Temple Tuesday: Turkey in the Desert

In 1936, actress Shirley Temple and her family enjoyed turkey in Palm Springs. From the accompanying caption:

Shirley Temple, spending a brief vacation on the desert here (at Desert Inn) is shown whetting a knife to carve a Thanksgiving turkey. While here the child actress is learning new dance routines, is swimming and getting a sun tan for her next picture. Associated Press Photo 11/24/1936

If you want to know what the Desert Inn looked like in 1936, check out the post card below, stamped December 3, 1936. Perhaps this person crossed paths with Shirley!



Below is an ad from 1936 for the Desert Inn. Sun-lazing sounds faaaaaaaabulous!



Local papers were abuzz reporting about Shirley’s visit. From The Desert Sun, November 27, 1936:

Shirley Temple has been resting at the Desert Inn for a few days, accompanied by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Temple. After a few days in the sun Shirley was abloe to start work on several new songs for. her latest picture “Stowaway” which will be released around Christmas time. Gordon and Revel, famous song writers were here to help with the music.



“Stowaway” was filmed from late September 1936 to early December. Most likely, Shirley was working on the “That’s What I Want for Christmas” number which was tacked onto the end of the film at the last minute to coincide with its Christmas day released.



Elsewhere in the paper:

An informal tea was held at the Desert Inn Sunday afternoon [November 22]. Among those in the lounge for the occasion were Mrs. Wm. Warren Card of Paris, France, with her niece, Miss Martha Ann Henderson of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Bert Clark and daughter of Altadena; Mr. and Mrs. Marcus L. Lawrence of Rimrock, Arizona, and Washington, D.C.; Mrs. Albert Allaton, New York City, R. C. Sherriff, author of “Journey’s End,” and his mother from Esher Surrey, England; Mr. Jack Tidball, prominent tennis player; and Shirley Temple with her parents and a party of friends.

The Palo Verde Valley Times reported that Shirley and her mother also attended the 35th annual convention of the Southern Districts’ federation of women’s clubs, held in the Desert Inn. Mrs. Nellie Coffman, proprietor of the Inn, and Palm Springs pioneer, was signally honored at the convention. The paper also carried this ad for the popular Shirley Temple doll, also just in time for the Christmas holiday!



Below is all that’s left to remind Palm Springs tourists of what the Desert Inn once was:



See more Shirley Temple holiday photos at my main website.

Giving Thanks

While some may be spending time waging a #WarOnThanksgiving, here at Daveland I’m grateful for the opportunity to give thanks for all the blessings in my life. Regardless of the reasons of Thanksgiving’s origins, I believe it’s always good to stop and reflect and think about the good things that abound in one’s life, as it is often too easy to focus on those gray clouds. Today’s first photo shows Mom at the family Thanksgiving table, circa 1939. I love this shot; the family gathering, the bountiful harvest, and the quintessential Norman Rockwell image of the turkey being carved.

I am most grateful for my little ride-or-die partner: Willis.



Our long weekend walks:



The days he comes with me to work (and grateful for that privilege, too!):



His diligent protection of our home:





Yup. He’s pretty much the best!



What are you most thankful for this year?

See more Daveland photos at my main website.

Plymouth for Thanksgiving

Originally known as Plimouth, the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts is viewed as the home of the first Thanksgiving feast. It is also well known for Plymouth rock, the traditional site of where William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims landed when they founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. The rock is housed inside a large granite columned structure. When you see the rock itself, you'll be amazed at how small it is. Once known as "The Great Rock," it looks more like a lawn decoration from Home Depot. What happened?!? Back in 1774, it was removed from its original spot to put it on display in the town square, at which point it broke in half. Over the years, pieces of it were sold for profit and what you see now is all that remains. Yes, people paid to get a "piece of the rock."



While Plymouth Rock "tells" the traditional story of Thanksgiving, another nearby rock on Cole's Hill tells the story of "National Day of Mourning." Every year since 1970, thousands of Native Americans have gathered in the area as a reminder to all that their people lost: their culture, their land, and especially the millions of lives at the hands of those who traveled by ship to settle here. It was an eye opening experience to see this small reminder of what actually occurred here. It wasn't all turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. My friend Brett of Bretton Rocks, who is a descendant of the Wampanoag Tribe, gave me a tour of Plymouth and a Reader's Digest version of its true history.



The first Pilgrim burial ground, known as Burial Hill, was established on Cole's Hill in 1620.



Some of the tombstones had very simple inscriptions:



while others had interesting carved details. I love this stuff!



The view of Plymouth from the cemetery was spectacular:



See more photos of Plymouth at my main website.

Mrs. Wilkes' for Thanksgiving

As I am about to start cooking for the day, I thought I would share photos from one of my favorite Savannah restaurants, Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room. Only open on weekdays and almost always a line out the door, this place is worth the "hassle." Eating here is akin to a Thanksgiving feast.



Everyone sits around a table and passes the plethora of dishes around. Typically you'll make new friends as most likely complete strangers will be seated with you. Always fun to hear the stories of other travelers (and even a few locals!).



Here's what my plate looked like...and yes, the fried chicken is just about the best anywhere.



We had an amazing time; my friend Grant was too busy gnawing on his fried chicken to pose. THAT'S how good it is!



Dessert is typically two choices; I picked the cherry cobbler this time.



Grant was taking his digestive pills like they were going out of style. You don't come here to "eat light."



Bellies full...goal achieved.



Happy Thanksgiving to all of you; I hope you are able to take the time to be thankful for all of the blessings you have received this year. Even in the worst of times, one can find something to be joyful about if you think hard enough.

More Mrs. Wilkes' at my main website.

Happy Thanksgiving from Daveland!

Happy Thanksgiving, readers! I hope that today is not only a day of enjoying good food, but actually taking the time to enjoy the blessings of the year and giving thanks for them. Sitting around the dinner table with friends and family sharing a freshly prepared meal has been a monumental event for me every since I can remember...and even before that!



The meal never just popped out of the freezer; it was the result of days and days of preparation.



The table was always set perfectly, too, adding to the special nature of this event of sharing.



Although the people at the table have changed over the years, the meaning of Thanksgiving has remained constant for me, as traditions I have learned continue to be passed on to whoever is sitting around the turkey.



May you all have a wonderful day!

See more Daveland photos on my Photography web pages.