Phillips County Museum News for Wednesday, November 23, 2022

With everyone talking about the elections, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping, and that dreaded word, INFLATION, we thought it might be fun to look up what was going on in Phillips County in November of 1942.

Trafton-Dorr was advertising a new Lay-A-Way Plan, which was described as “a small deposit to hold any Garment until you call for it at Christmas time.” Some garments advertised included White Elk Sno-Shoes for Women ($3.25), Misses ($2.50) and Children ($1.60), and “Suzette Snip-it Slips”, priced at $2.25, and Men’s Union Suits, $4.75.

But nothing, nothing beats this deal: 4 rolls of White Sail Toilet Tissue was 25 cents, and included a free washcloth, which I imagine one might very well need. The Trafton-Dorr ad also included an announcement that now was the time to get parts for tractors if they needed to be overhauled in the spring.

It is so fun to look through the classy, vintage ads – that included items and prices but also recipes and kitchen tips. At the same time, it’s sobering to realize what everyone was going through and sacrificing with the war effort. The Buttrey’s ad offered lace tablecloths for $1.50, to “brighten up your welcome mat and give your table a charming appearance”. Because “This year more than ever, Thanksgiving comes closer to our hearts since it exemplifies the American spirit that our men are fighting to preserve.”

Happy Thanksgiving, Phillips County! Love each other and be grateful for all that we have, for our veterans, our families, and even our elected officials! Visit our Facebook page for a fun and unusual Turkey recipe brought to us from Safeway, and other neat stuff we dig up and love to share. We are open from 10-5, Monday through Saturday, April -January.