Invitation Magazine - March 2019

MARCH 2019

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BACK TO NATURE RUCKING FOR A CAUSE + DANCE TEAMS

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Sapphire male blue and gold macaw 4 years old

Nibbler male lesser sulphur-crested Moluccan cockatoo 9 years old

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Letter From the Publisher

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Celebrity Wait Night

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Calendar

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Tupelo Charity Ball

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Shoutouts

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NMSO Concert

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In Season: Hellebores

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Mega Monster Mania

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What’s In

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“Mary Poppins Jr.”

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Out & About

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Girl Scouts Dessert First

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Recipes: Healthy Brunch

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Debutante Cotillion

An annual endurance event challenges participants and brings awareness to post-traumatic stress disorder.

24 Macaws & Parakeets & Cockatoos, Oh My!

Flyhigh Rescue, an exotic bird rescue in Tupelo, works to rehabilitate and rehome exotic birds.

28 Nature Is the Best Medicine

The great outdoors may be the simplest and best balm for the soul. Wilderness therapy can help you reduce anxiety, face fears and overcome the “winter blues.”

32 Full Out

Dance teams do much more than jazz up halftime shows at sporting events. For the dancers, training builds confidence, encourages fitness and offers a sense of belonging and accomplishment year-round.

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EVENTS

ON THE COVER Spending time exploring the great outdoors can challenge the body, inspire the mind and soothe the soul. Learn from an expert in wilderness therapy how to say goodbye to the winter blues, and discover a few nearby outdoor destinations that are worth a visit on pages 28-30.

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L E T T E R from the P U B L I S H E R Some of the best memories I have of my adolescent years are from the time I spent dancing on a high school drill team with 11 other girls. We traveled to camps and we practiced together for more hours than I can count. It was a great time and a valuable experience for so many reasons.

When I began learning about high school dance teams in the area, memories of my friendships, routines, songs and much more flooded back to me. On page 32, you’ll read about several dedicated students and coaches at Saltillo High School, Tishomingo County High School and Guntown Middle School who are enthusiastic about dance and go the extra mile to bring spirit to their

FOLLOW US

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schools and to succeed as teams.

It’s no secret that our area has seen its fair share of rainy, cold days so far this year.

On page 28, you’ll find some tips and tricks for beating the winter blues. Don’t miss Troy Young’s advice about the simplest and best balm for the soul — the great outdoors — and how wilderness therapy can help you reduce anxiety and face fears.

We hope you enjoy this issue, and we’ll see you here next month.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

@INVITATIONM AG A ZINE

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@INVMAGA ZINE

PUBLISHERS

Phil and Rachel West

EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE EDITORS Allison Estes Emily Welly EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR Mary Moreton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Collins Maggie Crouch Allison Estes Rachel A. Ishee Sarah McCullen Deidra Nelson Troy Young SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Sarah McCullen COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson

OFFICE

BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney Brian Hilliard MAIN OFFICE 662-234-4008

ART

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Holly Vollor STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Gandy Lisa Roberts Whitney Worsham CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Sarah McCullen

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Timeka Davis Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Stacey Raper Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham Anna Zemek ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Paul Gandy Becca Pepper Hallie Thomas ADVERTISING INFORMATION invitationmag.com

Serving Alcorn, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union counties.

To subscribe to one year (10 issues) of Invitation or to buy an announcement, visit invitationmag.com.

To request a photographer at your event, email Mary at mary.invitation@gmail.com.

Invitation respects the many diverse individuals and organizations that make up north Mississippi and strives to be inclusive and representative of all members of our community.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

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C O M M U N I T Y MARCH 2019

Customer Appreciation Day in Pontotoc

Cherry Blossom Festival

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With Japanese food, music, brush writing, origami and more, the fourth annual Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates Japanese culture in northeast Mississippi.

Free, 2-5 p.m. Ballard Park.

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A few of Pontotoc’s local businesses show their appreciation to downtown shoppers by offering free lunch giveaways around Pontotoc’s square. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., downtown Pontotoc.

Family Fun Day Viking Half Marathon M ARCH 23

The eighth annual Viking Half Marathon and 5K promises fabulous food and a fun time. Races start at 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. in Greenwood’s historic Cotton Row district.

Raffle grand prize is a weekend for two at the Alluvian Hotel & Spa plus a Viking Cooking School class. Register online. vikinghalfmarathon.racesonline.com

St. Patrick’s Day

Tupelo Garden Club Fundraiser

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Parades, parties and “the wearing of the green” are a few ways we observe the feast day of Ireland’s fifth-century patron saint.

Among other accomplishments, he escaped from slavery, became bishop of Ireland, and adopted the shamrock as an emblem.

Post your St. Paddy’s Day photos on social media using #StPatricksDay.

Join the Tupelo Garden Club for lunch and hear Laura Dowling speak about her time as the White House’s chief floral designer.

For more information, turn to page 12.

Tickets $30. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., St. James Catholic Church.

First Day of Spring M A RCH 20

The equinox, when the sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night are both about 12 hours long, occurs at 4:58 p.m. in Mississippi. A few hours later, the full moon rises — the third and final supermoon of 2019.

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Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

APRIL 6

WCBI News is hosting a family fun day at Mossy Oak Outlet Mall in West Point to raise money to help cover medical expenses for 23-year-old Tres Turner, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. The event includes a car show, a pet parade, jumping houses, live music, a bake sale and more.

