BROOKHAVEN MACH 2: FAST CARS AND MORE • JT MCCAFFREY BAND ON CUSP OF FAME
MAGAZINE
secrets of living an active lifestyle later in life HISTORY OF ALEXANDER JUNIOR HS BEGIN THE YEAR BY GETTING IN SHAPE
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Brookhaven Magazine 3
FEATURES 21 FAST CARS AND MUCH MORE Daniel Williams showcases edgy, fun vehicles with YouTube show
27 SENIORS ARE YOUNG AT HEART Trio of women share their secrets for active lifestyle
33 GETTING IN SHAPE Couple provides tips on living a healtheir lifestyle
41 ALEXANDER JR. HIGH SCHOOL Historic Brookhaven school much more than the red brick structure
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21
17 arts
& culture
17 JT McCaffrey band on the brink of making it big 24 Book picks for winter reading
in every issue 6 Contributors 7 From the Editor 11 Food and Drink 26 Where am I 47 Out & About
past
& present
50 Why I love Brookhaven
41 A look at historic Alexander Junior High School
Brookhaven Magazine 5
contributors PUBLISHER Kevin Warren
GENERAL MANAGER Stacy G. Graning
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Julia V. Miller
CONTRIBUTORS Brett Campbell Angela Hope Cutrer Julia V. Miller Susana Sharp
DESIGN Stacy Graning
MARKETING Betsy Belk Christy Thornton
ADMINISTRATION Kristie Champagne Kaleena Brown
BROOKHAVEN Magazine is produced and published by Brookhaven Newsmedia Inc,. publishers of The Daily Leader, 128 N. Railroad Ave., Brookhaven, MS 39601. BROOKHAVEN Magazine published six times a year and is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Brookhaven Newsmedia Inc.. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: editor@dailyleader.com. For additional information on this issue or other publications call 601-833-6061. To inquire about advertising, email advertising@dailyleader.com. Copyright 2022 © The Daily Leader
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Julia V. Miller, Associate Editor Born and raised in Brookhaven, Julia V. Miller is the associate editor of Brookhaven Magazine. She strives to capture small town, Southern culture and stories in all forms of writing. During a hiatus from working in journalism, she pursued an MFA degree from The W, where she studied both fiction and creative nonfiction. When not chained to her computer, she’s usually found in the dance studio. She lives in Brookhaven with her daughter, husband, and two cats. She’s been a member of Church of the Redeemer for more than two decades and enjoys the opportunity to give back to the community that created her. Creative works can be found online at juliavanstory.com.
Brett Campbell, Writer Brett loves to write and learn. He is a proud father of five and an eclectic fan of movies, books and music. He’s happier with a cup of coffee, a cigar and his dog nearby.An ordained Christian minister, Brett has studied graphic design, English, theology and apologetics, philosophy and history, and has a master’s degree. He has authored thousands of sermons, lessons, newspaper and magazine articles and co-authored a privately-published book, “Psycho-Theology: Understanding the Mind of God.”He plays guitar and fishes equally poorly, but enjoys both. Brett loves to draw and sketches on everything.He is passionate about writing stories that tell the truth in a way the average reader can understand, learn from and enjoy.
Angela Cutrer, Writer Angela Hope Cutrer, a Louisiana native of Mississippian parents, thinks of her Southernness as the best of both worlds. She earned double bachelor’s degrees in journalism and English and a master’s in communication, all from the University of Southern Mississippi. A writer, editor and graphic designer, she has worked as a public relations director and a lecturer of journalism and communication at several universities. She’s worked in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and, most recently, West Virginia, but now resides in the Enon community near Jayess. Her favorite things are gumbo, snow, pralines, lit wood fireplaces and books with happy endings. Her beloved daughters, Summer Hope of Gulfport and Savannah Quinn of Spring, Texas, married lovely husbands and now have seven children (so far) between then. At home in Enon, Angela’s dog Bella and cats Dexter and Tovi keep life busy - and unpredictable
sssr, Wsssser Ang
from the editor
I
n what feels like an ever more divisive world, there are few things that cause a collective celebration across all walks of life like New Year’s Eve. If you just spent the last 12 months accomplishing goals, putting your best foot forward, excited about your life and your place in this world, you carry all that good will and good energy into the New Year. If you just spent the last 12 months feeling like the world has just absolutely crushed you, you get the opportunity to hope in a way that only comes from new beginnings. In December 2019, I was in that latter category. I had just had one bully of a year that culminated with a miscarriage at 13 weeks, and I just knew I could outrun that grief if I could make it to 2020. Of course, I had no idea what 2020 would end up being like. I didn’t know our future held the COVID-19 pandemic, political volatility, a racial reckoning. It’s been two years since then, and despite everything that’s happened, nothing has come close to the same despair as I felt as 2019 ended. 2020 did not live up to the hope that I carried deep within my soul. Truthfully, 2021 didn’t quite either, but it was little better. And then in December, just like that, I got an extra special new beginning. I got to hold my little baby son in my arms for the first time. I got to watch my daughter step into the role of big sister with more much grace and compassion than I think I’ve ever had in my life. And my husband and I got to breathe a sigh of relief that he was alive and healthy. 2019 wrecked me. 2020 was filled with grief from so many angles. 2021 gave me the space to heal. I’d like to say 2022 can only go up from, but the truth is life can knock you down out of nowhere. So instead, right now, I’ll say this: I’m content. Things could be better, but things could be a lot worse. So my New Year’s resolution has been simple: to be more present, to remember the things I actually care about and prioritize them, and to show grace and compassion every opportunity I get.
