Burr-r-r-, winter has finally arrived, although we have been fortunate to have not received as much snow as some places.

The year 2010 will soon be over, and 2011 will be upon us. As my husband says, “Spring is just around the corner.” Our historical season is coming to an end and we hope you have enjoyed visiting the museum and other activities our society has been part of.

We thank those who have entertained on Sunday afternoons at the museum. The last day the museum will be open is today and a special visitor will be there. Yes, it is Santa Claus and we invite you all to come to see him and receive gifts before Christmas.

A special lady has come into our lives as being the first war bride to come to Lawrence County during World War II.

Her name is Ena May McFarlane Massie Bridges who was born at District of Windsor, County of Berks, England. Her education was completed when she was 14 years old, this being comparable to a high school education here in the states.

She held a job at an essential war industry plant making instruments for explosive ordnances. Meeting Corp. Ray E. Massie, serving with the 8th Army Air Corp Squadron in 1942, they married Dec. 18, 1943.

Her father was Albert McFarlene whose parents had come from Scotland to England.

He served in the British Army, Royal Lancers, South Africa in the Boer War, Indian, and in Palestine in Jerusalem.

On 22 Aug. 1944, Ena left her Mum and her family and it was eight years before she would see them again.

She left Corp. Massie at Victoria Station during an air raid for an unknown destination. Traveling through the night in blackout conditions and traveling through the night to keep the Germans from seeing them.

She traveled through Glasgow, Scotland, which was her grandfather’s hometown. Fifteen days, of which 10 were spent crossing the Atlantic, she arrived in Lawrence County and lived in the same home for 59 years.

If you would like to share part of this lady’s life, stop by Briggs Library and in the front window, you will see on display the collection that Ena had gathered during her lifetime. Also in the Hamner Room is more of this collection.

She is presently living with her son and daughter-law, in Franklin Furnace.

Have you ever made a mistake? It has been called to my attention that I did not give the royal lady’s picture in the Nannie Kelly’s Wright’s room the correct name.

Her name is Victoria and the picture is one of a few that survive. Seems I gave her the wrong name, so make that my mistake for 2010!

Historical facts: What’s in a Name?

Ruth Cleveland, the daughter of President Grover Cleveland, was the first baby girl to be born in the White House. The Baby Ruth candy bar was named after her.

Famous personalities very rarely use their real names. Here are a few. Julie Andrews was originally Julia Wells, Ann-Margret was Ann-Margret Olsson, Fred Astaire was born with the name of Frederick Austerlitz, Richard Burton changed his name from Richard Jenkins, Joan Crawford was christened Lucille LaSueur, Tony Curtis was officially Bernard Schwartz, and Mickey Rooney was given the name Joe Yule, Jr.

Leonardo da Vinci could draw with one hand and write with the other, at the same time.

President James Garfield could also do two different things with his hands. He had the ability to write Latin with one hand and Greek with the other, simultaneously.

(Taken from “Tidbits” of Boyd and Greenup Counties”)

Naomi Deer, LCHS