» Memories

Our Micky Mouse Club Saturday afternoons in the 1930’s at the Grant Theatre. The Grand was packed for the Saturday matinee with every child in town who had 10 cents for a ticket. Many brought a candy of some kind for refreshment, or a stick of chewing gum.

First we had a local talent show. Mrs. Sylvia Austin was in charge and with her accordion led u in song. We used a “Minnie Yo Ho!” as a theme. Then a short program of local talent that offered to perform. Some prizes were offered. My sister, Verna Lusk, and her friend, Helen Adams, sang a duet. Helen said to Verna, “You sing goo so sing loud, and I’ll look like I’m singing, too!” Well, they won a couple of dolls that were hard to explain when they got home, until mother called for confirmation from Mrs. Austin.

The audience behaved well except when after the fourth week of three boys, three guitars and one song, “Red River Valley” was increased weekly by two verses. The last week the front row came armed with beanie shooters and about by about the third verse pelted them off the stage. Their teacher, Stanly Jones some 40 years later said, “You weren’t that mean to my students, were you?” Reply, “Yes! why didn’t you teach them at least one more song?”

Of course, the talent show was followed by a Mickey Mouse short and the picture of the afternoon. Thanks to those in charge of the Grand many kids were happily occupied for the afternoon.

- Anonymous