2011 – Year In Review

Allow me to thank you for being a supporter and/or contributor to the “Talks & Tours” in 2011

  Looking back on 2011, it was quite a year! January was a cold, slow and bleak time in the life of Jimmy O – heading toward an ancient age of 59. But, things started to “pop” in February with one of the year’s top moments being on February 26 at The Peabody Hotel as Honorary Duckmaster (see Detour). What a thrill! Another February highlight was the Halls Caravan to see Murray Hudson’s Maps & Globes empire, as well as visit the Halls Veterans' Museum on the site of the former Dyersburg Army Air Base. Now, that was a cool “road trip”.

  With March came the optimism of Spring, outdoor walking tours and work in the FedEx St. Jude Memphis Classic (FESJC). In April, I was approached about becoming the Chairman of the Shelby County Historical Commission, and took office in September. I became the 79th member of the SPORTS 56 Sportstime Hall of Fame in April (along with my friend JJ Guinozzo). On April 18, I was the first guest on The Earle Farrell Show on KWAM AM 990 and in May served a three-day stint as Studio Host while Earle was “on the road”. Also, in April, I made distinguished presentations to the Tennessee Preservation Trust Conference in Collierville (Memphis & The Civil Rights Movement) and to the Seismology Society of America at Cannon Center (Before Memphis, 1811-1812). And then came the “high water” in May and the “call” to become a street preacher on Riverside Drive for a week of explaining and exploring Memphis’ relationship with the Mississippi River at record levels. FESJC in June was a success, and then a real job - Community Engagement Manager for the Riverfront Development Corporation, and my world went to warp speed. Where did the last/next six months go?

  The July opening of the “Baseball Memphis” exhibit (with JJ Guinozzo) in the Memphis & Shelby County Room of the Benjamin Hooks Central Library was a home run! (ugh) On August 14, we unveiled the Lansky Brothers – Clothier To The King historical marker at 126 Beale Street and August 18, I received a HARCAngel Award for Exemplifying Unselfish Community Service from the Highland Area Renewal Corporation (HARC) at a program at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. In September, Memphis Charitable Foundation bestowed The Blues Ball Volunteer of the Year Award to me at Mud Island River Park. In October, I was honored to make a presentation (The Memphis Music Story) to the cast and crew of the Broadway musical “Memphis” during its worldwide tour launch from The Orpheum Theatre, and was treated royally with an invitation to view rehearsal, enjoy a dinner, opening night and the after party!

  Another “first” was the Historic Manhole Cover Rubbings Tour on October 13 with the Art Class from Bolton High School. Some of their artwork is displayed on the Classes page. Perhaps the final highlight of the year would have to be the amazing crowd that turned out for the Inaugural November 6th Street Tour on Sunday, November 6. We had 116 folks start the tour at Beale Street at 2:06 p.m. and still had 84 when we completed the tour three hours later, after winding through “The Spine of Downtown”. This "first" featured commemorative t-shirts and labeled bottle water, and my own Team Ogle. Many thanks to James Cochran and Martin Norris for making this such a smash success – and to the attendees!

Media A-Plenty (check the Press section). The June issue of Memphis Downtowner ran a story about my Gayoso Bayou adventures, and that issue also contained two stories about friends of mine – Lee Busby and Ken Hudson. The “Three Caesars of Union Avenue” became a special event later in June. A first-ever magazine signing was promoted at the Front Street Deli (the epicenter of Memphis) on June 27, but was parlayed into a long overdue surprise recognition of two hard working “Downtowners” (Jodie Vance & Terre Gorham of the Memphis Downtowner), a feat that appeared in the “Editor’s Notes” of the August issue. The August issue of RSVP made Jimmy O a Street Scene, and it was another “first” for RSVP, as a manhole cover was highlighted in a photo! MEMPHIS magazine selected me as a “Who’s Who” of Movers & Shakers in its 35th Anniversary edition in August. MUS TODAY, the quarterly publication of my high school, Memphis University School, carried a five-page section (from two authors – Christopher Blank, Dr. Steve Bledsoe) about my roundabout life right now. The Commercial Appeal even had me in two “Memphis Memories” from 25 Years Ago (1986, both Mud Island related), called me a “raconteur” for my riverside street preaching and even pictured me standing inside a flower pot on the Main Street Trolley Mall (the year before the CA had pictured my rear end sticking out of the gnome home tree in the Old Forest in Overton Park). So, I guess, I am improving with the CA . . . I was a “We Recommend” for the September 15th issue Memphis Flyer (Steppin’ Out) for the Shelby County Courthouse Tour that month.

  FOX 13 News went “underground” with me to get a better take on the aging infrastructure of our City. I made eight appearances on The Earle Farrell Show on KWAM AM 990 and three appearances on Talk It Out with Father Don Mowery on WHBQ AM 560. Making television appearances on WREG’s “Live At 9” and Trinity Broadcasting’s “Joy In Our Town” talking about the Mississippi River were interesting and informative. I even appeared on WUMR (University of Memphis) for the first time on Sandeep Pednekar’s “1-Universe” program. And one more to complete the year, an interview with Jim Sykes on Sirius Radio, the 24-Hour Elvis radio station broadcasting from Graceland!
 

