AUGUST 2016
AUGUST 2016
34
ON THE COVER Special thanks to Daniel Plunkett, 14, who built the Lego school bus pictured above and on page 41. photographed by Joe Worthem
IN EVERY ISSUE 6
Letter From the Publisher
8
What’s Happening
10
Community Corner
12
In Season: Cantaloupe
67
Out and About
72
Tupelo Spirit: Patrick Renfroe
FEATURES
EVENTS
30 Caching In
14
Music, Monet and Margaritas
Locals use high-tech tracking devices to hunt for hidden treasure.
16
Tupelo Elvis Festival
18
Father-Daughter Gumtree Ball
34 The Secret Garden
20
Taste of Home Cooking School
These fanciful gardens may be made for magical inhabitants, but they bring joy to people of all ages.
21
Candy Classic Tournament
22
Tupelo Hog Roast
24
Relay for Life Golf Tournament
26
Mama’s Got a Brand New Bag
28
A Day in the Park
54
Gumtree Festival and Run
40 Building Blocks
56
Verona Fourth-Grade Luncheon
Kids from preschool to high school meet to take on creative challenges posed by Lee County Library’s Lego Club.
58
Slugburger Festival
59
Lake Lamar Bruce Fishing Rodeo
60
Picnic in the Park
62
Farm to Table Dinner
64
VanWinkle Round to Remember
36 Tupelo Hula Hoopla Members of Tupelo’s hula-hooping club Hoopelo gather regularly for fun, fitness and fellowship.
44 Star Struck Two area teachers prepare for takeoff in a NASA-funded research observation adventure.
48 Natural Wonders Take a late-summer road trip and experience the beauty of nature in the Magnolia State.
4
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
36
44
48
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
5
THE PUBLISHER
publishers
Phil and Rachel West
editorial
EDITOR IN CHIEF Emily Welly CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Lena Anderson EVENTS EDITOR Mary Moreton STAFF WRITER Melanie Crownover EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Katherine Henson COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson
advertising
T
his month has significant meaning for my family. At our house, it’s not back to school; it was the start of school for our 5-year-old daughter, who began kindergarten. I shed some tears that Tuesday morning as I dropped Mary Katherine off on her first day, but I kept reminding myself that her best years are ahead of her. On Aug. 9, she began her formal education, where she is learning new responsibilities and establishing meaningful friendships. I was reminded of these lessons this summer when I attended my 20th high school reunion and spent time with some of the friends I first met in kindergarten. We told stories, shared our victories and defeats, and laughed until our cheeks ached. It’s hard to believe that my daughter is now meeting her own kindergarten friends who will be with her on her journey full of fun experiences and life lessons that will shape her future. Invitation Tupelo is celebrating back-toschool season with a few stories that highlight
6
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
learning outside the classroom. On page 40, read about Lee County Library’s Lego Club, and on page 30 discover what geocaching (and the Pokémon Go craze) is all about. We also spoke with some inspiring educators, Connie Gusmus and Bob Swanson, who in a few months will take off on a NASA adventure that is sure to enhance their classroom curriculums. Finally, we found some grown-ups who are learning a unique skill – hula-hooping – that they say exercises their bodies and their minds. Change can be hard. While our new routine at home means earlier mornings and more extended time away from each other, I am excited for Mary Katherine’s new adventures. With dedication from committed educators and hard work on her part, I know her future will be bright and fulfilling.
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 Michaela Cooper 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 or to buy an announcement, visit invitationtupelo.com. To request a photographer at your event, email Mary at mary.invitation@gmail.com. Invitation Tupelo respects the diverse individuals and organizations that make up north Mississippi and strives to be an inclusive representation of all members of our community.
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE
RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
7
AUG. 15 - SEPT. 15
EVERY TUES./THURS./SAT. Tupelo Farmers’ Depot
Shop for locally grown produce and more 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays and 6 a.m.-noon Thursdays and Saturdays through October. To learn more, search for Tupelo Farmers’ Depot on Facebook.
CORINTH EMBRACES EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR The Corinth School District has extended its school year. Students started Aug. 1 and will finish June 16. “We’re bridging the gap for students who are struggling, and we’re preparing high school kids for college and career readiness,” said district spokesperson Taylor Coombs. Here’s how: Instead of putting struggling students in summer school to get caught up, there will be three-week breaks in October and March during which real-time remediation will be offered to students who are falling behind. Additionally, during the breaks, enrichment programs will be offered during school hours for students who need childcare. High school students will also have remediation opportunities, and high school students who are on track can take classes through Northeast Mississippi Community College, potentially earning up to 21 college hours. There will now be a six-week break in the summer.
8/20
Dance Like the Stars Area celebrities partner with instructors from The Dance Studio to train for a ballroom competition while raising money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi. The dancer who raises the most is named grand champion. 6:30 p.m., BancorpSouth Arena. bgcnms.org
8/25-27
8/18 AND 9/15
Peter and the Starcatcher
Down on Main
Tupelo’s free summer concert series takes place in Fairpark. 6 p.m. tupelodownonmain.com
8/19-20
Stand By Your Grill Teams from the Southeast gather for the sixth annual barbecue cook-off in Fulton. Find Stand By Your Grill on Facebook for more details.
