Invitation Oxford - June/July 2023

PLAN A DAY TRIP TO ALABAMA'S SIPSEY WILDERNESS

ALL ABOUT THE POPULAR SPORT OF PICKLEBALL

THE ISSUE SUMMER

ESCAPE TO NEARBY SIPSEY WILDERNESS

INSIDE EDEN, A MIDCENTURY MODERN OXFORD ESCAPE

REFLECTING ON THE JOY OF TRAVELING

EVENTS: OXFORD

ON THE COVER

EVENTS:

OXFORD: The Sipsey Wilderness, just a couple hours away, offers easy hikes and stunning waterfalls. Read more on page 30.

NORTHEAST: Danielle Thomas plays pickleball in Tupelo. The sport is growing nationwide and north Mississippi is no exception. Read more on page 36.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

FEATURES

30 Into the Wilderness

A day trip to north Alabama offers lovers of the great outdoors a place to walk on the wild side.

36 Pickleball Obsession

The fast, fun paddle sport created in 1965 is booming in the area and all across the country.

42 A Budding Business

The veteran-owned and operated Magnolia Cannabis Farm is north Mississippi’s first private, state-licensed marijuana growing facility.

48 A Place Called Eden

A multitalented Mississippi native designs a midcentury modern house just outside Oxford.

LETTER from the PUBLISHER

It’s finally arrived: that time of year with longer days that hold promise of relaxation and new adventures. It’s said that Americans work more hours per year than people in many other countries. And while the way we make a living is important, I think we also need to recognize the benefits of taking time away from work to focus on things we want to do and things that bring us joy.

My summer adventure started back in March when I saw an opportunity to audition for a community production of “The Music Man.” After much consideration and practice, I took a leap of faith and tried

out. I made it. The show opens June 30. I love musical theater. I sang in college with numerous groups. And while performing on stage might sound like torture to some, for me it sounded like it would be pure joy and just how I wanted to spend my summer. So, while I won’t be traveling far for my summer respite, I am more than excited about this new adventure.

We hope you will find some escape of your own within these pages. For example, on page 30, you’ll find breathtaking photos of the Sipsey Wilderness, which is only a short drive away. It might be a perfect day

trip getaway for anyone looking for a new outdoor destination.

Or, if you haven’t tried pickleball yet, check out our story on the popular sport on page 36. It might be something to add to your summer bucket list!

Whatever you choose, be sure to step away for at least a short time to find a place to relax or something new to discover.

Have a wonderful summer.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

PUBLISHER

Rachel West

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Emily Welly

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Leslie Criss

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Mary Moreton

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sarah McCullen

John Pitts

Eugene Stockstill

Sonia Thompson

COPY EDITOR

Ashley Arthur

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Mary Kelley Zeleskey

OFFICE

BUSINESS MANAGER

Hollie Hilliard

DISTRIBUTION

Brian Hilliard

MAIN OFFICE

662-234-4008

ART

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Holly Vollor

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Joe Worthem

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Paul Gandy

Lisa Roberts

J.R. Wilbanks

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 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

DIGITAL details

social SNAPS

We love being tagged in your photos!

A phone call to Tupelo Community Theatre’s Christi Houin in April started a synchronized series of events between strangers. The call resulted in the special delivery of a hand-painted gift to TCT and the start of a new friendship. Read the story online at invitationmag.com.

More From Erin Austen Abbott Summer Vacation Vibes

Celebrating Sam and Desirae today!

LOCATION: Sardis Lake

USERNAME: @finchcollective

There’s no season like summer to reflect on the joy vacations can bring. Local author Erin Austen Abbott has spent much of her career sharing her travel experiences. Turn to page 80 to hear what she loves about traveling, and see more of Abbott and her work online at erinaustenabbott.com or on Instagram @erinaustenabbott.

Are you packing up the car for a family road trip this summer? Are you flying off to an exotic destination? We’d love to see where you’re headed for rest and relaxation this summer! Be sure to share your photos on social media and tag us @invitationoxford and @invitationmagazine for a chance to be included in Social Snaps in an upcoming magazine!

CALENDAR AND EVENTS

Have an exciting event coming up? Visit our website and share the details on our online community calendar. Photos from your event might be featured in an upcoming magazine!

We cannot thank Invitation Oxford enough for sharing our story and featuring us in their April 2023 issue!

LOCATION: The Powerhouse

USERNAME: @yacartscouncil

Wishing this Sweet Angel and her pawrents a Yappy First Anniversary.

LOCATION: The Jefferson Oxford

USERNAME: @wagnoliabells

Christi and Jeff Houin show off a new addition to the Lyric Theatre.

COMING UP IN OUR COMMUNITY

JUNE/JULY 2023

Linen on the Lawn

JUNE 10

Kick off Juneteenth celebrations with a community picnic including The Soul Tones, food trucks and a cash bar. Bring your own chairs or reserve a table for $50. 6-9 p.m., Old Armory Pavilion. oxfordjunteenth.org

Juneteenth Festival

JUNE 17

Summer Sunset Series

JUNE 4, 11, 18, 25

Bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets and enjoy free, family-friendly Sunday evening concerts in the Grove throughout the month June. The series kicks off June 4. 6 p.m., the Grove.

visitoxfordms.com

Continue Juneteenth celebrations at Oxford Juneteenth Festival, with vendors, music, food and fellowship. 4-8 p.m., Oxford Intermediate School. oxfordjunteenth.org

National Martini Day

JUNE 19

Celebrate at YUGO with a tasting event devoted to the classic cocktail. Tickets, $35, available online. 5:30 p.m., YUGO. yugooxford.com

