11 november 2016

Town &Gown November 2016

A Cut Above the Rest:

Shaw blades

Seasons of life with Reggie Kelly Our Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Maroon Volunteer Center:

Bringing the Bulldog Spirit to the community

The South’s leader in Estate Jewelry and Diamond Solitaires.

1.866.VANATKINS | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN NEW ALBANY | VANATKINS.COM

TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE .COM HOME . GARDEN . LIFE . STYLE . FOOD . HEALTH . FITNESS 6

Calendar of Events

24

Maroon Volunteer Center: Bringing the Bulldog Spirit to the community

27 Local tradition continues with FUMC’s Holiday Bazaar

31 Waldrop Chiropractic: Cracking into a Career

34

Tablescape inspiration from Giggleswick and Thyme

42

On the page: Susan O’Bryan’s November book review

44

Health with Katie Zampini

47

8 Seasons of life with Reggie Kelly

12 A hole in one: New Mossy Oak Golf course offers new

19

Taste and Toast: Thanksgiving Side Dishes

52

A cut above the rest: Shaw Blades

Fall Fashion

playing experience

65 Events

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Reproductions in whole or in part,without written permission,is strictly prohibited. No responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited manuscripts, articles or photographs. We reserve the right to edit submissions before publication. Town & Gown is a free magazine published monthly and distributed in and around Starkville and the Golden Triangle area. Subscriptions are available for mail customers. For subscriptions or inquiries,write Town & Gown Magazine, P.O. Box 1068, Starkville, MS, 39760, or call 662.323.1642.

We Dream. We Do.

November 2016 | 5

Seasons of life with Reggie Kelly Reggie Kelly, who caught nearly 200 passes over 12 seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals, has parlayed his considerable name recognition into a growing company, KyVan, whose products are in over 30 states and 1,000-plus stores around the country.

But what drives the Atlanta resident today is no different from what motivated him while growing up in Aberdeen.

“My goal, when I started the company, was to glorify God,” Kelly said. “I had a great platform when I played football. This is no different. I want to continue to earn more and more resources and use them to help out those less fortunate – with

By Joe Lee

school supplies for kids, feeding the homeless, feeding people at holidays. I want kids, at our cost, to be able to go shopping with athletes at the holidays and make it a fun experience for them.

“I love my home state of Mississippi. I love coming home and doing whatever I can to be some form of inspiration to the kids. We have given free hams and turkeys to the elderly. We have free football camps for kids in Aberdeen – we’ve done that to reward those kids who’ve shown academic excellence. We want kids to see that the sky is the limit, that wherever they’re from – big city to small town – dreams can become reality.”

Photos submitted

Last year, Kelly collaborated with MSU teammate Chris Rainey (and former rival, when Rainey played football at nearby Amory High School) to raffle off donated KyVan products as a fundraiser for the Amory High volleyball team.

Kelly and his wife, Sheila, also came home to help out when an EF5 tornado ripped through the town of Smithville in Monroe County in April 2011.

“A lot of homes were damaged, and lives were in despair,” Kelly said. “Sheila and I wanted to be an inspiration, but those people inspired us – they were upbeat and believed a brighter day was to come. I had an opportunity to go to one of the schools and hand out books, trying to put a smile on the faces of the kids, and we donated to the United Way. “I try to do that in places across the country, try to help our communities that have been devastated by some sort of trauma or natural disaster. I believe God put me here to be a light and help out – if it’s within our resources, Sheila and I try to make a conscious effort to help.”

Kelly volunteers at Camp Twin Lakes, a network of camps in Georgia that provides programs for children with serious illnesses and disabilities; he typically drops by a local Williams Sonoma to cook with KyVan products, then offers samples to customers and advises them that when they buy his products that day, proceeds go directly to Camp Twin Lakes.

Additionally, Kelly coaches lower elementary kids in football and basketball on a volunteers basis, and he donated KyVan products at an event several months ago to honor those serving in the Tupelo 10 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

National Guard.

“It means a lot to me to give back to any branch of our military,” Kelly said. “Husbands were away from their families, and I wanted to put smiles on the wives’ faces and the faces of their kids. There were 250 wives there, and Sheila and I gave apple butter to them to show them how much we appreciate what they do for our country.”

Kelly’s own kids, for whom KyVan is named, are now in middle school – daughter Kyla is 12 and son Kavan is 10. The former NFL star, who graduated from MSU with a degree in Industrial Technology and made the All-SEC honor roll, takes the kids with him to events and never misses an opportunity to share important lessons with them.

“I want them to experience life,” Kelly said. “I want them to see great customer service when I’m presenting my products to potential customers and merchandisers. I want them to treat people equally, and the way they want to be treated. We’re raising them to have love and compassion for all mankind.

I hope they can take those lessons and pass them on to their kids.”

Visit Kelly’s website at www.kyvan82.com, and find them on Facebook.

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A hole in one: New Mossy Oak golf course offers new playing experience 30 years Old Waverly has been the standard bearer for championship golf in Mississippi. Now the West Point golf course will share that spotlight with the newly opened Mossy Oak Golf Club. Located adjacent to Old Waverly, Mossy Oak immerses golfers in the peaceful natural surroundings of the Mississippi Black Prairie.

Mossy Oak Golf Club officially opened Labor Day Weekend. Chris Jester, Head Pro and Director of Golf at Mossy Oak, is excited about the new course and the opportunities. “The first two months have been great. We’re excited to see how course matures and fills in this spring,” he says.

“Great things just kind of happen,” Jester explains, saying when the property across the road from Old or almost

By Clint Kimberling

Waverly became available their team jumped at the chance to acquire it. The golf course now sits on a property that once was home to the Knob Hill Dairy Farm, a fact that is evident in the courses wide open layout.

