Invitation Oxford - May 2018 by Invitation Magazines

MAY 2018

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MAY 2018

ON THE COVER Wallpaper and warm brick welcome guests in the foyer of the Tanner home in Grand Oaks. Read more on page 34. photographed by Joe Worthem

FEATURES 26 Flowering Vines

44 Hidden Gem

Old-fashioned flowering vines add beauty, fragrance and color to outdoor spaces.

Lush landscapes and caring neighbors provide an oasis of serenity for these homes near the heart of Oxford.

28 The Beauty of Bonsai

56 Juleps and Jockeys

IN EVERY ISSUE

The grandeur of these small but mighty dwarf trees captivates local lovers of this ancient art.

Letter From the Publisher

34 Pretty Papers

60 All in the Details

Calendar

Shoutouts

Wallpaper is making a comeback, adding dimension and punch to interior spaces.

The Brown-David family works together yearround on an intricately designed dollhouse.

InstaLove

38 Cultivating Wonder

64 “Bed and Beer”

In Season

100

Out and About

A Yocona mother and herbalist introduces the enchanting world of flower dolls.

The Shack Up Inn offers guests authentic music, cold beer and rustic Southern charm.

104

I Am Oxford

8 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

United Way brings Derby Day to Oxford.

EVENTS 70

Buie West Gallery Reopening

Reads, Beats & Eats

UM Big Event

Grove Bowl

Poetry and Prose

2018 MBA Golf Classic

Dog Easter Egg Hunt

Fan Pro Day

Oxford Pub Crawl

Square Alliance Open House

Authors Party

Miss-i-sippin’ Beer Festival

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

THE PUBLISHER

t’s been a tradition for generations in our family to visit Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, during horse racing season. Over spring break we continued the tradition, taking my daughter to the track. There’s nothing quite like the beauty and excitement of seeing the horses run. So, last spring, when I learned that United Way would be hosting a fundraiser centered around the Kentucky Derby, I was all in. I had my dress picked out weeks in advance, and a coworker lent me the perfect fascinator. To say I was excited would have been an understatement. When the day arrived, it was just as special as I had hoped and was a wonderful way to help the organizations our local United Way supports. Be sure to read all about it on page 56. I’m sharing this photo of that fun-filled day at Oak Hill Stables to encourage others to attend this year’s Juleps and Jockeys event. Derby Day is only one of many delightful things about this time of year. Some years ago, on a perfect spring afternoon, I decided to take a drive around town and stumbled upon a springtime treasure. I turned up a winding street near Jackson Avenue, and suddenly there were hundreds of dogwood trees in full and glorious bloom. It seemed as if spring was

12 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Clockwise from top: The Smith home on Leighton Road, framed by dogwoods in full bloom; the Brown-Davids’ dollhouse; Juleps and Jockeys fundraiser for United Way at Oak Hill Stables.

actually alive. I stopped my car, rolled down my windows and just let myself be carried away by the beauty. That memory has stayed with me for years. I go back to that street every spring. Over the years I’ve watched some of the trees grow and die, and have seen several homes undergo transformations. But no matter what, the dogwoods on Leighton Road remain beautiful and bright. Be sure to read about this breathtaking landscape and a few of the amazing homes we discovered there on page 44.

Little things mean a lot. On page 28 you can read about the beauty of bonsai, and on page 60 you can tour one more home that’s equally charming, if on a smaller scale: Adrienne Brown-David’s perfectly outfitted Victorian dollhouse. Thanks for picking up this issue.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

INVITATION Oxford publishers

Phil and Rachel West

editorial

EDITOR IN CHIEF Allison Estes CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Emily Welly EVENTS EDITOR Mary Moreton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Erin Austen Abbott Caitlin Adams Sunny and Eli Baker Ginny McCarley Michael Newsom Keith Gore Wiseman SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Olivia Barrow EDITORIAL INTERN Abby Adcock

art

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hallie Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Carina Marino Alise McCreary Jessica Richardson Megan Wolfe

production

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Emily Suber

office

BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard

COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson

DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney Brian Hilliard

advertising

MAIN OFFICE 662-234-4008

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Stacey Raper Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham

ADVERTISING INFORMATION ads@invitationoxford.com

ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Zach Fields Becca Pepper 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 inclusive and representative of all members of our community.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

calendar MAY 2018

5/1

Concert: Brent Cobb & Them with Savannah Conley Singer/songwriter and Georgia native Brent Cobb performs at Proud Larry’s. Tickets $12-$15 (age 18 and older) Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. proudlarrys.com

5/4-6

Ole Miss Softball vs. Georgia; Friday 6 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. Ole Miss Softball Complex

5/2

Cinco de Mayo Cookie Class

5/13

Learn how to make Cinco de Mayo-themed cookies from Sarah Hutto of Oxford’s Cookie Canvas. Adults and kids welcome. $35 for YAC members, $40 for nonmembers 6-8 p.m., the Powerhouse oxfordarts.com

Mother’s Day

5/17

OLCC Red Carpet Gala

5/5

Juleps and Jockeys The second annual Kentucky Derby party features Southern fare and festivities, including mint juleps, a silent auction and a hat contest. Proceeds benefit United Way partners. Tickets $50 per person 3-7 p.m., Oak Hill Stables unitedwayoxfordms.org

5/7

Oxford Civic Chorus OCC’s spring concert is “Journey Through Song: A Passport to Music From Around the World.” Tickets $10 adults, $5 students May 7, 7 p.m., David H. Nutt Auditorium

5/10-12

Ole Miss Baseball

5/3-5

vs. Auburn; Thursday 6 p.m., Friday 6:30 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m. Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field

Presented by the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies and OutOxford, the weekend Pride celebration features a concert, a film screening, comedy shows and a parade. sarahisomcenter.org

5/11-12

Oxford Pride

16 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

University of Mississippi Commencement commencement.olemiss.edu

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce presents its fourth annual black-tie gala, featuring live entertainment, a raffle and local chefs in the Chamber Chef Shuffle. Tickets $75 each or two for $125 7-11 p.m., Castle Hill Resort olccredcarpetgala.com

5/18-20

Oxford Bourbon Festival & Auction Bourbon-themed dinners prepared by some of the country’s finest chefs, bourbon tastings, an auction of antique bourbons and opportunities to buy custom-bottled barrels and distillery trips. Proceeds benefit Move on Up Mississippi, which funds initiatives for health, well-being and physical activity for kids. Tickets $35-$500 moveonupms.org/bourbon-fest

5/19

Oxford Community Cleanup Challenge Leadership Lafayette hosts a day of roadside cleanup to empower youth and beautify Oxford, with cash rewards for the most trash collected and a hotdog lunch. Youth, civic and church groups are encouraged to register. 8 a.m.-noon, Bailey Branch Park Email mrobinson@oxfordms.net or sign up on the OCCC Facebook page.

5/20

7th Annual Tunes & Tails Hosted by the Oxford-Ole Miss Rotary Club, the family-friendly event will feature crawfish, pizza, adult beverages and live music from Tate Moore and the Cosmic Door. Proceeds benefit Holding Hands Resale Shop, which provides employment and a safe work environment for people with special needs. Tickets $22 online, $25 at the door; free for kids age 12 and under 2-6 p.m., Old Armory Pavilion oxfordarts.com

5/25-27

Rendezvous Bonsai Convention Food and hospitality, plus workshops and demonstrations of bonsai techniques from top bonsai artists and Japanese Garden specialists. Brussel’s Bonsai, Olive Branch Visit brusselsbonsai.com/calendar-of-events or call 800-582-2593 to register.

5/29

Full Flower Moon According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, in some Native American tribes the moon in May was known as the Flower Moon or the Mother’s Moon. almanac.com/astronomy/moon/full May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

shoutouts MAY 2018

Oxford and Ole Miss Landscaping Camp The University of Mississippi has garnered all kinds of accolades for being one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses, due in large part to the expertise of Director of Landscape Services Jeff McManus. McManus has a bachelor’s degree in landscape and ornamental horticulture from Auburn University and is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist and the author of two books. At the three-day camp (May 25-27), attendees will have a chance to learn from McManus and other industry experts, including The Garden Mama, radio host Nellie Neal; Melissa Booth Hall, managing director of the Southern Foodways Alliance; and botanist and author Ed Croom. The experience also includes a dinner; a book signing; and double-decker bus tours of the UM campus, Rowan Oak and other landscaped grounds in Oxford. Register at the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, 662-234-4651.

