Best of Pontotoc 2021 Man of the Year Woman of the Year Business of the Year The Best Foods The Best Businesses The Best People
SELECTED BY OUR READERS
Pontotoc Progress
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PONTOTOC PROGRESS STAFF Associate Publisher/ General Manager Lisa Bryant Managing Editor David Helms Staff Reporter Regina Butler Sports Editor Galen Holley Graphic Designer Chelsea Williams Advertising Consultant Angie Quarles Office Manager Tonya Criddle
Pontotoc
Progress 13 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 210 Pontotoc, MS 38863 Phone: (662) 489-3511 Fax: (662) 489-1369 pontotoc-progress.com 4 | Best of Pontotoc 2021
Table of Content 10 Man Of The Year 16 Woman Of The Year
22 Business Of The Year 26 And The Winners Are
Advertisers American Inn..............................................7 Anderson Chiropractic Clinic....................32 Antiques Downtown...................................7 Aunt Kimmie’s Front Porch Sitting...........41 Bank of Pontotoc......................................31 Baps BBQ & Catering..................................2 City Mercantile...........................................8 CK Walls/Trend to Pretend........................21 Coco Cabana Hair & Tanning.....................32 Dennis Cox - TM Realtors..........................34 Ecru Garden Center...................................18 Farm Bureau Insurance.............................25 First Choice Bank......................................44 Flowers & Gifts of Pontotoc by Redele........14 Goku Japanese Express.............................14 H&R Jewelry.............................................18 Happy Day Café...................................7 & 18 Henry Payne - Alfa Insurance...................39 Hwy 41 Fish & Steak..................................25 Image Screen Printing...............................21 Jeffus Family Dental..................................20 Johnson’s Wrecker Service........................38 Josie’s Beauty Studio.................................29 Lifted Nutrition.........................................35 Lindsay Clinic, PA.....................................36 Lulu’s Delta Steak House..........................21 Market Basket...........................................42 McCoy’s Meat Market...............................12 Mi Pueblo.................................................41 Montgomery Drugs...................................43 Moore’s...................................................34 Needleart Fabrics & More.........................14
Pampered Pooch Pet Grooming................18 Patty Turk Properties...................................3 Peeples..........................................40 Pickens Pest Control.................................39 Piggly Wiggly............................................33 Pillar of Fire.............................................13 Pinson Detailing Shop..............................30 Pontotoc Animal Clinic.............................35 Pontotoc Auto Glass.................................14 Pontotoc Shell Express..............................19 Pool Specialist..........................................30 Pure Bliss Gifts & Boutique......................12 Rogers Furniture.......................................38 Seafood Junction......................................37 Service Supply - NAPA...............................7 Snow Cream Corner.................................37 Southern Garage Body & Paint..................15 Stegall & Associates....................................9 Sunshine Health Care.................................6 The Butcher Block....................................32 The Learning Tree..............................15 & 32 The Polish Bar...........................................25 The Rack....................................................9 The Slaughterhouse Gym..........................41 Trent’s Portrait Design...............................12 True Value................................................31 Tutor’s Auto Service.................................12 Tutor Memorial Funeral Home...................24 Wade - John Deere......................................5 Windham Transmission.............................30 Wood Eye Clinic......................................30 Young’s Tire Store.....................................24
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Man Of The Year
DENNIS COX
Dennis Cox, loves his Lord, his family and his community
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BY | REGINA BUTLER
pend a few moments with Pontotoc’s Man of the Year and it doesn’t take long to figure out that he loves God, his family (especially his grandson, Knox) and his community. Dennis Cox was chosen by the readers of the Pontotoc Progress for this honor. He couldn’t believe it when he was told. “I thought Angie was joking when she called me and told me,” he said. “But when she said she was serious, I was humbled that people would give me this honor.” Cox is the son of Larry and Dianne Cox. He was born and raised in Pontotoc and graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1984. He is married to Melanie [Austin] Cox. “My wife is the daughter of the late Billy Austin who worked at the Pontotoc Hospital for many years,” he said. “We have been blessed with two beautiful daughters. Kaitlyn is married to Forrest Williams and they have a two-year-old son, Knox. Karis is getting her Masters Degree at Mississippi State.” He grinned broadly as he reflected on the blessings of the Lord in his life, “other than being a Christian my greatest joy would have to be my family. I also love my home town where you know everyone.” And serving his hometown is something he learned at a very early age. “I grew up serving the public,” he said. “My daddy had Larry’s Quick Stop there on the corner of Oxford and Main and I was the little short kid checking everyone out when they came to the store.” He paused and smiled thoughtfully. “My dad always said ‘Be nice to everyone. They pay your bills.’”
