Best of Pontotoc 2020

C Section | Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Best of Pontotoc

2020

Business of the Year Man of the Year Woman of the Year

The Best Foods The Best Businesses The Best People

Sponsored By:

Selected By Our Readers Pontotoc Progress

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Business of the Year

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H&R Jewelry

Henry Montes and Rhonda Baskins offer “Best” jewelry as part of life in Pontotoc

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Story by GALEN HOLLEY

haring the happy moments in people’s lives is the most rewarding aspect of owning a jewelry store, according to Henry Montes and Rhonda Baskins, and that’s part of why they’re among the Best in Pontotoc.

Pontotoc Progress readers voted H&R Jewelry Business of the Year for 2020, and Montes and Baskins said it’s an honor.

“We’re extremely proud to be in Pontotoc, and we’ve come a long way much more quickly than we expected, thanks to the community,” said Montes, a native of Guatemala.

He and Baskins, who was born in Florence, Ala., watched their baby granddaughter, Isabella, crawl about in her playpen in the rear of the store. Isabella wore a guardian angel necklace and a handmade bracelet with the image of the quetzal bird, famous in Guatemalan mythology.

“She loves jewelry,” said Baskins, as she lifted the child, kissed her tiny hands, and adjusted her bracelet.

The showroom was resplendent with precious stones. One rack held Ole Miss and Mississippi State watches, big sellers, Montes said. The high-end jewelry was displayed in glass cases. A pair of silver earrings, each adorned with three diamond clusters, rested on black felt. The necklaces were hypnotic.

A tear-drop golden mounting cradled two smooth, white pearls. A carat-and-a-half emerald, mounted gracefully in yellow gold, hung on a white gold box-chain.

“That’s a Columbian emerald,” Baskins said. “They’re usually deeper green than other emeralds, like those from Brazil.”

Montes and Baskins opened H&R Jewelry in Pontotoc in 2017, on the corner of Hwy. 9 and Old Hwy. 6. Moving to the historic Downtown Square almost two years ago changed the dynamic of their business, and it suits them perfectly, they said.

“This is a special area, and we love being part of the community around the square,”

said Baskins.

Baskins started in the jewelry business when she was 18. She began in sales then progressed to management. She learned the business inside and out. Montes served in law-enforcement, and today runs Big D’s Bail Bonds.

Baskins always dreamed of owning her own jewelry store, and Montes continually encouraged her. When he stepped away from law-enforcement, Montes took classes in jewelry repair. Baskins’ expertise provided a solid foundation for the couple to make a go at starting their business.

“It hasn’t always been wine and roses, but we’ve been successful and happy, and we haven’t looked back,” Montes said.

H&R offers everything from $15-dollar trinkets to heirloom jewelry. Montes tapped the glass above an inexpensive yet pretty monogram necklace. Then, he unlocked the adjoining display case. He removed a glorious ring, featuring a one-carat, cathedral-cut diamond, mounted in 14-carat white gold, and surrounded by another carat and a half of smaller diamonds.

Baskins describes the finer points of jewelry like reciting poetry, so she handles sales.

Montes loves using his precise, diminutive tools, looking through his magnifier, and making repairs.

“Even if an item isn’t of great monetary value, its sentimental value maybe priceless,” Montes said. “I enjoy repairing pieces and seeing how much it means to people.”

Montes and Baskins said being included in Pontotoc’s “Best Of,” is deeply gratifying.

“We were shooting for best jewelry store, and we won Business of the Year,” Montes said, shaking his head and smiling.

“We’re not just selling things,” said Baskins. “We see ourselves as serving the community, our friends and neighbors. This is where we live. It’s us, our business, our home.”

Rhonda Baskins and Henry Montes in front of their business H&R Jewelry on Marion Street.

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Ricky Ferguson

Man of the Year

Serving in the background and loving his family

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Story by REGINA BUTLER

Ricky Ferguson with his family clockwise from left. Ferguson, daughter Shea Ferguson Mills with her husband Caleb Mills, son Jacob Ferguson and Ricky’s wife Lisa.

obody will ever know the lives that he has touched and that’s just fine with Ricky Ferguson because he enjoys working in the background and watching people enjoy the fruits of his labors.

