December 2012 by northsidesun

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4113 H WY 80 E AST P EARL , MS 39208 601.939.5303 601.9 939.5303 (N EXT TO J ACKSON A A IRPORT )

M ISKELLY F UR URNITURE RNITURE - M ADISON 233 G RANDVIEW R B LLVD . M ADISO ADISON N , MS 39110 601.853.6233 601 .853.6233 (N EXT TO M ALCO T HEATER )

S LEEPS LEEPSTORE TORE - R IDGELAND DGELAND

1000 H IIGHLAND GHLAND C OLONY P KWY R IDGE IDGELAND ELAND , MS 39157 6601.898.1994 01.898.1994 (R EN ENAISSANCE NAISSANCE C ENTER )

M I S K E L LY S . C O M

S LEEP LEEPSTORE PSTORE - F LOWOOD

7222 M AC K ENZIE L ANE 72 F LO LOWOOD OWOOD , MS 39232 601.992.1809 (N EXT TO D ICK ’ S S PORTING G OODS )

Contents DECEMBER 2012

20 28

VOLUME 7, NUMBER 10

Queen of Hearts, Queen of Fondren Mary Jo McAnally is a lively, talkative, energetic woman who can keep a listener charmed with her quick wit and self-deprecating stories. By profession she is a real estate broker, owner of Mary Jo Bickerstaff Inc., and also the associate director of the Fondren Renaissance Foundation. “I love Fondren,” says McAnally. “I have a real heart for the area.” Fondren is defined by the foundation as that area bounded by Mill Street to I-55 and Woodrow Wilson to Northside Drive. “Our goal,” says McAnally, “is to improve the quality of life in the Fondren area.”

28 A Holiday Jazz Brunch

An invitation really sets the tone for a party. So when Lyn McMillin and Cheryl Miller sent out Christmas gift boxes containing custommade Christmas ornaments as invites to their mother-daughter holiday jazz brunch in honor of their debutante daughters, guests knew they were in for a treat. Daughters Lauren McMillin and Madeleine Miller were the honorees and their moms planned every moment of this holiday jazz brunch.

36 Sweetness Follows

When Katy Smith Houston was a little girl, she loved cooking and baking with her Easy Bake Oven. Through the years she found baking therapeutic. Her newly-published cookbook, Sweetness Follows, includes recipes for 80 desserts, mouth-watering photographs, and a real-life story of love, support and determination. The book is dedicated to Sam Lane and tells the story of all the people who loved and cared for the Lane family when an accident almost took Sam’s life. As Katy explains in the book’s preface, “In the South, friends, family and food are all tied together. This story about Sam celebrates all three.”

46 Christmas Traditions

For many Northsiders, special Christmas activities shared with family and friends are an important part of the holiday season. Old or new, big or small, traditions are woven into our Christmas celebrations, year after year. Four Northsiders tell us about how their families celebrate the holidays.

36 december 2012

2012

Departments December

PARTIES

66 WEDDINGS/ENGAGEMENTS

55 56 57 58 61 63 63 65 65 48

Laura Lee Wooley/ Jordan Lee Russell

68 72

Amanda Leigh Griffin/ Matthew Wesley Conner

Engagement Party An engagement celebration honoring Lauren Wakefield and Jason Ray was held recently in the home of William and Martha Ray.

Engagement Party A celebration of the engagement of Mary-Crosby Turner and Walker Roberts was recently held in the home of Debbie and Joe McCaskill.

Welcome Reception Several Northsiders hosted a party at the Mississippi Crafts Center to welcome Holly and Brent Christensen.

Rebekah Ann Eckols/ Ryan Baroner Aldridge

EVENTS

Haley Crisler Westbrook/ Christopher Cameron Yearout

Christina Faye Cannon/ Robert Kirby Boteler Jr. Jordan Vinson McKibben/ Judson Franklin Mason Elizabeth Baldwin Vick/ Joshua Dudley Kipp

COLUMNS

48 52 14

Food Wise Marlana Walters

Tennis Advantage Jenny Markow

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112

The 12th annual Dates for Leukemia fund-raiser was held at recently at The South. The event is a silent date auction to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

80 84 86 90

Chocolate Ball Benefit

Enchanted Evening Under the Stars Gala

Anne Dozier Sanders/ Richard Kirkland McRee III Maria Antionique Battaglia/ Jonathan Drayton Lee

Dates for Leukemia Fund-Raiser

The 2012 Chocolate Ball benefit for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mississippi was held recently at the River Hills Country Club.

Dance with the Stars Preview Party Dance with the Stars preview party for Mississippi Opera was held recently at St. James Episcopal Church.

Seventh Annual Storytellers Ball The seventh annual Storytellers Ball was held recently at the Arts Center of Mississippi. The theme was Blame It on the Blues.

Goodwill Volunteers Goodwill Industries of Mississippi held its annual awards dinner recently at the Country Club of Jackson as a fund-raiser for Goodwill Industries.

Enchanted Evening Under the Stars gala benefiting Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital was held recently at the Mississippi Museum of Art in the Art Garden.

96 100

Catfish and Soul Fund-Raiser

102

MKF Board Meeting

107 110

Saving Grace Benefit

112 114 117

Catfish and Soul, the annual fund-raiser for the Harbor House, was held recently at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum.

Mad (Wo)Men Against MS First MasterChef winner Whitney Miller was the special guest at the inaugural Mad (Wo)Men Against MS cocktail night, held at the Viking Cooking School.

The 47th annual meeting of the board of trustees and the professional advisory board of the Mississippi Kidney Foundation was held recently at Nick’s Restaurant.

Saving Grace, a benefit for Grace House, was held recently at St. James Episcopal Church.

The Cedars Juried Art Exhibition Reception The opening reception for The Cedars 2012 Juried Art Exhibition was held recently. The show is part of the Four Seasons of The Cedars Visual and Performing Arts Series and features more than 90 works selected by William Dunlap.

Farm to Table 100 The first annual “Farm to Table 100” was held recently at Table 100. This event celebrated local farmers and their bounty of the season.

The Greenville Connection Party The Greenville Connection Party was held recently at the Northpointe Red Barn.

Art For Heart Donor Reception The American Heart Association and the 2012 Art for Heart committee hosted the Art for Heart donor reception recently at Viking Cooking School.

the

northsidesun magazine

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHSIDE SUN NEWSPAPER P.O. BOX 16709 JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39236 601-957-1122

EDITOR

Jimmye Sweat

WRITERS

Susan Deaver • Glenda Wadsworth • Anthony Warren • Jenny Markow Jenny Woodruff • Marlana Walters • Katie Eubanks • Judy Smith

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Beth Buckley • Lonnie Kees • Christina Cannon • Chris Grillis • David Johnston Rachel Kabukala • Anthony Warren • Jenny Woodruff

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Melanie North

ADVERTISING

Katy Agnew • Holly Dean • Amy Forsyth • Carly O’Bryant • Lauren Breazeale

ART DIRECTOR Wanda McCain

PRODUCTION MANAGER Beth Buckley

PRODUCTION Jo Ann Ward Nikki Hodum

BOOKKEEPING Dani Poe

CIRCULATION

Dale Frazier • Dottie and Jeff Cole • Kerri Hawkins

THE NORTHSIDE SUN MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE NORTHSIDE SUN NEWSPAPER. ALTHOUGH THE MAGAZINE IS DISTRIBUTED FREE ON NEWSSTANDS, PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR $20 ANNUALLY. FOR NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS, CHANGES OF ADDRESS OR OTHER SERVICES RELATED TO SUBSCRIPTIONS, CALL 601-957-1542. FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR CURRENT AD REP. FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING WEDDING SUBMISSIONS, PARTY COVERAGE OR FEATURES, CALL 601-957-1123 OR E-MAIL JIMMYE@NORTHSIDESUN.COM. THE MAGAZINE OFFICE IS LOCATED AT 246 BRIARWOOD DR., JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39206; THE MAILING ADDRESS IS: P. O. BOX 16709, JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39236.

ABOUT THE COVER ab`bj_bo=OMNO

Katy Houston and Sam Lane were photographed by Lonnie Kees for our Sweetness Follows story this month. 16

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december 2012

PHOTOS BY BETH BUCKLEY

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Queen of Hearts, Queen of Fondren BY GLENDA

WADSWORTH

“I don’t like obituaries,” Mary Jo McAnally said as she sat down for an interview, “I want people to remember me alive,” and she soon displayed the reason why. Who could forget her? She is a lively, talkative, energetic woman who can keep a listener charmed with her quick wit and self-deprecating stories. By profession she is a real estate broker, owner of Mary Jo Bickerstaff Inc., and also the associate director of the Fondren Renaissance Foundation. Sarah Nelson recalls that she and McAnally first worked together as volunteers at the foundation before McAnally joined the staff. “She is smart, really smart. I’ve always said I will get involved in any project if Mary Jo can help. She is funny and full of good ideas.” “I love Fondren,” says McAnally. “I have a real heart for the area.” Fondren is defined by the foundation as that area bounded by Mill Street to I-55 and Woodrow Wilson to Northside Drive. “Our goal,” says McAnally, “is to improve the quality of life in the Fondren area. Fourteen years ago there was a stigma to living in this area. We wanted to make a difference. St. Dominic’s Hospital has invested a million dollars in Fondren.” Jim Wilkerson, Mary Jo McAnally

december 2012

Queen of Hearts, Queen of Fondren

Ole Miss class favorite

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The foundation first turned its attention to the business area – the Capri, the Rainbow Shopping Center. “Now people are venturing out to Fondren’s fine restaurants, to art shows, to the Symphony at Sunset, to the Zippity Doo Dah parade. Our programs are free, we have made them comfortable, casual and diverse. Fondren is filled with exciting, creative, fun people.” The Phoenix Initiative is a partnership among St. Dominic’s Health Services, Fondren Renaissance Foundation and the neighborhood. St. Dominic’s has dedicated $250,000 over five years to support the initiative. This project offered façade grants of up to $5,000 to homeowners living on or in the west side of Fondren; homeowners had to match 25 percent of the project cost. Buddy Graham has been involved with the foundation since its beginning in 2002 and has served as president of the board of directors. He believes that Mary Jo’s greatest gift to the foundation has been her knowledge of real estate. “She has had a real vision for the potential of the area, plus the organizational skills and personality to put those visions into action. She was influential in getting Mike Peters to purchase the Fondren Corner building which became the catalyst in the renaissance of the entire area. Fondren Corners led to the Duling School project which led to the construction of the Fondren Place office building. The building and strengthening of the businesses in the lower Fondren area gave name recognition to that viable business area. That in turn spilled out into the entire community. Her enthusiasm and personality and the innumerable hours invested by Mary Jo in her work motivated others.” Nelson sums it up. “Almost everything good that has been done by the Miss University pageant photo foundation can be in part attributed to Mary Jo.” McAnally, an only child, was reared in Blytheville, Ark., and was graduated from Blytheville High School, where she was a majorette. Pat Williams, a friend from the Blytheville days, reveals, “Mary Jo’s mother died when she was 16, and she was reared by her dad, a wonderful man who just adored her. But then everyone adored Mary Jo. She was the most popular girl in town, a cute, funny girl, a real character. In high school she took her first job, a clerical assistant for a local lawyer, my brother, who thought she hung the moon.” Mary Jo’s majorette skills won her a scholarship to the University of Mississippi, where she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority. Rae Barnett, a Tri Delta one year ahead of McAnally, recalls, “Mary Jo had more cards, letters and recommendations than any other rushee. I remember we Mary Jo and her daugther Susan at Jackson Prep were all so eager to meet her.” Tri Delta put McAnally up for Miss University, and Barnett found her an accompanist for her talent presentation. “She placed in the top five in the competition – a real feat for a new out-of-state student.” She was also chosen a yearbook favorite. Mary Jo has two children: a daughter, Susan, a teacher, actress and singer in Georgia, and a son, Michael, head basketball coach at East Rankin Academy. They, in turn, have given her two granddaughters, and a grandson. In 1975 Mary Jo married Ron McAnally, who is associated with the Mississippi State Health Department. Daughter Susan recalls her childhood. “There was a period of time when I was young when it was just the two of us. It could have been very confusing and scary, but my mother always made me feel safe and secure. She introduced me to old black and white movies (I cannot watch Mildred Pierce without thinking

