Invitation Magazine - May 2024

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At Home on the Lake

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Jigs by Jay

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LETTER from the PUBLISHER

On April 8, my heart exploded and my worlds collided when I realized that over 30 or so friends were spending the entire day in Pocahontas, Arkansas. My hometown, a tiny little map dot in northeast Arkansas, for that day became one of the best places on earth to see the eclipse for more than 4 minutes of totality.

Our homes, gardens and communities give us a sense of place and pride. They are where we share some of our greatest memories and joys with others. It was exciting to hear about the natural wonder being experienced by so many friends in my

small hometown.

This month we share with you a taste of Carolyn Carter’s backyard oasis that surrounds the house that once belonged to her parents. Feast your eyes on lush greens and bright pinks and all other kinds of beauty when you flip to page 36.

And be sure to check out Connie Haygood’s she-shed on page 30. It’s a sanctuary for Connie, where she is surrounded by meaningful things that bring her joy, including the structure itself, which was built by her husband.

Lastly, we’ve spent a lot of time and

captured numerous ways you can enjoy plants in your home. Houseplants bring the outside indoors for a taste of green things that brighten up a room or make a blank space feel warmer and more welcoming. Be sure and find that on page 54 along with a primer for growing your own on page 60.

We are excited about this issue, and we hope you enjoy the natural beauty we’re sharing on these pages.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

PUBLISHER

Rachel West

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Emily Welly

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Leslie Criss

EVENTS EDITOR

Carleigh Harbin

FOOD EDITOR

Sarah Godwin

COPY EDITOR

Ashley Arthur

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Jennie Lee

OFFICE

BUSINESS MANAGER

Hollie Hilliard

DISTRIBUTION

Allen Baker

Brian Hilliard

MAIN OFFICE

662-234-4008

ART CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Holly Vollor

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Joe Worthem

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Liz Calvery

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Magic Lantern Show

MAY 3

Joel Schlemowitz demonstrates Victorian magic lantern slides on the lawn of the Walton Young House. Popcorn, cotton candy and refreshments provided. Free admission. Reception 6:30 p.m.; performance 7:30 p.m., Walton Young House. museum.olemiss.edu

Spring Fling

MAY 4

Junior Auxiliary of Oxford’s annual Spring Fling includes a silent auction, live entertainment and a Derby Day theme. Funds go to service projects for Oxford children. 3-6 p.m., the Powerhouse. facebook.com/jaofoxford

Civic Chorus Concert

MAY 4

Oxford Civic Chorus presents its spring concert: “Oxford Sings! Celebrating 25 Years of Oxford Civic Chorus.” 3 p.m., David Nutt Auditorium. oxfordcivicchorus.org

Oxford Pride Fundraiser

MAY 4

A drag show fundraiser supports the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies’ LGBTQ+ Arts, Culture and Community Development Fund. Tickets $25; $20 students. 8 p.m., The Lyric. oxfordmspride.rocks

Ole Miss Graduation

MAY 8-12

Ceremonies start May 8 across the Oxford campus with Morning Convocation taking place on May 11 at 9 a.m. in the Grove. commencement.olemiss.edu

Hazardous Waste Day

MAY 11

Bring fluids, household cleaners, garden chemicals, pesticides, batteries, paints and more for proper disposal. 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Lafayette County Multipurpose Arena. oxfordms.net

Women of Worth and Excellence Local Festival

MAY 18

Find vendors, live music, food and networking opportunities at this festival put on by a group aimed at providing participants with opportunities for spiritual, educational and financial growth. 1-5 p.m., Old Armory Pavilion. oxfordarts.com

Red Carpet Gala

MAY 23

The Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce annual black-tie gala is presented by Cannon Motors. Tickets $75. 7-11 p.m., Castle Hill Resort. olccredcarpetgala.com

World Old-TimeChampionship Piano Playing Contest

MAY 23-26

Accomplished piano players meet in Oxford to play, compete and learn during this annual event featuring ragtime, Tin Pan Alley and standard tunes from before 1940. Tickets available online. oldtimepianocontest.com

Velvet Ditch Gran Fondo

MAY 25

Grab your bike for a 20-mile, 45-mile, 70-mile or 100-kilometer route in this noncompetitive cycling event. Register online by May 24. Limited spots available. rideoxford.com

NORTHEAST

Gumtree Student Art Competition and Exhibit

MAY 1-15

Gumtree Museum of Art shows work by 7th-12th grade students in the Lee County area. An opening reception takes place at 5 p.m. May 2. Awards, including scholarship awards for seniors, will be presented at the reception. Gumtree Museum of Art. gumtreemuseum.com

HOLIDAYS

MAY 5

Cinco de Mayo

MAY 12

Mother’s Day

MAY 27

Memorial Day

Celebrate Star Wars Day at Elvis Presley Birthplace

MAY 4

Elvis Tribute Artist Nick Perkins headlines this celebration, recreating Presley’s May 4, 1976, Lake Tahoe concert. For tickets, $25, call 662-841-1245 or visit the Birthplace. Doors open at 6 p.m.; showtime 7 p.m. elvispresleybirthplace.com

Coca-Cola Classic 10K

MAY 4

Corinth has hosted this popular race since 1982. Register in advance online. The 10K race starts at 7:45 a.m., and awards are

distributed at 11 a.m. Start and finish lines are located near the corner of Polk and Foote streets in Corinth. coke10k.com

Rose Society Show

MAY 9

Stop by to admire the Northeast Mississippi Rose Society’s annual juried rose show. Free admission. 9 a.m.3:30 p.m., Renasant Bank Atrium Lobby, 209 Troy Street, Tupelo. For more information, call 662-419-9737.

