Season 1, Episode 26

Mike Gee (left) and your host

What's in a name? Ask Mike Gee!

Does your language have a word that means "a piece of log bitten off the stump by a bear"? One of the L.A. Indian languages did! And when one of the early explorers to this area asked one of the Indians, "What's that?" he replied with this word, which then became the name for a body of flowing water! What stream or creek or bayou was it and what's that word? Our local historian knows and will share it in today's podcast.

While we may not have some of the colorful names that other areas in our state have (Booger Hollow, Toad Suck, Pickles Gap), we have our share of them! Where did Smackover or Lamartine ever come from? And why should the people of McNeil want to change their city name to "Ralph"? Wouldn't it be great to say that we live in the "Ralph-Waldo-Emerson Triangle" of Arkansas?

I sat down with Mike Gee, historian for the South Arkansas Heritage Museum and curator of his own Facebook page dedicated to local history and genealogy, and we had a fascinating discussion. It covered only some of the names that make life in L.A. so interesting. In fact, our discussion was SO fascinating that a half hour had gone by and we hadn't even gotten around to names of roads and streets. Burnt Bridge Road? We'll have to invite Mike to return to hear that fascinating story, which could make an episode all its own!

If you have place names around here that you're curious about, shoot us an email and we'll see what Mike and I can come up with. In the meantime, you know the routine! Click the play button below and learn more about place names in South Arkansas.

Season 1, Episode 25

 

Mercedes Ray

You CAN improve your memory!

I tell people that I can usually remember three of the four items I went to pick up at the grocery store. It's the fourth one that always stumps me!

So when I learned that Mercedes Ray, program director for the Social Work Program at SAU was going to be speaking on how to improve your memory, I had to go and listen. And I wasn't disappointed, especially when she agreed to be a guest on the podcast and expound on some of the things that she mentioned in her talk. Mercedes is married to Jason Ray and they have twin boys, Isaac and Judah. 

There are things we can do to help our memory. Did you know there is a "memory palace" where you can store all manner of things for later recall? Or that certain mnemonic devices (I love that word because it looks hard to pronounce!) can be used to help your recall. Other things you might not have thought about also impact your ability to recall information: sleeping well, relieving stress, eating better. But the one that surprised me the most was.....well, you're just going to have to listen to the podcast because I can't remember everything she said. And it somewhat defeats the purpose of the podcast if I write it all out here for you!

I thought I would learn more about memory in our conversation, but I was also delighted to learn how a fascinating young lady from Iowa with virtually no southern accent wound up all the way down here in L.A. It's almost as though she was on a mission from God! But we'll let her tell you that too.

Click the play button and if your memory is like mine, you'll want to listen more than once. 

Season 1, Episode 24

 

Bro. Joe Owens

Hearing the Macedonian call from Texas

"When the Lord is developing someone, all of life is a school," wrote Henry Blackaby. Bro. Joe Owens is proof of that, as are most of us if we would stop and think of Romans 8:28. The pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church is an example of how God uses His followers in ways they might never have expected.

Bro. Joe didn't grow up a Baptist--in fact he was raised in the Methodist church. But he met a lovely young lady who was a Baptist and since he wasn't actively involved in church at the time, he began to attend Hillcrest Baptist Church in Texarkana, TX. Yes, that's Texas, not Arkansas. 

Bro. Joe saw God's plan for his life unfolding as the pastor of Hillcrest reached out to him and involved him in ministry. It's what Jesus did with the 12 men who followed Him during His earthly ministry and it's still an effective way of building disciples today.

"A real Texan" is how Bro. Joe sees himself, but he's proud to serve on their foreign mission field here in L.A. In fact, he and his wife have lived here for so long that folks around here may overlook that shortcoming. And the Owens consider Macedonia to be home now.

And "folks around here" are apt to see this affable Baptist minister demonstrating servant leadership in many locations around town. He is a volunteer at Magnolia Regional Medical Center, delivers devotionals to Wentworth Place nursing home, assists with the Men's Prayer Breakfast that meets every Tuesday morning, and probably many other unsung activities outside the church. 

Inside the church, you'll find him doing all the things that a pastor will do. But you may also find him preparing for a wedding, working on the church sprinkler system, or cutting the grass. While he doesn't consider preaching to be his forte, he loves the people and loves to be around them, serving them in ministry. He's always finding ways to serve.

"I quote my mentor, Bro. Buddy Johnson, a lot," Bro. Joe said. "His main quote that he's famous for is 'God honors four things, W, O, R, K.' "

And Joe is familiar with work. He worked construction before being employed by Cooper Tire company in Texarkana. It was during that time that he felt the call to full-time service, which eventually led to his coming to Macedonia Baptist Church. This historic Baptist congregation on Hwy. 160 between Magnolia and  Taylor was founded in 1855. When Matt Dillon was serving in Dodge City as sheriff in 1875, Macedonia Baptist Church was 20 years old.

