Savannah trip--Homeward Bound

The 5th day of our trip included a stop in Stoneridge, GA for lunch and some shopping at a "thrift" store.

 As we returned to Chattanooga for the evening, we made an unplanned stop at Gander Mountain--or at least until the name is changed. They certainly have magnificent displays!

After getting checked in to our hotel, we enjoyed a bountiful dinner at the Rib & Loin. When they say you will have chicken, pork & beef, my assumption would be that we would make a choice. However, we had a huge serving of all three! And--it was very tasty!

The sixth day found us on the road again for our arrival back in Illinois--except for the time we spent sitting on the Interstate waiting for work crews to clean up a wreck. Thankfully, we were not involved!

Everyone made it home safely after enjoying a great week. Now we are looking forward to New York in 2018.

Condolences for Thelma Malone

Thelma Jean Malone, age 76, of Marion, IL passed away peacefully with her family by her side at 9:02 p.m. Wednesday, February 14, 2018, in Heartland Regional Medical Center, of Marion.
She was born on Monday, December 1, 1941, in Harrisburg, IL, the daughter of John Oral and Minnie Maxine (French) Malone.
Thelma Jean attended school in Galatia, IL and was a graduate of Galatia High School Class of 1959. She continued on with her education that summer by attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL where she received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree and Master’s Degree in Home Economics and had also completed some of her courses toward her Doctorate Degree. She had also received from the State Teacher Certification Board of State of Illinois a teaching certificate for Special K-14 Teaching and Supervising of Vocational Homemaking.
She first began her working career with Crab Orchard High School, teaching Home Economics for four years. She then worked at Southern Illinois University as a Home Economics Supervisor. She later worked as an advisor for the University of Illinois Home Extension Office of Marion County located in Salem, IL. She saw an opportunity to return closer to her parents and applied for and received a position with the University of Illinois Home Extension Office of Williamson County, IL located in Marion. Her positions there were many. She was known for presenting programs on various facets of home economics on the local television station, radios, senior centers, and churches just to name a few. She remained working in the Marion office for many years until her retirement in 2006.
She has been a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church of Marion since 1968, where she was actively involved on many committees and as event coordinator of church gatherings until her health forced her to retire. She was a member of the Seekers Sunday school class and enjoyed singing in the church choir. She also was a member of the Marion Lions Club and once served as secretary and a life time member of the Marion Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Kappa Phi Club.
In her spare time, she loved traveling with friends, having traveled from coast to coast, shopping and knowing the location of every T.J. Maxx Store in the country. She also enjoyed cooking and entertaining, playing bingo, crocheting, and spending time with her many friends and family. Thelma Jean was dedicated to her parents and cared for them until their deaths. She loved her family, looking forward to the many times they all would gather together and was always interested in all of their many activities. The many memories that have been created will now be cherished by those she leaves behind.
She is survived three cousins, Brenda Nance and her husband Murriel of Mt. Vernon, IL, Judy Thompson and her husband Elbert of Carrier Mills, IL, and Dale Malone and his wife Barbara of Marion; special caregiver and 2nd cousin, Renae Cullum and her husband Mike of Creal Springs, IL; other special family members, Nikki Williford and her husband Chris, Jaxen Cullum, Peyton Lee Jones and his daughter Sophia Rose Jones, other extended family, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and special family member, Noah Williford.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion.
The visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 19th at the funeral home. The visitation will resume again from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, located at 1201 North Fair Street in Marion.
Following the time of visitation, the funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Lance Leeds presiding.
Interment will follow next to her parents in Dillingham Cemetery located northeast of Marion.
For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to “The Kitchen Fund” of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home. Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church.
For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.

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.

Savannah Day 3--City Tour

Day three began with a Trolley Tour of historic Savannah. The weather that morning said it was going to rain lightly for a little while, but it managed to "rain lightly" for most of the day. At least the temperature was reasonably warm.

One of the most impressive places we saw on the Trolley Tour was the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. As you can see, it was a majestic building! It was built by the French in 1876, burned in 1898, opened again in 1900, and underwent an extensive restoration in 2000.



Michael Faughn took many great photos on our trip. This is inside the church with some members of our group looking up in awe! The Cathedral now serves as the seat of the diocese for ninety counties in southern Georgia. Thanks for the photos, Mike!

Mike also got a good picture of the Spanish Moss that was hanging on the trees everywhere. We were told not to pick it up off the ground because it had chiggers and other bugs in it. Some wondered if we were told that so we wouldn't be tempted to bring any home?

Another stop was the Sorrel-Weed House. It is one of the oldest and largest homes in Savannah, and is considered a great example of the early architecture. It was the boyhood home of a civil war confederate general, and is also said to be haunted. However, we were not there for the night-time ghost tour! The scene from the movie "Forest Gump" where the feather floats to the ground was filmed from the roof of this house.

Lunch was on our own that day, and we re-grouped after for a tour of the Mercer-Williams
House. Construction on this home began in 1860, and was finished in 1868 after being interrupted by the Civil War.  It was the scene of a murder that is described in the movie, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." It too, is said to be haunted.

The Davenport House was our last tour of the day. It was built in 1820, and was a stately home for many years. However, it became run-down and was almost demolished in 1955. That is when the Historic Savannah Foundation formed. This group has since saved hundreds of buildings in the city--which we were able to enjoy.

It was interesting to see so many things that were constructed in the early years of the formation of our country. The city of Savannah was established in 1733.

We were also treated to Madeira wine tasting at the Davenport House. Importing of that wine played an important role in the history and development of the city.  (Photo of Davenport House is from the Internet).

Now that we were much better informed about the early history of Savannah, and a little damp from walking in and out of the rain showers all day, we were glad to head back to the hotel to get ready for our fantastic evening meal! More on that next time.