Burleson Star (Burleson, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 31, Ed. 1 Monday, February 4, 1980 Page: 4 of 12
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4A-Burleson Star, Monday, February 4,1980
9*1 the subject of
■*
i
a two-letter word
d.e.w. tell!
By Doris E. Wilson, People Editor
IT’S ONLY a small word. . .two letters, in fact. . .but
since its introduction into the English language over 20
years ago, it has caused
consternation,,, .frustration. . .and a
resistance. . .especially among members of the “old-
fashioned” news media. . .The word is "Ms.” . . an ab-
breviation of the words “Miss” and “Mrs.” that had its
beginning among the Equal Eights Amendment Circles to
camouflage the marital status or non-marital status of
women. . .As a newspaper editor of several years, I began
then resisting the word Ms. in writing of weddings, club ac-
tivities, and women’s news. . It seemed a dishonest
word . . I refused to open any mail that came to me ad-
dressed “Ms.”. ., .1 felt the contents of any letter addressed
thusly could not possibly be of ally,interest to me. . .and I
stuck by my conviction; .Admittedly, sometimes in doing
news writeups it took a little extr$i time to determine if a
woman was a Miss or a Mrs. but ^ince I felt that formality
was necessary and respectful in'a‘newspaper article, l
spent that little extra time. . .It was in no way intended to
be “nosey” or to put a "label” on women, it was merely a ti-
tle of formal respect. . If a lady was married, I asked that
club publicity chairmen list their members’ names by
“Mrs. John Jones ”, using the husband’s name immediately
following the "Mrs.” If the member was married. . if she
was a divorcee or widowed, I asked that she be listed as
“Mrs. Jane Jones,” using her given name. . and if she was
unmarried, she was listed as “Miss Jane Jones”. . never
in those early early days of ERA, wohld I refer to any
woman by just her last name, “Jones said”. . or “Jones
attended”. . .It was "Miss” or ‘‘Mrs.
or nothing that’s how strongly I felt about it. . The year's
passed. . .1 still have my convictions, but somehow along
the way they became beaten down by the “Big City”
newspapers’ usage of the words. . and in the past few
years, I have gone along with what has been pointed out as
“modern”. . .1 relented and have finally come around to
opening mail addressed to “Ms”. . because so much of it
comes addressed that way. . .and I have begun listing
women’s names in the newspaper the way they a re turned
in to me. . .Even upon occasion I have referred to a woman
by her last name, when I was not absolutely sure of her be-
ing a “Miss” or “Mrs ”. . . and in conceding this,
somehow, I think I lost a little of the social structure that us-
ed to mean much. . .true, it makes it easier for a
writer. . .cuts corners. . .but it also cuts out some of the
important social graces that used to be part of our
lives. . .1 would be the first to champion a woman’s right to
individuality and recognition of her accomplishments, no
matter what her social title is. . Use of the word “Ms.” to
me has connotations that go much deeper than how it going
to appear in print. . .Somehow, it in these days of many
divorces or not even bothering with the formality of a mar-
riage license to begin with, the word “Mrs.” has lost all of
the starry-eyed glamour it used to have, when you were
first called by that name after your wedding day. . .and
other things, much more intangible but as important, have
been lost. . .AH of the foregoing thoughts were triggered by
a telecast last week from London, England, during which
the editor of the London Times said that the word “Ms."
had been banned, henceforth and forever from the pages of
that newspaper. . He said the word “was rubbish”. . ’an
ugly word, .and had become a plaything of something
sacred”. . .My ears perked up and I yelled “Bravo”. . . It
was the first time, I had heard a dissenting word against a
popular symbol for ERA followers. . The London Editor’s
crusade for a return to Miss and Mrs. was telecast on the
“Today” show and was followed immediately by a retalia-
tion from Gloria Steinem, editor of “Ms. Magazine”. . .She
pointed out all the usual reasons for being so informal with
a woman’s marital status. . and ended by saying that
‘‘men have no distinctive title to declare their
status” ah, me, how naive Gloria is. All you have to
do is look in their eyes.
••••••••••dew**********
IN A LIGHTER vein. . The Larry Tignors returned
from a cruise down in the sunny climes of the Carribean
Monday. . just in time to get Burleson's first taste of
winter after a long, long autumn. . . The Tignors
celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary by boarding the
S.S. Mardi Gras and sailing down to Santo Domingo. St.
