when I wanted to learn ebay sales. I'm tired of saving and you like them on Facebook. Destiny Harrison - Age 10 everything possible about quilts, I not getting a round tuit. All will be bought and hoarded printed donated to charity. Someone else How Would I Change My matter, literally thousands of dollars can fritter around with ebay and in scholarly books “in case I need etsy. I won't need the little financial Life If I Knew My it” in my quilt related career. But windfall that will come from the Expiration Date? now I know that time is past and I sales anyway, because I don't want Teddy Pruett want them gone, gone, gone – to buy or own anything else. shining new year is a good along with countless years of I would put my 96 year old time to examine life, so I've Country Living, umpteen years of father into an assisted living facility Abeen examining mine. "Traditional Home" and thirty years - I'm already working toward that. After of “Christmas with Southern I would auction off my mama's a lifetime of Living.” I'd find new homes for all farmhouse and ten acres in a single robust my 'how to' books, as I already day – just set it up, auction it off; health and know 'how to' do all I'll ever need. over in a matter of minutes, and I'll 'more, more, I would keep all my wonderful never go down that road again, more' of books by Southern writers, and I literally. The road I do want to go everything – possessions, friends, would READ them! I would work down is the one to Colorado. If the knowledge, accomplishments - I'm hard to complete the novel I've time for my eyes to see this coming face to face with health putzed around with for years. I'm amazing world is limited, I want to issues and the fact that those always “too busy” to concentrate gaze upon the majesty of my calendar pages keep turning. I've on it, and suddenly I don't want to beloved Rocky Mountains. Maybe been pondering - if I knew my time be busy any more. Ever.
5 I'll take all that lavish new bedroom wonderful people of Waldo and Historic Fact: stuff with me – and maybe not. want everyone to know how much he president's salary is I was talking to my husband your generosity is appreciated. $400,000 per year. The about this, and I told him we Tchief executive also gets a should make these plans regardless "I want to share something with you: the three budget for entertainment, business of the outcome of upcoming little sentences that will get you through life. and travel expenses. And when he medical tests. Hubby is many years Number 1: Cover for me. Number 2: Oh, good idea, boss. retires from the presidency, Mr. older than I; we know our time Number 3: It was like that when I got here." Obama will receive over $191,000 together is limited. We have lived Homer Simpson per year for life. in turmoil and heartbreak for years Bonus Fact: and I've had enough of it. I'm sick Fortunately he doesn't have of “have to do's.” I want to skin life hanks to Ms. Marlene to spend any of his meager income down to the bony skeleton and put Adkins, we are able to on housing, because the back only the best parts. I want to Tshare the newsletter presidential diggs don't come know and show by my actions that clipping (below), picturing Ms. cheap. As of a 2008 estimate the every day is a day that the Lord Betty Brooker at work at the cost of running the White House has made and I no longer wish to Alachua County Property squander that gift. was about $1.6 billion. That Appraiser’s Office in 1988. Anyone want some doesn't even include the White magazines and quilts?? How about House staff who collectively make a ten acre farm and house in about $37.8 million. That includes Suwannee County? 468 employees. Note from Editor: Teddy Pruett has offered to share some of her quilting expertise with our readers in future issues of the Waldo Phoenix.
CARLTON DAVIS ELLA MAE SCHENCK MARIE RUSSELL GINNY STODDARD
If you know Waldo citizens who have passed, please call Millie Keirnan 352-468-1378.
Printer Ink Cartridges e continue to receive donations of empty printer Wcartridges from the Clipping from a 1988 Newspaper featuring Miss Betty Brooker
6 Information Please! Waldo Phone Numbers You Might Need (Cut out and place by your phone) Philadelphia Missionary Baptist City Hall 468-1001 Church Services After Hours Water Emergency 258-3110 Fire Emergencies Call 911 Rev. James W. Ramsey - Pastor Police Department 468-1515 2nd and 4 th Sundays 11:00 am Police Non-Emergencies 955-1818 Mid-week service every Wednesday 6:00 Waldo Library 468-3298 pm Waldo Community Center 468-2336 Waldo Post Office 468-1970 taught by Minister Bernard Carter Waldo Community School 468-1451 Awesome Sunday School every Sunday 9:45 Waldo Phoenix 468-1910 am taught by Bro. Bobby Hill or Minister Bernard Carter for adults and Sis. Josie “Jackson” February Birthdays & Sis. Monique Taylor for the children. 1 Sarah Edmondson 1 Helen Knupp Men’s Day service will be held 1 Dala Andrijanoff 3 Brandon Freeman on the 4 th Sunday in July at 11:00 am 3 Fannie O’Neal 3 Linda Wise 4 Cindy Woolwine 6 Bill Fellinger Always remember that 7 Shirley Ford 9 Jucas Armitage Man is Mighty but God is Almighty 10 Tom Combs 11 Dominic Bryne 11 Benjamin Burnsed 12 Tracy Cawley 12 Destiny Harrison 15 Anthony Mauldin First Baptist Church, Waldo 15 Kymberly Brannon 15 Annalee Tidwell Hwy 24 22 Luella Roberts 23 Sandra Fellinger 352-468-1721 27 Bill Dees Sunday Schedule 9:15 - 9:45 Refreshments 9:45 Bible Study (all ages) 11:00 am & 6 pm Worship 11:00 am & 6 pm Children’s Worship 6 pm Youth Praise and Worship Wednesday Schedule Subway of Waldo 5:45 - 6:15 pm Dinner Under New Ownership 6:30 pm Children’s, Youth, Adult PresentPresent this ad for $1 off a FOOTLONG™ OR $.50 OFF A 6-INCH SUB! Located on NE HWY 301 next to Dollar General Programs Call 352-468-1163 or fax 352-468-1153
Random Fact:
The second longest geographical name that is accepted in the world is: "Taumatahakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipuk akapikimaugahoronukupokaiwehenuakitanatahu" (85 letters) which is a hill in New Zealand - it is a Maori phrase which translates to "place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as land-eater, played his flute to his loved one."
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Reminder! The next Waldo Historical Society meeting will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 7 pm at the Waldo Community Center. Refreshments always available More than just coffee. Good food to enjoy during the meeting.
Thank You for Supporting Your Waldo Historical Society
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