| Contents of our issues from 1984 to 2000: |
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AUGUST 1984 (#1): The very first issue of the Journal was the only one of the 100 issues to date that was
not professionally printed. It was simply duplicated on a photocopier as new members were enrolled. The
very first feature the readers encountered was “Howdy Everbody,” a continuing script detailing the
adventures of the bumbling NLAS Ossifers. More in line with the Journal’s main emphasis was “Lum &
Abner: Their Ancestors and Descendants,” part one of a two-part series examining the long tradition of
rural humor. “A Quick Look Back” brought members up to speed on the basic history of the L&A program
in an article that has since proven to be full of inaccuracies. “Lum & Abner in the News” made its debut by
reprinting an historic October 7, 1947, article from Newsweek (printed again on page 11 of this issue, for
those of you who weren’t with us in 1984). The final feature was “Lum & Abner Want You,” in which we put
out a call for members to submit their own articles for the Journal. Over the 16 years since, less than a
half dozen people ever responded!
OCTOBER 1984 (#2): The first commercially-printed issue was done on yellow paper. “Howdy Everbody”
featured Uncle Donnie and Singin’ Sam reading NLAS fan mail. “The Pine Ridge Story,” by Lon & Kathy
Stucker of the L&A Museum, gave the first overview as to how the Dick Huddleston Store was preserved
for future generations. Part two of “Lum & Abner: Their Ancestors & Descendants” covered the rural TV
sitcoms that may or may not have drawn inspiration from L&A. “Lum & Abner in the News” featured an
article from the January 1939 issue of Hygeia, now known as Today’s Health. “The Secretary’s Desk”
contained the good news that membership was approaching the 100 mark, and the bad news that the
NLAS was in serious financial trouble (with a membership of nearly 600 now, the financial problems still
persist to some extent).
DECEMBER 1984 (#3): In “Howdy Everbody,” Uncle Donnie and Singin’ Sam made a mess out of their
annual chore of decorating the NLAS Christmas tree. “It’s a Lum & Abner Christmas” was the first attempt
to reconstruct the story behind the famous L&A holiday show. The same show was the subject of “Lum &
Abner in the News,” with a March 28, 1936 Radio Guide story titled “The Strange Prophecy of Lum &
Abner.” “A Christmas Present for Pine Ridge” was the announcement that the Dick Huddleston Store had
been approved for the National Register of Historic Places. “The Secretary’s Desk” announced that
membership was up to 138, and announced some of the earliest plans for the first annual convention.
There was a short transcription of an interview with Chet Lauck concerning the origin of the Christmas
show, and the Journal’s first obituary: Ora Garrett, the Pine Ridge barber who claimed to have been the
model for Mose Moots, had died on November 5.
FEBRUARY 1985 (#4): This issue debuted the Journal masthead, created by artist-in-residence Uncle
Donnie, which is still in use today. The series “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” kicked off with a discussion of
Dreaming Out Loud in three chapters: (1) How the radio audience was prepared for the movie; (2) A
synopsis of the plot; (3) A brief review of the film as it compares to the radio series. “The Secretary’s
Desk” had membership approaching 200, and announced that longtime L&A writer Roz Rogers was
confirmed as the guest for the first NLAS Convention in June. There was also a list of Mena/Mt. Ida motels
for those who wished to begin making reservations.
APRIL 1985 (#5): A convention update added the amazing news that Clarence “Ben Withers” Hartzell
would be joining Roz Rogers as a second guest. Part two of “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” covered The
Bashful Bachelor. “Lum & Abner in the News” returned with L&A being awarded the weekly “Medal of
Merit” by Radio Guide on December 4, 1937. A new feature, “Memories of Lum & Abner,” presented
firsthand anecdotes from individuals personally associated with L&A, in this case radio show producers
Bob Dwyer and Forrest Owen. “The Secretary’s Desk” announced that Larry Telles of California became
member #200 on February 5, 1985. Two new columns were “Mousey’s Corner,” presenting some of Mr.
Gray’s poetics efforts, and “Back in the Feed Room,” by then-publicity director Rex Riffle, which started
out as a sort of L&A version of Trivial Pursuit. The big news was that, at long last, the NLAS Tape Library
was open for business, although at this time it only contained L&A episodes up to 1942.
JUNE 1985 (#6): “Meet the Ossifers” prepared members for what the NLAS officials were going to be like
when they met them at the upcoming convention. “Meet the Folks in Pine Ridge” was more important, as
it gave a quick overview of the real Pine Ridge citizens who were pictured as the radio characters on Dick
Huddleston’s postcards. “What to See in the Pine Ridge Area” gave conventioneers an armchair tour of
the greater Mena metroplex. “Lum & Abner in the News” continued the Pine Ridge theme with a 1979
article about the L&A Museum from the Montgomery County News. Also featured was “Dear Tuffy,” Chet
Lauck’s touching eulogy for his partner, and new installments of “Back in the Feed Room” and “Mousey’s
Corner.”
AUGUST 1985 (#7): At 16 pages instead of the normal 12, there was a lot packed into this issue. “Howdy
Everbody” depicted Uncle Donnie and Singin’ Sam having trouble with the press as they tried to print this
issue. “Pitchford’s Prittle Prattle” gave Prez Uncle Donnie a genuine chance to thank everyone who
helped make the first convention a success. “Reading the Signs” was Roz Rogers’ own humorous
autobiographical sketch, written especially for the Journal. “The Uncollected Works of Roswell Rogers”
was the famed humorist’s annotated list of his radio, TV, and motion picture credits. “Pine Ridge Will
Never Be the Same” was Singin’ Sam Brown’s report on that first unbelievable convention weekend. Part
three of “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” covered Two Weeks to Live. “Memories of Lum & Abner” presented
some of the anecdotes related by Roz Rogers during the convention. There was also an obituary for L&A’
s first network announcer, Charles Lyon, who passed away on May 11, and “The Secretary’s Desk”
announced that George Mixon of Texas was NLAS member #300.
OCTOBER 1985 (#8): Since the previous issue was devoted to convention guest Roz Rogers, the October
issue gave equal time to his co-guest, Clarence Hartzell. “Fine: The Many Careers of Clarence Hartzell”
gave an overview of the radio veteran’s varied activities. Some of Clarence’s more personal stories were
presented in “Memories of Lum & Abner,” and there were more installments of “Mousey’s Corner” and
“Back in the Feed Room.” Part four of “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” took on So This Is Washington. In this
issue, the pinback buttons with the NLAS logo were first announced for $1.50 each. They remain on sale
today for the same price... a bargain if there ever was one!
DECEMBER 1985 (#9): “Pine Ridge’s Christmas Story” was Kathy Stucker’s more historically correct
rendition of what actually transpired in the little community during the 1935 broadcast of L&A’s Christmas
show. A new irregular series, “It Could Have Happened,” began with the story of how Chet Lauck and
Harlan Hobbs tried to sell the L&A Christmas story as a TV special. That same Christmas story was the
subject of “Lum & Abner in the News,” in a special yuletide feature from Movie-Radio Guide on December
20, 1941. More holiday memories from Roz Rogers and Clarence Hartzell made up “Memories of Lum &
Abner: Perfect Gifts.” Part five of “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” went to town with Goin’ to Town, and
“Mousey’s Corner” and “Back in the Feed Room” occupied their usual spots.
FEBRUARY 1986 (#10): In “Howdy Everbody,” during a chaotic meeting of disinterested NLAS Ossifers,
Uncle Donnie announced his impending marriage on June 7. “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” continued this
romantic storyline with a look at Partners in Time. “Kiver to Kiver” gave a synposis of the original RKO
pressbook for the movie. Postmark buff Rex Riffle gave a brief discussion of Arkansas towns with L&A-
related names in “Lum & Abner on the Map.” “Mousey’s Corner” featured a 1940 Valentine’s Day poem,
and “Back in the Feed Room” continued documenting trivia from the broadcasts.
APRIL 1986 (#11): For the first time, the Journal was given over to a single topic, with 7 of the 12 pages
devoted to commemorating the 50th anniversary of the town of Waters changing its name to Pine Ridge.
Kathy Stucker provided a most interesting an in-depth history of the community, whose roots in the
Ouachita Mountains run much deeper than a radio comedy series. “Pitchford’s Prittle Prattle” returned
with an official congratulations from the NLAS to Pine Ridge on the momentous occasion. Also included
were driving directions to Pine Ridge for those coming to the second convention in June.
JUNE 1986 (#12): “Howdy Everbody” took place at Uncle Donnie’s wedding, where the other three
Ossifers succeeded in making a nuisance of themselves. The seventh and final installment of “Lum &
Abner in Hollywood” looked at that cinema stinker Lum & Abner Abroad. “It Could Have Happened”
returned with a look at some 1971 plans for a series of L&A animated cartoons. “Lum & Abner in the
News” featured two 1935 articles from The Chicago Daily News. “Mousey’s Corner” reprinted a poem from
the 1937 L&A almanac, and “Back in the Feed Room” altered its trivia format for another look at L&A town
names around the U.S.
AUGUST 1986 (#13): “The Country Merchant” was a biography of real-life storekeeper Dick Huddleston.
Dick’s daughter Ethel was the subject of “Memories of Lum & Abner.” “Dick Huddleston On the Air”
examined how the radio character compared with his realistic counterpart. The 1986 convention report
was a short one, as was the convention itself. There was a belated report on the events in Pine Ridge on
April 26 that officially commemorated the town’s 50th anniversary under that name. “Lum & Abner in the
News” presented the 1943 version of an article titled “Lum & Abner as the Home Folks Know Them,” which
had undergone several revisions since it was first written in Mena in the late 1930s. “Mousey’s Corner”
reprinted a poem from the 1936 Pine Ridge News, and there was an obituary for frequent L&A supporting
player Lurene Tuttle, who died on May 28. “The Secretary’s Desk” updated everyone on Roz Rogers’
recent heart bypass surgery, and printed a humorous note that Roz himself composed and mailed from
the hospital.
OCTOBER 1986 (#14): It was felt that “Howdy Everbody” had worn out its welcome, so in the final
installment the Ossifers attempt to have a meeting at Uncle Donnie’s house over wife Aunt Laura’s
objections. A new series of articles began, “Lum & Abner on Television?,” with a look at the obscure 15-
minute TV pilot the pair filmed in 1948. “Memories of Lum & Abner” featured stories from 1932-34 Pine
Ridge String Band member Joe Troyan. “Meet the Honorary Members” gave brief biographical sketches
of the NLAS’s celebrity members of that time; incredibly and sadly, of the 29 celebrities profiled, only 10
are alive and with us today (Gretchen Goff Dooling, Elizabeth Goff, Louise Currie, Barbara Hale, Frances
Langford, Chet Lauck Jr., Forrest Owen, Lon & Kathy Stucker, and Joe Troyan). “Pine Ridge’s Ghost Story”
was Kathy Stucker’s retelling of an eerie local legend.
DECEMBER 1986 (#15): Most appropriately for the season, “Lum & Abner’s Christmas Story” was a short
story adaptation of the annual Yuletide broadcast. Part two of “Lum & Abner on Television?” dealt with
the 1949 TV pilot that co-starred Andy Devine, ZaSu Pitts, and Opie Cates. “Happy Holidays from Lum &
Abner” summarized some of the “other” Christmas-themed episodes done by the pair. “The Secretary’s
Desk” welcomed new Honorary Members Jerry Hausner, E. V. Jarvis (L&A producer from 1938-40), and
Harry Ackerman (L&A producer from 1947-50). A reprint of “Lum & Abner’s Cross Words Puzzle” from the
1936 Pine Ridge News rounded out the issue.
FEBRUARY 1987 (#16): “Lum & Abner on Television?” departed from its usual format to review the
December 30, 1986, Arkansas Educational TV Network documentary “Lum & Abner: Laughter Never Dies.”
“Lum & Abner in the News” reprinted an undated article about Tuffy Goff’s home in Encino. “Lum & Abner’
s Lost Chapter” presented Roz Rogers’ summaries of the “missing” L&A episodes from February-April
1944 (which are still missing to this day). “Mousey’s Corner” featured another 1936 Pine Ridge News
verse, and the solution to the crossword puzzle from the last issue was printed.
APRIL 1987 (#17): “Lum & Abner on Television?” resumed with an overview of Chet Lauck’s commercials
for Conoco during the late 1950s. “Kiver to Kiver Revisited” presented highlights of the RKO pressbook
for Two Weeks to Live. “Back in the Feed Room” still carried Rex Riffle’s byline but was not being written
by him. “Ben Withers’ Easter Story” was a routine taken, surprisingly, from a 1947 L&A Christmas episode.
JUNE 1987 (#18): With this issue, the Journal upgraded the quality of paper it was being printed on, to try
to improve photo reproduction. Part four of “Lum & Abner on Television?” covered Chet Lauck’s then-
controversial series of political commercials for his friend Bill Fulbright. “Memories of Lum & Abner”
featured stories from character actor Jerry Hausner and L&A organist Elsie Mae Emerson. “Back in the
Feed Room” was still going. “Mousey’s Corner” was devoted to a poem Roz Rogers contributed to the
1986 NLAS convention. There were so many plans for the 1987 meeting that just promoting it occupied a
page and a half.
