Franklin Country History Association Newsletter, Volume 13, Number 4, July & August 2008
Click the "FCHA Calendar" tab to the left to find the Calendar of FCHA Meetings. Late in the year the list of meetings and events grows short, as we await the approval of a list for the coming year. We invite you to visit the local newspaper's excellent community calendar at the following URL:
http://www.mt-vernon.com/webcalendar/month.php
Please show your support to the Franklin County Historical Association and the preservation of our county by joining and paying your dues. We are promoting and sustaining an attitude of pride within the community.
See the "How to Join" tab to the left for the form to use in renewing your membership or in becoming a member for the first time. Dues for the year 2008 are past due! Send payment to the FCHA at P. O. Box 289, Mt. Vernon, TX 75457. Following are the categories of membership:
Individual $15
Family $25
Patron $50
Sponsor $100
Along with the general meeting notice, and a letter from the FCHA president, on this page you will find the following regular
and special items from the newsletter:
New Items:
Mozelle Ramsay Retrospective Exhibition
Special Gifts to the FCHA
Also, you will see some excerpts from earlier editions:
FCHA Receives Historic Cookbook
Order a Special Gift: Sweet Heritage Cookbook
Musings, by B. F. Hicks
Geocaching "Better Than Botox"
Finally, at the bottom of this page, there will be letters from historians requesting information:
World War II Scrapbooks and Other Information
Information on Civil War Veterans of Franklin and Titus Counties
Next General Meeting
September 8, Monday, 7:00 Pm
Program: Folk Lore, presented by Lillie Bush Reves
Hosts: Lillie Bush Reves, Jean Pamplin, Bill & Nancy Miller, and Norm & Carol Horn
Location: Tall Tree Clubhouse - Covered-Dish Meal
Note: hosts assist in the setup and cleanup, and furnish the bread, drinks, paper plates, napkins, cups, and plastic flatware.
Mozelle Ramsay Retrospective Exhibition
An opening reception was held on Friday, June 20, in the Old Fire Station Museum showcasing the Mozelle Ramsay Retrospective Exhibit. The event, sponsored by the Franklin County Historical Association and the First National Bank of Mt. Vernon, is comprised of 50 of Mozelle's artwork, including oil, watercolor and china painting. If you missed the opening reception, be sure and visit the museum on Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. The exhibit will be on display through September.
Mozelle Ramsay, artist, teacher, club president, service club member, community volunteer, and mother of four was also the wife of Rotary Charter Member Landon Ramsay. Early in the marriage, discovering a creative side of herself, she took art lessons to learn the technique of oil and watercolor painting. She later took up china painting as well. As a result, for 66 years she produced artistic works with her gifted hands. The artwork in this exhibit covers several mediums; oils, watercolors, pastels and china painting. Mozelle, although well known for her florals, was widely acclaimed for her portraits and still life. Her china painted pitchers, frames, bowls, platters, etc. rest on many shelves and tables. These items alone have been spread around Texas and beyond.
Her oils and watercolors are yet another story. This work has been exhibited in area shows, winning various awards, including first place. Many of her paintings hang in private and commercial collections around Mount Vernon. First National Bank, Harvey Funeral Home, and First Baptist Church display her artwork, to name a few. She was chosen to paint the backdrop for the baptistery of the Denton Baptist Church, an honor of which she was most proud. One of her famous bluebonnet paintings has been purchased for the private collection of a Tokyo businessman.
Taking time to inspire others, Mozelle taught classes in art which brought her much pleasure. She was actively involved in the Art Association of Mt. Vernon and served as its president. She was an inspiration to all in her love of art and conveyed that by her longtime dedication to the proliferation of art in our area. Mozelle was also a member of the Coterie Club, Shakespeare Club, PTA and faithful member of the First Baptist Church where she taught a children's Sunday school class as well as an adult class.
Mozelle was a true optimist; always self-confident things would come out for the best. She lived that credo. It is Romans 8:28 that was incorporated into her life. "All things work together for good to those who love God."
Although Mozelle's contribution to the art world and community was great, they are pint-sized to what she felt was a greater monument of achievement. The art classes and her artwork, were produced in her home, the real center of her existence. She spent far fewer hours on her art than she did in providing for her family's needs. She devoted her life to building a home for her family. Using grit and determination, along with a strong will, she reared two boys and two girls. All four children praise her for her dedication, love and strength.
Special Gifts to the FCHA
In Memory of Billy Harper by
John & Mary Hicks
Gerald & Elease Hubbell
Stephen & Patsy Wright
JeanAnn Marshall & Rena Asimakis
Libby & Ron Milton
John & Elizabeth Cook
B. F. Hicks
Frankie Cooper & Ken Greer
In Memory of Ady Mowery by
Libby & Ron Milton
In Memory of Ralph Robertson, Sr., by
Frankie Cooper & Ken Greer
In Memory of Joe Averitt by
Frankie Cooper & Ken Greer
In Honor of Sid Hicks (Happy Birthday) by
B. F. Hicks
In Honor of Lou McCorkle (Happy Birthday) by
B. F. Hicks
In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. Dave Crawford (Happy Birthday) by
B. F. Hicks
In Honor of (Happy Birthday) by
B. F. Hicks
In Honor of Marilyn Kohls (Happy Birthday) by
B. F. Hicks
In Honor of Jan Bland (Happy Birthday) by
B. F. Hicks
In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Massey by
B. F. Hicks
In Honor of B. F. Hicks (Happy Birthday) by
J. D. & Iris Baumgardner
FCHA Receives Historic Cookbook
A copy of the MARECHAL NEIL COOK BOOK has been sent to our organization by Dr. Shirley Brooks Laseter, granddaughter of Albeit E. Brooks, who operated the A. E. Brooks Dry Goods Store in Mt. Vernon in the early 19O0s. Dr. Laseter's father was Morton Palmer Brooks (1909-2001), her mother is Edna Cargile, who lives near her daughter in Prattville, Alabama. Morton Brooks was best man at the wedding of Tom Wilkinson's parents. The cookbook, named after a very popular flour of the day, is a ''Collection of Valuable Recipes Furnished by the Ladies of Mt. Vernon, and Published by the Ladies Aid Society of the Central. Christian Church of Mt. Vernon, Texas.'' Price for the publication was $.75. Here are a few excerpts:
''One-Two-Three Pie Crust'': 1 cup sifted Marechal Neil Flour, 2 tablespoons of lard rubbed
wet: into the flour, a pinch of salt and 3 tablespoons of cold water. Mix well and roll quite
thin.
''Maryland Beaten Biscuit No. 2”: 1 lb flour, 4 ounces Card, a pinch of salt. Sift into bread
basin, add salt and Card; mix these together. Then add enough cold water to make stiff
dough. Beat on biscuit board with a hatchet for half an hour or run through food chopper 3 or 4 times. Bake in hot oven until nicety browned. This quantity should be 18 small biscuits. - Miss Kate Crowder
''Toast Water'': 1 cup stale bread toasted, 1 cup boiling water, salt. Cut bread in thin slices
and in inch squares, dry thoroughly in oven until crisp and a delicate brown. Break into
crumbs, add water and let stand 1 hour, strain through cheese cloth, season and serve hot or cold. Valuable in cases of fever or extreme nausea.
