April 2013

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 6

OWN & OWN T G MAGAZINE

APRIL 2013

TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Linkie Marais

Food Network Star 2012 Finalist

Birmingham Fashion Week

Local NFL Player

Reggie Kelly Home to Starkville

LIVING LOCAL

Festivals

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Visit Starkville Academy Plaza Starr Avenue Starkville

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A PRODUCT OF HORIZON OF MISSISSIPPI P.O. Box 1068 | Starkville, MS 39760 www.townandgownmagazine.com

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STAFF

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DON NORMAN | PUBLISHER sdnpub@starkvilledailynews.com

CLAIRE MASSEY | EDITOR claire@townandgownmagazine.com

LINDSEY JOHNSON | SR. ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE lindsey@ townandgownmagazine.com

EMILIA MORGAN | ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE emilia@ townandgownmagazine.com

KELSEY PEDERSEN | ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE kelsey@ townandgownmagazine.com

LIZZIE SMITH | INTERN CATHERINE STUKENBORG | INTERN

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PAGE DESIGN

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CLAIRE MASSEY

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WRITERS

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MEG HENDERSON JOE LEE RICHELLE PUTNAM LIZZIE SMITH

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

DIVIAN CONNER ASHLEY COVIN LAURA DANIELS LIZZIE SMITH CATHERINE STUKENBORG

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ADVERTISING DESIGN

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CHRIS MCMILLEN

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CONTRIBUTORS

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ABBY HATHORN LISA LAFONTAINE BYNUM CHRISTINA LUCAS AMY TAYLOR LINDSAY JO WILKINSON 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.

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Table of

Contents

On the Cover TOWN & GOWN MAGAZINE

APRIL 2013

Linkie Marais

Food Network Star 2012 Finalist

Birmingham Fashion Week

HOME AND GARDEN 15 A Long Overdue Makeover 20 DIY with Amy Taylor Summer Wreaths 22 M&F Bank Tips for Income Tax Refund

Local NFL Player

Reggie Kelly

TASTE AND TOAST 24 “Once a Southerner, always a Southerner” 28 Cravin’ Crawfish 32 Delightfully Spring 37 Hope Village for Children Fundraiser

Home to Starkville

Festivals

SCAN FOR ONLINE ISSUE

Linkie Marais, 2012 finalist of Food Network Star, draws from her South African and Mississippi heritage when she goes to work in the kitchen.

Photography by Divian Conner.

LIFE AND STYLE 41 Ready, Set, Festivals 51 Home to Starkville 57 Birmingham Fashion Week 62 What is on your mind?

IN EVERY ISSUE 68 Lindsay Jo: Festival Time!

7 Staff 13 Letter From the Editor FEATURES 64 T&G Wish List 46 The Big Sauce 69 Literature 70 Events 78 Calendar 81 Advertisers

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t might as well be Spring! Our April issue is drawing the line on the cold rainy days and is bringing the fun and sun all in one issue.

Inside this issue you’ll find all you need to know about local festivities, celebrities, must try have to’s and more.

I say this each time when planning an issue, but this by far tops any Town & Gown we have published.

All the areas we cover are considered by most “small towns”. To me, they are overflowing with people who love their city. Starting with Starkville local, Gloria Bagwell-Rowland, opening Magnolia Manor as a bed & breakfast/event venue (page 15) to local celebrities keeping to their roots through their love of food like Aberdeen’s, Reggie Kelly (page 46). This also includes Food Network Star Finalist and Mississippi University for Women alumna Linkie Marais (page 24).

For those who are local or are just visiting, there are numerous of activities, restaurants and have to’s that are “Home to Starkville” you must do and see while here (page 51).

One thing that many of our readers associate April with is festivals. So, not only did we cover the Cotton District Arts Festival and Super Bulldog Weekend, but Columbus’ Market Street Festival, Oxford’s Double Decker Festival and more (page 41).

The response to our Taste and Toast section has been over-whelming and we thank you! This is the season for spring time meals that are light and refreshing to the pallet. Food blogger, Lisa LaFontaine Bynum, with The Cooking Bride brings you “Delightful Spring” dishes for any occasion.

Plus Louisiana native, Christina Lucus, shows you how to top it off with crawfish inspired recipes (page 28).

Town & Gown Magazine Stylist, Abby Hathorn, photographer Divian Conner and I visited Birmingham for their fashion week and brought back Spring fashion to look forward to this season. Plus Abby had the chance to interview co-founders Heidi and Jeana of BFW (page 56).

As for us here at Town & Gown, we hope you enjoy the April issue and join us at the entrance (Maxwell St.) of the Cotton District Arts Festival for an opprotunity to meet our staff as we welcome you to a day of festivities on Saturday, April 20, 2013.

Editor

Letter from the

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Claire Massey Editor

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Home and Garden

A Long Overdue Makeover

S t or y Joe Lee Pho t og r aph y Diviain Conner

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fine old Starkville home is not only getting a substantial makeover, it is being converted into what could be a lucrative business venture for Gloria Bagwell-Rowland.

Located at the corner of North Jackson and Old U.S. 182, Magnolia Manor, LLC will serve as an event center with a bed and breakfast on the second floor when complete. Built in the 19th century in the Greek Revival architectural style, the home boasts 3,000 square feet of space on the ground floor for events as well as a porch across the front and another along the side entry. Rowland, an Mississippi State University grad who bought the property in 2011 with her husband, Hal, in 2011 has renovated several homes over the years.

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“I am ready to book weddings, receptions, dinners, showers, parties, and private and corporate events,” Rowland said. “We are open for events on the ground floor, porches, and grounds. Bed and breakfast rooms are available now at the off-site cottage on Greensboro Street with Continental breakfast items stocked at that location, or guests can come to the Manor house for a hot breakfast served in the dining room.

“We have a commercial kitchen and a chef who works on a contractual basis when events are booked. Meals and food service can (range) from very formal to very casual – whatever the guests wish.”

Rowland, who estimates that her family has been in Mississippi about 180 years, has done extensive research into the ownership of the home.

“I have seen deed recording notations for the property in the Valentine family name back to the late 1800s,” Rowland said. “That family, I think, built the house, but I have not yet been able to determine what year.

“The last Valentine family to live in the house had four daughters and one son. One of the daughters, Adalaide, lived here all her life and was a schoolteacher for many years.

Some Starkville residents still remember her as their teacher. Her father built the house next door (now Three Generations Tea Room) for her when she married. She lived there, I understand, the remainder of her life.”

The property was sold after the death of Mr. Valentine. Several Starkville families and two MSU fraternities have owned and lived at the home since then.

“There is a gap in my knowledge of owner until the Sigma Chi fraternity bought it in 1949, I think,” Rowland said. “They sold it to John Hollis 1971. The Hollises must have sold to the Phillips family because the Delta Chi fraternity bought it from the Phillips in 1989 (best I can tell). My husband and I bought the property from the Delta Chi Gloria Bagwell-Rowland, owner of Magnolia Manor, LLC. fraternity in 2011.”

While Rowland knew that she and her husband had a hefty renovation project ahead of them, they’re a quarter million dollars over budget to date.

The parlor area is reminiscent of an 18th century cigar men’s room decorated with hunting memorabilia and leather couches. Great for the groomsmen to relax before the wedding ceremony or a after-dinner coffee room.

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Dinning/Banquet room is a multi-purpose area for corporate lunches, dance floor for receptions and more.

“The house was actually in very poor condition when we purchased it,” Rowland said. “We had to completely rebuild the front porch roofs over both the ground floor and second floor porches because the roof leaks had gone on for so long even the joists were rotten. The contractor said the porches were almost ready to fall off the front of the house.

“There were multiple water leaks inside the house, resulting in rotten floors and ceilings, holes punched in walls, doors battered, carpets glued directly to the original hardwood floors, a lot of rotten wood siding around the outside of the house – just overall poor upkeep and misuse.

“My vision for the property is to restore her as best we can to her original state,” Rowland said. “We rebuilt the porches on the front of the house, replaced all the rotten siding, restored the original floors, and found one of the original coal-burning fireplaces behind some sheetrock and exposed it. I have saved pieces of the original wallpaper for a display as a part of a historical tribute honoring the history of the house, which I will put together when I finish the deed research and, hopefully, receive pictures of the property from its early years.”

Amanda Dahl of Starkville and her husband are friendly with Rowland’s grandson and have followed the transformation of Magnolia Manor from the beginning.

“When my husband decided to throw me a surprise party for my 30th birthday, he knew he wanted to have it at the Manor,” Dahl said. “The Manor was the perfect setting for the intimate gathering and Gloria was a wonderful hostess. She apparently asked my husband about all my favorite things, because the space was decorated with white tablecloths and each table had an arrangement of my favorite flowers, hydrangeas, arranged in various antique pieces. She researched the recipe for one of my favorite drinks and even served it to me in a sterling silver birthday glass.

Great room ideal for family gatherings and receptions.

Ali Jones with Ali’s accents & arrays interior design service is the interior designer for Magnolia Manor, and Gloria Bagwell-Rowland, owner of Magnolia Manor, LLC.

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It was very feminine and classic and a perfect space for the party.”

Starkville-based interior decorator Ali Jones has helped Rowland choose everything from colors and fabrics to artwork, antiques, and furniture settings for the home. She also assisted with the first wedding rehearsal Rowland hosted.

“Renovations had begun when I saw the house for the first time last May, but it was in atrocious condition,” Jones said. “I can see Gloria’s vision and what she’s trying to achieve – she’s trying to preserve and restore a piece of history – and what she’s done with it is amazing.

“It will be huge for Starkville. There’s no venue like that here – her ultimate goal is the bed and breakfast – but she can host anything from a bridge game to a formal gathering or sit-down dinner in a beautiful Victorian home. It will be great for the community.”

“I would definitely recommend the Manor for any event,” Dahl said. “The house itself is just beautiful and is an ideal setting for many types of events. They have done a wonderful job restoring the Southern charm of the home and Gloria, like any proper Southern lady, knows how to host a fabulous party.”

To book Magnolia Manor for an event or to spend an evening at the off-site cottage, call Rowland at 662-694-1832. Visit www.MagnoliaManorStarkville.com and be sure to “like” the Magnolia Manor page on Facebook.

“This is most definitely a labor of love,” Rowland said of the home. “I want to have an album depicting her history and mentioning those who are helping me bring her back to a more ‘stately’ state. I keep saying that every lady deserves a makeover, and hers is long overdue.” F

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DIY with Amy Taylor Summer Wreaths

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Create an eye-catching, custom wreath for your home with any fabric you choose! You can choose a bright summer fabric for this season, or select a neutral fabric for a piece that can be used year-round.

Taylor, Petal native and Starkville resident, is a Southern Mississippi graduate where she earned a bachelor degree in broadcast journalism and obtained a master’s degree in Agricultural and Extension Education from Mississippi State University. She is an avid do-it-yourself crafter, artist and has passion for home design and projects. *Visit Amy at the Cotton District Arts Festival on April 20, 2013 for handmade crafts.

Steps:

Material:

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Straw or styrofoam wreath Burlap Fabric of your choice Ribbon Heavy duty glue or hot glue gun

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Step 1: Cut burlap length-wise into 4-inch strips (doesn’t have to be perfect).

Step 2: Wrap burlap strips around wreath, secure with glue.

Step 3: Repeat all around the wreath.

Step3: Cut fabric length-wise into 2-inch strips, twist and roll up to resemble a flower.

Step 4: If you want make the flower fancier, cut a square of sold fabric, fold it like a fan, staple in the middle.

Step 5: To create the look shown here, staple/glue the two ends of the fan together. Secure the colorful flower on top with glue.

Step 6: Add strips of lace with glue and ribbon. I added several three layers to this wreath. Glue on fabric flowers in whichever arrangement you choose. You can make this piece as simple or as fancy as you wish!

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Putting your Income Tax Refund to Good Use

By M&F Bank

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ebruary is the time of year when the government issues Income Tax Refunds and used car sales climb. Coincidence? Absolutely not.

M&F Bank Branch Manager Andrew Young states, “Every year our economy gets a little boost as the extra money we pay into state and federal income tax gets returned to us. It feels like free money, but it is money we have already earned, just like every other dollar that shows up on our paychecks.” So, why do we treat it differently?

Mentally, we write off the money that goes to taxes as money that is no longer ours. With sales tax, that is exactly the case. With income tax, it is not always the case.

