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Clarksdale High School, Coahoma County High School, Lee Academy
A-G H-O P-Z Aaron, Edgar Haddakin, Mike Palmer, Cindy Adams, Belinda (Bright) Haddakin, Tori Paris, Billy Adams, Brent Hadigan, Mike Parker, Gregory Adams, Neal Hall, Larry Parker, Sam Adams, Roy Hamilton, Crawley Patterson, Wendall Alcantara, Vicky (Sherman) Hamilton, Wallace Pelegrin, Ann Aldridge, Crystal Harmon, Bob Peyton, Choya Allen, Steven Harmon, Danny Pittman, Jimmy Anderson, Clint Harper, Lamar Pittman, Patricia (Simpson) Arnold, Charles Harrington, Ray Pitts, Milton Arnold, Jack Harris, Jan Polles, Grace Arnold, Mann Harry, Jan Pounds, Scott Ashmore, Dewey Hawkins, Roger (Buddha) Powell, Bobby Austin, Cricket Hayes, Nancy Province, Martha (Douglas) Bader, Randy Haynes, Nancy Pullen, Ricky Baker, Dixie Hays, Jimmy Rainey, Wilbur Ballard, Danny Heaton, Betsy Ralston, Locke Balof, Jacky Hemness, Yvonne Raper, Nan Bartels, Bruce Henson, Jeff Ray, Eddie Bass, Hamp Hickey, Skip Ray, Shannon Beam, Jamie Hill, Beverly Reardon, John Bennett, Marvin Hill, Christina Reardon, Speedy Berryhill, Charles Hill, Stephanie Reardon, Vicki Berryhill, Cindy (Blankenship) Hite, Melinda Redner, Michelle Blackwell, Chuck Hood, Becky Richardson, Tommy Blackwell, Tommy Hood, GA Rippee, Donna Blaylock, Reuben Horton, Brian Roach, Arlie Blaylock, Tommy Howard, Bret Robertson, Wayne Bobo, Rob Howard, Frank Robinson, Charlie Bobo, Vicki Hughes, Lance Rogers, Andra (Arnold) Bolen, Wayne Hughes, Vivi Rogers, Changing Bolton, Wayne Iverson, Steven Rogers, Mark Borgognoni, JP Jackson, Melissa Ross, Pat Borgognoni, Kent Jacobs, Jacque Russell, Kim Bounds, Kim Jacobs, Les Russell, Mimi Boykin, Tony Jenkins, Ed Russell, Wayne Bramlett, Angela Jenkins, Wayne Rutledge, Norman Bramlett, Sally Key Joe, Pauline Rybolt, Melissa Brandon, James “Fuzzy” Johns, Glenda Sabatini, Phyliss Bright, Scarlett Jones, Carolyn Sabbatini, Toni (Brown Brower, Cecil Jordan, Lyn Salmon, Billy Brown, Buddy Jordan, Russell Salmon, Tim Brown, Eddie Jordan, Wanda Sanders, Tom Burris, Beth Kantor, Len Sbravati, Ann Marie Busby, Johnny Keel, Rhonda (Jennings) Sbravati, Robert Butler, Marilyn Keeler, Bart Scheider, Wes Butts, Ruthanne (Smith) Keenum, Ronnie Scruggs, Bubba Byrd, Jerome Kelly, Janet Sessions, Jane Caffey, Keith Kelly, Rodney Sessions, Rayner Caffey, Keith Kennedy, Arthur Sewell, Don Caffey, Mike Kidd, Linda (Clifton) Shannon, Grant Califf, Davy Kirk, Hank Shaw, Sherard Camarato, Charles Knight, Carolyn (Sullivan) Shearer, Doug Cantor, Len Kremser, John Shephard, Mike Caraway, Sherry Kyle, Lanny Shepherd, Jimmie Nell Card, Mike Kyle, Scott Sherman, Vicky Carpenter, Betty Lake, Shane Shields, Pam Carpenter, Melvin Lancaster, Tommy Sigmon, Siggie, Jr Carpenter, Mike Landry, Susan (Powell) Simpson, Mike Carpenter, Rainey Lau, Marshall Skeen, Joyce Cassidy, George Laurenzi, Elaine Smart, Billy Cauthen, Cam Lavendar, Andrew Smart, Rodney Cauthen, Henry Lawson, Jimmy Spradling, Dean, Jr Cauthen, Larry Lee, Byron Stanley, Lester Cauthen, Laura Lester, Gayle Stone, Betty Cauthen, Rod Levine, Nancy Story, Ricky Chamoun, Vivian Logan, Joe Stovall, Carter, III Chow, Tim Long, Ruth Stovall, Jerry Cohen, Sandy Longino, Jane Strider, Ronnie Coker, Terry Lowery, Linda Sullivan, David Commer, Malcolm Lubiani, David Sullivan, John Marshall Cook, Glenn Manning, Linda Sullivan, Katie Cooper, Wert Marinelli, Sherry Sullivan, Mary Loten Corley, Cathy Marion, Chip Sullivan Michelle Corley, Chocolate Martinelli, Sherry (Caraway) Sweatt, Roy Correro, Dorothy Maxey, Greg Tarzi, Atilio Corso, Marilyn May, Alice Tews, Mike Gregg, Barbara May, Harold Thornton, Jeff Corso, Mike Mayfield, Larry Tidwell, Jeff Corso, Tommy Maynard, Debbie Tolar, Sam Counts, David McAlister, Pat Topper, Dwayne Cowart, Diane (Young) McCaughan, Willie Torti, Jane Cox, Bubba McClain, Shane Torti, Joe Crafton, Lloyd McCracken, Bobbie Joe Townsend, Will Cullman, Melissa (Jackson) McDonald, Steve Vickers, Bill Culp, Bruce McElroy, Chuck Vickers, Jimmy Curry, Eddie McGahey, Travis Voyles, Jason Curry, Frankie McGinniss, Darcy Walker, Bubba Cwikel, Steve McGinniss, Van Walker, Guy Davenport, Rita (Mooney) McGuire, Danny Waller, Diane Daves, Ginger McKinney, Kevin Walton, Kathy (Webster) Davis, Clint McMurchey, Caroline Walton, Tom Davis, Jennifer McMurchey, Lon Warrington, Ricky Davis, Karen (Murphree) McWillams, Robert N. IV Webb, Hunter Graves, Ginger McWilliams, Andy Webb, Tracy Duke, Jay McWilliams, Makie Wegner, Glenn Duke, Leah (Borgognoni) Melton, Michael Weiss, Richard Earwood, Deborah Meredith, Ronnie Welch, Frank Eason, Bubba Middleton, Doyle White, Carolann Edmondson, Tom Mitchell, Channing White, Debbie (Lance) Edwards, Gary Mitchell, Ed Whittington, Eddie Edwards, Mark Mitchell, Ed “Bubba” Whitworth, Murline Edwards, Roonie Mitchell, Hal Wigley, HA, Jr Ellis, Bonnie Mitchell, Jimmy Williams, Harvey Ellis, Jennie Mitchell, Mariln Williams, Lon Ellis, Joe Monty, Grace Ellen Williams, Rob Ellis, Joseph Franklin, III Mooneyhan, Kelley (Barbieri) Wills, Barbara Eubanks, Amy Moore, B Wiltshire, Bobby Everett, George Moore, Barbara Wiltshire, Charles Ewer, Beverly Moore, Bryant Wise, Ken Feather, Ronald Moore, Margaret Woobert, Robert Fitzpatrick, Roger Moore, Melba Worley, Wade Fizer, Ross Moore, Sheila (Garrard) Young, Barbara Flowers, Mitchell Moore, Sterling M. Young, Diane Flowers, Murray Morganti, Grace Young, Dickie Flowers, William Morganti, Steve Young, Ed Foster, Dini (Clark) Morris, Harriett Young, Larry Gregg, Kips Murphey, Ben Young, Paul Foster, Wayne Murphey, Ken Zane, Betty (Berry) Frazer, William Murphy, Ray Zepponi, Cheryl Freeman, Jerry Muse, Edward Grady Fuqua, Wes Nall, Wesley Fyfe, Ellen (Logan) Nall, Wesley Gallian, Jake Neal, Bobbie Gray, Wally “Peanut” Nelson, Bull Gilbert, Henry Newsome, Lynn “Crack” Gilbert, Woody Nichols, Dedric Gilll, Kenneth Nichols, Mark Adams, Patricia (Bright) Gordon, Dale Nichols, Preston Davis, Rosalie (Brown) Grafton, Bill Noland, Douglas Griffin, Danny Graham, Eddie Noland, Mark Grimmett, James Grainger, Larry (Levi) Noland, Meredith Gullick, David Grantham, Eddie O’Keefe, Laura Ann Baker, Shannon Corley, Steve ________________________________________________________________________
