INVITATION Oxford FEBRUARY 2017
Shelbi’s Place NEW Homes Starting at
$143,900
Act Fast and Choose Your Finishes! 3 Bedroom /2 Bath 4 Floor Plans to Choose From!
ShelbisPlace.com
Starting in the mid $300,000’s Mark C. Cleary (713) 303-8924
Alison Alger (662) 832-1697
Blake Cannon (662) 380-7144
Lee Pittman (662) 645-3695
Markccleary@gmail.com
blake@oxfordvip.com
Contact Mark Cleary (713) 303-8924
alisonmalger@gmail.com
lee.pittman1@gmail.com
Experience the beauty and serenity of Tuscan Hills - with 2 stocked lakes - just 5 minutes from Downtown!
Starting in the mid $200,000’s
Measuring in at just under 1 mile from campus, 800 Park includes luxury features like gas fireplaces, 10 foot ceilings and heart pine floors. Professionally designed, each of the 4 floor plans are one level and have private screened in porches overlooking Pat Lamar Park and Davidson Creek. There is also a pet park that will be exclusive to the 800 Park owners. The 800 Park development has plans to include some specialty retail shops, as well.
The Hamlet
A charming Old-English style development located in the heart of the medical community and just minutes from Oxford’s downtown square !
4 Bed 4.5 Bath
Starting in the mid-$300,000’s Features include: Wet Bar Private Courtyards Gas Range 10’ Ceilings Garages available Complimentary interior design service to help customize finishes on new builds.
2696 West Oxford Loop
707 Deerfield
607 Park
•3 BR/2 Bath
•Conveniently located close to the Ole Miss campus & the Square
• Newly Renovated • Select Appliances
$150,000
• Open Spacious Floor Plan
$107,500
1023 Scarlet
315 Bramlett Blvd
•Semi-Circle Drive
•2 Bed 2 Bath w/ Study
•Large Fenced in Backyard
•Screened in Porch
•Huge Covered Back porch
•Outside Balcony and 2 Car Garage
$240,000
LEGACY R EALT Y
$499,000
$285,000
•Parkway Centre • Joined Together w/Oxford Galleria II • Building Pad W/ Potential for 4690 square feet
305 Mary Sue Street • 3 Bed 2 Bath •Open/Split Floor Plan •Large Fenced in Backyard
$160,000
100 Rosemont Loop
Oak Terrace #103
•4 Bed 3.5 Bath
•Great Location to Ole Miss & the Square •Main Level Master Suite •Select Upgrade
•View of Golf Course •Great Entertaining Space
$499,000
$515,000
Search the entire Oxford Market at www.MarkClearyOxford.com and www.OxfordVip.com •662.234.5621 1923 University Ave Oxford, MS 38655 Each office independently owned and operated. All information deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and subject to change without notice.
11 Units Pending! Reserve yours today!
Coming Fall 2017
Harrison Square Oxford’s Premier Luxury Condominium Located in the Heart of Downtown Oxford. Just Steps from the Square! • Roof top terrace • 1, 2 & 3 Bedrooms • Gated Community • Gourmet Kitchen • Private Balcony • Gas Stove Top Oven • Washer/Dryer • Wet Bar
• Wine Cooler and Ice Maker • Gas Fireplace • Engineered Hardwood Floors • Elevator • Reserved Parking Per Unit • 10’ Ceilings • 8’ Solid Core Doors
Mark C. Cleary (713) 303-8924
Markccleary@gmail.com
HarrisonSquareOxford.com
7005 Bluff Lane
1039 Hwy 6 W • Gated Property on 6.5 Acres • Oxford School District
Turnberry #109
• 4 Bed 4 Bath
• 4 BR/ 3 Bath • Large Screened in Porch • Located in the Old Country Club
• 3 Covered Porches
• Pool House & 2BR/2Bath Guest House • Access to Goose Creek Tennis Club
$649,000
$699,000
1300 Beanland
1544 Jackson Ave. E
• Located in the Heart of
• 4 Bed 3.5 Bath
downtown Oxford • Completely Updated • Top of the Line Finishes
•Located a Few Blocks from the Square •New Paint, Carpet & Light Fixtures •Great for Entertaining
$599,000
$699,000
$505,000
3839 Majestic Oaks • 5 Bed 4 Bath •1.7 Acres Overlooking Golf Course •Brand New Theater Room w/ HD Screen
304 Segrest Pointe
22 Aspen Ridge
• 2 Bed 2 Bath
• 5 Bedroom 4.5 Bath
• 3 Bed 3.5 Bath
• Ideal Location on Old Taylor Rd.
• Waterfront Home
• 4 Bed 4.5 Bath
• End Unit Condo in Oxford Station • Heart of Pine Floors • Large Open Patio
• On Site Amenities
• Must See Home! Too Many
$399,000
LEGACY R EALT Y
$154,000
Upgrades to Mention!
$925,000
• New Construction in Aspen Ridge • Main Level Master
$234,900
• 5 Bed 3 Bath
• Finished Bonus Room
• 3 BR / 2.5 Bath • Large Open Living Area • Media Room
w/ a Closet
512 Easel Street
• 10 Min. from Ole Miss • 3 Car Garage
$300,000
$599,900
• 3 Bed 2 Bath
104 Calton Hill
• Front & Back Porch
•3 Bed 2.5 Bath
• Open & Inviting Living & Kitchen Area
•Well-Maintained Condo
$259,000
$899,000
Old Taylor Place Unit O6
2611 Little Street
33 CR 143
402 Elizabeth Court
•Hardwood Floors
$198,000
301 Globe Loop
126 Oxford Creek Dr
• • • •
• 3 Bed 2.5 Bath
3 Bed 3.5 Bath Custom Outdoor Kitchen Viking Appliances Large Master with Claw Foot Tub
$333,000
• Brand New Construction • Community Pool • Brick Feature Wall in Dining Room
$310,000
Search the entire Oxford Market at www.MarkClearyOxford.com and www.OxfordVip.com •662.234.5621 1923 University Ave Oxford, MS 38655 Each office independently owned and operated. All information deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and subject to change without notice.
FEBRUARY 2017
50
ON THE COVER Jed, an American Labrador retriever, enjoys an early morning pursuit on the Russell family’s hunting camp in the Delta. photographed by Joe Worthem
IN EVERY ISSUE
FEATURES
EVENTS
40 On the Hunt
20
OHS Parade of Beauties
Out in the field and inside the home, the bond between a sporting dog and its owner is a special one.
22
Unified Turkey Bowl
24
Ducks Unlimited Banquet
26
OMS Most Beautiful Pageant
28
Holiday Ornament Auction
32
The Chancellor’s Concert
34
Deck the Walls
58 Uncommon Companions
36
PMB Church Luncheon
38
Roxford University Showcase
76
Willie Price School Fundraiser
78
OUS Sippin’ Til 7
80
Rebel Well’s Eat Real
82
Thacker Mountain Radio Party
84
Empowerment Event
86
KY vs. Ole Miss Basketball
88
Leisure Lifestyles Luncheon
90
EDF/Chamber Christmas Party
50 A Work of Art Hannah McCormick enjoys life as a professional artist, creating custom portraits, painting live events and teaching art lessons.
10
Letter From the Publisher
12
What’s Happening
14
Community Corner
16
In Season: Cheese Straws
92
Out and About
From miniature goats and potbellied pigs to furry rodents, family pets can come in all shapes and sizes.
96
I Am Oxford: Nancy Dabney
65 The Next Generation The iconic Thacker Mountain Radio Hour expands its celebration of music and literature to children through Thacker, Jr.
70 From Startup to Success Years after first being featured in Invitation Oxford, these small businesses are adding plenty of local flavor to north Mississippi.