Old-Time Piano Playing Contest and Festival Back in 1975, the first World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest took place on the rear platform of an old caboose at the railway museum in Monticello, Illinois. Tornado weather forced the contest into a baggage car with a backup piano. That first contest had four contestants and about 40 spectators, but by year three the audience had grown to about 600. Now in its 44th year, the contest awards more than $50,000 in prize money to adult and junior piano players from the U.S. and other countries. Ragtime, traditional jazz, blues, honky-tonk, boogiewoogie and novelty songs, as well as duets and new rags composed by contestants are also part of the competition. The family-friendly event is May 24-27. Single and all-event tickets are available. To order tickets, view a schedule or sign up to volunteer, call 662-915-1282 or visit oldtimepianocontest.com.

18 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Yolett McPheeMcCuin Following a monthlong search, Ole Miss welcomes Yolett McPhee-McCuin as head basketball coach for the Lady Rebels. McPheeMcCuin comes to Oxford from Jacksonville Univer sity, where she led the women’s program to two NIT appearances and an NCAA tournament in the past three seasons. McPheeMcCuin is the first black female head coach in the history of the Ole Miss women’s program. She has also served as an assistant at both Clemson and Pittsburgh and is head coach for the national team of her native country, The Bahamas. With her background as a collegiate point guard, excellent record at Jacksonville University, and leadership and teaching abilities, Ole Miss expects great things from Coach “Yo” and is honored to have her join the Rebel family.

OXFORD TREEHOUSE GAL written by Abby Adcock

For Walter and Vivian Neill, Oxford Treehouse Gallery is also home. The couple live and work on the property, and the gallery’s Instagram feed is a little peek into the menagerie of culture, art and critters they have tucked away on their 58 acres. Besides the house and the gallery, there’s also a working blacksmith shop, a bed-andbreakfast apartment for rent and a “chicken palace.” The Instagram feed features more than 20 regional artists in all kinds of media, from ceramics to painting, wood and metal works, photography, weaving and jewelry. The Neills use it as a window for the public to have a look into the beauty and creative, unconventional atmosphere of this “Mississippi art haven.” The feed also advertises the gallery’s new online store, with unique gift items like cigarbox guitars, Oxford block-print tea towels and Walter Neill wood-handled bottle openers. Regular gallery hours are Thursday– Saturday, noon-6 p.m, but the Neills are happy to open anytime upon request (662-236-1667).

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

@oxfordtreehousegal

20 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

HERBS + ICE CREAM written by Sunny and Eli Baker

veryone has their own favorite flavor of ice cream, but you may not have tried ice cream made with fresh herbs. Common garden herbs like rosemary, basil, mint, thyme and sage offer exciting and delicious flavors to enhance this summer treat. According to Bekah Chapman, owner of Sweet Gypsy Creamery in Oxford, when it comes to herb flavor combinations, “the sky is the limit.” Using fresh, seasonal herbs ensures your ice cream will have a bright flavor and fragrance. Strawberry and basil is a classic combination, as is orange and rosemary, or vanilla and mint. “If the farmers grow it, I plan on trying it out,” Chapman said. To make herb ice cream, Chapman recommends a slow steep in cold cream since herbs can be delicate. Muddle a handful of your favorite herb, add to cold heavy cream, and let steep for 12 hours. “Once the cream has had a chance to soak up all that herbal goodness, just strain and incorporate into your chosen ice-cream base,” Chapman said. Whether you grow the herbs yourself or select from a wide variety at the local farmers market, herb ice cream is a luxurious way to celebrate locally grown food this summer. Look for the Sweet Gypsy Creamery ice cream truck all season at the Oxford Community Farmers Market and Tuesday afternoons at the Old Armory Pavilion.

22 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Strawberry and Basil Ice Cream

recipe adapted from realsimple.com by Bekah Chapman

1 pound strawberries (try Native Son Farm for local berries) ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped 2 cups heavy cream 1 cup whole milk (try Brown Family Dairy) 2/3 cup sugar Clean and stem strawberries, then slice into small pieces. In a food processor, puree

half the berries, and set aside. Muddle the basil, then add to the cold cream. Let steep for 12 hours. Strain to remove basil leaves. In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, milk and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, pour into a large bowl, and stir in the strawberry puree. Refrigerate until cool. Pour the cooled mixture into an ice-cream maker. After processing, stir in the sliced strawberries. Place ice cream in a freezable container, and freeze for 2 hours or until frozen.

Chapman’s Farmers Market Strawberry-Mint Syrup recipe by Bekah Chapman

2 cups chopped strawberries (about 1 pint) ½ cup local honey ¼ cup fresh mint leaves 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, honey and mint. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; cook 1 minute or until honey dissolves. Place the strawberry mixture in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve; discard solids. Stir in lemon juice.

Lemon-Thyme Granita recipe by Kimme Hargrove

2 cups sugar 2 cups water 1½ tablespoons lemon zest 11/3 cups fresh lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons) 4 sprigs fresh thyme Extra thyme and lemon zest for garnish In a small saucepan, heat sugar and water just until boiling. Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes or until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat, and add lemon zest, lemon juice and thyme sprigs. Cool to room temperature, remove thyme sprigs, and transfer mixture to a freezable container. Freeze 1 hour. Stir with a fork, breaking up any crystals. Return to freezer. Repeat process every 30 minutes until consistency is smooth and frozen. Garnish with thyme and lemon zest. To experiment with different flavors, try swapping out the thyme for rosemary, mint or even oregano. Or play around with different juices such as lime or tangerine. May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

24 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

OXFORDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DREAM HOME BUILDERS

Planting Guide written by Allison Estes

Flowering Vines Old-fashioned flowering vines add beauty, fragrance and color to outdoor spaces both day and night. These six can be safely planted in Mississippiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s zone seven.

Honeysuckle

Wisteria

Moonflower

Its sweet fragrance is a hallmark of summer in the South. But the familiar yellow-and-white variety is an invasive species. Native coral honeysuckle, with its pretty trumpet-shaped, coral-red blooms, attracts ruby-throated hummingbirds, butterflies, cardinals and purple finches. It needs a little pruning in winter but is otherwise well behaved. Plant in early spring, in an area with half shade, half sun.

What could be prettier, or more Southern, than these clusters of cascading purple blooms? Plant wisteria in a sunny spot where it can climb over a sturdy structure, like a wall or an arbor, but away from your house. Prune in late winter to control growth and encourage flowerÂ ing. Go for American or Kentucky wisteria, which are native to North America, and avoid invasive Asian varieties.

Moonflower is an annual in north Mississippi. Saucer-sized flowers open in the evening and bloom all night, attracting the sphinx moth and other nighttime pollinators. Plant seeds when temperatures are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, in a spot where the vine can climb a post or porch railing. It blooms most in spring and fall, when days are 12 hours long. (Note: The plant is toxic to humans and animals if ingested.)

Morning Glory

Cypress Vine

Climbing Rose

This cousin of the moonflower blooms in the daytime. It grows quickly and easily from seed after the last frost but needs full sun, plenty of water and well-drained soil to thrive. Plant in hanging baskets and allow it to cascade, or near a fence or trellis where it can climb. Morning glory is native to Central America and was revered by the Aztecs for its spiritual and medicinal properties.

With its tiny, bright, star-shaped blossoms and airy fronds, cypress vine is a pretty climber. Try planting at the base of a lamppost or mailbox post, and wrap the young vines around it to encourage it to climb up rather than spread out. An annual in north Mississippi, it will self-seed, so plant where you can control the growth. Also called hummingbird vine, it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

For scent and beauty, roses are hard to beat. Climbing roses can add old-fashioned glamour when grown on arches, arbors or trellises. Though some are tricky to grow, plenty of varieties do well in planting zone seven. Check with the Mississippi State University Extension for suggestions on roses that are diseaseresistant, drought-tolerant, prolific bloomers and even thornless: extension.msstate.edu.

26 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Modern Design Meets Nature

Situated 15 minutes from Oxford, lakeside dwellings blend seamlessly into nearly 650 acres of rolling pine forests, lakes, wetlands and trails. Hike, boat, fish, or just kick back and relax.

