Town Gown JANUARY 2012
a azine
The Wedding Edition
A Product of Horizon of Mississippi P.O. Box 3893 | Mississippi State, MS 39762 www.townandgownmag.com
{
staff
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Don Norman | publisher sdnpublisher@bellsouth.net
Leilani Salter | editor leilani@townandgownmag.com
Claire Massey | Editorial Assistant claire@townandgownmag.com
Mary Kathryn Kight | senior acct. exec. marykathryn@ townandgownmag.com
Jessica Bailey | acct. exec. jessica@ townandgownmag.com
Fenly Akers | acct. exec. fenly@ townandgownmag.com
Jessica Chism | acct. exec. jessicachism@ townandgownmag.com
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writers
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Shea Allen Justin Fritscher Emily Jones Joe Lee Susan O’Bryan Annie Oeth Hellen Polk Kate Salter Milton Whatley
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ph o t o g r a ph e r s
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Laura Daniels Maggie Harper Mary Kathryn Kight Claire Massey Leilani Salter
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page design
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advertising design
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Larry Bost Chris McMillen
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Claire Massey Leilani Salter
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Reproductions in whole or in part, without written permission, is strictly prohibited. No responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited manuscripts, articles or photographs. We reserve the right to edit submissions before publication. Town & Gown is a free magazine published monthly and distributed in and around Starkville and the Golden Triangle area. Subscriptions are available for mail customers. For subscriptions or inquiries, write Town & Gown Magazine, P.O. Box 3893, Miss. State, MS, 39762, or call 662-323-1642.
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editor’s note
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very girl imagines how her wedding will look and mentally begins planning it at a very young age. Once the day arrives, it seems to speed by so fast that one can hardly remember who attended. Thank goodness for photographs and video to capture the small details of the big day. Memories of the big day are meant to be lifetime treasures. We hope that you enjoy our bridal edition. We’ve enjoyed the interviews with couples who have just gotten engaged, newly married couples and three very special couples that have been married for 61 years. On the pages of this edition, there are plenty of ideas from local merchants. I think back to our wedding. Our first date was at The Veranda and many of our subsequent dates were to attend MSU events and games. So when Sid proposed, we knew we wanted to marry at the Chapel of Memories. We chose the weekend that the Bulldogs were on
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the road playing Alabama. We chose string musicians from the MSU Symphony. Lynette McDougald of University Florist designed our flowers and Linda Nickels made the best wedding cake I’ve ever tasted. The night before the wedding we took all of our extended family to Harveys and we all stayed overnight at the Butler Guest House. With a morning wedding, we had only to walk a short distance to the Chapel of Memories and our friends Joel and Lisa McNeece took tons of beautiful pictures in the courtyard. It’s wonderful to have photos of us visiting with good friends such as Dr. Zacharius and Ms. Tommie. There are photos of some family and friends who have since passed away. After the ceremony, we had about 90 close friends and family for lunch at The Veranda. They still talk about the great meal. I’m a little surprised Jay and Amy even let us come back. Our guests were a little loud. Daughter Kate painted small cowbells to remember the day and our guests made good use of them. The game against Alabama was televised in the bar and most guests had a cowbell in each hand. State won 24-16. The bells were still ringing when we left – the cowbells, that is. Leilani Salter leilani@townandgownmag.com
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Contents
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44 46
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50 WEDDINGS
GOING TO THE CHAPEL MSU’s Chapel of Memories
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GIFT IDEAS
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INSIDE OUT
ROSES FOR THE WEDDING Veterans Memorial Garden
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EAT DRINK
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STYLE
LYNETTE MCDOUGALD Beautiful bouquets
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NEAR FAR
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ON THE PAGE
SHOWERING THE GUYS Howards host party
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RHYTHMS
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OUT & ABOUT
LET THEM EAT CAKE Talented baker Peterson
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MORE
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A THOUSAND WORDS
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HAVING A PARTY Eat With Us ready to serve
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THE LAST WORD
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ON STAGE Maggie Harper has talent
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36 39
Cover by David Legg Photography
EDITOR’S NOTE
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On the cover
LONG MARRIAGES Secret to a happy marriage
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departments
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features
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Margaret Wilder and Jay Cook
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photography by steve jones
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argaret Randolph Wilder and Jack Davis Cook III were united in marriage at half past six on the evening of June 4, 2011, at First Presbyterian Church in Starkville. The candlelight ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Olin Watson McBride and the Rev. Dr. Lori Archer Raible The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt Baxter Wilder III of West Point. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Norwood McNutt of Tupelo, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt Baxter Wilder Jr. of Corinth. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Davis Cook Jr. He is the grandson of Mrs. Cecil Rackley and the late Mr. Rackley, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Jack Davis Cook Sr., all of Starkville. Karen Murphy, Nancy Kennedy, Mike Huff, and Shandy Phillips provided nuptial music. Vocalists were Jennifer Blair Locke and Katy Henshaw. Scripture Readers included Jessica Turner Beehner, Kathryn Griffin Bringman, and Margie Flynt McGee. Brooke Andrea Lawyer served as the bride’s proxy. Escorted by her father, Margaret wore a couture silk taffeta halter v-neck gown with a dropped waist featuring an asymmetrical ruched twist, pleated ball skirt and chapel train, designed by Augusta Jones from Carriage House Weddings. Her custom veil by Toni Federici was chapel-length with Chantilly lace trim.
The bride’s bouquet was a Euro-inspired natural stemmed design of Duchesse d’Nemo peonies, Vendela roses, Oleysa spray roses, and sprays of white Mattholia. Covering the stems were wide bands of French woven ribbon adorned with a brooch from the bride’s late maternal grandmother. Attending the bride as maid of honor was the bride’s cousin, Mary Katherine Butler. Bridesmaids were Georgia Thompson Brasfield, Stafford King Gudenrath, Patricia Wurth Hosch, Laura Catherine Leonard, Laura Catherine Mitchell Mason, Mary Adele Rackley, Mary Corinne Smart, Shay Muns Tatum, and Ginger Northcutt Wilder. They wore two-tone floor-length dresses in cream and cement dupioni silk by Lula Kate. Their bouquets were similar to the brides and included Sarah Bernhardt peonies in shades of pink. Flower girls were Lily Grace Barnes, Jane Saxon Brasell, Ava Reese McAfee, Addison Claire Rackley, Maeve Archer Raible, and Addison Love Tatum. Jack Davis Cook Jr. served as best man. Groomsmen were Jason Michael Ellis, John Joseph McCaughan Gwin, Perry Calloway Rackley Jr., Ross Marion Rackley, William Martin Rackley, John Allen Sanford, Tucker Allen Sappington, Charles Henry Templeton III, and Hoyt Baxter Wilder IV. Joe Raible served as ringbearer. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at Burnt Oak Lodge in Crawford where guests enjoyed the music of The Memphis Icebreakers. The evening was catered by Harding Catering. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at Cafe Ritz in West Point. Following a honeymoon in the British Virgin Islands, the couple is at home in Starkville, where Margaret is a second grade teacher and Jay works for George Sherman Clothiers.
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Melanie Buckelew and Matt Grable
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photography by heather cullen
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rs. Donna Buckelew and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Buckelew are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Melanie Kay Buckelew to Loren Matthew “Matt” Grable on May 28, 2011. The two exchanged vows in a beautiful sunset ceremony on the pearl white sands of Panama City Beach, Florida. Pastor David Lloyd officiated the double ring ceremony. Susan Long of Panama City Weddings arranged the ceremony and Heather Cullen provided the wedding photography. The bride is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCool, Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Buckelew of Starkville, and Mrs. Judy Gordon and the late Mr. John S. Gordon of Como. The groom is the son of Mrs. Cynthia Grable and Mr. and Mrs. Claude Leonard “Tony” Grable of Hattiesburg. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jack Sanford, and Mr. and Mrs. Loren Dennis Grable of Hattiesburg. Escorted by her father, Tommy Buckelew, the bride wore a Destination dress by Mon Cheri designs. The strapless dress was white chiffon over charmeuse with a gold lace trimmed sweetheart neckline, beaded lace bustline with twist detail and
empire waistline, and double layered skirt with ruffled front hem and sweep train. The bride also wore a floor-length veil made of charmeuse to accent her wedding gown. She carried a vibrant pink bouquet of gerbera daisies, her favorite flower, hand-tied with white silk ribbon. Attending the bride as her Matrons of Honor were her sister Suzanna Buckelew Johnson of Maben, and longtime childhood friend Kimberly Paige Guthrie of Starkville. Hatlee Marie Johnson of Maben, niece of the bride, served as flower girl wearing a white pillow case dress tied with a silk turquoise ribbon. Haley Suzanne Smith of Starkville, Jayne Phelps Vickers of Ackerman, Marlena Marie May of Stewart and Brandy Michelle Montfort of Starkville served as bridesmaids. They wore a beautiful turquoise chiffon one-shoulder knee-length dress with a sweetheart neckline and ruched bodice that accented perfectly with the blues and greens of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Greeting the guests and handing out programs were the daughters of Joseph and Brandy Montfort, Mackenzie and Brianna Montfort of Starkville. Tony Grable, father of the groom, served as the best man. Carson Blake Johnson of Maben, nephew of the bride, served as ring bearer. Brent Allen Monroe of Starkville, Arthur Holden Parish Jr. of Starkville, Curtland Wayne Vickers of Sturgis, George Lee Hubbard of Starkville and Joseph Clayton Montfort of Starkville served as his groomsmen. Clifton Carl Johnson of Maben and Justin Shawn Coleman of Starkville served as ushers. They each wore a khaki linen suit with white shirts and a white satin vest, topped off with a turquoise satin tie to follow the beautiful ocean wedding theme. Following the ceremony the bride’s parents hosted a lighted outdoor reception on the “Green” at the Beachcomber by the Sea Resort, where the guests enjoyed a catered meal by Bob’s Catering of Panama City. On the eve of the wedding, the parents of the groom honored the couple with a dinner for family and friends at the popular Guy Harvey Restaurant located in Panama City Beach. Following their honeymoon, the couple is at home in Starkville. The groom is employed by Ensign United States Drilling based out of Houston, Texas, and the bride is employed as a registered dental hygienist at the office of Wesley M. Ferguson, D.M.D. in Starkville.
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r. and Mrs. Jackson Allen Herrington Jr., of New Albany, announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Catherine Ann, to John Parker Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Carlton Polk and the late Mr. James William Davis, all of Starkville. Grandparents of the bride-elect are Mr. and Mrs. Henry Luther Hadley III of Byhalia and Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Allen Herrington of New Albany. The groom-elect’s grandparents are the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hill Hicks Jr., the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Davis and Mr. Samuel Trizzie Polk Jr. and the late Jane Bell Polk, all of Starkville. Miss Herrington is a 2005 honor graduate of New Albany High School. Miss Herrington was the 2004 Homecoming Queen, Miss New Albany High School, and student body president. She was selected to the Hall of Fame. Miss Herrington is a 2010 cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi with a bachelor of fine arts with an emphasis in graphic design.
photography by stephanie rhea
Catherine Ann Herrington and Parker Davis
While at Ole Miss she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority where she served as Pledge Class President, Shamrock Philanthropy Chairman, Vice President of Public Relations, Leadership Excellence Appointed Officer, Campus Liaison, and Sorority Stand Out Member. She received numerous honors including Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, Senior Campus Favorite, Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa, Order of Omega, Lambda Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, National Honor Roll, Order of Omega Greek New Member of the Year, Clay Waycaster Scholarship, Chancellor’s Leadership Class and Trent Lott Scholarship. Her campus activities included Student Alumni Council, Student Art Association, the Ole Miss Yearbook design team, Ole Miss Orientation Leader, Sophomore Sensation, Freshmen Focus Mentor, Associated Student Body Senator, Top Ten Beauty and Student Programming Board. Currently Miss Herrington is a member of the Ole Miss Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Council, Kappa Delta Alumnae Association, New Albany Tennis Association, Sportsplex Expansion Committee and First United Methodist Church of New Albany. She owns Catherine Ann Herrington Graphic Design and Fine Art in New Albany. A 2003 graduate of Starkville Academy, Mr. Davis played on the varsity basketball and baseball teams. While at Starkville Academy he was voted Best Dressed and received the Volunteer Award in basketball and baseball. He was on the 2002 homecoming court. He was a senior recipient of an MSU Oktibbeha County Alumni Association Scholarship. He was also a member of the Cavaliers of Greenwood. Mr. Davis is a 2008 graduate of Mississippi State University with a bachelor of business administration in insurance, risk management and financial planning. At MSU, he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity where he served as Rush Chairman and Annotator. He also served as a committee member of the Bulldog Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Currently Mr. Davis is a member of the Oktibbeha County MSU Alumni Association and a member of Starkville’s Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. He is employed by Better Brands Distributing Company of West Point as an onpremise salesman. The couple will exchange vows at 6:00 p.m. on February 4, 2012, at First United Methodist Church in New Albany, with the Reverend Doctor Giles Lindley and the Reverend Barry Male officiating at the ceremony. A reception will follow at In Bloom, Downtown New Albany. Family and friends are invited to attend.
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Katie Acy and Brad Aldridge
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photography by kim kelley
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atie Lee Acy of Starkville and Bradley Michael Aldridge of Starkville were united in marriage on Sept. 10, 2011 at half past five in the evening at the chapel of First Baptist Church-Starkville. The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Chip Stevens of Starkville and the groom’s maternal grandfather Rev. Carlis Braswell of Petal. Katie is the daughter of Stan and Linda Acy of Starkville. She is the granddaughter of Loretta Acy and the late Bobby A. Acy of Coila, and Christine May and the late Rex May of Stewart. Brad is the son of Paulda and Len Henson of Louisville and the late Dr. Mickey Aldridge of Starkville. He is the grandson of David and Francis Aldridge of Maben, and the Rev. Carlis and Patsy Braswell of Petal. Nuptial music was provided by pianist, Nora Sills of Starkville, violinist Daniel Jones of Starkville, and vocalist Mary Beth Murphy of Birmingham, Ala. The bride was given in marriage by her father and wore an ivory gown of layered tulle and taffeta featuring a sweetheart neckline, three dimensional flowers and a tiffany train. She carried a hand-tied bouquet, complete with roses, hydrangeas and peonies. The bride wore layered strands of pearls, each borrowed from her mother, grandmothers, and sister. Adorning her head was her sister’s veil trimmed with lace from her mother’s wedding gown. Attending the bride as matron of honor was her sister, Carley Acy Norman. Bridesmaids were Jesse Clare Bland, Mary Kathryn Brooks, Katie Brown, Ellen McBrayer, Caroline O’Brien, Morgan Self, and Marla Waldrop. Allen Edwards served as best man. Groomsmen were Justin Atkins, Parker Davis, Wes Gibson, Brent Maupin, Will Reed, Ben Slaton, and Wesley Westbrook. Ushers included Drew Harrell, Cole Norman, Jonathan Parrish, and Caleb Reed. The flower girl was Emma Robertson and the ring bearer was Carter May, both cousins of the bride. Serving as the bride’s proxy was Amber Hudspeth. Program attendants were Jordan Jackson and Shelby Marsh. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a romantic, vintage style reception at the Hewlett Barn off of Oktoc Road in Starkville. Guests feasted on gourmet southern cuisine, such as fried green tomatoes topped with crab cakes, spicy, cajun crawfish penne, and boiled shrimp served from a rustic john boat. Drinks were served from old-fashioned mason jars adorned with personal touches from the couple. Dancing took place outside overlooking the property’s lake to the music of Jeff & Jeff of Starkville. Special music was provided by close friend and groomsmen, Brent Maupin. Guests rang mini cowbell favors featuring the couple’s name and wedding date as Brad and Katie left the reception in an antique Ford Bronco. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a classic rehearsal dinner at the Historic Hotel Chester in downtown Starkville. After a honeymoon in St. Lucia, the couple is now at home in Starkville.
