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

By Mrs. C.R. Grundy (Contact) | Andalusia Star-News

Published Friday, November 20, 2009

Peeping through my Venetian blind, I saw "Clydie" Clump, picking up pecans over at Covington Hall. I hear there's hope for another bumper crop, like last year's.

Miss Purdie Birdie tells me there's to be a community Thanksgiving service this coming Tues., Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church on East Three-Notch.

The Covingtons have invited a number of us to have dinner with them Thanksgiving, this coming Thurs., Nov. 26. I've been singing Lydia Maria Child's "Thanksgiving Day" all week. That's the song that starts, "Over the river and through the wood to Grandfather's house we go." Some mistakenly think that's a Christmas song.

Miss Priscilla Primme tells me that some of the local churches are offering to place poinsettias in their sanctuaries at Christmas time. For a price, a poinsettia can be placed in memory or in honor of someone.

Mr. Topper Propper tells me that some local Christmas decorations have been up since early November - and it's not even Thanksgiving yet!

Rush! Rush! Rush!

Kermit H. George, the man who lost his right arm to an alligator in Open Pond July 26, l986, gave his Christian testimony to the senior adults of First Baptist at their monthly lunch in Fellowship Hall.

George said that the experience with the alligator turned him to God.

Our own Stephanie (LeMaire) Nelson of Red Oak said that she remembers, as a little girl, seeing the gator opened.

George, born in Andalusia but reared in Florala, attended Florala City School and Covington County High School (he was in its last class, in fact). He has degrees in engineering from Auburn and Alabama.

A professional engineer, George is active in jail and prison ministries and teaches a weekly Bible class at Harvest Vineyard Mission in Crestview. He attends Liberty Hill Assembly of God.

George, the son of Kermit and Elouise George of Florala, is married to Deborah George, who once worked in Andalusia, examining driver licenses. They have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Gordon Vickers, minister to senior adults, presided at the lunch, recognizing those present with November birthdays, June Moore and Jake Merrill.

John Hill and Judson Blackstock worded prayers.

Thanksgiving decorations were organized by Trudy Vickers, assisted by Betty Bass, Diane Green, and Jean (Carter) Fuqua. Each table was laid with Thanksgiving napkins and individual centerpieces: artificial turkeys, pumpkins, cornucopias, leaves, and fall flowers. Some comical "crows" perched in the windows, a loan from Betty Bass. Jean Fuqua provided vases of pinecone lilies, the oddness and beauty of which amazed beholders.

Margaret Smyly and Margaret Eiland helped serve the food, catered by Diane Green of Green's, turkey and dressing with giblet gravy and cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet-potato casserole, rolls, and tea (the national beverage of the South) - a real Thanksgiving meal.

This past Sunday at First Baptist Dr. Fred Karthaus, minister, preached on "Worse Than Leprosy," stating that a lack of love, a lack of gratitude, a lack of worship, and a lack of forgiveness are all worse. He repeatedly said that Americans and Andalusians are blessed more than we deserve. It was a four-amen sermon. I kept hoping someone would cry out, "Amen!" I was too timid. I wonder if those Dimpletonian Methodists down the street, the Timians, received a four-amen sermon. I bet they did if Brother Tim had anything to do with it.

Veterans were asked to stand in church and received prolonged applause from their grateful and admiring families and friends, in line with Veterans Day during the past week.

Jeanice (Paul) Kirkland, retired English teacher and long-time organist at First Baptist, and Jason Tucker, the young band director at our middle school and Beasleish pianist, played an offertory duet of "Bless This House," one of those grand, old songs associated with Thanksgiving.

The Baraca Quartet, the oldest in town, sang "Let All Things Now Living," another good Thanksgiving song, in three Sunday-School departments Sunday morning. The good-hearted Martha (James) Givhan, "the Steel Camellia," a pianist as well as an organist, accompanied Kim Dyess, Casey "Raccoon" Thompson, Dwight Crigger, and Joe Wingard.

There are two more songs I associate with Thanksgiving and hope to hear by Thanksgiving, "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" and "We Gather Together."

