Today in Mississippi Pearl River Valley September 2012 by American MainStreet Publications

Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association

Quilter Martha Ginn

Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)

A football camp for women only

Cookbook commemorates churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100th anniversary

Mississippi welcomes autumn with family-friendly activities

2 I Today in Mississippi I September 2012

Now This Is

Luxury! 6FDQ +HUH

'DQFLQJ 5DEELW ,QQ Â&#x2021; &KRFWDZ 06 Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021; ZZZ 'DQFLQJ5DEELW,QQ FRP $ GHYHORSPHQW RI WKH 0LVVLVVLSSL %DQG RI &KRFWDZ ,QGLDQV

September 2012 I Today in Mississippi

Preparing for Isaac’s punch helped dampen its impact ower outages are unavoidable in the face of a hurricane. But electric power associations are extremely effective in lessening their impact. Our experience with Hurricane Isaac once again proved the effectiveness of electric power associations’ emergency work plans and the value of cooperation in restoring electric service. Each of Mississippi’s 26 electric power associations activated a specific emergency response plan even before Tropical Storm Isaac entered the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi’s statewide emergency coordinator and staff took preliminary actions several days before the path of Isaac’s landfall became apparent. At the time, we had no idea how (or if) Mississippi would be affected by the storm. But we weren’t leaving anything to chance. One of the first things we did was to make sure we could count on help from electric cooperatives in other states should the need arise. While Isaac was still a tropical storm, we coordinated with cooperatives in some 20 other states to arrange for additional emergency work crews and equipment if needed. Then we took part in conference calls with statewide emergency coordinators representing electric cooperatives in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas to assess needs and plan appropriate responses. The power of working together in emergency operations is a hallmark of electric cooperatives in America. Each cooperative is an independent, locally owned utility, but together we share the same mission: the delivery of reliable electric service. No one in the electric utility industry works harder to keep your lights on than your electric power association. The amount of detail covered in our emergency preparedness operations is staggering. Long before a hurricane arrives, electric power

On the cover Hattiesburg resident and quilter Martha Ginn deviates from the traditional designs of her craft to produce expressive, original work. Ginn’s award-winning wall quilts are rich in color and texture, and often incorporate unexpected materials. Read more about the quilter and her work on page 4.

Our Homeplace

My Opinion Michael Callahan Executive Vice President/CEO EPAs of Mississippi

associations arrange accommodations for the hundreds of emergency workers that may be called upon in other states to help us restore power. We talk with suppliers to ensure availability of line construction materials. We hold safety briefings with employees. Vehicles are fueled up and everyone stands ready to respond as soon as weather conditions allow. Fast power restoration is our goal, but nothing takes priority over the safety of our employees and the public. Our employees are highly skilled and well versed in safety procedures. They think about electrical safety every day. On the other hand, electrical safety is not always foremost in everyone’s mind. Please, be especially alert for safety hazards during emergency situations. Stay away from power lines at all times, and report a damaged line to your electric power association. As I write this, on the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the electric power association work force is on standby, waiting for Isaac to budge from the Louisiana coastline and move farther inland. As soon as the strong winds diminish, our crews will begin rebuilding lines and restoring service in an orderly, speedy fashion. As we remember the victims of Hurricane Katrina, we also pray for the safety of those in Isaac’s path and those who will take part in the recovery process.

Today in Mississippi

JOIN TODAY IN MISSISSIPPI

ON FACEBOOK Vol. 65 No. 9

The Official Publication of the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi

EDITORIAL OFFICE & ADVERTISING Today in Mississippi (ISSN 1052-2433) is 601-605-8600 published eleven times a year (Jan.Darrell Smith - President Acceptance of advertising by Today in Nov.) by Electric Power Associations of Kevin Doddridge - First Vice President Mississippi does not imply endorsement Mississippi, Inc., P.O. Box 3300, RidgeBrad Robison - Second Vice President of the advertised product or services by land, MS 39158-3300, or 665 Highland the publisher or Mississippi’s Electric Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Wayne Henson - Secretary/Treasurer Power Associations. Product satisfaction Phone 601-605-8600. Periodical and delivery responsibility lie solely with postage paid at Ridgeland, MS, and EDITORIAL STAFF the advertiser. additional office. The publisher (and/or Michael Callahan - Executive Vice President/CEO • National advertising representative: its agent) reserves the right to refuse or Ron Stewart - Senior Vice President, Co-op Services National Country Market, 800-626-1181 edit all advertising. Mark Bridges - Manager, Support Services POSTMASTER: Send address changes Jay Swindle - Manager, Advertising Circulation of this issue: 430,647 to: Today, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, Debbie H. Stringer - Editor Non-member subscription price: $9.50 per year MS 39158-3300 Abby Berry - Communications Specialist Visit us at: Rickey McMillan - Graphics Specialist www.todayinmississippi.com Linda Hutcherson - Administrative Assistant

OFFICERS

The corn harvest piles up at Valley Park Elevator, in Valley Park. Most growers in Mississippi are reporting record or near-record yields on some 840,000 acres of corn. Yields for some irrigated corn in the Delta have topped 200 bushels per acre, surpassing the state’s previous record yield of 148 bushels per acre. Most of Mississippi’s crops have not been affected by drought, but many corn producers face higher transportation costs for their crop due to low levels on the Mississippi River. Valley Park Elevator is a member of Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association.

Mississippi is . . . Going to Granny and Pawpa’s house helping Granny make tea cakes and fried chocolate pies, Riding with Pawpa in the wagon and drinking from the spring when our throat got dry, Helping Granny pick blackberries to make a homemade blackberry cobbler or pie, Sitting in Dad’s lap and listening to stories of things that happened in years gone by, Helping Mom chase a chicken all over the yard and watching her cut it up to fry, Mom saying, come here child, this dress I sewed is ready for you to try, Sitting on Dad’s knee and him saying, I love you, Sugarfoot, and it will be OK by and by. I have lived in other states but always return to see “Old Glory” fly. —Helen Shannon, Meridian I was not born in Mississippi. I moved down here from Chicago and Michigan in 1963. I have been in Mississippi now for 48 years. I love the South and all the people here. They are all so friendly [and] caring and will do anything to help you when you are in need. I also love the not-so-fast pace, like it is in big cities. Hurricane Katrina was a frightening experience for me, but the people made it easier with all their help and concern. —Pauline Bass, Bassfield

What’s Mississippi to you? What makes you proud to be a Mississippian? What do you treasure most about life in our state? Send your thoughts to Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158, or email them to news@epaofms.com. Please keep your comments brief. Submissions are subject to editing.

Today in Mississippi

September 2012

the

liberation of a

Ginn combined a wide range of fabrics embellished with stitchery, beads and textured yarn in this applique quilt. It won top honor in its category at a Hattiesburg art show.

Veering from the path of traditional quilting, Martha Ginn goes her own way to create original works of art By Debbie Stringer You expect to see colorful fabric and fancy stitching in a pieced quilt. But a foil candy wrapper? Crinkled cellophane, metallic fibers and fuzzy yarns? Count Hattiesburg resident Martha Ginn among the growing number of quilters who use unexpected materials in works made for the wall, not the bed. In Ginn’s work, the foil candy wrapper resembles a silo in a rural landscape, and crinkled cellophane mimics the spray of an ocean wave. If an object can be stitched by hand or machine, it could show up in an art quilt—as long as it helps the quilter communicate her vision. Ginn’s journey into art quilting reflects that of most artists: She mastered the traditional techniques of her craft, then went her own way to create completely original and expressive work unfettered by tradition. “My biggest joy is doing more artistic quilts, my own designs, and expressing myself through the fabric and hand work,” Ginn said. Ginn’s works reveal her connection with nature. Images of leaves, flowers and trees appear often in her work, though she also experiments with geometric and abstract designs.

Inspiration for a quilt design can materialize anywhere at any time. A photograph she made of lush plants growing in a hospital atrium triggered the idea for one applique quilt. Sometimes the fabric itself suggests a quilt, Ginn said. Pointing to one of the small wall hangings lining the hallway of her home, she explained. “This one I did after 9/11. A lot of times, the fabric is the main event, the reason for doing something. I found this fabric [printed with small colorful squares] that looked like buildings.” She used the fabric as the basis for “City Celebration,” in which sparkly threads and yarns erupt like fireworks from a city skyline. It’s one of her favorite quilts. Ginn started quilting in the late 1970s, when traditional patchwork patterns were the norm for her area. “You wouldn’t see any of what we now call art quilts. It was all traditional patterns,” she said. “But soon I wanted to make my own designs, and that’s how I branched out.” It was a bold move for a former legal secretary with no art training. “As I grew up, I didn’t know I had any artistic talent. I didn’t draw a thing, but I wish I had explored it back then.” But when she enrolled in an adult drawing class taught by a fellow church member, “that just set me on fire,” Ginn said.

