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TUTWILER NEWS

News from Tutwiler
by Janie Bruister

    Animal lover Billy Halfacre of Webb tells me about a wonderful program the Oxford-LaFayette County Humane Society has going. It's the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program. They will spay and neuter cats for $25.00, regular size dogs for $35.00 and vacination shots for $5.00 each. You will need to make an appointment. The number is 877-7MSPAY. For those who can't afford that, further assistance is available. Just talk to them about it. Billy is one of those caring people who goes out of his way to help neglected and stray animals, finding homes for them or taking them in himself. He is very much like Carroll's sister Betty who lives in Shreveport. She makes a daily run regularly to feed some homeless cats, some of them she had neutered or spayed at her expense. She is a cat lover, especially, and she and husband Paul have quite a few of their own but she cannot bear to see those she's aware of go without food, etc.
    Of course, the homeless population would be less if more people had their pets neutered or spayed. This program in Oxford sounds like a good preventative one and I hope more people will take advantage of it and help Billy help the animals, at least in our part of the world.
    On our way home from Starkville a few weeks ago, we stopped for gas (where the price was good...finding a good price on gas always makes Carroll happy). In the station was a poster announcing "The Siege of Fort Pemberton Re-enactment" to be held March 16-18 at Florewood Plantation. He remembered it when the time came and we went on Saturday. Discovered Larry and Annette McCluney of Webb participating in the event. Larry is QMSgt. of Company C, CSMC. Although a cold day, it was very enjoyable as hundreds more who were in attendance over the weekend would testify. We ran into Bettye Sue Coleman with all her grandchildren who were having a fun day. They were selling ice cream in the candle-making shop and we couldn't resist. As we were walking around licking our ice cream cones, I overheard a young mother tell her children it was "too cold to eat ice cream". Well, I say it NEVER gets too cold to eat ice cream! I remember as a child standing on the hearth (as close to the fire as I could get) eating snow cream...freezing on one side, burning on the other but enjoyment in between.
    In my last article, I made two boo-boos. One of commission and one of omission. The one of omission was that when the Sumner Rotary Club paid tribute to present and former Civic Club Members for their diligence, I failed to mention they also recognized Marguerite Webb for her talent and serving as pianist for their meetings these past many, many years. The other was saying that cousins T.A. Jennings and Elizabeth Jennings had been voted Mr. and Miss Lee Academy. They were elected Most Handsome and Most Beautiful. They did receive other awards which were right on.
    Winners in St. Georges' Science Fair were Rustin Sossaman, 1st; Hollie Pearson, 2nd place and Erin Pharis, 3rd place in their respective divisions. This entitled them to compete in the State competition at Ole Miss on Tuesday the 25th. Congratulations to them as well as to Chad Swindoll for winning the county-wide Spelling Bee and representing Coahoma County and St. Georges at the Mid-South Spelling Bee in Memphis, sponsored by the Commercial Appeal.