How Withholding Works

Income tax is taken from your check based on what the government estimates you will owe at the end of the year. If you are an employee, you fill out a W-4 form for Federal tax and a State withholding form for State tax. If you remember your hire day, in your paperwork you had a series of questions/statements where you entered “1”s next to those that indicated that you had “allowances” and not as many funds should be withheld for taxes. At the end of the form the “1”s are added and your score, along with your salary, determines the amount of withholding from your pay. The more “1”s, the less the withholding (so less is taken out of your paycheck). At the end of the year, this estimated amount that was withheld is compared to what you actually owe, and that determines whether you owe more or get a refund. The system is designed to be as close to accurate as possible. Some people don’t claim all of the personal allowances that they qualify for, so they have

fewer “1”s, and use their paid-in taxes as a kind of savings account that they then cash in when they get a refund at the end of the year.

Be Realistic

Treat any income tax refund money you receive as regular income. After all, you earned it as income. The responsible thing to do is to put your same percentages away in savings that you always do with any paycheck, as well as play money or other planned allocations.

Many of us feel the psychological pull to spend our “surprise” refund money.

Everyone is geared differently. Some people feel a compulsive need to save every penny. Whatever your psychology, a neat trick to play on yourself to temper either extreme is to plan to spend half and save half. This strategy satisfies the compulsive psychology and allows you to add better balance to your life. The curious thing is that even though you know what you are doing, the trick still works. That is the nature of psychology – it applies even when you know how it works.

Be Intentional

The income tax withholding systems are designed to be accurate. If you filled yours out accurately, don’t count on a refund. Keep in mind that other income that you may receive during the year will increase the chance that you owe money rather than get a refund. If you are able to get a refund, use your money intentionally and treat it like a paycheck if you can – since that is the true nature of the funds.

The Smart Money Tip of the Month:

What should you do with your income tax refund?

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Plan to allocate the funds just like any other paycheck. It is regular in come.

If you feel the need to compulsively spend or save, and would like some balance, try splitting the difference – spend half and save half. This trick satisfies the compulsion and may help add balance to your financial habits.

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Taste and Toast

“Once a

Southerner , always a Southerner”

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S t or y b y Meg Hender son Pho t og r aph y b y Divian Conner

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ood is a language that is common to all of us.

Without a word, food welcomes guests into our homes, comforts us in times of need, and connects us to our communities. Food is a reflection of culture and tradition, and as the world becomes more integrated and diverse, so does the food we eat.

Linkie Marais, who rose to gastronomic fame as a finalist in the 2012 season of Food Network Star, draws from her South African and Mississippi heritage when she goes to work in the kitchen.

Although she is best known for her cakes and desserts, Marais describes her culinary style as “a melting pot of influences that gets thrown into a basket of exploration…comfort food that gets spiced up and dressed up.”

At the moment, some of her favorite recipes are Red Wine Braised Oxtail with Polenta, Curried Chicken with Dried Fruit over Orzo, and Cranberry Chutney Stuffed Cornish Hen, all reflecting cooking methods and ingredients from around the globe.

Marais’s culinary influences began at an early age. “In South Africa, food is part of getting together,” she explained. “We have these ‘braais’ (cookouts) where we may put a whole lamb on the spit and have several families visit until late at night.”

At age 16, Marais immigrated to the U.S. from South Africa with her parents and two sisters and settled in Mississippi. It didn’t take her long to embrace Southern culture and cuisine. She credits her parents to this day for the sacrifices they made for their children.

“I learned from them what it really means to work for something and to never back down from your dreams and goals, no matter how impossible they seem at the time.

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Linkie’s Cranberry Chutney 2 cup fresh cranberries ¼ cup craisins ¾ cup dried apricots (sliced finely) ½ cup packed brown sugar 2 cups cranberry juice ½ tbsp. cinnamon 2 tsp. fresh rosemary (chopped) 1 tbsp. white wine vinegar 1/8 tsp. red pepper ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. ground black pepper Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook on high until the mixture comes to a boil. Cranberries will make soft popping sounds. Boil on high for 3-5 minutes, then turn heat down to medium and boil for an additional 10-15 minutes or until mixture thickens. Cool down and use room temperature or heated up.

Visit linkiecakes.com for more of her favorite recipes, cake gallery, workshop dates and more.

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Soon after her family’s arrival, Marais began working at Billie’s Catering and Flowers, where Ms. Billie Robison mentored her and taught her the basics of cake decorating.

After completing culinary school, she landed a job at Ole Miss’s catering department, where she became famous for her bread pudding. “Ole Miss Catering prepared me for the real world. Working there pushed my abilities and challenged me to explore more possibilities with food and pastries,” she said.

Marais, who now resides in Boston, added, “I won’t ever get away from my good old-fashioned pecan pie, sweet potato casserole, or fried okra…once a Southerner, always a Southerner!”

Since her Food Network days, Marais has been busy establishing her brand, which includes homegating (a trend in home entertaining driven by female football fans) and outdoor cooking. She hosts a local cooking show called “Living Linkie Style” and has planned several TV appearances, as well as cooking and cake decorating classes, for the spring. Grilling enthusiasts can follow Marais as she competes in the Green Egg Cook-off, where she will prepare an entrée and dessert on the grill.

The Food Network celebrity recently returned to Mississippi to demonstrate her cake decorating techniques.

Mississippi University for Women, her alma mater, invited her to lead a workshop on campus February 21.

“I love MUW and love Mississippi, so for me it is an honor to go back to the place where everything started,” she said. F

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Cravin’ Crawfish Crawfish inspired recipes from Louisianan native, Christina Lucas Photography by Divian Conner Crawfish Provided by The Little Dooey

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Boiled crawfish: Serve crawfish on menu: Oxford: Dixie Crawfish Company 766 North Lamar Blvd.

(662) 571-4425 Newton: Cook's Bar-B-Q 111 Northside Plaza (601) 683-2662 Starkville: The Little Dooey 100 Fellowship (662) 323-6094 Rosey Baby 300 South Jackson St. (662) 324-1949

Christina Lucas

Christina Lucas, Louisiana native and Starkville resident, has degrees from LSU (B.S.) and The University of Memphis (M.S. - Leadership and Policy Studies). She enjoys cooking and creating simple, easy to follow recipes. She is also a yoga enthusiast, artist, and has a passion for keeping life simple and enjoyable. You can follow her on Pinterest at www.pinterest. com/christinalucas/. For more inpired crawfish dishes visit her pinterest board, Crawfish T&G. Thanks to The Little Dooey for providing crawfish for Cravin’ Crawfish photos.

Brewski’s 301 Hwy 12 (662) 323-5347 The Rubba Boot Crawfish Company 204 Hwy 12 E., Suite D (662) 268-8086 The Crawfish Hole Hwy 12, Next to Designers Gallery (662) 270-2872 Tupelo: Heads or Tails Crawfish Company 220 N. Gloster St. (601) 218-3154 West Point: Jimmy's Crawfish The New Main Street Market (662) 295-0878

Columbus: Huck's Place 121 5th Street South (662) 327-6500 Starkville: Restaurant Tyler 100 East Main St. (662) 324-1014 Oby’s 504 Academy Road (662) 323-0444 The Veranda 208 Lincoln Green (662) 323-1231 Newton: Zack Garvin's Intersection of Hwy 15 and 80 (601) 683-7597 Meridian: Weidmann's 210 22nd Ave. (601)-581-5770

Dobi’s Ragin’ Cajun 4900 Poplar Springs Drive (601) 282-5876 Oxford: Boure 110 Courthouse Square (662) 234-1968

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Crawfish Cornbread A Cajun twist on Mexican cornbread!

Makes 12 servings

1 cup Buttermilk self-rising cornbread 2 eggs 1 onion, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 jar diced pimentos, drained 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1 (15 oz.) cream-style corn (optional) 1/3 cup chopped jalepeño pepper 1 lb. peeled crawfish tails 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. cayenne powder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir together until equally distributed. Pour mixture into baking dish. Bake in preheated oven until the cornbread is light golden brown about 45-50 minutes. To test, insert toothpick in center. If it comes out clean, it is ready.

Allow cornbread to rest for 10 minutes.

Serve warm. Enjoy!

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Southern Fruit Tea This tea is so addictive and perfect for a party on a warm day.

Makes 2 gallons

3 tea bags - for iced tea 1 1/2 quarts boiling water 2 cups sugar 1 (48 oz.) can pineapple juice 1 (12 oz.) can frozen orange juice 1 (12 oz.) can frozen lemonade water for diluting

In large stock pot, bring 1 1/2 quarts of water to a boil. Turn off heat; add tea bags and sugar and let steep for at least 30 minutes. Discard tea bags.

Add all juices. Stir until combined. Add water as needed to dilute to taste.

Transfer mixture into desired serving pitchers. Serve iced. Enjoy!

Crawfish Etouffee

Etouffee sounds fancy, but if you can chop and stir, you can make this recipe!

Serves 4 to 6

1 cup diced yellow onion 1 cup diced celery 1 cup diced green bell pepper 2 cups chicken broth 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup butter 1 lb. peeled crawfish tails Rice - cook as directed

In saute pan, saute onions, celery, and bell pepper until soft. In a regular sized soup pot on medium high heat, add chicken broth and flour. Stir until combined. Add butter. Watch the mixture closely and stir until smooth. Reduce heat to low. Add peeled crawfish tails and sauted vegetables to the mixture. Stir to combine. Heat for 30 minutes. Serve over prepared rice.

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Taste and Toast

Delightfully Spring The Cooking Bride

Lisa LaFontaine Bynum is a freelance writer from Grenada. Her work has appeared in several publications in Mississippi. She is a graduate of Delta State University where she received a B.A. in Marketing and her M.B.A. In her free time, she enjoys food writing and photography and documents her culinary happenings on her blog The Cooking Bride. She currently resides in Brandon with her husband and son.

Recipes and photography by Lisa LaFontaine Bynum

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Bone-in Pork Chops with Blueberry Sauce ...

Serves 2

For the pork chops: 1 tsp. finely chopped fresh sage 1 tsp. finely chopped fresh marjoram or thyme 2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper 2 thick cut, bone-in pork chops For the blueberry sauce: 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter Ÿ cup diced onion ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries (if using frozen, allow them to thaw first) 1/3 cup dry white wine 1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar 1 tsp. granulated sugar 1/8 tsp. cinnamon Salt to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For the pork chops, combine herbs and spices. With clean hands, rub the spice mixture onto the outside of the pork chops. Heat a well-seasoned cast-iron or other oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, place the pork chops in the skillet and sear the outside of the chops on both sides. Place the entire skillet in the oven. Roast for or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

For the sauce, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and blueberries and sautĂŠ for 1 minute. Add the wine, vinegar, and sugar. Bring mixture to a boil and cook for approximately 6-8 minutes. Using a fork, mash the blueberries. Continue to cook until the liquid is reduced and the sauce begins to thicken.

Drizzle sauce over plated pork chops.

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MissisSIPPER ...

Serves 6

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 8 - 10 lemons) 2-1/2 cups cold water, plus additional if needed 1/2 cup ribbon cane syrup 1.5 ounces (about 1 shot glass full) bourbon for each glass, optional Ice In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice and water. Add ribbon cane syrup and stir until completely combined. Fill individual glasses with ice. Add one shot of bourbon to each glass, if desired. Fill the rest of the glass with lemonade mixture.

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Lemon-Thyme Muffins with Lemon... Glaze Serves 10-12

½ cup butter, softened ¾ cup sugar 1 egg ½ cup buttermilk ½ cup sour cream 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 Tbsp. minced fresh thyme 1 Tbsp. grated lemon peel ½ tsp. baking soda ¼ tsp. salt For the glaze: 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted 3 to 4 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp. grated lemon peel Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add egg and continue to mix until combined. In a smaller, separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and sour cream. In another bowl, whisk together flour, thyme, lemon peel, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low, add half of the flour mixture. Follow with half of the buttermilk mixture and continue to beat until combined. Repeat with remaining ingredients, scraping the side of the bowl as needed. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners or spray with cooking spray. Fill each cup about 2/3 full with batter. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from the muffins from the pan and transferring to a wire rack to continue cooling. Cool completely before drizzling with the glaze. In a large mixing bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and lemon peel. Stir until sugar is dissolved and glaze reaches desired consistency. If glaze is too thick, add water about a teaspoon at a time to thin. Drizzle glaze over the top of cooled muffins.

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Asparagus, Bacon and Pepper Jack Mini Quiches ...

Serves 6

Pie crust dough for two 9-inch pies 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled 8 ounces pepper jack cheese, grated 4 eggs, slightly beaten 1 cup heavy cream ½ tsp. salt Ÿ tsp. ground black pepper 6 fresh asparagus stalks, trimmed Fit pie crust into six mini quiche pans.

