Invitation Oxford - June/July 2024

IN THIS ISSUE

you are new to north Mississippi or have lived here for a lifetime, we welcome you to discover — or rediscover — this special place we call our own.

In this special keepsake issue, we celebrate all things north Mississippi. Read about our beloved region, many favorite places and some hidden gems starting on page 38. Also, don’t miss the special section beginning on page 22 that features many of our advertisers.

LETTER from the PUBLISHER

Recently, on a flight from Nashville to Los Angeles, I met a young woman clad in a new navy sweatshirt and ball cap with the Ole Miss logo on it and her mom. They had been visiting Ole Miss for the weekend, and we struck up a conversation.

My daughter and the incoming freshman talked about the best places for ice cream, things to do on the weekend, places to explore and so forth. Meanwhile, her mother and I discussed topics such as how to get internet hooked up if you live off campus and the sort.

We became fast friends. We ended up sitting right by each other on the plane, and the conversation continued all the way to LAX. And it has continued since we arrived back in Oxford.

And that’s how this issue was born. Whether you have lived here a lifetime or you’re visiting for a few days, there are wonderful things to explore and things that are practical to learn about this area. This month, we’ve taken a different approach as we highlight places to travel, things to do and the amazing people who make this

region special.

We’ve captured this in ways that are easy and fun to read and explore.

So, whether you are here for a few days or here for the rest of your years, we hope that you discover a little more in this magazine about this place we call home.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

Oxford Square

Casey Jones Railroad Museum, Water Valley Gumtree Museum of Art, Tupelo

W.M. Browning Cretaceous Fossil Park, Baldwyn 49

PUBLISHER

Rachel West

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Emily Welly

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Leslie Criss

EVENTS EDITOR

Carleigh Harbin

FOOD EDITOR

Sarah Godwin

COPY EDITOR

Ashley Arthur

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Jennie Lee

OFFICE

BUSINESS MANAGER

Hollie Hilliard

DISTRIBUTION

Allen Baker

Brian Hilliard

MAIN OFFICE

662-234-4008

ART

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Holly Vollor

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Joe Worthem

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Austin Dillon

Carleigh Harbin

Amy Howell

Jiwon Lee

Lisa Roberts

Jacqueline Savoy

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS

Frank Estrada

Sarah Godwin

ADVERTISING ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Alise M. Emerson

Amber Lancaster

Leigh Lowery

Lynn McElreath

Moni Simpson

Whitney Worsham

ADVERTISING DESIGNERS

Paul Gandy

Markka Prichard

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 invitationmag.events@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

Oxford Community Market

ONGOING

This farmers market is open year-round, but summer might offer the most bountiful harvest for shoppers. Tuesdays, 3-6:30 p.m., Old Armory Pavilion. oxfordcommunitymarket.com

Mid-Town Farmers Market

ONGOING

This seasonal, twice-weekly farmers market features vendors from around Mississippi. Arrive early before the goods sell out. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7-11 a.m. mtfarmersmarket.com

Summer Sunset Series

JUNE 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets for free, family-friendly Sunday evening concerts every Sunday in June. The series kicks off June 2. 6 p.m., the Grove. visitoxfordms.com

Linen on the Lawn

JUNE 8

Kick off Juneteenth with a community

TUPELO ELVIS FESTIVAL

June 6-9 tupeloelvisfestival.com

NORTH MISSISSIPPI HILL COUNTRY PICNIC

June 28-29 nmshillcountrypicnic.com

SLUGBURGER FESTIVAL

July 11-13 facebook.com/mainstcorinth

CHERRY CREEK ORCHARDS PEACH FESTIVAL

July 20 facebook.com/cherrycreekorchards

NESHOBA COUNTY FAIR

July 26-Aug 2 neshobacountyfair.org

picnic including The Soul Tones, a cash bar by Bar Muse and more. Bring picnic baskets and chairs or reserve a table for $65. 6-9 p.m., Old Armory Pavilion. oxfordjuneteenth.com

Juneteenth Festival

JUNE 15

Continue Juneteenth celebrations at Oxford Juneteenth Festival with vendors, music, food and fellowship. 5-8 p.m., Central Elementary Parking Lot. oxfordjuneteenth.com

Third Thursdays

JUNE 20 & JULY 18

Visit Oxford hosts free live music at the Pocket Park next to City Hall. 5-7 p.m. visitoxfordms.com

“Oklahoma!”

JUNE 28-29

The Ford Center presents a summer production of “Oklahoma!,” featuring a cast that includes local performers of all ages. Tickets, $20-$40. 7:30 p.m. fordcenter.org

Jaxson Dart Youth Football Camp

JULY 9

Footballers ages 6-16 of all skill levels work with Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart and FlexWorks Sport coaches at this one-day camp. 3-7 p.m., Oxford High School. flexworksports.com

Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference

JULY 21-25

The University of Mississippi's Department of English, Center for the Study of Southern Culture and Division of Outreach and Continuing Education host the 50th annual Faulkner Conference. The conference includes lectures, an afternoon cocktail reception, a picnic at Rowan Oak, guided tours, special exhibits and more. Complete details available online. outreach.olemiss.edu/events/faulkner

NORTHEAST

Downtown Tupelo Farmers Market

ONGOING

Open through the end of October, find locally sourced produce, honey, baked goods, flowers and more. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, 415 S. Spring St., Tupelo. tupelomainstreet.com/farmers-depot

