This is not an ad for Tylenol...

Although I did down a handful right before writing this.

And once you have read what all we did today...you may even need some too!:)

Today was the big Clean-up Day in Rodney, MS.  If you aren't sure where that is, don't worry...99% of the world is right there with you.  We have visited Rodney before, and this is what we saw...

inside Baptist Church

Rodney Presbyterian

Baptist Church

Stone from Cemetery

These photos were taken a few years ago.  Since then, there was a massive flood, seasons changed, and time has passed.

Today, we were lucky enough to attend a Clean-Up Day in Rodney put together by Mrs. Mary from the Rodney, Mississippi Remembering Facebook Page.

More than 60 volunteers used this BEAUTIFUL Saturday to revive, unearth, scrub, and clear out several areas of the former town of Rodney.  The structures included the Presbyterian Church (or cannon-ball church), the Baptist Church, and the Masonic Lodge.  The outsides of all these buildings were also worked on, as well as the Rodney Cemetery.

Group Photo by Paul Wade

In case you can't tell, that is me rocking the MSU sweatshirt just right of center...oh and Heather is next to me. :)

The Instead of Doing Dishes Team (yes...we are our own team) was assigned to the Baptist Church. When we got there, a fellow volunteer had blown out the debris that enters through the broken panes of glass.

All of the volunteers worked extremely hard!  The goal is to save the few buildings left in this ghost of a river town.

I worked in the former slave balcony.  Let me tell you...when I got to the top of those steep, narrow, winding steps...it was a shock! I was ankle deep in dust, dirt, leaves, and who knows what debris!  Thankfully, some other volunteers braved the slanted floor and narrow steps to help shovel out the balcony with me! It truly was a group effort!

Jessica White

Heather

On the ground, Heather and our new friend Jessica worked on removing dirt dauber nests and spiderwebs from the walls and windows of the Baptist Church. There was so much work to be done here.  Several other volunteers came in throughout the day but we were so busy and they got away without being photographed!

One of the disappointments of the day...

These are the pews from inside the Baptist Church.  They were in such disrepair that we could do nothing with them today.  Maybe a skilled carpenter will one day donate their time and expertise to help return them to their rightful places...one day...

We did get to drive around a little before leaving.  I even got to visit the Rodney Cemetery for the first time! First thought - What a HIKE! Straight uphill...whew! Second thought- BEAUTIFUL! I did not get to see it before the clean-up crew got to it...but it looked amazing.  Those folks worked really hard saving and unearthing stones that have been there since the early 1800's! 

This bluff side cemetery is one of the post peaceful places I have ever encountered (even with the chainsaws going:)) No wonder early residents of Rodney hauled their family members to the top for their final resting places. 

A lot of the stones are damaged in some shape, form, or fashion. The above was a picture I took of a stone that I found unique and lovely!

                                                      

After of day of ladder climbing, scrubbing, singing, discovering, and making new friends, we called it a day.  We like to think we left this old beauty in a little bit better condition...we do know it smelled better!

                                                

Maybe one day you will find your way down the gravel roads leading to Rodney.  Feel free to grab a broom (we left some for your convenience:)) and sweep out a few leaves or dusty corners while you soak up the history of this once bustling town.

Until next time!

~Rosemary