Invitation Oxford - March 2019

MARCH 2019

OXFO R D

THE

ISSUE

TO M DAV I S P H OTO G R A P H S MU S I C L EG E N D S Q&A WITH PIANIST BRUCE LEVINGSTON J I M W E AT H E R LY ' S ' M I D N I G H T T R A I N ' + OXFORD'S HISTORIC TREES

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

1

2

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

3

4

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

5

I N

T H I S

I S S U E

MARCH 2019

30

72

22

DEPA RTMENT S 14

Letter From the Publisher

18

Calendar

22

Shoutouts

24

InstaLove: Jimmy Pan

26

Restaurant News: Live Music

30

In Season: Hellebores

68

Out & About

72

Recipes: Healthy Brunch

EVENTS 54

Bitters and Bites

62

Young Life Banquet

65

Black Student Union Gala

56

Fiber Arts Festival

63

Fred Armisen Tour

66

Empty Bowls

58

Princess Ball

64

Night to Shine

67

Community Film Night

60

Ladies Baseball Forum

6

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

7

F E AT U R E S

48

FE ATURES 32 Roxie Woodworks

Roxie Woodworks founder John Haltom honors family and place with handmade furniture that’s built to last.

36 Seeing the Forest

Fresh air and cooler temperatures are among the many benefits provided by Oxford’s endangered tree canopy.

40 Midnight Train

In Jim Weatherly’s new memoir, the road from Pontotoc to the Songwriters Hall of Fame is paved with music, football and little miracles.

44 Citizen Levingston

One of the most celebrated concert pianists in the nation, Bruce Levingston is a staunch supporter of artists and musicians right here in Mississippi.

48 Backstage Pass

When concert photography was still a black-and-white world, Tom Davis’ color photos of rock ’n’ roll, country and blues musicians earned him more than kudos.

ON THE COVER Tom Davis took this shot of Tom Petty in concert at Verizon Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2012. It’s one of many images of music icons he’s captured over the years.

Read more about Davis’s experiences with concert photography and see more of his exceptional photos on page 48.

P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y T O M D AV I S

8

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

9

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

11

12

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

13

48

48

44

L E T T E R from the P U B L I S H E R I came to Oxford in 1996 for one reason. Music.

I love music. I’ve been greatly influenced by music and musicians. As a matter of fact, a choral scholarship paid a large part of my way through Ole Miss.

Research suggests listening to music can improve your efficiency, creativity and happiness in terms of work-related tasks.

I enjoy how music makes my mind work differently than when I work at my job. I am so thankful for the friendships and connections that musicians make with each other when they create music together.

It’s interesting how music can allow people to feel such a wide range of emotions.

Think about the last time you heard a calming, quiet song that impacted your mood. Or, think about the last time you

FOLLOW US

14

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

heard an upbeat tune that made your energy level jump.

This month, we are celebrating music — both the actual art of music and the art that surrounds music. On page 44 you’ll meet Bruce Levingston, a worldrenowned classical pianist who just finished an international concert tour. Levingston, who lives here in Oxford, shares some insights into his everyday life — from his rigorous practice schedule to walks with his dog — as well as the many extraordinary opportunities music has afforded him.

You’ll also meet Tom Davis, a long-time insurance agent with a musical avocation.

Davis has a uniquely different connection with music — he isn’t a musician, but has made his mark photographing world-famous musicians including ZZ Top, Willie Nelson,

@INVITATIONOXFORD

|

B.B. King and many more. Our cover photo was provided by Davis, and several other photos by him were top contenders. Check out his fascinating story on page 48.

This month we are excited to launch a brand new website. If you want to know more about our stories or see more event photos, please check it out — we’ll have lots of great things for you to see at invitationoxford.com.

You might even find a beautiful musical melody on the site this month.

Thanks for spending time with us.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

@INVOXFORD

PUBLISHERS Phil and Rachel West

EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE EDITORS Allison Estes Emily Welly EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR Mary Moreton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Allison Estes Sarah McCullen Michael Newsom Deidra Nelson Keith Wiseman SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Sarah McCullen COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson INTERN Alexis Lee

OFFICE

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

ART

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Holly Vollor STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Sophie Clay Tom Davis Paul Gandy Alise McCreary Sarah McCullen Jessica Richardson CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS Sarah McCullen

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Timeka Davis Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Stacey Raper Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham Anna Zemek ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Paul Gandy Becca Pepper Hallie Thomas ADVERTISING INFORMATION ads@invitationoxford.com

To subscribe to one year (10 issues) of Invitation Oxford or to buy an announcement, visit invitationoxford.com.

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

Invitation Oxford 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

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

15

16

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

17

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

L - O - U

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

C OM M U N I T Y

C A L E N DA R MARCH 2019

Oxford WeeCycle

Time Change

M A R C H 1 -2

M ARCH 10

Find quality pre-owned clothing, toys, furniture and more at this seasonal kids consignment sale. Preview sale 6-8 p.m.

Friday, tickets $10. Public sale 8 a.m.3 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, free admission. North Oxford Baptist Church.

It’s time to spring forward an hour.

Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning.

oxfordweecycle.com

Don’t let the kids catch cabin fever this week. With half- and full-day options available, this camp offers spring-themed arts and crafts projects as well as fun games and activities for kids ages 3-12. Full-day campers should bring a lunch. 8 a.m.-noon or 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration $100-$185.

The Powerhouse.

Spring Break Art Camp M A R C H 1 1 -1 5

oxfordarts.com

Brent Cobb & Them Fat Tuesday MARCH 5

With its origin in pre-Christian celebrations of the rites of spring, Fat Tuesday (“Mardi Gras” in French) is the day before Lent, a season of fasting and preparation for Easter. In the U.S., festivities include extravagant parades and king cake; other countries have their own special traditions.

Billy Hart and the Academy

Oxford Conference for the Book M A R C H 2 7-2 9

The 26th annual conference unites fiction and nonfiction writers, journalists, artists, poets, publishers, teachers, students and literacy advocates for three days of lectures and discussions. Free. Times and locations available online. oxfordconferenceforthebook.com

M ARCH 21

This Georgia native’s first album, “Shine on a Rainy Day,” earned him a Grammy nomination and a spot touring with Chris Stapleton. Having recently released his second album, “Providence Canyon,” in 2018, Cobb brings his rock-influenced country tunes to Oxford. Must be 18 or older to attend. Tickets $12-$15.

9 p.m., Proud Larry’s. proudlarrys.com

Ben Rector

Ole Miss Football Men’s Fantasy Camp

MARCH 7

M A R C H 24

Renowned jazz drummer and Oberlin Conservatory professor Billy Hart takes the stage with Alex Cummings on the saxophone, Jack Laskey on the piano, Dan Pappalardo on the bass and David Weiss on the trumpet. Tickets $10-$30.

7:30 p.m., the Ford Center.

After releasing his seventh album last summer, the singer-songwriter returns to Oxford with “Magic: The Tour Part II.” Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over age 21. Tickets $31-$36.

Doors open at 5 p.m., show begins at 6 p.m. The Lyric Oxford.