Location 484 County Road 343, Taylor, MS 38673

Request a tour +1 662.260.3029 info@splintercreekms.com splintercreekms.com

The Beauty ä Bonsai Small and mighty, the grandeur of dwarf trees captivates local lovers of this ancient art. written by Keith Gore Wiseman photographed by Joe Worthem

“It’s a very interesting hobby, a combination of nature and art.” — brussel martin 28 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

“If I’m not actually doing bonsai, I’m thinking about it.” — bishop lewis

ronounced like “bone sigh” in English, the Japanese word “bonsai” translates very roughly to “potted plant.” But of course there’s a lot more to it than that. The art of bonsai originated in China in the eighth century and soon spread to Japan, but it would be another 800 years before English and Spanish travelers brought the art to the Western world. Americans were first introduced to bonsai at the Philadelphia and Chicago Expositions in the 1800s. The “Karate Kid” movies in the 1980s spurred an explosion of interest among a new generation. The beauty of bonsai is this: Each bonsai mimics in miniature the growth of a mature tree in natural surroundings, such as a lone tree dominating a hillock, a small grove, a tree clinging to the side of cliff, or one whipped by beach winds throughout its life. Just as

these dramatic landscapes inspire awe, when miniaturized and even brought indoors the tiny trees convey a powerful impression of majesty despite their diminutive size. Oxford has a small but dedicated group of bonsai enthusiasts. Friends with different levels of expertise, the four meet informally to share their knowledge or offer an artistic eye to better their work. Although they have not started a club, they are open to the idea. A few years ago Nicole Lewis, a biology instructor at the University of Mississippi, gave her husband, Bishop, a small bonsai tree from Walmart. The little tree set him on his way to a lifetime of bonsai love. Bishop works for the University Police Department and is a Wing Chun Kung Fu instructor. He would like to make bonsai his second career after he retires.

“One of the big reasons bonsai appeals to me is the connection between martial arts and bonsai gardening,” Bishop said. “Both teach balance, patience, good technique and practice. Both enhance an individual’s life and the community. “I approach bonsai with the same mentality I learned from studying martial arts. I absorb everything I can from books and videos, and I practice it constantly and consistently. If I’m not actually doing bonsai, I’m thinking about it.” The Lewises have started a small bonsai garden in their backyard. Plans include about 900 square feet of graveled area, new mulched flower beds and a bamboo backdrop to display the trees near their house, with stones and pavers to guide visitors around the garden. Mark Chevalier, also a martial arts instructor, finds bonsai to be a relaxing hobby. He May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

“The journey is half the fun.” — mark chevalier

describes himself as one of the least experienced in the group, and he looks to Bishop for inspiration and help. “Bishop can take a scrub tree from Home Depot and make it into a bonsai in a blink,” Chevalier said. “He has an eye for it.” Chevalier had little luck with his first bonsai but has learned to care for them and now has a place in the country to start his own. Last year he took a sawtooth oak from a bad location, shaped it with Bishop’s guidance, and planted it in the ground. In a year or two, if the shape is successful, the tree can then be placed in shallow pot to create a new bonsai. “It’s an art creating a 360-degree sculpture, and the shape and species of tree determines the ultimate form and type,” Chevalier said. “The journey is half the fun.” Oxford chiropractor Hal Posey draws parallels between bonsai and his profession,

30 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

noting that each provides the satisfaction that caring for other living beings brings. “Both of my parents had green thumbs, and my dad tinkered with bonsai trees. I was bound to get into bonsai myself eventually,” Posey said. “For me, bonsai is continuing my daily effort of caring for [others]. Though the trees complain in a different way, it’s still great to watch them change, grow and thrive. It is also therapy from a long day.” The Oxford bonsai group may be small, but each year in May, Brussel’s Bonsai in Olive Branch hosts Rendezvous, North America’s premier bonsai convention. Brussel’s Bonsai is the largest grower of classic and specimen bonsai trees in the U.S. Visitors from around the world flock to the 22-acre facility for the convention, where world-class bonsai artists offer hands-on displays of skill in designing bonsai and Japanese gardens.

“I’ve been into bonsai for four or five years and now go to Rendezvous every year, usually with Bishop,” Posey said. “When you take a class, you receive a tree with some age on it, as well as training in how to care for it. Taking a class each year is a great way to build a collection.” Rendezvous is not just for experts. It’s also for enthusiasts and those who are just curious, who enjoy roaming the greenhouses, display gardens, library and sales floor. Food is part of the festivities, with local fare like barbecue, plus vegetarian and gluten-free choices. The Rendezvous 2018 Bonsai Convention takes place May 25-27. Brussel’s Bonsai owner Brussel Martin was in elementary school back in the 1970s when his father brought home several small bonsai trees from a business trip to California. This small event was life-defining for Martin,

“When you take a class, you receive a tree with some age on it, as well as training in how to care for it. Taking a class each year is a great way to build a collection.” — Hal Posey

Tu e s - T h u r s 4 p - 1 0 p I Fr i d a y & S a t u rd a y 1 1 a - 1 0 p I S u n d a y 1 1 a - 3 p

2 0 8 S L a m a r B l v d O x f o rd , M S 3 8 6 5 5 6 6 2 . 3 8 0 . 5 0 4 7 | w w w . s t e l l a o x f o rd . c o m | @ s t e l l a re s t a u ra n t o x f o rd

starting a love affair that became a livelihood. He began growing bonsai trees, filled his backyard to overflowing, and his business was born. With a selection of species that includes both indoor and outdoor types, and trees from $20 to $20,000, the shop makes bonsai accessible to both serious devotees and anyone who wants at least an introduction to the magic. “It’s a very interesting hobby, a combination of nature and art,” Martin said. “It’s horticulture first, so you have to know what makes plants tick. You start with an easy, durable tree to get your feet wet and have a success, and then you enjoy watching them mature.” Brussel’s holds open-house events, with tours, special sales and an opportunity to talk bonsai with the staff year-round. For more information, visit brusselsbonsai.com. Likewise, Bishop Lewis welcomes emails from anyone interested in bonsai at jblewis1975@gmail.com. May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

ngham Drive

an, GRI 32-0729

Let me help you find the perfect place to call home! Glenda Keenan, GRI • 662-832-0729 • glenda@kessingerrealestate.com

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304 Fleur de Lis

1200 Jefferson Downtown

900 Olde Creek Lane Nottinghill

1004 Morris Drive

2609 Little Street

358 Vivian Downtown

1201 Old Lake Cove Grand Oaks

1118 Nicklaus Drive Grand Oaks

Old Taylor Road

Oxford Station

Grand Oaks

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

Pretty

Papers Wallpaper is making a comeback, adding dimension and punch to interior spaces.

written by Caitlin Adams photographed by Joe Worthem

34 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

When Oxford resident Molly Tanner set out to remodel her family’s new home in Grand Oaks last year, she knew just the medium to use to breathe new life into the home’s old foyer. “I knew I wanted something bold to make a statement in my otherwise neutral home,” Tanner said. “Wallpaper did that.” Tanner scoured swatches of paper until she found a trellis pattern that checked all of the boxes on her design wish list. It matched her new finishes and upholstery, commanded attention as soon as guests walked in the front door and it coordinated seamlessly with the classic, neutral decor woven throughout the rest of her home. “It definitely makes a statement, but I tried to pick a pattern that I felt like I would love for a really long time,” she said. Tanner is not alone in her decision to go all in on wallpaper. Interior designers note a resurgence in the use of wallpaper due to its versatility and ability to add drama to a room. The decorative staple is nothing new, but gone are the days of stodgy floral papers that lined the walls of Grandma’s house. Wallpaper is making a comeback, and this time it packs a punch. Ashley Clark, owner of Ashley Clark Interiors, said she’s seen an uptick in clients opting for wallpaper, whether in a new build or a remodel. “Typically, in all of these new homes, it’s a world of Sheetrock and paint,” Clark said. “It’s a way to be different and express your personal style and stand out. Wallpaper adds character to any home.” Clark, whose father was a builder and moved his family often, chose her first wallpaper when she was just 8 years old. These days, she’s thrilled that her clients are asking for wallpaper recommendations, as it’s one of her favorite design elements to incorporate into a home. There’s a wallpaper for every kind of client, whether their taste skews modern, traditional, eclectic or neutral. Metallics, earth tones, oversized florals and large-scale, subtle scenes are all having a moment in the limelight. Those who prefer a simpler look might find grass cloth or a soft, textured paper more to their taste. For those who are hesitant to paper a whole room, Clark suggests papering a bar backsplash, within the panels of a wall or even

