Beckley Post-Herald from Beckley, West Virginia • Page 7

BECKLEY POST-HERALD, BECKLEY, W. FRIDAY I A A 7.1977 FIVE Film, Television Actress Claims Raleigh County Roots By BONNIE BOLDEN It's the story of "home-town girl makes good." Almost. VERNEE Watson, appearing in That You" (now i a Theatre could have been a local girl that is, if her mother, VERNEE WATSON, (left) daughter of former Affinity resident Virginia Venable Watson, is appering with Michael Warren in the film That now showing at the Beckley Theatre. In addition to films, the 27-year-old Miss Watson has done televisiom, commercial and stage work. Virginia (Mrs.

Walter) Venable Walson. a moved from Affinity to New York, N.Y., several years ago. No newcomer to the a i profession, the 27-year-old Miss Watson has more than 100 television i a television shows and movies, plus films to her credit. You may recognize her as a i i i Verna Jean on the television comedy series, "Welcome Back, Or maybe from one of her television commericals and magazine advertisements (which include Schiitz Malt Liquor, Leggs pantyhose. Sarah Lee cakes, Toyota automobiles or Ultra Sheen hair- care products).

SHE A A in the ABC i i i "Green Eyes," which was aired this week and is scheduled for a a a a i girlfriend on the series "Good Times." Miss Watson's career began at an early age. A dancing student since she was about four years old, she made her first stage appearances in. her aunt's New York club, the Klique Klub. A a a i from high school, she said she knew she to pursue an acting career 'but says she "really didn't know how to go about it," so she joined the Al Fann Acting Ensemble, which toured colleges. She stayed with the troupe for five years, before leaving to study acting at New York University.

In a i i she began to a television commercials. Soon her commercial bookings were so a a a leave school. ABOUT A A and a half ago she moved to Burbank, Calif. Although she has never lived in West i i i a she said she visited here when she was about 7. All she remembers about the area, she says, it that it was "this big country town." "I'd love to come she said.

"Now that I'm older I'll be able to see it in a different light. I'll be able to see where my family came from." Of her Grandmother Vena.ble's 14 children, she said only one son, Herman Venable of BecftTey, is still here. The remaining living children are in New York. In That You?" Miss Watson plays a character named Melody, a girl who tries to develop any possible heterosexual tendencies in her homosexual i a i a Warren). I A a a a country man who comes to Lo Angeles to Visit his son.

only to discover that Norman is homosexual. According to Miss Watson, the film is not entirely realistic. "As a comedy, it was meant to be entertaining. But the reaction of Redd Foxx is pretty much a realistic reaction for a country father." She believes that her part as Melody, a woman who, although she knows about Norman's sexual preferences, is attracted to him a i i i a i is realistic. "That's a very real situation now," according to Miss Watson.

"There are a lot of bisexual men. Norman is very attractive, and it's natural for Melody to try to get next to him." SHE SAID that although Redd Foxx is a "dirty old man," he's "a very hard worker and a very sincere worker. He's really a sweet person." Miss a is a i to writer Joe Duckett. a former news reporter for a Los Anglees radio station. He and Miss Watson a i a screenplay in which she has a part, although she says she's "not starring in it." Right now.

Miss Watson is working on plays, in addition to her television and movie work, and studying dance and voice. "I'm interested in doing tnore i i and screen work because that's where the most money is and where the exposure is. Like it or not. money is quite important. I a i I stagework to fill my creative needs," she said.

Dear Abby: By ABIGAIL VAN BUREN DEAR ABBY: I am a 73-year- old woman. I'm well-educated a a been a i a gregarious all my life. Lately I've noticed that people have been avoiding me. Yesterday my eldest son took me aside and said, "Mother, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but you talk too much." Abby, I was so hurt. I wanted to die.

It came as such a shock to me. I didn't realize that I had been talking more than usual, but apparently I had been. Now I am so self-conscious and inhibited, I hesitate to open my mouth in company. I was much happier when I talked too much and wasn't aware of it. If there is a happy medium, how does one find it? TALKS TOO MUCH DEAR TALKS: Start by resolving to talk only when you have something of consequence to say.

Then resolve never to interrupt anyone. And don't be hurt, dear. Your son did you a kindness. DEAR A Who wrote: "Any woman who will accept attention from a married man -no matter how lonely, misunderstood, henpecked, mistreated, neglected or unhappy he claims to be is stupid, cruel, cheap, dis-' honest and HELENE DEAR HELENE: I did. DEAR ABBY: My sister, who is divorced, recently took a full- time job.

She has an 8-year-old daughter. Cissy. She refuses to get a babysitter for Cissy, saying the child is old enough to take Organizations in the Beckley area itii-itcd to HNC this column to announce regular or special Cad or mail ni- nouncement to Personal Touch. Becklcj) Ext. 87) before 5 p.m.

