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

Mrs. C.R. Grundy

Published Friday, May 22, 2009

Peeping through my Venetian blind, I saw my mother’s petunias blooming again. Every year they continue to come up, those old-fashioned flowers of summer. This week I have noticed daylilies, daisy fleabane, lantana, Queen Anne’s lace, and mimosa with its sweet perfume.

A group of senior adults from First Baptist, Andalusia, motored to the Selma area last Monday for an outing. Kim Dyess, chairman of the Senior Adult Council, drove “Old Yellar,” the church bus. John Givhan, one of our local attorneys, who was born in Selma in l940, served as guide, sharing information on Selma and Old Cahawba, Alabama’s first permanent capital (circa l820 – l825).

Givhan pointed out the area where de Soto, the Spanish explorer, had crossed the wilderness; Craig A.F.B., now closed but still being used for non-military purposes; Southside school, whose coach had a disagreement with ours once; and the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which arches over the Alabama River into Selma, the site of a famous civil-rights march, but even more famous as the spot where Givhan gave his beloved wife-to-be, Martha, her engagement ring in l966. Pettus, by the way, was a Confederate general and one of the two Senators for Alabama. So was John Tyler Morgan, “the Father of the Panama Canal.” Both men in their day served simultaneously as national Senators, both from Dallas County, a rarity, to say the least.

The group had planned to eat at the St. James Hotel, one of the last riverfront hotels in the Southeast (built l837), once frequented by Frank and Jesse James; but it was closed. Instead they ate at Grumbles Alley Restaurant nearby and talked with the owner, Miss Dianne Smitherman, daughter of the late Joe Smitherman, mayor of Selma for 36 years.

Some ate outside on a covered patio, enjoying the fresh breezes and sunny, pleasant weather.

Givhan spoke of his uncle, Senator Walter Givhan, for whom the highway from I-65 towards Selma is named. Senator Givhan served in the Alabama legislature for 38 years and died in office as “Dean” of the Legislature in l976.

Driving about Selma, the group saw many beautiful, old homes, including the ante-bellum Sturdivant Hall, First Baptist, First Methodist, First Presbyterian, the Victorian depot-museum, Old Live Oak Cemetery, where William Rufus King of Alabama, elected vice-president of the United States, lies buried, as does our own Betty (Hand) Taylor, poet, and the New Live Oak Cemetery, where Givhan’s family lie at rest. Incidentally, the Givhans bought the first burial plot in the new cemetery.

On the drive to Old Cahawba, Givhan talked of its history. It lies on the banks of the Alabama. Its streets have been restored through the dense growth of woods. Little is left of the town, just an old building or two. Some lots where buildings stood have been mowed into lawns and labeled with historical markers. One can see where the capitol stood, as well as St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the cemetery, a 26-room mansion called the Perine House, which had a type of air-conditioning in its day, the Crocheron house, which still has a few columns standing, and an old drugstore.

Bill Law said that some of the federal prisoners housed in Cahawba in Castle Morgan, a Confederate prison there, going home after the War on a riverboat named the Sultana, died when the boat exploded, the worst maritime disaster in American history.

Near the welcome center old St. Luke’s, which had been moved away and is now being returned, is taking shape again as a gothic, wooden house of worship. Men were rebuilding it as the group drove by.

The seniors returned to “the Dimple of Dixie” via Hayneville, admiring its old courthouse, through Letohatchee, finally stopping at Priester’s to sample candy and eat ice cream as they rocked on the cool porch.

Going along for the ride were Bill Law, Elizabeth Goodwin, Kim and Eleanor Dyess, Gloria Riley, Betty Bass, Wilma Short, Dr. Morgan Moore, June Moore, John Givhan, Ovie Martin, Herb and Sue Carlisle, Gorden and Trudy Vickers, Margaret Prestwood, Barbara Bradley, Margaret Smyly, Irene Butler, Evelyn Murphree, Gillis and Laura Ann Jones, Nancy Edwards, Neal and Kittye Wyatt, Martha Griffin, Sue Wilson, Shirley Harris, Juanita Windham, Betty Reynolds, Judy Buck, Johnnie and Wanda Davis, and Joe Wingard.

Congratulations to Jeanice Kirkland for her 24th anniversary as organist for First Baptist, Andalusia.

Congratulations to Gordon and Trudy Vickers on his 7th anniversary as director for senior adults, First Baptist, Andalusia.

