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It has begun to sink in that I now have more of my career in the rearview mirror, than outside the front windshield. This year I start my 20th year as CEO of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi. I’m not exactly sure how much longer it will last, but, the good Lord willing, I will not go far into the 2030s.
Therefore, with football season at an end, I have been spending more time watching YouTube videos about retirement and retirement planning. One that caught my eye recently was a video titled “10 states that do NOT rob retirees blind.” Since, as a retiree, I would be on a fixed income, I thought I might look and see which states would treat me the best.
Well, what I watched was both shocking and surprising. The No. 1 state was Mississippi, followed by Tennessee, and Wyoming in the No. 3 spot. That wasn’t shocking or surprising to me. I have long since known Mississippi was very tax friendly to retirees. What was shocking and surprising was that the content creator seemed to apologize for Mississippi being at the top of the list. (Wyoming as well, but apparently, he approves of Tennessee.) He began to say that your decision should not be based solely on taxes but should include other factors, such as a ordability, crime, and healthcare.
So, after glossing over Mississippi being No. 1 on retiree taxes, he pulled up a report by Visual Capitalist that ranked “The 10 best states to retire in.” In that report, Visual Capitalist ranked states based on a ordability (40%), well-being (25%), healthcare (20%), weather (10%), and crime (5%). While Delaware was No. 1 (I didn’t even know people actually lived in Delaware. I thought it was just home to corporations.), good ole Mississippi came in at No. 6, ahead of that retirement paradise known as Florida, which was No. 8.
Mississippi scored No. 2 in a ordability, No. 5 in weather and No. 22 in crime. Our weak spot was, of course, healthcare. We landed at a miserable No. 49. Maybe this year the Legislature will finally come up with a plan to start addressing that issue and move Mississippi from the bottom. When you look at some of Mississippi’s recent successes in education, economic development, and high-speed internet deployment, there is no doubt that once Mississippians set their sights on a goal and start working together, we can achieve great things.
Our next lowest score was well-being, where we came in at No. 46. Well-being was described as “sense of community and entertainment.” This ranking made me wonder if these judges had even been to Mississippi. Everyone knows Mississippi has a great sense of community and empathy for our fellow Mississippians. A visit to your local Walmart can be as entertaining as anything on Broadway. (Not to mention our Gulf Coast beaches, musicians, James Beard awardwinning restaurants, museums, blues and music history, literary legacy, and the list goes on.)
Sometimes, you really can’t see the forest for the trees. I have been looking for all these exotic places to retire, from the Caribbean to Montana (I watched all of “Yellowstone” while recovering from back surgery this fall), when I’m sitting in the best possible place I could retire. I wouldn’t even have to move. Heck, I might even work part-time as a Walmart greeter, just for the entertainment.
by Michael Callahan
Executive Vice President/CEO Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
rain on a
A sweet aroma of honeysuckle on a cool spring evening.
FIREFLYS! The first firefly!
My porch swing.
All these things make up the joys of my home, my heaven, my Mississippi.
by
What’s Mississippi to you? What do you treasure most about life in our state? Send your brief thoughts to Today in Mississippi, news@ecm.coop or mail to P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158.
Submit your beautiful digital photo of life in Mississippi to Today in Mississippi, news@ecm.coop
The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
Vol. 78 No. 03
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
Jill Sowell - Graphic Designer
Courtney Warren - Graphic Designer
Chris Alexander - Member Services Coordinator
Andy Tuccio - Media Solutions Director
Steve Temple - Social Media Director
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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.
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Youth Leadership Council National Spokesperson Maggie Martin in downtown Starkville. Photo by Chad Calcote.
U.S. senators have introduced bipartisan legislation to try to boost production of distribution transformers by providing a 10% tax credit to U.S. manufacturers of the crucial equipment.
Electric cooperatives depend on an adequate supply of transformers to restore power after natural disasters, replace aging equipment and meet growing demand for electricity from data centers, electric vehicles, and large apartment and housing developments, said Will Mitchell, a legislative a airs director at NRECA.
“There’s a huge need to replace what’s on the grid now combined with a big increase in demand for electricity expected in the coming years,” he said.
The Credit Incentives for Resilient Critical Utility Infrastructure and Transformers Act o ered by Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., would extend the advanced manufacturing production credit to U.S. companies that produce distribution transformers.
NRECA CEO Jim Matheson said the bill would “help give domestic manufacturers needed certainty as they work to ensure a resilient national supply chain for electric cooperatives and other utilities.”
larger, three-phase transformers that serve data centers, factories, or big apartment complexes.
“Those are still tight,” he said. “Supply is still being outstripped by demand.”
Demand for electricity is going to continue to grow, making the tax credit an important step to boost the supply of transformers for the future, Mills said.
“These investment funds are critical,” he said. “They will help us, and the entire industry, better evaluate supply and demand to ensure we build a long-term, sustainable electrical grid.”
“We thank Sens. Moran and Cortez Masto for introducing this legislation, which is critical to strengthening the domestic energy economy and assisting co-ops in their mission to provide safe, reliable, and a ordable power to their members,” he said.
Tim Mills, president and CEO of ERMCO, Inc., which manufacturers distribution transformers used by more than 90% of the nation’s electric co-ops, said he would definitely use the tax credit to step up production if Congress passes the bill. The Dyersburg, Tennesseebased company manufactured over 650,000 transformers last year and has the capacity to produce up to about 750,000.
“I think the chances for this tax credit to work are tremendous,” Mills said. “We’d redeploy this capital immediately into strategic investments to grow our output.”
The wait for co-ops and other utilities to receive single phase pole-mounted distribution and small pad-mounted transformers is largely back to normal levels now that the COVID-19 supply chain crisis has eased, he said. However, it can still take quite a while to get
Moran said the bill will “help the United States move closer to energy independence, provide jobs, and keep up with rising demands.”
