Invitation Oxford - February 2022

FEBRUARY 2022

OXFO R D

THE

Bridal ISSUE

V I N TAG E FA S H I O N COMING SOON TO T H E O N LY O X F O R D

DISCOVER WEST POINT’ S PRAIRIE WILDLIFE

GARDENS FLOURISH Y E A R- R O U N D AT TUPELO FIRST PRES

BE AUTIFUL LOCAL WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENTS

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FEBRUARY 2022

DEPA RTMENT S

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Letter From the Publisher

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Digital Details

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Calendar

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Shoutouts

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Restaurant Guide

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Recipes: Beignets

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Out & About: Northeast

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Out & About: Oxford

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Good Neighbor: Grae Kessinger

ON THE COVER

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EVENTS:

NORTHEAST

EVENTS:

OXFORD

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“Disney on Ice”

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Holiday Ice Skating

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Baldwyn Open House

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Jameson Rogers Concert

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Foreigner Concert

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Taylor Christmas Parade

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Reed’s Christmas Parade

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Ole Miss Basketball

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Out of the Darkness Walk

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Oxford Christmas Parade

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Lola Moorehead and William Hopper were married in December in Oxford.

See more from their wedding on page 34.

OXFORD COVER BY

Adrianna Elizabeth Photography

Victoria Smith of Corinth and Tucker Fox of Memphis met as students at Ole Miss.

See more from their wedding on page 38.

NORTHE A ST COVER BY

Thankfully Taken

F E AT U R E S

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

FE ATURES

32 Bowen & Montgomery

50 Love of the Land

34 Moorehead & Hopper

Prairie Wildlife is a treasured bit of acreage hidden inside West Point.

36 Ried & McLean

56 The Lock of Love

38 Smith & Fox 40 Thrasher & Burns 42 Treadway & Houston

The romantic tradition of placing padlocks on bridges, gates and fences is a worldwide trend that has found a place in Oxford.

58 Holy Ground

44 Voyles & Anderson

The gardens at First Presbyterian Church in Tupelo offer year-round beauty and peace in a public green space.

46 Washington & Mascolo

65 The Only

48 Webb & Ormrod 49 Worsham & Young 10

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Find vintage fashion at The Only, a one-ofa-kind shop in Oxford that celebrates the collection and legacy of a unique woman.

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L E T T E R from the P U B L I S H E R The new year offers opportunities for change: changes in habits, relationships, jobs, routines. And often, change is good. It can be refreshing and rewarding.

This year, we’ve changed when we publish our annual bridal issue, and it’s been fun to create and concept something new.

The timing seems right. Recently engaged and newlywed couples have just spent the holidays sharing their love for each other and their families. There is much excitement around planning weddings that will take place this year.

As winter fades, we’re reminded of new life, young marriages and the beauty of spring that’s coming in the weeks ahead.

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So, in addition to many lovely bridal announcements, this magazine features the impressive gardens at Tupelo’s First Presbyterian Church, a place our staff has known of and admired a long time. The grounds have been meticulously maintained

by Doyce Deas and Sam Pace for decades, and we’re delighted to share their labors of love with you. Read more on page 58.

We’re also taking you to Prairie Wildlife in West Point, on page 50. Whether you are an experienced quail hunter or a nature enthusiast at heart, you don’t want to miss this story and the gorgeous pictures of the 6,000 acres of land that conservationist Jimmy Bryan opens to visitors.

@INVITATIONOXFORD @INVITATIONM AGA ZINE

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Lastly, starting on page 65, we have a sneak peek into The Only, a very aptly named one-of-a-kind shop in Oxford that houses an unimaginable number of stunning vintage designer fashion pieces.

We are thankful to the shop’s proprietor for allowing us to introduce it to you.

Thank you for picking up a copy of Invitation this month. We will see you right back here in March.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

@INVOXFORD @INVMAGA ZINE

PUBLISHER Rachel West

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Emily Welly EXECUTIVE EDITOR Leslie Criss OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Mary Moreton CONTRIBUTING WRITER AND ILLUSTRATOR Sarah McCullen 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 Kim Westhouse J.R. Wilbanks

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Alise M. Emerson Amber Lancaster 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!

T he O n ly A new shop on the Square brings iconic fashion to Oxford. Turn to page 65 to see a sampling of the special pieces — from timeless to trendy — that make up The Only’s extensive collection. Learn more online at theonlyoxford.com.

Fo o d Blo g Re f re sh

Nate + Lara’s wedding date is quickly approaching…

L O C A T I O N : Ole Miss U S E R N A M E : @finchcollective

T h a n k you , Pe t s!

An icon on the @visitoxfordms square, @citygroceryoxford is a must stop…

L O C A T I O N : City Grocery U S E R N A M E : @chels_eats_

Fruit and Nut Granola

Coming soon: Invitation Magazines’ weekly food blog is getting a new look. We’ll feature seasonal suppers, after-school snacks, holiday feasts and more — all in a fun new format. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the relaunch later this month.

Thank you to the hundreds of people and pets who participated in our Pet Cover Contest, held on social media in January. Look for the adorable winners on the covers of our March magazines!

CALENDAR AND EVENTS

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!

FOLLOW US

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@INVITATIONOXFORD @INVITATIONM AGA ZINE

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New hours…

L O C A T I O N : Isom Place U S E R N A M E : @isomplaceoxford |

@INVOXFORD @INVMAGA ZINE

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C O M M U N I T Y FEBRUARY 2022

OXFORD

Oxford Community Market T U E S D AY S I N F E B R U A R Y

This winter, connect with a variety of local growers and producers for regionally grown seasonal fruits, vegetables, local meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, flowers and so much more.

Noon-3 p.m., Old Armory Pavilion.

Marcus King at The Lyric

oxfordcommunitymarket.com

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Rosé Wednesday FEBRUARY 9

Kick back, relax and enjoy your Wednesday evening with a glass of rosé and tasty treats at The Sipp. Tickets, $30, available online. 5:30-6:30 p.m., The Sipp on South Lamar.

Enjoy Marcus King Live in 2022 at The Lyric Oxford. Tickets, $29 in advance, $34 at the door, available online. A $5 underage fee will be charged to anyone under age of 21; patrons must be 18 and up.

Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m., The Lyric Oxford. thelyricoxford.com

thesippms.com

Ole Miss Men’s Basketball vs. Alabama FEBRUARY 9

HER Conference F E B R U A R Y 4-5

Join the Rebels as they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. 7:30 p.m., The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss.

Enjoy a weekend of Healing, Empowerment and Restoration at this year’s HER Conference. Women ages 13 and up will hear from guest speakers Sister Elizabeth Hughes, Sister Carol Porterfield, Dr. Jennifer Williams and more. Register online, $30. The event starts Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Bethlehem Church, Potts Camp.

olemisssports.com

Come join one of Oxford’s newest restaurants on The Square for some tasty oysters and sipping bubbles. Tickets, $40, available online. 6-7 p.m., YUGO Oxford.

Head over to Swayze Field to cheer on the Rebels in the 2022 season opening weekend vs. Charleston Southern. First pitch is Friday 4 p.m.; Saturday 1:30 p.m.; Sunday 1:30 p.m., Oxford-University Stadium.

eventbrite.com

yugooxford.com

olemisssports.com

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Oysters & Bubbles Pop-Up FEBRUARY 10

Ole Miss Baseball Opening Weekend F E B R U A R Y 1 8-2 0

Wines from Washington FEBRUARY 23

Enjoy a fun night tasting The Sipp’s favorite wines from Washington paired with their favorite hors d’oeuvres. Tickets, $30, available online. 5:30-6:30 p.m., The Sipp on South Lamar. thesippms.com

Ole Miss Men’s Basketball vs. Texas A&M FEB RUA RY 26

Cheer on the Rebels as they take on Texas A&M. 2:30 p.m., The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. olemisssports.com

Ole Miss Women’s Basketball vs. South Carolina FEBRUARY 27

Join the Rebels as they play SEC competitor, the South Carolina Gamecocks.