Mossy Oak Golf Club is the result of a unique collaboration between owner George Bryan and Toxey Haas, founder of the camouflage and outdoor lifestyle brand Mossy Oak. The creation of the course combined Bryan’s vision, architect Gil Hanse’s expertise, and the Old Waverly and Mossy Oak teams working together to provide a distinctive golfing experience.

Hanse, one of the foremost golf architects working today, was brought in to design the course. Hanse is most well-known outside of West Point for designing the 2016 Olympics course in Rio de Janeiro. Jester says it’s a very strategic course. “You have to think

Photos submitted

your way around each hole. And so far players are having fun learning and figuring it out.”

While Mossy Oak is adjacent to Old Waverly and, for the time being, sharing some facilities Jester emphasizes that the are two totally different courses. Old Waverly is a classically designed course whereas Mossy Oak is more minimal in layout, like a links style course. “We didn’t move much dirt around during construction and didn’t clear out many trees. We just sort of set the course in the ground,” he explains.

This is exactly where the course slogan of Nature’s Golf comes from. “Nature’s Golf,” Jester explains “is a return to basics. The course has a very natural layout. There are no houses on the course, and we’ve worked hard to keep the native areas intact,” he says referring to the Black Prairie vegetation that is common to the area The course offers several unobstructed views, and from one point you can see every flag on the course.

Jester adds, “Most golfers prefer to ride, but it’s a great walking course. The tees and green are close together, making it more appealing to the walking golfer.”

When asked about his favorite hole, Jester makes special mention of number 17. “It’s a short par 5

with a sizable bunker, George’s Bunker, which really commands the landscape and protects the green.” He hesitates to call it the course’s signature hole because, as he puts it, he wants golfers to make their own signature hole on the course. “A signature hole could just be one they birdied or made a great shot on or won a bet.”

The daily guest fee is $150 which includes a cart.

Forecaddies are required for nonmembers but as Jester says, the advice they can give on the best way to play each hole is well worth it. There are “stay and play” packages available at Old Waverly that offer a great deal and reduced green fees for both courses.

Jester says Mossy Oak hopes to reach a whole new market of golfers in the state and region. With two championship courses in one facility, West Point has become a destination for the traveling golfer. Jester says Mossy Oak “will rank near the top of the courses in the state and is certainly a course you wouldn’t expect to see in Mississippi. It is absolutely a course that all Mississippi golfers need to put on their bucket list.”

November 2016 | 15

Volunteer Starkville: Putting Starkville’s volunteers on the map

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olunteer Starkville, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organized in 2010, serves as the volunteer center for Starkville and Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. Initially operated by an AmeriCorps VISTA, funding was secured through the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service in 2011 when the Board of Directors hired its first Executive Director. A year later, that position became open.

Jamey Bachman was in search of a job in the community engagement field after graduating from Mississippi State University with a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration and completing her graduate coordinator position in the MSU Department of Student Leadership and Community Engagement for the Day One Leadership Community.

“Through that position, I fell in love working with nonprofits and developing service agreements for the Day One action teams,” she said. “Volunteer Starkville began advertising for an Executive Director during June 2012. It was absolutely perfect timing.”

By Richelle Putnam

Jamey applied for the job, interviewed and was hired.

Volunteer Starkville provides volunteer recruitment and management services to nonprofits and community organizations free of charge and connects residents with volunteer opportunities matching their interests and skills.

“If you are an individual or group looking to make a difference in your community, meet new people, develop and utilize skills and/or meet community service requirements,” said Jamey, “let us help find you the perfect volunteer opportunity that aligns with your interests and skills.”

Volunteers are the backbone of most nonprofit organizations, explained Jamey, because, without a strong volunteer base, many nonprofits wouldn’t be able to achieve the goals of their missions.

A volunteer center is a valuable community resource because it serves as a clearinghouse for volunteerism, connects volunteers with nonprofits and serves as a resource for nonprofits to help create, develop and build volunteer programs, and train staff on the best practices of volunteer management.

“It also serves as a resource to people in the commu-

Photos submitted

November 2016 | 17

nity to become active, engaged citizens by connecting them to an ongoing menu of needs in the community that can be met through community service.”

Although Volunteer Starkville was originally founded to serve the City of Starkville and Oktibbeha County, it now includes Clay and Winston Counties.

“Volunteer Mississippi requested that we expand our services in 2015 to neighboring counties to help increase volunteerism within the state,” said Jamey.

“In order to do so, we have begun identifying nonprofits in these two counties and reaching out to them with our services.

Volunteer Starkville now serves over 160 nonprofit and community organizations, including Oktibbeha County Humane Society, Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Catch-a-Dream Foundation, Contact Helpline, United Way of North Central MS, Starkville Area Arts Council and the Greater Starkville Development Partnership. Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity, Starkville Community Theatre, Oktibbeha County Excel by 5 Coalition, Henderson Ward Stewart School, Starkville Boys and Girls Club, Christian World Missions, Oktibbeha County Relay for Life, and Rock Hill Community Cemetery Association are also included in that list.

Volunteers are a rare breed. They do something for nothing, give only for the sake of giving, and rarely receive or expect recognition. In a world becoming much more technologically-oriented rather than people-oriented, how will this affect organizations like Volunteer Starkville? In 2015 Volunteer Starkville reported 26,558 volunteer engagements among its nonprofit partners within its service area, representing more than a third of the volunteer engagement reports for the entire state.

“One of the reasons why Starkville is such a wonderful place to live is because there are quality programs and events for all ages from Scouting to community theatre,” said Jamey. “I see volunteerism continuing to grow, and I hope it continues to develop as a way of life for the people in our community.”