In the sanctuary a large cornucopia (horn of Plenty) lay upon the altar, placed by Alan Cotton, local florist, a symbol of God's blessings and the abundance for which we give thanks.

One great blessing last Sunday was the return of Mary Clyde (Mims) Merrill, "the Peach of Chilton County," who came back to church, her first time since her heart surgery. There was great rejoicing!

Tomorrow Miss Cora, Miss Dora, Miss Flora, and I plan to be at the Oleander Club's annual Tasting Fair in the Adult Activity Center here in the "Dimple of Dixie." I think Mrs. Gotrocks of Greenville is driving down for it, too. Tickets are seven dollars. It starts at 12:30 p.m., and there's no need to arrive early because the club members mean 12:30. You won't be tasting at 12:29, like Don Lingle! I look forward to this meal every year. If you have never been, you should go. It is exceptionally nice.

Beverly (Findley) Gibson of Mobile sent me a fine article from the October 4 edition of the Mobile Press. It concerns Manny Russo, reared in Andalusia, and his work as a scoutmaster with Boy Scouts Troop 292 in Mobile.

Russo, 58, although legally blind, doesn't let his disability keep him from traveling with the troop and advising them. His own son, Christopher, earned his Eagle Scout rank (and is now in college). Manny got involved in Scouts through his son.

Russo, a graduate from Auburn with a master's in rehabilitation counseling, has worked for the last 33 years as a supervisor for the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. His wife Patsy drives him to and from work and Scout meetings.

Russo, whose father as well as Manny is fondly remembered here, has been highly praised for his work with the Scouts. The older Russo was honored by having a local baseball field here named for him. He ran a service station on South Three-Notch for years.

Gordon Vickers, who works with senior adults at First Baptist, reported that 3l attended Come Home; It's Suppertime in Brundidge, Nov. 3. The group enjoyed a meal with the play. Gentle reader, if you have never seen this play, you have missed one of the funniest, most inspirational, and most wholesome entertainments of life. Try to see it. You'll laugh! You'll cry! You'll live over the good, old days!

Attending were Ed and Judy Buck, Nancy Edwards, Doris Palmer, Johnnie and Wanda Davis, June Smith, Carolyn Davis, the newlyweds, Morgan and Wilma (Short) Moore, Becky Andrews, Jimmy and Sue (Bass) Wilson, Jerry and Linda Andrews, Roy and Sybil Weaver, Dennis and Charlotte Johnson, Kim Dyess, Glenn and Cindy Cook, A.G. and Pat Palmore, Nancy Smith, Frank and Tina Moore, Dan and Virginia Frasher and Gordon and Trudy Vickers.

Jimmy Ponds, librarian at Straughn Elementary and president of most teachers in Covington County and District 24 of the Alabama Education Association (Conecuh, Covington, and Escambia counties), presided at the monthly meeting of District 24 at Reid State Technical College in Evergreen November l6. Attending with him were Perry Dillard, president of the A.E.A. teachers in Andalusia, and Joe Wingard, president of the retired teachers in Covington County and district secretary.

Members attending the November meeting for retired teachers in Covington County were Elaine Chavers, Lucy Conner, Peggy Woodham, Jo Ann Greene, Lynda Powell, Christine M. Wilson, Carolyn H. Davis, Katherine Wyatt, Bernard and Pat Stewart, Geraldine Boothe, Kay Cassady, Duane McCalman, Earl Kelley, Joe Wingard, Eloise Judson, Mary Bass, Rickie Aaron, Barbara Scofield, Allen and Marlene Miller, Dean Morris, Evelyn Larigan, Earl and Dot Jones, Kim Dyess, Ophelia Merrill, Gaylen Sims, Sharon Dye and Lillie Thompson.

Seen at the Huddle House were the alliterative Harry and Helen Hinson.