Place pans in the refrigerator and refrigerate for 30 minutes. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Remove pans from the refrigerator. Line each pan with waxed paper and fill crusts with pie weights or dried beans.. Bake crusts for about 12-14 minutes, remove weights or beans, then bake for an additional 8-10 minutes until crusts are golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly on a wire rack. Do not turn off the oven. In a large bowl, combine bacon and cheese. Add eggs, milk, salt and pepper, and mix until well-combined. Pour mixture into the cooked pie shells. Place one asparagus stem on top of each quiche. Return to oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until tops are slightly browned and the middle of the quiche is set. Remove from the oven and allow quiches to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

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S t or y b y Ric helle Putnam Pho t og r aph y b y Ashle y Masse y & Submitt ed

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hen Mississippi’s sweetheart, Sela Ward, has a dream, hold on because things are about to happen.

Throughout her lifetime, Sela has pursued her dreams with passion, determination and perseverance. A successful awardwinning actress, Sela has also become an author, a painter, a wife and mother of two incredible kids.

But when a dream goes beyond what you want for yourself and veers into what someone else needs to survive and to maintain the mere basics of life, the drive is no longer fueled by just passion, determination and perseverance. It’s fueled by giving and loving beyond yourself, your friends and even your family.

Imagine this: A dark dilapidated house. There is no power.

There is no heat. There is no air-conditioning. There is no food in the pantry or refrigerator. The parents have been gone for days, leaving the children, two boys, alone in the house to fend for themselves. The big brother does everything in his power to take care of his younger brother, using whatever survival skills he has been forced to learn. Finally, the children are removed from their abusive home situation and placed under the care and custody of the Department of Human Services. Though treated with kindness and concern, the brothers cling to each other as they face yet another hard reality – being placed in separate foster homes.

Photo above: Sela Ward, founder of Hope Village for Children.

Ten years ago, after witnessing something like this, Sela set her sights on another dream that evolved into Hope Village for Children, a state-of-the-art campus in Meridian for abused and neglected children. Since opening, the Hope Village staff, programs and volunteers have nurtured approximately 2,000 children. And over those ten years, Hope Village has evolved into bigger dreams.

“It’s evolved a lot in that the more funding we can get, the higher quality and the more varied services we can offer these kids,” said Sela. “For instance, we built two transition homes.” These opened in 2009. “It’s criminal that these kids, once they age out at 18, are put on the street with a, ‘See ya.’ I don’t know about you at 18, but I couldn’t find my way out of a paper bag.”

Without the children being able to transition into adulthood like other children, they could end up in jail, getting on drugs, or end up

dead, said Sela. “What are they going to do? They don’t have money; they don’t have a job, so they can’t pay rent.”

Because Sela wants more for Hope Village children, her sights are set on something to help support and expand the Hope Village mission of providing hope to every child victimized by abuse, neglect or misfortune.

That something is the Celebration of Hope fundraiser, which will be held April 20, 2013 at the MSU Riley Center in Meridian.

“It costs an enormous amount a year for a 24 hour staff and to meet all the needs of the kids,” said Sela. “We get half of our funding from the state and half from private sources, so it’s time for us to, as we offer more services to the kids, to get more funding so we can keep

providing those services.” She said that the popular belief of, “Oh, that’s Sela Ward’s, they don’t need more money,” is absolutely a myth. “The two million or so dollars it takes to run the facility goes beyond my means.”

Costly services like dentists and orthodontists are always needed, so anything offered by the community to help support the healthcare of these children is hugely appreciated. “Meridian is one of those amazing places that are unbelievably giving. That’s the last complaint I would ever have because we have been so supported by the community and church groups.”

The Hope Village Guild, a group of women that do extra things for Hope Village, oversee one fundraiser a year, “Run for Hope.” The Guild uses the money raised to do special things for the Hope Village kids, like birthday parties and extras that are not in the budget or that are outside the function of the board. Rhonda Poole is a Hope Village Guild member and the coordinator of A Celebration of Hope fundraiser.

“The Guild’s hard work and dedication pays off as they get to do the fun part,” said Rhonda. “One girl had never had her birthday acknowledged. At age sixteen, she wanted a SpongeBob birthday party that the Guild made happen for her. She said she never thought she was worthy enough for a birthday party.”

Sponsors in the $10,000 Platinum Sponsorship Level will receive a commemorative hand painted carousel horse painted by local artist. Carousel horse above painted by Marsha Iverson.

Rhonda became involved with the fundraiser when she overheard Hope Village Executive Director Tina Aycock and Ann Alexander [Rhonda’s mother] talking about getting ready for a huge fundraiser, planning it and bringing somebody in to help get things going.

“I wasn’t interested in taking it on,” said Rhonda, “but I was interested in helping with the videos because the alumni were coming back to share stories of growing up at Hope Village and where they are today.”

Hearing those stories was all it took! After that, Rhonda was determined to go out there and sell the tables for the fundraiser.

“The greatest thing is connecting to the community to remind them that we are here and to tell them what we do,” said Rhonda. “Many new people are stepping up to be a part of it. Most of the local people in Meridian know about Hope Village, but when you visit people outside of Meridian, it’s a little different.” But, Rhonda said, all you have to do is tell the Hope Village stories and people want to be a part.

Sela’s goal for A Celebration of Hope is to raise 350 thousand dollars. “I have big dreams for Hope Village and it takes funding to do it. That’s just the reality of anything. We have had tremendous results, but I want to be able to offer more services and be able to pay our staff more and to create more programs.”

The levels of sponsorships for the event may at first seem high, but, as Rhonda explained, it’s a grand event with Sela and her celebrity friends.

“With Hope Village, we have been very blessed by a community that has always been helpful to help fill in where funding is needed,” said Rhonda, “Because Hope Village is not out there trying to raise money all the time, this makes the Gala special. It’s going to be a huge one-time event.”

When planning an event to raise money, the last thing you want to do is spend a bunch of money. Luckily, that hasn’t been the case with this fundraiser due to the generosity of those involved. The photographer is donating his time, the limousine driver is donating his time, the florist is donating time and the caterers are working on cutting different deals. Even the red carpet has been donated!

The event will have cocktail parties upstairs and downstairs, plus a sit down dinner held at the MSU Riley Center in Downtwon Meridian. There will also be a silent auction and a live auction of items Sela obtained from her celebrity friends. Live Auction items include an autographed guitar from The Eagles and backstage passes and concert tickets to Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown, among many other delightful things. Celebrities include some of the CSI cast, including Gary Sinise. Others attending the Celebration are Tina Clark, Sam Haskell, Lance Bass and more.

“It’s going to be a great event that people are going to talk about for a long time,” said Rhonda. Even so, it’s the video of heartwarming stories of Hope Village Alumni at the end of the night that will most likely steal the show.

One alumni’s fondest memory of Hope Village was the day they put out a Slip ‘n Slide. He was sixteen april

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Girls cottage called Faith after a $250,000 donation for renovations after Hurricane Katrina. Dining and game/sitting area is adorned with bright cheerful colors on the campus of Hope Village for Children.

Sela’s advice to Hope Village Alumni:

“Believe in yourself, because if you don’t believe in yourself how can you expect anyone else to. And persevere, because when you get knocked down you have to get up again and go back out.”

Girls cottage bedroom.

when he slid down the hill. Afterward, he sat on the bench watching the other kids, thinking it was the greatest day of his life because it was the first time he’d been able to be a kid. When the Department of Human Services (DHS) took him and his little brother away from their parents, the staff at Hope Village promised they would do everything to get his little brother to Hope Village if he did everything they asked of him, like staying in school. He did and Hope Village fulfilled that promise.

“He said it was the first promise that wasn’t an empty promise,” said Rhonda.

This young man also made a 28 on his ACT test. “These kids can be so much more if somebody believes in them. If somebody teaches them that this is how it’s really supposed to be. If we have great expectations they can do it. But somebody has to expect it from them” “I know people drive by and look up at Hope Village knowing it’s Sela Ward’s, but do they really know what all is going on at Hope Village and the difference that it is making in these kids lives?”

For instance, when one Hope Village alumni came back to do the video, he was having trouble with his tooth. Immediately, Hope Village sent him to the dentist where he had a root canal.

“Most kids can go home when emergencies like this crop up,” said Rhonda.

“To these kids, Hope Village is home.”

But Sela wants even more for the children of Hope Village.

“My dream is to create a campus where we had a home for senior citizens,” said Sela. “They would become grandparents to the children and the children would become grandchildren to the seniors. The old and the young give to each other in so many ways. That would be part of a dream.”

Her vision includes developing the 25 acres to include experiential things for the kids. “Maybe a couple of horses that the children help take care of; using animals for therapy. All of those kinds of things, I would love to do if we had the money to implement.”

Sela would also like to collect enough data showing the results of the successes of Hope Village to get rid of the stigma that group homes are warehousing children.

“Nothing could be further from the truth about Hope Village,” said Sela. It’s a safe place, so kids feel safe and they’re not moved. The problem is that these kids are moved sometimes 15 different times in foster care. Their educational level suffers, special connections suffer and their emotional world suffers. “Where are you going to put all those kids? Do we keep moving them around because we think that group homes are warehouses?”

For those interested in learning more about Hope Village, its mission and its services, the website offers good information. However, Sela’s dream includes making the website more personal so visitors actually experience Hope Village.

“In this day of the Internet that we desperately need to revamp our website so that it offers that kind of information,” said Sela. “We’re going to have Tina’s corner where Tina, the Hope Village Executive Director, can share heartwarming stories of these kids and their plight.” Video shorts will have testimonials from kids who are alumni of Hope Village. “You will be able to hear them speak about their experience.”

Sela believes her beloved state can show the rest of the country how to revamp the foster care system. Adoptive parents can get to know the kids as they spend time with them at places like Hope Village. As prospective parents and child see if they’re a good match, the home can support those families and help with any issues they experience in the transitioning.

“I would love for Mississippi to be this state model,” said Sela. “That’s my dream.”

Hope Village for Children website: www.hopevillagems.org.

For information on “A Celebration of Hope” contact: Rhonda Poole, Sponsorship Chair, 601-484-0913, email rhondaapoole@aol.com. F

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Ready, Set, Festivals S t or y b y Joe Lee Pho t og r aph y Submitt ed

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Cotton District Arts Festival

Starkville, Miss.

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he Cotton District Arts Festival has grown in all directions over the years, but the popular annual event – now in its 18th year and presented by the Starkville Area Arts Council – remains true to its commitment to the arts.

“We expect upwards of 50,000 people this year. There is a very dedicated group of about 25 area chairpersons who commit their time and energy, working year round planning and organizing,” said CDAF Co-Chair Laurie Burton. “We also will have a large group of over 300 volunteers on the day of the festival, who work in shifts, doing everything from directing traffic, putting up stages and tents, to litter and clean up.”

Set for Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m..-5 p.m., this year’s CDAF gets underway early in the day with a 5K run and pet parade. There will be live music on two stages all day and a Juried Art Competition which will serve as a true feather in the cap of the artisan fortunate enough to win it.

The Writer’s Village will feature, among others, Mississippi State University football great Reggie Kelly, who’ll sign copies of his memoir, Prepared: Mind – Body – Spirit (See page 46 for feature on Reggie Kelly). Then there’s the eagerlyanticipated Taste of Starkville restaurant competition, with delicious appetizers, entrees, and desserts from restaurateurs from all over north Mississippi.

“The Taste of Starkville is not there solely to nourish the masses that come to the Cotton District Arts Festival, though it certainly accomplishes that mission,” said Food Co-Chair Jay Reed. “Rather, it is the premiere showcase for Starkvillearea artists whose skills shine best in the kitchen. It is an opportunity for local chefs to introduce their signature styles (often with a festival-focused twist), and for the thousands who attend the festival to try them all in one place – a double helping of good eats.

“In 2013, we welcome back some old favorites (and former winners) like The Veranda, Harvey’s, and Jonathan’s Homemade Scoops. We are also excited to have a few new restaurants in the mix this year, including Strange Brew Coffeehouse and The Cake Box, which will give festival goers a different mix to choose from in those early hours as they get warmed up for the arts, crafts and music throughout the day.”

“It’s clear that songwriting is a creative art and I’m glad it’s recognized along with all the visual and culinary arts featured at the CDAF,” said Dr. James Sobaskie, the Chair of the annual songwriting competition and a professor of music theory and composition at MSU. “Our three semi-finalists are awarded cash prizes and have the opportunity to play their songs at the height of the festival, so we believe winning can help budding careers.

“Our very first first-place winner, Jordyn Mallory is based in Nashville and has a busy career. Summertime Song was her winner. Last year’s second-place winner, Brinley Addington, is coming back to headline this year. Last year’s third-place winners, Hannah and Caroline Melby (formerly known as Nash Street; now performing as Hanalena) are from Starkville and will also perform.”