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THE PUBLISHER
Rachel West with Lily
Becca Pepper with Josie Wales
Alise Emerson with Zoe and Lily
Hallie Thomas with Duermo
PUBLISHER
ADVERTISING DESIGNER
ADVERTISING CONSULTANT
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Mary Moreton with Duke
Lynn McElreath with Blue Bell
Lena Anderson with Lady and Dylan
Whitney Worsham with Gracie
EVENTS EDITOR
ADVERTISING CONSULTANT
EDITOR IN CHIEF
ADVERTISING CONSULTANT
T
he requests for a dog began more than a year before she arrived, but on a warm, sunny morning last July, Mary Katherine got her birthday wish. She says it was the best surprise of her life, and at that moment she couldn’t believe this furry new friend was hers to keep. She looked at the tiny, black puppy with a hot-pink collar and said, “Lily, I’ve waited for you my whole life.” And just like that, the dog had a name. I was still a little hesitant, skeptical and, honestly, dreading this addition to our family and all the responsibilities that come with pet ownership. But even I have come around to this feisty fur ball. Sometimes I mistakenly call the dog by my daughter’s name – Lily is that much a part of our family, and it was the best
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
decision we ever made. A survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association in 2016 estimated that 65 percent of households in the United States have a family pet. While the majority of those are cats and dogs, this number also includes more uncommon pets like potbellied pigs, furry rodents and Pygmy goats. Turn to page 58 to read about families in Oxford who have some of these unique sidekicks. And while dogs may be more common pets than Pygmy goats, the canines featured in our On the Hunt story, on page 40, are anything but ordinary. These dogs have spent their lives as working (and personal) companions to avid hunters. Read all about their special bonds and the winter days they spend out in the fields.
We’ve also included a one-on-one with Nancy Dabney, who boards and helps care for the horses that keep our town safe as part of the Oxford Police Department’s mounted patrol; the cows of Brown Dairy Farm that produce fresh milk every day; and animals from the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society that bring joy and help promote literacy among the children in our community. We at Invitation enjoyed taking a moment to capture pictures with our favorite furry friends, and we hope you enjoy this issue celebrating the great animals of our community.
RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER
INVITATION Oxford publishers
Phil and Rachel West
editorial
EDITOR IN CHIEF Lena Anderson CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Emily Welly EVENTS EDITOR Mary Moreton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Caitlin Adams Sunny Young Baker Meaghin Burke Ginny McCarley Toni Overby
art
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hallie Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Joey Brent Jessica Richardson
production
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Emily Suber
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Katherine Henson COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson
advertising
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Stacey Raper Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Zach Fields Becca Pepper Holly Vollor
office
BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney Brian Hilliard MAIN OFFICE (662) 234-4008 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 who make up north Mississippi and strives to be an inclusive representation of all members of our community.
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE
February 2017 | INVITATION OXFORD
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FEBRUARY 2017 SPECIAL SCREENING: FOLK HERO & FUNNY GUY
2/1
National Signing Day Party The Ole Miss Quarterback Club hosts its annual party. Members only, or join to attend. Doors at 7 a.m., Oxford Conference Center
2/2
Thacker Mountain Radio A live weekly radio show featuring author readings and a wide array of musical performances. 6 p.m., Off Square Books thackermountain.com
2/15-19 Oxford Film Festival The 14th annual Oxford Film Festival celebrates the art of independent cinema and features more than 80 films in a range of categories, including animation, documentary and narrative. The event includes screenings, workshops and educational programs. oxfordfilmfest.com
2/14
Empty Bowls More than 20 varieties of soup and handmade breads are served at the lunch fundraiser for The Pantry. Take home collectors’ bowls crafted and donated by local potters. Tickets $20. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Oxford Conference Center
2/3
Timothy B. Tyson Reading The award-winning author reads from his latest book, The Blood of Emmett Till. 5 p.m., Square Books squarebooks.com
2/9-11
Princess Ball
Theatre Oxford presents The Foreigner
2/23
Chick-fil-A’s fifth annual father-daughter ball features dinner, dancing, crafts and more. The theme is Be Our Guest. Tickets $12.50-$20. 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Jefferson eventbrite.com
The two-act comedy by Larry Shue is set in a fishing lodge in rural Georgia. Tickets $15-$20. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, the Powerhouse. oxfordarts.com
The 10th annual event, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, features food from local restaurants, silent and live auctions, and music by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. Tickets $100. 6-11 p.m., the Jefferson
2/7
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
St. Jude Taste of Oxford
Ole Miss Women’s Basketball 2/9 vs. LSU, 6 p.m. 2/12 vs. Mississippi State, 3 p.m. 2/16 vs. Auburn, 8 p.m. 2/26 vs. Texas A&M, 4 p.m. The Pavilion at Ole Miss
Ole Miss Men’s Basketball 2/11 vs. Auburn, 5 p.m. 2/14 vs. LSU, 8 p.m. 2/25 vs. Missouri, 2:30 p.m. The Pavilion at Ole Miss
Ole Miss Baseball 2/17-19 vs. East Carolina, 4 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, noon Sunday 2/21 vs. Arkansas State, 4 p.m. 2/24-26 vs. UNC Wilmington, 4 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday and Sunday 2/28 vs. Memphis, 4 p.m. Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field February 2017 | INVITATION OXFORD
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READING WITH ROVER written by Katherine Henson
The Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society and the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library have joined forces to create Reading with Rover, a monthly story time program that helps children develop a love for reading while promoting the mission of the Humane Society. “I spoke to Jenn Peterman, the director of the Humane Society, and we decided to make Reading with Rover a regular program where she would bring in an animal and we would read to the children at story time,” said Nancy Opalko, youth services librarian and assistant branch manager. For the program, Peterman brings housetrained animals that are comfortable with children. They are foster dogs that live with Humane Society volunteers and dogs or other animals that come directly from the shelter. The library staff typically chooses animal-themed books to read. A few of the dogs that have debuted at Reading with Rover have been adopted by local families, and one was adopted by a library employee. However, dogs and cats aren’t the only special four-legged guests at the library. The Humane Society recently brought two friendly rats and read The Naked Mole Rat by Mo Willems. “We had a lot of kids show up to see the rats,” Opalko said. Reading with Rover is held at 10:30 a.m. the second Friday of each month and is open to children of all ages. Visit the Facebook pages of the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society and the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library for more information.
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CHEESE STRAWS
written by Sunny Young Baker photographed by Joe Worthem
C
heese straws are a staple of Southern celebrations. “In the South, you are not born, married or buried without eating cheese straws,” said Lillian Carson, owner of Lillian’s Wonderful Cheese Straws. A sort of cross between a biscuit and a cracker, cheese straws require only a few simple ingredients, starting with real butter and highquality cheese. But according to Carson, the trick is baking them thin and crispy. “I had a special disk made to fit my cookie press that makes the cheese straws the perfect thinness,” she said. The savory snacks pair well with cocktails and are a popular tailgating treat during football season. In cold winter months, Carson suggests serving them alongside soup or chili. Carson’s recipe came from her greatgrandmother, although she has made slight tweaks over the years to get it just right. “My mama made them for years, and people raved,” she said. “I made some for a party a few years back, and people said, ‘You need to sell those.’ ” Lillian’s Wonderful Cheese Straws can be purchased at Oxford Floral. This adapted version of the Carson family recipe was originally published in the 1969 Our Delta Dining cookbook from Delta Academy in Marks and offers simple directions for the traditional treats. If you don't have a cookie press, shape the dough into a log, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill 8 hours. Cut into thin slices.
Cheese Straws 16 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1 stick butter 2 cups flour 1½ teaspoons salt ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper Heat oven to 325°F. Place cheese and butter in a food processor; pulse until mixed well. Add flour, salt and pepper; mix until smooth. Put dough in a cookie press, and press out on an ungreased baking sheet, spaced 1½ inches apart. Bake at 325°F for 15 minutes. Do not let brown. Once cooled, cut into 2-inch strips.
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View more photos at invitationoxford.com.
OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL PARADE OF BEAUTIES Oxford High School held a beauty pageant Dec. 17 in the Kayla Mize Auditorium at Oxford Middle School. Ansley Howell was crowned 2017 OHS Most Beautiful. photographed by Joey Brent
Delia Childers and Leeland Graeber
Anna and Stephanie Barrett
Cofield Collins with Holly and Ann Michael Armstrong
Morgan Hicks and Madison Daniels
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
Issabella Moak and Jessica Mathias
Sammy Kim, Chasity Smith and Courtney Pruitt
Syrena Sisk, Haleigh Leach, Ansley Howell, Shelby Singletary and Merrill Lamar
Dee Ann Linton and Angel Smith
Molly Singletary and Caroline Newsom
Rachel Jackson and Lexie Gamble
View more photos at invitationoxford.com.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS UNIFIED TURKEY BOWL Premier Lanes Oxford hosted a bowling tournament on Nov. 19 to benefit the local chapter of the Special Olympics. Teams of four competed in three games for the gold medal. photographed by Joey Brent
Courtney Bossong and Brittney Cable
Alison Walker, Francis Liaw and Abby McDonald
Kristy Groves and Chelsea Moore
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
Donna, Jesse and Michael Roach
Mary Evelyn Webb, Ben Mangum and Brian Veverka
Darby Estes and Brian Rowe
Debera and Darrell Vanderford
Quinten Randall and Maurice Allen
Zack Roach and Linda Rosenthal
View more photos at invitationoxford.com.
DUCKS UNLIMITED BANQUET The Oxford/Lafayette Chapter of Ducks Unlimited held its annual fall dinner banquet Nov. 29 at the Jackson Avenue Center. The event included food, entertainment and an auction. photographed by Jessica Richardson
George Haymans, Brad Feltenstein and Cory Addy
Tyler, Tracy, Hunter and Chad Coleman
Wendell Weekly and Hunter Pridgen
Brianna Faust and McKenzie Robinson
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
John Cole Tramell, Brian Jennings and Peyton Connor
Natalie Camp, Kelly Swearingen, Chyna Quarles and Margaret Province
Shane Escue and Braxton Comer
Rustin Rasberry and Cassidy Stinson
Mark and Natalie Hodges
Jon Coleman and Matt Wallace
Ashton and Chris Groner
View more photos at invitationoxford.com.
OXFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL MOST BEAUTIFUL PAGEANT Oxford Middle School held a beauty pageant Dec. 16 in the Kayla Mize Auditorium. Gabby Dawkins was crowned 2017 OMS Most Beautiful. photographed by Joey Brent
Keri McMillin and Grace Munro
Pat Kincade and Katrina Harris
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
Mary Mae Case and Saylie Parker Miller
Sarah Jane Yerger and Ann Ratliff
Randal, Charlie, Shirley and Lacy Denney
Devinasia Price, LaToya Brown and S. Adams
Olivia May Gunderson, Reagan Davis, Gabby Dawkins, Jenna Roland and Lyla Huggins
Maddie Cook and Cassidy Rock
Parker Kennedy and Devin Chadwick
View more photos at invitationoxford.com.
HOLIDAY ORNAMENT AUCTION AND PARTY The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council held its annual Holiday Ornament Auction and Party Dec. 8 at the Powerhouse. The fundraiser included food, seasonal cocktails, a beer tasting and an art raffle. photographed by Joey Brent
Alex Kerwin and Jennifer Austin Main
Hailey Hodge and Sara Tolbert
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
Steve and Leah Wooten
Jane Henderson and Linda Schroeder
Taylor and Kara Kite
Bill and Lynn Sloan
Nancy Davis with Amanda and Lyric Heavner and J-Man
Betty Pearson and Jack Stubbs
Richard and Gail Gurner
Butch and Suzie Scott
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View more photos at invitationoxford.com.
THE CHANCELLOR’S CONCERT The UM Department of Music presented a holiday concert in honor of Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter Dec. 2 at the Ford Center. The event featured special guests Sam and Mary Donnelly Haskell.
photographed by Jessica Richardson
Teresa and Keith Paton
Alec Ashby, Greg Parker and Sarah Moncrief
Charlotte and Gary Gentry
Susan and Shiloh Brown
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
Karise and Teresa Parkman
Gergo Arany and Cara Tackett
Kenadi Campbell, Morgan Hobbs and Mweyeria Offord
Martha Hitch and Rene Pulliam
Laken Haley and Austin Harris
Cody Carmichael and Aubrey Langford
Anna Kate Lacy and Margaret Fields
Welcome Marc Hanson to Caron Gallery
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View more photos at invitationoxford.com.
DECK THE WALLS FOR DELLA DAVIDSON A holiday art fundraiser was held Dec. 2 at the Powerhouse to benefit Della Davidson Elementary. It included a silent auction, a raffle, a children’s craft table, refreshments and a photo booth. photographed by Joey Brent
Carolyn and Jacob Brown
Anna Cate Miller and Bailey Swearingen
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
Mary Moreton and Ashley Windham
Nancy Maxwell and Lona Waller
Carmen Mattox and Latonya Robinson
Katelyn and Stacy Malone
Roseanne Brownlee, Lauren Lauzon and Angie Wilfawn
Robert Gerrard and Jennifer Strode
Claire, Mandi and Ella Tosh
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View more photos at invitationoxford.com.
PHILADELPHIA BAPTIST CHURCH LUNCHEON Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church held a Thanksgiving luncheon on Nov. 23. Local volunteers provided meals for members of the community. photographed by Jessica Richardson
Klarie Hoes and Rossie Vaughn
Gloria Smith and Dakeira Ivy
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
James and Alex Vinson
Annie Stewart, Kaylah Harrington, Chanel Norphlet and Angela Holmes
Latonya Bradley and Keshna Smith
Randy Bell, Nick Bevill, Tanner Luttrell, Jason Watts and Joey Tackitt
Daniel Carolson and Pastor Alfred Hall
Tamekia Helm and Nickie Malone
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View more photos at invitationoxford.com.
ROXFORD UNIVERSITY WINTER SHOWCASE Roxford University held its Winter Showcase Dec. 15 at the Lyric. Students of the music program performed a variety of songs for friends and family. photographed by Joey Brent
Sally and Ellen Williams
Mimi and Mary Martha Crowe
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
Ricky and Micky Berry
Steve and Patricia Lewis with Rachel Namorato
Luke and John Lewis
Ada Grace and Robert Perry
Shy and Pauline Perry
Emily and Hugh Callicutt
Jason and Lindsay Leach
Kelin Case, Katelyn Bruce and Bryant Poole
Kylie Caver and Simone Bourgeois
Katherine and Jackie Jacob
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On the Hunt
Out in the field and inside the home, the bond between a sporting dog and its owner is a special one. written by Toni Overby
photographed by Joe Worthem
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O
n clear, crisp winter mornings, John Russell of Oxford can be found hiding in a cleared field, quietly awaiting a flock of ducks with one of his closest companions, his American Labrador Jed. When the season for game birds and waterfowl officially opens, hunters wake long before dawn to wait out the morning in duck blinds in the fields. When the time is right, they take aim, shoot their intended targets, retrieve the ducks and consider the day a success. Like Russell, some of these hunters are lucky enough to have help with the retrieving part of hunting, and that help comes in the form of a family pet. Russell bought his first hunting dog in college, a black American Labrador retriever named Kate. “I worked at Wildrose [Kennels], and I would take her to work with me,” he said, referring to Mike Stewart’s renowned Oxford kennel that breeds and trains dogs – specifically British labs – for hunting. Russell’s own labs were trained as puppies at a kennel in Tennessee, where he trusted the owner and knew that the dogs had been trained early, before he purchased them. Russell thinks purchasing dogs that have already been trained leads to more successful hunting dogs, but he also warns that they come with high price tags. “Hunting dogs will give a typical dog owner sticker shock,” Russell said. “You don’t purchase them primarily as companions. You’re going to spend a lot of money, so it’s important that you know what kind you want and where to find the best one.” Russell, originally from Tennessee, grew up hunting with his father and continued his hobby long after he graduated from the University of Mississippi, married his wife, Jennifer, and had two sons. “Jennifer knew hunting was a huge part of my life,” he said, explaining how important the sport is to him. “She knows that for a few months out of the year, my days will be spent at the camp, either John Russell and his black American Labrador retriever Jed (pictured) spend many early mornings during duck-hunting season on the family’s hunting camp just outside of Brazil, Mississippi, in the Delta.
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“Typically, our dogs smell the birds, stop and point. You don’t want them to go anywhere. The rest is up to the hunter: He shoots, and the dog goes to get it.” —Joshua Quong
Though a good sporting dog is well trained and highly disciplined, it’s not all work and no play. For many owners, their hunting dogs often become like another member of the family.
