APRIL 2016
APRIL 2016
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ON THE COVER The pool in Jeanette and Ray Emmons’ yard is an oasis for them, while the surrounding acreage acts as an unofficial wildlife preserve. photographed by Joe Worthem
IN EVERY ISSUE 8
Letter From the Publisher
10
What’s Happening
12
Community Corner
14
In Season: Shiitake Mushrooms
76
Out and About
80
Tupelo Spirit: Julie West
FEATURES
EVENTS
32 Neighborhood Harvest
16
Corinth Color Fun Run
Susie Harmon shares gardening knowledge and harvests from this community garden.
18
Mustache Bash
20
Tupelo BBQ Duel
35 Old Meets New
22
Spring 101 Fashion Show
A 150-year-old home gets new life thanks to young homeowners who mix modern design sense with special antique touches.
24
United Way Celebration Lunch
26
FCA Breakfast of Champions
28
St. Paddy’s Day Run
30
St. Paddy’s Day Concert
58
NRA Annual Banquet
60
Tupelo Comic Con
This annual Kentucky Derby party makes a statement with signature drinks and festive hats, but it also benefits a worthy local cause.
62
Run For Your Buns 5K Race
64
Empty Bowls Luncheon
66
Blue Tie Affair
52 Backyard Sanctuary
68
Ballard Park Easter Egg Hunt
70
Trent Harmon Homecoming
72
A Novel Affair
42 A Family Tradition Connie Wood’s backyard landscape shows her eclectic style and family heirlooms.
46 Ready, Set, Party
A private Saltillo property is paradise for its nature-loving homeowners and a welcoming habitat for local wildlife.
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INVITATION TUPELO | April 2016
THE PUBLISHER
O
ne Saturday in early March my family and I went to the store to purchase two inexpensive clay pots, a can of spray paint, potting soil, and small basil and mint plants. Home we went to paint the pots and decorate them with markers and chalk while enjoying the 60-plus-degree day and sunny skies. The project cost less than $40, but the time my family spent together that weekend was priceless. And that’s what this issue is about. We’ve found beautiful homes, gardens and parties to photograph and highlight, but it’s the people behind them that make the stories worth telling. I was so glad to see that early warm March weekend. And despite the few cooler-than-average days that followed, it seems spring has finally arrived. This is the time of year when the outdoors becomes a major part of our lives again after many of us have retreated indoors for winter hibernations. It’s fitting that this month we are celebrating spring with our home and garden issue. Tom Evans officially welcomes spring by hosting his 18th annual Kentucky Derby party at his Robins Street home (read more about it on page 46). The event does more than bring folks together for a lovely time on his front lawn; it also raises funds for Regional Rehab, a free-to-thepatient rehabilitation center offering physical and occupational therapy and audiology services for people with disabilities. Evans said the party is a way he can give back to Tupelo. “If you can’t give back and help others, life is not worth living,” he said. Meanwhile, Jeanette and Ray Emmons are giving back to the land and wildlife that make up the natural surroundings of their Saltillo acreage. Local fauna, from deer and fish to frogs and butterflies, share their personal respite that’s complete with a large lake, nature trail and pool. The Emmonses’ property is featured on our front cover this month, and the story of how this couple have developed their backyard sanctuary (on page 52) is not to be missed. Celebrate spring by enjoying the environment around you and by sharing with others. Grab a clay pot, paint it your favorite color, put a plant inside, and take it to a neighbor or a friend. Find some neighborhood children, and join their game of kickball for a few minutes. Or have a party, ask folks to bring $5, and give the proceeds to an organization that means something to you. Like Tom Evans said, give back; life isn’t worth living without it. I couldn’t agree more.
RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER
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INVITATION TUPELO | April 2016
publishers
Phil and Rachel West
editorial
EDITOR IN CHIEF Emily Welly CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Lena Anderson EVENTS EDITOR Mary Moreton STAFF WRITER Melanie Crownover COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson CONTRIBUTING WRITER Caitlin Adams
advertising
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Jennifer Bolton Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Stacey Raper Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Becca Bailey Zach Fields
art
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hallie Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Lisa Roberts Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Chasity Dees Whitney Worsham
production
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Emily Suber
office
BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard COMPTROLLER Julie Clark DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney Brian Hilliard MAIN OFFICE 662-234-4008 ADVERTISING INFORMATION ads@invitationtupelo.com
To subscribe to one year (10 issues) of Invitation Tupelo, send payment of $50 to: P.O. Box 3192, Tupelo, MS 38802 or visit invitationtupelo.com to pay online. To request a photographer at your event, email Mary at mary.invitation@gmail.com.
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE
April 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
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APRIL 15-MAY 15 NOW THROUGH
4/23
Pedals and People Power Tupelo Automobile Museum exhibit features more than 50 bicycles and pedal cars. Open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday noon-4:30 p.m. 662-842-4242
4/15-16 Noleput
New Orleans-style street festival featuring live music by local talent takes place in Fairpark. Friday 7-10 p.m. and Saturday 2-10 p.m. facebook.com/noleputtupelo
4/16 Color Vibe 5K
4/16
Thousands are expected to take part in this fun-filled, colorful race when it returns to Tupelo this year. 9 a.m., Fairpark. For more information, visit thecolorvibe.com/tupelo.php.
Master Gardener Plant Sale Lee County Master Gardeners hosts its annual plant sale fundraiser. 8 a.m.-noon, 5338 Cliff Gookin Blvd. An after-sale with some reduced prices takes place 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 18-19. leecountymastergardeners.com
4/22
Women of Distinction Banquet New Expectations for Women of Mississippi (NEWMS) honors seven accomplished northeast Mississippi women and a local organization at its biennial banquet. The 2016 honorees are Zell Long, Mary Pace, Laura Pannell, Jenny Simmons, Lenton Smith, Sallie Storey, Barbara Vaughn and Family Resource Center. 11:30 a.m., BancorpSouth Conference Center.
