Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SAGINAW returned 105 results.
8-BALL DRINKING GAME
IN THIS DRINKING GAME, FILL UP A GLASS TO A CERTAIN
POINT WITH BEER. THEN THE PERSON WITH THE GLASS
"HIGH FIVES" EVERYONE SITTING AT THE TABLE IN ORDER
WITHOUT MISSING A SINGLE PERSON. AFTER HE/SHE COMPLETES
THE PROCEDURE, THEY GUZZLE THE BEER. THE GLASS IS PASSED
TO THE PERSON ON THEIR LEFT. THE PROCEDURE IS REPEATED WITH
THE NEXT PERSON.
THE GAME CAN GO ON FOR AS MANY ROUNDS AS YOU MAKE IT.(ONE
ROUND EQUALS THE COMPLETION AROUND THE TABLE BACK TO THE
PERSON WHO STARTED THE GAME.) THE PENALTIES OF THE GAME ARE
PROMPTED BY MISSING A PERSON OR MISSING A TURN. THIS PERSON
WILL HAVE TO DRINK A BEER. IF THE OBJECT PERSON (WHO IS TO
DRINK THE BEER) DOESN'T WANT TO MISS A PERSON, HE CAN "HIGH
FIVE" THE PERSON NEXT TO THE MISSING PERSON TWO TIMES.
Submitter comment:
THE NAME CAME ABOUT FROM THE GLASS FIRST USED. THE GLASS
WAS ROUND AND HAD AN 8-BALL PAINTED ON IT. THE GAME STARTED
AS MY FRIENDS AND I, BORED OF THE SAME OLD DRINKING
GAMES, WANTED A CHANGE.
8-BALLED CAN BE VARIED BY MAKING NEW RULES AFTER EACH
ROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
James Callow Keyword(s): EIGHT BALL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
WHEN SOMEBODY DROPS SILVERWARE ON THE KITCHEN
FLOOR, IT USUALLY MEANS COMPANY IS COMING OVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001970S
HE'S MORE TIRED THAN AN ONE-LEGGED MAN IN AN
ASS KICKIN' CONTEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00001970S
HE IS MORE NERVOUS THAN A LONG-TAILED CAT IN A
ROOM FULL OF ROCKIN' CHAIRS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00001980S
A PERSON BORN BEFORE NOON AND AFTER MIDNIGHT
INDICATES THRIFTINESS AND ARROGANCE WHILE A
PERSON BORN AFTER NOON AND BEFORE MIDNIGHT
INDICATES GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00001980S
THE RUBBING OF MUD ON A BEE STING WILL TAKE THE
PAIN OUT AND IT WILL ALSO REDUCE THE SWELLING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE
LOWER PENINSULA HOLD UP THEIR RIGHT OR LEFT HAND
LIKE A MITTEN AND POINT TO THE PLACE ON THEIR HAND
WHICH SHOWS THE LOCATION OF THE CITY IN WHICH
THEY LIVE.(POINT TO THE PALM ON THE RIGHT HAND OR
BACKHAND OF THE LEFT.)
Submitter comment:
THE LOWER PENINSULA OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN LOOKS
LIKE A MITTEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
James Callow Keyword(s): GEOGRAPHY OF A STATE
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S
LUMINARI
LUMINARI IS FROM A SPANISH WORD MEANING LIGHT, AND
IS THE CUSTOM OF LIGHTING STREETS OF A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH
CANDLELIGHT TO SYMBOLIZE THE BONFIRES THE SHEPHERDS BUILT
TO LIGHT THEIR WAY TO THE MANGER IN BETHLEHEM ON THE
FIRST CHRISTMAS EVE. FOR THE MODERN DAY YOUNG-AT-HEARTS,
IT IS ALSO BE DESCRIBED AS LIGHTING THE WAY FOR SANTA.
WHEN DONE WITH UNANIMOUS COOPERATION, THE EFFECT IS
MOST IMPRESSIVE AND HEARTWARMING IN THIS SEASON OF
"GOOD WILL TOWARDS ALL MEN."
