There Goes Connie

Thank you, Barbara Bush

05/04/2018 By: CCPearson6 Comments

My daughter Laura asked me not long ago, “Is it possible to end well?” Then she challenged me, “I would love to see an example of someone who really does a good job of that.” I’m pretty sure I know what she means. She wants to see her Momma stay positive, encouraging, maybe even entertaining and happy, until my last day. Some of that is within my control. Some of it isn’t. But Barbara Bush ended well, and I would love to do the same.

She loved and affirmed her husband for 73 years!!! Just two days before she died, she told someone who came into her room to go downstairs and “tell George how much I adore him.” And one day when they were both in the hospital, and he was looking (at least through the eyes of others) very unkempt and pathetic, Barbara looked at him and said, “Oh my. You are devastatingly handsome!” I love that. I need to up my game in terms of complimenting my Silver Fox.

Proverbs 18:22 says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.” Former President George H.W. Bush most certainly “found a good thing” when he met and married Barbara.

She maintained such loving relationships with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that she was surrounded by them to the end, and many were honoring and serving her at her memorial service.

She had a cause she championed that mattered to OTHERS — literacy. She used her position as First Lady to support efforts to increase literacy but carried that on even after her White House years.

She was known for her honesty, her forthright comments, her discernment and her humor.

She was sure of her salvation. Her son Jeb shared at the funeral that during a conversation with his mom about death, she said, “I believe in Jesus. He’s my Savior. I know I’m going to a wonderful place.” What a testimony for the hundreds attending the service in person and for the millions who watched on TV.

Thank you for your incredible example, Barbara Bush.

In a sermon last week, our pastor preached from Psalm 27:4 – “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple.” Barbara Bush is right now dwelling in the house of the Lord, beholding the beauty of the Lord and meditating in His temple. I have that same request of the Lord.

3 More Great Eateries in Oxford, Mississippi

04/30/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Last Monday I shared some info and photos of Oxford Canteen, Saint Leo and Proud Larry’s. Today you can take a look at some of the great food served in 3 out of 4 restaurants owned by Chef John Currence.

SNACK BAR

Snack Bar completely defies its name, especially in terms of ambiance and menu. It is open for dinner Monday through Saturday. I sampled the boudin balls, French onion soup, a funeral sandwich (ham and Swiss on a Hawaiian roll), some truffle parmesan fries, and “just a bite” of several amazing desserts. My favorite was the lemon tart.

Snack Bar is one of 5 businesses in Oxford owned by award-winning chef, John Currence. In addition to Snack Bar, he owns City Grocery, Big Bad Breakfast, Boure and a catering company called The Main Event. Snack Bar and Big Bad Breakfast are next-door neighbors (and share a kitchen) on North Lamar Boulevard, while City Grocery and Boure are on the Courthouse Square.

CITY GROCERY

City Grocery is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and for brunch on Sunday. With candles and white tablecloths, this is definitely considered “fine dining.” After a dinner of a beautiful salad followed by catfish with shrimp etouffee and a Kitchen Sink Sundae, full of every decadent ingredient you can think of, I was completely satisfied.

City Grocery occupies a two-story building right in the thick of everything in Oxford, and John Currence is in the thick of many food/wine/travel publications with his recipes, his flair with food and his personality. Currence was born in New Orleans and gained vast experience there and in Chapel Hill, North Carolina before deciding to strike out on his own in Oxford in 1992. It was a good move for him and a huge win for the city of Oxford.

BIG BAD BREAKFAST

John Currence’s foray into the breakfast dining scene has been so successful that a cookbook resulted — BIG BAD BREAKFAST: The Most Important Book of the Day. In addition to Oxford, Big Bad Breakfast locations are showing up in Birmingham, Homewood, and Florence in Alabama, in Inlet Beach, Florida, and the newest is coming soon to Charleston, South Carolina.

Giant cathead biscuits and various skillets are signature items, and, if you’re lucky, you might arrive on a day when the housemade doughnuts are hot and fresh. The food is very good. I predict we’ll soon see more and more of these restaurants. Don’t worry if you’re “not a morning person.” Big Bad Breakfast also serves lunch.

