Town and Gown Magazine by Town & Gown Magazine

SEPTEMBER 2012

Photography by Divian Conner

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editor’s note

month has gone by since becoming editor for Town and Gown Magazine. I have loved hearing all the wonderful responses from our readers. Football, tailgating and all things maroon and white are pouring out of this month’s issue and I hope reading this will put you in the bulldog spirit. Mississippi State University has grown over the past few years and keeps moving forward with the new football complex, the Seal Building, being built with a promising finish date of the beginning of 2013. (page 30) Look for a digital night perspective photo of the future expansion of Davis Wade Stadium on page 20 and on page 26 Scott Stricklin tells all about his position as the Athletic Director of MSU. When kickoff starts this season be searching the crowds for the “Candyman” with his insulated cooloer full of candy (page 15) and read on page 11 about Dr. Ken Ramsey who has not missed 402 football games in 35 years. Football and fashion do not mix, but Lindsay Jo’s Style Update brings fashion to football just in time for tailgating in the Junction. Tailgating, tablescapes and MSU gift ideas start on page 44 and the former Nashstreet band members, Hannah and Caroline Melby, are back as HanaLena making a name for themselves in Nashville. (page 71) This football season you will be ready to cheer, look good while doing it and be up to date on the latest news about MSU. I know I will be in the spirit as a MSU alumni with my maroon and white on and a cowbell in my hand cheering with all the Town and Gown Magazine MSU fans! Go Bulldogs!

Left: My sister Ashley, mother Charlotte, and father Donnie and I at the Junction at a 2011 football game.

Claire Massey

Above: My Tri Delta little sister, Merideth Garrett, my sister Ashley and I at the Junction at a 2011 football game.

Editor Claire Massey

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

{

staff

}

Don Norman | publisher sdnpublisher@bellsouth.net

Claire Massey | editor claire@townandgownmagazine.com

Jessica Bailey | acct. exec. jessica@ townandgownmagazine.com

Ann Ashton Jones | acct. exec. annashton@ townandgownmagazine.com

{

writers

}

Mike Christensen Emily Jones Joe Lee Claire Massey Hellen Polk Kate Salter Lindsay Jo Wilkinson Milton Whatley

{

ph o t o g r aph e r s

}

Divian Conner Ashley Covin Laura Daniels Claire Massey Debbie Montgomery Hannah Tibbetts

{

pa g e d e s i g n

}

Claire Massey

{

advertising 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.

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Contents PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU MEDIA RELATIONS PHOTO COURTESY OF EYE MODEL MANAgEMENT, FAIRLIgHT HUbbARD

PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU MEDIA RELATIONS

48 32

On the cover SE PT EM BE

R 20 12

features 11

A True Maroon Dr. Ken Ramsey with perfect attendance

They Call him “candy Man” Ron Caulfield - a one-man parade

PHOTO BY DIVIAN CONNER

EDITOR’S NOTE

INSIDE OUT

EAT DRINK

SHOPPING

SEC Expansion Texas A&M & Missouri

LIFESTYLES

NEAR FAR

Reaching New Heights Davis Wade Stadium Expansion

ON THE PAGE

Q & A with scott stricklin

SEE HEAR

RHYTHMS

Moving Forward Seal Building

OUT AND ABOUT

Changing the Game Tyler Russell as MSU Quarterback

Players to Watch Lead Contenders

MSU Athletic Director Scott Stricklin and Head Football Coach Dan Mullen at Davis Wade Stadium.

Departments

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A True Maroon

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BY EMILY JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIVIAN CONNER AND SUBMITTED

nd the award for most loyal MSU football fan goes to …. Drum roll, please … a man who has not missed a MSU football game in 35 years, tallying up 402 consecutive

games! Dr. Kenneth Ramsey of Starkville holds the (unofficial) record for perfect attendance at Bulldog gridiron contests which includes both home and road games. He continues to be undeterred by rain, sleet, snow and some very lean years when wins were hard to come by. “There may have been others to attend almost as many games, but ‘consecutive’ is pretty impressive,” said Joe Dier of MSU Media Relations. “We would love to know if anyone can beat this record.” Bulldog Club director Straton Karatassos makes it his business to know all die-hard fans, and he concurs that Ramsey likely holds the all-time best attendance record. For Ramsey, a dentist who retired in 2010, it’s become a badge of honor and a simple case of loyalty to his alma mater. “When a team is winning and on top of the world, the players don’t really need you in the stands,” he said. “The winning takes care of their problems and their aches and pains. But when you are losing, the players need you to be there for them, because simply being in the stands gives them strength to fight on.” “How easy it is to be an LSU, a Bama, or an Auburn fan. To be an MSU bulldog fan takes a certain kind of strength, optimism, and an us-against-the-world attitude that fits us well.” His perfect attendance streak began during the 1977 season when he was busy building his dental practice in Pascagoula. He and his wife, Kathy, enjoyed attending home games and tailgating with old friends. They decided it would be fun to visit other campuses in the SEC and beyond. “In 1977, we traveled to Kansas State, Kentucky, Memphis State, Auburn and LSU. In those days we played many “home” games in Jackson. Those Jackson games were against Florida, Alabama and Ole Miss. Talk about a murderous schedule! We had a whopping two (true) home games. We visited three new campuses that year and that kind of hooked us to going to away games.” “I guess when I attended my 100th consecutive game, which would have been around the first game in 1986, I really got hooked. There was no way I was going to miss a game unless something awfully important superseded it.” There have been several close calls that could have ended the streak had he not been so committed. He attended the funeral of his grandmother on a Friday, then hopped a plane to watch the Bulldogs play University of Georgia in Athens. The closest Ken came to missing a game was mid-80s. He and several friends booked an elk hunting trip to Colorado. They left on a Sunday in September and made the 28-hour trip, taking turns driving his van. They planned to stay until Thursday with just enough time to drive home and get to Starkville for Saturday’s kickoff. No one told Mother Nature. They were deposited on the mountain with tents and provisions expected to last until Thursday. “On Tuesday afternoon, a terrible snow storm hit us and it continued to snow heavily for 48 hours. Since we did not have any way to communicate with the guides, we were just left to fend as best we could.” “Anyway, Thursday came and Thursday went. This was way before cell phones, and there was no way for the guides to let us know they were unable to reach us. So we spent an extra day and night stuck in snow up to our waists.”

Above to below: Ken Ramsey with his authentic cowbell with handmade personalized handel. Ken Ramsey and friends at the South Carolina (0) v. Mississippi State University (17) game on Sept., 25, 1999. Ken Ramsey and his wife Kathy at the Ole Miss (20) v. Mississippi Stae University (23) game on Nov. 25, 1999.

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“On Friday, I began to get worried. I knew the return drive would be another 28 hours, so the window of opportunity was slowly closing for me to get to that game. “ The trip back down the mountain was grueling and Ramsey began to understand what it means to be “snowblinded.” “On the way down, I made a decision. I told the others that they would have to take me to the airport when we reached Denver and I would see if I could catch a flight home that night or the next morning. I was in luck, well sort of. There was no flight going anywhere in Mississippi that night. There was an early flight that went to Memphis and then I could connect into Meridian, arriving latemorning. Kathy would pick me up on her way to Starkville from Pascagoula.” It cost him a whopping $2,200, but he had no choice if he wanted to get to the game. “After spending a sleepless night in a chair at the airport, I boarded the early a.m. flight, got to Memphis and then Meridian. Kathy and our tailgate friends were waiting for me. We did indeed make it to the game on time. I don’t even remember who we played or whether we won or lost. I was dead tired.” Kathy has been at his side 99 percent of the time. In 1980 she suffered fractures of both the tibia and fibula from a snow skiing accident. She was in a cast for nine months, but never missed a game that year. “During the 1992 season, she was sick and weak from chemo treatment, but I don’t think she missed a game that year either. She has been a great trouper through all of these games,” he said. In l995, the Ramseys just pulled up stakes and moved to Starkville where he resumed his dental practice. Up to that point, every game was a “road game.” There have been lots of memorable games for Ramsey, but he said the most exciting win came on Nov. 1, 1980 when the Bulldogs beat Alabama 6-3 at Memorial Stadium in Jackson. People not all that familiar with SEC football might wonder, what’s the big deal? “The big deal was that we had not beaten an Alabama football team since 1957,” he exclaimed. “Defending National Champions, Alabama had gone undefeated for two years and was ranked No. 1 in the nation in both polls. We went on to win nine games that year and played (but lost) Nebraska in the Sun Bowl.” Another memorable year was 1986, Rockey Felker’s first year as MSU head coach. The Bulldogs won six out of the first seven games that year, upsetting both Syracuse and Tennessee on the road. “Eight of us flew to Syracuse on Friday for the Saturday game, rented an extended length van, and spent the week in northern N.Y. and Canada after the game. We flew to Knoxville on Friday for the game against Tennessee on Saturday. That was the best road trip ever.” When Jackie Sherrill became MSU’s head coach in 1991, both Bulldogs and fans smelled success. “Those were the years that we knew we had a chance to beat anyone and often did just that. We beat Texas, not only at home but in Austin. We beat Alabama in Starkville in 1996, for the first time in history. I actually have a game-ball and piece of our goal-post from that game. We went to lots of bowl games. It was fun to be a Dawg again.” A fan from another SEC school once asked Ramsey why he attends games MSU is unlikely to win. His answer was simple: “Those losses don’t really stick with me. I carry on through the losses by the elation derived from the wins. The toughest year for me was the 1988 season when we won one game. That year was ultimately labeled ‘Tech and Ten’ when Louisiana Tech was the lone win.”

Above to below: Ramsey and friends at the Gator Bowl on Nov. 1, 2011 against Michigan in Jacksonville, Fla. Score: MSU 52; Michigan 14. Tailgate friends join in Fayetteville, Ark. on Nov., 22, 1979 for the first game played againist Arkansas. Score: MSU 7, UA 17. MSU’s jumbotron displays 402 for the number of games Ramsey has attended since1977. townandgownmagazine.com

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Left: Ramsey and friends at the Gator Bowl on Nov. 1, 2011 against Michigan in Jacksonville, Fla.. Score: MSU 52, Michigan 14. Below: Tailgating friends gather at Colorado State University’s campus on Oct. 10, 1981.

Bo Mayfield prepares his signture turnip green soup for the first time at a Alabama v. Mississippi State University in Nov.1990. The soup is cooked every year since, always on campus, and always in Nov. when the weather cools.

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“I think the toughest loss I have ever experienced was in 1981, when we lost to Bama in Tuscaloosa 10-13. That was the only time in my life that I have actually seen a coach break down and cry after the game, and I think that game literally changed the late coach Emory Bellard forever. “I have been blessed to be around so many great coaches, athletic personal and players over so many years, but one very special episode will always be with me. The year was 1977, and the game was played in Baton Rouge. What is memorable about this game is that my wife baked a birthday cake for one of the players from Moss Point on his 21st birthday.” “We sat the cake under our seats during the game and took it to the player’s entrance after the game. Back in those days we greeted the players after the game, before they boarded the buses for the drive back to Starkville. We caught up with him and presented the birthday cake. He literally broke down crying. Gosh, we did not know what to think or what to do. I finally asked him why he was crying. He said: “This is the first time in my life that anyone has given me a birthday cake.” The Ramseys are busy getting ready for another football season and another year of demonstrating what it means to be “true maroon.” n

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They call him â&#x20AC;&#x153;Candymanâ&#x20AC;?

