Overheard, out and about, Mrs. Grundy sees all, tells all

Staff

Published Friday, October 24, 2008

Peeping through my Venetian blind, I saw Miss Flora Covington coming up my walk with a bouquet of pink daisy mums in her hands.

Opening my door, I went out to greet her. We sat awhile in the swing and talked over the latest.

Last Saturday was a perfect October day with a gentle breeze and the golden sunshine o’er a golden world.

Miss Purdie Birdie told me that she saw at the hospital cafeteria last Sunday Charles and Audie Thomasson, Charles and Norma Jackson, Rayford and Carolyn Davis, Janette Carroll, Betty Greene, Bob and Cathy Harry, Bob Reid, A. G. Palmore, Hazel Griffin, Betty Bass, Dan and Virginia Frasher, Eloise Owens, Doug and Betty Johnson, Rudy and Jonnell Odom, and Gene and Tera Jones.

The senior adults of First Baptist ate at Hilltop Seafood Restaurant Oct. l6. They were Gillis “the Combman” and Laura Ann Jones, Herb and Sue Carlisle, Margaret Smyly, Louise Jones, Wilma Short, Bill Law, and Gordan Vickers.

Louise (Harrelson) Jones presented the program at the monthly luncheon of the senior adults of First Baptist Oct. 2l. She shared her hobby of painting by displaying her oils (l6X20) of the eleven covered bridges in Alabama, a project she had begun prior to the retirement of her husband, the late Brown Jones. She painted her first bridge in l982, using information from the State.

As each oil was shown, Mrs. Jones told its history.

Her teachers were Robert Brawner of Andalusia and Sara Young of Opp.

She spoke of l830 – l940 as “the Golden Age of Covered Bridges.”

Mrs. Jones has created other paintings, too, such as the Brown Jones home during a rare snow in the l970’s; she painted four oils of her home, one for each of her children. Her son James, his wife JoAnn (“the Pound-Cake Lady”), and their daughter, Terri, wife of the new councilman, Jason Jewell, were present.

Louise Jones was graduated from Straughn. Her first job after high school was bookkeeping at Henderson, Black, and Merrill in Dozier. Then she worked at the Commercial Bank in Andalusia, followed by bookkeeping for J. C. Elmore (Brooks Hardware is in the location today).

Reared in Rose Hill, she was married to Brown Jones in l947. In their first year of marriage they lived in Monroeville; then, moved to Andalusia in l949. Her three children are Sue Chesser, who died in Birmingham; Terry, who lives in Texas; and James, who lives here in the “Dimple of Dixie.”

Mrs. Jones joined First Baptist in l958 and has been active in choir, teaching Sunday School, G.A.’s, and Training Union, and in other church activities. She still teaches the Mildred Hart Sunday School Class.

The Fellowship Hall was decorated in fall leaves, pumpkins, wreaths, candles, and scarecrows, all provided by Trudy Vickers and placed by her husband Gordon Vickers and Betty Bass.

The blessing was offered by Dr. Morgan Moore; the benediction, by Dr. Fred Karthaus, pastor.

Servers were Margaret Smyly and Sarah Gene Clark; the meal was catered by Corner Market.

Gentle reader, I want to update you on the oldest living – as far as I know — graduate of the Andalusia High School. She is Margaret Arvela (Benton) Capps, Class of l925, who turned l0l Aug. 22 in Paradise, Ca. Arvela was born in River Falls in l907 and spent her formative years in Andalusia. The daughter of William and Maggie Benton, she had three older brothers, Grady, Ellis, and Glenn. The boys thought “Sister” very special. A sister, Mary, died at birth. A house maid named Alma was practically part of the family.

Arvela was married in her parents’ home on River Falls Street, March l8, l930, to Waimon Mitchell Roscoe Capps of Atlanta, Ga. They enjoyed 53 years together before his death in August of l983.

Arvela grew up in the First Methodist Church of Andalusia. Her life has been built around her strong Christian faith and her love and admiration for the Lord. Her life verse is Philippians 4:l3.

Mrs. Capps can be reached at Oak Knoll Senior Living Center, an assisted living home, l007 Buschmann Road, Paradise, California 95969, or through her daughter, Mrs. Winifred Wallace, 2033 East Stonybrook Court, Eagle, Idaho 836l6.

