Sunday, June 30, 2013

Best Actress in a Leading Role

 



Best Actress in a Leading Role, 2012-2013, Lillian Shaw, for Tracy Turnblad, Hairspray.







 Lillian Shaw you ARE and Were so Beautiful last night! Congratulations! So Thankful your daddy could be a part of the BIG Night! -- Amy McCalla Scott




Best Actor in a Supporting Role (shared with the other pirates), 1991-1992, for Pirate, Peter Pan

Best Actress in a Leading Role, 2012-2013, Lillian Shaw, for Tracy Turnblad, Hairspray.

Best Wife in a Leading Role, 1971-2013, Best Mother in a Leading Role, 1983-2013, and continuing, Sheila Shaw, Real Life.







Right to left - Lillian (Tracy) with her co-star and buddy Susanna Brown (Penny) with Emily McKnight, the outstanding choreographer for Hairspray.

Lillian (Tracy) with her co-star and buddy Susanna Brown (Penny)


Sheila is always careful to coordinate her jewelry with my bow tie. 


Saturday, June 29, 2013

Gleaning Facebook: A "Clip Joint" to Remember


A "CLIP JOINT" TO REMEMBER

By Frank Robinson efrjr96@mail.com
June, 2013

The beloved old Milstead Community Center building was the most famous, and one of the favorite places in the village. Exploring it through a child's eyes, it was a truly magical place. Solidly built in the 1920's by craftsmen, I have never seen a building as complete in scope, and purpose, as the old gym.
It was a huge, building replete with massive wooden beams supporting a virtual catacomb of a floor plan, with literally something for everyone. Those of us who grew up in Milstead during that era are truly fortunate and I, personally, would not trade that experience for anything.
"Grady's Barbershop", occupied the main floor suite at the south end, and it was the only commercial business in the building. The proprietor, and sole barber, was Mr. Grady Shaw. From information gleaned from other sources, I have discovered that Mr. Grady had worked at Callaway Mills in his younger days, but at some point became a barber and opened his shop at the Community Center. I don't really know if he went to school to learn barbering, or just learned it on his own, but I remember business licenses on the wall, so I guess that's all he needed.
Mr. Grady had two, old, "Berninghaus Hercules" model barber chairs in his shop, however, I never remember there being a barber other than Mr. Grady. As a kid, I always thought the name "Hercules", molded into the foot stands, said "Her curls"...I couldn't figure that out, I mean, it was a barbershop for men...but I finally figured it out.
Mounted on the wall behind each of the two chairs were large mirrors, and beneath them were shelves lined with bottles of hair tonics, talc, and colognes of the day in various shapes, sizes, colors, and scents. The combinations of these scented chemicals, and talcum powder in the air always kept the barbershop smelling great.
There were also compartment for towels, washcloths, and other accoutrements of the barbering trade of the day. Two white, pedestal, sinks - made of solid porcelain - with the oddest crook-necked faucets I had ever seen, were mounted below the shelves for the water needs of barbering.
Hanging off the two chairs was the standard leather "strop", used by Mr. Grady to keep a keen edge on his straight razor. When you got haircut from Mr. Grady, you always got your neck shaved, whether you wanted it, or not. Warm lather from his cup and brush would be applied to the back of your neck, and then shaved clean of any straggler hairs that his clippers had missed. Afterwards, he would wipe off any leftover lather and apply a few dabs of "Witch Hazel" to your neck with a cotton ball.
The finale to your haircut was for Mr. Grady to sprinkle some talcum powder onto his soft barber's brush, and dust onto your neck. You had to hold your breath until the talcum cloud settled away, or you'd be sneezing for an hour. These were the kind of haircuts you could still feel two hours after you left the shop, but it was a pretty cool feeling.
Sitting high-up on the old shoeshine stand, an old wooden chair mounted it on top of a boxlike structure with two, metal, “foot stands”, was a favorite place to wait on your turn. The other, less adventurous customers would wait their turn on the folding metal chairs around the wall and enjoy the breeze of the old ceiling fan.
You could learn about everything going on in the village, and hear all manner of tall tales listening to the grown-ups talking in the waiting area.
Lots of folks probably don't even remember who gave them their first haircut, but if you grew up in Milstead, there was a good chance that it was Mr. Grady Shaw.

