Career Quest #4

Wow! I know I say this every time I write about these days but they are so much fun. We all (moms and kids) learn so much. We started today's quest at Leake and Goodlett. The kids were first intrigued with the pedestal that once was the home of a meteorite. 

                      

Here is a picture (of a picture) of the meteorite.

The meteorite had been passed down throughout the Leake family since it was found in 1870. It has been displayed in many places, including the Fish Hatchery and at a festival in Louisiana celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana purchase. In 2010 the meteorite was stolen from this pedestal. A year later it was returned but they decided not to put it back on the pedestal due to the fear of it being taken again. They were the first retail business in Tupelo to open and the only older business in existence is Pegues Funeral Home. This is an original add the store used to run for their pre-fab house kits. They shared with us how they delivered materials by horse/wagon and by the railroad. $485 for a 5 room house? He also pointed out there was no bathroom in either floor plan :)

 Here was a picture of the original store.

Mr. Leake shared a picture from the 1936 tornado and they said they were averaging selling 1 house a day during that time. The most famous house they sold the materials for was actually one of the smallest--the Presley's! 

They shared lots of historical pictures and stories with us. This is actually a delivery map of Tupelo in  from 1920.

 We could have stayed for hours listening to the wonderful stories they shared! If you need some building materials, let them hook you up! John Gannon told me a little bit ago he will buy his materials from them if he builds a house.

Our next stop was Reed's Department Store. Here we learned that generational owned businesses are referred to as dinosaurs these days. I think it is neat we had the opportunity to visit 2 of them back to back. She talked to us about how as a buyer she tries to find things that are different from the other stores. She had the kids make their own business cards.

Not only did we get some good education today, but we got some good exercise as we walked everywhere we went today. The kids got to break in the new sidewalks. I think they thought they were run-walks.

Our next stop was the Gumtree Art Museum. She shared with us about the current Asian pottery exhibit. She is also responsible for designing and having the display pedestals and boxes built.

The art museum is actually in the old People's Bank building. They had an artist paint this only the alley wall outside.

 She let them check out the art and other things stored in the old vaults.

In the office, she shared about the planning involved in the Gumtree Art Festival.

Here is the group picture from the balcony!

Our next visit was scheduled to be with Justice Court Judge Chuck Hopkins. He sent a message a little earlier in the day and said he had a court case come up and would be a little delayed. SO...we go to the building we thought we were suppose to be at ran into Mr. Anthony leaving the building. He talked to us briefly about his career being a youth court counselor/administrator. That is probably not what he was expecting when he opened the door!

 Then, we all went through the detectors and recruited this nice man to talk to them about his job. He then informed us we were in the wrong building and gave us directions to where we needed to be.

So, we walked some more.

We finally made it to the right court.

And we recruited Judge Sadie Holland to spend a few minutes with them while we finished waiting on Judge Hopkins.

He was an immediate hit with kids.

Into the courtroom they went.

He told them to go explore whatever they wanted. So, they went. He talked to them about how the court operates and shared some stories. 

 We got the kids in different places in the courtroom and walked through how a case might operate.

 Here they are in their spots.

And the accused--not returning a book to the library-petit larceny! Can you believe it? 12 days in jail or a $300 fine...

I only knew two judges prior to our visit with Mr. Hopkins. And to be honest, I didn't feel comfortable even asking them to talk to children. Neither ever came across as having a public servant attitude. Judge Hopkins was perfect for the kids. He was funny and very down to earth! I am glad we got the chance to interact with him.

Our last stop was the Tupelo Visitors Bureau and Convention Center. Here we learned about all that Tupelo has to offer. We even found out about a place none of us knew about across the street. We will definitely be visiting with them in the future! We watched a music video by Elton John celebrating Elvis. 

Again, we are so thankful for the people and businesses that gave of their time to be our teachers for a short visit. This is our last career day until the fall. If you know of a business that would be willing to teach us for about 15-30 minutes, we would love to contact them in the fall!

Live a Meaningful Life!