Julia V. Miller is the Associate Editor of Brookhaven Magazine
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Brookhaven Magazine 9
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FOOD
& DRINK
PIZZA NIGHT Making your own pizza can be enjoyable for the whole family BY SUSAN JOHNSON SHARP PHOTOS BY BEN HILLYER
W
hy order out when homemade pizza is so easy to make? Great pizza has four basic elements starting with a great foundation like bread, sauce, cheese, and toppings. Just about any bread can be made into a pizza. Bagels and croissants work great in a pinch. Puff pastry dough can be purchased, rolled out thin, par-baked, and made into a delicious flakey crust. You can now buy canned raw pizza dough (next to the canned croissants and biscuits) that can be used for a quickie supper pizza. The crust is the foundation of the pizza, and my basic pizza dough recipe is super simple combining flour, water, yeast, salt, and oil. I keep all these ingredients readily on hand. Once the dough is made, allowing it to rise takes a while, but this recipe is very forgiving and allows you to cover it tightly with plastic wrap to rise in the
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Pizza sauce is really simple. I dilute tomato paste with water and add Italian herbs and olive oil. After a quick simmer it is ready to go. Tomato paste is another one of those staple items I keep in the pantry, but I am not opposed to purchasing a ready-made pizza sauce. There are many pizzas that don’t use tomato sauce at all. If you have ever been to New York and had “White Pizza” you know what I’m talking about. Instead of tomato sauce, white pizza is spread with a thin layer of salted, whole-milk ricotta cheese. White pizza is worth trying even if you are a die-hard traditional pizza lover. If you have ever made pizza at home and wondered why the cheese wasn’t as ooey and gooey as it is from a restaurant, the answer is in the cheese. In order to achieve that texture that we expect on our pizza you must use whole-milk mozzarella (yes, it is available at our local Natchez Walmart), and never use pre-grated cheeses. Pre-grated cheeses, while convenient, are coated in starch to keep it from sticking together in the package making it harder to melt as well. Whole-milk mozzarella is much softer than the low-moisture mozzarella, therefore place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes before grating to make the process easier. If you can make it to The Natchez Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings, T & R Dairy has some of the most delicious mozzarella cheese I’ve ever tasted! Cheesesticks and Breadsticks are classic sides served at pizzerias, and my versions put the restaurant’s versions to shame! For cheesesticks I roll out a small piece of dough into a flat round and prick holes in it with a fork to prevent bubbles from forming. I spread the top generously with a fragrant garlic butter sauce, and then I top it with multiple cheeses before baking. The garlic butter sauce I’m referring to is the homemade, and much more delicious, version of the little cup that some pizza restaurants send to dip their pizza in. For breadstick, I take a piece of dough and roll it into a wide rectangle that gets cut into 1-ionch strips. After baking (and while they are still piping hot) I slather them in a lemony, parmesan-cheesy, garlic butter sauce. Pizza Night is one of the best ways to clean out the refrigerator and utilize all the leftovers. Literally anything can be made into a pizza. Leftover pulled pork with barbecue sauce, onions, and cheddar cheese make a fantastic barbecue pizza. Hamburger patties can be diced up and used on any pizza. Taco meat makes a great taco pizza, and meaty spaghetti sauce spread on a crust and topped with mozzarella cheese makes a simple pizza supper. Pizza parties are a great way to bring people together. Supply the crusts, sauce and cheese and have everyone bring their favorite toppings makes for a fun party for all ages, because who doesn’t love pizza? When the crusts are all rolled out and partially baked, the party is easy work. Everyone can fix their own pizza bringing kids and adults together for the assembly process. Our favorite way to finish a pizza is by cooking it on the grill. This gives the pizzas a deliciously smokey taste, but a really hot oven works just as well.
Basic Pizza Dough In the bowl of an electric mixer fitter with the dough hook attachment add: -2cups warm water -2tsp yeast Dissolve yeast in water using a whisk. Add: -2 Tablespoons sugar, optional -2.5 teaspoons kosher salt -1/2 cut canola oil Whisk to combine. Turn the mixer on low speed and gradually add -2 ½ cups of each bread flour and all-purpose flour.
Easy Pizza Sauce •3 Tablespoons olive oil •1 clove garlic, minced •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt •1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning •1, 6oz can tomato paste •1 cup water •Pinch of sugar if needed
-In a small saucepan set over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. When the olive oil is hot, add the garlic, salt, and Italian seasoning. -As soon as the garlic is fragrant, about 10 seconds, add the tomato paste. Use a whisk to mix it into the olive oil. Cook for about a minute. -Add the water and whisk till smooth. Simmer for 1-2 minutes. Tastes, and adjust seasonings to your liking. -If the sauce has a bitter taste to it, add the pinch of sugar and simmer a minute more. -Allow the sauce to cool completely to room temperature before using on your pizza.
Knead until smooth. If dough is still a bit sticky add a little more of either flour. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and allow the dough to rise until doubled in size – about 1 hour. This can also be done in the refrigerator over the course of 12-24 hours. When dough has doubled, punch it down and flip onto a lightly floured surface. Knead a few times to remove any air bubbles. For individual pizzas, divide the dough into 8 similarly-sized pieces. For large pizzas, divide the dough into 2-3 large pieces. Roll the divided pieces into a ball, and set aside for about 10-15 minutes to allow the gluten strands to soften. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough balls to your desired thickness. Use a fork or a dough-docker to pierce the entire surface to prevent bubbles. To make a crust edge, dab a little water on the outer inch of dough and fold over about a ½ inch. This is not necessary, but some may want a crust edge. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place crusts on a sheet pan and bake for about 4-5 minutes. You don’t want to brown them, you just want the dough cooked. Remove from the oven and allow the crusts to cool to room temperature before topping. After topping crusts, they can be cooked on a hot grill or placed in a 450 degree oven until the cheese is melted and the crust is browned.