8
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
8/20
Boots, Bluegrass & BBQ Sanctuary Hospice House’s Junior Auxiliary hosts its annual fundraiser featuring a barbecue contest, raffle and live music. Tickets $30. 6:30 p.m., The Antler. 662-407-2400
Tupelo Community Theatre opens its season with the Tony-winning production that tells the story of how Peter Pan came to be. Tickets $18, students $6. 7:30 p.m., Lyric Theatre. tct.ms
8/26-27
Boy Scouts Clay Classic Annual sporting clay competition takes place at Camp Yocona. yocona.org/clayclassic
9/3
Corinth Green Market The eighth annual season of Corinth’s monthly Green Market continues. Open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the historic Corinth Depot. corinthgreen market.net
9/3-4
Flea Market and Trade Day Flea market finds are awaiting new owners the first weekend of every month at the Lee County Agri-Center in Verona. Open 9 a.m.7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. 662-566-5600 or 662-871-9273
9/10
Read with a Ranger The last Read with a Ranger program of the season features a salamander-themed story time, a fun activity and an optional quartermile hike. 10 a.m., Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center. 662-680-4027 August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
9
CHARACTER COUNTS
Trustworthiness. Responsibility. Caring. Initiative. These virtues are not lost in the Tupelo Public School District thanks to Character Counts, a yearlong program to teach 12 such personality-defining qualities. Each month, K-12 classrooms throughout the district focus on one character topic. Teachers introduce the subject through a TPSD shared video and then tailor short lessons for their classes with speakers and activities throughout the month. Several elementary schools also offer “Integrity Time,” an additional, more intensive parent volunteer-led curriculum based on local author Sarah Berry’s book by the same name. “We go through the entire alphabet over a year, with each letter corresponding to traits like attitude or behavior,” Carver Elementary School volunteer Chris Potts said. “We dialogue, sing songs, use puppets, play games. My husband even dressed up like one of the characters for my son’s class one week. We teach them to choose what’s true and good and right.” Middle school and high school teachers consider the subject matter just as important. “The best thing here is that it opens doors for us to have a conversation with these students that a lot of them may not get at home,” middle school teacher Michael Warren said. “All of these topics are just words until you dive into what it means to live them, and our kids are at the age where they’re just starting to think about big ideas like these and how they fit in with who they want to be.” Although the district has funded characterdeveloping education for a decade, officials say there’s been better response to Character Counts. They plan to build on the program using the same character topics this school year.
10
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Back to School... Back to Reed’s
Historic Downtown Tupelo 662.842.6453 • Mall at Barnes Crossing 662.842.5287 • reedsms.com August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
11
CANTALOUPE
written by Melanie Crownover
12
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
S
teve Minor of Baldwyn grows produce ranging from fennel to potatoes to butter beans in a 1-acre garden near his house, but the thing friends and family can’t get enough of is his summer cantaloupe crop. “I plant one group of hills at the beginning of May and another set at the end to make sure we’ll have enough for the whole summer,” Minor said. “But I think we may give away more than we eat.” His favorite variety is Ambrosia. “They’re not like market melons. They’re soft and bruise like an apple, but they’re so sweet,” he said. “You just have to eat them quickly.” He grows them from seed, starting in peat moss cups in his greenhouse until they germinate and get first leaves. Then it’s on to the garden, where he dug and prepared hills at the same time as the seed planting. The fruit, which thrives during hot, dry summers, is ready for harvest about 80 days later. “We like to find new ways to eat them because we have so many,” he said. “Cantaloupe over ice cream with honey like a sundae is a good one, and I have to make at least a couple of cantaloupe pies every year like my mother used to make. It’s not great for your middle, but it sure tastes good.”
Cantaloupe Pie 4 egg yolks 1 cup sugar 2 Tablespoons flour 1½ cups evaporated milk ½ cup water 1 cup cooked, mashed and drained cantaloupe Prebaked or graham cracker crust Whipped topping Beat egg yolks together until lemoncolored. Slowly add sugar, flour, milk and water while beating eggs. Add cantaloupe, and cook in a double boiler until the mixture reaches the desired thickness. Pour mixture into the prepared piecrust. Allow to cool to your preference (the longer the pie cools, the more it will set). Serve with whipped topping. Alternatively, after pouring the mixture into the crust, top with meringue, and bake until browned.
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
13
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
MUSIC, MONET AND MARGARITAS TCT’s 13th annual Music, Monet and Margaritas street fiesta took place June 11 in front of the Lyric Theatre. The event included live music, food and a silent auction of original artwork by local artists. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Becky Dobbs and Jimmy Dyson
Reagan McNerney and Alex Ferguson
Bob Taylor and Jolene Tucker
Brenda and Billy Taylor
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Marietta Massey, Patsy Weaver and Peggy Greenlee
Christy Houin, Carrie Haadsma, Dawn Steinmann and Liz Crockett
Charlie White, Judy Jones, Debby Gibbs and Tommy Green
14
Maddie Ludt Pressley, Tom Miles, Elle Beene and Torey Cahn
Pat and Terri Smith
Megan and Rita Cunningham
David and Carolyn Neilsen
Roy and Debbie Turner
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
15
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
TUPELO ELVIS FESTIVAL The 18th annual Tupelo Elvis Festival was held June 2-5. In addition to various live music performances, the festival featured local food vendors, a pet parade, a beauty pageant and a 5K run. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Kristy and Haley Jones
Tammy Chapman, Shelia Barber and Amanda Ausborn
Cody Slaughter and Jeff Lewis
Moe Livingston and Margaret Parker with Dakin, Annette and Scott Reed
Suzanne Messer with Bear
Tina and Lexie Osborne
Landon and Tiffany Moss with Bennie Bear
Mallory Watson with Zoey
Janna Duvall with Spuddy
Alyssa Osborne and Sophie Pardue
Valerie Voyles with Shelley
names names Judy names and Billy names McCullough names names names
16
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Carol Havelin, Tonya Hopper and Lindsay Spencer