Volunteer Starkville www.volunteerstarkville.org Email: jamey@volunteerstarkville.org Phone: 662.268.2865 Follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

18 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

A Cut Above the Rest:

Shaw blades

“When you’re buying a knife, you’re buying that person’s passion”- Mitchell Shaw Mississippi is home to some of the best entrepreneurs this side of the Mississippi River. Olive Branch native Mitchell Shaw has taken his love for a well sharpen and finely honed knife and turned it into a thriving business. Mitchell yearned for a creative outlet where he could use his hands. His search led him to a grinder he found on Craigslist and tutorials on making high-end knives, and in 2011 Mitchell created Shaw Blades.

He then signed up for Blacksmithing I & II classes at the Metal Museum located in Memphis and, before he knew it, he was at his first knife show. Mitchell has created quite the name for Shaw Blades, as his knives are known for their distinctive look, personalized names and custom yet timeless appeal. He does his own heat treating and finds it to be one of the most magical parts of the process. All of his knives start as a piece of high-quality carbon or stainless steel. Most of his pieces are 52100, O1, W2, and AEB-L knives.

The blades are shaped by both stock removal and forging methods and finished with a machined finish, hand sanded, acid washed, or parkerized. He then marks each of his knives with his symbol: Fibonacci spiral which he freed from its rectangular cage.

By Amanda Lucas

“It symbolizes the flow of balance whether it be spiritual, physical, or mental,” says Mitchell. Mitchell also explains how important it is to examine the handle and make sure it’s cemented to the blade for a tight fit. Also checking the balance on a knife is important as well.

“You never want anything that’s super heavy towards the handle and super light toward the front of the knife,” he explains.

Since Mitchell makes a wide array of knives it’s no surprise that he has trouble picking a favorite.

Though, right now, one of his favorite knives right now is an Adventure Knife with a pakerized blade knife with a black linen micarta handle. One of his best knives, a 9.5 inch Gyuto with double Burl Wood, was sold to a chef in Jackson, MS. It was that was a kitchen knife. Mitchell explains that chefs are very specific when it comes to knives.

“They know exactly what they want,” says Mitchell, “The blade pattern they ask for is very specific, and they don’t ask for anything crazy.”

While Mitchell attends a variety of craft shows, gun shows and knife shows he also has plans to transition to a homestead and physical storefront. For more information about Shaw Blades you can contact Mitchell at info@shawblades.com.

Photos submitted

20 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

A fortunate change: Local author creates refuge for abandoned and abused animals

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arolyn Haines, the best-selling author of the Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries and many more titles, hails from a family of animal lovers and advocates.

She has taken in strays, fostered for lab rescues, and basically changed her life for animals.

The truth is, many people just don’t get Carolyn’s close bond with animals.

“It's a DNA thing, I suppose,” she said. “I see these animals starving on the side of the road, injured, shot, poisoned, unwanted, and often euthanized in shelters.”

At the suggestion of her good friend, Aleta Boudreaux, Carolyn formed a 501(c)(3) organization that would qualify for grants to help reduce some of the financial strain of the medical needs of the animals. That organization was Good Fortune Farm Refuge (The Refuge).

“With grant money, we could help more people,” said Carolyn. “Aleta is a real service person, from senior centers to libraries,—she's simply smart and devoted to making the world a better place. She helped me help the animals.”

Grant monies awarded to The Refuge are distributed for such things as basic vet care, emergency vet care, spaying and neutering, etc., to low-income families who just can't afford these vital necessities for their animals. Also, certain vet services in the area offer what assistance they can.

By Richelle Putnam

For Carolyn, Good Fortune is definitely a calling and a passion, just like her writing. On the other hand, being there to medicate, walk and tend to the animals does have its restrictions.

“It's hard for me to leave longer than a couple of days because it's complicated with so many animals with such diverse needs,” said Carolyn. “But I feel compelled to do this. It's overwhelming at times, but I manage to find the place where I believe what I'm doing is important, at least to the animals in my care.”

The Refuge is located on Carolyn’s small farm, where she writes her best-selling novels. Currently, there are eleven dogs, eight cats, and three horses, which, Carolyn admits, is almost more than she can manage.

"There is only so much space and time and money," she said. "But we get it done every day. The horses have wonderful pastures and stalls. They have vet care and farrier work. Many of the dogs and cats are older with health issues."

Did you know that one unneutered female cat—if all of her kittens live and reproduce—will result in 120,000 cats in 10 years? For dogs, it's about 64,000, though that figure may be a bit higher or lower, according to Carolyn. This is unnecessary because legislators could pass laws criminalizing cruelty and make “spay/neuter” mandatory.

“It works. Check out the Northeast,” said Carolyn.

In fact, many strays from the South are sent to the Northeast to find homes because the spay/neuter laws there have eliminated strays. “Holland has no stray

Photos submitted

dogs and a law that levies a $6,000 fine for those who do not spay and neuter.” Carolyn believes that puppy mills should be closed down and that there is great suffering in the world due to the overpopulation of animals. “It could all be avoided with simple birth control techniques and education. Vaccinations could prevent untold suffering.”

Witnessing first-hand the neglect and abuse of animals is very hard, but working with injured animals—and the cretins who harm them—does give Carolyn good ideas about how to kill the villains in her books. Zinnia, the fictional place where her characters’ love and care for their pets, is also the place where a bunch of people may be killed off.

“I don't think I'll ever be killing off any of the pets,” but, as Carolyn’s main character, Sarah Booth, says, "Some men [or people] just need killing."

Animals, on the other hand, are capable of great love and forgiveness and are here to teach us many lessons—learn from them.

http://goodfortunefarmrefuge.org/ Donations can be mailed to Good Fortune Farm Refuge, 2486 Ellen Dr., Semmes, AL 36575. All donations are tax deductible, and virtually every penny of every dollar goes to the aid of animals.