Above left: Molly Tanner (left) with interior designer Ashley Clark. Opposite and above right: Wallpaper lends an airy, welcoming grace to the foyer of the Tanner home. The pattern is Beauclaire Trellis in grey by Charles Faudree for Stroheim.

the ceiling to bring a pop of color or pattern into a space. Metallic paper can make a low ceiling feel higher as it reflects light, and dark, bold paper can make even the largest of rooms feel intimate and cozy. “It can completely transform a space and give you that wow factor,” Clark said. For another way to experiment with wallpaper, Clark advises framing a large swatch and hanging it as a piece of statement art. She recommends large-scale patterns, chinoiserie or hand-painted paper that mimics a mural. “It can make a big impact without blowing the bank,” Clark said. Wallpaper can work wonders in smaller rooms. Pearly Peacock Design owner Allyson Duckworth suggests trying wallpaper in a powder room, a hallway or as an anchor wall in a room. “I see wallpaper like a great pair of earrings that tops off an outfit,” Duckworth said. “Wallpaper used in the proper way can really make a room or space.” Cheap materials and poor installation techniques may have given wallpaper a bad

reputation through the years. But tastes and techniques have evolved. Becki Huelse, owner of Something Southern Design & Furnishings, said wallpaper used to be “too dark and too country,” but it’s a lot different now. Paper quality is much better. But Huelse doesn’t recommend doing it yourself. “Wallpaper can be an investment even for a small space,” Huelse said. “It’s worth every dime to hire a professional. Often the paper is very heavy. It must be cut correctly and hung straight and there are no straight walls in anyone’s house.” Thanks to better glue, wallpaper is also easier to remove. Knowing it wouldn’t be a big deal to take it down if she got tired of it or just changed her mind about it gave Molly Tanner the gumption to decide on wallpaper, even when she only had small swatches to choose from. For now, she can’t imagine her entryway without the pretty, airy design. “I went in with the attitude that wallpaper seems like such a commitment, but it’s really not,” she said. “If I love it now but don’t like it later, it’s not permanent. It can be taken down. But for now, I love it.” May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

Pretty Patterns

Below, interior designers share some of their favorite wallpaper patterns for all sorts of spaces. Each sample includes the designer, pattern and colorway information. RECOMMENDED BY: Becki Huelse with Something Southern Design & Furnishings

Seabrook Designs Lenox Hill Crackle in Metallic Gold/White

Candice Olson Modern Artisan Cameo in Pink

Seabrook Designs Jeannie in Black/Blue/Gold/White

RECOMMENDED BY: Allyson Duckworth with Pearly Peacock Design

Cole and Sons Ardmore in Leopard Walk

Cole and Sons Ardmore in Narina

Wallshoppe Pacifico Palm in Onyx

RECOMMENDED BY: Ashley Clark with Ashley Clark Interiors

Schumacher Iconic Leopard in Cloud 36 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Cowtan and Tout Hayworth Trellis in Mocha taupe

Phillip Jeffries Pisces in Metallic waves

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A Yocona mother and herbalist introduces the enchanting world of flower dolls.

written by Erin Austen Abbott photographed by Joe Worthem

Lydia Koltai has always felt a strong connection to the earth. As a child, she spent hours poking around ditches, stream banks and vacant lots on the wild edges of the Delta towns where she grew up, searching for bugs or saving fallen baby birds. And she always loved visiting local parks with her dad, where the two would go off the trail and explore. An herbalist and a permaculture practitioner, Koltai studies the natural world, learning through observation. Her garden of medicinal plants is her classroom. And while she doesn’t consider herself an artist per se, she has found a way to make art out of nature, using flowers, plants, sticks, seed pods and other materials to create lovely little dolls. “I love magic and fairies and elves,” Koltai said. “But my ‘art’ is really born in our gardens, the wild plants that surround our home and the outdoor play of my children. “There really is no limit to what you can create with the raw elements found in nature. The only limit is your imagination.” The flower dolls were inspired by Sharon Lovejoy’s book “Sunflower Houses,” a collection of stories and remembrances of childhood activities, fun and magic in the garden. “One of my favorite stories in the book describes the hollyhock dolls that girls used to make and play with in the days before people bought so many throwaway toys,” Koltai said. “I wanted to create that sort of experience for my four children, ages 10, 9, 5 and 3 — of their mother creating toys from found beauty in nature just for them to play with. I hope it will be a memory they carry into adulthood.” What started out as very simple dolls to occupy her children while she worked in the garden has evolved into elaborate creations that she enjoys making as much as her daughters do. With each season, Koltai draws new inspiration, often from her own backyard. A particular flower might look like a fairy dress; that and a pair of butterfly wings might start

Opposite page: Koltai with daughters Violet, 5, Nisa, 10, and Willow, 3, and a friend, Mia. Koltai grows mostly medicinal plants, but many, like calendula and zinnias, are also pretty. Above: Making flower dolls with the girls.

her search for other elements that will become her next doll. Variation in natural materials encourages Koltai to stay original. She wants each doll she creates to be unique, which pushes her to look at familiar objects in new ways. “Sometimes they are a bit too delicate to play with,” Koltai said. “I enjoy creating little scenes and imagining various interactions among the flower dolls, and I get as much into the play as my girls do. I mostly like to pose the dolls and photograph them; then I hand them over to my little girls to play with.” Last year Koltai grew hollyhocks for the first time so she could make dolls as described in Lovejoy’s book. Unfortunately, they don’t do well in the hot Mississippi summers. But Koltai finds plenty of inspiration elsewhere. “I love the idea of making something

beautiful that will only last for a moment, particularly when made from natural materials,” Koltai said. “There is something very appealing to me about projects with lots of intricate details that require a huge time investment but will only last for a short time. My dolls are not on that scale as far as investment of time, but they are as intricate as the moment allows in this stage of my life.” Koltai recently launched the Oxford Herbalists’ Guild, with three other women, to provide herbal education to north Mississippi. She’s interested in inspiring others to get outside, garden, create and play with their children. Koltai is not just cultivating plants; she’s cultivating wonder. See next page for Koltai’s tips on making your own flower dolls. May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

It’s easy to make your own flower folk. Just follow Lydia Koltai’s steps below. Your own garden or yard is a great place to start. Go outside and see what catches your eye.

Find something round or oval for the head. Certain flowers, buds, sweet gum balls, acorns or seed pods can all work. My favorite heads are made from insect galls found in goldenrod stems.

Find something for the body. Depending on what you’ve used for the head, you may use some sort of stick, or the stem if it has one. I sometimes use long toothpicks or a thin, sturdy twig if my doll’s head doesn’t already have a stem attached.

Find flowers to make the dress. Ones that have wide, hollow stems will be easiest to slide onto your doll’s body. You can layer blooms to make a more elaborate dress.

“I like to challenge myself to use only items I find in nature. That means using a thorn to attach a doll’s hat, or a bit of pine sap from a felled tree to glue on wings or hair. You can be as strict or as lenient as you want. The idea is to have fun and create something beautiful.” — Lydia Koltai

Embellish your doll. This is the fun part. Add a flower hat or some usnea (lichen) hair, tie on a stem of grass for arms, wrap a leaf around her shoulders to make a shawl. Poke some smaller flowers in between larger petals of the doll’s skirt. Let your imagination run wild, and adorn your doll in anything you might like to wear if you were a tiny fairy dressed in flowers.

40 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

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Leighton Road

HIDDEN GEM:

Lush landscapes and caring neighbors provide an oasis of serenity for these homes near the heart of Oxford. written by Michael Newsom photographed by Joe Worthem

Dogwood-lined Leighton Road, with its mix of brand-new and midcentury modern homes, rises up the spine of a gentle ridge in the heart of Oxford. It’s just a short walk from the University of Mississippi campus, but many locals may not even know it’s there. The street intersects with College Hill Road just off busy Jackson Avenue. There, Mark and Lauren Cleary’s more than 5,000square-foot Tudor-style home was built around an old single-story ranch-style house. Their home, which sits on 2 well-shaded acres, was finished about a year ago. “Having a canopy of trees when you’re in the middle of town is everything,” Lauren said. The couple, who are both real estate agents, were told about the property by one of their colleagues who had it listed. They took a look and fell in love with the land but decided to expand and remodel the house to suit their own tastes and the needs of their family. They had a clear vision for the design and worked with J.W. McCurdy of MR Construction to remodel according to their plans. Lauren said she appreciates what her neighbors have done to preserve the mid century modern feel of the neighborhood. The Clearys’ home has some of that vibe, although on the outside it’s a more traditional style. Inside it’s airy and fresh, thanks to white walls that don’t overwhelm and some interesting touches. The master bathroom has a TV mounted above the bathtub. A screened-in outdoor room has a fireplace, ample seating and another TV. Downstairs, by the pool area, a room with swing seating serves as an inviting gathering place.