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Miss Royal Mississippi Elite State Pageant F E B R U A R Y 1 1 -12

F E B R UA RY 1

Lunar New Year

BANCORPSOUTH ARENA

H O L I D AY S

All ages are invited to participate in the Miss Royal Mississippi Elite State Pageant for a chance to win one of the most prestigious state titles around. For more information, search “Miss Royal Mississippi Elite State Pageant” on Facebook. Pageant starts Friday 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., Tupelo location TBD.

F E B R UA RY 2

Groundhog Day

Winter Jam 2022

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Valentine’s Day

FEB RUA RY 20

Winter Jam 2022 returns to BancorpSouth Arena. Admission, $10, at the door. Doors open at 5 p.m., event starts at 6 p.m., BancorpSouth Arena.

F E B R UA RY 2 1

President’s Day

2022.jamtour.com

NORTHEAST

Riley Green’s “We Out Here” Tour

NEWMS Masquerade Ball

World of Customs Auto Show F E B R U A R Y 2 5 -2 7

Enjoy a night full of great music from country music star Riley Green and special guests Corey Smith and Kameron Marlowe.

Tickets available online. 7-11 p.m., BancorpSouth Arena.

Dance the night away at the New Expectations for Women in Mississippi’s annual Masquerade Ball. Proceeds benefit the NEWMS Fairy Godmother Project.

Tickets, $50, available online.

7 p.m.-midnight, Tupelo Cotton Mill.

This indoor car show features a wide variety of custom cars, trucks and motorcycles, as well as restored and antique vehicles. For more information, call 662-538-8426.

Friday noon-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Tupelo Furniture Market, Buildings 4 and 5.

bcsarena.com

eventbrite.com

worldofcustoms.com

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S H O U T O U T S O ne Hu nd re d “I W i l l s” A f t e r You S ay “I D o”

Some 40-plus years ago, New Orleans native Lissa Noel met Randy Noel at the University of Mississippi, and the rest is history. They enjoyed their first year of marriage in wedded bliss, while Lissa finished her master’s in speech pathology

and Randy finished his final year of law school. However, it wasn’t until they left the “Velvet Ditch” and returned to Randy’s hometown of Memphis that they realized things were not quite as luxurious as they had expected marriage to be.

“Ole Miss doesn’t offer a class on how to be a married couple,” Lissa said. “We were surrounded by Randy’s friends, his church, his hometown, etc., and I had to figure out some new marriage skills that I could put into practice. . . Randy turned into a workaholic and didn’t ‘have time’ to go to counseling; rather, he would say ‘read the book and tell me what to do.’”

So, Lissa listened to lectures and read books on everything from how to argue to embracing one another’s differences. Her own marital challenges and the research she did led Lissa to write her own book, “One Hundred ‘I Wills’ After You Say ‘I Do.’”

The book, which was revised in 2021, offers timeless wisdom to help marriages grow and thrive with easy-to-read and implement, straight-to-the-point, lessons.

With sections on the basics, communication and intimacy, she offers advice on how to practice intentional actions to build a lifelong strong and healthy marriage. It is a popular gift for couples and recommended reading for premarital counseling.

“Today, everyone’s taking time for sports lessons and personal trainers, but no one is taking a lesson on their marriage,” Lissa said.

Her passion is to encourage others to invest in growing their faith and marriage, and she hopes practicing a few of her “I Wills” will impact future generations.

The book is available at Square Books, Provisions of Oxford and through Amazon.

Learn more at https://100iwills.com.

G u mt re e Fe s t iva l C e le b rat e s 50 Ye a r s by Re b ra nd i n g a s G u mt re e A r t & W i ne Fe s t iva l Tupelo’s annual Gumtree Arts Festival will have a new brand name in 2022.

Scheduled for the weekend of May 6-8, the Gumtree Art & Wine Festival — Creativity Uncorked — will offer a somewhat similar feel of years past, but a lot more of it.

After more than a year of planning, with help from a creative cadre of community members, festival plans were unveiled just in time for the celebration of the festival’s 50th anniversary.

“The Gumtree Art & Wine Festival has more of everything that people loved about the Gumtree Festival,” said Larry Coggin, chairman of the Gumtree Art & Wine Festival committee. “More fun, more excitement, more art, music and delicious food, more kids’ activities, plus the addition of wine and spirits.”

Included in the 2022 festival will be:

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-The Palette Tent: Offering wine/spirits tasting, food and live music all weekend.

-Sunday Jazz Brunch: This Mother’s Day ticketed event, will be served up with a jazz band inside The Palette Tent.

-Creative Kids Garden: Hands-on art, storytellers and living-history characters.

-Gumball Birthday Bash: A free street party with live music, barbecue and a wet paint art show.

-The South’s Best Art Party: A ticketed event featuring artist Wyatt Waters, live music, wine pairings and a silent auction benefiting the Gumtree Museum of Art. -Chalk Art: Contest on Broadway Street -Arts & Culture Mural: Showing 50 years of Tupelo music, theater, art and dance history. Festival attendees will be encouraged to sign the mural.

“Now more than ever, people want to come together to celebrate,” said Kit Stafford, director of the Gumtree Art & Wine Festival. “And we have so much to celebrate in this region: art, music, culture, cuisine. The Gumtree Art & Wine Festival is a perfect celebration for this moment and for the years ahead.”

For more information, contact Kit Stafford at kitstafford@comcast.net or 662213-8992.

SHOUTOUTS

continued

OLE MISS ATHLETICS

Re me m b e r i n g B e t t y W h it e

When beloved actor and comedian Betty White died Dec. 31, 2021, just 17 days from her 100th birthday, the world, it seemed, went into mourning. Folks took to all manner of social media to express their

amazement at and appreciation for White’s wonderful life.

Videos aplenty were shared of favorite scenes from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Golden Girls;” plans were hatched to

challenge all pet lovers to donate to shelters all over the country on White’s Jan. 17 birthday in memory of her fierce animal advocacy. In Mississippi and beyond, Ole Miss supporters had their own special Betty White memory about which to boast.

On Sept. 15, 2012, the Rebels prepared to host the University of Texas Longhorns.

Sadly, Ole Miss would lose that game 66 to 31, but it may well be the day’s virtual guest celebrity most remembered.

Carrying on the Ole Miss tradition that September Saturday was Betty White, wearing an Ole Miss sweatshirt and hollering from the Jumbotron, “Are you ready?” as she led the crowd in the “Hotty Toddy” cheer.

In the days after White’s death, the number of Facebook posts recalling that Ole Miss memory was all the proof needed that it was a golden moment.

O x fo rd L e a p Fro g Oxford Leap Frog, an after-school literacy and enrichment program for first- through third-graders in Oxford and Lafayette County schools, has undergone some big changes over the past year.

There’s been a new executive director since August 2021, when Whitney Sweeney stepped into the position. Leap Frog is nothing new to Sweeney. The Little Rock, Arkansas, native and 2016 University of Mississippi graduate volunteered with Leap Frog during her college years, so she is familiar with and excited about the organization.

“I grew up with parents who believed in giving back to the community in which you live,” Sweeney said. “When I started at Ole Miss, Leap Frog was an easy way for a college kid to give back.”

When she saw the posting for the

executive director position, Sweeney wondered if she had the experience needed.

“But it felt right,” she said. “And I am so happy to now be able to continue giving back in a different way.”

