When the cooler, blustery days of November roll around, most people probably think of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. But during this month of falling leaves and acorns, handprint and pinecone turkeys, cranberry sauce and sweet potato pie, we've all got something else to be thankful for and that's our military and Veterans Day...that second holiday during the month of November. We all know someone who has served or is currently serving in some branch of the military. My grandfather, Rick Rick, served during World War II. He was in Okinawa where he survived a typhoon, and in other parts of Japan and at one time out on a ship somewhere. My mom was only three weeks old when he left home. The next time she saw him she was 3 1/2, but there is a scrapbook filled with letters and cards he sent home to his Little Judi. During a recent excursion through the cedar chest at my mom's we found his old uniform – scratchy thick wool and not big enough for a pencil – as well as some souvenirs he brought back from his travels. My dad was in the National Guard for 30-plus years and spent many a two-week summer camp in the woods and wilds of Camp Shelby, a place up until about nine years ago I'd only heard about. I've now had the opportunity to experience it up close and personal through visits to the post while working with the staff of their newspaper, The Reveille, which Hattiesburg Publishing revived about eight years ago and the first since WWII. As editor of Reveille, I’m also proud to have received a garrison coin from Command Sgt. Major (Ret.) Keith Waters during his time there. I've also had some great uncles – Flake, Lant, Art, (who is buried at Arlington National Cemetery), James, Elmer, Brown, and some dear friends in the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. It doesn't matter how we've become involved in the wars the United States has participated in or who got us involved, how long we've been there or were there...what matters is those dedicated men and women who have put their lives on the line time and time again to fight for our freedom. It's something not to be taken lightly. And with the many triumphs these soldiers have celebrated, there have been many heavy hearts and tears for those dear comrades lost through the long days and months of service. It's not something we like to think about day-in and day-out, but a harsh reality of this day and time and the world we live in. But we can do our part and be supportive of these brave men and women from across the country, many who have trained right here in our own backyard, and the families they leave behind. The Pine Belt has been lucky not to have lost any more soldiers than they have. But then one is too many. This month's Signature includes a story on the Veterans Walk of Honor currently under construction in Petal and the efforts to begin a Veterans Day Parade and other activities in Hattiesburg, which many hope will become an annual tradition. With the hard work and dedication these Pine Belt residents have thrown to the cause I have no doubt that they will be successful. Our “Meet the....” feature includes a man who served 20-plus years in the military and his wife, who currently works at Camp Shelby, and this months' Sig Q&A features the thoughts of a longtime military hero. There’s also a feature about the mother of a Hattiesburg woman who served as a code breaker during the service. During this month of thanksgiving, be sure and relay that thanks to the soldiers you see walking down the roads of Hattiesburg and the surrounding area, eating in our restaurants or shopping in our stores. We owe them a debt of gratitude we can never repay. Always remember....never forget.
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Happenings ........................................................ 4- 5 Gift Guide ...................................................... 50-51 Noteworthy Signature Events ............…………….......... 53-67 Hattiesburg highlighted in song titles .................................. 6 ArTEAst Festival ...................................................... 53 Meet the Pascarellas ...................................... 9 Business After Hours ................................................ 54 Fridays with Fedora .................................................. 55 ‘The King and I’ FGH/United Way Kickoff .......................................... 56 Homes of Hope Auction ............................................ 57 HCLO presents this musical classic .................................. 11 Lindley Retirement .................................................... 58 Winter Wonderland Pollitz Birthday .......................................................... 59 FGH’s one-of-a-kind family event...................................... 13 Jordan Family Reunion .............................................. 60 Spirit Girls Meeting .................................................... 61 Holidays are upon us Bremmer 55th Anniversary ........................................ 62 Plethora of holiday activities abound ........................ 15-19 United Way Kickoff .................................................... 63 Veterans Day Welcome Back Party ................................................ 64 Shades Reception .................................................... 65 Parade, memorial service planned .................................. 20 Centric Soul .............................................................. 65 JA Humanitarian of the Year WCU Scholarship Dinner .......................................... 66 Father Tommy Conway recognized ................................ 22 Signature Q&A Holiday Tour of Homes Sheila W. Varnado, retired Army colonel, S. Miss. Children’s Shelter benefits ........................ 25-26 executive director R3SM, Inc. ........................................ 68 Red Kettle Drive, Angel Tree ABOUT THE COVER: With backpacks and school Salvation Army kicks off events ........................................ 29 supplies in hand, Lee Cave of C Studio captured members of the Hattiesburg Junior Auxiliary busy Operation Christmas Child preparing for this year’s Red Carpet Gala Charity Ball on Collection Week Nov. 14-20 .............................................. 32 Nov. 11 (11-11-11) – from left, Emily Gardner, second vice president; Sarah Atkinson, president; LeAnn Vance, vice president and Traci Rouse, charity ball chairman. Veterans Walk of Honor Proceeds from the annual charity ball fund the Junior Work continues on Petal project .............................. 37-38 Auxiliary’s 24 service projects, which includes the annual backpack project. This year more than 1,200 backpacks Wedding were handed out at 15 Pine Belt schools. Buchanan, Bounds wed in Laurel .................................... 40 Signature Magazine • October 2011 • vol 6 number 8 Love & War publisher David Gustafson editor Beth Bunch Local’s mom was a WWII code breaker .................. 42-43 Food .................................................................. 46 Top Chef Q&A Meet Carmen Hardy Ford chef, Lake Terrace Conv. Center ............................
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contributors Dana Gower • Ashleigh Johnson • Lee Cave Chloe Rouse • Ed Lashley • Maj. Deidre Musgrave • Matt Bush advertising representatives Missy Pickering • Jessica Wallace art director Bill Benge graphic artist Emily Hall
Signature Magazine is a product of Hattiesburg Publishing, Inc., publisher of The Lamar Times, The Petal News, HubCitySPOKES, Camp Shelby Reveille and Signature Magazine. For information on submitting items for consideration, call (601) 268-2331 or email beth@HubCitySPOKES.com. To mail information or photos, send to Signature Magazine, 103 N. 40th Avenue, Hattiesburg, MS 39401.
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USM Theatre • “Fences” by August Wilson will be performed as the Studio Project, Hartwig Theatre on the USM campus. Show dates are 7:30 p.m. November 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 2 p.m. November 6. Set in 1957 Pittsburgh, Fences is the story of Troy Maxson, a former Negro Baseball League star excluded from the major leagues. Troy's bitterness takes its toll on his relationships with his wife and son, but leads to an affirmation of the power of hope, and human resilience. August Wilson won the Pulitzer Prize for this brilliant drama in 1987. Tickets are available at www.southernmisstickets.com
HCLO presents Eaglepalooza.... Eaglepalooza, a free concert sponsored by Southern Miss and now in its ninth year, is set for November 11. This year’s headliner will be Karmin, which brings together the simplicity of vocals and percussion. Karmin is Amy Heidemann (hip-hop/R&B feel) and Nick Noonan (classic rock and jazz). The event is open to the entire Hattiesburg community, not just Southern Miss students. The event offers many different genres of music and intriguing artists. Eaglepalooza is also the start of an end of semester celebration that everyone can appreciate and participate in.
Hattiesburg Concert Band The City of Hattiesburg
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Concert Band will host the second concert of its 29th season at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 13, at William Carey University. This free concert will be a Salute to America. The band presents a variety of music – from overtures, marches, solos, musicals, and even big band music. The first of four concerts for the season will feature oboist Wayne Miller from Madison and guest conductor Dr. John Jenkins of Bayou La Batre, Ala. The band is conducted by retired USM Music Professor Dr. Sherman Hong.The band invites those who play or played an instrument to become members of the all-volunteer regional concert band. There are no auditions and only require that each member does his/her best while having fun. The band rehearses twice before a concert. For more information contact the conductor at 601-264-5848
HCLO presents... Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera (HCLO) presents “The King and I” November 17-20 at the Saenger Theatre in Downtown Hattiesburg. The production features Pamela Jones and John Parke and is directed by Larry Mullican. Music is conducted by Jimmy Mullen and choreography by Garlinda Walls. Tickets go on sale to the general public Nov. 7 – $20 (Gold Circle), $16 (General) and $12 (Upper Balcony). For more information, please visit www.hclo.org
and facebook.com/Hattiesburg CivicLightOpera. You may also follow us on Twitter @HattCivOpera.
WCU Art Exhibits Throughout the year William Carey University is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of the university's namesake, William Carey, with a variety of events, including an art exhibition. The exhibit will be housed at the Lucile Parker Gallery through November 18, and will feature artwork inspired by the accomplishments and career of William Carey, the "father of modern missions." “Carey 250 Exhibition,” by South Mississippi Art Association members will hang through Nov. 28 in the Lucile Parker Gallery. For more information, call 601-318-6192
Lewis Lights The Lewis Lights display is located at 280 White Chapel Road, just off Hwy 11 near Purvis. The lights, in excess of 200,000, are turned on Thanksgiving night and are on each night through New Year’s Eve. Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. before Christmas and afterward, 5:30 p.m. to 8.p.m. The light display was started in 1989 by the Lewis family for the community. “We always went to see Christmas lights on Christmas Eve as kids,” said one family member. “People started not decorating as much anymore so we started our own show.”
At the Saenger.... • “Pinocchio” presented by the American Family Theater, 3 p.m. Sunday, November 26. AFT is the nation’s premier
producer of live entertainment for families and young audiences. Tickets are $10/$12 • Roots Reunion, 3 p.m. Sunday, December 3 – South Mississippi is returning to its roots – its musical roots, that is! The Roots Reunion live radio show is returning to the Saenger for its 13th edittion. Organized by the University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage and the School of Music’s entertainment industry program. The Roots Reunion gives local musicians an opportunity to share the musical traditions of Mississippi with a live audience. Free and open to the public • W inter Wonderland December 9 -10, Saenger Theater and throughout Downtown Hattiesburg. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Tickets for Adults $19/$22, Youth $11/$13. Join Forrest General Hospital, the Hattiesburg Concert Association's Meistersinger Chorus and Orchestra, the Dixie Darlings, and more at this festive event for the entire family! The Winter
Wonderland Concert will usher in the holiday spirit with amazing decorations and great entertainment. The Winter Wonderland Christmas Village across the street will inspire wintery visions for every child young and old. • Holiday Movie Series – 2 p.m. December 19 -22 – Enjoy classic holiday movies in the comfortable surroundings of The Saenger. Classic favorites to be shown on the big screen include “Miracle on 34th Street,” “A Christmas Carol,” and more. Doors open at 1 p.m. and special holiday concessions will be available in the lobby. Tickets are $2. The Saenger Theater Box office is open from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and at noon prior to all ticketed performances. You may visit the Box Office, call them at (601) 584-4888. Tickets may also be purchased from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Lake Terrace Convention Center. You may visit Lake Terrace or call them at (601) 268-3220 or (800) 638-6877.
Christmas in the Grove... Oak Grove Primary will once again host its annual Holiday in the Grove (Christmas Showcase) at5 p.m. December 1 – Santa Claus will be on hand, performances by your favorite primary students, good food and fun.
Holiday Tour of Homes.... Five magnificent homes will be on this year’s 5th Annual Christmas Parade of Homes set from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, December 3. Funds raised benefit the South Mississippi Children’s Shelter. Tickets are $25 to tour all the
homes. Tickets can be sold at Crye-Leike Signature One Realty, online as mchscares.org and will also be available at area businesses.
Lauren Rogers Museum Views from the Vault, December 2011-January 2012.
