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08 Even on the ground, Wayne Roberts’ head is in the clouds 17 Learning in the class and beyond 39 Artistic Taxidermy embodies family tradition 48 Walking on the wild side 55 Mississippi Homemakers Volunteer 60 You are never too old to learn or give back 66 Fifty Years of Memories: Santa still runs on the Simon’s Yard 71 Join us in every season Get Connected: City of Pontotoc & Pontotoc County........................98-99 Places of Worship.................................................................................100-101 Official Contacts..........................................................................................102 Clubs & Organizations................................................................................103 Calendar........................................................................................................104 Chamber Business Directory......................................................................105
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On the cover: The chimes reverberate through the city as the Pontotoc Methodist Church bell tower marks time with the classic peal of a Big Ben clock. In addition, music pours forth from the tower reminding folks of the blessings of comfort and joy. Pontotoc photographer Dr. Terry Wood captured the essence of a small town with this photo of the trees blushing red at Christmas framing the Methodist Church bell tower.
Published by The Pontotoc Progress in partnership with the Pontotoc County Chamber of Commerce. Affordable Employee Benefits, LLC......inside back cover Algoma Country Store...................47 Americas Best Value Inn................78 Ashley Furniture...............................3 Bank of Pontotoc.............................14 Between Sisters................................65 Boyles Tire & Auto Care.................28 Breezy Blossoms..............................45 Browning Funeral Home................13 Carnes Frames.................................13 Circle of Friends..............................88 City of Pontotoc...............................30 Collier Dental..................................46 Dennis Cox, Tommy Morgan, Inc., Realtors........................................54 Downtown Pontotoc.......................27 First Choice Bank.............back cover Flavia West Huddleston, M.D........29 Flowers by Redele............................54 Friendship Medical Clinic...................inside back cover Friendship Pharmacy............inside back cover Furniture Warehouse......................52 Happy Day Café..............................53 Henry Payne , Alfa Insurance.........29 Image Screen Printing....................28 J. Greg Brown, Attorney.................14 Jeremy Campbell.............................45 Johnson’s Wrecker Service.............38 Mapp Farm Supply & Hydraulics....................................38 M&M Truck & Trailer Service.......46 Market Basket..................................64 McCoy’s............................................47 Melinda Nowicki.............................64 Michael Jolly, Shelter Insurance....30 Montgomery Drug..........................95 Moore’s.............................................53 Mossy Oak Properties....................78 New But Not Perfect.......................46 North Mississippi Medical Center, Pontotoc.............inside front cover One Smile Dental Group.................65
PEPA ................................................94 Pickens Pest Control, Inc...............13 Piggly Wiggly...................................22 Pontotoc Animal Clinic..................45 Pontotoc Antiques...........................22 Pontotoc Equipment Rental...........22 Pontotoc County Board of Supervisors...................21 Pontotoc Progress...........................96 Pure Bliss..........................................15 Rustic Woods Garden & Gifts.........53 Red Med...........................................16 Seafood Junction.............................88 Service Supply-NAPA..15, 22, 28, 52 Sidra P. Winter, Attorney................52 Shannon & Graham Eye Clinic.....88 Sherman Drugs...............................97 South Main Dental, Dr. John T. Black, Jr....................83 Spuds................................................95 Sunshine Health Care.....................23 Sydnei’s Kitchen...............................59 The Auction Block........................94 The Learning Tree Children’s Academy....................96 The Rack Boutique.........................28 The Red Door..................................47 Town of Algoma..............................83 Town of Ecru...................................16 Town of Sherman............................78 Town of Thaxton.............................15 True Blue..........................................30 True Value........................................94 Twin Creeks.....................................59 Van McWhirter...............................97 WADE..............................................16 Walmart...........................................97 Washington Furniture.................106 Washington Holcomb Tractor Company.....................................12 West Height’s Baptist Church.........83 Whole Family Nutrition & Market......................14 Wood Eye Clinic..............................65 Young’s Tire Store.............................31
PONTOTOC PROGRESS STAFF GENERAL MANAGER Lisa Bryant MANAGING EDITOR David Helms STAFF REPORTER Regina Butler SPORTS EDITOR Jonathan Wise ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL DESIGN Chelsea Williams ADVERTISING CONSULTANT Angie Quarles OFFICE MANAGER Joyce Jolly
Pontotoc
Progress 13 Jefferson Street P.O. Box 210 Pontotoc, MS 38863 Phone: (662) 489-3511 Fax: (662) 489-1369 www.pontotoc-progress.com Welcome Home to Pontotoc
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Hidden in the clay hills and meadows of Pontotoc County is a pot of gold that those who live here have cherished for generations. It’s a special place for all seasons. Pontotoc County is a place where folks can sit and enjoy chatting on the court square, or stroll down Main Street with all the peace of mind of days gone by. Pontotoc is where you hear parents cheering their children, or grandchildren, as they play their favorite sport. It’s friends spending the afternoon at the lake, or ladies sewing dresses for children across the globe. Love, compassion and God’s blessings are the life blood of community spirit and traditions in Pontotoc County. It’s Easter egg hunts in the spring; red, white and blue celebrations in the summer; Veterans’ Day parades in the fall; and the special meaning of Christmas each December. It’s where memories come back to comfort you and each new day is full of promise. Welcome home to Pontotoc. Welcome Home to Pontotoc
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THE GROUND
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Head is in the Clouds
Aerobatics pilot Wayne Roberts waves to the crowd before performing for kindergarten students at Pontotoc Airport in April. Assisting Roberts was fellow pilot Chuck Troutman of St. Louis.
STORY & PHOTOS BY
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renada County native Wayne Roberts loves to talk about how extraordinarily wonderful it feels to fly an airplane. But before the 65-year-old aerobatics stunt pilot actually ever got to know how it feels to fly, he heard how exciting flying must be. “I was born in 1951 and at that time we had a lot of service men coming back from the war,” Roberts remembered. “That was a period when pilots were breaking the sound barrier and we’d be out in the cotton fields and you could hear those sonic booms!”
David Helms
“I would just look and look up in the sky for an airplane, but it was just too hard to find a plane that high,” he said, smiling. “Those sonic booms certainly weren’t a common, ordinary thing and flying just grabbed my attention.” Roberts began flying airplanes back in 1976 and was the first in his family to do so. “No one in my family was a pilot, but the thought of flying was so fascinating to me,” he said. “It was just something I’d longed to do forever.” Roberts earned his private pilot’s certificate in 1977. He is now an instrument rated commercial pilot and CFI with over 4,200 hours
flight time in over 30 different aircraft models, including the North American AT-6, in which Roberts earned his Formation Flight qualifications. When Roberts talks about his love for flying, his voice sounds like his feet aren’t even touching the ground. “What so attracts me to flying is the freedom of flight, flying is an expression of the wonderful freedom we enjoy in this country,” he said. “In just a short period of time, flying is the ability to change your atmosphere, as well as your location, and your personal attitude.” “If you’re flying, just think what you can do in an hour’s time.”
