No one has fun during a tornado warning. And around here, we take them pretty seriously, as last summer's tornado in our area proved both deadly and destructive. This is what the last one did.
So when we heard the siren, Rick and I gathered up Lizzie (who really did NOT want to go to the basement) and headed downstairs. It looked like it might be close to an hour before it was over. We were taking no chances.
Now, I could think of plenty of productive things we could do in the basement, none of them particularly pleasant. But then an idea struck! Memory Lane!
Long before I saved anything more meaningful than comic books and Mad Magazines (and don't I wish I had them now!) my mother saved newspapers of significant events. And I had a whole bin of them in the basement. Someday I'll have to figure out what to do with them, but on this day there was only one answer -- read them!
Rick and I spent the tornado warning looking at these papers, some of which had things we remembered.
Where were you on 9/11? I suspect anyone in the U.S. can tell you where they were, and perhaps those abroad, too.
Or that historic moment when America's first black president was elected?
What about the day Kennedy was assassinated? I was in seventh grade English class when our teacher announced it. It was right before Thanksgiving break. We were supposed to sell candy that weekend for the school fundraiser but my mom said it wasn't respectful to go out and do that. (Which was OK with me; I hated selling stuff like that and still do!)
Or the day astronauts first walked on the moon. My cousins and I huddled around our aunt's TV on a warm July evening -- at least, I think it was evening -- to see this.
We went through the way-back machine of fragile, yellowed papers. The Nixon resignation.
Churchill's death.
And that of Franklin D. Roosevelt ..
And the end of World War II.
Those were the days when the newspapers published "Extra!" editions.
And sometimes you find something totally unexpected. In this case, it was a photo of my cousin Nancy, making high school homecoming dance decorations in 1959. It was in a paper that chronicled our city's centennial. It was fun to see what stores still existed (or didn't) and recognize some names from the past.
I hate to say this about a tornado warning, but this one was over all too soon. For now these fragile, yellowed papers are back in their bin. We'll figure out what to do with them another day.
Do you have a back-up plan for sitting out a tornado warning? Or do you save old papers or magazines of significant periods?
Sharing with: Talking About It Tuesday
62 comments:
...tornado warnings aren't a thing here, thankfully. But looking back is good, even if some of the things weren't! I hope that you week is going well.
That was an interesting hour of reading. I gather all is well now. We don't get major tornadoes like that, I'm glad to say. We've had them, some damage but not huge.
growing up in northern Indiana I lived through a lot of tornado warnings. many touched down but not super close to us-thank goodness.
I remember all of those newspaper articles except for Roosevelt and the war ending. I had saved quite a few but ended up tossing them in the end. they could be stored in a big scrapbook of some sort.
glad no tornadoes struck down in your area-they can be scary
Looks like the perfect thing to do while waiting out the tornado warning. These newspapers are historical treasures.
You have an impressive collection of newspapers. Kids now days get their news in different ways and won't even know what a newspaper is in the not to distant future. I had some key dates newspapers before I moved, very well preserved and I sold them in an auction. Didn't get much for them since everyone saves the key dates but I was glad they found a home.
I hate tornado season! You were smart to go to the basement. I can't believe you have all those historic papers, maybe you should give them to your local library or a museum?
Jenna
See? That's the thing about clearing out rooms and taking stuff to recycle- It should NOT be done! That is the best time ever, down there waiting out a storm. How very clever of you, Jeanie!
I agree with Linda Sue, a very clever way of riding out a storm. Tornados are so scary! We had one several years ago that touched down a couple of miles away. Very unusual as I had never heard of one in our area and none since. Those newspapers have some historical significance, sad times too. My father saved old newspapers. I have a box in the basement that I need to sort through one of these days. Very interesting post Jeanie, thank you!
What an interesting trip down memory lane.
Look, I'm going to be honest with you. I feel like folks around here are too quick with the tornado watches and warnings and we tend to ignore them. Our basement is not comfortable and only one time in the entire time we've lived here has a tornado actually touched down in our town. And it was on the other side of town. The most damage done was actually by straight line winds that knocked down hundreds of trees in our small town, but the sirens never went off for that storm! So...I guess I should be better about my tornado preparations.
I'm sorry to hear about the tornado season. I would find the sirens and the thought of trees being damaged and coming down scary.
Oh Jeanie, that is awesome that you have kept all these newspaper clippings. Wow, that's something. I love history, and if we can look back on all the events in our lives with old newspapers, how special is that? That photo of cousin Nancy making high school homecoming dance decorations is a treasure for you. I have a picture of the Homecoming float we made when I was class president. You even have some clippings of the war. Tornado warnings are scary. I'm glad you are alright. This has inspired me to keep all those historical events that happen to us in our time. Our loved ones after us will find them very interesting. I enjoyed your post very much, Jeanie.
