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JACKSONIAN
December 9 - 22, 2020 Vol. 19 No. 8
ON THE COVER Jasmine Watson Photo courtesy UMMC Communications
4 Editor’s Note 6 Talks 12 Cover story
18 Scrooge’s Pub
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very person has a story, including the ones who find themselves hit by a stroke of bad luck that leads them to no longer have a permanent residence. Lucious Walton, a Greenwood, Miss., native who found himself homeless for some time, counts his blessings and considers himself extremely fortunate to now have a place in Jackson to call home. Walton moved from the Delta to Memphis as a child, where he spent the majority of his life thereafter. Recently, Walton’s only daughter passed away, which coincided with a head injury he sustained from a coworker after an argument. Following the altercation, Walton began experiencing memory issues that prevented him from maintaining his job with the moving company for whom he had been working. “(My daughter) was living in Durant. I came down to put her to rest. I was in a bad headspace while at the same time coping with what happened,” Walton says. Deciding he needed a change, Walton trekked his way southward to Jackson, a city he had frequented a few times when working as a mover. “I didn’t know anyone or have any place to go when I got here,” he remembers. At the time, he considered home to be a spot near Fortification Street. “People don’t understand the homeless at first. They wonder
20 Events
Lucious Walton how you got in that situation. Once you tell them, they start to understand,” Walton says. While living on the street, the 64-year-old at times worried over his health and safety. “I’m a diabetic. I was always worried about my medication putting me in a deep sleep somewhere,” he says. “When you’re homeless, one of the big things is safety, making sure you have your stuff with you at all times, which is why you buddy up with someone.” One day, someone told him about Shower Power, a nonprofit organization on Commerce Street that offers free showers and other services to the local homeless community. At first he used the organization for food, clothing and hygiene products. In time, though, Shower Power selected Walton for its Project Hope program, which works to cover the cost of rent, groceries and other basic needs for the otherwise homeless. Walton moved into his new apartment about two months ago, and he credits Shower Power founder Teresa Renkenberger and board member Mary Ann Kirby for changing his lifestyle. “They are the best thing that ever happened to me,” Walton says. “I like the peace and quiet, although I’m still walking around the house all the time. It’s difficult to sit still.” – Mike McDonald
22 Jonathan Yargates The long-time Brandon resident returns to the metro after 10 years and aspires to uplift fellow local musicians.
23 Paint 2 Go Prissy Paintbrush Studios promotes its Paint 2 Go kits as a way for Jacksonians to entertain themselves and be artsy from the safety of home.
24 Puzzle 24 Sorensen 25 astro 25 Classifieds 26 Gift Guide
December 9 - 22, 2020 • jfp.ms
courtesy Lucious Walton
The Jackson-local restaurant and pub offers a wide menu and will be open this year on Christmas Day.
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