I can’t wait to try Boure during a future visit. Check out their website. Sounds mouthwatering, doesn’t it?

As I’ve mentioned before, I was thoroughly impressed with Oxford, Mississippi. Between all the restaurants, the places of historical significance and the great shops, it doesn’t even matter if you’d never say “Hotty Toddy.” Go and check it out anyway. It’s a hidden gem.

5 Oxford Faces that Make a Difference

04/27/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

During a recent visit to Oxford, Mississippi, I met 4 men who have made a tremendous difference to the town and even well beyond its borders. They have different passions and “causes,” but each one continues to make an important impact. The 5th man is not someone I met but is someone I remember from my childhood as a person who demonstrated tremendous bravery and courage.

JOHN T. EDGE

John T. Edge left a corporate job in Atlanta in the summer of 1995 to move to Oxford and enroll in the Southern Studies program at Ole Miss. In his own words, he “reinvented himself.” He chose to focus on food in the south and how that has shaped who we are and what we are becoming. He is the director of the Southern Foodways Alliance and is a frequent contributor to Oxford American and Garden and Gun. He has appeared on numerous television shows and radio broadcasts.

John T. Edge, Southern Foodways Alliance

John T’s command of the English language kept me spellbound. I bought a copy of his latest book – The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South — as soon as I could get to the bookstore. The Potlikker Papers has won numerous awards and was even adopted by the City of Nashville as their official book. It chronicles a 60-year-period in the South’s history as told through food. His writing will draw you in, and you’re guaranteed to learn more about what makes Southerners think, act and eat the way we do.

JACK MAYFIELD

Jack Mayfield has been referred to as “the guru of Oxford.” He was an insurance company executive who became a history professor and a newspaper columnist. As a fifth generation Oxonian and a proud graduate of Ole Miss, he knows the town and the university intimately and shares his knowledge freely during Double Decker Bus Tours. He even takes time to tease any tourists who might be fans of other SEC schools, especially LSU fans.

Jack Mayfield, Oxford historian

I was privileged to be on one of his tours a few weeks ago and learned about some of the famous homes in Oxford, about Hoka, the Native American woman who originally owned the land, about what happened on the university campus during the Civil War and many other very intriguing tidbits.

Jack has recently been fighting cancer, but everyone is happy to have him back conducting tours down North Lamar Boulevard, around the square and through the campus. He knows lots of stories and is the go-to source of information about Oxford. His passion is preserving the town’s robust history. I can promise you will be entertained.

BRIAN WILSON

Because of Brian Wilson, I now understand who L.Q.C. Lamar was and what some of his contributions to U.S. history were. Brian has studied Lamar thoroughly and conducts very interesting tours at the L.Q.C. Lamar House in Oxford. Because of his vast knowledge on the subject and through his position on the Lamar House Advisory Board, he speaks to civic groups, writes about Lamar, and is working on a biography of Lamar which should be published in the near future. Wilson has national government affairs experience, as well as success in spearheading local projects. If you take a tour, I’m quite confident he can answer all your questions. Wilson understands not only the facts of Lamar’s life but also the motivations and circumstances behind the scenes.

Brian Wilson, curator at L.Q.C. Lamar house

L.Q.C. Lamar, to name a few of his accomplishments, taught (over the years) mathematics, ethics and law at the University of Mississippi. He served in both houses of the U.S. Congress, was the Secretary of the Interior under President Grover Cleveland, and sat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Lamar was one of eight people included in John F. Kennedy’s book Profiles in Courage.

RICHARD HOWORTH

Richard Howorth is the owner of Square Books in downtown Oxford. Howorth opened Square Books in 1979 in a location above the present children’s store, Square Books Jr. Now, his businesses encompass 3 buildings, and he refers to them as “a family of bookstores.” Howorth credits much of the success of his store to the amazing array of writers who have lived or spent significant time in Oxford. John Grisham, for example, lived in Oxford for six years and did his first book signing there. Willie Morris moved to Oxford in 1980 and brought a lot of famous writers here who were his “pals.” Bill Ferris, at the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, is a strong fan of Square Books and brought in Alex Haley and Alice Walker. Barry Hannah came in 1982. And those are just a FEW of the names Howorth mentioned when I toured his store with a group of fellow travel writers. Howorth, by the way, is a former mayor of Oxford.

