Belated Merry Christmas

May I wish everyone a belated Merry Christmas; Carole and I went to Birmingham the Wednesday before Christmas to attend her uncle's funeral, returned Thursday and left early Friday for Tupelo where we enjoyed a White Christmas; since returning have been dealing with a painter as well as other small problems, but hope things are slowing down now.

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas.

Plantersville Middle School

Students in grades 5-8 from Plantersville and Verona attend the school located and sharing some of the same building where I attended from 1946 - 1956.

Birthday Party

In the midst of all the Christmas celebrations, we celebrate Carly's birthday, December 10. The picture shows Carly and some of her guests at the theater before going to see Tangled. There were about seventeen present.

MRA Christmas Program

Carly's school presented a wonderful Christmas program. That's Carly in the pony tail in the center. I love small world stories. The young lady on Carly's left is Anna Claire, whose grandmother is from Senatobia where we once lived, and Anna Claire's Uncle Paul was one of the guest for Cam's fifth birthday party a few years ago. Anna Claire is in Carly's class.

Christmas Parade Madison

The Madison parade.

Christmas Parade 2010

I don't know about you, but it has been a hectic start to the Christmas season for us. Carly was in two Christmas parades.

Post Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and has recovered from all the over eating. Our family traveled to Tupelo on Wednesday and spent Thanksgiving Day, as has been the case for the past fifteen or twenty years, in Pontotoc at the home of Paul and Laney Sims.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow, and for those traveling, please be careful

Jo Nell Stanford

My mother mentioned several times that we had a cousin at First Baptist in Plantersville; only today have I discovered that the cousin was Jo Nell who died this week. Sympathy to her family. Jo Nell's mother and my mother were first cousins.

Ruby Morris Webb

My cousin, Ruby Morris Webb, died November 10. Ruby had lived for many years in Saltillo, but was born in Auburn and grew up in the same neighborhood as my mother where she and her sister and my mother were close friends. Years later my mother married their first cousin, my father. Ruby graduated from Plantersville High School in 1934.

Ruby’s father, James Hillard Morris, was the half brother of my grandmother, Sarchie Morris Kelly. My grandmother’s mother died a short time after my grandmother’s birth and my great-grandfather, George Morris, married Lou Blythe and moved his family from near Smithville in Monroe County to Richmond.

James Hillard died young leaving a wife and three children, Ruby, Dorothy who married Gordie Lee Ford, and Truman who also died young leaving a wife and two boys.

Carole and I would like to express sympathy to Dorothy and to the all of Ruby’s family.

Food Drive

For those of you who live in Plantersville please note that the youth council will be going house to house on Saturday, November 13, dropping off bags and fliers for the food drive. They will return on the 20th to collect the bags and/or donations.

This year's Community Thanksgiving service will be at the New Zion Church on November 21.

Halloween Party

My kid's neighbor, Valerie, always hosts a wonderful Halloween party, and the one Saturday night may have been her best yet. These aren't all the children present.

Children present ranged from four weeks to fourteen. The parents had a good time as well.

Happy Halloween

Since Halloween falls on Sunday, most cities are asking trick or treaters to be out tonight.

Happy Halloween to everyone, a day early.

The Heat Softball Team

Carly's team, The Heat, played their final game yesterday afternoon.

The team and their coaches are pictured.

We hope this same team will play together again in the Spring.

Mrs. Gooch

I visited with Mrs. Gooch yesterday; she looks well, and we had a nice conversation; I ran into Bobbie on the way out. As I mentioned in a previous post, the young man responsible for Leigh Anne's death will not be tried until July.

State Fair

The Mississippi State Fair closed yesterday in Jackson after a twelve day run with the best weather in years. Last year the fair was extended an extra day due to excessive fair. No rain this year leading to what may be a record crowd.

I remember when the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show, see picture, was the biggest event of the fall. We picked cotton to have money to spend there, and Wednesday was school day; we marched to the fair and spend most of the day there.

My step-father, Raymon Stovall, worked for Pure Oil which was located by the second entrance, and we always had a parking space and free admission.

The Wheels of Justice Turn Slowly

There was a hearing yesterday for the nineteen year old man who was driving the truck that ran head on into the car being driven by Leigh Anne Ward, Bobbie Gooch's daughter.

The hearing lasted only three minutes with the young man pleading not guilty to manslaughter. Frazier and Bobbie were present in the court room. Trial has been set for July 24, 2011.

Potpourri

The weather here finally feels like fall though it is supposed to warm up again this weekend. We have been busy with fall activities; Carly and her friends cheered for a quarter at a recent football game and then performed at the half, and will dance during the half time show this Friday night. Last Sunday, Carly played in her first softball game.

The lead story in this morning's paper stated that the young man responsible for the wreck that killed Leigh Anne Ward, Bobbie's daughter, was indicted for manslaughter.

