Annie Wigransky

This is why I love the blog - it connects us to some of the nicest people and interesting sites. Here's what I received today from Annie's grandson. If you have stories her family would appeciate, I think it would be so "southern" to respond!
Jinny


--- On Thu, 10/30/08, Rafkin, John M. wrote:

From: Rafkin, John M.
Subject: Miss Annie Wigransky
To: jinny.walz@sbcglobal.net
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 11:48 AM


Hi, While doing Google/family tree research, I came across your MHS reunion blog and your comments about Annie Wigransky and the Blue Store. She was my grandmother (I'm Mickey Rafkin's son -- not sure if you remember him, he was probably 15+ years older than you). Glad to hear you had fond memories of Annie (I didn't know her well). If you (or any of your friends from that blog) have any interesting stories about her or my family, please email me. I hope you had fun at your reunion!
John M. Rafkin
Sidley Austin LLP
One South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603
312-853-7065 (direct)
312-853-7036 (fax)
www.sidley.com

Answers to Kate Griffin Jr. High Trivia

(1)The Sisters who taught at Kate Griffin were Lucille and Frances Horton. Lucille taught in the upper division and Frances taught 7th grade math in the lower division. (2) The teacher with the nickname of "Bloody Nell" was Nell Parker. (3) The Latin teacher was Cora Morton. (4) The football team was the "Kittens". (5) The school colors were blue and white.

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT FOR "Y'ALL"

I just had to share with you one of the lovely flower arrangements I've received in the last week. Hope you enjoy the fall colors. I am feeling much better now since surgery a week ago, and ready to get well! Thanks for all your good thoughts, which have helped pull me through.

Love,
Martha Ann

Almost Reunion Band

Photograph sent from Denny Powers. The reunion band minus a couple, circa 1962, at the Chalfon club in Meridian. Far left is George Cumming, Drums is Zack Martin, Sax is Denny Powers, Louis McDonald out front, and Darryl Vincent on Piano. Larry Bond (bass) also played with this group, but was not present.

Reunion Photographs

Nic Nichols, Ray Russell,
and Donald Massey

David James, Patsy Fisher McDonald,
Ron Adams

Ray Russell, Donald Massey,
and Mary McLemore Weaver

Reunion Photographs

Ron & Mary Jane Kelley Heisterkamp

Marty & Judy Kogan

Lynne Johnson Grimes, Coty Huggins Tootle,
and Edwina Hubert


Lyle McLelland Morehouse
and Larry Tyner

Reunion Photographs

Peggy Edwards

Les Owen

Bobby Toland

Ghoulies and Ghosties

From ghoulies and ghosties

And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!

Reunion Photographs

William Betts

Carol Daniels Aust

Jimmy & Laura Lewis

Myra Merritt Mabry

Reunion Photographs

Mary McLemore Weaver, Lynne Johnson Grimes,
Nancy Collier Ranager, and Ouida Landreth Tomlinson

Martha Markline Hopkins and Harry Hopkins

Bennett Britt

Reunion Photographs

Arlene Davidson, Merson, Jinny Curan Walz,
Ouida Landreth Tomlinson, Coty Huggins Tootle,
Peggy Sellers Rayzon, Shirley Broadhead Hamilton

Briggs Smith, Coty Huggins Tootle, Phillip George
and Patsy Fisher McDonald

Reunion Photographs

Bob Merson, Arlene Davidson Merson,
Coty Huggins Tootle and Theo Tootle

Will Hudson, Nancy Young Morgan, Jerry Morgan,
Coty Huggins, Tootle, Briggs Smith, William Betts,
Fay Shepard Walker, Morris Thigpen,
Myra Merritt Mabry, Jinny Curran Walz

William Betts, Will Hudson, Coty Huggins Tootle,
Myra Merritt Mabry, Briggs Smith, Fay Shepard Walker

Reunion Photographs

Everett & Carol Clayton

Ella Kappes Edwards & Jinny Curan Walz

Donna Jill Johnson (Lynne's Sister)

Reunion Photographs

Denny & Connie Powers

Charles Ray and Bobby Johnson

Beth Hobgood Clark & Georgia Browning Turnage

Martha's Home

I'm glad to be back home today after an interesting time in the hospital - including emergengy surgery in the middle of the night for bleeding.

Both breast had invasive breast cancer, one node was taken for the right, but no cancer. The left side had a complete node removal, bot the first 3 had cancer. Chemo is next on the list. I'll be glad to get through all this treatment, and happy to hear that they find NO metastasis!!!

Thanks to all of you for your concern and prayers.

I love you all.

Martha Markline Hopkins

God's Minute

PSALMS 1

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Reunion Photographs

Ralph Abraham

Ronnie Adams

Greetings to all of Martha's dear, precious friends!!

Thank you sooo much, all of you, for your love and support!! I am happy to report that Martha is "doing like a top"!! She is tapering off all of the pain meds, and now does not have any pain, unless she moves in a 'certain' position, but is relatively pain free. Her bandages look good, and yesterday morning she actually ate bacon and eggs!! Yea!! She is expected to return home on Saturday.