Flickr.com/rogersmith townandgownmagazine.com

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BY EMILY JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIVIAN CONNER

hey call him “Candyman”, and everyone recognizes this ball of energy who can be seen at practically every MSU sporting event. He’s a sort of a one-man parade, lugging around a huge pack filled with sweet treats for all to sample. He proudly wears maroon and white and a big grin. Among Mississippi State fans, he has assumed the popularity of Santa Claus. While moving through the stands, he greets fans and allows them to select their favorite individually wrapped candies. He often pauses to wave his maroon and white towels, and encourage the crowd to get vocal and cheer on the team. Many don’t know that Candyman has a real name and an uplifting story of how his candy distribution hobby helped rescued him from the depths of depression and illness. In 1975, a painfully shy Ron Caulfield graduated from Mississippi State and went to work as an accountant in the Mississippi Department of Public Safety in Jackson. In the late 1980s, out of the blue, he was struck by what his doctor diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome. “Today it would probably be identified as fibromyalgia. My doctor prescribed an anti-depressant which changed my life. I developed a renewed interest in attending more and more MSU sporting events, and eventually just decided to retire and move back to Starkville. More than a decade ago, friends from Texas A & M visited Starkville to attend Super Bulldog Weekend. They came bearing bags of candy to take to the games. Caulfield began passing out the candy to children in the stands and was such a hit, he bought more for the next game. A tradition was established, to be repeated from one sporting season to the next with unfailing dedication. “At first it was just baseball, basketball and football. Now I’ve added volleyball, tennis, soccer and track.” He spends more than $2,000 a year on his stash, always replenishing throughout the season. He said his “customers” are especially partial to the strawberry filled candies from The Dollar Tree and he makes up stories about why he is buying 10 cases of bubble gum at a time. “I’ve met the best people. The fans in the sky boxes throw open their doors and invite me in. I’m always careful to ask parents if it’s okay to give candy out to their children, but to be honest, there are as many adult takers as children.” In a way, his hobby satisfies his college dream to be a cheerleader which was out of the question for this self-described painfully shy introvert. “I couldn’t look you in the eye on an elevator when I was a student,” he confessed. That was then and this is now. He has escaped his prison of selfdoubt and emerged as a full-blown extrovert. He moves comfortably from group to group, making sure to take care of those he calls his “regulars.” One of his fans presented him with hand embroidered tee shirts with “Candyman” on the front to wear to the games. Over the years, his bag has grown bigger and heavier by popular demand. He now uses an insulated ice cooler to prevent the candies from melting during warmer months. Candyman said he does most of his circulating prior to game time and he’s always conscious of not blocking spectator’s views. Getting the crowds energized is his specialty. “People want to holler,” he said. “They just don’t want to be the first person to do it.” You can always count on Candyman to be the first and soon, an entire section is going wild. n

“

You can always count on Candyman ... and soon, an entire section is going wild.

”

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2012 SEC

Expansion BY JOE LEE | PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED

he Southeastern Conference consisted of ten teams up through 1990. They were grouped in one division and each team played six SEC football games. When Arkansas and South Carolina were added in 1991, the 12 schools were split into the SEC East and SEC West. The conference is expanding again with the addition of Texas A&M and Missouri, which will join what is arguably the best football conference in the country for the 2012 season. What kind of impact will the new schools have on the conference, and on MSU? “We’re adding two real quality institutions to the SEC, both academically and physically,” said MSU Athletic Director Scott Stricklin. “They’re large state universities and fit the profile of what we’ve had. It enhances the brand of the SEC, which is seen as a leader in college athletics, and they will expand our footprint in the television market.” Columbia, Mo., and College Station, Texas, of course, create lengthy road trips for die-hard members of Bulldog Nation who try to attend all the games each year. The same is true of the costs to get MSU athletic teams out to those sites. “There will be some increased travel costs, although in the vast majority of our sports, we don’t play everybody in the conference,” Stricklin said. “You may be trading a trip to Athens, GA for a trip to Columbia, Mo.. I don’t expect overall travel costs to increase much. On the revenue side, as we negotiate new television contracts, I think that’s where you’ll see the real increase in revenue for all the schools in the SEC, including us.”

“Adding Texas A&M adds more to the conference than Missouri,” said Matthew Ryan, a MSU graduate from Jackson who lives in Madison. “A&M has such tradition: a military school, the 12th man, and yell leaders instead of cheerleaders. It also opens up the state of Texas to recruiting. It seems we took Missouri just to maintain an even number in the conference.” With that in mind, there’s already chatter on blogs and message boards about the possibility of the SEC adding two more teams for a 16-team league. Such an arrangement could allow for two divisions of eight teams, or even four divisions of four teams. For now, though, lots of Bulldogs are kicking the enhanced SEC lineup back and forth. “It’s a plus for the SEC,” said Jay Ratcliff, an MSU graduate student and a Rankin County native who enjoyed the Egg Bowl for years at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson. “You couldn’t pass up an opportunity to add those schools (Texas A&M and Missouri) before another conference got them. “I do think they will add to the pressure of MSU trying to compete effectively in the conference. And I’d much rather see us play a strong, in-state team like USM where there’s a natural rivalry instead of another conference game or two.” “As to scheduling, it will be harder to get around and see everyone as often,” Stricklin said. “From a recruiting standpoint, it will make the SEC brand much stronger in Texas and Missouri. As a league, we’re going to get a lot more exposure in Texas than we have in the past. The SEC already has a great brand. That part won’t change.” n townandgownmagazine.com

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Exterior view of Davis Wade Stadium expansion. 20

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Reaching New Heights

PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU MEDIA RELATIONS | september 2012 21

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BY JOE LEE | PHOTOS COURTESY OF MSU RELATIONS

avis Wade Stadium at MSU has a current seating capacity of over 55,000 and boasts the second largest high-definition video board in college football, trailing only the Godzillatron at the University of Texas’s Darrell K. Royal Stadium. MSU home football weekends have become legendary in recent years for the tailgating as well as the quality of play on Scott Field. The backdrop wasn’t always like this, of course. Scott Field was built in 1914 and underwent construction projects in 1936 and 1948. The latter upgrade resulted in a seating capacity of 35,000, which remained in place until 1983, when the end zone seats were removed. That left only 32,000 seats available for Bulldog diehards. “I remember as a student, the stadium held 32,000,” said Matthew Ryan of Madison. “My friends and I would get there at 10:30 a.m. for a 1:30 p.m. game. I remember the temporary lights brought in for the first night game at Scott Field (which MSU won 27-24 in 1982). Winning on a last-second field goal is an incredible memory.” A 1986 expansion added almost 9,000 seats, and the current capacity of 55,082 was reached with a $30 million expansion completed in 2002. This included 50 skyboxes, 1,700 club-level seats, and a second upper deck which seats 7,000. A large donation from Floyd Davis Wade, Sr. of Meridian (for whom the stadium is named) made the major upgrade possible. And what has become one of the premier places to enjoy an SEC football game will grow even more when Davis Wade expands once again. MSU Athletic Director Scott Stricklin, who is overseeing the new upgrade, worked in the Sports Information Department in the late 1980s. “We’ve talked about the need to add some premium seating,” Stricklin said. “We want to add the fan amenities, especially in the north end zone, and we want the exterior of the facility to tie into the rest of campus. We’ve got it up for bid, and if prices come in the way we like it, I expect us to break ground this year. We could see it being finished in a couple of years.” What differences does Stricklin see between then and now? “The tailgating and how folks schedule their whole day around being on campus all day,” he said. “That’s a big dif difference compared to the way it was in the late 80s at Scott Field. Our fan base wants to be on campus all day and be at the games each week, and I don’t think we’ve always done that. The video board is great, the Junction is great, and it all helps. “But the fans making the commitment to be there and making an effort to be heard is great. We’ve sold out 16 straight games, and the trick when we expand is to keep that streak going.” “Part of us winning football games is our fans selling out the stadium,” said MSU Head Coach Dan Mullen. “Our fans said, ‘If you win, we will sell out the stadium.’ It doesn’t work that way. If you sell out the stadium, we will win. They started buying into that. You see us now with 16 consecutive sellouts. Our fans bought in before we started winning.

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“Players around the state of Mississippi and the whole country can see we can win. We’re getting them on campus coming to visit and when we get them there, they see what a great college town Starkville is. The stadium expansion is going to create an even better environment and more excitement on the field on game day Saturdays.” James Duke Denton, who graduated from MSU in 1988 and lives in Pontotoc County, grew up in Starkville and worked in his early teens as a stadium vendor, selling soft drinks to fans at Scott Field at the end of the Bob Tyler era. “What I remember, as a student at State, was that tickets were cheap and easy to get. Now you can’t get them,” Denton said. “Back then you went to games and there was room all over the stadium. I remember the Auburn game my junior year – we got pummeled and nobody was there by the fourth quarter. But we’ve really arrived in the SEC. Everything is a step up, from the stadium to the excitement to the quality of play.” “It was fun then, and it’s fun now,” said John Floyd of Brandon. An Attala County native, Floyd graduated from MSU in 1969. “The only advantage of the old stadium was that everybody was close to the action, and that was exciting. But there are areas in the marvelous new facility that put you just as close, as well as areas that give you a higher and a far more complete view. “Do I miss the old stadium? Sure I do. That’s what nostalgia is. But I realize the new one is a lot better.” “The funds for the new stadium expansion will come from money from the tickets we will sell when the upgrade is complete,” Stricklin said. “We’re basically borrowing it against the tickets we expect to sell, and we’re really going to challenge our fans to make sure we’re creating an excited atmosphere. There’s nothing quite like walking into a packed stadium on a fall Saturday and all the seats are full.” n

Night perspective of Davis Wade Stadium expansion. Stricklin said, “... I expect us to break ground this year. We could see it being finished in a couple of years.”

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don’t know “ Imany walks

of life where evereyone on the outside cares as much about what you’re doing as college athletics.

”

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Photo by Divian Conner

Photo courtesy of MSU Media Relations

Q&A with Scott Stricklin BY JOE LEE

TOWN & GOWN:

Football expectations, with Dan Mullen at the helm, are sky-high. Last year was a mixed bag: a bowl win and a thirdstraight win over Ole Miss were obvious bright spots in a 7-6 campaign, although some saw as a bit of a step back after the vastly successful 2010 season. What’s your response to fans who gripe about not knocking off the truly big dogs in the fearsome SEC West and landing a BCS bowl berth? What can Bulldog Nation look forward to from Coach Mullen’s team in 2012?

SCOTT STRICKLIN:

You want people to have high expectations, but you want them to remember that we play in a very difficult league. The difference in 2010 and 2011 was two wins, and we could have easily won nine games in 2011 and only seven in 2010. Sometimes breaks don’t all go your way. We want to be a program that goes to bowl games every year, and you’d love to think you’re increasing your win total each year, but simple math tells you it’s hard to do. If you go to a bowl game every year, that’s how you put yourself in a position to win championships. I say this in every sport and not just football: if you put yourself in the

post-season each year, you put yourself in a position eventually to have that really special year.

TOWN & GOWN:

The 2011-2012 basketball season was one that many Bulldog fans would like to forget. Tell me about the transition to new head coach Rick Ray, and what you would say to basketball fans who may expect the rebuild of the program to be completed before it’s feasibly possible – especially when you’re starting from scratch like Coach Ray will be doing?

SCOTT STRICKLIN:

We look for certain traits in any coach and any program. We want people with a great work ethic and who are really talented, who can get recruits excited about MSU. Rick Ray does all those things. He has a great basketball mind. I think we’ve found a coach who’s going to be successful at this level, and that we found someone – like Dan Mullen – who was going to be successful before everyone else found out about him. It will be fun to watch him do things his way, and the right way. There will be energy out there, and players playing the right way. Rick Ray has been around some really good programs.” townandgownmagazine.com

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Photo courtesy of MSU Media Relations

TOWN & GOWN:

In that vein, there was a dry spell in baseball for several years after Ron Polk’s final College World Series trip and the last two John Cohen teams that have performed so well. What has Coach Cohen done to right the ship and restore the Bulldog baseball program to a legitimate SEC title contender?