Mrs. Gotrocks of Greenville, visiting this week, told me how strange it is to drive by Tabby D.’s on a Sunday and see it closed. For a long time, it was the popular “watering hole” on Sundays. Before it, Grace Larson’s Gables – for decades — was “the place to be” for a Sunday meal. I wonder what the new, most popular Sunday spot will be.

Miss Priscilla Primme, the English teacher, claims that the weakest grammatical usage in Andalusia involves the preposition. Students just don’t know what the prepositions are; thus, they misuse the words me and I after them. ‘Tis a pity.

Miss Primme claims that grammar has been weakened by computers (which violate spacing, capitalization, and spelling), television, newspaper shortcuts, advertisers, political correctness, and many teachers who are just ignorant or who neglect grammar for fun activities. She believes that boys, by the way, usually understand grammar better than girls. Miss Primme said that the most common, national error in grammar is the use of the word their to refer to singular antecedents.

Colonel Covington said that the solution to the national money problem is simply to live within one’s means, to do without.

John Givhan has issued his latest “alert” as to she-crab soup. He now claims the very best she-crab soup he has yet tasted was in a restaurant in Charleston, on the north side, called California Dreaming. Not long ago John gave that honor to the East Bay Crab Shack in Charleston. Before that, John named a spot at Shem Creek across from Charleston. Do you know what I think? I think that the very next place that John eats will be labeled “the best” for she-crab soup.

California Dreaming, by the way, is a restaurant chain begun in l984 in Columbia, South Carolina. Other branches also in South Carolina are in Greenville and Myrtle Beach. Georgia boasts those in Augusta and Atlanta. Alabama has one in Spanish Fort.

Miss Dora Covington reminds us to put on our calendars January 29 – February l to attend the Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.

Serving as officers in the Andalusia Association of Educators this year are Cathy Powell, president; Jenny Rogers, vice-president; Karen Pass, treasurer; and Amy Williams, secretary. Last year’s president was Sonja Hines.

The Auburn Villager published a long article with two pictures of the late John Jeffers (l92l – 2008), one-time pastor of First Baptist Church, Andalusia, in the paper’s August l4, 2008, issue, for those who wish to research it.

The name of the Auburn paper, by the way, comes from the poem, “The Deserted Village,” by Oliver Goldsmith, in which Auburn is called “the loveliest village of the plain.” It has been suggested in the past that a statue of Goldsmith be erected in Auburn. On the statue’s pedestal should be the first line from Goldsmith’s poem. This line named the town, two of its newspapers, and its soubriquet. Someone who loves Auburn should see that flowers are placed on Goldsmith’s grave in London each year on Goldsmith’s birthday. Maybe Roy Parker, now that he’s in Auburn, could “get the ball rolling.”

In the Montgomery Advertiser of September 22, 2008, is a picture of John Coleman, former rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Andalusia, now at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Montgomery, walking with a former rector of the church, Mark Waldo, and a guest, Lord George Carey, the immediate past Archbishop of Canterbury.

Colonel Covington said that Covington County ought to be proud that it is not in the same boat as Jefferson County, the largest in the State, which owes some 3.2 billon dollars for a massive sewer project. Jefferson faces the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. The county was forced by the courts into an effort to upgrade its sewage system to meet federal water standards. Money was borrowed to obey the courts. One thing led to another. What a mess! What’s happening to this country? I bet Mr. Gried and Mr. Glutt have a finger in the pie somewhere.

The American Association for Retired Persons met October l4 in the Dixon Memorial of the Andalusia Public Library. President Joe Wingard presided and worded the devotional in the 35th year of the local AARP and the 50th year of the national AARP.

Dallas Merritt, a new member, voiced the prayer.

Herb Jasper played the piano for group singing, “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain” and “God Bless America.”

Clarence Trousdale led in the pledge.

Guests were Lynn Sasser and Florine Smith.

The next meeting was set for November ll with Margaret Prestwood as guest speaker.

Secretary Evelyn Murphree distributed copies of the September minutes. Treasurer Elizabeth Millhorn presented the financial balance.

Pricey Best encouraged members to bring canned goods for a project.

A Nomination Committee of Joyce Leddon, Holly Lord, and Larry Scroggins was elected to find officers for 2009.

Delores Gomez, second vice-president, presented a fine program on “The Golden Years,” in which she advised members to think ahead of time about a nursing home and an assisted-living home.

Fall and Halloween decorations were provided by Holly Lord, Sandy Pochert, and Irene (Davis) Butler. Many members wore orange and black, in keeping with Halloween.

