6/4/2023

 

Weekly Update 6/4/2023

Monday, of course, was Memorial Day. I didn’t look too hard to find a ceremony to attend, but I did go to The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. They place flags throughout the garden area - one flag for each member of the Mighty Eighth division who died in the War. This year, they also had a reading of the name, regiment and death date of each airman who died. It was broadcast on the PA as visitors strolled among the flags. I read that if the list was read at the pace we were hearing it, it would take more than 66 hours to read every name. There are over 28,000 flags that are displayed. I felt this was more powerful than standing around with old soldiers, reciting the Pledge to the Flag, and saying prayers at the cemetery.

I was back at DH giving tours this week. I’ve been struggling with my loyalty to Jamie and my loyalty to Sarah and Isaiah Davenport. The tours were ok, but not too large, and we’re coming up on the hot summer months when tourism drops off here in Savannah. So, while I may go back occasionally, I doubt that I’ll be back to every week like before.

For my British Mystery Book Club this month, we met at a new coffee house. It’s called Agatha’s (as in Agatha Christie) and it reminded me of an English pub. The décor was old books on book shelves, tea pots and teacups, old photos on the walls of WWII. It was delightful to sit there with my iced latte and discuss The Last Detective with my friends.

Helen’s house is on the market. https://www.redfin.com/GA/Savannah/513-E-York-St-31401/home/121886595?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=1023840&utm_term=dsa-1341488468296&utm_content=454669089738&adgid=111663010968&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7PCjBhDwARIsANo7Cgmy6WJQtLtQGlxdtL1axxsKJLRd57FgZ6yPXq7BszyCuwKLkz7XtCwaAs-8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds As she was going through some old papers, she discovered several old pieces of sheet music from the 1880s to about the 1920s. She thinks they have belonged to her husband’s grandmother, but she doesn’t really know how she got to have them in her house. One of her daughters told her to just toss them in the garbage, but Helen thought they might be worth something to someone. Not really knowing how to find someone, she asked if I might have a contact in the history community. I contacted the Georgia Historical Society, and they were interested in seeing the pages. On Friday, we went to meet with a curator there, and they accepted the donation. I think Helen is happy to know someone will appreciate the music, and it will be cared for. I’m happy I could help her find a place for it all.

On Saturday, I drove to Richmond Hill, a city about a 30-minute drive from where I live, for a car show. I was late because I watched the Coco Gauff match, so several cars left before I arrived. (And I couldn’t find the place; that added to my travel time). What was rather interesting is that it was not held at the Historical Museum, as I’d been led to believe, but was at the Community Center. They were having an open house, so I went inside the center to find out what it was all about. This building was erected in 1936 by Henry and Clara Ford, who owned the Hermitage Plantation in Richmond Hill and used it as a summer home. It served residents and enhanced educational, social, and cultural development from 1936 to 1950. It’s been used as a funeral home for decades, but is now empty. The city purchased the building in 2022 and the future use is still being considered. That was intriguing.

Adrian and Annie are wonderful. Emily wrote to me that Annie is smiley-est baby she’s every seen. Adrian is becoming quite the big boy. I can’t wait to meet these darlings – soon.