Hinda Farbstein and Ken Farbstein
Recorded
September 30, 2023
Archived
September 30, 2023
36:27 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
atl004864
Description
Ken Farbstein (66) has a conversation with his mother, Hinda Farbstein [no age given], to celebrate her birthday.Subject Log / Time Code
Ken asks his mom to talk about her best friend growing up, Betty Lou Guyes. Hinda says they grew up in Salisbury, North Carolina. She says Betty was wonderful company and remembers taking walks with her after dinner to watch the stars come out.
Hinda says Betty Lou's parents wanted her to be more social. She says Betty Lou wanted to be a pilot and do mechanical things.
Ken asks Hinda about her dad's youngest brother Sam Troutman. Hinda says Sam and his longtime companion lived in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She remembers Sam driving a roadster in the 1930s.
Hinda remembers a cameo ring her sister chose from Sam's things when he passed. Hinda says she chose a watch that never worked.
Hinda says she was born in Gastonia, North Carolina. She says her dad helped take care of 6 family stores.
Hinda says her dad had the opportunity to buy his own store in Salisbury. She says the store turned out to be in a bad location at 129 North Main Street. Hinda says her family lived in the store.
Hinda remembers when her family got to move into their first house and then into a very large house.
Hinda remembers her parents bartering with the farmers during the Depression. She says ration stamps were used during WWII.
Hinda says she admired Eleanor Roosevelt.
Ken asks Hinda if her life has turned out differently than she thought it would. Hinda says she never thought she'd live this long.
Hinda says her dad was a great communicator. She says her mother took care of the store's books and all the ordering. Hinda says she then came home and was a mom.
Hinda says her mom had the biggest influence on her. She says her mom began working in a factory at a young age. Hinda says her mom was self-educated.
Hinda says her mom's younger brother, Sam Levin, spent some time in Paris and was an artist.
Hinda says she learned kindness from her mother. She says her mother was working and teaching when she died.
Hinda says she met her husband, Paul, while he was working for the discount chain EJ Korvettes. She remembers their family moving from New York to St. Louis, Missouri, for her dad's job.
Hinda says EJ Korvettes went out of business, and her husband got the idea to to start an employment service. She says they started their business in Creve Coeur, Missouri, and called it Forbes Employment Service.
Hinda says she worked with her husband 24/7 for at least 20 years. She remembers when Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
Hinda remembers how she felt when her son Ken was bar mitzvahed.
Ken asks his mom about her biggest regret. Hinda talks about how having rheumatic fever as a young teen affected her attitude towards school. Hinda says she attended the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina as well as Catawba College.
Hinda says she also regrets not driving. She says not driving probably kept her from participating more on a social level.
Ken asks Hinda what her favorite thing about Forbes Employment Service was. Hinda talks about interacting with lots of people and working with her husband.
Hinda remembers Paul sorting postcards at his desk at work. She talks about how the postcards became a part of Paul's memorial service.
Ken asks Hinda how she would like to be remembered.
Ken asks Hinda what she would say to her younger self.
Ken and Hinda thank one another for having this conversation.
Participants
- Hinda Farbstein
- Ken Farbstein