The Knoll Mansion, Meridian MS

The Knoll Mansion is located on Poplar Springs Drive, Meridian, MS. It is owned by Fred Hulett and was recently featured in "393 Magazine," a local publication. About a month ago, I attended a gathering there and made a complete tour of the home. It is stunning, and Fred has furnished it with beautiful furniture and works of art, purchased all over the world. I was also given a CD of about 400 photographs made in the home by "393 Magazine." All the photographs in this video are from that CD.

Facts About The Knoll

• It has 15,000 square feet with four stories (counting the basement and attic).
• There are 13 fireplaces and two bars.
• The house features 24 major rooms, including a French parlor, a gentlemen's smoking room, a library, a music room, a formal dining room, a butler's pantry, and a breakfast room.
  It has a one-lane bowling alley.
• The Knoll also includes numerous bedrooms and baths on the second floor.

More Interesting Reading

More interesting reading may be found on one of my blogs at http://theknollmansion.blogspot.com/

DANCE TRAIN STATION BELGIUM do-re-mi The Sound of Music - Julie Andrews

This video was made in the Antwerp, Belgium Central Station (train). On a Monday morning, with no warning to the passengers passing through the station, a recording of Julie Andrews comes on the public address system singing “Do, Re, Mi.” As the bemused passengers watch in amazement, some 200 dancers begin to appear from the crowd and station entrances. Enjoy.

(Sent to us by Ivan Burnett)

Happy Birthday Mark Killam

Happy Birthday to Tony Storey

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2009

2009 Poster

To listen to Jazz Fest music: http://www.nojazzfest.com/jukebox/

Website: http://www.nojazzfest.com/

Happy Birthday to Anne Stallworth McKeown

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNE

Photo of Leila Keeton Martin, Husband, Frank, & Grandchildren

Here I am in April '08 with my husband Frank and our four beautiful grandchildren, Jake Martin, Mary Keeton Lane, Amanda Lane, and Keeton Martin, on the deck of our boat house in Magnolia Springs, AL

NEW MERIDIANA SECTION ON DAVID'S BLOG

Our classmate David James has created a blog that is a cultural magazine consisting of poetry, prose, music, and visual art. He is quoted below with his description of a new feature he calls "Meridiana"; two of the recent additions are the Doughboy statue and the Temple Theatre. You may want to check it out and perhaps make suggestions about more sites of interest in Meridian.

"After a couple of weeks, I realized that my blog was more magazine than blog, featuring things I liked, not necessarily things of interest to others. To take advantage of this realization, I've decided to create a "special section", focused on things "Meridiana". And I have started it. I've got an hour or so, most days, and I like chasing down such subjects as may be of interest to our classmates. I would welcome suggestions for things to add and where such items are available add them to what I see as a growing section of Meridian memorabilia."

Click below:

http://mhsclassof58thenandnow.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday to Scott Hubert - 101 Years Old

Don't you just love his hat!! This is Edwina's Dad. Mary Jane Kelly Heisterkamp sent me the link to article in the Meridian Star below. Thanks MJ.

Star of The Week: Scott Hubert

By Ida Brown / senior staff writer

In 1908, Henry Ford produced his first Model T automobile, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series (a feat they have failed to repeat ever since) and an earthquake and tsunami destroyed Messina, Sicily and Calabria, killing more than 70,000 people.

Also in that year, Meridian native Scott Hubert was born. While Hubert officially celebrated his 101st birthday on Easter Sunday, the Silverleaf Manor resident got an early start Saturday at a party in his honor.

"I think it's nice of them to do this for me," said Hubert, seated at a table surrounded by balloons and an Easter tree decorated with colorful plastic eggs and miniature footballs, basketballs and soccer balls. In front of him, a large rainbow-hued birthday cake decorated with the same sports memorabilia.

"I like sports – all of them. I watch sports on TV," he said.

In fact sports has been an integral part of Hubert's life. He played high school football in 1928 and 1929, and baseball. But it the athletic accomplishments of his brother, Albertson "Pooly" Hubert, that he boasts about the most.

"My brother was an All-American at (University of) Alabama. He played in the first Rose Bowl Alabama went to – they beat Washington, 20 to 19," said Hubert, who dons an Alabama Crimson Tide cap in allegiance to his favorite school and team.