To all of you and every soldier in every corner of the world who has spent Christmas Eve in a rice paddy, berm, perimeter, foxhole, fighting position, tower, hilltop, desert, on the ocean, under it, high above the earth, away from home, I wish you a very Merry and Christ filled Christmas......... The content of this letter was told to me or I heard of it from a source I know not where. I write as best I can remember. I believe I heard it 20 years ago on a program, “Letters from Vietnam”. Some I lived, some was lived through others. The story(ies) told here are based on true accounts. I do not claim any authorship. Just after midnight, we could hear a few voices below and then more and more... “Silent Night, Holy Night” Dad, it was our Infantry Company in the valley. They had time to dig in! They sounded like angels in the night.
From the firebase on the ridge on the other side, we heard other voices. “All is Calm, All is bright”. Then the guys in our battery picked it up. “round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.”
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Musings
This is the page to read writings
from your friends and neighbors, or your own!
Articles, Poems, Narratives
or other musings!
To submit an article, poem, narrative or any other musing, just copy and paste it to an e-mail addressed to keifer@clarksdaleinfo.com. Also let us know if you want us to edit it or present it as written and include your address and phone number. Please be aware that we will publish your name with your musing, but we will not publish your address and phone number unless you specifically request it. Your retain all rights to your writing beyond the right of first publication which you assign to us by submitting it to us.
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Custer, S.D.
I meant to email a couple times today, but driving 80 mph (legal 75) across South Dakota multi-tasking just did not seem prudent. We are at Custer, SD...8 miles west of Crazy Horse monument and 23 from Rushmore. This is the famed Corn Palace in Mitchell SD and the site of our first "tourist" stop,
we have covered 1,200 miles with 3100 to go.
We have met a LOT of really nice people from all over the world. I purchased tickets for a group of people from England to ride a shuttle to the base of the Crazy Horse Monument, They thanked me for my generosity...to which I replied, Ma'am, I'm not generous. We're going to show you an ol' fashioned mugging." They laughed, we didn't.
Will post some pics of Crazy Horse tomorrow. 60 years in the making and no where near completed...but what is done is AWESOME! Saw a laser light show there too...good, but not as good as Stone Mountain.
We got back to tent about 11, it's midnight now. Temps in high 40's.
Tomorrow we do Rushmore and Deadwood. Off to Great Falls Montana Sunday.
Good Night from Custer, South Dakota.
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We are in Omaha Nebraska. Was going to leave at 2 a.m. this morn...left at 12:30 a.m. instead...covered 750 miles in 13.5 hours which includes stops for breakfast and to take pics of every welcome sign of a state. We cooked lunch as we travelled in our crock pot. Hooked up to an inverter, and placed between the two spares I attached to the truck bed top. Will send pic as soon as I figure out have to download from phone.
Tonight we are eating at Omaha Steak House...1 mile from motel.
Tomorrow we head for Sioux City, Iowa then head due west across South Dakota to spend tomorrow night (Friday) and Saturday night at Mt. Rushmore. On way will stop at Mitchel, SD to see the civic center with corn cob exterior walls, Battle of Little Big Horn Memorial, Crazy Horse Carving. On Sunday, should be crossing into Canada.
Truck is running unbelievably well. I shouldn't say that, might fall apart tomorrow. 21 year old truck did between 70-75 MPH through Ozarks (came via Fayetteville) and plains. Got 23 MPG in hills, 25 on plains. I am just beginning tp realize what is ahead of us. We still have 3500 miles to go.
We stopped for breakfast at Waffle House in Brinkley at 2 a.m. The people were really nice and we talked with them for awhile. They offered us a free piece of pie. Christopher took them up on the offer...I could not hack that.
BTW, we "cooked" Italian Sausage and rigatoni in the crock pot. Although it is suppose to be microwaved, it turned out really good.
Take care,
John
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Farmer family graduates from CCC
Teresa P. Farmer and her daughters from Tutwiler – all graduates of West Tallahatchie High School, graduated together Saturday from Coahoma Community College. Pictured are (from left) are Shawanda S. Famer, a 2010 WTHS grad, pre-nursing major at CCC who plans to enter Coahoma’s practical nursing and associate degree nursing programs; their mom, Teresa P. Farmer, (center) who graduated in 1988 from WTHS, majored in CCC’s early childhood development technology program, and plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in family consumer science at Mississippi Valley State University and open a daycare center; and daughter Sherika Farmer (right) a 2007 WTHS grad who majored in early childhood education, plans to become certified in phlebotomy and attend nursing school. ‘I thank God for allowing this to happen; I’m very proud and love my daughters dearly,’ says Teresa Farmer.
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CCC Commencement cheered by 5,000
Three college presidents attend celebration honoring 335 grads
CLARKSDALE – A cheering, high-spirited crowd of 5,000 including three college presidents celebrated 335 Coahoma Community College graduates receiving their diplomas in the Pinnacle Saturday.
Included among the applauding dignitaries, trustees, officials, educators and families were Dr. Vivian Presley, current CCC president who is retiring June 30 following 38 years at Coahoma; Dr. McKinley Martin, who preceded Dr. Presley; and Dr.Valmadge Towner, who is succeeding her July 1.
