November 2017

own own T &G November 2017

50 Years Later: Veteran Reflects on His Time as a POW

Taste & Toast: Recipes to Shake Up Your Thanksgiving Traditions

Cabin in the Woods: Brothers Turn Hobby Into Home

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In this Issue

Home, Garden and Lifestyle around Mississippi Calendar of Events

Wishlist

10 12 20

50 Years Later: Veteran Reflects on on Time as POW

26

Time for Tea: Step Back in Time for a Special Occassion The Hopeful House

30 40

Create the Perfect Look for Fall: Step by Step Make Up Tutorial

42

Shattered But Still Whole: Inspiration for Staying Active

44

United Way of Northern Mississippi: Be a Volunteer this Season

46

Made in Mississippi: Flextone Waterfowl Calls DIY: Cornucopia November Fasion

16 Cabin in the Woods: Brothers turn hobby into home

34 Tanner & Leah: Servant Hearts Raised in Starkville

54 Taste & Toast: Recipes to Shake Up Your Thanksgiving Traditions

An Update from MSU Distance Education MSU November Athletics Events

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50 60 68 70 71

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

October 25, 2017 marked 50 years since Retired Col. Richard Smith’s plane was shot down over Hanoi, Vietnam. Flip to page 20 to learn about his journey as a POW and how it shaped his life.

Follow us on Instagram for sneakpeaks, giveaways, recipes & so much more! @townandgown

on the cover..

On the

This rustic cabin in the woods was built by the hands of identical twin brothers, Wayne & Layne Livingston. Go to page 16 to see more of this beautiful cabin!

Cover

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@townandgown

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@townandgownmag November 2017 | 5

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

{ s taf f } Stacia King | publisher - sking@starkvilledailynews.com Courtney Cox| editor - editor@townandgownmagazine.com { acco un t exe c u ti ve s } Carole Ann Doughty - caroleann@townandgownmagazine.com

cont ributors {writ ers} Joe Lee Richelle Putanam Clint Kimberling Karen Gerard Alaina Prentice Katie Langley Carly Phillips Amy Myers {photographers} Margaret Mcmullen Brittney Dowell Sarah Raines Mary Barker Divian Connor {fashion spread} Divian Conner - photographer Cromatix on Main - hair Merle Norman Luna Bella- Make-up {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.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue...

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November 2017 | 7

Meet Our New

Account Executive Courtney Cox, stacia King, Carole Ann Doughty

I am thrilled to be the new Account Executive for Town & Gown Magazine! I love the heartbeat, soul & vibe of our terrific town. I’m the fifth generation Starkville native & graduate of Starkville Academy. I earned my undergraduate degree in Graphic Design & Print Journalism under Samir Husni, aka “Mr. Magazine” at Ole Miss. After school, I worked in design before becoming a Mom of three wonderful sons. Most recently, I’ve worked in the education world, but I am thrilled to be back using my degree & pursuing a career in print publishing. The most exciting part about this opportunity is getting to know so many amazing people in and around the Starkville area. I am so grateful look forward to being a part of Town & Gown Magazine.

“To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi” -William Faulkner

Carole Ann Doughty

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8 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Get Better.

November 2017 | 9

1

The Storehouse International Christmas Shop & Taste of the World Luncheon

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Christmas Open House & Cookies with Santa

14 To Kill a Mockingbird @ Starkville Community Theatre

To Kill a Mockingbird @ Starkville Community Theatre

19

8 Vietnam Veteran Welcome Home Ceremony

Brunch & Browse

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“The Hornet’s Nest” showing @ McComas Hall

15 To Kill a Mockingbird @ Starkville Community Theatre

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27

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To Kill a Mockingbird @ Starkville Community Theatre

26 Brunch & Browse

Starkville Christmas Parade

45th Annual Holiday Bazaar @ The Mill

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The Storehouse International Christmas Shop

9

Veterans 5K & Mile Fun Run

To Kill a Mockingbird @ Starkville Community Theatre HanaLena “Connection Concert”

MSU Lyceum Series: Ailey II

10

5K Glow Run @ Camp Seminole

Veteran Recognition on Drill Field

To Kill a Mockingbird @ Starkville CommunityTheatre

First United Methodist Church Christmas Handworks Bazaar

GSDP Business After Hours To Kill a Mockingbird @ Starkville Community Theatre

Thanksgiving

MSU v. Ole Miss

FUMC Thanksgiving for International Students & Families @ 12 at Christian Life Center

30 45th Annual Holiday Bazaar @ The Mill

MSU v. UMASS United We Feed Food Drive volunteers needed @ Vowell’s, Kroger & OK. County Co-op

11 MSU v. Alabama United We Feed Food Drive volunteers needed @ Vowell’s, Kroger & OK. County Co-op

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23

Fall Unwine Downtown

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To Kill a Mockingbird @ Starkville Community Theatre

MSU v. Arkansas

To Kill a Mockingbird @ Starkville Community Theatre SAAC Annual Gala “Eye on the Arts”

25

24 Black Friday Bonanza

Thanksgiving Tablescape Design

November 2017 | 13

Decor and furniture from Beards Furniture & Antiques.

Etta B Thanksgiving Pottery from Giggleswick Design by Jeanette Beard Photography by Divian Connor

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November 2017 | 15

Cabin in the Woods: Brothers Turn Hobby Into Home Article by Clint Kimberling • Photos by Brittney Dowell

W

ayne Livingston has always been intrigued by log cabins.

And when he retired, he knew exactly how he wanted to spend his newfound free time—building his own very own log cabin. But Livingston, a mechanical engineer by trade, was not content to enlist a contactor or use a kit. He wanted to build a cabin by hand.

Livingston worked at Mississippi State for twenty years, leaving that job for a position with the Department of Defense for fifteen years, including a stint living in Washington State for 8 years. In 2004, he retired back to Starkville and even though he was doing some consulting work, he needed a hobby to fill his days.

He explains his motivation rather simply, “I’ve always wanted to build a log home and now I had the time to do it.” But building a cabin from the ground up goes far beyond just piddling the day away in a workshop.

Back in the early 70s, Livingston and his twin brother, Layne, purchased 45 acres just west of Starkville. It was on this land, overlooking a 10-acre lake, where he decided to build the cabin. Layne, who was himself newly retired from the Department of Defense, was enlisted for as an extra set of hands and for his expertise as an electrical engineer.

Wayne first started by laying in a road and clearing pine trees for lumber. He debarked all the logs by hand using a spud tool and treated them with a solution of borax and antifreeze. Remarkably, the only modern conveniences enlisted in this process were a small tractor and a chainsaw. The Livingston brother’s engineering backgrounds really came into play 16 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

November 2017 | 17

as they rigged a pulley system for hoisting and setting the logs. Wayne described a double pulley similar to that used by old sailing ships that raised the logs.

Wayne offers a simple answer as to why he chose to forego modern tools and conveniences. “Because it’s a hobby. I enjoy doing the work and I was never in a hurry to finish.

Plus, I was able to do it on the cheap this way.” He goes on saying, “It was a good project for me and my brother. We’ve never done anything together like this before. And we really weren’t in a rush to get it done.”

That’s a bit of an understatement. Wayne and his brother laid the first log down in 2007. And the interior and porches were not completed until 2015. The chinking process alone (filling the gaps between the logs) took almost a year.

The final product is a stunning 3 story craftsmen style home with embellishments like hand-carved railing on the stairs.

The home has a large first floor with two bedrooms, a sleeping loft and two large porches. The second bedroom is decorated with reclaimed lumber and tin from a 100-year-old barn, giving it a rustic elegance.

Amazingly, there were no big setbacks on the project. At least not mechanically. Livingston tells me about various injuries including smashed fingers and shoulder tears. But he chalks that up to a necessary part of the process. “I don’t worry about it because it’s something that I love to do,” he says.

He admits that installing windows came with a learning curve as it was something he’s never done before. “At first, I did it the way I thought it should be done,” he says. “But I over-engineered it.”

Now that the work is mostly finished, it’s a place for his family to gather and for grandkids to spend time outdoors. He hesitates to call the project finished, because it’s over 10 years later and he’s still tinkering. Wayne says, “People ask me when I’ll finally be done. And I hope I’m never done. I started this to give me something to do, to keep busy. I’ve got too many things I want to get done.”

Even with all he still wants to do, there are moments he can sit down and enjoy all of his hard work. “I like to sit down on the swing, look out at the lake and appreciate how far we’ve come. I’m grateful for the time spent with my brother. There’s no way I could’ve done it without him. That’s the best part about it, how doing the work brought us together.”

November 2017 | 19

50 Years Later

Veteran Reflects on His Time as a POW

I

t has been exactly fifty years since Gene Smith, a West Point resident and a veteran of the United States Air Force (USAF) who retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, was shot down during a bombing mission in North Vietnam.

He wound up spending more than five years in captivity before his release in 1973.

What got him through the physical torture, the mind games and the isolation that marked approximately 2,000 days of his life is a big part of what he’ll discuss when he speaks at the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony on Tuesday, November 7 at 10 a.m. in the Leo Seal Building at Mississippi State (MSU).

“Faith and kids, without a doubt, got me through it,” said Gene, who grew up in Tunica and graduated from MSU in 1956 with a Chemical Engineering degree. “I spent 5-6 weeks in isolation, being tortured and interrogated. I was in a four-by-seven cell. You talk about an adjustment period – they’d open the door twice a day to feed you, and once a day I emptied my chamber pot.”

“You had to learn to cope with the fact that you were there – that you were not going to wake up from a bad dream.

I had pain to deal with (a leg injury from when he was shot down) with virtually no medical treatment. Sitting in that cell 24 hours a day, you didn’t know when you would get out. I got where I mentally planned and scheduled my day: exercise as long as I could, try to work some math problems, try to recall portraits of my kids, meditate and pray. I thought about my family constantly.”

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He was eventually moved to another part of the prison – infamously known as the Hanoi Hilton – and into a four-room cell with a couple of men from his squadron.

“As chance would have it, an hour after I was put in that cell a Navy guy from Friars Point, Mississippi – 20 minutes from Tunica – came in,” Gene said. “We began to learn how to adjust in that cell with four of us.

“My group that I flew with were all fighter pilots. We had some bomber guys; we made split-second decisions. These were great officers. That group of 600-plus people, for the most part, was a select group. We did a pretty good job from the mental standpoint of dealing with it, (but) if I had known we were going to be there that long (in captivity) ... I figured I’d be out in a year, or a year and a half.”

Gene and his first wife, Rae (who died in 1999), had three young children at the time of his Vietnam deployment.

Rick Smith, a captain for Southwest Airlines in Phoenix, Arizona, and a 21-year USAF veteran with nearly 40 total years as a pilot, remembers getting letters from his dad in the years Gene was a POW. Both men warmly recall the tremendous support the USAF gave the family once he was home. The Smiths bought a boat and spent a year on the water, fishing and swimming and relaxing while becoming an intact unit once more.

“My father is one of my best friends,” Rick said. “Since I became a pilot, I realized how much we have in common. To be able to talk to your father about what you do for a living and know that he did the same thing is special. I served in Desert Storm flying F16s and the big joke is that I flew 47 combat missions and my dad (flew) only 33 and a half – always good

November 2017 | 21

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for some back and forth who is the best pilot.”

“As far as me serving my country and becoming a pilot, sure, we discussed it on occasion but Dad never pressured me. He guided me to it because I was typical of my generation: I didn’t know what I was going to do but I always loved being around military airplanes. I will forever be grateful to him for his recommendation that I join the military.”

Gene, meantime, had given considerable thought to what he wanted to do upon release. His father passed away during his years in captivity, but his mother was still alive in 1973 and living in Clarksdale. In addition, Gene’s brother and his wife lived in the Golden Triangle. The desire to be near family had a lot to do with his decision to go to training command and take steps toward being a squadron commander at Columbus Air Force Base (CAFB).

Although at CAFB only several years – before taking the position of executive director at Golden Triangle Regional Airport, where he would spend two decades before retiring – Gene crossed paths with Mike Ware, a young pilot who not only served under his command but, years later, supervised Rick Smith.

“I went to pilot instructor training in 1974-1975,” said Ware, 66, who is retired from Federal Express and lives in Memphis.

“When I got back, Gene was squadron commander. I was an instructor pilot for him as a brand new second lieutenant. I made first lieutenant and captain, and I returned to CAFB in 1993, where Rick was an instructor pilot for me from 1993-1995. We reacquainted pretty heavily for those two years.”

Ware wrote an essay entitled “Faith, Hope, Life” which was included in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series volume, “My Kind of America: 101 Stories about the True

Calendar Gene and cell mates made to count down the days before being released

Spirit of our Country.” The essay was based on what he heard Gene tell him many years ago.

“Gene was asked often how survived that torture and humiliation every day,” Ware said. “And he would say, ‘Because I had faith.

Faith in my lord, faith in my fellow POWs, and faith in my country; through faith you have hope, and when you have hope you have life.’ I do a lot of public speaking myself and share that story. A man who’d been shot down and was readily able to talk to us about his POW experience – it was unbelievable for a 25-year-old who had aspirations to fly fighters.”

The homecoming at the Seal Building will include the presentation of a deluxe hardback book to all Vietnam veterans in attendance. Sharon Dollarhide, who served under Gene Smith at CAFB – and had no idea at the time that her squadron commander had been a POW – said the book, which includes a DVD, is perfect for the coffee tables of veterans and is full of stories told by them.

“The book, which is free to all Vietnam veterans, is so well done,” said Dollarhide, State Veteran Service Officer with the Mis-

sissippi Veterans Affairs Board at MSU. “It begins with a letter signed by President Trump and Vice President Pence.

Governor Bryant has written a letter and signed it as well. There are parts of the stories that are hard to bear because of the horror of the times, but it is our history – a history that we would serve well to learn from.”

“My son, also a veteran – a Marine – has a heating and air conditioning business. He was servicing Gene’s unit when the two of them began talking, and he told me about a veteran he had met that served at CAFB named Gene Smith. I had a picture of Gene presenting me with an award, and my son’s jaw dropped – it was the same man. I contacted him about the commemorative book, and he came to visit me at the center and took the grand tour.”

Gene will speak for about 20 minutes, and Rick said not to be fooled if his dad claims beforehand that he’ll have no idea what he will talk about. Rick’s advice – which is almost word for word what Ware and Dollarhide urge as well – is for young people to pay close attention when Gene is introduced and walks up to the microphone.

“The difference in kids these days is that when he talks to a young group of people who are serving their country, age and time have nothing to do with it,” Rick said. “They listen because they know it’s about being a patriot, to put your hand over your heart or salute the flag.”

“That is the message Dad has always been good at delivering. Kids these days don’t get to hear that message, so a student turnout at the event should be great. They can so easily be misdirected by social media and take so much for granted. People like my Dad can give that message about being an American and what it means, because he has made the sacrifice and lived to tell about it.”

