DeSoto 1
2 DeSoto
DeSoto 3
4 DeSoto
DeSoto 5
6 DeSoto
D ECEMBER CONTENTS 2015 • VOLUME 12 • NO. 12
features 48 The Other Christmas Morn See how volunteers capture the spirit
64 Natchez Turns 300 Tricentennial celebration set for 2016
56 Luxury Spas Indulgences abound in the Southeast
departments 14 Living Well Explore The Sensory Shop
42 A Day Away Pontotoc, Mississippi
18 Notables Schwab’s CEO, Walt Bettinger
46 Greaters Goods 70 Homegrown Hi Yall!
22 Exploring Art The shine of pewter 26 Exploring Books The Spiritual Life and Work of Charles M. Schulz 30 Into the Wild Hunting the perfect tree 34 Exploring Cuisine Wild game redefined 38 Exploring Destinations Holidays sparkle on the water
34
72 Southern Harmony The legendary Merle Haggard 74 Table Talk Memphis’ own Lucchesi’s 76 In Good Spirits Open season on Wassail
Luke 2:8-14
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
78 Exploring Events
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
80 Reflections Oh, Silent Night.. and Day
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
64
72
DeSoto 7
8 DeSoto
editor’s note }
december
Our Grandest Voices Every month, I write this letter highlighting the month’s stories or a particular thread that has occupied my mind. At year’s end, I’d like to leave you with a different thought. While we don’t highlight our writers and photographers every month with bios and pictures, it’s only because of one reason: Their work speaks for itself. They have decades of experience and dozens of titles among them--too many to name here. One example, Corey’s teaching and writing centers on theology. He published “Functioning Fantasies: Theology, Sociology, and Ideology in the Works of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien” and will release “Lewis on Writing” this spring. Besides maintaining three blogs, Chere is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette” & “Exploring Cajun Country”. She and Corey both teach writing at universities. Mary Ann DeSantis has spent a career writing, beginning in 1975. This year, some of her awards include: 1st Place for Serious Feature Writing for “It Takes a Village” (Healthy Living Magazine), 1st Place: Art News Reporting “Focusing on Florida Art,” (Florida Budget Travel) and 2nd Place: Travel Writing for “Normandy - Then & Now” (Lake & Sumter Style magazine) Some of our writers are experts in their respective fields--Eric in golf, Bobby in business. Others like Jill have
December 2015 • Vol. 12 No.12
PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Adam Mitchell
PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Paula Mitchell
created large followings on independent blogs like her “Go Pink Boots” travel blog and syndicated column. Oh, and travel? The travel never ends around here. In short, without these talents, our editorial would pale by comparison. I know the life of a creative professional. It’s fulfilling, it’s maddening, it’s addictive. And credit due is sometimes scarce after toiling in quiet isolation. At year’s end, I am extremely grateful to all our contributors who have helped fuel DeSoto’s 2015 growth. We look forward to 2016 with great promise. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Karen
EDITOR Karen Ott Mayer
CONTRIBUTORS Chere Coen Andrea Brown Ross James Richardson Robin Gallaher Branch Devin Greaney Jill Gleeson Lazelle Jones Corey Latta Charlene Oldham Blair Jackson
PUBLISHED BY DeSoto Media Co.
2375 Memphis St. Ste 205 Hernando, MS 38632 662.429.4617 Fax 662.449.5813
DeSotoMagazine.com Get social with us!
on the cover Christmas is a time for faith, family, friends, food and drink. Christmas is even better when you’re at the coast! Catch a Christmas light boat parade and make lasting memories at the beach.
© 2015 DeSoto Media Co. DeSoto Magazine must give permission for any material contained herein to be reproduced in any manner. Any advertisements published in DeSoto Magazine do not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s services or products. DeSoto Magazine is published monthly by DeSoto Media Co. Parties interested in advertising should email paula@desotomag.com or call 662.429.4617. Visit us online at desotomagazine.com. DeSoto 9
10 DeSoto
DeSoto 11
12 DeSoto
DeSoto 13
14 DeSoto
DeSoto 15
living well }
16 DeSoto
special needs children
Exceptional Kids, Extra-ceptional Gifts By Andrea Brown Ross. Photography courtesy of The Sensory Shop
Shopping for the perfect gift can be a challenge. But what about gifts for special needs children? It’s a chance to give both joy--and learning. The Sensory Shop, located in Southaven, Mississippi, offers more than 4,000 items for children; however, owners Cassidy and Ricky Todd have taken particular care to stock toys designed for children with exceptionalities. The reason is near and dear to their heart as Cassidy Todd explained. “Our daughter, Carol Anna, was diagnosed with highfunctioning Autism and sensory-processing disorder .We could not find a store that we could walk in and find the items that our daughter needed. So, we decided to open The Sensory Shop.” The Southaven store opened in November 2013 while the Jonesboro, Ark. location opened in the fall of 2014.
Occupational therapist, Stacy Melton, MOTR/L, and owner of C & M Therapy, explained sensory integration based on the research of Dr. Jean Ayres. “Sensory processing refers to taking in information through the senses. All children have neurological processes that help them organize the information coming in from their environment along with sensations from their bodies. A child’s ability to use this information to respond appropriately to the environment including sounds, lights, textures, motion, and gravity is known as sensory integration.” She explains that most children process their daily DeSoto 17
experiences and regulate their responses with ease. But when a child is consistently having difficulty maintaining a level emotional state or engaging appropriately in activities, they may be overstimulated or understimulated. “I was so thrilled to learn about the opening of The Sensory Shop!” said Melton. The Sensory Shop carries the largest line of special needs therapy items in the United States, including dolls, trains, and therapeutic items such as oral chews or weighted vests. Most of these items can only be found online or in a catalog. “We bring these items to life in a brick and mortar store. Our full-size toy store focuses on child development through sensory play,” explained Todd. Not only are their toys unique, but so is the shopping experience. Soothing paint colors and music, along with less agitating LED lighting, and calming aromatherapy with lavender and chamomile scents help make the shopping experience more pleasurable for children with sensory issues. “We even have a state-of-the-art sensory corner that allows a relaxing spot to take a break if need be, an option that is a must-have for some children with special needs. Everything 18 DeSoto
in our store is on demo, and we invite our customers to try before you buy. Our tree sits in the middle of the store inviting children to test out our swings,” elaborated Todd. Unlike retail chain toy stores where the selection of toys are heavily influenced by the toy customer reps, the Todds actually play with the toys themselves before selecting what they will sell. Additionally, they encourage open play by stocking their inventory with mostly battery-free toys. “Each February, my husband and I attend the New York Toy Fair. We shop specifically for the senses and developmental milestones,” Todd commented. Priding themselves on a customized shopping experience, store staff members are happy to assist with toy selection. They also offer free gift wrapping and curbside delivery for parents who can avoid unloading kids if they are in a hurry. “Whether you are looking for a birthday present, a Christmas present, or just a happy, we will help you pick out the perfect gift. If your child, student, or patient has a special need or working on meeting a particular milestone, we can help pick out the perfect developmental toy or therapeutic item for them,” offered Todd.
DeSoto 19
notables } walt bettinger
20 DeSoto
Leading through Lessons By Karen Ott Mayer. Photography courtesy of Delta State University
When Walt Bettinger, CEO and president of Charles Schwab, arrived as a young student on a golf Scholarship at Delta State University in 1979 from his home state of Ohio, his first lesson occurred outside the classroom. “I found out real quick I couldn’t play golf nearly as well as the guys down here!” he said with a laugh. Bettinger never seemed to lack for an innate bravery. At 22, he spent a year driving a 1976 Ford Maverick all over the Midwest, cold calling on businesses. Today, he leads one of the country’s largest financial institutions. To understand Bettinger, it’s only necessary to listen to his words. Part philosopher, Bettinger arrived at his current role not without his own battle scars. A self-professed workaholic in his younger days, he openly acknowledged his driven nature played a role in an early divorce and left him a single parent
balancing work and home. Faced with a job change that would take him to the West Coast, he refused to compromise his role as a parent. “I didn’t want to leave Ohio at the time because of my children and told my boss as much,” he said. It was in those moments that Bettinger received another professional life lesson. “My boss said ‘do what you have to do as a parent first’ and they worked with my schedule.” He still carries that experience. “Treat colleagues as a person first and as a business person second. It engenders loyalty.” DeSoto 21
Bettinger founded his own firm, The Hampton Co. in 1983. After leading it for 13 years, he sold the business to Schwab. An entrepreneur at heart, he assumed his talents would continue to carry him at Schwab. And at the end of his first year, he assumed his performance review would be a piece of cake. But he was wrong. “My manager told me that when I ran my own company I might have been really good at a bunch of different things, but at Schwab I wasn’t the best at any of these things. He told me I had to let go and let people better than me do the jobs. And he said if I couldn’t manage to do it, he’d have to let me go.” Just as the young golfer mistakenly assumed he would be on top, the young businessman did, too. “That was hard to hear but I realized that the people who truly care about you have the courage to tell you the areas you need to grow in.” In 2008, Bettinger was named CEO at Charles Schwab, learning the ropes from Charles “Chuck” Schwab himself who transitioned Bettinger over time. Heading the financial institution during the difficult recession, Bettinger declined government financial support while virtually every other major financial organization did the opposite. “We didn’t take any TARP money. And in part as a result, Charles Schwab grew 66 percent more than the other four leading publicly traded investment firms combined over the next four years.” But his leadership style once again doesn’t focus just on the dollars. He believes today’s market suffers from a leadership crisis with many executives making poor long-term decisions. “Do the right thing by people. Everything we do is viewed through the client’s eyes. When people trust us with their money, they want a firm that realizes it’s their money, not ours.” While he admits his views sound rather simplistic, he adamantly believes in the goodness of human nature. “It goes back to my time at Delta State.” In a world where students and parents are consumed with education, the best scores and the best schools, Bettinger has a word of advice for anyone looking to succeed. “I have interviewed the really bright from the best business schools in the country. But I want to know what goes on in their heart, not their brain. How do they treat other people or how do they treat someone they think they’ll never see again? I want to know someone’s character.”