Cortez Masto said it “is critical for lowering energy costs, supporting energy resiliency, and strengthening our national security.”
NRECA
–
Economic development e orts in Greenwood and Leflore County are poised for success with a new brand name, tagline, and a recently awarded Cooperative Competes grant.
In late 2024, the Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll County Economic Development Foundation (EDF) announced the new brand, website, and comprehensive marketing campaign. The collaborative marketing and new website are a result of strategic vision, months of execution, and funding support from partners like Delta Electric through the Cooperative Competes program.
“Delta Electric has consistently proven to be a dedicated partner in community and economic development for our region,” said Thomas Gregory, executive director of the Greenwood-
Leflore-Carroll EDF. “Their longstanding support of economic growth initiatives has been instrumental, and this funding elevates our ability to showcase our region on a state and national stage.”
The $10,000 Cooperative Competes grant will help o set the costs of the marketing strategy, rebranding, and website design of the economic development organization, as well as support future marketing e orts of the organization.
“The Greenwood Leflore Carroll EDF’s proactive approach to economic growth is commendable,” said Harold Pittman, Delta Electric general manager. “Their investment in a robust marketing strategy highlights the region’s drive for success and strengthens the partnerships that make our area competitive.”
While searching for colorful evergreen shrubs to enhance my landscape, I discovered two exceptional options at The Flower Bed Nursery in Lumberton: Juliet Cleyera and Miss Lemon Abelia.
Juliet Cleyera is a striking evergreen shrub known for its dynamic, multi-colored foliage.
New leaves emerge in radiant shades of bronze or deep red, gradually transitioning to glossy green with elegant, cream-colored edges. This continuous color transformation creates a stunning, year-round display that adds depth and interest to gardens.
For care, regular watering is essential during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, the plant is drought-tolerant but appreciates occasional deep watering during dry periods.
Miss Lemon Abelia is another exceptional evergreen shrub that adds color and texture to the landscape. Its standout feature is variegated foliage, with bright yellow margins surrounding rich green centers to create a luminous e ect year-round.
Growing 6-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide, this compact shrub thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7-10 and prefers full sun to partial shade. While it tolerates more sun in cooler climates, it benefits from afternoon shade in hotter regions.
Juliet Cleyera grows best in moist, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adding organic matter such as compost at planting time improves soil quality.
Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release formula designed for shrubs to support healthy growth and colorful foliage. This variety requires minimal pruning but benefits from shaping or removing damaged branches in late winter or early spring.
A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature and suppress weeds, but be sure to keep mulch away from the trunk.
Miss Lemon Abelia is another exceptional evergreen shrub that adds color and texture to the landscape. Its standout feature is variegated foliage, with bright yellow margins surrounding rich green centers to create a luminous e ect year-round. During summer and fall, its delicate clusters of fragrant, pale pink or white trumpet-shaped flowers attract pollinators.
Compact and tidy, Miss Lemon Abelia grows 3-4 feet tall and wide, making it ideal for small gardens, containers or low hedges. It is hardy in USDA zones 6-9. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade, with the best variegation and flowering occurring in sunny locations.
It adapts well to various well-drained soils but prefers slightly acidic conditions.
To care for Miss Lemon Abelia, water regularly during the first year to establish roots. Once mature, it is moderately drought tolerant. Like most plants, it benefits from supplemental watering during prolonged dry spells.
Apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring and midsummer to promote lush foliage and blooms. Mulch around the base helps conserve moisture and reduce weed competition.
Prune lightly after the blooming season to maintain its naturally rounded shape and remove spent flowers or damaged branches. Avoid heavy pruning, which can delay flowering.
This plant is relatively pest-free, although occasional aphids or leaf spots may require attention. It also shows good resistance to deer.
With their vivid evergreen foliage and multi-season interest, both Juliet Cleyera and Miss Lemon Abelia are standout additions to the landscape. Their low-maintenance nature and ability to thrive in diverse conditions make them excellent choices for gardeners seeking lasting beauty and structure.
by Dr. Eddie Smith
The heavy chrome lure barely broke the surface and never made it to the bottom before a big fish snatched it. This happened cast after cast on Lake Washington near Chatham.
“White bass are a whole lot of fun to catch,” said Terry Bates with Big River Guide Service (662-390-3886) of Greenville and a retired fisheries biologist. “If people can find them, they usually catch a bunch of them. They’re really good fighters.”
In their quest for largemouth bass, crappie, and other species, many people overlook, or even hold white bass in contempt. Therefore, white bass get little pressure. Highly prolific, white bass can provide outstanding sport on light tackle. They frequently gather in huge numbers chasing shad.
“White bass will hit anything that imitates a shad,” Bates said. “They hit the same things a largemouth bass will hit. We catch them on crankbaits, blade baits, spinnerbaits, jigs, all kinds of soft-plastic baits. A chrome spoon is a good lure.”
The striped fish can weigh more than six pounds, but most run in the one-to three-pound range. However, these powerhouses can outfight many larger species. William Mulvhill landed the state record white bass, a fish weighing five pounds, six ounces. He caught that lunker while fishing the Grenada Reservoir Spillway near Greenwood. Anglers often catch the largest white bass of the year as they prepare to spawn in the spring. Before spawning, white bass gorge on shad to put on weight. They typically spawn when water temperatures measure between 62 and 68 degrees, normally from mid-March to late May.
These striped scrappers thrive throughout the Mississippi River system and its tributaries. In the Magnolia State, some of the best fishing occurs in the river between Memphis and Vicksburg.
“White bass love current,” Bates said. “On the Mississippi River, I like to throw a chartreuse crankbait with a red back. Once water gets down low, fish the upstream side of rock dikes in the river. People can catch the stew out of them.”
Any of the old oxbows along the river also hold good white bass numbers. Lake Ferguson near Greenville still connects to the Mississippi River. When the water gets right, it can produce great white bass action. Although it no longer directly connects to the Mississippi River, Lake Washington produces some huge white bass.
