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Cooperative Month: A reason to cheer
It makes a lot of sense that Cooperative Month and football season are both during the fall. Just like we cheer for our favorite college football team, we have a lot of reasons to cheer for our local electric cooperatives. Electric cooperatives in Mississippi are often humble and won’t cheer for themselves, even though they strongly impact local communities every day. So, as I cheer for my Southern Miss Golden Eagles, I’ll also cheer for our local electric cooperatives since October is Cooperative Month.
Hurricane Francine headed towards the Mississippi/Louisiana border on Sept. 12. Line crews and support personnel prepared for the hurricane across south and central Mississippi. Other cooperative personnel across the state prepared to go help those without power after the storm. I am happy to report that our electric cooperatives were able to restore their own outages, so visiting crews didn’t have to come to their aid. As always, our linemen were ready to answer the call if they were needed.
On Sept. 17, eight electric cooperatives set up booths and encouraged community college students to register to vote. The Co-ops Vote program is a nationwide,
non-partisan e ort to sign-up voters before the Tuesday, Nov. 5, general election.
I often think about Cooperation Among Cooperatives, which is one of our guiding principles. There are so many examples of co-ops working together in Mississippi. This magazine is one of them. Our joint advocacy e orts, both with U.S. Congressional leaders and state legislators, encourage lawmakers to support sensible energy policies that assure reliable and a ordable electric power. Another great example is the Cooperative Youth Leaders program, which instills leadership and an understanding of democracy in high school juniors. These are just a few examples; there are many more.
As I said early on, electric cooperatives provide a lot of reasons for us to cheer, so celebrate Cooperative Month.
by Michael
Callahan
Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
Send us your beautiful photos of a Mississippi sunrise or sundown. The photos must be high-resolution JPG files of at least 1 MB in size. Please send the photo as an attachment to an email to news@ecm.coop.
Each entry must be accompanied by photographer or sender’s name, address, and co-op.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Nov. 29. Select photos will appear in the January 2025 issue.
The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
Vol. 77 No. 10
OFFICERS
Brian Hughey - President
Brian Long - First Vice President
Shawn Edmondson - Second Vice President
Brian Clark - Secretary/Treasurer
Michael Callahan - Executive Vice President/CEO
EDITORIAL STAFF
Lydia Walters - VP, Communications
Steven Ward - Editor
Chad Calcote - Creative Director
Kevin Wood - Graphic Designer
Alan Burnitt - Graphic Designer
Courtney Warren - Graphic Designer
Chris Alexander - Member Services Coordinator
Andy Tuccio - Media Solutions Director
Steve Temple - Social Media Director
Karen Hargett - Administrative Assistant
EDITORIAL OFFICE & ADVERTISING
601-605-8600
Acceptance of advertising by Today in Mississippi does not imply endorsement of the advertised product or services by the publisher or Mississippi’s electric power associations. Product satisfaction and delivery responsibility lie solely with the advertiser.
• National advertising representative: American MainStreet Publications, 800-626-1181
Circulation of this issue: 477,901
Non-member subscription price: $9.50 per year.
Today in Mississippi (ISSN 1052-2433) is published 12 times a year by Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Inc., P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300, or 665 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Phone 601-605-8600. Periodical postage paid at Ridgeland, MS, and additional o ce. The publisher (and/or its agent) reserves the right to refuse or edit all advertising. The magazine is published for members of subscribing co-ops. The magazine is a bene t of membership.
POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 507.1.5.2) NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: send address corrections to: Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300 www.facebook.com/TodayinMississippi
www.todayinmississippi.com
(From left to right) Artist Jason Turner, writer and “Mississippi Macabre” publisher Blake Barnes, and writer Rodney Mooney hold covers from their forthcoming horror comic anthology behind O beat Comics in Jackson. Photo by Chad Calcote.
Electric co-ops sign up voters on National Voter Registration Day
Eight Mississippi electric cooperatives spent Sept. 17 out at community colleges helping students register to vote.
Sept. 17 was National Voter Registration Day.
The cooperatives that participated were 4-County Electric, Coahoma Electric, Coast Electric, Northcentral Electric Cooperative, Singing River Electric, Southern Pine Electric, Southwest Electric, and Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power.
The Mississippi events this year are part of a nationwide e ort led by Co-ops Vote. The annual civic engagement holiday had over 3,000 community partners hosting events last year.
Voter registration drives were held on multiple campuses throughout the day.
Cooperative Competes Grant Awarded for MCDP Industrial Site Development
Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association, in partnership with Cooperative Energy, announce recently that the Marion County Development Partnership (MCDP) has been awarded a Cooperative Competes grant of $12,500. This funding will support a Comprehensive Workforce Study conducted by VisionFirst, an economic development consulting firm, as a crucial step in establishing a master plan for the Marion Regional AirPlex and IndustryPlex.
In addition to the Cooperative Competes grant, MCDP has secured $420,000 in additional funding through the Mississippi Development Authority’s Select Site Grant Program and the Cooperative Energy Site Invest Program. The project’s scope includes workforce studies, tra c flow analysis, geotechnical evaluations, and master planning by a specialized engineering and site selection firm.
MCDP has successfully leveraged these resources, along with some matching funds from the Mississippi Power Propel Grant program, to undertake this vital planning process. The goal is to enhance the competitive positioning and refine the marketing strategy for the industrial properties within the Marion County Economic Development District.
The Cooperative Competes initiative is designed to boost community competitiveness and promote economic growth across Mississippi. Through this initiative, economic development organizations can apply for grants to support industrial property development, workforce enhancement, or community growth projects. The funds are provided jointly by Cooperative Energy’s 11 Member distribution cooperatives.
Northcentral Electric Director of Marketing and Business Development Michael Bellipanni helps a student at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Northwest Desoto register to vote on National Voter Registration Day.
Southern Gardening
If you come across an enchanting, miniature landscape that captures your imagination as a world fit for fairies, then you have found a fairy garden. These tiny gardens are meticulously designed in containers, garden beds, and unique spaces like old tree stumps and broken pots.
I recently visited Ross Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Hattiesburg and found some whimsical and magical fairy gardens on their property. These feature small plants, moss, pebbles, and miniature accessories such as fairy houses, tiny furniture, and delicate bridges.