Slug City Pickleball Brawl

JUNE 7-9

Pickleball competitors are invited to a fundraiser tournament to benefit improvements to Corinth’s pickleball

courts. Open to ages 12 and up; men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Registration $55. facebook.com/corinthalcornparks

Battle of Brice’s Crossroads Reenactment

JUNE 7-10

Commemorating the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Brice’s Crossroads, this event includes battle reenactments, living history demonstrations, battlefield tours, a monument dedication and more. Baldwyn Main Street. Details available online. finalstands.com

Wade Inc. Cruise-In

JUNE 22

Wade Inc. hosts its first car show with awards, door prizes, food trucks, pedal tractor races for kids, music and more. Proceeds benefit Pinevale Children’s Home. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., 1703 Johnson Dr., Corinth. wadeincorporated.com

Jurassic Quest

JUNE 28-30

Life-size animatronic dinosaurs are coming to Tupelo! The experience includes attractions, rides and activities. Buy tickets online. Cadence Bank Arena, Tupelo. cb-arena.com

Pedaling for Hope on the Tanglefoot Trail

JUNE 29

A bike ride benefiting Regional Rehab and the New Albany Main Street Association. Routes include 25- and 50-milers and 100 kilometers. Riders receive T-shirts; food, music and door prizes follow the ride. 8 a.m., 100 E. Bankhead St., New Albany. newalbanymainstreet.com/events

All-America City Family Picnic in the Park

JULY 4

This daylong Fourth of July community celebration includes family-friendly

entertainment, food vendors and fun children’s activities. Ballard Park, Tupelo. tupeloparksandrec.org

“Mean Girls: High School Edition”

JULY 25-28 AND AUG. 1-4

Corinth Theatre-Arts presents “Mean Girls.” Tickets, $15. Thursday, Friday, Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday shows 2 p.m. 303 S. Fulton Drive, Corinth. facebook.com/CorinthTheatre

Eric Matthews Youth Football Camp

JULY 27

With help from current and retired NFL players, the Eric Matthews Football Camp teaches football fundamentals, character, values and even offers opportunities for mothers to participate. The camp is free and open to ages 8-18. 9 a.m., Robins Field, Tupelo. ericmatthewsfoundation.org

GRILLED Flatbread PIZZA

FIRE UP THE GRILL FOR THIS SIMPLE SUMMERTIME FAMILY-FRIENDLY MEAL.

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY SARAH GODWIN

This summertime twist on pizza is easy and fun; even the kids will be excited to build their own pizzas and help put them on the grill. Naan flatbread can be found in the bread or bakery sections of most grocery stores. It comes in circles or rectangles, and both work on the grill. This recipe is for a simple margherita pizza with fresh tomato and basil, but feel free to add your own favorite toppings, keeping the flatbread, sauce and cheese as a base. Note: The number of flatbreads and amount of toppings used will depend on the number and size of pizzas you plan to make.

Store-bought naan flatbreads

Canned crushed tomatoes

Sea salt, to taste

GRILLED

Flatbread PIZZA

Preheat grill to 325°F. While grill preheats, spread ½ cup to ¾ cup crushed tomatoes over each flatbread. Sprinkle flatbreads with sea salt according to taste. Top with Roma tomato slices, mozzarella cheese slices and fresh basil. Grill

Roma tomatoes, sliced Fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced Fresh basil, roughly chopped

pizzas until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes, taking care not to let the grill get too hot and burn the bottom of the pizzas. Remove from grill, let rest a few minutes, then slice and serve hot with a side salad or fresh fruit.

THE 2024 GUIDE

OLIVE JUICE GIFTS 305 S LAMAR BLVD (662) 259-2696 @olivejuicegifts

& COMMERICAL www.simplycleanoxford.com (662) 801-4468 simplycleanoxford@gmail.com MAGNOLIA WINE & SPIRITS 1453 S LAMAR BLVD (662) 801-3002

HEY NEZZIE 137 WEST BANKHEAD (662) 297-0206 www.heynezzie.com

FAULKNER LITERARY GARDEN 114 CLEVELAND STREET (552) 538-0014 www.ucheritagemuseum.com

TUPELO

THE 2024 GUIDE

216A WEST MAIN STREET (662) 269-2288 www.downundertupelo.com

TUPELO NATIONAL

3481 BIG OAKS BLVD, SALTILLO (662) 844-8002 www.tupelonational.com NEON PIG 1203 NORTH GLOSTER STREET (662) 269-2553 www.neonpigtupelo.com

CANTINA DEL SOL

3120 NORTH GLOSTER (662) 269-2915

362-6173

RUG CLEANING PLANT 419 CROSSOVER ROAD (662) 610-8650 rugcleaningplant@gmail.com

TUPELO TIRE AND WHEEL 1938 MCCULLOUGH BLVD (662) 823-1980 www.tupelotireandwheel.com MOONSHINE WINE &

972 EAST BARNES CROSSING RD (662) 350-3487

www.moonshinewineandspirits.com

TUPELO

SOUTH MARKET 236 SOUTH FOURTH STREET (662) 873-3276 @southmarketbaldwyn

TIN ROOF 114 WEST MAIN STREET (662) 365-7663 www.shoptinroofbaldwyn.com

www.invitationmag.com

The 2024 Guide

WHETHER YOU ARE NEW TO NORTH MISSISSIPPI OR HAVE LIVED HERE FOR A LIFETIME, WE WELCOME YOU TO DISCOVER — OR REDISCOVER — THIS SPECIAL PLACE WE CALL OUR OWN.