Christmas Open Houses... • 11 a.m.-1 p.m. December 14, Hattiesburg Visitors Center. Free admission. Join your friends at the Hattiesburg Visitors Center for the eighth annual Christmas Open House, featuring an appearance by Fox's Masterchef Whitney Miller and 2011 Mississippi Miss Hospitality Ann Claire Reynolds. • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. December 15, Christmas Open House at the African American Military History Museum. Free admission. Enjoy a 1940s-themed Christmas celebration complete with caroling, refreshments, and guided tours by Hattiesburg area veterans.
Christmas Parades... Cute kids, loud bands, colorful floats, cool antique cars and more are part of the area’s annual yuletide parades. And many communities make a day of it with other holiday-related events taking place before or after the parade. So, get involved and make a day of it with the kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews. Area parades are scheduled for: Hattiesburg: December 2, 6p Purvis: December 2, 7p Petal: December 3 Sumrall: December 17
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Warren Haynes
Hattiesburg Hustle, Hattiesburg Blues, Raining in Hattiesburg, Kickin’ It In Hattiesburg, Road to Hattiesburg, Hattiesburg & more By David GUSTAFSON magine my surprise earlier this year when, while flipping through the channels, I came across Warren Haynes, former Allman Brothers Band guitarist and front man for Gov’t Mule, strapping on his Gibson electric guitar and singing about... Hattiesburg, of all places. Haynes, whose song “Hattiesburg Hustle” appears on his “Man in Motion” album released earlier this year, was named Rolling Stone Magazine’s 23rd Greatest Guitarist of All-Time ahead of the likes of U2’s The Edge, Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, and John Fogerty. Haynes croons about the Hub City in his song about the rise to fame – and subsequent fall:
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Poor boy-hailed from Mississippi Had dreams beyond just a family Left home when he was just seventeen Never even looked back till he was twenty three By then he’d been through the ringer Made himself a name as a singer Read about in all of the papers How the boy got lost in the vapors
In fact, a quick check on iTunes reveals at least six songs with Hattiesburg in the title, not to mention the dozen or so dandies found on YouTube (not all of which are good – or appropriate for ears of all ages). And from the sound of things, Hattiesburg has quite a reputation – at least among songwriters. Here’s a recap of the five other tracks found on iTunes featuring Hattiesburg in the title: Hattiesburg Blues by Mississippi Heat Sounding a bit like Carlos Santa, this song by Mississippi Heat is the title track of a 2008 album from the Chicago-based blues band led by an Israeli-born Dutchman named Pierre Lacocque. With heavy horns and soulful vocals by Inetta Visor, “Hattiesburg Blues” tells the tale of a man who is up to no good down in Hattiesburg. He left for Hattiesburg, said his mother’s ill. Said he’d be back soon. He couldn’t stand still. Somethin’ ain’t right with my man. Can’t help but worry and moan. I’m packing my bags, goin’ to Mississippi Something’s gone bad, got to go see Maybe it’s over. Got to be strong. In my heart it feels so damn wrong.
Ego is a muscle-just add fame and watch it swell Do the Hattiesburg Hustle, shuffle ‘em off to Hell
As it turns out, Haynes’ rock/blues masterpiece is hardly the first song to be written about Hattiesburg.
It’s three months now, haven’t heard a word. I guess he’s hiding like a rare exotic bird.
Hattiesburg by Leslie Braly
Braly, an Alabama-born songwriter currently living in Seattle was born a couple of hours southeast of here in Mobile and grew up in Birmingham. A longtime veteran of the Birmingham music scene, she cut her chops performing covers of Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, Steve Earle, and Lucinda Williams and went into the studio in 2000 with her band, The Golden Mile, to record her 13-song independent debut album called “Songs From Shannon” that included the track, “Hattiesburg.” They penned me up for life in this here penitentiary. But they find I’m not a murderer. They find I’m not a thief. Well, I told that judge and jury that I did not kill that man. There’s no need to go back there just to clear my name. Go tell your momma. Tell her to her face. Well, I may not be righteous, but I’m no disgrace. It don’t matter what you heard, I’m not going back to Hattiesburg
Raining in Hattiesburg by Kasey Anderson With his “world-weary voice and gritty, narrativedriven songs,” the pacific northwest’s Anderson has received critical acclaim for his three albums including 2004’s “Dead Roses,” which features the track “Raining in Hattiesburg.” Having been compared to the likes of Steve
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ike and Lucinda Pascarella aren’t natives to the area or even the state, but they’ve certainly made it their family’s home. Mike currently serves as executive director and construction manager for the Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity, while Lucinda works in the housing office for the 177th Armored Brigade at Camp Shelby. Mike grew up in East Millsboro, Penn., a small country town southwest of Pittsburgh where “all you do is hunt, enjoy the great outdoors and watch the Pittsburgh Steelers play football.” Lucinda grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, where “she lived on the beach and at the mall.” The couple met in Germany in 1991 where they were both stationed in the Army. Following high school graduation, Michael joined the Army and went to AIT (Advanced Individual Training) for Air Defense Artillery, having completed some college courses. Lucinda enlisted and attended AIT for Imagery Analyst studies. Upon leaving Germany, Michael was stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga., leaving Lucinda behind. She said it was after a two-week visit with Mike in the states that the couple realized a future together was certain. Upon returning to Germany Lucinda submitted paperwork to leave the military and was remained separated from Michael for about 10 months. She then transitioned to Hinesville, Ga., in June 1992 to be closer to him. They were married in February of 1993. It was during 1993 that Michael was also awarded custody of his daughter, Amanda, and so the Pascarellas had a ready-made family. The new family moved to Fort Polk, La., before being sent to Kitzingen, Germany, a few years later. Six months later Michael deployed to Bosnia. Lucinda stayed busy volunteering with the Family Support Group and also at the housing office, where she was later selected for a permanent position. “That’s where I learned my calling in life was to work with soldiers and families,” she said. The Pascarella’s first son, Michael Edward, was born in February of 1991. And when Mikey was just two months old, his dad, a platoon sergeant, who loved his job and his soldiers, was deployed again and didn’t return until Mikey was 10 months old. While stationed in Germany the couple enjoyed traveling across Europe to Spain, Italy, France, Czechoslovakia, Holland and Denmark. Five years later they returned to the United States and were stationed at Camp Shelby. The couple describes life in the Army here as “quite different.” “Michael had a lot of time off,” Lucinda remembers. After reading an article about a church seeking volun-
teers to help build homes with the Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity, Michael’s love of building sent him to volunteer. It was here that he was immediately infected with “Habitatitus.” “Little did we know that the article would change our lives,” Lucinda said. Mike continued as a site supervisor for the non-profit agency then as a paid site supervisor for about five years. During this time, Lucinda was offered a job at Camp Shelby working for the 3/87th, now the 177th Armored Brigade, as an Office Automation Technician. She describes her job with soldiers as “very rewarding” helping to train them to prepare for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2005 as Mike prepared for retirement, the couple decided they weren’t ready to leave the Hospitality state, so they built a house in the Dixie Community and decided to stay for awhile. Upon informing his family of his and Lucinda’s intentions to remain in Mississippi for the foreseeable future, his entire family decided to move here also – his parents, Earl and Margaret Watson, and his sisters, Michelle Pascarella and Kerri Newell and their families. They were
all here within six weeks. At this time, Michael started M&E Construction where he was joined by his father and brother-in-law and Lucinda helped with the paperwork. In June 2006 Michael retired and welcomed the birth of their first grandchild, Anthony Jacob “AJ” Evans, who also lived in the area for about a year before moving back to Pennsylvania. At this point, Michael was offered the construction manager’s position with Habitat where once again his father and brother-in-law worked alongside him. “This was very rewarding because they were able to get to know each other other again,” said Lucinda. “When the military takes you away for 20 years you’d be surprised at how much you don’t know about each other.” Soon after, Lucinda’s brother, who was with the Active Guard Reserves, was stationed here and joined the one big happy family. In 2007, Michael’s mother underwent surgery in a Jackson hospital. Not feeling well, her husband left the room to take some medication and had only taken a few steps out into the hall before suffering a massive heart attack. “We lost such an important part of our family that day,”
Lucinda said. “But with the support of our beloved friends and church family at Court Street United Methodist Church, we were able to get through the most difficult time our family has ever endured.” Though grieving, the family was blessed with the news of a second child, Chance Joseph, who was born eight months later. They welcomed a second grandson, Austin, last year. The men in the Pascarella family love to play disc golf. Mikey plays basketball for Dixie Community League and Dixie Attendance Center. He is in the band where he plays the saxophone and also participates in Boy Scouts. Chance is learning how to talk and getting into everything. “His smile and curly hair make you want to hug him forever,” according to his proud Momma. Mike also serves as a trustee at Court Street United Methodist, where Lucinda teaches crafts to the youth at church and serves as the nursery liaison and is on the Lay/Nominations Committee. She also speaks often and passionately about her Hispanic heritage and adoption. She has chaired the Family Services Committee for Habitat for 9 years. Michael also volunteers with the Dixie Community Basketball League The family loves the Dixie Community where they live and say all the people “are nice and everyone waves at everyone. You may not know them all, but you know what kind of car they drive and where they live,” Lucinda said. “We wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.” The family considers themselves homebodies who like to stay close to home and just be together. While serious about a lot of things, they also like to have a lot of fun doing things. They enjoy watching movies and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers and going to Christmas festivals. And they are all involved in some aspect of Habitat. Lucinda said she helps with whatever needs to be done, while the kids have painted doors, windows and done yardwork. “We love Habitat, which is an ongoing topic at our house,” Lucinda said. “We love the mission and will always be a part of it.” The family is also very patriotic because of the 20 years Michael spent in the Army. “We don’t just bleed red, we bleed red, white and blue,” said Lucinda. “Soldiers and military families are very near and dear to our hearts. Some may say we are busy people and do too much, but we feel that the Lord has placed us where He wants us to be and doing the things He wants us to do. We love where we have been, where we are now, but look forward to what the future holds for us.”