“On Lake Washington, I prefer a chartreuse crankbait with a blue back,” Bates recommends. “Sometimes on Lake Washington, we catch white bass around flooded cypress trees just like largemouth. That’s a good time to throw a spinnerbait.”
All “Big Four” U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control reservoirs, Arkabutla, Enid, Grenada, and Sardis, in northern Mississippi hold white bass. They can also be found in associated tributaries and tailraces. Other good places include Chotard Lake and Pickwick Lake.
Easy to catch when people find them, white bass make an excellent species for young or novice anglers to catch. Abundant and great fighters, they can turn a dull day spent searching for other species into a memorable event.
by John N. Felsher
N.
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.
by Steven Ward
When fans watched the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, there’s no doubt many pulled for Kansas City Chiefs’ and Philadelphia Eagles’ players with Mississippi ties.
For instance, Mississippi State Bulldogs Chris Jones — a Kansas City defensive lineman — and Darius Slay — an Eagles cornerback — stood on the Superdome sidelines with the rest of their teammates.
Viewers might not have realized it, but if they happened to watch The Puppy Bowl on the Discovery channel that day instead, they probably saw two dogs with Mississippi State ties as well.
Meatball, a labrador retriever and Australian shepherd mix, and Andy, a pit bull and American Sta ordshire terrier mix, both played on Team Ru .
school students. Homeward Bound’s mission was to take adoptable puppies and young adult dogs from overcrowded shelters in the south and transport them to adoption guaranteed shelters in the northeast, where adoptable dogs are in high demand.
Meatball and Andy found their forever homes thanks to the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s nonprofit Homeward Bound project.
Operating since 2007, Homeward Bound was the first successful transport program developed, maintained, and operated by vet
“Homeward Bound is a program that helps animals that need homes and the people who adopt them, and it is also a program that helps veterinary students develop into better veterinarians,” said Nicholas Frank, dean and professor at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.
Although the program’s primary mission is dogs, volunteers also help kittens and cats find homes as well.
Students address health issues, spay or neuter, give appropriate vaccines, and plan a period of fostering in a home. Following that, the kittens are adopted locally or through a partnership with Starkville PetSmart. The program works with shelters and rescues within a 2-anda-half-hour radius of Starkville, but they have taken dogs from farther away.
Terri Snead, a veterinary technician at the college and Homeward Bound’s nights and weekend director of operations, said the program has 12 to 14 student o cer volunteers participate each year.
“Since 2007, we have transported just over 6,000 puppies and dogs. Currently we transport between150 to 200 per year, and we adopt out between 100 and 120 cats per year,” Snead said.
The students work as foster coordinators who find volunteers to take dogs or puppies into their homes for two to six weeks. Treatment coordinators work with the school’s veterinarians to get the dogs the necessary care they need. Students volunteer to oversee medical records, coordinate adoptions, and head up transportation.
Transport is scheduled every six to eight weeks. Dogs and puppies travel to receiving shelters in New York and Connecticut.
Snead said it’s hard for southern foster families to recover physically and emotionally after four to six weeks of nursing puppies back to health.
“The connection between the southern foster family and the northern adoptive family is the reward for their hard work and sacrifice. There are many friendships forged through emails, text messages, and many pictures. The foster family is so happy that “their” puppy has a wonderful home, and the adoptive family is grateful and often astonished that so many people put so much time and love into their new pet,” Snead said.
Veterinarian Sydney Tamashiro served as Homeward Bound’s medical director of the feline division from 2019 to 2020.
“Working with live animals served as a reminder of the ‘why’ behind the seemingly endless lectures, flashcards, and tests. Some of the daily duties were less than glamorous, but as with any service-learning organization, you get out what you put in. I am immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to pour my heart into this organization, and I continue to reap the rewards,” Tamashiro said.
Teresa Chapman, a veterinarian, graduate of the college, and a former Homeward Bound foster coordinator, said nothing is more rewarding than playing a role in a stray dog becoming a pet by finding their forever home.
“This program teaches compassion, patience, realism, dedication, and resilience. We can’t save the world, but Homeward Bound has saved the world of so many animals. That impact is invaluable,” Chapman said.
For more information about the Homeward Bound program, visit vetmed.msstate.edu/outreach/community-engagement/ service/homeward-bound
To find a low cost spay and neuter option in Mississippi, visit mssni.org/find-low-cost-provider/
American music is a truly global phenomenon, but its roots trace back to one place—Mississippi. Over 100 years ago, in the Mississippi Delta, the blues ignited a music revolution that would give rise to rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, country, and R&B while influencing genres from jazz to hip hop. And the story continues today. In Mississippi, you can explore the lives and legacies of icons like B.B. King, Elvis Presley, and Muddy Waters at music museums and on the Blues and Country Music Trails, or catch today’s rising stars at juke joints, music clubs, and theaters across the state. Learn more at VisitMississippi.org/Music.
Listen to the “Birthplace of America’s Music” playlist on Spotify.
Exhibit on Display Feb. 22 - May 24
Experience the work of acclaimed photojournalist Kate Medley in Thank You Please Come Again: How Gas Stations Feed and Fuel the American South. Featuring images from her award-winning book, this exhibition captures the culture, community, and connections found at gas station grills and quick marts across six Southern states, where Medley traveled for a decade to document the stories that define the region.
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by Qua’Shara Monix
March 7 is Coahoma Electric’s Employee Appreciation Day. We want to take a moment to acknowledge our incredible employees who are the most important parts of our organization. We would also like to express sincere gratitude for the dedication, creativity, and hard work that our employees bring to our team every single day.
We come from di erent backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. That diversity is not just a strength — it’s what makes us unique as a team. But for us to truly thrive, we must ensure that those di erences don’t divide us. Instead, they should inspire us to learn from one another and collaborate with open minds and open hearts.
