In search of Meridian music history

 

I’m researching Meridian music history for a Mississippi Blues Trail marker that will be placed at 5th Street and 25th Avenue.

 

I’m interested in any recollections from Star readers of blues, jazz and R&B bands and the places they played during the 1940s, ’50s and later; also blues and R&B shows on the radio. I know about Sherman Johnson, Lee Arthur Rhodes (the House Rocker), Lovie Lee, Carlia E. “Duke” Oatis, and a number of others. I’m interested in a band that included Lee Arthur Rhodes on saxophone with other members Bobo Elliott, Clifton “Sonny” Williams, Walter Thornton, Jimmy Cole and a guitarist named Irvin. They played a lot of dances. They were called the Rhythmaires, the Rhythm Makers, the Rhythm Aces, or something similar. (There was a popular Rhythm Aces band from Bogalusa but those were different musicians.)

 

If anyone remembers the correct name or has photos of these or other bands, disc jockeys, or the clubs, I would appreciate any info and photos – please send to me at bluesoterica@aol.com.

 

Jim O’Neal

 

Founding editor, Living Blues Magazine; research director, Mississippi Blues Trail, 3516 Holmes St. Kansas City, MO 64109.

 

Thank you for seniors’ meal

 

A few residents and staff from Aldersgate Retirement Community were very pleasantly surprised when an anonymous diner paid for their dinners at Outback.

 

This random act of kindness occurred when Bro. Kenneth and Terri joined a group of residents for their monthly dine out. When the bills were requested, their server explained that it had been paid for by a person who had been dining near them.

 

What an amazing and thoughtful gesture! The gentleman did not stay and the residents and staff were not able to thank him.

 

We would love to extend thanks from the bottom of our hearts if any person reading this has a clue about his identity. That gesture is a reminder that in a world where news can be discouraging, good people still surround us and should encourage us to spread God’s love throughout the world in the ways we are capable of.

 

Marsha Hannah

 

Community director of marketing and public relations,  Methodist Senior Services Aldersgate

 

Improving school food options

With the new school year upon us, parents turn their attention to school clothes, school supplies, and school food. Yes, school food!

More than 31 million children rely on school meals for their daily nutrition, which too often consists of highly processed food laden with saturated fat. Not surprisingly, one-third of our children have become overweight or obese. Their early dietary flaws become lifelong addictions, raising their risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

To compound the problem, the Trump administration has loosened Obama’s 2010 school lunch rules calling for whole grains, fat-free milk, and reduced salt content. The rules had an 86 percent approval rating.

Fortunately, many U.S. school districts now offer vegetarian options.

More than 120 schools, including the entire school districts of Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia, and San Diego have implemented Meatless Monday.

As parents, we need to involve our own children and school cafeteria managers in promoting healthy, plant-based foods in our local schools. Entering “vegan options in schools” in a search engine provides lots of useful resources.

Malcolm Williams

Meridian

Mississippi Power should pay

I read an article in The Meridian Star recently and, again, ask how much would it have cost to build only an electrical power plant that only used natural gas? And, why didn’t Mississippi Power Company and the Southern Company think that its’ customers should help pay for an expansion of THEIR BUSINESS?

Therefore, I ask another question, if they wanted the customers to partner with them for the expense of the Kemper electric plant, why are the customers not considered as partners and investors, and just customers?

From the beginning, I have contended that the Southern Company and Mississippi Power Company should have paid for the complete amount of the expansion of THEIR BUSINESS. No customers should have to have an increase in their Mississippi Power Company bills. And, since the Mississippi Power Company and the Southern Company made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS of mistakes and over-runs, they should be responsible for their own mistakes, not the customers.

Being a retired Mississippi licensed remodeling contractor, I believe that many, many times the contractor makes mistakes, but when they do, and unless it is covered in the contract between the contractor and their customer, the contractor does not, nor should they, expect the customer to pay for the contractor’s mistakes. And, since Mississippi Power Company placed the customers on the same level of responsibility for payment of the plant, the customers should have never been forced to pay for the Kemper plant. Also, upon that, I believe that all CUSTOMERS should have a Rate decrease, and a Full Refund plus Interest for the use of the Customers Money.

Also, upon that, I believe that all customers should have a rate decrease, and a full refund plus interest for the use of the customers money. Because, I dono remember the customers having a vote or voice in the use of the customer’s money.

I, also, wonder just how many other Mississippi Power Company customers feel the same way. 

Floyd T. Killebrew Jr.

Meridian