Adventure ATV also donated a 2018 fourwheeler to be raffled for $50 per ticket.

10 a.m.- 4 p.m. facebook.com/tresstrong

Amory Railroad Festival A P R I L 1 1 -1 4

Four-time Grammy Award winner Jason Isbell brings his band to Tupelo for a night of Americana and alternative country.

His wife, violinist and singer-songwriter Amanda Shires, joins him. Tickets $39.50-$60. 8 p.m., BancorpSouth Arena.

First held in 1979, this festival is one of the region’s top 29 events, according to the Southeast Tourism Society. The name commemorates Amory’s origin as a railroad town; the event celebrates that history and includes art and food vendors, live music, a car show, and a beauty pageant. Free.

From 10 a.m. each day, downtown Amory.

bcsarena.com

amoryrailroadfestival.com

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Cotton District Arts Festival A PRIL 13

Presented by the Starkville Area Arts Council, this annual festival celebrates local art, food, music and more in the heart of Starkville’s Cotton District. A schedule of events and a map are available online.

Free admission. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. cdafestival.com

Lee County Master Gardener Plant Sale A PRIL 13

Find new and familiar plants for your garden this spring and receive free advice from planting experts at the Lee County Master Gardeners annual fundraiser.

8 a.m.-noon, Lee County Extension Service Office, Tupelo. leecountymastergardeners.com

Citywide Sidewalk Sale A PRIL 13

Come shop, or purchase a 10-by-10-foot space and sell your unwanted items.

Free admission; $30 for space rental.

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S H O U T O U T S Brock Kelly, a junior at Tupelo Christian Preparatory School, is the 2018-19 Gatorade Mississippi Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. The award identifies Brock as one of Mississippi’s finest high school boys cross country runners. The Gatorade Player of the Year Award was established in 1985 to recognize the nation’s most elite athletes based on athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character.

“When I received the news that I had won, I was excited, my coach was excited, my family was excited and my school was excited. It was just a great experience,” Brock said. “I also get to donate a $1,000 grant from Gatorade to a charity of my choice that is sports related.”

The reward is fitting, as Brock is involved with several charitable organizations. He volunteers with Helping Hands Ministry, which helps to provide clothing and food to

the less fortunate. He also dedicates time to Habitat for Humanity, Eight Days of Hope, Stop Hunger Now and Relay for Life.

Perhaps closest to his heart is running the Walt Disney World Half Marathon to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, for which he has raised about $12,000 since 2015.

Brock gives his all in the classroom as well, where he maintains a 4.08 GPA. In November 2018, Brock also won an individual title at November’s Mississippi High School Activities Association state cross country meet, with the fastest time in the state, 16 minutes, 33.5 seconds.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BEN WOOLHOUSE

M i s s i s s i p p i C ro s s C ou nt r y Ru n ne r of t he Ye a r

Brock, who lives in Belden, is the first Mississippi Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year from Tupelo Christian Prep.

To see all of the athletes named state and national Gatorade Players of the Year, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY RMSU

Re a l Me n S t a nd Up

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In 2014, the death of his 10-year-old cousin led Tyson Quinn to realize how vulnerable young men might be without positive male role models in their lives. With a vision to mentor boys ages 8-18, he and friend Joshua Williams recruited several others to invest in the lives of young boys through partnerships with local schools and Tupelo’s Police Athletic League. In 2015, Quinn and Williams officially established Real Men Stand Up. “You have so many men who are not positive influences, and the young men are led astray because they don’t have anyone to guide them,” Quinn, RMSU’s president, said. “It happened to my cousin, and I then found myself wishing I had done something to help him.”

Members of Real Men Stand Up build relationships with boys by joining them for lunch, basketball and other activities throughout the week. In an effort to encourage and empower the boys to be leaders within their community, they also hold monthly meetings and special events like mother-son dinners and father-son fun days.

“A lot of people think they don’t have time, but we have opportunities for everyone,” Quinn said. “We go to the schools, we have a garden we’ll need help with this summer or if men just want to talk to the guys at one of our events, that’d be awesome.”

For more information, contact Tyson Quinn at 662-871-8201 or Joshua Williams at 662-321-2333. Keep up with Real Men Stand Up on its Facebook page.

SHOUTOUTS

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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY TUPELO GARDEN CLUB

F lowe r s of Powe r

Former White House Chief Floral Designer Laura Dowling is the keynote speaker for this year’s annual Tupelo Garden Club fundraiser, Flowers of Power: Bringing the White House Style Home.

At the White House from 2009 until 2015, Dowling managed floral design for thousands of official and private events, including state dinners, parties, receptions and large-scale installations for celebrations such as the Fourth of July, Halloween and the iconic White House Christmas. She is the author of several books, including “Floral Diplomacy at the White House.”

The fundraiser takes place at 11 a.m.

March 26 at St. James Catholic Church in Tupelo. Lunch is included with a $30 ticket.

Tickets can be purchased from garden club members, Philips Garden Center, Mid-South Nursery, Reed’s Gift Shop and Jody’s Flowers. For more information, call 662-891-7205.

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H E L L E B O R E S WRITTEN BY ALLISON ESTES

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s early as January and continuing into March and April, beautiful hellebores, or Lenten roses, are in bloom. An evergreen perennial, the plants have cup-shaped flowers that usually hang down, protecting pollen from heavy winter rains. The flowers can be single or double, patterned or solid-colored, ranging from white to blush pink and apricot shades to deeper reds and purples to a mysterious almost-black. The big dark-green leaves make an attractive ground cover year-round.