Other Starkville musicians will include classical guitarist Stephanie Jackson, cellist Courtney Blackwell, the blues-rock band Flathead Ford, and the popular 30 Fingers, featuring Jim Beaty, Jeffrey Rupp, and Chris Curry) and Flathead Ford.

Another performer who will certainly get a lot of attention is Jasmine Murray, the current Miss Mississippi State University and an American Idol Season Eight finalist.

“The 2013 Cotton District Arts Festival’s slate of entertainment is one of the largest in the festival’s history,” said Entertainment Chair Larry Wallace. “Many genres of music will be represented on two main stages, from country to rock to gospel to folk and blues to bluegrass. Classical guitar and cello will also be featured on each stage. We are so excited to have this outstanding lineup of talent this year.”

For more information, including the complete music lineup, visit www.starkvillearts.org.

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Stephanie Jackson Stagolee

Brinley Addington Hannah and Caroline Melby with Hanalena

Jasmine Murray

Ham Jam T

Super Bulldog Weekend I

Starkville, Miss.

t doesn’t get any better for the MSU sports fan than Super Bulldog Weekend. Now it its 28th, SBW begins Wednesday, April 17 with the opening rounds of the SEC women’s tennis tournament at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Center and continues with matches all of the following day.

On Thursday, John Cohen and the nationally-ranked MSU baseball team begin a three-game series with SEC opponent Auburn at 6:30 p.m. at Polk-Dement Stadium.

SEC women’s tennis continues on Friday while the baseball Bulldogs and Auburn tangle a second time.

“Super Bulldog Weekend is a special time for MSU students, alumni, and fans,” said MSU Athletic Director Scott Stricklin. “This spring, homecoming brings back generations of Bulldogs while introducing our beautiful campus to thousands of guests. With games, music, food and fellowship, there is literally something for everyone.”

The food includes the legendary pig-cooking contest behind McArthur Hall, which begins Friday morning at 8 a.m. The Farm Bureau Sampling of the Grill at 4 p.m., with the judging of the pig cooking from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday.

“Super Bulldog Weekend is a time when family and friends come from all over to eat barbecue, among other things,” said Pam Jones of Starkville, who has helped judge the pig-cooking for the past five years. “I love the games, the Cotton District Arts Festival, and just the high energy in the streets. I would never leave Starkville on that weekend.”

Saturday is the centerpiece of Super Bulldog Weekend, with all-day track and field events in the Jace Lacoste Invitational at Maddox Track; a soccer exhibition between MSU and the University of Southern Mississippi at the MSU soccer field; the semi-finals of the SEC women’s tennis tournament; a volleyball alumni match in the Newell Grissom Building; the finale of the MSU-Auburn baseball series; the highly-anticipated Maroon/ White spring football game. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Davis-Wade Stadium.

This year the Old Main Music Festival will take place at the MSU Amphitheater. It’s a free concert that begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes Cage the Elephant, Rosco Bandana, Ty Brown, and Pell.

Don’t forget the Fan Fair on the West Lawn across from the Junction. It takes place from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, and SBW 2013 wraps up Sunday at the Pitts Tennis Center with the finals of the SEC women’s tennis tournament.

Information about parking, shuttle buses, tickets, and start times for all SBW events can be found at www.hailstate.com.

Philadelphis, Miss.

he Philadelphia Ham Jam Arts Festival is a project of the Philadelphia Main Street Association, one of 47 programs dedicated to downtown revitalization within the state of Mississippi. It’s also PMSA’s biggest promotional event: the first two years (2002 and 2003) brought about 4,000 people to the downtown area for the weekend, but in 2008 that total grew to nearly 15,000.

This year’s Ham Jam will take place Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 in the renovated Depot. Over 200 volunteers from Neshoba County are involved through volunteering, participating in the talent show, the Hog Wild 5K Run/Walk, or cooking in the much-loved barbecue contest.

“The spirit of our community is overwhelming,” said Lisa J. Howell, PMSA Director and Ham Jam Coordinator. “We are so fortunate to have so many who care so deeply about our future. They are proud to acknowledge our past and are celebrating our future. For this, we are grateful and highly optimistic about our success.”

There’s lots of great live music at Ham Jam this year, including the band Class Reunion on Friday night from 8-10 p.m. The band Night Shift plays Saturday at 2 p.m., with a Jesus Jam at 3 p.m.

“Whether it’s walking around the historic Courthouse Square, listening to a band, or eating some of Dickey’s BBQ from the food court, Philadelphia’s Ham Jam has something for everyone,” said Tim Moore, the Community Development Partnership Chamber/Main Street Director. “Arts and crafts vendors from all over come to sell and display homemade creations that will take your breath away. If you have never experienced the feeling of hometown folks who will call you ‘friend’ and don’t even know your name, Ham Jam is something you will not want to miss.”

All attendees are encouraged to stop by the Main Street Barbecue booth on Friday and Saturday, which is another aspect of the fundraiser – all proceeds from the Ham Jam Arts Festival are returned to the Philadelphia community for public improvements.

Visit www.hamjamartsfestival.com for more information.

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Amory Railroad Festival Amory, Miss.

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58Twenty Music Festival Meridian, Miss.

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he 59Twenty Music Festival began in 2011 by the Young Professionals of Meridian as a way to raise funds for the Care Lodge, a domestic violence shelter that serves a nine-county area in East Mississippi. This year’s event is on Saturday, April 13 and will feature four bands on one stage from 2-11 p.m., as well as local artists performing on a side stage.

This year’s headliner is the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. Shepherd, a native of Shreveport, LA, had a national hit with a song he co-wrote, Blue on Black, in 1997.

“My approach from day one was that I was not going to record anything that I couldn't completely wrap my mind around and that I wasn’t prepared to play for the rest of my career,” Shepherd said. “I still enjoy playing all of the songs off my first album. They are as much fun to play today as they were in 1995 when that album came out. Every album that we’ve done I've tried to do different things. I’ve never wanted to be an artist where people could predict what was next.”

In addition to the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, attendees will enjoy Rosco Bandana, a Gulfport-based band that mixes blues, modern folk, and Americana sounds into their repertoire. They’re led by vocalist/guitarist Jason Sanford and vocalist/percussionist Jennifer Flint. Hanalena (formerly Nash Street) is led by the sister duo of Hannah and Caroline Melby of Starkville. They were named the “Best New Act in Country Music” at the 2008 Colgate Country Showdown at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, and play a unique blend of bluegrass, country, acoustic pop, and blues.

Then there’s fourteen-year-old Matthew Davidson who hails from Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s hometown of Shreveport. He began performing professionally in 2010 and “has received a tremendous amount of recognition, support and admiration,” according to International Musician Magazine. A guitarist and vocalist, Davidson performs rock, pop and blues, and he lists The Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Maroon 5, and John Mayer as influences.

To purchase tickets to this year’s 59Twenty Music Festival, visit www.ypmeridian.com.

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ow in its 35th year, the ever-popular Amory Railroad Festival is from Thursday, April 11 through Sunday, April 14 and offers the usual winning combination of mouth-watering food, lots of wholesome family fun, a car and truck show that will leave the classic car enthusiast begging for more, and spectacular live music.

The 2013 headliner is Restless Heart, the Nashville-based country music juggernaut with Billboard No.1 hits like I’ll Still Be Loving You and When She Cries to their credit. They’ll play Friday night at 8 p.m. On Saturday, The Bonfire Orchestra, a folk rock band from Tupelo that has opened for the Avett Brothers and Joe Cocker, will take the stage at 4:30 p.m.

Also on Saturday will be Amory native Priscilla Barker, a country music singer and songwriter who received her first taste of Nashville at age 14 when she sang at the world famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge. Always willing to give back, Barker has done benefit gigs to help tornado victims, wounded warriors and abused children. The full roster of musical entertainment (and everything you need to know about the festival as a whole) can be found at www.amoryrailroadfestival.com.

There’s also authentic railroad history to be found at the festival, which attracts more than 60,000 visitors each year has been cited by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Region's Top 29 events. It takes place in Frisco Park, directly in front of City Hall, and is a real railroad festival – there are real hobos at a campfire! And just so you’ll know, a city ordinance in Amory prohibits pets at Frisco Park.

Vendors and exhibitors will sell everything from packaged foods, imports, and jewelry to baskets, antiques, lawn and garden products, and more. You won’t have to worry about keeping the kids entertained with the Carnival right there on the grounds: buy an armband for just $15 on Thursday from 6:00 until 10:00 p.m.; Friday hours are 12-4p.m., and all day Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

There will also be a whole slew of food vendors, and the smells coming from the Festival will nearly bring you to your knees. With that in mind, plan on running the 5K Railroad Run on Saturday morning – then roll the sleeves up and have a mouthwatering good time! You’ll have earned it!

Market Street Festival

Columbus, Miss.

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Double Decker Festival Oxford, Miss.

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aking its name from the town’s authentic bus imported from England in 1994, the Double Decker Festival in Oxford brings people together for a day-long celebration of music, food, and the arts on the Courthouse Square.

Presented by C Spire Wireless and now in its 18th year, the popular event is set for Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27.

Artists from all over the southeast will showcase their work in every media imaginable, and you’ll enjoy delicious food while grooving to great live music for two solid days. Thacker Mountain Radio will be live from the Double Decker Festival from 6-9 p.m. and broadcast a free concert featuring Eric Deaton and Blue Mountain.

There’s a full day of music on Saturday beginning with the University of Mississippi Steel Drum Orchestra at 10 a.m., Chimney Choir at 11:30, Shannon McNally at 1 p.m., The Stooges Brass Band at 2:30, Kopecky Family Band at 4:00, J Roddy Walston and the Business at 5:30, Lee Fields and the Expressions at 7:00. The headliner, the alternative country/Southern rock band Drive By Truckers from Athens, GA, takes the stage at 8:30.

One more way to take in the beauty and history of Oxford while in town that weekend is to compete in the Double Decker Spring Run, a 10K course that will take you past beautiful antebellum homes, the Ole Miss campus, and Rowan Oak, the historic home of William Faulkner. The Double Decker Road Ride, also on Saturday, has three fully-supported bicycling distances of 20, 40, and 60 miles.

Proceeds from this year’s ride will go to Bike-Walk Mississippi and the local no-kill animal shelters in the area, 9 Live Cat Rescue and Drifters Place.

From 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, shuttle buses will run from the Oxford Convention Center to the festival every fifteen minutes. Adults will pay $5, with no charge for children under 13. Visit www.oxfordcvb.com for more information about the 2013 Double Decker Arts Festival.

arket Street Festival began in 1996 has grown to be the largest special event and festival in Columbus, and one of the largest in the state.

Set for Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, MSF encompasses 12 city blocks and the Riverwalk in historic downtown Columbus. It’s the largest fundraiser for Main Street Columbus and is crucial to the city’s downtown revitalization efforts.

Named a “Top 20 Event in the Southeast” by the Southeast Tourism Society for 14 consecutive years, MSF boasts crowds of nearly 40,000 each year who gather to enjoy over 250 arts, crafts, and food vendors as well as dozens of special events and musical acts. This year’s music lineup includes the Juke Joint Gypsies and Mother’s Finest, both of whom will play Friday night on the main stage.

Saturday features a full day of live entertainment on the main stage, the acoustic stage, and the WCBI stage. On the main stage, enjoy the Dirt Brothers at noon, Big Joe Shelton and the Black Prairie Blues Ambassadors at 1:30 p.m., and Linda Gail Lewis at 3:30. Kelsey Collins kicks off the performances on the acoustic stage that morning at 10 a.m., followed by Johnny C and the 2-Tones at 11:00, classical guitarist Stephanie Jackson at noon, Mike Cooper at 1 p.m., and Keith & Margie at 2:30. The Suzuki Strings will take the WCBI stage at 10 a.m., followed by the Columbus Community Choir & Barbershop Quartet at 11:00 and a performance by the Mississippi School for Math & Science Showchoir at noon. The Crank It Up Car Giveaway takes place on the WCBI stage at 1 p.m., followed at 2:30 by the Breaking Grass Bluegrass Band.

There also a mixture of good humor and art in the Painted Privies Contest, which is in its second year and gives artisans a chance to win prize money for the best depiction on canvas of the portable toilets found at MSF and other festivals. The children’s performance area is free to all youngsters and can be found on College Street by First United Methodist Church. And be sure to start your day early with the Market Street 5K run, which begins at 8 a.m. at the Riverwalk.

For more information about Market Street Festival visit www.marketstreetfestival.com.

Photo by Martin Howard

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The Big Sauce

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S t or y b y Joe Lee Pho t og r aph y b y Divian Conner

ississippi State University football great and Aberdeen native Reggie Kelly will never forget the 1999 NFL draft.

