COUNTY LIFE
Feisty ‘Nina’ reflects on her 100 years
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Juanita Crenshaw Uselton Roberson celebrated a milestone this week as she turned 100 years old.
Born at Red River Station her roots run deep in Montague County growing up on ranch land that only 40 years earlier had rumbled as cattle passed on the Chisholm Trail.
Family and friends will celebrate Juanita with a party from 1 to 3 p.m. March 30 at Bethel Baptist Church, Nocona. Those wishing to share in the festivities are welcome.
Juanita may appear fragile and near her birthday year, but speaking with her you can’t miss that bright sparkle in her blue eyes and a mischievous crooked grin that reflects the feisty spirit that helped her survive as the third of six children, raising three children of her own and create not only one, but two strong loving marriages.
Family roots
Juanita was born on March 26,
In 1919 the world was coming to terms with the end of World War I. The Treaty of Versailles that officially ended it was not signed until June 28, 1919.
Dial telephones were introduced in 1919 and the cost of a
Juanita grew up on the ranch with her five siblings, Lee, Jack, Bonnie, “Tooter” and Cecil Bay “Sassy” Crenshaw, who have all preceded her in death. Their family raised cattle and cotton.
She says “we didn’t have nothing much,” as they all worked at a variety of chores. The youngster learned much of her work ethic from her mother whom she called “quite a woman.”
Read the full feature in the weekend Bowie News.
It has been quite a busy few days at the Montague County Youth Fair with schedule changes, juggling of events and trying to cope with the unexpected snow storm. However, the youth fair always rolls on thanks to the dedicated volunteers, coordinators, parents and students.
Friday the rabbit how starts at 10 a.m., with heifer and steer show at 2 p.m. Ag. mech. check-in at 6 p.m. with that show at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Swine will move into the barn later today with its show at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Saturday the home economics silent auction will start at 6 p.m. and run to 9 p.m. in the show barn. Showmanship buckles will be presented at 6 p.m. in the barn followed by leadership day awards. The premium sale is at 6:30 p.m. Make plans to come out and support these hard working kids and families.
See all the winners in the Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – Poultry show photo taken by Rashonda Hobbs of Unfazed Creations, official photographer for the youth fair. Make sure and check out her photos.
When we were going through my grandmother’s house in Nocona after it sold, I found a few neat keepsakes, but the biggest treasure I thought I had found was her biscuit cutter. I was so excited to show my mother (her daughter) and just knew she would be happy it was found and would still be used after all this time.
My mother, however, had a different thought about my precious biscuit cutter. She said, “Suzanne, you know that biscuit cutter is just an old tomato paste can that has both ends cut out.”
I was still no less delighted with my cutter. I continue to use it today. My husband has bought me vintage, new and fancier cutters, but this cutter is something I go back to time and again.
My Memaw was recruited to be a lunch lady from 1952 to 1958 at Nocona Elementary, back when lunches were cooked, not “fixed.” Lenora Brown Burnett was an excellent cook and everyone knew it. She went on to work at the Nocona Major Clinic kitchen from 1958 to 1969.
You could only use shortcuts if you knew how to do it the long way. That is how I still approach cooking. You can only use a cake mix if you know how to make a cake with lots of ingredients, time and effort.
Read Suzanne’s Love & Luck column in the Thursday Bowie News on the On the Table page.
Top photo – Grandmother’s biscuit cutter and hand written recipes. (Photo by Suzanne Storey)
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