“I’ll talk about what happened to me, and how grateful I am at the opportunities afforded me when I got home. It will be positive, and nothing negative,” Gene said. “I spoke all over Mississippi and other places on a regular basis for years, at high schools and churches, and I still use the opportunity to sell what a great country this is. If I influenced one young person who wanted to serve their country in some way, then it’s worth it.”

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: a e T r o f Time r o f e m i T n i k c a b Step n a Special Occassio Article by Richelle Putnam

Paige Lawes doesn’t like talking about herself, but she loves talking about community and providing people with an intimate place to relax, have conversation, and enjoy a cup of tea and maybe a scone or two.

Located in a quaint, Tudor-style cottage on North Jackson St. in Starkville, Three Generations Tea Room is more than a space for special occasions, and more than a place to eat and sip tea. When you step into Three Generations, plan to be whisked back in time through a décor of antiques and artifacts, tea cups and china, photos and an old upright piano. Exquisite curved doorways lead you from room to room on polished wood floors that thump like excited heartbeats when you walk over them. The setting is an experience in itself before you even begin your special occasion.

The name “Three Generations” represents three generations of independent women: Paige Lawes, her mother, Nickii Elrod, and Paige’s daughter, Adriana Sumner. Open and running since Thanksgiving weekend in 2001, the longevity of the tea room has proven its independence as well.

Paige moved from Hawaii to Starkville to be closer to her mother and daughter, but she couldn’t forget the wonderful little tea room in Honolulu and decided to start one herself. From the very beginning, the tea room was successful and Paige had a full staff. But opening and preparing for daily business and making sure staff was punctual was more than Paige wanted to do at this point in her life.

“I went to reservation only and found [that] people love to come here because it’s a special place, even the people who come regularly. They really like the setting because it’s so pretty,” Paige said.

Now, through reservations only, Three Generations Tea Room plays host to a variety of special events, especially on the weekends, which pretty much stay booked, according to Paige. Garden clubs, arts and craft groups, and sororities find Three Generations to be the perfect, intimate setting for get-togethers. It’s also ideal for graduations and birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, and more.

When Paige first opened, Three Generations hosted a high school graduation party for a young girl and her family and friends. “I had her graduation party from college, and then I had her bridal shower, and now I’m having her baby shower.”

There’s something about Three Generations Tea Room that keeps people coming back for their special occasions. Maybe it’s the homey atmosphere; maybe it’s the intimacy of quiet conversation; maybe it’s the unique furnishings surrounding them.

“The men really like the Celtic room, which has a Scottish, Irish, and Welsh feel through the décor,” Paige said.

Outside, the garden and playhouse provide additional places for serenity, imagination, and reminiscing. The settings, both inside and out, are perfect backdrops for new memories to mix in with the old.

Still, Paige Lawes wanted to do more for her Starkville community.

“When I first opened, I had been real involved in Hawaii in the pro-life movement, so when I came to Starkville, there was a small pregnancy center here and I offered to them, that first year, an opportunity to come and be a part,” Paige said, who has continued this tradition to help raise money for a good cause during the Three Generations Tea Room Twelve Days of Christmas.

During the Twelve Days of Christmas, made up of several Saturday reservation-only lunch events, Paige prepares turkey and ham along with other holiday menu selections. In addition to the delectable holiday spread,

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there is live entertainment every day, from bluegrass, to Celtic, to piano, and more. On “Happy Birthday Jesus” Saturday, moms bring their children and the day’s musician sings with them, making it the perfect holiday family occasion.

The reasonable cost of the luncheon makes it easy for people to contribute over and above the ticket amount to this year’s fundraising recipient, Starkville Pregnancy Center. Reservations for the Twelve Days of Christmas go fast, so make yours now.

“Every seat is a reserved spot, so you can’t just show up at the door,” Paige said. “Many reserve their favorite table.”

But remember, in the Tudor-style cottage on the hill, it’s always a special occasion. Afternoon tea, when it was developed, explained Paige, was a time to stop and visit with people and that’s the whole idea behind Three Generations Tea Room.

“It’s an opportunity to take a breath from what’s going on in the world. It takes you away from the busyness of the world and allows you to sit and visit,” Paige said. “The whole idea is spending the afternoon with people you really like and making the day with friends and family what you want, from lunch, to watching a movie, to celebrating heritage and traditions.”

Twelve Days of Christmas: Dates – Saturdays – December 2 through December 16 Opens at 11:00 am; Merriment begins at 12:15 Cost - $12.00, plus tax (Amounts received in excess of the cost and tax of lunch is donated to the Starkville Pregnancy Center.)

To book a special event or make reservations for Three Generations Tea Room Twelve Days of Christmas, call 662/324-1507

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The Hopeful House Written by Richelle Putnam • Photos by Brittney Dowell

H

ope Caldwell was working as a registered nurse and homeschooling her daughter when her 72-year-old mother’s stroke left her unable to drive. Hope searched for a place in her community that offered activities and good company during her mother’s recovery. She wanted her to stay mentally, emotionally, and physically active, but they “… couldn’t find the fit for her at the time,” Hope said.

For two years, Hope tried to do it all with no resources, only to end up experiencing extreme fatigue and feeling “hopeless.” She decided to turn in her Superwoman badge and start Hopeful House, an elder day care center equipped with a kitchen, a dining area, an exercise room, a computer station, an entertainment area, a nurse’s office, a screenedin porch, and a back deck in a quiet spot.

Often, when taking care of elderly parents, we feel that we can and should do it all without any kind of help. “We place ourselves at risk of not being able to help anyone,” Hope said, who is able to talk about caregiving all the way around.

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The goal of Hopeful House is to help the elderly maintain integrity and purpose and to provide them a home away from home, while giving caregivers peace of mind and some time to take care of personal needs.

“When anything happens in your life, people with similar situations come to you,” Hope said. “So, – individuals falling within my age bracket, around 50 – are going to work every day while caring for parents.

They needed a special place of safety for their parents while also needing guilt-free private, personal space of their own.”

After Hope’s mother had her stroke, Hope didn’t want her to just sit down, “Because [as a nurse] I’ve been in situations where, when they retire, they go home and don’t have any outside interests and so the decline happens rapidly,” Hope said. She kept her mother moving and active and she realized other families with elders needed that as well.

“I noticed that many elderlies were at home, losing touch with the community. They were becoming hopeless.”

And that’s where the name of the business came from, changing hopeless into hopeful. “When I graduated from nursing school 27 years ago, I thought I would have a small care home,” Hope said. Hopeful House caters to those with minimal limitations. Of course, Hope is a nurse, so minimal limitations may be different than what you think. “All that means is that we don’t do total care and that people are basically able to feed themselves and toilet themselves with some assistance,” she said.

Research and clinical studies reveal how mental and emotional health affect physical health. Hopeful House has an exercise room to encourage movement in maintaining what you have and improving where you are.

“My mother had a stroke the day after a knee replacement, so when that happened, we had to go through the stroke rehab,” Hope said. Since lack of movement and stimulation affect us physically and mentally, explained Hope, “We try to do stimulation for all of it, including spiritual.”

Hopeful House, being a private center, facilitates devotion time to address the spiritual, as well as the mental, emotional, and physical all in one place. The day is usually divided into segments of 7 a.m. – 12 noon and 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. Each five-hour slot is $45.00 and a full ten-hour day is $80.

They also offer hourly rates and try to accommodate rates for everyone.

Hopeful House is not a nursing home or assisted living, but a place where seniors enjoy companionship and do fun activities incorporated with food and fellowship.

Many, like Hope, want to provide a home for their elderly parents. But elderly parents also need a space where they can be active, and communicate with people closer to their age who experience the same lifestyle.

“A lot of family members feel that having helpers means we aren’t doing it ourselves,” Hope said. “All of us, at a time in our life, are going to need help. Needing help is not a weakness.” https://hopeful-house.com https://www.facebook.com/hcaldwell17/ Contact Hope to speak to your group about caregiving and the services of Hopeful House.

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November 2017 | 33

Tanner & Leah:

Servant Hearts Raised in Starkville Written by Richelle Putnam

Leah Gibson

Besides being Miss Mississippi 2017 pageant contestants, Tanner Fant and Leah Gibson have a few things in common. Both are proud Starkville, Mississippians and both are community servants.

Tanner, the 2017 Miss Mississippi runner-up, grew up performing at local Miss Mississippi preliminaries, including the Miss Mississippi State University pageant, and was selected as Miss Mississippi Magnolia princess for three years. Exposed to the world that is “Miss Mississippi” before her transition to contestant, she said, “I was cast as a production dancer for the state pageant and immersed in the backstage life and welcomed by the countless volunteers and backstage crew.”

Leah, on the other hand, was an introvert and started out in pageants against her will. Her middle school teacher encouraged Leah to enter a pageant, “So I finally went out and got the dress,” she said. Her mom, however, seeing that the tool needed ironing, ended up burning it. “On top of being completely scared out of my mind, but really excited, I had to continuously shift my dress before I walked out on stage because there was a huge hole in the tool.” Leah won a beauty spot, but it was being on stage and seeing the captured audience that had her hooked. Years later, she was named Miss University and was inducted into the Ole Miss Hall of Fame.

Entering Miss Mississippi takes confidence, talent, physical fitness and determination. Plus, it means going up against the best from every region of the state.

Tanner knew that going into pageants would be competitive, “But I personally thrive under that pressure,” she said. Competitiveness motivates and makes her prepare. “I not only put my best foot forward during the week of Miss Mississippi, but I relaxed during the week knowing I was fully prepared.”

Tanner Fant

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“Pageants are subjective to a person’s perspective and their opinion,” Leah said. “You can’t take it personally.” She added that hours spent studying for interviews and days spent at the gym improved many skills, from interview to presentation. She was also in shape and healthy enough to accomplish more things in athletics.

Hearing her name called as 2017 Miss Mississippi first runner-up, Tanner’s first thought was “I finally get to eat a Freshman 15 burger and salted caramel milkshake from Bulldog Burger after six months of hardcore training.”

Community Service is possibly the most important thing Tanner and Leah have in common. Tanner received the Quality of Life Award and Leah was runner-up.

“Winning the Quality of Life Award felt like winning Miss Mississippi,” said Tanner, who, at the age of 14, started the “Let’s All Dance” program for children with special needs. Six years later, the program transformed into four sectors: a program for children with special needs, a program for individuals in assisted living or nursing homes, free after school programs for children who cannot afford to take dance classes, and master dance classes that raise money for Children’s Miracle Network. “My goal for “Let’s All Dance” is to create an inclusive, more unified Mississippi by giving every person the opportunity to participate in the arts,” Tanner explained. She credits the program’s success and the Quality of Life Award to the encouragement and guidance of the Starkville community.

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Leah’s platform, highway safety, was her passion and the pledge she made going into high school, because car accidents remain the number one killer of teens. “I think people understood my position and I was making a difference in the community,” Leah said. People still come up to Leah to say they wear their seatbelt now and that no one will text and drive. “Sometimes, you don’t know if you are resonating with the audience, but when you see the impact you’ve made, that’s the best pay off. Driving safety is something everyone finds a connection to.”

For the future, Tanner dreams of moving to New York and dancing with a professional contemporary company or on Broadway.

“But I can only dance professionally so long before my body literally gives out on me,” Tanner said, and that’s where her additional studies come into play.

While choosing a major in dance, specializing in performance and choreography, with a minor in psychology and public relations, Tanner plans to combine her areas of study to build a productive, quality future for those in need by establishing “Let’s All Dance” as a national nonprofit organization and outreach program.

Even in high school, Leah wanted to work in journalism and at 15, she started a website called “The Leah Show,” where she was the voice of people who didn’t have a voice in the community. “Hopefully we can revive the Leah show,” Leah said, “Because we have more in common than we have differences.”

For girls entering the pageant world, “There is not a thing or title in this world that is worth sacrificing your self-worth over,” Tanner said.

“Just because you’re not the loudest person in the room doesn’t mean that your opinion is not important,” Leah said. “Everyone has a part to play.”

November 2017 | 37

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Kidney Stones?

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is an outpatient technique for treating kidney stones that does not require surgery. Instead, high-energy shock waves are passed through the body and used to break stones into pieces as small as grains of sand, so they can easily be passed from the body.

Dr. Gordon Castleberry and his team can assist you in dealing with painful kidney stones or other urology needs. If you are having problems, don’t hesitate to call for an appointment.

662-324-1097 1207 Hwy 182 W, Suite B • Starkville

November 2017 | 39

Create the Perfect Look for Fall

Step by Step Make Up Tutorial

Written by Alaina Prentice, Merle Norman Luna Bella

Step 1: Eyes Apply Shadow Stick in “Fortune” all over the lid in a thin layer, this will act as the eye shadow primer. This will keep the eye shadow on longer, prevent creasing and allow the true color of the shadow to show. Using Eye Shadow in “Sand Dune”, apply a generous amount on the inside corner of the eye. Using an angled or crease eye brush, apply eye shadow in “Cola” on the outside portion of the eye, in an almond or sideways “V” shape.

Start along the upper lash line, and curve upward into the crease. Then add the third color, “Harvest” to the middle of the eye lid. Blend all colors so that you cannot tell where one ends and the other begins. Apply Soft Touch Eyeliner in “Teak” to the top and bottom of the eye. To make the eye appear larger, only go about half way on the bottom portion of the eye. Apply a coat of mascara primer and Supreme Lash Mascara in black. As you apply your mascara, wiggle the wand in a zig zag motion to deposit more product onto the lashes. For the brows, use Natural Brow Powder to fill in any gaps to create a natural brow look. Seal it with brow sealer.

A little secret: If you apply your eye makeup first, you have less cleanup and damage control to deal with, so begin with your eyes .

Mascara tip: Never pump your mascara wand in the tube, this dries the mascara out quicker! Replace your mascara every 3-4 months.

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Products used: Shadow Stick in Fortune, Eye Shadows in Sand Dune, Cola and Harvest, Soft Touch Eyeliner in Teak, Mascara Primer, Supreme Lash Mascara in Black, Natural Brow Powder in Taupe, Brow Sealer in Light Brown

Step 2: Prep Your Skin

On cleansed and toned skin, apply a thin layer of moisturizer and foundation primer. Then follow with foundation. Remember to blend your foundation on your neck, but it is not necessary to add foundation to the neck. Apply a concealer that is a slightly lighter shade than your foundation under your eyes in a “V” shape so that the concealer is blended over the cheek bone. Set the foundation with a small amount of setting powder if desired.

Applying the powder only in the T-zone area will set the foundation without setting in any fine lines or wrinkles.

Foundation Tip: When matching your correct shade, for lighter to medium skin tones, match the color on your neck. For medium to darker skin tones match the color on your forehead. To find out if you are a Warm, Cool or Neutral, look at your wrist! If the veins in your wrist are a greenish color you are a warm, blue veins are a cool, and a neutral is a bluish green mix.

Products used: Day Crème with HC-12, Foundation Primer Plus SPF 15, Aqua Balance Makeup in M50, Creamy Concealer in Medium, and Flawless Effect Loose Powder in Almost Tan.

Step 3: Final Touches.. Color!

Apply the highlighter under the eyes on the cheek bones, bridge of the nose, forehead and chin. To contour or sculpt, apply the contour in a “3” shape on the sides of your face: along the hairline of the sides of your forehead, under the cheek bones, along the jaw line, on the neck, and the sides of your nose. Apply your cheek color on the apples of your cheeks and dust upward with a lighter hand towards the top of your ear. On the lips, apply the lip liner over the entire lip, almost as if it were the lipstick itself. Then apply your lipstick all over. This lipstick technique will allow your lipliner to stain your lips and will keep your lipstick on longer. Set your makeup with a setting spray.

Products Used: Contouring & Highlight Duo, Lasting Cheekcolor in Rich Rose, Lip Pencil Plus in Mocha Honey and Expert Touch Finishing Spray.

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Shattered

but Still Whole By: Katie Langley, PT, PMA-CPT of Therapeutic Pilates, LLC

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t— you’re right.”

~Henry Ford

ver my years as a Physical Therapist, I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the most courageous and resilient O people on the planet. From homeowners who’ve fallen off ladders, to athletes injured in the sport they love, to those born with disabilities, to patients recuperating after surgery, I’ve witnessed the power of the human spirit to

triumph over adversity. Initially, many of my clients felt disheartened, resentful, or even helpless about their physical situation. Their bodies were hurting, and they couldn’t do the things they once could do with ease. Eventually, most of them realized they had a choice. They could remain bitter and defeated or they could decide that their imperfections did not define them. They could work hard over time and improve to the degree physically possible, or they could half-heartedly go through the motions of rehabilitation. Time and time again, I saw amazing people whose bodies were shattered decide that they were still whole.

Less inspiring perhaps, but far more common, is the story of all of us who notice that our body and activity levels are changing through the natural aging process. Simply put, we aren’t what we used to be! But we have a choice as well.

We can ignore the call to get up off the sofa, or we can find an activity that engages us so we can manage our aches and pains more effectively and prevent further decline. No longer able to run a marathon? What about walking a half-marathon relay with friends? No longer able to play tennis? What about swimming or Pilates? For each of us, the challenge is to create that balance between finding a way to keep ourselves active and healthy while honoring our imperfections and limitations. Resetting our fitness goals, moving forward to be all we can be, and finding new contentment in our efforts can make us feel energized and in love with life again.

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

~ Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter Being grateful for what we have, what our bodies are capable of doing during each stage of life no matter our imperfections, and continually setting new goals, are keys to being fully awake and fully alive. And even one small change can make a world of difference. Is there one small change you’re willing to make?

Keep growing, keep setting new goals and keep a grateful heart for the life you’ve been given!

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Proud to be

Partners for the

Healthof

Mississippians

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi and Columbus Orthopaedic Clinic and Surgery Center have partnered to be North Mississippi’s leader in outpatient total joint surgery.

Helping to provide Mississippians with cost-efficient and quality care is one of the many reasons why it’s good to be Blue.

Now available to State of Mississippi Health Plan Participants.

www.bcbsms.com Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Registered Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

November 2017 | 43

United Way of North Central Mississippi: Be a Volunteer This Season Article by Carly Phillips

“

Volunteers are like the breath of life for most things,” says Candy Crecink, the executive director for the United Way of North Central Mississippi. “We are reliant on volunteers.”

United Way works hand in hand with 15 different agencies in the area and surrounding counties to ensure that needs are met in the community. They strive for positive change and growth and go by the philosophy “stronger neighbors make a stronger community.”

United Way and the agencies it supports are always welcoming help in any form, especially volunteer work.

Most of the things they do are solely made of volunteer teams and are essential to putting on these programs.

To find the willing and able, they go through Volunteer Starkville, which is the community volunteer center that aims to help “…individuals and groups find volunteer opportunities that match his/her/their interests and/ or skills while helping local nonprofits recruit volunteers for their volunteer needs” (www.volunteerstarkville.org).

They also put information in their press releases when people are needed, they contact people that have helped in the past, and of course they welcome newcomers.

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“What is really amazing about this area, especially the Starkville area, [is that] we’re a very impressive community,” Crecink says. “People are noting us in all of our successes we are experiencing right now. One of the secrets to being a positive place to live is the genuine care and concern neighbors have for neighbors here. We are the community builders. We know all of the issues going on and we know all the resources we have. We have to ensure that neighbors remain taking care of their neighbors.

A lot of the events you go to – the volunteers, if you get to know them, – they come from all walks of life and no one is better than the next person here. It is one of the most refreshing communities.”

There are many ways to get involved with United Way and all of the groups they help, or you can single in on one specific group. You can get in touch directly with Crecink and she will direct you to an opportunity, or you can search for events currently taking place through Volunteer Starkville.

United We Feed, the local fall project that United Way coordinates with community help and volunteer efforts, begins in October and lasts until late November or early December. They gather and offer food to 10 local food pantries, three school programs, a casserole kitchen and the Salvation Army. It is organized so that each group can come to the distribution point, find what they need and then take it. Crecink says that they managed to give eight tons of food last year. This year they are hoping for twelve.

“Most of these people who run these places say ‘We really appreciate this. We face the fact that these people are hungry year round,”’ Crecink says. “When you get the hugs from these food pantry people, you know you’ve hit the mark.”

Before they make it to the distribution part, they volunteer 3 weekends of the month at Kroger, Vowell’s and one weekend at the Oktibbeha County co-op for pets.

“We have volunteers out there encouraging people. We give them a little list of what foods we want and they go in there and bring them out and make a big deal when they put them in the big red boxes,” Crecink says. “They [volunteers] are the ones who are making the people aware.

The way they approach them is vital to the amount we can gather.”

People can even donate money to the cause and the groups will go and buy the needed product for them.

“Between the gathering of the food on the weekends at the grocery stores, the actual organizing of the food at our distribution point and the handing out of the food to the food pantries amongst all the 4 counties, we will probably have close to a hundred volunteers for that and we have someone coordinating those efforts for us,” Crecink says.

Of the 15 agencies, most have things going on year round, but sometimes help is especially needed and appreciated during the holiday season.

The Salvation Army, which states on it’s national website (www.salvationarmyusa.org) that the group “… exists to meet human need wherever, whenever, and however we can,” is a multiservice agency with a center located in Starkville that helps with clothing, food pantry, furniture and utility needs. They have their annual bell ringing that welcomes donations from passersby so that the less fortunate will have meals during the holidays. They also have their Angel Trees Program, which allows people in the community to buy Christmas gifts for children that might not have them otherwise.

Another place to help out would be the Golden Triangle Area Agency on Aging, a group under the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District (GTPDD), whose goal “…is to provide services that assist older persons in leading independent, meaningful and dignified lives in their own homes and communities as long as possible” (www. gtpdd.com).

“The holiday season would be an exceptional time because it’s family time and a lot of them don’t have family,” Crecink says. “It is home services and home meals for the homebound senior citizens. They service 7 counties and there is a waiting list in every one. Can you imagine the holiday season? Some of them do have family that come over, but not continuously.”

If you can’t volunteer your actual time, it is still extremely helpful to make a financial donation. All of the funding donated to United Way is dispersed throughout these 15 agencies.

“If they fund through us, then they know that they helped someone,” Crecink says. “There is no question that their money hasn’t touched. We feel like everyone’s support goes to each and every one of them.”

It is also helpful to “volunteer your voice,” as Crecink says. “You might not have time, but you can volunteer your voice and that is priceless. It makes the connection.

You can say every morning when you look in the mirror, ‘I helped someone today.’”

Other groups include: American Red Cross (Northeast Mississippi Chapter), Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Club of Oktibbeha County, CONTACT Helpline, The Father’s Child Ministries, 4-H Clubs, Girl Scouts (Heart of the South), Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity, Helping Hands Ministries of Oktibbeha County, Oktibbeha County Humane Society, Safe Haven/The Rape Crisis Center, and The Sally Kate Winters Children’s Home/Sally Kate Winters Family Services.

November 2017 | 45

MADE IN MISSISSIPPI

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flextone

Waterfowl Calls

Written by Joe Lee • Photos provided by Tom Wiley

T

om Wiley knows without a doubt that had he been busier on the overnight shift as an ER nurse more than two decades ago, his career path could have turned out much differently – and Flextone Game Calls, a brand known far and wide, might not exist.

“I worked 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. at Oktibbeha County Hospital,” said Wiley, a 1995 graduate of Mississippi University for Women with a degree in nursing. “There were bad things that happened occasionally, emergencies, but most of the time overnight there wasn’t much going on.”

“I would braid duck call lanyards to carry around your neck if I was caught up on my shift work. I would then trade the lanyards for shotgun shells and coats to support my duck-calling addiction. One day I was walking out of The Southern Sportsman with a parka and was asked if I made duck calls. That got my wheels turning.”

Wiley said that when a patient who’d been injured in a car accident was brought into the emergency room one night, the ER team put a pleurovac unit in him (which inflates the lungs).

“It has vinyl tubing which goes down to a water seal tank,” Wiley said. “I was cleaning up the trauma room and saw the tubing. That was where I got the idea for the duck calls using flexible materials.”

An avid outdoorsman and hunter growing up, Wiley realized very quickly that a great product or idea is only part of the equation when launching a business.

“I originally applied for the patent in late 1997.

It was granted in 2000,” Wiley said. “In those days, retail trade shows were a productive form of advertising, long before the internet was a big part of commerce. So I worked a lot of retail trade shows and made sales calls myself.”

“I was at the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival in Memphis, and someone with (the now-defunct) Herter’s company came by my booth and fell in love with my first flexible duck call. They had a big catalog back in the day, and the Bass Pro Shops buyer called me as soon as it hit the Herter’s catalog. After Bass Pro Shops, there was Cabela’s.”

November 2017 | 47

“Those things really catapulted the company,” Wiley said. “When we got into deer calls, it opened up a better revenue stream because of the size of the deer-hunting market.”

All these years later, Wiley is able to work from his office in Starkville on new products and be completely free of all the hats he wore at the outset. He remains deeply appreciative of the folks who were there for him in the beginning.

“I really had a lot of help,” Wiley said. “I found an injection molder who was interested in duck hunting. Without him amortizing the cost of the molds, I never would have had the funding to build them. I met another man who was between jobs, a former vice-president of marketing for a multi-million-dollar company, who helped with my marketing pro bono.”

The Duck Dynasty TV series brought a lot of attention to game calls, but Wiley met members of the Robertson family years ago and even designed, manufactured and sold the Buck Commander line of deer calls – including a few with Si Robertson’s name on them.

At present, Wiley is in the patent process with a company called Montana Decoy for a turkey decoy he designed. If all goes well, that product will launch in a year and join other Flextone game calls on the shelves of Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, Oktibbeha County Co-op and The Sports Center in the Golden Triangle area.

“I really am proud that most game calls sold on the market today – especially in the deer call category – include flexible materials,” Wiley said. “Prior to my invention, all game calls had been made of hard plastic or wood. We really did change the whole category. And I’m not about to take all the credit for it. I had a tremendous amount of help along the way.”

www.flextonegamecalls.com facebook.com/flextonegamecalls instagram.com/flextonegamecalls

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DIAMONDS & FINE JEWELRY

A Great Tradition Continues Fine Jewelry & Watches Expert In-House Jewelry Repair

Golden Triangle’s Exclusive

Dealer Jamie Parkerson - Graduate Gemologist

www.jparkersonjewelers.com 100 Russell St., Suite 7 • Starkville 662-268-8058

November 2017 | 49

DIY

Thanksgiving Cornucopia Article and photos by Amy Myers This new twist for a Thanksgiving cornucopia offers so many possibilities!

Cornucopias are fun and beautiful for decorating. If you’re having trouble getting that custom look you want, here’s an easy, inexpensive DIY project.

Materials: Plastic megaphone Fall fabric of your choice Fall floral pieces Heavy-duty glue or duct tape Floral foam or Styrofoam Scissors Pipe cleaners or wire Decorative gourds, if desired 50 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Step 1: Secure pipe cleaners or wire inside the mouthpiece of the megaphone, as seen in the photo. This will be the “tail end.�

I used duct tape for this. It’s easier to remove, and I might want to reuse the megaphone for something else later.

Step 2: Make sure you have enough fabric to cover the megaphone. Secure it from the inside, covering the whole megaphone, as the photo shows.

Step 3: As you wrap the megaphone, fold fabric around the tail end, to cover pipe cleaners.

November 2017 | 51

Step 4: Hot glue or super glue the fabric together at the end, so it stays secure.

Step 5: Insert the foam piece, and use it to secure fall floral stems. Add any other items you wish, and your fall cornucopia is complete!

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November 2017 | 53

Taste & Toast

Glazed Stuffed Turkey Breast

Article and photos by Karen Gerard

Ingredients: 1 butterflied turkey breast 2 cups Dressed Up Boxed Dressing 6 tbsp butter, softened Salt and pepper Kitchen twine

Glaze: 2 tbsp honey 2 tbsp beer can chicken seasoning Juice of 1 large orange 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp soy sauce

Preheat oven to 400F.

Butterfly your turkey breast and cover it in plastic wrap on the cutting board.

Flatten the meat with a mallet or rolling pin to expand the surface area.

Spread the inside of the breast with 4 tablespoons of the

softened butter and then cover with dressing and press into an even surface.

Starting from one side, gently roll the meat into a log and use kitchen twine to secure.

Spread the remaining softened butter all over the rolled breast and then season with salt and pepper.

Prepare the Glaze:

Combine all glaze ingredients and bring to a boil in a sauce pan.

Remove from heat.

Brush the outside of the rolled stuffed breast and then bake on a rack in the center of the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the interior reaches 165F. 54 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Leftover Stuffing Waffle Sandwhich Making creative next-day meals out of Thanksgiving leftovers is one of the best ways to keep impressing your loved ones with your holiday cooking skills.

Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray or softened butter 1 recipe Dressed Up Boxed Dressing (see on page 59) Thanksgiving leftovers of your choice Gravy or maple syrup

Preheat a waffle iron and prepare with cooking spray or butter.

Spread an even layer of stuffing over the iron and cook until your waffle iron timer sounds or to desired crispness.

Keep warm on a baking sheet in a 200F degree oven while making all of your waffles.

Build a sandwich with your favorite thanksgiving leftovers such as cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, turkey, ham, and gravy or maple syrup. *Or eat waffles as is, served with gravy, syrup, or cranberry sauce.

November 2017 | 55

Sweet Potato Hand Pies s!

op p i l l o l r o * Ingredients: Filling:

1/4 tsp salt 2 large orange sweet potatoes 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg, beaten 1/8 cup half-and-half 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Crust:

16 oz (4 sticks) butter 2-2 1/2 cups flour 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup ice water

Glaze:

1 cup of powdered sugar 1 teaspoon of water

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To prepare filling: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and then add the sweet potatoes and a large pinch of salt.

Turn the heat down to medium and simmer until the potatoes can be easily pierced by a fork, 30 minutes or more.

Drain the potatoes and pull the skins off under cold running water. Use an electric mixer or blender to turn the softened potatoes into a smooth puree.

Add the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, beaten eggs, half and half, and cinnamon and nutmeg to the sweet potatoes.

Beat or blend until incorporated.

To make crust: Cube the butter and place in freezer for at least 1 hour.

Whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.

Cut the butter into the flour until it resembles a coarse meal with pea-sized butter pieces.

Slowly drizzle the water into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Scrape out bowl onto a clean, lightly floured surface and gather dough into a flat disc.

Wrap tightly with plastic and rest in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Divide chilled dough into 12 balls. Gently flatten each ball with a rolling pin to 1/4 inch thickness.

If making hand pies cut a 5-6 inch round and place a heaping tablespoon of filling into the center.

Use water or egg wash to close and seal.

Press the edges with the tines of a fork or a paring knife. *If making lollipies cut two 3 inch discs and press a lollipop stick into the center of one disc before topping with a heaping teaspoon of filling.

Cover with second disc, use egg wash or water and press to seal.

Cut vents into the tops and arrange your pies on a parchment-covered baking sheet.

Bake at 375F for 25-30 minutes or until glossy and brown.

Cool slightly before removing pies from baking sheet.

While pies are cooling whisk powdered sugar and water to create a smooth, thick glaze.

Add more sugar or water to achieve desired drizzling consistency.

Drizzle cooled pies with glaze. Serve at room temperature.

November 2017 | 57

Potato Rolls

To prepare these rolls quickly or with different flavors, use instant mashed potatoes that come in garlic, loaded or cheese flavors.

Ingredients:

4 - 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 1/2 tsp instant yeast 1 1/4 cups milk heated to lukewarm 3 tbsp sugar 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 egg lightly beaten 1/2 cup mashed potato

Combine 2 cups of flour and yeast in a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and stir.

Add milk, sugar, butter, and salt. Continue to mix on low until a dough begins to form.

Add the beaten egg and mashed potatoes.

Once combined, add 2 more cups of flour and increase mixing speed to medium. If dough is sticky slowly add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time until it is smooth and elastic.

Shape into a ball and place in a greased bowl.

Cover for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

When risen, press down and turn onto a floured surface.

Divide dough into two pieces, cover and let rest 10 minutes.

Divide each half into 12 pieces.

Roll each piece against a clean surface to create a ball and place into a 9x13 pan that has been buttered or lightly sprayed with cooking spray.

Let rise in pan for 30-40 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake for 20-22 minutes or until tops are golden brown.

Remove rolls in one sheet from pan and let cool on a wire rack. *To Make Ahead: After shaping the rolls refrigerate them in the pan for 2-24 hours. Before baking, let the pan come to room temperature while covered, 30 minutes. Uncover pan and bake according to directions.

Dressed Up Boxed Dressing We all secretly love a pile of store-bought stuffing.This recipe adds homemade oomph and lots of flavor to pre- packaged bread crumbs.or cheese flavors.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil 16 oz ground sweet Italian sausage 1 tart apple, peeled and cubed 2 celery ribs, finely diced 2 tbsp each chopped fresh sage, rosemary, thyme 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 3 cloves garlic, minced 6 cups dry stuffing mix 3 cups water or vegetable stock 2 tbsp butter

Pour stuffing mix into a large mixing bowl.

Brown Italian sausage in a skillet and remove with a slotted spoon to the mixing bowl.

Discard grease and add olive oil to skillet with chopped herbs, garlic, celery, and apple.

Saute on low until celery, garlic, and apple have softened.

Add to mixing bowl and toss with sausage and stuffing mix.

Bring water or vegetable stock to a boil with butter and immediately pour over stuffing mix.

Gently mix with a fork and then cover with plastic wrap or a dinner plate.

Fluff with a fork before serving.

November 2017 | 59

November Fashion

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Photography by Divian Connor Hair styled by Chromatix on Main Make up by Merle Norman Luna Bella November 2017 | 61

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U.S. Air Force couple finds MSU online programs are right fit for any location

MSU Online Right Fit for Military Couple

By JoLee Clark

Trevor and Kelly

Reiss met while training as weather technicians in the United States Air Force and married in 2012. As weather technicians, both assisted with moving military assets based on weather patterns. For example, Trevor explained, coordinating remotely piloted aircraft surveillance also requires paying attention to cloud cover and other weather conditions.

Trevor knew he needed a degree in order to pursue his desired career path.

While stationed at Shaw Air Force base in South Carolina in 2012, he enrolled in Mississippi State University’s online broadcast and operational meteorology program. Several colleagues had told him about MSU’s online meteorology program, and those recommendations along with the university’s reputation as a veteran-friendly school helped him make the decision to move forward.

He said while in the military he did not put a lot of effort into connecting with the Bulldog family; however, he took pride in the quality of education he was receiving.

“I was proud of the program. Onethird of the on-air meteorologists in the U.S. today come from this program, so I was proud to tell others I was in the program at MSU,” Trevor said.

Kelly, after seven years on active duty, now serves in the reserves since the birth of their two-year-old son, Austin.

She enrolled at MSU in 2016 after the couple moved to Starkville. Pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies, Kelly said both she and Trevor now enjoy taking classes online and on campus.

Both also said they have benefitted from MSU’s Center for America’s Veterans and received “near flawless” help with the GI Bill and other military assistance.

“The Center for America’s Veterans is the best,” Kelly said. “The new building is state-of-the-art with small study areas, and someone is always there to help out

Trevor and Kelly Reiss (Photo by Nikki Harper)

if you need anything.”

Regarding his online experience at MSU, Trevor said, “As for veterans pursuing a degree at MSU, I don’t see a reason not to go. The G.V. ‘Sonny’ Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans in known nationally for being great for vets.”

The convenience of online education was always a big draw for Trevor.

“…on active duty, there is no way to predict your schedule, and you’re not able to accommodate the mission around your needs because there is an assignment due, he said.

“You can be anywhere in the world and still take [online] classes.”

“When on active duty, there is no way to predict your schedule, and you’re not able to accommodate the mission around your needs because there is an assignment due,” he said.

“You can be anywhere in the world and still take classes. I can work a 40-hour workweek, spend time with my family and complete assignments while watching TV at night. Or, if Austin wakes up from his nap, I can pause a lecture and go play with him and go back to my studies later,” Trevor said.

He added that the online and on-

campus experiences are different, with advantages to both. For him, flexibility was a key advantage of online coursework.

“With the video lectures, they are always available. If I need to watch a lecture multiple times in order to get a concept, I can do that. It’s not the same if you are in a classroom and only hear it one time.”

Kelly said she would tell anyone considering earning a degree online, “Do it sooner rather than later. I procrastinated, not sure I could do it; but, it is so worth it.”

The Reiss’enjoy spending time outdoors as a family. Now that they call Starkville home, they enjoy walks at the university’s R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center, also known as North Farm, and they take advantage of local family-friendly activities, like Starkville’s Pumpkinpalooza and MSU’s annual Easter egg hunt.

“We like how much the community does together. It’s nice to be able to be a part of the community because it was hard to get involved in activities while stationed in Germany,” Trevor said.

Upon their graduation in May, Kelly plans to pursue a career in the insurance industry, while Trevor will be commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.

Nicole Faith Berman

Submitted photo/courtesy of Mitchell E. Berman

SCHOLARSH IP

By Joni Seitz S

tephanie McCrary of Pelahatchie, a Mississippi State University student pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in psychology, is the 2017 recipient of the Nicole Faith Berman Scholarship.