WRITTEN BY LESLIE CRISS PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM ILLUSTRATED BY SARAH GODWIN

Let’s go on a journey around north Mississippi together to shine a light on the people, places and things that define this place we call home.

Oxford

The Square, William Faulkner, Lafayette County Courthouse, University of Mississippi, Ford Center, Oxford Foodies, Roundabouts Tupelo

Elvis Presley, Oren Dunn City Museum, Local Eateries, Natchez Trace Parkway

New Albany

Tanglefoot Trail, Union County Heritage Museum, William Faulkner Literary Garden

Corinth

Slugburgers, Corinth Contraband Camp, Crossroads Museum Water Valley

B.T.C.

OXFORD

DRIVEN BY A GROWING POPULATION AND A THRIVING UNIVERSITY, THE CITY OF OXFORD IS A TRUE BLEND OF THE PAST AND THE PRESENT.

There are some places so well-known (and so well-loved) they can be described in a single word. In Oxford, that place is the Square, and it’s been at the center of commerce, community and culinary creativity for decades. Though it has grown and changed through the years, the Square has been a busy and beloved part of Oxford since the city was incorporated in 1837.

In the center is the historic Lafayette County Courthouse, where plenty of business

takes place inside while the issues of the day are discussed by bench sitters outside. The courthouse was built in 1872.

Other treasures on the busy Square include Square Books, one of the most revered bookstores in the country, as well as Off Square Books and Square Books, Jr. Situated in between the two iterations of Square Books is iconic retailer Neilson’s. Founded in 1839, it’s the oldest department store in the South and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Oxford Square

Shortly after Oxford was incorporated, the state legislature chartered the University of Mississippi in 1844. As history has it, the isolated rural site in the town of Oxford was selected as it was a “sylvan exile” that would encourage academic studies. By 1848, the Lyceum, two dormitories and faculty homes were completed, and the first class of 80 students entered the university. It was the first public institution of higher education in the state.

In 1854, Ole Miss added the law school and offered an engineering degree. During the War Between the States, the campus became a Confederate hospital, but reopened its doors as the university in 1865.

A WRITER'S HAVEN

1962. Like many Mississippi writers, he was greatly influenced by a sense of place and by the importance of story. Fun Fact: Faulkner once wrote a letter of encouragement to Eudora Welty, who went on to win a Pulitzer Prize herself.

Famous for his novels and short stories that were set in Yoknapatawpha County (based on Lafayette County), William Cuthbert Faulkner literally set the scene for generations of north Mississippi writers to come. Faulkner was born in New Albany but spent most of his life in Oxford. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949 for his contributions to the American novel. He also received the Pulitzer Prize for fiction twice, for “A Fable” in 1954 and “The Reivers” in

The Greek Revival-style Lyceum is the only one of the five original buildings still in existence and is the oldest building on campus.

Perhaps one of the most iconic buildings on campus is Barnard Observatory. Completed in 1859, the building was originally designed as home to the world’s largest telescope as well as the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The Civil War prevented the delivery of the telescope, which ultimately became part of Northwestern University in Chicago. Barnard Observatory has for years been home to the Center for the Study of Southern Culture. Continued on page 42

A sampling of modern writers who call Oxford home include novelist Ace Atkins, sportswriter Wright Thompson and Southern food expert John T. Edge.

OXFORD FOODIES

Good food abounds in and around Oxford. Here are a few to check out:

CITY GROCERY

is known for its famous shrimp and grits, and also for its owner and chef John Currence.

SNACKBAR

is led by award-winning chef Vishwesh Bhatt.

AJAX DINER

has been known for its Southern comfort food since it opened more than 25 years ago.

SAINT LEO

Owner Emily Blount offers creative Italian cuisine and more.

TAYLOR GROCERY

is a family-owned favorite best known for its catfish and live music.

THE BEACON

A true throwback for breakfast or lunch.

Oxford is also home to Elizabeth Heiskell who, for eight years, was head chef at Viking Range Corporation, has been a food contributor on the “Today” show, appeared on “Chopped” as a judge, and is the author of several bestselling cookbooks.

Barnard Observatory

Saint Leo

OXFORD CONTINUED

A much more recent addition to the Ole Miss campus is the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Opening in 2002, the Ford Center boasts a main auditorium with approximately 1,500 seats and a large rehearsal hall. The six-story, 88,000-square-foot building hosts a multitude of cultural and creative events each year, including concerts, lectures, Broadway shows and more.

Just a block or so from the University Avenue entrance onto the Ole Miss campus is a treasure worthy of visitors — the University of Mississippi Museum. It’s been around quite a while, opening as Oxford Art Center on Aug. 24, 1939, thanks to the vision of the late artist Mary Skipwith Buie. When she died in 1937, her will requested a museum be built in Oxford. She left $30,000, her own art collection and her property on which the museum was to be built to fulfill the wish.

how to roundabout

Anyone who has driven in Oxford won’t be surprised to learn the town has more roundabouts than any other city in the state.

According to driversed.com, a roundabout is a type of intersection that features a central island. There are no traffic lights. Drivers enter the circle, drive counterclockwise and exit at the appropriate lane.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation offers statistics about the safety of roundabouts: Roundabouts can reduce overall crashes by as much as 68%; injury crashes can be reduced by up to 88%; and studies show that converting traditional intersections to roundabouts reduces delays by up to 20% and vehicle stops by 56%.

