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Fielder’s Choice
By Barry Burleson Promoting community I participated in a couple of community events last week. Thursday
night, at halftime of the Mississippi State versus Auburn football game
on TV, I drove back to town for the Hidden Treasures blues bash. It was my first opportunity to attend the weekly event, because of a typically busy Thursday night schedule. The other end of Center Street, opposite The South Reporter, was booming with a great crowd and excellent entertainment. I
first listened to the talents of Ralph Waller and Brown Sugar while
standing in front of Aikei Pro’s record shop and talking with owner
David Caldwell. His business is known internationally as an off-beat
destination for blues music fans. David told me
how much he appreciated the newspaper’s coverage of the bike rally and
blues bash. He said he’s had lots of people come by, even from out of
town, who said they had seen it in The South Reporter. This
event, coordinated by the new Holly Springs Main Street Association,
promotes downtown and boosts North Center Street, the historic district
for blues in our city. The weekly Hidden
Treasures bike rally and blues activities are scheduled to wrap up for
the season on the next two Thursday nights, September 23 and 30. There
have been no reports of any problems – only good times. The area is
policed well by law enforcement and by program committee members who
report any concerns to officers. I know it was
all enjoyable for me last Thursday. I stayed so long that I almost
missed the end of the football game and you all know how much I love
sports. Applause should go to all those who have
had a hand in bringing Hidden Treasures to North Center Street in
August and September. If you haven’t attended but you’re thinking about it, go ahead. Check it out. You might just “catch the blues” and start dancing in the street. Saturday,
along with other Holly Springs Rotary Club members, I helped with
parking at the 11th annual Hummingbird Migration Celebration. This big
event’s popularity continues to amaze me. Somehow,
after a late Friday night football game, I managed to make it to
Strawberry Plains Audubon Center by 7:30 a.m., just as director and
fellow Rotarian Bubba Hubbard requested. My
assignment changed a bit. He called my job “traffic control” at the
fork in the gravel road going to parking and on up the hill to the wide
array of activities – from hummingbirds to snakes to bats to turtles
and much more. Once again, I had a blast. Largely because I got to meet a lot of out-of-town guests. I
greeted those who chose to park and walk and those who drove in via
vans or buses. I recall vans from Vicksburg, Pontotoc and Winona. Plus,
I chatted with folks from places like Mantachie, Philadelphia (Miss.)
and Memphis, Tenn. As many were leaving, I would say, “Thanks for coming.” And all had favorable comments. One said, “We will be back. We come every year.” A small child was constantly talking to his mom about seeing those hummingbirds up close. He was thrilled. Thanks go to Hubbard, his staff and the many volunteers. This festival and Audubon are tremendous assets for our community.
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