Memories of Beverly Benick Ewald
Harlandale Presbyterian Church
March 14, 2005

These things I remember…

Earliest memory: sitting in the back row of the church on Mrs. Ridd’s lap. I must have been about 2 Ѕ years old. This was at the old church on East Hart Ave. and South Flores St.

Walking from our house on Burcham Ave. to the new church on Pleasanton Road, every Sunday, hot or cold, rain or shine.

My favorite Sunday School teacher as a young child: Mrs. P. E. Gragg.

Going to Vacation Bible School every summer. The field trips to Temple Beth El and looking at all their beautiful scrolls encased in gold. Project: Making a large map of the Bible Lands outside in the back yard of the church with real sand for the land, real water for the lakes and rivers, and real little branches for the trees. Project: Making colorful vases by dipping glass jars in a tray of paint of various colors. Lots of homemade cookies and Kool-Aid.

Asking my mother, Audrey Benick, if we could go home right after Sunday School (and not stay for Church). Usually the answer was “No,” but occasionally she would let us go home early if we had something special planned for our family for Sunday afternoon.

Sitting in Church and looking at all the people. I especially remember sitting behind Mrs. Maureen Dunn and looking at her beautiful blonde wavy hair—so pretty. And George Gambs—how he loved to sing! He couldn’t carry a tune, but he certainly made up for it in enthusiasm.

Watching the ever-faithful Mrs. King playing the piano. She had frail hands, and I remember looking at them and thinking “That is how my hands are going to look when I get old.” And sure enough, now that I am in my 60’s, my hands look just like hers did.

In Junior High, attending the Pioneers Youth Group. Sponsors were Arvetta and Norman Jordon. Their daughter, Joanne, was my best friend starting in our early years at the church, and still is today.

Going to a small mission at our church sponsored at Brookside, near Brooks Air Force Base. The people there were very poor. Several young people went occasionally on Sunday mornings with Tom Chavez, to have Sunday School there. Tom was a dedicated man who truly cared about the people at the mission.  About 20 years later I talked with him. He had become a Presbyterian minister and was serving a Hispanic church in San Angelo. I always liked him a lot.

In High School, all the fun we had with the Youth Group on Sunday evenings. We would gather at 6:00 for our meeting and program, then have worship with the entire congregation afterwards. Mr. J.W. Dunn, Sr. (Bill) always led the singing. What a wonderful voice he had, and what great old hymns we sang. (Many of them are no longer in our current hymnals.)

After Church on Sunday evenings, everyone in the Youth Group going over to someone’s house for a party. A different person’s house each week—we rotated. But I especially remember going to Mickey McGall’s house. Her mother, Sally McGall, was so much fun! There was always plenty of food and dancing. Occasionally the whole group would all go out together after Church to one of the local eateries for frosted rootbeer (a Black Cow), or maybe even pizza.

Special friends I remember: Jackie Peters, who once participated in a church talent show and did a short funny skit about “talking with peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth!” Jackie and I both dated airmen who visited at our church. (Presumably they came to meet girls.) Jackie dated Jerry Clough and I dated Blair Hickey. I remember helping to rebuild the engine of Blair’s ’53 Ford in Jackie’s garage. And helping to build a kayak for Jerry in my backyard.

Another friend, Brenda Fulbright, who dated another airman, Jack House. They were engaged to be married, but he left her standing at the altar, literally. We never saw him again.

Young person I most admired: Lucie Holder. She was my ideal of the best you could be—kind, caring, smart, and pretty, too. She had very nice parents, too—Dixie and Bryan Holder.

Families that had a good influence on me: The Gayosos, the Kings, the Hathaways, the Gambs, the Jordons, the McGalls, the Dunns, the Jones, and more.

Ministers who were there in the ‘50s and ‘60s: Rev. George B. Williams (who baptized me when I joined the church when I was ten years old). Rev. Noel P. Wilkinson (who approved of our Youth Group parties on Sunday evenings, but did not approve of our manner of dancing. We were into Rock ‘n Roll, and he preferred more sedate dancing.). Rev. J. Kelly Neal (who officiated at my first marriage in 1962).

Later ministers I knew even though I belonged to other Presbyterian churches over the years: Rev. Dick Poteet, Rev. Duane Farris, Rev. Fred Norris. (An unfortunate memory of Rev. Norris and my best friend, Joanne, running away together and getting married. This was a hard time for the church and a hard time for our friendship, but we have survived it and are still good friends.)

Coming back to Harlandale Presbyterian Church for funerals (sad) and reunions (happy), and getting to visit with many old friends again.

What mixed emotions these memories bring to mind. What a privilege to have been a
part of such a vibrant congregation. For this I give credit to my mother, who instilled in her children the importance of being part of a loving church family. I’m glad she chose Harlandale Presbyterian Church.