Community College Graduations

MAY 9-10

Congratulations to the graduates of Itawamba Community College and Northeast Mississippi Community College! Ceremonies for both schools take place May 9-10. iccms.edu and nemcc.edu

Pollinator Palooza

MAY 11

Celebrate native plans and learn about butterflies, beekeeping, birding, land restoration and more at this free familyfriendly event hosted by Camp Creek Natives. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 921 Sam T. Barkley Drive, New Albany. campcreeknativeplants.com

Mother’s Day Brunch at Gumtree Museum

MAY 12

In lieu of its annual arts festival, this year Gumtree Museum plans to host a Mother’s Day Brunch. For ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, visit facebook.com/GumTreeMuseum.” gumtreeartandwinefestival.com

George Thurmond Exhibit

MAY 15-JULY 15

Kathy and Steve Corban sponsor “Paintings from a Private Collection,” an exhibit at the Gumtree Museum of Art featuring work by George Thurmond. An opening reception is planned for 5 p.m. June 14. gumtreemuseum.com

SHOUTOUTS

Mississippi June Bugs Hosts Annual Gathering in Tupelo

The Mississippi June Bugs Literary & Musical Society will host its annual gathering May 31-June 2 in Tupelo. This year’s event will be highlighted by a free concert by the group’s Mississippi June Bug Band at 7 p.m. June 1 at the Tupelo Cotton Mill, 300 Elliot Street. The concert extravaganza is open to the public.

The Mississippi June Bugs were founded in 2019 by Itawamba County native Mike Mills. The growing group is comprised of professors, judges, doctors, actors, lawyers, authors, business professionals and others from across the country who unite each year in a culturally significant locale to celebrate a common love for the arts. The Mississippicentric group has held annual symposiums thus far in Concord, Massachusetts; Clarksdale, Mississippi; Florence, Alabama; and Oxford, Mississippi.

The inaugural concert of the Mississippi June Bug Band was in 2021 in Clarksdale at Ground Zero Blues Club, followed by shows in 2022 and 2023 at Florence’s Swampers Lounge and the Powerhouse in Oxford. Actor Morgan Freeman appeared with the June Bugs in 2021, and members of the legendary Muscle Shoals Swampers band joined the group in 2022. This year’s concert will celebrate the “roots of rock ’n’ roll” in the birthplace of its king, Elvis Presley.

The 2024 band will include keyboardist Billy Earheart, a Grammy-winner with the Amazing Rhythm Aces and a decades-long performer with Hank Williams Jr.; and Will McFarlane, a Muscle Shoals Swamper and longtime guitarist for Bonnie Raitt. Lee County native and rising country star Trey Lyons, Muscle Shoals drummer Mark Wilcutt, and area vocalists Amye Gousset and Clark Richey will also be on hand.

In addition to the concert, each year the society’s June gathering serves as a platform for members to present scholarly papers, delve into thought-provoking discussions and foster intellectual growth of the members. Members who have presented papers during past symposiums include attorney and literary critic Jay Wiener, University of Mississippi professor emeritus Dr. Charles Reagan Wilson, Mississippi Poet Laureate Emeritus Beth Ann Fennelly and award-winning writer and television host John T. Edge.

Yokna Sculpture Trail Boasts New Installations

In 2015, the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, the University of Mississippi and the City of Oxford collaborated on a program to install outdoor public sculpture throughout the community. Yokna Sculpture Trail provides between 15 and 20 large-scale sculptures around campus and town.

Here’s how it works: The program selects about half its exhibition annually and then rotates on a staggered two-year exhibition schedule. Local, regional and national art submissions are chosen.

Locations for the sculptures include Pat Lamar Park, which provides a place for nine sculptures; Powerhouse Sculpture Garden, which has a place for four outdoor pieces; UM Sculpture Park offers three pads for art in front of Meek Hall; and the University

of Mississippi Museum offers five sculpture pads around the museum’s property.

The artists and sculptures selected for the 2024-2026 sculpture trail include:

- Allen Peterson: “Iron Beehive,” digitally designed and output steel, cast iron and enamel paint, UM Museum.

- Jen Torres: “When Home No Longer Makes Any Sense,” aluminum, Lamar Park.

- Tim Glover: “USA Monument,” paint and steel, Lamar Park.

- John Bannon: “Drop #3,” cast urethane and painted steel, UM Museum.

- Ellis Barber: “Sentinel,” steel, Powerhouse Sculpture Garden.

- James Wade: “Prairie Stack,” fabricated steel, Lamar Park.

- John Walrod: “Space Cowboy” aka “Boldly Go Rodeo,” found object assemblage of antenna stand, aluminum, chrome, stainless steel and steel, Lamar Park.

- Earl Dismuke: “Big Dreamer,” welded steel and paint, Lamar Park.