of her), cooked exotic (to me) food for dinner, and encouraged ‘way too many pets in our house. She has always been spunky and fun, loyal and fearless, opinionated and compassionate ... she is the Julia Sugarbaker of Northeast Jackson.” While her son was a student at Jackson Prep, Mary Jo was certified as a fund-raiser by Dartmouth College and worked as a fund-raiser for Prep. She also helped to organize the first professional tennis tournament for the Junior League of Jackson. She has been active in numerous organizations and served on the board of many, including the Jackson Association of Realtors, Multiple Listing Service of Jackson, Hinds County Cancer Association, Junior League of Jackson, Jackson Prep’s PAT and Jackson Tri Delta alumnae. She currently serves on the St. Dominic’s Health Services advisory board. Mary Jo’s enthusiasm and love of working with friends have guided her in both her professional and volunteer work. “Friends and family keep me going. I enjoy people – that’s why I work. I am in good health and full of energy.” Son Michael calls his mother “a real go-getter with excellent social and leadership skills. Watching her I have sharpened my own social and leadership skills, which have helped me in my life. She thrives on her associations with friends. She has never met a stranger. However, I have to warn you, there is no such thing as a short conversation with my mom.” Mary Jo has a delightful way of telling embarrassing stories on herself and giggling through it all. She says, “Strange things just happen to me.” During a speech at River Hills she attempted to take a quick sip of water while keeping eye contact with her audience, and “I got the straw up my nose.” Again, she was presiding at a Tri Delta meeting and got a moth in her ear. Joe Sherman, a close friend, tells this story. “Mary Jo was invited to a party. It turns out there were two parties on that street that night, and when Mary Jo drove down the street and saw a number of cars at a house, she parked and went inside, saw people she knew, chatted and visited, never knowing she was at the wrong party. She can make herself at home anywhere.” Sherman illustrates with another tale. “This woman could talk her way into the Vatican. When a friend had an old sick family dog which was not expected to live, Mary Jo went to the vet’s office, talked her way into the geriatric ward to make a photo of the pet so she could have an artist paint its portrait to give to the dog’s owner. That’s typical Mary Jo. No friendship is more genuine than hers.” Mary Jo’s fantasy job is hosting a television cooking show. “I cook every day. And I love to watch cooking shows on television.” After her mother died, she took charge of cooking for her dad. “I grew up eating differently and thinking differently about food from most folks. I can cook rabbit with biscuits and gravy.” She is convinced that people don’t like to cook primarily because they dislike clean-up. She often makes hors d’oeuvres for foundation events at the Cedars. “It started early on when caterers were ‘way outside our budget,” says Graham. “Typical Mary Jo, she jumped right in there, went home that night and returned the next day with food platters of her best recipes. Everything she does she does well, and she has a natural instinct for cooking. She could run a restaurant. Of course now the foundation is established, and we have caterers vying for the opportunity to serve at our events.” Her energy and enthusiasm extend to everyone she knows. “I have always been amazed at the number of friends my mother has,” says Susan. “Last summer her friends arranged a party for a milestone birthday. The invitations included an image of Wonder Woman with my mother’s head photo-shopped on top. She absolutely turned the tables on them and showed up for the party in a homemade Wonder Woman costume, complete with boots, wig, and cape. I also loved the fact that there were both recent professional colleagues there, as well as ladies dating back to the Tri Delta sorority house at Ole Miss.” Sherman says, “Mary Jo is a superhero. She has two speeds, fast and stop, no neutral. If anyone needs her any time of day or night, she is right there for them.” She is a wonder woman.

Susan Goodwin and Mary Jo

Mary Goodwin, Mary Jo, Lucy Goodwin

Michael, Walker, Amber, Mary Jo and Ron McAnally

Mary Pryor Sherman, Mary Jo, Joe Sherman, Ron McAnally

Says Mary Jo, “This is my favorite appetizer. It is also a great side dish. By family request, I make this for every holiday meal. The secret is marinating the mushrooms in the Marsala wine for approximately 30 minutes.” SAUSAGE-STUFFED MUSHROOMS 1 large carton of white mushrooms 5 Tbs. good olive oil 1/4 cup of Marsala wine 1 lb. sausage 1/2 bunch green onions (use white and green parts minced) 2 garlic cloves minced 2/3 cup Panko crumbs 1 small container mascarpone cheese 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2 Tbs minced fresh parsley leaves 4 drops Tabasco Salt and Pepper to taste Remove the stems from the mushrooms, chop finely and set aside. Place mushroom caps in a bowl and toss with 3 tbs. of olive oil and Marsala. Heat remaining 2 tbs oil in skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, crumbing with wooden spoon and cook for 8-10 minutes until brown. Add chopped mushroom stems and cook 3 more minutes. Stir in onion and garlic and cook another 2-3 minutes. Stir Panko crumbs into mixture. Finally, swirl in mascarpone and continue cooking until mascarpone has melted and mixture is even and creamy. Remove from heat and add parmesan, parsley and seasonings. Let cool before filling mushroom. Arrange in baking dish. Pour any remaining marinating wine over stuffed mushrooms and cook approximately 50 minutes at 325 degrees until stuffing is browned.

december 2012

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december 2012

A Holiday Jazz Brunch

n invitation really sets the tone for a party. So when Lyn McMillin and Cheryl Miller sent out Christmas gift boxes containing custom-made Christmas ornaments as invites to their motherdaughter holiday jazz brunch in honor of their debutante daughters, guests knew they were in for a treat. Each invitation went through a painstaking process. First, red shatterproof ball ornaments were selected and the invitation was printed on each one. Cheryl hand-painted the inside of each box, and the women attached a debutante ball photograph of the girls under the lid of each box. “We hand-

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BY JENNY

WOODRUFF PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS TODD

tied the ornaments with green satin ribbon and nestled them in red and green shred,” McMillin said. “Finally, we tied the decorative boxes with green raffia, created custom Christmas labels and attached Christmas postage stamps.” The result? Guests received a gift in their mailboxes. The boxes were so convincing that one guest placed it under her Christmas tree without opening it. Daughters Lauren McMillin and Madeleine Miller were the honorees and their moms planned every moment of this holiday jazz brunch with help in holiday decorations from John Dowdle and Wendy Putt with catering.

Debutante parties have diﬀerent guidelines in different cities, but the requirements here usually specify that the parties must be held within a twoweek period during the holiday season. Typically, several debutantes are honored at the same time. Since Lauren and Madeleine have been friends since kindergarten, the mothers decided this would be a perfect combination. “If you are hosting a party with someone, it’s important that you share the same vision and know what your budget is,” McMillin said. “Cheryl and I talked early on about what we wanted this party to be and we worked together to create the event that we both envisioned.” The ﬁrst step to planning a fabulous holiday party is setting the date, according to Miller. “Christmas is easy because your house is already decorated and

The next step is enlisting help with planning. The ladies decided they would contact Wendy Putt. “We met with her and we knew it was a great ﬁt,”

have been able to include more people, but space restrictions and budget required that we keep the event manageable.”

all you really have to do is ﬂuﬀ.” Also having plenty

Miller said. They worked together to create a jazz

of time to plan, choosing a location, setting a

brunch menu that tied together Louisiana jazz ﬂa-

and divided the party details. “She is very creative

budget and choosing a theme are important steps

vor with Mississippi holiday delicacies.

and played a huge role in how everything looked,

to planning the perfect party, according to Miller.

They then determined the guest list. “We wanted

Cheryl and Lyn worked oﬀ each other’s strengths

and I worked more behind the scenes with organiz-

“We started planning in May and chose Lyn’s house

this to be a very special day for our daughters,”

ing everything,” McMillin said. The theme was im-

for the party because it is absolutely beautiful. It

McMillin said. “In addition to the debutantes and

portant to the party and, according to McMillin, the

was made for a party.”

their mothers, we also invited close friends, family

white dress theme was something that evolved

members, and women who had played a signiﬁcant

through the process. “We wanted to display their

role in our daughters’ lives. We would have loved to

debutante gowns because many of the people who

“Having a theme helped pull everything together,” McMillin said.

december 2012

David, Lauren and Lyn McMillan

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Dennis, Madeleine and Cheryl Miller

A Holiday Jazz Brunch came to the brunch were not at the actual debutante ball,” she said. “We realized that many signiﬁcant occasions in their lives featured white dresses, so we displayed photographs from those occasions in silver frames.” The girls’ debutante gowns were on mannequins on the front porch for guests to view as they arrived. Their long white gloves were on a chest in the foyer, along with a photograph in an antique silver frame of the girls hugging (the same photo from the invitations).

Patricia Stewart with her granddaughter Madeleine Miller

Lauren McMillin with her grandparents, Carolyn and Bill Heard

“We had a display we called ‘Significant White Dresses’ that reflected Lauren and Madeleine’s long history together,” McMillin said. The idea for this began when the women found pictures of the girls when they were both angels in Ballet Mississippi’s “The Nutcracker.” They realized they shared many special occasions where they wore white dresses, including confirmation at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, fourth-grade graduation, and St. Andrew’s May Day. “Along with photographs of the girls in christening gowns, we had toddler photos, St. Andrew’s May Day photos, high school photos and their debutante photos,” McMillin said. Guests enjoyed the brunch, which was served on the dining room table. “A secondary theme came from the mannequins and angels with trumpets displayed on the front porch,” McMillin said. “We continued that idea on the dining room table with an angel as the focal centerpiece, nestled in a Christmas wreath and surrounded by red roses.” Putt added to the look by having different staff members create their own signature arrangement for each of seven different antique silver trumpet vases displayed on the table. “We hung the red balls we used in the invitations in a display on the sideboard,” Miller said. Using a distressed wrought-iron Christmas tree McMillin already had, Dowdle incorporated the ornaments into the display by adding miniature gold trumpets and filling in with fresh Christmas greens. Not only did it complete the look, but it also filled the air with the smell of Christmas. Their fathers, David McMillin and Dennis Miller, served drinks on the back porch in silver goblets – Shirley Temples for the girls and mimosas for the moms. Dessert was white chocolate mouse in martini glasses with “L” or “M” in each glass with a chocolate covered strawberry at the base. “We gave each debutante an engraved silver snowflake Christmas ornament, and those were placed in ‘purse’ boxes that lined the staircase,” McMillin said. “We are hoping that the ornaments

december 2012

A Holiday Jazz Brunch will bring back fond memories each year when the girls display them on their own Christmas trees.” Raphael Semmes and his Jazz Trio roamed the party, combining jazz favorites with holiday classics. “The music really added to the overall mood, and everyone loved the atmosphere,” Miller said. “We were fortunate to have live music, but recorded music would have been our backup plan.” Professional photographer Chris Todd was brought in to capture the day. “It was really a luxury having Chris Frances Walton with Walton and Kelly Fenelon

Madeleine and Lauren with Mary Frances Stephens

handle all of the photography,” McMillin said. “It allowed us to concentrate on the event and not have to worry about taking pictures. I think it is always a good idea to have someone other than the hostesses photograph the event. If you can’t aﬀord a professional, then enlist a friend to get some great pictures for you.” The party was a hit and the girls loved it. “This was all done out of pure love,” Miller said. According to the women, there is a way to plan a fabulous party and stay within your budget. “We tried to do this cost eﬀectively,” she said. “We did much of the tedious work ourselves, and we had time to work to make sure things fell within our budget.” Allowing plenty of time is the one piece of advice the women strongly encourage for party plan-

Debutante Club of Mississippi Board Members Irene Mangum, V.A. Patterson, Estelle Mockbee, Jane Roper

ners. “You must start early enough so you have time to plan all of the details and allow for unexpected surprises,” Miller said. “Things have a way of taking longer than you planned, and you want your event preparation to be enjoyable instead of stressful.” The bottom line, according to McMillin, is to ﬁgure out the end goal. “We knew early on that we wanted a special day for our daughters, and we wanted our guests to feel special as well,” McMillin said. “Typically, however, hostesses are exhausted before the event even starts. Careful planning allowed us to relax and enjoy the day. The end result is that we all had a wonderful day that we will always cherish and remember.”

Audrey Sidney with Sidney and Cheryl Anthony

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Raphael Semmes and his Jazz Trio

december 2012

Magical Moments. Treasured Memories. Special Gifts.

Creating the Happiest of Holidays for Years to Come.

Pics with Santa by Lisa Patti: Check our website, www.highlandvillagems.com for schedule.

I-55N at Northside Dr, Exit 100 • www.highlandvillagems.com facebook.com/highlandvillagems twitter.com/hvmississippi pinterest.com/hvmississippi Shops open Mon-Sat 10A-6P • Restaurant hours may vary

A Daisy A Day • Albriton’s Jewelers • Annelle Primos & Assoc. • Beagle Bagel Cafe Bravo! • Buffalo Peak Outfitters • Char Restaurant & Bar • Cook & Love Shoes • Crazy Cat Bakers • D Squared • Dancing Divas • Early Settler • EarthWalk • Fresh Ink Gingersnaps • Girlfriends • High Cotton • Highland Village Chevron • Highland Village Concepts • Inside-Out • J Stewart • Julep Restaurant & Bar • Juniker Jewelry Company Maison Weiss • McGehee Cruise & Vacation • Mississippi Medical Massage Therapy Mon Ami Spa & Laser Center • Mozingo Clothiers • Nursery Rhymes • Olde Tyme Commissary • Organizers • Oriental Shoppe • Paul Anthony’s Market • Pilates Place of Mississippi • Place Setting • Polkadot Pony • Pure Barre • SAS Shoes • Spectacles Super D Drugs • Talbots • Talbots Petites • Talbots Woman • Trustmark National Bank Turkoyz • Turkoyz@Home • Ulmer’s Stride Rite Shoes • Whitehead Street Clothiers 34

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WEETNESS FOLLOW BY SUSAN

DEAVER

hen Katy Smith Houston was a little girl, she loved cook-

ing and baking with her Easy Bake Oven. Her three brothers liked everything she made. Through the years she found baking therapeutic. Her newly-published cookbook, Sweetness Follows, includes recipes for 80

desserts,

mouth-watering photographs, and a real-life story of love, support and determination. The book is dedicated to Sam Lane and tells the story of all the people who loved and cared for the Lane family when an accident almost took Sam’s life. As Katy explains in the book’s preface, “In the South, friends, family and food are all tied together. This story about Sam celebrates all three.”

december 2012

“The boys shared so many experiences and milestones through the years,” explains Katy, “and Sam became part of our family.”

