“INTERESTing” Across the Ashley
Facebook, Instagram. Twitter. These are the mechanisms of modern social networking. Jump back a few decades (maybe 8 or more) and the newspaper was the mechanism for learning about the social workings of the community. The News & Courier, Charleston Evening Post as well as community newspapers like West Ashley Journal (a “suburban weekly” that ran for about three years in the early 1960s) and The West Ashley News (unsure of the scope of this one but there was an issue in June-July of 1955) were the repositories for engagement announcements, wedding photos and details, birth announcements, club news, and information on social events.
One particular column that ran in The Charleston Evening Post from 1938 to 1950 was entitled: “Notes of Interest Across the Ashley”. Initially, Helen R. Roberts gathered these “Notes” and then in 1939 Lillian D. Chamberlain took over the reins and her name was the byline until 1950.
Enjoy a glimpse at what both Roberts and Chamberlain found “INTERESTing” across the Ashley.
The March 16, 1938 “Notes of Interest Across the Ashley” by Helen R. Roberts included the following: “President Roosevelt has declared March 20-26 National Wild Life Week; “… the boys across the Ashley river were greatly interested in watching the searchlights pick out planes high in the night sky.”; “The regular meeting of the Men’s club of St. Andrew’s Parish met Tuesday night with Mr. E.F. Bellinger, Jr.”; Mr. Lowell E. Remington was rewarded with an extra week of Easter vacation for making the honor list at Bryant College; the names of the out of town guests playing golf at the County Club of Charleston on James Island; and who is sick, visiting, vacationing, attending parties and playing bridge.
In early November of 1938 Roberts reports that: “Mr. and Mrs. F.S. Hanckel, Jr. were honored Friday night with a surprise housewarming at their new home in St. Andrew’s Parish. About fifty friends gathered along Savannah highway and proceeded to the home in a body. Mrs. E.B. Chamberlain, Mrs. H.H. Lamar and others had punch and cake ready to serve; also music for dancing, which was enjoyed by the guests during the evening.” Later in November, Roberts reports that; “The new straightened road to Rockville at the Riverland Terrace intersection has been completed and is now open for traffic. Slow driving is appreciated by the parents of small children living in the developments west of the Ashley.” (More than 80 years later and there is still the same appreciation.)
On Jan. 21, 1939, Lillian D. Chamberlain introduced her first column as follows: “The various developments across the Ashley continue to grow, new homes springing up almost daily.” (Another trend that is still going strong!) She continued later with: “Notable at this time when gardens look rather bare is the beautiful red Japonica bush in the garden of the J.E. Porters of Ashley Forest.”
And did you know that the neighbors of Ashley Forest and Carolina Terrace had football teams? In the same column one learns that “Mr. A. M. Ferillo of Ashley Forest is recovering from his recent illness of several weeks.”; “Mr. L.O. Harper principle [sic] of St. Andrew’s Parish school has returned home from Honea Path where he attended the funeral of this aunt.”; “Mr. and Mrs. Leon Davis of Windermere were among those attending the inauguration of Governor Maybank on Tuesday”; and “Carolina Terrace has just organized a Community Club, which held its first meeting Wednesday evening at the home of Mr. R. A. Isgette.”
February might be declared “visiting month”. In 1939, Chamberlain’s column rosters who is going to visit, i.e. “Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Williams of Windermere, are visiting in Orangeburg.” and who is coming to visit, i.e. “Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Alward, of Wappoo Heights , has as their guests this week, Mrs. Alward’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chapman and her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Slater and their two children.” In addition, supper parties to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, bridge parties and club meetings were part of the February interesting activities to note.
As mentioned above, “Notes of Interest Across the Ashley” was a regular column for more than 10 years. Learning about the social activities and exchanging community news have always been an important aspect of community news. It might be fun to dive in again in the future and continue discovering what was worth noting during that time period. In the meantime, “Like” us (West Ashley Book or West Of Free Press) on Facebook or just go pick up an issue of the WOFP and learn about our community past and present.
Donna would love to hear about your “Notes of Interest”! Contact her at westashleybook@gmail.com.
