The Indianapolis News from Indianapolis, Indiana • 8

Tuesday, Sptembr 25, 1979 Page 8 THE INDIANAPOLIS NEWS J. Lack Of Gifts Angers Mom Of Graduate fUViNG wi -1, A -1 ss -I Youthful boarding school graduate Violet Davis and a classmate wear caps and gowns and proudly hold their Margaret Osborn, Toles, Maude Smith In 1918 AAadam C.J. Walker, (seated at left) the first Negro woman to gross millions in business, is shown with employes Violet Davis Reynolds (seated), and tDEAR ABBY She Applied Herself To Job By ABIGAIL VAN BUREN DEAR ABBY: Our daughter, who has always been an excellent student, graduated from a fine Eastern school last spring. She decided not to stay for the commencement ceremony since she felt the financial burden wasn't justified. Consequently she felt it would be tacky to send graduation announcements, so she didn't send any.

We have a large family on both sides, and I have always acknowledged graduations with gifts announced or not. Even though the whole clan was aware of my daughter's graduation, not one sent her a gift! I am upset over this, and intend to act accordingly when future gift-giving events occur in the family. My daughter thinks I am being overly sensitive. What do you think? DISAPPOINTED MOTHER DEAR MOTHER: You are hurt because your daughter's accomplishments were not acknowledged, and I don't blame you. But if you intend to withhold gifts from the clan because they failed to give your daughter a graduation gift, you are, in effect, acknowledging that you give only to get a gift or to repay one.

Noiable 0 i Violet Davis Reynolds She come here as a $6 a week clerk to Madam C. J. Walker and eventually became chairman of the board of the Walker company. DEAR ABBY: As you pointed out to Steamed In Stockton, who cooled his heels in the doctor's office for two hours, emergencies and telephone interruptions can throw any doctor off schedule. As an obstetrician, I am particularly susceptible to this, but there is no excuse for keeping a patient waiting for two hours! I don't care whether he earns $50 an hour or is unemployed, every patient's time should be considered as valuable as the doctor's.

If I am running late, my office telephones the patients to let them know before they arrive at my office. Any patient who is kept waiting for two hours should complain to the receptionist who booked the appointment, and to the County Medical Society if necessary. Overbooking is a common practice, unfortunately. Unless these doctors who overbook don't get feedback in the form of complaints, they will continue to overbook. IRVINE.

DOCTOR "Our business was often referred to as 'the house that revolutionized Negro The company helped with Scout programs, athletics, improvement groups, old folks and orphans homes, churches and needy families." Mrs. Reynolds. Women "When her husband was killed in Vicksburg, she set out for St. Louis with her baby daughter in her arms and $1.50 tied in a rag in her apron pocket. She supported herself and baby by taking in washing and ironing.

"She was concerned about how she looked and about Negro women who worked in the fields, over wash tubs, in factories and on plantations. She began experimenting with mixtures on her own hair until 1900 when she discovered preparations for hair and scalp which she decided other women would like to use. She was her own chemist. "With her new materials and a metal comb she contrived we call it a pressing comb, she peddled her goods in a basket from house to house," Mrs. Reynolds said.

"In 1905 she moved, to Denver where she married Charles Joseph Walker, a newspaperman who aided her in setting up a small office. The couple was divorced in 1912. Continued On Page By MARGARET MOORE POST Om Of A Wrl When Violet Davis Reynolds was 17 years old, opportunity literally knocked at her Kentucky boarding school door, offering her a secretarial job in Indianapolis which led to the board chairmanship of a company which grossed millions. A few weeks before commencement at Eckstein Norton Boarding School, Cane Springs, (now Berea College) Madam C. J.

Walker, founder of the Walker Manufacturing Co. visited the school. Because of the rapid growth of her then fledgling company, she was searching for an assistant to her bookkeeper, Lucy Flint. Luck was with the young Birmingham, native whose parents sent her to the school. Alice P.