22 DeSoto
Bettinger has even gone as far as arriving early to interview appointments and set the scene. “If we’re meeting in a restaurant, I’ll find the waiter and tell him to purposely mess up their order just so I can see how they will react.” In a world today that is long on talk and perception, Bettinger believes strongly in values. “Know yourself, your values and what matters most to you. When looking at companies, ask yourself do your values align with that company.” Bettinger assumed leadership of the company’s primary division serving individual investors at a time when growth at Schwab had slowed, and subsequently embarked on a mission to discover the reason. He visited over 100 branches in his first 60 days and began personally calling the last 50 clients who left the company and the last 50 employees who had quit. A few visits and calls into his list, he began hearing a similar refrain. “We had fallen into the same trap as other companies with nuisance fees nickeling and diming clients.” His recommendation to Chuck Schwab wasn’t an easy one to make. “I told him we needed to clean the slate of all those fees and excessive pricing. I was a bit terrified because I was suggesting we lose 25 percent of our revenue with no specific plan to replace it.” But intuitively, Bettinger knew it was the right decision to make. Schwab agreed. The company eliminated fees and reduced trading commissions substantially. Bettinger, who brings home in excess of $10 million a year in salary and long-term, performance-based stock awards, points out that leadership and management are two different things. “We all have a boss and that’s a contractual relationship. But leadership is a voluntary decision to follow someone. Leaders are special, something different.” Besides Chuck Schwab, his own mentor and inspiration was his father. “I don’t think he ever made more than $21,000 a year but I remember one thing he used to tell me. He said that virtually everything in this world can be bought and sold except a reputation.” And it appears, Bettinger has learned that lesson as well.
DeSoto 23
exploring art }
Herons Nesting
24 DeSoto
tennessee pewter
Pewter for Her By James and Dorothy Richardson. Photography courtesy of James Richardson
The house does not look out of place, tucked alongside other houses on U.S. Highway 64 in Somerville, Tennessee. But it is actually the storefront of Tennessee Pewter, a company that manufactures pewter pieces, like jewelry, bowls, vases, goblets, platters, plaques, and Christmas ornaments. Owned and operated by Kathleen Armour-Walker and her father, Jim Armour, the pair produce pewter pieces by casting and spinning. “My father works full time with me, and we have three part-time folks that help. My father and I make the pewter. I do all the engraving. He does the soldering and spinning. We both do the casting and we both can buff. So, we are all cross trained to a certain extent.” Pewter is made up of tin, copper, and antimony. Lead was used as a component but was removed for safety and health reasons. The antimony was added to harden it because pewter is a very soft metal. Kathleen explained, “We get our raw material from
a supplier in New England. Pewter won’t oxidize like brass or silver. You polish it up and the finish will last for about 40 years.” The front door of the house opens into their gift shop where shiny pewter plates and ornaments fill the shelves. But Tennessee Pewter’s figurative front door is their website. “That would be our front door to the world. There are only four of us in the state that are doing this and we are at maximum capacity. The others are in the northeastern part of the state. And no one west of the Mississippi River is doing this either. There may be someone doing this as a hobby, but not as a career.” For those reasons, most everything they sell is from the website. Tennessee Pewter runs seven days a week. They have DeSoto 25
limited store hours, but someone is there working every day. “We are in the shop two or three days a week and the rest of the week my husband and I are away doing shows. We do shows in Middle Tennessee...the Nashville area, where a lot of our customer base is. We also go to Cleveland in the Mississippi Delta.” The rest of the house is their workshop. Each room handles operations like spinning, buffing, and casting, and is filled with machines, tools, molds, and pewter items in various stages of completion. Kathleen held up molds and explained, “The casting room is where items are poured. Christmas ornaments. Baby cup handles. Baby spoons. They are very popular this time of year. We make all our molds in-house ourselves.” Much of their work is for churches. “We have been well supported by local industry. We made awards for the recent Memphis music event. We also have bride and baby registries. People will buy pewter for graduation gifts. We make cremation urns. We also do national horse shows and national fox hunting events, and corporate gifts.” Tennessee Pewter opened in 1973. Before Kathleen purchased the company, it was located in Grand Junction, Tenn. “We stayed in the Grand Junction building for three months, but closed it in 2009 because the building was very unsafe. It was formerly a meat-packing building and was unsafe for a number of reasons.” The company briefly moved to Brownsville where Kathleen and her family lived, then moved to its current location. It’s possible her husband could be blamed for her initial passion. “My husband had given me quite a bit of pewter and his four brothers used it for groomsmen’s gifts. So, when we went to get married, he said our groomsmen’s gifts 26 DeSoto
are coming from Tennessee Pewter. I thought there’s something really special about that and when it came up for sale in 2008, I bought the company and my goal was to have it become a fabulous company.” The equipment from that company was brought from Connecticut and is very old. One of their lathes is at least 60 years old and another is 125 years old. “All the equipment that we use to manufacture the pewter is all made in America. We feel that is important. The tools we use are custom made and are very difficult to get made this day and time. If we need a new tool, there is probably only one person in the state that we could go to for a new tool.” Walker’s presence in the industry holds particular meaning. “When we bought the company, it was a man’s business. I am the only female in the country doing this, who owns the company and knows how to make the product.” She found it interesting that women were the primary customers. “So, it’s a man’s business and women are the consumers, and that didn’t go together to me. I thought when I am making a product, I knew what I wanted it to look like. It just needed a feminine touch to it, and I think I have brought that to the industry. It took about five years for them to know that I was serious, that I wasn’t the secretary of the company.” Looking at her success, no one can doubt her talents now.
Tennessee Pewter Kathleen Armour-Walker, Owner 16030 Highway 64 Somerville, TN 38068 901-465-2609 www.tnpewter.com
DeSoto Imaging
DeSoto 27
exploring books} a charlie brown religionÂ
28 DeSoto
Stephen J. Lind, Ph.D.
A Charlie Brown Religion:
Exploring the Spiritual Life and Work of Charles M. Schulz
By Robin Gallaher Branch. Photography courtesy of Stephen J. Lind, Ph.D.
Stephen J. Lind, author of “A Charlie Brown Religion: Exploring the Spiritual Life and Work of Charles M. Schulz”, has a hard time picking a favorite comic strip from the thousands Schulz composed. That is not unusual because there are 17,897 “Peanuts” newspaper strips. However, one strip near the front of his book stands out. Although only four frames, it spotlights the religious imagination of the beloved American icon. Facing the reader, Charlie Brown and Lucy peer over a brick wall. Charlie Brown says, “You know what I wonder? Sometimes I wonder if God is pleased with me.” He looks perplexed; Lucy looks as if that thought had never occurred to her. Charlie Brown asks her, “Do you ever wonder if God is pleased with you?” Lucy responds in her typically confident, smug, and loud way: “He just HAS to be!” The encounter, depicting a quiet moment between
chums, inevitably leaves readers with different thoughts. One reader may smile, another laugh, a third say, “Of course!” and yet a fourth feel sad. The witty and thought-provoking strip typifies Schulz’s work. “A Charlie Brown Religion” took Lind, 32, five years to research and write; it was published in November. Lind went through thousands of strips, worked closely with Schulz’s family, read Schulz’s correspondence, and feels he got to know Sparky, the nickname given to Schulz at birth by his uncle. Throughout the book, Lind calls Schulz Sparky. Published by University Press of Mississippi, the DeSoto 29
book includes an extensive bibliography of approximately 150 references and 22 pages of endnotes. Lind, obviously, researches thoroughly. “I need to know something backwards and forwards and then some. I put more than enough pressure on myself to do good research,” Lind said. Lind, assistant professor of business communication at Washington and Lee University, believes that his extensive research gives the book truth and realism. ”Plus, I can sleep at night knowing I have put out a quality work for strangers to read,” he said. UPM, a publishing company that works with eight Mississippi universities, was a natural fit for Lind’s book. “The press is strong in popular culture,” said Vijay Shah, Lind’s editor. Shah believes a selling point of “A Charlie Brown Religion” is that it offers “a new way of looking at something we’re very familiar with.” He commends Lind for his good relationship with Schulz’s family. “Schulz’s daughters felt he understood their father in a way others had not,” Shah said. Born in 1922, Schulz grew up in St. Paul. A teacher spotted his artistic ability and said he would be an artist. Schulz enlisted in World War II shortly before his mother died of cervical cancer. The war and his mother’s death were two major events in his life. After the war, he became involved with a small Church of God church in St. Paul. Strong friendships developed and he became a Christian. Meanwhile, Schulz took correspondence drawing courses and submitted comic strips to Timeless Topix, a Catholic children’s publication; he drew fearless bishops and mighty martyrs. His work on funny looking but profoundly insightful children became the “Peanuts” column and was 30 DeSoto
featured in more than 700 papers. Schulz died in 2000, “the night before his last syndicated column was to appear,” Lind said, noting the irony. Another famous strip commented in a humorous yet timely way on the public debate over the Supreme Court’s school prayer decisions that riveted the nation in 1962 and 1963. In a 10-frame strip, Schultz addressed the issue. Sally has a secret she wants to share with big brother Charlie Brown. She finds him in front of the television and motions him to follow her. They go to a favorite hiding place, behind a sofa. There Sallie whispers, “We prayed in school today.” Yet again, that strip meant different things to different readers. “People on both sides saw it their way,” Lind said. “But I think Sparky was in between. He saw prayer as personal and important. But he did not see how the practical aspects of implementing prayer in school were possible” Lind, who grew up in a Christian home and is a Christian, sees the spiritual aspects of Sparky’s thinking in the interactions and play of the “Peanuts” children. Sparky examined sin, doubt, fear, inferiority feelings, relationships, and forgiveness in strips that found their way to bulletin boards, office doors, and refrigerators. The book’s tone is overwhelmingly favorable. Lind feels both friendship and respect for Sparky. “He wanted people to get to know him and find a connection to him,” Lind begins and adds, “but then he was a complicated figure. He kept his distance. You think you get what he was saying in his strip, but then you realize that maybe it is just your interpretation.” Perhaps that summarizes Sparky’s genius and the enduring freshness of “Peanuts”.