“I was projected as a high draft pick and was watching with my parents and brother,” Kelly said. “The phone rang during the second round, and my dad went to answer. He came back in and said it was for me. I didn’t want to leave the TV and miss anything, and he said, ‘This is a call I think you should take.’ I had a little bit of attitude when I went to get the phone.”

That changed in a hurry when Kelly realized who was calling.

“It was Dan Reeves, the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, who’d just won the Super Bowl,” Kelly said.

“He asked, ‘Would you like to become a member of the Falcons?’ It gave me chill bumps. They flew me up there the next day. I am an example that dreams really do come true.”

Kelly, now 36, played tight end at MSU from 1995-1998 and was named first-team All SEC in 1998.

He played 13 years in the NFL for the Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals before retiring after the 2011 season.

Not surprisingly, he and his friends lived and breathed football while growing up in Monroe County.

“Sunday mornings began with my mother making a big, delicious breakfast,” Kelly said. “Then we went to church, and as soon as the preacher gave the benediction I was thinking about getting home to watch the NFL games on TV. I loved the rivalries – like the Cowboys and Redskins – and the way Joe Montana played quarterback and the bone-crunching hits from Ronnie Lott.

“After the games we would play in the neighborhood, all of us imitating those moves and bone-crunching hits.

I knew I wanted to play in the NFL as far back as I could remember.”

An MSU graduate with a degree in Industrial Technology, Kelly was taught at a young age to give back and won the Ed Block Courage Award for Courage in 2007 while playing for the Bengals. Named for former Baltimore Colt trainer Ed Block and based on sportsmanship, inspiration, and courage, the award is presented annually to a player on each NFL team. Past winners include Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, and Joe Montana.

“It was truly an honor because it was voted on by my teammates,” Kelly said of the Block award. “I’ve always considered myself a businessman and don’t think the NFL should define you – I am a man of God. What I wanted my life to represent is this: ‘Don’t give up when times get tough.’”

“Reggie is an awesome husband, father, and leader in the community,” said Kelly’s wife and best friend, Sheila. The couple began dating in high school and has two children, Kyla and Kavan. “He is truly a man of integrity. He strives daily to practice what he preaches to others. He is so loving, and people draw to him.”

Reggie, Shelia, Kavan and Kyla

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KYVAN Soul Food named after his children Kyla and Kavan, was launched in 2011.

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PREPA R

Ricky Black, the head football coach at Jackson Prep since 1997, coached tight ends at MSU during Jackie Sherrill’s tenure and wasn’t surprised at anything Kelly accomplished.

“Reggie was a coach’s dream,” Black said. “He was a quarterback at Aberdeen High, but we perceived him Throu ghout Reggieend. He was very as a Tas ’s near ightaE tight ly eigh nd wit not on t years h the ly Benso c ar gals,coachried th and he has occas intelligent e ball on ions, b c u o t “Nu untless helped ber 8a able. those Hemwas 2” very has al caring aroun own p so d him ersonal reach g o their off the guy al poa of confi stslot field. A with both o ffectio n Rev” b an ucated d ately d y his te mind, ubbedwho he ammat dence –enhe knew 6’4” fr delible “The ame s, Reg spirit in g ie h to pas as put t he h sing was and who he wanted as lear ned fr of the om th gridiro e bar cod n e to g and st oes heran to be. There was the umble e s mad e of eve e in ryday accountability level in life. him as a student and as a player. He could carry the message from the coaches to the players, and carry the feedback from the players back to the coaches. It was like having a coach right there on the field.”

Kelly knew the time would come to hang up the spikes, but the transition to his post-football career began through something that always came as naturally as blocking and tackling: community service.

“I’ve volunteered at camps for underprivileged kids where NFL players and coaches were involved, where the kids could see successful people from all walks of life,” Kelly said. “We cooked for all the volunteers, and they raved about the ‘Down-South’ cooking. That’s how the KYVAN Soul Food line was born.”

KYVAN (named for Kyla and Kavan, of course) was launched in 2011 and includes a variety of family recipes including hot and mild honey-apple salsa, apple butter, barbecue sauce, jambalaya sauce, and blackberry-flavored honey. The products are available at Sunflower in Columbus, Piggly Wiggly in Starkville, Barnes & Noble at MSU, and Walmart in Starkville. All can be ordered directly through Kelly at www. reggiekelly82.com or www.kyvan.com. (Look up KYVAN on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter at kyvan82.)

Kelly is also an author and published Prepared: Body – Mind - Spirit in 2009. The book is available through either of his web sites and via www.amazon.com, where it can also be downloaded by Kindle users. It was praised by Books 2 Mention Magazine, which said, “Reggie clearly has tapped into a method in his writing that will gain the attention of readers and provide a much-needed conversation to encourage everyone to make the required preparation to set the path for success.”

Ed B o dy • M ind • S pir

Reggie played 13 years in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals before retiring after 2011 season.

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Kelly, now 36, played tight end at MSU from 1995-1998 and was named first-team All SEC in 1998.

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“I wanted to relate things I learned in the NFL, how what you go through is used to prepare you,” Kelly said of Prepared.

“There are life stories, things I handled well and things I didn’t handle well. It’s how you handle those flaws that prepare you for the future.”

Smithville, a small Monroe County town just minutes from Aberdeen, was leveled by a tornado on April 27, 2011. Kelly, who lives with his family in Atlanta these days, immediately called his parents to check on them.

They were in good shape, but the news wasn’t good for many friends and neighbors.

“I wanted to shed some light on the community. I wanted to help financially and emotionally, and that’s why I got involved with FEMA,” Kelly said. “It was devastating to see the heartbreak, but the people were encouraging – they welcomed me with open arms and encouraged me at a time when I wanted to help them. I’m proud of Mississippi for stepping up and helping.”

Kelly has also been active in recent years with the Salvation Army Kettle Drum fundraiser and the popular Shop with a Jock program for needy children.

“Shop with a Jock pairs NFL and NBA players, one-on-one, with impoverished kids and lets them go shopping during the Christmas season,” Kelly said. “The kids can spend the money on others – which they often do – or totally on themselves. It’s a chance to make that one day extremely special for the child, who gets to spend it with an NBA or NFL player and have Christmas presents that he or she wouldn’t ordinarily have.”

Kelly stays busy with motivational speeches and personal appearances at festivals such as the Don’t Be Cruel BBQ Duel in Tupelo (last month), and he’ll have copies of his book and samples of the KYVAN Soul Food Line for sale at the Amory Railroad Festival (April 11-14), the Cotton District Arts Festival in Starkville (April 20) and Market Street Festival in Columbus (May 4).

“Reggie is a local guy who has done very well for himself and, at the same time, stayed true to his roots,” said CDAF Co-Chair Laurie Burton. “He’s a pleasure to work with and just a down-to-earth, nice person. His KYVAN line of specialty sauces is a nice addition to our vendor lineup and complements our Taste of Starkville on-site food vendors very well.”

“My parents and brother taught me the importance of hard work, and taught me to trust in the Lord. My brother was the voice of reason and like a third parent,” Kelly said. “A good supporting cast will ensure tons of success. I try to do that with kids who don’t have fathers in the home.” ✦

Home to

Starkville S t or y b y Meg Hender son Pho t og r aph y b y Lizzie Smit h and Cat her ine S tuk ebor g

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ometown. Small town. College town. Boardtown?

Yes – the town we know as Starkville once had a different name. In 1831, a settler named Elijah Hogan bought land that had belonged to Choctaw Indians until Mississippi took possession of tribal land in the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. The Choctaw called this area “Hickashebeha,” which means “sweet gum grove.”

The agriculturally based settlement that was built on Hogan’s land was named Boardtown for a mill southwest of town, which provided clapboards for the original buildings. An apt name, perhaps, but not a long-lived one.

After being designated Oktibbeha’s county seat, the residents desired a more dignified name for their town. At the time, many Mississippi towns, including Kosciusko and Macon, were adopting names of Revolutionary War heroes.

Boardtown’s residents took part in this trend. David Ames, Starkville’s first mayor and New Hampshire native, persuaded the town to rename itself after Gen-

eral John Stark, a Revolutionary War hero and lifelong New Hampshire resident.

Therefore, in 1835, Boardtown became Starkville.

In 1878, Starkville became associated with another name: Mississippi A & M College. This land-grant college, renamed Mississippi State University in 1958, is a name that still has strong ties with Starkville to this day.

Although Boardtown did not remain the town’s official name for long, its legacy lives on in present-day Starkville. A number of businesses and organizations proudly bear the town’s original name. You may have visited Boardtown Bikes or run with the Boardtown Runners. Perhaps you have shopped at Boardtown Trading Post.

The evolution of the names associated with Starkville reflect both our past and our present. These names remind us of our town’s unique history as we continue to shape its future. april

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Have to’s Savor Weekend

Part of Starkville’s “Savor Our South” series, the weekend of April 18-21 has something for everyone.

Sports fans must experience Super Bulldog Weekend. For art lovers, the Cotton District Arts Festival offers local art, music, and food. Everyone can enjoy some live entertainment in the evening: Starkville Community Theater is showing “Par for the Corpse,” and Theater MSU will perform “All Shook Up.” www.visit.starkville.org.

Super Bulldog Weekend

Cheer on the baseball and tennis teams at MSU’s annual spring homecoming, meet the 2013 football team at the Maroon/White Spring Football Game, and chow down at the annual pig cooking contest.

When the sun sets, head over to the MSU Amphitheater for the Old Main Music festival. April 18-21. www.hailstate.com.

Aspen Bay Candles

See how your favorite candles, featured in publications such as People Magazine and Southern Living, are made by hand here in Starkville. Call (662) 323-0929 Factory Location: 1010 Lynn Lane, Retail Location: 116 E Main St. www.aspenbaycandles.com.

Left Field Lounge

On a game day, you’ll see MSU baseball fans squeezing their pickup trucks, motor homes and trailers into the outfield of Dudy Noble Field, where they tailgate and cheer on the Bulldogs. Many consider this to be “the” place to watch baseball in the SEC. www.hailstate.com.

Stromboli’s

After a full day of festivities, you’ll need to recharge with a hearty stromboli or calzone. Don’t be fooled – this little eatery serves them up big! And do “knot” leave without trying the cookie dough knots. 408 University Drive (662) 6154080. www.strombolismsu.com.

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The Veranda

Restaurants

Upscale, yet affordable and casual, this progressive restaurant near the edge of MSU’s campus features quality meat, seafood and pasta – always fresh, always in season – with a Southern twist. Try their famous blue plate lunch followed by fresh berry cobbler for dessert. 208 Lincoln Green. (662) 323-1231. www. verandastarkville.com.

Central Station Grill

Enjoy creative American food and drinks in a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere, located in the recently renovated Central Station. Catch live local music every third weekend of the month. 200 S. Montgomery St. (662) 323-6062. eatwithus.com/grill.

Old Venice Pizza Co.

Come here for your old Italian favorites…or try something new! Located in the heart of historic downtown, you’ll find a large selection of classic and contemporary Italian fare. Enjoy a cocktail or one of the many beers on tap in the Burgundy Room, where you may hear live music some nights.

110 E. Main St. (662) 320-6872. www. oldvenice.com.

Restaurant Tyler

Native Mississippian Chef Ty Thames uses only local, natural ingredients, resulting in food that is flavorful, innovative, and distinctly Mississippi.

This upscale downtown establishment, featured in Southern Living, proves that eating locally does not mean compromising on taste, quality, or variety. Don’t miss the lunchtime blue-plate specials or Sunday brunch. 100 E. Main St. (662) 324-1014. www.eatlocalstarkville.com/restaurant_tyler.

Zorba’s Greek Tavern

Just upstairs from Restaurant Tyler is one of downtown’s hidden gems. An eclectic combination of Greek-American restaurant and full-service sports bar with a casual vibe, it is a great place to sit down for a gyro or watch the game with a plate of fried feta cheese and a beer on tap. 100 E. Main St. (662) 324-8422. www. eatlocalstarkville.com/zorbas.

The Little Dooey

This award-winning Starkville institution has rightfully earned kudos from ESPN as one of the best barbecue restaurants in the U.S. Since 1985, locals and visitors alike have enjoyed the Wood’s family recipes in a down-home setting near campus. 100 Fellowship St. (662) 323-6094. www.littledooey.com.

City Bagel

The bagels are made fresh every morning in this friendly, family-run cafe just minutes from campus. For dinner, the freshly made pizzas and hearty baked pasta dishes are a must-try. A favorite of MSU students and faculty. 511 University Drive. (662) 323-3663.