SCOTT STRICKLIN:

Coach John Cohen has a great work ethic, and he’s one of the smartest people I know. He knows how to identify talent and get it on campus. I was at Kentucky when he was, and I think John’s as good a coach in any sport as there is in the country. It takes a couple of years, regardless of the sport, to put your stamp on a program, to get kids who buy into what you’re doing and get them to campus. Now John has that, and the players are gritty and it’s really fun to watch them. We have a lot of years ahead with that style of play.

TOWN & GOWN:

There are many other wonderful success stories across the MSU campus when it comes to athletics that fly under the radar. Give me several outstanding accomplishments by MSU teams and individuals that some members of Bulldog nation might not be aware of.

SCOTT STRICKLIN:

There are 16 total sports we are responsible for. The tennis program finished the season ranked ninth in the country and has won the SEC west the last two years. Per Nilsson is driven to have MSU as successful as possible. We hired a new softball coach this past year, Vann Stuedeman, who got us back in the NCAA’s and really re-energized the program and got folks interested in softball at MSU through sheer force of

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her personality. She will put us in a position to win a national title. We hired Vic Schaefer, a new ladies basketball coach, to replace Sharon Fanning. He coached at Arkansas and at Texas A&M for the past decade, where he was an associate head coach – when he got there Texas A&M was last in the Big 12, and he helped turned them around and win a national title. He’s ready to be a head coach in the SEC, and he’ll put us in a position where we can be in the post-season on a consistent basis.

TOWN & GOWN:

Take me back to your days as a student, when you worked in the MSU athletic department, and compare that atmosphere to what you face today as an SEC athletic director. There was no internet to speak of then, and certainly no Twitter accounts and Facebook. There was no BCS, and there weren’t nearly as many bowl games. It would seem that the pressure on someone in your shoes, with as much riding on personnel decisions and athletic performance, has increased exponentially in two decades. What are the best parts of being the MSU A.D. in 2012, and what are the most challenging aspects of the job?

SCOTT STRICKLIN:

The best part of my job is working in an area where so many people have an interest in what’s going on. I don’t know many walks of life where everyone on the outside cares as much about what you’re doing as college athletics. We are stewards for this public trust that means so much to so many people. That can be a double-edged sword, though. We’re asking people to make a financial commitment so we can accomplish what we want to. But we must remind people that these kids are student-athletes. The kids who we’re watching on TV Saturday night have a chemistry class Monday morning. n

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Moving Forward PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU MEDIA RELATIONS

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ROGER SMITH

FLICKR.COM/ROGERSMITH

BY JOE LEE

ancock County native Leo Seal, Jr. was a two-year letter winner on the MSU football team two generations ago. A generous donor to his alma mater, Seal was recognized by MSU in 1990 when an additional floor was added to the Frank Turman Field House and became known as the Leo W. Seal M-Club Centre. In early 2013, a new building named in Seal’s honor will open its doors and house all MSU football operations. “The Seal Building has a budget of $25 million dollars and will be over 80,000 square feet,” said MSU Associate Athletic Director Bobby Tomlinson. “When it’s complete, a parking lot will separate it from the Palmeiro Center.” The football offices are currently in the Bryan Athletic Administration Building, with the weight rooms, equipment rooms, locker rooms and team meeting rooms all in the ShiraHollman Building. “While the distance between those facilities isn’t more than a couple of blocks, there’s a big difference in having everyone and everything in one location,” Tomlinson said. “Players, coaches, and support staff will be able to walk right out of the offices onto the field.” “The plan is to move our coaches into the Seal Building in January,” said MSU Athletic Director Scott Stricklin. “We’ve had coaches’ offices and different meeting rooms spread out in different locations, and this gets everything and everyone under one roof. It will change the face of what our football operations will look like. This was something Coach Mullen wanted from when he got here.” “As far as the facilities go, that just shows the commitment that our university and our fan base are making to our program,” Mullen said. “A lot of schools say, ‘Oh, yeah, we have a plan for new facilities,’ but we’re actually following through with that plan. Since we’ve been there, we’ve talked about it and now there’s the new construction of the building. I can’t wait until we see it. We’re actually taking the steps moving forward.” n townandgownmagazine.com

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Changing Up the Game

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Photo courtesy of MSU Media Relations.

Mississippi State University football quarterback, Tyler Russell, at fall practice 2012. Tyler Russell with his Meridian hometown WMOX radio host, Al Brown. Quarterback Tyler Russell at 2012 SEC Media Days greeting fans and signing autographs.

BY MIKE CHRISTENSEN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF MSU MEDIA RELATIONS

he hope at Mississippi State this season is that something new in the Bulldogs’ offense will bring out something old in Tyler Russell. Russell, a junior from Meridian who signed with State in 2009 amid much hoopla, is the Bulldogs’ undisputed No. 1 quarterback for the first time. And State coaches have “tweaked” the offense to better suit Russell’s skills. “I have waited a long time for this, and I have worked very hard and have become a leader on and off the field, and it is finally time for me to be that guy,” Russell said at the SEC Media Days in July. Count Larry Weems among those who are eager to see how this works out – for Russell as well as the team. Weems was Russell’s coach at Meridian High School. “He has all the tools to play quarterback,” Weems said. “He just needs reps and time.” Weems has seen up close just how good Russell can be. In 2008, Russell’s senior year at Meridian, he threw for 3,284 yards, completing 65.6 percent of his pass attempts and tossing 40 touchdowns with just five interceptions. The Wildcats won the 2008 state championship in Mississippi’s largest high school classification. They dethroned the South Panola dynasty in the title game. Russell led the way and he was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Mississippi, earned “Mississippi Mr. Football” honors and was rated the No. 1 high school recruit in the state by The Clarion-Ledger newspaper. Russell committed to State when Sylvester Croom was the head coach. He kept to his commitment after the coaching change from Croom to Dan Mullen. But Russell didn’t make the big splash at State that many were expecting, perhaps in part because he was a drop-back style QB

in a run-oriented scheme. He redshirted in 2009, played sparingly in 2010 and a bit more in 2011, even making four starts while sharing time with the now departed Chris Relf. Russell has had his moments. He threw four touchdown passes in his first career game against Memphis in 2010. Last fall, he sparked a second-half rally at UAB and helped engineer a road win against SEC foe Kentucky. But Russell couldn’t keep a grip on the starting job as the Bulldogs finished a disappointing 7-6. He ended 2011 with 1,034 yards on 69-of-129 passing (53.5 percent) with eight TDs and four interceptions. Not star stuff. But again, there were mitigating circumstances. “I’ve gone to most of their games since Tyler’s been there,” Weems said. “Every coach has a system. What they’ve been doing offensively is very different from what we did when Tyler was (at Meridian). He’s a pocket passer. They haven’t done a lot of that with Tyler. “They’re doing what they feel they need to do to win.” The Bulldogs have finished in the top five in the SEC’s rushing statistics every year of Mullen’s tenure. Relf, the departed QB who was built more like a fullback, ran 123 times for 375 yards in 2011. He threw it 190 times. Russell, at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, looks like a quarterback. Mullen compared Russell to Alex Smith, the current San Francisco 49ers quarterback whom Mullen coached at Utah. “A pure drop-back passer,” the coach said. “You’d never mistake him for a running quarterback.” And so, the State offense was tweaked in the spring to emphasize plays that better utilize Russell’s passing abilities. “Our philosophy isn’t going to change,” Mullen said. “But I think you will see differences in this year’s team.” Change seemed apparent in the spring game, when Russell townandgownmagazine.com

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Photos courtesy of MSU Media Relations. Mississippi State University football quarterback, Tyler Russell, at fall practice 2012. Quarterback Tyler Russell’s SEC Media Days sign.

threw with regularity and confidence, finishing 24-of-43 for 312 yards and two scores. But the spring game is just a glorified practice. The challenges of the season will be much, much bigger. “There is pressure on that kid this year,” an opposing coach told Athlon magazine. Fact is, there has been pressure on Russell ever since he committed to State four years ago, and Mullen applauded how Russell has handled all the hype surrounding him since he arrived in Starkville. “I expect him to have a huge year,” Mullen said at SEC Media Days. “He’s played in almost every stadium in the league, so the stage won’t be too big. … He’s started games. He knows the system; he’s comfortable in the system. “He knows we’re going to turn the keys over to him. We’ll put it on his shoulders and let him go.” Russell gave a savvy answer when asked at Media Days about his personal expectations. “(F)rom a standpoint of what is Tyler Russell going to do, it’s really easy for me,” he said. “I have a lot of weapons and all I have to do is get the ball in the playmakers’ hands and everything should take care of itself.” Whether State will have a big year remains to be seen, but Russell’s old high school coach said Bulldogs fans should have faith in their new No. 1 quarterback. “I’m not around him a lot anymore,” Weems said. “But he always had a great attitude. He was never a problem. He works hard, and he has a ton of ability. I know he’s working up there to give their team the best chance to win. I don’t have to be around him to know that.” n

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Players to Watch #16

BY MIKE CHRISTENSEN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF MSU MEDIA RELATIONS

Jameon Lewis Sophomore, Wide Receiver Though the Bulldogs have a bevy of senior wide receivers on the roster, Lewis, who caught seven passes (20.4 yards per catch average) as a freshman in 2011, shouldn’t be overlooked. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound Tylertown High School product certainly commanded attention in State’s spring game, catching 10 passes, one for a 40yard touchdown. “The first guy, he’s going to make him miss,” quarterback Tyler Russell said of the swift and elusive Lewis.

#27 LaDarius Perkins

Junior, Running Back State may have tweaked its offensive attack this season to accommodate quarterback Tyler Russell, but the Bulldogs won’t abandon the running game. They have ranked in the top five in the SEC in rushing in each of coach Dan Mullen’s first three seasons. Minus the top rusher from 2011 (Vick Ballard), State will look to the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Perkins as one of its primary ball-carriers this fall. The former Greenville St. Joseph star ran for 422 yards last season and averaged 5.3 yards per carry.

#61

Gabe Jackson Junior, Offensive Guard The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Jackson, out of Amite County High School in Liberty, was a regular in his first two seasons at State and will be counted on as an anchor up front this fall. The Bulldogs are rebuilding on the O-line, which was not considered one of the team’s strengths in 2011. Jackson, who has received preseason All-SEC recognition, and sophomore center Dillon Day are the lone returning starters. townandgownmagazine.com

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Photos courtesy of MSU Media Relations.

#97

Josh Boyd Senior, Defensive Tackle First-round NFL draft pick Fletcher Cox’s departure leaves a void on the Bulldogs’ defensive line. Cox, a tackle, had a team-leading five sacks. “Josh Boyd is going to have to step up to a lead role with Fletcher Cox gone,” coach Dan Mullen said. “He has the talent and the ability and the mindset to step into that role.” Boyd, 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, from Philadelphia, Miss., Philadelphia High School, registered 4.5 sacks and 51 tackles in 2011.

#10

Cameron Lawrence Senior, Linebacker The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Lawrence, from Coldwater and Magnolia Heights High School, was the Bulldogs’ leading tackler with 123 last season, including 14 against both Auburn and Ole Miss. A preseason All-SEC pick, Lawrence teams with junior Deontae Skinner to give State a strong tandem at the outside linebacker spots. Lawrence is a versatile athlete who started as quarterback and defensive back in high school.