DeSoto 31
into the wild } the perfect tree
Robert Foster
32 DeSoto
Hunting the Perfect Tree Story and photography by Devin Greaney
Riding with Hernando, Mississippi farmer Robert Foster through Cedar Hill Farm didn’t feel very Christmassy with both of us in short sleeves and temperatures near 70 degrees, with a it’s-gonna-rain feel. We parked and quickly made our way to the Christmas trees. Breaking off a tiny bit of greenery, many memories of all the Decembers gone by flooded my mind. At Cedar Hill Farm, plenty of families have made their own memories hunting the perfect tree. “We grow Leyland Cypress, ‘Carolina blue sapphire’, some ‘Blue Ice’, some ‘Murray Cypress’ and we planted a few ‘Green Giants’,” Foster said.
The biggest difference seems to be colors that range from a dark blue to a blue-green. “We have transitioned to Blue Ice. They tend to hold a week or two longer than the Carolina Sapphire. It gives the whole house a Christmas smell without driving you out of the house.” Rows and rows of trees grow like evergreen corn stalks, and though not native to the area, they grow well only DeSoto 33
needing a little trimming with groundwater and rain sufficient for growing. Out of his roughly 4000 trees- he plants about 750 a year- we see only one that did not survive the dry Summer. It takes about five to six years for a tree to go from a sapling that looks like the one Charlie Brown chose, to reach the sixfoot tree with which most people are looking to deck their halls. Foster started growing them about seven or eight years ago and overestimated how many he would need so he has plenty 12 to 20 footers. “They are hard to trim at this size so they are naturally fluffy,” he said. At this size customers generally like them that way. The smaller ones are trimmed. The magic begins here, and at many Mid-South Christmas tree farms, the Friday after Thanksgiving when Santa, hot chocolate, homemade donuts and a hayride out to the trees bring the Advent season alive. There is even a truck without hay that’s wheelchair accessible so just about anyone should be able to explore the farm. What you won’t find is fir trees because they don’t do well in the Mid-South. In Northeast Tennessee the temperatures average five to 10 degrees cooler. Ayer’s Christmas Tree Farm in the Tri-cities grows firs among their 200,000 trees, making them the largest farm in Tennessee. Over in Arkansas, take a drive out to the scenic, yet underrated Crowley’s Ridge area where Vandiver’s Newcastle Farm can be found between Forrest City and Village Creek State Park. Kelly Medlin of Hernando, Miss. has been shunning the Christmas tree lot for decades. “We have always owned land where we could go walking in the back pasture and cut down a cedar tree.” Another tradition is “hunting the trees for mistletoe” which grows high in the trees of the area. This year she plans to take her kids to the Merry Christmas Tree farm in Nesbit, which also has a hayride. Vincent Ciaramitaro of Memphis has also been going to farms for his trees. He used to go for the big trees. “Getting into the house was a big effort. When decorated, it had 400plus feet of lighting on it.” They eventually changed to three trees- one for each family member to decorate. “Choosing which to get is always time consuming and a big deal. Normally 34 DeSoto
my wife is hurrying up while my son and I look. You find one you like then check another one out and cannot find the one you liked before. My son is 29 years old and that is the only way he has had a Christmas tree” he said. Ciaramitaro can’t imagine hunting a tree any other way. This season he plans to go to Priddy Farms in Bartlett for the trees. The closest farm to Memphis has a wreathmaking class and includes the Virginia Pine as well. After the season ends, the stumps are buried. While everyone is busy celebrating the new year, Valentine’s and St Patrick’s, farmers plant a new crop between those stumps preparing for Christmas 2021 or 2022. After that time the old stumps have broken down enough to become new Christmas tree spots. Foster says there is something about hunting a tree that’s not trucked in or from a foot locker in the attic. “We’re selling the experience. If they want to get the cheapest, they can go out to a lot or big box store. Our trees cost a little more, but not much more, but these are fresh, they haven’t been shipped across the country. They get to cut it down, bring the kids down play on the playground, see the petting zoo and take pictures for Christmas cards. They make memories.”
DeSoto 35
exploring cuisine } venison
36 DeSoto
Plum Teriyaki Glazed Venison
Venison It’s what’s for dinner By Jill Gleeson. Photography courtesy of sportingchef.com and countrywoodsmoke.com
When I was little, my brother and I occasionally spent the night at my grandparents’ house. My grandmother was a good cook and I looked forward to her simple, hearty dinners. But every once in awhile Grandma served venison, a dish I could never bear to eat. My grandfather was a skilled hunter and during the Depression he kept his family fed with the animals he shot in the forest. I felt sorry for the deer that ended up on my plate and couldn’t abide the meat’s foreign taste. Grandpap was always a little frustrated by my response. He loved venison’s flavor, and
to him there was nothing better than a meal made from food he had sourced himself. My grandfather would have gotten a kick out of the latest trend sweeping the restaurant world: Wild game meat. It’s long been a staple in forward-thinking urban eateries like New DeSoto 37
York City’s Gotham Bar and Grill, which has been serving venison for more than two decades. But thanks to the field-to-table movement and the new focus on indigenous foods, wild game is now turning up on menus everywhere, including Mississippi. Wild game can include just about any traditionally non-domesticated animal, including elk, bison, alligator, rabbit, feral pig, quail, duck, moose and critters you aren’t likely to see professional chefs serving, such as squirrel, opossum, raccoon and beaver. Though it now usually refers only to deer, the term “venison” dates back as early as the 13th century, when it denoted the flesh of any animal killed in the chase. In 1983, the USDA defined venison for labeling purposes as meat from the deer and antelope families. “Wild game”, however, is a bit of a misnomer. Only meat that has been raised, slaughtered and prepared following the same strict U.S.D.A. guidelines applied to beef, pork and fowl can be sold for public consumption. It’s illegal for restaurants to use products sourced from hunters. “When you see venison on a menu, it’s not really wild,” explained Matthew Kajdan, executive chef of Jackson, Mississippi’s Parlor Market, which typically serves game like elk and quail. “It’s coming off a farm or a ranch. It might be a 100,000acre ranch in Texas, but it’s coming off a ranch.” Kajdan, who grew up hunting the lands near Madison, Mississippi with his father added, “If I could shoot a deer and serve it in the restaurant I’d do it in a heartbeat. There’s no food cost involved. You put in the labor to kill and butcher it, but you put no money into it. When you buy ‘wild game’ from a purveyor you’re putting a lot of money into it. Venison is usually going to cost 50 percent more than beef. If I pay $20 a pound for beef tenderloin, I’m going to pay closer to $40 a pound for venison or elk tenderloin.” So why buy game in a restaurant or even the supermarket, where meat like bison is popping up more often? Put plainly, it’s better for you. Beef and meat such as venison are rich in protein, containing all ten essential amino acids and no carbohydrates. However beef is significantly higher in calories, cholesterol and saturated fat than meats like venison. Game’s not any more difficult to prepare either. According to Chef Kajdan the rule for cooking meat 38 DeSoto
from duck and small animals including rabbit is simply “low and slow.” And as my grandfather would say, game meat has a more complex flavor than beef or pork –one that as an adult I’ve grown to enjoy. Pardoning Rudolph and his kin, it just might be time to consider venison and the like for Christmas dinner.
Chef Kajdan’s Venison Sausage Makes 10 to 12 1/2 pound sausages. 4 pounds ground venison 1 pound ground pork 1 teaspoon curing salt 1 cup dark molasses 1 tablespoon paprika 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons black pepper Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer on speed one setting for two minutes. Fry a small portion to taste and adjust as needed, otherwise rest 24 hours before piping. Internet Piping Tips: Use hog casings from your local butcher and a pastry bag with a wide tip if you don’t have a sausage stuffer. Be sure to soak the casings in cold water for at least 30 minutes and rinse them completely inside out. Slide a casing halfway up the tip and wrap a rubber band around it to help keep it in place. Apply pressure to the bag, slowing filling the casing with the meat mixture. Leave the casing slack enough to twist the sausage into links. Once the casing is filled, slide the end off of the tip and tie a knot in it. Twist the sausage into links and alternate twisting toward and away from you.
