Black Friday

NOV 2019

A CHRISTMAS CATALOG

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IMPACT

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HUB CITY

“Your local guide to area Christmas shopping, special gifts, recipes & more!”

For The Greater Hattiesburg Area

A digital copy is available at Impact601.com

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BARGAINS TODD SCHWEBEL, AGENT 5740 US Highway 11 South, P.O. Box 619, Purvis, MS 39475 Bus 601.794.4086 / Fax 601.794.4585 Cell 601.543.6911 www.toddschwebel.com

And more savings through Christmas!

Wishing everyone a colorful, joyous holiday season!

As 2019 comes to a close, we want to thank everyone for reading the Impact. And we want to thank our many customers who make it possible to print and deliver our community news publications weekly to the mailboxes of nearly 102,000 homes in the Pine Belt. We are the largest circulated publication in Mississippi–thanks to you!

We’ve made several changes over this past year as we continue to grow through innovation and imagination, and we hope you’ve liked all of them.

One of the things you may have noticed is that we’ve kept up with the changing times by launching two new, robust websites. If you’ve not visited them, you should do so as both are chock-full of local news and sports, much more than we can publish in print. You can find us at www.impact601.com and www.sports601.com. Both sites feature current, day-to-day news and sports as well as interesting feature stories, Pine Belt events, obituaries, and so much more. You can also find our local news and sports coverage on our Facebook page.

We’re now a full-fledged print and digital media company, complete with terrific advertising capabilities on our websites and online. Be sure to ask one of our friendly digital specialists about advertising opportunities.

We love the Pine Belt and all who strive to help make it a beautiful community. And we look forward to seeing you and serving you in the year ahead. Please accept our warm wishes for the Christmas season, and to each we wish a joyful, happy and healthy, and prosperous new year!

God bless! (John 3:16)

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Ronnie Buckley.......................... Publisher Dewayne Buckman........General Manager Buster Wolfe ................................Reporter Kevan Lindsey ..................... Sports Editor Amanda Dement...... Sales Representative Lisa Davis................. Sales Representative Karen Magee ......................Graphic Artist Darlene Clark ...................... Bookkeeping

Delicious Homemade Cakes & Pies MUST ORDER EARLY!

Gift and Goodie Baskets to please anyone!

While here, you can do some holiday shopping and order your smoked hams and turkeys with all the trimmings!

Come pig out with us!

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219 S. 40th Avenue, Suite E • Hattiesburg, MS 39402 • Phone: 601.264.8181

Jewelmasters believes in making people happy! n Buster Wolfe, Reporter

so much custom design.

“It’s hard for people to be able to trust someone when they bring their items in,” she continued.

“I don’t take it too personally when people say, ‘How can I trust you, to leave my stuff with you?’ rs te I know you don’t as m el of Jew know us, but it’s Cindy Vick d an ty ar M scary for a jeweler too. People uring the happiest time sometimes have certain of the year, Marty and Cindy expectations when they order Vick are celebrating 25 years of their jewelry.” business at Jewelmasters with the goal of doing their best to make their customers happy.

As a Certified Master Jeweler, Marty knows his business as an expert in all phases of crafting all ranges of jewelry. It’s been his life.

Since he worked to deliver jewelry in 1977 part-time after school, Vick has learned what it takes to make people happy.

For example, a woman came into Jewelmasters – which is located at 6156 U.S. Hwy. 98 Suite 60 in Hattiesburg – with a bracelet that Marty had made 25 years earlier while working at another local jeweler.

“The hinge broke,” he said. “She came in for the paperwork. I told her it was under warranty, and actually, it was one that I made for her while I was working at another jeweler before we started Jewelmasters.”

Cindy said making that woman For the Vicks, customer service happy is the reason they believe is what has allowed them to stay in the business. in business for 25 years.

“That’s what makes us feel we “Our biggest thing is treating do a job: when someone’s happy,” customers right,” Cindy said. “We she said. “Over the years, you just try to be fair to people. We do realize it’s hard owning a small things for people; we business. As far as what just try to treat (Marty’s) doing, he people right. has been It bothers us doing when we can’t make people happy.

“We try to make them happy and stand behind what we do,” she continued. “If you don’t, you aren’t going to stay in business very long. Word of mouth is probably one of the

D

best advertisements we have. We look at that if I walked into a store and I had an issue, how would I appreciate them handling it?

Our work is everything that (Marty) does.”

As part of Jewelmasters’ Black Friday celebration, they’re offering up to 60 percent off everything in the store.

Also, the first 50 customers will receive a prize.

The Vicks opened Jewelmasters on Oct. 19, 1994, at Cloverleaf Mall. Marty had learned the profession by being an apprentice.

“I went to jewelers’ school and became a master jeweler in 1986,” he said. “I traveled all over the country and Japan for nine years in 46 states.

In my second year that I traveled, I was the No. 2 jeweler out of 60. My last territory was California and Hawaii. I got one of the two runs that everyone was trying to get.”

