Invitation Magazine - June/July 2019

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J U N E /J U LY 2019

ON THE COVER

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Congratulations to Callan Hotchkiss Rowley and Mitchell Hester Lowe who were chosen for the cover of our bridal issue. Read more about their big day on page 28.

P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y L A U R A A N N E W AT S O N

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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FE ATURES

DEPA RTMENT S

32 The Magic of Mead

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Wedding Notes From the Staff

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Gumtree Festival

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Calendar

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Joyner Garden Festival

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Shoutouts

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County Line Music Festival

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InstaLove: 3SipSoda

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Blue Suede Cruise

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Out & About

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Corinth Senior Follies

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Recipes: Blackberries

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Kentucky Derby Party

Queen’s Reward in Tupelo uses local honey to make mead, once a sought-after elixir for wedding guests and newlyweds.

34 Head Over Heels

Nontraditional bridal accessories allow for comfort, glamour and personal style.

38 Mermaids, Unicorns and a Fancy Chandelier

A young cancer patient from Belmont lends expert decorating advice in the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway.

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EVENTS

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Avent & Brawner

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Barnes & Nanney

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Bondi & Bates

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Devlin & Worsham

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Farrar & Horton

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Grisham & Smith

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Little & Pratt

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McPheters & Hill

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Rowley & Lowe

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Williams & Bauer

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W E D D I N G N O T E S from the S T A F F This bridal issue is filled with pictureperfect weddings, from beautiful bridal announcements with words and photos detailing real moments from recent north Mississippi weddings, to the history of the honeymoon. Hint: it does actually involve honey — turn to page 32 for the story. Less likely to be caught on camera are the sweet, hilarious and sometimes regrettable mishaps that are bound to happen at any big event, including weddings. Here are a few such moments from Invitation staff members.

Carnation, Lily, Tablecloth, Dress Have Your Cake ...

I was super excited about my wedding cake. It was a mocha-spice cake with apples and caramel buttercream. I was married in the fall, and I thought the flavors were just perfect for the season. But in all the excitement of the reception, I forgot to try it.

Late that night I was so sad when I realized I had missed out. Lucky for me, my mom was thinking ahead and boxed up a nice big piece for me so I could try it after the wedding weekend was over. It was delicious!

Now I attempt to re-create it myself on our anniversary every year.

— Emily Welly, Executive Editor

Order of the Garter I was shooting a wedding just outside of San Francisco at some fancy country club, and everything was going as planned.

When it came time for the garter toss, they decided to tie the groom’s hands behind his back and blindfold him to make things more interesting. Well ... there was a twist. The best man had slipped away and changed into a dress — I have never seen hairier legs in my life! The music starts playing, the best man sits in the chair with everyone gathered around trying their best not to burst out laughing, and the groom starts fumbling toward his new “wife.” Once he finds “her,” he dives under the dress and starts feeling around for the garter with his teeth. It felt like a good two minutes passed before he started to realize what was going on as the laughter got louder and louder. I swear I saw him pick hair out of his mouth afterward.

— Paul Gandy, Ad Designer/Photographer

FOLLOW US

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Yes Beer, I Mean Yes Dear Our wedding was in June, and the AC was not working properly in the old building where we had our reception. It was so hot, and we ran out of beer in 30 minutes. Over 800 bottles, and they were gone that fast.

People started worrying Nathan (the groom) about it. He came and found me on the dance floor and told me we were out of beer and he was going to run to town to get some, as if it wasn’t even our wedding or anything big.

I was like “Ummm — this is our wedding. If they want beer, they can go get it. You are not leaving me here!” I guess that made sense to him. He gave some money to his friends and they went and got the beer.

— Becca Pepper, Ad Designer

@INVITATIONM AG A ZINE

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My 1900s-garden-party wedding was inspired by a favorite John Singer Sargent painting, “Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose.” My mom did all the decorating, and chose a pink chintz with a large floral print for the tablecloths. Some months later I was a bridesmaid at a friend’s “Gone With the Wind”-themed wedding, with a reception at Cedar Oaks. Guess what fabric the bridesmaid dresses were made of? Yep, same as my tablecloths — but as far as I could tell, the curtains at Cedar Oaks remained intact!

— Allison Estes, Executive Editor

PUBLISHERS

Phil and Rachel West

EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE EDITORS Allison Estes Emily Welly EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR Mary Moreton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rachel Burchfield Rachel Ishee Sarah McCullen EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Sarah McCullen SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Alexis Lee COPY EDITOR Ashley Arthur INTERN Abbey Edmonson

Better Late Than Chicken A few years after college graduation, I was invited to be a bridesmaid at a good friend’s wedding. The weekend was a grand celebration for the couple, and for me it was a reunion with many friends I hadn’t seen since graduation. I arrived a little late to the rehearsal dinner and immediately began visiting with friends, catching up on what had been happening. It was even later when I finally sat down to eat dinner — grilled chicken. A few hours later, I began to feel awful. All night, I was deathly ill. By 4 a.m., I was in the ER getting pumped full of fluids.

I didn’t make it to the wedding. I missed the reception, and the wedding party was one person short. I wish I could say I’ll never be late to a wedding again, but … let’s just say if I am, I’ll pass on the chicken dinner.

— Rachel West, Publisher

@INVMAGA ZINE

OFFICE

BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney Brian Hilliard

ART

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Holly Vollor STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Gandy Lisa Roberts Whitney Worsham

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Timeka Davis Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Stacey Raper Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham Anna Zemek ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Paul Gandy Becca Pepper Hallie Thomas ADVERTISING INFORMATION invitationmag.com

MAIN OFFICE 662-234-4008

Serving Alcorn, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union counties.

To subscribe to one year (10 issues) of Invitation or to buy an announcement, visit invitationmag.com.

To request a photographer at your event, email Mary at mary.invitation@gmail.com.

Invitation respects the many diverse individuals and organizations that make up north Mississippi and strives to be inclusive and representative of all members of our community.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

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C O M M U N I T Y JUNE 15-AUGUST 15, 2019

Biscuits and Jam Farmers’ Market T H U R S D AY S T H R O U G H A U G U S T 1

Shop local makers and growers with live music Thursdays from 4-7 p.m. in downtown New Albany. For the music lineup and more, search “Biscuits and Jam Farmers’ Market” on Facebook. biscuitsandjamfarmersmarket.com

FREEDOM FEST

Independence Day

WEEKEND

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Taste of Aberdeen Family Reunion

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New Albany Main Street hosts a weekend full of authentic, local events.

