RECREATION & LEISURE

“WE MADE OUR OWN GOOD TIMES"(1)

Ardele Russell, who grew up in St. Peters and lived most of her adult life on the Fortune Road, talking of the past said, “We made our own good times.” This time of basket socials, house parties with fiddle music in the back ground, and evenings spent with neighbors playing cards, is a time fondly remembered by many. Volunteer organizations have come and gone, facilities have been built to accommodate the rising

popularity of sports and some forms of entertainment, such as fiddling and ceildhs have stood the test of time.

ENTERTAINMENT

A BOXED LUNCH

Tea Partiesf Basket Socials, and Valentine Dances reflecting the Victorian era they emerged in, were at one time a popular social gathering. Tea Parties, which were very popular in the last half of the 19th century, are still held annually in the community of Monticello. A Basket Social, which was also known as a “box” or “pie” social, was also an excellent way to raise funds and mingle with neighbors. For many younger members of a community it also presented a method to possibly meet a future spouse. (2) Doris MacDonald, formerly from Greenwich, recalled box socials being held in the homes of Greenwich residents:

Boxes were decorated fancy, with fancy paper and pom poms made out of paper. The women would take a boxed lunch and the men;

usually their husbands would bid on the boxes. People of course would bid them up. (3)

At one time there were Valentine Dances, which resembled box socials held annually on Valentines Day in St. Peters. Hilda Lewis recalled:

The young women would bring a basket with a meal packed inside. These baskets would be put for auction and the young men would bid on them It did not matter if you liked the person who bought your basket or not, you had to eat the meal with him anyhow. It created a lot of fun and good times. (4}

¥_—

50F more information about tea parties in St. Peters, see the section on the railway in the Transportation C apter.

l7l