Martha spent the night alone last night, so she did not need any overnight care. Mr. Hopkins and Caroline received some rest yesterday, and they are feeling much better, too. So, the battle is fought, and Martha has won victoriously!! Thanks Be To God!!

And, thank you so much, dear friends, for your thoughtful prayers and support!

And, thank you for all that you are to all of us!!!

Ever Grateful,

Marguerite Hopkins

(Received via e-mail Friday a.m. Ouida)

Leila Keeton Martin - Autobiography

After graduating from MHS, I attended Randolph-Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, VA, majoring in Spanish literature. During college I spent my junior year studying at the University of Madrid in Spain. After college I worked in New York City for a year, but found it too big and impersonal and moved to Washington DC. I spent the next 40 years living in Washington or in the Northern Virginia Suburbs. While working for the Bolivian Embassy and Consulate, I met my husband, Frank Martin, a lawyer and then a captain in the Army JAG Corp. We married in 1965 and had three children: Jessica, Woodson, and James.

I was a stay-at-home mom for 18 years during which I did the usual car pool thing and a lot of gardening, which was and is my passion. Frank and I were both active in our church and had a lot of fun running the junior youth group, both while our children were involved and after they had moved on. When Jessica entered college, I took a job in a small startup training firm, designing seminars and conferences in response to EPA environmental regulations such as Superfund and Leaking Underground Storage Tanks. Later I worked as an editor and course designer for another training company that specialized in project management and government contracts.

In 2004 I retired. Frank had already retired from his law firm and was teaching Latin and French. We relocated to Magnolia Springs, Alabama, and Charleston, West Virginia. Each of us had an elderly parent in Alabama, my father in Magnolia Springs and Frank’s mother in Birmingham. We wanted a foot print in Charleston, where our daughter’s family (husband & our two granddaughters) lives. Since then both our parents have passed on. We kept Daddy’s house in Magnolia Springs and live there in the winter and Spring and in Charleston in the summer and fall. Frank fishes and teaches French to retirees in both places and I take his classes. One of our sons currently lives in London with his family (wife and our 2 grandsons) and our other son is a bachelor in New Orleans.

We travel a bit, mainly to visit our children. Luckily our middle son has moved to interesting places such as Paris, California, and now London and our daughter-in-law is a whiz at finding great B&Bs. So far we have been blessed with relatively good health and for that we are thankful.

Martha Doing Better Today

This is a note from Martha's daughter, Caroline:

Ouida, Mom is sitting up and eating breakfast at 8:00. She's eating real food like eggs and bacon and the first foods she ate since the surgery were a popsicle and some pineapple last night. So, that's good. She is no longer nauseous. She even wanted to watch tv last night. She's still on oxygen though. Just wanted you to know. Caroline

Wednesday Update on Martha

UPDATE FROM CAROLINE, MARTHA'S DAUGHTER

Mom had to have emergency surgery last night because she hemmorraged on the right side and her blood pressure bottomed out. They had to do another 4 hour surgery and cauterize the area to keep it from bleeding further. She is is rough shape today! No pain mediation is helping and she is not able to eat. She will definitely be spending at least one more night in the hospital.
Please include her in your prayers and thoughts.

She is in UAB W736....but is likely not going to be ready for visitors for awhile.

Thanks,
her daughter, Caroline

Short Clips from Reunion

Report on Rita

I received an e-mail from Beth tonight about Rita. Beth says:

She's been pretty much asleep when I've gone to check on her since the reunion. They've given her some medication usually. Last night James was trying to get her to eat, but she never woke up really good. She's still progressing good with the surgery healing though. I think she gets really tired and sore when they take her to the hyperbaric chamber (oxygen) and dialysis. I'm sure she is weak as a kitten.

They're talking about moving her to a swing bed soon, maybe the old Kings Daughters (I don't know the name of it now). . . . I'll check on her again tomorrow.

Report on Martha Ann's Surgery

This is an e-mail I received from Martha Ann's daughter:

Ouida,

Martha pulled through her double mastectomy with flying colors in 3 hours.

She did not have any lymph nodes out on the right, but had all of them out on the left side (because the sentinal one showed cancer). She was very "HUNGRY" when she finally got into her hospital room. My father will be staying with her this first night.

Thank you for your concern and prayers,
Caroline (her daughter)

More Critter Stories by Maxine

Maxine tells such good stories about her life down on the farm and with all the animals. I asked her if I could post more stories from some of her recent e-mails. Of course, she said yes. I hope you enjoy as much as I do.

Ouida

From Maxine:

Every day when I wake up, I know that God has given me another 24 hours to enjoy. I start looking for the pleasure and happiness that is there, and I almost always find it. When I start getting depressed with all of this pain, I go find an animal to hug, and my rewards are always there. I may get a little slobber on me, but I know it is with love.

