Fond memories in tough times

BOISE -- With so much focus on our current economic crisis, it's worth noting the historical significance of this week.

On October 24, 1929 a crash on Wall Street sparked the Great Depression.

"We didn't have many clothes, but we didn't need many,” said Maxine Sower Randall.

"Mother could make a dollar go farther than anyone I ever knew and she had to I guess," said Eloise Anderson.

It’s known as Black Thursday -- what most scholars consider the beginning of the worst economic era in modern history.

Many still remember those dark days, but not, perhaps in the way you might think.

KTVB-TV News in Boise, Idaho sat down with three lifelong friends who reminisced about what they now consider to be the good old days.

For adults and for parents in the late 1920s and early 1930s, it was a frightening time -- a critical crash on the New York Stock Exchange plunged much of the world into the Great Depression.

Despite it's name, there was nothing great about the Great Depression.

While the exact cause is still a topic of debate, many point to Wall Street as the trigger.

On October 24, 1929 the stock market crashed along with the dreams of many Americans. 

But the children of that era had no reference point.  These were the only times they'd known, and accordingly they made the most of what little they had.

"We didn't know it was tough times,” said Eloise.

Among those children: Eloise Anderson, Maxine Sower Randall, and Don Riley -- each approaching 90 years of age.

"I was 10 years old, so I wasn't very aware of anything except we didn't have any money, but we never had had," said Eloise.

"Sure, we knew we didn't have extra money, but we never seemed to lack for anything," said Maxine.

"Like the girls said, I didn't know what a Depression was," said Don.

Maxine and Eloise have been friends for 75 years.  Don is the relative newcomer -- meeting the ladies in 1949.

Their lives and friendships are rich with stories from that impoverished past.

“We didn't have a turkey for Thanksgiving and I never knew why exactly, but it was a goose. That was the last time we ever had a goose, because I don't think any of us thought that was a very good substitute," said Don.

"When you mentioned the Thanksgiving dinner, we had an aunt and uncle that lived in Kuna, we lived in Caldwell, and they raised turkeys.  But we got a cooked breasted turkey for our dinner because the other ones sold better," said Eloise.

Aside from the dinner table, there were other signs of tough times.

"My dad took on an extra job helping at the mortuary and I realize now that was because he felt we didn't have enough money," said Maxine.

"I can remember on few occasions when the backdoor at noontime would have a knock and here was a strange person asking for a meal.  And my mother always seemed to have enough on the table," said Don.

It's often portrayed as the worst of times -- and for many, it was.  But for these friends it's a cherished time.

"We always had good times, too,” said Eloise.

"It was a happy time in my life and that's because of my wonderful family,” said Maxine.