A Historical Event: County’s Historical Society Hosts State Federation
By Dave Hovey
Yalobusha County Historical Society
COFFEEVILLE – The August 16 hosting of the State Federation of Historical Societies in Coffeeville was quite impressive. There were over 100 members and guests who enjoyed a fine lunch of poppyseed chicken, pasta, green pea and corn salad, dinner rolls, watermelons from Cave City Ark, both yellow and red, tomatoes, and a large assortment of white, chocolate or caramel cakes, iced tea, coffee or bottle water and most of it disappeared.
The two past presidents and current Pres. Brother Rogers of the State Federation each gave a brief talk. Carl Ray Upchurch gave the opening prayer and Mike Ayers blessed the luncheon. Chris Morgan, who was the original editor of the YCHS magazine “The Pioneer” back in 1977, gave a talk about the founding members.
Mike Worsham, our past president, spoke about our volunteer cemetery clean up and repair projects complete with slide photos.
Lt. Col. Phillip Tillman gave a fine talk about the loss of a military training aircraft from the field at Greenwood in 1944 at Tillatoba. His main emphasis was how more recognition should have been given to those whose lives were lost serving their country even while not in actual combat.
The event concluded around 4 p.m. as scheduled and was considered a total success.
YCHS now has its’ hat in the ring participating in the statewide contest held annually known as the “Frank E. Everett, Jr Award.”
This will be awarded to a local historical society that has made outstanding contributions to the preservation and interpretation of local history. The monetary value of the reward is $300. The winner will be announced at the annual meeting in Natchez, Feb. 28- March 2. Yalobusha County Historical Society has a very good chance of winning this award.
Our next regular third Thursday meeting will be Sept. 20, at 2 p.m. The speaker will be Grady White, who is an authority on both the Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians during the early times of pioneering and settlement.
Come and join us for an afternoon of fellowship and interesting information, not to mention the fine refreshments the ladies always provide afterwards. Don’t worry, it is free and informal. Some of us don’t even own a necktie.