Richard Howorth, owner of Square Books in Oxford MS

The shelves are lined with signed copies and an impressive array of first editions are housed upstairs. Square Books hosts an average of 160 events each year, with many of those being book signings and readings.

The upstairs balcony of Square Books is a popular hangout for students, and Howorth added with a smile that students occasionally”buy actual books and actually read them!” Howorth admits that his job is fun, so much so that he is reluctant to go home every day. “It’s addictive,” he says.

JAMES MEREDITH

James Meredith, who will be 85 in June, was the first black student enrolled at the University of Mississippi. When he arrived to register on September 20, 1962, his entrance was blocked. Riots broke out in which two people were killed and three hundred injured. It was a significant showdown between President John F. Kennedy and Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett. Kennedy prevailed, and eleven days later, Meredith began classes. A monument to that event is on the Ole Miss campus and consists of a statue of Meredith facing an open door — very meaningful and appropriate. He received a degree in political science and later earned a law degree from Columbia University.

Meredith has been a civil rights activist throughout his life. I found it very interesting that in every photo I made of the monument, African- Americans could be seen in the background. MANY students are there as a result of Meredith’s barrier-breaking actions.

James Meredith

James Meredith and the open door.

As happens often when I visit new places and meet passionate, influential people, I ask myself “What am I doing that makes a contribution in my community?” All of these men have contributed (and some continue to contribute) to the enhancement of the lives of others in Oxford and beyond. They inspire me.

Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”

3 (of Many) Great Eateries in Oxford, Mississippi

04/23/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Actually, there are 23 places just in the downtown square area of Oxford where students, their parents, faithful Ole Miss alums and visitors can get a bite to eat. I saw several very tempting-looking restaurants I want to try in a future visit, but for the purposes of today’s blog, here are 3 that I sampled and truly enjoyed recently. Stay tuned for 3 more coming next Monday.

OXFORD CANTEEN

“Eat like you mean it” is the catchy slogan for Oxford Canteen, the culinary concept of Chef/Owner Corbin Evans. Now in a refurbished and repurposed former gas station on North Lamar Boulevard, just a few months ago Oxford Canteen was in a narrow alleyway beside The Lyric Oxford. Evans was using a food truck concept, without the tires or a steering wheel, and just served food through a small window to the line of eager customers.

Oxford Canteen, in a former gas station on North Lamar Boulevard.

Corbin Evans, creative owner and chef at Oxford Canteen.

Evans is a board member of Oxford’s Community Market and is excited by serving locally-grown fresh ingredients and in changing his menu frequently to reflect availability and seasons. The Canteen is open Tuesday-Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. I was there for breakfast and enjoyed some delicious breakfast tacos in the sleek new location.

Breakfast tacos at Oxford Canteen.

SAINT LEO

Saint Leo was named a semi-finalist for Best New Restaurant in the 2017 James Beard award categories. Serving lunch and dinner every day except Tuesday, Saint Leo is best known for its wood-fired pizza oven, and one of those pizza creations was recently pictured in Southern Living. The bruschetta was possibly the best I have ever eaten, the pizza was as good as advertised, and the desserts were over-the-top. Saint Leo’s is definitely not your average pizza place. Just a note: Saint Leo doesn’t serve sweet tea, but they do bring a simple syrup to use with your unsweet tea. 🙂 This is a very popular place, so plan accordingly.

Divine bruschetta at Saint Leo’s.

Pizzas fresh out of the wood-fired oven at Saint Leo’s.

A slice of ooey, cheesy goodness at Saint Leo.

Beautiful desserts offered at Saint Leo.

PROUD LARRY’S

Proud Larry’s, similar to Saint Leo, also serves pizza, and the other menu offerings are definitely crowd-friendly. But the clear emphasis here is on music. The walls are lined with posters featuring the groups and soloists that the owners have partnered in bringing to Oxford. They maintain a full schedule of performers, and you would do well to consult the website to see if one of your favorites will be appearing soon. Tickets for the concerts are sold separately. And, you WILL need a ticket.

