Images Tupelo, MS: 2012-13 by Journal Communications

2012-13 | livability.com/tupelo 速

tupelo, mississippi

All shook up Elvis museum gets $4 million expansion

young and fabulous Area entrepreneurs experience success

Center of Attention New CDF Center benefits entire community

sponsored by the Community Development Foundation

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2012-13 edition | volume 11 速

Tupelo, Mississippi co nte nt s F e atu r e s 16 Relative Successes

Local families make long-term investments in downtown

22 Young and Fabulous Entrepreneurs find success in local business climate

26 A Legacy of Music Area has plenty of live music and family-friendly festivals

30 Home is Where the Heart is Tupelo neighborhoods have much to love

36 all shook up $4 million expansion greets Elvis museum visitors

40 Center of attention New CDF Center benefits entire community

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2012-13 edition | volume 11 速

Tupelo, Mississippi

30 d e pa r tm e nt s 12 Almanac 44 Biz Briefs 46 Chamber Report 47 Economic Profile 48 See the City 54 Local Flavor

62 Health & Wellness

64 Arts & Culture 68 Sports & Recreation 70 Education 72 Community Profile

on the cover The Community Development Foundation Center in downtown Tupelo Photo by Brian McCord

All or part of this magazine is printed on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

Please recycle this magazine

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What’s Online livability.com/tupelo

Photos & Videos See more great photos of Tupelo in our online photo and video galleries.

Facts Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more.

Living here Learn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health-care providers.

2012-13 | livAbility.Com/tupelo ®

tupelo, mississippi

All shook up Elvis museum gets $4 million expansion

young And fAbulous Area entrepreneurs experience success

Center of Attention New CDF Center benefits entire community

sponsored by the Community development foundAtion

Digital magazine Flip through the pages of this magazine and easily share articles using Facebook, Twitter or email. l i va b i l i t y. c o m / t u p e l o

Digital Edition The Russell family, which includes Elizabeth, Ryan, Walker and Lewis, spends time outside of their home in the Oak Meadows neighborhood in Tupelo.

is Where the TUPELO NEIGHBORHOODS OFFER MUCH TO LOVE

STORY BY JENNIE BRADFORD CURLEE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

f Elvis Presley’s song is true, and home is where the heart is, then Elizabeth and Ryan Russell’s hearts lie among the soaring oak trees that give Oak Meadows subdivision its name. Location, lots of kids and great neighbors are just a few of the reasons that the Russells chose to live and raise their two boys in this family-friendly neighborhood. “Oak Meadows is a neighborhood where kids can ride their bikes and always have friends 30

to play with,” Elizabeth Russell says. “The kids look out for each other. When my boys are outside playing, I may look up and there are 10 more kids kicking the soccer ball with them or swinging the baseball bat. We can’t imagine living anywhere else.” The Russells have watched their boys learn to ride bicycles in the summer, enjoy hayrides in autumn, make snowmen during winter and participate in Easter egg hunts in the spring, all in the neighborhood

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Tupelo, Mississippi content Director Lisa battles Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinator Jessica Walker Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Contributing writers Barbara Biehler, Jennie Bradford Curlee, Julianna Edmonds, Kimberly Gunning, laura hill, Joe Morris, Cyndie Todd Senior Graphic Designers stacey allis, Laura Gallagher, Kris Sexton, Jake Shores, Vikki Williams Graphic Designers Erica Lampley, kara leiby, Kacey Passmore Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Michael Conti color imaging technician Alison Hunter Integrated Media Manager jared lane Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner Senior V.P./business Development Scott Templeton senior V.P./Agribusiness Publishing Kim HOlmberg V.P./business Development clay perry V.p./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens v.p./Travel publishing Susan Chappell V.P./Sales rhonda graham, herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman sales support Coordinator alex marks sales support project manager sara quint system administrator daniel cantrell Web creative director allison davis Web Content Manager John Hood Web designer II Richard stevens Web development lead Yamel Hall Web developer i nels noseworthy Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Creative Services Director Christina Carden Creative Technology Analyst becca ary audience development Director deanna nelson New Media Assistant Alyssa DiCicco Distribution Director Gary Smith Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop

Images Tupelo is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Community Development Foundation and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com. For more information, contact: Community Development Foundation 398 E. Main Street, CDF Center • Tupelo, MS 38804 Phone: (662) 842-4521 • Fax: (662) 841-0693 www.cdfms.org Visit Images Tupelo online at livability.com/tupelo ©Copyright 2012 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member

The Association of Magazine Media Member

Custom Content Council

Member Community Development Foundation

Almanac

Welcome to Tupelo An introduction to the area’s people, places and events

Four-Legged Fun People and their pups got a new place to play when Tupelo Bark Park opened in spring 2012. Residents bought $5 votes to name the park during its grand opening. Located on Veterans Boulevard, the park is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and admission is free. Visitors have two areas from which to choose – one for smaller dogs and the other for dogs over 30 pounds. Owners are responsible for supervising and cleaning up after their own pets.

A Lightbulb Moment

Moms Shop, Kids Play Savvy moms know The Mall at Barnes Crossing as the go-to for relaxing retail therapy with the little ones in tow. Local kids love the mall’s carousel and its play area in the middle of the mall next to the food court. The play area, added in 2008 during a $13 million mall renovation, has a campground theme with stations such as a tree with a slide, a Jeep, deer and a canoe. Although popular year round, these kid-friendly features prove especially popular for climatecontrolled summertime fun. Learn more at www.barnescrossing.com.

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Architects, interior designers, builders and engineers are just some of the professionals who have visited Tupelo to be enlightened at The Day-Brite Capri Omega (DCO) Lighting Institute, the world’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified Lighting Education Facility. Programs and seminars here educate people on quality lighting and energy management through instruction and demonstrations at the 500,000-square-foot Philips Day-Brite manufacturing facility. Visit www.daybrite.com/ lightinginstitute for more information.

Big Money Tupelo is the area’s banking giant with BancorpSouth and Renasant Bank headquarters. BancorpSouth, founded in 1876, became Mississippi’s first statewide bank in 1987 after merging with First Mississippi National Bank. BancorpSouth takes pride in offering personal service and reliable banking advice to individuals and small businesses. Renasant Bank, known for its innovation, was the first bank in Lee County to introduce debit cards.

Mississippi’s Healthiest City Named the healthiest city in the state by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, Tupelo is earning praise for its approach to healthy living. Mayor Jack Reed, Jr. accepted an invitation along with several other mayors to join First Lady Michelle Obama in Philadelphia to celebrate kids’ health programs in summer 2012. Healthy living assets in Tupelo include access to free flu shots and childhood vaccinations, thanks to North Mississippi Medical Center, the largest rural hospital in the country. The city has 19 parks on more than 600 acres, and the city’s trademarked Health on a Shelf program partners with local convenience stores to stock shelves with nutritious food options. Tupelo also has one of two HealthWorks! centers in the nation, pictured below, which inspires healthy habits through active learning.

A Century of Greatness On her 100th birthday, Tupelo’s Lyric Theatre is a regal lady with some stories to tell. Still in operation as a site for plays and musical performances, the theater is rumored to be the location of Elvis’ first kiss. Originally named The Comos, the theater was built by R.F. Goodlett in 1912 as a venue for live productions. It was one of the few buildings to escape damage from the 1936 tornado. The future of the theater was uncertain in 1984 when it faced demolition. Since, it has undergone major construction including the addition of the North Annex in 1993 and significant facade improvements in recent years.