DeSoto 39
exploring destinations } christmas on the coast
40 DeSoto
Whatever Floats Your Holiday Boat By Cheré Coen. Photography courtesy of Janine Hoskins and Visit MIssissippi Gulf Coast
Maybe it’s time to float through the holidays. For some coastal residents, celebrating on the water is as natural as sitting around by the fireside. Biloxi residents have been decorating their boats with strands of lights, tinsel and glitter for a Christmas parade along the Gulf of Mexico since 1986. The annual Christmas on the Water Parade became so popular, there were dozens of boats participating on any given year. That was before Hurricane Katrina put a kink in the plans in 2005.
“Before the storm we averaged 80 boats or better,” said Rusty David, event chairman for the past 30 years. “After the storm, we had eight boats.” But even one of the worst hurricanes to hit the United States couldn’t deter Biloxi residents from parading, David said, which turned out quite beautiful since the city lacked electricity and the lighted Christmas boats shined like beacons against the DeSoto 41
dark Gulf waters. This year marks the 30th annual Christmas on the Water Boat Parade, with 50-plus boats leaving the Biloxi Lighthouse at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and traveling through Gulf waters between Deer Island and the beach to the U.S. 90/Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge. Once at the bridge, the parade doubles back and ends at the Biloxi Yacht Club where visitors are treated to a fireworks display. “It’s unique,” David said. “The parade turns around and passes itself. As soon as everyone gets to the Yacht Club we shoot the fireworks.” Naturally, since boats are adorned in full holiday décor and lights, there are awards in several categories for the best decorations. One lucky winner takes home the “Santa’s Best of the Fleet” award and another wins $1,000 from a random drawing. The cost to enter the parade is $25 and is open to anyone with a boat, from sailboats and pleasure craft to commercial boats. For more information, contact David at (228) 617-3112. For the spectator, the best viewing spots are between the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor and Casino Row, or between the Biloxi Lighthouse and Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. For those staying in Gulf-side rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino or Beau Rivage, Harrah’s and Golden Nugget casinos, they will be treated to quite a display from their room windows, David said. “We get a lot of people from the Beau Rivage parking lot and the Hard Rock parking lot because it passes right by there,” he added. The group that sponsors the boat parade also hosts a children’s walking parade the day before. The Biloxi town green is decorated on Friday, Dec. 4, and children in grades first through third are invited to ride hay wagons, enjoy hot chocolate and watch Santa flip on the holiday lights. For more information on the parades, other Gulf Coast holiday events and accommodations, visit www.gulfcoast. org. Other Christmas boat parades happening this holiday season:
42 DeSoto
Pensacola
A lighted boat parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Sabine Marina and ends at the Portofino Boardwalk. Santa will be riding on the lead boat so families with children should get to the waterfront early for a good view. For more information, call (800) 874-1234.
Destin
The 28th HarborWalk Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, in the harbor after live music, children’s arts and crafts, a visit with Santa and more happens from noon to 4 p.m. at HarborWalk Village’s Main Stage. Fireworks follow the festivities at 8 p.m.
Gulf Shores
The 29th Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. (or at dusk) Saturday Dec. 12, from Lulu’s restaurant in Gulf Shores, heading east down the Intracoastal Waterway and finishes at Cobalt in Orange Beach. Before the fun, Billy Claus (Santa’s brother and the subject of Lucy Anne Buffett’s children’s book) visit Lulu’s at 2 p.m. and the day involves arts and crafts and live music. To enter a boat in the parade, participants should fill out a necessary form below and attend a mandatory captain’s meeting Dec. 11. For information, call (251) 981-2300 or visit www.alabamacoastalchristmas.com.
Delcambre
Decorated boats of all sizes and shapes cruise up Bayou Carlin while holiday music plays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, in Delcambre, Louisiana. The fun begins at the Delcambre Docks in the town southwest of New Iberia. For information, visit IberiaTravel.com.
Bayou Grosse Tete
Santa arrives in a putt-putt boat beginning at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, on Bayou Grosse Tete in southern Louisiana, just west of Baton Rouge. The annual boat parade travels up the bayou and includes food and family fun beginning at noon. After the boat parade and night falls, there’s fireworks.
DeSoto 43
a day away } pontotoc, mississippi
Pontot oc, Mississippi 8:00 Breakfast at The Skil let Cafe is a great way to fuel your day. This homestyle restaurant serves up delicious pancakes, omelets and biscuits. bike, 9:00 Bur n off breakfast by hitt ing the Tanglefoot Trail. Whether you walk or n this 24-mile trail winds through forests and past ures, easi ly connecti ng urba lifestyles to nature. a little 10:00 Pont otoc is home to several antique shop s. Each one offers something different from collectables to furniture and one-of-a kind pieces. Oxford 12:00 On your drive over to Mai n Street, be sure to hit the shop s on West past Street like Pure Bliss Gifts and The Red Door. Also a great time to drive some of the hist oric landmarks around town. ya 1:00 Grab lunch at Aust in on Mai n, which is located in an old drugstore. Enjo special of the day like country fried steak or chicken and dumplings. orical post 2:00 Visit the Town Square Post Office and Museum, the only working hist w and office in the nation. Lear n more about the hist ory of Pont otoc, the Chickasa pioneers. Admission is free. something 3:00 Get ready to shop! Mai n Street has tons of bout iques and shop s with of for ever yone. C lothing for the fami ly, jewe lry, unique gifts or a beautiful piece Fingerpr int Pottery, made right in Pont otoc. 5:00 Dinner at Boondocks Gril l, a local favorite for cajun and creo le dishes. pork chop, The menu includes salads, burgers, sandwiches and entrees like apple glazed secake. shrimp and grits and blackened catf ish. Save room for a slice of homemade chee 44 DeSoto
For more information: pontotocchamber.com tanglefoottrail.com boondocksgrill.com
DeSoto 45
2015-2016 Events Christmas Parade December 7, 2015 Easter Egg Hunt Ages 0-8 hunt for eggs, listen to stories from Mother Goose, eat, and play on the Saturday before Easter. July 4th Parade and Celebration Rebel/Bulldog Challenge Football fans come together for an opportunity to cook tailgate specials, play games and compete for bragging rights. Bodock Festival Enjoy arts & crafts, entertainment, food, motorcycle ride, bike tour, antique cars, children’s area and entertainment from two stages.
46 DeSoto
DeSoto 47
greater goods } stocking stuffers
Stocking Stuffers
Vera Bradley Mini Umbrella $34 The Pink Zinnia 134 West Commerce Street Hernando, MS 662-449-5533
Christmas Freakers Coozies $12-$14 Cynthia’s Boutique 2529 Caffey Street Hernando, MS 662-469-9026
Kendra Scott starting at $52 Merry Magnolia 194 E Military Rd. Marion, AR 870-739-5579
Southern Tide Christmas lights boxers $24.50 SoCo 2521 Caffey Street Hernando, MS 662-298-3493 Mood Monsters $5 Bon Von 214 W Center Street Hernando, MS 662-429-5266 Corkcicle Canteen $20 The Pink Zinnia 134 West Commerce Street Hernando, MS 662-449-5533
48 DeSoto
greater goods } hostess gifts
Hostess Gifts Christmas Frame $28 Mimi’s on Main 432 Main Street Senatobia, MS 662-562-8261
Cohen’s Crosses Initial Ornaments $19.99 The Red Door 346 West Oxford Street Pontotoc, MS 662-489-1074
Ella B Candle $25 Merry Magnolia 194 E Military Rd. Marion, AR 870-739-5579
Wine Bags $14.98 The Gift Shop 6 South Main Street Pontotoc, MS 662-489-2251
Ashley Anthony Blocks $45 Mimi’s on Main 432 Main Street Senatobia, MS 662-562-8261
Salt n’ Pepper Shakers $19.98 The Gift Shop 6 South Main Street Pontotoc, MS 662-489-2251 Tea Towels $12 The Red Door 346 West Oxford Street Pontotoc, MS 662-489-1074 DeSoto 49
MIFA Meals on Wheels volunteer with client
50 DeSoto
MIFA Meals on Wheels delivery
‘Tis the Season for Service By Andrea Brown Ross. Photography courtesy of Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association of Memphis
In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, time is the most precious commodity, especially on Christmas morning when home seems first in everyone’s mind. There are, however, those who are willing to share that time with the larger community because the rewards far outpace a gift under the tree. DeSoto 51
MIFA volunteer Amelia Smith addresses holiday cards
Organizations like The Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association of Memphis (MIFA) provide opportunities to serve year round, even on Christmas morning. “Last year on Christmas Day, we provided approximately 750 hot meals. This year, we are anticipating close to 850 meals. It’s been amazing to watch families, even with small children, show up early Christmas morning in preparation for delivering meals. It’s a wonderful way to spend an hour or more on Christmas Day delivering meals,” said Angela Scott, MIFA’s Meals on Wheels volunteer supervisor. MIFA Marketing and Communications Director, James Seacat, explained their broader mission. “We offer a variety of services for families and seniors. From programs for seniors, like our transit program, Senior Companions, and Longterm Care Ombudsmen, to Rapid Rehousing and a homeless hotline for families, and college 52 DeSoto
readiness programs for first generation college students. We offer a spectrum of personal inventions, hoping to help others move forward and not spiral downward,” he explained. “Our Meals on Wheels program is our largest program, and thus, our greatest need. We use from 80 to 100 volunteers on a daily basis for the assigned routes. For our homebound seniors, it’s more than just a meal. It’s daily social contact and a safety check, as well,” continued Seacat. Meals are distributed within the city limits of Memphis in addition to some congregant sites located in outlying areas, such as Collierville and Germantown, Tenn. “With help from a PLOW grant, we intend to increase our client list to more than 3,000 clients in the next few years. MIFA has approximately 100 employees, consisting of both part- time and full-time staff. Over the years, we have used several thousand volunteers with an estimated value of
