January 2017 by Town & Gown Magazine

Town &Gown The Bridal Issue

January 2017

Inside the January Issue HOME . GARDEN . LIFE . STYLE . FOOD . HEALTH . FITNESS

Calendar of Events

Oh So Sweet! Louisville Native Turns Lifetime Hobby into Lifetime Dream

The Perfect Blend: 929 Opens its Doors to Special Events

Collecting Memories with the Help of Your Stationery Stop

38 Engagement and Bridal Announcements

Health with Katie Zampini: Getting fit for the wedding season

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

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From Mercantile Shop

The Wedding

to Wedding Venue:

Planner: How One

How One Family’s

Teacher Found Her

Promise Led to A

Calling Outside

Premier Wedding Venue

the Classroom

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Taste and Toast: The Perfect Bridal Brunch Menu

51 Winter Fashion

Made in Mississippi:

Southern Scents by Carla

Events

Want a beautiful and delicious cake for your upcoming wedding? Be sure to turn to page 18 to read all about Cups-N-Cakes in Louisville, Miss.

VOLUME 5, NUMBER 1

Town &Gown The Bridal Issue

TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE .COM

We had so much fun at our January fashion shoot., and aren’t these shoes beautiful? You can find them at the Bride and Groom in Columbus, Miss.

January 2017

JANUARY • 2017

January 2017 | 5

Letter from the Editor Happy New Year, everyone, and welcome to our Bridal issue of Town & Gown. This time last year, I was right in the middle of planning my wedding, or at least I was trying to plan it. According to my mother (who was right), there isn’t much to do until the last few months right before the wedding, but there were a lot of things I could have been doing. For example, I could have found someone to play the piano at the ceremony until waiting two weeks before (thanks, Ben!), or James and I could have selected his groom’s cake instead of having a panic attack a month before the wedding. Do you see a pattern here? If my wedding had a theme, the theme would have been procrastination. Don’t be like me! In fact, we have many stories in here to help you

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not be like me. Need a reception venue? We have two! 929 is opening its doors as a wedding venue, and there’s another great venue named Rasberry Greene in Soso, Mississippi. Both of their stories are in this issue. If you are at a loss on where to find your wedding cake, check out the article on CupsN-Cakes. This Louisville-based shop can make just about anything. No matter what you are looking for we hope that you find something in this issue helpful during your wedding season. If you are a mother of a bride, don’t worry, everything will get done. If you are a bride, if everything doesn’t get done or one of your bridesmaids pops a zipper, relax, because as long as you are married at the end of the day your wedding will be a success - Camille Watts-Carskadon

A Product of Horizon of Mississippi P.O. Box 1068 | Starkville, MS 39760 www.townandgownmagazine.com

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

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

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

{ wr it er s}

lisa bynum susan oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;bryan katie zampini sasha steinburg

{pho t ogr apher s} kathryn rooker brittney dowell jessica tillotson

{fa shion spr ead}

divian conner - photographer mia salon - hair merle norman luna bella - makeup

{ s ty lis t }

camille watts-carskadon kathryn rooker

{page design} camille watts-carskadon

{adv er tising design} chris mcmillen

Reproductions in whole or in part,without written permission,is strictly prohibited. No responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited manuscripts, articles or photographs. We reserve the right to edit submissions before publication. Town & Gown is a free magazine published monthly and distributed in and around Starkville and the Golden Triangle area. Subscriptions are available for mail customers. For subscriptions or inquiries,write Town & Gown Magazine, P.O. Box 1068, Starkville, MS, 39760, or call 662.323.1642. January 2017 | 7

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From Mercantile Shop to Wedding Venue How One Family’s Promise Led to a Premier Wedding Spot

he Gin at Rasberry Greene is a charming and scenic outdoor wedding and event venue. Nestled deep in the Piney Woods of South Mississippi in Soso, Rasberry Greene has a long and storied history that dates back to the 1930s. But that history has only recently included weddings. It was four years ago when owners Donnie and Lauren Zumwalt, with retirement approaching, started talking about what they were going to do with their newfound free time. Lauren explains, “We were sitting on the front porch drinking coffee, looking down through the pines and we thought about all of the good times had in this place. All of the memories [we’ve] made and shared and the time spent with family. We wanted to find a way to share that feeling with others.” The Zumwalt’s younger son Casey is a wedding photographer, and he clued his parents in to the emerging trend of rustic and unpolished weddings. “Casey said our property would be perfect for brides who wanted that type of wedding,” Lauren recalls. The land was originally owned by William Green Rasberry, Lauren’s grandfather, who owned a mercantile store in Soso and operated a cotton gin. The land that Rasberry bought was passed down through the family and Zumwalt’s mother and father placed a heavy importance not only on the land but its connection to the family. “She made us promise that we would take care of it,” Lauren Article by Clint Kimberling

says. Her parents have passed on, but she adds, “I think they would be real thrilled with what it has become.” With a firm idea for a wedding venue in place, the Zumwalt’s decided to name this new venture Rasberry Greene as a nod to her grandfather. They also chose to construct the main building in the style of a cotton gin rather than a barn. The design of the gin, conceived and sketched by Donnie, features an open space layout and high windows that offer more natural light—a necessity for taking good wedding photos. The gin is decorated with two industrial chandeliers and matte black wall sconces that give the space a rustic elegance. The gin is also outfitted with reclaimed wooden tables that contribute to the rough charm of the room. The standout feature of the property is the 14-acre spring-fed lake that Lauren’s father built. Situated on that lake is a two bedroom, two bath guest house (also built by her father) that is referred to simply as “the lake house.” When they couldn’t bear to tear down the lake house, it was transformed into a dressing suite for the wedding party. The grounds at Rasberry Greene feature several great options for outdoor wedding ceremonies, each more picturesque than the next. Brides can choose to get married beneath a brick arbor that offers a view of the lake or standing on the deck overlooking the water. The deck, covered in overhead string lights can also serve as Photos submitted

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an outdoor dance floor. A third option features a trellis right on the edge of the water at the end of a long gravel path. “This spot,” Lauren says, “is such a pretty set up, it’s underneath trees and offers good shade and is great for summer weddings.” There is also a brick fire pit area that’s always popular for late fall and winter weddings. Rasberry Greene just hosted their 40th wedding since opening in June of 2015. “We started out thinking we might do two weddings per month,” Lauren says jokingly. “It’s funny how a retirement project has us working harder than we ever have before. But we’re grateful to be busy.” The Zumwalt’s do not get heavily involved in decorating and planning but are happy to help out. “We love being out there because the people aspect is what we love the most about this,” Lauren explains. Her philosophy is summed up like this, “We want people to really feel a part of the Rasberry Greene experience, to feel like this is their home. And we want to share our memories of this beautiful place with others and to help them make new memories of their own. We want them to feel welcomed, to feel taken care of, and to feel the draw of the land.”

Where do I begin... From the moment we contacted Mrs. Lauren and Mr. Donnie I knew there was something special about Rasberry Greene. As soon as we pulled in the driveway, I knew that we would be getting married here. They are the true meaning of southern hospitality; welcoming you with open arms and hearts. They will do anything and everything in their power to make your wedding day special. I know they did with ours. Mrs. Lauren and Mr. Donnie will forever feel like family, and Rasberry Greene will always feel like home to us!” Sarah Baughman 2016 Rasberry Greene Bride

RASBERRYGREENE.COM

PHOTO BY BRANDY STUART

January 2017 | 17

Oh So Sweet! Lousville Native Turns Lifetime Hobby into Lifetime Dream

ailey Williams grew up in Louisville, Mississippi and remembers baking in her grandfather’s grocery store when she was a child. Almost every member of her family worked in the store, from her mom and dad to aunts and uncles, checking people out, handling produce and stocking shelves. To earn her own money, Hailey also worked at the store. “When I was old enough to want to work, I was big into the artistic side of things,” she said. “I did my first wedding cake when I was 15 or 16 years old. It became a serious job, and I was there every day, had a regular paycheck coming in and regular orders. This developed into a career that I had never planned on doing.” Her first Cups-N-Cakes Bakery was in Starkville, but after two years, she and her husband Philip moved to Byram where Hailey operated her very busy bakery for five years. The problem was, Hailey worked between 60 and 70 cakes a week, sometimes until three and four in the morning. Her sister, Madelyn Monk, became her rightArticle by Richelle Putnam

hand woman at the bakery and was driving to Byram every weekend to help Hailey. The hours were exhaustive and became a hardship for a young family. “We lived in Brandon, so it was a lot of driving and long, long hours. There was no time together as a family.” Hailey closed her popular Byram Cups-N-Cakes Bakery in September and gave birth to her second baby girl, Camryn Joy. Then, she and Philip, and their daughters Camryn Joy and Annistyn moved back to Louisville to be closer to family. By the end of October, she had opened her new bakery next door to her home. “I’m more than a generic bakery,” said Hailey. “The passion I have and how much I love what I do makes this more than a business. I want to be sure that every single detail is exactly what you want.” Bakery items are by special order now, allowing Hailey more one-on-one time with customers and flexible time with her family. Two-year-old Annistyn already helps in the kitchen, counting and handing Hailey the eggs to go into the batter. Photos submitted

The Hunter Henry Center Servicing the Starkville and surrounding areas for over 14 years, Mississippi State University’s Hunter Henry Center is the perfect location for your special event. The Hunter Henry Center has 14 meeting rooms, a large outdoor space, and a ballroom capable of seating up to 250 guests banquet-style or 400 theater-style. Whether you are planning a wedding reception, conference, banquet or social, make sure to book the Hunter Henry Center for your next event! Contact Jenna Shook at 662.325.9395 for more information.

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“I love having one-on-one time with each customer.” The best part, she admits, are the smiles of the people picking up their cakes. “There is no greater joy than seeing them happy over something I have made.” Ideas for Hailey’s pastry designs evolve from different sources. Characters from recently released movies and TV shows and toys are perfect for the children’s cakes, cupcakes and cookies. For adults, creative ideas develop from party invitations, an outfit, and photos of other decorations. More than likely, Hailey uses her own ideas to develop the perfect tasty centerpiece for their happy occasion. What she loves most about being a baker is being a part of someone’s special day, whether it’s a birthday or a wedding. Customer favorites during the holiday season were Christmas sugar cookies, cakes and petits fours. However, wedding cakes are Hailey’s favorite to make and design because they are huge canvases. Though it’s much easier to create intricate fluffy designs with fondant, Hailey uses buttercream or cream cheese icing. She wants her cakes to taste as good as they look even though the designing is much more challenging. “Probably the proudest cake I’ve done was the Duck Dynasty wedding cake for John Luke Roberts and Mary Kate McEacharn,” said Hailey. “There were about 600 people at the wedding, and I got to be on the TV show.” The wedding season for Hailey is year round with March, April, May and June being spring wedding months and September, October, and November the big fall wedding months. Her weddings are currently scheduled out to September 2017, but she has blocked off family time, vacation time, anniversary time and other special family dates. Hailey credits her husband with her success because she could not do what she does without his support. “Philip comes home from his job as a dental hygienist and helps me with orders and delivering to weddings on weekends. Our girls are with us, so it’s still family time.” Cups-N-Cakes Bakery 938 South Church Louisville, MS (662) 803-6814 facebook.com/CupsNCakesBakery

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The Wedding Planner: How One Teacher Found Her Calling Outside the Classroom

t’s easy to find a wedding planner. A quick internet search will give you plenty of names in a matter of seconds. But for something as important as your walk down the aisle, your wedding planner becomes much more than a scheduler. She becomes a crucial source of gentle encouragement and serves as a sounding board whenever you need her. And by the end, she’s a trusted friend and someone with whom you’ll share those golden memories time and again. All of those intangibles – as well as a teaching background – has helped Allyson Leitner develop Wedding and Event Planning by Allyson into a successful entity over the last decade. “I grew up in Houston, Mississippi, and taught for 27 years, mostly at Houston High School,” Leitner said. “My aunt had a flower shop, and I practically grew up there. She would do weddings, and I would tag along and help in many capacities, from helping her set up to actually participating in the rehearsals. Article by Joe Lee

“I found that I really enjoyed making weddings special for the families. So when I was about to retire (from teaching), I took an online certification course in wedding planning at Ashworth College. It was informative and gave me some credentials, but my previous experience finetuned my ability to effectively help a couple and family plan a wedding.” Leitner describes herself as a problem-solver. Having a “teacher’s voice” and being ready to use it doesn’t hurt, either. “I am truly interested in making the event go as smoothly as possible,” she said. “I love to smile and keep everyone smiling throughout the process. Usually, after meeting with the client that has no clue where to begin, I can actually detect a major sense of relief and revived excitement.” “Allyson was Heaven-sent,” said Kathleen Alley, whose daughter, Cassandra, married Matthew Skrobot last October at the MSU Chapel of Memories. “We moved Photos by Allyson Leitner January 2017 | 23

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to Starkville three years ago, so Cassandra and I were not familiar with local venues and vendors. Allyson offered guidance, reassurance, and was instrumental in ensuring Cassandra’s vision for this special day became a reality. “Cassandra is majoring in Fine Arts (and) specializing in photography, and as an artist herself she had definite ideas about what she wanted the ‘look’ and ‘feel’ to be on her wedding day. Allyson went well beyond what a planner would do to help her achieve her desires, becoming a close family friend during this past year of preparation.” Leitner, who urges her clients to secure the venue on the specific date well in advance, provided the Alley-Skrobot wedding with the Riverside Quartet string trio for the ceremony. As well as a disc jockey who provided music at the reception at The Mill, and a starlit woodland inside The Mill ballroom with twisted-foot iron tree centerpieces entwined with flowers and hanging votives. There was also a canopy-draped bride’s cake table decorated with twinkle lights, greenery and flowers; a head table decorated with a flower-laden archway framing the bride and groom, and a sparkler send-off. “Beginning to plan a wedding can be overwhelming, with many things to consider from budgets to vendors,” Leitner said. “I give free consultations and have very reasonable fees – I do this to help brides make their special days as stress-free as possible. I always take a selfie with my brides/clients so I can remember how happy I made them.” Find Wedding Event Planning by Allyson on Facebook and email her at weddingeventplanningbyallyson@gmail.com.

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Made in Mississippi: Southern Scents by Carla

arla Cummings was tired of buying candles to make her huge house smell good, so she decided to make her own candles with stronger scents. “I learned about the ingredients in the candles because you’re breathing in the aroma,” said Carla, explaining further that what goes into your body affects other parts of your body. She went to wood wicks and soy based candles and began looking at products that go on your body, because what goes on your body also goes in it. That started Carla on another journey: essential oils. Carla began creating products with essential oils and shared these with neighbors and friends. They came back for more. That was 20 years ago when she started Southern Scents By Carla. Today, she still makes sure her products contain natural organic ingredients that are safely absorbed through the skin into the body. “If you cut a clove of garlic and rub it on your foot,” explained Carla, “after about 15 minutes you Article by Richelle Putnam

will taste the garlic on your tongue.” Lotions, soaps, anything applied to the skin is absorbed into the body, including household cleaning products that may contain chemicals and toxins. “Cut off the top of a dandelion, and you will see white sap come out, just as when you cut a tree and sap comes out,” said Carla. “God designed these plants to start healing themselves when they are cut or punctured or infected or hurt. Those saps are also healing to humans as well. The Bible talks about how God gave the plants for medicine.” Everything that Carla creates is also edible, “not that you want to,” she added, since you’ll likely be blowing bubbles for quite some time after eating the soap! But all her products are non-toxic. Her natural organic products contain essential oils the body needs to maintain a healthy wellness and all ingredients are seed to seal. Carla uses essential oils in her candles and in Shea Butter and Goat’s Milk to make soaps and lotions and body butters, which are natural and absorb easily into the skin. Photos by Brittney Dowell

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Southern Scents by Carla products include bar soaps, foam soaps, lip balm, shampoo and conditioner, and bath salts. The lotions and soaps are created to do much more than one thing at a time, from softening your skin to healing your skin. Carla also makes eczema cream, pain crème, and crèmes for arthritis. Many people who wear the products don’t wear cologne. There are some people who can’t wear cologne because of the chemicals. Carla’s friend, Connie, loved Red Door cologne but her cancer treatment caused her to react negatively to the scent, and she couldn’t wear it anymore. Carla researched the product to find out what oils were used for the scent and incorporated the oils into her body butter. She calls it Connie’s Heart. If someone has had lifelong skin problems, Carla will recommend a product or make a lotion specifically for their condition at her cost and let them try it first to see if it works. “Everybody responds differently to the same thing because their body chemistry is different.” In Biblical times a woman bathed in oils and lotions to prepare herself for her wedding night. “When you feel and smell good your whole attitude changes,” she said. What regimen does Carla recommend to today’s bride-to-be? “We would start off with a body scrub to remove calluses from the feet and add oils to remove any anxiety. Next would be bath salts. You’re not just getting the Epson and sea salt in your body; you’re also getting the scent into the chemistry of your body and your mind, which will relax you or give you energy.” Choose peppermint for an energetic morning bath salt and lavender for a more soothing, calming scent before bed. “Then begin applying your body butters. You can add the candles for mood lighting and the scents.” The all-natural, soothing Southern Scents by Carla products are perfect in goodie baskets for bridal parties before the wedding and will pamper your body from the outside in. 9266 New Light Rd Starkville, Mississippi (662) 312-5610 www.facebook.com/Southernscentsbycarla 28 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

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The Perfect Blend: 929 Opens its Doors to Special Events

rom its warm brick interiors and modern industrial design to its eclectic menu of freshly brewed coffee and delicious pastries, Nine-Twentynine Coffee Bar in the heart of downtown Starkville offers an ambiance that can make your special events even more memorable. “We are extremely versatile,” says manager Jonette Shurden. “The intimacy of the basement contrasts beautifully against the abundance of natural light and the lofty ceilings on the main floor, making for an appealing space for a wide variety of events.” Weddings, receptions, birthday parties, showers, dances, swaps, business meetings, fashion shows and photo shoots—Nine-Twentynine can accommodate all of these and more. The coffee bar’s friendly; hardworking staff finds immense joy in transforming a client’s vision into a reality. “Whether catering a full meal, hors d'oeuvres or desserts with help from our in-house chef, providing decoration and event coordination, or simply handing over our space,” Shurden says, “we want to honor the client’s wishes in the best and most accommodating way possible.” Article by Sasha Steinburg

Shurden says costs vary depending on which space clients would like to rent. Other factors include whether catering or coffee service is required and whether the customer wants the 929 staff to handle decoration and event coordination. Clients can email 929coffee@gmail.com or call 662-268-8014 to start the conversation for renting event space at Nine-Twentynine. Additionally, clients can connect with 929 staff through such websites as MyWedding, Eventective, Wedding Wire, Punchbowl, and Eventful. “We have heard countless praise when it comes to the uniqueness of the space, the delicacy of the food, and overall flexibility and accommodating nature of our event planning and coordination,” Shurden says. “Clients have been astounded by the aesthetics of the building and the minimal decorating necessary to create a beautiful venue.” One such client is Renée Masterson Young. She and her husband Mark both graduated from Mississippi State University and share a passion for a hot cup of java, especially those served at NineTwentynine. “I have been to many, many coffee shops, and the baristas here top anywhere I have ever been,” Photos by Ben Couvillion and Jacob Bennet Photography

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Masterson Young says of her Nine-Twentynine experience on her “My Morning Coffee: A FaithBased Blog” (http://mullingovermymorningcoffee. blogspot.com/2015/03/929-coffee-bar-our-weddingreception.html). She and Mark knew they wanted to incorporate their shared love for coffee into their wedding day. With help from the folks at 929, they were able to do just that. “929 graciously allowed us to use their facilities to host our wedding reception on March 8, 2014,” Masterson Young says. “We selected bride and groom specialty drinks that everyone adored. Not only could our guests try our delicious selections, but they could also try a variety of coffee from 929.” “We had our food spread downstairs with plenty of seating and light for our 200-250+ guests,” she continues. “The upstairs was used for cake, coffee, music, too much dancing, and memorable visits with our guests.” Masterson Young says the baristas at 929 are “some of the sweetest” she has ever met. Just like on her and Mark’s big day, the 929 staff will work to make your event or gathering an unforgettable experience.

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Collecting Memories with the Help of Your Stationery Stop

hether you’re hosting a bridal shower, graduation party, crawfish boil, or a dinner party, invitations and stationery can be an overlooked part of any celebration. But, according to Leslie Gonce, they really shouldn’t be. Invitations will not only be the first impression of your event but can become a keepsake that you will have long after your guests leave. Gonce is the owner of Your Stationery Stop, an online custom stationery shop based in Hattiesburg. Your Stationery Stop specializes in hand drawn personalized invitations for just about any party or event you can think of. Gonce’s shop has grown over the last 10 years from a side business to a full-time job that she runs from her home. She says, “When I started I hoped it would be a full-time job. I’ve always been as busy as I wanted to.” Article by Clint Kimberling

Leslie Gonce always loved art. Although she holds a degree in accounting from Delta State, she has never worked in accounting. She admits those lessons do come in very handy while running a small business. The roots of her stationery business are simple enough. When her daughters were young and had parties, she always hand drew the invitations. This led to not only compliments from friends and family but orders for more. And her network of customers and clients grew so large that she moved her offerings to an online Etsy store. The Gonce’s have a family motto that informs how Leslie approaches her business. That mantra is: collect memories not things. And that’s what she strives for in her business, to help customers celebrate life and collect memories with custom stationery and invitations. Gonce wants all of her customers to have a one-of-a-kind invitations for Photography submitted