Thomas in the Virgin Islands. . and on to Nassau, and
guess what Mandy and Justin got to do while their mom and
dad were away. . they got to stay with their grandparents,
theJ.B. Crawfords . . Those Happy Seniors at the Burleson
Nutrition Site have really been getting around. . one week
they went to Pizza Inn for dinner at the invitation of Marion
Howard. . and another week, Kathy Robson, invited them
out for Hamburger with All the Trimmings at
McDonalds. . .Alida Fenko and Tempa Larson stopped by
the news office recently to tell us the Happy Seniors have
elected a council that will coordinate all the center ac-
tivities. . .Tempa, who serves on the county council as
publicity chairman, has been named chairman of the local
council. Alida, who also serves on the conty council and is
manager of the Burleson site, is transportation
chairman. . Dale Hamm is
secretary-treasurer. . Lurlene Covington is vice chair-
man. . Viola Nabors is reporter . and Helen Hinds is ac-
tivity director. Shirley Koen. who is in the advertising
department at Mitchell’s Department Store, didn’t
mention a lollipop or peppermint stick, when she caUed to
“Ease my mind” about the trivia question I didn’t know the
answer to last week. . . I had sent out an S O S. to anyone
who could refresh my memory about the old "Stop The
Music” radio show emceed by Bert Parks.. . . She remind
ed me STM was similar to the televised version “Name
That Tune,”. . .Radio contestants had so many minutes to
name a tune, .just a few bars were played at first and the
longer it took for them to identify the music of the tune that
was played, the size of the prize diminished. . .and, of
course, Shirley said, "Bert Parks kept up a running fire of
jokes”, .ah, now, we know. . This is a public service an-
nouncement; are old newspapers, cardboard boxes and
paper sacks beginning to pile up around your
house?. . .and you say you don’t know what to do with
them?. . well, I tell you what I’m gonna do. . .I’m gonna
tell you about some people that really want them. . The
American Legion Post Auxiliary 549 has started a paper
collection project and they want all that you want to give
away. In the event, you have been throwing them away,
they are asking that you begin now to save them and in
about a month. . .or sooner if the stack gets too big, call
the AL Post and they’ll have someone come by and pick
them up. or you can drop them off at the Post Home on
1-35. . .of course, now, there’s a method in their madness,
the auxiliary is going to turn around and sell them to some-
one who pays money for such things. . and the Post and
Auxiliary will use the money for some of their philanthropic
projects, like sending a Burleson High School junior to
Blue Bonnet Girls’ State in Austin next spring. . .and if
there is a surplus, it will go into the building fund the
Legionnaires are planning to use for a new legion Home
some day .
* >"■
KNOW ONE person who has no worries about how she
will get around if gas prices keep spiraling. . maybe
you’ve seen Helen Hinds around town on her three-wheel
bike-trike. . she goes everywhere on it. . .grocery shopp-
ing. . to visit friends. . and down to the Happy Seniors
Center. . She has a large basket mounted on the back end
that’s just perfect for any parcels she has to
carry. Helen's daughter-in-law, Kathy Robson, has pass-
ed along an inspirational thonght she said Helen had given
to her several years ago. . .Kathy said it had stood her in
good stead on days when she has needed it and with that
thought in mind, we’d like to share it with you; "God has
not promised skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways
all our lives through. . God has not promised sun without
rain, joy without pain. . But God hath promised
FREEBLOOD
PRESSURE SCREENING
SPONSORED BY:
Johnson County Memorial Hospital
, m -hM*WW*tion With
Johnson County Medical Society
TIME: Every Week-Monday
Through Friday
Noon to 6:00 P.M.
LOCATION: Johnson County
Memorial Hospital |i
Emergency Room
1600 N. Main Cleburne, Texas j ►
Geckler-Fiscus Say Vows
Wedding vows of Miss Lisa
Gail Geckler and Richard M
Fiscus were solemnized in a
double-ring ceremony per-
formed by the father of the
bridegroom, Rev. RE.
Fiscus, at 7 p.m. Feb 1 in
Crestmont Baptist
Church.