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attiesburg Civic Light Opera hopes to be "Getting To Know You" as its fall show, “The King And I,” is performed at the Historic Saenger Theater Nov. 17-20. The show is directed by Larry Mullican, with music conducted by Jimmy Mullen and choreography by Garlinda Walls. Pamela Jones headlines as Anna Leonowens, alongside John Parker as the King of Siam. A tale of how clashing cultures come to a mutual understanding, “The King And I” is a long-beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein mainstay with an enduring cast of side characters who all serve the main storyline. British school teacher Anna Leonowens and her young son, Louis, arrive in Siam in 1862 under contract to instruct the King's many children English language plus Western culture. Her pay is to be a rather handsome salary plus a private house near the Siamese palace. The King is hesitant to fulfill all of his agreement, as he resents Anna's refusal to kowtow to him. Further complications arise with the arrival of the beautiful Tuptim, a diplomatic "gift" from Burma and who is to be yet another wife for the polygamist king. She is secretly in love with Lun Tha, a Burmese scholar, who has accompanied her under the pretense of copying the temple. And British envoys announce an arrival sooner than expected, whereby they will adjudicate the efforts of assimilating the Siamese into Western culture. Unforgettable songs such as "I Whistle A Happy Tune," "The Bangkok Royal Academy," "We Kiss In A Shadow," "A Puzzlement," "Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You" and "Western People Funny" give way to showstopper, "Shall We Dance." “The King And I”’ is based upon Margaret Landon's fictionalized 1944 book “Anna And The King Of Siam.” The concept of a musical adaptation was first presented by Landon's attorney, Fanny Holtzmann, to Rodgers and Hammerstein, who were reticent to take on the project until they saw the 1946 movie adaptation of Landon's book. A deal was worked out, and the Broadway show eventually opened in 1951, with Gertrude Lawrence and Yul Brynner in the lead roles. This is the third time Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera, in its 36-year history, will produce “The King and I.” Current HCLO president Sandy Whitacre says, "This show is such a classic staple of musical theatre, it was simply time to do it again." Visit http://www.hclo.org for ticket information
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Join Forrest General, the Hattiesburg Concert Association’s Meistersinger Chorus and Orchestra, the Southern Miss Dixie Darlings, La Studio Academy of Dance, On Your Toes Dance Studio and more at Winter Wonderland – a magical holiday event that is becoming a tradition for Pine Belt families! The second annual Winter Wonderland, to be held on Dec. 9-10 in Downtown Hattiesburg, will celebrate Forrest General’s family-centered care with family-centered fun! Winter Wonderland will feature exciting ways for both the young and young-at-heart to start their holiday season off with laughter and wonderful memories. Inspire the imagination and usher in the holiday spirit during the Christmas Village activities, where young ones will take home their own magical reindeer food and ornaments, sample delicious treats in Mrs. Claus’ Sweet Shoppe and be entertained by the sights and sounds of Victorian carolers and other costumed characters. Children can get a head start on their wish lists by writing letters to Santa, then take photos with the big man himself and his elves! Following the Christmas Village activities, adults and children alike will be treated to the beautiful sounds of the season during the Winter Wonderland Concert with the
Hattiesburg Concert Association’s Meistersinger Chorus and Orchestra, the Southern Miss Dixie Darlings and other talented performers, including a visit from Forrest General’s ambassadors, Forrest the Deer and his friend Emerald. “Our first Winter Wonderland event in December 2010 was a great success, beginning what we hope will be a holiday tradition for families across the Pine Belt and beyond,” said Millie Swan, Forrest General Chief Marketing and Medical Staff Services Officer. “We are so excited to offer an event of this kind in our area that celebrates Forrest General’s family-centered care and offers an opportunity to make lasting holiday memories with loved ones. Caring for families throughout every stage of life is a very important part of Forrest General’s service to our community, and this event is designed to celebrate the families and children of our region and offer a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season in style. Winter Wonderland is sure to become an event that families look forward to each year.” This year’s event will include two performances to allow more families to experience the wonder and beauty of Winter Wonderland. On Friday, Dec. 9, Christmas Village activities will take place at Jackie Dole Sherrill Continued on next page
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Community Center in Downtown Hattiesburg from 5:30 – 7 p.m. with the Winter Wonderland concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Saenger Theatre. On Saturday, Dec. 10, Christmas Village activities are from noon – 1:30 p.m. followed by the Winter Wonderland concert at 2 p.m. and an additional opportunity to experience the Christmas Village from 3:30 – 5 p.m. Families are encouraged to spend their weekend in Downtown Hattiesburg kicking off the holiday season by attending Winter Wonderland as well as participating in the Holiday Art Walk, 35th Annual Victorian Candlelit Christmas and the exciting hands-on preview of the new Children’s Museum of South Mississippi. The holidays are upon us.... Tickets for Winter Wonderland are now on sale and can be purchased through the Saenger Theatre by calling 601-584-4888 or by visiting HattiesburgSaenger.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Saenger Theatre box office from 12 – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or at the Hattiesburg Lake Terrace Convention Center from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. All tickets include admission to the Winter Wonderland Christmas Village and Concert. For additional information on Winter Wonderland or other Forrest General events and services, visit forrestgeneral.com.
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t’s beginning to look a lot like... well, that busy time of year which we kick off the first weekend in November with a time change that throws everything into darkness about the time we get off work. And then there are the Veterans Day observances and a tribute to those who have and are fighting for our freedom. This is quickly followed by Thanksgiving and then a whirlwind of December holidays from Hanukkah to Christmas and Kwanzaa and then the welcoming of a new year. There’s also the first day of winter thrown in for good measure. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Take a deep breath, get a nice pencil with eraser and your 2011 planner and turn it to NOW. Businesses, clubs and organizations, artisans, craftsmen and the like have been busy planning an annual slate of events which occur during the last quarter of the year, especially November and December and this year’s calendar is no exception. From east to west, north to south, you’re sure to find several events you’ll want to attend. Many area businesses want you to have a preview of what’s to come for the holiday season, so during the first weekend of month they’ve scheduled annual holiday open houses. Stores are dressed to the hilt in garland, ribbon, ornaments and every type holiday accoutrement you can imagine and not necessarily in just the traditional reds and greens.
Veteran’s Day
sary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I, honors military veterans. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world. For the first time, Hattiesburg will observe the day with its first-ever Veteran’s Day parade, which will honor Col. George Robert Hall, a native son who was shot down in 1965 near Hanoi and became a prisoner of war, and World War II and Korean-era veterans. The parade,which will wind through the streets of downtown Hattiesburg will begin at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m. the Annual Veterans Day Program will be held at Veterans Memorial Park. Guest speaker will be Miss. District 4 Congressman Steven Palazzo. The ceremony will also honor the Veteran of the Year and the unveiling of the Col. George Robert Hall Kiosk in Veterans Park. Following the program, a reception will be held in the VFW Home adjacent to the Veterans Park. The public is invited to the free event. At 2 p.m. there will be a George Robert Hall Book Signing at Main Street Books. For more information about the parade, contact George Herrington, 601-520-1041 or for the Veterans Day Program, call Ted Tibbett, 601-261-0898.
Holiday Open Houses
I Veteran’s Day, a federal holiday observed on Nov. 11, the anniver-
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I Newpointe... The Newpointe Holiday Open House is from 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. There will be refreshments, entertainment, store promotions, new holiday merchandise, discounts, door prizes and fun for the entire family. There will be train rides for the children from 2-5 p.m. Pictures with Santa will also be offered. Newpointe is located at 6555 Hwy. 98 West in Hattiesburg just
past the Old Hwy 11 intersection. For more details visit www.newpointeshoppingcenter.com I Downtown Open Houses... 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 19 The Holiday Season for downtown businesses officially begins on Nov. 19 with the Holiday Open House throughout the historic streets. Featuring traditional open house activities, there will be extended shopping hours. Santa Claus will be on hand, along with other Christmas guests. Visitors will have the opportunity to register for prizes at each downtown merchant. I African American Military Museum... Christmas Open House at the African American Military will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 15. This is free and open to the public. Guests will enjoy a 1940sthemed Christmas celebration complete with caroling, refreshments, and guided tours by Hattiesburg area veterans. The museum, which was opened in 1942 as a USO Club served as a home-away-fromhome for African American soldiers stationed at Camp Shelby, is located at 305 East 6th Street. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and a Mississippi Landmark, it is the only remaining USO constructed especially for African American soldiers still in public use in the United States. I Hattiesburg Visitors Center... Christmas Open House at the Hattiesburg Visitors Center will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 14. Join your friends at the Hattiesburg Visitors Center for this eighth annual event, which will feature an appearance by Fox's Masterchef Whitney Miller, a USM graduate, and 2011Mississippi Miss Hospitality Ann Claire Reynolds of Petal. The Visitor’s Center is located in front of Lake Terrace Convention Center.
Special activities I “The King and I”... Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera (HCLO) presents
“The King and I” Nov. 17-20 at the Saenger Theatre in Downtown Hattiesburg. The production features Pamela Jones and John Parke and is directed by Larry Mullican. Music is conducted by Jimmy Mullen and choreography by Garlinda Walls. Tickets go on sale to the general public Nov. 7 – $20 (Gold Circle), $16 (General) and $12 (Upper Balcony). For more information, please visit www.hclo.org and facebook.-com/-HattiesburgCivicLightOpera. You may also follow them on Twitter @HattCivOpera. I Pinocchio... The fictional character Pinocchio and his famous “growing” nose will come to the Saenger stage at 3 p.m. Nov. 26. The production is presented by the American Family Theater, the nation's premier producer of live shows for families and young audiences. This musical captures the spirit of a timeless classic with the excitement and magic found only in a live, on-stage performance. Tickets are $10 / $12 and can be purchased from the Saenger box office, which is open from 12 p.m. 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and at noon prior to all ticketed performances or by phone, (601) 5844888. Tickets may also be purchased from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Lake Terrace Convention Center. You may visit Lake Terrace or call them at (601) 268-3220 or (800) 638-6877. I Sounds of the Season... The traditional music of the holiday season will not be overlooked as a troupe from William Carey University presents “Sounds of The Season. This unique program Continued on page 19
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brings performers to a downtown restaurant each Tuesday and Thursday in December during the noon hour, entertaining diners with traditional holiday sounds. Participating restaurants include The Bottling Co., The Pastry Garden, Walnut Circle Grill, brownstone’s, Depot Coffee Shop/Bistro, 206 Front, Bianchi’s Pizza, and Hub City Diner. For more information, call 601-5834329 or visit www.downtownhattiesburg.com I Official Christmas Tree Lighting... Major Johnny DuPree and wife, Johniece, will officially light the city’s Christmas tree during a special ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Town Square Park. The pre-lighting events will include choirs performing on stage, pictures with Santa at the gazebo, hot chocolate and sweet treats. Downtown shops will be open late for this event. I Christmas Parade... The Hattiesburg Jaycees Christmas Parade will roll through the streets of Downtown Hattiesburg beginning at 3 p.m. Dec. 3. One of Hattiesburg’s oldest Christmas events is the parade. This year’s theme is “Christmas Memories.” The parade will feature floats, bands, antique cars and other units, which will assemble near the Library and move from Green Street to Hardy, to Front St., down Main St. to McLeod and end back at the Library. For more parade information, call 601-336-0527 or email hattiesburgjaycees@gmail.com or find them on facebook. I USM Tree Lighting... The Christmas Tree Lighting on the University of Southern Mississippi campus is set for 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. I Holiday Tour of Homes... The 5th Annual Christmas Parade of Homes, which benefits the South Mississippi Children’s Shelter, is set for 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. The tour, which features five homes this year, is sponsored by Crye-Leike Signature One Realty. I Roots Reunion... South Mississippi musicians will showcase their talents during the 13th season of the Roots Reunion live radio show from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 3 at Hattiesburg’s historic Saenger Theater. Organized by the University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage, the School of Music and
Entertainment Industry Program, Roots Reunion gives local musicians an opportunity to share with the public the musical traditions of South Mississippi. The upcoming show features blues, bluegrass, folk and classic country performers. The show is free and open to the public. Listeners can tune-in to W-USM 88.5 FM to hear the show broadcast live throughout Hattiesburg and worldwide at http://www.usm.edu/wusm. I Main Street Books will host the 8th Annual Author Extravaganza from 4-7 p.m. Dec. 5. Authors from across the state will be on hand to sign their works. The bookstore is located at 210 Main Street. I Holiday Art Walk...Tradition will abound downtown with the 2011 version of Holiday Art Walk, set for 4-9 p.m. Dec. 10 throughout Downtown Hattiesburg. The fivehour event will feature special events and refreshments in all businesses. The streets will be filled with bands, carolers, artists on the street, holiday characters and eager shoppers.
served at The Walthall Room. There will be free Hattiesburg Trolley shuttles between The Walthall and Art Walk. The hub for all activity and tickets for carriage rides and Home Tours will be The Walthall Room located at The Walthall Condominiums (600 Rebecca Ave).For more information visit http://www.hattiesburghistoricneighborhood.com or email info@hattiesburghistoricneighborhood.com. I The Nutcracker Ballet... It just wouldn’t be the holiday season without a performance of The Nutcracker ballet. This year South Miss. Ballet Theatre will stage the two-act ballet Friday, Dec. 16, through Sunday, Dec. 18, at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Mannoni Performing Arts Center. More than 75 dancers from across Southeast Mississippi are cast in this year’s production. Dmitry Hanibolotskiy will be guest
dancer. He trained in Russia and has danced as a soloist and principal dancer through Russia, Europe and the U.S. This year’s production will include all new sets and many new costumes. Tickets are $12 for children, military and groups of 8 or more and $15 for adults. Ticket information can be found at www.southmsballet.org or by calling 601-466-4554. I Holiday Movie Series... Christmas at the Saenger will be wrapped in Black and White again this holiday season. The historic theater will once again host its annual Holiday Movie Series at 2 p.m. each day Dec. 19-22. Moviegoers are invited to enjoy such holiday classics as "Miracle on 34th Street," "A Christmas Story," "It's a Wonderful Life," and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Special holiday concessions will be available. Tickets are $2.