-Makes about 2 cups of sauce.
Garlic Butter Sauce •4 Tablespoons unsalted butter •1 clove of garlic, minced •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt •1 Tablespoon olive oil
-Before starting, have all your ingredients ready to go. -In a small saucepan set over high heat, melt the butter. When the butter is hot, add the garlic and salt. Turn the heat off. -Cook just until the garlic is fragrant - about 10 seconds. Immediately add the olive oil to keep the garlic from burning. Keep stirring for about a minute to dissolve the salt.
Zesty Parmesan Garlic Butter Sauce •4 Tablespoons unsalted butter •2 cloves garlic, minced •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt •1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning •1/2 teaspoon onion powder •1 Tablespoon olive oil •2 Tablespoons lemon juice •4 Tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
-Before starting, have all your ingredients ready to go. -In a small saucepan set over high heat, melt the butter. When the butter is hot, add the garlic, salt, Italian Seasoning, and onion powder. Turn the heat off. -Cook just until the garlic is fragrant - about 10 seconds. Immediately add the olive oil to keep the garlic from burning. -Add the lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Use a whisk to stir for about a minute to dissolve the salt. -Taste, and adjust seasonings to your liking.
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Why you should become a Mississippi Farm Bureau® member! Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation is the largest general farm organization in the state whose mission is to create an environment in which Mississippi farmers, ranchers, and Farm Bureau® members can have a better life and make a better living. A membership with Farm Bureau offers county, state and national level programs, and a variety of over 200,000 member benefits and discounts that can help make your money grow. As a member you can enjoy some of these exclusive benefit partners and so many more. For details visit:
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Brookhaven Magazine 15
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ARTS
& CULTURE
‘DON’T EVER STOP’ JT McCaffrey pursues his passion for music BY ANGELA CUTRER PHOTOS BY ANGELA CUTRER
Brookhaven Magazine 17
J
T McCaffrey is on the cusp of fame, but he’s not letting it go to his head. “Things are going very well,” the band leader said. “It’s almost scary how fast things are moving for us.” His “us” is a band with no name yet. Right now, it’s called “JT McCaffrey.” It includes JT on rhythm guitar, lead vocals harmonica; Clint Gooch of Brookhaven on bass and backup vocals; Baleigh Gooch of McCall Creek contributing backup vocals; Hagen Conn of Monticello on drums; Joseph Crouse of Summit on keyboard and fiddle; and Tyler Fredrick of Wesson on lead guitar. McCaffrey said he played solo gigs for a little over a year before the band developed and really
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took off. “It just appeared out of nowhere and landed right in my lap,” he said. “I took a chance one night to invite fiddle player Joseph Crouse to sit in on one of my shows and play with me, which led to him knowing a guitar player. The guitar player knew a drummer, the drummer knew a bass player and [then] we all came together one night, not knowing any of the songs I played and just jammed it out. It’s funny how things work.” McCaffrey said the band has been “blessed” with the opportunity to record a song in the studio to later produce and release onto streaming platforms. “I chose a song titled ‘Stone” by my most favorite artist, Whiskey
“
There’s no doubt in my mind that with the talent this group has and with the loyal support of our fans, we will do awesome things, so stay tuned. JT McCaffrey
Myers,” he said. “I chose this song because it always felt the best when we played it live, and always brought the most energy.” He said the time in the studio was a 10-hour day. “The fun became work after just a couple hours, [but] we enjoyed it thoroughly and were blessed to all work together in that new-found environment,” McCaffrey said. The band released the song in January on all streaming platforms. “We’re super excited and proud of it,” McCaffrey added. “I am so very thankful and blessed to have a group of talented individuals that has the same work ethic, drive and dreams that I do. I can’t see the big picture of where this may lead, but I know something is there.” McCaffrey said the band has a great supporting fan base of local friends and family who help to spread the news and get the band’s name into other areas. “There’s no doubt in my mind that with the talent this group has and with the loyal support of our fans, we will do awesome things, so stay tuned,” he said.
McCaffrey grew up in Bogue Chitto, graduating in 2021 from Bogue Chitto Attendance Center. “I haven’t always been sure what has drawn me to music, but it’s something that has always been there,” he said. “I’m the only one in my family to ever play and perform the way I do. It kind of grabbed me out of nowhere and now it’s sticking.” McCaffrey and his band might only
have a dream right now of being heard, but he McCaffrey hopes others learn from their experiences so far. “If there’s any advice I could give to someone starting to play music it’s this - do not ever stop,” he said. “The best gift you can give to this world and to yourself is making music. It frees your soul, puts smiles on others faces and fulfills. It’s all about having fun and doing what you want to do.” Brookhaven Magazine 19
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ARTS
& CULTURE
FAST CARS AND MORE
Filmmaker’s ‘Mach 2’ showcases local machines BY ANGELA CUTRER PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Brookhaven Magazine 21
D
aniel Williams, 23, has worked a lifetime already, but he’s nowhere near stopping. In fact, he’s moved into advertising cinematography right here in Brookhaven. If you like interesting cars and motorcycles, you might just find Williams’ latest project right up your alley. Or rather, right on your phone or tablet on YouTube. Williams has a new YouTube show called “Mach2” that focuses on interesting vehicles. He’s put together his love of storytelling, drones, cinematography and Brookhaven to create a new vehicle - pun intended - to showcase edgy, fun vehicles that others will enjoy learning about. Access began in early January, and Williams is taking names of those who want to see their vehicles
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on film. “Everything is being shot in Brookhaven in ‘nontraffic-y’ places that the police are OK with,” Williams said with a laugh. “It’s a community thing featuring Brookhaven people, and we’ll go from there.” A filmmaker from Coden, Alabama, Williams received his first camera when he was 12 years old, worked as a shipfitter and welder from ages 15 to 18, and started his own business at 17. His interest in flying drones had him building a small business of aerial videography. His projects include filming boat launches and speedboats designed for Navy SEAL training and high-end advertising for big-name retailers. He had a lot of friends from the Brookhaven area, so he decided to check it out and loved what he found. “I bought a house here nine months ago,” he said. “We love living here. There are a lot of quality
“
I’m getting to do what I love every single day. Daniel Williams
businesses around.” Williams said he was thankful for the fun opportunities he’s had so far to travel from coast to coast, filming with the BBC, the Discovery Channel and in the coffee industry because “I’m getting to do what I love every single day,” he said. And now he’s working right here at home, excited for what’s to come. “I’ve shot something like 30 different ads here [in Brookhaven] so far,” he said. “It’s been really fun. I like that we are giving Brookhaven people a high-quality show right here from home.” To see the first episode of Mach2, visit https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=B5Nf85jNcPQ. To view Williams’ work or for more information, visit integrityproductionsco.com or email him at integrityproductionsco@gmail.com.
