Library Rose Garden

A rose garden centerpieces the entrance to the busy community hub known as the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. Behind the brick wall is a courtyard with benches and a fountain. Inside are comfortable chairs for readers, computers for Internet research, a genealogy and regional history room, puppet show theater, conference rooms and, oh yes, lots of shelves filled with books! Among my favorite events is the periodic Lunch at the Library, which is an informal meeting and presentation with authors.

Magnificent Magnolia

The magnolia, that most southern of all Deep South flowers, is budding. The spring breeze captures its sweet aroma and delivers it to street corners, backyard alleys, doorways and park benches. This bloom is one of many on the magnolia tree next to the library.

Children often play underneath these shady tents. The white petals are great for writing "invisible" messages that quickly turn to legible brown scribble.

And, as with most great things, there are drawbacks. When the gigantic leaves drop, they make a mighty mess. Just rake them back under the tree. Then there's the water problem. They require a lot and the leaves curl quickly during a drought.

May Theme Day (City Exchange)

Hola! This South of the Border window dressing could be in Mexico...Acapulco, Cancun, Mazatlan, Mexico City? Si?

No?

I've never been to Mexico, but lots of amigos around Selma, Alabama enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine at El Ranchero Restaurant on Broad Street. It's one reason downtown fills up with cars on weekend nights, because a Taco Bell it is not!

The fajitas, chimichanga, taco salad, enchiladas, refried beans, rice, rice and more rice and especially the tortilla chips with goat cheese dip are a delightful change of taste from Southern fried everything. They even have Mexican shrimp dishes.

Please visit other City Daily Photo Blogs participating in May Theme Day, and Adios!

(Note: I am re-publishing this because I noticed a "typo" in in my first edition spelling of Acapulco!)

They are:

Monte Carlo, Monaco -
Rome, Italy -
Singapore, Singapore -
Tenerife, Spain -
Rotterdam, Netherlands -
London, UK -
Montréal (QC), Canada -
Melbourne, Australia -
Naples (FL), USA -
Bastia, France -
Hong Kong, China -
Mazatlan, Mexico -
Buenos Aeres, Argentina -
Manila, Philippines -
Arradon, France -
Madison (WI), USA -
Evry, France -
Seoul, Korea -
Shanghai, China -
Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia -
Sequim (WA), USA -
Singapore, Singapore -
Budapest, Hungary -
Baziège, France -
Hamburg, Germany -
Toruń, Poland -
Nelson, New Zealand -
Madison (WI), USA -
Vantaa, Finland -
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -
Mainz, Germany -
Dubai, UAE -
Saint Paul (MN), USA -
Cork, Ireland -
Stockholm, Sweden -
Menton, France -
Tel Aviv, Israel -
Albuquerque (NM), USA -
Kitakami, Japan -
Stayton (OR), USA -
Szentes, Hungary -
Stavanger, Norway -
Grenoble, France -
Villigen, Switzerland -
Paris, France -
Hyde, UK -
Moscow, Russia -
Joplin (MO), USA -
Jakarta, Indonesia -
Greenville (SC), USA -
Cape Town, South Africa -
Asheville (NC), USA -
Seattle (WA), USA -
Kyoto, Japan -
Tokyo, Japan -
Madrid, Spain -
Auckland, New Zealand -
Oulu, Finland -
Lubbock (TX), USA -
Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina -
Baton Rouge (LA), USA -
Sydney, Australia -
Maple Ridge (BC), Canada -
Vancouver, Canada -
Seattle (WA), USA -
Selma (AL), USA -
Chandler (AZ), USA -
Sharon (CT), USA -
Manila, Philippines -
Lyon, France -
New York City (NY), USA -
Los Angeles (CA), USA -
Brookville (OH), USA -
Hayle, UK -
Wailea (HI), USA -
Saarbrücken, Germany -
San Diego (CA), USA -
Boston (MA), USA -
Saint Louis (MO), USA -
Cypress (TX), USA

A Time for Everything

"A Time for Everything" was the theme of this Ladies' Banquet table. I like the black and white contrast...simple yet elegant. The verse was chosen from Ecclesiastes 3, and I believe it was the subject of the Oldie Goldies song, "Turn, Turn, Turn." The hostess used clear plates and designed the clock and verse theme on white paper underneath. I took this photo before the table was finished...which explains why there are no glasses or coffee cups. The time for adding those was later!

The Ladies' Banquet

"A Virtuous Woman" was the theme of this tablescape at the annual Ladies' Banquet Saturday night. Held at the Selma Convention Center, the event features elaborate decorations based upon Bible verses. Volunteer hostesses plan and bedeck their tables. This year's worship leader was Bonnie Keen, a Christian singer, author and speaker. The interdenominational banquet is a big night out and is sponsored by Elkdale Baptist Church.

Signs of the Times

This feed and seed company operated in an old brick building on Water Avenue for quite a long time. I often purchased Dutch flower bulbs there. Closed now, the store's side view still bears its name.

I wonder what the old signs say. If you look just under the awning (obviously added on), you can still see advertisements from another era.

Crimson Clover

A lush field of crimson clover repeats its appearance each year in this large
field near the city limits.

Against a blue sky and wispy white clouds, the result has an almost patriotic appeal.

Art at the Library

One of the high points of visiting the library is viewing the latest artwork displayed by the locals. I'm not an art critic and have no idea if these creations are good or not. But I would like to know what the artist was thinking when he or she designed them.

Sturdivant Hall Museum

Here is a view from the sidewalk as visitors approach Sturdivant Hall. The house museum is considered one of the finest Greek Revival neoclassic antebellum mansions in the Southeast. How's that for a pedigree?!

Its architect was Thomas Helm Lee, a cousin of Robert E. Lee, and the home became a museum in the late 1950s. With numerous antiques, portraits, period furniture and formal gardens, it is a must-see for tourists. The site also includes a gift shop.

For more details, visit the Sturdivant Hall website.

Click on the photo for a larger view.

Oh, and yes, it has a ghost!

Temple Mishkan Israel

When Selma had a much larger Jewish population, Temple Mishkan Israel regularly served as the place of worship. Built in 1899, the synagogue is primarily used for special services now.

The Jewish presence began growing here in the 1830s. Many came from Western Europe, some to work in early industrialist Phillip John Weaver's 11 businesses or to begin businesses themselves. Others came as merchants, traveling the Alabama River from Mobile to Selma. Through World War II, downtown Selma was dominated by Jewish businesses: Rothschild's, Kayser's, Teppers, Bendersky's, Eagle's, Boston Bargain, Barton's, Adler Furniture, Siegel Automobile, Bloch Brothers Hardware, Schuster Hardware, Hohenberg Cotton Company, Kahn Brick, Lewis Cigar, American Candy.

They were civic-minded as well. Selma has had three Jewish mayors, several city council presidents, chamber of commerce presidents and others. During World War II, refugees from Europe were sponsored by local people.