Evidence of great music performers who have shared their talents at Proud Larry’s.

I had the Larry Burger for lunch and give it a hearty 2 thumbs up. Owner Scott Caradine and his wife are very invested in Oxford and appreciate the success they have built in town. They have just celebrated their 25th anniversary in business. The combination of great food and music has proven to be a winning duo.

Proud Larry’s owner Scott Caradine. No, his name is NOT Larry.

The Larry Burger — Yummo!

A slice of great pizza at Proud Larry’s.

I really loved my time in Oxford, Mississippi. When you visit, consider booking a room at Graduate Oxford or Chancellor’s House. And, by all means, take a tour of Rowan Oak (home of William Faulkner) and L.Q.C. Lamar House. Plan time to browse Square Books, Off Square Books, Square Book Jr. and the many other great stores around the square. I’ll be sharing much more in future articles and posts.

This coming weekend, April 27th-28th, would be a particularly fun time to visit. The annual Double Decker Arts Festival will be in town. Check out the website for all the information.

Double Decker bus about to give a tour.

LEARNING FROM PASSIONATE PEOPLE – Sherrel Jan Davis, Long-Time Atlanta Motor Speedway Fan

04/20/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Her first memory of watching a race with her father was in 1966 when she was only 6 years old. We can all do the math. Sherrel Jan Davis (known to all her friends as “Jan”) has been an ardent fan of racing, and the Atlanta Motor Speedway in particular, for almost 52 years! As a matter of fact, her daddy helped with preparing the land for the track back in 1958. She’s not one of those starstruck fans who clamor for selfies and autographs. No. In her words, she likes “good-looking men in fast cars who can drive 200 miles an hour and run a clean race.”

Jan Davis points out some of Atlanta Motor Speedway’s famous drivers.

Jan has been leading tours at the Speedway for 11 years, and I was lucky enough to ride with her on a tour just a few weeks ago. I admitted to her that I was “a blank slate” when it came to racing, and she was patient in answering my questions, full of facts, and extremely entertaining.

If you’re a movie buff and take a tour of the track and grounds, you might recognize places where scenes were filmed in “Zombieland,” “Hunger Games 2” and “Need for Speed.” Georgia offers a tax break for movie production companies, so more and more locations in our neighboring state are showing up on the big screen.

Jan put us in a van and drove our group (consisting of my daughter, my granddaughter, a man visiting from California and myself) under the grandstands. We got out and took an elevator to the corporate suite level. We got an up-close look at the Arris Suite (Arris is a telecommunications equipment company) which is right next door to Mr. Bruton Smith’s suite, so naturally, we peered in through the glass windows.

View of the track from a corporate suite.

Mr. Smith bought the track in 1990 when it was named Weaver Grandstand, changed the name to Atlanta Motor Speedway, invested $100 million and made it into the premier racing venue it is today. The Atlanta race is the second one on the NASCAR circuit every year, right behind Daytona. During that huge NASCAR weekend, the corporate suites are rented for $35,000 for the whole weekend, and the premium camping spots for motorhomes and the like go for $4000.

Jan let us feel the 24-degree banks in the quarter-mile turns at both a comfortably-fast speed and slower. Believe me, faster is better. 🙂

Getting the feel of those 24-degree turns.

She showed us Tara Place where 46 luxury condos are rented. I learned that there are people who enjoy racing so much they want to live near the track year-round. Wow! We also saw Tara Field, a small airfield where drivers can land their own planes. Jan laughingly shared, “Racers are very competitive people. They even race in their golf carts!” That makes sense when you hear that they can make the mile-and-a-half lap in only 30 seconds. Whoa.

Tour guide and long-time Atlanta Motor Speedway fan, Jan Davis.

She pointed out the In-Care Facility that is staffed and waiting in case of a wreck but told us that a driver wants to be able to crank his car and make it to Pit Road. Then he can continue to race. Above all, he doesn’t want to have to get in the ambulance, thus putting him out of the competition. Ricky Rudd even taped his eyelids open after an accident one day in order to keep racing. In Jan’s words: “These athletes mean it, girl. They MEAN it!”