First-time users of roundabouts might find them a bit confusing, but there are some simple roundabout rules that will make the traffic circles (as they are sometimes called) fear-free for the drivers while also helping lessen traffic congestion:

-Drivers should enter and exit the roundabout by traveling to the right.

-They must yield to any traffic that’s already inside the roundabout and merge into the circle when it is safe to do so.

-Drivers should continue moving around the circle until the intended exit is reached. At that time, drivers will exit to the right.

University of Mississippi Museum

Gertrude C. Ford Center

ART

Creativity abounds in the region, which is home to the likes of painter Glennray Tutor, sculptor Bill Beckwith and artist Charlie Buckley. Here are a few places to see work by today’s local artists.

SOUTHSIDE GALLERY

is situated comfortably on the Square in Oxford, right next to City Grocery. Southside hosts around 12 exhibits a year, complete with a reception open to the public. Visit Southside Gallery 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

GAMEDAY

GUMTREE MUSEUM OF ART

In Tupelo, Gumtree Museum of Art has been a visual arts gallery open to the public since 1985. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.

CARON GALLERY

Also in Tupelo, Caron Gallery is all about Mississippi, representing about 50 artists from the state. It is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.3 p.m. Saturday.

Football weekends in Oxford bring thousands of people into the community for the game and the tailgate traditions in the Grove which boosts the local economy. The numbers speak for

themselves: In 2022, the population of Oxford was 26,437. On home football weekends, that number often jumps to more than 200,000.

Continued on page 44

tupelo

TUPELO HAS MUCH TO OFFER ITS RESIDENTS AS WELL AS VISITORS, MANY OF WHOM COME TO SEE THE CHILDHOOD HOME OF ELVIS PRESLEY AND DISCOVER CULTURE, FOOD AND HISTORY THAT KEEPS THEM COMING BACK FOR MORE.

It’s no secret Tupelo is the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll royalty: Elvis Aaron Presley was born in a tiny, two-room wood-frame house in east Tupelo on January 8, 1935, to Gladys and Vernon Presley. The family attended the Assembly of God Church, where he learned about gospel music. He also received a firsthand education in the blues when his family lived for a time in Tupelo’s Shake Rag community. Tupelo was home to Presley until his family moved to Memphis when he was 13, and when local folks and lifelong Elvis fans speak of the birthplace, they are referring to the town of Tupelo.

Each year, the Elvis Presley Birthplace brings more than 100,000 visitors from the United States and well beyond who want to pay homage or learn more about the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. To see his humble birthplace and then visit Graceland, the Memphis mansion that was home to Presley (and the place he died) certainly stir up in music and history lovers the desire to hear the rest of the story.

The museum, chapel, birthplace and grounds are open 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 until 4 p.m. Sunday. The grounds, which include a picnic pavilion, a reflection pool and more, are open 24 hours.

The occasional tour bus can be seen in downtown Tupelo, bringing tourists to town to visit the

Continued on page 46

Way out on West Main Street on the cusp of Ballard Park, there’s a treasure trove of artifacts and memorabilia that help tell the story of Tupelo. The Oren Dunn City Museum is in a 1937 dairy barn. Visitors can learn of the tragedy and triumph that came from the devastating 1936 tornado and many other stories of interest.

more music

Elvis is arguably the most famous Mississippi musician, but many more hail from north Mississippi, including:

BOBBIE GENTRY

known for the haunting 1960s song “Ode to Billie Joe” is a Chickasaw County native.

R.L. BURNSIDE

Blues phenom R.L. Burnside was born in Lafayette County and recorded music at Fat Possum Records in Oxford in the 1990s.

PAUL THORN

Tupelo’s Paul Thorn has recorded over 10 albums and toured with Huey Lewis & the News, John Prine, Mark Knopfler, Bonnie Raitt and more.

JOHN HERMANN

Widespread Panic’s John Hermann got his start when he joined Oxford band Beanland in the 1980s.

GEORGE MCCONNELL

co-founded Beanland and also spent years touring with Widespread Panic.

MAC MCANALLY

Singer/songwriter Mac McAnally is a 10-time CMA Musician of the Year and longtime member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band.

NATCHEZ TRACE

When planning your route to visit Tupelo, the historic Natchez Trace Parkway provides an eye-catching drive. The speed limit on the U.S. National Park Service roadway is 50 mph, and it’s a two-lane road, but, if you love nature and history (and you’re not in a hurry), Trace traveling can be a treat. Also, the Natchez Trace

Headquarters is on the Trace as it winds by Tupelo. Inside the headquarters building, visitors will find information, exhibits, a short film and a bookstore where you can learn much about this 444-mile scenic drive that begins in Natchez, Mississippi, and takes travelers into Alabama and Tennessee before ending near Nashville.

tupelo CONTINUED

birthplace and other spots along the way that somehow are tied to Presley. Tupelo Hardware is one such place. It’s where Presley got his first guitar. There’s Milam Elementary where he attended school, and if you drop in for a meal at Johnny’s Drive-In, you can sit in the booth where Presley used to sit.

In addition to tour buses, visitors may choose to first see Tupelo from above before landing at Tupelo Regional Airport. In 1934, a group of local businessmen contributed to purchase property for a future airport. The first commercial plane landed there June 21, 1951, and the airport was officially dedicated several weeks later. A new terminal was built in 1986, and an air traffic control tower was built in 2001. Contour Airlines continues to serve TRA, with direct flights to Nashville.

