100 YEARS OLD

One Hundred years ago my father (I called him Dad or Pop) was born January 25, 1911.
Ronald Reagan was born the same year. Ronald was the President of the United States, 1981-1989. My dad was great in many other ways.

I have seen many pictures of Hollywood Actors in my parents home. There was one of Ronald Reagan with my Mother at the Old Tucson Movie Set. Many of these actors came to Tucson for the Rodeo in February or to visit the Old Tucson Family Park which later became the Old Tucson Movie Set.

Some of the faces I remember include the following: Rex Allen and his horse KoKo, Roy Rogers with horse Trigger, Dale Evans and horse Buttermilk, Andy Divine "Jingles" with horse Joker, Gabby Hayes with horse Calico, Gene Autrey with horse Champion, Tom Mix with horse Old Blue, Hopalong Cassidy "Bill Boyd" with horse Topper, Lash LaRue with horse Black Diamond (his sidekick was Al St.John), Joel McCrea with horse Steel, Clayton Moore with horse Silver, Slim Pickens with horse Appaloosa, Rod Cameron with horse Knight, Tex Ritter with horse White Flash, Randolph Scott with horse Stardust, Clint Walker with horse Brandy, John Wayne with horse Dollar, Wild Bill Elliott with horse Thunder, Cisco Kid "Duncan Renaldo" with horse Diablo, Leo Carillo "Pancho" with horse Loco, Richard Boone with horse Rafter, and James Arness with horse Buck. I can't remember the women's names. I remember one that yodeled. It was a beautiful sound to me.

My parents went every Saturday and Sunday for many years to the West side of Tucson, Arizona across the mountain range to a large open desert. Originally there was just one small fallen-down adobe wall. This wall was rebuilt by the Jaycees and many other buildings were added before the Old Tucson Family Park was open to the public. My dad was Mayor of the Family Park for many years. The men were in full cowboy gear with blank pistols and all the women wore old-fashioned dresses with bonnets. This made the event so much fun for the guests.

There was a huge cement dance floor with a band loft. My Mom and other women managed the Phoebe's Pie shop. They hand made from scratch all the items for sale there. I spent many hours in the kitchen helping to finish the turn-overs and pies. Homemade lemon aid, tea and coffee were also available. There were dinning tables of rough wood in the lobby. Along the street were many buildings for artisans with many hand crafts. Hand carved wooden pins, Gila monsters, turquoise jewelry, silk scarves, leather goods, Indian jewelry, and later a sandwich cafe. Another building was the Gift Shop and canteen. The man there paid us kids 5 cents for collecting bottles from sodas that were left all over the place by the people walking around.

My parents and the other Jaycees performed silent plays with big signs telling the dialog. Trick riders, Indians dances and street shoot-em-up fights (men falling off roofs, stage coaches robbed, streets flooded, even a hanging). It was a great performance.

The chapel had real weddings on Saturday. The local catholic church used their Priests to perform the weddings, often. One time the couple who were to get married eloped and I had to fill in with a handsome cowboy to fake the wedding that was advertised. The seats were filled to capacity and no one wanted to disappoint the crowd. My Mom grabbed me and took me to the dressing room shack. She dolled me up and off I went. Mom was also the teacher for the Can-Can dancers who performed for the crowds and on the street floats in parades. When I turned 20 she taught me and other daughters of the Jaycee-etts to dance and we took over for many years.

My Dad was a part of the large group of family men who joined the Tucson Jaycee club. The women or wives joined the Jaycee-etts, which was part of the main Club. The Club built a large building on Ft. Lowell Street. It had a huge ballroom for dinning and dancing with a stage for presentations. There was also a long bar for refreshments. Behind the bar was a large storage area and on the other side were the restrooms. In the back of the building was another large room for crafts. There was also a shed for storage of wagons, a jail, Christmas decorations, party posters and western and horse paraphernalia. Behind the building was a large lot for parking. A social club of types, there were Presidents to elect, parties to throw, dignitaries to invite, community service to perform, and kids to corral. They even went onto the highway (with a police escort) and stopped a traveler from another state to join the rodeo celebration. Community service was a big item and every Christmas they took 25children and helped them select gifts for their families. They did much good.

My parents were members of the Roping Club. I remember dancing "Put Your Little Foot" with Homer Cummings there. Homer ran the horse boarding facility on Ft. Lowell where my parents boarded their horses.

My Dad was very outgoing and a hard worker. He worked all day as a contractor and into the night as an architect. He was a brick layer from 16 years old. He played with art (both oil, iron, wood, and colored rock), building with stone, helping out neighbors, and making sure jobs were available for those he knew or loaning them money which they ALWAYS paid back. My parents housed many families as they were moving into town and needed a lift up. My Mother (Mom) was the bookkeeper for my Dad and kept up with his plans and play-time.