I learned that Harry York died recently; belated sympathy to Peggy and Stephanie and all his family. Mr. York lived next door to Butch back when I spent much of my time at Butch's house. I understand that he lived in Dorsey. My next door neighbor who is full time with the National Guard and will deploy overseas soon grew up in Dorsey.

I know that some of you watch Calvary Baptist Church's televised services. The minister, David Eldridge, grew up in Clinton and attended First Baptist here, and the music minister, Doug Spires, is the son of friends of ours, Jerry and Joyce, who also attend our church while Steve Hurt another minister there is the son-in-law of another member at First Baptist. There's quite a Clinton connection at Calvary.

Happy First Day of Fall

Yesterday here in Clinton, the wind blew and leaves were falling in preparation for the first day of fall; only problem it was 97 degrees.

Here's hoping that fall will bring much needed rain to our area; hasn't rained in about a month.

Joe "Pete" Walker

I want to express sympathy to Brenda and all of Mr. Walker's family. His obituary is in today's Journal.

Last Week's Tragic Event

Some of you may have read in the newspaper or seen on the news about Ethel Simpson, a member of our church, who met a young man at the local healthplex a week ago today, and sometimes Monday night, he apparently murdered her and dumped her body a few miles from here. Her body was not discovered until last Friday and hasn't been officially identified as of this morning, though we are all certain that the body found is hers. Ethel was a very nice lady who, at least, on that one occasion was too trusting and believed a criminal's hard luck story.

The man was arrested in Alabama driving her car and allegedly committed another murder and also stabbed a man who is in serious condition.

We are all shocked and saddened by this tragic occurrence. She was a fine Christian lady.

A Visit with Mrs. Gooch and Bobbie

Cathy Johnson Garrett and I had a nice visit with Mrs. Gooch and Bobbie Gooch Ward this afternoon. Mrs. Gooch looked great and was in good spirits; we shared a number of stories about Plantersville.

We talked with Bobbie about her daughter, Leigh Anne, and the tragic accident; Bobbie is an exceptional individual whose faith in God is helping her and her family survive the most difficult times anyone can face. Please keep the Gooch family in your thoughts and prayers.

Joys of Home Ownership

I have neglected this blog for past two weeks mainly due to the joys of home ownership. The last, I hope, repairman came yesterday. Had roof put on, dealt with two leaks causing attention to the carpet and had lights in kitchen fixed. I'm about ready to move into a cave.

Fall

On this Labor Day weekend, there's a hint of fall in the air; school is in full swing, and Carly, as are student across the state, is busy with her homework.

Yesterday, college football season begun, sorry about that you Ole Miss fans, and soon the leaves will be turning.

Seems that summer becomes shorter every year.

Plantersville Presented Flag

Gloria Holland accepts a flag that flew over Task Force Knight Headquarters in Iraq from SFC Henry Harper.

Someone help me out on SFC Harper's family; any relation to Willie Harper?

I borrowed this picture from the City of Plantersville site.

Note: Henry, I know him as Darrell, is my Doris's grandson, the son of Dot Traylor and Willie Harper, both now deceased. I remember when he was born. I think the last time I saw Darrell was in 1997. Where do the years go?

Carole's Thoughts on Leigh Anne

Carole wrote the following about Bobbie's daughter, Leigh Anne Ward; Carole and Bobbie attended Tupelo High School together:

"It's Monday evening, and we, along with so many, remain in mourning and in shock over the loss of Leigh Anne Ward. The service on Saturday was comforting, celebrating the precious life of Leigh Anne, who touched so many, many people of all ages. The eulogies by friends, the thoughts and prayers of the ministers, who were touched by her life, the music: it was a memorable, special service with hundreds and hundreds of people coming to remember and to try to find comfort in gathering together. Her parents, her family members, and all friends are being remembered and prayed for constantly. Special loving thoughts are coming from us because of George having been taught by Mr. and Mrs. Gooch, Bobbie's mother and father; Bobbie being our classmate; and Carly being one of Leigh Anne's students at MRA. . . "Remember and cherish . . . "

Mrs. Gooch

Carole and I just returned from Leigh Ann Ward's visitation where we briefly spoke with Linda, Bobbie and Frazier. We were in line for almost two hours, certainly one of the largest, if not the largest crowd, I've ever witnessed at visitation.

Both Linda and Bobbie reported that Mrs. Gooch is not doing well. Please remember her and all her family in your prayers.

Sherrilyn Helms Brown and I plan to go visit Mrs. Gooch next week, but don't know if she will recognize us.

Price Harris at Red Bay

I received an e-mail from Price this morning. He will be singing at First Baptist Church in Red Bay, Alabama, this coming Sunday through Wednesday, August 22 - August 25.

Leigh Anne Ward

I borrowed this picture of Leigh Anne from the MRA web site. Doesn't she favor her grandmother?