“From Pontotoc, you can get in a plane and be on the Gulf Coast, on in New Orleans enjoying creole food, or hop up to St. Louis and have some spare ribs, or jump over to Atlanta.” “Flying is a time machine, and that is real freedom.” “Flying also gives you the ability to say ‘I wonder what that cloud looks like from the other side’, or to just see what’s over the next hill.” When Roberts retired in 2007 from his engineering and construction company, he found time to pursue his long-held interest in competition and performance aerobatics. In 2008, Roberts entered the first flying competition Welcome Home to Pontotoc
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that he’d ever seen. In 2009 he entered his first nationals competition. “That was the fifth competition I had ever seen and I won the U.S. Nationals Sportsman Aerobatics Championship.” In 2010 Roberts was named U.S. Mid-American Region Intermediate Champion. A year later he was competing in the sport’s unlimited category. “If flying is an expression of freedom, aerobatic flying is the ultimate expression of that freedom,” Roberts said. “There’s nothing else you can do that will take the place of flying.” “If you have ever flown, then you must fly, it’s as addictive as any drug you might imagine.” “Nothing else measures up, nothing else will suffice. I don’t fly every day, but if I don’t fly, I’m think about it.” “When I was actively competing as a younger man I would fly about 15 competitions every year, but now
I don’t do that much any more.” Roberts served six years on the International Aerobatics Club government relations committee, working with the FAA both regionally and nationally, to assist with regulations governing aerobatic flight. Roberts has flown some of the nation’s biggest air shows, including Memphis, Tuscaloosa, Union City, TN, Greenwood and Denton, Texas. In October 2016 Roberts performed an aerobatics show in the air show at Pontotoc County Airport. When performing, Roberts flies a high-energy, unlimited level aerobatic routine in the German built, Extra 330LX, a new airplane model first introduced in 2011. The LX is a high performance monoplane of carbon fiber construction, with an AEIO 580 engine, developing over 330 horsepower and providing amazing vertical performance, tremendous roll rates and dynamic tum-
bles, and speeds approaching 270 miles per hour! No one loves performing more than Roberts, but he readily admits that aerobatics flying is “hard work.” “The speed is not the difficult thing, it’s the “G loading”, the gravitational loading,” Roberts stresses. “There were maneuvers I would do which get me up to about nine positive Gs!” “It’s extremely difficult , just physiologically, but then you couple that with fact you don’t have to just survive it, but piloting also means being alert and aware of where you are, where the crowd is, where the world is, where you are in each of those figures I am flying and what comes next.” Whew! “It takes intense concentration and an intense
amount of physical stamina is required, not so much physical strength, but physical stamina.” “For the duration of that flight, imagine what you would feel like if you were trying to lift a 500 pound load in your hands, how much you would be straining. “That is how much I’m straining the entire time I’m flying aerobatics.” “And then you have negative Gs, they are about 4 and a half to five.” “When you multiply that by five just imagine the earth trying to pull your head off your shoulders.” In the cockpit, Roberts is literally strapped into the airplane with a double lap belt and shoulder harnesses and crotch straps “You must cinch all those straps down just as tight
as you can stand it,, so you physically become a part of the aircraft.” “If it were not for all the straps, the force would suck you out of the aircraft through the canopy.” Oh yeah, there’s a couple more things to remember too. “You’re doing all that at 220, 240 mph and you’re doing it close to the ground.” “You don’t want to hit the ground.” In March, through an invitation from friend and fellow pilot Auburn Pearman of Pontotoc, Roberts performed an aerobatics show for the entire Pontotoc Elementary kindergarten class at the Pontotoc Airport. Within Roberts’ love for flying, there’s a message he loves to share with kids and grown-ups of all ages.
“I want to show them that everything is approachable and obtainable, within your grasp, there’s something they can do,” Roberts lamented. “I want to inspire people to look beyond their feet, and beyond that electronic device in the palm of their hand.” “I want to get people to look up, cause there’s a whole world out there and it’s an awesome world and the capacity to enjoy that world that God has provided for us is limited only by our lack of awareness.” “I do love it and I love it when other people enjoy what I do.” So if you hear an airplane flying overhead, look up and see if it’s Roberts’ red LX. Even if it’s not, you can bet he’s somewhere with his head up in the clouds.
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Browning Funeral Home 141 West Oxford Street Pontotoc, MS (662) 489-4141
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JUST CLEAN, REAL FOOD. At Whole Family, our market strives to have NO artificial flavors, NO artificial colors, NO artificial preservatives & NO artificial sweeteners
•Full-line health food store •Serving Pontotoc area for over 26 years
245 C Hwy. 15 N. Pontotoc, MS M-F 10am-5:30pm
1798 N Gloster St. Tupelo, MS M-F 10am-6 pm Sat 10am-2 pm
www.wholefamilynutritionmarket.com
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Learning In Education isn’t just reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmatic any more. It is getting out and exploring the world around us and finding that comradery in sports and music. Welcome Home to Pontotoc
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In
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Down Home, Down the Street Supermarket r Customee servic is #1 at ! e our stor
We have fast, friendlyts! check-ou
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• Piggly Wiggly now offers a great selection of greeting cards • Fax Service • Rug Carpet Cleaning Machine • We sell Money Orders
237 WEST OXFORD • PONTOTOC, MISSISSIPPI PHONE 489-4282 STORE HOURS MONDAY-THURSDAY 7 A.M. ‘til 9 P.M. FRIDAY & SATURDAY 7 A.M. ‘til 10 P.M. • SUNDAY’S 8 A.M. to 8 P.M.
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Outside
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Michael Jolly 355 Old Oak Cir. Pontotoc, MS 662-489-1500 MJolly@ShelterInsurance.com
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Strike Up
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We Love
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Artistic Taxidermy
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Artistic Taxidermy’s family staff , (l-r) Jackie Russell, Gene Russell and Cody Wray, stands by their business sign.
Pontotoc Trio Endeavors To Keep
Sportsmens’ Memories Alive
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STORY & PHOTOS BY
n Pontotoc County, as is still the the case in many locales all over the United States, hunting and fishing are significant parts of the local culture. Although more and more of America has become urbanized and concrete-laden, North Mississippi is still largely a rural area dotted with small towns and communities. The region still has lots of woods and water for sportsmen to enjoy, and the tradition of an outdoor lifestyle passed down from generation to generation is still prevalent. Ask anyone around these parts who
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Jonathan Wise is their top choice for a taxidermist to preserve a hard-earned trophy and Artistic Taxidermy in Pontotoc is very often one of the first to be mentioned. The shop is operated by Jackie Russell, a 5-decade veteran of the trade, his son Gene Russell, and Jackie’s grandson Cody Wray. Jackie Russell began in the taxidermy field in 1967 and did the work on the side while running a postal route for many years, eventually going fulltime into the business in 2001. “I have always loved wildlife, and that’s why I first got started in it,” Jack-
ie Russell said. “I’ve gotten to work on things I never would have dreamed of getting my hands on, animals from Canada, Africa, New Zealand, all over the world.” His son, Gene Russell, who had done taxidermy off and on since age 12, joined him in 2003. “It’s great to be able to work with my daddy,” Gene Russell said. “I have had to grow up a lot to be able to, but it has been a true blessing, it really has. He has so much knowledge about this field, and he has taught me so much- and still has so much to teach meand I’ve been doing this for a long time.” Jackie’s grandson, Cody Wray, joined the business full-time in 2008. “Grandaddy tried to get me out here helping him since I was around 13, but I always said, “I am not going to work in this shop,’” Wray said with a chuckle. “I always had a summer job in high school, and I was working at Toyota when they told me they couldn’t keep me on parttime. He asked me to come work with him for a while to just see how I liked it, and I
ended up working here all through high school. I went to college for one semester at ICC, and after that was over I came out here one day and told him I didn’t think college was for me. He asked me to come and work full-time, and I have been here ever since.” “Cody really latched on,” Jackie Russell said. “He has a lot of natural talent, and people really like him from all around the country.” In his relatively short time in the field, Wray, 28, has already won a number of awards. Perhaps his most notable piece thus far was a blue wing teal mount. It claimed the 2015 MSTA (Mississippi State Taxidermy Association) Best of Category award in the Professional-Waterfowl division, Taxidermy Today magazine’s 2015 “Woody” award, and the McKenzie’s Taxidermy Supply Taxidermists’ Choice 2015 Best Bird Award for Mississippi. Other notable honors garnered by Artistic taxidermy include a collaborative (Jackie, Gene and Cody) deer fawn and squirrel piece that claimed Best of Category in Professional-Life Size Mam-