Fairy gardens bring a touch of fantasy to an outdoor or indoor space and o er a delightful hobby for gardeners of all ages, encouraging creativity and a connection with nature.
Whether used as a playful project for children or a serene retreat for adults, fairy gardens provide a magical escape and a unique way to express artistic flair.
At the entrance to the Ross Mansion gardens, an old log planter with Creeping Jenny plants, Gerbera daisies, a begonia, and a few other plants sets the stage. An old bed headboard is the backdrop for the space, and various colored fairy houses are placed around it.
The area underneath the large oak trees have been transformed into magical fairy villages. The garden designers used moss throughout these areas, along with other shadetolerant plants such as hostas and ferns. Pea gravel and rocks represent roads and paths in the villages that wind their way through miniature bridges and tiny gazebos.
Tiny fairy gardens can be meticulously designed in a variety of settings such as this old tree stump.
One of the highlights of these gardens is the collection of old birdbaths that have been transformed into fairy wonderlands.
Each birdbath has a unique theme. One features Winnie the Pooh and friends surrounded by delicate moss and a charming fairy house. Another depicts an underwater setting with Ariel and other characters from “The Little Mermaid” movie.
Moss, succulents, and many other small plants are used in the birdbath areas to help create the wonderland setting. Each adds texture, character, and charm.
I love how antique, recycled objects have been incorporated into the Ross Mansion gardens to provide the perfect area for a village setting.
An old wagon is filled with tiny homes, each with a little garden of miniature flowers and shrubs. An old wheelbarrow is used as a garden village and features a small pond made from a repurposed dish, complete with tiny lily pads and a bridge.
In addition to these charming features, the fairy gardens also include hidden surprises like tiny doors nestled at the base of trees, small benches made from twigs, and fairy swings hanging from low branches.
If you are ever in Hattiesburg, you should stop by Ross Mansion Bed and Breakfast to see their magical fairy gardens. They truly o er a unique glimpse into a miniature world of wonder.
by Dr. Eddie Smith
Southern Gardening columnist Dr. Eddie Smith, a gardening specialist and Pearl River County coordinator with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, is an internationally certified arborist, Produce Safety Alliance certified trainer, and one of the developers of the Mississippi Smart Landscapes program that encourages the use of native plants in the landscape.
Recycled objects such as this birdbath can be filled with moss, succulents, and other small plants to create a fairy wonderland.
Hiking offers good exercise, family camaraderie
As temperatures cool in the fall and leaves start changing, people might want to enjoy the outdoors.
Hiking provides a great way for entire families to get exercise, experience nature, and observe wildlife. Everywhere in Mississippi, people can find places to take a hike in wonderful natural surroundings and diverse habitats. In Mississippi, 50 wildlife management areas, six huge national forests, and 25 state parks conserve thousands of public acres. In addition, numerous national wildlife refuges and other federal, state, and local public properties o er hiking opportunities.
I would bring a compass. It’s easy to get disoriented, particularly in a wilderness area. People can download a compass app on a smart phone. I would also recommend bringing a whistle to signal people a long way o if you get lost.
“There are many great places to hike in Mississippi,” Geneva Dummer, a hiking enthusiast, said recently. “We have access to all kinds of trails in Mississippi. People can go big, or they can just walk for a short time on an easy trail. I take my kids almost every time I go.”
Hiking doesn’t need to cost much money, but people could spend as much as they want on gear. For starters, get a good pair of shoes that o er great support, especially for the ankles. Many people use walking sticks, or they can just pick up a branch o the ground. A good, lightweight backpack and some water containers should complete the equipment list for a day hike.
“I highly recommend someone get a good quality pair of comfortable hiking shoes,” Dummer said. “Always bring lots of water wherever you go. It’s easy to get dehydrated even on a pleasant day. Also, I would bring a compass. It’s easy to get disoriented, particularly in a wilderness area. People can download a compass app on a smart phone. I would also recommend bringing a whistle to signal people a long way o if you get lost.”
Before entering an area, particularly a vast wilderness like in a national forest, study electronic maps or satellite images of the terrain. Read about it on the internet. In most cases, hikers can follow well-marked trails wandering through public lands. However, some markers might deteriorate or disappear over time. Hikers can usually pick up maps of that specific area from trailheads. Even if hikers cannot get a signal on their smart phones, they can use the reflective screens as a flash signaling devices like a mirror if someone needs help.
“Not all trails are as well blazed as others,” Dummer said. “As long as a smart phone gets a signal, people can see trail maps and locations on it. They can also see exactly where they are.”
Some people might want to make a multiple-day wilderness trek while others just want a short stroll through a park. For multiple-day adventures, hikers will need to bring some type of shelter, bedding, matches, and enough food and cooking utensils. Any store that sells camping gear should o er various options for lightweight equipment designed for hiking.
Many public areas, such as wildlife management areas, national forests, and federal refuges allow hunting in the fall. During hunting season, hikers should wear orange and stick to the designated hiking trails to avoid conflicts and accidents.
by John N. Felsher
John N. Felsher is a professional freelance writer, broadcaster, photographer, and editor who lives in Alabama. An avid sportsman, he’s written more than 3,300 articles for more than 170 different magazines on a wide variety of outdoors topics. Contact him at j.felsher@hotmail.com.
Scene Around the ‘Sip
by Steven Ward
“Glamping” is an activity that features the amenities of a hotel with the natural immersion of camping.
That’s how Airon Whitt, owner and operator of The Lodge at Sweetwater Studios in Moselle, describes what people are doing when they visit her nature retreat near Laurel. The Lodge is a member of Dixie Electric.
The Lodge features safari-style tent glamping and a retreat center for visitors 16 and older.
Although yoga classes and retreats are one of the more popular activities at The Lodge, it’s not the only pastime available to visitors.
“Our guests range widely from those seeking some quiet time in nature to those wanting to work on their personal art or creative projects, or the yogi seeking to deepen their personal practice,” Whitt, 36, told Today in Mississippi
Whitt’s nature retreat provides a full hotel-like set up in each room — beds with lavender infused memory foam mattresses, air conditioning and heat, fans, co ee pots and co ee, private fire pits, and electricity. But, she said, a visit is still camping.
“Guests will hear the sounds of nature at night and interact with the wildlife we have on site. Additionally, walking is required. We have a hilly 26-acre property that does require some walking to get from place to place. Each hilltop tent has a parking spot directly behind it for guests to park, but our deluxe island tents and lakeside cottage require a golf cart escort when you check in and walking to get to and from your car,” Whitt said.