Claude Keenam, retired minister and author, spoke to the senior adults of First Baptist, Andalusia, last Tuesday at their monthly luncheon in Fellowship Hall. He was assisted by his wife, Nina, who pens a weekly column for the Star-News.

The couple had just returned from a dulcimer festival at Tannehill State Park where, Keenam said, 85 percent of the festival was eating. Keenam, though handicapped in his eyesight, played his dulcimer, sang, and taught the group a song, “Five-Pound ‘Possum.” He kept the senior citizens laughing with his remarks, especially his stories of learning to play “Red River Valley.”

Keenam said that the dulcimer is one of only two instruments invented in the U.S..

Keenam has had a rich life. He served in the Army l946 – l967, taught JROTC at the Andalusia High School l968 – l98l, entered the ministry in l972, retired in 2004, and began writing Christian mystery novels in 2005, now working on his fourth.

His ministry includes the Opp Memorial Charge, Lillian United Methodist Church, FUMC in Opp, Friendship UMC in Georgiana, and West End UMC in Andalusia.

Fellowship Hall was decorated to the theme of “May Flowers” by Trudy Vickers with her eclectic collection of pitchers, each filled with arrangements of flowers provided by Dr. Morgan Moore, who had sprayed some of the Queen Anne’s lace a stunning red. Each individual bouquet matched the colors in its pitcher and the floral napkins.

Richard Pass worded the blessing. Gordon Vickers presided. Green’s catered.

The American Association of Retired Persons met May l2 in the Dixon Memorial of the Andalusia Public Library for its monthly meeting. Delores Gomez, president, presided.

Clarence Trousdale led the pledge, and Mary Green presented a devotional. Irene Butler announced that Bobby Bright, representative for District 2 to Congress, would be in town today at l0:30 a.m. at the Adult Activity Center to discuss social security with citizens. That’s this morning!

Holly Lord read her poem, “Salvation.”

Mayor Earl Johnson spoke to the AARP about the River Falls Street projects to put lines underground, replace water mains, and consider ideas for the old Alatex building. He also spoke of Church Street School and plans to put the Andalusia Ballet on its middle floor and various artists on its top floor. Andalusia Ballet had, of late, considered building a separate building; now it’s back to its original idea of housing itself in the old Church Street School. The Mayor mentioned needed renovation to Johnson Park, being quick to add that the park was named for another Johnson, not him. He proudly announced that $l.3 million has been saved locally by careful savings on the part of the City Council and unexpected tax revenue. Johnson praised local citizens for shopping at home, thus increasing local funds. He said that the “airport is the heart of our economy” but admitted that there are complaints about the noise of aircraft over local houses. The one weakness in our area, according to Johnson, is the lack of the right kind of housing to attract new industry. Suggestions from the audience included doing something about certain, high-speed bumps. Johnson explained legal requirements for certain bumps.

A memorial was designated for Rachel Elmore, a faithful member, who recently passed away.

Attending were Dallas Merritt, Bernice Livingston (senior member), Joyce Leddon, Pricey Best, Sonya James, Wilma Short, Dr. Morgan Moore, Florine Smith, Flossie Skanes, Catherine Edmonds, Evelyn Murphree, Holly Lord, Judd and Glenda Granger, Larry and Pat Scroggins, Irene Butler, Mary E. Green, Ollie B. Landrum, Delores Gomez, Clarence Trousdale, Thelma Scott, Mary Helen Thigpen, Fran Fine, and Joe Wingard.

The Covington County Education Retirees Association met May 6 at the Andalusia-Opp Airport for a tour. Geraldine Boothe, immediate past president, worded a devotional on mothers. (Mother’s Day was the following Sunday.)

Elaine Chavers, secretary, read her minutes. Harriet Scofield, treasurer, presented the balance. Kim Dyess, membership chairman, and Mavis Smith, community-service chairman, gave reports.

Allen Miller, vice-president, presented Tucson Roberts, president and CEO of the Covington County Economic Development Commission, and Wynona Ballard, receptionist-secretary, who led the retirees on a tour of the facilities, ending at the Airport Cafeteria for lunch.

Allen Butler, son of Dr. Rex and Billie Jo Butler, was baptized on Mother’s Day at Southside Baptist Church by Pastor Pritchett. A family lunch followed at home.

