One Meal, Many Thanks For Linemen
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Oakland News
By Linda Aldy
I hope everyone has power back on. I know there are still some with specific issues that are waiting, but hopefully most are now enjoying all those creature comforts we sometimes take for granted until they are gone. My mom, Margaret Ross, and sister Carol had gotten so used to not having power that they didn’t even realize the power was back on for almost an hour! I can’t tell you the number of people who have said they continued to flip switches (especially in the bathroom) even when they had a flashlight in hand. We are creatures of habit, aren’t we?
The sound of bucket trucks crossing over the railroad means progress. We can see them (and hear them) from Mother’s sunporch. Several people have been trying to count how many, but there are dozens and dozens and dozens. Some are crossing to head west and others are crossing going east. I was very happy to join the throngs of people in Yalobusha County and surrounding areas to show our appreciation to the many linemen here. I was able to host 19 linemen Saturday night at the Country Catfish in Oakland for dinner. They were from Carthage, Philadelphia, and Tyler, Texas, area. Much thanks to Luanne Brooks and Cliff Craven for organizing. And to my mom, sister Carol, and husband James for helping cover the cost. A special thanks to all the folks at Country Catfish who made this happen in spite of the staggered times the crews got finished working and for their hospitality to the crews.
Now the sounds of tree trimming, limb removal, and big piles being dragged across the yard to the curb have added to the sound of progress. It will go on for a while.
After days encased in ice during Winter Storm Fern, all 11 of Margaret Ross’ goldfish were found alive once her Oakland backyard pond thawed.
We were sad to get a phone call Saturday morning at Mother’s that Willie Richardson, 73, has passed away. Willie has many siblings and relatives in Oakland and I hope to share his obituary next week. His sister, Johnnie Mae House, let us know. Willie grew up in Oakland and even helped my daddy with the dairy for a time. He worked for Borg Warner and passed away in Jackson after a long illness. Our sympathy and condolences to his family.
I had the unexpected pleasure of joining Ben and Donna Toole, Donnie Crenshaw Toole, and my mom for dinner Saturday night. Ben and Donna were among those still waiting on power as of Saturday. I loved listening to them sharing memories. I think my favorite tidbit was learning that Donnie is actually Martha Donelson Crenshaw Toole. I had forgotten (if I ever knew) that her first name is Martha. She said she was called Donnie from day one.
The Donelson name is a family name and includes Rachel Donelson, who married Andrew Jackson. Rachel died at age 61 just days after Andrew Jackson’s election as the seventh president of the United States and before his inauguration in 1829—therefore she never served as first lady. What an interesting connection. Donnie’s sister Louise is having surgery this week, so we have her on our prayer list.
The Oakland Chamber of Commerce Foundation was awarded an America250 grant by the Mississippi Humanities and America250 Mississippi. We were notified on Friday afternoon. We still have to sign paperwork but it’s exciting that our projects to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence have been deemed worthy of funding. We have many community groups who will be working with us throughout our project cycle. I’ll have details to share in next week’s papers.
I think the most interesting thing that has come out of the ice storm is that my mom’s goldfish pond was a cake of ice, liberally frosted with limbs and debris for days before anyone could get to it. When they finally were able to check it, they realized all 11 of her goldfish were alive!
The famous Mr. Google told me that goldfish survive frozen ponds by entering a dormant, near-hibernation state called torpor at the bottom, where water stays warmer and liquid, slowing their metabolism to conserve energy. As cold-blooded creatures, they align with water temps, and if the pond doesn’t freeze solid, they safely endure the cold. Snow and ice on top help insulate the water below from even colder air temperatures.
Some additional names of people who deserve recognition for their help in the community include Cedric Jones, Joshua Few, Kini Bradford-Jefferson, Kjuana Curry, Natasha Carmichael, Dexter Bland, Markel Andrews, Terry Ellis, Bud Leland, Marzet Bland, Sharonda Jones, Joe Jenkins, Carol Ross, James Swearengen, Vanessa Person, Rich Ross, Bailey Ross, Will Harris, Tommy Moore, Will Bradford, Jennifer Nunally, Sue Donohue Smith, Robert Curry, the Kimble family, Reggie Woodall, Terry Allen, Melissa Suggs, Shelby Few, and Jasmine and Pearly Roberson, plus so many organizations and groups who came in to support the community with meals, supplies, blankets, coats, and more.
Here’s hoping Mother Nature will decide to be gentle with us for the rest of 2026.