At 101, Hubert still remembers the address of the house he grew up in: 1726 24th Ave. He is the only living sibling of two boys and one girl. He attended Meridian Public Schools, then in 1924 and 1925 transferred to St. Stanislaus High School in Bay St. Louis. Hubert returned to Meridian and attended Meridian High School in 1926 and 1927, then returned to St. Stanislaus, which is where he graduated.

In 1927, Hubert began studies in business at the University of Alabama. However, because of The Depression, he was forced to quit. He opened his own business."It was called the Field Seed Brokerage Co. – I brokered cowpeas, soybeans and other types of beans," he said.

After 18 months, Hubert closed his business and began working as a cost accountant with U.S. Engineers."I worked for them from 1941-1945 at Keesler Field, Gulport Field and the Mobile District," he said.

Hubert returned to his hometown and became self-employed as a public accountant; he continued to work in the profession until his retirement.

Sports and work were not the only highlights of his life. He was married to Edwina Cunningham for 60 years (she died in 1998). The couple had two daughters and a son (who is deceased).

Hubert was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity and earned the rank of Life Master in bridge, the most highly sought level of bridge achievement. He continued to play bridge until a few years ago, he said.

Soft spoken and brief in words, Hubert said there are no secrets to his longevity."It is by the grace of God," he firmly attests.

When asked about some of the events and technological advances he has witnessed during his lifetime, Hubert noted that he has lived to see 16 presidents in office – from Woodrow Wilson to Barack Obama. He said he hasn't thought much about modern advances, but considers television "the most entertaining." And while he worked on computers in his accounting business, Hubert doesn't have much interest in them today.

"They are good to have, but I don't really have much to say about them," he said.

His advice to young people ..."I don't have any advice for them; and if I did, I don't think they would listen," he said.

And what does he consider the worst part of becoming older?

"You see all your friends die; not any of them are still living," he said slowly, with a slight tremor in his voice.

As birthday greetings were expressed to him by neighbors arriving for his party, Hubert perked up and quickly added, "But I got a lot of 'em here."

Ring All the Bells of Easter

On Easter morning, 1799, the Austrian citizens of Feldkirch awoke to find their peaceful village besieged by the army of Napoleon. Knowing that the town’s defenses could not withstand an attack, those in authority hastily called a meeting to decide if they should hoist the white flag in surrender to the enemy.

The dean of the church rose first and addressed the somber assembly. "This is Easter Day," he said in a trembling voice. "This is the day of our King’s Resurrection. We must have one moment of triumph. Let us at least ring the bells. If the town falls, it falls; but we must ring all the bells of Easter."

His counsel prevailed, and soon, from the church towers the bells rang out their joyous sound; the vibrant music reverberated through the valleys and hills of Feldkirch, filling the frosty air with gladness.

The invaders, massed outside the gate, were confounded. Why should there be such celebration? Concluding that the Austrian army had arrived during the night to relieve the town, the French broke camp and were in full retreat before the bells stopped ringing.

------------------------------
This story was sent via e-mail from Mark Killam.

Visit the Garden of Eatin'

To all of my classmates who can't come here for a visit, let me take you on an imaginary tour.

Would you like to visit with me in my swing? I never get to spend any time with you, so I thought this would be at least different, and something you would enjoy. Become a child again and listen to the sounds.

I built me a swing under a trellis of Wisteria, and it is completely shaded. I hung two hummingbird feeders among the vines, and a mother mockingbird has claimed a corner of my trellis for herself.

My swing is wide enough for three people to visit, and it makes a long gentle swing as you push off just a little. I like it best in the early afternoon when the air is still. I do my best thinking here.

Let's take a tour. Hop on the "Mule", which is a four-wheel version. Fifty feet from the back patio is a lily pond with frogs, fish, lotus blossoms and lots of other critters, all of which make their own sounds. There is the goose and his family of various kinds of ducks that have just appeared. Alongside this pond, you will see tons of petrified palm wood that I gathered around here and hauled in to make a border. Some of the pieces are big enough to sit on and feed the fish and ducks. There is one really big bass in this pond. He is the "big fish in a small pond" that you hear about. We can always find him, because he makes a wave as he swims.

