There’s something good here . . .

We’ve run out of minutes for the Manus Pullarum Laetarum (A Band of Happy Girls), but we have a new connection to the ladies.

While cleaning out some of Karen Wheeler Pendergast’s books last week, Rhandi found a little collection called “Reflections and Moral Maxims.”

The book (in photo below) was printed by David McKay Company of Washington Square in Philadelphia sometime around 1930 and cost .75.

In the front of the book, written in a hand I know so well: “To Karen – Love, Margaret Vickers – 6-3-95.”

Margaret was the niece of Miss Helen Alvis on her mother’s side. Miss Helen was one of the founding members of A Band of Happy Girls.

She was also my next door neighbor growing up on Main Street. We lived in the house that now serves as offices for Brooks Well Service. Margaret and Russell’s house was south of us, across what was Vick’s Well Service’s parking lot. I spent a lot of time at their house, playing games and reading Margaret’s many books.

Margaret and Russell didn’t have children, but the kids who lived around them found a safe haven in their home.

In the coming weeks, I’ll share some of the little book’s gems.

As I was writing, the volume fell open to page 93, where someone had underlined #330 in pencil: We pardon in the degree that we love.

The Band of Happy Girls lives on.

 There’s something good here . . .

Am thrilled to announce that the “Women of Winnsboro” cookbook is going into a third printing.

This time around, proceeds will benefit Winnsboro Center for the Arts, with a percentage set aside for classical music programs.

We will be collecting 38 (for a total of 550) new recipes for this edition, so if there’s a time-honored dish you enjoyed while growing up here, please send it to me at thmathews@suddenlink.net.

Deadline to submit recipes will be July 15. We hope to take delivery of the books in late September, early October. The price is $25 and that includes shipping. Copies will be available at the arts center.

It feels good to do good.

There’s something good here . . .

He didn’t reached the level of fame like Glenn Frey or Prince, but Texan Guy Clark, who died last week, was a songwriter’s songwriter. His tunes were covered by some of the best in the business, including Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Jerry Jeff Walker, Lyle Lovett, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett and Alseep at the Wheel. His influence will be felt for generations to come.

I was fortunate to have interviewed him several times and to attend his 70th birthday celebration in Austin a few years back. That concert also marked the launch of a 2-CD tribute, “This One’s For Him.” It was the highlight of my concert-going life.

The artists who performed at the Long Center that night brought their A-game. Lovett, Crowell, Terri Hendrix, Rosie Flores, JT Van Zandt, Joe Ely, Jack Ingram, Verlon Thompson, Shawn Camp and others took turns performing songs from Clark’s deep, rich catalog.

When James McMurtry came out and sang, “Cold Dog Soup,” everything got eerily quiet. While the tune isn’t among Clark’s most popular, it is one of his most profound. It tells the real story behind the life of a traveling troubadour.

There ain’t no money in poetry.

That’s what sets the poet free.

I’ve had all the freedom I can stand.

It’s cold dog soup and rainbow pie.

Fill my belly ‘till the day I die.

Cold dog soup and rainbow pie.

 Rest easy, Guy. The world is a better place because of you.

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To hear McMurtry’s cover, click here.

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If you want to bring attention to something good you’ve seen or been part of, please e-mail it to winnsboronews@suddenlinkmail.com.

 We need more positive news in our lives.