    Dusty, Gina, Holly, Jesse and Joseph Pearson enjoyed the Nascar Races in Atlanta during Spring Break. They went from there to Sumpter, S.C. to visit friends. This past weekend they attended the World View Weekend Conference sponsered by American Family Rads with Dr. Michael Youself in Jackson, combining that with visiting relatives.
    The Jennings: Phil, Terri, John William, Phillip and Ashley, along with the children's grandmothers Barbara Jennings and Anne Standridge enjoyed all the sights in New Orleans during their spring break. Lee Bailey of Cleveland was guest of Jay Vance recently and attended church with him and his family, mother Luanne Vance, sister Laura and grandmother Barbara Jennings.
    Dr. Bruce Ousley and wife Dr. Camille Ousley and children of Houston, Texas visited Tutwiler during their spring break, showing the children where their daddy played and grew up. They visited briefly with Charles and Jean Thomas. Fayette and Freddie Junkin of Witchita, Kansas visited her Bruister relatives last week. They stayed at Donaldson Point and Freddie got in some fishing which he's missed since being on the sick list for some time. Anne Barnes went back and forth daily last week to Belzoni to be with her twin grandsons James and Joel Bellipani while their parents were attending a Banking Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona. She would work all day here and spend the nights there, getting the boys off to school and then coming back to work each day. Apparently someone observed her not being home and broke into her house, stealing several items.
    Nelson and Jimmie Browning have returned home after staying longer at daughter Rebecca's in Memphis, due to Jimmie having a bout with pneumonia. She is much better now. Aubrey Seymore, Jr. is home and improving after spending several days in the Medical Center in Clarksdale. Mrs. J.K. Pearson is a patient in the Clarksdale Medical Center at the present time.
    We've had three deaths this past week in the Tutrovansum Community. Wilma Benson Dyess of Tutwiler died on March 20th. Wilma loved children and enjoyed their wit and intelligence. She taught many til she retired. Among those attendng her services were Sally Dyess Bougeois of Lawrenceville, Georgia. Sally grew up in Tutwiler and was Wilma's stepdaughter. She got to visit with lifelong friend Rev. Doug Kellum. Doug, with Joe and Peggy Kellum, went to Belzoni after the funeral to attend the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of their cousins, Wilma and Slick Thomas. Doug Breland of Grenada was also among the out-of-towners at the funeral.
    Fred Lane of Sumner, brother of Johnie Lane and Agnes Martindale, died on the 26th after a short illness. He was a retired plumber and, with his wife Essie, grew beautiful flowers, especially roses which they generously shared with friends.
    Mrs. Lorene Clark Williams of Webb died on March 27th. She was devoted to her husband of many years who preceded her in death and to her children and her large group of siblings.
    That's about it, again, from Tutwiler where on Tuesday the 20th Harold House of Natchez stopped by the Baptist Church where the TNT Meeting was breaking up and visited. Harold grew up at Vance and was on his way to Marks to visit his 90+ year old mother. He is retired now and plays in a band for fun when he and his wife aren't traveling.