J U LY 5 - 6

newalbanymainstreet.com/freedom-fest-2019

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Featuring local makers and farmers, plus live music from the Busty Petites.

4-7 p.m.

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Car lovers of all ages can watch a variety of cars cruise the downtown streets, then view them up close at the farmers’ market parking area. 6-8 p.m.

Movies in the Park J U N E 1 5 A N D J U LY 2 0

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy Tupelo’s free outdoor summer movie series. Concessions available for purchase.

Movies will be shown behind the Ballard Park Soccer Sportsplex concession stand at dark, around 8:30 p.m. facebook.com/TupeloParkRec

Hank Williams Jr. Concert JUNE 15

Former ACM Entertainer of the Year brings a blend of country, rock and blues music to Tupelo, including hit singles “Born To Boogie” and “Young Country.” Tickets $39-$100. 7:30 p.m., BancorpSouth Arena. bcsarena.com

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A ride benefiting Regional Rehab Center and New Albany Main Street is followed by food, music and door prizes. 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

B L AC K B E R R I E S , B A R B E C U E A N D SAM MOSLEY | JUNE 29

The first Blackberry Jubilee features produce, makers, cook-offs, music and games. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Later, the Smoke on the Water barbecue competition heats up. End the day with a performance by Grammynominated Vietnam veteran and New Albany native, Sam Mosley, followed by fireworks. 6-10 p.m.

Tour de Life JUNE 15

The third annual Tour de Life bike ride boosts awareness of eye, organ and tissue donations. Registration fee $40-$50.

8 a.m., Fairpark, Tupelo. Register at racesonline.com/events/tour-de-life.

Experience Aberdeen with music, food, Monroe County’s largest spades tournament, a fashion show and “Your Night In White” dance. Tickets $10-$25. 114 N. Hickory Street, Aberdeen. For a complete schedule of events and to purchase tickets, search “Taste of Aberdeen” at eventbrite.com.

Holistic Health Fair JUNE 22

Life coach Candace Leigh hosts a holistic health fair and pop-up shop with a panel discussion, cardio classes, art and retail therapy. The event is part of The Longest Day, an initiative by the Alzheimer’s Assocation to raise funds and awareness.

9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Starkville Sportsplex. starkville.org/event

Slugburger Festival J U LY 12-1 3

Father Daughter Gumtree Ball

The 32nd Annual Slugburger Festival brings a carnival, food vendors, live entertainment, cornhole games and a pageant to Main Street Corinth.

JUNE 22

facebook.com/slugburgerfestival

Gumtree TWIGS presents its 17th annual father-daughter ball benefiting LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. Dinner, a silent auction, dancing and special guests including Disney princesses. $60 per fatherdaughter couple, $10 for each additional daughter. 5-9 p.m., BancorpSouth Arena. lebonheur.org/gumtreeball

American Summer A U G U S T 9 -1 0

Americana music from the 1960s-80s takes the stage in a show arranged by Baldwyn’s Six Shooter Studios. 7 p.m., Claude Gentry Theatre, Baldwyn. For tickets, $15, search “American Summer” at eventbrite.com.

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SHOUTOUTS

“O f f t he Wa l l” Mu ra l P ro je c t

2019 M i s s i s s i p p i I nv it at io n a l

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ANDREA KOSTYAL

Tupelo Rocks’ two-year long “Off the Wall” mural project is complete after Tupelo High School students finished a fourth downtown mural in the alley between South Broadway and South Spring streets.

“The students were so creative and imaginative in completing this mural,” said Debbie Brangenberg, director of Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association. “They

covered up a bricked-up door with a carnival tent, and there are jugglers carrying the vertical features on the building. They really took advantage of the infrastructure in the alley.”

The “Off the Wall” project is part of an initiative to transform neglected alleys into inviting social spaces. Tupelo Rocks, a citywide creative initiative, headed up

the project and partnered with other organizations and artists for the project’s completion.

Kit Stafford, Reid Caldwell, Mary Joe Torrencampo and Maria de Lujan Perez Hernandez completed the other three murals depicting Tupelo’s history.

“It really was a great collaboration of resources,” Brangenberg said.

Bre a k B ox Children throughout northeast Mississippi are free to enjoy the summer without worrying about the source of their next meal thanks to BreakBox, a Tupelo/Lee County Hunger Coalition program providing supplemental food from June until August. Students in pre-K through 12th grade in Baldwyn, Nettleton, Tupelo and Lee County school districts are eligible.

“A lot of students are going home to families who already have financial strain, and they’re an extra mouth to feed in the summer when they are not in school,” said Jason Martin, executive director of Tupelo/Lee County Hunger Coalition. “Teachers even said that the start of school last August was much smoother since the children weren’t (coming to school hungry).”

Last year, 650 students received weekly boxes of food. This year, after raising $20,000, BreakBox is providing larger, monthly boxes of food for 800 students. The boxes include milk, cereal, vegetables, beans, rice, snacks and individual entree items.

For more information or to learn how to partner with the Tupelo/Lee County Hunger Coalition, visit tupeloleehungercoalition.org.

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Every two years, the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson hosts the Mississippi Invitational, showcasing recent works by contemporary artists from all across the state.

This year, three of the artists chosen are from northeast Mississippi: Charlie Buckley of Tupelo, Critz Campbell of West Point and Dominic Lippillo of Starkville.

This year’s guest curator, Dr. Kimberli Gant, the McKinnon Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia, received 130 submissions for the exhibit. After studio visits and further assessment, Gant selected 23 artists to be featured.

“As someone outside the state, I spent my time just trying to understand each artist, their practice and their mind-sets,” Gant said. “I think what really sums up the show is how each artist has such a unique perspective on the same state, and that a visitor will become enamored with all the stories told within the exhibition. Audiences can view representations of landscapes, people and ideas that are both familiar and new.”

The Invitational exhibition is June 28Aug. 11. Admission is free. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Learn more at msmuseumart.org.

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instaL O V E 3S i p S o d a are available, including those pictured at left and on rolls of labels below.

“The flavor testing is the best part of the job,” Marlin said. “We love hints of herbs in our drinks, and we want to stand out and be healthy and natural. We take local flavors and ingredients we love and mix them to create something really unique.”

To find distributors and keep up with new flavors, follow @3sipsoda on Instagram.