I Victorian Candlelighting... As the afternoon turns into night, the Historic Hattiesburg Neighborhood Assoc. in Downtown Hattiesburg will come aglow with the Victorian Candlelighting Dec. 10-11. Candles light the streets, walks and driveways of the Historic Neighborhood, which is decorated for the season. There will be carriage rides, roaming carolers, open house tours and refreshments
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By Dana GOWER What is being billed as Hattiesburg’s first-ever Veteran’s Day parade is being planned for Nov. 11 in downtown Hattiesburg, beginning at 9 a.m. Retired Col. George Robert Hall,
The event is being organized by the Pine Belt Chapter of the Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association. Marion Walley of Oak Grove, who serves as president of the local chapter, said the Pine Belt Chapter was reorganized recently. “We started an E-9 association
Col. George Robert Hall with a RF-4C Phantom fighter in South Vietnam who spent seven years as a prisoner of war after being shot down in Vietnam, will serve as the parade’s grand marshal. World War II and Korean veterans also will be honored as members of the parade, including WWII veteran Angus Moody, 100, of Oak Grove, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and Korean War veteran Ret. Command Sgt. Maj. Claude Stanford. Among the groups scheduled to participate in the parade are the Camp Shelby Color Guard, the Youth Challenge Program – which will include 50 cadets carrying state flags – and bands from the University of Southern Mississippi and Hattiesburg, Oak Grove, Purvis, Sumrall and Forrest County Agricultural high schools. Numerous other entrees are scheduled, including the Hattiesburg ladder truck, which will be last in the parade and will set up the flag at Veterans Memorial Park.
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back in 2002, but we sort of let it die,” Walley said. “Last year in October, we resurrected it.” Although the Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association has a large membership nationwide, Walley said, there are only two chapters. The other one is in Colorado, where the national headquarters also is located. This year’s parade is set to begin at the fire station on McLeod Street and will proceed to Fourth Street and then Green Street at Hawkins school before moving up to Hardy Street, where there will be a reviewing stand for dignitaries. The parade is then scheduled to continue to the VFW Post and on to Railroad Street, where it will disband. A display of military vehicles is scheduled to be staged at the parking lot near Trustmark Bank. Immediately following the parade, this year’s annual Veterans Day ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at Veterans
Memorial Park, where Hall is schedUnited States, and to support a uled to be recognized as Veteran of defense budget that will provide modthe Year. U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo, ern and sufficient equipment to allow congressman for Mississippi’s Fourth military personnel to safely and effecCongressional District, will be the tively accomplish their mission. guest speaker. The group also seeks to educate Walley said the parade should end the public and members of Congress just in time for the beginning of the about the uniformed services and Veterans Day ceremony. their most important asset, “Right now, we’re bumping its people, and to promote right up against 10 o’clock,” improved quality-of-life and he said, adding that he economic fairness that will expects the parade to consupport the well-being of the tinue to grow during the men and women of coming years. America's uniformed servic“From now on, our plan is es and their families. for this to be an annual The Armed Forces Top event,” Walley said of the Enlisted Association is a parade. non-profit veteran's organiCongressman This year’s parade will zation representing the Steven Palazzo include the presentation of professional and personflags from every state in the al interests of active nation, he said, noting, “There’s duty and retired men and never been a parade locally that’s women of America's had 50 state flags.” Uniformed Services, Following the parade, there will be National Guard and military vehicles on display, staged at Reserve. Trustmark Bank. “We’ll have some unique vehicles,” he said. “I’m excited,” Walley said of the upcoming event. “We want to tape the whole thing. We want to put it on a CD and sell it.” The Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association is an alliance of senior non-commissioned officers who have joined in supporting all aspects of national security, with an emphasis on the men and women who serve and who have served. The organization’s mission is to advocate a strong national defense that will protect the security of the
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Father Tommy Conway, of Hattiesburg, has been selected as Junior Auxiliary’s 2011 Humanitarian of the Year. The Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented each year to an individual who has performed outstanding volunteer service in the Hattiesburg community. Recently honored for the 25th anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood, Father Tommy currently serves as priest at Hattiesburg’s St. Thomas Aqunas Catholic Church, but his recognition as Humanitarian of the Year is due to the spirit of giving and service reflected in every aspect of his life, both personal and professional. “Father Tommy’s volunteer service has made our community a better place to live. His willingness to help everyone, regardless of race, religion, or other factors is an inspiration to all who have the pleasure of knowing him. He is a living example of the value of charitable work and giving,” said Jo Hailey, who nominated Father Tommy for JA’s Humanitarian of the Year. Described as an exceptional leader with a contagious enthusiasm, Father Tommy’s volunteer service includes work for charities such as Habitat for Humanity, American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. In addition to helping established charities reach their goals, Father Tommy joined forces with a parishioner this past year to form a new group, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, designed to identify specific needs in the community and offer solutions. Among many other examples, this project touched one woman’s life in a meaningful way by helping her escape an abusive environment. Through Neighbors Helping Neighbors, this woman received financial assistance, transportation and the location of a
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safe haven away from her abuser. It is said of Father Tommy that his entire life is dedicated to serving the community. “He works tirelessly, around the clock sometimes, to provide strength for those in need,” said Hailey. The Humanitarian of the Year award seeks to foster the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals in the Hattiesburg area who have unselfishly and generously given of their time, talents, and efforts to better the community and its citizens. Each year one winner is chosen and receives a $500 donation to be given to the 501(c)(3) organization of his/her choice. In addition, a $500 college scholarship will be awarded in their name to a deserving high school senior through the Junior Auxiliary Scholarship Program. Former Humanitarian recipients include: Dr. Etoile Dubard, Dr. D.B. Conerly, Darleen Dale, Rev Bill Prout, Joey Pace, Rev. Henry Craft, Russ Hendley, Frances Bounds, Cena Holifield and Jack Kennedy. Hattiesburg’s Junior Auxiliary will formally honor Father Tommy at the annual Charity Ball. This year’s event is scheduled for 11-11-11 (Friday, Nov. 11) at 7 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Lake Terrace Convention Center and will feature a “Red Carpet Gala” theme. Through Charity Ball, JA of Hattiesburg raises the funds needed to pay for their 24 annual service projects, including Family Affair, an award-winning project where adopted families receive hands-on, relational care and financial assistance, working toward the goal of independence. For more information about Junior Auxiliary or to purchase tickets to the Charity Ball “Red Carpet Gala,” visit www.HattiesburgJuniorAuxiliary.org.
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he Holiday Tour of Homes, which is in its fifth year in Hattiesburg, was born out of a love for those the proceeds benefit – children associated with the South Mississippi Children’s Shelter. The tour was the brainchild of Hub City native Teresa Asquith, a Realtor with Crye-Leike Signature One Realty, who had been involved with a similar tour in Mobile, which benefited foster children. She and husband, Brett, got involved in the system pretty much by accident. The couple had friends who were foster parents to three teenage girls. “One night the husband had a massive stroke and we took the girls in,” Asquith remembers. “DHS didn’t come for them for three months and when they did, we had become attached to them.” Two of the girls were placed in other homes, but one girl, who was pregnant at the time, was left with the Asquiths. “We kept her and eventually her baby as
well,” said Asquith. “Debbie lived with us and graduated from high school, later married and is like a daughter to us.” Since then the family has become no stranger to the system, having gone on to keep 43 more children for the state, sometimes keeping them anywhere from three months to three years. “We also kept about 20 babies for a private adoption agency,” she said. The Asquiths have seven children – six sons and a daughter, “who cost more than all my sons combined.” “The oldest and youngest were born in my heart,” she said, “but the others are ‘belly’ children.” When the family moved back to Hattiesburg, having lived in both California and Alabama, Asquith was asked to serve on the board of the South Mississippi Children’s Shelter. The shelter, which supports children in 19 South Mississippi counties and depends solely on event proceeds and donations, serves children 9-17
that are battered, abandoned, abused, neglected, homeless or have run-away. The 15-bed emergency shelter offers a safe, caring environment, meals, clothing, counseling, case management, medical and dental services, psychological evaluation, recreation, and transportation to and from school and medical appointments for up to 45 days while the children await recommendation for appropriate placement.The center is a program of Mississippi Children’s Home Services, www.mchscares.org. “I just fell in love with the kids there,” she said. She started helping with the annual fundraiser, a Wine Tasting and Silent Auction and five years ago decided to start the Tour of Homes as a second shelter fundraiser. Asquith said that on more than one occasion, she and her husband have also ended up with kids who age out of the shelter. “We have a hard time saying no to helping out with kids in
general and have ended up with quite a few! The reason I wanted to have the Holiday Tour of Homes is because I always enjoy them. I love attending them with my friends and getting lots of fun ideas for decorating,” she said. “I also love getting to meet the people, while feeling like I am helping out the shelter. Every dollar earned goes directly to the shelter. Everything involved with the project is donated, so there’s no overhead that’s got to come off the top.” This year’s Holiday Tour of Homes is set for 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. The tour, which features five homes, is again sponsored by Crye-Leike Signature One Realty. Those purchasing tickets will visit outstanding houses which are smartly dressed in the colors of the season. Guests will see a mixed lot – everything from whimsical holiday Continued on next page
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characters and Santas that will delight young children to nativity scenes, Old World decorations and more traditional holiday-themed decor. Homes featured on this year’s tour include those of Charles and Sweetie Greer, John Stanton Barber and Stacey Lea Sims, Denton and Kelly Spiers, Larry and Jane Shurden and David and Terri Parker. All of the homes are located in the western part of Hattiesburg in the Oak Grove community – four in Canebrake and one in Bent Creek.. “We encourage people to purchase their tickets prior to the event, so they will have all the pertinent information prior to the day of the tour,” said Asquith. “We will have live music and entertainment at each of the homes as well as treats or light refreshments,” said Asquith. The holiday decor in the Greer home, located at 11 Windbourne, will be themed around family traditions which the family holds so dear.