Leading the procession of graduates into the Pinnacle and participating in the program were valedictorian Shaana Dishman of Clarksdale, and salutatorian Jacob Elliott of Cleveland.
In her commencement address, Dr. Nerma Moore, an alumnus of CCC, educator and singer/songwriter, outlined principles of success, and charged grads to take advantage of their opportunities.
“Success is when you like what you do,” she said.
She urged them to create a clear vision of what “you need to be successful,” and “to take action.”
“Focus on one thing at a time“ she said. “Yesterday you said ‘tomorrow’ and the best time to get started is today.”
According to Dr. Presley, all graduates will be receiving Dr. Moore’s recently released album, “Moving Forward.”
Diplomas were presented by Dr. Rosetta Howard, vice president of academic affairs; Anne Shelton-Clark, vice president of career and technical education, and Dr. Martha Catlette, vice president of health sciences.
Dr. Presley presented Golden Diplomas to members of the CCC Class of 1963 being honored on their 50th anniversary.
Three college presidents including (from left) Dr. Vivian Presley, current college president; Dr. Valmadge Towner of Marks, who is succeeding her July 1; and Dr. McKinley Martin, who preceded her, celebrate Coahoma Community College’s commencement Saturday.
Leading the procession of graduates into the Pinnacle are valedictorian Shaana Dishman of Clarksdale and salutatorian Jacob Elliott of Cleveland.
5,000 celebrate commencement in the Pinnacle as the Coahoma Community College Concert Choir is directed by Kelvin Towers
Dr. Nerma Moore delivers commencement address
Thoughts of a growing Christian…
Bill Lewis
This Sunday marks the first year of the past sixty that I will not celebrate Mother’s Day with my mother. Many of you are all too aware of the emotions I am experiencing this week. The relationship a mother has with her child is special and a godly mother comes as close to duplicating Jesus’ love as any human can--unconditional, kind, gentle. If we would treat everyone as we do our children, we would be “pleasing in God’s sight.”
Proverbs 23:25 says, “Let your father and mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you.” There is no more influential or powerful role on earth than a mother’s. As significant as teachers, military or religious figures may be, none can compare to the impact made by mothers. Their words are never fully forgotten, their touch leaves an indelible impression, and the memory of their presence lasts a lifetime. Abraham Lincoln said, “No one is poor who had a godly mother.”
It would be easy to point out the negatives of how far many mothers have drifted from this magnificent calling to shape the future of our country. But mothers, this is your day, your hour…your distinct opportunity to soar! Your unselfish commitment and devotion to motherhood has never been of greater importance to you or, for that matter, to our nation. It is most certainly a challenge worthy of your effort. In spite of what you may heard, the role of a mother is the most dignified, the most influential, and the most rewarding in all the world.
And what does motherhood require? Transparent tenderness, authentic spirituality, inner confidence, unselfish love and self-control, and, the grace of God. It is quite a list, almost more than we should expect. Mothers, if you are doing your best to meet these requirements, we applaud your efforts! But more importantly, God applauds your efforts and your children will when they become adults! Happy Mother’s Day!!! Men, make it a great one for the mother of your children!
Press Release from Coahoma Community College Public Relations, 4/26/2013 – Panny Mayfield, director
Top NFL Veteran Says ‘Education Opens Doors’
Coahoma celebrates outstanding sports at annual Athletic Banquet
CLARKSDALE – Evaluating accomplishments in his exceptional career with the Denver Broncos, three Super Bowls, two Pro –Bowls, four years at the University of Southern Mississippi, and a successful business, Sammy Winder tells student athletes, “It wasn’t football for me, it was education.”
“It was education that opened the doors for me,” he said.
Speaking to a rapt audience at Coahoma Community College’s Athletic Banquet Thursday night, Winder said he was one of only 10 percent of all National Professional Football (NFL) players (approximately 1600 on 30 teams) who had graduated from college.
Growing up with 10 brothers and sisters on a farm in Pocahontas, Miss., Winder says he played high school football and wanted to be the most determined guy on the team.
A walk-on at Southern Miss, where he was thrilled to be playing major schools like Auburn and Florida State, Winder says, “I got sidetracked, stopped going to classes, and was put on probation.”
Confronted by the college dean who threatened to send him back home if he didn’t attend classes, Winder says, “I graduated to get off the farm; a degree is powerful.”
Winder was picked by the Denver Broncos in the fifth draft, and says, “I was determined to do the best job whatever the cost.”
Toward the end of his NFL career, he decided to buy some land, built a house one mile from his Pocahontas birthplace, and started a construction company.
“I had made a complete circle; loved it and peace of mind,” he said. “I am pulling for you (CCC athletes) to make this a better place.”
Season finale updates and awards were presented to CCC’s outstanding athletes by softball coach Cedrick Tenner; baseball coach Kenny Strong, athletic trainer Selina Reid; women’s basketball coach LaCole Brooks; men’s basketball coach Ira Peterson; offensive football coach Kendrick Travis and defensive football coach William Kirksey; and Carol Brooks, athletic secretary, who presented jackets to concession stand volunteers.
Top student academic winners were Bridgette Griffin with a 3.34 grade point average and Elias Wells, 3.8 gpa.
Athletic director and head football coach Freeman Horton, who was a Southern Miss teammate of the speaker, presented a trophy to Dr. Vivian Presley, CCC president, as a Super Supporter for CCC sports.
Congratulating student athletes and graduates, Dr. Presley said, “We want you to go forward and succeed at other institutions.”
Among the outstanding Most Valuable Player recipients were Alex Thompson and Patrick Brown, men’s basketball; Antoinette Mayfield and Bridgett Griffin, women’s basketball; Dave on Porter and Elias Wells, football offense; Steve Horton, defensive back; Lakendrick Conley, linebacker; Jamal Cooper, defensive lineman; and Isaiah Colbert, defensive all around player.
MVP recipients in softball and baseball will be announced following the close of seasons.
Others participating in the program were Michael Barfield, football manager who gave the invocation, Wairterrica Galmore, Miss CCC, the greeting; and music by Taneshia Young. The dinner was catered by Valley Food Services.
Former Denver Bronco Sammy Winder (left) and Coach Freeman Horton, teammates at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Among the award recipients at Coahoma Community College’s Athletic Banquet Thursday night in the Pinnacle are (from left) Coach Freeman Horton; Dr. Vivian Presley; Alex Thompson of Jackson, Basketball MVP; Isaiah Colbert of Belle Glade, Fla., MVP All Around Defensive Player and Jamal Cooper of Memphis, MVP Defensive Lineman.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Alex Butera
(202) 414-0798; abutera@susandavis.com
Delta Blues Museum to Receive 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
National Award Recognizes Exceptional Contributions of Clarksdale Museum
WASHINGTON (April 23, 2013) – The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced Delta Blues Museum of Clarksdale, Miss., as one of 10 recipients of this year’s National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The nation’s highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community, the National Medal celebrates institutions that make a difference for individuals, families, and communities. The National Medal will be presented at a celebration in Washington, D.C. on May 8.
