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

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

Published Friday, October 30, 2009

Peeping through my Venetian blind, having heard tapping, as in Poe’s Raven, I let out a “Mercy, Maud!” Facing me and laughing, having just removed his Halloween mask, was Clay Clyde Clump, delighted that he had scared me. Clydie had been over at Covington Hall, helping Miss Flora decorate the extensive portico for trick-or-treaters tonight. She had sent him over with a carved pumpkin for my little porch. A candle for burning was already inside. I look forward each year to handing out goodies to the “ghosts” and “goblins.”

This year is Poe’s 200th anniversary of birth, by the way.

Young’n’s, have you ever heard the story of “The Mud Monster of the Conecuh”? That’s a local, spooky story I ought to tell you some time. What about “The Old Lady of Five Runs”? What’s that behind you? Boo!

I drove up to Montgomery last week. The leaves along I-65 are changing into fall colors. Many folks plan trips up north this time of year just to see the beauty of the autumn leaves. I passed fields of cotton, beautifully white, remembering that Alabama is nicknamed “the Cotton State.”

In Greenville I stopped to see Mrs. Gotrocks and ate lunch at the Cracker Barrel – the Hopalong-Cassidy table, or course — crossing trails with Ariel and Gloria Walker, Jim’s parents, heading south after a morning in Montgomery.

I noticed that old Gried and Glutt are sending their gasoline prices up – so much for supply and demand.

In Montgomery at the intersection of I-85 and I-65, I was impressed with the progress in the widening of the highway. The crews are nearing an end of their years of labor, bless ‘em. That area certainly needed improving.

On my way back to “the Dimple of Dixie,” I stopped again in Greenville for lunch at the Cracker Barrel, running into Martha Duggan and Glenn Smith, who dined near me.

Last Sunday I drove by the Annex site at the Andalusia High School to see what was left, if anything, of the l955 building. The concrete foundation had been removed, but there were several piles of rubble to be hauled away.

I ran into Jonathan Penn, A.H.S. Class of 2002, at the gas station this week. He manages Penn Signature Properties, his real-estate company, with offices in Samson and Destin.

Visiting Andalusia Manor last Sunday I spoke with Luther Taylor, Bill Law, Myrtle Kervin, Virginia Hale, Lucille McGraw, Bebe Greene, Nina Taylor, and Myrtle Ruth Welch.

Visiting Nina Taylor was one of her two daughters, Barbara (Taylor) Landwehr, who resides in Highlands, N.C. Barbara and I had a long talk about Highlands, where Howard and Betty Ham used to honeymoon annually, Boston and other places that Barbara and her husband have lived, and the old days at Andalusia High. Barbara finished school there in l955, the year the Annex was completed. Now, 55 years later, it’s gone.

Myrtle Kervin, as usual, was dressed to the nines.

At First Baptist last Sunday Dr. Fred Karthaus, pastor, baptized Jason Jewell and dedicated Baby Everly Allyn Mack, daughter of Brett and Angie Mack and granddarling of James and Debra Parritt and Johnny and Donna Mack. (Notice the initials.) The pastor’s kind-hearted wife, Connie Karthaus, sang a solo, signing for the deaf. The congregation heard no organ that morning for both organists were out and about; but Jason Tucker, band director at our middle school, played the piano powerfully. That night Mr. Tucker was joined by John Beasley, organist at the Methodist church on Sunday mornings, the long-serving math teacher at A.H.S.. I wish you could have heard those men play “Make Me a Blessing.” Their duet was a blessing. Oh, but it was joy to hear one of the grand, old songs of the church, one I’ve known for 60 years! I live in dread these days that the younger generations will grow up, not knowing hymns familiar to the past four or five generations. Hymns used to bind the generations together.

Sunday night at First Baptist Scott Riley professed his faith in Christ and asked to be baptized. That was joy indeed!

By the way, set your clocks back one hour today.

Some are filling shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for the needy, bless ‘em, in “Operation Christmas Child.”

I hear tell that Steve and Mary Lynn (Pierce) Edgar are buying the Gables Motor Hotel on Church Street, for their home. The Gables was known far and wide in its day for its hospitality, good food, and comfortable rooms. It was run by one of the most notable characters in Andalusia history, Grace Ellis Larson, in the tradition begun by her mother, Mrs. Ellis.