The Sip Youth Football Camp

JULY 15

Football camp for kids ages 6-18. Training with instructors including Ole Miss players Jaxson Dart, Quinshon Judkins and Michael Trigg. Register online for $150. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Oxford High School. nextgencamps.com/ the-sip-youth-football-camp

NORTHEAST

Tupelo Elvis Festival

JUNE 7-11

Tupelo Elvis Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary with concerts, Elvis tribute artist contests, guest speakers, Sunday gospel music and more. Find a complete Tupelo Elvis Festival schedule and purchase tickets online. tupeloelvisfestival.com

HOLIDAYS

FLAG DAY

June 14

FATHER'S DAY

June 18

JUNETEENTH

June 19

INDEPENDENCE DAY

July 4

Youth Football Camp

JUNE 10

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 8-17. 9 a.m., Robins Field, Tupelo. ericmatthewsfoundation.org

Thomas Rhett Concert

JUNE 15

Country music superstars Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell and special guest Nate Smith bring their “Home Team” tour to Tupelo. Tickets from $40.

7:30 p.m., Cadence Bank Arena. cb-arena.com

Pedaling for Hope on the Tanglefoot Trail

JUNE 24

Calling all cyclists to a ride benefiting Regional Rehab and the New Albany Main Street Association. Routes include a 25-mile ride, a 50-mile ride and a 100-kilometer ride. All riders receive a T-shirt. Lunch, music and door prizes follow the ride at the New Albany Welcome Center.

8 a.m., Tanglefoot Trailhead Plaza Bridge. newalbanymainstreet.com/ pedaling-for-hope-on-the-tanglefoot

Father-Daughter Gumtree Ball

JUNE 24

Dads and daughters are invited to an annual ball to support TWIGS of Le Bonheur, an auxiliary group that supports

and serves Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Tickets and event T-shirts available online. 2 p.m., Cadence Bank Arena. www.lebonheur.org/ball

The Flipping 5K Glow Run

JUNE 24

Tupelo Gymnastics Center hosts a nighttime glow run to benefit local gymnasts. Additionally, 15% of proceeds benefit Regional Rehab. Register online, $30 adults; $15 children 12 and under. 8 p.m., Ballard Park. runsignup.com

Southern PhotographyLightExhibit

JULY 1-31

Members of Tupelo-based Southern Light Photography exhibit their work throughout the month at Gumtree Museum of Art. gumtreemuseum.com

All-America City Family Picnic in the Park

JULY 4

This daylong 4th of July community celebration includes family friendly entertainment, food vendors and fun children’s activities. Ballard Park. tupeloparksandrec.org

Neshoba County Fair

JULY 21-28

People from all over the state flock to Philadelphia, Mississippi, for this weeklong party that’s centered around politics but also has pageants, horse racing, art exhibits, musical entertainment, a triathlon and so much more.

neshobacountyfair.org

SHOUTOUTS

Area Artists Featured in Biennial Exhibit

Six northeast Mississippi artists are among 15 whose work is featured in the 2023 Mississippi Invitational.

The 13th biennial exhibition at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson will be June 10 through September 17 and will feature a myriad of mediums created by this group of contemporary visual artists who live and work in Mississippi.

Included in the 15 are Adrienne Brown-David, James Kane and Taylor Loftin, all of Water Valley; Kariann Fuqua and Brook White, of Oxford; and Caroline Hatfield of Starkville. Rounding out the artists are six from the Jackson area, two from the Delta and one from south Mississippi.

Katie Pfohl, associate curator of contemporary art at the Detroit Institute of Arts, chose the work for the exhibit.

“I am thrilled to work with the wonderful team at the Mississippi Museum of Art,”

she said. “From my seven years as a curator in New Orleans, I know the talent, depth and thoughtfulness of artists in the Gulf South. I am honored to have this opportunity to continue a dialogue with artists from the region and craft a project that responds to this moment in Mississippi’s history.”

The theme of the exhibit is “Gulfs Among Us,” and its intent is to challenge the many divisions which now mark our

country and our world.

“The art in this exhibition responds to a series of everwidening gulfs: between people and communities, humans and the environment, and our interior and exterior selves,” said Betsy Bradly, director of the Mississippi Museum of Art. “These 15 artists from across Mississippi are united in envisioning how art can speak across and between divides.”

The artists whose work will be featured will have the opportunity to apply for The Jane Crater Hiatt Artist Fellowship, a $20,000 grant awarded to one artist. The recipient will be announced during an opening reception June 8.

The MMA was established in 1911 and is the largest art museum in the state. It’s located at 380 South Lamar Street. For more information on the museum, visit msmuseumart.org.

TCT Director Tom Booth Receives Posthumous Award

As Tupelo Community Theatre began each of its four season-ending performances in late April, Lynn Nelson, a board member of the American Association of Community Theatre and a former TCT board member, came onstage and made a bittersweet announcement.

She shared that longtime TCT director Tom Booth, who died suddenly and unexpectedly Jan. 11, will receive national recognition for his work and unwavering support of the arts during the AACT’s national awards ceremony this month.

Booth will posthumously receive the AACT’s Special Recognition Award, which is given to people and organizations for special and profound contributions. Nelson along with other TCT members will be

present to accept Booth’s award.

“This award is further confirmation of the esteem in which Tom was held on a state, regional and national level,” Nelson said.

Though his degrees were in education and accounting, Booth, a native of Wren, possessed a particular passion for community theater. He was a fixture at TCT beginning in 1992, when he began as a volunteer, actor and director, and ended up in 2002 as TCT’s first executive director.