“Then I thought, well, yeah, I can draw. I can be an artist. And I think everyone does have some of that talent; they just don’t always recognize it.” Ginn attended workshops with nationally known instructors to learn new skills. Her repertoire grew to include various layering and piecing techniques, dyeing, fabric painting, collage, applique, free-motion machine stitching, thread painting and beading. “Every class I’ve taken is to learn something new, not that I want to copy what the teacher did in class, but to learn a skill that I can use in my own things.” Ginn hasn’t completely forsaken traditional patchwork designs. She based one of her quilts on the Mariner’s Compass, a modern name for a quilt pattern hundreds of years old. Ginn set a constellation of the compass patterns on a dark, flecked background that brings to mind the night sky. She calls the quilt “Finding My Way.” “It means listen to your own voice. Find what you like,” she said. Working in her spacious home studio, Ginn begins a new project by working out the design on paper. For her pictorial quilts, she uses an original drawing as the pattern for cutting the fabrics. An eclectic stash of fabrics in every color imaginable makes up her palette. Favorites are cotton prints, batiks, hand-dyed sateens, silky blends, upholstery and drapery fabrics. Once the quilt top is pieced and layered with batting and a backing fabric, the quilting process begins. Guiding her longarm quilting machine, she “paints” images

September 2012

Today in Mississippi

Thread painting and hand-dyed fabrics lend variations of color and interest to Ginn’s wall quilts, right.

with thread, blending or contrasting colors for special effects. One of her favorite techniques is “ghost” quilting, used in her “Jungle Leaves” wall hanging. In this freemotion quilting technique, Ginn starts with a square piece of a bold print centered on a larger piece of a single color. “I have to imagine what the print would look like beyond the square, what would come next. Then I just complete it [by stitching] these ghost images. It’s so much fun.” Quilting means far more to Ginn than creative fun. Throughout her husband’s 10year illness and her own recovery from a foot injury, quilting provided a much needed distraction from life’s difficulties. “It was such a refuge to go in my studio and play with my fabric and stitch. There were a lot of interruptions so at times I didn’t get a lot done, but there was the joy of being in there. “I recall walking into the door of the studio on a bad day and it was almost like somebody pouring something over me, just a peaceful feeling.” Husband Roy was her biggest fan, Ginn said. “He would come to the doorway and say, ‘I’m so glad you have this space.’ He was proud of everything I did and really wanted me to enjoy it.” Developing friendships with quilters across town and around the world is another benefit of quilting, Ginn pointed out. She blogs about quilting and serves as the moderator of an online critique group for members of Studio Art Quilt Associates, an international organization. As a member of Mississippi Quilt Association, “I have found friendships not just in Hattiesburg but all over the state. It’s really enriched my life,” she said. Twenty-nine years ago, Ginn and four other quilters started Pine Belt Quilters. “We had just taken quilting classes [at a Gulf States Quilting Association event] and just got so crazy for it. On the way home in the car, we said we have got to form a guild.” The quilters first exhibited their work in a local mall, with quilts draped over tables, chairs and planters. “After that, one of the first things we wanted to do was to have a real quilt show, with judges,” Ginn said. Pine Belt Quilters now hosts the largest quilt show in Mississippi, a biennial event that opens next month in Hattiesburg. Guild members meet up to three times monthly to share ideas, learn new techniques and sew charitable projects that benefit hundreds of children each year. Ginn’s art quilts have earned awards at area quilt shows and have been juried into the nation’s largest and most prestigious shows, including the International

Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas. A Ginn applique quilt with a dazzling array of fabric, texture and color took first place in its category at a local art association show. “It wasn’t a quilt show but an art show. That was a thrill to have it recognized as art,” Ginn said. Ginn’s “Rise and Shine, Inner City,” a quilt made of small half-hexagons arranged in a way to suggest buildings warmed by the rising sun, is included in the book “Color Play” by Joen Wolfrom and two other quilting books. Starting this month, “Rise and Shine” will tour China as part of “The Sum of Many Parts: 25 Quiltmakers in 21st Century America,” which will travel to five museums. But when Ginn makes a quilt, she is not thinking of shows or public recognition. She works to suit herself, not judges. As long as a quilt satisfies her tough inner critic, its appeal cannot be diminished by the

“Jungle Leaves,” left, is an example of ghost quilting. Using free-motion machine quilting, Ginn extends the leaves’ shapes beyond the edge of the printed fabric square.

lack of a blue ribbon. “If I know it’s a good artistic design, then I’m proud of it,” she said. “It’s the creation of these things that brings the most joy.” See a gallery of Martha Ginn’s quilts at www.marthaginn.com, and find her blog at marthaginn.blogspot.com. For information on the Pine Belt Quilters 14th Biennial Fiber Art & Quilt Show, Oct. 5-7 in Hattiesburg, go to www.pinebeltquilters.com. Ginn will demonstrate ghost quilting, speak on the care and repair of quilts and exhibit eight of her quilts at the show.

Today in Mississippi I September 2012

Vintage shotgun a tangible connection to legend oug Lamb in Clarksdale called me the other day to tell me that a friend of his in Alabama had just gotten a shotgun I might be interested in seeing. I’m not known as a gun collector, except for some rag-tag specimens that have migrated to my house over time, including a .22 single shot I won in a contest with other paperboys at the Delta Democrat Times in Greenville when I was 12. And my treasure, an 8 mm German Mauser that Daddy brought back from Italy after World War II. (Loudest firecracker on the block at midnight New

Mississippi Seen by Walt Grayson

Year’s Eve!) Doug went on to say that this particular gun is over 150 years old. Not only is it in mint condition, but was specially made in England for a Mississippian I might be famil-

iar with: Henry Vick. Yes! I am very familiar with that name, having seen it no telling how

Join Walt and many other Mississippians as they open their life albums and share their memories in words and photographs. This collection from the readers of Today in Mississippi prompted Walt to pull related tales from his vault of experience, collected while living in and traveling throughout his home state. “Oh! That Reminds Me: More Mississippi Homegrown Stories with Walt Grayson” is sure to become a collector’s item.

$ 34.95 ONLY

EASY ORDERING ONLINE www.todayinmississippi.com Visa • MasterCard Discover accepted

Please send _____ copy (or copies) of “Oh! That Reminds Me: More Mississippi Homegrown Stories” at $34.95 per book (includes sales tax, shipping and handling). Name _______________________________________________________ Mailing Address _______________________________________________ City______________________________ State______ Zip_____________

Make check or money order payable to Today in Mississippi and send to: Mississippi Homegrown Stories I P.O. Box 3300 I Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300

many times on his headstone in the graveyard behind The Chapel of the Cross in Madison County. Not to mention his being associated with the legend of the Bride of Annandale. Henry Vick and Helen Johnstone were to have been married in 1859, but Vick was killed in a duel in Mobile the week before the wedding. His body was transported back to Vicksburg on the same steamboat that carried the caterers, who had not yet heard the news. Helen persuaded the Vick family to allow the body to be buried at the Annandale Plantation church, The Chapel of the Cross. Truth blends into legend after that, but the story handed down through lore has it that Helen pined her life away mourning her lost love at the foot of Henry Vick’s grave. Supposedly, she is now seen there at midnight as the ghost of the Bride of Annandale. Truth is she married the Rev. George Harris, pastor of the chapel, and the couple moved to the Delta and started another Chapel of the Cross in Rolling Fork. There is a lot more to that story, but I want to get back to the gun. Sam Gladden of Clanton, Ala., collects English-made guns and had first seen the Henry Vick shotgun 16 years before he finally acquired it. He was first attracted to it because of the perch-belly stock; that’s a stock whose underside curves slightly instead of being straight. The barrel is cast from beautiful Damascus steel. It has dolphin head hammers that show absolutely no signs

Sam Gladden brought Henry Vick's shotgun to the Chapel of the Cross the other day. Propped against Vick’s headstone, the gun gives a hint of the personality of the man buried in the grave. Photo: Walt Grayson

of wear. The metal has ornate scrollwork engraved on it, and there is extraordinary hand carving on the stock. All of that tooling on a gun that old made it a find to begin with. When Sam saw the name “H.G. Vick, Vickland, Mississippi” engraved on the barrel, and being familiar with the Vick duel from Alabama history, he knew he had to add the gun to his collection. Sam missed his first chance to buy it, but when it came on the market again this year he didn’t even haggle over price. He got it. For how much? Well, that’s kind of rude to ask. What’s it worth today? Sam politely begs off by telling me that he’s not really an appraiser. But he did tell me what Henry Vick paid for it in the 1850s: two pounds sterling. That’s two pounds of sterling silver—on today’s market, about $18,000. I got to touch the gun. It’s another of those tangibles you run across now and again that adds a sparkle of reality to a story that is a legend more than anything else, nowadays. Walt Grayson is the host of “Mississippi Roads” on Mississippi Public Broadcasting television, and the author of two “Looking Around Mississippi” books and “Oh! That Reminds Me: More Mississippi Homegrown Stories.” To contact Grayson, send email to walt@waltgrayson.com.

September 2012 I Today in Mississippi I 7

Compost a no-cost way to improve garden soil ne of the final gifts a productive garden can give us is raw materials to compost for use in the next year’s garden. As we move into autumn, many of us will be cleaning up the garden, pruning and getting rid of leaves. A lot of this yard trash will end up at the curb for the city to pick up. Some of this will be chipped and composted for municipal use. The rest probably will end up in the landfill, which is not Southern ideal. Gardening Why not put these by Dr. Gary Bachman materials in your compost bin? If you are not already composting, fall is a great time to start a compost bin. The benefits of adding compost to your garden and landscape are numerous, and your plants will be Ted Benge, a landscape architecture student from Nashville, turns a steaming compost pile at Mississippi State University as part of a project begun last spring. most appreciative. Photo: MSU Ag Communications/Kat Lawrence You can use compost as a soil amendment, as mulch around your essential plant nutrients that feed our standing water during rainstorms. If evenly distributes the heat generated by plants or both. When used as a soil growing plants. you place it near trees, their root sysdecomposition. For another, it brings amendment in sandy soils, compost Another big benefit, especially to tems will find your compost pile, use oxygen into the center, where microoradds texture and improves the soil’s thrifty gardeners, is that compost is the nutrients and make harvesting your ganisms can use it. Turn the pile every water-holding capacity. In tight, clay free. When you use compost, you won’t finished compost difficult. time you add fresh materials to move soils that hold too much water, the have to buy bags of soil conditioners There are many styles of composting them into the center. addition of compost will improve soil and other commercially bagged soil piles, bins and structures. Which one to You can insert a perforated drainage drainage. amendments. use is up to the individual gardener. pipe into your compost pile to introCompost helps keep the garden soil We always hear about the imporHowever, taking care of the composting duce oxygen to the center of the comhealthy by increasing earthworm popu- tance of location in real estate, but loca- process is more important than the style post pile or bin. lations; earthworms aerate and loosen Moisture is also important for the tion is just as important for your comyou choose. If left alone, the organic the soil. Composting also recycles health and activity of the microorganpost pile or bin. If it’s too far away, it matter in your bin will decompose on will not be used. If it’s too close to the its own, but with a little work, you can isms in your compost bin. There is less activity when the pile is dry, so comhouse, it may create an unsightly scene increase the rate of decomposition. in the landscape. The first thing to do is turn, or mix, posting takes place more slowly. During dry periods, water the compost pile, but Build your compost bin close to the the compost pile, which does a couple not too much. Excessively wet compost garden. Try to avoid a location that has of important things. For one thing, it can create anaerobic conditions that smell bad. During periods of heavy and Medicare Supplements, Low Rates! prolonged rain, place a tarp on the pile ( Female age 65, “Plan F” = $104.60) to help control the moisture content. For more detailed information on I Medicare Supplement - age 65 and over. Drug Card. building new compost bins or improvI Disability Medicare Supplement Under age 65 - New LOW cost!!! ing your current compost skills, request I Dental, Vision, Hearing - Ages 18-84 the Mississippi State University ExtenI Major Medical I Cancer Policy. sion Service publication P1782, ComI Final Expense, Life Insurance - issue ages 0-85 posting for the Mississippi Gardener, I Nursing Homes, Home Healthcare, Assisted Living Care from your local county Extension I Agents call and sign up to write plan “F”. office. This publication is also available at http://msucares.com. Dr. Gary Bachman is MSU horticulturist at the Coastal Research P. O. Box 5277, Brandon, MS 39047 1-800-463-4348 and Extension Center in Biloxi. E. F. Hutton nor its agents are affiliated with the Federal Medicare Program.

