Up on the Hill - 5-15

Saturday, May 5, was a giant walk down memory lane for Laurel Hill alumni. Beautiful displays of yesteryear’s graduating classes were enjoyed with smiles and reminiscing. Frankie Johnson and her committee did a great job of raising money for the school and bringing joy to those attending.

A prize was given to the one living farthest away, won by an Alaskan visitor! The prize for the oldest attendee went to Cora Lee Davidson, who’s in her mid-eighties and looking great. (She prompted me to ask my editor to do a story on the history of the Laurel Hill School!) All prizes were cheerfully donated by local businesses. I won the lovely gift donated by Moulton's Pharmacy. Thank you, Gloria!

It was interesting to see family members returning for this event. Mary Nan McDavid Johnson and Sonny McDavid, my next-door neighbors when we were growing up and living across the street from the school, both enjoyed the event.

The youngest of the Fortune family, Jackie, greeted his Laurel Hill friends with his beautiful smile that lights up any surroundings. The Crestview News Bulletin arrives faithfully at his door in Knoxville, Tenn.

Three members of the Bryan family attended, Gene, Bill and Bob. They are handsome young men ... my first cousins! Bob and Jo traveled from south Florida for this reunion. Later in the evening they attended the 50th reunion of his 1957 graduating class.

Who was that real hobo in the midst of the reunion crowd? Once upon a time Pastor Mike McVay had an idea and shared it with one of the teachers. And now the rest of the story ... he is a hobo in full dress with stick on his shoulder at ball games here and out of town. The kids love having him and he is having a ball. He was the friendly hobo on Saturday at the school event.

Danny Campbell was a member of the first "Hobo" ball team, class of 1949.

Danny wrote this historical information: In the fall of 1948 (circa November) the students were searching for a name for the school's basketball team. One afternoon during pre-season practice in the gym, Coach Rex Wright made the comment, "Get some hustle, you're dragging around like a bunch of hoboes".

The team immediately adopted the name "Hoboes" and it was the winner in the student vote. That was how the "Hoboes" got their name!

Laurel Hill's Citizen of the Year 2007, Mabel Jean Morrison, enjoyed visiting with many friends at the reunion benefit, just one week after she was honored by the city of Laurel Hill, Mayor James Dunn, the City Council and citizens on April 28.

Friends arrived from Georgia, Tallahassee, and southern Okaloosa County on April 28 to honor their esteemed friend. Among the speakers from her past and present: her brother and niece, her first principal when she finished college, a representative from Florida State University, McDonald Campbell from the Presbyterian church, Rodney Nobles, former Laurel Hill principal, and several others. Her good friend Bill Hurston with his sense of humor had us all laughing.

Emcee Tracy Curenton invited the honoree to say a few words before the bountiful reception table was enjoyed. Mabel Jean expressed her surprise at being chosen, her appreciation and thanks for kindness and well wishes.

It was a memorable occasion for those attending. Locally, we are blessed to have Mabel Jean in our midst. A beautiful, gracious lady who serves her God and neighborhood, promoting education, encouraging everyone as she walks humbly day after day.

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is great, but the workers few. Pray then that the Lord of the harvest may send out workers into His harvest"

- Matthew 9:37-38).