The blues is a vibrant, living, and uniquely American art form with deep roots in Coahoma County, Mississippi, and masterful expression from the artists who lived there. Many consider the distinctive Delta style the most elemental blues form. The Delta Blues Museum celebrates the history, showcases live performances, and nurtures the next generation of blues musicians. Participants in the museum’s popular music classes are from every segment of the community – ages five to over 60, and reflect diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds – and a travelling trunk exhibit inspires blues appreciation across the nation.
“Museums and libraries serve as centers for lifelong learning and as cornerstones for our communities. Not only is the Delta Blues Museum celebrating one of our country’s most fundamental genres of music, but they’re educating the next blues greats. We are proud to name Delta Blues Museum one of this year’s National Medal for Museum and Library Service winners,” said Susan Hildreth, director, Institute of Museum and Library Services. “This year’s National Medal recipients demonstrate the many ways museums and libraries alike build strong communities. These institutions are educating, inspiring, and leading lifelong learning while serving as community anchors.”
“Being a National Medal recipient will forever symbolize the important role the Delta Blues Museum plays in not only our local community but the global music community as a whole. I am honored to accept this award, the highest national honor bestowed upon museums and libraries for service,” said Shelley Ritter, executive director, Delta Blues Museum. “We anticipate this recognition will significantly enhance the Delta Blues Museum’s ability to honor our many talented blues musicians, to educate and engage future generations in our local, living contribution to the music world, and to preserve the history and heritage of our community and its vast contribution to this important American art form.”
Twenty-three-year-old Travis Calvin, who started playing the guitar at the museum when he was just eight years old and is now pursuing music as a career, will travel to Washington and share the impact the Delta Blues Museum has had on his life during the May 8 celebration.
This year’s honorees exemplify the nation’s great diversity of libraries and museums and include a science center, children’s museum, music museum, art museum, cultural museum, public libraries, and county library systems, hailing from seven states. Earlier this year, 33 institutions were announced as finalists for the National Medal, and community members were encouraged to share their stories about their experiences on the IMLS Facebook page.
Medal winners were selected from nationwide nominations of institutions that demonstrate innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach. After the ceremony, StoryCorps – a national nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans – will visit Delta Blues Museum to document stories from the community.
For a complete list of 2013 recipients and to learn more about the National Medal winners, please visit www.imls.gov/medals.
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About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit http://www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Delta Blues Museum
Established in 1979 by the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees and reorganized as a stand-alone museum in 1999, the Delta Blues Museum is Mississippi's oldest music museum.
The Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to creating a welcoming place where visitors find meaning, value, and perspective by exploring the history and heritage of the unique American musical art form of the blues. The Museum's current Deeper Roots Campaign seeks $1.2 million for new and enhanced exhibits for Phase II of its expansion--which includes the new Muddy Waters Addition—enabling the museum to better preserve and display the history and work of Blues artists from the Mississippi Delta, and advancing the Museum's ability to "tell" stories that inspire and educate future generations about this important American art form.
Find out more at http://www.deltabluesmuseum.org/deeperroots.
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Picnic with the President
Enjoying the special ‘Picnic with the President’ celebration especially for students during a week of retirement receptions, Dr. Vivian Presley samples spaghetti and fish prepared by the Valley Food Service staff. Also served outside were burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and barbecue.
Kicking up the Picnic with the President tempo are members of the CCC Jazz Ensemble performing on an elevated stage on the Student Union lawn.
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Storm ‘no problem’ with DBM reception honoring Dr. Presley
CLARKSDALE – With torrential rains drumming staccato rhythms atop the Delta Blues Museum roof Thursday, an upbeat attitude prevailed below with community leaders praising Dr. Vivian Presley and her 38 years of leadership at Coahoma Community College.
“No one but Vivian Presley could draw this crowd in such a storm,” commented one of the presenters taking turns reading official resolutions honoring CCC’s fourth president for her many accomplishments.
With guests milling around the museum’s handsome new Muddy Waters addition and eyeing a splendid spread of appetizers created by CCC Chef Brennon Warr and his culinary students, plus a Sally Chow cake, retired Friars Point principal James Shelby was focused on the vintage 1941 Ford automobile displayed inside the room.
When he was growing up, he said his family had a black one just like it.
“We’d pile as many of 10 of us in it and drive to Clarksdale for a double feature at the New Roxy,” he told Ed Peacock and others.
Tickets for the picture show, he said, were 50 cents and a large popcorn was a dime.
When the museum program began, CCC vice president Rosemary Lamb, who organized the retirement events committee, recited Dr. Presley’s numerous honors.
DBM Director Shelley Ritter, focused on Presley’s energy, interests and enthusiastic collaboration on joint community projects with the museum and others.
Another presenter asked, “Have you ever seen her when she wasn’t smiling?”
City attorney Curtis Boschert presented an official resolution from the City of Clarksdale, and three members of the Coahoma County Board of Supervisors evoked much more than a smile when they unveiled their gift of a shining red guitar autographed by the board.
“Now, I can begin a new career,” quipped Presley.
Thanking the audience, CCC’s president quickly redefined and expanded the personal high praise and accolades as “accomplishments we did together.”
Dr. Presley is presented a bright red guitar autographed by the Coahoma County Board of Supervisors including (from left) Paul Pearson, Timothy Burrel, and Chris Overton.
Dr. Presley and Chancery Clerk Ed Peacock (right) enjoy stories about vintage Fords from retired Friars Point principal James Shelby (left).
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Press Release from Coahoma Community College Public Relations, 11/27/2012 – Panny Mayfield, director
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Clarksdale/Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce
is proud to present
the
Annual Christmas Parade
“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”
Tuesday, December 4, 2012 7:00 p.m.
Downtown Clarksdale
Lineup begins at 6:00 p.m. at Oakhurst Middle School
Followed by a spectacular
Fireworks Display over the Sunflower River
Fireworks Sponsors:
Coahoma County Delta Bridge Project
(corporate sponsor)
City of Clarksdale
Bowen & Susan Flowers
SafTCart
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Press Release from Coahoma Community College Public Relations , 11/2/2012 – Panny Mayfield, director; pmayfield@coahomacc.edu – 662-621-4157
Hurricane-strength contests open CCC basketball
Coahoma Tigers defeat East Central 77-71; Lady Warriors top Lady Tigers 55-54
CLARKSDALE – Opening basketball season with hurricane-strength contests, Coahoma’s Tigers defeated East Central’s Warriors 77-71 Thursday while the Lady Tigers were one point short behind the Lady Warrior 55-54 victory.
“I’m disappointed we let this slip away and didn’t win, but I can’t get upset; they played hard and will bounce back,“ commented CCC women’s coach Lacole Brooks following the game.
Coach Ira Peterson said he was pleased with the Tiger win despite the inexperience of many of his sophomores and East Central’s late rally cutting their deficit from 13 points (60-47) to one point (72-71) with less than a minute remaining.