Hutton Insurance Marketing

Today in Mississippi I September 2012

Coming next month: Co-ops respond to

Hurricane Isaac • Use your generator only outdoors, away from open windows, vents and doors. Do not use it in an attached garage. • Never plug your generator directly into your home outlet. Connecting a generator to your home’s wiring requires the professional installation of a power transfer switch. • Read and heed the manufacturer’s instructions and safety warnings.

As this issue prepared to go to press on Aug. 30, Hurricane Isaac was pummeling Mississippi and Louisiana with wind, rain and storm surge. Power outages were being reported across the region. By the afternoon of Aug. 29, electric power associations had lost service to more than 35,000 meters, mainly in coastal and southwestern counFor an unforgettable equestrian experience, ties. The number was expected to Call 228-357-0269 rise as Isaac moved farther inland. Electric power association crews from across Mississippi and other states stood ready to Basic horsemanship to respond to power outages as competition level Serving the Gulf Coast soon as weather conditions allowed. ✦ In the October issue of Today in www.bienvenueacres.com Mississippi, we will present a more complete picture of Isaac’s impact WAT WATERFURNACE E R F U R N AC E UNITS U N I T S QUALIFY Q U A L I F Y FOR F O R A 30% 3 0 % FEDERAL F E D E R A L TAX TA X CREDIT CREDIT on our electrical system and our response in the wake of the storm.

Fellers Drury

THINK SAFETY!

Medicare Supplement Insurance Low Rates for Plan F Male (Non Tobacco)

Female (Non Tobacco)

Age 65 70 75 80

Mo.Prem. $116.00 $131.00 $157.00 $192.00

You may not realize it, but your home is sitting on a free and renewable supply of energy. A WaterFurnace geothermal comfort system taps into the stored solar energy in your own backyard to provide savings of up to 70% on heating, cooling and hot water. That’s money in the bank and a smart investment in your family’s comfort. Contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today to learn how to tap into your buried treasure.

Mo.Prem. $107.00 $121.00 $146.00 $177.00

YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS

Rates vary slightly by zip code. Not affiliated with any government agency

HAMILTON INSURANCE AGENCY Call

800-336-9861 6 River Bend Place, Flowood, MS 39232

September 2012

Today in Mississippi

Let's go to football camp fter having football seaages a method to learn about the game, son tickets for the other than playing it. Mississippi State games So off I went. for over 40 years, I still There were about 150 ladies at the don’t understand footPalmeiro Complex at MSU. This modball. Meaning: I ern building is a very attractive large couldn’t explain how to play multipurpose facility. It the game or all the rules if has a humongous room in someone asked me. front suited for meetings, After all those years of sitbanquets or lectures. The ting in the stadium with the back portion has an indoor Bulldawgs winning or losing football/baseball practice games, that means (a) I’m facility. We met with all intellectually challenged, (b) I the coaches, including Dan Grin ‘n’ can block the game from my Mullen, who stayed with mind or (c) I’m reading a us all day. Wives and sinBare It book. gle ladies attended two lecby Kay Grafe I suspect it’s all all three, tures on how to play the but I choose (c) as the correct game of football, given by answer. You would think this habit of Coach Knox and Coach Smith. The mine would drive my football enthusiast talks were more like fun conversations that sits next to me crazy. But he’s still than lectures. sane. I think he’s just happy that I’m at Several first-string players gave us a every game and haven’t given my tickets fashion show dressed out in their new away. uniforms. One defensive and one offenAs I was reading “Gene’s Page” sive player demonstrated how hard it online earlier in the summer—he gives was to get out of their uniform and the scoop on MSU sports—I noticed pads. that Misssissippi State had a football Balis, the strength and conditioning camp listed for ladies. The camp was for coach, told us about his workout sesone day, on July 21. The write-up sions; Stan Murray gave an officiating looked cool, since it offered ladies of all overview. A referee’s job is tougher than

I imagined. Many door prizes were given away. The best part was after lunch. The ladies that chose to go through a football player’s practice day went to the indoor field in the back of the Palmeiro building and warmed up with Coach Balis. That was tough; he gave us no slack. Those who chose not to exercise watched from the sidelines. Next on our schedule was working out or training like the players. We were divided into seven groups with a coach over each group and went through training sessions. Here we had to throw, catch, block, learn how to carry and run with the ball, tackle, pass rush, and the turnover. Oh, my! I appreciate the players more now. Afterwards, we were taken in the player’s big busses to tour the Templeton Building: weight room, locker room, training room. Another bus ride to the stadium. Coach Mullen took us through game day. We had the Lord’s Prayer holding hands at the entrance of the field, then jumped up and down and ran through the smoke coming out the door and onto the field. Two lines of people (cheerleaders, pep squad and band) make up the lines that the players run

Thanks to Dan Mullen, MSU head football coach, and members of his staff, Kay Grafe and some 150 other women have a better understanding of the game of football.

through on game day. We ran through two lines of cheering ladies and coaches. After a footrace in our age group, and push-up competition, prizes were given. It felt strange standing on the field. The Jumbotron sprang to life and highlighted the video that will be shown on the first game day. The finale was great. Coach Mullen thanked us for coming and gave a pep talk. Now, let the games begin. At 5:00 I had to drag myself back to our motorhome. Every muscle in my body was screaming, HELP. But I was glad I didn’t take the easy way out and sit on the sidelines. Any she-Bulldawgs out there who would like to attend next year for a fabulous day, write me for details or go to the Mississippi State University’s website. Kay Grafe is the author of “Oh My Gosh, Virginia.” To order, send name, address, phone number and $16.95, plus $3.50 S&H to Kay Grafe, 2142 Fig Farm Road, Lucedale, MS 39452.

10 Today in Mississippi

September 2012

Annual meeting set for September 22

MEMBER OWNED, LOCALLY OPERATED, NOT-FOR-PROFIT

President’s Report The same cooperative spirit that created Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association 74 years ago has contributed to another successful year W.A. Kendrick for your President of the Board Association. of Directors Our goal remains to provide high quality electric service at the lowest possible cost in keeping with sound business practices. Your Board of Directors is committed to meeting the needs of our member-owners. Throughout these years of service, we have worked hard to gain the trust and respect of our members—for it is that trust and respect we value most. As your Board, we will continue to work toward maintaining the economic strength and stability of your Association. WHOLESALE POWER COST Purchasing wholesale power accounts for nearly 80 percent of our overall cost of providing electric service to members. Pearl River Valley Electric is a member-owner of South Mississippi Electric Power Association, a generation and transmission cooperative. South Mississippi Electric is owned by eleven distribution systems in northwest and south Mississippi. Being a member of South Mississippi

Electric ensures us of getting our wholesale power delivered on a not-for-profit basis. A large percentage of America’s electric generating facilities are either nearing retirement or facing major modifications required by new environmental regulations. In the coming years, electric utilities across the nation, including South Mississippi Electric, will be forced to invest in new sources of generation. Replacing so many facilities with new ones will undoubtedly add to the cost to providing service to consumers, a reality that the industry has been planning for. Many considerations will go into building new power plants. The best practice in meeting wholesale power needs is to have a variety of supply options. The long-term volatility of fuel prices, as well as the cost of complying with new environmental regulations, can cause the relative cost of a plant’s operations to change over the course of its 40-50 year life span. South Mississippi Electric’s strategy is to use a broad mix of fuels—including coal, gas, nuclear and hydro—to generate electricity, which helps keep costs as low as possible. During 2010, South Mississippi Electric committed to purchase an interest in the new state-of-the-art Kemper County lignite power plant. This facility, which will meet strict environmental levels with low long-term fuel costs, is scheduled to be in operation in 2014. Finding the most cost-effective ways to meet our wholesale power needs is a clear concern now and into the future, and your PRVEPA Board will be closely watching developments throughout the industry.