4/28-30
5/7
Tupelo Community Theatre presents the classic musical. Tickets $22, students $10. 7:30 p.m., Lyric Theatre. tct.ms
The eighth annual season of Corinth’s monthly Green Market continues. Open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the historic Corinth Depot. corinthgreenmarket.net
Mary Poppins
5/3
Corinth Green Market
New Beginnings Golf Fore Life Tournament The 10th annual tournament benefits New Beginnings Adoption and Family Services. 11 a.m. lunch; 12:30 p.m. tee time. Big Oaks Golf Course. newbeginningsadoptions.org
4/22-24
5/7
The Tupelo Elvis Fan Club hosts a weekend of all things Elvis. A 1950s-style sock hop starts the festivities, followed by tours of local Elvis landmarks, amateur and professional show dance competitions, a Saturday evening gala and more. dancingwiththeking.com
The annual Derby Day fundraiser benefits Regional Rehabilitation Center. 3-9 p.m., 419 Robins St. For tickets, call 662-842-1891. Read more on page 46.
Dancing with the King
4/23
American Innovations North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra concert features a collaboration with New Music for America and pianist Jeffrey Biegel. 7:30 p.m., Link Centre. nmsymphony.com
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Kentucky Derby Party
5/5-8
Blue Suede Cruise Antique and classic cars cruise into Tupelo for a weekend of car shows, live entertainment and more. The weekend kicks off with a drive-in movie at 7:45 p.m. Thursday in the west parking lot of the BancorpSouth Arena. bluesc.com
5/14
Read with a Ranger A new monthly program designed for children 6 and under invites guests to storytime, a fun activity and an optional quarter-mile hike. Offered the second Saturday of the month from April through September. 10 a.m., Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center. 662-680-4027
5/7
Tupelo Farmers’ Depot Hometown farmers’ market opens for the season. Beginning May 7, shop the market 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays and 6 a.m.-noon Thursdays and Saturdays. The annual Feast for the Farmers fundraiser dinner is currently being planned and will take place later in the season. To learn more, search for Tupelo Farmers’ Depot on Facebook.
5/14-15
Gumtree Festival The 45th annual festival features exhibiting artists and vendors, a singer/songwriter competition, a Saturday night block party with live music and a children’s writing contest. Separately, the much-anticipated Tupelo Running Club annual GumTree 10K and 2K fun run takes place at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14, prior to the festival. Register at racesonline.com. For details on the festival, visit gumtree festival.com. April 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS
KEEP TUPELO BEAUTIFUL
Keep Tupelo Beautiful – an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Mississippi Beautiful – has advocated for a cleaner, healthier and more beautiful city since its founding in the 1970s. Its annual projects include:
GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP This national effort targets litter prevention awareness; local cleanups of roadways, waterways and illegal dump sites; beautification of public and private areas; and recycling.
THE DAFFODIL PROJECT Since 2008, KTB has planted more than 350,000 daffodil bulbs in public spaces within city limits with funding from private donations, businesses and quality of life grants.
THE WILDFLOWER PROJECT Keep Mississippi Beautiful has launched a five-year program offering free wildflower seeds to 35 statewide affiliates, including Tupelo, to be planted along rights-of-way to expand the pollinator habitat and reduce the need to mow.
NEIGHBORHOOD REFORESTATION Since the 2014 tornado, KTB has held treeplanting workshops for private-property owners, and the group has distributed and planted more than 800 canopy trees in disaster areas. To participate in KTB’s annual projects, volunteer groups can call 662-841-6510. Mail taxdeductible donations to Keep Tupelo Beautiful, 71 E. Troy St., Tupelo, MS 38802. Donations received in 2016 will be used for tree planting and the daffodil project. Visit kab.org and keepmsbeautiful.com to learn more.
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SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem
A
utry Farm in Nettleton got an early start on produce last year with a new crop: shiitake mushrooms. “As a farmer, you’re always looking for a way to get you through those lean months where nothing grows,” owner Don Autry said. “These more than did the job for us because they really produce.” Growing them can be complicated, however. Autry houses his mushrooms in grow rooms because they’re so vulnerable to weather. Outdoor growth can shorten harvest time, and growers also must be able to recognize poisonous mushroom species. Autry gets wood chip logs from Mississippi Natural Products out of New Hebron that have been inoculated with shiitake spawn and
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INVITATION TUPELO | April 2016
incubated in their grow rooms for two weeks. The logs then spend two days in Autry’s first grow room at 58 degrees to simulate winter and then move to a second grow room, set to 65 degrees at 80 percent humidity. After about two weeks there, they’re ready to harvest. “It’s a short window. We do cuttings from day 13 to 17 and then let them rest before we start the process over again,” he said. “We get between five and seven cycles out of a log before we recycle them.” Mushroom season officially starts the first of April, but the fungi can grow year-round with the right setting and patience. Autry, a former paramedic and emergency room nurse, grows mushrooms for their nutritional value as well. “It’s a great immunity booster,” he said.
“When patients go through chemotherapy in Europe, they usually put them on one serving of fresh mushrooms a day to offset what the treatments do to your immune system.” Autry sells his dehydrated mushrooms at the Starkville and Tupelo farmers’ markets in plain paper bags. They keep for two weeks in the refrigerator and can be easily rehydrated by adding a little water before cooking. He recommends enjoying them sautéed with garlic or in his wife’s mushroom-rich, meat-free lasagna (recipes at right). “They’re a great meat replacer because the texture and flavor is so much like it,” he said. “You would never know there wasn’t meat in it unless she told you. And by then, your plate would probably be clean anyway.”
Garlic Sautéed Shiitake Mushrooms 4 Tablespoons butter 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ pound shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1 dash balsamic vinegar Melt butter in pan. Add garlic and sliced mushrooms, and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add a dash of balsamic vinegar, and sauté 1 additional minute. Serve hot.
