OCTOBER 2014
Made in
Mississippi
LOCAL FINDS from Quilts
to Coffee
ON LOCATION
with Jennifer Pierce Mathus
BRANCHING OUT
at Oxford Treehouse Gallery
SPOOKY SOIRﾃ右
Celebrate Halloween
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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LEGACY R EALT Y
•••R E M A X L E G A C Y T E A M •••
Mississippi ... #1 Team in Oxford Oxford, The place you want to be! Mark C. Cleary (713) 303-8924
Markccleary@gmail.com
Brand new construction!
Blake Cannon (662) 380-7144
Come check out these private community lake lots. Features include granite counter tops in kitchen and bath, stainless steel appliances, hand scraped floors, fireplace, crown molding, walk-in closets, and two car garages. Three lots to choose from with multiple floor plans for you to customize. Experience the beauty and serenity of Tuscan Hills, just 5 minutes from downtown Oxford!
blake@oxfordvip.com
Alison Alger (662) 832-1697
alisonmalger@gmail.com
Mid $200,000’s 10 AVAILABLE LOTS IN THE LOW $30K’S
Lots at The Highlands Starting in the low $100,000’s (for 1-5 acre lots) 70+ acre crystal clear water, #1 Bass fishing lake in Mississippi
•Beautiful Quaint Small Subdivision! •Neighborhood Pool! •Bike/Walk to The Square! • 4 Acre Park! •AMAZING LOCATION! •Starting at $299,000!
71 CR 141
The Hamlet Coming Soon! Craftsman style, Cedar shake shingles, walking trail, near medical community off South Lamar.
Oak Terrace
Ice House
•5 BR/4.5 Bath on 6.3 acres • 1 BR plus studio on the square •In-ground saltwater pool •Viking appliances •White oak hardwood floors •Bamboo Floor
$709,000
$388,000
LEGACY R EALT Y
4003 ROBISON ROAD
• Walking distance to the Grove • 3 BR/3Baths & guest house • 2 car garage, 4 BR/3.55 bath • 72 acres w/ 3 ponds • Bonus room • Heart pine floors & 5 fireplaces
$550,000
$559,900
131 Northpointe
Van Buren
•3 BR/3 Bath •Bonus room over garage •Landscaped courtyard
•On The Square •Heart Pine Floors •Large Entertaining Living Room
$317,000
Search the entire Oxford Market at www.MarkClearyOxford.com and www.OxfordVip.com 662.234.5621 1923 University Ave Oxford, MS 38655 • Each office independently owned and operated. All information deemed reliable but is not and subject to change without notice.
$496,000
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The newest dealer in the Memphis Metro area, located at Carriage Crossing.
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Sales: 877.695.7648 Service: 888.928.0124 Parts: 888.375.4416
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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ARE YOU READY for a New Home? Wellsgate
G N I D N PE 21023 Will’s Trace
21008 Will’s Trace
Grand newly constructed home on one of the best streets in Wellsgate!
Being built by Montgomery Construction on popular Will’s Trace.
9015 Bristol Cove
2041 West Wellsgate
Great home in the Bristol Cove area of Wellsgate! Move in ready and a great lay-out!
2082 West Wellsgate Absolutely beautiful home with wonderful outdoor entertaining space.
705 Long Meadow
Absolutely picturesque setting with an incredible gunite pool.
Spacious home in one of Oxford’s most popular neighborhoods!
11016 Covington Way
New Construction in very desirable Wellsgate!
11 CR 3065 Taylor
3Bed/2Bath Quaint charm of years gone by.
INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
4Bed/4.5 Bath Custom estate home with spectacular view of the lake.
1145 East Wellsgate
Being built by one of the best builders in Oxford.
4 Bed/3.5 Bath Look no further! This gorgeous home has custom features everywhere you look.
STONEBRIDGE
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2026 Mallard Pointe
414 Northpointe Lake Drive
Convenience, Safety, and Ease of Use starting at $245,000
21004 Will’s Trace
Timeless French look on popular Will’s Trace.
709 Quiet Valley Cove
Room for your family to spread out in this wonderful home. Fresh paint inside – ready to move in. Wonderful pool out back for summer enjoyment.
Jamey Leggitt
662-832-7620 Visit jameyleggitt.com jamey@kessingerrealestate.com
Jones at hom e Furniture, Gifts, and Accessories (free customer parking behind building) October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Brighton Village
3BR/3.5BA-1725 S.F. and 2BR/2.5BA-1325 S.F. PLANS STARTING IN THE $150’S. HARDWOOD/GRANITE THROUGHOUT/CUSTOM CABINETS/ STAINLESS APPLIANCES/POOL-CLOSE TO CAMPUS!
ROSEMONT
4BR/3.5BA PLANS ON THE GOLF COURSE STARTING IN THE $350’S. SOME OF THE AMENITIES INCLUDE HUGE KITCHENS/WET BAR/ INDOOR OUTDOOR FIREPLACE WITH A COVERED PATIO/ DECORATIVE BOX BEAMS/BRICK ACCENT WALL/PINE CEILING IN THE KITCHEN/HUGE MASTER BATH
Augusta Place
The Lakes
BRAND NEW LAKE FRONT HOMES!! 4BR/3.5BA WITH OVER 2400 SQ FT STARTING AT $224,750 SOME OF THE AMENITIES INCLUDE: 10FT CEILINGS & 8FT DOORS/GRANITE COUNTER TOPS/STAINLESS APPLIANCES/ HARDWOOD FLOORS/COVERED PATIO!
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
BRAND NEW FROM THE GROUND UP! 3BR/3BA PLANS STARTING AT $267,500. LIVE RIGHT ON THE JIM FAZIO-DESIGNED GOLF COURSE AT THE COUNTRY CLUB OF OXFORD! 10 FT CEILINGS/OVER SIZED 1-CAR GARAGE/GAS FIREPLACE/GRANITE TOPS/STAINLESS APPLIANCES/2 BALCONIES OR PATIOS!
Matt McGraw
662-801-5170 matt@kessingerrealestate.com www.condosinoxford.com
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Being a part of the Oxford-Ole Miss community is like being on vacation year round. Let Sample & Po ole make buying your new home a
REALITY!
THE EDGAR BUILDING 428 N. LAMAR, STE 102 • OXFORD, MS
JULIE SAMPLE, BROKER • 662.234.0808
WWW.VACATIONOXFORD.COM
Julie Sample 601-906-2828
Woody Sample 601-955-1797
Meta Poole Ginn 662-202-2964
John Albriton 601-594-3774
Martha Brock 601-519-9940
Amanda Wymer 662-832-7685
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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INVITATION Oxford
IN THIS ISSUE OCTOBER 2014
OCTOBER 2014
Made in
Mississippi
LOCAL FINDS from Quilts to Coffee
ON LOCATION
with Jennifer Pierce Mathus
BRANCHING OUT
at Oxford Treehouse Gallery
FEATURES 33 A Spooky Soirée The owners of a “haunted” house get into the Halloween spirit with gravestones, ghosts, pumpkins and lots of candy.
SPOOKY SOIRÉE
Celebrate Halloween
COVER PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM
68 Branching Out Artists Walter and Vivian Neill live and create on the land that houses their newly expanded Oxford Treehouse Gallery.
88 On Location With: Jennifer Pierce Mathus Actress Jennifer Pierce Mathus of Taylor, Miss., gets her big break – a role on the hit television show Nashville and a part in a major motion picture.
94 Iron Man Andy Waller makes both practical and decorative objects out of wrought iron and steel in his Oxford blacksmith shop.
EVENTS 24 27 30 57 60 63 77 80 101 102 104
Color Invasion 5K C.A.R.E. Walk Alpha Delta Pi Groundbreaking Our Team, Our Town Youth Fishing Rodeo Burgers and Blues Kids Triathlon Children’s Health Fair U.S. Navy Band Concert Jason Isbell Concert Crosstown Classic
ANNOUNCEMENTS
41 Made in Mississippi
Handcrafted items are even more special when they’re made with love in north Mississippi. These five products, ranging from ink pens, all-natural soaps and handmade quilts to organic dog treats and coffee, are all produced by local residents with great care.
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
22 Barrett & Foster
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80
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery Not an actual patient
105
• Breast Augmentation • Breast Reduction • Breast Reconstruction • Liposuction • Abdominoplasty • Face Lift • Eyelid Surgery • Rhinoplasty • Botox/Juvederm/Dysport/Voluma (administered by Dr. Shell)
DEPARTMENTS 18 20 54 84 109 112
Letter From the Publisher What’s Happening Pets of the Month In Season: Pumpkin Out and About I Am Oxford: Robert Saarnio
• MedSpa Services • Anti-Aging, Oxygenating & Clarifying Facials • Rosacea Treatments • Resurfacing Peels • HydraFacial • Makeup Artistry • Waxing • Dermaplaning • Brow Shaping • Microneedling • IPL Photofacials • Light & Laser Therapies for Acne, Scars, Wrinkles, Pores, Hyperpigmentation, Hair Reduction and Skin Tightening
2716 West Oxford Loop, Suite 171, Oxford, MS 38655 www.ShellPlasticSurgery.com
662-236-6465 October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
True Blue
3 South Main, Pontotoc • 662.489.5903 • www.trueblueboutiqueshop.com
the publisher
LETTER FROM
PUBLISHER Rachel Malone West EDITOR Phil West DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Cindy Semmes MANAGING EDITOR Sonia Thompson ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR Emily Welly EDITORIAL DESIGN Emily R. Suber, Hallie M. Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Worthem ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Alise M. Emerson, Sheena Hagemann, Leigh Lowery, Lynn McElreath, Mary Moreton, Moni Simpson, Reed Toms AD DESIGN Rebecca Bailey, Zach Fields, Paul Gandy CONTRIBUTORS Lena Anderson, Lanie Anderson, Joey Brent, Leslie Brooks, Elizabeth Evans, Caroline Beffa Franks, Mabus Photography, Megan Marascalco, Jennifer Wilson, Ann-Marie Wyatt OFFICE MANAGER Hollie Hilliard COPY EDITORS Linda Jansen, Kate Johnson
R
ecently, my family and I traveled to Nassau, Bahamas, for vacation. While we were there, we searched for a few handmade items to bring back to family and friends. After several miles of walking and lots of hunting, we found a few linen napkins and a tiny woven purse that had been made locally. This month, we did that hunting for you. We’ve highlighted five products, including dog treats, ink pens and baby quilts, that are handcrafted right here in Oxford. We loved learning the stories behind the people who make things out of wood and thread, and we think buying local is a great way to celebrate Oxford’s creative culture. And “making it” isn’t always about stuff. It can also be about drive. You’ll meet Jennifer Pierce Mathus, an actress who calls north Mississippi home. This fall, Mathus has a role on the hit television series Nashville and will appear on the silver screen in coming months in the movie Dark Places. Read more about Mathus on page 88 and learn about her journey as an actress. For anyone who is trying to “make it” – by creating handmade items or acting or just as someone who appreciates these things – we hope you’ll enjoy this issue.
DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney, Brian Hilliard ADVERTISING INFORMATION (662) 701-8070 ads@invitationoxford.com MAIN OFFICE (662) 234-4008 To subscribe to one year (10 issues) of Invitation Oxford, send payment of $50 to: P.O. Box 776, Oxford, MS 38655 or visit invitationoxford.com to pay online. To request a photographer at your event, to obtain a copy of an event photo or to purchase an announcement, email Emily at emilysuber.invitationoxford@gmail.com.
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE
RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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what’s happening October
A sampling of important, fun and interesting events in our area. For more events, visit facebook.com/invitationoxford.
Mark Twain Tonight! October 7 The Ford Center
ART EXHIBITS AND EVENTS Now Through Aug. 8, 2015 Our Faith Affirmed – Works From the Gordon W. Bailey Collection The University of Mississippi Museum of Art presents Our Faith Affirmed – Works From the Gordon W. Bailey Collection, an exhibition celebrating a gift by scholar and collector Gordon W. Bailey of artworks created by African-American self-taught artists. UM Museum hours are 10-6 p.m., Tues.-Sat. museum.olemiss.edu or 662-915-7073
October 2 Artist Reception for Blair Hobbs Enjoy a reception for Oxford artist Blair Hobbs, and view her multimedia pieces (pictured above), which often display words of text strung through painted and sequined images. Reception is 6-8 p.m., Oct. 2, Southside Gallery. Exhibit is on display through Oct. 25. southsideartgallery.com or 662-234-9090
October 16 Harvest Supper at Rowan Oak
BOOKS, MUSIC, FOOD AND SPORTS October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
October 9
Thacker Mountain Radio
3 Blind Wines
Thacker Mountain Radio is a live radio show featuring a mix of local and national writers and musicians. The free show is taped and broadcast every Thursday at 6 p.m. and rebroadcast every Saturday night on Mississippi Public Radio. For a full schedule, visit thackermountain.com. 6 p.m., Off Square Books
Annual wine tasting fundrasier for the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. Tickets $35, plus three bottles of wine per couple, or $100 per couple for an all-inclusive package. 7-9 p.m., the Powerhouse, oxfordarts.com
October 3
Tennessee vs. Ole Miss Football
Welcome Rebel Party Celebrate the Alabama vs. Ole Miss football weekend with a party at the Lyric. Music by Almost Famous. Tickets $25 general admission or $75 VIP (includes open bar). 8 p.m., the Lyric, thelyricoxford.com
October 4 Alabama vs. Ole Miss Football The Rebels take on the Crimson Tide. Time TBA, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
October 7 Mark Twain Tonight!
Friends of the University of Mississippi Museum host the third-annual Harvest Supper, which offers a farm-to-table meal to benefit the museum’s educational programs and exhibits. Tickets $125. 7-10 p.m., Rowan Oak, museum.olemiss.edu
Mark Twain Tonight! is a one-man play by Hal Holbrook, in which he depicts Mark Twain giving a dramatic recitation selected from several of Twain’s writings, with an emphasis on the comic ones. 7:30 p.m., the Ford Center, fordcenter.org
October 30
October 9
Artist Reception for Laurin McCracken
The Heart Behind the Music
Enjoy a reception for Mississippi-native artist Laurin McCracken, and view his life-like watercolors. Reception is 6-8 p.m., Oct. 30. Exhibit is on display Oct. 28-Nov. 22. southsideartgallery.com or 662-234-9090
Musicians talk about the meaning behind their hit songs during this songwriter’s showcase. Performers include country music stars Deana Carter and Billy Dean, along with Teddy Gentry, a founding member of the band Alabama, and Lenny LeBlanc, an integral part of the phenomenon that became known as Muscle Shoals Music. 7:30 p.m., the Ford Center, fordcenter.org
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
October 18 The Rebels take on the UT Volunteers for the Ole Miss Homecoming game. Time TBA, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
October 22 John Hailman Book Reading Nationally syndicated wine columnist John Hailman, who lives in Oxford, reads from and signs his new book, The Search for Good Wine. 5 p.m., Off Square Books, squarebooks.com
October 23-26 Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium The annual culinary Southern food symposium hosted by the University of Mississippi Southern Foodways Alliance. Pre-registration required, southernfoodways.org
October 28 Oxford Art Crawl Meet at the Powerhouse and ride the Double Decker Bus around town to enjoy local art. This will be the last Art Crawl of the season. 6-8 p.m., oxfordarts.com
October 30 Kenny Loggins Concert The Grammy-winning artist performs songs from throughout his more than 40-year career. 7:30 p.m., the Ford Center, fordcenter.org
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES October 3 and 17
Historic Double Decker Bus Tours Every Friday before a home Ole Miss football game, take a trip on the Double Decker Bus and receive a guided tour by Oxford’s historian Jack Mayfield. Tickets $5. 2-3 p.m., Visit Oxford Visitors Center, 415 S. Lamar Blvd. visitoxfordms.com
Development. Commercial. Residential. Condos. Land. www.cmrehomes.com • 662.234.3878
October 14 and 28
Come see us
Mini Masters These fun, drop-in workshops for toddlers and a parent/guardian are offered on alternating dates at the Powerhouse and the University Museum. For children ages 2-5. Cost is $5 per family for each drop-in session. Pre-registration is not required. 3:45-4:30 p.m., Oct. 14, “Paint Chip Creatures,” at the Powerhouse 3:45-4:30 p.m., Oct. 28, “Mythical Creatures,” at the UM Museum museum.olemiss.edu/mini-masters
706 Jackson Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655.
Cherie Matthews 662-816-0499
Becky Taylor 662-544-2146
John Welty 662-816-2782
Carrie Fuller 901-487-1299
Wil Matthews 662-832-1266
Rhonda Rodgers 662-419-0948
Larry McCay 662-816-1667
Eric Carlton 662-832-1616
Lara Mansell 662-228-1719
Paula Crum 662-701-7789
Sharon Rice 404-245-0247
Carlyle Thomas 662-934-3515
Chris Burgess 601-594-6951
Jean Dalton 662-816-0348
Wayne McPhail 662-417-2354
October 30-31 and November 2 Spirits of Yoknapatawpha County The Cedar Oaks Guild presents a production featuring characters from William Faulkner’s fiction. Dressed in period costumes, the characters tell their stories before a backlit screen that features a photograph related to each story. Proceeds benefit the preservation of Cedar Oaks. 8 p.m., Oct. 30, the Powerhouse 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31, the Powerhouse 2 p.m., Nov. 2, the Powerhouse Contact Cedar Oaks Guild President Dianne Fergusson at 662-236-4088 or sdsferg@bellsouth.net
October 31 Halloween The city of Oxford encourages children and families to trick-or-treat safely and responsibly.
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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& WILLIAM BENJAMIN FOSTER III
PHOTOGRAPHED BY STEVE GREEN
ELIZABETH MARY BARRETT
iz Barrett (Elizabeth Mary Barrett) and Benjy Foster (William Benjamin Foster III) were married July 24, 2014, in a small, late morning ceremony at Colonel’s Quarters at Castle Hill, surrounded by their closest friends and family. The lunchtime reception, which included an array of pizzas – and three cakes – was catered by TriBecca Allie Café in Sardis, Miss. Immediate and extended family members were in attendance, including Liz’s mother June Barrett; brother James Barrett; sister Shannah Barrett; Benjy’s father Ben Foster; mother Karen Foster; daughter Katie Foster; sister-in-law Holly Foster; and several cherished aunts, uncles and friends. Liz and Benjy spent their honeymoon touring London and southern Ireland before returning home to Oxford, where Liz publishes EatingOxford.com and just released her first book, Pizza: A Slice of American History, and Benjy works at Dwayne Blackmon Chevrolet in Tupelo and dabbles in selling antiques. Benjy is originally from Clarksdale, Miss., and most recently lived in Guntown, Miss. Liz is originally from Pontiac, Michigan, and lived in Los Angeles before moving to Oxford eight years ago. The Fosters now reside in Oxford.
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Your Personal Invitation to Join the Fondren Team
Vote to Elect Carnelia Fondren 18th District Chancery Court Judge Place 1, November 4, 2014 Attorney Fondren is a lifelong resident of Lafayette County. She is running on the platform of bringing fairness, experience and compassion to this position. What is Chancery Court? Chancery Court touches the lives of people when they are involved in family disputes, land matters and often at their worst times in life.
Why Attorney Fondren is the right choice? • She earned her Juris Doctor from The University of Mississippi Law School in 1993. • She has been an Attorney for 20+ years. • She has been lead counsel in over 100 cases in Chancery Court. With Attorney Fondren, you will receive a Chancery Court Judge who is committed to fairness and impartiality in all matters of equity and law •She will place the welfare of all children first while maintaining fairness and impartiality. • She will strive to assist in the division of marital property in divorce proceedings in a fair and impartial manner. •She will interpret the law in a compassionate, fair and impartial way in the division of a loved one’s estate.
Accept your personal invitation by visiting us at fondrenforjudge.org.
To learn more about Attorney Fondren, please contact: Committee to Elect Carnelia Pettis-Fondren Judge P.O. Box 2443 • Oxford, MS 38655 662-236-1480 •fondrenforjudge@gmail.com
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Carnelia Pettis-Fondren Judge.
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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events Color Invasion 5K Run View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
The Color Invasion 5K run/walk was held Aug. 23 at the Mid-Town Shopping Center. Participants wore festive attire and were blasted with a rainbow of colors at various points on the race course. The event benefited the Mississippi Alzheimer’s Association.
Chris and Dinorah Sapp
Lori Hannah, Carlos Keith and Karen VanWinkle
Monica Dabney and Angie Wilfawn
Morgan Winkel and Jamie Wicker
Lizzy Wicks and Claire Beth Bolen
Patty West and Donna Strum
Natalie Murphy and Madeleine Schutte
www.BarkleyTravel.com
A Smoky Mountain New Year’s Eve
141 West Bankhead St New Albany, MS 38652 Phone: 662-534-5203
Niagara Falls Festival of Lights (December 1-6, 2014)
(Dec 29, 2014 – Jan 1 , 2015) • Three nights lodging in Pigeon Forge • Country Tonite Show • The Grand Majestic Theater • Applewood Farmhouse Dinner • The Wood Grill Dinner Buffet • Dinner at The Old Mill Restaurant • 3 Breakfasts • Shopping at the Outlet Malls • Guided tour of the Smoky Mountains
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Mary Sydney Garrett and Courtney Cleveland
INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
• Lodging in Cincinnati, OH (to & from Niagara Falls) • Three nights lodging in Niagara Falls, Ontario • Three buffet breakfasts • Skylon Tower Dinner • ”Oh Canada Eh” Holiday Dinner Show • Tour of Niagara Falls Area • IMAX Movie – “Niagara – Miracles, Myths & Magic” • Niagara-on-the-Lake featuring a winery tour with sampling • Chocolate FX (Factory tour & sampling) • Festival of Lights Tour • Local escort
photographed by Leslie Brooks
April Stratton, Natalie Hughes, Erin Harwell and Jessica Lariccia
Hudson Nelson and Brittanni Bundren
Tracy Summers, Katherine Martin, Ashley Polk, Crystal Warren and Dianna Seddon
Jake Fusia, Daniel Bumgardener, Cameron Mitchell and Taylor Alice Mays
Claire, Vicki and Emmie Stevens
Brooke White and Ben Windham
Madison Daniels, Sydney Spears, Hannah Talavs and Katelin Johnson
Robert Lester and Jason Gordon
Jill Westmoreland, Jan Perrett and Jamie VanDevenver
Family
Come Experience
“The saying goes you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. When it comes to Emeritus, that may not be true. For us, Emeritus is family.” - Nancy Carole King,
daughter of resident at Emeritus at Oxford
(662) 234-9600
100 Azalea Drive, Oxford • www.Emeritus.com
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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Serving Women’s Healthcare Needs
We CancerAwareness AwarenessMonth! Month! Weare areproud proudtotosupport supportNational National Ovarian Breast Cancer
Contact us for an appointment.
1204 Medical Park Drive • Oxford, MS • 662.236.5717 • www.oxfordobgyn.com
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
photographed by Leslie Brooks
events C.A.R.E. Walk
CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
The 11th-annual Ole Miss Panhellenic C.A.R.E. Walk was held Aug. 27 on the University of Mississippi campus. Participants were encouraged to wear pink, and the proceeds benefited breast cancer research.
Ashley Allsup and Ali Roberson
Bailey Braun, Carly Ekes and Elizabeth Ellis
Melissa Royston, Tara Stremlau and Emily Gaither
No tailgate is complete without treats from The Caramel Factory
Abigail Tuma, Sarah Wildman, Peyton Reves, Sarah Hill and Madison Chesshire
Mary Kate Berger, Mary-Charles Pence and Meghan Wrigley
Maggie Conerly, Regan Crain and Kristina Gautier
Kathy Pearson, Margie McLeod and Molly Meisenheimer
Anna Steen, Ali Sexton and Allegra Sgroi
Audra Atkins, Ashley Williams, Zoe Windham and Kristen Cochran
127 Lakewood Drive, Batesville, Mississippi 38606
662.563.9900
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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events C.A.R.E. Walk
photographed by Leslie Brooks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27
View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
Ashley Sandel, Lucy Hall, Meg Myers and Emma Landers
Catherine Harmon and Liza Linginfelter
Lizzy Kuntz, Emily Henderson, Lily Clarke and Marcella Purtill
Ashley Hendrichovsky, Tabatha Williams, Kaitlyn Wigington and Maddie House
Mary Collins Atkinson, Bryce Dixon, Dallas Shyann and Emily Keiser
ERIC THWEATT CONSTRUCTION
Start Building Your DREAM HOME Today!
662.202.5020 28
Olivia Lee, Hallie Baker, Angelique Waller and Paige Bloskas
INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Hannah Mitchell, Suzannah Gilder, Alex Fowler, Elizabeth Cheek and Caroline Jamison
McLaine Kent and Savannah Brantley
Emily Davidson, Carley Cole, Anna Ballard and Caroline Hewitt
Feel Better. Live Longer. After visiting University Weight Management Clinic, what sold me on the place was the fact that once I finished the program, I could keep coming back for weekly weigh-ins and weight loss meetings. As a yo-yo dieter, I knew that accountability would be needed. I soon discovered the meetings were a place I felt right at home with others who struggled just as I did. And with the help and support of the professional staff, I have been able to discover a new way of life and how I think about food, exercise, and my body. When I look in the mirror I actually recognize myself now, and it feels GREAT. -Gina McPhail
Before After
If you’re wanting to make a permanent lifestyle change for the better, call us at UWMC. Call Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation Jonathan H. Massey, M.D. 663.232.8005 or 1.888.232.8005
317 Heritage Drive, Suite 1 • Oxford, Ms www.universitywmc.com
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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events Alpha Delta Pi Sorority House Groundbreaking View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
Alpha Delta Pi sorority officers and collegiate members ceremonially broke ground for a new $5 million chapter house at the University of Mississippi on Sept. 6. The house will be located on Rebel Drive and will open next fall.
Mary Grace Denson and Lindsay Stewart
Kayla Smith, Catherine Plunk, Sarah Howell and Becky Whatley
Kelly Epperson and Sydney Pucheu
Linda Jennings and Tina Howell
Melissa Nosal, Grace Millerick, Natalia Canales and Justine Retnam
Elise Williams and Corinne Sweeney
Tricia DeFelice, Haley Vassar and Bailey Brown
Cindy Conner, Jane Windham, Linda Rea and Jane Bloss
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Tracy and Kimberly Ward with Emily Erkel
Annie Ruckman, Amanda Finn and Chelsey Helman
Gabrielle Gibbs and Karleigh Keeton
Charlotte Cocchiara and Lee Einhaus
photographed by Leslie Brooks
Susan Brewer, Drenett Burchfield and Dusky Norsworthy
SPOT BEAUTY •
get a pink manicure or pedicure from oct 13-17 and 50% will go to breast cancer research! 2704 West Oxford loop suite 113 • Oxford, MS 234-1844 • (across from The Barn)
Aubrey Moreno and Kristine Bishop
Taylor Lowe and Yasmine Allen October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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g
265 N. Lamar, Suite Q • 662.236.9707 265 N. Lamar, Suite Q • 662.236.9707
1024 WHITETAIL LANDING 3 BEDROOM / 2 BATH AND A BONUS ROOM $229,900
74 COUNTY ROAD 160, 4.5 acres THIS WONDERFUL HOME HAS LOTS OF CHARACTER! BEAUTIFULLY SITUATED IN THE COUNTRY YET STILL WITHIN THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. IT HAS A RENOVATED GOURMET KITCHEN AND MASTER SUITE, NOT TO MENTION A GUNITE POOL AND HOT TUB! THIS FOUR BEDROOM, THREE AND A HALF BATH IS 3,770 SQUARE FEET OF PARADISE! IN ADDITION, THERE IS A RENOVATED 1,000 SQUARE FOOT GUEST HOUSE WITH 1 BEDROOM AND 1 BATH, KITCHEN AND LIVING ROOM.
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
TRANQUIL, 3.3 ACRES OF WATERFRONT PROPERTY IN THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AVAILABLE IN THE HIGHLANDS.
570 COUNTY ROAD 101 6.7 ACRES OVERLOOKING A POND 2 BEDROOM / 1.5 BATHROOM $259,000
MARCHBANKS REAL ESTATE YOUR SOURCE FOR HOMES IN OXFORD, MS
Lee Lee Desler 662-801-2109 Oxford, Mississippi
Soirée
A SPOOKY
The owners of a “haunted” house get into the Halloween spirit with gravestones, ghosts, pumpkins and lots and lots of candy. photographed by Joe Worthem
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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When the Zeleskey family purchased the big white house on South Lamar Blvd., one of the things they were most excited about was preparing for their first Halloween there last October. “We just love Halloween in Oxford,” homeowner Kelley Zeleskey said. “Everybody goes all-out. The kids are all dressed up. It’s kind of like being back in time.” The Zeleskeys went all-out, too, preparing Halloween-inspired snacks, inviting over friends to help pass out more than 4,000 pieces of candy to trick-or-treaters, and decorating the property to look like a haunted house. “I’ve had people ask me before if the house is haunted,” Zeleskey said. “So when we were brainstorming about how we wanted to decorate, we just thought we would let people take it for what they thought it already was. It was just a blast.” Left, Brittany Zeleskey, dressed as Snow White, waits to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters.
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Spirit s of
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CEDAR OAKS
YOKNAPATAWPHA
After a brief hiatus, Cedar Oaks Guild members (pictured) are again presenting the Spirits of Oxford production, taking place Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 2 at the Powerhouse. The event, which is usually held in St. Peter’s Cemetery, has a different twist this Halloween. This year’s production, entitled Spirits of Yoknapatawpha County, will feature characters from William Faulkner’s fiction. Dianne Fergusson, Cedar Oaks Guild president and a Faulkner scholar, is the creator of the production. “We thought that it would be a good idea to try something new,” Fergusson said. “Since Faulkner’s fiction is one of my passions, I suggested that we build the production around that.” An opening reception and silent auction will be held preceding the Oct. 30 performance. For more information, contact Fergusson at 662-236-4088 or sdsferg@bellsouth.net.
FORGET the GHOST, BEWARE of the SUGAR BUGS!
FARESE FAMILY DENTAL
2212 W. Jackson Ave. (662)234-8463 www.faresedental.com Find us on October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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Freak with Halloween-themed treats FEAST LIKE A
recipes and photographs courtesy of Annie Zeleskey
Witch’s Brew Stew For the curry paste: 1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds, toasted 2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds, toasted 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, toasted 1 teaspoon coarse salt 3 serrano chiles, sliced 1/2 cup fresh cilantro 2 stalks fresh lemongrass, trimmed and chopped (about 1/2 cup) 8 garlic cloves, minced (about 1/4 cup) 2 scallions, chopped (about 1/4 cup) 2 tablespoons chopped peeled fresh ginger 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon finely grated lime zest (from 2 limes)
For the stew: 2 ounces spinach (1 cup) 1 can (14 ounces) unsweetened regular coconut milk 1 can (14 ounces) unsweetened light coconut milk 1 medium zucchini, quartered and sliced 1 inch thick (21/4 cups) 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 3/4 cup fresh basil Serrano chiles, thinly sliced, for garnish Lime wedges, for serving
For the curry paste: Grind coriander, cumin, peppercorns and salt with a mortar and pestle or the bottom of a heavy skillet. Add remaining ingredients (chiles through lime zest), and grind until a paste forms. For the stew: Puree 5 tablespoons curry paste, the spinach, and 1 cup regular coconut milk in a blender until smooth. Reserve remaining curry paste for another use. Bring remaining regular coconut milk and the light coconut milk to a boil in a medium Dutch oven or heavy stockpot. Reduce heat, stir in curry-spinach mixture, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add zucchini, and
cook until slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Add chicken, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until zucchini is tender and chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add basil, and garnish with serrano chiles. Serve with lime wedges. Can be served with steamed rice, if desired, like any traditional curry dish.
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TIP: The curry paste can be made in advance, minimizing lastminute fuss. It can be refrigerated for up to two weeks or frozen for up to three months.
Mummified Hot Dogs 1 (8-ounce) can Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls 21/2 slices American cheese, quartered 10 large hot dogs Cooking spray Yellow mustard Heat oven to 375°F. Unroll crescent roll dough; separate at perforations, creating 4 rectangles; press perforations to seal. With knife or kitchen scissors, cut each rectangle lengthwise into 10 pieces, making a total of 40 pieces of dough. Slice cheese slices into quarters (1/2 slice cheese, cut in half ). Wrap four pieces of dough around each hot dog and 1/4 slice of cheese to look like bandages, stretching dough slightly to completely cover hot dog. About 1/2 inch from one end of each hot dog, separate “bandages” so hot dog shows through for face. On a large, ungreased cookie sheet, place wrapped hot dogs (cheese side down); spray dough lightly with cooking spray. Bake 13-17 minutes or until dough is light golden brown and hot dogs are hot. With mustard, dot on mummy eyes.
Jack-o’-Lantern Buffalo Dip 2 (10-ounce) cans chunk chicken, drained 3/4 cup Frank’s Buffalo sauce 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup ranch dressing 11/2 cups shredded extra-sharp Vermont Cheddar cheese 1 bag blue corn tortilla chips Sliced black olives for garnish Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat chicken and hot sauce on stovetop over medium heat; stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in half of the shredded cheese, and transfer the mixture to a deep baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top; cook in oven for 8-10 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Use three blue corn tortilla chips for the eyes and nose of the jack o’ lantern. Use sliced black olives to make the jack-o’-lantern’s mouth. Serve with tortilla chips. October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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Call to schedule your journey with: Manager: Kristy Payne Sylist: Heather, Hillary & Alex & LMT, 1963 Heather Benjamin
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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Made in
s i s s s i i p pi M These five handcrafted products were created by north Mississippians. by Lanie Anderson photographed by Joe Worthem and Paul Gandy
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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Cotton’s Café Janet McCarty
Janet McCarty, a former employee at a law firm, told herself she would never wear high heels again at work when she started Cotton’s Café Dog Treat Barkery in January, and she has kept that promise. But starting her business was about more than fashion choices. McCarty’s dog, Cotton, a pointer-boxer mix, was her inspiration. Although a veterinarian warned McCarty two years ago that her one-pound rescue dog might not survive, McCarty and Cotton’s vet continued to care for Cotton, and her health steadily improved. “Cotton came into my life at a difficult time,” McCarty said. “She gave me hope, and the longer she survived, the better I got. It was a mutual healing.” When Cotton’s dog food was recalled last summer, McCarty decided to make healthy dog treats in her kitchen and started Cotton’s Café after she received positive feedback from friends. McCarty attributes her early success to a trade secret, a natural, healthy ingredient that preserves the dog treats, as well as her decision to sell them in nontraditional locations like bakeries and candy stores. “One of our taglines is ‘If we won’t eat it, your dog won’t eat it,’” McCarty said. “I’ve been told many times that children try to eat the dog treat samples at Holli’s Sweet Tooth, but the cool thing is that they’re made of human-grade ingredients.” A native of Madison, Miss., McCarty buys her all-natural ingredients from Mississippi farms, and the dog treats come in flavors like squash apple, peanut butter honey, blueberry, pumpkin and sweet potato. In April, McCarty won the University of Mississippi’s Gillespie Business Plan Competition and received $10,000 and office space at Insight Park, where she packages and ships the dog treats. She also rents a commercial kitchen
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for baking the treats at the Oxford Conference Center. But McCarty doesn’t run Cotton’s Café alone. She believes in hiring employees who need a chance to be successful, like those who are recovering from addiction or have had past legal trouble. “If anyone needs a second chance, I’ll hire them,” McCarty said. “There is so much more to this than dog treats. Cotton’s Café is
a conduit for giving people a second chance. I’m passionate about encouraging other people through my story. If I can do that, I’m blessed.” Cotton’s Café dog treats are available at Oxford City Market, Mid-Town Farmer’s Market, Bottle Tree Bakery, Holli’s Sweet Tooth, Mississippi Madness, the Frame Up, the Barn, Local Flavor and Oxford Floral. Visit cottonscafe.com for more information.
Left, Janet McCarty and her dog, Cotton, the inspiration for Cotton’s Café Dog Treat Barkery.
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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a d e t M s e oma m o H Melisa Mink
Butta’, Garden Goo, and Plain Ol’ Lye Soap might sound like items found around Grandmother’s house, but the old-fashionedsounding products are names of Homestead Moma products made by Melisa Mink. Mink started the organic skin care line four years ago, but the stay-at-home mother of six first ventured into home remedies 11 years ago when her son developed eczema. “I became an avid ingredient reader,” Mink said. “I realized that, after I started reading labels, I had to get rid of things like detergent and store-bought soap. Once I did, it
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got rid of the eczema.” Using herbs and buttermilk from her family’s hobby farm in Bethlehem, Miss., Mink began with homemade buttermilk soap and then experimented with other soaps and salves. After friends encouraged her to sell her products, Mink launched Homestead Moma. The line includes various lye soaps, body and face scrubs, lotion and bug repellent. Herbs, buttermilk and wild-harvested ingre dients found in the products come from Mink’s small farm. She buys other organic ingredients from other Mississippi farms or
imports them from the Dominican Republic and African countries. “These products actually help nourish and feed your skin as opposed to covering up problems,” Mink said. “I keep in mind that I wear it. I would not want to sell something that I wouldn’t use or put on my children. It comes out of love.” Mink’s love for her family is what makes the work behind Homestead Moma enjoyable. “It’s fun to do something like this with my family because I’m very homey-oriented,” Mink said. “We garden, we tend to our animals, and
we wild-harvest together. It’s fun because I get to teach them, and they will remember this.” The amount of time that Mink spends outdoors with her children was the inspiration for Garden Goo, a bug repellent and one of Mink’s most popular items. Garden Goo is available at Scruggs in Tupelo, Miss.; Moore’s in Pontotoc, Miss.; and Trails & Treads and Deck Your Yard in New Albany, Miss. Mink’s other products can be found at homesteadmoma.com and the New Albany Farmers Market.
Some of the Homestead Moma all-natural products include natural, handmade soap; insect repellent; and lotions in fall scents like pumpkin pie and spiced cranberry.
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Doe Quilt s
Megan Kingery Patton
by Sonia Thompson The art of quilting captivated Megan Kingery Patton long before she learned how to do it herself. Her interest grew from childhood visits to her grandmother Hazel Kingery’s house in Florida. There was something about the intricate patterns and vibrant colors that drew her in. “Every time I went to her house I was fascinated with them,” she said. “I just kind of studied them. In the back of my mind, I was always thinking about those quilts.” On a visit when Patton was in high school, her grandmother revealed that she had made five special quilts for each of her five granddaughters. “I got to take mine home in 2008, and I have it on display in my room,” Patton said. During that same trip, something else clicked. She couldn’t bear the thought of the tradition ending with her grandmother. “I started asking questions, and when I got home, I attempted to make my first quilt,” Patton said. “I bought a book called Quilting for Dummies. I watched YouTube videos. I studied her stitches in her quilts and just kind of taught myself.” Since then, Patton has turned her hobby into a business, which she named Doe (her family’s nickname for her). She only uses a sewing machine for piecing and prefers to hand-quilt with an old-fashioned hoop, just like her grandmother, feeling generations connect when she holds the fabric and the thread. Every quilt she sells carries a piece of her family with it. “I don’t have any interest in quilting with a machine,” she said. “Hand quilting is more intimate to me. It’s this thrill you get when you’re done. You think, ‘I did this. I made this. Every stitch was with my hand.’”
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That view is not surprising considering she is also a painter. “I look at it as artwork,” she said. “I think every house should have a quilt on the wall.” Like all original art, her quilts are time consuming. She primarily makes baby quilts because they are smaller, estimating that one baby quilt can take between one and three months to complete, whereas a full-sized quilt can take her six months or longer. Recently however, Patton has one more reason to create baby quilts. She and her husband, musician Matt Patton (a member of the band Drive-By Truckers), are in the process of adopting their first child. “I just hung a quilt in the baby’s room that I call my ‘waiting quilt’ because we’re waiting for that call. It’s something that I’ll be able to give our child and say, ‘I made it while we were waiting for you.’” Her grandmother died two months ago at the age of 96, and Patton feels the void. But then she picks up her hoop, and she’s back in Florida, studying each stitch, taking time to make something that will last. “I like keeping that tradition going,” she said. Visit littledoequilts.com for more information. Megan Kingery Patton works in the small sewing room of her Water Valley, Miss., home. She uses a sewing machine for piecing and then hand-quilts all of her work. October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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E A B T T N H A I S C SPREA Y D O B D. NO Spice up your next tailgate with Zaxby’s Party Platterz . ®
Zaxby’s Party Platterz are party-sized portions of all your Zaxby’s favorites, making them great for any gathering. 101 Medical Center Dr. • Batesville • 662.561.0338 2574 W. Jackson Ave. • Oxford • 662.234.1024
Each restaurant independently owned and operated. © 2013 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” and “Party Platterz” are trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.
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™
775 Shady Oaks Circle
V an B uren Village
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Glenda Keenan, GRI 662-234-5555 • 662-832-0729 glenda@kessingerrealestate.com
346 Winner’s Circle October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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lid Pen Co. o S k c o R John McMillan When John McMillan retired from teaching in 2012, he planned to spend his free time hunting and fishing. That didn’t last long when he realized he no longer had the strength of a younger man. In search of a new hobby, he briefly tried making furniture. Then, while on a trip in Alabama, he came across handmade pens and discovered a new passion: handcrafting his own ink pens. It still fulfilled his love of woodworking but on a more manageable scale than furniture. In February, McMillan purchased equipment and started Rock Solid Pen Company. He made pens from exotic wood until customers inquired about Mississippi wood. “People have a lot of symbolism tied up in the wood,” McMillan said. “The wood and where it grew is important to a lot of people.” McMillan makes pens from all kinds of Mississippi wood, but his best sellers are those made from magnolia and dogwood trees. He also takes custom orders and will make pens from wood that customers bring to him. “Lynn and Debbie Hewlett, the owners of Taylor Grocery, had a piece of black walnut from their homestead,” McMillan said. “Lynn told me the tree had been through six generations of his family, but they had to remove it. He took a piece of the root and asked if I could make a pen out of it for his wife and daughter. So I did.” McMillan’s studio is his garage, and he said he likes his “cottage industry” – a reference to his wife’s “cottage” and his “industry” – because he is invested in every step of the pen-making process. “I really like the idea that the pens are handmade and not made by a robot,” he said. “If I start outsourcing, I lose my quality control, and that’s big to me. It does not leave my shop unless it’s as good as I can do.”
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To make the pens, McMillan reduces the wood to a small blank and turns the blank on a lathe until it is smooth and round. Then he assembles the metal parts of the pen. McMillan said that the most rewarding part of making pens is that each one is unique. “I take a piece of wood, and it’s just a piece of wood,” McMillan said. “Then I’ve suddenly uncovered this beautiful thing that’s useful and people want to enjoy. Every pen is unique because there’s not another tree like that one in the world.” McMillan sells his pens at Oxford City Market. He also takes custom orders via email at jtmcmillansr@hotmail.com.
Left, John McMillan in his workshop. Above, a variety of colorful handcrafted pens that he carves out of various kinds of wood.
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Billups Coffee Hattie and Guy Billups
“Fill-Up with Billups” came easy for Hattie and Guy Billups when they were brainstorming a slogan for their coffee business. That’s because the slogan came long before the coffee. In the 1950s and early ’60s, Billups Petroleum filling station signs greeted travelers in the Southeast with the famous “Fill-Up with Billups” slogan until the company was purchased by other entities in the mid-1960s. The slogan seemed forgotten until Guy and Hattie Billups of Oxford started Billups Coffee to honor the entrepreneurial spirit of the Billups family. “It’s a tribute to the history of Billups Petroleum while trying to do something for the future,” Guy said. “We travel a lot visiting our two children, and we drink a lot
Hattie and Guy Billups, the creators of Billups Coffee. Left, Billups coffee products sit in front of a painting of an old Billups Petroleum filling station.
of coffee,” Hattie added. “We just decided how cool it would be to have the ‘Fill-Up with Billups’ slogan on Billups Coffee.” Names like Unleaded, Premium and Regular for the decaffeinated, dark roast and light roast Billups Coffee blends re-create the nostalgia of Billups Petroleum, and that has been the most rewarding aspect of the business for Guy and Hattie. “I’ve gotten phone calls from people who say their family members worked at Billups or that they stopped at a Billups service station to get gas,” Guy said. “The numerous phone calls reflect the history of what Billups Petroleum meant to a large portion of people in the South.” Guy and Hattie have run Billups Coffee from their Oxford living room since they started the business in August 2013. The coffee has been available for purchase online since
April, but Oxford coffee drinkers have been taste-testing the brew as early as January at Community Church, where Guy and Hattie greet them with a cup of joe at the door. Billups Coffee currently offers whole bean and ground coffee made from beans grown in Central America, but the couple hopes to add mugs and K-Cups for Keurig brewers to their inventory. “We know we need to get into K-Cups because they are extremely popular,” Hattie said. “Both of my children have Keurig machines, and there are a lot of people who don’t just brew a pot of coffee.” But Guy and Hattie still enjoy a brewed pot of Billups Coffee each morning, usually over conversation about what’s next for the business. Billups Coffee is available for purchase at Ice Core Fitness and at billupscoffee.com.
PETS of the Month Adoption is the best way to help stray animals. Visit the OxfordLafayette Humane Society, located at 413 McElroy Drive, or call the office at 662-236-7631 to take home one of these furry friends or other animals that need a home.
YELLER
CHANCE
BOOMAN
PHOTOGRAPHED BY PAUL GANDY
OLIVER
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WINSTON
Your Water Valley Real Estate Specialist! No Matter Who Has It Listed We Can Show/Sell It!
Fischer Properties Sherry Fischer, Broker/Owner 662-607-1030 Toni Hill, Realtor 662-473-7773 October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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photographed by Leslie Brooks
events Our Team, Our Town
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View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
Our Team, Our Town communitywide tailgate was held Sept. 6 at the Lyric. The event, hosted by the Young Professionals of Oxford, showed the Vanderbilt vs. Ole Miss game and included food and a silent auction to benefit Holding Hands Resale Shop.
Todd and Jessica Windham
Sara Burns and Mary Grace Jimenez
Chaille Brown, Abby Smith and Nickle Smith
Dave Richardson and Tricia Joyce
Alan, Natalie and Wil Hughes
Natalie Hughes and Barbara Magee
Will and DeDe Bertron
Hubert and Rose Spears
Elizabeth McRight and Mitchell Pannel
Karen Tuttle, Sharon Rice and Glinda Daniels
Hayley Upton and Katherine Waits
Sarah Ball and Mary Amanda Haskins
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photographed by Leslie Brooks
events Our Team, Our Town
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 57
View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
Jason and Callea Shafizadeh
Kristina, Tyson and Preston Phillips
Mallory Lee, Caroline Hudson Burgess and Lauren Cox
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Kara and Mike Hoffman
Sarah Kathryn and Chris Sanchez
George and Annie Haymans
Lindsey Baquie and Deb Pittman
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photographed by Leslie Brooks
events Youth Fishing Rodeo View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
The Lafayette County Law Enforcement Officers Association and the city of Oxford hosted the Youth Fishing Rodeo for children under age 15 on Sept. 13 at Lake Patsy in Pat Lamar Park. Trophies and prizes were awarded to participants.
John, Brittney and Matthew Jackson with Robin Ware
Flynn and Izzi Fogerty
Vermon Jones and Ethan Knight with Sandra and Emilee Jones
Hunter, Aiden, Willa, Erica and EJ Lehman
Barbara, Paul Thomas and Barry Magee
Nicole and Grayson Gist with Glenn Case
Numa Maryam, Fawaz Ahmad and Ali Zulfiger
Noah, Richard and Kyle Daniels
Charlie Buckley, Lafayette County Courthouse Panorama, 48” x 144” 662.234.9090 • www.southsideartgallery.com • 150 Courthouse Square • Oxford, MS
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23 1/2 hrs 7 days Service
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photographed by Paul Gandy
events Burgers and Blues
CONTINUED ON PAGE 64
View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
The Ole Miss Wesley Foundation, a campus ministry program, hosted Burgers and Blues Aug. 27 to welcome University of Mississippi students for the fall semester. The event, held at the foundation’s West Jackson Avenue center, offered blues music and food.
David Vicchiollo and Alex and Lenzie Crosby with Allyson and Laurin Willis
Ali, Lloyd and Haley Hewitt
Ellery Jividen and Anna Grace Stout
Clara Turnage and Connor Burns
Emily Sigler, Grace Thompson and Gina Sigler
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photographed by Paul Gandy
events Burgers and Blues
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 63
View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
Colleen Riley and Mackenzie Metcalfe with Hope and Faith Roberts and Caleb Robinson
Thomas Toole and Clark Tyner
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Giancarlo Romani and Abraham Kim
Ken Parkinson and John Webb with Rosie and Steve Vassallo
Connor King, Addison Smith and Mary Elizabeth Eltiste
URGENT CARE CLINIC Of Oxford 1487 Belk Blvd Oxford, MS 38655
URGENT CARE CLINIC Of Oxford 1487 Belk Blvd Oxford, MS 38655
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662-234-1090
urgentcareclinicoxford.com October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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THE GREEN DOOR COMPANY A 12,000 sq ft furniture showroom with one-of-a-kind CUSTOM BUILT PIECES and a reclaimed materials gallery.
Now featuring the Magnolia Collection Unique, hand crafted pieces created from repurposed wood from the Ole Miss campus and around Oxford.
www.thegreendoorms.com
Tues-Sat 10am-5pm
662-380-5074 • 1501 Molly Barr Road • at N. Lamar intersection
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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BRANCHING
Husband-and-wife artists Walter and Vivian Neill live and create on the land that houses their newly expanded OXFORD TREEHOUSE GALLERY. The space allows them to showcase other artists, host events and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding them. by Jennifer Wilson photographed by Joe Worthem
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I
“WE ARE PRETTY MUCH LIVING IN THE TREES. THE GALLERY ESSENTIALLY NAMED ITSELF.” – Vivian Neill
t’s a 10-minute drive to Oxford Treehouse Gallery from the Square, but when visitors arrive, it feels like another world. The art gallery is surrounded by cypress trees in front, offering a shady place to relax, and cedar trees growing around the back porch. The luscious greenery enveloping the space contributes to the secret-hideout feel – the perfect spot for escaping the stress and worries of everyday life. “We are pretty much living in the trees. The gallery essentially named itself,” said Vivian Neill, co-owner of Oxford Treehouse Gallery. The idea for Oxford Treehouse Gallery began when Vivian and her husband, Walter, bought the land in 2002. Walter started by building a blacksmith shop for himself, and a painting studio and gallery for Vivian followed in 2005. The gallery served double duty as the Neills’ home and studio until construction was finished on their house on the same property in 2013. Oxford Treehouse Gallery officially opened this April. “The idea was to build the studio and move into it for just a little while until our house was built,” Vivian said. “That took seven years.” To the Neills, the gallery was well worth the wait. “I had been dreaming about this for a long time,” Vivian said. “The house took a lot longer than planned, but when it was finished, the gallery was really allowed to shine.” Originally known as Neill Studio, the Neills’ goal was to make the space less of a personal one and open it up to share with fellow artists. October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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Their first exhibit, A Collection of Friends, which debuted in the spring, featured regional artists whose work they have admired and collected over the years. “When these artists we approached said they were willing to participate in our first show, not knowing how it would turn out, well, it was just like Christmas,” Vivian said. “We got to go see these great pieces, take the works and then just play around with them.” The artists featured in the exhibit, which is currently on display at the gallery, are Patti Henson, Richard Kelso, Ron Lindsey, Matt Long, Benny Melton, Jim Pigott, Sarah Teasley, Ed Williford and Bob Willis. The Neills will leave the current artists on display through the early fall. They plan to feature new artists sometime in late fall but are not yet sure how often the pieces in the main room will change. “We do already have other artists in mind that we want to show. We just want to honor the pieces that are here now for some time,” Vivian said. Vivian and Walter also display their own pieces throughout the gallery. Vivian creates oil paintings and block prints, while Walter works mostly with wood and metal. “And he builds houses for me,” Vivian said, laughing. While the main gallery is the focal point of the space, art is displayed throughout the house. A downstairs area is also available for visiting
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The Neills’ spacious screened-in porch is surrounded by cypress trees and cedars, one of their favorite features about the property.
Dr. Phillip Graham, Optometrist
SHANNON & GRAHAM EYE CLINIC
Bill Seawright, Optician Melanie Sellers, Tech
662.489.4741 14 East Marion Street Pontotoc, MS 38863
Emma J Salon 2625 W Oxford Loop Suite C Oxford, MS
380-5056
Specializing In
Hair & Nails October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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“WHEN THESE ARTISTS WE APPROACHED SAID THEY WERE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR FIRST SHOW, IT WAS JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS.” – Vivian Neill
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artists to rent and use as a workshop in the future. The building is also perfect for events, and the Neills have already offered it for two rehearsal dinners and a few wedding receptions. “I want to keep throwing parties and hosting events because this is just a great place for them. The flow is wonderful,” Walter said. When Walter craves a break from the parties and bustle of the gallery, he doesn’t have to travel far. His blacksmith shop is the perfect place for both work and relaxation. “Wally’s fix-it shop,” as Vivian calls it, has large doors he can throw open to enjoy the surrounding nature, including the creek that runs through the property. It is here that he enjoys creating everything from handcrafted bottle openers and knives to custom handrails and other forged pieces. From the gallery to the funky workshop, the Neills have created a true artist’s haven, which is visited by travelers from all over the country. Since opening, they have found that other art galleries in Oxford are supportive and often send guests in their direction. “A nice group of ladies recently stopped by for a tour and, as they were leaving, threatened to come back just to hang out. I told them, ‘Please do!’ It is always fun when people stop by,” Vivian said. Oxford Treehouse Gallery is open from noon to 6 p.m., ThursdaySaturday and by appointment. Visit oxfordtreehousegallery.com for more information.
Above, Walter Neill’s handcrafted knives, tools and bottle openers. Left, his expansive blacksmith shop is decorated with some of his favorite items, including a World War I practice bomb and a mounted sailfish.
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! s b e R o G ! y d d o T Hotty Come See us for your game
day at tire!
Lunch specials, Sunday brunch & daily drink specials
On Square Styles, Off Square Prices! 1905 university ave • Oxford ms • 662-234-2044 10:30-6 monday-saturday • 12:00-5 Sunday SwagSocietyOxford • Shopswagsociety.com
• 1, 2, and 3 Bedroom apartments • Pets welcome • Sparkling swimming pool • Fitness center • Tanning salon • Washer and dryer provided • Covered parking • Cable and Internet included • Tennis court • Outdoor games: horseshoes, bocce ball, shuffleboard & ping pong • Free cable TV & internet • 1 mile from campus
2000 Lexington Pointe Dr, Oxford, MS 38655 www.liveatlexingtonpointeapts.com 662-281-0402 lexingtonpointe@heritageproperties.com
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Tues - Sun 11
am
- Until
1107 Jackson Ave. E., Oxford, MS www.treamicioxford.com (662) 232 1923
photographed by Leslie Brooks
events Kids Triathlon
CONTINUED ON PAGE 78
View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
The Kids Triathlon, a swim-bike-run event for children ages 6-14, was held Aug. 16 at the Oxford Swim Club on Bramlett Boulevard. All proceeds benefited the Palmer Home, a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk toddlers, children and youth in Mississippi.
Mack, Emily and Emma Shelton
Watson Williamson, Sarah Osburg, Lily Williamson, Casey Osburg and Haidyn Parker
Haidyn, Micah, Josh and Brooke Parker
Clay Erwin and Leigh Solomon
Josi and Monica Johnson
Whitney Webb, Mandi Tosh and Emily Shelton
Sam Hartnett and Karli Pearson
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photographed by Leslie Brooks
events Kids Triathlon
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 77
View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
William, Kathleen and Cait Mayo
Parker Erwin, Andrew Waller and Jennifer Erwin with Lona and Sara Katherine Waller
Lindsay Beauchamp and Jennifer Powell
Chase, Alan, Pamela and Cole Grafton
Eliza Weir with Kevin and Mary Burton McGee
Oxford Heart & Vascular Consultants o x f o r d h e a r t c o n s u lta n t s . c o m NONINVASIVE • Arrhythmia Management • Echo • Stress Testing • Heart Failure
• • • •
INVASIVE
Heart Caths/Stents
Pacemakers Defibrillators Leg Intervention
Phone: 662.281.1115 • 662.236.1352 Fax: 662.281.1113 Hours: Mon - Thurs: 8 - 5 • Fri: 8 - 4 * Most insurances accepted
2209 Jefferson Davis Drive • Oxford, MS 38655
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Thomas, Mary Martha and Darden Crowe
Dr. Mark Campbell Dr. Cal Laney Tiffany Leister, N.P. Dr. Mark Strong
Madeline and Brad Crowe
DEPENDABLE. CHRISTIAN. CARE. Currently Servicing: Coahoma, Desoto, Grenada, Lafayette, Panola, Quitman, Tate, and Tunica Counties
www.provcompanioncare.com Diplomat of the American Pediatric Dentistry
Our certified companions are available in the comfort of your own home, assisted living residence, nursing home or hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer assistance in personal hygiene, meal preparation, light cleaning, errands, shopping and medication reminders. Brittany Norman
Provider Relations Coordinator 317 Heritage Dr, Suite 7-A, Oxford, MS 38655 (office) 662-234-0100 (24 Hour Line) 662-645-6550
2408 S. Lamar Blvd. Suite 1 • Oxford, MS • (662) 513-4188
Please call our Provider Relations Coordinator for a free consultation Visit us on Facebook!
Happy Fall Y’all
Open 7 Days a Week Sunday - Thursday, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
305 South Lamar Blvd., Oxford, MS 38655 662.259.2696
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photographed by Leslie Brooks
events Back to School Children’s Health Fair View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi hosted the Baptist Back to School Children’s Health Fair Aug. 23 at the Oxford Conference Center. The theme was “Under the Sea,” and activities included face painting, a magic show and health and nutrition info.
Nancy and Lainey Schuesselin
Alvin Finner, Gabriel Zinn, Chris Finner, and Latrese Adams
Zoey, Zacary and Bridgette Whitley
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Brian and Verena Stark
Jennifer Eastland and Emery Newsom
Taniyah and Latonya Willingham
Gage and Stephanie Putt
Periodontics and Dental Implants Dr. Michael M. Perry • Dr. Brenda L. Fowler Oxford • Bartlett • Collierville • Southaven • Memphis
Steve M. DePriest, O.D. OPTOMETRIST
Dr. Perry and Dr. Fowler have a periodontal practice with an emphasis on Dental Implants, the Treatment and Management of Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease) in a relaxed setting.
actice with an NT and MANAGEMENT relaxed setting. To schedule your implant evaluation appt. please call today 866.667.4867
CONTACT LENS • OPTICAL DISPENSARY 662.234.6033 • 611 VAN BUREN AVE.
Dr. Perry, Dr. Fowler, and their staff are happy to schedule you for a
PREMIUM FRAME LINES CARRIED:
periodontal evaluation and/or a no cost implant consult.
PY TO SCHEDULE YOU FOR A T IMPLANT CONSULT.
DCT Direct Connection
Travel
327 West Park Avenue Greenwood, MS 38930 (662) 455-2901 traveltheworld@bellsouth.net Carolyn Kimbrough
Now is the time for your perfect trip!
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662.227.1927 carry every size egg in stock, “egg”cessories, knowledgeable staff Hours:
Mon - Fri 8:30am to 5:30pm Sat 8:30am to 12:30pm
www.clearchoicems.com 2320 A Sunset Dr Grenada, MS 38901
Services Include:
• Second home • Personal errands • Conceirge • And More!
LIVE. RELAX. ENJOY. Let us take care of it for you.
www.dwelloxford.com info@dwelloxford.com 662.801.1026
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Oxford’s Interior Design Firm
Protect Your Little Rebels
1223 Jackson Ave E. • Oxford, MS • 662.236.3977 www.somethingsouthernonline.com
Josh White 1614 University Ave. Oxford, MS 38655 C: 662-607-8791
Life insurance for your family.
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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IN SEASON Pumpkin by Julie Cantrell
F
or many people, October stirs memories of pumpkin patches and corn mazes. The Wise family in Pontotoc, Miss., celebrates these special traditions by welcoming visitors to their 80-acre farm. “My family has farmed this land for generations,” said Katherine Wise, manager of Wise Family Farm, which she runs with her father, Stan Wise. “I grew up helping my grandfather, but this is the first year I am able to work full time for my dad. I love it.” The family grows peas, tomatoes, butter beans and corn, but each fall, they switch to planting pumpkin patches and corn mazes, inviting families and community groups to join the fun. “It’s a family business,” Katherine said. “Everyone contributes.” Even Katherine’s 94-year-old grandmother, Urea Wise, canned vegetables all summer, and her well-loved recipes number many. “My grandmother has made her pumpkin pie for as long as I can remember,” Katherine said. “It’s always a treat to find it cooling on a rack, with the smell of nutmeg and cinnamon drawing us into the kitchen.” Another favorite recipe was created by Katherine’s father. As a single dad, Stan stretched his resources by freezing homemade biscuits and serving them for breakfast each morning. “They were delicious, but my brother and I got tired of them after a while,” Katherine said. “So one Sunday, Dad came up with a special treat – pumpkin pancakes. He used these as a bribe to keep the complaints and sibling rivalry at bay, and I now use the same tactic on my two boys.”
Urea’s Pumpkin Pie ¾ cup brown sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon ginger ½ teaspoon nutmeg 1¾ cup fresh pumpkin puree 2 eggs, beaten 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk 9-inch deep-dish pie shell Preheat oven to 425°F. Make pie shell, but do not bake it. Mix sugar and spices in a large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and eggs. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into pie shell. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F, and bake for 40-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Tip: Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon to dough for an extra-tasty piecrust.
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Stan’s Pumpkin Pancakes
PHOTOGRAPHED BY PAUL GANDY
1½ cups milk 1 egg 1 cup fresh pumpkin puree 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 Tablespoons vegetable or canola oil 2 cups all-purpose flour 4 Tablespoons brown sugar, packed 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon salt In a large bowl, whisk together milk, egg, pumpkin, vanilla and oil. In a separate bowl combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt. Stir dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture until just combined. Spray a large pan with nonstick cooking spray. Scoop approximately ¼ cup of pancake batter into pan. When top begins to bubble, flip pancake, and brown on opposite side. To plan a trip to the Wise Family Farm this fall and to learn more, visit wisefarmer.com or call 662-640-1011.
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WINE& LIQUOR 2021 UNIVERSITY AVE. OXFORD, MS 38655 (662) 234-6680 WWW.PJSCIGARS.COM
2015 UNIVERSITY AVE. OXFORD, MS 38655 (662) 662-234-9234 WWW.PJSWINEOXFORDMS.COM
2305 Jackson Avenue W.Suite 201• Oxford, MS @thekaleidoscope kaleidoscope and chique
10:00 am-6:00 pm Mon-Sat open home game Sundays 12-4 pm 662.281.8004 1737 University Ave. Oxford, MS
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WITH JENNIFER PIERCE MATHUS
Jennifer Pierce Mathus of Taylor, Miss., has been honing her acting skills since she was in grade school. She recently got her big break – a role on the hit television show Nashville and a part in a major motion picture. by Lena Anderson photographed by Paul Gandy
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J
ennifer Pierce Mathus knew in the sixth grade that her passion was acting. While most children her age in her hometown of Jonesboro, Ark., were outside, she and her friends were inside adapting classical stories into plays. And since no boys were interested in their playwriting group, the girls rewrote all the roles to be women. “We were such a nerdy little clique, the boys wanted nothing to do with us,” Mathus said, laughing. “So we made Robin Hood an allfemale cast. It impressed our teacher so much she made everyone stay in from recess to watch our performance. Our classmates weren’t too happy about that.” That wouldn’t be the last time Mathus faced challenges in the cutthroat industry of acting. Her parents persuaded her to choose a college major in something more practical, so she earned a degree in broadcast journalism from Arkansas State University. With the acting bug still biting, she applied to the acting program at the New School in New York and landed an audition with the school’s prestigious director, James Lipton. When she learned tuition was $60,000, she withdrew her application. Mathus took a desk job in public relations and booked commercial gigs to pay the bills. But she was determined to pursue her passion, and in 1998 she joined the independent sketch comedy troupe Red Octopus Theater (Arkansas’s oldest theater group) and officially began her acting career. “We wrote our own material, performed for no money, one show after the next after the next,” Mathus said. “I was with them for 12 years, and that is where I really honed my skills. I was so blessed to have found this group of artists that kept that fire burning for me. And it also opened up some professional opportunities and garnered attention from people who thought I was good.” Mathus hired an agent and booked roles in some smaller films, including Antiquitie (2009), The Last Ride (2012), and this year’s Forced Move, which was filmed in Water Valley, Miss., and co-stars Oxford resident Rhes Low. October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ROBYN FRIDAY
Mathus poses during a promotional photo shoot for a character series.
“We’ve occasionally thought about moving to the city, but Taylor and Oxford are so rich with creative people. I love how this place embraces the arts the way it does. There’s a little bit of magic here.” – Jennifer Pierce Mathus 90
INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
She also landed her first television role, on the hit ABC show Nashville, starring Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere, and directed by Callie Khouri (who won an Academy Award in 1992 for Best Screenplay for Thelma and Louise). Mathus had a large guest role in the show’s third season premiere, which aired Sept. 24. Being at the ABC studios in Nashville was a big change from being on location for independent films. “I was so used to packing my own lunch, bringing my own outfits, doing my own hair and makeup,” Mathus said. “Then I got [to ABC] and saw the racks and racks of wardrobe and sat in the makeup chair and was like, ‘Oh gosh, so this is what it’s like to go to work and just be able to focus on my acting.’” “But I would have not been able to appreciate that 10 years ago,” she added. “I needed that experience and don’t regret any role I’ve ever taken.”
Doing A Better Job for 3 Generations! 409 South Lamar Blvd., Oxford, MS 38655 • 662.234.2941 Her persistence paid off. Mathus just finished filming her first major motion picture, Dark Places, based on the book by best-selling author Gillian Flynn (the film adaptation of Flynn’s novel Gone Girl is out this month). Dark Places, a thriller, stars Charlize Theron, Christina Hendricks and Chloé Grace Moretz. Mathus plays the role of Diane. “I gave myself a deadline last July,” Mathus said. “I was turning 40 and said if nothing happens by the end of this year, I’m out. I’m done. And then I got called back and casted for Dark Places and I’m working with people like Christina Hendricks and Drea de Matteo. Are you joking me? This industry is such a numbers game. It’s luck. A look. How you deliver one little line.” It’s that attitude that keeps Mathus humble in an industry known for egos. She learned the trait from her husband, musician Jimbo Mathus, who is familiar with the craziness of the entertainment world. That’s why when they’re at home together in Taylor, Miss., they enjoy living the simple life and the slow pace of a small town. “We’ve occasionally thought about moving to the city, but Taylor and Oxford are so rich with creative people,” Mathus said. “There’s a force that draws really interesting people – musicians, actors, writers, visual artists. I love how this place embraces the arts the way it does. There’s a little bit of magic here.” “I don’t take it for granted, but the key is to not take it too seriously either,” Mathus added. “Nashville will be my biggest audience ever, and I’m playing [a role called] ‘the bimbo.’ Thousands of people are going to see me in a Bumpit and rhinestone-studded jeans. And I love it.” October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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Cedar Oaks Guild Presents
Spirits of Yoknapatawpha County Cedar Oaks Guild will present its biennial production of “Spirits of Oxford” on October 30, 31, and November 2 at the Powerhouse. Nine scenes will feature male and female characters from Faulkner’s novels, short stories, and his one play. Local actors will bring each of these characters to life. All proceeds from this event benefit the continued preservation of Cedar Oaks. This show contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for children ages 15 and under.
Thursday, Oct. 30 7:00, Opening Reception 8:00, Performance Friday, Oct. 31 • 7:30, Performance Sunday, Nov. 2 • 2:00, Performance Ticket Prices: Opening night reception and performance • $25 Friday night and Sunday afternoon performances • $15 Groups of 15-20 purchased at the same time • $12 Groups of 21+ purchased at the same time • $10
For tickets
spiritsofoxford.bpt.me 92
INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Oxford Toyota
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662.234.1222 oxfordtoyota.com
www.
7 Lafayette Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863
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Andy Waller creates both practical and beautiful objects out of wrought iron and steel in his old-fashioned blacksmith shop near College Hill Road.
by Lena Anderson
photographed by Paul Gandy
tepping into Andy Waller’s blacksmith shop is like stepping back in time. Coals burn red and hot in a fire pit. Handmade hatchets, handsaws and chisels hang on the wall. Two black Labradors drink from a rain barrel where tadpoles swim. The only sound is the clank of metal on metal. No machines hum. No engines whir. There’s just a man forging iron with his hands – molding something old into something new. Waller uses a forge and blower passed down from his greatgrandfather. Most of his other tools either date back to the early 1900s or are ones he made. But it’s his anvil, an old Hay Budden, manufactured in Brooklyn, N.Y., circa 1895, that is his most cherished possession. It belonged to his mentor, the late Marion “M.R.” Hall. Hall’s blacksmith shop shared a building with the gristmill that Waller frequented to buy feed for his family’s Lafayette County livestock farm. “One day I just wandered in and saw Mr. Hall at work and thought, ‘I’d like to try this,’” Waller said. “I asked if he could use some help, and
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Mr. Hall told me he couldn’t pay me anything, but I could sell whatever I made. So I started right then.” It wasn’t a hobby for Hall. He made practical items that he then sold to farmers. Still, Waller found beauty in his work. “He did all farm blacksmithing, plows and things, no ornamental stuff,” Waller said. “He wasn’t trained; he could barely read or write. But what he did had a real folk art to it.” Waller met with Hall and Hall’s assistant, Elbert Duke, as much as possible. Even after long days on the family farm, Waller made time to go by the blacksmith shop to learn. He read books on the trade. He became Hall’s apprentice, soaking in everything he could. The men forged a friendship as well. And when Hall was ready to retire, his apprentice was his first phone call. “Before he died, Mr. Hall sold me everything he wanted to part with, which was most of his shop, including the anvil,” Waller said. Blacksmithing remained a hobby for Waller, who was on the Oxford police force for 25 years, working his way up from patrolman to detective
Waller can trace his family’s Oxford roots back to 1835, and he feels a special connection both to the land and to the art of blacksmithing. Above, the Hay Budden anvil, manufactured circa 1895, that once belonged to his mentor, Marion “M.R.” Hall. Left, some of Waller’s hand-forged pieces.
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DAWKINS FAMILY DENTAL CLINIC, P.A. DAWKINS FAMILY DENTAL CLINIC, P.A. W. EDWIN DAWKINS, Jr., D.D.S.
Tel: (662) 234-5725 See our ad in Names and Numbers. 440 North Lamar, Oxford, MS 38655 www.dawkinsfamilydental.com
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
captain. But the work was dangerous, and he had a young family to think about, so in 1997 Waller decided to make a career switch. He dabbled briefly in construction and Civil War reenactment, until he remembered how much he loved working in his blacksmith shop. Some years are better than others, so he works as a blacksmith when possible and supplements that income with other jobs, like his current position as range master/instructor at Hunter’s Hollow. But his blacksmith work remains a source of pride. Waller’s pieces range from functional farm equipment, like rigs and hinges just like his mentor made, to knives, ornamental candlestick holders and other decorative pieces like wind chimes. He is often commissioned for work, and he attends art shows and festivals every year, like Oxford Artist Guild events held on the courthouse lawn. “The trick is to make something that people want to buy, not just something I want to make a statement with,” Waller said. “I like to go to shows and meet people, and I figured out what people like.” He also stays true to creating pieces he likes, letting his artistic side shine by engineering a trunk made from twisted and warped sweetgum wood. He forged the hinges and decorative elements, such as the copper sun and snake, by hand. He’s shown it at a few art festivals, but no one’s bought it yet. “It’s the trunk that won’t sell,” Waller said, laughing. “Maybe it’s a little too weird for people, too arty. But I love it.” It’s that passion that keeps him going back to his shop. “I didn’t get the chance to really invest in this until I was grown, but I’ve loved this since I was a little boy,” he said. “I love the idea of continuing an art that’s pretty much unchanged since the Iron Age – standing at a fire, making things out of iron and metal. It’s in my DNA.” For more information, contact Andy Waller at 662-234-5165.
Waller heats up the tools in his shop. Right, his handmade wind chimes. Below, a decorative trunk he made from sweetgum wood and forged hardware.
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Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m . 373 Hwy. 51 North • Batesville, MS 38606 • 662.563.4684
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and by Curtis & Terry
Curtis is available on Thursdays to help with your shade selection or help with a custom lamp made from your vessels.
