September 2016

Town &Gown September 2016

Our Favorite

Tailgating recipes LOCALS PUT NEW SPIN ON CLASSIC BELL

Top 5 MSU Players to Watch this Season

In this Issue Home, Garden and Lifestyle from around Mississippi Calendar of Events

Wishlist

10

12 19

The Hostess with the Mostess: Starkville Native Named Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality

32 Carrying on the Tradition: Father Son Duo Prepare for 2016 Football Season

38

Putting the Luxe in Deluxe: Hartlein unveils The Whitney Suites

50

Bulldog Bash Continues to Draw Large Crowds

54

On the Page: Susan O’Bryan’s September Book Review

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23

Top 5 Players to

MSU Runner

Watch this Season

Reflects on Life, Track and the Olympics

42

62 Game Day Fashion

Creating the Cowbell: Starkville

77

Locals put a New Twist on the Tradiitional Ringer

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56

Taste and Toast: Town and Gown’s Tailgating Favorites

Events

September 2016 | 5

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

Our photographer, Brittney Dowell, did such a great job at the shoot for 929. Turn to page 46 to learn all about what’s new at 929!

on the cover.On. the Aren’t these cowbells on our September cover

Coverbeautiful? Turn to page 42 to check out three locals who put a new spin on the classic bell.

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Follow us on Instagram to see more shots from our photo shoots, articles from our current issue, our Friday Faves and so much more!

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©2016 UMMC

With Mississippi’s only children’s hospital plus clinics statewide, we’re here for every Mississippi kid.

Children’s of Mississippi is part of the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Learn more at mississippikids.org

Letter from the

Editor

Welcome to our Mississippi State issue! In this issue, you’ll find everything from the top five players to be on the look out for during the 2016 football season to unique and one-of-a-kind cowbells.

Everyone remembers their first cowbell and legend has it that your first cowbell should be a gift. When my sister and I were kids, our first cowbells came from a very special person. The spring before we moved to Starkville, my sister and I received ours from none other than the Easter Bunny. (Who knew the Easter Bunny was a Mississippi State fan?) I guess the Easter Bunny knew something we didn’t, because when we moved later that year, we were able to ring our cowbells at the first game of the season. Before the first game of the 2016 season, you’ll want to read Bob Carskadon’s piece about the top 5 MSU players you’ll need to keep a close eye on this football season. Speaking of this football season, Lisa Bynum has really outdone herself when it comes to this football season’s tailgating recipes. You’ll definitely want to try her cornflake cookies or her sweet onion squares for the first game of the season.

If you weren’t aware, MSU had two track and field athletes running in the Olympics. Town and Gown had the opportunity to sit down with Marta Pen Freitas while she was in Portugal training for the Olympics. Be sure to check out her story on page 23. Sports aren’t the only thing that MSU is good at. Turn to page 29 to read all about how MSU’s College of Business has helped increase Campus Book Mart’s social media presence and expand their business. We were also able to sit down with the state of Mississippi’s newest Miss Hospitality, Mary Elizabeth String. Mary Elizabeth is also a student at MSU. We hope you enjoy our 2016 MSU issue. Hail State!

Camille Watts-Carskadon Correction: Shandy Phillips would like to offer the correction that she was not on stage in Carnegie Hall at any time; however, she was in the audience of a select few Juilliard students supporting those upperclassmen who were performing at the dress rehearsal for that event. As a freshman at that time, she was absolutely blown away by the experience of being in Carnegie Hall for a dress rehearsal of this kind, with Green Day sitting directly in front of her, and Alice Cooper, whom she had the opportunity to meet, seated directly behind her during the performance of Sinead O’Connor.

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{ s t af f } Don Norman | publisher - sdnpub@starkvilledailynews.com Camille Watts-Carskadon| editor - editor@townandgownmagazine.com

{ account e x ec utiv es } Kathryn Rooker - kathryn@townandgownmagazine.com

{contr ibut or s} clint kimberling joe lee richelle putnam

{wr it er s}

lisa bynum bob carskadon susan o’bryan amanda lucas

{p ho t ogr apher s} ashley covin brittney dowell margaret mcmullen keats voges-haupt

{fa shion spr ead}

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{ s ty lis t }

camille watts-carskadon jessi cole

{ page design} camille watts-carskadon jessi cole

{adv er tising design} chris mcmillen 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.

September 2016 | 9

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September 2016 | 13

Top 5 players to watch this 2016 season

Story by Bob Carskadon

Photos by Kelly Price

Richie Brown, #39, Senior Middle Linebacker, 6-2, 240 pounds, Long Beach, Miss.

He’s probably most well-known for his beard – and understandably so, as his facial hair makes him look more like Ulysses S. Grant than a middle linebacker playing SEC football in 2016 – but beneath the facial hair growth has been the five-year growth of one of the top defenders in the conference. As his role has grown, so have his numbers, as he’s now racked up 197 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and five interceptions in three seasons of play.

Entering 2016, Brown is on the watch list for the Dick Butkus Award, an honor given annually to the best linebacker in the country. As a fifth-year senior, Brown is one of the team’s most important and vocal leaders, a respected figure on both sides of the ball.

Oh, and he’s married, has already graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree, is working on his MBA, plays the piano and loves to read.

Brown does it all.

September 2016 | 15

Fred Ross, #8, Senior Wide Receiver, 6-2, 205 pounds, Tyler, Texas

A.J. Jefferson, #47, Senior Defensive End, 6-3, 280 pounds, Summit, Miss.

A first-team All-SEC selection a year ago, Ross could end his career today and already have a place among the best to play receiver in the Maroon and White. By the end of the 2016 season, he may have a claim to be the greatest ever to do it. Ross broke three school records last year and is on pace to potentially break many more this year as the leading returning receiver in the SEC. The key with Ross, for fans and opponents alike, is to keep your eyes on him at all times. The playmaker will line up all over the field – inside, outside or even in the backfield – plus he’s shown a knack for returning punts. A polished route runner with strong hands and a solid frame, Ross is a danger to those who face him and a thrill to those who back him. Whoever ends up throwing passes for the Bulldogs this year, they’ve got a perfect target in No. 8.

Like fellow defensive star Richie Brown, Jefferson may be known more off the field for his outstanding beard – literally, as his beard both stands out from his face and stands out in a crowd. However, to coaches, he’s one of the most important pieces of MSU’s new-look defense. A strong rusher who is sound in his technique, Jefferson led the team in tackles for loss as a junior in 2015, also finishing second in sacks, all while racking up 47 tackles in his first season a starter.

Jefferson is the wily veteran and looked-to leader of the defensive line, though he stars just as much for his sparkling personality off the field. One of the favorite interviews of local reporters, Jefferson delivers both in persona and performance for the Bulldogs.

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PRESENTS

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Brandon Bryant, #1, Sophomore Safety, 6-0, 215 pounds, Tunica, Miss.

A rising star not just at MSU, but across the country, Brandon Bryant said he switched his jersey to No. 1 this year for one, simple reason: he wants the other team to know that when he crosses the line, he’s the best player on the field. As a redshirt sophomore, Bryant is actually in his third year in the program and is one of the team’s leaders on the defensive side of the ball.