In the first game, CCC’s women lagged behind 15 points (27-12) in the first three minutes of play before Shyvuna Johnson of Clarksdale nailed a triple to kick- start Nekeia Evans of Paynesville, Ohio, and Bridgette Griffin of Lambert into scoring action.
At halftime, the Lady Warriors were ahead 29-21.
With Johnson and company hitting another triple, a steal and score by Jasmine Brown of Jackson gave Coahoma its first lead 34-33 until EC’s Jaianah Matthew slammed down three consecutive triples.
Scoring by both teams was brisk, and the hometown crowd got into action when Griffin’s layup tied at 48 points plus two more go-ahead points.
Xzandra Dowd and Reneisha Evans pushed EC’s lead to 55-51 with 2:57 remaining when CCC’s Johnson sank another trey, and the score was 55-54 with seconds left.
Leading the scoring for Coahoma was Johnson with 15 points; Griffin with 13; Breanna Wiley and Nekeiai Evens with 8 each; Shani Brooks, 6; and Antoinette Mayfield, 4.
Scoring for East Central were Jaina Matthew, 18 points; Jakel Johnson, 11; Xzandra Dowd, 9; Reneish Evans, 7; Niya Hughes, 4; Nakia Miller, 2; Taylor Brister, 2; and Tynesia Mickens, 2.
Scoring rocked along routinely in the second game with CCC’s Patrick Brown sinking a triple to tie at 9; EC scoring 9 additional points plus a trey by Hakeem Wesley to go out front 21-14.
Baskets by Tigers Norris Adams , Stacy Regular and a triple by Alex Thompson reduced CCC’s deficit 31-25 with four minutes remaining in the first half, and additional scores by Rigueson Desorvil and Jonathan Ankston upped Coahoma’s score to 34 behind EC’s 35 at the half.
In the second half, the Tigers jumped out front and never looked back following a pass from Regular to Ankston for a basket (36-35) accelerating to an alley-oop from Brown to Thompson (44-39) followed by a triple by Brown (47-39) another triple by Regular (50-41) and chants, “Let’s Go Tigers” from the crowd.
The Warriors rallied but fell short.
Scoring for Coahoma were Alex Thompson and Rigues Desorvil, both with 15 points; Patrick Brown, 12; Telvin Askew, 8; Jonathan Ankston and Stacy Regular, 7 each; Morris Adams, 4; Xavier Graves, 3; Charles Nash, 2; Alan Morris, 2; and LilRoy Maxie, 2.
Scoring for East Central were Hakee Wesley, 24; Aquill Baynard, 15; Walter Evans, 8; Akeem Toppin, 7; Demarc Clayton, 5; Chris Rhoney 4; Ja Eichelberger, 4; Bobby Wrench, 3; and Te Leatherwood, 1.
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Dear Fellow Americans:
We should wake up and see what is happening to America during (and because of) Barak Hussein Obama’s term as president:
- Obama erroneously stated that America is not a Christian nation.
- Obama has betrayed Israel and demanded that they give up part of their country. (Of course, they will not.)
- I quote the Bible (King James Version) Genesis 12:3 (God’s promise to Israel) “And I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee.”
- As president he has damaged (by cutting down) our defense, our military, our space program, while our enemies are getting stronger every day.
- He is the worst president I have ever known in my eighty-one years – our future is in serious danger with him “at the stern.” He must not be re-elected.
- We are the United States of America. We fought World War II on two fronts – all across Europe and Asia and WON! I say that we saved the world.
We need a leader (a president) who is very wise, very knowledgeable, who has a heartfelt love of America. One who knows that we do not send our military or ambassadors out with “rubber bullets,” and knows that we do not announce ahead of time their departure dates. We need a leader who thinks of America first and who truly wants democracy, not socialism.
God is in His heaven, but all is not well with the world. We have a good opportunity now to get rid of Obama and we certainly should, or else we might wake up to find “Old Glory” being taken down right here.
Nell Graham Smith
Man with a Spiritual Tan
by
Celeste Zepponi
The alarm clock goes off at my house at 4:00 a.m., every Friday morning and it has done so for the past 21 years. My husband, Fred, like many of the faithful in our parish, keeps a weekly appointment, a Holy Hour of prayer. The Catholic Church teaches that the consecrated Host, which remains in the church for adoration by the faithful, is the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. If we approach contemplating this belief, it is impossible not to desire periodically to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus is present and He waits for each of us to come.
It has been said that sitting before the Blessed Sacrament does for the soul what sitting in the sun does for the skin. Just as being exposed to the sun changes the one’s skin, sitting before the Son of God changes one’s soul.
I am inspired by my husband’s commitment to prayer. I am convinced his commitment to his faith is an important reason my own faith is sustained. A wonderful by-product of our own deepening of faith is that it does spill over into the lives of others.
Prayer is not a duty to Fred, it is a joy he anticipates eagerly. He has built a relationship with the source of Joy and he looks forward to spending time with Jesus. His Holy Hour has been transformed from an original commitment begun years ago, to a personal time of praise and worship he rarely misses. He tells me that he often begins with the rosary, then because he is completely alone in the church he feels free to sing out loud! “Glory and Praise to our God”, “Gift of Finest Wheat”, “Hail Holy Queen”, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" at anytime of the year, and “I have loved you with an everlasting love...” are a just a few songs he likes to sing during his time of giving adoration and thanks to God.
Please do not think I am bragging about my husband. He is a person who struggles, fails, and falls frequently just like the rest of us. But, all glory be to God, he is a man of faith, a man who has learned how to obtain and keep a really nice Spiritual Tan.