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Laura Marler and Trey Templeton
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r. and Mrs. Robert David Marler of Pineville, La. announce the engagement of their daughter, Laura Elizabeth Marler, to Charles Henry “Trey” Templeton III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry Templeton Jr. of Starkville. Laura is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Leo Marler of Alexandria, La. and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wayne Rhodes of Pineville, La. Trey is the grandson of Mrs. Frances Combs of Starkville and the late Dr. Robert Lee Combs Jr., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry Templeton Sr. of Starkville. Laura earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Louisiana College in Pineville, La., and a master’s in business administration and doctorate in
management from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La. She is an assistant professor of management at Mississippi State University. Trey earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Mississippi State University and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He is the manager and buyer at George Sherman Clothiers in Starkville. Trey and Laura are members of First Presbyterian Church in Starkville and are also members of the Starkville Area Arts Council. The wedding will take place at First Presbyterian Church in Starkville in May 2012. The couple will reside in Starkville.
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Peggy and Wilmot Thomson married Dec. 16, 1950.
A long and happy marriage
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Mary Ann and John Robert Arnold married Aug. 26, 1950 when she was 23 and he was 27. Shown far right at age 21 and near right, the happy couple after 61 years of marriage.
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BY EMILY JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEILANI SALTER
ove may not be the determining factor in achieving the “happily ever after” castle in the sky most couples hope for in eternity. Could wedding bliss become a marital nightmare? Apparently it does for too many Mississippians. According to the Census Bureau’s most recent figures, Mississippi had the sixth highest divorce rate among women, and the 11th highest for men. That’s not good news when you consider that studies show long-term marriage is linked to positive health and economic benefits, physical health, psychological well-being, and a lower mortality risk. So is “happily ever after” still possible, and what holds some couples together for the duration, when others drift apart? John Robert and Mary Ann Arnold have some thoughts on that. They are still together after 61 years of marriage and both agree that patience is a must for a happy union. “My advice is to have patience and sometimes just keep your mouth shut,” quipped John Robert. “Seriously, I think our faith and involvement in our church has played an important role in our family.” He and Mary Ann raised five children in their home in the Sessums Community. They later befriended a foreign student whom they consider their sixth child.
In addition, they have 12 grandchildren who are scattered across the globe. Elizabeth, the eldest, lives in Richmond, Va.; Margaret lives in Toledo, Ohio; Carrie in South Bend, Indiana; their only son, Hunter, is in Jackson; and Mary Steele lives in Ruston, La. The adopted Gabriella lives in Cumberland. It was back in 1949 when John Robert spotted Mary Ann. They were attending a youth conference for the Methodist Church. Mary Ann was employed by a church near Greenwood S.C. and she found herself playing softball with John Robert. “Hmm,” thought John Robert. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. The next year, they renewed their acquaintance when the youth conference was held in Leesburg, Fla. That did it. The pair began dating, married in 1950 and John Robert brought his bride to Sessums where he was engaged in dairy and cattle farming. Mary Ann stayed at home to raise the children and care for her husband’s father who died in 1975. “We were always so wrapped up in the children and family, we didn’t have time to think about much else,” said John Robert, who discovered he had other talents besides farming. A muddy funeral home chair led him to found the Howard Furniture Company and several other manufacturing plants which employed more than 1,000 people in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
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Peggy and Wilmot Thomson married Dec. 16, 1950 and recently celebrated their 61st anniversary. Peggy was 21 and Wilmot was 29.
Even chains cannot hold a marriage together but tiny threads can, agreed Wilmot and Peggy Thomson who celebrated their 61st anniversary on Dec. 16. “Peg and I grew up at opposite ends of the state of Mississippi; she lived all her life in Corinth, and I grew up in Hazlehurst,� said Wilmot. In 1949 Peggy was hired as secretary to Bob Williams, MSU Alumni Secretary at the time. Wilmot had completed law school at the University of Virginia and returned to MSU to teach at MSU and open his law practice. On a fall evening in 1950, the two met at a dance for the SAE fraternity at the old Lakeside Country Club, now the university golf course. Wilmot was advisor to the fraternity and Peggy had a date with one of its members. Wilmot asked the boy to introduce him to his date, and the rest is history. They would be married before the end of the year. Together they raised three children, Joe, Frances (Fancy) and Jim at their home in the historic Greensboro District where they remain today. Their children gave them five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Somewhere in between, Wilmot served as mayor of Starkville and too many other official duties to mention.
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Adelaide and Dero Ramsey married in 1950 when she was 20 and he was 22. They celebrated their 61st anniversary in October.
Adelaide and Dero Ramsey are a classic love story still in progress. She was only 14 when she met her intended. She was walking out of the State Theatre when Dero, age 16, was walking in for the midnight movie. He spotted her and asked her to come back in and see the next movie. She did. Her father was waiting on the street when she came back out. Even then, Adelaide was only allowed to go out with Dero once a week until she entered MUW. Their parents finally gave in and they married in 1950 just before Dero was drafted to go to Korea. He was in the infantry and seriously injured which earned him the Bronze star. Dero returned home a hero and he and Adelaide restarted their lives in the same home she lived in since she was six weeks old. They had two sons, Lawrence and Dero Sanders Ramsey (Sandy) who gave them two grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. But it wasn’t always easy. “I could have killed him many times,” exclaimed Adelaide. “And he probably wanted to kill me at least that many times, but we worked through it. He is the kindest, gentlest man and we have the most wonderful life. God has wonderfully blessed us.” “Shug, do you agree?” she shouted to Dero. I think I heard him reply “yes.” n
Invitation I Inspiration I nspiration
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PHOTOS BY
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Ann’s Stationery
MARY KATHRY
N KIGHT
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InsideOut
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Going to the chapel 28
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MSU’S chapel OF memories RICH IN HISTORY OF tragedy, triumphs, and nuptials
BY JOE LEE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEILANI SALTER
ississippi State University’s Chapel of Memories is known all over the country as a lovely and memorable site for weddings, but the name itself comes directly from a tragedy in early 1959 that resulted in the death of a student and destroyed a legendary dormitory. “I lived in Old Main my freshman year, and I was in what was known as Walker Hall my sophomore year,” said Dr. Roy Ruby, the MSU vice president emeritus for student affairs and the university’s interim president before Mark Keenum took over presidential duties.
“It opened in 1879 and was believed at the time of the fire to be the biggest dorm in the country.” Old Main had fire walls on all four floors of the structure but none in the attic. An electrical or appliance fire took hold in the attic, creating what Ruby called “a heck of a fire.” There were 1,100 students inside at the time. All but one escaped safely. “One student died, and he didn’t have to,” Ruby said. “He went back inside for his stereo and didn’t make it out.” Ruby said that much of the rubble couldn’t be salvaged but estimates that approximately one in
MSU’s Chapel of Memories was built in 1964 from bricks from Old Main after a fire destroyed the dormitory in 1959. The bronze angel is the work of Oxford sculptor Rod Moorhead.
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The structural design of the Chapel of Memories includes the famous 112-foot bell tower and the 183-bell carillon. Three heavy doors adorn the front of the chapel and feature stained glass.
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three bricks from Old Main were used when the Chapel of Memories was built in 1964. Allen Snow, the periodicals editor at the Office of University Relations, said there’s no record of the first couple that was married there. Some notable Golden Triangle-area figures have taken their vows at the MSU landmark. “In February of 1976, we were in Jimmy and Cindy Webb’s wedding in the Chapel,” said Susan Felker, whose husband Rockey is the MSU director of player personnel and high school relations and coached the MSU football team from 1986-1990. Webb and Felker were MSU teammates. “Rockey and I met in the spring of 1973 while students at MSU, so it was very natural for us to think of a wedding there. We married on February 5, 1977, on a clear, cold spring day. “Several of my bridesmaids, my family, and I stayed at the Alumni House for what I believe was $10 a night per room. We walked to the wedding and then back to the reception, which was also at the Alumni House. The chapel was decorated simply with greenery and candles. Although the seating was limited, it made for a very intimate setting because the people surrounding us on that day were those who knew and loved us best. “Some of those people, including our grandparents, my parents, and Rockey’s dad, are no longer with us, so those memories grow sweeter with time. I guess each wedding has some bumps, and ours was no different — I did not know until later that day that Rockey had fever, and somehow we didn’t have enough corsages to go around for the reception hostesses. But even still, we were married when the day was done.” In addition to the Felkers, MSU head basketball coach Rick Stansbury and his wife, Meo, were married in the Chapel of Memories. So were longtime associate athletic director Bobby Tomlinson and his wife, Stephanie. “In the early days the booking was done by pen and paper. I’ve been here 18 years, and it’s all handled electronically now,” said Vanessa Collier, events coordinator for the MSU Office of Events Services. “We book a year in advance and are at our busiest from April through September, although there are a lot of December weddings. We tell people that the chapel seats about 150. Sometimes we have three weddings on the same weekend — two on Saturday and one on Sunday.”
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Sunlight streams in on the courtyard of the Chapel of Memories which features a bubbling fountain. Pictured below is stained glass windows on the front of the chapel.
n To book a wedding at the Chapelof Memories, call Collier at 662-325-3228.
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For more information about Old Main dormitory, copies of Old Main: Images of a Legend are still in print. The book was written by Dr. Roy Scott and Dr. Charles Lowery and published in 1995 by the MSU Alumni Association.
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The chapel is non-denominational and has been used for religious services, concerts, and fraternity initiation ceremonies. Built by the Jackson-based architectural firm of Dean & Purcell (now Dean & Dean/Associates), the structural design included the famous 112-foot bell tower and the 183-bell carillon. In 1996, the chapel won the coveted 25 Year Award from the Mississippi Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Hundreds of MSU students and faculty members walk past the chapel each day and enjoy the beautiful landscaping, the bubbling fountain, and the spectacular bell tower. Many step inside and take in the stained glass that catches the eye of so many visitors. Some, over time, may decide they’ve found the perfect place to get married. “I still drive through campus and, on occasion, see a wedding going on there,” Felker said. “What a glorious place to begin a life together.” n
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Planning a dream wedding
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hen it was time for engagement photos, Shane and Nicole Kitchens were nowhere to be found. Nicole’s mother, Jeannine May, tried both of their cell phones – without success. Finally, a little worried, she drove to Nicole’s house to find the couple, who married in November, not in their photo-worthy clothes but covered in dirt. “They were building a greenhouse,” May said of her daughter, 39, and her son-in-law, 42. The couple wanted to make sure the flowers they were growing for the wedding would stay healthy until that special day. “I’ve never met people who love the outdoors as much as they do.” Their appreciation of nature was evident in their Nov. 19, 2011 wedding service held at the historic Rocky Springs Methodist Church. And their wedding was anything but cookie-cutter. “We wanted a wedding that was vintage and unique – something our guests can remember,” Nicole said. Tucked in wooded bluffs along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Claiborne County, the church was a meaningful site to the couple, both of whom grew up in Hinds County and can remember trips to the church, the last remnant of an old town. “Growing up, he went on church picnics there,” Nicole said. “For me growing up, my parents took me there on outings. We would walk through the creek and look for petrified wood.” Nicole is a fire planner with the U.S. Forest Service, and Shane is a forestry professor at Mississippi State University. Knowing their similar interests, Nicole’s long-time friend and maid of honor, Donna Boyd Harris, introduced the two in January 2011. They noticed quickly how much they had in common. And when they decided to get married, they wanted to find the perfect spot. “We wanted something a little different to reflect our personalities,” Shane said. That’s when they thought of Rocky Springs, and how they could use this historic place to create a great backdrop for their wedding. The church was built in the 1830s, and its white exterior and humble interior made for a wedding that felt close to the environment. The reception was held outside the church, and it was important to Nicole and Shane that the reception did not take away from the beauty of the area.
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Nicole and Shane Kitchens married during an outdoor wedding at the historic Rocky Springs Methodist Church. (Photo by David Legg)
BY JUSTIN FRITSCHER
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The wedding party poses for a photo by Brad Harris.
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ABOVE: Nicole and Shane Kitchens missed their engagement photo session because they were busy building a greenhouse for their wedding flowers. TOP: Engagement photos reflect Nicole and Shane’s personality in a natural setting and flowers they grew. (Photos by Jeannine May)
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these elements are very important.” Nicole said planning this wedding was fun but time consuming. She did not use a wedding planner, but she recommends brides who use a planner to find one who is flexible and understanding of interests. Both had childhoods closely connected to nature. Nicole was raised on the edge of town in Byram where she had the space to roam nearby forests. In high school, she worked for the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, where she took care of a variety of animals. Nicole was living on a small farm in the outskirts of Brandon when she met Shane. There, she raises chickens, fruits, vegetables and flowers. Shane loved the six acres along Coon Hunters Road, and he helped her nurture the land to make it more productive. Shane grew up on a farm in Utica, where his family raised cattle. He actually still raises cattle with his dad in Hinds County. Shane attended MSU, getting his bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in forest products. Nicole and Shane honeymooned in New Orleans. They took the train, and they enjoyed Creole cuisine and jazz music. The couple resides in Starkville, but they kept the small farm in Brandon, which allows them to visit often with their family. Nicole is enjoying Starkville, and she plans to return to Mississippi State to get her bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in landscape architecture, horticulture and agronomy. And, in their spare time, they are certain to be somewhere outside. n
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“Nicole kept telling me, ‘Now, Mom, I don’t want to set up anything that takes away from the church and the peaceful atmosphere,’” May said. So they kept it simple: a white tent with hors d’oerves and punch. “We wanted our wedding in a sacred place, and that church was the perfect setting,” Nicole said. About 65 people attended their wedding. Invitations forewarned guests they were coming to a unique wedding. Nicole used a print with two turtledoves by one of her favorite artists, Walter Anderson, for the front of the invitation as well as the program. The same print was also incorporated onto candies at the reception. Real turtledoves also made an appearance at the wedding, when they bought two to be released following the service. Nicole decided not to release them when the time came, so they used them for a photo opportunity and then kept them as pets. Ethel and George, like all doves, are a symbol of purity, faith and love. “They’re symbols of the purity of Jesus, and doves also mate for life,” Nicole said. She plans to build them a bigger cage, but in the meantime, she is enjoying having them inside. “They have been waking me up in the morning, cooing when the light comes through the window.” Nicole amended her wedding dress to include lace from her mother’s wedding dress. She used the lace to make antique flowers that she attached to her dress. “I wanted to have something special from her dress,” she said. Nicole went barefoot on her trek to and from the altar. This included the walk up the path to the church, which was lined with lanterns. “It worried a few people that I was going barefoot, but in the end, I think it complemented the look we wanted for the wedding,” she said. Asked why his wedding was not typical, Shane replied jokingly, “Do you know my wife?” Despite the humor, both Shane and Nicole are proud of their unique wedding, and they recommend other couples-to-be to consider taking a road less traveled. Nicole said the couple should evaluate their interests, and see how they may be incorporated into the special day. “It’s important to consider what kind of background they like,” she said. “What type of music and flowers? All of
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Fragrant setting O
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The Veterans Memorial Rose Garden is located at the Highway 182 entrance to the R. Rodney Foil Plant Science Research Facility. Above: The Heritage Rose is one of many beautiful roses in the garden.
veterans memorial rose garden is a favorite venue for wedding ceremonies BY EMILY JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAM COLLINS
ne of the first decisions to be made by an engaged couple is where to exchange their vows. Will it be her town, his town, her parents’ home, his parents’ church or a banquet hall? Thanks to Mississippi State University and Dr. Pam Collins, a beautiful new venue is available in Starkville, and it’s a fragrant setting located amidst lush foliage in the great outdoors. The Veterans Memorial Rose Garden is located at the Highway 182 entrance to the R. Rodney Foil Plant Science Research Facility. It is fast becoming a popular venue for weddings, renewal of vows and receptions. The garden features a gazebo, raised beds for the roses on three sides, a presentation lawn on the forth side, a picturesque bridge leading from the parking area to the garden, paved walkways through the beds and classical pergolas constructed of ornamental steel. But for several months during the year, the focus is on the roses – all 350 of them. They put on an eye-popping show – especially during the late spring, early summer and fall. The more than 30 rose cultivars include hybrid teas, grandiflora, floribunda, shrub roses, and ground covers. Collins, assistant research professor for the Mississippi Agriculture, Forestry and Experiment Station (MAFES) has total responsibility for caring for the garden and booking the space. She is a former landscape consultant who joined the university staff, just in time to play a key role in designing and installing the garden which opened in 2008. “This was a joint project of the Oktibbeha County Rose Society, the Oktibbeha County Master Gardener program, and MAFES,” she said. “It is basically a research facility, but beautiful enough to attract public attention.”
