In a world of catchy phrases and sound bytes, it's hard to remember a time when the commercial jingle ruled the airwaves. Most baby boomers can recall Pepsodent's “wonder where the yellow went” and Brylcreem's “little dab.” Cute and kitschy, but who wrote those little ditties?

        Evelyn Ryan, for one.

IF YOU GO

What: Book signing with Terry Ryan, author of The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio   Where: Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Norwood   When: 7 p.m. tomorrow.   How much: free.   More info: 396-8960.

        Evelyn's daughter, Terry, tells her story in The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less (Simon and Schuster, $24).

        Evelyn was a master at writing jingles. She won hundreds of corporate-sponsored jingle, slogan and poetry contests in the 1950s and 60s. The prizes included cars, appliances, trips, a TV appearance and cash. Miraculously, the prizes kept her family — which included 10 children and a husband who drank his factory salary — from hunger, eviction and separation.

        The book is a loving tribute to an unsung laureate, steadfast in her belief in family. Evelyn Ryan believed in enjoying life in spite of its cruel twists and turns.

        Recently, Terry Ryan got together with her brother, Barry, and sisters Lea Anne Metzger and Betsy Ryan — who have all moved away from Defiance — to reminisce about their mother and compile this list for the Enquirer of “10 things my mother taught me, in 25 words or less.”

        1. Start where you are and use what you have on hand. Don't wait for a better opportunity or chance. Just go with what you have.

        2. Take care of each other. Whether you come from a big or small family, you have to take care of each other and your loved ones.

        3. Stand up straight and smile. It shows self-pride and commands respect from others. Smiles attract friends and people who will help you.

        4. Never give up. Developing a passion for entering contests or any endeavor shows that perseverance plus high hopes equals success.

        5. Develop your talents, whether it's writing, gardening or saving cats and dogs.

        6. See and express the humor of daily activities. It's important to know the value of a good chuckle. Recognize humor and have a good time.

        7. Walk everywhere and do it with purpose. Walk with head held high and a smile on your face, even if you don't feel like it.

        8. Don't judge anyone, don't care about what anyone else thinks. It's only their opinion and you don't know the whole story about someone else.

        9. You can be anything you want to be. Don't get caught in stereotypes or categorization. Follow your own way in life.

        10. Mistakes are inevitable. Use them as stepping stones and not obstacles. Every experience can make you wiser.

Prize winners

        This jingle won first prize — $3,440.64, a Ford Mustang, a trip to Switzerland and two watches — in the Dr. Pepper “Time of Your Life” contest and kept the family from being dispossessed:

        The “time of your life” you can win
        With Dr. Pepper, the flavor that's in.
        It's distinctive and bright,
        It's lively and light.
        There's no time like NOW to begin!

        This won $1 in a Chicago CBS radio program called “Rhyme Does Pay”:

        “Lawn Time No See”
        When I survey
        My barren plot...
        Long stamping ground
        For tike and tot...
        I must conclude
        It's clear (alas!)
        One cannot grow
        Both kids and grass!

       Another winner:

        Colgate toothpaste:
        School yourself for oral ease;
        Learn your dental ABC's:
        Always Brush Carefully.

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