Raymond News

When I was 9 years old, a fellow school mate invited the whole 3rd grade class to her house for a big pizza-filled birthday party. While my classmate's father, Mr. Mehta, left for Pizza Hut to pick up dinner, we played games and eagerly awaited his return. Pizza Hut was not far from their house and what should have been a quick 10-minute round-trip pick-up, somehow turned into 30 minutes. Then an hour. Two hours. In an era before cell phones and text messages, we had no idea where Ami's dad could have gone and a house full of 9-year-olds were getting quite anxious and hungry.

Nearly three hours later Mr. Mehta returned, completely rattled. It turned out that as he was pulling out of Pizza Hut, he accidentally put the car in drive instead of reverse and drove his car directly through the front door of Pizza Hut. It was a miracle no one was hurt. The family who lived next door to us happened to be dining at Pizza Hut that very night and their youngest daughter had nightmares for weeks.

Although frazzled, Mr. Mehta still brought home the pizzas for the birthday party that had sat on the front passenger seat of his car. Not new pizzas. The same pizzas that flew through the Pizza Hut front door. I remember vividly how Mr. Mehta told us kids to play a game called "pick the glass out of the pizza." Every kid was served a cold slice of pepperoni on a paper plate and had to carefully put the small slivers of glass on a separate plate before each bite. 9-year-old Kara was horrified. I knew this was wrong on all levels. I called my parents from the Mehta's kitchen wall phone to pick me up, never to return. Quite the memorable evening.

Have you noticed that Raymond City Hall is all boarded up? Unfortunately, someone pulled a Mr. Mehta last Thursday afternoon and drove their car right through the City Hall front door due to a "mechanical malfunction." When I heard the news, all my 9-year-old birthday party memories came flooding back. Shattered glass was everywhere, all the filing cabinets in the Deputy City Clerk's office fell over, and the whole office shook. No injuries were reported and no pizza was served immediately following - Praise the Lord! Until the front of City Hall is fixed, please use the side entrance.

There has been great concern regarding the Raymond cannon that was moved a couple weeks ago from its permanent spot under the water tower. According to Debbe Tillman, Friends of Raymond Vice President, the cannon is owned by Friends of Raymond and they have temporarily relocated it to the corner of East Court and Clinton Raymond Road. It will be returned to the Towne Square when the City of Raymond completes the water tower restoration. A big shout out to Billy Pape and crew, Mike Snowball, Alan Pope and Parker Hills for moving the cannon!

Need a new summer wardrobe? I am happy to share that Raymond's newest retail business, Magnolia on Main, welcomed shoppers for their grand opening on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Magnolia on Main, the former location of "Lucy's Dress Shop," follows in its building's iconic footsteps and sells a variety of men's, women's, and children's items. At its opening on Saturday, I sampled some heavenly smelling soaps and lotions. I walked through the store in awe at the remarkable gut renovation by owner Marcus Buffington. The interior was transformed to a true showplace. I encourage everyone to check out Raymond's newest store.

Does shopping make you hungry like it does me? The Chick-Fil-A on the Hinds Community College campus announced new summer hours. Enjoy breakfast or lunch Monday through Thursday from 7:00am to 2:00pm. While there isn't a drive thru at this location, just call in your order to 601-857-3265 and they will bring it out to your car. What great service!

Mark your calendars for a VERY special birthday bash in Raymond! Raymond legend, the one and only Mrs. Martha Ferguson, will turn 90 in June. Martha's daughter, Beth Reniska, is inviting all those who know and love Martha to wish her a Happy Birthday on Saturday, May 30th for a "come and go" celebration from 3:00pm to 4:30pm. The party will take place at Martha's home located at 237 North Oak Street in Raymond. No gifts, please - your presence is the present! RSVP to Beth at (601) 955-5755.

Memorial Day is drawing near and school is out for the summer! Stay tuned for some VERY exciting events popping up around town to celebrate America's 250th birthday.

Be kind and suffer well.