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mals in 2010, a blackbuck mounted by Jackie Russell that won Best of Category in Professional-Gameheads in 2011, and a bronze grizzly bear sculpture crafted by Gene Russell that won the The Artisan award, presented by the United Taxidermist Association (UTA). Artistic Taxidermy is one of only four United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified taxidermists in the state of Mississippi. The certification involves meeting rigorous sanitation and disinfection standards in order to receive shipments of wildlife from outside of the country. Over the years they have preserved a wide variety of trophies from various continents, as well as deceased animals from capitivity like a baby giraffe and a 25-year old Bengal tiger from the Tupelo Buffalo Park. Among North American large and medium sized wild game and predators the shop has mounted whitetail deer, mule deer, blacktail deer, Coues deer, elk, moose, caribou, all species of wild sheep, pronghorn antelope, mountain lion, grizzly bear, black bear, alligator, rattlesnake, javelina, badger, bobcat, coyote, and red fox. They have worked with all four major U.S. subspecies of the wild turkey that make up a turkey hunter’s “grand slam” - the Eastern, the Merriam’s, the Rio Grande and the Osceola- as well the Gould’s turkey from Mexico (also found in limited numbers in the American Southwest) that comprises a “royal slam” and the ocellated turkey from Mexico and Central America that completes a “world slam”. All hunted species of North American waterfowl have come through the shop. Among African
safari quarry, trophies that have been mounted include impala, springbok, blesbok, bushbuck, nyala, kudu, gemsbuck, waterbuck, duiker, zebra, blue wildebeest, black wildebeest, and warthog, among others. Perhaps the most popular African dangerous game, the Cape Buffalo, a contankerous bovine known for its unpredictability, is scheduled to be undertaken in the near future. Crossing into animals that are native to Asia and Europe (and have been introduced elsewhere in the world), they have mounted water buffalo, ibex, blackbuck, mouflon, fallow deer, axis deer and red stag. Other animals include Hawaiian black sheep and aoudad. “One of the best things is you get to meet people from all walks of life,” Jackie Russell said. Artistic Taxidermy has
never done any kind of advertising other than printing some business cards in recent years, but a sterling reputation has been built through word of mouth by satisfied hunters and anglers. The shop is now busier than ever. The three mount roughly 200-250 deer, 150-200 ducks, and 80-100 turkeys a year, as well as many less common or exotic animals. “Our work is our advertisement. If you do good work, people will tell it,” said Jackie Russell. “I never would have thought it would have gotten as big as it has. We do work from all over the United States.” Taxidermy is as much a form of art as anything. There are a lot of nuances that go into making an animal look real once again and like it would fit right in among its brethren on a mountainside,
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in a hardwood river bottom, or underneath the waters of a reservoir. “I have been doing this and studying it 50 years, but like anything else you never learn it all,” Jackie Russell said. “New techniques and new products are coming out all the time.” “Every single animal is different,” Gene Russell said. “When you really get into one and start to think about how God made them work like they do, you realize it really is a miracle. “You’ve got to really like this to enjoy doing it,” Cody Wray said. “It takes a lot of time, patience and attention to detail. We take a lot of pride in our work. We want to make a living, but above all we want to produce something that is pleasing to us and pleasing to our customers.” For most sportsmen the idea behind comissioning a mount is to have a visual reminder of the memories associated with the hunt or fishing trip. For example, for an elk or sheep hunt in the mountains looking at the animal on the wall can take the hunter back to all the high altitude shortness of breath, burning legs, unpredictable weather, and overall thrill of the chase that led to harvesting the trophy. A bruiser bass or other fresh or saltwater gamefish might take an angler back to the moment they set the hook and the ensuing fight. Some hunters request a deer or turkey to be in a certain pose because that is how they were turned in the moments before the trigger or bow release broke. A trophy also doesn’t have be a high scoring animal. It could be a young child’s first deer, or it could be a animal that the hunter had to put in large amounts of time and effort to take despite it being an average specimen. “It is all about memories,” Cody Wray said. “We want to bring it back to life so they can relive it.” “If people take care of it and give it some basic maintenance, it is something that will last a lifetime,” Jackie Russell added. So if a outdoorsman living in or around Pontotoc has the desire to preserve a special hunting or fishing memory, consider giving Artistic Taxidermy a call or drop in and see Jackie, Gene and Cody at 1323 Peartree Road.
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John A. Collier, DDS Larissa G. Hammer, DMD & Shelly L. Osborn, DMD
29 Maggie Drive Pontotoc, MS 38863
Functional, Esthetic & Restorative Dentistry • Dental Implant (Placement & Restoration) • Braces • Wisdom-teeth Extractions • Emergency Coverage • IV Sedation For Anxious Patients • Hospital Dentistry 662-488-9905 • Pontotoc 662-236-1969 • Oxford 662-578-5169 • Batesville
www.collier.dental
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Walking On
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Pontotoc has many ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Find your niche on the Tanglefoot Trail, at the lake or golfing with your friends. Just make sure you get out there and enjoy nature’s finest Pontotoc style.
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SIDRA P. WINTER Attorney At Law
Real Estate Wills & Estates Family Law Personal Law General Practice Social Security Wrongful Death
662-489-4686
39 Lafayette St., Pontotoc, MS
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Daily Casserole Lunch Specials "For hometown folks, Happy Day Cafe is the award winning coffeehouse and bakery that serves made-to-order coffee drinks or refreshing smoothies along with homemade bakery delights. Our lunch menu features delicious Southern sandwiches and specialty cupcakes. Happy Day Cafe offers convenient drive through service for quick pickups on the go, or indoor dining in a unique place that celebrates the blessings of life. We hope you'll join us, because Happy Day Cafe is in the business of winning a smile from you!"
Located in the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center Lot 247-A West Oxford Street • Pontotoc
662-489-4000
happydaycafepontotoc
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Pontotoc's Centennial Club Continues To Make An Impact 100 Years Later STORY BY
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or more than 100 years the women of Pontotoc County have been progressive in learning new ways of doing things to make life easier for their families and their communities. One of the key ways they did this was through the Home Demonstration Club as it was first called in the early part of the last century. According to the book, From
Regina Butler
These Hills, the first home demonstration club was organized at Oak Forest in late 1916 or early 1917. It was called the Egg Selling Association with 15 members. The ladies met every Thursday and candled eggs which were shipped to Memphis where they received year round market prices. This was the only social life for most of these ladies. Another such club was or-
ganized in Thaxton by Miss Lanie Holland. The first meeting was attended by eight women who learned how to tie up string beans and tomatoes. But the clubs were only loosely organized because there wasn’t a home demonstration agent who stayed in the psition for very long at the time, until December of 1935 when Miss Susie Parker accepted the position. She
organized both 4-H clubs and the Home Demonstration Clubs. She would carry her pressure cooker all over the county and teach the men how to properly butcher a hog and the women how to process the meat in a pressure cooker. One of the humorous things that happened through this time was in 1938, the Board of Supervisors decided to discontinue her job because
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some men had complained that the women were spending too much time “getting into society and getting together to gossip.” The women came together and organized a protest meeting at the county courthouse. It resulted in the hiring of Doris Cole January 1, 1939, and the Home Demonstration Clubs have been in Pontotoc since then. As the years rolled on, the name has changed. In 1970 they were called Homemaker Clubs, and today they are called Mississippi Homemaker Volunteer Clubs or MHV. The mission of MHV clubs is to strengthen families through education and community involvement. There are four active clubs in Pontotoc who come together the first Wednesday of each month at the Extension Office for a county council meeting. They work as a team to co-ordinate activities for the whole council. The County Council Officers include President- Linda Deaton; Vice President – Harley Ann Thorne; Secretary – Mary Frances Stepp; Treasurer – Pam White; Parliamentarian – Brenda Newell. Three members also hold state positions which include: Mary Frances Stepp is the Senior Director for the Northeast Area. Maria Galloway is the State Fashion
