My Mother, Donna Medbourn Edgington, always kept a journal from the time she was a child. She enjoyed rereading what she had written and reliving the moment. When she was in her 80′s she decided to write her life story. She wrote two books “Picture This” which recalled childhood memories and “From This Day Forward” which were memories from the time she married my Dad. I think they are so great that I have decided to share these special memories with you a little at a time. They reflect the way of living in Culver and surrounding area in an entirely different era.

“PICTURE THIS”

January 19th, 1913 The news in Culver for that date was the arrival of Donna Louise Medbourn. Dr. Wiseman delivered the eight-pound bundle to Charles and Claire Medbourn, who had been patiently waiting for ten years for such an event.

Of course I was the pampered darling of grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. We lived on Main Street, Culver, In. The center of the town’s activities.

I remember many happenings during the first years of my life. To tell these memories in chronological order would be hard to do. So, I will just write, off the cuff, about happenings that were dear to me.

I remember the winter of 1918 when we had so much snow. My Grandmother Medbourn lived next door north of us. Uncle Chester Zechiel was with the Secret Service in Washington D. C. so Aunt Myrtle Medbourn Zechiel (Grandmother Medbourn’s daughter) stayed with Grandma. My cousins, Mary Barbara and Marjorie Rose (Rose Bud) lived there with their Mother. When we went to Grandma’s back door it was through a path with snow piled high above our heads, so we only saw the sky.

At Christmas time Santa Claus came down Main Street and stopped at homes where there were children. Mama and I watched as he went to Grandma’s door. I was wild with excitement as he came to our door. He gave me a little man on rubber bands, which turned somersaults and stood on his head when I pressed the small sticks on each side.

Aunt Myrtle, Grandma and my cousins came Christmas morning to our house. Before they came I had been in to see Santa’s presents. One was a doll with painted gold hair and was as tall as me. I took one look and said, “Mary Barbara, ain’t it?” They always laughed at that remark.

When I was six we went to South Bend to the Fair. On the way through town, we saw a little red two-wheeled bike and I longed to have it. At the Fair’s horse races, there was milk lids with the horses’ number on them. The winning number got the money from the hat. My Dad and Grandpa won some and said if we got enough we would buy the bike. Others around us got enthused about helping me and soon there was money accumulating. Then Grandpa slipped away and with what we needed to add to the amount, bought the bicycle. We stopped at the store enroute home and to my surprise the bike was wheeled out and given to me.

Next morning I took it to where my Grandma Medbourn now lived, in the next block. She said, “Why don’t you ride it?” I didn’t know how to start, so she said to get next to the curb and give a big shove with my foot, put your feet on the pedals and keep them going. I did that and went all the way to my Dad’s grocery. He was really surprised and from then on bicycle riding was my favorite pastime.

Among other early recollections was the installation of electricity in Culver homes. We were the first home in Culver to be wired. Colip Bros. Electric Store from South Bend came to Culver with a display of electric stoves. For a week they had cooking demonstrations for the town homemakers. Charles Colip and my father became good friends and while Mr. Colip had to be in Culver with the display, he stayed at our house. He had a little daughter my age so we invited Mrs. Colip and Dorothy to come stay also. A very lasting friendship resulted and we visited back and forth for many years.

My Mother was thrilled with the new stoves and Papa bought one for her the first electric stove in town. I had been fascinated with a little toy model, which actually worked, and when the showing ended the miniature stove was given to me.

Electricity also made it possible to have electric Christmas tree lights. It was such a thrill when we added the set of 8 peaches and pears to our tree. They also were a first in Culver and one remaining pear still burns after many years. We set our tree in the window toward the sidewalk so all could enjoy the lights. Sitting in the living room with just the tree lights and the glow from the baseburner brings real warmth and nostalgia to my heart.

Christmas was always so precious to our family. The pageant at church, the big tree there with presents for all, the socks of Christmas hard candies and an orange to carry home after service and Christmas morning when I hurried to see if Santa had come. I had hung my long white stocking by the baseburner and sure enough it would be bulging with knobby walnuts, oranges and candy. Other presents were under the tree. One year I accidentally opened a drawer and saw a beautiful doll with golden curls and eyes that open and shut. She was dressed in beautiful clothes that I know my Grandma McLane must have made. I was very sick to know I had found the surprise that was to thrill me on Christmas morn. I did not tell one soul and made a big production of showing surprise and pleasure on Christmas. I would not have wanted to spoil the fun my Mother and Grandma had shared preparing this present for me.