The Times Herald from Port Huron, Michigan • Page 22

4, SECTION PORT HURON TIMES HERALD, Sunday, October 3, 1965 THE STORY OF FOLK MUSIC Ballads Are Not Just A Passing NEW YORK, N.Y. (ED) Like it or not, you can't put folk music down to a passing fad. Long before its current popularity, regions and groups throughout the country had their own folk songs. Versions of 15th century English and Scottish ballads, for instance, were brought to America by settlers in the 17th century and are still sung, today by the West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Many of the ballads told of feuds, a familiar theme to these settlers of the rugged southern mountains.

Even the conservative New England Puritans of the 17th century sang English ballads, the most popular of which was "Captain Kidd." As pioneers, miners and adventurers migrated West, they created many folk songs of their own. Pioneers attracted to Cali- fornia by the discovery of gold there in 1848 had a dangerous, as well as long, dull journey ahead of them. To keep their children amused during these long hours, they made up lullabies. The most well known lul-. laby of that time is still popular today: "Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Mama's going to buy you a mocking bird." Sailors heading for California ship all way around the fearsome waters of Cape Horn sang chanties of their own devising.

Some of the most interesting folk songs relating pioneer conditions are those inspired by the lonely life of the cowboy. They have survived today as documents of cowboy life. Sorrowful in mood and theme, they tell of the long hours alone on the range and reflect on the cruelness of the cattle barons. Another song theme of the Old West the story of the outlaw The nicest things we do for your shirts are free! Replace cracked or A heavy reusable missing buttons pliofilm bag for every Starch or no starch shirt shirts to your preference Same Day Service Shirts laundered in nylon nets for longer No extra charge for wear shirts on hangers There are many things Seeley Cleaners enjoy doing for all its customers things such as providing 14 courteous, well trained friendly people who take pride in the Seeley name and being a part of Port Huron's most recommended quality dry cleaners and doing just all the nice things that our customers expect and get. P.S.-We forgot 1 to mention the price 5 for $1.25 SEELEY CLEANERS 1.

Main Plant 2. Opposite 3. 1 Block Lapeer at 10th Prestolite North of Pine 24th St. Grove Park on Pine Grove Ave. had its origins in the old English peasant ballads, dating back to ballads sung about Robin Hood before the 15th century.

If the "hero-outlaw" Jesse James had not been generous to the poor during life, ballads certainly made him so. After Jesse was shot in the back, verses singing the praises of his memory grew up like wildfire, and made a legend of him. Aside from the plight of the outlaw, popular Western themes death bed confesother. sions, religion, local disasters, rovers, faithless lovers, and temperance. BUT, IT WAS from the Negro slaves of the South that the most truly American form of music the blues came.

Slow in tempo, and with a bit of humor midst the pathos, they told of lost love, bad treatment, poverty, hunger and cold. Willjam C. Handy, the "father of the blues," said, "My blues came from the music of southern farmers, miners, steel workers plain working people. They came out of suffering and oppression. Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter was one of the best known of the blues singers.

In his rough, powerful tones, he made the blues live. With his death in 1949, the traditional blues as a living creative force came to an end. It was in the '30s, however, Passing Fad! MEDIEVAL BARD Versions of the ballads created by Scottish, English and Welsh bards centuries ago were brought to the New World by early colonists. Many of these songs are still sung by the mountaineers of West Virginia, North Caro- lina, Kentucky and Tennessee. suaded folk singers to record their songs, that real nationwide interest in folk music was sparked.

Discs of more than 100 of these songs are now kept in the Library of Congress as a permanent record of this important American music. DURING the same period a new wave of social-minded folk singers, led by Woody Guthrie, brought protest songs into the folk music mainstream. Today's growing topical song movement is a direct outgrowth. One of the most popular singers of the last few years was when John and Alan Lomax per- Jim Reeves. Born on a western ed HOME ON THE RANGE Folk music was inspired by the lonely life of the cowboy.

Their songs told of the range, reflected on the cruelness of cattle barons, and were generally sorrowful in mood and theme. Miss Rintz Entertained ALGONAC Miss Kathleen Rintz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rintz, Marine City, was honored at a bridal shower given by Mrs. Charles Van Heck and Miss Juanita Buck.

Sixty guests attended the shower, held in the home of Mrs. Arthur Vaiar, Algonac. Game prizes were won by Elaine Burak and Judy Achatz, both of Marine City; Karen Buchowski, Detroit, and Mrs. Vaiar. Judy Buck won a special prize.

The bride-elect was presented with a bridal garter by Juanita Buck, who will be her bridesmaid. Miss Rintz and Airman Alvan C. Buck, son of Mrs. Margaret Buck, Pearl Beach, and the late Darwin Buck, will be wed Oct. 30 in St.

Andrew's Episcopal Church, Algonac. Pine Grove CLEANERS specials CASH CARRY (Plain) Pants Slacks Skirts Pickup Delivery (YU 5-6182) WHITE SHIRTS 5 1 119 or each 1615 PINE GROVE AVE. 1804 TENTH ST. 1009 24th ST. 500 VINE ST.

(St. Clair, Mich.) Exchange Wedding Vows Donella Alene Davis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alden D. Davis, Varney Street, changed wedding vows with James P.

Armstrong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond L. Armstrong, Yale, Saturday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Rev. William J. Pettit performed the ceremony. The bride floor-length gown of white silk-faced peau de soie featuring an A-line skirt encircled with lace and sequins. Her cathedral train was anchored with a small bow.