~Sheri
I remember all of those except for Roosevelt and WWII. But exactly where I was when Kennedy was shot and 911. Being elated when Nixon resigned and when Obama was elected--for very different reasons--lol! The moonwalk and the blue marble pictures. Martin Luther and Bobby being shot. The Vietnam War (but by that time I remember more the videos on the news than the front pages of the paper). The riots and marches. Bra burnings and draft card burnings. Even burning piles of Beatles records!
Those newspaper headlines look so similar to the Minneapolis Star Tribune my folks always had delivered by the various paperboys. (Back then they were mostly boys.) I think the first thing I remember about the news was the Cold War, Kennedy's election, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Having to curl up under our desks for bomb drills in school (and even as a child thinking it was such a ridiculous useless thing to do).
Tornadoes--whenever I lived in a house we went to the basement. In apartments, went into the bathroom and shut the door. Walked home from a science fair at the junior high in-between a barrage of tornadoes in Fridley, MN 1965. Danced on a piece of the senior high roof to try to cheer up the girlfriend I was walking home who lived near my house. After the Fridley tornadoes--I always wore tennis shoes during a tornado alert. Grabbed them on my way to the basement or the bathroom--lol! Learned you need rubber soled shoes that won't slip off. Lots of glass, electric wires, splintered wood and who knows what.
I can imagine the time flew by going over all those newspapers! I think you should save them or donate them somewhere. She made a remarkable collection!! :)
I remember where I was on 9/11, at home watching the news. I remember screaming that the second tower will fall as it started to move. Despite being in Romania, a country which was not in NATO or EU at that point, I knew that our lives would change a bit.
At the same time I didn't completely understood terrorism before moving to UK, but that's another thing.
We got the occasional tornado warning in Sarnia. While I was living there, I think there was only one touchdown. It was mostly in the country, which I guess is a good thing although not for the people who were hit. So anyway, we made no special preparations.
Tornadoes are not common where I live. But I can understand the horror it can bring. Glad you guys are safe.
Interesting history there...
Thank you for showing those clippings.
Yes, I scan the headlines and save the newspapers in stacks to read the stories during power outages. Power outages are so frequent here...
Your news clipping reminds me of the childhood journal I used to keep. I threw them away during pandemic. Now I regret it. Tornado is something I have yet experienced, but I count myself lucky out.
Since we don't have tornadoes here, I cannot answer your question. But I can tell you that we have our emergency kit for earthquakes (that tend not to have warnings) and grab and go-boxes for wildfire season. None of which I really want to experience anymore.
It all sounds so scary. I have not been through a tornado warning. We are more prone to tropical cyclones though.
It sounds so scary. I have not been through a tornado warning. We are more prone to tropical cyclones though and they are pretty scary.
I hate tornado warnings. I saw one in my teens and it was not fun. We dont have a basement here, so I always pray non will dome near us here. You have quite the collection of newspapers that are worth something. Janice
It's understandable how serious tornado warnings are taken in your area, especially after experiencing the devastation of last summer's tornado. It's commendable that you and Rick took the necessary precautions and sought shelter in the basement, despite Lizzie's reluctance. Turning a potentially stressful situation into a moment of reflection by delving into the bin of newspapers from significant events in the past was a creative and nostalgic way to pass the time. It's moments like these that remind us of the importance of cherishing memories and finding comfort in the familiar, even during uncertain times.
What a treasure trove you had in your basement! Super collections.
remember 7th gr. and the news. Can almost hear the classroom and reactions.
My goodness what treasures you have there! Sorry about the warning, but so glad you are safe and had such an interesting time in your basement. We have retreated to our basement a few times in the past 50 years. It is unusual to have tornado warnings for us, but the changing climate seems to be having an affect on this issue.
You spend a nice waring going down memory lane. It took your mind off the scary part at the moment.
Cathy
Tornados are no joke, and you are wise to take the warnings seriously --but what a great opportunity you had to revisit this wonderful archive you have collected! Sure seems like there must be some library in the area that would be interested in this kind of collection.... and, actually, I would kind of love to see a collection of these collections, since whatever was considered a significant event would vary person to person... could be pretty interesting, right? Thanks so much for sharing yours!
What makes you hold onto the newspapers? PS: I don't have access to email right now. Might not for the next week or so.
Glad y'all are all right!
We don't have tornado sirens here but sadly tornadoes are becoming more of a regular occurrence; and one that I feel rather ill equipped to deal with. I can't believe all those old newspapers! You have an amazing chronicling of all the world's big moments.
It’s almost enough to make you wish for another tornado. Almost…but not quite!