The chickens and guineas have come up to the mule to pick at whatever morsel of grain gets dropped. It is so much fun to watch the guineas races late in the afternoon, before they all head for the safe roost of the hen house. Now we can ride over the levee to see the herd of antelope. At last count, we had fifteen. The does are the color of regular deer, but the bucks are black and white and brown, especially during breeding season. The buck master is always the darkest, and he rules over the herd and is on constant watch. The other four bucks, we call them the bachelors, stay on the opposite side of the big lake. Five babies have been born this month, with one set of twins. They are so precious to watch. They love to run and spring up down.

Let's ride over the dam, which is about three hundred feet, to the other side of the big lake. Look, there are the moochers. They are the Black Bellied Whistling Tree Ducks from Mexico. Texas Parks and Wildlife says they are not supposed to be here, and we tell them to leave, but they are here to eat us out of house and home. They are ducks, but they roost in the trees at night and they do not quack. They whistle. Their eyes, and feet and legs are red. Listen!! They are whistling at us. I let them stay for that reason. It boosts my moral.

Now we can go to the cabin up by the front lake. The water is low right now from lack of rain, but when the lake is full, it comes up to the back porch. There is a hammock if you would like to take a nap. This is one of my favorite places to watch the wildlife. The cabin is one big open room 30 ft by 40 ft, except for the bathroom. It has a wood burning heater, air conditioner and all of the modern conveniences except for a telephone. I don't want one up here.

We had better go feed the longhorns. We have six, with long horn spans of six feet or more. They are very gentle and fun to feed. Their size can be overwhelming to city people. It is more fun for me to watch the city people try to feed them. The cubes always end up getting dropped.

The donkeys are fun also. They love to be petted and fed.

A delicate mist from a late afternoon rain is hovering low on the lush green landscape. The mockingbird is sitting on top of one of the pines singing her favorite songs, and the cricket and bullfrogs are beginning to chirp and croak.

Late in the afternoon, the day bird's songs get fewer and quieter as they wrap up the day’s work and head for their roosts. Look!! A beautiful male Ruby Throat Hummingbird pauses on the feeder at the other end of my swing to take a sip. I have had them land on me to investigate a flowered shirt.

The swing squeaks occasionally, a good comforting sound, and soon you will notice that the trees are dark against the still light sky. Mama mockingbird gives a sassy chirp from her nest and thinks my swing is just a bit too close for her comfort. A dragonfly zooms past me in search for supper. It is dusk dark now and from the woods across the lake, a whippoorwill calls. Is there a more beautiful, haunting sound in the world??

I've noticed that the air has turned a little cooler and a nice breeze is touching my face. The sky in the east is dark, and soon, even the light in the west fades gently until you become immersed in the warm southern night. There goes a firefly winking his little light around the front yard. The bullfrogs are in full voice, filling the air with summer songs, that are as familiar to us as our own voices. So many of my cherished childhood memories have this for background music.

Look, the first star is beginning to twinkle!!! Every time I see my first star of the night, I remember a little song I learned as a three year old. "Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. Wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight...”

I wish you could have been with me in person today, but your visit was special to me. I enjoyed your company. I think I will stay a little while longer, and think about missing you. You can come back and visit any time.

With my love,

Maxine

E-Mail From Maxine - commenting on "Playtime With Maxine"

Thanks for sharing Jinny's comment about her visit here in The Garden of Eatin'.

We have 5 new baby antelopes born this spring. I love to watch them as they explore the lakes and other animals. Yesterday, one of the babies discovered a bunny rabbit and got nose to nose with it. It is a new picture in my "mind's eye" because I didn't have a camera ready. We have one mother antelope that always has twins, and it is so funny to watch them nurse. They always try to hog the "dinner table", until she will just gently step over them until they quit butting heads. Jinny and her family got to see the herd but the babies were born after her visit. They can run as soon as they are born.

God gave me this little parcel of land and keeps putting His critters on it for me to take care of. It is so rewarding, and I wish everyone could be here to see what I see.

Every new day is an adventure.

Edwina's Father's 101st Birthday!

Hello, All, Just wanted to share the continuing good news that my father is having his 101st birthday tomorrow, Easter Sunday. In fact, the party is this afternoon at Silverleaf in Meridian. I am not there. I am in Albuquerque, but he and two others at Silverleaf are being honored this afternoon. His mind is still sharp, he reads a lot, follows sports, etc., and basically is very well physically and mentally. Just thought you might like to know. I have already told him that friends have said "ditto to the well wishes from last year!" Celebrate a wonderful and Blessed Easter, yourselves. Edwina

PASSOVER

History of Passover video. (click to view video)

What is Passover? (click to view video)

Passover is a Jewish holiday which began this year at sundown on Wednesday April 8 and ends at nightfall on Thursday April 16 in the Diaspora (Wednesday April 15 in Israel).