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Some locals may remember another MSU rose garden which was bulldozed many years ago because there was no plant pathologist on the MSU staff. The garden had languished with no one to care for it, so it was removed and plans were made for the new garden. It was designed by former MSU landscape architect Darryl Ray. Volunteers from the Rose Society and the Master Gardeners Program planted the first roses at the site. Collins has two parttime student workers to help tend the garden. It is adjacent to a threeacre experimental ornamental garden and the future home of the new MSU Arboretum. “May and October are our showiest months,� said Collins, but there are roses in bloom most months of the year.� Use of the facility is free to the public, but there are a few simple rules: no cooking on site, and tables and chairs should be rented from the university. Anyone wanting to pursue an outdoor wedding without the hassle of beautifying their own garden should contact Collins at pcollins@pss.mstate.edu. n
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Lady Banks roses climb an arbor at Veterans Memorial Rose Garden. Below right: Dr. Pam Collins, assistant research professor for the Mississippi Agriculture, Forestry and Experiment Station (MAFES) has total responsibility for caring for the garden and booking the space for wedding ceremonies. The Dr. Eckener rose (below) is one of many in the garden.
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Lynette McDougald is business manager for MSU’s University Florist and has been designing floral arrangements for the past 32 years. She also teaches floral management.
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Picking flowers
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BY SHEA ALLEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEILANI SALTER
here is a reason brides set aside a significant portion of their wedding budget for flowers. Flowers add a certain elegance and pop of color to all aspects of the wedding, from centerpieces and altar arrangements to boutonnieres and bouquets. So when a bride is dreaming up the details of her wedding, The University Florist should be on the list of calls to make. The University Florist business manager Lynette McDougald has been designing floral arrangements for the past 32 years. She is also an instructor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at Mississippi State University where she teaches in the floral management curriculum and sees 150 students per week pass through her studio. Growing up in Webster County, McDougald helped her family at their plant nursery, and over the years, she learned how to manage every aspect of the flower business. With floral
design and management such an integral part of her life, McDougald is the go-to woman when flowers are the order. “I enjoy all aspects of floral because we sell a beautiful commodity,” McDougald said. “But what we really sell is an emotion that can’t be expressed in words. Flowers say what words cannot express.” And with all the emotions that revolve around the day a man and a woman unite as one, weddings are McDougald’s favorite occasion to let her arrangements do the talking. “I do enjoy weddings because they are such happy events,” McDougald said. “It is the celebration of families joining together. A bride and her entourage are so excited and anxious to plan and prepare for a very special day.” Through the years, McDougald has helped make hundreds of weddings special for a variety of brides. She has worked with brides who know exactly what they want their flowers
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design is 1: Simple posey bouquet of winter anemones and ranunculus. This hand-tied Bulldog encircled with Leland cypress and plumosa dyed gold. How perfect for a winter wedding!
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flowers on 2: This purple vanda orchid design reflects one of the most sought after stem of the market today. Blossoms measure approximately 4� across and come on a armature an on secured are tus eucalyp multiple blossoms. The vanda blooms and seeded of mega wire with floral adhesive. multi-bloom 3: Focal area of this bouquet is the winter holiday amaryllis. Fact is, these and roses green by ed surround flowers are available year round. The amaryllis is roses the of center carnations. The crossed lines of lily grass are attached to the by jewel studded pins. The pink tulips frame the pastel bouquet. 4: Collection of pink lilies, roses, gerberas, and spray roses in hand-tied form. bouquet The latest trend in wedding floral designs is for the bride to carry a colorful while maids carry white or cream.
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to look like on their special day, and she has worked with brides who seem completely lost in the world of roses and calla lilies. And she has seen every bride in between. “A prepared bride is the best,” McDougald explained. “They should come to the florist with all their color schemes, dresses, tux selections, venues, what they like, what they don’t like, and pictures. Then at that point, I want them to have an open mind.” With wedding websites, magazines and television programs highlighting thousands of wedding ideas with the click of a mouse, turn of a page or push of a button, it’s easy for brides-to-be to get attached to an idea they’ve seen, but McDougald encourages brides to use those ideas as inspiration only. “Don’t be a copy cat,” McDougald urged as her rule number one of wedding planning. “Find photos of styles and flowers you like, but then find a florist who can translate those into your own style.” When the newly engaged meet with McDougald, they will rarely see photos of other weddings she has created flowers for because “I want every wedding to be unique to the couple,” she said. “Brides get caught up in what’s been done,” she added. “I try to steer them into finding their own aesthetic.” When thinking outside of the box to find an original style, McDougald encourages brides to first look at their venue as it will hint at the type of style a brides likes. Style of dress and type of
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ceremony are also important clues a florist will need to know in order to really grasp the feel of a wedding. “The interaction with a bride is stimulating,” McDougald said. “It may be the most challenging part of my job.” For the truly stumped, McDougald encourages brides to think of color. “Color is simply the best element in wedding floral,” she said. “Find the color scheme, based on budget, and we can put it together.” Wedding colors don’t always have to be the bride’s favorite color. Tastes change, but vibrant colors that pop in pictures will always be in style. The season a wedding is held will also help narrow down the wide array of flowers to those that fit the season best. McDougald’s favorite spring flowers are tulips, ranunculus and anemones. Peonies are best from April to June. Moving into summer, roses are plentiful and beautiful in almost every color imaginable. Hydrangeas and sunflowers also scream summer time. Winter time demands flowers like amaryllis and nerine lilies. Another thing to consider is the durability of flowers. Brides want their flowers to last from the walk down the aisle to the last dance and roses and calla lilies are hearty and withstand the length of the day. After a bride-to-be says yes, McDougald encourages them to first book their venue, and then contact a florist as the venue will determine the timeline of the planning. Once the venue is confirmed, it is never too early to talk with vendors like a florist. Six months out from the wedding, revisit with the florist to hammer out the specifics. Most importantly, brides should also select a florist who they feel really listens to them, McDougald advised. “Every bride is unique,” McDougald said. “Let the florist work for you, demand your flair and have the most special day ever.” n
5: A whimsical and relaxed composition of gerbera daisies and dyed bear grass. Gerberas are difficult to face so choosing a linear hand-tied bouquet verses a round so more aesthetically pleasing. 6: Biedermeier form of concentric circles of lilies, spray roses, snapdragons and ginesta. Monochromatic palette is accented with a crinkled ribbon of black aluminum wire that feeds under the design to work as an armature to hold flowers in place. A last addition of a maroon feathers on sisal collar make this bouquet MSU perfect! 7: Crescent form of cream cymbidiums anchored in floral foam. The form is dramatized by the use of grevellia and lily grass.
EatDrink
Gifts for the guys Other parents who host the party each time one of their sons marry include Nancy and Tom Ball, Marquita and Jim Beaty, Ann and Harry Bell, Kathy and Paul Brown, Lori and Jay Chancellor, Cecelia and Jack Cook, Diane and Bob Daniels, Andee and Eddie Duett, Cheryl and George Lyon, Michele and Perry Rackley, Donna and Bob Reese, Doris and Ben Sanford, Leslie and Dan Scruggs, and Linda Southward. “This isn’t just a ‘honey-do’ shower,” explained Howard. “We try to keep the groom’s interests in mind.” Since Parker is interested in cooking, he received a myriad of kitchen gadgets. One by one, as the boys become engaged to be married, their parents immediately begin planning the “Groom’s Shower,” to be held in one of their homes. A bonus is that their parents have become close friends. The parties are on a host rotation which could continue for several more years. “These guys spent every waking hour together during their school days and I love each and every one as if they were my own,” said Shirley Skinner, whose son, Mary and Lee Howard Kyle, married in 2010.
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“Our boys became fast friends in kindergarten in Starkville and the friendships have taken them through college where most pledged the same fraternity,” said Hellen Polk, whose son, Parker Davis, is the next man up. Ten of the boys have already married and there are six more to go. “The groom’s shower has become a popular way to honor the groom with the gifts he’ll need to set up his own type of housekeeping,” said Mary Howard, who hosted the latest party with the other parents. Gifts include everything from garden implements to fishing gear or barbecue supplies. Parker and Catherine Ann Herrington of New Albany have been caught up in a whirlwind of activities in advance of their nuptials on February 4, but the groom’s shower is one of their favorites. You might call this a “mixed marriage.” Catherine Ann is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and Parker is a Mississippi State University graduate. They met four years ago and have been burning up the road between Starkville and Oxford ever since. He proposed last summer at Lake Darden in North Mississippi where they first met, and both families were present to cheer him on. “Parker and I feel so blessed to have such supportive family and friends during this special time in our life,” said Catherine Ann, a graphic artist, who looks forward to making her home in Starkville where Parker is employed by Better Brands Beverages.
Catherine Ann Herrington and Parker Davis
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t seems like the brides get all the attention prior to the wedding day. They have kitchen showers, lingerie showers, miscellaneous showers, coffees, teas, and luncheons. The groom often gets lost in all the pre-wedding fanfare, but a group of Starkville parents are changing that. For several years they have been feting the grooms, their sons, with pre-wedding showers.
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BY EMILY JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA DANIELS
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TOP: Bride Catherine Ann Herrington and groom Parker Davis (center) posed with their parents Tounia and Jay Herrington (left), and Hellen Polk and Carlton Polk (right). CENTER: Bride Catherine Ann Herrington and groom Parker Davis (center) posed with the hostess mothers Mary Howard, Tounia Herrington, Hellen Polk, Leslie Scruggs, Ann Bell, Diane Daniels, Lori Chancellor, Doris Sanford, Cecelia Cook, Cheryl Lyon, Kathy Brown, Michele Rackley, Marquita Beaty, and Andee Duett. BOTTOM: Hostess dads are George Lyon, Harry Bell, Jim Beaty, Ben Sanford, Bob Daniels, Carlton Polk, Lee Howard, and Jack Cook. “We’re so proud of them for becoming the responsible adults that they are today. They still hug me every time they see me and I appreciate that gesture so very much.” She said the group has the food and party preparation down to a fine art since they’ve established the groom’s shower tradition. “We even serve a man’s kind of food,” added Howard. For the December affair, the hosts were assigned to prepare a dish for the simple menu of fried chicken tenders, baked beans, potatoes and brownies for dessert. No frills here. The one dish that all the boys request is Captain Rodney’s dip. It’s non-negotiable. The recipe they use is same one that comes with the Captain Rodney’s Pepper Glaze, available at many local gift shops. “I don’t know that I can speak for the rest of the couples, but it has been so much fun for us to share in the lives of our sons,” said Polk. “Since I taught some of the guys and was their elementary principal, I have appreciated watching them grow into the fine young men they are today. I like to think we raised them well. Some of us don’t have daughters of our own, so it’s great to finally have girls around (much better than dirty uniforms.)” By Mississippi standards, the Davis-Herrington wedding will be large because of the unusual bond formed by a group of boys who have maintained strong ties throughout their lives. It will likely reach into future generations. n
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Capt. Rodney’s Dip
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1/2 cup mayonnaise 8 ounces cream cheese 2 cups grated Sharp cheddar cheese 2 chopped green onions 6 crushed Ritz crackers 8 slices of bacon (cooked & crumbled) 1/2 cup Captain Rodney’s Pepper Glaze Mix mayonnaise, cream cheese, cheddar and onion in greased quiche pan. Top with crackers and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Top with bacon and the Captain Rodney’s Glaze and serve warm with crackers.
Davis and Herrington Shower Photography by laura daniels
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1. Catherine Ann Herrington, Rachel Jones 2. Leonard Kingery, Haley Thompson, Brandon Huerkamp, Matthew Putnam 3. Maury Giachelli, Anna Greer 4. Kristen Skinner, Catherine Ann Herrington, Natalie Scruggs, Margaret Cook 5. Carlton Polk, Harry Bell 6. Kathy Brown, Mary Howard, Emily Daniels, Rachel Jones, Katie Beth Keith 7. Catherine Ann Herrington, Elizabeth Herrington 8. Hellen Polk, Parker Davis, Carlton Polk 9. Foley Holditch, Robby Holditch 10. Foley Holditch, Hellen Polk, Robby Holditch, Parker Davis, Catherine Ann Herrington, Carlton Polk, Harry Bell, Ann Bell 11. Tounia Herrington, Catherine Ann Herrington, Jay Herrington, Elizabeth Herrington 12. Elizabeth Herrington, Catherine Ann Herrington, Rachel Jones, Emily Daniels, Haley Williams, Katie Beth Keith, Kristen Skinner, Caroline Hearnsberger, Margaret Cook, Foley Holditch, Hillary Melby, Natalie Scruggs 13. Margaret Cook, Caroline Hearnsberger, Foley Holditch 14. Tounia Herrington, Helen Polk 15. Thomas Howard, Maury Giachelli, Reed Storey, Brady Brock, Daniel Harrison, Philip Downer, Kyle Skinner, Chris Awtrey, Jonathan Parrish, Parker Davis, Carlton Polk, Brad Aldridge, Trey Chancellor, Matthew Scruggs 16. Caroline Hearnsberger, Jimbo Hearnsberger 41
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Let them eat cake
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BY EMILY JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEILANI SALTER
hen a cake baker gets engaged, the obvious question is who will design their wedding cake. “That’s actually the question I get asked multiple times a day,” said Hailey Peterson, owner of Cups-N-Cakes. “Everyone wants to know if I’m doing my own cake, and believe it or not, I am.” Though she knows baking and designer her own cake will add to the stress level of an already hectic day, she said she wouldn’t have it any other way. “A lot of people think I am crazy, but I don’t think I would be satisfied if anyone else did it,” Hailey said. “In the end, I know it will be so worth it.” The young entrepreneur started Cups-N-Cakes at the ripe old age of 19 in the summer of 2010. She met her prince charming – also known as Phillip John Williams Jr., of Flowood – the following March, and started to sport a brand new piece of jewelry on her left hand a mere five months later.