News from Tutwiler
by JANIE BRUISTER

    So much in nature seems to be testifying to the Easter Story. Perhaps that's why it all happened this time of year. The flowers blooming; the trees buding; new grass growing; that refreshing feeling we get just hearing the birds twittering. All of these bear witness to the old rugged cross and the new life we can have in Christ. Even the bright, colorful clothes we see on Easter Sunday make a statement about renewal. What a wonderful thing it is to know what the Lord has provided for us who believe and is available to everyone. The very thought overwhelms me and I'm so grateful.
    Holidays and Holy days can often be reminders of our blessings. I feel I've been blessed beyond belief. My prayer is that you too, as you read this, will feel the same way.
    Many in our Tutrovansum Community are experiencing trying times through illness, such as Tonya Marley of Sumner who has been transferred from Methodist Central in Memphis to the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock. Little Rock's U of A Medical Center has one of the two best Cancer Treatment Centers in the country. The other one being in Seattle, Washington. Her family is with her in Little Rock as the specilists there are evaluating her condition and determining the best avenue of treatment. We have her on our personal prayer list as well as on our church's and ask that you do the same. Tonya is a vivacious, energetic, happy type person and this dagnosis has stunned us all.
   Add Billy and Clarice Nail to your list also. Both of them are having problems at the same time. Billy had heart valve replacement surgery about two weeks ago in Oxford. He is understandably weak but hoping to regain his strength soon. Last week, his wife Clarice had a stroke and is in the Clarksdale Medical Center undergoing rehab treatments. Their sons Allen and Glenn and their families are here caring for them. Elsie Hanks of Webb spent several days in the Clarksdale Medical Center but we're happy to report she's home and doing better. Mrs. Naida Pearson is also home (Tutwiler) from the hospital and has had her daughter Patricia visiting from California this past week.
   Emma Flautt Crisler of Port Gibson was in town recently taking care of some business and dropping in on some friends like Sam and Jerry Orman and Adelaide Steele. It was interesting to me to learn that her daughter teaches at Rhodes College in Memphis and her specialty is French. Emma is Editor of the Port Gibson paper, a position she assumed after the death of her editor husband a few years ago.
    Nena Jennings Smith also visited her home town on Tuesday. She had supper at Anne Barnes spent the night a Barbara Jennings and on to "Unk" Tom's on Wednesday. She joined her mother, Margie Cox, in Clarksdale and they continued on to Memphis to visit relatives. Nena's son Clay is Assistant Coach at Ms. Southern and they attended a ballgame while there. She will be back in Tutwiler on Sunday, attending church and enjoying friends and relatives.
    We welcome Richard (Rich) Wall to town. He has moved into the house which Terry and Jamie Clark just vacated. Terry and Jamie and infant daughter moved to Gunnison where he is employed. We wish them well.
    Further downsizing is being evidenced in the closing of the Sumner office of Farm Bureau Insurance. Wanda House says, "I'll be commuting to Charleston."
    Jimbo and Barbara Dunavent are having their annual family and friends gathering Saturday until...for a food feast and music fest. Last year the weather was a downer...this year it's conditional...that means it's a go if the weather cooperates
    The number for the Oxford Spay-Neuter Assistance Program in my last column should have had another S in it...it should be 877-7MS-SPAY or 877-767-7729. Remember this is available, at a minimal cost, when you see animals in need. Just call for an appointment.
    Our Tutwiler Clinic has two new staff members. They are Evelyn Morehouse, Nurse Practioner and Emily Gordon, RN. Both are from Clarksdale. We welcome them as they assist Dr. Anne Brooks and all the other caregivers at the clinic serve our community. The Tutwiler Educational Community Center reports having raised $582,000 with only $150,000 to go on the Gym Project. It's more a reality than ever and ground breaking will be announced soon.
    That's about it again from Tutwiler where clean-up emphasis continues throughout April. So, if you still have areas to clean, old tall grass (like by the old Funeral Home building) to cut, then get to it! Let's get it clean and keep it clean!