Back from three and a half weeks in Hawaii is Sheila (Thompkins) Williams. She “babysat” her son Rob and his children, Taylor, Robert, Jr., and Mackenzie, while Rob’s wife Billie was studying at Gunter Air Force Bass in Montgomery. Sheila hadn’t seen her son and grandchildren for over a year. Her husband, Robert, flew over for 10 days himself. The Dimpletonians got an eyeful of royal homes, mountain passes, the North Shore, and other Hawaiian glories. They especially enjoyed their meal at Jameson’s. The trip to Paradise ended with Billie’s return, but not until Rob and Billie had celebrated their l4th anniversary while the grandparents kept the kids!

Seen, enjoying Sunday lunch at Wages’s in River Falls, were Boyd and Karen Pass, Garrett and Laura Pass and their Kate, Josh “Scout” Scott and his Jackson and Cohen, Neal and Jennifer King and their LeAnn, Irene (Davis) Butler and her guests, Shirley Stokes, Robert Lee Holley, and Joe Wingard, Neal and Jennifer Dansby and her mother, June Smith, Esker and Ann Thomasson, Kenneth Johnson, Andy and Mickey Riley, Jerry and Mary Lou Bass and their Katie, Dr. Jim and Holley Krudop, Billy and Carolyn Gorum, Sonya James and her granddaughter Lashae Fowler, who is attending the local community college, Bill and Linda Ward, Pastor Glenn Vaughn and his family, Ralph and Sue Wells, Victoria Wallace and her daughter Wendy, Jimmy and Amelia Lindsey and their granddaughter Katie, Johnny and Nelda Godwin, Pete Owens, Jewel Curry, Doris Tyler (mother of the memorable Mike Tyler), Nan Gafford (who said, “What’s said at Wages’s stays at Wages’s”), Juanita Anauo, Dorcas Williamson, Texanna (Brooks) Stokes, her daughter Brooke and Brooke’s husband Jason Clark and their children, Justin, Dawson, Caylee, and Brooks, Max and Betty Fletcher and their son from Prattville, Keith Fletcher, and daughter, Emma, Derwood Cleland (preacher at Antioch Congregational Church), his wife Marie, and son, Levi, his wife Kayla and their children, Wyatt, Morgan, and Abbie, with a cousin, Alex, a sister, Patrice Cleland, a brother, Ernie Cleland, his wife Jennifer, their children, Amber and Nick, and the younger set, Trenton and Mitchell.

Homecoming weekend, October l6 – l8, for the Andalusia High School, I visited Myrtle Ruth (Everage) Welch, Class of l929, and Bebe Greene, retired A.H.S. teacher, in Andalusia Manor. Mrs. Welch, 98, is the oldest living graduate of A.H.S., as far as I know. Mrs. Greene, 94, is the oldest living high-school teacher known to me.

The Student Government Association of A.H.S. had kindly sent each lady a dozen roses mixed with greenery and baby’s breath. Mrs. Welch received a dozen red roses; Mrs. Greene, a dozen yellow roses. The students of A.H.S. and their sponsors, such as Mrs. Brannon, are to be congratulated for remembering these ladies in such a lovely way.

Mrs. Welch told me that when she was a senior, the “sweet girl graduates” (as Tennyson called senior girls) carried red roses. Senior girls who had ordered their own roses from Rosemont Gardens in Montgomery went down to the L. and N. Railroad depot in Andalusia to pick them up when the local train returned from its daily run to the capital. Mrs. Welch wore a white, organdy dress for graduation, made by her mother. Her advice to the younger set is “Don’t give up!” She is the last of 10 children and the last – I assume – of her class.

Mrs. Greene said that she was just not able to attend the homecoming assembly October l6 this year. It was the first time she had ever missed homecoming. She impressed me with her attractive hair and Sunday-go-to-meeting dress.

I hear that a “Homecoming King” has been chosen the last two or three years – something new – and has been presented at the after-game, homecoming dance instead of the Friday-morning, homecoming assembly. This year’s king is Charles Lee.

I thought the freshmen and sophomore floats would have won the competition this year, but the seniors won over all. The freshmen were victorious over the sophomores. The freshmen and sophomore floats were two of the best I have ever seen in a local parade.

Homecoming weekend began with a Thursday-night storm – “it was a dark and stormy night” – followed by a grey, blustery, overcast, cold Friday and Saturday, the first really cold weather of the season.