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Hailey knows one element of the wedding people are most curious about is the cake, and she is, too. “I still don’t know what I want my cake to be,” Hailey admitted. “I have some ideas, but it’s a lot of pressure because I know the expectations will be high.” With such creativity Hailey uses to design each of the wedding cakes she makes, she is having a hard time narrowing down which elements she wants to use on her own cake. One thing is for sure – Hailey’s signature, intricate hand piping will take center stage. “I do know that it is going to be very tall, very classic, with lots of intricate designs and piping and accented with beautiful fresh flowers,” Hailey hinted. “It’s in the center of my reception, so I want it to catch everyone’s eye.” Guests can look forward to a romantic evening with lots of candle light, flowers, good food, music and dancing, Hailey assured. “At the end of the day, all the flowers and tons of details that went into the wedding will be minor,” Hailey said, “but knowing that I am Mrs. Williams and that I get to spend the rest of my life with Phillip will be the best feeling ever.” n
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Cups-N-Cakes 100 Russell St. Suite 16 Starkville 662.324.2124
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“It’s been a whirlwind for sure, but when you know, you know,” Hailey said. “God has blessed us so much since day one, and we absolutely cannot wait to be married and start our life together.” Hailey, a Louisville native, originally began her life in Starkville as a Mississippi State University student studying biological science with plans to become a pediatric nurse. But plans have a funny way of diverting from course, and Hailey is experiencing that first hand. “If you would have asked me two years ago what I would be doing, I would have told you nursing school,” she said. “I would have never thought I’d be doing this and getting married in less than three months, but I am thrilled.” At 13, Hailey wanted a part-time job, so her grandfather, and owner of Vowell’s Market Place in Louisville, let her bake cookies and cupcakes in the grocery bakery. With time, Hailey began to teach herself baking and decorating techniques until she was fulfilling orders of all sizes and building a loyal clientele. When she started college, Hailey was driving back to Louisville every day after class to work in the bakery and take specialty orders on the side. “Obviously, that got overwhelming really fast,” she admitted. “So I started to think about the possibility of opening a bakery in Starkville.” With the help of her family and God, Hailey said, she was able to make her dream a reality, and Cups-N-Cakes was born. “Starting at 13 playing with icing on cookies, I never dreamed that it would one day turn into me having my own business, doing anywhere from 75 to 100 specialty cakes a week,” Hailey said. Not long after Cups-N-Cakes opened for business, God again intervened in Hailey’s plans, but this time not for the sweet tooth, but the clean tooth. Joan Taunton, a woman from Hailey’s church, has been a longtime dental patient at the same office where Hailey’s now-fiance works as a dental assistant. Phillip and Joan got to know each other over the years, and one day, Joan asked Phillip how a handsome young man like himself could possibly be single. Phillip admitted that he just hadn’t found the right girl yet, and as they say, “the rest is history.” “God definitely had a hand in Mrs. Joan mentioning me that day,” Hailey said. “It’s truly a love story fairy tale.” Hailey’s engagement day started with her pulling an all-nighter at the bakery finishing the largest wedding cake she had ever created. Exhausted and stressed, Hailey was not up for the dinner date Phillip planned for the evening. After much persuasion on Phillip’s part, Hailey finally agreed to drag herself out to dinner, and as she turned to go change out of her bakery clothes, Phillip got down on one knee and pulled out a tiny black box from his pocket. “As we hugged and cried, I said, ‘But I look awful and I have icing all over me,’” Hailey recalled. “Phillip, being his sweet self said, ‘That’s what you looked like the day I met you, that’s what you come home looking like every day, and I love you just the way you are.’” Phillip later joked that Hailey better have icing somewhere on her wedding dress or it just wouldn’t be “her.” Working around her booked bakery schedule, Hailey and Phillip’s wedding is set for March 3 at First United Methodist in Louisville where her parents were married. Hailey’s great-uncle the Rev. Bob Whiteside and great-grandfather the Rev. Smith Whiteside will be of officiating. The reception following the ceremony will be held at Lake Tiak O’Khata. Like most brides, Hailey has been overwhelmed with the amount of work that goes into planning a wedding, but she has decided on floor-length coral dresses for her 10 bridesmaids and black tuxedos with ivory vests for the 10 groomsman. Though she wants to keep as many details as possible a secret, she promises the event will be “traditional and classy.” “Considering I go to four to six weddings every weekend, I see lots of different things and ideas, so that has really help,” Hailey said of the wedding planning process.
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Arma de la Cruz, director of marketing, and John Bean, owner
‘Eat With Us’ is ready
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BY EMILY JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEILANI SALTER
hen a couple decides to get married, they aren’t just signing up to host a wedding; they’re also committing themselves to a series of parties that happen along the way. Enter the Eat With Us restaurant group, which is actively involved in making life easier for couples about to marry, said Arma de la Cruz, director of marketing for the team of entrepreneurs. “When time comes to select a venue for the rehearsal dinner or bridesmaids luncheon, our organization offers private dining in several locations for the all important occasions leading up to the wedding day,” she said. Eat With Us is a Columbus-based management team which has spawned a string of 26 successful restaurants in the Golden Triangle area and beyond. Names like Harveys, Cotton District Grill, Bulldog Deli, Sweet Peppers Deli, Central Station Grill, Fair Park Grill, and Park Heights
have been synonymous with purveyors of tasty food since 1982. That’s when Myrrl Bean and her son, John, opened their first restaurant with a family friend, the late Harvey Seifert. Bean said their first Harveys Restaurant was located in the old University Inn in Starkville. It was small (seating only 75), but it had a bar which could serve 150 patrons and a banquet facility for about 200. With live entertainment six nights a week in the bar, he said Harveys became a popular night spot which would soon outgrow its home. The Beans opened a second Harveys in Columbus in 1984 and relocated the original Starkville location to a larger building on Hwy. 12 where it continues to operate today. Building on a proven track record for quality and consistency, Eat With Us restaurants have garnered numerous awards including peoples’ choice winners for Best Desserts, Best Servers, Best Steak on a Stick at the Annual Cotton District Arts Festival, and first place in the SOUPer
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options rather than fish. We are also capable of vegetarian options. Because we bring in all fresh products, we can customize the meal to any taste.” Gregg Frazer joined the Eat With Us team as corporate chef in 2007 when he moved from San Diego, Calif., to Columbus. His background included working in multiple aspects of the food service industry including fine dining restaurants, luxury hotels, food distribution, and menu development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Vermont, a culinary degree from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York, and an M.B.A. from National University in California. The corporate chef has worked all over the world including Florida, Texas, Philadelphia, Hawaii, Australia, and northern and southern California. Frazer and Long are available for suggestions on wedding plans and menus. “With enough time we can accommodate any request with food, wine, and even cocktail requests,” Long added. “We obviously want to make sure the bride and groom’s favorite dishes are here.” n
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Bowl benefit luncheon. If there is a community project needing support of local businesses, the Eat With Us group are among the first in line to lend a hand. The management team has repeatedly been ranked on the Mississippi Business Journal’s Mississippi 100 list that recognizes the top privately owned companies in the state. The Beans continued to expand their restaurant concepts during the 1990s and enlisted the help of John’s younger brother, Bernard, to open a Harvey’s in Tupelo. Their sister, Blair Bean Hughes was recruited to open a new concept eatery – Park Heights, also in Tupelo. A more casual concept which appealed to the MSU student population was the Cotton District Grill. Through the years it has become affectionately known as “The Grill,” and was expanded in 2010 when it was relocated to the new Central Station development, a reincarnation of the historic building which originally housed the Starkville Borden Plant. Over the years, the restaurant team has continued to grow, joining forces with Robin Fant of Bulldog Deli, and Robert Fort, the company’s controller (and now CFO). The merger led to development of the New York style deli concept named Sweet Peppers Deli. It has been franchised, and new outlets are popping up throughout the mid South. “Since 1982, though our restaurant concepts and markets have evolved and expanded, our goals have remained the same,” said Bean. “Simply put, we want to give our customers great food, great service, and great memories every time they walk into one of our restaurants. “Whether they are ordering prime rib, Buffalo wings or a muffaletta, we aim to provide an exceptional dining experience,” he added. Rehearsal dinners, bridesmaids’ luncheons, and wedding receptions are an important part of its business, and a team of experienced chefs work with clients to develop menus to suit their tastes and budgets. “About five percent of our business comes from catering and special events. This is definitely an area in which we want to grow,” said Bean. “We can customize the menu to their liking as well as any allergenic needs,” said Terry Long, general manager. “It’s always safe to go with chicken and beef
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Myrrl and John Bean, along with the late Harvey Seifert opened the first Harveys in 1982. The Eat With Us management team has grown to include 26 successful restaurants in the Golden Triangle area.
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1-4: Jasmine Roberts, Claire Massey, Elizabeth Anderson, and Ashley Massey model bridal gowns available at ChRistinE istin ’s CoutuRE in starkville. istinE 5-8: Kara Chapman, Claire Massey, and Jasmine Roberts model gowns available at A southERn nW WEdding in Columbus. 9: Rachael Bounds models a gown available at FAul A KEnBER Aul n nBER y’s BRidAl in Philadelphia. Photo by Mary Kathryn Kight. 10-13: Jasmine Roberts, Ashley Massey, Claire Massey, and Elizabeth Anderson model bridal gowns available at thE BRidE & gRooM M in Columbus.
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Also available are stunning dresses for the wedding party. From left: Elizabeth Anderson, Claire Massey, Ashley Massey and Jasmine Roberts model dresses available at Christine’s Couture in Starkville. Below, from left: Claire Massey and Kara Chapman model dresses from A Southern Wedding in Columbus. Far right, Ashley Massey models a rose gown that can be found at The Bride & Groom in Columbus.
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Miss Mississippi Mary Margaret Roark vies for the coveted Miss America crown Jan. 14. The pageant can be viewed on ABC.
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Roark heads to Miss America competition
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BY SUSAN O’BRYAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEILANI SALTER
s her year as Miss Mississippi nears its midpoint, Mary Margaret Roark says she’s gotten more than she’s given. She’s received an abundance of gifts, especially in the form of memories, an a commodity more precious than gold to the Mississippi State University student. Roark is taking a year off from her studies to represent her state and compete in the Miss America pageant. She won’t be traveling alone, though. With her are a “lifetime of memories” that she’s come to cherish. For this young woman knows how fickle memories can be, often stolen by age and Alzheimer’s disease. The 21-year-old Cleveland native is using her title and its multitude of speaking engagements and appearances to promote awareness about the neurological disease that causes the progressive loss of intellectual and social skills. Brain cells degenerate and die, causing a steady decline in memory and mental function.
Miss Mississippi Mary Margaret Roark visited with Katelynn Smith, Torie Keenum and Mary Phillips Keenum at the Egg Bowl.
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Two years ago, Roark witnessed her grandmother’s slipping memory grasp. “My grandmother had been forgetful, like most of us are,” said the daughter of Fred and Mary Jo Roark. “But one hot, hot summer day in 2009, we were in the car together. She kept turning up the volume on the radio, thinking that it was the air conditioning. She was so confused and upset.” “There’s a fine line between the natural progression of aging and Alzheimer’s,” Roark said. “Too many times we say memory loss is part of the natural progression of aging. I want to help people who have crossed that line.” Roark, a MSU junior majoring in communication, says her time as Miss Mississippi has been a blessing. She’s taking the fall and spring semester off so she can travel the state and prepare for Miss America week in Las Vegas. Since July, she has made more than three dozen talks, presentations, and “meet and greets.” “This year has taught me more than I could ever learn in the classroom,” she said. “I’ve learned that yes, it’s okay to strive to better, but you have to let yourself stop and smell the roses. “Most importantly, I’ve learned that you shouldn’t be afraid to be proud of what you’ve accomplished.” She’s shared that message to others across Mississippi, including presenting stuffed bears to sick children at Batson Children’s Hospital. “They face their illnesses with such courage,” Roark said. “One child couldn’t wait to show me his scar that ran from his collarbone to his belly button.” Among her memories is the first time Roark was asked to autograph a body part. “I was at Delta State University, and I had my table set up with photos and my pen. Unfortunately, no one told me I was at a swim meet!” she exclaimed. “I was quite surprised when this 13-year-old boy in a swimsuit came up and asked, ‘Would you sign my bicep?’ The next guy wanted me to sign his back. It was quite an experience.” Roark doesn’t rely just on words to spread Alzheimer’s awareness. She designs and sells handmade jewelry to benefit the state’s chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Since I make them by hand, no two are exactly alike,” she quipped. Her campaign is called JEWELS for Alzheimer’s. “JEWELS is an acronym that stands for “Join the cause to Educate the public
and Work for a cure while Encouraging those who Live with the disease and Supporting those who care for them.” The line includes necklaces, earrings, and bracelets with a $20 price tag. The design is based on the Alzheimer’s Association logo featuring outlines of a head and flask and a purple bead, the official color of the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information, visit http://www.jewels4alz.com. The confidence gained through speaking engagements and such will be a plus Jan. 14 when Roark vies for the coveted Miss America crown. The pageant will be broadcast nationally on ABC. Roark earned the state crown this summer in Vicksburg. It was her secVote for Mary ond try – she was Miss Meridian last Margaret in year. She credited the Miss Outstanding Teen program, an offshoot of Miss People’s Choice America that she took part in, for layand help her earn ing the groundwork for pageant suca seat among the cess. Top 15 contestants. Now, as the countdown to Las VeVoting is umlimited gas progresses, Roark said it can’t get until Jan. 12. here fast enough. “I could go today,” http://www. she joked. “It going to be like a maramissamerica.org/ thon, one that lasts for 10 days, but videocontest/ I’m ready.” She’s picked out a swimsuit, a variety of evening gowns and special outfits for autograph parties, college theme day and more. In between shopping trips, Roark has perfected her talent – a piano piece entitled “Nostradamus” by Croation composer Tonci Huljic. “I couldn’t have done all this by myself,” Roark said about her preparations for the Miss America pageant. “Everyone has been so helpful, whether with mock interviews, wardrobe assistance, speaking engagements and sponsorships.” Karen Jones, business manager for Miss Mississippi, said, “Mary Margaret has been a pleasure to work with this year. She is a talented and determined young lady and no doubt will do well at Miss America. I will be there supporting her. She has worked very hard preparing and has done a great job around the state making appearances.” “Literally the whole state has helped get me prepared,” Roark said. “And for that, I can’t thank them enough. I hope to make our state proud in Las Vegas. Whether I come home as Miss America or not, I’ve already won so much. To the people of Mississippi, thank you.” n 49
Service is still Howell’s game
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BY JOE LEE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEILANI SALTER
BA Hall of Famer and MSU basketball legend Bailey Howell isn’t hard to find. A Starkville resident for many years, he’s a season ticket holder and attends all the games at Humphrey Coliseum. He is neither difficult to approach, given all he’s accomplished. An elder at the Starkville Church of Christ since 1977, Howell is known as a generous, giving man who doesn’t strike Pastor Andy Miller the way many of today’s celebrity athletes do. “He’s one of the most humble individuals I know and a great servant to our church body,” Miller said. “We have over 100 college students, and he never introduces himself as a basketball star—it’s almost as if he’d prefer not to mention it. He looks for ways to help at the church, and if there’s any kind of need, he just does it. He’s tirelessly led and served.” Howell was born in 1937 in Middleton, Tenn., a town of 300 approximately half an hour from Corinth. The Middleton High School gymnasium is named for him, but Howell said he never thought about playing professional basketball while growing up. “In eighth grade I was about 6’1” and played on the high school team. I was probably 6’5” as a senior,” he said. “The first organized basketball I played was in seventh grade. When I played high school ball, my goal was to play at the collegiate level—even then I wasn’t thinking about pro ball.”
NBA Hall of Famer Bailey Howell played for the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Baltimore Bullets, and Philadelphia 76ers before retiring in 1971.
Bailey Howell, left, with legendary MSU Head Basketball Coach James Harrison “Babe” McCarthy.