Melinda Peters with Cleo
Greg Burgess and Lisa Diamond
Darrell and Melanie Nanney
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
17
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
FATHER-DAUGHTER GUMTREE BALL The 14th annual Father-Daughter Gumtree Ball was held June 25 at BancorpSouth Arena. The event, complete with dinner and dancing, is a fundraiser for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Wesley and Paslay Bell
Hailee Spradling, Clint McGraw, and Ella Spradling
Ken and Emily Williams
Alana and Brooks Corder
18
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Michael and Natalie Daugherty
Bella and Will Morgan
Dylan, Ali, Harlie and Ronnie Bishop
Carlyn and Aniyah Sherer
Sophie and Trey Graves
Liza, Josh and Anna Cash Sullivan
Sawyer and Matt Justin with Rapunzel
Nick and Kaitlyn Snyder
Tom and Sadie Ethridge
Azie Kate and Brandon Leathers
Brian and Cellé Vonderheide
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
19
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
TASTE OF HOME COOKING SCHOOL Taste of Home magazine hosted a cooking demonstration May 17 at BancorpSouth Conference Center. Taste of Home Culinary Specialist Jamie Dunn was the featured chef. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Charlotte Pollan and Mary Ann Carpenter
Ruthann Morgan and Regan Plunkett
20
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Hannah and Vickie White
Kayla McCarley and Mary Alice Moore
Shirley Matthews, Gail Golding and Pam McCullough
Mason Ambrose and LaShonda Montgomery
Lexi Parker, Missha Rogers, Jamie Dunn, Amy Speck, Dale Smith and Dennis Seid
Lou Ann Kidd and Cindy Bivens
Christian Palmer and Anita Ambrose
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
CANDY CLASSIC TENNIS TOURNAMENT The Corinth Candy Classic Memorial Tennis Tournament was held May 20-21 at Corinth High School. Proceeds from the event benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. photographed by Whitney Worsham
Mary Grace Gaines and Madelyn Griffin
Brad McDonald, Adam Holley, Mark Robbins and Payton Pearce
Nathan Hodum and Cody Hester
Bruce Beck, Caroline Churchwell and Mike Lewis
Briley Davis and Sunny Logan
William and Rebecca Stine
Kylie Elliott and Elizabeth Nichols
Brice Lindsey and Wilkes Crosthwait
Allie Carroll and Brian McDonnieal
Riley and Meredith Crouch
Katey Gardner and Kerston Jumper
Jana, Lainey and Cliff Little
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
21
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
TUPELO HOG ROAST The annual Tupelo Hog Roast was held May 20-21 at the VFW. Proceeds from the event benefited Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, NMMC Hospice Patient Care Fund and the Ronald McDonald House. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Kristin, Ava and Josh Logan
Brian Nance and Webb Lyle
Hillary Headings and Jackie Ward
Mary and Tom Ginn
22
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Jake, Bob and Seth Smith
Mickey Davis and James Powell
Mike Richey, Denise Chapman and James Reece
Amber Williams and Vanessa Winters
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
23
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
RELAY FOR LIFE GOLF TOURNAMENT Southern Motion held its ninth annual Relay for Life Golf Tournament June 10 at Natchez Trace Golf Club. The event raised more than $120,000 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Bill and Susan Hayden with Mitch Eubank
Sandy Box, G. Lipscomb and Paige Kelly
24
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Brayden and Curt Owen
Steve and Fletcher Johnson
Scott Doss, Tom Murphy, Sherry Mask and Bob Bamer
Carson Coombs and James Tate
Matt and Dave Cherry with Todd Curry and Steve White
Faulkner and Bill Roberts
Andy Hughes and Brandon Moore
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
25
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
MAMA’S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG Mama’s Got a Brand New Bag held its signature Power of the Purse event on May 26 at Park Heights. The event benefited the Fairy Godmother Project and ICC Endowment Scholarship. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Whitney McNutt, Teresa Cash and Susan George
Lori Raines, Melba Williams, Gabrielle Cooper, Nelda Horton and Roxy Weathers
Tricia Arnold with Amy and Aleka Pietrowski
Tina Moore, Sonja Senter and Ellen Kennedy
Donna Stevens and Izalda Anderson
Rita Cunningham and Lora Clark
Tabitha Robinson, Cecilia Stacks and Connie Renfroe
Chelsea Spain and Christen Hartley
Melony Armstrong and Doris Renshaw
Lindsey Patterson and Sungja Collins
Sonia Franks and Stephanie Harrington
Rhonda Horton and Evie Storey
26
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
27
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
A DAY IN THE PARK A Day in the Park was held May 28 at Theron Nichols Park. Community organizations and local coaches took part in the event, which included a football scrimmage and sports activities for children. photographed by Micheala Cooper
Anthony Mitchell and Isaiah Bell
Stephon McGlaun, Jordan Smith, Tyson Quinn and Anthony Doss
Khalil McGlaun and Brayden Collins
Nikyla and Nikhela Shannon
28
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Juan and Sasha Vilanova
Robert Hall, Stephon McGlaugn, Ben Collins and Tyson Quinn
Tesha Cummings and Maxzine Johnson
Bryce Weaver and Mike Waters
namesOllie names and names Irma names Collinsnames
Dawn and Junior Hardin
Justin Miller and P.J. Head
names names Serenity names and names Sherria names Collins names names
Jeff Norwood and Lamon Partlow
Maesyn and Chasity Daniel with Londyn Calvert
Payton Cummings and Charlie Rupert
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
29
locals use high-tech tracking devices to hunt for Hidden
treasure.
written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem
30
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Geocachers use cell phone apps and GPS technology to find hidden containers, or caches, in a hobby that’s become popular around the world. Get started searching for caches by signing up for a username at geocaching.com and downloading a free app such as c:geo.
Seven years ago Jenny Bowers bought her husband, Mark, a GPS device for Christmas. A small blurb in a magazine on geocaching was her inspiration for the gift, which turned out to be a present for the whole family. Geocaching is not a new trend, but in the past decade, the hobby has gained popularity around the world. Participants register online for usernames to join a search for hidden containers based on GPS coordinates and other clues. Geocachers can also create their own caches on property they own, public property or private property with permission of the owner. Bowers’ two children were 3 and 5 years old when the family picked up the hobby. Now, at ages 10 and 13, they have usernames of their own, and the whole family goes geocaching together on weekends and over spring break.
A cell phone app helps them choose the size cache and difficulty level they want, and then they read a short description and follow the coordinates to find it. “They still love going,” Bowers said. “We’re not too athletic as a family, but this keeps us active, and we have fun competing with each other to see who’ll find the cache first. Nothing makes a long walk worth it for everyone like a prize at the end.” Depending on the size of the cache, it may contain a simple log to sign, multi-cache clues to get to a larger box, or other treasures such as small trinkets left by former finders. It’s OK to take a trinket if one is left in its place, but the cache must always be put back where it was found for other hunters. The Bowers family has left their individual
signatures and a McDonald’s happy meal toy as a trinket in caches through Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas and Florida on their travels. They have also searched the surrounding local area extensively – some caches more than once because they change as other seekers add mementos. Some people even attach a trackable metal Travel Bug tag to a particular trinket and request that finders help it travel to a certain location. Finders can then follow its progress online. “It’s like a free or almost free secret club,” Emilie Hutcheson of Girl Scouts Heart of the South said. “There are so many caches all over Tupelo, especially in the touristy spots, but you’d never know you’re walking right past them unless you had the clues. And it’s not August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
31
Caleb, Jenny, Mark and Natalie Bowers (pictured top left) have been geocaching together for years in the local area and on family vacations. In addition to looking for hidden containers, they leave their signatures and trinkets such as McDonald’s Happy Meal toys in caches for other searchers to find.
just for kids. With some of the more complex caches, it’s like an addictive adult Easter egg hunt you really have to use your brain to get.” Hutcheson got involved a decade ago after the director of the Girl Scouts Heart of the South’s Camp Tik-A-Witha introduced her to the hunt. Since then, she’s searched for macro caches to sign a log, for trinkets on intermediate quests, and for what she calls “evil caches,” such as the toothpick in a ziplock plastic bag
32
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
that she found between the slats of a bridge. Hutcheson currently helps teach older troops how to find and make their own caches through the Girl Scouts’ Hide and Seek Program, a new addition to their camp repertoire that encourages STEM-based learning. “We get tons of photos from our parents of them out geocaching after camp is over because they want to share it and keep going,” she said. “You don’t learn to read a compass or get much
time on latitude and longitude at school anymore because of technology advances. You also don’t realize the map and tech skills you need to be able to do this because the hunt is so exciting, but you’re developing them every time.” Get started geocaching by going to geocaching.com and signing up for a username. Then download a free or paid app such as c:geo to your smartphone to search for caches near any location.
go pokémon go Tupelo, along with the rest of the nation, has recently been captivated by a new geocaching-like mobile game. Day and night, Pokémon Go is attracting hundreds of adult gamers and families with children to its hub at Fairpark and other locations around town, according to April Simmons, a 39-year-old pop culture blogger. Simmons created the Pokémon Go - Tupelo Facebook group, which had over 800 members just two weeks after the June 5 game launch. “Growth has been exponential every day,” Simmons said. “We expected the gamers and older Pokémon fans to come out for this, but the mainstream response was a real surprise.” Much like geocaching, the app forces its users to get outside and explore if they want to win. The game uses the GPS in users’ phones to direct them to finds – in this case, virtual characters called Pokémon that players can capture, evolve and fight against other players’ catches. The game also includes real-world stops where players can attain virtual items such as Pokéballs to catch Pokémon and eggs to hatch. Most locales in the hunt are historic sites or public areas like parks, but they’re not the only places seeing increased foot traffic from gamers. Several area churches have hosted events for the gaming public, inviting users already frequenting their parking lots to come in to play. Many business owners are also embracing the game by casting “lures” near their properties to draw Pokémon and welcome players inside. “It’s filtering into downtown business now since Fairpark is so close by,” said Belle Naugher, GumTree Museum of Art executive director. “We’ve become a ‘gym’ in the game, so we invited the hordes of players we’ve seen outside to come in out of the heat and use our Wi-Fi for $1. We’re getting a whole new crowd of people to show some art to in the process.” To get in on the game, download the app, and join the local group’s Facebook page. August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
33
the
SECRET GARDEN These fanciful gardens may be made for magical inhabitants, but they bring joy to people of all ages. written by Melanie Crownover
Gardening can be a serious topic for a Master Gardener, but Baldwyn native Donna Tucker adds whimsy to her outdoor space with the help of something unexpected: fairy gardens. The miniature gardens that give the illu sion that they are home to tiny legendary beings have a long history. Some say they first became popular before Christianity came to the Celts, as a way to bring the luck of good fairies to the home or to placate bad fairies. It has been suggested that they first came to the United States in 1893 after the Chicago World’s Fair. Their popularity today is reflected at garden centers, hobby stores and online craft sites that offer tips, tools and inspiration to anyone interested in creating tiny fairy habitats. Tucker’s first experience as a fairy gardener came after seeing one at a garden center in 2013. Now she’s an expert, regularly teaching classes on the subject to other Lee County Master Gardeners. “The great thing about fairy gardens is the joy they bring to any spot,” she said. “They can be as whimsical or elaborate as you want them to be. The only limit is your imagination and the scene you want to set.” The first step in creating a fairy garden is
finding the right vessel for it. The vignettes can be planted right in the ground, in established flower beds or in containers so they’re mobile. “I prefer mine in containers,” Tucker said. “I have about seven that I move around my yard to whatever area needs a little pick-me-up from spring until it gets cold. They’re mostly annuals, so I get to create something new every year.” Containers can be as simple as storebought flowerpots or as complex as handmade homes, like the papier-mâché pots Tucker sometimes makes for her fairy gardens. Even recyclable items from around the house, including broken pots or bowls and mismatched saucers that usually go beneath flowerpots, make charming receptacles. Accessories for the gardens are also a matter of taste and how much time the gardener wants to allot to the project. Creators can get elaborate with handmade furniture, bridges, arbors and walkways made with sticks and stones from around the yard. They can also build fairy houses from old milk cartons, plastic bottles, or cups “bricked” with pebbles or covered in twigs. Some hobby stores sell do-it-yourself kits to make furniture. Another option is to purchase dollhouse furniture and customize it. Many garden centers carry fairy figurines
photographed by Joe Worthem
and small houses to place in the gardens, and some offer fairy garden kits with ready-made accessories. As for what to plant, Tucker’s list of recommended ground covers and miniature plants is extensive. “You want to make sure you find mini plants that stay small as they grow or can easily be pruned to keep to size,” she said. “Look for ground covers or things that have small leaves that grow slowly.” For ground covers, she suggests miniature ferns, polka dot plants, herbs such as thyme, mondo grass and succulents. Flowering plants that can brighten up the landscapes include sedum, dianthus, phyllis, dwarf thrift, ice plant, ajuga and strawberry begonias. Bonsai make great fairy trees, and mosses or stepables are perfect for making pathways. Tucker believes fairy garden makers develop an eye for the tiniest of details as they design their creations, and the magic is reflected in the finished product. “Fairy gardening makes you see everything in a different way,” she said. “You can put as much or as little money into it as you want, but that little garden will still put a smile on your face every time you see it.”
