August 28, 1975 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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August 28, 1975 |
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Dept. Store
3RD & RAILROAD
Double Take
100% cotton, reversible
sport weight ...................... 2.98Yd.
Bombay
The crinkle look in pant weight; 50% 259
cotton/50% polyester, solid colors ...... . Yd.
Mash Crinkle
Top weight, to match Bombay ; 50% 1.98 Yd.
cotton~50% polyester ..............
Double Knits
One new group of matching solids
and prints ........................ ~l. 70 Yd.
Floral print on one side, solid color
suede finish on the other; 50%
polyester/50% cotton base; 3 colors.
Snuggledow lO0%nylon ...i ............................................ $2.98 ,
Very Vel ou r 80% Co,,ne, e/20% ny,on $2.98 d
Dainty Sheer Quiltsl°°%ny'°nface' $2.98 °
100% acetate tricot back, 100% Kodel poly fill ........
New selection 100% poly; mix and
match selection of solids, prints and
chec ks.
100% cotton face, 100% acetate tricot
back, ]00% Kodel poly.
99
Matching fabric to Disney quilts.
$9
Yd.
45" pr e-washed,
colors.
100% cotton, 9
"Pull up your sox!" said a little girl to her younger sister.
"Just because we're on Welfare we don't have to look like we
are!"
These long-ago words, spoken with dignity by her
daughter, served to rouse from a deep depression a mother
struggling alone to rear four children.
Inspired by her child's pride and spirit, Lois Mercier
found a new strength that has never failed her.
Born in Wendall, Idaho, she came to Shelton as a child.
Married in Aberdeen, she reared four foster children before a
legal separation from her husband 12 years ago.
Mrs. Mercier was employed in a Shelton restaurant until
illness made it necessary for her to accept public assistance.
With her children she lived in an old, old house in Shelton.
"When it was sold," she explains, "we had to find
something else to rent. Everything was so expensive! We
finally leased a place and put in a lot of work ordy to lose it a
year.later.
"It was then," she continues, "that we began collecting
things to build our own home."
The project now nears completion under the combined
efforts of Mrs. Mercier and her children, Matthew, Tami,
Steve and Terri whose ages range from 17 years to 21.
Their dwelling in Arcadia Estates has been constructed
primarily of salvaged materials.
"The beams," Mrs. Mercier states, "came from the old
Stretch Island Bridge; windows came from one place -
plumbing fixtures from another. Whenever we heard of a
building being torn down or remodeled we asked to purchase
materials. People usually gave us the stuff free."
Forms were built and concrete walls were poured.
Mother and younger daughter excavated an area for a cement
floor. Walls were covered with fabric purchased at 24 cents
per yard.
"That's cheaper than paper or paint," Mrs. Mercier
maintains.
The divider wall between kitchen and living room is
fashioned from king-size floral sheets. A matching quilt
covers a divan and small sheets in the same pattern are used
to cover tables.
Paintings done by her daughters are hung prominently.
Books and photographs are held on homemade shelves.
Houseplants flourish in the mismatched but most compatible
windows.
A centrally located wood-burning stove lends cozy
comfort and a future stairwell currently serving as a small
bedroom is fabric draped in tent fashion to camouflage an
unfinished interior.
"This is home," smiles Lois Mercier. "We appreciate it so
much. It may not be luxurious, but it is all ours and we love
it.
"After all," she laughs, "not just everybody can take
their walls down to wash them!"
A HOUSE built of salvaged materials is home to Lois Mercier and her
children.
:~::q~ S-1.~ - Shetton-M,~son County Journal - Thursday, August 28, 1975 Thursday, August 28, 1975 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page S-19