Kelly, language teacher at the boarding school and a longtime friend of Violet Davis' mother, recommended the teen-ager for the Indianapolis job because of "her responsible upbringing, her interest in scholarship and her ambition to be proficient in business." "I couldn't believe that I was being singled out for a position in a big city I had never visited," Mrs. Reynolds recalled as she looked over memorabilia in her office in the Walker Building, 617 Indiana, recently nominated for Historic Landmark distinction. Prepared To Work "Madam wanted me to begin work as soon as possible, and in preparation I attended Talledega College, Birmingham, one term, and enrolled in Southern Business College, also in Birmingham. I graduated in absentia from the business school and made plans to accept the Indiana job. My parents consented when Mme.

Walker promised to take me 'under her "On the train to Indianapolis a well-known Louisville woman, Georgia Nugent, introduced herself and said she was enroute to a ball being given that very night by Mme. Walker. "At the Union Station where trains were rumbling in from all parts of the country, we got a taxi to Madam's beautiful home at 640 N. West. She lived in the building which housed the first Walker Manufacturing Co.

and laboratory. "On arrival, I learned that too, was invited to the ball at the Pythian Temple. Senate and Walnut, where between 300 and 400 guests came to dance in a colorful room. "It was an elegant occasion, one of many I was to attend with Madam. Her Travolta: Texas antics.

Mi Str Bazaar Forms Available (standing from left) Alice P. Kelly, LaVenia and Gertrude White. attractive daughter, A'belia Walker, was there from New York, and a few days later Madam had an open house in her honor. Even then the young woman was a patron of the arts, and among her close friends were opera and theater artists. "But what I remember most about the ball is that I first met my husband-to-be that night! Familiar Face "I didn't realize that I would be seeing him twice a day from then on throughout his 36 years in civil service.

He was mail carrier on the Mme. Walker route and he delivered mail twice a day. But romance didn't happen quickly. "I was getting letters regularly from a friend in the South, and by the time David (Reynolds) and I began going together, the war (World War I) came. He was sent to France," she recalled.

Looking at pictures in an album, Mrs. Reynolds spoke of the many months she wrote letters to France. "Those were trying days. But we were lucky he lived when so many died and we were married soon after he returned." After she arrived in Indianapolis, she stayed with Mr. and Mrs.

Freeman B. Ransom, 828 N. California. Mrs. Reynolds recalled that in 1911 Ransom, an attorney, became general manager of the Walker company.

Attorney Robert L. Brokenburr, who later was an Indiana state senator, also was named to an executive position. "I was paid $6 per week," she reminisced. "Of this I paid $3.50 to the Ransoms. I sent $2.50 home for part school tuition for my sister, Arabella, who was at Livingstone College, Salisbury, N.

C. And I had 50 cents for myself. "This was more than enough for my expenses," she said. "I had plenty of clothes, including dresses and waists we call them blouses now and skirts. I could see a western movie for 5 cents, buy an ice cream cone for 1 or 5 cents, depending on small or big cone.

I sometimes brought a sandwich or went home for lunch, but often I had lunch with Madam. Buttered Biscuits "Parthenia Rollins of Hopkinsville, was housekeeper for Madam, and she made special pastries and wonderful Dixie (yeast) biscuits for guests. I can still taste those biscuits with homemade butter. Grandma, as we called her, remembered when the troops came through during the Civil War and when she saw Abraham Lincoln. Burt: Smokey made plenty.

as busy as he's always been. He's preparing a TV movie based on Anthony Lewis' book, "Gideon's Trumpet" and has scheduled two feature films, "The Journey of Simon McKeever" and "Last of the Golden Bears." In his spare time, Henry likes to do TV commercials his latest is for the North-West Telephone Company. In any event, senior Fonda is giving off busy signals. Robert Redford's screen personality seems so dreamy and placid. Doesn't easy-going Bob exhibit signs of star temperament, maybe even just a little? R.