- Reynaldo Alaniz: “Madre,” limestone, UM Museum.

SHOUTOUTS

Brooks Grocery Lauded Among Independent Grocers

Tupelo’s Brooks Grocery and its commitment to the people it serves was recently recognized with an Exceptional Independents Award. The recognition came from a publication, The Shelby Report, in their second year of giving the independent grocery awards. Brooks Grocery was lauded along with 141 other grocers in the nation, which boasts more than 20,000 independent grocery stores.

Owners Brooks and Lisa Davis accepted the award in Las Vegas at the National Grocers Association gathering. They were aware Brooks Grocery had been nominated for an award, but said they were humbled — and a bit surprised — when Brooks received the award.

“Yes, I was surprised somewhat,” Brooks Davis said. “But I know we have good stock, great customers and top-notch employees. The award has nothing to do me or Lisa or us, but we have the most amazing team in our stores. So when I stop and think about how good they are, it’s really not surprising.”

The Davises now have three locations of their popular Brooks Grocery. The first store in Iuka opened in 2010; Brooks Grocery in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, opened in 2020; and the largest (at 24,000 square feet) opened on Coley Road in west Tupelo in 2021.

GRILLED Shortcake

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS COME TOGETHER FOR THIS SUMMERY TAKE ON STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE.

RECIPES

BY SARAH GODWIN | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

As the grilling season heats up, experiment with grilled fruit as a side dish or an interesting dessert. Grilling the fruit causes its natural sugars to caramelize, enhancing the sweetness. This twist on strawberry shortcake puts both fresh strawberries and pound cake on the grill, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar adds an extra explosion of flavor. A note: this is a great way to repurpose leftover pound cake, or even use up homemade pound cake that turned out drier than desired.

GRILLED Strawberry SHORTCAKE

Store-bought or homemade pound cake, sliced ¼ cup softened butter

½ cup sugar, divided 1 pound strawberries, halved and stemmed ¼ cup balsamic vinegar

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

Preheat grill to 400°F. In a small bowl, mix butter and ¼ cup of the sugar, and spread evenly on both sides of pound cake slices.

Slide strawberry halves onto wooden skewers. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar, and let sit 5 minutes. Coat strawberries evenly with remaining ¼ cup sugar.

Place strawberry skewers on grill grate, and grill 2-3 minutes. Add cake slices to grill, and grill 2-3 minutes. Flip cake slices and berry skewers, and grill 2-3 more minutes. Remove skewers and cake from grill, and remove berries from skewers. Place cake and berries on plates, and serve immediately with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

CALENDAR | NOTEWORTHY | RECIPES | FEATURES | EVENTS | LASTING IMPRESSIONS Happy Happy

Her Place

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HUSBAND KEEPS A PROMISE TO HIS WIFE BY BUILDING HER A SPECIAL SPACE TO CALL HER OWN.

WRITTEN

BY LESLIE

CRISS

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

Connie and Mark Haygood were in the middle of building their Guntown house in 2016 when Connie asked her husband for a she-shed. He said no. But he also told her he would build her one for her 60th birthday.

In 2019, as that birthday neared, Mark asked his wife of 42 years what she wanted as she celebrated 60 years of life.

“He was banking on me forgetting about my she-shed,” Connie said.

But she hadn’t. She reminded Mark of her wish and his promise to build her a space of her own in the future. She also reminded him the future had arrived.

Rather than attempting to back out of a promise, Mark began thinking about how his wife’s she-shed was going to happen.

“I told her we needed to figure out what she wanted and then try to draw it out on paper,” he said. “Then I told her I would probably ask her a thousand questions, but the only thing I had ever built before was a doghouse and because it was up against a building, I only had to build three sides.”

The Haygoods talked it out, looked at some photos and Mark drew a plan, also a first for him. He made a list of materials he’d need, visited Lowe’s and had it all delivered.

“Then I thought a lot about how I was going to get this thing going,” he said. “I also asked Connie if she was sure she didn’t want a nice piece of jewelry or something for her August birthday. It was the hottest September and October we’d had.”

But Connie wanted her she-shed, and Mark wanted Connie to be happy.

Mark had once purchased an architectural ruler and had kept it for years. It finally was put to use. He also needed a nail gun and a few more tools. He thought

having to make those purchases might weaken his wife’s wish, but she told Mark to go buy whatever he needed.

“I knew what I wanted and had put a lot of thought into it at that point,” she said. “I knew if he could figure out how to build it in his mind, it would be done right. He is meticulous.”

Connie wanted a saltbox roofline and shaker shingles, but mostly she wanted her she-shed to be a place of peace where she could go and retreat.

Her husband started work on the sheshed in September 2019, and two and a half months later, Connie received her completed birthday present.

APlaceHappy

The 120-square-foot she-shed has no TV, but Connie listens to music and sings in her special place. She reads, writes and has Bible study.

“I sometimes stay in here for hours,” said Connie, who recently retired after 28 ½ years as a fundraiser for LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. “It brings out your inner little girl — I never had a playhouse as a little girl.”

Mark has been invited to the she-shed but he rarely goes.

“I see little things I could have done better,” he said. “And it drives me crazy.”

