Newspaper Page Text
By Jan Neiderloh
Special to Senior LHe
On Monday, July 20th, the
seniors of Midway Park
held their annual “Picnic in
the Park”.
We met at Westbank
about 10:00 a.m. and chose
two big tables in the shade
near the water. As each per
son arrived with their cov
ered dish it heightened the
excitement for our noon
meal.
A mother duck and her
five little ones provided en
tertainment along with a
heated political discussion
(the election was the follow
ing day).
By 11:30 we couldn’t
stand anymore entertain
ment At least not with every
bit of space on one table
P from Page 2
the beginning of her life
long career came later.
In 1930, she entered a
contest sponsored by WSB
radio to become “Georgia’s
Most Popular Pianist” Sev
enty-five completed in the
contest which had as its
grand prize a contract for a
weekly spot on the radio.
By process of elimination,
contestants were finally
whittled down to the top
two. The contest had gained
the attention of newspapers
around the state, which pro
claimed Ms. Shirley to be
the underdog going into the
final round.
But she proved them
wrong, and soon her piano
playing was heard once a
week for 15 minutes on WSB
Radio.
‘That was the beginning
of my career,” she said with
wide eyes and an excited
voice.
Because of the wide
spread publicity, invita
tions for her to give concerts
soon flooded her mailbox.
She gave recitals all
around the state, including
the University of Georgia,
Dahlonega College and
Oglethorpe College.
In the early 19405, she
performed for the presi
gious Atlanta Women’s
Club. Today, it’s one of her
most vivid experiences.
For one hour and 20 min
utes, she entertained with
selections from Bach, Bee
thoven and Chopin (her per
sonal favorite) at a recital
A picnic in the park
completely covered with
beckoning goodies. As we
began to fill our plates we
realized we would only
have room for samples if
something from each dish
was tried. Sliced tomatoes,
diced cantelope, potato sal
ad, cole slaw, scalloped po
tatoes, fried chicken, bis
quits, sweet and sour hot
dogs with rice, cheese cake,
caramel pecan topped cake,
pound cake, fruit cake, plus
a selection of cold drinks
even a watermelon which
we didn’t slice-once again,
TOO MUCH TO EAT!
Allene and Joe Wheeler
and Jean Knause were able
to join us. It was wonderful
to share our morning with
them as they have not been
able to spend many get-to-
hall on Peachtree Street
that seated 750.
For at least a dozen years,
she taught from her studio
which stood at the corner of
East Paces Ferry and
Peachtree Street
She never had to adver
tise for students. Each time
she performed, which was
about 20 or 30 times a year,
she was contacted by some
one wanting to be under her
instruction.
“I had all of the people I
could take,” she said.
She also received fan let
ters each time her fingers
touched the keys.
“When I’d play I’d get let
ters from people I didn’t
know,” she said with wide,
sparkling eyes.
Even though she was ad
mired by men who would
send telegrams wishing her
luck at her concerts, she
never married.
“Im an old maid,” she
said. “My whole life was mu
sic. I’d practice five or six
hours a day.”
But the music stopped
when sister Katherine took
ill with heart problems a
few years ago. Another life
long commitment - involv
ing her love of family - took
her away from the big city.
“She didn’t have anyone
to wait on her,” she ex
plained. “So I gave up a
large piano class to come
here.”
She pauses, thinking back
Please see PIANO, Page 8C
gethers of late due to
illness.
If any of you seniors out
there are tempted by the
above “menu”-take note!
Our next meeting will be
‘SENIORS ARE SPECIAL EVERYDAY”
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FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS-WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992-
Monday, August 3, at 10:00
a.m. at Midway Park. It is to
be a bingo and covered dish
luncheon. For further infor
mation call the park at 781-
2152.
Pearle Express'
The
Midway
Doings
' 50% OFF SENIOR FRAMES' 1
Present this coupon and receive 50% off
the regular price of any frame with the .
purchase of a complete pair of prescription I
glasses for seniors 60 years or older. No i
other coupons, discounts or insurance
program discounts apply. Offer excludes
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PAGE 3C
SENIOR LIFE
