Carol Mae Guild Sutton

known as Carol, Auntie Carol Mae, Christmas Baby Carol

also written Carol Mae, Carol, Auntie Carol Mae, Baby Carol, Christmas Baby Carol, Carol Sutton in the book

Biography

Birth date also recorded as “December 24, 1938, at 9:00 a.m.” (Carol's Chapter). Second daughter and fourth child; describes herself as the true middle child after three younger daughters were born. Her father named her Carol Mae in honor of the Christmas season. Birth weight was not recorded on her birth certificate; she was told she was very small, carried on a little pillow, and kept in an oval wicker basket on a bedroom shelf so her little brothers could not get at her. Narrator. Says she was four when the family moved in 1942 and twelve when she helped sell tomatoes about 1950. Her father let her keep the tomato-sale money. Shared a living-room couch bed with Diana and Delores. Narrator of Carol's Chapter; recalls the weekly laundry routine for a household of ten and helping with a mangle. Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Learned to ration water during recurring well shortages and still avoids letting water run while washing dishes or brushing teeth. Identified in the chapter attribution as the narrator. Narrates the family's spring and fall housekeeping ritual. Learned to paint from her mother. Seeing her grandchildren use Play-Doh reminds her of the pink, gummy wallpaper-cleaning material used during these cleanings. Narrator. Was living with Mom and Chris when Chris accidentally locked her outside in winter. Narrates a childhood Saturday-night bathing routine shared by seven children. Refers to her mother as Mom; neither her mother nor her siblings are named in the passage. Narrator; was ten years old when Iris married. Narrator. Lived in four rooms on 39th Street from 1942 until about 1949 or 1950. Recalls being about twelve when Daddy added a bathroom and two bedrooms. Did not feel poor growing up but privately associated the family's outhouse with poverty and did not want school friends to know about it. Identified in the chapter heading as the storyteller. Recalls Grandpa Williams’s support and Lloyd’s wartime gifts and letters. Narrator. Describes a happy, carefree childhood and a lifelong closeness to Dee, almost as though Dee were her twin. Refers to her mother as Mom, without naming her. Narrator. Recalls playing with her sisters and neighborhood children. Her parents are referred to only as Mom and Daddy. Identified in the chapter heading as the teller. Remembers jump-rope chants and hours of entertainment with simple games. Identified as the chapter narrator. Remembers making string figures: Jacob’s Ladder, The Witch’s Broom, Cup & Saucer, Rock the Baby, Chicken’s Feet, and Cat’s Cradle. Identified as the teller of Carol's Chapter. This section gives instructions for making a button hum by winding and unwinding a loop of string. Identified as the narrator of Carol's Chapter. Lists remembered purchased toys: Jacks, Marbles, Jump rope, Cap Guns, Lincoln Logs, Paper-dolls, Erector set, and Tinker Toys. Narrator. At about eight or nine years old, cut her right knee on her scooter near the family's strawberry patch. Four clamps closed the wound, leaving a scar still visible when she told the story. Narrator of the childhood memories of home doctoring and family physicians. Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Recalls being ashamed of the family's old cars. Her parents are referred to only as Daddy, Dad, and Mom in this passage. Narrator. Never accompanied Daddy to Minnesota and never met or knew her paternal grandparents. Identified as the narrator in the chapter attribution. Daddy is not named in this passage. Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Made a two-egg cake almost every day while in junior high; refused Daddy's offer of ten cents to eat liver. Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Recalled favorite Sunday meals, doing dishes with Dee, and enjoying the funnies in the Sunday paper. Identified as the teller of Carol's Chapter. This section lists remembered funnies rather than biographical information. Narrator. Remembers receiving 365 Bedtime Stories, a View Master, and a bisque doll for childhood birthdays. Her mother made outfits for the doll. At the time of writing, the doll was over fifty years old and displayed on her dresser. Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Her Saturday cleaning task was dusting the curliques on Mom’s foot-treadle sewing machine. Narrates a childhood memory from about age twelve or thirteen. Saved baby-sitting money for an Easter coat, but her wallet was stolen while she tried it on. Her mother, referred to only as Mom, gave her the twenty-five dollars needed for the coat. Narrator. Recalls her mother's sewing, a favorite orange-and-white three-piece dress from first or second grade, and wearing hand-me-downs and clothing received from friends. Narrator; recalls childhood moviegoing in the Forties. Roy Rogers was her hero. Narrator of the chapter; describes the incentive Daddy offered for helping harvest the corn. Narrator of Carol's Chapter; recalls family picnics and nut-gathering outings. Narrator of Carol's Chapter; recalls family Friday nights with homemade fudge and board games. Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Loved her mother's Depression Fruitcake and says she still does. Named as the teller of Carol's Chapter; the section heading is YEAST BREADS. Identified in the chapter heading as the narrator. Narrator of Carol's Chapter; recalls one of the first radios they had, a Philco table radio. Identified as the teller of this chapter. Lists radio programs she remembers listening to; Yukon King was her favorite. Recalls Dad laughing at The Amos N’ Andy Show and Mom enjoying Kate Smith and One Man’s Family. Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Says she would have been about twelve around 1950. Watched Howdy Doody daily at the McFarlands' house and enjoyed televised wrestling with her father. Identified as the teller of Carol's Chapter. This excerpt lists television programs and cartoons; names within program titles are not treated as separate individuals. Identified in the chapter attribution as the teller of Carol's Chapter. Narrator of Carol's Chapter; describes I Love Lucy as her all-time favorite. Identified as the teller of Carol's Chapter. Was very active in the Peppy Steppers 4-H Club for many years, beginning at age nine, although her family did not live on a farm. Older sister of Diana. Learned cooking and sewing through 4-H with guidance from her mother, referred to as Mom. Photographs of her appeared in newspapers for 4-H events and sewing projects. Demonstrated baking powder biscuit making on WOC-TV. Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Attended White Eagle 4-H Camp with Dee and Eilene Peterson. Was a Brownie and then a Girl Scout, and attended Camp Shabone many summers. Described herself as the “camper” in the family. Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Began Sunday school at Calvary Lutheran Church at perhaps five or six, riding its neighborhood bus. Her unnamed father never attended church; her unnamed mother joined Calvary after his death and attended every Sunday with Carol until her own death. Carol belonged to Luther League and the Women's Group, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, prepared bulletins and newsletters in the office, and served on the council. Baptized and confirmed May 16, 1954, at age fifteen. Reports belonging to Calvary for over fifty years before transferring to a church in North Port, Florida, in 1995. Education also recorded as “Attended school with Marilyn and Patty through high school.” (Carol's Chapter). Narrator. About fourteen when the McFarlands moved into town in 1952. Remained close friends with Marilyn and loved Virginia as if she were a favorite aunt. Education also recorded as “Started kindergarten at Roosevelt Grade School in Moline in 1944; recalls first through fifth grades.” (Carol's Chapter). Narrator. The heading labels 1944–1951 as First to Sixth Grade, while the narrative says kindergarten began in 1944. Was about six on August 15, 1945. Had her tonsils removed in third grade, began wearing glasses in fourth grade, and won a fifth-grade reading contest with over sixty books and written reports. Narrator. Reading a good novel remains her favorite activity. Her favorite books then were Little Women and The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. She also read Nancy Drew mystery stories and Bernie and Bob's copies of Hardy Boys books. Played Jacks endlessly in fifth grade and received a blue ribbon in a school contest. She still had the ribbon in the family scrapbook when recounting this memory. Education also recorded as “Recalls fifth- and sixth-grade autograph books and being a sixth-grade cheerleader.” (Carol's Chapter). Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Still keeps her class autograph book with other grade-school memorabilia. Her mother made her cheerleading outfit and prepared individually labeled school lunches. Education also recorded as “Attended Coolidge Junior High School in seventh through ninth grade, 1951–1954; earned A’s and a few B’s.” (Carol's Chapter). Recalled walking to school, buying taffy apples, slumber parties, records, sock hops, and intramural sports. Her father sold apples to her Home Economics teacher for cooking classes. Education also recorded as “Tenth through twelfth grade, 1954–1957. Took English, History, Biology, Literature, Spanish, Geometry, Government, shorthand, typing and other business courses. Member of the Future Nurses Club, Civic Club, Home Economics Club and Spanish Club.” (Carol's Chapter). Narrator. Earned A’s and B’s and enjoyed library research. Made all her full-circle skirts. Considered nursing, but her parents did not have the money; in retrospect she was glad she did not become a nurse. Education also recorded as “Graduated from high school.” (Carol's Chapter). Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Neil Sedaka's Oh! Carol was a favorite because her name was in the title; it was the only 45 rpm record she still owned. Narrator. Does not recall going to the movies very often in high school; lists favorite stars and particularly admires Esther Williams's swimming movies. Education also recorded as “Took Driver’s Education in tenth grade and obtained a permit; obtained her driver’s license after graduating and getting a job.” (Carol's Chapter). Lived with Iris and Bill while saving all her earnings for three months. Her father helped her find her first car, a green 1948 Chevy costing three hundred dollars. Her unnamed sisters also drove it for years. Narrator. Close friend of Lila Lambert (now Becker) from grade school through high school and still at the time of writing. They attended the same church, belonged to Luther League, and attended Friday-night high school football and basketball games together. Identified as the narrator in the chapter heading. Narrator. Recalled drive-in outings with friends and family, including trying a cigarette for the first time. Said none of the group liked it and none ever smoked. Had her first boyfriend, John Clyde, at seventeen. He was the first boy she kissed, and she wore his class ring around her neck. She had known him her entire life; he was a neighbor and a member of her church. Education also recorded as “Attended junior high and high school.” (Carol's Chapter). Narrator. Earned spending money baby-sitting and kept check stubs from her summer carhop job. Education also recorded as “Attended high school in Moline from fall 1954 to graduation in 1957; graduated in the top fourth of her class and wore a gold tassel.” (Carol's Chapter). Still keeps her gold graduation tassel. Drives by her former high school whenever she returns to Moline and feels sad that it is now an architectural firm. The new Moline High School, completed in 1958, was within walking distance of where she grew up. Identified in the chapter heading as the teller. Lists memories she wanted included after the book was finished. Identified as the chapter's narrator; recalls her parents' marriage, work, friendships, card games, and politics. Narrator of the chapter. Her birth certificate spells her mother's middle name Kathryn. Narrator of the chapter. Lived