Please remember Bobbie and Frazier and Mrs. Gooch and Linda in your prayers.

Services for Leigh Anne Ward

I just received an e-mail from MRA, the school where Leigh Anne taught, listing her services. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday night and again from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday with the services at 10:30 a.m. Visitation and services according to the e-mail will be at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, Mississippi.

Broadmoor though now in a different location was the church that Dr. David Grant pastored for many years.

Bobbie Gooch's Daughter

Go to http://www.wapt.com/r/24671978/detail.html for more information on Leigh Anne Ward's terrible tragedy. There are quotes from her mother, Bobbie Gooch Ward, in the story. She was only three blocks from her home when a pickup driven by a nineteen year old crossed the median and hit her car.

Tragic News

Yesterday after school, Carly's computer teacher was killed in a wreck in Jackson. After listening to the news last night and gathering information this morning about the teacher, Leigh Anne Ward, I regret to report that she was also the daughter of Bobbie Gooch and the granddaughter of Mrs. Elva Gooch and the late Mr. Wallace Gooch.

Her obituary was not in this morning's paper, but I will report more information as it becomes available.

Carly loved Ms. Ward; they have only been in school three days, but Mrs. Ward had helped her get her stuff out of the car two of those days. Carly, as are all the kids at school, is heartbroken. Anyone who has additional information, please let me know.

Linda Partlow Tribute in Journal

In addition to the obituary, the Northeast Mississippi Journal has a story on Linda complete with pictures and video of Dr. Cole and of Linda.

The site is http://www.nems360.com/view/full_story/9104496/article-Longtime-ICC-coach-Partlow-dies?instance=home_news_right or go the Journal site: www: nems360.com and use the search engine.

School Days

Carly and her friend, Peyton, on the left in the yellow shirt and black shorts, start school today. They met their teacher yesterday, then had lunch together.

Jimmy Ellis

The last three posts have been sad ones. Jimmy's obituary was in today's paper. Jimmy was the youngest of Bill and Louella Stovall Ellis's children.

Sympathy to his family. When mother married Raymon Stovall, we moved to his house located on a hill four miles east of Plantersville, and at that time Raymon farmed with his brother-in-law, Bill Ellis; Bill and his family lived on the same hill about fifty or so yards away.

When I was seventeen or so, we took our only vacation, traveling to the Smokey Mountains, and Jimmy went with us.

I understand that Jimmy was a very talented musician.

Linda Partlow

I saw Linda Partlow's obituary in today's paper. Sympathy to Cindy and all of Linda's family and friends. As most of you know, her first cousin, Butch, and I were close growing up and her father and grandfather's store was next door so I remember when she was born. I knew that she was battling health issues the past few years but had hoped for the best.

For many years, the girl's tennis teams from Itawamba Community College and Hinds Community College, where I taught, were the two best teams in the state. I kept up with Linda and her success as a coach through the Hinds tennis coach.

Dr. Terry Thornton

Sympathy to the family of Dr. Terry Thornton whose obituary was in today's paper. Dr. Thornton was married to Betty Rooker of Plantersville.

Dr. Thornton was an erudite and scholarly gentleman who after retiring from Troy University used his talents to research the history and genealogy of Monroe and Itawamba Counties. He wrote a column on the history of the hill country of Monroe County for the Monroe County Journal, and had several blog sites, composed numerous Cd's, and wrote many articles.

I never met Dr. Thornton, but we corresponded via e-mail. I was especially interested in the research he had done on Pearce Chapel Cemetery as according to family lore, my great grandmother, Martha Pearce Morris was the first person buried there.

There's an old adage that when an old person dies, a library burn down; since Dr. Thornton was about my age, I certainly didn't consider him old, but his loss is the equivalent of losing a research library devoted to Monroe and Itawamba Counties.

Congratulations to Plantersville

Jackson's newspaper, The Clarion-Ledger published a full page ad showing the winners of the

Governor's Initiative for Volunteer Excellence, and Plantersville was the big winner. Mayor Gloria Holland won the Achievement by a Public Servant while Jack Wuichel took home the Achievement by a Senior Adult.

Achievement by Adult was awarded to the Plantersville Volunteer Fire Department, and town of Plantersville won the Achievement by Community Partnership.

Plantersville or Plantersville folks captured four of the twelve awards given. Also, Helping Hands Ministry of Tupelo received the award for Achievement by a Faith-Based Organization.

Northeast Mississippi remains the most progressive area in the state.

Prudential 1st Real Estate Ribbon Cutting

Recently, Prudential 1st Real Estate offices moved to a new location near the mall at Barnes Crossing.

Our nephew, Marshall Jenkins, is fourth from the right on the front row, and that's Plantersville's own Freddy Grant with the white hair on the back row directly behind Marshall.