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BOOK PICKS
Bio: Brittany Rushing is a native Brookhavenite, who has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Lately, as she’s been battling leukemia, she has loved how books and their stories can entertain her for hours, transporting her to another time and place and distracting her from the everyday stress. When she is not reading, you can usually find her at home with her husband, Will, and their two children, Little Will and CC, who also keep her entertained. For more book recommendations and reviews from Rushing and her seven sister-in-laws, you can follow along on instagram @the_rushing_ readers 1. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (Historical fiction) Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2015, All the Light We Cannot See, is a World War II novel about a French girl who is blind and a German boy who is an orphan and their experiences during and after the war. This novel allows the reader to experience WWII through the eyes of children and shows their unique perspectives as their paths move toward each other in this beautiful and unique story. 2. The Push by Ashley Audrain (Psychological Thriller) This New York Times bestseller showcases the protagonist, Blythe’s challenges with motherhood. Exploring the idea that motherhood is nothing as she hoped and everything she feared it would be, the story exemplifies how trauma can influence a family, generation after generation. This book is hard to put down and leaves the reader with chills. Warning: It is dark. 3. Billy Summers by Stephen King (Crime/Mystery) I know what you’re thinking, Stephen King, the king of horror (and why so many sad or scary books, Brittany?), but this story is not that at all! Billy Summers chronicles the story of a likable hitman, the mob, an innocent girl, and a mystery figure pulling the strings. A story that seems destined to become a Hollywood blockbuster.
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4. Educated by Tara Westover (Memoir) Educated is an admirable coming of age story about a woman’s challenging journey from growing up in a survivalist family in rural Idaho to ultimately receiving a PhD from Cambridge University. Burdened with a mentally ill father, an abusive brother and an enabling and naive mother with a warped vision of reality, Westover’s beautiful prose helps you understand how she persevered and succeeded. Infuriating. Heartbreaking. Powerful. If you like memoirs, this one is for you. 5. November 9 by Colleen Hoover (Contemporary Romance) I could not make a list without including a little love and “chick lit.” Colleen Hoover, also known as CoHo, has somewhat of a cult following and rightfully so. November 9 takes the reader through the journey of a love story between Ben, an aspiring writer, and Fallon, an aspiring actor, ending with a major twist you will not see coming. This one makes the reader feel all of the feelings. 6. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (Autobiography) Pulled together from McConaughey’s years of journaling, Greenlights is made up of one wild and amusing story after another, from the life of a true free spirit. The book is filled with McConaughey’s ideas, opinions and contemplations not only sharing his experiences but showing his skills as a deep and abstract thinker. I highly recommend listening to this audiobook. No one can tell a story quite like the person that lived it, and McConaughey makes it come to life.
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FEATURES
YOUNG AT HEART
Trio of active seniors share secrets to their love of life BY ANGELA CUTRER PHOTOS BY ANGELA CUTRER Brookhaven Magazine 27
E
xperts report that the average life expectancy for American women is 80.5 years. Why do some live even longer than that? Here are three stories that might answer that question. Betty Perkins, 91 The chef-owner handed Betty Perkins a mimosa and smiled down at her, awaiting a verdict. She murmured her thanks then took a sip. “Mmm,” she answered in reply. The host left for the kitchen pleased.
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It was Friday noon and Perkins was holding her own with talkative tablemates - her son Bill Perkins Jr. and their friend Sherri Slusher, along with the addition of a journalist newly introduced – at a private cafe in Magnolia. It’s an invitation only - and friends of friends can come, too - kind of cafe, oddly placed in such a small, traditional town. Framed photos jammed the walls and mature, trailing plants sprouted from the corners. Among the multitude of portraits sat a candid shot of the two Perkins, awaiting a frame to hold it up
“
So, I’m thinking of learing the guitar, mandolin or the banjo. I’m leaning toward the last two because they are easier to carry.