John Mayo was the speaker at the closing ceremonies of the Vietnam Memorial Travelling Wall. Her are his words from the ceremony:
That wall was designed to make war personal. Bulldozers moved about 6-8 feet of natural ground to represent the scars to this country caused by the war. Of course, the names etched into the granite make the war very personal to friends and family alike. I would like to remind you, there are 58,170 sons and 8 daughters on that wall. They are not visiting or calling their Mothers this Day. But, in Washington, Moms are touching the Wall and silently saying, ?I love you, son. I miss you, daughter.? July 3, 2008. I stood in the early morning heat. The flag waved over the compound. You could hear it snap as the Stars and Stripes stretched out to all its glory. Goosebumps on my arms, the hair on the back of my neck rose up, a tear dropped down my cheek. I was taking pictures of the flag of the United States of America at what was once the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, now named Ho Chi Minh City. I was on the street where in Feb. 1968 the Viet Cong breached the wall. 5 American soldiers died defending our embassy. Only a small one story building serves as the U.S. Consulate. The flagpole from which our flag proudly flies is all that remains to indicate we were there in 1968. This is hallowed ground. I was trembling, almost on my knees, when people began yelling at me. They were pointing across the street. A soldier, shouted, ?Doong lai,doong lai, Di di mau." (phonetic spelling) Stop, stop, move on?. Snapped out of my trance, I left walking away on a cloud, swelling up with pride. 40 years have passed since I left Vietnam. I have come to realize that the American Soldier accomplished everything we were asked to do: ?win the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people.? Here?s how this story began. In 2008 my Brother called from Iraq. The legislature was in special session. ?John, I want you to do me a favor. Meet Barbara (his wife) in Atlanta and accompany her on a trip.? I said, ?Sure, where to?? ?Vietnam.? was his one word reply. Three weeks later as the Korean Airlines jet touched down at Tan Son Nhut, I told Barbara, ?I left this country from this airport. It?s going to be unbearably hot, smelly, and body pressing against body waiting in line to get out.? Was I stunned. Ho Chi Minh International is a very modern airport. They could not get you out fast enough. A quick visa check and you were shown the door. This is not the Vietnam Mike and I left four decades ago. We arrived about 11:00 p.m., picked up by our guide, checked into our hotel, got our rooms and by midnight were seated on the roof of the Rex Hotel, enjoying some ba ba ba or 333 beer, unwinding from the 24 hour flight. We marveled at the night lights of what was once called the ?Paris of the Orient?. But, during the war, Saigon was a very different city. The Rex and Continental Hotels, the quarters for many U.S. troops, were bombed by the Viet Cong. Today, they are modern, four star hotels where everyone, including the maintenance personnel speaks English. In fact, everyone we met, including kindergarten children, spoke English. History has discussed abundantly our reasons for being there and whether or not we should have been there at all. Often left out of the discussion, though, is the role played by the American Soldier. On this visit back, I discovered the impact the American soldier had on a hamlet in Vietnam?s Mekong Delta. Mike, Barbara, and I were looking for Ap Binh San and the base camp of my unit, 1st Platoon, Co. C, 15th CBT Engineers and Mike?s unit 1st Platoon, Co. A, 2/60th Inf, 9th Inf Division. We were two platoon leader/brothers serving in the same location, same division, my platoon supporting his battalion. I knew the way to the basecamp, but I don?t think our guide relied on the memory of a 61 year old. We found a bridge built by my platoon, but not the one I had set out to find. Out in the boonies, we turned around to head back when I asked the guide to stop, take a right, go 1.5 kilometers, turn right, take an immediate left, and then come to a sudden halt as there would be a tributary of the Mekong River in front of us. If it were not there, I said, we would go back to the city. Shortly, the guide turned and said, ?John, we are near 1.5 Kilometers.? I said, ?Look out the window.? There in front of us was a right hand turn, we took the turn, and immediately turned a sharp left?and there in front of us was the bridge that changed my life and as I would discover, the lives of the people who lived in the village as well. A modern bridge has replaced a 287 foot long timber bridge built by 11 men in 7 days, defended from attack on three nights, in the middle of what use to be a thatched hut, no electricity hamlet. The ?hooches? have been replaced by modern brick stucco and metal and wood buildings. They not only had electricity, but wireless internet as well. And, this was the site where American soldiers, I believe, won the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people living there. During the construction of our bridge in the summer of ?67, a very pregnant lady approached the far bank. She had to get to the other side, but was in no shape to make it. Specialist Four Anderson stopped his work, went to her, picked her up, and carried her the length of a football field across bridge materials, between trucks, through the mud, and into a hooch on the other side. An hour later, the midwife emerged. A dozen, sweaty, filthy, weary men gathered ?round to view a child born in the depth of war. She thanked us profusely. My life changed and I am certain the kindness shown by Specialist Anderson to that new Mother represented the humanity of the American soldier and our values in time of war. The very next day, the children of the bridge presented us with a mud model of the bridge complete with a truck loaded with timber, and what looked like an American Soldier carrying a woman across the bridge. As I took pictures from this new bridge of the town, I could not help but notice I was being watched. I got out my photos taken 41 years earlier and began showing them. These were pictures of children who were everywhere as we constructed the bridge. Looking at the pictures, many let out a gasp, laughed hard, called their friends, and passed the pictures around as fast as others came to see what the commotion was. These men and women of 45-55 were looking at themselves in 1967. They pointed to a picture. Yes, it was me, 40 years younger. They covered their mouths, smiled, and hugged me. I was mobbed. I had never been kissed by so many women at one time in my life. The governments of our countries may have screwed up, but the American soldier got it right. 40 years has passed. The American soldier accomplished the mission?winning over the Vietnamese people. Mike visited me in Clarksdale a couple of months ago. Mike had two tours in Vietnam. I was on the radio with him just before he was shot the first time. Laid up for a year, he went back and was wounded again, recovered and finished out his tour. He was a colonel in the First Gulf War. He retired a General. He has been in Iraq most of the time since the second Gulf War as a civilian. At the height of the Iraq war 50,000 people were working for him. We got into a discussion about our current wars. We view the wars differently. We have agreed to disagree. Vietnam came up as we reminisced about our visit and just how much the country had changed in 40 years but more important the affect the American soldier had on the Vietnamese. In an article upon returning from Vietnam, I wrote this thought: ?This trip exceeded my expectations of what we had accomplished. When the American soldier took a ?pause for the cause?, by all things righteous, 40 years later we have ?won? the cause.? I added a line Mike had said on our way to the airport, ?We will win Vietnam in this generation because of the way people were treated by the American Soldier 40 years ago. Those kids (now adults) have not forgotten us and because of what we did, they want their children to have a better life and they look to America as their model.? Our guide made a similar remark when he said, ?I hope my son can go to America. We see you as a great country and many of our people would like to have what you have.? ?John,? Mike added, ?we will win in Iraq for the same reasons. You should see how the children respond to the American soldier. Like Vietnam, when they grow up, they will not forget us. The American soldier is the best thing the United States has going for it.? The American soldier, wherever he or she is called to go, carries with them the values you and I hold. I wish the men and women whose names are engraved on that wall could rest knowing they have won the hearts and minds of the people of Vietnam. That is what they and we were sent there to do. If you will allow an aging veteran a moment of speaker?s privilege--I would like to ask all Vietnam Theater veterans to please stand?that is everyone who was in-country, or maintaining the B-52?s in Thailand, the secret bases in Laos, the supply bases in the Philippines, the ships off shore, the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, merchant marines of the Vietnam War?please stand. ?Men, you have done well serving your country. Welcome home. If people see you with that far-away look in your eyes, and you know what I mean, and they ask, ?What are you thinking?? Just answer, ?I was somewhere else for a moment,? and move on, because they just won?t understand. If that look persists, talk to somebody who does understand. Since returning home from our visit in 2008, I have felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted off my shoulders. I want all of you to be proud of what you did. You may have spoken to a child, given comfort to a family, or showed your humanity in the ugly business of war. You took ?a pause for the cause?. You made a difference. You were the American Soldier a Vietnamese child remembers to this day. Take what burden you might have off your shoulders?I want you to know this evening?we did good. Today in Washington at a very personal Vietnam Memorial, the Mothers of 58,178 American children are saying, ?Son, I love you, Daughter, I miss you.? And if you listen, you will hear 58,178 American Soldiers reply, ?I Love you, too, Mom. We did good.?
