Lee County Neighbors

Inauguration Trip

2009-01-28T04:20:00.002-06:00

Lee County teacher Angela Doty and four students returned last week from a trip to Washington, D.C., to watch President Barack Obama's inauguration. This is Doty's account of the trip:

I, along with several Lee County students and chaperones recently experienced the trip of a lifetime as we traveled to Washington D.C. for the inauguration of our new President, Barack Obama. Sixth grade students Maggie Lyon, Mary Moore, Ben Calvery, and 3rd grade student, Demi Doty, were accompanied by chaperones Lori Lyon, Lisa Moore, Shirley Wilbanks, and myself. Our group traveled with the Smithsonian Student Travel Company (SST) to this extraordinary event.

This trip was an opportunity for the students to see history brought to life. We were also able to witness and take part in an amazing outpouring of patriotism by millions of people who were gathered in the nation’s capital for the Inauguration ceremonies. We watched on a giant jumbo-tron screen a concert that was held at the Lincoln Memorial with many celebrities and artists singing patriotic songs. It was like a giant party with everyone in the crowd singing and dancing to well known patriotic songs. It was an awesome sight that gave me goose bumps, seeing so many people joining together to celebrate our country.

Our four day trip was packed full of interesting and exciting activities:

Tour Day 1: Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009

The trip began by traveling first to the Memphis airport where we flew first to Detroit, Michigan where we saw a lot of snow! Probably the most I've ever seen in my life. Then on to Washington, D.C.’s Reagan International Airport where we were greeted by the Smithsonian Student Tour guide, Ms. Elaine Kincaid. Elaine spent the rest of the trip with our group 24/7. Tour guides from Smithsonian Student Travel are specially trained to lead group tours around the country.

We joined a tour and did all our activities with students from Wisconsin and California. The students from Wisconsin said it felt like a heat wave in D.C. compared to the -35 degree weather they had been experiencing in their state.
Our first activity in Washington was a trip to the Smithsonian Aeronautical Space Museum which was awesome; we loved the Wright Brothers exhibit and all the space exhibits.

Then we experienced our first taste of Inauguration mayhem! Walking down the street to the next museum was crazy crowded, but they kept telling us it would be nothing compared to what the crowds would be on Tuesday. Obama vendors were everywhere! It is almost like a pop star was coming to town. Almost anything you could imagine, had Obama’s name or picture on it, and was for sale. You could even buy bedazzled Obama toboggans!

We then enjoyed a delicious meal at local Mexican eatery, Chevys.

Next we toured Washington by night which was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! We walked the Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and gazed into the reflecting pool at the Washington Monument which was frozen, but still beautiful.

Finally made it to our hotel for some much needed rest!

Washington D.C. Tour day 2 Monday

Our group enjoyed a delicious breakfast provided by Smithsonian Student Travel Company at our hotel and then it was up and out the door by 7:30 a.m.! The itinerary for the day included stops at Arlington Cemetery, Mount Vernon, and the much anticipated Smithsonian Inaugural Ball.

Our tour bus driver had been driving for Smithsonian Student Travel for many years and he said that he had never, seen traffic anything like that before! We would start in one direction and before we got there the road will be closed-- it was wild! I was so thankful to be traveling with SST taking care of everything. All we had to do was jump on the tour bus and go.

Snow began falling at Arlington while we walked and visited the gravesites; this was exciting for a Mississippi bunch that normally sees more ice than snow--- we decided if we were going to be cold anyway, bring on the snow!!!

Our first stop was at The Tomb of the Unknown Solider. It was awesome to see the changing of the guards. The students were amazed that the guards stay on duty 24/7 rain, snow, hail, tornado, or hurricane. We also visited JFK's and Bobby Kennedy’s gravesite.

Next we went to lunch at Union Station and experienced more traffic. We learned one interesting fact that we had already witnessed, a first - the most Port-a-potties ever used for 1 event: 5,000. The outdoor bathrooms were double-lined around the entire mall area.

Next we went to Mt. Vernon. It was wonderful. The crowds were massive; I think everyone was trying to get out of D.C., so they traveled to Virginia. George Washington’s home was beautiful and the grounds were filled with amazing sites. We particularly enjoyed walking to the old tomb site of Washington and the “new” tomb site.