22 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

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Maroon Volunteer Center: Bringing the Bulldog Spirit to the community

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ost people view the act of volunteering as a chore, or maybe something they begrudgingly do a few Saturdays out of the year, but Meggan Franks has made a career out of it.

Franks is the Assistant Director of the Office of Student Leadership and Community Engagement at Mississippi State University, where her primary responsibility is overseeing the Maroon Volunteer Center. Under her leadership, the center connects over 6,000 students, faculty and staff with community agencies and volunteer opportunities within Oktibbeha County.

Franks is an MSU grad and former varsity track athlete who has been with the Maroon Volunteer Center since 2010. After working at a few other jobs, Franks said she just wasn’t feeling very satisfied or

By Clint Kimberling

fulfilled, so she jumped at the opportunity to work at the MVC and couldn’t be happier.

Franks juggles a lot of responsibilities from her office and says there is no such thing a typical word day for her. She could be at a volunteer site, teaching her mentor class or mentor training, overseeing programs or helping a student who drops by her office.

Franks really enjoys being hands on. “I like going to service sites with students, hammering nails, getting dirty. I get sad during summer when students are gone,” she says.

The Maroon Volunteer Center was originally established after Hurricane Katrina as a way to coordinate volunteer efforts. Shortly after that, the center organized a service project through Starkville Habitat for Humanity that involved all freshman students.

Since then, the MVC has maintained its relationship with Habitat as well as several other community partners and continued to grow. The center now

Photos submitted

November 2016 | 25

offers over 260 ways for students to volunteer and has an annual volunteer base of about 6,000 people.

Franks says, “When students get involved they are able to learn more about Starkville and the community surrounding the university. They are able to see the need and value in volunteering. Plus it’s a great way to meet other students.”

Service is a component of the official MSU mission statement. Franks says that’s it’s not just an empty slogan, but there is a real culture of service on campus.

“It’s developed over time; students have really taken that on and helped create culture. It starts with upperclassmen setting an example for freshman.”

Events like Service D.A.W.G.S go a long way to get new students involved early. The “Donate a Wonderful Gift of Service” event, which is held just after movein day, gives new students a chance to not only get involved early but also learn more about service organizations on campus. In the spring, MVC also organizes The Big Event — a one-day service event for the MSU community that will send student leaders and volunteers to 67 different service sites. “It’s an annual tradition that’s become very popular, and we have hundreds of students participate,” Franks explains.

26 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Other programs Franks and the MVC administer include the food security network that assists the MSU community in locating available food resources in the area. The goal is to match individuals with an agency that can accommodate them based on their food security needs. An extension of that is Block by Block Meal Program that acts as a virtual food bank that provides meal assistance to students who are in need. All students with a valid meal plan may donate one block meal per year to the program. “This was created to help students that may not be getting enough to eat. We distributed about 1700 meals last year.”

Franks wants students to think of volunteering opportunities as more than just resume builders. “Volunteering makes you feel good. You’ll never feel bad after doing 3 hours of habitat building. You’ll never regret that. I tell students to keep in mind that you’re part of making progress. The work you did made it possible for a family to have a new home.”

The Maroon Volunteer Center is not just for college students. In fact, community involvement is welcome. To learn more about volunteer opportunities around Starkville visit www.mvc.msstate.edu to see upcoming events and sign up their weekly newsletter.

Local tradition continues with Starkville First United Methodist Church’s Holiday Bazaar

T

he holiday season is, of course, a time to think of others who are less fortunate, and this year you can shop for unique handmade gifts while helping a Starkville family in need.

The 11th annual Starkville First United Methodist Church’s Christmas Handworks Bazaar will be held on November 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Christian Life Center. Proceeds from the event will benefit Starkville’s Habitat for Humanity. Starkville FUMC is a covenant partner with Habitat and the proceeds from the Handworks Bazaar contribute a large amount towards their annual pledge. Additionally, Habitat for Humanity is an ongoing major mission project for the church and the congregation regularly contributes enough money for a new house.

Bazaar Chairman Suzanne Dressel remarked, “I’m amazed at what an active, mission-focused church we have. It’s important to do hands-on work and come together for the common cause of helping people.”

By Clint Kimberling

Starkville Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Joel Downey is extremely grateful for the partnership and contributions that FUMC makes. He says the church is one of his organization’s strongest supporter.

“They constantly hold events and fundraisers that sponsor Habitat. And every three years or so they fully sponsor a house that is completely paid for. We have a lot of community partners, but they are by far the biggest,” he said.

This year’s bazaar will feature vendors selling handmade items crafted by local artists and artisans. There will be approximately 40 vendors on site including several returning favorites, regulars that have participated since the very first bazaar, and new shops as well.

Sellers at the bazaar fall roughly into five categories: jewelry, art, pottery, food and a miscellaneous section which includes home décor items such as doors signs and monogrammed wreaths. All booths will have an emphasis on local, handmade goods and products. Nothing for sale has been manufactured or mass produced.

Photos submitted

28 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

November 2016 | 29

Bazaar organizer Kathryn Laughlin says, “It’s a great place to buy unique, one of a kind Christmas presents and decorations. We will have lots of local jewelry designers, hand poured candles, crocheted and sewn items, and woodworkers who sell custom toys, cutting boards, and even rocking horses.” Food vendors will be selling delicious syrups, jams, jellies and salsas. There will be stained glass art including tree ornaments, wind chimes and nativity scenes.

