Cornershot

To submit a CornerShot

The Roanoke Times welcomes CornerShot submissions from its readers. Here are the guidelines:

Length: about 200 words
Topic: CornerShots can run the gamut, but we generally prefer unique and clever observations on the human experience.
No poetry, please.
Email your submission to extra@roanoke.com with your full name and hometown and “CornerShot” in the subject line. You can also mail submissions to Kathy Lu, CornerShot, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, VA 24010.
Submissions are subject to editing.

1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County

2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day

3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys

4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping

5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football

6. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust

7. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen

8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible

9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli

10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area

Tom Stone | A reader in Roanoke

Monday, May 13, 2013

Ralph Berrier Jr.’s delightful story of his mother’s devotion reminded me of what my mother once did for me long ago.

When World War II ended, my father was able to transfer back to his original job in the Galax area, in the fall of 1946.

I was 5 years old and it must have been just before Halloween, for when my mother tried to find me a mask, both local dime stores had sold out.

At that time, they were made of a stiffened cloth material (and does anyone else remember that they were called False Faces then?).

So, my mom took cheesecloth, soaked it in a laundry starch solution, dried it over an inverted colander, painted it with food coloring, cut out the eyes and mouth, and voila!

I was able to trick-or-treat with the best of them.

Monday, August 12, 2013