Smoke Signals and other news
The first rounds of the county elections are complete, with only a few races to be decided in runoffs. Thank you to the candidates who made the effort to run for office, and congratulations to those who won the nomination for their party. Good luck to those candidates in the runoff Tuesday, Aug. 29, or to those who will be facing an opponent in the general election on November 7. Thank you to those who are no longer in the race and who have made the effort to pick up their campaign signs. While the signs have become a necessary part of every campaign, they are unsightly after the campaign is over.
If you, your child, or your family are looking for something to do as volunteers, talk to a staff member at a local nursing home. Some residents at the nursing home never have a visitor, have no one to help feed them, or no one to just talk to. If you are interested, you may want to do this once or twice or you will find a passion for this type of service to our aging or disabled population. Some of the residents are there for the remainder of their life while others are only short term to regain strength and mobility. While visiting my husband, Doug, at the nursing home, a physical therapist told me how glad he was to see me there daily to visit and to encourage my husband. The therapist said visitors were a rare occurrence. I’ve only missed one day due to a knee injury, and I made sure someone went to visit Doug. His progress is indeed very slow as he was bedridden when he was admitted but progress is being made.
The Byhalia Market Festival had to be canceled Thursday night for the first time I remember in its history. The grounds were truly saturated from the recent rains, and it was determined the heavy trucks and other equipment would be too much for the surface to handle. Everyone is invited to come out and join the Byhalia Area Chamber of Commerce Mainstreet for the remaining two Thursday nights from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. On the grounds of the Old School Commons for the remaining Market Festivals.
Local artist Anthony Moore has completed the murals on the well house on Brunswick Street. Each side now boasts a lovely picture that features the old water tower that once graced downtown Byhalia. Great job, Anthony. After creating a portrait for actor Morgan Freeman in 2001, Moore decided to take his art to the next level. Themes that have been explored by Moore include retro musician portraits, Paris and American-influenced Black Art, and commissioned works for clients. He has produced commissioned realistic portraits for over 20 years and continues to create unique works of art. Moore is a visual art teacher at Memphis-Shelby County Schools and has been for over 13 years. He currently lives in Byhalia.
My grandson, twelve-year-old Landon Gehrke, spent much of the summer conditioning to play football for his school this fall. Landon’s efforts to work out every day (sometimes twice a day) and healthy diet was rewarded by making the middle school team and as a backup player for the varsity team. Football is his sport of choice. He was ecstatic. On the last play of his scrimmage game for junior high, he heard and felt a snap in his right wrist. He said nothing to anyone as he was afraid it would jeopardize his playing. However, as he came off the field Mom saw his face and knew something was not right. He didn’t want an x-ray since a broken bone would not enhance his football career. Mom insisted and he has fractured the growth plate. The good news is he only has to miss a week therefore not actually missing a game and it should be healed in three weeks.
Let’s look back at our local history. Holly Springs was a vital point in Grant’s supply route for his march southward to Vicksburg in the winter of 1862-63. General Grant was quite apprehensive about raids from the brilliant Confederate cavalryman Nathan Bedford Forrest, which could cause the retreat of his march or possibly surrender. General Van Dorn with his Confederate cavalry of 3,500 men, but, not Forrest, attacked Holly Springs from the direction of New Albany on December 20, 1862. One thousand and five hundred Union soldiers were captured and paroled on the spot. Mrs. Grant barely missed being one of the captives, having left the day before to join her husband in Oxford. Over one million dollars of Federal munitions and supplies were taken or destroyed. General Van Dorn was killed less than five months later by a jealous husband on May 5, 1863, in Spring Hill Tennessee.
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.