More on Computer

When the motherboard failed on my old computer a couple of weeks ago, I lost a lot of data, including e-mails I had from Plantersville folks and those who once lived there. There still is a chance some of the data can be saved, but if you have my e-mail address in your computer, please send me an e-mail so I can put yours in my new address book.

Summer Winding Down

Hard to believe that school begins for Carly and most of her friends next week. It has been a busy end of summer vacation with Bible School last week to which Carly wore her fancy hat, and this weekend, Carly, her mother and two others went to Baton Rouge to the water and amusement park.

I understand some schools in the state started back this week. With the temperature hovering in the 100s, glad I'm not in school.

E-mail Request

The computer I have been using for years has been in the shop for two weeks hence I don't have a lot of data and may lose what was on the computer. May I ask a favor; if you have my e-mail address in your computer, please send me an e-mail, a test if you have nothing to say, so I may put your address in my new address book.

Thanks.

Computer Woes

A week ago last Sunday, my computer became ill, hence have not posted anything much; am working from another computer but just catching up on my files.

Just wanted to let you know I'm still here.

Please send news or pictures or both

Happy Birthday Verona

Verona celebrated its 150 birthday this past weekend. As part of the celebration, the reenactment of Vernon and Gladys Presley's wedding was staged. Although some reports state that they were married in Pontotoc, recent research reveals they were married in Verona with the service performed by Justice of the Peace, Robert Emmitt Kelly, who was my grandfather's brother and Dewey Davis's grandfather.


Yesterday I worked on geneology, and the last name I inserted into Family Tree Maker was Elvis Aaron Presley; Lancaster Tackett was both Elvis (on his mother's side) and Carole's great, great, great grandfather which makes Elvis and Carole cousins.

Dewey Davis

Carole and I express sympathy to the family of Dewey Davis. Paul 'Tip" Sims had informed us at the reunion last weekend that Dewey was in the hospital. Dewey's mother and my father were first cousins.

Barbara and Charlie Mask

This picture of Barbara and Charlie Mask was taken by Joyce Moreland Davis at the class reunion back in May.

Barbara may not remember, but before Carole and I started dating, one of Carole's few visits to Plantersville was to attend Barbara and Charlie's wedding.

Norman and Clara Mae Kingsley

Norman was my mother's oldest brother and Clara Mae was like a second mother to my mom.
They had one son, Charles, who lives in Tupelo; Charles and Grace have two sons, one of whom married Ellen Rooker from Plantersville.

Clara Mae was a Lamb related to the Lambs who lived in Plantersville.

Milan or Osceola

A day or so ago someone mentioned Milan, Tennessee, and I thought about this picture of my Dad holding me in 1940 or 41.

This picture was taken in either Milan, Tennessee or Osceola, Arkansas. My Dad worked in both when I was a baby.

Reunion

Jeffreys from Iowa, Virginia, Washington state, Alabama and Mississippi attended the reunion at Tombigbee State Park on Saturday, July 10.

Seated from the left are Carly, Cam Kelly Chennault, Altha Jeffreys Tackett, Marshall Jenkins, Carole Tackett Kelly; standing are Margaret Tackett Pickard and George Kelly.

Jeffreys Family Reunion

Carole's family on her mother's side held a family reunion this past Saturday at Tombigbee State Park. Sharon Monts also married into this family.

From left at the top are Joan Jeffreys Parmer, Winford Parmer, Sharon, Jimmy Jeffreys. Seated are Amy Jeffreys Bostick and Heather Bostick, Sharon and Jimmy's daughter and granddaughter.

The gentlemen seated on the right is Jeff Jeffreys, my mother-in-law's brother and Jimmy and Carole's uncle.

Troy Marion

Carole and I express sympathy to the family of Troy Marion who died on the fourth. Ironically, Carole and I were talking about Troy a couple of days ago.

Troy was eight years older than I am, and I've known him all my life. He was related to Doris as many of you know.

He will be missed.

Celebrating the Fourth

Across the country, the fourth was celebrated with cookouts, watermelons and fireworks.

That's Carly at the extreme right eating watermelon and waiting for the fireworks. That handsome fellow leaning on the truck on the left is Tim, Carly's Dad and our son-in-law.

Happy Fourth of July

Hope that everyone has a happy and safe 4th. Please be careful around those fireworks.

Mississippi Municipal League Conference

The Plantersville Youth Council are pictured with Mayor Jerry Latch of Corinth, the president of the Mississippi Municipal League.

Members of the youth council along with Mayor Gloria Holland and other city officials attended the conference in Biloxi which was held from June 27 through July 1.

Second Annual Independence Day Parade and Celebration

Plantersville will celebrate its second annual Independence Day Parade and Celebration at Grant-Wichet Park beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 3rd.

Sign

I borrowed this picture from Gloria's web site; the sign is new and I assume is located at the intersection of Plantersville/Verona Road and Highway 45.

I'm sure Plantersville/Verona Road has a number now; and am equally certain many of you remember the old, scary bridge that used to be on that road, over Town Creek wasn't it?