#13

Johnthan Banks Senior, Cornerback

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Banks is the best of a stellar collection of defensive backs at State. The East Webster High School product is a preseason All-SEC selection and an All-America candidate who is on the watch list for several national individual awards. He passed on the NFL draft to return for a final season as a Bulldog. “I couldn’t be happier with him,” coach Dan Mullen said. “He has come back with the sense that he wants to be the team leader.” Banks picked off five passes and made 71 tackles in 2011. n

{InsideOut

Character Leadership Academics Sportsmanship Service

PKF Pi Kappa Phi townandgownmagazine.com

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Brett Haro and Phillip Kelly, Pi Kappa Phi leadership consultants, with Bully at a 2011 MSU event, The Drill, welcoming new and returning students to campus.

BY EMILY JONES PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLAIRE MASSEY AND SUBMITTED

inishing touches were completed on the renovation of a 11,000 square-foot fraternity house on the MSU campus. Thirty-five new members moved in just in time for to conduct their first formal rush in August. “Pi Kappa Phi, nicknamed Pi Kapp, plans to redefine the meaning of the word ‘fraternity’,” stressed Cody McClanahan, president of the newly chartered chapter. “We want to change the image to show that a fraternity man isn’t just a ‘beer drinker and hellraiser’ but a leader both on campus and off, and above all else a gentleman.” Pi Kapp has become the 16th social fraternity with affiliates on the Mississippi State campus. It was founded in 1904 at the College of Charleston and has grown into a brotherhood of 143 chapters with more than 100,000 members. It currently has 20 associate chapters which includes the newly organized fraternity at Mississippi State. It is expected to receive its official charter in November. McClanahan said the fraternity is concentrating on recruiting men of character who have held positions of leadership in their backgrounds. “Some people might assume that since we are new, we will take anyone we can get. This, however, is not how we recruit. We will not sacrifice our ideals for sheer numbers,” he added. McClanhan and some 50 other men were recruited last fall by members of the national organization. They spent several weeks on campus seeking out “independents” who they felt would be good potential members. They spent the rest of the year getting the group established, renovating the new fraternity house, and preparing for the 2012 rush season. “We recruit men of CLASS which is actually an acronym Character, Leadership, Academics, Sportsmanship, and Service. So, in general, we are looking for men who have done well in their 38

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academic career, passionate about giving back to the community, and with a burning desire to become the best they can be,” McClanahan said. “After talking to the guys I decided that this was where I wanted to be. It gave me the unique opportunity to start leading a fraternity from the ground up and after I joined I was elected Archon (president) shortly after.” McClanahan is a junior this fall and maintains a 4.0 grade point average. He is a graduate of Heritage Academy in Columbus where he played soccer and football. “We bought a house on campus (formerly occupied by Alpha Gamma Rho social fraternity) last December and have since been renovating it. It was completed just in time for rush which began in mid-August.” Luke Fowler, a doctoral candidate at MSU pledged Pi Kappa Phi when he was an undergraduate student at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is serving as chapter advisor. “There are 35 men living in the new house. In addition to suites, it features a large media room, a chapter room and a dining room,” Fowler said. “The national organization made a big investment in us this year. As the chapter develops, though, they plan on investing more money into the house. They had a lot of confidence in the progress we were making, and when an opportunity to get a house came up they jumped on it. Building a fraternity is not easy, but these guys have stepped up and put the work into it.” Through the support of local and national philanthropies, fraternities and sororities at Mississippi State promote ideals that will enhance a member’s college experience. Charities and service organizations have long depended on the dedication and generous time contributed to the community by members of the Greek system. n

Before

Phi Kappa Pi members renovating the former Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity house.

After

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Sophisticated Bachelor Pad

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“

I guess you could label my style ‘eclectic’, because I buy what I like, without considering any style.

”

BY EMILY JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA DANIELS

orty-two-year-old Jay Murphy could have been an interior designer had he not already found a rewarding career as a real estate broker. The Jackson native is a 1993 graduate of Mississippi State University, but his roots run much deeper than a mere education. “My parents, Carroll and Georgia Murphy, never missed a Mississippi State football ballgame when I was growing up,” Jay said. “We didn’t fish or hunt, but we attended MSU sporting events as a hobby.” “Win or lose, we never left a game until there was a zero on the game clock.” He continues the tradition to this day. In fact, his parents recently retired and moved to Starkville to be near their alma mater as well. After graduating from MSU and spending a couple of years as a university recruiter, the Jackson native took off for bright lights and big city of Savannah. He discovered right away that he was more comfortable in Starkville. In 1998, he high-tailed it back, and joined the sales team at Coldwell Banker. In 2002, he helped establish the real estate firm of Prudential Starkville Properties where he has become a top producer and a member of the Million Dollar Club. Jay has a fondness for historic properties. He renovated a period home on Montgomery Street, then fell in love with one of the newly constructed condos being built farther down Montgomery, just off Highway 12. He was holding an open house for the condo developer one day, and decided he couldn’t bear to sell it to anyone else. “This was the perfect location for me,” Jay said. “My office and the university are minutes away and it has some great features.” The condo is one of 20 in the new development called Annabella which was built four years ago and sold primarily as “ballgame weekend homes away from home.” Only two of the units, Jay’s and one other, are owned by full-time Starkville residents. Jay’s 2,055 square-foot unit has three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and four outdoor venues including a court yard for grilling, a balcony for post-game parties, and a space to romp with his golden retriever and red heeler, Watson and McIlwain. All the units contain a space designed for an elevator shaft which he decided could be put to better use as a storage area. “My dogs are like my children and my first priority was to have a dog friendly interior.” 42

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In downplaying his level of sophistication, Jay could have fooled even the most discriminating taste. The two levels are impeccably decorated featuring clean lines and liberal use of burnt orange which is his favorite color. Splashes of the color pop from every wall in his extensive collection of posters and primitive art. His furnishings have been carefully selected from antiques and reproductions found in consignment stores between here and New Orleans. “I guess you could label my style ‘eclectic’, because I buy what I like, without considering any style. I think a home should reflect the owner. If I’m comfortable here, I know my friends will be comfortable here too,” he added. Jay’s latest sideline involves an old home renovation which he plans to offer as a “ballgame weekend” rental. Located in the Overstreet Historic District, the property is a turn of the century dwelling which has been converted to a duplex. It will offer short-term tenants all the comforts of home, plus an easy one-mile walk to the university campus. “This is something Starkville really needs,” he said. “We have lots of university and industry officials traveling to town or moving in advance of their families. This will be a place they can live without having to sign a long term lease or move furniture.” By advertising the property on line, he is already booked through October. n

Right: Murphy had the lamp custom made by Kevin Williams in Jackson. His family has owned Ye Olde Lamp Shop.

Above: The piece of pottery was a gift from Murphy’s mother and sits on book about the South and below is a vintage National Geographic that one of his grandparents had from decades ago. Right: Murphy’s two favorite pieces are in this photo. He found the wing back style chair (left) at a consignment shop in New Orleans. The two ottomans are from a furniture market and are made from kilem rugs – a gift from Judy Webb.

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Junction Fun

Cornell & Wynne Tailgate Photos Submitted 1. Maroon and white engagement (Wedding date March 2013): Ashley Cornell, Zachary Wynne 2. Even dogs love tailgating: Zoe 3. George Gallowayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stripe pants are always a hit at tailgates. 4. Giant cowbell in The Junction: Ashley Cornell, Zach Wynne 5. White-out game 2010: Kevin Dillon, Mary Catherine Mills, Matt Thornton, Liza Rigby, Ashley Cornell, George Galloway 6. Ringing in 2011 season: George Galloway, Scott Shepard, Zach Wynne, Zoe, Ashley Cornell, Wesley George

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Parrot Tailgate Photos submitted 1. Relaxing eating cookies: Weston Parrot 2. Crusinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the Junction: Conner Parrot 3. And Weston passes it to Brody Brand. 4. Football players, Weston Parrot and Noah Carnathan taking a break. 5. Funny faces: Weston Parrot, Ella Grace Ramels, Averi Coleman 6. Say cheese: Brody Brand, Weston Parrot, Ella Grace Ramels

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{EatDrink

Raising Pints in Mississippi

BY JOE LEE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLAIRE MASSEY

or many years, it seemed, beer drinkers were swayed by Super Bowl TV ads and catch phrases that pitched bestselling domestic brews. But the enjoyment of craft beer is on the rise all over Mississippi, and the industry received a huge boost when Governor Phil Bryant signed a bill into law on July 1 allowing Mississippi retailers to sell beer with up to ten percent alcohol by volume. There has been substantial interest in craft beer around the Golden Triangle for some time. How to change the culture, however, was – and remains, in some ways – a slow process. “I think the major challenge for our area is the lack of exposure that our residents have to craft beer,” said Nathan Powell of Columbus. “Everyone knows about the typical big American beer companies that dominate the advertising. Most people just don’t know that you can also have a beer with flavors and aromas of chocolate, fruit, honey, clove and toffee.”

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Among the most ardent craft beer supporters is Craig Hendry of Jackson. Hendry is the new president of Raise Your Pints, a Mississippi statewide non-profit organization with over 10,000 supporters. The RYP vision is “A Mississippi with a World-Class Beer Culture.” “It all began a little over five years ago,” Hendry said. “Several of us (who did not know each other at the time) were watching what Free The Hops in Alabama was doing to change their beer laws, which were similar in restrictions to Mississippi. “We reached out to them, wondering if we could do the same thing here. They (Free The Hops) put us in touch with each other. We met one evening at Hal and Mal’s in Jackson and decided someone needed to take on the challenge of reforming Mississippi’s beer laws. We worked those early years raising awareness of the restrictions and eventually figured out we had to hire a lobbyist to help.