Established in 2012 by Mitchell E. Berman, head of MSU’s Department of Psychology, the scholarship honors the memory of his daughter, a young attorney who had a love for family law. Mitchell said his daughter was committed to serving children and families, especially those experiencing diffi cult times, and this devotion was the foundation of the scholarship.

McCrary’s solid academic record and notable essay describing how the scholarship would benefi t her goal of serving children made her the obvious choice, Mitchell said. In her essay, McCrary described her desire to become a teacher, along with an objective to “understand and encourage students, especially those experiencing obstacles, and help them reach their full potential.”

McCrary is familiar with children facing challenges. Early in life, her son Leland was diagnosed with several health disorders, which prompted an assignment to a special education classroom.

“I knew my son was capable of learning in a mainstream classroom, so I became his biggest advocate. I was his voice,” McCrary said.

Her efforts were successful, and Leland is thriving today.

She intends to combine her education, love of children and personal experiences to become a champion for children in the classroom.

“I vow to be a positive infl uence in the lives of all students and be a voice for all, regardless of ability or disability,” she said.

Because of her parental responsibilities, attending school on campus has not been a viable option. The ability to secure her education online at MSU has enabled McCrary to realize her goal of becoming a teacher. She will graduate in December and has already begun the application process to take the next step in higher education with MSU’s online Master of Arts – Secondary Alternate Route.

“Nicole would support Stephanie’s plans to be an advocate in the classroom for children,” said Berman, “and she would love that Stephanie is doing it in an untraditional manner.”

MSU’s Center for Distance Education offers 37 accredited online programs from several colleges at the university. Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as professional certifi cates, are available to students across the country and around the world. For more, visit distance.msstate.edu.

If you would like to make a gift to the CDE scholarship fund, visit www.msufoundation.com and designate your gift to the Distance Makes a Difference Scholarship Fund.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.

Stephanie McCrary swings her son, Leland. (Photo by Karen Crow)

November 2017 | 69

Mississippi State November Athletics Schedule FOOTBALL (M)

VOLLEYBALL (W)

Nov. 4 MSU VS. UMASS @ Starkville Nov. 3 MSU VS. Georgia @ Athens, GA Nov. 11 MSU VS. Alabama @ Starkville Nov. 5 MSU VS. Ole Miss @ Oxford, MS Nov. 18 MSU VS. Arkansas @ Fayetteville, AR Nov. 10 MSU VS. LSU @ Starkville Nov. 23 MSU VS. Ole Miss @ Starkville (Egg Bowl) Nov. 17 MSU VS. Missouri @ Starkville Nov. 19 MSU VS. Auburn @ Auburn, AL Nov. 22 MSU VS. Texas A&M @ Starkville Nov. 2 MSU VS. West Florida (Exh.) @ Starkville Nov. 24 MSU VS. South Carolina @ Columbia, SC Nov. 10 MSU VS. Alabama State @ Starkville Nov. 18 MSU VS. Florida A&M @ Starkville Nov. 20 MSU VS. Wisconsin Green Bay @ Starkville Nov. 2 & 5 MSU VS. SEC (SEC Championship) Nov. 22 MSU VS. Stephen F. Austin @ Starkville @ Orange Beach, AL Nov. 26 MSU VS. Jacksonville State @ Starkville Nov. 10 MSU VS. NCAA (NCAA First Round) Nov. 30 MSU VS. North Dakota State @ Starkville @ Various Sites Nov. 17 MSU VS. NCAA (NCAA Second/Third Rounds) @ Various Sites Nov. 3 MSU VS. Arkansas-Fort Smith (Exh.) Nov. 24 MSU VS. NCAA (NCAA Quarterfinals) @ Starkville @ Various Sites Nov. 10 MSU VS. Virginia @ Starkville Nov. 16 MSU VS. Georgia State @ Starkville Nov. 19 MSU VS. Southern Miss @ Starkville Nov. 3-5 MSU VS. BU (2017 Battle at the Beach) @ Nov. 23 MSU VS. Arizona State @ Cancun, Mexico Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Nov. 24 MSU VS. Columbia @ Cancun, Mexico (Club Campestre San José) Nov. 25 MSU VS. Green Bay @ Cancun, Mexico Nov. 29 MSU VS. ULL @ Jackson, MS (Mississippi Coliseum) Nov. 10 MSU VS. NCAA (NCAA South Regional Championships) @ Tuscaloosa, AL Nov. 1-5 MSU VS. ITA Nov. 18 MSU VS. NCAA (Oracle ITA National Fall Championships) (NCAA Championships) @ Louisville, KY @ Indian Wells, CA Nov. 10 MSU VS. USTA Futures @ Pensacola, FL Nov. 11 MSU VS. USTA Challenger @ Champaign, IL

BASKETBALL (M)

SOCCER (W)

BASKETBALL (W)

GOLF (W)

CROSS COUNTRY (W)

TENNIS (M)

Columbus Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Beards Antiques

Photos by Carole Ann Doughty • October 12, 2017

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GSDP Black and Orange Bash Photos by Margaret McMullen • October 19, 2017

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6 1. Hunter Harrington Mary Jane Runnels, Paige Watson, Pat Lane, and Scott Maynard 2. Christy Miller and Ali Jones 3. Phillip and Joanne To 4. Emily Jones and Marie Porterra 5. Dean Smith, Teri Latham, and Latisia Phillips 6. Mike Cayson, Jackie Wofford and Nina Welch Wofford

Art in the Park Photos by Margaret McMullen • October 7, 2017

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6 1. Braylee Gilliand, Waydlee Belle Jones, Carly Jones 2. Jadyn Smith, Alyssa Locklear, Saida Chonco and Maryann Reava 3. Amanda Sorrells, Mathew Sorrells and Landon Oswalt 4. Jack Harrison Myers, Eleanor and Ashley Myers 6. Elizabeth Boyd

Pumpkin Palooza Photos by Sarah Raines • October 13, 2017

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6 2. Victoria Vivians 5. Mark Coblentz 6. Troy DeRego, TJ Kepner, Caroline Lamm and Lila Lamm

NOV 12

Christmas Open House & Cookies with Santa

NOV 27

Christmas Parade

6pm • Main Street

NOV 29-30 Holiday Bazaar

10am-7pm The Mill

DEC 3

Holiday Tour of Homes IG: @starkvillems

/mscollegetown

visit.starkville.org

Martha Fulcher, DNP, MSN, RNC Chief Nursing Officer

As a 40-year veteran of OCH, chief nursing officer Martha Fulcher, has forgotten more about our hospital than many folks will ever know about it! Working first as a nurse in the maternal-child unit, then as labor and delivery supervisor and, ultimately landing the CNO role, Martha has seen a great deal of change over the years. She’s witnessed everything from the days when family doctors delivered babies to today’s electronic medical records, but she says one thing that has remained the same is OCH’s philosophy of care: patients come first.

Martha and her team of 230-plus nurses are the bulk of the staff at OCH Regional Medical Center. Day-in and day-out they provide high-quality, compassionate care to the hospital’s more than 2,400 inpatients and almost 42,000 outpatients annually. Under Martha’s direction, OCH nurses pride themselves in doing much more than just what the job calls for; they strive daily to provide the kindness and personal attention for which OCH is known, always focusing on what’s best for the patient first and foremost. Their recent selection for the Hurst Gold Standard of Nursing Award illustrates that Martha and her team are truly fulfilling their goal of providing patient-first care!

Advanced Medicine. Compassionate Care.

That’s why OCH is MY Hospital!