Integrating into the Jackson community has never been challenging. Yet awareness of people and places is essential to becoming a Jacksonian. One should understand our local color if aspiring to live in something other than a Los Angeles suburb lacking context and texture.
After visiting Pat Stevens, in New Orleans, last month, on the eve of her 91st birthday, I created questions capturing Jackson's distinctiveness -- its characters and history -- during the drive home. Answers are less important than catalyzed conversations accentuating one's sense of place:
Who was Kirby Walker?
Who was Viola E. Lake?
Who was Lorena Duling?
Who was Luella Varnado?
Who was Howard Cleland?
Who was Mignonne Caldwell?
Who was Lance Goss?
Who was Jane Petty?
Who was Theodore Russell?
What was the Arts Festival?
With what business were Sally Ann Busby and Mary Winston Owen associated?
Who was Fred Sullens?
Who was Jimmy Ward?
Who was Hazel Brannon Smith?
Who was Mary Alice Bookhart?
What was The State Times?
Who was Dumas Milner? What National company did he create? With what household cleaner was he connected? What 1965 movie made his family the talk of the town?
Who was Toby Trowbridge? What was Van-Trow?
Who were the Robinson Brothers?
Who was Johnny Sellers? What wouldn't he sell one until one was ready?
What took one West to East?
What was the Carnival Ball? Why did its 1966 post-party alter Mississippi history?
Who was Frances Pepper?
Where was Gus Mayer found? What function did Seymour Metzger fulfill for Gus Mayer?
Who was Ed Helm?
Who were Brady and Persons?
What was Kennington's?
Where was The Emporium?
Where was Sears, Roebuck?
Where was The Jacksonian?
Where was LeFleur's?
Where was The Rotisserie?
Who was George Howard?
Who was Johnny Gore?
Who was Jobie Martin?
Who was "Farmer Jim" Neal?
Who was Vassar DuBard?
Who was Augie File?
What was "Premiere"?
What was Rebel Radio?
Why did it pay to listen to WWUN?
What was found at 102.9?
What was Teen Tempos?
Who was Nanette Workman?
Who was Judy Moon?
Who was Wilda Farber?
Who was Woody Assaf?
Who was Alon Bee?
Who was Bob Neblett? What was his favorite ice cream?
At what events were products purchased at The Play Pen, Seale-Lilly, and Campbell's Bakery featured prominently?
Why did one shop at Sudie's and Houck's?
What were Hullabaloo Scene and the Zodiac?
Who were Margaret and Miss Magnolia? How did they get their names?
Who was Alvin Brent? [For bonus points: What Northside Sun writer is his descendant?]
What was The Jitney-Jungle? Where was Jitney 7? Where was Jitney 14?
Who was Walter Scott?
What was Thompson's Tank?
Who was J.L. Ray?
Who was Samuel Livingston?
Who was Fannye Cook?
Who was Charlotte Capers?
Who was Evelyn Gandy?
Who was Zelma Finch?
Who was Mike Conner?
Who was Hugh White? What prominent program did he initiate?
Who was Carroll Gartin?
Where was the old City Auditorium?
Where was the Continental Trailways station? Why was it razed?
Who was "Slew" Hester? With what sport was he associated? For what three facilities is he responsible?
What activity did one pursue at Stockett's?
What did one do during birthday parties at Leo's?
Many answers are accessible online. Preferably ask family, friends, and fellow congregants -- beginning with holiday meals and parties.
Billy Mounger came to dinner on the evening after I compiled the list. Billy could not answer every question. Billy was charmed and grateful to learn that of which he was unaware. He was eager to see the piece printed and pursue it with his parents.
Please clip the article and reference it over years: A bicentennial is not the only time to reflect upon our past, who we are, and how we are defined.
Jackson has always been open to outsiders wanting to become part of the community and contribute to it. Another city in Mississippi styled itself as superior to all others: more compassionate, progressive, and sophisticated. It became benighted and blighted -- the repository of failures revealing the lies underlying its attitude and arrogance -- but retained its condescension.
Such delusion is worthy of Blanche DuBois. As Randy Newman sang in "Christmas in Capetown": "... [I]f you don't like it here, go back to your own miserable country."
Much is praiseworthy in Jackson notwithstanding its challenges. There has always been a lot to like. Increase your familiarity with our city and capitalize upon its strengths: Nothing can stop people who believe in themselves, recognize their opportunities, and are ready to realize their full potential.
Jay Wiener is a Northsider.
