I am proud to celebrate the approval of my historical marker applications honoring Rev. Dr. Grady D. Davis Sr. & Floyd B. McKissick Sr. — towering civil rights leaders whose legacy shaped Northampton & Warren counties & our state. #nchistory #BlackHistoryMonth #HD27
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December 31st Tonight Mack came to go with me to the watch party which was held at Dr. Rowland’s. The party was to be given from 10 to 13 o’clock. Mrs Cooper stayed over here for quite a while before we left and we had lots of fun “chatting.” Gee! but we had lots of fun at the party. At 15 minutes of 12 Gwendolyn Patton gave a reading which was
very appropriate for the occasion. Soon after the New Year came in we left. When we got to Bellemeade street a cat began to follow us and went all the way home with us. All told, we had a wonderful time. Diary dear, why should I have chosen this year to tell you about myself? Some of the happiest events of my life have occurred during this year and indeed the saddest has occurred. I have been very crude at expressing my thoughts because at times I knew not what to say but you got the facts at any rate.
As far as I can tell, this is the only year in which my grandmother kept a diary. One hundred years later, I was glad to read the entries each day and think about what her life was like then. I learned a lot about her life and still wish I had her here to answer questions.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 30th Bill called up early this A.M. and asked for a date. He wasn’t so peeved after all. He and D came at 10 o’clock and stayed until 12. They teased me the entire time. Dr. L and Dr. R came while they were here. This afternoon Bill and D (T) carried us to see “Little Annie Roony.” It was very good. Essie Mae and T emptied all my candy into a paper sack. Bill came back tonight and went with me to prayer meeting and then over to see A S.
And yet another day when she told someone other than G to come on over for a date. It was my grandfather, who left “peeved” yesterday because she invited Mack to come over while my grandfather was there.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 28th Bill Scott came to see me this afternoon and we went out to get M. She came and took supper with us. “Mack” called up and asked me for a date while Bill was here and told him he might come. Well Bill got peeved and wouldn’t go with us to the show. Mack and I went anyway and saw “A Kiss for Cinderella.” It was very silly but we enjoyed laughing. We saw the Bethany basket ball team.
Well! She told G she was “dated up,” but told Mack “come on over” even though my grandfather was there. My grandfather was at Yale Divinity School, so was probably home for just a few more days. Hence, he was “peeved.” G might have been “peeved” if he only knew.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 27th Tonight, A S and R C came to see us. I kept expecting G but he did not come. At about nine o’clock he called me up and said that he left Lexington at 5:30 and had just arrived in Greensboro. “His car froze up.” He wanted another date but I told him that I was “dated up.”
Is she really “dated up?” Does she think he’s lying to her? We’ll see whether she gives anyone else dates in the next few days.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 26th I went with R H to a party at C J’s home tonight. We had a wonderful time. Just as I was ready to leave G called me up and asked for a date. Of course I couldn’t give him one for tonight but I told him he might come tomorrow night.
She doesn’t settle down with my grandfather for another 3 years. It is interesting to see how many men were vying for her affections and how little she tells her diary about her feelings for each.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 25th Christmas Morning! Supposedly a happy day but our hearts were sad. We went to a sunrise service at the Christian church. I tried to take a part in the program but my heart was too “full.” We put a beautiful wreath of flowers on Mama’s grave. Gee! but we have missed her.
My grandmother’s 9-year-old great-great granddaughter is in the hospital this Christmas morning in 2025, so we, too, have sad hearts. We also have grateful hearts, for the advances in technology and medicine and the good care of doctors and nurses who are helping her.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 24th Another day spent in the preparation for Christmas. We have gotten so many cards from relatives and friends. Mack sent me a hand-painted card.
She hasn’t mentioned sending Christmas cards herself. The family is in mourning, so may not be expected to send cards this year
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 23rd Almost the entire day has been spent in shopping and getting ready for Christmas.
The shortness of the entry suggests that she did spend “almost the entire day” in Christmas-prep.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 22nd We merely pretended to have classes this morning. M and I decorated the stage and Christmas tree. In the afternoon we had a short program after which the presents were given out by Old Santa (Mr. F) and the entire high school was served with Eskimo pies which were given by the faculty. Harvey came to carry me home.
Some things never change – the day before Christmas vacation is never a productive one for classroom teachers. Eskimo pies were new at the time and probably exciting to the students.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 21st Miss W gave a recital or musical program tonight. I sang “There were Shepherds.” We exchanged Christmas gifts tonight. I had D’s name and B D had mine. We had such a nice time but it was all too much for me. I could not keep my eyes dry. I’ve packed my suit case and satchel.
You can tell she’s a professional singer because she was able to sing, despite the emotion of the day. My throat would close up.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 20th Per usual I went to Sunday and church. Mc walked with me home. This afternoon we went to the “National” and heard a musical program given for the benefit of the “Empty Stocking Fund.” Harvey brought me to Summerfield and I came from there to Bethany with H.
It’s hard to know whether this is a “normal” Christmas for her. By the time I met her, tree-trimming, cookie-baking, gift-wrapping, and fruitcake-distributing started long before Christmas. She seems to be alternating between Mc and G.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 19th Shopping? – Well, I guess. I spent almost all day down town. Sister did not come until late so I had to eat luncheon by myself. I ate some sandwiches down at the O’Henry drug store. I’m tired of “rambling” around. I was invited to a party at Mr. F’s tonight but I didn’t want to go back to Bethany so soon.
It’s not clear whether “rambling around” refers to walking around downtown or going back and forth to Bethany. The question mark suggests that she didn’t even shop, much less buy. I’m sure she was remembering previous last-Saturdays-before-Christmas with her mother.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 18th We played Alamance this afternoon at Bethany and we won the victory. O.C.J brought me home. When I got here Mrs. C called me over to her house to get a package that had been left there for me. It was a large box of candy from G. Bertha and I ate supper down town. I got a letter today from “Mc.”
