Invitation Magazine - October 2021

OC TOBER 2021

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FASHION WOMEN FITNESS

FEATURING

PA G E S 4 2 - 5 6

WELLNESS CO M E S F I R S T AT THE M AGEE CENTER

OXFORD ARTIST ADRIENNE B R O W N - D AV I D

FA B U L O U S C A MPE R-TO - G L A MPE R R E N O VA T I O N S

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DEPA RTMENT S 12

Letter From the Publisher

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Digital Details

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Calendar

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Shoutouts

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Recipes: Short Rib Stroganoff

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Out & About: Oxford

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Out & About: Northeast

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Good Neighbor: Kate Newman

EVENTS:

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ON THE COVER

COVER MODEL LE XIE OWNBY PHOTOGRAPHED BY C AROLINE KU YRKENDALL

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A Night for Nonprofits

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Groovin’ at Move In

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Boosters and Blues

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Ole Miss Bid Day

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United Way Flashback Bash

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Eat in the Street

EVENTS: Fall and fashion coincide in Western style, which is also featured in our special fashion section created exclusively for Invitation Magazines by the University of Mississippi students who produce Square Magazine.

See all of Square Magazine’s contributed fashion content starting on page 42.

OXFORD

NORTHEAST

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Dance Like the Stars

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Natchez Trace Ryder Cup

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Fall Food Drive Kickoff

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Bodock Festival

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9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

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F E AT U R E S

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FE ATURES 28 Everyday Artist

Adrienne Brown-David’s childhood creativity was fostered by family. Today, she is inspired by her own daughters.

34 Rebels With a Cause

The William Magee Center aims to disrupt the stereotypical college culture by encouraging wellness on the UM campus.

38 Project: Glamper

Through extensive renovations, these Oxford friends add class and style to RVs.

42 Square Magazine

Exclusive contributed content by Square Magazine, which is run and produced by University of Mississippi students who have a passion for fashion, art and trends.

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L E T T E R from the P U B L I S H E R One of the biggest joys of my life has been teaching at the University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media. Seeing students come up with creative concepts and learn things they didn’t otherwise know are just a couple of my most favorite things to experience.

In the fall of 2018, a former student who was interested in starting a campus magazine based on fashion approached me for advice. She had done her homework, and we looked at similar publications from Southern Methodist University and other schools. Next thing I knew, she had a group of 70 very talented students who were ready to take on the task of creating this brand new product, Square Magazine.

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This year, when we began to create a magazine that highlights fashion, it seemed like a logical idea to ask Deb Wenger, the dean of the School of Journalism and New Media, if we could partner with Square Magazine. Much to my delight, the partnership was approved. We are thrilled with this opportunity, and we are excited to show you what these amazingly talented young people helped us put together about fall fashion trends.

This magazine also features multitalented local artist Adrienne Brown-David on page 28. I have admired her for many, many years and am so glad to see some of her artwork on our pages. If you aren’t already following her on Instagram, you

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should. Look her up @adriennemeschelle.

Lastly, you don’t want to miss the recipe on page 26. It comes from Claire Kiamie, owner of one of Oxford’s newest restaurants, Yugo. The recipe is not from the restaurant’s menu but rather from Kiamie’s own recipe rotation. It’s a go-to for her as she is not only running two restaurants (she also runs The Sipp), but she’s also a mom managing a busy family.

We hope you enjoy this issue — it has something for everyone! And we will see you right back here next month.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

@INVOXFORD @INVMAGA ZINE

PUBLISHERS Rachel West

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Emily Welly EXECUTIVE EDITOR Leslie Criss OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Mary Moreton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sarah McCullen Michaela Morris COPY EDITOR Ashley Arthur EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Abigail Nichols

OFFICE

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

ART

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Holly Vollor STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Lisa Roberts J.R. Wilbanks

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Becca Pepper ADVERTISING INFORMATION ads@invitationoxford.com

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

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

Invitation Magazines 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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DIGITAL DETAIL S

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D I G I T A L details E XC LU S I V E LY O N L I N E AT I N V I TAT I O N M AG .C O M

social S N A P S We love being tagged in your photos!

I nt ro duc i n g S qu a re Did you know Ole Miss has a student-produced fashion magazine? This month, we are featuring some of their work on our pages. Turn to page 42 for our exclusive collaboration with Square Magazine. And be sure to follow them on Instagram @um.squaremagazine.

Fol low T h i s

Francis went to great lengths to express his disdain for the Bulldogs.

L O C A T I O N : Oxford U S E R N A M E : @pricestreetpig

Original Art

Shop OJG + OJK this fall!

L O C A T I O N : Oxford U S E R N A M E : @olivejuicegifts

Erin Austen Abbot | @erinaustenabbot

Pull up your Instagram page, and get ready for our online-only list of influencers with local ties. You should be following them (if you aren’t already)! Who are your favorite influencers to follow? Look for a chance to share them with us on social media this month.

Artist Adrienne Brown-David (featured on page 28) has been painting and selling one 5x7 piece every day of 2021. Follow her on Instagram @adriennemeschelle for your chance to purchase. You just have to join the race to be the first to comment “sold.” Good luck!

CALENDAR AND EVENTS

One of the greatest teaching resources among the stacks of the dead.

L O C A T I O N : Oxford U S E R N A M E : @littleqranch

Have an exciting event coming up? Visit our website and share the details on our online community calendar. There’s a chance photos from your event will be featured in an upcoming magazine!

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C O M M U N I T Y OC TOBER 2021

OXFORD

St. Peter’s Pumpkin Patch THROUG HOUT OC TOBER

The lawn at St. Peter’s is transformed into a pumpkin patch for this beloved Oxford tradition. Visit to take a picture or purchase a pumpkin. Proceeds benefit the church’s children and youth ministry programs.

OLE MISS FOOTBALL

stpetersoxford.org

O C T O B E R 5 -3 0 O L E M I S S AT A L A B A M A

October 2 Bryant-Denny Stadium OLE MISS VS. ARK ANSAS

October 9 Vaught-Hemingway Stadium O L E M I S S AT T E N N E S S E E

October 16 Neyland Stadium OLE MISS VS. LSU

Oxford Community Market T U E S D AY S

Shop small this fall at this local farmer’s market where you’ll find fruits, vegetables, local meat, eggs, baked goods and more.

3-6:30 p.m., Old Armory Pavilion.

Art Exhibit

October 23 Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Adrienne Brown-David’s solo art exhibit “The Space Between” takes place at Southside Gallery, with a reception Oct. 7, 5-8 p.m. Read more about her on page 28. southsideartgallery.com

Double-Decker Bus Tour OC TOBER 8

Enjoy a 1-hour tour around Ole Miss and the Square. Tickets, $10 for adults; $5 kids 12 and under. To reserve seats, call 662232-2477. 3-5 p.m., the Oxford Square. visitoxfordms.com

O L E M I S S AT AU B U R N

October 30 Jordan-Hare Stadium

oxfordcommunitymarket.com

3 Blind Wines OC TOBER 5

Join the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council for a full-bodied night of wine tasting.

Everyone gets to sample all of the wines and will vote for their favorite team’s wine.

Tickets for teams of two, $40 for members; $45 for nonmembers.