Shoppers can look forward to not only a great assortment of handmade goods but activities and entertainment. The church will be selling lunch that day and will have musical entertainment throughout the day. There will also be a sweet shop featuring homemade baked goods such as brownies, cookies, and cakes all made, of course, by church volunteers.

One of the more popular items for sale will be frozen casseroles made by members of Circle Priscilla. Suzanne Dressel advises, “Get there early. Because people will be standing in line and they always sell out.” She goes on, “The chicken or vegetable casseroles are great for tailgating or to complement any of your holiday meals. And the heavenly sweet potato casserole with praline topping is also a crowd favorite.”

30 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Waldrop Chiropractic & Wellness: Cracking into a career

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hiropractic medicine proved to be both fate and destiny for Dr. Rachel Waldrop. Her first experience with chiropractic care was as a teen patient when her chiropractor diagnosed her scoliosis, which was a source of her back problems. This experience began her interest in the profession.

After graduating Mississippi State University with a degree in Biological Sciences, Rachel attended Chiropractic School in Marietta, Georgia and in 2010 moved back to Starkville to open her private practice. Today, Waldrop Chiropractic & Wellness has two chiropractors: Dr. Rachel Waldrop and Dr. William Buchanan.

“We are a diverse practice in that we use a lot of different techniques in treating our patients, in addition to chiropractic adjusting.”

Dr. Waldrop explained that the chiropractic adjustment helps the body in several ways; one is by taking the joint through its full range of motion, creating

By Richelle Putnam

proprioceptive training to restore normal movement and function. This also reduces pressure on the nerves which can occur due to many factors, including restricted joint movement, bulging discs and inflammation. The adjustment also helps to restore nutrient supply to the joint that has been impeded through loss of normal movement, which commonly results in conditions such as degenerative disc disease, nerve compression and pain syndromes.

“In a Chiropractic adjustment, the goal is to restore normal neurological and musculoskeletal function, most commonly in the spine, though we treat any joint problem,” said Dr. Waldrop.

Conditions commonly seen at her clinic are back pain, disc disorders, neck pain and headaches. For instance, explained Dr. Waldrop, bad posture can contribute to chronic spine problems because of the uneven loading to the spine, affecting the muscles through imbalance and abnormal tension. This results in wear of the joints over time and often leads to arthritis.

Photos submitted

32 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

“It all connects. Everything feeds off of one another,” said Dr. Waldrop. The nerves control the muscles, and the muscles feed back into the nervous system. “What we try to do is re-educate the body to start moving normally to stop the premature aging process.”

Today’s technology may also adversely affect a healthy musculoskeletal system. Children use cell phones at an early age now; many adults sit in front of a computer all day. For hours their heads are bent forward in an unnatural position. This can create major problems over time and cause certain conditions like early degeneration of the spine and headaches, a very common ailment relating to head posture.

“It doesn’t always create pain immediately, and a lot of people don’t realize they have a problem until they have symptoms, “said Dr. Waldrop. “By the time they have symptoms, a lot of damage may have been done.”

The human tendency is to treat the pain first for quick relief. However, it takes time, consistency and repetition to change a body properly. Patients must be educated on how to create and maintain a healthy lifestyle. At Waldrop Chiropractic & Wellness,

patients receive an initial evaluation and commonly x-rays to establish where the problems are coming from and how the problems originated. This includes assessing the patient’s posture, as well as their movement. What tissues are involved- nerve, muscle, fascia, ligament? Is there a structural issue?

“You can treat the pain, you can calm the tissue, but more than likely it’s going to come back if you do not change the underlying cause,” said Dr. Waldrop.

“Our bodies can be affected by many things including our nutritional and physical choices. Chiropractic care is one of the safest intervention strategies and treats the body as a whole.”

Dr. Waldrop’s basic daily tips: If working at a desk, move around every hour.

Walk at least thirty minutes a day.

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Eat a healthy diet.

Stretch frequently to improve flexibility Get proper sleep Address your body as a whole Website – www.waldropchiropractic.com

November 2016 | 33

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Lynn Phillips-Gaines, CFP®, Registered Principal Lauren Black, MBA, CFP® 104 West Lampkin Street | Starkville, MS 39759 Phone: 662-324-2889 | Fax: 662-324-2890 Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC

November 2016 | 41

on the page: susan o’bryan’s november book review The fourth Thursday in November marks the unofficial start of the holiday season for many households across the Magnolia State. Thanksgiving, traditionally a day of food and festivities, brings families and friends together to break bread, watch televised parades and cheer for their favorite football teams. From there, it’s barely a hop, skip and a jump until Christmas Day. The sense of family and belonging, or lack of, often spurs writers’ imagination. They know that letting readers “feel” for a character is what keeps us turning the pages.

This autumn’s crop of fiction is no different, and they offer up something for everyone whether it’s the hilariously insightful children’s book, “Grandma is a Slowpoke,” by Janet Halfmann or the heart-string-pulling “Seashell Season” by Holly Chamberlin.

Best-selling author Jodi Picoult is no stranger to feelings. Her novels tug on emotions, pulling her audience into deep experiences that often leave readers questioning what they’d do in similar circumstances. Her latest, “Small Great Things,” takes “family” to a new measure of how some struggle to fit in their own skin and find a sense of place in the greater family of society.

Ruth Jefferson, a widow raising a teenage son, has been a labor and delivery nurse for more than 20

years. She’s worked hard to “go along to get along,” never thinking too much about her role as a black woman in a white-dominated society. All that changes when a white supremacist family demands she not be allowed to care for their newborn son. Life changes in a blink when the baby goes into cardiac distress and Ruth is the only one in the room. The infant’s death turns what was a ripple of frustration and tension into a tsunami of blame, guilt and resentment for all concerned.