in Germany with Charlie and Chris when Mom visited for three months. Their relationships are not specified in this passage. Narrator of Carol's Chapter. Recalls playing 500 with her sisters and mother during holiday gatherings. Narrator of the chapter. Treasures her mother's handmade ornaments and the memory of exchanging hand caresses at her mother's bedside. Narrator identified in the chapter attribution. Writing these memories brought a new appreciation of her father's work and devotion. Identified in the chapter heading as the narrator. Remembers Daddy's habits and describes his final illness and death. Occupation also recorded as “Subscription work at Augustana Book Concern; worked at Moline Daily Dispatch and Franciscan Hospital; Department of Defense secretary and later budget analyst at Rock Island Arsenal.” (Carol's Chapter). Education also recorded as “Graduated from Moline High.” (Carol's Chapter). Says she was twenty-six when she married in 1965 and thirty-three when she divorced in 1972. Identified in the chapter attribution as the storyteller. Occupation also recorded as “Secretary for the commander of a Nike Hercules Missile Battalion in Germany; worked at the 31st ADA Brigade at Homestead Air Force Base; resumed her career at the Rock Island Arsenal.” (Carol's Chapter). Narrator. Described living in Germany as the happiest time of her life. Mom visited, but her name is not given. Occupation also recorded as “Retired from the Rock Island Arsenal in October, 1993” (Carol's Chapter). Education also recorded as “Attended schools in Moline, including Coolidge Junior High School.” (Carol's Chapter). Narrator. Enjoys reading, playing the keyboard, making Christmas ornaments, and collecting swans. Charlie gave her the first three swans on their first three anniversaries; her collection now exceeds one hundred. Narrator. Describes her love for her grandchildren and her wish to encourage them as they grow. Identified as the teller of Carol's Chapter. Celebrated her 23rd birthday on the day of the family photographs. birth date recorded both as “December 24, 1938” and as “Christmas Eve” in the book; kept as written. occupation also recorded as “Had jobs; work not specified.” in the book. Listed as “Carol Mae and Carol Barrel.” The exact identity and relationship between these names are not explicitly explained. Author of “Good as Ever,” an introduction to favorite Guild childhood games and instructions for playing them. One of the sisters Barbara asked to see for comfort in Kindergarten. A card game shortly before Mom's death took place at Carol's house. Slept on a roll away bed in the living room. Barbara took her dyed-to-match outfits when she left for work. Barbara thinks the car she took for a nighttime swimming trip was Carol's; ownership is explicitly uncertain. Listed among Barbara's siblings on her staircase. Deeply cut her knee in Virginia’s strawberry patch. Babysat Diana, Dee, and Barb. Described as the oldest sister remaining at home and like a second mother. Led Peppy Steppers 4-H Club meetings at Mrs. Holder’s house. Owned a car used by her younger sisters. The narrator's big sister; described as friendly and understanding. Fourth child in the stated birth order, after Bob and before the narrator. One of the girls given a Toni home perm by Mom and Virginia. Was put in charge of making desserts when old enough. Mom made a scratch angel food cake for Carol's Christmas Eve birthday, as she did for each child's birthday. Occupation also recorded as “Worked at the Moline Dispatch” (Dee's Chapter). Married and had a child. Joined the narrator and Mom in collecting natural craft materials. Took Mom on Saturday banking, shopping, and lunch outings after Daddy died. Mom visited Germany when Carol's husband was transferred there. Occupation also recorded as “Worked briefly at the Tasty Treat root beer stand.” (Dee's Chapter). Narrator’s sister and a wonderful cook whose cooking won a baking award and a trip to the Illinois State Fair. Shared a room with the narrator and pooled first paychecks to redecorate it. Dee's childhood playmate and close sister, with similar appearance and mannerisms. Injured her knee riding a scooter and received four clamps, leaving a scar. Loves cooking; her mother loved her shrimp dipped in beer. Helped Dee care for their mother in her later years. One of the six younger siblings Iris helped care for. Named in the verse beginning “Down in the valley.” The passage does not explicitly identify this verse character with the narrator. A picture in Carol's memories on page 174 shows the mailbox millstone. Robert thinks Carol drove the stick-shift car made from a 1936 Chevy and a 1937 Chevy. Introduced as the narrator's new sister and a Christmas baby. Sleeps in an oval laundry basket. Grandpa feeds her apple scraped with a teaspoon. Taught the narrator Jacks and played it at length with Dee and Diana. The narrator thinks Carol was probably the girl taking a bath who yelled that Sonny was peeping; he is not certain. Told the narrator that he screamed at the sight of blood; he thinks she is wrong. He thinks Carol may have been the girl who had scarlet fever and recovered, but explicitly cannot remember which girl it was. After Carol's birth, Mom returned from the hospital very sick, anemic, pale, and weak for a long time. Brought home from the hospital as a small baby with neck muscles too weak to turn the head independently. Mom taught the others to alternate the position of Carol's head whenever they passed the baby basket. Eventually could hold the head up independently. Listed after Bob in birth order, followed by Delores and Diana, with births described as about eighteen months apart. Ethel took in Carol and Chris after Carol's divorce. In 1979 lived in Germany with husband Charlie and son Chris. Ethel took in Carol and Chris after Carol’s divorce. Carol, Charlie and Chris were stationed in Mainz with the Army in 1979; individual service status and their relationships are not specified. Named as a player in an illustrative example explaining the rules of Mother, May I? No actual occasion of play is specified. Carol’s memories explain string games like Cat’s Cradle.