January 2017 | 35

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whatever event they’re hosting. All of her designs are custom and tailored to the client’s specifications. She is only limited by what can fit on the page. All of her work is original, never made with stock images. Each design is hand-drawn and/or watercolored. Sometimes Gonce will scan an image, and from there she can do some color manipulations on the computer. She explains, “Most customers just briefly explain an event or what they’re looking for. Other times, they have a firm idea of what they want. I can work either way.” Her most memorable design came from a customer in Florida that requested a moonshinethemed invitation. In response, Leslie drew a moonshine jug, made a cutout and tied a medallion around the neck of the jug. “It was something I would never have done on my own. Customer driven designs take you down all kinds of roads.” And one of her bestselling invitations is a two piece design cut in the shape of the chef ’s hat. The second piece, tied together with a ribbon, features a pizza cutter with a blade that spins around. It’s an ideal for a kid’s cooking party. “That’s part of the reason I’ve resisted branching into wholesale design,” she explains. “I like the interaction with customers.” Over the past ten years, Gonce has seen a lot of returning customers and in several cases have watched children grow up through the lens of their birthday party invites. Gonce is now at a point where she wants to grow and expand her offerings. This may include offering t-shirt designs something she has experience with from helping school groups with fundraisers by creating t-shirts to sell. Other custom work she offers include greeting cards, posters, journals, and party items including banners, cupcake toppers, and wine glass charms. The wedding invitations Gonce designs are somewhat nontraditional. Often, they are things that a bride has envisioned. Of course with Gonce, nothing is off limits. “I’ve had several bridal customers incorporate lace from their wedding dress into an invitation. I take a lace fabric swatch, sketch the pattern and then use it on the design. It’s a unique touch that you won’t get from a lot of stationery stores.”

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Town & Gownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Bridal Registry

2016-2017

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Lemmon-Stevenson Mr. and Mrs. David McBeth of Ackerman, Mississippi are please to announce the marriage of their daughter, Deah Payton Lemmon, to Ethan Jess Stevenson, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ainsworth of Noxapater, Mississippi. Deah is a graduate of Choctaw County and University of Mississippi High School and current student at East Mississippi Community College. Ethan is a 2012 graduate of the Nanih Waiya Attendance Center. The wedding will be held on April 22, 2017 at the Epps Home-Concorde in Ackerman, Mississippi. Friends and family are welcome to attend. The couple is registered at Stephanie’s Shenanigans in Louisville, Mississippi on Main Street and Target (registry also available online). The couple will reside in Nanih Waiya, Mississippi with their furbabies after their honeymoon.

Underwood-Prisock Mr. and Mrs. John W. Underwood of Starkville, Mississippi are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Cheyenne Underwood, to Parker Prisock, son of Mr and Mrs George “Buddy” Prisock Jr of Starkville, Mississippi. The wedding will be held on October 7, 2017 at The Stables in Starkville at 6 p.m. Attending the bride as maid of honor is Aubrey James, and matron of honor is Erica Horton. Bridesmaids are Camille Parker, Vanessa Holden, and Laura Prisock. Junior bridesmaids are Paisly Prisock and Anna Grace Grissom. Attending the groom as best man is his father, Buddy Prisock, and groomsmen Presly Prisock, Randle Prisock, Jason Underwood and Joe Underwood. Other wedding party members include flower girl Cambell Dimino, sign carrier Luke Allen, ring bearer CJ Nettles, and ushers Matt Savage and Tim Fisackerly. Reception to follow with entertainment provided by The Poor House Band of Columbus Mississippi. (Photographer Hunter Hart of Starkville) January 2017 | 39

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or most brides, looking their best is quintessential to their vision of a perfect wedding day. Reaching fitness goals requires the same work for brides as it does for the rest of us; however, for better or for worse, brides have an important motivator: a very specific deadline. So while these tips are specifically helpful for brides-to-be, these fitness tips apply to us all. Perhaps we’d all do well to self-impose a specific deadline for our fitness goals this year. (Spring break, anyone?) Cheers to the brides of 2017 in this brand new and exciting year! May your year be filled with energy, excitement, and motivation as you get to work on your fitness goals. Let these ten tips guide you in building your plan to get there. 1. Set a realistic goal. In last year’s bridal edition, I mentioned a wonderful tool for defining your ideal weight. The creator of the Dukan Diet, which was made famous by its association with Kate Middleton’s wedding weight loss, created a calculator that is free to use online. The Dukan Diet’s calculation of your ideal weight takes into consideration a lot of influential factors, making it an accurate and realistic calculation. It is critical to set a goal for a weight that is achievable, maintainable, and healthy to avoid frustration in the pursuit of flawed goals. 2. Consistency is key. Regardless of what program or regimen you decide to begin, consistency is the only path to real and lasting success. ConsisArticle and photos by Katie Zampini

tency is difficult to achieve when you undertake too many changes at once, so choose one small change at a time. 3. “Let food be thy medicine.” - Socrates “Abs are made in the kitchen.” “You are what you eat.” “Fitness is 80 percent nutrition.” “You can’t outtrain a bad diet.” You’ve heard these sayings more than once, and the latest research corroborates their truth. What we eat is the single most influential factor affecting our fitness and health. As a bride with fitness goals and a deadline, your wisest move is to make excellent nutrition a priority. That bridal glow? It certainly comes from a budding romance, but it can be polluted or enhanced by nutritional choices. Fill your body with superfoods that renew every cell in your body. Focus on micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), which are found in plant foods. When you adjust your focus from counting up macronutrients (carbs, fats, and proteins) and instead focus on maximizing your micronutrient intake through real, natural foods, amazing transformations begin to take place in your lifestyle and your body. If the driving motivation behind your food choices is to maximize micronutrients, you will find yourself consuming more plant foods and less processed foods. The result is a body that shines from the inside out. 4. Consider cutting out inflammatory foods. In regards to nutrition, there is one final recommendation that may be beneficial for many brides to consider. Many people can push past a weight loss plateau or finally feel energetic and vibrant once they discontinue consuming inflammatory foods. Gluten, dairy, sugar and alcohol top the list of inflammatory foods, and limiting or eliminating them entirely can help your body function and feel better. 5. Make mornings your “me time.” Healthy choices beget healthy choices. This is especially noticeable when you start your morning with choices that reflect a value for your fitness and health. From eating a superfood breakfast to making time for a workout, by starting your day in a way that honors your goals you signal your subconscious mind to continue trending in that positive direction. Ask your fittest friend when she typically manages to exercise, and you’ll most likely learn that she exercises in the mornings. Here’s the thing: as the day goes on you will have more and more reasons not to exercise because life is busy. By placing it first in your day, you remove a lot of obstacles from your path before they even have the chance to surface. Try out the recipe in this article for the two-minute Bridal Glow Smoothie for breakfast and watch your day fill up with healthy choices. 6. Weight work is more effective than cardio. Many women prioritize cardio workouts over weight

resistance workouts, presumably believing that burning calories is the way to see the fastest results. However, while cardio workouts are great for your heart, the most efficient way to burn calories is by increasing your body’s calorie burn potential all of the time, even at rest. Because muscle burns more calories than fat, the more you increase your lean muscle mass, the more calories you burn every day just by living your life! Brides should opt for low-weight, highrepetition workouts to build long, lean muscles. Fear not; you will not build bulky muscles when using low weights and high repetition, and you will enjoy a slimmer, more toned body. 7. Consider investing financially in your fitness. If you’re past the first day of wedding planning, you already know how expensive a wedding can quickly become. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars just on postage to mail expensive invitations. Consider financially prioritizing your fitness over some other things that may ultimately be less important than how you feel on your wedding day. Nutritionists, personal trainers, and fitness coaches can make the difference in reaching your fitness goals. Likewise, becoming a member of a gym or studio requires spending some money, but the results are often worth it. Many studios even feature bridal packages at a discounted rate. 8. Choose a fitness style that you love. Trust me: if you dread your workouts, you are not doing the right one! People who are fit generally crave their workouts, but they may have tried several or many different styles before they found something they love. If you’re going to see 42 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

results, consistency is key, and consistency is very difficult to achieve if you dread your workout. Think of your relationship to exercise as a lifelong relationship (like marriage, for example!); Go on “dates” with different forms of exercise until you find one to which you can commit. (Unlike marriage, however, you can choose a new one anytime!) 9. Check your progress weekly, not daily. Body weight is surprisingly variable from day-to-day, with water weight being a huge factor. Weight loss in one day that is visible on a scale does not reflect fat loss, but water loss. Check in on your weight and body measurements each week instead, and look for a positive trend towards results. 10. Celebrate! Being a bride is a time of celebration in your life! Don’t waste it by counting calories and restricting yourself from celebrating at your showers and parties. Enjoy those celebrations, and then get right back to your healthy lifestyle. In fitness, as in marriage, balance is a blessing. Bridal Glow Smoothie This smoothie takes two minutes to make and fills your body with plant-based superfood. Start your day with this smoothie or make one anytime for a nutritional source of energy. (Tip: Keep some sliced, frozen bananas in the freezer at all times.) Ingredients: -1 frozen, sliced banana -1 heaping handful of greens (spinach and baby kale work well) -2 tablespoons of PB2 (or any dehydrated peanut butter) -1 tablespoon of chia seeds -1 cup unsweetened almond milk Combine all ingredients in a great blender for 60 seconds, or until smooth and creamy.

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

An unplanned turn down a country road has far-reaching consequences in the latest novel by a Mississippi native who’s already made an impression among the state’s treasury of gifted writers. “Desperation Road” is the second novel by Michael Farris Smith of Columbus. His first, “Rivers,” earned the 2014 Mississippi Author Award for Fiction from the Mississippi Library Association and was well received nationwide. The author draws upon his Mississippi roots to set the scene for “Desperation Road.” His childhood was spent moving around south Mississippi as his father preached. The family eventually settled in Pike County and McComb. “I liked being down there around the Mississippi/Louisiana line,” Smith says. “Plenty of interesting people, and I think that area has its own unique personality.” Now, as he did with “Rivers,” Smith draws upon that uniqueness to pen a story that’s as gritty as a Mississippi gravel road and characters as resilient as anyone who claims the Magnolia State as home. “Desperation Road” takes readers on a journey fueled by revenge, regrets and redemption.

Russell Gaines finally is coming home to McComb after 11 years in the infamous Parchman prison. He’s done his time after a fatal crash following a long night of partying, boozing and cruising back roads. His prison stint – and its accompanying mental and physical scars – isn’t enough for the crash victim’s two brothers. They’re waiting for Russell when he steps off the bus with their own brand of southern justice. With that first beating comes a promise of more to follow. Roads winding beneath south Mississippi’s tall trees become Russell’s frequent escape. One turn too many, though, brings him back under police radar when he drives upon a crime scene. One of the town’s deputies has been found shot to death on a rural road. The ex-con is quickly suspected of knowing more than he’s telling. A woman named Maben knows what happened. She pulled the trigger. She tells Russell why after rushing at his truck with a gun – and her young child, Annalee. What unfolds is a drama created when unexpected paths cross and lonely souls intersect. Smith’s taut narrative keeps “Desperation Road” moving at a fast clip. Thanks to descriptive, insightful storytelling, readers are taken for a ride that explores hidden drives and needs. Some might peg the novel as southern gothic, but it’s so much more than that. The author presents the question, “How does one start over when the past can’t be forgotten – or forgiven?” As Smith shows us, the first step is hard and lonely, but it takes you down a road with an end in sight.

In his own words: A Q&A with Michael Farris Smith Q: What led you to pick up a pen? A: This is a long story, but I’ll give you the short version. The idea of trying to write didn’t strike me until I was about 29. By then I had bounced around here and there and worked different jobs, but I had also ended up living in Geneva, Switzerland, and then in Paris for a while. It was during those years abroad that I began to read, mostly because I couldn’t follow the television and I needed something to do while sitting in the park or the cafes or riding the trains. So I started reading the names anyone would know – Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Dickens. Then I began to read Faulkner because I figured he was from Mississippi, so I should give him a try. It turns out those writers are a pretty good place to start. So as time went on and I ended up back in the United States, something had changed in me, and I decided to give writing a try, not having any idea of what kind of challenge lay ahead. Q: You’ve received numerous awards and recognitions for your writing. Which means the most, and why? A: All of the recognitions are wonderful and validating, but I have to say the Mississippi Author Award for Fiction means a little something extra to me. There’s something about being recognized by your home, particularly when you have a home with such a tremendous literary past and present. Q: “Rivers” as well as “Desperation Road” (and “The Fighter” due out in 2018) have Mississippi settings. Why? What is it about the Magnolia State, and which comes first, the locale or the characters? Or are they dependent on each other? A: I’m not sure what it is about Mississippi. I’m asked about it wherever I go, and I probably give a different answer every time. First of all, the landscape is so diverse. You have the coast, the bayous, the Pine Belt, the hill country, and the Delta. That’s a pretty wide range, and I’m not sure many people outside of Mississippi realize this. And with each region, the people have their own ways

of cooking, dancing, talking, lying, worshipping and so on. So when I think about a story, the place plays just as big of a role as the characters themselves. “Desperation Road” needed the desolate stretch of I-55 down in south Mississippi. “Rivers” needed the Gulf Coast. “The Fighter” needed the Delta. The other part of this is Mississippi also has a diverse population, and so I don’t think it matters who you are or where you are from in this state - there are worlds all around you. You just have to look and listen and be accepting of them. Q: Lonely and wandering roads play a key part in “Desperation Road.” How do those roads influence Russell and Maben? Is their story dependent on a rural, small-town setting? A: The loneliness and wandering certainly do affect them, and I wanted those back roads to play a meaningful part in the novel. So much happens out there on those dark and empty roads, and both Russell and Maben have been set on their course by what only the stars have seen. I don’t really think much about what a story may or may not be dependent on; I just find comfort in a place and the characters, try to set it all in motion with the stakes running high, and follow along. Q: Most people seem to tie together Mississippi and racial tension. Your novel doesn’t focus on that, yet there is diversity with the characters of Consuela and Maben. A deliberate move or happenstance? A: There have been plenty of novels written about race in Mississippi, and probably plenty more to come. There seems to be no end to them, and it seems very repetitive to me. Yes, racial tensions exist in Mississippi just like they exist everywhere else, but I’m more interested in stories that involve characters who don’t really care what the other looks like. My characters don’t get along, or else it would be a pretty boring story, but those troubles and tensions don’t have anything to do with altering shades of skin. I can’t really say it’s deliberate; I just don’t think about it.

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Throwing a bridal brunch? Look no futher for the perfect menu! Recipes and food photography by Lisa Bynum

Bacon, Basil and Tomato Crostini Serves 4

For the basil cream cheese: • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened • 4 ounces goat cheese, softened • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or finely minced • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil • 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste For the crostini: • 1 day old baguette, sliced • ¼ cup olive oil • Paprika, Italian seasoning, kosher salt You will also need: • 6-8 cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced For the basil cream cheese: 1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Process until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the crostini: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange baguette slices in one layer on a cookie sheet. Drizzle with half of olive oil. 2. Sprinkle evenly with the spices. Bake for 7 minutes. Flip crostini over. Season with remaining olive oil and spices. Bake for another 7 minutes or until crostini is toasted. To assemble: 1. Spread about 1 teaspoon of the basil cream cheese on the crostini. Top with a slice of tomato.

Donut Muffins Makes 24 muffins • • • • • • •

1/2 cup white sugar 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 egg 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder

46 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

• 1/2 cup milk For the cinnamon-sugar topping: • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted • 1/2 cup white sugar • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4. With the mixer running on low, add half the dry ingredients. Next, pour in half the milk. Repeat, then mix until just combined.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 24 mini-muffin cups.

5. Fill the prepared mini muffin cups about half full.

2. Cream together sugar and butter. Add egg.

6. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops are lightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine flour, nutmeg, salt, and baking powder.

7. While muffins are baking, place

melted butter in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar with the cinnamon. 8. Remove muffins from their cups, dip each muffin in the melted butter, and roll in the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Let cool and serve.