His work went well beyond the arts community in Tupelo. Booth played prominent roles in the Mississippi Theatre Association, the Southeastern Theatre Conference and AACT. He also served as an adjudicator for various theater festivals all over the United States.

MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF ART

"Crossing the Threshold" by Taylor Loftin

Tupelo’s Boerner Skatepark Open for Fun

Almost 20 years after it originally opened in Ballard Park, Tupelo’s beloved skatepark has been reimagined and reopened to a new generation of skateboarders.

To address wear and tear from regular use and aging, in 2022, the City of Tupelo made plans to repair the skatepark. In September, Grindline Skateparks, a construction company based in Seattle, signed on to do the work of deconstructing and rebuilding the skatepark to the tune of $572,000. The work began in January.

Boerner Skatepark, named for Hank and Helen Boerner, reopened in April after a final inspection was done by the city. Several additions to the renovated park are artistic in nature. The city, with hopes of quelling park graffiti, has built a wall designated for street art. And Hal Boerner, artist and son of the Boerners, created a mosaic including the name Boerner Park at its entrance.

Now that the skatepark is upgraded and renovated, local skateboarders have high hopes for the future of the sport in Tupelo.

Carter Riley, an avid skateboarder and responsible for the skatepark association’s resurgence, said he wants to bring major skateboarding tournaments to Tupelo. And the ultimate goal? A second skatepark in east Tupelo.

ICEBOX pies

RECIPES BY SARAH M c CULLEN | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

These icebox pies spend less time in the oven than in the refrigerator, making them a perfect hot-weather dessert. With crunchy homemade crusts and cool, creamy centers made from simple ingredients, they are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth this summer.

Lime PIE

10-12 whole graham crackers

1/3 cup light brown sugar

6 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon lime zest

¾ cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1 cup heavy cream

¼ to ½ cup powdered sugar, to desired sweetness

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Fresh lime slices and blueberries for garnish

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a food processor, pulse graham crackers to make crumbs (should yield 1½ cups crumbs). Add brown sugar and butter, and pulse to combine. Press mixture into a 9-inch pie dish. Bake for 10 minutes.

While baking crust, add sweetened condensed milk, yogurt, lime zest and lime juice to a bowl, and whisk to combine, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove crust from oven, and pour lime mixture into crust. Return pie to oven, and bake until middle is firm, about 15 minutes. Cool slightly; then refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.

Before serving, add heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to the bowl of a stand mixer, and whisk on medium speed until whipped, 6 to 8 minutes. Top pie with whipped cream; garnish with lime slices and blueberries, and serve.

COOL OFF WITH CHILLED PIES THAT FEATURE BRIGHT SUMMER CITRUS FLAVORS.

Double Citrus GINGERSNAP Tart

36 (2-inch) gingersnaps

5 tablespoons melted butter

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup orange juice concentrate, thawed

1/3 cup lemon juice

2 large eggs, separated

1 cup heavy cream

¼ to ½ cup powdered sugar, to desired sweetness

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Fresh mint and fruit for garnish

Preheat oven to 350°F. Pulse gingersnaps in a food processor to make crumbs (should yield 1½ cups). Add butter and brown sugar. Press into a 9-inch tart or pie pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk milk, orange and lemon juice, and egg yolks. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites with a mixer on medium speed until stiff. Fold egg whites into milk mixture, and pour into crust. Reduce oven to 325°F, and bake until filling is firm, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool slightly; then refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.

Before serving, add heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla to the bowl of a stand mixer, and whisk on medium speed until whipped, 6 to 8 minutes. Top tart with whipped cream; garnish with fruit, and serve.

Into the Wilderness

WRITTEN BY JOHN PITTS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

Getting into the wild may be a lot easier than you think.

A leisurely drive from northeast Mississippi, Bankhead National Forest and its Sipsey Wilderness, located in north Alabama, can provide a wide variety of experiences for anyone looking to enjoy all the great outdoors has to offer.

This is no Disney-fied wilderness experience. Rather, this “lightly managed” woodland covers more than 180,000 acres and includes Alabama’s only National Wild and Scenic River, 61 miles of the Sipsey Fork.

First established in 1918, this national forest truly fulfills the definition established

much later in the federal Wilderness Act of 1964: “(A)n area of undeveloped federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation … and managed so as to preserve its natural condition.”

But make no mistake, the area is still accessible and a visit there is a lot of fun (and yes, there are bathrooms for visitors). There’s something interesting around just about every bend in the road. And the roads there (paved or not) have a lot of bends.

“When we think of the truly wild places that remain in America’s Lower 48, we generally think of somewhere like the Frank

Church-River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho, or somewhere else well back of beyond hidden deep in the Rockies, but there are places much easier to get to, much closer to home,” said veteran Mississippi outdoor writer Kevin Tate.

“The Sipsey Wilderness, part of the Bankhead National Forest, is much more accessible, much less brutal, every bit as beautiful and not far away,” Tate said.

Out there, where cell phone service can falter, it’s possible to just stand still and listen to everything you can’t hear in the city — including the soothing sound of wild running water, especially at one of the

forest’s many waterfalls.

There’s a reason, after all, folks call it “the land of a thousand waterfalls.” And, at the right time of year, it’s also home to many thousands of birds. For the past 16 or 17 years, Sipsey has been a go-to destination on the popular Alabama Birding Trail.

“Migratory birds come through in the spring on their way north from Central or South America, but there are plenty of birds who make their homes there,” said Ken Ward of the North Alabama Birdwatching Society. “It’s a particularly good area to spot all kinds of warblers.”