Arlington, Va. Of course. A publicity man assigned to a Bedford movie relates how the actor made it a daily practice to drop into his office, park himself at a desk and proceed to use the telephone. During one visit, Redford unexpectedly asked, "OK if I make some calls?" The surprised publicist decided to tease the actor and answered, "No!" Startled out of his usual character, just glared at the chap, then blew up, saying, "As long as my films make money for this company, I'll continue to use the phone as often as I please." Nov 9Ufonf Wrlf to tobln Adamt Sloan In car of Tho Inilonopollt Ntwt. Klnt fMturw ivndlult, Inc.

DEAR DOCTOR: the patient ordered! You're just what DEAR ABBY: I'm getting married next month and a very touchy problem has come up. My fiance wants to sing at our wedding. Before you say you think it's a lovely idea, let me give you a few facts. Danny has a fair voice. Just fair.

It's all right in the shower, but it's not good enough to sing in public. He loves the idea of having such a large audience, but our wedding guests are coming to see a wedding, not to hear a concert. Danny is practicing three numbers with his sister who plays the piano, and she plays about as well as Danny sings. I love Danny and hate to hurt him, but I don't want to be embarrassed at my own wedding. So how do I tell him I don't really want him to sing? I don't want my wedding day turned into amateur night.

ON THE SPOT IN COLUMBUS DEAR ON: Honesty is the best policy. Tell Danny you love him very much, but you feel that your wedding isn't the appropriate place for him to sing. CONFIDENTIAL TO "DEPRESSED IN Don't sit around feeling sorry for yourself. If nobody calls you call someone. Get out of the bouse and find someone who needs a lift more than you do.

You won't have to look far. Son4 mn4 tomtnmmtt toby In cor of Di Indionopollt Nw. PImm nce a toUooo'rotm4, tfompod on-. VIO0. ltn ChluM Trlbvnt-Ntw vara Ntwi Svnttcttt, lot.

telephone number is 633-9130. The News will print the next preview on Oct. 12. Replies should be returned no later than Oct. 1 to: Bazaars Living Department The News P.

O. Box 366 Indianapolis, Ind. 4(201 to 60- CATHERINE'S WISHES THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY You're invited to our In-Store FASHION SHOW SATURDAY, SEPT. 29th previewing all that's new and exciting for FALL 79 $50 CIFT CERTIFICATE 197-5200 M5-1391 783-2921 293-4S04 To Herald Opening pero Annually The News presents a preview of upcoming autumn and holiday bazaars. Forms have been mailed to those nonprofit organizations whose bazaars were listed in 1978.

Sponsors who have not received forms and wish to have their bazaars included in 1979 may call the Living Department between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The SIZES 16'j to 32jand 18 CL Striking 2 fuchsia and black Ll sou approach to Fall in supple polyester knit. Fuchsia and black tunic with black pull-on pants. Sizes 16 Vi to 26 Vi $38 REGISTER TO WIN A FREE "For relaxation after lunch Madam liked to play Flinch.

Remember Flinch, the card game with numbers! It's difficult to get the game now, although the other day I finally found a deck of Flinch at the Children's Palace. "I have the original deck of cards with which Madam and I played," she said. Mrs. Reynolds laughed when she recalled the simple office in which she first worked. "We had an Oliver typewriter, a telephone, a filing cabinet, paper pencils, pen and ink.

That really was all we needed to build a world known business that and a leader like Madam Walker, ingenuity and hard work. "Our business was often referred to as 'the house that revolutionized Negro Madam founded it at the turn of the century when she was Sarah Breedlove McWilliams, a 33-year-old widow born in 1867 to impoverished ex-slave parents in Delta, La. Several parties are planned in connection with the opening of the Indianapolis Opera Company 1979-80 season with "La Boheme" Friday and Saturday in the Murat Theater. In addition, opera-goers will have occasion to celebrate after each IOC performance this season instead of attending an opening night gala. Champagne is to be served in facilities adjoining the theater after each performance, giving patrons an opportunity to meet and speak with the artists.