50th Anniversary

Willie and Burma Ruff Schumpert will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next Sunday, June 27, at the Life Center of Boguefala Baptist Church on Highway 371 just off of Highway 78 at Mooreville.

City Hall

A picture of the recently renovated Plantersville City Hall borrowed from the new web site. If you have not visited the site, there's a link on this blog which is now functioning.

Benji Borden Article

Benji Borden, who recently moved back to Plantersville, has a feature in Wednesday's Daily Journal about his hometown.

Bottle Water

If you live in the Plantersville or Richmond area, the fire departments would appreciate donations of bottle water. If it is as hot and humid in north Mississippi as it is here, the need for water is critical. Please, if possible, drop off water to one or both of the fire departments.

Pictures

Several people have mentioned to me that they have pictures they would like to share on this blog; however, they don't have a scanner; if you trust the mail service, send me your pictures by mail, and I will scan them and return them the same day.

Charles and Carole

Charles Presson, who lives in Houston, Texas, graduated with Carole in 1960; however, he was unable to make the recent reunion. Charles stopped by for a visit with us this past weekend on his way to visit his brother in Meridian.

Some of you may remember Charles who when in high school worked at the Dairy Kreme in East Tupelo that his parents owned.

Plantersville Web Site

If you have not already done so, check out the town of Plantersville Web Site:

http://plantersvillems.com

There's lots of information and pictures including one of Plantersville school taken in 1906.

I've added a link to the site on this blog.

Plantersville Yard Sale

" First Annual Town-wide Yard Sale, Plantersville, Miss., Saturday, 5 June, beginning at daybreak. We'll sell anything that's not nailed down (and might sell that if we can find our crowbar). Make us an offer! The train has made us all crazy! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Plantersville Youth Council. For more information, please call the Town Hall: 662-844-2012. Maps available there beginning this week."

Carly Time

I've been neglecting the blog for over a week since Carly's school ended about a week before most of the others in this area, and she and I and several of her friends from school have been having fun; we went to the zoo, to see Shrek, to the pool on several occasions and met a friend for a play day at McDonalds.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day.

Ray and George

Those of you who knew Ray Monaghan, on the left, in school will notice that he has changed very little; don't know who that old man with him is.

Picture courtesy of Joe Savage taken Friday night at the THS class of 60 reunion at Mrs. Ruth's in Verona.

Honoring Tom Monts

Plantersville will have a celebration on Sunday, May 23rd, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Plantersville Volunteer Fire Department and Town hall honoring volunteer fire chief, Tom Monts. For additional information call Gloria Holland at 662-213-0077 or Norma Ballard at 662-844-2012.

Roy and Marsha Harris

Roy and Marsha were both members of the class of 1960. After Roy graduated from high school, his parents moved into their home just south of the cemetery in Plantersville. Roy's mother is in a retirement home, but they still maintain the house. Roy and Marsha live in Germantown, TN.

Roy, as many of you know, I did not, is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Morgan, and is Linda Stovall and the Borden twins first cousin on his father's side.

Linda and Jean

Linda Stovall Booth on the left with Jean O'Callaghan and her husband.

Jean's mother was a Kelly so we are distantly related while Linda and I are step first cousins, her father being my step-father's brother. Linda is married to Larry Booth, whose father Foster once had a cabinet shop in Mitchell's old store, I think that was the location.

Jean, as many of you remember, lived in the house directly behind the old post office and across the street from my grandmother.

THS Class of 1960 Reunion

Carole and I were in Tupelo this weekend for the class of 1960 reunion; in addition to Carole there are several members of this class from Plantersville or with Plantersville connections. Can you identify any of them from this picture? I'll list them in the next post.

Class Reunion

Jimmy Williams, in the white striped shirt, was a member of the class of 1960 as were Jean O'Callaghan Trulove; Linda Stovall Booth; Barbara Jo Rogers Mask; Roy and Marsha Walker Harris; and James Kelly.

Field Day

Carly's school had a field day last Friday, and Bop Bop has to brag; Carly won both her events. In this picture, Carly and her partner begin the wheelbarrow race; that's Carly on her hands being steered by Abby nearest the camera.

Carly and Abby won by about twenty yards.

Later in the relay race, Carly's team won first.

Plantersville Bike-A-Thon

There will be a Bike-A-Thon in Plantersville on May 16 to raise money for the St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. To make donations or receive further information contact someone at the City Hall.

Charles Kingsley

I borrowed this picture of my first cousin, Charles Kingsley, and his dog from his son, Ronald's site. Charles and his wife, Grace, lived in Shannon for much of their lives, but now reside in Tupelo.

Ronald, as many of you know, married a Plantersville girl, Ellen Rooker, and they lived in Plantersville for a few years next door to the Rookers.