Revue Chairperson. Lynda Smith is the State President Elect. The four clubs are Algoma, Beckham, South Pontotoc, and Toccopola. The Algoma Club President is Maria Galloway, and they meet the second Monday at 7:00 p.m. The Beckham MHV Club President is Lynda Smith, and they meet the second Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. The South Pontotoc Club President is Janis Crawford, and they meet the second Monday at 1:00 p.m. The Toccopola Club President is Margie Douglas, and they meet the fourth Monday at 7:00 p.m. Assisting the women today is Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent Beth Youngblood. “I love this part of my job for many reasons. First, it brings back childhood memories of when I attended homemaker club meetings with my mom,” Beth Youngblood said. “ I saw first-hand how being part of that group helped her manage her home and family. “Second, I have had the privilege of working with a group of MHV members who are committed to doing good for Pontotoc County and their individual communities. They are kind, dependable, community minded, resourceful, and talented. They teach me so much about life and inspire me to be my best.” There are more than 60 members here in Pontotoc County. “They are a vital part for our area, especially since the focus of the MHV Club continues to be to improve both family and community life, and our clubs here are involved in many activities and events that give back to the community,” she noted. Youngblood said that the
county council selects a county wide project each year, “and this year we selected two projects. One is providing duffle bags with supplies for DHS to give to children in foster care. And the other is to supply monthly gifts to a local nursing home.” While these projects take time, they also take money and the council has two major events each year to raise those monies. One is a spring flea market the first Saturday in May and the other is Holiday House in November. The flea market is held on the court square and the holiday house is held in the Extension Building. In May people from across the county are invited to set up a booth for a nominal fee and sell their wares from tools to those things that have gathered dust in the house. In November the ladies cook up a sumptious Thanksgiving Dinner and sell the plates plus have crafts bazaar inside for folks to get a jump start on their Christmas shopping. “The funds raised help support many of the projects such as two 4-H Scholarships, Bodock Grove Christmas Project, and other council projects,” Youngblood noted. There is still an educational arm as it were of the club and members can take part in learning about leadership development, community involvement, budgeting and finance, health and nutrition, literacy, sewing and any other topic enough people are interested in learning about. MHV is also actively involved in helping to make the Pontotoc County Fair a success. Everything from food to flowers is brought into the building during fair time to be judged and prizes awarded. They help man the
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room during the fair so that people can come in and see all the attractive things they have made. In their own communities projects the clubs have completed in the past has been building and furnishing community centers, organizing fire departments and holding fundraisers to help meet their needs to make them more effective, indexing and
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maintaining cemeteries, working to keep their community litter free and a host of other things. “There is always room for growth,” said Youngblood. “Any lady who wants to take an active role in helping their community is invited to come or even establish a club in their own community. We will be there to help.”
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You Are Never Too Old To
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Getting involved in your community is how you connect with those people you see or don’t see almost every day. Pontotoc has many ways you can enjoy serving or just meeting new friends at a new activity.
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Fifty Years Of Memories:
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Santa Still Runs On The Simon's Yard STORY & PHOTOS BY
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o one loved delighting children with the magic of Christmas more than the late George Simon. He put hours into a labor of love to bring the joy of Santa by constructing the jolly old elf and his reindeer to run across his yard. The almost life-sized Santa and reindeer has delighted generations of children. This past Christmas the movable set of reindeer celebrated 50 years of lighting the eyes young and old alike. The jolly man snaps his team to a brisk trot and it does look as if Santa and the
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reindeer are landing on the front yard of the home located at the corner of Brooks and Oxford Streets. George Simon said in an interview before he passed away that he put the Santa and reindeer up before Thanksgiving “because there were so many people coming back to town for Thanksgiving who grew up seeing it, and may not be able to make it back for Christmas, so I put it up so they can enjoy it while they are here.” Now that his dad is gone, Mike Simon believes it his duty to carry on the tradition his daddy started those
Regina Butler many years ago. “This is the third set of santa and reindeer my dad built,” Mike explained. The first set didn’t move, it was stationery and Simon had it in his yard for about four years. Simon saw a moving santa and reindeer in Louisville, Mississippi and carried his good friend Everette Wilder down to look at it. Wilder, a long time welder in Pontotoc, studied the frame carefully and told Simon he could indeed do the welding job. Over the next year, Simon, Wilder and former Mayor
Howard Stafford conspired together to make the Santa and reindeer come to life. Simon was in charge of putting together Santa and the reindeer, Wilder spent the time welding the frame together and Stafford was on the lookout for a motor that would run the operation once it was put together. The original moving Santa and reindeer came as a cardboard set that Simon ordered. He had to place these on plywood board and cut all of them out, then varnish each piece so it would stand up to the weather.
“Dad got chemical pneumonia from that,” Mike said. “He worked on it at night in a closed in room because it was cold.” Each of the heads had to be cut out separately and bolted onto the neck and each of the legs have bolts at the joints so the legs will move back and forth. The set is mounted to two “L” shaped cast iron bars run parallel to each other, mounted on two by four pieces of lumber on the outside. Four smaller round bars run upward, with a cross bar inside on which each of the eight reindeer are mounted. A free swinging bar catches the top bar. When the motor is turned on the bottom bar swings back and forth, causing the round bars to twist back and forth making the reindeer move up and down. The motor that runs all of this was put together by Stafford. He had an old worn out cultivator and the gear box was taken out of it and the motor placed inside. Mike said that the present motor has run since the Christmas of 1960. “I keep it well oiled and greased. I don’t know what I am going to do if it ever plays out.” The 1960 set of Santa and reindeer wore out back in the mid to late 1990s, so Simon took the pattern and recut them. He painted Santa and his sack and presents and toys then bolted them on to the sleigh. Each of the reindeer are also carefully painted with a little twist. The antlers are glittered so they will shine bright in the light at night. Carrying on his dad’s tradition of putting up Santa and the reindeer has just
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come natural to him. Mike’s daughter, Ruth Allison said it is important that this is carried on. “It is a sense of history and community,” she said. In fact, many people who have grown up seeing the reindeer look forward to seeing it when they return home on Thanksgiving vacation. So Mike makes sure he gets them out before Thanksgiving because he knows it is what his dad and mother would want. “Both of them loved children and they delighted in seeing children of all ages come and enjoy the yard display,” said Mike. So if you want to find out
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where Christmas lives in Pontotoc, visit the Simon’s yard beginning with the Thanksgiving holidays through the end of December. “We put it up just before Thanksgiving just like Dad did for the kids that still enjoy it as adults,” Mike said. To add to the nostalgia, the newest ornament from the Chamber of Commerce is George Simon’s Santa and reindeer. You can take them home and hang them on your tree this Christmas and remember Santa and his reindeer trotting in Simon’s front yard, as they continue to make glad the heart of childhood for a whole new generation.
Join Us In
There is always something afoot in Pontotoc. Each season brings its special gatherings and good times. From the laughter of children at play to the smiles of veterans we gather as a community to celebrate life in each season. Come along and join in our fun.
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Fall: Enjoying Natures
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• Free breakfast • Free high-speed internet • Microwave/refrigerator • Minutes from Tanglefoot Trail
217 Hwy. 15 North Pontotoc, MS 38863 Tel.: 662-489-5200 • Fax 662-489-8418 Toll Free # 1-888-315-2378 abvipontotoc@gmail.com
Operated under franchise agreement with Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc.
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Spring: Budding
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Summer: Sunshine &
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Winter: We
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Supporting Industrial Development
Second oldest rural electric cooperative in the United States
11367 Hwy. 6 West Thaxton, MS
662-489-8000
Hours: Thursday-Sunday 4:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. SUNDAY BUFFET 10 a.m.-2 p.m. auctionblocksteakhouse.com
“Pioneers In America’s Rural Electrification”
PONTOTOC ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION
12 S. Main St. •Pontotoc • 662-489-3211 Member of Pontotoc County Chamber of Commerce
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Convenient Drive-Thru Window
Sherman Drugs 670 Hwy. 178, Sherman, MS
One-Stop Shopping:
Bakery & Deli, Grocery, Garden Center, Clothing, Vision Center, Tire & Lube, Pharmacy, Photo Lab, Sporting Goods, Home Decor
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Sat. 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Store #164 100 McCord Road • Pontotoc, MS 38863
662-844-8880
OPEN 24 HOURS
(662) 489-7451
Ta x A s s e s s o r / C o l l e c t o r Pontotoc County Van McWhirter
11 East Washington Street Pontotoc, Mississippi 38863 e-mail: vmcwhirter@pontotoccoms.com
(662) 489-3903-Office
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Welcome Home to Pontotoc
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Whether you are moving into town or just changing addresses within Pontotoc city limits, sometimes you lose track of all the details that must be attended to in one move. This list will keep those much-needed numbers in one place so you can quickly contact all the right people at the right places to make the move to your new home much easier. Pontotoc’s utility department offers water/sewer, gas and garbage pick-up. Anyone applying for services must appear in person at Pontotoc City Hall with a state-issued identification card.
GARBAGE PICKUP
Once weekly inside the city limits. $10.80 minimum. Anyone applying for services must appear in person at Pontotoc City Hall with a state-issued identification.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, Call 911 FIRE CHIEF: 489-7805
The Pontotoc Fire Chief leads a staff of nine full-time firemen and 17 volunteer firemen at two locations in the city. Locations: 116 North Main and 150 Henry Southern Drive.
POLICE CHIEF: 489-7804
Pontotoc City Police Department employs 14 full-time officers and four certified part-time officers. Location: 225 West Reynolds In case of a storm or tornado, you may get to safety in one of the city’s eight public shelters: • 116 North Main St. • 320 Clark St. • 206 Hud St. • 289 Lake Drive • 374 Highway 15 South • 472A Vance Street • 290 Eighth Street • 1814 Highway 15 North
For storm alert information, visit www.alertfm.net/ms/pontotoc. To be alerted of a storm in your community by phone sign up at www.trpdd.com/codered. This is at no cost to you.
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WATER/SEWER
Water/sewer service provided inside Pontotoc city limits and to a small portion of the county. Water: $100 Installation/ inspection fee (non-refundable/non-transferable).
ELECTRICITY
Pontotoc Electric Power Association services almost 18,500 members in six counties, which includes most of Pontotoc County. The main office is located at 12 South Main Street, Pontotoc. Call 489-3211. For emergencies on nights, weekends and holidays, Call 489-6711.
NATURAL GAS
Service covers Pontotoc, Union and some of Lee Counties. Gas inside Pontotoc City limits: $100 Installation/ inspection fee (non-refundable/non-transferable). New gas service inside city limits: $175 for owner occupied and rental property—installation fee (non-refundable/ transferable). Above fees cover first 200 feet of service line plus installation of gas meter. If new service line is more than 200 feet, extra footage will be charged $1 per foot (2-inch line = $2 per foot) and will be billed separately.
If you have any questions, you may call City Hall, 489-1722 (night or weekends, 489-7805). Office hours are Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wed., 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG Call 811 from any phone
NATURAL GAS
Service from the city of Pontotoc covers most of Pontotoc County. To find out if natural gas is available in your location, you may call Pontotoc City Hall, 489-1722 (night or weekends, 489-7805). Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
WATER
Pontotoc is serviced by 11 rural water associations, located all across Pontotoc County. • • • • • • • • • •
East Pontotoc Water Association: 489-0776 Town of Ecru Water Association: 489-3881 Mud Creek Water Association: 489-6851 Oak Hill Water Association: 489-3692 Randolph Water Association: 489-8641 or 489-8820 Toccopola Water Association: 489-6537 Thaxton Water Association: 489-6537 Troy Water Association: 489-1425 Algoma Water Association: 489-8351 Sherman Water Association: 842-6366
ELECTRICITY
Pontotoc County is serviced by five electrical power associations.
The Tennessee Valley Authority is the regional electric provider. Call (662) 690-3400, (662) 690-3600, (662) 6903500.
Pontotoc Electric Power Association services almost 18,500 members in six counties, which includes most of Pontotoc County. The main office is located at 12 South Main Street, Pontotoc. Call 489-3211. For emergencies on nights, weekends and holidays, call 489-6711. Natchez Trace Power Association services the south central part of the county toward the Chickasaw County area. Call (662) 456-3037.
Tombigbee Electrical Power Association services the southeastern part of the county toward the Lee County area and Sherman. Call (662) 842-7635.
Northeast Electrical Power Association services the northwestern part of the county toward the Lafayette County area. Call (662) 234-6331. The City of New Albany services the northern part of the county near the Union County area. Call (662) 534-1041.
GARBAGE PICK-UP
Garbage is picked up once a week door-to-door. To find out when your garbage day is or ask questions about your bills, call 489-3913.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG Call 811 from any phone
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, Call 911 PONTOTOC COUNTY FIRE COORDINATOR: 489-3111 The Pontotoc County Fire Coordinator works with more than 200 volunteers who give their time in 12 community fire departments across Pontotoc County.
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT: 489-3915 Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Department employs 17 full-time officers, 12 jailers and two school resource officers. To reach the jail, you may call 489-3915, 489-3165 and 489-3182.
In case of a storm or tornado, the county has shelters in almost every community • Algoma - 2 shelters: Both at 1310 Algoma Road • Ecru - 7 shelters: Five at 176 Main Street; Two at the park on Central Avenue • Sherman - 7 shelters: 161 6th Ave.; 9 East Lamar Street; 600 Highway 178; 1041 Cr. 292; 213 First Avenue; 49 E. State Street; 26 West Lamar Street • Thaxton - 4 shelters: 2 at 10260 Highway 336; 10632 Highway 336; 10489 Highway 336 (Thaxton Baptist Church) • Toccopola - 2 shelters: Both located near the fire department at 3100 Toccopola Jct. Rd. • Turnpike Community - 1 shelter: 370 Cane Creek North (Turnpike Baptist Church) • Beckham - 1 shelter: 414 Beckham Road • Hurricane - 1 shelter: 7600 Highway 346 • Longview - 1 shelter: 3497 Longview Road • Randolph - 3 shelters: Two are located at 240 Topsy Road; one at 11800 Hwy. 9 South (Carey Springs Baptist Church) • Troy/Woodland - 2 shelters: 175 Rock Hill Road, 3601 Woodland Road