  I am also proud to have inducted 6 new members into the JimmyO Pink Slat Fellowship. The members of the Class of 2011 are: 013-Terre Gorham, 014-Martin Norris, 015-Jodie Vance, 016-James Cochran, 017-Susie Salley, 018-Bob Salley. Congratulations and thank you.
In February, 2012, please watch out for a new installment in the Detour section entitled: Jimmy O Pink Slat Awards for a full listing of all 18 recipients over the past three years, and the criteria for their selection.

   Colleges & Universities

  Continuing to work with the Friends Of The Libraries at the University of Memphis in the “Know Your Neighborhood” series by adding four more sessions during 2011 was very rewarding, particularly focusing on the Centennial Celebration in September and the walking tours of the east and west perimeter of the campus. At the U of M, continuing to speak to the Tourism Class (twice) for the fifth year and give the narration for the driving tour of Memphis for the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality & Resort Management is always a trip for me. Professor Ben Jordan taught an Urban History class at both CBU and Rhodes College and I was involved in the “field trip” portion of the class, leading tours in Downtown Memphis (focusing on 1880-1930) and then out Summer Avenue (High Point Terrance, Grahamwood & Gaisman) focusing on post-WW2 development and sprawl. Professor Frank Marion asked me to speak to the Global Supply Chain class at CBU. In the Spring, The Meeman Center For Lifelong Learning at Rhodes College asked me to make a one-time presentation in the “Rhodes At Night” series which was later parlayed into a five-session course in the Autumn entitled “Memphis History: Centuries Of Adventure & Development” and was well attended. And, at Rhodes, I participated in the Crossroads To Freedom project and for the Summer Fellows Program, led a cruise on the Mississippi River (aboard the ISLAND QUEEN). The Nesin Graduate School (Downtown) of the Memphis College Of Art allowed me to be a part of its Spring schedule with a multiple-session course entitled “Memphis Uncovered: History Walk & Talk”.

Historical Marker Dedications

  The Zippin Pippin/Libertyland marker (11/01/10) and my seat on the Shelby County Historical Commission opened up a whole new world for me concerning Historical Markers in Memphis and Shelby County. Besides trying to make the most comprehensive inventory of all types of authorized markers from various agencies to date, I have been involved in three dedications this year: Gray’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church & Cemetery, Lansky Brothers – Clothier To The King and Normal Depot, with a fourth in the works for January 7, 2012 – A.L. Taylor/Phi Beta Sigma in Church Park.

Stat Crew

  My “primary” in Basketball is the University of Memphis Men’s Basketball scoreboard at FedExForum and we had no post-season tournament action here this year. But we did conclude a five-year stint with the Gulf Coast Conference Men & Women’s Basketball Tournaments at DeSoto Civic Center in March. I was a “back-up for several Basketball programs at several positions for several institutions: University of Memphis Women’s, Rhodes College Men & Women’s, Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA, Harlem Globetrotters, Rudy Gay All-Star Game and even the Ole Miss Men & Women’s programs. In the Spring, I was able to fill in at FedEx Field for the University of Memphis Baseball team as a scoreboard operator. In the Autumn, I was able to work along side Dave Woloshin on the University of Memphis Tiger Football radio broadcasts as a statistician. In PGA TOUR golf, Phil Cannon of the FedEx St. Jude Classic gave me the responsibility for the second consecutive year of editing the FESJC Media Guide.

Groups I Have Had The Privilege To Make A Presentation In 2011

  Now for the groups . . . Over the past four years, I have recognized a void in Memphis which is the availability of speakers for non-profit and/or civic groups, elderly residences or schools. So, I have developed a series of “Memphis” topics (see Tours page for Presentations) and will provide a service at no cost.

Along the way, I have met many interesting folks who have many stories to tell and history to share.
Therefore, I can truly say that I have learned a lot this year!

Memphis History: "Centuries Of Adventure & Development"
Meeman Center For Lifelong Learning at Rhodes College - Spring Semester

On four evenings, Jimmy Ogle will present various aspects of his studies and life's experiences with Memphis, Tennessee.
From the early explorers and settlers to modern day citizens; from imposing natural landscapes that made Memphis one of the earliest settlements in the nation to the largest metropolis of the Mid-South to the Mississippi River, Cotton, Civil War, Disasters, Beale Street, Memphis Music, Civil Rights, Medicine and the city's modern day impact as the "Nation's Distribution Center" will be covered, including many anecdotes, fun facts, figures and historical achievements of many citizens along the way.

April 9: Before There Was "Memphis" (1541 - 1826) Historic Memphis To Modern Memphis (1819-2012) April 16: Memphis Memorials, Statues & Sculptures The Memphis Music Story April 23: Cotton Men of Elmwood; Civil War; "The Moving Appeal" Memphis & The Civil Rights Movement April 30: Potpourri Night featuring Overton Park; Gayoso Bayou: Then & Now; Origins & Oddities of the Streets & Bridges of Memphis; Mississippi River Stories . . . and more . . . Four Monday Evenings, April 9-30 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Cost: $120

Registration: Online at http://meeman.rhodes.edu/ or call 901-843-3947 or 901-843-3965.