French Dip Crescents Serves 6-8

• 2 packages crescent rolls, 8 count • 1 pound deli roast beef, thinly sliced • 4 ounces Swiss or provolone cheese slices 1. Unroll crescents onto a large cookie sheet. 2. On each crescent place a slice of roast beef and a piece of cheese. 3. Roll crescents starting from the wide end and ending at the narrow end. 4. Bake at 375 degrees for 13-15 minutes, until crescents are a golden color.

Strawberry Pineapple Sherbet Punch Makes approximately 4 quarts

• 1 (3 oz.) package strawberry gelatin • 1 cup boiling water • 1 package strawberry Kool-Aid • 2 ½ cup sugar • 2 quarts cold water • 1 (46 ounce) bottle pineapple juice • 1 (10 ounce) bottle lemon-lime soda, chilled • 2 pints pineapple sherbet 1. Before serving, place individual scoops of pineapple sherbet into muffin tins. Freeze. 2. Combine all the ingredients except the lemon-lime soda and the sherbet. Allow the punch to chill for several hours until cool.

3. Right before serving, add the lemonlime soda. Taste of sweetness and add more sugar if necessary.

1. Fill half-pint mason jars about ¾ full with yogurt.

4. Add the scoops of pineapple sherbet. Keep in mind that the punch will get sweeter as the sherbet melts.

2. Coarsely chop the berries. Evenly spoon the berries over the layer of yogurt.

Mini Yogurt Parfaits

3. Sprinkle granola over the top of each parfait.

Serves 6 • 6 cups honey-flavored Greek yogurt • 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed and hulled • 1 pint fresh blackberries, washed • 3 cups granola

January 2017 | 49

AND HERE, WE CARE. Together, we can change the way we prevent and treat disease. We can help doctors care for more Mississippians. We can educate the caregivers we’ll all need tomorrow, today. We can do it. We are doing it. Please join us and help make a healthier Mississippi.

To have and to hold . . . . Town & Gownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2017 Bridal Fashion

Photography by Divian Conner| Makeup by Merle Norman Luna Bella | Hair by Mia Salon | Bridal Gowns provided by Elle James Bridal (Ridgeland, Miss.), Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Date and The Tuxedo Shop (Starkville, Miss) and The Bride and Groom (Columbus, Miss. | Shoes provided by The Bride and Groom

Gown provided by Elle James Bridal in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Gown provided by The Bride and Groom in Columbus, Mississippi.

Gown provided by Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Date and The Tuxedo Shop in Starkville, Mississippi.

Gown provided by Elle James Bridal in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Gown provided by The Bride and Groom in Columbus, Mississippi.

Gown provided by Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Date and The Tuxedo Shop in Starkville, Mississippi.

Gown provided by Elle James Bridal in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Gown provided by Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Date and The Tuxedo Shop in Starkville, Mississippi.

Gown provided by The Bride and Groom in Columbus, Mississippi.

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GSDP Christmas Open House and Cookies with Santa Photos by Brittney Dowell

1. Casey Smith and Mary Beth Arredondo 2. The Grable Family3. Kathy Prentice, Aliana Prentice, Mary Beth Collums and Carrie Jackson 4. The Krampf Family 5. Jade Whitehurst, Garrett Whitehurst, Ashley Hartfelder and Clark Hartfelder 6. The Dillenger Family January 2017 | 65

Starkvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daughters of the American Revolution Birthday Party Photos by Camille Watts-Carskadon

1. The Daughters of the American Revolution 2. Libby Gill, Susan Street and Patsy Stuart 3. Faye Caldwell and Jane Bobbitt 4. Chris Emplaincourt, Rosa Sowers and Mary Sowers 5. Lynda Forbus, Patsy Stuart, Libby Gill and Amanda Edwards 6. Sally Laughlin and Mary Martha Wilson 66 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Starkville First United Methodist Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 11th Annual Holiday Bazaar Photos by Jessica Tillotson

1. Chris Conn 2. Donna Parks 3. Dot Livingston and Karen Bateman 4. Joy Wing and Lee Ann Whitley 5. Kathryn Laughlin and Laura Bryan 6. Katie Heckel and Sarah Jo Adams-Wilson January 2017 | 67

Greater Starkville Development Partnership Holiday Showcase Photos by Jessica Tillotson

1. Barbra Walker and Nina Rivenburgh 2. Beth Ricker, Paige Cannon, Bailey Prisock and Price Cannon 3. Fay Fisher and Anna Davis 4. Kathy Jacobs, Brian Anderson and Kelly Marsh 5. Milo Burnham and Brenda Garner 6. Pete Melby and Cindy Melby 68 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Mississippi University for Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eudora Welty Gala Photos by Kathryn Rooker

1. Erin Bryant, Cassidy DeGreen and Walker Winter 2. Wes Mims and Linda Mims 3. Stephen Jones, Stephanie Jones, Colin Krieger and Desiree Krieger 4. Steve Swetz, Jordan Speed and Harry Stevens 5. Haley Hammock and Riley Carpenter 6. Willie Byrd and Whirllie Byrd January 2017 | 69

Starkvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s City-wide Tailgate Photos by Jessica Tillotson

1. Chad Walters, Jamey Bachman and Katie Walters 2. Cindy Crecink and Michelle Garraway 3. Cory Lucius and Matt Matthews 4. Hunter Crawford, Marshon Clark and Sage Pritchard 5. Sargent George Coleman, Shannon Craddock and Corporal Brandon Lovelady 6.Trish Jones and Cindy Brown 70 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

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$15 in Advance / $20 at Door Children under 12 • $5

Bring a canned good to donate:

Get $5 off one adult ticket at door!

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CALL NOW FOR RATES! | 662-323-WELL | www.och.org