A beautiful, two-paneled door Connie found for $20 is now a one-piece entrance to the she-shed. There’s no window unit, but a rolling air conditioner and heater towers keep the temperature comfortable. Connie wanted a chandelier, so she took the one from their home’s dining room for the sheshed and ordered a new light for the house.

The interior walls of the she-shed are shiplap; the ceiling is beadboard. Small windows Mark ordered let in natural light.

Special heart-connected touches are scattered about the she-shed. Connie’s mom, who died when she was 9, worked for South Central Bell. An old-fashioned, turquoise

rotary telephone sits on a desk as a reminder of her mom, Edna.

An antique mirror, complete with desilvering marks, hangs on one wall. Connie’s daughter found it for a quarter. Also hanging on a wall are Mark’s original blueprints of the she-shed.

“We wrote Bible verses on the studs,” Connie said. “And we nailed on one of the studs two letters we wrote each other when we were dating but not together because I was in graduate school.”

In retrospect, Mark admits the project was fun, and he is happy she has her peaceful retreat.

“Now, I’m not going to start a she-shed building business,” he said, laughing. “But if one of my kids begged me to help with a building project, I’d probably help.”

The Haygoods are the parents of a grown son and daughter and grandparents to three.

“I’m glad I was able to do it,” he said. “I felt like I knew I could once I started and applied myself. It was a challenge, something new every day. At first, I couldn’t figure out how to cut angles, but I called the guy who built our house, and he brought me a template. Once I figured it out, it was fun.

“I’m proud of what I was able to do for her. She kinda said what she wanted, and I kinda tried to do it.”

IN LIVING COL O R

OXFORD COUPLE ENJOYS THE LUSH LANDSCAPING JUST OUTSIDE THEIR BACKDOOR.

WRITTEN BY LESLIE CRISS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

Carolyn Carter has seen lots of changes through the years in the home she shares with Gary, her husband of 52 years. She was 2 weeks old when she first moved into the Fillmore Avenue house her grandfather built.

When they married, Carolyn and Gary moved into a house at the top of the hill on Fillmore that was a wedding gift from family. Years later, their son Chris Carter, a contractor, renovated his mother’s childhood home, and since then, Carolyn and Gary have called it home.

When the Carters moved into the renovated house on Fillmore, they had big plans for the backyard.

“We knew what we wanted,” Carolyn said. “We wanted to be able to go out on the deck and entertain. It’s a pretty place to entertain.”

The yard is large and completely fenced,

making it a safe space for the Carters’ two pups, Lucy and Pepper, to roam. Wrought iron tables and chairs dot the ample deck, and additional seating is found on a higher level. A pergola, built by grandson Will Carter, covers a portion of the deck and the family’s grill.

A large fountain is the focal point of the backyard and is a calming and colorful spot when all the flowers are in bloom. A stone wall runs the length of the yard, and azaleas abound, along with hydrangeas, camellias, a crape myrtle, a red bud tree and sunshine ligustrum, a golden hedge that flourishes in full sun.

“When I discovered sunshine ligustrum, it was not easy to find,” Carolyn said. “We finally found some at a place in Jackson.”

At one end of the yard remains a building Carolyn’s father bought and had moved to Fillmore Street. It was a playhouse for Carolyn and her older brother.

The Carters have been happy with their

landscaping but admit it has been a lot to keep up with.

“We have tried to do it ourselves, by the hardest,” Carolyn said. “We have been blessed to have a great group of kids at our church who have helped in the yard some.”

Today, they are preparing for the latest change to their landscape: a new plan that will make it easier for the Carters to care for the yard themselves.

“We are kind of excited to hear what the landscaper has in mind,” she said. “We just would love something more low maintenance. My mother had a green thumb that I did not inherit. But I so enjoy the beauty of it all.”

A playhouse from Carolyn Carter’s childhood still complements her backyard.

IIn their 18 years of marriage, April and Tony Pumphrey have built three houses, so when they began building the third house in 2021, the couple just took it in stride. They both had a good idea of what they wanted, but first they played the waiting game until the property on which they wanted to build became available.

“This land out here, about 1,250 acres, belonged to Dr. E.V. Bramlett,” Tony said. “After his death, it passed to his wife, Lucie O. Bramlett, who conveyed portions of the property to each of her five children. Son Steve Bramlett sold his acreage in 1996 to

Danny Tutor. Jim Pryor eventually purchased where this house sits. I kept asking if he was going to sell. Finally, we bought it in 2021.”

The two-story home is situated near the end of a tree-lined county road leading to the oldest lake in the county. The Pumphrey backyard is separated by Lafayette Lake only by an attractive black aluminum fence.

With four acres secured, the couple spent time brainstorming ideas of what they wanted in their new home.

“We had bought one house plan,” Tony said. “But April decided it was not what she wanted. Architectural designer Timothy

Garner drew our house plans.”

Andrew Rhoden built the Pumphrey house, starting in July 2021, and finished in October 2022.

“A lot of our ideas for the house were things we’d talked about,” Tony said. “We also spent time looking at several houses in Oxford we liked. And we just sort of married all the things we liked in those houses.”

Building multiple homes together, the couple learned the art of compromise. He wanted a wraparound porch, she did not.