Timeline

December 24, 1938
Birth of CAROL MAE GUILD SUTTON
The Guilds
9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 24, 1938
Christmas Eve birth of Carol Mae
Carol was born to Ethel, age twenty-nine, and Floyd Guild, age thirty-two. Her father named her Carol Mae in honor of the Christmas season.
Carol's Chapter
In the Forties
Doctors make house calls
Mom changed the children's bed sheets before the doctor arrived. Dr. Cook supplied pills or cough syrup, anticipating that more children would develop the same ailment.
Carol's Chapter
the Forties
Almost weekly Saturday matinees
Carol attended Saturday matinees almost every week as a child; admission was twenty-five cents and popcorn a nickel.
Carol's Chapter
one summer in the Forties
A summer visit from Floyd's three sisters
The sisters came from Brainerd; Carol had not met them before.
Carol's Chapter
1942
Carol moves to 3209 39th Street
Carol was four years old and remembers running through the empty rooms and jumping in and out of windows.
Carol's Chapter
from 1942 until about 1949 or 1950
Living in four rooms on 39th Street
Carol recalls the family living in four rooms. The ending year is given as approximately 1949 or 1950.
Carol's Chapter
1944
Carol starts kindergarten
Mrs. Hogland drove the children to school; Carol sat on a board supported by two cement blocks.
Carol's Chapter
August 15, 1945
Celebrating the radio announcement that the war was over
Ruth and John explained the news; the children jumped, clapped, and shouted. Carol says she was about six and that the war was officially over that day.
Carol's Chapter
about 1950
Carol earns money from the tomato harvest
At twelve, Carol helped her father pick, polish, and pack tomatoes, placing the prettiest on top. Tomatoes sold for three dollars a bushel, and her father let her keep the money. Some were sold to Sam Gnatovich.
Carol's Chapter
around 1950
Watching the neighborhood's first television
The McFarlands had the first television in the neighborhood. Carol, who says she would have been about twelve, went to their house daily to watch Howdy Doody.
Carol's Chapter
1951 - 1954 (Seventh to Ninth Grade)
Carol’s seventh through ninth grades at Coolidge Junior High School
Carol earned A’s and a few B’s, took the usual subjects, and recalled being Mrs. McManus’s favorite in seventh-grade Home Economics.
Carol's Chapter
May 16, 1954
Carol's baptism and confirmation
Carol says she was baptized and confirmed at fifteen.
Carol's Chapter
1954 - 1957
Carol's tenth through twelfth grades
Carol recalls high school courses, clubs, term papers and teenage life.
Carol's Chapter
fall of 1954
Carol enters high school
Carol remembers timidly entering the school's doors.
Carol's Chapter
1956
Carol's first taste of pizza
Carol tasted pizza for the first time while on a date with John Clyde.
Carol's Chapter
1957
Carol graduates with a gold tassel
Carol graduated in the top fourth of her class, earning a gold tassel for her graduation cap that she still keeps.
Carol's Chapter
1958
New Moline High School completed
The new school was completed a year after Carol graduated and was close enough to where she grew up that she could have walked there.
Carol's Chapter
July 3, 1965
Carol marries Donald M. Boney
Carol was twenty-six.
Carol's Chapter
Christmas holiday, 1967
Holiday gathering at Iris and Bill's
The family gathered for the holiday while Mom stayed home with Daddy.
Carol's Chapter
After the stroke and before May 23, 1968
Family care at home and the search for a suitable hospital
The family rejected St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rock Island because of smoking patients and Daddy's breathing difficulty. Mom cared for him at home with help from the girls and daily help from Virginia. Exhaustion and a lack of suitable alternatives eventually led to his placement at East Moline State Hospital.
Carol's Chapter
January 27, 1967
Chris is born
Carol's Chapter
May 23, 1968
Daddy dies surrounded by family
Daddy died at age sixty-three with Mom and all the children around him.
Carol's Chapter
1972
Carol and Don divorce
After seven years of marriage; Carol was thirty-three and Chris five.
Carol's Chapter
1973
Carol begins work at Rock Island Arsenal
Worked for the Department of Defense as a secretary, then budget analyst. Met Charlie while serving as his secretary.
Carol's Chapter
January 1975
Carol and Charlie fall in love at a dinner-dance
Sat together and danced; Carol describes instant love.
Carol's Chapter
April 30, 1976
Carol and Charlie marry in Berne
They spent two years overseas.
Carol's Chapter
July of 1978
Leaving Germany for Florida
After leaving Germany, they were assigned to the 31st ADA Brigade at Homestead Air Force Base, where both worked.
Carol's Chapter
September of 1979
Returning to Moline
Returned to Moline after a short stay in Florida.
Carol's Chapter
September of 1979
Resuming careers at the Rock Island Arsenal
Both resumed their careers at the Rock Island Arsenal upon returning to Moline.
Carol's Chapter
1979
Ethel's cherished European holiday
Bernie sent Ethel to Germany to visit Carol's family, then joined them. They toured Germany and Denmark in a huge government-issued Mercedes.
