New Albany Magazine 2019

New Albany magazine 2019

Magnolia Civic Center: 20 years of community excellence WOMEN OF UNION COUNTY l TASTY TREATS l HIGHLAND REMODEL l LOOKING BACK New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 1

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New Albany magazine

Volume 9, Issue 1

Inside 9 Profiles Women of Union County

We pay tribute to five local women and their contributions to the community,

By Josh Mitchell, J. Lynn West

and David Johnson

20 Cover Story Magnolia Civic Center is 20 We take a look at the past and the future of this historic center of culture.

By Gazette Staff

40 Food Tasty Holiday Treats

We offer some recipies for yummy desserts to help prepare for Christmas.

We take a short trip to a city filled with history.

By Josh Mitchell

58 SCENE Who’s who at area events

38 At Home Highland Remodel

We have 21 pages of photographs highlighting New Albany social events.

By Josh Mitchell and David Johnson

Local family rebuilds 1910 house from the ground up.

By Josh Mitchell

56 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

28 Hobbies

34 DAY TRIP Holly Springs

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57 LOCAL GROUPS

l

80 LOOKING BACK

New Albany magazine

From the publisher

In our cover story this issue, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Magnolia Civic Center and its impact on arts and culture in Union County.

We also profile five women from Union County who have a tremendous and positive impact on the community at large.

Also we take a look at a historic home that has been saved and restored by a local family.

We also offer some recipes for the Christmas holidays that will melt in your mouth.

There are pages filled with folks attending multiple events throughout the year and we offer suggestions for a day trip with attractions you may not have known of.

As always, we have included a calendar of events and list of the clubs and organizations in this great community.

Associate Publisher LISA BRYANT General Manager/Editor JOSH MITCHELL Senior Reporter J. LYNN WEST Reporter DAVID JOHNSON Contributing Writers JOSH MITCHELL DAVID JOHNSON J. LYNN WEST Graphic Artist SONNY HARRISON Office Manager BRENDA LEGGETT

Advertising JUSTINE STEWART DENNIS CLAYTON Contributing Photographers JOSH MITCHELL J. LYNN WEST DAVID JOHNSON CALLIE DANIELS BRYANT

Published by

New Albany Gazette To Build Community and Improve the Quality of Life in Union County

130 West Bankhead St. New Albany, Mississippi 38652 662-534-6321 newalbanygazette.com A Journal Publishing Company product

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PROFILES

Women of Union County

Story and photos by Josh Mitchell, J. Lynn West and David Johnson For New Albany Magazine

W

e pay tribute to five women from different walks of life who serve the community and have a positive impact on residents of the county every day.

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 9

Women of Union County

Marlee

Camp Marlee Camp is a big believer in having a positive attitude and being kind to others.

As the owner of Frontier Chiropractic in New Albany, she enjoys putting smiles on people’s faces. It is rewarding when patients regain their quality of life and get out of pain, she said.

Some people may just want to hit a golf ball again, ride a horse or hold a grandchild.

“There’s nothing like pain to bring somebody down,” Camp said. “If we can restore that happiness in life into them that’s my ultimate goal.”

Camp said it is important for her to be an encouraging person who leaves people with a smile.

She grew up in a rural area outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her dad was a coal miner and mom an accountant.

“Without my parents I don’t think I would be half of what I am today,” Camp said.

She was raised in the country and was always an athlete growing up. She learned the value of hard work from her loving and supportive parents and was the youngest of three children.

“Working hard does not scare me,” she said. “Sweat does not scare me.”

Her husband, Chris, said, “She gets out there and drives a tractor. She does it all.”

Camp said she and her husband are

“go-getters” who are “willing to get the work done.”

Chris agreed, saying, “We don’t have this ‘I-can’t-do-it attitude.’ We think we can do it.”

They have a farm with cattle and chickens, and Camp loves to ride horses as well. Their two children, Maddie, 9, and Tyler 12, show cattle in Tennessee and Mississippi.

“We stay on the go,” Camp said.

Faith and family are of utmost importance to Camp. She loves cooking for the family and said, “We sit down and have a family meal.”

Camp came South when she got a track and field scholarship to Ole Miss where she was a javelin thrower and held the university record for 11 years. She loved Ole Miss and said Oxford is a “very special place” where she made lifelong friends.

She graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in health and exercise science and then went to New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls where she earned her doctorate. She also has her animal chiropractic certification.

During her time at Ole Miss, Camp fell in love with the South so she returned to the region after completing school in New York. She first worked for a practice in Jackson, Tenn. and then came to New Albany four years ago. She opened her own practice a year ago, and it has been a huge success.

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She loves the people in the South, saying, “Everybody is so polite.”

The atmosphere in New Albany is “charming and appealing.” She wanted to open her practice in a place where people are kind and care for one another like New Albany.

Having had three knee surgeries, Camp knows how to overcome adversity. Going through three surgeries was a “definite struggle,” and Camp is very grateful for the help she received from her husband.

“He really took care of everything full circle where I could just focus on my recovery,” she said.

Now she is back to “full steam.”

Battling her own injuries has helped her when it comes to treating patients.

She provides customized care and said one person’s spine is not the same as another person’s.

“Here I’m able to treat the individual as a person not a number,” she noted.

“First and foremost I’m here to take care of my patients.”

Owning a business has always been a dream, and her husband motivated her to open the clinic.

“My husband encourages me every day . . .,” she said.

The New Albany community has a lot to offer and has been very supportive of her business, Camp said.

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Women of Union County

Brittany

martinez-clark Nurse practitioner Brittany MartinezClark says nothing is impossible if you work for it.

She is the owner of the Family Clinic of New Albany and is unafraid of a challenge. She and her husband, Trent, bought the clinic eight months after their son, Tristan, was born.

The staff takes time with the patients and truly cares about their well being, Martinez-Clark noted. She said a good health care provider has compassion for patients, and the clinic sees 8,000 to 9,000 patients a year.

“We’ve grown so much,” she said.

The clinic, which underwent a complete remodel, is a homey and warm atmosphere and features themed exam rooms such as an Elvis room. There is also a red, white and blue veterans room.

“If I know they’re a veteran I put them in there because I want them to know we appreciate their service,” Martinez-Clark said, adding that “little things like that” can make a difference for a person.

Managing a clinic with 18 employees is a big responsibility, and she said the good Lord above helps her carry the load.

Her heart is in patient care, and she said people want someone who is going to listen to them and not just put a Band-Aid over a symptom.

For instance, a child complaining about a bellyache may actually be dealing with bullying at school, she said.

That opens the door for Martinez-Clark to talk to school counselors and build programs on bullying.

Martinez-Clark said it is important for her to make a difference in people’s lives, which is why she gets to know her patients. One family has six generations that come to the clinic.

Her clinic is very active in helping out the community through events such as school supply drives, Santa Claus Christmas lists, Angel tree, coat drives and canned food collection.

“I feel like I’ve been blessed, so I like to give back,” she said.

Martinez-Clark has faced struggles in her life and overcome them. She recently had a double mastectomy and uses her story to talk to patients about getting mammograms.

She thinks God puts people through certain struggles to help others.

Martinez-Clark has the genetic condition that causes breast and ovarian cancer. Without the operation, there could have been an 80 to 90 percent chance that she would be dealing with breast cancer in the next 10 years.

She did not want her 2-year-old to watch her go through that.

“I’ve got too much to do to deal with that,” she said.

She said she just wants to be the best mom and wife she can be for her family and also motivate her patients.