Lee County Master Gardener Donna Tucker (pictured at right) specializes in fairy gardens, tiny habitats that appear to be designed for the fanciful creatures. The whimsical gardens feature miniature flowering plants and accessories, and they can be planted in containers or flower beds to bring creativity and fun to any backyard landscape.
34
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
“The great thing about fairy gardens is the joy they bring to any spot. They can be as whimsical or elaborate as you want them to be. The only limit is your imagination and the scene you want to set.” -Donna Tucker
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
35
36
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Members of Tupelo’s growing hula-hooping club Hoopelo gather regularly for fun, fitness and fellowship. written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem
The hoops start spinning around sunset at Fairpark. A group of women surrounds the statue of Chief Piomingo, energized by the songs playing from the cell phone that lies at its feet. As the sky settles into a deeper blue, the Hula-Hoops circling the ladies’ waists and arms mimic the neon hues of the fading sun with LED lights embedded inside the hoops. Children from the nearby playground rush to the illuminated crowd of women for a chance to try it themselves. In no time, the Hoopelo crew have them revolving the hoops about them like pros, trying to reverse direction on the spin, speeding up the tempo and learning beginner tricks on their arms. This isn’t a class, but the self-proclaimed hoop sisters promise they don’t mind the commotion. It’s like this every Tuesday night when they meet. “This kind of cardio is like an antidepressant with a little sisterhood mixed in,” 61-year-old Deb Fooshe of Mooreville said. “Inside this hoop, I have no age or body image, and I don’t care that I used to be too shy and uncoordinated to even dance in the crowd at a festival. It’s a freeing thing that most people are naturally drawn to.” This laid-back gathering has run on open invitation since the first get-together in 2008. Even the occasional pet dog makes it to a meeting to help wrangle the hoops that roll away. Although the majority of these hoopers are women, some male friends and husbands have tested the equipment over the years. Group members represent every body type, and the ages range from the eldest member who hoops at local nursing homes to small children mimicking their moms and babies watching from their carriers. Members of Hoopelo, a Tupelo-based hula-hooping club, gather downtown on a recent summer evening to practice their ever-evolving skills. August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
37
38
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
“Inside this hoop, I have no age or body image, and I
don’t care that I used to be too shy and uncoordinated to even dance in the crowd at a festival. It’s a freeing thing that most people are naturally drawn to.” -Deb Fooshe
“Finding a way to fit in exercise is hard after you have a baby,” said first-time attendee Amanda Patton, whose 10-week-old son Ryder came along as a spectator. “I knew I would be an amateur next to these ladies, but I think I may have to get a hoop to practice on at home before next month.” She isn’t the only newcomer returning. While the first meetings were attended by only five to 10 people, the Tupelo-based crowd has recently grown to around 80 hoopers attending on and off as their schedules allow. The band travels to Memphis, Oxford, Starkville and Jackson whenever possible to mingle with other hooping groups and share tips such as using lighter, smaller hoops for tricks around the arms and legs and starting waist hoopers with a larger, heavier hoops for less rotation and slower movement. Hoopelo members also merge their collective skills to perform for public schools, neighborhood associations, charitable organizations and events, including the 2015 Tupelo Christmas Parade. “One of our organizing members travels the hoop circuit to conventions all over the country, but most of us just love to get together to go to nearby festivals and concerts so we can hoop to the music,” founding member Rebecca Fischer said. “Even if two of us meet unexpectedly at the park and break out our hoops, that kind of counts as an unofficial meeting because this really is a fellowship for us.” For more information on Hoopelo’s next meeting, look for updates on its Facebook page. Hula-hooping becomes a more dazzling spectacle at night when LED lights embedded inside the spinning hoops begin to glow. August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
39
40
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF GRACE HALL; CENTER PHOTO BY JOE WORTHEM
kids from preschool to high school meet to take on creative challenges posed by lee county library’s Thousands of Legos cover the floor in the Helen Foster Auditorium at Lee County Library. The local Lego Club, made up of members ranging from preschoolers to teenagers, has spread out for their monthly meeting. When youth services librarian Grace Hall signals cleanup time, the children break their concentration and reluctantly contain their creations. High fives are given all around, and plans for the next session are made as parents lead youngsters to the exits. Hall smiles as she
lego club.
stows away the bins of blocks until next month. “We typically read a story, and then I base a building challenge on it for the kids,” she said. “You never know what we’ll be working on.” At one recent session, participants constructed their own city buses after reading a story about transportation. Every third Saturday at 3:30 p.m., Hall prepares for at least 35 Lego enthusiasts and family members to create their versions of one
written by Melanie Crownover
of the ideas she’s developed from a book, magazine or the Lego website. The activities are free and open to all; attendees just need to bring a flat surface on which to build. The 10,000 Legos on hand for builders came from a 2014 Association for Library Service to Children grant in conjunction with Lego’s Junior Maker program just after the meetings moved to the library. The first meeting was held in 2012 in Shruti Gupta’s home to give her homeschooled
The Lego Club meets monthly at Lee County Library to practice creativity and building skills, and it hosts an annual Lego building competition in July where builders exhibit more-elaborate projects. Above center, Lego Club member Daniel Plunkett holds a school bus he designed and built for use on this issue’s cover. August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
41
Pictured at right are some of the recent projects built during monthly Lego Club meetings, typically inspired by a story read at the start of the gathering.