6-8 p.m., the Powerhouse. oxfordarts.com

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HALLOWEEN O C TO B E R 3 1

Trick or treat! Share fun photos of your Halloween costumes on social media, and tag us on with #invitationhalloween!

Tailgate for Palmer OC TOBER 16

A watch party benefiting the Palmer Home for Children features Ole Miss vs.

Tennessee on the big screen in the Olivia and Archie Manning Performance Center.

Tickets, $75. Time TBD. palmerhome.org

UM MUSEUM

Harvest Supper at Rowan Oak OC TOBER 21

Harvest Supper 2021, hosted by the University of Mississippi Museum, prides itself on being a showcase of local and regional artists, musicians and chefs on the historic grounds of Rowan Oak. Register online to be a sponsor.

7-9 p.m., Rowan Oak. harvestsupper.museum.olemiss.edu

Monster’s Ball Golf Tournament OC TOBER 29

The Country Club of Oxford presents the 2021 Monster’s Ball Golf Tournament and Costume Ball benefiting Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Register online.

Monster’s Ball starts at 7 p.m., The Country Club of Oxford. monstersball.eventbrite.com

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Sing and dance along to Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Becca Harvey for a night of fun. Purchase tickets, $15, online.

Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m., Proud Larry’s. proudlarrys.com OC TOBER 202 1 | INVITATION

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NORTHEAST

Walk to End Alzheimer’s OC TOBER 16

Tupelo Pickleball Championships

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s raises money to further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information, contact Teri Roddy at 601-720-2525 or tmroddy@alz.org. Register in advance online. Day-of registrations begin at 8:30 a.m.; opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m.; walk starts at 10 a.m. Ballard Park, Tupelo.

OC TOBER 2 & 3

Drop, serve and dink at this year’s pickleball championship. Includes two days of round robin doubles and singles competition. Register online, $50. Rob Leake City Park and Tennis Courts, Tupelo. pickleball.global

act.alz.org

Tupelo Chili Festival

Tupelo Flea Market

Cotton-Pickin’ Pumpkin Festival

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Stop by for some fabulous weekend finds!

Admission is $1 per person; free for age 5 and younger. Friday, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tupelo Furniture Market.

Wise Family Farm’s annual pumpkin festival includes live music, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, wagon rides and more.

Tickets, $12. Event starts at 10 a.m., Wise Family Farm, Pontotoc.

tupelofleamarket.net

wisefamilyfarm.com

TSH Charity Golf Tournament

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Everyone’s favorite chili cook-off is back, and teams compete against each other in a number of prize categories. Attendees get to sample each team’s recipe before casting votes for People’s Choice. 11.a.m.-9 p.m., downtown Tupelo.

The Shepherd’s Hands is hosting its 18th annual charity golf tournament to help fund projects to support at-risk women and children in north Mississippi organized by local nonprofits. 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Natchez Trace Golf Club.

tupelomainstreet.com

shepherdshandstupelo.com

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Booneville Fall Festival OC TOBER 16

Enjoy a Saturday in downtown Booneville with local arts and food vendors, music, pumpkin contest, a 5K run and performances on the Main Stage at Booneville’s 31st annual Fall Festival.

8 a.m.-9 p.m., downtown Booneville. visitbooneville.com

Extra Mile Recovery Classic Golf Tournament OC TOBER 21

Proceeds from this year’s Extra Mile Recovery Classic golf tournament will be donated to the Southern Recovery Advocacy to go toward scholarships for residential treatment and addiction education. For more information, contact Ashley Murphy at 662-962-4938. Event starts at 8 a.m., Tupelo National Golf Club. extramilerecovery.com OC TOBER 202 1 | INVITATION

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S H O U T O U T S Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for supplies is greater than ever before.

JA of Oxford collects items throughout the school year through bins at Oxford and Lafayette County schools and at the Boys and Girls Club. Now, with the help of Leadership Lafayette, collection bins can also be found at local business locations like the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce.

“We can’t stress enough how needed these items are,” JA project chairman Kristen Bowen said. “Each donation has the potential to deeply impact the life of a child or teen in our community.”

For more information about the F.R.E.S.H Project and for ways you can get involved, visit the Junior Auxiliary of Oxford Facebook page.

Leadership Lafayette has partnered with the Junior Auxiliary of Oxford and the United Way to build awareness about the F.R.E.S.H Project.

The project, which stands for Focusing Resources on Effective Student Hygiene, focuses on providing children in the L-O-U community with the items they need to help promote good personal hygiene. Items such as deodorant, wet wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine products, socks, underwear, T-shirts, hairbrushes, nail clippers, dry shampoo are some of the products the F.R.E.S.H Project provides.

“This is an issue that can be awkward for many kids to talk about, so it’s fantastic to see the community come together to address a lack of resources up front,” JA member Shanika Ward said.

JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF OXFORD

T he F. R . E . S . H P ro je c t 2021

DOWNTOWN TUPELO MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION

Tu p e lo’s D e b b ie Bra n ge n b e r g Re t i re s

If it seems something’s missing in downtown Tupelo this month and hereafter, it is. For the first time in 30 years, Debbie Brangenberg will not be at the helm of Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association.

Brangenberg retired Oct. 1.

With the exception of one other person who served as director for two weeks,

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Brangenberg has been the face of the DTMSA since Tupelo became a downtown main street community in 1990.

In her three-decade tenure as director, she, along with her staff, has accomplished much. Under her leadership, urban renewal bonds provided funding for the Fairpark District. In 2020, DTMSA became one of three winners to receive the Great American Main Street Award for excellence in preservation-based commercial district revitalization.

The Elvis Festival, an annual Tupelo shindig since 1999, is an internationally recognized community event. And the Tupelo Main Street Down on Main summer concert series has become a beloved summer tradition. These are just a small handful from the long list of accomplishments under Brangenberg’s leadership.

“Being the Main Street director has been a passion for me,” Brangenberg said.

“I have often said it is too much fun to call it a job. Though oftentimes not popular, I have always stayed true to the vision for downtown since the beginning.”

Brangenberg’s successor is Lucia Randle, who since 2019 has served as the City of Tupelo’s communications director.

Before that, she worked as director of marketing and special events for Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi and R.W. Reed Company Inc. Brangenberg has no plans to take to a rocking chair in retirement, but she’s had a taste of slowing down.

“I have given my all to the job, but 2020 with the pandemic really made me slow down and take stock of the future,” she said. “Plans are to become more involved with the national program of Concerns of Police Survivors, spend more time with my four grandchildren, ages 3 to 14, and do a bit of traveling.”

SHOUTOUTS

continued

C e d a r O a k s G u i ld Ho no r s t he Ave nt Fa m i ly

The Cedar Oaks Guild, a working organization whose primary mission is the preservation, support and promotion of Cedar Oaks, will honor T.E. Avent and his wife, Zilla, with a celebration Oct. 17 showcasing the newly renovated landscaping at Cedar Oaks.

Avent, an Oxford pharmacist and city alderman, purchased the antebellum house known as Cedar Oaks and donated the land on Murray Street, where the house now resides after its move from North Lamar.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cedar Oaks Guild Landscaping Committee envisioned a project that would culminate in bringing the community together both inside and outside the property of Cedar Oaks. Now, after tireless hours of designing, planning, volunteering and renovating, the Sunken Garden and Cedar Oaks grounds resemble the landscape of the home’s original historical period of the 1800s.