Comments from 2018


Terrell Shaw
Thanks so much for this remembrance, Frank. Grady Columbus Shaw was a wonderful grandfather. I anticipated my week in Milstead each year like Christmas. I would love to have better pictures of the shop. If you ever hear of any I’d love to have copies.
May I share your story... with atribution of course?

Terrell Shaw
Grady Shaw’s first barber shop was on the lane that followed the little ridge from the school to Main St. Is tgere a water tower there? My dad, as a boy, had the chore of opening the shop and starting a fire on cool mornings. One morning having fired up the stove he sat out front waiting for his Dad. When Grady Shaw got there he was running right past Charles to try to extinquish the fire that had escaped the stove and was consuming the building right behind my oblivious future father. The shop was a total loss. Somehow he managed to survive financially to rebuild his business at the community center. He did have another barber with him, I think in the forties, but not for long. I feel like I should know how he got his training, but I don’t remember now. He sold Knapp shoes and Singer sewing machines to supplement the barbering.

Frank Robinson
I do have this one...
pastedGraphic.png


Terrell Shaw
Frank Robinson That's MY picture! My dad and I took three or four pictures in the shop with a polaroid camera after my grandfather's funeral in 1965. I carried this one around for years and finally scanned and posted it several years ago. 

pastedGraphic_1.png

Frank Robinson
OK, I got it somewhere off the web, and it was in a folder where I keep Milstead related photos. Sorry about that...good pic, though.

Terrell Shaw
Frank Robinson
No problrm at all... glad it's out there. There's an old picture of a cousin sitting in the chair after a haircut. And a picture of my Dad and another of his brother James taken in the shop the same day as the picture above, but they are close-ups without much background.

Frank Robinson
Terrell Shaw
I have another one with Marion Rooks (?) sitting in the extra chair, at least, that's what the caption says.

Terrell Shaw
Frank Robinson
I’d love to see it.

Loretta Shaw
Mr Grady gave my son Terry his first haircut . He was very thoughtful he put the hair he cut off, in an envelope & told my husband he knew how mothers were & I would want it . it is still in his baby book 67 years later.

Danny Shaw
Frank Robinson
My dad was Grady Jr and became a barber as well. I loved that place and remember being hoisted up on the booster made for the barber chair. I also remember getting a Coca-Cola with peanuts after my first haircut in that place that so many stories, shoe shines, and Kirby vacuums were displayed.

Galen Dale Foster
MR. Grady Shaw's Barber Shop was a gathering place for fishermen. Some of the largest fish in Yellow River were caught in that one room as he cut hair. There were some great tales told there some true some not so true.

pastedGraphic_2.png

I was a young boy waiting for a hair cut and I enjoyed the tales.

Deborah Shaw Lewis
My Daddy Shaw. How I loved him!

Yvonne Barmore
I remember he was every one's barbara!!! And folks sure did respect him!

Chester Walls
Got many haircuts there

Terrell Shaw
That's my Daddy Shaw. I shined a good many shoes in that shop. And with the dime I earned could pull a six ounce Coke out of the box and buy a pack of Tom's Peanuts to float in it while I drank the Coke and listened to my grandfather's stories.
If anyone out there has a "first haircut" picture from this shop, I'd love to see it!

Jerry Mills
Could you put a date to this photo Terrell Shaw

Terrell Shaw
Daddy Shaw died July 16, 1965. This looks to me like it was not too long before that.

Jerry Mills
Terrell Shaw
I was searching "vintage photos Rockdale county" and found this one. Ruth Baird Shaw


Terrell Shaw
Yes, that’s my mother. I or my sister Beth likely posted that picture. My dad, Charles Columbus Shaw was son to Grady Columbus Shaw (Daddy Shaw).

Bad Words

I grew up a white boy in Georgia. I was lucky that I had thoughtful parents who, though not perfect*, could at  least recognize blatant hate. My Daddy, as a young kid, had witnessed a black boy being treated very cruelly. He and Mother taught us early on to treat every one with respect, as they understood it at that time and place. Had I or any of my six siblings, uttered the word "nigger" -- except while reading Huckleberry Finn aloud  -- we'd have likely gotten a switching from Mama or a belt spanking from Daddy. 