We saw the statue of Richard Pettey who retired from this very track in 1992 after making 25,000 laps on this track alone. Certainly, that feat deserved a statue.

Richard Petty statue at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

I learned lots of terms, such as Pit Road, Bandelero Races, Legend Races, restrictor plates, Victory Lane, pole position and many more. In addition, Jan shared lots of facts about this track in particular, but I don’t want to spoil it for you. You really owe it to yourself to go and tour the facility in person. Lots of senior adult and church groups go, and they can accommodate large or small numbers of people.

I have lived all my life with practically no knowledge or understanding about a sport that hundreds of thousands are passionate about — probably none (other than the racers themselves) are as passionate as Jan Davis. She’s a delightful person. Go meet her.

Entrance to the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

And speaking of passions — What is YOUR passion? What is mine? What is it that I share with so much enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience that others will want to hear more and maybe get on board?

Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. . . .”

7 Places to Eat Just South of Atlanta

04/16/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Clayton County, Georgia calls itself “Atlanta’s True South,” and Henry County, Georgia describes itself as “Comfortably South of Atlanta.” The city promoters have done a perfect job with those terms. Clayton and Henry lie on either side of I-75 South as you head out of Atlanta. That means residents of those counties can take advantage of all that Atlanta has to offer (airport, professional sports teams, world-class entertainment possibilities, etc.) but enjoy a rural, small-town atmosphere full of history and quaintness.

During a recent visit to the area, I found 7 eateries you will want to consider when you plan a trip of your own. (Remember that I told you last week about the Road to Tara Museum in this post).

7 Locally-Owned Eateries the Whole Family Will Enjoy

15th Street Pizza & Pub — 2130 Jodeco Road, McDonough, GA. Pizzas take center stage, a fact that will please any youngsters or children you have with you, but you’ll also find salads, burgers, wings, subs, calzones and pasta. The Meatlover Egg Rolls caught our attention, so we added an order with our pizzas.

Meatlovers Egg Rolls at 15th Street Pizza and Pub.

Supreme Pizza at 15th Street Pizza and Pub.

Gritz Family Restaurant — 14 Macon Street, McDonough, GA. Good for breakfast and lunch on the square in McDonough, it is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. We had a delicious early breakfast in this homey diner.

Pancakes at Gritz Family Restaurant.

French Market & Tavern – 3840 Highway 42 South, Locust Grove, GA. French Market, tucked into a building that dates back to the early 1900’s. is closed on Mondays but is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday and for lunch on Sundays. The menu has a French/CAJUN slant to it with items such as Nola Boudin Balls and Crawfish Etouffee, but gourmet sandwiches predominate for lunch, and the dinner menu includes many seafood dishes, as well as pork, chicken and steaks. Click here to take a look at the yummy dessert offerings. Be sure to allow time to browse the boutique market displays in the front room of this attractive restaurant.

Zucchini and cornbread nuggets at French Market.

Chicken salad on a croissant and jalapeno slaw at French Market.

Pasta Max Cafe – 50 Griffin Street, McDonough, GA. Pasta Max is closed on Sunday and Monday and only open for dinner on Saturday evening, but Tuesday through Friday, diners may enjoy lunch from 11:00 to 2:00 and dinner beginning at 4:00 p.m. There is a cozy, Italian trattoria vibe at this popular eatery. You are sure to find your favorite Italian entrees here, along with fresh salads and special desserts. On my next visit, I want to try Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie or Strawberry Sabayon.

Garlic rolls at Pasta Max.

Pasta dish at Pasta Max.

Queen Bee Coffee Company – 58 Griffin Street, McDonough — right across the street from Pasta Max Cafe. Like Pasta Max, Queen Bee is closed on Sunday and Monday, but Tuesday through Thursday you may enjoy coffee and house-baked treats from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is a pleasant outdoor seating area that is sure to be popular for the next 6 months. Queen Bee does coffee very, very well, and the pastries are decadent.