Shiitake Mushroom Lasagna 1 (16-ounce) package lasagna noodles 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper ¾ cup chopped onion 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 (26-ounce) jars pasta sauce (or make your own) 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 (15-ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 2 eggs ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese Cook lasagna noodles in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes or until al dente. Rinse with cold water, and drain. In a large saucepan, heat oil. Add mushrooms, green bell pepper, onion and garlic, and cook until tender. Stir in pasta sauce and basil; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, 2 cups mozzarella cheese and eggs. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer half each of lasagna noodles, ricotta mixture, sauce mixture and Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and then top with the remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, 40 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
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CORINTH ONE MILE COLOR FUN RUN A One Mile Color Fun Run was held on March 19 at Corinth City Park. The event was sponsored by Zone Fitness and Corinth/Alcorn Parks and Recreation. photographed by Whitney Worsham
Greeneley and Alli Moss
Shelby McClain and Leigh Bright
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INVITATION TUPELO | April 2016
Shelly and Chase Hopkins
Melonie, Nikita and Jerimiah Logan
Mikayla Smith, Hannah Johnson, Sadie Studdard and Rachel Grace Carpenter
Robert Slagle and Hollie Dix
Courtney and Crissy Evetts with Hannah Gann and Terri Parsons
Amanda Gray with Gracyn and Dana Shimek
Bruce and Desiree Gentry
April 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
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TUPELO MUSTACHE BASH FUNDRAISER The fifth annual Tupelo Mustache Bash was held March 19 at the J.J. Rogers building. The event benefited the Autism Center of North Mississippi and Tupelo Community Theatre. photographed by Chasity Dees
Jeff and Jennifer Chambers
Callie Cain, Jordan Johnson and Emilee Kennedy
Ronnie and Travis Kitchens
Joe Cain, Brandon Kennedy and J.C. Barcia
Shelia Kitchen and David Elliott
Jade and Damion Cooper
Jessica Tull and Clark Pounds
Christy Stewart and Sean Anthony
Josh Martin and Hunter Grissom
Ryan Gray and Chelsea Davis
Tasha and Shawn Turner
names names Kelcey names McLemore names and names Austinnames Roye names
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INVITATION TUPELO | April 2016
Amanda and Jason Hayden
Jackson Roye and Russell Stafford
Alyssa Vail and William Dexter
Alex Lindley, Amy Farrar and Jeremy Dobson
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TUPELO BBQ DUEL The sixth annual Tupelo BBQ Duel festival was held March 18 and 19 at Fairpark. The familyfriendly barbecue competition featured live music and teams from 18 states. photographed by Chasity Dees
Kensleigh Gann, Makinley Huey and Zoey Mauney
Lee and Brenda Mikels
Larkin and Andy Estes
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INVITATION TUPELO | April 2016
Lexa Kai Brieck, Michael Ashley and Alyssia Brieck
Leslie Geoghegan, Beth Anne Ellzey and Carlton Wall
Sharon and Lynn Powell
Jykeria, Ken Jr., Ken and Ozzie Carter
Joe and Phyllis Hancock
Chelsea Kemper and Emily Riggs
Kendyll, Brandy and Skylar Carr
Sydney and Ali Frassrand with Seth Cowan
Sabre Barnett and Heather Posey
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SPRING 101 FASHION SHOW AND BRUNCH A spring fashion show and brunch was held March 19 at Hillandale Country Club in Corinth. Fashions were provided by local Corinth clothing stores, and lunch was provided by Smith restaurant. photographed by Whitney Worsham
Lauren and Ella Swindle
Cindy and Olivia Wilbanks
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INVITATION TUPELO | April 2016
Julia Smith and Grace Daniels
Marley Ashe with Dianne and Chelsey Whitaker
Bailee Kramer and Abby Null
Kasey McKee and Chandler Wilder
Lilly and Lucy Smith with Willow Hatcher and Mary Russell Smith
Jeana and Allie Dodd
Katie Beth Newcomb with Jamie and Tyler Sue Hajek
Jayla and Brittanie Brown
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UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION LUNCH United Way of Northeast Mississippi held a celebration luncheon March 10 at BancorpSouth Conference Center. The event included volunteer and donor recognition and a food sculpture contest. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Belvia Giachelli and Brandon Alberson
Brian Miller, Anne Luick and Ian Prester
Sonya Brown and Patrice Gamblin
Greg Pirkle and Wanda Gray
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INVITATION TUPELO | April 2016
Tillmon Calvert, Melinda Tidwell and Chauncey Godwin
Madison, Beth, Gavin and Lane Watts
Brock Cody, Tae Reddell and Kimberly Pegues
Tracie Conwill and Cindy Googe
Myra Collins and Jenny Jones
Miranda Garrison, Mark Vavruska and Jessica Baker
Mike Mitchell and Robin Matkin
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Stephanie King and Cindy Spark
Shey Edwards and Jimmy Weeks
April 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
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FCA BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosted a fundraiser breakfast March 25 at The Orchard Church. Bobby Bowden, former Florida State University football coach, was the guest speaker. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Jim and Tim Brown
Ty and Rusty Lanphere with Tommy Green, Terry Horton and Ross Lofton
Will Rambo and Bo Jeffares
Hayes and Gabe Wilson with Tanner Hendrix, McKinley Windham and Hayden Harris
Farrah and Sandy Fowlkes
Eva Kate and Jonathon Chaney
Tyler Hendrix, Wyatt Gunter and Jacob Carter
Greg Burks and Rick Maynard
Ros and Max Hutchinson
Will and Collin Kollmeyer
Chelsea and Hunter Williams
names names Forest names andnames Kaitlynnames Williams names names
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INVITATION TUPELO | April 2016
Lauren and Clayton Aster with Andy Luckett
Shawn King and Wesley Webb
Lindsey Chaney and Mark Burleson
Nathan and Reid Tackett with Mike Bass and Cayce Wilson
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ST. PADDY’S DAY RUN The second annual St. Paddy’s Day Run was held March 12 starting at the Rockwell Center. Proceeds from the race benefited Regional Rehab Center. The event was hosted by Tupelo Running Club. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Dedee and Chris Lee
Cole Roberson and Colleen Garnett
Lee Hartmann and Leyla Cumur
Amy Blackmon, Cheri Butzberger and Lee Anne Grace
Todd Baldwyn and Nathan Murff
David Minnis and Jennifer Mulrooney
John, Marley and Amy Snow
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INVITATION TUPELO | April 2016
Ashley Moyer, Teresa Byars and Judy Simon
Claire Bolen, Caleb Primos and Mary Kate Robbins
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ST. PADDY’S DAY AND BBQ DUEL CONCERT A St. Paddy’s Day concert was held March 17 at Fairpark to kick off the Tupelo BBQ Duel. It included performances by Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Jamie Davis & Soul Gravy, and The McKay Trio. photographed by Chasity Dees
Jessica Collins and Stacey Johnson
Michael and Alyssa Dees
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Melba Williams, Roxy Weathers and Winky Williams
Cara Harris and Melissa Bickes
Sophie Vezina and Kelly Wilson
Amanda Dickey, Keri Eldridge and Shea Summers
Kristie Wofford and Danielle Black
Carol Duffie and Mary Ivy
John and Alice Carroll
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the
NEIGHBORHOOD HARVEST
An acre of city-owned property has been converted into a community garden where Susie Harmon and her neighbors work the land and share their gardening knowledge and bountiful harvests. written by Melanie Crownover
susie harmon changes into her overalls each afternoon and grabs a pair of gardening gloves and a can of insect repellent. She has to get some quality time in the garden before the sun goes down. She strolls to the corner and then across the street, making her way to a one-acre clearing under the power lines at the edge of her Lee Acres neighborhood. Rows of her sunflowers, purple hull peas, okra and jalapeño peppers become visible down the hill as she reaches the first house’s back fence. Harmon weeds, waters and prunes until sunset, picking the choicest fruits and vegetables from their spots and placing them in plastic bags to drop on neighbors’ doorsteps on the way back home. “She’s like a worker bee, so the rest of us can’t keep up,” neighbor Susan Wade said. “She’s out in that garden long after I flake out, so much that my 4-year-old son just calls her Gardener Susie. We love when we come home and our resident garden fairy has left us a gift.” Three days a week – when the retired Tupelo Public School District social worker and bus driver isn’t caring for her bedridden mother or tending the family farm in Oktibbeha County – Harmon is busy in this hidden garden inside Tupelo’s city limits. The plot came courtesy of the city five years ago, when workers cleared the wooded area beneath the power lines behind several homes.
