Found in the Past

Pieces of ourselves found in the memories of our ancestors

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Elmer's Tune

This is a recording of Brian (brother, age 46) and Junelle (sister, age 44) Banister singing a song from their youth together at Junelle's farm house in 1970. Elmer's Tune was made popular in 1941 by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra and Dick Jurgens and his Orchestra.

Lyrics

Why are the stars always winkin' and blinkin' above? What makes a fellow start thinkin' of fallin' in love? Is not the season, the reason is plain as the moon It's just Elmer's tune

What makes a lady of eighty go out on the loose? What makes a gander meander in search of a goose Why does a gander meander in search of a goose? What puts the kick in a chicken, the magic in June? It's just Elmer's tune

Listen, listen, there's a lot you're li'ble to be missin' Sing it, swing it, any old way and any old time The hurdy gurdies, the birdies, the cop on the beat The candy maker, the baker, the man on the street The city charmer, the farmer, the man in the moon All sing Elmer's tune

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Caption: "This is not one we made Sunday -- but I don't know why I'm sending it except to get even. You may recognize the place as near Lawton. I want you to take this across with you and hide it behind the statue of Shakespeare in Westminster Abbey and I'll pick it up there -- with any possible remarks you may wish to make about me and my girl. I can at least tell my great grand-children that my picture was in the A.E.F. of World War II -- that & lots of other such Bull... (PUT) J. Banister"

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Junelle Banister, Bryan Banister and Grace Belle (c1942)

Left: Junelle Banister. Middle: Bryan Banister. Right: Grace Belle.

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A collection of "notes" found stuffed into an envelope in Dotty's long-buried scrapbook. Some were (probably) written to her when she was in middle or high school, and at least one after she began teaching school herself. The little narratives (and the penmanship) are (for me, at least) pretty entertaining. Read the full transcriptions

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Downtown Weatherford, Oklahoma (c1942)

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Ellis at Fort Devens, Massachusetts (May 8-10, 1942)

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Dotty Scales posing with friend Margaret Ann (1942)

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Winston Banister in uniform (1942)

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Brothers Winston and John Banister (1942)

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Letters to Dotty from her sisters Margarette and Charlotte (Fall 1942)

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Dotty Scales and the rest of the Owl Photo crew (Summer 1942)

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Mangum High School Class of 1938 Commencement Program

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Charlotte Scales posing on an unidentified boulder with unidentified friends.

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Ellis Banister at either Camp Barkeley, Camp Edwards, or Fort Devens in 1940

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Dotty's diary: February 5-12, 1942

Thursday, February 5, 1942

We won the ball game. Well, school & work again -- nothing in particular happened today. Ruby Dell (Hobbs) & I stayed home tonight & studied & then I went to "International Relations Club" -- & (Tech vs Durant B. game)

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Dotty Scales, born 1921, died 2007

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Dotty's diary: January 1 - February 4, 1942 (first entry)

Thursday, January 1, 1942

Geneva Pigg & I went to the New Year's Prevue "you're in the army now" Haskell Hedge paid our way. Had rather a pleasant time. It is very cold & icy.

Friday, January 2, 1942

I worked today as usual got a card from Mary Cronk wanting a place to stay she's planning on working here. Mary came today anyway. I stayed home tonight. Seem good not to have to study -- school is still out for holidays.

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