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
preparing or actually hunting.” For many families, going to the hunting camp is a beloved family tradition. Jennifer enjoys taking their sons, John Alden, age 8, and Sumner, age 3, as often as possible to their spot just outside Brazil, Mississippi, during hunting season. “The Delta reminds me of childhood. The sound of nature, and little cell phone service, is peaceful and relaxing,” she said. At the camp, the boys love to duck hunt with their dad and Jed, while Jennifer prefers to hang back and cook a hearty breakfast for them to devour when they return. During the off-season, they all like to ride four-wheelers, shoot skeet and attempt any outdoor adventure the boys plan. “One of our favorite traditions is spending New Year’s Eve at the camp. We always invite friends to enjoy delicious food and a great fireworks show,” she said.
Jed loves trips to the camp more than anyone. “He is a young dog with lots of energy, but he is well mannered and loves our attention,” Jennifer said. The Russells’ dogs aren’t just pets to them; they become like members of the family. After the family’s dog Kate died, they purchased Zee, who was born into a highly coveted line of American Labradors, another quality that’s important to hunters. She was well trained for retrieving ducks and was a loyal family companion, especially to John Alden. “I’m pretty sure Zee picked up the first duck John Alden killed at 5 years old,” Jennifer said. “When Kate and Zee died, it was truly like losing a family member.” Joshua Quong, owner of Little “q” Ranch, a quail preserve just outside the Oxford city limits, also understands and appreciates a great hunting dog. He breeds German shorthaired
February 2017 | INVITATION OXFORD
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pointers that he uses in guided hunts on the preserve. “Typically, our dogs smell the birds, stop and point,” he said. “You don’t want them to go anywhere. The rest is up to the hunter: He shoots, and the dog goes to get it.” Quong says hunters in and around Oxford have always had a plethora of choices when it comes to choosing good trainers, noting that one of his mentors, Tom Bates of Etta, played an important role in helping him get started training dogs. Bates started hunting with bird dogs around age 8. As an adult, along with his father and two brothers, he trained English pointers and setters for hunting. It wasn’t just a business for Bates, who is now retired. “I miss the sport and the love the dogs gave me,” Bates said. “I wish I could really express feelings for the love I had for so many that are now gone.” Michael Jacob, an attorney in Oxford who has owned hunting dogs for more than 18 years, believes owning a dog is as much for necessity as pleasure. Jacob and his wife, Blake, currently own Nash, a 6-year-old black Lab. “Where I duck hunt at Bobo Brake (in Coahoma County), you need a retriever because of the shallow depth of the water and the mud with no bottom,” he said. “Retrieving a dead or wounded duck by foot is impossible, and having a dog takes the hassle out of getting back in the boat each time you need to retrieve.” Like Russell, Jacob feels strongly about the relationship between dog and owner, noting that Nash is enamored by the attention he receives from Blake and the Jacobs’ two daughters, Meriwether, age 14, and Katherine, age 12. He has always searched for a dog with good instincts and a calm demeanor. “A good nose helps, too,” he said. Bates, the retired trainer from Etta, puts it simply: “Really great dogs make really great hunters.”
Joshua Quong (pictured) is the owner of Little “q” Ranch, a quail preserve located just outside Oxford’s city limits. There he breeds German shorthaired pointers and uses them on guided quail hunts through his land.
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1923 University Avenue I Oxford, Mississippi 38655 Main Office: 662.234.5621 http://www.oxfordms38655.com
Sue Elmore
Realtor of the Year 2012 suemelmore@gmail.com 662.801.0123
Paige Davis
Each office Individually Owned and Operated
Realtor of the Year 2016 paigedavis38655@gmail.com 662.801.6435
February 2017 | INVITATION OXFORD
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LET OUR EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU! (662) 234-3878 • WWW.CMREHOMES.COM
CARRIE FULLER (901) 487-1299 JEAN DAULTON (662) 816-0348
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WIL MATTHEWS (662) 832-1266 LARRY MCCAY (662) 816-1667
SARAH HAMILTON (662) 801-3640 MIDGE MCCAY (662) 607-1650
ERIC CARLTON (662) 832-1616
CARLYLE THOMAS (662) 934-3515
BETSY PATTON (662) 801-4502
CHERIE MATTHEWS (662) 816-0499
RHONDA RODGERS BECKY TAYLOR (662) 419-0948 (662) 544-2146
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a work of art
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From creating custom portraits and live event paintings to teaching art lessons, Hannah McCormick enjoys her career as a professional artist. written by Ginny McCarley photographed by Joe Worthem
hannah mccormick always knew she wanted to be a full-time artist, but it wasn’t until 2014 that she finally decided to take the plunge. McCormick, who came to the University of Mississippi in 2009 to finish her BFA after transferring from Savannah College of Art and Design, was ready for a change. At first she thought about looking for job opportunities in other cities but instead decided to become a full-time freelancer in the city she loves. “It was terrifying and stressful,” she said, but noted that the welcoming art community in town “made me kind of fall in love with Oxford all over again.” Hannah McCormick’s commissioned portraits, which she creates in her home art studio in Oxford, showcase her creative and whimsical style. February 2017 | INVITATION OXFORD
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McCormick’s work includes creating custom paintings of live events, and she has painted pieces from weddings, art openings and private parties. She captured this wedding second line (pictured above), a tradition popular in New Orleans where participants parade down the street, typically led by a brass band.
McCormick began her professional art career at age 15 with two commissioned portraits for a church in her hometown of Starkville. “I was always artistic, and I really always wanted to be a painter when I grew up,” she said. “I think it’s the only thing for me.” Much of McCormick’s work – both her commissioned pieces and work for galleries – still centers on faces and figures. “I’ve been doing a lot of portraits over the course of my career, and I think that naturally turned into me being fascinated with painting and drawing people, and with using people in my paintings,” she said. McCormick’s portraits vary dramatically in style, displaying her range as an artist. During the past year, she has painted traditional oil portraits, gold-leaf portraits and whimsical portraits with layers of bright color.
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“I think some of my portraits respect and convey a huge swath of information through details to point out. But sometimes they’re more essential, just the face and spirit of the subject. Both types of portraits are very challenging and satisfying,” she said, adding that she communicates closely with each client to make their vision come to life. Though many of McCormick’s works are focused on figures, she continues to work with a variety of mediums and styles to expand her artistic range. After seeing a show by her friend Andrew Galloway at Southside Gallery, McCormick began painting waterscapes on metal. The abstract paintings, most of which feature varieties of blue and green, were inspired by the time McCormick and her dog have spent at Sardis Lake. “I fell in love with blue,” she said. “I’ve
always loved Sardis. My dog and I have spent a lot of time there. It has a lot of personal feelings for me.” For this series, McCormick begins on either aluminum or steel sheet metal, first using acidic chemical compounds or fire to create a patina and then painting with oils. “The metal paintings begin way before I apply paint because they’re all built first, with a wooden structure either absolutely from scratch or with found structures like antique frames or canvas frames,” she said. “I feel more meditative about rendering them than the portraits, since they don’t have to be so accurate to be what they already are.” Last year, McCormick completed an aerial map of Oxford, which is printed on 100-pound cream paper, hand-numbered and signed. The print is at the very end of its first run, but a new
Batesville, Mississippi
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In 2016, McCormick created an aerial map of Oxford’s downtown Square. Each copy of the work was printed on 100-pound cream paper, hand-numbered and signed. Though this version is at the end of its run, she plans to release a second edition soon, which will include other areas of Oxford and prints available in color.
