COUNTY LIFE
By DANI BLACKBURN
Making a phone call today is as simple as picking up your smart phone and hitting a button, but in the mid-1900s, there was a little more to it.
To place a call, one would turn the crank on the right side of a wall telephone, where you would be connected to the Montague telephone office. Someone at the office would ask you who you were calling and then connect you to that person for your conversation.
The conversation would not be private because everyone was on a party line, which also meant you could pick up your phone and listen to anyone’s conversation, and even join in.
The use of an old wall telephone in the mid-1900s is just one of the many memories of growing up in Montague County that local author Jack Nabours captures in his new memoir “The Way It Was.”
Meet Jack Nabours in your weekend Bowie News as he talks about growing up in early-day Montague. Pictured: Jack Nabours signs one of his new books, “The Way it Was.”
Summer is slowly ticking away as the first day of school nears.
First day dates
Aug 6
Gold-Burg ISD
Forestburg ISD
Aug. 7
Bowie ISD
Nocona ISD
Aug. 8
Prairie Valley ISD
Aug. 14
Saint Jo ISD
Aug. 15
Bellevue ISD
See The Bowie News Back to School section this Saturday and next Wednesday with supply lists and other details to help you plan the start of the new year.
The Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash tribute concert drew an enthusiastic crowd on July 19 at the Bowie Community Center. Performed by Lisa Irion and Bennie Wheels, the show featured many of the classic songs by both artists. (Photos by Barbara Green)
For a fun night out make plans to attend the 22nd annual July Jam starting at 6 p.m. on July 27 in the Bowie Community Center West Hall
There will be a “chickin’ pickin’ fiddling fun time” as guests will be entertained by amazing fiddling tunes and enjoy a chicken meal.
Tickets are just $15 with the event starting at 6 p.m. The funds raised help provide awards for the championship fiddler competition during the Oct. 5 Chicken and Bread Days Heritage Festival. The contest attracts talented musicians from all over to visit downtown Bowie to test their fiddling skills.
The event, hosted by Bowie Community Development, will feature a unique array of items up for bid in the silent auction plus a wide variety of homemade jams.
Hosted in conjunction with July Jam is the July Jam Poker Cruise presented by the Piston Heads Auto Club. This event starts at 9 a.m. with a $5 per hand entry and is open to anything with a motor.
The 60-mile cruise with three stops starts in Bowie Plaza and ends in the same location. Half of the proceeds goes to the winning hand with $5 charge for each extra card for hand. Buy as many as each driver would like. The other half of the funds raised goes towards the July Jam fundraising event.
-
NEWS2 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS8 months agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS1 year agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS12 months agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS1 year ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint