own own T &G May 2018
The Travel Issue
TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE .COM HOME . GARDEN . LIFE . STYLE . FOOD . HEALTH . FITNESS
Get the recipe for this Strawberry Rhubarb Pie on page pg 44!
on the cover..
Follow us on Instagram for sneakpeaks, giveaways, recipes & so much more! @townandgown
On theout to Tammy Carlisle for Big shout sharing her awesome VW for this month’s Cover fashion shoot! Check out the awesome clothes from Serendipity Hippie on pg 50!
@townandgownmagazine 4 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
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In this Issue
Home, Garden and Lifestyle around Mississippi 10
Calendar of Events
14
Travel Wishlist
17
Visit Natchez
20
Travel Tips for Your Next Getaway
24
Visit Laurel
26
“Where Old South Meets Steel” The Town of Livingston
29
Visit New Albany
34
A Story to Tell: Hotel Chester Closes in on a Century in Starkville
38
Visit Cleveland
40
Remember Your Summer
42
Visit Meridian
44
Taste & Toast
50
Travel Fashion
62
26
Events
4021 May 2018 | 5
6 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
A Product of Horizon of Mississippi
For our Readers
P.O. Box 1068 | Starkville, MS 39760 www.townandgownmagazine.com
Subscribe Get Town and Gown Magazine delivered right to your doorstep! Subscribe for $48 a year, $26 for six months or $6 for one time. To order call 662-323-1642 or email info@ townandgownmagazine.com.
{ s taf f } Stacia King | publisher - sking@starkvilledailynews.com Courtney Cox| editor - editor@townandgownmagazine.com
Announce your engagement or wedding with us! January is our Bridal issue! Wedding and engagement announcement pricing is listed at townandgownmagazine.com. Submit 15-20 wedding photos to info@ townandgownmagazine.com for review to be featured in Town and Gown Magazine. Events Town and Gown Magazine would love to be at your next event. If your organization or business is having an event please email info@townandgownmagazine.com a month before event date. We cannot promise we will be at all events, but we will try! If we missed out Send us your event photos with names from left to right (if available) and a brief description of event to info@townandgownmagazine.com or mail or drop off a disc to 304 Lampkin St., Starkville, MS 39759. Give a Town and Gown! Town and Gown Magazine offers gift cards for subscriptions. Call us at 662-323-1642 to order. Pricing listed above under subscription. Previous Issues Miss an issue? We can ship a copy of any previous issue to you for only $6. Call us at 662-323-1642.
{ acco un t exe c u ti ve s } Carole Ann Doughty - caroleann@townandgownmagazine.com
{writ ers} Sarah Massey Ryan Phillips Adrianne Horne Divian Connor Lauren Green {photographers} Hunter Hart Adrianne Horne DIvian Connor Laura Daniels {fashion spread} Hunter Hart - photographer Chromatix on Main - hair The Beauty Bar at R Tabb- make-up {Int erns} Sarah Massey Adrianne Horne Lauren Greene {page design} Courtney Cox {adver t ising 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.
May 2018 | 7
A big shout out and thank you to Tammy Carlisle and her sweet son, Eli for sharing their awesome VW bus and their afternoon with us. You made this month’s fashion shoot extra special!
8 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
May 2018 | 9
May Events
3 4
AiPP Reception: Follow Us to Africa NCAA Final Four
6
vs. University of Tennessee 2pm
MSU Baseball @ University of Alabama 3pm
Market Street Festival May 4-5 Columbus, MS
MSU Baseball
@. University of Alabama 6:00pm
9
Market Street Festival May 4-5 Columbus, MS
MSU Baseball
@ University of Alabama 6:00pm
@ Troy 6pm
10
MSU Softball Tournament May 9-12th Books & Authors 12-1pm Starkville Public Library
MSU Softball
vs. University of Tennessee 1pm
MSU Baseball MSU Softball Tournament May 9-12th
MSU Softball vs. University of Tennessee 6:30pm
5
MSU Softball
11
MSU Softball Tournament May 9-12th
MSU Baseball
@University of Kentucky 6 pm
12
MSU Softball Tournament May 9-12th
47th Annual Gum Tree Festival
May 12-13
MSU Baseball
@ Univerity of Kentucky 4 pm
Second Saturday Art Pop Up Show 12-6pm Pop Porium Gourmet Popcorn
13
MSU Baseball
15
SCT: The Laramie Project
17
@ University of Kentucky 2pm
47th Annual Gum Tree Festival May 12-13
Starkville Community Theater 7:30pm
SCT: The Laramie Project
Starkville Community Theater 7:30pm
16 SCT: The Laramie Project
Starkville Community Theater 7:30pm
MSU Softball NCAA Tournament May 17-20th
AiPP Show: “Papercutting of Countryside and Cities” Reception Greater Starkville Development Project 5:30pm
MSU Baseball
vs University of Florida 6:30pm
18
SCT: The Laramie Project
Starkville Community Theater 7:30pm
MSU Softball NCAA Tournament May 17-20th
MSU Baseball
vs Univeristy of Flordia 6:30pm
19 SCT: The Laramie Project
Starkville Community Theater 7:30pm
MSU Baseball
vs Univeristy of Flordia 2pm
MSU Softball NCAA Tournament May 17-20th
20
MSU Baseball
vs Arkansas, 6pm
MSU Softball NCAA Tournament May 17-20th
22
MSU Baseball SEC Tournament May 22-27th
23
MSU Baseball SEC Tournament May 22-27th
24
MSU Baseball SEC Tournament May 22-27th MSU Softball NCAA Super Tournament May24-27th DIY Garden Workshop MSU Trial Garden
25
MSU Baseball SEC Tournament May 22-27th MSU Softball NCAA Super Tournament May24-27th
26
MSU Baseball SEC Tournament May 22-27th MSU Softball NCAA Super Tournament May24-27th
27
MSU Baseball SEC Tournament May 22-27th
31
Softball NCAA College Series
MSU Softball NCAA Super Tournament May24-27th Sunday Funday 1-6pm University Drive
Mississippi Pillows Liza Tye & Co Starkville, MS 6 6 2.6 17.8 220
The Travel
Wishlist Magnolia Home Candles Reeds Starkville, MS 662.323.2684
palm Beach Towel L.A. Green Starkville, MS 662.324.6280
Kely Wynne Purse L.A. Green Starkville, MS 662.324.6280
Spongelle Spa Kit Liza Tye & Co Starkville, MS 6 6 2.6 17.8220
Patagonia SHorts Reeds Starkville, MS 662.323.2684
Gold Hoop Earings L.A. Green Starkville, MS 662.324.6280
May 2018 | 15
Planning an outdoor event or want to treat your staff to a delicious meal?
MSU Catering has you covered! •
Our menu selections range from a simple snack to a buffet or full fivecourse plated meal, and everything in between
•
Customization is possible! Work one-on-one with a professional staff member who is delighted to make your next event the best
•
Not affiliated with the university? No problem! MSU Catering is delighted to work both on and off campus to serve your event needs
Contact us for your next event! msucatering.com 662-325-3663
16 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
So much to see, so much to do!
800.647.6724 vivistnatchez.o
So much to see, so much to do!
800.647.6724 visitnatchez.org 800.647.6724 or www.visitnatchez.org May 2018 | 17
z e h c t a Visit N Linden Antebellum Bed & Breakfast Linden Antebellum Bed & Breakfast, circa 1790, is one of the most pristine historic Antebellum homes in the south. Located in Natchez, Mississippi, Linden is part of the Select Registry collection, www.selectregistry.com. The house is situated in a park-like seven-acre setting and is furnished with American Federal style antiques. The front door is known to be replicated in Scarlett’s home, Tara, in Gone with the Wind. Each morning while staying at Linden, guest enjoy a full southern breakfast served in the formal dining room. After breakfast, guests are given a tour by the owner, Jeanette Feltus, as she takes you back in history telling you about the home, the furniture, and the seven generations of the Connor family who have resided at Linden since 1849. If you believe in ghosts, then you may want to book Celice’s room as you never know if one of the Connor’s might come visit you. Please visit us at www.lindenbandb.com to reserve your room. You will arrive as guests, but leave as family!
Old South Winery If you’re looking for a scenic place to visit this summer, be sure to check out Old South Winery in Natchez, MS. Scott O Galbreath Jr, DVM, founded Old South Winery on Dr. Galbreath’s property in 1979. Old South Winery’s motto, “The Best in Everything Muscadine,” derived from their special Southern grapes native from the coastal Southeastern USA. The Galbreath family buys only the finest and freshest muscadines from Mississippi growers for their wine and strives to keep the true essence of the fruit. The wine is aged for five months in stainless steel barrels to ensure the fruity taste stays pure and rich. The Winery offers nine muscadine wines in red, white, rose and one blueberry wine. The wines vary from dry to lightly sweetened. Recipes involving Old South Winery’s muscadine wine are listed on the website, so make sure to give them a try! Visit www.oldsouthwinery.com in order to see more about this lovely winery!
601-445-9924 Monday-Friday 10 AM – 5 PM
May 2018 | 19
Travel Tips for Your Next Getaway Article and photos by Sarah Massey
Traveling can be hard and stressful. With so many decisions to make like picking a destination, saving your money, deciding transportation, packing, and more, we can all use some tips! For those having wanderlust, just like myself, here’s my top eight traveling tips to make traveling more about enjoying the moment and less worrying.
Savings Jar: This is one of my favorite tips because it makes saving money more fun and easier. Once you have picked a destination, you can grab a jar, decorate it, and drop in whatever dollar amount in the jar once a week until it’s time to go. For example, I use to drop $10 in my savings jar each week to save money for trips I wanted to go on.
Travel Essential Bag: If you’re someone who travels often, having a travel essentials bag always ready will help you and your life on the road. It’s so easy to buy cheap, travel-size shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap. If it’s already stored in the bag, all you have to do is grab it and go!
20 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
Roll Not Fold: When it comes to packing, we want to fit as much clothing as possible in our suitcase, not matter how long the trip is. The best way to fit everything in your suitcase is by rolling your clothes instead of folding them. This will create more room for clothes, shoes, and other items in your suitcase.
Plastic Covers:
For those that pack all of your toiletries that leak in plastic bags, this is for you! Grab some plastic wrap, tear of as much for the plastic wrap that will cover the bottle’s opening, unscrew the top, cover the plastic wrap over the bottle’s opening, and screw the top back on. This way you’re not wasting plastic bags, and your bottles can safely go into your suitcase.
May 2018 | 21
Travel Essential Bag: Carry a garbage bag and dryer sheet in your suitcase: I do this on every trip I go on. It helps me organize my clothing as well as making unpacking easier for me. That way dirty clothing can be separated from clean clothing and leave your suitcase smelling great!
Children’s Activity Box: No matter what mode of transportation you and your family take, children need to be entertained. Making an activity box will help your children stay entertained, at least for a little bit! In this activity box, I put little notebooks and crayons so they can draw, a snack, and little Disney action ďŹ gures to play with. You can customize your activity box to whatever your child likes and enjoys. This also helps keep them away from the technology and let them use their own imaginations! 22 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
Visit Laurel Under the Lights
M
uch has been said about the renaissance of our Hometown, but you have not experienced the City Beautiful fully until you stroll under the lights at night. The energy they emit is symbolic of the efforts over the past decade to restore downtown Laurel, and their precise placement is indicative of the hours poured in by local, young entrepreneurs to reignite all corners of these downtown streets. Begin your evening with exceptional offerings at The Loft or Mimmo’s, and you are on the right track to encounter the unmatched spirit of Laurel at night. If you
passed on dessert, Shug’s Cookie Dough & Candy Bar keeps evening hours to satisfy your sweet tooth. Stop in Lee’s Coffee & Tea during rotating theme nights or stroll down to Slowboat Brewery for live music; allowing the glow from above to take you to a bygone time. You may have started your day exploring our historic sites, local attractions and renowned shops across Jones County, but your evening in Laurel under the lights will leave you relaxed and ready to plan your next visit to our Hometown. Visitjones.com
Wisteria Bed & Breakfast Wisteria Bed and Breakfast is located on tree canopied 706 North Fifth Avenue in the heart of the historic district in Laurel, Mississippi. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the only bed and breakfast in Laurel. It was built in 1901 for timber baron, Silas Wright Gardiner and his wife Louisa. Silas was one of the founders of Laurel and one of the owners of Eastman, Gardiner Lumber Company. Wisteria is located one block from downtown and is near restaurants, shopping, parks, churches and on the opposite corner from the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. Wisteria offers three suites with king beds, private baths, cable TV, high speed Wi-Fi, ceiling fans, central air and heat. A complimentary southern gourmet hot breakfast is prepared and served each morning. A veranda and courtyard are also available to guest. The history of Laurel Brick and Wisteria's brick courtyard were featured on the pilot of HGTV's Home Town. Traveling for business or pleasure, enjoy Laurels finest!
601-426-3805 www.wisteriabedandbreakfast.com For reservations: email wist706@comcast.net
Lauren Rogers Museum Celebrating its 95th anniversary this year, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is the cultural heart of Laurel and Jones County. The museum’s reputation extends far beyond its immediate area, however, as LRMA attracts visitors from across the nation and world. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1972, LRMA plays a major role as an education resource, field trip destination, and tourism attraction. Opened in 1923 as a memorial to a young man who died of complications of appendicitis, the museum features original oak panels, cork floors, and ironwork and anchors Laurel’s impressive Historic District. The museum’s outstanding permanent collections include American and European paintings, Native American baskets, Japanese woodblock prints and Georgian silver. A vibrant schedule of temporary and traveling exhibitions features a variety of media and artists. The museum’s quest for excellence is reflected in it’s innovative education outreach program that takes the museum into schools, housing projects, retirement homes, and mental health facilities, giving thousands of children and adults access to art activities. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, and admission is free.
May 2018 | 25
Where Old South Meets Steel The Town of Livingston
N
estled in the county of Madison, Mississippi is a nine-block town by the name of Livingston. The town first got its start due to its location near a spring that still flows about 30,000 gallons of water into a nearby lake. In 1829 the town became the county seat and grew to be the largest city in Madison county. The first courthouse was located in the town’s square. The building still remains, nestled between two beautiful old cedar trees. As the railroad was built, it naturally went a different direction and bypassed The Town of Livingston. In 1835 the county seat was moved to Canton, Mississippi. The county seat still remains located in Canton today. This caused many of the towns residents to relocate elsewhere. By the 1940’s, the town lost it’s charter. David Landrum has been the visionary and developer of the revived Town of Livingston. David grew up in Laurel, Mississippi but has called Jackson, Mississippi home for 30 years now. He was finishing up a development a mile down the read from Livingston when the realtor he was working with informed him about this old town just down the road. At the time, the abandoned town’s owner was using the land to raise cattle. In 2006, David went to check out the property. The only remains of the town were old building foundations and chicken coups. Otherwise, the town was completely abandoned. David grew up with his father teaching and loving history. When David saw the town he knew bringing new life to a town of the past could be something special. The location was also a selling point for him, as he knew that the town was in the growth track of Madison County. David hired Historical Concepts, an architecture company out of Atlanta, to come up with the town’s master plan. This master plan placed
Article Written by Lauren Greene
the town’s streets in the same location they were in 1829. The company used the original town plat from archives and history and overlaid it onto the town’s square. The streets are built narrower than usual, causing traffic to slow and allowing the town to be more pedestrian friendly. As a nod to the past, the buildings also have a historical look to them. David has enjoyed seeing his vision for the town come to life over the years. He loved taking a town that had become almost nothing, seeing its potential, and then getting to make it a reality. His vision for the town began with its history and potential charm. David spent a lot of time gathering other people’s input and through that his vision for the town grew. Before they built any of the buildings in the town, they began putting it back on the map by hosting a weekly famers market. They began hosting the town’s weekly farmers market eight years ago. They chose hosting a farmers market to draw people in because they wanted to do something organic and appealing to people of all generations. When the market first began they did not know if anyone would show up. However, the town has received the title as the number one farmers market in Mississippi by Mississippi Magazine for the past three years. In 2014, the Town of Livingston opened its first store which was the Mercantile store, followed by the opening of The Gathering restaurant. As of today, Livingston also houses County Seat restaurant, Farmers Table Cooking School, Tulip Floral & Goods shop, Livingston Sweet Shoppe, Livingston Cellars, and the Chapel at Livingston. The town will also be introducing a new restaurant this June. The new restaurant will feature specialty cocktails and small plates. The idea behind the new restaurant is that it will be a fun place to meet up with friends over a glass of wine. The town’s masterplan shows it being 4-5 times larger than it currently is. The town’s expansion plans include more commercial space, restaurants, and even an inn with a rooftop bar overlooking the town’s square. The town’s developers also have
May 2018 | 27
plans to build residential Charleston cottages in the future. The town also has plans to build a small museum to display the artifacts that have been collected, telling the story of Livingston. By doing so, the town’s past will be carried into the present and future. “We want the town to be four things: A celebration of art, literature, music, and food. So anything that deals with those four things we want to excel at doing. We feel like that is really the heart of Mississippi. Mississippi has so many creative people and we want to embody all of that in our little community” (David Landrum, personal communication). The community aspect is what makes the town what it is today. People come to the farmers market and then stay and enjoy themselves. The town offers many activities for kids, live music, festivals, and more throughout the year. By providing things to do, David feels they are able to take people back to a simpler time and provide an environment that allows people to feel like they have gotten away without having to travel far. The goal of the town’s establishment was to bring things back to the simplicity of the past and provide a beautiful place for people to enjoy time together. The Community Foundation sponsors all the events at Livingston. The goal of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the community and to build community. From the beginning, they wanted to recreate the town and take it to a level that has not really been done in Mississippi. The town is constantly hosting new events and brainstorming new ideas. The town’s success is credited to having a standard of excellence and doing everything a notch above. From historic to happening, The Town of Livingston is a summer must for every age. 28 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
Visit New Albany
May 2018 | 29
High Point Coffee Roasters Dan “The Coffee Man” founded High Point Coffee Roasters in New Albany in 2004 with his number one goal being to provide Mississippians with the best coffee around. HPCR began by supplying specialty coffee to three coffee shops in north Mississippi and Memphis. From this humble beginning the business has grown to be the premier coffee roaster in Mississippi. They import coffee from over 16 countries and roast to order. Most coffee is roasted and shipped the same day. They now supply over 60 shops from New Jersey to New Orleans with not only the best and freshest coffee you can buy, but they have a complete line of products including syrups, sauces, teas, cups, lids, sleeves and just about anything needed for the ‘mom & pop’ coffee shop. Many locals stop in regularly to pick up a bag or two for home use as well as gift-giving. The business is visited almost daily by interested travelers who have found the homegrown enterprise online when looking for points of interest in the area. You can also visit their website www.highpointroasters.com to see what’s available and place retail orders online. For an extraordinary coffee experience check out High Point Coffee Roasters. Stay Caffeinated My Friends
The Calico Mushroom The Calico Mushroom, located in charming New Albany, has been a mainstay since 1973. Whether your taste is traditional, modern, or eclectic, you will find everything to fill your wants and needs. The Calico Mushroom offers bridal registry services along with an amazing selection of interior decor, antiques, and one of a kind gifts for every occasion. Here you can find that perfect piece for your tabletop and any home decor or entertaining needs. The Calico Mushroom is truly "A Store as Unique as Our Name." 30 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
Union County Heritage Museum As Hell Creek intertwines with the Tallahatchie River flowing through New Albany, the historic saga of the town, set in the heart of the Mississippi Hills is filled with stories of people and place, a literary garden and historic mound site. The Union County Heritage Museum is the nucleus of those stories. Located next to the birthplace of Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner, the museum offers many opportunities for visitors to be entertained and educated. Ancient fossils from the dinosaur era to the large mammal fossils of the Ice Age can be seen in the exhibits, since Union County is filled with Late Cretaceous sites where fossils are discovered. Art filled galleries with changing exhibits connect with our creative spirits. A literary garden featuring the quotes of the native son and author of the Yoknapatawpha stories, the William Faulkner Literary Garden blooms with plants from grandmothers’ gardens to pass along plants of bygone days. Fragrant, beautiful and serene, the garden also offers artwork from various artists in the region and is located in Frenchman’s Bend , with Varner’s Store and other exhibits and buildings of bygone days of the rural culture. While visiting New Albany, take a moment to step back in time more than 2000 years ago to the Middle Woodland Period at Ingomar Mound Site, located five miles south of New Albany. This important archaeological site first officially explored by the Smithsonian Institution archaeologist in the mid 1800 once had 12 mounds which surrounded one large platform mound. This important historic site, which is a Mississippi Landmark, now has interpretation, a mile walking track and is 63 beautiful acres of history and greenspace open from dawn till dusk for self guided tours. For more information about the museum, garden or mound site, call the museum at 662-538-0014 or go to the website at www.ucheritagemuseum.com . The museum is located at 114 Cleveland Street in New Albany.
May 2018 | 31
Van Atkins Jewelers
Located in the heart of Historic Downtown New Albany, you will find a gem of a jewelry store. Van Atkins Jewelers actually started as a department store in Arkansas and now it is run by second generation owner Chuck Cooper. Chuck can be found on the sales floor most any day along with his sons who have taken an active part in the family business. His eldest son, Van, has just opened our second location on the square in Oxford, MS. Van Atkins is known for our large selection of Estate Jewelry as well as an extensive bridal collection so there is much to see. Come by and experience what all the talk is about! Van Atkins Jewelers is open Monday thru Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm. Remember You Know She's Worth It!
Tupelo Buffalo Park
The Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo is dedicated to preserving each individual animal in our care, in both health and enrichment, and educating the public through access to species scarcely found or non-existent elsewhere in Mississippi. The Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo is home to over 260 animals. Take a guided tour where you may come face to face with buffalo, zebra, yak, and many other animals! 32 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
May 2018 | 33
A Story to Tell:
Hotel Chester Closes in on a Century in Starkville
N
Written by Ryan Philllips • Photo by Logan Kirkland
estled on the corner of Jackson Street and Main is a piece of history that, despite being three stories tall, can easily go unnoticed in bustling downtown Starkville. Built in the 1920s, Hotel Chester has been a stopping place for countless travelers passing through “Mississippi’s College Town,” and special attention to detail, along with a little bit of luck, has ensured the Starkville mainstay stays true to its historic appeal. David Mollendor purchased the hotel in 1999, and along with his wife Sukie, has maintained the historic building and weathered bumps in the road along the way. “It’s a brick structure building, so it’s three layers of brick thick, two layers are structure and the outside are decorative and you don’t see that anymore,” Mollendor said, sitting in a rocking chair with his dog Sam on the hotel’s patio. “It only occurs in old buildings and I don’t know if there are people capable of duplicating that today or not, but I really like that.” Despite always functioning as a hotel, Hotel Chester has also been the setting for many high-class events through the years. Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerk Tony Rook and his wife Lisa had their wedding reception at the hotel nearly 23 years ago. “Back then, it was called the Statehouse Hotel,” Tony Rook said. “It was in a great location and had a very elegant atmosphere. It was known as a popular place to have wedding receptions and to host other social events.” 34 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
THE BIRTH OF AN ICON Construction work on Hotel Chester began in August 1924 and the hotel officially opened in April 1925. “The layout of the building is maintained because the corridors are fixed in place,” David Mollendor said. “There is a variety of different size rooms. Which is part of the preservation effort really.” The Starkville News - the precursor of the Starkville Daily News - published an entire Hotel Chester Edition on April 10, 1925, that delved into the offerings at the region’s finest place of lodging. Hotel Chester’s original amenities included: a “spacious and well equipped lobby,” a cigar and news stand, a telegraph service, pay phones and a dining and coffee room. “There’s not much history left here in Starkville, and it’s kind of unfortunate,” David Mollendor said. “There’s not but a few cities in this country that have preserved their history well. That’s the thing we want to accomplish with being here, to have enough business to be profitable and at the same time continue to preserve the building.” The initial cost to build the hotel was $80,000, while the furnishings and equipment carried a price tag of $15,000. N.W. Overstreet, a MSU alum and Jackson native, served as the architect on the original structure. Named for Chester Alvin, a local figure in economic development, the hotel’s first lessee was a Jackson man named A.H. Alvis, who then hired longtime associate J. Hammer to manage the business. Hammer was described as “an old traveling man of ten years service throughout this territory.” Although the hotel carried different names throughout the years, the Mollendors chose to revive the Hotel Chester moniker in an effort to keep the history of the establishment alive. Funded in part by taxpayer dollars, newspapers of the day praised the opening of the establishment and what it meant for Starkville. “Altogether, Hotel Chester is a modern and thoroughly equipped and thoroughly run institution,” a writer for the Starkville News commented. “One that is justly appreciated by home people, who take pride in having sponsored its establishment with their energy
May 2018 | 35
and money, and by the traveling public who are so freely taking advantage of its conformist and convenience.” Mollendor said the hotel would remain a place of lodging throughout its history, never serving another purpose aside from its original. While it fell into disrepair at times between its opening and its most recent ownership, the building has always maintained its iconic location in downtown. He then said when he bought the building, water penetration became a problem that took years to overcome. “That’s a big part of preserving the history of it, keeping it dry and in good condition that way,” David Mollendor said. “We don’t use water restrictors in our shower heads, so when you get in the shower you are going to get a good one. Those kinds of things are important for the traveling public, comfortable beds, clean rooms, friendly staff, all of the mechanicals working, and we have good control of that now.” INTO THE FUTURE The hotel’s most recent recognition came when Gordon Ramsay made the Mollendors and Hotel Chester the subject of his show “Hotel Hell” in 2014. Ramsey helped the couple modernize the rooms of the establishment, while working to raise the profile of Starkville’s oldest hotel through the revitalization effort. Ramsay would go on to design the hotel’s Beer Garden and Menu, which includes his Gordon Burger and English Fish and Chips. In the present day, David Mollendor said business is steady, but restricted primarily to those drawn to the university. “I think we don’t want people to feel like it’s an old building outside and something totally unrecognizably new on the inside,” he said. “It’s on the historic register and we are trying to preserve the history of it.” Despite David Mollendor’s humble approach when describing the hotel, Hotel Chester was voted the Best Hotel in Mississippi by Mississippi Magazine every year from 2012 to 2017. Sukie Mollendor said her favorite amenity at the hotel is the Ramsay-designed Beer Garden, which had previously been an outdoor dining space and garden. “The beer garden was just a garden, then I liked it, so it’s really pretty and was just a gazebo and there was a water fountain, so maybe people have done some ceremonies out there,” Sukie Mollendor said. “It has always had a catering and banquet feature from beginning.” She then mentioned the library as another feature guests should take advantage of at the hotel. “I like the library, it’s a small room that can be used for private dining or sometimes we use it for a small restaurant, it has its own bar and I like that,” Sukie Mollendor said. David Mollendor then bragged on the hotel’s breakfast offerings, such as eggs Benedict and French toast, that are popular among guests. Above all else, though, Mollendor said the hospitality is what makes a stay at Hotel Chester worth the cost. “Cleanliness, friendliness of the staff, we take good care of them,” he said. “We try to be as accommodative as possible for people with reasonable expectations.” 36 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
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Delta Meat Market The brainchild of chef-owner Cole Ellis, the Delta Meat Market in downtown Cleveland is an old school, back-tobasics butcher shop, grocery store, and restaurant with a modern feel. His lunch menu board changes weekly and focuses on farm to table cuisine, using house cured and cut meats and local vegetables available in the store. Not to be missed is the DMM happy hour on Friday nights, which along with live music and dinner specials, features the market's ever-growing assortment of curated craft beers. The team at Delta Meat Market travels too. 8 guests or 800, chef Cole Ellis will work with you to create the perfect menu. Weddings are a specialty of the team. Special cocktails, favorite foods, and even the cake, Delta Meat Market can help you pull off that special day.
Mississippi Grounds Visitors and locals alike will find their taste buds tingling and satisfied at Cleveland’s service-station-turned-coffee-house, Mississippi Grounds. Located directly across from the courthouse, this café sports an outside patio area with large picnic tables, a doggie water fountain, and rising garage doors for fair-weather days. The scent of ground espresso and flavored roasts spill into the streets, along with the aroma of Yo’ Eddie’s BBQ. As the primary coffee shop in town, Mississippi Grounds pulls double duty—hosting Yo Eddie BBQ Thursdays that always include pulled pork and ribs, and a special of the day (faves include the brisket tacos and smoked meatloaf sandwiches). With menu items whimsically named after members of the owners families (such as the Basil Sylvester and the Daddy Judge), this small-town coffee-house is your one-stop-shop for all things caffeinated and delicious.
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Remember Your Summer Article and photos by Adrianne Horne
Travel Journal Trying to think of the perfect way to remember your summer vacations or trips? Try making a simple travel journal to keep everything organized and memorable! All you need are some pictures, tape, a few markers, a blank journal, and a little bit of creativity! To start off, get all of the pictuers together in one place with the journal and the markers. Organize the photos in the order of each trip (or each day of the trip) and begin placing them into the journal however you would like. Once you have everything placed where you would like, begin taping them down so you can start writing out the memories and thoughts for each picture. You can add recomendations, things you would like to relive, ratings of each place you went, doodles of something that reminds you of where you went, and an itenerary of everything you did in the order you did it. Remember to include every detail you can think of to make the journal as memorable as possible! As always, every detail counts!
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Destination Map Wanting to find a way to remember your nation-wide road trip? Try this creative way to mark each state as you go! Start out by finding a large map at your local craft store (or order one online), and go find your favorite picture from each state. Once those two steps are done, trace each state on a piece of paper so you can go back and cut out each picture in the shape of the correlating state, Once you have cut out each picture, place them accordingly on the map and glue them down, so you can pin it up and have it to display your across country trip!
Polaroid Journal Own a Polaroid camera? Have a bunch of old Polaroid pictures just laying around collecting dust? Try this Polaroid Journal to show off your trips! Start out by buying an empty journal from your favorite bookstore, and take pictures of everything you find during your trip. These can include restaurants, interesting street signs, meals, desserts, buildings, and people you meet. Now it’s time to gather up all of your Polaroid pictures! Glue down the Polaroids around the page in whatever order you would like, and grab your favorite pen so you can create titles for each of the pictures you took. Titles can include things such as specific towns, cities, resteraunts, and quotes related to the picture. Once you’re finished, make sure to show off your work! May 2018 | 41
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Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience Elvis. Faulkner. Kermit. Oprah. King. When it comes to arts and entertainment, Mississippi is the land of legends. Which led to an idea. What if we told all their stories together in one place? What if we could showcase the overwhelming impact of Mississippi’s creative legacy to locals and visitors alike? What if we help ignite creativity in the artists of the future? The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience — or The MAX, as we call it, will shine the spotlight on Mississippi’s statewide contributions in arts and entertainment. This $50 Million interactive experience will celebrate these legends and many more that herald from the great state of Mississippi. This is Mississippi to The Max.
Weidmann’s Meridian, Mississippi has always been steeped in tradition, and one of the longest running traditions around is having a great lunch or dinner at Weidmann’s Restaurant. Since 1870, generations of families have gathered around Weidmann’s tables to sample some of the greatest food and beverages available. Starting with the freshest ingredients, tried and true recipes and just a little bit of tender, loving care, Weidmann’s has always specialized in high quality comfort food. With respect for the history of Weidmann’s and with an eye on the future, owner Charles Frazier has combined the best of both worlds and created a restaurant experience full of surprises and flavors while retaining the comfortable, cozy warmth that has always been a part of Weidmann’s charm.
MSU Riley Center for Performing Arts and Education A performing arts center, a conference center, an educational center, a major downtown restoration project – these are all accurate ways to describe the MSU Riley Center. More than just a stunning facility, the center is a special place for social interaction, enjoying the arts, engaging in lifelong learning, and stimulating community growth and development. Located in the heart of historic downtown Meridian, the MSU Riley Center opened its doors in September 2006 to offer cultural, artistic, and educational experiences like no other in the region. The multifaceted center attracts 60,000+ visitors to downtown Meridian annually for conferences, meetings, and performances. The center includes a fully restored 1889 grand opera house theater that seats approximately 950, a 200-seat studio theater, and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, including a large exhibit hall, breakout rooms, and boardrooms, all equipped with teleconferencing capabilities and built-in technical features to create the optimal meeting environment.
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Taste & Toast Recipes and Photos by Divian Connor
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Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Deep Dish Pie Crust Refrigerated Pie Dough (optional for lattice/ braiding) 2 1/2 cups rinsed and sliced strawberries 2 cups washed and chopped rhubarb 1 1/4 cups sugar 2 tbsp all purpose flour 3 tbps chopped cold butter Juice of one lemon 1 Egg white 1/2 cup of water
In bowl combine all of your ingredients except the butter. Mix well and pour into pie crust. Place small slices of butter on top of your filling and top with pie dough that you cut into strips for lattice design or top with whole pie dough and slice slits in middle for steam to escape. In small bowl mix egg white and water and brush on top of the pie crust. Bake at 425 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. *Rhubarb can be found at Kroger-Starkville* May 2018 | 45
Lemon Dill Baby Potatoes Baby Potatoes Juice of 1 Lemon 1 tbsp black pepper 1 tsp of salt 4-5 sprigs of Dill 5 tbsp butter 1/2 cup of water
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Slice some of the potatoes in half and place all potatoes in skillet with butter on medium heat. Cook for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and place potatoes in baking dish. Pour water in baking dish and cover with foil. Bake in oven at 400 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Remove cover and pour off any excess water. Bake uncovered for 15 more minutes. Place fresh dill sprigs over potatoes after placing in serving dish. Dish can be served warm or at room temperature.
Spring Chopped Salad Simple Wine Vinaigrette 1/2 cup canola oil 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup water 1 tablespoon lemon juice 3 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt Measure all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well by hand with a whisk. Pour into a jar/mason jar and put on lid. Place in refrigerator until read to serve.
1 cup of Detalini Pasta 3-4 cups of mixed baby greens 1 cup of Micro Greens 1 cup of Feta Crumbles 1 cup of cubed watermelon 1 cup grapes sliced Mix all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Italian Pressed Picnic Sandwich Salami Pepperoni Baby Greens Spring Mix Marinara Sauce Provolone Cheese Sliced Roma Tomatoes Italian Bread Slice bread in half and spread marinara over the inside of the bread. Layer generously with pepperoni and salami. Add Provolone layer, then another layer of the meats. Layer the greens, another layer of cheese and then add the layer roma tomatoes. Finish off with another layer of meats and top layer of the bread. Wrap sandwich with plastic wrap. Place cutting board/cast iron on top of sandwich to press it. Press for about 2 hours. Remove plastic wrap and slice. 48 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM
A Place that has Something for Everyone
The rich soil that makes up the Delta was deposited from all over by the power of the mighty Mississippi River. Similarly, people from all over are flocking to the Mississippi Delta to see the people, places, and history that make up this rich land. From a beautiful, natural environment, historic homes, downtown sidewalks lined with high-end retail and restaurants to cutting edge industry and business opportunities‌they all come together in Greenwood to create a quality of life that is second-to-none. Greenwood
www.cityofgreenwood.org
is like no other place on earth: a place of culture, passion, resilience and diversity; a place of commonalities and contradictions; a place so unique, so authentic, it has something for everyone.
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THe Travel Issue
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Hunter Hart Photography Make up: Beauty Bar at RTabb & Co Hair: Taylor Visker at Chromatix on main Clothes from Serendipity Hippie Models: Jordan Burns, Crisra Martin & Gabi Jacks May 2018 | 51
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International Festival Photos by Laura Daniels • April 7, 2018
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Palmer Home’s Southern Soiree Photos by Laura Daniels • March 29, 2018
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Starkville High’s Little Shop of Horrors Photos provided by Laura Pate • April 5-8, 2018
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Books & Authors: Catherine Pierce Photos provided by Lynn Reinschmiedt •April 12, 2018
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s s e c c u S Savor your Best
Across the Golden Triangle, folks come to savor their best success in Mississippi’s College Town! A vibrant university town with innovative educational opportunities, creative enterprise,unique shopping and dining, and year-round thriving community-centered experiences...Whether you’re here to stay, eat, play, or learn, in STARKVILLE, you’ll LIVE the Authentic New South.
. EAT . SHOP . PLAY
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LEAR
H T U O S W E N ic t n e N . LIVE the Auth starkville.org May 2018 | 67
AT OCH REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, WE KNOW LIFE’S GREATEST GIFTS ARE MOMENTS THAT WE CHERISH MOST. AND WE’VE KEPT GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHY JUST SO THEY CAN KEEP MAKING THOSE SPECIAL MEMORIES. THANKS TO THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE TRUSTED THEIR HEALTH, LIVES AND FUTURES TO US OVER THE PAST 45 YEARS, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE EVERY MOMENT COUNTS.
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www.och.org