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Fast Facts n Tupelo has been named an AllAmerica City by the National Civic League four times.

One for the Books Local literature fans know Reed’s Gumtree Bookstore as “where readers and writers meet” in downtown Tupelo. The bookstore emphasizes work of Southern authors and holds book signings and discussions with them throughout the year, as well as during the annual Authorpalooza. The bookstore also stocks an assortment of signed, first-edition books from many Southern authors such as John Grisham. Located just off Main Street, the shop is an offshoot of Reed’s Department Store, which was founded here in 1905. Bookstore hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Go to www.reedsms.com for more information.

n The Tupelo Automobile Museum, which includes an 1886 Benz and an 1889 Knox Porcupine, is regarded as the official car museum for the state. n Each year the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo attracts 140,000 visitors – who can safely view the big beasts by riding aboard a Monster Bison Bus. n Approximately 80,000 people tour the Elvis Presley Birthplace attraction each year.

Tupelo At A Glance Tupelo

Population (2010) Tupelo: 34,546 Lee County: 82,910

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For More Information Community Development Foundation 398 E. Main Street, CDF Center Tupelo, MS 38804 Phone: (662) 842-4521 Fax: (662) 841-0693 www.cdfms.org

Guntown

Beginnings Tupelo was incorporated as a city in 1870, and its development was closely tied to the boom of the railroad industry.

Baldwyn 45

NA TC H

Location Tupelo is in northeast Mississippi, 90 miles from Memphis, Tenn., and 165 miles from Jackson, Miss.

What’s Online Check out photo galleries and videos of Tupelo at livability.com/tupelo.

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Relative

Successes Local families have made long-term investments in downtown eateries

Diners enjoy a meal at Fairpark Grill in downtown Tupelo, which is one of many restaurants owned by the Bean family business, Eat With Us.

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Story By laura hill | Photography By brian mccord

few years back, John Robbins was in downtown Tupelo on a hot summer day and needed a bottle of cold water. Not an option at the time, it turned out, but his thirst inspired what was to become a local icon. From that early search for a cold drink, Robbins came up with the idea of a convenience store that could provide necessities for folks in the city’s downtown – and Papa V’s Deli was born. “There was a service there that was needed,” says Robbins, who now owns two Papa V’s in Tupelo and a third in Verona, and is opening a new Mugshots Bar & Grill in Fairpark in early 2013. “The businesses I have now I have looked at in terms of providing a community service. That’s how I see it.” A Special Feeling for the Community That kind of commitment and closeness to a community are

something local business owners have a special feel for, says Tupelo resident Bernard Bean. Bean’s family business operates 14 company-owned restaurants and 11 franchised restaurants under the Harveys, the Grill, Park Heights, Bulldog Deli, Sweet Peppers and Sweet Peppers Express brands. “Family-owned businesses not only have a financial interest in a small town, but they have cultural and social interests,” Bean says. “They see their customers not only as a means to an end financially, but as partners in the community. They understand that ‘a rising tide lifts all boats.’” Family History Bean’s Eat With Us group was launched in 1982, when Myrrl Bean, her son John Bean and a partner, Harvey Seifert, opened their first Harveys in Starkville, Miss. In 1989, having expanded into Columbus, the group asked son Bernard Bean to open and manage a Harveys in Tupelo. In

Clockwise from top left: John Robbins, owner of Papa V’s Deli in downtown Tupelo; A couple dines at Park Heights Restaurant, which is owned by the Eat With Us group, in downtown Tupelo; Papa V’s Deli on East Main Street in downtown Tupelo offers breakfast and lunch.

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1999 the partnership opened the first of two Sweet Peppers delis in Tupelo, in 2000 daughter Blair Bean Hughes came home from Washington to open Park Heights in town, and Fairpark Grill opened in 2007. The group has grown steadily over time and now includes locations in the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Robbins and his brother Ben shepherd a family business founded in Tupelo by their grandfather, Vardaman Robbins, in 1938. Papa V, as he was known locally, started his gasoline distribution business downtown, where the Renasant Center for IDEAs now stands, expanding into retail operations in 1992 and, in 1997, the convenience store/deli business. The Robbins’ new Mugshots Grill & Bar in Fairpark, remarkably enough, will be located just across the street from where Robbins Oil began. It will seat 225-250 diners and an additional 100 people outdoors on a covered porch.

Over 100 classic automobiles from the 1880s-1990s!

10th A N N I V E R S A R Y Hours: Open Seven Days a Week Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sun. 12 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 1 Otis Blvd. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 842-4242 www.tupeloauto.com

Closed: New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

Lots of Opportunity Here The food, Robbins says, might be called “gourmet burgers,” with menu items that include fish, salads, sandwiches and other entrees, as well as a large selection of craft and imported beers. The building, though new, will be designed to “look like it’s been there 100 years.” “We’re just coming back home, I guess,” says Robbins, who is high on Tupelo’s future. “We’re committed to the downtown area and want to see it survive and grow. There is a lot of opportunity here and we’re tickled to be a part of it.” Residents are also noticing the opportunities downtown Tupelo is offering. For a week in September 2012, residents enjoyed the city’s first Downtown Restaurant Week, which was created to promote downtown eateries. Specials and discounts were available at a variety of the area’s restaurants such as Park Heights and Fairpark Grill, among several others. Diners enjoy a meal at Park Heights Restaurant in downtown Tupelo.

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Carrie Hancock, owner of Yellow Lovebirds in downtown Tupelo

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& Fabulous Young

Young entrepreneurs thrive in Tupelo business community

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Left: Dameione Rogers, owner of Magnolia BBQ & Fish Right: Charlie Kinney, owner of NAPA Auto Parts in Tupelo

Story By Jennie Bradford Curlee | Photography By brian mccord

upelo/Lee County is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Ask the 30-something crowd and they will tell you that it also happens to be a great place to own a business. Young entrepreneurs are thriving in the Tupelo business community, running successful restaurants, retail businesses and more. What makes them unique are their varied approaches to entrepreneurship. What makes them the same is their love for Tupelo/Lee County, and the drive to succeed.

Peace, Lovebirds and Understanding Carrie Hancock, born and raised in Tupelo, owns Yellow Lovebirds, a unique ladies’ clothing and accessories boutique located in the heart of downtown. Hancock understands the importance of a thriving 24

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downtown area, and chose her store’s location to be a part of an overall shopping experience. Hancock recently opened a second location in Oxford, Miss. “Downtown is such a great place in smaller towns. It’s where everything happens,” Hancock says. “I love that you can walk around and make shopping part of an experience.” Barbecue at its Best The South is known for its barbecue, and Tupelo is home to a myriad of restaurants that specialize in it. One such restaurant is Magnolia BBQ & Fish, owned and operated by Dameione Rogers. After he participated in the Community Development Foundation’s annual Taste of Tupelo event, Rogers saw his business boom, spurring the opening of a second location.

Customers shop at Yellow Lovebirds, a ladies’ boutique in downtown Tupelo.

He also operates a mobile business, taking his delicious barbecue all over northeast Mississippi. “My company moved me here from Virginia and wanted to move me to Arkansas, but I wanted to stay in Tupelo,” Rogers says. “I saw great opportunity here with Toyota coming and the area’s growth. The support from the city officials and CDF is very helpful.” Awesome Auto Parts Charlie Kinney’s career in the auto parts industry began at the early age of 16 when his father purchased a NAPA Auto Parts store in southeast Iowa. At 19, Kinney moved to Nashville, Tenn., to work for NAPA’s corporate store division, and from there he ran operations all over the country. With a life goal of owning his own NAPA store, Kinney now owns NAPA

stores in Tupelo, Baldwyn, Booneville and Corinth, Miss., and Jackson, Tenn. Today, Kinney is in the business of helping people, and loves every minute of it. “There is really no better place to be in business right now than in northeast Mississippi, Tupelo specifically,” Kinney says. “The economic growth we are seeing, and will see in the future, is really second to nowhere. After living all over the U.S. and Canada for the past 15 years, it is still amazing to me how engaged the people of Tupelo are in their community.”

What’s Online For more stories on the people, places and events that define Tupelo, visit livability.com/tupelo.

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A Legacy of

MUSIC

Tupelo offers family-friendly live music, venues

Story By Cyndie Todd

ou might expect a town that lays claim to the birthplace of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll to have a good music scene for a city its size. With a variety of venues, Tupelo more than meets expectations. Festivals All Tupelo music talk begins with Elvis. Tribute artists travel to Tupelo to showcase their best representation of the legacy of Elvis Presley – including greased pompadours and white jumpsuits – at the annual Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. This cornerstone event of the Tupelo Elvis Festival, held in late May, is a sanctioned preliminary round for The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest held every year in August by Elvis Presley Enterprises in nearby Memphis, Tenn. The Gumtree Festival celebrates the arts every year in early May and includes a Singer Songwriter 26

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Competition to recognize the musicians’ craft. Local art patrons founded the festival in 1972 and added the songwriter contest in 1990, attracting songwriters from throughout the states. Past judges include George McConnell, formerly of the band Widespread Panic, and Shannon McNally. Symphony One of only three professional symphonies in Mississippi, the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra performs an annual series that includes classical, pops and Christmas concerts at the Link Centre, formerly a Baptist church building. “The Link Centre seats 500 and is just right for our audience,” says Margaret Anne Murphey, executive director of the TSO. “We have a full house for every performance, and the Centre has great acoustics.” Founded in 1971, the TSO hosts renowned

Photo Courtesy of matt miller

Top: Jason Aldean and Kenny Chesney perform at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, which is the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest venue. Bottom: The Tupelo Symphony Orchestra performs at the Link Centre that can seat as many as 500 people.

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Photo Courtesy of Tupelo Main Street Association

Photo Courtesy of matt miller

American and international soloists in its series, which runs from October through April. Free Summer Concerts The Down on Main summer concert series brings touring acts to the downtown streets for free, family-friendly shows, where space in front of the stage is reserved for youngsters to draw with chalk provided by the Down on Main committee. “We used to have to travel to see the music acts we wanted to hear,” Chris Root says of himself and other founders of the event. “We wanted to expose Tupelo to music they can’t hear on the radio.” Arena Shows BancorpSouth Arena offers music fans the city’s largest music venue. Concerts there seat between 4,500 and 12,000, depending on the act. Top names in country music and classic rock such as Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and ZZ Top include Tupelo on their tour schedule because of this artistfriendly venue. So friendly, in fact, that many artists book the facility as rehearsal space before a big tour. Local Scene “It used to be if you wanted to play live music in this town you had to play covers,” says Root, who is also a local musician. “Our restaurants and pubs are responding to the demand for more live original music.” Root cites Blue Canoe as one of his favorite spots for local live music, along with Romie’s Grocery and Woody’s. Tupelo music talk ends with Elvis, too. Even guest symphony musicians get an education when they come to town. “I tell all our visiting guest soloists, ‘I am taking you to visit Elvis’ home,’” Murphey says, “‘whether you want to or not.’”

2270 W. Main St. (662) 844-4011 3929 N. Gloster St. (662) 840-8401 Sam’s Club 3833 N. Gloster St. (662) 840-6459 TUPELO, MS

Top: Eric Church performs at BancorpSouth Arena. Bottom: Elvis’ drummer, D.J. Fontana, and Kevin Mills, a tribute artist, at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition

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is Where the Tupelo neighborhoods offer much to love

Story By Jennie Bradford Curlee Photography By brian mccord

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The Russell family, which includes Elizabeth, Ryan, Walker and Lewis, spends time outside of their home in the Oak Meadows neighborhood in Tupelo.

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Clockwise from top left: A home in the Mount Vernon Plantation neighborhood; Main Street in downtown Tupelo; The Russell family enjoys their backyard playground at their home in Tupelo’s Oak Meadows subdivision.

that they have called home since 2008. An avid runner, Elizabeth finds solace in making laps on shady, tree-lined streets. Urban Dwellers For the urban dweller, downtown Tupelo offers an array of living opportunities. Main Street is lined with businesses ranging from restaurants and art galleries to retail shops. Loft apartments are located above many of these businesses, offering easy access to the heart of the business community and the area’s new entertainment district that may 32

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include night clubs, new restaurants, a movie theater and more. Downtown Tupelo’s Fairpark District is one of Tupelo’s newest residential developments and includes luxury apartments, brownstones and large family homes. Luxury Living Tupelo residents with a taste for the finer things can call Mount Vernon Plantation home. This sprawling, wooded development is the embodiment of Southern charm. Stately manors situated on manicured lots welcome residents to this beautiful neighborhood,

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People watch Elvis Presley perform in the 1958 film King Creole during the Movies in the Park series, which takes place at Fairpark in downtown Tupelo during warm weather months.

located just off Mount Vernon Road in North Tupelo. Baby, Let’s Play House Tupelo residents who want to “play house” where Elvis Presley grew up can call Presley Heights home. Tupelo’s largest municipal park, Veteran’s Memorial Park, is part of this area. Its 206 acres includes walking trails, baseball/ softball fields, a splash pad and the Veteran’s memorial. In addition, 34

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the park serves as the location of the city’s popular Azalea Festival & Up, Up and Away Hot Air Balloon Festival, which includes live entertainment, arts and crafts, and more. Park Proximity One of the oldest neighborhoods in all of Tupelo, Joyner is an ideal destination for young, growing families. With easy access to Rob Leake City Park, Joyner residents

can stroll to the city pool and enjoy such amenities as lighted tennis courts and baseball fields. One of the only areas in Tupelo that still has a true neighborhood school, Joyner Elementary School sits next to Rob Leake City Park, offering students a great recess and recreation area. With many neighborhood options from which to choose, the Tupelo area as a whole encourages neighbors to get to know one

another, has great schools and easy access to shopping. Most of all, it is the overwhelming sense of “home” that fills the hearts of residents here ... just like Tupelo’s native son sang.

What’s Online Learn more about Tupelo’s residential areas online at livability.com/tupelo.

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ALL

SHOOK UP Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum wraps up $4.3 million expansion

Story By Joe Morris | Photography By brian mccord

ourists flock from around the world to see the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s birthplace, and with a $4.3 million expansion wrapped up at the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum, the experience is even bigger and better. New Spaces As part of the expansion’s first phase, which broke ground in April 2011, the site added a 120-seat theater and an outdoor amphitheater that can hold 75 people. These two

elements allow for more live entertaining as well as video and other theatrical productions. This phase also increased on-site parking by three times, and covered areas at the birthplace site grew from 6,000 feet to approximately 16,000 feet. “As our fan base grows, we expect to see more people,” says Dick Guyton, executive director. “Graceland is increasing their coverage, and if they see more people then we will as well.” A $2.8 million state tourism

bond bill plus funds from the city of Tupelo, the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation made the expansion possible. The project, completed in time to honor the 35th anniversary of Elvis’ death in August 2012, is expected to double the visitors to the birthplace site. In 2011, approximately 40,000 people came to Tupelo specifically to see it, according to the visitors bureau. Tourism officials hope that with more to see, these visitors will stay

Located at the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum in Tupelo, this sculpture depicts Elvis at the age of 13.

