Ole Miss Weekend

We have just returned from a wonderful weekend away from Searcy. The Communicative Disorders Program at Ole Miss is 40 years old this year and they invited everyone back to celebrate. Of course Beckie could not go because she is "suffering" in Florence this semester. The program lasted for three days, but we could only go down for Saturday. It was still well worth the trip.

We started out with a breakfast reception in George Hall. It is certainly much grander than it was in June, 1973. They kept saying that they were making do and I reminded them that in 1973 it was an old dorm that had been painted for us and we were thrilled. It was certainly better than University House where you did theraly on the sagging back porch.

At noon, we had a picnic in The Grove across from the Alumni Office. It was fun to meet everybody and see many old friends. Of course, they wanted to get me up to perform with the Hand Band, but I forcefully reminded them that it didn't exist while we were there. Tommie Robinson got up and performed with them (of course). Old and new faculty were introduced. As expected only the fun ones were there. That gave us lots of freedom to tell stories about the other faculty.

Afterwards we took a double-decker bus tour with Gloria giving the narration. She has certainly moved up and is a mover and shaker at Ole Miss. We receivesd a behind-the-scenes tour of the Lyceum Building and the Football stadium and training complex. Gloria knew all the dirt and was passing it on. It was great fun.

The evening ended with a reception at the Depot. This was the old train depot that unloaded students at Ole Miss. When we were students there it was deserted and I was always afraid that they would tear it down. They have restored it and are now using it for events like the one we had. Anyway, we got to telling stories and laughing and had a wonderful time. Someone said that there was something about an Ole Miss graduate that joined them with all graduates that had gone before or came after. Gloria said it was a spiritual element. Of course she didn't mean it the way we usually do, but I think she is right.

Sunday morning we went to Bottletree Bakery for breakfast and to Church afterwards. We saw lots of old friends. The Shields (McKay's parents)invited us home for lunch and we visited with John Richard Duke as he gets ready to leave for Germany.

All in all it was a magical weekend!!