Refreshments were provided by Sandy Pochert and Joyce Leddon.

Most of the door prizes were contributed by Delores Gomez, in charge for October. She was assisted by Sandy Pochert and Joyce Leddon.

In addition to those already mentioned, attending were Boncile Merritt, Donald Pochert, Rebecca Nall, Bernice Livingston (the senior member), Larry and Pat Scroggins, Thelma Scott, Dr. Morgan Moore, Charles McCrory, Judd and Glenda Granger, Betty Canant, Wilma Short, Ollie Bell Landrum, Norma Gavras, Flossie Skanes, and Catherine Edmonds.

I learned that Kasey Parker, the daughter of Roy and Lynn Parker of Auburn, is teaching physical education and coaching girls’ basketball and volleyball at Pike County High School in Brundidge. She resides in Troy. Her brother Tate lives in Albany, Georgia, with his wife and son, the apple of Roy’s eye. Tate works with ALFA. Lynn is still consulting in Salem, Oregon, but hopes to retire at the end of this year. Sometimes Roy flies up to visit her on weekends and does a bit of sightseeing; sometimes Lynn flies to Alabama.

Miss Purdie Birdie, Miss Prissy Primme, and the Covington girls, Miss Cora, Miss Dora, and Miss Flora, told me that they ate the buffet at Tabby D.’s Friday night and saw Robert Lee Holley, his mother Bernice (Stokes) Holley, and his brother, John, John’s wife Sheila, and their grown sons, Will and Wes, there. John and his family were guests of his mother for the weekend; they reside in Moulton in North Alabama. Both sons are in college now. Where did the years go?

Also seen at the buffet were Gene and Phyllis Petersen, Rick and Linda Kyle, Mike and Janet Beste and their crew, Monty Russell and his crew, B. J. and Hazel McClain and their grandson, Greg and Jan White, their daughter Kelley, and Jan’s parents, Bob and Carol Couch.

The Covington County Education Retirees Association met October l6 in David’s Catfish House in Andalusia to hear Seth Hammett, our local representative to the state legislature and Speaker of the Alabama House, and Jimmy Holley, our area senator, speak on the state of Alabama legislation as it concerns retired educators.

Dean Morris and Jenelle Kelsoe decorated the private, meeting room with fall colors and items.

Guests included Mary Holley and Nancy Hammett, the lovely wives of the speakers.

Attendees ordered from the menu.

Joe Wingard, president of the retired teachers in Covington, voiced the blessing.

The Baraca Class, thought to be the oldest quartet in Covington County, sang “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” in three Sunday-School assemblies last Sunday morning in First Baptist. Kim Dyess, bass; Casey Thompson, bass; Dwight Crigger, baritone; and Joe Wingard, baritone, sang as Mary Clyde “the Peach of Chilton County” Merrill and Martha “the Steel Camellia” Givhan accompanied at pianos.

Rita McMullen sang “Because He Loved Me” to taped music in morning worship.

Cathy (Lee) Harry spoke on the women’s ministry at First Baptist, also in morning worship.

Dwight Crigger, minister of music, led the Adult Choir in “Bow the Knee,” a fine anthem in message and music. At its end the silence of the congregation created a reverent, spiritual atmosphere, quite appropriate for the message.

The last time we left the Portly Gentleman, he and his cousin, Miss Jo Driggers of Lexington, South Carolina, were touring Washington, Georgia.

I shall turn my column over to him.

“Monday morning was cool and pleasant. Jo and I strolled about the town square, reading plaques, exploring the courthouse, and examining historic pictures on the courthouse walls. One picture showed the old Bank of Georgia building, later called the Heard Building, which once stood in the square. It was in this building that Jefferson Davis, only president of the Confederacy, met for the last time with the Confederate cabinet and dissolved the Confederate States of America. The old building, sadly, was demolished. It had been a brick, two-story bank and, later, residence, with three dormers, two entrances from double stairs, two windows on each side of the doors, double chimneys at each end, and ironwork (in later years) on the entrance steps and balcony. What a shame it wasn’t preserved!

“Jo and I noted the willow oaks planted about the square.

“We hired Elaine Filipiak, who calls herself Miss Fanny, for a morning tour. Elaine proved fun-loving, likeable, and pleasant, relaxed and informative. Jo and I liked her right away. We had a good time, riding about town in her van and meeting local folks.

