Drew and Margaret Bennett

Once Marjorie took Ruby, Sandra, Donna, Gayle and maybe Jake off to the hills to find Nebo Cemetary. She stopped to ask a woman raking the yard the directions to Nebo. The woman took her into a house trailor. When she came out, she said the woman wanted her to talk to the old man. The old man? We thought the woman was old! "This is Marjorie, Eli Jordan's granddaughter," the old woman told the older man. The old man said, "Eli Jordan? He married Nancy Ola, didn't he?" Neither Eli Jordan nor Nancy Ola is in this photo. This is Nancy Ola's parents, with her siblings still at home. I figure it was made after Eli Jordan and Nancy Ola ran off to be married. When I locate my info with their names, I will tell you who the Bennett siblings are. The parents are (An?)Drew and Margaret.

If you click on the picture it will enlarge.

Vowell Voices: A Fun Time

Vowell Voices: A Fun Time
Dominic is still talking about Tristin & the trucks!

A Fun Time

I have to add my two bits. I had a wonderful time at the reunion. I know Tristan did. All the dirt proves that. Everybody who worked so hard to make everything come together deserves kudos. And, Donna, you might have to freeze your bunnies (so they won't melt yet) and think of something to use them for at the next reunion. As Mary said, sharing memories is more fun than keeping them to yourself.

I missed being able to stay up talking. But when you volunteer to keep up with a 3-year old, you generally go to bed shortly after they do. I hope I can help create some memories for him. Maybe next time I can stay up a little longer.

Aunt Donna says: I don't know what Tristan will remember, but I will always remember him running out of the lodge, hitting the sidewalk headed for the green space between the two buildings. He knotted his hands into fists, pumped the air with them, and squealed with pure happiness, like he couldn't believe life could be this good. Watching the kids play with kinfolks they couldn't possibly know, where everyone had a friendly hand to reach out for them, or a ready smile, reminded me of all those times we had when we were growing up...a passel of kids and loads of adults who loved them.

To all the Aunt and Uncle and Cousin Bunnies

THANK YOU!!!!

(and to Good Ed and Holly Bunny, I gobbled that Lindt rabbit up quicker 'n a wink)

Chocolated Again and Again and Again

AND AGAIN

Chocolated

OH NO NOT AGAIN??????

The reunion

I just want you all to know how much I enjoyed this weekend! It was great to see everybody and hear all of the stories firsthand. I also really hope that everyone keeps on blogging! I'm sure that there were stories told that need to be written down somewhere so that everyone can read them!

Mary Alice said: You are correct!!! This weekend was great! There were some stories told that do NOT need to be written down HA - for example: My mother in Nashville with Jean and there was not any bathrooms at there disposal. Pizza anyone? That story prolly needs to stay off of the blog. I did enjoy many stories and visiting with everyone. I am already looking forward to 2 years from now.

Donna says: I had a wonderful time at the reunion. Stories...I love stories. And if you are passing through Mississippi, or Greenwood, Mississippi, stop, rest a while and tell me some more stories. I agree with Elise and Mary Alice...seeing everyone was great.

Becky says: I have a hard time telling people what they each mean to a reunion and to me, I seem to choke up really bad! But I do want to say to the WHOLE group how great this reunion was and thank you all for your part. Let's do this again sometime!
Love to all - I AM PROUD TO BE A VOWELL!!!

I did it ONE Memory a day until I left for the reunion

Well this is the last day at home here in chicago. I was able to find and publish a memory a day until I left for the reunion. I am on the road tomorrow with a full car and 2 children that are mine and 2 grand children that are mine also. To think I thought I was going to have a quiet drive to mississippi this time. Well things change and I will be listening to Thomas the train and DORA movies for 11 hours over the next 2 days. See yall on Friday

Why did Granny Vowell's yard have St Augustine grass

Does anyone remember? My dad decided once that he could bring plugs from New Orleans and start them in Grannies yard. So everytime for awhile on trips to Ruleville he would bring St Augustine grass to granny's to plant in her yard. He started planting them just to the right of the porch as you were facing her house.

