The next French Camp Historical Highlight Luncheon will be Thursday, Sept. 8 at noon at French Camp Presbyterian Church in the Living Stones Building. Walker Wood of Ackerman will be the speaker.
Walker grew up in Choctaw County and is a graduate of Ackerman High School and Mississippi State University. He is a life-long friend of French Camp Academy's former principal and coach, John Robert Cockrell. They were life-guards together at Choctaw Lake in their younger days and have had fun recently reminiscing about their experiences together.
Over the years Walker has been a teacher and/or coach at various schools including Tupelo, Corinth, Burnsville and Tishomingo. He has taught Social Studies, Science, and Physical Education and has coached football, track and basketball, as well as officiated football and basketball throughout his college career. In addition, Walker has had a variety of other interesting jobs, including building highways and bridges with Worsham Brothers Construction Company, law enforcement and dispatch duties with the Natchez Trace Park Service, and worked with an Accident Reconstructionist as a Senior Investigator and Construction Specialist, traveling throughout the U.S. reconstructing motor vehicle accidents where large lawsuits were involved. Walker also served six years in the reserves of the United States Marine Corps and five years Ready Reserves, one year Standby. With his multifaceted career and life experiences, Walker has a wealth of stories to tell.
Next month's luncheon will be Thursday, October 13. The guest speaker will be piano-tuner Alton Blanton, whose topic will be “Music with Alva Curtis in the Old Curtis House.”
Historical Highlight Luncheons feature a speaker who shares some aspect of French Camp's history and lunch for a $3 donation. The public is invited. RSVP for the luncheon by contacting Mary Nell Coblentz at marynellcoblentz@gmail.com or 662-547-6520 (leave a message).