Respect is the foundation of any strong team. It means listening to one another, valuing each other’s ideas, and treating everyone with dignity, regardless of role or opinion. It’s about setting aside egos and embracing the understanding
that when we come together, we can achieve so much more than any one of us could alone.
Let’s commit to building a culture where everyone feels heard, appreciated, and empowered. Let’s celebrate our victories as one and face our challenges as one. Because at the end of the day, we’re not just co-workers — we’re a community with a shared purpose.
Each of us play a crucial role in driving our success, overcoming challenges, and fostering a positive work environment. Whether you’re solving tough problems, supporting your colleagues, or bringing fresh ideas to the table, your contributions do not go unnoticed.
Thank you for being the heart and soul of this organization. Let’s continue to grow together, become stronger, support one another and push toward even greater achievements together as we grow more connected than ever.
by Scott Flood
The 2024 election centered on widespread frustration with America’s economy and immigration. While energy policy didn’t receive as much time in the campaigning spotlight, the second Trump presidency is likely to result in significant changes in how our nation approaches its ever-growing demand for electric power. For electric cooperatives, it appears those changes will be positive.
“America is at an energy crossroads, and the reliability of the electric grid hangs in the balance,” NRECA CEO Jim Matheson explained in a message expressing the association’s desire to work closely with President Trump and Congress to protect energy a ordability and reliability.
“Critical generation resources are being retired faster than they can be reliably replaced. At the same time, electricity demand is skyrocketing as power-hungry data centers and new manufacturing facilities come online. Smart energy policies that keep the lights on are more important than ever.”
Shortly after the election, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) warned that many regions face an elevated risk of
electricity shortfalls in the face of extreme weather such as prolonged cold snaps. NERC, the nation’s grid watchdog, reiterated that older power plants are being retired at the same time Americans are using more electricity. While solar and wind farms have been sprouting up, they can’t deliver the always-available electricity that coal- and gas-fired plants have long provided. Hurricanes Helene and Milton compounded the problem by damaging critical grid infrastructure.
America is at an energy crossroads, and the reliability of the electric grid hangs in the balance.
The first Trump administration scaled back many of President Obama’s initiatives to replace fossil fuels with “clean power,” so observers expect President Trump’s team to overturn many of the Biden administration’s energy-related policies. NRECA has been urging o cials to eliminate regulatory burdens such as the EPA’s power plant rule — which many believe exceeds the EPA’s legal authority — and to encourage the Department of Energy and other agencies to take steps that will eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks and bolster the long-term reliability of the nation’s grid.
Electric cooperatives’ vision for America’s energy future calls for a durable plan to ensure our consumer-members and the largely rural communities they call home will have reliable and a ordable access to electricity in the face of the nation’s skyrocketing demand.
Mississippi’s electric cooperatives are comfortable taking a leadership role in this e ort because we have worked hard with elected o cials and their sta s to advocate for our members. Policymakers from both parties have consistently commended electric cooperatives as reputable energy providers and engines of economic development that play a vital role in transforming the local communities they proudly serve.
Solidifying a positive and resilient energy future for co-op communities involves a long list of issues and elements. For example, we’re pressing Congress and the Trump administration to take concrete steps to overhaul outdated permitting laws that delay or frustrate e orts to build the new infrastructure tomorrow’s energy needs demand. We need to address public lands and conservation regulations that make it challenging to operate powerlines, maintain rights-of-way, and reduce potential wildfire threats.
While President Trump has earned a reputation for demanding swift action on his priorities, we need to remember that change doesn’t happen quickly in Washington. For example, undoing the EPA power plant rule will require a robust regulatory process, that will take some time to ensure this repeal can withstand expected legal challenges. While the exact path we’ll take is still coming into focus, our top priority is the interest of the local communities we serve and the everyday Americans who call them home.
We will continue to strengthen our voice by making sure our representatives at the federal and state level are aware of our concerns and the importance of ensuring reliable, a ordable electricity for all Americans.
The strength of the electric cooperative movement and the clout we have when we work together are unsurpassed, positioning us for continued success as we work with the new administration.
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.
There’s a lot going on in the space around our homes. Competing factors of aesthetics, safety, energy e ciency, water conservation, and increasing risk of wildfires are a lot to consider. Thoughtful planning and good design can address these factors and result in year-round energy savings.
Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of a typical household’s energy use, according to the United States Department of Energy (DOE). When selecting the right trees and other foliage, research what is best for your local climate. Select native species naturally adapted to your location for lower maintenance.
Strategically placed deciduous trees allow for summer shade and passive solar heat gain in the winter when leaves have fallen. This can lead to energy savings in the summer and winter.
Slower-growing trees might take longer to provide maximum shading benefit, but their roots are typically deeper, and branches are stronger. These factors can make them less likely to be damaged by wind, snow, or ice, and be more drought resistant.
Be sure to plant large trees far enough away from your home to prevent damage from falling branches or root damage to your home’s foundation.
Keep in mind, if you have a rooftop photovoltaic solar system, even a small amount of shade can significantly reduce energy production. Consider smaller plantings closer to the home to shade walls, windows, or hardscaped surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks.
Windbreaks are another landscaping strategy that can be beneficial for energy savings in windy areas. The DOE says windbreaks reduce wind speed by as much as 30 times the windbreak’s height. That, in turn, reduces wind chill near your home and can lower heating costs. The DOE recommends planting two to five times the mature tree’s height away from your home.
Plant evergreen trees and shrubs for windbreaks and consider adding fences or earthen mounds to help lift the wind up and over your home. In cold climates, they o er the added benefit of acting as a snowdrift to keep snow from piling up against your home.
Keep landscaping clear of dryer vents, heat pumps, and airconditioning units to ensure access for maintenance and airflow around those locations.
If you live in an area at risk of wildfire, create a defensible space around your home. Consider hardscaping with gravel, bricks, pavers or stone shaded by fire-resistant awnings or covers. Plant fire-resistant plants with proper spacing of plants and trees from your home and other structures on your property.