With three Lee County Master Gardeners in the neighborhood, including Harmon and Wade, allocating the land for a small community garden just made sense. The residents put in a request with the city and got a surprising answer. “They told us if we would keep the area tended, we could do it because it’s a win-win,” Harmon said. “It saves them time and money, and we get a private place to plant.” It also gave Harmon a place to practice the skills she learned from her father while growing up in Starkville. She and her 12 siblings grew produce on the family farm to stock the shelves at her father’s store and sell to local super markets such as Kroger and Big Star. Becoming a master gardener in 2010 taught her official names for a lot of things she already knew, but Harmon brought some gardening secrets of her own. She adds fish heads, leftovers, lichen or potash to the soil to fertilize; gathers leaves from yards along her walk to the garden for compost; and uses bamboo from up the street to stake her beans and tomatoes. Peas, corn, squash, peppers and potted herbs are always a part of the garden, and she cans much of her pickings, making them easier to share with neighbors. In addition to her harvest, Harmon also shares her gardening knowledge with anyone who asks, including some of the youngest gardeners in the neighborhood.
photographed by Joe Worthem
Student and neighbor Desman Watkins is one young gardener who joins Harmon in the garden once his school day ends. After learning from Harmon for two seasons when he moved into the neighborhood, the teenager has a full garden of tomatoes, squash, watermelon and banana peppers planned for this summer. He’s already considering horticulture school avfter he graduates high school. “I was just curious because I saw her out every day. Now I want to learn to grow everything,” Watkins said. “My mom’s pretty excited because now I bring home all kinds of stuff for dinner.” For Harmon, the role of instructor comes almost as naturally as finding a way to make something grow in the fickle, clay-rich soil beneath the power lines or sharing what she has with those around her. She credits that ability to her family full of teachers and her father’s work as an educator to local farmers after being a student himself in the first potato-growing class at Mississippi State University in the 1950s. But she points to the generosity of the city for giving her the opportunity to use those gifts. “Without them, we wouldn’t have this chance to come together out here and grow this,” she said. “We’re doing a pretty good job keeping the land up for them, but I think we got the best end of the deal. Maybe I should take them some tomatoes.”
Susie Harmon (pictured at right) learned to garden growing up on her family’s farm in Starkville. Now she and several others tend to crops in a Tupelo community garden they created after the city cleared land under the power lines in their neighborhood. Harmon is generous with her gardening knowledge and her harvest, frequently sharing both with neighbors.
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“They told us if we would keep the area tended, we could do it because it’s a win-win. it saves them time and money, and we get a private place to plant.” -Susie Harmon
April 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
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INVITATION TUPELO | April 2016
Old Meets New
A 150-year-old home gets new life thanks to young homeowners who successfully mix modern design sense with special antique touches. written by Melanie Crownover
W
hen Brit Harris and Billy Humphries first bought their Shannon home, it was far from perfect. The 1865 Victorian, which had been vacant for 20 years of its recent history, was showing its age. Water damage in the front bedroom around the chimney had caused the attic to show through the ceiling, the horsehair plaster walls were cracked like a road map, and almost all the interior woodwork had peeling paint.
photographed by Chasity Dees
Even the back porch had a gaping hole that was covered by sheet metal. But beyond the blemishes, the couple could see something else. “There was a connection between us and this house, maybe because both of us have always kind of been old souls,” Harris said. “When we looked around, there was no doubt that we would have to put a lot of work in, but both of us could see the potential.”
He and Humphries set out to reinforce the dignity of the home’s old-world character with a little modern style. Renovations began in October 2010, and the two moved in a year later. There was little to do on the outside, as the former owners had just finished their own repairs before selling. New windows, a new roof and vinyl siding were already in place. The new homeowners began with hiring April 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
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“There was a connection between us and this house, maybe because both of us have always kind of been old souls.” -Brit Harris professionals to upgrade the original knoband-tube electrical wiring, heat and air system, and plumbing. They also had gas inserts added to the original fireplaces. Humphries’ father, a former drywall professional, helped fix the interior walls. Then the couple took over the renovation. Harris, the assistant manager of a local paint store, and Humphries, a bookstore manager, became first-time do-it-yourselfers on nights and weekends with the help of the Internet and renovation TV shows. “It was never meant to look like the original, but we tried to reuse as much of those materials as we could in this version of the house,” Humphries said. “Everything else is new.” The duo salvaged the original wood flooring, kitchen cabinets, glass doorknobs, leaded glass in the front windows and reglazed soaker tub in the front bath. The footprint of the home is also original, but they turned the third bedroom into a dining room. They peeled indoor/outdoor carpet from the front bathroom and butler’s pantry, replaced tile, added new light fixtures and painted. “I’ve told him I’m glad he works at a paint store because we’ve probably painted each of these rooms five times,” Humphries said. “We’ve tried bright and jewel tones, but we keep coming back to the grays and creams. They just agree with the space more.” The modern palette wasn’t the only part of the 21st century they brought to the build. Especially in the kitchen and the two bathrooms, the sleek functionality of the present now overplays the past. Subway tile and marble floors define these rooms, accessorized by chrome fixtures in the baths and stainless steel Classic meets contemporary in Brit Harris and Billy Humphries’ (pictured top, left to right) 1865 Shannon home. The two have completely renovated the structure and decorated according to their eclectic tastes, mixing a modern color palette with antique accessories.
