Hometown Madison - May & June 2016

Volume 2 Number 4
May/june 2016
big city, big dreams
______________________
A Mother’s Day
______________________
The Bulldog Professor
______________________
The Heirloom Treasure

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2 • May/June 2016
4/8/16 10:50 AM

publisher & Editor
Tahya A. Dobbs
CFO
Kevin W. Dobbs
Consulting editor
Mary Ann Kirby
Account Executives
Alicia Adams
Rachel Lombardo
Contributing Writers
Camille Anding
Nell Luter Floyd
Mary Ann Kirby
Abbie Walker
staff Photographer
Othel Anding
Contributing Photographer
Elise Sears
Administrative Assistants
Alisha Floyd
Brenda McCall
Layout Design
Daniel Thomas / 3dt
Missy Donaldson / MAD Designs
April showers bring May flowers AND Mother’s Day celebration. I did a bit of research about this
special day and found that the American holiday was first celebrated in 1908. Ann Jarvis had been a
peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War. After her death,
her daughter Anna wanted to honor her mother by setting aside a day to honor all mothers. Anna
believed that mothers were “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world.”
I got a special glimpse into motherhood just this past weekend. My husband and I had a great
visit with our oldest daughter, Camea, and her husband Justin whose jobs have relocated them to
downtown Dallas.
As we drove away from their new home, I felt the pain of “snipped
apron strings” and recalled how my mother must have felt when leaving
me in Knoxville, Tennessee as a newlywed.
A wise someone said, “Our children are first on our knees but always
on our hearts.” As a mother, daughter and granddaughter, I have
experienced the emotions of motherhood in many directions. That’s
why I am honored to highlight some special mothers in this issue and
honor all who have been blessed with the role of mother.
Happy Mother’s Day from Hometown Magazines!
• • •
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• • •
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is funded by advertising.
In this issue Big City, Big Dreams ..................... 6
Best Thing About Mom.................. 10
Loved & Needed. ...................... 12
A Mother’s Day......................14
Making Changes..........................20
The Heirloom Treasure ................ 28
Events & Activities ................... 34
The Godwink ........................ 36
The Bulldog Professor ................ 44
Hometown madison • 3

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Hometown madison • 5

Big City,
Big Dreams
Abigail Walker
Before people started telling her she had
“the look,” Mary Upton Shirley had never
thought about modeling. But she finally
decided to see if they were right and give
it a chance. Now the 18-year-old senior at
Madison Central High School is heading to
New York to work as a contracted model.
Mary Upton may be a Mississippi girl, but
she’s got all the makings of a big city success.
It all began about two years ago when the employees at Libby Story
put her in touch with Jamie Elyse Ainsworth of JEA Model Management.
“I would’ve never thought about modeling because the market doesn’t
really exist in the South like it does other places,” Mary Upton said. She
was unsure if she had what it took to be a model, but Jamie saw her
potential and signed her with JEA Models.
It was the “boost” that Mary Upton needed to take her role as a model
seriously, but the work had just begun. She had to learn the basics of
modeling—how to train her face and body—as well as how to adapt to
what each shoot required. “It’s a science and an art,” Mary Upton said,
adding that it’s not as easy as people sometimes think. She began
building a portfolio through shoots for Libby Story and local magazines
and even walked in Memphis Fashion Week.
The more modeling gigs she had, the more she learned about the
industry. “It’s a whole other universe,” said Mary Upton. “You have to make
yourself available and be flexible.” She said that models may be called
to do a shoot at any time anywhere. Between school and her job at
Crossroads Café, Mary Upton’s schedule is pretty packed. “It’s a balancing
act for sure,” she said.
Last summer, Jamie took Mary Upton with her to New York City for
a week trip to get her name out and hopefully find someone who was
interested in hiring her. Meeting with agencies around the Big Apple was
a bit overwhelming for Mary Upton, but she loved the big city experience.
“Once you get a taste of New York, you want to go back,” she said.
6 • May/June 2016

That September, Mary Upton finally
got her “golden ticket”—a contract from
BMG Models New York.
After graduation this May, Mary
Upton will be moving to New York
City to work full time as a
model, where she’ll be
staying with another
BMG addition in
provided housing.
Though Mary Upton
will be living on her
own in the big city,
she’ll still be a fresh
high school graduate
at heart. “I’m most
nervous about having
to do my laundry,”
she laughs. “But I’m excited to be doing something on my own.”
For Mary Upton, this experience is about more than just modeling.
It’s about proving to herself that she can be independent.
The plan is to stay for at least two months, but Mary Upton says that
in the modeling world, everything is uncertain. She hopes to stay in New
York until fashion week in September or possibly travel oversees for jobs,
but it all depends on how she’s received or what is needed at the time.
As a model, you’re either commercial or high fashion. But Mary Upton’s
young look, paired with her strong brows, puts her more “on the edge.” “Her
look is both commercial and high fashion, with a touch of quirky,” said Jamie
Ainsworth. “She has the look to work for numerous clients, which is great
for a model.”
Though Mary Upton is signed with BMG, Jamie is Mary
Upton’s “mother agent,” which means that JEA has the
final say and can step in if needed. But Mary Upton
said that Jamie has become more like a big sister
to her. “I got to be the one to train, develop,
and watch her grow as a model and a young
adult, and now that she is making this big
step, it makes me so happy!” said Jamie.
“She has grown with confidence and
has become a beautiful young adult,
and I couldn’t be more thrilled to guide
her on this journey.”
Hometown madison • 7

Billy Brunt, John Dorsa, Linda Bynum
Chuck Hiers, Kimberly Peterson, Chad Blalock
Kristy Daniels, Megan Cole, Kasey Dickson
Danny Berry, First Lady Deborah Bryant,
John Hays
David & Mimi Watts
Dee Dee Whitledge, Debbie Gooch,
Kathy McPhail
David Hinton, Keith Hopper
David Martin
Michelle Hoffman, Debbie Westbrook
Ribbon Cutting
Jodi Maughon, Emily Shawn, Wendy McCubbins,
Shelby Taylor
Gail Wood, Julia Cranford, E.J. Smith
Jessica Dallager, Francis Campbell
Joan & H.O. Winstead
John Hays, Chuck Hiers

Julie Henry, Suzanne Alford, Alex Guererri,
David Schonberg, Cindy Schrock
Rachel Martin, Lindsey Graham, Avery Adams, Renita Brown
Joshua Lorenz, Ashley Parker
Jim Osipowicz, Brenda Hughes
Linda Carver, DeAnna Williams
Trent Nelson, Diane Cushing
Dennis & Julia Cranford
Mike Davis, Matt Guillory
Natalie Tardo, Mallory Shinn, Mia Runkles
Schneika Stokes, Chip Sarver, Charles Jackson
Terilyn Smith, Trace Graham, Dearix Robinson
Thomas Dobb, Eddie Woodard, Billy Brunt, Mark Beyea
Susan Craig, H.O. Winstead, & Myrtis Norman
Suzanne Alford, Stuart Coleman
Ted Enstrom, Sandy Baas
Lindsey Graham, David Woodward
Tyler Thornton, Keith Annison, Julie Henry
Hometown madison • 9

What is the
best thing about
your mom?
Ha-ha everything!
And sometimes she
does surprises because
she is full of surprises.
Noah Brown
Girl stuff…we do
girl stuff like going to
the nail shop and we go
buy girl toys and we
have girl’s day.
Danielle Bell
She cooks good
meals for me.
Halle Vickery
10 • May/June 2016

The best thing
about my mama is
that she always
takes care of me.
C.J. James
She feeds me.
Luke Smith
Her humor.
She is really funny.
Macey Brewer
She pays for
my horse lessons
every week.
Millie Beth McCormick
Probably
her cooking.
Brooke Bumgarner
She cares
for me and
my sister.
Whitney Davis
She loves all of
her students
no matter
how stubborn
they can be.
Megan Graves
She tries to get
her chores done
quickly so she can
do stuff with us.
Sophie Bryan
Hometown madison • 11