Now on trial for murder, Ruth begins to question everything – and everyone – around her. As she begins to view her life through darkened lenses, so do those around her. Despite the claims by her white public defender Kennedy McQuarrie, is it even possible for someone to “see no color” when life is not simply black or white?

Picoult doesn’t tread lightly regarding power and prejudice. She builds a well-developed plot for Ruth’s growing frustrations, Kennedy’s self-realizations and the backstory behind the grieving parents’ bigotry. Yes, the author has an opinion, but she lets her characters speak for themselves. Their voices will continue to whisper in the reader’s ear long after the last page is turned.

Acceptance is at the heart of Maddie Dawson’s good-natured novel, “The Survivor’s Guide to Family Happiness.”

The author uses her southern voice and colorful life experiences to create a cast that is both believable and relatable.

For better or worse, three women are forced to acknowledge their roles as daughter, sister and mother in this quirky story of family. Nina Popkin wants a life with her recently discovered sibling, while newly found sister Lindy McIntyre wants nothing to do with Nina or their birth mother, Phoebe Mullen, who was presumed dead and/ or gone. Each has a different view of life, and any interaction goes less than smooth. In the end, love and acceptance are proof that family has nothing to do with DNA. The sense of family plays out in a different manner in Rae Meadow’s “I Will Send Rain,” a recent Amazon Editor’s Pick of the Month selection. The story, rich in detail and epic in scope, focuses on a family’s struggle to survive emotionally and physically - during the early years of the Dust Bowl.

While the character-driven novel centers around mother Annie Bell, she’s not alone in her fight. Her husband, Samuel, escapes his ultimate failure as a farmer by fulfilling a vision, a personal message from God to build an ark. While the townsfolk snicker, Samuel is convinced that the rains will come again, bringing life back to their dreary, bleak world. Their 8-year-old son Fred, who never speaks, believes in hope, while their daughter Birdie learns love’s hard lessons.

The family’s desperation leaps off the pages and drags the reader back to the 1930s on the western Oklahoma Panhandle “where direction was the same. Flat, colorless, known.” The author’s extensive research brings life to the wild winds that wore down any and everything horse to human, ground to sky - with grit and grime. Meadows uses the style of alternating viewpoints to capture the day-to-day struggles – and dreams – of the Bell family and neighbors.

Meadows’ novel is sad from beginning to end, yet it gives power to hope. Even as grit fills their nostrils and the few remaining blades of grass dry up, the Bells refuse to give into hopelessness. They are willing to fight to keep their family intact no matter what, or who comes their way.

November 2016 | 43

y h t l a e H t s e v r a H A look into plant-based living with Starkville’s expert vegan.

Article and food photography by Katie Zampini Portrait photography by Megan Hancock

We couldn't look away. We decided from that point forward we could no longer participate in contributing to that industry. It was overwhelming at first to try and grasp that this would affect me for the rest of my life, but my heart was changed.

What do you feel are the biggest misconceptions people have about being vegan, and what would you say to correct these misconceptions?

Candice: People are most concerned about being deficient in protein, B12, and eating an adequate amount of calories. All I can say is our family is almost never sick. We don't take any medications and each have mental clarity and high levels of energy. The standard American diet has far more fat, redundant excess protein, sugar, and added chemicals than any person should have, ever. People are fatter and sicker than ever, and no amount of skinny pills or racing for cures is going to trim a body and reverse disease like a plant-based diet has proven to time after time. The evidence is here, and we need to be receptive of it.

What are the top three things you would say to a person following the Standard American Diet about the benefits of following a plant based/vegan diet?

Meet Starkville's Expert Vegan For many, the title "vegan" brings to mind an extreme lifestyle that seems impossibly restrictive. Our culture, especially in the South, is centered around food that doesn't often fall into the plant-based category.

While it may seem like a stretch to consider a plant-based lifestyle, consider this: plant foods deliver greater micronutrients than any animal sourced foods, and with fewer calories and no absorbable cholesterol. People who have adopted a vegan diet have claimed relief from chronic illnesses and even the reversal of cancer. The health benefits are obvious, but despite this, the lifestyle can seem impossible.

Meet Candice Paschal. She is a Starkville resident, a wife, a mother to twin boys, and a vegan. In fact, her whole family is vegan, including her children. Here, she answers some of the most frequently asked questions about a plant-based diet.

What prompted you to become vegan, and how did this lead to your whole family becoming vegan? What was that journey like for you and for them?

Candice: I've always had an open ear about the health benefits of a plant­based diet; I was even a vegetarian in college. But after I had my twins I wanted to investigate more about what the optimal human diet was. I not only wanted to get my baby weight off but I wanted the twins to grow up in a home where true healthy eating was a priority. After I understood the science behind eating a plant­based diet, and how it literally reverses cancer and tumor growth, it was a no­brainer for me. I immediately started implementing a plant­based diet at home. One night my husband and I watched Earthlings, a documentary by Sean Munson, and it really changed our lives forever. Not only were we supporting a plant­based lifestyle for health reasons, but Earthlings opened our eyes to the true nature of the animal food industry.

Candice: You will be happier by making your health a priority.

The food you eat directly affects your emotional and physical wellbeing, which has a ripple effect on every person that you come in contact with. Your body creates new cells everyday, and every 7 years your entire body will be replaced with entirely new cells. What you put into your body literally becomes you; hence, we truly are what we eat.

You will feel better than ever. If you're suffering from a chronic illness, there's freedom from what ales you, and the best part is, it does grow on trees. In an over- complicated world, it's exciting to know that the solution for many of the health problems that we face can be resolved simply with a change in diet.

It is easier than you think. There has never been a better time in history than now when you can walk into a grocery store and find the Garden of Eden. There are unlimited resources available for you from preparing dishes to answering questions. You just have to make a choice to begin. Your overall wellbeing will drastically improve when you begin eating a diet rich in fresh, whole, plant based foods. The only regret you will have is that you didn't begin sooner.

