Oxford’s Most Colorful Goodwill Ambassador, Chico Harris, Hitches A Ride With A Courier Reader… And There’s A Story
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Ruby, my Ford, and Lilly, my Oldsmobile, are both under the care of a mechanic. This gives me the opportunity to engage in my favorite mode of transportation, hitchhiking. A nice lady in Oxford was my first ride yesterday. I told her that if I could get to the traffic signal on University Avenue at the Dodge dealership, it would be a good place for catching a ride home. We got going and she told me she was off work and was headed home to Coffeeville. She had music playing. I showed my age by thinking it was Carla Thomas, the Memphis daughter of Rufus Thomas. “No, this is King George,” she said. I had never heard of that singer but decided I should test my driver for coolness. “What,” I said, “is the name of the newspaper in Coffeeville?” I knew the correct answer. If she didn’t, I was going to ask her to stop so I could get out. “The Courier!” she said with affirmation. “The Coffeeville Courier!” I said. “The Coffeeville Courier!” she said. “I read the Courier.” Oh, she was cool. She was so cool, I told her “So, if you’re going to Coffeeville, you’re going down Highway 7, right? My house is kind of on the way if you want to give me a ride all the way to my house.” “Oh, okay,” she said. “I have a piano I will give you,” I said. “Oh, okay,” she said. At my house she did get out and inspect the piano. She said she would think about it. We said goodbye and I thanked her with sincerity. If she comes back and accepts my free piano, it will be out of my yard and she will be even cooler! Chico Harris is a Tupelo native and Ole Miss graduate. Thanks Ed “Budgy” Meeks for such an awesome story!