Raymond News

R by Kara Culp Happy New Year, Raymond! I hope everyone had a delightful Christmas and rang in 2026 with great cheer. For the was our first Christmas without Wayne, my bonus father-in-law. Nothing hits harder than the first year of “firsts.” Last year, Robert and I hosted Wayne and my mother-in-law, Dena, for Christmas dinner at our house on Main Street. I made my mother’s famous spaghetti sauce from scratch and two giant pans of lasagna. Wayne went wild for the lasagna and Dena said he sweetly spoke of little else as we entered 2025. We enjoyed the exact same dinner together this Christmas night, and remembered fondly all of Wayne’s funny “isms” that made Than Wayne, well - Wayne. It is sobering to remember that we only get so many Raymondite, Jackson Christmas dinners in legend and friend to life. Cherish them. All many, Bob Crechale, thanks be to God that we owner of the iconic surrounded ourselves Crechale’s Cafe in with a gaggle of children Jackson, died on who love nothing more Christmas Eve. He was than lively Christmas 70. In our family, days, presents from Crechale’s Café is synSanta, and the celebra- onymous with birthdays. tion of the birth of our Bob would always greet Lord and Savior. us at the door with a big Although not a “Proud to have you!” Is $10 off 2 year subs Send coupon & pa G AZETTE P.O. BOX 7 Raymond, MS LMA-PA BY CAROLYN CLEMENT cjclements@bellsout or The Episcopal ducted the service. Church of the Good The Church of Shepherd Christmas Eve the Good Shepherd service was held on hosted a Christmas Wednesday evening. party after Church serRev. Rick Ressler con- vice on Sunday morning. LMA-PA t L f w d d h r m I m i – B f w i t T A m J 6 T 2 ( T F w nks for the memories, Bob Crechale. m t n there anything better in-law was younger, she y o than sitting in a comfy worked in many restau- , vinyl booth eating a big rants, including t c steak dinner followed by Crechale’s. She said R n “hail, hail the gang’s all Bob ran a tight ship and 1 n here”? Crechale’s was by far the C s Paul Crechale, cleanest kitchen she had A , Bob’s grandfather, ever seen. Anderson S - founded the restaurant Crechale, one of Bob’s 1 . in 1956 and it has con- children, said the a t tinued to bring joy and restaurant would reopen a g delicious food for 69 on December 31st and C s years. When my sister- will remain open until s scription ayment to: OUNTY E 729 “I S 39154 A Photographic H BYDR Is available for purchase $60 + tax this book make Call 601-7 EWS th.net coffeecabooseroasters 5 @gmail.com The buffet table was OWNER f laden with delicious food d that members brought s for the occasion. Gifts 601 - were exchanged follow- . ing brunch. A joyful fellowship enjoyed by all in attendance. The birthday L OCATIONS F OR party on Sat. for Kathy Barnes was so impressive. There must have been 100 guests. It was COR held in the home of her MAGNOLIA, MS; NORTHSID daughter in Madison. The food was elegantly MS; BELLEVUE, ZOO served and enjoyed by HATTIESBURG, MS; R guests. A wonderful Saturday soirée. SULLI The Christmas decorations have already BROOKHAVEN, MS; F started coming down (SULLIVAN’S and they will be missed. It was a wonderful Christmas season in BAY ST. LOUIS, MS; LONG 2025. CLA Happy New Year PICA to everyone! MA coffe S the end of January. our historic town. It was Long-term plans for the the brainchild of Reagan future of the restaurant Hataway, who is an avid will be decided at a later relic hunter when he date. That phrasing isn’t on duty as Chief of doesn’t give me much Raymond PD. RSVP to hope our favorite restau- friendsofraymond@outrant will be around look.com to hear more much longer, but I hope about this event and I’m wrong. We plan to other projects planned make a stop at this icon- by the Friends of ic restaurant in January Raymond in 2026. Bring – perhaps for my own a friend and your Bob’s 2nd birthday in a favorite covered dish to few weeks. Although share! with Mr. Crechale gone, With all the New it certainly won’t feel like Year’s fun (usually the gang’s all there. involving delicious food Save the date! and drinks), I encourage The Friends of Raymond everyone to join the Annual Membership Raymond Walking Club meeting is Thursday, as we approach our 2nd January 8, 2026 from year. 2 miles per day, 5 6:00pm to 8:00pm at days a week (weather The Portico located at permitting), starting at 228 Raymond Square 6:15am at the Raymond (the former location of Water Tower. For me, I The Yellow Feather). want to be as healthy as Friends of Raymond will possible for as long as welcome two new board possible. Quantity plus members and introduce quality is my goal, God their big project for the willing. We can do this! year! It is never too late to I’m really excited start a healthy habit. to announce that Follow the Raymond Raymond will host the Walking Club on 1st Annual Raymond Facebook for updates, Civil War Relic and route information, and Antique Gun Show on pretty pictures of September 11, 12, and Raymond at sunrise. We 13, 2026. It will be held can’t wait to see you! at the Mayo Field House at Hinds Community Be kind and sufCollege Campus. This is fer well. such a perfect event for M M : N ISSISSIPPI EDICINE History of Medicine in Mississippi” R. LUKELAMPTON& KARENEVERS e at The Magnolia Gazette Office, priced at only es a great gift or a nice addition to any book shelf! 783-2441 to get your copy TODAY! LMA-PA ABOOSE OASTERS 114 FRANKLINTON ST. TYLERTOWN, MS 39667 1-827-5029 R OFFEE ABOOSE RODUCTS MCCOMB, MS; RNER MARKET LOCATIONS DE DRIVE, DULING, & FORTIFICATION - JACKSON, O, OAK GROVE, MIDTOWN, & LINCOLN RD. - RAYMOND, MS; ELLISVILLE, MS; PETAL, MS; VICKSBURG, MS IVAN’S GROCERY LOCATIONS FLORA, MS; KENTWOOD, LA; CLINTON, LA; MARKETPLACE) - GLUCKSTADT, MS; FROOGEL’S G BEACH, MS; HARDY COURT IN GULFPORT, MS; AIBORNE HILL LOCATIONS AYUNE, MS; WAVELAND, MS; AINS MARKET LOCATIONS FOLSOM, LA eecabooseroasters.com