Last night, we were trying to get our 4 dachshunds inside for bed and they had a 'possum on the back patio. I told them they couldn't bring him inside. My dogs sleep in a real baby bed in our bedroom. They are so precious, but they kept dreaming of the 'possum last night. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep.

I wonder what will delight me today???

* * * * * *

After my first husband died (Billy Faulkner) and I met Wanzie Strickland (Bill). He pestered me to marry him and promised to help me raise my 3 children. He said IF I would marry him, he would only hold me to that vow for 50 years, IF I would move to Texas with him, so that he could make a decent living. I countered with, "Only IF you will let me live in the country". That
was December 1963. The deal was made. We moved to Texas, bought a home, started a successful fastener business, and were still living in the city.

Fast forward to May 1999. I wanted to retire to the country, so I reminded him of our vows. I had kept mine by staying married to him, but he had not bought me that country place that he promised. I reminded him. He said "OK, you find it and I will buy it." I did.

We bought this place with a home and lots of land and a hugh ravine running through the property and lots of pine trees. We started clearing, dammed up the ravine in 4 places and almost surrounded our home with lakes. Of course we started adding barns, chicken house, tractors, 4 wheel mules, and lots of animals.

We built a long barn, 72 feet with an apartment over it, and that is where Ozell lives [Ozell being her brother]. He has been a lot of help to me since I broke my foot and ankle 2 years ago.

It has been one adventure after another. Everyone loves to come here on vacation. Every day we sit outside and watch the animals. We have 13 black buck antelopes, 5 are bucks. Right now they are squareing off for buckmaster of the herd. They are so interesting to watch. They come right up to the house. We have longhorns, donkeys, chickens, ducks of various kinds, and several predator animals including bobcats.

Bill and I have been married for 45 years in December. I keep telling him that I only have 5 years to go. HeeHee. Yes, life can be interesting and fun if you make it so. Everyone gets the same 24 hours every day. I just choose to make mine happy.

This foot thing has been totally uncalled for. I could sue several doctors, but I would spend the rest of my life dealing with lawyers. There is no happiness in that. I have survived, and maybe they learned something from their mistakes. I have lost 2 good years of walking around this place, but by being confined, I have had time to catch up on my reading and spent quality
time with my family. Bill bought me a good pair of binoculars so that I can see across the big lake and watch the island.

I'm so sorry I missed the reunion, but the blogs have really help me. I love hearing from all of you. Please stay in touch .

With country love and best wishes,
Maxine

The Reunion

I really hated that I had to miss the reunion. But my grand daughters wedding was wonderful.

We really enjoyed it. We returned home to 4" of snow. That was not so wonderful. I will make the next reunion and am sorry I did not get to see everyone. I know you had a great time.

Carolyn Gipson Falcon

Join the Choirs of Angels

Join the choirs of angels in praying for Martha Ann this night and tomorrow. Her surgery is scheduled for 8:00 in the morning. She says that it will last two or three hours. She expresses appreciation for all the prayers and support and the comfort they have brought to her. Remember her joy at the reunion - the girl who "could have danced all night." And she shall dance again at the next reunion. AMEN!!

The Splendid Reunion

After the SPLENDID REUNION and visits with my brothers and their families in Meridian (where we also toured the MSU Riley Center and the Casteel Room of the L. O. Todd Library at MCC/MJC) we left from Jackson Evers Airport and flew to Baltimore Washington International. First we drove to Annapolis where we watched Pitt beat Navy : ( then home to Virginia to unpack and crash before Sunday church and a 2 o'clock committee meeting. Hit the ground running as they say. Now with some free time I find myself leafing through our reunion book and marveling again at how well we all turned out! Our parents and teachers did a pretty good job, don't you think. What interesting lives we've led...and eveyone seems to love their children and grands and God and their fellowman and growing up in the 50s. So what more could we ask for. Thank each and every one of you who came. If you weren't there you really missed something special. And how about that band!

TO THE COMMITTEE, HEARTFELT THANKS.

Marjorie Barham Sims

GOLDEN MOON CASINO, PHILADELPHIA, MS

Although most of us in Philadelphia for the 50th Reunion stayed at the sister casino, The Silver Star, I found this adjoining building, The Golden Moon, to be a of delightful piece of architecture, and couldn't resist photographing it. I didn't get a picture at night with the "moon" lit, but you can google it and find one. My cousin Boots Howell in Philadelphia, MS, told me that it was designed by a young architect just out of school. He was listening to the clients describe what kind of building they wanted with a moon incorporated in the design, and he was sketching all during the meeting. His sketch was very close to the final design. He was with a firm in Miami that specializes in contemporary buildings. I have yet to figure out the pattern of the windows, but will do that when I have more time.

Double left click on photos to enlarge them.

MORE REUNION PHOTOS

Highland Elementary
Witherspoon Elementary

Double left click on photos to enlarge.

REUNION PHOTOS

Beth and Carol
MHS football players












Marion Park Elementary







Poplar Springs Elementary

I am guessing at the school names. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Click on comment below.

Double left clilck on photos to enlarge.