As a safety, Bryant has to face some of the most dangerous athletes in the SEC. Luckily, he’s the fastest player in on MSU’s roster, running the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.24 seconds. Meanwhile, he’s also one of the strongest members of the secondary, as well as one of the hardest hitting. He’s not a household name just yet, but by the end of the season, there likely won’t be many people who haven’t heard of Brandon Bryant.

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Brandon Holloway, #10, Senior Running Back, 5-8, 165 pounds, Tampa, Fla. Holloway may be one of the smallest players on the roster, but pound-for-pound, no one is more dangerous or more productive than the former track star out of Tampa. He’s listed as a running back, but the speedster does just about everything for MSU. As a junior last year, Holloway racked up 413 yards rushing, 396 yards receiving and 567 yards in kickoff returns. The only other active player in college football who matched his 300-400500 mark last year: Heisman Trophy finalist Christian McCaffrey.

Perhaps Holloway gets overlooked because of his size – he can hide behind offensive linemen without being seen, after all – but the senior is a star for MSU and is absolutely vital to what Dan Mullen’s team does offensively.

Plus, he’s a sharp dude, too – he’s been on the SEC Academic Honor Roll every year he’s played for the Bulldogs.

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The Hostess with the Mostess: Starkville Native Named Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality

S

tarkville native Mary Elizabeth Stringer may have a gift when it comes pageants. She entered and won her first pageant in seventh grade. Then at Starkville High, she was named Miss Yellowjacket, and most recently, she entered—and won— Starkville’s Miss Hospitality Pageant Continuing her undefeated streak, Stringer was crowned Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality in July. Stringer was chosen out of twenty-seven of Mississippi’s best and brightest young women. As Miss Hospitality, Stringer was awarded not only scholarships and prizes but a title that comes with a ticket to travel across the state of Mississippi and the responsibility of promoting Mississippi’s economic development and tourism industries.

Stringer has plans to seize the moment. “Ultimately, I’m going to make the most of Story by Clint Kimberling

Photos by submitted

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September 2016 | 21

the next year,” she says of her year-long commitment as Miss Hospitality. “This is an amazing opportunity, and I want to squeeze every bit of it. So I’m going to take advantage of it and enjoy myself.”

The Miss Hospitality Pageant is a two-night affair, where contestants are culled through a series of judged interviews and competitions. The interview questions focused on Mississippi as well as controversial topics.

On stage, Stringer was asked, “What is the story of Mississippi?” Her answer focused on triumph and perseverance.

All of the contestants recited from memory a prepared 90-second speech on Mississippi that they had to prepare for the competition. She recalls, “That was my favorite part. I spent a lot of time writing my speech, making it meaningful, thinking about why I love Mississippi, and I think all that came across in the speech.”

When it came time to announce the winner she remembers feeling very calm during the buildup, but that all changed when she was declared the winner.

“I was in shock when my number was called,” she remembers. “I realized that God’s plan is so much better than anything else I had planned for myself.”

Stringer is currently a senior at Mississippi State University where she is studying kinesiology with plans of being a physician’s assistant specializing in pediatrics. She has served on the executive council of her sorority, Phi Mu, and is actively involved in the Student Association.

Her studies at MSU will be on hold for the fall semester, as she has plans to intern this fall at Thad Cochran’s office in Washington, DC, and fly back to fulfill her Miss Hospitality duties. Stringer will spend the next year serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the state, showing hospitality to everyone she meets. First up on the list of duties will be speaking at governor’s conference on tourism and she will officially open up the state fair in Jackson in early October. “I’m very much looking forward to it. I’ve already written out my goals for the year, and I’m so excited for the journey.”

She goes on, saying, “The pageant has allowed me to rediscover my love for Mississippi, and with the upcoming bicentennial, I want to encourage others to rediscover their love for Mississippi.” One of the ways she hopes to accomplish this is by promoting minivacations and day trips within the state. “I plan to take all those trips, share my experience on video and use social media promote tourism within the state.”

Stringer also wants to focus on economic development as it relates to the farm to table movement. “We have so many great restaurants utilizing the state’s natural resources, and I want to publicize that fact. I also want to visit schools and stress the importance of the local food movement. This is not only healthy but also puts money back in our state.”

One thing is certain, Stringer is not taking her new role lightly. “This is going to be really exciting and a fun job. But to me, it’s more than wearing a crown and sash around.”

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MSU Runner Reflects on Life, Track and the Olympics

A

s the camera pans across the runner of the women’s 1500 meter race in Rio, it passes by an energetic young woman, third from the right, bouncing up and down. As the announcer comes over the PA system the women to take their marks.

She stops bouncing and after giving her wrist a quick kiss she lines up with the others and waits for the official to give the signal. The runner was Mississippi State student Marta Pen Freitas, and the kiss was to remind her of her father who passed away in January 2014. However, Marta’s story didn’t begin at the Olympics, nor did it start on that day in January.

It started almost 15 years ago in Sintra, a small city near the coast in Portugal.

Growing up she was always the one among her

friends that would make up the games, but it wasn’t until her teacher in sports education (similar to America’s physical education program) saw raw talent in her that she started to run for fun. From there she began to compete all over Europe. Much like the way America has the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for college, many European countries have a similar program for grade school athletics and Portugal’s is the Gabinete Coordenador Desporto Escolar. Through that program, Marta was able to compete all over Europe.

“Since I was a little girl I was excited about everything and I’ve always like to run and play sports, Marta said during a Skype interview. “I was always the smallest, but I was always really active.”

It wasn’t until 2008 that Marta started practicing “for real.” Marta explains that running was never

Story by Camille Watts-Carskadon

Photos by MSU Media Relations

something she thought she could do professionally. To her, it was a passion, something she enjoyed doing in her free time, but not something she ever considered would take her all over the word and one day, to a stage where millions of people would watch her.

Many countries in Europe don’t put as much emphasis on professional sports as they do in America, Marta explains. In those countries, like Portugal often competitive sports fall to the wayside for students to prepare for their futures. Marta explains that when a student graduates from high school in Portugal, they start medical school, physical therapy school or the big schools. Students don’t have the four years of undergraduate education, so it’s important to know what you want to do in life which leaves very little time for pursuing a career in professional athletics. Marta was one of the unique individuals that decided to try both physical therapy school and running.

“I was always juggling these two things. In 2012 I made the youth world championship in Barcelona, and I had my first invite to go to America, and it was just really scary. It was so hard doing school back home. I finished the first year, and we had about 40 hours of classes each week so it was a lot and I just didn’t want to throw all of that away to go to America.”

As a 19-year-old, the thought of going over 4,000 miles away is scary, but add in an entirely different culture and a different language makes it daunting. Even though she was settling into her life at physical therapy school, Marta felt the need to compete getting bigger and bigger. Marta described herself as a very happy person overall, but also an ambitious person. Her toughest competition was herself and at 18 she realized she was one of the best, if not the best at the 1500 meter in Portugal. After being on top for so long, Marta realized she had nowhere to go and had a hard decision to make. After talking it over with her family, she decided to finish all the classes for physical therapy school and then work at a lot of internships.

“It’s so scary to go away from your comfort zone and everything was going so well. I tried so hard to be comfortable in this place, and now I’m comfortable, and I didn’t want to leave,” says Marta.