Martinez-Clark says she gets her

undaunted spirit from her parents.

“They’re both just awesome people,” she said. “They’re the hardest working people I’ve ever met in my life.”

She comes from a supportive family and has six younger brothers.

During her spare time, Martinez-Clark enjoys antique shopping because she likes the “stories behind the stuff.”

A book in her office was copyrighted in 1890 and is called “How to Write Clearly.” That book probably educated many people, she said.

Some antiques have played major roles in the lives of people over the years, she noted.

“It’s not just an item,” she said, adding that antiques hold special memories.

A good leader leads by example, she said. That could include taking out the garbage, sweeping the floor and answering the phones.

She also wants to keep up her knowledge base so she can answer questions others may have. Being open and letting others know they can talk to her about problems is important, she added.

Letting others lead if they know a better way to do something is also a good idea, she said.

A Christian, Martinez-Clark loves people, and helping others is what drives her. She said the clinic is like a family.

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 13

Women of Union County

Tracie

Coffey Tracie Coffey understands the importance of hard work.

As the manager of several businesses, including R&B Furniture in New Albany, working hard comes with the territory.

Coffey manages several businesses for the Culver family, which also owns HMC Sales, Haley’s Home Furnishings and other properties.

“I love my job 100 percent,” said Coffey, a Union County native. “I’ve been doing it for 18 years.”

A good day at work may include visits from repeat, loving customers, she said.

Coffey is grateful for many things, mostly for her salvation. Without her salvation from the Lord, there would be no reason to go forward in life, she noted.

She is also grateful for the opportunity the Culver family gave her and for the trust they put in her to run the businesses.

Moreover, she is thankful for loyal customers and hardworking employees.

“No job is easy if you’re doing it the right way,” Coffey said.

She loves living in the New Albany and Union County area, saying, “It’s home. We are very blessed in our area.

I would never want to leave this part of the country. We’ve got a town that’s growing.”

There are many customers who have done business with the Culver family for many years, Coffey noted. She enjoys seeing the customers, praying with them and helping them with their home needs.

Other than furniture, the businesses sell appliances, lawn and garden

supplies, outdoor buildings, utility trailers, storm shelters, bedding and other merchandise. Coffey said the businesses try to offer anything people would want or need for their homes.

As the manager, she takes care of many behind-the-scenes issues, including ordering, purchasing, delivering and scheduling.

Being a good manager requires lots of patience and prayers, and it is also important to listen, Coffey said.

She has learned a lot from the Culver family in terms of how to run a business, and she and her husband, Trent, also have a their own trucking company.

Coffey said she also benefited from having “amazing” parents who instilled in her honesty and faith in God. She was taught that everything had to be done to God’s liking.

Now Coffey and her husband, who have been married for 15 years, have three children, Mason, 8, Cole, 10, and Lydia, 12.

Her children are like her and also love to work and they are rewarded for that.

The children know that in order to have things in life people must work. They understand that works pays off in the long run.

Coffey has very little spare time but enjoys spending time with her family and church family.

Time is precious, she said, adding that people should do what they can while they still have the ability, health and talent.

If people give their all, they will get it back in return. It is impossible to fail if you give 100 percent of your heart to God and to what you’re doing, she said.

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It is also important to be kind while at the same time standing your ground, she said.

Managing such a large business requires “lots of organization, said Coffey adding, “I have a really big team behind me.”

She noted that the business does not just serve Union County but has customers from Tennessee, Alabama and other areas. The business has very competitive prices and great customer service, Coffey added.

Her team of employees is “awesome” and knows how to help the customers and get the job done, said Coffey.

The key to good customer service is putting yourself in the customer’s shoes, she said.

“If it was you, how would you want to be treated?” Coffey asked.

She believes the business has grown as big as it has because of God, noting that it is a Christian company.

Without giving to God, the business’ success would not be possible, she added.

She thinks God has blessed the business because “we serve Him.” “I believe that with all my heart,” she added.

She started working for the company her senior year of high school. She went to college and earned an associate’s degree in accounting and turned down a scholarship to Ole Miss because she loves what she does.

“We work for some great people,” she said of the Culver family. “We get to witness to our customers; we get to pray with our customers.”

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Women of Union County

Windy

Faulkner Windy Faulkner, assistant superintendent of Union County School District, has dedicated her life to educating children. But it almost didn’t happen.

Faulkner, who graduated from West Union Attendance Center, attended KC’s Cosmetology School in Pontotoc to become a hairdresser.

“During that time, I worked at Union County Construction for Durrell and Kay Potts,” she said. “They told me I needed to go to college to have something to fall back on. I had always loved children, so I thought, ‘I’m going to become a teacher.’

So I went to Blue Mountain College to get my degree in education.”

Faulkner said it took her longer to finish her degree at Blue Mountain because she attended school part-time through the teacher assistant program.

“I worked full-time doing hair and working at Union Construction while going to college,” she said.

After getting her degree, Faulkner was hired on as a first grade teacher at West Union. She said that Paul Correro, principal of the school at the time, encouraged her to go into education leadership.

“He said he saw some leadership qualities I had and he thought I’d be a good leader,” Faulkner said.

“I had to teach two years before I could get in that program. So I taught and applied and got my master’s in ed leadership.”

After receiving her master’s degree from the University of Mississippi, Faulkner took a job as administrative assistant at East Union for two years under Tim Benjamin before taking a job as

elementary principal/assistant principal at Ingomar for five years under Kenny Roberts.

“While I was there, Dr. Charles Garrett called me about coming to New Albany,” Faulkner said. “I told him ‘No, I’m happy where I’m at.’” He called me again and asked me to just come and talk to him. I told Mr. Ken Basil and he said, ‘Yes, you need to at least go talk to him.’”

After meeting with Dr. Garrett, Faulkner said she prayed a lot and eventually took the job.

“It was the elementary school and my passion was elementary kids and I wanted to be head principal,” she said. “So I took that job and worked there for two years.”

Faulkner moved into her current position as assistant superintendent for the county schools after Ken Basil, superintendent, called her to say Ron Scott was retiring from the job.

“My ultimate goal is to be superintendent one day, so it was a no brainer,” she said. “I thought this was another stepping stone to get to be superintendent. And Mr. Basil has definitely been a huge influence. Just coming to work and learning from him.

He’s a good leader. He’s the type of leader who will listen to you and, he may not always tell you what you want to hear, but he will always put the students first.

I hope people can say the same things about me.”

Currently, Faulkner is seeking her doctorate degree at Delta State University. She has also attended the Mississippi Prospective Superintendents Academy and is going through National Institute for School Leaders currently.

Faulkner cites the Pottses as having the

biggest influence on her life.

I started working at Union Construction when I was 15 and worked there until I got a teaching job,” she said. “They were like a second set of parents for me; really encouraging. I told them numerous times I would not be where I am today if it were not for them.”

The assistant superintendent said her passion for educating kids provides motivation for her on a daily basis.

“I feel like we’re put on this earth to make a difference” Faulkner said. “Each and every day I wake up, I want to wake up and make a difference. I love children and just to see the smiles on their faces. I want to make a difference in their lives.

Teachers, I want to be able to get them what they need. There’s not a day I wake up and think ‘I don’t want to go to work.’

I love my job for just the simple fact that I get to come and help people.”

Faulkner is the mother of three children: Calub, 20; Olen, 12, and Lorabell, 8. She said working on her career while raising her children has presented its challenges, but she has found a balance.

