Convoy: Phouc Vinh - Binh Hoa

Starting another slideshow of Vietnam. New year 1969. DeFisher and I drove the deuce-and-a-half to Binh Hoa. Don't I look cool!

As always, click on the slide images to stop the show, view the larger sizes, and read the captions.

Southern Women - True or False

I'm sure this has been running the rounds for quite a while, but I like the person who sent it:

Southern Women

• Southern women appreciate their natural assets:  
• Clean skin.  
• A winning smile. 
• That unforgettable Southern drawl.
• 
  
• Southern women know their manners:  
• "Yes, ma'am." 
• "Yes, sir." 
• "Why, no, Billy!"
• 
  
• Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions :  
• "Y'all come back!" 
• "Well, bless your heart." 
• "Drop by when you can." 
• "How's your Momma?"
• 
  
• Southern women know their summer weather report:  
• Humidity  
• Humidity  
• Humidity
• 
  
• Southern women know their vacation spots:  
• The beach  
• The rivuh  
• The crick
• 
  
• Southern women know the joys of June, July, and August:  
• Colorful hi-heel sandals 
• Strapless sun dresses 
• Iced sweet tea with mint 
• Straw hats and big sunglasses
• 
  
• Southern women know everybody's first name:  
• Honey  
• Darlin'  
• Shugah
• 
  
• Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:  
• Fried Green Tomatoes 
• Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood 
• Steel Magnolias 
• Gone With The Wind
• 
  
• Southern women know their religions:  
• Baptist  
• Methodist  
• Football
• 
  
• Southern women know their country breakfasts:  
• Red-eye gravy 
• Grits  
• Eggs  
• Country ham 
• 
  
• Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma's homemade jelly
• Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:  
• Chawl'stn  
• S'vanah  
• Foat Wuth  
• N'awlins  
• Addlanna
• 
  
• Southern girls know their prime real estate:  
• The Mall  
• The Country Club 
• The Beauty Salon
• 
  
• Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:  
• Having bad hair and nails 
• Having bad manners 
• Cooking bad food
• 
  
• More Suth en-ism's:  
• Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them. 
• Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens,
• peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess." 
• Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."  
• Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, as in: "Going to town, be back directly." 
• Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table. 
• All Southerners know exactly when "by  and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well. 
• Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor whose  got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin!  
• Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece. "They also know that "just down the  road" can be 1 mile or 20. 
• Only a Southerner both knows and understands the difference between a  redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash. 
• No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn. 
• A Southerner knows that  "fixin" can be used as a
• noun, a verb, or an adverb.  
• Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, .. and when we're "in line," we talk to everybody! 
• In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural. 
• Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them. 
• Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.  
• When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner! 
• Only true Southerners say "sweet tea,"  "sweet milk," and "light bread".  Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk.  And "Light bread" is white bread. 
• And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her heart" ... and go your own way. 
• To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart! 
• And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language!  
• And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could."  
• Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are fahevah!

THE FINAL TEST: The meaning of cyarn or kyarn.

1985 Soperton UMC VBS

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June 26, 1985

Soperton United Methodist Church's Vacation Bible School
Wonder when and where the first Vacation Bible School began? Other than family support, VBS may be the most important "vehicle" to introduce children to Jesus. This group is on the steps of Soperton UMC during their VBS week. How many people do you recognize; name them in a comment.

Others that week: Winners of the Sportsmen's Club fishing contest, Clayton Stephens, Wayne Hooks, John Lee and Winford Smith with Sammie Meeks with DDA sign, Little League teams, Coloring Contest, marijuana at the jail, THS athletes in the weight room, Gillis Farm honored by Polled Hereford Association (they began raising them in the 1940s).

One Reason I Like Living in Town

EXCITEMENT!

There's something going on all the time, day and night. I don't even have to leave home. A view from my front porch.

1980 Amtrak in Soperton

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June 25, 1980

Were you in town to meet the Amtrak when it came through Soperton? It was quite a turnout! The train stopped only long enough to let out a special passenger who had ridden all the way from Dublin: JAMES MERRITT!

Others that week: Somebody's office, a reunion group, baby mocking bird, Sportsmen's Club cook-out, GPA Convention, T-ball, Ronnie Reid and Ronnie Phillips with rattlesnake, string of catfish and eels caught by Willie Shivers.