Especially prized are sightings of Cerulean Warblers, “dazzling jewels” that often make their warm-weather homes in the park.

But if you’re not interested in chasing either waterfalls or birds, the other options are almost endless — hiking, camping, horseback riding, hunting, boating, fishing and canoeing. Just to name a few. There’s even a designated trail for ATV-style vehicles. Camping and hiking are especially popular activities.

“There are improved campsites and places for motor homes, too, but you can really walk out into the woods there in any direction you choose and camp pretty much wherever you like. That allows backpack hikers a legitimately wild experience,” Tate said.

In the Sipsey Wilderness, first designated by Congress in 1975, there are 12 designated trails that crisscross the 25,000-acre site.

“Sipsey has lots of well-marked and maintained trails, most of which are rated ‘easy’ or ‘moderate,’” Tate said. “What the term ‘moderate’ means may be different from one hiker to the next but, generally speaking, if a person can hike anywhere, they can hike there.

“That doesn’t mean there’s not adventure and challenge — these hikes cross the rolling foothills of the lower Appalachians, so they are real hiking trails. Still, they’re trails friendly enough for almost anyone to try.”

For Becky Tsilis, a former nurse who lives in Florence, Alabama, hitting the trails in the Bankhead forest and Sipsey Wilderness

is a truly “magical” experience.

“It seems completely untouched,” said Tsilis, who works with the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. “You don’t see much out there that’s man-made. The trails are imperfectly perfect.”

Sometimes, a wrong turn there will work out for the best, such as happening upon the Pine Torch Church, a log building constructed in 1850. Even now, descendants of those who built it are buried in an adjacent historic graveyard.

Whether making a day trip or spending a weekend roughing it, Bankhead can be the ideal spot to choose your own adventure. One rule to bear in mind: Leave no trace behind.

“You have permission to go anywhere you’re brave enough to tread,” Tate said. “You can backpack in and camp in places car campers cannot possibly reach. That’s really special. That’s what ‘wilderness’ means to me. You can define and delineate your own experience for yourself. It can be as grand as you’re bold enough to make it.”

If You Go

DRIVING DISTANCE: It’s about 125 miles from Oxford to Russellville, Alabama, which is close to the northwest corner of the Bankhead National Forest. From Tupelo or Corinth, it’s about 75 miles.

KEY RULES: Group size is limited to no more than 10 per party. Campers are limited to seven days at a location. Caching supplies is prohibited. There are modest fees, generally $3 or $5, for vehicle access to trailhead parking and some designated camping areas.

WEBSITES: Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net) is a great place to start. You’ll also find a link there to the U.S. Forest Service web page for the Bankhead National Forest.

PHONE: Contact the Bankhead Ranger District at 205-489-5111.

Pickleball Obsession

THE FAST, FUN SPORT CREATED IN 1965 IS BOOMING IN THE AREA AND ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WRITTEN BY EUGENE STOCKSTILL | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

It makes perfect sense for Carol Kessinger to be a pickleball fanatic. Wife of baseball player Donny Kessinger of Ole Miss and Chicago Cubs fame, and mother and grandmother of star ball players, she knows all about the fires that kindle competitive action.

“I loved it,” she said. “It was fun. It was quick. It was competitive. I got hooked.”

She’s not alone. Media across the board are proclaiming pickleball (a cross between tennis, racquetball and badminton) to be the country’s fastest-growing sport. Consider these data:

In April, 3,000 amateurs and pros descended on Florida for the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, playing for $125,000 in prize money before 35,000 spectators. You may have seen John (“That Ball Was On the Line!”) McEnroe pitching a fit out there, just like in the good old days of his tennis prime.

The youngest player at this year’s U.S. Open: 8; the oldest player: 88.

The sport can also be played by those who are wheelchair-bound.

Pickleball even has it’s own month; April is officially National Pickleball month.

Lafayette and Lee counties both have multiple indoor and outdoor courts and equipment available for the public, and Tupelo this year allocated $1.29 million to construct 12 new courts.

Pickleball is a part of the curriculum at many schools.

One recent national report estimated the number of pickleballers at 48.3 million, which makes pickleball one of the largest sports in the country.

“It’s growing for two major reasons,” said Brandon Mackie, co-founder of the group Pickleheads. “It’s very easy to learn. Anyone can learn and enjoy the game regardless of athletic ability. It’s a social game. You often play in an open play

format, rotating partners and meeting people throughout the session. It’s a big social outlet for people and fosters a strong sense of community.”

So, you may ask, what exactly is pickleball? Created in 1965 in California, pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a net lower than the net on a tennis court, a different ball and a paddle. It has its own rules and includes singles and doubles play.

At the elite level, “it is kind of like PingPong on steroids,” said Dr. Martin Herman, a retired physician and ambassador for USA Pickleball in Tupelo. “It’s much faster (than tennis). If you do the math, you have to have faster reflexes than you do in tennis.”

But for Herman (and many others), “it’s an easy entry-level game, so you can come in without much of a background.”

Diane Wang, a retiree who lives in Oxford, agrees the ease of entry to the sport makes it attractive to a lot of players. “Unlike tennis, you can play the game reasonably well right from the start without having to know a whole lot about strokes, strategy, form,” she said. “Basically, you just start by going out and whacking the ball around.”

But the social aspect of the sport is perhaps what keeps players continually coming back for more.

“Everyone is out to have a good time, there is a lot of laughing and joking around and there is actually a real sense of community with fellow players,” Wang said. “Everyone is super nice and supportive, so all of us who play have developed great friendships through pickleball.”