Can be seen at Sugar Magnolia booth #7
662.234.6330
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TRI-LAKES ASPHALT, LLC "Paving the Way"
Commercial, Industrial and Residential Asphalt Paving Services Parking lots, driveways, streets, pathways, etc. Proudly serving Lafayette and surrounding counties in North MS
(662)234-4129
310 Heritage Drive Oxford, MS
SHOP • DINE • VISIT
Mississippi
Catering Good Eats
New Albany,
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Small and large events across North Mississippi Weddings • Rehearsal Dinners 662-534-3250 New Albany, MS
photographed by Leslie Brooks
events U.S. Navy Band Concert View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
The United States Navy Band Country Current, the Navy’s country-bluegrass ensemble, performed Sept. 14 at the Ford Center. The seven-member ensemble uses the banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, pedal steel guitar, drums and more during performances.
Lucy Coleman and Nell Cox
Frances Pearson and Judy Robbins
Kathy Shoalmire and Mason Buckner
Joy Windham, Pam Person and Betsy Person
Judy and Charles Cooper
Kenneth Beard and Valerie Hood
Lisa and Kelsey Garrison
Gina Griffin and John Willcoxon
Virginia Roberts and Dianne Welch
Daisha and Mark Larson
Robin and Jim Hollis
Erik and Terri Broome
Bruce and Racheal Robinson
Buddy and Barbara Chain
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photographed by Paul Gandy
events Jason Isbell Concert View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
Singer/songwriter Jason Isbell, formerly of the band Drive-By Truckers, performed from his new solo album, Southeastern, Sept. 12 at the Lyric Theatre. Visit thelyricoxford.com for information about upcoming concerts.
Rachel and Rodney Epps
Heather Coleman and Scott Williams
Tim Burkhead and Rachel Love
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Ben Foy, Topher Brown, Nick Smith, Josh Brister and Wil Otis Sanders
Samantha King with Taylor, Nancy and Kent Dees
Daniel and Melissa Owens
INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Matt and Emma Tkachuck
Vanessa and Ray Beeson
Meg and John White
Macey Murphy and Brad Silvers
Caleb Adridge and Randi Robison
Sayword and Johnathan Fortner
Confused & Overwhelmed about where to turn when looking for a realtor?
Tina & Tony
can make buying or selling a house simple and stress free!
Tony Montgomery • 662-801-2645 • tony@kessingerrealestate.com Tina Montgomery • 662-801-1784 • tina@kessingerrealestate.com
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events Crosstown Classic View more event photos @ facebook.com/invitationoxford.
The annual Crosstown Classic football game between Oxford High School and Lafayatte High School was held Sept. 12 at Oxford High School. The OHS Chargers took home the Crosstown Classic trophy for the third straight year after a 41-7 win.
Phyllis Bright and Rhonda Rousseau
PHOTOGRAPH BY JOEY BRENT
Travis Sims, Van Williams, Dona Hill-Gipson and Taneeah Hilliard
OHS Coach Johnny Hill and LHS Coach Eric Roberston
Sandra, Darius and Ricky Brown with Brian Crockette and Agrecia Frierson
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Lorve, Molly and Scrappy Barrett
INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Terri and Doug Sanford with Leigh Ann and Bubba Morgan
Hiburnia Anderson, Stewart Guernsey and Carnelia Fondren
Taliyah Gross, Karaa Dunn, NeeNee Thompson and Darrell, Paula and Jack Whitaker Niquisha Woodard
photographed by Joe Worthem
Kimya McEwen, Zackary Harden and Jenai Terrell
Alexandria and Domonique Martin
Tyre Boyd, Monya Baskin, Kearia Hutchins, Malik Mathis and Chelsea Thomas
Gretchen Bartholomew, Isabella Stubblefield, Brandon Gunderson and Mary Cannon Barrett
Jude and Ben Robertson, Carr, Jon and CeeCee Desler with Whitney Byars and Camie Bianco
Kendal and Julie Davis with DeeAnn Linton
Maggie and Ginny Ross Fair with Stella Connell
Battle Sod Farm Serving North Mississippi, West TN, E Arkansas
Evan Harrell with Derrick and Derrius Southern
Calvin Hill, Earl Shaw, Lee Robinson and Dianna Owens with Rashelle and Carnelious Watson
• Delivery, installation and pick up available • Residential, commercial and sports turf • Celebration Bermuda • Jamur Zoysia •Tifway • Tall Fescue TM
www.battlesod.com 5475 HWY4; Tunica, MS 38676 Toll Free: 888-318-9853 Local: 662-363-2445 October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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Tailgating • Private Parties • Event Catering Need Dinner or Brunch during game weekends? We deliver! 662.609.5475 • Chef Erika Lipe • Queenissippi.com
Alice & Company Salon 24 YEARS & STILL
Serving our community!
662.234.3896 • 1729 University Ave. www.AliceandCompanySalon.com
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Scan for beauty tips & salon specials
Oak Hill Stables
The perfect location for every occasion! Oak Hill Stables is your home away from home for weddings, large gatherings, football weekends, business retreats, social events, horseback riding, etc. We look forward to welcoming you home.
Oak HillRiding Camp June 21-August 2, 2015
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Adam Quick
Cell: 662-832-5051
New Construction
adam@kessingerrealestate.com
New Construction at Grand Oaks
The Mark Phase 3 starting at
$129,500 Over 30 Sold 157 Yocona Ridge
686 Hwy 334 ES
20
Augusta Place Condos Prices starting at $267,500 We cater
ADAM HAS SOLD MORE THAN 300 MARK UNITS
&
deliver! (662)236-1717 www.elmilagrooxford.com 1420 W. Jackson Ave. Oxford, MS 38655
BEST VALUE IN OXFORD
PHASE I AND II #503-$101,500 PENDING #603- $99,500 #608- $99,500 PENDING SOLD #3507-$102,500 SOLD #3505-$103,500 SOLD #3508-$102,500 SOLD #4208- $99500 2 Pools/2 Tennis Courts, Walking Track, Fitness center, and Tanning Beds
R AC
3bed/2bath 3bed/2bath $137,500/MLS#132095 $329,500/MLS#131865
25 Acres of Prime Development Land
-Adjoins Oxford Country Club -Residential and Commercial Zones
Call Adam for details
Hwy 9 West
97 +/- Acres $194,000/MLS#132472
Drive home the savings. Car and home combo. Combine your homeowners and car policies and save big-time. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY. ®
Jimmy Carr, Agent 2627 W Oxford Loop Oxford, MS 38655 Bus: 662-234-3025 jimmy.carr.uwle@statefarm.com
Our Mission
To provide the highest quality of care for each patient and to do so with integrity and compassion; by always seeing ourselves through the eyes of our patients. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State
0901133.1 Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
Mon- Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 9-noon • 662-236-9500 • www.pawsoxford.com Spay, Neuter, & Adoption Saves Lives!
out and about
CONTINUED ON PAGE 110
RED MED RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY
Red Med Urgent Care Clinic staff members
EATING OXFORD FLAMING DESSERT CLASS
Liz Barrett, Carol Dorcey, Carol Holderman and Mackenzie Robinson
TOMMY MORGAN REALTORS RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY
Tommy Morgan Realtors staff members BUTTER & BREAD OPEN HOUSE
Rick Mizet and Taylor Shaffett
Betty Robinson, Diane Hollingsworth and Shirley Pressley
NEILSON’S 175 ANNIVERSARY CHAMPAGNE & SUGAR
Jim McCauley, Elizabeth Fisher and Marge McCauley
Liza Mallette and Betsy Patton
Leah Case and Bessie Jones
CARNELIA FONDREN POLITICAL FUNDRAISER
(front) Carnelia Fondren and Lisa Hudson; (back) Evelyn Smith, Ann Phillippi, Ann Phillippi and Gail Stratton Eunice Benton, Effie Burt, Everlean Mathis, Hilburnia Anderson and Stewart Guernsey
Amy Fisher and Michael Hoffheimer
October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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out and about
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COMMUNICARE STAFF REMEMBERS 9/11
SHELL PLASTIC SURGERY OPEN HOUSE
Communicare staff members
Laura Niedzwecki, Misty Butts, Mary Aquino, Aaron Ingold and Andrea Robinson Dan Shell, Anna Thames and Sherry Maharrey
Rheanita Reese and Anna Thames
SEPTEMBER 11 DAY OF REMEMBRANCE IN THE GROVE
Justin Arman, Shydrika Phillips, Christasha Turner, Allison Bell and Alexandria Martin
Kylie Beard and Ella Armstrong
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF OXFORD
YPO board members presented Holding Hands Resale Shop with a moving truck donated by Cannon motors and YPO
Sarah Ball and Coulter Ward
Stanley Ficher, Mackenzie Poole, Jamey Wilson, Madison Wood and Renea Satterwhit
HERMITAGE GARDEN ASSISTED LIVING WEEK
LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAREER WEEK
June Malone, Wylda Darden and Bobbye McCormick
Melissa Grose’s Lafayette Elementary School class with chef John Currence
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INVITATION OXFORD | October 2014
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Satterfield’s pottery pottery
New Location Coming So on... 31 County Road 348 Oxford, MS (Right off clear cre ek road) www.satterfieldspottery.com • 832.8107 Offering Wedding Registry, Anniversary, and Holiday Gifts!
Come see us and all the new merchandise now downstairs at Sugar Magnolia! October 2014 | INVITATION OXFORD
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I AM OXFORD Robert Saarnio interviewed by Sonia Thompson
Robert Saarnio became the University of Mississippi Museum director in 2012.
Q: You moved here from Hawaii. What made you relocate from paradise? A: The powerful combination of smart, talented people, extraordinary tree-shaded streetscapes, a stunning campus and richly diverse Museum collections. I flew back to Honolulu thinking, “Oh, how I hope they offer this position!” Q: The Harvest Supper Museum fundraiser is Oct. 16. What makes the event so special? A: It’s an exceptionally magical evening and the only event of its type permitted at Rowan Oak. The evocative historic site, tree-strung lighting, music, great food and beverage – and the unequivocal outpouring of support. For the Museum staff, stakeholders and I, the spirit of the evening is beyond heartwarming.
Q: This is the Museum’s 75th anniversary. What are you doing to mark the milestone? A: Transformative exhibitions and continued strengthening of our renowned tradition of educational programs for children and lifelong learners. A national e-campaign for our 75th Anniversary Fund. Explore the three shows this fall, and you’ll perceive immediately that the Museum is in a dynamic phase.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTSEY OF UM MUSEUM
Q: What are some programs the Museum has that we might be surprised to learn about? A: Our Mini Masters program for toddlers is priceless to observe. Coming soon, Faulkner’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech audio-projected for visitors to Rowan Oak. Our program uses the federally designated National Recreational Trail through Bailey’s Woods. Q: What’s your favorite thing about your job? A: The immense talent and dedication of my staff. So hardworking and warm spirited – an incredible blessing, this team. Also, the sheer intensity of the Rowan Oak experience, its authenticity and the strength of its story.
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