The youngest of three daughters, Marta was born 14 years after her oldest sister and 11 years after her middle sister. The large gap in ages assured that Marta was always seen as the baby in the family, but even with the age gap, she describes her family as close. By the time Marta was ten her father had retired and both he and her mother could be more hands on parents. Before retirement, Marta says her father was enlisted in the army and had many responsibilities. Like many who have retired, he began to look for things to keep him busy. That’s where Marta and her running came in. Almost every morning Marta’s father would wake her up with a glass of orange juice cheerfully exclaiming ‘Come on Marta! Let’s go September 2016 | 25

to practice!’ Like every teenager, Marta found his early morning wake up call and cheerfulness to be a bit much, but he remained one of her most important people in the world.

“Even though I kept telling him he was so annoying, he was the most important piece of my puzzle, and I knew that even if I wanted to be independent, it was so good to have my annoying dad going to the doctor and talking for me.

He was such an unbelievable parent. We were so close.”

In 2014, tragedy struck and Marta’s world came crashing down around her when her father suddenly passed away from a heart attack.

“My biggest fear was losing my dad. Ever since I was a little kid he’d had some heart problems, but everything was under control. He was totally fine, but unfortunately, when I went to the regionals in Lisbon in January 2014 he just passed away while I was running. That was an enormous change in my life because he meant the world to me. “ After her father died, Marta faced a series of difficulties to get back out on the track and compete again. She had successfully finished her physical therapy classes, but was also battling depression stemming from the death of her father, and while she was taking medicine for it, she also developed a cough that went on for months and felt like something was settling in her lungs.

“I was getting cortisol injections almost every week.

And I realized, since I have some basic knowledge of these medicines, I was taking some medicines that people with really hardcore lung disease were taking.”

Hoping to find something or someone that could help her, Marta visited one last doctor that was able to diagnose her by just asking her to talk. The diagnosis: there was nothing wrong with her lungs, and it was all in her head.

Once she realized this herself, Marta started to improve and even took charge of her training. By the end of July 2014, she had several schools interested in recruiting her, including Mississippi State University. With just a few years of eligibility, she met with Houston Franks, Mississippi State University’s assistant head coach in track & field and the head coach of cross country. For Marta, he was the professional she needed and felt that he was open to learning alongside her as well as working with her instead of for her. They had already spoken back in 2012, but Marta felt in 2014 she had a different level of maturity and was finally ready to take the big leap across the ocean and join MSU’s track and field team.

“I thought it would be a good symbiosis. Me, giving my best to the school and the school giving me the supposed that I’d never had. It was just great.”

Once that decision was made, Marta began studying and taking online class and began to train on the side with her old coach so she could be in top shape when she made her move to America, but things didn’t go as planned. In October, Marta was injured and was unable to start training as quickly as she would have liked.

September 2016 | 27

“Of course, having another education was important because I thought I was too young to dedicate myself to just running, it just didn’t make sense to me. So I had the opportunity to study and make friends and sometimes training, but training was the main thing.”

For a young woman who just wanted to give her best for her school, the first months at MSU were the hardest.

In January 2015, on top of not being able to train, she had to make new friends as well as grow familiar with a different culture and country. All of this left Marta feeling a little bit useless, but Marta explains that in good moments, you see the quantity of people, but in bad moments, you see the quality of people. Even though she was in a different part of the world, Marta was able to see the quality of the people around her.

“This is why I love Mississippi State so much because at first, I had a hard time here. I had my first surgeries, and I started from the bottom and everyone, since the first day I went to school, everyone worked as hard as they could to make my dream come true, and that means a lot to me. They are going to be with you, and they are going to take whatever you need to fix you and that’s pretty much what happened.”

After those first few months, Marta’s luck turned around and the good things started coming. She was able to compete in the NCAA nationals and move on to the final rounds. Unfortunately, she broke her wrist during the finals, which was another low point in her track and field career, but at the same time, she felt like she should live in the good moments in life. Marta explains life had taught her that when bad things happen, she should think of it as a great opportunity to try something different. To start over and to remember that sometimes plan F is better than plan A. This is something she took to heart when she worked towards qualifying for the Olympics, something she only had a little over a year to accomplish. To qualify for the Olympics in the 1500 meter athletes need to meet the Olympic standard, which in this case is a finish time set by Olympic officials. The Olympic standard for the 1500 meter is four minutes and six seconds. A time that seems impossible for any nonrunner, and is quite the accomplishment for a runner. At a race in Barcelona, Marta succeeded in taking those ten seconds off her time to qualify for the Olympics.

Which brings Marta back to what she calls the most important moment in her life: the Olympic 1500 meter race. The runners take their mark. For a few seconds, the arena is silent as if the entire world holds its breath, waiting for the start. The buzzer sounds and the runners take off.

“It’s unbelievable how a race can change your life,” says Marta.

Marta placed 12th in heat one of round one in the women’s 1500 meter. She did not qualify for the next round.

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Festivals and fun. Grand historic homes. Birthplace of America’s greatest playwright, Tennessee Williams.

Run or bike along the scenic Riverwalk, winding around and over the Tombigbee River. Shop, dine, and savor in the ultimate Southern destination.

YEAR-ROUND Daily Historic Home Tours SEPTEMBER Tennessee Williams Tribute OCTOBER 20-22 Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium OCTOBER Caledonia Days • 7th Avenue Heritage Festival NOVEMBER 3-5 Antiques Show Save the Date: MARCH 30-APRIL 8, 2017 77th Annual Spring Pilgrimage Go to www.visitcolumbusms.org for attraction and event listings.

Tennessee Williams Home & Welcome Center • 800-920-3533

MSU’s Technology Resource Institute Helps Local Business Grow

B

arbara Foster, vice-president of Book Mart Corporation, knew it was time for a fresh approach when a survey of Mississippi State University (MSU) students showed only 22 percent even knew the Campus Book Mart, located on East Lee Boulevard, had a website.

“We’ve been in the bookstore business going on 44 years,” said Foster, whose family also owns The Book Mart & Café on Main Street as well as college bookstore locations in Oxford and Hattiesburg. “We thought we were doing all the right things – great prices and great customer service – and we’ve kept our profit margins pretty low to keep our doors open and our people there.

Most have been with us for 15-30 years. But our bottom line was looking pitiful.”

The survey that caught Foster’s attention was conducted by the MSU Technology Resource Institute, an entrepreneurship program developed by the College of Business over a decade ago. Director of Outreach Jeffrey Rupp serves in an advisory role and sends teams of MBA students – who put in over 100 hours of marketing and media research in McCool Hall’s E-Center – to make presentations to small businesses like Book Mart Corporation.

“The Greater Starkville Development Partnership purchased a bunch of these MBA teams at a discounted rate and gave them to their customers,” Rupp said. “This ultimately helped businesses in town that might not have been able to afford one of the $2,500 studies. It was a triple win for the Partnership, the small businesses and the university because our students got practical research experience and got to help the city of Starkville.”

Story by Joe Lee

Foster learned of the Technology Resource Institute at a recent Partnership luncheon and contacted Rupp, who accepted Book Mart Corporation into the program. Rupp assembled a team to work on behalf of Foster, who wanted the study targeted toward Campus Book Mart.

“The MSU group came in, did a comprehensive study, and surveyed students (twice) and asked different questions each time,” Foster said. “Most of them knew our name, but we realized we were doing a poor job of promoting the website. They had suggestions for social media. We were doing Facebook, but there’s also Twitter and Instagram. They want you to tag your picture to the website for people pulling up the site. They gave us a good grade on the site; the exposure just wasn’t there.”

