Jim PathFinder Ewing has written six books, published in English, French, German, Russian and Japanese. His latest is “Conscious Food: Sustainable Growing, Spiritual Eating” (Findhorn Press, 2012). His next book — about which he is mysteriously silent — is scheduled to be released in Spring, 2015. Find him on Facebook, join him on Twitter @EdiblePrayers, or see his website,www.blueskywaters.com
In the photo, it’s called Old Tavern on George Street, but folks of a certain age – those who first listened to the Beatles when they debuted on the Ed Sullivan Show – remember it as George Street Grocery. A lot of schemes were hatched in the back of that bar back in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Not many people remember that there used to be a framed plaque on the wall next to a round table at the very back that read in gold: “Capital Press Corps.” That’s where a handful of journalists used to retire after work and have drinks with various movers and shakers, including legislators, judges, even former and sitting governors on occasion – all “off the record.” It was a great way to find out what was really going on and why. The rule was: We couldn’t quote anything we heard at that table; but if we found out about it elsewhere, it was fair game.
I doubt that goes on much anymore in Mississippi (fraternizing between journalists and public officials, or even between public officials of different parties). There’s a Capital Press Corps that still meets, convened by the Stennis Center, but I doubt they even know who the founders were — or where, why, when or for what reason they met. Last time I went to one of the Stennis meetings, I had to invite myself and they didn’t know who I was. Everybody looked very serious and, well, sober. The meeting was orderly and on the record.
Back then was more fun.
Jackson: photographs by Ken Murphy is available now for purchase. To order a copy, call Lemuria Books at 601.366.7619 or visit us online at lemuriabooks.com. Please join us in celebrating Jackson on August 5th at 5:00 in Banner Hall!
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