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appliances with open shelving in the kitchen. The bedrooms have a more turn-ofthe-20th-century look, with Edwardian-era accessories and artwork enhancing the antique wooden beds, one from the 1850s and the other from the early 1900s. The two styles mix throughout the house, combining for what Harris calls a formal antique rustic look. Modern colors and finishes on the walls meet with antique finds such as an upright piano in the hall and an 1875 portrait by John Aubrey of London hanging in the living room that reminds them of a Downton Abbey character. Handcrafted décor made by the pair, including a cypress farmhouse dining table and hand-stitched curtains, adds comfort and warmth to the living areas. Eclectic light fixtures, such as steel and milk-bottle pendants in the kitchen and a more traditional oversized statement piece in the dining room, help tie the two worlds together. “We like to mix the styles because it makes it look like a place that has evolved, like these things have collected here over many years,” Harris said. “We’re still in the process of filling these big walls with art, but we’ve started with collecting antique portraits.” The pair are now upgrading the outside to match the interior improvements. They began with a boxwood garden in the backyard that brings the structure and symmetry of their contemporary leanings outside, a detail they would also like to incorporate into the front yard this year. A restructuring of the old-fashioned wraparound porch and the addition of extra parking in the front are also on their list. “It’s not perfect by any means, but we love it,” Humphries said. Harris agreed, adding that the continuing evolution of the home is exactly what they love about it. “You don’t really know what you want in a house until you live in it awhile,” Harris added. “That’s why there’s always room to change it as you go and mix what you like.” Details in the bathrooms and kitchen add sleeker, more modern design elements to the home. In the kitchen, those features include simple open shelving, stainless steel appliances and hardware, marble countertops and unique light fixtures.
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a
FAMILY TRADITION Connie Wood’s backyard landscape reflects her eclectic style and honors family heirlooms. written by Melanie Crownover
organic living has been a part of Connie Wood’s life for as long as she can remember. Growing up with a father who gardened organically and a mother who could cook or can anything that came from that garden, she learned early how to sustain from scratch. “My mom always said to go to the garden if you were hungry when I was young,” Wood said. “And my father always told me that if you were blessed enough to be able to buy things, you should use them up, wear them out and find another purpose for them.” One look at her west Tupelo property confirms how their advice has influenced her since she started her first salad garden in 1997 with two young children of her own toting the trowels. In her first garden, Wood and her children made row markers from stones they painted. Today, a wonderland of repurposed treasures surrounds her favorite ‘Cherokee Purple’ heirloom tomatoes and greens and her husband’s spicy jalapeño and habanero peppers. Vividly painted brass chandeliers from the 1960s hang from a patch of trees, hosting birds as they flutter from arm to arm eating seed from the light sockets. Antique doors work as
portable walls for her sunroom. An in-ground border of recycled blue wine bottles surrounds the fire pit and hammocks. Hulking, salvaged 55-gallon drums are repurposed as rain barrels. Now family and friends, neighbors and friendly farmers leave offerings of bottles, barbed wire, welded nails and other materials on her doorstep for her to refashion, but the most adored of her outdoor re-creations begin with family keepsakes. “When you’re a military brat, you grow up without family nearby. People here grow up eating out of Grandpa’s garden,” she said. “It was important for me as a single mom for 22 years to turn our family memories into everyday heirlooms and re-create my father’s garden for them at home.” The 4-by-4-foot cattle gate her dad got when he retired from the U.S. Navy and began farming became a trellis-like wall for black berries in the summer. Aged windows with old ropes that Wood and her children acquired on mission trips years ago flank the house, fitted with window boxes full of mosquito-repelling herbs such as lemongrass and thyme. Wood’s favorite reinvented items remind her of her parents. Her father’s fan, which sat on his desk for more than 50 years, became
photographed by Joe Worthem
an outdoor light at the back door. Her grandmother’s bedsprings have been transformed into a bird playground fit with hummingbird feeders and flowering vines. “Now I think of my dad every time I walk in the back door,” she said. “And when I sit on the patio watching hummingbirds while I drink my coffee, I wonder if my mother is on her porch doing the same with the bedspring feeder that I made her just like mine.” Redefining the beauty of her family’s memories, her garden has nourished more than just their stomachs over the years. Wood takes pride in the fact that her two grown children still say salad from the garden is their favorite part of a meal, but the other lesson she wanted to teach wasn’t lost on them. “It’s always been something that has brought us together as a family, and there’s always more to the story than you’d ever think. You’re never just learning how to make the plants grow; you get a little family history mixed in with it,” said Wood’s daughter Jessi Snell, who is expecting her first child in September. “Now that I’m starting a family of my own, that’s something I want to share with them,” she added. “Luckily, she’s shown me how.”
In Connie Wood’s backyard, it’s all in the details: (opposite page, clockwise from top right) Antique doors function as sunroom walls; old windows serve as planters; blue wine bottles make a colorful border; the family cat enjoys the outdoors; Wood’s grandmother’s bedsprings are a haven for hummingbirds; and her father’s fan is a backdoor light fixture.
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“my father always told me that if you were blessed enough to be able to buy things you should use them up, wear them out and find another purpose for them.” -Connie Wood
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This annual Kentucky Derby party makes a statement with signature drinks and festive hats, but it also benefits a worthy local cause. written by Caitlin Adams photographed by Joe Worthem
For 17 years, Tom Evans has spent the
first Saturday in May donning an ornate hat and mixing his famous mint juleps as host of an annual Tupelo Kentucky Derby party. While the day centers on the famous horse race, Tupelo residents gather at Evans’ house for a greater cause. The annual fundraiser benefits Regional Rehab Center, a free-to-the-patient rehabilitation program offering physical therapy, occupational therapy and audiology services for people with disabilities. Last year, the nonprofit agency served 1,250 patients from 18 counties. “We see ages all the way from pediatric to geriatric,” Robby Parman, director of the center, said. “If you can get to us, then the service is available.” It’s an organization that is dear to Evans, who serves on Regional Rehab’s board. “The party is something that I can give back to Tupelo,” he said. “If you can’t give back and help others, life’s not worth living.” After hauling boxes of his silver and china to an off-site venue the first year, Evans deemed his Robins Street home the party’s permanent location. A self-professed collector, he already has everything needed to host the occasion. His china cabinets are stocked with enough silver and china for a sit-down dinner for 75 people.