AUGUST 1987 (#19): “Everybody’s Friend” was the appropriately-titled biography of 1987 Convention
guest Jerry Hausner. “Surprise, Surprise” was the report on the convention itself, where a record
number of unexpected events took place. “NLAS Spotlight” was the earliest version of the feature now
known as “And Now...” This time it covered L&A impersonators Kurt Jensen and Ed Frost. “The Secretary’
s Desk” welcomed two new Honorary Members, Elmore “Phinus Peabody” Vincent and Parley Baer. In the
place of “Back in the Feed Room,” Rex Riffle attempted to begin a new column, “The Party Line,” which
was to encourage L&A memories from the members.
OCTOBER 1987 (#20): The quality of the Journal’s paper stock was again upgraded to a more glossy
enamel finish. “Meet the Ossifers” updated the June 1985 writeups. Part five of “Lum & Abner on
Television?” detailed Norris Goff’s guest appearance on Gomer Pyle, USMC on January 1, 1965. Rex Riffle
reverted to writing “Back in the Feed Room,” with no mention made of “The Party Line.” “Mousey’s
Corner” also continued with a contribution by member Kurt Jensen. “Lum & Abner in the News” reprinted
several classic 1938 L&A news items from The Mena Star. The previous issue’s “NLAS Spotlight” evolved
into “And Now...” with news items from Pine Ridge, Dallas, and Marion, Ill. “Memories of Lum & Abner” was
contributed by Bobs Watson, and there was a short obituary for almost-L&A-cast-member Archie Campbell,
who died on August 29.
DECEMBER 1987 (#21): “The Party Line” finally got started, but without Rex Riffle’s participation. Most of
this issue was devoted to “A Pine Ridge Christmas Carol,” an original short story written and illustrated
byUncle Donnie. Part six of “Lum & Abner on Television?” squeezed in a discussion of Norris Goff’s
appearance on The Andy Griffith Show. “Mousey’s Corner” had another poem contributed by a member,
this time Duane Wilkie. There was a rare Christmas drawing by Chet Lauck dating from his pre-radio days
in Mena, and also an obituary for O.W. Hatfield, founder of Hatfield’s Famous Pine Ridge Sorghum.
FEBRUARY 1988 (#22): This issue led off with an obituary for L&A supporting player Opie Cates, who
passed away on November 6. A special feature was Opie’s own biographical piece “From Rags to Riches
to Rags in One East Lifetime,” which he wrote for one of his daughters in the 1960s. “Lum & Abner in the
News” presented “But We Ain’t Got No Descriptions,” a humorous L&A dialogue from the October 20, 1934
issue of Radio Guide. Part seven of “Lum & Abner on Television?” dealt with the Chet Lauck-narrated
1968 documentary “The Arkansas River.” For diversion, there was an L&A word search game contributed
by George Lillie.
APRIL 1988 (#23): The NLAS suffered a real blow when Clarence Hartzell passed away unexpectedly on
March 5, The April issue was devoted to his memory, with a complete reprint of the articles “Fine: The
Many Careers of Clarence Hartzell” and “Memories of Lum & Abner” from the October 1985 Journal. A
new installment of “The Party Line” featured tributes from Roz Rogers, Rex Riffle, Tim Hollis, and Uncle
Donnie Pitchford. As if Clarence’s passing were not bad enough, there was also an obituary for 1941-46
L&A radio show producer Bob Dwyer, who passed away on January 8. Amid all this sadness, a new
humorous feature made its debut: “The Golden Era,” a comic strip by member Gary Stivers of Missouri.
JUNE 1988 (#24): Back to semi-normal, the 1988 Convention guests were announced: Elmore “Phinus
Peabody” Vincent and the return of Jerry Hausner. Part eight of “Lum & Abner on Television?” began
covering the 1973 documentary Two Boys From Mena. “Home in Arkansas” was a photo feature about the
various houses (most still standing) in which Lauck & Goff lived while in Mena. Continuing the theme,
“Lum & Abner in the News” featured some very rare 1928-29 Mena Star articles about the future stars.
“And Now...” had datelines from Tennessee, Alabama, and California.
AUGUST 1988 (#25): “Phinus Peabody: He’s a Good Boy” brought us all up to date on the career of
character actor Elmore Vincent. The 1988 Convention report detailed all the activities in Mena. Part nine
of “Lum & Abner on Television?” completed the discussion of Two Boys From Mena. “The Secretary’s
Desk” mentioned two new Honorary Members, Cathy Lee Crosby and her mother Linda Hayes, daughter
and wife of L&A announcer Lou Crosby.
OCTOBER 1988 (#26): With the Presidential election in full swing, the Journal presented “Let’s Lect Lum,”
with what was known at the time about the 1936 “Lum for President” campaign (this was long before we
had access to the actual scripts from that period). “Lum & Abner in the News” featured February 1938
articles documenting L&A’s changing sponsorship from Horlick’s to Postum. The concluding installment
of “Lum & Abner on Television?” summarized what had been covered in the earlier chapters. “And
Now...” reported on the birth of Rex Riffle’s daughter Emily and Uncle Donnie & Aunt Laura’s visit to
recently-widowed Auntie Helen Hartzell. There was also another bit of trivia for “Back in the Feed Room”
and a list of the radio stations that were then carrying the syndicated L&A programs.
DECEMBER 1988 (#27): As a special feature, most of this issue was occupied by “Lum & Abner’s Christmas
Wish Book,” Uncle Donnie Pitchford’s imaginative design for what a Jot ‘Em Down Store Christmas catalog
might look like in 1988. There was also a “Lum & Abner in the News” reprint of a 1933 article from The
Indianapolis Star, and “And Now...” featured the birth of “Golden Era” cartoonist Gary Stivers’ son Grant
and more on Kurt Jensen’s southern Illinois L&A promotions.
FEBRUARY 1989 (#28): As the title suggested, “Lum & Abner Meet Andy Griffith” went into detail about the
parallels between these two landmark rural comedy series. A new recurring feature began with “The
Many Faces of Lum & Abner,” collecting the ways the characters’ physical depictions changed from 1931
to 1975. Member Jack Callaway of Tennessee devised a wickedly complex L&A crossword puzzle, with a
prize to be given for the earliest correct solution.
APRIL 1989 (#29): The theme for this issue was “The Music of Lum & Abner,” an in-depth article about the
various pieces that became associated with the show. Coinciding with this was the release of a new NLAS
cassette by the same name, which is still available for $4.00 from the Executive Secretary’s office. “The
Many Faces of Cedric Weehunt” examined young Mr. Weehunt’s changing look over the years. “The Party
Line” returned with some valuable information from member Loren Cox of Kentucky. The previous issue’s
crossword puzzle was solved by teenagers Janet & James McMurrin, who received an original So This Is
Washington lobby card for their effort.
JUNE 1989 (#30): Because it was already known that the next issue was going to be larger than normal,
this June 1989 issue was only 8 pages instead of 12. Contained within were “The Many Faces of
Grandpappy Spears,” an “And Now...” report on an L&A program by PBS affiliate WSIU in Carbondale, Ill.,
and the announcement that the 1989 Convention guest would be 1948-50 L&A announcer Wendell Niles.
AUGUST 1989 (#31): At 18 pages, this was the largest issue of the Journal ever published. It
commemorated the NLAS’s fifth anniversary, but among the celebration was the sad news of the passing
of L&A associate Jim Backus on July 3. “Wendell Niles Speaking” was the profile of the distinguished
Convention guest, and he was also covered in the traditional Convention report elsewhere in the issue.
A four-chapter article described how the NLAS got started and some of the bumps it encountered along
the way.
OCTOBER 1989 (#32): Following the success of the Andy Griffith article in February, this issue presented
“From Dogpatch to Pine Ridge,” comparing the similarities between the L&A series and Al Capp’s Li’l
Abner comic strip. “Jerry Hausner Remembers Jim Backus” revealed some previously-undocumented
L&A stories from the two veteran actors. “The Many Faces of Squire Skimp” proved that crook had more
than just the two; “The Party Line” featured more memories from member Loren Cox. “Back in the Feed
Room” was now combined with “Mousey’s Corner” to present an anonymously-submitted L&A poem.
DECEMBER 1989 (#33): Again departing from the usual format in favor of a special holiday feature, 7 of the
issue’s 12 pages contained “Lum & Abner and the Christmas Tree,” Uncle Donnie’s comic-book-style
rendition of the 1953 L&A Christmas program. Filling out the issue were “And Now...” and the latest
installment of Gary Stiver’s “Golden Era” comic strip.
FEBRUARY 1990 (#34): A new decade began with a new series of articles: “Lum & Abner and Their
Sponsors.” Part one examined what little is known about the Quaker Oats era (1931-32). “The Strange
Voyage of the Dreaming Out Loud” was a story worthy of Robert Ripley, and concerned an original L&A
movie prop long thought stolen. “The Many Faces of Mousey Gray” weren’t many, since this character
was rarely depicted visually. Observing the 10th anniversary of the passing of Chet Lauck, “Lum & Abner
in the News” reprinted some tributes that appeared in the Montgomery County News in February 1980.
“The Secretary’s Desk” announced the death of Jeff Wade, whose ad agency handled the Miles
Laboratories/Alka-Seltzer account during the L&A days.
APRIL 1990 (#35): Part two of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors” covered their success in the 1932-34
Ford Motor Co. days. “The Many Faces of Dick Huddleston” gave another look at that real-life/fictional
dual personality. “Lum & Abner in the News” published an undated, but circa 1933-34, article entitled
“Homely Wisdom.”
JUNE 1990 (#36): “Pitchford’s Prittle Prattle” returned after a long absence, with Uncle Donnie announcing
Bobs Watson as the guest for the 1990 Convention. Part three of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors”
covered the early years of their Horlick’s Malted Milk sponsorship. It was really difficult to scrape up “The
Many Faces of Ben Withers,” but we did it anyway.
AUGUST 1990 (#37): With this issue, the Journal made its first tentative steps toward being typeset rather
than being produced on an electric typewriter. The text was computer generated, but on a dot matrix
printer, so still looked pretty crude. “Praise the Lord and Pass the Handkerchiefs” was the life story of
child actor-turned-minister Bobs Watson, whose Mena activities were covered in the 1990 Convention
report. Part four of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors” revolved around the 1936-38 Horlick’s period.
OCTOBER 1990 (#38): At long last, the Journal was typeset through the wonders of the Macintosh
computer. “The Making of Dreaming Out Loud, 1940” provided many, many details that had come to light
since the subject was first covered in February 1985. Part five of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors” dealt
with the 1938-40 Postum shows. Leftover Convention news was included, and “And Now...” reported on
Uncle Donnie’s teaching of an L&A class at an Elderhostel gathering in Mena. A new feature, “Meet the
Members,” was introduced by profiling two NLAS stalwarts, Charles Thurman of Kentucky and John
Knuppel of Oklahoma, both of whom are still active with us today.
DECEMBER 1990 (#39): For the first time, the Journal reprinted an entire L&A script, in this case their 1939
special broadcast for Christmas seals (thought to be 1938 at that time). “Lum & Abner in the News”
reprinted a September 10, 1938 article from Radio Guide that implied Lauck & Goff wore makeup as all of
their different characters, not just L&A. “Mousey’s Corner” returned with the complete... and often
unheard... lyrics to They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree. Roz Rogers contributed the holiday anecdote “A Gift
From Corny Stroube, or I Want an Elephant for Christmas.” “Meet the Members” spotlighted L&A
enthusiast George Lillie of Iowa. “Back in the Feed Room” degenerated from its former format into a
collection of recycled gags from standard joke books. Appropriately for the Christmas issue, there was an
obituary for Germa Garrett, whose son’s birth on December 25, 1935 so closely paralleled the L&A
Christmas story.
FEBRUARY 1991 (#40): Part six of “Lum & Abner and their Sponsors” covered the Alka-Seltzer years (1941-
48). “And Now...” covered an NLAS promotional episode of a Birmingham, Ala., TV talk show. Another
classic L&A script was reproduced intact in “1000 Keystone Broadcasts.” “Meet the Members” profiled
Paul Corzine of Missouri and Charles Pitts of Texas.
APRIL 1991 (#41): This was our big celebration of L&A’s 60th anniversary (it’s time to do their 70th in our
very next issue, folks!). This event was commemorated with in-depth interviews with those who had a
role in the show’s earliest years: Ethel Huddleston Ball, John Faulkner of Mena, Harriet Lauck, and Mena
photographer Eloise Plaster. Other articles included “Meet the Members” profiles of Jimmie Parker and
“Cousin Cliff” Holman of Alabama and John E. Jones of Tennessee. A sad note was the passing of L&A
organist Elsie Mae Emerson on January 28.
JUNE 1991 (#42): Another “dwarf” issue (8 pages instead of 12). Part seven of “Lum & Abner and their
Sponsors” dealt with the 1948-49 Frigidaire series. “Meet the Members” featured Bob Morgan of Georgia
and Jim Temple of Texas. “Back in the Feed Room” continued revising old jokes. It was announced that
legendary radio & TV actor Les Tremayne would guest at the 1991 Convention.
AUGUST 1991 (#43): This 14-page issue began with “The Voice is Familiar: The Story of Les Tremayne,”
whose work at the 1991 Convention was also covered. “Lum Addresses the Legislature” reprinted a Chet
Lauck speech of 40 years previous. Part eight of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors” told the story of the
second half-hour season, for which Ford again picked up part of the tab. There was still room for “Meet
the Members” to feature Don Potter of Virginia and Col. Neal Whittaker of Kentucky.