Get a glimpse of what it’s like to run an SEC football program. View spring practice, sit in on coaching meetings, attend team meals and spend time with the Ole Miss coaching staff. A gift package is also included with tickets. Register online.

fordcenter.org

thelyricoxford.com

olemissfantasycamp.com

18

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M A R C H 2 8-3 0

St. Paul & The Broken Bones M ARCH 29

This rock-meets-soul band from Alabama stops for one night in Oxford as part of their spring lineup. Minors must be with a parent or guardian over age 21. Tickets $25-$30. 8 p.m., The Lyric Oxford. thelyricoxford.com

CASA Superhero Run M ARCH 30

Lace up your shoes for the first ever superhero-themed 5K and kids 1K fun run benefiting Court Appointed Special Advocates of Lafayette County, a nonprofit that aids abused and neglected children.

Registration $20-$40. 8 a.m., Avent Park. casasuperherorun.racesonline.com

“Junie B. Jones, the Musical” M ARCH 30

Based on Barbara Park’s books, this familyfriendly musical chronicles the adventures of first-grader Junie B. Jones. Tickets $5-$15. 10:30 a.m., the Ford Center. fordcenter.org

Cedar Oaks Spring Tea M ARCH 30

Cedar Oaks Guild holds its fourth annual afternoon tea fundraiser. Partygoers age 12 and up are encouraged to dress up and enjoy snickerdoodle scones, finger sandwiches and cheese gougeres at Cedar Oaks. Tickets $25, or sponsor a table of six for $150. Call 228-218-9651 for reservations. 2-4 p.m., 601 Murray St. M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

19

20

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

21

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

S H O U T O U T S O x fo rd C iv ic C ho r u s 20 t h A n n ive r sa r y C o nc e r t Oxford Civic Chorus, a nonprofit choir consisting of more than 40 singers, invites the L-O-U community to a free concert in celebration of the group’s 20th anniversary. Themed “As Time Goes By,” the show features music from the 1920s, ’30s, ’40s and ’50s and will be held at 3 p.m. May 5 at David H. Nutt Auditorium.

“We’re hoping it will feel very ‘Great Gatsby,’ and it’s a celebration we hope will reach people who don’t always have the opportunity,” said OCC president Stephanie Young.

In a sentimental mood? Sponsor a song in the spring concert and dedicate it to someone special.

Sponsorship is $100 and includes exclusive dedication in the concert program. Proceeds will help fund more free concerts and community events, as well as semester scholarships for eligible members. To sponsor a song, and for a list of available songs, contact Oxford Civic Chorus at OCC38655@gmail. Learn more about the chorus at oxfordcivicchorus.org.

PHOTOS BY RENEE WOFFORD, STUDIO 1825

K i nd e r mu s i k w it h Je a n ne L i p p i nc ot t

22

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

When Jeanne Lippincott, an advanced music theory teacher, was asked to find the best early childhood music program for the Chicago conservatory where she taught, she concluded that Kindermusik was the smartest option. This music education program for children from birth to age 7 draws on research by experts in early childhood development to form a curriculum that uses music-making to enhance brain development during these most critical years.

When Lippincott relocated from Chicago to Oxford in 1999, she planned to enroll her 5-month-old son in Kindermusik classes. She soon realized the opportunity was not available in her new hometown. Undaunted, Lippincott decided to start her own studio, and 18 years later, she is still offering classes.

“All three of my kids went through the program,” Lippincott said. “And I ended up with a baritone player and two tuba players, one of which is a Lion’s Band all-state musician.

“Not only did Kindermusik grow in them a love for music, but it helped with memory and math skills, and it taught them hard work. Musicians have to work hard every day; kids who sit around a game don’t.”

Lippincott offers a monthly membership for $55. Classes are once a week with unlimited makeups. After five classes, if you’re not satisfied, Lippincott will refund the entire payment, but so far she’s never had to. For more information or to enroll, visit kindermusikwithjeanne.com.

SHOUTOUTS

continued

PHOTO PROVIDED BY KATE BRENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Hannah Gadd L C S D Te a c he r of t he Ye a r

Lafayette High School’s choir teacher, Hannah Gadd, is Lafayette County School District’s 2018 Teacher of the Year. She is pictured above with her fiance, Oxford High School choral director Thomas Ardrey.

Gadd, who teaches music appreciation and choir to sixth- through 12th-graders, won the honor after a runoff with three other outstanding district teachers.

“We each wrote an anonymous essay about what it would mean to be Teacher of the Year, and I basically just reflected and said thank you to those who taught me,” Gadd said. “I was up against three master teachers, so I thought I had zero chance.”

Gadd is now eligible for Mississippi’s Teacher of the Year, an award that went to LCSD’s Whitney Drewery in 2017.

“This honor is wonderful, but I’m even more excited because of what it means for my kids,” Gadd said. “Music education is so important, and it’s often underfunded.

Music is the one thing that can connect every single person regardless of beliefs or language barriers, and it can be a catalyst for change — in a room, in a school, in a life. I’m lucky to be able to say that music education is my job and to advocate for its transformative power.”

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

23

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

instaL O V E Ji m my Pa n

Oxford High School alum Jimmy Pan spends his days working as an aerospace engineer in Arizona. He unwinds by refining his skills in photography, a hobby that he discovered almost two years ago while on a five-week backpacking trip through Iceland, Scotland, Norway and Europe. Pan bought his first camera in preparation for the trip.

“One of my friends who also came on the trip is an extremely talented photographer and videographer whose work I admire, and I thought I’d give it a try,” Pan said. “After all, these would be the most scenic places I’d ever been. I thought it might be nice to have more than a phone.”

Realizing how much he enjoyed the art of photography, Pan upgraded to a 35mm camera and created his Instagram account @35mm.jim to document his progress as an artist in the medium. He features photos of sunlit landscapes, earthy hues and rugged terrain near his desert home and from his

FOLLOW ON INSTAGR A M @35m m . j i m

24

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

many travel destinations. Pan also uses the account to follow people who inspire him and whose photography styles are in keeping with his own.

“With this account, I’m not chasing after likes,” Pan said. “I scroll through the feed with appreciation for others’ photos while seeking to improve my own work and withholding comparison for myself as a person. I take pictures because I enjoy it, it’s challenging, and it relaxes me.”

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

25

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

RESTAURANT NEWS:

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

LIVE

MUSIC

Rafters 1 002 E . J A C K S O N AV E .

Rafters’ Jackson Avenue location offers Cajun-inspired Sunday brunch with $3 mimosas and live bluegrass music from about 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cajun classics like red beans and rice and shrimp and grits grace the menu alongside chicken and waffles, house-made biscuits and salads.

662-234-5757

Soulshine Pizza Factory 3 0 8 S . L A M A R B LV D .

Catch acoustic tunes from local artists on Sunday afternoons from 3 to 5 p.m. Snack on nachos or Cajun bread, sip bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys, or grab a signature pizza as you listen.

662-533-7685

Taylor Grocery 4 A D E P O T S T. , TAY L O R

This catfish joint serves up fried Southern favorites as local bluegrass and country artists strum and sing on Thursday through Sunday evenings beginning at 5 p.m.