Guests gather annually at the Tupelo home of Tom Evans (pictured at left middle) to watch the Kentucky Derby in style at a party that benefits Regional Rehab Center. This year’s party takes place from 3 to 9 p.m. on May 7.
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“I was raised that you don’t use paper plates and paper napkins,” said Evans, who irons cloth napkins for the event and serves his guests finger foods on his finest porcelain. Evans is the official entertainer, but the lawn party is a community affair. Neighbors spend weeks landscaping their yards and assist Evans with the party on the big day. Grocery stores supply food, and local businesses donate items to the silent and live auctions. “Everybody pitches in and works so hard,” Evans said. “We just have a whole group of people wanting to help out this facility that has touched the lives of all of us.” On race day, Robins Street shuts down, and guests pack in under white tents to watch the horses on the big screen. Live music fills the air, and attendees decked out in seersucker suits and summer dresses place bets with fake
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money. Winnings are used to bid on auction items that include weeklong Florida vacations, paintings, furniture and jewelry. All ticket and auction proceeds go directly to the rehab center’s operating costs. “We wouldn’t be able to open our doors without the help and support from the community,” Parman said. “The Derby party helps us secure the funds needed to be able to keep our doors open to the public.” Indoors, partygoers feast on a spread that typically includes homemade chicken salad, meatballs, tenderloin, cheese molds and more. Evans’ 12-foot-long dining table is swathed in the party’s signature black-and-white décor with touches of red roses. Evans occasionally runs the live auctions, and his famous mint juleps are poured around the clock. “I wear many hats that day,” he said.
And on Derby Day, hats are very important. The party’s much-anticipated annual hat contest has attendees planning their accessories for months leading up to the race. “Some work hours and days and weeks on their hats,” he said. “We have people who go to flower shops to get flowers sewn in. Some are tacky and outlandish; some are classic. We just have fun with it.” The fête is known for its elaborate equestrian traditions, but Evans is quick to remember the bigger picture and beneficiary. “A lot of people around town benefit from the center,” he said. “It’s such a large part of the community.” This year’s party takes place from 3 to 9 p.m. on May 7. For tickets, call 662-842-1891. To learn more about Regional Rehab, visit regionalrehabcenter.com.
Tom’s Famous Mint Juleps
Evans is known for his mint juleps and says his homemade simple syrup is the secret ingredient. “The key is to make your simple syrup ahead of time,” he said. What you’ll need:
Sugar Water Fresh mint leaves Kentucky Tavern bourbon (the official bourbon of the Derby) Crushed ice To make Evans’ special simple syrup, combine 1 part sugar with 1 part water in a pot. Bring the mixture to a boil for a few minutes, and then turn the burner off and add fresh mint. Steep the mint for 5 minutes (as you would steep a tea bag). Discard the mint. Once the simple syrup has completely cooled, pour the mixture into jugs. Seal and refrigerate. On the day of the Derby, mix 1 part simple syrup with 1 part Kentucky Tavern bourbon. Pour over crushed ice, and garnish with fresh mint leaves. Bonus points for serving in an official Derby glass or traditional silver cup.
Homemade mint juleps are just one of the traditions incorporated into Tom Evans’ annual Kentucky Derby party. The party also features food served on silver and fine china, and many guests wear striking hats.
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HALF PAGE: $90 Includes one photo and up to 200 words FULL PAGE: $150 Includes three photos and up to 300 words TWO PAGES: $275 Includes five photos and up to 500 words
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Oxford and Invitation Tupelo’s combined Bridal issue featuring gorgeous brides, dapper grooms and festive celebrations.
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A private Saltillo property is paradise for its nature-loving homeowners and a welcoming habitat for local wildlife. written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem
Entering Jeanette and Ray Emmons’ Saltillo property is like driving into a state park. Their 3,000-foot-long driveway could be mistaken for a country road that meanders through pine glades and grassy clearings, past a picturesque pond, across a tiny bridge and by a tranquil lake adorned with Adirondack chairs before reaching their house at the top of the hill. A sign along the way proclaims the 80-acre parcel a “Certified Wildlife Preserve.” While the post may be just a clever retail buy, the words point to the heart of what the couple sought when they moved here from Illinois in 1999. Ray, a certified Audubon naturalist, and Jeanette, a Lee County Master Gardener since 2005, wanted more than just a home. They wanted their land to be a natural sanctuary for themselves and a habitat for local wildlife. The house took a year to build in 2003; the area around it is an ongoing project. Preparing the land was a task because of its red clay soil. The Emmonses put down truckloads of lime and replaced the topsoil to make room for plants. Ray concentrated on the woody areas while Jeanette worked closer to the house. “At first we had a little conflict because I wanted native plants and she wanted more
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tropical, but now we each have our own areas to tend, and they kind of blend when you get over by the fence,” Ray said. “That’s how we learned to compromise.” With help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he built the 5-acre lake with an attached levee, a steel bridge, a pier and a path around it. Then he stocked both the lake and the pond with catfish, bass and brim. The fish gave the couple a reason to take their fishing poles out of storage and offered guaranteed meals for some of the larger birds and mammals that were becoming frequent visitors. “For a while there, he would even bring home roadkill he found while out driving and toss it into the woods for the scavengers,” Jeanette said. “We have so many varieties of animals that call this place home at some point during the year that we try to help all of them somehow.” The animals help them, too. Numerous frogs in the water, for example, croak musically on summer nights and help keep the mosquito population down by feasting on the pests. Ray cut a walking path through the woods and began adding native plants to the natural landscape for visual interest and as additional refuge for visiting animals. There are big-leaf magnolias, papaws, buckeyes, American columbos, mayapples and oakleaf hydrangeas. They add new plants every year that they find on their pilgrimage to the plant sales at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs. In addition to the foliage, the Emmonses also give their feathered friends extra options when it comes to shelter and sustenance. Bluebirds, finches, chickadees, chimney swifts and hummingbirds commonly find refuge in the birdhouses and birdbaths that dot the landscape. Ray and Jeanette also leave the seeds on their plants so the birds can feed naturally. The area around the house is a haven for wildlife as well. Foxes, wild turkey, deer and raccoon sometimes stray from the woods to nibble on Jeanette’s section of the yard. She planted
Ray and Jeanette Emmons have created a sanctuary for themselves and local wildlife on their Saltillo property, which includes a 5-acre lake (pictured at far right) and an in-ground pool (pictured on previous page).