OCTOBER 1991 (#44): “Halloween with Lum & Abner” reprinted their little-known October 31, 1944 script.
The ninth and final chapter of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors” dealt with their usually-sponsorless
series of 1953-54. One of the strangest Journal features ever was “Lum & Abner in the Twilight Zone,”
with photos and captions illustrating “almost” L&A sightings around the world. “The KTHS Story” gave a
brief history of the Hot Springs radio station that started it all. “Meet the Members” profiled artist Harold
Petersen, who also illustrated the Halloween script in this issue. Finally, “The Honorable Lum & Abner”
printed a Pine Ridge article from a 1991 Japanese magazine (written in Japanese!) with a request for
someone to translate the text into English for us.
DECEMBER 1991 (#45): Another L&A script (12/16/47) was reprinted in “Lum & Abner’s Christmas Parade
Float, or, Float or Sink.” “Meet the Members” featured Rachel Winnik of Maryland, Tom Shaffer of Arizona,
Ruth King of Oklahoma, and Kurt Jensen of Illinois. The Journal’s longest-running series to date, “Lum &
Abner Go To War,” began with the events leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7.
Suddenly, L&A were in for the duration!
FEBRUARY 1992 (#46): This was the first issue of the Journal to be stapled at the spine. “Innocents
Abroad” was a wonderful and detailed examination at the strange coincidences surrounding the final film
work of Lum & Abner and Laurel & Hardy (both teams ended their screen careers with disastrous foreign-
produced epics). “Lum & Abner Go To War” covered January, February and March 1942. “Meet the
Members” profiled Dwain Smith of New York and Ronnie Cramer of Colorado. “And Now...” acknowledged
some changes: Rex Riffle resigned from his post as NLAS publicity director, and Bobs Watson retired
from his pastoring duties due to medical problems.
APRIL 1992 (#47): Right on schedule, the featured article was “The Bashful Bachelor Is Comin’ To Town,”
with the advance publicity for L&A’s second movie. It was also announced that the film’s leading lady,
Louise Currie, would be the 1992 Convention guest. “Lum & Abner Go To War” described April and May
1942. “Meet the Members” covered two Texas couples, Carl & Frances Pearson and Harold & Audrey
Jones. “And Now...” reported on some recent appearances by Jerry Hausner. Gary Stivers’ “Golden Era”
comic strip began its last and longest continuity.
JUNE 1992 (#48): Another 8-page issue. “Lum & Abner Go To War” occupied most of the space with its
annotation of the June/July 1942 L&A programs. “And Now...” reported on the NLAS’s recent acquisition of
the bulk of the original Lum and Abner 16” transcription disks.
AUGUST 1992 (#49): This issue’s 16 pages started off with “Oh, Louise! The Career of Louise Currie.”
“Lum & Abner Go To War” detailed August and September 1942. “Chips Off the Old Block” told the story of
Science & Mechanics’ 1942 contest to make a wood carving of Lum & Abner. Of course, there was a full
report on the 1992 Convention, and “Meet the Members” profiled the McMurrin family of Arkansas. “And
Now...” recognized more achievements by Jerry Hausner, and the June 25 passing of longtime Mena
fiddler Ruel Bain (of Dick Huddleston’s 1939-40 stage act) was noted. This was the first issue of the
Journal to be mailed in an envelope rather than loose.
OCTOBER 1992 (#50): “The Annotated Bashful Bachelor” brought out little-known facts about that L&A
film. “Lum & Abner Go To War” covered October and November 1942. “Meet the Members” profiled
Joanne Kennedy of California and Earl Cariker of Texas. It was briefly noted that this was the 50th issue of
the Journal.
DECEMBER 1992 (#51): “All I Want for Christmas” reprinted the 12/21/44 L&A Christmas script. “Lum &
Abner Go To War” covered December 1942 and January 1943. “Meet the Members” was devoted to
“Popeye people” Mike & Debbie Brooks of Tennessee. “The Secretary’s Desk” returned after a long
absence to bring everyone up to date on some Honorary Members’ recent activities.
FEBRUARY 1993 (#52): “A Second Look at Two Weeks to Live” kicked off the celebration of that film’s 50th
anniversary. “Lum & Abner Go To War” summarized the February/March 1943 L&A programs. “Meet the
Members” profiled the Baird family of Texas, and a new NLAS contest was begun in “Who Said That?”
Members were asked to identify the character who spoke each of 34 isolated lines from the series!
APRIL 1993 (#53): The winner of the “Who Said That?” contest was announced as Motto Scroggins of
Indiana. “Lum & Abner Go To War” featured the April/May 1943 programs. Member Loren Cox Jr.
contributed some potentially controversial observations on the L&A series in a special “Commentary”
section. After a long absence, “Lum & Abner In The News” returned with a collection of short, unrelated
clippings spanning a period from 1934 to 1970. “Meet the Members” covered musicians Paul Land and
Ray Hildebrand of Kansas City. Willard Waterman, “The Great Gildersleeve,” was announced as the 1993
Convention guest.
JUNE 1993 (#54): This issue was devoted to the unexpected death of NLAS booster Jerry Hausner on April
1. The August 1987 article “Everybody’s Friend” was reprinted, with the ending updated to cover events
since its original publication. In Hausner’s memory, a new occasional series was begun, “Jerry Hausner’s
Hollywood,” collecting some of his many show biz anecdotes. “Lum & Abner Go To War” took us through
June and July 1943.
AUGUST 1993 (#55): Coverage of the 1993 Convention was supplemented by the biographical piece “The
Willard Waterman Story.” “Lum & Abner Go To War” plunged into August/September 1943. “And Now...”
reported on some recent L&A references in the media. Two cartoon villains named “Lummox and Abner”
were supposed to appear in an upcoming Tom & Jerry animated feature. And with this issue, the NLAS’s
long-running series of L&A script reprint volumes began with the few surviving scripts of 1934.
OCTOBER 1993 (#56): Another L&A movie anniversary was covered in “So This Is So This Is Washington.”
“Lum & Abner Go To War” summarized October and November 1943. “Meet the Members” took in Cecil
Whitmire of the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham. The non-appearance of Lummox and Abner was
described in “Let’s Toon In On Lum & Abner.”
DECEMBER 1993 (#57): The 12/22/47 L&A script “No Christmas Presents” was reprinted. “Lum & Abner In
The News” featured a Perryville, Missouri, article from the Lumburger era. “Lum & Abner Go To War”
covered December 1943 and January 1944. “The Secretary’s Desk” reported on, among other things, the
November 13 tornado that devastated L&A landmarks in Mena. In “Pine Ridge Library Bookshelf,” Lum
Edwards reviewed L&A references in some recent books sent to the NLAS headquarters.
FEBRUARY 1994 (#58): Leading off was “The Other L&A: Lauck and Ameche,” commemorating Don Ameche’
s death on December 6. “Lum & Abner Go To War” concentrated on February and March 1944. The Mena
tornado was elaborated upon in “Big Blowout at the County Seat.” More books were reviewed in “Pine
Ridge Library Bookshelf,” and there was a brief obituary for Honorary Member Pat Buttram, who passed
away on January 8. The January 1936 volume of L&A scripts (The Case of the Pine Ridge Firebug) was
released.
APRIL 1994 (#59): “Lum & Abner Go To War” was into April and May 1944. An interesting variation on the
script reprint idea was the presentation of an unheard “alternate” version of the 5/25/44 program that
introduced Phinus Peabody. There were more show biz stories in a “Jerry Hausner’s Hollywood”
installment, and the first three NLAS Convention video tapes were released.
JUNE 1994 (#60): Our good friend Wendell Niles passed away on March 30, and his death was
commemorated by a condensed version of his August 1989 biographical sketch. “Lum & Abner Go To
War” entered its final year with June and July 1944. “Lum & Abner In The News” reprinted an 8/27/36
article about the newly-named Pine Ridge. “And Now...” reported on a recent Little Rock research trip by
the NLAS Ossifers, the upcoming special L&A postmark, and the recently-issued ZaSu Pitts postage
stamp. Chet Lauck’s daughter Shirley was announced as the 1994 Convention guest.
AUGUST 1994 (#61): This 16-pager was the NLAS’s official 10th anniversary issue. “Growing Up With Lum &
Abner” was a collection of Shirley Lauck’s childhood memories. The report on the 1994 Convention took
three pages to get it all in. The following four pages gave a year-by-year breakdown on the NLAS’s
activities up to that point. There was still room for “Lum & Abner Go To War” to cover August and
September 1944, and the February 1936 script reprint volume (Lum & Abner In New York) was announced.
OCTOBER 1994 (#62): “Lum & Abner Go To Town” was the 50th anniversary study of 1944’s Goin’ To Town.
A rare interview with Barbara Hale about her participation in the film was presented. “Lum & Abner Go To
War” took in October and November 1944. “And Now...” brought up some recent L&A developments. A
new NLAS special release cassette was advertised, Part One of 1953’s Thanksgiving in Pine Ridge; it’s
still available for $4.00 through the Executive Secretary’s office.
DECEMBER 1994 (#63): As had become traditional, another L&A Christmas script was presented intact, this
time a 12/24/42 episode dealing with electric trains. “Lum & Abner Go To War” concerned itself with
December 1944 and January 1945. There was also a one-page dialogue from 1938 in which L&A discussed
Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
FEBRUARY 1995 (#64): Pine Ridge historian Kathy Stucker reported on some recent “lost treasures”
discovered in remote spots of the small community. “Lum & Abner Go To War” uncovered treasures of its
own in February and March 1945. “Straight From the Mail Hack” presented recent letters from members,
in the tradition of the long-gone “Party Line” column. The March 1936 script volume (Lum the Champeen)
was released.
APRIL 1995 (#65): Less than two years after his 1993 Convention appearance, Willard Waterman passed
away on February 2, and a one-page article gave the details of his career. “Lum & Abner Go To War”
covered April and May 1945, and included an obituary for one-time L&A supporting player Frank Martin,
who died on December 22, 1994. The complete L&A script of 4/26/45 was reprinted in “Peace Conference
in Fran Sansisco.” A new NLAS special release cassette, The Alka-Seltzer Specials, was announced and is
still available for $4.00 from the Executive Secretary’s office. Three guests were announced for the
upcoming 1995 Convention, but only one of them would actually make it there.
JUNE 1995 (#66): “Lum & Abner Go To War” began slowly winding down with June and July 1945. (As a
sidebar, an old concept was revived in “The Many Faces of Robert the Robot.”) “Lum & Abner In The
News” presented the 1945 article that announced that the real Pine Ridge was getting electricity at last.
There was a review of an obscure 1940 cartoon short that seemed to borrow a concept or two from L&A,
and James McMurrin gave a brief history of the type of pinball machine Cedric would have played. “And
Now...” reported many different news items, including the death on March 7 of Thomas Nobles, the
announcer for L&A’s original 1931 broadcasts from Hot Springs. Parley Baer was announced as the
primary guest for the 1995 Convention.
AUGUST 1995 (#67): “Parley Baer’s Uncommonly Good Career” summarized our 1995 Convention guest, as
did the annual meeting’s report itself. “Lum & Abner Go To War” ground out its final installment with a
look at the postwar world of August and September 1945. An August 1935 article and photo documented
L&A’s appearance at that year’s Indiana State Fair. The April 1936 script reprint volume (Lum & Abner at
the Kentucky Derby) was released.
OCTOBER 1995 (#68): This issue was dedicated to the memory of Harriet Lauck, “Lum’s wife,” who passed
away on July 12. “Harriet Lauck: Her Legacy to the NLAS” described the information and encouragement
we had received from her over the years. Going along with the memorial theme, “Lum & Abner In The
News” presented a 1976 newspaper article about the Laucks’ 50th wedding anniversary. Another obituary
was for L&A’s close friend Phil Harris, who died on August 11. The rest of the issue was devoted to “Lum
& Abner Mind Somebody Else’s Business,” an original short story that appeared in the December 1945
issue of Radio Mirror.
DECEMBER 1995 (#69): Elaborating on a topic covered briefly in an early Journal, “A Sure-Fire Trick”
detailed attempts to put the L&A Christmas story on television. “Lum & Abner Mind Somebody Else’s
Business” was concluded. “Lum & Abner Go Abroad” gave the sad story of the duo’s last (and least)
motion picture effort. Another obituary, this time for Grady Sutton, who played Cedric in several L&A
movies and who passed away on September 17.
FEBRUARY 1996 (#70): This issue began a long-running and very popular series of articles, “Lum & Abner
and the Great American Roadside.” The series kicked off with the history of the once-popular Lum’s
Restaurants. Another complete L&A script was reprinted with February 1945’s “Lum & Abner’s Washington’
s Birthday Pageant.” “The Secretary’s Desk” reported trivia associated with L&A Abroad and some of the
many anniversaries coming up in 1996.
APRIL 1996 (#71): “A Town That Is Known By Three Rings On The Phone” was Pine Ridge’s 60th
anniversary article, with updated information gathered since 1986. “Lum & Abner In The News” presented
the Arkansas Gazette coverage of the 1936 Waters-to-Pine Ridge name change ceremonies. The second
installment if the “Great American Roadside” series described the various businesses that operated
under the Jot ‘Em Down Store name. Radio actress Jean VanderPyl was announced as the 1996
Convention guest.