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n a blistering summer day, what’s more refreshing than cracking open a frosty, fizzy bottle of locally made soda? With flavors like peach, lemon raspberry, strawberry basil and more, Tupelo’s 3Sip Soda offers a uniquely sweet taste of the season.

Best friends Spencer Gray, Will Rambo and John Michael Marlin founded the company in 2016 after a trip to North Carolina. To refuel after a round of golf, the three stopped in a convenience store where they first tasted small-batch, handmade soda. Inspired, they came home and used the strawberries in their fridge and the basil in their garden to craft their first soda flavor.

The guys refined and perfected their product while participating in “The Pitch,” a competition for local start-up businesses hosted by Tupelo’s Community Development Foundation. Now, three years after its inception, 3Sip Soda is available at Crave, Neon Pig Cafe, Lost + Found Coffee Co. and other locations across Tupelo. Several flavors FOLLOW ON INSTAGR A M @3s i p s o d a

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WEDDING

H a n n a h Br it t a n i Ave nt & Jo rd a n R i le y Braw ne r

A nd r i a N ic ole Ba r ne s & Je s s e Wa d e Na n ne y

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r. and Mrs. Phillip Brent Avent of Corinth announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Hannah Brittani Avent, to Jordan Riley Brawner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Edward Brawner of Corinth.

Hannah is a 2012 graduate of Corinth Academic and Performing Arts Center. She attended the University of Mississippi and the University of North Alabama where she graduated with a B.S. in Nursing. She is currently employed at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth where she works as a registered nurse in the emergency department.

Jordan is a 2012 graduate of Kossuth High School. He attended Northeast

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Community College and Mississippi State University. He currently works for Toyota in Blue Springs.

The couple will exchange vows July 13, 2019, at Destin Bay House in Destin, Florida. A reception will follow. After their honeymoon to Cabo San Lucas, the couple will reside in Corinth.

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ndria Nicole Barnes and Jesse Wade Nanney were united in marriage at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 3, 2018, at Fulton Church of God, surrounded by family and friends. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Tim Winters and Bishop Curtis Sutton.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rolon Barnes of Mooreville. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Mildred Coggins and the late Mr. Ray Coggins of Tupelo and Mr. James Barnes and the late Mrs. Sarah Naomi Barnes of Mooreville.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wade Nanney. He is the grandson of Mr. Charles Kirksey and Mrs. Jeanne Wesson and Mrs. Virginia Nanney and the late Mr. Jim Nanney, all of Mantachie.

The couple exchanged vows underneath a custom-made arbor draped with white chiffon, with white and pink roses cascading over the arbor.

Escorted and given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a classic ivory V-neck gown, with a cathedral-length train covered with solid lace designed by Madeline Gardner. She carried a traditional handtied bouquet wrapped in ivory silk ribbon

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featuring a handmade pink handkerchief passed down by her paternal grandmother.

Accompanying the bride as maid of honor was Sarah Hill, along with bridesmaids Katy Coggins, Claire Coggins, Attie Finley, Madison Orr and Nataly Loague. The flower girls were Ally Kate and Sawyer Winters.

The best man was the groom’s brother, John Nanney. Groomsmen were Andrew Barnes, Austin Black, Matt Spradling and Sam and Ben Kirksey. The ring bearer was Caleb Reese.

Following the ceremony, the bride and groom celebrated their union at a reception hosted by the bride’s parents. Guests enjoyed cupcakes, roasting marshmallows at the s’mores bar and musical entertainment.

The couple honeymooned in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Andria will begin medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in the fall, and Jesse just completed his master’s degree and will begin teaching history. The couple will reside in Jackson.

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WEDDING D e l a ne y B o nd i & Jo e y Bat e s

CAROLINE BEFFA PHOTOGRAPHY

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elaney Bondi and Joey Bates were united in marriage June 9, 2018, in Oxford at Oxford-University United Methodist Church. The ceremony was presided over by the Rev. Dale Hathorn and the Rev. Will Rambo.

The bride is the daughter of Tom and Kathy Bondi of Downers Grove, Illinois, and the groom is the son of Toby and Cathy Bates of Tupelo.

Escorted by her father, the bride walked down the aisle to “O Come to the Alter” by Elevation Worship in a lace and champagne gown by Allure Bridal while carrying flowers

by Bishop’s Flower Shop in Tupelo.

Following the ceremony, an outdoor reception was held at the Farmstead on

Woodson Ridge, also in Oxford. Guests enjoyed catering by My Michelle’s, with the twist of having no wedding cake, but an ice cream sundae bar instead! Sam Mooney provided entertainment as his band played, and everyone danced in the summer sun.

The bride’s attendants were Kelli Coleman as maid of honor, and Kelly Bates, Mary Kate Berger, Hannah Malench, Meredith Pyle and Katie Porter as bridesmaids. The groom’s father, Toby, was his best man, and groomsmen were Luke Bondi, Chris Jackson, Billy Rainey, Riley Newton, Brenton Banko and Tarver Reeder.

The Bateses often look back at this day as the perfect day one of their greatest adventure yet. They reside in Tupelo.

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WEDDING Jo rd a n E l i z a b e t h D e vl i n & Ro b e r t H ayd e n Wo r sh a m I I I

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BOB BRADFORD

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ordan Elizabeth Devlin and Robert Hayden Worsham III were united in marriage at 6 p.m. June 30, 2018, at Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church in New Orleans. The Rev. William Bradford of Tupelo officiated the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clay Sutton Devlin of Atlanta. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Gene Jordan of Baton Rouge and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Joseph Devlin of New Orleans.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayden Worsham Jr. of Corinth.

He is the grandson of Mrs. James Prentiss Hodges and the late Mr. Hodges, Mrs. Carl Wilson Wood and the late Robert Hayden “Bobby” Worsham Sr., all of Corinth.

Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory, A-line, French lace gown featuring a V-neckline with a scalloped trim. The bride and bridesmaids carried classic bouquets of white hydrangeas and white roses, designed

by Kathleen Thaller of New Orleans.

Attending the bride as maid of honor was Paige Browning of Baton Rouge.

Bridesmaids included sisters of the groom Priestley Worsham, Prentiss Worsham and Katherine Madden Worsham. Also serving as bridesmaids were Karley Boagni, Grace Britsch, Ainsley Fischer, Alexandra Gasser, Alyssa Henke, Louise Summitt and Haleigh Wells.

The attendants accompanied the bride in soft rose-colored dresses of crepe de chine with a soft draped ruffle across the front.

Carley Guillot served as the bride’s proxy, and the flower girls were Mollie McAmis Worsham and Ann Frances Worsham, cousins of the groom.

The groom’s father served as best man.

Groomsmen included the bride’s brothers Clay Sutton Devlin Jr. and John Joseph

“Jack” Devlin. Also serving as groomsmen were Bryson Avent, Chris Brantley, Ben Long, Jim Matthews, David Palmer, Wes Perry, Francis Stanley, Pat Steelman and Charles Woods.

Ushers were Byron Burkhalter, William Carpenter, Alex Hood and Mitchell Lowe.

Readers for the ceremony were Emily Grace Jordan and Alyssa Steelman.

Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at the Audubon Tea Room, where guests danced to music by G.O.T. Groove.

On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at Antoine’s.

Following their honeymoon, the couple resides in Atlanta.

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arah Grace Farrar and Michael JayColby Horton were united in marriage on June 23, 2018, at The Arbors in Amory. The ceremony took place outside in the beautifully decorated courtyard. The Rev. Dr. John Adams officiated the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Doug and Bridgett Farrar of Baldwyn. She is the granddaughter of Eddie and Phyllis Scott of Baldwyn, and Douglas and the late Sarah Farrar of Mantachie.

The groom is the son of Mike and Candy Horton of Saltillo. He is the grandson of the late J.C. and Doris Guntharp of Fulton, and Wanda Horton McDonald and the late Doyle Horton of Arkansas.

Escorted by her father, the bride wore a beautiful white gown featuring a sweetheart neckline, a fitted bodice with accents of beads, pearls and crystals, and a waltzlength veil trimmed in crystals. The bride

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also wore a garter that was crocheted by her great-great grandmother and also worn by the bride’s mother in her own wedding.

The bride’s sister, Layken Farrar of Atlanta, served as maid of honor.

Bridesmaids included Terra Belle Reynolds of Baldwyn, and Jordan Swindle, Laken Franks, Abby Funderburk and Madison Nichols, all of Mantachie. The attendants wore beautiful black chiffon floor-length gowns. They carried bouquets of white roses. Landri Faith Boren served as the flower girl. Jade Miller and Summer Dill served as guest-book attendants.

Mike Horton, father of the groom, served as best man. Groomsmen included Braden Reynolds of Tupelo; Troy Duncan of Tupelo; Scott Horton, brother of the groom, of Burnsville; and Lester Deaton of Mooreville. Ushers included Mason Roberts and Collin Roberts of Mantachie.

KATHRYN LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY

S a ra h G ra c e Fa r ra r & M ic h ae l Jay- C ol by Ho r to n

Following the ceremony, the wedding party and guests enjoyed a beautiful reception at The Arbors where they gathered for fellowship and to eat and dance the night away with the bride and groom. Music was provided by DJ Mike Scott.

The bride’s four-tiered cake was prepared by Terri Turner. The groom’s table featured his love of fishing and a two-tiered chocolate cake. The meal was catered by Pam Sullivan and Lisa Howell. Memories of the day were captured by Kathryn Leigh Photography. The videographer was Scott Sky Millett. The bride’s bouquet of beautiful red roses accented with pearls and the flower arrangements were created by Amory Flower Shop. Terri-Lynn Herring directed the entire event.

Following the wedding, the couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Jamaica at the Hotel Riu Ocho Rios. The bride is currently a student at Itawamba Community College seeking a degree in business. The groom is a student at the University of Mississippi also pursuing a degree in business.

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WEDDING S a m a nt h a M a r ie G r i sh a m & W i l l i a m “C olt a n ” S m it h

CRYSTAL MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

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amantha Marie Grisham and William “Coltan” Smith of Oxford were united in marriage at 6:30 p.m. on March 30, 2019, at Paris-Yates Chapel in Oxford. The service was officiated by Brother M.J. Pope of Booneville.

Samantha is the daughter of Sam and Karen Grisham of Booneville. She is the granddaughter of Kenneth and Charry Lacy, and Bob and the late Ruth Grisham, all of Booneville.

Coltan is the son of Richard and Cynthia Smith of Madison. He is the grandson of the late William “Bud” and Carolyn Millican of Brandon.

Music for the ceremony was performed

by Max Victory of Oxford, with vocals by Jason Buckley of Brandon.

The bride was given away by her father. Her sister, Darbi Burns of Booneville, served as her matron of honor. The groom’s brother, Brayden Smith of Madison, served as the best man.

The flower girl was the bride’s niece, Sadie Marie Burns. Ring bearers were

Harrison and Reid Dilback of Madison.

There were flowers placed on each side of alter in memory of the bride’s and groom’s late grandparents.

A reception followed the ceremony at Castle Hill of Oxford.

The couple resides in Oxford.

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WEDDING

WEDDING

Br it t a ny A b i g a i l L it t le & A l a n M ic h ae l P rat t

E l i z a b e t h A n ne Mc P he t e r s & D a n ie l Tre nt H i l l

B

E

lizabeth Anne McPheters of Corinth and Daniel Trent Hill of Booneville were married Oct. 27, 2018, on Buzzard’s Roost in Fall Creek Falls State Park in Spencer, Tennessee. The ceremony was officiated by the bride’s sister-in-law, Jenny McPheters.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold McPheters of Corinth. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jon Hill of Booneville.

The bride was given in marriage by her father, and she wore the flower crown that her own mother wore at her wedding. The couple was married on the edge of a cliff with the beautiful fall colors as their backdrop.

The bride and groom were surrounded by immediate family and their closest friends.

Following the ceremony, everyone gathered in a local cabin and enjoyed a relaxed evening of food and drink.

Each moment was perfectly captured by

Love, Jules Photography. Farmgirl Flowers created the bride’s bouquet.

Following a honeymoon in Ireland, the couple resides in Oxford.

JESSICA COULSON

rittany Abigail Little and Alan Michael Pratt, both of Corinth, were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Oct. 27, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church in Corinth. The Rev. Waring Porter officiated.

The date is especially meaningful to the bride as it was the wedding anniversary of her late paternal grandparents.

The bride is the daughter of Ms. Michelle Singleton and Mr. Trent F. and Mrs. Haley Little, all of Corinth. She is the granddaughter of Ms. Jean Pratt of Corinth, Mr. Chester Singleton of Lexington, Tennessee, the late Mr. Thurston and Mrs. Helen Little of Corinth and Mr. Mike and Mrs. Myra Willis of Corinth.

The groom is the son of Mr. Terry and Mrs. Nancy Ross and the late Mr. Joel Craig Pratt, all of Corinth. He is the grandson of Mrs. Linda Winters and the late Mr. Bedford Winters, Mrs. Joyce Pratt and the late Mr. L.E. “Pete” Pratt and the late Mr. Almus and Mrs. Barbara Ross, all of Corinth.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the Franklin Courtyard. The couple honeymooned in Jamaica, and they now reside in Corinth.

LOVE, JULES PHOTOGRAPHY

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WEDDING

LAURA ANNE WATSON

C a l l a n Hot c h k i s s Rowle y & M it c he l l H e s t e r L owe

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allan Hotchkiss Rowley and Mitchell Hester Lowe were married at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 13, 2018, at the Waterfall Club in Clayton, Georgia. Callan’s godfather, Frederick Scott, officiated the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark H. Rowley of Marietta, Georgia.

She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hunter Rowley of Concord, Massachusetts, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Richardson of Norwalk, Connecticut.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Lacey Lowe Jr. of Tupelo. He is the

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grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Lacey Lowe Sr. of Glendora and the late Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Lex Hester Sr. of Tupelo.

The wedding ceremony took place in the garden of the Waterfall Club, nestled among the beautiful mountains and overlooking the glistening Lake Burton below. The ceremony music was presented by a string ensemble from north Georgia.

Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception and dinner at The Lodge at the Waterfall Club. Guests conversed, laughed and danced the night away with the eight-piece band, Irresistible Groove, from Raleigh, North Carolina.

The night before the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a beautiful rehearsal dinner on the terrace of a restaurant at the Waterfall Club.

The bride and groom are especially thankful to their incredible photographer Laura Anne Watson of the Atlanta area for doing such an amazing job of capturing their wedding day.

Following a honeymoon to Asheville, North Carolina, the couple resides in Atlanta where the groom is an account executive with Starr Matthews Insurance Agency and the bride is a physician assistant at Pinnacle Orthopaedics.

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WEDDING F lo re nc e B e l l W i l l i a m s & Eva n S c ot t Baue r

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LEIGH CARTER

F

lorence Bell Williams and Evan Scott Bauer were united in marriage at 6 p.m. May 19, 2018, at First United Methodist Church in Clarksdale, in a ceremony officiated by the Rev. Ann Benton Fraser of Corinth and the Rev. Neville Vanderburg of Clarksdale.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fairley Williams III of Clarksdale.

She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Thomas Hand Jr. of Glendora and the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fairley Williams Jr. of Clarksdale.

The groom is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Frederick Scott Bauer of Corinth. He is the grandson of Col. Jacob Lenier Bland and the late Edith Sanford Bland of Corinth and Mrs. Yvonne Mitchem Bauer and the late Frederick Page Bauer of Corinth.

The bride was escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents. She wore a formal sleeveless lace gown with a fit-and-flare skirt and a high neckline.

Her vintage chapel-length lace veil was borrowed from her maternal aunt, Ms. Nancy Vick of Conway, Arkansas. She also wore a beautiful silver watch, a gift from the groom, and a vintage garnet bracelet, a gift from her mother. Flowers were placed in the church in memory of the bride’s and groom’s late grandparents.

The maid of honor was the bride’s sister, Mary Helen Kenyon Williams of Jackson.

Bridesmaids were Lee Allyn HughesMcShann of Kyle, Texas, Leslie Erin Merritt of Carlsbad, California, Hannah Lee Oliver of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Catherine Lavender Simmons of Madison.

Frederick Scott Bauer, father of the groom, served as best man. Groomsmen were David Jeffrey Bauer of Oxford, Griffin Tyler Collums of Saltillo, George Prentiss Holmes of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Matthew David Oglesbee of New Orleans.

Ben Thomas Woodhouse of Oxford was the scripture reader. Vocalists were Elizabeth Lancaster McIntyre of Oxford and Kenneth Neal Lancaster Sr. of Corinth. The organist was Denise Boswell, and the pianist was Belinda Simpson. The wedding director was Debbie Miller.

The evening before the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner

at the Country Club of Clarksdale, and on the morning of the wedding, Ed and Ann Peacock hosted a bridesmaid’s brunch at their home.

After the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at The Bank in Clarksdale.

Music was provided by Plan B. Following a honeymoon trip to Saint Lucia, the couple resides in Gluckstadt.

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MIX IT UP

QUEEN’S REWARD MEAD MIXES WELL WITH OTHER LIQUORS TO CREATE UNIQUE COCKTAILS PERFECT FOR ANY SUMMER CELEBRATION. RECIPES BY QUEEN’S REWARD

MeadM O S A 5 ounces Queen’s Reward Traditional Sweet Mead Splash of orange juice Splash of Cointreau or other orange liqueur, optional

THE

Magic

OF

Mead

Pour mead into a champagne flute. Add the orange juice and a splash of Cointreau or orange liqueur for an added kick. Garnish with fresh fruit.

Mead J U L E P 1 ounce Queen’s Reward Pucker Up Mead 2 ounces Kentucky bourbon or whiskey 2 teaspoons simple syrup Fresh mint Pour mead into a julep cup or Collins glass. Add bourbon and syrup. Fill with ice, and stir well until the cup becomes frosty. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

MADE FROM FERMENTED HONEY AND WATER, M E A D WA S O N C E A S O U G H T-A F T E R S P I R I T F O R W E D D I N G G U E S T S A N D N E W LY W E D S .

NOW CRAFT MEADERIES LIKE QUEEN’S REWARD IN TUPELO O F F E R T H E A N C I E N T E L I X I R I N A VA R I E T Y O F F L AVO R S TO P L E A S E E V E R Y PA L AT E .

WRITTEN BY SARAH MCCULLEN

A

“honeymoon” may seem like an odd name for a post-wedding vacation, but the unique term has a mystical, centuries-old story.

Long before wine filled the glasses at European and Nordic weddings, it was mead, a fermented alcoholic beverage of honey and water, that lifted guests’ spirits.

As the bride and groom said their final goodbyes, they were given enough mead to drink a little every night for the first month, or moon’s phase, of their marriage.

“They thought that mead had magical powers and thought it would increase the couple’s fertility and their chances of having a boy,” said Jeri Carter, founder of Queen’s Reward Meadery in Tupelo. “They didn’t understand the fermentation process yet or why this honey water, if they left it

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alone long enough, would make them feel so good.”