When landscaping, always consider safety first. Call before you dig to ensure you know where any underground power, gas, water, or sewer lines are located. The national 811 Underground Service Alert program routes you directly to your local resources. Call 811 or go to call811.com before you dig.
Be mindful of overhead power lines, too. Look up and check the surroundings before setting up ladders. Be thoughtful when planting new landscaping that could encroach on power lines. Utility equipment should have at least 10 feet of clearance, when possible.
As you prepare to refresh your yard for the coming spring and summer, consider ways you can boost your energy e ciency for more comfort and savings year-round.
Miranda Boutelle is the chief operating o cer at E ciency Services Group in Oregon, a cooperatively owned energy e ciency company. Keep landscaping clear of HVAC and air-conditioning units to
Purvis, MS - If you experience numbness or tingling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet or if you experience shooting or burning pain, this is important.
Please read this carefully
Peripheral Neuropathy is when small blood vessels in the hands, arms, feet or legs become diseased and tiny nerves that keep the cells and muscles working properly shrivel up and die.
Early-warning symptoms include tingling and numbness, mild loss of feeling in your hands, arms, legs or feet, inability to feel your feet, which increases your risk of foot-injury and falling
More Advanced Symptoms Include...
Loss of coordination & dexterity, which puts you at increased risk of accidents
Inability to feel clothing like socks and gloves
High risk of falling, which makes walking dangerous, and makes you more dependent on others
Burning sensations in your arms, legs, hands or feet that may start mild, but as nerves and muscles die, may feel like you're being burned by a blow torch.
Ignore the early warning signals long enough and you risk progressive nerve damage leading to muscle wasting, severe pain, loss of balance and a lot of staying at home wishing you didn't hurt
When every step is like walking on hot coals, sitting still may be the only thing you feel like doing But there's little joy in sitting still all day long
Now here's the scary part....
Nerve damage CAUSES cell damage Cell damage SPEEDS UP nerve degeneration
Without treatment this can become a DOWN-WARD SPIRAL that accelerates.
The damage can get worse fast Mild symptoms intensify Slight tingling, numbness or lack of feeling can turn into burning pain.
Before you know it, damage can become so bad you hurt all the time
Unless this downward spiral is stopped and nerves return to proper function - the damage to nerves and cells in the affected area can get so bad your muscles begin to die right along with the nerves and cells. And that sets the stage for weakness, loss of mobility, disability, and dependence on others.
If you have early warning signs of peripheral neuropathy, (tingling &/or numbness, loss of feeling or pain) it's CRITICAL you get proper treatment
It's critical, because with proper treatment the symptoms can often be reversed Without it, you are playing Russian Roulette with your health
Once your nerve loss reaches 85%, odds are there's nothing any doctor can do to help.
The most common method your doctor may recommend to treat neuropathy is prescription drugs
Drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, & Neurontin are often prescribed to manage the pain But, damaged nerves and dying cells do not heal on their own
Pain pills do not restore healthy nerve function. They just mask the pain as the nerves continue to degenerate and cells and muscle continue to die.
Taking endless drugs and suffering terrible side effects that may damage your liver & kidney and create even more problems, is not a reasonable path. You deserve better. Three things must be determined to effectively treat neuropathy 1) What is the underlying cause? 2) How much nerve damage has been sustained? 3) How much treatment your condition will require?
With proper treatment, shriveled blood vessels grow back & nerves can return to proper function How much treatment you may need depends on your condition
At Purvis Chiropractic we do a complete neuropathy sensitivity exam to determine the extent of your nerve damage The exam includes a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, & a detailed analysis of the findings.
Dr Rob Acord, D C will be offering this complete neuropathy sensitivity exam for $47 This special offer goes away at the end of this month as we have a limited number of exam appointments available
Stop Hurting & Start Healing
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by Steven Ward
When Starkville Academy senior Maggie Martin heard the words, “from the great state of Mississippi” on her Zoom call, she immediately burst into tears.
“It was so overwhelming to have a dream this big come true. I was incredibly excited and grateful,” Martin, 17, said recalling the moment she found out she had been named the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Youth Leadership Council national spokesperson.
Martin, representing the state of Mississippi, beat out 43 other co-op youth leaders in the program from around the country.
In fact, the speech that was judged for the national spokesperson competition, delved into how she overcame her personal struggles.
Counseling, finding great communities, and learning to identify the things which lead you to negative mindsets are essential parts of overcoming anxiety or depression. It’s also important to remind yourself that it isn’t permanent, and that there are so many brighter days ahead.
Before that, the 4-County Electric member and co-op’s youth leader representative beat out 84 high school juniors from around the state to represent Mississippi.
Those accolades mean a lot to the Starkville girl who said she has struggled with perfectionism and self-worth most of her life.
“My speech is centered around my personal experiences with perfectionism, self-worth, and anxiety. I also discussed the loss of two friends due to their suicides and how that a ected my view of emotions and their power over us. I tied all of it into the song ‘Who Says?’ by Selena Gomez because that song has been a favorite of mine since I was little, and as I’ve gotten older, the message has always encouraged me that I am worth more than even what my own ideas tell me,” Martin said.
As a result of being named national spokesperson, Martin will deliver her award-winning speech this month at the NRECA Power Xchange and Tech Advantage meeting in Atlanta. Martin will also have the opportunity to speak to students from all around the country at the 2025 Cooperative Youth Leaders Tour of Washington, D.C. in June.
Martin’s journey to become NRECA’s Youth Leadership Council (YLC) national spokesperson began with Starkville Academy counselor Jessica Hubbard.
“I have been referring students annually to the 4-County youth leadership program since 2013. I knew Maggie would be an excellent candidate because of her exceptional communication skills. Maggie can hold an intelligent conversation with anyone on any topic on little notice. She thinks on her feet and has a sense of humor. She is intuitive and very humble,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard said she was “overjoyed” when she found out Martin won the spokesperson title.