JUNE 1996 (#72): With this issue, the Journal finally perfected its photograph reproduction, with the
illustrations scanned directly into the layout. “The Timeless Partners In Time” described the production of
that movie, with comments from leading lady Pamela Blake. “We Say Goodbye” paid tribute to two recently-
departed L&A associates: comedian George Burns and Lou Crosby’s widow Linda Crosby Walker. The
“Great American Roadside” covered the attempts to begin a Cracker Barrel-like chain of L&A country
store restaurants in 1966. Jean VanderPyl had to cancel her Convention appearance and was replaced by
Lou Crosby’s daughters Linda Lou & Cathy Lee Crosby, and 1946-48 L&A producer Forrest Owen.
AUGUST 1996 (#73): The 1996 Convention was a big event, as evidenced by its coverage in this issue.
“Life With Lou” was the biography of announcer Lou Crosby, and “The Effervescent Forrest Owen”
profiled another 1996 guest. The “Great American Roadside” appeared as a half page only with a report
on “Lum & Abner’s Apple Shack” in North Carolina. Two new special release cassettes were offered (and
are still available for $4.00 each), Behind the Scenes with Lum & Abner and Lum & Abner’s Jukebox
Jamboree. The May 1936 script reprint volume (The Perils of Lum) also appeared.
OCTOBER 1996 (#74): The 100th anniversary of L&A’s hometown, Mena, was celebrated by a detailed
article. “A Love Letter to Mena” was originally penned by Elizabeth Goff for the 1987 Convention. The
“Great American Roadside” series continued with some 1961 plans to get L&A into the motel business,
and the L&A tourist cabins that still operate today in British Columbia, Canada. “To Hollywood and
Beyond!” presented L&A stories from 1996 Convention guests Ben Combs and Harlan Hobbs.
DECEMBER 1996 (#75): “50 Fine Years” commemorated the golden anniversary of Clarence “Ben Withers”
Hartzell’s debut on the L&A program. Tributes to Clarence were contributed by newscaster Hugh Downs
and Auntie Helen Hartzell. A little-known aspect of L&A history was described in “The Mt. Idy Connection,
or, Ben Withers Meets Charley Weaver.”
FEBRUARY 1997 (#76): Another in our series of “tribute” issues, this time concerning 1944-48 L&A
announcer Gene Baker. The “Great American Roadside” series picked up with the stories of several
surviving Lum’s Restaurants. “Forever Lumburger” described the 1947 publicity stunt to get L&A’s names
into every American eatery. Two veteran columns, “And Now...” and “The Secretary’s Desk,” reported on
L&A’s induction into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame and new Honorary Member Gene Hamilton
(L&A announcer from 1932-34). The June 1936 script volume (The Mystery of the Old Trunk) was released.
APRIL 1997 (#77): “Lum & Abner and the Susprize Party” described the 4/24/47 broadcast in which all of
Lauck & Goff’s show biz friends surprised them in the middle of their live show. “Pine Ridge Library
Bookshelf” returned with Lum Edwards’ review of Cathy Lee Crosby’s new book Let the Magic Begin. The
“Great American Roadside” series took a new turn with the annotated reprinting of the 4/18/44 L&A script
that itself dealt with roadside culture. The 1997 Convention was announced as the NLAS’s first two-day
affair, with scheduled guests Lewis Arquette and returnees Harlan Hobbs and Ben Combs.
JUNE 1997 (#78): “Lum & Abner In The News” returned with the June 1937 Radio Stars article “Pine Ridge
Goes Hollywood.” Longtime Journal contributors James & Janet McMurrin came up with “The Resumé of
Mousey Gray.” “Pine Ridge Revisited” reprinted Kathy Stucker’s history of the Huddleston Store from the
October 1984 Journal. “Things Are Fine in Mt. Idy” reported on the upcoming Charley Weaver Day, which
Lewis Arquette was to visit along with the NLAS Convention the following weekend.
AUGUST 1997 (#79): Lewis Arquette made it to the Charley Weaver Day, but at the last minute had to
cancel his NLAS appearance. One week before the Convention date, another guest was secured, radio
teenager Mary Lee Robb. The story of her L&A connection was told in “Don’t Cry, Papa” and the annual
convention report. The proposed 1947 storyline for “Pearl’s Wedding” was reprinted from the NLAS
archives. “Lauck & Goff and Their Friends” presented more stories from Harlan Hobbs. “Meet Gene
Hamilton” recognized the NLAS’s most recent distinguished Honorary Member. The 1985 and 1986
Convention videos were released, as was the July 1936 script volume (The Great Bicycle Race).
OCTOBER 1997 (#80): Obituary issues were getting all too common. Dick Huddleston’s only child, Ethel
Ball, passed away on July 3 at the age of 92. She was the subject of a full tribute, and some of her own
past NLAS writings were included. Tying in with that idea, “Lum & Abner In The News” reprinted a 1965
newspaper article from the days when Ethel was still running her late father’s store in Pine Ridge. The
“Great American Roadside” located a “Pine Ridge Grocery” in Maryland.
DECEMBER 1997 (#81): Another complete L&A script: “The Fright Before Christmas,” from a 1946 ABC
holiday special. “Ouachita Christmas” was a touching poem originally published in The Mena Star in 1933.
The “Great American Roadside” presented several current photos of the British Columbia L&A tourist
camp. “Lum & Abner In The News” collected clippings from the autumn of 1937, and “Give A Cheer For
Lum & Abner” tied the pair to the 1938 Rose Bowl game. The 1990 Convention video was released.
FEBRUARY 1998 (#82): For the first time since 1986, “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” returned for a look at
some recently-discovered L&A short subjects. “Home On The Range” was the story of Chet Lauck’s
beloved Bar Nothing Ranch near Las Vegas. With the L&A scripts for August and September still missing,
the October 1936 reprint volume (Lum for President) was released.
APRIL 1998 (#83): Another obituary: L&A co-writer Betty Boyle passed away on January 18. “Europe Or
Bust, 1938” began an examination of the famed Lauck tour of Europe that summer, which was echoed by
the radio show’s storyline at the time. The first four of the hilarious “Lum’s Letters from Europe” that
were syndicated to newspapers were reprinted.
JUNE 1998 (#84): Yet another loss: 1932-34 L&A cast member Grandpa Jones (of Grand Ole Opry fame)
passed away on February 19. His career with L&A was reviewed in a 2-page article. “Mr. Eddards Takes a
Trip” described the on-air storyline and famous Transatlantic broadcast that accompanied the true Lauck
tour, and the final three “Lum’s Letters From Europe” appeared. 1998 Convention guests Kay Linaker and
Frank Bresee were announced.
AUGUST 1998 (#85): Two Weeks To Live actress Kay Linaker’s amazing career was profiled in “From Pine
Ridge to The Blob.” The other Convention guest was covered in “Frank Bresee’s Golden Days of Radio.”
The annual convention report also covered both guests. The 1991 Convention video and November 1936
script volume (The Diary of Evalena Schultz) were released, and the “Great American Roadside” series
found a new Arkansas tourist attraction known as “Lum’s Mountain.”
OCTOBER 1998 (#86): Leading off was an obscure 1938 short story, “Lum & Abner in an Abandoned
Quandary,” from Radio Mirror. A new series of articles on the 50th anniversary of the half-hour L&A series
began with “1940: A Sign of Things To Come” (their first attempt to switch to a 30-minute format) and “1948:
A Brand-New Kind of Visit.” The L&A programs of September & October 1948 were annotated. There was a
brief notation that longtime L&A writer Roz Rogers had passed away on August 6, and a full tribute would
be forthcoming.
DECEMBER 1998 (#87): Roz Rogers’ career occupied this issue, with several different tributes. His 1985
autobiography “Reading the Signs” was reprinted with new illustrations and an updated ending. Also
appearing in print for the first time was Roz’s humorous piece “A Note to Scholars,” meant to accompany
the L&A script collection at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Appropriately, the L&A programs of
November and December 1948 (Roz’s work) were examined.
FEBRUARY 1999 (#88): “30 Years in Pine Ridge” observed the anniversary of the restoration of the Dick
Huddleston Store. In stark contrast, the L&A broadcasts of January and February 1949 were picked apart
and analyzed. A 1939 L&A ad from General Foods was presented, and it was noted that Roz Rogers’ widow
Dorie had followed his passing on December 28. A thorough explanation of the NLAS’s dire financial
condition was given. The December 1936 script volume (A Haunting We Will Go) was released.
APRIL 1999 (#89): A complete examination of the March/April 1949 L&A shows was given, along with some
comments on the show made by Andy Devine in 1973. “Lum & Abner In The News” featured clippings from
January to May 1939. The “Great American Roadside” reviewed the new book Dixie Before Disney by
Executive Secretary Tim Hollis, which contains some L&A references of course. Fred Foy and a tribute to
Opie Cates were announced for the 1999 Convention.
JUNE 1999 (#90): “A Monumental Anniversary” described the dedication 20 years ago of the L&A
monument in Mena’s Janssen Park. The L&A shows of May & June 1949 were annotated. The complete
script of the 6/12/49 episode, “I Grannies, I Love You,” was reprinted.
AUGUST 1999 (#91): Complete 1999 Convention coverage included the annual report and the biography
“Hi Yo Silver! Your Announcer, Fred Foy.” “Lum & Abner In The News” featured clippings from June
through August 1939. “And Now...” reported on the 1999 L&A Days in Mena and a recent TV appearance by
Bobs Watson. Would-be 1995 and 1996 Convention guest Jean VanderPyl passed away on April 13. The
January 1937 script volume (Where There’s a Will) was released, as were the 1992 and 1993 Convention
videos. After making such a big deal out of the NLAS’s 5th and 10th anniversaries, we let this issue totally
slip by without remember that it was our 15th anniversary!
OCTOBER 1999 (#92): A tribute to the vastly underrated musician and comedian Opie Cates was
presented. Also included were annotations for the 1947-48 Opie Cates Show, which was written by Roz
Rogers and featured many L&A supporting players. Opie’s autobiography “From Rags to Riches to Rags in
One Easy Lifetime” was again printed. The “Great American Roadside” returned with yet another Jot ‘Em
Down Store in Beaumont, Texas, and updates on a couple of other L&A businesses as well.
DECEMBER 1999 (#93): The series on the 30-minute L&A show resumed with descriptions of the
November/December 1949 broadcasts. “1939: A Year to Remember” described the L&A activity going on
around Mena and Pine Ridge during that fall. “Christmas in 30 Minutes” described how the traditional L&A
holiday show was adapted for the half-hour days.
FEBRUARY 2000 (#94): Belatedly, the NLAS learned that Bobs Watson had passed away on June 26, 1999.
We finally got around to commemorating that sad event with a full tribute in this issue. On a lighter note,
the L&A shows of January/February 1950 were examined, including some of the fan mail the duo received
at the time. Two features observed the 20th anniversary of the passing of Chet Lauck: “February 1980:
Goodbye, Lum,” and “Chet Lauck, the Eternal Optimist.” The February 1937 script volume (Early to Bid)
was released, and copies are still available from the Executive Secretary for $5.00 each.
APRIL 2000 (#95): “Lum & Abner’s Road to Hollywood” detailed the preparations in the spring of 1940 to
bring L&A to the movie screen for the first time. “Lum & Abner In The News” presented a March 1960
account of a Lauck & Goff reunion in Houston. The March/April 1950 L&A shows were examined. The
“Great American Roadside” covered the opening of Arkansas’ Mountain Village 1890 in 1960, and there
was an obituary for L&A Abroad producer Joy N. Houck, who passed away in July 1999 at the age of 100.
JUNE 2000 (#96): “Dreaming Out Loud in a Short Snooze” gave both a 1940 movie magazine synopsis of
the upcoming film and some behind-the-scenes publicity for it. Another feature told how the L&A
programs were doing in syndication in 1970. “Lum & Abner In The News” reprinted a 1960 Arkansas
Gazette visit to Pine Ridge.
AUGUST 2000 (#97): The 2000 Convention was thoroughly covered, as was the guest, busy actress
Barbara Fuller, in “Living a Fuller Life.” Summer 1940 Mena Star articles comprised “How Dreaming Out
Loud Came to Town.” The “Great American Roadside” featured the Southern Belle Diner in Heavener,
Oklahoma. The 1994 and 1995 NLAS Convention videos were released, as was the March 1937 script
volume (Money To Burn, still available for $5.00).
OCTOBER 2000 (#98): “An All-Arkansas Premiere” reprinted the newspaper coverage of the Dreaming Out
Loud premieres in Little Rock, Mena, Hot Springs, and Ft. Smith. “Who Are All Those People?” gave short
bios of the movie’s supporting cast, and “Sing Along With Lum & Abner” gave the complete lyrics to the
title song.
DECEMBER 2000 (#99): The 60th anniversary of Dreaming Out Loud was brought to a close by looking at
some of the reviews and articles about the film during the months following its Arkansas showings.
“ALetter From Lum” covered a very unusual promotion from the early days of Lum and Abner syndication.
