Special to The North Jefferson News



Louise Thompson Woodward was very proud of the time when she, as a child, dyed her brother’s, the neighbor kids’ and her own hair blue.

The neighbor kids’ father was furious, but Woodward thought the blue was an improvement over the children’s white hair, and besides, “it matched their eyes exactly.”

That story was only one of many that Woodward, who skillfully dodged questions that would have revealed her age, told during the Feb. 21 meeting of the Gardendale Historical Society meeting.

With 32 members in attendance, it was Woodward’s second presentation, as she was back by popular request.

Her first speech to the group was about the historic Thompson home, into which she and her family moved in 1919. Her second presentation was to share memories of growing up in Gardendale.

Woodward’s humorous tales painted a picture of children getting into mischief while reverently respecting their elders; of her mother learning to drive a car and being one of the few women in the area who drove; of old-time Christmases and of friends and neighbors and their interactions.

Woodward attended Phillips High School in Birmingham and she received a degree from Howard College.

The Gardendale Historical Society meets on the third Saturday of every month, 10 a.m., at the Gardendale-Martha Moore Public Library.

The group is always looking for new members. Membership is $10 a year for individuals or $15 for families.

There are plenty of ways to get involved, as the Society has many ongoing projects.

To learn more, call Doris Ragsdale Hopper at 631-4839, Mary Taylor at 631-3079, Kermit Dooley at 631-5662 or visit gardendale.lib.al.us and click on the Historical Society link.