The Cedar Oaks Guild and Landscaping Committee invites all to join their outdoor gathering at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17, as they dedicate the newly redesigned T.E. and Zilla Avent Garden.

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W E E K N I G H T Short Rib S T R O G A N O F F OX F O R D ’ S C L A I R E K I A M I E S H A R E S A S LOW- C O O K E R FAVO R I T E T H AT ’ S A P E R F E C T FA L L D I N N E R F O R A N Y B U S Y FA M I LY. RECIPE BY CL AIRE KIAMIE

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laire Kiamie has her hands full. A busy mom of two and owner of The Sipp, Kiamie and her husband, A.J., recently opened Yugo, a beautiful restaurant specializing in contemporary, Eastern-inspired cuisine.

“Yugo means ‘fusion’ in Japanese, and we wanted the menu to be a strong combination of Asian flavors in the South,” Kiamie said.

“We had so much fun opening The Sipp two years ago and just couldn’t pass up a fun new project when the opportunity and the space presented itself.”

Kiamie credits her team for the innovative and flavorful menu, but Kiamie has skills of her own. However, her go-to recipes at home offer more ease than one typically finds in a booming restaurant.

“When you’re running around all day every day, use the slow cooker,” Kiamie said.

“Throw everything in it in the morning, and when you get home at 6:30 or 7, you have dinner ready to go.”

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WRITTEN BY SARAH McCULLEN

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WEEKNIGHT

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

short rib

STROGANOFF

2-3 pounds boneless short ribs or beef stew meat 2-3 tablespoons paprika Salt Pepper 3 tablespoons olive oil 8 ounces sliced Baby Bella mushrooms 3 tablespoons minced garlic

¾ cup diced red onion 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup red wine 1 (10-ounce) can beef broth 1 cup milk 1 bag pappardelle pasta ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, optional

Season short ribs with paprika and desired amount of salt and pepper. Heat a skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, and add olive oil. When hot, add short ribs, and cook until brown on both sides.

Transfer short ribs to slow cooker, and set aside.

simmer. Add broth and milk, whisking to remove any lumps. Pour sauce over short ribs in slow cooker, and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Add mushrooms to hot drippings in skillet over medium heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and onion and cook, until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Whisk in red wine, and bring to a

Just before serving, bring a large pot of water to a boil, and salt liberally. Add pappardelle, give it a stir, and cook according to package directions until pasta is al dente. Drain and set aside.

Serve short ribs and sauce over hot pasta, and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Serve with a simple salad.

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E v e r y d a y A r t i st P R O L I F I C A R T I S T A D R I E N N E B R OW N-DAV I D ’ S C H I L D H O O D C R E AT I V I T Y WA S F O S T E R E D B Y FA M I LY. T O D AY, S H E I S I N S P I R E D B Y H E R O W N D AU G H T E R S .

WRITTEN BY LESLIE CRISS

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nytime artist Adrienne Brown-David spies a set of nesting dolls, she buys them. A set consists of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside another.

“I love them,” Brown-David said. “I collect them. I kept having babies when I was in my 20s, and this is what we look like.”

A tattoo, beginning near her wrist, shows the larger nesting doll, signifying the mother figure, followed around her arm by four additional dolls, each smaller than the one before. These signify the children she shares with her husband, Taariq David.

Daughters all, they are the inspiration for their mother’s art.

Jena, 20; Ashni, 18; Bijou, 14; and Zion Sage, 12. From their very first breaths, these four have been their mother’s muses.

Perhaps it was unintentional, but Brown-David was following the wisdom of Mississippi writer Eudora Welty, who stressed “write what you know.” Likewise, Brown-David draws and paints what she knows best — her children. A quick glance or a lingering look at her work will deliver all the proof one needs: Her daughters drive Brown-David’s art.

“I’ve painted their development,” she said of her girls. “And through the years and the paintings, their outlooks, their faces and their attitudes have changed.”

Some artists claim to have a difficult time selling work to which they feel an attachment. Brown-David said she is the exact opposite.

“The art expression or idea starts in my head,” she said. “Once it’s out and on canvas, I don’t feel attached anymore. I’d say 95 percent of my work I have no problem selling. That other five percent I wouldn’t mind keeping in my house for a while, but just because I like the painting visually.”

On Jan. 1, 2021, Brown-David launched a new marketing plan.

Every morning, she’s painted a 5x7 canvas, put a price on it and listed it on social media. To date, she’s sold every painting.

“I order canvases in bulk,” she said. “So I’d sketch out 20 to 30 every few weeks and pick one each morning. It’s certainly part of what’s been keeping me busy.”

She’ll continue painting a small work to sell on social media until Dec. 31 and will, by then, have painted 365 5x7 canvases in 2021. She’s already given thought to what she might do next year.

Continued on page 30

Continued from page 29

An Early Brush With Art A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Brown-David, now 42, said she’d always been that kid who decorated things and drew on things, including brown grocery bags her grandmother would bring home from shopping. She’d also draw on her clothes as a kid, so she was given Crayola washable markers that would wash right out.

“My mom and grandmother noticed this side of me and fostered it,” she said. “My mom took me to galleries and museums.”

In elementary school, Brown-David watched Bob Ross on television every day after school. In middle school, she took art classes, and in high school, all electives for Brown-David were art. She spent a year studying at the School of Art Institute of Chicago.

Back in St. Louis, she taught art to neighborhood kids and drew and painted her own work.

“I had a multitude of jobs,” she said. “Because the truth was, all I wanted to do was this — drawing and painting.”

Brown-David left St. Louis and moved to St. Croix in the Virgin Islands where, she said, it was the first time she’d ever lived in a place where she was not a minority. She married her husband there and had her first three daughters.

In 2008, while pregnant with their fourth daughter, the family relocated to Mississippi. Neither she nor her Washington, D.C.-native husband had ever set foot on Mississippi soil. But a cousin of Brown-David’s worked for Teach for America in Oxford and encouraged the family to head South.

“There I was, three kids, pregnant, picking up and moving to Oxford, sight unseen,” Brown-David said. “We had a hard few years in Mississippi, but clearly it’s where we’re supposed to be. We’re here until we’re not.”

Continued on page 32

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Continued from page 30

Making Room for Art garnered Brown-David a Community Supported Artist grant in 2018 Brown-David can add educator to her resume: She has homefrom the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. The grant promotes and schooled all four daughters. funds local artists as they create an accessible product that could “I didn’t sleep for 10 years,” she said with a laugh. “I’d tell the direct interests to more of the artists’ works. kids, ‘Bedtimes are for moms, not kids. And I need you to go to bed.’

“The grant was a really great jumping off point,” she said. “Once Then I’d work. I might get into a groove with my painting and be up the paper dolls started getting promoted on social media, things just to 2 or 3 in the morning.” sort of took off.”

For the past few years, home For much of this summer, Brownfor Brown-David and her family has " PA I N T I N G F O R M E I S L I K E A I R .