Retreats at The Lodge include mushroom and forest foraging, women’s focused retreats, adult summer camps, art retreats featuring painting and ceramics, and yoga retreats. While on property guests have access to various walking trails through pine forests, kayaks and a paddle boats to explore the 3-acre pond, a nightly fish feeding, optional yoga classes in the lakeside yoga dome, tours of the onsite stained glass and weaving studios, and a tropical greenhouse spa, which houses a saltwater pool, hot tub, and sauna.
The idea for The Lodge goes back to Whitt’s time in high school.
“I dreamed of opening my own ecolodge since I was in high school. Almost every life decision I made since that time was to get closer to this dream. What university I attended, what jobs I took, joining the Peace Corps, all of those decisions were made with the end goal of owning a small hotel that was environmentally responsible and focused on nature and yoga,” Whitt said.
Whitt worked in hotels and restaurants for more than 15 years in Hawaii, Costa Rica, Columbia, and Malaysia.
Whitt looked at properties in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Guatemala. In April 2020 Whitt planned to visit Guatemala with a friend to put an o er on a jungle lodge there. Because of Covid, the trip never happened.
“As I sat on the back porch of my parent’s home in Mississippi, we all started dreaming about what this business could look like a little closer to home. Once I got my parents on board, the rest is history. We started building the first cottage in October 2020 and opened to the public in October 2021,” Whitt said.
Whitt’s artist parents, John and Kim Whitt, were instrumental in the building of The Lodge.
“My father especially. He built our family home with some of his closest friends on this property in the late 70s and has been creating and building here ever since. Both of my parents have their respective studios, my father’s being focused mainly on stained glass, but also woodworking and welding, and my mother’s studio is home to her weaving and painting career. I was very lucky to have the childhood that I did, growing up on this land. I have many memories of wanting to start little projects and would go to my parents with very specific needs at a young age,” Whitt said.
Whitt calls The Lodge a “beautiful family project” that brought the trio even closer than she could have imagined.
Whitt said many guests visit the Lodge to escape the noise and hustle and bustle of their lives.
“Most people say, ‘Wow, you’ve really thought of everything,’ and while I know there’s always room for improvement, it’s nice to know that guests can feel the e ort we have put in here. I have had a notebook for over 20 years that I take notes in when I travel or have ideas for this business, always trying to incorporate things I’ve experienced from my own travels or places I have worked. The tiny details are important to me,” Whitt said.
From left to right: Kim Whitt, Airon Whitt, and John Whitt at The Lodge at Sweetwater Studios.
1-844-AGENT4U
“Improving the quality of life for all those we touch.”
Celebrating membership
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL CO-OP MONTH
Fall is a busy time, and October is a particularly eventful month with school, community, and sports activities in full swing. It’s also when all cooperatives celebrate National Co-op Month.
When I say 4-County celebrates Co-op Month (see page 17), it really means we are celebrating you! After all, our co-op wouldn’t exist without you, our members.
Our core business purpose is to serve as your electricity provider, but the larger mission of the co-op is to help make our corner of the world a better place. “Concern for community” is one of seven guiding principles that all co-ops share.
Similar to how our wires run through our service territory, our concern for community flows through all of our decisions — because being a co-op means being a responsible partner and good neighbor.
4-County works to help our community thrive through initiatives led by our employees and local board that’s comprised of neighbors who live right here in our community. Because we’re local, we understand our community’s unique needs and strive to help meet them.
We’re proud to support local youth through our Cooperative Youth Leaders Tour and scholarship programs. With your help, we o er the 4-County Foundation to provide assistance to our community’s most vulnerable (see recent grants in sidebar to the right).
The word “cooperative” is close to “cooperation,” meaning people working together towards a common goal — mutually benefitting one another and the larger community. That’s the essence of the cooperative spirit. Our employees and memberelected board members are invested in the community in which live and serve.
Above all, as a co-op we put our members’ priorities first. As your trusted energy partner, we know that saving energy and money is important to you. That’s why we have numerous programs in place to help, including energy saving tips, programs, and free audits.
We want to empower you to manage energy use at home. If you haven’t already, I encourage you take a moment and use our app. Just search My Electric Account or 4-County Electric Power Association from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Through the app, you can conveniently monitor and manage your energy use. And we’re of course here to help, so give us a call if you have questions about your energy bills.
4-County is continuously examining ways to operate more e ciently while continuing to provide the highest level of friendly, reliable service you expect and deserve. After all, we’re your local co-op. We were built by the members we serve.
by Brian Clark
CEO/General Manager
AREA ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE 4-COUNTY FOUNDATION AWARDS
Eight area organizations received awards recently from the 4-County Electric Power Association Foundation.
About $47,000 was distributed at the foundation’s September meeting at 4-County’s Corporate Center in Mayhew. Since the foundation’s inception in February 2015, over $2.2 million has been dispersed to organizations in 4-County’s nine-county service area. Those receiving foundation awards in September included:
• American Red Cross ($10,000 to purchase supplies and supporting material for a Home Fire Campaign)
• East Webster Elementary School ($8,000 to extend a carpool awning and build a new sidewalk)
• Friends of the Noxubee County Wildlife Refuge ($8,732 for fish structures and habitat renovations)
• My Book of Lowndes County ($1,215 to be used in purchase of 270 books for West Lowndes Elementary School)
• Noxubee County Diabetes Coalition ($2,051 to assist with computer equipment and other program supplies)
• The Mission ($10,000 to purchase cold storage space structures for donated food items)
• Tombigbee Regional Library System ($500 to update non-fiction section of library)
• Town of Mathiston Fire Department ($6,239 to purchase radios and other digital equipment)
For more information on the 4-County Foundation, call 1-800-431-1544.
RATE ADJUSTMENT FOR TVA AND 4-COUNTY CUSTOMERS
4-County Electric Power Association has enacted a slight increase to its electric rates. The move comes on the heels of a significant base rate increase voted on by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in August.
Rate increases went into e ect Oct. 1. The 4-County increase (about 2.34 %) will mean roughly an extra $3.56 a month to the average residential electric bill. Combined with the TVA wholesale increase of 5.25%, the total e ect will be about $8.22 a month to the average residential member.