Cappe’s

For 20 years, Cappe’s has been one of Starkville’s best steakhouses. The Thompson family, who has been in the restaurant business for decades, still prepares their steaks, chicken, and fish over a charcoal grill and provides a casual atmosphere that will make you feel right at home. 105 Eckford Drive. (662) 3241987. www.cappessteakhouse.com.

Harvey’s

The original “Eat With Us” restaurant, Harvey’s has been a leader in fine dining for over 30 years. The atmosphere is classy, yet comfortable, and the menu offers a wide variety of selections that will please every palate. For those on the go, Harvey’s To Go delivers right to your car. 406 Highway 12. (662) 323-1669. www. eatwithus.com/harveys.

Oby’s

One of Starkville’s favorite restaurants for college students and local families.

Every meal is served on a pewter platter filled with a taste of Cajun in each dish.

Known for their “ultimate po-boys” for over 35 years, Oby’s offers great New Orleans atmosphere with good food. 504 Academy Rd. (662) 323-0444. www. obys.net.

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Bars Halfway House

Zorba’s

Bin 612

Cowbells

Located “halfway” between downtown and the Cotton District, it’s a beer lover’s paradise, with 31 beers on tap. Pair your frosty brew with one of the 15 flavors of chicken wings and watch the big game on the big screen. 409 University Drive.

(662) 323-3888. www.halfwayhousestarkvillems.com.

See and be seen in this scenic Cotton District corner bar. The atmosphere is charming, from the inviting indoor dining area to the large outdoor porch. 612 University Drive. (662) 324-6126. www.eatlocalstarkville.com/bin_612.

Dave’s Dark Horse

Starkville’s oldest tavern and pizzeria is a favorite of MSU students and faculty.

Live music, singer-songwriter nights, Tavern Team Trivia, and other events are on tap at Dave’s…as well as a great selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. 410 A. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. (662) 324-3316. www.davesdarkhorse.com.

Rick’s

One of Starkville’s most popular bars and best places to experience live music, Rick’s is an essential part of Starkville nightlife. Check their website for upcoming shows. 319B Highway 182 East. (662) 323-RICK (7425). www.rickscafe.net.

Upstairs from Restaurant Tyler, a great place to meet friends after work or watch the game in a laid-back environment. Excellent selection of bottled beers and rotating selection of draft beers. 100 E. Main St. (662) 324-8422. www.eatlocalstarkville.com/zorbas.

A favorite hangout of MSU students located in Highland Plantation, this large bar is a spot for the young, late-late night crowd. Games, special events, and live music and dancing can be found on any given night. 1545 St. Andrew’s Lane.

(662) 615-9600.

Rock Bottom

Hitting rock bottom, in this case, feels great. Enjoy nightly drink specials, gourmet sliders, and an informal, down-home atmosphere in this Cotton District establishment. 701 University Drive, Building B, Unit A. (662) 324-8422. www. eatlocalstarkville.com/rock_bottom.

Drifters

Drift in to this cozy Cotton District bar with a tropical vibe. While you’re there, try the hand-rolled tamales. 701 University Drive, Suite A. (662) 292-0503.

Ptolemy’s Taproom

For those with discerning palates, Ptolemy’s is the place to go. They feature over 50 varieties of beer and serve them in a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Located in the Cotton District, a refreshing alternative to the typical college bar scene. 700 University Drive.

StaggerIn

A popular place for an afternoon snack or Blue Plate, StaggerIn will please anyone with a appetite for good food. With their large big screen TVs, Mississippi State ballgames are not to be missed. Plus enjoy drink specials every day of the week.

106 Maxwell St. (662) 324-2447. www.staggerin.net.

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Aspen Bay Candle-Making

Attractions

Call for a tour of the factory and see how Aspen Bay has been making its high quality, environmentally-conscious candles since 1978. 1010 Lynn Lane. (662) 323-0929. www.aspenbaycandles.com.

Starkville Arts Walk

Experience art and history in Starkville! Take a self-guided tour of Starkville featuring historical buildings and business that display art in their stores. The route (map available on website) takes you from the Cotton District to downtown. www. artswalk.starkvilleinmotion.org.

Mississippi Modern Homestead Center Whether it’s a lesson in gardening, knitting, or herbal remedies, a relaxing yoga session, or a delicious meal, the MMHC offers educational opportunities to help you connect, unwind, or learn a new practical skill. 402 Lake Valley Drive. (662) 694-0124. www.msmodernhomestead.com.

Templeton Music Museum (MSU)

Immerse yourself in musical history! The Charles H. Templeton Museum, located in MSU’s Mitchell Memorial Library, houses musical instruments, sheet music and recordings from eras gone by. The Templeton Music Museum also sponsors the annual Ragtime Festival. (662) 325-6634. www.library.msstate.edu/templetonmuseum.

MSU Cheese Store

Stop in and pick up some MSU-made goodies. Perhaps some Muscadine Ripple ice cream or a famous Edam cheese ball is just what you need to savor your visit to MSU’s campus. (662) 325-2338. www.msucheese.com.

Oktibbeha Heritage Museum

Located in historic Starkville between downtown and campus, this former railroad depot highlights the county’s rich historic and cultural heritage. This family-friendly venue offers something for adults and children alike. 206 Fellowship St. (662) 3223-0211. www.oktibbehaheritagemuseum.com/wordpress.

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Sports/Recreation Cotton District Arts Festival 5K & Fun Run

Kick off Starkville’s largest spring festival with a 5k race and new 1-mile family fun run that starts and finishes in the Cotton District and loops through the MSU campus. Prizes are awarded for 5k overall and age group winners. April 20. www.cdafestival.com.

Noxubee Refuge

Just minutes from Starkville is one of the area’s hidden gems for nature lovers. Canoe around Bluff Lake, hike one of many nature trails, go fishing, and observe a diversity of wildlife on land and in the water. www.fws.gov/noxubee.

Sportsplex

Open to all, Starkville’s Sportsplex offers indoor and outdoor athletic facilities as well as group fitness and recreation classes. 405 Lynn Ln. (662) 323-2294. www.starkvilleparks. com.

Boardtown Runners

Starkville’s largest running group is dues-free and open to all, no matter your age or fitness level. Runners and walkers meet at the home of Mike and Marcie White Saturday mornings at 6:30 a.m., and all are welcome to stay afterward for food and fellowship. www.boardtownrunners.org.

Starkville Cycling Club

A diverse group of road and mountain bikers who ride at all levels, from recreation and fitness to racing. Rides are open to all local and visiting cyclists, not just club members. Visit the website for details on the club, group rides and more. www.starkvillecyclingclub.org.

The Crucible

This race, which benefits the MSU General Scholarship Fund, is not your typical fun run.

This 4.2- mile “Extreme Obstacle Challenge” will push your body and mind to their limits with obstacles including barbed wire crawls, climbing walls and an ice pit. Event held at Highland Plantation. April 6. www.cruciblechallenge.com.

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LIFE AND STYLE

Birmingham Fashion Week

By A bb y Hat hor n l Pho t og r aph y b y Divian Conner and Submitt ed Location Bir mingham F ashion W eek Birmingham Fashion Week with its deep Southern roots and sense of community is not just your average fashion show. It is not only about bringing together local and national designers under one roof, but it is also about promoting local and Southern talent through its Rising and Emerging Design Stars competitions. "We wanted to bring something fresh, new, young, and exciting to Birmingham. BFW wants to help promote and inspire teenagers to follow their dreams. It makes me happy to involve these students in it," explains Jeana Lee Fleming, co-founder of Birmingham Fashion Week. BFW gives models, makeup artists, and hair stylists an opportunity to showcase their talents on the runway. "I love the energy that comes from Birmingham Fashion Week. It is so overwhelming," says Heidi Elnora, co-founder of Birmingham Fashion Week.

Last, but certainly not least, Birmingham Fashion Week is about community and backing nonprofit organizations like Camp Smile-A-Mile and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. "We are so blessed with so much community support! We want to show everyone how fashionable Southerners are, and Birmingham Fashion Week does just that," states Fleming.

Headlining Designer, Anthony Ryan Auld.

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The Stylist

Abby Hathorn

VIP

Visit Abby’s blog at vintageinspiredpassionista.com

A

Scan here!

Abby Hathorn, a 17-year-old small town Mississippi native now living and loving life in Birmingham, Ala., is a freelance writer, stylist, and blogger. Her blog, Vintage Inspired Passionista, is a platform to showcase Hathorn’s love of vintage and modern apparel, fashion tips and trends, DIYs, community and anything else that strikes her fancy. She is a member of the Independent Fashion Bloggers Association (IFB) and Alabama Bloggers.

Prior to the launch of her VIP blog, Abby’s desire was to make the voice of “good kids” heard by helping to negate the “sixteen and pregnant” with “sixteen and successful”. After a year of blogging, she realized there was a need for better coverage of community events, so with heels on her feet and ambition in her heart, she set out to transform the 30 second news clip into something more comprehensive and dazzling! Abby is passionate about getting involved with community events – no matter how big or small – and bringing her readers and followers along for the adventure.

Jane Wright, a Birmingham blogger (www.seejanewritebham.com) recently interviewed Hathorn about how she manages all of her activities. “Juggling my blog, writing for Real Story Publishing, styling for Town & Gown Magazine and finding time in the day to homeschool is quite a challenging task, but thanks to my iPhone and Claire Massey at Town & Gown Magazine and Joseph St. John at Real Story Publishing, I am able to find time in the day to do what I love – fashion and writing.”

If you have a community event that needs dazzling coverage, contact Abby Hathorn via email at vintage.passionista@gmail.com.

Join Abby on her adventures at www.vintageinspiredpassionista.com, Facebook at Vintage Inspired Passionista Blog, Twitter @Abbysauce_, Instagram @VintagePassionista, and subscribe to her YouTube channel VintagePassionista.

Claire Massey, editor of Town & Gown Magazine, Anthony Ryan, Project Runway All Stars Season 2 winner and headlining designer at BFW fashion show on Friday, March 1, 2013 and Abby Hathorn, stylist for Town & Gown Magazine and blogger.

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Kimberly Strickland, BFW volunteer and former model, Abby Hathorn, stylist for Town & Gown Magazine and blogger and Anna Marie Mobley Parrish, BFW volunteer and former model, at the BFW 2013 Kick Off Party.

Interview with

Jeana Lee

Jeana Lee Fleming is a fashion savvy, Alabama native married to Wes Fleming. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a major in advertising and a minor in political science. Fleming is the co-founder of Birmingham Fashion Week, and she also co-owns Belle Bridesmaid with her sister, Charlotte Thompson. Jeana has a talent for styling magnificent ensembles and rocks at accessorizing! “I have always loved fashion…I am so happy to have a profession in it,” states Jeana.

1. What influenced Birmingham Fashion Week to involve Alabama middle and high school students?

Birmingham Fashion Week reaches out to students (grades 6-12) across the state of Alabama encouraging them to create wearable pieces of art to enter into the BFW Rising Design Star Competition. Supporting and inspiring young designers is something BFW wants to accomplish. We were blown away by the talent of last year's Rising Design Stars, and we are so excited about this year's.

2. Describe Birmingham Fashion Week in five words.

This is a tough one because there are so many positive words to describe it. I am going to pick hard work, exciting, fresh, inspiring, and community-driven. I think that was more than five, but close enough.

3. How would you describe your personal style?

My style varies from day to day, and accessories can make or break an outfit. I love brights and bold, statement jewelry.

4. Who is your celebrity fashion crush and why?

Olivia Palmero! Her style is so easy, and it is affordable and accessible.

5. What is one item in your closet you would never toss out and why?

South Africa is my heart, and when I visited there, I picked up a bright necklace that can be easily dressed up or down.

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Krista Conlin (principal of KCProjects), Heidi Elnora and Jeana Lee Fleming (co-founders of BFW), Jeremy Stephens (founder of and master hair stylist at the Association of Independent Artists in Hoover, Ala.) and Abby Hathorn.

Interview with Heidi Elnora: Heidi Elnora is a Southern-based wedding gown designer and co-founder of Birmingham Fashion Week. "Heidi Elnora knows how to inject that 'Southern sparkle' into the modern girl's wedding. From a small town to Project Runway and back, Heidi has patterned her life after fashion. Since the launch of the Heidi Elnora brand in 2006, Heidi has dressed hundreds of brides from Los Angeles to Dubai (and everywhere in between) for their big day,” states www. heidielnora.com.

1. Who inspired you to become a designer?

It is simply in my blood. My grandmother always wanted to be a designer, and I took inspiration from her dream. My family has supported and inspired me to be the designer I am today.

2. Who are some of the celebrities you have designed for?

I have designed a gown for country music singer Sara Evans and two PGA golfers’ wives. I also designed gowns for Miss Alabama, Miss Mississippi, and Miss Tennessee.