Tyler Burgess, who graduated from MSU in August and is now employed with Howard Industries in Laurel, joined fellow MBA students Andrea Hollis and Giuliano Mancini to present the findings to Foster and store manager Stan Raye several weeks ago.

“We suggested they use all social media accounts (available) and tie in ways to interact with customers,” Burgess said. “For example, tagging Campus Book Mart (employees) wearing their new shirts and other MSU merchandise. We suggested different store layouts to drive customers into certain areas.

30 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

“One of the most important ideas is the option of higher in-store credit rather than cash for used textbooks; this has the opportunity to increase gross profits tremendously for the store and can only help Campus Book Mart in the future. They are some of the nicest people I have ever met, and it was an honor to work with them and get to know them.”

Campus Book Mart already has a Twitter presence, one of the suggestions that was immediately implemented by Foster. She and Raye were assured that the Technology Resource Institute team members would follow up with more research in the future and provide data to them.

“We left the presentation with a 70-page report,” Foster said. “They were very professional and gave us a clear and concise plan on helping improve our bottom line. We were fired up and ready to go.”

“You go now where customers are getting their information,” Rupp said. “If you think you’re reaching students by Facebook, you’re wrong; Twitter, Instagram and SnapChat are a better bet. You get info and a bound report (from us) you aren’t going to get anywhere else. We want folks saying, ‘Wow, I got my money’s worth when they walk away from us.”

To learn more about the Technology Resource Institute, visit www.business.msstate.edu/research/tri.

Top 5 Reasons to Start a Business While in College When it comes to choosing between being an entrepreneur or a college graduate these days, the focus has shifted to being an entrepreneur. The real question is, “why can’t you do both?” A college campus can offer significant resources to start a business including technical support and training. The time to work towards a start-up can be before or after class and when you have down time. Here are five reasons why you should launch a business while you’re still in school.

1. You have an unlimited supply of resources and a social media support network. Millennials are known for networking and creating trending videos and apps that stream daily. Surely that can do this with a bright idea for businesses that target specific groups and create market strategies that work in their favor. Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook can now be used for a purpose.

2. You have the opportunity for trial and error with resources that can help you succeed. One thing about starting a business is that you learn what works and what does not work. Regardless of how many mistakes you make you have a flood of classes, mentors, professors, professional researchers, and speakers who can show you what to do and what not to do.

3. You can finish your degree while you build the foundation of your business. While many people graduate and hope to land a job with their internship or pound the pavement looking for a job opportunity, your business Story by Amanda Lucas

will already be in place. Having residual income before graduation is always a plus to help you get established and on your feet.

4. You are always learning, and that allows you to discover what works best for your business. College allows you the opportunity to learn different skill sets that can help your business grow. One important skill set is coding, knowing the basics of HTML and CSS can help with any technical issues you may face in the future. Knowing the basics will take you a long way. Studying a variety of skill sets in college can help you gain a better understanding about any field you go in.

5. You can build your resume up before graduation.

Starting a business looks great on your resume and can do wonders for career opportunities. It won’t hurt to have a great experience and be ahead of the curve. You may be competing with people who have been working in the field already and have a lengthy resume. Your resume may not be long, but it will be impressive.

Regardless if you have a positive or negative experience starting your own business with your free time during college, anything you need is at your disposal, and you will learn from that experience. Most of all you will learn that you can do an array of jobs if you focus, work hard, and invest in yourself! Starting a business in college is perfect.

Now you just need a great idea!

Carrying on the Tradition: Father-Son Duo Prepare for 2016 Football Season

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very special father/son travel experience continues this fall as Mississippi State University (MSU) student Wade Sims and his father, Brian, will journey to all six MSU road football games.

“The best part is being there with my dad, and being there for all the guys and supporting them,” said Wade, a 2015 MSU graduate with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. He is back on campus this fall, taking courses and working a few hours a week at Campus Book Mart and for the MSU athletic department in the Bulldog Club.

Wade also suited up as Bully for parts of each home game over the past four years, so he’s no stranger to the players and coaches. He said it was an experience he’ll never forget.

“My favorite things,” he said, “are the Dawg Walk, riding the Dawg House onto the field and doing the

maroon-and-white cheer, having pictures taken with the kids and helping the fans cheer the Bulldogs on.”

“Some of the same people go to the (road) games,” Brian said, “and we enjoy seeing them. (Vicksburg businessman) Ray English and Wade have become good buddies. It’s fun to watch them look for each other before the games.”

The Sims family lives in Madison, where Wade graduated from Madison Central High School in 2006.

Brian’s wife, Donna, is an MSU graduate and doesn’t miss a home game at Davis Wade Stadium, but father and son relish the opportunity to hit the road together.

“The loudest and most passionate fans are at LSU and Alabama,” Wade said. “My favorite road trip was two years ago at LSU (when MSU won 34-29 after nearly squandering a huge fourth-quarter lead). My favorite moment was the blocked field goal last year at Arkansas (which preserved a thrilling 51-50 victory).”

English has missed only three road games since 1981.

He travels with his wife, children, grandchildren, and

Story by Joe Lee

Photos Submitted

friends. The family has a skybox at Davis Wade.

“We’ve traveled to Provo, Utah, to see them play BYU, and to Eugene, Oregon, to see them play the (University of Oregon) Ducks,” English said. “Bama is a tough place to play. So is LSU. There are places like Bama where I know where I’ll park, but sometimes I’ve been to LSU and found a new building built where I’d parked the last time. We try to get into town a day or two early. We always know the game time could change.”

English ran into former MSU head coach Jackie Sherrill not long ago and said he had a very pleasant visit with the man who piloted the football program from 1991-2003.

“He still remembers me,” English said, “and remembers that I didn’t miss a game when he was coaching.”

Father and son Sims agree that the worst fans in the country are at the University of Florida, and Brian said they yell at everyone, including each other.

“We enjoy the LSU fans,” said Brian, who grew up in Louisiana. “They may throw stuff at you and spit on you, but if you go over and talk to them, they’ll feed you.

“At Texas A&M the night before the game, they have yell practice with 40,000 people in the stadium at midnight. They stand up the whole game – they don’t have cheerleaders; they have yell leaders – and it’s a neat, traditional experience at a football game.”

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September 2016 | 35

Enjoy beautiful pictures of familiar campus scenes that bring back special memories of your time at Mississippi State. The official State calendar has become a Bulldog tradition. With pictures by MSU’s own award-winning photographers, it’s truly a one-of-a-kind treasure. Order online today at msufoundation.com or call 662-325-7000.

Share your Bulldog spirit this holiday season.

Send friends and family exclusive MSU holiday cards featuring original illustrations by MSU alumni. Purchase yours online at msufoundation.com.

MSU is an AA/EEO university.

T&G_Calendar2017_Half-Pg.indd 1

36 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

8/9/16 9:50 AM

Going on the Road?

Here are our top stops in every gameday town There are Mississippi State University (MSU) football fans who have the best seat in the house – the recliner – for every game. Some make it to a game or two each year while really loyal fans renew season tickets each year and catch every home game at Davis Wade Stadium. And there are a few who try to catch all the road games as well as the home matchups.

