They will be coming from as far away as Denver, Memphis, San Francisco, Huntsville, Birmingham, Saint Louis and many other cities and towns in between.  That’s what the organizers of the ECHS 1953 class reunion tell us about their September 13-14 get together.

Already dozens have confirmed reservations to the gala affair according to co-director James Norris. “This will be our sixtieth class reunion and we plan to provide great fun and entertainment to all our former friends and associates”, James said.

Currently he is making accommodation arrangements with the local Holiday Inn Express. Beverly Woods, express director of sales will assist obtaining discount rates. She can be contacted at (251) 368-1585, James added.

He says former Atmore resident Suzie (Keller) Newman, who now lives in Pensacola, and Edgar Norris, are also involved with these initial arrangements. Some who have already sent in their acceptance forms are “thrilled to come back home and see Atmore’s new, modern attractions like the like Rivercane and Wind Creek at Interstate 65,” he said.

“Over one hundred attended our reunion five years ago and we hope to have even more in September,” he related.

He says a $10 fee for each classmate will be assessed and a registration form should be forwarded as soon as possible. More details can be obtained by contacting him at his email address, nrnorris@frontiernet.net.

And, we will keep everyone abreast of this exciting reunion news as the target dates get closer.

I notice the Home Place TV commercial is now Hank’s Furniture. For weeks they advertised a “closing the doors” sale. I enjoyed Hank’s Arkansas drawl and the nice looking female host, causing me to think back to three other familiar TV faces. You remember, I am sure, Dianne and Brenda the attractive ladies who advertised Leon Atchison furniture commercials. I believe they were sisters. That firm went out of business a couple of years ago.

And, I know you remember the little girl whose popular,  “open 8 to 8 so don’t be late” TV commercials for a Mobile floor covering firm. That little girl is now a pretty young lady. I saw her rendering a nice floor covering commercial not long ago.

After 30 years of flood insurance adjusting included much time in Louisiana. In fact I cherish the friendships I have established with several Cajun friends from those bayous and small towns.

On many occasions I worked in and around Pierre Part, the small bayou town now famous for one of those alligator hunting shows. A longtime friend from that village, whose residential and business flood claims  I have handled several times over the years, has a very unusual and profitable business. He processes and sells “Cajun Meal,” which is used in practically all Cajun servings. Most of his orders come from offshore drilling ships. He told me there was a time he worked twelve hours a day seven days a week to keep his ship and boat orders current.

His cousin, who is an established writer for one of those alligator Cajun TV shows and who had been credited with several TV novels, has graciously accepted my unfinished manuscript that I began twenty five years ago. My lack of drive and the fact that I am not getting any younger has thwarted any further writing on my part.

Here is an excerpt, however.

“That eventful night Detective Moloncom (Ma-loan soan),  carefully paddled his  Cajun pirogue over shallow, dark bayou waters. Even frightful sounds of alligators flapping their tails against his paddle and fog-shrouded giant water oaks lofting clumps of spooky, fingerly, stubborn grey moss struggling to retain  dripping water did not deter his efforts to uncover the answer he was seeking.

Carefully paddling ahead, with one eye focused on bright flashes of morning sun rays piercing through heavy dark foliage and the other eye glued to his tangled investigation, he believes  closure  is finally here and  soon all will know the long-awaited answer to the mystery that he calls  POISON ON THE BAYOU.”

Is he actually revisiting Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte?

Here’s wishing Venture Gas and Oil Drilling Company will get a good report as they await test results from, hopefully, another producer for the area.  Department of Corrections landowners, my wife’s family and several others are greatly indebted to this highly-regarded firm for all the successful production they have generated in southwest Escambia County. This portion of our county can look for a brighter industrial future with each new discovery by this firm and other drilling operators.

Well, last week I inadvertently wrote Evelyn Turberville’s son was in charge of the local National Guard unit. I should have written that it  is her grandson, Scott, who is  the man in charge. I regret this mistake and I am happy to make the correction.
This week’s Pink lady is Silvereez Brown, thanks to the help of my Pink lady friend Marlene Forester.

This fine lady has been a member o the auxiliary for fifteen years. You will find her punctually staged at her desk in the hospital hallway a few days each week. A retired schoolteacher, she has contributed many years in the field of public education. In addition to her hospital volunteer work, she is avidly engaged in her church and community activities.

Her son, Hank, is her pride and joy. He is right at her side most of the time seeing to any needs she may have. Highly educated, Hank is held in the highest esteem in the Atmore community.

Thanks, Mrs. Brown for raising such a fine son and thanks all your efforts is making our Ladies Auxiliary tops in the county.
I’ll have more news of Atmore’s people, places and events next week.

Lowell McGill exam@frontiernet.net.