Judy Griffie of Tupelo has been a master gardener since 1996. She has been growing hellebores for 25 years or more, and some of her plants are that old.

“I have a garden that’s all hellebores,” Griffie said. “I just like them that much.”

Early blooms are different colors, but as the flowers mature, they gradually become lovely shades of lime green. Long-stemmed varieties are pretty in arrangements and bouquets, as are the seedpods. Another way to enjoy the flowers is to float them in a bowl of water.

Hellebores are hardy for northeast Mississippi and require little maintenance.

Griffie uses fish emulsion, an organic fertilizer, to feed her hellebores in March and late September.

“They are great self-seeders,” Griffie said. “If you leave the seedpods on the mother

plant, come spring you will be rewarded with lots of little hellebore seedlings that can be potted up and shared with family and friends. Just be careful not to disturb the main roots when transplanting.”

Hellebores thrive in moist, acidic soil and at least partial shade. Griffie suggests planting with other woodland or shadeloving plants — hostas, astilbes or heucheras.

Find hellebores and more at the Lee County Master Gardeners annual spring plant sale fundraiser. New and familiar plants will be available at reasonable prices, along with free expert advice. Griffie, who loves to grow “vertically,” says to look for her in the vine section, where she’ll be giving away seed packets to children.

The sale takes place 8 a.m.-noon April 13 on the grounds of the Lee County Extension Service Office on Cliff Gookin Boulevard in Tupelo. An after-sale will be held 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

April 15 and 16. For more information, visit leecountymaster­gardeners.com.

master gardener T I P S FROM JUDY GRIFFIE

select a shady location that receives a couple of hours of sunlight plant in fall or spring in groups of three to five plants about 20 inches apart don’t plant too deep — the crown of the plant should be exposed all parts of the plant are poisonous; keep away from pets and children plants mature in three to five years

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MOY NA BAG $ 49.9 9 LA GREEN

CUSTOM ARR ANGEMENT $199 ANN’S OF CORINTH

ILLA ILLA SHORT SET $48 DARTEN DISTRICT

U N I CO R N S N OT $ 2 0-$ 2 2 MEDICAL PLAZA ON HARPER

O N R U N N I N G | CLO U D F LY ER $1 5 9.9 5 AUSTIN’S SHOES

BB LU V TERMO THERMOME TER $ 42.9 9 SHILOH APOTHECARY

SOUTHERN PROPER SWIM TRUNKS $ 79.95 SHIRLEY DAWG’S

FL AMINGO EAR BUDS $9 MEDICAL PLAZA ON HARPER

M ARC FISHER LTD | RE X $159.95 AUSTIN’S SHOES

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AN ANNUAL ENDURANCE EVENT BRINGS AWARENESS TO POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER A N D C H A L L E N G E S PA R T I C I PA N T S P H Y S I C A L LY A N D M E N TA L LY. WRITTEN BY JENNIFER COLLINS

They walk for those they have loved and lost — those in the armed forces, first responders — all who succumbed to the punishing effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. And they walk for those who are living with the burden of PTSD. Both nationwide and here in northeast Mississippi, “walking the ruck” has created a network of people who gather in support of each other and to honor their loved ones.

Each person who walks the ruck carries a weighted rucksack to simulate the military community and esprit de corps. Many carry 22 pounds. Most walk 22 miles or 22 kilometers to commemorate that number: When the first ruck walks were held, an average of 22 military veterans a day died by suicide.

Various ruck events are held nationwide and at different times of the year, but all were started to raise awareness for PTSD. Some are daylong events, while others can last as long as three days. On April 27, the fourth Rucking for PTSD/Ruck for Heroes event takes place in Tupelo. Some who walk the ruck are military; some are not. Most are from the Tupelo area, but in past years people have flown in from as far as Texas to participate.

Chris and Kristi Beckish, owners of Premiere Fitness in Tupelo, have sponsored Rucking for PTSD/Ruck for Heroes for four years.

The Beckishes are dedicated to raising community awareness of PTSD and its effect on the military and other trauma victims.

“We lose 22 veterans a day to suicide,” Chris Beckish said.

“Imagine how many in a year … and one is too many.”

Rob and Dee Steele of Tupelo help coordinate both the event

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ILLUSTRATED BY SAR AH McCULLEN

and the silent auction held the week before. The Steeles have been supporters ever since Dee decided to walk the ruck three years ago.

“My family, they viewed people in the military as superheroes — impenetrable, the toughest people on earth,” Rob said. “Nobody would mess with them; they don’t have hard times. Until the ruck, I just figured that. I didn’t know what people were going through, until I started talking to people in the ruck.

It was a realization that I needed.”

Ruck walks to raise awareness for PTSD started around 2013, after the American Psychiatric Association classified PTSD in a newly created category, giving it the proper diagnostic criteria that it deserved and helping it to become a less stigmatized condition.

Not talking about a personal trauma might seem natural; some might think if you don’t talk about it, you’ll stop thinking about it. But trauma is a wound that lies deep inside the mind and resurfaces over small things. A sudden flash of light, a noise, a seemingly random event — simple everyday occurrences can re-create the trauma and trigger a host of physical and emotional symptoms. Military personnel, first responders, rape victims, all share the same potential for PTSD, but for many, asking for help is the most difficult hurdle. Pride is especially built into the armed forces. Strength and self-reliance can be emotional assets, but they can also be a barrier to receiving help, and the fear of losing a career in the military often stops people from reaching out for support.

