Raymond News

War has come to Europe. We have not had war in Europe since WWII; but this week, Putin has decided to send troops into Ukraine. The world has condemned this act and there has been tremendous support for Ukraine from around the world. However, Russia’s military might overshadows the Ukraine forces. There have been over 60,000 men who have returned, or come for the first time, to Ukraine to join in the fight for Ukraine. Putin felt that the Russian forces could roll into Ukraine without resistance of any type. He failed to appreciate the patriotism of the Ukrainian people. It is horrible to watch this war unfolding. Here in Raymond we have continued to have beautiful days with mild temperatures. It has fooled our plants and us into thinking spring is here. I imagine we may have some more chilly weather before real spring begins here.

Mike and Pattie Adams Snowball are in Raymond for a few days. We have not even gotten together since they arrived. I guess we will visit some time before they leave. They always seem to get here just as the weather is about to turn to rain.

Kathy Rankin, a teacher with Children’s of MS held a Read Across America at Children’s Of MS. According to Kathy “This year, our theme was ‘Reading Makes You a Superhero’. We dressed as Super Teachers and passed out books and happyies to patients in the AKU, PICU, and on 2C, 3C, 4C, and 5C. Thanks to all our medical friends who dressed up to celebrate reading today! We also were interviewed for the MS Miracles Radio Thon that benefits Children’s of MS! Read Across America and Radio Thon always fall within the same week, so this year, we got to be on the radio! SUPER fun day!!!” These happy visits from Super Teachers bring so much joy to children in the hospital.

Raymond’s Chamber of Commerce spotlighted a new Gold Chamber member, “Raggio Custom Calls, located in Raymond. Their handmade duck calls combine the traditional aesthetics of heirloom-quality materials with true custom craftsmanship. Raggio Custom Calls are 100% hand crafted one at a time; each has it own separate identity.”

Josh’s workshop and sales room in moving into the drug store building on Main St. So glad the building won’t have to sit empty. When he has gotten it all set up be sure to go visit.

The Raymond Garden Club held their March meeting at Buds and Blooms Nursery in Brookhaven. The owner of the nursery, Donna Case took members on a walking tour of the facility.

Sheila Adams and her son, Jim Adams went to Phoenix on Friday the 4th to see the productions of “Charlotte’s Webb.” The exceptional show was at the Spotlight Youth Theater. Grandson, Corban played the role of Templeton, the Rat. Kinlee played one of the baby spiders. Shelia reported that it was a truly great performance and the charters were wonderful.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Raymond Rangers Basketball team. The Rangers started the season as the highest ranked high school in any classification. They were determined to finish that way. The Rangers had finished runner-ups the last 2 seasons and Ray-mond was determined to not have that happen again. The race past Clarksdale 65-44 to claim MHSAA championship. Congratulations to the Ranger coach, Tony Tadlock and the Ranger team.

Friends of Raymond sponsored a car show in Raymond on the square. It was a pretty day, although chilly for it.

If on one of these pretty days you want to tour your hometown, there are several things you might want to see. The mural is finished. The mural was sponsored by the Friends of Raymond focusing on Raymond from 1900 ‘til about 1970. It is beautiful, now you have to guess and see who is featured on the mural. The tulips at the home of John and Mary Etta Naftel on Court St. are gorgeous. John gets his bulbs at a place in Meridian and the sets them out one by one. I do admire him for being able to get all that done. The labor is generously rewarded with gorgeous beds of blooms.

Peyton Purvis came home for spring break from Charleston Southern University in South Carolina and brought cousins Josiah and Meghan Boyd of Buford, Georgia, with her. Josiah and Meghan spent part of the week with the Luke and Deborah Purvis family and part of the week with grandparents John and Mary Etta Naftel. The visiting cousins/grandkids were treated to an afternoon of fishing, an evening of bowling, a cookout at the Naftel house, and a spaghetti dinner birthday celebration for Keith at the Purvis house. Peyton, Keith, and Ginny Mae Purvis, Josiah and Meghan Boyd, Jerry Agent, Beth Buckley, and Mary Etta Naftel attended the touring Broadway show “South Pacific” at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson.

Raymond is welcoming 2 new businesses. Fidelis Performance and Recovery and Warrior Welke Crossfit. They are located at 2930 Springridge Road.

Jordan and Earl Lawson, Jr are happy to announce the birth of their son, Earl Lawson, III. Grandparents, Al and Kathy Lawson celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. What a happy time in the Lawson families.

Dave and Judy Henderson Bufkin are “on the road! First stop was Dallas! Nate had the chance to go camping with his Grumps and JuJu. The cold kept us inside more than we would have like but we still had a good time.

We continued west through Texas headed to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I told Dave Bufkin I did not want to be hot in the desert. Boy did he deliver! It has snowed almost every day. Lows are in the teens. Scenery is beautiful and history is amazing. We’ll keep y’all updated.”

Phil’s sister, Lois Romeo is visiting us from Maryland. She has driven from Maryland to Florida, to New Orleans to Raymond. She has done a lot of driving.

Happy Birthday to: 3/11/2022 Austin Lee, Brad Fountain; 3/12 Jack Davis, Sawyer Holmes, Aubrie Johns-ton; 3/13 April Lee, Kadie Lee, Casey Knight, Essie Williams; 3/15 Henry Stuart Spann, Riley Barrick; 3/16 Janet Butts; 3/17 HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY, James McCollum, Alton Ware; 3/19 Marlene Crews, Conner Gardo, Rebekah Bur-gess; 3/20 Maggie Lynn Berry, Jackie Grogan, Anna Ford Killebrew; 3/21 Craig Phillips, Josiah Mac Boyd; 3/22 James Philip Naftel, III, Susan Wilks; 3/23 Jason Guinn, Charles Parker Spann, Susan Brown; 3/24 Bob Mayo, Mason Movoselov, Emmaline Hall.

Happy Anniversary to: 3/11/2022 Wayne and Tommi Jordan; 3/13 Charles (Buddy) and Donna Taylor Mayo; 3/14 Zach and Jessica Byrd; 3/18 Bill and Jan Boteler; 3/23 Matthew and Sarah Myers.