“When I first heard she was chosen as the national spokesperson, I was overjoyed to know, that with this position, others outside our school and community will get to know what a bright and personable young woman our Maggie is.”
Martin was picked as Mississippi’s YLC representative during the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi’s Cooperative Leaders Workshop in Jackson in February 2024.
Eddie Tanner, one of the workshop facilitators and a judge that helped pick the state YLC representative, said Martin stood out from the beginning of the three-day event.
“Her display of leadership skills in the group activities as well as her ability to share her thoughts on leadership during the interview process showed that Maggie loves Mississippi, and this is just the start of her becoming a young leader in her community and state,” Tanner said.
Donna Richmond, the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi’s controller and another workshop judge that helped pick the YLC representative, said Martin was very genuine and unrehearsed during her interview.
“She was refreshingly down to earth with a youthful but wise energy. She captivated the panel with her confidence and exuded humility, honesty, charisma, and passion,” Richmond said.
Brad Barr, 4-County senior communications coordinator, said Martin “is a shining example of an exceptional young leader.”
“Her enthusiasm, intelligence, and passion are evident in everything she does. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments as she represents 4-County as a youth leadership delegate on local, state, and national levels,” Barr said.
Martin has been a student at Starkville Academy for 14 years.
She was the captain of the school’s junior varsity and high school cheerleading squads as well as a member of several service organizations on campus.
Her favorite, Better Together, is a club dedicated to serve, help, and encourage students in school and in the community.
A self-described “art kid,” Martin said she loves to read (her favorite book is “Little Women”), listen to music on old fashioned vinyl (her favorites include Taylor Swift and The Band Camino), dance, and attend plays and musicals.
“Art is something that has allowed me to escape from some of my hardest moments and to explore creativity and possibility,” Martin said.
Martin said her family — parents Anna Katherine and Andrew and big sister Laura Guyton — is her biggest encouragement.
“Even when I was younger, I had a lot of tendencies to allow perfectionism or anxiety to hold me back. My parents and sister always comforted me and pushed me to work through those feelings so that I could be successful. Even when I didn’t see anything in myself, they always did, and I’m so glad they helped me reach my dreams.”
Martin will be attending Auburn University following graduation. When asked about how she and her peers should deal with anxiety, Martin said her advice is everyone should take a step back from media, discover what it is they are struggling with, and not be afraid to work on overcoming the issue.
“Counseling, finding great communities, and learning to identify the things which lead you to negative mindsets are essential parts
of overcoming anxiety or depression. It’s also important to remind yourself that it isn’t permanent, and that there are so many brighter days ahead.”
Martin said being named national spokesperson and experiencing Mississippi’s Cooperative Youth Leaders program is something she will never forget.
“YLC gave me incredible friendships, lifelong lessons, opportunities I will never forget, and it continues to inspire me to reach for even the dreams that feel impossible. I know that being a representative of this organization will always motivate me to become better, and remind me, as I reach for my goals in the future, that it’s okay to have a little hope.”
by Bonnie A. Coblentz
– MSU Extension Service
With highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in the environment in Mississippi, owners of backyard flocks have to take extra steps to keep their chickens healthy.
Avian influenza poses an extremely low risk to human health and none to food safety in Mississippi, but its presence poses a risk to backyard flocks and the state’s $3 billion commercial poultry industry.
Jessica Wells, poultry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said a strong biosecurity program in place on every poultry farm — both commercial and backyard — in the state is the best defense against diseases.
“Poultry growers cannot let their guard down simply because there was not a nearby avian influenza outbreak,” Wells said. “Growers must be vigilant and continue to maintain a high level of biosecurity. It is easy to become complacent and lulled into a false sense of security, but it’s usually when we become complacent that something serious does happen.”
“If you find only one bird dead from what seems like normal mortality and the rest of the birds look good, double bag and throw it in the trash or dispose of it in a compost pile where other birds and scavengers will not get to it,” Moon said.
“But if you walk out and find sudden high mortality and/or high numbers of birds showing signs and symptoms of sickness, report it and get some guidance from the Board of Animal Health on what to do,” he said.
Poultry growers cannot let their guard down simply because there was not a nearby avian influenza outbreak. Growers must be vigilant and continue to maintain a high level of biosecurity.
Jonathan Moon, MSU Extension poultry specialist, said although bird deaths happen naturally on occasion, a dead bird in a backyard flock today should trigger some extra alertness.
The Mississippi Board of Animal Health has an online system for reporting high backyard poultry deaths or unusual wild bird deaths. Find the link at mbah.ms.gov.
“Somebody will respond pretty quickly if there is high mortality,” Moon said. “This person will give you information on what to do with dead birds and how to secure the location. Use extreme caution and wear full protective equipment including goggles, masks, gloves and suits when handling birds suspected of having HPAI.”
Commercial poultry producers already follow strict measures to keep flocks safe, and backyard flock owners should follow their lead to prevent HPAI infecting their flocks.
“In my opinion, the biggest thing backyard flock owners may be neglecting is good biosecurity practices,” Moon said.
Symptoms of HPAI are coughing and nasal discharge, lethargy and the chickens looking drawn down. Moon said the incubation period from exposure to the onset of symptoms is about 1-2 weeks, but once symptoms appear, it moves very rapidly through a flock.
“With highly pathogenic avian influenza, you see mass mortality in a short period of time,” he said.
Moon urged backyard flock owners to remember that even though people build relationships with their birds, chickens are still livestock and should be treated as such.
“It’s not like a pet dog. Keep some distance and use common sense,” Moon said. “In a lot of the cases reported so far where humans have contracted HPAI, there’s been real close contact with the birds.”
Basic biosecurity measures can help protect backyard flocks from HPAI. A top priority is washing hands before entering and when leaving chicken areas, and wearing dedicated footwear or shoe covers when working with chickens.