Miss Geckler is the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.H.
Geckler of St. Louis, Mo
The bridegroom’s parents
are Rev. and Mrs. R.E
Fiscus, Route 2, Burleson.
Vows were repeated in
nuptial setting formed with
palm trees centered with an
arched candelabra.
Jenny Raulston, organist,
provided traditional wedding
marches and served as ac-
companist for Kathy Lewis as
she sang ‘‘The Lord’s
- V
£ lift!
& Q> G & C> &
BURLESON
BAKERY
317 King - Behind Mott s
Open 7 AM’til 7 PM
Monday thru Saturday
295-3512
We are taking orders for...
Valentine Cookies & Decorated
Cupcakes For School Parties
FRESH/FANCY
GLAZED DONUTS1
DAILY
Ilf.'
POCKET PIES/SANDWICHES
FILLED WITH SPICY MEAT U
FRESH DAILY £
> V;/.
Prayer," and “The Wedding
Song.”
Given in marriage by her
father with the “her mother
and I” avowal, the bride was
gowned in floor-length Quiana
designed with a sleeveless em-
pire bodice sculptured with
Venise lace enjoined to a flow-
ing pleated skirt re-
embroidered with lace motifs.
Her waltz-length veil of silk
illusion was held by a bandeau
of Venise lace roses accented
with a large silk rose.
She carried a nosegay of
garden flowers.
Aubyn Turner, as matron of
honor, wore a floor-length
gown of Apricot Quiana with a
lace shawl and carried an ar-
rangement of silk flowers. ^
Steve Fiscus served his #
brother as best man.
Ushers were brothers of the p^fp
couple Gary and Bill Fiscus,
Mark and Kirk Geckler.
At the reception later in the
Fellowship Hall of the church,
Terry Johnson was at the
punch service with Laura and
Lynn Fiscus serving cake.
Carmen Jones was at the cof-
fee service. Susie Arms serv-
ed at the buffet table. Diane
Rubenkoenig was guest
registrar.
The couple will make their
home at 208 Lorna.
The bride-elect is employed
at Stationers Distributing Co.
and the bridegroom is
employed at Lennox Heating
and Cooling in Burleson.
STRENGTH FOR THE DAY. . Rest for the laborer, light
on the way. . .Grace for the trial. . .help from
above. . unfailing sympathy, undying love”. . .Kathy,
who was a recent Homemaker of the Week, told me they
have found a temporary home for daughter Alisa’s pet
(DOMESTICATED) rats. . They are going to visit Alisa’s
glggs this week, since first graders at Nola Dunn Elemen-
tary School are studying the letter “R”.
*****dew*****
THE RESPONSE to the Burleson Area Chamber of Com-
merce's invitation to civic clubs to make centerpieces met
with overwhelming response. . .and helped make the an-
nual dinner a huge success. . .all of the tables looked so
festive. . .1 was out at the SPJST Hall for a little while
around 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon. . .as car after car
drove up with club women bringing centerpieces to depict
their group’s activities. . .and while my list is not nearly
complete . . .we will have a complete list later from Bette
Wyatt, who chaired dinner dinner arrangements this
year. . Eumathian’s centerpiece was of beige, yellow,
and orange silkflowers made by Janie Woodson and
brought out the club’s work in helping to organize the first
library in Burleson 10 years ago. . .beside the floral ar-
rangement there was a library book and card and on the
other side two delicately hued china teacups. Business
and Professional Women’s Club had a handsome arrange-
ment that depicted their interest in education, scholar-
ships, personal development, legislation, civic participa-
tion and parliamentary procedures. . .it was a three tiered
arrangement; two of mirrors and the third covered with
gold velvet inscribed with “Helping Women Since 1919” in
gold letters. . .the top mirror held a hurricane lamp en-
circled with yellow daisies holding the Burleson, Texas
B&PW flags and the American flag. . the bottom tiers
held a gold velvet mortar board with black tassel and the
other tier held a gavel.. . .Some of the other centerpieces
came from Cub Den 2. . .Violet Benia’s eighth grade Girl
Scout Troop. . .Town and Country Garden Club. . .Nola
Dunn Elementary School. . .Burleson Garden
Club. . .Burleson Arts and Crafts. . .Caddo Peak Girl
Scouts of America. . .Omega Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma
Phi Sorority. . .Burleson Mounties Riding
Club. . .American Cancer Society. . .Daughters of St.