The ninth and last meeting of the advisory council of District 24 (Conecuh, Covington, and Escambia counties) of the Alabama Education Association assembled at Reid State Technical College in Evergreen May ll. President Jimmy Ponds, librarian at Straughn Elementary, presided.

Vivian Jones, district director for the AEA, installed officers for 2009-20ll: Jimmy Ponds, president (second two-year term); Jacqueline Earthly, vice-president (first two-year term); Joe Wingard, secretary (second two-year term); and Dianne McKenzie, treasurer (second two-year term).

Ponds also is serving two years as president of the Covington County teachers in the AEA.

The next council meeting is set for July 27 at 6 p.m. at Hillcrest High School in Evergreen.

Three retiring teachers in the Andalusia City Schools, Judy Clifton, Jeanice (Paul) Kirkland, and Amy (Russell) Spurlin, were honored May 5 with a tea at Sweet Gum Bottom Bed and Breakfast by their professional organization, the Andalusia Association of Educators.

Mrs. Clifton, who teaches kindergarten at the Andalusia Elementary School, was joined by her husband, as was Mrs. Kirkland, an English instructor at the Andalusia Middle School.

Unable to attend because of a fall, Mrs. Spurlin serves as librarian in the Andalusia High School.

Mrs. Clifton was in education 27 and a half years; Mrs. Kirkland, 35 years; and Mrs. Spurlin, 3l years. This is Mrs. Kirkland’s second time to retire.

Karen Pass, treasurer of the AAE for the last nine years, organized the after-school tea and presided. She opened a brief ceremony by reading a sweet prayer and introducing Ted Watson, principal at the middle school, who sang a sentimental favorite he has sung at retirement teas before, “One More Day.”

Engraved serving pieces were presented to the retirees.

Mrs. Pass was particularly interested in Mrs. Kirkland’s retirement, as Mrs. Kirkland’s mother, Mrs. Paul, had been Mrs. Pass’s fourth-grade teacher.

Laura (Webb) Oswald, who owns the bed and breakfast, decorated with gerbera daisies.

Her buffet included ham rolls, pimiento-bacon wraps, pineapple finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, pound cake, hot spinach dip with crackers, mud-hen cookies, brownies with raspberries, and Laura’s punch.

The bed and breakfast has been beautifully landscaped and was perfumed by Confederate jasmine in full bloom. Near the main house stand a chapel and a reception hall. The Oswalds are to be congratulated on their beautiful complex, which has “come into its own.”

Irene Butler hosted a dozen of her family members, plus Suzanne Foshee, a friend from Pilots, for a five-day cruise to Conzumel, Mexico. As they used to say in the old papers, “A good time was had by all!”

Landen Ray, little son of Mr. and Mrs. Dustin R. Butler, was dedicated recently at Harmony Baptist Church during the morning services.

The annual Brunson Family Reunion, the l56th, was attended in Elba, Sat., April l8, at noon.

Hosts were Nancy, Matt, and Bailey Brunson of the Marion Brunson family. Traditional barbecue and covered dishes were served on the l,200-acre Brunson farm beside the Pea River.

Motoring over from “the Heart of South Alabama,” Andalusia, were Art and Alayne Brunson, Judy Lane Holmes, Sue (Bass) Wilson, and young Hampton Glenn, cousins and descendants of Matthew and Nancy Elizabeth (Brooks) Brunson.

Jimmy and Sue (Bass) Wilson had as houseguest that week a Brunson cousin from Salt Lake City, Utah, Walter Johnson, who had never been to Andy before. Mr. Johnson’s grandmother Anne was a sister to Sue’s grandfather, Charlie Brunson. After the Saturday reunion the cousins toured three cemeteries for notes and pictures. One cemetery lies near Victoria in Coffee County.

A few days later, Walter Johnson called to inform Sue that a mysterious man had appeared in one of his ‘photos. Sue and her grandson, Hampton, knew there was not a living soul in the cemetery they had visited.

“Must have been one of our ancestors, watching us and admiring our efforts,” Miss Sue said. (Miss Sue – she runs this cemetery; she do!)

The cousins bragged on the newly paved roads in Coffee County, the red clover on the shoulders of the roads, and the hills and valleys.

The “sweet girl graduates,” as Tennyson called them, and the not-so-sweet boys of Andalusia are enjoying the traditional senior parties as commencement approaches. If you want your senior party in my column, please get the facts to me. I already have quite a few to publish in the month ahead, Lord willing.

Fare thee well, gentle reader.