News from Tutwiler
by JANIE BRUISTER

    You just never know what you'll get in the mail! Mostly, it's catalogs and all the other ways one can think of to sell something. I still write personal letters, though not as often as I'd like to or should, and enjoy getting them. There was a letter this week addressed to me. Although the address was typewritten, there was a handwritten personal note inside that sounded like I should know who it was from but, since it was unsigned, it left me guessing. It included a full page newspaper write up on a product designed to help one lose weight in so many good ways, all sounding just right...no hunger, no pain. Perhaps, I thought, a well-meaning friend might be trying to tell me something but then, I thought, they're several years late in doing that. Then, it makes you want to get a might huffy, since about everybody you know could stand to lose a few themselves. And I realized then that that's the key to this type advertising. They'll hit the target more times than not and they don't worry about the rest. The personal note is good psychology, showing the importance of caring and contact. Too bad it has to be a money making scheme to remind us of what we already know and should do. The only thing that eased my feelings a bit was that it was postmarked Santa Ana, California and we don't know anybody there.
    A lovely bridal shower held in the Fellowship Hall of Sumner Baptist Church Saturday the 21st complimented Miss Tiffany Olivi, bride-elect of Wylie Jenkins. Hostesses were Mrs. Ray Hausner, Mrs. Robert Bishop, Mrs. Joe Billy Pryor, Mrs. Billy Joe Williams and Mrs. Thomas McCullough. There were many in attendance honoring this popular bride-to-be. Wylie is the son of Zack and Edna Jenkins of Sumner.
    Our people are on the road...some coming, some going. Anne Starr has come "home" for the summer and we welcome her. Daysidel Bruister-Berryhill and daughter Delanne Billingsly of Como have just reurned from a delightful trip in the Carolinas. With gas prices so wild, some trips may get canceled or just go now before it goes up again. It's $2.00 and over in New York with California having even higher prices. And, as the newscasters say, "It may get worse".
    Ada Frances Guest and son Derwin of Sumner were joined by Ada's daughter Trisha Webber of Brookhaven, spending the Easter holidays with grandaghter Misty Webber in Nashville. They enjoyed the Grand Ole Opry and also attended a non-denominational church there that is led by a former pastor from Belview in Memphis. We have seen new churches in our travels that are nondenominational, which is a new idea today.
Truman Scarbrough, Director of Baptist Central Association, gave a most interesting review of the book Kim Wednesday at Tutwiler Library's Sandwich With Books. The book is by Hugh Stevens with Kim Wickes. Kim is a blind Korean with adoptive American parents George and Eva Wickes who believe her blindness is a gift from God. Her motto is "I will make darkness light" and, as you read this book, you'll see how she is using God's gift to do just that.
    Several years ago when I first began writing this column, I said we'd be reminiscing as well as talking about the happenings of the day. Of course, we'd always rather have good news but often times it's not. Such is the case with Edith (Futhey) and Eddie Blanchard's four year old grandchild Amanda. Edith grew up in Tutwiler and married the brother of Sumner resident Janis Bryant. They have lived in Las Vegas for years. Little Amanda had Cystic Fibrosis and the year 2000 was good for her with much less hospital time and just better in every way. But 2001 has been the opposite and the little thing died last week. I understand she was such a bright, vivacious litle girl and know they're going to miss her.
    We were sorry to learn of Jerry Commander's death on the 14th. He was married to Freddie Stovall also of Tutwiler but they were living in Biloxi. His mother Thelma Lindsey lives in Clarksdale. Sympathy also goes to the family of Jesse Berry of Webb who died April 19th. Besides his wife Dot, he leaves 3 daughters, Barbara, Wenny and Marsha and several grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He was 84.
    That's about it again from Tutwiler where a Town Meeting was held Wednesday night at the Community Educational Center where candidates for elective office came and proclaimed their aims and goals for each office being sought. They all agreed that for good things to happen it would take all the people working together to achieve anything. Howard Hollins, WTHS Superintendant was Mediator and Bonnie Borkowskie read the Mississippi Code for Mayor and Board of Alderman members, which should be their guide. It was a constructive meeting and well represented from all areas...a positive action with beneficial results hopefully.

