Lifestyles

"I hitchhiked to California from Chester several times. There were so many cars on the road that my thumb would swell up to the size of my fist. Eventually I bought a used T-Model Ford that me and my musician buddy first drove to California in 1930. We played string music and took up a collection at various places. It took us about six weeks to get there, but we weren't in a hurry. We took in pretty good money.

Anyone who knows me knows that I can't and don't sing but I do love good singing, especially the way the elders, led by my granddaddy, Berry, would do it.
Years ago in the South, before the Black Church as we know it today existed, there would be secret church or "camp meetings," as they were called, held in the "brush arbor." The word arbor means trees or a place with lots of trees, indicating that these meetings were held in a densely forested area in order to hide the gatherers and muffle the sounds that would emanate from them.

First Baptist Church of Lowrys will present “I'll Be Home for Christmas” Sunday at 6 p.m.
This year's combined drama and cantata service at the church is being presented by Nancy Stewart and Joyce Baker, daughters of the late Frances Wilkes Bramlett Stephenson, who passed away in May. Stephenson, a devoted member of First Baptist for 62 years had written, directed and decorated the sets for the Christmas dramas at her church since 1982, Stewart said.

Singer and songwriter Bill Edwards probably never thought his big break in the music business would come courtesy of a puppet.
Later this month, though, Edwards will tape a performance for "The Shotgun Red Variety Show" which will air on RFD-TV.