Like many church across the nation, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted attendance at Macedonia Baptist Church, but it continues to thrive and serve its community. One activity that was popular with folks throughout the county was the First Friday Fellowship. Baptists love potlucks, and this one attracted anyone who had a connection with Macedonia. At the last one I attended, I spotted the county sheriff, elected officials, business leaders and just plain country folks who love to get together. Alas, the event has been cut back to once a quarter, but perhaps it will pick up again with time.

The sanctuary has recently been updated, with the paneling being painted, the carpet and upholstery replaced and the old curtains removed. It's a beautiful setting to worship.  

Bro. Joe is an interesting fellow to visit with and we laughed more than a few times during the interview. You'll probably share a few of those laughs with us. And you'll also learn a bit more about this former Texan who began a ministry among the Arkansans here in L.A. Click the play button bellow and enjoy the conversation.

Season 1, Episode 23

 

Landon Chandler

Toss him a clay pigeon and watch!

One of the surprising things about life in Lower Arkansas is that you never know what a surprising "back story" the person your talking to may have. A retired real estate guy may have been the drummer for one of the hottest pop groups in the region. The children's librarian may have lived everywhere from Pickles Gap to Idaho but is freshly returned from Poland. Or the kid who pushes your groceries to your car may shoot a mean shotgun. That is, he may be perfectly capable of shooting 500 clay pigeons, two at a time from 27 yards, and never lose his cool!

That's Landon Chandler for you, and he is my youngest guest yet on Life in L.A. Landon has just completed 11th grade where he shot with the Magnolia High School Trap team. Listen to my podcast and he'll tell you approximately how many trophies he has garnered from state meets. Or the secret to his success as a trap shooter.

You learn something from everyone you talk to, even a high school student. I would imagine your nerves could be a problem when you're shooting 100 traps and you're nearing yet another perfect shoot. How does he keep from getting nervous? He has a secret that will work for just about everyone in a tense situation.

Landon isn't sure what the future holds, but he knows he starts 12th grade this fall. He's working at Brookshires to put a little money back for college. He plans to attend Louisiana Tech, and although he lives in L.A., he has strong ties to that "other" LA just across the Arkansas line. Both his parents attended LA Tech, and he recently visited the campus. 

While there, he sat on a bench put in place as a memorial to his grandmother. He found the bricks with family names on the walkway of fame. Two grandparents and an aunt also studied there, so family tradition is strong. He plans to study engineering when he gets there.

Take a listen to today's podcast and you'll learn a thing or two. Then say hello to Magnolia's sharp shooter the next time you pick up groceries!

Season 1, Episode 22

Kecia Sandusky

Kids' librarian ready for summer reading program

I dropped by the Columbia County Library Tuesday morning and found Kecia Sandusky, the children's librarian, up to her elbows in babies and toddlers. They had come for the reading time and for 15 minutes, she kept their attention. It wasn't just reading--the kids took turn ringing the starting bell, making flowers from tissue, and of course following along in the story.

I had come out to find out about the Summer Reading Program that kicks off this week. Sign up starts Thursday, June 1 and continues through the Kickoff Party on June 8 from 11 until 1. Pick up your book bag with a book you can keep, enjoy a hot dog and get ready to start reading this summer. Kids (and adults!) can log their reading on the READsquared app to complete missions and earns prizes during summer reading. 

Lots of activities are scheduled at the library this summer, so if you have little ones, plan to involve them in one of the following:

• Babies and toddlers Storytime, Tuesdays at 10:15
• Preschool Storytimes for 3-5s, Wednesdays at 10:30, includes craft
• School-age Storytime, Tuesdays at 1:30, includes craft
• Robb Holladay's Magical Balloon Show, June 15 at 2 p.m.
• The Kinders in Concert, July 20 at 2 p.m.

Visit the library on North Jackson street to pick up your calendar of summer activities and learn more about the many resources Kecia mentions in the podcast.

And as always, click the play button below to hear Kecia tell "the rest of the story" of how this well-traveled lady became the Children's Librarian at the Columbia County Library. You may even hear her tell the difference between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck!

Season 1, Episode 21

Ken Stonecipher

New cookbook features matriarchs of Magnolia

Ken Stonecipher, one of L.A.'s most eclectic and talented artists/musicians spent some time in Magnolia recently promoting his newest magnum opus--a cookbook entitled Still...Magnolia's Matriarch's. As the subtitle explains, it's a culinary portrait of some of the finest women who ever lived in Magnolia, Arkansas.

