KILGOROUND

Old times and favorite memories... it doesn't take much talking for one or the other to surface, especially in closeknit communities such as Kilgore. A trip to the fiveand dime store on a Saturday morning was an outing many looked forward to and in Kilgore the recent mention of Wackers brought to mind the Duncan brothers.

The Duncan brothers, Ray and Wayne, worked for Wackers. They learned the trade and along with Ray's wife, Dorothy, opened up a business of their own. Ask someone where it was once located and many can tell you the exact location of their favorite stopping place.

"It was directly across the street from Max Daiches Jewelry Store on Main Street," said Mrs. Merle Gault. "The Lewis Shoe Store was on the corner," said Beth Thornton. "It later became Quarles Shoes.

Both ladies should know as both, worked in the store as clerks and as cashiers. "The Duncans were nice people to work for," said Merle. "I got to meet a lot of people and when you work in a five-and-dime, before long you get to know everybody.

"I made all of the flower arrangements, and the floral saddles that went on top of the monuments at the cemetery. I was in my early 30s at the time and I loved every minute of it," she said. "On my coffee table today, I still have a pink bowl with a handle on it that my husband and son purchased for me from that store. He owned City Battery Electric just down the street from where I worked.

"Of course it is easier now, because we had to count out the exact change and punch keys on the old registers. Now, everything is scanned in and change is automatically computed," she added.

"Merle also decorated the windows," said Beth, the other cashier. "Anything she put in those windows sold." Beth was 31 years old when she began working at Duncan's, first as a clerk and then as a cashier. "I've been a cashier ever since," she said. "When Duncan's sold out to Mott's, I went to Piggly Wiggly, who sold to Baird's, Super Saver, Food Giant and when Winn Dixie moved out I went to Wal-Mart. I've been with them for five years and I'm thinking this is my last stop."

Beth was born in Rusk County, in the Pirtle Community. Her father, Rufus Thorton was a painter and was known all over Kilgore for the work he did. Her younger brother, Travis, started painting, too, at the age of eight. Today, at age 68, Beth boasts of being able to sleep in the same room in which she was born. Never married, she lives in the old home place and has been a member of Pirtle Methodist Church for 54 years.

Beth and Merle still keep up with each other and visit as often as possible.

"She called me when she went to work at Wal-Mart," said Merle. "She asked me if I would join her as a cashier. No way, I told her. My days were over." For Beth, she believes it's her last stopping place. The beginning was Duncan's. We will see.

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Last month the Kilgore Community Crisis Center housed 11 women and 9 children. Clients have been sheltered for a total of 180 nights, 564 meals and 378 snacks. Volunteers are always needed. To learn more they can be contacted at 905 Broadway or at 903-984-3019.

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Blowing out the birthday candles today are Zachery Sam Russell, Donna Knight, Michelle Pina Michaele, Jack Ward, Melba Mitchell- Warren, Jason White Cooks, Juanita Houston, Billie Briley, Pam McCarty Sadie McClanahan, Amanda Briggs, William Eddington, Yolanda Rochell Taylor, Heather Nicole Watson, Kimberly Parrott, Erika Murphy, Ellie Nelson, Sara Barnard, Johnny Northcutt, Joe Gala, LeAnn Parker, Habe Habenicht, Ashley Alyse Neugebauer, Melissa Moore, Sherry Gee Sanford, Eddie Fitch, Graydon Rieger, Gary Ratliff, Ashley Jackson, Sarah Wintermute, Orease Smith, Ruby Palmer.

Celebrating another year together are Paul and Donna McKnight, Jimmy and Nelda Headrick, Mike and Brenda Ammons.