“But he has a great grilling porch,” she said. “And we also have a back porch with a

Portraits by Oxford artist Cheryl Mossberg. Mossberg was featured in our April issue. Visit invitationmag.com to read all about her.

fireplace. But out front, we just have a very small porch.”

She likes rooms painted dark colors, but her husband prefers light colors.

“He sold me on the lighter colors,” she said. “I have one room, my mom’s when she visits, that is painted a dark blue, and Tony’s office walls are painted Kendall Charcoal, including the plantation shutters in the windows. He wanted it totally gray.”

The 4,667-square-foot, open plan house has 4 bedrooms, 4 ½ baths, an office, dining room and several seating areas, including one just off the kitchen that boasts a remarkable view of the 48-acre lake surrounded by woods. There are some neighbors, but their homes cannot be seen from the Pumphreys’ traditional farmhouse home.

The windows in the sitting room, with its 22-foot ceilings, take up most of one wall.

“I did not plan to hang anything in these windows,” April said. “But I had to reconsider and have drapes made because of the sun.”

One of April’s favorite spots in the house is the large laundry room with Van Deusen Blue cabinets, a pantry and a filtered water receptacle built into the wall. Though they often have the run of the house, Bella and Beckham, the family’s Australian Labradoodles, also have space here. Their crates fit perfectly in the laundry room.

In a hallway off the laundry room is another of the couple’s favorite spaces — a butler’s pantry which houses additional cabinets and shelves, the couple’s preferred

coffee-making machines (he prefers his Miele coffee maker; she likes her Keurig), a wine fridge and an ice maker.

In addition to the blue guest bedroom, the master bedroom, with its 18-foot ceiling, is also downstairs with yet another breathtaking view. Each has an exceptionally large walk-in closet with a built-in chest of drawers. The master bath has a freestanding tub and a shower that’s 11 feet long by 6 feet wide.

Upstairs are two bedrooms, two baths and a media room for the Pumphreys’ children, 13-year-old Mason and 11-yearold Molly.

The home’s interior was decorated by April.

“Tony and I pretty much like the same things,” she said. “Actually, our house is kind of plain.”

The white walls of the house provide a clean background for family photographs on canvas and portraits of Mason and Molly done by Oxford artist Cheryl Mossberg. The large windows provide a perfect frame for the natural art outside.

The Pumphreys hail from Hernando but have lived in Oxford for 10 years. They are pleased with their family home. Three might be the charm for some, but not necessarily for the Pumphreys.

“At some point we will build a house in town,” Tony said. “For us, I think we just enjoy the thrill of building.”

Jigs

A CALHOUN CITY MAN TAKES PRIDE IN THE COLORFUL, HANDMADE, HAND-TIED JIGS HE MAKES AND SELLS TO FISHING LOVERS.

WRITTEN BY LESLIE CRISS PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

When Jason Waldo is not making office chairs at his job at Haworth in Bruce, he’s likely in the workshop he and his wife Nichole share behind their Calhoun City home. A crafter herself, Nichole also helps her husband of 10 years with his side gig — Jigs by Jay.

For those unfamiliar with angling terms, Waldo has an explanation at the ready.

“A jig is artificial bait. And it’s made to catch people,” he said, chuckling. “It’s the people doing the fishing who want to see the pretty colors. If the fish are hungry, they will eat.”

Waldo’s foray into the world of tying jigs began two years ago when he started making them just for himself.

“I watched a TikTok video of a man making jigs, and I thought it looked pretty easy. Boy, was I wrong,” he said. “I’m not ashamed to say, those first ones were ugly. They were functional but just not pretty.”

Still, like most good fishermen, Waldo practiced patience, learning more with each jig he created.

Waldo’s persistence has paid off. Jigs by Jay, which are also packaged by Waldo, are carried at Hometown Market in Calhoun City and at Lakeway Sporting Goods near Grenada Lake, Waldo’s favorite place to fish. Also, in early February, his friend John Harrison, a member of the Pro Staff Team and a guide at Grenada Lake, gave out Waldo’s business cards and his colorful jigs to attendees at the 2024 Jig Spring Tackle Show in Caruthersville, Missouri.

“That was a proud moment,” Waldo said. “It’s the biggest fishing outlet show in the United States, attended by five to six thousand people.”

Continued on page 52

Continued from page 51

A fisherman from Indiana who learned about Jigs by Jay at the show has already placed an order. Locally, Aaron Barton, owner of Barton Outfitters in Oxford, has used Waldo’s jigs from the very beginning.

“Jason reached out through social media and said he was a jig tier trying to get his name out and wondered if I would give him my address so he could send me some jigs,” Barton said. “My wife called a few hours later to say a man had already dropped off a package. I was impressed with the hustle, but even more so with his jigs. They catch fish, they look good and they last. One thing I love about Jason is that if I’m fishing something that works, he has an uncanny ability to replicate or reinvent on the fly. His turnaround time is lightning fast, and he is constantly taking suggestions.”

Another thing Barton admires? Waldo is a good fishing partner. “We’ve fished a handful of times, and while I’m more high strung than a baby grand, Jay is as cool as the other side of the pillow, always grateful to have a day off and be outside fishing with a buddy,” Barton said.