662-236-1716

Thacker 564 3 000 O L D TAY L O R R O A D , S U I T E C

Grab a few sliders, a pimento cheese hot dog or a specialty cocktail at this off-the-Square eatery. Enjoy live music on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m., or brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

662-638-3780

26

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

27

Committed to Excellence Dan Finan, Realtor Ole Miss’15 MBA

CELL: 601.917.5429 wdfinan@hotmail.com www.resideoxford.com OFFICE: 662.234.5621

28

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

29

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

H E L L E B O R E S WRITTEN BY ALLISON ESTES

A

s early as January and continuing into March and April, beautiful hellebores, or Lenten roses, are in bloom. An evergreen perennial, the plant has cup-shaped flowers that usually hang down, protecting their pollen from heavy winter rains. The flowers can be single or double, patterned or solid-colored, ranging from white to blush pink and apricot shades to deeper reds and purples to a mysterious almost-black. The large dark-green leaves make an attractive ground cover year-round.

Once established, hellebores are longlived. Oxford master gardener Anna Haller has hellebore clumps 10-15 years old. Haller, who calls herself a “lazy gardener,” said the

plant can survive freezing weather, is deerand vole-proof and requires little care.

“As the old leaves become tattered and brown around the edges, just cut them away to allow the new foliage to emerge,” Haller said. “I have never fertilized my hellebores.”

One variety that does well in this area is Helleborus orientalis. It thrives in moist, acidic soil and at least partial shade. Haller suggests planting it with other woodland or shade-loving plants, such as ferns, phlox, hostas, snowdrops and toad lilies. It also makes a lovely understory for azaleas.

“They re-seed in fall, and they will spread — mine make ‘babies,’” Haller said.

“The new plants probably will not look

like the parent, and when the new seedlings finally flower you will be blessed with many different colors.”

Long-stemmed varieties will last in arrangements and bouquets. Haller advises sealing the cut stems by searing with a flame or immersing in boiling water for a couple of seconds before placing in cold water.

Another way to enjoy the flowers is to float them in a bowl of water.

For those interested in more than just hellebores, Lafayette County Master Gardeners hosts its spring lecture series, “Birds, Butterflies and Blooms,” from noon to 1 p.m. April 4, 11 and 18, in conjunction with the University of Mississippi Museum.

The event is free and open to the public.

Attendees can learn from expert speakers and take home mini shade gardens created

by Haller, with hellebores, phlox, baby ferns and other plants tucked into repurposed salad containers. For more information, visit lcmga.org or call 662-235-4451.

master gardener T I P S FROM ANNA HALLER

plant in early spring, in groups of 3-5 plants about 18 inches apart don’t plant too deep — the crown of the plant should be exposed search catalogs for bargains as plants can range from a few dollars apiece to $25 or more all parts of the plant are poisonous; wear gardening gloves when handling, and keep away from pets and children

30

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

31

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

ROXIE WOODWORKS FOUNDER JOHN HALTOM H O N O R S FA M I LY A N D P L AC E W I T H H A N D M A D E FURNITURE THAT'S BUILT TO L AST. WRITTEN BY SARAH McCULLEN PHOTO G R APHED BY J O E WO RT HE M A ND SO PHIE CL AY

32

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

J

ohn Haltom, founder of Roxie Woodworks, has Mississippi roots that run as deep as those of the trees he uses in his unique, hand-carved wooden furniture.

After a stint in Seattle, the seventh-generation Mississippian, along with his wife and son, recently settled in Oxford to fulfill Haltom’s woodworking dream.

Growing up on 13 rural acres in Ridgeland, Haltom was always interested in Native American history and westward expansion. He often spent his days, and sometimes his nights, in the woods practicing primitive skills that piqued his interest.

“My parents let my brothers [and me] just do our own individual things,” Haltom said. “My brother used to draw cityscapes, and now he’s a building developer, and my younger brother played with K’NEX, and now he’s an engineer. I wanted to learn to hunt and fish, but I wanted to do it myself — to carve the bow and kill a deer with a bow that I actually made.”

At age 7, Haltom carved his first longbow and used it to shoot a white-tailed deer. But he quickly realized that he found more enjoyment in woodworking than hunting. By age 16, his natural talent and devotion to the craft had led him to become the youngest member of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi.

Five generations of his family graduated from Ole Miss, but Haltom attended the University of Montana to satisfy his craving for the outdoors. During the summers, he worked for the forest service both in Montana and Colorado as a wilderness ranger.

“There, I was always outside, using a chainsaw, working with my hands,” Haltom said. “I’ve never worked a day in my life at a desk, so when the forest service offered me a job that would mean trading 90 percent of time outside for 90 percent of time at a desk, that pushed me away.”

Haltom moved to Seattle and remodeled homes for three years before he landed a job with Urban Hardwoods, a company that crafts solid wooden furniture using wood from salvaged trees. As one of six men building furniture, Haltom improved his skills by working alongside seasoned professionals.

“In Seattle, the trees grow so fast because of all the rain, but in urban areas they were pruned, which means they got huge,” Haltom said. “We got walnut logs 6 feet in diameter. While I was there, I got to build a dining table out of a single slab of black walnut that was 10 feet long.”

Haltom valued the experience he gained at Urban Hardwoods, but he knew he wanted more.

“I met with my boss and basically told him, ‘This is kind of awkward, but I want your job,’” Haltom said. “He appreciated my honesty and my desire to move up in the company, but he was like, ‘This is what I’m going to be doing for the rest of my life.’”

Haltom, newly married and ready to start a family, realized it was time to make a change. After almost six years in Seattle, he and his wife, Katey, left to make Oxford their new home.

Now, after the birth of their son, Carothers, and several years in Oxford, Haltom’s dream is a reality.

“When we moved, I was trying to think of a name and a brand, and it’s really hard to come up with a business name,” Haltom said. “My son is named after my grandfather’s brother, Boothe Carothers Haltom. I knew that, like my son’s name, I want what I do to reflect and honor my family.”

While brainstorming names for his new Mississippi-based business, Haltom recalled a piece of family history that he discovered as a teenager. His grandfather had owned a sawmill in Roxie, Mississippi, years before Haltom was born. “Roxie Woodworks” had a nice ring to it, so the name stuck, and the company was born.

Using locally sourced southern American hardwoods like walnut, cherry, maple, cypress, oak and others, Haltom crafts sleek, sturdy furniture every day at the Roxie Woodworks shop about 5 miles north of Oxford’s Square. Similar to Urban Hardwoods, he only uses logs that would otherwise be destined for a landfill, and the whole process, from drying the slabs to the final product, takes place at the shop.

“There’s a lot of development around here,” Haltom said.

“A lot of homes going up and trees coming down. Instead of paying someone to haul them to a dump, I’d like to use those trees. It’s satisfying to have a tree from a family property that you can make into your dining table.”

Haltom specializes in stand-alone pieces like dining tables, coffee tables, benches and stools. He also creates surfaces like bar tops or kitchen islands, finishing all of his pieces with a commercial-grade Italian finish.

“Some people think you can just put oil and wax on a dining table, but that’s not going to hold up,” Haltom said. “My [toddler] goes to town banging on my coffee table, and it’s shown me evidence that that finish can take a beating.”

While currently available at Fischer Galleries in Jackson, both Southside Gallery and Oxford Treehouse Gallery have featured Haltom’s work. Walter Neill of Oxford Treehouse Gallery works with Haltom whenever clients request that metal be incorporated in the design of a piece.

“In eighth grade he was making shoes and clothes, tanning hides out of deer skins and making bows,” Neill said. “If you can make bows, that in itself means you’re a good woodworker, but John’s a master of a fine finish. You could pour water on [his work] and leave town and it’d be fine.”

