Jamie - After All These Years

Pontotoc’s annual Bodock Festival was held the week ending August 23, 2008. The editors of The Bodock Post were on hand to promote their new publication and to encourage individuals to signup for the free online publication. We occupied a booth adjacent to the Post Office Museum in downtown Pontotoc. Ralph Jones and I were present both days, and Carl Wayne Hardeman joined us on Saturday.

The 10’ X 10’ popup tent we had borrowed shielded us from sunshine throughout the morning. But, to remain in the shade we were constantly moving our lawn chairs to accommodate the position of the sun, and by mid-afternoon, we found ourselves positioned slightly in front of the tent.

Our vantage point enabled us to do a great deal of “people watching.” There was plenty of foot-traffic passing by us. Many persons smiled or waved, and a goodly number stopped by to see what we were selling. Of course, we were not selling anything, we just looked like we were with a display of horse apples (bodock balls) forming a centerpiece on our display table and a stack of September issues of the Post in full view.

Of the vehicles that parked briefly in front of the Post Office, most were there because the driver needed to drop off some mail or check his or her mailbox inside the Post Office. Thus, when a car containing a man and a woman stopped in front of the Post Office and both of them began walking toward our booth, I quickly surmised we had something they wanted.

The man was smiling as if he knew one of us. I stood up to greet him, wondering if he was someone I was supposed to know. Ralph stood, as well. By this time, the woman had made her way to our booth.

As I recall, he expressed an interest in our centerpiece, stating they had driven to Pontotoc in search of some bodock balls for a decorative purpose.

I decided it was time to introduce myself and extended my hand while stating, “I’m Wayne Carter.”

The woman beside him shrieked, “Wayne Carter! Did you say Wayne Carter?” all but drowning out her husband’s reply, “Howard Thompson, nice to meet you.”

Her first words startled me, and I wasn’t sure whether to answer her or to run. But, when she removed her sunglasses, I immediately recognized her.

“Jamie!” I cried, as it was my turn to yell.

She grabbed me and hugged me like I was a long lost relative. Jamie and I had become good friends when were classmates at Northwest Junior College, Senatobia, Mississippi in 1960-1962. I had met her through my friend Ed Dandridge, another classmate, from Independence, Mississippi. Ed and Jamie had graduated high school together as had a number of other students in my class that Ed also made sure I got to know, because they were his friends.

A minute later, Ralph introduced himself. His actions provoked another round of shrieks.

“You did our house plans,” Jamie recalled. “I can’t believe it. We met you in 1969. We drove from Independence to Pontotoc to find some bodock balls, and here the two of you are together. I knew the Lord had a reason for us to be here today.”

I may have seen Jamie once or twice since we graduated in 1962, but I don’t remember when or where. The fact that I still recognized her after what may have been forty-six years is satisfying. We chatted for the better part of an hour, and I walked Howard and her to the office of Habitat for Humanity to meet my wife, Barbara.

Making the day even more amazing, for me, was the fact that Jamie asked how she could reach Fred Wicker. How she and the story-telling, retired Judge became friends is itself a long story, but it involves her needing someone several years ago to speak before a student body where she is an administrator.

Jamie went inside the museum to find a phone book and returned to state, “I didn’t need a phone book after all. There were a couple of little old ladies in there who knew his phone number, and they told me he would be speaking at the community theater, shortly. I also got directions to Jean Peeples’ house. Jean said I can have all the bodock balls I want right out of her backyard.”

Ralph, Howard, Jamie and I spent the better part of two hours reminiscing. I could easily have “carried on” a couple or more hours, but our schedules would not permit such an indulgence. Ralph and I went back to “selling” the Post, and Howard and Jamie left to visit the Judge and pick horse apples.

Rain Dampens Attendance at Festival

For the second consecutive year, attendance at Pontotoc’s Bodock Festival was hampered by rain on Saturday. It was raining when we got there at 8:30 a.m. and it was raining when we left at 4:00 p.m. However, unlike last year, the evening’s entertainment was not rained out, simply moved to the Ag Center.

We (the editors of The Bodock Post) had secured a booth adjacent to the Post Office Museum and hoped to entice additional subscribers for our new monthly newsletter. Ralph Jones and I spent Friday in our booth, and Carl Wayne Hardeman joined us on Saturday.

Of the two days, Friday had the better weather with overcast skies and temperatures under eighty degrees (quite mild for the third week in August). Friday was also the better day for signing new subscribers with eight added to our roster. Saturday is when the larger crowds are usually on hand, but with light rain falling throughout the day, attendance was very poor. We did have two more new subscribers to bring the total of our charter subscribers to eighty-seven.

Many folks expressed disappointment that our newsletter is available only on the Internet. Initially, our thought was the printing costs and postage would be prohibitive for most folks, but if there is sufficient interest, perhaps we will reconsider our decision regarding no-hardcopies.

Meanwhile the first issue can be found at http://rrnews.org/bp/BP_1.htm.

The Post will be at the Bodock Festival

Pontotoc may have more than its share of persons who love to write and are interested in Pontotoc from a historical perspective. A small group of writers with roots in Pontotoc and Pontotoc County have pooled their efforts and have begun a newsletter to showcase their writings as well as articles contributed by persons who share their love of this area.

Pontotoc Progress readers are familiar with writers Carl Wayne Hardeman and Ralph Jones, both of whom are frequent contributors to the Progress. Wayne Carter having recently retired from writing his own newsletter, Ridge Rider News, has agreed to help them publish and distribute a brand new Internet newsletter, The Bodock Post.

It is the desire of the editors to provide a monthly e-newsletter about rural living with photographs of yesterday and today, including timely articles about conservative politics, religion, food, restaurant reviews, gardening, humor, history, and non-fiction columns by folks steeped in our Southern lifestyle.

Anyone interested in becoming a charter subscriber to The Bodock Post may contact one of the editors online at www.bodockpost.com or by sending an email with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to editor@bodockpost.com. The newsletter is free, with no advertisements, and the editors promise to protect the email address and other private information provided by all subscribers.

Carl Wayne, Ralph and Wayne will share responsibilities as editor on a rotating basis beginning with Carl Wayne for the September issue. Full color, sample issues (not for sale or distribution) will be available for viewing and perusing at the office of the Pontotoc Progress, the Post Office Museum, and the Pontotoc County Library as early as August 20, 2008.

The editors plan to have a display at the Post Office Museum on Friday and Saturday of the Bodock Festival and welcome the opportunity to speak to individuals interested in their new venture.

Welcome

Welcome to The Bodock Post! If you'd like to receive a free, monthly eNewsletter, with no advertisements, please supply the basic information on the form at www.rrnews.org/bp/contactusbp.html.

The first issue of The Bodock Post is due for release on August 24th.

For more information, go to http://www.bodockpost.com/.