on the mantel underneath a giant portrait of actress Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara. The place seemed perfect for such a continental person as Betty Ann Malvaney Perkins, who can count 91 years on planet Earth. “We don’t use the o-l-d word or talk about health issues,” said her lively son, Bill, of his mother. “She takes no medication except a daily baby aspirin as a stroke preventative measure.” Betty Ann Perkins graduated from Brookhaven High School and met her future husband, Bill Sr., at LSU. She was a Chi Omega and Bill Sr. was a Kappa Sigma. They led a very active life traveling across the country and the globe until Bill Sr. passed away in 2012. “She even ‘tolerated’ camping with my dad, my brother and me in national and state parks from the Atlantic to the Pacific,” Bill Jr. said. Betty and her husband raised Bill Jr. and Don, his brother. After Bill Jr. began working in oil abroad, which lasted for almost three decades, Betty and Bill Sr. tagged along, visiting him in Great Britain, Ireland and Europe, and other places. They once spent a month with him in Indonesia, experiencing the numerous cuisines, the night life of Jakarta, the historical sites across Java and Bali, as well as the beaches, islands and even an active volcano. Afterward, the couple left to visit friends in Singapore and Hong Kong. That’s just how they rolled - everywhere all the time. During the interim, the Perkinses owned many businesses. One, Perkins
Phyllis Spearman Furniture, began in 1857 and six generations worked there through the years. But though all that history is done, Betty remains living in the family home, Woodleigh, on Natchez Avenue. She may have many memories to recall, but she’s not slowing down. Her mother and two aunts all hit 100 years and she might just do the same. “I think young,” she said humbly and without an unkind meaning. “I don’t want to think old. I want to keep doing what I enjoy doing and I’m well enough to keep doing them.” She feels blessed to be able to keep going. “I give God all the credit, because I get up in the morning and I feel good,” she added. “And so many of my friends don’t. They can’t get along very well, you know.” She shook her head sadly and you could tell she despairs for her friends who suffer so much. Betty and Bill Sr. both played tennis until Bill Sr.’s knees had to be replaced, but Betty still remains active in other ways, including as an avid bridge player. She recently took up a new past time - pottery. She’s been taking classes at Co-Lin Community College and Bill Jr. said he thinks she just might be the most senior student there currently. “She’s very creative and doing well with this new interest now in her second semester,” Bill Jr. said, like a proud parent. As the luncheon ended, Betty Perkins sipped a glass of water. She then squished up her nose playfully and asked Bill Jr. why he had another mimosa now sitting in front of him. Bill grinned at her and she shook her head
with mock disapproval. “I thought we were leaving and now you have another mimosa?” What did it matter? Life is good, especially when you are 91 years young and have all the time in the world. Phyllis Spearman, 96 Phyllis Spearman gently guided her rollator inside her lovely living room filled with keepsakes softly basking in the gentle light of her massive front windows. Spearman, a gentle Southern woman, lives in a warm, comfortable and spotless house peppered with books and photos. No idleness seems to touch anything about or around this spry woman. At 96, Spearman walks a little slower perhaps, but she’s laser focused on living her best life. “I’m staying young at the latest date possible,” she chuckled. “I’d say the best thing is to choose your parents wisely. I think genes do matter. I had a greatgrandfather who was 90 years old when I was born in 1925 and for that period, that was extraordinary. “But I certainly never expected to live to 96,” she added. “I mean, the changes in so many things - airplanes were mainly prop planes back then and it was magical how they soared in the air. The changes in medicine and communication - it’s just astonishing.” Spearman has three daughters - one in this area, one in Texas and one in Pennsylvania. She has five grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren - “four queens and a king,” she said with a laugh. Thoughts of them are always on her mind. Brookhaven Magazine 29
Spearman retired after 24 years teaching at Brookhaven High School. “I started when I was 37,” she said. “I had been a full-time mother when I decided I wanted to teach. My husband didn’t want me to teach. He felt it reflected badly on how he provided for this family. My father didn’t want me to teach. But I wanted to, so I went back to school. “I still see my former students in the grocery store. They recognize me, but I don’t usually recognize them. They have beards and white hair sometimes. That’s not how they looked when I taught them!” Spearman credits her husband for her longevity. “He got me to stop smoking and got me on exercising,” she said. “We tried to eat right, do exercises, keep our weights at a reasonable level.” Ben Spearman himself lived to 91. His wife said she felt attitude and gratitude were two major things a
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long-lived person probably has. “You are not living if you are just eating and sleeping,” she says. “You need to keep the mind active as well as the body. I believe in moderation. I follow the Greek way of everything in moderation.” Spearman said she planned to “do everything I can as long as I can. If I sit down, I’ll atrophy. Reading is for the mind and walking is for the body - and it doesn’t cost a dime. It doesn’t matter what the weather is like. Was it Thoreau who once said ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes?’” Spearman said she’s been very fortunate in her human relationships as well. “My friends keep me going,” she added. “We have a book discussion group, a study group and a music club. I did teach Sunday School and sang in the choir for 17 years at First Methodist, until I retired at 90.” Spearman sold her house on South
Church Street and moved into her current home five years ago. “It’s the perfect house for me,” she said with satisfaction. And it’s near her church, where she has felt supported, appreciated and loved. She was baptized there, married there and worshipped there. “Statistics show that having faith in something is good for your mental health,” she said. “People who have faith are healthier than those who don’t. “ It seemed to be working for Spearman, whose doctor just recently said he thinks she’ll live to 100. “So, I’m thinking of learning the guitar, mandolin or the banjo,” she said pragmatically. “I’m leaning toward the last two because they are easier to carry.” They’d probably fit right on that rollator, too, so she can take it to her next meeting, wherever it might be.