David has stayed busy getting ready for been just up the road from Oxford in I C A N G O O N LY S O L O N G a show of her work at Southside Gallery Water Valley. While she patiently waits on the Square in Oxford. Taking place for the old garage behind her house WITHOUT IT BEFORE EVERY THING Oct. 5-30, it will be her first solo show to be transformed into her first-ever S TA R T S TO S H U T D OW N . at Southside. She’s created about 20 art studio, she often creates in a tiny I H AV E T O P A I N T T O M A I N T A I N M Y new pieces for it. But you’ll hear no room off the kitchen on the way to S A N I T Y A N D A B A L A N C E I N L I F E .” complaints from the artist. She’s never the laundry room. But, honestly, she stopped drawing and painting, even said, she prefers to work wherever her - Adrienne Brown-David when finding time to do her art was family is gathered, so she often paints difficult. in the living room.

“Oh, it was hard to paint when I had an 8-year-old, a 6-year-old, No matter where Brown-David has done her creating, she has a 3-year-old and a newborn,” she said with a wistful smile. “I was ventured along with her art through a metamorphosis of sorts. Her cooking, running errands, taking care of kids 24/7, but still, I drew methods have ranged from her early days of graphite and colored in my sketchbook all the time. I focused on smaller things — penpencil drawings, to tiny houses and portraits in pen-and-ink, to and-ink drawings or colored pencils. As the kids got bigger and more oil paintings of her daughters and the Southern landscape. And self-sufficient, I began to focus more on painting.” somewhere, among all these, there were paper dolls.

Brown-David’s art has changed through the years, as has the The inspiration for the paper dolls was, once again, Brownartist herself.

David’s daughters. When they were little, they loved paper dolls, but “We don’t have the same thoughts or ideas or passions forever,” it was clear there was very little diversity in what was available. So, she said. “My work is going to change as I change. But I’ll always their mom stepped up. paint. Painting is not a hobby or a job or a paycheck. Painting for “I began making paper dolls for my daughters,” she said. me is like air. I can go only so long without it before everything starts “Instead of settling for what was out there, I made sets for them. to shut down. I have to paint to maintain my sanity and a balance When I decided to make a set for my youngest daughter, I wanted her in life.” doll to really represent her, so I used her likeness to create her doll.”

See Brown-David’s artwork on Instagram @adriennemeschelle.

What started as something simply for her family ultimately

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Rebels with a Cause THE WILLIAM MAGEE CENTER AIMS TO DISRUPT THE STEREOT YPICAL COLLEGE CULTURE

BY ENCOURAGING WELLNESS ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI CAMPUS. WRITTEN BY MICHAEL A MORRIS

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he University of Mississippi is harboring its own cultural insurgency. Its mission is to push back against the conflicting myths and attitudes that college life is an endless party, study sessions are pizza-fueled all-nighters, good grades are effortless and bodies are perfect.

“We want to disrupt the culture,” said Erin Cromeans, assistant director of the William Magee Center.

To do that, the Magee Center has enlisted partners across campus to give students tools to navigate the challenges of college life and adulthood in healthy ways. It serves as the home for the Collegiate Recovery Community and a new eating disorder program.

“We are bookends for Student Health Center and the Student Counseling Center,” said Jazmine Kelley, who coordinates programming for the center.

The center coordinates prevention and wellness programs to connect students with knowledge, resources and strategies,

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not lectures. The center has offered laundry tutorials, handed out cup condoms to protect drinks from being spiked, hosted guided meditation, and served up cooking demonstrations.

A week after in-person classes began in spring 2021, the center hosted a Painting with Wellness event in the Grove. Students and staff came together and had a Bob Ross-style guided painting session.

“It was like a breath of fresh air,” said Sierra Elston, who coordinates student services for the center.

The collaboration can be contagious. A cooking competition brought together the equestrian team, the hockey club, the Panhellenic Council, the student veterans association and the LGBTQ+ organization, Kelley said. Now, two of those groups are collaborating on a different program.

“They may not have crossed paths without the Magee Center,” Kelley said.

The College Recovery Community hosts traditional peer support meetings to help students grow in their sobriety as well as events open to anyone who is interested. The center is also growing its CRC Alliance, which is open to staff, faculty and the community.

“They can be in recovery or just want to support students,” said Kyle Loggins, certified prevention specialist with the center who coordinates the recovery community programs. “We would like to create natural mentorships.”

WELLNESS EDUCATION: The center The center is named after William collaborates with partners on campus to offer Magee, an alum who excelled in academics classroom programs, workshops and events. and track and field but struggled with addiction. He graduated with honors DIGITAL PREVENTION PROGRAM: but died from an overdose. Inspired by All first-year students complete online training Magee’s struggle and his family’s advocacy, programs to help them prepare for difficult the university has created the center decisions involving alcohol abuse, sexual to prevent substance abuse and foster assault and diversity, equity and inclusion. student wellness. A newly announced William Magee Institute will house the DISRUPT THE CULTURE: Four-part center and other programs and research series aimed to change the campus culture efforts that stretch beyond campus. in a healthy and holistic way and address The Ole Miss wellness journey goes substance abuse. Includes speaker series, hot back more than a decade. It started with topic sessions, listening series and workshops education on alcohol and other drugs for student organizations. and has expanded into a holistic model.

The Magee Center opened its doors in WELL CHATS: One-on-one visits with September 2019.

Magee Center staff to explore wellness; often Painting in the Grove and cooking a starting point to learn more about a specific demonstrations may seem unrelated to topic. Many students have used the chats to addressing alcohol and drug addiction, seek ways to help friends who are struggling. but they both exist within the wellness spectrum.

REBELADE: A student-centered, eduWellness encompasses mind, body cational program focused on reducing the and spirit, said Natasha Jeter, assistant harm related to substance use. Individualized vice chancellor for wellness and student

Magee Center Initiatives plans are created for each student involved.

IN THE KITCHEN: Series that highlights healthy recipes that are easy on the wallet and friendly enough to make in a residence hall.

New recipes shared every two weeks.

TOBACCO CESSATION: The center offers resources to help people quit using tobacco products (vaping, smoking or dipping).

EATING DISORDER PROGRAM: In partnership with University Counseling Center and Student Health Services, the center offers support for those struggling with eating disorders. The program offers individualized services for those engaged with the treatment team and education for the larger campus community.

COLLEGIATE RECOVERY: Founded in 2010, the Collegiate Recovery Community is designed to help students in recovery from addiction achieve their academic goals.

Find out more at magee-center.olemiss.edu

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The Magee Center coordinates programs around campus that promote a college culture centered on wellness.

Programming ranges from painting workshops and cooking classes to individualized counseling on substance abuse and eating disorders.

success. The Magee Center focuses its efforts across 10 dimensions of wellness, covering the physical, emotional, environmental, cultural, social, interpersonal, intellectual, financial, spiritual and occupational. It’s not about being perfect or never making mistakes, Jeter said.

It’s about finding balance and building resilience.

“We want them to have the skill set to know what’s good for them and what’s not good for them,” said Jeter, noting that universities across the country are taking a more holistic approach to student wellness.

When students struggle with alcohol and other drugs, it’s often an effort to cope with some form of anxiety or fill an unmet need, Loggins said.