12 • May/June 2016

Loved & Needed
Camille Anding
In Margaret LaRue’s ninety-one years, she’s accumulated an
abundance of memories and can recall them with clarity and
quickness. She remembers moving with her twin sister and parents
from Jackson to Tupelo, Mississippi, at age nine. “It was just at the
end of the depression, and Daddy was thrilled to get a job as the
city/county engineer,” she said.
Two years later, on a Sunday night, the devastating tornado of
1936 almost destroyed the entire town. The schools, churches, and
hospital were demolished. Hundreds of homes and over 200
people didn’t survive. “Daddy was out all that night helping pull
people from the rubble.”
However, rebuilding the city left Margaret’s dad, Mr. Robert
Striger, with job security and time for Margaret and her sister to
graduate from high school.
Margaret returned to Jackson to get her degree from Belhaven
and went to the University of Alabama to study medical technology.
It was while she was working for a group of doctors in Jackson
that mutual friends introduced Margaret to Dale McKibben. “He
was a dashing young lawyer just out of Ole Miss School of Law and
driving a red convertible,” Margaret remembers.
A large smile lit up her face. “I was smitten!” They were wed
in 1950 and had a wonderful life raising their one daughter and
three sons.
Margaret also has a fondness for the Fondren area of Jackson.
She is the oldest living descendant of the Fondren family. Her
mother was one of eight Fondren girls and lived in a spacious home
on North State Street. Margaret’s dad came to Jackson as an
engineer to build North State Street. “Daddy saw all eight Fondren
daughters on their front porch that overlooked his road work.
He eventually made friends with them and married Margaret
Fondren, Margaret’s future mother and namesake.
Margaret’s grandfather, David F. Fondren, built a grocery store
that carried “fancy groceries and dry goods” and founded Fondren
Presbyterian Church in his home.
Happy memories of visits to Margaret’s Fondren grandparents
were obvious in her descriptions of life in those days. Her grandfather
operated Fondren Station post office out of his store, and street cars
ran from downtown Jackson to the present-day medical center.
In 2002, Margaret moved to Sunnybrook Estates after becoming
a widow. She was surprised when her husband’s former boss, Ike
LaRue, moved in later after losing his wife. The two found comfort
in their renewed friendships and mutual losses and eventually
married at St. Luke’s Methodist Church. Margaret said, “He needed
me, and I felt like I needed to be needed. It’s a bad feeling when
nobody needs you.” They were able to enjoy some traveling before
Mr. LaRue passed away in 2006.
As for life at Sunnybrook, Margaret said, “My children say living
here is like living on a cruise ship – food, fellowship, entertainment,
housekeeping, and new friends.” She added that she feels secure,
loved, and safe with all of her needs being met. “This is home!”
she said with a contented smile.
Margaret’s positive and youthful attitude is reflected in her
appearance. She laughed as she spoke of her longevity, “It’s not on
my bucket list to live forever!”
After noting her zest for life along with her servant’s heart, her
family and friends need to remind Margaret that people like her
will always be needed.
Hometown madison • 13

A Mother’s Day
Abigail Walker
This Mother’s Day we are telling the stories of three Madison moms
whose families may look different, but they share a common thread
—their love for their children.
14 • May/June 2016

Melissa Butler
Melissa Butler loves spending time at
home. At nine in the morning, school starts.
On lazy days she and her two girls (Natalie,
6, and Mary Gwen, 4) may lounge around
in their pajamas for a little while longer.
By lunch, work is usually done, and then
it’s an afternoon of playing outside, grocery
shopping, or reading before having dinner
as a family.
As a teacher and the wife of a pastor,
Melissa realized that a busy schedule often
meant “missing out on family time.” So
two years ago they made the decision to
homeschool their girls. While homeschooling
can be challenging, the reward is getting to
spend more time together as a family.
“There’s a lot of sacrifice, but it’s worth it,”
Melissa said.
Though they love being home, they are
also involved in activities around town.
Melissa’s husband Ben is a pastor at Madison
United Methodist Church, which means
they spend a lot of time there throughout
the week. Natalie is an American Heritage
Girl, and they also participate in the Madison
chapter of Christian Home Educators
Connection, where they learn Spanish,
create art, play games, and more with other
homeschooled children. But Fridays are
sacred family days, reserved for the four
of them hanging out together.
Not only does Melissa want her girls to
get a good education, but she also wants to
lay a firm Christian foundation for them.
Her goal as a mother is to “make disciples.”
“I want them to learn and to be kind and to
feel loved,” Melissa said. “I try to model all
that I want them to be, but I’m not perfect.”
She hopes to create an environment where
they have the freedom to be themselves and
to be creative.
Melissa recently got the news that she
would be expecting another child in October.
Though it was a surprise, she is thrilled.
“I’ve always wanted to be a mom,” she said.
“I had a great mom, and I want my children
to have good experiences as well.”
Her favorite part about being a mom is
experiencing life through her daughters’
eyes and seeing the innocence and wonder
that they share. “Quality time is my love
language,” said Melissa. “I just love being
with them.” ♥
Hometown madison • 15

Jennifer Crowe
Jennifer Crowe loves a full house. With five
children (Mason, 16; Dawson, 11; Colton, 9;
Ashlyn, 7; and Bella, 3), life can get a little hectic,
but it’s what brings Jennifer joy.
Homeschooling was a personal decision for
them that allows for the flexibility a larger family
sometimes requires. “It’s not for everybody,”
Jennifer said. “But we felt called by God to do
it. We take it year by year.”
Jennifer basically runs a one-room school
house. She has experience as a teacher on
various levels, but she said homeschooling
comes with its own set of challenges. “Teaching
your kids is very different from teaching other
kids,” she said. There have been times when
Jennifer feels inadequate to provide a good
education for her children, but God has
constantly encouraged her. “God says if we ask
for wisdom, he will give it to us,” Jennifer added.
“I’m learning right alongside them.”
Though she loves the “organized chaos” of a
big family, Jennifer wants her home to be a one
of peace. Her husband Preston is a marriage
and addiction counselor at Broadmoor Baptist
Church’s Center for Hope and Healing, so
they both understand the importance of a safe
place to come home to.
But Jennifer still runs a tight ship. Between
chore charts and activities like cooking and
taking care of their many animals, her children
learn important life skills as well as responsibility.
On Fridays, Preston takes the boys to work for
their yard business. They may be homeschooled,
but they are all very active. It’s a family of
musicians, readers, and philanthropists.
And it’s not just her own children that
Jennifer cares for. For years, their family has
fostered kids through Bethany Christian
Services. From babies to teenagers, Jennifer
has opened her heart and her home to those
who need a place to feel safe and loved. “I just
feel called to nurture,” she said. “When I take
care of them, especially the babies, my prayer is
‘Let my hands feel like momma’s hands.’”
They fostered their youngest, Bella, for
about two years until the adoption was finalized
this past February. Jennifer said she has always
had a passion for adoption even before she had
her second child. “And I’ve got a lot of arms to
help,” she added. Having other kids in the house
has taught her children the importance of
caring for others. “I love to see my kids take
care of each other and see them want to be
like the older ones,” said Jennifer.
She credits God for giving them exactly
what they need. Whether it’s funding their
mission trips, surviving on one income, or
simply giving them the patience for each day,
He has provided. Jennifer added that God has
also given her a “quiet confidence” in being a
mother. “Life’s not about a performance when
you’re a mother of five,” she said. “God has
taught me how to be more selfless.” She said
that it’s about laying down your own to-do
lists and doing what you have to for your kids
each day.
But Jennifer also stresses the importance
of taking time for yourself and for your
marriage. Through date nights, marriage
conferences, or personal retreats, she and her
husband make their relationship a priority as
well. For Jennifer, having a large family doesn’t
mean sacrificing her own identity. It’s all about
balance. “It’s doable,” Jennifer said. “Don’t try
to be superwoman. Just do what works for
your family.” ♥
16 • May/June 2016

Kristan Stubblefield
Kristan Stubblefield loves seeing her daughter
smile. Every laugh, even every cry, is a blessing
she was afraid she’d never get to experience.
Kristan and her husband Brad were married
for a little over three years when Brad was
paralyzed from the chest down due to an
accident. Wheelchair-bound, having children
became a challenge. They tried IVF and IUI,
but with no result. They were about to start
their third round of IVF when they got the
call from their doctor that there was a little girl
in need of being adopted.
Almost four years of hoping and pain soon
turned into a seven-week whirlwind of
paperwork, interviews, and home studies for
the adoption process. It was an overwhelming
experience for them—one they almost believed
too good to be true. “When you’ve waited so
long, then all of the sudden it becomes a reality,
you just live in a constant state of gratitude,”
Kristan said.
Their daughter Caroline is almost six months
old now, and they have loved every day with
her. Kristan said that sometimes women worry
about being able to bond with an adopted child,
but that motherly instinct takes over. “She’s
completely ours,” she said.
Caroline has brought so much joy to their
lives, but with Brad’s condition, every day is
still a challenge. “She’s the best thing that’s
happened, but we are still very aware of our
daily hardships,” said Kristan. However, as an
architect, Brad is always thinking outside the
box. Unable to bend over, he altered Caroline’s
crib so it could pull out. He also built a changing
table he could slide his wheelchair under.
Kristan said that having four years of
practice getting used to Brad’s condition has
helped prepare them for this stage. Kristan is
both a mom and a caretaker. A trip to the store
often has her loading stroller, wheelchair, and
groceries in one load. But Brad does everything
he can to help her out. She praises his patience
and ability to keep her sane. “It’s all one day at a
time,” she said. “We can’t look too far ahead.”
Kristan sees every day as a blessing and
wants to focus less on being busy and more on
enjoying her daughter. As she interacts with
Caroline, singing and reading to her, she
realizes the importance of being careful what is
said to her and around her. In a world filled
with so much noise, Kristan wants to be a
“quieter and calmer” mom.
Her journey as a mother has also impacted
her perspective as a second-grade teacher at
Mannsdale Elementary. “My heart has
softened to the hardships of my students,”
Kristan said. “I look at them and think, ‘that
is someone’s baby.’”
Though everyday is a challenge, Kristan said
the key is to focus on the important things and
not sweat the small stuff. “We’ve learned what’s
important,” she said. “It’s hard. It’s challenging.
But it’s so rewarding.” Her advice for women
having trouble conceiving or who have been
told they can’t have children is to “not give up.”
“Our timing is not God’s,” Kristan said.
“Be open to what’s out there. Otherwise, you
might miss out on great blessings.”
If God has taught Kristan anything about
being a mother, it’s the importance of faith.
“It’s about seeing what God can do when we
least expect it,” she said. “He has a bigger plan.”
For her, it’s a continual journey. “We don’t feel
like this is an end. It’s just the beginning.” ♥
Hometown madison • 17

18 • May/June 2016

Just a small taste of all there is to offer at the Downtown Madison
Farmers Market.
Head out to market on Main Street in Madison by the Red Caboose for the
full flavor of Tasty Tuesdays. With all Mississippi harvested and produced
fruits, veggies, meats, shrimp, eggs, honey, baked and canned goods,
there are plenty of deliciously local options to choose from.
Hometown madison • 19

Making
Changes
Camille Anding
20 • Jan/Feb May/June 2016

Who said the “empty nest” syndrome meant
a gloomy chapter in the lives of parents?
For Cathy and Tony Bailey of Flora,
it meant a time of adjustment.
Their backyard, including a 20x40 foot in-ground pool, had served wonderfully as the
perfect spot for raising their three children. Teenage pool parties during the summer
made their home the “happening” place. However, when the parents’ roles changed
from teenage parents to empty nesters, the Baileys decided their backyard needed
change too.
Hometown madison • 21

22 • May/June 2016

The Baileys knew just what they
wanted: a full kitchen, bar area,
smaller swimming pool, hot tub
and an outdoor fireplace. Mike
Marler, a landscape architect with
Outdoor Solutions, put their vision
on paper and in three months made
it a beautiful and functional reality.
The entire project was constructed
to coordinate with their existing
home but the Bailey’s love for stone
was added in the natural stone that
accents the hearth and fireplace.
Massive wooden beams add to the
overall effect with a history of their
own. They are 300-year old heart
pines from a 15-year old farmhouse
in Virginia.
Cedar, harvested from the Bailey’s
property, is another wood used for
the ceiling beams and fireplace
mantle.
Perhaps, the kitchen is the go-to
spot for guests and friends. Stainless
steel KitchenAid appliances include
a refrigerator, icemaker, double-eye
cook top, ventilation hood, 41-inch
gas grill and a warming drawer.
A dark granite countertop makes
seating for eight.
Hometown madison • 23

24 • May/June 2016

Instead of the bygone atmosphere of
teenage music, splash dines and pizza
poolside parties, the Baileys are
enjoying the sounds of their waterfalls
cascading from the spa into the pool
and gourmet meals prepared in their
modern outdoor kitchen.
It’s a new and exciting chapter in the
Bailey’s lovely lives.
Hometown madison • 25

26 • May/June 2016

When things get hot, see us today!
Avoid hours of sitting in a waiting room and avoid unnecessary
phone calls to different clinics. Call the Baptist Medical
Clinic FastPass today to get the next available appointment.
Also, download our Medical Clinic’s iPhone app for one-tap
appointments, physician profiles, and GPS to each of the
10 locations. It’s easy. It’s simple. It’s FAST.

Martha Grace Photography
Haley Henderson Parks
& Judy Henderson
28 • May/June 2016

Nell Luter Floyd
When Judy Cox married Ron Henderson in 1984,
she walked down the aisle in an ivory-colored, full-length
wedding gown with princess styling, a fitted bodice and
puffed sleeves.
Henderson’s daughter, Haley, chose a new gown from
Kleinfeld Bridal in New York – the salon featured in
TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” – for her wedding to Taylor
Parks on April 2 at Parkview Church of God in Yazoo
City. But for the reception at Providence Hill Farm in
Jackson, she wore something equally as special: a wedding
romper with detachable train created by designer Sandra
Ashford of Ridgeland from Judy Henderson’s gown.
“Haley wanted to do something with my dress,” said
Judy Henderson of Madison. “She didn’t want to re-make
it into a dress for the rehearsal dinner. She found a picture
of a romper and liked that.”
A family heirloom can take on a whole new look in the
hands of Ashford, who has re-styled more than 1,000
wedding gowns since the 1980s. “What I do is a way to
preserve memories and create new ones,” Ashford said.
“Retaining the heirloom features of an original gown is a
delicate balance between yesterday and today’s designs.
In the end, it may look like very little was done to a dress
but that’s not always the case. Because of the layers and
structure of a wedding gown, I often have to take the
gown apart, may need to wash the gown to remove stains
and then re-size it and re-style it so it becomes the bride’s
perfect dress.”
Hometown madison • 29

30 • May/June 2016
Amy Shapley Miller

Ashford re-styled not one but two wedding gowns for
the festivities when Amy Shapley married Mark Miller on
April 11, 2015 at the Chapel of the Memories at Mississippi
State University in Starkville. For her wedding, Amy Shapley
wore a new version of the gown that her mother Mary
wore when she married Mark Shapley in 1986.
“Sandra removed the sleeves and took out the silk allusion
to transform the bodice to an elegant v-shaped neckline,”
said Mary Shapley of Ridgeland. “She straightened the skirt,
kept the train and added a few more lace medallions.”
For her rehearsal dinner at Old Waverly Golf Club in
West Point, Amy Shapley chose to honor her grandmother,
Carol Moskewitz of Madison, by wearing a new version of
Moskewitz’s 1957 wedding gown. Ashford kept the gown’s
bodice with its vintage features of tucked pleats, lace and
pearls and shortened the ballroom-style skirt to enhance
Amy Shapley’s petite stature.
“Sandra is a joy to work with,” Mary Shapley said. “She is
so talented and gifted and knows exactly what she is doing.”
Ashford has re-purposed a grandfather’s silk parachute
from World War II as a train on his granddaughter’s gown,
re-worked a mother’s chiffon gown that was rescued from a
tree after a tornado, and fashioned a gown from a garbage
bag of old table runners, doilies and lace curtains.
When Kayla Carpenter of Baldwyn began planning her
Sept. 20, 2014 wedding to Andrew McCarley, she knew
she wanted a vintage look, but the voluminous wedding
gown with a scoop neck, long sleeves and tiered skirt that
her mother, Edwina Hobson, wore when she married
Jimmy Carpenter screamed 1970s. Thanks to Ashford’s
talent, Kayla Carpenter married in a lace-covered, vintagestyle
gown with scoop neck, three-quarter sleeves finished in
scallops and a rose-colored sash embellished with rosettes.
“My dress was something I would never find in a store,”
Kayla Carpenter McCarley said.
Ashford’s talent is a gift she began nurturing as a child when
she drew dress designs on church bulletins. “My mother and
grandmother were very creative seamstresses,” said Ashford,
who grew up in Pontotoc, majored in home economics and
textiles at the University of Mississippi and made her own
wedding gown based on a Priscilla of Boston design.
Ashford, who appreciates the heritage of beautiful textiles
and lace, believes her talent is God-given and that it is her
responsibility and an honor to share it with brides and their
families. “My talent has been a wonderful avenue for
witnessing to and advising young brides,” she said.
Re-styling a gown is not an overnight process, but takes
an average of nine months, she said. The cost varies but starts
around $1,500. “Don’t think you can’t re-style a wedding
gown because it’s too old, in bad shape or doesn’t fit,” Ashford
said. “A dress can be cleaned to lighten its color, and lace
medallions can be added for design purposes –and to cover
stained areas. Gussets can be used to enlarge a gown and
then covered with lace.”
“Part of the challenge comes from understanding the
bride’s vision for what she wants,” Ashford said. “I listen and
observe so I can make her dreams come true.” n
Kayla Carpenter McCarley & Edwina Hobson Carpenter
Hometown madison • 31