All members of Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association are invited to attend the annual meeting of members on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m.. at the Association’s meeting room facility (Lawrence Building) in Columbia at 1428 Highway 13 North. The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. Member participation at the annual meeting is important to elect directors, hear reports covering the operation of the Association and to transact other business that may come before the meeting. Included on the agenda is the election of three directors to three-year terms. Nominated for director posts are: District 3: Hugh Gene Smith District 6: Joe Shelton, III District 8: Lawrence Warren PRVEPA will award 12 attendance prizes, including a $1,250 certificate for electricity. You must be present at the meeting to be eligible for the attendance prizes. If you cannot attend the meeting, mail in your annual meeting ballot today. By returning your ballot you will be eligible for the absentee prizes.

CORE BUSINESS Many electric power associations have undertaken various business enterprises other than their primary function of providing electricity to customers. We have studied this matter carefully. It was your Board of Director’s decision that our primary purpose should continue to be furnishing electric service to our members at the lowest possible cost. Furthermore, no activities will be engaged in which will interfere with, or diminish, that purpose. However, we will not close the door on looking at different business activities should opportunities present themselves in the future. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Your Association is very active in promoting economic development for our 12-county service area. We work with state and local organizations to encourage new and existing businesses to expand where possible, so that additional employment and other economic benefits will come to our area. ANNUAL MEETING Pearl River Valley is an electric cooperative owned by the consumers it serves. The annual meeting gives members an opportunity to learn

about the progress of your Association and to participate in its business plans. We encourage you to be an active, informed member and attend the annual membership meeting. Pearl River Valley has developed a strong membership and a level of service comparable to any utility in the nation. This annual report supports the fact that we continue to operate a financially sound cooperative under the control of its membership. Your Board of Directors remains committed to this tradition. As President of your Association, I am proud to present this report for your consideration.

Secretary-Treasurer’s Report

B.F. Hudson, Jr. Secretary -Treasurer

The Association’s records and accounts were audited by Nicholson & Company, PLLC, Certified Public Accountants. The report was complimentary of your General Manager and staff. It also showed the records and accounts to be in excellent condition and that the Association is in a financially strong condition. The following is from the annual audit dated December 31, 2011: • Total electric plant increased $4,240,815, bringing the total to $146,668,357. • Assets total $201,289,953, which reflects an increase of

$10,593,913 for the year. • The member-owners of Pearl River Valley Electric have equity of 31.4% in the system. Regular Patronage Refund In 1963, Pearl River Valley Electric was the first electric power association in Mississippi to begin paying regular patronage refunds to our member-owners. That long history of paying patronage refunds is matched by only a few other electric cooperatives in the nation. This year we refunded $1,500,000 to our members. Over the past 49 years we have made patronage refunds of

$34,691,161. Your Board of Directors is dedicated to the principal of returning patronage capital to our memberowners. Patronage Refund to the Estates of Deceased Members In addition to patronage refunds for active members, your Board of Directors started a program in 1988 where we return the accumulated patronage capital to the estates of deceased members. We have returned a total of $9,412,494 through this program, including $533,097 in 2011.

September 2012

General Manager’s Report I am pleased to present this annual report to our members. Because Pearl River Valley Electric is member-owned, it is vital that each of you be aware of the changes and challenges that we face together. As a local, notfor-profit organization, our Association’s overall priority is to provide electric service that is affordable, safe and reliable. In our industry, that goal is more difficult and complex than ever before. I Randy Wallace, am proud to be General Manager able to say, however, that we have seen many good results over the past year. GROWTH Over the past 15 years, our service territory has been one of the fastest growing regions in Mississippi. Although that growth has slowed since 2009, we are still growing and have seen some encouraging trends over the past year, including new commercial development within our service area. For 2011, the number of members in the Association increased slightly to 47,058, while our annual sales of electricity— 1,064,215,225 kilowatt hours (KwH)—were about 3.5% below 2010, mainly because of milder weather patterns. SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT Maintaining reliable service to members requires continual planning and upgrading of our lines and equipment in order to stay ahead of future growth. In 2011, our crews added 128 miles of new overhead and underground lines to our system, which now has more than 6,700 miles of lines and 28 substations throughout our 12-county service area. To help keep delivery costs as low as possible, we are investing in technical innovation. In 2009 we received a matching grant of nearly $16 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to help install automated meters and other system technology. The meter project was completed for residential accounts in June, so now all members can access hourly and daily information about their home electric use to help manage their costs. The new meters also ensure accurate readings, reduce instances of meter tampering, and help improve the efficiency of our employees—all of which lowers costs. We also continue to install sophisticated mapping

technology (Geographic Information System-GIS) and automated supervisory and control (SCADA) equipment that will move our system closer to the concept of a “Smart Grid.” These projects are now well over 50% complete and, when fully installed, will greatly enhance reliability, system planning, and service for our members. SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND OUTAGES Pearl River Valley Electric has an excellent outage record that is well below the national average. On average, our members experience very few outages lasting only short amounts of time, which is remarkable when you consider that electric service is a 24/7 commodity. We continue to implement a pole inspection program to change out bad poles that could possibly cause power outages. Over the past year we also replaced many small transformers with larger sizes, converted numerous miles of single-phase lines to three-phase, and upgraded miles of small or old copper wire to accommodate heavier loads. RIGHT-OF-WAY TRIMMING Right-of-way (ROW) trimming is an essential part of our maintenance program. Our goal is to rotate through our entire system every 6-7 years, which means we trim nearly 1000 miles of ROW annually. We sincerely appreciate all the cooperation we receive from members in allowing us to cut adequate right-of-way. Your continued help and understanding are vital when crews are clearing lines that serve your home. It could mean the difference in the reliability of your electric service as well as your safety. MEMBER RELATIONS Pearl River Valley has always been committed to building strong, enduring relationships with our members because you are the reason our organization exists. And because we are operated locally, we are also dedicated to assisting the communities in which we live. We believe it is important to communicate with members about the issues affecting our industry in order to help you understand and manage your energy use and bills. Our member services department is constantly trying to find new ways to provide valuable information and programs. This year we have enhanced our website, adding more features related to wise energy use and other services designed to make your dealings with us more efficient. We continue to provide home energy audits, advice on the proper sizing on heating and air-conditioning systems, and educational programs for civic groups and schools. We also want to provide more ways for members to communicate with us. This year we replaced several

Today in Mississippi

13 59 area-specific toll-free 35 587 numbers with one 44 98 number for all mem589 bers, regardless of your 98 location. The new num49 ber—855-2PRVEPA (85513 11 43 277-8372)—can be used to 29 report outages or pay bills. 59 You can also report outages and 26 pay bills on our website. 15 A VARIETY OF PAYMENT OPTIONS AND SERVICES In our fast-paced world today, we know that everyone has different needs. Our upgraded internal payment portal at www.PRVEPA.com allows members to pay bills online, set up automatic bank drafts, sign up internal safety culture and are committed to working for electronic bills, and schedule the date their electric accident free. An effective safety program not only ensures the well-being of employees, but saves your bills are to be paid. Association money. Our new automated telephone system (855REGULATORY ISSUES 2PRVEPA) also offers consumers the option to pay The electric industry is one of the most heavily regbills by phone without having to talk to a customer ulated in the U.S. That is fine, as long as government service representative. Members can use either oversight is based on good science and a demonstratmethod to pay their bills by using a credit card or by directly linking to their checking accounts using our E- ed need. We fully support and practice environmental stewardship in every aspect of our business as an check option. Best of all, both payment methods are electric provider. open 24 hours a day, so members can pay their bills Regulation is costly, however, and we believe even when our offices are closed. strongly that our members should not have to pay for COMFORT ADVANTAGE HOME PROGRAM unnecessary restrictions. The climate change debate We offer a residential energy-efficient program designed to benefit customers building new homes or in Washington has ground to a halt as far as legislation is concerned, but the Administration has begun remodeling existing ones. The Comfort Advantage to use other regulatory powers to advance its political Home program offers new construction standards, agenda, especially related to preventing the use of cash incentives, and certification for new homes. Investing in energy management standards now will coal as fuel for electric generation. We will join with enable members to save money on their power bills in others in our industry to closely watch these issues as they develop, and we will not support any measures the future. that will needlessly increase the cost of electricity for YOUTH LEADERSHIP ESSAY CONTEST our members. Each year Pearl River Valley Electric sponsors an essay contest for Junior Class students in high schools THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION Pearl River Valley Electric was founded in 1938 by a located within our service area. A judging committee handful of people coming together to meet a comreviews the essays and selects the winners. The winners attend a three-day youth leadership workshop in mon need. That spirit of working together is still very much alive in all we do. Jackson. During the summer they travel with a I would like to say thank you to our members. We Mississippi delegation to Washington, D.C. for the sincerely appreciate your continued support, patience week-long Youth Tour. and trust. It has been a privilege to serve you this past This year’s winners were Eric Upton (West Marion year and we will continue to work hard in coming High School) and Jon Luke Watts (Columbia Academy). These two students were outstanding rep- years to meet and exceed your expectations. I am very proud to be your general manager and to resentatives for Pearl River Valley Electric. be a part of the cooperative way of doing business. SAFETY I’m also proud of our employees’ dedication and hard All of our employees are committed to working work. By communicating and working together, we safely. For nearly two years from August 2010 until can ensure our ability to continue providing the May 2012, employees worked more than 557,000 affordable, safe and reliable electric service that hours without a time-loss accident. Despite having that streak broken, we continue to adopt a thorough enhances the quality of all of our lives.

At press time, Hurricane Isaac was approaching our service area. We will cover the storm in a later issue of Today in Mississippi. Thank you in advance for everyone’s patience and understanding during the restoration.

Today in Mississippi I September 2012

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS Quality Tools at Ridiculously Low Prices R ! PE ON SU UP CO

FACTORY DIRECT TO YOU! How does Harbor Freight Tools sell high quality tools at such ridiculously low prices? We buy direct from the factories who also supply the major brands and sell direct to you. It’s just that simple! See for yourself at one of our 400 Stores Nationwide and use this 20% Off Coupon on one of our 7,000 products*, plus pick up a Free 9 LED Aluminum Flashlight, a $6.99 value. We stock Shop Equipment, Hand Tools, Tarps, Compressors, Air & Power Tools, Woodworking Tools, Welders, Tool Boxes, Generators, and much more.