(Katy Houston, Sweetness Follows)

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am’s mother, Leila Bogy Lane, and Katy were childhood friends. Their sons, Sam and Andrew, were born just three months apart and have been friends “since they were crawlers,” says Leila. “The boys shared so many experiences and milestones through the years,” explains Katy, “and Sam became part of our family.” Then one Friday afternoon in the boys’ junior year at the University of Georgia, Sam was riding his bike with a group in an organized ride to raise bicycle awareness when the unthinkable happened. He was hit by a drunk driver and sustained lifethreatening injuries. Doctors initially told family and friends that he would not make it through the night. Thankfully, he survived, but faced a long and uncertain road of recovery. While Sam remained in a five-week coma, he was flown to St. Dominic’s Hospital. During the following twomonth stay at Methodist Rehabilitation Center he received intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy. “The accident hit us all very hard,” shares Andrew Houston. “What followed was an absolute miracle on the part of many, but particularly Sam. He continually worked through frustrating barrier after barrier, and has continued to fight when most people would have given up.” Katy visited Sam regularly during his long rehabilitation, but was at a loss as to how to support him, his mother and the family. Doing nothing was not an option. Katy decided she would bake for Sam, and when he was finally able to come home, Katy told him she was going to “feed him back to health.” While Sam undertook physical therapy and continued to recover, she baked homemade desserts and delivered a different one to Sam every Monday morning – for 62 weeks. Even if she was going to be out of town, she made sure the desserts were delivered. This continued until Sam moved to Oxford to resume his studies at Ole Miss. Standing on Sam’s doorstep on Monday mornings was Katy’s way of saying “I am with you in this and I care about you,” she explains. “In my mind I was saying if this brings you one ounce of happiness today, I will have done what I tried to do.” This weekly delivery soon came to be known as the “Treat of the Week,” and reminded Sam of the treats he had enjoyed often in the kitchen of the Houstons’ home. He now hopes that others enjoy the recipes included in the cookbook as much as he did, and encourages everyone to “remember how much a little sweetness adds to life.” Leila Lane shared that “the Treats of the Week were the highlight of every Monday for over a year, and exemplify the sweet, caring sustaining support we received from hundreds of people during Sam’s recovery.” She also described how Sam came up with the title for Katy’s cookbook. “The Athens, Ga., music scene was a big draw for both Sam and Andrew. One of several major bands that got their start in Athens, R.E.M., has a song titled ‘Sweetness Follows.’ Sam chose this

for the cookbook,” shared Leila, “alluding not only to the sweetness of a dessert that follows a meal, but also to the sweetness of friends and the entire communities of Athens and Jackson to our family after Sam’s accident. With the recipes now shared in this book, their sweetness will continue for others.” When Katy contacted R.E.M. about using their song title for her cookbook, she discovered that the band’s manager, Bertis Downs, lives near the location of Sam’s accident. He is also a bike rider, had heard about Sam’s accident, and was happy to hear of his recovery. “My family and I were moved by the love, compassion, dedication and overall grace embodied in the whole (cookbook) project,” Downs explained in an e-mail. Touched by the story, the band gave Katy permission to use the song title, and offered to spread the word about the cookbook by posting about it on the band’s Web site. Katy and Jamie, her husband of 32 years, have been in a supper club with Leila and her husband Sam, for 30 years. Sam shares that everyone always looks forward to Katy’s desserts. Grateful for the support his family received from others after his son’s accident, he adds, “When you go through something like this, you look back and think – how did we get through this? God was with us every step of the way.” Sam encouraged Katy for several years to publish a cookbook with the Treat of the Week recipes. Because she did not want to repeat a recipe for the Treat of the Week, Katy kept a list of the recipes she used. Even with the list, when she finally decided to publish the book, gathering the recipes was a big undertaking. Some recipes were shared by family and friends, others had been cut from magazines through the years, and all had stories and history. One favorite, Chocolate Toffee Bars, was from Katy’s mother, Nancy Smith. “Each year our teachers looked forward to receiving mother’s Chocolate Toffee Bars as Christmas gifts,” Katy said, but there was never an actual recipe for the treat. She and her mother “both knew to add enough dark chocolate to the milk chocolate until it tasted right and managed to come up with written directions for the book, however.” “I will be the happiest of all to have this book in my kitchen,” Katy said. “Now all of my favorites are in one book instead of stuffed into a recipe box, in a file, or in one of the many cookbooks on my shelf.” Katy attended a two-day seminar in Nashville, presented by Favorite Recipes Press, to see just what she was getting herself into. The comprehensive publishing manual she received was “like manna from heaven,” says Katy. “I had regular deadlines to meet, which really held me to task. And everyone I worked with along the way was wonderful.” Editorial Director Mary Cummings met the

SWEETNESS FOLLOW S

Northsider on that first visit to Nashville, and was very encouraging to her from the beginning. “In addition to being the feel-good book of the year,” shares Mary, “Sweetness Follows is also the sweetest book of the year. Not only does the book chronicle what one caring person can do to help turn tragedy into triumph, but it also contains the most delicious assortment of Southern dessert

“In addition to being the feel-good book of the year, Sweetness Follows is also the sweetest book of the year. Not only does the book chronicle what one caring person can do to help turn tragedy into triumph, but it also contains the most delicious assortment of Southern dessert recipes to be found anywhere. However, the greatest treat of all is the chance to meet, through the story and food, Katy Houston who, wherever she goes, sweetness follows.” (Mary Cummings, editorial director, Favorite Recipes Press)

recipes to be found anywhere. However, the greatest treat of all is the chance to meet, through the story and food, Katy Houston who, wherever she goes, sweetness follows.” Publishing Consultant Sheila Thomas acknowledged Katy moved forward with dedication and determination. “Katy quickly pulled together a group of friends to test her recipes and that group expanded to friends of friends who heard about the project and wanted to be a part of it,” explained Sheila. “Katy is truly an amazing person - and I am so blessed and very proud to have played a small part in the development of this very special cookbook.” In addition to testing, recipes were evaluated

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SWEETNESS FOLLOW S “This is the first cookbook that I read which brought tears to my eyes. It will motivate readers to understand how a simple act of kindness through sharing good food can motivate, heal and stimulate.” (Blog of David Kempf, president, Southwestern Publishing Group, Inc.)

Book Credits: “Sweetness Follows” by Katy Houston www.sweetnessfollows.com Photography by Greg Campbell Food styled by Patty Roper

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and rated by friends who met on a weekly basis to receive recipes and evaluation forms. This was a crucial part of the process, and these friends made valuable suggestions along the way. “Doing this each week was no easy task,” explains Katy. “Imagine when we got to the cake section and some of my empty nest friends were asked to make two three-layer cakes in one week. There was a lot of sharing going on. I will always be so grateful for the enthusiasm and commitment of these special friends.” Some friends and family members were asked to taste certain recipes to select a certain sauce or other element. “The tasting for the bread pudding recipes ended in a 50-50 tie, so I ended up including two entirely different versions in the book,” Katy said. Jamie recalls the recipe-tasting process: “If the recipe didn’t produce the perfect dessert, it was revised and retested until perfection was achieved. Those that weren’t perfect in Katy’s eyes were still delicious. Neighbors, family, friends and co-workers thoroughly enjoyed them and many of us benefited (some in the form of a couple of pounds) from the making of this book. In the end Sweetness Follows is Katy’s labor of love and a ‘sweet’ tribute to Sam and the Lane family.” “Our family received so much love and support during this process,” Katy said, “much like the Lane family did after Sam’s accident.” Katy’s friend Patty Roper styled the food for photographs in her own home, working with photographer Greg Campbell. “I certainly had the dream team with Patty and Greg,” Katy said. “They have worked together for over 10 years, so they knew exactly what the other meant when they talked lighting, angles, etc.” Patty’s daughter, Beth, was a classmate of Sam and Andrew so this project held special meaning for her. Chapters begin with whimsical photos of Sam, offering insight to his wit, intellect and personality. Quotes about Sam from his family, high school football coach and teachers, doctors, nurses and others tie into some recipes. In the end, everything came together,

including authorization from both Ole Miss and the University of Georgia to use their logos in the book. Katy was especially pleased and surprised to be allowed to use the latter, explaining that “Georgia never lets anyone use it.” Sweetness Follows became available in early October of this year, and Sam and Katy have been busy with book signings. A lot has happened since the book – and the story – began. Sam has made remarkable progress. He ultimately was graduated from the University of Georgia, and his parents hosted a graduation celebration, complete with dinner and music. Family, friends, and medical staff from Athens, Jackson, and numerous other towns joined in the celebration. He moved to Boulder last May and hikes the Rockies whenever he can. This summer he spent a month adventuring more than 7,000 miles of North America. “I came away from all those trips knowing that the people I was fortunate enough to

“Katy Houston is world-class – and I would say that without even referring to her culinary prowess. Mrs. Houston’s commitment was one of the examples of the time and effort given by such an amazing community as Jackson.” (Sam Lane) grow up around are world-class,” explains Sam. “Katy Houston is world-class – and I would say that without even referring to her culinary prowess,” he continues. “Mrs. Houston’s commitment was one of the examples of the time and effort given by such an amazing community as Jackson.” “For Mom, helping the Lanes along the way just made sense,” shares Katy’s son Andrew. “There was never a doubt as to how much she cared, and what she was willing to do. Sweetness Follows is a tribute to Sam, the Lanes, and how much we care about them.” In her 128-page cookbook, Katy wrote: “I would ask that when you make a recipe from this book that you would stop and say a prayer for Sam as he continues to improve. I was in a Bible study years ago and our leader, Jo Lynn Swayze, would end every lesson with this prayer, ‘And now God, I want to thank you for what you’re gonna do.’ That is my prayer for Sam and for this book, ‘And now God, I want to thank you for what you’re gonna do.’” Portions of the proceeds from this book will be given to the Wilson Research Foundation at Methodist Rehabilitation in Jackson. Katy Smith Houston is a native of Columbus. Her educational background is in communications and her previous work experience includes

business development and marketing for a local bank and broadcast advertising sales. She stays busy with church activities and volunteer work with Gateway Rescue Mission. She is also a member of Joyful Noise, a singing group sponsored by the Junior League of Jackson that performs and sings for the elderly. Jamie Houston is an attorney and CPA with the Watkins and Eager Law Firm, where he specializes in corporate and business law, tax and estate planning and administration. The couple have two sons. Oldest son Jamie is married to Rebecca, and works for The Molpus Woodlands Group in Madison. Andrew is single and pursuing a master’s of architecture.

ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES 1 large prepared angel food cake 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 (16-ounce) package frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed, well drained and patted dry 2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons sugar 3 or 4 whole fresh strawberries (optional) Freeze the cake for 15 to 20 minutes. Combine the cream cheese and condensed milk in a large bowl and beat until smooth. Slice the cake horizontally into 4 equal layers. Place the bottom layer of the cake on a serving plate. Spread with one-third of the cream cheese mixture and top with one-third of the strawberries. Repeat the layering twice and top with the remaining cake layer. Beat the whipping cream with the sugar in a chilled mixing bowl to firm peaks. Frost the side, top and middle of the cake with the whipped cream. Garnish with the fresh strawberries. Chill for of least 3 hours or until set. Makes 10 to 12 servings

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SOUR CREAM APPLE STREUSEL PIE 1 refrigerator pie pastry FILLING 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup sour cream 1 egg 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 to 3 tart cooking apples, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices (3 cups) STREUSEL TOPPING 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted if desired 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold butter, cut into small pieces

MACADAMIA â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;BUTTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; COOKIES WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES 2/3 cup toasted macadamia nuts 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped 1/3 cup chopped toasted macadamia nuts 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Process 2/3 cup macadamia nuts in a food processor to a smooth consistency, about 2 minutes. Combine with 1/2 cup granulated sugar and the brown sugar in a large mixing bowl; mix well. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well. Stir together the flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; add to the sugar mixture. Beat on low speed just until combined (mixture will be very thick). Stir in the cranberries and 1/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts. Chill the dough for 10 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Divide the dough into 30 equal portions and roll each into a ball. Place 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in a shallow dish. Press each dough ball lightly into the sugar. Place the dough balls sugar-side up on a baking parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten with a fork. Dip the fork in water and press the tops of the cookies again to form a crisscross pattern. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes or until golden. Remove the cookies and cool on a wire rack. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Unroll the pie pastry and line a 9-inch pie plate; crimp or flute the edge. For the filling, combine the sugar, sour cream, egg, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and vanilla in a large mixing bowl; beat on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes or until well mixed. Stir in the apples. Spoon into the pastry shell. For the topping, combine the flour, sugar, pecans and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the filling. Bake for 25 minutes. Bake, covered with foil, for 10 to 15 minutes longer or until the filling is bubbly. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Chill until serving time. Refrigerate any leftovers. Make 8 servings.

folding over any excess to form thick edge. Freeze for 20 minutes. Line the dough-lined pan with foil, extending the foil over the edge; fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 25 minutes or until set. Remove the foil and weights. Bake for 10 minutes longer or until golden brown. Remove the pan to a wire rack to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees. Position the oven rack in the middle of the oven. Microwave the cream in a large microwave-safe bowl on high for 2 to 3 minutes or until barely simmering. Add the chocolates and stir until melted and smooth. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Pour into the prepared crust. Bake for 25 minutes or until almost set. Turn off the oven and let the tart stand with the oven door closed for 30 minutes. Remove the pan to a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Chill for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days before serving. If refrigerated for several hours, let stand at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours before serving. Use whipped cream as a top layer or