For Carol Kessinger, her “pickleball obsession” started seven years ago, when they moved back to Oxford for her husband to coach at Ole Miss. They had owned racquetball courts in Tennessee and Arkansas, and she played all the time and taught, too. In Oxford, it seemed like the only activity available to her was walking.

Then one day, she saw a Facebook ad for pickleball and picked up a phone to find out what she needed to bring. “Tennis shoes,” came the response, and out to the court she came.

“I just really did get hooked on it,” she

said. “Old can play with young. Women can play with men. I’m a 76-year-old grandmother. Professional athletes play with grandmothers.”

As proof, she and her grandson, who plays baseball in the Houston Astros organization, finished second in a doubles tournament.

Guntown resident Dexter Davis, who has been playing pickleball for several years in Lee County, is a board member for Tupelo Area Pickleball. She said five years ago she started to miss the tennis games she and her daughter played while her daughter was in high school.

“I missed the activity, and I was looking for something else to do,” she said. When an article on pickleball in Invitation Magazine caught her attention, she gave the game a try. “I enjoyed it. It seemed like a slower pace than tennis. But if you get in a good rally, it’s about the same.”

Davis, who plays two to three hours a day four times a week, said pickleball is booming in Tupelo, too.

“This year, we’ve had double the amount of people join our group,” she said. “On a given night, we can have 30 or more players at one site.”

Thinking that pickleball has your name written all over it? Wanting to scorch some calories or crank up the fun as temps rise and skies brighten? You can check out the website playtimescheduler.com to set up an account and start playing immediately in Tupelo. See also oxfordmspickleball.com, tupeloareapickleball.com and usapickleball .org for more info.

A Budding Business

THE VETERAN-OWNED AND OPERATED MAGNOLIA CANNABIS FARM IS NORTH MISSISSIPPI’S FIRST PRIVATE, STATE-LICENSED MARIJUANA GROWING FACILITY.

WRITTEN BY SONIA THOMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHED BY PAUL GANDY

James Childress is on his farm, tending to his plants. Except his farm is inside a warehouse, and his plants smell of chocolate, lemon, honeysuckle, strawberry and even wedding cake.

Childress is the master grower at Magnolia Cannabis Farms. He obtained the first federal license to grow hemp in Mississippi in 2019. Now, Magnolia Farms is one of the first cultivators in the state to grow medical marijuana.

“I’ve been working on these strains for a while,” he said. “We’re kind of like craft beer. You can’t find these particular strains anywhere else on the planet right now.”

With the passage of Senate Bill 2095 in early 2022, also known as the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, it is now legal to purchase cannabis in Mississippi with a medical marijuana card (see “What’s Legal” on page 46 for details).

Magnolia Cannabis Farm is owned by Childress and his business partners Brent Harris and Mark Rotenberry. The idea came together almost as naturally as the plants they grow (everything is 100% organically grown and pesticide-free).

Rotenberry and Harris have worked together in property sales for many years and had a warehouse sitting empty on their lot. Childress’s son knew the structure would be perfect for a cannabis farm, and he alerted his dad to the available space. The two Childress men approached Rotenberry, and the rest was history.

“It just seemed like an interesting business opportunity,” Rotenberry said.

While it is a new venture for Harris and Rotenberry, Childress has past professional marijuana growing experience.

A U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Childress was injured in a repel line accident in 2001 that left him

with a dislocated hip, broken pelvis and in a severe amount of pain. When he left the Army because of his injuries, a friend invited him to California to help him grow marijuana legally for a medical collective.

It not only gave him a job and valuable farming knowledge, it also made an impression on how he viewed pain management.

“We grew the medicine directly for the patients,” Childress said. “I saw so many people on the verge of death coming back, just from a plant. I saw people who couldn’t control their body and then they would just slowly come around their cars to just thank you for growing their medicine.”

That was more than two decades ago, before the opioid crisis really took hold in the United States. Now, the farmers can point to the statistics on the safety and efficacy of marijuana versus other prescription pain medications.

“I’ve been dealing with (pain) for about 20 years,” Childress said. “And before I worked here, I worked in a factory. So many people in Mississippi, their bodies are broken. They need some kind of relief. And opiates? You could die from that. But you could smoke this for years and stop tomorrow and have absolutely no side effects. No withdrawal, no sickness, nothing.”

Not to say that it’s a free-for-all just because it’s natural. Medical marijuana is highly regulated by the state.

Scan the QR code on a package of Magnolia Farms cannabis and you will be directed to information that can tell you everything about the product, from seed to plant. Each crop is lab tested to ensure all of Magnolia’s products meet the state’s high standards.

“Mississippi is the strictest of any state so far,” Childress said. “We can’t use any plant growth products or hormones. They test for any kind of contaminate. They even test it for COVID,” he added, laughing.

And when it comes to the sale and movement of any of their product, the regulations are even tighter.

“We have to hire a transport company with a lockbox in the vehicle,” Rotenberry

Magnolia Cannabis Farm owners James Childress, Brent Harris and Mark Rotenberry.

said. “It comes down to turn-by-turn directions from leaving here to delivering to the dispensaries. There’s a timed departure and arrival. And everything has to be individually labeled and numbered.”

But despite dealing with government regulation and red tape and the learning curve that comes with understanding the new and changing laws, Childress and Rotenberry are pleased with their new venture.

Childress’ two sons, Riley Childress and Russell Smith, are Magnolia Cannabis Farms employees, too, and the operation feels more like a family than a business.

“My sons love it; they’re eager to learn,” James Childress said. “They work every day, seven days a week.”