Camellia said: Oh, Good Ed, thanks for this memory...that's the same reason 310 McClain had St. Augustine. I remember plug detail, and I think once when we visited in N.O. we came home with a sack of plugs? Scarlett, is this true? How on earth would we have fit a sack of grass in our car to come home? OH, yeah...Daddy was packing.

St.Augustine at 1511 Deering also came from N.O. by way of 310 McClain. When Charles edged his yard, he gave us the runners which we planted in the front yard. We had a good stand for a while, until bugs moved in. Still have a good bit in the back yard.

St Augustine at 317 Skeeter Robertson Road also came from NO - I didn't know this until this week, when Gary starting raking the dead cinch bug's grass.

Vowell Voices

Vowell Voices

Hey,my name is Kelsey Hale.I could not get on vowell voices so I am on with my grandmothers.I have wonderful ideas.The idea is what I always wanted to do with children.Athough I am only 13 years old I will need alot of help if you accept it.My idea was to have a scavenger hunt with all the little childdren.I am not sure when,where, or if there is alot of children that we could do it.I think it would be fun to do this actvity but, we will need some adults or older people that can direct the children.I hope that you will accept this.I dont know exactly how many chilren there is but,I also have another idea and that is to dress up like an easter bunny and let the children take pictures with the easter bunny.Maybe one of my brothers could help this come true but,I am not sure.After the hunt and after the easter bunny then maybe we could take a walk and look at the lake. If any adults need a babysitter then I would be glad to watch their or your child while you visit with the family.I promise I will be the best.Those are some of my ideas so please let me know how you feel about these activities.I will also be glad to hide easter eggs if you would like any help.Thank you so much for reading my blog.

INDIAN MOUNDS

Once a long time ago way went out in the country to an indian mound. I think we were visiting Uncle Carlos in Memphis. But it could have been Aunt Nita. I remember going out on an old road and then crossing some railroad tracks . THen we came to a mound. I think we walked into an excavation under a roof or dome. And layed out in front of us was the Inidan bones they were excavating. This was a long time ago. But the memory is still there.
If this was Uncle Carlos hause we did stay the night at his house. I got to watch Howdy Doody for the first time. Remember I did not have a tv when I was growing up.

Camellia says: when did you get a tv? Our first was when Uncle Carlis spent the night with us. We might have already discussed this...I think the Terrells got the first tv, and we went over to watch it...all we could see was snow with shadows moving across it. And Pearl and Ross got the first color tv...and the color was so bad, I wondered why.

Now...the Chukalissa Indian villege http://cas.memphis.edu/chucalissa/ is in Memphis. Jake and I saw it when I took him and a friend to the zoo, and we got lost on our way out of town. Jake told his friend, "My mother gets lost in the best places." We had done it enough, he knew it to be true. I figured getting lost was tourist instructions from God, so we took advantage of it. The villege was great...especially the grave. There was a woman with a baby who also had her head between her legs. I have pondered that for many years. And a young man of high status who died of a tooth abcess. I don't think they show the grave any more.

How many of you went to the Winterville mounds outside of Greenville? and raise your hands now, how many of you have seen the Petrified Forest at Flora? I have! I have!...and it really doesn't look like that forest where Annie hid out in Orphan Annie. But it's a nice trek. ****

Shelling peas

I am running to the end I dont know if I can pull 2 more memories out of my old mind before I leave
on Thursday morning. But I will keep trying

But back to shelling peas.

I do remember been given a bowl and told to shell them. Enough said.

Vowell Voices

SPECIAL MEMORIES

In all our memories lets not forget the latest ones:::::::
Aunt Nita and the RiverRoad Restaurant, all the family meeting we had there and the many times she fed us all the good food I hated to cook at home. Uncle Jack at the Pic-A-Bit with the kinfolk icee. Aunt Margie and Uncle Charles dressing the church with The Cleveland Rent All (that rents almost everything) wedding equipment and making the receptions so special for all our girls that were married here. Uncle Yogi that always gave us a good deal on a car, (wonder if I could get a good deal now?) Lady Jane directing our weddings altho she had to talk some into changes, SHE DID IT. Aunt Nell and Uncle Eddie, all the trips we made to their home in N.O. Maryland and Chicago, then to Diamondhead and to the casinos. Jack and Charles always trying to help Eddie pack his car to go home, Eddie had his own way of doing this. and where would we all be without the veggies from Aunt Imogene and Uncle Franklin's Truck Patch He always planted enough for everybody. Our first family reunion at their home in Ruleville. These memories will be hard to beat We all can't remember the younger memories like you young ones but these stick in my mind