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE TART Another time, use a refrigerator pie pastry for the crust of this tart. Line the tart pan with the pastry and prebake as directed. 1/2 (16- to 18-ounce) roll refrigerator sugar cookie dough 1/1 1/4 cups heavy cream 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped 2 eggs, beaten 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Whipped cream (optional) Baking cocoa (optional) Chocolate shavings (optional) Mint sprigs (optional) Raspberries (optional) Position an oven rack in the bottom third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Flatten the cookie dough on a lightly floured surface; roll out to a 12-inch round. Place in a 9inch tart pan with removable bottom and press over the bottom and up the side of the pan,

spoon into individual servings. Garnish with baking cocoa, chocolate shavings, mint sprigs and/or raspberries. Makes 16 servings

BOSTON CREAM PIE CAKE 1 (2-layer) package yellow cake mix 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup sour cream 4 eggs, at room temperature 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla extract CUSTARD FILLING 2/3 cup sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 cups milk 3 egg yolks

1 tablespoon butter 2 teaspoons vanilla extract CHOCOLATE ICING 1 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup baking cocoa 1/4 cup milk 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 to 1 1/4 cups confectionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sugar For the cake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over the edges. Coat with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the cake ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat on low speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl; beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth and thick. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until the cake tests done. Cool on a wire rack. Chill for 1 hour. Lift the cake from the pan with the foil and remove the foil. Slice the cake horizontally into 2 thin layers. Place the bottom cake layer back into the pan. For the filling, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt in large microwave-safe bowl. Whisk in the milk until blended. Cook on high for 8 minutes, stirring after 4 minutes. Whisk the egg yolks in a small bowl until blended. Whisk in 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture. Whisk the egg yolks into the hot milk mixture. Cook on high for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened, stirring and

checking the consistency every minute. Stir in the butter and vanilla. Chill, covered, for 2 to 3 hours. For the icing, combine the granulated sugar and baking cocoa in a saucepan. Add the milk and corn syrup and mix well. Bring to a gentle rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in the butter and vanilla. Cool for 10 minutes, then beat in the confectioners sugar until thickened but pourable. Spread desired amount of the custard filling over the cake and top with the remaining cake layer. Spread the icing over the top. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight before serving. Makes 12 servings Note: This recipe freezes well for up to 8 weeks.

Jamie, Andrew and Katy Houston, Sam, Leila and Sam Lane december 2012

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Christmas Traditions BY SUSAN

or many Northsiders, special Christmas activities shared with family and friends are an important part of the holiday season. Old or new, big or small, traditions are woven into our Christmas celebrations, year after year. In our blended family, one of our favorite activities is making Christmas cookies, a tradition started by my mother and grandmother. When my sister Marsha and I were little girls, we would run home from school to help ice and decorate the sugar cookies that our mother and grandmother had Maddie Grace, first visit with Santa already baked. As Marsha and I grew older, we were allowed to use the wooden rolling pin to roll out thick dough and metal cookie cutters to shape the yummy cookies. There were Santa and reindeer cookies, plus bells, hearts and Christmas trees, and we always made a gingerbread man for each member of our family.

DEAVER

My mother Barbara and I have loved sharing this tradition with my stepdaughter Brooke for the past decade. We still use some of the same metal cookie cutters, and have also added some new ones through the years. This year we are excited to have Brooke’s two-year-old daughter, Maddie Grace, join us for the first time. We suspect that Maddie Grace will like the icing and sprinkles best, and that will be just fine with her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Thank you so much to the Adams, Lefoldt and Stowe families for sharing their Christmas traditions in this feaAlicia Deave r, Brooke Dea ver McCoy, Ba ture. I highly recommend that you rbara Laing enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while you read their stories. Some of their traditions may already be part of your celebrations, or you just might find some new ones to share. Ho ho ho and Merry Christmas to all.

lthough Chuck and Becky Adams have lived in Jackson for 38 of their 40 years of marriage, both spent their early years in central Arkansas. Most of their family members live within 30 minutes of each other, near Little Rock, and that is where Chuck, Becky, and their family have always celebrated Christmas. Everyone helps with cooking, baking and preparations, and Christmas is hosted in different family homes each year. But even “over the river and through the woods,” Santa always knows where to find the Adams family. When their two children – Kate and Chad – were young, the family would often go to a farm to cut their own Christmas tree. Some years, Chuck had to stay in Jackson to work, so Becky and the children would leave a few days ahead of him to visit family. For many of the trips, unknown to the children of course, presents from Santa were safely hidden in the car and traveled along with the family. Several years ago Becky started knitting stockings for the family to use at home in Ridgeland. Everyone picks out their own design and stockings are added as new members come into the family. Santa fills the stockings with candy and gifts. Often he includes a small wrapped treat (especially when Kate and Chad were small) in special wrapping paper with a note in a shaky script from Santa. (Santa has saved some of that special paper for grandchildren too.) Last year the guys received remote control helicopters in their stockings. It was a fun day with helicopters zipping around the house as the guys learned to control them. More than once stray choppers had to be rescued from a ledge around the top of the living room wall. Chuck’s family gathering includes 26 people and Becky’s family numbers 22, a. nt Sa with The children so instead of a gift exchange, the families celebrate with a fun “Dirty Santa” game. Everyone brings one gift to share and steal, and numbers are drawn to see who gets to choose a gift first. A

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Chuck and Becky Adams and family

gift may be “stolen” twice by other family members before it is safe for its final owner to keep. Varying from year to year, some gifts are more appealing than others, but what makes the less appealing ones fun – and popular – is that they may have money hidden inside the gift. Kate is now 36 and lives in New York with her husband Ravee. Although his family in India does not celebrate Christmas, Ravee has embraced Kate’s family celebrations. Chad, 33, and his wife Leah live in Washington, D.C., with their 19-month-old daughter, Livi. They all make the annual trip to Arkansas to join in the family Christmas celebrations. Mistletoe Marketplace kicks off the holiday season for Becky, as it does for many others, and her holiday shopping is not complete without a few Mistletoe purchases. As a sustaining member of the Junior League of Jackson, Becky has also volunteered her talents and many hours of her time for this event. For many years, sustaining members like Becky worked at the event’s coffee shop and gift wrap. In 2002, Becky was asked to help manage and recruit sustainers for the Mistletoe information booth. A decade later, Becky is still helping shoppers and merchants with directions, shopping bags, baby carriers, and of course, lots of helpful information.

Larry and Mary Anne Lefoldt and family

hen Lisa, Amy and Natalie Lefoldt were little, their father Larry always took the girls shopping for their mother’s special Christmas gift, and his mother Earlene made their Christmas stockings. The girls’ mother, Mary Anne, planned after-school caroling parties in their neighborhood, complete with treats and hot chocolate. The family has always celebrated with Larry’s family on the Sunday before Christmas, now known as “the Lefoldt Christmas,” and with Mary Anne’s family on Christmas Day. Mary Anne’s Lebanese heritage includes traditions and delicious foods that are always part of their Christmas celebrations, but the longest-held Lefoldt tradition is an annual Christmas Eve open house Larry and Mary Anne began hosting in 1973. The couple has been married for 42 years, and this year will mark the 40th year they have hosted their Christmas Eve open house. Family and close friends have always been invited for Christmas Eve, and as the three girls got older, they invited their friends too. If someone knew a friend without a place to go Christmas Eve, they are always welcomed at the Lefoldt home. Many longtime friends still attend and bring their children and grandchildren. All three

Larry and Paige Stowe and family

hen they married in 1994, Larry and Paige Stowe each had two almostgrown daughters and two sets of family Christmas traditions. Larry’s two daughters, Wendy and Kim, were 21 and 19. Paige’s two daughters, Laura and Stacy, were 19 and 16. Through the years, while the family has enjoyed the old traditions, they have also had lots of fun creating new ones of their own. In the early years, before any of the girls were married, the family attended the Christmas Eve service at Christ United Methodist Church, and afterward Larry would read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to everyone at home. Larry and Paige bought everyone pajamas to wear on Christmas morning when they opened gifts, and Larry woke up the girls by singing Christmas carols and squirting them with silly string. The family baked and ate sausage pinwheels on Christmas morning and drank their hot chocolate, cider or coffee out of Gail Pittman Christmas mugs, which each girl received every Christmas, along with a Gail Pittman ornament. There were scavenger hunts for the girls’ biggest presents, and everyone ate a big Christmas meal together. All of the girls are now married with children, giving Larry and Paige nine grandchildren. Laura, Kim, Stacy and their families live in the Jackson area, while Wendy and her

Lefoldt girls are married and have their own children, and their friends often come with their families, too. The Lefoldts welcome all their guests with open arms and invite all to feel comfortable in their home. Each year, between 30 and 60 guests enjoy a set menu chosen by Mary Anne, featuring traditional Lebanese food made from her mother’s recipes. Always on the menu are baked kibbee with pita bread, taboulee salad, pork tenderloin with rolls, dirty rice, Lebanese meatballs, Mediterranean layered dip, and spinach Madeline. Lebanese pastries, including baklava and assorted cookies and cakes are also served, and friends often add to the menu by bringing a dish, which is always very much appreciated. Santa has always been a part of the open house celebration too. For many years, Santa came all the way from Tupelo – he was the friend of a neighbor – and visited with the children. He invited them to sit on his knee and would read the Christmas story to everyone. In recent years, Santa – now a local high school student – comes to the front door, where he merrily waves to everyone before leaving an eagerly anticipated bag filled with gifts for the children. Mary Anne often shares homemade goodies or happies with their guests, and for the past decade she has given ornaments to each child who attends the open house. Christmas is always a busy and fun time for the Lefoldts. Larry and Mary Anne especially enjoy sharing Christmas traditions with their daughters and their families. Their grandchildren include two girls (Victoria, 10, and Addie, 22 months) and two boys (John Kennedy, 10, and Baker, John Kennedy and Victoria Nowell, one). Mary Anne’s 98-yearAddie Dutton old mother cooked for and hosted her family celebration until just two years ago. Now Mary Anne’s family, like Larry’s, rotates hosting duties among family members, and only the children and grandmothers receive gifts.

family live in Nashville. The grandchildren (six girls and three boys) range in age from two to nine. The families recently started a new tradition, which begins at Thanksgiving. Paige has collected Santa figurines for many years, The nine grandchildren and to help start new collections, each adult receives a Santa figurine after Thanksgiving dinner. Each child receives an ornament, and Larry (Grandpa) and Paige (Nana) also mail their Christmas cards the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is a tradition they established together. The Christmas card always includes either the entire family or just the grandchildren with Grandpa and Nana. Larry and Paige have gone to a Christmas tree farm to cut down their tree for many years, a tradition that each girl has continued after marrying. And the granddaughters enjoy making sugar cookies with Nana – with lots of sprinkles. Each grandchild has his or her own stocking, which hangs on the mantel in the family room, and each of the 19 family members has a Christmas ornament with his or her name on it. The families still attend the Christmas Eve service at Christ United Methodist and celebrate Christmas together on Christmas Eve so the grandchildren can be home on Christmas morning and have the day to enjoy their toys. Everyone gathers at Larry and Paige’s home to open gifts and enjoy a big family meal. And Larry still reads “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” On Christmas morning, Larry and Paige still eat sausage pinwheels – and each family makes their own now as well. Larry and Paige also visit the families at home to see what Santa has brought the grandchildren. Each year, the couple also chooses a cause or family and gives gifts in honor of their family. They feel so richly blessed, and try to choose a meaningful way to bless others. december 2012

FOODWISE

THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING

THE NUTCRACKERS TAKE THEIR HOLIDAY POST TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY

he day after Thanksgiving, things get a little nutty around the Walters’ house. Not because it’s Black Friday, but it’s the time when my beloved collection of nutcrackers descend from the attic and take their holiday post - standing at attention atop our mantle. There are really big nutcrackers and very tiny nutcrackers; nutcrackers that light up and nutcrackers that play music; nutcrackers that sparkle and nutcrackers with furry hats – there are far too many to mention, but I adore each and every one of them. My children have the nutty gene, too. A few weeks ago we were out running errands and quite by accident we stumbled upon a display of nutcrackers dressed like firemen and police officers. In this particular circumstance, the kids didn’t even have to say “please” when asking if they could have one. Without hesitation, I added the service men to our collection. The ever-growing entourage of wooden figurines has my husband a little concerned - since their only function is to crack nuts. Heath thinks my collection is a little twisted since his nickname is “Nut.” I promise I do not make these things up. Apparently, Heath’s head resembled

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M A R L A N A WA LT E R S Marlana Walters, Proprietor The Everyday Gourmet

the shape of a peanut (or some of his high school baseball buddies thought), and for whatever reason the nickname Nut has stuck with him to this day. Note: I may have a warped sense of humor, but I did not begin accumulating nutcrackers to give my husband a complex. The fact is, my holiday collection began long before I ever met him; but the fact that my holiday decorations make Heath a little uneasy is an unintentional bonus. Nutcrackers may scare some folks, but I find them to be adorable in addition to being functional, which makes them the perfect thing to collect. People often collect angels, Santas or

snowmen, but those figurines can’t really do anything. The way I see it, if I really do go nuts and things don’t work out selling pots and pans at The Everyday Gourmet, I could always plant some pecan trees and put my little army of nutcrackers to work. Currently, I am not an ADF member (Arbor Day Foundation), but I am a believer that being a little nutty (especially during the holidays) is normal. The chaos and stresses of the season can be enough to make even the most stable person crack under pressure. The holidays are a perfect time to add nuts to your diet. One handful of cracked nuts is an excellent source of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Nuts taste great right out of the shell or even better when salted, sugared or spiced. With Christmas right around the corner, I’ve included some of my favorite nut recipes: pecan pralines for giving, spiced almonds for snacking, and walnut chutney to pair with your holiday ham. From our nutty family to yours, Merry Christmas! The Walters – Heath “Nut,” Marlana, Maris and Heath Jr.