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in town longer, patronize local restaurants and nightclubs and stay overnight at area hotels. “Our state and local elected and tourism officials, and our business community, believe in tourism and they support it,” Guyton says. “We are the No. 1 tourism attraction in the state. We are working on becoming a destination in our own right, rather than just a visiting point.” Phase Two Fundraising is underway for the second phase, which will include a larger, 700-800 seat amphitheater, as well as Becoming, a new sculpture that will include likenesses of Elvis at young and older ages. Other improvements include a covered pavilion at the overlook, which will share stories about Elvis’ childhood as told by his friends in the city, and a picnic area near Elvis Presley Lake. Local Benefits All the new spaces are available for public rentals and will be used by the city of Tupelo for special events, as well. A $65 annual pass allows residents to bring as many as five people on six different occasions to visit the birthplace – a great deal for those who frequently entertain out-of-town guests. “One reason behind our expansion is the community,” Guyton says. “The fans are important to us, but the people who live here are, too. Elvis was always giving back, and we feel like we can do that too. These new facilities will be available for almost anything that a church, or civic group, or family would want to do.”

Clockwise from top: Tourists visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum; Elvis Presley’s birthplace; Elvis Presley’s childhood church; The Plymouth car Elvis’ family used when they moved to Memphis, Tenn.

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Business

Center of

Attention New CDF center is for the entire community

Story By Jennie Bradford Curlee Photography By brian mccord

he Community Development Foundation has a new home for fulfilling its mission of creating jobs, developing communities and fostering business. The new CDF Center is the first LEED-certified building in downtown Tupelo’s Fairpark District, and was designed with the Tupelo/Lee County community in mind. “The Lee County Board of Supervisors saw the opportunity to raise the knowledge and image of local economic development efforts by continuing the success of the Renasant Center for IDEAs with the new CDF Center,” says Phil Morgan, president of the Lee County Board of Supervisors. “The opportunity to get a 50/50 federal matching grant made the decision to build the CDF Center feasible. “We hope this building will be inviting for prospects, a place of pride for community citizens, and another tool for Lee County’s future development success.”

Meetings and More The first floor of the CDF Center houses Tupelo/ Lee County’s Chamber of Commerce, plus an array

of meeting and conference rooms designed to meet the needs of the CDF membership. The state-of-theart boardroom can seat up to 70 and features vast audio-visual capabilities. Rubye Del Harden, president of Results Inc. in Tupelo, has used the CDF Center for training and client meetings. A CDF member, she appreciates the centralized location and ease of use of the center’s spaces. “The new CDF Center is great for business meetings, luncheons and workshops. It is light and airy, and the training rooms are private, wellappointed and comfortable,” Harden says. “The CDF staff is friendly, helpful and accommodating. It is everything you want in a training facility.” Growing Businesses, Creating Jobs The facility’s second floor is completely dedicated to new innovative business and research development space. Prospective companies have the flexibility to build out the area to meet their needs. Just as the Renasant Center for IDEAs, Tupelo/Lee County’s regional business incubator, offers business space

The new three-story Community Development Foundation Center is the first LEED-certified building in Tupelo’s Fairpark District, which is located in the city’s downtown area.

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and a comprehensive bundle of services, the CDF Center’s second floor offers the same amenities with added security. The building’s third floor houses CDF’s Economic Development Division, along with the executive and financial suites. The executive conference room overlooking the Fairpark District is the cornerstone of the building, providing a progressive, picturesque view for CDF to share the Tupelo Story with prospective industrial clients from across the world. Friendly Faces and Collaborative Spaces To date, the CDF Center has hosted over 1,000 people. Its synergetic spaces and immense technological capabilities make it a resource for the community and a refuge for CDF members to meet, collaborate and learn. In addition, members can rely on a professional staff to assist in the CDF Center experience. When Philips Day-Brite needed space to conduct a weeklong series of meetings, the company found exactly what it needed in the CDF Center. “The CDF Center is immaculate and the staff was professional and courteous,” says Mary Leigh Johnson, HR specialist with Philips Day-Brite. “During our meetings, we worked diligently to establish an atmosphere that balanced the needs of the business with the needs of the workforce. I believe that the facility and the staff added to that atmosphere.”

Top and bottom right: The new Community Development Foundation Center Bottom left: A group meets in the CDF Center.

SOLD

Residential

Property Management

Commercial

TRI

INC/REALTORS®

842-8283 www.TRIrealestate.net Since 1952

Come play one of the best golf courses in north Mississippi and practice on the best practice facility in Mississippi.

3481 Big Oaks Blvd. Saltillo • 844-8002

A short drive from Barnes Crossing Mall

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Business

Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define tupelo’s economic climate

Scorecard Business At A Glance

$1 billion Annual Retail Sales

$33,838 Retail Sales per Capita

$132 million Annual Hotel and Food Sales

4,224 Total Number of Firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

His Hers Antiques & Collectibles Biz: Antique/gift shop and restaurant Buzz: His Hers Antiques & Collectibles in downtown Tupelo lives up to its name with items favored by both sexes: rare books, vintage clothing, cigars, furniture and more. Also on site is the Tea for T’Arts Tea Room, which serves both lunch and afternoon tea. hishers307.com 44

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MLM Clothiers Biz: Specialty men’s clothing retailer Buzz: Downtown Tupelo’s MLM Clothiers, founded in 1940, features a broad selection of fine men’s clothing from top brands including Cole Hann, Robert Talbott, Peter Millar, Scott Barber, Jack Victor and more. The shop is open 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. www.mlmclothiers.com Our Southern hospitality is our promise to you and your guests. We strive to ensure that each guest receives one-of-a-kind service and feels at home. We offer a free Bright Side breakfast, complete with scrambled eggs, sausage, gravy, biscuits, waffles, cereals, bagels, toast, muffins, juice and coffee. Other free amenities include: • Wi-Fi • Evening Social Monday-Thursday • Fitness Center • Parking • Outdoor Swimming Pool and Hot Tub

Dossett Big 4 Biz: Vehicle dealership Buzz: Shoppers in the market for a car find a big selection of new and preowned Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Honda vehicles at Dossett Big 4, where they can also get parts, accessories and services such as oil changes, wheel alignments, brake maintenance and more. The dealership assists customers with financing, simplifying the process for an enjoyable, stress-free experience. www.dossettbig4.com

1013 N. Gloster St. • Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 847-8000 • (662) 847-8008 fax www.lq.com

Connie’s Fried Chicken Biz: Restaurant Buzz: Known for its chicken biscuits and blueberry doughnuts, Connie’s Fried Chicken attracts Tupelo natives and tourists from across the country. Other popular menu items include fried chicken and onion rings. Craving greens? Connie’s has a salad bar, too. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sundays. (662) 842-7260 Comfort Engineering Company Biz: Heating and cooling system provider Buzz: Specializing in custom Carrier heating and cooling systems, Comfort Engineering Company sells a variety of products including gas furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps and more. The company, founded in 1936, serves commercial, industrial and residential customers in Tupelo as well as other areas within a 75-mile radius. Besides installation, Comfort Engineering assists with repairs, duct work and ventilation. www.comforttupelo.com

Norma Cother

1289 N. Gloster, Ste. A Tupelo, MS 38804 662-680-9355 tel 901-653-2325 fax Visit me online: normacother.crye-leike.com

Real Estate is business on a personal level. The best part of any transaction is the relationship that stems from it and lasts long after the deal is done. I work hard to make sure that every client is treated fairly and honestly by listening to their needs and making them a top priority. There’s nothing better than helping someone reach their dreams, and doing so in a way that makes them feel good about the whole process. I believe that referrals are the highest compliment because they do much more than increase business – they introduce a new friend!

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Business

Chamber Report Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute creates a legacy of leadership

ach year the Community Development Foundation and CREATE Foundation facilitate the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute, a two-year program designed to develop community leaders by enhancing their personal and professional growth.

Honoring Leaders In 2007, CLI became the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute in memory of Jim Ingram, one of Tupelo’s visionary leaders. A former chairman of both CDF and CREATE Foundation, Ingram was instrumental in bringing the Salvation Army to Tupelo, and

Building Tupelo and Lee County Since 1941

2020 McCullough Blvd. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 842-3240 www.jescoinc.net

The Largest Industrial Contractor in the South

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served on the Tupelo Public School District school board. Ingram’s legacy lives on in the institute that now bears his name. Following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Kory Rogers Hunter is a recent graduate of CLI. “One of the main reasons I was honored to be a part of CLI is because it is named in honor of my grandfather, Jim Ingram,” Hunter says. “Through his actions and example, he taught me what a real leader embodies. He was and still is my biggest role model.”

Continuous Growth Institute sessions include a community orientation and address such topics as education, health care and local government. Class members also participate in three two-day retreats designed to enhance leadership skills. Once participants have completed a year of training, they re-invest what they have learned in the community. This involves one year of service to a nonprofit or a defined community need. Chris Rogers, former CDF chairman and son-in-law of Jim Ingram, is also a CLI graduate. He is proud of the legacy that Ingram left for his children and the future leaders of Tupelo/Lee County. “The Jim Ingram CLI is accomplishing exactly what Jim Ingram would have wanted and expected,” Rogers says. “This program brings together classmates and mentors willing to continue the Tupelo/Lee County tradition of helping each other help ourselves. “I believe Jim Ingram’s leadership style was developed through his life’s experiences and relationships. I know my close relationship with my father-in-law was a strong influence on my desire to help my church, lead my family and be involved in my community. I am proud to have been Jim Ingram’s son-in-law and to be a small part of his legacy by graduating from a program named in his honor.” – Jennie Bradford Curlee

economic profile Business climate As one of the most rapidly developing micropolitan areas in the state, Tupelo/Lee County has consistently ranked in the top 10 for population growth, new business development and personal income generation. The primary economic sector is manufacturing, which employs more than 25 percent of the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workforce.

Lane Furniture Industries 1,678 employees Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. 1,625 employees

Tax Structure

0.25%

Tupelo Public School District 1,200 employees MTD Products 1,050 employees

City Sales and Use Tax

JESCO, Inc. 1,000 employees

7.25%

Wal-Mart/Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club 979 employees

County Sales Tax

Lee County Schools 931 employees

Transportation Tupelo Regional Airport 2704 W. Jackson St., 38801 (662) 841-6570 flytupelo.com

11.2% Workers Who Carpool

1.3% Workers Who Walk to Work

State Sales Tax

BancorpSouth 800 employees

1.9%

7.25%

H.M. Richards 670 employees

Working From Home

Total Sales Tax

MAJOR EMPLOYERS North Mississippi Health Services, Tupelo Campus 4,286 employees Toyota Mississippi 2,000 employees

income

workforce

$26,515

74%

Per Capita Income

White-Collar Jobs

$53,926 Average Annual Household Expenditure

26% Blue-Collar Jobs

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See the City

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Lake Lamar Bruce Photo by Staff Photographer

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See the City

Guitar Sculpture Project in Downtown Tupelo Photo by Brian McCord

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Antique carousel at the Mall at Barnes Crossing in Tupelo Photo by Brian McCord

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See the City

Tupelo Hardware on Main Street in downtown Tupelo Photo by Jeff Adkins

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Local Flavor

Spice It Up TASTE Tupelo’s local flavor AT FAVORiTE AREA RESTAURANTS

upelo has a great selection of restaurants, many of them family-owned. From Italian and Greek to barbecue, families of Tupelo and visitors will have their work cut out for them choosing a place to dine. Here’s a quick guide to some local favorites:

Brian M c Cord

Pizza

If traditional Italian strikes your fancy, Vanelli’s Greek and Italian Restaurant on North Gloster Street offers pizza and Italian dishes from Greek-born restaurant owner Demetrios Kapenekas. Meanwhile, Old Venice Pizza Company is where the Deep South meets old world tradition, while Lost Pizza Company keeps it hip with its new Tupelo location. If you’re

hungry and up for a challenge, Lost’s 30-inch Big Fat Monster Pizza Challenge will give you and a partner 30 minutes to pack it in.

Popular Lunch Spots Café 212 provides a downtown, eclectic atmosphere with local artwork and used books for sale. Its menu of sandwiches and salads includes creative names such as Some Like It Hot and The Italian Job. New restaurant Sweet Tea & Biscuits Café already has developed a following for its Southern standards such as chicken and broccoli casserole, delicious pies and a selection of sandwiches and salads. Weezie’s Deli & Gifts and Danver’s are two more local lunch favorites.

Old Venice Pizza Company offers seasonal specials and house dishes.

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photos by Brian M c Cord

Barbecue What would a Southern town be without its local barbecue hotspots? Tupelo has many, including a couple of newer ones – Magnolia BBQ & Fish in east Tupelo and Crossroads Rib Shack at Tupelo Commons. Papa V’s Deli is a long-standing, family-owned establishment, with three locations in Tupelo. The Verona and East Main locations provide a popular tailgating menu for game day. Romie’s BBQ on Troy Street is another top spot for those craving ‘cue, meanwhile Romie’s Grocery on West Jackson Street is known for its meat-and-three plates. Bar-B-Que By Jim on Commerce Street cooks only select meats – Boston Butts pulled pork and St. Louis-style ribs – and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bishop’s BBQ Grill serves several locations in northeast Mississippi and features homemade hickory barbecue, hot barbecue and Rockin’ Ranch sauces. A memorable item at Eli’s BBQ Grill on Main Street is the BBQ Sundae – baked beans, pulled pork and coleslaw all in one delicious bite. And don’t miss out on Earnest B’s Restaurant in Amory, another local favorite for great barbecue since opening in 2008. A family business where you’ll usually see one or all of the Morgan family helping out, Earnest B’s is known for its sweet heat barbecue sauce, a family recipe. – Kimberly Gunning

What’s Online Read more about Tupelo’s food scene at livability.com/tupelo. Click “Things To Do,” then “Food.”

Clockwise from top left: Old Venice Pizza Company; Magnolia BBQ & Fish; Diners enjoy eating outdoors under the pavilion at Vanelli’s Greek & Italian Restaurant in Tupelo.

BUSYLAD MAKES IT EASY.

Busylad has been here over the decades to help Northeast Mississippi grow and prosper. We were here … … in the 70s to help establish a strong foundation for Northeast Mississippi. … in the 80s and 90s to give our assistance in the building of Barnes Crossing Mall and the BancorpSouth Arena. … in the 2000s to lend a hand in the excitement of Fairpark and Toyota. And in the 21st century, we will continue to help Northeast Mississippi be the greatest place on earth to live, work and play.

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662-844-7007 177 road 1758 • Tupelo, MS 38804 dgarnermillwork@gmail.com

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Health & Wellness

Treating Digestive Diseases for Patients in North Mississippi Colon Cancer Screening Heartburn/GERD Irritable Bowel Syndrome Crohn’s Disease/Ulcerative Colitis Hepatitis and Liver Diseases Pancreas and Biliary Diseases Nutrition Clinical Research

Stephen T. Amann, M.D. John B. Averette, M.D. Barney J. Guyton, M.D. Roger L. Huey, M.D. Noel K. Hunt, M.D. C. Allen Justice, M.D. W. Garrett Ogg, M.D. Samuel C. Pace, M.D. John O. Phillips, M.D. Ashley L. Vaughn, M.D. W. Carl Kellum Jr., M.D. 1952-2006

589 Garfield St., Ste. 201 • Tupelo, MS 38801 • (662) 680-5565 • Toll-free: (877) 942-7876

Digestive HealtH specialists p.a.

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General InvaSIve CardIOlOGy: W.B. Calhoun, M.D., FACC W. Steve Carroll, M.D., FACC J. Murray Estess, Jr., M.D., FACC Jack B. Foster, Jr., M.D., FACC Douglas L. Hill, M.D., FACC David H. Irwin, Jr., M.D., FACC James C. Johnson, M.D., FACC Nelson K. Little, M.D., FACC Francisco J. Sierra, M.D., FACC

InTervenTIOnal CardIOlOGy: Joseph Curtis Adams, M.D., FACC Barry D. Bertolet, M.D., FACC Benjamin D. Blossom, M.D., FACC Amit K. Gupta, M.D., FACC W. Hampton Jones, III, M.D. Roger A. Williams, M.D., FACC

eleCTrOphySIOlOGy:

Tupelo: 499 Gloster Creek Village • Suite A-2 • Tupelo, MS 38801 • 662-620-6800 For appointments, call: 662-620-6801 or toll-free 866-620-6800 Columbus: 2459 5th St. N. • Columbus, MS 39705 For appointments, call: 662-327-3092 Starkville: 801 Stark Rd. • Starkville, MS 39759 For appointments, call: 662-324-1475 Oxford: 2892 S. Lamar Blvd. • Oxford, MS 38655 For appointments, call: 662-234-7441 ©2011 Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi. All rights reserved.

Karl J. Crossen, M.D., FACC Keith A. Kyker, M.D., FACC Jame E. Stone, Jr., M.D., FACC

nurSe praCTITIOnerS: Kitt Bailey, ACNP Chris M. Bell, ACNP Janet Bethay, FNP-BC Wanda Ikeda, ACNP Katie McDuffie, FNP-BC

CardIOvaSCular rISk ManaGeMenT: Todd Sandroni, Pharm. D.

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Health & Wellness

Sanders Clinic for Women GynecoloGy InferTIlITy rouTIne & HIGH rISk obSTeTrIcS

C.K. White, M.D. Johnny F. Miles, M.D. Mark A. Ray, M.D. Clay B. Hudson, M.D. Kristen Y. Turner, M.D. Cassie B. Hill, M.D.

1041 S. Madison St. • Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 844-8754 • www.sandersclinicforwomen.com

e n t physicians

Allergy Testing & Treatment Hearing Loss/Hearing Aids Image Guided Sinus Surgery Removal of Skin Lesions Thyroid/Parathyroid Surgery Vertigo Testing & Treatment Tonsillitis Cochlear Implants • BAHA Implants Office Balloon Sinuplasty Snoring/Sleep Apnea Otoplasty • Voice Care • Otitis Media EAR, NOSE & THROAT CARE fOR yOuR ENTIRE fAMILy.

Dr. Ryan C. Simmons

Dr. J. Montgomery Berry

Dr. Robert H. Yarber

ent physicians of North Mississippi

Tupelo 844-6513

Dr. Malcolm D. McAuley

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Dr. James R. McAuley

Philip Howell, F.N.P.

Amory 256-9796

Corinth 396-4104

Toll-free for all locations: (877) 944-6513 www.entnms.com

Equipment & Service You Deserve!

Paul B. Farabaugh, M.D. C. Stephen Farmer II, M.D. Jonathan R. Kalish, M.D. Wm. Hughes Milam, M.D. J. Timothy Posey, M.D. Kristopher W. Whitehead, M.D. Sally Morgan, CUNP Lauri McKell, CUNP Katrina Watkins, FNP-C 830 S. Gloster St. • East Tower • Fourth Floor Tupelo, MS 38801 • (662) 377-7100 The Continence Center: (662) 377-7279 www.urologyms.com

Full-Service Respiratory Care Hospital Beds & Specialty Mattresses Mobility Aides & Equipment GREAT SERVICE 24/7! Your ONLY Locally Owned Retail Store For: Incontinence Care Bath Aides & Equipment Orthopedic & Performance Supports Store Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5p.m.

410 S. Gloster St., Ste. B • Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 269-2973 T • (662) 269-3186 F www.MyCommunityHME.com

Seniors Loving Life!

Assisted Living 2429 Lawndale dr. • tupelo, Ms 38801 (662) 840-6163 • www.avonlea-community.com

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Health & Wellness

Brian M c Cord

North Mississippi Medical Center

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Time for a Checkup NMMC updates its expansion plans

Nephrology & hyperteNsioN AssociAtes Ltd. Thomas D. Wooldridge, M.D. J. Martin Lee Jr., M.D. Tzonko V. Milev, M.D. Kenneth M. Kellum, M.D. Morris R. Hamilton, M.D. Christopher D. Miller, M.D. Marcus L. Britton, M.D. Son Lam, M.D. Patricia McKnight, CFNP Harminder K. Atwal, ACNP-BC

orth Mississippi Medical Center, a longstanding Tupelo asset, is getting even bigger and better. NMMC is building a $55 million West Bed Tower on its campus adjacent to an existing tower of the same name. Once the five-story West Bed Tower opens in early 2013, the current tower will be rebuilt to match the expansion. The new tower will include 250 rooms for patients, with each room outfitted with an Americans With Disabilities Act-accessible toilet and shower, non-slip flooring, bedside table, closet and recliner. Patients will have bedside control of nearly everything, from the television and temperature to the lights and window blinds. Nurses will also gain efficiency, with identical placement of light switches and equipment in every room and nursing station.

1542 Medical Park Cir. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 844-4711 1790 Barron St. Oxford, MS 38655 (662) 236-2900

toll-free (866) 344-4711

Largest in Mississippi NMMC is the largest hospital in Mississippi and the largest rural hospital in the United States. The Tupelo center and its other campuses and clinics serve 700,000 residents in a 24-county region that stretches throughout northern Mississippi and into parts of Alabama and Tennessee. The Tupelo main campus has 470 beds, a staff of 350 doctors and 4,000 employees and includes a cancer center, heart institute, surgical services, diagnostic imaging, emergency department, behavioral health, and women’s and children’s services. The hospital has also earned several awards in recent years including being named one of “America’s top health systems” by Modern Healthcare.

Well, Well, Wellness In these days of more Americans starting to take a hard look at their health and wellness, the on-campus NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo is regarded as one of the most comprehensive health and fitness centers in north Mississippi. It is the state’s first Certified Medical Fitness Facility, a designation awarded by the Medical Fitness Association to recognize those institutions with the highest standards for programs, staff, safety and community service. The 50,000-square-foot Wellness Center is open to the public and has trainers certified by the American College of Sports Medicine. – Kevin Litwin

“Offering Comprehensive Healthcare for Women in Every Season of Life”

Gregg A. Willis, m.d. Malinda Ingram, c.n.p. Elesha Tidwell, c.n.p. All Providers Board Certified

• • • • • • • •

High-Risk Obstetrics Laparoscopic Hysterectomy and Hysteroscopic Procedures Laser Surgery Infertility Adolescent Gynecology Bone Density Evaluation and Treatment Menopause Treatment Office Sonography

Office Hours by Appointment

(662) 840-4010

606 Brunson Dr. • Tupelo, MS www.heritage-obgyn.com

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photos by Brian M c Cord

Arts & Culture

Culture Knows No Bounds in Tupelo Attractions include historical sites and live performances

upelo’s many community arts programs and historic attractions engage and educate visitors and residents.

Tupelo’s Civil War Battlefields See where Confederate forces led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest earned a significant victory over Union troops at Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield, just 15 miles north of Tupelo near Baldwyn. The Brices Crossroad’s Visitors and Interpretive Center allows guests to learn more about the conflict through informative exhibits and recovered artifacts from the battlefield. Located nearby is the Tupelo National Battlefield, where Confederate troops under Forrest

were defeated a short time later in the Battle of Tupelo. This battlefield is the last place Forrest’s famous cavalry troops would fight Union forces during the Civil War.

Tupelo’s Museums Tupelo Automobile Museum packs a diverse collection of classic cars into its 120,000 square feet of exhibition space, making it one of the biggest car museums in North America. Cars on display include an 1886 Benz and the 1976 Lincoln Mark IV that Elvis Presley gave to a Denver police captain. Meanwhile, the history of Tupelo and its surrouding area comes alive in exhibits and artifacts at the Oren Dunn City

Museum. The museum’s permanent displays convey the stories of early European settlement, Mississippi statehood and the Civil War. Love art and historical architecture? Visit the GumTree Museum of Art, located in a downtown Beaux Arts building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The GumTree hosts high-quality art exhibitions, workshops, lectures and many more events for the public.

Celebrating Mississippi Artists To view works by dozens of Mississippi artists, look no further than 122 Main Street in downtown Tupelo, the location of the new Caron | Prince Art Gallery.

Tupelo residents attend an opening reception at the GumTree Museum of Art in downtown Tupelo.

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Top: The Oren Dunn City Museum draws thousands of visitors each year. Bottom: Tupelo National Battlefield

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Named for its owners, Kim Caron and Ashley Prince, the gallery showcases works by established and emerging artists in all types of media, from oil and acrylic paintings and photography to pottery and handmade jewelry. In addition, the gallery features special events such as receptions, trunk shows and more.

Theater and Ballet Tupelo Community Theatre, which calls the Lyric Theatre home, presents a wide variety of regularseason performances and special events such as Tuesdays with Morrie and A Christmas Story. The Tupelo Ballet performs several full-length productions, including shows such as The Nutcracker and Don Quixote, from September through March. The organization also sponsors the performances of guest artists and other professional companies throughout the year. – Barbara Biehler

People tour the Oren Dunn City Museum in Tupelo.

visit our

advertisers AvonLea Assisted Living www.avonlea-community.com B & B Concrete www.bbconcrete.com BancorpSouth www.bancorpsouth.com Best Western Plus www.bestwestern.com Big Oaks Golf Club www.bigoaksgolfcourse.com BNA Bank www.bnabank.com Busylad Rent-All www.busylad.com

Hawkeye Industries Inc. www.hawkeye.ws Heritage Obstetrics & Gynecology www.heritage.obgyn.com

The Gum Tree Festival www.gumtreefestival.com The Gum Tree Museum of Art www.gumtreemuseum.com

Hilton Garden Inn www.tupelo.hgi.com

The Mall at Barnes Crossing www.barnescrossing.com

Itawamba Community College www.iccms.edu

The McCarty Company www.mccartycompany.com

JESCO Inc. Construction www.jescoinc.net

The Woman’s Clinic of Tupelo www.womansclinicoftupelo.com

Kellum Dental Clinic www.kellumdental.com La Quinta Inns & Suites www.lq.com

Tommy Morgan Inc. Realtors www.tmhomes.com

Nephrology & Hypertension Associates LTD

Traceway Retirement Community www.mss.org/traceway

Cindy Black, Realtor – Coldwell Banker Southern Real Estate

Nesco Electric www.nescoelectric.com

TRI Inc. Realtors www.trirealestate.net

Community Development Foundation www.cdfms.org

Norma Cother Crye-Leike Realtors http://normacother.crye-leike.com

Community Medical Supply www.mycommunityhme.com

North Mississippi Medical Center www.nmhs.net

Trustmark Bank www.trustmark.com

Cooper Tires www.coopertire.com

OB-GYN Associates PA www.obgynassociatespa.com

Digestive Health Specialists www.tupelogi.com

Park Heights Restaurant www.parkheightsrestaurant.com

Dillard Enterprises Commercial Real Estate www.dillard-enterprises.com

Philips Day-Brite www.daybrite.com

Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association www.tupelomainstreet.com

Renasant Bank www.renasantbank.com

Urology Associates & The Continence Center www.urologyms.com

ENT Physicians www.entnms.com

Sanders Clinic for Women www.sandersclinicforwomen.com

Wal-Mart Supercenter www.walmart.com

Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi www.canm.com

Garner Millwork & Cabinet

Tupelo Automobile Museum www.tupeloauto.com Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau www.tupelo.net Tupelo Symphony Orchestra www.tupelosymphony.com

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Sports & Recreation

Move It, Move It Fishing, golfing and tennis round out sports and recreation options

eing a good sport in Tupelo is easy, with a variety of sports and recreational activities to enjoy. Here is a quick overview:

Super Swimming Soon A new aquatics center is being planned for Tupelo – a 45,000-square-foot facility at Veteran’s Park. The $12 million swimming complex will feature an Olympic-size pool along with a second pool for fitness and instruction classes. There will also be bleacher seating, offices, locker rooms and an outdoor area with a splash pad. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2012, with a tentative opening date of early 2014.

throughout the city also offer tennis opportunities for students, while places such as the Rob Leake City Park tennis courts and the Tupelo Country Club provide nice venues to play.

Running Running enthusiasts train for several races each year here, leading in prominence with the Tupelo Marathon and 14.2 Miler in September, sponsored by the Tupelo Running Club. The club also sponsors a Running With the King 5K during the annual Tupelo Elvis Festival, and organizes a yearly Gum Tree 10K and 2K Fun Run.