$3 million given in service hours annually. During the week between Christmas and New Year’s, we always have an increased need for volunteers as most of our regular volunteers are out of town,” Seacat explained. Mike Davis, a weekly volunteer for nearly five years, described his involvement with MIFA. “I was asked to serve on the Fellows Advisory Board for what is now known as the New Memphis Institute. The board met every couple of months at different area nonprofits and one of our fall meetings was at MIFA. During that past year, I had experimented with different DeSoto 53
types of volunteer events I could do with my department. We’re in IT, so we couldn’t all be out of the office at the same time. So, it was hard to get support for any sort of frequent outing. When I learned about the meals program, I pitched the idea to my vice president at the time, and asked if I could sign our department up for a weekly route, and rotate through my organization taking one person at a time. She agreed, and I started volunteering in the program in January 2011. Since then, I’ve worked for various vice presidents and senior vice presidents across the company, and all of them have supported continuing the route. In fact, many of them have ridden along a time or two.” Davis explained the benefits he has reaped from being a volunteer. “When people ask why I do this, I tell them no matter what happens in the course of a week, I can never have seven bad days in a row. I’ve gained the satisfaction of believing I’m making things a little bit better, or a little bit easier for people. Also, I believe witnessing poverty on a regular basis helps keep me grounded in what’s really important, and how lucky my family and I really are. I know it sounds sort of corny, but it’s true. I take my kids sometimes during the summer to help build an appreciation for what they have, and to show the 54 DeSoto
importance of volunteering,” he said. Volunteering has also allowed David invaluable time with his team and other folks around his company, allowing him the chance to get to know people better and build some very productive relationships. “I ran into a guy in a local store a couple of months ago who had previously worked for me. The very first thing he asked was if we were still delivering meals. He proceeded to talk about how special that was, and what it meant to him. I even took an interview candidate on a route. He accepted the job, and cited our team’s commitment to the community as an overwhelming factor” Davis said. Linda Marks, inter-faith and community outreach officer, related a similar story about another volunteer. “We have an elderly long-time volunteer who suffered a stroke. He is unable to drive or even walk to the client’s doors. But he still goes on a Meals route with his son, and the clients, many with poor mobility themselves, come out to the car to see him because they love him so much,” she shared. Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., MIFA was formed later that same year by members of Memphis area clergy and community lay members. With
the hope of breaking down the barriers of race and faith, what has evolved decades later, is an organization whose mission is to support the independence of vulnerable seniors and families in crisis through highimpact programs. “Serving others changes people. Providing opportunities for people to come out of their comfort zone and build a kinship with others they might not have otherwise known, has been a blessing in the lives of our volunteers. Many of them find the people they serve have their own personal stories of courage, strength, and resiliency, which in turn inspire our volunteers,” said Marks. In addition to Meals on Wheels, MIFA also sponsors a holiday card program and care packages for seniors. Volunteers are needed to help prepare holiday cards for mailing. This year’s card was designed by Memphis artist and MIFA Meals on Wheels volunteer, Martha Kelly. Grants and Foundation Officer, Ellen Whitten, explained the holiday care packages. “An urgent need for us, especially going into the holiday season, is for donations of senior care packages. These gift bags contain comfort and hygiene items and are distributed to our homebound Meals on Wheels clients on their birthdays and on Christmas Day.” Blankets, calendars, socks (regular or non-skid), mittens or gloves, puzzles/crossword puzzles/dominos, flashlights and hygiene products are examples of needed gifts. For many clients, this may be the only gift they receive, and the volunteers who deliver their meals may be their only human contact. “It’s just one of the ways our Meals on Wheels program provides much more than nutrition,” said Whitten. For a full listing of requested items, as well as information regarding the holiday card program and Meals on Wheels, visit mifa.org/holidaysatmifa.
North Mississippi Service Opportunity The Oxford Mississippi Runners’ Club is sponsoring a toy drive and collecting monetary donations to benefit Interfaith Compassion Ministry. To learn more about this project, visit the Oxford MS Runners Facebook page, or contact Lena Wiley, at ICM, 662-236-4265.
DeSoto 55
Explore Batesville andPanola County, Mississippi
56 DeSoto
DeSoto 57
The Omni Grove Park Inn
58 DeSoto
Regal Relaxation By Karen Ott Mayer. Photography courtesy of Grove Park Inn, Battle House and The Alluvian
Every once in awhile, overindulgence qualifies as a necessity. And what better place to find a little peace on earth during the holiday blur than inside a spa? But these aren’t just any spas; they are places where luxury abounds and it’s the full-on mission of the spa staff to anticipate every need even before the guest feels it. DeSoto 59
The Spa at Battle House
How about a $500 facial or a massage that dates back 3,000 years? If frugality and prudence reigns 364 days out of the year, then maybe one day should be devoted to unbridled self-indulgence without a reason, a season or special occasion.
Introducing Feathers Spa at The Peabody Memphis, Tennessee Just one level below the famed Peabody Hotel lobby and those quacking ducks, guests will be delighted to discover Feathers Spa at The Peabody, the hotel’s new resort-style luxury spa. Just opened in October 2015, the full-service spa offers upscale spa and salon treatments including everything from massages to body wraps. In the hair salon, guests can enjoy hair styling or make-up sessions. For a different twist, guests can enjoy a Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage which may look a bit aggressive on first glance 60 DeSoto
Women’s Spa at The Alluvian Hotel
but is a technique with a proven history---over 3,000 years old. “Ashi” translates to foot and “atsu” means pressure. The practitioner stands above the guest, holding onto bars which are attached to the ceiling. While maintaining their balance, the practitioner literally walks on the guest’s back. Feathers will be the first spa in Memphis to offer this menu service for couples. While the spa was previously operated by another company, bringing the spa into The Peabody organization changes the game. “Taking the spa ‘under our wing’ at The Peabody will provide a seamless experience for our guests and create cohesion between the spa and other hotel amenities, like the Athletic Club. Opening our own spa gives us the opportunity to offer spa vacation packages, Peabody signature treatments, resort-style experiences like couples massages, and spa products that tie to our guestroom toiletries,” said Douglas V. Browne, general manager of The Peabody Memphis and president of
Peabody Hotels & Resorts. Feathers Spa carries high-end products Zents and Pevonia and will be the only spa in the state of Tennessee to offer Pevonia skincare products. With nearly 30 practitioners including estheticians, massage therapists and stylists, guests can pamper the day away.
Go East For Mountain Luxury Asheville, North Carolina Built in 1913, The Omni Grove Park Inn located just minutes from Asheville, North Carolina welcomes spa-seekers to one of the most storied historical hotels in the country. A native stone hotel set in the mountain, the DeSoto 61
hotel’s spa opened in 2001, adding a new dimension of luxury to an already stunning setting. “We are remarkably unique because we feel almost subterranean, built into the mountains,” said Tracey Johnston-Crum, director of public relations and community outreach. A native of Asheville, Johnston-Crum has been with the hotel altogether for eight years. If luxury is the goal, then guests won’t be disappointed. With 43,000 square feet of spa (22,000 mixed use), the spa also has a large mineral pool and outdoor whirlpools and waterfalls. “We have inhalation, steam and aromatherapy rooms as well as a sauna. We have contrast pools where a guest goes from real cold water to hot,” she said. Leaving the pool behind, guests can choose a real indulgence: A $500 facial. A slight misnomer because the service includes a full-body treatment as well. “It’s a high-end, exclusive treatment. We use Babor products which were created by a German doctor, Dr. Michael Babor, in 1956. During the treatment, guests enjoy a foam exfoliation on arms, two masks, and a 20-minute neck and shoulder rub,” said Johnston-Crum. The products are paraben and color free. With all spa assistants receiving constant training, guests can expect “very luxurious treatment”, according to Johnston-Crum. No matter what the treatment, guests have all-day access to the spa and cafe. “Start over at the year’s start and recharge for a day,” she said with a smile.
Wind Down on the Coast Mobile, Alabama A beauty in itself, the restored Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa proudly sits in Mobile, Alabama’s downtown district just minutes from the bay. The Spa at Battle House spans 10,000 square feet not including a large 2,000 square foot fitness center and rooftop pool with whirlpool and bar. “What makes our spa unique is it’s truly an urban escape. This lavishly decorated retreat is located at the top of Mobile’s historic Battle House hotel and offers spectacular views of downtown and Mobile Bay,” said Tricia Fagan, director of the spa. Signature treatments include an aromatic warm stone massage, an organic facial and a signature urban foot rejuvenation. “The urban relaxation massage is the most requested service,” said Fagan. Like Feathers, the spa offers Ashiatsu Massage in 80-minute sessions. For those searching for the ultimate skin care, The Spa at Battle House carries Eminence skin care line, an organic handmade line from Hungary. As pioneers of the organic skin care movement since 1958, Eminence combines more than half a century of herbal craftsmanship and innovation with Hungarian healing to offer proven treatments and recipes. Eminence’s superior spa products and treatments rely on a unique blend of hand-picked fresh ingredients to deliver outstanding results. Eminence offers products to address premature aging and wrinkles, rosacea, sun damage, acne, loss of vitality, tone and radiance. Eminence services change with the seasons so something new is always happening at the spa. From the exquisite Venetian plaster ceilings to the zen fire pit, The Spa at The Battle House promises to leave guests feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle the world again.