• Over 20 Million Satisfied Customers! • 1 Year Competitor's Low Price Guarantee • No Hassle Return Policy! • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! Nobody Beats Our Quality, Service and Price! R ! PE ON SU UP CO

3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT NINE LED ALUMINUM FLASHLIGHT Item 65020 shown

REG. PRICE $6.99

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 1 Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/5/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R ! PE ON U P S U CO

12" RATCHET BAR CLAMP/SPREADER LOT NO. 46807/ 68975/69221/ 69222 Item 46807 shown

$ 99

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 1 Save 20% on any one item purchased at our store. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon, gift cards, Inside Track Club membership, extended service plans or on any of the following: compressors, generators, tool storage or carts, welders, floor jacks, Campbell Hausfeld products, open box items, in-store event or parking lot sale items. Not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with original receipt. Non-transferrable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/5/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LOT NO. 5889

32 PIECE SAE/METRIC FULLY POLISHED COMBINATION WRENCH SET

SAVE 32%

LOT NO. 68854

R ! PE ON SU UP CO

45 WATT SOLAR PANEL KIT LOT NO. 68751/90599

149

REG. PRICE $229.99

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 3 Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/5/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R ! PE ON SU UP CO

3 GALLON, 100 PSI OILLESS PANCAKE AIR COMPRESSOR

SAVE 50%

LOT NO. 95275/69486 Item 95275 shown

REG. PRICE $79.99

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 4 Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/5/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

400 Stores Nationwide

YOUR CHOICE!

LARGE

$ 99

R ! PE ON SU UP CO

Item 41005 shown

2 PIECE STEEL LOADING RAMPS LOT NO. 44649/ 69591/69646

SAVE 50%

LOT NO. 41005/69780

REG. PRICE $79.99

1000 LB. CAPACITY

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 6 Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/5/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R ! PE ON SU UP CO

LOT NO. 91214

AUTO-DARKENING WELDING HELMET WITH BLUE FLAME DESIGN

99 SAVE $ 50% REG. PRICE $79.99

WIRELESS DRIVEWAY ALERT SYSTEM

$ 99 REG. PRICE $19.99

R ! PE ON SU UP CO

TRIPLE BALL TRAILER HITCH

Item 94141 shown

LOT NO. 94141/69874

1999

SAVE 56%

Item 93068 shown

1.5" STAINLESS STEEL DIRTY WATER PUMP WITH FLOAT 2600 GPH

LOT NO. 69300/68373

5499

$ Item 69300 shown

REG. PRICE $79.99

REG. PRICE $29.99

RAPID PUMP® 3 TON HEAVY DUTY STEEL FLOOR JACK

WEIGHS 74 LBS.

Item 68048 shown

LOT NO. 68048/69227

SAVE $130

580 LB. CAPACITY FOUR DRAWER TOOL CART

6999 99

REG. PRICE $139.99 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 3 Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/5/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

SAVE 31%

R ! PE ON SU UP CO

SAVE $70

SAVE $50

R ! PE ON U P S U CO

4999

REG. PRICE $44.99

R ! PE ON U P S U CO

REG. PRICE $99 .99

SAVE 55%

LOT NO. 93068/69590

LOT NO. 68146

SAVE 50%

Item 95578 shown

Requires one 9 volt and three C batteries (sold separately).

LOT NO. 95578/69645

Item 44649 shown

3999

REG. PRICE $34.99

2000 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH REMOTE CONTROL AND AUTOMATIC BRAKE

4-1/2" ANGLE GRINDER

1999

R ! PE ON U P S U CO

REG. PRICE $7.99

R ! PE ON SU UP CO

42%

LOT NO. 93641

YOUR CHOICE!

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 5 Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/5/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

1000 LB. CAPACITY SWING-BACK SAVE TRAILER JACK

SAVE 71%

REG. $ 99 $34PRICE .99

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 8 Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/5/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

SAVE $80 Item 68751 shown

LOT NO. 239

REG. $ 99 $24PRICE .99

SAVE 50%

REG. PRICE $24.99 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 6 Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/5/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LOT NO. 807

X-LARGE

REG. PRICE $14.99

LOT NO. 2696

3/8" DRIVE

1/2" DRIVE

LOT NO. 93640

TORQUE WRENCHES 1/4" DRIVE

DRILL BIT SET

MECHANIC'S GLOVES

$ 99

REG. PRICE $9.99

ACCURACY WITHIN ±4%

R ! PE ON U S UP CO

1000 LB. CAPACITY

$ 99

R ! PE ON SU UP CO

R ! PE ON U P S U 29 PIECE TITANIUM CO NITRIDE COATED

SAVE 60%

ANY SINGLE ITEM!

R ! PE ON U S UP CO

SAVE 46%

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 7 Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/5/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LOT NO. 2707

LOT NO. 93888

8 FT. 4" x 11 FT. 6" FARM QUALITY TARP

40%

MOVER'S DOLLY

R ! PE ON SU UP CO SAVE

20%

LOT NO. 42292/69594/ 69955

REG. PRICE $12.99

ON ALL HAND TOOLS!

OFF

ITEM 65020/69052/69111

REG. PRICE $5.49

SAVE 61%

R ! PE ON SU UP CO

WITH ANY PURCHASE

SAVE 63%

AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER

Item 42292 shown

FREE!

R ! PE ON U P S U CO

LIFETIME WARRANTY

REG. 99$229PRICE .99 LOT NO. 95659

Order Online at HarborFreight.com and We'll Ship Your Order

September 2012 I Today in Mississippi

September memories and outdoor wonders ttempts to live in the past ed a swirl of enthusiasm. That has not are futile. The only viable changed. options have been estabAt some point during all this, my lished: Progression or stag- dad and I would pull out battered sinnation. Still, I gle-barrel shotguns and rumcan’t resist those mage through tattered tan occasionally deep and often game vests. The latter held protracted journeys into remiwhat we hoped was a suffiniscence each year as cient supply of leftover September casts its mystical shells: 20 gauge, No. 6 shot, spell across the landscape and high-brass paper hulls. The through my aging recall. guns received a cursory squirt And not surprisingly, of 3-In-One machine oil. I Mississippi many of those journeys—if can still smell that magic Outdoors not all those journeys—in one elixir, which remains a capaby Tony Kinton way or another relate to the ble cure for most ailments. outdoors. Not exclusively to No trip to the Big Island or hunting or fishing, though these were the Coast of Maine now could produce and are certainly an integral part for me the degree of exhilaration which that and likely anyone else with a similar pedestrian practice of gun cleaning did mindset, but to the outdoors in general. back then. For it was in these alfresco settings that Even during those times of farm my childhood was spent. labor, some of it arduous, the lure of Squirrel season was the most heraldSeptember managed to creep into the ed hunting event in these parts and in crevices of my being, those external those days when I was young. And while crevices soiled and beaded with sweatit did not open in September, that soaked dust and plant debris common to month gave ample cause to begin think- harvest. The internal crevices were far ing about and planning for those more antiseptic, but September reached grandiose adventures that would come and excited them as well. The rustle of soon. The black gum leaves would turn dried and curled corn stalks giving up brown and red then as they do now, and their chubby ears of yellow sustenance some few would rattle to the ground to served as sentinels that stood and shoutrest silently on warm sand along wooded ed: Fall is coming; fall is coming! streams and ditches or among the long And I would be fully remiss should I grasses bordering field-edge roads. These neglect the most delightful work-related leaves were an epiphany, a proclamation outdoor endeavor from those days past. of things to come. They always generatThis one was cotton picking. Hot, tiring, difficult—but delightful just the same. We had our own family fields, but picking them was often a lonely affair, with perhaps only two of us dragging sacks and stuffing them with fluffy

Even with some summer green still showing, the presence of early-fallen black gum leaves announces autumn's sure arrival. Photo: Tony Kinton

white. The one most entrenched in memory was shared by our little community church. We used the field to generate funds that were placed in the offering on one special day each fall we called Harvest Day. Both the cotton picking and Harvest Day were social gatherings much anticipated by all involved. Practically all church members showed up for picking day. The able bodied snatched glowing fibers from fistsized boles; others cooked stew and

SAFE SALE!

Home Security & Fire Protection

Protect Your Valuables for Your Family’s Future with THE HIGHEST FIRE RATINGS IN THE INDUSTRY

Liberty Truckload

SALE Discount Gun Safe 2636 OLD BRANDON RD. • PEARL, MS 39208

601-939-8233 • 888-991-0333 Save Hundreds on America’s #1 Selling Safes

made jugs of iced tea. Sweet, of course! And if you have ever crawled into a truck load of freshly-picked cotton, you know the delight. It is a sensory journey like no other. While the true essence of autumn did not then nor does now arrive in September, there was and is ample warning of its imminent appearance. And with it comes perhaps the most welcomed change known to the South. That is none other than the cessation of oppression handed out by summer’s sinister grip. This begins to relinquish its hold in autumn. Life is quickened, refreshed. Outside is no longer the place to avoid; rather, it is the place that beckons. It is the place to be. September is a reasonable time to enter training for the promises of autumn. Tony Kinton has been an active outdoors writer for 30 years. His books, “Outside and Other Reflections,” “Fishing Mississippi” and his new Christian historical romance novel, “Summer Lightning Distant Thunder,” are available in bookstores and from the author at www.tonykinton.com, or P.O. Box 88, Carthage, MS 39051.