Bettie Bullard, 83 Bettie Bullard walked into a back living area that featured a brick fireplace and a dark-colored piano. On a coffee table lay a book, dedicated to Bullard. “I’m so proud of that,” she said, her cheeks pinking. The book was written by a former student; one who thought so much of her fourth-grade teacher, she told the world in black and white. Bullard taught elementary school and later gifted kindergarten through eighth grade. “What a wonderful group of kids,” she remembered. She said all the students she taught were wonderful. She later taught gifted education at the University of South Alabama and taught piano after school. “I loved doing that as a career than anything else,” she said. “It’s because they’d come in not knowing a thing about music then they would come back and could play something. Even if it was ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,’ they were thrilled with the pleasure of being able to play.” How does she explain her longevity? “Good genes,” she murmured before bursting into laughter. “No, my parents and grandparents both were very strong about truth and good character and they developed that in their children. And having a good family supportive with good communication - including with teachers - helps, as do experiences, because they affect your reaction to everything in life.” Born in Lincoln County, she’s lived in Biloxi, Virginia and North Carolina. She lost her home to Katrina and tried to build back, but decided instead to come home to Brookhaven. She said she was glad she did. “I’m so thrilled I did,” she said. “I’ve gotten to know cousins I would have never known and made wonderful friends.” She has four children, seven grandchildren and five great
grandchildren. “I’m blessed to see my children and grandchildren grow into fulfilled, productive and useful people,” she said. “I had a saying [at home and in the classroom]: Don’t let me hear you say you’re bored. It meant you were not thinking. Bored? Read a book. Don’t have a book? Write a story. Can’t think of a story? Write down what happened in your life. “Be interested in what’s happening around you and in the world. It affects your life. Remain interested and have a variety of interests. Too often people have one interest and if something happens to it, then what?” Bullard said that her friends in retirement seem to be busier than ever. “[They] are more busy because they
have so many interests. My own book club and study club has been sustaining for me.” Though Bullard wasn’t going to slow down her local interests, traveling was not part of her itinerary in the future. She recently attended graduations for twin granddaughters - one at McGill University and the other at the University of Delaware - as well as one in Seattle for her grandson’s master’s degree graduation, but recent heart problems will keep her grounded. But that won’t mean she’s not busy. Staying young at heart at age 83.6 [how she describes it] means being as busy as ever and that’s something she just won’t give up.
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WELLNESS
GETTING IN SHAPE
Couple provides tips and advice on living a healthier lifestyle BY JULIA V. MILLER PHOTOS BY JULIA V. MILLER
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ew year, new me. It’s a refrain that seems to litter social media during January as people decide to better themselves with the turning over of the calendar. Sweeping declarations of creating a healthier body always seem to be at the top of that list, but for Sweat Transformation and SoReal Meals owners Rico and Amy Sorrell, it’s the slow and steady changes that make the biggest impact. “That excitement wears off really quick,” Rico said. “So when that excitement wears off, you just have to create habits versus trying to rely on motivation.” The best way to get started is to set small, attainable goals that you know you can achieve. And celebrate those wins no matter how little they may
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seem. Those goals can be to substitute soda for water or walking into the gym a certain number of times a week. “Everything is a win,” he said. “Look at in a positive perspective to where you don’t get discouraged. So even if you lose a pound, or even a couple of ounces, it’s still a step in the right direction.” Amy added that surrounding yourself with like-minded people also adds to your success. “Have a group that has the same mindset as you,” she said. “It’s hard to eat healthy and hang out with somebody who wants to eat out every night.” One pitfall a lot of people walk into is sudden calorie restriction. When mixed with a new workout regimen, it can make it difficult for people to have enough energy to get through the day. Instead, they
recommend focusing on switching to good healthy food first, and then slowly trickle the calorie count down. “Let your body adjust to the new calorie count and the exercise because otherwise your body is in shock,” Amy said. “Food is fuel.” For most people’s diet, sugar is a staple that can be addictive. It’s also one of the first things people cut out when they’ve decided to lose weight. However, quitting cold turkey rarely helps someone attain long term success. “If you’re just going to cut it out completely you could have some withdrawals and setbacks along the way,” Rico said. “Your body’s been relying on carbs and everything you used for energy before. Now that you’re doing something more strenuous than you’ve been doing, you want to continue having some carbs in your diet. Just choose better carbs.” The other trick is to get a fitness tracker, such as a Fitbit or a heart rate monitor, so that you know how much effort you’re putting in. It allows you to adjust your workout to your needs, and it helps you feel like you’ve achieved a goal before it shows up on a scale or in the mirror. The most important piece of advice the Sorrells have though is to try not to have consecutive bad days. “If you do have a setback, just take the next day to jump back on track and try to offset that setback,” Rico said.