Substance abuse isn’t the only harmful coping mechanism. Overeating can lead to obesity. Compulsive shopping can empty bank accounts. Endless gaming can disrupt social and academic growth. Many programs the Magee Center hosts give students a chance to test-drive healthy coping habits, like painting a canvas.

“We want to cultivate a healthy UM experience,” Cromeans said.

“Dear William” Oxford writer David Magee, who helped found the Magee Center in honor of his son, will soon release a memoir, “Dear William,” about his late son and his family’s struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues. “Dear William,” published by Matt Holt Books/ BenBella, will be released in November.

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DIGITAL DETAIL S

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Glamper

T H R O U G H E X T E N S I V E R E N O VAT I O N S , T H E S E OX F O R D F R I E N D S A D D C L A S S A N D S T Y L E TO R V S .

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George, Annie, Katherine Ann and George Stouton Haymans. (Son Worth not pictured)

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Annie Haymans

Rachel Horn Marascalco

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amping — getting up close and personal with nature, no matter the season — is a favorite pastime for many. But it’s not for everyone.

There are certainly those who prefer air conditioning to fresh air, a comfortable bed to the hard ground and a roof above to a tent or starry sky. And that is perfectly fine. There’s plenty of room at the beach, by the lake, in the country for campers and glampers alike.

For those unfamiliar with the term, glampers are folks who might be hesitant about traditional camping, but give them time to add some style to the Airstream or make sure there are amenities aplenty included in the camping plans, and they are all in.

Annie Haymans of Oxford loves camping and being outdoors. A few years ago, she decided to surprise her family with a weekend of camping. She didn’t tell her husband, George, or their three children as she planned the late spring mystery vacation in Alabama.

Fun was had by the whole family, but George Haymans was not enamored with sleeping in a tent for three days. His wife didn’t give up though. In the fall, she rented an RV (a recreational vehicle), and the family went camping for five days in October. The fall trip far surpassed the previous camping experience in comfort.

“I knew George could do it if we had a camper,” Haymans said.

“I started looking on my own at RVs.” George Haymans was also looking, and in December 2019, he surprised his wife with an RV. She was surprised and excited, but her sense of style was unimpressed.

“RVs are not cute,” she said. “Not even the newer ones. The people who design the interiors just don’t do much to make them look stylish.”

So, soon after the RV arrived, the Haymanses began a demolition and remodeling of their RV. The demo was done by the couple, but they hired others to handle most of the remodel.

“We took out every bit of the furniture, pulled up carpet and painted all the dark wood-grain paneling white,” Haymans said.

After adding all new furniture of her own choosing, having hardwood-looking flooring put down, painting and changing out all

the light fixtures with newer, modern ones, the difference was vast.

“We also pulled out the RV mattress on the queen bed in the master bedroom,” Haymans said. “RV mattresses are different — they are half the thickness and support of a real mattress. For comfort’s sake, we added our own mattress.”

Having learned her share of RV lingo, Haymans said her family RV is a Bumper Pull, meaning it is pulled behind a truck.

The family uses their renovated RV often.

“Both boys are involved in travel baseball,” Haymans said. “We use the RV a lot for tournaments. We’ve also gone to a lot of state parks. The work we did gave our camper lots of pop and character.

Glamping is great — I like it a lot.”

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The fun of flipping

Rachel Horn Marascalco is a friend of Haymans. They first met when both worked at La Rousse Salon & Spa in Oxford.

When Marascalco saw what her friend had done to “glam up” a pre-owned RV, her interest was piqued. An avid reader and one who thrives on having a project, Marascalco started researching campers just before the COVID-19 pandemic.

A business manager by profession, Marascalco said she is always looking for creative outlets. So, after doing much research, she bought two campers with the intent to flip them.

“My research convinced me glamping was becoming a thing,” she said. “But the campers I had were very dated, with interiors made with materials not made to last, and they were very dark.”

She and her husband Paul set out to make the campers lighter and brighter, rewiring for LED lights, adding under counter lights, redoing window treatments and more. She added touches that made it more personal but still functional, like adding pieces of aromatic red cedar in the bedroom, and cutting a king-size sofa bed down to a trundle bed so her two young daughters can sleep on it.

“IKEA became my best friend,” Marascalco said. “I’d never done a camper before, but I’d get ideas and couldn’t stop until I figured it out. I love a challenge. Paul enjoys the process, but he can’t see the finished product. I have a vision and can see it all before it’s done.”

Marascalco’s renovation of the campers has been described as

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bohemian-chic or boho, and there might have been some dumpster diving involved.

She learned a lot from her work on the campers, like being aware of weight.

“You can’t put more weight in,” she said. “If you put something in, you have to take something out. A trailer can carry so much weight; it’s all about the balance. I took a lot of the solid, heavy doors out and used curtains.

“I took the oven out and left the cooktop,” she said. “There’s a microwave.

The oven was wasted space and, besides, it was ugly.”

Unlike the Haymans family, the Marascalcos did not do a lot of glamping in either camper.

“We went to Enid twice,” Marascalco said. “And to Catherine’s Landing in Arkansas. There’s lots to do, but when it rains, it nice to have a cozy place to be. I made the campers homey for that reason.”

But one day, on a lark, Marascalco listed the two campers for sale on Facebook.

In the first four minutes, both were sold.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I think I’ll do it again. I’ll know better what to look for, and experience is everything. And it’s Annie and her RV that pushed me over the edge to do this. She inspired me to pull the trigger on this project.”

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from the editors

With the unification of one-of-a-kind, yet like-minded students, Square Magazine is the University of Mississippi’s hub for creatives.

Through daily hardships and unstoppable cosmic shifts, we will always be connected by our creativity and imagination: It is what sets us apart from all other species. Since its start in 2019, Square Magazine has exemplified its devotion to creativity and self-expression.

Our organization is slowly but surely becoming an integral pillar at the university, and we could not be more excited. With the liberating freedom to shed light on the ‘next best thing’ fueling us, the magazine will continue to infinitely expand as time goes on.

Most recently, we have been given the opportunity to broaden our reach to you, the welcoming community that makes our campus feel like home, thanks to Rachel West and her team at Invitation Magazines. We cannot wait for everyone to see what our team has created for this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration.

photos: dawson wilson & samantha dakauskas

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Love always, Lucy Cavett and Elena Ossoski

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In 2015, I was asked to teach as an adjunct instructor at the Ole Miss School of Journalism and New Media.

Over the last several years, it’s become both a joy and a grand privilege to teach young, creative people who are talented and forward thinking.

A few years ago, I was a part of a conversation with Alexandra “Alexi” Alonso, a former student, who had a dream to start a fashion publication for the school and for others who had an interest in media and fashion.

Her dream became a reality when Square Magazine was created before she graduated in 2020, and it has been passed along to many other young people, including the magazine’s current staff and co-editors Lucy Cavett and Elena Ossoski.

SQUARE MODELS GEORGIA BRIGHT SA MONE BROWNLOW JANIE CAGLE ISABELLE MCLEOD LEXIE OWNBY REMI PIRAINO MEG RICE GRACE SMITH GRACE SPENCER PAIGE WELLS

In this issue, we are privileged to partner with them to feature Square Magazine, which is run and produced completely by students at Ole Miss who have a passion for fashion, art and trends. I am blown away by what they collectively have produced for our readers. We are honored to be a part of this collaborative effort.

