Remembering The Past
Lifesavers Relay for Life team seeking stories of 'days gone by' for publication
By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com
Stories of the past - you've heard them from your grandparents or parents. Reminiscing about days gone by, these stories can be both amusing and touching.

Donna Mikeska and Sandy Bartash look over some of the submissions to be included in a book about stories of the past, a project being done by the Lifesavers Relay for Life team. Dayle Aulds is also assisting in its publication. So far, about 120 stories have been received, but more are needed. If you live in the El Campo area or grew up here, please share your stories. Topics can be anything from times when there was no electricity or plumbing, inventions, events, family gatherings, funny stories and more. Stories can be submitted to Mikeska via e-mail or by filling out a form available at El Campo Memorial Hospital. See accompanying article for additional information. L-N Photo by Quala Matocha

Now is the opportunity to include such "stories of the past" in a publication that will benefit the American Cancer Society. Sponsored by the Lifesavers Relay for Life team, which includes staff from Mid Coast Medical Clinic and El Campo Memorial Hospital, the idea to compile stories came about after a patient shared a story with ECMH Radiologic Technologist Sandy Bartash.

"Albert Wendel was the inspiration for the book," Bartash said.

While not a member of the Lifesavers walking team, Bartash, Donna Mikeska and Dayle Aulds are assisting the group with this project that will raise funds for the team in next year's Relay for Life event.

Stories should preferably be from people who grew up in the El Campo area or from those who currently live here. They do not have to be about El Campo, but citizens' past experiences of people, places and events that were significant to them.

"We want community members to reflect on past memories," Bartash said. "We would love to have as many stories as possible. People can reflect about another day, and those truly were the good 'ole days."

"This is also a way they can pass down their heritage," Mikeska added.

One submission is about a woman who purchased a television during a time when many households didn't have one. She sold tickets for people to come watch movies and sold popcorn as well. Money made was used to make payments on her television.

Another story talks about attending Crescent High School when there was no indoor plumbing. He also used his earnings from picking cotton to buy his first bicycle, which required a permit. This was during World War II.

Your stories, to be included in a book and available for purchase, may be submitted by filling out a form available at ECMH or by e-mailing Donna Mikeska @ dmikeska@ecmh.org. The form may be dropped off at the hospital, e-mailed or faxed to Mikeska's attention to 979-543-8420.

"To date we have received about 120 stories," Mikeska said of the good response so far.

Some suggested stories, but not limited to these subjects, could evolve around times when there was no plumbing and electricity, raising farm animals, early school days, farming, new technology, health care, games and other forms of entertainment, old politics, times of war, shopping and automobiles. Mikeska and Bartash suggested visiting family and friends in the nursing home to write down their stories.

"We want them to pass down stories of who they are," Mikeska said.

"Tell us about your Depression stories, World War II stories - where were you when Pearl Harbor was bombed?, and even funny stories," Bartash said.

The price of the book is pending on the number of entries and cost of publication. According to Mikesa, they are seeking a sponsor to pay for the underwriting of the book. Volunteers are also being sought to assist in typing the stories.

Stories may be submitted through the end of December. For additional information call Bartash at 578- 5243, or Mikeska at 578-5261.