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City of Madison
Events &
Activities
May 5, 12, 19, 26
Swing into Summer is held each Thursday evening in May on the
grounds of Madison Square Center for the Arts. A different band
each week plays music to entertain those who bring their own
chairs while children enjoy activities like rock climbing, train
rides, face painting and a petting zoo. Sponsors provide free
refreshments. The city provides free snow cones, drinks,
watermelon and ice cream. A magician entertains with his show.
May to September
Downtown Madison Farmers Market is held on the grounds of
Madison Square Center for the Arts. Vendors set up their own
booths to sell fresh produce, meats and homemade baked
goods and other specialty foods to the crowds each Tuesday
afternoon.
May 7
Small town authentic charm and hospitality, stretches of national
scenic byway with a splash of new urbanism gears you up to get
your ride on for the jumpstart of cycling season rides! The Natchez
Trace Century Ride, starting and ending in Ridgeland, provides an
experience for riders of all ages and abilities.
Spring will have sprung with warmer temperatures…the
glimmering waters and abundant wildlife around the Ross Barnett
Reservoir will awaken the spirit for the journey. Countryside stretches
in Madison County and Pelahatchie steady the pedals for reflection,
and around town spins delight with discovery of each place.
With your choice of distances from 25, 50, 62 and 100 miles with
mild to moderate elevation, it is a great ride to find your stride and
other specialties along the route. There will be “energizer” stops
highlighting local music, food and hands-on fun every 10-15 miles…
kudos to all but hooray to those who relish the journey.
And you won’t want to miss “Ridgeland Rockin’ after the Ride”
a celebration of a successful ride with culinary delights, toe-tapping
music and stories to take home. There will be door prizes galore
and the chance to win the grand prize giveaway of a bike. Post-ride
social presented by Ridgeland Tourism Commission.
The Natchez Trace Century Ride will take place on Saturday,
May 7 at 7:00 a.m., and will start at the Ridgeland Recreational
Center. A registration fee of $35 includes welcome party on Friday
evening, ride, event t-shirt post-ride meal and post-ride social.
Late registration fee will be $45 after April 5. For complete event
details, routes, to register and order your cycling jersey, go to www.
active.com.
For more information on the ride, contact Ridgeland Recreation and Parks
at 601-853-2011 or go to www.ridgelandms.org. The Natchez Trace Century
Ride is presented by The Bike Crossing and is an event of Ridgeland
Recreation & Parks.
34 • May/June 2016

June 4
Ridgeland Recreation & Parks will host the 31st annual Heatwave
Classic Triathlon on Saturday, June 4th.
Some of the finest athletes from the Southeastern United
States will converge on Ridgeland, Mississippi to compete in the
triathlon, an event sanctioned by the U.S.A. Triathlon. Participants
return each year because they love the race course.
This year’s race will consist of a half-mile swim in the Ross
Barnett Reservoir, a 24½ mile bike ride along the scenic and
historic Natchez Trace Parkway, and ending with a 10K run along
Ridgeland’s heavily shaded Multi-Purpose Trail. Participants may
register online at www.active.com.
The Heatwave Classic Triathlon is one of many events
produced by City of Ridgeland Recreation & Parks Department.
For more information on this event please call 601-853-2011.
June 10, 11, 12
Madison Antique Show and Sale is a multi-day event where
vendors from across the Southeast bring in their wares, ranging
from antique silver to furniture to jewelry to knick-knacks, to sell
at Madison Square Center for the Arts. A preview party, with
refreshments, kicks off the event.
July 4
Fireworks light up the sky over Liberty Park to entertain thousands
of people who gather there and in parking lots across the city to
enjoy the show.
TBA
Walk to School Day is held one morning in October. Students
and parents gather in a neighborhood to walk to the nearby
Madison Avenue school campuses, led by the mayor. City police
and firefighters are available throughout the one-half mile walk.
October 20, 21, 22
Scarecrow Festival is a Thursday evening event that brings in a
band to entertain the crowd and has children’s activities, like a
petting zoo and cakewalk. Local stores are offered tables in the
middle of the closed-off street to sell their wares. The Mississippi
Classic Cruisers, a local car club, sponsors the Scarecrow Cruise
and Car Show on the grounds the following two days. Hundreds
of private cars are displayed, and thousands of visitors walk
through to see the cars and enjoy activities like a silent auction
and crafts sale. Refreshments are for sale at the car show.
December 3
The city’s Christmas Parade marches through town and ends at
the stage at Madison Square Center for the Arts. There, prizes
are awarded for parade entries, a school choir entertains and
refreshments are provided.
Hometown madison • 35

36 • May/June 2016

Mary Ann Kirby
I often marvel at the messages sent directly to me from the Big Guy
upstairs. These little “nudges”, often called godwinks, are divinely placed
into our consciousness–and never, ever, cease to amaze me. I always feel
so aware and connected when I receive them.
While some are more subtle than others (and I would admittedly
prefer the happy ones like finding pennies on the sidewalk or seeing
redbirds in the trees), one, in particular, stands out in my mind to the
point that, even years later, still brings me to tears.
It was morning and I was getting ready for work
and my son was getting himself ready for school.
The day started out in its typical rush–with
me standing at the kitchen counter staring
at the clock, visibly annoyed but trying not
to act like a complete fool as he finished
deciding which white socks to wear. He
clearly did not inherit my “urgency” gene
and we were running late–and I was
particularly foul. The commute was quieter
than usual–with me in my funk, and he,
scared to speak. When he got out of the car at
school, he turned to me with an expression on his
face as if to say, “I’m sorry,” and I hurriedly waved him
off because I was, after all, late.
Several hours later, during lunch, I ran by the florist to pick up some
beautiful door swags that I had made for the holidays. This place overflows
with nuclear-level glitter and ribbon and festive décor. I’m at the checkout
paying for my fabulous new decorations when I notice a kid-sized baseball
glove and baseball off to the side of the check-out counter. My son plays
baseball so I’ve become quite familiar with all the equipment. This was a
nice glove.
I said, “Boy that somehow seems out of place in here, now doesn’t it,”
almost smug with how observant I sounded. I still cringe at the thought of
it. The sales clerk said, “It’s for the cemetery. We’re making a wreath.”
I froze. I was literally paralyzed. It took me what felt like an eternity to
re-focus enough just to sign the sales receipt. I had been rattled to the
core–to the point that my ears were ringing. I got to the car and cranked it
but could only sit there–in park.
This was undeniably more than a little nudge. This was more like a
sledgehammer to the chest. I immediately knew what God was doing,
though. In that moment, HE said to me, “Is getting where you’re going on
time really worth the price of taking away the joy of your child’s morning?
The godwink says
“I’m
thinking
of you.”
‘Cause if it is, I can clear some stuff from your schedule.” I heard it loud
and clear. He had my undivided attention and I’ll never forget it.
Those little “nudges” in our lives happen for a reason, you know. They
are tangible guideposts from God that serve as personalized messages to
get us back on track when we make mistakes, or to reassure us, stop us
from worrying, change our direction, or chart our path in life. In my case,
it was a blistering reminder of the power I hold in my words and
in my actions. It was a message tailored just for me and
one that I continue to be struck by–even all these
years later.
If you think about it though, isn’t life
just a series of mistakes? Each one makes
us bigger–and with any luck, better. They
serve an important purpose. They teach
us to clarify what we really want and how
we want to live. They teach us about
responsibility and integrity. They can
teach us to engage in our lives and live
more fully. They can even teach us to be
better people, or in my case, a better mother.
What if we just simply renamed our mistakes
and collectively called them “experience”? Maybe then
we could more easily accept them and move on. Light
tomorrow with today, right? But if we’re going to get the benefit of
learning from our mistakes then we need to learn to be more forgiving
of ourselves and not get too bogged down in the guilt or shame that can
often come with them. I know that I’ve tried to be more intentional in
learning this as I constantly strive to improve. We build on failure–no
matter how big or small–and should use those moments to reach a
higher place.
The good news is that I was given a “do-over”–for which I am
grateful. I took complete responsibility and apologized to my sweet child
that very afternoon for my behavior. But when I really stop to think about
it, I’ve been given a whole bunch of do-overs. I thank God for every single
one of them, too. And through my mistakes, I’ve acquired a strong sense of
self-acceptance, self-acknowledgement and self-appreciation. Those are
important–plus, I figure I’ve earned it. Maybe that’s the silver lining.
The godwink says, “I’m thinking of you. Keep trying. Keep learning.
Keep the faith. You’re never alone.” And if you catch it, it can replace
uncertainty with a genuine feeling of confidence that everything really is
going to be okay–making them all the more extraordinary, indeed.
Hometown madison • 37