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Above: In the Clearysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; backyard, the pool and hot tub overlook the wooded lot. Left: The living room features a fully stocked wet bar and a gas fireplace. Glass accordion doors open to the screened porch, which has a woodburning fireplace and a view of the woods. Opposite, top to bottom: Dogwoods on Leighton Road in spring. The Cleary home in summer.

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

Top: The kitchen of the Cleary home overlooks the pool and backyard; the large island seats 10. Bottom: In mild weather, the screened porch is open and airy, with plenty of room to relax; the fireplace keeps the space cozy on chilly evenings.

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“We look at houses all day long,” Lauren said. “You start to see a lot of the same things, which is nice because they’re beautiful and that’s what people want. At the same time, it’s so nice to have a home that’s unique and kind of funky. We did some things that are a little risky, but to me that’s what good eclectic is. Sometimes you have to be a little dangerous and say, ‘I don’t know if this is going to work,’ but then it does, and it’s so you.” Even while traffic is hitting its peak on College Hill Road just through the woods, there’s hardly a sound in the serene backyard, which has a swimming pool and a hot tub lined with eye-catching blue-gray stone. Mark describes himself and his wife as “tree lovers.” He said he was drawn to the lot by its large size and ample foliage, two characteristics that aren’t commonly found together in Oxford. He even has an interesting wooden souvenir in his upstairs office: wood from what has been rumored to be the oldest pecan tree in Lafayette County.

The Clearys wanted to take a few risks with their home to keep the space unique and interesting, which can be tricky. Some of the light fixtures couldn’t go in without “playing Tetris” to make them fit. In the end, it was worth the trouble. Clockwise from top left: An arched ceiling in the hallway leading to the master bedroom; the master bedroom; personal touches lend charm to the den; Mark’s office, with pecan wood lining the floors, walls and ceiling; the master bathroom, where a TV is mounted over the bathtub.

The tree was on the site of one of Mark’s projects. It had to be cut down, so Mark salvaged the wood to line the floors, walls and

ceiling of his office, where he likes to relax with an occasional bourbon. “This wood is from the biggest deal I have

ever done,” he said. “I just wanted to put it together to commemorate the deal forever. It’s kind of unique.” May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

When Blake and Denise Smith bought their 1960s midcentury modern-style home on Leighton Road, it was in rough shape. Blake said he knew it would take a lot of work to remove the lifetime’s worth of gathered keepsakes from the previous owner. He wondered if it could even be made livable. He admits now he was wrong. Denise and friends Dorothy Laurenzo and Judy Riddell saw the potential in the home. They began working on plans to fix it up and decided to keep much of the midcentury modern vibe intact. The Smiths worked with a general contractor from Howorth and Associates to bring their vision to life. “I thought it would make a good bonfire,” Blake said of the home. “I could think of not one reason to buy this house. Turns out I was wrong. Jimmy Mogridge and Bill Lilly of Spring Construction did a wonderful job of

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Top: A walkway meanders at right angles down to the welcoming blue front door of the Smith home. Bottom: In back, open and sheltered decks on multiple levels offer space for entertaining or just enjoying the terraced yard and woods beyond.

Top: In the living room, splashes of color bring the outdoors in. Bottom left: The kitchen is spacious and modern, with wood floors and cabinets adding casual warmth. Bottom right: As in the living room, playful touches of color brighten the sitting area and conservatory. May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

implementing Howorth’s rendering of the girls’ vision, and I just kept writing checks.” The home’s lush landscaping, which was handled by Jason Morris of Morris Lawn Service in Batesville, really put the finishing touches on the property, Blake said. The work there was done with the idea of matching the other plants and trees in the neighborhood. The end result is a home the couple love in a place they’re happy to be. “The house caught our eye, and the natural beauty of the road really pulled us in, but it was not until we met all the great neighbors that I was really sold,” Blake said. “I don’t regret the move at all now.” Modern decor in the master bedroom (above) and bathroom (right) give a nod to the period in which the house was built. Soothing neutral tones and views of the woods create a serene space to relax.

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May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

Robert and Leighton Mason moved to the street six years ago. The couple had always considered the area a hidden gem in Oxford. Leighton said the abundance of trees really enhances awareness of the changing seasons. Their home, which was built in 1950, sits on 1.5 acres. The couple recently added a screened front porch, designed by Frank Tindall, which gives them an ideal spot to enjoy the foliage in their yard. Sometimes they almost forget they’re in the heart of the city. “The minute we looked at our home, we were taken by the woodburning fireplaces and the variety of hardwood trees,” Leighton said. “It doesn’t feel like you are in the center of town, but we are able to hear the Ole Miss football games from the front porch.” Fellow residents Wayne and Mary Margaret Andrews, who have lived on Leighton Road for nine years, say their remodeled 1952 home (not pictured) isn’t the only thing that endears the neighborhood to them; it’s also the people. Wayne said that his neighbors seem to take a

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Top: The Masons’ home was built in 1950. The couple recently added on a large, screened front porch. Bottom: Lounging on the swing bed enjoying the changing seasons, it’s easy to forget the house is actually near the heart of the city.

Top and bottom right: Two sets of French doors in the Masons’ living room open onto the new screened porch, which features a woodburning fireplace. Bottom left: In the kitchen, whitepainted cabinets contrast with a backsplash tiled in gray blues and rosy browns.

lot of pride in their yards, and their hard work is evident to anyone who drives up the street, especially in spring when the azaleas bloom. The Andrews host their neighbors for bourbon tastings at their home, and a monthly

happy hour changes locations on the street. On Halloween, the families trick-or-treat in groups. They also walk to the Grove together on football Saturdays. One family hosts an annual pig roast party that lasts into the night.

“We visit our neighbors, have parties together and check on each other,” Wayne said. “Most of the homes have outdoor spaces, so we see our neighbors all the time and have the chance to talk and catch up.” May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

JULEPS and JOCKEYS United Way brings Derby Day to Oxford, for a good cause. written by Michael Newsom

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photographed by Joe Worthem

Opposite: Horses roaming the pastures provide an authentic backdrop for guests viewing the “Run for the Roses” at United Way’s Juleps and Jockeys fundraiser at Oak Hill Stables. Above: Silver julep cups, festive hats and traditional Derby Day fare complete the experience.

“Aaand they’re off . . . ”

Every year, on the first Saturday in May in Louisville, Kentucky, women in their biggest, brightest hats, and men in seersucker suits mingle in the shadows of Churchill Downs’ iconic twin spires to drink mint juleps and watch the Kentucky Derby, one of the greatest spectacles in the sporting world since 1875. For a Derby Day experience right here in Oxford, the annual Juleps and Jockeys event takes place May 5 at Oak Hill Stables Bed and Breakfast. The crowd will be dressed to the nines just like the crowd at Churchill Downs, but they’ll be stepping out for a good cause: funding the groups that benefit from the United Way of Oxford & Lafayette County. At the 500-acre site on County Road 101, race lovers will be surrounded by horses while eating, drinking, bidding on silent auction items and watching the live broadcast of the Derby on the big screen. Kurt Brummett,

executive director of the United Way of Oxford & Lafayette County, said there wasn’t any organized local event for the Derby, so the United Way came up with the idea for Juleps and Jockeys. “With the Derby being a unique Southern thing, and a tradition, it provides a chance for the community to come together for a fun event that’s also a chance to raise money to support our partner programs and coalitions in the community,” Brummett said. Juleps and Jockeys is in its second year. Organizers hope to improve on an impressive first year, which raised more than $40,000 from more than 150 attendees. “We’ve heard nothing but good things from everyone who attended last year. We’re just hoping to build on the success and have a bigger turnout this year, and have it continue to grow and become a staple of early May in Oxford,” Brummett said.