All Jewish holidays begin at sundown because the Bible says it was evening and morning, the first day. Passover is special because it is central to the whole Jewish religion and marks the birth of the Jewish people as a nation led by Moses over 3000 years ago. It commemorates the departure of the nation of Israel from Egypt. The highlight of Pesach is the observance of the Seder, a unique ceremony performed on the first two evenings of Passover. At the Seder, different special foods are eaten and the story of the departure from Egypt is told. There is singing and special prayers.

According to the biblical account, the Hebrews were enslaved for four centuries in Egypt. God liberates them through a series of extraordinary plagues on the Egyptian people, their livestock and their land to break the will of Pharaoh. On the final night before the exodus, the Jews were told to slaughter a lamb, eat it, and put the blood of the lamb on the door posts so that the angel of God would know which houses are Hebrew houses. The angel passed over these houses, but killed the first born of the Egyptian homes. At dawn, the Hebrew nation made their exodus. The purpose of Passover is to remember this moment in the formation of the Jewish people.

The seder is a meal that commemorates the first night of Passover. The ritual meal includes food that carries special meaning. For example, herbs mark the bitterness of slavery. Matzah, the unleavened bread of the poor, represents the dryness of life under slavery. It represents the idea that the Jews had to prepare the meal in haste because they were leaving at dawn and there was no time to bake bread. There is a bone from the lamb to represent the lamb that was sacrificed on the eve of the exodus.

Source: click here

HIGH HOLY DAYS OF CHRISTIANITY AND EASTER TRIDUUM

This last Sunday was Palm Sunday. It marked the beginning of Holy Week, the time when Christians all over the world celebrate those events that constitute the central doctrines of our faith. On Palm Sunday, the Gospel of Mark describes Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the back of a lowly donkey. Jesus comes as a king whose rule is not about being served but serving.

The Easter Triduum occurs within Holy Week and is the culmination of the entire liturgical year, full of symbolism and sacred mysteries, mystery because the meaning is so profound as to be beyond any single explanation. It is a three-day period and celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ. The three days are counted as the Hebrews counted their days, from dusk to dusk. Therefore, the three days of the Easter Triduum are from dusk on Holy Thursday to dusk on Good Friday (day one), dusk on Good Friday to dusk on Holy Saturday (day two), and dusk on Holy Saturday to dusk on Easter Sunday (day three). Each of those days "tells" a different part of the story. We come to church at various times during those days, and when we are not in church, we try to live a quieter, simpler life, focusing more of our attention on Christ and less on the secular world.

Holy Thursday marks the end of Lent and the beginning of the Triduum. [click here for liturgical year] There is a service in the Church, centered around the story of the observance of Passover by Jesus and his followers before his crucifixion on Friday. There is a wonderful account of this Passover in the Gospel of John. Read and consider here the description of this extraordinary God. This God of humble love who dwells in inaccessible light and who came to dwell among us – this God who washes feet, pouring himself out for loving service, like water in a basin. On this night, he institutes the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood. He becomes the Lamb of God, broken bread and poured out wine, no longer bread but His Body, no longer wine, but His Blood.

We remember his prayers and suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. Was this not where the battle was fought and the humanity of Christ cried out, "Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." What cup, we wonder. The Fourth Cup not consumed during the Passover but on the cross of Good Friday when Jesus is executed in the manner of the common criminal of his day.

Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence. We recall the suffering of Jesus in the scourging, the crowning with thorns, and the carrying of his cross down the Via Dolorosa. We remember his crucifixion and that something monumental has happened. God has died that we might live. We memorialize this in a Church service again. The service is a continuation of what began on Holy Thursday.

The Easter Triduum reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, celebrated on Saturday night. We recite the words: “Night truly blest when heaven is wedded to earth and man is reconciled with God!” This celebration is a long one. We proclaim with fire and song that Christ is risen. We listen to the Scripture stories of God's interaction with humankind from creation through to the resurrection. The joy continues on with Easter services on Sunday morning and songs of praise, “Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!”

