History could have forgotten the Fair Oaks Spring School. Infact, it was already forgetting. Weeds had consumed the spot of theformer campus, which had been demolished 50 years ago afterconsolidation brought an end to the school that served countlessEast Lincoln residents. Now, due to the work of school alumni, theschool will never be forgotten.

A historical marker was placed at the former campus by theMississippi Department of Transportation on Feb. 18. The marker waspurchased after alumni decided at a school reunion last June thatsomething must be done to keep the school’s history alive. Once thedecision was made, donations were quickly collected and the signwas purchased.

Fair Oak Springs School served the communities of Fair River, OakGrove and Big Springs for 33 years before closing in 1960. Theschool was a badge of pride for residents and a source of life forthe three communities. After it closed, those communities quicklydried up and were almost forgotten by history.

With groups like the Fair Oak Springs alumni working to preservethe rich history of this area, forgetting won’t be an option. TheFair Oaks Springs marker is the second one placed in the area inthe past year. The other marker was placed at the site of theformer East Lincoln School, which operated from 1923 until it wasconsolidated and closed in 1957.

The old parsonage at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church willsoon be gone. The old parsonage was constructed in 1955 and servedas home to 14 Pleasant Grove pastors over the years. It was vacatedin 2007 and replaced by a new parsonage, which is located acrossthe road from the church, in 2008.

Pleasant Grove’s fellowship supper, which was set for today, hasbeen canceled due to work going on in the family life center.Church members spent much of this weekend preparing to seal andstain the center’s floor. Funds for the project were raisedfollowing a successful fundraiser and a generous donation from thelocal women’s group, the Community Crafters.

Good progress is being made during Harmony Baptist Church’s”Biggest Loser” weight loss contest. Nineteen participants arecompeting to see who can lose the most weight in the contest, whichstarted on Jan. 3 and will end next Sunday after nine weeks. Thecontest winner will receive half of the funds collected by the $10entry fee while the other half will go to the church’s youth.

Pleasant Grove’s youth department wants to thank all of those whoattended their Valentine’s Banquet on Feb. 20. As usual, thebanquet provided great food, fellowship and entertainment. Theywill use the funds collected from the banquet for their activitiesduring the year.

Thoughts and prayers are with the Ann Allen family, George Foggle,the Chuck Jacobs family and the Sandy Simpson family.

A thought for this week: “A successful man is one who can lay afirm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” – DavidBrinkley.

Have a great week!

If you have any East Lincoln area news to report, contact JoshuaWilson at jowilms@gmail.com or 601-757-7204.