Katie Barnett of Tupelo walks the ruck in honor of her brother in the U.S. Marine Corps and in support of all military personnel.

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The blisters, mental fatigue and exhaustion all take a toll, but after taking a year off from the ruck she walked it again last year and enjoys encouraging others in the walk.

“I love supporting the military,” Barnett said. “The first year was the hardest one that I have done. I had blisters on my feet; it was mentally challenging. But all I could think was, well, what does our military go through? It has got to be harder.”

Symptoms of PTSD can occur soon after a traumatic event or remain dormant until something triggers them. Sufferers may exhibit irrational behavior or angry outbursts that seem out of character. A general feeling of hopelessness and detachment is common. All of this is compounded when people leave the military, losing the sense of community that their military unit gave them.

Robby Sherwin of Tupelo talks openly about his struggles after leaving the Marines. Sherwin came to Tupelo after his ex-wife moved to the area with their daughter. He has created a new “family” through the ruck and the people he has met at the event. Sherwin isn’t able to walk the ruck, but he drives a car, checking on people throughout the run, bringing water and encouragement.

“I’m thinking of buying an RV and going out to Colorado for a little while,” Sherwin said. “But I’m going to fly back for the ruck. That’s how important this thing is. I’ve done them all over the country. It’s just important to me, and that is not just because of the ruck; that’s because of the people.”

The old notion that PTSD is a “fake disease” is still a huge problem. Jena Pennington’s husband, Tyler, lost his battle against

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PTSD four years ago, and she walks the ruck in his memory. The idea that PTSD wasn’t real was so ingrained in Tyler that he could not even entertain the idea that he might need help. After his death Jena was so submerged in caring for their twins that it was a year before her own PTSD symptoms surfaced.

“The first year I was busy with the twins, but about the year mark, [I thought] oh, I need some help. I’m not OK right now,” Jena said. “I didn’t want to die … but I didn’t want to be here right now. So I got into counseling, and I’ve been going to counseling ever since. I can admit that some days I’m not OK. But the good days outweigh the bad days now. So talk to somebody — it is OK to talk to somebody. It doesn’t make you weak or less of a person, less of a man.”

Friends, churches, veterans organizations and local hospitals can all help those with PTSD. Medication, holistic medicine, working out, group meetings, hiking and journaling are some of the different methods people can use to heal while undergoing counseling.

And then there’s walking the ruck.

Rucking for PTSD/Ruck for Heroes is sponsored by Premiere Fitness, Obstacle Addix, Shred Managers, Christopher Jones Designs, Kroger Stores, Cockrell Banana Company, Tupelo Police Department, Tupelo Fire Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Department and others. To take part in the ruck or to volunteer to support the Ruck for Heroes in honor of PTSD survivors, the military, first responders and other victims of trauma, contact pftupelo.com or Premiere Fitness at 662-269-3264.

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Al male greenwing macaw 26 years old

MACAWS & PARAKEETS & COCKATOOS,

OH MY!

F LY H I G H R E S C U E I N T U P E LO WO R K S TO REHABILITATE AND REHOME EXOTIC BIRDS. WRITTEN BY MAGGIE CROUCH

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

uffled feathers desperately in need of a deep cleaning. An overgrown, curved beak that hasn’t seen proper nutrients in weeks. Yearning eyes peering out from a colorful face.

The eyes are what get Joye Cantrell every time she rescues a bird.

“The most rewarding part is the thankfulness I see when I look into their eyes,” Cantrell said. “They can be so gracious. Once they know you, they’re your family.”

Cantrell and fellow bird lover and business partner Margie Epting have made a family out of more than a dozen birds they have rescued over the past year since they established Flyhigh Rescue in Tupelo. The birds — ranging from Moluccan cockatoos and macaws to African greys and parakeets — have come from people’s homes and various breeders.

“We’ve been helping out if people have birds that are in bad conditions,” Epting said. “Instead of just rehousing them and causing more problems with the birds, we take them in and get them healthy again.”

The rescued birds often come from places where they had poor diets or inadequate housing. Some are injured or have permanent handicaps because their previous owners didn’t know how to properly care for them.

“They’re so intelligent, and people don’t realize that,” Cantrell said. “Most of these rescues have never even been to the vet before, so I’m lucky that I have a good one nearby.”

Cantrell takes the birds to Emerson Animal Hospital in West Point upon rescue to ensure that they get healthy quickly with veterinary remedies ranging from laser treatment to medicines that promote growth for their feathers.

Each rescued bird has a distinct personality, according to Cantrell.

“They will look at you and figure out your personality,” Cantrell said. “They’ll figure out if they can play with you and how to tease you, and as they get better and become more comfortable around you, their personalities come out even more.”

Once the recovery and rehabilitation process is underway, the most important thing for Cantrell and Epting is providing the birds with loving care and a new home where they can continue to get better.

“I don’t care if I had 100 birds, I would take care of all of them,” Cantrell said. “If I can help, I’m going to do it as best as I can.”

One bird, known as Oliver, was rescued from a breeder and was near death when Cantrell found him.

Gizmo female African grey parrot 18 years old

Jamie female Moluccan cockatoo 9 years old

“It was so hard to get Oliver out of his situation,” Epting said. “There were two big birds in a cage meant for a parakeet, and the other one was pecking him to death.