After Mt. Vernon, our group headed back to the hotel for a quick change of clothes into our “ball gowns”. Smithsonian Student Travel Group organized an Inauguration Ball for all students traveling with their company. 6,500 students from across the United States enjoyed balls at different sites on different nights organized by SST. Our group had our Inaugural Ball on Monday night at Camelot in Virginia. We enjoyed a delicious meal served on fine china and danced the night away! The ball was a blast! The students also got their pictures made with cardboard cutouts of the President and Vice-President. Everyone was sad to see the night end, but knew we needed our rest for the following day which would be the Inauguration.

Inauguration Day: Tour Day 3

What an amazing day! Our day began bright and early at 4:30 a.m. with a breakfast buffet at our hotel, then loading the tour bus by 5:15 a.m. The short 12 mile ride into D.C. actually took over two hours. We were very fortunate that Smithsonian Student Travel secured bus permits to drive into the national mall area so we only had to walk about four blocks. I have often heard people say that things seemed “surreal” and never understood that feeling until we began our walk to our designated spot on the mall. Our group locked arm in arm as we maneuvered our way through the enormous crowd making their way down the closed of streets of Washington D.C. to the mall. You could feel the electricity in the air as everyone was so excited and pumped up about this historical day. People chanted “Obama, Obama, Obama”. It was a very unique experience for all of us.

We made our spot right in the middle of the national mall- half way between the Capital and the Washington Monument where we enjoyed a free concert that was being held at the Lincoln Memorial via jumbo tron. People gathered hours in advance for the event at the same site chosen by civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. for his 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech. The concert featured songs by Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, U2 and Mary J. Blige; Martin Luther King III spoke, along with actors including Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks. The crowd of millions sang along as Garth Brooks performed “American Pie.” Everyone rocked along to Mary J. Blige and danced as Stevie Wonder sang and played the keyboard. Interspersed in the event were clips of past presidents, including the inaugural addresses by John F. Kennedy and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This was the perfect beginning for the Inauguration Ceremony.

After standing on our feet since 7:30 a.m. we were near exhaustion, but the aching back, cold hands were forgotten when dignitaries started being introduced and ushered to their places on the capital steps. It was truly an honor to be in the presence of many past presidents and dignitaries. As past presidents were introduced the electricity in the crowd ignited with the soon appearance of President elect Obama.

It was very sad when President Bush was introduced and “booed” by the crowd. People were very rude screaming take off your shoes and throw them. This was very disturbing that the people of our country had so little respect for our outgoing President regardless if they liked him or not. It was so disturbing that one of the students traveling with us began to cry.

Finally, the moment we had all been waiting for: the oath of office. It was truly an experience of a lifetime to be present when the first African American President was sworn in. The crowd went wild and erupted in cheers that could be heard from a mile away. It was worth braving the crowd, cold, and exhaustion to be a part of this.
The rest of the day was spent touring Smithsonian museums and attending a Sports Comedy Improv Show at Pentagon City Mall. When night finally came you would think everyone would have been ready for sleep, but not our group who continued to celebrate this momentous day until midnight.

Sadly, the last day of our tour arrived on Wednesday when everyone prepared to return home. As sad as we were to leave our new friends from Wisconsin and California who toured with our group, we will always have our memories that we will be able to share with our children and grandchildren one day.

This was an amazing opportunity for students. For the first time in their lives, student took part in history—not just read about.

"The trip to the Inauguration was an experience of a lifetime. We were there when the first African American President was sworn in,” said Ben Calvery.

“It was an honor to be a part of something that is so important to our country and to have experienced this with my mother, friends, and teacher,” exclaimed Maggie Lyon.

Mary Katherine Moore stated, “For the first time, American history seemed real—it’s about what’s happening now and not just in the past.

Mary Katherine shared this once in a lifetime opportunity with her aunt, Lisa Moore, who is a retired teacher from Tupelo. Another retired teacher from Tupelo, Shirley Wilbanks traveled with the group also.