A Dick Clark Memory
by
John Mayo
Her name was Carmen. She stood out among the regulars on American Bandstand. She had a shock of white in the front middle of her otherwise dark hair. When I first met my wife Agnes, what went through my mind was Dick Clark and American bandstand because Agnes has (I should say “had” now) a streak of white in the front of her otherwise dark hair. The difference between Agnes and Carmen…Agnes is a natural.
By now you have heard that Dick Clark has died. In the early days, he was rock ‘n roll. He brought the music into our homes everyday along the East Coast. I went to junior high and a year of high school in Baltimore, Maryland and watched those early days of American Bandstand.
Dick Clark broke so many molds. He made our version of rock acceptable. He broke color barriers by inviting Black performers onto his show, on his summer tour concerts, and even in accommodations on the route. He was lasting.
One of those “I wish I had of” things.. many, I mean “many” from my school left early to go for a chance to be on American Bandstand. I wish I had the nerve then to have gone. Not unheard of was for the kids to get a suspension if they were seen on American Bandstand. Catholic Schools in the Philadelphia area we were told were being expelling students from school for an appearance.
The two saddest days of my life were when the Baltimore Colts snuck out of the Harbor City to go to Indianapolis and American Bandstand left for the Left Coast.
Everyone had his or her favorite regulars.
Mine was the girl with the white hair…I suppose that’s why I married Agnes…still a Dick Clark American Bandstand fan…thanks, Agnes, for the memories of a younger me.
Thanks, Dick Clark, for the good times.
Graduation
by
Keith Albrecht
I was attending Mississippi State University during my Junior year and having a lot of fun. Probably more fun than a 36 year old father should have been having at school, but I had found friends my age that were just too much fun to ignore. Anyway, going home wasn’t high up on my weekend activity list.
And so it was on this April day that I found myself going home for the weekend. I didn’t really have any reason to go home other than to see family and friends. I mean I was old enough to do my own laundry and cook for myself, so those weren’t relevant to me as they might be to my classmates at school.
This weekend was really different from other weekends though because an old friend had been diagnosed with lung cancer and was given no hope of a cure. I guess deep down inside, I knew I was going home to see him.
Neal was one of the local crowd when I was growing up in Clarksdale. Like me and so many others, he was part of the Anderson Park Crowd, so called because whenever we got the chance we took off for Anderson Park where we hung out.
We all went through most of the phases of growing up during that time period. We played baseball in the leagues; we even learned to smoke those nasty cigarettes that gave Neal his death warrant. We learned about girls from each other because our parents couldn’t possibly know anything (Remember, this was in the 60’s.). We learned to drink, skip school, all the stupid things that we did, we learned together.
Yet despite doing all these things together, Neal and I were never really close. I mean, if one of us needed help, the other was on his way before the words were uttered well. Yet, still we were not as close as you might think. I guess we were both just too independent for that.
When I got home, I told my mother that I was going over to check on Neal. Something inside just told me to do it now. When I arrived at his house, the usual gang was there driving his poor wife Michelle nuts. But to tell the truth she loved the attention. It took her mind off the tragedy awaiting her.
Neal’s face seemed to light up a little when I walked in which really surprised me. But I really didn’t think anymore of it. We had a good visit talking trash and remembering the memories with the other guys that were there that day. When I told him that I was going to leave for now, he motioned me to wait. He then demanded, in that Neal way, that everybody had to go outside because he needed to talk to me in private.
When everyone had stepped out of earshot, Neal looked up at me from his rented hospital bed (i.e., he was on hospice before there was hospice.) and said something that I never expected.
In a voice half-begging, Neal asked me to promise to do one thing for him after he died.
I responded that he did not have to ask for anything. All he had to do is tell me and it would be taken care of, no matter what.
Neal admonished me as if I was making light of his request and said that this was something very important to him and that I was the only one that could do it.
I asked what it was and promised that I would do it if it was humanly possible.
Neal again told me how important this was to him. And then he said it, “Keith, you have to finish college. You have to graduate.”
To say you could have blown me over with a feather would be the biggest understatement in history. Why was he interested in my schooling? Regardless, I assured him that I had every intention of graduating.
“No,” he said, “You have to promise. It’s that important to me.”
I promised. I promised him that no matter what I would graduate from Mississippi State University. I then sat on his bed and asked him why this was so important for him that he ran everybody out into the yard.
He then said the words that will remain with me until I die, “Don’t you know? Don’t you know how important it is to all of us? You are the only one to make Keith. You have a chance to finish college.”
I promised again and called everybody back inside. I told them that Neal had shared his secret Bass recipe with me and that none of them could have it. I turned and said goodbye again to Neal and then went home.
Two weeks later, I got the call and ran home. Neal had died on Friday May 13, 1988. The funeral was short and sad. And then life went on for most of us.
I had finished my Junior year and was looking with great relish at being a Senior. My mother never spoke of it to me because, as she told me later, she was so proud she was scared that she might jinx me. Although the folks around town told me a different story and said that she spoke of it often when I wasn’t around.
I t was a tough year because most of my courses were split level and I had become one of the “stars” of the Department. As such, I was expected to play on a different level from the “ordinary” students. Somehow, I managed to get in a lot of studying between going to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the District Café and soaking up those Saturday brunches of Eggs Benedict, hash browns and Bloody Marys! (I may have been older, but that didn’t mean I could not enjoy my “Senior Year.”) And somehow despite all those Bloody Marys, I was to graduate Cum Laude.
Finally, the day came. My mother, Aunt Hattie and my brother Scott had driven over to see me in my cap and gown. I was the first, the first to graduate from a four-year institution. Scott was the first to graduate from a Junior College and I was the second, both of us leaving our mark on Mississippi Delta Junior College in Moorhead, MS.
But today was mine to celebrate. As I sat there on the dais behind our commencement speaker, President George Bush, I could not tune into a single word he said. I was so happy and proud; it was all I could do to keep from crying. Believe that or not.
And then it struck me, my promise to Neal. I had accomplished it. But then the date struck me like a bolt of lightning.
For you see, I had kept my promise to Neal. As I sat there behind the President of the United States of America, I remembered the day’s date. It was Saturday May 13, 1989. One year to the day of Neal’s passing.
R.I.P. Neal.
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Thank you Celeste.