I sat on the lawn of the City Hall (old Three-Notch Elementary School; once THE only school in Andy) and watched the parade, enjoying the company of Buck and Paula (Kimbrough) Hester and Carman McClain, a transplant from New Jersey. Paula told me that she would have been in the A.H.S. Class of l965 but had to move with her family to Ft. Walton, Fla., where she was graduated from Choctawhatchee High School. Paula is not the only person who has had to move and grieves that he could not finish at A.H.S..

That morning at homecoming, October l6, one of the first persons I ran into was Rex Everage, Class of l960, a retired teacher, living in Enterprise, brother to Nan Gafford. Others I talked with that morning were Ellen (Griffith) Flinn and Hazel (Herring) Jordan, both members of the Class of l948, enlisting financial help for their class’s scholarship program; the remarkable Suan (Riley) Salter, ’48, retired Andy teacher, living in Panama City, Fla.; Bob Brown, also of ’48, a Texas lawyer and probably the biggest contributor to his alma mater in A.H.S. history; the beloved Coach Richard Robertson, who taught at the old Woodson High School five years, Andalusia Middle School two years (l97l – l973), and A.H.S. 38 years so far (l970 – l97l, l973 – 20l0), some 45 years, the record for one teacher in the Andalusia City Schools; Jule (Bradley) Browder, my precious friend and colleague, who taught history l96l – l979; Jule’s attentive daughter, Julanne Veasey, Class of l968; Jule’s grandson, Bradley, performing a variety of roles in the homecoming skits that morning, much to his grandmother’s delight; Donnie Sharpe, Class of l960 and “winningest” football coach in Andalusia history; Kennith Mount, retired agriculture teacher; Bob Bush, Class of l973, just recently returned to his hometown; Timothy W. Adams, controller for Axletree Media in Montgomery where he lives with his wife Stephanie and their 14-year-old son, Spencer, who attends the LAMP program (the family attends First Baptist, Montgomery); and Ronnie Thompkins, Class of l970, president of the Student Government Association his senior year.

Guests arriving at A.H.S. homecoming morning found a beautifully decorated lobby and students in the Usher Club, registering attendees. Mrs. Jody Jackson, sponsor, made sure things ran smoothly.

A breakfast for alumni began the day. Then came the homecoming assembly with a call to order by the enthusiastic Nate Mack, president of the S.G.A.. Evan Brooks, parliamentarian, led the pledge; Shan Demmings, the secretary, worded the devotional; Callie-Marie Crigger, president of the junior class, led all in “God, Bless America.” Amber Anderson, vice-president, welcomed alumni and recognized members of the Board of Education, those in the military, and former teachers. Suan Salter, ’48, announced the outstanding graduates for this year, Robert Horry, ’88, nationally known basketball star, and Dr. Jim Krudop, ’65, local educator.

Nate Mack recognized the classes of ’40, ’50, and ’60. No one was present from l940 or back; but one person represented the Class of l950, Miss Barbara McCommons, a retired teacher, present for her 60th anniversary of graduation, a good Presbyterian, God bless her!

A goodly number showed up from l960. It was their 50th, or golden, anniversary.

Skits that featured singing, choreography, costumes, sets, and history honored the younger graduates, l970 (performed by the Class of 20l3), l980 (by 20l2), l990 (by 20ll), and 2000 (by 20l0).

Dawn Thompson, English instructor, is to be credited for much of the success of the assembly.

This detailed assembly with skits is what makes homecoming at A.H.S. so special.

After each recognition of a class, the members were asked to yell their class cheer, and did so, heartily!

Principal, Dr. Daniel Shakespeare, announced the homecoming queen and court (reported with pictures in a separate issue). A pep rally concluded the assembly.

Alumni attended their own picnics, lunches, and dinners all weekend. Most rode floats in the afternoon parade down East Three-Notch. The Heritage Room, Room No. l in Old Main of A.H.S., was open for visitors after the assembly. That night Andalusia defeated Hillcrest of Evergreen in football. A dance for the students followed the big game. Sat., Oct. l7, alumni continued to meet and eat.

Friday afternoon, following the parade, the Class of l948 and the Class of l96l sponsored a ceremony in City Hall (once, the Andalusia High School) to honor two outstanding graduates, Robert Horry, Class of l988, and Dr. James Krudop, Class of l965.