On the edge of Tupelo’s downtown is Cadence Bank Arena and Conference Center

Opened in October 1993, the award-winning arena has the ability to be both a large space that seats 10,000 or convert to a theater-like setting for a smaller gathering of 1,800. The arena has hosted hundreds of sold-out events through the years, including concerts by artists such as Elton John, the Eagles, James Taylor, Jason Aldean and others that attract people from around the region. It also serves as a community space: In the winter, it opens to the public for ice-skating, and through the years, it has been home to the Tupelo T-Rex ice hockey team and the Mississippi Mudcats and Tupelo FireAnts indoor football teams.

Continued on page 48

EAT LOCAL IN TUPELO

When you visit, try these exceptional locally owned eateries:

AMSTERDAM DELI & GRILL

A downtown favorite with Middle Eastern flair.

CAFE 212

One of the best lunch spots around, offers soup, salads, sandwiches and more.

PARK HEIGHTS

is a Tupelo mainstay for dinner and drinks.

SIMPLY SWEET BY MARGARETE

Just off Main Street on Green serves sandwiches and all manner of homemade sweets.

CRAVE

has a new location on Main Street for breakfast, lunch, desserts and coffees.

FORKLIFT

A fine dining restaurant on West Jackson Street that offers craft cocktails and delicious Southern cuisine by chef Cooper Miller.

NEON PIG

on North Gloster Street doubles as a topnotch butcher shop and a great place for a burger, a healthy grain bowl or lettuce wrap and more.

Forklift

Continued from page 46

beyond tupelo

NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI IS MADE RICH BY SMALLER TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES BEYOND TUPELO AND OXFORD. NEW ALBANY, CORINTH, WATER VALLEY AND AMORY, TO NAME ONLY A FEW. EACH PLACE BOASTS SURPRISING SMALL-TOWN TREASURES WORTH A VISIT.

new albany

The county seat of Union County, New Albany has been lauded as the Best Southern Small Town by USA Today, Mississippi’s Coolest Small Town by Far & Wide and Most Beautiful Small Town in Mississippi by House Beautiful. Downtown New Albany offers a plethora of dining and shopping options.

New Albany includes part of the 43.6-mile Tanglefoot Trail, a historic asphalt trail running through six Mississippi communities: New Albany, Ecru, Pontotoc, Algoma, New

Houlka and Houston. Located in the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area, the trail was an abandoned railroad corridor constructed in 1871. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff or just into exercise, the trail has something for you.

Also in New Albany is the impressive Union County Heritage Museum, which boasts permanent exhibits in its six galleries and an outdoor exhibit with the William Faulkner Literary Garden, only a brief stroll away from Faulkner’s birthplace.

Tanglefoot Trail

shark teeth

Did you know that one of the best places to search for fossils — and shark teeth — is in north Mississippi? It’s true.

W.M. Browning Cretaceous Fossil Park is just off US 45 on the Prentiss County side of Baldwyn. Anyone is welcome to hike, wade and search

THE APRON MUSEUM

In Tishomingo County, a stop in the small town of Iuka reveals The Apron Museum, the only museum in the United States dedicated to aprons and their stories. The museum was started by Iuka native Carolyn Terry in 2006. A frequent participant at estate sales and auctions in order to purchase

books, Terry became interested in the fabric of aprons, so interested that she began to research aprons, their history and their significance. The museum has on display hundreds of aprons, some dating back to the Civil War.

Continued on page 50

for treasures in and around Twenty Mile Creek. Fossils of sharks, crocodiles, mosasaurs, dinosaurs and other now-extinct creatures from the Cretaceous era 75 million years ago have been found in the park. One visitor said he found 50 shark teeth of varying sizes one spring day.

A stone marker in the park explains: “Excavations at this site in 1990 uncovered abundant shark teeth, some dinosaur teeth and other fossils of Cretaceous Age. A time when dinosaurs roamed the continent and large reptiles swam the ocean. These fossils are evidence that this area was covered by the sea 75 million years ago.”

No permits are required. It’s important to wear or bring water shoes, and you’ll want to have a shovel and a sifter handy.

corinth

Only a few miles from the Tennessee state line, Corinth has been given many nicknames through the years because of its role as a railroad junction. Some of those are Cross City, the Crossroads of the South and the Gateway City. Corinth is also known as the birthplace of the slugburger, which consists of a mixture of beef and an inexpensive meat extender, then deep fried in oil and served on a bun with mustard, pickles and onion. One story has it that John Weeks came up with the

BORROUM'S

On the square in Corinth, 604 East Waldron Street, is Borroum’s Drug Store. The store’s been around since 1865, when Andrew Jackson Borroum, a physician and an infantry surgeon in the Civil War, established it. The Borroum family continues to own and operate the drug store, which also boasts a working soda fountain and a museum that displays family Civil War artifacts.

slugburger in Corinth in 1917. At first, he called them Weeksburgers, but as the burgers got more popular, they received their new name. Corinth has an entire festival dedicated to the burger each year in July.

Lovers of history will also appreciate the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center’s interactive exhibits, lots of information on the Battle of Shiloh and a video of the Battle of Corinth. The Corinth Contraband Camp is also a mustsee gem. The Crossroads Museum has something for Civil War buffs as well as those interested in aviation, archaeology and more. And you can’t miss the Coca-Cola Museum.