Kirby G’s Diner and Pub– 45 Macon Street, McDonough, GA. This is a fun 1950’s style diner with a burger voted Best Burger in Atlanta for several years in a row. Atlanta Eats, a website showcasing the best of the best that city has to offer, has featured Kirby G’s on numerous occasions. Everything on the menu is named after a term, movie star, song, movie, television show or popular phrase from the 1950’s. I was there for an afternoon ice cream treat, but I want to return soon for a full meal.

Ice cream treat at Kirby G’s.

Anne and Bill’s Restaurant – 1057 Main Street, Forest Park, GA. You might want to bookmark this comfort food eatery when you are on your way in or out of Henry and Clayton Counties, because it is closer into metro Atlanta, just a couple of miles off I-75. Anne and Bill’s is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and lunch only on Sunday. Think country cooking, and you’ll have it figured about right. The menu has pretty much all of the Southern favorites you’d expect. There is a large dining area, but the locals fill it up quickly. This place “screams” Baby Boomers and Church Senior Adult groups visiting attractions in the area. Get the picture?

Fried Green Tomatoes at Anne and Bill’s.

Fried catfish at Anne and Bill’s.

Roast beef and sides at Anne and Bill’s.

Banana pudding at Anne and Bill’s.

LEARNING FROM PASSIONATE PEOPLE — Jim Joyce, Heritage Park Veterans Museum, McDonough GA

04/13/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

It’s natural to be a little bit skeptical when you plan a visit to a Veterans Museum with a child. Will they be bored? Will they be squirmy and anxious to leave? Will they be only interested in the souvenir shop and vending machines? Of course, it very much depends on the personality of the child involved, but during a recent visit to McDonough, GA, it was obvious that having a passionate, entertaining guide with a gift for story-telling can make all the difference in the world.

Last week, my daughter Laura, granddaughter Megan and I spent two days exploring the many attractions in Henry and Clayton Counties just south of Atlanta. We found some great surprises, but one Megan has continued to talk about was our time at the Heritage Park Veterans Museum in McDonough.

Jim Joyce, who is the Head Curator for the museum, was our guide. What a privilege it was to spend time with him and to learn about this place which is clearly a labor of love where he eagerly volunteers.

When the museum opened on Veterans Day in 2010, Jim recalls that they had only “5 glass display cases, 9 mannequins and 15 uniforms.” Now it has grown to a collection of more than 20,000 pieces spanning every war from World War I to the present and includes the Medals of Honor bestowed on two Henry County natives.

Rather than focusing on various wars or battles within those wars, this museum and the team of veteran volunteers who make up the staff choose to focus instead on the stories of individual soldiers whose memorabilia and artifacts are on display. Heroes come to life in unforgettable ways. Everything in the museum was either donated directly or is on long-term loan, meaning that no county or state funds support the project.

Many of the staff members, like Jim, served in combat and had multiple deployments. Jim even mentioned in passing the number of times he had jumped out of airplanes — I believe it was over 300!!! These men are “the real deal.” If you want to see Jim in action for yourself, I would recommend a visit in person, but you can also visit the website or click here to see the short video that Jim narrates.

Jim described to us the three main purposes the museum serves:

It is a PLACE FOR LEARNING. Schools plan field trips to the museum, because it is such a great teaching facility.
It is a PLACE FOR REVERANCE. Families come because they have relatives whose belongings are on display, and they need a place to reflect and remember.
It is a PLACE FOR HEALING. Those who served in our military have sacrificed a LOT for the rest of us, but at the same time, they saw and experienced tragic events and circumstances that are etched painfully in their minds. It helps to realize they are not alone. This is a place where they can shed tears if they need to and talk with others who have the same pain.

Jim is a gifted teacher. I especially appreciated the way he took time to explain displays to my granddaughter so that she would really “get it.” As I quietly quizzed her during the tour, she could often quote Jim back word for word.

I appreciated so much seeing the following verse on the museum’s website — so very appropriate for the place and occasion.

2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Thank you, Jim Joyce, and all of the veterans you represent for your service to our country.