A single drop pearl necklace complemented her gown. Her English illusion veil was fastened to a garland of pearl orange blossoms and an arrangement of white roses formed her bouquet. Mrs. Robert E. Sheehy was matron of honor and Miss Mary Ellen Butler and Miss Nancy A.

Hazelman, both of Emmett, and Miss Janet Armstrong, Yale, sister of the bridegroom, were bridesmaids. They wore floor-length Grecian style gowns of azalea crepe and carried bouquets of white mums. Best man was Robert E. Sheehy and ushers were David McAlpine, Yale; John Clouse and Lance P. Chandler, both of Avoca.

A wedding breakfast and reception were held in the Marysville American Legion. The couple will live at 120 Fifteenth Street. Former Yale Residents Mark 50th Year YALE Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hoard, St.

Clair Shores, former Yale residents, will observe their golden wedding anniversary Saturday, Oct. 9, with a Mass of Thanksgiving in St. Lucy Catholic Church, St. Clair Shores, and a reception and open house at their home, 22604 Ridgeway. Mr.

and Mrs. Hoard moved to St. Clair Shores in 1955 but still maintain a home in Yale. They had a general merchandise store in Brockway several years before moving to Speaker Township where they farmed until retiring and moving to Yale. Mrs.

Hoard was president of the Yale Altar Society of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mr. Hoard and son, Charles, were members of the Ushers Club. They have three sons, Robert, Ferndale; Jay and Charles St. Clair Shores; two grandchildren, Kathy and Robert children of the Robert Hoards.

Mrs. Robert Hoard is the former Frances Cole, Yale. Mr. and Mrs. Hoard were married Oct.

9, 1915, in Annunciation Catholic Church, Detroit, by Rt. Rev. Msg. James Stapleton. Last year average per capita or per person sales in food stores amounted to $328, as compared to $317 in 1963.

Sales per person in and drinking places increased from $97 in 1963 to $102 last year a five per cent gain. Get Rid of That Unwanted Hair ELECTROLYSIS OF PORT HURON CALL 982-3571 For Appointment FRESH SAY SO MANY THINGS! They Say "Get Well Soon" Call YU 2-8505 Neumann Flowers 914 Military St. -Photo by Askar-Shain MRS. JAMES P. ARMSTRONG In 1964, about 12 per cent of all the food we ate (on a value basis using 1957-59 prices) was imported from other Major food imports included coffee, beef, veal, sugar and syrups, bananas, cocoa products, and fishery products.

PHHS Class Of '40 Plans Reunion Dinner Port Huron High School graduating classes of January and May of 1940 will have a twentyfifth reunion dinner Nov. 6 in the Ontario Room of the Village Inn, Point Edward, Ont. Reservations chairman, Mrs. Glen Hayner, 919 Elmwood Street; phone, 982-4585, will accept reservations until Oct. 23: Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the following class members is asked to call Mrs.

Paul Jones at YU 2-7624 or Mrs. Hayner. Harper, Goldie Jewell, Catherine N. Jones, Marion Kemp, Joe Levine, William McNaughton, Jean Maunder, Helen Postal, Robert S. Hall, Grace Cataline, Ed Gillow Theodore Hildegarde, Orville Miller, Frank Nagle, Edward Kearney, Ardell McRae, Helen Spencer, Marjorie Buckley, Betty Riddel and Sally Johnston.

Engaged farm, Jim heard the songs sung by migrant workers, farmers, timber-cutters, rivermen and cowboys. The current group of folk singers are again concentrating on the theme of social comment. Such singers as Pete and Mike Seeger, Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Buffy Sainte-Marie and the Chad Mitchell Trio, with a special sense of urgency in their work, have captured the minds and hearts of those concerned with folk music today. Whether it be "On Top of Old Smokey" from the southern mountain people, the story of, "Boll Weevil" from the American Negro, or the "Freedom Songs" of today, folk music. will always be the music of the American people.

The form it changes with the times takes, place of origin, but you can always count on it to get its message across simply, directly and with great emotional impact. Miss Monzo Entertained Miss Marlene Monzo, brideelect of Ronald Smith, was honored at a kitchen shower held Wednesday in the home of Mrs. Fred Haddad, Maplewood Drive. Court whist prizes were won by Mrs. Roy McKinch, Mrs.

Fred Adams and Mrs. George Smith. Miss Barbara Sparr and Mrs. John Sparr, Tenth Avenue, entertained Miss Monzo at a bathroom and linen shower. Miss Diane Torrey, Miss Pat Neely and Mrs.

Barbara Swartz won prizes. The hostess gift was a luncheon cloth. Miss Monzo and Mr. Smith will be wed Oct. 23 in the First Baptist Church.

Honored At Shower Miss Rebecca J. Liscom was honored at a grocery shower Thursday evening given by Mrs. Donald McCormick, in her home, Union Street. The bride elect received a corsage from her hostess. Miss Liscom will be married to George Jackson Oct.

9 in Mount Pleasant Gospel Church. ARMADA Mr. and Mrs. William Lyons announce the engagement of their daughter, Judith Mary, to Neil I. Gilbert, son of Mrs.

Elwyn Gilbert, Muskegon, and the late Mr. Gilbert. The bride-elect is a graduate of Michigan State University and her fiance, also an MSU graduate, is working for his masters degree there. A Dec. 18 wedding is planned.

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