RRN Online Volume 547

November 25 '06

Volume 547

Katie's Crew Volunteers From Ft. Wayne

At St. Christopher's A couple of weeks ago, a group of volunteers from Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, took a long weekend and drove to Pontotoc to work as volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. It would be the fourth time a group from Bishop Dwenger trekked to Pontotoc on a similar mission. Because graduation has taken its toll, there were only four familiar faces, but three of them had made all four trips. Katie Kearney, the group leader, and two students, Kai, and Ben have a perfect record. Jill has made it here on three of the trips.

In prior trips, Casey Ryan and Katie were co-sponsors. However, earlier this fall Casey married Katie's sister, and he and his new bride presently make their home in Texas, where Casey is serving as a Minister of Youth.

Roughly twenty volunteers, including four adults, made the trip to Pontotoc this year. The group traveled all day Thursday, arriving quite late. They worked the next two and one-half days before returning home. Because there wasn't enough work in Pontotoc to keep everyone busy, volunteer teams were loaned to Tupelo and New Albany.

As usual, the By Faith Baptist Church of Pontotoc housed the volunteers in their family life center. The volunteer groups are responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches, while Habitat for Humanity coordinates dinner through local churches, organizations, or individuals. On Friday night, the Tupelo affiliate for Habitat fed all the volunteers at First Methodist Church in Tupelo. St. Christopher Catholic Church of Pontotoc supplied the Saturday night meal, and the hosts for Sunday night were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Pontotoc.

I had the privilege of fellowshipping with the group all three nights. With smaller groups, I strive to learn everyone's name at some time while they are here, in hopes that I'll remember them if they make a return visit. I didn't get around to introducing myself to every one of the volunteers who made this trip, and I struggled to remember names from night to night. I can honestly say that all members of this group, like the previous groups of volunteers from Fort Wayne, were models of decorum. If possible, I would tell every parent how impressed I was with his or her teen. I know each must be proud of his or her offspring. Surely, the leaders of this group feel the same way and recognize the valuable contribution good parenting makes in our society.

From the testimonies voiced by this volunteer group, I know they felt appreciated and their effort to help others was a meaningful experience. Prior to departing for Fort Wayne, their leaders told us they'd be returning for spring break in 2007. In speaking for myself, I believe I echo the thoughts of Pontotoc County Habitat for Humanity, "We look forward to seeing you again."

Thanksgiving 2006 Plenty Of Everything

Horn Of Plenty Since Sarah moved from Ecru to Pontotoc in 1996, she has been faithful each year in inviting us to her home for Thanksgiving. And on the few occasions where it was necessary to move the celebration to my house, she still did most all of the cooking. We indulge her the honor of hosting our family celebration at Thanksgiving, and she does the same for us at Christmas.

A typical year finds all of my immediate family and grandchildren at Sarah's table for Thanksgiving, along with Sarah's family. My two brothers are unable to arrange their schedules to join us, since they have traditions of their own. Also, in a typical year, Sarah invites my niece, who lives in Southaven, and Brother Joe Steen and Father Gerald Peterson, both of Pontotoc, to join us. And, sometimes, other special friends are invited, too. This year, Sarah was prepared for sixteen, but only thirteen of us could be there.

Brother Joe, who lives less than a mile away, chose to walk. He said he couldn't remember exactly which house was Sarah's but figured it would be the one with the most cars in front of it. That might have been the case, had my bunch gotten there on time and ahead of Brother Joe.

"I saw all these cars parked back down the street from here, so I asked some folks going into the house, if I was at the right place," he recounted. "They told me I wasn't, but they invited me to stop back by for dessert."

He couldn't remember how many houses down the street, he stopped, but I'm guessing he might have been at Cousin Neal's, or possibly the Cason's.

Sarah tends to let things go around her house between events like Thanksgiving and Easter. So, in addition to preparing tons of food, she has to pick up tons of things and do tons of general cleaning before she feels like her house is presentable for company. Our mother was a better housekeeper, but Sarah quickly points out that Mama didn't work outside the home. And, as far as company was concerned, Mama, always felt like her home was never "nice enough" for other folks.

