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

Mrs. C.R. Grundy

Published Friday, July 10, 2009

Peeping through my Venetian blind, I found myself, humming “In the Good, Old Summertime,” as I admired the crepe myrtles across the way at Covington Hall – watermelon-red, pale pink, purple. Miss Flora calls them “the lilacs of the South.” I hope someone develops the myrtles into varigations of colors, as has been done with the lilacs.

Mrs. Gotrocks of Greenville asked me why the cable fences, four-strands tall, are being placed along I-65. I have no idea. Do you, gentle reader?

Mrs. Gotrocks reported that the road is being re-designed and paved anew in front of the new Georgiana School, which seems near completion.

Miss Priscilla Primme told me that the pothole at the pick-up window at our Hardee’s has been filled. Thank you, Hardee’s.

Mr. Topper Propper, Miss Primme’s beau, says he likes the coined word staycation for staying at home during a vacation instead of driving distances, thus saving money.

John and Sheila Holley and their sons Will and Wes visited John’s brother Robert Lee Holley here in Andalusia during the Fourth of July weekend. Will and Wes are in college. John manages the “co-op” in Moulton in North Alabama. Sheila teaches school.

Gordon and Trudy Vickers spent 10 days in Michigan, visiting his sister, Hazel “Nell” Markus. Their road stops included the unclaimed-baggage store in Scottsboro, the Amish flea market in Shipshewana, Ind., and a restaurant in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Sonja James had as dinner guests for the Fourth Jean (Carter) Fuqua, Jeanette Keith, Flay Owens, and Gordon and Trudy Vickers.

In honor of the Fourth Gordon Vickers put up a new flagpole to fly Old Glory.

Seen at Pop’s last Sunday for the lunch buffet were Margene (Gaines) Wood, Gordon and Trudy Vickers, Esker and Ann Thomasson, Elmer and Myrtis Davis, and Sue Taylor, who was picking up a meal for her and her husband Homer, to go picnicing.

Seen at Tabby D.’s were James and Jenelle Jones, Andy and Mickey Riley, and Peggy Harrellson.

Irene (Davis) Butler enjoyed a week in Gulf Shores with her friend Evelyn Waites, once connected to the Auburn Extension Service here in Andalusia.

Ashley Butler has just moved into his new house in Harmony in a subdivision prepared by his father, Rhett Butler.

Seen in Off the Square Cafe were Jeanice (Paul) Kirkland, Martha (James) Givhan (“the Steel Camellia”), Mary Clyde (Mims) Merrill (“the Peach of Chilton County”), and Joe Wingard. Mrs. Kirkland treated the group of friends, who had gathered to wish “M.C.” well in her upcoming heart surgery. Seated nearby were Sidney and Polly Waits. The group sang “Happy Birthday” to Polly and Joe, who share the same birthday, July 9. Polly reminded Joe that he was much older than she.

The Star-News came “under fire” recently when a local businessman declared the paper too skinny for him to hold.

Another reader said he did not like the fact that the comics have been dropped. Said he, “That’s no laughing matter!”

Jackie Gantt entertained for the Fourth Abbie Taylor, and Sidney and Polly Waits. This gathering of friends is a long-time tradition.

First Baptist Church for the last two Sundays has patriotically displayed a number of American flags in a row behind its choir loft as well as in bunting in its sanctuary windows.

Jason Tucker, band director at the middle school, led the choir and congregation in musical worship at First Baptist last Sunday, in both morning and evening services. The regular minister of music, Dwight Crigger, was on vacation with his family.

Jeanice Kirkland played the piano in the absence of the much-loved “M.C.” Merrill, who is resting up for surgery. Martha Givhan played the organ.

Dr. Fred Karthaus, pastor of First Baptist, preached one of his finer sermons, pointing out many lessons from the Biblical story of Jesus and His raising Lazarus from the dead.

Dr. Karthaus said that American Christians, instead of declaring our independence at the Fourth, ought to declare our dependence on God.

He added that Americans are becoming spiritually dead.