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3. How would you describe your personal style?

I love layering, and I adore muted nude outfits with bright pops of color.

4. What color best fits your personality and why?

I cannot pick just one color, so I choose color palettes! Earth tones, pinks, blues, and soft colors best describe my personality.

5. What advice can you give to the readers of Town & Gown Magazine about dressing to impress this spring?

Dress in all things flowy, some things watercolor, and everything light and organic for the perfect spring 2013 look.

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roject Runway All Stars Season Two winner, Anthony Ryan, showcased his strikingly vivid collection, which had hints of 1960’s mod, on the Birmingham Fashion Week runway, Friday, March 1, 2013. “The Via Gown’s” combination of clean lines, color-blocking, and structure left it a standout on the runway.

nthony Ryan’s no-frills, definitive approach makes his entire collection functional but elevated. His use of tailored slouch and graphic patterns in “The Zy Suit and Mek Top” takes the essential suiting separates to an entirely new level by injecting a welcome shot of comfort.

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nthony Ryan, LSU alumnus and Southern-based designer, mesmerized the Birmingham Fashion Week audience with his fashion forward, yet wearable designs.

“The Raven Top and Neo Pant” exhibits a charming balance of geometric shapes and color.

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What’s on your mind?

By Lizzie Smit h and Cat her ine S tuk enbor g

Town & Gown readers share what they are thinking right now!

QUESTION: What game can't you miss?

ANSWER: I can't miss when MSU plays LSU, even the one at 11 a.m. in the pouring rain. My dad played LSU football.

Chris Cajoleas

QUESTION: What do you have to have in the Left Field Lounge?

ANSWER: I have to have my game day shirt on from George Sherman.

John Kyle Hewlett

QUESTION: QUESTION: What is your favorite restaurant and guy hangout?

ANSWER: Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern because I like wings and beer.

Jay Johnson

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What is your tailgating must-have?

ANSWER: Wings, beer and alcohol.

Brandon Spell

QUESTION: Where do you like to go hang out with your guy friends in the Golden Triangle area?

ANSWER: The Bin. I like the atmosphere and being outside in the sun.

Aakash Patel

QUESTION: What is your tailgating must-have?

ANSWER: Hamburgers are my musthave.

Jared Pellerin

QUESTION: Where is your favorite place to go when you’re going out with your guy friends?

ANSWER: I like to go to the Veranda for the great food.

Trey Templeton

QUESTION: What is your favorite restaurant and guy hangout?

ANSWER: The Grill and I meet with group called the Buzzards and we eat at The Golden Horn.

Ricardo Inzunza

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1. Give Back: Toms, $54-58.99.

Reed’s. www.reedsms.com.

2. Perfectly Made: Deep South Pout Earrings, $19.95.

Deep South Pout, www.deepsouthpout.com.

3. PJs: Women’s Southern Tide lounge shorts and tank, $38-39.50.

George Sherman, (662) 323-2326.

4. Satchel For Spring: Vera Bradley Eloise Folkloric Purse, $74.

Reed’s, www.reedsms.com.

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5. Floral Accents: Ya Coral top and Very J Shorts, $29.50-39.50.

Deep South Pout, www.deepsouthpout.com.

6. Highly Styled: Qupid heels, $32.95-34.95.

Deep South Pout, www.deepsouthpout.com.

7. Delicate and Dainty: Stylist earrings, $12.

The Style Loft, (662)324-5004.

8. Ribbit: Zuccini reversible dress. Polka Tots, (662) 324-2114.

9. Simply Cute: Sam and Sydney dress, $60.95. Polka Tots, (662) 324-2114.

10. Stylish: Brown leather purse with rope accent, $48.

The Style Loft, (662)324-5004.

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11. Easter Ready: R Hansuer bow ties, $55.

George Sherman, (662) 323-2326.

12. Checked Out: Ralph Lauren Classic button-ups, $98.

George Sherman, (662) 323-2326.

13. Gone Fishin’: Zuccini boy’s shorts, $29.95. Polka Tots, (662) 324-2114.

14. In The Water: Chaco’s Vibram, $100. Sprout, 662-338-1144.

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15.

15. Southern Charm: Southern Tide belts, $49.50.

George Sherman, (662) 323-2326.

16. Supporting the Team: Southern Marsh visors, $20.

Reed’s, www.reedsms.com.

17. Trendsetter: JZ Richards tie, $75. George Sherman, (662) 323-2326.

18. Ready for the Course: Southern Tide shorts, $79.50.

George Sherman, (662) 323-2326.

19. Key to Style: Southern Tide key rings.

George Sherman, (662) 323-2326.

20. Dressy Casual: Southern Point Co. button-up, $95.

Reed’s, www.reedsms.com.

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A Cup of Lindsay Jo Festival Time!

Lindsay is an online lifestyle blogger. Her blog, www.acupoflindsayjo.com, has a primary focus on fashion. Lindsay is a member of the Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) and attends various conferences and workshops with other fashion bloggers regularly.

With spring comes the sudden insistence on being outside. The weather is just too nice! Luckily, its arrival is coupled with several scheduled outdoor festivals and events. Of course there is Super Bulldog Weekend in Starkville, or maybe you are venturing to Jazz Fest in New Orleans or Memphis in May? This inspiration board is designed to get you excited for any and all of the festivities and maybe inspire you to try a fresh boho chic look perfect for the occasion!

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LITERATURE

Book R e vie w b y Susan O’Br y an

“M

e Tarzan, you Jane.” While the words may not be an accurate quote from a Tarzan book or movie, those four words have stuck with many of us for years, reminding us of the muscled man of action and his jungle friends.

For more than 100 years, readers, TV watchers and movie-goers have been entertained by Edgar Rice Burroughs’ fictional human raised in the African jungles by a tribe of great apes. The first story was published in the October 1912 edition of The All-Story magazine, followed by the first hardback book in 1914. Since then, there have been more than two dozen sequels, books (some authorized, others not) by other authors and a variety of comics, films, stage plays, TV series and artworks.

One of the ultimate fans, Starkville native Scott Tracy Griffin, has put together a coffee-table book, Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration, (Titan Books) as a 318-page tribute to the iconic figure who has spanned generations and bridged media. The book is hailed as the “first official visual history to celebrate 100 years of Tarzan - through the stories, movies and art.”

“I have been reading and writing about Tarzan and Burroughs (1875-1950) for years, beginning with my first Tarzan book report at age 10, later writing for magazines such as Cinefantastique and FilmFax, and now Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration.”

Griffin graduated from Starkville Academy, as did his brother and sister, Mark and Sarah Katherine Griffin VanBeber. His dad, the late Jesse E. Griffin, O.D., had his optometry office on Main Street for decades, and his mom, Sarah D. Griffin, worked as a homemaker and later for Alexander’s Home Health Agency.

His fascination with the Lord of the Jungle as a character began at an early age.

“I have always been an animal lover and was fascinated by my brother’s Tarzan lunchbox, which featured a man battling a lion and gorilla,” he said in an e-mail interview from his home in California. “At age 9, I discovered the Tarzan novels at the Book Mart on Main Street. Tarzan comic books and films came later.”

As Griffin progressed through school, his love of the written word grew stronger as did his fascination with Burroughs’ and other depictions of the jungle hero.

“While at Starkville Academy, my English teachers - Janet Wasson, Sharon Nobles and Vicky Warren - always encouraged my reading and writing pursuits, as did my parents,” Griffin said. “I was named the STAR student at graduation and, in turn, gave Mrs. Warren (who continues to teach English at Starkville Academy) the STAR teacher award.”

Not long after receiving a B.S. in sociology from Millsaps College in Jackson, he moved to California where he works as a writer and actor.

Scott Tracy Griffin “I have been, foremost, a fan of Burroughs’ writing, but enjoy his stories’ representation in all forms of media,” Griffin said, considered one of the world’s leading experts on the author and his creations. As stated in his book, “Although not always credited as a gifted writer, he (Burroughs) was indisputably a natural-born storyteller. The sheer genius in his works is unparalleled.”

The book’s large size is the perfect format for Griffin’s presentation enhanced by colorful copies of book jackets, artwork, comics and movie stills. It tracks Tarzan from its first presentation as a magazine in 1912 to its adaptation as novels, radio broadcasts, films (silent, black and white, color and even Disney), Broadway production and TV series. Every aspect of the Tarzan history is documented, from Burroughs’ early rejections by publishers to the global phenomenon now translated into more than 30 languages.

Want to know about Tarzan’s encounters with beasts and foes? It’s in Griffin’s book. Curious about Tarzan’s fictional family and real-life fans? It’s all there, too.

“The research phase for my book, which included rereading every Burroughs novel, and the major non-fiction biographies and bibliographies, took approximately 10 months,” Griffin said. “The actual writing and design took six months.”

The foreword is written by Ron Ely, who played Tarzan in the 1966 NBC TV. He sums up Griffin’s book simply and enthusiastically – “This book is not meant to rest upon a coffee table, unopened and unread. This is a history book – one that celebrates a character of literature and beyond, and traces the progression of that character through the generations that embraced it.”

Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration is a must-have – not just for collectors, but for anyone who holds memories of a chest-thumping hero with a strong moral compass and an unforgettable jungle call. ✦

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Easter Open House Polka Tots located in Downtown Starkville, Miss. hosted their Easter Open House on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Kids had the opportunity to have an Easter photo session with Sisters Photography.

Photography by Ashley Covin

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2nd Annual KS Social The Mississippi State University Kappa Sigma Fraternity Parent’s Club hosted a social on Saturday, February 23, 2013, which included a luncheon, Elm Lake golf tournament in Columbus, Miss., a Starkville Gun Club skeet shoot, Vitality Spa makeovers and a wine tasting with cheese pairings.

Photography by Ashley Covin

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1 Carter Ivey, Paul and Angela McPhail, Rhae Nix and Paul McPhail 2. Garette, Nick, Susan and Jeff Leber 3. Kim and Reed Dier 4. Mattson, Zachary and leAnn Flowers 5. Robert, Mitzi and Will Dean 6. Kim Dier and Vicki Spring 7. Tom and Bowen Harton APRIL

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Easy Street Fox Hunt Easy Street final fox hunt formal dinner was held at the Trail Boss Lodge in Macon, Miss. for the Hard Away Whitworth Hound Fox Hunt Club on Saturday, March 2, 2013.

Photography by Laura Daniels

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unWine Downtown For the 5th installment of Starkville’s Savor Our South series, unWINE Downtown started at The Lofts at Central Station on Thursday, February 28, 2013. Participating shops welcomed unWINE guests for a night of shopping with a glass of wine.

Photography by Ashley Covin

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Eat Y’all On Valentine’s Day Chef Frank Szymanski and Ty Thames prepared a Simmons Catfish menu for guest at the Eat Y’all event held at The Lofts in Starkville, Miss. The menu combined history and roots from both chefs and will be finally presented at the Eat Y’all event held in Gulfport, Miss.

Photography by Ashley Covin

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Memphis BBQ (MBN) Memphis BBQ Network competition was held at the Columbus Fairgrounds in Columbus, Miss. on Friday, March 8, 2013 including food vendors, entertainment and arts and crafts.

Photography by Laura Daniels.

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1 Charles Weldon, Hank Vaiden, Ian Pugh, Richard Perrigin and Houston Vaiden 2. Paul Clardy (President of Memphis BBQ), Chiro Fonte and John Barroso (Leader for“Smoking On The Bay� in Miami, FL in Dec 2013) 3. Kristi Smith, Jeannie Solomon, Keith Simpson, Eric Yarbrough and Brent Burns 4. Tommy Stone, Tiny Bjorklund, Stephen Sims, Colvin Morrow and Billy Sims; (Back Row) Jim Parsons, Lee Vickers 5. Melonie Marchak, Mike Law and Jane Lee (Organizers of MBN) 6. Robert LaPresto, Buz Peeples and Elise Jenkins; (Back Row) Sherry Foshee and Maggie Adkinsin (Guest Judges of the MBN) 7. Alan Geren and Jim Holland APRIL 2013 | 75

135th Anniversary Students and faculty celebrated Mississippi State University’s 135th Anniversary in the Junction on Thursday, February 28, 2013.

Hamburgers, chips, drinks, ice cream and birthday cake was served; plus, the band Big Poppa Strang performed for entertainment.

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1. Courtney Bryant and Emily Fahner 2.Henry, Strawderman, Lesley Strawderman and Branson Strawderman 3. Whitney Redd, Iesha Thomas, Shemeka Phipps and Jayren Thompson 4. Yan Luo, Ailin Wang 5. Ebone Williams and Jasmine Clay 6. Vijay Kannuthurai, Casey McGee (Execs for Mississippi State Univeristy Alumni Delegates)

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Clinic Open House Pioneer Medical Center hosted an open house of their new Clinic Facility on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 from 4-7 p.m. The Choctaw County Chamber of Commerce sponsored a networking hour for Chamber members and Medical Foundation members.