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“Starkville is a viable college town,” Howell said. “We enjoy going to the football, basketball, and baseball games, and occasionally we get to a volleyball or softball game. The Starkville public schools were real good, and our daughters were challenged academically. It’s a college town with a small-town atmosphere and a great place to raise a family.” Howell’s youngest, Anne, is married to MSU athletic director Scott Stricklin. “As great a basketball player as he was, he’s an even better person,” Stricklin said. “It’s a treasure in my life to be part of their family. He loves the Lord, his family, and the Bulldogs. He’s dedicated to his faith and as strong of character as anyone you’ll meet.” On February 7, 2009, Howell’s uniform number (52) was retired at halftime of the MSU-Arkansas game. He’s the first player in MSU basketball history to be afforded such an honor, and his jersey will hang forever at Humphrey Coliseum. “Considering what he’s meant to this university and the basketball program, it’s probably something that should have been done a long time ago, but I was extremely glad to see him receive his due recognition,” said MSU head basketball coach Rick Stansbury. “This is our 100th year, and he made the All-Century team. I chair the committee to help celebrate 100 years and I asked him to be on it. His knowledge of the history here is remarkable and I’ve relied heavily on his input. If there’s one thing I’ve learned working with him, it’s that he truly loves Mississippi State.” “As far as basketball is concerned, I’d like to be remembered as a real pro, a guy who came to play every night regardless of the circumstances or environment and was prepared to play his best,” Howell said. “I’d like to be remembered as a person who believed in God and tried to please Him and do the right thing. Family and friends are at the top of the priority list after the relationship you have with God.” “He’s the gentle spirit at our church who makes everyone feel welcome, even our guests,” Miller said. “He’s a true example of one whose work ethic reflects the Lord being in first place in his heart.” n 51 townandgownmag.com
One option in those days, Howell said, was the Amateur Athletic Union, or AAU ball. “Back then it was big,” he said. There were about eight teams, including the Wichita Vickers and the Denver Truckers—you worked for the company (that sponsored the team) during the day and practiced after work. They played about a 50-game schedule. They trained you in their company, and you had a job with them when you were through with basketball. In 1956, five AAU players were on the U.S. Olympic team.” Though also recruited by nearby Ole Miss, Howell was won over by the MSU campus (which had about 5000 students in those days) and especially legendary head coach Babe McCarthy. “Babe McCarthy visited my home more than all the other coaches,” Howell said. “He was a people person and especially, in his early years, recruited very thoroughly.” McCarthy’s 1958-1959 squad, featuring First Team NCAA All-American Bailey Howell, went 24-1 and was arguably the best college basketball team in the nation. Regrettably, the team did not get the chance to compete for the national title in that year’s NCAA tournament. “It was a bitter disappointment that we weren’t allowed to go play,” Howell said. “The vast majority of the students were in favor of us playing. I think that would have been the case for the public, too, but political leaders of the state—some in the Legislature—were living in the past. If we had gone and played, we had the sense that the coach and the uni university president might have been fired. “There were a lot of victims of segregation, but we were victims of segregation of a sort, too. Coach McCarthy had a dream of tak taking his team to Madison Square Garden for the national title. Some people have asked me why there wasn’t an organized protest, but back then you largely did what you were told.” McCarthy’s 1963 team made national headlines when it was learned that they qui quietly flew out of Golden Triangle Regional Airport in the middle of the night to play in that year’s national tournament, but by then Howell was in the NBA—he played for the Detroit Pistons, Baltimore Bullets, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers for 12 sea seasons before retiring after the 1970-1971 sea season. He was a member of two world cham championship Celtic teams, an honor he shared with close friends and teammates Sam Jones and John Havlicek. “The biggest challenge was the travel,” Howell said of his years in professional bas basA two-time All-American and three time All-SEC player, Howell’s MSU #52 ketball. “The biggest challenge was to be prepared to play every night. If you’re a pro, was retired by the university in 2009. you should really bring your best every night regardless of how you feel and how tired you might be. Your body is wonderfully made, and if your mind can make it, you can do wonderful things. “The league was struggling then—the league only had eight teams when I went pro— and most teams only had ten players. The best times to draw fans were Friday nights, Saturday nights, and Sunday afternoons. We never played two games in a row against the same team in the same place. Sunday afternoon games were the toughest. The guys who were the strongest mentally were the ones that excelled.” Howell, who graduated from MSU with an undergraduate degree and a master’s in physical education, settled in Starkville after his playing days were over and worked for the Converse shoe company. He and his wife, Mary Lou, have three daughters and seven grandchildren.
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CVM students study abroad
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BY KAREN TEMPLETON
Third-year CVM student Renee Blanco had the opportunity to observe large animal care and surgeries during her time volunteering in Mongolia.
t the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, students and faculty are expanding their leadership experiences as they learn, volunteer and teach around the world. Their enthusiasm and sense of adventure have led them to explore new programs for CVM students and faculty to travel abroad and host international peers as they participate in global veterinary medicine. Jessica Platz, a fourth-year CVM student from Long Beach, caught the travel bug early in her educational career and has spent much of her time at CVM motivating other students to seek out interesting experiences abroad. “I had an interest in travel and learning more about disease issues in other countries,” said Platz, who is working toward a DVM and master’s degree with a focus on veterinary public health. “With the help of my advisor, I found an opportunity in Brazil through the Global Health Alliance. I got to spend an entire summer there researching Chagas disease.” Chagas disease is spread by insects and affects both humans and animals. In Brazil, Platz learned more about the disease and how the region is responding to it. “The disease is now found in Texas, and there have been a few
cases in Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana,” Platz said. “Understanding its spread can help us determine ways to mitigate its impact here in the United States.” Platz’s research focuses on creating a detection model that monitors for the disease. Platz also helped start a group on campus to encourage other students to take advantage of study-abroad opportunities. With help from Dr. S.W. Jack, professor in the CVM Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, Platz started the college’s International Veterinary Student Association, or IVSA, chapter. “The group offers support to those who want to study and volunteer abroad,” she said. “We’ve gotten great support from CVM faculty and the Dean’s office. It has been incredibly helpful to have a network of students seeking and finding new avenues of study and research.” Jack’s extensive experience in voluntary veterinary work enables him to identify with the students’ enthusiasm for travel and learning. His recent work through Christian Veterinary Missions in Mongolia has inspired similar trips. “Groups of veterinarians travel there to share medical knowledge. We basically set up an Extension service teaching model,” Jack said.
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TOP: While studying in Belize, Caitlin Allori learned more about the country’s national animal, the tapir. CENTER: CVM professor Dr. Carla Houston (left) accompanied students Ashley Gerrard, Rebecca Willcutt, Luc Vallone and Jessica Platz on their trip to Central America. ABOVE: Renee Blanco spent some of her time in Mongolia in the countryside, teaching English and learning about large animal medicine.
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“In Mongolia, animal herds are a measure of wealth and are the main food sources for families. We instructed herd owners and Mongolian veterinarians on Western veterinary medicine pracprac tices to help them improve and maintain herd health.” The medical information and instruction Jack and other volunteers provide help improve the standard of living because the healthier the herds, the better the food supply. “Veterinarians can do a lot of good in countries like Mongolia, but so can veterinary students,” Jack said. “Our veterinary students are so well-prepared, and they have more education under their belts than many practicing veterinarians in developing countries. What the students bring to these places is invaluable.” One such student is Renee Blanco, a third-year CVM student from Florence, S.C. She spent six weeks volunteering in Mongolia this past summer. The first three weeks of her trip were spent at an animal clinic teaching Mongolian veterinarians about small animal care. Blanco used videos and other materials as part of her instruction. She also worked with small animals that were brought into the clinic. “In Mongolia, there are very few small animals, or companion pets. So, many clinicians have not had much experience with them,” Blanco said. “I went over everything from diseases to dental work.” The next part of Blanco’s trip was supposed to be dedicated to working with animal herds in the countryside, but there was an urgent need for volunteers to teach English to young children. Blanco did not hesitate to change her course and help out. “You have to learn to be flexible in these situations,” she said. “I had never taught English, so it was a good experience. The best part was learning more about Mongolian culture.” During her time teaching children, Blanco did get some opportunities to observe large animal surgeries. “It was interesting to see how the veterinarians there did so much with so little,” she said. “Here, we have access to the best instruments and medications, but the Mongolian veterinarians just make it work with what is readily available to them. I learned never to underestimate what is at my disposal and to make the best of what I have.” Blanco is back at CVM and busy with her studies, but she thinks about her time in Mongolia and looks forward to her next trip there. “I definitely want to go back,” she said. “I worked with amazing people and know there is still a lot for me to learn there.” IVSA’s current president, second-year CVM student Rebecca Willcutt from Schulenburg, Texas, also volunteered abroad during her time off from classes. Willcutt and a group of other CVM students participated in a Volunteers for Intercultural and Definitive Adventures, or VIDA, veterinary mission trip. VIDA partners with volunteers to provide basic veterinary care, owner education, and free spay and neuter surgeries to pets and livestock in remote and isolated communities. The CVM VIDA group volunteered in Panama and Costa Rica. While there, like Blanco, Willcutt and her fellow students learned to make the best use of limited resources. “The working conditions were very different than what we were used to in the United States,” Willcutt said. “We made do with what we had and worked to make sure everything was as sterile as possible.” The students worked in free clinics set up in community centers and schools. They worked long hours in hot temperatures to provide much needed services to community members. “Central American veterinarians took time away from their own practices to train and supervise us, and also provide volunteer services,” Willcutt said. “We all learned a great deal and were thankful to get the opportunity to get started with spay and neuter surgeries.” The students managed surgery recovery, dewormed animals and practiced suturing techniques. They learned these procedures from trained veterinarians and then practiced them under supervision.
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utt, Ashley becca Willc e R , ne lo al e managLuc V on experienc suturing (from left) ss d nt an e h ud d st e CVM latz gain acticing d Jessica P orming animals and pr Gerrard an w e a. d c , ri recovery ntral Ame ing surgery ring in Ce e e nt lu vo while techniques
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“In addition to the medical volunteer work, we brought over and distributed supplies, such as leashes and collars,” Willcutt said. “It was a real eye-opener to see the differences in pet care between our countries. We all came back learning not to take things for granted and to really appreciate our educational opportunities.” Dr. Carla Huston, associate professor in the CVM Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, accompanied the group of students to Costa Rica and Panama. “My role was to observe our students at work and learn how other countries view and conduct international student experiences,” Huston said. “There has been a real interest among students in international study, and faculty members want to get involved and find ways they can assist.” Huston said the students received instruction on preventative care for animals and techniques such as suturing and spay and neuter surgeries. Veterinarians and veterinary technicians supervised all procedures. “It is great to see students taking such an initiative in getting educational opportunities in other countries,” she said. “I’m glad I got to see firsthand what types of experiences they are interested in and are actually getting.” Huston said CVM is collaborating with universities in other countries to develop an educational exchange program for both students and faculty. “The curriculum would go beyond learning about preventative pet care and surgical techniques,” Huston said. “The students could gain a better understanding of global animal agriculture and food safety. They would be collaborating with educational institutions in countries facing famine, drought and other conditions that make raising animals for food difficult.” Students from international veterinary colleges would also have the opportunity to study at CVM. “It is about idea sharing and working together on large-scale issues that affect the entire globe. Interested faculty could also take advantage of the opportunity to conduct research in other countries and share ideas,” she said. “Right now, there is work being done to establish those partnerships at two veterinary colleges in Costa Rica, one in Mongolia and one in Australia.” Dr. S.W. Jack and several other CVM faculty members are working on establishing a global veterinary services certificate for CVM students.
“Really, it’s the students who have taken the initiative in becoming a part of what’s going on around the world in veterinary medicine. The faculty are following their lead and becoming more involved,” Jack said. “Earning the certificate would require taking five courses in global animal and public health issues.” In addition to small-animal clinical experiences, international travel offers opportunities to learn about exotic and large animals in other countries. Second-year student Caitlin Allori from Chicago said her studies through the Institute for Sustainable International Studies in Belize have added to her knowledge about animal conservation and large animal care. Allori spent the first two weeks of the program learning about exotic animal care and conservation. “There was lecture paired with hands-on experiences at sanctuaries, zoos and a parrot rescue facility,” Allori said. “We gave iguanas baths and prepared them for release and did physical exams on parrots. I really enjoyed learning about exotic animals.” Allori spent the last part of her session working with large animals. “The large animal portion was hands-on, and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would,” said Allori, who is secretary for CVM’s IVSA chapter. “I went to Belize with a focus on exotics and ended up really loving the large animal medicine also.” After getting instruction from trained veterinarians, Allori performed basic medical procedures such as filing horse teeth and deworming cattle, sheep and goats. “I noticed that they do not have access to as many types of medicines as we do here,” Allori said. “It was interesting to see how the veterinarians there approach wildlife and large animal health. I wouldn’t trade the experience.” After her studies in Belize, Allori is working to involve other students in study-abroad programs and research other international externships. “I definitely want to do more traveling and to learn more abroad,” she said. “It was nice to be a part of helping a community, but really, I feel like I gained the most.” Professors are taking the initiative to invite international students to CVM to expand educational opportunities. Dr. Camillo Bulla, assistant professor of pathobiology and population medicine, studied veterinary medicine in his home country of Brazil. Since joining CVM, he has worked to develop an externship program for Brazilian students so they can spend some of their last year at CVM. The program is also intended for residents and graduate students. “The time here at CVM provides Brazilian students with a new perspective; it consists of a lot of active learning,” Bulla said. “In turn, CVM gets additional access to some bright students who have a lot to offer. We’ve recently had a student here who was first in her DVM class in Brazil.” Bulla is looking to expand the program and to recruit new students and faculty from Brazil. “I want to show them what CVM has to offer. Coming to study here is a great way to broaden perspectives,” he said. “But also, I want our CVM students to take advantage of the opportunity to learn in Brazil. A reciprocal relationship in which students can gain experiences at CVM and Brazilian veterinary colleges is what I am aiming to develop.” Through their many initiatives, CVM students and faculty are committed to service, research and volunteerism. “Veterinarians all around the world are working in difficult economic situations and within certain cultural mindsets,” Willcutt said after her travels to Central America. “The opportunities we are getting from our travels abroad are opening our eyes to this and showing us we can be a real part of improving global veterinary care.” n
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unie B. Jones will leap off the pages and into a performance at the MSU Riley Center this month – one of two big acts planned for the Meridian theatre this month. The lovable character of Barbara Park’s children’s book series will return to the Riley Center in a musical designed for children and those who may be children at heart. The show is at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, and Riley Center Executive Director Dennis Sankovich said it will be a memorable one. “A lot of children love to collect these books,” Sankovich said. “They’re about Junie’s first day of school and going to school and all of her adventures.” It has been two years since the Junie musical has been on a Riley Center stage, and he’s happy it has returned. “We’re very pleased to be presenting it,” he said. “It’s a high quality production. It was a great success. People really enjoyed it, so we decided to bring it back.”
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BY JUSTIN FRITSCHER
The musical is for fans of The Tickets for both Ramona Quimby books by Beverly shows can be Cleary and the Clementine books purchased at msurileycenter.com by Sara Pennypacker. But the Junie musical is not or by calling the only performance at the Riley 601-696-2200. Center that Sankovich is excited Tickets for Junie about. The Pointer Sisters will head cost $18 for adults and $10 for to Meridian for a Jan. 28 concert. “They are a wonderful vocal children. Tickets for the Pointer group,” Sankovich said. The group got their start singing Sisters cost $52-$58. gospel in their home church in West Oakland, Calif., and then they eventually matured into a legendary Motown band. Hits included “Yes We Can Can,” “He’s So Shy,” “Automatic,” “Slow Hand,” “I’m So Excited,” and “Fire.” The current touring edition of The Pointer Sisters consists of Anita, Ruth and Sadako Johnson, Ruth’s granddaughter, continuing in the funky family tradition. This show will blend their classics with some new work as well, Sankovich said. Attendees from Starkville to either event are recommended to purchase a bus ticket for $10. The bus departs the MSU campus three hours before show time. n
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State Deen’s Mississippi grad pens floral vital design book with Branch Paula Deen m
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BY EMILY JONES| PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEILANI SALTER
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eet the man behind The Food Network’s queen, Paula Deen. Residents of the Golden Triangle recently had an opportunity to pick the brain of thirty-something year-old Brandon Branch who serves as personal assistant and creative director for the vast Paula Deen Enterprises, based in Savannah, Ga. Branch stopped off at his alma mater, Mississippi State University, to discuss floral design and hype his new book Paula Deen’s Savannah Style, which he and Deen penned together. Born on a Mississippi dairy farm near Tylertown, Miss., Brandon said he was influenced by his grandmother who taught him to appreciate the transformative qualities of flowers and vegetation. By the 9th grade he had taken over responsibility for the altar flowers in his church and a career path was coming into focus. In 2000, Branch graduated from Mississippi State with a de-
gree in horticulture and set out to find his dream job. It didn’t take long. By accident, Branch stumbled upon Deen’s star which was just about to rise. After moving back East from Aspen where he operated a private design firm, he struck up a friendship with Deen’s niece. The cooking maven had just been signed for a show on The Food Network and she needed help with the set, though he admits he started out opening fan mail. Before long, Branch would be planning the flowers for Deen’s wedding and decorating Bethesda Chapel where the ceremony was held. One thing led to another and he is involved in every facet of the Deen culinary empire which now includes a magazine, a daily cooking show, multiple cookbooks, and the Lady and Sons Restaurant.