Rachel West Publisher, Invitation Magazines

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about

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FALL 2021’s

LEADING TRENDS

By: Kate Abraham Photos: Elizabeth Stephenson Fall is finally coming upon us, and with it comes all of our favorite fashion looks and pieces. The potential this season holds is vast, elevating the excitement more and more every year to see the trending styles and top-notch outfits that are soon to make headlines.

The predicted trends for this Fall 2021 season meet the high expectations set by fashion lovers everywhere and live alongside previous trends making an appearance once again following the typical fashion cycle. What will be seen on the street, at events, at holiday gatherings, and everywhere in between is sure to impress us all.

Whether you are headed to the library to study, to the Grove to tailgate, or to dinner with friends, do it in style this fall. Some of the standout trends beloved by the UM Square Magazine staff include layering, repurposing classics, saturated hues, tailoring, and knitwear in all forms.

Topping the list of best fall trends is layering, of which the possibilities are endless and completely customizable for everyone’s style. For those who are not a fan of repeating outfits, this is the trend that will prove to be most valuable to you. This season, expect to see sweater vests make their way back into the spotlight, and thankfully so. When the weather starts to get a little chilly, grab your favorite sweater vest and layer it on top of a comfy, fitted turtleneck, and pair it with a staple pair of leather paper-bag shorts or mom jeans. Slip on a pair of sleek knee-high boots or western-style booties, and you are ready — and fashionably so — for whatever the day holds.

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The beauty of layering is that it can be adjusted and catered to every occasion. To take a more casual approach, pair a simple collared button-down underneath your favorite chunky sweater with your prized pair of straight-leg jeans. Style it with a half-tuck of the sweater into the jeans and sneakers or booties of your choice. If you are heading to an event with an elevated dress code alongside a predicted cold temperature, opt for a simpler layering look while combining a knit maxi dress with a statement trench coat and a pair of sleek, leather, heeled boots.

Classics: the staple necessity pieces in every woman’s closet.

To be on trend and in style does not always require an entirely new wardrobe; you can easily create a high-fashion look with the garments already in your closet. Capitalize on the little black dress in your closet as it can be worn in a variety of ways to fit any circumstance. Some of our top combinations include pairing a bold-colored blazer and a waist belt atop the dress, finished with black booties. Take it an edgier route by adding

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a leather jacket, whether it be solid black or a bold color, and a boot you favor most, and you have a classic and versatile look that will never go out of style. The brilliance of classics is that they simply never go out of style, even the most basic of pieces such as the plain white tee and white button-down. Dress up your plain white tee with a statement, saturated colored blazer (more on that later!) with a pair of tailored black pants, heeled boots, and your favorite clutch, and you are ready for a night out. Or, dig that white button-down out of the bottom of your drawer and layer it underneath a chunky sweater, add your favorite pair of jeans, and finish the look with a pair of sneakers.

Put your own stylish and creative twist on these classic pieces, and you are sure to create many outfits that are nothing short of fabulous.

For all of the color lovers, this is the season for you. Color is here and it’s here to stay, and we have no complaints about it. Expect to see lots of bold color hues in the coming months in many different forms — from structured blazers, to colored booties, to striking knitwear, and everything in between. This trend is favorable as it instantly revamps your classic, overworn neutral fall sweater and jeans by instantly creating a new look with a statement color. Some of the shades you will be seeing everywhere this season include mustard and neon yellows, bright pinks, lilac, and orange.

Tailoring is not the newest trend on the block, but it has proven to be long-lasting. Oversized blazers and tailored pants

Models Remi Piraino and Samone Brownlow wearing select pieces provided by Kate Newman, owner of Style Assembly in Oxford.

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will still be all the rage this fall, but with added twists, of course.

Variations of the tailored look are numerous, some of which exemplify the previously mentioned trends. Layering blazers and structured coats over your favorite sweaters will prove to be a go-to look for many, while seasoned wearers of this type of clothing will tend to step out of their normal comfort zone and opt for the bold color and pattern options that are trending.

Emphasizing the craze towards layering this fall, the outfit tactic will make or break your effort towards making a flawless, tailored look.

Comfortable and stylish, what more could one dream of?

Knitwear is dominating the fashion world, and thankfully so.

From dresses, to tanks, to sweaters, to cardigans, to crop tops, and more, the options truly are endless. Chunky knit maxi dresses paired with your favorite booties can easily take you from work to a dinner date. Put your own twist on the look by adding a belt or hat of your choice and a statement handbag.

For the crop top fans, matching sets including a midi skirt and corresponding top are getting much love, and understandably so upon first glance at this stunning trend. When it gets extra chilly, throw on a chunky knit turtleneck with an oversized blazer, straight leg jeans, and chunky boots, (with extra warm socks!), and you have a casual and comfortable look that is sure to turn heads in the street.

Without a doubt, this fall fashion season will be one to remember, bringing much joy to all fashion lovers (and their closets, too)! Emphasizing the vast variety of trends to try this fall, there is an option for everyone that is sure to turn heads, no matter the circumstance.

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W

western style revival

Expect to see tall boots, prairie dresses, fringe trim and wide-brimmed hats as designers continue to embrace western style this fall.

photos: Caroline Kuyrkendall

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Mind, (Fitness for Mental and Physical Health)

By: Eleanor Hoover Photos: Elizabeth Stephenson

Fitness has often been solicited to consumers as means of obtaining a physique predetermined as “beautiful” or “healthy” by the media or society. The underlying reason for getting a workout in was not traditionally to make yourself feel better, but to “look better.” In an interview with Sarah Jay Gray, owner of Thrive Counseling in Oxford, she told us that “we have made exercise a punishment,” and she could not be more correct.

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The fitness world has recently seen a shift and is moving towards promoting being active to feel better and connect with your mind and body. Gray noted the “mind and body connection that we talk about is becoming more socially ‘in,’” creating opportunities within the fitness community to shift the conversation towards a more holistic approach, targeting overall well-being. In taking this approach, we can acknowledge that “our physical fitness affects our mental well-being, and vice versa.” Changing attitudes around fitness from “have to” to “want to” is vital to strengthening physical and mental health.

The connection between body and mind has been brought to the forefront of the fitness industry. Gray noted that “how we think affects how we feel, and how we feel affects how we think.”

This interconnectedness between mental and physical health creates an opportunity to honor our bodies and our minds.

Participating in physical activity is not about trying to morph yourself to unrealistic standards. It is about thanking your body for its ability to move and support you day in and day out.

There is exponential data, as Gray said, showing “eating well, physical fitness, and mindfulness improve your brain, mind, and body.” Capitalizing on this connection can help reduce stress and its physical manifestation in our bodies. In the same way that stress releases stress hormones, “exercise releases hormones that are positive for our bodies,” Gray said. In order to understand when positive and negative hormones are moving through you, Gray suggested “being more mindful of our body

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Body

Soul

and the sensations you feel,” and to “notice when your body feels great.”

It is important to remember that fitness is not limited to workout classes or hours in the gym. Movement, for any period of time, is beneficial for both the body and mind. Gray said that “science tells us that being outdoors, in nature, for at least 10 minutes is going to improve our overall wellness.” Spending just 10 minutes moving your body, especially outside, creates an opportunity to find connectivity with yourself and your surroundings.

