From press and staff reports
On March 18, members of the Twenty-First Century Club met in the home of President Jean Fenwick. Members were welcomed into this 1888 home by Ms. Fenwick and co-hostess Andra Mooney with a refreshing springtime dessert of Key Lime pie with a side of assorted green fruits, giving an impish not to St. Patrick’s Day.
President Fenwick opened the meeting with a salute to the flag followed by the afternoon devotional given by Jennie Cook. Her devotional came from a book by Kyle Idleman, entitled “Not a Fan”, emphasizing the importance of following the words of Jesus.
Jeanne Oliver gave the history moment from March 8, 1930, when members met in the home of Mrs. C. A. Jones on East Jefferson Street. The guest speaker on that afternoon was Mrs. Gladys Eyrich, of Jackson and supervisor of mouth hygiene with the Mississippit State Board of Health. The afternoon lecture was on the importance of seeing a dentist regularly, brushing teeth and eating healthy foods.
Following the history moment, Mary Davidson gave a report as a new board member of the Mississippit Federation of Women’s Clubs. Ms. Davidson stressed how warmly she was received as coming from the founding club of the Federation.
Mary Al Alford presented the afternoon program on the city of Cleveland, Mississippi. This town has captured her heart strings as her son, John Paul, and his wife, Jana and their children, currently live in Cleveland. With her many visits, Mary Al has become a big fan of this city and encouraged members to visit.
Cleveland is a town that supports the arts, particularly the blues as this is the birthplace of blues legend Charlie Patton and home to the Grammy Museum. The town has many restaurants to enjoy, especially Lena’s Pizza and Bagels whose chef, Marisol Doyle, studied in Naples, Italy to learn the art of pizza making. Ms. Doyle also studied in New York to learn how to make the perfect bagel. This restaurant was recently featured in the magazine, Garden and Gun, and is listed as one of the top pizza places in the nation.
Delta State University is also located in Cleveland offering many interesting majors, including the unique aviation major. A Delta State graduate can study aviation and after graduation become a pilot.
Located near Cleveland is a plantation home, originally known as Holly-Wood, named after the many holly trees on the grounds. In 1955, the name changed to Baby Doll House, when movie director Elia Kazan chose the house to film the movie “Baby Doll”, starring Carroll Baker and Karl Malden.
Ms. Alford concluded her presentation encouraging members to visit anytime but especially at Christmas when the streets of Cleveland are artfully lit for the season. And, she reminded the members, one should never miss a Delta sunset.
Special guest of the Club and former member, Judy Wallace, gave a short presentation on a book she has put together which consists of 210 letters written to her mother between 1955 -1959, while Ms. Wallace was a student at the Mississippi College for Women. University Press is interested in publishing this book by first time author, Judy Wallace, age 88. Currently the proposed title for the book will be “Love Judy”.
Jean Fenwick adjourned the meeting by leading the recitation of the 1904 Club Collect.
Members present: Mary Al Alford, Sandra Bagley, Mary Bess Bryant, Pam Chadick, Sarah Cheek, Linda Cockroft, Jennie Cook, Mary Davidson, Audra Dean, Claire Deason, Jean Fenwick, Lee Lea Fowler, Nancy King, Andra Mooney,
