It’s a joy to congratulate this wonderful couple on the anniversary of their marriage, 71 years ago. This year I was fortunate enough to see the Carters in Plains during the annual Peanut Festival, which is pretty much always the third weekend of September. I briefly spoke to Mrs. Carter about mental health issues and the continuing fight for parity in health coverage. Rosalynn’s gait has slowed but she is still a genuine expert on mental health matters and sharp as a tack.
The highlight of any visit to Plains is to attend President Carter’s bible study class at Marinatha Baptist Church. Carter has cut back on his schedule and now teaches twice a month. The schedule is posted a few months in advance at www.mbcplains.org This ain’t for late sleepers. I got up at 3:30 am and was at the church parking lot by 4:15. Even then I missed out on the main section and had to sit on one of the overflow areas. Thanks to “Miss Jan” for keeping it all running! During bible study Jimmy Carter reflects on current events and his career. On the Sunday when I was there Carter’s theme was forgiveness, and he told a funny story about the two men in politics who had been hardest for him to forgive, Columnist George Will and the late Hugh Sidey of Time Magazine. Both had made personal attacks on Rosalynn — both her intelligence and appearance. Will also aided in the theft of Carter’s debate prep book and delivered a copy to his personal patron, Nancy Reagan.
Plains is fun! The annual Peanut Festival features a parade and is literally overseen from the balcony of the Plains Historic Inn by the Carter Family and local peanut industry leaders. An excursion train to the area always celebrates the festival. There are rides for kids and free peanuts — even free PBJ sandwiches. President Carter still does a book signing. Main St. is also home to the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail and the Smith Home where she grew up. There are 3 major local museums about phases of the Carters’ life including a wonderful restoration of his boyhood farm. The area is also home to the Habitat for Humanity Global Village in Americus GA, the National POW Museum at Andersonville and FDR’s cottage in Warm Springs.
The Carters love Plains and Plains loves visitors. Sometime consider taking the kids to see Plains rather that gaudy Trump Tower in New York or even the sites of Washington. In very real ways Plains embodies the Carter values of family, equality, modesty, religious commitment and social and economic justice. The extremes of wealth aren’t as clear in a place like Plains. Many, many people are dirt poor but there don’t appear to be homeless folks either. Good agricultural years are good for everybody, same with the bad ones. As far as safety goes, to a visitor at least, Plains seems as peachy keen as Andy Griffith’s Mayberry.
Plains made Jimmy and Rosalynn Smith Carter, it’s a great place to visit especially as the once and always First Couple are there to greet visitors.