“Gone With the Wind” Comes Back to Life in Jonesboro, GA

04/09/2018 By: CCPearson2 Comments

For lovers of Margaret Mitchell’s one and only novel — the epic narrative which became an American classic movie — Jonesboro, GA is a place you will want to put on your must-visit list. Jonesboro fully embraces the emphasis on the movie, as seen in this mural painted across the street from the railroad tracks.

Housed in the town’s 1867 Historic Train Depot, the Road to Tara Museum will inform and entertain you while reminding you of iconic scenes from “Gone With the Wind.” The Road to Tara Museum originally resided in Atlanta, but the Clayton County Tourism Authority purchased everything in it in 2000 and moved it to Jonesboro.

Fittingly, the Road to Tara Museum provides a look at the historical significance of the Battle of Jonesboro which took place over a two day period in the summer of 1864. When Jonesboro fell and the supply rail lines were cut, the path to Atlanta was straight for the Union troops, and Sherman could carry out his destructive “March to the Sea.” Margaret Mitchell was able to weave the story of that battle and more into her novel after hearing them when she visited her great-grandparents’ home in Clayton County during her childhood years.

Memorabilia from the movie’s 1939 premiere in Atlanta adorn the walls, and many artifacts, including costumes worn by the actors and actresses, are preserved and on display.

Some of my favorites showcase Hattie McDaniel, who received an Academy Award Oscar in 1940 for Best Supporting Actress, the first black actress to receive such a recognition.

A gift shop offers items that GWTW collectors will be eager to buy.

While you’re in the vicinity, be sure to schedule visits to Arts Clayton Gallery about a block away and Stately Oaks Plantation within a short drive. And, if you’re in the mood for a splurge, book a spa treatment at Scarlett’s Retreat Day Spa and Boutique in nearby McDonough.

Why Didn’t I Do Something?

04/06/2018 By: CCPearson5 Comments

Where was my courage? Where was my conviction? Did I not understand that being a follower of Christ meant that I was supposed to obey His commands and model His teachings to those around me?

Fifty years ago this week, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, about a month before I graduated from high school. I was a middle-class, white girl from Alabama who “came of age” in the 1950’s and 60’s. I well remember the days of “colored” restrooms, separated seating in theaters and colored vs. white water fountains. Churches and schools were separated. The blacks had theirs. The whites had theirs.

Separate water fountains.

On my 4th birthday, May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” I didn’t know what that meant, and I certainly didn’t see a lot of change happen in my world. But, terms like “segregation” and “integration” slowly made its way into my consciousness. We didn’t get a television until about 1957-58. I remember that my parents watched the news, and I loved “Captain Kangaroo” and “The Hit Parade,” but gradually the images on the screen showed increasing incidents of whites fighting against blacks and blacks becoming more and more impatient to have the freedoms they deserved. Names like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. were heard frequently, and words like “Ku Klux Klan,” “discrimination” and “sit-ins” crept into conversations. Birmingham seemed to be a hotbed of news stories, many featuring arrests and protests.

A quarter of a million people marched on Washington, D.C. in 1963, when I was 13 years old, and just a few weeks later, four young black girls were killed when a bomb exploded in the 16th Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham on a Sunday morning. Those four innocent faces were on the front pages of every newspaper. I remember being sad and horrified that people could get killed IN CHURCH!!

Statues of the 4 slain girls with 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham in the background.

President Lyndon Johnson worked hard to get Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act, and it finally happened in 1964. Thousands of people marched from Selma, AL to Montgomery, AL in 1965 and that led to the Voting Rights Act which allowed ALL citizens to vote, regardless of color or economic condition.

My high school was officially integrated during my junior year. I remember feeling sorry for the three black students who somehow must have “drawn the short straws” and had to leave their former school and enroll in Charles Henderson High School in Troy. They walked to class together and sat at a lunch table by themselves. Several others came during our senior year, but those first three had to blaze the trail. I don’t believe I was ever unpleasant to any of them, but on the other hand, I didn’t go out of my way to befriend them either. I’m sorry about that and wish I could have a do-over.