In fact, he was shocked when he learned that he was awarded Pontotoc’s Man of the Year by the Pontotoc Progress readers.

“I’m not one that likes a lot of attention” said Pontotoc County’s Chancery Court Clerk. He smiled broadly. “I just get joy out of helping when others don’t know I’m helping.

I’m a fixer.”

He is quick to give the glory and accolades to others. “Nobody can accomplish anything without family, a team, or friends to support them,” said Ferguson. The people around me are more deserving than I am because they are the ones that help me to accomplish the things I do.”

The son of Hershell and Sue, Ferguson said his parents instilled in him atributes that he still uses today.

“One thing my dad stressed early on was to always find the good in folks, said Ferguson. “Don’t complain about people or what is going on around. Find a way to make it better or leave it alone.”

Ferguson recalled one day when he was a younger, complaining and complaining to his daddy. “My dad stopped me and told me to listen to Delaine Wilson and watch how he acted and follow him. I started paying attention to him and I realized he didn’t have anything bad to say about anyone.

He was always patient and kind. That made an impact on me for dad to point me to someone else in the community to follow.”

He smiled as he thought about his mom. “Mom always said remember if you going to be late to call and let us know.

It was okay if we were late, she just wanted to know.

“Mom and dad always wanted us to know they were there no matter what. No matter what we did, they didn’t want us

to be embarrassed if we slipped up but to let them know and we’d work it out. I feel that same way about my own kids.”

This attitude in life and about others has shaped his character today. As Pontotoc County Chancery Clerk he deals with the cross section of the population.

“People come in these doors every day and they are seeking help. Sometimes they are at the right place and sometimes they aren’t. We don’t just send them away, we try to find out where they need to be, whichever office it is, so they can get the help they need.”

Many people darken his doors and not a few people are in a bad way when they come to chancery court for their hearings.

“You quickly learn what you can do to help. People know they can share with me and I’m not going to judge them and I’ll do what I can do to help.”

And it is dealing with people’s lives that brings him heartache on some days. “When I text my children ‘I love you’ they know I’m dealing with something that reminds me how blessed I am. It affects how I do my job because I care about the family I’m dealing with because of the love and care I get from my own family.”

Looking back at his upbringing, Ferguson said his family always did things together, “and that carries over into my marriage. When I’m out, I’m with my wife, Lisa, and she is my support. That means a lot. It gives me the foundation I need to face each day.”

A member of West Heights Baptist Church he serves as a deacon, one of those little out of the way places where he can help those in need.

But you will find Ferguson front and center this December when he, along with Pontotoc’s Woman of the Year will serve as the grand marshalls for the Pontotoc City Christmas parade which should roll down Main Street December 7.

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Woman of the Year

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Patty Turk

Patty Turk shares love of life and plants with others

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er comfortable office reflects her childhood.

“That Christmas cactus over there is over 30 years old,” said Pontotoc’s Woman of the Year for 2020. When Patty Turk first learned she was selected by the readers of the Pontotoc Progress, she almost didn’t believe it.

“It took a minute to sink in,” she said. “I thought Angie Quarles [Progress Ad Sales Consultant] was pulling my leg when she called me and told me of the honor.”

This title gives Turk the privilege of being the grand marshall of the Pontotoc City Christmas Parade which should roll down Main Street on Monday, December 7.

The owner and operator of Patty Turk Properties, her face has become a familiar sight to folks in Pontotoc County. Her real estate agency is located on the corner of Main and Old Hwy. 15 in Ecru, a building that once was a Texaco station. She has turned it into a showplace of comfort for the clients that come to her when they want to buy or sell a home.

Turk’s life is much more than the business she owns.

She was born and raised in South Pontotoc. She and her husband, Shane, have a blended family that was created 13 years ago. “I had two children and he had one. We have two that are 22 years old and one that is 26.”

Daughters Arriann, Katie Ann and son Tanner are her biggest cheerleaders in life. She smiled thoughtfully then her face turned serious. “My kids are my saving grace. If I didn’t have them, only the Lord knows who I’d be and where I’d be.”

The daughter of Arrie Montgomery, she said she admires her dad. “The older I get what I admire the most is he believed in working hard. He believed it would pay off. He showed me that you would get out of it what you put into it. Not just work but life in general.”

And her mama, Donna Wilard, was the one who kept

Story by REGINA BUTLER everyone going in the right direction. “Mom kept everyone on track.” She chuckled.

“Mom would say ‘Patty Ann I raised you better than that!’” Her laughter rang out. “And now I find myself saying the same thing to my children.” She paused for a moment and smiled thoughtfully. “Mama is a God fearing, Jesus loving woman. She keeps all us cats herded and that takes a lot of patience.

“Proverbs says train up your children in the way they should go. That was instilled in me by mom at an early age and it has carried over to my children.”

Turk is also seeing her daughters pick up on the love of plants. Outside Turk’s real estate agency she grows plants that aren’t your normal fare for today’s women.

They are plants like our grandmother’s grew. “People will call me and say I haven’t seen an elephant ear in years, will you save me one when you divide them again.”

And like her grandmother before her, she will dig up said plant and save it for the person who asked for it because it is like spreading her grandmother’s love around.

“I think it’s pretty cool that a plant comes up every year and reminds me of her.

“And my daughters will go to the plant section now and ask me what plants grow best where in their yard.”

She smiled broadly. “It’s neat to pass that along to them.”

And while her days may be stressful and busy, “I feel like a grasshopper some days,” she said, then laughed.

“But I find that a positive attitude changes me and the people I am around.”

And someone with such a busy schedule finds her self “misplacing things all the time, like my coffee cup, car keys, …” she chuckled. “On my tombstone my epitaph should read ‘She was looking for something … (and she found it).’”

Patty Turk offers a relaxing welcome beside an old phone in her warm inviting office in Ecru.

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Best of Pontotoc

2020

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And the winners are...

Business of the Year

H&R Jewelry

Best Foods Best Baked Potato Spud’s Best Bakery Happy Day Café Best BBQ Blacksmith BBQ Best Overall Restaurant Sydnei’s Grill Best Biscuit Butcher Block Best Breakfast Butcher Block Best Buffet Seafood Junction Best Catfish Hwy 41 Fish and Steak House Best Chicken Sandwich Spud’s Best Coffee Happy Day Café Best Deli Happy Day Café Best Desserts Happy Day Café Best Fast Food Spud’s Food Truck Goku Japanese Express

Best Japanese Restaurant Goku Japanese Express Best Lunch Buffet Mi Pueblo Best Mexican Restaurant Mi Pueblo Best Milkshakes Sonic Drive-In Best Pizza Pizza Hut Best Ribs Blacksmith BBQ Best Salad Bar Sydnei’s Grill Best Sandwiches Happy Day Café Best Seafood Seafood Junction Best Slaw Hwy 41 Fish and Steak House Best Sno-Cone Snow Cream Corner Best Steaks Southern Brothers Best Sweet Tea Happy Day Café

Best Business Best AC/Heating Michael Gregory

Best Fried Chicken Spud’s

Best Antique Store Antiques Downtown

Best Hamburger Toccopola Grocery

Best Arts & Crafts Pure Bliss

Best Hushpuppies Hwy 41 Fish and Steak House

Best Auto Detailing Pinson Auto Detailing

Best Ice Cream Happy Day Café

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Best Auto Mechanic Jackie Tutor Tutor Auto Sales & Service

Man of the Year

Woman of the Year

Ricky Ferguson

Patty Turk

Best Customer Service Ultra Violet Boutique

Best Lawn Mower Dealer NAPA - Service Supply

Best Used Car Dealership Sunset Auto Sales

Best Day Care Circle of Friends

Best Lumber Store Peeples Building Material

Best Windshield Repair Pontotoc Auto Glass and Accessories

Best Discount Store Moore’s

Best Meat Market McCoy’s Grocery and Meat Market

Best Women’s Clothing Ultra Violet Boutique

Best Electronics Brad’s Electronics, Inc.

Best Medical Clinic Lindsay Clinic, PA

Best Wrecker Service Johnson’s Wrecker Service

Best Fabric Store Needleart Fabrics and More

Best Men’s Clothing Moore’s

Best People

Best Farm Equipment Moore’s

Most Improved Business Ultra Violet Boutique

Best Feed & Farm Supply Moore’s

Best Nursing Home Sunshine Health Care, Inc.

Best Finance/Loan Company People’s Finance

Best Oil Change Young’s Tire Store

Best Financial Institution First Choice Bank

Best Paint Store True Value Hardware Store

Best Building Supply Peeples Building Material

Best Florist Flowers and Gifts of Pontotoc

by Redele

Best Pawn Shop Chunn’s Pawn Shop

Best Catering Sydnei’s Grill

Best Funeral Home Tutor Memorial Funeral Home

Best Children’s Clothing The Carousel

Best Furniture Manufacturer Southern Motion

Best Chiropractor Dr. Mark Romano Dr. Mark J. Romano DC Family Chiropractic

Best Furniture Store Roger’s Furniture

Best Auto Parts Advance Auto Parts Best Baby Gift Shop Ultra Violet Boutique Best Bedding Store Wal-Mart Best Birthday Gift Shop Ultra Violet Boutique Best Body Shop Southern Garage Body & Paint Best Boutique Ultra Violet Boutique Best Bridal Gift Shop Ultra Violet Boutique Best Bridal Registry City Mercantile

Best Clothing Alterations Needleart Fabrics and More Best Consignment/Thrift Shop CK Walls/ Trend To Pretend Best Convenience Store Prater’s Grocery Best Cosmetics Merle Norman at Legacy

Best Gas Station Prater’s Grocery Best Garden Center Rustic Woods Garden and Gifts Best Grocery Piggly Wiggly Best Gym/Fitness Center The Slaughterhouse Gym Best Hair Salon Southern Shears Best Health Food Store Whole Family Nutrition Best Home Decor Ultra Violet Boutique Best Hotel American Inn

Best Pest Control Tri-County Pest Control Best Pet Grooming Pampered Pooch of Pontotoc Best Pharmacy Montgomery Drugs Best Plumbing Store Peeples Plumbing and Electrical Best Printing Company Image Screen Printing Best Produce Market Basket Best Real Estate Agency Patty Turk Properties, LLC Best Rental Company Event Rentals Best Screen Printer Image Screen Printing Best Shoe Dealer Ultra Violet Boutique Best Swimming Pool Sales/Supplies The Pool Specialist

Best Industrial Company Southern Motion

Best Tanning Salon The Experience Tanning and Boutique

Best Insurance Agency Farm Bureau

Best Tax Preparation Stegall & Associates PLLC

Best Jewelry Store H&R Jewelry

Best Tire Dealer Young’s Tire Store

Best Landscape Company Teresa Baldwin

Best Transmission Repair Tutor’s Auto Sales & Service.

Best Bank Teller Amanda Russell Renasant Bank

Best Boss Leo Mask Pontotoc Sheriff’s Department Best Bus Driver Bro. Pete Gregory South Pontotoc Schools Best Coach Helen Bowen South Pontotoc High School Best Fire Fighter Adam Patton Thaxton Fire Department Best Grocery Sacker Justin Woods McCoy’s Grocery & Meat Market Best Hair Stylist Monica Chew Best Insurance Agent Tud Pitman Farm Bureau Best Law Enforcement Captain Mark Baldwin Pontotoc Police Department Best Loan Officer Crystal Wood People’s Finance Best Nail Technician Malissa Baskins The Polish Bar Best Photographer Daynalee Ferguson Daynalee Faith Photography Best Plumber and Electrician Jason Tremble Best Real Estate Agent Patty Turk Patty Turk Properties, LLC & Dennis Cox Tommy Morgan, Inc., Realtors Best School Teacher Cynthia Chambers South Pontotoc Middle School Best Secretary Kay Davis Pontotoc County Jail

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