History of the Guild Family
1979
Ethel’s dream trip to Europe
Bernie sent her to visit family stationed in Mainz with the Army, joined her, and traveled with the group to Denmark in a government-issued Mercedes.
History of the Guild Family
About 1986, on Carol's birthday
Dee surprises Carol with her restored doll
Dee secretly had a friend refurbish the doll, then put it on a stand and gave it to Carol as a birthday surprise.
Carol's Chapter
October, 1993
Carol retires from the Rock Island Arsenal
Carol's Chapter
1995
Carol transfers church membership
Carol transferred from Calvary to her current church in North Port after what she describes as over fifty years of membership.
Carol's Chapter
July of 1995
Beginning Phase Two in Florida
Carol describes moving to Florida for retirement and now living in North Port on the western coast.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Barbara starts Kindergarten
Barbara cried daily and asked for her sisters to comfort her before eventually adjusting.
Barbara's Chapter
Not long before her death in 1988
A secretly arranged perfect 500 hand
While Mom went to the bathroom, the players arranged a perfect hand for her. Diana was visiting from Florida. Mom was delighted and was never told about the trick.
Barbara's Chapter
Teen years, in the middle of the night
Midnight swimming trip in a possibly borrowed car
Barbara took someone's car while everyone slept, picked up friends, and drove to the strip mines to swim. She thinks the car was Carol's; Carol is mentioned only as its possible owner.
Barbara's Chapter
Diana’s very earliest memory
Carol injures her knee in the strawberry patch
Carol fell and cut her knee deeply. Virginia took her to the hospital; the girls, including the McFarland girls, screamed.
Diana's Chapter
Early childhood
Charcoal names on the garage lead to punishment
Dee, Barb, and Diana wrote names on the garage, then threw rocks and a brick at Carol after she threatened punishment. Their father spanked them and made them clean the garage.
Diana's Chapter
One year during childhood
Carol and Diana win a State Fair trip
Both won trips through demonstrations at the county fair; Diana made a coffee cake. Carol supervised Diana, took her on a Double Ferris Wheel, and bought cotton candy. Diana privately suspected the contest had been arranged so Carol could care for her.
Diana's Chapter
date not given
Carol’s car rolls downhill
Diana forgot the emergency brake. The car rolled into a neighbor’s yard and stopped against a tree without a dent; Diana never told.
Diana's Chapter
High school years
The sisters sell garden tomatoes
The four girls picked and shined tomatoes, which their father took them to sell at a store’s produce department. They kept earnings in separate kitchen containers; Dee saved the most.
Diana's Chapter
Beginning of college
Diana leaves for college
Carol and their parents took Diana to college. Her father offered to bring her home to attend Moline Public Hospital’s Nursing School; her mother insisted she get out of the car. Carol cried and asked her not to go.
Diana's Chapter
A few weeks after Diana’s first week of college
Iris and Bill give Diana Tillie the Toiler
Unable to manage the long walk to nursing classes, Diana requested a car. Iris and Bill gave her a 1954 blue Ford, which ran for four years before stalling in her last school week. Carol later said their father had asked Bill to buy it. 1954 is the car’s model year, not a stated event year.
Diana's Chapter
As the girls were growing up
An entire day of Toni home perms
Mom and Virginia gave the girls Toni home perms. The narrator refused to attend school the following day because her hair was too curly.
Dee's Chapter
Christmas Eve
Carol's Christmas Eve birthday celebration
Mom made an angel food cake from scratch using twelve egg whites and used the yolks to make homemade noodles.
Dee's Chapter
After Dad died
Gathering materials for Mom's crafts
The narrator and Carol took the children nature hunting with Mom to collect pine cones, acorns, nuts, and other materials for her Nature Trees.
Dee's Chapter
date not given
Carol's marriage
Carol married; her husband is later named Charlie.
Dee's Chapter
Tuesdays and Saturdays, after Daddy died
Weekly care and lunches with Mom
The narrator took Mom for hair appointments and errands on Tuesdays; Carol handled errands on Saturdays. Mom treated each to lunch.
Dee's Chapter
date not given
Carol’s baking award
Her cooking won a baking award and a trip to the fair to demonstrate her talent.
Dee's Chapter
My junior and senior year
Summer work at Tasty Treat
Dee worked summers and enjoyed unlimited root beer in frosty mugs. Carol worked there briefly.
Dee's Chapter
With our very first paychecks
Pooling first paychecks to redecorate
Bought twin beds with Hollywood frames, turquoise corduroy bedspreads with rolled pillows, a swag lamp, and a round rug. Mom made matching checked gingham curtains.
Dee's Chapter
One sunny day
Carol's scooter injury
Carol gouged her knee while riding her scooter. She feared going to the hospital and received four clamps, leaving a scar.
Dee's Chapter
date not given
Carol and Charlie relocate for his career
The poem states that Carol and Charlie relocated because of his career, then describes their marriage and a few years in Germany.
Dee's Chapter
date not given
Carol and Charlie marry in Germany
They married in Germany and spent a few years attending wine festivals, eating brauts, and drinking German lager and stouts.
Dee's Chapter
in her later years
Sisters care for their mother
Dee and Carol cared for their mother, providing steady support and bringing her cheer through visits and talks.
Dee's Chapter
After her birth in 1938
Carol comes home to her siblings
Carol went home to the apartment to join her sister Iris and brothers Bobby and Bernie.