Mom hosted many back-yard parties. Fish was often the meat dish or grilled steak. My Dad built a huge fireplace in the back-yard. It had more than just a firepit, it came with a double sided-meat grill for steak, plus a huge metal grill. It had an oven with a wood firebox, and a spit for turning shishkabob. Outside the covered firepit area was a 20' long spoke, round wagon-wheel overhead, covered by shading vines to protect the lazy-susan surrounding the vine house in the center of the cement table. It seated at least 12 people. In front of the firepit were large hand-colored and sealed cement tiles for easy dancing. I remember seeing my Dad on his hands and knees drawing irregular lines in the cement and later hand coloring the stones he created. it was beautiful!

Dad went to Cholla Bay (Rocky Point) Mexico many times during the year for a vacation. He loved to fish. He had a 30' Cabin Cruiser that he stored there beside his cabana. The cabana had 6 bunk beds, a kitchen and dinning room with an ice-box, propane stove, and a bath with a shower. We brought our own water and food from home. My Dad was friendly with the native Mexicans and often brought them gifts of bicycles, chairs, and special gifts that they requested. For his friendship they would gut and clean the fish he caught and pack them in ice for transport back to Tucson. They would also be sure that the water truck was available for the water tank on top of the roof, right away. We used the water for showers and flushing the toilet. One evening I went down to the main restaurant. They had just caught a big sea-turtle and were cooking it over a fire pit. I was invited to sample the meat. Yes, it had many flavors of meat - not just chicken flavor. It is illegal to catch these beautiful reptiles. I remember one time we kids bought fire-crackers and ran around lighting them and tossing them to hear them crack. Sid threw one on the roof, by accident, and it blew a hole in the Cabana roof. Dad was not pleased.

My Dad was also a hunter. He loved animals. He would hunt for filling the freezer with meat for the year. He often took my brothers with him on the hunt. My Mom even went, but I was never invited. Whenever he saw small animals he would set traps and catch them. Our yard was filled with wild animals that he had caught. He fed them daily and brought many people over to view them. When the Arizona Senora Desert Museum was finally completed they took all his animals and put them into their facility. My Dad continued to hunt and catch wild animals and he would continue to donate them to the Museum (you might call it a zoo). I remember having a wild Havalena Hog in our house. We would stomp our feet on the floor and it would follow us around the house.

The back yard Ramada was wire-caged in and a Lynx Bob Cat was added. Dad would play with the cat every night when he got home. The water had to be changed daily as the cat used it to urinate in. Dad fed it raw horse meat. The bobcat was not declawed and anyone without tough hands, like my Dad from cement and lime residue from bricklaying, would not have survived. It even bit through my right arm once. This cat was the mascot for the University of Arizona.

Out back behind the house, I remember 7 red fox, a badger, a porcupine, several skunks and many snakes. He kept one skunk for us to play with. There were pigeons, owls, raccoons, and even an elephant. He always said he was going to put alligators underneath my clothesline. Dad built a one-bedroom apartment out behind the main house for the teenage boys or for guests. Dad added to that apartment several rooms and a carport. He also dug a bomb-shelter under it. Later in life, he and Mom moved in, renting out the big house out front.

My parents were also involved with the yearly February Rodeo at the Fair grounds. Mom was the Usher Manager and Dad was the Grounds Manager. He loved to walk past the Brahama bulls and wild mustangs. My parents were always the best workers, showing up early and leaving late.

The Jaycees also worked the Fireworks at the University of Arizona. Dad learned how to make those beautiful bursting fireworks and the interesting ground works, which moved and entertained all those inside the paid seats. I was just a girl and although asked often was never allowed to learn any of those neat things.

Verna Louise Buskel Conlisk

My Mom was a pleasant woman who did all the things that society required of her. She was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. She and her sister, Janice Mildred, did a lot of things together, even double dating. Janice was a little larger boned than Verna and for some reason Verna always thought Verna was fat. Verna weighed in at 110 in High School and went on to Nurses training school and graduated. Verna was 5'2" in High School and grew 3" by the time she was 21 yrs old. Janice was always 5'6" or 5'7" tall. Like me Janice grew early. I was 5'5" in the 6th grade.
Their brother was Charles Alfred Buskel, Jr.

When Verna grew up there was a rabbit barn plus a garden to attend to in her back-yard. Her father, Charles Alfred Buskel, was a judge for the State Fair for Rabbits. Verna was picked to help her Dad with the rabbits. She changed their water and feed them and palled around with her Dad a lot. Hazel Mildred Wildey Buskel, was Verna's mother. Hazel was a multi-tasked and trained woman. Hazel used Janice in the kitchen for most of the cooking and chores. Verna claimed, later, that she didn't even know how to boil water in the kitchen. Lester Conlisk agreed and had to teach her how to cook, after they were married. During the time that Verna was in Nurses training, they decided to get married. However, they couldn't live together because of the rules at the Nursing school. It was difficult.