42
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF GRACE HALL
boys – Kabir and Arjun, now ages 9 and 6 – a new outlet. “I saw that without a Lego kit, my oldest son couldn’t think of what to do with the blocks. Those kits are great for learning how to follow directions, but it curbs your creativity,” she said. “After we met for a while, I saw my own children and the others being able to see something and re-create it or make up something original with their imaginations.” Gupta held the first Lego Fair for the club at the Lee County Library a year later, giving the kids a chance to show off their new skills. Response to the event was so overwhelming that the club became a new entity. “We had so many children wanting to join after that, I didn’t know if my house would hold it anymore. When the library came to me about hosting the club permanently, I thought it was a good chance for someone else to breathe new life into it,” she said. For moms like Gupta, the meetings still offer encouragement for her children’s talents, a place for them to meet with other budding master builders and another opportunity for their family to bond over Lego time. The library now holds an annual Lego Fair in July for the builders, an exhibition and friendly competition that pits the members’ best projects against each other. This year’s fair took place July 23. Team and individual prizes were awarded in several categories. Arjun, who created a swimming pool action scene for last year’s fair, built a Lego desk organizer for the event. Kabir, who built a working Lego fan in 2015, recreated a piece of his own artwork with Legos. Both placed first in their divisions. “It’s absolutely amazing to see what they build,” Hall said. “I have as much of a time watching what they come up with as they do putting it together, I think.” For more information on the Lee County Library Lego Club, call 662-841-1927.
“it’s absolutely amazing to see what they build. i have as much of a time watching what they come up with as they do putting it together, i think.” -grace hall, youth services librarian
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
43
44
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Two area teachers are preparing for takeoff in a NASA-funded research observation adventure. written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem
SOMEWHERE IN THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE, a group of scientists sits above the clouds in a Boeing 747SP known as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) bouncing invisible light into space. Their NASA-funded research helps define the phenomena of this world and expands existing knowledge of the galaxies around it. Connie Gusmus of Guntown Middle School and Bob Swanson of Itawamba Community College will be part of it later this year. The two science instructors make up one of 11 educator teams chosen for NASA’s 2016 Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program. They will board the SOFIA in California for a week of research observation in December. For Gusmus and Swanson, the experience could affect their students’ understanding of scientific processes used to explore the universe as much as their own. “I’m above Cloud 99 to have this chance to learn firsthand about something I’ve read about for years, but I’m even more excited to bring it back to my students,” Gusmus said. “That’s my real big chance – to touch the future by giving them information that may August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
45
CREDIT: OBSERVATORY IMAGES FROM NASA, ESA (HERSCHEL AND PLANCK), LAVOCHKIN ASSOCIATION (SPEKTR-R), HESS COLLABORATION (HESS), SALT FOUNDATION (SALT), RICK PETERSON/WMKO (KECK), GEMINI OBSERVATORY/AURA (GEMINI), CARMA TEAM (CARMA), AND NRAO/AUI (GREENBANK AND VLA); BACKGROUND IMAGE FROM NASA
The SOFIA is shown relative to both the altitude and collection capabilities of other space observation systems. The SOFIA flies in the upper atmosphere, allowing its telescope to observe within the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Other spacecraft that fly above the earth’s atmosphere and observatories located on the ground are also depicted.
open their eyes to possibilities they’ve never thought about.” The opportunity to observe and interact with researchers working aboard the SOFIA will not only enhance lessons the teachers bring back to their classrooms but also provide real examples of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career paths to share with students. The pair applied for the team research position in 2014 but were approved as Earth Ambassadors with their airborne status on hold because neither had flight training. NASA first sent them resources to educate their communities on SOFIA, which uses its 17-ton telescope with infrared technology and its position above Earth’s atmosphere to help see things in space that would be impossible to view from the surface. “They look for effective teachers with a knack for reaching out to everyone for this program because it’s about sharing information,” Swanson said. “NASA does all this
46
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
research that answers so many big questions, but what’s it all for if that never trickles down to the community?” A former Pennsylvania weatherman known for his singing weather presentations at schools even after he became an educator, Swanson met Gusmus when he performed for her class. When the requirement for a dynamic middle or high school teacher for his team later arose, he remembered her eagerness to try new things to keep students engaged and thought she’d be a perfect fit. For almost a year, they took their SOFIA outreach to sites such as a neighborhood summer camp, the Ole Miss Tupelo campus, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Roadways into Developing Elementary Students conference in Jackson. That work paid off when NASA’s peer selection committee chose them from 185 other proposals in late 2015. The 11 chosen educator teams join three previous Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors cohorts, and Gusmus
and Swanson are the first team from Mississippi ever accepted into the program. The two took a required online master’slevel astronomy course this summer in prep aration, and they will receive final flight and safety training before their first takeoff. Then in December comes the experience they’ve been waiting for: two or three nocturnal SOFIA flights with the research crew and one other teaching team, each lasting eight to 10 hours. NASA pays for substitute instructors to teach their classes while they’re away, but both Swanson and Gusmus plan to keep in touch with their students while on the SOFIA via Facebook or Skype to give them an up-close look at their journey. “We want them to get as much from this experience as we do. I may have to see if they’ll let me bring a guitar on board to post a song to YouTube for my students while we’re there,” Swanson said. “I already have a title. I think I’ll call it I’m Infra-Ready.”
Follow Invitation Tupelo on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to find out what’s happening around Tupelo. Facebook “f ” Logo
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @invitationtupelo
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @invtupelo
CMYK / .eps
Facebook “f ” Logo
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/ invitationtupelo August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
47
Natural Wonders of Mississippi Take a late-summer road trip and experience the beauty of nature in the Magnolia State. written by Kate Lechler photographed by Joe Worthem
red bluff An hour and a half east of Hattiesburg, near Foxworth, is the Mississippi version of the Grand Canyon. Red Bluff can be found at the end of twisty back roads through the woods and open fields. It is a 150-foot-deep chasm of red clay that has eroded naturally. The soil, one of the most striking aspects of the canyon, is striped in coral, peach, lemon and brick red. Intrepid hikers can take rugged trails down to the bottom on the north and south ends. From the top, Red Bluff offers beautiful views of several miles of forest northwest of the canyon.