Neill, who has known Haltom since he was young and watched him develop his skills, is confident in Haltom’s work.

When country music star Brad Paisley’s manager Bill Simmons wanted a custom-built table, Neill recommended Haltom. “[Haltom is] so talented and knows exactly what he wants,” Neill said. “And he’s super picky, which is good. I know people will be happy when I recommend him, and I know his work will stand the test of time.”

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

35

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

Map based on information provided by the Oxford Tree Board

CALENDAR

36

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

FRESH AIR AND COOLER TEMPERATURES ARE AMONG THE MANY BENEFITS PROVIDED BY OXFORD’S ENDANGERED TREE CANOPY. WRITTEN BY MICHAEL NEWSOM

If you know Oxford, you know Lamar Boulevard, with its stately homes and towering oaks arching overhead. Tour the shaded back streets, or take a walk around campus or through Bailey’s Woods and it’s easy to forget you’re in the heart of a thriving, expanding urban area.

We may not think much about our urban canopy until it’s not there anymore.

But once the trees are gone, it takes decades for new ones to mature. Hume Bryant has spent years thinking about how those oaks, along with Oxford’s cedars, pines, pecans, maples and magnolias, benefit the community and create a sense of place.

|

ILLUSTRATED BY SAR AH McCULLEN

“Oxford wouldn’t be Oxford without its canopy,” Bryant said.

Bryant is co-chairman of the city’s Tree Board, which is appointed by the mayor and Board of Aldermen. The group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. at City Hall. Bryant and the board are concerned about the effects of heavy development here over the last 20 years.

The city’s tree surveys show that those concerns are well founded. Oxford, ideal in so many ways, doesn’t have enough oxygen-­ generating, carbon-dioxide-absorbing, climatechange-fighting trees.

Cities east of the Mississippi River

should have 40 percent of their surface areas dedicated to the tree canopy, according to American Forests, a 140-yearold organization committed to restoring woodlands. Aerial photos show Oxford’s canopy has been hovering around 38 percent for several years.

“Generally speaking, we are OK, but we’re still under what American Forests considers to be a healthy [percentage of] canopy,” Bryant said. “What’s concerning is, all of this development [Oxford is undergoing] takes out a lot of canopy.”

The results of a Yale University study published in Nature in 2015 revealed that

American Holly | 54 feet tall 911 S. Lamar Blvd.

A large tree for its species

American Chestnut | 25 feet tall Near 1106 S. Lamar Blvd.

Survived chestnut blight; still blooms and fruits Eastern Red Cedar | 45 feet tall 1209 Washington Ave. Marks the boundary of an old brick carriageway

Black Walnut | 56 feet tall Tyler Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets One of the most valued types of North American hardwood trees Southern Magnolia | 70 feet tall 637 N. Lamar Blvd.

One of the largest magnolias in Oxford

American Sycamore | 112 feet tall 512 N. 14th St. Tallest tree in Oxford Eastern Cottonwood | 75 feet tall Washington Avenue One of the largest cottonwoods in Oxford

Southern Red Oak | 85 feet tall 510 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Faces entrance of Oxford Intermediate School

Loblolly Pine | 70 feet tall Bramlett Boulevard and East Jackson Avenue One of the 918 million trees of its species planted in north Mississippi between 1948 and 1982 to control erosion

Osage Orange | 70 feet tall South Fifth Street and University Avenue Another is located at the L.Q.C. Lamar House

Pecan | 85 feet tall South 16th Street and University Avenue Though damaged, one of town’s largest pecans

Black Cherry | 82 feet tall Across from 1400 S. 16th St. Likely the largest of its kind in Oxford

Southern Magnolia | 44 feet tall 911 E. Jackson Ave. More than 100 years old

White Oak | 98 feet tall 904 S. 11th St. Close to 100 years old

American Elm | 68 feet tall Near 1106 S. Lamar Blvd.

Has resisted Dutch elm disease

Ginkgo | 70 feet tall 14th Street and Madison Avenue Ginkgoes are believed to be the oldest tree species on Earth (over 200 million years)

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

37

humans cut an estimated 15 billion trees each year. All told, the global tree count has fallen about 46 percent since the start of human civilization. Though less extensive by comparison, local deforestation is still concerning to the Oxford Tree Board.

“I don’t want it to look like Southaven,” Bryant said. “[Trees there] have all been chopped down for subdivisions and shopping centers and strip malls. While that happens here, at least we have some requirements that they plant them back.”

For many years, clear-cutting land in Oxford was permitted with little intervention from the city. In February 1996, the Board of Aldermen took the first steps toward managing the city’s urban forest by passing an ordinance that governed city trees.

The Tree Board was established, and the city superintendent of buildings and grounds became the tree supervisor. As a result of these steps, news about the city’s trees hasn’t all been bad.

“The Tree Board has worked with the tree supervisor to achieve the goals [established by the Arbor Day Foundation] that resulted in Oxford becoming a Tree City USA community for the year 1997 and

being recertified every year since, the latest being 2017,” Bryant said. “Oxford was also first awarded the Growth Award in 1998 and has received it over 10 times, making Oxford a Sterling Tree City USA, one of three in the entire state.”

In 2006, the city’s tree canopy coverage was at a healthy 44 percent. But in just four years, during a period of rapid development, the city lost nearly 300 acres of trees and has been below that 40-percent benchmark ever since.

The Tree Board’s data shows that 300 acres will be replaced by 99 acres of new

parking, 40 acres of roofs and 155 acres of impervious surfaces unable to soak up rainwater. A single tree can hold up to 100 gallons of water, so the tree acreage lost combined with impervious surfaces gained could cause 197 million gallons per year of stormwater runoff.

Besides contributing oxygen and mitigating storm drainage, tree foliage creates shade and deflects heat. Impervious surfaces like parking lots can elevate air temperature by as much as 20 to 40 degrees. To lessen this effect, current plans are for 40 percent of the new parking lots built to be covered in trees, resulting in up to 187 acres of new canopy. About 1 degree of temperature reduction is associated with each additional 10 percent of tree canopy cover. New parking lots with more than 20 spaces are required to have a tree within 50 feet of each space.

The city also has an ordinance that requires developers to plant a 2-inchdiameter tree for every 5-inch tree removed.

If a 10-inch tree is removed, two 2-inch trees must be planted. But a 2-inch tree doesn’t offer much shade or the other benefits of larger trees.

The cooling effect of a young, healthy tree can equal 10 room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.

Adding trees on the south and west sides of a home can help reduce your power bill during the warm summer months by as much as 50 percent, and up to 65 percent for mobile homes.

Trees help purify the air by absorbing exhaust gases and giving off pure oxygen.

A mature tree can soak up about 1,000 gallons of rainfall per year, reducing erosion and runoff from storms and providing cleaner water. Trees muffle noise, provide visual screens and contribute to surrounding property values.

Unshaded asphalt surfaces can reach temperatures as high as 160 degrees. Adding shade can keep peak surface temperatures below 100 degrees.

Breaking up the massive expanse of a parking site with trees provides a sense of scale that makes people feel more comfortable.

38

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

“To go from a 2-inch tree, which is what usually gets planted, back to a tree that shades is 20 to 30 years at best,” Bryant said. “What you take out today, even if you plant it back, is going to take 20 to 30 years to mature.”

