Smoke Signals and other news
The public is invited to attend “Meet the Candidates” Thursday, Feb. 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Old School Commons auditorium (former Byhalia High School) located at 161 Highway 309 South, next to Byhalia Town Hall. The mayoral candidates will have time to speak and answer questions. Alex McClarty will emcee.
The Special Election will be held on February 20 at the Byhalia Town Hall. For information on absentee voting, call 662-838-2135. The voter registration deadline was January 19. Certified Mayoral candidates are Daylon Cannon and Donald Hollingsworth.
What have I done? I was recently asked to run the ball programs for Byhalia through October this year. My first thought was I was not able to do this anymore. After some prayerful consideration, I have decided to take on this challenge so that the kids have the opportunity to play ball. I will basically be doing the paperwork, registration, team organization, soliciting coaches and sponsors, and procuring uniforms and equipment. Byhalia Fire Department will offer concessions, and someone else will prepare the fields. It’s still a lot to do. I know what must be done and wish the program had gotten off the ground earlier, but I will do all I can to make this happen.
If anyone would like to register their child to play, go to Byhalia-MS.com, click on enter, then click on the ball pictures, complete the form, and submit the application. Fees must be paid at Byhalia Town Hall. If anyone is interested in coaching or being a sponsor, please contact me through Facebook messenger at Clair Wagg or by phone at 901-246-8843.
Byhalia’s wonderful Ruth B. French Library has many activities for children and adults. February 14 and 28, the library will feature a Family Bingo Hour from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. The library is also selling paperback books for 25 cents and hardback for 50 cents while supplies last. Some authors are Danielle Steele, Stuart Woods, and James Patterson.
This Spring, two broods of cicadas — one that lives on a 13-year-cycle and one that lives on a 17-year-cycle — emerge simultaneously from underground in a rare, synchronized event that last occurred in 1803. Billions of winged insects will make an appearance across the Midwest and the Southeast, beginning in some places in late April, for a mating ritual that tends to inspire fascination and annoyance. This year’s dual emergence is a once-in-a-lifetime event, with the next sync happening in 221 years. I did see one in August of last year. His calendar must have been off a bit, or maybe he was just scouting. Just know the air will be very busy with these creatures. You will find holes in your yard where they emerged, and hopefully, they won’t eat too many crops.
This week, I received a lovely letter from a reader in California who found one of my articles that included her family’s history from Byhalia. She included her email address so I could quickly let her know the source of my information and tell her how to purchase her copy of the book through the Byhalia Area Chamber of Commerce. Stop by the Chamber for your copy today.
As spring approaches, I want to remind you to leave areas of blooming clover when you cut your lawn. This clover is the first food of the Spring for many bees. Future articles should include facts about the importance of the bee populations.
Please share your news with me at jchwagg@gmail.com or by text or call 901 246-8843. Please do not message me on Facebook.