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Family ornaments are used to adorn the family Christmas tree. Each year the Greers choose a different theme and the children love taking turns pinning the daily marker on the advent calendar that their grandmother handmade for them. At the home of John Stanton Barber and Stacey Lea Sims at 69 Cambrooke in Bent Creek, the halls will be decked with holiday cheer including some 10 – 12 trees decorated by theme. A large display of family decorations handed down through the years will be part of this year’s decor. Much of the collection comes from Stacey’s mother and creates a lot of excitement with past traditions being passed down to generations to come. The Canebrake home of Larry and Jane Shurden on Marais Ridge will have the stockings hung by the chimney with care. At the Shurden home, family tradition centers around stockings hung with letters from Santa appearing in each. Each
child finds his or her stocking with a personal note from Santa and a puzzle or riddle that must be solved before that child can identify which of the unmarked presents under the tree belongs to them. A lot of natural greenery native to the area is used in decorating. Here you will find pine, holly and plenty of berries decking the halls The home of Denton and Kelly Spiers at 8 Indian Bayou will be adorned with holiday traditions that will make you dream of visions of sugar plums dancing in your head. David and Terri Parker’s home at 16 Sunset Circle will be decorated from head to toe. Every inch of the home will be decorated, each room with its own theme and everything from trees decorated with toys to hand-blown glass ornaments. The kitchen displays gingerbread and nutcrackers and each child has his own tree to decorate in his own personal style. “We so appreciate these home-
owners who have graciously opened their homes for the benefit of the children,” said Asquith. “We are excited to have the opportunity to sponsor this event.” Asquith said the tour can be started at any home and all homes are available to be viewed from 1-5 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Crye-Leike Signature One Realty office, through any of their agents, and at several businesses around time. For more information, call the office at 601-336-6941 or by visiting www.mchscares.org. Programs will be distributed upon ticket purchase and will include background information about each home, as well as a map. Signs along the route will help direct guests between homes.
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The Origin of The Salvation Army
Red Kettle
The Salvation Army is making an extended effort this holiday season to bring a ray of hope to local families frustrated by the harsh realities of making ends meet and in need of a helping hand during these hard economic times. Traditionally, the friendly faces of The Salvation Army’s bell ringers in the Greater Hattiesburg Area, alongside their red kettles, help generate a large degree of local support for programs community wide, but the organization this year faces financial challenges as it strives to meet the growing local need. “Southeast Mississippi is a growing area, but a part of that growth is in the number of people barely able to supply their families’ basic needs. Yet, we are also grateful to be living in communities where the spirit of giving to others in need is so strong, especially around the holidays,” said Captain Andy Gilliam, local Corps officer. The Salvation Army is dedicated to its peopleserving ministry, not only during the holiday season, but year round. Gilliam adds, “Although the Salvation Army’s visibility is more heightened during the holidays, we want everyone to know our programs are ongoing. We all need to come together to revitalize and strengthen the core of our local community by offering support to those needy families and individuals in any way we can.” The annual kickoff event to officially open the Christmas season will be at noon Nov. 19 at Turtle Creek Center Court in front of JCPenney. The community is invited to come out and hear the wonderful voices of the Sacred Heart Pre-K students serving as honorary angels for the event and witness the ribbon cutting. The Salvation Army Angel Tree will then begin to be manned by volunteers daily until Dec. 14. Other public trees will be located at Imagination
Station, Grand Bank, Wesley Medical Center Cafeteria, and Forrest General Hospital Cafeteria in the Hattiesburg area. The University of Southern Mississippi’s Community Service Learning will be hosting a tree in The Union for staff and students of USM to adopt an angel. The Red Kettles will also be out in front of local businesses until Dec. 24. Volunteers are still very much needed to help man all the locations for both programs as well as assisting in the Toy Warehouse beginning Dec. 11. If you can give several hours of your time during this holiday season to help needy families receive a brighter Christmas, please call the office at 601-544-3684 for more information on the times and locations. The Salvation Army in the Greater Hattiesburg area, serving communities of Lamar, Perry, Covington, Forrest, Marion, Greene and Jefferson Davis Counties, provides food, toys and support services to more than 12,000 individuals and families during the holiday season. Throughout the year, The Salvation Army’s many programs for the needy help an additional 40,000-plus people. More information can be found on the website at www.salvationarmyhattiesburg.org . The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing, shelter and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
The Salvation Army Captain in San Francisco had resolved, in December of 1891, to provide a free Christmas dinner to the area’s poor persons. But how would he pay for the food? As he went about his daily tasks, the question stayed in his mind. Suddenly, his thoughts went back to his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England. On the Stage Landing he saw a large pot, called “Simpson’s pot” into which charitable donations were thrown by passers-by. On the next morning, he secured permission from the authorities to place a similar pot at the Oakland ferry landing, at the foot of Market Street. No time was lost in securing the pot and placing it in a conspicuous position, so that it could be seen by all those going to and from the ferry boats. In addition, a brass urn was placed on a stand in the waiting room for the same purpose. Thus, Captain Joseph McFee launched a tradition that has spread not only throughout the United States, but throughout the world. By Christmas, 1895, the kettle was used in 30 Salvation Army locations in various sections of the West Coast area. The Sacramento Bee of that year carried a description of the Army’s Christmas activities and mentioned the contributions to street corner kettles. Shortly afterward, two young Salvation Army officers who had been instrumental in the original use of the kettle, William A. McIntyre and N.J. Lewis, were transferred to the East. They took with them the idea of the Christmas kettle. In 1897, McIntyre prepared his Christmas plans for Boston around the kettle, but his fellow officers refused to cooperate for fear of “making spectacles of themselves.” So McIntyre, his wife and sister set up three kettles at the Washington Street thoroughfare in the heart of the city. That year the kettle effort in Boston and other locations nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy. In 1898, the New York World hailed The Salvation Army kettles as “the newest and most novel device for collecting money.” The newspaper also observed, “There is a man in charge to see that contributions are not stolen.” In 1901, kettle contributions in New York City provided funds for the first mammoth sit-down dinner in Madison Square Garden, a custom that continued for many years. Today, donations to Salvation Army kettles at Christmas time support holiday meals for homeless and needy families, but also help The Salvation Army serve 30 million people through a myriad of social services all year long. Kettles now are used in such distant lands as Korea, Japan, and Chile, and in many European countries. Everywhere, public contributions to the kettles enable The Salvation Army to bring the spirit of Christmas to those who would otherwise be forgotten all year long – to the aged and lonely, the ill, the inmates of jails and other institutions, the poor and unfortunate. In the United States, kettles at Thanksgiving and Christmas, although changed since the first utilitarian cauldron set up in San Francisco, help make it possible for The Salvation Army to do the most good possible for 30 million people each year.
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A Muro Lucano, all’eta di 17 anni, busso la porta al colleggio delle suore, sotto Capomuro, che l’accettarono subito come novizia. Professo I voti religiosi il 30 Maggio 1930. Il nome di battesimo, come si solleva allora, le venne cambiato in Celerina. Era nata Luisa Ventura. Indosso l’abito religioso a Trespiano (Frenze) e suo primo mandato fu come suora a Portico di Romagna (Forli), indi a Contona e Candeli (Firenze). La Messa celebrate a Montevergine, oltre che di ringraziamento per Madre Celerina, fu anche data in onore di Padre Pio, nel terzo anniversario della cononizzazione, cioe le sua includsione nel Canone dei Santi. Dopo il rito religioso, con familiari, amici ed ospiti, Suor Celerina fu il centro d’attrazione, il fulcro di una rionione convivial svoltasi nell’ “Asti Italian Restaurant,” di Bergenfield (NJ), con rinnovati elogi, applause ed auguri. Durante la festa, coordinate da Joe Ventura e Paolo Vitamia, furono lette felicitazioni da parte del sindaco della citta di Garfield (J), l’on. Frank J. Calandriello con la sua “Official Proclamation.” Inoltre v’era una lettera d’auguri inviata dal vice console d’Italia a Newark, Paolo Toschi, e una pergamena con la Benedizzione Apostolica da parte del nuovo pontefice, Sua Santita Papa Benedetto XVI, dal Vaticano. Joseph Ventura, cavaliere del Gran Priorato d’Italia, anch’egli nipote della centenaria Madre Superiora, e stato presente per offrire a lei una taga ricordo offerto dal sindaco di Muro Lucano, Dott. Gerardo Mariani a nome dell’Amministrazione comunale e del popolo murese – paese natio della cara Madre. ••••••••••••• Aos 17 anos, iniciou sua vocacao como freira no convent de Muro Lucano (Potenza), cidade natal de San Gerardo Majella, patron das madres e bebes. Mais tarde, Celerina foi para o convent de Galluzzo e Trespiano na cidade de Firenzi, como uma novice. Apos se tornar uma freira a madre superior a designou-a para: Portico de Romagna (Forli), Cortona e Candeli (Firenzi). Entao em 1951 irma Celerina se tornou uma madre superior no convent do Greve in Chianti (Siena). Como uma madre superior ela continuou sua missa na Abbadia San Salvatore (Toscana) e em 1958 ela se tornou. Mas quando ela voltour a Roma, disse a madre superior que recusava a aposentadoria. E disse: “il lavoro nuoce a nessuno,” que significa “o trabalho nao faz mal a ninguem.” Alias, ela se voluntariou para continuar o trabalho como missionaria no Brasil, mesmo sendo idosa, para ajudar os pobres e as criancas da vila de Santa Isabela em Sau Carlos, no estado de Sao Paulo. A Missa de acao de gracas pelos seus 81 anos de vida religiosa foi celebrada na igreja de Nossa de Senhora de Montevergine em Garfield, a reuniu todos os membros da familia Ventura. Na confraternizacao apos a celebracao liurgica, Madre Celerina era o centro das atencoes de todas as pessoas, familiars, membros da igreja e visitants. Todos vieram desejar felicitacoes e boa sorte na sua continua messao no Brasil. Durante a festa, coordenada por Joe Ventura e Paolo Vitamia, ela recebeu a bencao apostolic pelo papa Benedito XVI.
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Nuns and students at the school she founded, along with family, help Mother Celerina Ventura celebrate her 100th birthday earlier this year. Sister Celerina is the aunt of Joseph Ventura of Hattiesburg. At left, a summary of this story appears in Sister Celerina’s native language, Italian, and also in Portugese, the language of her second home, Brazil. (Translation by Joseph Ventura) Sister Celerina Ventura, Mother Superior of the Francis of Assisi Order, has good reason to be thankful. Sister Celerina, an Italian nun who turned 100 this year and has served the Catholic Church for 81 years, is in excellent health and continues her apostolate at the Villa S. Isabella in Sao Carlos, Brazil. Sao Carlos also has much to be thankful for due to Sister Celerina, who was recently named Ambassador of Peace and Culture by the mayor and overnor of Sao Carlos. On her 100th birthday this year, she was named Honorary Citizen of the Year by the mayor of Sao Carlos, with more than 2,000 people in attendance, including the Archbishop of Sao Carlos, His Eminence Dom Paulo Sergio Machado. Among those attending were her niece, Sister Angela Ventura, and two nephews, Joseph Ventura of Hattiesburg and Professor Roberto Ventura and his children, Manuela and Massimiliano of Turin, Italy. Joseph Ventura, director of the Oak Grove Senior Center and Lamar County Veteran Services officer, presented her with a proclamation and the keys of the city from Dr. Gerardo Mariani, the mayor of Muro Lucano, Sister Celerina’s birthplace. In addition, a congratulatory letter from the Italian Government was presented to her on this special occasion. Sister Celerina’s mother, Lucia Lombardi Ventura, a widow, came to the United States in 1913 to find the American dream for her children. She got the attention of Antonio Sinatra, the Sicilian-American uncle of Frank Sinatra, who married her, and they had five children together. Sister Celerina was left with her grandmother in Italy and, at the age of 17, she was admitted in the convent as a novice, becoming a nun a year later. On May 30, 1930 she wore the Franciscan religious habit and her name was changed from her
native name, Luisa Ventura, to Celerina Ventura. Her first assignment was in Trespiano, a city outside Florence. In 1951, she became Mother Superior of the Order of Saint Francis in Greve in Chianti, and she was later named Administrator of “Casa Gioiosa,” a center of treatment for liver disease in Chianciano Terme, Italy. In 1965, Mother Celerina came to the United States and opened the P.I.M.E. Missionary House in Oakland, N.J. Upon her official retirement at the age of 62, she requested the Mother General of the Vatican for a transfer as a missionary in Brazil. During this assignment, she opened a school for poor children (preschool through fifth grade) and a large convent. More recently, she opened a parish named Santa Isabel and a large multipurpose cafeteria, which can accommodate more than 2,000 people. This facility was named after her on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
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By Dana GOWER It was the summer of her senior year in high school when Amelia Landers of Oak Grove got the chance first hand to see just how much a shoe box gift can mean for a child. “I’ve always loved Operation Christmas Child,” Landers said. “When I was in the third grade, I started making my own money for it. “My family, we pack boxes throughout the year. Last year, we probably packed 80 boxes as a family. It varies,” she said. But there was no other experience quite like seeing a child actually receive one of the boxes, she said. “Samaritan’s Purse does a trip for youth every year,” Landers said of the charitable organization that oversees Operation Christmas Child. (OCC). Each year, based on essays, recommendations and other criteria, 17 students from across the country are selected to help distribute the boxes to children in foreign countries. “We went to the San Blas Islands,” a group of islands off the coast of Panama,” Landers said. The group stayed on one of the large islands, and, “Every day, we would canoe to a nearby island where we would do one or two distributions a day, depending on the size of the island.” Landers said that experience was overwhelming. “Some of the children had never received a gift before and they didn’t know what to do,” she said. “We had to explain to them it was theirs and they could keep it. It showed me how fortunate I am.” Currently a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority at the University of Southern Mississippi, Landers recently got her organization involved in packing the shoebox gifts.