“I’m one of those, if I set my mind to something, I’m going to see it through,” she said. “I’m going to accomplish what I set my mind to accomplish. It was not easy always, but I believed I could do it, and I pushed through it.”

Faulkner is also former president of Junior Auxiliary, a member of the Kiwanis Club, former president of Pilot Club and active member, co-founder of Excel By 5 in Union County and director of the Union County Leadership Academy.

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 17

Women of Union County

Lynn

Madden It’s good that Lynn Madden doesn’t have trouble balancing a checkbook.

She said she has seven to keep up with.

That’s an indication of how much she is involved in the community.

Although firmly settled in the community, she isn’t a native.

“I grew up in a little town in the Delta,” she said. “It’s call Inverness (with emphasis on the second syllable, not the first).”

The town has about 1,000 people and actually is named after the Scottish city. “A lady donated the land because she had been there and thought it was a good name,” she said.

The town is more than 100 years old and several years ago they were celebrating its anniversary. Lynn’s mother, who was 92 at the time and more recently 101, kept wondering why people continued to come up and ask her questions about the town. Lynn told her, “Why, Mother, you’re about the oldest person in the town.”

She graduated from high school at Inverness and then “I went from there to the W, but we called it MSCW,” she said. “I graduated and got my first job in West Point, teaching school.”

Her very first year to teach, which was 1969-70, they were segregated first semester and integrated second semester.

“It was a very interesting year,” she said. “The students were fabulous, they adapted. The towns people of course were horrible, the adults.”

Although she was good at teaching, that was not her career choice.

“The last thing I wanted to do was teach but for my mother. My daddy died when I was 12. She had three girls and

she made us all get a teaching degree because she said you can always get a job teaching,” she said.

“When my daddy died she was just a secretary but she made it work” she said.

“She supported all three of us and we all got through college. And she always said if she could have taught she would have been in a much better place. So she made us get a teaching degree and I taught 35 years.”

She taught high school math at West Point and then at Columbus High School and at Heritage Academy. “This was after I had retired with 30 years of public school and then I went into the private sector and then I taught at East Mississippi Community College,” she said.

She married and had children but that marriage ended.

It was then that she and Frank Madden connected, or, rather, reconnected.

“We reconnected years later. It was kind of through the computer,” she said.

“We reconnected about 40 years later and six children later. He has four and I have two. All my friends and children were in Columbus and it was really hard for me to come here but once I got here I just fell in love with it.”

“Anyway, I married Frank and moved here in 2004,” she continued. “He had to drag me out of Columbus. He was actually my first boy friend when I was 15. We lived about 20 miles apart in the Delta and he was my first real boy friend.”

Frank was from Roundaway. “There are two Roundaways,” she said. “This is the one above Indianola and he went to

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school at Linn.”

Although she quickly grew to like New Albany, coming here presented a bit of a challenge at first.

“The way I got started doing things here, I had never not worked. I have worked my whole life from the time I graduated from college,” she said. “And I moved here in the spring and I was fine because I had the yard to work in and I love to work outside.”

But that winter when she couldn’t get outside one day she was flipping through a magazine with a soap opera on TV and said, “This isn’t going to work. So I signed up to substitute at the high school and my first subbing job was at the alternative school.”

At first she had some misgivings but that didn’t last long. “I loved it. I absolutely love it. That was the only place I ever substituted,” she said. “And I loved Minerva Graham.”

The setting allowed her to work with students of different ages and abilities, and give them individual attention.

There was actually one time when a group of students got into trouble and she actually taught a real class of higher math.

“I also supervised the GED group.

They would go to Booneville to take the GED and I would go over and supervise them,” she said.

This helped her to start meeting people and getting out and about. “I did that for about two years and then I weaned off of that into all of these other things,” she said.

“The museum. I’m in a garden club, I’m in two book clubs, I’m treasurer for the Friends of the Library. I guess

you call me president of the Museum Guild, and of course involved in church,” she said.

And the church led to her getting even more involved. “At the church some of those older ladies just took me under their wing,” she said, mentioning Lila Stewart, Martha Jane Lamar and Beulah Hawthorne as examples.

“Frank was going to the older men’s class when we met and started seeing each other and I would go in the older women’s class right next door so those ladies just took me in and drove me around town and sort of showed me where people lived and took me to lunch, you know,” she said. “They were really the ones that first got me going.”

Her introduction to the museum came more or less indirectly.

“I guess Anita Buster invited me to a Kappa (retired educators’) meeting,” she said. “And I met Bethany Dalton. Bethany was working down here at the time and she asked me if I would come to a Guild organization meeting and some way or other we left there with me being the president and I didn’t even know how to get over here.”

And that was in 2006 when she had been here a year or so.

“And the museum was running on two people: Jill and the secretary or office manager or whatever they called it,” she said. They really just wanted somebody to help with like Lunching with Books, Museum Moments, all those kind of things.

“So we organized and it’s a great group of people, about 50 on my email list and if I need anything done I just put out an email and people volunteer,” she said. “We do meet once a month.”

She has no favorite activity or project. “I like it all. Jill is always

saying I should run for mayor but it’s just a joke,” she said.

“I can sit here and talk to anybody and sooner or later I can find a connection,” she said. “I’ve always said if you talk long enough you will find a connection, and I have, with a lot of people.”

One example is Jill talking about the state paleontologist, George Phillips. “And I said I taught a George Phillips and he liked to come in with books on paleontology and that’s who that is.”

She found out Miss Bet Gladney had taught in Columbus just before her and was something of a legend there. Zack Stewart lived in Columbus. There are a lot of connections.

“Other than working, I like to work in the yard outside,” she said. “We have a patio and Frank and I sit out there every night and solve all the problems of the world over and over and over. I go to my mother’s every two weeks for a few days. I love to read.”

Her husband, Frank, stays active in the community as well. He is a member of the New Albany Rotary Club and promotes its projects, does book reviews, teaches Sunday school, loves learning new things on the computer, reads a lot and works in the yard, she said They would like to travel but don’t want to go too far due to her mother’s health. Otherwise, she has no complaints about her life.

“Somebody asked me if I had a million dollars and all the time in the world what would you buy?” she said. “And, really, nothing. I am real satisfied. My children are an hour and a half away so I get to see them.

Frank’s children are around and we get to see all them. There’s not much else to ask for.” NA New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 19

COVER STORY

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Magnolia Civic Center turns 20 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 21

The early stages of renovation as the stage is being expanded and before seats were installed.

From derelict movie house to community showcase Story and photos compiled by Gazette staff For New Albany Magazine

Baby Boomers can remember a time when the Magnolia Civic Center was simply the Magnolia movie theater.

One could go to the theater on a Saturday afternoon and for 15 cents could see previews, a newsreel, the latest chapter of a rousing serial, a cartoon, the “B� movie and, finally, the feature film.

Over the years, the structure has had name and use changes and, today, it is celebrating its 20th year as the Magnolia Civic Center.

The transition did not come smoothly and some people feared it would never be complete, but those fears were unfounded.

Today the center is home to a variety of community, business and family 22 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

events.

The Magnolia opened in 1948 and was considered luxurious for its day.

“I remember when it opened,” former alderman David Holmes said when the facility was celebrating its tenth anniversary. “I thought it was the grandest thing in the world.”

The movie house was a community fixture for 20 years before being renovated and renamed the Cine’.

Competition and changing tastes had their effect on the Cine’, though, and it eventually closed in the 1990s.

In 1997, after the theater had been closed, Holmes, who was an alderman at the time, said he got to thinking about the possibility the city could take over the facility and renovate it.

