Thompson 340201

Cliffside, Jan. 30 — Jolly and jovial P. C. Hawkins, not afraid of the big bad microphone, walked right up and said his speech. It was the “Man in the Street” broadcast of WBT and conducted by our good friend, Grady Cole. From all sides we hear some very nice reports on Mr. Hawkins’ broadcast. Great stuff, Mr. Hawkins! This fellow is a regular goodwill ambassador from Cliffside and has been so for a long time. Here, ladies and gentlemen, is a great fellow.

A young lady writes me: “You write about things I’m most interested in …You’ll probably be the second Walter Winchell or O. O. McIntyre.” Thank you, madame! I can see that you have ambition for me and that you sho’ is flatterin’.

A very nice letter from Miss Bernice Kanipe, Forest City, which is very genuinely appreciated; she writes that, “Connie Boswell is an invalid. she hasn’t walked in five years, the result of infantile paralysis?” This impediment in no manner handicaps a great voice—-no sir! The Boswell sisters have been a very popular trio of both screen and radio for a time. In fact, they rank right up front with my favorites of their type of singing—good ole blues singing, yowsir!

Did you know: That Obe Padgett has a mustache like Paul Whiteman. … That Bing Crosby is one of the original Paul Whiteman Rhythm Boys? … That Tom P. Jamison, Charlotte News columnist, is a former Methodist minister? … That Tobe Frye (Charles) is a sho’ nuff good trumpet tooter? … That Aubrey Thomas is a regular ??gorist?

With the onset of the hallelujah days of repeal we hear much about finer wines and expert tasters of same. But just a word about hard liquor around these parts. Every town has its special brand. Around Forest City, Spindale and Rutherfordton. I hear the boys talking about “Poke County.” About Cliffside and this section it is “War Ground” or “Battle-Ground” liquor. But at the depot in Charlotte Friday night, I learned they, too, have a special brand. A nudist started to board a northbound train—he wore a shirt and a pair of shoes. I shortly learned that he was tanked up on some hard stuff labeled, “North Wilkesboro.”

I had lunch (oh yeah?) at the little Connecticut Inn, directly across from the Mayflower Hotel on Connecticut Avenue one day in Washington. Believe you me, as Ted Husing says, this is a one prominent spot in the nation’s capital. Limousines and chauffeurs dominated the block: it was a picture. Men of every nation at times meet at the Mayflower.

Just a word about two Avondale professional men: Dr. P. H. Wiseman and the man of many titles, Attorney Oscar J. Mooneyham. Not only a lawyer but this fellow Mooneyham is a doctor, too! A few other things: He is proprietor of service stations, barber shops, drug stores, grocery stores, cafes and garages. He is also the solicitor of the county recorder’s, court, secretary of the Rutherford County Lawyers Club, president of the Lions Club, runs a loan corporation, and Myles Haynes says, “In the face of all his activities, he has time to do some work and catch a few bridge parties!” Whatta man….This fellow Wiseman is red-headed: however, it’s not a flaming red—a nice subdued hue. The doctor is the best dressed man in Avondale. Suits, shoes and ties are all hunky-dory with this fellow. In other words they are what we all call around these parts “the stuff.”

My good friend, C. R. Yopp, is back with us from St. Petersburg, Fla. Down around Tarboro, N. C., near the home town Wilmington of friend C. R., he says that they make some very good barbecue and some very good corn whiskey—the best ever tasted by man. Though assuring me that he is not an addicted at all, he says. “You drink the whiskey to cool the barbecue.” Phew! Sounds like hot stuff!

At a movie on a recent evening a lady exclaimed, “Look at his big feet, “speaking of Joel McCrea on the screen. Just the same as saying, “Doesn’t he have the darlingest blue eyes?”…..My last pair of shoes were eleven, Madame.