Many Americans feel that being vegan is an "extreme" lifestyle compared to their typical diet. What would you tell a person who is interested in a plant based diet but is unsure of their ability to fully embrace such a seemingly drastic change?

Candice: Dr Caldwell B Esselstyn said it best when he said, "Some people think the plant based whole foods diet is extreme. Half a million a year will have their chests opened up, and a vein taken from their leg and sewn into their coronary artery. Some people would call that extreme".

If someone is unsure of their ability to embrace such a drastic change, they can start by replacing one thing at a time. Maybe you replace chips with cucumber slices or replace cereal and milk with a fresh smoothie in the morning. Every journey begins with the first step, in due time, they will surprise themselves at how far they have come.

What are your favorite resources for information about vegan living and vegan recipes?

Candice: My personal favorites include: Documentaries: Forks Over Knives, Fat Sick and Nearly Dead, Cowspiracy and Earthlings.

Books: The 80/10/10 Diet and The China Study.

Websites: www.minimalistbaker.com www.ohsheglows.com Cookbooks: Thug Kitchen and Veganomicon.

Follow me on instagram for plant based inspiration @candicepaschal

A Healthy Harvest Raw Vegan Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Table

Crust 2 cups packed pitted dates 2 cups raw walnuts Dash of sea salt Filling 3 cups raw cashews, quick soaked** 2 large lemons, juiced 2/3 cup coconut, melted 1 cup coconut cream+ 1 cup agave nectar or maple syrup

Crust: Add dates and nuts to food processor or pulse in blender until chopped small. Cut strips of wax paper and cross place into 8­9" round baking pan with edges of paper coming out from the sides.

Use these tabs to remove the dessert once it has set. Dump crust into pan and press down firmly with spatula or cup.

Filling: *Quick soak cashews by boiling water and pouring water over nuts, and let stand for an hour.

Drain cashews, combine cashews, lemon juice, melted coconut oil, coconut milk, and agave nectar in blender. Blend completely until smooth. Pour over crust and place in freezer for several hours to set, or in the refrigerator overnight.

Crust and Apples 1/2 cup walnuts 1/2 cup dates Dash of sea salt 1 tablespoon raisins 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon agave nectar 2 apples Caramel 1 cup dates 1/2 cup hot water

Crust: Pulse dates, walnuts, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, agave nectar and sea salt in blender until chopped well, and distribute into custard dishes.

Apples: spiralize, shave, or thinly slice apples and toss with a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Caramel: Puree dates and hot water in blender until very smooth, adjust date to water ratio to adjust thickness of caramel.

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Taste & Toast:

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

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Recipes and photos by Lisa Bynum

Mashed Potato Casserole Serves 6

• 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes • 1 (8 oz.) block cream cheese, softened • 1 (16 oz.) container green onion dip, room temperature • Milk • ½ - ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese • Salt and pepper to taste 1. Bring a large stock pot of salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes. Boil until potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes.

2. Drain potatoes and mash.

3. Add cream cheese and green onion dip. Mix until thoroughly combined. If potatoes are a little stiff, add enough warm milk until potatoes reach desired consistency. They should be creamy and fluffy, not runny.

4. Pour mixture into an 8 x 8 inch casserole dish. Top with shredded cheddar cheese. If freezing, stop here.

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake until casserole is heated through and cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.

Black Eyed Peas with Saffron Serves 4

• 1 ½ cups frozen black-eyed peas • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • ½ medium Spanish onion, diced • 1 medium garlic clove, minced

• ½ teaspoon saffron threads • 1 teaspoon cumin • ½ teaspoon coriander • ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes • Freshly ground black pepper 1. In a large saucepan, bring six cups of water to a boil.

Return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and boil until peas are tender, about 25-45 minutes. Drain peas, reserving ⅓ cup of the cooking liquid.

Set peas aside.

heat. Add onion, garlic, saffron, cumin, coriander, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook until onion is tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.

3. Add reserved cooking liquid, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until liquid is almost absorbed, about two minutes. Add the peas and stir until mixture is combined and heated through.

Add parsley, lemon juice, red pepper flakes and remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and pepper.

2. In the same saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium November 2016 | 49

4. Add the rice to the pan. Stir rice until completely coated.

5. Add one cup of the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pan.

6. Reduce heat to medium.

Stir in the pumpkin puree.

Bring mixture to a simmer and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until all liquid is absorbed. Add the second cup of chicken broth and continue cooking as above.

7. Add the white wine and thyme and again, continue cooking as above. Total cooking time will be around 30-45 minutes, and by now, rice should be creamy and tender.

8. Remove the pan from the heat.

Add the Parmesan cheese.

Season with salt and pepper as desired.

Pumpkin Risotto with Chorizo and Mushrooms Serves 4

• 9 ounces chorizo sausage • 1 leek, white and light green parts only, halved, then diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, washed and sliced • 1 cup Arborio rice • 2 cups chicken stock • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree • 1 cup white wine • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 50 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

• Salt and pepper, to taste 1. Heat a lightly greased large sauté pan or a skillet with high sides over medium heat.

Add chorizo and sauté until it begins to render some of its fat, about five minutes.

2. Add leeks and mushrooms.

Saute for an additional five minutes or until leeks become tender and chorizo is completely cooked.

3. Add garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.

Sautéed Green Beans with Ginger and Caramelized Onions Serves 4

• 1 pound fresh green beans • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced • ¼ cup chicken broth • 4 cloves garlic, pressed • 6 thin ginger slices • 3 tablespoons sesame oil • 1 tablespoon sugar • 2 tablespoons soy sauce • Sesame seeds, optional 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add

green beans and boil for three minutes, and then immediately plunge beans into cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok. Once hot, add onions. Sprinkle with a little salt to draw out the juice.

