Staff Writer ADDENDUM: An item of additional material, added at the conclusion of a document, speech, book, prayer, etc.–used usually to supplement, clarify, correct, or emphasize some type of presentation, publication, general remarks; a codicil, afterword, postscript, appendix, supplement, epilogue..... Also in machinery, the “radial difference from the pitch circle of a cogwheel, worm wheel, etc. to the crests of the teeth or ridges”..... the “radial distance between the tip of a gear tooth and the tip circle of a gear or the pitch line of a rack”– Oxford Dictionaries, Merriam-Webster, “AOL Search,” and paraphrases.
I knew a man who called this word, “ADTENDEM,” because he said it actually means “add to the end of ‘em.” I rather liked this “original” old-timer’s spelling and country definition and seem to enjoy it more each day I sit and write! So, here goes this week’s addendum to some previous columns!
Meet a Forney Historic Preservation League’s long-term member and our valued TREASURER, who keeps our finances and the books in which they are recorded in great shape–and all for no salary what-so-ever! And, “No, you may not recruit her away from us!”
DONNA HERVEY was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and was educated at Bryan Adams High School, Eastfield College, and The American Institute of Banking. She moved to Forney in 1998, bought and moved in to an historic home (Two families I know, who lived there before the Herveys, were the Millers and the Spivas.), and immediately joined “THE LEAGUE.” Soon, she was asked to take the positions of both Secretary and Treasurer and willingly accepted both positions and the jobs of both without a complaint. After several years passed, and the League and its responsibilities and business activities increased many fold, the League decided to divide the dual job into two separate offices–and Donna believes she has been the TREASURER for at least the past 25 years! In 2020, Mrs. Hervey retired from “at the office” banking after 41 professional years, but still works from home and also continues to keep the Board and the Books “straight and correct” even as the financial responsibilities continue to grow. If you attend one of our meetings, you will quickly know which member is Donna–the one with the quick smile, infectious grin/laugh, and the bank books!
*Did You Get a Childhood? What Did You Do for Fun and Leisure Activities?* CHARLES BEASON: About 1950, my younger brother and I enjoyed playing “ANNIE, ANNIE, OVER” by using a small ball, usually a tennis ball. We would be on opposite sides of the house, and one player would throw the ball over the roof, yelling, “Annie Annie Over!” The other guy would try to catch the ball before it hit the ground. If we made a throw that did not go over the house, we would yell, “pig tail,” to indicate the ball did not make it over the house, and another try was made. I don’t think we kept any score, just got some exercise! We were about seven and nine years old. I have read that there are variations of this game, including small groups on each side of the house. *Themer: I remember we boys at Hope Lutheran Church on Day Street in the “later ‘50s” played a game like this over the roof of our fellowship hall by the light of two “eaves-mounted” incandescent floodlights in the dark after evening “services.” I always thought the “big boys” called it “ante over.” I learned something from you, Charles!* *Meet DENISE COSTELLO, New Museum Assistant* Both of my parents, Jackie Pippins Costello and Dennis Costello, were born in Forney, Texas.
My Mother’s Father was Jack Pippins, the owner of a supermarket, that was begun by his Father, John, in downtown Forney. My Great-Grandmother remarried to a man from Oklahoma after John’s death, and they lived in Forney for the rest of their lives. Jack’s wife, Edna, who was from Dallas, helped in the business and later worked as a licensed vocational nurse for Doctor Christine Walker. My Mother’s Sister, Betty Haynes, was a teacher at Forney High School for many years.
My Father’s family were farmers in the Irish Ridge Community. After my Grandfather’s untimely death in his late ‘40s, my Grandmother Augusta moved to a small house, which still stands on Cedar Street. My Father had two sisters, Agnes and Catherine, and three brothers– Bill, Tom, and Pat. Pat (earlier Forney historian) was very interested in genealogy and history. I had other relatives who lived in Forney for many years, but they have either died or moved away, some not too far, and others to Austin. Some now live out of state, including my brother, Jack.
*Themer–The Bill and Maxine Costello family (Bill, David, Jane) lived sort of diagonally across the block behind my family (Paul Themer) and straight across the street from the Ray Adams family. Next to the Costello family lived the Margaret Mitchell family, in the Barry Jones house now. Shands Street (only graded dirt at that time) was southwest of the Costello home.* .....Back to Denise Costello, who worked in the oil and gas industry for more than 35 years–She grew up in Mesquite and attended Bishop Lynch High School. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas (then North Texas State University) and Southern Methodist University with degrees in Business and Liberal Studies, respectively. She is also a member of the Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT) and is a certified Master Naturalist in the State of Texas.
Drop by the Museum and meet her some time. She will be happy to see you!
*OLD DAYS TRACK & FIELD HIGH JUMP* I first began to “high jump” (track and field) when my older cousins in Jr. High and High School introduced me to the sports in which they were participating at their respective grade levels in Oklahoma/ Kansas schools. In the spring before baseball really was the main interest, TRACK & FIELD came to the forefront, and one of my cousins was a distance runner, while another was a high jumper, which intrigued me enough that I went with him to the practice area and tried it out. Unfortunately, I was too little to even “clear” (jump over) the opening height on their “standards” (crossbar holders). So, back home in Forney, Dad and I constructed a rudimentary jumping area with a bar low enough for me. To close this part of the story, I was able in 8th grade to place 2nd in high jump (5’ 0”) at the District Meet and to win one medal in high school with a jump of 5’ 8”. Needless to say, I was never the “main” high jumper after jr. high!
Four or Five main types of “permitted” high jumping techniques evolved through the years–SCISSORS, EASTERN CUTOFF, WESTERN ROLL, STRADDLE, BELLY ROLL, and various minor allowed alterations. During the years I was in school at Forney, everyone used either a variation of the “SCISSORS” or the “BELLY ROLL.” We just called it “THE ROLL.” One main name immediately comes to mind when I think of Forney high jumpers– JIMMY DUCKWORTH, who arrived at F. H. S. by way of Sunnyvale Jr. High students, who moved on to Forney in those pre-Sunnyvale High School days! He was quite a bit taller than six feet and could jump more than 6’ with ease and won many ribbons and medals. As a Sophomore in 1963, he qualified for the Regional Meet and did so again as a Junior in 1964. As a Senior in 1965, he qualified all the way to the State Track Meet in Austin and won a 4th place ribbon in that final meet. He was quite the athlete and very good at most sports!
*I can see that I will probably need an “adtendem” next week again. Maybe I “think” too much, as some folks have told me!*
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