“About three years ago we formally incorporated as Raise Your Pints and started raising funds and were finally able to hire a lobbyist. We first approached Representative David Baria (from Hancock County) five years ago – he was then a Senator. He was supportive and offered to sponsor and submit our bill. Representative Bobby Moak (of Lincoln County) jumped on board a year later and sponsored a companion bill.” The old Mississippi legislation capped alcohol by weight in beer at five percent, or 6.25 percent by volume. The law signed by Governor Bryant increased the alcohol by weight to eight percent and the alcohol by volume to ten percent. “The old five percent ABW law was restricting Mississippians’ access to a lot of great beers,” Hendry said. “Entire styles of beer were illegal to brew and sell in the state. We wanted to fix that law for Mississippi consumers, and so that Mississippi Al Taylor, sales small businesses could compete and keep beer sales (and tax Di an Wickham, Da reBrpresentative with Mitchell Dist ributing in Columbu oecker, area sales revenues) inside Mississippi.” Kathleen Gaffordvid manager for To , Jim Gafford, Ja mmyknocker Brs,ewJeremy Wickham, ck ie Hu dson Leslie Henderson, who grew up near Louisville and has a ery & Pub, master’s degree in chemical engineering from Mississippi State University, is the brewmaster of Lazy Magnolia Brewery in Hanstate’s Legislature – have been had over many a slice. cock County. She and her team began brewing beer in 2005. “Running a brewery is not a way to get rich quick,” Hender- Our beer selection has been improving and evolving for years. son said. “A lot of our sales growth has been organic – within our Southern Pecan (brewed by Lazy Magnolia) and Guinness are home state – because of the increasing number of good beer bars still popular. We rotate beers through our tap system seasonally. Some of the new ones we carry are Smithwick’s Diamond Bear and locally-owned grocery and specialty beer stores.” “It seems like that we are in this hand-crafted, homemade re- IPA and Naked Pig Pale Ale.” Back Forty Brewery is based in Gadsden, Alabama. Owner Janaissance,” said Jeremy Wickham of Columbus. “Having more craft beer choices available in the Golden Triangle area opens up son Wilson and his brother, Brad (the director of sales), started an economic outlook that will benefit restaurant and bar owners. the company in 2009. “We say, ‘Know the people who grow your food, and know the There are events that focus around craft beer: firkin tapping, beer people who brew your beer,’” Brad Wilson said. “Many people apdinners and pint nights, just to name a few.” One of those events is Mississippi Craft Beer Week, which was proach Southerners and say, ‘Put down your old redneck ways held in Jackson in late July and drew thousands of craft beer lov- and come to the finer ways of life. Well, we’ve been working with ers to the capital city. Dave Hood, owner of Dave’s Dark Horse local people forever. Our forefathers did what we’re doing.” Two Back Forty beers, Naked Pig Pale Ale and Truck Stop HonTavern of Starkville, recently hosted a craft beer night in conjuncey English Ale, were available in the Golden Triangle area before tion with Raise Your Pints. “We featured Freckle Belly IPA from Back Forty Brewery. It was the new legislation. Back Forty’s Freckle Belly and Kudsu (a pora great success,” said Hood, whose establishment is Starkville’s ter beer) have been introduced since then. “The reaction in Starkville and Columbus has been phenomeoldest pizzeria and only neighborhood tavern. “We plan to do nal. They’re like an extension of our family,” Wilson said. “Overall, something similar on the first Thursday of every month. “It turns out pizza connoisseurs are interested in craft beer as the South is not going to be the place that craft beer won’t work. It’s a matter of being ahead of the curve or behind it.” well. Discussions about the beer law – as it moved through our “I’m glad for the new choices in the so-called ‘High-Gravity’ beers,” said Gerald Berry of Starkville. “Some of the new beers I really enjoy are Abita’s Jockamo, Vanilla Double Dog, and SOS, and Red Brick Brewing’s Hopelanta. Rogue Ale’s Double Dead Guy Ale is another of my favorites.” “There has been a tremendous increase in the enjoyment of craft beer in the last two to three years,” said Malcolm White, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission and the co-owner of Hal & Mal’s in Jackson. “The governor sees (the legislation) as pro-business and pro-tourism, and it has made for a monumental change. We at Hal & Mal’s can now stock a lot more craft beers.” “In 2005 a restaurant with five taps was a rare and precious thing,” Henderson said. “Now every major town has at least one craft beer bar with 40-plus taps. In 2005 it was unusual for a grocery store to have even ten percent of its beer shelf space dedicated to craft. Now we see craft taking up well over 50 percent of the space in many large stores and over 70 percent in some specialty stores. The landscape is definitely changing.” “I tell people new to craft beer not to think of it as your typical beer,” Powell said. “Don’t compare it to what you’re used to drinking, and be ready to experience some flavor. There is a craft beer out there for literally everyone.” n townandgownmagazine.com

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Bulldog Country Recipes Photography by Divian Conner Styling by S is for Sweet

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50-Yard Chili 2 lb. lean ground beef 1 (46 fluid oz.) can tomato juice 1 (29 oz.) can tomato sauce 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed 1 1/2 c. chopped onion 1/4 c. chopped green bell pepper 1/8 tsp. ground cayenne pepper 1/2 tsp. white sugar 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper 1 tsp. salt 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/4 c. chili powder Place ground beef in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, and crumble. In a large pot over high heat combine the ground beef, tomato juice, tomato sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans, onions, bell pepper, cayenne pepper, sugar, oregano, ground black pepper, salt, cumin and chili powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours. (Note: If using a slow cooker, set on low, add ingredients, and cook for 8 to 10 hours.)

Chipotle Honey Mustard Sauce 1 c. prepared honey mustard 1 or more canned Chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce, mashed (number of peppers determined by the level of spiciness desired) In a medium bowl, combine honey mustard and mashed Chipotle pepper(s) to make sauce. Stir until mixed well. *Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity accordingly. avocadocentral.com

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Maroon and White Brownies 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate baking bar, chopped 3/4 c. butter or margarine 2 c. sugar 4 large eggs 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/8 tsp. salt Red food coloring Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or grease a 9 x 13 baking pan. Microwave chopped chocolate and butter in a large bowl on high 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until melted and smooth. Check and stir at 30 second intervals to avoid scorching! Whisk in sugar. Add eggs one at a time, whisking just until blended after each addition. Gently stir in flour and next 3 ingredients. Gently stir in red food coloring until you get the maroon shade you desire. It may take half of a 1 oz. bottle. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 2 hours). Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting: 1 stick butter 1 8 oz. cream cheese 1 tsp. vanilla 1 box powdered sugar Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth. Spread on cooled cake. Refrigerate until time to take to tailgate. Dale Phillips 50

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MSU SWEET TEA 2 c. sugar 1/2 gal. water 1 tray ice cubes 3 family sized tea bags of orange pekoe tea 3 c. cold water, or as needed Pour the sugar into a large pitcher. Bring water to a boil in a large pan. When the water begins to boil, remove from the heat, and place the tea bags in. Let steep for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove tea bags, and return tea to the heat. Bring just to a boil, then pour into the pitcher, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Fill the pitcher half way with ice, and stir until most of it melts. Then fill the pitcher the rest of the way with cold water, and stir until blended. allrecipes.com

Maroon Cranberry Turkey Subs 1 loaf French bread 4 Tbsp. margarine 8 oz. sliced deli turkey meat 8 slices provolone cheese 8 slices precooked bacon 4 Tbsp. mayonnaise 4 Tbsp. jellied cranberry sauce 8 slices fresh tomatoes 4 lettuce leaves

Preheat the oven broiler. Cut the bread into four pieces, and split lengthwise almost all the way through for four sandwiches. Spread margarine on the inside of each piece. Place on a baking sheet, cut side up. Toast bread under preheated broiler until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove pan from the oven. Layer 4 pieces of bread with 2 slices each of the turkey, cheese, and bacon. Remove the remaining 4 slices of bread from the baking sheet and reserve for sandwich tops. Cool bread slightly, and spread mayonnaise onto the cut side of each of the 4 top slices. Place the bread with turkey and cheese under the broiler just until the cheese melts, about 1 minute. Remove from the broiler, and spread 1 tablespoon cranberry sauce over each sandwich. Layer with the tomatoes and lettuce. Place a top bread slice over each half, and serve. allrecipes.com townandgownmagazine.com

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Tablescapes for a Bulldog 1 52

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2 1. Juliska pewter collection and crystal glassware, Veitri dinner plate Annieglass salad plate and Magnolia Lane wine glass. Occasions 2. Magnolia Lane dinner plate, bowl and wine glass. Giggleswick 3. Foreside pitcher, Good Earth pottery, Skyros casserole dish and Casafina serving dish. Mak B 4. Magnolia Lane. Local retailers 5. Enerico Chinese fir dishes, Shapleys spices and tailgate food. Thyme 6. Magnolia Lane dishes, napkin holder, salt and pepper shakers and glassware. The Book Mart and Cafe

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6Personalized Cowbells, Magnolia Lane Pitcher, Drinkware & Dishes & Bulldog Paintings by Anne Taylor Duease. Occasions

5Sorority Knotted Elastic Hair Ties, Language Art Sorority Tiles & Bulldog Frame Mak B

6Iron MSU Bulldog & MSU Towel The Purple Elephant

MSU Tin Buckets,4 Keane Collection MSU Bulldog Napkin Holder & MSU Cutting Boards The University Florist

3On Top Floral Shirt, Tru Luxe Jeans & D to D Designs MSU Earrings Sisters

3Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory Lemon Straws, Cheese Straws & Muddpuppies & “Go Dawgs” Wreath Giggleswick 54

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MSU Fire pit, 4 Men's gameday Polos, Vest and Button-ups & MSU Travel Bag The Book Mart & Cafe

3Oxford Falls Bloody Mary Mix & Mint Julep Mix, Rope & Fleur-delis Bottle Openers & Cork Skrew & Engraved Flasks Aspen Bay

3Framing for Personal jerseys Nebletts

Weber grill & Red4 Cup Living Hard Plastic Cups Thyme

3Go Green Children Outfits & All Boy Mudpie Football knit hat. Sprout Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MSU4 football attire & maroon, white and pink cowbells. The Book Mart & Cafe townandgownmagazine.com

| september 2012

Lindsay Jo’s Style Update

t is football season, not fashion week, but there’s certainly a means to strike an even balance between the two! As fall fashion begins to emerge, I’ve translated this season’s biggest trends into several stadium looks for both men and women.

Lindsay Jo Wilkinson

A ladylike peplum frill instantly adds style to any ensemble this fall! While bright pastel colored jeans could be seen on everyone this past spring, expect to see more muted, darker colors in denim worn this fall. A nude patent wedge provides the perfect amount of support and added height while tailgating in the Junction.

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

Polka dots are hugely popular this fall, and this top is right on point with that trend. Distressed and cuffed “Boyfriend jeans” are also in style and could be paired with wedge lace-up booties for a completed look. Small messenger bags are both fashionable and functional for football games. Tie everything together with the perfect mix of arm accessories – a gold watch and an embellished bracelet or two.

1 Come comfortable and

cool to tailgate in a vintage tee shirt and sneakers. Pair with distressed jeans to accentuate the aged look.

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| september 2012

Try a pair of silk maroon hued shorts for warm weather games. Wearing shorts does not have to be completely casual. Dress the shorts up by wearing a chunky, embellished necklace paired with a matching textured gold pump. Complete the look with a fringe handbag, another must-have fall items, for a boho-chic effect.

3 A more polished look for 2

A polo shirt is the perfect option for those men who want to come casual to tailgate. Try pairing a polo with colored shorts for the warmer games, and chino pants later this fall. Topsiders are a relaxed shoe option that are also suitable for walking.

tailgating can be achieved with any button-up sport shirt. A crisp pair of khaki pants paired with a collegiate belt will leave no one wondering who your team is. Try a pair of slip-on driving loafers that will comfortably get you from standing around talking about football to watching it in the stadium.

Football Fashions Photography: Divian Conner Hair and makeup: Salon 28

Tina Le models a leopard print and mustard yellow ruffled top, maroon highwaisted shorts and black suede lace-up booties from Deep South Pout

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Mitch Watkins models a maroon bulldog knit polo, khaki bulldog pants and a maroon Torino belt from George Sherman.

Rebecca Schilling models a maroon tank fringe brown suede skirt, rubber boots with rainbow accent, a Moon and Lola initial necklace and a brown wrap watch from L.A. Green. 60

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Julie Tomlinson models a maroon one-shoulder dress from Occasions with her cowbell and pom pom.

Ryan Putnam models an Adidas gameday polo, Bravini slacks and Cole Haan loafers from Reedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Buster models a MSU holester and leash from The Lodge.

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{NearFar

Summer Scholars

ten, signer; Collin Whit ce Major, SounWdatDeson, Freelance ien Sc er ut mp Co , yeu - MSU ajor, Music Assistant; Tim Courtney Patrick McFadica , Scene Designesr;Olnep-Schnelder, Therapy M Alabama, MusScenl e Designer; Wayne Durst, MSU ola ch Ni signer; Professional, n, Freelance Professional, Light De Schmitz WatsoScene Designer Home School,

STORY SUBMITTED| PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLAIRE MASSEY

ississippi State University Communications Department held their Summer Scholars 3-week camp for students in grades 7-12 who wrote, produced and starred in a 3-act length musical comedy. The students are primarily from the Starkville area as well as other parts of the states such as Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan and Florida. The camp also consisted of staff members who came from as far as France to help run the camp and celebrate their 30th year anniversary. “Don’t Panic” (or “How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Apocalypse”) was the name of the musical and was initially inspired by the impeding end of the Mayan Calendar on Dec. 21, 2012, and the Apocalyptic predictions some people have made regarding it. The story is told over three acts, each with a different take on the central issue. Since our Gregorian calendar is based on the orbit of the earth around the sun, Act 1 is a metaphorical look at what life among the planets might be like, with actors assuming the roles of our eight officially recognized planets, as well as the recently demoted Pluto. In the story, entitled As the Worlds Turn, the Earth throws a party in honor of its winter solstice (coinciding on Dec. 21), and a mystery ensues much in the style of Agatha Christie. The results of this have ramifications for both the cosmic balance and for the Earth itself. Act 2 (“Eat, Brains, Love”) sees those ramifications play out at a 30-year high school reunion in the small town of Clairborne, NC. (This is a setting used in a previous Summer Scholars play, as well as a nod to the anniversary year for Summer Scholars itself.) Unfortunately for humanity, this reunion is held on December 21, and the attendees soon find themselves overrun by a zombie apocalypse. In true zombie-movie style, the characters have to face off against a hoard of the undead, which swells as more and more reunion attendees are infected. Set against this backdrop is a love story between former classmates, one of which might be the eventual savior of humanity.

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| september 2012

Top left: “Don’t Panic” musical stage Top right: Overlord Pam, villain of Act III Right: Carlyle Owen Camper (Costume Design) Mississippi School of the Arts Act 3 (“Welcome to New Haven: 50 A.Z.”) continues the story a generation into the future, as we see how humanity has reorganized following the events of Act 2. The future that is presented is a grim one in which historical knowledge is suppressed and fun becomes the new “f-word.” New Haven is ruled by a tyrannical overlord who holds her power via the control of a key piece of old-world technology. There is, however, light on the horizon as one of the town’s elderly residents is a soul who, legend has it, was once the savior of humanity. Can such salvation happen twice? Throughout the play, there are nods to Summer Scholars 30-year history. The camp began as a one week drama camp for junior high and high school students in 1982 as part of a series of Summer Scholars camps at MSU. Within a few years it had grown to a full three-week camp with the first week devoted to writing the script for the production. Staff for the camp is often composed of former campers, many of whom work in theatre (or in television news, as is the case with WTVA’s C.J. LeMaster), as well as other theatre professionals. This year, one of the writing leaders and drama teachers is Marie Baran, a former Rotary exchange student from France who was a former camper herself. The play has been written by a team of 17 writers campers and will be cast from the 41 total campers present for 2012 and were rehearsed over two weeks. The production ran July 20-21 in the McComas Hall theater on the campus of Mississippi State. n

{On the Page

LuLLaby

BOOK REVIEW BY MILTON WHATLEY

or the fans of the traditional, character driven mystery novel, January 18, 2010 was a very bad day. While sitting at his writing desk at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Robert B. Parker died of a massive heart attack. His fans were sure they had read the last stories staring Sunny Randall, Jesse Stone, and the legendary, Spenser. After much soul searching, the estate of Robert B. Parker decided that the Spenser franchise needed to continue and so the character of Spenser was handed to Alabama native and current resident of Mississippi, Ace Atkins. Atkins attended Auburn University where he graduated in 1994. He began his writing career in the newsroom of The Tampa Tribune where he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He began writing novels with Crossroad Blues in 1998. This story and several that followed centered on a former New Orleans Saints football player turned detective, named Nick Travers. His latest novel, The Lost Ones, was released earlier this year. The first Spenser novel by Ace Atkins is called Lullaby. The story begins in Spencer’s iconic Boston office with jazz playing in the background. Into Spenser’s office walks a 14 year old girl, pink Boston Red Sox hat on her head, wearing a down jacket several sizes too big for her and with a street smart attitude that’s helped her survive without a murdered mother. The young girl’s name is Mattie Sullivan and she has come to hire Spencer to find the person or persons who, four years before had rapped, stabbed and run over her mother, Julie Sullivan. Julie Sullivan’s drug problem had taken her away from her children for days at a time but that never stopped her daughter from loving her. The four years since her mother’s death had hardened Mattie enough to take on whomever or whatever it would require to find her mother’s murderer. Mattie had seen two men take her mother away by force the evening of her death. The men, two local drug dealers, were never even considered suspects. A man had been arrested and convicted for her mother’s murder but Mattie was sure he was innocent. The evidence, though, was convincing. The man, Mickey Green, had been arrested washing Julie Sullivan’s blood off of his car tires. To Spenser the case seemed open and shut, but the girl and her story tugged at his heart. At least, he thought, he would find out a few more details that might allow Mattie to accept the inevitable and have closure in her mother’s death. For a box of donuts and a large cup of coffee, Spenser takes the case. The case turns out to be much more than he imagined as he finds that Julie Sullivan’s two abductors are employed by Gerry

Broz, the son of one of Boston’s most notorious former crime bosses. In this particular story, Gerry Broz and his partner Jack Flynn are mounting a violent takeover of the area once controlled by Gerry’s father. With all that is going on behind the scenes, the question is why would anyone want to kill Julie Sullivan? Sullivan was not an apparent threat to anyone and yet was murdered so violently. Spenser’s inquiries begin to generate heat for Mattie, for himself and for his near constant companion, Hawk. Spenser begins to be pushed from both sides as the FBI demands he drop the case because of an ongoing investigation it says it has in progress and the criminals push because he and Hawk keep getting in their way. Pushing Spenser gets the detective to push back all the harder. There is more to the death of Julie Sullivan than meets the eye and Spenser will find the truth. Lullaby is a fast paced read with colorful characters. Ace Atkins picks up the dialogue and nuances of Spenser and the other key characters so well that he often sounds like Robert B. Parker himself. This is the kind of book that fans of Ace Atkins’ past work will enjoy and which will draw those who have never read a Spenser novel before to begin reading Parker’s previous novels. n

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{On the Page

Reading the Classics BOOK REVIEWS BY KATE SALTER

hile during this season Mississippi State University’s well-loved and storied athletic program may be the focus of attention, visitors and newcomers this fall may be interested to know MSU also houses some of the finest writers in the state. The following authors all teach creative writing in MSU’s English Department, and as they continuously flourish in their own careers, they help students find their voices as writers. To learn what our university writers have to offer, here are some, but certainly not all, of their best works.

Hours of the Cardinal by Richard Lyons The death of a mother drives the poems in Hours of the Cardinal, taking readers on journey through the vast expanse of human grief. Literary and other artistic characters help illustrate what it means to emotionally process death and other senses of remoteness and sadness; readers will recognize such famous artists as Frida Kahlo and Max Ernst, just to name a couple. But what unites all of the references is the overarching experience of loneliness and grief, and though the characters may suffer a myriad of travesties, they – including the speaker’s mother, whom he categorizes along with the many artists as “the great dead” – never lose their individual spirits and grace as they confront even the worst of the world’s increasing tendencies toward greed, expansion and overall homogeneity.

One Last Good Time by Michael Kardos Blue-collar characters populate this collection of stories set on the beautifully described Jersey Shore – including a security guard and a painter who have individual struggles with their sons and an unforgettable bowling alley janitor whose decision to shelter an abandoned infant changes his life. All of the stories provide character depth development and awesome attention to surroundings, helping even the most unfamiliar readers feel as if they have truly experienced life in this part of the East Coast. All of the tales are simultaneously funny and heartbreaking – a combination when achieved as well as it is here, makes for a highly enjoyable reading experience.

Strange Weather by Becky Hagenston Hagenston’s second collection of stories (after her 1998 debut, A Gram of Mars) has garnered rave reviews and is the winner of the 2009 Spokane Prize for Short Fiction. The title indicates the underlying theme of the whole collection – characters dealing with the torrential changes and stormy challenges of their lives. Although humorous, quirky, and at times darkly bizarre, every story – even when dealing with a murderer – is charged with meaning and relativity to the everyman’s travails. An initial reading of the collection’s opener, Trafalgar, about a mother and daughter’s visit to London, will alone compel readers to finish this fantastic book.

The Girls of Peculiar by Catherine Pierce Poet Catherine Pierce’s newest collection of poems, a follow-up to her earlier collection Famous Last Words, features poems about weird and different but ultimately lovely girls. Some of these ladies could stand to curtail their alcohol intake; others could simply use a drink. There are bookworms who should probably emerge from their shells, and then those derive emotional connections to former U.S. vice presidents and those who use earwigs to fashion jewelry. While all of the poems present a sense of confused urgency, there is at least a hint of a resolution in each. Overall, anyone who has ever struggled with their sense of self and issues of discomfort in his or her own skin – arguably virtually everyone – will find resonance in The Girls of Peculiar. n 66

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{On the Page

Reading Aloud BOOK REVIEWS BY HELLEN POLK

eventy years ago this month, the reading world for children became a better place with Little Golden Books (LGB). In September 1942 Simon & Schuster published the first of billions of copies of LGB that have been translated in many different languages. Despite paper shortages during World War II, the first 12 books became an instant hit because of their affordable price (just 25 cents each), high quality, availability in grocery and department stores, and notable authors and illustrators. These classic books that have reflected children’s interests over the years have been instrumental in stocking many a child’s home library with timeless stories and informational books. Seventy years later, LGB are still delighting young readers the world over. They are highly collectible, and they appear in the Smithsonian Institution’s Division of Cultural History.

Who has not read The Poky Little Puppy? This is the bestselling LGB of all time and one of the original twelve titles published in 1942. Written by Janette Sebring Lowrey of Texas, the beloved story of “five little puppies [who] dug a hole under a fence and went for a walk in the wide, wide world” has never been out of print. The illustrator, Gustaf Tenggren, became the chief illustrator for The Walt Disney Company in the late 1930’s during the height of animation production. Scuffy the Tugboat (1946), written by Gertrude Crampton and illustrated by Tibor Gergely, tells the delightful tale of a bathtub toy and his adventures down the river. Along the way Scuffy follows the river to the giant sea and the big city where he is rescued by his little boy and brought back to the safety of his bathtub.

As a child and a parent, I have always treasured reading Richard Scarry’s Good Night, Little Bear (1961). This was a bedtime ritual that my dad and I shared. Later I had the opportunity to share it on many nights with my son. Little Bear and his dad play a game of hide-and-seek interrupted only by the tantalizing smell of chocolate cake. After sharing a

Some of the LGB were written as ‘little civics” boos that taught lessons of working people as unsung heroes. Many teachers have used these books as valuable resources in their classrooms over the years. Five Little Firemen (1948) by Margaret Wise Brown became one of the classic books about community addition, the Golden partners introduced Little Golden Records, a series of 78-rpm records that also sold for 25 cents each. Now children could listen to their favorite stories on records, some with musical settings

delicious slice of cake, Little Bear is finally ready to settle in for the night. In addition to providing timeless stories, LGB reflect social change as well as current trends and story characters. Now selling for just $3.99 and published by Random House, Disney’s The Lion King (2003), retold by Justine Korman, reminds children of the Circle of Life through the riveting tale of Simba, the young lion cub. Whether you prefer the nostalgic childhood classics or the exciting newer releases, look for the gold foil spine of Little Golden Books. They continue to offer the favorite characters, seasonal and holiday stories, and informational books that children and adults have loved for seventy years. n

by famous composers and bandleader like Mitch Miller. Bach’s “Flute Dance” was recorded along with the story of the Five Little Firemen. Another informative story that became a bestseller was Doctor Dan the Bandage Man (1950), written by Helen Gaspard, who was the nanny for Richard Simon’s children. Her idea for the book came from Mr. Simon’s son’s fascination with Band-Aids. The publisher contacted Johnson & Johnson, who agreed to supply nine million Band-Aids to be inserted into the books in sets of six.

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{On the Page

Bulldog Poetry From My Window as teacher who cares I hope, as I try to give the same.

