BITES & DRINKS // frozen treats
CrunchTime Concessions, Shaved Ice on Wheels // by tunga otis
J
eremy Harper and Sedrick Johnson have been working together since their days as teammates on the football field for Provine High School. In 2015, the two Jackson State University graduates took their cooperative skills to a new level by founding a business together, Crunchtime Concessions. courtesy crunchtime concessions
Co-owner Jeremy Harper’s children enjoy shaved ice prepared by CrunchTime Concessions.
Upon request, Harper and Johnson offer a number of tried-and-true concession snacks and goodies to their patrons, such as nachos, hot dogs, pickles, chips, candy, soda, sports drinks and water. Still, CrunchTime Concessions is most widely known for its shaved ice.
As opposed to the granulated ice that is typically attributed to snow cones, shaved ice is finer and fluffier, and its texture is often likened to that of fresh snow. “Our shaved ice absorbs the flavor to give you a full experience,” Harper says. “It hits your tongue, and you just start smiling.” Among the many flavors CrunchTime Concessions offers in shaved ice, fan favorites include piña colada, strawberry, sour apple and tiger’s blood, which has a fruity tropical flavor and red color that customers of all ages frequently order. For those who have difficulty choosing just one flavor—or for those who are feeling adventurous—the CrunchTime Flavor Station allows customers to choose a few from the many options to create their own preferred flavor combination. Sizes for shaved ice include small, medium and large, with large sizes served in souvenir cups featuring the company’s logo. In addition to its shaved ice, another popular crowdpleaser comes in the form of the business’ flavored lemonade. Served in 32-ounce cups, the lemonade comes in a number of flavor options, including grape, blue raspberry, strawberry and sour apple. Beyond refreshments, the mobile business also offers
fun for guests by way of the CrunchTime Event Rentals’ touchless photo booth, as well as a foam machine. The health and safety of their employees and customers are a top priority, Harper says. As such, the business had required employees to wear masks since before the statewide mandate, and instituted precautions to allow for social distancing among patrons. COVID-19 has slowed down business for the mobile concessions stand, but Harper and Johnson have continued to trudge on as safely as they can. “Many events have been mostly canceled due to restrictions on large crowds,” Harper says. “(Since then), we have worked events with 10 or less people.” While CrunchTime Concessions mostly serves the metro area, the business accepts requests throughout Mississippi and travels to attend events like sporting events, school field days, fundraisers, birthday parties, church events, daycare events and weddings. The owners believe in giving back to the community and often donate their time to raise funds for various local groups and organizations. “We are here to serve and help the community in whatever way we can,” Harper says. To learn more about CrunchTime Concessions, visit crunchtimeconcessions.com.
MELODIES // choral
26
Mississippi Boychoir Adapts, Plans for Fall and Christmas // by Jenna Gibson mississippi Boy choir
September 2 - 15, 2020 • jfp.ms
D
etermined to have a successful season, the Mississippi Boychoir has been working hard to combat the issues that COVID-19 presents, quickly adapting to a virtual platform for auditions and performances. Katherine Hoitt, artistic director for the Mississippi Boychoir, will hold virtual auditions for the concert choir via Zoom. Positions are open to children grades 5 through 12. Parents may submit their child’s information through the Boychoir’s website, msboychoir.org, and set up a time for the virtual audition. Auditions last 10 to 15 minutes and require no preparation, as Hoitt will ask each applicant to sing a well-known song such as “Happy Birthday” and then ask why they want to join the Boychoir. The organization also has a training choir for 2nd-, 3rd- and 4th-graders that does not require an audition to join. The Mississippi Boychoir will start its season on Sept. 12. The Boychoir will meet in person for 30-minute rehearsals, but members are required to sing while wearing face masks and while maintaining socialdistancing guidelines. “What we do is heavily based on con-
The Mississippi Boychoir hones the vocal skills of youths grades 5 through 12.
necting with people in real life, so we’re trying to find a way to connect to people but make it happen in a safe way,” Hoitt says. The Mississippi Boychoir is already planning its annual Christmas performance, which will be completely virtual this year. Because the Boychoir has had to cancel all its local events planned for the fall season, the organization will spend rehearsal time focusing on perfecting the Christmas program.
“Normally, we would have quite a few small performances leading up to (the Christmas performance), but this semester we are really focusing on our own education of the boys and on preparing that Christmas music,” Hoitt says. “We’ll focus on music literacy, sight singing and making sure that we have that music learned by the pre-recording of the virtual concert.” The online Christmas show will be
free to view, with the live-stream featuring a combination of live elements and pre-recorded elements. Executive Director Lanise Aultman is working with the Department of Archives and History to record the program at the Old Capitol Museum. Transitioning from live auditions and performances to virtual ones has been a big learning for the Mississippi Boychoir, Aultman and Hoitt note, but they are hopeful that everything will work out as planned so that they can successfully finish out the season—and with luck return to a state of normalcy in due time. “Last year, we were invited to be the prelude choir to the Texas International Choral Festival in July of 2020. Of course, that didn’t take place, but the invitation is still open for us to be their prelude choir for their festival in June of 2021,” Aultman says. “We’re trying to plan for something that we hope will actually take place, with the eye on the fact that that information could change.” For more information on the Mississippi Boychoir’s programming or about auditions for the fall, call 601-665-7374 or visit msboychoir.org.