Ann’s. . .There were at least 19 centerpieces, so I am
aware that this is not nearly all. . .but for those who took
the time, interest, and creativity, it made for a wonderful
spirit of cooperation. . We did watch while Rev. Carroll
and Maxine Ray with the help and encouragement of Rev.
Thomas Campbell put together the arrangement for the
Burleson Ministerial Association’s centerpiece. . .They us-
ed a bright red, wide satin ribbon streamer down the mid-
dle of the table centered with a pearl studded cross. . .and
miniature cardboard churches surrounding the
cross. . the place card explained; “Burleson Churches
United. . .For the Good Life”. . .until next week? d.e.w.
Meads-McCall
To Say Vows
C.A. and Rosemary Meals of Route 6, Burleson, announce
the engagement and approaching marriage of their
daughter, Margaret Kay, to Joe Wesley McCall, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Joseph Wesley McCall Sr. of Dallas.
The wedding is planned for 2:30 p.m. Feb. 17 in the home
of Mr. and Mrs. David Johnson.
Members Updated
On 1963 Tragedy
Gary Shaw, well-known
researcher of the John F.
Kennedy assassination in
Dallas in 1963, was guest
speaker at the Jan. 24
meeting of the Thursday
Study Club of Joshua.
The meeting was held in
the home of Mrs. Glendon
Seal and Mrs. Ray O’Neal
as to-hostess.
Shaw showed film and
slides of the latest informa-
tion on the assassination and
current status of the in-
vestigation.
During the business
meeting, a final report was
given on the sale of the
, Thursday Study Club
Cookbook. Members approv-
ed donating proceeds trom
the sales of the book to the
Joshua Historical Society for
painting the McPherson
Home.
Refreshments were served
during the social hour.
Mmes. Jean Graver,
Florence Hart, Mary
Williams and Lydia Seal
were welcomed as guests.
Members attending in-
included Mmes. Glen
Bowman, H.C. Brawner,
John Branson, John
Childers, E.R. Dunn, Louis
Ferns, E.J. Foreman, L.E.
Magers, E.A. Minter, Ray
O’Neal, N.H. Pearson, W.R.
Putnam, J.L. Ross, Glendon
Seal, R.J. Stuart and C.W.
Vest.
MRS. RICHARD M. FI8CU8
. . .the former Lisa
Gail Geckler
Library Progress
Reported At Meet
< if/ -.Vi.'
Auxiliary of Briaroaks
Volunteer Fire Department
heard a status report of the
new Burleson Public Library
from Librarian, Sandy
Babb, at its Jan. 28 meeting
in Briaroaks Firehall on
Ward Lane.
Mrs. Babb said the new
library is scheduled now to
open the latter part of
February./
In relating the history of
the library and its present
progress, Mrs. Babb said it
had grown from 1,000 books
in 1970 to 15,000 books and
she anticipates more growth
in its new location on
Johnson Avenue.
In addition to serving
Burleson patrons, she
pointed out the library ser-
vices an also available to
residents in Joshua, Rendon,
Alvarado, and surrounding
iiitica.
lid it is also possible
re books and other
communities.
She saitj
to secure
materials from Inner
Library Loans.
She noted there is a need
for volunteers especially
during the move from the old
location to the new building.
During the business
meeting, members approved
donating $1,000 to the Fire
Department to be U8ed
toward the purchase of a
new truck chassis. The
money was derived from
bake sales, selling gift wrap-
pings, paper sales and
Ladies Auxiliary Cookbooks,
which have been compiled
by the membership.
Plans were discussed for
serving a Sweetheart Ban-
quet In February and in-
viting fire department
PAGE BA
PROMISE £»
AN EXCITING CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
SHARING THEIR WITNESS AT. . .
7:30 P.M. - Wed., Feb. 6
Crestmont Baptist
Church
U: *•.
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Hutson, Wayne & Moody, James. Burleson Star (Burleson, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 31, Ed. 1 Monday, February 4, 1980, newspaper, February 4, 1980; Burleson, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth761145/m1/4/: accessed June 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Burleson Public Library.