Oxford Leap Frog offices moved to the old Oxford Elementary School in mid-2021, and the organization may be on the move again in the fall. The specific location is still tentative, but the offices will remain in an Oxford School District building, according to Sweeney.

Originally begun by area churches with the mission of providing elementary students with an after-school program to help with homework, the 25-year-old organization now focuses primarily on literacy improvement.

To raise money to support Leap Frog’s mission, a few virtual fundraisers are

currently being planned for this spring.

Details will be announced soon.

For more information about Leap Frog, visit theleapfrogprogram.org or email Sweeney at leapfrogdirector@gmail.com.

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R E S T A U R A N T guide

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ARTISANAL COFFEE & PA S TRIES

PIZZA, SALAD, SANDWICHES

CHEESECAKES + WEDDING CAKES

9 0 0 S I S K A V E . E . & 2 6 5 N . L A M A R B LV D .

176 HI G HWAY 30 E.

(INSIDE FERGNDAN’S PIZZA CAFE)

562-481-6981

6 6 2 -2 3 4 -3 9 1 2

6 6 2 -2 3 4 -3 9 1 2

h e a r t b re a kc o ffeeroast ers.com

fe rgndan s pizza.co m

bre mmasb aker y. c o m

BAR MUSE

#E ATLIKE YOUME ANIT

G O O D V I B E S & G R E AT G R E E K F O O D

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76 6 N . L A M A R B LV D.

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1006 VAN BUREN AVE.

6 6 2 -6 3 8 -3 3 9 3

6 6 2 -2 3 6 -1 8 7 1

b a r mu s e ox ford.com

oxfo rdcante e n.com

v o ltatav er na. c o m

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BEIGNE T S MAKING YOUR OWN FRENCH DOUGHNUTS IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK. RECIPE BY SARAH McCULLEN

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

ust in time for Mardi Gras, these classic New Orleans-style beignets will melt in your mouth, especially when paired with Nutella Dipping Sauce.

BEIGNETS ⅔ cup granulated sugar 2¼ teaspoons dry active yeast 1½ cups warm water (110°F to 120°F) 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup evaporated milk 7 cups bread flour 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 1½ teaspoons kosher salt 4 cups vegetable, canola or peanut oil 2 cups powdered sugar In a small bowl, stir sugar and yeast into warm water.

Set aside until foamy and fragrant, 5 minutes.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat eggs on medium speed until fluffy and pale, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla and evaporated milk, and beat about 1 minute. With mixer on low speed, gradually add 2 cups of bread flour just until blended. Add onethird of the yeast mixture, and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add butter, and beat 1 minute.

Gradually add remaining flour and yeast mixture, beating until incorporated after each addition. Add salt, and beat until incorporated, about 1 minute.

Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours. The dough should be stretchy and fragrant.

Heat oil in a Dutch oven until 360°F to 370°F. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with paper towels.

Turn chilled dough out on a floured surface, and shape into a long rectangle about ½-inch thick.

Cut dough into 2-inch squares. Gently drop dough into hot oil, and fry until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to prepared baking sheet, and cool slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar, and serve.

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nutella

DIPPING SAUCE 1 cup Nutella ⅔ cup whole milk 3 tablespoons salted butter In a medium-size saucepan, cook Nutella, milk and butter, stirring frequently, until melted and blended, about 5 minutes. Serve with beignets.

Short on time?

IS! TRY TH

10-minute

"BEIGNETS" 4 cups vegetable, canola or peanut oil 1 can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits 2 cups powdered sugar Heat oil in a Dutch oven until 360°F to 370°F. While oil is heating, line a baking sheet with paper towels, and cut biscuits in half. Gently drop biscuits into hot oil, and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to prepared baking sheet, and let cool slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Dust with powdered sugar, and serve.

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WEDDING

BLAKE MCCOLLUM

E d e n E l i z a b e t h G ayle B owe n & Joh n Ro s s Mo nt go me r y

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DATE CITY BRIDE'S PARENTS GROOM'S PARENTS WEDDING VENUE OFFICIANT WEDDING DIRECTOR & ARTIST RECEPTION VENUE BRIDE'S GOWN GROOM'S AT TIRE FLORAL DESIGN

June 5, 2021 Pontotoc Mr. and Mrs. Michael Louis Bowen Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Alan Montgomery First Baptist Church of Pontotoc Dr. Ken Hester Felicia Pollard Home of the bride’s parents Maggie Louise Trent’s Tuxes The Twig: Rachel Wiygul, Jan Crawford, Jimma Clayton and Patsy Walker

CATERER

Ollie Rose Catering

RENTALS

Event Rentals

CAKES

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WEDDING

ADRIANNA ELIZABETH PHOTOGRAPHY

L ol a G r ie r Mo o re he a d & W i l l i a m H ayd e n Ho p p e r

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DATE CITY WEDDING VENUE OFFICIANT RECEPTION VENUE FLORAL DESIGN CATERER WEDDING COORDINATOR PHOTOGRAPHER CAKE VIDEOGRAPHER REHEARSAL DINNER G E TAWAY C A R MUSICIANS DISC JOCKEY HAIR & MAKEUP HONEYMOON

December 12, 2021 Oxford Isom Place Oxford The Rev. Fish Robinson Isom Place Oxford Bette’s Flowers Tallahatchie Gourmet Kim Phillips Adrianna Elizabeth Photography The Cakery Oxford Jon Addy Media Live Strive Lodge Austin Haynes with Oxford Wedding Cars, LLC Kyra Howell & Jakob Harris Caleb Robinson Anna Carson Parker Western Caribbean FEBRUARY 202 2 | INVITATION

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ENGAGEMENT

MACKENZIE RUE OF TAYLOR SQUARE PHOTOGRAPHY

Nat a l ie R ie d & C a s o n Mc L e a n

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atalie Ried and Cason McLean met in the spring of 2016 while both were attending the University

INVITATION | FEBRUARY 202 2

of Mississippi.

Cason is from Marietta, Georgia, and graduated in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree

in Mechanical Engineering. As well as being selected to participate in the Center for Manufacturing Excellence program, Cason was the president of his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega, during his time at Ole Miss.

Natalie is from St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications.

She was a member of Delta Gamma sorority and an Ole Miss Diamond Girl.

Natalie and Cason were engaged on The Square in Oxford on April 2, 2021.

They both now reside in Memphis, where Natalie works in Global Brand Management at FedEx, and Cason is a director at Titan Brands. A June 2022 wedding is planned at Castle Hill in Oxford.

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WEDDING

THANKFULLY TAKEN

V ic to r i a S m it h & Tuc ke r Fox

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DATE CITY BRIDE'S PARENTS GROOM'S PARENTS WEDDING VENUE OFFICIANT

August 28, 2021 Oxford Mr. and Mrs. Tim and Tracey Smith Mr. and Mrs. Chip and Leigh Fox Christ Presbyterian Church of Oxford Les Newsom

EVENT PLANNER

Mona Dunlap

RECEPTION VENUE

The Jefferson

BRIDE'S GOWN FLORAL DESIGN

Maggie Louise Paula DeClark, Melanie Brosie, Amber Rhinehart and team

CATERERS CAKES PHOTOGRAPHER VIDEOGRAPHER BAND

Elizabeth Heiskell and John Mabry Mom and Me Thankfully Taken Luke Price Studio RAM Entertainment, Memphis Soul Revue and The Mustache Band FEBRUARY 202 2 | INVITATION