The Art of Jigs

It’s clear watching Waldo work, seated and surrounded on three sides by all the accoutrements of his hobby, that making and tying jigs is certainly art. And Waldo is the artist whose interest and passion have fueled his creations.

Waldo’s wife pours pure soft lead into a multitude of molds that make the bait into such jigs as shad darts, tube jigs, football jigs, ball head jigs, minnow head jigs, pony heads, hatchet heads and so many more.

Jigs can be plain, with no paint. But they can also be any number of bright and beautiful colors provided by powder paint applied after the jig is formed. Once the jig comes out of the mold and is heated, it is dipped into the chosen color — Waldo’s personal favorites are chartreuse and orange. A shrink tube is used to protect the jig eye from being covered with paint.

The jigs may be decorated with bucktail, a fake version of deer hair, or with

something shiny like crystal flash that will attract fish. Jigs can catch fish without live bait, but some fishermen add it, as well.

After they are painted, tying the jigs takes Waldo about two minutes. When he first started, each one took him five or six minutes. It’s not easy handing the thread and tiny hook, especially when one doesn’t have small, delicate hands. To help, he uses a vise to hold the hook while he ties the jigs with a very thin type of thread.

“You can make jigs as fancy as you want,” he said. “You can give them all kinds of eyes — cat eyes, lizard eyes. It’s so much fun.”

As soon as Waldo gets home each evening from work, he heads directly to his workshop and starts making and tying jigs. It beats watching TV, he said.

When he is able to go fishing, Waldo uses his own jigs and takes along extras to pass along, especially to kids learning to fish.

“I like to give kids a few jigs to try,” he said. “It gives me a sense of pride knowing my jigs caught fish for people enjoying the day, especially kids.”

OXFORD’S ANGELA MANLEY, AN AVID PROPAGATOR OF PLANTS FINDS SPACE IN EVERY ROOM OF HER HOUSE FOR GREENERY TO THRIVE.

WRITTEN BY LESLIE CRISS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

Being labeled a phytophile would be considered high praise by Angela Manley. For those who’ve failed to keep flora among the living, a phytophile is any organism that thrives around plants. Manley is such an organism.

Manley, who moved to Oxford with her husband 16 years ago, grew up in Florida, where the temperatures allowed her parents to keep a vegetable garden year-round. And no growing things had to be moved indoors to survive winter.

“My first few years in Mississippi were a learning curve,” Manley said. “I killed a lot of plants.”

But Manley’s friend and co-worker at The Oil Shed in Oxford, Heather Sneed McClendon, had the perfect thing for Manley.

“I told her about this great book, ‘How Not to Kill Your Houseplant,’” McClendon

said. “It’s a book I’ve shared with many who hope to become successful plant owners. And the internet has really turned many brown thumbs into green thumbs.”

The book is subtitled “Survival Tips for the Horticulturally Challenged” and is written by Veronica Peerless.

Manley lost some of her houseplants when she, husband Scott Paul and their three children were living in a smaller space while they built their new house. The Oil Shed became a regular stop for Manley to replenish her plant supply.

“I was in here a lot and one day just asked Kecia (Kirk) if I could work there,” Manley said, laughing. “Now I work at The Oil Shed one day a week.”

McClendon, who has worked at The Oil Shed since 2019, had something to add.

“Angela is almost our best customer,” she said.

Continued on page 56

Continued from page 55

The Oil Shed offers an abundance of indoor and outdoor plants, containers, unique gifts and lots of plant knowledge from staff members, several of whom are also Master Gardeners, including Manley.

A count of green plants in Manley’s home would be key in determining just how much of a plant lover she is.

“I don’t know,” she said at first. “I have purposefully not counted.”

However, once the question was asked, Manley’s own curiosity was piqued, and she counted her indoor plants.

“I have 72 plants — inside,” she texted. And they are found in every room of her home, even the bathrooms.

“Bathrooms are the best places to put plants,” she said. “The humidity from the shower makes them do well.”

Manley’s plants, the larger ones, are all on rollers so she can easily roll the plants to different windows to catch the best sunlight in the winter.

Her children, ages 12, 10 and 7½, like

From small accents like the one above to large statement container plants like those staged near her piano, Angela Manley has 72 houseplants adding to her indoor decor.

their mother’s plants. They each have plants in their bedrooms and have developed an appreciation for them. But they don’t help take care of the plants.

“Now, they love to help me outside,” Manley said. “They’ve scattered hundreds of zinnia seeds. My daughter often says I like plants more than I like her. Of course, that’s not true.”

A former math teacher, Manley is as positive as Pollyanna when prodding people to purchase that first plant.

plants or just green?”

“That’s how you start,” she said. “You start with one or two plants.”

But it’s wise, she said, to put some planning into the process. There are things to consider, especially if one plans to have multiple plants.

“Do you want larger or more compact plants?” she said. “What room has the best lighting for a specific plant? There are plants that do well without light. How attentive do you want to be? Do you want flowering

And don’t forget plant apps. Manley recommends: Planta and Greg. The apps can help the most novice plant lover become adept at helping them thrive with reminders to water, fertilize and much more.

“All a green thumb really is is knowledge,” Manley said. “I purchased a fiddleleaf fig once. They are temperamental and finicky. But I tried to learn how to care for it, and I’ve had it close to 15 years now. Believe me, there is a plant for everyone.”