You may have noticed that I choose not to use the silly "N-word" euphemism except in explaining why I don't: It is not the arrangement of letters or the combination of vocal vibrations that is offensive, it is the use of them to denigrate other folks. This 66 year-old Georgia white guy does not and has never done that. 

Here's a shocker for you, though. Some of my most admired, most dearly loved human beings -- oh, what a sorry lot are human beings! -- have been racist to some degree, sometimes a high one. And part of my love for some of them is the degree to which they have grown out of that state. As the son of two Methodist preachers I, in fits and starts, strive for perfection, but few of us make it all the way, likely.

A while back we were the victims of a home invasion in the middle of the night. I did not see the poor slob in the dark, but in chasing him from my house and across our lawn I raged at him uncontrollably. I used language that I do. not. use. I consider it a sign of ignorance, poor upbringing, low intelligence, and a paltry vocabulary to sprinkle common expletive into every day talk. I don't cuss. But on this occasion, in fury, I belched a torrent of "favorite curse words" that would have used up James Lipton's complete list. I hope, had I known the guy was black (I 'don't) that I would have stopped short of using his race as a stone, but in the moment, I was slinging anything I could reach -- he had invaded my home, where my wife and child were sleeping. If I had let fly that horrid word, would it have negated any good I have done in my life? Should I have lost my job?

I am Paula Deen's age. Our society was so divided in the fifties and sixties that I was barely acquainted with any black people. Still I was an outspoken proponent of civil rights for all. As a result, at my high-school, I was ridiculed a few times in the 1960s as a "nigger-lover" -- I wore the title with some pride, actually. I was called that by folks who, today, may have forgotten, but who would be very embarrassed, and some of whom would be very saddened, to be reminded of their past hatred of those who looked so much like present day close friends, co-workers, and, in some cases, spouses, children, or grandchildren that they love with all their hearts.

All of that to say: I don't know Paula. I have paid more attention to her this week than all the rest of my weeks combined. She may have a heart as black as the word she admits uttering decades ago. To whatever degree she practices racial discrimination in her personal and business relationships today I hope she will be held to account and that those wronged can receive justice. But, at least in regard to uttering that word, she faced up to her past. That's a start that many have not made. 

I believe, in Paula Deen's case, the condemnation has gone too far. The overreaction is now serving to divide us further.

And if Paula has a great BBQ sauce recipe, I'll take it. The Fourth is upon us.



* You were/are real close to perfection, Mama!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Note: Marriage Equality

My personal preference would be for the gov't to get out of the "marriage" business. That would more clearly recognize the rights of each individual to his own beliefs. But that possibility was fought just as strongly as same-sex marriage, and became a moot question several years ago. Still, these decisions affect no one's right to his own interpretation of "marriage" for himself, and expands freedom and justice for millions including some of my own much-admired friends.

I have very close, and much-admired friends and relatives who passionately disagree. I love them no less. But their rights are unaffected.


I wish my young cousin, and my fellow choir member, both of whom were moral and kind men, both of whom suffered greatly because of their orientation, and both of whom died young, had lived long enough to see this day. And I am happy for that high school teacher who as an eighty-something still quietly shares a home and his life with his unofficial spouse, and my much admired fellow teacher who has been a loyal spouse to his partner for over twenty years, and my many fellow actors who are "different".


It is so amazing that the very conservative SCOTUS that ruled so wrongly in Citizens United and just yesterday on affirmative action could also rule as it has today. It can only be that the evil of treating a minority with such obvious injustice is sometimes plain to even an Anthony Kennedy, and or a John Roberts.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Gleaning Facebook: Eugenia's Birthday

Some of the Shaws present
L-R: Ruth Baird Shaw, Sheila Matthews Shaw, Eugenia Pickens Shaw, Karen and Danny Shaw

Ruth Baird Shaw

Eugenia Pickens Shaw and Charles Terrell Shaw

 
The pretty site of the party

Ruth Baird Shaw and Eugenia Pickens Shaw
---
Janice Shaw Crouse
Two fabulous women!! Each married to one of the "Shaw Brothers."

Joan Shaw Turrentine
And they became true sisters -- all of the "Shaw boys'" wives did.