serving our community
Fire Inspector Sidney Malone
ridgeland Fire Department
Why did you decide to be a fireman?
I actually wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps by
becoming a police officer but changed directions by
looking into the fire service. I really liked what I saw.
The fire service has been a great fit for me. You don’t
make a lot of money but the rewards of helping your
community and the people you help are so much
greater. The fire service is a huge fraternity/brotherhood.
I love team sports and that’s what it is like—
being on a team with one goal and making a
difference in our community.
How long have you been with the
Ridgeland Fire Department?
I started my career in 1987 and I have to say it’s been
very rewarding.
Tell us about your family.
I have been married to my wife, Jo Ann Jefcoat
Malone, for 28 years. We have two children: my
daughter Morgan, 24, and my son Tanner, 21. My
daughter is married to a firefighter, Justin Moore,
from Madison and she is a nurse at Baptist Hospital
in Jackson. My son is a senior at Mississippi State
University and will graduate in December. My wife
is the superintendent for Mississippi School for the
Blind. So we stay pretty busy.
What is the toughest thing you have
experienced in your job?
The toughest thing I have experienced in my career
is responding to a fire or an accident where someone
has lost their life. That’s about as tough as it gets—
especially when kids are involved. It is something you
never get used to. It stays with you for the rest of
your life.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
I love to hunt and fish in my spare time. During summer
vacations, I love to go to the beach with my family.
What are three things on your bucket list?
I want to walk the strip in Vegas, I want to take my
wife to the Hawaiian Islands for a long vacation, and I
want to go to Canada for a white-tail deer hunt.
Who is someone you admire and why?
My wife because of all of the things she represents as
a person and for what she means to me. As a fireman,
we work crazy schedules. We work on 24-hours and
off 48-hours. So many times she would be at home
by herself raising two kids while I worked at the fire
station. I know that was really tough. She has worked
hard and accomplished many things despite the
conditions of my work schedule. She raised our kids
to be independent, loving, caring and honest people.
This is evident as they mature as young adults. I admire
her work ethic, determination, and her Christian
values as a woman. I am very thankful that she came
into my life. God is good!
Where do you see yourself ten years
from now?
Retired from the fire service, relaxing by my pool,
cooking on the grill for family and enjoying life.
If you could give one piece of advice to
a young person, what would it be?
To have a personal relationship with their Lord and
Savior. If they do not have one, it is our responsibility
to share with them about Him. Let them know they
have someone who loves them and cares for them.
What is a favorite childhood memory?
Going fishing with my grandparents for the weekend
at Lake St. John in Waterproof, Louisiana. They took
me with them from the time I was eight years old until
I was old enough to drive. These were some of the
best times of my childhood.
What is the biggest mistake you think
young people make today?
I believe most young people today lack commitment.
They want it all “now” instead of taking time to work
for what they want. Young people that are very goal
oriented often know what they want but won’t
commit to doing what it takes to achieve their goals.
What is your favorite thing about Ridgeland
or Madison County?
It is hard to choose one thing about Ridgeland or
Madison County. I would say my favorite thing is the
people that I work with. Ridgeland is a great family
community, having everything that anyone would
possibly need. From raising your family to retirement
years, it’s all here.
38 • May/June 2016

flora's finest
Lieutenant Shelby Burnside
canton police Department
Why did you decide to be a police officer?
When I was growing up, my dad, Shelby Burnside,
owned Burnside’s Exxon in Canton. My dad had
friends who were in law enforcement. The sheriff’s
office and Mississippi Highway Patrol officers bought
gasoline from my dad. I was always around them and
my interest in law enforcement grew from that
relationship. I began my career in law enforcement
with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office under
Sheriff Jessie Hopkins.
How long have you been with the
Canton Police Department?
I have been with the Canton Police Department for
13 years and in law enforcement for 26 years.
Tell us about your family.
My wife Margo and I have 3 sons, Trey Burnside, Rock
Foster (wife Andrea and daughters, Jules and Kate,
Waye Foster (wife Erin and sons Waylan and Boggan).
What is the toughest thing you have
experienced in your job?
Crimes against children.
Where do you see yourself ten years
from now?
Retired, traveling and fishing.
If you could give one piece of advice to
a young person, what would it be?
Don’t use drugs. And get an education.
What is a favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories are vacation trips
made with my mother, grandmother and two sisters.
What is the biggest mistake you think
young people make today?
Using drugs and dropping out of school.
What is your favorite thing about the
City of Canton?
Canton’s history and the small town feeling of
everyone knowing and helping each other.
What is your favorite thing about Madison
County?
My hometown–Canton, Mississippi.
Share some things you enjoy doing
in your spare time.
I enjoy fishing, going to the beach, and playing in the
pool with my grandchildren.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Visiting Washington D.C., learning to turkey hunt, and
fishing in lakes and reservoirs in other states.
Who is someone you admire and why?
I admire my wife, Margo because she is smart;
she works hard and takes care of our family.
Hometown madison • 39

Angie
Hardin
Why did you decide to make Madison
your home?
In 2004, my dad was diagnosed with a terminal
illness, so we decided to move to Madison to help
my mom care for him. After his passing, we had
already fallen in love with Madison and decided to
continue to make it our home.
How long have you lived in Madison?
We have lived in Madison for 12 years, which is
longer than I have lived anywhere in my entire life.
Tell us about your family.
I am married to my high school sweetheart Bill.
He is a school principal and has served churches
throughout the state as interim pastor. We have
two daughters, Brittni Caraway (Matthew) and
Ashli Eubanks (Ethan). Both of our girls graduated
from Madison Central and Mississippi College.
Brittni and Matthew live in Shreveport, and Ashli
and Ethan live in Clinton.
What is your favorite memory of living
in Madison?
I would have to say my favorite, or most memorable
memory of living in Madison is when I had the
opportunity to go with our church to the
Mississippi Gulf Coast right after Hurricane
Katrina hit. We went in December as a choir and
held block parties for the children and assisted
the people with any needs they had at the time.
We also gave community-wide concerts in hopes
of presenting a positive light during such dark days.
It was an overwhelming experience to see the joy
on the faces of so many people who had just been
through probably the worst experience of their
lives.
Where are your three favorite places to
eat in Madison?
Georgia Blue. I take my mom there every Sunday
for lunch! Bonefish Grill is another favorite as well
as Schlotzsky’s Deli (try the Reuben sandwich if
you have never had it).
40 • May/June 2016
Hometown Madison
Reader
SPOTLIGHT
What are some fun things to do in
Madison on the weekends?
With the tremendous growth that is taking place
in Madison, shopping is always a good option,
as well as seeing a movie at our amazing movie
theater. When the weather is pretty, there may
be an outdoor movie at Liberty Park, or you can
browse the Madison Farmers Market at Madison
Square Center for the Arts.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
I really enjoy sewing whenever I have the time.
I also like to read and SHOP!!
What are three things on your bucket list?
Well, I have just completed one of the things on
my bucket list. I graduated from college
(Mississippi College) this past December. I had
never completed my degree and had put it off for
years, but finally decided it was time. It was quite
a challenge going to school at night and working
full-time, but it was well worth it. Another item
on my bucket list is to meet Dolly Parton! I have
always been a fan of hers and love her music.
I mean, who doesn’t love Dolly? Another thing
would be to get to travel to Europe and other
parts of the world. I love seeing the way people
in other countries live, as well as learning about
their culture.
Who is someone you admire and why?
When my husband was a pastor years ago in North
Mississippi there was a lady in our church named
Faye Sanders. Everyone called her “Miss Faye”.
She was such an influence on my family and me.
She was and still is a prayer warrior and taught
me so much about growing in my relationship
with the Lord. She touched lives everywhere she
went. She is now 94 years old, and until just a few
years ago, she would go to every high school
basketball game at their local academy and have
prayer and a devotional with the team. The kids
loved Miss Faye, and even though she is unable to
go and do the things she so loved, she is still
touching lives right where she is.
Where do you see yourself ten years
from now?
Well, I hope that I will have a grandchild or two
by then! Otherwise, I am kind of a one-day-at-atime
type person. Right now I work at Mississippi
College and absolutely love getting to help students
decide where to get an education. It is really more
of a ministry than it is a job, and I don’t really think
about what else I would do.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory would be from
Christmas. There were five of us children and my
mom and dad always made it so special for us. We
would have Santa on Christmas day every year and
then get in the car and drive 12-14 hours to South
Carolina so that we could have Christmas with my
mom and dad’s families. The best part was that we
always ate at Waffle House on Christmas day
because back then, that was the only thing open
on the road. I’m not complaining though. I love
Waffle House! I don’t think there was anyone who
loved to celebrate Christmas more than my dad.
He loved to give and taught me the importance of
giving as well.
If you could give us one encouraging quote,
what would it be?
I like the quote by Dolly Parton, “If you see
someone without a smile, give them one of yours.”
My mom taught me years ago that no matter how
bad of a day you are having, you can always smile.
It is amazing what that one small gesture can mean
to someone who is having a much worse day than
you are having.
What is your favorite thing about
Hometown Magazines?
My favorite thing would probably be the way it
helps you get to know your hometown better,
including the people who live there and the
businesses the town has to offer.

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Hometown madison • 41

Beth Laurence, Karren Galloway
Brant Brasher, Gabriella Brasher
Carmen Frantom,
Esley Frantom,
Lucy Frantom,
Carolyn Smith
Ridgeland
Fine Arts
Festival
April 2-3
Renaissance
at Colony Park
Tyler Armstrong, Steve Theim
Don Ament
Ed Bladen
Sterling, Ford & Christina Mundy
Gordy Myrick, Georgia Tresbisky
Kaitlyn Walley, Sarah Sison James Parker Haley Garrett, Lynn Garrett
42 • May/June 2016

Jennifer Lawhon, Lynn Calhoun
Patrick, Kayla, Brycen & Kagen Williamson
Renae Poer
Dick Hall, Janie & Kirby Wilson Toby McGee Laura Dick Hall, Nugent Janie & Kirby Wilson Lisa Fitchie, Stephanie Dick Wood, Hall, Janie Sarah & Kirby Stoner Wilson
Lori Williams, Ginger Turner Marlie, Amanda, Nick, Sabrina, Leslie Sutherland Mary Jean Henke
Michael & Gina Gibson Kim Kiess, Anna Minich, Mary Minich Nate D'mello, Seth D'mello, Laura D'mello
Hometown madison • 43

44 • May/June 2016

The
Bulldog
Professor
Camille Anding
Google “Richard Williams, Mississippi State Basketball
Coach,” and his record, along with his accomplishments and
honors, quickly appear. They’re champion achievements:
1996 SEC Tournament Championship, 1991 SEC Regular
Season Championship, 1995 SEC Western Division
Championship, and SEC Coach of the Year in ‘91
and ‘95. He also experienced the coach’s dream
of coaching in the Sweet Sixteen and Final Four
and still wears the distinguishing and elite Final
Four ring.
He was born in Oceanside, California
to his Marine dad from Morton, Mississippi
and his mom who met his dad after moving
from Iowa to California. Williams’ mother wanted
her son to be a doctor or lawyer, but like most fathers, it was
his dad who exerted a powerful influence over Richard.
“My dad was an athlete, played volley ball, fast pitch
and semi-pro baseball. Growing up, I watched him and fell
in love with athletics,” Williams says.
Baseball was his best sport, but the realization that he
wasn’t gifted enough to play professionally prompted him
to pursue the next best thing – coaching. That would mean
choosing a teaching field to get him to the position of high
school coaching – his goal.
With high academic scores and a National
Defense loan, Williams entered Mississippi State
as a math major. A job in the cafeteria paid for
his meals and working as a student instructor in
the P.E. department earned him his $.75 an hour
spending money.
When he graduated in 1967, he interviewed
and was offered jobs in several states, but there
were no coaching offers to match them. Then a
Natchez school contacted him and offered him his first
coaching/teaching position. It was for the fall cross-country
and assistant baseball slots – not his preferred choice, but
it was a coaching job.
Chuck Norman, Willams’ good friend and former Ole Miss
Hometown madison • 45

“I just felt like
I always had
something
to prove.”
46 • May/June 2016

punter, was the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade coach for football
and basketball at Natchez. With the demanding workload,
Norman asked Williams if he could help him coach the
7th grade basketball team. In 1967, Williams’ young team
won their 7th grade basketball championship.
Williams was jubilant when the high school basketball
coach asked him to help with the high school team the
second year at Natchez, but it was a huge disappointment
when Williams realized the coach really just needed an
extra car to help transport the team. Williams did get to sit
on the bench and keep the shot chart, though.
From his Natchez years to Mississippi State, Williams
coached at St. Andrews in Jackson during the turbulent
days of integration, met and married Diann McEwen from
Pike County. He coached six years as head coach at Copiah-
Lincoln Community College where Diann took advantage
of the free education and was on the tennis team. The couple
laughed as they remembered her nickname given by the
tennis team. Diann was the oldest member of the team and
earned the name Geri, short for Geritol!
Coach Williams went to Starkville in 1984 where he was
the assistant coach for two seasons prior to taking the head
spot with the Bulldogs. Some of his fondest memories and
experiences were birthed in the following years.
He remembers the 1991 team as being pivotal in his
career and the difficulty of taking his new recruits and team
to a winning program. Williams vividly recalls playing
Kentucky at Rupp Arena under Coach Eddie Sutton in 1991.
“At halftime, the score was 55-17; we didn’t have the 55!”
Williams knew that they had to be tougher physically
and mentally if the Bulldogs were going to be legitimate SEC
competitors. Five of the eight recruits that year would make up
the team to reach that goal. “We would make the practices
as hard as we could make them,” Williams said with the
driving force still in his voice.
Greg Carter, one of the five and now a great friend, told his
coach about how the team felt about the grueling practices.
“We’d all go back to the athletic dorm after practice and
we’d all say we were not going back to practice. Somebody’s
gotta go tell Coach.”
“Nobody ever did that, Greg,” was Coach’s reminder
to Greg.
“Nobody was ever brave enough to!” said Greg.
Tony Watts, another of the “crucible team” told Coach
Williams much later, “I didn’t unpack my suitcase for months.”
The State legend admits, “I was hard, harder than I should
have been, but I was never good at playing basketball – I
wasn’t first choice at South Natchez, Co-Lin or State. I just felt
like I always had something to prove.”
After leaving Mississippi State, Williams coached at
Arkansas State, UAB and with various pro teams. He also
did TV work for various networks. In 2014, Williams joined
the State basketball radio crew to become the familiar voice
of Bulldog Basketball.
Hobbies? Williams doesn’t have any. He doesn’t hunt, fish,
golf, or play tennis. He just loves teaching basketball and
continues to study the sport. After retiring, he managed to
get an invitation to shadow Bobby Knight for four days of his
coaching. Knight’s success fascinated Williams, and it was
his over-the-top preparations with his players that amazed
Williams. “Yes, he uses salty language, but he was constantly
teaching his players.”
Williams is quick to reflect over his coaching years and
his love for the sport. He feels that recruiting and dealing
with the media weren’t his strong points. As far as today’s
basketball, Williams thinks summer league basketball can
spoil athletes, and the “one and done” is terrible for the sport.
Even though Coach Williams and Diann are finding time
in retirement to do some traveling, a good portion of it is
going to coaching clinics. “He’s always believed in learning,”
Diann added. His mindset was, “I might not out-athlete them,
but I can outsmart them.”
Coach Williams is sure to continue teaching that in the
next coaching clinic. n
Hometown madison • 47

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Hometown madison • 49

madison
Recipes
Drunk & Dirty
Beef Tenderloin
Marinade
• 1 cup low sodium soy sauce
• ½ cup bourbon, or other sour mash whiskey
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 4 cloves garlic, cut in half
• ½ cup water
Main Course
• 2 pound beef tenderloin (feeds 4-5 easily)
• 2 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
Prepare the smoker for an indirect cook at
225-275 degree dome temperature. Add wood
chunks and/or chips (oak, pecan, or hickory -
don’t overdo it).
Combine ingredients down to the garlic with
1/2 cup water and marinate beef for 2-4 hours.
Remove beef from the fridge, reserve marinade
and cover beef with ground pepper. I don’t measure,
I just completely cover both sides with black pepper
and then add the white pepper not quite as liberally.
Put half the marinade in the refrigerator and add
the vegetable oil to the other half, if planning to baste.
If not basting put all the marinade in the fridge.
Heat the basting sauce to a boil for a few minutes
and keep warm on low.
Put the roast on the smoker and cook until
almost done–1½ to 2 hours, mopping every 20
minutes.
When almost done (120 degree internal temp)
remove from the grill and bring it up to sear temps
(500-600 degrees).
Holding with tongs, place the roast back on
when grill is 500 degrees or so for about 1 minute
per each of the four sides. You’re just trying to get a
nice char but not too much.
Remove from the grill, tent with foil, and let sit at
least 5 minutes (closer to 10 is fine). While resting,
bring reserved marinade to a boil for a few minutes
then lower to low and reduce by about one quarter.
Slice and either drizzle marinade over the slices
or serve on the side for guests to drizzle themselves.
Flat Iron Steak
• 1.5 pound flat iron steak
(Kroger is a good source)
• Cluck and Squeal ‘Beef Specific’ Rub;
Cavendar’s Greek Seasoning; Montreal Steak
rub; or your favorite steak seasoning
Coat steak liberally with the rub and allow it to
“melt in” for 45 minutes to an hour, while the
steak is coming to room temp.
Prepare the grill for a direct cook at 600+ degrees.
Sear for 60 seconds per side, then remove
while bringing the temp down.
Close the vents down and get the temp close to
400 degrees.
Finish, flipping as needed to prevent
overcooking on any side.
Remove when the internal temp reaches
125 degrees (for medium rare).
Rest for 10 minutes before thinly slicing against
the grain.
Clark’s
Simple Salmon
• 1 12 oz. skin-on salmon fillet, center-cut
• Dizzy Pig Raging River Rub
• Dizzy Pig Shaking the Tree Rub
• Olive Oil
• BGE Kodiak River Rub
Pat the filet dry then liberally coat salmon with
the Raging River or BGE Kodiak River rub. Allow
to “melt in” for 45 minutes to an hour.
Prepare the grill for a 400* direct cook (on an
Egg, the grid can be elevated or at the fire ring
level). Add any chips (alder, apple, etc.) just before
putting the salmon on the grill.
If using “Shaking the Tree” rub, add just prior to
placing on the grill.
Oil the grill surface generously with a rag (or
paper towel) soaked in vegetable oil, then place the
salmon flesh down (skin up) on the grid.
Grill with the dome closed for 2 minutes, then
using a thin spatula, flip the filet to skin down and
insert a temp probe, if using.
Grill for another 5-8 minutes or so - until the
internal temp is 120 degrees or until white protein
starts to ooze onto the surface of the fish.
Remove, cover with foil and rest for 5 minutes
before serving.
Note: All three of these rubs can be purchased at
Madison Fireplace and Patio. If using the Raging
River Rub, then I add the Shaking the Tree (lemon
pepper-style rub) just before the cook. The Kodiak
River Rub seems to be a combination of the other two,
so I don’t feel a need to add the Shaking the Tree.
50 • May/June 2016