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Suspected arson cases in Clarksdale since January 1, 2011 (Please note that some addresses were started more than once.):
Jan. 7 - 306 Cherry
Feb. 3 – 130 Cherry
Feb. 5- 701 Paul Edwards
Feb. 6- 125 Douglas
Feb. 15- 304 7th
Mar. 4 - Yazoo
Mar. 14 - 523 Cherry
Mar. 17 – 235 Cherry
Mar. 18 – 811 Homeplace
Mar. 21 - 508 Garfield
April 18 – 811 Cherokee
April 22 – 508 Cherry
April 23 – 236 Sunflower
April 23 – 423 Grant
April 23 – 413 Grant
April 24 – 503 Cherry
May 7 – 811 Cherokee
May 7 – 820 Homeplace
May 10 – Georgia & Lyon
May 26 – 1318 Lyon
May 27 – 227 Florida
June 18 – 111 Spruce
June 18 - !00 Cherry (Dumpster fire)
June 19 – 815 Seminole
June 30 – 214 Madison
July 3 – 126 Washington
July 5 – 223 Monroe
July 6 – 507 Anderson
July 7 – 130 Jefferson
July 8 – 134 Madison
July 9 – 222 Monroe
July 10 – 330Adams
July 17 – 710 Walnut
July 18 – 222 Monroe
July 18 – 129 W. Second
July 19 – 507 Anderson
July 20 – 1215 Choctaw
July 23 - 306 Pecan
July 30 – Seminole
July 31 - 11th Street
Aug. 2 – 1510 Roosevelt
Aug. 5 – 501 Pecan
Aug. 5 – 193 Jackson
Aug. 6 – 1215 Choctaw
Aug. 10 - Cheyenne
Aug. 11 – 1204 Seminole
Aug. 12 - 236 Sunflower
Aug. 15 – 304 Catalpa
Aug. 15 – 304 Catalpa
Aug. 17 – 139 Monroe
Aug. 18 – 644 Sunflower
Aug. 20 – 187 W. Second
Aug. 22 – 139 Monroe
Aug. 24 – 503 School
Aug. 24 – 516 W. Second
Aug. 24 – 531 School
Aug. 26 – 527 School
Aug. 26 – 531 School
Aug. 28 – 517 Cherry
Sept. 7 – 310 W. Second
Sept. 8 – 332 Elm
Sept. 12 – 420 School
Sept. 13 – 420 School
Sept. 15 – 1413 Anderson
Interstices
Late evening
At the seashore
Hearing only the wind and
Wanting to hear what it can’t tell me
On this green grass
Yonder the sea meets the sky
A white line between them
Or am I seeing what’s not there.
At a distance in this scene
An animal sniffs the ground
Meandering, occasionally looking up
But always returning its gaze groundward
To continue its business.
Standing here looking at clouds of pink and white,
An ocean of perpetual movement,
And then the solid ground beneath me
Except for the rustling of dead leaves.
The animal stops, looks up from the ground
And I see hopeless tears flowing from its eyes
It’s lost but looking
And I’m just the same
Waiting for my longing to come back
In another form.
Harry Dougherty
A Drop of Rain
You know friendship is like a drop of rain
Both are natural in their origins
They are flexible just as the liquid
And they can take on many forms
And many things happen to them in time.
From this shelter inside my mind
And through the windows of my eyes
I saw the beautiful rain fall
And sadly I saw it evaporate.
Harry Dougherty
Celeste Zepponi: Painter of Angels
by
Keith Albrecht
On one of her websites, www.theartyparty.com , Celeste Zepponi states that art has followed her around all of her life. However, in person, she will tell you that her art is a gift from God and it is a gift that she does not take lightly.
To say she is a religious person would not do this petite, raven-haired woman any justice. She is just as passionate about her beliefs as she is about her “gifts.”
Celeste is a talent beyond the norm as she has progressed from an teacher in the public school system to private art tutor (e.g., The Arty Party), vocalist (i.e., she has recorded CD’s of God’s music) and artist of Angels. This story deals with her progression to painting portraits of Angels and a little about her music. If you want to know more about The Arty Parties, go to the website above or reserve a seat at a party in Clarksdale, Tunica or Helena, Arkansas. It looks like everyone has fun there, so don’t go unless you like to smile.
During a private art lesson a few years ago, she asked an 8 year-old, chubby cheeked dark haired, dark eyed little boy to teach her to paint like a child again. She did this because, “The scriptures say to be like a child before Jesus, and that is what I wanted in my painting. I wanted to paint free, like a child again.”
The little boy responded, “Just pretend you are 8 years old and paint what you like.”
That was when she started painting Angels. Imagining herself to be an 8 year-old again, she painted all kinds of Angels: round ones, tall ones, polka-dot ones, every shape and design she thought to paint became an Angel. “No one can tell me that Angels aren’t polka-dot because they haven’t seen all of them,” she said with a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her lips.
Why Angels? “Most all religions agree upon angels as God’s messengers. No religions argue that there are no Angels,” she says with a smile of absolute certainty. Her real reason is much more serious than that though because beyond her sureness of the existence of the Godly messengers, she says that she paints Angels because, “I like to use my talents to create a visual prayer and to remind us that they are among us.”
Soon after her start of painting the Angels, she began to hear music and songs she had never heard before as she painted. She could not read or write music so she decided to put the music on a tape recorder for her children.
Most people would let the music rest there, but not Celeste. It stayed in her mind until finally, one day, while speaking to a nun she mentioned her songs, and the nun asked her to sing some of the songs for her.
As it turns out, the nun was from Nashville, and when she returned there she contacted a music producer about Celeste’s music. The producer contacted Celeste and, to make a long story short, a recording took place shortly thereafter and the album “Inside the Rainbow” was created.. (Writer’s note: Celeste gave me a copy of two of her CD’s and I am playing one as I write this. While I am not an overtly religious person, I highly recommend this music for anyone. It’s not religious; it’s inspirational music that is peppy, bright, and upbeat. And, it has a message.) Her music is available from ITunes and Amazon.com.
Also during this time period, another door was opened for Celeste to speak to the hearts of others. She was asked to speak before a ladies auxiliary group. “I had no idea what to say because I had a horrible case of stage fright,” she admits. But she got up, and did it without a thought of her fears because she had come to the realization that, “The gifts that God gives to every person is as unique as that person. And, he will not allow any other person to use the same gifts that he gave to you. We, of course, have the free will to say yes or no, to use the gifts or not.” To put it into simpler terms, no two writers write exactly alike. The same can be said of any talent or art form, especially painting. Do it or not, God gave you the talent, it is up to you to use it. This is what she spoke of to the Ladies Auxiliary that day.
That first “talk” has grown into yet another aspect of her testimony in her belief of God. Since that day, she has spoken to crowds from Wisconsin to Florida. In fact, Florida is where she will speak next month at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Spring Hill.
Her “talks” are all different and sometimes they include her art. For example, at one “talk” she was filmed for a television show as she painted an Angel on stage while singing her songs to the audience.
And so it was that her paintings of Angels took a turn from sketches on tissue paper to paintings for particular thoughts and people. The majority of her Angels are now painted for specific people for a variety of reasons. The Angels range from Angels of sorrow to Angels of joy and are usually named after the person they are intended for because when people contact her to commission a painting, she stays in contact with them at least until the painting is done and delivered. She does this for inspiration in the painting, and she still maintains contact with some of the people for whom she has painted in the past.
The strange thing is that if you look at some of her Angels, you will see at least one that seems to be calling to you without words. Or, then again, maybe it is not the painting that is calling.
You can see some of her Angels, listen to snippets of her music, read her reflections on prayers, or visit her online store at her other website: www.celestezepponi.com.
So what does she do in her spare time you ask? This is her spare time. Her “fulltime” is made up of two sons, a daughter, 5 grandchildren and a husband that loves to deer hunt. Go Celeste!
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