IDA B. WELLS-BARNETT MUSEUM

The Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum in Holly Springs is located in the Spires Bolling House where Wells-Barnett was born. Her father, born into slavery, was an apprentice carpenter who helped build the Spires Bolling House. Her mother later worked in the home as a cook when her daughter was born. Born in 1862, WellsBarnett was orphaned when her parents died in the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878. She received

her college degree at Shaw University, now Rust College, and became a teacher, journalist and public speaker who raised awareness of the oppression of African Americans and women. She was one of the founders of the NAACP and became known all over the world as a crusader for justice. The museum displays African American culture and heritage, as well as paying homage to Wells-Barnett.

LAKE LIFE

For fishing, boating, swimming and more, north Mississippi boasts several lakes that are open for recreational activities. Among them are:

ELVIS PRESLEY LAKE

Lee County

BAY SPRINGS LAKE

Tishomingo County

SARDIS LAKE

Lafayette, Panola and Marshall counties

GRENADA LAKE

Grenada and Yalobusha counties

ENID LAKE

Yalobusha, Panola and Lafayette counties

Continued on page 52

WATER VALLEY

Acity in Yalobusha County, incorporated in 1858, Water Valley was once home to the headquarters of the Mississippi Central Railroad. Today, it has become an arts mecca and surely a must-see stop in north Mississippi. Water Valley is about 20 miles south of Oxford and should be on your list of the top five day-trip destinations for a visit to north Mississippi.

To experience how the past meets the present in Water Valley, visit the B.T.C. Old-Fashioned Grocery, on North Main Street. The B.T.C., which stands for Be the Change, was opened by Virginia native and Water Valley resident Alexe van Beuren and husband Kagan Coughlin who bought a historic red brick building in need of some TLC. At the B.T.C., they have offered products grown or made by locals, imported cheeses and coffee since 2010. More than a unique grocery, the B.T.C. is also a popular place for a delicious lunch. Water Valley native Yalonda Ramsey is head of the B.T.C. kitchen.

In a back corner of the B.T.C., regulars might notice an addition. Van Beuren has been secretly training as a coffee roaster for the past two years.

“We have a big, beautiful coffee roaster,” she said. “It’s super fun, and I love doing it. We are making

coffee that is not an acquired taste, but old-school, deep, dark and delicious.”

A few years after renovating the building and opening The B.T.C. Grocery, Coughlin bought several more buildings that were in dire need of repair. With a small crew, he renovated, handson, the buildings now known as the Blu-Buck Mercantile, including one where the Magnolia Coffee Shop is today. Rooms to let are on Airbnb. Another spot not to be missed in Water Valley is Turnage Drug Store, an old-fashioned pharmacy that still boasts a soda fountain and gift shop. And the Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum is a great stop for lovers of all things railroad related. The legendary train engineer, who died when his Illinois Central train collided with a stalled freight train in Vaughn, Mississippi, once called Water Valley home.

For shoppers and art enthusiasts, Water Valley also has plenty of specialty gift shops and art galleries showcasing the work of artists local and beyond. And don’t miss the town’s annual Watermelon Carnival the first weekend in August. “Water Valley has always been a wonderful place, and I’m so proud to be a part of this community,” van Beuren said. “All the iconic Water Valley

businesses are still here as well as some fun new ones. It’s a historic and compelling blend that makes Water Valley a great place to visit.”

FCA BREAKFAST

Breakfast with Champions, hosted by Fellowship of Christian Athletes, took place April 13 at Ole Miss. Guest speakers included KD Hill and Kyle Wakefield.

BY JIWON LEE

PHOTOS

1. Audra and Eddie Rester

2. Donte’ Ferrell, Ravin Gilbert, Kendra Charles and Laura Webb

3. Elisabeth Ely and Kyle Wakefield

4. Kyle Wakefield, Garrett Morris, Brooks Fuller and Henry Ullrich

5. Lorral Winn and Reka Zadori

6. Macon O’Bryan and Sara Austin Welch

7. Rita Hankins and Peggy Gillom-Granderson

8. Nina Patrick, KD Hill, and Nina and Carey Johnston

“SHREK THE MUSICAL”

Broadway’s Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, “Shrek The Musical,” came to life on stage March 26 at the Ford Center.

1. The company of “Shrek The Musical”

2. Timmy Lewis as Lord Farquaad

3. Naphtali Yaakov Curry as Donkey and Nicholas Hambruch as Shrek

4. The company of “Shrek The Musical”

5. Sage Jepson as Wolf; Demetrio Alomar as Papa Bear; and Riley Johnston, Carson Zoch, Leon Ray as Three Pigs

6. Tori Kocher as Dragon

7. Jamir Brown as Pinocchio and ensemble

8. Nicholas Hambruch as Shrek

9. Cecily Dionne Davis as Princess Fiona

10. Jamir Brown as Pinocchio

WOMEN’S COUNCIL AWARD

On April 13, the Ole Miss Women’s Council presented the 2024 Emerging Young Philanthropist Award to A.J. Brown, the legendary Ole Miss Rebel and NFL wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles. The event was a part of the Robert C. Khayat Lecture Series.

