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| Moms organized '50s basketball team |
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| Question: The Central Grade P.T.A. mothers had a basketball team in the '50s. Does the museum have any information about this? |
| Answer: Not only does the museum have information, we have pictures too! The 1952 Central Grade School P.T.A. mothers pulled off a fundraising event that had the whole town talking. Determined to raise enough money to furnish the new first grade room, the mothers came up with a sure-fire method of making money - A Mothers Basketball Team. |
| The Central Grade mamma basketeers practiced regularly under the coaching of Cliff Edwards, who was manager of the Harrison Independents. They chose the names "The Modern Maids" and "The Bloomer Girls" for the two teams. To add zest to the contest, one team, the Modern Maids, were dressed in the manner of 1952, while the Bloomer Girls were circa garments, making their title "Bloomer Girls" very believable! |
| The pep squads were led by cheerleaders Arther Barrett, Allen Robinson, Jack Reeves, Hugh Cotton, Verl Hudspeth, and Clifford McAfee. They were "properly" costumed as to identify them as the pep squad leaders - much to the delight of the crowd. |
| The starting lineup for the Modern Maids were: Mrs. Frank Boyd, Mrs. Billy Dillen, and Mrs. Roy baker, Jr., forwards; Mrs. J. W. "Dub" Moore, Mrs. O. E. Martin, and Mrs. Pat Salmon, guards. Substitutes for this team were: Mrs. Hugh Cotton, Mrs. Jack reeves and Mrs. George Connell, forwards; Mrs. Joe Young, Mrs. Virginia Earnest and Mrs. Bob Huff, guards. |
| The starting lineup for the Bloomer Girls were: Mrs. W. E. Beard, Mrs. Doug Shaddox and Mrs. Kirby Jenkins, forwards; Mrs. Ray Atchley, Mrs. Richard Olney and Mrs. Bob Black, guards. Substitutes for this team were: Mrs. Henry Kirby, Mrs. Clarence Williams, Mrs. E. K. Coper and Mrs. Russell Banks, forwards; Mrs. Gifford McAfee, Mrs. Dick Wasson and Mrs. Kenneth Winters, guards. |
| Alberta Boyd served as captain and Lillian Moore as manager for the Modern Maids. Elva Kirby as captain and Bernelle Hudspeth, manager for the Bloomer Girls. After completing final training for the cage game, the P.T.A. mothers met that February 7th, 1952, in the new high school gymnasium on South Pine Street, before a full house of enthusiastic fans. |
| Referees Bob Watson, Waldo Fowler, Ray Atchley and Clovis Edwards had some difficulty in the final quarter determining some of the plays, since the game got a little rough! It was all in fun and fellowship, with both teams deriving satisfaction from knowing they had raised enough money to complete payments on the new furniture for the first grade room that became available to the school when the business administration classes of the high school were moved to the new high school building. |
| During the half time, the men, former cage stars, pulled off their shoes and did their best to outdo the girls in goal shooting. Only one goal was made, and the remainder of the men paid fines! |
| When the buzzer ended the game, the Bloomer Girls had lost to the Modern Maids by a score of 15 to 21. High point players for the Moderns were Alberta Boyd, Virginia Earnest and Doris Baker. High pointers for the Bloomer Girls were Mrs. Douglas Shaddox, Mrs. W.E. Beard and Mrs. Kirby Jenkins. The next day, Mrs. H.V. Kirby entertained both teams with an informational coffee at her home. |
| This is just one of the many great stories on file at the Boone County Heritage Museum, located on the corner of South Cherry Street and Central Avenue. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Come spend an afternoon with us! |
| This column appears Fridays in the Harrison Daily Times. Mail questions to Boone County Heritage Museum, P. O. Box 1094, Harrison, AR 72601. Marilyn Smith can be contacted at bchm@alltel.net |
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