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Cox said that his mom and dad lived what they believed. “I know right from wrong because of how they lived.” When Cox likes to relax you will find him in the woods or on the lake bank fishing for the big one. His eyes twinkled. “I like to hunt elk out west,” he said. And his prowess is evidenced through photographs of the big one he has brought down. “I also like to hunt doves and deer.” But what he really loves to do is spend time with his children. “When my girls were in high school I told them to bring their friends to our house. I’d get out and grill and we would spend time together. My most important mission with them was to teach them to be ethical with Christian values.” And before they started pursuing careers of their own, Cox said he advised them to “enjoy what you do;” and to also live the life of Jesus in front of others. If you have that in line, then everything else falls into place.” He carries his ethics and doing the right thing to others throughout his walk in life, especially at work. Cox said that he loves his job as a TM (Tommy Morgan) real estate agent, “If I’m selling a house, I won’t just sell any house to a person. I don’t want them to buy the wrong house. If a couple is looking, I tell them to be patient until the right house comes up. A home is the biggest investment you make not only of money but of time, energy and talent. It’s where you come to get away from the world.” Before he was a realtor he worked in the construction business for some 20 years. “My background in construction has given me the knowledge to assist people in their search for a home,” Cox pointed out. The expertise he has allows him to “help people see construction problems or potential issues that gives my clients confident that I want to find them a good home, not just sell them a house.” He laughed heartily. “I love meeting people. I enjoy being around them, and especially the kids.” A member of Buckhorn Church of Christ, Cox said that people should heed what the word of God says. “God never changes. His word never changes. We may try to change it, but that doesn’t work. His word is a constant that we can rely upon every day.” Since Dennis Cox has been chosen as man of the year, he also has another special honor connected with this title. He gets to lead the Pontotoc City Christmas Parade as the Grand Marshall of the parade this December. Best of Pontotoc 2021
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Woman Of The Year
MELISSA CHAVERS
Big Mama loves her new title BY | REGINA BUTLER
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
I
Scott and Melissa Chavers between their dogs Hank and Hank. Chavers said they had one for 13 years then when they got the other he was already named Hank.
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t never gets old. Although she has been in the kid care business for eight years, she still loves all her 140 something grandkids that call her Big Mama. You see, Melissa Moss Chavers was content with her life as a nurse in California. Yes. I said California, you know, that state that is as far west as you can go before jumping off into the Pacific Ocean. Growing up in Pontotoc, her nursing career took her to that big state and she spent quite a number of years there before small voices brought her back to these hills, the small voices of her grandkids, the originals who call her Big Mama. Her daughter, Dallas, encouraged her to buy this daycare that was for sale so she found herself owning the Learning Tree Academy and in charge of 70 or so children. But that quickly mushroomed into more than 140 over a short period of time because of the love and care she insists on from herself and her staff. “I don’t think I could have done this as a young person,” Melissa said, “but as a grandmother, this is perfect. Working in the nursing field I saw that people didn’t have a lot of food to eat or someone to take care of them, and I am determined that that won’t be said about the children here.” Her parents, Harrell and Lovell Moss, had the greatest influence on her life, that still resonates in her character today.
Enjoying time at the lake are from left- Hallie Grace Clark, Jack Clark and Ross Clark.
