By Nan Peacocke
For Coastal Senior

We need a new garage. The old one is full of memories, which leaves no room for the car. Street parking is getting dangerous. I mentioned these facts to my friend, also a cousin. She asked, "Why not use the one you have?"

"Clean out our garage?"

I gave that thought. We do have it cleaned. We just don't clean it OUT.

She inquired, "What in there is more important than safety and automobiles?"

My first thought was of a peach dress, originally belonging to our mutual aunt. In the late '30s her husband owned a clothing store, so she could afford an elegant, new dress. She bought it for some occasion, which has long since disappeared from anyone's memory.

My sister wore the same gown to a dance at the Union Bag Athletic Association, located on the second floor of the northwest corner of State and Bull streets. (On the northeast corner was a grocery store and across the street was Cheeseman's Ice Cream Parlor. If I didn't misbehave during grocery shopping I was treated at the ice cream parlor.)

The U.B.A.A. was a glorified gym where local boxing matches were held. Otherwise, young men of the city would workout there. However, following the festivities of the Paper Festival Parade, there was a dance there that had all who planned to attend scouring closets for special wear in those depression days. Sister dared not ask to borrow the distinguished peach gown. However, our aunt sensed the need and offered her gown.

Fast forward to my college days. I was selected for the lead in Christopher Frye's hit play "The Lady's Not for Burning" at, now, Georgia Southern. When my aunt heard, she appeared at rehearsal offering her gown. I felt it wasn't quite right for the play but the director, for whatever reason, didn't turn her offer down. So every night for a week behind the footlights of Anderson Hall, I wore it - portraying the young lady accused of witchcraft.

I have two clippings of a niece from the Savannah Morning News. One shows her in Savannah Little Theater's production (held in the since-destroyed, old Savannah Golf Clubhouse) of "Bell, Book and Candle." The other shows her exiting the gala farewell ball before the destruction of the old DeSoto Hotel. In both she is wearing that gown. Her feather boa was a touch to make her believable as a Gay '90s belle.

I related these facts hoping they justified our garage, full of many similar articles. It was then that my cousin surprised me by adding her own history to the peach gown.

She had worn it to a ball in her own college days at UGA. She added a hoop (the expandable kind) to make it fit the fashion of her day and was having a grand time dancing until the hoop malfunctioned and collapsed mid shag step. Bound by the picket fence-like contraption she quickly, though awkwardly, escaped to the ladies room. She divested herself of the hoop and returned (looking like a wilted belle) to disapproving stares from many who wondered what mischief had caused her to loose the undergarment.

Nan Peacocke is a Savannah freelance writer.