Evening star., 1952-06-02
PANAMA.

Mrs. <. c.. Alexandria and Mrs.
c. E. p. Washington: All the
recent queries on Panama made
me homesick indeed, for it was
my home for many years, until
as a Navy wife I came to WASH
ington late in 1850. In fact, my
parents still live in the zone
so I feel sure my information
is current. First, to Mrs. G. c.,
whose husband was considering
a teaching position; I, too, taught
in the Canal Zone schools for
over five years. They have an
excellent rating and I am sure
it is an experience he would en-
joy.
The climate is actually cooler
than midsummer weather in
Washington and nights are al
ways delightful. The dry season
runs from January on through
April or May. Then the trade
winds blow. In June the rains
start very gradually reaching
their peak In October and No
vember. Each rain brings greener
grass and a regular paradise of
f1owers-So each season has its
own nice qualities. The tempera-
ture seldom drops below 68 de-
greSs even on rainy nights and
generally is just cool enough for
one wool blanket to feel COM
Portable.
Cotton clothing for all the fam
lily is the best buy one can make.
Men teachers generally wore white
shirts and summer-weight trous-
ers (palm beach or tropical worst
ed) and no coats. )
Government commiSsaries are
located in each little town and are
fairly well stocked with everything
from nuts and bolts to dresses.
Shops in Panama are lovely, but
are rather high. would take as
many cottonS and cool silks as
could for they, indeed, are the
most practical. Coats, furs and
even summer-weight suits are
better of left in storage here for
they are not needed and take up
precious closet space. One summer
topper is more than enough and
sweaters for the children.
One can find excellent seam
stresses in Panama who sew very
reasonably. This is often q solu-
ton to the clothing problem for
commissaries are poorly stocked
with cotton clothing during the
winter months when they are out
Of circulation in the States.
Housing Is unique, to say the
least, It really is like nothing here
in the States. but after one be-
comes used to it, even q frame
house on stills can have a certain
charm. Almost all quarters are
frame, raised for control of damp
ness and bugs. and in some cases.
to produce a car port. Apartments
are assigned on service, so there
is always hope for improvement
after a time. They are built fol
tropical weather, usually a long
porch living room, entirely
screened, some have two bedrooms
others more and the least deSir-
able have only one. The size Of
your family is determining fac
tor in your quarters assignment
Kitchens are simple and contain
furnished electric stoves. Appli-
anceS present a problem for
though the Army and Navy base;
have 60-cycle current, the civilian
population limps along with 25-
cycle. This means that radios
washing machines and vacuum
cleaners must either have uni
versal motors or be converted
Irons, toasters, coffee makers and
waffle irons are all usable as is.
The zone, like the Washington
area, is a rather transient place
for many people leave equipment
like machines and refrigerator
which can often be purchased sec
ond hand at quite a saving. In line
with equipment, a television sci
could not be used. for as yet there
are no TV studios. A steam iror
could be used.
Some people hesitate to take
valuable pieces Of furniture with
them, especially heavily uphol-
stored chairs and couches, fol
mildew presents quite a problem
Pianos also suffer from the high
humidity and are hard to kecr
properly tuned.
CRUSTY TOP?
(From Mrs. T. B. c.. Washington
Does any one know how II
make q thin, crusty sugary toy
which is used on coffee cakes ane
looks like it might be baked on
A large department store on I
street carries these and woul,
very much appreciate knowing
how to make this topping.
y \ 4 X
AVOIDING ALGAE?
(From II. B. H.. Beltsville)
Could some kind reader come
to my rescue and tell me how tt
eliminate and avoid formation o
ornon o1Uoa IN uol1c 0f INV ont.