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Man makes good use of license plates.
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Sunday May 24, 2015 $1.50
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 119, No. 121
• Corinth, Mississippi •
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20 pages • Two sections
Planning for the future ‘Find Your Park’ close to home BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Corinth/Alcorn Parks & Recreation Director Ray Holloway and athletic director Robin Baker discuss park expansion plans.
Park director reflects on first year BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
With almost one year in the books as Corinth/Alcorn Parks & Recreation director, Ray Holloway has settled into his new position without much trouble. “It’s been an exciting first year,” he said. “I had a few
struggles in the beginning as anyone would in a major move, but things seem to get better
and better with each passing day.” Holloway started at the helm of the local park system on June 30, 2014 and rumors immediately began circulating about the changes the career park diPlease see HOLLOWAY | 3A
Shiloh National Military Park and the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center are getting ready to celebrate. The park has big plans when the National Park Service turns 100 in 2016. The NPS will soon begin the public engagement campaign “Find Your Park” to reintroduce national parks to a new generation of Americans. “Most of the public knows we have national parks, but when when they start naming them they begin with Yellowstone and Yosemite,” said Shiloh National Military Park Superintendent Dale Wilkerson. “The NPS campaign ‘Find Your Park’ helps to show we have national parks in our own backyard.” Shiloh has several things in the planing stage for next year’s celebration. “Over the next 18 months we have various events planned to help people reconnect with the park,” said Wilkerson. “There are still a lot logistics to work out since it’s a year away.” Shiloh Park got a jump start in its attempt to reconnect people with its Memorial Day event on May 25. “In years past, the park always did something big for
Staff photo by Mark Boehler
The water feature at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center tells the story of unity and division during the Civil War. Memorial Day,” said the park superintendent. “This year we revamped it back up.” The traditional observance included the keynote address by three fourth grade students representing Alcorn, McNairy and Hardin counties. Selected fourth grade classes from each of the schools also assisted in the ceremony by singing the National AnPlease see PARK | 6A
More than 7,600 flags Piano teacher retires after 56 years placed by volunteers BY STEVE BEAVERS
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Sixteen year old Eagle Scout Andy Clausel took his time placing flags one foot in front of gravestones at the Corinth National Cemetery Saturday morning. “I don’t want to just go through putting flags out like it’s nothing,” he said. “I want to actually try to read all the names. I want to see who they were and what rank they were.” Clausel joined more than 100 other local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other organizations and volunteers to place small American flags on the more than 7,600 graves. American Legion Post 6 serves as host. “This is something I don’t want to take lightly,” the Please see FLAGS | 2A
Staff photo by Zack Steen
Eagle Scout Andy Clausel, 16, helped place more than 7,600 flags on graves at the Corinth National Cemetery on Saturday.
It all started with a knock at the door for piano teacher Janet Gray. Since that tap on the door in 1959, Gray has taught hundreds to play the musical instrument she loves the last 56 years. The Mississippi University for Women graduate moved to Corinth in 1958 with her husband the late Herman Gray. “I intended to be a teacher and teach English and speech,” said Gray, who taught one year of high school in Memphis after she was married. Then a Mr. Weston showed up at the Gray’s home after they moved to Corinth. “He had three little girls with him when I answered the door and said ‘someone told me you could teach piano,’” said Gray. “It wasn’t something I was looking to do, I just started doing it.” Gray would be teaching, but it would be in a different subject and place.
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Janet Gray has taught hundreds to play the musical instrument she loves the last 56 years. “I was meant to be a high school teacher, but everything I was educated for I have used one way or another,” she said. Gray began giving lessons for a $1 each back in the last
50s. One thing she knew when she started was she wasn’t going to be like her old piano teachers. Please see GRAY | 2A
25 years ago
10 years ago
Alcorn School District officials clean up after a water leak severely damages the district office. Superintendent Tony Parker estimates the cost of the damage at $15,000 to $20,000.
The annual School Reunion, organized by the Alcorn County Branch of the NAACP, honors Ruby Lucille Gardner as parade grand marshall. Gardner is a longtime educator, retiring from the Corinth School District in 1984.
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