“Shower and change clothes before caring for chickens after going to any location where other poultry or wild birds are present,” Moon said. “Even if you meet up with a friend who also has chickens, change clothes and consider showering before you go around your own birds.”
Moon said this level of biosecurity is necessary and sustainable.
“These things may be an inconvenience, but that inconvenience can be something that will potentially keep your birds and the birds down the road or commercial birds safe,” Moon said.
Migratory and other wild birds present another risk to backyard flocks of spreading disease, as HPAI is in the wild bird population. This is especially true of birds that are allowed to free range.
“I like to see backyard birds kept contained,” he said. “The more you free-range, the more chances they have to come in contact with wild birds and other wildlife. The more contained you can keep them in a covered coop, the safer they’re going to be.”
Moon said to draw an imaginary line outside the chicken coop. The biosecurity goal is to keep what’s in the coop contained and prevent anything outside from entering the coop.
When I was a kid, we ate around the table every night. Eating out was a rarity for my family; it had to be a special occasion and always my dad’s idea. He usually picked Bonanza Steak House (y’all remember those?) down Highway 41 around the corner from our house.
Supper at home usually included stu like fried potatoes with onions, pinto beans with a side of chow chow, home canned green beans, spring onions, sliced tomatoes in the summer with whatever else was growing in the garden, and always cornbread and biscuits. Every night.
We didn’t have a clue who might show up for supper, so there was always extra everything, just in case. And inevitably, someone always showed up. Leftovers were stored away in butter tubs and biscuits and cornbread were wrapped in foil and left on the stovetop for whomever (my dad) to have a snack later. If the biscuits made it until morning, they’d be split, slathered with butter, and toasted under the broiler for breakfast. But cornbread sometimes became dinner all on its own, in a bowl of milk. Nobody at our house wanted
to cook on Sunday nights after church. You either picked a bowl of cornflakes, or cornbread and milk.
My mom’s cornbread recipe was traditional, complete with bacon drippings and a cast iron skillet. I’ll bet she could make it in her sleep. The one thing you’d never find in her cornbread was sugar. She’d probably flip if she knew about this column. But through the years, as a part of my culinary adventures, I’ve collected lots of cornbread recipes. I’ve tried them all. I have my favorites — those favorites, including my mom’s recipe, are all classics. But among all my tried and true, there are a few that aren’t exactly what you think about when it comes to traditional cornbread.
Outer Banks Cornbread is classic cornbread, but swimming in butter. I usually double the recipe. You might need to, too. The second recipe calls itself cornbread, but there’s not a lick of cornmeal in the recipe. It’s basically a sticky pecan cake, but the texture is a little coarse like cornbread. My final o ering is cornbread, but it’s called a cake. Letting it cool brings out the cornbread flavor. I love it with white bean soup. And, at the risk of losing my Southern Belle card, I’ll bet even my mom would like it!
1 stick butter
1 cup self-rising cornmeal mix
1 tablespoon sugar
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place butter into a 9 x 9 inch baking pan and place into the oven to melt. Combine cornmeal and sugar; stir together. Combine egg and buttermilk, beating well. Pour into dry ingredients and stir to combine. Pour batter over melted butter. Bake until browned around the edges.
2 boxes Ji y Cornbread mix
2 heaping tablespoons self-rising flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
4 heaping tablespoons granulated sugar
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2⁄3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 ½ cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Combine sugars and oil. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add selfrising flour and stir well. Add vanilla and pecans. Mix until thoroughly combined. Pour into a sprayed 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Bake 325 degrees for 45 minutes, or until done.
3 eggs
2 cups milk
1 stick butter, melted
1 tablespoon vanilla
Mix the Jiffy mix with self-rising flour and baking powder. Stir in sugar. Beat eggs well and add to dry mixture; stir in milk. Beat to remove lumps and to thoroughly combine ingredients. Beat in the melted butter and vanilla. Your batter should be smooth and a little thick — think thin pancake batter. Melt 1 or 2 tablespoons of butter in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet and sprinkle with a tiny touch of flour and cornmeal. (Spray with pan spray if you want to.) Pour batter into pan about halfway up (I generally use a big skillet and a small skillet for this recipe). Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes, then turn to 350 degrees and bake another 10-15 minutes until it’s done (adjust time for your oven but allow to bake at 375 degrees for as long as you can before you turn to 350 degrees to finish baking.) The top should be browned nicely before reducing the temperature. Brush top with butter while hot. Allow to cool before serving right out of the skillet.
by Vicki Leach
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.
Mid-South Military History & Civil War Show. March 7 and 8. Southhaven. The South’s oldest military history show will be at the Landers Center in Southaven on I-55 and Church Road, Exit 287. Open March 7 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and March 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 each day for adults, two-day pass for $15, children 12 and under free. Vendors from across the country will have quality artifacts from the American Revolution through the 20th Century available to buy, sell, or trade. These include books, documents, prints, uniforms, weapons, relics, photographs, and Native American items. Musicians, food trucks, and re-enactors will be on site. On Saturday, historians will speak on the Civil War, World War 1, and World War II topics. Civil War re-enactors with a cannon and World War II re-enactors will be there as well. Details: 901-832-4708 or email dwharrison@aol.com.
Barnyard Marketplace Spring Festival. March 8. Poplarville. Come shop vendors in an open field. Off street parking. Crafts, food trucks, Easter items, woodwork, plants, jewelry, baked goods, boutiques, jams/jellies, honey, quail eggs, soaps, candles, and more. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 295 Buck Kirkland Rd. Details: 504-234-3579.
Spring Gospel Singing Jubilee. March 8. Pearl. 6:30 p.m. at the Pearl Community Center, 2420 Old Brandon Rd. Featuring Terry Joe Terrell, Tim Frith and the Gospel Echoes, Revelations, and 2nd Mile. Details: 601-906-0677 or 601-720-8870.
