Betty’s Week

    The Herald lost a valuable member of its staff yesterday (Monday) with the death of Turkey Creek correspondent Olline Brower. For many, many years Olline has brought her news to the office each Monday morning and we usually enjoyed a wonderful visit. Last Monday was no exception, and after we’d discussed the weather, crops, our families, our churches, etc, she went out the door with her big smile, wave, and “I’ll see you next week—the Lord willing!” Well much to my sorrow, He wasn’t willing and I know Heaven’s much brighter because Olline is there, but we’re missing a lot because she had to leave us.

  My sympathy, and the sympathy of the entire Herald Staff, is extended to J. G. and all of her family.

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  Before work this morning (Tuesday) I ran down to Larson’s for bread and milk. Several asked, “Do you have the paper?” Thought was “I wish”. Had to tell them it would be Wednesday morning as usual. And we’re going to have to put in lots of hours before this week’s edition is completed. In addition to final ads from the candidates, we also have the Watermelon Carnival insert and all the information others are supplying for this event. We may even have some school opening articles—it does begin next Tuesday. This will probably be the largest paper we’ve ever printed—containing more advertising and probably more news than any previous edition.

  We just hope we’re not too tired to enjoy Carnival Weekend.

  Carnival visiting has already begun. My first out-of-town visitor was D. C. Morgan of Schertz, Texas—one of my favorite fellows. He came by a few minutes ago and we had a short visit, he paid his subscription and then it was off to visit with brother-in-law Richard Baird. I told him I was sure we’d meet again in the next few days and he assured me we would because he was planning to spend several days in the Valley. He and Bobby Mathis are traveling together, since his wife did not accompany him this time. He says she’s enjoying a vacation from him—D. C. is a comedian.

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  I’m ready for the Band Reunion. In looking for a picture to go with my story in our Carnival Supplement about the reunion, I got all available band photos into one box, found the two annuals, and all of the calendars we have. Really thought we had all of the calendars, but guess not.

  I do think this is going to be an exciting event for this year’s Carnival. In looking through the photos and HS annuals though, I found that I do not know many of the recent band members. I’m pretty good with the ‘70s and ‘’80s but ’90s—faces look familiar but names won’t come. I attempted to compile a list of Drum Majors for the reunion years and do you know that many of the annuals have only pictures—no names. Didn’t help me one bit. May I suggest that in future years, annual staffs include names under these photos. Why, many of these people probably won’t recognize themselves after 40 or 50 years. I know this is true because just a couple of week ago we had our 52 year reunion, along with the two classes just younger then us. In looking though our annuals I was sure glad we’d included names, even though sometimes it was only last names.

  A picture that I really wanted to include with my article was one of Ludie with the band. Do you know that in all the years she traveled with this group and with the hundreds of pictures I have in my box, I didn’t find one of her. Guess she took them all out. Did find a couple in the annuals, but they would not reproduce.

  Ludie loved the band and enjoyed every minute spent with it—even the hard work in the concession stands. She especially liked attending State Band Contests and making the Disney trip.  I know she never met a child she didn’t love and she took care of each one as if it were her own. She’ll be missed at this reunion.

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  Many classes will enjoy reunions this year, with the most notable being the WVHS Class of ‘57. It will be their 50-Year Celebration. I’ve enjoyed Bobby Schmitz and Bobby Cox coming by with PR for this event. Both have supplied pictures and stories that have been great.

  In looking at the ‘57 class picture this week, I was surprised at how many of this group I have known through the years. They’re a great class and I know they’ll have a wonderful time all weekend and especially Saturday night.

  Jim’s class is apparently not gathering—it is their 25th Anniversary. I can hardly believe this (that they’ve been out of school 25 years and that they’re not having a reunion). This just dawned on me a couple of weeks ago—much too late to plan a reunion—or I think I’d have gotten some Room Mothers together and we’ve have gotten up a party. During the school years we hosted some pretty good parties.

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  Work didn’t stop last week—we just started right in on this week’s paper. I was so tired Saturday morning that I stayed in bed for a little while. Then I went grocery shopping, where I ran into Jeannie and Joe Black and Daryl Burney. We had a great visit, heard some good cooking suggestions and caught up on county events. I always enjoy grocery shopping, because this is where I get in most of my visiting. I’m never home, so it’s a waste of time for anyone to come, and at the Herald visiting always gets interrupted. At Larson’s they don’t seem to mind if I block their aisles and sometimes one or more of the Larson family has time to join in my conversations. If you don’t grocery shop, you’re really missing a great social outing. Occasionally I forget something in the Valley and have to go to PW in Batesville. Why, even there I can often get in a good visit. The only problem there is that their aisles are too narrow and I feel like I’m in the way. We do have a really great store—comfortable, convenient, well stocked and with good prices.

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  Enjoyed a phone visit with former postmaster Gary Gray. He called to tell me that youngest son, Braden, and his band, Loose Gravel, will be performing on the Gazebo in City Park at eleven o’clock Saturday morning. I’m looking forward to visiting with the family and certainly to hearing this young man and his group play and sing. Braden is in the country music program at Northeast Mississippi Community College. A story about his Carnival performance appears elsewhere in this issue of the paper.

  I had known oldest son, Adam, was a fine percussionist, but had never heard mention of Braden’s musical talents. Gary says that Adam has about given up on music and is now working on his Ph.D. in mathematics.

  Daughter Haley is also in college. Gary says she is still showing horses, but not as avidly as in past years.

  He is busier than ever. Told him we all knew he was wound to tight, and just hearing his present schedule makes me tired. He’s still postmaster at Etta, is a truck farmer, with some four acres of produce this year, and is now a trained member of the Union County Sheriff’s Department. I really think he needs to find another job or two. Gary and his family will be in the Park Saturday morning—he has to work for the Union Co. Sheriff’s Dept. in the afternoon.

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  Betty Melton came by last week to tell me of the latest scam for senior citizens. She says a company (using phone number 000-000-0000) calls to tell you that your health care provider has changed your number. They know you are direct depositing your Social Security check. They then ask for the name of your bank so they can verify your number. If you get a call asking for this information, don’t tell them anything, just hang up. Thanks for sharing this with us, Betty.

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  Another visitor in the Herald Office last week was Brad Sartor, son of Mike and Paula Kay Scarbrough Sartor. He’s one of the twins. Brad is a member of the staff at Reedy Acres and we’re so glad to have him in the Valley.

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  If we’re going to complete this edition I’d better wrap up this column and do some work.

  I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the Music Fest Thursday night and then in the Park on Friday and Saturday.