TVA enacted its increase to provide the needed resources to meet demand and load growth. 4-County’s slight increase also addresses those needs and the higher cost of doing business.
“We’re seeing a big rise in interest rates, and our costs for doing business are just skyrocketing. Basic things like poles, wire, and transformers are extremely expensive right now. The cost to replace a bucket truck is staggering. And that’s if you can even get them. The wait time for a lot of these things is now months instead of days or weeks,” 4-County CEO Brian Clark noted.
One of the impacts driving these changes for both 4-County and TVA is growth. “We’re seeing exceptional growth in our
service territory. We’re adding load every year, especially with larger commercial members. That’s great, but it also means we’ve got to make additions to our system. TVA is seeing the same thing with unexpected growth across the Tennessee Valley. They’ve got to quickly add generation to meet all our needs. So, it is a doubleedged sword. People want to live here; companies want to locate here, but we’ve got to be able to serve all of them,” said Clark. “Our goal is to again go as long as we can without having another rate adjustment.”
Through a combination of e orts, 4-County has been able to avoid significantly raising its rates for several years. The co-op was even able to absorb a 2016 rate increase from TVA and not pass it on to its members. “That move alone saved 4-County members more than $10 million dollars,” Clark said. Clark pointed to other money saving measures the cooperative has undertaken including reducing employee headcount through attrition, using technology to provide more e cient and less costly service, and developing and implementing many financially prudent internal processes and decisions.
For more information, call 4-County at 1-800-431-1544.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
TIP OF THE MONTH
Now is the time to schedule annual maintenance for your home’s heating system. During the fall months, HVAC technicians are typically less busy, making this an excellent time for maintenance and any necessary repairs before the winter months.
A qualified technician can clean filters, check for leaks and ensure all system components are working e ciently to keep your home cozy and warm when the temperatures begin to drop.
Cora served in a variety of Member Service roles in her career. Enjoy Your Retirement!
Successful career just around bend for Adcock EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Rivers flow at their own pace, teaching us patience and the art of going with the current. Life for each of us has its own unique twists and turns, but 4-County Apprentice 1 Shaw Adcock is always excited to see what’s just around the bend. “There’s always a sense of anticipation on the river, wondering what’s next,” Adcock explained. Riding innertubes and relaxing on the sandbar are part of it. “We just enjoy being outside, seeing nature at work.”
Life for Adcock took an interesting turn itself several years ago while he was working with a rights-of-way contracting crew. “I started really noticing the power poles and lines. I wanted to understand how the power lines connected and worked together. It interested me,” he said. That interest led to attending and graduating from East Mississippi Community College’s (EMCC) Lineman Training School. He credited his instructor, retired 4-County Journeyman Lineman Chuck Cotton, and current co-op Journeyman Lineman Derek Dawkins as providing needed encouragement.
The job at 4-County, he described, is hard work but very rewarding. “Sometimes, it’s hard days and long nights. But it makes a big di erence when you know you are keeping the lights on for people.”
We’re looked upon by the community with respect.
Adcock describes his father, Champ, as a wonderful role model. “We see each other every weekend. He’s been a spiritual influence and a leader in my growth and development as a person,” he added. The father-son duo has been joined by other family members and friends in Shaw’s conversion of a camp house into a home. “I’m learning a lot,” he said. “It’s nice to watch as it goes from the before to the after.”
— Shaw Adcock —
As a 4-County employee, Adcock explained, it’s also good to see a construction project develop from start to finish. Communities admire the coop. “It’s a big accomplishment when finishing a project. When it’s completed, it’s cool to know you had a hand in it.”
Adcock’s career at 4-County began in 2022. The Nanih Waiya High School graduate lives in Macon, where he attends Calvary Baptist Church. When he’s not working, Shaw enjoys being with family, playing golf, riding four-wheelers, hunting, and fishing.
Doing the job the right way is the only way, Adcock said. “We’re looked upon by the community with respect,” he added. “That’s important. We treat them well, and they treat us well. Members and employees are all part of one big, happy co-op family.”
If you're tired of having knee pain and want to talk to a doctor that can virtually give you your life back if knee pain is an issue, call Dr. Rob Acord... as he's the only doctor in the area... who has this newly discovered knee pain reduction technology.
"Chronic, Painful, Knee Pain "Chronic, Painful, Knee Pain
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Knee pain is something that disables a lot of people every single year, but most people don't know what to do about it.
What Are Your Choices?
Some people immediately opt in for surgery, then some people watch TV and end up buying something they wrap their knee with-hoping it will help, and others just follow orders and take medications which simply block the pain signals while the underlying condition often progresses.
What Works Best?
All I'm saying is this. There are a lot of ways to TREAT your knee pain, but which one will really work?
If you've done your research, you know that there are not a lot of things that really work when it comes to actually helping align the knee, taking nerve pressure off the knee, and reducing the pain and swelling.
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by Steven Ward
A group of Mississippi writers and artists have joined forces to launch the state’s first horror anthology comic book.
“Mississippi Macabre,” which will be available to readers this month, was the brainchild of Jackson writer and side gig comic book publisher Blake Barnes.
A television producer at Mississippi Public Broadcasting by day, Barnes, 28, launched Jackson Comics as both an outlet for his hobby and passion to write and as an avenue for Mississippi writers and illustrators to tell the stories of the state.
“Mississippi Macabre” will be the third comic book he has published. “Jackson Comic #1” came out in 2021 and featured stories to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the city of Jackson. That comic also launched a local superhero character, Captain Jackson, written by Barnes. “Jackson Comic #2” was published next and featured the writings and illustrations of Mississippi students.
Barnes was able to devise Jackson Comics after receiving a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Barnes said the idea of “Mississippi Macabre” originated when he and Lucedale-based professional comic book artist Steven Butler were talking about horror comics. They wanted to produce something that could inform Mississippi residents about the folklore of the state they otherwise might not have known.
“When Steven and I were talking comics, we both talked about the EC horror comics of the 50s and that style,” Barnes said during a recent interview at O beat Comics in downtown Jackson.
EC Comics was founded in the late 1940s by Maxwell Gaines and later run by his son, William Gaines. The publisher specialized in horror comics. The most famous EC comic was the bi-monthly horror anthology, “Tales from the Crypt.” The comic book — featuring the host, The Crypt-Keeper — was a pop culture phenomenon that later spawned the 1980s George Romero and Stephen King film, “Creepshow,” and the TV series, “Tales from the Darkside.”
