A few months after Cooter Calvert got home from the army, he married his old girlfriend and later, with a little help from his father-in-law, he started a local newspaper.
After mulling it over, they named it The Elmwood Springs News. It was not very original, but the town was excited to have its own paper at last, and all promised to buy advertisements.
The first day Cooter opened his door for business, Ida Jenkins appeared in his office and said, “Well, Cooter, you’ll need a society columnist, and I’m here to volunteer my services.”
Cooter was not aware that there was any society in Elmwood Springs, but you did not say no to Ida Jenkins. Besides, she had already written her first column and had supplied her photo to be used at the top.
THE WHOLE TOWN’S TALKING
by Mrs. Ida Jenkins
Greetings to all! This week, the whole town’s talking about the magnificent soiree thrown by Mr. and Mrs. Swensen, owners of our very own Sweet Clover Dairy. The festive affair was in celebration of the third birthday of their lovely daughter, Miss Hanna Marie Swensen. When it comes to fashion and style, none can hold a candle to the Swensen mother-daughter duo. Hanna Marie was a perfect picture of “What does the well-dressed little girl wear?” in her darling frilly pink dress. Mother Beatrice was also lovely in a pale aqua knit frock, so flattering to her slim figure. Never saw such a proud poppa. As usual at any of the Swensens’ delightful get-togethers, anybody who was anybody was there. Elner Shimfissle, longtime friend of Mrs. Swensen’s, was also in attendance.