Third grade student, Demi Doty, traveled on this trip with her mother. She said, “It is cool to be a part of history and to have seen our new president!” “This will be something I can share with my children and grandchildren one day!”

In preparation for the trip, Doty incorporated Smithsonian-approved lesson plans and resources into her classroom teaching. These resources are provided by Smithsonian Student Travel to enhance the educational content of their tour.

The trip to Washington, D.C. is one that will be remembered fondly for the rest of our lives.

About Smithsonian Student Travel
Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Smithsonian Student Travel (SST) combines the Smithsonian’s vast educational resources with EF Education First’s more than 40 years experience making student travel easy, safe, and affordable. SST offers the best class trips to Washington, D.C. and across the nation at affordable prices to ensure travel is accessible to more students and teachers. Tours are enhanced by resources created by Smithsonian educators and all of SST’s educational tours are accredited. For more information about Smithsonian Student Travel call 1-800-503-2323, visit www.SmithsonianStudentTravel.com You can also contact Angela Doty at angeladoty11@gmail.com for more information. This is the second group Doty has taken on tour with Smithsonian Student Travel. Mrs. Doty is preparing a third tour for May 2010 to New York or New York/D.C.

Parading Santa

2008-12-10T05:43:00.010-06:00

As Emily Le Coz wrote in this week's Lee County Neighbors, Santa Claus has been busy in the days leading up to Christmas - and that includes riding in Christmas parades all over the world. Anytime there's a parade, you can count on jolly old St. Nick to be the main attraction. I went to six Christmas parades last week and snapped these shots of Santa:

Here's Santa in Nettleton's parade Dec. 1. I think it's a requirement for Santa to be a good candy thrower, but he nailed me a few times with peppermints as I was walking next to his sleigh.

Santa didn't have far to go for his next parade. Tuesday night, he was parading a few miles to the west in Shannon. Santa uses his overhand motion to throw candy in Shannon, as opposed to his pitchout motion in Nettleton.

Thursday night, Santa was riding through the streets of Baldwyn. As for why his hand is partially over his face, either he's waving or trying to shield his face to keep me from taking his picture.

There were two Santas in the Reed's Tupelo Christmas parade Saturday morning. I believe this Santa, who was walking behind the Itawamba Community College band, is one of the real Santa's helpers or a Santa-In-Training.

Here's Santa in his familiar spot - in his sleigh at the end of the Tupelo parade. It was the start of a long day for him.

Saturday afternoon, Santa cruised over to Sherman for that town's parade. He also brought along a helper to assist him with the candy throwing.

Saturday evening, Santa wrapped up his busy day in Guntown. And look who came along with him - Mrs. Claus. While Santa was in Tupelo and Sherman, Mrs. Claus was busy gathering more candy for the good boys and girls along the parade route.

And as you can see, Mrs. Claus can throw candy just as good as Santa.

Santa, however, didn't ride in Saltillo's parade Tuesday night. The parade was canceled because of bad weather, and it will not be rescheduled. Santa promises he'll be at next year's Saltillo parade. Rumor has it that Santa wound up at the Carrie Underwood/Little Big Town concert at BancorpSouth Arena. One of his helpers had an extra ticket.

Weather permitting, Santa will be in Verona Thursday night and in Plantersville Saturday morning. Santa photos from those parades will be posted this weekend.

2009 Miss Tupelo Pageant

2008-11-25T20:59:00.003-06:00

The above slideshow is a sampler of what you'll see when the "Miss Tupelo 2009" folder is posted on Djournal.com's Photo Gallery. I turned over the photos to the Journal photography staffers to upload Tuesday morning, but they had a busy schedule and couldn't get to it. I'm hopeful the photos will be posted sometime this week.

You may have noticed a trend in the slideshow. The contestants' photos are from the evening gown of the competition. There were five competing for Miss Tupelo - winner Adrian Turner, Molly Anna Baulch, Sara Plunkett, Ariel Turner and Natalie Hill. The rest are Miss Teen contestants, including winner Ashley Neal.

Some of the photos are posted on Facebook. Search my name and you'll see two Miss Tupelo photo albums. I'm amazed how fast word gets around when photos are posted on Facebook. I'll add more in the coming days.