Right now, Magnolia Cannabis Farms product can be found in dispensaries from Batesville to Tupelo and Hattiesburg to Hernando. They are hoping to get their inventory into Oxford and Ridgeland dispensaries soon. The only thing they can sell right now is flower (or bud), but they are in the process of applying for a license to make and sell edibles, too.

“We hope to keep growing, keep expanding,” Childress said. “I want to perfect the product, that’s my biggest thing. I want to keep working on that next great strain out there.”

What’s Legal

You must be a Mississippi resident. There is no age requirement, however, patients under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian to register as their caregiver.

You must have a qualifying medical condition. Those conditions are outlined as: cancer, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, muscular dystrophy, glaucoma, spastic quadriplegia, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, sickle cell anemia, Alzheimer’s, agitation of dementia, PTSD, autism, pain refractory to opioid management, diabetic/peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord disease, severe injury or a chronic medical condition that produces severe nausea, seizures, severe and persistent muscle spasms or chronic pain.

If you have a qualifying condition with medical documentation (such as medical records, office visit summaries, or a letter from a doctor stating your diagnosis), then you’re ready to be certified.

If you have a qualifying condition but do not have medical documentation, then you can schedule an appointment with a doctor to be diagnosed.

The state charges a $25 nonrefundable application fee ($15 for Mississippi Medicaid participants) for a medical card.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN MISSISSIPPI?

A Place Called Eden A Place Called

WRITTEN BY LESLIE CRISS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

When Celia and Frank Wood moved into their newly built home Dec. 15, 2019, they had stories to tell of their construction experience. During the journey, several incidents — including having to pour the foundation twice — slowed progress and sometimes fostered frustration. The end result, however, has made it all worthwhile.

The midcentury modern-style house is in Lafayette County, with an Abbeville mailing address. The Woods are both Mississippi natives: She’s from Greenville; he’s from Jackson. But after owning and operating Camp Windhover, a fine and performing arts camp for kids, from 2002 until 2014 in Copiah County, the couple made a westward move to Los Angeles, where their three grown children had migrated.

They bought a house in the Hollywood Hills in 2013, but when they decided to return to Mississippi in 2019, they rented an apartment in Oxford to call home until the new house became a reality.

If there was an unanswered question in the planning of the soon-to-built house, it was “where?.” Celia wanted to live in Oxford; her husband preferred outside of Oxford.

“Celia said as long as it was no more than 20 minutes from Oxford, she would do it,” Frank said.

When he found 57 acres he loved that included 40 acres in woods, 10 in pastures/ fields and seven acres in a lake, he clocked the drive to the property from the city.

“It was exactly 20 minutes,” he said.

It’s called Eden, this lake- and treeladen green space that provides the earthen foundation for the Woods’ cypress house. (It’s also the name of a musical Frank wrote with his friend David Womack. “Eden” was

A MULTITALENTED MISSISSIPPI NATIVE DESIGNS A MIDCENTURY MODERN HOUSE JUST OUTSIDE OXFORD.

the winner of the Eudora Welty New Plays Series and was produced at New Stage in 1992.)

One of the first things done was some landscaping on the property.

“We marked the trees we wanted to keep,” Frank said. “We built a floating dock on the lake, and I cut trails through the woods. There’s about a 30-minute walk on the cleared trails.”

The acreage backs up to the Holly Springs National Forest.

Let the building begin

The house to be built was designed by Frank, a retired lawyer who’d spent two years in medical school and one year in architecture school.

“I’m sure it’s a little presumptuous to design your own house if you’re not an architect,” Frank said. “But I knew what we wanted; I just can’t draw perspective. Thankfully, Edye Conkerton, an architect in Taylor, took my design and did what needed to be done so it could be followed by builders.”

And it wasn’t his first foray into architectural design. He’d had practice when he designed 19 buildings that made up Camp Windhover, including the lodge, which he considered a good trial run.

Frank’s affection for the work of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright proved a great influence on Wood’s design — from the contemporary lighting fixtures in the dining area and kitchen to the modern touches in furnishings.

His wife of nearly 50 years certainly had input into the design elements of the house.

“Celia said one story — one single story,” he said. “I accepted that, and that’s what I worked with. The paint colors? That’s Celia.”

The house’s interior has three bedrooms and 21/2 baths. An additional guestroom is

used as an office. An extra room just to the right of the entrance was initially to be a screened porch. Instead, it’s a stone-floored den with windows that open.

To the left of the entrance, you’ll find the kitchen, dining area and living room, with built-in bookcases and a massive stone fireplace. Celia’s baby grand piano provides a lovely accompaniment to the room. The open floor plan allows you to stand in one place and take in the entire room.

“When I was designing the house, my kids told me not to dare hole their mama up in the kitchen,” Frank said. “So, the kitchen, dining and living areas are organized into rooms by rugs and furniture, not by walls.”

The cabinets and bookcases are all built-ins, and the kitchen countertops are a leathered granite.

The entire front of the house is made up of large windows, offering a beautiful view of the lake and surrounding property. When the sun begins to blind those seated in the living room, there are nearly hidden blinds for a remedy.

Off the primary bedroom’s walk-in closet is a safe room for protection from dangerous weather and other emergencies.

“Oddly, when we moved in Dec. 15, 2019, the house was not quite finished,” Celia said. “But the tornado sirens were going off, and we actually had somewhere to be safe.”

The house was 99% finished when the Woods moved in, and the builder, Jimmy Mogridge, finished the rest within six weeks,

just before COVID hit hard.