Indulgence in the Delta Greenwood, Mississippi Located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, The Alluvian Spa offers a unique blend of rejuvenating treatments with Delta style and ingredients. Visitors to this spa will leave feeling relaxed, pampered, and immersed in the gracious culture of this Southern gem. Spa Director, Kelly Castle, who travels the country working for WTS 62 DeSoto
International, the spa’s management company, says there is a sense of honor being associated with The Alluvian name. “I’m very proud to be involved with a brand from Greenwood, Mississippi, that offers a five star luxury spa experience in a gorgeous facility that would easily fit in if dropped in New York City.” While the level of service rivals any spa in a major metropolitan city, special touches make this spa unique to the Mississippi Delta. Specially-commissioned artwork, crafted by local Delta artists, hangs throughout the facility, while the music played in each treatment room is exclusive to The Alluvian Spa, composed by Delta native, David Moore. The spa uses handcrafted bowls made by McCarty Pottery of Merigold, Mississippi, for the manicure and pedicure treatments. Additionally, many services feature ingredients indigenous to the Mississippi Delta. These include the Mississippi Mud Pie, a warmed bubbling brew of mud to soothe aches of the feet or spine, and the Delta River Rock, a massage using heated river stones. The Three Rivers body scrub utilizes traditional sea grains as well as a less expected ingredient, stoneground grits, to exfoliate and polish skin. The spa’s signature Sweet Tea fragrance can be found in several treatments, including a body scrub, manicure, and pedicure. The Couples Renewal Package is the ultimate escape for two. In the private couple’s suite, guests will find a fireplace, dual massage tables, river bath for two, and custom double super shower. This package includes a Sweet Tea Refresher Scrub, A Three Rivers Soak, a 60-minute Alluvian Custom Massage followed by your choice of a Rosehip Scalp Massage or Mississippi Mud Pie foot treatment. The entire experience lasts three hours with a price tag of $475.
DeSoto 63
64 DeSoto
DeSoto 65
66 DeSoto
Longwood
N atturns chez
300
Story and photography by Cheré Coen
Natchez turns 300 next year, a milestone that marks the city as the oldest continuous settlement on the Mississippi River. It’s a history involving several nations — including the Native American tribe that bears it name — and a varied demographic. So it’s only natural that the city’s tricentennial would be equally diverse. DeSoto 67
Stanton Hall
Longwood
68 DeSoto
“We brainstormed about how this would be something for everyone,” said Jennifer Ogden Combs, tricentennial executive director. “We saw this as a way to bring the community together. All of the events had to be driven by the community, for the community.” Natchez offers about 300 events each year, from the popular balloon festival to the historyinspired Spring Pilgrimage. The town is home to 1,000 historic buildings either listed in the National Register of Historic Places individually or as contributing buildings in a National Register District. There’s a strong music heritage here as well, which is why it’s part of the newly instituted Americana Music Triangle. Add to this scenario a vibrant culinary scene, art galleries, casinos, visiting steamboats and great outdoors adventures and you’ve got the perfect tourism town. “We’re the bed and breakfast capital of the South,” said Jessica Cauthen, public relations coordinator for Visit Natchez. “We’re the biscuit capital of the world.” Offering anniversary events to this tourism gold pile was easy, but organizers kept asking, “How do we offer these events even better?” Combs said. “The tricentennial is not just parties,” she insisted. “We thought, how do we use this anniversary to potentially impact our community for the long term.” Some of the anniversary initiatives include: Partnering with the ClintonHumana Foundation’s Health Matters Initiative; revitalization of historic areas in town; continued expansion of the Natchez Bluff Trails Project; and development of Fort Rosalie, the site of the original French fort, and the Forks of the Road site, the second largest slave market in the U.S. And since 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, which operates historical sites at Natchez, the Park Service serves as the anniversary’s primary partner.
A little history
Natchez rests atop a dramatic bluff within an equally spectacular curve of the Mississippi River. This strategic location was the site of the Native American tribe known as the Natchez, with the Grand Village of the Natchez nearby, serving as its ceremonial center. French explorers such as Jacques Marquette, Lewis Joliet and Robert Cavalier DeSoto 69
Steampunk Coffee
de La Salle visited the area in the 17th century but Fort Rosalie was established on its eastern bluff on Aug. 3, 1716, at the site of a previous French trading post. At first, natives and French coexisted until the Natchez attacked in 1729 and killed between 200 to 300 people, after which the French drove the tribe from the area. Over the years, Natchez was home to African slaves and free people of color, including William Johnson, the “Barber of Natchez,” who left behind an extensive diary of his life. The town was also under English and Spanish rule before becoming part of the United States when Mississippi was granted statehood in 1817. Natchez boomed with profits from cotton and slave labor, and also suffered greatly following the Civil War. High on the bluff were expansive homes built by plantation owners and merchants while “under the hill” at the river’s edge saloons and boarding houses proliferated. Today, Natchez serves as an exquisite snapshot of American history.
Tricentennial events
Some of the highlights of the Natchez Tricentennial include both annual events and specially-planned attractions. Regular festivals such as the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration will join the new Euro Auto Festival. The Natchez Festival of Music, a month-long celebration in May, will include a home visit by Glen Ballard, a six-time Grammy winner of songs such as Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” and Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” The annual Christmas parade will become the Heritage Parade in 2016, expanding to include representations of the town’s history, such as Native American dancers and African drummers. “There’s a lot of different things,” Combs said. “Things that appeal to everyone.” The anniversary officially begins Jan. 1, 2016, but there will be milestones celebrated throughout the year with delegations from France, Britain and Spain visiting, Combs explained. The official anniversary date of the French fort being established at Natchez, however, is Aug. 3. The National Park Service will dedicate the Fort Rosalie site as a green space park with walking trails and historical markers on Aug. 3, 2016.
Visitor’s guide
There are numerous bed and breakfasts — many of historical significance — in town and throughout the surrounding area, but also several hotels and motels. The historic Eola Hotel is currently shuttered but its smaller incarnation lies within the next block. The Natchez Grand Hotel and Suites offers a view of the river plus is 70 DeSoto
conveniently located in the center of town, while chains such as Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn are a short walk away. On the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River bridge is a Best Western and the new Hotel Vue, both providing stunning views. The culinary scene runs the gamut, from southern favorites at the Carriage House at Stanton Hall (check out the tiny biscuits) to more sophisticated fare at Cotton Alley Café with its art-filled colorful interior. There’s Mexican favorites at Fat Mama’s Tamales and flavorful sushi at Planet Thailand. King’s Tavern, the oldest building in Natchez hailing back to about 1760, doubles as a restaurant, bar, gift shop and liquor store and is owned by Chef Regina Charboneau, the chef de cuisine for the American Queen Riverboat Company. The menu focuses on wood-fired flatbreads, which marries nicely with the craft cocktails dreamed up by bar manager Ricky Woolfolk, who also offers mixology classes on weekends. Many of the signature cocktails include rum from Charboneau Distillery located next door, which is open for tours on Fridays and Saturdays. Another spirit you may encounter at King’s Tavern is Madeline, the former barkeep who once lived on the property and was mistress to Mr. King, so the story goes. In 1932, when three bodies were found inside the tavern’s wall many believed the female bones belonged to Madeline. Woolfolk has a theory based on old stories, that King’s wife hired two men to kill Madeline and that when King discovered what they had done, he killed the two men and buried all three within the tavern’s walls. Charboneau Rum is one of the town’s three spirited sites — of the alcohol variety, although ghosts are not hard to find either. Natchez is also home to Natchez Brewing Company and Old South Winery. For a different drug, and a different style of historic home, stop by the newly opened Steampunk Coffee Roasters, in a renovated cabin where the working class once lived, and enjoy an original brew from their elaborate copper steam machine. Like everything else in Natchez, it’s a blend of old and new with influences from around the world.
visitnatchez.org natchezms300.com
DeSoto 71
homegrown } hi yall!
HI YALL! By Blair Jackson. Photography courtesy of Hi Yall!
Like cool Mississippi rain and your Mama’s famous pound cake recipe, Catherine Ann Davis is as Southern as it gets. She is soft spoken and gracious, one of those people who will make anyone believe fresh air, the Gospel and family are all that is really needed. Catherine Ann Davis (many call her Cat), a calm lady with a bold gift for putting what Southerners love about their home into art, founded Hi Yall! Made in the South, a custom artwork business a little over three years ago, She and her husband, Parker Davis, work hand-inhand operating the business which has experienced steady growth since its inception. Cat designs and creates all Hi Yall! products including custom paintings, hand-printed pillows, prints and apparel, while Parker manages the shipping and logistics. 72 DeSoto
Every painting, print and pillow has a story. The bold colors represent people, sayings and places, all familiarities of the South. “We love southern sayings,” said Davis. “I get inspiration from childhood memories, like sitting on my grandparents porch singing gospel hymns.” Davis grew up in New Albany, Miss. She was a cheerleader and the homecoming queen, a gracious Southern Belle who effortlessly won the affection of those who knew her. “Isn’t she just so precious?” asked Patrice Mason, a
teacher at New Albany Middle School who has known Davis since she was eight years old. “She’s a kindhearted girl, and that’s always been Cat.” Mason remembers watching a 10th grade Davis sell her art from her mom’s car to fellow cheerleaders heading off to cheer camp. “When I saw her selling those art pieces and making money, I said, ‘Honey, I’m gonna remember this!’ I knew right then and there that’s what she was gonna do. She has such a gift,” Mason said. Davis makes all Hi Yall! pillows by hand, sewing the printed covers to coffee bag backings from High Point Coffee in New Albany. The fabric and trim come from Sherman, Miss., making each pillow fully a Mississippi product. Davis attended Ole Miss where she majored in art and was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She met Parker, a Sigma Chi at Mississippi State University, her Sophomore year. The pair got married in February of 2012 and moved to Parker’s grandparent’s old house in Starkville. The pair, and their energetic Golden Retriever Fowler, make their home and business in the wooden house with tall ceilings and warm interior. A colorful, packed garage next to the house serves as the Hi Yall! art studio and print shop. The area is small but efficient with specific areas for printing, painting and shipping. In the garage, the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” (Cat’s favorite) often plays on repeat; at other times, the twang of Eric Church and other county artists resounds while the two are working. Fall and Christmas are especially busy times, full of trade shows such as Mistletoe Marketplace in Jackson and the Peter Anderson Festival in Ocean Springs. “We’re on the road a lot, but we like to travel, so its fun,” said Parker Davis.