Today in Mississippi

September 2012

Easy Camp Bread

mississippi

ooks C FEATURED COOKBOOK:

‘Feeding the Flock’ Members of Oak Grove Baptist Church will celebrate their 100th year as a church Sept. 30 in the Phoenix community of Yazoo County. To mark the anniversary, the ladies of the church published a commemorative cookbook they call “Feeding the Flock.” The name Phoenix is a reminder of the destruction the area suffered as Union troops marched through on their way to Vicksburg. In 1865, as residents began rebuilding homes burned by the soldiers, they named their community after the mythological bird that rises reborn from its firey nest. In 1912, 38 founding members completed the construction of Oak Grove Baptist Church. The original building was demolished 40 years later to make way for a larger, more modern building to accommodate a growing membership. “Feeding the Flock” offers more than 275 pages of recipes enjoyed by generations of Oak Grove members. Proceeds from sales help support local and international missions. To order, send $20 plus $5 S&H to Oak Grove Baptist Church, c/o Linda Martin, 719 Hebron Church Road, Bentonia, MS 39040. For information call 662-755-2331.

Rotel Muffins 1 can flaky canned biscuits 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 cup grated Swiss cheese 1/8 tsp. basil 1/2 tsp. chopped green onions

1/2 cup real bacon bits, or fry bacon and crumble 1 can Rotel tomatoes, drained and patted dry with paper towel

Divide each biscuit into 3 pieces. Press into mini muffin tins. Combine remaining ingredients and fill each muffin. Bake at 350 F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.

6 Tbsp. melted butter 1/4 tsp. celery seed 1/4 tsp. dried dill weed 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. onion powder 1 can refrigerated biscuits 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pour melted butter into an 8-inch cake pan. Add celery seed, dill weed, garlic powder and onion powder. Spread on bottom of cake pan. Cut each biscuit into quarters and place into pan, turning pieces to coat with butter and seasonings. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 425 F for 12 to 15 minutes, until biscuits are done. Turn out onto a dish and pull apart.

Cast-Iron Skillet Blueberry-Peach Cobbler 3/4 cup self-rising flour 1/2 cup milk 1 cup sugar, divided 1 Tbsp. cold butter, cut up

1 egg 1 bag frozen sliced peaches, thawed 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed

Preheat oven to 425 F. In a bowl, combine flour, milk, 1/2 cup of the sugar, butter and egg to make batter; set aside. In a cast-iron skillet, combine peaches, blueberries and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Heat to boiling. Pour prepared batter over fruit and place skillet in preheated oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Serve warm with whipped topping or vanilla ice cream.

White Bean and Garlic Soup 2 Tbsp. butter 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 small onion or 2 small shallots, chopped 2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 4 cups chicken broth

1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper 5 cloves garlic, halved 1/2 cup heavy cream 6 to 8 slices ciabatta bread Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling on bread

In a heavy, medium-size pot over medium heat, combine butter, olive oil and onion. Cook until onion is softened. Stir in beans. Add broth, salt and pepper. Bring mixture to a simmer. Add 4 of the garlic cloves and simmer until the garlic is softened, about 10 minutes. Purée soup with an immersion or stand blender until smooth. (Caution: If using a stand blender, blend in small batches, as hot liquid expands.) Add cream. Cover and keep soup warm while preparing bread. Place a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle ciabatta bread slices with olive oil. Grill bread until warm and golden grill marks appear, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove bread from heat and immediately rub one side with the remaining garlic clove. Serve bread with soup. Serves 4 to 6.

Mississippi Jam Cake 1 box spice cake mix 1 cup buttermilk 1/3 cup sweetened applesauce 1/3 cup vegetable oil 3 large eggs

1/4 tsp. cinnamon 2/3 cup homemade or good-quality blackberry jam 1 tsp. vanilla

Frosting: 8 oz. butter 1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup whole milk 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a bowl, combine cake mix, buttermilk, applesauce, oil, eggs, cinnamon and jam. Mix well. Add vanilla and beat again. Pour into prepared pan, either a tube pan or 2 (9-inch) layer pans. Bake in tube pan for 50 minutes, or layer pans about 30 minutes. In a heavy saucepan, bring to a boil the butter and brown sugar. Boil about 2 minutes. Add milk and bring back to a boil. Remove from heat and add sifted confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Spread over cooled cake.

September 2012

Today in Mississippi

WEEKEND GETAWAY:

Alice Moseley home St. Louis Bay

Local seafood

By Nancy Jo Maples When “This Property is Condemned” was filmed in Bay St. Louis in the 1960s, camera crews and movie stars rolled into town and lit this lazy place ablaze. Today’s stars aren’t from Hollywood. They live locally and perform dramatic productions at the Little Theater Company named in honor of the film and Tennessee Williams’ play. The town has retained that lazy atmosphere; however, it is ablaze with fabulous art shops, scrumptious restaurants and a lengthy beach that begs to be jogged, walked, bicycled, or cruised in your favorite automobile at 25 miles per hour … or perhaps less. My younger sister and I recently wandered off Interstate 10 looking for lunch. A quick text message to a colleague native to this Hancock County town led us straight to Trapani’s Eatery. The hostess asked whether we wanted an inside or outside table. With skies as blue as Frank Sinatra’s eyes and a vista of the Gulf of Mexico, the decision proved a no-brainer. She sat us on the veranda in green and taupe checkerboard chairs that perfectly match the rest of the restaurant’s new two-story building on Beach Boulevard. Trapani’s opened on this spot in 1994 but Hurricane Katrina blew it away in 2005. Owner Tony Trapani served his seafood and specialties in a temporary location until February 2012 when he reopened on his

Photos: Gina Riley

original slab. Tony couldn’t be happier to be back near the breeze. A lifelong resident of Bay St. Louis and a graduate of the town’s male boarding school, St. Stanislaus College Preparatory School, Tony is now a businessman in his hometown. Autographed photos displayed in the upstairs tapas bar show evidence that leaders appreciate his commitment to the community here. “It’s just a great place to live and to raise children. Kids can fish or ride bikes anywhere they want,” he said. “And if you don’t live here, this is a nice place to get away from it all. Bay St. Louis is very relaxing.” He tells us about the two casinos for those who gamble and the Buccaneer State Park for those who like to get close to nature. After stuffing ourselves with a fried green tomato seafood dish and a good ole’ shrimp Po-boy, my sister and I decide to walk off the calories following a brochure guide called “Old Town Bay

St. Louis Historic Walking and Biking Tour.” These free brochures lay abundantly on counters in shops and eateries across town. The guide highlights 24 sights. However, if the weather or your feet cause you to trade the walking tour for a cruising tour, no one will notice or care. Parking is generous enough throughout town to drive a little and walk a little. We enjoyed seeing the home of late folk artist Alice Moseley whose 1915 home and studio was featured in one of her most famous paintings, “The House May be Blue, But the Old Lady Ain’t.” Alice started painting when she was 60 and her work received national acclaim. We ventured across the street from the blue house to the serene Brothers of the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Set underneath ancient oaks, the old burying ground is dedicated to brothers who served at St. Stanislaus College. The college, founded by the brothers in 1854, became St. Stanislaus College Preparatory School in 1923.

“If you don’t live here, this is a nice place to get away from it all. Bay St. Louis is very relaxing.” Tony Trapani

Near the school and facing the Gulf sits the magnificent Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church where visitors are welcomed by the Angel of Light. This striking statue features an angel gazing slightly upward while holding a lighted torch. She is a tribute to volunteers who helped Bay St. Louis residents after Hurricane Katrina’s wrath. The angel isn’t the only welcoming feature. Visitors to the area are invited to The Depot, a two-story former depot for the L&N railroad that now houses the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau. The Depot was part of the movie setting for the filming of “This Property is Condemned” starring Robert Redford and the late Natalie Wood. Lunch and a romp around Bay St. Louis was definitely a good idea. We spot a bed and breakfast called Carroll House, located on Carroll Street, and think it could serve as lodging for a future weekend getaway. It sits only a few blocks from the beach and if we packed bicycles we could feel like locals. Hollywood and hurricanes have come and gone from Bay St. Louis, but the buttermilk white beaches are still here, and I think that sis and I will be back. For more information call the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau at 800-466-9048 or visit www.mswest coast.org.. Writer Nancy Jo Maples can be reached at nancyjomaples@aol.com or on Twitter.

Today in Mississippi

September 2012

Mississippi Marketplace Type or print your ad clearly. Be sure to include your telephone number. Deadline is the 10th of each month for the next month’s issue. Rate is $2.50 per word, ten word minimum. Mail payment with your ad to Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300. Have any questions? Phone (601) 605-8600 or email swindle@epaofms.com.

FOR SALE USED PORTABLE SAWMILLS! Buy/Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange 800-459-2148, 205-969-0007, USA & Canada, www.sawmillexchange.com.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY WATKINS SINCE 1868. Top 10 home business. Over 350 products everyone uses. Free catalog packet. 800-352-5213.

VACATION RENTALS

BECOME AN ORDAINED MINISTER, by Correspondence study. The harvest truly is great, the laborours are few, Luke 10:2. Free info. MCO, 6630 West Cactus #B107-767, Glendale, AZ 85304. http://www.ordination.org.

HOME IN HARTFIELD SUBDIVISION IN MADISON County School District, 2,326 sq ft, 4BR-3.5BA, built in 2004, one owner, $209,900. Call 601-906-9328. http://www.forsalebyowner.com/22210348.

PIGEON FORGE, TN-CABINS, peaceful, convenient setting, 251-649-3344, 251-649-4049 www.hideawayprop.com.

CUSTOM MADE CYPRESS SWINGS & CHILDRENS FURNITURE www.theoldsouthcypressstore.com. 601738-5504.

FALL COLORS AT MOUNTAIN CABIN, WEARS VALLEY NEAR PIGEON FORGE, fully Furnished, 3/2 Brochure available. 251-649-9818.

GREEN PEANUTS, PUMPKINS, SWEET POTATOES Mitchell Farms - 601-765-8609 or 601-517-1161. Collins, Mississippi.