edition will be released at the beginning of the year, along with versions that include parts of town beyond the Square and prints in color. “Oxford is a really wonderful place, and the people who know this town have so much affection for it. All the tiniest features of the Square’s architecture are included, which was not easy but very satisfying,” she said. As a full-time painter, she works on a variety of projects at once, including live event paintings, commissioned work and teaching art lessons. She enjoys the individual attention she is able to give each student in her studio, as well as the range of ages she is able to instruct. Ten-year-old Caroline Wilson, who has been taking lessons from McCormick for more than five years, has learned to draw figures, paint and sculpt during her weekly art lessons. “Usually [Hannah] will give me a couple
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of options and pictures of what we could do,” Wilson said. “Sometimes it’ll be painting, sometimes it will be something we can draw, and sometimes it will be something we can build. I love it.” Wilson, who wants to continue honing her artistic skills, said the lessons have taught her how to draw “realistic people,” as well as make wire and clay sculptures, paint and sew. McCormick has painted a number of events, including a gallery reception and weddings. She also works on commissioned pieces, including portraits of children, grandchildren and even beloved pets. McCormick completed a commissioned painting of Walton Jones’ two daughters, based on a photograph taken in front of the family home. Jones and his wife chose McCormick after seeing the attention to detail in her
previous portrait work. “The finished product exceeded all expectations,” Jones said. “Not only did she honor the beauty of the original photograph and capture our daughters perfectly; she also made some excellent artistic improvements to the colors and composition. This is a painting that will be kept for many generations, and we couldn’t be more pleased.” Though she enjoys all aspects of her career, the best part of being a professional artist for McCormick is getting to paint every day. “I love when I’m by myself and I’m getting to do the one thing that I’m doing everything else for,” she said. McCormick’s work is currently featured at High Point, and she is gearing up for a show at the Powerhouse later this year. To see more of her work, visit hannahmccormick.com.
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uncommon COMPANIONS From miniature goats and potbellied pigs to furry rodents, family pets come in all shapes and sizes. written by Toni Overby photographed by Joe Worthem
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Whitney Rayner (pictured bottom right) and her husband, Kip Crawford, enjoy tending to their pet Pygmy goats on their farm outside Oxford. The couple plans to bring in a male goat to breed with Stoney (above at left) and Hops (above at right) and eventually make their milk and cheese available for local purchase.
hops and stoney
On a sprawling stretch of land down Highway 6 that once belonged to legendary Ole Miss football coach Johnny Vaught, Dr. Whitney Rayner and her husband, Kip Crawford, built their dream home, complete with a brand-new barn. Inside, keeping their dogs, cats and horses company, are two playful Pygmy goats, Hops and Stoney. Rayner, an avid animal lover who owns and works as a veterinarian at Crossroads Animal Hospital, was thrilled to get the dynamic duo as an anniversary/birthday present from Crawford in October. Hops is a 6-month-old female Pygmy, and Stoney, also a female, is 5 months old. Although the goats are unrelated to each other and came from different breeders, they are very social and stick together. Rayner and Crawford do not house any male animals on the farm to prevent unwanted breeding. “So Kip’s the underdog around here,”
said Rayner, laughing. They also own two dogs, two horses and 12 chickens, all female. That will change temporarily when the couple brings in a male goat to breed with Hops and Stoney. “I plan to breed the goats when they are over a year old,” Rayner said. “We want to wait until spring. You can breed them year-round, but warmer weather is easier on you and them. The gestation period is about 63 days, and you can milk soon after. Like humans, they will produce milk long after their babies are born. “We want to milk them and make the milk and cheese available for local purchase. That’s the only way Kip would agree to let us purchase them. We already have a lot of animals here just for pleasure. He wanted to make sure they would have a purpose, too,” she added. That’s not to say the couple isn’t enjoying the playful part of the Pygmies. Petite and
fluffy, the goats will only grow to about 20 inches, just below a person’s knee, and they can even be walked on a leash. “Mine have collars with little bells on them so I know where they are at all times,” Rayner said. Right now the goats weigh about 15 pounds but could grow up to 70 pounds. They eat all types of roughage, which unfortunately once included Rayner and Crawford’s pansies. “Most goats will eat anything, but these two are very selective,” she said. “They want goat chow and nice, pretty greens.” Though some owners house-train their goats, Rayner said it takes “total dedication” and prefers to keep the pair outside, where they can roam in the yard. For now, Hops and Stoney don’t go too far. They stick close to Rayner and Crawford’s home and barn, chewing the grass and allowing Miller, the couple’s dog, to fuss over them. February 2017 | INVITATION OXFORD
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little bit and rosalee
If Oxford had a zoo, it might be considered the Yancy family’s backyard. The owners have an extensive list of animals, including horses, donkeys, chickens, cats, dogs, an iguana, turtles and two pet rats, Little Bit and Rosalee. Jennifer Yancy, an antiques dealer and owner of Old Taylor Antiques, loves their animal mecca. “About four years ago, my son, Whitt, decided he wanted to take horseback riding lessons. That turned into wanting a horse, which I secretly encouraged. I had always wanted a horse myself. We built a barn and started filling it up,” she said. That one horse turned into three donkeys, a rescue mini horse and five cats. “My husband says there is a sign hung secretly somewhere on our property that says, ‘If you are cold, wet, hungry or just need a home, stop here,’ ” Yancy said, laughing. “Three years ago, my son, who we joke is like Dr. Doolittle with animals, decided he wanted a rat for a pet,” she continued. “We already had a hamster and two gerbils, but when they passed away, we bought him two rats, Laverne and Shirley.” But because rodents don’t have very long life-spans, Laverne and Shirley have since been replaced with Little Bit and Rosalee. According to Yancy, the rodents are a fun detour from the usual pet. “Rats make excellent pets,” she said. They are playful, affectionate and easy to share with those who cannot have pets at home. “They make great show-and-tell at school,” she said. But there is still time and maintenance involved. Yancy says it is important to keep in mind that animals, even the tiny ones, do not feed themselves and need proper attention. Whitt, who helps tend to them, feels the work is worth it. “I like having the rats because they are cuddly and fun,” he said. “They get in my shirt and run around, playing.” Caring for such a wide range of pets is hard work, but the Yancys wouldn’t have it any other way. “We just love having all these animals, and it’s been a great learning experience for all of us,” Yancy said.
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Jennifer Yancy (pictured above with iguana Blue and Arabian horse Colonel) and her family have a special bond with their many pets. Her son, Whitt, age 11, especially loves spending time with his pet rats, Little Bit and Rosalee, who are playful, affectionate and easier to tend to than the other animals.
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Abbie Jackson loves spending time with her miniature potbellied/Juliana pet pig, Winston. Though caring for Winston is similar to tending to a dog, he requires porcine-specific practices, such as weekly baths and hoof trimming, specialized veterinarian care and proper shading when in direct sunlight to prevent sunburn.
winston
Abbie Jackson always wanted a pet pig, and as soon as she finished school at the University of Mississippi, she got her wish. After researching what kind of care they required, she got 2½-year-old Winston, a miniature potbellied/Juliana mix. “Juliana pigs have spots and tend to not grow as large as regular pigs,” she said. “Some breeders breed certain pigs who tend to be on the smaller side, but there is no way to determine how large or small a pig will actually be.” Jackson purchased Winston from a farm in Indiana. She wanted to make sure she found a breeder who would be honest about the pig’s estimated growth. “It is very common for bad breeders to underfeed pigs in order to keep them small, so I wanted to make sure this was not the case,” she said. After many conversations and back-andforth emails, Jackson grew to trust Winston’s
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breeder and brought her piglet home in May of 2014. His daily habits mirror that of a dog. He eats twice a day, and Jackson buys special pig feed from his breeder that she mixes with typical scratch grains. “He also gets fruits and vegetables every day, and, if he is lucky, he gets my meal scraps,” she said. He gets a bath every few weeks, or more, Jackson says, “if he is stinky.” Although he was cleaned in a bathtub as a piglet, he now takes a shower outside with a water hose and special pig soap. Pigs must also get their hooves trimmed, which Jackson does every few weeks. “I calm him down with a long belly rub until he lays on his side. After that, he doesn’t mind at all,” she said. Like a typical pig, Winston loves to root around in the grass, and Jackson keeps lots of toys around, where he uses his rooting instinct to receive a prize, which of course, is food.
Jackson boasts that he knows a few tricks, too. “He can spin around in a circle on command and give kisses,” she said. During the colder months, Winston stays warm in his pig house, but in the summer, he lounges in his pool to stay cool. “Believe it or not, pigs can get sunburned,” Jackson said. She keeps a large tarp nearby to shade him. Learning these little tidbits has been Jackson’s biggest challenge. “That would be the only con in owning a pig. It is difficult finding accommodations and resources, since they are not a typical domestic pet,” Jackson said. She has found a place in town that she says has been very helpful with taking care of and boarding Winston, and Jackson has been pleased with her pig-owning experience overall. “Winston makes a great companion. He definitely keeps me on my toes and makes life interesting,” she said.