1975 SHS Class of 1955 Reunion

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June 25, 1975

Your homework assignment this week is to identify these members of the SHS Class of 1955 at their 20-year reunion. They have another reunion scheduled today (June 26, 2010) at the Masonic Hall.

Others that week: Softball, Snack Shack team lost their game after enjoying a fish fry earlier, tennis practice at FBC, Cubs and leaders in Iva Park, 4-H DPA, fireworks prep, grassing at TES, work on the stadium erosion, Wade Clark with Sportmen's Club guest Marilynne Garrett.

1980 Lothair UMC VBS

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June 18, 1980

We can credit Marilyn for the series of group photos of the Lothair United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School. See how many people you can identify and make comments. We can always count on the Lothair community to  lead and join in.

Others that week: 4-H DPA, Coursey Grove water pump, Mark Simons log tobacco barn, fire at Ernest Collins's (in a bamboo thicket), cancer plaques at courthouse, Assembly of God VBS, former Corner Restaurant became Coleman Barbecue, two boys with bikes, TPS bathroom renovation, Loutrelle Edenfield art classes for children, GFCWC state convention in Soperton.

For those who may be interested. I found the "lost" negatives behind my recliner in open view, once I moved the chair while looking for something else. Right where I left them last year with a couple of weeks of July 1980. The Lord doth provide!

1980 Some of my negatives are hiding

Sometimes last year I made an enlargement of the water pump at Coursey Grove Church. The photo was made during the week of June 18, 1980, and all my negatives are hiding under the 3-foot pile near my scanner. Until I clean up and find them, we won't be sharing the photos of that week, which included a couple of VBS groups, bathroom renovation at TPS, fire at Ernest Collins's, Georgia Women's Clubs state convention in Soperton, and 4-H DPA.

Luckily, I had already scanned a couple of photos from that week - for fun and profit. Coursey Grove was a part of the collection of Big Lou's Second Street Bistro, accompanied by a verse of Scripture about living water.

The old log tobacco barn photo was made at the Mark Simons farm, and I made a print for Glenda Simons.

1985 Nursing Home Retirees

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June 19, 1985

Retiring at the Treutlen County Nursing Home were, l-r: Nellie Fuqua, Annie Harmon, Ira Lee Turner, Sam Walker. Hospital Authority Chairman Charles Carr made the presentations.

Others that week: "Wrights Palace" on West Louisiana Avenue, across from Bakers Funeral Home burned to the ground, but all occupants got out unharmed; 4-H group, FBC VBS, T. C. Little named one of Georgia's 50 most influential black men; James Kight and Paul Scott attended Conservation Workshop; Mulberry Bush - Marnie Smith.

What's this?

Up in I Corps all the Vietnamese girls wore "pajamas". At least they looked like pajama shirts and trousers. For the six months we spent in I Corps, we never saw an Army nurse or any kind of skirt. We never saw a PX.  How surprised we were to learn that the Big Red One and 101st Airborne in III Corps had been enjoying PXs, recreation facilities, etc. Biggest surprise of all to visit the Phouc Vinh PX and see a cute Vietnamese girl with American style hair and a real skirt.  More December 1968 shots now running on the slideshow. Click on it if you'd like to read the captions.

1975 When Radio Came to Soperton

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June 18, 1975

Historian Clayton Stephens was on top of the news, as he talked with Fred Tippet as land was being cleared at the WYOK antenna site. Tippet helped put Soperton on the map. I-16 construction was going on; a chamber of commerce was in its third year; the city had sponsored two successful Million Pines Festivals, cable TV was new, and James Windsor was in his fifth year making the Soperton paper one of the best in the state. Tippet must be remembered for giving us WYOK and what it meant. He and his employees gave us good publicity, news, music, and interesting DJs. He brought Gene Watson to the McArthur Gymnasium to sing "Love in the Hot Afternoon".  Feel free to comment on what the radio station meant to you.

Others that week: Chuck Ellington won public speaking contest, Gene Bowers's RC&D was finishing the TPS grassing project, '65 Class Reunion, Stewart family reunion, Deputy Seaby Phillips, burning tires to clear the recreation site, and softball.