1. Mary Susan Clinton, A.J. Brown and Roane Rayner

2. Ben Oliver and Atkins Trout

3. Jenna Cripe and Jake Raniser

4. Bruce Moore and J.D. Clinton

5. Brooke, Code, Thad and Casey Core

6. Josh Aka, Josette Brown, Kelsey Riley and A.J. Brown Jr.

7. Cindy Reed, Gail Pittan, Mary Ann Fruge, Ginger Clark and Coraly Lee

8. Suzanne Helveston, A.J. Brown and Anne Cantrell

9. Meritxell Ambrocio and Madison Spears

10. Priscilla Wright, Patty Lewis and Beth Yates

11. Mary Susan Clinton, John Gallien and Karen Moore

The fifth annual Giving Day at the University of Mississippi brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to support academic and outreach programs through an online, social media-driven campaign April 9-10. It lasts one day, 8 hours and 48 minutes, in honor of the university’s founding year of 1848.

BY AUSTIN DILLON

PHOTOS

1. Emily Reiners, Seth Harmon and Sydney Woodard

2. Kelly Smith Martion and Jacob Ferguson 3. Dolly and Annie Falkner 4. Allie DeFranco, Lydia Robbins and Carter Furrow

Darin Van Pelt

Whitney and Allie Drewrey

MISSISSIPPI DAY

Mississippi Day celebrates the state of Mississippi and the university’s contributions to its culture, education, health care and economy through hands-on activities, demonstrations, food and much more. It was held April 13 at Ole Miss.

1. Ava Tyler Dillon, Willow Hodge and Denton Bowen

2. Danica and Bailey Boyd

3. Dr. Wei-Yin Chen, Nick Roy, Dr. Alex Lopez and Jordan Houry

4. Sunny, Mic and Weldon Brown

5. Lillie Grace Campbell

6. Denisha Wallace, Emmy Miller, Desiree Roby and Capri Lobotzke

7. The Drewrey family

8. Dr. Candies Winfun-Cook, Lauren Hill and Nicole Roberson

9. Kappy Eastman, Karen Morris, Bel Monteith, Cali Orman, Elsie Andre, Abbie Wilbur, Dylan Hardin and Winn Philpott

10. Kaiden Johnson, Dr. Alex Lopez, Amanda Anderson, Kaylee Hardenstein, Vivian Tran, Eli Wasson, Cammy Niesen, Luke Leblanc and Elisabeth Miller

PHOTOS BY AUSTIN DILLON

OUT & ABOUT

IMC Master’s Degree Cohort

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

1. Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Master’s Degree Cohort

2. Danny Kacsur, Harris Smith, Logan Galaher, Andrew Purcell, Cross Del Tatto, Beckett Abington and Braedon Watters

3. Hassell Wilkinson, Lydia McKissick, Jakota White, Walker Jacklin and Steven Young

4. Trevor Toth, Jack Thompson, Eli Lord, Michael Hogue, Larson Looney, Connor Moore, Jordan Fortenberry and Nate Rautenstrauch

5. Alexis Lee and Sara Archer

6. Fletcher Williams, Mary Kelleher, Peter Binder and Dan Finan

7. Amy Kraitchman, Sydney Parker, Alyssa Beasley, Kallen Alderman and Sheila Baker

8. Mary and Jackson Knight

9. Presley and Allison McCain with Francie and Katie Murphy

Interfraternity Council

BRIM BRUNCH

The Tupelo alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., hosted Brim Brunch, a morning of food, fellowship, fun and the finest hats April 13. This year’s goal was to bring awareness and monetary donations to Cherette Elementary School on the Cynthia M.A. Butler McIntyre campus in Cherette, Haiti.

PHOTOS BY LISA ROBERTS

1. Gwendolyn Cook

2. Bertha Nichols, Kelly Brooks and Twyia Crayton

3. Jessie McBride, Curmin Arnold and Dovie Barnes

4. Kelly Brooks, Dana McGinister and Keldja Whitfield

5. Sandra Blanch, Tiffany Walker and Keldja Whitfield

6. Sylvia Ferguson and Virginia Toliver

7. Teressa Sykes and Marcy Jamison

“CINDERELLA”

Tupelo Ballet presented “Cinderella” April 19-20 at the Tupelo Middle School Civic Auditorium.

1. Audrey Robertson, Niki Short, Liza Jane Rhea, Emerson Thomas, Mary Francis Miller and Miriam Ogg

2. Martha Ann Wilson, Sharon Long and Arianna Washington

3. Lacey Little, Hope Auston, Mallory Love, Andrea Brohawn and Thomas Roper

4. Sadie Roper, Mary Bishop Curtis, Ella Michael Gable, Anne Allen Ogg, Andres Castillo, Ethan Mazak and Blane Mader

5. Sarah Reid Owens, Reese Kinney, Bentley Rigby and Millie Mathis

6. Cora Sheffield, Lacey Little, Hope Austin, Andrea Brohawn and Mallory Love

7. Mary Campbell Wise and Mary Phillips Mathis

PHOTOS BY LISA ROBERTS

8. Madeline Mathis, Catherine Hinton and Caroline Burk

9. Sharon Long with Gravlee and Mary Morgan Burks

10. Kate Kinney and Mary Liddy Wyatt

RED RASBERRY DINNER

Regional Rehab Center’s 10th annual Red Rasberry Humanitarian Award Dinner was held April 23. The event honors Kay Mathews’ work and devotion to Regional Rehab Center.

1. Becky Kellum, Kay Mathews

2. Jim and Lisa Hawkins with Carey and Jeff Snyder and Kerri McMillin

3. Kit Stafford and Nicole McLaughlin

4. Mary, Buddy and Erin Stubbs

5. Jodi and Tonya Hill with Greg Pirkle and David and Shawn Brevard

PHOTOS BY JACQUELINE SAVOY

Rashni Barath, Susan Hayden and Navin Barath

A NOVEL AFFAIR

ANovel Affair, established in 2015, celebrates the value public libraries bring to communities and raises funds to support key library improvements. This year’s event was held April 11 at the Tupelo Cotton Mill.