"Opera in the Grand European Style is the theme of the season. Season tickets are still available though brisk ticket sales kept IOC staff members busy yesterday. Mrs. Raymond J. Justak and Ellen Retterer are social cochairmen for the season which includes presentation of "Carmen" Dec.

14-15 and "Rigoletto" Feb. 22-23 in 1980. P. E. MacAllister, executive producer, and Mrs.

MacAllister will entertain with a patio party tonight at their Briar Patch Court home. Singers Judy Bruner, Michael Tal-ley, Robert McFarland and Dennis Kelly will be introduced to guests, among whom will be IOC board members. Cocktails will be served before the chili supper which will be attended by some IOC staff members. They include Elaine Morgan Bookwalter, general manager; Jackson Wiley, artistic director, and Mrs. Wiley, and Mrs.

Richard Hamilton, music coordinator, and Dr. Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sauer will fete their son, Joel, member of the "La Boheme" cast, at a family celebration in their home before the opening night performance.

Joining them and the couple's other children, Michelle and Robert Sauer will be the host's parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Nathan Sauer. Another Friday evening party is j.

Cowboy Film Crew Is Horsina Around planned by Dr. and Mrs. Charles Chris-tensen who will entertain at a buffet in their home for Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Peck and Dr.

and Mrs. Robert Firman. Mrs. Bookwalter, who has asked her son. Dr.

John W. Bookwalter, and deputy mayor David Frick and Mrs. Frick to join her in her box for the performance, will entertain them at dinner at La Tour before the opera. Saturday evening, Mr. and Mrs.

Justak plan a formal dinner in their Kes-sler Blvd. home. Guests will include Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E.

Todd, Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Schildmeier, Mrs. Retterer and Elizabeth Friedmann.

The same evening. Mr. and Mrs. H. R.

Blackburn have invited Dr. and Mrs. Howard Lukenbill to join them and their children, John and Beth, for dinner before attending the performance. Before going to the Murat Shrine Club for dinner, Mr. and Mrs.

Winfred Foy will entertain with cocktails in their home for New Castle friends, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Birr and Dr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Eli.

WCTU Schedules State Convention SpkIM Tt TM Ntwt MARION, Ind. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Indiana opened its 105th annual state convention today in College Wesleyan Church. Mrs. James Shelley, New Castle, state president, will preside. Two historic events in WCTU will be observed: The.

100th anniversary of the election of Frances Willard as national president of WCTU in Indianapolis and the 50th anniversary of the placing of the Frances Willard plaque in the statehouse in Indianapolis. The convention runs through By ROBIN ADAMS SLOAN PROBLEMS Persons close to "Urban Cowboy," the John Travolta film shooting in Texas, report that the production seems wildly out of control, with apparently nobody in total charge. One crew member confides, "It's really loony-time around here," adding that an entire wedding sequence had to be postponed because everyone on the set spent the morning laughing and horsing around. Original plans called for "Urban Cowboy" to wrap up shooting this month, but latest word is that many of the cast are making plans to spend Thanksgiving in Texas! I know the movie "Smokey and the Bandit" was quite successful. Did Burt Reynolds make a lot of money on it? G.T., Lexington, Ky.

Burt always makes big money on his films. For "Smokey," he spent only 18 working days and so far he's cleared more than $10 million. That's a lot of money. But don't forget, Burt got 20 percent of the gross. Because of age and failing health, isn't Henry Fonda curtailing his film and TV appearances and pretty much confining himself to an occasional stage coi STOUT 5HQPPE "ST 9938 WASHINGTON ST 451 KEYSTONE AVE.

SOUTH 3308 HWV. 31, SOUTH WEST 4871 WEST 38th STREET (Georgetown Plaza. West ol Lafayette So OPEN DAILY T.V., Sarasota, Fla. role? Not at all. If anything, Henry, 74, is I.