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WEDDING

LINDSEY MEISENHEIMER PHOTOGRAPHY

Ke r i sa A n n T h ra she r & Ja me s Ro b e r t Bu r n s

DATE BRIDE'S PARENTS GROOM'S PARENTS WEDDING VENUE OFFICIANTS RECEPTION VENUE FLORAL DESIGNERS STATIONER ENTERTAINMENT LIVE PAINTING CAKES PHOTOGRAPHER VIDEOGRAPHER REHEARSAL DINNER HONEYMOON

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September 25, 2021 Mr. and Mrs. Kerry Glen Thrasher Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnston Burns First Baptist Church, Belmont The Rev. Dr. William R. Burks and the Rev. Waring Porter The Franklin Courtyard Holley Nichols and Elizabeth Spencer Designs Fresh Ink Groove Factor Live Fee’s Palette Lauren’s Cake Shop Lindsey Meisenheimer Photography Ty Lanphere Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint Saint Lucia

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WEDDING

MACKENZIE RUE AND TAYLOR KNIGHT OF TAYLOR SQUARE PHOTOGRAPHY

To r i Tre a dway & Jo sh Hou s to n

DATE CITY WEDDING VENUE RECEPTION VENUE BRIDE'S GOWN FLORAL DESIGN CATERER CAKES PHOTOGRAPHER W E D D I N G D AY H A I R & MAKEUP INVITATIONS BAND COORDINATORS RENTALS RINGS CALLIGRAPHY

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June 26, 2021 Corinth First Baptist Church The Franklin Courtyard Birch on Main Moss Creek Plants and Elizabeth Spencer Designs SMITH My Cake Hobby in Corinth Mackenzie Rue and Taylor Knight of Taylor Square Photography Taylor Durham, Kelli Robertson, Julie Shirley, Courtney Cartwright, Miranda Mayo, Sarah Bobo and Blaylock Beauty Kates and Co. Party Beats with Groove Factor Live Ashley Clausel and Taylor Moak Janie Vanderford and Amber Rinehart Clausel Jewelry and Van Atkins Jewelers Kelly Treadway

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WEDDING K at y B e t h Voyle s & C h r i s to phe r Bl a ke A nd e r s o n

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BLAKE MCCOLLUM

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aty Beth Voyles of Baldwyn and Christopher Blake Anderson of Pontotoc were united in marriage on September 25, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. at The Jefferson in Oxford.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Rodney Voyles of Baldwyn.

She is the granddaughter of Mr. Perry Hand and the late Mrs. Linda Hand of Mooreville, and Mr. and Mrs. Coy Voyles of Baldwyn.

The groom is the son of Mr. Christopher Lynn Anderson and Mrs. Regina Coffey Warren of Pontotoc. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Mac Coker of Pontotoc, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Coffey of Etta, and Mrs. Pat Anderson and the late Mr. William Anderson of Pontotoc.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an Essence of Australia classic ballgown made of silk Mikado. The gown featured a plunging sweetheart neckline that seamlessly flowed into banded offthe-shoulder straps, accompanied by a custom-made sash that was attached at the waistline. With her gown, the bride wore an ivory, cathedral-length veil.

She carried a bouquet of cream and blush garden roses, white ranunculus, white hydrangeas, white snapdragons and Italian ruscus. Flowers were provided by the talented Tyler Camp and Rachel Wiygul.

Attending the bride as maid of honor was her sister-in law, Mary Abigail Anderson, and her matron of honor, Maggie Crawford Kyle. Katy was also blessed to have as bridesmaids Olivia Sanderson Gregory, Addie Inez Hitt and Brandi Hood Sheffield.

The junior bridesmaid, Piper Elizabeth Williams, stood by her sister, Molly Akers Williams, who served as the flower girl.

The groom’s brother, Austin Channing Anderson, served as best man. Groomsmen included Patrick Kyle Coker and Aaron Paul Ledbetter, cousins of the groom; William

Jackson Voyles, brother of the bride; and Brady Easton Kyle, friend of the groom.

Following a beautiful ceremony, the celebration at The Jefferson continued.

Wedding guests were entertained by live music provided by The Spunk Monkees, and dinner was provided by Hope Jones with Hope’s Catering. The night’s memories were

captured by photographer Blake McCollum and videographer Tommy Kirkpatrick.

The bride and groom made their grand sparkler exit and drove away in a black 1941 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty-Special provided

by Coats Classic Cars.

The couple plans to travel in the summer of 2022 for a delayed honeymoon.

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ELIZA KENNARD PHOTOGRAPHY

M a l lo r y M ic he l le Wa sh i n g to n & Bl a ke E dwa rd M a s c olo

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allory Michelle Washington and Blake Edward Mascolo were united in marriage at 6 p.m. July 24, 2021, at The Jefferson in Oxford. The bride’s pastor, the Rev. Daniel Dickerson, of O’Tuckolofa Baptist Church in Water Valley, performed the double-ring ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cayce Lane Washington of Water Valley. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Anthony and Mr. Michael Washington and the late Jean Washington, all of Water Valley.

The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Mascolo of Jackson, Tennessee.

He is the grandson of Mrs. Ann Bowers and the late Mr. John Bowers of Dyersburg, Tennessee, and Mrs. Carol Mascolo and the late Mr. Edward Mascolo of Franklin, Tennessee.

Given in marriage by her parents and

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escorted by her father, the bride wore a Mori Lee by Madeline Gardner ballgown, featuring dazzling Chantilly lace, a deep-V bodice with crystal and pearl beaded embroidery and beaded straps. Ivory tulle with smoky lavender linings with glitter organza gave the ballgown skirt a stunning sparkling effect. A simple, single-tier fingertip-length veil complemented the gown.

The bride carried a beautiful hand-tied bouquet of Amelia and Arctica roses adorned with touches of white wax flower and different stems of seeded eucalyptus, along with silver dollar. To complete the bouquet, shades of green Grevillea were added.

Attending as maid of honor was the sister of the bride, Carlye Washington.

Bridesmaids included Kate Mascolo, Blake Marlar Mascolo, Megan Rushing, Caroline Tullos, Amanda Poole, Leah Moore, Lauren Yarbrough and Becca Brousseau. Staci

Smith served as the junior bridesmaid, and the flower girl was Claire Moore.

Matthew Mascolo, brother of the bridegroom, served as the best man.

Groomsmen included Clay Lineberry, Carter Lineberry, Neal Rushing, Ben Hall, Kyle Moore, Christian Officer, Sam Mott and Evans Ellington. Braxton Ferguson served as a junior groomsman, and Hunt Ellington was the ring bearer.

Music for the ceremony was provided by violinists Abbey and Gracie Swartzendruber and cellist Sarah Beth Mullen. Zac Bowers, Nic Bowers, John Bowers, Chase Smith, Brent Smith, Peyton Ferguson and J.D. Jaggers escorted wedding guests to their seats overlooking the lake.

Mrs. Desha Ferguson served as the bride’s proxy. Photography was provided by Eliza Kennard Photography.

The parents of the bride hosted the

reception in the Grand Hall at The Jefferson, where guests enjoyed musical entertainment

by Elite Ovations and a delectable cuisine prepared by Taylor Grocery Special Events catering.

After an evening of dancing, guests were treated to an epic fireworks celebration over the lake before a sparkler send-off to end the perfect evening. The couple left in a vintage Chevrolet Bel Air owned and driven by Mr. Frank Hyde of Water Valley, a friend of the bride’s family.

On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom’s parents honored the couple with a rehearsal dinner in the Faulkner Room of The Jefferson.

After a honeymoon trip to Destin, Florida, the couple resides in Jackson, Tennessee.

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ENGAGEMENT E m m a G ra c e We b b & G e o r ge D i no s O r m ro d

KATE THOMAS OF LONDON ELITE PHOTOGRAPHY

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mma Webb and George Ormrod met in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in March 2017 when Emma, who is from Oxford, and George, who is from London, England, were both visiting the city. Emma moved to Brighton, England, for the summer of 2017, and their relationship continued to blossom.