“And Now” continued its long run by looking at a September 2000 L&A tribute in Little Rock, and also
updating everyone on the current status of some of our past Convention guests.
not professionally printed. It was simply duplicated on a photocopier as new members were enrolled. The
very first feature the readers encountered was “Howdy Everbody,” a continuing script detailing the
adventures of the bumbling NLAS Ossifers. More in line with the Journal’s main emphasis was “Lum &
Abner: Their Ancestors and Descendants,” part one of a two-part series examining the long tradition of
rural humor. “A Quick Look Back” brought members up to speed on the basic history of the L&A program
in an article that has since proven to be full of inaccuracies. “Lum & Abner in the News” made its debut by
reprinting an historic October 7, 1947, article from Newsweek (printed again on page 11 of this issue, for
those of you who weren’t with us in 1984). The final feature was “Lum & Abner Want You,” in which we put
out a call for members to submit their own articles for the Journal. Over the 16 years since, less than a
half dozen people ever responded!
OCTOBER 1984 (#2): The first commercially-printed issue was done on yellow paper. “Howdy Everbody”
featured Uncle Donnie and Singin’ Sam reading NLAS fan mail. “The Pine Ridge Story,” by Lon & Kathy
Stucker of the L&A Museum, gave the first overview as to how the Dick Huddleston Store was preserved
for future generations. Part two of “Lum & Abner: Their Ancestors & Descendants” covered the rural TV
sitcoms that may or may not have drawn inspiration from L&A. “Lum & Abner in the News” featured an
article from the January 1939 issue of Hygeia, now known as Today’s Health. “The Secretary’s Desk”
contained the good news that membership was approaching the 100 mark, and the bad news that the
NLAS was in serious financial trouble (with a membership of nearly 600 now, the financial problems still
persist to some extent).
DECEMBER 1984 (#3): In “Howdy Everbody,” Uncle Donnie and Singin’ Sam made a mess out of their
annual chore of decorating the NLAS Christmas tree. “It’s a Lum & Abner Christmas” was the first attempt
to reconstruct the story behind the famous L&A holiday show. The same show was the subject of “Lum &
Abner in the News,” with a March 28, 1936 Radio Guide story titled “The Strange Prophecy of Lum &
Abner.” “A Christmas Present for Pine Ridge” was the announcement that the Dick Huddleston Store had
been approved for the National Register of Historic Places. “The Secretary’s Desk” announced that
membership was up to 138, and announced some of the earliest plans for the first annual convention.
There was a short transcription of an interview with Chet Lauck concerning the origin of the Christmas
show, and the Journal’s first obituary: Ora Garrett, the Pine Ridge barber who claimed to have been the
model for Mose Moots, had died on November 5.
FEBRUARY 1985 (#4): This issue debuted the Journal masthead, created by artist-in-residence Uncle
Donnie, which is still in use today. The series “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” kicked off with a discussion of
Dreaming Out Loud in three chapters: (1) How the radio audience was prepared for the movie; (2) A
synopsis of the plot; (3) A brief review of the film as it compares to the radio series. “The Secretary’s
Desk” had membership approaching 200, and announced that longtime L&A writer Roz Rogers was
confirmed as the guest for the first NLAS Convention in June. There was also a list of Mena/Mt. Ida motels
for those who wished to begin making reservations.
APRIL 1985 (#5): A convention update added the amazing news that Clarence “Ben Withers” Hartzell
would be joining Roz Rogers as a second guest. Part two of “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” covered The
Bashful Bachelor. “Lum & Abner in the News” returned with L&A being awarded the weekly “Medal of
Merit” by Radio Guide on December 4, 1937. A new feature, “Memories of Lum & Abner,” presented
firsthand anecdotes from individuals personally associated with L&A, in this case radio show producers
Bob Dwyer and Forrest Owen. “The Secretary’s Desk” announced that Larry Telles of California became
member #200 on February 5, 1985. Two new columns were “Mousey’s Corner,” presenting some of Mr.
Gray’s poetics efforts, and “Back in the Feed Room,” by then-publicity director Rex Riffle, which started
out as a sort of L&A version of Trivial Pursuit. The big news was that, at long last, the NLAS Tape Library
was open for business, although at this time it only contained L&A episodes up to 1942.
JUNE 1985 (#6): “Meet the Ossifers” prepared members for what the NLAS officials were going to be like
when they met them at the upcoming convention. “Meet the Folks in Pine Ridge” was more important, as
it gave a quick overview of the real Pine Ridge citizens who were pictured as the radio characters on Dick
Huddleston’s postcards. “What to See in the Pine Ridge Area” gave conventioneers an armchair tour of
the greater Mena metroplex. “Lum & Abner in the News” continued the Pine Ridge theme with a 1979
article about the L&A Museum from the Montgomery County News. Also featured was “Dear Tuffy,” Chet
Lauck’s touching eulogy for his partner, and new installments of “Back in the Feed Room” and “Mousey’s
Corner.”
AUGUST 1985 (#7): At 16 pages instead of the normal 12, there was a lot packed into this issue. “Howdy
Everbody” depicted Uncle Donnie and Singin’ Sam having trouble with the press as they tried to print this
issue. “Pitchford’s Prittle Prattle” gave Prez Uncle Donnie a genuine chance to thank everyone who
helped make the first convention a success. “Reading the Signs” was Roz Rogers’ own humorous
autobiographical sketch, written especially for the Journal. “The Uncollected Works of Roswell Rogers”
was the famed humorist’s annotated list of his radio, TV, and motion picture credits. “Pine Ridge Will
Never Be the Same” was Singin’ Sam Brown’s report on that first unbelievable convention weekend. Part
three of “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” covered Two Weeks to Live. “Memories of Lum & Abner” presented
some of the anecdotes related by Roz Rogers during the convention. There was also an obituary for L&A’
s first network announcer, Charles Lyon, who passed away on May 11, and “The Secretary’s Desk”
announced that George Mixon of Texas was NLAS member #300.
OCTOBER 1985 (#8): Since the previous issue was devoted to convention guest Roz Rogers, the October
issue gave equal time to his co-guest, Clarence Hartzell. “Fine: The Many Careers of Clarence Hartzell”
gave an overview of the radio veteran’s varied activities. Some of Clarence’s more personal stories were
presented in “Memories of Lum & Abner,” and there were more installments of “Mousey’s Corner” and
“Back in the Feed Room.” Part four of “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” took on So This Is Washington. In this
issue, the pinback buttons with the NLAS logo were first announced for $1.50 each. They remain on sale
today for the same price... a bargain if there ever was one!
DECEMBER 1985 (#9): “Pine Ridge’s Christmas Story” was Kathy Stucker’s more historically correct
rendition of what actually transpired in the little community during the 1935 broadcast of L&A’s Christmas
show. A new irregular series, “It Could Have Happened,” began with the story of how Chet Lauck and
Harlan Hobbs tried to sell the L&A Christmas story as a TV special. That same Christmas story was the
subject of “Lum & Abner in the News,” in a special yuletide feature from Movie-Radio Guide on December
20, 1941. More holiday memories from Roz Rogers and Clarence Hartzell made up “Memories of Lum &
Abner: Perfect Gifts.” Part five of “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” went to town with Goin’ to Town, and
“Mousey’s Corner” and “Back in the Feed Room” occupied their usual spots.
FEBRUARY 1986 (#10): In “Howdy Everbody,” during a chaotic meeting of disinterested NLAS Ossifers,
Uncle Donnie announced his impending marriage on June 7. “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” continued this
romantic storyline with a look at Partners in Time. “Kiver to Kiver” gave a synposis of the original RKO
pressbook for the movie. Postmark buff Rex Riffle gave a brief discussion of Arkansas towns with L&A-
related names in “Lum & Abner on the Map.” “Mousey’s Corner” featured a 1940 Valentine’s Day poem,
and “Back in the Feed Room” continued documenting trivia from the broadcasts.
APRIL 1986 (#11): For the first time, the Journal was given over to a single topic, with 7 of the 12 pages
devoted to commemorating the 50th anniversary of the town of Waters changing its name to Pine Ridge.
Kathy Stucker provided a most interesting an in-depth history of the community, whose roots in the
Ouachita Mountains run much deeper than a radio comedy series. “Pitchford’s Prittle Prattle” returned
with an official congratulations from the NLAS to Pine Ridge on the momentous occasion. Also included
were driving directions to Pine Ridge for those coming to the second convention in June.
JUNE 1986 (#12): “Howdy Everbody” took place at Uncle Donnie’s wedding, where the other three
Ossifers succeeded in making a nuisance of themselves. The seventh and final installment of “Lum &
Abner in Hollywood” looked at that cinema stinker Lum & Abner Abroad. “It Could Have Happened”
returned with a look at some 1971 plans for a series of L&A animated cartoons. “Lum & Abner in the
News” featured two 1935 articles from The Chicago Daily News. “Mousey’s Corner” reprinted a poem from
the 1937 L&A almanac, and “Back in the Feed Room” altered its trivia format for another look at L&A town
names around the U.S.
AUGUST 1986 (#13): “The Country Merchant” was a biography of real-life storekeeper Dick Huddleston.
Dick’s daughter Ethel was the subject of “Memories of Lum & Abner.” “Dick Huddleston On the Air”
examined how the radio character compared with his realistic counterpart. The 1986 convention report
was a short one, as was the convention itself. There was a belated report on the events in Pine Ridge on
April 26 that officially commemorated the town’s 50th anniversary under that name. “Lum & Abner in the
News” presented the 1943 version of an article titled “Lum & Abner as the Home Folks Know Them,” which
had undergone several revisions since it was first written in Mena in the late 1930s. “Mousey’s Corner”
reprinted a poem from the 1936 Pine Ridge News, and there was an obituary for frequent L&A supporting
player Lurene Tuttle, who died on May 28. “The Secretary’s Desk” updated everyone on Roz Rogers’
recent heart bypass surgery, and printed a humorous note that Roz himself composed and mailed from
the hospital.
OCTOBER 1986 (#14): It was felt that “Howdy Everbody” had worn out its welcome, so in the final
installment the Ossifers attempt to have a meeting at Uncle Donnie’s house over wife Aunt Laura’s
objections. A new series of articles began, “Lum & Abner on Television?,” with a look at the obscure 15-
minute TV pilot the pair filmed in 1948. “Memories of Lum & Abner” featured stories from 1932-34 Pine
Ridge String Band member Joe Troyan. “Meet the Honorary Members” gave brief biographical sketches
of the NLAS’s celebrity members of that time; incredibly and sadly, of the 29 celebrities profiled, only 10
are alive and with us today (Gretchen Goff Dooling, Elizabeth Goff, Louise Currie, Barbara Hale, Frances
Langford, Chet Lauck Jr., Forrest Owen, Lon & Kathy Stucker, and Joe Troyan). “Pine Ridge’s Ghost Story”
was Kathy Stucker’s retelling of an eerie local legend.
DECEMBER 1986 (#15): Most appropriately for the season, “Lum & Abner’s Christmas Story” was a short
story adaptation of the annual Yuletide broadcast. Part two of “Lum & Abner on Television?” dealt with
the 1949 TV pilot that co-starred Andy Devine, ZaSu Pitts, and Opie Cates. “Happy Holidays from Lum &
Abner” summarized some of the “other” Christmas-themed episodes done by the pair. “The Secretary’s
Desk” welcomed new Honorary Members Jerry Hausner, E. V. Jarvis (L&A producer from 1938-40), and
Harry Ackerman (L&A producer from 1947-50). A reprint of “Lum & Abner’s Cross Words Puzzle” from the
1936 Pine Ridge News rounded out the issue.
FEBRUARY 1987 (#16): “Lum & Abner on Television?” departed from its usual format to review the
December 30, 1986, Arkansas Educational TV Network documentary “Lum & Abner: Laughter Never Dies.”
“Lum & Abner in the News” reprinted an undated article about Tuffy Goff’s home in Encino. “Lum & Abner’
s Lost Chapter” presented Roz Rogers’ summaries of the “missing” L&A episodes from February-April
1944 (which are still missing to this day). “Mousey’s Corner” featured another 1936 Pine Ridge News
verse, and the solution to the crossword puzzle from the last issue was printed.
APRIL 1987 (#17): “Lum & Abner on Television?” resumed with an overview of Chet Lauck’s commercials
for Conoco during the late 1950s. “Kiver to Kiver Revisited” presented highlights of the RKO pressbook
for Two Weeks to Live. “Back in the Feed Room” still carried Rex Riffle’s byline but was not being written
by him. “Ben Withers’ Easter Story” was a routine taken, surprisingly, from a 1947 L&A Christmas episode.
JUNE 1987 (#18): With this issue, the Journal upgraded the quality of paper it was being printed on, to try
to improve photo reproduction. Part four of “Lum & Abner on Television?” covered Chet Lauck’s then-
controversial series of political commercials for his friend Bill Fulbright. “Memories of Lum & Abner”
featured stories from character actor Jerry Hausner and L&A organist Elsie Mae Emerson. “Back in the
Feed Room” was still going. “Mousey’s Corner” was devoted to a poem Roz Rogers contributed to the
1986 NLAS convention. There were so many plans for the 1987 meeting that just promoting it occupied a
page and a half.