“I ran into Mrs. Stephens one day at Union Lumber and I asked her whether the family would consider donating it to the city,” he said, adding that she said she would talk it over with family members.

The Stephens family and Bill Harwell, who owned the property, agreed to the donation and the legal details were worked out in 1998, he said.

The theater may have had some special significance for Mrs. Stephens.

The Magnolia Theatre was under construction when

Dial M for Murder, directed by Barry Wise and assisted by Dewey Davidson, was presented on Oct. 20-22, 2006.

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New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 23

she came to New Albany in 1947.

The Stephens family owned three two-story houses on Bankhead where the Union County Development Association, the Bank of New Albany and the theater are now, and as a young teacher, she lived in one of the houses.

Once the gift was made to the city in 1998, a committee was formed to assess what needed to be done.

Mayor Walter Johnson and the Board of Aldermen chose as the committee Mike Staten, chairman; Denotee Martin, vice chairman; Janice Hall, secretary, and members Bobby Gault, Joe Marshall Davis, Phil Nanney, Martha Kate Wiseman, Holmes and Nancy Kidd.

Almost immediately, there were different views on what to name the facility. Some wanted to restore the original name, which they thought carried more historical significance, while others favored the more recent Cine’. A compromise of sorts was reached by naming the theatre section the Cine’ and the entire facility the Magnolia Civic Center.

“When they led the first tour of Charlotte’s Web, directed by Amy Welborn, was presented on May 11-12, 2007. the building, we walked in with flashlights. Everything was wet

By June of 1999 the projected cost of the renovation and smelly and I thought, no way,” Kidd said. “The area work had risen $1.3 million, and the committee asked where the movie screen was, was mostly under water.” the architects, Ron Garner and William Dexter with Despite that inauspicious beginning, the committee Staub, Robinson and Williams, to continue to develop moved ahead. the plans so bids could be solicited.

The building needed renovation overall and the stage,

By January 2000 the board was meeting to pare down intended only for the movie screen and limited personal the project after a bid of nearly $1.9 million was appearances, was too small for any sort of theatrical received to do the work. A new addition that had been programs. shown on previous plans was deleted and the group A goal was to seat about 400 as well as having about discussed the possible purchase of the Miller Music 1,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

Building, with an additional 120-seat area available for Four possible exterior design looks were presented to meeting space. the board in October 1998 and the board selected one Denotee Martin discussed the new plans that came to a that looks much as the Civic Center looks today with its total price of $679,690. In February the committee hired Art Deco interior and synthetic stucco and blue awMartin as construction manager for the project. The nings. The architects were asked to do design work and estimate for the stage expansion was about $120,000. specifications so the project could be advertised for Mayor Johnson said that when he was originally apbids. proached by several people about renovating the down 24 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by Barbara J. Wise and assisted by Heather Henderson, was presented on Feb. 20-21, 2009.

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The New Albany Ballet Company hosts twice-yearly performances at the Civic Center, showcasing its numerous students.

Sarah and the Magical Mix-up, directed by Linda Mitchell and assisted by Stanley Wise, was presented for the January 2007 MTA Competition.

26 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

The Civic Center theatre seats 390 patrons.

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Tallahatchie River Players produced “Peter Pan” from July 31 through Aug. 2, 2008.

town theater, he was skeptical.

“We had just gotten through the Sportsplex and the Park Along the River and we had a lot to pay for,” he said. “We had just passed the tourism tax and we had no idea how much money it would bring in. But when that many people want to do something, the mayor has to take the lead to try to get it done.”

While renovation was going on, the project got an unexpected bonus. Cary Weeden, executive director of the New Albany Main Street Association at the time, offered her organization to serve as day-to-day management for the civic center.

Denotee Martin helped cut the project down and agreed to act as contractor, but he faced several problems in addition to cosmetic work on the facility. One was the underground water and drainage problems. “The area near the movie screen was just like a baptistery.

There were steps leading down into a pit that was just filled with water,” he said.

Another was how to convert what had been three buildings into one. “We had to take out two walls between the buildings without the roof collapsing,” he said, “and we had to make the entire area handicapped accessible.”

Originally, the plan was to preserve the existing seats and have them removed, recovered and reinstalled in the building.

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“But they were too far gone, and they would have been very uncomfortable because they were narrow and built for smaller people than today.”

Money was not coming in as quickly as hoped for and Alderman Holmes saw an opportunity concerning the seating problem. He suggested that new seats be purchased through $100 donations with a plaque in the lobby to recognize contributors.

“The Bank of New Albany has been a major player, both in raising money and making the building available,” Kidd said.

“When Billy became mayor, it was put in his lap, and he worked very hard at fundraising in the community.”

Former Mayor Wiseman said, “The hard shell of the building had been done, but the curtains, the sound, the lighting—all the things that make it really a theater—were

It’s a Wonderful Life, directed Evelyn Mason and assisted by Bonnie Moody, was presented on Dec. 16-18, 2005.

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not there.”

Chairman Mike Staten said the mayor “took it upon himself to go out and raise a lot of private money.”

This still left furnishings and technical equipment to be purchased when money became available.

For much of the expertise about sound, lighting and the construction of a theatrical stage, the board relied on Phil Nanney, who also has served with the group from the beginning.

“I was the only person on the board with theatrical experience,” Nanney said. “I had a broad knowledge, but not an in-depth knowledge, of what needed to happen.”

Nanney directed the first major production, “The Messiah,” at the theater in December 2001 and is directing the production of “A Magnolia Christmas” Saturday. He has directed other productions, including the Broadway series, which has been used to raise money for the Civic Center.

However, canopies, carpet tile

and other similar things needed to be ordered soon to avoid delays.

Weeden, and board members Martha Kate Wiseman and Nancy Kidd were named to a committee to select interior and exterior color schemes.

A committee also was named to develop rules, regulations and rates for use of the center and by January 2001, the committee had put together much of the rules and fees that are still in use today.

The non-theatre part of the building was ready first, and went into use with kitchen equipment donated

by Travis Wiseman of Union Appliance and Furniture.

Work on the theater continued during the early part of the year and

by April the Magnolia Civic Center part of the complex was in use.

Fundraising continued to get money to furnish the Cine Theater.

At a July meeting board member Phil Nanney reported that the new theater seats would be installed in August. The board also thanked

Travis Wiseman of Union Appliance and Furniture for donating kitchen equipment for the Magnolia Civic Center serving area.

It was suggested during a September meeting that Phil Nanney would like to have a presentation of “The Messiah” in the new theater just before Christmas and the board approved the request.

In October then-Mayor Billy Wiseman urged the board to strive to raise money quickly so that needs in the theater could be met and the project draw closer to being completed. Fundraising was a frequent topic at ensuing board meetings because money was coming in slowly and an early estimate that as much as $300,000 could be raised proved very optimistic. In fact, the mayor reported in January 2002 that only $64,100 had been pledged or given.

Nonetheless, during November and December several groups used the Civic Center and the theater, including Hillcrest Baptist Church, which

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used the theater for eight days for its Singing Christmas Tree Performance. And the Main Street Association used the theater for a movie presentation Dec. 15.

Also, during that time the board purchased a piano at wholesale cost from Beaty Piano and also installed theatrical curtains.

The highlight of the month, however, was the production of “The Messiah,” which generally is credited with being the first major event in the restored Cine Theater.

During a January meeting of the board, members learned that plans were under way for an organizational meeting of a community theater group that would eventually use the theater.