THE PROCEDURE INVOLVED IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE AND SAFE.
PLACE 2 INCHES OF SAND IN THE BOTTOM OF A BROWN PAPER
LUNCH BAG. THEN PLACE THE CANDLE IN THE BAG. KEEP THE
CANDLES IN A DRY AND WARM PLACE UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE.
#ON CHRISTMAS EVE#
1. TAKE THE BAGS OUTSIDE PRIOR TO THE LIGHTING TIME AND
PLACE THEM IN A LINE ALONG THE STREET, SPACING THEM
ABOUT NINE (9) FEET APART. USE THE EXTRA BAGS TO LINE
YOUR DRIVEWAY.
2. PLACE EACH BAG WITH A SLIGHT TAMPING ACTION TO MAKE
SURE THE SAND IS EVENLY DISTRIBUTED IN THE BOTTOM OF
THE BAG. ALSO ENSURE THAT EACH BAG IS STANDING UP
ERECTLY AND THE TOP IS OPENED.
3. MAKE SURE THE CANDLE IS SET IN THE APPROXIMATE CENTER
OF THE BAG. IF THE DIRECTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT, THE
FLAME OF THE CANDLE WILL NOT TOUCH THE SIDE OF THE
BAG AND BURN SAFELY.
4. CANDLES ARE TO BE LIGHTED AT 5:30 P.M. SHARP ON
CHRISTMAS EVE.
5. IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER ON CHRISTMAS EVE,
THE LIGHTING OF THE "LUMINARI" WILL BE POSTPONED
UNTIL CHRISTMAS NIGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS TRADITION HAS BEEN GOING ON IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD
SINCE WE MOVED THERE IN 1975. IT LOOKS IN THE DARK
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH THE SUBDIVISION LIKE AN
AIRPORT RUNWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
IF YOU SEE A PERSON WHO WAS BORN WITH RED HAIR, IT MEANS
THAT THEIR PARENTS MADE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL SOMETIME
THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 04-01-1990
IN THE GYM AT MY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WE USED TO HAVE A ROPE
ABOUT THIRTY FEET LONG THAT HUNG DOWN FROM THE CENTER OF
THE CEILING. EVERY YEAR EACH PERSON WAS REQUIRED TO TRY TO
CLIMB THE ROPE AS FAR AS THEY COULD FOR GYM CLASS. EVERY
BOY THAT TRIED CARRIED A PENCIL IN HIS MOUTH. IT WAS BELIEVED
THAT IF YOU GOT TO THE TOP AND WROTE THE NAME OF THE GIRL YOU
LIKED ON THE CEILING, SHE WOULD LIKE YOU BACK. THE TEACHERS
USUALLY ENCOURAGED THIS PRACTICE AND EVERY YEAR THE CEILING
WAS CLEANED TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEXT YEAR'S CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Word Letter |
IF YOU EAT A LOT OF CARROTS YOU WILL DEVELOP A DARK
COMPLEXION. IF YOU DON'T EVER EAT CARROTS YOU WILL BURN
WHEN YOU GO OUT IN THE SUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Plant |
IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WE HAD A HUGE SEWER PIPE
ON THE PLAYGROUND THAT WAS PAINTED RED. WE HAD A CUSTOM
THAT IF YOU WANTED TO GO WITH A GIRL YOU HAD TO WALK THROUGH
THE PIPE WITH THE GIRL WHILE HOLDING HANDS. SOMETIMES THE
TWO PARTICIPANTS EVEN KISSED UPON EXITING BUT THIS WAS
PRETTY RARE. TO BREAK UP WITH THE GIRL YOU HAD TO WALK
BACKWARDS THROUGH THE PIPE ONE AT A TIME, WITH THE BOY
NORMALLY GOING THROUGH FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-01-1976
I WAS ALWAYS TOLD NOT TO WALK ON THE GRASS IN THE SPRINGTIME
OR ELSE DANDELIONS WOULD GROW IN THE SPOTS WHERE I WALKED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT IF YOU LIE ON THE GRAVE OF SOMEONE ON
HALLOWEEN NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT, YOU WILL BECOME POSSESSED BY THE