During those travels, Marty met Cindy in Westminster, Md., in 1991 when he was doing a show.

“I worked at a jewelry store in sales,” Cindy said. “I worked there right out of high school.”

The Vicks decided to open up a small jewelry shop and repair shop in the mall. The business stayed there for 12 years.

“We were building clients and trust with customers,” Cindy said. “After Hurricane Katrina (in 2005), we decided that we had outgrown our space. Randy Price had asked us to come out here, and we just weren’t sure. We just weren’t sure because of the traffic, but the mall had changed a lot after Katrina.

We prayed about it, and we decided it was meant to be.

Since we moved, we haven’t had any trouble with people walking through our door.”

The Vicks also have a penchant for making

customers happy with their wide range of services.

“We can do anything from watch batteries to ring sizing to repairs to custom design,” Marty said, holding up a ring that had just been “printed.”

“We are using a state-ofthe art CAD system where we are designing jewelry on a computer. We have a 3D printer. I will send the file to the printer, and this ring will take about eight hours, and then I can cast it.

“We still do hand carving like the old-fashioned way, and we will still do it if we need to,” he said. “But, this is the way to go.”

Cindy said having the computer-assisted drawing program and the 3D printer gives Marty so many different opportunities for designing and crafting special jewelry orders.

“They can bring in Grandma’s stones, and we can see what we can do,” she said. “Maybe we can use some of them; maybe we can use all of them. That has a little story behind it when people can do that for a wedding or a gift.”

Cindy said several special occasions begin at Christmas, such as engagements.

“Just jewelry in general, I never realized just how many engagement rings that you sell or get started during the holidays,” she said. “You think about everything else you’re selling.”

For the Vicks, it’s all about making people happy, and how Christmas can be special.

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Old Fashioned Pecan Pie

GIFTS FOR Dermaplaning available now at Cool Therapeutics 205A S 40th Ave Hattiesburg 601-336-9494

Like Grandma used to make.

Simple, quick. Delicious.

INGREDIENTS: 1 Pillsbury™ refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 1/4 cups light corn syrup 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla 1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 eggs 1 1/2 cups pecan halves or pieces

A variety of Fireplaces can be found at Fireplace & Stone Center 1505 N Main Street Hattiesburg 601-545-9876

Available at Sole Sisters 6628 US Hwy 98, Hattiesburg 601-602-2853

STEPS: 1 Heat oven to 375°F. Place pie crust in 9-inch glass pie plate as directed on box for OneCrust Filled Pie. 2 In large bowl, beat brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla, flour, salt and eggs with whisk until well blended. Stir in pecans. Pour filling into crust-lined plate.

3 Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until filling is set in the center.

If necessary, cover crust edges last 15 to 20 minutes to prevent over browning. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 3 hours. Store in refrigerator.

Come enjoy the buffet, or book your holiday party today at Woodland Trails, 27 Dan Joyce Lane, Seminary 601-765-8812 or 601-319-8176

Earth Grace Artisan Bracelets available at Art*cetera 6628 US Hwy 98, Hattiesburg 601-602-2853

Lots of great Gift Ideas can be found at Collins Antiques and More 222 Main Street, Collins 601-765-8007

DETAILS: Prep: 15 mins Total: 3 hr 50 mins Ingredients: 9 Servings: 8

14k Diamond Bar Necklace .52 ctw available at Jewelmasters 6156 Hwy 98, Suite 60, Hattiesburg Call 601-268-7004 for special pricing

18K Yellow Gold and Silver Cuff Bracelets available at Jewelmasters 6156 Hwy 98, Suite 60, Hattiesburg Call 601-268-7004 for special pricing

YOUR LIST Homemade Cakes and Pies available now at Shady Acres, 624 Hwy 49, Seminary 601-722-4114

A variety of styles available at Sole Sisters 6628 US Hwy 98, Hattiesburg 601-602-2853

14k Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Ring and 14k Two-Tone Emerald and Diamond Ring available at Jewelmasters 6156 Hwy 98, Suite 60, Hattiesburg Call 601-268-7004 for special pricing

Holiday Loans available now at Family Choice Financial 2902 Hardy St, #30, Hattiesburg 769-390-7722

Massage Packages available now at Cool Therapeutics 205A S 40th Ave, Hattiesburg 601-336-9494 14k White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Pendant and 14k Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Pendant available at Jewelmasters 6156 Hwy 98, Suite 60, Hattiesburg Call 601-268-7004 for special pricing

Victoria Lynn Jewelry available in a variety of styles at Sole Sisters 6628 US Hwy 98, Hattiesburg 601-602-2853

This cornbread dressing is straight out of Grandma’s own personal recipe collection and is guaranteed to be a hit on your holiday table.

