So Far It’s A Not-So-Slow June
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DAVE’S WORLD
By David Howell
June is always a slow month in the newspaper business but I have been pretty busy at the office I have been working by myself. Melody has been ill and will be out a couple of weeks. I apologize if anybody has stopped by the office during the last week and found the door locked. There are times I have to leave the office to gather news, take pictures, etc.
While we are on apologies, the good ole postal service’s delivery for out-of-town papers is slacking more than usual – again. I am always thankful for the great job the local carriers do, but once the papers leave the Water Valley Post Office things go awry. I got a text from my Dad in Louisiana this weekend, he got his May 4 edition in Saturday’s mail. Another text came from Judge Jimmy McClure last month, he received three issues of the Herald on May 16. That’s right, the April 6, May 4 and May 11th editions all arrived in his mailbox on May 16. The calls have been coming too. I apologize for the late deliveries. I am also very grateful for the patience our Herald subscribers show us, and totally understand the frustration.
On a lighter note, we also appreciate the many kind notes and messages that come our way. Grenada County Chancery Clerk Johnny Hayward shared how much he enjoys receiving the Herald. Oakland resident Margaret Ross sent a nice note about the Herald’s coverage of Oakland’s Yalo-Ribbon Festival. There are many others, and I better not try to share them all lest I leave one out.
I had a brief visit with Dale Knuth last week. He popped in and said my name, and it took me just a second to identify his voice as he only comes by the office a time or two each summer.
Our longtime Herald subscribers may remember Mrs. Betty writing about these visits from Dale and Anne Knuth of Tempe, Az. They have visited the Valley almost every summer since 1995 and used to have a home here. They always find time to catch up with us, and he promised to come back Thursday when they could stay longer.
I got an email from Ed French Sunday expressing appreciation for noting the 20-year anniversary of the naming a portion of Hwy. 315 after his grandfather, Dr. DeWitt C. French. Dr. The brief mention was in the “Look Back In Yalobusha History” noting that a portion of Highway 315 east of Water Valley was designated Dr. DeWitt Clinton French Highway. Ed French also shared a couple of pictures, one from the ceremony 20 years ago that included all of Dr. French’s grandchildren. A second photo was of the same grandchildren posing in Dr. French’s driveway at the corner of Leland Street and Prospect Drive in the early 1960s.
Ed French shared these photos of the June, 2003, dedication of the Dr. DeWitt Clinton French Memorial Highway. Pictured at the dedication are Dr. French’s grandchildren (from left) Bobby Field, Jeanne French Keeton, Tom French, Dr. Jim French (in hat), Jill French Douglas, Betty French Matthews, Ed French, Barbara French Conley, John French, and David French. The same grandchildren are also pictured in a photo posing in Dr. French’s driveway at the corner of Leland Street and Prospect Drive in the early 1960s. Shown below are (from left) Bobby Field, Ed French, John French, Tom French, David French, Jim French, Jeanne French, Jill French, Betty French and Barbara French.
I thought I would share these photos and a little more history from the archives. Dr. French was a general practitioner in Water Valley from 1924 until his death in 1967. During all those years he was a staunch advocate of better highways and was often consulted by the Mississippi State Highway Department concerning improvements on state highways.
I missed the ceremony by six months as I started working the Herald in early 2004, but thankfully the archives can help fill in those details.
After sharing about my busy weekend in last week’s paper that included attending my 30-year class reunion, I can say that I was just as tired after this weekend. I didn’t leave the house, but the grandchildren (and their parents) spent the night. We grilled burgers and played late, and were back at it pretty early the next morning with a fishing outing with the oldest. That’s Mary Kathryn, she is three and very well-behaved. She enjoys having books read to her, playing outside and fishing as long as it doesn’t last too long.
The younger sibling, Wyatt, shares my childhood nickname – “Buddy.” He turned a year old back in December and his greatest joy these days is pulling something off a shelf or table. He spent the entire weekend cruising through the house, waiting on the right opportunity to grab something. Oh, and he also likes to eat, a plate of food seems to be one of the few things that captures his attention from his normal routine.
Thankfully the only damage over the weekend was a broken candle. I guess he takes after me, I have been told I was pretty destructive as a toddler too. He will also share my distinction as the middle child, Wyatt and Mary Kathryn will have a new sibling, a sister, who is due September 3. My daughter tells me that will be their final child. Growing up with a brother and sister, I can attest that three is perfect, especially if you are in the middle.