SPIRIT OF THAT PERSON. THE ONLY WAY TO RID YOURSELF OF THE
SPIRIT IS TO PERFORM THE SAME ACT ON THE NEXT HALLOWEEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 04-01-1990
MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
JUST OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, IN A
SMALL VILLAGE CALLED SHIELDS, THERE IS A LEGEND OF THE
DISAPPEARING LIGHT. THE STORY GOES THAT OUTSIDE OF
SHIELDS CITY LIMITS, IN THE FORESTS THERE IS A LIGHT
WHICH APPEARS FROM A SMALL HILL IRREGULARLY. NO ONE TO
THIS DAY HAS BEEN ABLE TO ISOLATE WHERE THE LIGHT IS
COMING FROM OR WHO CAUSES IT. PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY HIGH
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, HAVE TRIED TO FIND THE SOURCE, AND
COME SO FAR AS TO CAPTURE IT BETWEEN TWO CARS. WHEN
THE CARS CREPT TOGETHER, HOWEVER, THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED
AND BOTH CARS HAD ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. EVEN PROFESSIONAL
ELECTRICIANS HAVE COMBED THE COUNTRYSIDE BUT TO NO GOOD
SO FAR. PEOPLE IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF SAGINAW STILL
TRAVEL OUT ON THE HOPE OF SEEING THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO ME AT ST. STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL,
SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT INFORMANTS
IN 1969.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW ; SAINT STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): PHANTOM LIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
"THE M & M GAME"
THERE WAS A GAME THAT WE USED TO PLAY AT PARTIES WHILE IN
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. WE CALLED IT THE M & M GAME. YOU STARTED
WITH A BAG OF PEANUT M & M'S. EVERYONE SAT IN A CIRCLE AND
THE BAG WAS PASSED AROUND TO EACH PERSON, THAT PERSON SELECTED
ONE PIECE OF CANDY AND SHOWED IT TO THE OTHERS. IF THE CANDY
WAS BROWN THE PERSON HAD TO TELL A SECRET ABOUT THEMSELVES.
IF THE CANDY WAS YELLOW THE PERSON HAD TO TELL A SECRET ABOUT
SOMEBODY ELSE. IF THE CANDY WAS ORANGE OR GREEN THE PERSON
HAD TO KISS A GIRL/BOY WHO WAS ALSO PLAYING. IF IT WAS ORANGE
THE OTHER PLAYERS VOTED ON WHO THE PLAYER WAS TO KISS, IF IT
WAS GREEN THEN THAT PERSON GOT TO CHOOSE THEMSELVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
IT IS BELIEVED THAT IT IS UNLUCKY TO STACK YOUR MONEY OR
CHIPS WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING POKER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Bad luck |
TO GET RID OF THE HICCUPS YOU SHOULD SWALLOW THREE SPOONFULS
OF SUGAR FOLLOWED BY THREE GLASSES OF WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Mineral |
"MICHIGANIA FEVER"
THEN THERE'S THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
WHERE SOME ARE VERY RICH;
THEMSELVES AND A FEW OTHERS HAVE DUG A MIGHTY DITCH,
TO RENDER IT MORE EASY FOR US TO FIND THE WAY,
AND SAIL UPON THE WATERS OF MICHIGANIA-
YEA, YEA, YEA, TO MICHIGANIA!
Submitter comment: WORDS SUNG VERY LOUD USUALLY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C2005 |
Date learned: 03-20-1990
WHEN WE WERE LITTLE AND USED TO GO SWIMMING IN LAKE HURON
MY MOM WOULD WARN US NOT TO GO OUT TOO FAR IN THE WATER OR
THE GHOSTS OF PIRATES THAT DROWNED IN SHIPWRECKS WOULD DRAG
US UNDER THE WATER AND WE WOULD NEVER BE HEARD FROM EVER
AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |