FEBRUARY 2017
February 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO
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FEBRUARY 2017
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ON THE COVER Local potter Harry McBride’s functional, oneof-a-kind soup bowl includes a built-in side dish for bread or crackers. photographed by Joe Worthem
IN EVERY ISSUE 6
Letter From the Publisher
10
What’s Happening
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Community Corner: SAWA
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In Season: Soup
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Out and About
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Holiday Happenings
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Tupelo Spirit: Jeff Jones
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INVITATION TUPELO | February 2017
FEATURES
EVENTS
32 Empty Bowls, Full Hearts
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THS Band Inaugural Send-off
The Salvation Army’s Empty Bowls fundraiser brings together Tupelo potters who create unique bowls for the special annual event.
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Ole Miss vs. MSU Ice Hockey
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THS Madrigals Singe Feaste
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THS Transition Skills Class Party
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Tupelo Furniture Market
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Almost New Year’s Party
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Disney on Ice Dream Big
46 No Pain, No Gain
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Sremmfest
A local professional MMA fighter is making a name for himself in the ring and at the gym.
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Harlem Globetrotters
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Tupelo Area Pageants
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Corinth Charity Ball
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Saltillo Sip and Cider
40 Canyon Land Northwest Alabama’s Dismals Canyon is a pristine natural landmark tucked into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
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THE PUBLISHER
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often make soup for my family on cold winter nights. With it, my husband always prefers crackers, but they look odd served alone on a plate, and so the red box of Ritz crackers just sits on the table. When the soup bowl featured on the cover of this month’s issue showed up at my office, I was floored by the genius of it. Made by local artist Harry McBride – affectionately known as “Harry the Potter”– it’s designed to hold bread or crackers right beside the soup, Turns out, McBride’s unique bowls are sought after at Tupelo’s Empty Bowls annual charity event, taking place on March 1. Empty Bowls events happen all around the country, from small towns to big cities, to raise money for food banks and soup kitchens. In Tupelo, Empty Bowls benefits the Salvation Army, which feeds 112,000 people in need each year. Last year’s luncheon raised an impressive $47,000 for the organization. The spirit of community reflected in this fundraiser warms the soul, from the volunteers organizing the event to the restaurants and groups making and serving soup to the artists crafting the bowls and the attendees supporting the cause. Read more about the partnerships and people like McBride that make this event successful in our story on page 32. We hope you enjoy this first issue of 2017, and we look forward to sharing more stories that reflect the Tupelo spirit throughout the year.
RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER
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INVITATION TUPELO | February 2017
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
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Stacey Raper Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Zach Fields Becca Pepper Holly Vollor
art
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hallie Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Lisa Roberts Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Ronnie Harris Whitney Worsham
production
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Emily Suber
office
BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard 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 many diverse individuals and organizations who make up north Mississippi and strives to be an inclusive representation of all members of our community.
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE
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February 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO
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FEB. 15 - MARCH 15
2/16-17
The Ninth Gate The Tupelo High School Theatre Department stages The Ninth Gate. Admission is $6 at the door. 7:30 p.m., Tupelo High School Small Auditorium.
2/16-17
Love Letters TCT Off Broadway presents A.R. Gurney’s play, which tells the story of two friends through letters they exchanged throughout their lives. Tickets, $20, include first drink. 7:30 p.m., 213 E. Franklin St. tct.ms
2/24 Dierks Bentley Concert 2/17-18 Rodeo
Country music star Dierks Bentley brings his What the Hell world tour to Tupelo with special guest Cole Swindell. Tickets $37.75-$57.75. 7:30 p.m., BancorpSouth Arena. bcsarena.com
The Northeast Mississippi Championship Rodeo takes place at BancorpSouth Arena. Tickets $14-$30. 7:30 p.m. bcsarena.com
3/1-5
TCT Competes Tupelo Community Theatre cast and crew travel to Lexington, Kentucky, to perform its award-winning play Cicada at the Southeastern Theatre Conference festival. tct.ms
2/21
Parkgate Fundraising Banquet Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic’s annual fundraiser banquet features guests Jason and David Benham, entrepreneurial twin brothers and house-flipping experts who will discuss their faith and values. The banquet and guests help kick off Parkgate’s Mess to Masterpiece fundraiser, the renovation and sale of a house on West Jackson Street to benefit the organization. Tickets $40. 6 p.m., The Orchard parkgateclinic.com
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3/1
Empty Bowls The Salvation Army’s annual fundraiser features homemade soups and handcrafted bowls for all attendees. Tickets $15. 11 a.m., Tupelo Furniture Market Building 5. Read more on page 32.
3/2
Southern Soirée Palmer Home for Children benefit includes food, live music, a raffle and an auction. Tickets $75. 6:30-10 p.m., Old Waverly Golf Club, West Point. palmerhome.org/events
3/3
Blue Tie Affair Benefit event for the NMMC Cancer Care Patient Assistance Fund features music by Bonfire Orchestra, guest speaker Mary Pat Hancock, a silent auction, food and drinks. Tickets $75. 7 p.m., BancorpSouth Conference Center.
3/4
Run for Your Buns A 5K race for colon cancer awareness takes place in Fairpark to benefit the NMMC Cancer Care Patient Assistance Fund. 8 a.m. racesonline.com
3/4
Corinth Symphony Orchestra The Corinth Arts Council hosts Laura Gayle Stephenson and the Corinth Symphony Orchestra for a Broadway revue and tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber. Stephenson, an Ole Miss graduate, played the lead in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Tickets $24-$30. 7 p.m., Coliseum Civic Center, 662-287-5269. visitcorinth.com
3/11
Read with a Ranger Children ages 6 and under are invited to a “Noisy Bird Sing-Along� themed story time, a fun activity and an optional quarter-mile hike. Offered the second Saturday of the month. 10 a.m., Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center. nps.gov/natr, 662-680-4027 February 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO
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SALVATION ARMY WOMEN’S AUXILIARY written by Melanie Crownover
The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary has been an essential part of the local Salvation Army chapter since 1979. The group’s 58 dues-paying members spearhead public relations, fundraising, volunteer coordination and more for the nonprofit’s many community events. “We’re kind of the backup reinforcements and support. Whenever the Salvation Army needs us, we’re there to help,” current president Katrina Patty said. Last year was no exception. In 2016, SAWA members helped raise around $47,000 at Empty Bowls. (Read more about that annual event on page 32.) They also provided and helped serve 50 pans of dressing at the Thanksgiving luncheon, delivered lunch to Meals on Wheels recipients five days a week and accepted applications for more than 300 Angel Tree beneficiaries whom they helped get adopted. “We don’t expect everyone at every meeting or on every project,” Patty said. “Our main goal right now is increasing our membership so that as our members get older, we’re still able to expand all the programs we help bring to the community. All you need to join is just wanting to help.” Meetings are the third Wednesday of every month, and annual membership fees are $15. For more information, find Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Tupelo, MS on Facebook, or email thepattys@comcast.net.
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SOUP
written by Melanie Crownover
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n addition to many local restaurants that participate in the Salvation Army’s Empty Bowls luncheon, a handful of churches also answer the call to donate soup. It is an annual day of service with a little dash of rivalry. “There’s some friendly competition amongst the churches each year to see who’s going to sell out first,” First United Methodist Church chef Cletus Brekke said. “I tell Harrisburg [Baptist Church] they always run out of soup because they didn’t make enough. We joke, but coming together to serve that day is something we all look forward to.” And though the volunteers’ antics make for good entertainment for patrons waiting in line, their soups are never upstaged. Some volunteer cooks try out new recipes on the crowd each year, while others stick with tried-and-true favorites. Harrisburg’s kitchen manager, Angie McCain, has brought the same recipe since she started volunteering for the event five years ago.
Vegetable-Beef Soup with Cornbread
recipes from Angie McCain, Harrisburg Baptist Church
5 pounds sirloin tips ½ cup Dale’s Seasoning ½ cup Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon seasoned salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried basil Salt and black pepper to taste 2 cans mixed vegetables 1 can black-eyed peas 1 can diced tomatoes 1 bag frozen okra Fill a 5-gallon stockpot halfway with water, and place over high heat on the stovetop. Bring water to a boil, and add beef tips, Dale’s Seasoning and Worcestershire. Turn heat down to medium, and allow to cook at a slow boil for 4 hours or until meat is tender. Add seasoning and vegetables to the pot. Cook for 2 more hours, and serve with cornbread. Serves 75-100.
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Cornbread 5 pounds cornmeal ½ gallon buttermilk 1 cup whole milk (or 16-ounce jar jalapeños, undrained and chopped, for jalapeño cornbread)
Heat oven to 350°F. Mix cornmeal and buttermilk in a bowl. Add whole milk to thin the mixture (or replace the whole milk with jalapeños for jalapeño cornbread). Pour into a greased 18-by-26-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until baked through. This recipe will feed a crowd; it makes about 80 servings.
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French Onion Soup with Croutons
recipes from Chef Cletus Brekke, First United Methodist Church
½ stick butter 2 large yellow onions, chopped 2 red onions, chopped 2 bunches green onions, chopped 2 quarts chicken stock ¼ teaspoon dried parsley ¼ teaspoon dried oregano ¼ teaspoon dried basil ¼ teaspoon dried thyme Black pepper, to taste Provolone cheese slices (optional) Melt butter in large pan over high heat, and add onions. Cook the mixture about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Lower heat to medium-low, and add stock, parsley, oregano, basil and thyme to pan. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Once it’s bubbly, add pepper and ladle into in bowls. Serve with homemade croutons. If desired, melt a slice of cheese on top.
Croutons ½ loaf French bread, sliced and cubed ½ stick butter, melted ½ teaspoon dried thyme ½ teaspoon dried parsley ½ teaspoon dried basil ½ teaspoon dried oregano Heat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until the bread is coated. Lay out flat on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool and become crisp before serving. Makes 4-6 servings.
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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
THS BAND INAUGURAL SEND-OFF CELEBRATION A celebration was held for the Tupelo High School band Jan. 18. Students enjoyed breakfast and a send-off for their participation in Inauguration Day in Washington, D.C. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Michaela and Olivia Morris
Brandy Statum and Mackenzie Pittman with Victoria and Misty Cross
Analiese and Angela Kent
Sedrick and Alexis Knowles
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INVITATION TUPELO | February 2017
Khanija Bradley and Katrina James
Stacy, Claudia, Hope and Alex Wilson with Chris Jenkins
Jonah Carpenter and Mark Bates
Sandi, Kaitlyn and Doug Haire
Lydia and Steven Billips
D’Ann Williams and Latarres Blanchard
Bailey and Aundra Kohlheim with Kaitlyn Dixon
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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
OLE MISS VS. MS STATE FROZEN EGG BOWL The Ole Miss Rebels played the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the annual Frozen Egg Bowl Jan. 14 at BancorpSouth Arena. The Ole Miss ice hockey team defeated the Bulldogs 19-0. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Michelle, Kyle, Jason and Will Laney
Brady, Brittany and Betsy Brock with Lindzey, Lilian and Trae Belk
Jennifer and Hannah Michael
Meg Costilow, Lindsey Vaughn and Molly May
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Carol, Gage and Michael Upton with Brody and Sarah Sanders
Tanner, Andrew, Carter and Amber Megginson
Jack Sandlin and Levin Darsey
Emily and Robert Gatlin
Mary Dillard Winders, Katie Belle Ivy and Mary Campbell Davis
Taylor Consterdine, Madison Greer and Anna Hunt
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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
THS MADRIGALS SINGE FEASTE The Tupelo High School Madrigals theater group presented the 42nd annual Singe Feaste Dec. 6, 8 and 9 at St. James Catholic Church. A matinee was held Dec. 7 at the Tupelo Country Club. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Victoria Waller, Will Edwards and Eleanor Perkins
Sadie Jasper and Abby Spires
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Jasmine Bean and Claire Burroughs
Sydni Davis and Anna Katherine Williams
Avery Burks, Rees Meredith, Lauren Davis and Abigail Grant
Chloe Ingram, Trippe Howell and Maggie Cayson
Cole Herrington, Trey Kelly, Anna Walker Davis and Austin Clay
Bailey Fitts, Sam Williams and Patrick Beasley
Kate Burleson and Zander Foster
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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
THS TRANSITION SKILLS CLASS HOLIDAY PARTY The transition skills class (TSC) at Tupelo High School held a holiday party to celebrate its special needs class mentorship program. During school, the TSC assists with academics, art and social skills. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Jessica Ware and Jacobey Brown
Charleston Bean and Sarah Grace Poole
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Heaven Walker and Kevin Le
Maggie Grandin and Kim Boyer
Will Hazel, Keyshawn Tucker, Dillon Ivey and Dee Crowe
Andrew Vinson and Valerie Olson
Alexus Beene, Roberto Owens, Ty Danie and Kiera Jones
Loren Games, Erica Gassaway and Sterling Gipson
Ladrea Standifer and Janea Traylor
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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
TUPELO FURNITURE MARKET WINTER SHOW Tupelo Furniture Market’s Furniture, Gift and Home Accessories Show was held Jan. 5-8 concurrently with the winter market. Vendors sold home decor, accessories and more to the general public. photographed by Lisa Roberts
George and Ben Hubbard
Sarah Dancer, Dereeser Armstrong, Debra Carouthers and Mildred Gill
Patty Roper and Jamie Jones
Jeff Perrigo and Melissa Kelly
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INVITATION TUPELO | February 2017
Adeline Rios and Gail Miller
Katelyn and Lesley Ross with Lisa and Jacquelyn Lane
Ryan Allen and Matthew Huffman
John and Vearnail Herzog
Kathy and Ginny Wright with Max Arnett
Analisa James and Betty Cook
Dianna Seddon and Karen Ganovsky
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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
REGIONAL REHAB ALMOST NEW YEAR’S PARTY The Almost New Year’s Party to benefit Regional Rehab Center was held Dec. 30 at the Tupelo Cotton Mill. The event included catering by Park Heights and music by 2 Drink Minimum. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Annette Reed with Pete and Belva Poland
Fred and Carol Pitts with Donna and Terrell Davis
Bruce and Liz Coleman
Susan Killens and David Lee
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Brenda and Dick Daugherty
Kim Evans, Cindy Googe, Missy Ford and Laura Wright
Bud and Amy Forrest
Tommy and Rita Chamblee
Tim Weaver, Richie Sansone and Clay Stewart
Ty Hill and Anna Marie Logan
Cora Polson and Kim Wade
Noel Russell with Cindy and Lyle Harris
Robby Parman, Steve Holland and Jack Reed
Paul and Shannon Saylors with Parrish and Rachael Potts
Dan and Kay Mathews
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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
DISNEY ON ICE DREAM BIG BancorpSouth Arena presented the Disney on Ice show Dream Big Dec. 8-11. The iceskating musical dance show featured the stories of four Disney princesses. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Chase, Swayze and Abby Hill
Canden, Rhylan and Brittany Dallas
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Riley Seals and Anna Riggs
Sadie, Robert and Emily Bass
Westin, Carlee and Ashley Duke with Chystie Davis
Whitney and Willow Hodge
Tootie Scott, Chloe Ives, Theresa Spann, Emma Netheny and Natalie Lucas
Crystal Brooks and Rory Alexander
Coralis Collins and Armoni Boutte
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empty bowls
FULL HEARTS The Salvation Army’s Empty Bowls fundraiser brings together Tupelo potters who create unique bowls for the special annual event. written by Melanie Crownover
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THE MUD LADIES Of the almost 3,000 bowls patrons take home from the Empty Bowls luncheon every year, around 2,500 are made by a group of Salvation Army volunteers called the Mud Ladies. The 25 members meet all year to pull off the feat. “There’s no mathematical formula to make it happen. We just show up and do,” Mud Ladies member Lucille Stone said. “Our ladies are very faithful because they all know what we’re doing and why.”
Items are made from clay bought at cost by the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary. The Salvation Army provides their glazes, electricity and meeting space. The ladies meet to fire up their pair of kilns two mornings a week in a converted warehouse next to the Salvation Army Thrift Store. All bowls are hand-built using molds and commercial glazes. A couple of the members with professional art training, and those who have been with the group for a while, assist new volunteers with bowl making. Some local artists who donate to Empty Bowls each year also hold special classes for the ladies to hone their skills. “What’s great is that few of us had even touched clay before we came here,” Sarah Bell, another member of Mud Ladies, said. “People are intimidated when they first get here, but we all made mud pies as kids. When you get that clay in your fingers, you subconsciously remember what you did back then with play dough. We gather around the kilns like it’s Christmas morning every time.” The women make other items now to sell along with extra bowls during the luncheon. This year they have new Mississippi-shaped platters, serving trays, ladles and sculpted figurines for sale. One-hundred percent of the money made from the Mud Ladies’ wares goes to the program for feeding those in need at the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army’s volunteer Mud Ladies work throughout the year to make 2,500 of the 3,000 bowls patrons take home from the Empty Bowls luncheon.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS AND JOE WORTHEM
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mpty Bowls is more than just an annual luncheon fundraiser that helps the local Salvation Army feed people in need; it’s also a community builder for the artists who help provide bowls for the event. The Salvation Army has enlisted professional and amateur potters who want to use their art to serve those around them. It also has its own volunteer army of creative women who have learned to craft ceramic bowls for the event. Together, they create thousands of bowls to distribute to patrons along with soup made and served by local restaurants and organizations. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Salvation Army. For all of the potters, it’s a worthy cause that brings them together as they prepare for and execute the event, which is scheduled to take place March 1.
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM
“the bowls make an impression there because of the meaninG, and the event makes an impression on all of us.” -harry mcbride
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HARRY MCBRIDE Known to most as “Harry the Potter,” Harry McBride is notorious for his ingenious and functional creations. Examples of his nontraditional work include his hand-built bacon cookers, makeup caddies, popular combination soup bowl/cracker plates and decorative “floppy bowls” that are both wheel-thrown and molded. McBride opened his home studio on Birmingham Ridge Road almost seven years ago after 25 years in the tire-recycling business. “I went to Southern Miss for art a long time ago after my time in the navy, so I took a refresher course at Bean’s Pottery first,” he said. “I’m still not full time because I work two part-time jobs.” McBride got involved with Empty Bowls in 2013 after hearing how local potters could help. In addition to regularly participating here, he helped with a 2016 Empty Bowls event in Florence, Alabama. In Tupelo, artists who donate the requested number of bowls to the event can also open a sale table during the luncheon. Twenty percent of their proceeds goes back to the organization to help feed the hungry. “I don’t think I realized how big this event is for the Salvation Army before. That first year, I couldn’t believe the number of people there in support,” he said. “It’s a madhouse for two and a half hours. Now my wife takes off work at least part of the day to help me during serving time.” McBride works on his Empty Bowls donations 20 at a time throughout the year. He uses different hues of glaze – greens, golds and blues – on each batch to keep them colorful before firing them. “Occasionally, I’ll run into someone who’s gotten one and wants other pieces to match because they’re signed on the bottom,” he said. “The bowls make an impression there because of the meaning, and the event makes an impression on all of us.” Harry McBride makes bowls throughout the year that he donates to Empty Bowls. Inspired by the Tupelo luncheon, he participated in a similar event in Alabama.
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM
2017 EMPTY BOWLS Date: Wednesday, March 1
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (doors open at 10:30 a.m.) Place: Tupelo Furniture Market Building 5 Cost: $15 per ticket Tickets can be purchased through Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary members, Salvation Army Advisory Board members, at various Tupelo retail locations or at the door. For more information, call 662-842-9222 or find
Empty Bowls Tupelo Mississippi on Facebook.
MARTHA CHENEY Pottery time is playtime, according to Tupelo retiree Martha Cheney. After seven years as an education lobbyist in Jackson and 30 years as an educator and principal in Oxford, Amory and Tupelo, there’s now more time for the hobby she picked up in the 1970s while working on her doctorate degree. “I bought a kiln when I was teaching here with three children and a husband at home. I guess I didn’t really start playing with it until I came back 20 years ago,” she said. “I do very simple pottery, but it’s my therapy.” Cheney creates slab-work glasses, big trays and plates using a clay roller and molds. She puts oxides under layers of store-bought glazes to give the finished products a cascading waterfall look. She gives most of her work as gifts or makes special requests for family and friends, but she never sells her pieces. Cheney instructs anyone who asks about payment to donate funds to the Association for Excellence in Education to support Tupelo Public Schools. For the past seven years, Cheney has also helped with Empty Bowls. The volunteer potluck she hosts at her cabin studio gives the Mud Ladies a workday getaway. The women make 50-100 bowls that day and leave them for Cheney to clean, fire and glaze. The bowls then sell at the Mud Ladies’ sale table during Empty Bowls to benefit the cause. “It’s no big deal for me to do what I do. I do so little compared to what some of the others give,” Cheney said. “For me, this is a hobby. When a professional potter helps, they’re donating their time, expertise and part of their livelihood. That’s a huge deal.”
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Martha Cheney may not be a professional potter, but she has experimented with the craft for years and has participated in Empty Bowls for the past seven years. In advance of the event, she hosts the Mud Ladies in her cabin studio, assisting them with creating as many as 100 bowls in one afternoon.
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM
MICHAEL ASHLEY Michael Ashley opened a pottery studio downtown with his wife, University of Mississippi drawing instructor Laura Ashley, when they moved to her hometown in 2014. They have been involved with Empty Bowls since. “We went to a potluck and threw bowls within the first month we were in Tupelo,” Michael said. “We got involved because everywhere we’ve been before while I was teaching college had an Empty Bowls [event] we helped with, but I don’t think they compared. For a place this size to do so much is amazing.” The couple went beyond donating the average 50-100 bowls per artist for the event by opening up the studio for their own special gathering. The event is part of a tradition that usually happens more than once a year: a workday potluck luncheon hosted by local artists leading up to the Empty Bowls event. These “making parties” may not always be in the same studio, take place on the same date or even have exactly the same workers each year, but the goal of the get-togethers never wavers. At the end of the day, there will be hundreds of Empty Bowls vessels ready to be fired and glazed after the celebratory meal. The Ashleys’ gathering last year resulted in 350 bowls made in one morning. Additionally, Michael, who serves on the board at the Link Centre, offered a class to help teach the Mud Ladies some new skills. “I try to do that once a year to help them with their bowls because they donate so much of their time and effort to making them throughout the year for that one event,” he said. “I want to help them grow in the art, so they can have even more joy and pride in the good they’re doing.” Both Michael and Laura have graduate degrees in ceramics, but the pottery sold at the studio is primarily his. Michael’s terra-cotta clay works covered in homemade glazes take the shape of functional tableware, vases and teapots. His work is on exhibit in galleries such as Caron Gallery in Tupelo; Taos Clay Studio in El Prado, New Mexico; and Justice Gallery in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
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Michael Ashley, who runs Ashley Pottery in downtown Tupelo with his wife, Laura, not only donates his work to Empty Bowls but also hosts and takes part in potluck “making party” luncheons that bring local artists together for a day and result in hundreds of bowls being made for the upcoming Empty Bowls event.
“This event gives me the chance to experiment with new rims or markings or glazes to make these fun bowls that they want to use in daily life after the event,” he said. “There’s just
something natural about filling those bowls and sharing them with the community so they can take them home and be reminded to help others when they fill them again.”
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Northwest Alabama’s Dismals Canyon is a pristine natural landmark tucked into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Ronnie Harris and Joe Worthem
There are few retreats quite like Dismals Canyon. This private nature conservatory in the heart of northwest Alabama’s Appalachian foothills – a little more than an hour’s drive from Tupelo – provides 85 acres of immaculate wilderness to explore. Follow the gurgling waters of the Dismals Branch stream down a winding 1.5-mile hiking trail through a labyrinth of greenery and monumental boulders. Take time to break at one of the many waterfalls along the path to commune with nature in its primal form.
Dismals Canyon opens for the season March 3 (weather permitting). Visitors can explore the area with daytime hikes, weekend-long camping trips or guided night tours. For admission rates, canyon policies and more information, visit dismalscanyon.com.
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Visitors to Dismals Canyon, pictured above, are dwarfed by the giant boulders that line the trails. The rugged canyon, a National Natural Landmark, is filled with many other points of interest, including cascading waterfalls, a natural swimming hole, ancient trees and unique animal species. In all, Dismals sees about 10,000 visitors per year.
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Bring your camping gear to make a night of it at one of the canyon’s several primitive campsites beginning in March, or rough it in style year-round at one of the site’s picturesque red cedar cabins. Although the cabins are highly rated as romantic getaways, they’re ideal for group accommodations as well. Shop the Country Store for supplies, campy postcards and American Indian ware. Picnic on the sprawling back deck to enjoy the scenery, or stop in for a milkshake and slugburger at the Soda Fountain & Grill inside. Hiking Dismals Canyon is not just for humans. Leashed pets, like Lucy (shown at left), are allowed on the trails as well, but not in the boathouse, swimming area, store or cabins. Go to dismalscanyon.com for more information on planning a visit.
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Starting in spring, nighttime canyon tours offer a rare look at the bioluminescent insects known as Dismalites that illuminate the evening landscape with their glow-in-the-dark bodies. These natural wonders, along with their pristinely wild habitat, are the reasons this hideaway has been a National Natural Landmark since 1975. To reserve a campsite or cabin, call 205993-4559. More information is available at dismalscanyon.com. Guided night tours are one of the park’s main attractions, especially in May and June, considered the best times to spot the Dismalites, or glow worms. Book night tours a week in advance, and make tent and cabin reservations a couple of months in advance.
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A local professional MMA fighter is making a name for himself in the ring and at the gym. written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem
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ne look at mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Issac Ware’s daily training schedule shows how committed he is to the sport. His workout begins by 5 a.m. every day. After breakfast, Ware teaches the first class at his gym, Inspire Fitness and MMA. He does strength training before teaching his 8:30 a.m. class, practices striking at noon, teaches another class, and then has grappling training or conditioning before instructing his last three classes of the day. It’s sometimes 11 p.m. before he heads out the door, his day finally complete. For the 31-year-old former Tupelo High School football player, the rigors of the agenda are just part of his preparation. “I always say it’s easier to punch a person than it is to punch a clock,” he said. “Every day is a fight, and you have to keep your head in it to have a chance at winning.” Ware began his MMA training in April 2008 after taking up boxing at a local gym. Two months later, he was fighting in his first amateur match. The bout ended with his submission, but because of his tenacity, several trainers in the audience offered him a business card after the bell. In the following years, he studied several martial arts disciplines, including boxing, kickboxing, jujitsu, judo, sambo and Vale tudo, fighting as a hobby. When he was laid off from his day job in the manufacturing industry in 2013, he decided he was ready to train full time. Ware left the amateurs with a 10-4 record to debut as a professional MMA fighter in 2014.
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Professional MMA fighter Issac Ware trains at his Tupelo gym, Inspire Fitness and MMA. Ware first took up fighting as a hobby and studied several disciplines of martial arts. Within a few years, he not only became a professional fighter but also opened his own gym to teach, train and inspire others. “I want the same for me that I do for the people I coach: to be the best version of me and express it,” Ware said. “When I do that as a fighter, that’s when I fight the best.”
“He’s an explosive fighter with unbelievable strength and grit. Everyone knows if you’re fighting Issac, you better crack down on strength training and conditioning or he’ll throw you all over the ring.” -JosÉ Gordillo
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“When I first saw him, he was just an amateur. Now he’s one of the highest-level MMA fighters in the area,” longtime training partner José Gordillo said. “He’s an explosive fighter with unbelievable strength and grit. Everyone knows if you’re fighting Issac, you better crack down on strength training and conditioning or he’ll throw you all over the ring.” His dedication to the sport is intense. Fighting in both the featherweight and lightweight classes with Oxford’s V3Fights and the Summit Fighting Championships in Memphis, the 5-foot-8-inch Ware has taken on matches with only an hour’s notice and has fought up to three bouts in one week. In his off time, he travels to Hattiesburg, Memphis and Birmingham to spar. His goal is to fight in the ring once a month to stay in shape for any challenger. Ware’s titles, including a Fighter of the Year award from another Tupelo gym (Ultimate Fitness and MMA) and two gold North American Grappling Association awards, aren’t on display at Inspire or at home. “The hardware isn’t really that important to me,” he said. “My goal isn’t a belt. I want the same for me that I do for the people I coach: to be the best version of me and express it. When I do that as a fighter, that’s when I fight the best.” He opened the gym a year and a half ago to teach fitness classes such as kickboxing and Brazilian jujitsu. Most of his students will never step into an arena; still, his drills get them fit and formidable. “I lost 30 pounds and have run four 5Ks since I started with him a year ago,” student Lora Childers said. “He’s very intense as a trainer, but he challenges every person in the room, and we love him for it.” Although he is now an accomplished instructor and fighter, professional wins have proven harder for Ware to tackle; but his 5-3 pro fight record is still impressive. One loss was in January to the undefeated Bryce “Thug Nasty” Mitchell, considered the man to beat in the featherweight division regionally. Two days after the match, he was back in the gym before dawn training for another fight. “You have to know how to get back up and use what just happened to keep progressing in this game,” he said. “I love the fight. As long as I feel like that and people want to see it, I’ll keep getting back up and going back for more.” February 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO
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SREMMFEST Sremmfest was held Dec. 23 at BancorpSouth Arena. The event featured Tupelo natives Rae Sremmurd with Diplo and special guests. Their first album, SremmLife, debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s Top 200 and No. 1 on Billboard’s Hip-Hop chart. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Synee Jordan and Max Logan
Miranda Andrews, Memory Woods, Taylor McNinch, Maggie Knight and Miranda Chapman
Austin Ruff and Jerneshia Woods
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Tikessha Lindley, Ashyun Moore, Brittany Jones and Ashley Walker
Lakoya Gordon, Lydia Smith, Kabreasha Stovall and Jamie Cook
Jakeeza Reed, Kiera Jones, Shikeim Richard, Rod Jones and Sereniti Washington
Nicholas Wright and Lindsey Bailey
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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS The Harlem Globetrotters basketball team performed Jan. 17 at BancorpSouth Arena. The team has played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 122 countries and performs more than 450 live events worldwide each year. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Elizabeth, Lewis and Walker Russell
Molly Chunn and Bailey Whitlock
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Veronica Griffin and Noan McIntosh Hadley
Logan White and Clayton Cole
Colby Stidham, Riley Elliott and Trent Harmon
Jaelyn Weaver, Kristen Partin, Johnathan Christian and Torrie Robertson
Audrey, Rick and Chris Montgomery
Brannon, Cooper and Laken Armstrong
Amy Brown, Jacoby Chandler and Takira Fulton
View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.
TUPELO AREA PAGEANTS The Miss Tupelo, Miss All American City, Miss Lee County and Tupelo’s Outstanding Teen pageants were held Jan. 7 at the Tupelo Civic Auditorium. Local winners will be eligible to compete at the state-level pageants later this year. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Isabella Laird, Mary Miller Wright and Kirklyn Finney
Charley Ann Nix and Laine-Alden Mansour
Helen McDougald and Kaylin Costello
Kayla Baxter, Summer Ray Smith and Kelli Fowler
Rachel Canup, Laura Lee Lewis, Grace Anne Kennedy and Alivia Roberts
Ambrekka Ivy, Sydney Slocum, Allison Judge, Jennifer Gray and Darby Damon
Madalynn Minika, Emily Cockrell, Asya Branch, Georgia Kate Conner and Ashlan Criddle
Danyel Filgo and Jima Alexander
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JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF CORINTH CHARITY BALL Junior Auxiliary of Corinth presented a New Year’s Eve charity ball Dec. 31 at Shiloh Ridge. More than 400 people attended the sold-out 55th annual event that included an auction, living ads and music. photographed by Whitney Worsham
Matt, Annette and Mathis McGee
Caroline Sleeper, Hannah Sitton, Tess Campbell, Sadie Mitchell, Carlie Dodd and Leah Manus
Barbara and Wendall Trapp
Corey and Anne Marie Littrell
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Katy Stanley and Laura Kate Carmichiel