AUGUST 1987 (#19): “Everybody’s Friend” was the appropriately-titled biography of 1987 Convention
guest Jerry Hausner. “Surprise, Surprise” was the report on the convention itself, where a record
number of unexpected events took place. “NLAS Spotlight” was the earliest version of the feature now
known as “And Now...” This time it covered L&A impersonators Kurt Jensen and Ed Frost. “The Secretary’
s Desk” welcomed two new Honorary Members, Elmore “Phinus Peabody” Vincent and Parley Baer. In the
place of “Back in the Feed Room,” Rex Riffle attempted to begin a new column, “The Party Line,” which
was to encourage L&A memories from the members.
OCTOBER 1987 (#20): The quality of the Journal’s paper stock was again upgraded to a more glossy
enamel finish. “Meet the Ossifers” updated the June 1985 writeups. Part five of “Lum & Abner on
Television?” detailed Norris Goff’s guest appearance on Gomer Pyle, USMC on January 1, 1965. Rex Riffle
reverted to writing “Back in the Feed Room,” with no mention made of “The Party Line.” “Mousey’s
Corner” also continued with a contribution by member Kurt Jensen. “Lum & Abner in the News” reprinted
several classic 1938 L&A news items from The Mena Star. The previous issue’s “NLAS Spotlight” evolved
into “And Now...” with news items from Pine Ridge, Dallas, and Marion, Ill. “Memories of Lum & Abner” was
contributed by Bobs Watson, and there was a short obituary for almost-L&A-cast-member Archie Campbell,
who died on August 29.
DECEMBER 1987 (#21): “The Party Line” finally got started, but without Rex Riffle’s participation. Most of
this issue was devoted to “A Pine Ridge Christmas Carol,” an original short story written and illustrated
byUncle Donnie. Part six of “Lum & Abner on Television?” squeezed in a discussion of Norris Goff’s
appearance on The Andy Griffith Show. “Mousey’s Corner” had another poem contributed by a member,
this time Duane Wilkie. There was a rare Christmas drawing by Chet Lauck dating from his pre-radio days
in Mena, and also an obituary for O.W. Hatfield, founder of Hatfield’s Famous Pine Ridge Sorghum.
FEBRUARY 1988 (#22): This issue led off with an obituary for L&A supporting player Opie Cates, who
passed away on November 6. A special feature was Opie’s own biographical piece “From Rags to Riches
to Rags in One East Lifetime,” which he wrote for one of his daughters in the 1960s. “Lum & Abner in the
News” presented “But We Ain’t Got No Descriptions,” a humorous L&A dialogue from the October 20, 1934
issue of Radio Guide. Part seven of “Lum & Abner on Television?” dealt with the Chet Lauck-narrated
1968 documentary “The Arkansas River.” For diversion, there was an L&A word search game contributed
by George Lillie.
APRIL 1988 (#23): The NLAS suffered a real blow when Clarence Hartzell passed away unexpectedly on
March 5, The April issue was devoted to his memory, with a complete reprint of the articles “Fine: The
Many Careers of Clarence Hartzell” and “Memories of Lum & Abner” from the October 1985 Journal. A
new installment of “The Party Line” featured tributes from Roz Rogers, Rex Riffle, Tim Hollis, and Uncle
Donnie Pitchford. As if Clarence’s passing were not bad enough, there was also an obituary for 1941-46
L&A radio show producer Bob Dwyer, who passed away on January 8. Amid all this sadness, a new
humorous feature made its debut: “The Golden Era,” a comic strip by member Gary Stivers of Missouri.
JUNE 1988 (#24): Back to semi-normal, the 1988 Convention guests were announced: Elmore “Phinus
Peabody” Vincent and the return of Jerry Hausner. Part eight of “Lum & Abner on Television?” began
covering the 1973 documentary Two Boys From Mena. “Home in Arkansas” was a photo feature about the
various houses (most still standing) in which Lauck & Goff lived while in Mena. Continuing the theme,
“Lum & Abner in the News” featured some very rare 1928-29 Mena Star articles about the future stars.
“And Now...” had datelines from Tennessee, Alabama, and California.
AUGUST 1988 (#25): “Phinus Peabody: He’s a Good Boy” brought us all up to date on the career of
character actor Elmore Vincent. The 1988 Convention report detailed all the activities in Mena. Part nine
of “Lum & Abner on Television?” completed the discussion of Two Boys From Mena. “The Secretary’s
Desk” mentioned two new Honorary Members, Cathy Lee Crosby and her mother Linda Hayes, daughter
and wife of L&A announcer Lou Crosby.
OCTOBER 1988 (#26): With the Presidential election in full swing, the Journal presented “Let’s Lect Lum,”
with what was known at the time about the 1936 “Lum for President” campaign (this was long before we
had access to the actual scripts from that period). “Lum & Abner in the News” featured February 1938
articles documenting L&A’s changing sponsorship from Horlick’s to Postum. The concluding installment
of “Lum & Abner on Television?” summarized what had been covered in the earlier chapters. “And
Now...” reported on the birth of Rex Riffle’s daughter Emily and Uncle Donnie & Aunt Laura’s visit to
recently-widowed Auntie Helen Hartzell. There was also another bit of trivia for “Back in the Feed Room”
and a list of the radio stations that were then carrying the syndicated L&A programs.
DECEMBER 1988 (#27): As a special feature, most of this issue was occupied by “Lum & Abner’s Christmas
Wish Book,” Uncle Donnie Pitchford’s imaginative design for what a Jot ‘Em Down Store Christmas catalog
might look like in 1988. There was also a “Lum & Abner in the News” reprint of a 1933 article from The
Indianapolis Star, and “And Now...” featured the birth of “Golden Era” cartoonist Gary Stivers’ son Grant
and more on Kurt Jensen’s southern Illinois L&A promotions.
FEBRUARY 1989 (#28): As the title suggested, “Lum & Abner Meet Andy Griffith” went into detail about the
parallels between these two landmark rural comedy series. A new recurring feature began with “The
Many Faces of Lum & Abner,” collecting the ways the characters’ physical depictions changed from 1931
to 1975. Member Jack Callaway of Tennessee devised a wickedly complex L&A crossword puzzle, with a
prize to be given for the earliest correct solution.
APRIL 1989 (#29): The theme for this issue was “The Music of Lum & Abner,” an in-depth article about the
various pieces that became associated with the show. Coinciding with this was the release of a new NLAS
cassette by the same name, which is still available for $4.00 from the Executive Secretary’s office. “The
Many Faces of Cedric Weehunt” examined young Mr. Weehunt’s changing look over the years. “The Party
Line” returned with some valuable information from member Loren Cox of Kentucky. The previous issue’s
crossword puzzle was solved by teenagers Janet & James McMurrin, who received an original So This Is
Washington lobby card for their effort.
JUNE 1989 (#30): Because it was already known that the next issue was going to be larger than normal,
this June 1989 issue was only 8 pages instead of 12. Contained within were “The Many Faces of
Grandpappy Spears,” an “And Now...” report on an L&A program by PBS affiliate WSIU in Carbondale, Ill.,
and the announcement that the 1989 Convention guest would be 1948-50 L&A announcer Wendell Niles.
AUGUST 1989 (#31): At 18 pages, this was the largest issue of the Journal ever published. It
commemorated the NLAS’s fifth anniversary, but among the celebration was the sad news of the passing
of L&A associate Jim Backus on July 3. “Wendell Niles Speaking” was the profile of the distinguished
Convention guest, and he was also covered in the traditional Convention report elsewhere in the issue.
A four-chapter article described how the NLAS got started and some of the bumps it encountered along
the way.
OCTOBER 1989 (#32): Following the success of the Andy Griffith article in February, this issue presented
“From Dogpatch to Pine Ridge,” comparing the similarities between the L&A series and Al Capp’s Li’l
Abner comic strip. “Jerry Hausner Remembers Jim Backus” revealed some previously-undocumented
L&A stories from the two veteran actors. “The Many Faces of Squire Skimp” proved that crook had more
than just the two; “The Party Line” featured more memories from member Loren Cox. “Back in the Feed
Room” was now combined with “Mousey’s Corner” to present an anonymously-submitted L&A poem.
DECEMBER 1989 (#33): Again departing from the usual format in favor of a special holiday feature, 7 of the
issue’s 12 pages contained “Lum & Abner and the Christmas Tree,” Uncle Donnie’s comic-book-style
rendition of the 1953 L&A Christmas program. Filling out the issue were “And Now...” and the latest
installment of Gary Stiver’s “Golden Era” comic strip.
FEBRUARY 1990 (#34): A new decade began with a new series of articles: “Lum & Abner and Their
Sponsors.” Part one examined what little is known about the Quaker Oats era (1931-32). “The Strange
Voyage of the Dreaming Out Loud” was a story worthy of Robert Ripley, and concerned an original L&A
movie prop long thought stolen. “The Many Faces of Mousey Gray” weren’t many, since this character
was rarely depicted visually. Observing the 10th anniversary of the passing of Chet Lauck, “Lum & Abner
in the News” reprinted some tributes that appeared in the Montgomery County News in February 1980.
“The Secretary’s Desk” announced the death of Jeff Wade, whose ad agency handled the Miles
Laboratories/Alka-Seltzer account during the L&A days.
APRIL 1990 (#35): Part two of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors” covered their success in the 1932-34
Ford Motor Co. days. “The Many Faces of Dick Huddleston” gave another look at that real-life/fictional
dual personality. “Lum & Abner in the News” published an undated, but circa 1933-34, article entitled
“Homely Wisdom.”
JUNE 1990 (#36): “Pitchford’s Prittle Prattle” returned after a long absence, with Uncle Donnie announcing
Bobs Watson as the guest for the 1990 Convention. Part three of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors”
covered the early years of their Horlick’s Malted Milk sponsorship. It was really difficult to scrape up “The
Many Faces of Ben Withers,” but we did it anyway.
AUGUST 1990 (#37): With this issue, the Journal made its first tentative steps toward being typeset rather
than being produced on an electric typewriter. The text was computer generated, but on a dot matrix
printer, so still looked pretty crude. “Praise the Lord and Pass the Handkerchiefs” was the life story of
child actor-turned-minister Bobs Watson, whose Mena activities were covered in the 1990 Convention
report. Part four of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors” revolved around the 1936-38 Horlick’s period.
OCTOBER 1990 (#38): At long last, the Journal was typeset through the wonders of the Macintosh
computer. “The Making of Dreaming Out Loud, 1940” provided many, many details that had come to light
since the subject was first covered in February 1985. Part five of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors” dealt
with the 1938-40 Postum shows. Leftover Convention news was included, and “And Now...” reported on
Uncle Donnie’s teaching of an L&A class at an Elderhostel gathering in Mena. A new feature, “Meet the
Members,” was introduced by profiling two NLAS stalwarts, Charles Thurman of Kentucky and John
Knuppel of Oklahoma, both of whom are still active with us today.
DECEMBER 1990 (#39): For the first time, the Journal reprinted an entire L&A script, in this case their 1939
special broadcast for Christmas seals (thought to be 1938 at that time). “Lum & Abner in the News”
reprinted a September 10, 1938 article from Radio Guide that implied Lauck & Goff wore makeup as all of
their different characters, not just L&A. “Mousey’s Corner” returned with the complete... and often
unheard... lyrics to They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree. Roz Rogers contributed the holiday anecdote “A Gift
From Corny Stroube, or I Want an Elephant for Christmas.” “Meet the Members” spotlighted L&A
enthusiast George Lillie of Iowa. “Back in the Feed Room” degenerated from its former format into a
collection of recycled gags from standard joke books. Appropriately for the Christmas issue, there was an
obituary for Germa Garrett, whose son’s birth on December 25, 1935 so closely paralleled the L&A
Christmas story.
FEBRUARY 1991 (#40): Part six of “Lum & Abner and their Sponsors” covered the Alka-Seltzer years (1941-
48). “And Now...” covered an NLAS promotional episode of a Birmingham, Ala., TV talk show. Another
classic L&A script was reproduced intact in “1000 Keystone Broadcasts.” “Meet the Members” profiled
Paul Corzine of Missouri and Charles Pitts of Texas.
APRIL 1991 (#41): This was our big celebration of L&A’s 60th anniversary (it’s time to do their 70th in our
very next issue, folks!). This event was commemorated with in-depth interviews with those who had a
role in the show’s earliest years: Ethel Huddleston Ball, John Faulkner of Mena, Harriet Lauck, and Mena
photographer Eloise Plaster. Other articles included “Meet the Members” profiles of Jimmie Parker and
“Cousin Cliff” Holman of Alabama and John E. Jones of Tennessee. A sad note was the passing of L&A
organist Elsie Mae Emerson on January 28.
JUNE 1991 (#42): Another “dwarf” issue (8 pages instead of 12). Part seven of “Lum & Abner and their
Sponsors” dealt with the 1948-49 Frigidaire series. “Meet the Members” featured Bob Morgan of Georgia
and Jim Temple of Texas. “Back in the Feed Room” continued revising old jokes. It was announced that
legendary radio & TV actor Les Tremayne would guest at the 1991 Convention.
AUGUST 1991 (#43): This 14-page issue began with “The Voice is Familiar: The Story of Les Tremayne,”
whose work at the 1991 Convention was also covered. “Lum Addresses the Legislature” reprinted a Chet
Lauck speech of 40 years previous. Part eight of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors” told the story of the
second half-hour season, for which Ford again picked up part of the tab. There was still room for “Meet
the Members” to feature Don Potter of Virginia and Col. Neal Whittaker of Kentucky.