Tennis

Ballard Park Sportsplex

Tennis is huge in Tupelo, with the Tupelo Tennis Association supporting the City of Tupelo’s tennis program. The association sponsors a variety of statesanctioned tournaments for players of all ages, and applies for grants from the U.S. Tennis Association to enhance programs and facilities here. Schools

For a full range of activities, check out Ballard Park Sportsplex and its 153 acres of space dedicated to baseball, soccer and football plus a lot of other recreation amenities. Outside of sports, the park holds a threeacre lake, an amphitheater, skate park and disc golf course. It is also home to the Oren Dunn Museum

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and the Parks and Recreation Administrative Office.

Fishing The diversity and number of fishing spots in Northeast Mississippi make Tupelo a fisherman’s paradise. Some of the more popular spots include Enid Reservoir, Pickwick Lake, Lake Lamar Bruce, the TennesseeTombigbee Waterway, Trace State Park and Elvis Presley Lake. The region is known for its crappie, smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish and bream fishing.

Golf Lush greens and sculpted fairways await visitors to Tupelo’s various golf courses. The historic Bel Air public course offers nine holes, while members can enjoy the 72-par Tupelo Country Club course, ranked as one of the best tracks in Mississippi. The challenging Natchez Trace and Bermuda-grass Big Oaks 18-hole public courses can be found in nearby Saltillo. – Kevin Litwin

Staff Photo

Jeff Adkins

Brian M c Cord

Clockwise from top left: A woman plays tennis at the Tupelo Country Club; A man enjoys a round of golf at the Tupelo Country Club; Shore fishing is popular at Elvis Presley Lake.

l i va b i l i t y. c o m / t u p e l o

Education

Class Is in Session Tupelo schools earn high marks, help students succeed

upelo residents enjoy a top-notch school district, as well as institutions of higher education that help create a community of lifelong learners.

Tupelo Public School District In 2012, the Tupelo Public School District welcomed a new superintendent, Dr. Gearl Loden. Previously serving as the superintendent of the Amory School District in Monroe County, Loden was selected for the position by the Tupelo Public School District board of trustees. Loden says he plans to focus on maintaining and improving academics while fostering relationships within and between the schools and community. The district has earned a tangible list of accolades, attesting to its excellence in education. Seven of the Tupelo Public School Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schools have earned National Blue Ribbon School awards, and the districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ACT scores are above national average. Students are taught by the best, with approximately 100 National Board-Certified Teachers on staff. Administrators kick-started an initiative to reallocate money previously allocated to paper-based expenses toward the purchase of Apple MacBook laptop computers for students. The initiative, which debuted during the 2010-11 school year, guarantees that every student in the district from grades six through 12 has a laptop. The district also invests in the futures of its students with the Lee County/Marchbanks Helping Hand Tuition Guarantee Program, which ensures that high school graduates from Baldwyn, Mooreville, Nettleton, Shannon,

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PRIVATE DINING OUTDOOR DINING SPECIAL EVENTS

Saltillo and Tupelo will receive two full years of tuition-free assistance to Itawamba Community College.

University of Mississippi-Tupelo The University of MississippiTupelo offers a variety of undergraduate curriculums, in addition to a master’s degree in education and an online master’s degree in business administration. Student enrollment is on the rise, with approximately 800 students populating this branch campus. The Advanced Education Center, a spacious building that offers more than 80 courses each semester, is housed on the campus. The center caters to students who want to earn college credit while maintaining full-time employment or other commitments.

LUNCH Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. DINNER Mon.-Sat. 5:30 -10 p.m.

335 E. Main St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 842-5665

www.parkheightsrestaurant.com

ICC, Mississippi University for Women Two other educational facilities can be found on the University of Mississippi-Tupelo Advanced Education site. Itawamba Community College and the Mississippi University for Women further enhance Tupelo’s reputation for academic quality. ICC offers a low-cost, two-year education with strong scholarship and financial aid programs. Approximately 80 percent of students receive some sort of scholarship or financial aid. ICC’s curriculum includes more than 30 early-career programs. A branch of Mississippi University for Women provides students with the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the UM-Tupelo campus. – Julianna Edmonds

It’s ALL Right Here. at t h e i n t e r sec t ion of h igh ways 45 & 78

Barnes & noBle • Belk • Dick’s sporting g ooDs Jcp enney • sears

l i va b i l i t y. c o m / t u p e l o

Ad Index

61 AvonLea Assisted Living

6 B & B Concrete

2 BancorpSouth

4 Best Western Plus

43 Big Oaks Golf Club

10 Cooper Tires

58 Digestive Health Specialists

6 Dillard Enterprises Commercial Real Estate 4 Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association

21 BNA Bank

57 Busylad Rent-All

60 ENT Physicians

59 Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi

57 Garner Millwork & Cabinet

6 Cindy Black Realtor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Coldwell Banker Southern Real Estate

8 Community Development Foundation

61 Community Medical Supply

1 Hawkeye Industries Inc.

63 Heritage Obstetrics & Gynecology

C3 Hilton Garden Inn

14 Itawamba Community College

Ad Index (cont.)

11 Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau

46 JESCO Inc. Construction

35 Kellum Dental Clinic

45 La Quinta Inns & Suites

47 Tupelo Symphony Orchestra

63 Nephrology & Hypertension Associates LTD

61 Urology Associates & The Continence Center

29 Wal-Mart Supercenter

4 Nesco Electric

45 Norma Cother Crye-Leike Realtors

C4 North Mississippi Medical Center

58 OB-GYN Associates PA

71 Park Heights Restaurant

6 Philips Day-Brite

C2 Renasant Bank

60 Sanders Clinic for Women

72 The Gum Tree Festival

72 The Gum Tree Museum of Art

71 The Mall at Barnes Crossing

39 The McCarty Company

59 The Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clinic of Tupelo

9 Tommy Morgan Inc. Realtors

61 Traceway Retirement Community

43 TRI Inc. Realtors

29 Trustmark Bank

21 Tupelo Automobile Museum

community profile Snapshot Tupelo combines small-town charm with urban accessibility. The relatively low cost of living here makes the city attractive to newcomers. Tupelo has a thriving arts and cultural community and is home to a symphony and ballet. The city’s proximity to professional sporting events and major universities adds to its appeal.

cost of living

$45,372 Median Household Income

Climate

91° July High Temperature

31° January Low Temperature

56” Annual Rain Fall (vs. National Average Annual Rain Fall of 37”)

time zone

Median Rent for a Two-bedroom Apartment

52% Married

48% Single

Ethnicity:

Household Information Age:

37 Median Resident Age

30%

66% White

30% Black

2% Hispanic

19 and Under

Central

45%

Other

land area

20-54

transportation

51.1

25%

15 minutes

Square Miles

55 and Over

Median Travel Time to Work

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$588

Marital Status:

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Everything. Right where you need it.® Also Featuring:

363 E. Main St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 718-5500 Tel (662) 718-5550 Fax www.tupelo.hgi.com

Located in the heart of historic downtown Tupelo, The Hilton Garden Inn is the first choice for comfortable accommodations, memorable meals and successful events. Hotel Facilities

Guest Room Features

Full-service Great American Grill® restaurant

Microwave, mini-refrigerator

Indoor pool and whirlpool

Large work desk with Herman Miller Mirra® ergonomic

24-hour fitness center and Stay Fit Kit® Complimentary newspaper

and coffee brewer desk chair Remote printing to the business center Phillips® 26” inch

Pavilion Pantry convenience market

HD flat-screen television

Fully equipped business center

compatible clock/radio

Complimentary HSIA throughout hotel Banquet and meeting space

Innovative MP3 Hairdryer, iron and ironing board Two telephones with voice mail and data ports