Jeri and Geoff Carter first made mead about seven years ago, after experimenting with homemade wine kits. They felt brave enough to venture away from the kit after a few successful batches of homemade wine, but since grapes are hard to come by in Mississippi, they looked for recipes calling for alternative ingredients. That’s when they discovered mead.

“By using local honey, we have the chance to showcase a really beautiful product of Mississippi,” Carter said. “All of our honey comes from within the state, and we make sure it comes from beekeepers who really take care of their bees.”

Queen’s Reward offers traditional mead just like you’d find centuries ago in the Old

World, but also features a wide variety of unexpected flavors like blackberry, lemon and cranberry orange. They also produce a spiced mead, as well as dry varieties with flavor profiles similar to wines such as pinot noir and riesling.

“A common misconception when we tell people that we make wine with honey, is, ‘Oh, I don’t like sweet things,’ but it’s not all sweet,” Carter said. “Since traditional mead is just honey and water, it is very mild and on the sweeter side, but you can go crazy adding fruits and other flavors, and as the mead maker, we get to control whether it finishes sweet or dry.”

Queen’s Reward mead is available in liquor stores throughout the state, in their tasting room on McCullough Boulevard or online at queensreward.com.

B L A C K B E R R Y Mead S M A S H ¼ cup wildflower honey ¼ cup water 3 blackberries 2 dashes angostura bitters 1 orange peel strip 2 ounces Queen’s Reward Blackberry Mead 1 ounce bourbon or whiskey Splash of soda water, optional Combine honey and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until honey dissolves, no more than 1 minute. Remove from heat, and let cool. Combine blackberries, 2 tablespoons of the honey syrup, bitters and orange peel in a rocks glass. Muddle together, mashing the blackberries.

Add a single large ice cube, followed by the mead, bourbon and soda water.

Using a cocktail spoon, stir for 30 seconds. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Mead - H A T T E N 1 ounce bourbon or whiskey 2 ounces Queen’s Reward Traditional Sweet Mead Dash of orange bitters 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice syrup Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Stir gently, and strain into a glass. Garnish with an orange twist and a maraschino cherry.

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heels WRITTEN BY RACHEL A. ISHEE

While most brides stress about finding that perfect dress, the little details can be equally important. As with all fashion, wedding styles come and go, but here are some accessory trends that may be here to stay.

capes

COURTESY OF KAY'S KREATIONS

headbands

This new trend is a unique twist on the traditional veil and allows the bride to show off her hair. A cape can lend the wow factor and elegance of a veil without all the problems that come along with fastening it to your hair.

“Wearing a cape was one of the best decisions I made in regard to my wedding day ensemble,” said Kayla Newton of Pass Christian, who was married in June 2018. “My hair was in an updo, and many of the veils I tried on weighed anywhere from 8-15 pounds. A veil would have easily slipped out of my hair and caused an embarrassing moment I’m sure.”

Because capes are detachable, they allow for multiple looks throughout the celebration without having to purchase more than one dress.

“I did a second line parade immediately following my ceremony, and I did not have much time to change,” Newton said. “With the cape I was able to easily take it off and create a different look within five minutes.”

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A headband is a simple accessory that can add extra sparkle to almost any hairdo.

Bridal updos can be styled around the headband, and they can also be worn for the reception in lieu of a veil.

Daniel Dubuisson was an editorial assistant and stylist for Southern Bride. He’s now a freelance wedding fashion stylist.

“The whole less-is-more trend is really hot right now,” Dubuisson said. “From hair and makeup to shoes and jewelry, brides are making a big statement by keeping it simple.”

KAYLNN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

O N O N E O F T H E B I G G E S T D AY S O F YO U R L I F E , N O N T R A D I T I O N A L A C C E S S O R I E S A L L O W F O R COMFORT, GL AMOUR AND UNIQUE AND PERSONAL ST YLE.

fringe worthy There are endless ways to individualize a traditional bridal heel. From the sequined to the “something blue,” brides can really have fun with what they put on their feet. Feathers and fringe are a great way to add both texture and movement to any look. Lately, ostrich feathers have made an appearance in bridal trends. Fashion designers like Monique Lhuillier and Hailey Paige have recently featured delicate fringed or feathered accents in their designs.

“I knew from the start I wanted shoes with feathers on them,” Newton said. “Dee Keller has always had amazing shoes, and I had always wanted a pair of her simple pointed-toe pumps.

I looked on her website, and I found the most perfect pair of shoes with ostrich feathers.”

“If you, the bride or groom, have it in your mind that you can’t pull something off, then that is your first mistake,” Dubuisson said. “If you like it, wear it. Just make sure to not force yourself to do or wear something simply because it’s trendy at the moment. Traditional looks will stand the test of time too.”

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TAYLOR SQUARE PHOTOGRAPHY

Brides normally end up kicking off their heels on the dance floor anyway, so why not ditch the shoes all together?

Barefoot brides aren’t just for beach weddings anymore. More and more brides are opting to say ‘I do’ sans shoes because it’s comfortable and more casual. No one wants to miss out on the fun of his or her big day because of sore feet.

TAYLOR SQUARE PHOTOGRAPHY

barefoot bride

for the guys Traditional attire for the groom might seem ho-hum, but there are multiple ways to personalize a suit or tux.

“The bride is the obvious star of the show when it comes weddings, but grooms don’t want to just fade into the background,” Dubuisson said. “By adding their own flair with the season’s hottest trends, they get to show their style in subtle ways that help them stand out too.”

Guys are starting to ditch the tie and bow tie and opt for more versatile accessories. One trend that’s becoming more and more popular for grooms and groomsmen is suspenders.

“They’re really making a comeback this spring, and I’m living for them,” Dubuisson said.

“They’re so comfortable, simple to style and bring a bit of fun to any suit.”

TAYLOR SQUARE PHOTOGRAPHY

keeping it casual If going barefoot isn’t your thing, you can also opt for a cute sneaker. Kate Spade’s wedding sneaker line includes satin, glitter, pearl and bow embellishments. Classic Converse high- and lowtop sneakers come in white and muted colors to match any color scheme, with custom options like leather, embroidery and patches to personalize your look.

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For couples who are considering taking a fashion risk on their wedding day, many would say to just go for it.

“I would recommend similar style accessories to brides who don’t mind untraditional accessories and for brides who feel like these styles fit well with their overall personality,” Newton said.

Dubuisson agrees that the most important part is that the bride feels like herself and is confident in her choices.

“The memories of the moment are all that matter at the end of the day. If you’re happy with your look, that is all that you should be worried about,” Dubuisson said. “No one looks back on their wedding photos and says, ‘I’m so glad I played it safe.’”

TAYLOR SQUARE PHOTOGRAPHY

ELENA MARCHAK

just do it

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Mermaids, Unicorns & a fancy Chandelier A YOUNG CANCER PATIENT FROM BELMONT LENDS EXPERT DECORATING ADVICE I N T H E T U P E L O S T. J U D E D R E A M H O M E G I V E AWAY. WRITTEN BY RACHEL BURCHFIELD

T

he petite brunette journalist stood on the red carpet at the recent Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.

Holding out an enormous microphone in her small hand, she asked members of the country supergroup Little Big Town “What’s your favorite food?”

“I’m kind of a pizza girl,” said Karen Fairchild, one of the singers of the quartet.

“What’s your favorite food?”

The journalist, who was missing her two front teeth, sporting a blue flower temporary tattoo on her left cheek and wearing a dress fit for a princess, didn’t hesitate.

“Mine is brownies,” she said.

She went on to interview country music singer-songwriter Jake Owen, teach Keith Urban how to play rock, paper, scissors and flash her winning grin in photographs with the likes of Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum and Thomas Rhett. The journalist is 6-year-old Londyn Perry, and, when she’s not interviewing celebrities about their favorite foods or what superpower they’d have, she’s fighting neuroblastoma at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Her journalist duties now complete,

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Londyn is moving on to her next assignment: interior decorator. Londyn, who is from Belmont and a rising second grader, was chosen to design the child’s bedroom in this year’s St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway in Tupelo. She’s already hard at work coming up with the design scheme, along with Room to Room president Lisa Hawkins, who is donating all of the items in the room to the cause.

“I can tell Londyn’s a great decorator,” Hawkins said. “We want it to look like she wants it to look.”

The room will feature Londyn’s favorite singer, JoJo Siwa, whom Londyn is excited to see in concert this September; her favorite color, purple; mermaids; unicorns; and a fancy chandelier.

“We have to have bling-bling,” Hawkins said. “She’s a bling-bling girl.”

She’s also a very tough little girl. On Valentine’s Day 2018, the hearts of her adoring parents, Angie and Justin Perry, were broken when their daughter — who also has type 1 diabetes — was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma, a high-risk cancer that presented as a tumor behind

her eye and also on her adrenal gland. In the months following, Londyn had her adrenal gland removed completely and has undergone chemotherapy and radiation for the tumor behind her eye.

Since connecting with St. Jude last year, Londyn has become an ambassador for the hospital. In addition to appearing on the ACM awards red carpet and decorating a room for the Dream Home Giveaway, Londyn has had a tea party with former NFL defensive end and current “Good Morning America” host Michael Strahan in New York City, where she also shot a television commercial for St. Jude.

“It has been a lot of fun,” Londyn said.

“It has been an adventure.”

Hawkins of Room to Room has worked as the co-designer for the child’s room in the dream home for a number of years.

“It is a wonderful experience to give back to the children and families of St. Jude through fundraising,” Hawkins said.

“St. Jude does dream homes all across the nation, and I’ve been involved for as long as St. Jude has done the giveaway in Tupelo.”

A former nurse, Hawkins connects with

Opposite page: Grayson, Justin, Londyn and Angie Perry. Above: Londyn and her family tour the St. Jude Dream Home in Tupelo with Amber Beane and Lisa Hawkins from Room to Room.

the children she works with on a deep level, she said, often keeping up with them long after their turn as an interior decorator ends.

“It’s so much fun to be able to work with the children of St. Jude, to see them get excited and get to meet them and be friends with them,” Hawkins said. “Londyn, that’s my kind of girl.”

The fundraiser goal this year is $950,000.

Most materials and services for the home are donated so that the largest amount of money possible benefits the hospital. Tickets are $100 and became available in early June.

Tune in to WTVA 9 News and WLOV for additional updates. The giveaway for the dream home — including Londyn’s room — takes place Aug. 29.

“The person winning the home wins much more than just the home,” Hawkins said. “They get to give back to St. Jude. If you buy a ticket, the worst thing that can happen is that you donate to an amazing cause. You can’t put the value on the life of a child, but helping in some little way to find a cure for childhood cancer is very humbling and overwhelming and gives a little piece of hope for so many families.”

At St. Jude, families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should worry about is helping their child live — making fundraisers like this so critically important. Angie Perry said St. Jude thinks of everything a family with a sick child might need, from gas money to

money for food and lodging.

“The real question is what has St. Jude not meant to our family?” Angie said. “We went from having a healthy child to having a child with a 40 percent survival rate. It’s a lot to take in overnight. You go into St. Jude feeling so alone, and everyone starts showing up — doctors, nurses, social workers — not only for the child, but for the parents, too,

to help us through. I don’t know what we would have done without St. Jude.”

Angie isn’t sure how her daughter was chosen to be the child’s room decorator, but she’s glad Londyn was picked.

“To be chosen means a lot to her, to go in and show her creative side,” Angie said.

“She loves to do crafts and activities, and this is so much fun for her to explore. She’s been through so much, and I’ve seen her so down, so weak and so sick. To see a smile on her face and to see her get excited about getting to do all of this warms our heart.”

Londyn’s father Justin said the family is forever grateful to St. Jude. He sees this as one more way to give back and spotlight his daughter’s high-energy, vivacious spirit.

“Her personality will definitely shine throughout the room,” Justin said.

For now, Londyn is just a kid who loves to jump on the trampoline and play with her little brother, Grayson. While she has considered being a journalist or an interior decorator when she grows up, she’s now decided on a career even closer to her heart.

“I want to be a nurse at St. Jude,” she said.

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GUMTREE ARTS FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The 48th annual Gumtree Festival took place May 10-11 at BancorpSouth Arena.

The celebration of arts featured art and food vendors, a singer/songwriter competition and a 10K race.

View more photos at invitationmag.com.

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1. Maddie and Julie West 2. David Johnson and Katie Wassmer 3. Julianne Goodwin, Gabrielle Cooper and Teresa Mendenhall 4. Adam and Maggie Clark 5. Sam and Marjorie Jacobs with Zoey Herndon

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JOYNER GARDEN FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The third annual Joyner Neighborhood Garden Festival took place May 4. The event included garden tours and a lunch provided

by Sweet Tea and Biscuits. Renowned horticulturist and radio personality Felder Rushing was a special guest.

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1. Chaz and Amy Kirby 2. Donna Gillentine, Leatrice Thorn, Marcel Brown and Sherry Johnson 3. Judy Gibson and Kari Copley 4. Courtney and Mary Baxter 5. Terry Goin, Felder Rushing and Matt Copley 6. Wendy and Glen Frazier

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COUNT Y LINE FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

Baldwyn Main Street Chamber of Commerce hosted the fifth annual County Line Music Festival April 21 in the historic district. The family-friendly event included music, food and children’s activities.

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1. Brandi Smith, Samantha Bates and Beverly Charron with Midnight 2. Hayley Gholston and Layla Stone 3. Suzanne Dixion and Emily Finley 4. Samantha Lovette and Shelaine Pennington 5. Lexi Garrison, Sara Beth Howell and Holly Wilson 6. Stephanie Rea and Ali Ballard 7. Lena Pratt and Paige Wood

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BLUE SUEDE CRUISE PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

The 17th annual Tupelo Blue Suede Cruise car show was held May 3-5 at BancorpSouth Arena. The event featured 900 classic cars and included contests, a car parade, a poker run and more than $10,000 in cash prizes.

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1. Yancy, Shannon and Avie Busby 2. Patricia and Terry Jones 3. Chad Smith, David Lee, Chris Kennedy, Tyler Cook and Michael Johnson with Vicky and Jimmy Henry 4. Laura Smith, Charlyte, Will and Jennifer Moore, Lindsay and Patrick Henry, Lisa Downing, Telena Hentz, Michael Ray Johnston and Gary Moore 5. Tanner and Tatum Griffin with Mollie Edwards 6. Eli Griffin and Robert Colvin 7. Denise and Addie Prust with Amanda Beasley, Joyce Olmstead and Kathy Beasley

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CORINTH SENIOR FOLLIES

CORINTH FOLLIES

continued

PHOTOGRAPHED BY WHITNEY WORSHAM

Corinth High School held its annual Senior Follies May 28-June 1 at the high school. More than 100 graduating seniors participated in the “American Bandstand”themed show.

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1. Lydia and Kyle Bethay with A.B. and Allene Isbell 2. Lanaiya Justice and Yolanda Mayes 3. X’Kaja Cobbs, Jamie Nunley and Adaysia Spence 4. Rodarius Gaines, Zach Patterson and Jordan Spence 5. Donna Langley, Missy Boyd and Kathryn Lee 6. Pat, Anna Brooke and Suzanne Tucker 7. Patsy Dixon with Phil and Kathy Tyson 8. Laura Kate Carmichiel with Penny and Allison Long 9. Olivia Fowler and Abby Lancaster 10. Drew and Lauren Porter 9

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KENTUCKY DERBY PART Y PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROBERTS

Tom Evans hosted the 21st annual Kentucky Derby Party fundraiser for Regional Rehabilitation Center May 4 at his home.

The event included festive hats, mint juleps and an auction. Guests raised more than $12,000 for Regional Rehab.

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1. Anna Claire Jackson and Maghan Otey 2. Donna, Terry and Laura Treadaway 3. Ashley White with Stacy and Erin Kester and Robby Parman 4. Taylor Ashe, Bre Moreno, Bethany and Ian Reed 5. Tom Evans and Kay Mathews 6. Anna Claire Jackson and Maghen Otey

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OUT & ABOUT CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

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VIEW MORE PHOTOS AT INVITATIONM AG.COM

A rc i n t he Pa rk

38 S p e c i a l C o nc e r t at C ro s s roa d s A re n a

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G ol f Fo re L i fe G ol f Tou r n a me nt

Trave l i n g G ol f G rou p C e le b rat io n

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S p e c i a lt y O r t ho p e d ic G roup G ra nd O p e n i n g

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Mu ra l P ro je c t R i b b o n C ut t i n g 11

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1. Mindy and John D. Mercier 2. Guy and Charlotte Curtis 3. Stacy Jones and Tom Sweat 4. Stan Blaylock with Jack and Barney Davis and Steve Blaylock 5. Justin Bussey, Andrew Mangrum, Greg Lawrence and Paul McMullian 6. Golf group members 7. Specialty Orthopedic Group friends and family 8. Tupelo High School student artists 9. Jill and Catherine Roseberry 10. Christina Smith, Cassie Stewart and Kiara Dozier 11. William Heard and Nichole Jarrett with Kaylee and Raina Ratliff 12. Jade Cummings and Amar’e Colemen

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MISSISSIPPI’S BEST

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4 1. Vallie and Robert Stone 2. Kameron Nelms and Jaxon Bailey 3. Shannon and Paige Wood with Earl Stone and Payton and Scott Wood 4. Brandon and M’lynne Kirk

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BL ACKBERRIES SUMMER BERRIES ARE A SWEET ADDITION TO PANCAKE SYRUP AND BARBECUE SAUCE. RECIPES CONTRIBUTED BY RO B ERT H AY S

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he first Mississippi Blackberry Jubilee, taking place in New Albany on June 29, will feature some interesting creations, including pancake syrup and barbecue sauces inspired by this plentiful summer fruit. Try making your own with these recipes from Robert Hays, who grows 65 acres of blackberries at Hays Berry Farm in Dumas and is the organizer of the festival.

blackberry S Y R U P ½ cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 cups fresh blackberries ½ cup water 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon zest Pinch of salt In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar and cornstarch. Stir in blackberries and water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until clear and thickened (about 15 minutes), stirring continuously.

Remove from heat. Add lemon juice, zest and salt.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Serve over a scoop of ice cream or atop pancakes or waffles.

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BLACKBERRY

barbecue S A U C E

2 cups fresh blackberries ½ cup ketchup ¼ cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar Juice of ½ lemon (about 1 tablespoon) 2 teaspoons chili powder

¼ cup hot sauce, optional 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon ¼ cup honey ¼ teaspoon ground mustard Pinch of salt

In a medium saucepan, add all ingredients and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce has reduced a bit and the berries have softened. Using a potato masher or fork, break up the berries. Pulse mixture

in a food processor or blender until smooth, or pour the sauce through a strainer and discard any leftover bits. Allow to cool and thicken. Use for basting or as a dipping sauce for your favorite grilled meat.