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For example, if you have a 2,000 calorie count daily and you go 500 calories overboard, the next day aim for just 1500 calories. “I always try to remind myself and tell my clients ‘Be better today than you were yesterday,’” Amy added. “Motivation comes to anybody, and that’s the common goal that everybody has,” Rico said. “Everybody wants to be better, wants to feel better.” Healthy kids Every parent who has tried to get their child to eat more vegetables knows how much of a struggle sharing healthy habits with your kids can be. Amy has figured out a few tips and 36 HOLIDAY 2021
tricks to help her 7-year-old daughter eat a healthier more well-rounded diet. “The biggest trick I know is to buy flavored water,” Amy said. “It tastes like Kool-Aid, and they don’t know the difference.” She also suggested making easy substitutions while cooking, such as choosing almond milk, whole wheat pasta, or ground turkey. She also suggests taking something healthy, such as steamed broccoli, and adding a little cheese to it. “It’s not going to hurt them, and at least they’re eating broccoli,” she said. Rico added that planning ahead is the best way to ensure that your kids
are eating healthy. “If you don’t have a plan, plan to fail,” he said. “You’ve got to have something healthy on hand. Because if you don’t, you’re going to stop at that convenience store, and you’re going to get whatever sugar pack you can find.” At the end of the day though, Amy said parents should recognize that they are ultimately responsible for their children’s diet. “What our kids eat is one hundred percent on us,” she said. “They don’t buy the groceries. They don’t pack their snacks. If you want your kid to be healthier, it’s on you to do it. That was very hard for me to understand.” Amy also advocates for giving your
children some leniency as well as modeling a balanced diet in front of your children. And a balanced diet should include fun foods. “If you see us at Jack’s, nine times out of ten, I’m probably eating ice cream with [Macy] because they watch us,” she said. “They watch how we treat our bodies. I never want to give the mindset to her that it’s bad. Everything’s OK in moderation.” Transformations Both Sweat Transformation and SoReal Meals will see new life 2022 as the Sorrells continue to work on renovations at the old Brookhaven Outreach Ministries at the corner of North Railroad Avenue and East Court Street. “I used to always walk beside that building every day, and I would think that would be a pretty cool gym,” Rico said. “I was able to look inside one day and everything I envisioned came to life. I could see it as soon as I walked in.” Making that vision come to life, however, took a lot of elbow grease. “There was literally 120 tons of trash,” he said. “I had to look past the trash and see what kind of gym I could make this into. A lot of people told me I was a fool for doing it, but I had to follow it and see if I could make it come true. Some days I didn’t believe it. Some days I did, but I just knew if I kept at it at some point it would come true.” In a lot of ways, renovating the building has mirrored a lot of the mindset that the Sorrells try to build in their clients. It has required focusing on small steps until they add up to big changes. In 2020, he went through the building with his preacher and listened as he pointed out small things Rico could do to get the building going. “Just clean it up here, clean it up there,” he said. “We set those small goals, and we just kept going.” Having a blank canvas made it possible to create exactly what the Sorrells wanted, and the brick throughout adds a level character that would be difficult to recreate anywhere else. “That brick is a blessing. People pay a lot of money for that brick, and we got it for a fraction of the price,” Rico said. “Once we started renovating, we started uncovering a lot of that brick and exposing that character because it was covered up with sheetrock and paneling. Once we exposed it, we fell in love with it.” The building covers over 20,000 square feet and is the new home for Sweat Transformation and SoReal Meals. The gym opened in its new location in January, and the meal prep café will open in February. While opening the building to the public is a big step, there will continue to be work done until they get everything where they want it. “We could have gone and taken out a loan and built a brand new building, but there’s a lot of new buildings,” Rico said. “There’s not a lot of hundred year old buildings that have been renovated to be exactly what we want.” Brookhaven Magazine 37
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Christy Russell is a registered nurse who works at Deaconess Home Health and Hospice of Brookhaven. When her 67-year-old father, Laron Nettles, was diagnosed with low kidney function, he needed a time-sensitive biopsy performed. Laron lives in Brookhaven, but the local hospital was unable to perform the biopsy as soon as possible. That’s when Christy decided to take her father to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. All of this was happening when Hurricane Ida was ravaging the area with heavy rain and flooding. “I’ve never had an experience in a hospital of being treated so much like family,” Christy says. “The way Melanie Sumrall, RN, Darlene Carney, RN, and Kevin Fiorella, Director of Cardiovascular Services, went out of their way to make us feel so comfortable made me realize that my father was in good hands.” Fortunately, the needle biopsy came back clean, and Laron is slowly bringing his kidney function back to normal. Christy was so impressed with the care her father received that she wrote a letter to the hospital to praise the staff and even brought them a dozen cupcakes. “The people at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center are a great team,” Christy says. “I love where I work today, but if I ever decide to leave, I will probably go to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. It’s just that kind of place!”
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PAST
& PRESENT
A STORIED HISTORY Looking back at Alexander Junior High School BY BRETT CAMPBELL SUBMITTED PHOTOS
The school sitting at 713 Beauregard St. in Brookhaven has a history much older and more storied than the red brick buildings that can be seen there today. What is now known as Alexander Junior High School traces its history back more than 100 years to a one-room facility near the present location of Brookhaven High School on East Monticello Street. The first school was called Brookhaven Colored School and Professor Prince Cameron was its first principal. Its second principal was Professor Phillip Davenport Gulledge, who took the helm in 1891 and served for 42 years. The following is a portion of a multi-volume history of the educational, facility compiled by Dexter Holloway of Brookhaven.