Youth Council at Work

Blake, Claire, Mikaela with Carolyn Griffin prepare for summer activities in Plantersville.

Plantersville Youth Council 2010

Mayor Gloria Holland with the 2010 Plantersville Youth Council.

Matthew Morgan

Sympathy to the family of Matthew Morgan who drowned this weekend. Matthew was a member of First Baptist in Plantersville.

Matthew was the grandson of my stepfather's, Raymon Stovall, nephew, Hugh Morgan.

Elizabeth Ann Rogers Parker

Elizabeth's obituary was in this morning's paper; as many of you know, her father, Tommy, grew up in Plantersville; his parents lived between the Baptist church and Mitchell's store. Christine Rogers and Jimmie King were his sisters, I think. Someone help me with other family members.

Elizabeth married Waymon Parker who died in his mid forties and their daughter died suddenly last July. Elizabeth graduated from Tupelo High School in 1960 as did Carole; some of their classmates have kept us informed of Elizabeth's health problems. Their class's 50th reunion is in a month.

Waymon Parker's brother, Ronnie, married Diane Kingsley, my first cousin's daughter.

Sympathy to Elizabeth's family.

Chief Monts

Gloria wrote the following:

"Please go to my profile page and vote for my nephew and fire chief, Tom Monts. He has been nominated to the All Star List for first responders and this is on the America's Most Wanted homepage. He is well deserving. This is really good for Plantersville, and pass this on if you can, and you can vote once a day.

http://www.facebook.com/l/25a26;www.amw.com"

Happy Easter

Hope that everyone enjoys this wonderful Easter day.

Busy Three Weeks

On one of our first dates, Carole and I discovered that our birthdays are exactly three weeks apart, and we joked about getting married in the middle and celebrating for three weeks. Turns out, that's what we did. We are currently in our three week celebration and discovering that what sounded good in our 20s tends to be very tiring at our current ages.

Our 44th anniversary was this past Friday, and Carole's birthday is a week from Monday. Often, to add to the stress, Easter, as it did this year, falls during this period.

The Wandering Goat

A picture of the famous wandering goat of Plantersville with, I think, Kelly Monts. I understand that this goat's lady friend is also wandering around town.

The lady whose home was invaded by the goat and whose picture was on the Weather Channel was Susan Williams, don't know her married name.

Eddie Shumpert

Sympathy to the family of Mr. Eddie Shumpert. I didn't know Eddie, but I remember his father very well. The Shumpert family was related to Doris.

Got Her Goat

Carole and I turn on the Weather Channel in the morning so Carole will know how to dress for work; imagine our surprise this morning before seven when we saw a story with video about a goat breaking into a lady's house in Plantersville, Mississippi.

I didn't see anything online in the Journal about this incident; can someone expound on this intriguing story.

The Big 70

It has been an eventful week; I turned, if that's the right verb, 70 on Monday spending part of the day attending the funeral of a dear friend; we celebrated with the kids Monday night and later Carole became ill; I thought it was either from too much rich food or from the idea of being married to a seventy year old; however, this morning I've come down with the same thing so suppose it was a virus. You turn seventy and you fall apart.

Rock Pentecostal Apostolic Church

This morning's Journal reported that the Rock Pentecostal Apostolic Church located on Highway 6 in Plantersville was destroyed by fire.

I'm not certain where this church is located.

Outstanding 4-H Volunteer

Congratulations to Karen Balint, leader of the Plantersville Pals 4-H club, who was recently named the outstanding volunteer for the Northeast District during the State Volunteer Leader Conference held on the campus of Mississippi State.

Bad Week

Last week was a sad one for Carole and me. I posted about Barry Hannah who died of a heart attack last Monday. On Tuesday, I received an e-mail with the obituary of Bill Sugg who lived in Atlanta but who grew up in Tupelo. Bill and I graduated together in 1958 and attended Ole Miss at the same time. His father and step mother were in my mother's Sunday School class at Calvary Baptist. And then on Wednesday, we learned that the man who has been helping us around the house for thirty five years and who became a good friend suffered a massive heart attack. The doctors give him no chance of surviving.

All three of these men were in their sixties.

Fever

“To the living the times always seem bad. In most eras voices cry out against visible decadence; of every generation . . . the world is going to the dogs. Much of this can be attributed to biological and cultural realities, in every era some things are, in fact, dying out.”

The above is one of my favorite quotes which helps me understand why as we become older we tend to become nostalgic and reminisce and do things such as create a blog that looks backward to what we imagine was a better time. However, the author of the passage above points how that while we do lose some things, we also gain others.

It is human nature to remember the good and forget the bad. A recent discussion with a friend reminded me of what was not so wonderful growing up in the 40s and 50s.

Some of you will recall when comic books featured information explaining to us how to avoid Polio, and there were three or four boys in Plantersville, I don’t recall any girls, who were bedridden for months with a fever, was in scarlet or rheumatic?