We spent a good part of Sunday afternoon reminiscing and getting myself au courant on the latest about Ken. This interview was one of the most je ne sais quoi of any I have done. I laughed, I cried, I listened incredulously and you will too. And most surprising of all, it's my first podcast featuring live music performed by the composer himself! 

Ken said he was asked to sing at Asbury Methodist Church Sunday morning and obliged by writing a song in two short days, and one that would go along with the parson's sermon at that. My wireless mics don't do the piano justice, but listen carefully to the words and you will be in awe at Ken's talent and convicted about your relationship with God!

But back to the cookbook. As David told Ahimelek about the sword of Goliath, "There's none like it!" And there's certainly no cookbook like this. It features thumbnail sketches of the lives of some of the great women of Magnolia. As Ken tells it, he knew many of them personally and had sat at many of their tables. 

"But most important, these women knew us and nurtured us and taught us and loved us with a dedication and driving force," Ken writes. "No, not everyone has pleasant memories of their mother...a most unfortunate thing. But regardless, mothers are known the world over as that one special person we need, we turn to, we lean on and remember the longer we tread this earth."

The matriarchs range from Elsie Adams to Kathryn Brown to Maurice Groves to Sue Lovell and Mary K Wyrick to name just a few. Perusing the many names brings fond memories of the golden days of our community. And there's a special page  right up front remembering Karen Garret Pierce, who contributed mightily to the culinary landscape but was tragically taken from us too soon.

Then there are the recipes! As Ken points out, the Southern cupboard is filled with staples such as Velveeta, cream of anything soup, bacon fat and plenty of Cool Whip and Jell-O. While the use of such everyday items might suggest many of the dishes are similar, his response was, "Yes, but you haven't tasted my mama's!"

So you won't be surprised to find a recipe for Mom's Cheese Roll, Cranberry Fluff, Mexican Cornbread, Basque Style Potatoes, several Beef Stroganoffs, and Coca Cola Chocolate Cake. The recipes are divided into appetizers, soups and salads, breads and rolls, vegetables and side dishes, main dishes and meats, desserts and cookies, and candies. There's even a closing "Miscellaneous" section that will surprise you with all it includes.

The cookbook is invaluable, not only in its breadth of material, but also because of its sentimental value. It would make a great gift for newlyweds as well as for family and friends who love the food of L.A.

 You may order copies by sending a check or money order with your shipping information to Ken Stonecipher, 439 Heath Place, Smyrna, TN 37167. Cost is $35 plus $5 shipping. A limited number of copies are available locally at Asbury Methodist Church or the South Arkansas Heritage Museum.

If you're a fan of Ken Stonecipher as I am, or would like to get to know "the man, the myth, the legend," by all means--grab a box of tissue, click the play button, and get ready for an entertaining half hour of good, clean fun!

Season 1, Episode 20

 Doug Sikes

Work underway on new history for Columbia County

Doug Sikes is the publisher of Acclaim Press, the company that is currently working to produce a new volume of history for this county. He and Mike Gee, local historian, were working together this week to get the word out on the new volume. If you haven't heard about the plans for a new history of our county, here's your chance to have your family, church or business included in a keepsake reference volume that will be around for years to come!

The deadline for submitting your family information has been extended so if you haven't finished yours or been putting it off, gather up your info and send it in. The brochure on how to submit your invitation is available right off the main counter in our local library on North Jackson Street. Even if you're not a writer, the company can help you get your info in good shape for publication. 

Doug and Mike were also contacting local businesses sharing how they can get their company's information in the keepsake edition. I viewed a copy from another county during my interview with Doug and I was impressed with its quality. If you've never seen a World Book Encyclopedia, you won't appreciate the paper, binding and leatherette cover this book will boast. I was also impressed with the 200-year guarantee on the paper quality. I intend to save my receipt should there be any issues during the coming centuries!

The podcast got off to a slow start, as I was mesmerized by the tie that Doug was wearing Monday. It was gorgeous! Then when I glanced at his business card and saw that he's listed as publisher for Acclaim Press, I was further gob-struck. But I got over it shortly and things were going well until I asked if I could submit a photo of me for publication along with information about the Ford family. You'll be surprised at how diplomatically he handled that question. And an invitation to have lunch with Doug and Mike at one of Magnolia's finer eateries smoothed my faux pas completely over. When they hinted at using one or more of my drone photos of our community in the volume, we became friends for life!

Take a listen to this edition of Life in LA and learn how your family, business,  or church can be included in this new volume coming out in 2024. You can contact Mike Gee by email at mgee@arkansas.net or Acclaim Press at ColumbiaCountyBook@AcclaimPress.com or drop by the local library for more information.  Or visit the South Arkansas Heritage Museum on West Main to learn more about what our heritage is all about.