For “Mississippi Macabre,” Barnes wanted the stories to be based on real Mississippi folklore stories.
The stories featured in “Mississippi Macabre” are “The Witch of Yazoo,” “The Phantom Barber of Pascagoula,” “Terror at the Tavern,” about the Ole Tavern on George Street in downtown Jackson, and a story about bluesman Robert Johnson trading his soul to the devil at the crossroads in Clarksdale.
Thanks to local sponsors and a Kickstarter campaign than raised $5,000 in less than a month, the financing was in place by late August.
Barnes said his group of collaborators already have more than 60 ideas for future issues of “Mississippi Macabre” and hope to produce two issues of the horror anthology a year.
(From left to right on the top)
Hattiesburg writer Rodney Mooney, Jackson writer and artist Jason Turner; Jackson writer and Jackson Comics publisher Blake Barnes, (From left to right on bottom) Lucedale comics illustrator Steven Butler and Hernando artist Rick Harrison.
Photos by Chad Calcote. Additional photos provided by featured artists.
The Phantom Barber of Pascagoula is a documented case from 1942. The story was written by Barnes and illustrated by Butler.
According to newspaper accounts, the story is the true crime tale of a Pascagoula criminal who would cut locks of hair o young girls when they were asleep.
Butler has been a professional comic book illustrator for more than 30 years. He has worked on Spider Man and Archie titles.
“I chose this story because it gives me to opportunity to draw a period piece, set in a time not that far away, but still radically di erent than the world we find ourselves in today. It’s also very local to where I live, so that’s of personal interest as well,” Butler said.
“I’m drawing it in the style of classic Archie comics from that time period. I like the idea of juxtaposing that clean, early Archie style with the horrific elements that happened during that particular case. The Archie Americana style makes the horror element that much more chilling.”
The barber story was inked by Mississippian Thomas Florimonte Jr. and colored by Steven Butler’s daughter, Lilly Butler.
“Terror at the Tavern” was written and illustrated by Jackson musician and comic book creator Jason Turner. Turner, who has been writing and drawing comics since he was 5, is a current co-creator and artist on “The Ripper Gene” comic and has done cover art for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Archie comics.
“My story was loosely based on a personal experience. I’ve been a musician in the state for many years, and one night after playing a show at the Ole Tavern on George Street, I fell down the stairs. I was told about the folklore of ghosts there. After that night I always wondered if I was pushed by a ghost because it was unexplainable how I fell,” Turner said.
Hardcore music fans know the folk tale of bluesman Robert Johnson trading his soul to the devil at the crossroads in the Mississippi Delta to gain the ability to play killer blues guitar.
For this story, Barnes was able to secure the talents of professional comics writer and illustrator John Jennings. Jennings is a Marvel creator who has produced Silver Surfer titles. Jennings is also a professor of media and cultural studies at the University of California at Riverside; a Harvard Fellow; and a New York Times bestselling author.
Jennings was raised in Clarksdale.
It’s like we’ve been sitting on a secret for a while now, and we are about to finally get to share it. ‘Mississippi Macabre’ is a growing love letter for the state that will grow with each issue.
The Witch of Yazoo story was written by Hattiesburg writer Rodney Mooney and illustrated by Hernando artist Rick Harrison.
A college professor, Mooney introduced comics into his English courses at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Mooney asked Butler to give a talk to his classes and met Barnes through the artist. Barnes got Mooney involved in “Mississippi Macabre” as a writer and “historian” for the anthology because of his extensive knowledge of state history.
“This one (story) means a lot to me because when I was in junior high school, I received an assignment to write about a story from a particular Mississippi county. I randomly chose Yazoo because I thought the name sounded cool,” Mooney said.
After seeking out information for the assignment, the Yazoo County Chamber of Commerce sent Mooney a brief write-up about the legend of the Yazoo Witch.
“I was enamored and amazed that I had never heard the story before. This would stay with me my whole life and no doubt led me to wanting to explore the state further,” Mooney said.
Mooney called The Yazoo Witch story “Mississippi’s own Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” He also said The Yazoo Witch will be the horror comic’s o cial host who will pop up in future issues.
Harrison, who has been a commercial artist for 50 years, has illustrated fantasy and horror stories in small press magazines. His work also appeared in the book, “Knowing Darkness: Artists Influenced by the Work of Stephen King.”
“Blake thought I would be a good fit for this story. My style is sort of old school, which seems to fit the mood of the Curse of the Yazoo Witch story,” Harrison said.
Mooney said everyone is excited about releasing “Mississippi Macabre” to the world.
“It’s like we’ve been sitting on a secret for a while now, and we are about to finally get to share it. ‘Mississippi Macabre’ is a growing love letter for the state that will grow with each issue.”
The comic will be released on Oct. 19 at 3 Alarm Comics in Biloxi. The comic will also be available at O beat Comics in Jackson and by mail order at www.jacksoncomics.com.
For more information, fans can follow Jackson Comics on Facebook or @jxncomics on Instagram. There is also an Instagram page for the horror comic @mississippimacabre.
1. Krista Casey of Wiggins; Pearl River Valley Electric member.
2. David La oon of Ellisville; Dixie Electric member.
3. Larry Williams of Brookhaven; Southwest Electric member.
4. Marie Kilpatrick of Louin; Southern Pine Electric member.
5. Sharon Pipkins of Beaumont; Singing River Electric member.
6. Joe and Shelia McMurry of Richton; Dixie Electric members.
7. Joan Easterling of Mount Olive; Southern Pine member.
8. Natalie Dennis of Biloxi; Coast Electric member.
9. Marietta Bradley of Brandon; Central Electric member.
10. Catherine Riggs of Fayette; Southwest Electric member.
11. Darlene Bane of Louisville; East Mississippi EPA member.
12. Betty Brown of Sunflower; Delta Electric member.
13. Karl V. Kepper of Hattiesburg; Pearl River Valley Electric member.
14. David and Carolyn Lyon of Hattiesburg; Southern Pine Electric members.
15. The Rev. Dr. Johnnie Bell of Picayune; Coast Electric members.
16. Timothy Sharpley of Lucedale; Singing River Electric member.
17. Charles Woodley of Magee; Southern Pine Electric member.
18. Gary and Melissa Regan of Foxworth; Pearl River Valley Electric member.
19. Terry McDowell of Starkville; 4-County Electric member.
20. Dorothy Ogletree of Vicksburg; Twin County Electric member.
CREATES NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
by Scott Flood
You may never have heard of an energy storage specialist or a smart grid engineer, but you’ll want to know that smart people are serving in those roles. Their jobs are all about making your electricity even more reliable and a ordable — and they are careers that didn’t even exist a decade or two ago.