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The first Brookhaven Colored School building met its demise in a fiery blaze and students had to attend classes in the Benevolent Hall and K.P. Hall. Later the school, housing grades 1-10, was physically homed in a two-story frame building located in ‘Little Italy,’ where the Smith’s Motel is today. The school was renamed Gulledge School, honoring Prof. Gulledge. “(A) back-tobasics education was emphasized. Each school day began with devotion, followed by roll call, and student inspections by teachers checking hands and personal hygiene. Classes were very large — 50 to 60 students — by modern day standards., “Classroom furnishings consisted of a pot-bellied stove, teacher’s table/desk, wooden chairs and tables for students, and shelves for hats and student lunch boxes. In the winter, if it became warm enough within the classroom, coats were hung on nails
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underneath the shelves. Student chores were gender assigned: girls swept floors and dusted; boys kept the fire in the stoves going and hauled coal. Weekly assembly sessions convened on Friday afternoons, during which … Prof. Gulledge delivered words of wisdom and challenged the students to excel in all endeavors. Facing many adversities did not deter Prof. Gulledge, who was born a slave in Simpson County December 16th in 1864, but only seemed to fuel his fire of determination to provide education for the Negro children in the Brookhaven community.” “Gulledge School was one of only a few schools to offer Latin in the seventh grade.” “After working as a teacher/coach at Lanier High School in Jackson, Mr. A. A. Alexander became the principal of the Gulledge School in 1933, thus beginning the Alexander years. ‘Mr. A,’ as he was affectionately known to his students, produced
exemplary results as principal. [Having been] working and educating Negro youth in a condemned framed facility (circa 1880s), a new building was erected with the help of Work Progress Administration. This new brick facility was erected on the site of present-day Alexander Junior High School. Grades 11 and 12 were added. In 1937, the citizens named the new building Alexander High School.” A Parent-Teacher Association was established. AHS also established itself as a sports powerhouse in Mississippi. “Mr. Alexander encouraged students to graduate, helped procure college scholarships, and fought for good teachers in Brookhaven for Black students. “During the Alexander era, the first gymnasium was built fo rBlacks in the Seventh District (at) Alexander High School. Prior to the erection of this building, all basketball games were played outdoors. This facility was funded through fund-raising endeavors of the PTA under the leadership of Mrs. Cecile Brown. “In sports, Mr. Buchanan was the football and basketball coach. His team won the first
‘Big-8’ Conference trophy in basketball by winning the Conference Championship in 1937. In 1939, ‘Mr. Buck’s’ football team won the first football trophy for the school.” “In 1941, a music teacher named Amos Wright established the school’s first band. This band was the beginning of a legacy that was to become one of the hallmarks of Black school bands in the state of Mississippi. “Many school traditions began during Mr. Alexander’s tenure — the Junior-Senior Prom, Senior Class Play, Class Night activities, and the most famous of all, May Day [which] was filled with fun and games Brookhaven Magazine 43
for the students and their younger siblings, culminating with the crowning of the May Day queen and king.” “One of our darkest moments occurred in 1952. On Thursday night, March 6, at about 11:40 p.m., a massive fire destroyed the main school building. No one was injured, but all the furnishings and the entire building were a total loss. The only things saved were a box containing $230 in cash and two large books containing the academic records of former students. Nearly 1,100 students were enrolled at Alexander which included a faculty and staff of 25. But determined to continue educating students, all classes resumed the following MOnday in temporary 44 HOLIDAY 2021
buildings on the campus and in the gymnasium. The band went on to Hammond, Louisiana, to keep a parade date and the basketball team played in the ‘Big-8’ tournament in Laurel. “A new two-story brick facility was erected in 1956. It was considered to be state-of-the-art for that day. Uniquely, it was one of the few schools in the state to house separate cafeteria, auditorium, and gymnasium. Black schools under the segregated system were given a cafeteria which served as cafeteria, auditorium and gymnasium. “The Alexander era finally ended in 1958 when Mr. Alexander accepted a job with the State Department of Education. He left behind 1,900 students and 39 teachers in grades one
through 12. Mr. C. N. Buchanan was appointed interim principal … “Mr. Amos Wright was appointed principal in the summer of 1958 … The last principal of Alexander High School was one of its graduates — Mr. Jesse Buie, Class of 1947. During his tenure and leadership, significant achievements for Alexander occurred. Of them, the preparation and successfully receiving academic accreditation by the Mississippi State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Secondary Schools. As a result … teacher salaries were improved, class sizes were reduced allowing for a better studentteacher ratio conducive to academic success, teacher classroom supplies
allocations, and for the first time Black students would only receive new and up-todate textbooks. “The second most significant achievement was guiding the local Black schools through the uncertainties of court-ordered integration. Through his leadership and influence, the Black community’s voice was heard and the groundwork was laid for a successful transition to desegregation. Mr. Buie experienced many adversities and successes during his administration. Perhaps the one that means the most to him was to continue the groundwork of excellence in education laid by A. A. Alexander. “The Class of 1970 was the last class to claim Alexander High School as its alma mater. But the strong tradition of excellence in education, competitive instincts, and school pride lives on.” Beginning in the 1940s and continuing through the 1960s, AHS offered night schools for adults, begun to offer Black soldiers returning from World War II a chance to graduate high school so they could take advantage of the new G.I. Bill and pursue college degrees. In 1946, a five-week class for 126 student teachers was offered at AHS as a Health Workshop for Alcorn A & M College. Fannie L. Mullins, namesake for the Brookhaven alternative school, was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, who moved to Brookhaven in 1907 at age 38. She was a teacher and a beautician. Mullins taught second grade at Brookhaven Colored School, Gulledge School and Alexander High School. After retiring in 1949, she came back to AHS to lead the cafeteria workers. She died in 1958, the same year the AHS auditorium was constructed. Alexander can also claim the unique distinction of having three graduates who went on to take leadership positions at Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Holloway said. These were: Dr. Estus Smith, who became vice president at Jackson State University; Dr. Rudolph Waters, who became assistant vice president and interim president at Alcorn State University; and Dr. William Sutton, who became president at Mississippi Valley State University Brookhaven Magazine 45
46 HOLIDAY 2021
OUT & ABOUT
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HARVEST BALL FOR HOPE Photos Courtesy Bill PerkinsBrookhaven’s 2nd Annual
American Cancer Society Ball took place Nove. 4, 2021 at Butterfield Mansion in Brookhaven, Mississippi. All proceeds benefit the Mississippi chapter of the American Cancer Society. .
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OUT & ABOUT
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HARVEST BALL FOR HOPE Photos Courtesy Bill PerkinsBrookhaven’s 2nd Annual
American Cancer Society Ball took place Nove. 4, 2021 at Butterfield Mansion in Brookhaven, Mississippi. All proceeds benefit the Mississippi chapter of the American Cancer Society. .
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OUT & ABOUT
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HARVEST BALL FOR HOPE Photos Courtesy Bill PerkinsBrookhaven’s 2nd Annual
American Cancer Society Ball took place Nove. 4, 2021 at Butterfield Mansion in Brookhaven, Mississippi. All proceeds benefit the Mississippi chapter of the American Cancer Society. .
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WHY I LOVE BROOKHAVEN
XXXXX
XXXXXXXXX BY JULIA V. MILLER
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