Continued on page 60

7 POPULAR (& hardy) HOUSEPLANTS

If you’d like to test the greenness of your thumb, add to your already-existing collection of indoor plants or are just curious, Bob Marion, owner of Tupelo’s Mid-South Nursery, offers this primer on popular houseplants.

SOURCE MID-SOUTH NURSERY

PEACE LILY

The peace lily is a flowering plant whose common name derives from the plant’s symbolism for peace, purity and healing. The peace lily helps filter the inside air and increases levels of humidity which, in turn, helps people to breathe better. Peace lilies should be watered once a week. “They are low-maintenance, very forgiving plants,” Marion said.

FERNS

Ferns are happy outdoors but are also at home inside. Ferns need to be misted as often as is practical as they will not tolerate dry conditions for long. They also need to be watered every four to five days. Ferns may offer health benefits, as they remove common airborne pollutants which

have been thought to cause headaches, trouble breathing and the growth of cancerous cells. Because they are water-loving, ferns struggle in winter with dry heat, especially gas heat. “Ferns are not easy to grow, but I sell more ferns than just about anything else,” Marion said.

SUCCULENTS

Succulents are thick, fleshy plants that retain water in arid climates. Aloe vera is an example of a succulent. These plants are excellent at cleansing the air and removing toxins. Unlike their close cactus kin, succulents cannot take extreme heat. Plant them in well-drained soil and go easy on the water. They are low-light plants and very low maintenance. “Succulents can go two to three months without water,” Marion said.

FICUS

Ficus, commonly known as weeping fig, Benjamin fig or ficus tree, is native to Asia and Australia. It is the official tree of Bangkok and symbolizes peace and abundance in the Middle East. A ficus plant appreciates regular misting. Ficus plants can live as long as 20 years, and ficus tree varieties

CORN PLANTS

Corn plants are flowering plants native to tropical Africa. The plants have air-purifying properties and like indirect light, moderate temperatures and humidity. In the wild, the corn plant can grow up to 50 feet tall, but house plants are much smaller, typically growing from four to six feet.

grown outside in containers and brought indoors in winter can live as long as 40 years. Ficus plants can be toxic to dogs. “Ficus plants are not easy to grow,” Marion said. “But people like them. They can always toss the unsuccessful plant, get another one and try again.”

PHILODENDRON

Philodendron is one of approximately 450 species of stout-stemmed climbers of the family Araceae. The plant will grow in low light but will grow faster in bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves. “A perfect room for a philodendron, believe it or not, is the bathroom,” Marion said. “Some varieties can go 30 days without water in an air-conditioned house.”

MOTHER-IN-LAW'S TONGUE

Mother-in-law’s tongue is native to tropical West Africa. An old-fashioned plant, it has become very popular among young people. Other names for this plant are snake plant, Saint George’s sword and viper’s bowstring hemp. These extremely low maintenance plants filter indoor air, remove toxic pollutants and may help boost mental health. “These plants have remained popular,” Marion said. “I’m 66, and I was selling these plants as a teenager when I was working here with my dad.”

A final piece of advice: Most houseplants respond well to monthly fertilization, Marion said. He also encourages plant owners to clean the leaves of houseplants. “Washing, cleaning and dusting plants makes a difference,” he said. “Just take a damp cloth two to three times a year and wipe the dust from the leaves. It will bring out the natural shine of the plant.”

NEMCC SOPHOMORE NIGHT

Northeast Mississippi Community College hosted their Sophomore Night March 7 at Bonner Arnold Coliseum. Many athletes were honored at the ceremony including cheerleaders, dancers and basketball players.

PHOTOS BY LIZ CALVERY

1. Madison Burkes, Emilee Grisham, Allie Huddleston, Mackensie King, Addie Trulove, Avery Tapp and Ayanna Witherspoon

2. NEMCC men’s basketball head coach Cord Wright and Caleb Parr

3. Meagan Drewry, Sophie Hoard, Sariah Hoyle and Laila Smith

4. Anna Greene

5. Mia Sasser, Ainsley Mitchell and Olive Kramer

6. Sawyer Cole and Kirklyn Johnson

TUPELO COMIC CON

Tupelo International Comic Con was held March 16-17 at Tupelo Furniture Market. Comic Con focuses on representing as many fandoms as possible: comics, gaming, cosplay, sci-fi and more. The convention is for all ages. 1. Brett

BY LISA ROBERTS

PHOTOS

Hogan and Nat Rodgers

Lela, Zander and Ryan Johnson 3. Liz Dixon and Kyle Chumbley 4. Teresa Stafford, Laura Leigh and Jennifer Fowlkes and Christine Elbert

Christy Holt and Taylor Bridges

Joslin Skelton and Carrie Young

TUPELO PICKLEBALL

The Paddle Battle Pickleball Tournament was held March 2224 at the Dot Cooper Kelly City Pickleball Complex. The event supported Northeast Mississippi Habitat for Humanity.