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tropical banana trees and flowers to enliven the pool area, but she also made ample provisions in her flower gardens for the animals. “I may have gone a little gung ho with this area while he was busy with the woods,” she said. “There’s a rose garden, a shade garden for hostas and hydrangeas, a cutting garden, an herb garden, a vegetable garden, several raised flower beds and over 100 containers. And my plants don’t like to die.” The wildlife has been especially encouraged since Ray surrendered his seven-vine mus-
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cadine vineyard to them after an unsuccessful attempt at making wine a couple of years ago. “You never know what you’ll see here,” Jeanette said. “I saw a deer come up to eat one day while I was in the pool. We’ve had bald eagles and a hoot owl with a broken wing we rescued. I could sit out here on the back porch for hours when it’s nice. It’s so peaceful.” Maintenance of the verdant property keeps the couple and their eight sprinkler systems busy in the spring and summer. Keeping nonnative species such as kudzu and Japanese
honeysuckle out; bushhogging the outskirts of the woods; and pruning, weeding and watering the wanted plants means a combined six hours of daily labor during warm weather. But all that work is a welcome reward for the Emmonses when they get to enjoy the natural wonders they’ve invited into their yard. “We love to take this all in together and take care of it all together,” Ray said. “It’s the simple pleasure of having nature up close and really being part of it. I think it keeps us both young and active.”
Bring Back the Butterflies
Ray and Jeanette Emmons dedicated one flower bed in their landscape to encouraging monarch butterflies. The monarch population has declined markedly over the past two decades, and wildlife experts consider the species threatened. The Emmonses’ butterfly garden serves as a safe place for monarchs to regroup in March and April during migration. It is filled with native species such as butterfly leaf, native red honeysuckle and coneflower. They’ve also planted five varieties of milkweed in a special area on the hill. The key to a thriving butterfly garden is having something blooming all the time, according to Jeanette. In January, she has a honeysuckle bush that blooms. In February, there’s sweet spirea. Abelia and Indian hawthorn bloom through the whole spring and summer. She plants zinnias and simple coneflowers in the fall to bloom until frost. Milkweed is also a good native plant to include in a butterfly garden, and it blooms in April and May. Jeanette offers two little-known facts about butterflies: They mostly drink out of mud puddles, and they typically will not nest in the cute butterfly houses that people buy.
At left, private spaces on the nature preserve-like property include a secluded spot to relax with coffee, a walkway that winds through the gardens, an outdoor shower near the pool and a small greenhouse. April 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
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NRA ANNUAL BANQUET North Mississippi Friends of the NRA held its annual banquet March 12 at BancorpSouth Arena. The NRA is a nonprofit organization that advocates for gun rights and firearm safety. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Tim Wong and Jason Stewart
Amanda and Sam Stepp
Charles Sumner and Dede Carter
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Bud Cummings and David Goode
Charlie Brett, Charlie Greer and Gary Walker
Sandra, Nolan and Angela Howard
Keith Mansfield, W.O. Jones and Tommy Vickers
Eli and Jala Aronoff
George Carter and Ed Neely
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TUPELO COMIC CONVENTION Tupelo Comic Con was held March 5 at the Link Centre. The comic book convention included vendor booths, cosplay contests and an after party with entertainment by DJ Se7en Sound. photographed by Chasity Dees
Courtney Harrold and Rikki Scheuerman
Aidan and Manuela Wilson
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Aleah Lyle and Valerie Tickle
Julia Waltress and Alyssa Dees
Benjamin Moore and Casey Brown
DeLauren, Kiley and D.J. Sweeney
Chloe Hall, Jayden Hardin and Hadley Taylor
Ashley Starlin and Tammy Baker
Ashley McDonald and Holly Strickland
Tammy Pollett and Chris Cartwright
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RUN FOR YOUR BUNS 5K The second annual Run For Your Buns colon cancer awareness 5K race took place March 5 at Fairpark. The event benefited the North Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Patient Fund. photographed by Chasity Dees
Abby Kuykendall and Anna Leigh Witt
Erin Anderson and Kayla Mitchell
Rhonda Brown and Genie Alice Via
Joe Jackson, Meagan Rooker and Adam Fowler
Lucy Dexter, Georgia Kate Crawford, Bryce Hunt, Sam Dexter and Cameron Hunt
Stephanie Nickerson and Stephanie Scruggs
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Helen Thompson and Candace Hunt
Annie McGregor and Jim Goodwin
Laura Watson and Warren Lucio
Emma Kate Belve and Lynden Williams
Jan Carnathan and Christy Hall
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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
EMPTY BOWLS LUNCHEON The annual Empty Bowls luncheon fundraiser was held March 2 at Tupelo Furniture Market. Funds raised will benefit the Salvation Army. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Tener Henderson and Ketra Moore
Priscilla Hall, Amelia Smith Murphree, Ellen Turner and Linda Stephens
Carly Botts, Claire Silver and Emma Carson Collins
Rebeccah Joseph and Chickita Perkins
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Shirley Scott and Kenneth Haire
Peggy Gray and Barbara Briscoe
Michael Govatsos, Carolyn Mass, Barbara Curry and David Gillentine
Dyanna Ivy, Beth Barnes and Carson Robbins
Arneta Moore and Dean Webb
Caleb Palmer and Lee Wayne Neely
Danny Weldon, Amber Raley and Michael Armstrong
Judy Armentrout and Dick Johnson
Sally Warren and Marty Carpenter
Tommy Knight, Leila Turbeville and John Keel
Barbara Vaughn and Marie Castaneda
Peggy and Brantley Harrison with Jimmy Moran
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BLUE TIE AFFAIR FOR COLON CANCER A fundraiser was held March 7 at Elvis Presley Birthplace, with proceeds benefiting the North Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Patient Fund. The event included food, live music and an auction. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Missy Ewing and Nancy Crump
Stephen and Maggie Amann
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Mandy and Kyle Ragon