I was prepared to tell Sarah it was okay to move the meal to my house if hers didn't meet her standards for readiness, but I didn't want to make the offer too early and keep her from the joy of cleaning up her place. As it turned out, Felicia threw herself into the effort at the last minute. I wouldn't go so far as to say she "saved the day," but at least we didn't have to make any last minute changes at our house to accommodate everyone.

Sarah could probably manage all the cooking, but usually there are dishes brought by others. For example, Rayanne made a hashbrown casserole and an edible cornucopia constructed of crescent-roll dough, which showcased Barbara's homemade rolls. Rayanne's cornucopia, pictured here, was admired by all. She took it with her, when she left, to use once more at an Adam's family gathering Thanksgiving night.

Sarah's ensemble of desserts was even more admirable. She baked the usual pies, pecan, sweet potato, and apple. She made a pumpkin log roll and, also, prepared a special three-layer cake that was garnished with glazed fruits and nuts. Fortunately, there were no diabetics present, but the appeal of the desserts overpowered the will of several of her diet-conscious guests. I managed to get by with only a small piece of cake and a couple of bites of sweet potato pie. If Sarah doesn't cart off the remaining desserts to her friends at the hospital, perhaps, I can enjoy more of them during the weekend.

Desserts Aplenty Of course, there was turkey served with cornbread dressing, and just to be on the safe side of her guests' personal preferences, Sarah had a spiral-sliced, baked ham. Vegetables appeared mostly in casseroles, but we also had creamed potatoes, a mealtime staple of our youth.

Sarah likes to make a signature dish of our late Aunt Billie Carter, a frozen concoction called Idiots Delight. Barbara, at my request, prepared a congealed salad like my mother most always made to accompany her holiday meals. Mama said she got the recipe from Blanche Benjamin, the year there was a cancer scare concerning cranberries, which sent folks searching for cranberry dish alternatives.

There was no way I could have eaten a serving of everything, and since I have my favorite foods, I didn't even try to eat some of everything. As it was, I almost fell asleep at the table before everyone was called outside for a picture-making session.

In retrospect, Rayanne's cornucopia, or "horn of plenty," symbolized our Thanksgiving. There was plenty of everything: food, family time, fellowship, thankfulness, laughter, and remembrances.

Depending on schedules and commitments for the next Thanksgiving Day, the faces at the tables then may be different than this year, but "plenty" will be there.

Bodock Beau Doctor Humor

Ireceive a lot of fan mail, okay…comments.. from folks who enjoy the humor found in this section each week. Friends, such as those whose contributions are shared this week, contribute most of the humor. Since its Thanksgiving, I would like to thank all who help make this feature possible.

Shaking Hands

"Doctor, Doctor, You've got to help me - I just can't stop my hands shaking!"

"Do you drink a lot?"

"Not really - I spill most of it!"

Contributed by Ralph Jones

Jar Number Forty-seven

A new doctor had arrived in town. He could cure anything and anybody. Everyone was amazed with what he could do - everyone except for Mr. Thompson, the town skeptic.

Grumpy old Mr. Thompson went to visit this 'miracle doctor' to prove that he wasn't anybody special.

When it was time for his appointment he told the doctor, "Hey, doc, I've lost my sense of taste. I can't taste nothin', so what are ya goin' to do?"

The doctor scratched his head and mumbled to himself a little, then told Mr. Thompson, "What you need is jar number 47."

So the doctor brought the jar out, opened it, and told Mr. Thompson to taste it.

He tasted it and immediately spit it out, "This is gross!" he yelled.

"Looks like I just restored your sense of taste Mr. Thompson," said the doctor.

So Mr. Thompson went home.... very mad.

One month later, Mr. Thompson decides to go back to the doctor and try once again to expose him as a fake, by complaining of a new problem. "Doc," he started, "I can't remember anything!"

Thinking he had the doctor stumped now, he waited as the doctor scratched his head, mumbled to himself a little, and told Mr. Thompson, "What you need is jar number 47, it's......"

Before the doctor could finish his sentence, Mr. Thompson was cured and fled the room!

Shared by Larry Young