7/2/2023

 

Weekly Update 7/2/2023

Every Tuesday, I go to City hall to volunteer at the archives. The staff there are terrific, and include me as part of their department. This past week, I met in the office as usual, and we had lunch together, and then all went to Second Harvest, the big food pantry in Savannah. We sorted through donations, and divided things by category. They would then either be placed in boxes for distribution to families, or sent to the “store” where people can come chose what it is they need. We were only there for about an hour, but it felt really good to be doing something for others.

I had two cemetery tours this week, but neither one was as a guide - I participated. Don Teuton, the best guide for Bonaventure, led a tour on Wednesday, and it was very hot. I became less and less interested as the time went on. Don is great, but I really know most of what he’s talking about, and I was so hot and sweaty. I’m glad I went.

Don told me that there was going to be a tour at the Old Jewish Cemetery the following day. He suggested that I just show up and join them. I had never been there, and I had no expectations of ever going there. The cemeteries (there are two family burials grounds near to each other) are always locked, and you have to know someone from the temple to let you in. This was my chance. I found it amazing. The burials are from about 1770 and continued for the next 80 or so years. There are maybe 15 in the Levy part, and another 30 in the larger cemetery.

On Saturday, Roseann and I went to the Green Meldrim House for tour. We found out that Jamie Credle was going to be their new director, so we wanted to support her. And, we wanted to scout it out in case there might be an opportunity to work with Jamie again in a new place. I enjoyed the tour. Roseann thought it was too long. As DH, we only tell about the Davenports, and maybe add in a little about HSF. At Green Meldrim, there’s the Green family, the Meldrim family, the architecture and innovative features of the house, the occupation by Sherman in 1864, the association with St John‘s Church, and other stories. It would be difficult to tell it all in just one hour. I don’t know if anything will happen that will make me want to move, but it was interesting to think about.

In the afternoon, I drove out to Fort McAllister. The fort is part of Georgia State Parks, and they were offering demonstrations for the long Fourth of July weekend. Located along the Ogeechee River, the fort was held by Confederate troops throughout most of the Civil War. In December 1864, it was the last barrier between Savannah and Sherman’s forces. Sherman had 60,000 men, the fort was defended by about 230 Rebel soldiers. It fell almost immediately. You can still see earthen walls and wooden barricades. This weekend, they had rifle and cannon firings, and some soldiers talking about the importance of the fort in the War. It was so hot, I only stayed for about an hour, but enjoyed the history.

Adrian celebrated his birthday on July 1. He’s two years old now, and is a big boy! Annie is beginning to show a little of her personality, too, as she plays with toys and enjoys eating food. They both are the light of my life.