OCTOBER 1991 (#44): “Halloween with Lum & Abner” reprinted their little-known October 31, 1944 script.
The ninth and final chapter of “Lum & Abner and Their Sponsors” dealt with their usually-sponsorless
series of 1953-54. One of the strangest Journal features ever was “Lum & Abner in the Twilight Zone,”
with photos and captions illustrating “almost” L&A sightings around the world. “The KTHS Story” gave a
brief history of the Hot Springs radio station that started it all. “Meet the Members” profiled artist Harold
Petersen, who also illustrated the Halloween script in this issue. Finally, “The Honorable Lum & Abner”
printed a Pine Ridge article from a 1991 Japanese magazine (written in Japanese!) with a request for
someone to translate the text into English for us.
DECEMBER 1991 (#45): Another L&A script (12/16/47) was reprinted in “Lum & Abner’s Christmas Parade
Float, or, Float or Sink.” “Meet the Members” featured Rachel Winnik of Maryland, Tom Shaffer of Arizona,
Ruth King of Oklahoma, and Kurt Jensen of Illinois. The Journal’s longest-running series to date, “Lum &
Abner Go To War,” began with the events leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7.
Suddenly, L&A were in for the duration!
FEBRUARY 1992 (#46): This was the first issue of the Journal to be stapled at the spine. “Innocents
Abroad” was a wonderful and detailed examination at the strange coincidences surrounding the final film
work of Lum & Abner and Laurel & Hardy (both teams ended their screen careers with disastrous foreign-
produced epics). “Lum & Abner Go To War” covered January, February and March 1942. “Meet the
Members” profiled Dwain Smith of New York and Ronnie Cramer of Colorado. “And Now...” acknowledged
some changes: Rex Riffle resigned from his post as NLAS publicity director, and Bobs Watson retired
from his pastoring duties due to medical problems.
APRIL 1992 (#47): Right on schedule, the featured article was “The Bashful Bachelor Is Comin’ To Town,”
with the advance publicity for L&A’s second movie. It was also announced that the film’s leading lady,
Louise Currie, would be the 1992 Convention guest. “Lum & Abner Go To War” described April and May
1942. “Meet the Members” covered two Texas couples, Carl & Frances Pearson and Harold & Audrey
Jones. “And Now...” reported on some recent appearances by Jerry Hausner. Gary Stivers’ “Golden Era”
comic strip began its last and longest continuity.
JUNE 1992 (#48): Another 8-page issue. “Lum & Abner Go To War” occupied most of the space with its
annotation of the June/July 1942 L&A programs. “And Now...” reported on the NLAS’s recent acquisition of
the bulk of the original Lum and Abner 16” transcription disks.
AUGUST 1992 (#49): This issue’s 16 pages started off with “Oh, Louise! The Career of Louise Currie.”
“Lum & Abner Go To War” detailed August and September 1942. “Chips Off the Old Block” told the story of
Science & Mechanics’ 1942 contest to make a wood carving of Lum & Abner. Of course, there was a full
report on the 1992 Convention, and “Meet the Members” profiled the McMurrin family of Arkansas. “And
Now...” recognized more achievements by Jerry Hausner, and the June 25 passing of longtime Mena
fiddler Ruel Bain (of Dick Huddleston’s 1939-40 stage act) was noted. This was the first issue of the
Journal to be mailed in an envelope rather than loose.
OCTOBER 1992 (#50): “The Annotated Bashful Bachelor” brought out little-known facts about that L&A
film. “Lum & Abner Go To War” covered October and November 1942. “Meet the Members” profiled
Joanne Kennedy of California and Earl Cariker of Texas. It was briefly noted that this was the 50th issue of
the Journal.
DECEMBER 1992 (#51): “All I Want for Christmas” reprinted the 12/21/44 L&A Christmas script. “Lum &
Abner Go To War” covered December 1942 and January 1943. “Meet the Members” was devoted to
“Popeye people” Mike & Debbie Brooks of Tennessee. “The Secretary’s Desk” returned after a long
absence to bring everyone up to date on some Honorary Members’ recent activities.
FEBRUARY 1993 (#52): “A Second Look at Two Weeks to Live” kicked off the celebration of that film’s 50th
anniversary. “Lum & Abner Go To War” summarized the February/March 1943 L&A programs. “Meet the
Members” profiled the Baird family of Texas, and a new NLAS contest was begun in “Who Said That?”
Members were asked to identify the character who spoke each of 34 isolated lines from the series!
APRIL 1993 (#53): The winner of the “Who Said That?” contest was announced as Motto Scroggins of
Indiana. “Lum & Abner Go To War” featured the April/May 1943 programs. Member Loren Cox Jr.
contributed some potentially controversial observations on the L&A series in a special “Commentary”
section. After a long absence, “Lum & Abner In The News” returned with a collection of short, unrelated
clippings spanning a period from 1934 to 1970. “Meet the Members” covered musicians Paul Land and
Ray Hildebrand of Kansas City. Willard Waterman, “The Great Gildersleeve,” was announced as the 1993
Convention guest.
JUNE 1993 (#54): This issue was devoted to the unexpected death of NLAS booster Jerry Hausner on April
1. The August 1987 article “Everybody’s Friend” was reprinted, with the ending updated to cover events
since its original publication. In Hausner’s memory, a new occasional series was begun, “Jerry Hausner’s
Hollywood,” collecting some of his many show biz anecdotes. “Lum & Abner Go To War” took us through
June and July 1943.
AUGUST 1993 (#55): Coverage of the 1993 Convention was supplemented by the biographical piece “The
Willard Waterman Story.” “Lum & Abner Go To War” plunged into August/September 1943. “And Now...”
reported on some recent L&A references in the media. Two cartoon villains named “Lummox and Abner”
were supposed to appear in an upcoming Tom & Jerry animated feature. And with this issue, the NLAS’s
long-running series of L&A script reprint volumes began with the few surviving scripts of 1934.
OCTOBER 1993 (#56): Another L&A movie anniversary was covered in “So This Is So This Is Washington.”
“Lum & Abner Go To War” summarized October and November 1943. “Meet the Members” took in Cecil
Whitmire of the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham. The non-appearance of Lummox and Abner was
described in “Let’s Toon In On Lum & Abner.”
DECEMBER 1993 (#57): The 12/22/47 L&A script “No Christmas Presents” was reprinted. “Lum & Abner In
The News” featured a Perryville, Missouri, article from the Lumburger era. “Lum & Abner Go To War”
covered December 1943 and January 1944. “The Secretary’s Desk” reported on, among other things, the
November 13 tornado that devastated L&A landmarks in Mena. In “Pine Ridge Library Bookshelf,” Lum
Edwards reviewed L&A references in some recent books sent to the NLAS headquarters.
FEBRUARY 1994 (#58): Leading off was “The Other L&A: Lauck and Ameche,” commemorating Don Ameche’
s death on December 6. “Lum & Abner Go To War” concentrated on February and March 1944. The Mena
tornado was elaborated upon in “Big Blowout at the County Seat.” More books were reviewed in “Pine
Ridge Library Bookshelf,” and there was a brief obituary for Honorary Member Pat Buttram, who passed
away on January 8. The January 1936 volume of L&A scripts (The Case of the Pine Ridge Firebug) was
released.
APRIL 1994 (#59): “Lum & Abner Go To War” was into April and May 1944. An interesting variation on the
script reprint idea was the presentation of an unheard “alternate” version of the 5/25/44 program that
introduced Phinus Peabody. There were more show biz stories in a “Jerry Hausner’s Hollywood”
installment, and the first three NLAS Convention video tapes were released.
JUNE 1994 (#60): Our good friend Wendell Niles passed away on March 30, and his death was
commemorated by a condensed version of his August 1989 biographical sketch. “Lum & Abner Go To
War” entered its final year with June and July 1944. “Lum & Abner In The News” reprinted an 8/27/36
article about the newly-named Pine Ridge. “And Now...” reported on a recent Little Rock research trip by
the NLAS Ossifers, the upcoming special L&A postmark, and the recently-issued ZaSu Pitts postage
stamp. Chet Lauck’s daughter Shirley was announced as the 1994 Convention guest.
AUGUST 1994 (#61): This 16-pager was the NLAS’s official 10th anniversary issue. “Growing Up With Lum &
Abner” was a collection of Shirley Lauck’s childhood memories. The report on the 1994 Convention took
three pages to get it all in. The following four pages gave a year-by-year breakdown on the NLAS’s
activities up to that point. There was still room for “Lum & Abner Go To War” to cover August and
September 1944, and the February 1936 script reprint volume (Lum & Abner In New York) was announced.
OCTOBER 1994 (#62): “Lum & Abner Go To Town” was the 50th anniversary study of 1944’s Goin’ To Town.
A rare interview with Barbara Hale about her participation in the film was presented. “Lum & Abner Go To
War” took in October and November 1944. “And Now...” brought up some recent L&A developments. A
new NLAS special release cassette was advertised, Part One of 1953’s Thanksgiving in Pine Ridge; it’s
still available for $4.00 through the Executive Secretary’s office.
DECEMBER 1994 (#63): As had become traditional, another L&A Christmas script was presented intact, this
time a 12/24/42 episode dealing with electric trains. “Lum & Abner Go To War” concerned itself with
December 1944 and January 1945. There was also a one-page dialogue from 1938 in which L&A discussed
Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
FEBRUARY 1995 (#64): Pine Ridge historian Kathy Stucker reported on some recent “lost treasures”
discovered in remote spots of the small community. “Lum & Abner Go To War” uncovered treasures of its
own in February and March 1945. “Straight From the Mail Hack” presented recent letters from members,
in the tradition of the long-gone “Party Line” column. The March 1936 script volume (Lum the Champeen)
was released.
APRIL 1995 (#65): Less than two years after his 1993 Convention appearance, Willard Waterman passed
away on February 2, and a one-page article gave the details of his career. “Lum & Abner Go To War”
covered April and May 1945, and included an obituary for one-time L&A supporting player Frank Martin,
who died on December 22, 1994. The complete L&A script of 4/26/45 was reprinted in “Peace Conference
in Fran Sansisco.” A new NLAS special release cassette, The Alka-Seltzer Specials, was announced and is
still available for $4.00 from the Executive Secretary’s office. Three guests were announced for the
upcoming 1995 Convention, but only one of them would actually make it there.
JUNE 1995 (#66): “Lum & Abner Go To War” began slowly winding down with June and July 1945. (As a
sidebar, an old concept was revived in “The Many Faces of Robert the Robot.”) “Lum & Abner In The
News” presented the 1945 article that announced that the real Pine Ridge was getting electricity at last.
There was a review of an obscure 1940 cartoon short that seemed to borrow a concept or two from L&A,
and James McMurrin gave a brief history of the type of pinball machine Cedric would have played. “And
Now...” reported many different news items, including the death on March 7 of Thomas Nobles, the
announcer for L&A’s original 1931 broadcasts from Hot Springs. Parley Baer was announced as the
primary guest for the 1995 Convention.
AUGUST 1995 (#67): “Parley Baer’s Uncommonly Good Career” summarized our 1995 Convention guest, as
did the annual meeting’s report itself. “Lum & Abner Go To War” ground out its final installment with a
look at the postwar world of August and September 1945. An August 1935 article and photo documented
L&A’s appearance at that year’s Indiana State Fair. The April 1936 script reprint volume (Lum & Abner at
the Kentucky Derby) was released.
OCTOBER 1995 (#68): This issue was dedicated to the memory of Harriet Lauck, “Lum’s wife,” who passed
away on July 12. “Harriet Lauck: Her Legacy to the NLAS” described the information and encouragement
we had received from her over the years. Going along with the memorial theme, “Lum & Abner In The
News” presented a 1976 newspaper article about the Laucks’ 50th wedding anniversary. Another obituary
was for L&A’s close friend Phil Harris, who died on August 11. The rest of the issue was devoted to “Lum
& Abner Mind Somebody Else’s Business,” an original short story that appeared in the December 1945
issue of Radio Mirror.
DECEMBER 1995 (#69): Elaborating on a topic covered briefly in an early Journal, “A Sure-Fire Trick”
detailed attempts to put the L&A Christmas story on television. “Lum & Abner Mind Somebody Else’s
Business” was concluded. “Lum & Abner Go Abroad” gave the sad story of the duo’s last (and least)
motion picture effort. Another obituary, this time for Grady Sutton, who played Cedric in several L&A
movies and who passed away on September 17.
FEBRUARY 1996 (#70): This issue began a long-running and very popular series of articles, “Lum & Abner
and the Great American Roadside.” The series kicked off with the history of the once-popular Lum’s
Restaurants. Another complete L&A script was reprinted with February 1945’s “Lum & Abner’s Washington’
s Birthday Pageant.” “The Secretary’s Desk” reported trivia associated with L&A Abroad and some of the
many anniversaries coming up in 1996.
APRIL 1996 (#71): “A Town That Is Known By Three Rings On The Phone” was Pine Ridge’s 60th
anniversary article, with updated information gathered since 1986. “Lum & Abner In The News” presented
the Arkansas Gazette coverage of the 1936 Waters-to-Pine Ridge name change ceremonies. The second
installment if the “Great American Roadside” series described the various businesses that operated
under the Jot ‘Em Down Store name. Radio actress Jean VanderPyl was announced as the 1996
Convention guest.