“Mama said ‘Don’t judge people.’ She grew up poor. She said for me to let people’s character come through. ‘Be good to everybody no matter what they say or think,’ was something else she always said.” Melissa said that her mama was a meek and mild person “and she always thought the things I did was funny.” She smiled broadly. But Melissa probably wouldn’t have known the joy of cooking if it wasn’t for her grandmother, Dovie Black. “She let me cook what I wanted and however I wanted. If I wanted to put green food coloring in something she let me. The first thing I learned how to cook was cornbread.” Today that cooking art is coming in handy with so many mouths to feed, but it has its rewards that go beyond the walls of her day care center. “I never walk into War-Mart and not hear ‘Big Mama’ from across the store somewhere. It’s like having a whole bunch of grandchildren.” And perhaps they love her so much because they know she loves them, and is teaching them how to love back. “Common courtesy and kindness is as important as the curriculum. Because they need to know how to be respectful.” When she is not making sure 140 something children are learning and eating Melisa enjoys spending time watching SEC Football with her husband, Scott Chavers, who is from Washington, D.C. “He is in the military and plans on retiring in three years. Since the Covid, he has been here working on his computer and helping me out. It has been great. He asked if he can get a job here when he retires.” She laughed out loud. But how does she get through her days? “I am a fixer,” she admitted. “I think I need to fix everything in life. You do get so busy and sometimes you have to stop and get before God and Be still and know that He is God and trust that he is going to take care of it. I have to look to Him and say this is something I can’t fix and You are in charge.” Melissa realizes that one day she will no longer walk on this earth, “But when I die I want these kids to say ‘Oh! I loved Big Mama! She was so good to us!’”
Grand children from left are Jack Thomas Chavers and Cayson Chavers.
Grand daughter Lyza Kate Freeman, daughter Dallas Freeman, grand son Hampton Freeman enjoy a moment with Big Mama Melissa Chavers.
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Business Of The Year
THE LEARNING TREE W
BY | REGINA BUTLER
hen Melissa Chavers, owner and operator of the Learning Tree Children’s Academy learned that her business was voted Business of the Year, “I was shocked, but thankful. I’m glad people feel that way. I’m grateful they think we work hard to help them.” Chavers has been in charge of her second home since 2013 and it didn’t take long for the public to put their trust in her day care capabilities. The Learning Tree Children’s Academy offers full time child care and after school for children from birth to 10 years old. And since she took the helm it has undergone renovations and additions to the site to accommodate more children and keep the environment immediately around them safe and secure. “I am very picky about who is with my children,” she said and grinned broadly. “And I am also particular about who comes on the premises by making sure every child is as safe and secure as I can manage it, which is why I have cameras and a security system.” She said her greatest challenge is keeping good people that meet her standards. “In my baby room I have a mother and a grandmother working together. It makes it like family.” Chavers was also voted woman of the year, but she said she was more proud of having the business of the year, because she has worked so hard to make it become something that people in the community would be glad to send their children to every day. “When we first bought this, I was concerned about it being in a neighborhood, but now I like it. We have people who look after us and let us know if they see anything going on here that shouldn’t.” And what has surprised her the most is how the community has come together to love and support her business. “The whole community has wrapped their arms around this and whatever we have needed they have been here to help. It means a lot to me. I moved here from California and you just don’t get this sense of community.” And that includes those people who are here for safety and security. “The police. Let me tell you when I say they take care of us. They do. If we call they are right here to help us take care of these babies. They are wonderful! They regularly patrol and let us know they are keeping an eye on us,” she exuded. “If the electricity goes out or a problem comes up with the water those folks are right here to clear up the problem as well.”