Over the ensuing months a good number of groups and civic organizations used the theater and Magnolia room, including the NAACP, the Mississippi Boys Choir, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County and Lighthouse.

In April 2004, Lynn West, a representative of the new theater committee, met with the board and that led to the creation of the Tallahatchie River Players group.

By May the board held a long work session with Sam Agnew of the Mississippi Development Authority to brainstorm the strengths and weaknesses of the Civic Center.

Strengths included its history, size, downtown location, multiple rooms, the Main Street and city partnership, a strong board, well defined usage guidelines, strong community and financial support, strong expectations, a low debt load, the availability of tourism tax money and it raises the community standard of living.

Weaknesses included its size, the lack of a name on the building, the lack of support by county government, a small board with a small number of volunteers, a feel

The exterior as the old retail storefronts were being converted into the meeting areas.

of ownership, lack of marketing to industry, lack of sources for funding programs, micromanagement, parking and storage.

The group agreed to create committees and subcommittees to reduce the workload on the overall board.

In April 2003 the board accepted a $3,000 bid from Adlab for a Magnolia Civic Center sign.

The board agreed in June 2004 to add a west wing annex to the center to allow more space beside the stage.

The annex was completed in the fall of 2004.

“Steel Magnolias” was presented on the stage Oct. 20-23. Nanney reported at the board’s November meeting that the Tallahatchie River Players production was a success with about $5,000 in revenue and showed a real desire from people in the community for such productions. He met with Tallahatchie River Players and said they expect to do four productions a year.

30 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

In June 2005 the Tallahatchie River Players announced its 200506 season: “Father of the Bride” Oct 14-16, Winner of the Tallahatchie Riverfest Play contest in September, “It’s a Wonderful Life” Dec. 16-18, “Diary of Anne Frank” March 9-11, “Alice in Wonderland” May 11-13 and “We, the People” the weekend before July 4.

Broadway Magic was held Aug. 1113. Dinner was served each night.

Another Broadway show, “Broadway and More” was scheduled for July 27-28. Meanwhile, the Tallahatchie River Players announced its 2006-07 season: “Dial M for Murder,” “Christmas Carol,” “Woman Named Truth,” “1940s Radio Show,” and “Charlotte’s Web.” The board agreed in December, at the request of Nanney, to partner with the city of New Albany in sponsoring a Freedom Celebration in July 2007. He said the event would feature the Charlie Daniels band,

a fireworks display and a community church service on Sunday.

In January 2007 the board agreed to add another annex on the east side of the building.

The Tallahatchie River Players 2007-08 season included: Theater Camp July 23-Aug. 4, Tallahatchie Riverfest one-act plays in September, “1940s Radio Hour” Dec. 13-15 (later cancelled), Mississippi Theatre Association Jan. 10-12, “The Miracle Worker” Feb. 21-23, “Nunsense” April 10-12 and “Peter Pan” July 31-Aug 2.

The Broadway show was held July 24-26, 2008. The Tupelo Symphony Orchestra had a concert at the Civic Center Feb. 15, 2009.

The Tallahatchie River Players presented “Hee Haw” as a fundraiser for Relay for Life. “Smoke on the Mountain” was presented in October.

In July the board agreed to present “A Magnolia Christmas” Dec. 5 to conclude the 10-year celebration of the facility and honor Mrs. Anne Stephens and her family.

The Union County schools presented the play, “She Loves Me” Nov. 1-3.

Since then, the civic center has hosted a considerable variety of events including ballet performances, concerts such as John Conlee and Bill Haley’s Comets, theatrical productions by the Tallahatchie River Players and Union County schools, holiday affairs, benefits for New Haven Center for Special Needs Adults, home and garden shows, children’s theatre, summer workshops, business meetings, dinners and lunches and others.

Today the facility continues to find new uses.

“It’s a huge asset to the community,” Mayor Kent said.

“Groups come from other places and are amazed that a town of our size has something like this.”

Martin said the facility gives young people “with talents outside of sports a place to learn and be involved in the same kinds of cultural activities that they would have in Memphis or Tupelo.”

“I don’t think we ever envisioned all of the uses that the center would serve,” Kidd said, adding that the hospital uses it for a number of events.

The development of the center involved “a lot of people saying yes, we can,” she said.

Staten put it another way: “It’s been a whole lot of work by a whole lot of people. It’s been a team from the beginning.”

And without Mrs. Stephens, it wouldn’t have happened, said former Mayor Wiseman: “Mrs. Stephens and her family always have been kind and generous to the city and a lot of other things.”

For her part, Mrs. Stephens places the credit for the facility’s success elsewhere: “The whole community has done it,” she said. “It just thrills me to see what has become of the Cine.” NA

The Magnolia Room can be used for meetings, luncheons and a variety of functions.

Steele Magnolias, directed by Phil Nanney, was presented on Oct. 20-23, 2004.

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 31

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FOOD

Tasty

Holiday

T

Treats

he holidays are the time for baking special treats for family and friends. Whether you are revving up for a holiday party or a Christmas cookie exchange, or even for a family gathering, nothing says Christmas more than a homemade cookie.

Here are a few new recipes you might want to try this year.

Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

1 batch Sugar Cookies, recipe follows 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg yolk 1 teaspoon peppermint extract ½ cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies Divide the dough in half and add chocolate and vanilla to 1 half and incorporate with hands.

Add egg yolk, peppermint extract, and crushed candy <http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/ candy/index.html> to other half of dough and incorporate with hands. Cover both with plastic and chill for approximately 5 minutes. Roll out doughs separately to approximately ¼-inch thickness. Place peppermint dough on top of chocolate and press together around the edges.

Using waxed paper or flexible cutting board underneath, roll dough into log. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Remove dough from the refrigerator and cut into ½-inch slices. Place cookies 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet, parchment, or silicone baking mat and bake for 12 to 13 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking time. Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Sugar Cookie

3 cups all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon milk Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add egg and milk and beat to combine. Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture

pulls away from the side of the bowl. Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Source: Foodnetwork.com

Note: These were a little difficult to make. Be sure not to overchill dough before rolling.

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 33

This cookie has the richness of a brownie that has been rolled in powdered sugar.

Chocolate Crinkles

½ cup vegetable oil 4 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted 2 cups granulated sugar 4 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups flour 2 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup confectioner’s sugar Mix oil, chocolate and granulated sugar. Blend in one egg at a time until well mixed.

Add vanilla. Stir flour, baking powder and salt into oil mixture. Chill several hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Drop teaspoonfuls of dough into confectioner’s sugar. Roll in sugar; shape into balls. Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Do not overbake. Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

Source: Betty Crocker Cooky Primer

34 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

It’s not cheating if it tastes good. This recipe calls for refrigerated cookie dough found in the grocery store’s dairy aisle. If you can’t find the white chocolate chunk cookie dough, substitute sugar cookie dough and add ¾ cup white chocolate chips to the dough.

White Chocolate-Cranberry Cookies

18-ounce tube refrigerated white chocolate chunk cookie dough, softened 1 cup chopped pecans ¾ cup sweetened, dried cranberries 1 teaspoon orange extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Combine all ingredients; mix well. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls, 2 to 3 inches apart, onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes 2 to 3 dozen.

Source: Gooseberry Patch Christmas Cookies

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Raspberry Cake Bars

1 package (18-ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough, softened (recommended: Pillsbury) ¾ teaspoon lemon extract ½ cup seedless raspberry jam ¼ cup chopped pecans Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square glass baking dish with enough foil so there is an overhang on 2 sides.

Mix the cookie dough with the lemon extract, kneading to combine. With damp fingers, press 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the jam over the dough. Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the top of jam. Scatter the pecans over top. Bake until browned around the edges and cooked through in the center, about 35 minutes. Let cool in pan. Lift edges of foil to remove the bars. The bars are soft, so carefully cut into 2-inch squares or diagonally into pennant shapes.

Source: Foodnetwork.com

Polvorones: Ground Walnut Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature ½ cup sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup ground walnuts 1 cup chopped walnuts ½ cup powdered sugar, plus more for serving Directions Using an electric mixer, beat the butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat until well blended. Beat in the flour, and then the ground and chopped walnuts. Divide the dough in half, forming each half into a ball. Wrap separately in plastic and chill until cold, about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Working with half of the chilled dough at a time while keeping the rest in the fridge, roll the dough by 2 teaspoonfuls between your palms into balls.

Arrange the balls on a large baking sheet, spacing them ½-inch apart.

Bake the cookies until golden brown on the bottom and just pale golden on top, about 18 minutes. Cool the cookies for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Toss the warm cookies in the powdered sugar. Transfer the sugar-coated cookies to a rack to cool completely. (The cookies can be prepared 2 days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature). Sift additional powdered sugar over the cookies, if desired, before serving.

Source: Foodnetwork.com

36 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

Christmas balls

½ cup shortening (part butter or margarine) ½ cup sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1½ cups flour ¼ teaspoon soda ½ teaspoon salt Mix shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla thoroughly. Stir flour, soda and salt together; blend in. Color 2/3 of the dough red or green. Mold into a 10 by 1½ inch roll. Roll out rest of dough on waxed paper into a rectangle large enough to cover colored roll, about 10 by 4 inches; trim edges. Wrap around roll; chill again.

After adding outside strip of white, roll in colored shot.

Heat over to 375 degrees. Cut 1/8 inch thick slices. Place ½ inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Press tiny ball of dough at bottom for clapper. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 5 dozen cookies.

Alternative: Christmas bells: Make Christmas balls, except mold the colored roll into a bell shape by squeezing the top together and leaving the lower half flared and curving. Chill.

Save ¼ cup white dough for clappers.

Source: Betty Crocker Cooky Primer NA

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AT HOME

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Highland Remodel New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 39

Coombs family rebuilds 1910 house from the ground up Story by Josh Mitchell Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Coombs For New Albany Magazine

T

he home of Braxton and Elizabeth Coombs on Highland Street in New Albany is a wonder to behold.

It was once a duplex that needed a lot of work, but now it is a beautiful home.

“It’s come a long way,” said Braxton “It’s a great house.”

The couple did not originally plan on living in the house, which was built in 1910. They were just planning to fix it up as a rental property.

But Elizabeth said it was “meant to be” that the couple along with their two young daughters would make a home there.

They said it has been a blessing to live there, but now the home is for sale.

It took about four months to remodel the home from floor to

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The house features 12-foot high ceilings and the original hardwood floors.

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ceiling.

“It’s kind of like a little farmhouse in the city,” Braxton said as he walked in the fenced-in backyard that features a large patio and attractive landscaping.

The house has 12-foot high ceilings with the original beadboard. The original hardwood floor as well as the original crown molding and mantles are also in the house. They love uncovering original components and bringing them back to life.

“We’ve really enjoyed it,” said Braxton.

“It’s a wonderful house.”

A spacious front porch, large foyer and tall windows make the home very welcoming. Elizabeth developed a new floor plan since it was a duplex being converted back into a single-family home.

“I’m very detail oriented,” she said.

The kitchen has original wainscoting and new cabinetry, and a kitchen island has a durable red oak top.

This was not the first home remodeling project the couple had undertaken. They have been buying older homes around New Albany and Blue Mountain the past couple of years and renovating them for rental and sale properties.

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“I just like breathing new life into them and giving them a second chance,” Elizabeth said.

They remodeled an old warehouse from the late 1800s in Blue Mountain and turned it into a student apartment. Another home they remodeled was built in 1905.

“We really love older homes,” said Braxton.

Elizabeth and Braxton both grew up in New Albany and graduated from New Albany High School. They attended Mississippi State University and then moved to Washington, D.C. and later to Atlanta before returning home.

Elizabeth has a degree in interior design from Mississippi State, and started her own business in D.C. called Modern Antiquity Design. In Atlanta, she worked on high-end luxury

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A kitchen island has a durable red oak top.

homes, and the couple also flipped houses.

“She’s a great designer,” said Braxton.

The first house the couple owned was in Alexandria, Virginia, and they did a lot of work on it. That is where they first realized their talents for remodeling.

That project not only gave them the confidence that they could do that kind of work. It also showed them it was kind of fun.

When they combined their abilities, they knew they could take on more projects.

Later, they remodeled a home on Garfield Street in New Albany and made it a bed and breakfast called Concord Cottage.

After that project, Braxton got on a “real estate kick” and bought a few more houses to remodel. It’s basically been nonstop since then.

Now they are working on their seventh property in Northeast Mississippi.

When they started out remodeling homes, they, along with other family members, did most of the work themselves. They realized they could take an old house in need of repair and totally transform it.

Now they have a crew of full-time carpenters and hire subcontractors for electrical, plumbing and other needs.

Elizabeth handles the design, and Braxton manages the projects. NA

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DAY TRIP

Holly Springs is full of history Story and photos by Josh Mitchell For New Albany Magazine

H

olly Springs is an easy day trip for New Albany and Union County residents.

But it may take more than one day to see everything that Holly Springs has to offer.

Getting to Holly Springs from New Albany is a half-hour drive on Interstate 22. Once you arrive in Holly Springs, the downtown square around the courthouse may be a good place to start your adventure.

On the square you can find markers explaining the signifiNew Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 47

There are many historic homes in Holly Springs, including this one dating back to 1851.

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Holly Springs is also home to historic churches.

cance of Holly Springs during the Civil War, and you can also visit stores such as the Retro Rooster. Establishments dating back to the 1800s are still in business in downtown Holly Springs. For instance, there is Booker Hardware, which goes back to 1837, and Tyson Drug, which started in 1857.

Gazebos in front of the courthouse give the downtown an even more welcome atmosphere. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee while shopping for antiques at the Bottomless Cup. Or you can have a great meal at Southern Eatery on the square.

Maybe you want to spend the night in downtown Holly Springs at the Court Square Inn, dating back to around 1865.

Holly Springs also has many historic homes from the 1800s, such as Walter Place from 1857. Gen. Ulysses S. Grantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife

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There are a number of shopping options in Holly Springs, including the Retro Rooster downtown.

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stayed there with their son and slave.

Holly Springs also features a number of museums, such as the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum. Wells, who grew up in Holly Springs, fought racial discrimination. She was an influential figure in the anti-lynching movement and co-founded the NAACP. The civil rights pioneer passed away in 1931 and has been honored with a U.S. postage stamp.

The Marshall County Historical Museum is another must-see site in Holly Springs. The muse-

The Marshall County Historical Museum features over 30,000 artifacts.

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Accepting all major medical insurances and many vision plan insurances.

Call and our staff will be able to discuss your insurance needs.

Weeden Eye Clinic 717 Coulter Drive, New Albany, MS 38652 | 662-539-7801 weedeneyeclinic.com • @weedeneyeclinic New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 51

The Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum.

DaviD J. Williams, m.D., r. ph.,f.a.c.o.g

Best oBstetrician

for 7 consecutive years

Visitors can enjoy home cooking from the Southern Eatery downtown.

The Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clinic of New Albany, P.C. Providing comprehensive health care for women from adolescence through the child bearing years with the newest technology.

52 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

460 W. Bankhead Street â&#x20AC;˘ 662-534-4783

um features three floors and more than 30,000 artifacts.

And the Kate Freeman Clark Art Gallery houses paintings created by Clark.

She left Holly Springs for New York in the 1890s and was taught by William Merritt Chase.

Home to Rust College, Holly Springs was founded in 1836 and is also on the Mississippi Blues Trail. The Holly Springs area is known for the Hill Country Blues played by musicians such as R.L. Burnside.

The Strawberry Plains Audubon Center is also in Holly Springs and provides a place for people to enjoy nature.

Historic homes, Civil War history, shopping, dining and cultural attractions are just some of the reasons to take the short drive from New Albany to Holly Springs. NA

The Strawberry plains Audubon Center is a good place to enjoy nature

Delivering Lunch & Dinner from great local restaurants to your Home or Business

Serving New Albany and the Surrounding Areas: Blue Mountain | Blue Springs | Ecru | Myrtle | Sherman

You Order... We Deliver... You Eat! It’s That Easy!

• Ciao Chow • Mannings BBQ • Tallahatchie Gourmet • El Agave Latham’s Hamburger Inn

• McAlister’s Deli • The Vintage Market • The Warehouse • 2 Sister’s Diner • Mi Pueblo

• Tokyo • Gonzo’s Grill • Nichols Deli • Subway • The Rainey

NAFoodDash.com or download our App on

(662)266-0738

Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10:30 A.M. - 2 P.M. | 4:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Closed Sundays

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 53

• Kids’ Monday: Half-priced kid’s meal with purchase of adult entrée.

• Teacher Tuesday*: Half-priced entrée with purchase of another adult entrée. *Must show teacher ID* • Saturday Ladies’ Night: Half-priced house wine and half-priced appetizers.

• Live music every Thursday night. *Specials for New Albany location only.

119 W Main Street New Albany, MS 38652 662-534-3250

1221 Van Buren Oxford, MS 38655 662-380-5122

contact@tallahatchiegourmet.com

250 Carter Avenue, New Albany, MS 38652 (662)534-1960 • www.union.k12.ms.us

INDUSTRIAL • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

BACKHOE DOZER CONCRETE METAL BUILDINGS

(662) 534-0532 Fax: (662) 534-5668 808 Hwy. 15 N. New Albany, MS 38652

Christy Hardy 662-266-3676 Landon Wallis 662-891-2029 Molly Bryan 662-316-2525 Laura Tennant 662-285-8687 Ashley Roten 662-598-5127

WWW.STEEL-CON.COM 54 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

Now serving breakfast from 7 to 10 A.M.

New Albany’s Best Kept Secret!

e ge h T ta et n k Vi ar M

&Soda

Fountain

127 W Bankhead Street, New Albany, MS

662-598-2055 • www.thevintagemarket.org Breakfast: Mon.- Fri.: 7 - 10 A.M. | Mon.: 11 A.M. - 3 P.M. | Tues. - Fri.: 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. Sat.: 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. | Closed Sunday

EST. 1974

THE CALICO MUSHROOM “A Store as Unique as Our Name”

Mary Margaret’s Bakery & Confections

- Cakes - Petit Fours - Cupcakes - Cookies - Casseroles - Dips and more!

GIFTS • WEDDING REGISTRY INTERIORS • ANTIQUES Main Street • New Albany • 662-534-9418 www.calicomushroom.com

522 West Bankhead New Albany, MS 38652 662.539.7411 @marymargaretsbakery marymargaretsbakery@yahoo.com

Thursday & Friday: 7 A.M.-6 P.M. | Saturday: 9 A.M.-3 P.M.

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 55

DATES, EVENTS AND HOURS MAY CHANGE. Compiled for New Albany Magazine

Nov. 21: Christmas on Bankhead, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cooper Park.

5:30-6:30 p.m. Carriage rides, Santa at New Albany Gazette and hot cocoa counter 6:30 p.m. Main Street Association’s community tree lighting 6:35 p.m. Guests will parade down Bankhead, led by Santa in his carriage Magnolia Civic Center and Ciné Theater 6:45-7:45 p.m. Winter Wonderland Workshop in the Magnolia Civic room with snacks, ornament making, cookie decorating, coloring page contest, carriage rides, and more Santa 7:00-8:30 p.m. Live music and entertainment on the Ciné Stage Monetary and toy donations are encouraged and will be taken at the door. For more information, email visitnewalbany@gmail.com or call 662-534-3438.

Nov. 23: Holly Jolly Art Affair and Christmas Bazaar at the Union County Heritage Museum Nov. 25-29: Thanksgiving Holidays for city and county schools Dec. 2: New Albany Christmas Parade at 6 p.m.

Dec. 6 and 7: A Cinderella Christmas, New Albany Ballet Company. Magnolia Civic Center.

Tickets: 662-539-6010.

Dec. 7: Myrtle Christmas Parade, 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 in the downtown area. Lineup of parade floats will be at 5 p.m. at

Myrtle Attendance Center.

Dec. 7: Santa at the Museum, Union County Heritage Museum.

Details: 662-538-0014.

Dec. 14: Community-wide Christmas meal, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., New Albany Middle School.

Details: mking@nasd.ms.

local schools.

March 17: Luncheon with Books

by Friends of the Library, Union County Library. Noon. Details: 662-534-1991.

March 19: Museum Moments, Union County Heritage Museum.

Details: 662-538-0014.

Dec. 14: Santa at the Museum and Victorian Village at the Union County Heritage Museum.

April 16: Museum Moments, Union County Heritage Museum.

Details: 662-538-0014.

Dec. 17: Luncheon with Books

by Friends of the Library, Union County Library. Noon. Details: 662-534-1991.

April 21: Luncheon with Books

by Friends of the Library, Union County Library. Noon. Details: 662-534-1991.

Dec. 21-Jan. 5: Christmas holidays for local schools.

May 15 and 16: “The Little Mermaid,” New Albany Ballet Company. Magnolia Civic Center.

Tickets: 662-539-6010.

Jan. 21: Luncheon with Books

by Friends of the Library, Union County Library. Noon. Details: 662-534-1991.

Jan. 18: Museum Moments, Union County Heritage Museum.

Details: 662-538-0014.

Feb. 7-9: “West Side Story,” New Albany High School production.

662-534-1805.

Feb. 18: Luncheon with Books

by Friends of the Library, Union County Library. Noon. Details: 662-534-1991.

Feb. 20: Museum Moments, Union County Heritage Museum.

Details: 662-538-0014.

March 9-13: Spring Break for

56 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

May 19: Luncheon with Books

by Friends of the Library, Union County Library. Noon. Details: 662-534-1991.

May 21: Museum Moments, Union County Heritage Museum.

Details: 662-538-0014.

May 22: New Albany High School Graduation. Details: 662-5341805.

May 23: Last day of school for New Albany students.

May 21 and 22: Union County Schools Graduation. Details: 662534-1960.