While our grandchildren can’t roam around freely as we did, at least Polio, scarlet and rheumatic fever aren’t the threats they once were.

I think I know three of the boys who had the fever, but since I don't trust my memory, I'd rather someone confirm the names.

Barry Hannah

Mississippi writer, former Clinton resident, and Ole Miss Professor, Barry Hannah, died of a heart attack in Oxford Monday afternoon.

When we moved to Clinton in 1975, we lived close to Barry's parents and through them and a neighbor who was a close friend, Carole and I became friends with Barry. As long as his parents were alive, we saw Barry frequently, but since their death, we visited only when he was in town for a presentation as he was two years ago when this picture was taken with another close friend of ours, Dorothy Jo Sample Shawhan, who grew up in Verona and now resides in Cleveland, Mississippi.

Rest in peace Barry.

And The Winner Is

The winners from last night's womanless beauty contest at Estes in Plantersville. Gloria reports the event was a great success, lots of money raised, cell phones donated and everyone had a great time.

Someone identify these beauties, if you dare.

Reminder About Womanless Beauty Review

From Gloria:

"Just a reminder about the event on the 25th. We have 10 contestants, could use a few more, need a great crowd and lots of cell phones and donations for the youth council. Please pass this on, try to attend/participate. So far 31 people have said in the event list that they are attending! I sent out nearly 300 invites, realizing that not everyone lives here, but like to know what is happening in our fair city. Thanks to all!"
"If you cannot come please feel free to drop your donation and/or cell phones off at Town Hall, Mon.-Thurs. 9:00-12:30 and 1:30-5 pm. Or see any youth council member, drop off is ok at Estes, or see me or Renee Morris. Thanks, looking forward to a great evening."

Carly in the Snow

Yesterday was the first measurable snow of Carly's seven years, and she took full advantage playing outside from six thirty in the morning until six last night.

Snowed for Seventeen Hours

It snowed for about seventeen hours in Clinton; fortunately, the flakes were small leaving us with about five inches.

This is a shot of our back yard.

Snow Day

It started snowing at eight o'clock last night and is still snowing now at just past noon. This picture was taken around seven this morning; we have about 5 inches now.

Cecil's Other Park

As mentioned before, Benji Borden has a Facebook site entitled Cecil's Park; there are numerous pictures and memories about Cecil's park. I grew up before the full development of the park, but
for those boys, and it was just boys then, growing up from ca. 1947 to 1958 in Plantersville, Cecil still had a major impact.

I composed a few thoughts about my years with Cecil and especially at his other park:

Cecil became a factor in my life some time in the late 40s when our park was a baseball park or field located behind the Parker’s Blacksmith shop on land I assume belonged to the Parker family. I don’t know when the park was constructed or who constructed it but during my time, Cecil maintained the park, and it was, as you might guess, one of the nicest, if not the nicest, in north Mississippi.
The infield was dirt but smooth as Cecil had a Model T Ford which he used to drag the infield every day, and one of our great pleasures was riding on the Model T or on the sled or whatever it was, boys being the ballast.
A wooden fence about six or eight high stretched from right field to left center; however, for reasons that remain unclear, there was no fence in left field; the grass was cut short up to where the fence should be, but beyond that was a pasture where we often wandered in the tall grass and weeds searching for a lost baseball, and sometimes someone had to go ask Jiggs Monts who was blessed with almost super human eye sight to come find the baseball for us.
I don’t know many people the stands would hold, but to a young boy they seemed large.
I was told that in the 30s, probably 1935 or so, the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox played an exhibition game on the field and that Paul Richards, a journeyman catcher, but later a very successful manager, hit a home run that either landed on the blacksmith shop or sailed over it depending on who was telling the story.
I saw the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro Baseball League play there and think maybe the Birmingham Black Barons did as well. The House of David performed at the park at least once that I remember, and I think Tupelo had a semipro team that played there some.
Plantersville’s youth baseball team always faired well since most of the teams they played were coached by men who didn’t know nearly as much baseball as Cecil and most of the other teams practiced Saturday morning before the games on Saturday afternoon while Plantersville practiced every day and often twice a day. We spent a lot of time at Cecil’s other park.
At some point, Cecil began to have difficulty finding enough boys to field a team and Plantersville merged with Brewer coached by a Mr. Flynn, I think. If you knew Cecil, you know that he didn’t care to share responsibility and eventually Tack Grant took over coaching the team with Cecil assisting, and at some point the games moved to behind the school,
After summer ended, some of us went to Cecil’s house where we played catch and various games. A select few of us were allowed inside the old Johnson family house to play cards and games and view Cecil’s many treasures.
Cecil took us trot line fishing ( I thought it was trout line, which I found strange since we always caught cat fish), and our catch was cooked in big black pots at the baseball park. We went camping; I’m not certain where, but assume it was the state park, and he took us to Memphis to the Chicks’s games and to the zoo. There’s a picture somewhere on this blog of Larry Mims and me from one of these trips.
Cecil mowed the cemetery and we would tag along as he worked, and for a time he manned a fire tower which we climbed several times to visit with him.
In the late fifties, 1956 or 57, Cecil built the tennis court and around the same time he tore down the old Johnson house and built the smaller one.
If memory serves, when I left to enroll at Ole Miss in September of 1958, the tennis court was still the only attraction at Cecil’s park.