For storm alert information, visit www.alertfm.net/ms/pontotoc. To be alerted of a storm in your community by phone sign up at www.trpdd.com/codered. This is at no cost to you. Welcome Home to Pontotoc
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ASSEMBLY OF GOD FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD 2448 Hwy. 15 North 662-489-0209 BAPTIST ALGOMA BAPTIST Hwy. 124 W., Algoma 662-489-5846
ANTIOCH FREEWILL BAPTIST Toccopola, MS 662-242-0379 or 662-801-8815
BEECH SPRINGS FREEWILL BAPTIST Beech Springs Rd., Ecru 662-844-0792 BELLEVUE BAPTIST Hwy. 6 West, Thaxton, MS 662-509-9235 BETHANY PRIMITIVE BAPTIST 4905 Hwy. 346 662-489-0222 BETHEL MB 2905 Hwy. 342 662-509-9924
BETHLEHEM FREEWILL BAPTIST 115 Bethlehem Lane 662-489-6848 BUCHANAN BAPTIST 4815 Friendship Rd. 662-489-3405 BY FAITH BAPTIST 2220 Hwy. 15 N. 662-489-7701
CAIRO BAPTIST 2610 Cairo Rd., Ecru 662-489-6313 CAREY SPRINGS BAPTIST Hwy. 9 SW 662-489-1265
CENTER HILL BAPTIST 591 Brassfield Rd. Pontotoc 662-489-1717
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CHERRY CREEK BAPTIST Cherry Creek 662-489-6002 CHERRY CREEK MB Cherry Creek Rd. 662-489-7009
COOKE MEMORIAL BAPTIST 5962 Redland-Sarepta Road Houlka, MS 38850 COUNTY LINE BAPTIST 14616 Hwy 9 S., Randolph 662-489-7363
EAST BAPTIST 329 Clark St., 662-489-7151 ECRU BAPTIST 550 Main St., Ecru 662-489-3091
ECRU SECOND BAPTIST Ecru, 662-489-5361 FIRST BAPTIST 31 E. Washington St. 662-489-1346
FIRST BAPTIST OF TROY 145 Rockhill Rd. 662-489-4624 FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST Country Road 134 662-489-7070
FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST 85 Friendship Road, Ecru 662-489-4056 FURRS BAPTIST 9011 Hwy. 6 E. 662-840-1705
GERSHORM BAPTIST 240 Baptist Bend, Houlka 662-488-4033 GREEN VALLEY BAPTIST 265 Old Airport Rd. S. 662-489-6047 HARMONY BAPTIST 3534 Hwy. 345 662-489-1070
HEBRON BAPTIST 71 Hebron Rd., Randolph 662-489-6103
HOPEWELL PRIMITIVE BAPTIST Robbs Road, Randolph 662-844-9633
HORTON MEMORIAL BAPTIST 2120 Hwy. 346, Pontotoc HURRICANE BAPTIST 7975 Hwy. 346 662-489-1481 IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH 2681 Rowland Road 662-489-4832
IN GOOD FAITH BAPTIST 685 Rocky Ford Rd. 662-489-7161 LEE MEMORIAL BAPTIST 208 Lana St. 662-489-7285
LIBERTY BAPTIST 7974 Hwy. 341 662-489-1943
LOCUST HILL BAPTIST 1745 Locut Hill Road
LONGVIEW BAPTIST 406 Dozier Hill Road, Belden 662-489-5733
MACEDONIA BAPTIST 3996 Macedonia Rd., Houlka McGREGOR’S CHAPEL FW Baptist Church Hwy. 6 West, Pontotoc, MS MIDWAY BAPTIST 8773 Hwy. 15 S. 662-489-5664
NEW FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH Hwy. 336, Pontotoc
NEW HOPE BAPTIST New Hope Rd., Pontotoc 662-419-7946
NEW LIFE FREEWILL BAPTIST 4449 Wallfield Road, Houlka, 568-2072 NEW RESIDENT BAPTIST 996 Floyd Rd. 662-488-8843
NEW SALEM MB Hwy. 6 E. 662-489-8791
OAK DALE BAPTIST 7230 Hwy. 346, Pontotoc, MS OAK HILL BAPTIST 5830 Hwy. 9 N. 662-489-1897
GREATEST MISSION BAPTIST 125 Old Airport Rd., Pontotoc 419-1797
PLEASANT GROVE FREEWILL BAPTIST 7705 Hwy. 336, Thaxton 662-489-0280 PINEY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH Piney Grove Road 662-489-5825 PINEY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH 507 S. Gilmer Road, Pontotoc
PLEASANT GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of Hwy. 41 & Pleasant Grove Rd., Pontotoc 662-489-8784 RANDOLPH BAPTIST Topsy Road, Randolph 489-4992 SCHOONA CHAPEL BAPTIST Hwy. 341, Pontotoc SAREPTA BAPTIST Randolph 662-414-7451 SECOND BAPTIST 189 N. College St. 662-489-1274 SELAH BAPTIST 5720 Hwy. 15 N. 662-488-8242
SHADY GROVE BAPTIST 1000 Shady Grove Baptist 662-489-7842 SPRINGVILLE BAPTIST 64 S. Pontotoc Rd. 662-488-0013
SPRINGVILLE CHAPEL MB 1870 Palestine Rd. 662-509-9511 ST. PAUL BAPTIST 360 Cairo Loop 662-489-8417
THAXTON BAPTIST 10507 Hwy. 336, Thaxton 662-489-8534
THE ANCHOR BAPTIST 4495 Hwy. 9 North, Pontotoc 662-489-9241 THE VINE 356 E. Oxford St., Pontotoc 662-401-2218 TOCCOPOLA BAPTIST P. O. Box 304 662-489-7504 TOXISH BAPTIST 1841 Toxish Rd. 662-489-5839 TROY BAPTIST 8272 Hwy. 41 662-489-5770
TURNPIKE BAPTIST Cane Creek Rd. Pontotoc 489-1923
VALLEY GROVE BAPTIST 3282 Kings Hwy., Tupelo 662-419-0485 WATCHMEN BAPTIST 13013 Hwy. 336 662-489-5560
VICTORY BAPTIST 382 South Main Street 662-489-5900 WEST HEIGHTS BAPTIST 328 W. Oxford St. 662-489-1200
WILSON CHAPEL BAPTIST CHURCH P. O. Box 906, Pontotoc, MS WOODLAND BAPTIST 1257 Pontocola Rd. 662-489-9391 ZION BAPTIST 459 Valley Rd. 662-489-2196
CATHOLIC ST. CHRISTOPHER CATHOLIC CHURCH 431 Pineridge Dr., Pontotoc 662-489-7749
CHURCH OF CHRIST BUCKHORN CHURCH OF CHRIST 13675 Hwy. 341, Randolph 662-308-1229 CHURCH OF CHRIST 276 Hwy. 15 Bypass 662-489-5020 CHURCH OF CHRIST 369 Church St. 662-489-1136
RANDOLPH CHURCH OF CHRIST Corner of Topsy Rd. & Indian Creek Tr. SHERMAN CHURCH OF CHRIST 2303 St. Hwy. 178 E., Sherman 662-844-4593 JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES KINGDOM HALL OF JEHOVAH’S 112 Old Airport Rd. 662-489-7815 METHODIST ALGOMA UMC 1161 Algoma Road, Pontotoc 662-760-34998
BEULAH GROVE UMC Beulah Grove Rd. 662-844-6021 EBENEZER UMC 1411 Hwy. 342, Pontotoc 662-760-3499 ECRU UMC Church Street Ecru, MS
FAIRVIEW UMC Hwy. 341 662-489-6979 FIRST UMC 68 S. Main St. 662-489-3076
McDONALD UMC 194 College Street 662-489-1020
MOUNT NEBO UMC 1221 Campground Rd. 662-489-7020 NAYLOR CME 326 Clark St. 662-489-6082
PALESTINE UMC 2181 Palestine Road, Pontotoc 662-760-3499
PLEASANT GROVE UMC 205 Martin Lane 662-489-2087 THAXTON UMC 10326 Hwy. 336, Thaxton 488-8178
UNION GROVE UMC Beulah Grove Rd. 662-844-6021
USHER VALLEY UMC 754 Moorman Rd. 662-489-8020 PENTECOSTAL BLACK ZION PENTECOSTAL Hwy. 342 662-489-0068
THAXTON UNITED PENTECOSTAL 265 Wells Road 662-231-1197
WEST PONTOTOC PENTECOSTAL CHURCH 266 Hwy. 341 S., Pontotoc 662-489-6700 PRESBYTERIAN FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 124 S. Main St. 662-489-2183 MAPLE DRIVE PRESBYTERIAN 146 Maple Dr. 662-488-0401 WHITE ZION PRESBYTERIAN Hwy. 6 East 662-844-5648
OTHER ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER 267 W. 8th St. 662-489-8409
CHRISTIAN COMM. CHURCH 5206A Hwy. 15, Ecru 539-0040 CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY 1528 Hwy. 341 662-660-0406 CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD 320 Stark Rd. 662-488-8256
CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD 127 County Rd. 433, Thaxton 662-236-5948 COLLEGE HILL 7027 Hwy. 6 E. 662-488-4060
ECRU CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS 259 Old Hwy. 15, Ecru 662-489-4319 GOOD SHEPHERD 184 W. Bolton St. 662-489-2205 HARVESTER CHURCH Hwy. 15 N. 662-489-4181
HARVEST TIME CHURCH OF GOD 289 8th Street, Pontotoc 662-488-8715 HEAVEN BOUND CHURCH 110 Jericho Road, Pontotoc 662-308-7663 OASIS OF LOVE FELLOWSHIP 1195 Kings Hwy. 662-690-1920
PONTOTOC APOSTOLIC 248 Apostolic Circle 662-489-7121 REYNOLDS CHAPEL 6498 Hwy. 9 S. 489-3711
THOMPSON CHAPEL CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 937 CR 308, Houlka, MS 662-568-2680
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CITY OF PONTOTOC Mayor Bob Peeples, Office in city hall 489-4321
ALDERMEN Lena Chewe, ward one 489-5374 Tommy Patterson, ward two 489-7018 D. R. Simmons, ward three 419-1903 Rayburn Mapp, ward four 489-2631 David White at-large 419-0107 How to call: 662-489-4321
The Pontotoc City Board of Aldermen meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
PONTOTOC COUNTY Chancery Clerk’s Office – 489-3900 Ricky Ferguson The chancery court clerk handles documentation on divorces, property line disputes, adoptions and youth court.