The United Way’s focus is to improve lives and meet the needs of the community by bringing individuals and organizations together to mobilize resources. “One good thing about the United Way is that we touch every age group and demographic in our community through our partners,” Brummett said. “We have everything from the Excel by 5 Coalition, which targets kids to help get them prepared for kindergarten, to the Meals on Wheels program, which delivers meals to homebound elderly residents in the community, and not only that, but provides socialization and maybe a safety check.” Nearly 20 local nonprofit groups will benefit from the Juleps & Jockeys event, including Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi, the Lafayette County Literacy Council, Dignity Period Oxford, LOU Saves, Special Olympics Mississippi and Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi. May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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Sheryl Williams-Jenkins is the founder and chair of the board of directors for Doors of Hope Transition Ministries, one of the organizations that benefits from Juleps and Jockeys. Doors of Hope is a transitional housing program for homeless families and families who are at an increased risk of becoming homeless. Most of these families have minor children with parents who are willing and able to work. Funds from the event will help with salaries for case management, which Williams-Jenkins said is a critical service. “When entering our program, homeless families with minor children are overwhelmed,” she said. “While having a secure place to live is very important for our clients, the actual intensive case management services, provided by professionals, are integral for helping our clients become self-sufficient.”

The inaugural Juleps and Jockeys event last year raised about $40,000 for United Way, to benefit local nonprofit groups serving the community. This year United Way’s goal is to double that amount. The event includes a live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby, mint juleps, an auction, Southern cuisine and more.

Williams-Jenkins sees the event as a fun way to raise both money and awareness for the organizations that benefit from United Way. “Doors of Hope is thankful to be an agency partner and very appreciative of the funds that we receive,” Williams-Jenkins said. “As a small agency with a big mission, the funds

from United Way allow us to spend more time developing and providing services and less time raising funds.” United Way board member James Harper said Juleps and Jockeys is a great way for people to experience the Derby right here in Oxford while raising much-needed funds.

“Last year it had everything from seer sucker suits to ladies’ hats, a silent auction, music, great food, and yes, everything involving horse racing,” Harper said. “There is nothing like it in Oxford. If you can’t go to the Kentucky Derby, it’s the next best thing.” May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

all in the

Details

The Brown-David family works together year-round on an intricately designed dollhouse that’s filled with treasures, from tiny paintings to miniature toys.

written by Ginny McCarley photographed by Joe Worthem

Adrienne Brown-David and her daughters are busy restoring a stately old Victorian house. And so far, their total budget for the entire renovation, including kitchen, furniture, flooring and fabric, has been less than $10. Impossible? Not when everything is in miniature. The house is actually a dollhouse, given to Adrienne when her two older girls, Jena and Ashni (now ages 16 and 14), were little. This year it was passed down to her two younger daughters, Zion, 8, and Bijou, 11. “We originally got this when Jena and Ashni were Bijou and Zion’s age,” Adrienne said. “The older girls did it the first time, and then it became the little people’s project.” The Brown-David family actually owns three dollhouses: the Victorian they have been renovating, another dollhouse that needs structural work and will be their next project, and a little dollhouse they keep out for younger kids to play with during a monthly brunch held at their house. When the family first moved from Oxford to Water Valley, all four girls would line the floor of the living room with their dollhouses, blocks and cars to build a mini city, where they would play until their dog, Brooklyn, romped into town. “Most of the time Brooklyn would come through and destroy everything,” Bijou said, laughing. “We’d call her Dogzilla.” All six rooms in the Victorian are outfitted with careful attention to scale and exacting detail. The girls decided to decorate the house in a blue, pink and yellow color scheme based on paint swatches that Adrienne had collected over time.

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Opposite: The Brown-Davids’ classic Victorian dollhouse, complete with cornices and a three-story tower. Above, left to right: The cheerful yellow and turquoise kitchen, ready for a Sunday morning breakfast. At the top of the tower, the playroom has a children’s table, a tiny tepee and even a miniature dollhouse. Left: The second-floor master bedroom, with its collection of original paintings, and just across the hall, the kids’ room.

In the master bedroom, Bijou’s favorite room, is a neatly tucked bed sporting pillows the size of postage stamps, one with a miniature mallard whose colors match the watercolor print hanging above. A minute lamp rests on each nightstand, complete with little plants to brighten up the room. Memphis artist and family friend Beth Winterburn, who creates beautiful abstracts in ink and acrylic, sent the girls original water colors, two of which flank the parents’ bed. One of the “larger” pieces rests stylishly on the floor in the living room. Winterburn’s pieces aren’t the only original artwork that hangs in this house: Adrienne, an accomplished artist, also painted two intricate silhouettes for the living room. The works hang

on either side of the mantel, which holds a miniature “D,” a plant and a round mirror. Zion’s favorite room is the kids’ room, where itty-bitty animals rest on the bed and dresser. The toys are actually erasers from Five Below that can be neatly cleaned up in the miniature toy baskets Adrienne made. No home is complete without books, and this home has them as well: little pieces of cardboard with covers printed and pasted on top. The girls created most of the pieces for the dollhouse with items found around their house. Others were sourced for free. The floors and countertops in some rooms are made from laminate samples from the hardware store. The rugs and some of the upholstery are fabric swatches from a furniture company.

“We probably spend half the summer holed up in the living room working [on the dollhouse],” Adrienne said. “We made pretty much everything except some of the furniture. Most of the stuff is either made with mat board, wooden beads or other odds and ends.” Next up, the girls plan on making a tiny needle-felted doll family for the house, and when that’s done they’ll probably start work on the other house. Adrienne shares pictures of the dollhouse on Instagram, and friends and family have been amazed by the creativity. “Somebody said, ‘Your dollhouse is better decorated than my house,’ ”Adrienne recalled. “I told them, ‘It’s much better decorated than my house, too.’ ” May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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With no frills and no apologies, the Shack Up Inn offers guests authentic music, cold beer and rustic Southern charm. written by Caitlin Adams

photographed by Joe Worthem

ust off of U.S. Route 49 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, amid gravel roads and cotton fields, sits Hopson Plantation, a historic property once known as the first farm to use a mechanized cotton picker. These days it’s known as something else: the Shack Up Inn, an eclectic hodgepodge of sharecropper shacks and grain-bin bungalows that serve as unconventional hotel rooms. In an age of Airbnb and boutique hotels, the Shack Up Inn offers a true taste of the Mississippi Delta. Blues tunes and Southern food may attract world travelers to the Delta, but the Shack Up Inn gives them a reason, and a place, to stay. This year, the inn celebrates 20 years of authentic live music and no-frills living. It’s a milestone that Bill Talbot, the hotel’s owner, never envisioned.

“This is all purely unintentional,” Talbot said. “I was just looking for a place for my friends to drink beer and listen to music.” Talbot started the hotel two decades ago after he bought a tractor shed on the land in 1995 and turned it into his home. Musicians and friends began to gather there, and three years later, he put up a shack so they’d have a place to hang out. Europeans looking to experience authentic Delta blues got wind of the place, and Talbot began to rent rooms. Demand skyrocketed. “They kept on coming, so we kept on adding shacks,” Talbot said. What was once a couple of rooms to rent and a lobby in Talbot’s living room has expanded to more than 40 rooms and a bar and performance hall, the Juke Joint Chapel. Talbot books live music as often as he can, and

the stage has hosted plenty of musical greats, including Elvis Costello, Pinetop Perkins, Tom Waits and the North Mississippi Allstars. Talbot also hosts songwriter workshops there, and three times a year the Harmonica Jam Camp sets up residence. The inn has a cult following, from international tourists looking to make a blues pilgrimage to musicians trying to escape for a few days of peace, quiet and beer. “Quite often it’s like we’ve got the UN of the South here,” Talbot said. The inn, which Talbot laughingly calls a “Bed and Beer,” doesn’t offer room service or wake-up calls. It’s a respite from the real world. “The Ritz we ain’t,” Talbot said. “Keep your expectations low and you won’t be disappointed.” What the inn lacks in amenities, it makes up for in character. The “lobby” sits amid a winding maze of gravel roads. Guests must

Above: Once the site of the historic Hopson Plantation, the Shack Up Inn is a collection of shacks and grain-bins converted to guest houses. Opposite page, top: The Juke Joint Chapel is open every night and sometimes hosts live performances. Right: “The Ritz we ain’t”: one of the Shack Up’s shacks, outside and inside.

