A weekend of great weather

By Fredie Carmichael
Editor@themeridianstar.com

I must say, I began the weekend thinking I'd get a little work done in the office and, primarily, sit back and watch the Masters. What I ended up doing was much more enjoyable ... and involved a lot more sunshine. I wrote my Sunday column about things to do in East Mississippi. After being out in the gorgeous weather, I can't imagine wasting time in front of a television.
A few highlights I'll share:
• First, I went to the MSU Riley Center Friday to see "A year with Frog and Toad" — a wonderfully performed stage musical. Every time I visit the Riley Center I'm reminded of how fortunate we are to have a place to go to watch shows like that. What a great family event, too. After that, it was off to a party/mixer at Union Station for young professionals. It wasn't sponsored by the Young Professionals of Meridian organization I happen to chair, but another group — Southern Upgrade — I found out about that hosts mixers for essentially the same age group. I found out about it and talked with the organizer, Sheena Davis, weeks before the event. I had a great time and Sheena did a fantastic job decorating the second floor of Union Station (and there was a great dee-jay). Sheena and I plan on putting our heads together this week to see how we can combine our efforts and get even more young people involved in the community; she has a passionate heart for this area. I'm always inspired by people who are so driven they go out on a limb and make a difference. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. I'm pumped about that.
• Saturday, after a little work, I got to get out and enjoy the sunshine at Highland Park. If you haven't been there in a while, I encourage you to go check it out. The grounds seemed very well kept and picture-perfect weather made the old park shine. I realize we now have Bonita and Northeast, but it's hard to beat the carousel and the duck pond. My only regret: I didn't have a blanket. The field near the park looked perfect for a nap ... and the comfortable temperatures would have made it hard to wake up. Later that day, I attended an engagement party for one of my best friends in northeast Lauderdale County. It was a fish fry catered by Village Kitchen (I had forgotten how incredible their food is). The party was, fittingly, held outside. The towering pines made for perfect shadows cast from the orange sunset as I enjoyed joking with old friends about my days of playing on the golf team at Meridian Community College. The funniest story was told by former coach Lou Hart about driving me down 8th Street to the emergency room after I had an allergic reaction to something I ate at a truck stop outside of Hattiesburg after a tournament. True story, my eyes were swollen shut within 5 minutes of arriving back on MCC's campus. The funniest part of the story: Coach Hart, as she raced me down 8th Street in the MCC van, said, "the light's red Fredie, is anything coming?" Not being able to see of course, I said, "I think we're good, coach ... keep driving." OK, well it was a funny story for me.
• Sunday, after work, I decided to head to Bonita with my dog, Oreo. Again, great weather. I watched the ducks (and my dog trying to harass them) and people kayak on the upper lake. We truly have a gem in Bonita. It's a great place to run, walk, hike, picnic, fish, boat, throw a frisbee, simply get away and relax. Oh, and as for the Masters ... Tiger blew his chances any way so I didn't miss much. I would have hated to miss a great afternoon outside to watch that.