•pet quiz• Take our quiz to find out which unique pet is best for you.* How do you like to spend a free Saturday? A. Binge-watching Netflix B. Playing in a park C. Doing crossword puzzles D. Exploring the great outdoors
Which word best describes you? A. Chill B. Perky C. Intellectual D. Adventurous
Which animated movie do you like best? A. Charlotte’s Web B. The Hunchback of Notre Dame C. An American Tail D. Brave
How do you exercise? A. Leisurely stroll through the Square B. Jog along the trail at Lamar Park C. Hit the treadmill at the gym D. Run through an open field
Which statement is most true? A. I like to spend time at home. B. I like to be on the go. C. I travel a lot. D. I like routine.
Mostly As – pig; Bs – goat; Cs – rat; Ds – horse *This quiz is for entertainment purposes only and was not written by a professional veterinarian or psychologist.
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the next GENERATION
The iconic Thacker Mountain Radio Hour expands its celebration of music and literature to children through Thacker, Jr. written by Lena Anderson photographed by Joe Worthem
T
he Oxford Elementary School cafeteria is buzzing with excited students from Leap Frog and the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi. Onstage, young musicians from Roxford University are tuning their guitars and doing sound checks. Two third-graders from Della Davidson Elementary School practice reading their scripts as the day’s emcees. It’s almost showtime. Thacker, Jr. is about to begin. This energy is much the same on Thursday nights at Off Square Books, when Jr.’s forebear, Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, takes place. For almost 20 years, this hourlong program, featuring live music and book readings, has been an iconic part of Oxford’s art community. The idea for a mini Thacker Mountain Radio Hour came several years ago, when board president Rosie McDavid and then director-producer Kathryn York attended the local LOFT (Lafayette Oxford Foundation of Tomorrow) awards. McDavid, who served as director of Leap Frog (an after-school tutoring and enrichment service for local first- through third-graders) for five years, thought Thacker and Leap Frog would be a perfect partnership. “One of [Thacker’s] missions is to expand and reach a more diverse audience within our community,” McDavid said. “This would be a way to engage more parts of our community with Thacker and involve families with young children – kids who don’t necessarily get to Della Davidson Elementary School and Leap Frog student Amie Eugene (pictured at top) co-emceed the second edition of Thacker, Jr. Kids Hour on Dec. 1. February 2017 | INVITATION OXFORD
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go to the Square regularly. Joining with Leap Frog would be a great way for those kids to get exposure to the arts.” Last spring, York, who was teaching an integrated marketing class at the University of Mississippi, brought the idea to life. Her students’ project was to implement and execute the first-ever Thacker, Jr. She partnered with husband Joe, who is president of the Leap Frog board, and Teresa Adams, Leap Frog’s director, and on April 26, the premiere took place. More than 50 students gathered at Oxford University United Methodist Church’s gym for the event. “That first show was a huge success for our community, and my IMC students found it a useful and educational experience as well,” York said. “Based on the positive response all around, the Thacker board and I decided to pitch the class as a possibility again this fall, and [on Dec. 1] we saw another great group of UM students bring an even stronger second edition of Thacker, Jr. to the stage.” They extended the invitation to include not only students from Leap Frog but also members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi. Along with the performance by Roxford University (which included a special theme song written by Thacker’s house band musician Slade Lewis), the event featured local favorite father-daughter duo Shy and Howl-
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Performances by Roxford University and Shy and Howl-N-Madd Perry brought members of the audience to their feet, including Leap Frog mascot Levar Leapfrog. Other highlights included a talk from children’s book author Sarah Frances Hardy and sweet snacks provided by Newk’s. Each student also took home a children’s book donated by LOU Reads.
N-Madd Perry. The upbeat songs brought the students to their feet, as they danced along and chanted with Howl-N-Madd after his request: “Repeat after me. ‘I will never stop learning.’ ” Local children’s book author Sarah Frances Hardy talked to the students about her writing process, using large cardboard cutouts of her illustrated characters to explain character, conflict and resolution development. She asked the children to go home and write their own story. The show’s emcees, 8-year-old Leap Frog students Amie Eugene and Joshua Anthony “J.A.” Little kept things running smoothly. Little was excited for his time in the spotlight. “My favorite part about hosting is saying things in the microphone because it makes it
louder, and I’ve never done it before,” he said. He was a natural and kept the crowd laughing with little quips and well-timed one-liners. Thacker’s longtime host, Jim Dees, attended and couldn’t help but notice the similarities between him and his mini-me. “The resemblance is uncanny,” Dees said. After the show, the students enjoyed snacks provided by Newk’s, and each took home a book donated by LOU Reads. Adams received rave reviews from her students. “We at Leap Frog were so grateful to the staff and students who worked so hard to put on such a well-constructed and fun show for our kids,” Adams said. “We look forward to many more events with Thacker in the future
because anytime there is an excuse to dance, you can count the Leap Frog kids in.” With two successful shows under its belt, the future of Thacker, Jr. looks bright. The board will meet soon to discuss how to move forward, and McDavid is optimistic. “We want to figure out how we can continue to support and host Thacker, Jr.,” McDavid said. “Kathryn did such an amazing job making this idea come to life. We would love for it to continue; obviously it resonates with the children in our community. This is a way to take Thacker to the next generation.” To help support Thacker, Jr., go to thackermountain.com/donate, and include “Thacker, Jr.” in the notes section. February 2017 | INVITATION OXFORD
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From Startup
TO SUCCESS
Years after first being featured in Invitation Oxford, these small businesses are adding plenty of local flavor to north Mississippi, from cold beer to cold milk. written by Caitlin Adams
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Sweet Magnolia Gelato Co.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY HUGH BALTHROP
There is something churning in Clarksdale, and it’s bringing a taste of Italy to freezers all over the mid-South, thanks to Delta transplant Hugh Balthrop. It took a move south from Washington, D.C., for Balthrop to dabble in his culinary pursuits. What started as a way to involve his three children – Emeka, Mhina and Ayinde – in the kitchen, expanded to a bustling artisan business with the opening of Sweet Magnolia Gelato Co. “A lot of people are skeptical to find Italian gelato in the Mississippi Delta,” Balthrop said. “Until they taste it.” Taking a leap of faith, Balthrop set up shop in the Clarksdale/ Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce. Five years later, his investment has paid off. His cold confections have spread across the mid-South, from Oxford to Atlanta and plenty of places in between. Balthrop, a former art gallery owner, has long had a passion for creating. His latest venture allows him to do just that. His medium is now cream, milk, and a combination of candy, fruits and nuts. “I see this as my palette now,” he said. Brown Sugar and Bourbon, Blueberry Cheesecake and Mango Mascarpone are just a few of the creations Balthrop and his team have dreamed up in their commercial kitchen. “We love creating,” he said. “We always try to push ourselves.” One of Balthrop’s favorite things is collaborating with Mississippi chefs to create combination pairings for their dessert menus. Flavors such as Munchies (a mixture of peanut M&Ms, Rice Krispies and marshmallows) and Strawberry Black Pepper Balsamic show that there are few combinations he won’t try, “though no matter how crazy our combinations get, we will always love the classics,” he said. The secret to the brand’s rich taste, Balthrop says, is the locally sourced ingredients. From homemade caramels from Memphis’ Shotwell Candy Company to blueberries from Peggy’s Blueberry Farm in Senatobia, everything blended into pints of Sweet Magnolia is locally sourced. “We know where the milk comes from, where the cream comes from, where the pecans come from,” Balthrop said. “These are folks from our community. It’s a taste of home for Southerners.” Last year was a banner year for the small-batch business. Balthrop and team participated in the Memphis Food and Wine Festival, were recognized by the Mississippi Tourism Association for tourism investment and expanded their flavor portfolio to more than 300 options. Southern Living also dubbed Delta Gravel Road – Balthrop’s version of Rocky Road infused with Mississippi pecans – a winner of their 2016 Food Awards. But the cherry on top for Balthrop was a trip to the renowned James Beard house in New York City, where he and other area chefs participated in the Taste of the Delta dinner. It’s this momentum that Balthrop plans to continue in 2017. Due to popular demand, Balthrop is eyeing properties in Clarksdale to open a storefront, and he plans to convert a van he owns into a food truck so he can take his gelato to the streets. “We’re not putting any limits on ourselves,” he said. For more information, visit sweetmagnoliagelato.com.