The box of candy comes 2 days after a date and a week before Christmas. Which is it for? She doesn’t mention purchasing or making a Christmas gift for either of her suitors, but maybe that’s why she and Bertha went downtown.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 17th “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” I wonder if going to bed early one night out of 365 would do any good. H and I retired at 9:15 tonight. We are both sadly in need of a rest though.
She has had some “extra” activities most nights this week, so she probably does need the rest.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 14th These extension classes are the banes of our existence. We’re going to have another class tomorrow. Tonight A, D, H and I played “Bridge.” It has been reported that Miss W’s father is married.
Bridge is still new enough that it deserves quotation marks. Is she wondering whether her father will marry again? He married less than a year after his first wife died, but he had young children then.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 13th I sang a solo at Sunday School this A.M. Mr. Herman Caviness preached this morning. Harvey brought me back to Bethany. P F carried D, S and me out for a ride.
Bethany is not on Harvey’s way back to Elon – he may have some “reading days” prior to exams and/or he may have wanted more time with his sister.
Somewhere in Missouri, Dick Van Dyke was born on this very day.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 12th H and I spent the entire day down town. We shopped until twelve o’clock, then we got with sister and went to the Jefferson cafe for luncheon. In the afternoon we went to a show at the Imperial. H went home. Sister, H, N, John R, H’s brother, and a Mr. T from Winston and I went to Guilford college to see a play called “Adam and Eva.”
There’s not much evidence that she buys anything when she’s down town, but her father’s store is near the Imperial Theater, so she could leave things with him while she continues her social life. It is amazing how often she goes out to a play or movie. No date with G.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 11th H and I started to Greensboro with the D girls and lo! we had a time. Yes, tire trouble. We sat on the side of the road for about two hours. H and I went to see “The Son of his Father” by Harold Bell Wright. H couldn’t get home so she spent the weekend with me.
She does not explain how the “tire trouble” was resolved. Did they wait for someone to come by and offer help? They did get to Greensboro in time to go to the movies. It looks like G didn’t get a Friday night date.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 10th Bethany 3 – Brown Summit 2 – Such was the results of a girls basket ball game that was played here today. I got a letter from G asking me for a date. I practiced voice tonight for the first time in ages. I have to sing at church on Sunday.
Mail delivery was quick and reliable. Perhaps not as quick as a text or phone call, but still quick enough for “dates” to be arranged for the weekend.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 9th Guess whom I got a letter from today – none other than S M. My old desk mate and school chum of long ago. I was indeed surprised to hear from her but pleasantly so. I also heard from Irene Cotten.
These letters were from Virginia, where they lived prior to about 1920. She had a cousin Irene who was her age, so that is probably who the second letter is from.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 8th This is the first night that I haven’t had to “go somewhere” in a long time. I really enjoyed staying here and working. We played basket ball this afternoon and I fell down and skinned my elbow but not badly.
At this time of year, she probably has lots of grading to do. Judging by the start-date of the semester, she may not have to create exams until January.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
The legendary musician and civil rights activist grew up in the small town of Tryon, North Carolina. The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund announced the restoration has completed after nearly a decade of effort. #nc #nchistory #blackheritage
https://bit.ly/4iD4QA6
December 7th A test? Yes a test. We took on our extention work. I was really excited. I hope I didn’t “flunk” though. D wrote “Mac” a card about G but I wouldn’t let her send it.
December 7th is not yet a “date which will live in infamy.” A test on her extension work was the most exciting news. It seems she has a limit on how much she will tease Mack.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 6th We went to Sunday School and church. “Mac” walked with me from church and teased some more about G. W came for me this afternoon and brought me back to Bethany. Tonight we enjoyed the music of the Edisons.
A weekend at home with a lot of male attention seems to be the ticket. She is in much better spirits than she was a few days ago.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 5th “N” and I worked hard all the morning – cleaning up and cooking. This afternoon I spent in correcting papers. Tonight Harvey and I went out to Sumner to get Sister. I forgot to tell you that I went to see Mrs. Cooper this A.M.
“N” is not a family name, so was probably a housekeeper. She probably cooked and cleaned for my great grandfather while his daughters were off teaching school.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 4th W took me home this afternoon. Mack came to see me. I certainly played “dumb.” I introduced Mack to Harvey as Mr. G. I don’t believe that Mack will ever get over it. He has teased me so much. I had a big time though. I believe the best that I have ever had with him.
The day after she evaded a prank planned on her, she introduced her brother to Mack as the other man she has been dating.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 3d Tonight when the teachers found out that I had a date with G they began a joke. A mock wedding was their plan. They got netting, flowers, rice, shoes, tin cans, etc. Everyone was pepped up to the highest pitch but I slipped out the back door and when G came I got in his car and we rode off. The teachers were very disappointed. We went to Winston-Salem and heard Will Rogers and a group from Zigfield Follies. They were good.
She has participated in pranks on her fellow teachers before, so perhaps that made her more aware of the signs that one was being planned for her.
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
December 2d Yesterday I thought that no day could be worse but today has topped the climax. This afternoon I did everything that I could to keep from crying. I even stayed over at school and helped serve supper to the ballplayers but when I came home I completely collapsed. I cried for over an hour. Everything seems so “blue.” I did not go to supper. However, I did go to Parent-Teacher’s meeting.
It’s interesting that she doesn’t use her diary to explore her feelings. She says more about techniques she used to stop herself from crying, but doesn’t talk about why she’s feeling blue. “Stiff upper lip” wins out over “you’ll feel better if you let it all out.”
#NCHistory, #1925, #OTD