In addition to traveling around the globe as Deen’s right hand, Branch manages all four Deen homes including the one where her cooking show is filmed, plus all the gardens and staff required to keep the real estate in mint condition and glowing with color. “I’ve even been known to dress Paula,” he revealed. “I’ll try to coax her into wearing something specific, and she retorts ‘If you like it so much, you wear it!’” “So I put it on, and nine times out of 10, she gives in,” added Branch with a twinkle in his eye. You know immediately this is a man who loves his job. Weddings are a specialty for the designer, and he has decorated every one of the Deen family’s weddings since he appeared on the scene. “I like using natural elements and firmly believe in keeping the color palette in tones of green and white,” said Branch. “Color should be reserved for the reception.” In Deen’s wedding, he incorporated old-fashioned silvery-tipped elaeagnus, miles of wild grapevines and white hydrangea to create a natural backdrop for his mentor’s nuptials. “In the South we have such a wealth of lush materials to use in decorating. You can set a stunning table using chargers constructed of magnolia leaves surrounding each plate, or add simple (blooming) cotton plants into centerpieces in the fall.” To keep his designs fresh, he purposely avoids attending seminars or reading magazines which might take him in too-traditional directions. So where does he get his ideas? “Believe it or not, my design ideas will often come to me in my dreams,” said Branch who makes notes upon awakening. He has other high profile affiliations. Last year he transformed Trisha Yearwood’s foyer and music room into a sea of fresh flowers and greenery for a holiday special for HGTV. He has also developed his own reputation as a gracious Southern host by frequently holding dinner parties in his recently renovated 1890s home in historic Savannah.
Branch, left, enjoyed visiting with his MSU professor James M. DelPrince. “An invitation to one of his Savannah dinner parties is the equivalent to getting the golden ticket from Willy Wonka,” declared Deen on her weblog. “His style is equal parts Yankee chic and Southern elegance all muddled together in a monogrammed mint julep cup.” You can check out “Style Secrets with Brandon” which appears in the “Cooking with Paula Deen” magazine as well as “Paula Deen’s Savannah Style.” In this gorgeous, richly illustrated book, Paula Deen shares a full year of Southern living and Brandon manages to add a touch of Mississippi. n
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Lake Tiak-O’khata hosts conventions, meetings, family reunions, church retreats, full-service catering in 100-mile radius, family owned and operated for 55 years, fishing, water park, pedal boats, nature trails, RV park, perfect stay for MSU ballgames, full service restaurant featuring Southern buffets.
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BOOK REVIEW BY MILTON WHATLEY
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really didn’t know that I would like this book as much as I did. What drew me to it initially was Mark Kelly, the husband of Gabrielle Giffords, a veteran of the space shuttle program. What small boy alive in August of 1969, who watched the grainy video signal sent back from the moon, didn’t dream of one day being an astronaut? Those of us afraid of flying and, to be honest, not intellectually astute enough for a career at NASA, can at least read about the men and women who have trusted the rockets that have shot them into space. My fear was that the book would start on that terrible Saturday morning in January 2011 at the Safeway food store at the intersection of Oracle and Ina in Tucson and stay there. All who were drawn into the television coverage that day were shocked and saddened by the death of six and the critically wounding of thirteen others, one of the injured being Arizona United States Representative Gabrielle Giffords. I found the book to not be dominated by Giffords’ political life, but more about her as a person. An astute and driven young woman, Giffords is a native of Tucson, a graduate of Scripps College in Claremont, California, and Cornell University. At graduation, she was hired by the accounting firm Price Waterhouse in New York City to work as a demographic consultant. She seamlessly made the transition from college attire to corporate business suits, but the corporation did respectfully request that she change her footware from the western boots of her Arizona upbringing to something more appropriate. Readers are introduced to the real priorities of her life when, after being at Price Waterhouse only a short time, she responded to a request from her ailing father to return to Tucson and run the family tire business. Her love of her hometown of Tucson and the people of Arizona drew her into public service. Public service was the vehicle through which she believed she could help people and enrich their lives. The book also tells the story of Mark Kelly, the son of parents 58 who were both police officers in their home state of New Jersey.
An admitted poor student early in life, Kelly found during high school, that being of service to the public was also an avenue of meaningful expression. After high school, he attended the Merchant Marine Academy and the Naval Flight School in Pensacola. As a naval aviator he flew 39 missions as a participant in Operation Desert Storm. After applying for and gaining admission to the astronaut program, Kelly became a part of the space shuttle program. Mark Kelly flew on 4 shuttle missions, the last in May of 2011 as the commander of Endeavour. The book, told in Kelly’s voice with Giffords’ heart, tells the story of how these two people found each other and how they learned to cope with what so many couples and families cope with today - such as how do two highly motivated career-oriented people find the time to make a relationship work? How do they find a way to keep the channels of communication always open between them? How does a couple find a way and the words to help the children from a previous marriage find a comfort zone in the new relationship their parent has begun? And how does a couple find a way to honor and support a spouse during a potentially lifethreatening crisis, which for Kelly was prostate cancer and for Giffords, the aftermath of January 8, 2011. Gabby is the story of two very ordinary and yet at the same time extraordinary Americans - ordinary in that they are the kind of people who would speak to you in your neighborhood as you walk your dog or check your mail. They are real people forced to deal with the same kind of problems all people have to deal with. Giffords’ recovery from her traumatic brain injury is nothing short of miraculous, so say her doctors. Her recovery, which is ongoing, has been possible because of her spirit, the support of Kelly, the support of her family, her congressional staff, medical personnel and countless others who have done large and small things to help make each day for her a step forward. That terrible day in Tucson is counterpointed with Giffords’ dramatic appearance on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to cast her vote for the debt ceiling legislation on August 1, 2011. The details of that day are moving to someone who only saw this frail wisp of a woman appear suddenly out of a crowd, to cast her vote. The book is worth reading as much for its story of positive family dynamics as for its record of a moment in time that will not be soon forgotten. I noted the fact that Kelly never mentions the troubled young man who hurt so many that morning in Tucson by name, this is not his story. This is the story of Gabby Giffords and the others whose lives, because of her shooter, would never be the same. Kelly describes in detail those who were killed that day - who they were and who they continue to be for the families that love them. It’s to them that this book is dedicated. n
{On the Page
january
Through her years of service, Scarpetta has seen it all, leaving death and its horrific causes bare on her morgue’s stainless steel tables. She trusts no one, except her niece Lucy Farinelli, former detective Pete Marino and her longtime love/new husband Benton Wesley. When she meets with Lawler, Scarpetta soon realizes someone else is pulling the strings, or at least attempting to. There’s at least one someone who tries to force Scarpetta into accepting what others see as clear-cut cases of criminal activity. In this case, it’s the cold-brooded murder of an entire family. The search for the true culprit is something that attracts Scarpetta both on a professional and personal level. Around every corner lurks the potential for conspiracy and terrorism. In her typical analytical style, Cornwell author brings life to the technical aspects of forensic science, detective work, and dead bodies as well as real-life issues such as capital punishment and treatment of female inmates. Cornwell draws in readers by letting them join Scarpetta on her narrow tightrope of truth. The author backs her fiction with fact, whether it’s flying her own helicopter (picture niece Lucy), scuba diving or riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Cornwell immerses herself in the latest forensic technology and techniques, spending hundreds of hours in morgues, crime labs and law enforcement agencies. Where Cornwell falls short, in this book as well as several of her latest books, is that the ending seems sloppy and too rushed to provide sufficient answers. However, the meat and potatoes of her novels obviously are enough to satisfy her fans. They stay hungry for more, waiting eagerly for the next installment of Scarpetta and company. For this, Cornwell never lets them down. n
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ights grow long, days turn cold, and holidays come and go. Almost as predictable as the season is the annual release of a new forensic thriller by award-winning author Patricia Cornwell. Cornwell’s latest novel, Red Mist, went on sale Dec. 6, and as with the other 18 in the series, it will surely be on the best-seller list. It is Cornwell at her best – and worst. The novel’s nearly 500 pages are heavy with technology, murder, and forensics, building to a high-thrill moment. As with any rollercoaster ride, though, the end seems to come too soon, often coasting into the station instead of braking at the last minute. Over the years (her first novel, Postmortem, was published in 1990), fans have grown along with Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a medical examiner, forensic scientist, and military confidante. As the character has developed, so have the introduction and development of the latest in forensic- and spy-related technology. Nearly all of Cornwell’s novels have made it to the bestseller list and earned her literary awards from around the world. Her work, described as dissection literature (a nod to the art of dissecting bodies), is available in more than 35 languages and 120 countries. Several have been adapted for television and documentaries, and a movie starring Angelina Jolie as Scarpetta has been announced. Cornwell’s latest novel (its title refers to the spray of blood from a violent impact) opens with Scarpetta trying to come to terms with the death of onetime protege and deputy chief, Jack Fielding. His grown illegitimate daughter is awaiting trial for attempting to kill Scarpetta. The feisty medical examiner was trying to put past horrors behind her and move on with establishing the best forensic facility in the country. That is, until she is asked to visit Kathleen Lawler, the woman who broke Fielding’s heart and molested his then-underaged body.
2012
BY SUSAN O’BRYAN
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{On the Page
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BOOK REVIEW BY JOE LEE
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january
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kay, so the Golden Triangle doesn’t have a major airport like LaGuardia, O’Hare, or LAX. This part of Mississippi, though, has had a remarkable impact on the history of American aviation. Stuart Vance, an MSU graduate and the co-founder of Howard Family Room Furniture (the predecessor of Arnold Industries of Starkville), was a founding commissioner of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport and represented the City of Starkville on the GTRA Board of Directors for 42 years. It’s no surprise that his first book, Aviation in the Golden Triangle, is a comprehensive look at not only the different locations where research and development took place but the pilots, engineers, manufacturers, and executives who vowed that the Starkville/ Columbus/West Point area of Mississippi would play a major role in the state’s economic development. Vance, who apologizes humorously to “his English teacher” about this work (and claims in the book’s foreword not to be an author or journalist), has nonetheless compiled a truly fascinating history of a subject he obviously loves—and the icing on the cake was being able to do so in an area he’s called home for two generations. The heart of this fine book is the hundreds of spectacular photographs and newspaper clippings. Containing everything from the grainy overhead shot of Payne Field near West Point (Mississippi’s first airport) to a recent picture of a sleek Cessna 182 owned and operated by the Golden Triangle Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, Aviation in the Golden Triangle is the kind of coffee table book you’ll return to again and again—you’ll find yourself taking second and third looks at different photos for things you missed the first time and, along the way, taking in the history nuggets alongside them. And those tidbits are fascinating. You’ll find out where Charles Lindbergh landed in the Golden Triangle while on his 48-state Guggenheim tour aboard The Spirit of St. Louis, you’ll read the bizarre 60 story of parachutists who took off from Hattiesburg and attempt-
ed to bring the game ball to Scott Field for the 1994 MSU-Alabama football game, and you’ll learn how a 63-yearold pilot survived when the wings came off his glider at 8,000 feet. Even the sinking feeling you’ll get reading a Starkville Daily News article from 2004 (“GTR airport losing money, may seek local government assistance”) is tempered with the sheer joy of achievement that has been on display in the field of aviation in this part of Mississippi for so many years. Aviation in the Golden Triangle carries a hefty price tag at $35, but it’s a tremendous value for the money—the photographs and accompanying essays and information will have infinitely more staying power than your typical beach read or romance novel. It’s a book that Vance, now 80 years young, should be very proud of, and it’s well worth your time. Aviation in the Golden Triangle is available at The Book Mart in Starkville. For more information, visit http://www. gtrpublishing.com. n
Stuart Vance
{On the Page
Reading the Classics
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BOOK REVIEWS BY KATE SALTER
e’d like to believe that the path to happiness in love is devoid of any bumps or dips, but for the vast majority of us, we have to endure some hardships along the way. Although at our lowest points we want to give up faith, we understand when we reach our destination that those mistakes
and heartbreaks taught us all important, individual lessons about who we are, who others are, and who we want and need for them to be. These books are classic examples of the self-exploration and search that we all go through as we make our way up life’s aisle to the altar where real love stands.
WOMEN WITH MEN BY RICHARD FORD Composed of three long stories - or novellas - Jackson native Richard Ford’s collection echoes Hemingway not only in title (mirroring Hemingway’s Men Without Women) but in the overarching theme of Ford’s entire literary career - stories based solely upon the male perspective. Here, men flounder as they try to come to grips with the complexities of women. Between two stories about American men struggling to fathom where they fit into modern Parisian life is a charming coming-of-age tale set in the American West. The first story “The Womanizer,” a businessman’s failed attempt at an affair exposes his naivete about the pervasiveness of truth in relationships. “Jealous” follows, telling the story of a teenager’s trek from Montana to Seattle to visit his mother, who has left him and his father. Finally, “Occidentals” focuses on a writer whose unhappiness with his mistress-and her friends-is illuminated by his search to find a translator for his first novel. With typical straightforward discourse, Ford paints a portrait of the comedies and tragedies that define our relationships with others, with places, and with ourselves as we attempt to understand them all.
THE REMAINS OF THE DAY BY KAZUO ISHIGURO 1989’s The Remains of the Day won one of Britain’s highest literary honors - the Man Booker Prize - and rightfully so. Ishiguro’s look at the post-war society of England generated a film adaptation that garnered eight Oscar nods in 1993. The story is narrated by Stevens, a long-time butler of a country English estate belonging to Lord Darlington, whom Stevens has always believed to a be an inherently good, generous, and patriotic man. However, as truths about Darlington’s association with the Nazi party during World War II begin to arise, Stevens begins to question the validity of his career and thereby his life, as he as lived nearly all of it within the confines of Darlington’s estate. Against this historic backdrop, Stevens hires Miss Kenton, a younger, emotional woman as a housekeeper. As Miss Kenton and Stevens work together and grow closer, she develops feelings for Stevens that he cannot express in return - not because he does not love her, but because doing so would require shifting his highest devotion from his work to another person. Stevens struggles for the remainder of his story to reorder his priorities and put love above all else, but as in our own lives, sometimes that battle proves difficult.
january
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“A sad tale’s best for winter. I have one,” says Mamillus, a minor character in William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Considered one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays” due to its tragic and comedic qualities, The Winter’s Tale is the story of a king so jealous of his wife Hermione’s seemingly flirtatious friendship with another man that he imprisons her, denying himself 16 years with his loving wife - and their infant daughter. In order to teach him a lesson, Hermione fakes her own death, only to reveal at the play’s end when Leontes expresses honest remorse for his actions that she is alive. The play highlights the idea of jealousy in relationships and feelings of inadequacy, which even the best and most stable relationships suffer from time to time. However, the play also reveals that through forgiveness and sincerity, all blunders can be erased with time and with love.
2012
THE WINTER’S TALE BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
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Reading Aloud Marc Brown’s Arthur books sharing the adventures of the loveable aardvark and his family are favorites of young children. In D.W. Thinks Big, Arthur’s little sister, D.W., has mixed feelings about being “left out” of her aunt’s big wedding while Arthur gets to be the ring bearer. On the big day, though, an incident happens that allows D.W. to save the wedding from disaster.
BOOK REVIEWS BY HELLEN POLK
ith January being Town & Gown’s bridal issue, here are three books recommended for sharing with a child who may be attending or participating in an upcoming wedding.
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january
2012
January is also the month to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. In David A. Adler’s picture book biography, A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr., children learn about Dr. King’s life from his boyhood to his legacy in the civil rights movement. The beautiful illustrations in the book hold one’s attention and also make this an excellent choice for sharing with a group. With these selections and many more great books available, make January a great month to read aloud to the children in your life.
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Else Minarik’s Little Bear series is a wonderful read aloud as well as “first reader.” In A Kiss for Little Bear, the animals take turns passing along Little Bear’s artwork for his grandmother. Along the way, kisses get passed, too, and lead to a sweet wedding. In addition to the story, this book’s illustrations by Maurice Sendak will delight readers young and old. But, as the hen says, this is “too much kissing,” so here is a gorgeous book by Starkville’s own Laurie Parker that may make a great book for the flower girl or ring bearer in an upcoming wedding. Garden Alphabet is a hidden picture book of gardening from A to Z. Laurie’s poetic verses and exquisite collages will have boys and girls eagerly turning the pages in search of hidden objects like frogs and butterflies and bees on each page. They might develop a love for the garden as a bonus.