Emma is the daughter of Dr. John and Mrs. Melody Webb of Oxford. She graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. She studied at the University of Westminster in London during her spring 2018 semester and worked full time in London in the fall of 2018 doing public relations at ANM

Comms. She currently lives in Oxford where she is a makeup stylist at Amy Head Cosmetics.

George is from and lives in London.

He is the son of Rosa Kallides of London and Governors Beach, Cyprus, and Henry Ormrod of London. George served in the Royal Air Force as a ground mechanical engineer for five years before pursuing a career as a software developer. He is now in a senior position with a startup company called Desana.

Emma and George will be married June 4, 2022, at Oxford University United Methodist Church. A reception will follow at the Isom Place. They plan to reside in London after their marriage.

ENGAGEMENT P re nt i s s Pa i ge Wo r sh a m & M a rc L e s t e r You n g

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r. and Mrs. Robert Hayden Worsham Jr. of Corinth announce the engagement

and upcoming wedding of their daughter, Prentiss Paige Worsham, to Mr. Marc Lester Young, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Lester Young of Senatobia.

The bride is the granddaughter of Mrs. James Prentiss Hodges and the late Mr. Hodges, Ms. Menna Madden Wood, and the late Mr. Robert Hayden “Bobby” Worsham, all of Corinth.

The groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lavaughn Hayes of Hernando, and the late Mr. Kenneth Gale “Cat” Robbins, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Lester Whitten Young, all of Oxford.

Prentiss is a graduate of Corinth Academic and Performing Arts Center.

She attended the University of Mississippi

where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She will receive her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Blue Mountain College in August.

Marc is a graduate of Magnolia Heights School in Senatobia. He received Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in both managerial finance and banking, and received a Master of Business Administration degree, all from the University of Mississippi, where he served as an officer in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

After getting engaged during a trip to watch the Rebels play in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans in December, the couple will exchange vows on September 17, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church in Corinth.

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PRAIRIE WILDLIFE IS A TREASURED BIT OF ACREAGE HIDDEN INSIDE WEST POINT. WRITTEN BY LESLIE CRISS PHOTOGRAPHED BY THE CONFLUENCE GROUP

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ravelers passing through West Point, Mississippi, on U.S. Highway 45 Alternate — no matter the direction — likely notice two things: The speed limit drops to 45 miles per hour, and, depending on the time of day, the four lanes are likely fairly congested. Unless the county seat of Clay County is your destination, you’ll probably zip through on your way somewhere else.

Sadly, we do it all the time. We pass through small Southern towns and maintain the mistaken idea they are all alike. And we completely miss a plethora of treasures not too far from the road more traveled.

Prairie Wildlife is one such treasure, not only for its natural beauty but also for its mission of conservation and stewardship.

The land speaks for itself; the only visual of boastfulness appears on the entrance arch: Prairie Wildlife was the Orvis-endorsed Wingshooting Lodge of the Year in 2020.

The nearly 6,000 acres of land that make up Prairie Wildlife belong to Jimmy Bryan who has always called Mississippi home.

Billed as a premier conservation-driven sporting estate, Prairie Wildlife is much more than a business to Bryan. It’s a way of life, and Bryan works without ceasing to restore the land and the wildlife back to how it used to be before the population of the Bobwhite quail diminished.

In the past 20 years, Bryan has come to realize the disappearance of quail can be tied to decades of practices designed to make agriculture more efficient. Yet rather than sit with this knowledge, Bryan opted to actively seek change. With help from Mississippi State University wildlife ecology professor Dr. Wes Burger, Bryan has practiced comprehensive conservation that has brought more quail back to his family

Prairie Wildlife owner Jimmy Bryan

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land. And he did not stop there.

The Bryan Endowment for Bobwhite Habitat Restoration has helped MSU continue this comprehensive conservation on other family farms.

As the quail population grows, Prairie Wildlife continues to offer days or weekends of sportsmanship, fun, fabulous food and more to individuals or groups, corporate or otherwise.

Bryan’s staff at Prairie Wildlife will even host a wedding, as long as it doesn’t fall in the middle of bird season.

Whether you’re an excellent shooter or have a lot to learn, there’s a place for you at Prairie Wildlife. Xavier Fairley has been the shooting instructor for 11 years, and he can have you ready for the hunt in no time.

“What I do is so fulfilling,” Fairley said. “I can teach anyone to feel confident, even first-time shooters. The fastest growing demographic in the shooting world is novices and women.”

Some of the different hunts offered at Prairie Wildlife include quail and pheasant field shooting run by guides and trained bird dogs; tower shoots; clay shoots; and even rabbit and deer hunting. And Prairie Wildlife is one of the premier helice centers in the country. In fact, they served as host of the 2020 United States Helice Association National Championship. And there’s a helice tournament the first Saturday of each month that’s open to anyone.

Helice, popular in Europe since the 1960s, might be described as a marriage of live bird shooting and wild, out-of-control skeet shooting. The targets are pieces of plastic attached to a propeller. At Prairie Wildlife, the targets come from five different traps and are voice activated.

“The hunter has no idea from where they are coming,” said McKensie Wedel.

“People seem to love it.”

If you’re not a hunter, there are peaceful pastoral places on porches and beyond for reading or pensive meditation.

At Kathy’s Hill, named after one of Bryan’s daughters who was killed in an automobile accident, there’s a pavilion that features a view overlooking the tower out back and, in the summertime, a massive field

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Prairie Wildlife shooting instructor Xavier Fairley

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of sunflowers in front.

In Bryan Lodge, visitors are greeted by Gabe and Turbo, the resident black Labs.

There are overnight accommodations, and the downstairs dining area is where three meals a day are served, after being prepared by two on-staff chefs. An addition to the lodge that will offer more guest rooms is near completion.

Other on-site accommodations include Magnolia House and the historic and more rustic Pleasant Home, a cabin built in 1845 and later moved to Prairie Wildlife.

There are also several ponds on the acreage, and soon a brand-new, state-ofthe-art kennel will be built to replace the existing one.

Tack Robinson, originally from West Point, grew up with an awareness of the Bryan name. Now living in Louisiana, Robinson, who created The Confluence Group in 2016, works closely with Bryan and Prairie Wildlife to help share its brand and story with others.

“This place is Jimmy’s way of paying homage to his childhood,” Robinson said.

“He’s an incredible entrepreneur who listens to his own drummer, and, at 84, he has the spirit of a child. He also sets the tone for his business and has a very hands-on approach.

He’s here every day.

“What he’s done here is amazing. But what he’s trying to do ultimately is make this land better than he found it.”

It’s a truth Bryan will tell you himself.

“My entire life I have enjoyed hunting and fishing in this area of the Black Prairie. I spent many hours riding horseback over this land and learned to appreciate the beauty of the area,” Bryan said. “I would ride with my father almost daily as he toured the farm, and I learned from him the love of the land.

“I was taught that you needed to care for the land and leave it better than what it was when you got it. I have tried to do that with Prairie Wildlife and have plans for many more improvements. I want to pass from this earth knowing that I was responsible for creating a haven for wing shooters and conservationists.”

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Lock of Love

THE ROMANTIC TRADITION OF PL ACING PADLOCKS ON BRIDGES, GATES AND FENCES IS A WORLDWIDE TREND THAT HAS EVEN FOUND A PL ACE IN OXFORD. WRITTEN BY LESLIE CRISS

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ILLUSTRATED BY SAR AH McCULLEN

A number of padlocks decorate the fence at the end of the runway at the University-Oxford Airport. Each symbolizes the love between two people who have just gotten engaged or married. The tradition involves attaching a padlock to a particular gate or fence and then tossing away the key.