Seen at Green's last Sunday for the country buffet were Jimmy and Sue (Bass) Wilson, Julie (Bass) McDonald, the brothers, Hampton, Steadman, and Tucker "Spiderman" Glenn, Dr. Mike and Maria Wells, Paula Harr and her mother, Pauline, Louise Jones, Aaron McDuffie, Joe and Rachel Riley, Wendell Crowell, Mr. and Mrs. James Jones, David Carter, Georgia Belle Green, Jo Florence, Billy and Gina Green, and, of course, Diane Green, the "Hostess on the Conecuh."

Those present (a full house) were entertained by Julie McDonald, who beautifully sang "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." Mrs. McDonald has a professional voice and presentation.

Usama K. Dakdok, a Christian from Egypt, joined Mrs. McDonald for one number, singing in Arabic. Dakdok was in the county, preaching on Islam.

I was glad to learn that Green's is now open on Friday nights.

Paul and Faye Enzor spent June, July and August, motoring through Alaska.

There's a nice write-up in the October 15 issue of The Alabama Baptist about Al Jackson, who once preached at Carolina Baptist here in Covington County. He is celebrating his 30th year as pastor of Lakeview Baptist in Auburn. Jackson holds a doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Ca., and a master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Al has been married 37 years to Kem. They have three children and seven grandchildren.

I must stop and humbly thank all those involved in this year's Veterans Day in Covington County. It may have been the best celebration in the whole state. One's eyes could not but fill with tears and one's heart could not but fill with pride during that wonderful ceremony of gratitude. The young people, in particular, are to be encouraged for their part; for it is they who will carry on the story and carry on the glory.

What's this I hear about an elder in a local congregation, having to kick his wife's foot to keep her awake during a service?

Sonya James hosted a meeting November 12 in her lovely home for those interested in hearing about Judge Roy Moore as a candidate for governor of Alabama.

Judge Moore, a West Point graduate, Vietnam veteran, and graduate of the law school at the University of Alabama, spoke to the group through a DVD and his representative, Lee Parker of Dale County.

Mr. Parker was accompanied by his wife, Sara.

Judge Moore explained why he was removed from the bench as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. He said it was because he acknowledged God, not because of the monument that included the "Ten Commandments."

Mr. Parker told the guests that "America is changing and not for the better" and encouraged them to support Judge Moore.

Mrs. James was assisted in serving refreshments by her granddaughter LaShay, a student at our community college.

The birthday of Sir William Schwenck Gilbert was celebrated this past Wednesday. Gilbert, an English librettist and poet, wrote the plays and lyrics for the operettas (comical operas) put to music by Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan, another Englishman (composer of "The Lost Chord" and "Onward, Christian Soldiers"), including H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and the Mikado. Gentle reader, these are among the greatest joys of life. Listen and get ready to tap your toes, bounce out of your chair, and smile a mile!

Tomorrow is the birth date of "George Eliot," the pseudonym of Mary Ann Evans, English novelist. There was a time when all schoolchildren read her Silas Marner. Today when one speaks of "Eppie in the coal hole," who smiles? There was a time when all educated Americans would smile at that. It was a bond between generations.

Coming up is the birth date of John Harvard, for whom our first American college is named.

Colonel Covington spoke on education at the Andalusia Lyceum this past week during American Education Week.

His advice for new teachers was to tend to one's own classroom discipline and not rely on "the office" to solve their problems. He sentimentally advised new teachers to keep a list, year by year, of the classes they teach (in order), the names of the students in each class (and where they sat), a biographical sheet on each student, the names of textbooks used, and the locations of their classes.

The Colonel spoke of the value of memory work and encouraged, especially, English teachers to require their students to memorize the "standards" and know the names and authors of the lines, as well.

He spoke of some of his past teachers and of their good influence upon his life. He said that people should list all their teachers and what they taught, from kindergarten and up, before people forget. He said that these lists should be passed on to their children as part of a parental file. He said it was sad that folks know so little of those who have had such a great influence upon their lives.

Oh, well, as Thomas Gray wrote in "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard," "The paths of glory lead but to the grave."

This being Saturday, I want to encourage each of us to be in his place of worship this weekend. Fare thee well.