Saltillo "Howlween" Party

2008-10-26T15:50:00.001-05:00

Downtown Saltillo was the site of a doggone good time Saturday, Oct. 25 for the Pet Howlween Party, featuring a pet costume contest and dog parade. SGK Pet Designs, DB's Floral Designs and Two Brothers Pizza joined together to host the event.

About 35 dogs decked out in Halloween garb ranging from a Batman outfit to one pooch turning green like the Incredible Hulk. They strolled along the sidewalk in front of the judges to win various prizes.

Costume Contest

2008-10-25T19:11:00.000-05:00

There were pretty kids, funny kids and some very creepy kids at the Tupelo Farmer's Market on Saturday for the Halloween costume contest. There were 81 entries with various prize winners for both boys and girls in three age groups. It looks like these kids are ready to trick-or-treat.

Bike Ride

2008-10-18T18:54:00.000-05:00

A group of motorcycles rumbled through Guntown on Saturday, Oct. 18, but the riders weren't there to cause trouble. They were riding for a good cause: supporting vision-impaired children in our state.

The event was the first Bike Ride, sponsored by the Mississippi Parents of Blind Children. The organization, for now mostly made up of parents in north Mississippi, used the bike ride as a fundraiser. James Gusmus, the guy you see in the photos with the light beige jacket, was chairman of the bike ride. Patsy Sartin of Belden is president of Mississippi Parents of Blind Children.

The riders started from Guntown, went up U.S. 45 to Corinth, cut across to Iuka, went back down Highway 25 to the Natchez Trace and then cruised back into Guntown for a fish fry.

Body Walk

2008-10-17T13:50:00.004-05:00

Body Walk, a fun and educational activity for children sponsored by the Mississippi Extension Service, was open for kids to venture through Oct. 13-16 at the Lee County Agri-Center's Magnolia Building.

The walk, which is built for children to move through with ease, is split into segments devoted to these parts of the body: brain, mouth, stomach, small intestine, heart, lungs, bones, muscle and skin.

When I arrived, I decided to follow one set of kids - a group from Camille Shumpert's third-grade class at Mooreville Elementary School - the entire way. The kids, Mrs. Shumpert and I had a great time walking and learning from each section. It was quite informative. I appreciate Mrs. Shumpert and her students - Sydney Armstrong, Charlotte Deeters, Farrah Hester, Hanna Donald, Sam Morgan, Trey White, Brady Hood, Kelsey McIntosh and Jahquantee Rogers - for letting me tag along.

Multi-Purpose Center Luau

2008-10-16T18:00:00.000-05:00

Just because you reach a certain age, it doesn't mean you can't have fun. The people who attend the Lee County Multi-Purpose Center for the Elderly in Tupelo are proof.

About a hundred Senior Citizens enjoyed a Hawaiian luau Thursday morning at the center. And as you can see from the slideshow accompanying this post, it was a festive occasion with games, music, snacks and lots of smiles. Edna Ruth Dobbs, Neighbors' Senior News correspondent, was there. (That's Edna in the white blouse on and the wall clock behind her midway through the slideshow).

One of the highlights came when Shelton Shannon, the center's director, and Robert Smith, a member and volunteer at the Verona senior center, dressed up as hula dancers and performed for the audience. They got a little outrageous in their performance, and everyone got a big laugh out of it.

Guntown Firefighter Challenge

2008-09-28T18:51:00.000-05:00

The firefighter challenge was introduced to this year's Guntown Cotton Fest on Sept. 27. The day-long event attracted firefighters from various departments, and they competed in a variety of team and individual skills competitions.

Some of the photos were taken by me. Others that have the yellow datestamp are courtesy of Carol Patterson of the Guntown Volunteer Fire Department.

Welcome

2008-09-24T03:55:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the new Lee County Neighbors blog, updated by Neighbors Editor Bobby Pepper. It you want to view the previous blog, click this link. I ran into some technical problems with this site and switched to blogger.com.

The first entries are photos from recent assignments, but additional features are on the way. Feel free to post comments.