LEAF RIVER CAMP two bedrooms directly on river, sleeps 8, private pier, full kitchen, fishing, hunting, swimming and very relaxing. 228-860-8689.

EARN $75,000/YR PART TIME in the livestock or equipment appraisal business. Agricultural background required. Classroom or home study courses available. 800-488-7570.

HOME IN W. BYHALIA, MS - next to Olive Branch & Memphis 2000 sq ft, 3 BR, 3 BA, 2.6 Acre Lakefront Lot. Built 2003. $169K. For pictures/details call 901-6267230 or email: domojo@centurylink.net.

APPALACHIAN TRAIL Cabins by trail in Georgia mountains. 3000’ above sea level. Snowy winters, cool summers, inexpensive rates. 800-284-6866. www.bloodmountain.com.

START YOUR OWN BUSINESS! Mia Bella Gourmet Scented Products. Try the best! Candles/Gifts/Beauty. Wonderful Income Potential. Enter Free Candle Drawing. Visit www.naturesbest.scent-team.com.

35 ACRES OF LAND ON LAMPTON HILLTOPS RD (MARION COUNTY) Columbia, MS 39429. 601-7366183. The land is good for hunting or building. POLISH SILVER, GOLD, CHROME & ALUMINUM, Cleans, seals and shines! Call 601-329-8329.

ROLL-UP DOORS Wholesale Prices

MISCELLANEOUS FREE BOOKS/DVDS, Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as Church and State unite! Let the Bible reveal. The Bible Says, P.O. Box 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. 888-211-1715. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com.

PLAY GOSPEL SONGS BY EAR! $12.95. “Learn Gospel Music” - chording, runs, fills - $12.95, Both $24. Davidsons, 6727MS Metcalf, Shawnee Mission, KS 66204. Call: 913-262-4982.

DON’T LET YOUR FAMILY MEMORIES FADE AWAY! We can transfer your VHS, VHS-C, Betamax, Minidv ... to DVD. We provide Macintosh computer support with 28 years experience. Parrot Video Productions LLC. Call (601) 826-1168 or visit us at www.parrotvideoproductions.com.

FARM BARNS

Hattiesburg, MS • 1-601-296-0550 Our Prices Include Labor & Metal Sides Also Available in Wood Sides

Delivery & Installation

Available

601-416-7222 Call for pricing

40 x 30 x 20 = $17,900.00 30 x 50 x 10 = $8,900.00 Log Sides Painted Sides www.farmbarnsinc.com

HIGH QUALITY METAL BUILDING SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS Complete line of custom-designed, pre-engineered metal building and mini-storage systems.

6914 Hwy 2, Oak Grove, LA 71263 • Call Toll Free: (800) 421-4232 Fax: (318) 428-8360 Email: davidr@ruffinbuildingsystems.com or visit: www.ruffinbuildingsystems.com

TODAY

PLACE YOUR AD WITH US

IN MISSISSIPPI

For more information call 601-605-8604 or e-mail swindle@epaofms.com

September 2012

Today in Mississippi

MOBILE HOME INSURANCE

No Credit Check Payable in monthly payments.

1-877-297-0850 (601) 701-5849

X X X X X X X X X X - !,, 3):%3 -).) 34/2!'%

#/--%2#)!, s ).$5342)!, 3(/0 s &!2-

#!,, 4/$!9 &/2 "5),$).' 15/4%

^ ^ ^ H J J L Z Z P I S L I \ P S K P U N Z J V T

30â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 40â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 80â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x

All persons preparing to dig must call Mississippi 811 or utilize our online E-locate system, www.ms1call.org, two days prior to the beginning of any work. Underground facilities will be marked using the color code system and then work may proceed.

50â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 10â&#x20AC;&#x2122; . . . . . . . . .$7,126 60â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 12â&#x20AC;&#x2122; . . . . . . . .$10,287 75â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 14â&#x20AC;&#x2122; . . . . . . . .$15,196 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 16â&#x20AC;&#x2122; . . . . . . .$36,874

Minis-30â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 100â&#x20AC;&#x2122; with 20-10â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 15â&#x20AC;&#x2122; units - $14,740

â&#x20AC;˘ Serving Mississippi over 20 years â&#x20AC;˘ NFBA (National Frame Building Assn) Accredited Builder â&#x20AC;˘ NFBA Building of the year winner â&#x20AC;˘ BBB Accredited Business with an A-Plus rating â&#x20AC;˘ The siding we manufacture is UL Listed, File # R23370 â&#x20AC;˘ Our Vice President recently passed the National Standard General Building Contractor Exam

Mobile Home Owners: ROOF KING

1-800-766-5793 www.bcibarns.com e-mail: barn@bcibarns.com All buildings constructed with pre-built trusses w/stamped engineered drawings

8:00 to 5:00 Mon. to Fri. 8:00 to 12:00 Sat. CST

Mobile Home Super Insulated Roof Over Systems. 40 Year Warranty. Factory Direct from

ROOF KING 1-800-276-0176 www.roofking.net

Today in Mississippi

September 2012

Mississippi

Events Want more than 400,000 readers to know about your event? Send it to us at least two months prior to the event date. Submissions must include a phone number with area code for publication. Mail to Mississippi Events, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300; fax to 601-605-8601; or email to news@epaofms.com. Events of statewide interest will be published free of charge as space allows. Event details are subject to change, so we strongly recommend calling to confirm dates and times before traveling. For more events, go to www.visitmississippi.org.

“Dinosaurs: Big, Bad, Bold and Back,” through Jan. 6, 2013. Robotic dinosaurs. Admission. Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. Details: 601-576-6000; www.msnaturalscience.org. All 4 Children Consignment, Sept. 5-8, Jackson. Toys, books, shoes, baby gear, furniture, more. Mississippi Trademart. Details: 601-566-7046; www.all4childrenconsignment.com. Bogue Creek Festival, Sept. 8, Duck Hill. Games, crafts, food, entertainment. The Pecan Grove. Details: 662-565-2563. Mississippi Coast Jazz Society Jam Session and Dance, Sept. 9, Biloxi. Admission; 2-5 p.m. Hard Rock Casino. Details: 228-392-4177. Joppa Shriners Steak Night, Sept. 14, Biloxi. Joppa Shrine Temple, 6-8 p.m. Admission. Details: 228-392-9345. Picnic on the Grounds Community Wide Picnic, Sept. 15, Aberdeen. Entertainment by local churches, children’s activities; boxed lunches available. Columbus Street. Details: 800-634-3538.

Downtown Jubilee, Sept. 15, Grenada. Entertainment, Hero Run 5K, arts/crafts, antique car/truck/bike show, children’s activities, swamp tours, climbing wall, more. Historic Square. Details: 800-373-2571; grenadachamber@yahoo.com. Brandi Perry Signing/Reading, Sept. 15, Canton. The author to sign her novel “Buried Cries,” all day. Union Street Books, Arts on the Square. Also, Oct. 6 at Marion County Heritage Festival, Columbia City Park. Music Barn Camp and Jam, Sept. 16-22, Polkville. Bluegrass, country and gospel music; jamming daily. Free. Music Barn. Details: 601946-0280, 601-955-9182. Lower Delta Talks, Sept. 18, Rolling Fork. “Panther Tract: Wild Boar Hunting in the Mississippi Delta” by Melody Golding, Howard Brent, Hank Burdine; 6:30 p.m. SharkeyIssaquena County Library. Details: 662-8734076. B&S Consignment Sale, Sept. 19-21, Brookhaven. Children’s, juniors’ and adult clothing, shoes, toys, nursery items, furniture, home decor. Lincoln Civic Center. Details: 601-

303-1466; www.bnsconsignment.com. Gulf Coast Health Educators Charity Golf Tournament, Sept. 20, Gulfport. Registration 11 a.m.; shotgun start 1 p.m.; dinner, awards 5 p.m. Windance Country Club. Details: 228864-1122; gchealtheddcc@aol.com. 22nd Annual Rice Luncheon, Sept. 21, Cleveland. More than 300 rice dishes; 11 a.m.1 p.m. Admission. Walter Sillers Coliseum, Delta State University. Details: 662-843-8371. 11th Annual Pickin’ at the Lake, Sept. 2122, All-acoustic bluegrass, country, Cajun, gospel music. Bring lawn chairs. Free. Grenada Lake. Details: 662-227-1491, 662-417-7300. Family Fun Day on Main Street, Sept. 22, Lucedale. BBQ cookoff, craft booths, artists, music, dunking booth, more. Downtown. Details: 601-766-0730; www.georgecountyhabitat.org. Cyclists Curing Cancer Century Ride, Sept. 22, Clinton. Begins 7:30 a.m. at Baptist Healthplex-Clinton, continues on Natchez Trace Parkway. Details: 601-974-6289; mbhs.org/cyclistscuringcancer. Jag Day, Sept. 22, Southaven. Silent auctions, percussion playground, Moonbounces, Battle of the Bands, more. DeSoto Central High School. Details: 662-536-3612; www.dcspride.com. Cruzin for a Cure, Sept. 22, Star. Raffles, children’s activities, food, car/truck/bike show. Spectators free. Star Baptist Church. Details: 601-842-7947; cruzin4cure@yahoo.com. Cedar Hill Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, Sept. 27 - Nov. 3, Hernando. Petting zoo, pony rides, hay fort, pumpkins, Country Store, more. Admission. Details: 662-4292540; www.cedarhfarm.com. Historic Rose Hill Costumed Cemetery Tour, Sept. 29, Meridian. Costumed portrayals of persons buried mid-1800s-1930s; 6 p.m. Details: 601-681-8525, 601-482-9752.

