Savannah Trip--evening of Day 4

After a little time to rest at our hotel, we departed for a buffet dinner at Paula Deen's, The Lady & Sons Restaurant. We enjoyed some shopping time in the gift shop and a delicious "southern" style meal of fried chicken and all the trimmings. (photo is from the internet).

Once again the bus had a little difficulty in parking very close. Some walked back to the hotel, and some rode, but we soon re-grouped and headed to the Savannah Theater.


The performance of "A Christmas Tradition" was outstanding! It was a two-hour variety show featuring Frosty the Snowman, dancing reindeer, Santa and his elves: along with an award-winning cast of singers and a live band performing all the classic Christmas favorites.

 The show definitely put us in the Christmas Spirit, and was a fitting end to another great day!

Condolences for Jacqueline Thomas

Jacqueline Thomas

Jacqueline H. Thomas, 92 of Carlinville, IL passed away Sunday morning, January 21, 2018, at Clay County Hospital in Flora, IL.
Jacqueline was born November 4, 1925, in Harco, IL, a daughter of Ewell and Josephine Lepoutre Harris.
Jackie graduated from SIU Carbondale in 1948 with a degree in Home Economics.
She married Frank Thomas, September 4, 1965, in Harrisburg, IL and he passed away August 19, 2004.
Jackie taught home economics in Vienna, Grayville, and Norris City, IL She later became the Home Advisor, or later called Extension Advisor in Macoupin County for 31 years. She was a member of Carlinville United Methodist Church and the Kiwanis Club in Carlinville and Girard.
Visitation was held on Sunday, January 28, 2018, 11:00 am to Noon at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home 260 Woodlawn Drive, Carlinville, IL.
Graveside Services were held, Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 4:00 pm at Tate's Chapel Cemetery in Galatia, IL.
Burial will follow in Tate's Chapel Cemetery next to her husband.
Jackie is survived by a host of friends.

Savannah Day 4--Interesting History

We began our morning by driving several miles south of Savannah to a place that seemed like it was in the middle of nowhere. It was the Pin Point Heritage Museum. Pin Point is an African American Gulla-Geechee community located in the marshes of Georgia's tidewater zone.

Our guide told us about the Oyster seafood processing factory that operated there from 1926 to 1985 and the lives of the Gulla-Geechee people who lived and worked there. It was one of the first places that slaves freed by the Civil War owned land.

 

The factory was the lifeblood of the community until pollution, government regulations on the processing of seafood, and other economic changes forced it to close. The few people that are left now work elsewhere.

The blue bottles in the tree near the crab house above are believed to keep evil spirits away by distracting them so that they don't enter the home. 

The photo of the marsh (above right)  is actually the "Moon River" from the famous song by Andy Williams--when the tide is out! Pin Point is also the birthplace of  Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. This was a very interesting stop where we learned a lot.

Then we boarded the Georgia Queen for a luncheon cruise on the Savannah River. Our narrator told us much about how the economy of Savannah developed and still depends on the shipping industry.




 
Though it is hard to believe since it is not on the ocean, Savannah is the 4th largest port in the US. There were huge boats coming in from other countries! We were told that this particular one (and all others like it) would spend several days in port going through customs, taking inventory of its cargo, etc.

After the cruise we had some time to explore and SHOP at many of the stores on the Savannah River Walk before we headed back to the hotel.

Our bus driver did a great job navigating around the narrow streets and congestion near the river and elsewhere in the city! It is an area that was not built for large transport vehicles for sure! 

Savannah Trip--Evening of Day 3

The Olde Pink House was built in 1771, and has survived ever since as a home, a bank, a headquarters for soldiers, and now as an elegant restaurant.

The pink exterior is thought to be a result of the red brick bleeding through white plaster on the outside to make it look pink.

Our meal was fabulous and enjoyed by all! We were also treated to some live entertainment which was added to by one of  the members of our group.

During the meal an entertainer ( I didn't get her name) sang songs and talked to us about some history and highlights of the Restaurant.

At one point she asked Dale Peach if he could help her with a whistle.

Well---he told her that he couldn't whistle, and that if he tried, he would probably spit on her instead. (not on purpose of course).

Just the way he said it and the context of the whole conversation, struck everyone as extremely funny! We had a great laugh!

  

And, as you can see, so did she! It took her a moment to compose herself.

You can tell from the photo of Dale and his wife, Diane, above, that he was very sincere in his explanation, and that made it even more hilarious.

It was a great end to our day of exploring and learning about Savannah.