“Our lives stink,” Dr. Karthaus explained, comparing Americans, dead in sin, to the corpse of Lazarus.

He said that we have turned our liberty as Americans into license to sin and that we need, like Lazarus, to rise to life in Christ again, and that only Jesus can speak those words of life.

“Why are we alive?” Dr. Karthaus asked. “For fun? Wealth? Fame? The glory of God?”

He lamented that Americans are no longer “one nation under God.”

He said that Americans are restricted by sin, just as Lazarus was restricted in his grave clothes.

The Covington Rifles, the local chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, commanded by Curtis Hampton Thomasson, met July 2 in the Dixon Memorial of the public library to hear a report by Vaughn Bowers on erecting a monument in Covington County in memory of its Confederate dead, a report by Joe Wingard on the state S.C.V. annual meeting, and a report on John Mosby, “the Grey Ghost,” by Roger Broxton.

Thomasson led the group in pledges to the American, Alabama, and Confederate flags. Larry Shaw led in prayer. Wingard led in “Dixie.”

Jimmy Cobb offered coffee, donuts, and homemade candy.

Also attending were Ricky Counts, Derick Davis, Sir Francis McGowin, Morris Mullen, Lee Kervin, and guests, Sue (Bass) Wilson, Irene (Davis) Butler, Evelyn Murphree, and Tammie Evans, president of the local Thomas Randolph Thomasson Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Miss Flora Covington reminded me that July l5, St. Swithin’s Day, comes next week. According to some, if it rains on that day, the rain will continue for 40 days; if not, we shall have 40 dry days. Miss Flora said she hopes it rains, for the sake of her flowers.

Today, by the way, is the birthday of our sixth president, John Quincy Adams. Tomorrow is that of Caesar, the Roman dictator, and Henry David Thoreau, the American author of Walden. The Panama Canal also opened, which should interest one of our local historians, Sidney Waits, who has traveled in the Canal zone.

Next week brings the birthdays of Rembrandt, the Dutch painter; Isaac Watts, the English hymn writer; and William Makepeace Thackeray, the English novelist who wrote Vanity Fair, a title taken from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.

A knock at my door reminded me that I had invited Miss Cora, Miss Dora, Miss Flora, Mrs. Gotrocks, Miss Primme, and Miss Purdie Birdie to take tea with me to hear more of the Portly Gentleman’s trip to Georgia in June. He had told us about his stay on his beloved Jekyll Island.

Everyone was soon in place; and after two or three petit fours, the Portly Gentleman began his “travelogue.”

“It was a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Jekyll up to Savannah, where I had been invited to spend a few days with my old friend, S. Daniel Shehan. Dan had moved from ‘the Dimple of Dixie’ about eight years ago to Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia.

Dan lives in a spacious ‘condo’ in a beautiful, gated community on Whitemarsh Island between Savannah and Tybee Island.

“He had prepared lunch, after which I took a tour of the community clubhouse and grounds, stopping for a game of pool in a recreation room.

“For those who attended Dan’s annual Christmas sings here in Andalusia for 25 years, you may recall the white-and-gold, electric organ he played. Well, he has exchanged that one for a new European model, which he demonstrated beautifully. Dan plays each Sunday for local churches and also for the weekly meetings of senior adults at his church of choice, Bull Street Baptist in Savannah.

“Knowing little of computers, I was also impressed by a program that Dan called up on his machine – a young organist named Cameron Carpenter, who was playing a concert at Trinity Church in New York City on YouTube (whatever that is!). I got him to call up a song that I wanted him to hear, one that Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Crigger had sung, ‘Would He? Could He? Should He?’ When Dan actually found that song, I began thinking that computers might be a little useful, after all.

“Dan then drove us downtown Savannah, where we sat peacefully in Wright Square, one of the famous squares around which Savannah was planned. The Lutheran Church of the Ascension sits on one side of Wright Square. Here we sat and heard the daily concert of its chimes.