Justin and Lesli Flowers with Leah and Allen Justice
Aaron and Twila Washington
Lisa and Bill Collins with Barney Guyton
Teresa Ellis and Marsha Williams with Sam and Mary Pace and Dean Hancock
Harmon and Jeanna Davis
Selina Crayton and Cindy Stafford
Lynda and Steve Hersey
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BALLARD PARK EASTER EGG HUNT The annual children’s Easter Egg Hunt was held March 26 at Ballard Park. The event, organized by Tupelo’s Department of Parks and Recreation, included music, food and games. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Stacy, Neal and Blaze Hodges
Weston, Ashley, Wesley and Dawson Enis
Grayson, Jacob and Brooke Harden
Anniston, Blake and Jourdan Ivy
Jimmy, Kendal, Rebecca and Martha Carlton
Christiana Lockridge and Kendra Freeman
Jessica, Cheslynn and Ethan Potte
Jennifer Rivara, Cooper and Rachel Rich
Takuma and Mio Hanashi
Shaderia Varado and Jordyn Jennings
Lily Morrison and Carly Sudduth
names Hunter, names names Carsonnames and Haley namesWaldon names names
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Joey and Christian Curry
Jacob, Kristen and Daniel Mullins
Melanie Love and Jacamry Bursey
Jaqueline, Kenia and Alejandro Ramirez with Isabel Lopez
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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
TRENT HARMON HOMECOMING A homecoming parade and concert was held March 26 in Amory for American Idol contestant Trent Harmon. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Trent Harmon
Leah Ivey, LaDonna Summerford, Abby Roye and Nicci Howell
Breanna Fausz, Michelle Simpson, Tracey Fausz and Jolene Hoots
Madison Mullen, Bailee Scarborough, Deborah Talbert, Dixie Mullen and Michelle Hill
Emily Carter and Callie Kendrick
Katie Belle Ivy with Mallie and Jax Wilbanks
Tammy Lansdale, Macie Bailey and Anna Randolph
Samantha Thompson and Laura Greenwood
Trisha and Kayelee Foster
Janet Lehr and Kelsi Little
Chelsea Little and Alexa Junkin
names names Kayla,names Cade names and Hayden namesFoster names names
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Cindy, Randy and Randi Kathryn Harmon
Danielle and Emily Hill with Gena Pickle
Manny Torres and Shelia Westbrook
Millie Kate and Dawn Heeringa
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A NOVEL AFFAIR LIBRARY FUNDRAISER Friends of the Lee County Library hosted A Novel Affair fundraiser March 4 at BancorpSouth Conference Center. The event featured food prepared by chefs Ty Thames and David Crews. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Dennis and Sandra Wright
Ashley and Mark Prince
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Stephanie Whitaker, Torrie Robertson and Jessica Foster
Rachel and Zach Beasley
Kortney Seal with Dale and Linda Garner
Hugh and Bea Luckett
David Crews and Ty Thames
Jeff Tomlinson and Carol Pitts
Laurie Myers and Julianne Goodwin
Sheryl and Jacky Blackburn
Louise and Raymond Givhan
Moe Livingston and Margaret Parker
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OUT AND ABOUT TUPELO ELVIS PRESLEY FAN CLUB MEETING
Barbara Harlow, Lindy Gambrell and Dot Morrow
Barbara Mallory with Victor and Jackie Armstrong
BALDWYN’S INNOCOR WINS PLANT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Kevin Lindsey and Chris LaCorata
Hilary Whitehorn and Melinda Lyons
CHEFS EXPO
Bill and Cathy Monaghan
TRACEWAY MANOR LEAP YEAR BALL
Mary Catron and Shirley Gillentine
Rose Rankin and Jan Wiggington
TOYOTA PRESENTS GRANT TO PLANTERSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Seth Copeland, John Currence and Mitch McCamey
Plantersville Middle School students
SALTILLO DESIGNATED A MISSISSIPPI MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY
Ann Tackett and Lindsey Roper
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Tommy Lee Ivy and Phil Morgan
Jan Miller and Mayor Rex Smith
Brent Johnson and Vickie Duke
NEWMS ESCAPE LUNCHEON
Kelly Lence Godinho, Rhonda Horton and Cindy Edwards
Detra Rainey and Maddie Lindsey
SALTILLO BASEBALL ALUMNI GAME
Tim Mitchell, Johnny Bolen and Chris Dickey
Andy Loden and Matt McKissick
LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS’ PIZZA WITH A PURPOSE
Laura, Ella Beth, Brody and Baden Honeycutt
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JUNE 2016 Look forward to Invitation Oxford
and Invitation Tupelo's combined Bridal issue featuring gorgeous brides, dapper grooms and festive celebrations. All advertising must be reserved by May 5, 2016. To reserve your space in this issue, contact your Invitation Magazine marketing consultant today or call 662-234-4008.
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JULIE WEST
interviewed by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem
Julie West of Tupelo spent 10 years teaching public, private and homeschooled students before founding ReDesigns, a business that repurposes keepsakes into creative home décor items and employs workers with special needs.
Q: What makes a T-shirt quilt so special? A: They’re our main product because they’re so individual. To me, they’re basically a representation of at least a small section of a person’s life. Ours are even more special because we use the blank backs that are left over to make upcycled baby blankets to sell and donate. Now we’re working with Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic through their five-week parenting class to give them as gifts to the moms. We’ve also sent some to orphanages in South Africa.
Q: When did you start with rag rugs? A: That came from 4-H projects I would do with my children. My friend brought me some fabric scraps, and it just happened. Those were a labor of love, especially at first. I think it used to take me about 10 hours to make one, but now I have better tools and methods.
Q: What about the custom kids’ art collages? A: With four kids, I had four huge bags of artwork that I had to find a way to consolidate. I cut it all up, re-formed it with Mod Podge and added a coat of polyurethane for protection. They last for years, and now I make them for other parents. Mine sits on the back porch and adds a splash of color to the outside.
Q: What is the mission of ReDesigns? A: My goal is to make a creative workplace to employ a diverse group of people who may or may not have college degrees, but who – like one of my children – also might not necessarily fit into that norm most employers are seeking. I want to encourage them with a low stress environment and the pride of a job well done. For more information on West’s works, search for ReDesignsllc on Facebook or Etsy.
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