They were both very malnourished, but Joye’s been working wonders on Oliver. The greatest part has been seeing him come back to life.”

Oliver is just one of the success stories that Cantrell and Epting hope to continue to make happen at Flyhigh Rescue. Going forward, they also plan to educate people about the responsibility of caring for exotic birds to prevent the cycle from continuing.

Their goal is to stop the cycle that causes these birds to be put in such dangerous and life-threatening situations, not only by rescuing and rehabilitating them but also by educating bird owners and people who are considering purchasing them.

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“It’s like getting a puppy for Christmas,” Epting said. “People get so caught up in the excitement of a new pet that they sometimes don’t understand these birds are going to poop on you and need more than sunflower seeds in their diets. Most people don’t do the research before buying a bird, so it’s teaching them what to do that’s important.

“We’re working on having a place where people can come in and interact with the birds so they can see what that’s like before committing to buying one of their own. It’s all about not changing the behavior of the bird but rather changing the behavior of the human who is interacting with the bird.”

Epting also believes that increasing involvement will allow people to appreciate the birds even more.

“We want to get more people involved in the recovery process,” Epting said.

“Getting local volunteers who are willing to put in the time and build that bond with a specific bird will hopefully lead them to take the bird home one day.”

For more information on Flyhigh Rescue, visit facebook.com/flyhighrescue.

Walter male blue and gold macaw 11 years old

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T H E G R E AT O U T D O O R S M AY B E T H E S I M P L E S T A N D B E S T B A L M F O R T H E S O U L .

THERAPIST AND LIFE COACH TROY YOUNG USES WILDERNESS THERAPY TO HELP CLIENTS REDUCE ANXIET Y, FACE FEARS AND OVERCOME THE ‘WINTER BLUES.’ WRIT TEN BY TROY YOUNG

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

alf an hour before her scheduled appointment, I get a voicemail message from a client. Sherrie* apologizes and says she’s still coming but will be late. It’s well after noon, but her voice sounds gravelly and slow, like she’s just woken up. When she arrives, we sit down to talk.

“I am so tired of these gray days,” Sherrie said. “I just can’t find the energy to get going, even to do the things I enjoy. I can’t seem to shake feeling sad.”

The cold, wet and dreary days of winter can take a toll on our well-being: The weather forces us indoors, and we get less physical activity. According to Mental Health America, up to 10 percent of Americans get the “winter blues,” a subtype of depression that occurs and ends around the same time every year.

In my practice I see clients facing all kinds of emotional health issues. Some, like Sherrie, have some type of depression. Others have issues with fear or anxiety, sometimes as a result of recent or past trauma. All of them can benefit from wilderness therapy.

Nature is great medicine. Spending time in nature has been shown to improve mood, restore attention capacity and reduce mental fatigue. With more than 25 years of experience in taking people into the outdoors, I’ve seen clients with high levels of anxiety overcome their perceptions and emotions and develop confidence through facing their fears. Through wilderness therapy, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to witness people break through to a place they thought they would never reach.

Brenda grew up believing she was unwanted. At 18, she attempted to end her life. Overweight and with scars as a reminder

of her pain, she set off with me to take a hike in the forest. Brenda was full of doubt. The 7-mile hike was a daunting challenge; she had never walked that far in her entire life. I encouraged her to try. As we walked and talked, she lost track of the time and distance. Upon

This spring, brighten your outlook with a dose of nature. Consider these tips to get the most out of your personal wilderness therapy.

TURN OFF YOUR PHONE Resist the urge to check your phone. Let this time be just for you.

TAKE A BLANKET AND BE STILL Close contact with the ground and remaining quiet are calming.

B R E AT H E D E E P LY To reduce anxiety and manage stress, breathe deeply through your nose for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale through your mouth for four seconds, pause for four seconds, and repeat.

BE PRESENT BY LISTENING Pay particular attention to the sounds of nature. Try to distinguish as many sounds as possible. Closing your eyes may help.

APPRECIATE THE DETAILS Feel the breeze or the warmth of the sunshine. Try to notice all that is around you. Watching birds and animals is relaxing and fun.

DO NOT SET GOALS Release the urge to define an outcome, and just enjoy the journey.

PUT YOUR ARMS UP HIGH According to social scientist Amy Cuddy, power poses such as uplifted arms lead to elevated confidence and feelings of personal power.

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arriving at the end of the trail, she broke into tears and said that it was the first time she had ever finished anything.

Trent was a big talker, but he came on overconfident to hide his insecurities. When he was uncomfortable, he would talk fast and try to make jokes. When I put him on the end of a climbing

Besides local trails and parks, here are a few nearby recreational areas where you can unplug and experience the benefits of nature.

Ta n g l e f o o t Tr a i l Mississippi’s longest Rails to Trails conversion meanders 43.6 miles through the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area. The paved trail runs from New Albany to Houston and can be accessed by foot or on bicycle.

Tishomingo State Park Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Tishomingo State Park is steeped in history and scenic beauty.

Big Hill Pond State Park A short drive north, Big Hill Pond State Park in Tennessee offers over 4,000 acres with more than 30 miles of picturesque trails, including a half-mile boardwalk that winds through Dismal Swamp.

Woodall Mountain Hike to the top of the highest point in Mississippi. Located about 17 miles southeast of Corinth, Woodall Mountain is 806 feet above sea level — a short but steep 1-mile hike to the top.

rope, he became very quiet. He tried to quit several times using every excuse he could think of. It took a lot of encouragement to get him to move, but as he met small goals, he began to gain confidence. Before he knew it, he was at the top. This time his fast talking was from genuine excitement, not insecurity.