I’ll be seventy in about a month and am subject to frequent senior moments so please correct or add to my memories of Cecil’s other park.

Plantersville Womanless Beauty Review

From Gloria:

Event: Womanless Beauty Review and Cell Phones for Soldiers
"Womanless Beauties???"
What: Fundraiser
Start Time: Thursday, February 25 at 6:00pm
End Time: Thursday, February 25 at 9:00pm
Where: Estes Fish and Steakhouse

Cell Phones For Soldiers

Gloria Holland wrote: "The Plantersville Youth Council is collecting, in any condition, cell phones. This is the "Cell Phones for Soldiers" project and after refurbishing, wil be sold and the proceeds will go for prepaid phone cards for soldiers . Posting again because this is a great project and my youth council is THE BEST IN THE STATE!!!"

Cecil's Park

Benji Borden, Cathy's son and Brother Johnson's grandson has started a site on Facebook entitled Cecil's Park. I don't know much about it yet, such as if it can be accessed if you are not a Facebook member, but will find out and let you know.

June Harris's Mother

I've been away from my computer all day and just discovered that I received an e-mail from June this morning that her mother died last night.

Sympathy to June and her family.

I'll post more information as soon as it is available.

Birthday Party

This past week Carole and Cam journeyed to Tupelo to celebrate my mother-in-law's 95th birthday.

Pictured are Carole's sister, Margaret Pickard and Altha Jeffreys Tackett. Not only does Altha have a Plantersville connection through her son-in-law, but she is also the aunt of Jimmy and Sharon Jeffreys.

I stayed home to help get Carly to her basketball game where she was a cheerleader and to a movie with a number of her friends. These seven year olds have an active social life.

Groan Ups

Recently a friend from Plantersville forwarded an internet letter a student wrote concerning retarded grandparents who spend the day at a wreck center.

I wrote on the blog in September of 2008 about my office burning in 1997. Among the treasures lost were a collection of themes my students had written over the years that contained priceless words or phrases. I actually had a student write that his grandfather was retarded from the railroad, and another described her mother's problems with very close veins, but my favor was the one about kids and groan ups. I think this student was on to something; a groan up is someone over 65 as I groan now ever time I get up.

I-20

Yesterday's weather forecast indicated that south of I-20 there would be hail, thunderstorms and possible tornadoes while north of I-20 would have torrential rain. Since our house almost straddles I-20 (we are about a quarter of a mile north of the Interstate), I hoped we might avoid both instead last night we received both; hail the size of golf balls, thunderstorms and torrential rain.

Haiti Hygiene Drive

The following message was posted on Gloria's site:


The Town of Plantersville will be participating in "Haiti Hygiene Kit Drive" Suggested list of items are...Antibacterial Cream, Antibacterial Soap, Baby or Hand Wipes, Baby Powder, Band Aids, Combs, Cotton Balls, Deodorant, Diaper Rash Creams, Diapers, Hydrogen Peroxide, Lotion, Mouthwash, Rubbing Alcohol, Saline Solution, Sanitary Feminine Products, Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Tylenol. Items may be dropped of at Plantersville Town Hall until 5:00 P.M. Monday Jan. 25, 2010.

The Winter of 50 or 51

The recent siege of cold weather reminds me of the winter of 50 or 51, someone help me with the correct date, when we endured snow and ice and cold weather for several weeks. I recall, as I think I've written before, the electricity being off for a long period of time, though we had ours turned on before some because Jerry Bishop was working for the electricity company, and we happened to be on the same line as his in-laws.

Would some of you share memories of that winter?

June Harris wrote: "I'm pretty sure it was '51. We'd had a smaller one a couple of years earlier, in 1949 if I recall correctly, but the bigger one was the second. We had kerosene heat in our house, as well as a kerosene stove for cooking, so we didn't suffer much. We did have to melt ice for water as all the pipes were frozen. And we did get our electricity on earlier than some because my uncle, Jerry Bishop, worked for the electric company and they hooked up the lines to our house along with those to my grandparents, his in-laws."
June

Frozen

Hope the hummingbirds like frozen drinks. As have most of you, we have been enduring the cold weather for over a week though it was warmer yesterday.

As you may know, due to water main breaks the city of Jackson is virtually without water and largely shut down; since we live in Clinton and Carole works in Ridgeland, we have not been affected just staying inside trying to keep warm.