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“I want to get other sororities involved,” she said. Anyone who wants to get involved still has a little time left. National Collection Week is Nov. 14-21. Landers’ father, Wayne, is collection center coordinator this year. First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg is serving as the area’s collection center. Area relay centers include First Baptist Church in Lumberton and PetalHarvey Baptist Church in Petal. “Last year, we shipped over 8 million shoeboxes worldwide,” he said of OCC, with five million of those coming from the United States. “Each year, they’re divided among about 100 countries.” Since OCC began, more than 85 million shoebox gifts have been sent, he said.
“Last year, 26,000 boxes came in” at the local collection center, Landers said. From there, the boxes go to seven processing centers located across the country. “Ours go to Atlanta,” he said, noting that local volunteers go to Atlanta each year to help with the distribution. Boxes are packed for either a girl or a boy in various age groups 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14, and there are some restrictions about what can be included. “We also ask everybody to put $7 per box,” which helps defray the cost of distributing the boxes, Landers said, but added, “We take them all, regardless.” Detailed information about how to pack the boxes and how to participate can be found at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.
Amelia Landers, second from left, and her family have had such a wonderful experience with Operation Christmas Child that she has now gotten her Delta Delta Delta sorority sisters at the University of Southern Mississippi involved. From left, Emily Burnett, Annie Ellis, Arielle Edwards, Landers and Laney Phillips.
Many people include personal letters in their boxes, Landers said, noting, “Every box is a ministry opportunity, and it’s always amazing when you get a letter back.” Emily Tynes of Petal has been participating in Operation Christmas Child since about 1999. “I was 13 at the time. I really liked writing a letter to a child and putting in a picture,” she said. “I loved that you could put a letter in there and let them know that someone cared.” Tynes said her family would collect items to pack in the boxes throughout the year, looking for special sales at area dollar stores. “If you do that during the year, it adds up,” she said. “I’m a deal-getter. I have a drawer that I stash those things in. It’s a great way to do it.” Locally, there is a facebook page, www.facebook.com/occhattiesburg, that helps local volunteers keep in touch. “We have 300 followers,” Tynes said. “We try to let them know about area events and sales.” Tynes also currently serves as the project leader at her church for OCC and still enjoys packing individual boxes with her husband. “I tend to do a girl and he tends to do a boy. We try to do the 10-14 year old age group because they get the fewest boxes. I think back to what I would have liked at that age. I like to include hair accessories,” she said, such as hair brushes and barrettes, but also includes hygiene items, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste and a wash cloth, and a journal. Labels can be downloaded from the Web site, which also includes gift suggestions. By making a donation online using a credit or debit card, donors can receive a special shoe box label with a specific barcode that allows the shoe box gift to be tracked.
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"Our veterans sacrificed more than many of us can imagine, and it is right and fitting that we honor them." - Senator Tom King Vietnam veteran The city of Petal wants to salute those men and women from the Friendly City who throughout history have served in our country’s military, many paying the ultimate sacrifice. Following a Veteran’s Day program on Nov. 11, 2010, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Veterans Walk of Honor, which is currently under construction, but had been in the planning stages for some time. This Veteran’s Day, a year after the groundbreaking, a ribbon-cutting is planned for the tribute on Nov. 11, although there is still more work to be done before the memorial is completed. In 2010, Allen Flynt of Flynt and Associates Surveyors said there had been plans in the works to build a veterans memorial for about six years – since the time a pavilion was added behind the community center. "In the middle of the walkway, it was designed to put the memorial about
halfway between the community center and the pavilion," he said, noting that Kevin Lewis of Landry and Lewis did the design work pro bono. At that time, however, the city had other financial priorities and the memorial was never built, Flynt said. "It's just been reinstigated in about the past three months," he said at that time of efforts to raise funds to finally build the memorial. The Walk of Honor being constructed between the Petal Civic Center and the nearby pavilion at Hinton Park, is scheduled to include six monuments, representing the branches of the armed services. Plans also include a fountain, benches, a flagpole and brick pavers honoring the memory of veterans. Flynt, who is also a member of the Veterans Walk of Honor committee said fundraising is continuing for the project. Continued on next page
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Completing the first phase of construction, which will include a fountain in the middle, will take about $22,000, Flynt said. Remaining work excluding the fountain, including lighting, landscaping, an irrigation system, a flag pole and installation of brick pavers, can be completed for about $10,000, he said. The original design for the Veterans Walk of Honor was estimated to cost about $225,000, but the project was eventually cut back to about $85,000. About $22,000 of that amount still needs to be raised. Flynt said sponsors for various parts of the project still are being solicited. A single tree can be sponsored for $750, while the entire landscaping could be sponsored for about $5,000. A flag pole could be sponsored for about $2,500, he said. The plan also calls for the walk to include monuments for each branch of the service. Each monument could be sponsored for about $1,000, Flynt said. All major donors will be recognized on a plaque that will be located outside of the memorial, he said. Funds also are being raised through the sale of brick pavers. A four-byeight-inch paver can be purchased for $50; and eight-by-eight-inch paver for $100; a 16-by-16-inch paver for $250 and a 16-by-16-inch paver with a corporate logo for $500. Applications to purchase the brick pavers are available at the Chamber of Commerce office. Anyone interested in purchasing one can go by the chamber office or call at 601-583-3306. “This is going to be an ongoing project,” Flynt said. “We’re going to put them in sand so we can continue to add bricks.” To date, about 200 of the bricks have been sold, he said. Once the first phase of construction is completed, the second phase will consist of sidewalks leading from the Civic Center to the memorial and from the memorial to the pavilion, along with additional lighting. Since the project was first announced, pledges and donations have come from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and a bikers club, which is made up heavily of veterans, who each pledged $1,000 to the project. The Petal Area Chamber of Commerce also agreed to put $500 toward the project, with Flynt and his wife matching the chamber’s pledge. The Petal American Legion and the Ladies' Auxilliary donated $1,100 toward the project and the Petal American Legion and the VFW made donations totaling $1,700. Since then, a $10,000 donation by AT&T Mississippi brought the walk a step closer to reality. "We have a proud military history in Mississippi, and we have always
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shown strong support for our veterans," Mayo Flynt, president of AT&T Mississippi, told the Petal Rotary Club in May of last year when the donation was announced. Sen. Tom King, a Vietnam veteran and one of the key supporters of the project, was on hand for that donation. "Sen. King told us about this worthwhile project, and we are pleased to be able to support it," Flynt said. "Our veterans sacrificed more than many of us can imagine, and it is right and fitting that we honor them." "This Veteran's Walk of Honor is a tribute to veterans of all wars," King said. "It is an old but true saying, We are free because they served." The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 11 will be held immediately following the Veteran’s Day ceremony that is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the Civic Center.
Bottom photo, a groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 11, 2010, for the Veterans Walk of Honor. This year a ribbon cutting will be held marking the work that is continuing on the project. Above, various groups have contributed to the funding of the memorial, including ones such as this American Legion group who presented the check to Sen. Tom King.
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he celebration and blessing of the marriage of Margaret Anne Buchanan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tucker Buchanan and Mary Hill Lowery, all of Laurel, to Christopher Adam Bounds, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Howard Bounds of Purvis, took place at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Laurel, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011. The church was filled with family and close friends for the nuptial mass set in beautiful candle-lit surroundings. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Jeffery Walker Reich. Jennifer Myrick served as Verger followed by Byron Myrick who served as crucifer. The altar was adorned with triple antique brass candelabra which also lined the walls and pews of the church. White miniature English roses, greenery and calla lilies
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flanked the altar, while the chancel was banked with white rose petals. White embellished rose crosses were placed on the doors of the church. As the ceremony began, the bride entered on the arm of her father, who gave her in marriage, wearing a strapless diamond white satin gown by Allure, featuring a ruched band and crystal brooch at the natural waistline. The back was accentuated with a stylish ruffle detail and sweep train, adorned with self-fabric roses and satin buttons the entire length of the train. She wore a fingertip illusion veil. She wore her grandmother’s diamond necklace and fleur de lure diamond earrings given to her by her mother. She carried a hand-wrapped bouquet in white satin which held miniature white calla lilies and roses. Attendant to the bride was Bailee Reed Bounds, daughter of the
groom, who wore a satin praline- colored gown by Mori Lee and carried a small bouquet matching the bride’s. Attendant to the groom was Michael Howard Bounds, father of the groom. Flower girl was Finley Buchanan Ezell, niece of the bride. Ring bearer was Cooper Brown Ezell, nephew of the bride. Greeter was Casey Lott Sauls. Oblation bearers were Amie and Jason Ezell, sister and brotherin-law of the bride. Ushers were Carl Buchanan and Michael Purvis. Readers were Ginger Walker Walters and Sara Stinson Sensenig. The nuptial music, performed by the Momentum String Quartet, included the prelude, Joyful, Joyful by Ludwig van Beethoven; entrance of the wedding party, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach; as the bride entered, the sound of church bells and Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel. Immediately following the ceremony, Margaret and Adam requested the presence of their family and guests at a reception held at the Loft in Historic Downtown Laurel. The bride and groom arrived at the reception in a candy apple red original 1965 Mustang leading their guests in an evening of enchanting fun and folic. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Historic Reserve in Downtown Laurel. Friends and family enjoyed a seated buffet dinner followed by entertainment provided by Cary Hudson. On the morning of the wedding, Mary Lowery, mother of the bride and Amie Buchanan Ezell, sister of the bride, hosted a brunch in honor of the bride at Lee’s Coffee Shop, in downtown Laurel. The bride is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and is employed with Daiichi Sankyo Pharmaceuticals. The groom is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and is employed with Baker Hughes. Following an extended honeymoon in Italy, the couple resides in Madison.