FOODWISE EASIEST, TASTIEST PRALINES EVER No one has to know they only have 4 ingredients… INGREDIENTS 1 package Zuzu’s Praline Candy Mix 1/2 stick salted butter 5 ounce can evaporated milk 2 cups pecans

DIRECTIONS Place 3 to 4 feet of spooning paper of your choice onto a flat surface. You may use wax paper, aluminum foil, parchment or freezer wrap. Surface should be well buttered or sprayed with cooking spray. A suggested spooning surface is the waxy side of freezer wrap coated with allnatural cooking spray. Combine entire contents of Zuzu’s Praline Candy Mix, 5 oz. evaporated milk and 1/2 stick salted butter in 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium heat, stirring constantly with wooden, plastic or metal spoon. When mix begins to boil around edges, turn heat to high, stop stirring, and boil for exactly 1 minute. Remove from heat and add 2 cups of pecans. Stir continuously to cool. A 5 minute cool time will yield a spread out praline. A 6 to 7 minute cool time will yield a taller, fuller praline. My favorite is a 10 minute cool time before spooning out the mixture. Spoon cooled praline mixture onto prepared surface. Pralines will be cool and firm enough to remove in about 15 minutes. Wrap each praline individually or store in an air-tight container to keep fresh.

Note: When pralines are spooned onto an ungreased surface, they may develop “sugar blooms.” These white spots are completely harmless and are naturally occurring re-crystalizing of sugar due to lack of a moisture barrier.

SPICED ALMONDS

A great snack for munching during the holidays INGREDIENTS 1 egg white 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup brown sugar 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 6 cups unsalted almonds DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 300F. Beat egg white until soft and foamy. Combine spices, sugar and butter; whisk into egg white. Stir in almonds until well coated; spread mixture in single layer onto Silpat lined cookie sheet. Bake almonds for 15 minutes, then remove from oven and stir. Using a spatula, stir and separate nuts. Reduce oven to 250F and return nuts to bake until medium brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven; toss, and stir again. Remove the almonds from baking pan and transfer to a sheet of aluminum foil, separate the nuts to keep clusters from forming. Let the

nuts stand until cooled and the sugar has hardened, about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

PEACH-WALNUT CHUTNEY

Perfect with grilled pork or wild game INGREDIENTS 1 Tablespoon of unsalted butter 1/2 cup onion, diced 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, minced 1/4 cup raisins 1/2 small tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped 1 can diced peaches in heavy syrup, undrained 1/2 cup dry red wine 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted DIRECTIONS Melt the butter in a medium sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and ginger, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add raisins, tomato, peaches, wine, balsamic vinegar and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer the chutney for about 20 minutes, or until thickened; stir frequently, especially toward the end of the cooking time to prevent scorching. Add the walnuts and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve warm with pork or wild game.

december 2012

northside sun

qbkkfp ^as^kq^db CHRISTMAS IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER

ENJOY THE SEASON AND THE MANY BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE

1. Andrew Sweat finished as the finalist in the boys 10 division. 2. Callie Billman won the girls 12 division. 3. Juliett Finch was the winner in the girls 10 division. 4. Megan Humphreys won the girls 14 division. 5. Meredith Roberts was the finalist in the girls 18 division. 6. Turner Yates won the girls 16 division. 52

northside sun

by JENNY MARKOW

STA Southern recently hired Geoff Norton to serve as the new USTA Mississippi tennis service representative. Geoff replaces Russell Dendy who has returned to the USTA Mississippi state office as director of community development and junior team tennis. Norton comes to Mississippi from Augusta, Ga., where he served as the director of tennis for the Augusta Recreation and Parks Department. Geoff has been involved with tennis over the last 30 plus years and brings a vast knowledge of tennis. He has worked for Dennis Van der Meer at the Van der Meer Pacific Corporation in Tokyo, as a coach, academy consultant and staff educator, was involved with the USTA in White Plains, N.Y., working in areas of adult and senior competitive play and technical programs, served as the director of development for the United States Professional Tennis Registry (USPTR), and he owned and operated a tennis management company in Houston, Texas, that offered full programming for juniors and adults. Dennis Van der Meer has this to say about Norton, “Geoff’s complete understanding of the game will be an asset to any player’s development.” Norton attended Tyler Junior College and Kennedy Western University. Among some of his many achievements are, in 2000 the Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools honored him with a Contribution to Excellence in Education award, he was awarded the 2002 Texas Professional of the Year by the USPTR, and in 2008 he was awarded the International Wheelchair Coach of the Year by the USPTR. In addition to serving as staff at the USTA national office, he also is a former USTA Georgia board member and committee member. Welcome to Mississippi, Geoff. USTA League is improving its structure to enhance your playing experience starting with the 2013 championship season. Under the new structure in Mississippi, there will be three divisions; adult, mixed doubles, and combo doubles. The adult division is broken down into 18 and over, 40 and over, 55 and over, and 65 and over. The Mixed Doubles will be 18 and over, 40 and over, and 55 and over. Combo Doubles will be 18 and over, 40 and over, 55 and over, and 65 and over. “We are so excited about the new changes; we feel our players are really going to benefit from them, says Director of Adult Leagues Lindsey Sartain. The Capital Area Bar Association (CABA) hosted its annual Battle of the Barristers Tennis Tournament at River Hills Club recently. Participants enjoyed an afternoon filled with good food, fabulous weather, and smashing tennis. Players participated in a round robin mixedup doubles format. At the conclusion of eight rounds of play, scores were tallied and four participants had tied for the lead. Will Ballard, Jay Jacobus, Whit Rayner and Quentin Whitwell played in a heated playoff which resulted in Will Ballard and Whit Rayner being “crowned” champions. They donned their winning barrister wigs with pride. Not to be outdone, David Maron and Wes Webb were named court jesters for the event, having proven to be the most entertaining players on the court. They were the recipients of gift certificates for tennis lessons with River Hills Director of Tennis and Head Tennis Professional Dave Randall. Door prize winners were Venecca Green Mason, David Clark, Will Ballard, Quentin Whitwell, Wes Webb, and Elizabeth Maron. The tournament raised $1,000 for the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project (MVLP), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit legal aid organization. Formed in 1982, MVLP is the nation’s first formal association of a state bar association, the Mississippi Bar Association, and the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). MVLP’s longstanding relationship with the Mississippi Bar and the LSC has resulted in a professional and productive partnership with attorneys unselfishly offering their time and talents to serve Mississippi’s poor and less fortunate. “MVLP’s partnership with the Capital Area Bar Association has meant so much to our staff, our volunteers and our clients. The support we receive from the annual Battle of the Barristers Tennis Tournament goes such a long way toward helping us fulfill our mission of providing high quality legal assistance to low-income Mississippians,” said MVLP General Counsel

qbkkfp ^as^kq^db Tiffany M. Graves. Ridgeland Tennis Center was the host for the Chick-fil-A Junior Open Championships held October 20-21. This tournament draws many of the top players from across the entire Southern Section as it is a Level 3 Southern event, and this was the largest draw to date for Mississippi with more than 300 juniors playing. Chick-fil-A was the sponsor for this event with Cabot Lodge North and Homewood Suites serving as the host hotels. In addition to Ridgeland Tennis Center, the courts at Parham Bridges are always used for play, but this year additional sites were added to accommodate play. The overflow matches were played at the Country Club of Jackson, Reservoir Y, and River Hills. Julio Godreau, director of the Mississippi Tennis Academy at Parham Bridges, hosted a tournament player camp on Friday night to allow participants to have live ball and point play to help them prepare for tournament play the following day. Northside juniors showed up to play. Winning in the girls 10 was Juliette Finch, 12s was Callie Billman, 14s was Megan Humphreys, and the 16s was Turner Yates. Meredith Roberts was the finalist in the girls 18s. On the boys side, Andrew Sweat was the finalist in the 10s and Robert Mounger in the 18s. It’s very hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner. During this busy time, don’t forget to take time to enjoy the many blessings that you have. We get so wrapped up doing stuff, we often forget to sit and enjoy. I hope each of you have a wonderful Christmas. As always, for all of your tennis needs, go to www.mstennis.com, you can find us on Facebook at USTA Mississippi or Twitter @USTA Mississippi.

NP NQ T

NR NM

7. Mike Malouf Jr. 8. Wes Webb, Anna Moak 9. Stephanie Jones, Anna Moak, Mike Malouf Jr. 10. Court jesters Wes Webb and David Maron 11. Winning barristers Whit Rayner and Will Ballard 12. Wearing ‘tennis whites’ and playing with wooden racquets on the courts at CCJ; Debbie McNeely was the chairperson for this tournament. 13. Another fun and beautiful day on our CCJ courts for our junior play day (from left) Gatlin Hixon, Hays Dubberly, Ellis Abdo, Sara Grea Walker, parent coordinator - George Abdo, Lillie Walker, Charles Beneke, Jack McClintock and Megan O’Mara 14. CCJ Member Guest: First place - Sally Birdsall, Charles Greenlee, Jill Millette; second place - Cathy Crain, Paul Millette; third place - Debbie McNeely (chairperson) and Jeremy Birdsall 15. During the recent Super Senior State Championships in Greenwood, Peyton Irby’s team won the men’s 3.5 division and will play in the Sectional Championships in Columbus, Ga., at the end of November. Peyton Irby; (front) James Cullins, David White, Cleve Barham, Johnny Anthony, Don Roberts. Not pictured: Frederick Casher, Fred Banks, George Terry december 2012

the northside sun magazine our wedding policy IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE

F O R C OV E R I N G W E D D I N G S & E N GAG E M E N T A N N O U N C E M E N T S

E Please type, double space, your article in story format. No forms are used by the Sun. All write-ups should be submitted by the first day of the month for the following monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s publication. Please include photos. At least one photo will be featured with each wedding and engagement announcement. More will be used as space permits. If a stamped, self-addressed envelope is enclosed, every effort will be made to return photos. Please include a daytime phone number on all releases. Payment is due with submission. Wedding announcements are $150 and are full page. Engagement announcements are a half page for $90. Mail to Northside Sun Magazine, P.O. Box 16709, Jackson, 39236; or e-mail to jimmye@northsidesun.com. Deliveries are also accepted at our office at 246 Briarwood Dr. For more information,

call 601.957.1123.

The Sun accepts no responsibility for unsolicited stories, artwork or photographs.

northside sun

WEDDINGS

Laura Lee Wooley & Jordan Lee Russell JUNE 2, 2012 NORTHMINSTER BAPTIST CHURCH • JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Lee Russell

aura Lee Wooley and Jordan Lee Russell were united in marriage at 6 p.m. June 2 at Northminster Baptist Church. The Rev. Charles E. Poole officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Russell Wooley. She is the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. O.B. Wooley Jr. of Jackson and Dr. and Mrs. O.E. Dickinson of Dallas. The bridegroom is the son of Amy Bennett Russell and the late Dr. Randy Herschel Russell. He is the grandson of Ann Gordon Russell of Ridgeland and the late Herschel Ellsworth Russell, and Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Early Bennett of Meridian. The bride, escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents, wore a designer gown of ivory French Alencon lace and English netting. The strapless gown featured a sweetheart neckline with a silhouette accented by repeated bands of Alencon lace along the bodice and the skirt. The matching veil was cathedral length of silken illusion trimmed in lace. She carried a bouquet of solid white vendella roses wrapped with lace and beading from her mother’s wedding veil. Attending the bride as maids of honor were her sisters Kari Louise Wooley and Jean Marie Wooley. Bridesmaids were Elizabeth McBee Aiken, Victoria Laine Applewhite, Aubrey Field Beckham, Amanda Leigh Griffin Conner, Ivy Catherine Davis, Tana Jane Louise Graham, Laura Kathryn House, Eliza Crone Ingram, Krysten Diana Keyes and Olivia Dixon Lott. They wore gowns of navy silk chiffon adorned by navy satin sashes and carried hand-tied bouquets of blue hydrangeas. The bridegroom’s grandfather, Leonard Early Bennett, was the best man. Groomsmen were Kevin John Batte, Jason Thomas Brooks, William Francis Gillis Jr., Robert Chisholm Grenfell, Phillip Alton Harrison Jr., Robert Crawford Martin, Jackson Harris McLarty, Paul Anthony Rector, Matthew Elder Rutherford Jr. and Andrew Quinn Weeks. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at the Country Club of Jackson with music provided by the Memphis Soul Review. The bride’s cake was a five-layer classic wedding cake topped and decorated with cascading blue hydrangeas. The bridegroom’s cake was a three-tiered chocolate cake with peanut butter icing decorated with the bridegroom’s monogram. On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom’s mother hosted a rehearsal dinner at River Hills Club followed by a “Post Toast” event with music provided by Pryor and the Tombstones. On the day of the wedding, family members honored the wedding guests with a brunch. After a wedding trip to the Dominican Republic, the couple lives in Washington, D.C., where the bride is the office manager for the Republican State Leadership Committee and the bridegroom is the communications director for Mississippi Congressman Alan Nunnelee. december 2012

WEDDINGS

Amanda Leigh Griffin & Matthew Wesley Conner MARCH 10, 2012 OXFORD -UNIVERSITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Wesley Conner

northside sun

manda Leigh Griffin and Matthew Wesley Conner were united in marriage at 6:30 p.m. March 10 at Oxford-University United Methodist Church in Oxford. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Kennedy Griffin III of Jackson. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Franklin Honeycutt of Calhoun City, and Mrs. William Kennedy Griffin Jr. and the late Mr. Griffin of Gloster. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Lynn Conner of Oxford. He is the grandson of Violet Jobe of Bristol, Tenn., Mr. and Mrs. Max Whitehead, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lee Conner, all of Oxford. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Warren Black and the Rev. Fish Robinson. Music was presented by Jason Derrick, organist; John Schuessein, trumpeter; and Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Cook, vocalists. Scripture was read by Andy Kilpatrick. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a designer gown with a strapless sweetheart neckline, featuring a modified mermaid silhouette with tulle and was adorned with lace and crystals. She carried a colorful bouquet of roses and hydrangeas. She wore pearl earrings and a necklace which were gifts from her father. Kelsey Powell Griffin, sister of the bride, was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Katherine Lynn Barkett, Brooke Leslie Beard, Marianna Faust Blackburn, Caroline England Church, Mallory Lynn Conner Cooley, Olivia Terrell Faust, Tana Jane Louise Graham, Madeleine Kavanay Griffin, Mollie Carroll Griffin, Augusta Mathilde Smith and Laura Lee Wooley. The bridegroom’s father and Michael Jake Gibbs were men of honor. Groomsmen were William Kennedy Griffin IV, William Britt, Howard Duvall Flautt, Matthew Abide Malouf, and Jason Scott Russell. Program attendants were Elizabeth McBee Aiken, Alice Westbrook Blackmon, Katherine Cox, and Parker Litchliter. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at the Lyric Oxford where guests enjoyed Southern fare and music by the Memphis Soul Revue. On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at City Grocery. Following a wedding trip to Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, the couple is at home in Oxford.

WEDDINGS

Rebekah Ann Eckols & Ryan Baroner Aldridge NOVEMBER 19, 2011 DRIFTWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • DRIFTWOOD, TEXAS

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Baroner Aldridge

ebekah Ann Eckols and Ryan Baroner Aldridge were married November 19 at 11 a.m. at Driftwood United Methodist Church in Driftwood, Texas. The Rev. Barry Fulton officiated. The church has been a special place of worship for generations of the Eckols family, with the bride’s great-great-grandfather having donated the property in the late 1800s. A garland of white roses, hydrangeas and peonies adorned the wooden cross at the altar. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Edwin Eckols of Austin. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Hugh Aldridge of Jackson. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a satin couture strapless designer gown, featuring a crumb catcher neckline and gently gathered bodice with an A-line skirt. Covered buttons cascaded the back ending in a chapel length train. She wore an elbow length tulle veil and carried a bouquet of white peonies. Matron of honor was Megan Maund Houser of Austin. The bridegroom’s father was best man. Grace Elizabeth Eckols and Mary Frances Eckols, nieces of the bride, were flower girls. Hollis Winder Eckols and Hudson Grey Eckols, nephews of the bride, were ring bearers. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents and Virginia Lavner hosted a brunch at Green Pastures in Austin. Two weeks later, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at Latrobe’s on Royal in New Orleans. Music was provided by ELS. A brunch was held at Galatoire’s hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Doug Maund, Jennifer Maund, and Mr. and Mrs. Corby Houser. The couple was honored with a party in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Sam Peeples in Ridgeland. Cohosts and hostesses were Messieurs and Mesdames Tom Alexander, T.J. Anderson, Bill Boteler, Paul Calhoun, Sam Denney, Rob Finch, Ken Guthrie, Bob Harrison, Norman Joseph, Jack Lane, Ken Magee, Chuck McIntosh, Frank Montgomery, Bill Tann, Charles Waterloo, Thomas Wiley, Miss Amy Russell, Julie Staires, and Sheree Tynes. The couple is at home in Jackson. december 2012

WEDDINGS

Anne Dozier Sanders & Richard Kirkland McRee III AUGUST 18, 2012 CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION • MOBILE, ALABAMA

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kirkland McRee III

northside sun

nne Dozier Sanders and Richard Kirkland McRee III were united in marriage at 6:30 p.m. August 18 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The Rev. Msgr. Warren Wall officiated. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Judson Sanders of Mobile. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Judson Sanders and the late Mr. and Mrs. Milton Sebastian Pullen of Mobile. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kirkland McRee Jr. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. William Wright Majure of Jackson, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kirkland McRee of Holcomb. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an ivory designer gown and handmade cathedrallength veil. Her bouquet was an arrangement of cream, white, and ivory blooms. Regan Ewing Kostmayer was matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Katherine Elizabeth Allen, Renee Nicole Barone, Margaret Miller Clement, Mary Bailey Crow, Frances Celeste Houston, Jean Damrich Hunt, Kara Elaine Massey, Leah Basham Pfeiffer, Lila Sharp Sanders, Laney Simar Sanders and Mary Virginia Terrell. They wore orchid chiffon designer gowns and carried lavender bouquets. The bridegroom’s father was best man. Groomsmen were Kevin John Batte, Jacob Peter Fisher IV, Conner Barnett Gunn, Lawrence Wilburn Long III, Mark Majure McRee, William Darden North, John Ewell Roberts, Maynard Judson Sanders II, Thomas Scott Sanders, Mark Harter Simpson and Tyler Patrick Stevens. Don Robinson Baker II and John Blaylock Holder were ushers. They wore tuxedos with white dinner jackets and orchid boutonnieres. Following the ceremony, guests were invited to a reception at the Country Club of Mobile, where they danced to the Motown band, 4 Barrel Funk, under a lavender lit tent. The five-tiered wedding cake was decorated with lavender flowers. The bridegroom’s cake was Mississippi State-themed. The couple exited the reception under a canopy of sparklers. On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at Mobile’s Athelstan Club. Decorations included arrangements of white flowers, greenery and candles. Tables were constructed out of wood from the McRee family farm. Twinkling lights and lanterns hung from the balcony. After traveling to Anguilla for a wedding trip, the couple now lives in Mobile. The bridegroom is co-owner of M&M Construction Materials, and the bride is an account executive at LivingSocial.

northside sun

WEDDINGS

Maria Antionique Battaglia & Jonathan Drayton Lee JUNE 9, 2012 ABOARD THE SOLARIS CRUISE YACHT • SANDESTIN, FLORIDA

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Drayton Lee

aria Antionique Battaglia and Jonathan Drayton Lee were united in marriage at 6:30 p.m. June 9, aboard the Solaris cruise yacht in Sandestin. Dr. Gordon Sansing of Brandon officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony David Battaglia of Brandon. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Anthony D. (Tony) Battaglia of Jackson, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Horace Davis of Hattiesburg. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Drayton Lee of Forest. He is the grandson of Chief Justice (Retired) Roy Noble Lee and the late Mrs. Lee of Forest, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward John Abraham of Vicksburg. Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory organza designer strapless gown. The softly ruched bodice featured a sweetheart neckline. Hand-beaded Swarovski crystals and pearls adorned the waist. The ball gown skirt of asymmetrical layers of organza ended in a semi-chapel train. The bride carried a bouquet of amaretto Roses handtied with ivory satin ribbon. The bouquet, highlighted by crystal sprays with a crystal jewel in the center of each rose, lovingly held an antique brooch belonging to the bride’s grandmother. As “something borrowed,” she wore the bridegroom’s grandmother’s diamond pendant which his mother had presented to her on her wedding day. As “something old,” she wore the bridegroom’s mother’s pearl bracelet. As a wedding gift from the bridegroom, the bride wore pearl earrings. Kristi Johnson and Shanel Barney, sisters of the bride, were matrons of honor. Mary Carolyn Bennett was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Rachel Herrington-Bilbro, Jade Dunnaway, Tasha Stuart, Brittany Rosella, Jessie Bennett, Haley Harpole and Bethany Phillips. The bridegroom’s father was best man. Groomsmen were Anthony Battaglia, brother of the bride; Dr. Sloane Fortinberry, Brian Jones, Dr. Michael Reed, Dr. Freddie Woods, Ryan Rogers, Michael Martin, Jared Clark, Mitch Davis, Ross Dean and Hunter Davenport. Flower girls were Maley Johnson and Preslie Stuart, nieces of the bride. Eason Johnson, nephew of the bride, was ring bearer. Ushers were Lee Johnson and Shad Stuart, brother of the bride. Following the ceremony at sunset, a reception was hosted by the couple’s parents. Guests enjoyed a buffet dinner and entertainment as they cruised Destin’s Choctawhatchee Bay. On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom’s parents hosted a seated dinner for wedding guests at La Famaglia in Destin. Following a wedding trip to the Dominican Republic, the couple is at home in Madison, where the bridegroom is a second year medical student at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and the bride is associated with Nathans of Ridgeland. Prior to their wedding day, the couple was honored with an engagement party at Lake Caroline hosted by family and friends, and a bridal tea at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Walker in Forest. december 2012

northside sun

ENGAGEMENTS

Haley Crisler Westbrook & Christopher Cameron Yearout

JANUARY 26, 2013

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF JACKSON • JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

Haley Crisler Westbrook

r. and Mrs. David Orien Westbrook announce the engagement of their daughter, Haley Crisler Westbrook, to Christopher Cameron Yearout, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Gusty Yearout of Birmingham. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Robert Blanton Crisler III of Jackson and the late Mr. Crisler, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Orien Westbrook of Flora. The bridegroom is the grandson of Jean Robertson Ragsdale and the late Milton Clay Ragsdale III, the late Adrianne Costellos Boyd, the late William Thomas Yearout and Joseph Henry Boyd, all of Birmingham. Miss Westbrook is a 2003 honor graduate of Jackson Preparatory School. She was graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast news from the University of Georgia where she was a member of Phi Mu sorority. She was presented by the Debutante Club of Mississippi in 2004. Miss Westbrook was graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in 2008 with a master’s degree in journalism. She is a television news reporter with the ABC affiliate ABC 33/40 in Birmingham. Miss Westbrook is also a violinist with the Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra. Yearout is a 2004 graduate of Mountain Brook High School. He was graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Auburn University in 2008, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He received his juris doctorate, cum laude, from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in 2011, where he served as an editor of the Cumberland Law Review. He is an attorney with Lightfoot, Franklin and White LLP in Birmingham. The couple will exchange vows January 26 at First Baptist Church of Jackson, with a reception to follow at The South. The will make their home in Birmingham.

Christina Faye Cannon & Robert Kirby Boteler Jr.

DECEMBER 7, 2012

NORTHMINSTER BAPTIST CHURCH • JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

Robert Kirby Boteler Jr., Christina Faye Cannon

hristina Faye Cannon of Brandon, and Robert Kirby Boteler Jr. of Jackson, announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Pettus, and the daughter of Eva Faye Harris, all of Brandon. Miss Cannon is a former district manager for CUPS Espresso Café. She attended Hellenic International Studies for Art and Photography in Paros, Greece, before returning to Jackson to start The Quarter Gallery and Photography by Christina. Her passion for photography led her to Fondren where she owns One Blu Wall Gallery, also the current location of her photography studio. Miss Cannon attends Bellwether Methodist Church where she participates in international mission work, most recently in Hyderabad, India. She has served on the board for Salt and Light Ministries and currently serves on the board for Mustard Seed Faith Foundation of India. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Lee Boteler of Leland, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Paul Nash Nunnery Sr. of Clinton. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kirby Boteler of Jackson. He is a graduate of Mississippi College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is the director of information technology at Waggoner Engineering Inc. Boteler is a member of the Rotary Club of Downtown Jackson and a graduate of Leadership Mississippi. He attends Bellwether Methodist Church where the couple first met. The couple will exchange vows December 7 at 6 p.m. at Northminster Baptist Church with a reception to follow at the Auditorium. december 2012

northside sun

ENGAGEMENTS

Jordan Vinson McKibben & Judson Franklin Mason

DECEMBER 29, 2012

ST. LUKE’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

Judson Franklin Mason, Jordan Vinson McKibben

r. and Mrs. Douglass Dale McKibben announce the engagement of their daughter, Jordan Vinson McKibben, to Judson Franklin Mason, son of Glenda Gardner Mason and the late James Bryant Mason. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Margaret McKibben and the late Dale Harbour McKibben of Jackson, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Reggie Vinson of West Point. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Lee Mason of Newton, and Bobbie McCrae Gardner and the late William Earl Gardner of Meridian. Miss McKibben is a 2004 graduate of Jackson Preparatory School and a 2008 graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She received her juris doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law in 2011. Miss McKibben is associated with Forman Perry Watkins Krutz and Tardy. Mason was graduated with honors from Newton County High School in 2005. He attended Mississippi College where he was a member of Rotaract Men’s Club. He was graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Mason is associated with M&F Bank in Madison. The couple will exchange vows December 29 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. A reception will follow at Union Station.