The majority of Hi Yall! sales come from commissioned art which consists largely of wedding and baby pieces, but products range from stationary to kitchen towels and can be viewed at www.hiyall.com. He loves to hunt and fish, so her paintings often center around the outdoors. Not many paintings, however, stay for very long. “I’ve been known to sell anniversary paintings,” Cat said with a giggle about the paintings Parker didn’t want her to sell. Cat and Parker attribute much of their success to the heaping tablespoons of support from family and friends that extend beyond just encouragement. Her sister Elizabeth answers emails from the website, and the couple often takes tips from her dad who ran his own business. “My dad’s business advice is to work hard and remember who you are, so we try to live by that,” she said. In addition to business direction, Cat also draws upon experiences and relationships to guide her hand while painting. “Our friends and family inspire our pieces.. like that fisherman painting,” she said pointing to an art piece on the wall with the words ‘Tomorrow I’m taking me fishing’. That was inspired by my dad and grandfather.” All Hi Yall! pieces feature something beloved about the South, whether that be a Mint Julep recipe, an old time hymn or a collage of Southern sayings. The images pull at the heart strings and stir up memories, love and good times.They capture some of the emotion behind a love for the South that can’t fully be explained in words. “Southern people live all over the place now,” said Cat. “And we like to think that a piece of our art would remind them of home.” DeSoto 73
southern harmony } merle haggard
The One and Only,
By Lazelle Jones. Photography courtesy of cmt.com
74 DeSoto
A
concert handbill on a wall in historic old downtown Roanoke, Virginia recently triggered memories of my interview with Merle Haggard (aka The Hag), when he shared intimate details about his music career, the many songs he has written, and how these songs first came to him. Nearly legendary, Haggard still performs. His rough, hard-edged voice and outlaw country style hasn’t changed, but perhaps only mellowed. His discography and accolades run long. He’s won three Grammys, multiple awards from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music and been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Coming from more than humble beginnings, Haggard’s road to success has been paved with nothing less than grit and grease. And it’s not always been pretty. Like the lines carved by time in this musical genius’ brow, The Hag is pure Classic Country, timeless in his appearance and in the music he continues to make. His lyrics as poetry will resonate for generations to come among Country Music lovers just as verse from a Tennyson poem or a Shakespearean sonnet continue to resonate among others. Asked about the creative process involved in songwriting and how it takes place The Hag explained. “It’s like I’m hooked up to a telegraph, to somewhere else in the universe from where the melody and lyrics are being transmitted for me to receive.” More specifically he was asked about the events that led up to two quintessential Haggard hits, “Today I Started Loving You Again” and “I’m Proud to be an Okie from Muskogee.” In the first instance this is a love song that represents the essence and purity of a relationship between a man and a woman. The Hag told how while on tour and sitting at LAX waiting to catch a plane to his next performance his wife walked across the terminal to a concession counter to buy something. Watching her return, when she walked up to where he was sitting he looked up into her eyes and said, “Today I started loving you again.” That night after his performance, while sitting in his boxer shorts at a table in a hotel room, on the back of a paper bag and in a matter of minutes he penciled out the lyrics and hummed the melody that until that moment had not existed. He explained how this song had been recorded over a hundred times by other artists and like a gold mine or an oil well, “It been a gift that just keeps on giving.”
The epistemology behind “I’m Proud to be an Okie from Muskogee” is totally different for it represents a snapshot in time, a slice from the American scene during the tumultuous 1960s when a cultural, moral and political revolution was roiling across the landscape. “I was sitting up front in the buddy seat of the tour bus strumming my guitar,” he explained. “As we headed across Oklahoma with the morning sun coming up I looked up from strumming my guitar I saw a road sign that read “19 miles to Muskogee, Oklahoma.” I turned to the bus driver and said, I’ll bet they’re not having the same problems today in Muskogee that they’re having out in San Francisco.” Before the next offramp the Hag had created the melody and penned the lyrics. Today it’s his signature song. Twice he performed at the White House for Presidents of the United States. The first time was for President Nixon. He told how after Richard and Pat Nixon went off to bed (the President told the band to stay and enjoy themselves as long as they wanted), one of the members of the group said, ‘I’ve always wanted to lie in Lincoln’s bed’ so upstairs he went and the rest is history.. Govener of California, Ronald Reagan granted Haggard a pardon for crimes The Hag committed during his younger, wilder days. Haggard’s father died suddenly when he was a young boy. The event seemed to set his life on a course of petty crimes, repeated offenses, and recreational drug use. Haggard spent time in the California Correctional System. Ironically, it was while in prison that Haggard began playing music with the prison country music band. When Haggard finally decided to change his lifestyle, his music career finally took hold. In 2010, Haggard was given the lifetime achievement and “outstanding contribution to American culture” award from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. A true cut into the fabric of the American music scene, Haggard’s influence extends far beyond the guitar, living in the minds of fans across the globe.
DeSoto 75
table talk} lucchesi’s
Memphis ’
Lucchesi’s By Corey Latta. Photography courtesy of Lucchesi’s
“Quality is what sets us apart.”
That’s the first thing Michael Robilio, owner of Lucchesi’s Ravioli and Pasta Company, will tell you when asked what makes Lucchesi’s so successful. “The quality of our food and the quality of our customer service are second to none,” said Robilio. This high quality standard is nothing new. In fact, it is a distinct commitment to quality that defines Lucchesi’s business model. “Most Italian places, in either retail or the restaurant business, get their pasta from some other supplier. But we have always made our own pasta. Everything we do is homemade and fresh. That’s how it’s always been,” Robilio said. With a reputation for high quality comes a demand for large quantity. The restaurant and delicatessen makes and sells massive amounts of food everyday. “We make a minimum of 54 pounds of spinach every single day. And there are pieces 76 DeSoto
of equipment in here over 25 years old that have been making Fettuccini or Linguini everyday for years,” said Robilio. This high demand for good food is a testimony to Lucchesi’s relationship to the city of Memphis. “I love this city,” Robilio said. A native Memphian, Robilio was educated at the University of Memphis and spent years in the local grocery business before buying Lucchesi’s in 1999. “We’ve been good to the city, and it’s been good to us,” Robilio said. “A lot of our business comes from catering. Everyone knows the quality of food and service we provide, so people always come back.” Lucchesi’s activity in the city has ranged from community service at the annual Italian Fest to feeding employees at St. Jude. “St. Jude means a lot to me. I
just fed 350 of their people the other day,” said Robilio. It is Robilio’s knowledge of and love for the city that helps account for Lucchessi’s lasting local presence, something that Robilio has learned to remember. After a few stretching years trying to expand to cities like Little Rock, Ark. or even the much closer Collierville, Tenn., Robilio learned the best business practice was actually to serve their East Memphis location before any other markets. Even when expansion spells financial success–Lucchesi’s once sold $50,000 of Ravioli in seven minutes on the QVC home shopping network–Robilio realizes that putting Memphis first means sustainable success. Sustainable success in a field as challenging as the restaurant business also means internal growth. Lucchesi’s was only a pasta shop until the mid- 1990s, when Robilio noticed a new trend. As society pushed for a faster life pace, more people found themselves on the go. Sitting down to eat lunch somewhere began to decline. Lunches on the go were on the rise. Robilio took note and for the last 20 years have been offering some homemade, fresh, hormone-free, handpackaged, on-the-go lunches. Customers see and value that spirit of internal innovation. One very popular example is Lucchesi’s “Take and Bake” pizzas. These take and bake pizzas are homemade, restaurant quality Italian meals ready for customer pick-up. Customers drop by, grab their pizzas–along with their fresh pasta, ravioli, lasagna, sauce, or Italian spinach–then head home and simply stick their pizza in the oven. Homemade and delizioso!
Lucchesi’s shows no sign of slowing down, and it’s growth is due in large part to Robilio’s level of personal involvement. Robilio oversees Lucchesi’s with an extraordinary wealth of experience and hands on approach. Not only does Robilio’s family own the highly successful Ronco Pasta–a family business tradition that has uniquely situated Robilio for success– but he maintains a close relationship with the daily business. As Wes Kraker, co-owner of Lucchesi’s and Robilio’s long time business partner, said of Robilio, “Michael is incredibly hands on. He cares about his employees and his customers. He is involved in everything. It takes dedication to make this work.” The hands on approach shows. Robilio has stocked the store with imported cheeses, Italian wines, and premium quality Italian sausages. And you’ll likely see Robilio helping prep the food himself. Customers frequent the pasta shop and restaurant every day. Lucchesi’s makes and prepares fresh Italian food daily–pasta, ravioli, lasagna, homemade gravy, and desserts–seven days a week. Each day brings a new special. A favorite are the sandwiches of the day, like Thursday’s Turkey Bacon Clubs, a thin sliced turkey breast on a toasted ciabatta, topped with provolone cheese, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. Robilio said it best, “No one does what Lucchesi’s does!”
DeSoto 77
in good spirits} wassail
78 DeSoto
A Wassailing We Will Go By Charlene Oldham. Photography courtesy of grit.com
It might take a few cocktails to convince some to sing along at your holiday gatherings, and wassail is the logical libation to cajole even the most reluctant carolers. Now used to describe the drink and the act of celebratory caroling, the word wassail originated from an Anglo Saxon toast, waes hael, meaning “be well” or “be in good health,” and response of drink hael, or “drink well,” according to the Historic UK website. The holiday ritual eventually included going from house to house singing traditional songs and spreading cheer or, for those in the countryside, circling fruit trees and blessing them with songs in hopes of a bountiful harvest. As part of the celebration, a concoction consisting of some combination of warmed ale, wine or cider, honey, spices and maybe some eggs would be passed from partier to partier in a single, large wassail bowl. Wassail recipes varied widely depending on which ingredients were readily available, says Kenneth Lipsmeyer, beverage and hospitality instructor at Pulaski Technical College’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute in Little Rock, Ark. “There are a million recipes for it. It can be made with milk, beer, cider, basically anything you have. In pre-Colonial America, as I understand it, it was made with Applejack or some sort of fermented apple beverage.” Today, mixologist Jeffrey Morgenthaler makes a modern version of the historic hot beverage for Thanksgiving guests. “Nothing says the holidays like a big pot of wassail simmering on the stove,” says Morgenthaler, author of “The Bar Book: Elements of Cocktail Technique,” and bar manager at Clyde Common in Portland, Ore. Indeed, wassail is still served at gatherings throughout the holiday season, including community events like the annual Wassail Fest in Columbus, Miss. If you want to try making some of your own, Morgenthaler likes this recipe, which he credits to author Paul Harrington:
1 cup water 2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger 6 cloves 1/2 teaspoon mace 6 allspice berries Cinnamon stick 2 pounds sugar 4 × 750 ml bottles sherry 12 eggs, separated 375 ml brandy 6 apples, cored and baked In a covered 12-quart stockpot, bring water to a boil. Add nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cloves, mace and cinnamon. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add sugar and sherry and heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Beat the egg yolks and whites separately; fold together. Put egg mixture in a large bowl, and slowly add the heated mixture to the eggs, 1/4 cup at a time at first, stirring each addition to slowly heat the eggs. Once the brew has been thoroughly mixed, add the brandy and the baked apples. “I keep my Wassail in a large [slow cooker] on low heat to prevent the eggs from curdling,” he writes. “If you don’t have a [slow cooker], keep it on the stove on low, but be very careful: even on low heat this mixture will get hot – quickly.”
DeSoto 79
exploring events } december Christmas Parades: November 30 New Albany, MS December 1 Clarksdale, MS December 4 Collierville, TN Greenwood, MS Tupelo, MS December 5 Greenville, MS Olive Branch, MS Vicksburg, MS Southaven, MS Cleveland, MS Corinth, MS
December 7 Hernando, MS Pontotoc, MS Senatobia, MS December 8 Horn Lake, MS Batesville, MS Coldwater, MS December 10 Marion, AR December 12 Germantown, TN Columbus, MS December 14 Como, MS
The Polar Express Train Ride Through December 27 Batesville, MS The Polar Express™ comes to the Grenada Railway for the first time, recreated to match all the sights and sounds of the beloved story. Picture the excitement of children dressed in pajamas with golden tickets clutched in their hands as they board the train and prepare to embark on their journey to the North Pole. For more information visit www.grenadapolarexpressride.com. 17th Annual Southern Lights Through December 31 Central Park Southaven, MS Begins at dark; check for closing hours; closed Christmas Day Address: Central Park, 7651 Tchulahoma Rd, Southaven Thanksgiving Day through December 31(except Christmas Day), drive through the 116-acre park with 500,000 twinkling lights. Admission: cars $10, vans & hay rides $15, buses $25 and motorcycles $5. Visit www.southaven.org. MS Delta Christmas Train Through December 23 Hopson Commissary Clarksdale, MS This will be the first year Mississippi Delta Railroad hosts a Christmas Train in Clarksdale, MS. List of activities that will be available: -20 minute train ride to look at Christmas light displays and decorations that will be set up along the track. For more information visit mississippideltarailroad.com or call 662-902-5129. Starry Nights Through December 27 Shelby Farms Park Memphis, TN Orion Starry Nights is a holiday tradition. More than 1.5 million lights illuminate the night sky in the largest drivethrough holiday light show and festival in the Mid-South! For more information visit, www.shelbyfarmspark.org. 80 DeSoto
Cancer Center Luncheon Featuring Robin Roberts December 4 The Peabody Hotel Memphis, TN 11:45am To purchase tickets, visit www.methodisthealth.org/ cancerluncheon or call 901-516-0500. DeSoto Family Theater Presents “Miracle on 34th Street” December 4 - December 20 Landers Theatre Southaven, MS For additional information visit, www.dftonline.org or call the DFT office at 662-280-6546. Purchase tickets at LANDERS Center box office, 662-470-2131, www.ticketmaster.com or call the DFT office. An Evening Out for Hernando Parks December 5 Hernando Performing Arts Center Hernando, MS 7:00pm Join the Hernando Parks & Recreation Foundation for the third Christmas in Hernando Symphony Concert featuring the Germantown Symphony Orchestra and the Mississippi Youth Chamber Orchestra. Tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased at Fairway Mortgage or online at www.hernandoparksfoundation.org. Cleveland Holiday Tour of Homes December 5 & 6 Cleveland, MS Tickets are $20 for one day or $30 for a weekend pass. They may be purchased in advance at the Cleveland Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, located at 600 Third Street. Visit www.holidaytourofhomescleveland.com or call 662-843-2712 for more information. Celebration on Ice December 8 - December 20 Gold Strike Casino Tunica Resorts, MS For ticket information call 888-245-7529 or visit ticketmaster.com Dicken’s on the Square Covington, TN Each year on the second weekend of December, the historic square is transformed into a Christmas setting of midVictorian England. For more information visit www.covington-tiptoncochamber.com. Story Time with Santa and Mrs. Claus December 15 4:00p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Museum of the Mississippi Delta Greenwood, MS Kids can get their picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Light refreshments www.museumofthemississippidelta.com
DeSoto 81
reflections} oh, silent night..and day
Oh, Silent Night... and Day Story and photography by Karen Ott Mayer
On the eve of many sacred holidays and the close of the year, I am struck. Like many, I have witnessed the Parisian massacre, the student protests, the political debates…and have gone to sleep at night feeling rather bombarded. While sorting these thoughts recently, I began to dwell on the function of silence and our recent inability to pause a moment and listen, or simply be quiet. Even Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post must be moving in a parallel universe when she recently called for a week of silence, asking for everyone to simply unplug. Phones. TV. Chatter. Debates. Whatever… Poking around online, I ran across an article in Psychology Today by Marilyn Price-Mitchell, an author and Fellow at the Institute for Social Innovation at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. While talking about silence leading to self-reflection she wrote: “The function of self-reflection is to make meaning. The creation of meaning is at the heart of what it means to be human.” In short, when we are silent, we are stripped down to the core of our own existence and faced with the purest form of honesty. There is no one to make excuses, no one to blame, no one to answer--except us. In silence, we are all equal. In North Mississippi, an interesting thing is happening, away from the cameras and the noise. On a farm in Tate County, a woman arrived about two years ago with a dream. A behavioral therapist and life coach who spends her days in very busy surroundings, filled with people, noise and phones, she returns home to her farm and husband where she purposely seeks peace and quiet (of course, amid the cackle of chickens and the bleating of goats). 82 DeSoto
Her dream? To build a labyrinth. For those completely unfamiliar with a labyrinth, in simple terms it is a structured path or tool used for psychological or spiritual meditation or enlightenment by “walking” the labyrinth. While some confuse this term with the idea of a maze, they are completely opposite. A maze has multiple paths or choices, but a labyrinth has only one path to the center. Another misconception is that a labyrinth is a new-age tool. It is quite the opposite. Labyrinths are ancient, with the first mentions in Greek mythology. Perhaps one of the most famous labyrinths is on the Chartres Cathedral floor in France. Dating to the early 13th century, this labyrinth has drawn thousands of pilgrims over the years. Special emphasis to walking a labyrinth is given during Lent and Advent, with Advent walks mirroring Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. My friend Maddison’s labyrinth is about half complete. With the help of friends and family, she hopes to complete it by Thanksgiving. It is brick with pebbled rock---and a large 50 feet square. And why is she spending her own time and money to build this ancient tool? Because she hopes to give visitors to her farm another reason to be quiet and reflect, not on the endless world chatter, but on the individual’s life journey. Whatever your faith, creed or nationality, I wish all your journeys into 2016 to be peaceful and quiet.
DeSoto 83
84 DeSoto