The energy industry has gone through profound changes in the last decade as organizations like your local electric cooperative rush to meet growing needs for power while addressing concerns about sustainability and climate. As new technologies have been developed to address key issues, they’ve led to significant increases in new careers.
This month, electric co-ops across America will recognize Careers in Energy Week, October 21-25. It’s an industry-wide initiative to connect today’s energy workforce with tomorrow’s by making people aware of the important and rewarding career opportunities.
Co-op members are familiar with some people who work in the energy industry. The lineworkers who restore their power after a storm and the member service representatives who take calls about outages and billing are the most familiar examples, since members are more likely to interact with them. But no less important are the people who are playing important behind-the-scenes roles in shaping tomorrow’s energy landscape.
Take that energy storage specialist. You know solar energy has the potential to provide more of our electricity, but it has a fundamental problem: it works only when the sun is su ciently bright. Engineers, technicians, and others are close to creating giant battery-like devices that can store excess solar energy, so it’s available when the sun’s out of sight.
Then there are renewable energy engineers, hard at work designing and implementing more e cient ways to harness energy from
Co-op careers o er both stability and growth, and opportunities that run the gamut from member services to engineering to construction, science, and financial management.
the sun, wind, and water. They’ve been behind many of the advancements you’ve seen in recent years. Another group of engineers focuses on improving the smart grid, the nationwide network that connects power producers and users. They’re seeking ways to reduce energy that gets wasted while improving coast-to-coast reliability.
More environmental scientists are needed to help energy producers better understand how to meet the demands of consumers while protecting local and global ecosystems. It also takes skilled energy policy analysts to analyze data, evaluate the impacts of proposed policies, and advise governments and organizations on energyrelated issues.
Many of these new positions require extensive education, but others provide entry-level opportunities. For example, as more homeowners want to use new technologies like solar panels, they need trained technicians to install them. Another growing opportunity is for energy advisors, who have the skills to examine homes and businesses to identify changes that could lead to lower energy bills.
While opportunities abound throughout the energy industry, people who have an interest in energy often find work environments they enjoy at local electric cooperatives. There are many reasons for that, and one that’s particularly important is that co-ops play a critical role in the safety and well-being of the communities they serve. People who are proud of the places they call home are eager to give back, and knowing you play a role in keeping your neighbors’ lights on and making your community economically stronger can be quite satisfying. In this era of job-hopping, a surprising number of co-op employees spend most or all of their careers there. Co-ops tend to be some of the community’s most stable employers, and they typically provide plenty of opportunities for personal and professional growth, such as access to specialized training or classes. While co-ops are notfor-profit organizations, that doesn’t mean they’re skimpy when it comes to pay. Both wages and benefits tend to be competitive.
Whether you’re a student getting ready to pursue that first “real” job or an individual who feels ready for a career change, the energy industry is definitely worth exploring. It o ers both stability and growth, and opportunities that run the gamut from member services to engineering to construction, science and financial management. Your local co-op also gives you the chance to be the person your neighbors know they can depend upon. That’s a benefit that’s tough to beat.
For more than four decades, business writer Scott Flood has worked with electric cooperatives to build knowledge of energy-related issues among directors, sta and members.
Whether you’re a student getting ready to pursue that first “real” job or an individual who feels ready for a career change, the energy industry is definitely worth exploring.
Electric co-ops tend to be some of the community’s most stable employers, and they typically provide plenty of opportunities for personal and professional growth, such as access to specialized training or classes.
On the Menu
Cooler fall temperatures are a relief after the summer heat, and watching leaves change from green to gold, red, and orange is romantic. Fall also brings family fun outdoor activities and cozy wardrobes. And it is the season of comfort foods. The autumn season o ers many nutritious and delicious options, from hearty root vegetables to succulent fruits. With a unique selection of fruits and vegetables at your local farmers’ market or grocery store, some foods taste better in the fall.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS taste better after a slight frost and are a fall crop in warmer climates because they prefer cool weather. They resemble mini cabbages and are typically cut, cleaned, and cooked to make a nutritious side dish or main course. To steam Brussels sprouts, boil about an inch of water in a small pan on the stove and cook it covered for 5 to 10 minutes. Or roast with olive oil on a sheet pan for 25 to 30 minutes at 400 degrees. Add salt and pepper or red pepper flakes or garlic powder to taste.
SWEET POTATOES are versatile and nutritious vegetables in the fall season. Vardaman, Mississippi, is known as the “Sweet Potato Capital of the World” and hosts the National Sweet Potato Festival every November. Instead of roasting sweet potatoes whole,
try slicing them half lengthwise. They’ll cook much quicker and get some caramelization while staying moist. Roast halved potatoes at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes. Add peeled and diced sweet potatoes to fall soups, stews, or chilis.
CRANBERRIES are at their peak in the fall, have a sweettart flavor, and are not just for Thanksgiving. Eat them whole like blueberries, or chop them to add them to salads, oatmeal, or smoothies. Bake with cranberries; they pair well with orange flavors and are delicious in breads with warm spices and orange glaze. Add cranberries to beverages with vodka, bourbon, mint, lime, sugar, and ginger ale in cocktails.
PEARS peak in the fall and ripen at room temperature after being picked. You can tell if a pear is ripe if the neck near the stem gives a little when pressure is applied. A pear’s skin is edible and a great source of fiber. To keep sliced pears from browning, briefly soak them in 1 quart of water and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice.
Fall foods are often comforting, earthy, savory, and best when eaten in season.
with Rebecca Turner Rebecca
INGREDIENTS
4 pears
Ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts honey
INGREDIENTS
1 pound shaved Brussels sprouts
1 large green apple, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pine nuts (or halved pecans, walnut pieces, slithered almonds)
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
DRESSING
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
In a large bowl, add shaved Brussels sprouts, chopped apples, dried cranberries, pine nuts, and shredded parmesan.