A couple’s act of attaching a padlock onto a bridge or gate to profess their abiding affection is nothing new, nor is it unique to Oxford. Another popular place in the state for putting padlocks is the Swinging Bridge in Byram, Mississippi.

In fact, history has it the tradition has been around quite a while.

The story is told of a Serbian schoolteacher who fell in love with a Serbian officer about a century ago. Though the two were committed to one another, when he went off to fight in Greece, he fell in love with another woman. It is said the Serbian schoolteacher soon died of a broken heart. Other young Serbian women in her small town, to protect their own loves, began writing their names and the names

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of their loved ones on a lock and affixing them to Most Ljubavi, translated as Bridge of Love.

Another story, set in Hungary during World War I, has the same circumstances, but after the young Hungarian woman was jilted by her lover, she began placing locks on bridges the two had visited.

Not surprisingly, Paris, the City of Love, is the site of many love locks. The ritual began in Paris in 2008, but today the railings of bridges over the Seine are packed with padlocks. In fact, in 2014, a portion of railing on one Paris bridge collapsed because of the added weight of thousands of padlocks. Still, there remains something romantic about attaching a padlock to a bridge or gate and tossing the key to declare one’s endless love for another.

In the past several decades, the tradition has caught fire and spread across Europe and into other countries, including the United States and Oxford’s small airport fence, where love locks continue to be placed.

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Holy Ground

THE GARDENS AT FIRST PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH IN TUPELO OFFER YEAR-ROUND BEAUT Y AND PEACE IN A PUBLIC GREEN SPACE. WRITTEN BY LESLIE CRISS

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

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hen folks pass by Tupelo’s First Presbyterian Church, which majestically occupies space at the corners of Jefferson, Church and Green streets, if they pay attention, they’ll see a horticultural haven not soon forgotten.

The grounds, both holy and historical, have been lovingly planned, planted and maintained for several decades by Doyce Deas and Sam Pace (pictured at right), both members of First Presbyterian.

Deas is a Master Gardener who has left clear evidence of her green thumbs throughout the community. Pace, a retired physician, often brought back to Tupelo ideas gleaned from his travels that have become a reality on the church grounds.

On one trip, Pace brought home a vision for a columbarium, which now serves as a focal point of the Stuart Garden, named for the Rev. Thomas C. Stuart who was instrumental in starting the Presbyterian church in Mississippi and served as the first minister of the Tupelo church. Benches and a water feature make this corner of the garden a place of peace. It’s also a perfect place for FEBRUARY 202 2 | INVITATION

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a local yoga class that meets there.

Near the back edge of the green space is a conversation piece Pace has named Mr. Stumpy. A massive stump left from an oak tree felled in the Joyner area by the tornado of April 2014.

“The city was hauling it off and we asked for it,” Pace said. “They drove by, pushed it off and where it landed is where it stayed.”

Lush green ferns have been planted inside the cavities of this historic stump.

Deas and Pace are each quick to credit the other’s sweat equity in the gardens, whether it’s creating a plan or making the plan a reality. The two — she’s 76, he’s 71 — find joy in what they do for their church and community.

“You know, 99.9% of the people who pass are never coming in,” Deas said. “But they see the gardens and think of First Presbyterian. It’s how many people identify this church. It really is a ministry.”

The church and gardens have served through the years as backdrops for a

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plethora of photographs for engagements, weddings, proms and more.

The upkeep of the church grounds is constant, no matter the season.

“We are constantly adding and eliminating,” Deas said. “Two elm trees have died and we’ve lost some diseased dogwoods Sam planted in the ’80s. When that happens, you lose shade, which affects what’s planted nearby. It’s just a constant evolution.”

Deas changes out the annuals twice a year. And during special times of the church year, like Lent, Easter and Christmas, Deas coordinates colors with the appropriate season. She can name every plant or flower growing or planted with little thought, but no need to worry: If she’s not around, there are markers to let visitors know what’s what.

In the spring, tulips abound, as do daffodils and narcissus that bloom from 1,000 bulbs.

Deas and Pace find joy in their efforts and appreciation in the beauty of the green space surrounding a church they love.

“This green space has been good medicine for me,” Pace said. “God is good.

This garden is all about that — celebrating God’s glory.”

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The Only F I N D V I N TAG E FA S H I O N AT T H E O N LY, A ONE-OF-A-KIND SHOP IN OXFORD THAT CELEBRATES THE COLLECTION AND LEGACY OF A UNIQUE WOMAN. WRITTEN BY LESLIE CRISS PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM ST YLED BY M ARY K ATE WHEL AN MO D E L E D BY L I L LY MCEL R E AT H

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hen Charlotte Ralph Brunt died in March 2016 at the age of 99 years and 7 months, she left behind friends and family who thought the world of her. She also left a treasure trove of fabulous fashions, jewelry and other accessories she’d accumulated during her lifetime.

Recently, Rex Harrison Brunt, the younger of Charlotte’s two sons, decided it was time to go through his mother’s things. He found it quite overwhelming. After much thought, Rex came up with a creative plan of which he believes his mother would approve.

At some point in the near future, Brunt will open “The Only,” a unique shopping experience where he will have his mother’s clothing, jewelry, scarves, sunglasses and shoes on sale. The Model Lilly McElreath wears an eye-catching full-length bright red mink fur coat. “Mother saw someone step out of a car wearing a long red fur and she said, ‘I sure would like to have one of those,’” Rex Brunt recalled. “Daddy called Neiman in Texas and asked them to make her one for Christmas.” The red fur muff matches the coat.

Around McElreath’s waist is a Chanel adjustable single gold chainlink belt with a round Chanel fob.

proceeds will be given to charity. Rex, a selfproclaimed eternal optimist, hopes the shop will be up and going by the end of February.

When Charlotte said, “Accessories make the outfit,” she meant it. Anyone who sees the inventory of Charlotte’s life in fashion will have no doubt. Among the items that will be for sale through “The Only” will be 135 Hermès scarves, more than 30 Chanel handbags and numerous pairs of shoes, some that have never been worn.

The shop, which will be upstairs over Yaya’s Frozen Yogurt on the Square in Oxford, will be open 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, or by appointment.

“This will be the only shop, certainly in Mississippi, that will carry all of these vintage clothes,” Rex said. “The phone number, which took some time to secure, will be 662-THEONLY.” Listening to her son speak of his mother, one quickly learns much about Charlotte. She was born in Memphis and lost her mother when she was 6 months old. She lived near Kosciusko with her maternal grandparents while her father worked in New York City. She met her husband on a blind date, and they ended up owning the Chevrolet dealership in Louisville, Mississippi.

Continued on page 68 This page: A black and white top by Hermès is a classic piece, white with black ribbons. Accessories include an orange Speedy

by Louis Vuitton, an orange Hermès belt with the H gold buckle, a multicolored Hermès scarf, two gold bangle bracelets, each with diamonds, and 18-karat David Webb knot earrings.

Far right: Over Charlotte Brunt’s Burberry raincoat, McElreath wears a colorful Hermès scarf. “Mother wore a scarf almost every day,” Rex said. Accessories include a red Chanel bag, Hermès gloves and a bracelet by Tiffany & Co., enameled over 18-karat gold, made by Jean Schlumberger. The French jewelry designer made “Croisillon” bracelets in five colors: red, white, green, yellow and blue. “Mother did not like blue, but she collected the other four colors.”