25th Annual Mississippi Pecan Festival, Sept. 29-30, Richton. Crafts, living history homestead, mule pull, antique engine show, draft horse demos, bluegrass music, more. Admission. Wingate Road. Details: 601-9648201; www.mspecanfestival.com. Smith County Cruisers Car and Truck Show, Sept. 29, Forest. Drive Max Auto Center and Mid State Auto. Details: 601-4057685; smithcocruisers@aol.com. Revelations Quartet 31st Anniversary Southern Gospel Singing, Sept. 29, Hattiesburg. Featuring Gold City; 6 p.m. Admission. Saenger Theater. Details: 601-2148017, 601-672-1500; crrstudio@yahoo.com, www.hattiesburgsaenger.com. Highway 61 Blues Festival, Sept. 29-30, Leland. Live music, Holly Ridge Jam, other events. Admission. Buster Morlino Community Center. Details: 662-334-2711, 870-572-5223; www.highway61blues.com. Natchez Gun Show, Sept. 29-30, Natchez. Admission. Natchez Convention Center. Details: 601-498-4235; bigpopfireworks@gmail.com. Pumpkin Patch, Sept. 29-Nov. 4, Silver Creek. Wagon rides, zipline, pony rides, paddle boats, petting zoo, waterfowl park, hamster tube, hay pyramid, more. Admission. Swan Creek Farms & Waterfowl Park. Details: 601-587-7114; www.swancreekfarms.com. Nichols-Boyd Pumpkin Patch, Oct. 1-31, Brandon. Hayrides, corn maze, playground, retail area, farm animals, more. Highway 43 N. Details: 601-829-0800; www.nicholsenterprisesllc.com. Mitchell Farms Pumpkin Patch and Maze, Oct. 1-Nov 4, Collins. Admission. Mitchell Farms Pumpkin Patch and Maze. Details: 601-606-0762; www.mitchellfarmsms.com. Wayne County Fair, Oct. 2-6, Waynesboro.

October 5-6, 2012

25th Annual

MS Pecan Festival 40th Annual

Sept. 28, 29 & 30 2012 Richton, MS Admission $10.00 (Children under 4 Free)

Carthage Arts & Crafts Festival Friday, October 5 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 6 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more information:

director@leakems.com facebook.com/leakems.com

601-267-9231 CARTHAGE COLISEUM

• ANTIQUE BOOTHS • ARTS & CRAFTS • QUILT SHOW • STOCK DOG DEMOS • LIVE CRAFT DEMOS • PURTIEST ROOSTER CONTEST • PECAN FESTIVAL PAGEANT

• SOUTH’S FINEST FOOD • MULE PUL L • ANTIQUE ENGINE SHOW • LIVE BLUEGRASS MUSIC • CHARITY BAKE-OFF • DRAFT HORSE DEMOS • VERA’S PECAN PIES

601-964-8201

www.mspecanfestival.com

September 2012

Nightly events include gospel singing and cheerleading competition. Admission. Fairgrounds. Details: 601-410-1950. Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show, Oct. 5-6, Starkville. Equipment manufacturers operate logging equipment in actual field conditions. John Starr Memorial Forest. Details: 662-325-2191; www.midsouthforestry.org. Fall Flower & Garden Fest, Oct. 5-6, Crystal Springs. Educational exhibits, yard/garden seminars, tours, plant sale and 3-acre vegetable, herb and flower garden. Free. Truck Crops Experiment Station. Details: 601-8923731; www.msucares.com/fallfest. 14th Biennial Fiber Art & Quilt Show, Oct. 5-7, Hattiesburg. Quilt exhibit with some 400 entries. Vendors, demonstrations, more. Admission. Lake Terrace Convention Center. Details: www.pinebeltquilters.com. 34th Annual Oktoberfest, Oct. 6, Hattiesburg. German food, delicatessen, quilt raffle, silent auction, crafts, band. St. John Lutheran Church. Details: 601-583-4898; stjohnlutheranchurch@gmail.com. 32nd Fall Fest, Oct. 6, Osyka. Craft/food booths, contests, entertainment. Details: 985229-8053 or 601-542-5106, after 6 p.m. Laurel Gun Show, Oct. 6-7, Laurel. Admission. Fairgrounds. Details: 601-4984235; bigpopfireworks@gmail.com. Grasshoppers Family Fun Center Grand Opening, Oct. 6, Picayune. Grass maze, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, gem mine, goat walk castle, more. Admission. Details: 228697-1871; www.grasshoppersfamilyfuncenter.com.

35th Annual Zonta Club Arts and Crafts Festival, Oct. 6, Pascagoula. Food, exhibits, entertainment, children’s activities, car show, shuttle bus service. Downtown Plaza. Details: 228-229-9908; www.zontapascagoula.info. Mississippi Peanut Festival, Oct. 6, Collins. Pumpkin patch, maze, wagon rides, log home tours, sunflower fields, more. Admission. Mitchell Farms Pumpkin Patch and Maze. Details: 601-606-0762; www.mitchellfarmsms.com. Third Annual October Fest, Oct. 6, Vancleave. Food, gospel singers, yard sale items, baked goods, silent auction, children’s activities. Community of Christ. Details: 228826-5171, 228-826-3358. Laurel Gun Show, Oct. 6-7, Laurel. Door prizes, concessions. Admission. Fairgrounds. Details: 601-498-4235; bigpopfireworks@gmail.com. Cruisin’ the Coast, Oct. 7-14, Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, D’Iberville, Gulfport, Ocean Springs. Antique, classic, hot rod vehicles. Details: 888808-1188; www.cruisinthecoast.com. Tony Kinton Signing/Reading, Oct. 11, Pontotoc. Author reads from novel “Summer Lightning Distant Thunder”; noon-1 p.m. Pontotoc County Library. Details: 662-4893960; www.tonykinton.com. 16th Annual Biloxi Auction, Oct. 12-13, Biloxi. Auction of more than 400 classic, muscle cars; 10 a.m. Admission. Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Details: 504-875-3563; www.vicariauction.com. Bukka White Blues Festival, Oct. 12-13, Aberdeen. Blues music on banks of Tenn-Tom,

Tired of SEE SAW Savings? GROW your MONEY with Fixed Indexed Annuities (IRA, TSA, NQ, CD, 401K and Pension Rollovers) (Free no-obligation statewide in-home consultation!)

Work Hard, Invest Right, and the Sky’s the Limit.

Safe, Secure, Retirement Solutions

INCREDIBLE RATES OF RETURN Richie Culotta

601-657-4271

Culotta Insurance & Investments www.culottainsuranceandinvestments.com

Serving Mississippi & Louisiana STATEWIDE Since 1992

www.StormReadyShelters.com

One-Day Installation typical throughout

Mississippi Factory Trained Installers Insured Financing

BE READY!

Meridian, MS 601-693-3809

ABOVE & BELOW GROUND SHELTERS

Ribs on the River Cookoff, pet costume parade, arts/crafts, petting zoo, food. Details: 662369-9440; www.bukkawhitefestival.com. Dark Zone Haunted House, Oct. 12-13, 1920, 26-27, Brandon. Crossgates Exchange Club benefit; 7-10 p.m. Not recommended for 5 years and under. Admission. Frank Bridges socceer fields. Mississippi Opry Fall Show, Oct. 13, Pearl. Harmony & Grits and other gospel/bluegrass musicians; 6 p.m. Admission. Pearl Community Room. Details: 601-331-6672. Third Annual Mississippi ARTeast Festival, Oct. 13, Hattiesburg. Potters, photographers, honey makers, soap/perfume artists, jewelers, authors, glass blowers, fiber artists, more. Free. Meador Homestead Cabin. Details: 601-268-3236; dean@simplyteavine.com. French Camp Harvest Festival, Oct. 13, French Camp. Auction of handcrafted/homegrown items, sorghum syrup making, musicians, craftsment, horse rides, dinner on the grounds, more. Free. French Camp Academy. Details: 662-547-6482; www.frenchcamp.org. The Sounds of Bluegrass Concert, Oct. 13, Philadelphia. Delta Reign, Bill & Temperance, Alan Sibley & The Magnolia Ramblers; 6:30

Today in Mississippi

p.m. Admission. Ellis Theater. Details: 601656-9838. Day in the Park, Oct. 13, various locations. Pat Harrison Waterway District 50th anniversay celebrations. Free. Flint Creek Resevoir, Wiggins; Little Black Creek Reservoir, Lumberton; Big Creek 10 Reservoir, Laurel; Dry Creek Reservoir, Mt. Olive; Maynor Creek Reservoir, Waynesboro. Details: 601-2645951, 800-748-9618.

MAKE SURE YOU’RE TRIMMING ONLY LIMBS When you’re trimming trees, check for nearby overhead power lines, including lines that might be hidden in the foliage of trees nearby. If knocked down by a falling limb, these lines can kill.

Think

Safety !

Our next Picture This:

Candid photos Share a memorable moment in our next Picture This theme, “Gotcha— Great Moments in Candid Photos.” Photos selected for publication will appear in the October issue of Today in Mississippi. Submissions must be postmarked or emailed by Sept. 17. Photographers whose work is selected for publication will be entered in a drawing for a $200 cash prize, to be awarded in December.

Requirements • Photos must be the original work of an amateur photographer (of any age). • Photos eligible for publication may be either color or black and white, print or digital. • Photos must be in sharp focus. • Digital photos should be high-resolution JPG files. Please do not use photo-editing software to adjust colors or tones. (We prefer to do it ourselves, if necessary, according to our printer’s standards.) • Please do not send a photo with a date on the image.

• Photos must be accompanied by identifying information, including photographer’s name, address, phone and electric power association (if applicable). Include the name(s) of any recognizable people in the picture. • Prints will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot, however, guarantee their safe return through the mail, so please do not send irreplaceable photos.

How to submit your work Mail prints or a photo CD to Picture This, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300. Email photos (as an attachment to your email message) to news@epaofms.com. If submitting more than one photo, please attach all photos to only one e-mail message, if possible. Questions? Call Debbie Stringer, editor, at 601-605-8600 or email questions to news@epaofms.com.