Wednesday, May 13, 2009

My Mentors

Many people have asked how I got involved in exploring in local history. I did not do it alone; I had mentors along the way.

Back when I was in high school the Historical Society ran a yearly essay contest. Students would research a topic of local history and write about it. I entered twice and one first prize both years. It was a wonderful program which I hope can be revived.

For both projects I had to learn how to do research in the historical achieves and old copies of The Independent. Most importantly I also learned to interview people who still had memories I could rely on. I started interviewing my own grandparents, who knew a good deal about the subjects I was working on. This helped build my confidence and then I was able to interview other people around town.

Once I had pulled my research notes together, I was lucky enough to have the assistance of Janna Page. Janna was a long-time member of the Historical Society, but more importantly she lived next door to my grandparents on West Jefferson, so I had known her for several years. She was able to show me how I could take my research and put it into a narrative. She guided me when I got stuck, pointing out where I needed more research, etc. She was a wonderful person, who helped me a great deal.

I also learned much from Lynda Trinklein. Lynda was a long-time fixture in Grand Ledge, serving on the City Council and even became our first female Mayor. For a few years, I helped her research the homes for the annual Holiday Home Tour. I learned not only by working directly with her, but by also reading the many home histories she had produced over the years.

Although we have somewhat different styles, Lynda’s writing taught me my most important lesson. Histories that just list dates and bland facts mean nothing. It is boring reading. History is all about people. What were their lives like? How did they live? What were their traditions, past-times, jobs, and social events? That is what makes historical stories interesting to me. Letting the reader look back and get a glimpse into their lives and how they lived.

Of course, my list of influences would not be complete without Marilyn Smith. For decades, Marilyn has been a community advocate. I can’t imagine what Grand Ledge would be like now without all the hard work she has put in over the years. When I was still in high school she saw my interest in local history and took me under her wing. She helped me volunteer with the Society and included me in all aspects, from the archives, to the museum, to the Home Tour, and whatever else needed doing. Marilyn always encouraged me to pursue researching history.

It just shows you that mentors can be found all over our town. We can encourage students today and develop our community leaders for tomorrow.

Friday, May 1, 2009

The Candy Lady

Do you remember the Candy Lady? The D & C Store’s candy counter was a frequent stop for kids and their parents for decades and one face was always there to serve them. If you said you saw the “Candy Lady”, everyone in town would know you meant Esther Haueter.

She was hired in 1944 at the age of twenty-one. She and her sister Ethel Peabody had worked together at Beedle Brothers, another dime store down the street at 308 S. Bridge, where Ethel was the manager. Both sisters left that store and went to work for D & C, but Ethel would soon leave to become an upholsterer at the Chair Co.

Esther remained working at the candy counter where most of the candy sold was in bulk. Customers would come to the glass counter and look over the wide selection. They sold wonderful candy like: chocolate stars, chocolate chunks, chocolate bridge mix, chocolate party mix, chocolate covered peanuts, jelly beans, sweet tarts, roasted peanuts, robins eggs, butterscotch and many more. When customers decided on what they wanted, the Candy Lady would scoop out the candy, and then very carefully drop the candy piece by piece into a scale. If you wanted 25 cents worth of chocolate stars, she would weight them out perfectly until it reached 25 cents worth. Your candy would go into a small wax paper bag and you would take it up to cashier to pay.

haueteresther

Employees at the Dime Store got a discount; she would buy yarn and crochet baby blankets and afghans for family, friends and VFW veterans. She worked Saturdays but had Tuesdays off. As kids we always knew we could count on her on Tuesdays to take us to appointments or drive us to Lansing. Esther remained with D & C until she turned 65 years old. She retired after 44 years of service as the town’s Candy Lady. At the time of her retirement, the State Legislature in Lansing passed a resolution honoring her for her years of service.

Esther Haueter, my great-aunt, was born just north of Grand Ledge on State Road in Eagle Township. When she was thirteen, her father Fred bought a farm on Tallman Road at the end of West Main Street. She would continue to live there for the next fifty years. She passed away in 2004 and would have been 86 years old this year on March 16th.