Right: A St. John top boasts a tiger with rhinestone eyes. “What the picture doesn’t show is that the tiger’s tail wraps around and shows up on the back of the top,” Rex said. The outfit is accessorized with an Hermès belt, a 14-karat gold mesh bracelet with a diamond clasp and a Tiffany necklace. The double-breasted jacket is by Burberry.

Continued from page 66 According to Rex, she was a staunch Baptist, but more important than her denomination, she loved the Lord. She loved teaching: The Mississippi State College for Women (now MUW) graduate taught English just out of college and later taught fourth grade. She also taught the senior women’s Sunday school class at First Baptist Church, Louisville, for more than 50 years.

“She loved fourth graders,” Rex said. “She always said, ‘They can tie their sashes and their shoes, and they can go to the bathroom by themselves, and they’re young enough not to be smart alecks yet.’”

She was humble and kind and generous, and she had impeccable taste — especially in all things fashion-related, her son said. She held firmly to the belief that, “To be one’s best, one Right: McElreath models a Louis Vuitton silk wrap, a Chanel lambskin leather bag and a 5-carat round diamond ring with Tiffany guard rings. Accessories were important to Charlotte Brunt.

“Mother always wanted gold hardware on her purses and shoes,” Rex said.

Below: McElreath wears a string of freshwater pearls, embellished with a hand-carved rose quartz charm.

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should look one’s best.”

“That’s how she lived,” her son said.

“She also believed in taking care of herself, doing high-intensity aerobics, even in her 70s and beyond. She never met a stranger.”

The idea for “The Only” has taken many months of work, and with the nationwide supply chain issues, it has taken longer than normal to receive cases and other items for the shop, but it has also been a labor of love from a son to his mother.

“It has been a long journey and more work than I ever thought,” Rex said.

“Sotheby’s offered to fly down, pick up Mother’s things, insure and sell them, but I chose to go a different direction. I would love to know who buys these things my mother loved and took such care of. I’d love to know they will be appreciated and cherished by someone else.”

Continued on page 72 This page: McElreath wears an outfit by St. John. “My mother really liked the sailor look,” Rex said. The handbag is

by Chanel, earrings are 18-karat love knots by David Webb, and the Tiffany necklace is made up of 14-karat gold links with one diamond link. The necklace is made to be worn as a single necklace or a double bracelet.

Right: According to her son, Charlotte Brunt was very classic- and traditional-minded when it came to fashion.

“Mother’s motto was, ‘We do not follow, we lead,’” Rex said. “She did not follow trends.” A prime example of this is the St. John jumper in black and white worn with the Yves Saint Laurent blouse. “This is the most fabulous silk blouse you will ever see in your life; and as you can see, my mother loved bows.” Accessories pictured include an orange Hermès “Constance” belt that can be reversed for a different color; a men’s 18-karat gold Rolex Presidential watch; and a Louis Vuitton day planner.

Continued from page 70 McElreath models a handmade cotton culotte outfit with grosgrain ribbon and stone piping, as well as a grosgrain belt. The bag is a Lightship Basket from Nantucket Basket Purses. The wooden lid is adorned with a carved piece of scrimshaw. The handmade bags are signed by the artisan. Rex finds this look charming: “Isn’t this the cutest outfit you’ve ever seen in your life?,” he asked.

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“DISNEY ON ICE” PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

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Fans of all ages enjoyed “Disney on Ice: Mickey and Friends” in early December at Tupelo’s BancorpSouth Arena. Taking to the ice were Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends on adventures filled with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics and unexpected stunts.

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8 1. Branzoyia Perry and Annaleasea Henry with Anna and Anncoyia Perry 2. Katie and Luke Holdiness with Presley and Hailey Towne 3. Kemper Godwin with Kelly and Kellen Trammell and Nora Ennis and Bayleigh Watkins 4. Clarissa, India and Ivoriana Hallmon 5. Kady and Lizzy Stallings 6. Julie, Maggie, Laura, Ellie and Charles Hackett 7. Kelli, Kinsley, Gunner and David Bailey 8. Eryn, Aubrey, Krystal, Fenley and Gabriella Pulliam 9. Terry Richardson with Wesley and William Patterson and Jessica and Amelia Richardson

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BALDWYN OPEN HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHED BY KIM WESTHOUSE

The Baldwyn Main Street Chamber hosted a Christmas Open House in downtown Baldwyn the weekend of Nov. 11-13. Events included carriage rides, photos with Santa Claus, refreshments, shopping and much more.

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5 1. Ethan Hunt, Terry Thomas and Ryan Willard 2. Tim and Lisa Edmondson 3. Natalie Grooms, Chandler Moody and Steve Taylor 4. Rhonda Grammer and Phyllis Robinson 5. Jake Logan and Mattie Tucker with Emily and Russ Trollinger 6. Ruby, Drew, Haylie, Anna and Jeremy Epting

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FOREIGNER CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

Fans of Foreigner, one of the most popular rock bands of the late 1970s and early ’80s, had the opportunity to see and hear the group in concert when the British-American band visited Tupelo’s BancorpSouth Arena on Nov. 13.

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1. Donna Bridges, Karen Young, Vickie Rowland and Nancy Horton 2. Cole Gernaat, Logan Holton, Mary Driskell and Lori Mosley with Shawnna and Sean Driskell 3. Donna and Christopher Stevens 4. Hannah Shempert, Anna Wright and Emily Stanford 5. Cindy and Terry Warren and Lisa Tatum 6. Georgie and Michael Snider 7. Leslie Sousa with Lonnie and Debbie Hatcher 8. Kim Wray and Jeanna Davis 9. Jennifer and Terry Gann 10. Pam Davis and Donna Castles

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REED’S CHRISTMAS PARADE PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

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Downtown Tupelo ushered in the holiday season during the 73rd Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade. The theme was “A Magical Christmas,” and crowds were excited and large, after the pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 parade. Grand marshals were the city’s health care heroes.

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1. Makinley Richey, Nidi Carroll, Shuntiara Prud and Daisy Carter 2. Kaylee Heitger and Jacob Clay 3. Destiny Robertson, Gia Owens, Teagen Welden and Alyssiara Posey 4. Ricky and Erica Lowery 5. Isbella Childers and Michaela Robinson 6. Shaketta Miller and Sylvia Blanchard 7. Kaylin Costello, Connor Dowdell, Eva Turnipseed and Alyssa Rogers 8. Tamara Smith, Joyce Coltharp, Tammy Payne, Betty Stroupe, Michaela Kimberlin, Rebekah Witt, Jayne Williamson and Russell Conerly

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OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

Individuals and teams gathered Nov. 13 in Tupelo’s Veterans Park for the annual North Mississippi Out of the Darkness Walk. The event supports AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) Mississippi’s mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

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1. Patrick, Pam and Matthew Eaton 2. Joan, Lillian and April Henderson 3. Kirk with Crixus, Tye Robertson, Haley Patterson, Angie, Gavin, Alisha Robinson, Ava Sancillo, Brooke Ramsey, Aurora Smith and Trevor Robinson 4. Raylee, Rew, Tye, Jena, Jaycon and Jaycee Pennington 5. Neal and Joey Barrett with Jerry and Janice Hopkins and Tyler Floyd with Sadie

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OUT & ABOUT S m it t y H a r r i s Po s t O f f ic e D e d ic at io n C e re mo ny

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Tup e lo C o m mu n it y T he at e r B e c k y ’s Ne w C a r

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1. Francisco Rivera, Samual Rossetti, Leah Harrell and Kyleigh Gibbs 2. Lewis Kindle IV and Vetta Dobbs 3. Smitty Harris Family 4. Rebecca and Sara Cagle with Carolyn Kelly 5. Shelby Jones, Haley Johnson and Jesse Watkins 6. Rudy Dossett, Bill Hughes and Daniella Oropeza 7. Hannah Maharrey, Luke Stanford, Jerry Jones and Marcus Gary

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OUT & ABOUT S a lt i l lo E le me nt a r y S c ho ol Ve t e ra n s D ay P ro g ra m

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1. Mattox Senter, Logan Camp, Mia Morgan, Ali Crenshaw and Sawyer Hamm 2. Saltillo and Guntown choir students 3. Trent, Shelia and Jackson Kelly 4. Bennett Mize, Rob Hairston and Barrett Brady 5. Chris Elliott, Jack Reed, Wright Thompson and Trey Trapp 6. Rachel Hitchcock and Brooke Sanford 7. Jeff and Missy Gravat

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HOLIDAY ICE SK ATING PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

Oxford’s second Holly Jolly Holidays offered numerous opportunities for ice skating at the Armory. Oxonians and visitors donned skates and took to the ice rink to help welcome the holiday season.