In a small bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients. Pour over the top of the salad and mix until well combined and evenly coated. Pro tip – save time and use your favorite store-bought balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving
by Rebecca Turner
Rebecca Turner is an author, registered dietitian, radio host, television presenter, and board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine. She is A lifelong Mississippian and a member of the Central Electric Co-op in Brandon. Her books, “Mind Over Fork,” and “Enjoy Good Health,” offer no-nonsense nutrition guidance that challenges how you think, not how you eat. Find her on social media @RebeccaTurnerTalks or online at RebeccaTurnerNutrition.com.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare pears by slicing in half lengthwise with seeds removed. Slice a small piece off the rounded side of each pear half so that it will sit flat in the baking pan. Place pears in an oven-safe baking dish.
Sprinkle each pear with the cinnamon.
Top each pear half with chopped walnuts, about 1 to 2 teaspoons.
Drizzle (don’t drench) honey over the pears.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You want pears firm but see some expelled juice.
Allow the pears to cool. Serve hot with ice-cream (optional). You can also allow it to cool completely, cover, and refrigerate. You can eat chilled pears with vanilla yogurt.
Events open to the public will be published free of charge as space allows. Submit details at least two months prior to the event date. Submissions must include a phone number with area code for publication. Email to news@ecm.coop. Events are subject to change.
The South’s Most Elusive Artist: Walter Inglis Anderson. Sept. 7 to Nov. 23. Meridian. The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience hosts an exhibit of 40 works by the legendary Mississippi coast artist and a full slate of related programming. The exhibit will be on view in The MAX’s Fred & Sissie Wile Changing Exhibition Gallery. Related programs will run throughout the duration of the exhibit and will feature a wide range of Mississippi artists including the artist’s son, John G. Anderson, author of a new book on Anderson’s bicycle logs; former MSU art professor and Anderson expert Brent Funderburk; watercolorist Angi Cooper; Horn Island “resident artist” Robin Whitfield; potter Stephen Phillips; and USM ceramics professor Allen Chen. The exhibit includes rarely seen watercolors, block prints, ceramics, and sketches alongside some of Anderson’s most recognizable and iconic works. The exhibit is organized by the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs (WAMA), drawing from its Permanent Collection and that of the Estate of Walter Anderson. Details: 601-581-1550 or visit msarts.org.
Refuge Day. Oct. 5. Brooksville. Sponsored by The Friends of Noxubee Refuge. The event will feature more than 30 exhibitors, games, live music, and free hot dogs. Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. 13723 Bluff Lake Rd. Details: 662-769-7558.
Dancing Rabbit Festival. Oct. 5. Macon. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food, crafts, children’s activities, 5K fun run/walk, and entertainment. Admission is free. Downtown Macon. Details: dancingrabbitfestival@gmail.com or call 662-726-4456.
Smithville Harvest Festival. Oct. 12. Smithville. The event includes a tractor pull, tractor show, live entertainment, arts and craft vendors, food vendors, pony rides, a kid’s corner, skillet chunkin, piston tossin, and peddle tractors. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Smithville Memorial Park. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Details: 662-651-4411 or email smithvilleharvestfesitval@gmail.com
Mixing Spirits for Merrehope. Oct. 15. Meridian. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1901 Front. St. at Union Station. Fundraiser featuring cocktails and four-course tasting experience. Sponsored by Weidman’s and Cathead Distillery. Tickets are $75 each and must be purchased in advance. Must be 21 or older. Details: 601-483-8439 or email merrehopemeridian@gmail.com
Barn Sale – Antiques & Collectibles. Oct. 18 and 19. Purvis. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4799 Old Highway 11, Oak Grove. Trailer loads of antiques, collectibles, advertising signs, glassware, wagon wheels, bells, primitives, anvils, crocks, furniture, tools, cast iron, tractor seats, old bottles, old windows and doors, jewelry, and coins. Concession stand. Parking is $2, good for both days. Details: 601-818-5886 or 601-794-7462.
Ole Tyme Fall Festival at Landrum’s Homestead. Oct. 19. Laurel. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1356 Highway 15 South. Demonstrations, pony rides, cake walk, face painting, gem mining, clogging, wood carvers, wagon rides and more. Enjoy homemade ice cream and food. Admission is $12, children 3 and under are free. Details: 601-649-2546 or visit landrums.com.
Whitehall Church Bazaar. Oct. 26. Louisville. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Crafts, outdoor yard art, patio furniture, Christmas decor, pottery, casseroles, homemade breads, soups, dips, repurposed furniture, and much more will be offered. Highway 14 West, four miles from the bypass. Seventy percent of the proceeds will go to local missions and 30% will go to the church’s building fund. Details: 662-803-8222
Missions Market Place. Nov. 2. Puckett. The event is put on by the Puckett Methodist Women. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Puckett Methodist Church, 6412 Highway 18. Proceeds go to help children on the autism spectrum that attend the Center Ridge Outpost summer camp. Funds will also go to our Friends in Need campaign to help those with cancer and other medical expenses. The event will include vendors with handmade items, a rummage sale, raffle items, and a soup lunch café for $5. Frozen casseroles will be on sale to help visitors get through the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Table space is available for $25. Details: 662-312-3553 or 601-591-5570.
Purvis Street Festival. Nov. 9. Purvis. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Main Street from the Courthouse to First Baptist Church on Shelby Speights Drive. Car show, live music, and lots of fun things to buy. This is a family friendly street festival with over 200 booth spaces. Details: 601-543-9815.
