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Jitterbugging was more than just a wiggle. It took a high stepper and dance band music. It was a move that you swung left and then swung right, and was more fun to watch than do. It was a secret weapon in World War II and a masquerade to a troubled world.
To get “in the mood,” it took a musical beat that would stir a sitting hen.
Morton villagers knew the moves, and when Glenn Miller blew the horn, it was “forget your troubles c’mon and be happy.”
The jitterbug and Glenn Miller was as American as apple pie, so Miller joined the fight, as did his swinging horn blowers.
On Jefferson stood a water tower and two outlets for a tap of beer. Steps away was Morton’s city hall where business was conducted and dancing on a Saturday night.
It was during these early war years it became alive. Teenagers, in particular, lined the walls while a Victrola inspired the swing and sway.
Back then girls danced (mostly) with girls and boys watched. Occasionally, a brave soul who knew the steps crossed to the other side.
I remember a Schieber boy who could jitterbug with the best and a (George) twirling a Rocke gal like a feather dusting a chiffonier. Those boys had the moves and all I could do was watch.
So much patriotic music written in World War II moving the bones and the spirit.
Many Morton wine barrels dried up during World War II, as rationing of sugar took its toll. Our village wine makers had to turn to the black market (for sugar) or dry up with the cellar barrels.
I’m guessing it took 5 pounds of sugar to make a 50 gallon barrel of wine. It’s only a guess. I’m also guessing Morton’s distillers had the will and found the way.
Morton folks opted for an added vocabulary. Words like GI and OD were short for a soldier uniformed in olive drab.
Not much interest to wait 10 years to payout, but the right thing to do if you had the dough.
Furlough was time at home soldiers got if accrued and was advanced if going overseas. It could be the last time a family would see them alive.
A Western Union wire would arrive at the door reading “We are sorry to inform you,” and we all can relate to the finality of “killed in action.”
Jitterbugging was more than just a wiggle. It took a high stepper and dance band music. It was a move that you swung left and then swung right, and was more fun to watch than do. It was a secret weapon in World War II and a masquerade to a troubled world.
To get “in the mood,” it took a musical beat that would stir a sitting hen.
Morton villagers knew the moves, and when Glenn Miller blew the horn, it was “forget your troubles c’mon and be happy.”
The jitterbug and Glenn Miller was as American as apple pie, so Miller joined the fight, as did his swinging horn blowers.
On Jefferson stood a water tower and two outlets for a tap of beer. Steps away was Morton’s city hall where business was conducted and dancing on a Saturday night.
It was during these early war years it became alive. Teenagers, in particular, lined the walls while a Victrola inspired the swing and sway.
Back then girls danced (mostly) with girls and boys watched. Occasionally, a brave soul who knew the steps crossed to the other side.
I remember a Schieber boy who could jitterbug with the best and a (George) twirling a Rocke gal like a feather dusting a chiffonier. Those boys had the moves and all I could do was watch.
So much patriotic music written in World War II moving the bones and the spirit.
Many Morton wine barrels dried up during World War II, as rationing of sugar took its toll. Our village wine makers had to turn to the black market (for sugar) or dry up with the cellar barrels.
I’m guessing it took 5 pounds of sugar to make a 50 gallon barrel of wine. It’s only a guess. I’m also guessing Morton’s distillers had the will and found the way.
Morton folks opted for an added vocabulary. Words like GI and OD were short for a soldier uniformed in olive drab.
Not much interest to wait 10 years to payout, but the right thing to do if you had the dough.
Furlough was time at home soldiers got if accrued and was advanced if going overseas. It could be the last time a family would see them alive.
A Western Union wire would arrive at the door reading “We are sorry to inform you,” and we all can relate to the finality of “killed in action.”
A blue star flag in a window signified one was serving, a gold star flag for one who had made the supreme sacrifice.
War was on the minds of Americans everywhere and apprehensive to a knock on the door. There were perks like GIs wrote “free” where the postage stamp was affixed, but Uncle Sam opened the letter to screen any compromised material.
It all seemed so yielding, but know that “loose lips sunk ships,” and that most GIs were being transported by ship to the battleground. It was all foreign to villagers.
Billfolds were fattened during the war. Housewives abandoned the mops and became Rosy the Riveters.
Not everyone was effected negatively, so beer still flowed from the tap.
Caterpillar kicked up a notch, and most every industrial factory was under government contract.
Farmers grew food for the military and became affluent in doing so. No resentment here, but want readers to know some were jubilant during the war.
Fireside chats by FDR pinned ears to the radio and newspaper banners were scanned ahead of Dick Tracy.
LIFE was a popular magazine loaded with images of the war.
A humbled Morton prevailed.
Noah Zobrist Jr. lived in Morton in the 1930s and 40s and writes about his times growing up in Morton. He left for a career in the Air Force. He is now retired and living in Gulf Shores, Ala.