JUNE 1996 (#72): With this issue, the Journal finally perfected its photograph reproduction, with the
illustrations scanned directly into the layout. “The Timeless Partners In Time” described the production of
that movie, with comments from leading lady Pamela Blake. “We Say Goodbye” paid tribute to two recently-
departed L&A associates: comedian George Burns and Lou Crosby’s widow Linda Crosby Walker. The
“Great American Roadside” covered the attempts to begin a Cracker Barrel-like chain of L&A country
store restaurants in 1966. Jean VanderPyl had to cancel her Convention appearance and was replaced by
Lou Crosby’s daughters Linda Lou & Cathy Lee Crosby, and 1946-48 L&A producer Forrest Owen.
AUGUST 1996 (#73): The 1996 Convention was a big event, as evidenced by its coverage in this issue.
“Life With Lou” was the biography of announcer Lou Crosby, and “The Effervescent Forrest Owen”
profiled another 1996 guest. The “Great American Roadside” appeared as a half page only with a report
on “Lum & Abner’s Apple Shack” in North Carolina. Two new special release cassettes were offered (and
are still available for $4.00 each), Behind the Scenes with Lum & Abner and Lum & Abner’s Jukebox
Jamboree. The May 1936 script reprint volume (The Perils of Lum) also appeared.
OCTOBER 1996 (#74): The 100th anniversary of L&A’s hometown, Mena, was celebrated by a detailed
article. “A Love Letter to Mena” was originally penned by Elizabeth Goff for the 1987 Convention. The
“Great American Roadside” series continued with some 1961 plans to get L&A into the motel business,
and the L&A tourist cabins that still operate today in British Columbia, Canada. “To Hollywood and
Beyond!” presented L&A stories from 1996 Convention guests Ben Combs and Harlan Hobbs.
DECEMBER 1996 (#75): “50 Fine Years” commemorated the golden anniversary of Clarence “Ben Withers”
Hartzell’s debut on the L&A program. Tributes to Clarence were contributed by newscaster Hugh Downs
and Auntie Helen Hartzell. A little-known aspect of L&A history was described in “The Mt. Idy Connection,
or, Ben Withers Meets Charley Weaver.”
FEBRUARY 1997 (#76): Another in our series of “tribute” issues, this time concerning 1944-48 L&A
announcer Gene Baker. The “Great American Roadside” series picked up with the stories of several
surviving Lum’s Restaurants. “Forever Lumburger” described the 1947 publicity stunt to get L&A’s names
into every American eatery. Two veteran columns, “And Now...” and “The Secretary’s Desk,” reported on
L&A’s induction into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame and new Honorary Member Gene Hamilton
(L&A announcer from 1932-34). The June 1936 script volume (The Mystery of the Old Trunk) was released.
APRIL 1997 (#77): “Lum & Abner and the Susprize Party” described the 4/24/47 broadcast in which all of
Lauck & Goff’s show biz friends surprised them in the middle of their live show. “Pine Ridge Library
Bookshelf” returned with Lum Edwards’ review of Cathy Lee Crosby’s new book Let the Magic Begin. The
“Great American Roadside” series took a new turn with the annotated reprinting of the 4/18/44 L&A script
that itself dealt with roadside culture. The 1997 Convention was announced as the NLAS’s first two-day
affair, with scheduled guests Lewis Arquette and returnees Harlan Hobbs and Ben Combs.
JUNE 1997 (#78): “Lum & Abner In The News” returned with the June 1937 Radio Stars article “Pine Ridge
Goes Hollywood.” Longtime Journal contributors James & Janet McMurrin came up with “The Resumé of
Mousey Gray.” “Pine Ridge Revisited” reprinted Kathy Stucker’s history of the Huddleston Store from the
October 1984 Journal. “Things Are Fine in Mt. Idy” reported on the upcoming Charley Weaver Day, which
Lewis Arquette was to visit along with the NLAS Convention the following weekend.
AUGUST 1997 (#79): Lewis Arquette made it to the Charley Weaver Day, but at the last minute had to
cancel his NLAS appearance. One week before the Convention date, another guest was secured, radio
teenager Mary Lee Robb. The story of her L&A connection was told in “Don’t Cry, Papa” and the annual
convention report. The proposed 1947 storyline for “Pearl’s Wedding” was reprinted from the NLAS
archives. “Lauck & Goff and Their Friends” presented more stories from Harlan Hobbs. “Meet Gene
Hamilton” recognized the NLAS’s most recent distinguished Honorary Member. The 1985 and 1986
Convention videos were released, as was the July 1936 script volume (The Great Bicycle Race).
OCTOBER 1997 (#80): Obituary issues were getting all too common. Dick Huddleston’s only child, Ethel
Ball, passed away on July 3 at the age of 92. She was the subject of a full tribute, and some of her own
past NLAS writings were included. Tying in with that idea, “Lum & Abner In The News” reprinted a 1965
newspaper article from the days when Ethel was still running her late father’s store in Pine Ridge. The
“Great American Roadside” located a “Pine Ridge Grocery” in Maryland.
DECEMBER 1997 (#81): Another complete L&A script: “The Fright Before Christmas,” from a 1946 ABC
holiday special. “Ouachita Christmas” was a touching poem originally published in The Mena Star in 1933.
The “Great American Roadside” presented several current photos of the British Columbia L&A tourist
camp. “Lum & Abner In The News” collected clippings from the autumn of 1937, and “Give A Cheer For
Lum & Abner” tied the pair to the 1938 Rose Bowl game. The 1990 Convention video was released.
FEBRUARY 1998 (#82): For the first time since 1986, “Lum & Abner in Hollywood” returned for a look at
some recently-discovered L&A short subjects. “Home On The Range” was the story of Chet Lauck’s
beloved Bar Nothing Ranch near Las Vegas. With the L&A scripts for August and September still missing,
the October 1936 reprint volume (Lum for President) was released.
APRIL 1998 (#83): Another obituary: L&A co-writer Betty Boyle passed away on January 18. “Europe Or
Bust, 1938” began an examination of the famed Lauck tour of Europe that summer, which was echoed by
the radio show’s storyline at the time. The first four of the hilarious “Lum’s Letters from Europe” that
were syndicated to newspapers were reprinted.
JUNE 1998 (#84): Yet another loss: 1932-34 L&A cast member Grandpa Jones (of Grand Ole Opry fame)
passed away on February 19. His career with L&A was reviewed in a 2-page article. “Mr. Eddards Takes a
Trip” described the on-air storyline and famous Transatlantic broadcast that accompanied the true Lauck
tour, and the final three “Lum’s Letters From Europe” appeared. 1998 Convention guests Kay Linaker and
Frank Bresee were announced.
AUGUST 1998 (#85): Two Weeks To Live actress Kay Linaker’s amazing career was profiled in “From Pine
Ridge to The Blob.” The other Convention guest was covered in “Frank Bresee’s Golden Days of Radio.”
The annual convention report also covered both guests. The 1991 Convention video and November 1936
script volume (The Diary of Evalena Schultz) were released, and the “Great American Roadside” series
found a new Arkansas tourist attraction known as “Lum’s Mountain.”
OCTOBER 1998 (#86): Leading off was an obscure 1938 short story, “Lum & Abner in an Abandoned
Quandary,” from Radio Mirror. A new series of articles on the 50th anniversary of the half-hour L&A series
began with “1940: A Sign of Things To Come” (their first attempt to switch to a 30-minute format) and “1948:
A Brand-New Kind of Visit.” The L&A programs of September & October 1948 were annotated. There was a
brief notation that longtime L&A writer Roz Rogers had passed away on August 6, and a full tribute would
be forthcoming.
DECEMBER 1998 (#87): Roz Rogers’ career occupied this issue, with several different tributes. His 1985
autobiography “Reading the Signs” was reprinted with new illustrations and an updated ending. Also
appearing in print for the first time was Roz’s humorous piece “A Note to Scholars,” meant to accompany
the L&A script collection at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Appropriately, the L&A programs of
November and December 1948 (Roz’s work) were examined.
FEBRUARY 1999 (#88): “30 Years in Pine Ridge” observed the anniversary of the restoration of the Dick
Huddleston Store. In stark contrast, the L&A broadcasts of January and February 1949 were picked apart
and analyzed. A 1939 L&A ad from General Foods was presented, and it was noted that Roz Rogers’ widow
Dorie had followed his passing on December 28. A thorough explanation of the NLAS’s dire financial
condition was given. The December 1936 script volume (A Haunting We Will Go) was released.
APRIL 1999 (#89): A complete examination of the March/April 1949 L&A shows was given, along with some
comments on the show made by Andy Devine in 1973. “Lum & Abner In The News” featured clippings from
January to May 1939. The “Great American Roadside” reviewed the new book Dixie Before Disney by
Executive Secretary Tim Hollis, which contains some L&A references of course. Fred Foy and a tribute to
Opie Cates were announced for the 1999 Convention.
JUNE 1999 (#90): “A Monumental Anniversary” described the dedication 20 years ago of the L&A
monument in Mena’s Janssen Park. The L&A shows of May & June 1949 were annotated. The complete
script of the 6/12/49 episode, “I Grannies, I Love You,” was reprinted.
AUGUST 1999 (#91): Complete 1999 Convention coverage included the annual report and the biography
“Hi Yo Silver! Your Announcer, Fred Foy.” “Lum & Abner In The News” featured clippings from June
through August 1939. “And Now...” reported on the 1999 L&A Days in Mena and a recent TV appearance by
Bobs Watson. Would-be 1995 and 1996 Convention guest Jean VanderPyl passed away on April 13. The
January 1937 script volume (Where There’s a Will) was released, as were the 1992 and 1993 Convention
videos. After making such a big deal out of the NLAS’s 5th and 10th anniversaries, we let this issue totally
slip by without remember that it was our 15th anniversary!
OCTOBER 1999 (#92): A tribute to the vastly underrated musician and comedian Opie Cates was
presented. Also included were annotations for the 1947-48 Opie Cates Show, which was written by Roz
Rogers and featured many L&A supporting players. Opie’s autobiography “From Rags to Riches to Rags in
One Easy Lifetime” was again printed. The “Great American Roadside” returned with yet another Jot ‘Em
Down Store in Beaumont, Texas, and updates on a couple of other L&A businesses as well.
DECEMBER 1999 (#93): The series on the 30-minute L&A show resumed with descriptions of the
November/December 1949 broadcasts. “1939: A Year to Remember” described the L&A activity going on
around Mena and Pine Ridge during that fall. “Christmas in 30 Minutes” described how the traditional L&A
holiday show was adapted for the half-hour days.
FEBRUARY 2000 (#94): Belatedly, the NLAS learned that Bobs Watson had passed away on June 26, 1999.
We finally got around to commemorating that sad event with a full tribute in this issue. On a lighter note,
the L&A shows of January/February 1950 were examined, including some of the fan mail the duo received
at the time. Two features observed the 20th anniversary of the passing of Chet Lauck: “February 1980:
Goodbye, Lum,” and “Chet Lauck, the Eternal Optimist.” The February 1937 script volume (Early to Bid)
was released, and copies are still available from the Executive Secretary for $5.00 each.
APRIL 2000 (#95): “Lum & Abner’s Road to Hollywood” detailed the preparations in the spring of 1940 to
bring L&A to the movie screen for the first time. “Lum & Abner In The News” presented a March 1960
account of a Lauck & Goff reunion in Houston. The March/April 1950 L&A shows were examined. The
“Great American Roadside” covered the opening of Arkansas’ Mountain Village 1890 in 1960, and there
was an obituary for L&A Abroad producer Joy N. Houck, who passed away in July 1999 at the age of 100.
JUNE 2000 (#96): “Dreaming Out Loud in a Short Snooze” gave both a 1940 movie magazine synopsis of
the upcoming film and some behind-the-scenes publicity for it. Another feature told how the L&A
programs were doing in syndication in 1970. “Lum & Abner In The News” reprinted a 1960 Arkansas
Gazette visit to Pine Ridge.
AUGUST 2000 (#97): The 2000 Convention was thoroughly covered, as was the guest, busy actress
Barbara Fuller, in “Living a Fuller Life.” Summer 1940 Mena Star articles comprised “How Dreaming Out
Loud Came to Town.” The “Great American Roadside” featured the Southern Belle Diner in Heavener,
Oklahoma. The 1994 and 1995 NLAS Convention videos were released, as was the March 1937 script
volume (Money To Burn, still available for $5.00).
OCTOBER 2000 (#98): “An All-Arkansas Premiere” reprinted the newspaper coverage of the Dreaming Out
Loud premieres in Little Rock, Mena, Hot Springs, and Ft. Smith. “Who Are All Those People?” gave short
bios of the movie’s supporting cast, and “Sing Along With Lum & Abner” gave the complete lyrics to the
title song.
DECEMBER 2000 (#99): The 60th anniversary of Dreaming Out Loud was brought to a close by looking at
some of the reviews and articles about the film during the months following its Arkansas showings.
“ALetter From Lum” covered a very unusual promotion from the early days of Lum and Abner syndication.
“And Now” continued its long run by looking at a September 2000 L&A tribute in Little Rock, and also
updating everyone on the current status of some of our past Convention guests.