Raw peanuts

I remember Gary and I driving in the old pickup truck, and stopping in the fields to throw some peanut bushes in the back. WE then would stop and eat the raw peanuts. They were really good. I thought this was neat but Holly has better memories with visiting Dothan Al. and her mothers side of the family. THis was the heart of the peanut country. THe only bad memory was that her grandmother would take her to Baptist church services and she would be pushed forward for the altar calls to be saved. Real bad memories.

Another trip

So once we decided we were going on vacation, only we didn't know where. Jake elected to go to Sherveport with Grandmother and pick up Michael and Amanda. We stuck Erin and Elise in the car, and started debating about which direction to head in. "What about the mountains?" Kent or I asked. "I've seen mountains," Erin said, "I live in the Oxford mountains." "I've seen mountains," Elise said, "we stay in the Starkville mountains." Oh, yeah. We better see mountains. And we did, until Elise and I satpressed against the seats and sucked our thumbs, and Kent and Erin ooohed and aaaahed out the windows. On the way back we were real glad they couldn't read yet...we passed all the signs for Dollywood and didn't have to stop.

THE PIG

Ok, I've been waiting on my sister to tell the pig story because she tells it so much better than me, so someone PLEASE remember to ask her about my mother's experience with the big greeen car and the stray pig!!


DO NOT ASK - It really isn't a funny story!
guess who?

Uncle Charles auto repair place

Ok I remember going with Dad to Uncle Charles auto shop. He had to work on the ski boat engine because it was not running right.
He set it up in a big drum and then started it after tinkering with it.

I also remember Uncle Charles car it had emergency lights I think in the hood area and also a siren. WE were told to never set of the siren
in the car but I think we did one time. He also had an emergency radio in his bedroom to listen to fire calls so he could go on calls.

This might be why I became emergency response manager in my town because I had it in my blood.

Scarlett: We also went there one year to do the pinata at Christmas. It was too cold to try it outside and we couldn't figure out how to hang it under Uncle Jack's garage. No one in Cleveland had a tree big enough to throw it across a branch anyway. And I think he was always tinkering with the boat motor. Thank goodnes he could or we wouldn't have all those wonderful memories about skiing at Beulah.

Vowell Voices

Vowell Voices

SURPRISES

Since Lori does not blog she said I could post her surprise
On her wedding day we were all on edge. This was our family's first and we didn't want to do anything wrong. We were walking around trying to think of something to take our minds off walking down the isle when the door opens and Greg Seghers walks in. What a wonderful surprise !!!!! He was selling books in Arkansas ( I think ) and drove over to see Lori and Gary get married. It was so great to see him we all forgot about everything but him for a while. That was 25 years ago.

While on weddings, who remembers Cindy and Frank's wedding in N.O? This is one I will never forget! Most of us stayed in a hotel downtown and am glad all were able to make it to the wedding the next day. WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME

Camellia says: Oh, that party, and staying in the hotel. I was wondering when somebody would bring that party up. I think Nell was invited to fly with an airhostess to Atlanta, but being a good mommy, she stayed for the wedding. And Greg was "Lori's" cousin...you know, when you matched the cousins up.

Vowell Voices: Eating

Vowell Voices: Eating

Still not the secret ingredient. A favorite Aunt told me once. You are not close

Small Town Info

One cousin's wife grew up in a small town down the road. Do you know how to cross a hot tar road when you're barefoot? Get paper bags from the Chinese grocery store and wear them like galooshes. And if you are bored at night, you can always kick the street lights. One good kick and you can put out all five of them at one time and plunge the town into darknesses. She and I tried it in a much bigger town, but we never were able to knock that first one out.