I’m sitting in the Book Mart, surrounded by maroon, drinking flavored coffee, my head somewhat aswoon, Dreaming of days now dead and gone, when I, a campus rat, worked, lived, and studied MSU “So few can brag of that!,” Where I was a student full time, and employee the same, trying to get an education and make myself a name.

John Michael Shelton

I was a single father of a wonderful boy and girl, living in Aiken Village, literally, a neighbor of the world.

Starkville Christian School

I received my education, which has given me that name

I’ve attended games by the hundreds, many concerts and plays, and learned the true nature of life, and my dogged “bulldawg” ways. I’ve danced and sang and created, though none of these very well, because “My State” gave me confidence and brought me outta my shell. She taught me the value of friendships, many of which I made that are still intact and cherished, and will be till I fade. So, I have returned to Starkville, and I write of MSU, my alma mater - My State my home with the perfect view.

1994 MSU Graduate in English

An Ode to Mississippi State University Mississippi State Was founded in 1878. Students came by train to live in Old Main To learn from professors great. In maroon and white We show our might On the court and on the field. GO BULLDOGS! we cheer as we hear The cowbells that are pealed. On the drill field we gather, In all kinds of weather, And play different activities. Then to the Union for a snack where we all sit back And share our memories. The future looks bright For the maroon and white: Our numbers increase each year. Doors will open for you at MSU As you plan your illustrious career.

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Senior at Starkville Christian

Paw Prints

Zach Meints Starkville Christian School

As I walk through campus in June, My mind recalls the joys of the fall. Thousands of teachers and students All following the call of the cowbell. Some heard it when they were seven years old, Some when they were 25; But the paw prints have led them here For one reason – to live out their dreams. I think about my call. Whether arts, sciences or athletics, I know the call of the cowbell And the sign of the paw prints Will guide me to my dreams.

State of Mind One of the top ten We are here to stay and win Bulldog till the end Hard working students Majoring in what they love Never giving up Hard working teachers Here to broaden students' minds Helping one succeed

Rikki Williams Starkville Christian School graduate

Football fans get bells Stadium full of people Bulldogs till the end

What is a BullDawg? Jonathan Walker Senior at Mississippi State Majoring in Secondary and Education concentration Hebron Christian School

To be a bulldog means more than going to a few games It’s more than knowing all the players names To be a true bulldog one must bleed “Maroon and White,” It doesn’t matter if we’re the number one seed All that matters is your amount of fight When Mullen yells hold the line tight It’s knowing a bulldogs favorite quote “Go to _____ Ole Miss” After the National Anthem’s final note This is what it means to be an MSU BullDawg! townandgownmagazine.com

| september 2012

{SeeHear

Painted in Maroon and White

TBA by Karen James 662-574-0026

Well-known for her monkey acrylic paintings, Karen James has been working hard on collegiate-themed painting including Bully relaxing with a Coke and “Bully over Bear”, a painting with Bully sitting in a chair with a Ole Miss Bear rug. She recently was chosen to be the featured artist to paint former Governor Haley Barber at the Mississippi in the Park in New York, NY. Her painting are sold in Alabama, Gulf Coast area and Texas as well as Mississippi. James was born in California and went to college in Texas and now resides in Columbus.

“Almost Gametime” by Melanie McNeel

melaniemcneel@yahoo.com 662-803-3884 Vibrant colors, inspiration from landscapes, travel and architectural vignettes show the passion of Melanie McNeel as an impressionistic painter. Working on location and from her own photography, she interprets the essence of local scenes and makes them come alive. Starkville and MSU are the focus of her new collection of oil paintings and prints. Memories of places people love or things they like to see are captured in colorful light inspired works. She is excited about capturing the atmosphere and vibrancy of the area. With a degree in art from the University of Mississippi she has won awards in both oils and watercolors. She continues to maintain an active art teaching and studio schedule in Louisville.

Portrait of Dan Mullen, MSU head football coach, by Greg Cartmell

cartmellgallery.com 601-479-5659 A professional artist for over 45 years, Greg Cartmell is nationally recognized as one of the country’s foremost landscape painters. Cartmell paints “en plein air”, the tradition of on-location painting, directly from nature. Cartmell’s works are in private and corporate collections throughout the world. The recipient of over three hundred awards, he has been published and recognized in numerous regional and national journals. Cartmell is also known for his portraits and has painted many noteworthy commissions, including first lady Barbara Bush, Senator John C. Stennis, mike Wallace, the honorable G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery and Ray Charles. Cartmell currently resides in Meridian where he has a studio and teaches art to adults. He travels extensively conducting workshops throughout the United States. His teaching method is “alla prima”. 70

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HanaLena

{Rhythms

BY EMILY JONES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NASHVILLE Eye Model Management/Fairlight Hubbard

tarkville’s popular homegrown bluegrass band, known for 15 years as Nash Street, has undergone a complete metamorphosis and emerged with a new sound and a new name. About a year ago, the group’s lead vocalists, sisters Hannah and Caroline Melby decided to tweak their signature sound and strike out on their own. Their newly recorded EP (extended play) album contains original compositions by the sisters, their own creative version of an old song, and two songs pitched to them by a Nashville publisher. Though the sound is different, the girls insist they are maintaining a firm grasp on their bluegrass roots. Along with the new sound, the duo has adopted the name “HanaLena” which is an amalgamation of their childhood nicknames for each other. They grew zinnias and sold them to a local flower shop and to pedestrians on city streets under the name “HanaLena.” Their musical style and original compositions are reminiscent of their experiences growing up in Starkville’s Nash Street Historic District, and being influenced by parents who were committed to imparting a love of the arts in their children.

Hannah and Caroline’s musical bonding began as toddlers when they were entertained by their father playing “Tennessee Waltz” on his harmonica or “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” on piano. “We started singing together about the time we could both talk,” said Hannah, age 26. “We grew up singing to Reba, Dolly, The Judds, and all of the legends.” Their first paying gig was for a function at Mississippi State when Hannah was a mere fourth grader. “I remember we played fiddle tunes for hours. I decided then I would find a way to do this for the rest of my life,” recalled Hannah. “I think we got $25 for playing that night, and I thought that was so much money at the time.” The novice fiddlers have grown into classic Southern beauties with voices that harmonize better than grits and butter. They never dreamed the name “HanaLena” would be resurrected two decades later as a part of a shared business plan. Nash Street, the band, was born in 1996 under the almost forgotten name, “The Goat Ropers.” The two teenaged sisters enlisted a few of their musically talented friends to join them in competing in a bluegrass string band contest. They were a huge hit and scored dozens of invitations to play (usually for free) at festivals and fairs. A loyal fan base was lining up, and the group decided to change their name to Nash Street and get serious about their future in the music business.

Photography by Nicholas Trull/Nashville By 2010 they were demanding “real money,” and felt they were ready to move the act to the next level. First stop – Nashville. “Hannah and I moved there and embarked on a strenuous schedule of rehearsing, voice lessons, and traveling around the country, performing at festivals and special events,” said Caroline, age 22. She is also working on completing her undergraduate degree in music business at Belmont University in Nashville. Hannah, a communications graduate at MSU, holds a part-time job in Nashville which has been flexible enough to work around the band’s engagements. After two years in “Music City,” the value of Nash Street stock has risen steadily. They have recorded four albums, Live at the Princess Theater, Never Lost, Not Forgotten, Carry On, and Between Hope and Heartache along with the just completed a 5-song EP, soon to be out on itunes. They have performed in popular Nashville venues including Rippy’s, the famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Cadillac Ranch, 3rd and Linsley, 12th and Porter. They have participated in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Reunion of Professional Entertainers, Ernest Tubb Record Shop’s Midnight Jamboree, CMA Music Fest, Warner Park’s Full Moon Pickin’ Party, Music City Roots, and Nashville’s Women’s 5K marathon. They’ve shared the stage with an “A-List” of Country stars including LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Eric Church, Little Big Town and many other household names in the world of country and western music. Along the way, Nash Street received national exposure through media outlets. But the all-time most exciting moment came when the band received the invitation to perform at the famed Ryman Theatre, home of the Grand Ole Opry, during the Colgate Country Showdown. “Playing at the Ryman auditorium will always be one of the top experiences as a musician and in my life in general,” said Hannah. “Just to know that we were standing on the same place legends like Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline stood still gives me chills today.” 72

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Recently, Hannah and Caroline were invited to play on a compilation album, The 1861 Project. It is a collection of new songs that reflect the feelings and sentiments of those who experienced the Civil War. The two girls joined some heavy hitters such as Marty Stuart and John Anderson on this project and have enjoyed being associated with such fine musicians that are a part of the album. Their parents continue to play a significant role in their daughters’ lives with Cindy and Pete serving as business manager and booking agent. “The girls are very blessed to have a highly respected and wellknown producer in Bill VornDick who encouraged the name change and a shift toward a more mainstream ‘pop acoustical’ direction,” said Cindy. “His clients have earned over 40 Grammy nominations and seven that won.” “We love being able to play the music we love and have people connect to it and love it as much as we do,” said Hannah. “It is one of the neatest feelings in the world to play a show and have people in the crowd singing the words to your songs.” “We have people come up and talk to us after our shows that tell us how one of our songs helped them through a difficult time, or that they listen to a song we wrote to brighten their day. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that our music has touched even one person,” she added. The girls don’t live together in Nashville which they jokingly said has enabled them to remain best friends as well as business partners. “We’ve been on the road this year more than ever, performing in 11 states in two months,” said Caroline. “We’ve accepted that our home in Nashville is more of a landing place and it helps having my sister with me. When we’re worn out, we stop and remind each other how blessed we are to be living our dream.” The duo is grateful for the strong support they get from fans and groups all over Mississippi. You can keep up with the new Nash Street by visiting their new website hanalena.com, facebook (facebook.com/hanalenaband) or twitter.com/hanalenaband. n

Alumni Professionals of the SEC Photography by Laura Daniels Mississippi State University held the Alumni Professionals of the Southeastern Conference of 2012 August 6-8 and welcomed two new members into their family - Texas A&M University and the University of Missouri while meeting and visiting with other alumni professionals from the other 12 SEC schools. A reception and dinner was held at Little Dooey.

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1. Chris LeMaster, Ashley Clayton 2. Aaron Blackwell, Sheri Pape, Eric Haag 3. Carin Huffman Grinch, Stephanie Anderson 4. Debbie Dietzler, Jeanna Goldberg, Danita Nias 5. Kelli Hutka, Katy Lee, Brittany Guthrie, Barb Tillman 6. Jimmy Abraham, Event Coordinator and MSU Alumni Exec Director, Cliff Vannoy 7. Debbie Dietzler, Tim Walsh 8. Drew Terry, Bryan Fisher, Brynn Cavanaugh 9. Joanna Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Higgins, Phyllis Moore 10. Todd Mccubbin, Porter Garner 11. Meg Phillips, Alyssa Thornton, Hunter Evans 12. Sara Beth Spearing, Courtney Page 13. Richard Shadyac, CEO of ALSAC/ St. Jude, Barry Wood, Owner/Founder of Little Dooey, Steele Ford, Executive at ALSAC/St. Jude townandgownmagazine.com

| september 2012

MSU Send-Off Party Photography by Debbie Montgomery Mississippi State University Alumni Association & Oktibbeha County Chapter Send-Off Party 2012 held at Davis Wade Stadium Club Level July 24.