Jessica Bain, Brittanie Brown and Morgan Williams
Hollie Wood, Laura Avant, Miller Carlton and Abby Tomlinson
Archie and Amylea Warren
Tamara Tyes and Kh’ierra Taylor
Ruth Ann and Lee King
Gloria and Terry Cartwright
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SALTILLO SIP AND CIDER A sip-and-shop event was held Dec. 1 in Saltillo. Activities included a cider-tasting contest at 18 local businesses, and DB’s Floral Designs N’ More was voted “Cidermeister” for the second year. photographed by Lisa Roberts
Sonya Gholston and Lindy Hopkins
Tina McCollum, Mac Davis, Marie Garmon and Johnna Faulkner
Tami King and Caitlyn Harlow
Nita Dickey and Jan Patterson
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Kelly and Shanna Lyles with Jessica Wambles and Johnette Bramlett
April Jones, Heather Kuykendall, Cathy Miller, Kathy Kuykendall and Amber Gordon
Callie Ward and Adrian Stewart
Sue Herring, Sandy Simmons and Joyce Robinson
Mandi Tutor and April Weaver
Molly, Susan, Glen and Sam Pennington
Danny Brown and Peggy Christopher
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OUT AND ABOUT FULTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPEN HOUSE
CDF ANNUAL MEETING
Jude Wilson, Joe Lowder and David Henson
BALLARD PARK CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
Teegan and Abby Horn
Will Smith, Mary Sue Boggs and Jason Wallace
Paul Phillips, Carlos Brown, Amber Miller and John O’Leary
Mark Robinson, Rowland Roberson, Taylor Mathis, Harold Plunkett and Robin McDonald
HOLIDAY UNITY CONCERT
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Gov. Phil Bryant and Chad McMahan
UNITED BLOOD SERVICES BLOOD DRIVE COMPETITION CHRISTMAS VACATION MOVIE AT THE LYRIC
SPECIALTY ORTHOPEDIC GROUP DONATION TO SANCTUARY HOSPICE HOUSE
Paula Patterson and Josh Myles
FURNITURE CERTIFIED ACADEMY LAUNCH
Connie Morgan, Melinda Lamon and Lois Sanderson
CANOPY CHILDREN’S SOLUTIONS OPEN HOUSE
Melissa Powers, Maya Williams, Jody Herring, Gina Rollins, Anna Cox and Patricia Bolden
GENESIS 5K RUN AT VETERANS PARK
Felicia Rogers Bailey and Rebecca O’Neal
Carey Synder and Albine Bennett
April Kitchens, Mendy Spears and Blair Rice
DELTA SIGMA THETA & OMEGA PSI PHI DONATION
Janice Cosey, Derrick L. Glenn, Sha Triplett and Terry Watson
LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Alice Griggs, Connie Gusmus, Lee Bruce and Marsha Gray
TUPELO-LEE HUMANE SOCIETY GROUND BREAKING
Kim Estess, Sheryl Blackburn and Nelson Gravatt
LIVE NATIVITY AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Sam and Stella Parker with Carter Kulp and Julia Fair Gaines
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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS REED’S ANNUAL TUPELO CHRISTMAS PARADE
Diamond Howell, Sloan Horton and Dominque Pinson
Emma Tybor, Lilly Chiles, Hailey Wampler and Cameron Chiles
Trinity Xavier, Penson Thomas and Artrilia Richey
MILL VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES
Grayson and Bess Robins
Vicky and Jimmy West
William and Lucy Hilbun with Nell Moore
Christi and Jeff Houin
TUPELO BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER
Emme Riley, Justin Metcalf-Burton, Paul Tillman and Megan Hustel
Maddison Denton, Mia Katherine Todd and Charlotte Wise
SIDEWAYS SANTA CHARITY PUB CRAWL
Emily Thomas, Katlyn Chism and Samantha Parker with Tempest and Justin Brock
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Rob and Holly Haven
David and Mari Sykes
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Check out the
Fridays are tasty at INVITATIONTUPELO.COM! Visit our food blog for delicious recipes contributed by food blogger Kimme Hargrove each week.
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JEFF JONES
interviewed by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem
Jeff Jones considers himself more restaurant promoter than food critic. His opinions on local eateries have earned him more than 3,800 followers on his Facebook page and 55,000 page views on his blog, eatingoutwithjeffjones.com.
Q: Why did you start reviewing restaurants? A: Like a lot of people, I would check out local places on national sites like Yelp, and there were never enough details. You can drive past a restaurant 100 times and never go in because you just don’t know. I don’t do that now. I’m the guinea pig so my readers never have to wonder and walk by.
Q: What kinds of places do you visit? A: Local restaurants, food trucks, grocery store delis. I chronicle it all. I’m up to 150 local restaurants. I post at least one new [review] a week. So many local places shut down because people just don’t know they’re there, and I want to give them a voice.
Q: How do you choose the restaurants? A: People send me ideas all the time online or if they see me out. Eventually, I want to get to them all.
Q: Do you worry you’ll run out? A: No way. We have so many
great cooks around here, and good food is like music – there’s enough variety for everyone to enjoy.
Q: What do you put on your blog? A: You eat with your eyes first, so I take plenty of photos of the surroundings and the meal. Local means pretty much one of a kind. I want people to feel like they’re there with me. These restaurants take so much time to create and plate the food that it’s like art made just for you. I want to take equal care to present it.
Q: Do you cook yourself? A: I make some pretty mean
Jeff Jones dines at one of Tupelo’s newest establishments, Anthony’s Pizza. Jones’ blog, eatingoutwithjeffjones.com, chronicles his experiences at area restaurants.
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popcorn, but that’s about as far as it goes. I’m more of a food enjoyer than a food maker.