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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” VISION GLASSES IN ONE HOUR* FORSYTH COUNTY’S IST AND ONLY OPTICAL SUPER STORE Forsyth County’s Largest Selection | Of Frames BIFOCALS, TRIFOCALS &NO LINE 1 BIFOCALS IN ONE HOUR* **WE ACCEPT MEDICARE FREE CATARACT SCREENING WITH EVERY EYE EXAM*** TWO GREAT SENIOR CITIZEN OFFERS: r 15% OFF FOR SENIORS’" I Receive 15% off all merchandise | for Senior Citizens 55 and over. . Coupon must be presented at I time of order. No other coupon, | discounts, or insurance benefits . apply. • Good only at PVE in Cumming Expires 9/30/92 | CNC Pearle Vision Express "pox Tfoux TOe S<UtvuUlt(, & AppoOUm&Ux Avxiixiie Dr. Howard H. Ollfer, Optometrist „ m * Dr. Dell Engram, Optometrist jr l "* WAR! F hYPRFPK Dr. Jim Hayes, Ophthalmologist Corneal Transplantation, Radial Have uou cot your PEARLE‘B on! *»" Most cases 5 n liiijui/' “Subject to Medicare & Pearle Inc. Regulations LUmMIIVIj •• Eye Exam available at Reg. *29“ Fee 546 Lakeland Plaza QQO S Jt Pearle, Pearle Vision Center & Pearle Vision Express 007"4V I*♦ are trademarksof Pearle, Inc.© 1991 Pearle, Inc. 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 Eyeßuys® and any other frame and lens combination pricing. Coupon must be presented at time of order. Offer expires 9/30/92. Valid at all participating Pearle Vision Center and Pearle Vision Express • location. • CNF | PAGE 3C SENIOR LIFE