Compiled by J. Lynn West For New Albany Magazine

4-H Club of New Albany Gina Wills 662-534-1916 gina@ext.msstate.edu American Legion PotterHenry-Lowrey Post 72 Mike Bennett 662-317-0216 michaelcbennett@bellsouth. net American Legion Auxiliary Unit 72 Connie Kelly 662-316-1135 conniedkelly@bellsouth.net Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County Auxiliary Reba Dunson 662-538-2101 reba.dunson@bmhcc.org Boys and Girls Club of New Albany Marquel Conner 662-534-2150 mconner@bgcnms.org Daughters of the American Revolution Ishtehotopah Chapter Sheri Smith 662-534-5515 jfsmith00@hotmail.com Dogwood Hills Garden Club Linda Pannell 662-534-7500 Friends of the Library Anita Buster 662-534-5124 arbuster1@gmail.com Gideon Paul Anderson 662-316-3513

Historic North Side District Garden Club Jane Wiegartner 662-266-0253 hndgardenclub@gmail.com

New Albany Main Street Association Billye Jean Stroud 662-534-3438 billyejeanstroud@ newalbanymainstreet.com

Junior Auxiliary of New Albany Tori Garrison

New Albany Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club Gwen Pennebaker

Junta Club Myra Langley 662-539-1342 cmlangley@maxxsouth.net

New Albany Rotary Club Witt Spencer

Kappa Kappa Iota Sigma Chapter Anita Buster 662-534-5124 arbuster1@gmail.com Kiwanis Club of New Albany Bradley Littlejohn 662-538-5566 New Albany Ballet Company Justine Stewart 216 S. Denton Rd. www. newalbanyballetstudio.com 662-539-6010 New Albany Civitan Club Michelle Hall 662-266-3388 michelledcobb@yahoo.com New Albany Garden Club BillyeJean Stroud 662-534-3438 billyejeanstroud@ newalbanymainstreet.com New Albany Lions Club Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ann Tanner 662-316-1761

New Century Club Susan Feather 662-534-8679 featherr@bellsouth.net Pilot Club of New Albany Ellen Staten South Side Neighborhood Association Larry Dykes 662-231-3421 larryd3275@yahoo.com Tallahatchie Arts Council Union County Heritage Museum 662-538-0014 www.ucheritagemuseum. com Tallahatchie River Players Evelyn Mason 662-317-9275 www. tallahatchieriverplayers.com Trail Life Clay Hardy 662-266-3675 r.clay.hardy@gmail.com Union County Development

Association Phil Nanney 662-534-4354. www.ucda-newalbany.com Union County Good Samaritan Center Peggy Hitt 662-534-0931 unioncogoodsc@yahoo.com Union County Historical Society Jill Smith 662-538-0014 www.ucheritagemuseum. com Union County Homemaker Volunteers Marietta Collins 662-316-3354 Union County Literacy Council Nancy Meacham 662-534-1930 Union County Master Gardeners Brenda Robertson 662-538-1388 Union County Museum Guild Lynn Madden 662-538-0014 www.ucheritagemuseum. com Union County Retired Teachers Association Anna Quinn 662-316-2630 UNITE Collett Cross 662-316-0808 cbcross@bellsouth.net

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 57

SCENE

SNOWFLAKE BALL Sponsored by the Pilot Club of New Albany Held Feb. 2, 2019 at New Albany Elementary School

Brady and Betsy Brock

Jeff, Tori and Amelia Covington

Anna, Josh and Gracie Curbow 58 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

Brandon and Birdie Mae Kisor

Brent, Isabella and Allie Taylor

Brent and Harper Williams Jackie and Zoey Biffle

Jason and Brooklynn Collins and Morgan Young

Roberts New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 59

John and Holly Swain

Chloe, Jonathan and Sadie Rea

Jason Thomas and Julianna Rea

Presley Henry and Kellianne Richardson 60 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

Matt and Natalie Davis

Mickey with Sarah and Anne Meredith Mallette

William and Addy Mitts

Lily and Mattie Voyles

Jeremy and Avery Moody New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 61

Kwadis, Kamille and Kai Beard

Stephen and Georgia Lowgue Toby and Lilly Hill

Ross and Victoria Rutherford 62 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

TJ and Hattie Roberson

A NIGHT TO SHINE Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation Held Feb. 8, 2019 at Hillcrest Baptist Church

Frankie Roberts, Shane Rhea, Austin Kent, Brandon Baroni, Becky Renfrow

ROTC and William Tate

Emma Laney, Jana Brooks, Christine Young, Tabitha Roberson, Jennifer Manning

Kati Kent and Malcolm Coker

Teresa and Amanda Jarvis New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 63

Tina Barkley, Beth Franks, Suzzette Hollingsworth, Lee Smith

Preston McKinney and James Houston

Group singing

Kay Keel and Leann Murphy

West Union Eagle and Jack Boyington

64 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

LITERARY LUNCHEON AND FAULKNER AWARDS PRESENTATION Sponsored by Faulkner Literary Festival Committee and the New Albany Gazette Held Sept. 26, 2019 at First United Methodist Church

Sara Stephens and Andi Thompson

Ann Holmes, Mary Libby Harrison and Mary Tate Pannell

Kara Anne Morrison and Marty McLaughlin

Angie Quinn and Anna Quinn

Susan Parker and Jim Owen

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 65

Jim Allen Browning and Chris Robertson

Linda and Bill Everett

Kathy Tomsky and Sandra Ford 66 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

Belinda Russell and Joanne Lesley

Bailey, Sarah Jane and Betty King

Jessica Winston, Jo McDivitt and Sissy Bullock

Stacie Thompson and Leanne George

Kalista Knox

Beverly and Bo Collins

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 67

NEW ALBANY MAIN STREET MEETING Sponsored by the New Albany Main Street Association Held Oct. 8, 2019 at Camp 106

Michael Brown, left, and Colt Doom

From left, Gayle Rutledge, Hudson Hickman, Billye Jean Stroud and Anne Stephens

Jason and Jessica Jordan

From left, Bob Spencer, Nancy Kidd and Billy Wiseman 68 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

From left are Tyler Basil, Mike Staten, Clint Conlee, Mike Nobles and Hugh Tate

Anne Stephens, left, and Lynn Harrison

Betty King, left, and Joyce Sumners

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 69

BREAST CANCER LUNCHEON Sponsored by Baptist Memorial HospitalUnion County Held Oct. 9, 2019 at Hillcrest Baptist Church

Anita Fitzgerald, left, and Reba Dunson

Carrie Hicks, left, and Carol Anson

Karen Young, left, and Stefenie Hodges

Pam Seger, left, and Shaniqua Little 70 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

Karen Botts, left, and Vanessa Williams

Jammie and Theresa Denley.

Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ann Tanner and Donna Weeden

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 71

MISSISSIPPI ON WHEELS CAR SHOW Sponsored by the New Albany Lions Club Held Oct. 19, 2019 at Downtown New Albany

72 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

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LOOKING BACK

B.F. Ford’s 1954 football team

The Union County Courthouse’s first Grand Jury 80 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

Local teens do a little breakdancing.

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN GRILL

LUNCH BUFFET FRIDAY - SUNDAY ONLY DAILY SPECIALS ALSO AvAILABLE 350 PARK PLAZA, NEW ALBANY, MS 38652 | (662)538-3322 OPEN SUN. - THURS. 11 A.M-10P.M. | FRI. & SAT. 11A.M. -10:30 P.M.

New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 81

B.F. Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home economics class in 1964.

A ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; quilting club in 1974.

82 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette

The premier location for the arts in Union County.

Call us to book your show or special event!

Speaking Engagements, Concerts, Musical Theater, Ballet Performances, Conventions, Community Meetings, Reunions, Parties, and much more For more information visit our website: www.magnoliaciviccenter.com

127 E Bankhead Street, New Albany, MS 38652 | 662-539-3438 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette 83

84 New Albany Magazine/ New Albany Gazette