48
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
49
tishomingo state park About an hour from Tupelo, near the Alabama border in the foothills of the Appalachians, Tishomingo State Park claims the highest natural point in Mississippi. In addition to hiking and bouldering, visitors can enjoy rappelling off the point of Jean’s Overhang. Located on Bear Creek, a tributary of the Tennessee River, Tishomingo also has a small lake where people can canoe, kayak and fish. Dating to the 1930s, camping cabins and other park facilities are built from local stone, and the park also features a historic trapper’s cabin.
50
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Come visit our historic downtown for these great events on The Square.
REBEL vs BULLDOG TAILGATE CHALLENGE AUGUST 20TH
SEPTEMBER 16 & 17 August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
51
union falls Near Moselle, on a back road of Highway 11, is a little-known treasure called Union Falls. The waterfall is a favorite spot for Jones County locals where the water, coming from Tallahala Creek, spills over a 6-foot-high rock overhang. Kids can jump from the top of the falls into the swimming hole below, and swimmers can duck under the overhang and get a glimpse of the falls from the back.
seminary falls Seminary Falls, on the Bouie River, is located in Seminary. A bus brings canoes and kayaks to a point on Old Highway 49 where people can float down the river. The Bouie River is fast here, running in shallow falls and rapids, but after the main falls, it becomes slower and deeper and has many sandbars. Surrounded by beau tiful woods, visitors can spend the day swimming and diving.
52
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
53
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
TUPELO GUMTREE FESTIVAL AND RUN The 45th annual Gumtree Festival was held May 14-15. Festivities included art vendors and live entertainment. Tupelo Running Club’s annual 10K race and 2K fun run took place prior to the festival. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Lynn Dobbs and Leigh Ann Agee
Jackie and Sheryl Blackburn
Laura Ashley and Corey Mauldin
Patrice McCrady and Kenneth Butler
Jordan Davis and Alyssa McClain
Shari Lieb and Emilie Hutcheson
Megan Robinson and Terry Bain
Brad Pounder and Stephanie Phifer
Angy Abner and Addi Knight
Lucy Johnston, Emma Gregory, Megan Tucker and Arabella Dowden
54
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Sandra White and Susan Parker
Matthew Robison and Summer Stroup
Todd and Charlotte Baldwyn
Bud and Amy Forrest with Angel and Terry Harbin
Taylor and CeCe Goodman
Belle Naugher and Rebecca Busby
Amanda Gibson, Leslie Nabors and Kimberly Otto
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
55
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
VERONA FOURTH-GRADE STUDENT LUNCHEON Fourth-grade students from Verona School attended a luncheon at Tupelo Country Club May 12. The event allowed students to practice etiquette skills they had learned in class. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Jacari Moore, Temeka Shannon and Kendrick Smith
Margaret Parker and Vanessa Combs
56
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Daniel Carnathan and Lamarcus Lenoir
Nelson Armstrong and Essence Metcalf
Triston Jernigan, Courtland McCoy, Ashanti Donegan and Adarius Sanders
Jada White, Dkerrius Johnson and Taffie Ray
Taylor Roberson, Maniya Kirksey, Jalen Love, Samual Huddleston and Shalayla Springer
Johnny Bishop, Jada Lowery and Jordyn Hodges
John and Carolyn Salters
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
57
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
SLUGBURGER FESTIVAL The 29th annual Slugburger Festival was held July 7-9 in downtown Corinth. The event included live music, rides and the National Slugburger Eating Contest with winner Joey Chestnut.
photographed by Whitney Worsham
Jamirah Lanae and Jaleitra McGee
Karen and Larry Duncan
Brent Johnson and Mollie McKay
Andy and Leigh-Taylor Timmons
Taylor Coombs and Lindley Brawner
Nancy Palmer, Vicki Vanderford, Sherra Holcombe and Robin Elliott
Sam Barclay and Joey Chestnut
Rick and Rebecca Lewis
58
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Sarah Kate Burns and Bennett Harwood
Albert Stanley and Tess Harbour
Elizabeth Williams, Hannah Avent, Katie Timmons and Tori Treadway
Rebekah and Rachel Williams
Sarah Cotton and Jered Ashmore
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
LAKE LAMAR BRUCE FISHING RODEO A youth fishing rodeo was held May 21 at Lake Lamar Bruce. The free, family-friendly event was hosted by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Doug and Kendel Bailie White
Waylon and Mike Wages
Josh and John Andrew Stuart
Bob and Camille Galloway
Ethan Pennington and Dillon Sutterfield
Mike and Milee Williams
Emma, Jay and Harper Williams with Amy Martin
Tony and Layla Wilson
Jim McCullough and MacKenzie Snider
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
59
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
ALL-AMERICA CITY PICNIC IN THE PARK The annual Fourth of July community picnic and celebration was held July 4 at Ballard Park. The family-friendly event included an afternoon of live music from area bands and evening fireworks show. photographed by Michaela Cooper
Meredith and Bailey Davidson with Stephanie Wilson
Zac Cash, Hunter Spencer and Jeff Sewell
Angie and Cameron Phillips with Glenda Rogers
Alyssa, Lola and Roger Pankow
Cameron and Ashley Townsend
Debbie and Horace Dean
Carol and Frank Nacarato
Myron, Denise and Caylee Naylor
Christopher, Julie and Dahntezz Clark
Ashantis Cunningham and Shamiyah Hamilton
Steven Estes and Drew Langford
names names Hayden names Leenames and Josh names Popeck names names
60
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
John Brady and Gavin King
London and Heather Tate
Rocha and Michael Jones with Zhy Holsey
Mary and Gabby Bearden
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
61
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
NEW ALBANY FARM TO TABLE DINNER The second annual Farm to Table Dinner was held June 23 on the footbridge across the Tallahatchie River in New Albany. Proceeds will benefit the New Albany High School Culinary Program. photographed by Michaela Cooper
Richard and Jackine Russell
Keri and Corey Stout
62
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
James and Melanie Shannon
Swift Rogers, Jean Dillard and Kathy Carter
Logan Rutledge and Madison McMillen
Allen and Gracie Jackson
Patty and Ray Collins with Rhonda and Chuck Cooper
Steve and Anne Shirley
Goeffery and Bailey King
Frank Madden and Will Ford
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
63
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
VANWINKLE ROUND TO REMEMBER The eighth annual Round to Remember golf scramble, held in memory of Beth VanWinkle, took place May 21 at Natchez Trace Golf Course. The event benefits Alzheimer’s Mississippi. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Niki and Keith Peel
Leven VanWinkle and Vickie Whittington
64
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Russ Smiltnieks and Ron Shinault
Steven Thomas and Jim Repult
Tom Minyard and Vince Malavasi
Rodney Walker and Bill Donald
Sam Sorce and Bob Kelly with Stan and Gary Benge
Presley and Nick Rainey
Gracyn VanWinkle and David Whittington
Patty Dunn and Jay VanWinkle
DECEMBER 2015 / JANUARY 2016
FEBRUARY 2016
For more information about advertising in Invitation Tupelo, call (662) 234-4008. August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
65
Check out the
Fridays are tasty at INVITATIONTUPELO.COM! Visit our food blog for delicious recipes contributed by food blogger Kimme Hargrove each week.
