Raymond News

This past week has been spring break week. I know lots of families and some older teens have vacationed in many places. Phil and I, however no longer tied to school scheduled hardly realized that it was spring break. Phil’s sister, Lois Romeo spent the week with us. Lois lives in Maryland. She had been vacationing in Florida and visiting friends while there. She then drove to New Orleans to participate in the celebrations of the wedding of one her daughter’s close friends. I am afraid we provided much less entertainment than she had been experiencing.

Lois and I did take a tour down town Raymond to look closely at the mural. Then we visited a bit with James Anderson, who opened the Gathering Place for us to look around. Lois did find a couple of old books she was interested and she bought. The two of us then spent some time in The Yellow Feather, so much to look at and enjoy. I am afraid I was having some serious back pain and had to be sitting. I could walk around some with my cane. Lois enjoyed both shops and found some things to take home with her. Our only other entertainment we provided was dinner at AnJou with our book club. Lois has managed to be here several times when our book club met. She has gotten to know our member and they know her. Phil and Lois are on the phone and Phil told her I was writing about her visit for my article in the paper. He told her he was going to give me their golf scores. She was not happy about that. They played 17 holes on the Hinds course that was very wet and not ideal for playing.

Raymond is pleased to welcome a new member to the Raymond Chamber of Commerce; “the only one” George Ewing, specializing in wedding/floral consulting and landscape architecture. Homes, businesses, individuals and churches rely on him to provide the best

Keith and Allison Clower Lauderdale have a couple news items for us. First of all Nick Lauderdale gets his cast off this week to see “if correct healing has occurred then hopefully on to physical therapy so he can play spring ball!”

Kendall Lauder-dale has been accepted to the nursing program at Mississippi College. She will begin in fall semester.

Big news in the Lauderdale family is the engagement of Ben Moss Lauderdale to Margaret Anne Montgomery. The happy couple met at Ole Miss as so many other happy couples have. The wedding will be in Shreveport, Louisiana, where Margaret is from. The date of the happy event is July 9, 2022. Wishing this happy couples a wonderful life together.

Dr. Paula Stewart Strange and son, Dr. Stewart and Cassi Strange and daughter, Adelaide Strange Hays and their children enjoys spring break in San Antonio loving the river walk. Lou Anne Polk Askew with her daughters Anna Askew Butler and Ginny Askew Odom and granddaughters, Breanna Butler and Gianna Odom enjoyed another great trip to Disney World. The all girl trip spent a bit of time in Animal Kingdom where Breanna celebrated her birthday with a volcano cake in the Rainforest cafe. Sounds like a wonderful spring break and a great place to celebrate a birthday. Randall Harris and wife Laura Love and daughter Lindsey enjoyed spring break in Fort Walton Beach, Fl. They stayed at the Waterscape condos and beach resort. After returning from Ft Walton, Lindsey will be back at Mississippi College.

Randall is retiring from his position at Hinds Community College. There will be a Retirement Reception in his honor in the Centennial Room in Fountain Hall on Thursday, March 31, 2022. The reception will be from 2:30 until 4 pm. Randall has served as Vice Presidents of Operations and Student Services.

Raymond native, Rick Brooks has a new posting beginning July 1st. He will be Senior Pastor of Central United Methodist Church in Meridian. Wishing Rick and Lynn and family life in Meridian. There is so much going on in our world. My heart goes out to the people of Ukraine. Their leader, Zelensky is putting up strong leadership and fighting spirit for his people. My mind has been so focused on this “war” that it is hard to think of other things. The situation is deteriorating rapidly. My prayers for the people of Ukraine.

Hope you had a happy St. Patrick’s Day. Happy Birthday next week to: 3/25/2022 Kullen Houpt; 3/26 Kristie Bridgers, Matthew Bridgers; 3/27 Brody Jordan, Christy Granberry Barrick; 3/28 Christy Jordan Taylor, Jennifer Jordan Adams, Drew Fountain, Barbara Korlath, Marion Jordan; 3/29 Bob Boteler, Madison Rosamond, Jill James, Tucker Granberry; 3/30 Amy Brewer, Katie Banes; 3/31 Alice Shuff Connelly, James Mayo. Happy Anniversary to: 3/28/2022 Al and Aubrie Johnston; 3/29 Bryan and Allison Mayo DeWeese.