Bryant sees these as small steps in the process to protect the trees.

“You do what you can,” he said.

Both Oxford and the university have programs that provide “TreeLC.” Oxford ReLeaf has brought trees back to newly built neighborhoods like Community Green and Windsor Falls. The Tree Board sponsors seminars where attendees can receive Oxford Community Foresters training. The university has a “tree trail” and two “champion trees,” a northern catalpa and an Osage orange.

You can see a map of the UM tree trail at olemiss.edu/depts/landscape/trail.html.

Oxford protects its most prized trees with “historic specimen” designations. Among these are a 68-foot American elm, a 100foot white oak and a 70-foot ginkgo. Others are described in the map on pages 36-37.

Do you have a tree that you think qualifies?

Email your suggestion to the Tree Board at urbanforest@oxfordms.net.

For more information, contact the Tree Board at oxfordms.net/tree-board.

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

39

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

I N J I M W E AT H E R LY ’ S N E W M E M O I R, T H E R OA D F R O M PONTOTOC TO THE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME IS PAV E D W I T H M U S I C , F O OT B A L L A N D L I T T L E M I R AC L E S .

WRIT TEN BY MICHAEL NE WSOM | PHOTOGR APHED BY J OE WORTHEM AND OLE MISS ATHLE TIC S

im Weatherly was on the phone one day with actress Farrah Fawcett when she dropped a line on him that was music to his ears.

Weatherly, who was then a songwriter living in California and running with the Hollywood elite of the 1970s, had called for Fawcett’s boyfriend, actor Lee Majors. During the course of the conversation, Fawcett mentioned to Weatherly that she was taking a midnight plane to Houston, Texas, to visit her family.

“It sounded like a song title,” Weatherly remembers.

“When I got off the phone, I wrote ‘Midnight Plane to Houston,’ which only later got changed to ‘Midnight Train to Georgia.’ It was only a title change. The rest of the song was the same.”

His manager, Larry Gordon, shopped it around, and the song was recorded

Weatherly appeared at the Union County Heritage Museum in New Albany in October 2018 to sign and answer questions about his new book, “Midnight Train,” a memoir about Weatherly’s life in sports and the music business.

by Gladys Knight and the Pips. It went on to become one of the most well-known songs ever written, and it won a Grammy.

“The melody was the same, but when Gladys sang my song, she did a few things with the melody to fit her mood and her vocal range,” Weatherly said. “She just made it that much better.”

Weatherly’s biographical bullet points bear witness to his extraordinary life. They include Hall of Fame songwriter and Southeastern Conference quarterback under legendary Ole Miss football coach Johnny Vaught. In October 2018, Weatherly added a new credential to the list: author. With themes of perseverance, his memoir chronicles his personal journey toward self-worth, from his first rock ’n’ roll band to playing football for Ole Miss to his years trying and finally succeeding in the music business. The title?

“Midnight Train.”

Weatherly wrote the book with his cousin Jeff Roberson, who worked with him on the project for over six years.

Roberson says the two produced a story that was told exactly how Weatherly wanted it.

“I learned more about him and his life as we worked on it together, but I had a head start since I lived a lot of it through the years with the family,” Roberson said. “I’m happy he asked me to be a part of helping to tell his story, and I know that we wrote it just as he wanted it to be told.”

The fortuitous conversation with Fawcett that inspired the famous song is just one part of Weatherly’s life story, which is an unlikely one, he said.

“Things just fell into place for me,” Weatherly said. “As I look back on it, I can see little miracles. Not that any miracle is little, but comparatively speaking, there were little things that put me where I

“Midnight Train to Georgia” was far from a one-hit wonder

Glen Campbell had a No. 1 hit with “A Lady Like You,” and

for songwriter Jim Weatherly.

Bryan White had his first No. 1 country hit with “Someone Else’s Star.”

Gladys Knight and the Pips also had R&B and pop hits with his “The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me,” “Neither

In addition, Weatherly’s songs have been recorded by

One of Us Wants to Say Goodbye,” “Where Peaceful

an astoundingly vast number of diverse artists, including

Waters Flow,” “Love Finds Its Own Way” and “Between

Vince Gill, Neil Diamond, Marie Osmond, Dean Martin,

Her Goodbye and My Hello.” Success didn’t stop there.

Johnny Mathis, Peggy Lee, Peter Cetera, Indigo Girls, Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, Joan

“The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” later became

Osborne, Hall & Oates, The Temptations, The Manhattans,

a No. 1 country hit for Ray Price, and Bob Luman turned

The Spinners, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tanya Tucker,

Grammy-winning “Neither One of Us Wants to Say

Andy Williams, Etta James, the Rev. James Cleveland,

Goodbye” into a country hit.

Widespread Panic and Jennifer Hudson.

It’s hard to imagine a top-tier football coach these days allowing needed to be at the right place at the right time. It’s amazing to me one of his quarterbacks to play gigs at rowdy bars at all hours, or to how it even happened.” do anything requiring a significant amount of focus that isn’t football Growing up in Pontotoc in the 1950s, Weatherly developed a or academics. But Vaught was different. love for Elvis and rockabilly music. While he was writing songs and When Weatherly wasn’t playing in rock ’n’ roll bands busy on the field, he was playing in high school, he was also gigs with his band during the becoming a talented football off-season with the full support player. He had scholarship of his coach. offers from Ole Miss and “I think he really liked Mississippi State, and interest the idea,” Weatherly said. from other schools.

“Somebody asked him what he He opted to play for the thought about me playing in Rebels and Coach Johnny clubs until all hours of the night Vaught, who was a rock star in the summer. He said, ‘I don’t of the profession. He expected care if he played the tuba at the head man at Ole Miss to 2 a.m.’ He had a sense of humor be brash, like many successful about it. I think he was behind coaches. But Vaught turned me and hoped I succeeded at it.” out to be different. Weatherly Vaught’s support, along compares him to more of a John with the conversations and Wayne-like character. chance encounters Weatherly “I was always kind of had, shaped his life immensely. surprised at how soft-spoken But, he says, one lesson he Coach Vaught was,” Weatherly took from his own success is said. “He was just very direct that it’s not enough to have and had a sense of humor. I talent, passion and connections; expected him to be gruff, but he it takes something else to make it. wasn’t that way at all. He never “Perseverance is the key,” said an unkind word about my Weatherly played quarterback for Ole Miss in the early 1960s.

Weatherly said. “You have to music. That impressed me a have the talent and the desire, whole lot.” but I’ve known people who had those two things, but they couldn’t If his story only included football, it would be more than most sustain it. They got disillusioned and they gave up. people could brag about. As a sophomore in 1962, Weatherly was a “I always knew I would have a job as a football coach if member of one of the best teams in the history of college football. everything else fell apart. I was just enjoying what I was doing. Even That year, the Rebels went undefeated, were untied, won the SEC though I was being rejected, I realized I was getting better and better championship and beat Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. He played on at it. It evidently was meant to be.” the team that won the SEC championship the following year as well.

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

41

ONE SMILE DENTAL

42

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

43

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED CONCERT PIANISTS IN THE NATION, BRUCE LEVINGSTON IS A STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS RIGHT HERE IN MISSISSIPPI. WRITTEN BY ALLISON ESTES

44

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

s you might imagine, a concert pianist of international acclaim is often on the road. Bruce Levingston’s performance schedule includes regular appearances at many of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and London’s Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. But when he’s not traveling or at his apartment in New York City, Levingston is at his other home, right here in Oxford.