Such dedication requires the time and means to travel extensively as well as being flexible, given that – because of television – the start time of many high-profile college football games these days often isn’t determined until a week or two before kickoff. This year will prove tough for the road tripper, with a pair of games well over 1,000 miles from home.

The first trek of the season is to Death Valley – also known as Baton Rouge, Louisiana – on Saturday, September 17. Plan on visiting the U.S.S. Kidd Veterans Museum and a great dining choice might be Juban’s Creole Restaurant for the Oyster Carousel or Frog Legs Vacherie.

Once you’re on campus, look for Mike the Tiger and his recently-completed new digs.

Next is Amherst, Massachusetts for the U-Mass game on Saturday, September 24. The good news, if you’re making the 1,270-mile journey from Starkville, is that a start time of 2:30 p.m. EDT was announced – you can make sightseeing plans in advance (assuming opening kickoff does not change). And this road trip takes you to a quaint little New England town of less than 40,000 with spectacular scenery, flourishing bed and breakfasts, and the Emily Dickinson Museum. There’s even a Saturday morning Farmers Market on the downtown Common.

The longest road trip will be to Provo, Utah (1,750 miles from Starkville) for a matchup with Brigham Young University. This is the only Friday night tilt of the season

and is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. MDT on October 14, so – assuming opening kicking doesn’t change – you’ll have the day to enjoy Provo. A cool idea: hit the Provo’s Farmers Market on West Center Street and load up on fresh bread, fruits and vegetables, then head out to Bridal Veil Falls on U.S. Highway 189, where you’ll find hiking trails, camping areas and plenty of places to enjoy a picnic.

Next up: a visit to Lexington, Kentucky, to play the Wildcats on Saturday, October 22. It’s a 500-mile drive from Starkville, so you’ll almost certainly spend one night and maybe two. If you’re flying into Blue Grass Airport, the Aviation Museum of Kentucky gets rave reviews from attendees, and it’s a half hour drive to nearby Versailles to visit the Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum (the grandkids, if along, will love it; there are train rides every weekend).

No trip to Tuscaloosa – where the Bulldogs will take on perennial national power Alabama on Saturday, November 12 – is complete without a stop at Dreamland. The ribs are legendary, and although there are Dreamland locations all over Alabama (and parts of Florida and Georgia), the original hole-in-the-wall restaurant on 15th Avenue is the one you want, both for the atmosphere and a slab that will practically melt in your mouth.

This year’s Egg Bowl is in Oxford on Saturday, November 26. Bulldog fans who’ve had enough turkey by then can enjoy a delicious blue plate at Ajax Diner or the Creole Catfish sandwich at Proud Larry’s. Both are on the Historic Square, as is Square Books (which is shown nearly as often during nationally-televised games as Little Dooey in Starkville). Be aware that parking is at a premium in Oxford – the Ole Miss campus, the residential part of downtown and The Square are all within short walking distance of each other.

Putting the luxe in deluxe: Hartlein unveils The Whitney Suites In 2015, developer John Hartlein built The Whitney Apartments on Lummus Drive as an upscale accommodation in Starkville’s coveted Cotton District. Snuggling comfortably alongside Roman and Greek architecture and French and New Orleans style balconies and walkways, the four-story Whitney building consists of 27 apartments on the top three floors. Nine are one-bedroom units, and 18 are premiere or deluxe two-bedroom/two bath units.

There is an elevator service, covered ground-floor parking, and security cameras to assure better safety.

But there’s more.

The two ground floor spaces of the Whitney Apartments had been originally planned for commercial use. However, after serious

brainstorming, John decided to develop the spaces into two luxury hotel rooms. He named them The Whitney Suites.

“I consider them 4-star hotel quality,” said John.

“We serve Starbucks coffee and Evian water from the French Alps.”

The Whitney Suites feature two boutique king rooms. In each is a coffee bar with a microwave and a small refrigerator with ice. On the coffee bar counter sits a Keurig single cup coffee maker alongside two porcelain cups and a basket of coffee condiments for guests to make the perfect cup of Starbucks coffee. Or they may choose from the various sized crystal glasses in the pantry to pour a relaxing afternoon cocktail.

The king bed is fitted with fine linen by Hilton. At

Story by Richelle Putnam

Photos Submitted

the foot of the bed sits a trendy loveseat that faces the 60-inch HDTV hanging on the wall across the room.

The bathrooms have marble floors and a stand-up shower.

Arranged on the sleek granite countertop are top-quality toiletries by Gilchrist & Soames of London and plush white bath linens by Hilton.

Rooms can be rented seven nights a week, said John, but there is a two-night minimum. Guests can also rent by the week or month making The Whitney Suites perfect for family and friends of students living in the Whitney Apartments or somewhere else in the Cotton District.

Location makes the Whitney Suites not only desirable but practical because of its proximity to shopping, restaurants, entertainment venues and the MSU campus.

A graduate of Mississippi State University in Landscape Architecture in 1973, John has been involved in construction and real estate for the past 35 years.

He founded J. W. Hartlein & Company, Inc., which specializes in residential, Gulf front condominiums and

hotel developments in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Louisiana. His experience in Starkville includes commercial work at Oktibbeha County Hospital, Starkville High School and Sudduth Elementary School.

In 2012, the Home Builders Association of Mississippi (HBAM) recognized John as the winner of a Best in Mississippi Award for the Chaney Paschal Residence he built in the Maison de Ville Garden Homes community in Starkville. It was his third HBAM award.

“If you want a unique experience of staying in the Cotton District and having a luxury room, this is the only hotel in Starkville where you can do that,” said John. “It’s for the discerning traveler that likes a quality experience.”

Photos and rental listings of Whitey Suites can be found on VRBO.com. Listing numbers are #873814 and #888255 Photos and information on Whitney Apartments can be found at cottondistrictapartments.com

September 2016 | 41

Creating the Cowbell: Locals Put a New Twist on the Traditional Bell

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egend tells this story: In the late 1930s or early ’40s, a cow wandered onto the playing field at a home football game between what was then Mississippi State College and the University of Mississippi. That day, the Bulldogs won against its adversary and the cow became a good luck charm, so much so students continued bringing a cow to the games. This tradition evolved from a cow to a cowbell and has remained the most cherished of all Mississippi State traditions. In this issue of Town and Gown, we celebrate the tradition by highlighting three custom cowbell designers.

REAVES RINGERS - Piper Reaves-Free developed a passion for painting while attending Mississippi State, so when a friend asked her to paint a bulldog on his cowbell, she happily obliged. Then she started receiving requests to paint cowbells for other people. These many requests are how she grew her Reaves Ringers business, which started in 2012 and continued after Piper graduated in 2014. That same year, ESPN contacted Piper about the tradition of Story by Richelle Putnam

the cowbell.

“We filmed a short feature the day before a football game, and they asked me to paint a cowbell with their official logo on it,” said Piper.

Reaves Ringers is licensed through MSU and pays royalties to support the University. Piper paints “Year of the Cowbell” cowbells, Mississippi State’s official cowbell.

Her images have included Davis-Wade and the Chapel of Memories, but she also paints other subjects like barns and family portraits. Custom designs can be ordered through the Cowbell of the Year website.

Piper works full-time as the graphic designer for the Catch-A-Dream Foundation. But nothing keeps her too busy to paint.

“I love graphic design, but I also love to paint,” said Piper. “Not too many days go by that I don’t go to bed with paint on my hands.”