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May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

know what they are looking for to find the building. Behind two screen doors is a sign: “Thanks for leaving the kids at home.” Inside is a reception desk and phone, plus shelves and an armoire stocked with souvenirs for purchase, including matchbooks, paper koozies and coffee mugs. Just off the lobby, the Juke Joint Chapel, a converted warehouse, is filled with nostalgic memorabilia that makes it seem as though time stopped somewhere in the 1930s. Church pews, a broken cigarette machine and a full suit of armor hold court among walls displaying Ernest Withers photographs and hand-painted folk art. Nothing in the space coordinates, yet somehow, everything goes together. “I’ve been picking up junk forever,” Talbot said. “Here, I’ve found it all a home.” When the bar closes and the tunes quit, guests don’t have to travel far. The tin-roofed wooden shacks and circular corrugated-metal grain bins are all within walking distance on the 7-acre property. Each rustic lodging space, with bare wood or rusty tin walls, is equipped with the essentials (AC, heat, hot water, a bathroom, sometimes a piano, and a place for occupants to lay their heads) and not much more. “It’s what people come for,” Talbot said. “Easy living and good music.” Each shack has a unique moniker that tells its story. The Full of Love shack was named for the last family to live in it, the Love family, and the Claremont shack is named for the road it originally sat on. Talbot admits guests have turned their cars back to Highway 49 when the property was a little grittier than expected. “We’re not for everybody,” Talbot said, referring to guests who have booked a room but refused to stay once they set foot on the property. “Their high heels were getting muddy.” Two conditions must be met for visitors

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At the Shack Up Inn, rusty metal, rough wood, cold beer and Delta blues are the draw. Two decades ago, in the early days of the inn, the lobby was in owner David Talbot’s living room. Talbot had a day job working on pools and spent his lunch breaks playing maid for the inn.

to stay at the inn. Weekends require a twonight minimum reservation, and guests must be older than 25 to rent a room. The latter, non-negotiable, is a side effect from an ill-fated fraternity party that caused more than $1,500 in damage to one of the shacks.

Talbot said the slowest months at the inn are December, January and February. Now that spring is here, he is gearing up for another busy season. While he doesn’t guarantee a live musical performance every night, he can guarantee guests a hotel experience unlike any other.

“If you’re unsure, don’t come — do us both a favor,” Talbot said. But for those who are sure they’re looking for a low-key weekend of blues music and beer in an authentic down-home setting, the Shack Up Inn won’t disappoint. May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

68 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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BUIE WEST GALLERY REOPENING

A reception was held to celebrate the reopening of the University of Mississippi Museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Buie West Gallery on March 27. photographed by Megan Wolfe

Melanie Munns and Robert Saarnio

Matthew and Summer Farrell

David and Betsy Johnston

70 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Kate Hoffman and Mackenzie Greene

Richard and Marilyn Frey

Jesse Logan, Claire Fulkerson, Jackie Thompson and William Mahoney

Norma and Ellen Bourdeaux with Marian Barksdale

Moritz Vogler and Serena Tschopp

Matt Wymer and Erica Jenkins

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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OLE MISS BIG EVENT

The eighth annual Ole Miss Big Event was held March 24 at various locations in the L-O-U community. photographed by Alise McCreary

Emily Carces and Bree Evers

Anna Cate Miller, Anna Claire Pecunia and Clare Mansoor

Vinny Udeshi and Rachael Malone

72 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Abbie Brashier and Chad Gutierrez

Mackenzie Day, Sydnie Wagley and Peyton Emerson

Hailey Strother and Bailey Garner

John Wilson and Kelsea White

Mary Acker, Claudia Hudson and Battle Black

Mackenzie Peters and Bailey Swearingen

Sara Valentine and Kathryn Taylor

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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POETRY AND PROSE

Poetry and Prose was held March 22 at Southside Gallery. Four authors participated in the literarythemed event. photographed by Megan Wolfe

Whitney Miller and Valerie Sieverling

Sarah Heying and Hallie Beard

Jennifer Tseng, Marcus Wicker and Jenny Browne

74 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Chloe Holcomb and Taylor Kelley

Duke and Pam Eversmeyer

Helene Achanzar and Melissa Ginsburg

Pete Hauser with Elizabeth and Pat Lowe

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

COMING SOON... THE CHILDREN’S COVER CONTEST

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more information. The contest will take place in June. We look forward to seeing your submissions.

AUGUST 2012

Back to School Meet Children’s Cover Contest Winner,

Georgia

AUGUST 2011

The winning contestant will receive a prize package and a professional photography session and will be featured on the cover of Invitation Oxford’s August back-to-school issue.

76 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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DOG EASTER EGG HUNT Pampered Paws held its third annual Dog Easter Egg hunt March 26. The family-friendly event included live music, food and games. photographed by Megan Wolfe

Charlotte Rafnson, Liane Lachiewicz and Barlow Bevill with Jimmy Carter

Elliot Geisler and Jack Henderson with River

Peter and Beth Crump

Jonathan Watson and Briana Simms with Daisy

Terrence Alexander, Lee Johnson and Diamond Presswood

Morgan Jackson with Molly and Steven Adams with Gigi

Lesley and Mollie Scott with Bean and Cooper

SKU 723442

Any purchase over $100 Valid through 5/31/18. Only valid at HoneyBaked Ham of Oxford located at 204 Merchants Drive (not valid online). Must present coupon at time of purchase to receive offer. May not be combined with any other offer. One coupon per person, per visit. While supplies last. No cash value. Valid on purchase only. Not valid on gift card or gift certificate purchases.

Oxford â&#x20AC;˘ 204 Merchants Drive Galleria II, directly behind Mechanics Bank 662-234-4472

78 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Francesca Buckley and Corinne Taylor with Andi

Debbie Pastor and Blake Rush with Colonel Jackson and Annie

Reagan Johnston and Dhara Cohly with Kahlua

Maggie and Marc McMillian with Charles

Emily Cochran and Alexis Beibers with Charlie

Jake Hampton and Kaela King with Zoro

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

OXFORD PUB CRAWL

The Oxford St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Pub Crawl took place March 17 at various locations around the square. photographed by Alise McCreary

Zach Robbins, Chris White and Josh Harris

Taylor McHugh and Bryan Dinnell

Daniel Clark and Abby Lohr

80 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Kylie Diodati and Cole Jones

Jackie Crocker and Elizabeth Pepernik

Daniel and Elizabeth Fisher with Alexandria and Andrew Coffey

Logan Jelinske, Justin Blaylock and Aly Otting

James Souter and Marshall Gardener

Fred Rossignol and Erin Chinery

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82 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

MEMPHIS

futbol club

Where player development comes ďŹ rst. Local training and games with potential for regional exposure. Seven nationally licensed coaches on staff.

TRYOUT INFO U9-U12 BOYS (2010-2007) Wed May 30 & Tue June 5, 5:30-6:45 PM U13 & Up BOYS (2006-2000) Wed May 30 & Tue June 5, 7:00-8:15 PM

U9-U12 GIRLS (2010-2007) Thu May 31 & Thu June 7, 5:30-6:45 PM U13 & Up GIRLS (2006-2000) Thu May 31 & Thu June 7, 7:00-8:15 PM

location: FNC PARK - 328 HWY 314 OLD SARDIS RD, OXFORD, MS 38655 register online: MEMPHISFUTBOLCLUB.SPORTNGIN.COM questions? contact us: MEMPHISFC.OXFORD@GMAIL.COM Come be a part of the Oxford soccer community's newest and best chapter! May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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AUTHORS PARTY

The Oxford Conference for the Book Authors Party was held March 21 at Barksdale-Isom House. photographed by Megan Wolfe

Ann Abadie, Mary Ann Fruge, Dale Abadie and Don Fruge

Toni and Scott Jernigan

Randy Redd and Richie Caldwell

84 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Don and Michelle Harvey

Jenny Browne, Don Cole and Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Jimmy Thomas and Margaret Gaffney

Steven Carrico, Cecilia Botero, Ellen Meacham, John Winkle and Ralph Eubanks

Sarah Frances Hardy and Angela Brown

Elizabeth Richardson and Elaine Scott

Diplomat of the American Pediatric Dentistry

2408 S. Lamar Blvd. Suite 1 • Oxford, MS • (662) 513-4188

Just Give Us a Sign. We’ll Work to SELL Your Home!

