Here's Clarksdale! - January 2008

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE WE'RE ALREADY BEGINNING OUR SECOND YEAR of publishing Here’s Clarksdale! Now that the hectic pace of the holidays has passed, we’re looking forward to another productive year of bringing you the stories of Clarksdale’s many fine citizens, old and new.

Everyone featured in this month’s issue has deeply planted roots in Clarksdale, and none of them would want to be anywhere else but here. Our cover story is on Timothy Louis Gates, a lifelong resident of Coahoma County who has been touching the lives of many in the area through music, playing at different churches, teaching for decades in elementary schools and running his piano sales and tuning business for more than 50 years.

We also profile Francine Luckett, whose infectious and bright spirit embodies everything we appreciate about Clarksdale: a sincere and devoted focus on the people who live and work here and a gracious hospitality towards our many visitors.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably resolved to get healthier this New Year, especially after overindulging during the holidays. Be sure to check out the feature on Bear’s Deli. Amy Berry’s extensive menu of healthy and delicious choices makes it easy to shape up your diet, whether you’re eating out for lunch or want to take home some freshly made prepared meals for the whole family for dinner.

Clarksdale may be small, but we’ve got our share of unique and varied museums that preserve our rich history. The latest addition is Bobby Aaron’s Cotton Museum. As the “Last of the Cotton Brokers,” Aaron can tell you everything there is to know about the days when cotton was king in Clarksdale, especially on Delta Avenue, which was Clarksdale’s Cotton Row.

Drop us a line and let us know what you think!
Email us at kok@heresclarksdale.com.