JUNCTION BELLS - Patrick Ray graduated MSU in 2000 with a degree in social studies education. He and his family live in Starkville, but he works in West Point as the principal of the Career and Technology Center where he heads up industry based classes like welding and carpentry, Photos Submitted and by Camille Watts-Carskadon

September 2016 | 43

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“I like using my hands,” he said, “so I hated to buy something I could make.” Patrick made his cowbell, his son’s cowbell and many other bells as gifts. “I was walking through our metal shop in school and saw a railroad spike, and I thought, ‘Man, that would make a great cowbell handle.’”

The reason it would make a great cowbell handle is that a railroad once crossed the MSU campus to bring students to the depot (now the John C. Stennis Institute of Government) at the Junction. Some of the original train rails are embedded in parts of the Junction walkway.

The Junction; the railroad spike; the cowbell, “That put everything together,” said Patrick. He uses a process to rust the spikes and bells and then sprays them with a clear coating to keep the rust from flaking off.

His second bell, the Lefty, is named after Phil Brandon, a former pitcher for Mississippi State in the late 40s. The handle is shaped like a baseball bat.

“Phil passed away about a year ago, and I talked to his son about letting me name it in his father’s memory.”

Upon request, Patrick will use different handles and take custom orders. Patrick numbers each bell he makes.

BURNETT ART, COWBELLS AND CALLIGRAPHY - Vicki Burnett has been in Starkville since 1995. About three years ago, she painted a few cowbells as Bunko door prizes and posted photos of them on Facebook.

“A lot of people were interested in me doing them a cowbell,” said Vicki. “I’ve been really surprised and pleased at how well my business has done.”

Last year Vicky painted close to 1,000 cowbells! In Starkville, if it’s painted on a cowbell you have a much better chance of selling art, she said.

Vicki enjoys painting bells for celebratory events like retirements, marriages and births. One of her cowbells was used in a marriage proposal. The girlfriend was an Alabama fan, so Vicki painted houndstooth on one side with the girlfriend’s name in the center. On the other side, Vicki painted Bully down on one knee, saying, “Will you marry me?” The engagement ring was attached to the bow.

The MSU Athletic Department also commissioned Vicki to paint the 50-year “Game of Change” cowbell.

This basketball game was between Mississippi State and Loyola and was the first time Mississippi State played an integrated team.

Vicki painted about 20 bells for the MSU Athletic Department. The surviving players who attended the game signed the bells.

“The players received the Change of Game cowbell with everyone’s signatures,” said Vicki. “Jack Cristil was alive at that time and he also participated.”

Vicki loves that 12 percent of any trademarked bell goes back to the university, saying that, “No one would be buying cowbells if it wasn’t for Mississippi State.”

September 2016 | 45

46 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Creating a Community: After three years Nine-twentynine Continues to Thrive

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hen Neil and Havilah Couvillion moved to Starkville from Birmingham, they quickly realized there was not a real community-oriented gathering place. They decided to open a place that would fill this void. With a background and interest in the coffee and barista business, they decided a coffee bar would fit their needs and the community’s needs.

In March of 2013, the Couvillions, along with Neil’s brother and his wife, opened Nine-twentynine Coffee Bar in downtown Starkville. Since then, they have been providing an inviting and warm environment that is welcoming to students, professionals, Bible study groups and anyone else you can think of.

Neil sums it up, saying, “It’s amazing how many things are discussed and decided over coffee. We want to provide the space. And the coffee.”

Nine-twentynine may seem an interesting choice for a business name. The number actually doesn’t represent anything local. Rather, it’s a reference to the date for International Coffee Day on September 29. And, on that day, Nine-twentynine gives away free 8 oz. cups of coffee

The drink menu board is filled with typical coffee house beverages but with a few twists. In the summer, cold brews and iced coffee are the most popular drinks. They are served either black or with milk and customers can add a flavored syrup. The cold brew is also available in glass bottles for customer takeaway.

Manager Jonette Shurden says that their lattes are one of the most ordered beverages year-round. “I think it’s because they are highly customizable and can be served in numerous ways – from the type of milk to the syrup flavors we use,” she explains. Nine-twentynine has three custom syrup flavors that they make in-house—lavender, vanilla, and orange. They also introduce a pumpkin syrup in the fall and peppermint in winter.

For those with simpler tastes, Nine-twentynine always has drip brewed coffee on hand, and they also offer two options for pour over brewing. Nine-twentynine serves coffee from Counter Culture, a Durham, North Carolinabased coffee roasting company. Couvillion says, “We care about how what we serve is sourced. Not only is Counter Culture is a responsible, sustainable company and their coffee tastes great, too.”

In the last few years, Nine-twentynine has expanded their food offerings. Whereas they used to purchase

Story by Clint Kimberling Photos by Brittney Dowell

48 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

food, now everything available in the bakery case is made downstairs in their kitchen. They provide a unique assortment of baked good. The sausage and cheddar muffins are not to be missed.

If you don’t have time to make it into the shop, Ninetwentynine also has a mobile coffee bar. This is a simple pushcart that is equipped with a nitro coffee tap. Ninetwentynine was one of the first shops in Mississippi to sell nitro coffee and their idea to promote it was literally taking the product into the streets. “We’re all about doing something a little different, a little out there,” Neil says of the unique marketing strategy.

In that same vein, Shurden tells me they are in the process of applying for a liquor license so that they may serve wine and cocktails in addition to the craft beer they already sell.

This will give them more freedom and flexibility (maybe even coffee-themed cocktails) and will also allow them to plan evening events, including dinner service.

“We’re always looking to expand and grow, and try new things each year,” Shurden says. Community events at Nine-twentynine include live music, bingo nights and “Mississippi Made” – an event featuring artists, pop-up art shop, drink specials, and music.

The sense of community is more than evident now. Neil says, “It’s neat to see on a weekend morning with families coming in and enjoying coffee and pastries. It’s a gathering place.”

September 2016 | 49

Bulldog Bash Continues to Draw Large Crowds

S

ince 1999, Bulldog Bash™ has been bringing Mississippi State University and the Starkville community together to kick off the SEC football seaso the Bulldogsn.

Today, it is the most successful student-led concert event in the Southeast and draws crowds of more than 35,000 into the city of Starkville.

Director of the event, Alex Coats, a Senior Communications Manager at Mississippi State, has worked with Bulldog Bash™ for four years.

“I was given the opportunity in my junior year to be in charge of Bulldog Bash, and it’s been a great experience,” he said.

An event of this magnitude takes a lot of hard work,

Story by Richelle Putnam

volunteers and planners, explained Alex. So he considers himself fortunate to have an excellent assistant director like Allie Nichols.

“She has been incredible and invaluable, and we’ve worked together to make it happen. We also have three assistants and volunteers from the Student Association.”

Even though there were plans to relocate Bulldog Bash™ to the MSU Amphitheater this year due to extensive property development in the Cotton District, the city of Starkville and MSU found a way to keep the event in the Cotton District where it has been held for years.

A celebration of culture, arts and music, Bulldog Bash™ features the Maroon Market, a marketplace where boutiques and food vendors display and sell their work and menu items.