When I think back on all of the Sunday School lessons and sermons I heard during those years, I wonder now why I didn’t hear more verses like these:

Acts 10:34-35 – “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritismbut accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.’ “

Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Revelation 5:9 – “And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

No favoritism. All one in Christ. Persons from EVERY tribe and people.

The Word is clear. Why did it take so long for Christians to understand the depth of meaning in those words? I’d like to think if I could go back I would have been in on those protests and marches and sit-ins showing my support for my fellow residents of my community. I truly wish I had done something, anything.

I have to mention here what joy our African granddaughter brings to our lives. If ONLY I had known then what I know now.

These are some of my thoughts on this important anniversary and after a recent visit to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. I recommend a visit. It is sobering.

Royal Rose Diner in Huntsville AL: Celebrating 2 Successful Years in Business

04/02/2018 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Congratulations to George and Tatiana Kontoulakos, owners of Royal Rose Diner at 1009 Memorial Parkway N.W. in Huntsville AL, for 2 highly successful years in business. Their menu is one of the most extensive I’ve ever seen, and their hard work and commitment to their customers and employees are exemplary. Imagine running a business that is open from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. SEVEN DAYS A WEEK!!

Royal Rose Diner is located on the corner of University Drive and the Parkway in the same parking lot as Books-a-Million and very near Costco. I first learned about Royal Rose when I was writing an article for Edible Lower Alabama about breakfast/brunch places in Huntsville. I learned that you can order breakfast any time of the day, yet there’s so much more. Lunch runs the gamut between salads, burgers, paninis, wraps and sandwiches, while dinner options include Greek, Italian, Mexican, seafood and comfort foods. Now, I ask you — when have you ever seen a menu offering pastichio, moussaka and kabobs on one page, nachos and fajitas on another page and chicken pot pie and liver and onions on yet another? And those are just teasers for the 300+ items listed in all.

Steve and I were there for lunch recently. He had salmon patties with potatoes, and I had eggplant parmesan. We both shared a couple of desserts that George had prepared the very same morning. We liked them because they were light and not too sweet. Plus, they were pretty to look at. A display case near the front door has plenty of choices you can enjoy by the slice or purchase a whole cake/pie/pastry to take home.

George oversees the ambitious kitchen, while Tatiana “does everything else” — at least according to the jovial server who answered my many questions. George’s passion is New York style diner cuisine, but he has cooked all over the world and has 50+ years of experience.

As a celebration of their two years in business, George and Tatiana invited some friends in for a tasting of some of their most popular dishes. I was delighted to be in the group. We sampled George’s homemade pita wedges, a cheese/olive dip, meatballs, chicken skewers, fish skewers, veggie lasagna rolls, crab cakes wrapped around a plump scallop, and, of course, some of George’s wonderful and beautiful desserts.

In addition to the great food, I met some wonderful people who are friends and supporters of George and Tatiana’s. Don Howard‘s artwork is on display on all the walls of Royal Rose. He and his wife Dorothy are a delightful couple with heartwarming personalities. Don became a cartoonist for Disney right after college and spent most of his career there. Now, he draws and paints fantastic caricatures of famous musicians, comedians, sports stars, people in history and current heroes and will also take orders for custom works. Naturally, his posters of Alabama and Auburn championships are extremely popular.

I am now the proud owner of this poster commemorating Auburn’s 2010 National Championship. Thank you, Don and Dorothy!!

I also met a very attractive couple who manage a Facebook page called “Rocket City Eats.” They make photos of all kinds of food to keep the rest of us salivating and ready to visit the various eateries.

Another guest was Stephanie Weaver who has a website called www.artfurpaws.com. She paints beautiful oil portraits of pets, in addition to landscapes, still life, and children’s portraits. Check out her website. You can learn about her husband, children and the causes she supports.

At the end of our fun afternoon of great food and conversation, George and Tatiana announced that they will soon be opening another restaurant on the square in downtown Huntsville. They are taking over the location which formerly housed Papou’s Greek Cuisine. The owner recently died, so they have bought that business and are busily revamping the menu. It will be named after their son, Alexander. Be watching for its opening within the next few weeks. With their strong work ethic and ability with food and with people, I predict another successful venture for this lovely couple.

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