Raymond News

Well, it is the 19th of December and the temperatures outside are way too warm. We certainly won’t have any snow. The houses are decorated and people are happily awaiting the big day. The churches in town have all had special music services to praise the Lord and his gift to the world.

We just became aware that Charles Robinson had surgery a couple of weeks ago. He is home and recovering well. In fact, today Charles is celebrating his 89nt birthday. Martha is anxious for her yard boy to be happily playing in the dirt again. Charles is a talented gardener.

There is much activity in Raymond. Lots of families are preparing for company and others are traveling to spend Christmas somewhere else. We, at one time had decided to go to Maryland to visit with Phil’s family on the day after Christmas. When we starting hearing how fast the omicron variant of covid, Phil decided we would go to Maryland another time.

My daughter, Mary was able to return to her real job this past week. Mary is a flight attendant with Delta Airlines. She has been on disability leave for a long time. Her first flight was to Quito, Ecuador. Becky Drake sent me this. “This past Thursday, the Ashmead Chapter of the DAR in Vicksburg celebrated their 90th Anniversary at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Bovina. Guests from across the state attended and everyone enjoyed the day that included a tour the historic cemetery and a gala reception. One of the guest speakers for the program was Rebecca Drake of Raymond who presented a brief history of St. Alban’s, one of the oldest churches in the Mississippi Episcopal Diocese. To accompany the speech, everyone was given a “Photographic Tour Guide” designed by Jim and Becky Drake as a souvenir of the special occasion.”

Phil and I had a wonderful Friday afternoon in Raymond. We first went over to look at the mural and visit with Albert Smathers as he worked. My mother and my father are on the wall. My mother, Mary Gillespie Adams was a keeper of the history of Raymond much complied by my grandmother, Mary White Gillespie. Mother has worked to preserve all the pictures and articles written about the history of Raymond. My father, Hermon (Vap) Adams was mayor from 1950 until his death in 1998.

After visiting with Albert we went to the Yellow Feather, where we were able to find appropriate gifts for many on our list. The Yellow Feather employs many of Raymond’s ladies.

While there I got to visit a little with our neighbor, Judy Bennett and Wanda Reeves, who was managing the cash register. We got to look down and see the stunning set up for a wedding in The Venue. The bride was Clara, who is the manager of the Yellow Feather. If you haven’t shopped at the Yellow Feather you should give it a visit. There is a wide range on gift prices. Phil and I sat for a spell and had a cup of coffee. Then back to another quick turn around the Feather to be sure we didn’t miss any gift possibilities.

Then we went to The Gathering Place. Bebe Boteler was on duty then for the owner, Debbie Tillman. We shopped around store and then just sat and visited with Bebe much longer than we should have. However, Bebe was able to help customers find the perfect gift.

If we didn’t capture the Christmas spirit after that afternoon, we weren’t going to. We had a marvelous time visiting. We did catch the spirit and are happily awaiting the big day.

We will be celebrating on Christmas Eve at our house. It is always a special time because we are all together.

Hope Santa is good to you and you have a very Merry Christmas.

Happy Birthday next week to: 12/24/2021 Carolyn Stewart, Kinlee Noel Adams, Sheila Haley; 12/25 MERRY CHRISTMAS, Vernon Clyde Muse, Sr., Michael Bufkin; 12/26 Cookie Duncan, William James Carr, Kappi Naftel, Ann Rosamond; 12/27 John Michael Stubbs, Kylee Jordan; 12/28 Houpt, Emma Raker, Laurie Hill, Ray Brewer; 12/29 Wanda Dollar; 12/30 Caleb Jennings, Matt Rankin, Cynthia Whittington, Will Darcy Jordan.

Happy Anniversary: 12/24/2021 S. W. Natalie Jordan; 12/26 David and Laurie Smith.