Despite the demands of his own career, Levingston, a lifelong champion of the arts, is dedicated to artistic growth in his home state. He serves as artist-in-residence

A

at the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and holds the L.G. Fant Chair at the University of Mississippi.

Born and raised in the Delta and educated in the United States, Switzerland and Canada, Levingston is truly a citizen of the world. He has collaborated with the likes of composer Philip Glass, prima ballerina assoluta Alessandra Ferri and filmmaker Ken Burns. His work with cultural institutions involves art, dance, film and music. And he received the Mississippi Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2006 and was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame in 2017.

Levingston is known for his work with living composers, a number of them from Mississippi. His new album, aptly named “Citizen,” was just released in January and highlights the work of two of Mississippi’s most prominent composers, William Grant Still, and C. Price Walden. The back cover of the album features renowned Mississippi artist Marie Hull’s painting “An American Citizen.” The cover art for “Citizen” is by Brooke Alexander, a 2018 graduate of the University of Mississippi.

Here Levingston discusses his most recent tour, the day-to-day, “Citizen” and where he’s headed next.

O

Even at the professional level, people with careers in the arts must continually work at it. What’s a typical day like for you, when you’re not on tour?

O

O

In January you performed at the Royal Opera House in London and Teatro Fraschini di Pavia in Italy. What were some of the highlights for you?

What do you love?

A

It was thrilling to perform at the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden with the great artists Alessandra Ferri and Herman Cornejo. Covent Garden is such a beautiful and historical place.

The Teatro Fraschini di Pavia was also a memorable venue: It is one of those exquisite jewelbox theaters with magnificent acoustics. All the performances in London and Italy were sold out — 11 in all. The reviews were wonderful, and the audiences cheered, so I’m pretty happy and grateful!

A

I love my family, my friends, music (of course!) and the beauty of all nature. And dogs! I love dogs.

I probably should have been in the dog issue instead of the music issue of Invitation Oxford!

O “Citizen,” came out in Your

PHOTOGRAPHED BY RACHEL HOLLINGS

latest

album,

January and was selected by Apple Music-iTunes for its “A-List: Classical” playlist. It has received critical acclaim and includes works by Mississippi composers William Grant Still and C. Price Walden. Please share more about the concept, the theme and the composers.

O A to five hours. I run a bit on my A number of figures from Mississippi, treadmill and/or take walks with my dog. beginning with John Wesley Washington, I was so honored that some of A my dear friends from Mississippi I also try to keep up with what is going who was a man born into slavery and Did anyone from here attend?

flew over to London for my performances, including Patty Lewis, Kathryn Black, Diane Scruggs, Linda Spargo, Dolly Goings and Meredith Creekmore. I was so touched by their presence.

I practice most days about four

on around the world by reading many newspapers. Gaining some perspective on the present helps me understand and appreciate the music of the past that I play even more.

“Citizen”

was

inspired

by

a

painted by the important Mississippi artist Marie Hull in 1936. Hull gave her painting the title “An American Citizen” to reflect her belief that Mr. Washington was, and should always have been considered, a full American

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

45

citizen from his birth. The album also features the work of William Grant Still, an extraordinary African American composer born in Mississippi in 1895, and the work of C. Price Walden, a brilliant young composer who studied at the University of Mississippi and now lives and works in Oxford and whose work I premiered at Carnegie Hall this past spring. Walden’s music is absolutely gorgeous and has received national acclaim.

It is a true honor and joy to be able to offer the world premiere recording of this beautiful music. I have also included Price’s touching arrangement of “Amazing Grace” that I played for the opening of the [Mississippi] Civil Rights Museum and used as my encore at my last concert at Carnegie Hall.

O

The cover of the album is by local artist Brooke Alexander. What can you tell us about her and the cover art?

A

Brooke Alexander is a brilliant painter who received her M.F.A. from Ole Miss. She is a pupil of the renowned

46

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

painter Philip Jackson, whose work I admire tremendously.

One day, I asked Brooke about sketching a piece of art for the cover of my new album, and so she sketched my own hand along with a child’s hand reaching up. The resulting artwork became the cover of “Citizen” and has been featured on the top banner of Apple’s iTunes “The A-List: Classical.” I am very honored to have her work on the cover.

O have

You seem to always some kind of extraordinary artistic endeavor in the works. What’s next?

A

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TONY NOTARBERARDINO

In May I will go to Kenya to play on a special reserve that protects the wildlife and animals of Africa. I love nature and am preparing a program that celebrates the amazing beauty of the special and unique animals there. The great French composer Debussy wrote a piece called “Jimbo’s Lullaby” that depicts a little elephant, which I will play there for the baby elephants along with other magical works.

about the

ARTIST BROOKE ALEXANDER

Brooke P. Alexander created the art for the cover of Bruce Levingston’s “Citizen,” pictured above. Alexander was born and raised in Athens, Alabama. She has a B.A. in studio art from Athens State University and received an M.F.A. in studio art with a concentration in painting in May 2018 from the University of Mississippi. Her work has been shown regionally and nationally. She lives in Oxford and is a visiting assistant professor at the University of Mississippi.

“CITIZEN” ALBUM SONG LIST

American Citizen — Nolan Gasser Summerland — William Grant Still Mazurka in C-sharp minor, Op. 6, No. 2 — Frederic Chopin Mazurka in C major, Op. 24, No. 2 — Frederic Chopin Mazurka in A minor, Op. 17, No. 4 — Frederic Chopin Reveille (Movement I) — David T. Little Ride (Movement II) — David T. Little Reveille (Movement III) — David T. Little Accumulation of Purpose (Movement IV) — David T. Little Reveille (Movement V) — David T. Little Nocturne (Movement VI) — David T. Little Other — Augusta Gross Elegy — Augusta Gross Toward Night — Augusta Gross Prelude and Chaconne — C. Price Walden Hymn (This World Is My Home) — C. Price Walden Amazing Grace — Anon. (Arr. C. Price Walden) M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

47

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

WHEN CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY WAS A BL ACK-AND-WHITE WORLD, TO M DAV I S ’ S TA N D O U T C O LO R P H OTO S O F R O C K ’ N’ R O L L , C O U N T R Y AND BLUES MUSICIANS EARNED HIM MORE THAN JUST KUDOS. WRITTEN BY KEITH GORE WISEMAN

48

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

|

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TOM DAVIS

Opposite page: Tom Petty. Clockwise from top left: Willie Nelson; Alice Cooper lead guitarist Nita Strauss; Eric Clapton with B.B. King at Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010

Step into Tom Davis’ insurance office and you may be surprised to find the entry packed with famous musicians — B.B. King with Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Alice Cooper, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Carlos Santana and Buddy Guy — all pictured in photographs taken by Davis himself.

This personal mini museum also features items given to Davis by his friends, the musicians — autographed guitars and drum pads played by those pictured on the walls, plus posters, books and albums signed

by the likes of Jimi Hendrix; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; Buffalo Springfield; Jethro Tull; The Grateful Dead; Fleetwood Mac and too many others to list.