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1. Susie Pitts and Janie Arnold 2. Jamie Farris with Brittney, Jace, Jayde and Casey Stewart 3. Georgia Russell, Sasha Leeth, Michelle Chewens and Adriana Logan 4. Scott, Paul and Angela Manley 5. Genesis, Abraham, Erin, Achilles, Messiah and Blessid Bowens 6. McBride, Sara, Margot and Patrick Boyer 7. Aniyah Wilborn with Alesia and Aydane Campbell and Brandi Wilborn 8. Raven Graham and Tori Saenz 9. Aidan, Adelinn and Janella Nararro

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JAMESON ROGERS CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

Batesville-born singer/songwriter Jameson Rodgers put on a show for his fans at The Lyric Oxford in mid-November. The country artist signed a record deal in 2019 with River House Artists/Columbia Nashville, and in 2020, his debut hit “Some Girls” reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart.

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1. Gabby Dawkins, McKenzie Perkins and Addie Ware 2. Cathy Campbell with Ron and Lindsay Yancey and Nikki Williams 3. Bubba Fennel and Kelley Still 4. Frank Young, Caroline Hodge and Jack Newcomb 5. Gina Tarver, Amanda Conner and David Tarver with Amanda and Matt Wilson and Tommy Chandler 6. Cole Carvan, Savannah Cook, Dakota Winburn and Anna Ross

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TAYLOR CHRISTM A S PARADE PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

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The 2021 Taylor Christmas Parade welcomed a crowd of holiday revelers on Dec. 4. The parade was in honor of Van Wortham, a lifelong Taylor resident and community leader who organized the town’s first Christmas parade a decade ago, leading it on his tractor. Wortham died in April.

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1. Gerry and Lincoln Logan 2. Beckie Hiter, Jackie Beckwith and Elizabeth Dollarhide 3. Ted and Girlinda Johnson 4. Elle Muirhead and Loral Winn 5. David and Cindy Williams 6. Elizabeth, Jim and Avery Darby 7. Carrie and Garry Owens 8. Chris, Hannah, Audrey and Landon Wages 9. Kin and Wiley Kinney

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OLE MISS BASKETBALL PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

The Ole Miss men’s basketball team hosted the Samford Bulldogs Dec. 21 in The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. The Rebels were bested by the Bulldogs by two points. The final score was 75-73.

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7 1. Allison, Anna and Rachel Wise 2. Johnny and Cohen Knighton 3. Bonnie Sandra and Bob Johsnon 4. Magnolia Blu and Canitha Thomas 5. Caroline, Case and Anna Turner 6. Rob, Leslie, Mason, Lilly and Maddox Tate 7. Mallory, Dawson, Drew and Mary Elizabeth Horn 8. Lindsey, Forrest and Drew Klepzig

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OXFORD CHRISTMAS PARADE PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

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Oxford’s annual Christmas parade around the Square was back on track Dec. 6, after missing last year because of the pandemic.

Parade participants and viewers alike spread holiday cheer while attending the Christmas Joy-themed parade.

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1. Marleigh Pruitt with Brystal and Renee Davis, Maria Bern and Jacob Burns 2. Cathy Williams with Sarah, Ella and Timothy Hill 3. Steve Mooneyham with Davis Foley, Micheal Finley, Noelle and Dallas Mooneyham, Austin Chrestman and Emma Mooneyham 4. Kenny and Jameishia Mullin with Mia Green, Shaquita Austin and Dinarion Johnson 5. Mary Spencer Aldridge with Sandy, Addison and Ansley Allen 6. Sharon Maxwell, Jaxon Gray and Carol McCoy 7. Marissa and Gianna Partridge 8. Kaleb Loflin, Rebekah Tuthill and David Baldwin 9. Jay Burt, Jai Johnson and D.J. Mitchell 10. Camaria Frierson, Jakayala Pegues and Akiyah Vaughn 11. Blaze and Dru White with Sawyer Evans, Melissa White, Gavin Applewhite and Brylee White 12. Jim and Angie Davidson

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OUT & ABOUT K at e ly n C h a p m a n A r t i s t Re c e p t io n

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1. Will Cook, Colter Fussell, Debbie Bell and Neil White 2. Beth Ferguson and Ruth Ridgway 3. Kelly Jeffus, Katelyn Chapman and Justin Jeffus 4. Bill Mayo and Margaret Wylde 5. Ryan Wally, David McGee and Randy Leister 6. Bella Yant, Ada Grace Perry, Ramey Bailey, Jane Reeves Carmean and Bridgette Kevin

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Q:

We’ve heard you got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2020 and married on New Year’s Eve 2020. What made you choose these special dates?

A: Yes. I was able to make it back to Oxford before spring training, and the dates just worked out perfect to ask Lindsey to marry me on Valentine’s Day. Ole Miss baseball

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KE S S IN G E R

INTERVIEWED BY LESLIE CRISS

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N E I G H B O R G R A E

rae Kessinger, Oxford born and raised, is a graduate of Oxford High School and the University of Mississippi. He continued a long Kessinger family legacy of playing baseball at Ole Miss. Grandfather Don played shortstop; father Kevin played center field; and uncle Keith, shortstop. In 2019, Grae’s junior year, Kessinger was awarded the Brooks Wallace Award, given annually to the nation’s top shortstop. He is now a minor-league player with the Houston Astros organization. His wife, Lindsey Goubeaux Kessinger, is originally from Los Gatos, California. She and Kessinger make their home in Oxford.

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY BILL DABNEY

had a home series as well, so naturally we celebrated with a big party with our families and headed over to the Rebels game. The New Year’s Eve wedding sounded very exciting to us, and we decided to make it an even more special day.

The Jefferson.

Q: Did you and Lindsey meet at Ole Miss?

How did you know she was the one?

A: We met at Ole Miss through a mutual friend. From the first time I met her, I knew she was special. The more we began talking and hanging out, it became very apparent she was the one for me. We had so much in common, she was beautiful, and I could tell there was something different about her. She is a special woman, and I knew that very, very early on.

Q: You’ve recently celebrated your first wedding anniversary. What advice might you have for newlyweds in their first year of marriage?

A: With my baseball career, life can be very spontaneous. Lindsey has been a trooper, just going with the flow to support me each step of the way. I would say that whatever life throws at you, attack it together as one and you will be able to thrive and grow closer together. View everything as an opportunity to make a memory together and love every moment of it. Lindsey is my rock, and through easy days and hard days, she motivates me and believes in me. I do the same for her. That’s what it is all about.

Q:

Q: What are your expectations for the 2022

What made you decide to get married in Oxford?

A: Oxford is home for me. It is where Lindsey and I met, and it just felt right for us to get married there. We were married at

baseball season?

A: I am very hopeful to have a great season, have a bunch of fun, and who knows, maybe even make a debut in the major leagues!