Good Ole Days Festival. March 8. Lucedale. Hosting the International Harvestor Tractor Club Chapter 44 State Show. All day events for a tractor show with new and antique tractors, hit and miss engines, and various farm equipment. Food, crafts, live demonstrations, live music, and entertainment for the kids. Will also be collecting family recipes to create a Good Ole Days Family Cookbook. Admission is free. LC Hatcher Elementary School Grounds, 689 Church Street. Details: 601-337-3136 or email goodoledaysfest@gmail.com.
Gerald Wolfe Hymn Sing Spring 2025 Tour. March 28. Hattiesburg. Proceeds go to the Gospel Music Hymn Sing Foundation. Gerald Wolfe, Greater Vision, The Whisnants, The Mark Trammel Quartet, The Mylon Hayes Family, Jim and Melissa Brady, and the Hymn Sing Band all perform. 7 p.m. at Heritage Church. 3 Baracuda Dr. Details: 601-261-3371.
GULFPEX 2025 Postage Stamp and Postcard Show. April 4 and 5. Biloxi. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 4. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 5. Hosted by the Gulf Coast Samp Club with support from Gulfport’s Traintastic S.T.E.A.M. Park and Model Railroad Museum. The show’s theme recognizes the return of AMTRAC to the Mississippi Gulf Coast with exhibits that will feature trains on postage stamps. Over 10 vendors from across the country will have stamps, postcards, albums, stamp supplies, and more for viewing and sale. From experienced collectors to beginners to those just interested in learning about collecting, there will be something for everyone. Free stamps will be available for kids and dedicated volunteers to show them how to organize and mount stamps in an album and to answer questions about stamp collecting. Opportunities for free stamp identifications, evaluations of collections, or sale of collections will also be available. Admission and parking are free. St. Martin Community Center, 15008 Lemoyne Blvd. Details: 228-238-5433.
Spring Fling at Landrums Homestead. April 12. Laurel. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1356 Highway 15 South. Photos with the Easter Bunny, face painting, a scavenger hunt, games, a bunny cake hop, homemade ice cream, open smokehouse, wagon rides, and gem mining. Admission is $12. Children 3 and under are free. Details: 601-649-2546 or visit landrums.com.
Star Spring Festival for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. April 26. Star. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 301 Mangum Dr. The event will feature a car, truck, bike, and tractor show, a 5k walk/run, a kid’s fun run, a DJ, food, raffles, and an evening pageant. Admission is free for spectators. All registrations will 100% benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Details: 601-842-7947 or visit starspringfestival.com.
Antiques and Collectible Barn Sale. May 2 and 3. Purvis. 4799 Old Highway 11 (Oak Grove area). From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 85 collectors with trailer loads of antiques, collectibles, advertising signs, glassware, railroad, wagon wheels, bells, primitives, anvils, crocks, advertising signs, furniture, tools, cast iron, tractor seats, old bottles, old windows and doors, jewelry, and coins. There will be a concession stand. Parking is $2 for both days. Details: 601-818-5886 or 601-794-7462.
Gulf Coast Military Relics, Antique Arms, and Collectible Show. May 23 and 24. Biloxi. Historical military artifacts and relics from all periods and all wars bought, sold, and traded. Firearms, swords, daggers, bayonets, uniforms, helmets, medals, insignia, flags, books, photos, currency, old bottles, and other collectibles will be available. May 23 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Joppa Shriners’ Center, 13280 Shriner’s Blvd. Admission is $7. Parking is free. Details: 228-224-1120 and 228-860-3575.
“Safety
The Mississippi Arts Commission (the “MAC” in the Mackie) awards these statues to recipients of the annual Governor’s Arts Awards. The figure was created by Mississippian William Dunlap. The actual title of the sculpture is “Fragment.” It’s inspired by a mythological winged figure in Western European folklore from long before they knew about winged angels in the Bible.
I bring all of this up because I am now the humble possessor of a Mackie. The Mississippi Arts Commission gave me the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Governor’s Arts Awards ceremony in early February. I am honored and grateful for the recognition.
There were six of us in the ceremony at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson. Blues artist Eddie Cotton, Jr. was awarded for Excellence in Music. I received my award right after him. Instead of an acceptance speech, Eddie raised the roof with a couple of rousing songs. People were clapping, singing and standing, and sort of dancing in place as much as we could in our rows of seats.
Then I had to follow that! I told the folks that while we were mingling before the awards ceremony, I had been talking to Peggy Brown with the Central Mississippi Blues Society about “Blue Mondays” every Monday night at Hal and Mal’s in Jackson. I told the audience that Peggy had asked me if I could sing. I admitted to them that I thought I could — until I just heard Eddie Cotton. Blue Monday Nights at Hal and Mal’s, by the way, has a $5 admission charge. That’s not bad at all.
Fellow awardees included Robert Poore from Flora for Excellence in Landscape Architecture. I was surprised at how many stories I had done about places that he has landscaped.
The Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band was awarded for Excellence in Traditional Arts. You’d have to hear them to appreciate them — which I plan to do again later in the summer (usually the last weekend in August) at the G.O.A.T. Festival. That’s the Greatest of All Time, in honor of Otha Turner, original fife and drum performer in the Coldwater community of Tate County.
Tate Taylor has a Mackie for Excellence in Motion Picture. You’d know Tate best for directing the movie “The Help.” But he’s done a lot more than that — shooting as many of his productions as possible on location in Mississippi. Tate is a friend. He is also bringing rural Je erson County alive again by resurrecting the Church Hill area. Visit the Variety Store there sometime if you get the chance.
Jane Crater Hiatt was given the Stephen C. Edds Patron of the Arts award. She has a lengthy list of accomplishments — including creating the Mississippi Governor’s Arts Awards.
They say you are known by the company you keep. I am proud to be included in this company of awardees.
I asked them how long it would take for me to qualify for another “Lifetime” award — because I don’t plan to quit just yet.
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.
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