“Photography is my passion, my hobby, my fun,” Davis said. “I started taking pictures when I was about 15, and when I went to Ole Miss in 1971, I took my camera with me to concerts. They didn’t care back then if you brought a camera, but they very much care now, and you have to obtain credentials to do it.”

As a student, Davis had learned of efforts at the university to produce color images from an electron microscope (when film speeds at the time made color photography in low light difficult). He decided to apply the same methods to his own concert photographs, producing what were then, and still are, rare color images.

“The fastest color speed film back then was still very slow, so [the university photographers] shot their photos as if the film were faster and then overdeveloped M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

49

Clockwise from top left: Gregg Allman; B.B. King; Pat Benatar with Neil Giraldo; Keb Mo

the negatives to produce properly lit and clear images,” Davis explained. “I started shooting at concerts the same way.”

Upon graduation, Davis settled into an insurance and business career. But after a while, he felt he needed something to entertain and challenge himself outside of his day job. So he bought a camera and got back into photography, prompted by news that Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were playing in Memphis.

“Years went by, and I started reaching out to some of these artists, asking if they would sign photos I took way back when,” Davis said. “When they found out they were

50

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

in color, not only did they sign them, they asked for copies for themselves and for publication.”

As Davis’ connections grew by word of mouth, he began to trade images for photo credentials so he could produce ever more images and make more connections. That’s how one of his photos became the cover image for the book “Crosby, Stills, Nash and Sometimes Young.”

When Bill Ferris, director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi, convinced B.B. King to contribute his music collection to found the Blues Archive at the university,

Davis, a huge King fan, asked Ferris for a favor and a connection.

Ferris got Davis a pass to a concert but advised him that seating at the show was general admission. So Davis arrived early — and got a seat next to King’s family. They mentioned a lack of family photos from King’s tours and then introduced Davis to King after the concert.

After this casual visit, the Kings sent Davis a card, and Davis started mailing photos to their home address. Davis was floored when the first invitation came — to be King’s guest at a Las Vegas performance.

“I didn’t sell pictures on the internet, or

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

51

Clockwise from left: Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top; Kenny Wayne Shepherd; Morgan Freeman at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale

worse, to the tabloids, so musicians knew they could trust me to be discreet and that I am not trying to exploit them,” Davis said.

“Backstage is not wild like people imagine, and for many blues legends it is a family and friends gathering. But since they never know what is going to happen backstage, they are a little cautious.”

“In 2010, I took a photo of Eric Clapton and B.B. King that they both hung in their houses,” Davis said. “And then I got introduced to Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and many others.”

“A lot of people you might think of

52

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

as rock stars appreciate and are heavily influenced by the blues,” Davis said. “A lot of the British greats in particular have a great respect for the blues — everyone from Plant and Page to Slash of Guns N’ Roses, so I have met and photographed many rock stars too.”

Davis currently serves as treasurer of The Blues Foundation, an international organization that just hosted its 35th annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

“At least 226 bands and artists showed up to play on Beale Street in January to compete for best solo artist and best

group,” Davis said. “The foundation also made the Keeping the Blues Alive Awards to honor people who support and advance the blues — disc jockeys, clubs, writers, photographers and others.”

Davis said it’s hard to put a monetary value on the experiences he’s had, the photos he’s taken and the meaningful items he’s collected over the years.

“The value of these items to me is that they were gifts from friends, some now departed,” Davis said. “Knowing that I put a smile on these friends’ faces through my work is what I really value.”

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

53

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

BITTERS AND BITES PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALISE McCREARY

The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council held a cocktail-themed fundraiser on Jan. 22 at The Small Hall. Proceeds from the event will benefit the YAC endowment fund.

1

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

2

3

5

4

6 1. Betty and Harrison Evans 2. Chase and Kara Parham

3. Keith Mossman with Mary Madeleine and Michael Koury 4. Aaron and Scottye Dewey 5. Mallory McClurg and Jenna Witchcraft 6. Lou and Kelley Zeleskey 7. Denise Smith and Barrie Van Cleave

54

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

7

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

55

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

FIBER ARTS FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALISE McCREARY

The ninth annual Oxford Fiber Arts Festival took place Jan. 23-27 at The Powerhouse.

The festival included knitting classes, lectures, a market for vendors selling handmade goods and children’s activities.

1

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1. Melly and Chalyn Heathcock Fayard 2. Patricia Gillenwater and Andi Bedsworth 3. Salena Morgan and Rhonda Clayton 4. Denise, Debbie and Jo Ann Yager 5. Keshaun Washington and Jessica Andrews 6. Valerie and Liam Wilkinson 7. John and Fran Schneider 8. Amy Crumpton and Christie Dillon

56

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

57

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

PRINCESS BALL PHOTOGRAPHED BY SARAH McCULLEN

The seventh annual father-daughter Princess Ball took place Jan. 28, 29 and 30 at The Powerhouse. The event was hosted by Chick-fil-A and included refreshments, music and dancing.

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

1

3

2

4

5

1. Jason and Abigail Chandler 2. Annie, Heath and Betsy Weatherall 3. Jimmy and Madeline Williams 4. Josie and Matt Shaner 5. Audrey and Jonathan Horton 6. Shateema Randolph and Lisa Miller

58

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

6

PRINCESS BALL

continued

8

7

10

9

11

12

7. Pat and Sawyer Ward 8. Calla, Chase and Augusta Gooslby 9. Dave and Siobhan Ray 10. Grant and Grayson Gist 11. Michael and Cheyenne Jordan 12. Ariana and John Mardis

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

59

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

LADIES BASEBALL FORUM PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALISE MCCREARY

The third annual Ole Miss Ladies Baseball Forum was held Feb. 2 at the OxfordUniversity Baseball Stadium. The event featured facility tours, lunch, giveaways and individual photos with head coach Mike Bianco.

1

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

2

3

5

6

4

7

1. Kathy and Joe Russel with Gray Fowler 2. Kris Dillard, Steffanie Graeber, Rachel Walker and Kelly Kessinger 3. Steven and Deborah Ammann 4. Lauren Gist and Grace Stevenson 5. Mackenzie Vacot and McKenna Brown 6. George and David Lewis 7. Carolyn and Don Kessinger with Wrigley 8. Sylvia and Vernon Neeley

60

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

8

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

61

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

YOUNG LIFE BANQUET PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESSICA RICHARDSON

Young Life Oxford held its 12th annual banquet Feb. 7 at The Jefferson. The celebration included dinner, fellowship and discussion about the program.

1

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

2

3

5

4

6

7

1. Doug and Debbie Weaver with Emilee Brasell and Julie Harper 2. Isabella Scheffler, Alexis Partridge and Jacob Christiansen 3. Ginny Abraham, Meghan Feltenstein and Mary Margaret Case 4. Caroline Carrillo, Dolly McClendon and Katie Deweese 5. Anna Lewis and Cassie Conley 6. Betsy Scott and Leigh Bourn 7. Frank Brown and Josh Cissell 8. Matt and Cheryl Mossberg with Meg Reeves

62

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

8

FRED ARMISEN TOUR PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESSICA RICHARDSON

Comedian Fred Armisen kicked off his 19-city comedy tour Feb. 4 at The Lyric Oxford. The Mississippi native, known best for his time as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” performed a variety of musical and stand-up comedy sketches.

