May 2008 - Recently, Austin Anderson, an 8th grader at Southwestern Middle School had the opportunity to interview two survivors of the Great Depression.  As part of a class project in History, Austin chose to pursue a story on the Great Depression and the impact it had on people who lived through the tough time.  Through a contact with his grandmother, Colleen Anderson, Austin was fortunate to sit down for an informal interview session with Doris Levin, a survivor of the Great Depression, and Dorothy Baldwin, author of Memoirs of a Depression Bum.  Both Doris and Dorothy are residents of Heritage Village Retirement Campus (Gerry, New York).

Mrs. Levin shared stories of The Great Depression with Austin.  “During the declining later years of the Great Depression, I was a scholarship student at Albany (New York) State College for Teachers,” states Doris.  “As the Great Depression was winding down, more opportunities became available for people.  While at Albany State College, I worked at various libraries and also had the unique opportunity to take care of heirlooms and priceless artifacts on display to the public at the Albany Museum of History and Art.  It was an experience I will never forget.”  Mrs. Levin shared many fond memories of her childhood and what it was like to live in the Great Depression.

Ms. Baldwin’s book details her experiences in the Great Depression era.  Ms. Baldwin grew up in West Clarkville, New York, with her mother, father, and younger brother.  The Great Depression started when Ms. Baldwin was only 8 years old.  Some of her earliest memories of the Great Depression include eating a lot of fried potatoes and beans as well as lettuce sandwiches for lunch.  Because money was so scarce, they often had to get by on what they had grown in the garden.  “My parents bought a house for $2,000 in the 1920s,” states Dorothy. “Unfortunately, when the Great Depression hit, we had to sell our house and rent.  It was a very difficult time for my family.”  After the Great Depression era was over, she went on to become an English teacher and author.  Since then, she has enjoyed a nice retirement.

When Austin asked Dorothy Baldwin an important question, “What advice can you give people today to deal with hard times?”  Dorothy’s answer was simple, “Do not go into debt, because you will never get out of it!” Philosophical words from a survivor of the Great Depression!