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omen supporting the war effort have been an intricate part of our military history and can date back to early records of war. Betsy Ross is an early example of women in the war effort by her supporting role as a seamstress. Her talent of sewing supported the Soldiers on the front lines by the mending of uniforms, sewing blankets and making tents. She is credited with assisting George Washington with the design and creation of the first American Flag in 1977. She also assisted with loading munitions for the Continental Army in 1779. Women have served in military roles and support positions throughout history in jobs such as nurses, factory workers, ship builders, equipment assembly workers from aircraft to tanks and assisted with intelligence operations such as planning and research. One of the most interesting jobs held by women in the war effort during World War II was discussed by Sinclair Lundy, a Hattiesburg native, during the Women’s History Month Observance at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center on March 24 titled ‘Our History is Our Strength’. Lundy’s mother, Margaret Hill Lundy, was originally from Irvine, Scotland and has been a resident of Greenwood, Miss. since her marriage in 1951. Margie, as she was affectionately known by Family and friends, was very talented in language skills. She was fluent in English, German, and French and had advanced skills in Latin. It was her language skills, training as a secretary and the love of crossword puzzles that prepared her for her service in WWII. In December 1941, the National Service Act (no 2), made the conscription of women in the United Kingdom legal. In the beginning, only single women aged 20-30 years old were called to duty. By the summer of 1943, almost 90 percent of single women and 80 percent of married women were employed in essential work for the war effort. Like many women, Margie faced a decision of choosing to assist in the making of munitions for the war effort or to choose service in one of the branches of the British Armed Forces. At the tender age of 23 years old, Margie enlisted in the Women’s Royal Naval Service and by November 1943 she was on her way to an adventure that would map the course of her life. Her talent and skills in language led Margie to a top secret assignment as a member of Special Duties X. She was sworn to secrecy and told to never divulge her true mission, which was not presented to her until after she signed a secrecy agree-
ment. Margie was a cryptanalyst also known as a code breaker. “I was a code breaker engaged in the day-to-day task of breaking German codes, finding the wheel order of the day for the ‘perfect’ enigma machine and after finding it, proving it, thereby making all their messages for the day available for the allied side,” said Margie in the writings of her personal diary. The enigma machine was invented in Germany in 1918 as a means for banks to secure the means of monetary transactions and was used during the war to transmit German messages regarding orders and movements. The enigma coded orders were transmitted by Morse Code. The real challenge was not the replacement of an alphabetical letter, but the rotors that advanced one letter every time another letter was typed. The addition of rotors and changes in wiring of the letters created a possibility of trillions of permutations of each message. The WRNS worked around the clock at various outstations in England, which housed over 200 code-breaking machines, known as bombes. These machines were the early workings of computers and where initially developed by the Polish and improved upon by the British mathematician, Alan Turing. Margie describes in her diary of the highlight of her career at Eastcote outstation, “My best friend Pam Price and I broke a Dolphin Code on which everyone had been working and the Navy was anxiously waiting for. There was great jubilation! We were never told what the results were but it was a great feeling to see the code worked out and know we had it and all the messages for that day were deciphered. It was the greatest feel-
ing ever and one that few people have had.” Lundy said that she felt that her mother Margie had an instrumental impact on the achievements of the war based on the timeline of WWII events between January and June 1944. Margie described the recreation of the WRNS in her diary. She described the dances in which neighboring British and American outfits received invitations to attend at Gayhurst Manor, the WRNS outpost that she was stationed. “I met quite a few extremely nice gentlemen, mostly fliers. In June 1944, we had a dance. I looked up and saw Jimmy coming across the floor and he asked me to dance,” said Margie in her diary. This one moment changed her destiny. Sinclair explained that her mother was extremely private and did not discuss openly the details of her relationship, with the exception that by the end of the war, Margie had called off the wedding to Jimmy with the hopes of returning home to her family in Scotland and perusing a normal life. When the war officially ended on May 8, 1945, Margie returned to Scotland to work at a law office and challenge herself with a few college courses. Jimmy returned home across the ocean to demobilize from the war at Camp Shelby Separation Center on June 19, 1946 and resume work on the Family farm in Greenwood. Margie experienced the side effects of war and suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, like some of today’s service men and women. Her symptoms included an aggravating twitch in her eyes that doctors said could only be cured by an extended rest. In hopes of heal-
ing, she went to stay with Family residing in Boston, Mass. Margie was getting better and had plans to return to Scotland, but before her departure she took a trip with her aunt and uncle to Miami, Fla. Margie didn’t understand the geography of the United States and thought Mississippi was close to Florida, so she sent a postcard to Jimmy inviting him to visit. Jimmy hopped on the first airplane destined for Florida. He asked Margie to marry him again and this time she said yes! They were married on Valentine’s Day in 1951, seven years after they met. Love during war presented an amazing turn of events that presented a new destiny in life. James and Margaret Lundy resided in Greenwood until his death in 2002. Margie lived with her daughter, Sinclair, in Hattiesburg until her death in 2009, seven years after James. “I have always been fascinated with my mother’s service. I want to remind people of women’s sacrifice in the military and that history repeats itself,” said Sinclair. Sinclair also said that men seem to receive most of the glory when you hear stories from WWII, but she knows that her mother accomplished some very important work toward the war effort and ultimately a victorious end to the hell that all service members experienced on earth during the war. She also mentioned that she was honored to speak at the presentation for Women’s History Month at Camp Shelby. It was very special to her because her Father demobilized from WWII at Camp Shelby Separation Center and an opportunity to honor her mother and her father’s military service. Major Deidre Musgrove is Public Affairs Officer at Camp Shelby Joint Force Training Center.
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When there’s a chill in the air, nothing warms better than a bowl of chili. It’s true that many chilis require long, slow cooking, but luckily not all do. This comforting, one-pot meal can be on the table in under 30 minutes. Savory and satisfying, the base for this chili is simple: a can of Southwestern Bean Salad. Seasoned with a hint of heat and chili powder, this canned combo of black beans, kidney beans, corn and hominy is a perfect chili starter. Adding lean, quick-cooking pork tenderloin or chicken breast, chopped tomato and bell pepper makes a top notch chili in no time. Chili is just right for dinner on a busy weeknight, but is also a great dish for casual weekend entertaining. Set out sour cream, cilantro and shredded cheese for toppers and let guests help themselves to a hearty bowl. Pair with a corn muffin or tortilla chips to round out the menu. A can of Southwestern Bean Salad is the start for many delicious options beyond chili. Of course, it’s a ready-to-eat quick side dish – just open the can – but the possibilities are endless. Add chopped tomatoes and cilantro for a sassy salsa. Simmer with sautéed bell pepper and onion, and some vegetable broth for a scrumptious vegetarian soup. Or, for a zesty dip, puree it in the food processor leaving it slightly chunky. For additional recipes and information about Southwestern Bean Salad, visit www.READsalads.com. –Family Features
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A "miracle oil" from Morocco, naturally-derived organic Argan Oil improves drying time, smoothes for silky, soft styling, and adds brilliant shine to dull, dry or damaged hair - for healthy hair.
Everything you need for complexion perfection from foundation to finishing touches - is right here in one complete kit.
She'll Feel Like A Queen! This beautiful 14K white gold Swiss Blue Topaz ring features a 7.5 carat "Flower-cut" topaz surrounded by a delicate "crown" of round brilliant diamonds which continue down each side of the shank to complete this magical design. $1,295
The Abbey Salon
Light’s Jeweler & Gemologists
22 98 Place Blvd.
Newpointe Shopping Center • Hwy 98W
If you are starting your Christmas shopping early, our Alex & Ani bracelets make the perfect gift! Great for stacking, mixing and matching! Made out of recycled metal right here in the USA! Starting at $24.95. Sweater dresses are a must have for the chilly weather that's right around the corner! Paired with tights and boots, you are sure to be cozy and fashionable! Many colors and prints to choose from. Starting at $38.95
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Everybody on the street is ranting and raving about Big Buddha's Fall/Holiday 2011 collection this year. The collection is sure to make any girl's closet right on trend; patents, furs, metallics, prints, and of course, those sequins that are sure to make a statement. Big Buddha incorporates fashion-forward designs with the practicality of everyday use, while staying true to their own signature look. Every fashionable girl wants to uncover a great find, and that's exactly what Big Buddha is. Put one on your list this holiday season!
Eve Marie’s
Irie Boutique
3901 Hardy St. (across from CVS on 40th Ave)
Located in Kohl’s Shopping Center
Sweet Irie is a fragrance made exclusively for Irie Boutique in Summit, MS. You will find your happy place with notes of Orange Blossom, Amber, Gardenia and Blackcurrant. It makes the perfect gift and great stocking stuffer! Sweet Irie is available in Splash, Lotion, Soap, Candles and Gift Sets. Priced at $8 to $15
Chocolate diamond enhancer with sparkling white diamond detachable pendant that can be worn separately. Great look for a dressy or casual occasion. Dazzle her with diamonds! Verragio is a designer of diamond engagement rings and wedding rings crafted with utmost attention to detail and quality.
Irie Boutique Located in Kohl’s Shopping Center
Adorn her like a queen. Tacori ® is handcrafted, beautifully intricate, designer diamond rings and artisan jewelry.
Stunning blue topaz and diamond pendant with matching earrings. Perfect look for holiday parties. Hattiesburg’s ‘Scene & Be Seen’ Magazine. Don’t bother trying to remember to chase down a copy of Signature Magazine each month. Get it delivered directly to your front door. One-year subscription is now available for only $20. Call (601) 268-2331 today!
Signature Magazine 103 North 40th Avenue
Jewelmasters 6156 US Highway 98
• Suite 60
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Essie Bowering, Sandra Booker
Tom Hardy
Bill Norris, Michael Summer
Ann Johnson, Beth Meador, Rita Miller
Gus Bowering, Sue Bowman
he Mississippi ArTEAst Festival was held at the Meador Homestead B&B cabin. Hosted by Simply TeaVine, 20 artists from Mississippi exhibited their art at the cabin for the more than 500 who attended the rainy day event.
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Scottie Whitham
Bill Norris, Peggy & Frank Woodruff
Tom Hardy, Michael Garner
Melanie & Keith Dale
Peggy Bullion, Audrey Bond
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he University of Southern Mississippi and Forrest General Hospital partnered for an ADP Business After Hours at the football suites in the south endzone of the football stadium.
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Bethanne Dufour, Maurine Philpot
Gray Miller, Charlsa Donohue
Cassie Coll, Chad Thompson, Aime Spears
Tricia Misenhelter, Susan Newman, Barbara McGilvery
Donita Wade Singleterry, Dennis Miller
Valencia Williamson, Barbara McGilvery
Shalandria Darden, Erin Jackson
Leonard Bentz, Kevin Stephen
Stephen Glynn, April Bullock, Katie Jones, Heather Carithers
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Patrick Pittman, Virginia H. Brown, Robert L. Brown
Stanley Causey, Ryan Kelly, Travis Cox
Henry Hall, Sheila & Frederick Varnado
Dawn Reuter, Shirley Ramser, Fran Hegwood, Kathy Morrow
Col. Sheila Varnado, Annie L. Jones, Patricia King; Sam Buchanan, Kendra Pope, Richard L. Jones Jr., Richard L. Jones
Gina & Orjan McCarty Dennis Dickinson, Bobby Deen
Matt Pace, Joey Davion
Jere & Elizabeth Rush
Wayne & Vicki Adkison
Alan Andrews, Melinda Andrews
Rick Duke, Chad Driskell, Eddie Brown
Da & Caroline Grubbs
Don Howell, Gary L. Crist
Dick Vogel, Pete Hays
edora Football Friday Luncheons with USM Coach Larry Fedora are held at the Trent Lott Center on the University of Southern Mississippi campus the Friday prior to every home game. Golden Eagle fans enjoy a buffet lunch and hear a breakdown of the week’s opponent by Coach Fedora as well as selected players.