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7 6 1. Derius Galvez, Bailey Clark, Robert Clark, Byron Hill 2. Megan Ancoin, Meagan Gamill, Callie Ellis, Emily Salmon, Gina Neal, Alex Yeatman 3. Donna Rupp, Joyleshia Pippins, Wendy Henley, Carol Read, Saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Arrah Mullins, Robert Cadenhead 4. John Crecink, Jane Ellen Crecink, Kantrea Harris, Beth Ramsey, Caleb Garner, Kim Cadenhead 5.John Tomlinson, John Robert Tomlinson, Wayne Tubb, David Albritton, Brad Jones, Brian McCaskill 6. Alexa Pearson, Meredith Pearson, Nicole Ball, Veronica Leach, Abby McKibben, Sarah Easley 7. Ryan Lawrence, Jenny Lawrence, Kelly Olivieri, Ralph Olivieri 8. Shelley Pensworth, Viviande Regt, Anna Prestridge, John Guyton, Susan Tomlinson 9. Dean Stephens, Zachary Stephens, Lisa Stephens, Madison Stephens 74

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3rd Annual Dancing in the Park Photography by Ashley Covin KMG Creations hosted its 3rd annual event at McKee Park in Starkville and celebrated National Dance Day. The event was designed for everyone to get up and move. Attendees of Dancing in the Park brought supplies and food for animals to support Starkville Humane Society.

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1. Amaria Strong, Tiffany Kelly, Ivy Wynn 2. Aniya Williams, Samiyah Callahan, Bidhi Kasu 3. Burgandy Gibson, Adam Mates 4. Christine Tibbett 5. Iris Sharp, Bija Kasu, Bijaya Kasu 6. Kami Warren, Ameija Comeman, Saleseiah Hagens 7. Kay Cornwell, Joyce Ellewood 8. Ruth De la Cruz 9. Kenneth Morrow, Joyce Morrow 10. Mikayla Osaji 11. Tiffany Kelly, CJ Gibson 12. Kayla Gilmore

townandgownmagazine.com

| september 2012

MSU Riley Center Photography by Hannah Tibbetts Alice Tan Riley: From singing on the subway and teaching in New York city to her 2010 appearance on Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Got Talent, Riley has performed worldwide including at the MSU Riley Center in July singing R&B and soul music.

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10 8 1. Brenda Pritchett, Jo Patterson 2. Shelley Ezelle, Stacy Davis, Lakiesha Bland 3. Thesia Beeman, Dot DuRapau 4. Tony Sansone, Jimmy Crane 5. John Watts, Ann Watts 6. Pete Hays, Susan Hays 7. Kim Barfield, Darlene Broadway 8. Rebecca Combs-Dulaney, Tommy Dulaney 9. Sandra McCoy, Mary Coleman 10. Chelsea Davis, Michelle Johnson, Jessica Clift, Sondra Fleming, Melissa Parks 11. Jennifer St. John, Ron St. John 12. Martha Wilkes, Anita Jo Ross 13. Katherine Nicosia, Amanda Cashman, Patti Reiss 76

townandgownmagazine.com

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Starkville unWINE Downtown Photography by Ashley Covin The Greater Starkville Development Partnership hosts the unWINE Downtown for an exclusive shopping experience at 20 shops offering 25% off and deliciously fresh wines. All wine selections are chosen by Oak & Steel Wine & Spirits in Starkville.

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10 1. Haley Nixon, Amber Schultice 2. Jennifer Potera, Rebecca Tabb 3. Adrian Austin 4. Kass Sharp, Heather Britt 5. Hannah Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, Nancy Bryson 6. Jo Ellen Druelinger, Meredith Druelinger 7. Savannah Perry, LeAnna Smith 8. Marla Waldrop, Katie Adrigo, Katie Brown 9.Robin Pigg, Michelle Bricka 10. Angelica Vaughan 11. Sharon James, Zandra Garner, Annie Nicks 12. Sykes Zimmerman, Susan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal

townandgownmagazine.com

| september 2012

Starkville Community Theatre Photography by Laura Daniels Unplugged: A musical of the old MTV “Unplugged” acoustic show. Music ranged from pop to country to gospel. The “SCT: Unplugged” band featured John Brocato on guitar, Jim Beaty on bass, Carole Sorenson on piano, Drew Dieckmann on guitar, Vinny Brocato on drums and Marcus Vowell on guitar.

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1. Elizabeth Bounds, Bobbie Bounds 2. Pam Collins, Bob Collins 3. Debra Cole, Nina Coleman, Glenda Colbert, Linda Taylor 4. Kathie Parker, Elaine White, Carolyn Wofford 5. Lyle Tate, Cindy Ruff 6. Edwin Ellis, Happy Deas (president of SCT) 7. Bobbie Walton, Johnny Walton 8. Evelyn Lowery, Krista Vowell, Faye Caldwell 9. Janis Ross, Katie Elmore 10. Vance Watson, JoAnn Watson 11. Matt Crane, Jessica Taylor 12. Eugene Bailey, Elizabeth Bailey

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townandgownmagazine.com

| september 2012

Going Away Party Photography by Ashley Covin Mark Duncan, Starkville in Motion former president, and Bethany Stitch, Starkville transportation committee member and a graduate of the Oktibbeha County Leadership in 2010, are leaving Starkville for New Orleans later this month. Friends around Starkville held a New Orleans-themed going away party for Duncan and Stitch at the Halfway House in Starkville.

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8 1. Bethany Stitch, Mark Duncan 2. Bill Martin, Carol Martin 3. Briar Jones, Michelle Jones 4. Hope Dumas, Jeremiah Dumas 5. Jackie Hudson, Kathleen Gafford, Jim Gafford 6. Jeremiah Dumas, Hope Dumas, Jackie Hudson, Mark Hudson, Bethany Stitch, Jim Gafford, Kathleen Gafford, Mark Duncan 7. Hope Dumas, Melissa Dixon 8. Melissa Emerson, Christine Rush 9. Lynne Cossman, Bethany Stitch 10. Mark Duncan, Jim Gafford 11. Mike Mazzola, Mark Hudson 12. Quintara Miller, Bethany Stitch 13. Scott Rush, Christine Rush

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Starkville Junior Auxiliary Photos by Debbie Montgomery Starkville Junior Auxiliary welcomes 2012 Provisional Class with progressive dinner at the home of Ashley Covin for appetizer portion on July 30.

6 1. Mandy Conrad, Ashley Covin, Jana Berkery, Heather Ballard, Margaret Cook, Mandee Lewis, Brittney McAfee 2. Jamie Elliott, Ashley Covin, Mandy Conrad, Wendy Walters 3. Jordan Ramsey, Natalie Jolly, Mary Martha Edwards, Mandee Lewis, Heather Ballard 4. Elizabeth Lejeune, Heather Simmods, Caroline Hearnsberger, Kristen Skinner, Kathryn Byrum, Allison Cauthen 5. Katherine Hewlett, Wendy Walters, Betsey Smith, Kristen Fyke 6. Kylie Estes, Ashley Haeusler, Mandy Conrad 7. Katy Coffey, Karen Templeton, Heather Ballard 8. Mary Martha Edwards, Kaite Iglay, Catherine Hearnsberger 9. Laura Templeton, Katie Aldridge, Mary Kathryn Kight, Emily Daniels 80

townandgownmagazine.com

| september 2012

MSU Football Game Come enjoy the first kick-off game of MSU Football at 6 p.m. at Davis Wade Stadium. Don’t forget to wear maroon to support the Bulldogs. For more information visit msstate.edu

Dixie Thunder Run Starting August 31, Chunky River Harley Davidson in Meridian will hold “Soldiers Helping Soldiers” featuring: Darryl Worley & Blackjack Billy Concert St. Night at AG Center and Danny Koker Saturday 1-3 p.m. at Chunky River Harley Daividson. 17th Annual Howlin’ Wolf Memorial Blues Festival Mary Homes College in West Point will host the Howlin’ Memorial Blues Festival in honor of legendary bluesman Howlin’ Wolf. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information visit wpnet.org. 34th Annual Prairie Arts Festival Held in downtown West Point, enjoy fine arts, crafts, downhome southern cooking, four stages of live music, Classic cars, Kidsville and much more starting at 6 p.m. The Prairie Arts Festival will feature more than 600 exhibits. For more information visit wpnet.org. Earth’s Bounty Festival The festival is a Farmer’s market with fresh produce and homemade products with entertainment throughout the day. Earth’s Bounty will be held in Meridian at Singing Brakeman Park from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and is free to the public.

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Bulldog Brunch & Browse Starkville Main Street will open their doors to the public from 12-5 p.m. The stores will only open each of the seven Sundays of home football game weekends.

11th Annual Tennessee Williams Tribute and Tour of Victorian Homes Columbus is the birthplace of Tennessee Williams. He spent his beginning years in an 1875 Victorian home in Columbus and this event is a tribute to him and his history. Tours will be held until September 9 and more information can be found at columbus-ms.org. Visual Arts Center Gallery Opening Reception The Visual Arts Center Gallery on University Drive will hold an Opening Reception for Inside-Out, Outside-In: African-Inspired Fiber Arts by Mary Hark and Nnenna Okore from 5:30-7 p.m.

175th Anniversary Downtown Block Party To commemorate the celebration of Starkville’s 175th Anniversary year a parade and downtown block party featuring food and children’s activities will be held through the streets of Starkville and ending at College park Shopping Center on Russell Street from 4-6 p.m. For more information visit visit.starkville.org. Bulldog Brunch & Browse Starkville Main Street will open their doors to the public from 12-5 p.m. The stores will only open each of the seven Sundays of home football game weekends.

SEPTEMBER African Musical Journey An African Musical Journey will be held in McComas Hall Theater at 3 p.m. sponsored by the Maroon Edition and will be free to the public. Complementing the Maroon Edition book, Unbowed by Wangari Maathai, reading experience, this event will celebrate the musical rhythms of the book’s Africa setting. Visit maroonedition.msstate.edu for more information.

Tupelo Summer Concert Series Tupelo will hold a summer concert featuring Della Mae and Emmitt-Nershi Band at 6:30 p.m. on Main Street. Visit tupeldownonmain. com for more information.

MSU Riley Center hosts Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Asleep at the Wheel “Dirt in the Wheel” concert by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Asleep at the Wheel will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Meridian with a preshow party at 6 p.m. Tickets are $ 34-40. Call 601-696-2200 or visit msurileycenter.com for more information.

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Fish ‘N Fixins The 5th annual Fish ‘N Fixins features a silent auction benefitting the American Red Cross Northeast Mississippi Chapter and food provided by Romie’s. Event will be held at 105 Court Street in Tupelo from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. For more information visit mississippi-redcross.org. unWINE Downtown The Greater Starkville Development Partnership will host unWINE Downtown for $20 per person when ticket purchased in advance. Enjoy a glass of wine at each participating merchant while shopping with a discount. For more information visit starkville.org. Tallahatchie RiverFest Held in historic downtown New Albany, this festival celebrates the creative spirit of the region through which this river flows. Festival features visual, literary and performing arts and entertainment lasting until September 23. For more information visit tallahatchieriverfest.com.

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Bulldog Brunch & Browse Starkville Main Street will open their doors to the public from 12-5 p.m. The stores will only open each of the seven Sundays of home football game weekends.

MSU Colvard Student Union Gallery The MSU Colvard Student Union Gallery will hold a reception for Betty Press: African Wisdom in Image and Proverb. The artist will be presenting art to sell and will sign copies of her lastest book.

Music Maker Production: Pretty Lights Pretty Lights with special guests Lotus, Wick-It the instigator & SuperVison will be at the Mississippi State University Horse Park at 7 p.m. This MSU Music Maker Production will be $25-30. For more information visit msuconcerts.com. townandgownmagazine.com

| september 2012

townandgownmag.com

| september 2012

townandgownmag.com

| september 2012

townandgownmag.com

| september 2012

townandgownmag.com

| september 2012