Pioneer provided refreshments and gave tours of the new facility located at 8613 Hwy. 12, Akerman, Miss.

Photography submitted.

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1 Bonnie Montgomery, Merle McLeod, Wayne McLeod and Shirley McGaugh 2. Teresa Ryan and Dr. Rits Morris 3. Donna McKay and Debbie Bunkleman 4. Lara Bowman, Debra Ward and Donna McKay 5. Christy Dodd, Jill Shaw FNP-C and Lauren Williams 6. Laura Bowman, Dr. Terrence O’Malia, Brad Huffman, Trella Long and Cindy Beam 7. Mickey Mordecai, Ron Bennett, Dannie Reed and Thomas Higgins Correction: March 2013, Page 77 APRIL

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CALENDAR

April 1-13 Columbus Spring Pilgrimage

April 6 MMHC Probiotics Primer

The 73rd Annual Columbus Spring Pilgrimage will be held from April 1-13. This award-winning event includes authentic historic home tours through Columbus with recreated activities from the 1800s with period costumes. Visitors can enjoy the Victorian structure of the renowned Tennessee Williams home located in downtown Columbus. For more information visit www.columbus-ms.org.

Join the Mississippi Modern Homestead Center and learn how to ‘garden’ your gut to encourage beneficial bacteria by integrating prebiotic and probiotic foods into your regular diet from 2-5 p.m. for $40. For more information visit www.msmodernhomestead.com.

April 4 After 5 Alive Meridian Main Street presents After 5 Alive in Downtown Meridian in Dumont Plaza. After 5 Alive will be free to the public from 5-7:30 p.m.

Enjoy a family oriented “mini-festival” including a series of bands and singers for five-weeks long. For more information call (601) 693-7480 or visit www.visitmeridian.com.

April 4 Starkville Business After Hours The Starkville Young Professionals will have their Business After Hours at the Cullis Wade Depot. Bill Dunlap will speak on his Look Art it Think About It from 5:30-7:30 p.m. For more information call (662) 617-4970.

April 4 MMHC Fine Mild Cultures Join the Mississippi Modern Homestead Center and make yogurt, kefir and a simple soft cheese while discussing the use of fresh and pasteurized animal milks from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for $45. For more information visit www.msmodernhomestead.com.

April 4 Starkville’s 175 Years Celebration Starkville: Celebrating 175 years Speaker Series will be held at the Mitchell Memorial Library in the John Grisham Room on the campus of Mississippi State University. The series speaker Michelle Weaver Jones will speak on Starkville’s Architecture Over the Years at 7 p.m. For more information visit www.starkville.org.

April 5 Tupelo First Friday Tupelo First Friday offers a complimentary breakfast, business networking and will present feature candidates for Tupelo’s 2013 Mayoral race.

Mitchell Companies will sponsor the event and corporate sponsors will be Robinson & Associates and SnyderMedia. For more information visit www.tupelo.net.

April 6 Crucible Challenge This 4.5 mile track obstacle challenge will be held at the Highland Plantations in Starkville, Miss. at 8:30 a.m. “Who said a little dirt never hurt?”

Register and find more information on the extreme obstacle challenge online at www.cruciblechallenge.com.

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April 6 Columbus Pilgrimage 10K This 10K race covers the Historic Downtown and South Side parts of Columbus, Miss. The race begins at the Tennessee Williams Home, through the River Walk on the banks of Tombigbee River, through South Columbus and back to the home of Tennessee Williams. For more information visit www.runcyclegtr.org.

April 6 Starkville Block Party Join the celebration of Starkville’s 175th birthday at their Parade and Block Party. For more information on time and location visit starkville. org.

April 6 Threefoot Festival Meridian’s Council for the Arts will host their Threefoot Arts Festival all day with live entertainment, childrens activities, Threefoot Bloody Marys and fine art from throughout the Southeast. Artist and vendors will be lining the street for a day full of shopping. For more information visit www.meridianarts.org.

April 6 Open House The Mississippi State University of Veterinary Medicine Open House at the Wise Center from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Attendees will enjoy a petting zoo, college tours, dog agility shows, milking demonstrations, face painting and more! Please call (662) 325-0465 for more information.

April 6 MSU Golf Tournament The Mississippi State University Chemistry Department will host a golf tournament at the MSU Golf Course. All proceeds will benefit undergraduate chemistry majors by funding two to six one-year scholarships.

The “Hole in One” Prize will be a 2013 Ford Fusion SE from Starkville Ford. For more information visit www.msstate.edu.

April 6 Southern Soiree Southern Soiree will benefit the Palmer Home at The Stables in Starkville. The event is from 6-10 p.m. Guests will enjoy Southern food, live music, children’s choir, silent auction and more. Please visit www. palmerhome.org for more information or to purchas tickets.

April 6 Festival of Hope

April 13 Sally Kate Winters Spring Into Action 5K

The Festival of Hope will be located at the Tupelo Furniture Market at 4 p.m. Food, music, games, vendors and more will be free to the public. All proceeds will benefit patients with heart disease, cancer and diabetes. For more information call (662) 377-3867.

The 4th annual 5k and one-mile Fun Run will begin in the Sally Kate Winters Memorial park in downtown West Point and continues through the Kitty Bryan Dill Memorial Parkway. Join the fun and enjoy music and entertainment. All proceeds from this event benefit Sally Kate Winters Family Services and support National Child Abuse Prevention Month. For more information visit www.sallykatewinters.com.

April 11 Par for the Corpse The Starkville Community Theatre is proud to present the “Par for the Corpse” from April 11-20 by Jack Sharkey and directed by Thomas La Foe. For more information contact Starkville Community Theatre for tickets and other information at www.sct-online.org.

April 11-14 Amory Railroad Festival The 35th Annual Amory Railroad Festival will be held from April 11-14.

The festival takes place in Frisco Park and enjoy entertainment, Frisco Market, a car and truck show, food, carnival, a 5K Railroad Run and more. For more information visit www.amoryrailroadfestival.com.

April 12 Aaron Neville Aaron Neville will be performing at the MSU Riley Center starting at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-show at 6 p.m. Tickets are $46-52. Call the box office at (601) 696-2200 or visit www.msurileycenter.com for more information.

April 12 Relay for Life at Mississippi State University Join the Colleges Against Cancer to raise awareness and funds for the cancer research for the American Cancer Society at the Mississippi State University Relay for life starting at 1 p.m. in the Junction on campus. For more information call (662) 325-2141.

April 13 MMHC Writer Awakened The Mississippi Modern Homestead Center will hold the Writer Awakened by Kym Fobian from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Have you always fancied to be a writer, but thought there is not enough time in the day or do not have the ability or inspiration? Plant the inspiration seed to grow into a word garden. Only $15 and call Kym Fobian for more information at (719) 331-1746.

April 18 Starkville Business After Hours The Starkville Young Professionals will host Business After Hours at The Veranda from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Visit The Veranda to network with young professionals from around the area and visit starkvilleyoungprofessionals. wordpress.com for more information.

April 18 Starkville’s 175 Years Celebration Starkville: Celebrating 175 years Speaker Series will be held at the Mitchell Memorial Library in the John Grisham Room on the campus of Mississippi State University. The series speakers are Warren and Frances Oakley will speak on Growing Up in Oktoc at 7 p.m. For more information visit starkville.org.

April 18-20 All Shook Up ”All Shook Up: Theatre Mississippi State University” will be held at 7:30 p.m. each night at McComas Hall Main Stage. For more information visit www.msstate.edu.

April 18-21 Super Bulldog Weekend Join the fans, family and friends at the 2013 Super Bulldog Weekend with baseball, softball, tennis, football, soccer, volleyball, music, food and more. A full schedule is available at www.hailstate.com and a music schedule for the Old Main Music Festival is available at www.msuconcerts.com. Visit page 41 for more information on the event.

April 19 Boz Scaggs Boz and his American roots music, his trademark sound is a mix of R&B, blues and jazz. See Boz at the MSU Riley Center in downtown Meridian from 7:30-9 p.m. For ticket information visit www.msurileycenter.com.

April 13 59Twenty

April 19-21 Farm Stay

The Young Professionals of Meridian present the 59Twenty Music Festival at the Singing Brakeman Park. Headlining the concerts will be Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. Other performances will be Rosco Bandana, Hanalena and The Matthew Davidson Band. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ypmeridian.com.

Want to see if modern homesteading is right for you or your family?

Want to learn what aspects of hobby farming appeal to you, your spouse and children before investing time and money? Come stay with us for an extraordinary weekend filled with family fun and memories, materials and resources! Visit www.msmodernhomestead.com for more information.

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April 19-20 Ham Jam Arts Festival

April 22 Mississippi State University Lyceum Series

The 12th Annual Ham Jam Arts Festival will be held in historic downtown Philadelphia, Miss. There will be arts and crafts, kids area, a Memphis Barbecue Newtwork-sanctioned barbeque contest, talent contest, a 5K and 10K run and walk and plus food and entertainment to enjoy. For more information visit www.neshoba.org.

The Lyceum Series presents The Best in Philharmonic Wind Quartet in Lee Hall in Bettersworth Auditorium starting at 7:30 p.m. For more information visit www.lyceum.msstate.edu.

April 20 Cotton District Arts Festival Join the Starkville Area Arts Council and over 45,000 people as they crowd the streets of Starkville’s famous Cotton District as SAAC host the Cotton District Arts Festival including an Artisans’ Village, Juried Arts, Taste of Starkville, live music, food and more from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information visit www.cdafestival.com. Visit page 41 for more information on the event.

April 20 North Mississippi Green Festival The 3rd Annual Green Festival will be hosted by Tupelo Parks and Recreation and Girl Scouts Heart of the South. Located at the Ballard Park in Tupelo from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. enjoy a day of fun innovated “green” events with your troop, friends and family. For more information visit www. girlscoutshs.org.

April 20 Old Main Music Festival Mississippi State University will host the Old Main Music Festival at the MSU Amphitheater featuring Cage the Elephant, Rosco Bandana, Ty Brown and Pell on the weekend of Super Bulldog Weekend. This event is free to the public and a production of Music Makers Productions and the MSU Student Association. For more information visit www.msuconcerts. com.

April 20 March for Babies Teams and individuals can help support Mississippi babies born to soon and programs in the community that help moms have a healthy, full term pregnancy. Join the march from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www.marchforbabies. com for more information.

April 20 Jimmie Rodgers Clay Shoot Jimmie Rodgers will host a Sporting Clay Shoot at Camp Binachi from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tickets are $100 for individual or $400 for a four person team. For more information visit www.jimmierodgers.com.

April 21 MMHC Vegetable Ferments Join the Mississippi Modern Homestead Center and explore the infinite variety and tastes of vegetable ferments using brine, whey, commercial starters and no-salt/no-starter methods from 3-6 p.m. for $45. For more information visit www.msmodernhomestead.com.

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April 25 Starkville’s 175 Years Celebration Starkville: Celebrating 175 years Speaker Series will be held at the Mitchell Memorial Library in the John Grisham Room on the campus of Mississippi State University. The series speaker Jimmy Cole will speak on Starkville’s Mississippi State at 7 p.m. For more information visit www. starkville.org.

April 25-26 Mississippi Young Professionals Summit The Mississippi Young Professionals will be holding their Inaugural Summit April 25-26 at the MSU Riley Center. This statewide organization event is hosted by the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation and would like to encourage ‘20s to ‘40s employees an employers. For more information visit www.embdc.org.

April 26 MMHC Line Dance for Fun and Fitness Join Kym Fobian for some good old fashioned and new fashioned line dancing at the Mississippi Modern Homestead Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and stay after for the Fourth Friday Open House Art Show to finish the night. Call Kym Fobian at (719) 331-1746 for more information.

April 26 Jewel Since ten albums and 17 of making music as a singer/songwriter, Jewel has released her Greatest Hits album and will be stopping at MSU Riley Center from 7:30-9 p.m. in downtown Meridian. For tickets visit www. msurileycenter.com.

April 27 MMHC The Upside to Upcycling The Mississippi Modern Homestead Center will host a re-using and repurposing class for your trash to recreating items and re-using them in a variety of ways. Pay $35 to join the class with Kym Fobian and call her at (719) 331-1746 for more information.

April 27 Sojourner The Temple Theatre in downtown Meridian will host Sojourner at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sojourner is a theatrical biography of abolitionist and women’s rights champion Sojourner Truth. For more information visit www. meridiantempletheater.com

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