Relaxing at Washington Commons in Evans with a group of friends, Thelma Wall tells a story about the Great Depression.

"I can remember one day having no food, and our neighbor next door gave us cereal, and we used (the cereal box) for our shoes," she said, noting how the cardboard would be cut to patch up a hole in a shoe's sole.

Several others in the room ranging in age from their early 80s to early 90s quickly chimed in about their own footwear quandaries as children.

"I could cut my toenails without taking off my shoes," said Herbert Lee, who was born in 1928 and lived in Jenkins County during the Depression.

Such tales -- including how an entire backyard would be converted into a garden so a family could eat -- were plentiful Friday at the retirement community. Lately, residents have been reliving such memories as the nation has plunged into a recession, causing some to wonder if another depression could be on the cusp.

"It really brings back emotions you had when you were really young," said Mary Lou Reynolds, who was 12 and living in Lamar, S.C., when the stock market crashed in 1929. "I think it (today's economy) is something that's affecting us. We're seeing ours dry up, too. ... We're getting fearful, too."

Officials at Washington Commons said the group who remembers the Depression days started meeting in January at the retirement community to share old stories. On Friday, the group's consensus was that there are some similarities today to the Great Depression but that things aren't as bad as then -- "Not yet," at least, said resident Charles Fleenor.

"We haven't seen the worst. We don't have 25 percent unemployment, but it's getting worse."

Mr. Fleenor did say "it's hard to compare" today with back then. "Our standard of living is so much higher today."

For example, when was the last time a homeless person took your trash can and started a fire in it to keep warm? That's one of the stories told by Lois Reynolds, who was a child living in Chicago during the Depression.

Ms. Wall also recalls how someone would mark an X on homes where food had been given out, alerting others.

Just as today, they said, people were losing jobs and homes. But then you really had to work for your food.

"When our food supply got low, we went to the beach and we dug for crabs and oysters," said Ms. Wall, who lived in Rhode Island during the Depression.

"I never knew there could be a whole turkey or whole slice of ham until I was an adult," said Lois Reynolds.

Some in the group said they didn't own a winter coat back then. Mr. Lee recalled making his own mattress.

And for those worried about today's economy, the Washington Commons residents have some advice.

"I would say a garden is a good place to start in this economy," Lois Reynolds said.

Also, hand-me-down clothes save money.

And whatever you do, never live beyond your means.

"If you don't have it (in cash), don't spend it. That's the new philosophy," Lois Reynolds said.

Many in the group also recall sharing the little food they had with neighbors. And when it came to entertainment for children, funds were stretched for things such as marbles, jumping jacks or board games.

The group agrees that people don't seem to look out for their neighbors as much as they once did, and many rely too much on expensive, high-tech gadgets.

Nonetheless, sitting in an activities room equipped with a computer and where an hour earlier an ice cream social had taken place, Mary Lou Reynolds says she's optimistic about the future. Speaking from experience, she offers her own words of wisdom for those struggling.

"I'd say stick with it," she said. "You'll be stronger when you get through it."