“First, we went back into our hotel, the Fitzpatrick, where I learned that my room (203) had once been the home of the Fitzpatrick daughter.

“We saw the Tupper-Barnett House next to the First Baptist Church. The owner of the house had preached free at the church because he was wealthy and did not need a salary. At that same Baptist church the first-ever Vacation Bible School was organized; and its first pastor, Jesse Mercer, preached there till he died; Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, is named for him.

“Our trio next visited the attractive, Victorian home of Robert “Skeet” M. Willingham, Jr., retired librarian from the University of Georgia.

“Mr. Willingham, full of fun and cordiality, was a most informative and interesting host, who opened up his lovely home on the spur of the moment out of pure Southern hospitality.

“The author of some fifteen books of history, “Skeet” has a unique collection of books by Joel Chandler Harris, creator of Uncle Remus and Br’er Rabbit. We saw, too, his extensive collection of pottery and a painting of William Ravenal of Charleston, the model for Rhett Butler. The painting had been shot in the head and the heart by an enemy.

“Elaine drove us by Pembroke, the home of William Pope, 90, still active. I think it is quaint for one to name his home.

“Jo and I learned that a Jewish man in Washington invented the plastic raincoat and manufactured coats there.

“A stop at the Mary Willis Library, the first free library in Georgia, a quaint, Victorian, Gothic building of dark wood, taught us that it was built in l888; that it has Tiffany windows featuring the late Mary Willis, flanked by St. Paul and Shakespeare; and that it houses the treasure chest of the Confederacy, a large, very heavy box, covered in beautiful metals, but now empty of the Confederate treasure, which once filled it. Legend says that the Confederate gold is buried somewhere still in Washington. The library, by the way, was a gift from Dr. Francis T. Willis in memory of his daughter Mary.

“Next we saw the house of John A. Campbell, secretary of war for the C.S.A., who sat in on the Dred Scott decision.

“We paused at Holly Court, the house, now a bed and breakfast, where Varina Howell, the wife of Jefferson

Davis, stayed, waiting for her husband to arrive from Richmond as the Confederacy fell apart.

“After two hours of touring, Jo and I bade farewell to our delightful, new friend and walked to the Fievet Pharmacy for lunch at an old-fashioned soda fountain. We enjoyed chicken-salad sandwiches with fries and chocolate shakes. Yum!

“Before leaving Washington, Jo and I visited the Episcopal Church with its dark, Gothic, stained-glass windows. We lingered a bit to hear the organist as she practiced.”

I shall ask the Portly One to wait till another time to continue his Georgia adventure.

Today is the birthday of Geoffrey Chaucer, England’s first major poet. He is yet as modern-sounding as today’s newspaper. School children who have the better teachers still memorize the opening lines of Chaucer’s “Prologue” to the Canterbury Tales. Also born today were Lord (Thomas Babington) Macaulay, English historian; Johann Strauss, Jr., Austrian composer; and Georges Bizet, the Frenchman who composed the famous opera, Carmen.

Someone once said that he wished he could be as sure of anything as Lord Macaulay is of everything!

Next week come the birthdays of Teddy Roosevelt, that admirable, confident, energetic president of yesteryear; Erasmus, a Dutch scholar; Harvard University, our nation’s first college (l636); the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to us in l886; Jonas Salk, who helped with a cure for polio; James Boswell, who penned the most famous biography in our language, The Life of Samuel Johnson, and made himself famous by thus honoring his hero, Samuel Johnson; John Adams, our firebrand, second president; Jan Vermeer, a Dutch painter; John Keats, the English poet who wrote the most famous line in poetry, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”; and Martin Luther’s 95 theses.

Everyone around my age has some idea of the debt each of us owes to Jonas Salk, who probably saved the lives of thousands of us or saved us from being crippled in some way. I can remember, as a child, sitting in Capitol Heights Junior High School auditorium in Montgomery, with hundreds, waiting to receive a vaccine to prevent polio. My turn came. I went into the cafeteria, crowded with tables and nurses as a makeshift infirmary. There I received my shot. For years after I had to take follow-up shots, into my college years before it was over. Thank you, Dr. Salk; thank you; and God bless you and yours.

Of course, Halloween comes this Fri., Oct. 3l. Open your Venetian blinds Friday night about midnight and stare into the darkness and see what you can see, staring back at you! Boo!