Rector is Just So Cool!!

Finally, a little cold spell! The temperatures dipped down to about 92 and with the lowered humidity it was almost bearable outside for a day, at least in the morning and evening. I tell you, it's a good thing I live in cotton country this summer. I know the cotton farmers are loving this hot dry weather and I do love the cotton farmers so at least there seems to be an upside to my suffering and whimpering and whining. Can there really be an upside to whining? Oh, I am quite fond of all the farmers, by-the-way, not just the cotton farmers.

To borrow a phrase from Barbie Terry, "My stars!" Has this ever been a busy week!! It was concert week! I still have trouble believing that we really have these big music stars coming right here to little old Rector to give a concert to benefit the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation. And they keep coming back! And they seem to really want to come here! And we really really love to have them come!

This year it was Kevin Williams (again) and Daily and Vincent (again) and Jason Crab, Gene McDonald, Charlotte Ritchie and Mark Lowry (finally). They sang new songs and old hymns and even got us all to sing along with them. Mark Lowry had me laughing so hard my mascara was running in my eyes. And that bass singer with Daily and Vincent! I could not get my mind around the fact that that way down deep bass sound was coming from that cute little smooth faced young man. I just knew he was lip-syncing and someone else was singing. They were just great! And I fell in love with all of them. But then, I am old and I fall in love easily.

We even made the entertainment section of the New York Examiner. We are really so cool! And as thrilled as I am to have these wonderful personalities come to Rector, I am just as thrilled with all the "just plain old Rector folks" that make it all happen. This column isn't big enough to list you all, but know that every one of you that volunteered your time is very much appreciated. A special thank you to Bill Carter and General Barker and all the RHS Helping Hands Board members. Go to the website and take a look: http://www.rhshelpinghands.org/ .

There were 1500 people in the gymnasium at the Rector High School Thursday. That may not sound like so many to some of you, but there are only a little more than 2,000 people who live in Rector, so that was a crowd here. An awful lot of them were from out of town. Georgia Salle and I sat next to a young couple from Jonesboro. I never got their names, but they were delightful and thrilled to be in Rector. Trudy Speers came back for the concert too. I was glad to see her. I got a hug from my cousin, Gloria (Rust) Reed and her pals Donzie and Doris. I always look forward to seeing them.

Pauline Graves Shields' niece, Judy Jefferies drove down from Fenton, MO for the concert. Friday Paula Benton and I went to lunch with Judy and Pauline at Bowden's restaurant.

First we were talking to Mack Manchester. When he asked Ms. Pauline how she was doing, she responded by telling him she was just a little slower on her walker these days. Judy and Paula and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows. We were still a little out of breath from trying to keep up with her as we came in the restaurant.

Then her home care nurses, Kathy and Leah came in for lunch and we chatted with them for a few minutes. Then we got to talking with these two enchanting people at the table next to ours. Melvin Bridges and Wanetta Brannon, both originally from the Rector area, were in town for the concert. They had a few stories to tell, especially Melvin. They were quite impressed with Ms. Pauline and spent a few minutes with the "did you know this person" conversations. Finally Pauline asked if either of them knew her son, Jimmy Graves and of course they both did and Melvin realized for the first time, just which "Pauline" she was.

At that point we had to get out the cameras. Melvin just had to have a picture with Pauline to show to his brothers. Then there were a few more stories, many not suitable for this column. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Wanetta and Melvin and I hope to see them again when they are in town. A delightful duo.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention that Melvin IS a retired Marine. (Once a Marine, always a Marine). I would also be remiss if I failed to mention that he is involved with our new Veteran's Memorial. His brother, PFC. Joseph Bridges was the first Rector boy to be killed in the Viet Nam war.

Okay, Rector folks, if all these people are going to keep coming back here and all the other people are going to keep coming here to see them, we all have some opportunities here. We need some bed and breakfasts, we need more stores. My goodness, we could even use a gift shop and Rector memorabilia and RHS Helping Hands memorabilia. Let's get with it!

The other big news is that Paul and Cheryl Schwager have been back! Yes, they came all the way from Corona, California. I just knew they couldn't stay away. Let's see, they attended the concert, Paul played golf, they visited, Paul played golf, they partied, Paul played golf, Cheryl was guest of honor at a brunch at Nancy Kemp's and Paul played golf. I was so glad to see them both.

I was sorry to learn that we had to say good-by to Goldie Parmenter and James Harold Tracer this past week. Keep their families in your prayers.

A reminder that tickets to the Ultimate Oldies Show are on sale in town at Now and Then. That is for August 20, 21 and 22. Great show. Don't miss it!

Speaking of Oldies. I suppose you know that Jessie Malin turned 81 last week. Yes that is the same Jessie that was sprinting up and down the stadium seats at the concert. I don't keep up with her either.

Got to go. Let me know what you are doing. Write me at 514 W. 3rd St., Rector or call me. My phone number is 595-3173. Email address: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.

Bless our soldiers.