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She said she also appreciates the interaction with the fire department. “They will come and bring their truck and talk to the kids about fires and how to prevent them. They are great.” Chavers said her special joy is she has the freedom to do things for people since the business is hers. “I especially like to help foster moms when I can.” And speaking of the business being a family affair, her daughter, Dallas, now works for her. “She does all the computer work and keeping the books, which leaves me free to go back and rock the babies.” She smiled sweetly. “It also allows me to get hands on with cooking and other things in the building. I can do the fun stuff, that’s where my heart is. I’d rather be rocking a baby than pushing a pencil.” She glanced out her office window to the room across the hall where all the babies are kept. “That infant room is my happy place.” “These children become my family and I get attached. I love the flexibility of it. We are a Christian School. We say the blessing before eating our meals. They have Bible time and we teach them about God and what’s important in life. They learn stuff that will stay with them for a life time.” She smiled thoughtfully. “You will be amazed at how much they are little sponges. They soak up a lot. The children that are ages two to five can learn a whole lot more than you can imagine. And they love structure.” There are 30 people on staff that help keep children fed, taught and loved on throughout the day. “My morning starts at 6:30 or 7:30 and SOMETIMES I can go home at 4:30 and then some days it is 7:30. There are many things to do such as getting the scheduling done for the employee’s work hours, filling out orders for food delivery, and talking with parents who have concerns.” It is her personal touch that keeps parents clamoring to get their children in the academy. “My waiting list is long,” she noted. “But I keep my capacity limited so I can give quality care.” And speaking of those people she relies on to keep her place going, Chavers said she couldn’t do it without them. “I have three ladies that have been with me from the beginning. I never have to worry about opening or if the meals will be cooked or if the garbage will be carried out. They take ownership as much as me and my husband, Scott, do; and that makes all the difference in the world to us.” And she is broadening the horizons of her students. “We are going to start gardening. I want to teach them how to raise crops. Children don’t have the same family system we did growing up, where the grandmother and granddaddy were at home and the mom was in the home and a garden had to be raised to feed the family throughout the winter.” And through it all, she hopes that the little seeds of learning she drops into the soil of their hearts will grow and teach them to be responsible students and adults. “My favorite verse lately is Proverbs 22:6 ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.’ I just pray that when they do grow up, somewhere along the way what they learned will come back to them and carry them through life’s joys and heartaches.” Best of Pontotoc 2021
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And The Winners Are... Man of the Year
Woman of the Year
MELISSA CHAVERS
THE LEARNING TREE
BEST FOODS
Best Desserts Happy Day Café
Best Nutritional Drink Lifted Nutrition
Best Fast Food Jack’s
Best Pizza Pillar of Fire
Food Truck Goku Japanese Express
Best Ribs Baps BBQ & Catering
Best Fried Chicken Spud’s
Best Salad Bar Seafood Junction
Best Hamburger Baps BBQ & Catering
Best Sandwiches The Butcher Block
Best Hushpuppies Hwy 41 Fish and Steak House
Best Seafood Seafood Junction
Best Ice Cream Sonic Drive-In
Best Slaw Hwy 41 Fish and Steak House
Best Japanese Restaurant Goku Japanese Express
Best Snow-Cone Snow Cream Corner
Best Lunch Buffet The Grill House on Main
Best Steaks Lulu’s Delta Steak House
Best Mexican Restaurant Mi Pueblo
Best Sweet Tea The Butcher Block
DENNIS COX
Best Baked Potato Spud’s Best Bakery Happy Day Café Best BBQ Baps BBQ & Catering Best Overall Restaurant Aunt Kimmie’s Front Porch Best Biscuit The Butcher Block Best Breakfast The Butcher Block Best Catfish Hwy 41 Fish and Steak House Best Chicken Sandwich Spud’s Best Coffee Happy Day Café Best Deli The Tin Nickel
