Restoring, revitalizing, remembering

A View Of Columbus Through Rose-Colored Glasses

This column is dedicated to acknowledging examples of positives that express the community spirit of Columbus - our town.

As the restoration of the Stafford Opera House becomes a reality ... discussions and studies have begun all over town. Columbus Historic Preservation Trust is the owner of the Stafford Opera House. On Tuesday, August 29, 2023, CHPT sponsored a town hall metting to present the concept of the restoration. President Julie Prause introduced Executive Director of CHPT, Missy Parker. Ms Parker gave the audience a background of the crucial need for restoration because the Opera House can not be used “as is”.

As the town hall program ended, our table of attendees began to talk about the new enterprises coming to Columbus. This provoked an interesting comment from Jo Lou Parks. Ms Parks said she was often reminded that as a youngster, she could walk the length of the town from her house on south Milam to John Hollis Massey’s house on the north side for playtime. She also noted that the streets at that time had no street signs. Because of that, she still has trouble with street names in Columbus. Stories began to flow from Robyn Adams, Bill Durbin, and Doreen Vail as Bob Stiles and I listened. Jo Lou was the “Pro”. One of her best remembrances was the day her group went down on Travis Street where there was a vacant lot. The group devised this “game”. Jo Lou was to move to the east edge of the lot where there was a ditch. She was to move around as a target in the ditch. The goal was for the boys to chunk rocks at her.

In case you want to know the names of the boys, keep guessing. They did hit the target and popped her in the head with a rock. She arrived home in a bloody mess – the scar is still there. Jo Lou’s grandmother, Kizer Goeppinger, had a few choice words.

Another story was about Halloween in Columbus. It seems one of the traditions was throwing rotten eggs. Jo Lou, and her sister, Gin Ann, lived in the Calico Hen’s cottage on Milam. They lived in one half of the house. At Halloween, they enjoyed squirting water at passing cars. Jo Lou says the return fire was rotten eggs. Jo Lou’s mom, Pete Stafford, taught 6th grade in Columbus. One year, when Jo Lou was in 6th grade, she noted her mom stuttering over a word. Jo Lou found it really funny and laughed quite loudly. Of course, the class joined in with more laughter. This probably was Jo Lou’s last time doing that ever!

It’s fun to remember times past. And of course, there are many stories that involved the Opera House. Let’s do our part to support CHPT in its restoration campaign as history marches on.

Save the Opera House!