Smoke Signals and other news

A couple of weeks ago, the truck that belonged to my dad was totaled. Injuries were involved, and I am glad everyone should recover nicely. On the other hand, the truck (still “smells like my dad” on a warm day) did not do so well. When I saw it, I knew there was little chance the insurance company would want to repair it; however, my heart was not ready to let go of a “material item” that my dad was so proud of. I repurchased it from the insurance company and hoped to restore it to a drivable condition. The funny thing is I totaled it over 12 years ago. Through a miscommunication, on the day the insurance company called to say it was a total loss, somehow earlier they had authorized the repairs and I was at the repair shop picking it up.

A new splash pad is being built at the Walking Track in Byhalia for kids and adults. The plan is to have it completed near the end of summer.

More rain means canceling and rescheduling ball games, making plans for cutting the grass sooner than I thought, and knowing the arthritis pain will be more intense for those who suffer from it.

On Thursday this week, I was asked to attend the first-ever “Annual Clay Pigeon Shooting Event” hosted by the Byhalia Lion’s Club, where I made pictures for The South Reporter to be published soon. I was treated to lunch, visited with many people I had not seen in quite some time, and was taken on a scenic tour along the event route. I had heard many good things about Mallard’s Croft and it did not disappoint. The rustic setting for the sports portion of the venue was perfect. Much time and money have been invested in the venue, and Tom Green was a gracious host.

Byhalia Public Works Department, mayor Debby Weathers and Laura Taylor, executive director of the Byhalia Area Chamber Main Street, planted approximately 50 flowers and plants downtown, to help brighten the area.

The third annual Eats and Art Festival, hosted by the Byhalia Area Arts Council, was well attended and enjoyed by many on Saturday, and an overcast day kept the temps cooler, at least for a while. Hopefully, it will become an annual event.

The brand-new Byhalia 178 (Marathon) will hold a ribbon cutting on Friday, May 19, at 10 a.m. Welcome to Byhalia.

Please share your news with me at jchwagg@gmail.com or text or call 901 246-8843. You can message me on Facebook as Clair Wagg.