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yalobusha brewing Co.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY YALOBUSHA BREWING CO. AND JOE WORTHEM
It took a trip across the Atlantic for Andy O’Bryan to realize his dream of locally brewed beer in the heart of north Mississippi. In early 2013, while O’Bryan was on his honeymoon in Ireland, he was enamored by the Emerald Isles’ beer culture. He returned home to Mississippi, frustrated by the lack of breweries in his region. “I always thought it was crazy that we didn’t have a local brewery here,” he said. “Finally, I had to look in the mirror and say, ‘Maybe you should do something instead of just complaining about it.’ ” Back on American soil, O’Bryan, an entrepreneur with more than a dozen startups under his belt, went to his friend Mac Nichols with his vision. The two men kicked around the idea, and by that May they purchased a 15,000-square-foot historic building – the former home of Hendricks Foundry and Machine Shop on Water Valley’s Main Street. “We didn’t take very long to jump in feet first,” O’Bryan said. With the support of their wives, Macon and Joli, the two tapped into the craft beer industry with the October 2013 opening of Yalobusha Brewing Co. Today, they distribute their beer throughout Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and, soon, Alabama. The brewery’s first year was a litmus test. After offering quaint tours and free samples of the product, O’Bryan realized the high demand for the niche craft brewery experience. They expanded their tasting room to a 100-person-capacity space with 10-12 beers on tap. The room’s brick walls and wood beams are now the backdrop for live music every Friday night and beer tastings and tours on Saturdays. O’Bryan said the tasting room experience is instrumental in allowing patrons to connect with a brand they might pass by in the beer cooler. “When you go out to a restaurant or to a retail store, you’re bombarded by choices,” he said. “But if you come here, you see where it’s made and who is making it. You make an instant connection.” Yalobusha’s brewers produce an average of 300 barrels a month. Four flagship beers – Mississippi Blues Trail Ale, Snopes Family Pilsner, Larry Brown Ale and Coffee Break Happy Hour – are supplemented with additional seasonal offerings. One of O’Bryan’s proudest accomplishments is that patrons can raise a glass to charity with the purchase of those flagship beers. A percentage of sales from each is donated to local nonprofits like Leap Frog and Move On Up Mississippi. “We like giving back to the community that helped us get our start,” he said. This spring will provide a new set of challenges as the Yalobusha team works with distributors and other Mississippi breweries to lobby the state legislature for direct sales. Mississippi is the only state that doesn’t have any form of direct sales at breweries, and if the measure is approved, patrons could buy a limited amount of Yalobusha brews to go, in the form of cases or a growler fill station. “It’s time to catch up with the rest of the country,” O’Bryan said. “We’re small enough that it really would move the needle for us.” To help move that needle, Yalobusha Brewing is setting out on a new culinary venture. O’Bryan is in the planning stages of building a restaurant inside the brewery, and if all goes according to plan, they will be dishing out Southern food alongside their craft beer early this year. For more information, visit yalobrew.com.
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brown family dairy
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM
Mornings in the Brown household start out normal. Rousing tired little ones and hurried breakfasts are par for the course as Paula Brown gets her three children – Sarah, Molly and Harris – fed and out the door to school. But outside, in a barn on the Browns’ property, the morning routine is anything but ordinary. It’s here that Billy Ray Brown works from dawn to dusk to bring fresh milk to kitchens across Mississippi. “We hit the ground running,” Paula said. “There’s not much downtime around here.” By the time Paula returns home, Billy Ray has milked around 30 cows. It is then her turn to bottle the milk for that day’s deliveries. By that evening, the glass bottles will be in grocery carts ready for consumption. Seven years after the business got its start, Brown Family Dairy churns out an average of 120 gallons a day. The family-run business has expanded its reach to refrigerators throughout the state, from the farmers market in Hernando to Larson’s Cash Saver in Oxford. With the closures of dairy farms in Mississippi, grocery store milk is now hauled in from as far away as Arizona and Texas. The wait time from farm to table, coupled with the low quality of mass-produced dairy, compelled Billy Ray to begin producing milk on his family’s farm. “Milk can be seven days old before getting on the grocery store shelf,” he said. For the Browns, the big-label offerings in grocery stores don’t compare to the thick, creamy concoction they bottle. Their milk comes from Jersey cattle, known for producing less but higher-quality milk. “The taste of it is so different and unique,” Billy Ray said. “What we are milking this morning will be on the grocery store shelf this afternoon.” The more the business has grown, the more it has stayed a family affair. Billy Ray’s brother, Shane, recently joined the team to help maintain their expanded delivery route across the state. Once evening rolls around, Billy Ray does the second milking of the day, Paula bottles another batch, and the kids are expected to chip in between schoolwork and soccer practice. “It’s what I call the witching hour,” Paula said. “We do spelling words in the barn if we have to.” For the Browns’ 10-year-old son, Harris, that means helping with the newest side of the business: hogs. Billy Ray said local restaurants buy his pork for the same reason stores have trouble keeping the glass bottles of milk on shelves: the freshness. “These pigs are raised the right way – out in the dirt,” he said. Not one to sit idle, Billy Ray said he plans to keep expanding the business. He is in talks with Kroger and “crunching numbers” to see if an expansion to their refrigerator shelves is manageable. “I think it will continue to grow, but we have to be realistic,” he said. It would likely mean expanding the family operation beyond their three-person team, and purchasing more cows and machinery to increase production. Billy Ray said he is maxed out right now, but his sights are set to grow so his children can take over one day. It’s this persistence that has expanded the business in seven short years, and this determination that will get him out of bed tomorrow morning when his alarm goes off before dawn. For more information, go to brownfamilydairy.com. February 2017 | INVITATION OXFORD
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View more photos at invitationoxford.com.