The 2011 Caldecott Award for the best illustrated children’s picture book goes to Philip and Erin Stead’s A Sick Day for Amos McGee. Woodblock-printing and soft colors are used to enhance the compassionate story of friendship and good deeds. Amos has been very kind to five special friends. When he gets sick, they all pitch in to show their appreciation and make Amos feel better. This book will be one to treasure for years to come.
Rhythms
favorite for weddings. PHOTO BY LAUR
A DANIELS
TOP 10 Requested Songs for Weddings 1. “Processional” from “Lohengrin” - Wagner 2. “Recessional” from “Midsummer Night’s Dream” Mendelssohn 3. “Trumpet Voluntary” - Clarke 4. “Rondeau” - Mouret 5. “The Lord’s Prayer” - Malotte 6. “Hornpipe from the Water Music” - Handel 7. “Canon in D” - Pachelbel 8. “Trumpet Tune in D” - Purcell 9. “Ave Maria” - Gonoud 10. “Bist du Meir” - Bach
november 2011
tart planning a wedding and what comes to mind? A dress? A cake? Experts say the music should be at the top of the list. “So much emphasis is put on every other sense at weddings,” said Jackson metro area wedding and event planner Shanna Lumpkin, a Mississippi State University alumna. “Brides think about what the wedding will look like and taste like, but sound is so important.” In the Starkville area, couples have a variety of musicians and styles from which to choose. With the city being home of the Starkville-Mississippi State University Symphony, musical talent isn’t hard to find. Dr. Michael Brown, head of the MSU Department of Music, gets about a call per week from brides-to-be seeking musicians. He then directs them to musicians or ensembles that will give them the sounds they seek. String players may be getting more calls these days. “The trend is that more people are into strings and less into the organ and trumpet,” said Brown, noting that organ and trumpet enjoyed popularity in the 1980s af after a pair of royal weddings featured them. And some brides want strings as a way of setting their weddings apart, said Lumpkin. “Most of my brides like having a trio or quartet. Piano and organ music are in church
Daniel Jones, 13, is a
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BY ANNIE OETH
services each week so they want a different sound.” Outdoor weddings can also be a factor, as some settings would make live piano or organ music impossible. “Most of the time, when brides want weddings outside,” Lumpkin said, “they choose strings, harps and even acoustic guitar.” Daniel Jones is busy playing the violin at weddings, which isn’t surprising since he’s played avidly for about seven years. The surprise is that he’s 13. The homeschooled eighth-grader from Starkville practices about an hour to 90 minutes a day to perfect his wedding repertoire. A member of the MSU Philharnonia and a student apprentice member of the symphony, Jones said he enjoys performing at weddings, “depending on the music.” Classical is his favorite, and he also prefers to attend the rehearsal to make sure the music is timed to the procession of the bride and her father. Jordan Dew had Jones play at her Dec. 10 wedding to Graham Helton at the Chapel of Memories on the MSU campus. “I wanted strings,” she said. “It was what I envisioned for our wedding.” Among the pieces included will be “Trumpet Voluntary,” “Canon in D,” “Bridal Chorus” from “Lohengrin” and, as the recessional, “Hail State.” At receptions, Brown said jazz combos are popular. Often the consideration is that reception music is for that all-important first dance, he said, or to set the mood of the event. Said Lumpkin: “It is about providing a memorable experience for the wedding and your guests.” • Reach Dr. Michael Brown at the MSU Dept. of Music at 662-325-3070. • To reach violinist Daniel Jones, call Rhonda Jones at 662-323-4964. • Reach wedding and event planner Shanna Lumpkin at 601-953-1340. n
townandgownmag.com
Choosing wedding music
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RUSS HOUSTON, UNIVERSITY RELATIONS
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Rhythms
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RUSS HOUSTON, UNIVERSITY RELATIONS
favorite for weddings. PHOTO BY LAUR
A DANIELS
TOP 10 Requested Songs for Weddings 1. “Processional” from “Lohengrin” - Wagner 2. “Recessional” from “Midsummer Night’s Dream” Mendelssohn 3. “Trumpet Voluntary” - Clarke 4. “Rondeau” - Mouret 5. “The Lord’s Prayer” - Malotte 6. “Hornpipe from the Water Music” - Handel 7. “Canon in D” - Pachelbel 8. “Trumpet Tune in D” - Purcell 9. “Ave Maria” - Gonoud 10. “Bist du Meir” - Bach
november 2011
tart planning a wedding and what comes to mind? A dress? A cake? Experts say the music should be at the top of the list. “So much emphasis is put on every other sense at weddings,” said Jackson metro area wedding and event planner Shanna Lumpkin, a Mississippi State University alumna. “Brides think about what the wedding will look like and taste like, but sound is so important.” In the Starkville area, couples have a variety of musicians and styles from which to choose. With the city being home of the Starkville-Mississippi State University Symphony, musical talent isn’t hard to find. Dr. Michael Brown, head of the MSU Department of Music, gets about a call per week from brides-to-be seeking musicians. He then directs them to musicians or ensembles that will give them the sounds they seek. String players may be getting more calls these days. “The trend is that more people are into strings and less into the organ and trumpet,” said Brown, noting that organ and trumpet enjoyed popularity in the 1980s af after a pair of royal weddings featured them. And some brides want strings as a way of setting their weddings apart, said Lumpkin. “Most of my brides like having a trio or quartet. Piano and organ music are in church
Daniel Jones, 13, is a
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BY ANNIE OETH
townandgownmag.com
Choosing wedding music
services each week so they want a different sound.” Outdoor weddings can also be a factor, as some settings would make live piano or organ music impossible. “Most of the time, when brides want weddings outside,” Lumpkin said, “they choose strings, harps and even acoustic guitar.” Daniel Jones is busy playing the violin at weddings, which isn’t surprising since he’s played avidly for about seven years. The surprise is that he’s 13. The homeschooled eighth-grader from Starkville practices about an hour to 90 minutes a day to perfect his wedding repertoire. A member of the MSU Philharnonia and a student apprentice member of the symphony, Jones said he enjoys performing at weddings, “depending on the music.” Classical is his favorite, and he also prefers to attend the rehearsal to make sure the music is timed to the procession of the bride and her father. Jordan Dew had Jones play at her Dec. 10 wedding to Graham Helton at the Chapel of Memories on the MSU campus. “I wanted strings,” she said. “It was what I envisioned for our wedding.” Among the pieces included will be “Trumpet Voluntary,” “Canon in D,” “Bridal Chorus” from “Lohengrin” and, as the recessional, “Hail State.” At receptions, Brown said jazz combos are popular. Often the consideration is that reception music is for that all-important first dance, he said, or to set the mood of the event. Said Lumpkin: “It is about providing a memorable experience for the wedding and your guests.” • Reach Dr. Michael Brown at the MSU Dept. of Music at 662-325-3070. • To reach violinist Daniel Jones, call Rhonda Jones at 662-323-4964. • Reach wedding and event planner Shanna Lumpkin at 601-953-1340. n
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Maggie Harper had the opportunity to perform with Carl Jackson and Larry Cordle during Jackson’s annual Christmas concert at The Strand in Louisville. She sang “My First Mistake” written by Cordle.
Building big dreams
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BY JOE LEE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEILANI SALTER
s the daughter of a U.S. congressman, MSU student Maggie Harper knows a thing or two about the big stage. Her father, 3rd Dist. U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper, has been in Washington, D.C. since 2009, and Maggie was a page for the U.S. Senate between her junior and senior years at Pearl High School. She’s majoring in political science and plans to graduate in three years. But while her goals are just as lofty as those of her father, she might be headed in a whole different direction. A huge fan of musician Allison Krauss, Maggie wouldn’t mind headlining one day at the Grand Ole Opry. She and Louisville native Carl Jackson, who played banjo in Glen Campbell’s band from 19721984 and was featured on the 1977 pop smash “Southern Nights,” entertained a pair of capacity crowds at The Strand on Dec. 10 at Jackson’s annual Home for Christmas benefit concert. “Carl is such an accomplished singer, songwriter, and producer,” Maggie said. “This was my third time to sing with him, and how I got to meet him is a funny story: Michael Cravens, my dad’s chief of staff, is from Louisville and has known him for years. Somehow he got Carl to agree to let me sing with him.” “I first met Maggie while working on the congressman’s campaign in 2007,” said Cravens, who is in his fifteenth year of
producing Jackson’s yearly event. “I had seen her sing at church programs in Brandon and knew she had a lot of talent. “The Harper family attended the 2009 concert and met Carl then. The first time he heard Maggie sing was at a sound check before the first show. When he heard her sing the first note of the Allison Krauss song, “Ghost in This House,” his eyes got extremely wide. The look he gave me was, ‘You didn’t tell me she could sing like this.’” Maggie grew up in Rankin County and graduated from Pearl High School in 2010. She began singing in the children’s choir at Crossgates Baptist Church of Brandon at the age of four. She took up the guitar in seventh grade, sang in the youth group worship band at church, and was in the MSU choir as a freshman. A career highlight was getting to sing the national anthem at the Loveless Barn in Nashville before a concert by Randy Owen, the lead singer of the band Alabama. “Maggie always loved to sing,” said Sidney Harper, her mother. “But it was when she sang her first solo in the adult Christmas program at church at age six that I realized she could really sing. I was amazed at her courage and confidence. “It’s very special—and very emotional—to see our daughter performing. It warms my heart even though I get nervous,
See February’s issue of Town & Gown Magazine for more on Carl Jackson, his work in the music industry, his recent music award, and his love for Louisville.
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“Proverbs 16:9 says that ‘in his heart a man plans his course, but it is the Lord who determines his steps.’ This proves to be true in my life when I think back on all the opportunities I’ve had to sing and the people I’ve met along the way. My dad always tells me to dream big, and it’s time I start taking that to heart.” “I’ve asked her to think about what she would do if she really knew she would succeed, and also to do what the Lord is leading her to,” said Rep. Gregg Harper. “Sometimes young people are afraid to try to do something great. I hope Sidney and I have encouraged Maggie to follow her dreams, whatever they are.” n
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probably because she will never practice in front of us. When she sings a song at a performance, that’s the first time I hear it.” “Maggie is like a daughter. We’re very close,” said retired Pearl High School choir director Donna McCommon. “She was very talented and one of the few who made our top program while she was a sophomore—it was primarily made up of seniors with a few juniors. She made it a goal to be in every group she could get in. The other kids looked up to her.” The association with Jackson, of course, has helped open a number of doors. “This past summer I had the opportunity to go to Nashville and record two demos in a studio with Carl and other musicians,” Maggie said. “It was such hard work and people just don’t realize—I didn’t, anyway—how much work goes into recording a high-quality song. “Carl has been nothing but encouraging to me since I’ve known him. I know that he would want nothing more than for me to succeed at what I love, and he is the kind of friend who will help me any possible way he can and always be there to give sound advice and guidance.” “She’s a very talented singer with a bright future,” Jackson said. “She has a sweet, angelic voice and a sweet personality that folks respond to. She can go as far as she wants.” Maggie said that with only a year and a half left before graduation, it’s time to start figuring out what she wants to do with her life. “I’ve thought about going to law school and then moving to Washington and working on Capitol Hill,” she said. “Some days I think that would make me happy, and then other days I just don’t feel that’s the Lord’s plan for my life.
january 2012
Clockwise from top: Harper with Carl Jackson and Larry Cordle; Harper and Carl Jackson; Harper with Taylor Swift at the National Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction; and Harper with Randy Owen, lead singer of Alabama.