My Baird grandparents' graves in Porterdale

Terrell Shaw
Both stones have mistakes: Benjamin Wilson Baird was born in 1860 and is listed on the 1860 United. States Census. Our grandmother spelled her first name "Ieula" -- Ieula Ann Dick Baird.










Saturday, June 15, 2013

Gleaning Facebook: Fathers Day

My father, Charles Columbus Shaw, 1919-1986. I still miss him and think of him many times a day. He was a very warm, loving, gregarious man, and a wonderful storyteller. There was never any doubt in any of his children, and probably any of his parishioners, that in an emergency he would find a way to be there, regardless of obstacles. Comments Bitsy Burton Memories pressed between the pages of our mind. :0
Lyn Davis Oh my! I loved that sweet man!
Angela Flannigan McRee Wow!!!!! apple....tree

 

Gleaning Facebook: Baird Family Visit

From Andy McCullough's Facebook

Enjoyed visiting with my Great Ruth Baird Shaw last night and cousins - Terrell Shaw, Sheila Matthews Shaw, Lillian Shaw, Deborah Shaw Lewis, Gregg Lewis, Andrew Lewis, Lisette Lewis, Joan Shaw Turrentine, and Lyn Davis

Carol Shaw Johnston
Wish I could've been there!

Jane Baird Latham
Me too!!

Lyn Davis
It was so good to see you and get to visit for a while!

Sunday, June 09, 2013

Gleaning Facebook: Hu's on First

It took about 70 years, but it finally happened...Hu's on first. Comments Christy Davis Yeah, but what's on second?
Terrell That's right.
George Barton Third? I don't know.

 

Saturday, June 08, 2013

Gleaning Facebook: Stories at Cave Spring

Come on down to Cave Spring today! The Arts Festival is on. 

AND storytelling is on -- starting at eleven and going till about four. Christie Davis has a tale about something called "The Wog". Mike Ragland and Bill Barker will also be telling. I'm scheduled to tell at noon, one, and three-twenty. Right now I'm thinking of telling three or more of these tales:

Ma Wilkerson's Fox-fur Coat

Hiccoughs

The Biggest Hickory Log in Adams County

Sody Saleratus

The Tailor

Pigtails

Y'all come!



Comments


Gary Greene WIsh I could be there...

Tersi Bendiburg Me too!

Christy Davis We missed you, Gary!


Gary Greene I had to work sorry.. I missed you all too.

Terrell Shaw A great day of storytelling. I had a ball, Christie, Thanks for putting it together. I ended up telling four stories. The first two sets had audiences that included little kids so I told Pigtails (twice), The Tailor, and Sody Saleratus... three that work well with a big range of folks but especially with the early grades. The last set was all adults. I told my version of Donald Davis tall tale (Rainy Weather) that I call Ma Wilkerson's Fox-fur Coat. Christie told about several of the Wog's escapades in (little) Buckhead. Mike told the Cherokee story of Forever Boy. And Bill told us about a leprechaun. Great weather, mouth-watering food, dozens of arts and crafts booths, big crowds, and enthusiastic audiences.


Christy Davis I also told Jack and the Magic Stones, my favorite story to tell.

Terrell Shaw Sorry I missed it today, Christy, but I've heard you tell it before.

Friday, June 07, 2013

Gleaning Facebook: Debby Brown's Art

From Mary Elena Rivera Kirk's Facebook:
All proceeds from tomorrow, Saturday's production of RLT's Shakespeare in Holywood will be donated to Debby.
There will be a silent auction with 4 of her original works of art. Come bid on your favorite!

This amazing chair is one of the 4 items to be auctioned! Don't miss out on this opportunity to own a Debby Brown original! 

---------------

Tomorrow, Saturday, RLT's production of Shakespeare in Hollywood will celebrate Debby Brown. All ticket proceeds will be donated to help cover the expenses incurred during her hospitalization and funeral.
Four of her works of art will
be up for auction. Don't miss the opportunity to own Debby original. Come place your bid!!!
---------------








Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Gleaning Facebook: Cave Spring Festival

Y'all come! I'll be telling tales at Cave Spring on Saturday. I am tentatively scheduled at 1 and 3:20. Other tellers include: Bill Barker, Mike Ragland, and Christy Davis. This album of snapshots from the 2012 festival will give you an idea of what a great event this is!