OXFORD | TUPELO 2092 Old Taylor Rd. Oxford, 662.234.5344 210 East Main St. Tupelo, 662.842.3844 tmhomes.com May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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READS, BEATS & EATS

The Lafayette County Literacy Council held its fourth annual fundraiser April 7 at Barksdale-Isom House. The event included an auction, a wine dash, live music and food. photographed by Megan Wolfe

Tom Fowlkes with Nicole and Glenn Coleman

Tim and Kitty Herndon with Susan Seay

Mary Moreton, John T. Edge, Beth Anne Fennelly and Sarah McClellan

Come enjoy Free

SNOCONES with your friends at

@liveloveoxford

Margaret Luckett, Liz Smith and Pam Sherwood

Michael Joe and Cheryl Cannon with Marty and John Dunbar

Donations are welcome & will benefit

CRYE-LEIKE OXFORD REAL ESTATE WILL MATCH DONATIONS UP TO $500

OXFORD REAL ESTATE

MAY 18th 2:30 to 5 PM 86 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

OXFORD REAL ESTATE

An independently owned and operated ofďŹ ce of Crye-Leike Franchises, Inc.

Shirley and Chauncey Pegues

Kathy Neff and Ramona Brawner

Tom and Carol Sharpe

Lindsay and Austin Mitchell with Wesley and Paige Henry

Peter and Rebecca Lauck Cleary

Richard and Sherry Cooper

Sharon and Andy Grace with Roy and Kay Hightower

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

GROVE BOWL

Ole Miss hosted its annual Grove Bowl on April 7 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The familyfriendly event is the culmination of spring drills. photographed by Alise McCready

Mitch Tidwell with Megan and Sam Defeo

Reece and Ashley Holford

Charlie Benford and Anthony Harris

Evan Willis and Alex Shamovn

Larry, Thomas and Justin Gentry

Ben and Libby Kirkpatrick

Dominic, Sophia, Olivia and Isabella Rocconi

Randy and Lanie Dickerson

Misty Smith and Rhonda Dickerson

Commercial Property

6 7

Two commercial development pads ready to build at the end of University Oﬃce Park. 17,000 sq. ft. of two-story buildings can be built here. 103 asphalt parking spots are already there. Zoned Professional Business, these two lots are viewed by more than 30,000 motorists daily from the Highway 6 Bypass. MLS# 139669 • $1,200,000 662-234-9868

Tim Phillips Broker Associate

662-816-9194 tim.phillips@crye-leike.com

1310 University Ave. • Oxford, MS 38655

An independently owned & operated office of Crye-Leike Franchises, Inc. All information deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.

88 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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MBA GOLF CLASSIC

The University of Mississippi Master of Business Administration Program held a golf tournament March 23 at the Ole Miss golf course. The event included lunch and a silent auction. photographed by Carina Marino

Hannah Herring and Madeline Gibson

Ferderica Cobb and Poonam Wadhawa

Peter and Jessica Burnett

90 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Nav Thind and Conner Young

Kurt and Victoria Hohlstein with Alex English

Sam Rhodes and Jon Dowell

Bridget Brouillette and Caroline Smith

Corey and Larry Price

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

INVITATION Oxford Follow Invitation Oxford on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to find out what’s happening around Oxford.

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LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/invitationoxford

92 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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FAN PRO DAY

The University of Mississippi Athletics department held a sports competition March 25 at VaughtHemingway Stadium. Ole Miss fans competed in multiple NFL combine-style events. photographed by Carina Marino

Lisa and Hailey Kaim

Walker and Terri Pickering

Kori and Candice Robinson

Elly Weller, Michael Langa, Leigh Campbell and Nick Bushart

Felicia Wilkins and India Jones

Jeff and Brody Neal

Darenda and Preston Huguley

Abby Bailey, Caroline Moses and Natalie Sowers

Booth 13 in Sugar Magnolia like us on IF @pearlypeacockdesign

94 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

121 OXMOOR RIDGE

Spectacular 4 BR/3 Bath home with bonus room and spacious outdoor living space. Great family neighborhood! Located only 3 miles from the Oxford Square and close to the Oxford city schools.

Mae White maebwhite@yahoo.com 662-816-3431

1923 University Ave. Oxford, MS. 662.234.5621 Each office independently owned and operated. May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

SQUARE ALLIANCE SPRING OPEN HOUSE

Oxford Square Alliance hosted its annual Spring Open House March 24. The family-friendly event included pictures with the Easter Bunny and art activities on the courthouse lawn. photographed by Carina Marino

Winn Bridgers and Kate Byars

Amy Evans and Alice King

96 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Charles and Vance Byars with Rebecca Tyner

Laura, Leo, Karolyn and Amanda Young

Peter and Abby Nicolosi

Glenda Alderson with Alderson, Lendy and George Hampton Edwards

Alex Ritchie, Kristie Willett and Cody Ritchie

Hattie and Ovid Scott

Anna May and Izzie Langendoen

INVITATION Oxford RESERVE ADVERTISING SPACE IN OUR UPCOMING

BRIDAL ISSUE JUNE 2018

To reserve your space in this issue, contact your Invitation Oxford marketing consultant or call our office at 662-234-4408. May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

MISS-I-SIPPIN’ BEER FESTIVAL

The ninth annual Miss-i-sippin’ Beer Festival was held March 23-25. The event included a brewer’s dinner, a beer-tasting trail and live music. photographed by Megan Wolfe

Brandon Blacklidge, Zak Ducote and Chris Lishman

Derek Brown and Dave Ray

Anna and Eric Kump with Camille and Kent Breckenridge

98 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

Michael Miller and Veneshia Gillespie

Danielle McGrew, DeeDee Rafnson and Meghan Gallagher

Ricardo Centeno and Ariel Rodriguez

Kelly and Scott Hettig with Gay and Steve Case and Arlene Hettig

Crystal and Terry Via

Walt Davis and Aimee Kohne

David and Susan Shaw

Noa Valcarcel and Erik Hodges

Jessica Richardson and Tore Christiansen

Sheila Searcy and Tammy Herod

May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

OUT AND ABOUT LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR TENNIS DAY

Lilly McElreath, Foster Roush, Emma Wilson and Halle Moore

Mary Madison, Grant and Becky Kelley

Tammy Moore, Nicole Wilson, Lori Roush and Lynn McElreath

SQUARE BOOKS JR STORYTIME WITH OXFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT

Samantha and Charles Stockett

Liam, Jeremy and Lily Mae Mills

Meredith and Eleanor Killens

Adonis, Steven and Cooper Long

Lauren Guin and Kayley Carter

Jocelyn Knox and Tytiana Valentine

Michelle Bruce and Ariel Riley

LOU SYMPHONY

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PAYROLL 100 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

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May 2018 | INVITATION OXFORD

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102 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

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103

JOEY AND AMY JOYNER interviewed by Michael Newsom photographed by Joe Worthem

Joey and Amy Joyner have hosted foreign students through the International Student Exchange for many years. Joey answered some questions about the rewards of being temporary parents for a student from another country.

Q: What would you say the host experience is like, if you had to sum it up for someone who has never done it? A: It’s exciting to find out all about other parts of the world: the culture, customs, traditions, home and family life. It is not possible for us as a family to visit another country for nine to 10 months each year, but [hosting is like having] those countries visit us.

Q: What parts of that experience do you find the most rewarding? A: When these students enter your home, they are very scared and also brave for leaving everything they have ever known and all of their comforts to live with total strangers thousands of miles from home. [Here] they have new friends, family, home, church and even new clothing. Some of these things are a shock to them, as almost everything they know has changed — some for the better, and some not. The most rewarding part of the exchange program is when we see a student adapt to the changes they are faced with. We love to see their English improve while they are here. We also enjoy hearing from them months and even years later. All of our students still are in contact with us and very thankful for the experience.

Q: Is this something you plan to keep doing? A: We hope to continue with exchange students as long as possible. We have very much enjoyed the experience and thank International Student Exchange for giving us the opportunity to have the chance to host each year. If you feel as if you would like to have a forever friend from other parts of the world, or if you want to call them your “other” son or daughter, then you should give it a try.

104 INVITATION OXFORD | May 2018

We’ll give you some tips... quietly. Baby Fair Thursday, May 10 4 pm - 7 pm Baptist Memorial HospitalNorth Mississippi Baptist Medical Plaza, Magnolia Rooms 100 Baptist Memorial Circle, Oxford, MS 38655

Door prizes, free refreshments, giveaways from local vendors and all the expert help and advice you need for pregnancy and newborn care. • Childbirth and breastfeeding

• Pediatric and OB/GYN physicians

• Child development

• Prenatal and newborn care

• Child health • Child nutrition

• Tours of labor and delivery floor

• Child safety

• Vendors

• Immunizations

northmiss.baptistonline.org

662-636-1000

Get Better.