Ode to moms, way back when
- Share via
JERRY PERSON
Last Sunday was Mother’s Day, a day in which we remember that special
one who brought us into this crazy world and protected us from its
hardships and troubles.
Whether celebrating with mother at a family gathering, or the
placing of a single rose at her graveside, our residents have always
found time to remember their mothers.
This week, we’ll look back at a few examples in which we honored
these important heroes in our lives.
Mother’s Day in America does not go back that many years. Author
Julia Ward Howe first proposed it in 1872, when she suggested people
honor their mothers on June 2. A Kentucky schoolteacher, Mary Towles
Sasseen, started celebrating Mother’s Day in 1887.
By 1907, a campaign was begun for a national observance on the
second Sunday in May, and in 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed a
resolution making Mother’s Day an annual observance.
I picked the year 1951 to look back on, as there are still many
who are still with us to remember that special day.
What better way to honor mother than to accompany her to
Wintersburg Methodist Church for the annual mother and daughter
banquet? Bowers of sweet peas and roses decorated the church’s social
hall, runners of honeysuckle were placed around each table and at
each place setting, a red rosebud corsage was there to welcome the
mothers.
A special evening musical program was presented for their
entertainment, followed by the introduction of the youngest children
present, Mary Applebury and Stephen Rehling, and the oldest mothers,
Ella Graham and Lula Nichols.
The following Sunday, Methodist minister Charles Bacon’s message
to his congregation was entitled “Behold Thy Mother,” followed by the
church choir singing “Mother Love.” Following the choir, Elaine and
Barbara Pederson sang a duet with music supplied by Mrs. Oscar
Stricklin Jr. on the organ.
Over at the Foursquare Church on Lake Street, the Rev. Pete
Nyenhius presented each mother with a special gift, and the oldest
and youngest mothers were given a beautiful orchid corsage.
Nyenhius’ morning message to his congregation was “The Command of
the Mother of Jesus.” For his evening sermon, Nyenhius chose “The
Grandmothers of King David.”
A special mother and daughter tea was held at the Church of God
(First Christian Church), hosted by Hazel Whittaker. After welcoming
the large turnout of mothers and daughters, Whittaker introduced Cora
Dugdale, who offered a mother’s prayer. Mayme Schuth followed with a
toast to the mothers, entitled “Happiness.”
Bouquets were handed out to the oldest and the youngest mothers
present. Mary Cannon, the oldest mother at 90, and Shirley Worthy as
the youngest, received those. Ruth Rardin received a bouquet for
having the most daughters present.
As the choir sang “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” the
mothers and daughters partook of tea, coffee, and punch and plenty of
good homemade cookies.
At the Woman’s Club on Tenth Street, the mothers were given a
special potluck dinner from the Blue Star Mothers. The program
chairwoman, Tracy Hill, introduced the evening’s speaker, Jessie
Hayden.
At the First Baptist Church’s annual Mother’s Day banquet, 93
mothers and daughters enjoyed a turkey dinner. During this
celebration, Clara Mae Ellis welcomed each mother and daughter. This
was followed afterward by a toast to the mothers by Jayn Almond.
Recognized at this banquet were Serena Harris as the oldest mother
present and Willene Miller as the youngest.
Central Elementary School did not forget their room mothers, as
the school PTA hosted a special tea at Lake Park Clubhouse for them.
Not even our celebrated police officer, Owen A. Mosier, was immune
to this special day. He penned the following Mother’s Day poem that
sums up the feelings for this special time:
To mothers dear, from far and wide
Whom’ere have been our constant guide
We tender you our heartfelt thanks
And hope you’ve forgiven our childish pranks.
You’ve helped our broken hearts, to mend
And guided us in our childish trend
And the memory of you still lingers
How you used to kiss our injured fingers
To you, we dedicate this day of days
And there’s not one of us, but prays
That you’ll be blessed and so we say
All love to you, on Mother’s Day.
* JERRY PERSON is a local historian and longtime Huntington Beach
resident. If you have ideas for future columns, write him at P.O. Box
7182, Huntington Beach, CA 92615.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.