JANIE BRUISTER
News from Tutwiler

    Families will be getting together Sunday for Mother's Day and Mother will be doing what she's done for years...cooking. Only it will probably be for an even bigger crowd since some, especially mothers in my age group, have married children with children of their own requiring the pot to be even bigger.
    My own mother died 43 years ago at the tender age of 52. She died suddenly right in the middle of doing what she did everyday. It was such a shock that even now when I hear of someone dying without any warning I expect to find their house blown from its foundation--literally. Of course, it's not and somehow we finally accept the loss and move on.
    My loss caused me to appreciate others more and it was at that time I made my first list of some 60 Mothers whom I probably considered old (then), since I was only 23 myself. Each year I've done some type of remembrance to them and, as they began to die, I'd add to the list. Now I'm adding young Mothers since the older list has now gotten to be my contemporaries. There are still 4 living from my original list, made over forty years ago. I didn't get "happies" out to them this year, which is only the second time I've failed to do so in all those years. I hope they're all reading this column today and know that our famiy will be thinking of them and wishing them a wonderful Mother's Day. Of course, we wish all Mothers a wonderful day and congratulate you on the second best achievement you can attain. The first is being a wife...the older I get, the more I realize it's as important to be the right person as it is to find the right person.
    The First Sunday Lion's Club Buffet last Sunday allowed a lot of moms a day off. The food was delicious as always and community spirit and fellowship was evident everywhere.
    National Day of Prayer, coordinated by Savannah Kellum, was observed on the 3rd where a group gathered at City Hall at noon for prayer for the world and it's concerns.
    Ben Kennedy, Director of Camp Lakeside, filled the pulpit for both services at Tutwiler Baptist Sunday in the absence of pastor J.B. Hays, Jr. who, along with his family, were on vacation. Many of the church members were away for various reasons. Leona and Johnie Lane and Agnes Martindale were at their sister's home, Annie Tierce of Stewart, for the annual Lane Family gathering. The Youth of the church and community were in Jackson for the State Track Meet, where Jonathan Clark and Chance Smith helped Lee Academy place 4th. Daysidel Bruister had her son James, wife Marilyn and Marilyn's mother of Tylertown for a brief visit on Sunday. Mable and Hayward Callicutt had her niece Mary Claire Foreman and friend Linda Carnes of Garland, Texas to visit over the weekend. Derrick Cowan of Crenshaw accompanied Meady Williams and Martha Pryor to Jackson to visit LeFrance Jernberg in the Baptist Hospital. LeFrance "misses Sumner and her friends".
    Earline Burton and sister Opal Graves of Meadville joined the Webb Tour Group (also of Meadville) for San Antonio and the Battle of the Flowers celebration. While there, they were able to connect with some nieces and nephews for a family get-together.
    Congratulations to Christian Hart Preus, son of Otto Preus of Clarksdale and Anne Hart Preus of Webb and grandson of Choctaw and Dink Morrow, for being awarded the State Garden Club Scholarship in Landscaring and Design. He will begin his Senior year this fall after two weeks in Colorado and an Internship in Atlanta this summer. Christian has recieved several honors including Motor Board, and we salute him on his well earned achievements.
    Former Tutwiler Methodist Minister Claude Johnson called the first part of the month and seemed in fine form. He reports doing well at present except for allergies (which people have outside the Delta--believe it or not). He plans to attend Methodist Conference in Tupelo in June and a trip to Virginia during the summer.
    L.W. Kimzey is home from the hospital and is improving daily. His grandaughter and great grandaughter, Stephanie and Sydney Shelby of Nashville, are with him. Anne Tubbs is home from the Oxford Hospital after having knee surgery and is recovering nicely. Adelaide Steele is also home after a day or so in the Clarksdale Hospital. I know she carries the strains of the beautiful organ at Sumner's Presbyterian Church with her wherever she goes, especially since she was instrumental in it's acquisition. Sunday afternoon Dr. Jeff McLelland, director of music and fine arts at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, presented an organ concert in Sumner which was enjoyed by many.
    Sympathy goes to James and Annette Brand in the death of his brother-in-law Curtis Hardy of Tippo; to Anne and Maria Pullen in the death of Anne's sister Josephine Rizzo McCallister of Cleveland; to Ray and Jessie Mac Powell in the death of their daughter Carol and to the Fedric's in the death of Ed Fedric, who lived at Webb and Vance before moving to Clarksdale after his retirement. A most memorable part of his funeral service was his grandaughter Felicia Gay singing "Look For Me".
    That's it from Tutwiler where our mailbox fell prey to wide farm equipment we assume...they didn't leave a calling card but it happens to us and our neighbors when farming starts every spring.

