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Margie: Edna, today is the birthday of actress Barbara Payton (1927- 1967). I bet our readers never heard of her. Actually, I probably never would have either but she was in some of the movie magazines I used to read.
Remember that magazine called Confidential? Lawsy me, I didn't dare let Mama catch me reading that. She said movie magazines were "pure trash."
Edna: Hmm, count me in with our readers who've never heard of her. But I have to say, it doesn't surprise me one bit that you'd be reading magazines Mama thought was trashy.
Goodness, but she wasn't very old when she died. What happened?
Margie: Edna, it's a tragic story. She supposedly got her movie roles via the old casting couch routine then she began drinking which led to her being called a "party girl." That was not what a female wanted to be called back then.
In the end she died a prostitute on a park bench. I wonder if the library has her autobiography?
Edna: Oh my, that is a sad story! But I bet it's not an unusual one, especially for Hollywood in those days. I'd be curious to read her autobiography, her story sounds like the kind of thing they would make a movie-of-the-week out of.
Would I know any of her movies?
Margie: Probably not. You never liked that kind. I do know one thing for sure, Edna. She was a smart lady to have an affair with that delicious Guy Madison. What a hunk!!!
Margie: Edna, I just love this day that's been set aside for librarians. You know I spent all my working life as the Jericho librarian. My word, I helped many a student there and I must say that I helped everyone by being strictly professional yet friendly.
Many students say that I'm the reason they went on to college, Edna. I do love it when folks come back to Jericho and want to see how Miss Margie is doing. I am certainly held in high regard by the citizens of Jericho. Edna, why didn't you ever visit the library more often back then?
Edna: Margie, I'm sure if you think long and hard on that question, you'll figure it out. Now, just because I didn't go to the Jericho library does not mean that I dislike reading. Quite the opposite. I just preferred to go to other libraries where I knew my book choices wouldn't be scrutinized then spread all over town by some busybody with loose lips.
Anyway, now that the library has a much more discreet head librarian, I just adore going there every week and bringing home a bag full of new books. Sometimes I think there's no better feeling in the world than having a fresh stack of brand-new books to read. All those new worlds to explore...my lands, it's enough to send me into raptures.
Margie: My stars, Edna, I'm glad I wasn't that kind of librarian and I'm especially proud that the Jericho library didn't stoop to the level of offering the kinds of books you always wanted to read!
Remember when Miss Maizie told the town about you reading that "Peyton Place" book? What a scandal that was.
The only thing that sends you into a rapture, Edna, are those books that arrive here in the mailbox with no return address.
Edna: Margie, every time you open your mouth, out fly a flurry of untruths and fibs! You're just spoiling for a fight, but I won't be stooping to your level so you can just forget it.
And since you were such a helpful librarian, maybe you can tell our readers how they can celebrate National Librarians Day.
Margie: Librarians do a wonderful job and it's not as easy as it sometimes looks. Give your librarian a special Thank You today for all their hard work. They don't get near the appreciation they deserve.
