Jean Dinkins Morris -- One of the Treasures

I often refer to myself as a "born again Augustan" -- a facetious title, but one which fits my rediscovery of Augusta and all its hidden treasures. After college, I accepted a job in Greenville, SC while hubby was at Clemson. We moved to a number of towns over the next 25 years and enjoyed what each had to offer. Imagine our surprise to find, after returning 'home,' that Augusta has many of those things and more. Everything about our old hometown has been experienced with new eyes and new excitement.

I saw very few classmates over those years that we were away and I still sometimes just pass them by without recognizing them. Seeing them again is like discovering another hidden treasure.

One of the first ones I recognized was Jean Dinkins. Her big smile had not changed a bit. We talked a little about our days at Richmond, reunions, and singing with Miss Halbert in that upstairs chorus room.

Jean Dinkins Morris died on Sunday. A grandmother of six who is gone too soon. Another classmate who has been lost to us.

Her obituary from Monday's Augusta Chronicle is below.
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EVANS, Ga. - Mrs. Jean Dinkins Morris, 66, entered into rest on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at Heartland Hospice. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at Abilene Baptist Church cemetery with Rev. Bill Harrell and Rev. Barry Daniel officiating. Mrs. Morris will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a member of Abilene Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Tommie Morris of Evans; two daughters, Debbie Atwood and her husband Rick of Brunswick, Ga., Robin Compton and her husband Randy of Piedmont, S.C.; and six grandchildren, Thomas Knapp, Nikolas Knapp, Heather Knapp, Kaitlyn Compton, Madison Atwood, and Caleb Atwood. Mrs. Morris was predeceased by her parents, Gary and Vivian Dinkins; and her brother, Wayne Dinkins. If so desired, memorials may be made to the Abilene Baptist Church Building Fund, 3917 Washington Rd., Martinez, Ga. 30907. Platt's Funeral Home, 337 N. Belair Rd., Evans, Ga. 30809. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com Published in The Augusta Chronicle on 10/8/2007.

AAB

Pete and the Parade

After I posted about living with "joyous naughtiness," I have had a few emails about what it means.

The best example I can give you is our classmate, Pete May. His joy in life is evident with each task he undertakes. His naughtiness appears in a bright purple suit for ARC functions or a Jester costume complete with tights for a national table tennis event. His contagious energy is a gift to all.

Last week, the annual Horse and Carriage Parade moved with precision through Augusta's downtown streets. Everything from Clydesdales to miniature mules were pulling an assortment of wheeled vehicles: the usual polished carriages, wagons and coaches along with ancient hearses, chuck wagons, bridal buggies, and a lone long-horned cow.

Planned as a kick-off event for the Augusta Futurity by Pete in 1992, the Parade has now been moved to the fall weekend of Arts in the Heart for better weather and different crowds. Pete knows not only how to dress, but how to adjust, for success!

Often in our towns, we do things which make a small difference. There are many of us in the Class of 59 who have quietly given to our communities, in our jobs or as volunteers. Sometimes it makes the paper; sometimes only we know. Pete is only one, but if you pay attention, you'll find his hand in lots of things around town -- usually the fun things which encourage a little joyous naughtiness.
AAB

Eve and the Miller

Sounds a little like a Chaucer's Tale, doesn't it? Well, it IS classic stuff.

You (and hundreds of your closest friends) are invited. It's a celebration of both the 50th Anniversary of the World Premiere of "The Three Faces of Eve" and the renovation-in-progress of the Miller Theater. The event is a fund-raiser to refurbish and maintain features of the Imperial Theatre.

• On September 18 from each half hour from 2:00-6:00, there'll be tours of the Miller.
• Then at 8:00, across the street at The Imperial Theatre, there will be a special presentation which will include our own classmate Dan Miller, the grand nephew of the theater founder.
• The screening of "The Three Faces of Eve" will begin at 8:30. Tickets (which include the Miller tour) are $15 with a VIP ticket of $50.

The Chronicle editorial closes with this about the Miller. "It is a grand structure that stands not only for the best of what Augusta was, but the best of what it can become. And it begs for whatever outpouring of support Augustans can give to that end." The same could be said of the Imperial as well. The full story is here.

It seems to me that "Eve and the Miller" is a good reason to relive some old memories of 'our days.' And maybe make some new 'tales' worth telling.

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Two Words to Live By

This week in my personal blog, I wrote about my discovery of two words to live by as an artist.

Since they popped off the page of a summer "beach read" last weekend, I've thought about them and what they might have to do with life in general. I wondered if I know anyone who already knows those words and who has filled the decades with them. I could name a few. I have decided that perhaps they are what we all need as we approach our fiftieth reunion; that perhaps we are too old to be serious, dull and deadly for the remainder of our days.

So . . . if you can't learn from the grandchildren in your family, I give you "Joyous Naughtiness." Write the words on your bathroom mirror, post them on your computer monitor, leave a note in your pants pocket. Live them!

Affecting Our Days

As I have added obituaries of classmates to this blog, I've received a number of emails from readers. Some just say thanks for the memories. Most comment that they don't remember much about specific class members at first or have truly lost touch with those they do remember, yet they have a true sense of loss.

I understand their response; sometimes I feel like old classmates are fictional characters in some fictional person's life (Mine. Was that really me?!!) Yet I have snippets of memory which come back -- both the pleasant and the down-right awful -- and I appreciate that these folks and our days together helped to make me who I am today.

I like Dan Miller's comments after reading an obituary.

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