Sauté onions until they start to soften, about five minutes.

Once the onions are soft and translucent, sprinkle them with a little bit of sugar. Continue to sauté until onions are very soft and start to brown, about 15 - 20 minutes.

3. Once the onions are brown and jammy looking, deglaze the pan with the broth. Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the remaining ingredients, sautéing until green beans are tender and heated through.

4. Pour green beans and any remaining sauce in a serving dish. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.

Sourdough and Sausage Stuffing Serves 4

• ½ pound sage flavored bulk pork sausage • 1 leek, white and green parts, chopped • 3 cups cubed sourdough bread • 1 teaspoon thyme

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning • ½ teaspoon paprika • ¼ teaspoon pepper • 1 – 1 ½ cups chicken stock 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook sausage in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until sausage is no longer pink.

2. Transfer sausage to a plate with a slotted spoon. Add leeks to sausage drippings and cook

until leeks become soft.

3. Combine sausage, leeks, bread cubes, thyme, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper.

Pour chicken stock over bread mixture. Using a spoon or your hands, mix bread mixture until bread is moist.

4. Transfer to a greased 8 x 8 baking dish. Cook for 40 minutes or until top is golden brown.

November 2016 | 51

Town and Gown’s Fall Fashions

P hotography by Divian Connor | Hair by Mia Salon | Makeup by Merle Norman Luna Bella | Clothes provided by The Book Mart and Cafe, Liza Tye, Giggleswick, Park P lace Boutique & Susan’s Hallmark

Outfit provided by: Liza Tye and Company\ Shoes provided by Park Place Boutique

Outfit provided by Book Mart

Outfit provided by: Liza Tye and Company

Outfit provided by: Liza Tye and Company

Outfit provided by Susan’s Hallmark Shoes provided by Park Place Boutique

Left: Outfit provided by: Liza Tye and Company Shoes provided by Susan’s Hallmark; Right: Outfit provided by Susan’s Hallmark

Left: Outfit provided by Giggleswick; Right: Outfit provided by Susan’s Hallmark

Left: Outfit provided by Giggleswick; Right: Outfit Provided by Susan’s Hallmark

Outfit provided by Park Place Boutique

Outfit provided by Book Mart

Outfit provided by Park Place Boutique

November 2016 | 63

NEW at VITALITY

Remarkably beautiful skin with

(662) 323-5377 • 321 University Dr. , Starkville, MS 64 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Carol McReynolds Davis Portrait Exhibits Photos by Margaret McMullen

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1. Franks Davis Jr. and Mike Shelton 2. Joshua Weisberg, Alex Ladewig, and Casey Alday 3. Rachel Royston and Brandon Sly 4. Ola Nike and Shaquita Woodson 5. Mandy Conrad and Mann Conrad 6. Mr. Frank Davis and Faye Fisher November 2016 | 65

Starkville’s Art in the Park Photos by Keats Vogest-Haupt

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1. Yucheng Liu, Yili Gru and Alexander Liu 2. Amy Aarhus, Kelly Morrow and Jonathan Morrow 4. Dominiqee and Skylar Campbell 5. Shan Robinson, Jyah Davis and Precious Stone 5. Angela Perez, Lali Toralba 6. Melih Akgul and Ayfer Akgul 66 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Starkville’s Unwine Downtown Photos by Ashley Covin

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November 2016 | 67

Mccomas Gallery Artists of the Armory Show Photos by Margaret McMullen

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1. Adey Efrem and Milly Rone 2. Jerry Jenkins and Terelyn Brown 3. Lori Nurf and Jacqueline Posley 4.

Ryan Dolusic and Mallory Hunt 5. Vance Hudson, Erin Blake and Cassidy Downs 6. Micaya Amerson and Travis McKnight 68 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Starkville Lion’s Club Wags and Tails Photos by Margaret McMullen

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November 2016 | 69

MSU Lyceum Series presents Zac Harmon Photos by Margaret McMullen

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1. Stephanie Poole and Margaret Mason 2. Abbey Ragan and Grant Lackey 3. David and Ellen Boles4. David and Ellen Boles 5. Dr. Sadik Artunc and Karen Artunc 6. Ken and Ann Cook

70 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

2016 CHRISTMAS IN

PA R AD I S E NOV 6

CHRISTMAS COOKIES with SANTA

OPEN HOUSE

10a - 2pm 200 East Main

NOV 28

STARKVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE 6:00pm Main St

Downtown & Around Town

NOV 30 & DEC 1 HOLIDAY BAZAAR

10:00am - 7:00pm Starkville Sportsplex

DEC 4

TOUR OF HOMES

1:30 - 5:00pm

/mscollegetown

Instagram Us @starkvillems

visit.starkville.org

OCH Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) Program graduates are equipped with the information and skills they need to achieve outstanding A1C levels.

The hemoglobin A1C blood test is a measure of overall diabetes control. Graduates are better able to manage their disease and improve this level, which can significantly enhance their quality of life.

To determine your specific needs, a member of our comprehensive DSMT team, which includes a certified diabetes educator, registered nurse, pharmacist and registered dietitians, will conduct an individual assessment. Programming and education includes individual instruction, group sessions and support group meetings addressing a number of topics.

Understanding the diabetes disease process • Nutrition Preconception and pregnancy care • Exercise and Fitness Foot Care • Managing medications • Blood glucose monitoring Acute and chronic complications

Nicky Yeatman, RD, LD, CDE (662) 615-2668 • www.och.org