1985 SHS Class of 1955 Reunion

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June 12, 1985

The Soperton High School class of 1955 held their 30-year reunion. If you know anybody that age on internet, email this to them and ask them to identify the people. Or if you know someone that age without internet, show or snailmail a print to them.

Others that week: Gary Walden and Ida Bell Moore, Step-Up Shop, Tarrytown VBS, Erosion control at Christian Family Center, Lauren & Jordan Shurling, Mary B. Wheeler, R. H. Warnock, Lisa Love, Wayne Sumner, William Fulford.

1980 Microfilm Reader Donated

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June 11, 1980

Lions Club President Bob Sanford and Historical Society President Clayton Stephens represented the two organizations who bought a microfilm reader-printer, valued at $2500, for the county library. The UGA Libraries microfilmed all of the past copies of the Soperton News and the county government bought a set of the films and has continued to sponsor the continuing microfilming. The printer soon became obsolete as digital copiers took their place.

Others that week: Ditches being scraped along South First and Second Streets, triangle between Second Street and Mount Vernon Road was cleaned and beautified, Tonya Gillis won a huge stuffed lion from Busch Gardens, Daryl Walden kicked up dust planting soybeans under dry conditions, March of Dimes raised over $5,000, State 4-H Council.

1975 Tractor in the Ditch

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June 11, 1975

If the new bank had been built years earlier, the accident may not have happened, as there is no longer a ditch where Mr. Mark Little abandoned ship just before the tractor turned over in it. Mr. Elvin Young and Mr. Milt Johnson put the vehicle back in action. Richard's Service Station was alive with action. Can you identify more of the people?

Others that week: Hugh Gillis announced that John Lee would be the new hospital administrator, retiring teachers Laura Hall and Minnie Lou Raley, talent show, softball, and I-16.

1985 Bring on the Clowns!

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June 5, 1985

It was time for Vacation Bible School, and clowns were out recruiting. Can you name everybody in the picture? Please post your comments at the bottom of this blog post.

Others that week: Ballet students, Margaret Byerly's piano students, National Garden Week, Miss Mildred Sessions retired from DFCS board, UCWC honored two retiring teachers - Mrs. Eva Little (31 years) and Mrs. Lillian Smith (41 years).

1980 News Moves to Historic Building

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June 4, 1980
The Soperton News moved into the old two-story bank building constructed in 1912, the home of the Bank of Soperton until 1963 when they built the bank that became the County Annex.  The News office had been 106 South First Street (now MLK Drive). Robert Mann takes one of the first views over the decorative marble.  Robert lived upstairs at the bank building for a long time. He was an award-winning photographer, who learned every aspect of technology at Suburban Printing.  In 2010 he is living in his hometown of McRae and is employed by UniPress in the Treutlen Industrial Park.

Others that week: More News building pix and shots from the roof, TES students of the month of May,  an unidentified man, Courthouse trim scraped and painted, wrecked cars of Treutlen Waller and Franklin Joiner.

Pilot Dies in Crash at Phouc Vinh

I never knew the name of the pilot who died in a mid-air collision, but the scene always reminds me of Pat Hughes, an engineering student who did co-op sessions when I was working at Rockwell in Statesboro. He was a smart, friendly young man, the nephew and pride and joy of our senior engineer, Howard Hughes (not the aviator).  Mr. Hughes didn't have a son, so he loved his nephew like a son.  Howard was so proud of Pat, especially after he became a pilot who would serve in Vietnam. Pat died in a situation similar to the one depicted, and his uncle was a broken man.
My first photos at Phouc Vinh will appear in this week's slideshow.

1975 Women's Softball on Old Field

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June 4, 1975

Younger generations may not be fully appreciative of the outstanding sports and recreation facilities in Soperton. Here we see a women's softball game in progress at the old football field, which was used from the revival of football in 1946 until the new stadium was built at the high school. The scene is now a part of Jean Gillis Park. Men's softball games were being played at the site as early as 1950 with that same chicken-wire backstop.

Others that week: Candystripers meeting, Mickey Palmer and Cal Alford with chute-scale, B&PW Club officers and guests.