Easter egg hunts

Who remembers easter egg hunts over the years. Granny vowells yard stands out even when we had one of our first reunions. Making us go in the back room and then the eggs were hid and every one ran out of the front door. The eggs were everywhere. In the grasses around the house and in the oak tree roots, Around the pecan tree. Aunt Margie yelling she found an egg. Who can forget. I think we might have hid eggs at Aunt Margies once or even Aunt Imogenes but I don't remember. The best fun was watching the little ones find eggs.

Eating

Breakfast at aunt imogene's,
I remember the butter at the table made from fresh churned milk. It had a weird color but tasted good.

Lunch same place,
The cornbread put in the middle of the plate and the veggie soup or cut veggies poured on top.

Special lunch Uncle Franklin style
He taught me how to take white bread, mayo, big slice of ham and a big slice of white onion. Can't be beat.

And who can forget Aunt Imogene's ice tea pitcher and sweet tea. By the way I consider this desert.
Now I know the recipe but does anyone want to officially document it here. I know the secret ingredient that will be hard to get but lets see if anyone can guess it

Secret recipe - my foot!
It's called water/ tea bags (Lipton only) /sugar(lots) and an aluminum pitcher with a dent in the side. It was used to dip water out of the wringer washer.
Becky said this!!!!

Port Sulpher

I don't know how long we lived in Port Sulpher...Lori came to see us once. I had great fun letting her drive stick around the townsite, and taking her ice skating. She was embarrassed to try...I told her nobody from home would know if she fell down. Apparantly she wasn't as used to looking foolish as I was. She also got tonsillitus...something the Vowells girls were famous for.

The day we were moving from Port Sulpher, I went into a local restaurant to get a paper. There was my cousin Marvin. He had been living there for six months. This, folks, is a town of 3,000 people, one grocery store, no fast food, one road going through it and no stop light. And I hadn't run into him or Honey in six months. I guess it was the no stop light. Nobody slowed down enough to be spotted.

P.S. Marvin knew I was there. I didn't know he was.

In the counrty again

Gary took me out into the country one time to buy fireworks.
We pulled up to this really country looking place. I had a new jacket on that I had just gotten.
Well I got out of the car with Gary and started walking around the car and this big old junk yard dog started running
up barking its head off. Well i guess I looked like the easier target so it jumped up and chomped on my arm in the coat.
No damage to the arm but the coat had a good rip in it. We got our fireworks and got out of there.
I think we also got a red soda also

Camellia says: Where was this place? We used to get our fireworks in our stockings until we started buying them out of tents between Ruleville and Cleveland, but that was much later. By the way, Good Ed, I was not tired of the hunting stories, but I had already told mine of the one time I went with you guys...but surely you would have had more hunting stories if you had gone duck hunting on the Mississippi with Uncle Jack. *******

Pig Stand

Back to food again? How many of us have eaten at Belzoni's Pig Stand, that landmark eatery offering bar-b-que and mushy frenchfries? Whenever we headed to Jackson, we had to eat at the Pig Stand. And what was the name of the seafood restaurant at Manchac? Did we go with the New Orleans cousins to eat there? And to go to New Orleans and eat beniets at the Cafe du Monde, or po boys with olive salad at ? where? Central Grocery. And wasn't Uncle Ed's family living above a hardware store on Decatur street when he was born?

Scarlett: Is the Pig Stand still there? And how many of us drank cream from the little glass milk bottles when our parents got coffee? It seems we stopped there more as a break with Mother and Daddy getting coffee and us kids getting Cokes and chips. But we did eat there some. And what was the name of the place besides Cafe du Monde that was known for begniets and cafe au lait? I think it went out of business and Cafe du Monde was the only one left. Don and I took his brother and sister-in-law to Central Grocery for mufalettas once when we were there. They loved it! I know Cafe du Monde is repopened. Is Central Grocery?