WILLIE PRICE LAB SCHOOL FUNDRAISER Willie Price Lab School hosted an event Jan. 12 at Bouré to raise money for a new school playground. The fundraiser included food, live music and a silent auction. photographed by Joey Brent
Jennifer, Kevin and Caroline Felker
Sandy and Kathy Haynes with Melanie and Tim Tackett
Amy Hardin and Jason Shirkey
Mary-Kathryn Herrington, Kecia Kirk and Katie Amidon
Rachel Horne and Paul Marascalco
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Brynnen and Adam Quick
Brooks, Alyce and David Krouse
Toni Capomazza with Jeff and Cathy Pate
Billy Crews and Jim Lowe
Joie Blount and Elizabeth Paine
Meghan Anderson and Ashley Crumby
Heather Allen and Scott Iverson
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View more photos at invitationoxford.com.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL SIPPIN’ TIL 7
OUS held the Sippin’ Til 7 fundraiser on the rooftop of the Oxford University Club on Nov. 17. Guests enjoyed the tasting event to benefit OUS students. photographed by Joey Brent
Rich Gentry and Mindy Kraft
Harper, Ashley and Stephen Ash
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Jared and Beth Scott
Sarah Grace and Austin Wallace
Cicely Cox and Sage Nichols
Connie Braseth and A.J. Houpt
Carolyn Davis, Samantha Weathersbee and Sam Davis
Harland and Meygan Jones
Bill and Elizabeth Ritter
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REBEL WELL’S EAT REAL WITH DWAYNE INGRAM Rebel Well hosted Eat Real on Nov. 15 at the L.O.U Barksdale Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi. The event featured a cooking demonstration by chef Dwayne Ingram. photographed by Joey Brent
Dwayne Ingram and Wendy Carmean
Jeffrey Butler and Sarah Beth Childers
Tara Moran and Ben Pinon
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Saniyah Wright and Keshna Smith
Morgan Littich and Whitney Black
Josiah, Nakesha and Jerimiah Lamar
Kendrick and Kendaisha Boles with Janice Wortham, Morgan Alfred, Mykala Boles and Bathsheba Jones
INVITATION OXFORD | February 2017
Amanda Baker and Lucy Falls
Klaresa Robinson and Livanndrick McCray
Melissa and Sha-Niyah Henry
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THACKER MOUNTAIN RADIO HOLIDAY PARTY Thacker Mountain Radio held its annual membership party Dec. 2 at Southside Gallery. The event included cocktails, food, live music by house band the Yalobushwhackers and a silent auction. photographed by Jessica Richardson
Anne Marie Hanna and Macy Frances Yeilding
Grace and Dennis Feller
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Micah Quinn and Becky Hipp
Sue Gobert and Virginia Smith
Susan Watson and Sarah Frances Hardy
Nikki Neely Davis and Lee Waddle
Jay Watson and Doug Vance
Cheryl and Bill Resetarits
Joli Nichols and Gay Graeber
Lisa Howorth, Kerry Hamilton and Elizabeth Dollarhide
Julia Burnett, Roberts Wilson and Jody Burnett
Tammy Oliver-Cook and Mary Lou Williams
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I AM BEAUTIFUL EMPOWERMENT EVENT Blessed Hands Salon presented an event Dec. 10 at the Oxford/Lafayette County Library to promote empowerment among women in the community. photographed by Joey Brent
Karri Brown and Margaret Gipson
Lakyrea Janae Owens and Shalonda Thompson
Alice Walker and Martha Thompson
Gloria Harris and Priscilla Hope-Jones
Jo Von Reed with Joyce and Rowan Haskins, Martha Thompson, Loree Allen and Kylie Thompson
Tricia Gipson and Alice Malone
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Destiny and Kirstyn Woodall
Tamia King, Zimyia Owens and Leterrica Walker
Tramya Marion and Brittney Malone
Tamekia Helm and Nickie Malone
Katelyn Smith and Kenady Helm
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KENTUCKY VS. OLE MISS BASKETBALL GAME The Ole Miss men’s basketball team played the University of Kentucky Dec. 29 at the Pavilion. The Rebels lost to the Wildcats 99-76 in this season’s SEC home opener. photographed by Jessica Richardson
Patrick and Brooks Fuller
Marcus Cooperwood, Kaylan Gilliam and Austin Ivy
Nancy and Vic Aaron
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Jordan and Carlton Tippet
Lynn and Danielle Jones
Jake, Millie, Tracy, Hayes and Josh McKay
Kristy Hammett and Kelly Beringer
Pam and Jon Turner
Charlene and Mason Baker
Max Holman, Kirk Thornton and Catherine Holman
Billy, Will and Matt Denny
Keilly and Kara Beth Purdom with Rachael Roberts
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LEISURE LIFESTYLES POTLUCK LUNCHEON Leisure Lifestyles held a community potluck luncheon Dec. 16 at the Oxford Activities Center. Members of the recreational program celebrated the holidays by bringing a dish to share with guests. photographed by Joey Brent
Veda Trost and Linda Schmidt
Emma Ward and Feristene Webb
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Marlee Carpenter and Lori Hannah
Sam Pryor and George Trost
Margaret Arnold and Rita Carli
Kenneth and Betty Coker
Darlene Easson and Margaret Shon
Kate and Earl Palan
829 Butler Drive
4 Bed/2 Bath
• Upgrades throughout • Family neighborhood • Fenced-in backyard
$269,000
• Master suite and 2 other bedrooms on main level • Vaulted ceilings
Call me today to see this beautiful home! Christopher Suber CLSuber@gmail.com
(662) 419-0231 1923 University Ave •Oxford, MS 38655•662.234.5621 Each office independently owned and operated.
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EDF/CHAMBER CHRISTMAS PARTY The Economic Development Foundation and Oxford/Lafayette Chamber of Commerce held its Christmas party Dec. 6 at the Oxford University Club. The event included food, prizes and live music. photographed by Joey Brent
Erin Bricsoe, Mariamne Young and Cindy Johnson
Brian Vonderheide, Michael Joe Cannon and Andrew Wood
Kay and Alvis Lewis
Katheryn Coleman and Pamela Roberson
Gena Jones, Olivia Bradley and Maxwell Thompson
Pepper Garvin and Holly Kelly
Susan Mayman and Karen Kurr
Dawn and Marc Boutwell
Oxford Consignment 2017 All Seasons Clothing Sale for Ladies & Gentlemen
Friday, February 10th-1pm-6pm Saturday, February 11th -9am-4pm Sunday, February 12th 12pm-4pm Selected Items ½ off on Sunday
Shriners Club • 618 McLarty Road (off University Avenue near Walgreens and New McDonalds)
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OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED ON PAGE 94
CANNON MOTORS FIRST RESPONDERS LUNCHEON
Rowland Carothers, Courtney Dixon and Jody Mayfield
Chris Jenkins and Corey Williams
DELLA DAVIDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATH FAIR
Ivan Archer and Juanita Ivy
Janine Gray and Bonita Garner
STANDING ROCK ACTION DELEGATION PROGRAM
Jim and Kylie Snider with Theresa Beaver
Jeff, Ivy and Brown Dennis
Anna Booth and Patrick Weems
YAC ARTIST RECEPTION
Peppar Garvin with Laila and Tiffeny Owens
Katherine and Jack Adams
ST. JOHN’S CHURCH MILK N’ COOKIES WITH SANTA
Bobi and Lane Coleman
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Christopher, Heather and Grayson Knapp
Evan Parks, Linda Peters and Donna Atwood
EDF FIRST-TO-KNOW BREAKFAST
Rob Boyd, Sha Simpson and B.J. Davis
Joey East and Gant Boone
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OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 92
LEE FAMILY DENTISTRY FREE DENTAL DAY
Hugh Sherrill, Mary Thorne and Stacie Bramlett
Ambriel Kinney and Curtis O’Neal
OXFORD GARDEN CLUB AT THE BLAKE
Dotsy Fitts, Nicole Boyd and Christeen Shivers
Angel Garcia and Janet Clark
BAPTIST MEDICAL STAFF CHRISTMAS DONATION
Marijean Howell, Debby Tomes and Carol Carpenter
Quentin Brewer, Larry Brookhart and Dr. Lawrence Deese
OXFORD CHRISTMAS PARADE
Carson Tatum, Mett and Anna Gates Garner, Carlisle Tatum, Todd Garner, Carolyn Bond, Rebecca Garner and Andy O’Bryan
Caroline Binion and Taylor Carson
OXFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Aiyana and Laqueta Whitehead
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Gerald and Sara Peugh
Kay and Hillary Preuitt
NANCY DABNEY interviewed by Meaghin Burke photographed by Joe Worthem
Nancy Dabney boards and helps care for six horses from the City of Oxford’s mounted patrol unit. Q: What are the horses like? A: They each have their own personality, and the more you’re around them, the more you notice their little idiosyncrasies. All the horses are pretty good for the work they do. They’re calm, although horses in general can be flighty because they’re quintessential prey animals. Q: How long have you had the barn? A: I’ve had the barn since 1992. It’s about 75100 years old. When the world gets hectic, the barn is a peaceful place to work. Leave your ego at the door though because horses know – they are honest animals. Q: How often do you check on them? A: Twice a day, every day. It’s hot; we don’t want to be out here. It’s freezing cold; we don’t want to be out here. But guess what? We’ve got to be out here. They need reliability because horses are actually very sensitive. Q: How did you get involved with the mounted patrol? A: [Alderwoman] Janice Antonow is my neighbor and asked if I’d consider it. The horses were on a farm near Batesville, and it was unrealistic for the officers to take the trailer way over there. I already had a horse and a donkey, Zeke, here, so I said, “Yeah, sure.” Zeke is the greatest guard – and the smartest of them all. Q: Have you enjoyed the experience? A: It’s been a learning curve for everybody, but overall it’s been a really positive thing. It gave me perspective on what goes on down at the Square and what the police department has to deal with. One of the best things about the mounted unit is they are excellent PR because people want to come up and see the horses. The horses are kind of a liaison, and it gives the public a different opinion about law enforcement.
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