BY LISA ROBERTS

1. Albine Bennett, Stephanie Hall and Heather Tate

2. Amy Speck, Meredith Martin, and Doyce and Bill Deas

3. Ron and Cheryl Stephens

4. Beth and Will Ikerd

5. Betty Harris, Linda Sullivan and Linda Caldwell

6. Juanita Floyd, Phyllis Daniel, Louise Gambrel, Carnell Wade, Joyce Berry, Hazel Gunter and Kristy Luse

7. Erie Wheeler, Flora Rice, Eloise Shumpert and Rosie Jones

8. Cindy Swann and Lydia Kimbrough

9. Mary Blackmon and Barbara Carouthers

10. Terry Watson, Dr. Debbie Jones and Duane Jones

11. Gina Yarbrough and Jeanine Gregory

PHOTOS

A NOVEL AFFAIR

KIWANIS DRAWDOWN

The Tupelo Kiwanis Club hosted its annual Kiwanis Drawdown March 22 at the Tupelo Cotton Mill. This year’s theme was Texas Hold ’em.

PHOTOS BY LISA ROBERTS

ine Downtown, presented by Renasant Bank, took place in downtown Tupelo April 19. Attendees were invited to stroll downtown and sip wine at various participating retail shops. 1. Stacy Bain and Jenny Jolly

PHOTOS BY LISA ROBERTS

Heather and Will Rustion

Quinitillion McGlaun and Kelsey Crump

Carol Ann Hughes and Rhonda Von-Strahl 5. Marie Rogers and Rhonda Mitchell 6. Samatha, Brody, Corrie, Jason, Kathy and Greg Weatherford 7. Mikey Bryant and April Cardenas 8. Nykedra Foster, JoAnn West and Erica Foster

1. Tom Brown and Roy Turner

2. Avery and Dana Lewis

3. Bre Welch, Natalie Cook and Morgan Renfrow

4. Ramsey, Sophie and Leigh Treloar

5. Will and Whitleigh Guy

6. Sarah and Jamie Radcliff with Chyna-Rae Dearman

7. Rob, Rebecca and Brandy Cross

8. Gabby Moss

9. Rimmi, Zurri and Lynnox Eiland with Olivia Brown

Donut Dash 5K Elvis Presley Birthplace

IUKA DRIVE-IN

FOR A NOSTALGIC EXPERIENCE THIS SUMMER, HEAD TO IUKA AND CATCH A MOVIE AT MISSISSIPPI’S ONLY DRIVE-IN THEATER.

WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED BY LESLIE CRISS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

Mention a drive-in theater these days, and chances are, puzzled looks will be among the responses. It’s a big bit of nostalgia that once dotted the landscape in towns large and small. Today, drive-in theaters are near extinction. Except for the Iuka DriveIn on West Quitman Street in Tishomingo County, there are no other working driveins in Mississippi, and only a few hundred remaining in the United States.

Leslie Curtis, 61, of Waverly, Tennessee, owns the Iuka Drive-In as well as The Pink Cadillac Drive-In in Centreville, Tennessee. The Iuka Drive-In was built in the early 1950s by the Jourdan family on land that they owned. Curtis has run it for 35 years.

For those who have never experienced the magic of the drive-in, here’s how it works. The Iuka Drive-In has parking space for 200 vehicles. Movie lovers pay $10 per person (ages 12 and younger are free), park near a speaker facing the large, off-theground screen, visit the concession building and get back in their cars before the movie starts at dusk.

Some people bring lawn chairs and sit outside their cars to watch the movies. In Iuka, Curtis shows a double feature on movie nights — Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday when school is out; Friday and Saturday when school is in session.

The Iuka Drive-In usually closes in early November for winter and reopens in spring — often in March, if a big picture is coming out. Once last year, the drive-in had close to a full lot.

“We had a crowd — I can’t remember the movie, but it was a popular one,” Curtis said. “We don’t have big crowds as often as we used to. And we don’t have to — we’re

“I REMEMBER MY VERY FIRST TIME AT A DRIVE-IN. IT WAS IN BELMONT, MISSISSIPPI, AND I WAS 8 YEARS OLD. FAMILIES FLOCKED TO THE DRIVE-IN THEN, AND I SAW PEOPLE JUST HAVING A GOOD TIME. I KNEW THEN THAT WAS WHAT I WANTED TO DO. AND FROM THE TIME I WAS 18, THAT’S WHAT I DID.”

— Leslie

Curtis,

IUKA DRIVE-IN OWNER

good with 40 or 50 cars. But a big crowd is great, too.”

In the early years, slaw dogs were a big seller in the concession building. Gene Jourdan, an 86-year-old Iuka resident worked off and on at the drive-in in the 1950s and early ’60s. He vividly recalls one long-ago night when they ran out of slaw.

“People kept asking for slaw dogs, but we were out of slaw,” he said, laughing. “We

decided to try to make slaw in the snowball machine. It worked. The slaw was fine. But we did get complaints from people who were finding slaw in their snowballs.”

No slaw dogs these days, but hotdogs and hamburgers are popular, as well as nachos and popcorn.

To find out what’s playing at the Iuka Drive-In, go to facebook.com/iuka.drivein or call 662-423-2153.

Iuka Drive-In owner Leslie Curtis