Additionally, drawing in Vitamin D from exposure to the sun will do you nothing but good. If you are in need of more motivation to get outside, Gray told us that “walking and exercising, especially outside, improves our cognitive function and creativity.” Breathing fresh air and experiencing a change in your surroundings is vital to stimulate the mind and body, keeping both active and healthy.

Move your body for yourself and your well-being. In order to create a positive attitude towards fitness, Gray said the key is to change “your mindset away from ‘how do I look,’ to ‘how do I feel.’” Finding 10 minutes a day to move will do you a world of good and show you that “how you feel affects how you think, and how you think affects how you feel.”

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By: Anne Clark Harvey Photos: Elizabeth Stephenson Fashion is constantly changing. Now that the world has had time to sit still over the course of the last year, attention is being paid to the art of timeless fashion. Whether it be a white tee in the bottom of a drawer or a white button-down in the back of a closet, timeless pieces rarely lose their place in a wardrobe.

Timeless fashion and sustainability go together. A hallmark of classic clothing is that it is often higher quality than a fast fashion item that pollutes more than just the environment. Classic clothing keeps its constancy partly due to the processes by which it is made and the quality of the material used. This is seen in practice in the fashion industry as items are made to stand the tests of time and retain their value. No one has done this better than Gabriela Hearst who created her own label and was hired in December 2020 as creative director at Chloé.

In 2019, Hearst gave an interesting perspective concerning sustainability in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar. She says that “if you put restrictions on someone’s creativity, it gives them more focus.” If a designer adds a concentration to their design process, like focusing on the origin of textiles (such as cotton, hemp, rayon, and linen that are most sustainable), the product they create holds a kind of luxury that is rare. It is that “knowing the smallest details of the provenance of a material” and having the privilege of knowing how things are built that is the “very definition of modern luxury,” according to Hearst. With such attention to detail, it comes with no surprise that Hearst has little to no affection towards trends. To Hearst, quality is everything and there will always be people drawn to it. She demonstrates this with her own brand that is built on “timelessness, uncompromising quality, and sustainability.”

Influential designers in the 21st century creating entire lines based on the principles of timelessness shows that fashion is rooted by it. It is difficult to speak on classy couture without giving a nod to two sisters who helped bring American fashion from the constrained, corseted “New Look,” designed by Christian Dior in the late 1940s, to the more relaxed, quiet luxury that women are still beaming over today. Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Lee Radziwill, the Bouvier sisters, both left lasting legacies in the history of fashion by making the modern woman who she remains to be today.

Onassis was admired worldwide for her style and tastes which, when looked at more closely, were an emulation of her sister Lee. The fashion donned during the White House years was what carried the sisters through their lifetimes: clean lines, solid colors, and simplistic

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grace. The effortlessly chic style they shared was never intended to set trends. American designer Bill Blass explained the phenomenon of her timelessness saying “Jackie Onassis was the greatest pacesetter of our time — without doing anything highly original.”

Blass’s words compliment the intent of the icon herself, who sought to not attract attention and to grace the limelight she did not ask for with diligence and effortlessness. The ensembles worn by Jackie and Lee would not look a bit out of place today.

The period we are at now is one where reinvention can blow us all away. It is the same motivation for reinvention that has created all eras of fashion. Again, fashion is rooted in timelessness; the sense of resolve and simplicity the classics carry with them remain as relevant today as they were when Jackie was walking the streets half a century ago. That is the magic of the classics, the charm of pieces with true value. That is why timeless always stuns.

Thank you for collaborating with us, Square Magazine!

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A NIGHT FOR NONPROFITS PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

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The sixth annual Night for Nonprofits was hosted Aug. 12 by LOFT (Lafayette Oxford Foundation for Tomorrow). The event is designed to engage several local nonprofits and provide them with grant funding for innovative projects and programs that serve the community.

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8 1. Michelle Morris and Marlene Bishop 2. Amy Webb and Anna Yates 3. Katherine Phipps and Ruby Taylor 4. Walt and Kaidee Davis 5. Ferris McGuire and Jay Ethridge 6. Janice Carr and Bernice Herod 7. Wayne Andrews and Meghan Gallagher 8. Ronn Pierce and Robin Minyard 9. Elise Lee, Afton Thomas and Leigh Jurney

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GROOVIN’ AT MOVE IN PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

From Aug. 18 to 20, parents and volunteers took part in Groovin’ at Move In to help hundreds of new and returning University of Mississippi students move their belongings from parking areas to dorm rooms for fall semester 2021.

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1. Niyanna Cohran, Marissa Ingram, Lyndon Brown and Tatiana Davis 2. Johnny, Katie, Kellie and Stacie Brown 3. Chris, Janel and Shelby Brown 4. Jieun Kim, Elsi Munoz and Charmin Kim 5. Mike, Jack and Gina Tompkins 6. Derek and Edye Baldwin 7. Blairie Hill and Brooke Holland 8. Marlene Shaw and Dorothy King 9. Haley Herbert and Marissa Lee

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BOOSTERS AND BLUES PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

The Oxford Charger Booster Club hosted Boosters & Blues, its big annual fundraiser, Aug. 7 at the Library Bar with DJ Sedrick.

Money raised supports Oxford middle school and high school activities.

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1. Stephanie and Clark Love 2. Kevin and Libbie Patterson 3. Karen Swingle, Sarah Hamilton, Corey Martin and Jessica Dennis 4. Sarah Hamilton, Robyn Lyons, Haylee Lipe and Ashley Martin 5. Rebecca and Hunter Crane 6. Caroline and Steve Korte 7. Emily Griffith and Mary Carolyn Nichols

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OLE MISS BID DAY PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

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A sea of well-wishers gathered in the Grove and outside Sorority Row houses Aug. 22 to welcome new members to the University of Mississippi’s 11 sororities on Bid Day 2021.

Bid Day followed recruitment, which this year took place Aug. 15-21, before the start of fall classes.

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UNITED WAY FL A S HBACK BA S H PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County hosted its second annual United Way Flashback Bash fundraiser, presented by CoreLogic/FNC, Aug. 14 at the Oxford Conference Center. Attendees danced to the tunes of the 1970s.

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1. Kelly and Kirk Brummett 2. Debra, Melody and Candy Cole 3. Teasha Sanders, Andrea Griffin and E’Lisa Vaughn 4. Fatima and Vitor Pomin 5. Ty Whitehorn and Jennifer West 6. Kevin Felker and Isis Arantes 7. Brandon and Ginger Kizer 8. Landon and Alice Steimlee 9. Joey and Doug Odom

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EAT IN THE STREET PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

To celebrate the culmination of the East Jackson Streetscape project, Visit Oxford threw a party, Eat in the Street, with live music and small bites from local restaurants on Aug. 28.