66
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED ON PAGE 68
TUPELO ALUMNAE CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY SCHOLARSHIP RECEPTION
Janice Stevenson and Amyah Lee
Daphyne, Tae and Shamya Bradley
DANCING LIKE THE STARS ANNOUNCEMENT
Danielle Frerer, Shad Spight and Julie Yoste
J.J. Reed, Taylor Rosenthal and Keith Shirley
MILAM SPEAKER MATT MONIZ
Julie Bingham, Edgar Capaning and Amy Tate
GUMTREE RACE DONATION CHECK TO TUPELO/LEE HUMANE SOCIETY
Rachel Allred, Pam Britt, Jennifer Martin, Michelle Turba, Jay Quimby and Brian Rucker
10 FOR TUPELO
Matthew Moore and Jayne Christian
SPECIAL OLYMPICS TORCH RUN
Brad Prewitt, Matt Moniz and Mary Plasencia
BUTCH LAMBERT GOLF TOURNAMENT
Michael Collie and Ace Elmore
MODERN WOODMEN FINANCIAL CHECK DONATION TO SALTILLO ELEMENTARY
Belinda McKinion and Hannah Long with Logan and Scott Medlock
7 DAYS FOR THE TROOPS
Madison and McKenzie Denton
Zane Eldridge and Andrew Goad
Graceanne Kennedy and Abby Hannon
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
67
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 67
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Delorise Parks and Connie Coker
TUPELO ALUMNAE CHAPTER OF TRI DELTA SORORITY MEETING
Kaycee Burrell, Shelley Roper and Cindy Faucette
DISC GOLF TOURNAMENT AT TRACE LAKE
BLUE HEALER CONCERT AT BLUE CANOE
Rodney Worley, Robby Harris, Jared McCall, Steven Young and John Franklin
GUNTOWN STUDENTS THIRD PLACE WIN AT NATIONAL BRIDGE COMPETITION
Noah Johnson, Spencer Olson, Mason Sancillo and Connie Gusmus
MOVIES IN THE PARK: STAR WARS
Zensen and Jaxon Williams with Lincoln Patterson
68
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
Linda Beasley and Kathy Ferris
Bryan Mammel, Dees Stribling and David Beck
SOUTHERN SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE
Dillon Keith, Brian Harrison, Michaela Compton and Mersaidee Soules
SALSA AND SANGRIAS AT KERMIT’S OUTLAW KITCHEN
Luke Merchant and Eli Edge
Carolyn and Chip Ashford
Richard Rodgers and Charlisa Latour
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
69
70
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016
The Antique Collection
When you think of jewelry, think of Stones.
TUPELO | MS
709 West Main Street • 662.844.9444
RIPLEY | MS
101 Hospital Street • 662.837.4215
August 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO
71
PATRICK RENFROE interviewed by Melanie Crownover photographed by Lisa Roberts
Recent Tupelo High School graduate Patrick Renfroe is finding success playing his violin in local bars, at weddings and in church. “If it’s music, I’m there,” he said.
Q: Is violin the only instrument you play? A: No, but it’s my main one. I also play guitar, piano and percussion. We have a room in our house dedicated to music stuff that looks like we have a full band living in the basement.
Q: How did you learn to play? A: I started with a toy keyboard
I learned to pick out songs on, and then a guitar. My first violin and training was with the school orchestra in fourth grade. I still play classical for my wedding gigs, but I had to teach myself to play by ear so I could listen to radio songs and pick them up without sheet music. I would mimic guitar licks. That got me into new kinds of music and writing my own.
Q: What is your process for writing music? A: I write a good bit by figuring out a melody on the piano and then go back and add harmonies and riffs on the violin. Dave Matthews Band is one of my biggest influences, and I love contemporary jazz. I want my music to be constantly changing through movements so it’s like a film score summed up in 10 minutes. That way it can take you through multiple feelings in one song.
Q: What’s the plan now that you’re a graduate? A: [I plan to go to] Itawamba Community College to study music theory and business. I got a $3,000 scholarship from the Elvis Presley Birthplace to help. If that goes alright, I’m hoping to go to a four-year [college] around Nashville and find a niche with a band there. I can still gig on the weekends until I finish school and can focus on music completely.
72
INVITATION TUPELO | August 2016