Hazel also was a beautician, knitted sweaters, crocheted throws for the bed or couch, tailored clothing commercially, worked with her husband in a candy factory and bakery, and ran most things. She had a quick temper and believed that all children should listen to their parents and JUMP UP whenever called to assist. She was an avid gardener and had prize roses. At her Tucson home, she had a pink-grapefruit tree and a Myer lemon tree. Myer lemon has a thin skin and makes the best lemon-aid and lemon meringue pies. She usually had a dog. I remember a Chow and several Poodles. Hazel was the one who made by prom dress. It was a lovely pale blue with white lace around the bodice. The sleeves were capped and the bow in the back was very large. I wore it for both my Junior and Senior prom. My mother, Verna, did not know how to sew. I always wanted my g-ma Hazel, to teach me what she knew, but it never happened. I learned to sew in Junior High and High school in a sewing class. The rest was experience and taking out stitches to redo a problem. I often gave myself little time to finish a project. I would rush and rush and then wear whatever I had finished. I always look chic!

Verna taught Sunday School when she was first married. The Southern Baptist Church did not allow their teachers to dance or appear to be having fun. They must be straight laced, so to speak. Verna didn't dance with my Dad while she taught the children. She and my Dad were excellent dancers. When ever they got on the dance floor, everyone else got off and just stared and looked and then clapped. My Dad learned every dance step when he was young. I think it went along with learning poetry and prose to spout-off, working hard, and impressing the ladies.

Verna was a quick learner. She followed any and everything that Dad wanted her to do. I'd say very obedient. She told me to do whatever my husband wants to keep him happy and at home. Verna said that this is what her mother told her to do, too. At church functions she would be the one who stayed last to be sure everything was cleaned up and put away. She also did this at any other function she attended. I had to stay with her often to complete these tasks.

When my Dad, Lester Conlisk, joined the Tucson Jaycees, Verna joined the Jaycee-ettes. She held many offices there and was once the President. Verna never tasted or drank liquor. Verna played the role of 'Carrie A. Nation' when she was in plays at Old Tucson. Remember, Carrie was one of the women's sufferage society that went into the bars and smashed everything -- against prohibition. Verna's father, Charles, had her sniff whiskey as a young girl, while telling her of its addiction. Because of his advice and the burning inside her nose, she couldn't stand the smell.
I had the same problem with beer - I couldn't stand that smell either and threw-up immediately after smelling it. I have never had any beer. My brother Sidney tried drinking and he also threw up when he tried to taste any of it. He actually swallowed. My other brother, Lester Charles didn't seem to have that same problem. I think he thought that drinking was a social event.
After his divorce, from the woman he loved so deeply, he drank too much.

The Tucson Jaycee-Jaycee-ettes did many county and city functions for charity. they had the Christmas gift buying event for the children whom the schools listed as those who couldn't afford it. They had the "Welcome Traveler". They would stop a car, with out-of-state license and invite them to a party and free hotel - to stay for the week-end in Tucson. This was usually done around February. The Tucson Rodeo and Parade was at the end of February. My Dad was the Rodeo Manager and my Mom was in charge of ushering. She had the other Jaycee-ettes to assist her and also me. After ushering, I got to sit in the bleachers and watch the Rodeo. My first strange event was when I was using the bathroom. I was asked to come with these two ladies to their place. They said they would take very good care of me, pay me money, and that they needed me. I quickly went out and found my Mother and told her what they said. They were arrested for trying to solicit porn with youngsters.

Verna was also the President of the "Women's Business Group". They met weekly, had lunch and discussed business and how to achieve their goals. They awarded her a gold bracelet for her significant service, just before she died, but she never received it.

Verna was one of the envelope stuffer's for the March of Dimes drive. She would take a room full of paper and envelopes and we ALL would help her stuff them. Verna also volunteered to make animals and puppets for the children in the hospital. She brought home cloth and a pattern. I helped her cut them out and sew them up. She helped with stuffing and putting on the face. One thing I learned from my Mother was to keep busy and you can get so many more things done.

Verna also took oil painting classes with her mother Hazel. They both painted a Sonora Arizona Cathedral Mountain picture.. I have them both handing over my stair case. Of course there were many other paintings done.

Verna, Hazel, and Janice went golfing together. I never was invited. I don't know how well they played. Hazel said it was good exercise. Hazel also had a kiln for pottery. She hand-made and fired and then painted many items. Her garage was full of paint powder and pottery molds, when she died. Verna took them to her home. I don't know what happened to any of it.

