Within a couple of hours after the feature article, IT WAS A WONDERFUL YEAR, was dispatched to readers I received a delightful reply from Sue Musselwhite Gorski of Virginia.

Sue grew up in Cordele where I remember her as an exceedingly attractive young lady much younger than I was.

Sue’s Father, Jimmy Musselwhite, owned a business at 415 6th Avenue at a point where the original US. Highway 41 going south through Cordele turned and went east to Seventh Street.

The building/location is now occupied by Culpepper-Wade Oil Co. My cousin A.C. Wade, the eldest surviving grandchild of Dock and Texie Wade, told me that particular spot has housed businesses continuously longer than any other location in Cordele except one.

This bit of information is just one of many value added revelations I sometimes throw in free of charge. In case readers have been sitting around wondering about the location of the second oldest continuous business site in Cordele now you know.

Not only did Sue prove to be an alacritous reader of the aforementioned article she demonstrated proficiency as a researcher of subjects botanical. She identified the best-known names of the three plants I cited growing profusely on the backside. She expressed personal knowledge of all three varieties.

In addition Sue identified the country of origin of one of the plants while revealing that Virginia as Georgia is blessed with an abundance of at least two of the plant species.

Less than 15 minutes later I received an email from a student I taught eighth grade science in Turner County. She is now Dr. Anna Elizabeth Marley, professor of botany at Puget Sound University in Washington State. An hour later a third email arrived from my runner friend, Buston Pelfrey, of Whelen Springs, AR.

I had no idea so many readers were familiar with the varieties of plant life on the backside as all three initial responders were knowledgeable regarding the plants I specified.

It was not my intention to make identification of the plants a contest but in light of the responses I decided to give three prizes. First, second, and third places will be awarded on how quickly the responses were mailed.

Third place will consist of three tickets to hear Kray Z. Azell lecture at Fardcracker Universal Colossal University. Second place will be two tickets to hear Kray Z. and first place will be one ticket.

Shortly after this decision I realized the scope of the bountiful abundance of plant life with which we have been blessed on the backside. Therefore I decided to share my natural nursery products with those not so fortunate.

Seven varieties of plants will be made available to readers on a first come first served basis. Recipients will be able to gather the plants in their own manner. We will provide the shovels and hoes to harvest the treasures and customers will be responsible for providing their own containers.