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup celery, finely chopped 1 cup onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons of butter 5 cups white bread, crumbled 5 cups corn bread, crumbled 2 cups chicken broth, plus extra 1/2 teaspoon of sage seasoning, plus more to taste 1/2 teaspoon of poultry seasoning, plus more to taste 1 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 eggs slightly beaten 1/4 cup milk

Available at Sole Sisters 6628 US Hwy 98, Hattiesburg 601-602-2853

Fresh Louisiana Satsumas in stock now at Shady Acres 624 Hwy 49, Seminary 601-722-4114

Grandma’s Cornbread Dressing

STEPS: 1 Sauté celery and onion in butter until soft, and set aside.

In a large bowl mix all the ingredients together including the sautéed celery and onion, and mix well. Taste to see if you need to add more broth, salt, butter, or seasonings.

2 Bake in 2 (9x11) greased pans at 325°F for 30 to 40 minutes.

Once baked and cooled the dressing can be frozen up to 1 month.

DETAILS: Servings 16 Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 50 mins

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8 e Hub City Holidays 2019

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Hub City Holidays 2019 e 9

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Wishing all a Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

10 e Hub City Holidays 2019

Nicole Garner

Leann Wade

Have you heard the sole story?

Leann Wade and Nicole Garner, the owners of Sole Sisters, know they have to do something special because of their location.

Located just south of Seminary on U.S. Hwy. 49, the business is located on the corner of a cow pasture. Consequently, the store tries to hold sale frequently to attract shoppers.

Black Friday, however, is extra special.

“Our Black Friday sale is iconic,” Wade said. “We have people waiting out the door to get in. It’s amazing.”

For the upcoming holiday season, Wade and Garner are pulling out all the stops.

“This year, we’re doing something different,” Wade said.

“We’re having a pre-Black Friday sale the Tuesday before, and all the proceeds from the ticket sales are going to go to the Jacob’s Well ministry. We are going to do like a ladies’ night out where they have to buy a ticket to come and shop.”

Garner said the early shoppers have special privileges too.

“They get to the sale early, and they don’t have to do the rush of the crowd,” she said. “They get a couple of happies too, like a T-shirt and a tote.”

“We’ve had a great response on the ticket sales and stuff,” Wade said. “We have limited space, and the tickets are selling.”

Sole Sisters has only been

under the current management for four years, when Garner and Wade reopened the renamed The Watermelon Patch in April 2015. The iconic watermelon monument remains in front of the store.

Garner said both owners picked the name “Sole Sisters.” The store name is a lesson in irony.

“Sole” gives the impression that the business is a shoe store; it sells so much more, with clothes – especially T-shirts – jewelry, fashion accessories, ice cream (yes, ice cream), and, of course, shoes.

The other ironic part of the sign? “No, we’re not sisters,” Wade said.

“But, it’s a pretty cool story,” Garner said. “We do ministry most of all. My husband is the senior pastor, and her husband coordinates the music. So, we do church together. The main church is in Collins – The Springs. We have a ministry for smaller rural areas, and we have one in Sumrall and Columbia.”

“God is all up in the business and in our lives,” Wade said. “‘It’s the soul of your heart and the sole of your feet.’”

Garner and Wade met through the ministry.

“We have actually only known each about ten years,” Garner said. “And, half of that time we’ve been in business together,” Wade added.

Garner has a master’s in accounting from Southern Miss and Wade earned a teaching degree from Southern Miss.

Neither woman was working at

the time they decided to buy the business. They were stay-at-home moms after having kids.

“We’re still pretty young in it, just learning your store and what

your buyer buys in the price range,” she said. “We’ve bought things that we shouldn’t have, and we will probably buy more things that we shouldn’t.”

They buy merchandise for every member of the family, they said.

“We like to think of the business as a family store, but the women buy more, of course,” Wade said. “We have a corner for the men. You can buy something for Mom, Dad, and the kids.”

The 10,000-squarefoot building has plenty of merchandise for the family.

“Ashton Drake dolls are popular,” Wade said. “We have the biggest selection of Ashton Drake dolls. They look like the newborn.

It’s an experience. They come out here, look through the cases, and pick out their baby dolls.”

Sole Sisters is known for their shoes and T-shirts too. And you can add Louis Vuitton bags and jewelry to your Christmas list.

Also popular in the store are the

n Buster Wolfe, Reporter

Myra bags.

“They are hot right now. and we have stocked up on those.”

As far as the seasons, Wade said summer is hot, both in business and temperature.

“We have returning families each summer,” she said.

“The summers are our hit season. Going toward the beach, we see people from Texas and Arkansas. But, we always want to see more locals too.”

“I think we have successfully increased that business (with local customers),” she said. “When we bought it, I think we were very heavy on the tourists – just people who were driving by and know the store, but I think we’ve increased local traffic, bringing people out of Hattiesburg.”

“It’s really not that far of a drive,” Wade said.

“It’s not, but it’s in the middle of a cow pasture,” said Garner. “It’s not the most convenient place, but it’s a destination, and we want to make it so that you want to come here.” (See Our Back Page Ad)