Sara was in town this past weekend and the Ingram household is slowly making the transition from Houston to Clarksdale.
Sara came to town with a bottle of Clorox and we began the process of sanctifying 504 West Second Street. Having raised four boys she knows germs are germs, but Mrs. Ingram is particular about only living with Ingram germs, hence the bottle of Clorox.
Yours truly mowed the yard and then helped clean and wax floors.
Sara cooked our first meal in her new kitchen and we said grace around the table at our new home for the first time.
We've yet to move the big stuff, but that day is coming.
I’ve been working at your Clarksdale Press Register for three months and with every new day, Clarksdale feels a little more like home.
Advertising Works
We ran an ad saying I was looking for a house in Clarksdale for several weeks and I had over 30 calls from people wanting to rent me stuff ranging from $400 to $2,200 a month. I also had another dozen or so calls asking if I was interested in buying.
Please don’t ever say people don’t read those ads in the Clarksdale Press Register.
Volunteer for something!
I’m a big believer the best way to become a member of a community is to volunteer.
I volunteered to be a “volunteer” at the Sunflower Blues Festival.
Yes, it was hot and then it rained. Yes, it was manual labor, but it was also a chance to sit in the information booth and talk to people about this town and its blues heritage.
The music was good, I bought Sara a necklace from one of the vendors, and we ate lunch in a local joint as we listened to Kenny Brown, who plays hill-country blues.
By the end of Sunday’s gospel music I had helped my community and made a dozen new friends.
Elections
The bond issue passed and the mayor is on record as saying every new tax dollar raised by the referendum will be spent on flood control, bridges and streets.
County primary elections went rather smoothly and we have a story on Page One talking about the vote count and the vote-counters.
I’ve watched elections for more than 25 years as a newspaperman and the problems come with those late boxes that leave candidates wondering why it took so long to get the vote “right.”
Crime concerns
Clarksdale is not a den of thieves, but it does have its share of crooks.
If you have noticed I tend to run crime stories on inside pages.
We made an exception last week with an auto burglary spree that culminated with a homeowner drawing down on a man in his carport. It affected a lot of people and we hope it ends with justice serviced.
I went on a drug raid Friday night with our Sheriff. That story can be found on Page XX.
I’ve been on a lot of drug raids as a reporter, but this one was the first where they made me wear a flak-jacket.
As I stood outside that house in Jonestown on a hot Mississippi night, I realized it was to protect me from the mosquitoes. They ate this boy up!
Seriously, there was a lot more flying around on this raid than mosquitoes. I don’t understand why deputies want to put their life on the line to bust someone for a few ounces of pot. Please remember, your police and sheriff’s deputies are out every night trying to take a bite out of crime.
Football Friday
Football starts in full force this Friday with games around town you should go and see.
Athletics teaches excellence and it also teaches a winning attitude.
Too often in our society -- and especially in Mississippi -- we tell kids it is Ok to do less than your best, it’s Ok to lose and it’s Ok to fail.
I urge this community to support their schools and those students who excel on the field and in the classroom.
Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register. Call him at 627-2201 when you spot news around town.
