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Neighbors Recitations and Monologues By Suzanne Veh Before the advent of the family TV set and the two-car family, people had to rely almost totally on self-made entertainment. Christmas concerts, school con- certs, lodge meetings, church socials, institute meetings; all of these functions called for a type of entertainment in the rural areas that is rarely seen or heard anymore; namely recitations and monologues. A recitation, probably the more popular of the two, was a recital, done by memory, of a poem. A monologue was a story, usually funny, also delivered by memory performed by one person often us- ing costumes and stage-props. The village of Russell has had its fair share of these talented peo- ple. Many will remember the late Alex Craig as well as the late Nellie Morris; both were known to many for their ability to recite. Their repertoire would cover such poems as Face on the Barroom Floor, The Burial of Sir John Moore, The Stove Pipe Hole, and many more. Authors might vary MRS. ALICE HAMILTON from unknowns to the likes of Robert Service or Robbie Burns. As much as recitations and monologues were widely used for public entertainment; it was also a popular past-time to read or recite at family gatherings, something which is still carried on today. Recently, people like Alice Hamilton, Margaret McCallum, Nellie Wolff, Margaret Burton and more have all been involved in some recitations at various social gatherings, institute meetings, and church strawberry socials, etc. There might be a lot of people who can memorize a favourite poem, but there are few who have the talent to bring it to life at a recitation. As Alice Hamilton said: "It takes the human voice to bring it out!" Mrs. Hamilton lives north of the village with her son Wilmer and his family in their bungalow which sits next to the original farmhouse built in 1886 where she, and her husband lived. Now in her 90th year, she can remember giving recitations at Lodge meetings and church functions. As a teenager, she found she had a quick memory and could recite poems easily. This memory has yet to fail her for recently she recited The School at Injun Bay without a moments hesitation. Nellie Wolff, of Craig Street, is another who gives public recita- tions on occasion, She too started to memorize poetry as a teenager and found she enjoyed it. No doubt she inherited some talent from her father, who while he did not recite publicly, Mrs. Wolff can remember him reciting for the family and making. the stories come vividly alive with his expres- sion. Mrs. Wolff recited frequent- ly for Sunday school in her youth and then as she became busier with a family of her own she found less and less time for it. It was not until years later, while playing a game at a party,and she lost and was asked to forfeit something that she recited a poem. Word soon spread and she was asked to recite at parties and social gatherings. There are many in Russell who are familiar with Nellie Wolff's humorous recita- tion of The Inventor's Wife. Helen Morrow of north Russell, former - supply-teacher, remembers planning many Christmas concerts where a monologue was always part of the program. Among some of those she remembered were Aunt Mamie Goes to the Ball Game, Uncle Goes to Vote, Grandma tells of a Visit to Town, Me and My Downtrodden Sex, For A Lit- tle Girl, and many more. In the days of the one-room, one or two children would be chosen to deliver a monolgoue as part of the program at various school func- tions. MRS. NELLIE WOLFF SAVE MONEY ON YOUR FUEL BILLS Insulate Now! WITH 2M. INSULATION RR3 RUSSELL, ONT. Installers of CMHC Approved Rapco Foam & Cellulosic Wood Fibre COMPLETE HOME INSULATION SERVICES OFFERED FREE ESTIMATES Liston Mcllhagga RR 3, Russell, Ont. 445-5513 _ Roger Villeneuve RR 2, Berwick, Ont. 987-5290 The School at Injun Bay As recited by Alice Hamilton When Mary-Ann. Dollinger got that school Down there at Injun Bay -- (I was glad) For I like-to see a girl A-makin' her honest way. I'd heard some talk in the village : About her,a 'flyin' high Too high for busy farmer folks With chores to do -- to fly. But I paid no sort of attention To all their talk and_tell And she came at her regular boarding round To visit with us a spell. Our Jake~and her had been cronies Ever since they could walk And it kinder took me back a bit To hear her correctin' him in his talk. Jake ain't no hand at grammer But she can't beat him for work And I says to myself -- "Look out, my girl You're a 'follin' witha Turk."' Jake bore it very patient -- mind once he ax me Page 9 For some of my Injun buns She said he should always say "Them are" Instead of "Them is' ones. the And one day I was a 'pickin' currents Down by the old quince tree And I heard Jake's voice a 'sayin' '*Be you willin' to marry me?" And Mary-Ann correctin' '*Are ye willin' '? you should say ; Our Jake he put his foot down In a plum decided way "'No women folks is goin' to be \ A rearrangin' me, Hereafter I say scraps 'them is' I calculate to be! If folks don't like my talkin' They needn't harkin' to what I say But I won't be made a fool of By the dudes at Injun Bay. So I ask you free and finally Be you goin' to marry me?'"' And Mary-Ann said, tremblin' yet anxiously, 'bes Ff be;*" scotiabanks THE BANK OF NOVASCOTIA RUSSELL 445-2880 'Grow With Us' Scotia Bank Gerry Leroux Box 39 EXCAVATING Excavators -- Backhoes _ Dozers -- Loaders -- Ditching Res.: (613) 445-5603 Bus.: (613) 236-6822 RUSSELL KOA 3B0 Plumbing Contractor E. A. 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