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Robert & Joyce Rogers, Marie & Gerald Baylis
Linda Spann, Earl & Bobbie Marshall, Tommie Willoughby
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Terri Lynn Warden, LeeAnne Venable
Chaplain Brian Williamson, Charlie Sims, Chuck Pierce, Tina Musgrove, Ka Russum
Terri Lynn Warden, Kelly Stanford Glenda Bennett, Crystal Smith
Paula Hand, Vicky Buxton
Jena Hopkins, Juliet Hinton
orrest General hosted their annual United Way Kickoff celebration for employees on Aug. 10. The sports-themed event featured live music by The Remnants, stadium food, information on United Way agencies and special appearances by the Dixie Darlings and Saintsations!
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Kayla Purvis, Megan Tanner
Alyssa Miskel, Milton Miskel
Mary Porter, Nina Allen
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Demple Smith, Dolly Field
Barbara Newell, Diane Smith, Katie Donald
Darlene Cox, Genovefa Cupp, JoAn Niceley
Michelle, Jacob & Gerald Bordelon
Chrissy Cullinane, Jonathan Duhon, Brittany Price
Ike Farris, Richard Fisher
Allen Hutto, Ione Bonds
Mack & Vickie Grubbs, Nina & Todd Mixon
Frances Stringer, Peter & Jerre Bokor
Bill & Carol Ann Bustin, Tom & Susan Light, Ellen & Dale Kuehl
he 5th Annual Silent & Live Auction benefitting Homes of Hopes for Children was held at Lake Terrace Convention Center. A large crowd turned out for the event and had the opportunity to bid on and purchase a number of great donated items. Many also made special pledges for the Homes of Hope children.
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Joey & Shelia McMurry
Matt Pace, Brad Rimes, Shane Shattles
Jonathan Duhon, Robert & Melissa Litke
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Rachel McKenzie, Martha & Earl Conrad Sanderson
Bob Lindley, Bubby Johnston
Tristan Lindley, Carol Lindley, Sarah Webb, Nancy Walker
Andy Coon, Lisa Phillips, Scott English
Russ Hendley, Bob Lindley ob Lindley, first vice-president at BancorpSouth in Hattiesburg was recently honored upon his retirement with a reception at the bank. A retirement dinner was also held at the Hattiesburg Country Club. Russ Hendley, vice president, Coca-Cola Hattiesburg Division, presented Lindley with a community service award.
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Scott, Walker, Bob & Brent Lindley
Ted Webb, Carol & Bob Lindley
Sheila Clearman, Tina Gibbs, Pam Peterman
Ted Webb, Lorraine Fitzgerald, Bob Lindley, Grant Walker
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The Lindley Family
George, Debbie & Allen Pollitz
Nadine Sumrall, Kelly Parker
Nadine Sumrall, Marika Warner, Janis Franks, Betty Holder
Iva Carter, Peggy Moore
Lucy O’Fallon, Mary Frances Mullen
Peggy Moore, Donna Dufour
Debbie Pollitz, Ty Berry
Betty Holder, Dianne Herrington
Barbara Carter, Mary Holland
Patsy Hawkins, Nadine Sumrall
Debbie Pollitz, Allen Pollitz
Mary Holland, Marika Warner
Lucy O’Fallon, Betty Lyon
Kelly Parker, Iva Carter, Amy Grubbs
ebbie Pollitz was recently honored with a birthday luncheon. Family and friends gathered at Lovie’s in Oak Grove to help her celebrate. Those in attendance were Mary Holland, Amy Grubbs, Lucy O’Fallon, Donna Dufour, Kelly Parker, Iva Carter, Bridget Betty, Judy Rouse, Peggy Moore, Janis Franks, Marika Warner, Betty Lyon, Nadine Sumrall, Barbara Carter, Patsy Hawkins, Mary Frances Mullen, Dianne Herrington, Betty Holder, Mary Thomsen and Jan Taylor.
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Mary Thomsen, Jan Taylor, Debbie Pollitz
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Tonya Jordan, Colby Jones
Chyna Carter
Chris & Charles Carter
Vernon Martin, Sherry Ellis
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Reatha McNair, Regertha Jordan, Yvette Steele, Lynda Sowell, Carolyn Carter, Joyce Frazier
Felicia Brown, Calvin, Tia, Shelby, Shyla Hudson, Tammy Jordan
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Regertha Jordan, Deborah Ferrell
he Jordan family held its annual family reunion at the community center in Palmer’s Crossing. Guests enjoyed good food, fellowship and entertainment.
Regertha Jordan, Madeline Johnson, Zilla Wilson
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Harvey Lee & Chris Carter
Samarian Ray, LeAir Young, Chasity Young, Montero Ray, Tidaus Young, Semaj Young
Wilton & Berry Young Sr., Rutha Bridges, Rosie L. Martin
Alyssa Smith, Claire Sherman, Heather Satcher
Marly Perkins, Abby McPhail, Jordan Baggett
Kristi & Kassadi Morris, Cheyenne & Rachel Turnage
Erica & Reagan Woods, Adriana & Kizzy Smith
Kimberly, Ashton, Madison & Pamela Moore, Janet & Angela Rascoe
Erin & Michelle Scoggin, Caroline & Kim Riley, Mary Claire Cornett
Emily Alexis, Racquel Downing, Devan Carmichael, Cassie Davis
Abby Wade, Brandi Burge
orrest General’s Spirit Girls held their first meeting at the Canebrake Country Club. This year there are 153 Spirit Girls in grades 7 - 12 who will participate in many activities throughout the school year. All together, the Spirit Girls will participate in more than 3,000 hours of community service combined.
F Gracyn Head, Christina Kemp, Dana Minor, Rebecca Gemes, Karlyn Purvis, Rajanece Steele
Pam Mixon, Hannah Hartfield, Hailey Rose, Priscilla & Debra Hogan
Bailey Henry, Demi Goolsby, Carmen Douglas, Taylor Dyess
Sydney Green, Reagan Woods, Maggie Hovan, Aliscia Burkett, Lauren Wolfe, Jouri Dixon
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Sister Carmelita Stinn, Bettie Lott, Jean Fertitta, Sharon McGregor
Richard & Patsy Smith
Fred Hatten, A.J. Jones, Jimmie Hatten
Elbert White, Katherine Brown, Hilda Hatten, Travis & Rita Johnson
Robert & Evelyn Montague
Clint Martin, Fred Hatten
ale and Jean Bremmer celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary with a special luncheon at the Oak Grove Senior Center. Good food and karaoke music by Robert Robertson were part of the festive celebration. Dale is a retired Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi.
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Bea & Glenn Errington
Catherine Bond, Kathy Mayo
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Jean & Dale Bremmer
Jean Bremmer, Father Tommy Conway, Dale Bremmer, Joe Ventura
John & Penny Kochtitzky
Clint Martin, Kathy Mayo
Nancy Carpenter, Kathy Emmons
William Beckum, Jayden Hill, Corey Barlow, Monica Taylor
Josh Walker, Nicole Aranda, Josh Duplantis, Bettie S. Ross, Theresa Erickson, Dianne Coleman
Annie Jackson, Sonya Duncan
Beth Alexander, Kari Bailen, Emma Pope
nited Way of Southeast Mississippi supporters earned an A+ for participation at the "Back to Basics" schoolhouse-themed Campaign Kick-off at Southern Oaks House & Gardens. The event officially launched the 2011-2012 campaign to raise $1.525 million for United Way's 22 community partners. So far, almost one-third of the goal has already been raised by the Pacesetter campaigns and by several campaigns which have already been completed. The All-Star Pacesetters recognized at Kick-off were BancorpSouth, Forrest General Hospital, Mississippi Power, Regions and Zeon Chemicals.
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Samantha Kinard, Sarah Case-Price
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Tanesha Washington, Tim Clanton Bob & Sandy Boothe
Janairrika Bland, Jamierra Faulkner, Ace Celmina, Neisha Pierce, Maddie DuPuy, Alex DuPuy he University of Southern Mississippi Women’s basketball team had a “Welcome Back” party for the booster club in the South End Zone suites at the stadium. Guests and boosters had the opportunity to visit with basketball players, coaches and other supporters.
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Eva Cannon, Sally Hanson
Berniece & Dwight Barham
Kay & Dennis Behm, Barbara Fortenberry
Joe & Donna Sharpe, Richard Giannini
Elbert White, Katherine Brown
Karl & Bettie Langenbach, Patricia Cameron, Susan King, Kay James, Victor Stewart, Joe & Donna Sharp Patsy & Richard Smith
Jan & Lester Haddox, Louis & Nell Lee, Connor Lee McNelis, Patti & Bill Fields
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Faye Davidson, Colleen Cameron
Amanda Torrence, Rachel Lowery
Jayme Fairchild, Kaysee Hover
Garland Hover, Allen Hood
HADES of Hattiesburg held an Announcement Party at the Neal House during September. Guests sampled the culinary delights and cocktails created by Chef John Neal. Adam Kelly provided musical entertainment. Door prizes were also awarded.
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Nikki Fairley, Kim Kerr
Jacqueline Clayton, Joye Green
Kaysee Hover, Mandy Stanley
Shari & Michael Cameron
Crystal Scretching, Jaz Johnson, Greg Lawrence
M/M William Scretching
Sylvester S. Baugh, Dwanna L. Baugh, Lauviniai Creagh entric Soul, an R&B, Neo Soul, Indie Soul, Classic Experience includes music, poetry and art in downtown Hattiesburg and is held each month. Proceeds from the event support After School Academic and Arts Program (ASAAP), an after-school program event, which provides after school and summer programs for children K-5th grade.
Paul West, Kristy Jenkins
C Jazmin Johnson, Cheryl Oatis
Keosha Moody, Ca’Shena Conley
Jasmine Evans, Derrick Turner
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Nancy & Jody Fail, Margie & Lewis Myrick
Melissa & Pam Shearer
Beverly Morris, Prentiss Harrell
Dr. & Mrs. Randy Turner
Judy & Mark Prine, Donna & Milton Wheeler
Dr. & Mrs. Darrell Lovins
Kerri & Wendall Helveston
John & Della Faust
illiam Carey University hosted its annual Scholarship Dinner at Southern Oaks House and Gardens in Hattiesburg. Keynote speaker was Sen. Trent Lott. This year’s dinner raised $350,000 for scholarships.
W Danny & Donna Rigel, Dr. & Mrs. Randy Ross
Gayle Giannini, Wesley Breland, Judy Mixon
Dave Bush, Gerry & Thad Waites
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Sue Bush
Stan Harris, Blake Wilson
Don & Sarah Odom
Chelsey Maywalt, Didi Ellis
Sandra Peebles, Lillian Breland
Sen. Trent Lott with William Carey students
Frank & Courtney Baugh
Bill & Chalie Ray
Ted & Sarah Webb
Roman & Keri Ray Galey
John & Joe Clearman
Johnny & Johniece Dupree
Lynda & Ed Langton
Phil & Deborah Bryant
Dr. & Mrs. Jeff Evans
Virginia & Joe Tatum
Bobby & Betty Chain
Margaret Ann & Charles Pickering
Dr. Scott Hummel, Sen. Trent Lott
Fred & Sheila Varnado
Billy & Paula Hewes
Jim & Peggy Braswell
Nancy & Eric Lindstrom
Brenda & Gene Owens
Sheree & Stan Burton
M/M Tom Thornton
Lauren & Stan Harris
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