Driving to ruleville from New orleans

Ok so no one likes guns and shooting. Whenever we headed north we always fought over who would sit where in the car. I always got the floor boards. That way I could read better. We would go across the lake and as we passed through a town called bugaloosa. It stank and you could not get away from the smell. It was a paper mill in the town and it smelled really bad. Then a lot of times we would stop at the place where they did cane syrup to get a can of it. I remember the mule going around in circles to crush the sugar cane. Then as we got near Ruleville we would all sit up to see who could see the 2 tanks first.
My sisters claim I saw these always first. That was the sign that we would be at granny's soon.

Manager 1: Don't know about you but I hate long distance trips - not as much now as I did when our children were younger. I am sure that the boys and I never did the "He's on my side" or the "he's looking out my window" or just the "he looked at me".
My kids had to have been the worst travellers! Once their Dad had had just about all of it - and stopped the van (we were about 500 yards from our house), told the two youngest to get out. They must have thought that he was really going to fuss or maybe beat them? But when they got out he closed the door and started driving away! They both started beating on the side of the van and begging to be let back in! Bobby stopped and let them in. That was the most pleasant drive ever!!! They did not say one word all the way to Sunflower!


We really thought that he was going to leave us!!! And if he wouldn't have been looking at me, I would not have had to tell on him!!!
~elise

Granddaddy Vowell

Does anyone else remember Grandaddy Vowell coming home and letting the little ones go through his pockets? He always had a piece of gum, or penny candy, or even penny (when it was a big deal the the kids) for each.

Dove hunting

Ok once Gary took me Dove hunting. I don't know about anyone else but this was the most expensive dove hunt in the world and I did not get far from Uncle franklins farm.

I bought a box of shells, went into the field and hid in the beans. Well I had to watch for Doves flying overhead and snakes crawling up my pants. I hit one dove after shooting off the entire box. I don't know how much that dove cost but after cleaning it it was maybe 1 or 2 ounces of breast meat and the cost of one box of shells. Needless to say I did not hunt doves ever again. To rich for my blood.

Sister Games and Eh-ah's

Those Wilkens/Storys are great game players. And once Scarlett and I joined them for Pictionary, and I discovered how bonded my sister and I were. They threatened to kick us out of the game because Scarlett could make a squiggle and I could guess the word immediately. Oh, the days of the quick brain. But once we got stuck, and I couldn't guess and she took the flat of her hand and pounded my forehead until I blurted out the right word! Big sisters. How would we ever make it without their loving care?

Talking about all the fun games makes me wish we could have a week to play. Three days. We can't even get all our eating in with three days.

More Guns and Family

These are the stories I have heard. I may have who said what mixed up. I heard the Vowells and the Bennets, seven siblings who each married a sibling from the other family) had family reunions in the hills until some lot of them got into a fight about who was going to direct the reunion and they burned down the community house.

Once Marvin and his brother Blannon were driving through the hills when a hillbilly, a wild man in coveralls, tore through the underbrush, waving a gun. Marvin gunned the accelerator. "Stop," Blannon yelled, "it's our double first cousin. We're kin." "I don't care who he's kin to," Marvin said, "I'm getting out of here. "

I heard later this particular double-first was jailed some time after for moonshining.

It Is Written

At some point Manager 1 and Camellia got involved in planning for the Easter reunion (our reunions...they have been going on long enough to be called vintage if not actually antique...imagine...but that's another blog). One year everyone was busy, and Camellia just took an old reunion notice and swapped names around for the current reunion. Manager 1 said it was okay, but Margie (Manager Extraodinere) called Camellia and said, "I'm down for plastic cutlery. Jimskinner's sister E-ah can get that at a much better price through the River Road." Margie was quite anxious about it. "No problem," Camellia said. "E-ah can bring that and we can find something else for you to bring." " But we can't," Margie said, "--IT IS WRITTEN!" Camellia was stunned about the new law before she remembered. "I wrote it, Mother," Camellia said, "I can unwrite it."

More shooting

I was real young. I was pestering grand daddy and my dad to let me shoot the shotgun. Well they pulled over to the side of a country road and gave me this old big shot gun. I held it up but did not rest it in my shoulder, aimed at the fence post and pulled the trigger. Well lucky the car was behind me. when I figured out what had happened I was sitting on the ground by the car. They were having a good laugh. This was not a little 410 . I was sore for days after this.