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8 1. Becky and Nelson Little 2. Kim Thomas and Andrea Fenise 3. Hastain Biggs, Hollis Johnson and Madison Gordon 4. Molly Hendren with Lindsey and Reid Bensch 5. Charlie and Melinda Patrick 6. Tim, Brynnan and Danielle King 7. Alyssa and Casey Reed with Avery Crockett 8. Mary Kumpf, Peyton Soetenga and Kendall Clarkson 9. Keith and Jill Carter with Hunter Carpenter and Chris Malloy

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OUT & ABOUT Un ive r s it y of M i s s i s s i p p i Fi r s t D ay of C l a s s e s

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1. Krishna Soni and Rohit Alluri 2. Bethany Thomas, Harrison Carmichael and Khamariah Yelder Anderson 3. Jessica Alcantara and Julianne Nguyen 4. Red Window Communications friends and family 5. Brandon Hudspeth and Daniel Zewde 6. Keaton Johnson and Sharon Nielsen

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DANCE LIKE THE STARS PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

Dance Like the Stars, held Aug. 21, raised over $271,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Mississippi. Chairman of the Ole Miss Department of Music, Nancy Maria Balach, won first place; Tupelo’s Brooke Burleson and Victor McMillan placed second and third, respectively.

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1. Andrew Davis and Gabe Rulewicz 2. Linda Heng and Rubye Del Harden 3. Sara Wood, Benjamin Pryer and Gemi Moore 4. Victor McMillan and Daniella Oropeza 5. Alli Hodges, Tammy Wilson and Laura Marion

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NATCHEZ TRACE RYDER CUP PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The Natchez Trace Golf Club in Saltillo hosted its annual Ryder Cup golf tournament Aug. 21-22.

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1. Paul Saylors, James Billingsley, Will Brann and Michael McCrory 2. Blake McCullough, Jeremy Loden, Cricket Hutcheson and Jake Logan 3. Kevin Lanthrop, Casey Franks, Evan Ellis and Jack Holliman 4. Cason Collins, Rusty Lanphere, Sean Koehn and Charlie Tucker 5. Ed Tedford, Steve Shelton, Richard McCrory and Bradford Ridgway 6. Amy Trapp, Lauren Dunlap, Cora Polson, Mackenzie Koehn, Patsy Polson, Jennifer Ridgway, Meagan Whitehead, Angie Henry, Lauren Nichols and Misty Taylor 7. Kim McCrory, Heather Franks, Lara Evans, Michelle Williams, YoYo Godwin, Kim Wade, Lisa Roberts, Kim McNeece, Bridget Thorn and Cindy Googe 8. Matt Baker 9. Joe Banko and Chris Thompson 10. Trey Trapp and Will Lamons

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FALL FOOD DRIVE KICKOFF PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

Local State Farm insurance agents and the Hunger Coalition of Northeast Mississippi kicked off a monthlong food drive Aug. 31 with a rooftop party at Park Heights Restaurant in Tupelo. The goal is to raise awareness about food insecurity in the region and to collect food for those in need.

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1. Juanita Floyd and Patti Parker 2. Marcus Gary, Travis Beard, Scott Costello, Rosie Jones and Todd Jordan 3. Mike Clayborne and Scott Reed 4. Robert Gaines, Rich Potter, Rob Rice, Shawn King and Jason Martin 5. Chris, Presley and Christy Garrison 6. Jennifer Lawrence with Memori and Debra Carouthers

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BODOCK FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The 27th annual Bodock Festival offered fun, food, live music and more for all ages in downtown Pontotoc on Sept. 11.

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1. John McKid 2. Jocelyn Ramirez, Brittany Gonzalez and Gianny Sanchez 3. Layla and Rachel Mask 4. Margaret Bolton, Kathy Tackitt, Marylyn Roberts, Tracy Robinson, Debbie Munn and Amy Long 5. Carlee Dunlap with Bree and Johnathon Stegall 6. Isaac Patrick, Luke Hendrix, Hadley Corley and John Cheney

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9/11 MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The fifth annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb took place Sept. 11 at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo. The event honors the 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers and 8 paramedics who lost their lives at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

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1. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb participants 2. Chambliss Howell, Adam Miller and Jeremy Kennedy 3. Ethan Craig and Caden Cresap

4. Whitney Parker with Patrick and Stacie Graham, Tucker Hicks, Dalton Brown, Johnathan Baswell and Tiffany, A.J. and Jason Parker 5. Anthony Mitchell, Wesley Gillentine and Robert Patton

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6. Lauren Dunlap, Laurie Patterson, Amye Jo Nichols and Emily Funderburk with Leigh Ann and Collin Rae Houpt and Ashley Boone

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OUT & ABOUT Tup e lo H i g h S c ho ol v s . S a lt i l lo H i g h S c ho ol Fo ot ba l l G a me

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1. Hunter Hill and Tyler Smith 2. Mattie Rose McCrory and Evy Hardin 3. Precious Witherspoon, Icyis Perry and Jireh McIntosh 4. Mariah Burress, K.K. Page, Kyla Huddleston, Kennedy Johnson, Emerie Gaston and Makayla Hall 5. Hunter Davis, Daniel Meeks, Jacob Jolly, Garrett Glenn, Matthew Roncalli, Cade Hamm, Evan McCarthy, Trice Rakestraw, Dakota King and Kaden Martin

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N E I G H B O R K ATE

INTERVIEWED BY LESLIE CRISS

N E WM A N |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

Q: How have you been involved in bringing

the fashion concentration back to Ole Miss, and why is this exciting for the school?

A: I always knew I wanted to somehow get involved in academics and help open doors for students as my professors did for me at Alabama. I taught IMC 315, fashion merchandising, this past spring in the Integrated Marketing and Communications department. Fashion is a huge, ever-changing, fast-paced industry that is a natural fit for the principles of the IMC department. The students are passionate about fashion and have even started their own, impressive, fashion magazine, UM Square Magazine. To be able to help even one student successfully navigate the fashion industry has been incredibly rewarding, and I hope Ole Miss continues to offer this concentration.

Q: Tell us about your new store.

A: I opened Style Assembly on Aug. 19

at 203 N. Lamar Blvd., just off the Square.

Style Assembly is dedicated to sophisticated, sensible and effortless dressing for every occasion. I wanted to create an environment where women feel comfortable shopping and could find items to add to their wardrobe no matter their budget, size or shape. Our team’s goal is to help our clients “assemble” their style, hence the name Style Assembly.

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ate Newman, who was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has been in the fashion business for 20 years.

She has a degree in apparel and textiles and a concentration in fashion retail from the University of Alabama. She has been a retail sales associate, an account executive for Loro Piana in New York City, a buyer and a store manager, including, most recently, store manager of Oxford’s Village Tailor. “From the moment I helped my first customer, I was hooked and knew I wanted to own my own

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store one day,” she said. And in August, she opened Style Assembly in Oxford.

In addition to loving fashion and the retail business, she is a “Real Housewives” franchise super fan and a huge sports enthusiast. She is married to Christopher, a proud Ole Miss alumnus and a marketing professor in the School of Business, and they have two boys, 4-year-old Woods and 9-month-old Hayes, and a lab named Pepper. A secret hobby of Newman’s: She loves to hunt when life will allow it.

Q:

What are your thoughts on this fall’s fashion? What might be influencing it?

A: The consistent theme was edited brand offerings, sustainability and great fabrics that could be worn for many seasons. Each designer seemed to focus on their strengths.

Whether COVID played a role or not, I couldn’t say, but the market felt practical and focused and fun. Everyone was just excited to be making clothing and to be back in business.