2. Will Behn, Eric Walter, Duncan Graeber, Will Swindoll, Zac Thompson and Emmanuel Longoria

3. Duncan Graeber, Will Behn and Will Swindoll

4. Gurtej Sandhu, Zak Harbin and Jake Damiani

5. Diego Longoria, Chandler Jones, Yousef Hindi, Sakota Wilson, Robert Wicker and Owen Kettle

PHOTOS BY HAILEY HOLCOMB

1. Eric Walter, Tyler Walden, Will Behn and Zak Harbin

TASTE OF TUPELO

The 16th annual Taste of Tupelo was held March 21 at Cadence Bank Arena. The networking event was hosted by the Community Development Foundation and presented by Barnes Crossing Auto Group.

1. Danny Thrasher

2. Brent Waldrop, Summer Smith and Britni Rutherford

3. Daphne Burchfield, Kristy Stanford and Paige Ellis

4. Alyssa and Justin Estes

5. Katina Davis and Vernon Rayford

6. Ron Cottom and the Easter Bunny

7. Saneki Donald, Melisa Wells, Tonya King, Sandra Linzy and Shoneel Walker

8. Robert and Rebecca Hudson

9. Unyunga McKinney and Audrey Perry

10. Justine Malone

11. Yolanda Ford

PHOTOS BY JACQUELINE SAVOY

STOP THE HURT

Stop the Hurt hosted a Child Abuse Awareness event on April 3 at Fairpark in Tupelo. City and county leaders met to declare April 3 Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day.

PHOTOS BY JACQUELINE SAVOY

6TH ANNUAL BBQ CONTEST

Natchez Trace Golf Club hosted its sixth annual BBQ contest March 15-16. Judges sampled wings and ribs from many different participating restaurants and groups.

1. Brooks Tutor, Heather Hastings, Mark Chism, Tim Tutor, Skin Lucroy, J.D. Chism and Elizabeth Nichols

2. Jenn Hollander and Daisy

3. Scotty Harris, Jimmy Franks, Heather Franks, Jennifer and Bradford Ridgway

4. Jake Logan, Matt Belk, Lee and Clay Davis, Zach Hutcheson and Shane Petty

5. David Littrell with Katie and Jeff Reynolds

6. Greg May, Perry Wilburn, Kim and Robert McKissack with Brent Lindsey

7. Keith and Ashley Lindsey and Janie and Rick Anglin with Chris Kemp

8. Scott Wood and Alyssa McGee

9. Erica White, Coco Garnett, Sydni Rinehart, Claire Garnett and Victoria McMasters

PHOTOS BY LISA ROBERTS

OUT & ABOUT

Abe’s Grill 50th Anniversary

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

1. Abe’s Grill group

2. Casey Shackleford, Drew Dodds, Carolyn Brownson and Keri McMillin

3. Amy Rogers, Glenn Nabors, Leslie Geoghegan and Dianne Powell

4. Morgan Bethune and Anna Carson McDurmon

5. Amber Burch and Elizabeth Boler

6. Billy Bartlett, Gary Pace, Lisa Roberts, Jack Hollimon and Cindy and Boyce Googe

7. Cora Polson, Heather Franks, Jeff Kent, Benny Campbell, Lauren and Matt Bridges

8. Elizabeth West, Leslie Burks and Becky Elmore

9. Jill Wagner, Tracey Morse and Karen Alvarez

Bud and Burgers

ESOM Art Pop Up

PLAYGARDEN PARK

ARTWORK BY A FAMOUS AMERICAN SCULPTOR CREATES A SPACE FOR CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY TUCKED INTO DOWNTOWN FULTON.

WRITTEN

AND

RESEARCHED

BY

LESLIE CRISS | PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY EMILY QUINN

Since 2009, the young — and young at heart — who find themselves in Fulton, Mississippi, have had the unique opportunity to spend magical moments in PlayGarden Park. Don’t expect acres and acres of space; this park is small in size, but its specialness is endless.

Located at the southeast corner of Wiygul and Clinton streets in downtown Fulton, the park features a handful of metal sculptures by Tom Otterness. The 72-yearold American sculptor hails from Kansas but lives in New York City. He’s one of the country’s most prolific public artists. His works are found not only in parks, but libraries, courthouses, museums and subway stations around the United States.

In Fulton’s PlayGarden Park, visitors will see a 12-foot-tall sculpture of a penny

and a house, side by side in harmony. The sculpture serves as the centerpiece of the fountain, which cools kids off in the warmer months. Other smaller sculptures of pennies and small houses dot the park’s landscape.

PlayGarden Park is also home to a gazebo, green space and picnic tables for use by the community.

“It’s such a wonderful space for our children,” said Fulton Mayor Emily Quinn. “And it’s safe, with our surveillance cameras.”

The park was thought of and funded by Julie and Michael Waldorf. Julie is a Fulton native; her husband is a New Jersey native. They spend time in homes in Fulton and New York City. The Waldorfs hoped the creation of the park would draw attention back to the downtown area.

“WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE SMALL, I’D ALWAYS THINK, ‘MAN, IF WE HAD A PLACE IN FULTON FOR THE KIDS TO PLAY AND TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.’ AND THEN THIS GREAT GIFT WAS GIVEN TO THE CITY BY THE WALDORFS. WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE PLAYGARDEN PARK.”

— Fulton Mayor Emily Quinn

BOB

FRANKS