“The streets of downtown Savannah are lined with grand, old oaks, hiding grand, old homes, churches, civic buildings, and businesses. Savannah is a city of emerald shade, just as Charleston is a city of golden light.

“That evening we ate at the famous restaurant, Lady and Sons, founded by Paula Deen, best-known cook of the South at this time and star of numerous television programs. We had had to make a reservation earlier in the day. The restaurant is housed in what looks like an old, brick warehouse. The buffet included country cooking such as collards, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, butter beans, green beans with potatoes, ribs, Brunswick stew, rice, and much else. Fried bread and cheese biscuits were brought to the table first as appetizers. A platter of desserts was brought by at the end for our selections. A gift shop next to the three-story restaurant served as a waiting room when we arrived; we had a short wait of only ten minutes.

“The next day we had our hearts set on eating lunch at Mrs. Wilkes’s Restaurant on Jones Street. To me, this is the best place to eat in Savannah, by far. There is no reservation. It’s first-come, first-serve. Even though we arrived about an hour early, (it opens at ll a.m. and is only open for lunch Monday – Friday) there was a line. Standing in line with us was Patricia Lorenz and her friend, Jack. We struck up an instant friendship and ended up eating together. Patricia turned out to be a free-lance writer and one of the writers for those famous, chicken-soup-for-the-soul books. She also writes for Guideposts and promised to use Dan and me in one of her essays. She was all sunshine, laughter, and enthusiasm!

“There are eight tables at Mrs. Wilkes’s basement location; each seats 10. Eighty people at a time can be served by long-time employees. When those at one table finish, they are replaced by 10 new customers, all at one time. One ends up eating with strangers, but it’s exciting and fun! Freshly prepared food is on the tables. I counted over 20 bowls and dishes – green beans, squash, fried chicken, barbecue, okra-and-tomatoes, macaroni-and-cheese, dressing, yams, turnips, beef stew, corn, peas, butter beans, rutabagas, rice, gravy, peas and pork, cucumbers, cabbage, bread, potatoes au gratin, Spanish rice and sausages, and sweet tea. It is traditional for someone to word the blessing. (I did so this day.) Then dishes and bowls are passed around and around until everyone has run out of room. There is much talking, laughing, and eating! It is a jolly, happy place! It’s as though each has won a seat on the railroad train to Heaven and is set for life! At the end of the meal banana pudding and blueberry pie are brought for selections. Then everyone is told to take his dishes to the kitchen before leaving, just as if he’s at home. The price is about $l5 each.

“After lunch we rode around downtown Savannah. There is so much to see that one could ride around every day of his life and see something new. We drove over the cobblestones on River Street, viewing the Savannah River, the steamboats, shops, and restaurants.

“Then we headed out to Tybee Island, which fronts the grey Atlantic Ocean. It is overly developed with cottages and businesses. There are people everywhere. We visited the lighthouse and gift shop; then, the beach and long pier. While Dan chose to sit on the pier, I took off my shoes to wade and joined thousands on the beach, crowded with children, building sand castles, swimmers in the breaking waves, tanners, picnic gear, lifeguards, fishermen, sand dunes, and unruly winds. In the sky were kites, seagulls, and wild clouds. Behind me on the landward horizon were rows of shops, palms, boardwalks, parked cars, oleanders, eateries, condos, apartments, and motels.

“For supper we happened upon a coffee house downtown called Gallery Expresso on a corner of Chippewa Square, one of the twenty or so squares that are the heart of Savannah. Chippewa features a statue of the founder of the city, James Oglethorpe, right in the middle. At two, opposite sides of the square are great, stone, curved benches where one can sit and admire the great statue of Oglethorpe. The rest of the little park – for each square is like a little park – is filled with azaleas and live oaks. It was in Chippewa Square that Forest Gump sat; his bench has been removed for security reasons. Nearby is the steeple of Independent Presbyterian Church from which the white feather drifted down at the beginning of the famous movie about Forest Gump. (It was in the parsonage of this same church that Woodrow Wilson and his first wife were married.)