Jennifer was afraid of trying new things. She could not shift her focus from painful experiences in the past. At first she refused to go on a hike because she hated bugs; she was raised in the city and didn’t like to be outdoors. We agreed that we would stay on the trail and that I would walk in front so I could knock down the spider webs and keep an eye out for critters. Along the path, I pointed out all of the interesting things — trees and the sunshine, flowers and ferns. Of course there were bugs all around, but at the end she hadn’t seen a single one and admitted she enjoyed the hike.

Taylor had a near drowning event when he was young and was still very emotionally charged when he was around water. In his 20s, he wanted to learn how to kayak and overcome his fear. We started in a swimming pool, just getting him comfortable floating in a life vest. After his anxiety lowered, we introduced a kayak and he paddled around the pool. He learned to roll off and float on his back. When he mastered that, we added a skirt, and he practiced a wet exit over and over until he was no longer afraid of being in a boat upside down in the water. By taking small steps and with lots of encouragement, Taylor slowly overcame his fear and gained a new hobby that he enjoys to this day. Actually, his name wasn’t Taylor; it was Troy. That young man was me.

Developing resiliency is key to improving health and well-being.

By learning how to overcome real or perceived fears, we build endurance and confidence. We gain strength of character, and hope is restored. The first steps are scary, but the reward is worth the risk. *Names have been changed for privacy.

W. Troy Young, M.Ed., M.A., is the owner of Willow Tree Counseling and Willow Tree Wilderness. Since 1990, he has been using the outdoors to help others on college campuses, at treatment centers and in private practice, with locations in Tupelo and Oxford.

Contact Troy at troy@willowtreecounselingms.com or willowtreecounselingms.com.

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DANCE TEAMS DO MUCH MORE THAN JAZZ UP HALFTIME SHOWS AT SPORTING EVENTS. FOR THE DANCERS, TRAINING BUILDS CONFIDENCE, ENCOURAGES FITNESS AND OFFERS A SENSE OF BELONGING AND ACCOMPLISHMENT YEAR-ROUND. WRITTEN BY RACHEL A. ISHEE

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

riday night in north Mississippi means hundreds of high school students and their families pack into stadiums and arenas all over the state to cheer on their hometown heroes as they vie for the ball. But there’s another sport attracting interest in the Hospitality State — one that has little off-season and is integral to many of these better-known major sporting events: dance teams.

With impressive, high-energy routines choreographed to Top 40 hits and enthusiastic smiles that will give hope no matter what the scoreboard says, dance teams have become a vital part of many sporting events. The dancers go full-out during the halftime shows at football and basketball games, but being on a dance team involves much more than waving pom-poms and wearing dazzling uniforms. In addition to performing throughout the school year, many teams also compete in regional and

national competitions as well as train throughout the summer.

The Tishomingo County High School Bravette Dancers have been cheering on their school for a decade now. Since 2009 the all-girls team has been practicing every day after school to be able to perform during the football, basketball and competition seasons. Being able to put on high-energy performances year-round requires a team of experienced coaches to get all 17 girls to that level.

“Luckily we as coaches have years of experience in cheer and dance and know the process of preparing for the upcoming year,” coach Sandy Rogers said.

It takes more than one person to coach a winning team. Rogers is one of three coaches behind the Bravettes. With decades of dance experience between them, they know what it takes to get their dancers to the top. When competition season rolls around, the school

also hires additional choreographers.

The coaching process begins with purchasing music, brainstorming ideas for routines and relaying those ideas back to the choreographers, who then teach the new routine to the squad. Once the girls have been taught the routine, they practice it hundreds — maybe even 1,000 times — in order to perfect all the steps and hit their mark every single time.

Besides juggling schoolwork and the rigorous practice schedule, girls who make the team become role models for others.

It’s demanding, but students and coaches believe it is worth all the hard work.

“As a Bravette dance member, they instantly become role models to the student body at Tishomingo County High School,” Rogers said. “And as coaches we work hard to instill a good work ethic and prepare them with skills to further their dance career after high school.”

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Guntown Middle School is in its first year offering the budding sport. Anna Pugh, one of the dance team coaches at GMS, saw bringing a dance team to the school as a huge, untapped opportunity.

“Middle schools often have football, basketball, cheer and a few clubs,” Pugh said. “But I teach several students — girls specifically — who don’t really fall into any of those categories. [Dance teams offer] the opportunity to bond with other girls and work together toward a common goal. That is so valuable no matter the club.”

Because the GMS dance team is in its inaugural year, they are not eligible to compete at the national level, but they do perform at halftime for basketball games and are planning on attending the Universal Dance Association camp this summer. There they will develop technique, bond as a team and learn routines to perform throughout the year. This year the camp takes place in June in Memphis and offers skills workshops as well as choreography sessions.

“It’s great for the girls because tons of teams from throughout the region attend each year,” Pugh said. “We get to see what other teams do, learn new routines and bond as a new team before the season starts in August.”

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The students that make up the GMS dance team also know a thing or two about having busy schedules. Because they are a new team, the coaches have been focusing a lot on conditioning and strength training.

With workouts four times a week that consist of cardio, core, arms and legs, and strength training, the team is sure to be in good shape before competition season begins.