JANIE BRUISTER
News from Tutwiler

    Celebration time is here! For most seniors it's a sad time of joy. Joy over finally graduating but sadness about parting with lifelong friends and classmates.
   Tutrovansum area graduates that I'm aware of are Robert Whitten, Greg Lee, Taylor Joubert, Ciji Melton and Kathryn Smith from Strider Academy; Melinda Rose Brett, Matthew Fortner, Elizabeth Jennings, T.A. Jennings and Stephanie Smith of Lee Academy; Sylvester Thornton, Jr. and Nichelle Webb of West Tallahatchie; Megan Burton and Dane Burton of North Sunflower Academy. Every one of these students excelled in some capacity and graduated with honors. We congratulate them and extend wishes for life to continue to be kind to them as they pursue their dreams and goals.
    Some are completing college, such as Lynn Hudson with a bachelor of business degree in marketing and George Beeler with a bachelor of business in insurance and real estate, both from Delta State University and Dominique Byrd of Tutwiler, graduating from the University of Mississippi Medical center in Jackson in Dental Hygiene.
    Of course celebrations are happening and on Saturday the 12th Phil and Terri Jennings hosted an outdoor extravaganza at their home, honoring seniors Eizabeth Jennings, T.A. Jennings, Melinda Brett, Stephanie Smith and Matthew Fortner. Co-hosts were Meg and Jeff Clark, Debbie and Chip Jennings, Brian Smith, Yvonne Smith, Barbara Jennings,Becky and Kenny Brett, Patsy and Jim Hamilton and Mike Grimsley. Catfish, crawfish and all the trimmings were enjoyed along with a boatload (actually) of softdrinks. Jay and Trae Vance deejayed for the more than two hundred who enjoyed dancing, eating and having a wonderful time.
    Congratulations to Natalie Ellington of Webb and her teammates who are 2001 State Champions in track representing Strider Academy. Kudos go to Britney Barnard of Lee Academy for being most improved in track and cheerleading.
    Winning and excelling is not limited to students in our area. Tutwiler artist Cristen Barnard won the Art for Heart juried competition cosponsored by the Greenville Arts Council and the Heart Fund. Cristen has also painted 4 to 6 panel murals in Leland, Helena and Tutwiler.
    Anne Barnes joined her children, Joy and Jake Bellipanni and their twin sons Joel and James of Belzoni this past week for several days on the Gulf Coast, where Jake attended a Banking convention. They could have or would have had more fun had the stomach bug stayed away. Anne returned early Monday morning to find her home had been buglarized...again! This time maybe the burglar is behind bars. A group of concerned citizens chased a burglar caught inside the Tommy Pugh home as his wife Leighanne came in from work. Of course, when confronted, he ran but was caught and is believed to be the one who burgled both homes.
    Kimble and Kay Tanner are celebrating the arrival of their first grandchild. Little Ansley Kay Fava was born on May 8th to their daughter Kimberly and husband Russell. Congratulations to them and great grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Johnson.
    We missed the beautiful wedding of Tiffany Olivi and Wiley Jenkins on Saturday the 18th because Carroll and I were in Red Bay, Alabama seeing our youngest grandaughter, Lauren Bruister, graduate. She graduated with honors and received three scholarships. Her older sister Shelley receives her Masters in Education in August and middle sister, Keryn Page, graduates from Ms. State at the same time. Her major is Journalism and she has just become the Lifestyles Editor for the Starkville Daily News. We are SOMEWHAT proud of all three!
    Lucy Turner, storyteller extarordinaire of Marks entertained the Baptist TNT Group at Tuesday's Luncheon Meeting. Her stories are sometimes funny, sometimes heartwarming and always entertaining. She pointed out that we all have "stories" and need to write them down or record them for posterity. Some family member, at some time, will get a yen to know things that only you can pass along, so her advice is to record them now. I think she's right.
    Then, on Wednesay, I took the Tutwiler Library's Lunch with Books crowd to the cotton fields of the Arkansas Delta, reviewing John Grisham's A Painted House.
    That's it, again, from Tutwiler where groundbreaking ceremonies for the Community Center's new gym were held on May 5. The completion date is for sometime in the fall. It'll be celebration time again!