“While Dan enjoyed some coffee with his blueberry cheesecake, I drank my root-beer float. Neither of us wanted much, having eaten at Mrs. Wilkes’s.

“We were at Chippewa Square because on one side is the oldest theatre in the United States, the Savannah Theatre. We had tickets to see a revue called Return to the 50’s. Sue Wilson, you would have loved this. Costumed singers/dancers performed popular songs of the l950’s for two hours.

“The next morning we had breakfast at Clary’s, an unpretentious restaurant used in the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. When Glenn and Cindy Cook were in Savannah, they treated Dan to breakfast at this same spot. Looking through a window, I noted a horse and carriage, used to carry tourists in style, pedicabs (little buggies for two, pulled by young men), diners at sidewalk tables, old houses, tree-shaded streets, and passing trolleys.

“We visited next St. John the Baptist Catholic Cathedral, where my heart was hushed in awe. I thought, ‘What if someone had dared to put up a big screen in here?’ People, sadly, become accustomed to lower and lower standards. I recalled how Abram Ryan, the Catholic poet-priest of ante-and-post-bellum times, had preached in the old cathedral here a hundred years ago.

“Dan enjoys the fresh produce at Jerry Polk’s market. Here he bought some fresh butter beans to freeze, and I purchased some peach and muscadine cider from Jerry’s sister, who assists him. We ran into a couple from Dan’s Sunday School at Bull Street Baptist, Everett and Joy Tumblin.

“Polk’s is a delightful place with fresh vegetables, fruits, plants, boiled peanuts, meals, watermelons, barbecue, and lemonade. There is nothing so wholesome as an open-air market!

“That afternoon we drove out to Wormsloe Plantation on the Isle of Hope, once owned by the Jones family and dating back to the l700’s. One enters the former plantation, now a state park, via a grand gate and drives down a long oak alley. The old family home stands nearby but is off-limits to visitors and still ‘in the family.’ One can visit on the public side a gift shop and see a museum and filmed history of Wormsloe, established by one of the men who came over with Oglethorpe and planted Savannah. Dan and I took the walk down to the tabby ruins of an old fort built by the Joneses and their family tomb, both by Jones Narrows and some marshes.

“Before leaving the Isle of Hope, now dotted with fine homes, we circled it and viewed the marina at Bluff Drive at the north end where some grand houses stand. Jimmy and Jeanice Kirkland, you would find this area comparable to Beaufort, South Carolina.

“Back at the ‘condo,’ I assisted Dan as he played old hymns and made a tape for his Aunt Myrtle Ruth Welch here in Andalusia.

“Sunday morning on our way to church we crossed over Armstrong Isle, and I thought of Paul and Judy. We passed a laundry named Spin City, and I thought ‘how clever.’ Dan played for the morning worship at Silk Hope Methodist Church, which he does once a month. I enjoyed the sermon by the minister, who is from Puerto Rico and preaches two sermons on Sunday mornings, one in English and one in Spanish.

“After lunch at Piccadilly I rode around while Dan took his daily nap.

“Dan showed me something called ‘poet animation’ on his computer. A poet, like Longfellow, of whom there are no motion pictures, appears to be reciting one of his own poems. Someone has taken a picture of the poet and – somehow – animated it so that the poet seems to speak. I guess the same person supplies a voice. I was fascinated! Teachers ought to share this with students.

“For supper we drove downtown again and ate at the Mellow Mushroom, a pizza parlor. I think that was the best pizza I ever ate in my life. It was one of those places where a cook actually throws the dough into the air, catches it, and twirls it!

“Back at Dan’s, I called my cousin, Jo Driggers, of Lexington, South Carolina. Our plans were to meet near Charleston Monday for a few days of travel; then, for me to return to Savannah for a few more days, Lord willing.”

With this the Portly Gentleman ceased his mental meanderings for the time, and I thanked him and offered him a chicken-salad sandwich – with the crust removed, of course.

Now, gentle reader, let me encourage each of us to be in his place of worship this weekend.

Fare thee well.