“I am working to build their physical fitness so that they have the stamina and strength to withstand longer, more strenuous dances with more difficult skills,” Pugh said.

While coaching a dance team is fun and extremely rewarding, the women give up a lot in order to coach the team.

“I have a co-coach, Katie Nelson, and she has been such a blessing,” Pugh said.

“We gave up our planning periods to coach in addition to teaching English full time.”

Having two coaches means that the GMS dancers get exposed to different styles of dance. This helps to keep routines fresh and entertaining and challenges the girls to learn various techniques.

“We each bring different things to the table,” Pugh said. “Katie’s background is primarily in pom and kick line, while mine is hip-hop and dance fitness. This makes for a diverse team with a variety of dance styles.”

While it’s fun to stay active and learn new routines, Pugh admits that her girls walk away with much more than cute uniforms and some pom-poms.

“The skills my girls have learned go so far beyond just double pirouettes and kipups,” Pugh said. “I have seen shy, insecure girls blossom into confident, outgoing young ladies. Body image is such a struggle at this age. Dance is giving my girls an outlet to exercise and develop healthy habits, which in turn makes them walk a little taller and feel so much better about themselves.”

The girls on the team couldn’t agree more. Bella Jones, 13, began with an interest in cheer but also wanted to work more on her fitness and make new friends.

“My favorite part of being on the team is making memories and having fun when we get on the basketball court,” Jones said.

“The most challenging part is the workouts, but the good part is that the other dancers will encourage you to keep going.”

Caydee Fleming, 14, also started out her athletic career in a different direction.

“I’ve done studio ballet for a long time, but what made me want to be on the dance team was seeing how dance can influence someone’s life or make their life better,” Fleming said. “I wanted to be a part of that.”

Jenny Fleming, the Saltillo High School dance team coach, has witnessed similar results from her students.

“Practice becomes a safe space where problems involving school can be pushed aside to have fun while exercising,” she said.

“Children with different social backgrounds can come together to form a hardworking team.”

Fleming said that being a part of a dance team teaches girls to have positive attitudes and how to constantly work to better themselves and others. Dance also teaches them how to be team players. When they’re out onstage or on the court performing, it doesn’t matter whose kicks are higher or whose smile is brighter. What matters is that everyone knows the dance and is in sync with each other and the music.

“Dance teaches young girls that with endurance, preparation and passion, all goals are possible,” Fleming said.

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CELEBRITY WAIT NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The 10th annual Make-A-Wish Mid-South Celebrity Wait Night took place Jan. 22 at Mugshots Bar & Grill. Make-A-Wish MidSouth grants over 275 unique wishes each year to children with critical illnesses in north Mississippi.

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1. Heidi Wilson 2. Dani Hurst, Lane Baxter, Lauren Zuelzke and Steven Watson 3. Melba Williams, Katherine Jackson, MarySusan Asters, and Lauren Stacy 4. Kylie Renfro, Lauren McElwain, Lee Stratton, Sadie Smith and Mel Carpenter 5. Allie Martin, Bethany Bennett, Daniella Oropeza and Kelby Cobb 6. Gunner Herndon and Michael Gibson 7. Wendy Fine, Tom Brown, Kayla Little and Shaune Holiday

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TUPELO CHARITY BALL PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The 56th annual Tupelo Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball took place Feb. 1 at BancorpSouth Arena. During the “Great Gatsby”-themed ball, Donna Kaye Randle was honored as Tupelo’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

View more photos at invitationmag.com.

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1. Sarah Long, Hope Moody and Mandy Rose Blissard 2. Miller Lipscomb, Mary Alice Cantrell, Lilla Reed and Harrison Brawner 3. Claire Evans, Lakyn Davis, Emma Pettey and Katelyn Justice 4. Ava Hildenbrand and Cole Wilson 5. Passion Anderson, Krista Bogan and Sebrina Green 6. Lara Grace Fair and Mauria Ferrell 7. Makayla Humpres and Bona Mills 8. Katey Kemp, Erica Cottongin, Madi Raper and Maddie McCalla 9. MacKenzie Pittman and Anessa McMath

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NMSO CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra held a sensory-friendly concert Jan. 26 at the Link Centre Concert Hall. The NMSO partnered with the Autism Center of North Mississippi and Tupelo Quality of Life for this special concert experience.

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1. Katy Riley, Haley Wood and Caleb Gann 2. George, Jonathan, Jackson and Charlie Martin 3. Sarah and Jim Karrant and Barrett Richardson 4. Susan and Oscar Stearns 5. Logan and Valerie Hendrix 6. Jonathan and Eva Beadum with Caleb and Amy Kuykendall and Hilda Cline 7. Debbie and John David Homan

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MEGA MONSTER MANIA PHOTOGRAPHED BY WHITNEY WORSHAM

Crossroads Arena in Corinth presented the Mega Monster Mania Monster Truck Show and Tuff Truck Competition Feb. 22 and 23.

The family-friendly event featured eight monster trucks.

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1. Jamie, Tripp and Jay Jones 2. Lakiesha Taylor and Kieston Burress 3. Justin and Obie Glisson 4. Mason and D.C. Parvin 5. Jamie and Kayden Henderson 6. Kalynn, Camille and Gunner Roseberry 7. Amy and Colby Gee

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“MARY POPPINS JR.” PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The Itawamba Indian Players presented the musical “Mary Poppins Jr.” Feb. 21-24 at the historical Old Fulton Grammar School. The production was directed by Victoria Blake.