Clark Ethridge, MD
I am an anesthesiologist living at Lake Caroline in
Madison County who has been in private practice for
over 30 years. Like many men, I love to grill out and,
until about 2006, it was limited to grilling steaks,
“charring” chicken and making burgers and hot dogs
for the kids. Other passions include Ole Miss sports,
photography, travel and cycling on my Greenspeed
recumbent trike.
For Father’s Day in 2006 my awesome wife gave
me a large Big Green Egg (BGE) and life changed as
I knew it! Starting after a move to a new house in
2008, my outdoor cooking took on a new dimension.
I became actively involved in the original BGE Forum
(www.greeneggers.com) as “Misippi Egger” where I
met many great cooks, many of whom are still friends
today. I had an outdoor kitchen included when we
added a screen porch and began to expand my Egg
family. I currently own a large, small, Mini and the new
MiniMax eggs.
I have attended the Georgia Mountain Eggfest and
cooked at the Porkopolis (Cincinnati) Eggfest. I was a
cook and gave demos at all three Gulf Coast Eggfests.
I have given many demonstrations and taught classes
at my local BGE dealer’s store (Madison Fireplace &
Patio). I am a KCBS Certified judge and have both
judged as well as competed at KCBS events.
More recently I have become interested in charcuterie
- curing and aging meats (wet and dry aging) as well as
the newer modality of sous vide cooking.
Many of my friends have suggested I author a
cookbook, so I have decided instead to create a blog
that includes recipes, techniques, tips on Egg cooking
and accessories for the Egg. I also discuss curing;
aging meat, cold smoking and sous vide cooking.
The blog is www.gasisforworknotmybge.com and
one can subscribe by email if desired. I can also be
followed on Instagram at www.instagram.com/
gasisforworknotmybgeblog.
Hometown madison • 51

Racin’
for the
Seed
52 • May/June 2016

Hometown madison • 53

Welcome To Our Neighborhood
RIDGELAND’S NEWEST INDEPENDENT LIVING &
MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY IS NOW OPEN!
Beau Ridge Independent Living & Memory Care offers
the highest quality of retirement living & memory care
assisted living in a state-of-the-art setting that was built
from the ground up specifically to meet the unique needs
of the seniors it serves. Beau Ridge offers two gorgeously
appointed, top-of-the-line freestanding communities;
an exciting, engaging Independent Living community for
active seniors, and a neighboring Memory Care community
that provides highly personalized care to residents with
Alzheimer’s/dementia.
INDEPENDENT LIVING
• Suites featuring personal entrances & private balconies
• On-site beauty salon & fitness center
• Gourmet meals prepared by regionally renowned
Executive Chef Christopher
• Complimentary housekeeping, laundry services, &
scheduled transportation
Call 601-863-8883 to tour Independent Living.
MEMORY CARE CARE ASSISTED LIVING
• A full-time memory care director
• 24-hour nurses and care partners
• Extensive, specialized dementia care training for all
team members
• On-site rehabilitation therapy services (Physical,
Occupational, & Speech)
Call 601-863-8442 to tour Memory Care.
650 Highland Colony Pkwy. in Ridgeland
www.Beau-Ridge.com
54 • May/June 2016

CELEBRATING 115 YEARS OF LASTING IMPRESSIONS
No matter where our location – from above a Chinese Laundry, to East Pearl Street,
to 500 Steed Road, our door is always open.
Offering full-color printing to specialty finishes, to addressing postcards and providing
complete variable one-to-one marketing campaigns, Hederman Brothers is your one door shop.
If you are looking for a marketing partner and not just a print vendor, call Hederman
Brothers at 601-853-7300 and let us open the door to creative and innovative solutions.
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601. 853. 7300 • f 601.853.7335 • www.hederman.com
Hometown madison • 55

The CHALKBOARD
madison county Schools
Madison Station
Elementary
Madison Station Elementary School, recently presented
“Freeze Pane: Mystery at Bell Glass Company,” an original opera
completely written, produced and performed by sixty-three
fourth-grade students. This production was part of the school’s
annual Arts Night Celebration which also features a studentcreated
art show and performance by the fifth-grade Honor Choir.
Each fall, fourth graders at MSE come together to create an
original opera. The students begin in September by forming an
opera company and contracting for one of eleven different jobs
which include production manager, stage mangers, costume
designers, makeup artists, public relations, photo journalists,
technicians, set designers, composers, chorus and performers.
The students function in their assigned role for the next six months,
attending weekly meetings led by a staff member functioning in a
facilitator role.
The students write the script first, and then interpret, enhance
and expand the script through their individual jobs: composing the
musical numbers, sewing the costumes to enhance the performers
on stage, creating sets and makeup design all to advance the storyline.
Six months of hard work culminate at the opera’s premier at
the annual Arts Night Celebration.
56 • May/June 2016
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.

Adventures in Storytelling Parade
Inspired by a recent field trip to Mardi Gras World in
New Orleans, Pathways students at Madison Station
Elementary created floats inspired by their favorite
books and movies. Students worked in small groups
utilizing a variety of art techniques including paper
mache and sculpture. Parents, teachers and students
in grades K-5 enjoyed a “walking” parade of these
amazing floats!! Laissez les bon temps rouler!!!
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.
Hometown madison • 57

The CHALKBOARD
Germantown
madison county Schools
“The recipients of these awards demonstrate that young people across
America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their
communities,” said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial.
“By recognizing these students and placing a spotlight on their volunteer
activities, we hope to motivate others to consider how they can also contribute to
their community.”
Samantha Pennock won Gold Key in the
Scholastic Art Awards of 2016 at the Mississippi
Museum of Art. (L-R) Cindy McMullen, Graphic Design
Teacher and Samantha Pennock.
Madison Hall has been honored for her
exemplary volunteer service with a President’s
Volunteer Service Award.
The award, which recognizes
Americans of all ages
who have volunteered
significant amounts of
their time to serve their
communities and their
country, was granted by
The Prudential Spirit of
Community Awards
program on behalf of President Barack Obama.
Germantown High nominated Madison for
national honors this fall in recognition of her
volunteer service. The Prudential Spirit of
Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential
Financial in partnership with the National
Association of Secondary School Principals
(NASSP), recognizes middle level and high
school students across America for outstanding
volunteer service.
Catherine Waggoner, a senior at Germantown High School, has committed
to play soccer at Belhaven University. (Front row L-R) Shellie Mangum, Catherine
Waggoner and Stephen Waggoner. (Back row L-R): Adam Mangum, Pam McCollough,
Cody Powell, Christine Waggoner
After completing research on Emergency Awareness, Germantown High
School’s Biomedical Research Class visited the Mississippi Emergency
Management Agency to further understand how individuals and our public
officials prepare for disasters.
(L-R) Max Price, John Self, Andrew McDavid, Madeline Porter, Jake Tipton, MeKayla Rainey,
Cat Waggoner and Hannah Guimbellot.
58 • May/June 2016
58 • May/June 2016

Ann Smith
Elementary
More than just a sharing a good story, Da Story Weaver offers our
staff a repertoire of strategies to improve academics, cooperation, and
communication; each are scholarly social skills that are beneficial for a
lifetime. “I enjoyed having the story weaver in my class because he
showed me a tool box full of resources to use. I’m going to start doing
his contract agreement each morning and remind the students about
checking their voices and bodies in the hallway and in the classroom.
I have tried it for the last couple of days and it has worked very well
compared to other strategies I’ve used! I can’t wait to try the other tools
I’ve learned, as well,” shared Mrs. Trammel, a 1st grade teacher at Ann
Smith Elementary when asked what did she like best about Terrance
Roberts’ recent visit to our school.
Thanks to a grant supported in part by Mississippi Arts Commission,
a state agency, and in part from the National Endowment for the Arts,
a federal agency, all 1st graders at ASE have now had an opportunity to
experience the wonderful art of storytelling with Da Story Teller. These
skills will continue to help our students reach their greatest potential,
which is why we are excited about participating in the Arts in the
Classroom Initiative through MAC, shared Leona Bishop, the school
counselor.
Principal, Melissa Philley envisions Ann Smith becoming a school
where visual, music, dance and theater arts become infused in all we teach.
She believes their is no better way to inspire a love for learning and life.
Roberts, better known as Da Story Weaver, returned to ASE March
14th-18th and taught students to use drama, tableau, concentration,
and cooperation as they wrote and performed an African Folktale.
Here’s what some first graders thought:
“I liked his stories and how he
makes us use our imagination.”
Waris S.
“I liked how he acted out and
told the stories. I learned how
to tell stories too and use my
imagination and concentration.”
Lexi S.
“From the story we acted out, I
was reminded to be honest.”
Jaiden C.
“Using our body, our voice,
imagination, and cooperation
were the best parts.”
Rictavia C.
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.
Hometown madison • 59