Sources or other interesting links:
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=33089
http://www.nativity.org/Triduum.html
http://www.priestsforlife.org/columns/columns2003/03-03-24triduum.htm
http://www.zenit.org/article-25544?l=english

E-Mail from Al Trussell

I'm sharing an e-mail from Al Trussell with his permission:

I keep up with the class of '58 with the web page you maintain. Thank you so much for all the work and effort you do to keep all our class mates informed.

I have made most of the reunions but had to miss the 50th because I had previous commitments I could not change.

Seeing all the pictures of old friends caused me to really regret that I missed the reunion. I look forward to the 55th.

I now live in Chiang Mai Thailand after living in China for 12 years. Living in Thailand is wonderful and the Thai people are some of the most gracious in the world. Chiang Mai is in the north of Thailand near some beautiful mountains. My plans are to move into a new condo I recently purchased that has a fantastic view of the mountains. The south of Thailand has some of the most beautiful beaches and islands in the world which I love to visit for a holiday. The south of Thailand is less than an hours flight from my home.

Last year I finally sold the home I owned in California and made my permanent residence in Thailand. My business interest are still in China but I only make about 2 trips of about 1 month each a year there now to oversee the business. Although I have "officially" retired I like to keep my hand in my business to keep busy but it does not require much responsibility.

Thanks again,

Al

Happy Birthday Millie Majors Jones

HAVE A GREAT DAY, MILLIE!!!

Thousand-Hand Guan Yin

There is a phenomenon sweeping through Asia which is still relatively unknown in the West. It is a stunning stage performance called Thousand-Hand Guan Yin.

Guan Yin is the bodhisattva of compassion, revered by Buddhists as the Goddess of Mercy. Her name is short for Guan Shi Yin. Guan means to observe, watch, or monitor; Shi means the world; Yin means sounds, specifically sounds of those who suffer. Thus, Guan Yin is a compassionate being who watches for, and responds to, the people in the world who cry out for help. . . . (To read more go to the website: http://www.truetao.org/guanyin/)

The most incredible thing about the performance is that all the dancers are deaf. They are members of the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe. None of them can hear the music - this makes their choreography a truly amazing achievement. The difficulties and challenges they encountered in training are beyond imagining.

The ultimate message of this performance can be summed up in the following words from Zhang Jigang, the choreographer who put it all together:

As long as you are kind and there is love in your heart
A thousand hands will naturally come to your aid
As long as you are kind and there is love in your heart
You will reach out with a thousand hands to help others

Quoted from: http://www.truetao.org/guanyin/

Marriott Approves Franchise

Marriott International has approved the franchise application of New Orleans, La. developer Historic Restorations, Inc. to convert the historic Threefoot Building in downtown Meridian into a 125-room Courtyard by Marriott.

After a long controversy, the City of Meridian approved a proposal by HRI to renovate the building in January. The city will guarantee $14 million of the $55 million project. The Threefoot is a 15 story art deco building constructed in the 1920’s. It has been virtually abandoned for decades.

HRI will renovate the existing building, and construct a new annex building for “back of house” hotel functions. To make room for the hotel, the nearby bank branch and defunct parking garage will be demolished.

HRI specializes in renovating historic urban buildings that have been abandoned. Their work includes the restoration of the King Edward hotel building in Jackson and much of the warehouse district in New Orleans.

Courtyard by Marriott is a mid-scale hotel chain offering amenities such as flat screen TV’s in guest rooms and a “24/7 market” offering salads, fresh fruit, and the like. The Threefoot Courtyard by Marriott will charge an estimated $140 per room night.

The franchise agreement must be executed within 90 days and the renovations completed as per the approved design plans before the hotel is opened to customers. Exterior renovations are scheduled to begin in June.

Source: The Meridian Star

ARTICLE FROM MERIDIAN STAR

Here is part of the article mentioned below that I forgot to add.

Remember to double left click on article to enlarge.

IT'S IN THEIR ARTERIES from "The Meridian Star"

"Duet"
Martha Hopkins

REMEMBER TO DOUBLE LEFT CLICK ON ALL PHOTOS AND ARTICLES TO ENLARGE.

Here is a recent article from the Meridian Star about 4 relatives who had artwork chosen for the Meridian Museum of Art 38th Annual Bi-State Competition juried show, which will be hanging until April 12. Since the quality of the reproduction was poor, I included a clear image of "Duet," which since it's a minimalist piece, the subtle aspects of it didn't show up well in the article. It has wooden parts representing piano keys under the canvas.