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1. Brayden Hargett, Mason Row Cook, Jacob Gray, Alin Green, Aiden Bryan and Aiden Locaster 2. Gracie and Mollie Satterwhite with Katelyn Duke, Baylee Johnson and Nora Cipkowski 3. Joshua Taylor, Cora Beth Brown, Lakin Hamm and Macy Walton 4. Suni Crane, Mikah Beth Lesley, Dalton Stevens, Mary Grace, Lauren Johnson and Ally Jo Todd 5. Sheree King with Victoria and Robert Blake and Sue Wiersma 6. Laura Leigh Johnson and Noah Locastro 7. Kailee Martin, Madison Weston, Caleb Hatfield and Beau Moses

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GIRL SCOUTS DESSERT FIRST PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The third annual Dessert First fundraiser benefiting Girls Scouts Heart of the South took place Feb. 14 at Double Barrel restaurant in Tupelo. Local restaurants participated in a contest featuring Girl Scout cookie-inspired desserts.

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1. Mike and Cathy Fitzpatrick 2. Ashley Minch, Jessica Harris, Julianne Goodwin and Shannon Ivy 3. Stefanie Oliver and Eden Murphy 4. Dessie Woods, Atreyu Hunter and Jenny Jones 5. Emilie Hutcheson, Brandon Hood and Mallory Pannell 6. Madison Taylor Mills and Sue Golmon

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DEBUTANTE COTILLION PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The Golden Circle Civic Social Club held its Debutante Cotillion Feb. 17 at the Summit Center in Tupelo. Club members organize and participate in community service projects throughout the year.

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1. Chenelle Holiday, Tamicka Martin, Aundra Kohlheim, Rayne Ware, Renita Ware and Bailey Kohlheim 2. Elana Dearing, Kacilyn Pegues, Challyn Rice and Nakiya Cayson 3. Ben Veltschey, Marcus Rogers, Milo Westmoreland, Jetavious Penson and Jason White 4. Charli Agnew, T’ajahlon White and Taniya Patterson 5. Kayla Terrell and Taniya Roby 6. Memory Carouthers, Tawana Dearing and Sherita Ward 7. Marcus Rogers, Milo Westmoreland and Jetavious Penson 8. Chloe Walker and Diamond Sharpe

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OUT & ABOUT VIEW MORE PHOTOS AT INVITATIONM AG.COM

F lou r i sh Pa p e r S i p a nd S ho p

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S t . Jud e D re a m Ho me G rou nd b re a k i n g

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1. Kim Root and Kim Leathers 2. Mindy Gransinger, Ashley Prince and Mary Beth Cantrell 3. Amanda Caldwell and Kelley Vance 4. Phil Hardwick and Maddin Hutto 5. Louise Jones, Carol Kloac and Mike Smith 6. Rod and Regina Counce with Mendy Ramet, Meredith Tollison, Lisa Hawkins, Mark Simpson, Susan Webb, Leah Partlow, Jerry Jones, Craig Morgan, Raymond Jourdan, Jason Warren and Jack Horne

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MISSISSIPPI’S BEST

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Healthy B R U N C H T U R M E R I C WA F F L E S , AVO C A D O TOA S T A N D A Q U I N OA B OW L

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RECIPES BY DEIDRA NELSON, M.S., R.D.N., L.D.N.

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raditional brunch fare can be loaded with unhealthy fats and sugar, causing inflammation in the body that contributes to and worsens many conditions, including diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and cancer. These healthier versions of brunch favorites all contain nutrient-packed ingredients that reduce inflammation and bolster healthy living.

turmeric

LEMONWAFFLES 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted 1½ teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 tablespoon sugar 2 eggs 1/3 cup oil 1¾ cups buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Zest of 1 lemon Berries and honey (optional)

Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat eggs with oil, buttermilk, vanilla extract and lemon zest. Add liquid ingredients to dry and stir to combine, leaving a few lumps. Cook in waffle iron according to directions. Serve topped with fresh berries and honey, if desired. Serves 4.

ABOUT DEIDRA NELSON Deidra Nelson is a registered dietitian/ nutritionist based in Memphis, Tennessee. She currently works as a community and wellness dietitian and operates a nutrition blog, destinationmoderation.com, focused on finding the good in everything you eat.

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SUN-DRIED TOM ATO

and GOAT CHEESE avocado toast

CHICKEN SAUSAGE

and SWISS CHARD quinoa bowl

2 slices sourdough bread 1 medium avocado Microgreens or spinach 6 sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil 1 ounce crumbled goat cheese 1 tablespoon honey Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil 2 chicken sausage links, sliced 1 bunch Swiss chard, rinsed and chopped 2 eggs 1 cup cooked red quinoa 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Tahini (optional)

Heat oven to 400°F. Place bread on baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes. Halve and pit avocado, then use a spoon to scoop out the meat. In a small bowl, mash avocado. Place half the mash on each slice of toast. Top each slice with a handful of microgreens or spinach, 3 tomatoes and half the goat cheese, and drizzle with half the honey.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serves 2.

In large nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over mediumhigh heat. Add chicken sausage to pan and saute 2-3 minutes. Add Swiss chard and saute an additional 5 minutes. Set aside. In a separate pan, cook eggs as desired. Build each bowl with ½ cup quinoa, half the sausage and chard mixture and 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Top each with 1 cooked egg. Drizzle with tahini if desired. Serves 2.