“We always schedule Bulldog Bash™ for the night before

Photos submitted by MSU Office of Public Affairs

Photo by Keats Haupt / Mississippi State University

Photo by Mitch Phillips / Š Mississippi State University

September 2016 | 51

Photo by Mitch Phillips / © Mississippi State University

Photo by Megan Bean / Mississippi State University

Photo by Megan Bean / Mississippi State University

52 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

a Mississippi State home football game,” said Alex.

“This year we’re doing it the Friday night before the Auburn game.” In addition to food, arts and crafts vendors, the local stage highlights local musicians during the day. “That night will be the big concert with a national touring act.”

Bulldog Bash™ and the Student Association also select a community philanthropy to spotlight and support. Past organizations have been the Oktibbeha County Humane Society and Palmer Home for Children. This year’s philanthropy is the Vets for Vets Cwhich was created to improve the health of retired military dogs and police dogs with degenerative joint tissue. Vets for Vets rehabilitation programs incorporate physical therapy, an aquatic treadmill, an Endless Pool and other treatments for these special canines.

“Our main goal is to increase awareness for that specific organization and give back to the community.

The Bulldog Bash™ not only gives this organization exposure but also sets aside part of the event’s proceeds to contribute to the organization to help it fulfill its mission.”

Bulldog Bash™ - October 7, 2016 - 2 pm – 11:30 pm Headliner to be announced in September

September 2016 | 53

on the page: susan o’bryan’s september book review

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an you hear it, see it, feel it? The clang, clang of cowbells of all sizes, the glow of stadium lights on Friday nights and the long-awaited drop in temperature? It’s football season!

Football is near and dear to Mississippians, whether we’re cheering for PeeWee players, high school athletes or collegiate phenoms. However, it’s not just football fever that we find contagious. When it comes to sports, in general, there’s not much that Southerners don’t enjoy.

For those down times between games or as we wait for the next Olympics, there is plenty of printed material, ranging from biographies to devotionals, to keep us in touch with our sports cravings and interests.

“The Mannings: the Fall and Rise of a Football Family” is a must for any football fan’s collection.

Written by bestselling author and sports writer Lars Anderson, the book published by Ballantine Books focuses on what many consider to be “the first family of American sports.”

Let’s face it: we think we know the Manning story.

How father Archie started his family on a pro football path followed by sons Peyton and Eli, that son Cooper could have been a giant until spinal stenosis forced him off the field, and how mom Olivia cheered for them all.

Some say the book focuses too much on Archie and too little about his sons, but I found plenty of anecdotes and telling moments about the younger Mannings. Keep in mind that without Archie; there’d be no Manning dynasty. His history has been written, while Cooper, Peyton and Eli are still making their mark on the world.

However, there’s more to their story than just their successes. How they handled battles off the field are equally as impressive as their wins. Archie’s dad

committed suicide. Cooper saw his dream career crumble, and Peyton and Eli often played under the shadow of their dad.

Anderson chronicles the hard work and personal struggles that have turned this Mississippi family into one of inspiration for fans across the country. As Bruce Arians, head coach for the Arizona Cardinals, said, “I love this book because it’s not just about football; it’s about how to raise a family.”

Former ESPN magazine editors Gary Belsky and Neil Fine have gone far and wide to compile interesting sports facts in their reference book, “On the Origins of Sports: The Early History and Original Rules of Everybody’s Favorite Games.”

The hefty page volume published

by Artisan Books traces the roots and rules for 21 sports ranging from Wiffle ball and football to poker and cricket.

“Knowing the history and lore of our favorite sports enriches the experiences of watching and competing in them,” according to the introduction. “And gives us ammo for one-upping family, friends and coworkers!”

Who knew that baseball can be traced back to 1744 England and that Abner Doubleday, despite U.S. pride, is not the father of the sport? That golf evolved from bored shepherds looking for something to do? Or that volleyball is more popular than basketball when it comes to the number of participants? And, of course, that bewildering question: what are the official rules for the sport of rock-paper-scissors?

Sports is not always fun and games. It can carry serious ramifications, especially when it comes to social acceptance. Jason A. Peterson examines the media’s views on integration in “Full Court Press: Mississippi State

University, the Press and the Battle to Integrate College Basketball.” The book is published by University Press of Mississippi.

The 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision and the 1964 Civil Rights Act were supposed to bring racial equality to Mississippi.

However, much of the state held tight to its whitedominated structure.

Unwritten laws, often bolstered by media support, kept athletic activities and education venues divided.

Peterson documents Mississippi State University’s basketball program as a leader in challenging the state’s segregated athletic standards until it was finally admitted in 1963 to the NCAA tournament. He uses the achievement by MSU, then known as Mississippi State College, as a tool as he examines how sports integration played out in the state’s newspapers and coverage.

Through meticulous research, interviews and interpretation, the author presents a picture of how media, once a voice for those against segregation, changed to be a truer reflection of the social progress and cultural changes in the Magnolia State.

As we all know, sports doesn’t always require a team mentality. A single interception, admission or point can drastically impact a sport and its fans. Who didn’t cheer when Dak Prescott came

out strong in his first preseason game as a Dallas Cowboy? How many pro cycling fans had their hearts broken when Lance Armstrong admitted to doping?

Flash back to the 1984 summer Olympic games with “Olympic Collision: The Story of Mary Decker and Zola Budd” by Kyle Keiderling. When American Mary Decker fell during the women’s 3,000-meter race, the world was quick to blame Zola Budd, a South African running for the British team.

Race officials ultimately found Decker to be at fault, but the event continued to haunt both women.

Keiderling paints a picture of Decker that is far from flattering. He acknowledges that she refused to be interviewed, while Budd was very open to his questions. In the end, though, readers get a good look at the world of distance runners, the politics of sports and how one moment can impact the lives of two women and the sport in general. The book is published by University of Nebraska Press.

Football takes on a deeper meaning in “Tackling Truth - Spiritual Truths Drawn from the Great Game of Football” by Mike Yorkey. Personal stories from players, coaches and others in the game are connected to Bible-based devotions.

Whether it’s Marcus Allen reflecting on the Raiders’ 1984 Super Bowl victory or the story of the Tampa Buccaneers’ 26 consecutive losses, there is a lesson to be learned. The devotionals are not preachy, yet they are cause for reflections. From this, football fans will gain a new appreciation for the game they love.

“Read the stories for the love of the game; mull the takeaways for the love of the Lord,” York writes. “Tackling Truth” is a follow-up to Barbour Publishing’s “Playing with Purpose” series.

September 2016 | 55

Town and Gown’s

tailgating Favorites Recipes and Photos by Lisa Bynum

Chicken Meatballs with Apricot Bourbon Sauce Serves 4-6

For the Apricot Bourbon Sauce: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ medium yellow onion (about ½ cup), diced 2 medium cloves of garlic (about 2 teaspoons), minced 1 cup apricot preserves 1 cup chili sauce ½ cup bourbon ⅓ cup cider vinegar ¼ cup packed light brown sugar 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard For the meatballs: 1 pound ground chicken sausage, casings removed 2 large eggs, slightly beaten 2 cups all-purpose flour

Salt and pepper to taste Oil for frying Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until onion is tender and translucent, about five minutes. Add garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.

Combine the remaining sauce ingredients. Add to the pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Sauce with

thicken as it cools.

Form chicken sausage into 2-inch meatballs. Roll meatballs in eggs. Then coat with flour.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches if needed, add meatballs to hot oil and fry until outside is golden brown and meatballs are cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Drain meatballs on paper towels.