JANIE BRUISTER
News from Tutwiler

    Rebel, perched on the marble top table by the door, watched the athritic legs of Jose as he ambled down the hallway this morning. His demeanor conveyed the message, "Ole boy, are you in trouble! The lady of the house is still mumbling about old dogs and their bad habits. She understands that compared to homo sapiens like herself you're an octagenarian but still thinks that's no excuse for departing from your normally good manners. My advice is to clean up your act so she won't have to."
    Part of Jose's problem could be due to the weather. It's rained every day this week at our house. Actually, it has rained for most of the past two weeks. No doubt about it, we needed a good rain. Everything's growing...weeds, grass, flowers, vegetables, cotton, corn...but, best of all are the tomatoes. Before the rains, the blooms were falling off and we had only one tomato. One tomato on six plants is not good. Now, we see many little ones with blooms aplenty so, just maybe, we'll get to enjoy genuine home grown tomatoes once again.
    Newscasters are predicting lower gas prices. Won't that be nice. Don't know what the price was back in the early 1900's but Pelham Turner says in My Recollections of Tutwiler Before 1921 that gasoline had to be ordered from Memphis and shipped by railway freight because filling stations were nonexistant. He remembers their first or second car in 1919 being either a Velie or a Durant and they were one of only a few to have cars then. That was at a time when "Tutwiler was a bustling community, with 16 daily passenger trains and numerous freight trains, a stave mill, sawmill, two fine dry goods stores where Florsheim shoes and Hart Shefner and Marx shirts could be purchased. There were two hotels, a first rate cafe, 2 drug stores, a pool hall, real estate offices, several grocery and variety stores. There were no vacant buildings like today. The depot was well kept with agents on duty day and night." Of course, Pel remembers who ran all those businesses back then and much more in his interesting account of the early times.
    Agnes Martindale remembers many of those things, too, as she turns 85. Her children Carolyn and Roy Shook of Paynes had about fifty family and friends to gather at their home recently to celebrate this happy occasion.
    Our departed Veterans were remembered on Memorial Day by the placing of flags on their graves. This was done by the Rosemound Cemetery Committee, chaired by Sam Orman.
    Carroll's sister Bettye Leslie and husband Paul of Shreveport, La. visited us over the Memorial Day holiday. They got to visit with a few lifelong friends and some famiy members they'd not seen in years, including our son Carroll III (Cally) who came from Red Bay, Al. for the day. Then on Monday, Sam and Jerry Orman traveled to Montgomery, Al. where they got to see their grandson Reeves Smith of Cleveland who pitched that night for Delta State in the Division 2 College World Series game. James and Annette Brand have returned from Houston, Tx. where they attended the graduation ceremony of their grandson Ryan Johnson. Anne Barnes and Barbara Jennings enjoyed the weekend visiting Anne's brother and family, Harlan and Mary Meyer, in Midlothian, Tx.
    Ronnie Smith is recovering from an accident at work last week causing both bones in his arm to be broken, requiring surgery and the implantation of pins. Hopefully, the pain will soon ease and recovery can be complete. The rowing season is here and he'll be needing that arm.
    Dusty Pearson has returned from Ramstein, Germany after completing his 2 week summer tour with the Air Force Reserve.
    Arthur Stevenson is employed as Youth Minister at First Christian Baptist Church in Brushton, New York where he oversees some 150 kids through the Youth Community Center. He is the son of Patsy and Mike Stevenson and an honor graduate of Mississippi Delta Community College.
    Rayanne Kent, daughter of Billy and Becky Kent of Sumner, is representing her home town as Lady of the Realm during Carnival Memphis. Chad Swindoll, son of Mike and Cheryl Swindoll, had a host of friends from his church at Cagles Crossing to witness his baptism in the Tutwiler Baptist Church Sunday night. Congratulations, Chad, on this most important decision.
    Daysidel Bruister-Berryhill, with daughter Delanne Billingsly of Como, Sam and Jerry Orman, Bill and Carolyn Bruister of Clarksdale and Carroll and I witnessed the beautiful wedding of Richie Bruister to Kim McBrayer Saturday afternoon in Clinton. What a wonderful way to enjoy family and friends!
    That's it again from Tutwiler where the new prison remains empty except for about 50 locals in the County jail section, leaving over 1000 rooms unoccupied.