These gentlemen are the third and first co-honorees since the W. Robert Brown Outstanding Graduate Awards was established in 2007 by the Class of l948 Foundation. The first honoree was Mr. Brown; the second, Murray Findley, both in the Class of l948.

Suan Salter, chair of the honoring committee, presided, beginning with a welcome and pledge. Dr. Fred Karthaus, pastor, First Baptist, worded the invocation. Mayor Earl Johnson, a classmate of Dr. Krudop, also welcomed guests. Mr. Brown, chairman of the Class of l948 Foundation, addressed those present. Amy Williams, a local, elementary teacher of some 30 years, standing, thanked the scholarship committee on behalf of her daughter Anna, absent because of a test in college. Anna had enjoyed an all-expenses-paid time of study at Cambridge University in England, thanks to the scholarship committee.

Dr. Krudop was then honored by Harvey “Pete” Donaldson, Class of l96l. Robert Horry was next honored by W. Robert Brown, Class of l948. Mr. Horry was unable to be present. A street and community park in Andalusia carry Horry’s name.

Homecoming morning members of the Class of l960, who “signed in,” were Phil Tisdale, Linda (Brogden) Palmer (from Huntsville), Bill Rue, Robert Anderson, Charlie Donaldson (works with New York City attorney general), Julian Foshee, Katy Sue (Meredith) Wells (who recently retired from teaching science at A.H.S. for a number of years), Gloria (Barton) Riley (once, secretary at the high school), Ted Little (Alabama Senator, living in Auburn), Martha Kendall Knowles, Jim Cooper, Rex Everage, Doug Parrish, Buddy Eiland, Janice (Wiggins) Sanders (from Colorado), Kyle Maddox, Mary (Mabry) Mancil, Jenelle (Godwin) Ennis, Myron Brogden, Earl and Genia (Johnson) Dorman, Don Sharpe (most famous of A.H.S. coaches), Kenneth Cook, and Jeanie Stokes Metzger. I imagine some did not “sign in.” Let me hear from you, if you will.

Members from the Class of l970 who signed in were Judy Nichols Henby, Wanda Bledsoe Griggs, Kathy Windham, Mary Lynn (Turner) Stone, Elinor Rowell, Sheila W. Prescott, Kendall Taylor, Ronnie LeMay, Becky Story Barton, Judy Myrick, Sharis (Smith) LeMay, Sharon Hare Wiggins, Pam (Meredith) Brannon, Diane Stanley ?, Brenda Tatum Petty, Alan Windham, and Ron Thompkins.

I shall have to wait to list those in l980, l990 and 2000.

Others not from reunion classes were James Meeker Barlow, ’03; Joseph Cecil Wingard, English teacher, l966 – 2005; Bobbie Ann (Dupree) Foshee, ‘6l; Robert Cremer, ’65; James M. Paulk, ’47; Michelle Benson Evans, ‘9l; Tim Adams, ’83; Lee Perry, ’85; Justin Gantt, ’07; Dee (Delaine) Parrish, ’62; Maj. Robert Cole, R.O.T.C. instructor, l993 – 2002; Marianne Capps Kilpatrick, ’84; Cynthia Stephenson, ’87; Karen Marvin, ’83; Madison Copeland, ’05; Robert Copeland, ’05; and Billy H. Mancil, ’57.

Last week I mentioned the monthly meeting of retired teachers in this county. I did not have my list of attendees at that time. I do now. Attending were Allen and Marlene Miller, Martha Chisum, Geraldine Boothe, Robert and Ann Waller, Evelyn Larigan, Harriet Scofield, Dean Morris, Joe Wingard, Betty Gordon, Duane McCalman, Jenelle Kelsoe, Kay Cassady, Caron Johnson, Earl and Dot Jones, Christine M. Wilson, Mary F. Bass, Mary Flagg, Janice Hudson, Jack and Marcia Reichert, Kim and Eleanor Dyess, Gaylen Sims, Ophelia Merrill, Sharon Dye, Glenda Presley, Elaine Chavers, Speaker of the House Seth Hammett, and Senator and Mrs. Jimmy Holley.

The Portly Gentleman tells me that, as he waddles into old age, he often recalls what Carolyn (Raborn) Rankin, a teacher at one time in the Andalusia City Schools, once told him, “Youth is wasted on the young!”

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