WHY I LOVE BROOKHAVEN

from Brookhaven Magazine September/October 2020

WELLNESS

Pictured at top is the Monticello team of “divas.” Front row, from left, Skyler Cole, Sharnette Watkins, Becky Waldrop, Macey Greenlee. Back row, from left, Savannah Hall, Jimmie Grace Anderson, Grace White, Beth Creel, Jordan Anderson

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Williamson has seen her business roll with the punches.

“We definitely went through the hard part of the first two months of it,” Williamson said. “We have stayed in operation through the entire pandemic.”

The divas have personal protective gear in place, along with masks and foot covers. Despite the pandemic, business has soared for Southern Domestic Diva, with the Mississippi branch rising 30% since March.

“I think this year has taught us all a lot of patience,” Williamson said. “It’s taught me to keep going and taking on new tasks. You have to keep going. When life gives you lemons, you’ve gotta make lemonade.”

To shine light on her upbringing, Williamson named her company Southern Domestic Diva. In college, a friend of hers commented on her demeanor and how much of a diva she was, so it stuck.

Her employees are encouraged to wear red lipstick, as many women in the South were raised to not leave the house without lipstick on.

Williamson herself lives by this, and this is why her company’s slogan is “I believe in red lipstick.” Her employees, even have shirts with the saying on it. They also have personal protective masks with red lips on them.

“I’m trying to make an environment that’s fun to work in,” Williamson said. “It’s fun and out of the norm.”

For Williamson, this isn’t just branding, it’s a way of life.

“I believe in strong women and bringing them together,” Williamson said.

Having her company grow isn’t Williamson’s only goal. Not only does she want to succeed, but she wants to see her team succeed as well.

Allie Williamson is the founder and owner of Southern Domestic Divas cleaning service. The Lawrence County native has branches in Monticello and Nashville.

“I love seeing the girls in my company grow and provide for themselves,” Williamson said. “I would like to build an empire of women that empower each other and build each other up.”

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Photo by MSU Extension/Gary Bachman

Dill is easy to grow and is an excellent addition to fish dishes. It is also a food source for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

Try herbs for late summer gardens

By Gary R. Bachman MSU Extension Service

In the late summer and into the fall, some of my favorite garden plants are the annual herbs.

On top of my list of annual herbs are basil and dill. These herbs are aromatic and really easy to grow. And have I said they’re delicious?

Dill is perfect with salmon, cod and grouper. Placing the frilly fronds on the fish during cooking imparts a pleasant licorice flavor. Another favorite use is adding fresh-cut dill to my eggs for breakfast.

Dill also is a forage plant for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, so I make sure to have enough to share.

Basil is another wonderful plant that also is a great addition to my edible ornamental landscape. It offers a great range of aromas and flavors from licorice to lemon and lime. At my house, we love to use it to make different types of pesto and, of course, to whip up refreshing basil mojitos on a hot second summer afternoon.

There’s a wide variety of basil available for the garden. Selections come with beautiful green, red and variegated foliage.

Always harvest fresh herbs in the morning, as the essential oils — which are what supplies the herbal bang — will be at their highest concentrations then.

For annual herbs like dill and basil, it is important to pinch off developing flower heads. We want foliage, and flower production signals the plant to stop foliage production and favor seed development. I deadhead my dill plants and save the flower heads for homemade dill pickles.

But there are always exceptions to these rules. Late in the year, I like to let a few plants flower and collect the seed. It’s as easy as waiting until the seed heads have turned brown, collecting the seed and storing it in a labeled envelope. Saving some seed this year could help your garden next year.

This year, COVID-19 fueled major growth in gardening, which caused shortages of all seed supplies. Saving some herb seed this fall could make 2021 a tasty year.

Of course, you don’t have to save seed in an envelope. Sometimes I just let the seed heads disperse themselves and enjoy the surprise of where the herbs pop up the following year.

Annual herbs like dill and basil are really easy to grow in containers, which is my preferred growing method. Remember to use a good-quality, peatbased potting mix. Container herbs don’t take up as much room, which is perfect for maximizing the number of herbs growing on a porch or patio.

If you’re afraid you’ve missed out this year, the good news is there’s still time to grow these herbs. Many garden centers still have transplants, and you can always try growing some from seed.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 20 Why I love Brookhaven

For the people who know me, it’s a known fact that I love the city I live in. It’s my home, my happy place. But what many people don’t know about me is that it hasn’t always been like that.

I am not native to this area. I actually moved here nine years ago. Brookhaven was far different than where I lived in Jackson, and the stark difference bothered me. I hated how quiet it was. I hated how slow everything moved. I just didn’t like it.

Over time, I began to assimilate. I learned how things worked down here. I began to understand the people. Brookhaven began to feel like home.

It’s ironic, considering how a majority of my family is from the area. This was home all along; I just didn’t realize it at the time.

Nearly a decade later, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Anyway, this brings me to explaining why I love Brookhaven as much as I do.

I love Brookhaven because whether you’re eight or 80, there is something for you. Your age doesn’t matter, because you’ll find your place. Whether it’s joining an organization, club or a church, you can go somewhere and find a community of your own. Even if it’s looking for something fun to do, nearly every age group is catered to.

I love our city’s revitalized downtown. Many downtown areas in other cities and towns are run-down and empty, but our downtown is brimming with activity. Whatever you want to do, it’s there. Downtown is the place for eating and shopping, and even offers places to stay. I spent a lot of time downtown in high school, it’s the perfect place to walk around and explore with friends.

I love Brookhaven because of how the church moves here. My own church family at Mt. Zion is my favorite group of people, and I feel at home when I’m at church. Even when we’ve interacted with other churches in the area at local events, it’s been comfortable and fun.

As a graduate of both Loyd Star Attendance Center (2016) and Copiah-Lincoln Community College (2018), I can say that education in Brookhaven and Lincoln County is top notch. I cherish my time at both of these institutions, and I’ve learned lessons and made friends to last a lifetime. Ultimately, I knew that I wasn’t just another name on the roll sheet; I was someone that mattered to my teachers.

As a reporter for The Daily Leader, I have the opportunity to go out into my community and learn more about the city I work in and the people I interact with daily. I love doing my job and getting much-needed information to the people of our city, so they may stay informed and make the best decisions for their families.

History is a big part of Brookhaven, and as a history lover I enjoy learning more about what’s gone on here in the past. From reading about Whitworth College to touring the Lincoln County Historical Museum, and even walking down South Jackson Street and admiring the antebellum homes, there’s so much to learn. Our area’s history is special.

Finally, my most favorite thing about Brookhaven is the sense of community we have. If you go to town for groceries, you’re guaranteed to run into someone you know. Most faces you see are friendly, and conversations are more than likely bound to happen. If something happens to lift our city up, we rejoice together. In the case of a tragedy, we pull together, caring for those who need it. We’re there for each other, and there’s nothing more important than that.

And that’s why I love Brookhaven.

Gracie Byrne has lived in Brookhaven since 2011. She is the daughter of Ian and Melissa Rutledge. She has one brother; Cole, 14. She works as a journalist and a photographer. She lives with her family in the Mt. Zion community in Brookhaven.