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Home for Christmas with Carl Jackson Photography by Leilani Salter
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1. Katherine Downing, Brea Klair Browning, Haley Kyle 2. Drew Crenshaw, Meagan Armstrong 3. Zach Holyfield, Livingston Harper, Kyle Jordan 4. Keely Russell, Morgan Villavaso, Hannah Park 5. Olivia Cohen, Carly Warner 6. John Casey Fielder, John Butts, Lauren Kellerhouse 7. Lauren Jelliffe, Kailey Rigby, Sara Windham, Heather Walker, Emerson Holliman 8. Regan Arnold, Kendall Kirk 9. Allie Moore, Rodney Moore 10. Maggie Pettit , Katie Gentry 11. Katie McCaffert, Kade Dickerson 12. Alex Kwasny, Victoria Kwasny 13. Madison Langford, Breanna Cummings 14. Seth King, Jenny Tullos, Sarah Bushnell, Jake Hartfield 15. Erika Stanford, Daniel Waide 16. Natalia Bhuiyan, Jessica Mirandy 17. Chelsea Connor, Morgan Massa 18. Amanda Coward, Anna Hines 19. Phylecia Stewart, Christina Jefferson, Carla Mobley 20. Sarah Wiley, Alli Carter, Lindsey Weems 21. Justin Gauthier, Casey Dawkins 22. Bethany Gunn, Meagan Cook, Emily Cayson
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MSU VS Alabama Photography by maggie harper
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Holiday in the Junction Photography by maggie harper
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1. Alina Morrel, Deborah Morrel 2. Walker Price, Lacy Mitchell 3. Abigayle Green, Brayden Green 4. Morgan McDowell, Meredith Sledge 5. Santa, Brad Hollinger 6. Haley Berryhill, Alyson Holliday, Mari Scott Carpenter, Allison McCarver, Laura Guyton 7. Cade Holder, Nathan Hendrix 8. Kelsey Woodard, Kerri Freeman 9. Amanda Fulton, Stephanie Smith 10. Christina Gillespie, Jameela Short, Angie Riley, Shanita Smith 11. Heidie Lindsey, Laura Touchstone, Stephanie Stanford 12. Kyle Dierolf, Teresa Hill 13. Martha Kate Buskirk, Chelsea Beech 14. Haley Berryhill, Babs Bouchillon, Bailey Brown 15. Emily Hayes, Jesse Pace, Clark Cutrer, Laura Touchstone, Shelby Balius, Daniel Fisher
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Starkville Area Arts Council Gala Photography by laura daniels
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1. Melvin Nava, Patrisha Pham, Ruth de la Cruz, Armando de la Cruz 2. Lucy Phillips, Robert Phillips 3. Eddie Myles, Andrea May-Myles, Paige Lawes, Nancy Hargrove, Cassidy Simmons 4. Guy Hargrove, Maureen Hughes, Matt Little 5. Shannon Eaves, Cassidy Simmons 6. Lauren Lang, Ben Lang, Anna Morgan, Aaron Mann, Linda Elliott 7. Bill Poe, Dylan Karges 8. Warren Housley, David Boles, Jim Turner 9. Bill Burnett,Vicki Burnett 10. Andrew Gaston, Suzy Turner, Joan Wilson 11. Barbara Frank, Linda Morse 12. Glen Bryant, Ellen Boles, Judi Housley 13. Barbara Foster, Anna-Marie Foster 14. Melanie Mitchell, Barbara Walker 15. Guy Hargrove, Nancy Hargrove 16. Dora Herring, Carrie Hawkins 17. Christian Rabl, Angela Chege, Diana Lyon 18. Beverly Jones, Nelson Jones
Christmas Gala at Mitchell Memorial Library Photography by Leilani Salter
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1. Greta Wood, Ning Han 2. Lenore Prather, Malinda Prather, Ida Cunetto 3. Rashad Beard, Tashad Beard, Octavian Johnson 4. Matthew Crane, Madeline Golden, Abigail Voller, Cherri Golden, Janis Ross, Brian Hawkins 5. Lyle Tate, Lee Dempsey 6. Rex Ames, Janet Ames, Dutch Ames 7. Tre Templeton, Laura Marler 8. Sharon Hymphrey, June McNeel, Lyle Tate 9. Randall McMillen, Whitney McMillen, Elaina McMillen 10. Kim Harrison, Debrah Gordon 11. Ellen Boles, Janice Muzzi, Connie Templeton, David Boles 12. Faye Fulgham, Bobbie Huddleston 13. Keith Remy, Ruth Remy 14. Karen Davidson, David Nolen 15. Kim Harrison, Debrah Gordon 16. Mayor Parker Wiseman, Chip Templeton 17. Ryan Akers, Will Akers, Frances Coleman, Randy Akers, Ally Akers 18. Rebecca Tabb, Brady Tabb, Grant Tabb 71
Egg Bowl Photography by Leilani Salter and Maggie harper
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1. Gregg Harper, Maggie Harper, Buck Alman, Livingston Harper 2. Marc Kolaks, Johnna Kolaks 3. Gina Williams, Mary Phillips Keenum, Ken Williams 4. Danielle Smith, Houston Sanford, Gina Williams 5. Rhonda Keenum, Macon Edwards 6. Caroline Gilbert, Jerry Gilbert 7. Brantley Berkery, Jana Berkery 8. Katelynn Smith, Torie Keenum, Mary Margaret Roark, Mary Phillips Keenum 9. Phillip Gunn, Gregg Harper 10. Thad Cochran, Keith Heard 11. Larry Rogers, Debbie Rogers 12. Lauren Galloway, Barry Pettigrew 13. Fletcher Ladner, Fred Collins, Mary Collins 14. Rhiannon Heflin, Waurene Heflin 15. Macey Wilson, Anna Grace Stout, Wayne Livingston 16. Regan Monk, Abby Hollingsworth, Jimmy Hollingsworth 17. Ashley Burks, Mary Jones 18. Rebecca Golding, Tommy Golding
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19. Sid Salter, Jack Cristil, George Marler, Shawn Sparks 20. Becca Yelverton, Griffin Sullivan 21. Zach Craft, Justin Strief, Stephan Haas, Leland Elchos 22. Victor Carmody, Matthew Day, Tripp Carmody, Barclay Angle, Braden Boykin, Cris Keenum, Christa Garnett 23. T.J. Penick, Christie Dixon 24. Bailey Martin, Camden McMinn 25. Terri Woods, Jimmy Woods 26. Richard Wright, Mitzi Hudson, Todd Garnett, Brendan Manders, Wesley Pounders 27. Ray Purnell, Alyssa Davant, Alex Benge 28. Alyssa Hemphill, Lynda Hemphill 29. Christy Bridges, Meagan Bridges, Lorna Robinson, Todd Bridges 30. Kevin Langston, Ethan Langston, Lisa Langston, Lane Langston 31. Ken Winters, David Lindley 32. Peggy Jeter, Cynthia Youngblood 33. Reese Grogan, Audrey Grogan 34. Jake Jefcoat, Leslie Jefcoat 35. Gene Walker, Christy Walker, Dianne Walker
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Egg Ball Photography by Leilani Salter
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1. Taylor Casey, Hollee Cheek, Sarah Cheek, Hollis Cheek 2. Nelle Cohen, Avery Cohen 3. Jeff Overstreet, Rebekah Overstreet, Mary Beth Franklin 4. Jason Caldwell, Carrie Caldwell, Greg Patterson, Brandy Patterson, Kim Patterson 5. Paul Kosko, Mamie Kosko 7. Wilson Lafoe, Marcella Lafoe, Kim Boutwell, Mark Boutwell 8. Charlie Thomas, Lisa Thomas 9. Paige Haynes, Kelsey Unruh, Laura Benson, Camon Franklin, Megan Holland 10. Will Prosser, Blake Southward, Russ King, Kyle Duett, Stephen Aran 11. Kyle Duett, Katie Beth Keith, Megan Stewart, Blake Southward 12. Susie Walters, Kevin Walters 11. Whitney Rigdon, Parker Mullins 13. J.C. Patton, Gayle Patton, Ashley Bates 14. Tim Lyons, Patty Lyons 15. Niles McNeel, Melanie McNeel, Patty Hosch, B.B. Hosch 16. Deary Williams, John Outlaw Sr., Markeeta Outlaw 17. Frank Page, Sylvia Page, Foster Page 18. Jay Cook, Margaret Cook
GSDP Holiday Bazaar Photography by laura daniels
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1. Joeann Foster, Natalie Didlake, Ellen Wallace 2. Robyn Harvard, Kim Jones 3. Sue Hall, Beth Sewell 4. Ophelia Reed, Moderia Petty 5. Sarah Fratesi 6. Bill Parrish, HelenSue Parrish 7. Jay Cain, Nisreen Cain 8. Christy Miller, Nina Wofford 9. Sam Reynolds, Anita Reynolds 10. Rosie Mayes, Shelley King, Mary Louise Blanks 11. Jennifer Reed, Lana Reed, Heather McKee 12. Andy Gresset, Gloria Gresset 13. Jessica Bailey, Leilani Salter, Mary Kathryn Kight 14. Ellen Harrison, Carolyn Ross 15. Midge Davis, Mitzy Johnson 16. Anthony Jackson, Tynieshia Frazier, Adrian Brown
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Symphony Christmas Concert Photography by laura daniels
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1. Sam Thomas, JoAnna Walker, Jarvis Goree 2. Linda Karen Smith, Adrian Guess, Justin Silas, Mark Edwards, Rose Sebba 3. Randall Mallet, AJ Taylor 4. Corley McGraw, Stephen Campbell, Ben Riser 5. Marchelle Brain, Maddie Brain 6. Jack McCarty, Jimmie Fay McCarty, Nathan Moore 7. Oliver Gaerlan, Xen Gaerlan 8. Christina Killcreas, Wallace Killcreas, Julia Schloemer, Amelia Kilcreas 9. Diane Hewlett, Gretchen Passons 10. Cassie James, Hannah Isler, Marie Seguin, Natalie Runyun 11. Natalie Philips, Terry Word, Jackson Pullen 12. Raven Brown, Juanita Newton, Tierra Sanders 13. Richard Hewlett, Diane Hewlett 14. Logan Schott, Matthew Gieb 15. John Robert Arnold, Evelyn Daniels, Ruth DelaCruz, Mary Ann Stafford, Hannah Daniels, Paige Lawes 16. Nancy Duran, John Daniels, Jacqui Duran 17. Rhonda Jones, Daniel Jones, Garry Jones 18. Jean Marcus, WC Johnson
Bridge Party at Old Waverly Photography by laura daniels
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1. Sandy Cervantes, Cheryl Whitfield 2. Shelia Flurry, Nell Husbands, Margaret Johnson, Yvonne McMillan, Brenda Harrington 3. Rebecca Giffin, Berry Martin 4. Sandy Cervantes, Cherly Whitfield, Shelia Flurry, Nell Husbands 5. Ann Gill, Velma Livingston 6. Charlie Lindquist, Sherry Whitehead 7. James Tullos, Gail Long 8. Catherine Haynes, Jim Flanagan, Diana Hufford, Billie Flanagan 9. Jack Jones, Brenda Harrington, Diana Revord 10. James explaining how the game will be played and asking everyone to get ready. 11. Jackie Stokes, Gloria Holcomb, Charlotte Flaherty, Donna Hamkrick 12. Brown Jones, Mary Anne Weems, Carmen Montgomery, Becky Walker 13. Bridge game in play. 14. Game in play.
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Holiday Homes Tour & Tea Photography by laura daniels
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1. Chelsea Robertson, Deana Franco-Johnson, Chloe Harper, Marilyn Epperson, Dot Phillips, HelenSue Parrish 2. Pat Clifford, Catherene Boyd 3. Kay Milam, Genevieve Swartzberg, Ophelia Reed 4. Jack Jorbus, Lynda Forbus, Dinah Clark, Lynn Black 5. Charlie Guest, Rubye Guest 6. Ann Chiles, Moderia Petty, Lynda Forbus 7. Jenny Lee, Melissa Tennet 8. Jane Bobbitt, Mary Frank Taylor, Ruth Josey 9. Bonnie Thomas, Genevieve Swartzberg 10. Maxine Baird, June Wallington 11. Eloise Shannon, June Carpenter 12. Mary Carolyn Mitchell, Nell Husbands 13. Cathy Kemp, Lyndi Jury 14. Carol Lehman, Inga Lehman 15. Mildred Stickley, Lynn McAdams, Dolly Moore 16. Stephen Lehman, John Forde, Marlon Sowell 17. Nanette Gholston, Charlotte Smith, Michelle Bricka 18. Nina Wofford, Scotty Wofford, Kay Milam
Starkville Community Theater Photography by CLaire massey
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1. Paula Mabry, Margie Hutson, Wanda Hunter, Rebecca Giffin, Don Mabry 2. Milo Burnham, Shay McDonnall 3. Ann Chiles, Frank Chiles 4. Ruth de la Cruz, Armando de la Cruz 5. Anne Jones, Alan Jones 6. Warren Couvillion, Jan Frederick 7. Kathryn Laughlin, Beverly Smitherman 8. Lynn Rosie, Grace Toler, Louise Spivey 9. Clay Taylor, Joan Taylor 10. Paulette McLeod, John McLeod 11. Tracey Millsaps, Marrinne Ulmer, Terry McDowell 12. Kristen Rice, Sara McNair, Katie Gunter, Jeanette Crouch 13. Corey Willis, Anna Bell, Carolyn Boswell 14. Wayne Durst, Glienda Clark 15. Margaret Phipps, Tim Phipps 16. Sara Stokes, Mac Stokes, Sonjia McReynolds, Nelda Metts 17. Anna Hines, Amanda Coward 18. Kate Silbernage, Kelsea Cain
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MSU Women’s Basketball MSU will take on LSU at the Hump to start the year off at 7 p.m. Cheer the dawgs to a victory for a New Year’s celebration. Premiere Bridal Show A special day where Mississippi’s bridal professionals will provide assistance for that special day. The event will include a New York style fashion show, door prizes and product samples. The event will be held at the Jackson Convention Complex beginning at 1 p.m. and will continue until 5 p.m. Ticket pre-ordered are $22 and $25 at the door. To order tickets email tickets@thepremirebridalshow.com.
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Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half Marathon This event is an opportunity to run the marathon, halfmarathon, relay of kids’s 1-mile marathon through downtown Jackson and the Fondren District. All proceeds are to promote and preserve Mississippi’s Blue’s heritage. Visit msbluesmarathon.com for more information.
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Dream 365 A celebration to remember and honor Martin Luther King will be held in Columbus starting the 12th and will continue until the 16th.
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MSU Men’s Basketball At 8 p.m. MSU will take on Tennessee Volunteers at Humphrey Coliseum. Join the crowd and cheer on the dawgs or watch on ESPN or ESPN2.
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CowBell Classic MSU will be hosting this a two-day Ultimate Frisbee Tournament including: MSU, Alabama, LSU, Auburn, USM and more. For more information visit msuultimate.com/cowbellclassic-2012.html.
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MSU Men’s Basketball MSU will take on Alabama at Humphrey Coliseum at 3 p.m. and the SEC Network will be there to catch all the action. MSU Women’s Basketball Starting at 2 p.m. MSU Bulldogs will face the Georgia Bulldogs at the Hump.
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MSU Men’s Basketball MSU Bulldogs take on the LSU Tigers at the Hump at 7 p.m.
MSU Women’s Basketball Thursday take a night out to see the MSU Women’s Basketball team defeat Arkansas at 7 p.m.
The Pointer Sisters to perform at MSU MSU Riley Center Riley Center Junie B. Jones Anita, Ruth and Junie B. Jones stars Sadako Johnson, in a series based on Ruth’s granddaughter, make up the a children’s book The Pointer Sisters. This trio will be by Barbara Park as a mischievous performing at the MSU Riley Center school girl making her way through at 7:30 p.m. A pre-show party will her first years of school. Adult tickets be held at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $58 are $18 and children under 12 are and more information can be found $10. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the at msurileycenter.com. MSU Riley Center in downtown Meridian. Dixie National Rodeo Mostly Mozart Slip some boots on The Starkville - Misand visit Jackson, MS sissippi State Unifor the Dixie National versity Symphony Rodeo through February 15. See the Orchestra will be rodeo plus livestock shows throughperforming in a concert at Lee Hall out the week. This event will be held on MSU campus starting at 7:30 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds p.m. For more concert information in Jackson. visit starkvillemsusymphony.org. USTA BullFrog Tennis Tournament Frostbite This annual event Half-Marathon will be held at the The Wellness ConRidgeland Tennis nection of OktibCenter in Ridgeland, MS. USTA beha County Hospital members can register for this three will host the 27th Annual Frostbite day event by January 16, 2012 for Half-Marathon starting on Hwy. 389 $48.88 per player at USTA.com. ending on Hospital Road. Register at active.com for $30 which including a long-sleeve Tee, post-race snacks and the post-race party.
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MSU Women’s Basketball Come cheer on the bulldogs as they play Auburn at 2:00 p.m. at the Hump or tune in to SEC Network to watch the action.
AThousandWords
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The next season BY SUSAN FELKER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEILANI SALTER
grew up a dreamy eyed small town girl thinking I had life all figured out and it would be perfect, just as I had planned. With two sets of grandparents in the county, family migrated back to Philadelphia frequently. I enjoyed growing up with lots of aunts and uncles and cousins. Cleaving to and not leaving Mississippi was the way I imagined it would always be. I loved riding my bike, going to Saturday afternoon westerns at the Ellis Theatre and picking out new mysteries at the county library. Like many girls my age, I also dreamed of a knight in shining armor, who would ride with me into the sunset on his white horse. Nearby, East Central Junior College was a wonderful transition for me before I came to State. In the spring of my senior year, I fell in love with a football player who wanted to coach, continue to build the program here at MSU and raise a family. After our wedding at the Chapel of Memories, instead of a white horse, we drove off in Coach Bob Tyler’s silver Lincoln. Could that have been my first clue that things wouldn’t be the way I had dreamed? Our adventures together began with travels to faraway lands like Lubbock, Texas, where the ground was flat and the cotton was short. As tumbleweed piled up in the back corner of our fence, I struggled to make sense of the phrase, “Bloom where you are planted.” In Memphis, sleep was as fleeting as wins. We had our first son, Jay, and went 2-20. I am thankful to have been blessed with wonderful mentors as I learned how to be a young mom with a busy husband. Next came Tuscaloosa, where Bear cast a long shadow and wins were easier but sleep not so much. Our second son, David, was born. It seemed my days were filled with chasing boys under two, saying “no” and giving spankings. Next, we headed to MSU. Surely this would be our dream job. Our third son, Stephen, was born in Starkville, and we loved recruiting
boys from towns familiar to us like Carthage, Hamilton and Flora and watching these signees grow into young men. But wins were elusive and I was learning that dreams don’t always come true. When we packed our station wagon and headed west, it was hard to imagine that we would ever have the opportunity to come back. For the next 11 years, we lived back and forth between Tulsa, OklaOkla homa and Fayetteville, Arkansas. Our little boys grew into big boys, chasing all kinds of balls. We loved the hills and valleys, snow and ice, crowded neighborhoods and country living. Two sons learned to drive and attended colleges in Oklahoma and Arkansas. In the mix of winning and losing and moving, we tried insurinsurance and found that selling could be as transient as winning football games. When did the years start hurrying by so fast? A phone call from MSU was considered an answer to prayers when a job was offered to “come home.” That was nine years ago. My husband has worked in the football office and worn several hats over these years. Coaches have come and gone. Players have signed and played and graduated. Our own sons have grown, two have married and one is a student here at State. I have to smile when I remember that dreamy eyed girl standing at the altar 34 years ago. I envisioned a maroon coverlet. What we have instead is a patchwork quilt, little pieces of our lives here and there and somewhere else. I would not have chosen it, nor would I change it. We are, each of us, who we are partly because of the people and places that God has used in our lives. We planned and dreamed, but God has taken us where He wanted to use us. There have been heartaches, yes, but oh, the happiness in each stop, too. God has given strength through each hardship and the lessons learned will prepare us for our next season, whatever that may be. n