Circuit Clerk’s Office – 489-3908 Melinda Nowicki The circuit clerk handles documentation on marriages, voter registration, criminal and civil cases and notary public. Tax Assessor/Collector – 489-3904 Van McWhirter
MUNICIPALITIES ALGOMA - Mayor Harry Corder, 489-5696 Board meets first Tuesday, 7 p.m. ECRU - Mayor Jeff Smith, 489-3881 Board meets first Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
SHERMAN - Mayor Mike Swords, 840-9185 Board meets first Thursday, 6 p.m. THAXTON - Mayor Johnny Coleman, 419-2665 Board meets first Tuesday, 7 p.m.
TOCCOPOLA - Mayor Nick Brewer II, 4896122 Board meets first Tuesday, 7 p.m. SUPERVISORS District 1: Wayne Stokes – 489-7341 District 2: Mike McGregor - 419-5685 District 3: Brad Ward - 419-0497 District 4: Ernie Wright – 844-0208 District 5: Dan McKnight - 419-2277 The supervisors oversee the budget for
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the entire county, make decisions on improvements county-wide including buildings, fire protection and emergency management. They also see that roads and bridges are repaired.
The Pontotoc County Supervisors meet the first Monday of the month, the 15th of the month and the last day of the month at 10 a.m. If the 15th or the last day falls on the weekend, the board meets on the Friday before.
JUSTICE COURT JUDGES East District: David A. Hall – 489-3921 West District: Scottie Harrison – 489-3921 Justice court judges set bonds on all county crimes, and hear cases that aren’t heard by the circuit court judges. CONSTABLES East District: Tommy Corbin West District: L. D. Gillespie Constables are responsible for serving court papers and helping to keep the peace in their district. Contact them at Justice Court, 489-3921. OTHER NUMBERS Airport – 489-3950 Extension Office – 489-3910 Library – 489-3960 Veteran’s Office – 489-3907 Youth Court Service – 489-3936 Agri-Center – 489-3946 STATE OFFICIALS GOVERNOR Phil Bryant, (877) 405-0733
STATE REPRESENTATIVES Mac Huddleston: District 15 - Pontotoc County P.O. Drawer 300, Pontotoc, MS 38863, (662) 489-5157 E-mail: mhuddleston@house.ms.gov
Margaret Ellis Rogers: District 14 Pontotoc, Union Counties 619 Owen Road New Albany, MS 38652, (662) 534-8886 E-mail: mrogers@house.ms.gov
Preston Sullivan: District 22 - Pontotoc, Calhoun, Chickasaw, 1601 CR 410, Okolona,
MS 38860, (662) 447-5719 E-mail: psullivan@house.ms.gov
STATE SENATOR Nickey Browning: District 3 - Pontotoc, Union, Calhoun, P.O. Box 1051, Pontotoc, MS 38863, (662) 489-5979 E-mail: nbrowning@senate.ms.gov FEDERAL OFFICIALS Senator Thad Cochran Contact Sen. Cochran in Washington: U.S. Senate, 113 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-5054 Fax: (202) 224-9450 In Mississippi: 2012 15th Street, Suite 451 Gulfport, Mississippi 39501 Phone: (228) 867-9710 Fax: (228) 867-9789 E-mail: senator@cochran.senate.gov Web site: www.cochran.senate.gov Senator Roger F. Wicker Contact Sen. Wicker in Washington: 555 Dirksen, Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-6253 Fax: (202) 228-0378 In Mississippi: P.O. Box 1482 Tupelo, MS 38802 Phone: (662) 844-5010 Fax: (662) 844-5030 Phone: (601) 965-4644 Fax: (601) 965-4007 Web site: www.wicker.senate.gov
Congressman First District Trent Kelly Contact Congressman Nunnelee in Washington: 1721 Longworth, House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-4306 Fax: (202) 225-3549 In Mississippi: 431 West Main Street, Ste. 450 Tupelo, MS 38804 Phone: (662) 841-8808 Fax: (662) 841-8845
Some clubs are by invitation only. Please call the contact person for more information. CHILDREN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Martha Jo Coleman - 308-1219
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Millicent Seawright - 488-1576
COSMOPOLITAN CLUB Joyce Odom - 489-4365
PONTOTOC COMMUNITY THEATER Kim Sauerwein - 297-6654
CIVITAN CLUB George Stegall - 489-2052
FINE ARTS CLUB Lois Umphress - 840-8291
PONTOTOC CO. HISTORICAL SOCIETY Martha Jo Coleman - 308-1219
PONTOTOC 4-H CLUB Sherry Thompson - 489-3910
PONTOTOC HOMEMAKERS Linda Smith - 489-3910
PONTOTOC MUSIC STUDY CLUB Patricia Henry - 488-1640
PONTOTOC ROTARY Brooks Corder - 489-1631 SOUTH PONTOTOC PTO Jerri Bennett - 296-4820
TALE-TELLERS B. T. Simms Senior Bldg. - 4896557 CONCERNED CITIZENS David High - 489-5319
NORTH PONTOTOC PTO Brandie Thomas - 296-5654 Brandi Brown - 419-5547
PONTOTOC WOMAN’S CLUB Michelle Sutton - 231-2707 TOWN AND COUNTRY GARDEN CLUB June Haulcomb - 419-1712 PONTOTOC AMERICAN LEGION, POST #16 Davis Barton - 489-0094
PONTOTOC VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS Johnny Reece - 231-8735
PONTOTOC ARTISTS GUILD Dr. Lee Waltress - 509-2091
HOW WE GIVE BACK Pontotoc County residents give of their time and talents to charitable organizations local and nationwide; to clubs and any local benefit, giving hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to help those in need. These organizations give folks an opportunity to give from Pontotoc to all points of the globe. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Pontotoc Habitat for Humanity has built scores of homes in Pontotoc for those who need affordable housing. Volunteers from all walks of life come together to hammer and saw a house into a future home for a needy family. Call 488-9090 for more information or to volunteer.
PONTOTOC FOOD DEPOT Through the Pontotoc Food Depot, those who wish to receive food on a monthly basis sign up the first Saturday of each month at the food depot office from 8-10 a.m. The office is located at the corner of Marion and Liberty Streets beside Cornelieson Law Office. Those who are signed up collect their food on the third Saturday. PONTOTOC FOOD PANTRY When your house is destroyed by fire or a sudden job loss occurs, the Pontotoc County Food Pantry is there to supply the immediate need. The organization helps to supply food to an average of 30-50 families a month and is open from 9 a.m.-12 noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is located on Reynolds Street. Call 489-5042 for more information. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR Love Your Neighbor began as a project to help neighbors in need during the summer. This group has cleared brush, repaired roofs and built porches for those who need it. They spend one week in the summer working on various projects to teach the youth and adults alike to look in their own back yard first for those who may be in need. For more information about this annual week-long project call Friendship Baptist Church at 489-4056 or send a message to contact@fbcecru.com.