Polkville Day Celebrating America’s Veterans. Nov. 9. Polkville. The event will be held at the Polkville Civic and Multi-Purpose Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Antique tractor and car show, live entertainment, arts and crafts, vendors, food and desserts, cakewalk, raffles, and a kid’s zone. No entry fee. Details: 601-537-3115 or rwmiles@gmail.com
Highland Games and Celtic Music Festival. Nov 9 and 10. Gulfport. The event will be held at the Harrison County Fairgrounds, 15321 County Farm Rd. The event features two full days of Scottish culture, food, music, and athletics. There will be sanctioned Highland athletic competitions on both days and three award-winning bagpipe bands from three different states. Two stages of Celtic music and dance featuring Highland Reign (from Indiana), The Jollies, Blarney Coast, Celtic Crossroads, The Crescent and Clover Celtic Band, Emerald Accent, the New Orleans Celtic Harp Ensemble, Red McWilliams and the MacCrossan School of Irish Dance, and Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance. Watch jousting competitions and try your hand at axe throwing. Authentic Scottish foods will be available. Visit various clan tents to learn about Scottish heritage. Buy handmade goods from select artisans and Scottish-themed vendors. Experience Scottish culture through storytelling, sheep-herding demonstrations, petting highland cows, and even a unicorn. Details: 228-380-1642 or email mshighlandsandislands@gmail.com
Magnolia State Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show. Nov. 9 and 10. Pascagoula. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jackson County Fairground Civic Center. One door prize ticket with each paid admission. Exhibits, demonstrations, educational resources. Fossils, gemstones, jewelry, and supplies for sale. Details: 601-947-7245.
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Gulfport Holiday KOA
THE BEST CAMPGROUND ON THE COAST
Whether you are exploring the coast or a local looking for a little get away, our new campground is the ideal place to stay. There’s plenty to do for all ages with pickleball, an adult pool, lazy river, hot tub, playground, doggie park, horseshoes, spa chair and more! And don’t forget to bring your pets along!
We offer premium tent sites with water and electric, 4 deluxe cabins with full baths, 4 cottages with 1/2 baths, rental campers, 8 sites with k9 playyaros, golf cart rentals, and a pavilion. All sites are equipped for 30 and 50 amp with full hookups, as well as have a firepit and patio, most also have grills. 3 Private showers and 2 bath houses.
Weekly, monthly, and holiday events
We are conveniently located 4 miles north of 1-10, just minutes from beaches, casinos, shopping, and many local attractions. Come see what all the buzz is about! 14031 Hwy 49N Gulfport, MS 39503
Pre-Thanksgiving Gospel Singing Concert. Nov. 16. Mendenhall. 6:30 p.m. at New Life Fellowship Church, 2167 Highway 49 South. Featuring the Mighty Kingsmen Quartet, Tim Frith & the Gospel Echoes, Jason Runnels, and Revelations. Details: 601-906-0677.
Trees of Christmas at Merrehope. Nov. 24 to Dec. 31. Meridian. Monday - Saturday – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Adults $15, military and senior citizens $10, and students $5. 905 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. The 56th Annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope will take on a stunning new look as talented designers decorate over 60 fabulous trees and festive exhibits. Each year’s presentation is elaborately different drawing thousands of visitors from throughout Mississippi, the United States, and foreign countries. Consistently voted one of Mississippi’s top holiday attractions, the splendidly decorated Neoclassical 20room mansion (circa 1859) will be open daily for tours. Details: 601-483-8439 or email merrehopemeridian@gmail.com
Christmas at Landrum’s Homestead. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Laurel. Step back in time and take a Christmas walking tour of the past on a working homestead with over 85 buildings, entertainment, a Civil War re-enactment, Santa, dulcimers, wagon rides, gem mining, clogging, blacksmith work, woodcarving, shooting gallery, candlelight tour, pony rides, arts and crafts, music, food and much more. Admission is $15, children 3 and under are free. 1356 Highway 15 South. Details: 601-649 2546 or visit landrums.com.
Lolly Day. Dec. 7. Columbia. 2024. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2385 Highway 98. Pictures with Santa, vendors, a car show, and food trucks. Admission is free. Details: 601-410-1001 or lifecogwomensministry@gmail.com
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound’s Jazzy Little Christmas Concert. Dec. 14. Hattiesburg. Christmas songs and gospel favorites. Heritage Church, 3 Baracuda Dr. Starts at 4:30 p.m. Details: 601-261-3371 or 601-270-7942 or email heritagesgconcert@gmail.com
If pressed, I would have to say this is my favorite time of year. By now we’ve shed most of the hot summer temperatures, and some years we might even catch a frost by Halloween. Even though I don’t trickor-treat anymore, I still look forward to Halloween. My friend, Teresa White in Brandon, decorates every flat space in her house with candles, pumpkins, witches, and fall leaves. She even puts cobwebs on the light fixtures. It’s all about fun, and if you can’t have fun this time of year, what’s the use of having waded through the drudgery of the rest of it to get here?
He then told us of an experience or two he had in the building. He said he had some video of books falling o the shelves by themselves. He said it could have been ghosts or it could have been gravity.
We were at the Old Courthouse Museum in Vicksburg a few weeks ago doing a story about the Spanish influence in the Mississippi Territory. Jordan Rushing, assistant director and curator of the museum, gave us some grand information. As photographer Zach Mason was shutting down the camera, on a whim, I asked Jordan if the Old Courthouse was haunted. It’s a question I ask sometimes when I’m in old buildings. I asked partly as a joke but was really interested in the answer. Jordan sort of haltingly started by saying, “I really don’t believe in ghosts, but…” He then told us of an experience or two he had in the building. He said he had some video of books falling o the shelves by themselves. He said it could have been ghosts or it could have been gravity.
His answer reminded me of a story I did years ago with a retired physics professor from Delta State who created a course on the
paranormal that he taught at night. I don’t recall his name, and I can’t put my hands on the story. I do remember thinking that it was an odd combination — physics and ghosts. When I went to his o ce in Cleveland, he told me people in the community who knew about his paranormal interest would come to his door, look both ways to make sure no one saw, slip inside, close the door behind them, and start a conversation that began, “You’re not going to believe this, but…” The visitors would then describe what had happened to them. He told me that every kind of paranormal experience I had ever seen on television — ghosts, UFOs, animal mutilation — had happened within five miles of his o ce. My first thought was I wish I’d have done this interview somewhere else!
As an aside right here and right now — I usually have music playing in the background while I’m writing. Usually random stu , anything from the Beatles to Beethoven. Guess what just popped up this exact moment? Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D minor.” You know it, trust me. Go on YouTube to look it up right now.
I think it’s a good time to quit writing about ghosts for a little while. Either that or I might be telling a story later that starts, “You’re not going to believe this, but…”
by Walt Grayson
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.” Walt is also a reporter and 4 p.m. news anchor at WJTV in Jackson. He lives in Brandon and is a Central Electric member. Contact him at walt@waltgrayson.com.