1

5

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

2

3

4

6

7

8

1. Patrick and Julie Addison with Madeline and Charlie White 2. Paige Engebretson, Raquel Calvillo and Allie Wilcox 3. Lawson Marchetti and Gianna Schuetz 4. Kiger and Sital Sigh 5. Matthew King and Jennifer Harrell 6. Jessica Tran and Galina Ostrovsky 7. Lindsey Jones and Brittany Gusmus 8. Antonio Tarrell and Hannah Fletcher

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

63

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

NIGHT TO SHINE PHOTOGRAPHED BY SARAH McCULLEN

Grace Bible Church hosted Night to Shine on Feb. 8 at the Oxford Conference Center.

The prom-themed event for people with special needs is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and is held in locations around the country.

1

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

2

3

4

5

6

7

1. Anna Catherine Kendricks, Blair Wortsmith, Sydarius Story and Mary Randall Ivy 2. Cassidy Card, Meg Anderson and Haley Hewitt 3. Kelly Brummett and Paige Lytal 4. Louise Isom and Emily Hornok 5. Anna Katherine and Jennifer Taylor 6. Drew and Melody Narmour 7. Amber Lawrence and Madison Josey 8. Tylaen Caldwell and Roxsann Kennemore

64

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

8

BLACK STUDENT UNION GALA PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESSICA RICHARDSON

The University of Mississippi Black Student Union held its sixth annual Black History Month Gala on Feb. 8 at The Inn at Ole Miss. The formal-attire event featured dinner, dancing and a program.

1

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

2

3

4

5

6

7

1. Bobby Hudson and Gabrielle Thomas 2. Hilda Nieblas and Nequel Burwell 3. Kayla White and Carl Tart 4. William Melrick Poindexter and Haley Williams 5. Kynnedi Ahnry and N’kila Garner 6. Amari Wells, Treasure Fisher, Keoria Magee and Aaliyah Goldman 7. Cameron Evans and Tia Turner

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

65

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

EMPTY BOWLS PHOTOGRAPHED BY SARAH McCULLEN

The 16th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser was held Feb. 7 at the Oxford Conference Center. Attendees enjoyed soup served in collector’s bowls made by local artists.

Proceeds benefit The Pantry.

1

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1. Betty Marquis, Johnnie Hurdle, Pam Shook and Geraldine Champion 2. Bree and Kevin Gates with Matt Styles 3. Genell Townsend and Sherri Gunn 4. Mark Cagle and Jonell McGivern 5. Valorie and Tess Johnson 6. Nancy Smith and Pat Allen 7. Candice McMinn and Kathy Tidwell 8. Cyd Dunlap and Grace Gillespie 9. Jennifer and Fran Woodard 10. Judy Wood and Terri Sanford

66

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

COMMUNITY FILM NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESSICA RICHARDSON

Community Film Night took place Feb. 6 at The Powerhouse. The event served as the kickoff to the 16th annual Oxford Film Festival and featured live performances and several short films.

1

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

2

3

5

6

4

7

8

1. Mindy Van Kuren, Michelle Wilson and Kayleigh Graham 2. Issac and Sarah Wadford 3. Brooklyn, Michael and Presley Farris with Sabrea Smith 4. Marilyn Frey, Jean Ashcroft and Sandy Shaddinger 5. Madeleine Delcambre and Brooks Desler 6. Shanleigh Roberts and A.J. Davidson 7. Julia Forrester, Brian Whisenant and Ron Shapiro 8. Brad and Whitney Myrick

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

67

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

OUT & ABOUT VIEW MORE PHOTOS AT INVITATIONOXFORD.COM

I nt e r n at io n a l B o ok Ta s t i n g

C a sa Me x ic a n a 24t h A n n ive r sa r y

1

2

C h i ld re n’s M i ra c le Ne t wo rk K id A m ba s sa d o r

4

3

S u m me rhou s e L e e L ove s L o c a l

5

6

7

1. Khamis Albalushi and Said Alkindi 2. Sevgi Yilmaz and Beyza Cayli with Anna and Selin Keskin 3. Ramiro Munoz Sr. and Ramiro Munoz Jr. 4. Aubrey Armstrong and Anne Hayden Perkins 5. Derek Johnson, Marnie Merritt and Bob Baker 6. Brandon Stafford, Kathleen Ertle and Kelly Harrison 7. Jeff and Berry Johnson

Your Local Experts in Group Insurance for 30 years!

MEDICAL

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Brad Camp Consultant/Agent

Direct: 662-234-3224 Office: 800-489-3224 brad.camp@morganwhite.com

Connie Caviness Consultant/Agent

PAYROLL 68

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

HUMAN RESOURCES

Direct: 662-234-3224 Office: 800-489-3224 Cell: 662-983-8660 connie.caviness@morganwhite.com

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

69

MISSISSIPPI’S BEST

70

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

MISSISSIPPI’S BEST

M ARCH 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

71

CALENDAR

|

NOTEWORTHY

|

IN SEASON

|

FE ATURES

|

EVENTS

|

RECIPES

Healthy B R U N C H T U R M E R I C WA F F L E S , AVO C A D O TOA S T A N D A Q U I N OA B OW L RECIPES BY DEIDRA NELSON, MS, RDN, LDN

T

|

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

raditional brunch fare can be loaded with unhealthy fats and sugar, causing inflammation in the body that contributes to and worsens many conditions, including diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and cancer. These healthier versions of brunch favorites all contain nutrient-packed ingredients that reduce inflammation and bolster healthy living.

turmeric

LEMONWAFFLES 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted 1½ teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 tablespoon sugar 2 eggs 1/3 cup oil 1¾ cups buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Zest of 1 lemon Berries and honey (optional)

Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat eggs with oil, buttermilk, vanilla extract and lemon zest. Add liquid ingredients to dry and stir to combine, leaving a few lumps. Cook in waffle iron according to directions. Serve topped with fresh berries and honey, if desired. Serves 4.

ABOUT DEIDRA NELSON Deidra Nelson is a registered dietitian/ nutritionist based in Memphis, Tennessee. She currently works as a community and wellness dietitian and operates a nutrition blog, destinationmoderation.com, focused on finding the good in everything you eat.

72

INVITATION OXFORD | M ARCH 2019

SUN-DRIED TOM ATO

and GOAT CHEESE avocado toast

CHICKEN SAUSAGE

and SWISS CHARD quinoa bowl

2 slices sourdough bread 1 medium avocado Microgreens or spinach 6 sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil 1 ounce crumbled goat cheese 1 tablespoon honey Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil 2 chicken sausage links, sliced 1 bunch Swiss chard, rinsed and chopped 2 eggs 1 cup cooked red quinoa 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Tahini (optional)

Heat oven to 400°F. Place bread on baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes. Halve and pit avocado, then use a spoon to scoop out the meat. In a small bowl, mash avocado. Place half the mash on each slice of toast. Top each slice with a handful of microgreens or spinach, 3 tomatoes and half the goat cheese, and drizzle with half the honey.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serves 2.

In large nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over mediumhigh heat. Add chicken sausage to pan and saute 2-3 minutes. Add Swiss chard and saute an additional 5 minutes. Set aside. In a separate pan, cook eggs as desired. Build each bowl with ½ cup quinoa, half the sausage and chard mixture and 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Top each with 1 cooked egg. Drizzle with tahini if desired. Serves 2.