Elizabeth Baldwin Vick & Joshua Dudley Kipp

DECEMBER 29, 2012

PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • DALLAS, TEXAS

Elizabeth Baldwin Vick, Joshua Dudley Kipp

rs. Marvin York Vick Jr. of Dallas announces the engagement of her daughter, Elizabeth Baldwin Vick, to Joshua Dudley Kipp, son of Mr. and Mrs. Crane Davis Kipp. Miss Vick is also the daughter of the late Marvin York Vick Jr. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Donald Mull Baldwin and the late Mrs. Donald Mull Baldwin of Lenexa, Kan., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Marvin York Vick Sr. of Madisonville, Texas. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of the late Dr. and Mrs. Dean Carl Kipp of Dallas and the late Mr. and Mrs. James Dudley Buford of Jackson. Miss Vick is a 2000 graduate of Madisonville High School and a 2004 graduate of the University of Texas where she received a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Miss Vick is pursuing a master’s in counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary and will receive her degree in August. Kipp was graduated with honors from Jackson Preparatory School in 2004. He was graduated magna cum laude in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi where he served as student director of the Honors College. He was a member of Delta Psi fraternity. He was graduated magna cum laude in 2011 from the University of Texas School of Law where he was managing editor of The Review of Litigation. He is an attorney with Carrington, Coleman, Sloman and Blumenthal, LLP in Dallas. The couple will exchange vows December 29 at Providence Presbyterian Church in Dallas. The couple will live in Dallas. december 2012

parties

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C E L E B R A T I O N S

Lauren Wakefield and Jason Ray engagement party.

Mark, Carolyn and Lauren Wakefield, Jason, Pam and John Ray

engagement party Martha Ray, Lauren Wakefield, Jason and William Ray

Judy and Norton McKeigney

Pat and Sarah Courter, Lauren Wakefield, and Wanda Courter 66

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An engagement celebration honoring Lauren Wakefield and Jason Ray was held recently in the home of William and Martha Ray. Festivities included Cajun music by Ryan Simon and the Acadien Band from Breaux Bridge, La., and Louisiana cuisine prepared by Julie Levanway. Karen McKie decorated for the party. Miss Wakefield is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Wakefield. Ray is the son of Dr. and Mrs. John Ray.

Micky and Becky Cowan

Co-hosts and hostesses were Wanda and Pat Courter, Becky and Micky Cowan, Carol and Dennis Craig, Terre and Hardy Harris, Susan Ferrell, Kathie and Chuck Lott, Amy and John MacNeill, Debra and David McIntosh, Tami and Tony McInvale, Patti and Bill Marshall, Robin and Louie Propst, Cynthia and James Ray, and Martha Jean and Fred Ray. The couple will be married December 8 at Briarwood United Methodist Church.

Anna Katherine Ray, Elizabeth Watson

Barbara and Col. Reed Wakefield, Lauren Wakefield, Jason Ray, Carolyn and Mark Wakefield

parties

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C E L E B R A T I O N S

Mary CrosbyTurner and Walker Roberts engagement party

Jon and Pam Turner, Walker Roberts, Mary-Crosby Turner, Raney-Mills and Sean Kiely

Walker Roberts, Mary-Crosby Turner

engagement party

A celebration of the engagement of Mary-Crosby Turner and Walker Roberts was recently held in the home of Debbie and Joe McCaskill. The wedding will be March 23 at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church with the reception at Old Capitol Inn. Co-hosts and hostesses were Suzie and Jeff Adcock, Vicki and Lance Benefield, Pam and Gary Cirilli, Ann and Larry Collins, Gail and John England, Tonya and Larry Favreau, Kathleen and Bill Geary, Peggy and Larry Goldstein,

Annette Watson, Shirley and Jack Geary

Leila and Sam Lane, Jana and Lee Ragland 68

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Louise and John Hartlein, Terre and Hardy Harris, Evie and Kirk Hines, George and Whit Johnson, Sheila and Ricky Keyes, Leila and Sam Lane; Also, Ginny Lloyd, Tammy and Anse McLaurin, Donna and William Mills, Jeanne and Mitch Monsour, Catherine and Tom Quaka, Jana and Lee Ragland, Lisa and Kenneth Reed, Nancy and Al Roberts, Barbara and Fred Rushton, Scottie and Burdette Russ, Dawn and Elliott Thomas, Debbie and Terry Thornton, and Annette Watson.

Lance and Vicki Benefield

Emily McLaurin, Dana Fisher

Tante Roberts, Randy Weeks, Walker Roberts, Mary-Crosby Turner, Jeannie Falkner

Krysten Keyes, Alex Barraza, Mary-Crosby Turner, Alex McCaskill, Haley Crosby, Michelle Reach

Parker and Chelsea Berry

Harrison Smith, Katie Hazard, Sean Douglas, Jeannie Falkner, Randy Weeks

Barbara Rushton, Jack Phillips, Elinor Jackson, Robin Kennedy

Debbi and Joe McCaskill, Tammy McLaurin

Perry Taylor, Jake Black, Jay Jernigan, Davis Roberts

Hunter and Suzanne Cade, Don Smith, Varner Stewart

Doug and Carol McKinnin, Nancy Robbins

Blair Shaw, Chloe Lloyd

Diane Neeley, Gayle England, Suzie Adcock

Walker Roberts, Mary-Crosby Turner, Dolly Goings december 2012

Jana Ragland, Donna Mills, Suzie Adcock, Nancy Roberts, Scottie Russ, Annette Watson; (front) Sheila Keyes, Pam Cirilli, Vickie Benefield, Dawn Thomas, Ann Collins, Katherine Quaka, Barbara Rushton, Debbie McCaskil, Leila Lane, Gayle England

Jay Turner, Julie McGregor, Jon Turner

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Sean and Raney-Mills Keily, Jon Turner, William and Thomas Mills, Mark and David Adcock; (front) Pam, O.J. and Smamie Turner, Walker Roberts, Mary-Crosby Turner, Donna Mills, Jeff, Suzie and Anna Adcock

Shirley Turner, Julie and Meredith McGregor, Jane Allen McCrory, Jay Turner

Betse Parsons, George Johnson, Collins Johnson

december 2012

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C E L E B R A T I O N S

Holly and Brent Christensen welcome reception

Stephanie and Mark Garriger, Sarah Dabney Gillespie, Sydney Allen, Brent and Holly Christensen

welcome reception Tony DiFatta, Holly Lange

Holly Christensen, Alicia Baladi, Elizabeth Alley

Malcolm White, Nancy Perkins, Richard Patrick 72

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Several Northsiders hosted a party at the Mississippi Crafts Center to welcome Holly and Brent Christensen. The Christensens moved to Jackson where Brent is the new executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. Hosts and hostesses included Renee and

Lindsay and Justin Buford

Conrad Ebner, Blakely and Ron Fender, Jennifer and Peder Johnson, Holly and Alan Lange, Sharon and Mark McCreery, Kathleen and Mack Mitchell, Michelle and David Pharr, Elee and Tate Reeves, and Jennifer and Wilson Stribling. Shown are scenes from the party.

Mayo Flynt, Mike McCreery

Melissa DiFatta, Melissa Pringle, Dorothy Hawkins, Jennifer Allen, Holly Lange

David Pharr, Alicia Baladi, Melissa Pringle, Brent Christensen

Dennis Schwarzaver, Penny Prenshaw

Kathleen and Mack Mitchell, Crisler and Doug Boone, Michael Heidelberg

Sam Pooley, Caroline and Jonathan Compretta, Sylvia Pooley

Rob and Phoebe Pearigen

Phoebe Pearigen, Blakely and Ron Fender

Matt and Inglish DeVoss, Michelle Pharr

Scott and Amanda Overby

Virginia and Rob Farr

Conrad and Renee Ebner, Sharon McCreery december 2012

december 2012

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december 2012

EVENTS DATES FOR LEUKEMIA FUND-RAISER The 12th annual Dates for Leukemia fund-raiser was held at recently at The South. The event is a silent date auction to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. More than $23,000 was raised for LLS. Jamie Woods and Tammy Bouchillan started the fund-raiser 12 years ago.

Grant and Jennifer Parker

Mary Beth McDonald, Ouida Watson, Carolyn Harrison

Brittany Horton, Nick Tarlton, Courtney Parks

Leslie Abt, Katherine Nicosia, Felice Serrett, Tasha Taylor

Bill Stover, Sandra Webb 78

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Jancsi Artz, Howard Ballou, Jeanhee Kang

Sabrina and Clay Sutherland, Stephanie Vann

Melinda Patterson, Grant McGee, Camille Moenkhaus, Linda Massengale

Tammy Bouchillon, Jamie Woods

Susan Mitchell, Todd Wimberly

Kristen Cooper Kline, Doc Davis

DATES FOR LEUKEMIA FUND-RAISER

Claire Barker, Heath Patterson

Alice Way, Jeff Querin, Rachel Horn, Melody Moody

Ryan Chase, Jenny Woodruff, Cris Dockery, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Chuck Tomasello

Kim Purvis, Amy Chesney, Regan Wallace, Tanya Grace

Ralph and Fran Flood, Mindy Bowers, Jeff Mote

Darryl Breland, Robert Pooley

Josh Robinson, Doug Jeter, Kym Morgan, Andrew Smith

John and Rhonda Newell

Mike Slaughter, Jan Collins, Johnny Morgan

Morgan Wigley, Lucy Gibson, Melanie Sand, Steven Rankin december 2012

EVENTS CHOCOLATE BALL BENEFIT The 2012 Chocolate Ball benefit for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mississippi was held recently at the River Hills Country Club.

Sandra Butler, Ronald McDonald, Anna Kendall, Koby Wofford

Myles and Amanda Cross

Jimmy and Rhonda Cromwell, Bret and Rachael Kenyon

Daren Siddons, Nicole and Phyllis Small, Colleen and Philip Palmer, Gary Small

Jimmye and Andy Sweat 80

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Nola Gibson, Charlotte Bass

Judy and Harold Blake, Christy Montgomery

Angela Morehead, Cathy and Ned Trotti

Al, Danita and Allison Joyner, Fredda and Tom Robinson

Boomer and Lisa Brush

Courtney Convertino, Pam Sultan

CHOCOLATE BALL BENEFIT

Verlin and Nolin Cook

Frenchie and Buddy Graham, Dell Humphries

Steve and Diana Warden, Mike and Linda Warner, Cindy and Ron Emery

David Dumeyer, Linda Allen and Phillip Ley

Steve Davidson, Khaki Cole

Jake Smith, Ruth Ann Rigby, Joel Brown

Emma Lou Horrell, Mary Grace Brown

Guy and Kara Giesecke

Jona Keeton, Li Vemulakonda

Virginia and David Allen

december 2012

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december 2012

EVENTS DANCE WITH THE STARS PREVIEW PARTY Dance with the Stars preview party for Mississippi Opera was held recently at St. James Episcopal Church. Shown are scenes from the party.

Harriet Kuykendall, Jean Brewer, Richard McRae

John Murphy, Barbara Travis

Sue Lobrano, Paul and Kerry Parker

Dickens Fournet, Becky and Don Potts, Sujan Gihimire, Brandi Fournet

Patti Sullivan, Pamela Prather 84

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Cassandra Walter, Margee Wohner

Harris and Margaret Collier, Betty Bivins

Tippy Garner, Elbert Bivins, Hogan Allen

Peyton Prospere, Sibyl Child, Sujan Gihimire, Kerry Parker, John Malone

Marlane Dove, Merina Dillard

DANCE WITH THE STARS PREVIEW PARTY

Sarah and Sujan Gihimire

Sue Lobrano, Edward and Viola Dacus, Sandy McKellar

Harris and Margaret Collier, Michelle Hudson

Tippy Garner, Ellen McLean

Lynn Wedemeyer, Foye Bycofski, Jim Child

december 2012

EVENTS SEVENTH ANNUAL STORYTELLERS BALL The seventh annual Storytellers Ball was held recently at the Arts Center of Mississippi. The theme was Blame It on the Blues. Proceeds benefit the Greater Jackson Arts Council. Shown are scenes from the ball.

DeeDee and Sonya Anderson, Becki Hicks

Linda Brune, Rosemary Maxey

Rowell and Rhonda Saunders, Randy and Ben Rogers

Misty Winningham, Keri McGowan, Candace Hare, Lydia Moore, Constance Shelby

Sandra and Julian Murchison 86

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Libba Wilkes, Charley Frye, Alexandra Wilkes-Long

Lea Gunter, Pamela Hancock

Carl Ellis, Shannon and Earsley Quinn

Brad Applewhite, Meredith Virden, Kelly Wright, Breland Applewhite

Kathy Molpus, Jancsi Artz

Ginger Watkins, Don Jacobs

SEVENTH ANNUAL STORYTELLERS BALL

Chris Kirwin, Gina Haugh

H.C. Porter, Mark Wiggs, Jane and Brent Alexander

Richard and Sherry Partridge, James Hendrix, Pamela Hancock

Lynda and Robert Lesley

David and Sarah Cade, Clay and Ann Purcell

George Humphrey II, Lindsey Pittman

Alon Bee, Pam Partridge, Mark Bounds

Cynthia Buchanan, David Watkins, Jayne and Brad Jackson

Dexter Blanchard, Cara Troiani

Audra Myers, Gus Perez

Tommy Reaves, Donna Coulson, Rebecca Prewitt, James Hatten december 2012

SEVENTH ANNUAL STORYTELLERS BALL

Benee Wallace, Steve Biggers

Donna Ladd, Todd Stauffer

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Monique Davis, Natalie Long, LaTasha Willis

Philip and Cheri Barnes

Beth James, Lisa Randall, Jeanhee Muse

Melissa and Ron Applewhite

Bill and Teresa Wasser

TAG IT. BAG IT. GIFT IT.