Waiting out tornadoes is NOT a fun time, but I can see why you enjoyed this one. I wish I'd save my old comic books and Mad magazines too. But these are much more interesting to read. Especially the WW 2 ones your parent's saved. I remember my parents "made" us stay up to watch the Moon walk and Nixon's resignation. It doesn't seem all that long ago, but it definitely was. Time really gets churned up and spun around in our brains, doesn't it? This is a fun post to read, and I'm glad you were safe during the warning. hugs-Erika
A treasure chest,and now I see just how much stuff you have..I am sure I am a close second with 50 yrs of marriage etc..If I had to do it over...LOL
I have not lived through a tornado..but our winds are increasing.
Often windy..I cannot remember that as a young girl.Cagnes Sur Mer had hail on the 22nd again..
So many treasures articles. How smart your mother was keeping this historical papers. Tornados sound so scary. We really don’t get them in California. Thank goodness because we don’t have basements.
We are in an area prone to severe weather and tornado warnings! They have come very close to us, to say the least they are frightening. At least, you enjoyed the wait time looking at old newspapers! I was in 4th grade when my teacher told us of the assassination of President Kennedy. I remember it so well, sad day as was 9/11!
You used your time in the basement not only for your own enjoyment, but for the edification of all of us who read your blog. Your mom would be happy!
I love going down memory lane, but I do it with old photos and scrapbooks. I got rid of old newspapers when we moved to our condo. We actually had a brief tornado warning last evening, but then they continued it for only the counties south of us. 9/11 I was in Chicago airport waiting for my international flight to Narita, Japan. I finally got home very late that night and flew to Japan the end of October.
No back up plan for tornadoes, but then we don't generally get them. Cleaning in my basement yesterday I came across some similar papers and thought "what should I do with them?" Such treasures, but who would want to have them? I love that you read them while you waited, how fun! You have some good ones.
I used to save articles about Jackie Kennedy but discarded them later when I lost interest in her.
I have my mothers cedar chest. The Kennedy papers and the 9/11 papers are safely stashed at the bottom. We also have the papers and magazines for the great ice storm of 1998 that had us prisoners in darkness for a week or more.
These are wonderful historical artifacts! Amazing you still have them. One day if the Antique Roadshow comes by your area, you can bring these to them and I’m sure more treasures from your house. :)
Honestly, Jeanie, my Mom's bed was held up by old magazines and newspapers, some just like yours. And, we are exactly the same age, I was in 7th grade History class when Kennedy passed. Our teacher took his glasses off and cried as it came over the speaker we had in each room.
My suggestion is to go through one at a time---flatten and photograph or scan the images. Now you have to pay to look at old newspapers----! And share them with family, friends and US? in detail...really an interesting piece of Americana and history when NEWS was really Truth in Print! Hugs, Sandi
Having worked for newspapers nearly all my professional life, I don't save them. I think of them as ephemeral. But these are pretty interesting!
I remember my mom had newspapers from the moon landing and, I think, Nixon's resignation tucked up in a closet. But I don't think we kept them when we cleaned out her house. They'd been eaten by silverfish anyway.
Hello Jeanie :=)
Tornadoes don't occur in Portugal thank goodness, they sure wracked havoc in the one you had before this one. It must feel scary when you hear that siren. The newspapers kept your interest and took your mind off what was happening outside, and these historical happenings that made such an impact at the time are real treasures and I'm glad you didn't dispose of them.Many thanks for sharing your rediscovery of the old newspapers.
All the best
Sonjia.
What a delightful way to look back at historical events of the past (that were of course mostly not delightful). I kept the front page of the newspaper from the day that Paul was born. I didn't get that for Taco's birthday but we were so isolated since it was peak covid times and I did not think to ask my MIL to keep the paper that day. Whoops.
I know where my parents were when they learned JFK was assassinated! So it was so impactful that they talked about it often enough for me to now have that memory in my mind. I vividly remember 9/11. I was getting breakfast in my sorority and another friend yelled out when they saw a tower hit by a plane on live tv. I'll never forget that day or the time afterwards. Our country really came together after that. It's hard to imagine that kind of environment in our divided nation but maybe America would surprise me. I hope so.
Tornadoes are a rare occurrence around here.... Although we have had a few warnings in the last couple of years. Nothing serious. You have some interesting pieces of history there. I would be a little afraid of having all that paper around.
Interesting post. Thanks for sharing.
In ym entire lifetime, I have only experienced one tornado warning, and it was 3 weeks ago. West Virginia just doesn't get tornadoes, being situated among the hills.....until it did. The week following, it flash flooded, a much more common weather event. We were without power 3 days. It's been a wild April, to say the least.