Touches of history — family and otherwise — can be found around the house. In the middle of the entrance, you can look up and to the right and left to admire two leaded windows that came from the steeple of the old First Baptist Church when it was on Capitol Street in Jackson. Look straight up and a light fixture containing bits of stained glass hangs. The fixture came from Frank’s grandfather’s lighting store in Jackson, then hung on his grandparents’ porch in the Belhaven area from 1931 to 1998, before moving from place to place with Frank and Celia.

When COVID came, the Woods added a pool and spa just out back — for grandchildren and to give the couple a place to swim while the world shut down.

Frank has also made and placed signage around the acreage with names of places of significance in his life, Celia’s life and their life together.

“He did it for the grandchildren and for us,” she said. “And for him to remember his people.”

The Woods have two daughters. Katherine is a writer whose novels are published under the name Katherine St. John, and Alice is a musician who has scored films and television shows and is a writer as well. Their son Frank, an attorney who does title work in Oxford, is also a singer/ songwriter. They have nine grandchildren.

BRUSHSTROKES FOR BRAMLETT

Held annually, Brushstrokes for Bramlett is a popular community art show that showcases artwork created by pre-K and kindergarteners. It was held at the Powerhouse April 18 and served as a fundraiser for the art program at Bramlett Elementary School.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

1. Megan and Laykin Hodge 2. Olivia and Carrie Cooper

3. Clemmisa Presley, Brittany Hendrix and Caitlin Hoggard 4. Rachel, Simmons and Jake Morgan 5. Ave, Moni and Amelia Simpson

MOE’S TRIVIA NIGHT

Moe’s Original BBQ hosted its Live Trivia on April 11 with competition-seekers gathered upstairs in anticipation of great food and loads of fun.

1. Emma Wimberly and Carly Morgan 2. Joey Rutherford and Peter Love

3. Emily Hilliard, Stephanie Wheeler and Alyssa Lee 4. Anderson Martin, Reese Rabe, Carlos Tinajero and Cole Ruwe

5. Lauren Reed, Kayleigh Bohn and Madison Mills 6. Cali Geoffrion and Bianca Dyer 7. Gabe Scales, Aiden Britt and Hannah Ielfield 8. Jenna Cripe and Jake Ransier 9. Lori and Mike Gooch 10. Morgan Harris and Zach Stutts

PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

MORGAN WALLEN CONCERT

Fans of country music superstar Morgan Wallen packed Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on April 22 for a concert that was part of his “One Night at a Time” tour. Hosted by Ole Miss Athletics, it was the first concert ever held in the football stadium.

1. Daniel Craddock and Gracie Garner 2. Amanda Moore and Jennie Sise 3. Maltida Green and Ava Findahl

4. Cooper Johnson and Lillie Mckinney 5. Jordyn Dean and Amyah Hill 6. Ivie Carter and Haley Mifkovic 7. Charleigh Parolli and Sydney Vines 8. Cara Frisella with Nick and Lauren Simokaitis 9. Will Berry and Ally Formon 10. Avery Thorpe and Michael Aaron 11. Blake Roberts and Anna Lea Weathers 12. Blair Schaefer and Lexi Straw

PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

DOUBLE DECKER FESTIVAL

Double Decker Arts Festival 2023 brought fun-seekers of all ages to downtown Oxford April 28-29 in celebration of food, music and the arts. The streets were packed despite a few rain showers throughout the festival.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY J.R. WILBANKS

1. Landon Parker, Rebekah Ball and Caroline McCutchen 2. Nathan Dye and Murphy Holloway

3. Mary Caroline Collier and Khalil Moore 4. Emily Robinson, Maddie Marine and Skye Thurow

5. Eli and Kailee Mason 6. Randall Abel, Kristy Garcia, Shanta Bean, Brittani Murillo and Fabian Lugo 7. Bethany Selby and Paddy Linginfelter

DOUBLE DECKER FESTIVAL

8. Daisy and Karla Collins 9. Elise Moore with Emily and Chris Collins 10. Eden and Molly Martin

11. Anna Carolyn, Sarah Damico and Katie Morris 12. Caitlyn Culpepper, Olivia Smith, Emma Williams and Allie Whigham 13. Nick Ferrebee and Paige Egan

LHS Tennis Class 5A Champions Regents School of Oxford’s “King Arthur”

1. Patricia Weathersby with Baker and Brynnen Quick and Jane Yerger 2. Addie Camp and Lillian Kizer

3. Ella McIntosh, Casey Cusolito, Abbey Shane, Ava Pahl and London Smith

4. Lafayette High School tennis team 5. Regents School of Oxford’s “King Arthur” cast

Oxford Garden Club Butterfly Release

OUT & ABOUT

Medal for the Arts Concert

Beau Ridge at Oxford Farms Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

1. Caitlin and Caleb Drew 2. Stuart Schuesselin, Abby Shoaf and John Schuesselin 3. Anna Kathryn Dwyer, Alexis Lee and Howard Summers

4. Cindy Pruitt with Emily and Andy Callicut 5. Linda Arellano-Rivera, Marion Boyd and Rose Alderson

6. Jason Plunk and Nicole List 7. Jarvie Holman, Rossie McDougal, Nora Pegues and Mageeles Stegall

A NOVEL AFFAIR

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

A Novel Affair, a fundraiser for the Lee County Library, was held in mid-April at the Tupelo Cotton Mill. Two local chefs, Mitch McCamey and Tom Lester, prepared the meal for the event.

