Jefferson Texas, 75657, is a unique small town community with big city roots and attitudes. Located in the Piney Woods, sandwiched between Lake O' the Pines and Caddo Lake, Jefferson enjoys wonderful natural surroundings, the ease of country living, and the stimulation of progressive attitudes.
I am fascinated by the English language, which is a good thing, because I have not had much success at mastering any other.
Now that I have been transplanted to Texas, I am having the time of my life relishing the differences between American West Coast English and East Texas English. In particular, I love learning new words and phrases.
Fixin’ to – pronounced as one word, has been claimed as the Texas state verb. It is certainly plain, understandable, and unambiguous. Despite its awkward written form, I find it a concise and usable verbal alternative to “I am about to” or I am preparing to.”
I suppose everyone in America has heard and understands “howdy.” Here in East Texas the word is commonly used and is not considered an indication of illiteracy or lack of higher education. I was never surprised to hear it, even as a newcomer. What surprised me was the common follow up, “Are you Awright?” This question is used in the same way I am accustomed to using “How are you?” To a new arrival this Texas version seems too direct, invasive, almost worrisome (do I look like I am having trouble?! – what makes you think I am NOT all right?). And to make things worse, they expect an answer! East Texans take time. There is always time to answer the question. They will listen. I don’t care if you are standing in the street in pouring rain at 30-degrees, your neighbors want to know if you are “awright.” Don’t be rude. Stop, answer, ask about their health, and listen. Don’t run off. If it takes an hour, so be it.
I suppose I don’t even have to mention “Y’all” other than to defend its use in polite society. It works. It is clear and efficient. Why not use it? I do stumble over “All Y’all” but that can be dealt with in another post.
My favorite is a word I had never heard before coming to Texas, “tumped.” It is a combination of tipped and dumped, or spilled (never “spilt”, that is another region entirely, deeper South or the UK). If you get tumped over, you not only fell, you were spilled from your conveyance and probably ended up in dirt, mud or water. it seems people often get tumped from their boat and children often tump their milk.
Honorable mention has to go to the single word that conveys the most. This one is submitted by my lovely wife, Ellen. “Scombe.” Meaining, “It is going to be”, as in, Scombe a gully washer by mornin’.
I am still on the lookout for more examples of this wonderful language with which we all struggle.
While our little town suffers through political turmoil (resignations from our police chief and city manager, outcry against the mayor, and unhappy city employees all around), our local business people are finding ways to help themselves. We have discovered COOPERATION and generosity.
You probably don’t know that Jefferson, Texas is a little town of about 1800 people (the city limits sign says 2012, but that is a known overstatement) in northeast Texas. Our thriving retail, restaurant, and bed and breakfast community survives on tourism. An average weekend in Jefferson will see 1000 – 3000 tourists, some from close by, some from out of state or even international origins. Our Mardi Gras attracts 12000 – 15000 people. Pilgrimage and candlelight Tour weekends bring 5000 – 7000 visitors. and for one incredible weekend each year we host 30000 – 40000 bikers for the Boo Benefit Motorcycle Run. While most Texas tourist towns are suffering declines, we are seeing a constant increase in visitors and spending.
Are we lucky? Yes, of course. But also, we are hard working and imaginative. We work to bring new people to town.
Recently we found a powerful tool to help all of us. We have our local neighboring businesses to help us. We promote each other.
Businesses like the Historic Jefferson Railway use their marketing expertise to promote plays and fundraisers in town. Organizers and owners of small businesses share their email lists and send out announcements for other businesses. Our four theatre companies cooperate to produce a spectacular Theatre Festival (1st two weekends in August). Volunteers, the Riverport ambassadors, take to the streets, dressed in period costumes, to hand out fliers, give directions, entertain, and recommend restaurants.
We work together to keep our city and our businesses alive and thriving.
I am so proud of Jefferson and the people who help themselves by helping others. Way to go Jefferson!
I am not going to blog about events in Jefferson. I am inconsistent (I am hardly ever inspired to take the time) and there are at least a dozen local blogs that do a decent job of promoting and recapping our great activities.
Instead, I have decided to blog about Jefferson itself, its history, its future and its people.
This change of direction was planted by a conversation yesterday with a visitor from Washington state. This visitor said he is active on his local tourism committee and knows how hard it is to get people to do the necessary work that brings visitors to town. He was impressed with the evident work that our Jefferson citizens accomplish and the number of people this little town is able to muster when work is needed.
So, that got me thinking.
I have been amazed and delighted by Jefferson since the first time I saw it mentioned on the web. We were living in my native California and researching a possible home in the East Texas region. We wanted to be within an hour of our relatives in Longview. Jefferson appeared repeatedly as an active, interesting, beautiful place. There is something happening practically every weekend. Since moving here in 2009, we continue to be delighted in the people, activities, ambiance and energy of Jefferson.
While it is true that Jefferson has a wealth of historic and natural resources, its real treasure is its people. Jefferson attracts people who want a little extra out of their daily life. Jefferson holds these exceptional people by consistently living up to its promise of providing a great lifestyle.
We have special people who use their talents producing great attractions in our little historic city on the bayou. Our circle of friends includes dozens of outstanding individuals whose enthusiasm and energy are infectious and inspiring.
I love Jefferson, Texas. Come visit. You will love it too.
I love this town. You never know what is going to happen next. Last night at 5:59 PM I was in Ellen’s clothing shop (Fashion & Art Revival) and heard a bugle outside. I walked to the street and listened to someone blow taps. It was beautiful! The brick buildings and a slight breeze bounced the sound all around downtown so that I had no idea which direction it was coming from. Cars stopped on the streets and rolled down their windows. Pedestrians wandered to the middle of the street, trying to find the source. The last note was followed immediately with the 6 o’clock church bells pealing Christmas carols. I have no idea who blew taps, why, or if it will be repeated. I loved it.
I hope no one tells me who blew the bugle. It could have been one of the churches in town playing a recording. Or, it could have been a gift from an anonymous bugler. I don’t know and don’t want to know. It was hauntingly beautiful. I don’t want to ruin the mystery of it all.
Jefferson is one of the cities on the fabulous Holiday Trail of Lights. Last year Jefferson didn’t really do very well in displaying Christmas lights. As wonderful as Jefferson is, with Candlelight Home Tours, the Holiday Steam Train and our annual visit from the Kansas City Southern Christmas Train, our nights were less than brilliant.
This year we are going to change all that. Businesses and residents can enter “Let There Be LIGHT!” and win CASH prizes for the best lighting displays. Non-profits and organizational buildings can compete for a plaque and local recognition.