Advance notici'x will as SJHH-C ruits. TODAY Golden Age Club of Central Baptist Church, election of officers and blood pressure clinic with Mrs. Naomi Turner, L.P.N.. at the church, 10:30 a.m. Men's Chorus of Central Baptist Church, rehearsal, at the church, 7 p.m.

Raleigh County Senior Oppor- i a New Year's program with guest speaker the Rev. Robert C. Lohman, 316 S. Fayette 11 a.m. Woman's Club of Central Baptist Church, special meeting, home of Mrs.

J.P. Turner, 116 Deegan 7 p.m. Good Neighbors Social Club, meeting at Vivian Cook's postponed. 5 3, Heroines of Jericho, postponed until Jan 14. SATURDAY Alpha Zeia Zota Chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, founders' day celebration, home of Mrs.

Grade Robinson, 304 2 p.m. Violinist Endre Balogh, spon- sored by Community Concert Association, Park Junior High auditorium, 8:15 p.m. Thrift Savers Club, home of Mrs. Myrtle Scales, Rice Street, 7 p.m. Live Wire Saving Club, home of Mrs.

Jeff i a North Beckley, 7 m. King Hiram A biff Lodge 25, election of officers, Masonic Hall on South Fayette Street, 6 p.m. Beckley Subccntcr. American Red Cross, special blood drawing. 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m. Pinochle Hugs, home of Mrs. E.G. Leece, Mt. Hope, 7:30 p.m.

Twirling Oaks Square Dance Club, caller Bill Darby, Scout Cabin, Oak Hill, 8 to 11 p.m. SUNDAY Berkley Subcemer, American Red Cross, special blood drawing. 1 to 6 p.m. Social Savings Club, installation of officers. New Era Singing Convention Hall, 2:30 p.m.

SLACK RACK'S After Inventory Sole ENTIRE STOCK II OFF JACKETS OPEN MON. FRI. NITES TIL 8:30 THE 414 NEVILLE ST. ACROSS FROM BECKLEY THEATRE care of herself for the three hours after school until my sister gets home. I am really worried about my niece.

She is a quiet child and I am concerned about the responsibility this thrusts on her right after losing her father (a year ago). My mother has threatened to report the situation to the child services department in our town. Sis thinks we're being silly and says can't afford a sitter even if she felt one was needed. Mother and I both work, so we can't volunteer our services. I don't want a family fight, but I feel the welfare of the child is at stake.

What should we do? CONCERNED DEAR CONCERNED: I agree. An 8-year-old is too young to be "on her own'' for three hours, five a wd-k. If csfi't find a friendly neighbor to whom Cissy can report after school, a sitter seems the only alternative. If your sister doesn't agree, and you report her to the child services department, don't prepare for a "family fight," but for a scale family war. DEAR ABBY: How would you define old age? GETTING THERE DEAR GETTING: To recycle an old cliche, old age, like beauty, lies in the mind of the beholder.

But 1 would say that you've reached it when: You need your glasses to find your glasses. You walk into another room and wonder what you went there for. People start telling you you're looking good, but no one says you're good-looking. You pass up a romantic encounter because you're worried about your heart. Everyone has a problem.

What's yours? a personal reply, write to ABBY: Box No. 69700, L.A., Calif. 90069. Enclose stamped, addressed envelope, please. Hate to write letters? Send SI to Abigail Van Buren, l32Lasky Beverly Hills, Calif.

90212, for Abby's booklet, 'How to Write Letters for All Occasions." Please enclose a long, self addressed, stamped (24 envelope. Altmans Mark 40th Mr. and Mrs. Harry Altman of 215 Qranville Ave. will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary- Saturday with an open house in their home 1 at 215 Granville Ave.

from 2 to 6 p.m. They.were married Jan. 3,1937, in Wellsburg. Mrs. Altman Is the Ewing.

Former residents of Pennsylvania, the A a a lived in Beckley since 1969. He is district manager for G.C. Murphy They are the parents of five sons: Dr. Harry of Pikeville. Gerald of Laurel.

John of Charlotte. N.C.; Jim of Erie. and Bill at home, and have eight grandchildren. IE RIO OF EXCESS FACIAL A IODY HAIR QUICKLY CALL ALICI CARTE ELECTROLOGIST 113 rtMNCf ST BMJ71 fashions TMURSDAY-FRIDAY-SATURDAY strictly OFF LARGE SIZE 38 TO 44 SPORTSWEAR "TOPS 38-44 -BOTTOMS 32' -38 GROUPS FALL-WINTER SWEATERS FALL-WINTER STYLES-ASST. COLORS AND SIZES FALL-WINTER HANDBAGS SELECTED FROM STOCK fashions DOWNTOWN OPEN MON.

NITE RALEIGH MALL DAILY 10 A.M.-9 P.M. SUN. 1-5 P.M. OAK HILL OPEN FRI. NITE COAT SALE OFF MALL--BECKIEY PLAZA FUR TRIMMED.

HOODED. SKI JACKET. UNTRIMMED..