1. McKenzie and Deaon Gore 2. Susan Hyatt and Bonnie Gaines

3. Mary Margaret and Michael Gratz with Jason and Whitney Beck 4. Lucia Randle, Tracy Proctor and Tommy Green 5. Gil and Ann Monaghan with Belva and Pete Poland and Martha and Bobby Dale 6. Daniel Purnell and Allie Randle 7. Heather Palmer, Mel Whitfield and Albine Bennett

OUR MISSISSIPPI HONORS

This year, Our Mississippi Honors, the state’s largest celebration of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, also included recognizing the state’s Most Influential African Americans. The keynote speaker for the March 25 gala was Emmy Awardwinning actress Lynn Whitfield.

1. Patricia Neely-Dorsey, Yvonne Roberts and Mattie Holliday 2. Leon Griffith with Yvonda and Alvin Topp and Stella and Jerome Smith

3. Teresa and Alex Norwood Sr. 4. Jerry and Lisa Morris

5. Willie Jones, Juanita S. Bunn, Felecia M. Nave, Trecina Green, Cathy Jackson, Carla Kirkland and Debra McGee 6. Jessica Reed and Tim Lampkin

7. Nellie Hall, Youlanda Shinault, Barbara Field, Kim Huddleston, Robbye Wiggins and Michelle Cornelius

8. Stacey and Johnny Donaldson 9. Derric and Denise Morrison with Lynn Whitfield and Wesley Wells

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

“BLIPPI” TOUR

“Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour” visited Cadence Bank Arena in Tupelo April 13 and entertained a crowd through dancing, singing and learning.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

1. Wesley, Briggs and Kenzie Roberts 2. Elijah Crenshaw, Tristan and Otto Crenshaw

3. CeCee, Maddux and Jared Cavenaugh 4. Elijah Burrell and Tiana Bynum

5. Alaina Holliman and Jasmine Barnett with Kinsley, Ginger and Laila Thomas 6. Latiza Wilder and Jarod Evans Jr. 7. Smith and Lindsey Gray

GOLDEN TRIANGLE RODEO

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The third annual Tupelo-Golden Triangle Open Rodeo entertained hundreds of fans of all ages at Cadence Bank Arena at the end of March.

1. Bralieh Patton, Jaydien McGhaa, Carlee Floyd and Kadynce Leach 2. Tesa and Ruth Richardson with Jennifer Barksdale

3. Chris, Avery and Jennetta Barnes 4. Linda Brown, Willie Howard, Samantha Smith and Shakala Kyles 5. Demetra and JaMecia Coleman with Bob and Joyce Hoskias and Fabian Johnson and Kenyah Coleman 6. Hannah Bilger and Glenda Payne 7. Brittney Gibson and Autumn Murry

TASTE OF TUPELO

Hundreds of local residents packed into Cadence Bank Arena on March 30 to enjoy food samples from a variety of restaurants as part of the annual Taste of Tupelo, hosted by the Community Development Foundation.

1. Christa Estes, Andrea Reynolds and Carla Enis 2. Christy Cook, Rebekah Payne and Cheryl Henning 3. Brenton Pace, Keyona Kohlheim and Chelsea Henton 4. Jessica Chapman and Larisa Pittman 5. Cyanna Ashley, Darren Singleton, Abby Westmoreland and Rena McVeely 6. Meredith Martin and Ashley Brock 7. Sara Grisham, Madison Raines and Miranda Mayhall 8. Margot Ganaway and Margerete Garner 9. Mack Pettit, Robert Bristow and Mandy White 10. Ashley Prince and Curt McLellan 11. Kris Delgrande, Kendall Eaves, Staycie Hale and Jared Hundley 12. Heath Stiles and Cheryl Reeves 13. Mary Ann Plasencia and Carlee Morgan

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

Tupelo National Golf Club Crawcutta Tournament

Lee County Master Gardeners Plant Sale

1. Joseph Webster and Tyler Clark

2. Evelena Schrock, Loretta Townsend, Brandi Witcher and Kate Hilliard 3. Levi Williamson and Michael Georges

4. Ken Hayes and Michael McCrory 5. James Brimm and James Tallie

6. Marsha Donaldson, Dale Smith and Marian Hill 7. Janie Powell and Tracy Kramer

MONTHLY MUSINGS

INTERVIEWED BY LESLIE CRISS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY ERIN AUSTEN ABBOTT

For many, summertime means road trips and family vacations. Local author and photographer Erin Austen Abbott has turned her love for exploring new places into her life’s work. In 2020, she published “Family Field Trip,” a book filled with ideas for exploring the world with your children. We asked her to talk to us about the joy of traveling.

I find so much joy in being a traveler. I love learning about new places, exploring the town or city, learning the history, the culture and tasting the food. I enjoy traveling solo, but what I love most is family travel.

I prefer to try to blend into my new surroundings as if I’ve been there before, adapting quickly to what’s around me.

My new book, out in 2024, is all about small towns throughout our country. My son and I will be crossing the country to visit dozens of small towns. We can’t wait to try new-to-us regional foods, visit small-town museums, stop into Main Street shops, explore back roads, talk to the locals, and do anything else that comes our way.

Erin Austen Abbott, 47, grew up in Oxford but moved to Florida in 1985. After multiple moves around the country, she moved back to her home state, settling in 2005 in Water Valley, where she lives with her husband and their 10-year-old son. Abbott is an author, freelance writer and photographer. She also works as a design, marketing and branding consultant. Her new book, “Small Town Living,” will be out September 2024.

Erin Austen Abbott loves family travel most, especially when her 10-year-old son tags along on her adventures.

TO ME, TRAVEL SHOULD BE MORE THAN JUST WHAT THE GUIDEBOOKS TELL YOU; RATHER, AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE.