Smoke Signals and other news
Byhalia Area Chamber Mainstreet is hosting the Farmer’s Market the first four Thursday nights in August at the old school commons. It is always a great event with produce, other goods, food vendors, and live entertainment. Come meet your neighbors at this family fun event.
It was off to rehab on Monday. While my husband, Doug, is being taken care of, there has been little progress on the rehab portion. I have been able to visit every day. While I don’t get much else done, he is happy when I am there. As I walk those long halls to his room, it is obvious that many residents never have visitors. It is sad that when a resident has given so much for years, then there is no one there for them. I am sure each resident has a story that could bless someone.
This heat is non-relenting. It was relatively cool on Friday when I got home from visiting Doug. I got out of the truck and onto the lawn mower to cut a large portion of the grass before dark, and before I knew it, I was about to run out of gas. While the grass wasn’t as tall as I had seen it, it was so thick, causing the mower to struggle to get through it. The gas cans are now in the truck, ready for the next opportunity to be filled. Hopefully, I will catch another afternoon that isn’t so hot to finish the chore.
Most of the kids have made their way back to school. I have one grandson, Allan, a senior at Mississippi State, while his sister, Mary Claire, is a senior in high school. Their mom, Emily, is quite busy now. Soon she will be that empty nester wondering what to do with her time. Other grandchildren are spread in grades third grade and up. Days can be long, but the years are short. Enjoy every stage. Our daughter, Ellen, has been in town for a few days for business. Eight-year-old Olivia could not understand why she could not come to (school) and told her mom “to bring her Grammie back to her.”
On the third Monday night of each month, the Byhalia Area Arts Council will host ‘Song Share’ at Old School Commons auditorium at 164 Highway 309, Byhalia. Come out to sing or play your music or listen to some of the most talented musicians in the area.
As you drive around Byhalia, take notice of all the cleaned-up and renovated places. Buildings are being restored, new parking places painted, and areas paved that were not before. Is there more to do? Absolutely, but progress is being made. There are deteriorating sidewalks that I walked on as a child (and that was long ago). Some houses need to be condemned. Progress takes time and money. There is a process to follow and grants to be obtained. I encourage you to attend Byhalia Town Board meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. Many things discussed months ago are being complained about by residents at the most recent meeting, which can be too late to do anything about the complaints now.
Sadly, our wonderful Carriage House Coffee has closed along with Subs Etc.
These two businesses will be missed for their excellent products and friendly service. It is a loss to the community and those employees who depended on that job to provide for their families. Remember to shop locally whenever possible.
BYHALIA HISTORY – During the first stages of the War, Byhalia was one of many recruiting centers throughout the state, as well as a drilling ground for training eager enlistees. After the city of Memphis fell to Union occupation on June 6, 1862, the Confederate forces retreated across the Tallahatchie River. What had been viewed in 1856 as a bad stroke of luck became a fortunate factor in the first few years of the War. The primary routes for Union forces from Memphis into Mississippi were either through Hernando or along the Memphis-Charleston Railroad to LaGrange and the Mississippi Central to Holly Springs/Oxford. Historians say that Holly Springs experienced sixty raids. Byhalia was also frequently raided. Being strategically located on a crossroads site, residents witnessed firsthand the hardships of the War.
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.