FEEDING OF THE 5,000 A week before Thanksgiving churches from across the county come together to pack a meal for the home bound and elderly. The list and man power comes from the different county churches. They come together at First Baptist Church because it is in the center of the county. This even begins being organized by early October each year. If your church wants to participate please call First Baptist at 489-1346.
SALVATION ARMY When disaster strikes in any form, the Salvation Army is there to give hope and help. A thrift store is open to aid people in the community. Volunteers also ring the bell at Christmas to collect monies in the red kettle. Call 509-9400 for more information. OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Churches across Pontotoc participate in bringing brighter smiles to children all over the world by packing shoe boxes and sending them to Samaritan’s Purse to be distributed by boat, mule, bike, trike and any other means to give hope to a child in need. Call Angie Kennedy at 488-2035.
HAMMERS OF HOPE Hammers of Hope repairs & rebuilds homes of those in need whether affected by natural disaster or life circumstances while sharing the love of Christ. Born out of a desire to help people here at home whose homes need repair, Jeff and Kim Cooper along with volunteers make their hands busy helping those in need. Soon to be a 501-3c organization please contact them at 662-871-1605 or go to hammersofhopems.org. Faithful Servants Working ‘Til Jesus Returns! Hebrews 3:1-6
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Now that you see how we celebrate, here are the months that you can expect those celebrations to begin. Exact dates for all these activities will be announced in the Pontotoc Progress, so make sure you check out your newspaper to mark them on your calendars as they approach.
JULY
JANUARY
AUGUST
MARCH
- Independence Day Parade and Fireworks Display - County Wide Pep Rally - Rebel/Bulldog Challenge on the Court Square - Pontotoc County Fair
SEPTEMBER
- Bodock Festival
- Martin Luther King Day celebration and parade - Customer Appreciation Day downtown 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - American Legion Birthday - Rotary Rodeo - Chamber of Commerce Banquet
APRIL
- Algoma Cross-tie Festival - Harvest Scarecrows go up - Harvest Walk
- Conservation Carnival at Howard Stafford Park - Easter Egg Hunt - Art Guild Spring Gala - Relay for Life
NOVEMBER
MAY
OCTOBER
- Veteran’s Day Celebration at 11:00 on the Court Square - Christmas Open House 1:00 to 5:00
DECEMBER
- Pontotoc, Thaxton, Ecru, Sherman and Toccopola Christmas Parades - Rudolph Run downtown - Wreaths Across America at 11:00 on the Court Square
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- Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build - North Pontotoc High School Graduation - South Pontotoc High School Graduation - Pontotoc High School Graduation - Honoring Our Fallen Heroes at 11:00 on the Court Square
Business & Industry Members American Best Value Inn Pontotoc, 489-5200
Fine Arts Club Pontotoc
Pontotoc County Pontotoc
Antiques Downtown Pontotoc, 489-4458
Henry Payne Agency, Inc Pontotoc, 488-8006
Pontotoc Health Services Pontotoc 489-7640
Anna Jade Boutique Pontotoc, 489-8481 Anitques on Main Pontotoc, 456-6822
Ashley Furniture Industries Ecru 489-5655 ASI, Inc New Albany, 534-4987 B&B Concrete Pontotoc, 489-2233 BancorpSouth Pontotoc, 488-4577 Bank of Pontotoc Pontotoc, 489-6404 Between Sisters Pontotoc 489-0096
Bodock Bed & Breakfast Pontotoc 488-9908
Brooks-Dehart Furniture Xpress Pontotoc, 828-261-0861
Browning Funeral Home Pontotoc 489-4141 Carnes Frames Pontotoc 489-8777 City of Pontotoc Pontotoc
Collier Dental Pontotoc, 236-1969
Double B Farm & Gin Randolph , 489-1276
Edward Jones Investment Pontotoc, 489-0170 Engineering Solutions Pontotoc, 489-4336
First Choice Bank Pontotoc 489-1631
Image Screen Printing Pontotoc 489-2741 J. Greg Brown Attorney at Law Pontotoc 488-4020
John M. Lauderdale Pontotoc 489-7561
Kars Auto Recycles LLC Pontotoc, 844-6586 Lep’s Bar B Que Pontotoc, 489-1361
Madison Components Pontotoc, 489-8777 Magnolia Hospice Pontotoc, 586-5126 McCoy’s Grocery Ecru 489-3161
Mechanics Insurance Pontotoc, 489-3300
Millcreek Rehab Center Pontotoc 488-8878 Montgomery Drug Pontotoc 489-5555 NE MS Electric Power Association Oxford 238-3223 Paul Sims, The Cottage Pontotoc
Piggly Wiggly Pontotoc 489-4282 Pontotoc Art Guild Pontotoc
Pontotoc Electric Power Assocation Pontotoc 489-3211
Pontotoc Health & Rehab Graceland Pontotoc, 489-6411 Pontotoc Loans Pontotoc, 489-6237 Pontotoc Progress Pontotoc 489-3511 Pontotoc Springs Pontotoc 489-7846
Pontotoc Woman’s Club Pontotoc Reeder Farm Supply Pontotoc, 489-2211 Renasant Bank Pontotoc
Rex Ashley, LTD Pontotoc 489-6021 Ridgecrest, Inc Pontotoc
Seafood Junction Algoma Sedilis Club Pontotoc
Servpro of Tupelo Pontotoc
Shannon & Graham Eye Clinic Pontotoc 489-4741 Simon, LLC Pontotoc, 509-8505
South Main Dental John T. Black Jr. DMD, PA Pontotoc 489-7768
Southern Security Federal Pontotoc, 488-9411
State Farm Insurance - Marsha Reeder Pontotoc 489-1414 The Cell Phone Superstore, Inc Tupelo, 801-3000 Taco Bell Oxford, 236-3026
Three Rivers Planning & Development District Pontotoc, 489-2415 Town & Country Garden Club Pontotoc
Town of Thaxton Thaxton 489-4888 Toyota Pontotoc
True Blue Pontotoc
True Value Home Center Pontotoc 489-7440 Wade, Inc. Pontotoc 489-1381
William D. Parker, Architect Pontotoc WoodmenLife Pontotoc, 489-7888
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
Don & Michelle Benjamin Bessie Givhan Fred Wicker Jimmy & Rose Roberts Kenneth & Patsy Rackley Bill & Phyliss Wardlaw Chuck & Ensley Howell Drs. Mac & Flavia Huddleston Tud & Kitty Pitman
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Open 7 days a week! Mon.-Fri. 8-6 • Sat. 9-3 • Sun. 1-5
Drive-thru convenience Friendship Pharmacy has on-call delivery or if you prefer to stop in to get your medicine enjoy a cone of fresh ice cream or a soda from the fountain.
Allergy Testing •One-Stick Allergy Testing
Chemistry Machine
•CMP “Complete Metabolic Panel” •Lipids “Cholesterol testing”
Hemoglobin A1-c Test
•Determines blood sugar levels to detect diabetes
In-House X-Ray
5532 Hwy. 15 North Suite 1 • Ecru, MS
488-0317
Hematology Machine
•CBC test to determine if the patient has a bacterial or viral infection
Immunoassay Machine •TSH “Thyroid testing” •PSA “Prostate testing” •Testosterone testing
Diabetic Education Teaching
5482 Hwy. 15 North • Ecru, MS 488-8799
Monday - Friday 7 am - 7pm, Saturday 9 am - 3 pm, Sunday 11 am - 5 pm
•Individual & Group Health Insurance •Group Dental & Vision Insurance •Cancer, Accident Insurance •Life Insurance •Short/Long Term Disability •Medicare •Prescription Drug Plans •GAP Insurance •Flexible Spending/Cafeteria Plan
Affordable Employee Benefits LLC P.O. Box 96 • 382 West Main St • Ecru, Mississippi 38841 Phone: 662-489-5677 • Fax: 662-489-8906 • Toll Free: 1-800-748-8948 info@affordable-benefits.com
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