Verna also taught dancing to the women in the Jaycee-ettes that wanted to perform. they danced the Can-Can at Old Tucson and on parade floats. I also was on the parade floats; once as an Indian, once as a Hawaiian, and many times dancing the Can-Can on the floats. They always won first place when I was on the float. Probably because I never stopped dancing - even if my sides were hurting. They even went to Mexico and around the cities of Arizona with their floats in many parades. I was usually there with my parents. Once they had us perform at the Military post. That was different. More eyes on each dancer. I kicked off my leg band for them.

Verna did the bookkeeping for Dad when he was Lester Construction Company in Tucson, Arizona. She had about 7 file cabinets full of papers for employees and payroll. I think she fitted in her bookkeeping work around all her other social events.

Verna had many friends. One of them was Mary Brees, who lived across the street. I will write about Mary later.

Verna and Lester also rode horse back. They owned three horses. When they bought the home at 2570 E Lester Street, they had horses in their back yard. With the building of the city, they moved their horses to Ft. Lowell, where there was a riding stable and Homer Cummings.. One of the horses was named "Little Britches". That is the horse that I rode. My brothers usually rode double on their horse. They would come over real close to my horse and whack it in its flanks, so it would buck. I got real good at hanging on, but I often fell off and hit the ground. I would get up, stamp my feet, and say I'm getting right back on. My dad was always proud of me for getting back on. My first incident with a horse was when I was 3 yrs old., My Dad put me on a stallion and he reared. I hung on, for dear life, and I didn't fall off. My Dad smiled and said I was the best rider he had seen. What a compliment! I have many pictures of my parents on horses.

My parents also joined the Square Dance and Riding Club. There were many square dancing events and even the horses were taught how to square dance to perform during the Rodeo's.
I remember doing the dance "Put Your Little Foot" with many of the male-parents, while my own parents were dancing together. I loved to dance.

Another thing that my parents did was to decorate the house -- inside and out-- for Christmas. Dad would spray paint the yard green. Pull the tall trees by the front door together for a huge bow. He painted and sawed out Santa and the Reindeer for putting on the roof. Of course, he added Rudolph with his blinking nose. Mom had a creche over by the tall pines with a star that shown for blocks, up into the sky. They had music playing. There were carolers, too and lots of candy.

The front room was strewn with crept paper billowing from one end of the room to the other, with stars, bells, and candy canes. there were always two trees. One was a tumble-weed that my Dad would go out into the barren land and find the biggest one there. He would paint it white and decorate it with blinking lights. Mom's tree was always at least 6 foot tall and over in the corner near the baby-grand player piano. It would have every light, bobble, and glittery thing that she packed away and then added to each year. We had hot apple cider with spices and orange slices. We had fruit cake, egg-white puffs, fudge, and many other delicacies.

Pies were always baked for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Home baked bread was my job and some of the pies. Mom would always do the turkey or ham with a vegie plate and pickles. Aunt Janice would bring the mac-n-cheese and g-ma Hazel would bring the cole-slaw and German potato salad. What a feast was had by all. Dishes were immediately done after eating - due to Hazel, who wanted everything in its place ASAP.

My Mom was always looking at her figure. She would jump up-and-down in her room to get exercise. She would get on a bike, out in the back yard, and peddle it until she got tired. Of course, she danced with my Dad at all their meetings, and danced the Can-Can with the ladies. She wanted to be 110 again. She made 125 just before she died, however, she usually weighed in at 140 lbs. My daughter June is about her same size, except she is lighter. Verna would look at the other ladies and see how nice they looked. Then she wanted to look at least that nice. Of course, my Dad would always say "how nice" those other ladies were looking. I think this bothered her a lot. She didn't want any competition.

Verna bought many clothes from 'Rumage Sales'. She wanted to have many changes of clothes, and not have to pay much to get them. She knew just the right areas where they had the best buys for the highest priced clothes. She always looked real nice. Verna had her hair long, all her life. Lester insisted of her keeping her hair long. He said it was sexy. She went to the hair schools to get her hair done every week. She would have her hair put up in barrel-rolls on top of her head and pull the sides off her face. She also hired maids to clean her house. In the last few years of her life, I did my Mom's hair. When she died, I re-did her hair in the same style that she always wore and those viewing her said, 'she just looked asleep and beautiful'.

My Mom and I lived together for the last few years that she lived. My husband had died in 1985 and then her husband died in 1986. She was lonely and missed Lester very much. She didn't want to live without him. I did the most I could to be with her during her last years. She and Janice, and I went out to eat at the Buffet on Speedway. We had so much fun talking together and going every where together. We became great friends and family. When Janice died she left me all that she had in her will. It was too bad that my brothers sued me to get it from me.

Our family has been filled with great women!