With thousands of gi ideas – from jewelry to antiques, original artwork to one-of-a-kind bowls – Interiors Market is the source for everyone on your list. Join us for some festive shopping and a scrumptious lunch this holiday season. MeeZbWdZ >_bbi I^eff_d] 9[dj[h <edZh[d | 601.981.6020 CedZWo#<h_ZWo" '& Wc#+0)& fc IWjkhZWo" '& Wc#* fc | BkdY^ CedZWo#<h_ZWo" ''0)& Wc#( fc

december 2012

EVENTS GOODWILL VOLUNTEERS Goodwill Industries of Mississippi held its annual awards dinner recently at the Country Club of Jackson as a fund-raiser for Goodwill Industries. The event recognized volunteer efforts of those who gave of their time and talents to improve the lives of others. The dinner was followed by a presentation of the honorees. Betty Graves, Stephanie Garriaga, Susan Garrard, James Graves

Jackie Petrus, Pam Partridge

Ron and Gypsy Russell, Denise and Louis Wright

Gayle Papa, Suzanne Stephens, Michelle and Russ Hawkins, Tom Papa, Sis and Guy Hovis

Jancsi Artz, Charlotte Corley 90

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Deidra and Fred Bell

Sister Celestine, Sister Trinita, Ed Brunini

Henry Holifield, Haden and Tish Hughes

Ben Burnett, Mary, Pat and Carlene Scanlon, Anna Burnett

Nora Frances McRae, Theresa Brady

Susie Brabec, Bonnie Wiggers

GOODWILL VOLUNTEERS

Linda and David Derrick

Bettye Jolly, Anna Burnett, Grady Jolly

Bo and Mary Helen Bowen, Muller Addkison, Claudia and Robert Hauberg

Chris Carmichael, Susan Christensen

David and Lyn McMillan, Sandy and Mac Temple

Donald Truett, Betty Rushton; (front) Marie and Harold Mayer

Claude and Karis Harbarger, Deidra Bell, Janis and Deral Knight

Tommy Williams, Doug Swayze, Dean Alexander, Chuck and Corrine Sampson

Tobi Miller, Gray Wiggers, Lauren Mozingo

Charla Howard, Irene and David Brownlee, Morgan Wiggers december 2012

GOODWILL VOLUNTEERS

John and Nell Flynt

Ben, John Grady, Phillip and Anna Burnett

Nan Graves Goodman, June Stone, Marsha and Tim Cannon

J.G. and Phil Burnett

Jenny, Hank and Sandra Holman, Len and Sally Martin 92

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Napolean Johnson, Donna and Brian Sims

Jamie and Katy Houston, Paul and Perrie Calhoun

Emma Grace, Dale, Marsha and John Dale Dieckman

Kimberly and Shawn Conerly, Margo and Shelby Burnside

Tim and Vicki Ellis, Henry Burkhalter, Gene Wright

december 2012

EVENTS ENCHANTED EVENING UNDER THE STARS GALA Enchanted Evening Under the Stars gala benefiting Blair E. Batson Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital was held recently at the Mississippi Museum of Art in the Art Garden. The gala included a live art auction, food, a raffle for $5,000, and music from KARMA. Frances McCain, Lucy Mazzaferro, Howard and Susan Jones

Justin and Melanie Schade

Jackie Petrus, Andrew Rivard, Kara and Guy Gieseck

Bill Ray, Marcy Nessel, Lesly Murray, Steve Edds

Richard Coker, Kathy Briner 94

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Melanie Schade, Judy Packard, Michele Revord

Bryan Jameson, Liz and Chip Walker

Paul and Fair Hurst, Cathy and Joey Havens

Kelley and Brad Gatlin

Audrey and Jim Wilkerson

Jimmy and Jona Keeton

ENCHANTED EVENING UNDER THE STARS GALA

Suzan and Tommy Thames

Kim and Mickey Paduda, Shannon and Kevin Hahn

Laura and Chris Walters, Jancsi Artz, Beth James, Kathy Molpus

Mart and Lyllian McMullan

Scott and Karma Williams, Jessica and Jeffrey Lohmeier

Alan and Holly Lange

Tena McKenzie, Jim Albritton, Laura Hodge

Elizabeth and Jeff Upchurch, Shelly and Patrick Gough

Scott Palmer, Ann Brock

Amanda and Beth Alliston

Stephen Barnette, Katie, Deb and Mike Lightsey december 2012

EVENTS CATFISH AND SOUL ANNUAL FUNDRAISER Catfish and Soul, the annual fund-raiser for the Harbor House, was held recently at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum. Shown are scenes from the event. Daniel and Byron Warrington, Molly Gough, John Buford

Jake and Frank Garrison

Paula Nelson, Marlena and Philip Pickering, Craig Nelson

Forrest Gholston, Rick Young, Glenn Lamons, Phil Cook, Jim Garner

Stina Jacobs, Billy Wynn 96

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Sarah Johnson, Marianne Wynn

Trost and Pam Friedler, Sean Guy

Melissa Summers, Sharen Powell, Julie Craft

Jessie and Nancy Lane, Gail Sykes, Ty Rogers

Merlyna Decker, Stephanie Crawford

Charlanne and Dale Schwindamann

CATFISH AND SOUL ANNUAL FUND-RAISER

Venera Brown, Suzanne Ferriss

Calvin Michel, Chester Mixon, Tammy Golden, Kevin Cornell

Brook Bailey, Pam Martin, Pam Moore, Shirley Miles

Shirley Kosser, Kim Brown

Sara Porter, Dalton Thames

Pam and Corlise Thomas

William Goodman, Nell Knox

Peggy and Johnny Sweat

Laura and Al Underwood

Steve and Nelene Nedford

Jerri and Morgan Avery

Catherine, Brett and Brett Ashy

Jayne Jones, Tommy Marshall, Susan Taylor

Antonio Williams, Stacey Hester, Tivo Espino december 2012

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december 2012

EVENTS MAD (WO)MEN AGAINST MS First MasterChef winner Whitney Miller was the special guest at the inaugural Mad (Wo)Men Against MS cocktail night, held at the Viking Cooking School. The event featured a cooking demonstration, silent auction and Cocktails for a Cure drawing. Laura Leverett, Jamie Russell

Sandra Buchanan, Ginger Robbins

Hiweda Jones, Charles Doty, Phyllis Epps

Bobby and Leigh Anne Coleman, Melissa Pringle, Brenda Scaggs

Kaye B. Allen, Kim Haynes 100

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Pamela and Pat Smith

Mary Ellen Stancill, Lora Bingham, Dorothy Stancill

Anne Daly, Robin Rae Burns, Jamie Russell

Shay and Anne Daly, Jamie Russell, Phillip Yarbrough

Jessie and Becky Leverette

Malissa and Melvin Johnson

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EVENTS MKF BOARD MEETING The 47th annual meeting of the board of trustees and the professional advisory board of the Mississippi Kidney Foundation was held recently at Nick’s Restaurant.

Donna Smith, Dr. Alvin Brent, Bonnie Coleman

Drs. Chris Anderson and John Bower

Drs. Luis Juncos and Catheirne Wells, Tina Walker, Dr. Otis Gowdy

Jim Walden, Cal Wells

To have your parties, events, weddings, happenings included in our magazine, please call 601-957-1122 for more information. It’s easy.

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Brian Rippee, Max Yates

We’ve Got You Covered!

Theresa Fuller, Jeff McPherson, Lee Parrott

Henry Skelton, Bill Crim

Kent Wilkinson, Jerry Fuller

december 2012

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EVENTS SAVING GRACE BENEFIT Saving Grace, a benefit for Grace House, was held recently at St. James Episcopal Church. Entertainers included the Grace House choir, James Martin and Friends featuring Dr. Russell Thomas Jr., Fred Knobloch and special guest Greg ‘Fingers’ Taylor, and dancing by Latinismo. Shown are scenes from the event.

Jody Donald, Traci Copeland

Beth Elliot, Jim Dollaride

the Revs. Rob Hill and Molly McWade

Grace Duckworth, James Martin, Betty Allin

Melissa Crouch, Ann Whitehurst, Peter Clark

Margaret McLarty, Tommy Weems, the Rev. Molly McWade

Frank Puryear, Adam Stringer

Art Minton, Janice Pearson, Jan Watson

Lucy Ferron, Sandy McKellar

Misti Dossett, Coleen O’Brien

Jackie Ellens, Jim Jackson

Rusty and Linda Smith december 2012

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Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone Number: Check enclosed for $20.00 for one year subscription. Please bill me $20.00 for one year subscription.

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december 2012

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EVENTS THE CEDARS JURIED ART EXHIBITION RECEPTION The opening reception for The Cedars 2012 Juried Art Exhibition was held recently. The show is part of the Four Seasons of The Cedars Visual and Performing Arts Series and features more than 90 works selected by William Dunlap. Cathie Moore, Linda Wilson, Steve Douglas

Equonya Razan, Nateasha Carter

Debbie Rayner, Jim Wilkirson, Russell Christie

Katrina Arrington, Brian Howard, Elizabeth and John Thweatt

Robert and Sara Margaret Johnson 110

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Debbie Minor, Elizabeth Thweatt, Tammy Hodges

Betsy Nation, Ann Brock, Bill Nation

Kathy Love, Cecille Wardlaw, Pam Wharton, Emily Mosley

Donnie Moore, Joyce Pantall

Carol and Tom Rietvelt

Vicky Boteler, Sarah McTaggart

THE CEDARS JURIED ART EXHIBITION RECEPTION

Jomarius White, Keyonte Jackson

Mary Jo McAnally, Jan Farrington, Tom and Laurilyn Fortner

Charlie and Vivian Williams, Susan Shands and Howard Jones

Emily Mosley, Jarrod Patridge

Mary Calamity, Katie Mills, Heidi Pitre

Frances and Allen Gardner

Larry Singleton, Ken and Jane Jones

Chung-Fan Chang, Packer McBride

Pam and Kit Kinsey

Sam Clark, Jessica Wood

Kay and Sue Watts

Mack Osborne, Jo Lynn Michael

J.D. and Meredith May

Rhonda Blasingame, Mona Crowell december 2012

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EVENTS FARM TO TABLE 100 The first annual “Farm to Table 100” was held recently at Table 100. This event celebrated local farmers and their bounty of the season. The night included appetizers with specialty cocktails, live music, staff and local farmers “meet and greet,” a silent auction, and a threecourse meal with live music and wine. A portion of the proceeds was donated to Farm Families of Mississippi. Peggy Magee, Lil Grant, Mary Knight

Liza and Rick Looser

Andy and Jennifer Ostrenga, Amanda and Jamie Eaton

Chris McDonald, Derek Howard, Adam Briscoe, Sam Montgomery

Tate and Elee Reeves 112

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Tim Cooper, June Rogers, Cindy Hunt

Karen and Bill Crews

Chris Eaton, C.A. Hall, Bert Green

Kristen and Sidney Allen, Anna and Jon Pearson

Lisa and Jamie Foy

Chance and Chrysler Carter

FARM TO TABLE 100

Carrie McPeters, Jason Kramer

Brittany Reyer, Anna Paisleigh, Jody Reyer, Rebecca Dodd

Mike and Nell Stack, Debbie and Andy Kilpatrick

Abby Phillips, Anna Richardson, Winnie Rubin

Sara Pannel, Sibby, Kiley and Justin Lewis

Libby and Ted Kendall

Harriett Course, Danderia Walker

Becky and John Tatum

Brad Brister, Cindy and Andy Christian

Lisa Foy, Deirdre Danahar

Mary and Gordan Lyons

Sheramie Shore, Bill Latham, Jancsi Artz december 2012

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EVENTS THE GREENVILLE CONNECTION PARTY The Greenville Connection Party was held recently at the Northpointe Red Barn. Shown are scenes from the event.

Sug and Doe Signa, Amy Smith

Mary Lou Sorey, Vicki Dantone

Whit, Debbie and Elizabeth Rayner

J.J. and Matt Christian, Christina and Taylor Polk

Ken Banks, Benny Dykes 114

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Maur McKie, Lynn and Herbert Hays Thompson

Mike Foresman, Denise Wilson, Gene Johnston

Brenda Davidson, Rick Hudgens, Joe and Mary-Jeanne Bouton

Barbara Travis, Chere Hitt Stegall

Majre Northway, Charles Purvis

Maur and Karen McKie

THE GREENVILLE CONNECTION PARTY

Elizabeth Koestler, Nathan Luter

Val Vickery, Charles and Etta Cox, Jill Futey

Nonie Joyner, Fred Ingram, Larry Joiner, Benella Albinder

Fountain and Sandy Barksdale

Jeff DeMatteis, Madelyn Montjoy, Amy Smith

Sug and Doe Signa

Linda and Randy Dismuke

Ed and Jean Lancaster

David Wilson, Patty Layman Horton

John Causey, Frank Smith

Anne Kossman, Sally Ibsen

Carolyn McCrary, Butch Wailes

Scottie Davis, Charles Purvis

Linda and Bob Wilson december 2012

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EVENTS ART FOR HEART DONOR RECEPTION The American Heart Association and the 2012 Art for Heart committee hosted the Art for Heart donor reception recently at Viking Cooking School. Shown are scenes from the reception.

Alon Bee, Frances and Billy Ware

Jan and Lawrence Farrington

Rosa Wilson, Michelle Alexander, Christiana Williams

Chris Shoukry, Lisa and Pat Busby

Giorgio Aru, Lisa and Larry Ratzlaff

Martin and Mary Taylor

Peder and Jennifer Johnson

Maggi and Lee Lampton

Stan and Becky Herrin

John and Nancy Price

Mart McMullan, Jan Farrington december 2012

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