Carol's Chapter
One year
Grandpa Williams buys a mangle
Grandpa Williams bought Mom a cylindrical ironing machine to help with the large amount of ironing. The children thought it was a great invention and fought over whose turn it was to help.
Carol's Chapter
for years
Hauling water during recurring well shortages
When the family well went dry, Mom hauled water from Reichenberg’s well to wash clothes.
Carol's Chapter
At one time
A wagon-mounted tank supplies water to family and neighbors
Daddy had a wagon fitted with a five-hundred-gallon water tank he had made. He went to town two or three times a week to obtain water for the family's and neighbors' dry wells.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Making cinder plants
Carol recalls putting iodine on pointed cinders to make what she describes as brilliant, iridescent, multicolored stalagmites.
Carol's Chapter
Twice a year, spring and fall
Spring and fall housekeeping
Recurring household cleaning included cleaning wallpaper, washing and stretching lace curtains, beating rugs, airing household textiles, painting as needed, washing windows and changing storm windows and screens, discarding unneeded items, and storing seasonal clothing with mothballs.
Carol's Chapter
Winter, when Chris was about five years old
Chris accidentally locks Carol outside in winter
While living with Mom, Carol stepped outside barefoot in a thin housecoat to shake a rug. Chris accidentally locked the door. Mr. Sajben helped her back inside using the skeleton key to his own house.
Carol's Chapter
every Saturday night
The seven children's Saturday-night bath routine
The children bathed from oldest to youngest in a shared galvanized wash tub. Their mother heated water on the stove, provided towel screens for the girls, and warmed drying towels on the oven door.
Carol's Chapter
When Carol was ten years old
Iris marries
Carol recalls that Iris married when she was ten years old; no spouse is named.
Carol's Chapter
when Carol was about twelve
An indoor bathroom and two bedrooms added
Daddy built a bathroom and two bedrooms onto the home, to the family's delight.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Carol moves to Florida
Carol mentions moving to Florida while reflecting on how well Dee had done her hair for thirty-five years.
Carol's Chapter
one year
Carol receives a new red bicycle
Daddy called Carol outside to discover a new red bicycle. She was proud of it and cherished having something brand new; she could not remember her age.
Carol's Chapter
When Carol was about eight or nine years old
Carol's scooter accident and treatment
Carol cut her right knee on the sharp edge of her scooter. Barbara's double pneumonia kept Mom at home, so Virginia accompanied Carol while Mrs. Hannah drove to the doctor. Four clamps closed the wound. Afterward, the girls' discovery of supposed flesh proved to be a piece of strawberry.
Carol's Chapter
After Dr. Menton went to jail
George Cook becomes the family doctor
George Cook became the family's doctor and, through frequent visits, a family friend who tracked the children's progress through the years.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Long family car rides
Daddy sometimes took the family on long drives, often as far as the Wisconsin border.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Visits to the Means family
The family visited Bessie and Harry Means and their children, as well as a family named Rogers nearby.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Trips to visit the Moos family
Short family visits to Ray and Arjean Moos and their four boys often included a day at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Airport outings with Daddy
Repeated trips to watch airplanes coming and going and to attend free air shows, sitting on blankets in the surrounding fields.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Occasional ice cream treats at Roselles
Daddy sometimes agreed to stop for Sealtest Ice Cream cones; some cones held a note in the tip stating “Free Cone.”
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Fluffy's disappearance and the later account of his death
Mom said Fluffy went into the woods to die of sickness and old age. Years later Virginia said he had distemper and Dale shot him after Daddy could not.
Carol's Chapter
When we first moved to 39th Street
The family moves to 39th Street
Carol associates the early period at 39th Street with Mom raising chickens, Bob having a pig, and Grandpa Williams raising rabbits.
Carol's Chapter
Once, for Sunday dinner
Sunday ham dinner with Ruth and Tom Johnson
Ruth and Tom Johnson invited the family over. Ruth served ham with all the trimmings, including ham gravy, in their dining room; Carol remembered it as very special.
Carol's Chapter
When Carol was eight or nine years old
Carol receives her last childhood doll
Carol received a bisque doll as a birthday present and treasured it, dressing it in outfits her mother made.
Carol's Chapter
A few years before about 1986
Carol moves to 11th Street in Moline
While unpacking after the move, Carol rediscovered her childhood doll and discussed its survival with Dee.
Carol's Chapter
Every Saturday
Saturday cleaning and shopping routine
The girls helped Mom clean after breakfast, finished by noon, bathed and dressed, then went downtown for shopping, toys, candy, and weekly groceries.
Carol's Chapter
Saturday afternoon before Easter, when Carol was about twelve or thirteen
Carol’s Easter coat savings stolen
A woman stole Carol’s wallet while she tried on a pink, short, lamb’s wool coat. The clerks could not catch the woman, and Carol went home without the coat.
Carol's Chapter
Saturday afternoon before Easter, following the theft
Mom gives Carol money for the coat
After Carol returned home crying, her mother gave her twenty-five dollars for the coat. Carol did not know how her mother could spare the money and believed she had done without something that week.
Carol's Chapter
when I was in first or second grade
Carol's favorite orange-and-white school-age dress
Carol's mother made a three-piece dress with a white puff-sleeved blouse that buttoned onto an orange skirt and a short orange bolero-type jacket. Carol loved it.