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Business of the Year
BEST BUSINESSES Best AC/Heating Gregory Heating Cooling Best Animal Clinic Pontotoc Animal Clinic Best Antique Store Antiques Downtown Best Arts & Crafts Needleart Fabrics and More Best Auto Detailing Pinson Auto Detailing Best Auto Mechanic Craig Tutor Tutor Auto Sales & Service Best Auto Parts Advance Auto Parts Best Baby Gift Shop The Carousel Best Bank First Choice Bank Best Bedding Store Wal-Mart Best Birthday Gift Shop Pure Bliss Best Body Shop Southern Garage Body & Paint Best Boutique The Rack
Best Bridal Gift Shop City Mercantile
Best Discount Store Dollar Tree
Best Bridal Registry City Mercantile
Best Electronics Wal-Mart
Best Building Supply Peeples Building Material
Best Eye Clinic Wood Eye Clinic
Best Catering Baps BBQ & Catering
Best Fabric Store Needleart Fabrics and More
Best Children’s Clothing The Carousel
Best Farm Equipment Wade - John Deere
Best Chiropractor Dr. William D. Anderson, D.C. Anderson Chiropractic
Best Feed & Farm Supply Reeder’s Farm Supply
Best Clothing Alterations Needleart Fabrics and More
Best Finance/Loan Company First Choice Bank
Best Consignment/Thrift Shop CK Walls/ Trend To Pretend
Best Florist Flowers and Gifts of Pontotoc by Redele
Best Convenience Store Pontotoc Shell Express
Best Funeral Home Tutor Memorial Funeral Home
Best Cosmetics Merle Norman at Legacy
Best Furniture Manufacturer Southern Motion
Best Customer Service Peeples Plumbing & Electrical
Best Furniture Store Rogers Furniture
Best Day Care The Learning Tree
Best Garden Center Ecru Garden Center
Best Dental Clinic Jeffus Family Dental
Best Gas Station The Tin Nickel
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Best Grocery Piggly Wiggly
Best Men’s Clothing Moore’s
Best Rental Company Event Rentals
Best Gym/Fitness Center The Slaughterhouse Gym
Most Improved Business City Mercantile
Best Screen Printer Image Screen Printing
Best Hair Salon Lux Salon & Spa
Best Nursing Home Sunshine Health Care, Inc.
Best Shoe Dealer Moore’s
Best Health Food Store Whole Family Nutrition
Best Oil Change Young’s Tire Store
Best Swimming Pool Sales/Supplies The Pool Specialist
Best Home Decor City Mercantile
Best Paint Store True Value Hardware Store
Best Hotel American Inn
Best Pawn Shop Chunn’s Pawn Shop
Best Industrial Company Pontotoc Springs
Best Pest Control Pickens Pest Control
Best Insurance Agency Farm Bureau
Best Pet Grooming Pampered Pooch of Pontotoc
Best Jewelry Store H&R Jewelry
Best Pharmacy Montgomery Drugs
Best Landscape Company Teresa’s Yard Work
Best Plumbing Store Peeples Plumbing and Electrical
Best Lawn Mower Dealer NAPA - Service Supply
Best Printing Company Image Screen Printing
Best Meat Market McCoy’s Grocery and Meat Market
Best Produce Market Basket
Best Medical Clinic Lindsay Clinic, PA
Best Real Estate Agency Patty Turk Properties, LLC
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Best Tanning Salon Coco Cabana Hair & Tanning Best Tax Preparation Stegall & Associates PLLC Best Tire Dealer Young’s Tire Store Best Transmission Repair Windham Transmission, Inc. Best Used Car Dealership Sunset Auto Sales Best Windshield Repair Pontotoc Auto Glass & Accessories Best Women’s Clothing The Rack Best Wrecker Service Johnson’s Wrecker Service
BEST PEOPLE Best Bank Teller Suzanne Harlow Bank of Pontotoc Best Boss Melissa Chavers The Learning Tree Best Bus Driver Helen Bowen South Pontotoc Schools Best Coach Mike Bain Pontotoc City High School Best Fire Fighter Jeremy Maxey Pontotoc Fire Department Best Grocery Sacker Drew Cunningham Piggly Wiggly
Best Hair Stylist Josie Griffin
Best Photographer Trent Baker Trent’s Portrait Design
Best Insurance Agent Henry Payne Alpha Insurance
Best Plumber and Electrician Jason Stepp
Best Investment Advisor Justin Price Woodmen Life
Best Principal Dustin Payne Pontotoc City High School
Best Law Enforcement Captain Mark Baldwin Pontotoc Police Department
Best Real Estate Agent Dennis Cox Tommy Morgan, Inc., Realtors
Best Loan Officer Grant Reynolds Bank of Pontotoc
Best School Teacher Penny Spears Pontotoc Elementary School
Best Nail Technician Malissa Baskins The Polish Bar
Best Secretary Jennifer Mansfield Pontotoc City School District Central Office
Congratulations To All The Winners!
Best of Pontotoc
2021
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