JANIE BRUISTER
News from Tutwiler

    Very disappointing to me was the lack of coverage for Father's Day in the Baptist Record and the Commercial Appeal. Our own county papers, The Sun Sentinel and The Clarksdale Press Register, did well by dad's in our area. Dads are important. The Census Bureau continues to tell us many things about ourselves. One headline stated that the traditional family is practically on the endangered list. The traditional family consists of married parents with minor children at home. Today, the traditional family acounts for 24% of all U.S. households...50 years ago it was 43%. This is way down, yet 46.8 million children, today, live with both parents--(not bad).
    Single parent families are on the rise and it's not just mothers raising children. Dads are doing it alone too, by a rise of 61%. One of my favorite cartoons, and one we have on our refrigerator, is of Dennis the Menace sitting at the kitchen table with his dad while mom washes dishes and ennis says, "Dad, were you a single parent before Mom came to work for us?"
    A documentary on TV stated that 85% of all young men in prison have no father figure in their lives. Dads are important! Once a father, always a father! Much respect and admiration goes to the millions of fathers who accept this honored responsibility.
    My dad was such a special person in my life and I'm blessed with many good memories. I wish everybody could say the ame. Charles Allen, Presbyterian Minister and author of many books, including God's Psychology, says one of the great and beneficial things he remembers aboqut his dad was hearing him pray for him. In fact, his dad would pray for each child by name, and there were nine or so siblings in the famiy, but he is remembered as doing this on a regular basis. How do you want to be remembered? You're making memories now whether you're aware of what they are or not.
    Many family gatherings happened honoring dad, either still here or the life of one who is now a memory. If cars in the drive were any indication, then Savannah Kellum must hav had ALL her's here...children, gradhildren and great grandcildren! The Sam Ormans had most of their family home for the day, too. A family gathering of another kind took place at Cossar State Park when the Kimzey family met for their annual reunion. L.W. and Freida Kimzey were feeling well enough to attend both the meal and the overnight gathering at Days Inn and next day's lunch and fellowship at Cossar State Park, which was attended by a larger crowd. The Kimzey's daughter Donna Drake was unable to attend. She has had stem-cell replacement surgery and, although upbeat and optimistic, continues struggle with cancer.
    Cindy Gin of Dallas visited her parents Ben and Sue recently. Aide Whittaker of Tallahassee spent the past week with her mother, Adelaide Steele.
    Lucy Gee and daughter Grace have returned from Hong Kong where they've been visiting Lucy's two brothers. Brother David lives in Hong Kong and Ken Kwon lives in Canton China. She had not seen them since she left her homeland 48 years ago.
    On Sunday the 12th, a Spaghetti Dinner Benefit was held for the Community Youth Choir which consists of youth from Webb, Sumner and Tutwiler churches, under the direction of Jon Blouin, Pastor of Sumner Baptist Church. Mrs. Mark Mogan, wife of Webb Baptist Church's pastor, served as Food Chairman and Tutwiler Church furnished the place. Thanks to all who helped in preparng the food, serving, clean-up detail and just every phase of this endeavor. This group will be oing to Atlanta this summer and will have singing engagements along the way. They will also present a concert for the Tutrovansum area later this season.
    Anne Starr and Bea Haynes (of Lambert) attended a Needlecraft Workshop in Austin, Texas the week of June 11th through the 18th. Billy Halfacre of Webb who, along with anybody he can get to help him, continues his crusade for the benefit of animals (mainly cats and dogs), recently visited Levera Halfacre who resides at Heritage Park Nursing Home in Rogers, Arkansas. He was so plaesed to report that she is doing so well...much, much better...and had just been named Resident of the Month. Of course, Lavera misses her home and friends and family at Webb and we send her a big hello from all of us.
    Twenty two members of Tutwiler Baptist's TNT Group enjoyed lunch and a tour at the Pillow-Thompson Home in Helena on Tuesday for their regular meeting.
    That's it again from Tutwiler where the mosquitos are arriving in great numbers for their annual feast. We'll be welcoming them with eau de Black Flagg!

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