Carol's Chapter
once
A frightening showing of the Wizard of Oz
Virginia took the girls to the movie, but the witches frightened them into running to the concession area, and she took them home.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Family picnics at Riverside Park
Recurring family picnics, including gatherings with families from Mom's 500 Club, featured specialty foods, cards, playground play, swimming afterward, and watermelon before going home.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Gathering and preparing black walnuts and hickory nuts
Regular family outings into the woods supplied nuts that were dried on the garage roof, shelled by Grandpa Williams, and baked by Mom with butter and salt.
Carol's Chapter
Friday nights, after supper
Friday-night fudge and board games
A recurring family evening of cocoa fudge made by Mom, cooled on her mother's hand-painted platter, and board games around the kitchen table.
Carol's Chapter
Christmas Eve, after the family became too large for our house
Family Christmas Eves at Iris and Bill’s
The family enjoyed many Christmas Eve gatherings at Iris and Bill’s.
Carol's Chapter
shortly after the McFarlands
Carol's family gets a television
The family acquired a television shortly after the McFarlands. Carol's father became an avid viewer, while her mother seldom watched.
Carol's Chapter
Starting when she was nine years old; belonged for many years
Carol joins the Peppy Steppers 4-H Club
Carol was very active in club activities even though her family did not live on a farm. Mrs. Earl Holder and Mrs. Earl Bustard were the club leaders.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Carol joins 4-H and begins cooking and sewing
Carol learned cooking and sewing through 4-H, with her mother's guidance and help.
Carol's Chapter
many times over the years
Food and clothing entries at the county fair
Carol repeatedly entered food and clothing projects.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Biscuit demonstration on WOC-TV
Carol demonstrated how to make baking powder biscuits on WOC-TV.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Sisters win a trip to the Illinois State Fair
Carol won for a baking powder biscuit demonstration and Diana for a coffee-cake demonstration. At the fair they rode the double Ferris wheel, and Diana received a large teddy bear from a midway barker.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Camping at White Eagle 4-H Camp
A week of rustic camping with tents, river swimming, crafts, campfire songs, and S’mores. It rained all week.
Carol's Chapter
many summers
Summer visits to Camp Shabone
Carol's father drove her to camp many summers. She was a Brownie and then a Girl Scout and remembered several camp songs.
Carol's Chapter
At maybe five or six years old
Carol begins attending Sunday school
Carol rode the Sunday school bus from her neighborhood.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Carol marries Don Boney
Don Boney was Carol's first husband.
Carol's Chapter
during World War II
Buying war savings stamps at school
The teacher sold stamps weekly. Carol reports still having her Savings Bonds stamp book.
Carol's Chapter
third grade
Three tonsil removals on the same day
Dr. George Cook removed Carol’s, Marilyn’s, and Bob’s tonsils on the same day.
Carol's Chapter
fourth grade
Fourth grade with Mrs. Grafton
Carol learned to tell time, memorized multiplication tables, discovered boys, and began wearing glasses.
Carol's Chapter
fifth grade
Carol wins the reading contest
Read over sixty books during the school year and wrote a report on each. Also began reading comic books around this time.
Carol's Chapter
in fifth grade
Carol receives a blue ribbon for Jacks
Received a blue ribbon in one of the Jacks contests held at school and kept it in the family scrapbook.
Carol's Chapter
Fifth and sixth grade
Carol keeps a class autograph book
Class autograph books were popular during these grades. Carol's surviving book contains verses from family and friends.
Carol's Chapter
Sixth grade
Carol becomes a sixth-grade cheerleader
Carol wore a blue and gold satin outfit made by her mother and felt included in the 'in' crowd.
Carol's Chapter
Periodically during Carol's school years
Periodic school health inspections
Mrs. Shadle checked pupils for ringworm with an ultraviolet lamp, parting their hair with toothpicks. Checking for lice is Carol's speculation.
Carol's Chapter
Seventh grade
First nylons for a first dance
Carol bought her first pair of nylons for her first dance. They had back seams that were difficult to straighten and were held up with a garter belt.
Carol's Chapter
Before Oh! Carol became a hit
Carol graduates from high school
Carol states that Oh! Carol was a hit after she graduated from high school.
Carol's Chapter
tenth grade
Carol completes Driver’s Education
Carol was one of four students out of about fifteen who finished the class and received permits.
Carol's Chapter
After graduating and getting a job, following three months of saving earnings
Carol buys her first car and obtains her driver’s license
Her father helped her find a green 1948 Chevy costing three hundred dollars. She used it to get her driver’s license; her sisters also drove it for years.
Carol's Chapter
Friday nights during high school
Friday-night football and basketball games together
Carol and Lila attended all the Friday-night high school football and basketball games together. Their team was the Moline Maroons; home football games were at Browning Field and home basketball games at Wharton Field House.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Pep rallies, football games, and after-game malts
The narrator recalls using Lila’s dad’s pick-up truck for pep rallies and football games, then loading friends into the back and heading to Iowanna Dairy for a chocolate marshmallow malt.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Friends ride in the trunk for a drive-in outing
Carol recalled putting a couple of friends in the trunk because the front of the car was full.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Carol tries her first cigarette
Sharon brought a pack of cigarettes to a drive-in, and the group tried smoking. Carol said none liked it and none ever smoked.