Serve meatballs alongside Apricot Bourbon Sauce for dipping.

Black-Eyed Pea Hummus Serves 4-6

3 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped 2 cans (15 oz. each) blackeyed peas, rinsed and drained 1 small garlic clove, minced 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon tahini 1 teaspoon ground cumin Salt and ground black pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon paprika Fresh cilantro, for garnish Pita bread, sliced into wedges Combine bacon, black-eyed peas, garlic, water, lemon juice, tahini, and cumin in a blender or food processor.

Process until mixture reaches a smooth consistency.

Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer hummus to a small serving bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the top. Sprinkle with paprika and garnish with fresh cilantro Serve with pita wedges or fresh cruditĂŠ.

Homemade Black Cherry Sodas Serves 4 - 6

2 pounds fresh or frozen sweet black cherries (about 6 cups) 2 cups of sugar 1 cup of water 2 liters club soda Combine cherries, sugar, and water in a large saucepan.

Bring mixture to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Once cherries get soft, press them against the side of the pan with a spoon to release their juices.

Remove pot from heat and allow to cool. Strain syrup to remove solids. Discard solids.

Store syrup in an airtight container in the refridgerator.

Makes about 4 cups simple syrup.

When serving, fill an 8-ounce glass with ice. Add three tablespoons of the cherry simple syrup. Fill the rest of the glass with club soda. Stir to combine.

Swiss Onion Squares Serves 4

2 large eggs, divided ¾ cup milk 2 cups biscuit mix 2 tablespoons poppy seeds 2 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 cups sliced yellow onion ¾ cup sour cream ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper Paprika Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Blend one egg with the milk, biscuit mix, and poppy seeds.

Spread mixture into a 9” x 9” pan.

Melt butter over medium heat.

Add onions and sauté until onions are tender and begin to turn brown. Spread onions over the biscuit mixture.

Lightly beat remaining egg with sour cream. Carefully pour the sour cream in an even layer over onions.

Bake at 400 degrees (F) for 25 minutes until the top is set.

Cut into squares. Garnish the tops with paprika.

Cornflake and Coconut Meringue Cookies Makes about two dozen cookies.

3 eggs whites 1 cup sugar 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chopped pecans 4 cups cornflakes, crushed Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

Beat egg whites on medium high. Gradually add sugar.

Continue to beat egg whites until sugar is dissolved and soft peaks form. Mixture will be very glossy.

Gently fold in coconut, vanilla, pecans, and corn flakes. Drop heaping tablespoons onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake about 45 minutes until cookies are set. Remove from the pan to cool while they are still warm.

Once cool, store in an airtight container.

Town and Gown’s Game Day Fashion

Outfit provided by Giggleswick

Photography by Divian Connor | Makeup by Merle Norman Luna Bella | Hair by Mia Salon | Clothes provided by Giggleswick, Susan’s Hallmark, Liza Tye & Company, Park Place Boutique and Book Mart

Outfit provided by Park Place Boutique. Koozie provided by Liza Tye & Company

Outfit provided by Giggleswick

Outfit provided by Park Place Boutique. Koozie provided by Liza Tye & Company

Outfit provided by Liza Susan’s Hallmark. Bag provided by Liza Tye & Company

Outfit provided by Book Mart.

Outfit provided by Liza Tye & Company

Outfit provided by Book Mart.

Shirt and jeans provided by Liza Tye & Company.

Dress provided by Giggleswick

Outfit provided by Liza Tye & Company

Outfit provided by Liza Tye & Company. Hat provided by Book Mart

Outfit provided by Liza Susan’s Hallmark

Outfit provided by Susan’s Hallmark.

NEW at VITALITY Starkville!

Norvell Spray Tan and the

Bellus Medical Skin Pen

(662) 323-5377 • 321 University Dr. , Starkville, MS September 2016 | 75

76 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Starkville’s Annual Dancing in the Park Photos by Brittney Dowell

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1. Cynthia Milons and Bradi Clay 2. Kayla Gilmore and Jami S. Haley 3. Sharon Breckenridge, Christy Crenshaw and Tanner Lewis 4. Ainsley Dobbs, Becca Breckenridge, Anna Breckenridge and Mary Munn 5. Kiondra McNeal, Rachel Barnes, Rebecca Perkins, Jennifer Sonnier, Sarah Sudduth 6. Peggy Hornesburger, Patti Abraham, Joy Willis, Cheryl Martin, Sue Minchew, Chris Emplaincourt and Shun Holmes September 2016 | 77

Mississippi State University Alumni Association Meeting Photos by Keats Voges-Haupt

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1. Michael Robinson and Tim Chamblee 2. John Crecink and Candy Crecink 3. Carol Moss Read and Madrina Bokenkamp 4. Alexie Williams and Ross Williams 5. Bart Wood and Carolyn Malone-Phillips 6. James White and Sue White 78 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Oktibbeha County Alumni Association Send-off Party Photos by Camille Watts-Carskadon

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1. Justin Tate, Morgan Fore, Kristal Tate and John Miller Tate 2. Juquitta Docher and Julie Ferguson 3. Katelyn Jackson and Gwyen Elizabeth Sutphin 4. Laueron Maddox, Daniel Liffrie and Callie Wells 5. Ben Griffith and Matthew Comish 6. Miss MSU Meredith Thomas and Bully September 2016 | 79

Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Small Business Breakfast

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80 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Oktibbeha County Humane Society’s Annual Dog Paddle Photos by Margaret McMullen

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1. Doug and Debbie Martin with Kirby 2. Hanna Plaugher, Stephen Campbell and June Bug. 3. Thomas Bray and Maci 4. Coen and Chauncey with King 5. Skye Cooley and Valley 6. Lady September 2016 | 81

The Detectives and Central Station Grill present “When Cletus met Elizabeth” Photos by Ashley Covin

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1. Alex and Dee Barnette 2. Charles and Ashley Byrd 3. Dylon Sawtell and Catherine Craig 4. Jamey and Ben Bachman

82 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

SEPTEMBER 2

7:00-9:00pm FI RE STAT ION PA R K

unique indy vendors • pop-up shops • artisans food & beverage tastings • live music

POWERED BY

starkvillenightmarket.org /mscollegetown

IG: @starkvillems

When most people think about Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) they probably think of someone who helps people with communication disorders such as stuttering or lisping.

While it’s true that they do help with those issues, they do so much more. SLPs also work with people who have trouble listening, reading, writing, thinking and swallowing.

The licensed Speech-Language Pathologists in the OCH REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER REHAB SERVICES DEPARTMENT are highly-educated professionals and are certified by the American Speech Language-Hearing Association. In addition, their certification qualifies them to evaluate, diagnose and treat a broad range of delays and disorders in their patients.

Speech-language therapy is beneficial in the treatment of these and other conditions: • stuttering/fluency disorders • pediatric language problems and delays • pediatric articulation disorders • voice disorders • accent modification • dysphagia/swallowing problems • cognitive and language disorders related to stroke, traumatic brain injury & neurological disease

They work with each patient individually to custom design a program that will help him become as functional and independent as possible in his daily environment and activities.

Most anyone who has difficulty expressing his ideas or understanding others can benefit from speech-language pathology services. Ask your doctor if our services could be right for you!

Speech Therapy at OCH Regional Medical Center...

Our results speak for themselves!

www.och.org