Eric Putty and Mary Lee Norfleet could have passed for a couple of old Hopkinsville friends out for a Sunday afternoon stroll, circa 1901.
They looked the part in their period clothing, including his top hat and cane and her black dress and gloves. Then Putty pulled out his smartphone, and the scene sort of jumped forward a century and change to Sunday, Oct. 19, 2019.
It was all part of the gathering at Virginia Park for the Big Read’s Sunday Social – and a nod to the era of Thornton Wilder’s play, “Our Town.”
Several people in period clothing milled about the park while Fort Campbell jazz musicians played in the old bandshell. Knockem Hill served barbecue and Heather’s food truck had ice cream. Children played old-fashioned games and adults decorated hats with fresh flowers.
A pie contest had just three entries, but it was enough to pass out some samples after the judges named the winners. They were: Ginny Lawson’s pecan, chocolate and bourbon pie, first place; Margaret Prim’s French silk chocolate pie, second place; and Martha White’s cranberry-cherry cobbler, third place.
Big Read events continue through Nov. 8. Here’s a complete schedule.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