Carol's Chapter
At seventeen
Carol's first boyfriend
John Clyde was Carol's first boyfriend and the first boy she kissed. She wore his class ring around her neck.
Carol's Chapter
During junior high and high school
Carol baby-sits for spending money
Baby-sat for neighbors and friends of Mom and Dad, mostly Iris and Bill.
Carol's Chapter
In the summer while Iris and Bill’s children were on summer vacation
Summer stays as a mother’s helper
Carol moved into their house to work as a mother’s helper.
Carol's Chapter
Summers
Wisconsin cottage vacations
Carol joined their vacations and enjoyed boating, swimming, and fishing.
Carol's Chapter
Summer between her junior and senior years in high school
Carol’s first part-time job at Tasty Treat
Mrs. Poston cooked and Carol delivered food on trays hooked to car windows. Carol says they made about seventy dollars plus tips that summer.
Carol's Chapter
Christmas
Meeting Christmas Baby Carol
The children tiptoe in to see their new sister sleeping in a laundry basket. Grandpa is upset because Mommy is sick.
Bernie's Chapter
When she needed a passport to visit Carol in Germany
Ethel searches for her baptismal record
With no birth certificate and official records destroyed by fire, Ethel located her baptismal record. It spelled her middle name Kathrine, listed her father's first name as Edwin rather than Edward, and established 1911 rather than her believed 1909 birth year.
Carol's Chapter
Three months, when Carol, Charlie, and Chris lived in Germany
Mom's three-month visit to Germany
Mom visited for three months. Bernie visited during her stay, and the group traveled throughout Germany, Denmark, and Holland.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Giving Mom a perfect 500 hand
Carol and her unnamed sisters stacked the cards to give their mother a perfect 500 hand. Her excitement kept them from revealing their trick.
Carol's Chapter
the years just before Daddy got sick and passed away
Visits from Uncle Clarence and Francis
They visited a few times with their five unnamed children, whom Carol came to know well.
Carol's Chapter
a recent trip home
Carol hears Herb's memories of Daddy
Herb described Floyd's inventions, assistance to neighbors, and protectiveness toward his girls.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Carol graduates from Moline High
Graduation preceded her first full-time job.
Carol's Chapter
After graduation until December 1966
Carol's first full-time job
Vendla helped Carol obtain subscription work starting at one dollar an hour. Carol and Eilene commuted together.
Carol's Chapter
After the 1972 divorce
Carol and Chris move in with Mom
Moved in with Carol's Mom.
Carol's Chapter
Before 1973
Carol works at Moline Daily Dispatch
Carol's Chapter
Before 1973
Carol works at Franciscan Hospital
Carol's Chapter
During the years in Germany
Working at neighboring units in Germany
Carol was secretary to the commander of a Nike Hercules Missile Battalion, next door to the 28th Ordnance Company where Charlie worked.
Carol's Chapter
During the years in Germany
European outings and vacations
Carol recalls skiing in Garmisch, visiting King Ludwig’s castles, and vacations to Denmark, Austria, Holland, Luxenbourg and Switzerland.
Carol's Chapter
During the years in Germany
Festivals and weekend markets
Attended the Fasching Parade in Mainz, described as a Pre-Easter celebration, many Wine Fests, and Farmer’s Markets every weekend.
Carol's Chapter
During the years in Germany
Visits and touring with Mom and Bernie
Carol remembers visits and touring with Mom and Bernie.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
A home in the Coolidge school district
Carol chose the district so Chris could attend the same schools she had attended. Nearby boys became his lifelong friends.
Carol's Chapter
7th grade; thirteen years old
Chris's memorable field goal
While playing for the undefeated Coolidge Chiefs football team, Chris kicked what the passage calls the fourth longest field goal in Quad-City football history, twenty-three yards.
Carol's Chapter
At Christmas; on Carol’s 23rd birthday
Family portraits during Bernie's Christmas visit
Bernie photographed the family with a borrowed Leica camera against orange and green fabric in the girls’ bedroom.
Carol's Chapter
Later that day
Carol’s 23rd birthday celebration
The family celebrated Carol’s 23rd birthday after the portrait session.
Carol's Chapter
Early Fifties
A school car built from two junk Chevys
The narrator's father combined a junker 1936 Chevy and a junker 1937 Chevy into one working stick-shift car to take the children to school. Robert thinks Bernie, Carol, and he all drove it.
Bob's Chapter
date not given
Carol's birth
Mom came home from the hospital after Carol's birth and remained very sick, anemic, pale, and weak for a long time.
Iris's Chapter
When Carol was a baby
Carol comes home from the hospital
Carol could not turn the head independently because of weak neck muscles. Mom taught the others to turn the head to the opposite side when passing the baby basket. Carol eventually could hold the head up independently; Iris did not remember how long this took.
Iris's Chapter
date not given
Carol worked at the Moline Dispatch
Dee's Chapter
After Carol's divorce
Ethel welcomes Carol and Chris
Ethel took them in after her children had left and Floyd had died.
History of the Guild Family
After all the children had left and Floyd had died
Ethel welcomes family after divorces
Took in Carol and Chris after Carol’s divorce, then Dee and Susy after Dee’s divorce.
History of the Guild Family

Stories mentioning Carol

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