My goodness, that archive of newspapers is truly fascinating! WOnderful! And it's always fun looking back at old photos. There was a lot that rang a bell for me in this post. What was I doing at 9/11? I was in Athens airport waiting for a flight to depart. We noticed a crowd gathered around a TV monitor. We thought it might well be a big football game or something and didn't bother to go and see. When we were in the air we realised something was up when the captain came on the intercom and said, "We're not entirely sure yet where we're going to land". That was alarming. I wondered if the crowd round the TV in Athens airport had been watching something relevant, but none of the airline staff would tell us what the issue was. That was even more alarming. On another tack, I used to LOVE Mad Magazines. When I lived in Germany we got them in the PX Stores on the American air force base. Oh I thought they were so cool and funny. I wish I had saved mine, too.
Tornado warnings are serious here as well, and always so scary. I think you have a great collection of newspapers, and I'm in awe. What a treasure trove in your basement and a wonderful way to spend time in or out of the basement. Hope you are doing well and enjoying the week.......
I hopped over from Red Rose Allie......a portion of our little town was destroyed about 60 years ago...and I think about how fun it is to look back at old photos of the buildings that were once standing. I'm sorry you all had to spend time in the basement with a Tornado warning....but it sure looks like you made great use of the time. How very interesting that you have these old newspapers. How very interesting! I enjoyed this visit....
Tornado-warning sounds SO SCARY!
When we were in Darwin, Australia, we went to the NT museum - there was a warning, a dark room and you could hear cyclone Tracy (Christmas 1974) - horrible.
9/11 I was in the office in the VW plant in Wolfsburg. CNN only had the homepage, colleagues who had loved ones in New York tried to phone them - all were OK, luckily.
Ingo was at work - the shop sold TVs and the news were on. Customers thought it´s a movie.
I think world-wide everyone knows where he/she was when the tragedy, the weirdness happened...
And we all were excited about Obama, yippeee - I am still sad he not president anymore (we had 16 darn years of "chancellor" Merkel).
Kennedy I only know about from documentaries. So sad.
Moon: Ingo was 4 years old, his parents dragged him out of bed to watch on TV and he didn´t understand why he had to watch a comic in the middle of the night ;-)
Your Mom did a GREAT job with keeping these!!!!
I read about the surrendering.
I still have an article showing my angry self as "princess" in a kindy-play.
Luckily we have no tornado-warnings (yet). Our cellar is very, very small - and full to the brim.
You should frame all the articles and hang on a wall! Precious!
P.S. I hope it´s OK if I link to this article on my blog?
I'm so glad that you were safe during that tornado warning! Last summer we missed all of that thank goodness, but this year is gearing up to be similar with warnings, unfortunately. I need to revisit our plan for warnings.
I love how you spent the time! What a great way to forget about what was happening outdoors. :)
Tornadoes are a scary thing. I'm glad all went well for you!
You have a fabulous collection of great newspapers! How fun to go through them all.
Happy weekend to you, and I hope there are no tornado warnings!
Wow how scary. I experienced this once in Utica, MI in the 70’s. The sky became green and then everything was silent, alarms went off and we headed for the basement. Turns out a tornado did touch down less than 1/2 a mile away! Sounds like you made good use of your time. I wonder if your library would take those papers. Great collection of events!
I don't think we've had a tornado warning. Lots of hurricanes, but we haven't actually gone to the basement.
I am glad you survived!
Goodness that tornado warning sounds scary.
What a treasure trove of newspapers you have ... amazing.
All the best Jan
I'll take a hurricane over a tornado any day. It's true that hurricanes can spawn tornadoes, but at least it's possible to track and get away from a hurricane. I just heard about the terrible one that struck today in Nebraska -- they don't call it tornado alley for nothing. With no basements here, things can get a little iffy, but they seem to come through here during the night, and I usually sleep right through them.
Those headlines were interesting. I smiled when I read you were in seventh grade when Kennedy was assassinated. I was in my mother's bedroom, modeling the formal I planned to wear that weekend to the Military Ball at Drake University; I was a senior in high school at the time, and my boyfriend went to Drake. Needless to say, the event was postponed.
What great newspapers your mom saved. It's a treasure trove from history.
Visiting today from Talking About It Tuesday 17 #16&17
What an interesting walk through history. We do not have a tornado shelter of any kind in our current house. Something I have been thinking about and need to get figured out.
How marvellous to see all those momentous headlines! Glad you were okay in the tornado.
We read about tornado warnings in the States. You seem to have quite a lot of them, but they may be seasonal? We don't have them in Sweden, luckily, although a few storms in the latter years have done quite a damage. I am glad all went well.
It is great to go through old boxes with memorabilia. It is funny how you remember what you did when certain, big events happened. You even have paper clippings to remind you. Great plan for waiting out the tornado.
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