The CHALKBOARD
madison county Schools
Camden
Elementary
Excellence without Excuses
This year we have emphasized “Excellence without Excuses.”
Emphasizing no excuses for poor effort, our goal is to instill in each
student the importance of staying in school and going on to college.
Our hope is that each student will aspire a profound, lifelong
learning path toward higher education that ends with a degree.
All honor roll students were rewarded the opportunity to visit
Mississippi College and Belhaven University this year. They were
given tours of the school, as well as different departments throughout
the campus. They also were able to participate in hands-on
experiments in their science building.
Camden Elementary kindergarten teachers, Mrs. Mary Ellen
Sullivan and Mrs. Lynda Hales and their assistant teachers, Mrs.
Carolyn Douglas and Ms. Erma Boyd implemented a small garden
this school term to teach about plants across the curriculum. The
students began reading both fiction and non-fiction literature on
plants, gardens, and nature. After learning about what plants need,
they planted turnip seeds in September and began observing the
plant growth. The students wrote explanatory texts, providing
sequential directions for planting turnips. They created diagrams
after they learned the parts of a plant. They classified plants by the
edible parts and used seeds for measuring objects in nonstandard
units. The students used rulers to measure their plants each week,
recording the data on class charts to compare plant growth. This
allowed the students to not only use their senses but to also use
scientific tools. Of course, not all of the seeds sprouted. Some plants
In conjunction with Read Across America, the Madison County Alumnae
Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. donated books to 1st Graders.
did not mature. Some plants showed evidence of insect infestation,
which allowed the students to use magnifying glasses to investigate.
Some of the seeds were transported away from the planting site by
wind and rain. These unplanned events all provided learning
opportunities for the students to investigate and plenty of conversation
to practice the speaking and listening standards. The students
kept journals and wrote about what they were observing. As the
weather changed, the students learned about measuring temperature
and the effects of temperature on plants. This unit of study
ended in a very tasty way. The children harvested the turnip leaves,
washed them, and asked the cafeteria manager, Mrs. Ava Day, to
cook them. The kindergarten classes enjoyed delicious bowls of
cooked turnip greens. Mrs. Day took this opportunity to talk with
the students about healthy food choices and the important nutrients
that green vegetables provide our bodies.
60 • May/June 2016
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.

Regional Reading Fair
Alexus Bailey represented Camden
Elementary School at the Regional Reading
Fair. She presented her board entitled
“3 Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf”
at the Region 3 Reading Fair held at the
Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind.
Career Fair
Josh Jackson of WAPT-Channel 16 and CES 2nd Graders. Chigozie Udemgba of
MDOT-Safe Routes presented CES 2nd Graders with a free bike helmet
Miss Mississippi,
Hannah Roberts
Spoke at the CES National Honor Society
Induction Ceremony. She gave inspirational
words to CES students and spoke about the
importance of setting goals in life. Camden
Elementary inductees were: Markell Keys,
Jestin Clerk and Korea Baker.
Christmas in Camden
Every Christmas, local businesses donate
their time, money and resources to ensure
that every student at Camden Elementary
will be able to share in the spirit of Christmas.
Children are asked to turn in a Christmas
list and before school lets out for the
holidays, every class is adopted by a Madison
County or Jackson Metro area business,
Sunday school class, etc. The last school day
in December, the children are taken out of
the classroom for a few hours while the
businesses come in and decorate the room,
lay out the presents and set up for “Christmas
in Camden.” Then all of the children go
back into their classrooms to see all of the
gifts in their classroom. The donors, their
employees, and sometimes even their
families stay for hours to play with the
children and teachers. It is truly one of the
most special days all year.
Candy Cane Market
Also in December, a local church puts on
“Christmas in Camden.” This is a ticket
reward system allowing the children to
purchase five gifts for loved ones. For two
weeks, during the month of December,
students can earn tickets for good behavior.
After the two weeks are up the students can
go in the Candy Can Market and purchase
items for 5 family members of their choice.
They even get them wrapped and labeled.
Hometown madison • 61

The CHALKBOARD
madison county Schools
Madison Avenue
Lower Elementary
Madison Avenue Lower celebrated a Super Hero Parade for
exceeding their goal in the Boosterthon fundraiser.
62 • May/June 2016
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.

Madison Avenue
Upper Elementary
Madison Avenue Upper was rewarded with a BMX show for
reaching their Chocolate Fundraiser.
Hometown madison • 63

The CHALKBOARD
St. Joe
madison county Schools
Steve Guyton, Military Academies and Youth Services director for
Congressmen Wicker and Harper, congratulates Jay Newman, left,
and Mason Fridge, right, on their recent appointments. Newman, a
2015 graduate of St. Joe, will attend West Point, and Fridge, class of
2016, will attend the United States Naval Academy.
Ten senior boys and six juniors have scored 30 or above on the ACT
exam. (Back L-R) Bryant Grove, Tim Cook, Russell Patterson,
Taylor Lyle and Danny Cottingham (Middle L-R) Patrick Morgan,
Cole Green, Jack Collins, William Doherty, Drew Liess and Straton
Garrard. (Front L-R)Ellie Smith, Tess Lott, Caroline Doherty,
Nathan Lancaster, Jack Hall.
The journalism students from St. Joe won 80 awards at the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association Convention, including Journalism
Student of the Year (Jack Hall), Newspaper Staff Person of the Year (Ben Payne), Yearbook Staff Person of the Year (Catherine Cook),
Orley Hood Sportswriter of the Year (Grant Murphy) and Best Broadcast Editor (JoJo Katool), Best Administrator (Cathy Cook),
Best Broadcast Advisor of the Year (Terry Cassreino), Ed Meek Scholarship Winner (Joshua Clayton and Best Newspaper.
64 • May/June 2016
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.

Two St. Joe Bruin baseball players were named to the Division
6-2A All District Baseball team. Pitcher Eric Diamond, left,
and first baseman Jon-Dale Dieckman, right, are shown with
Coach Gerard McCall.
The high school students welcomed their grandparents to campus
April 15. Shown are Laura Catherine Inman and her grandmother
Nancy Stewart, Will and Sam Walenta with Mr. and Mrs. Joel
Walenta, and Emily Hinds with her father, Tom, and his mother,
Mrs. Donna Hinds.
Mr. Doug Jones was recently installed as the new principal of
St. Joseph Catholic School. A Mass celebrated by Father Kevin
Slattery welcomed Jones to the St. Joe community.
St. Joe recently performed Seussical the Musical. Over 75 students
took part in the production on stage, back stage and playing the
music in the orchestra.
Hometown madison • 65

Camille Anding
The Time Coin
Mothers exert a powerful
influence on their children
– both intentional and
unintentional. My mother was intentional
in molding and instructing her youngsters.
She taught my sisters and me how to
make our beds, and we were expected to
make them after each night’s sleep. I could
never understand why beds were made in
rooms never visited by anyone but family,
but I never questioned Mother’s rules. I made my bed then and still do.
Making our beds was considered routine like brushing our teeth.
Folding clothes was listed with chores. We never doubted Mother’s
experience at being a full time homemaker, so when she taught
towel-folding, we listened and learned. Fold over twice, then left to the
middle and fold back right. It made for neat, uniform storage just the
same as it does in my home fifty-plus years later.
For Mother, etiquette included thank-you notes. We were taught
to say thank you verbally and on note cards with a stamp. She would be
amazed that email versions are rapidly replacing “snail mail,” as it’s
called now. Mother would never have substituted email for hand
written notes. I’m confident of that.
Another important instruction: Be on time, with early being
optimum. Somehow Mother thought that staying home was better
than arriving late to a function. She believed starting early was a simple,
doable key for being on time.
There were rules – mostly in concrete – concerning church
attendance. Talking while the preacher preached was an offense
resulting in some form of punishment, and there was no such thing as
leaving worship to go “potty.” Restroom visits were made before the
church service. It was amazing how easily my
siblings and I learned that rule.
“I’m too scared,” or “I don’t want to”
weren’t in Mother’s list of acceptable excuses.
When Mother recognized a God-given talent
in one of her children, she helped us hone that
talent and then expected us to use it every
opportunity. I never wanted to disappoint my
mother’s expectations.
When there was a death in a church or
neighboring family, Mother’s motto was “Do something!” She and
Daddy were purposeful in expressing sympathy and assistance in those
situations. Reunion-size servings of potato salad, fried chicken, and
pimento cheese sandwiches were customary travelers in our back seats.
Mother believed God gave us flowers to enjoy up close. Whatever
was blooming in our yard would be shared on the coffee table or dining
table. “Flowers always make a meal more special,” she would say.
The kitchen had its rules too. Her set of heavy metal pots inevitably
held leftovers when it was my turn to wash dishes. I suggested setting
the pots in the frig, lids on of course. Mother smiled, handed me small
bowls with lids and said, “Pots weren’t for storing food.”
I remember using my new set of pots in cooking my first meal as
a newlywed. Able to now make my own rules, I slid the pot with its
leftover veggie into the refrigerator. But, somehow the notion of
making my own rules and breaking Mother’s didn’t bring the joy and
exhilaration I expected. Later that evening, I emptied the pot into a
bowl with a lid, stored it in the frig, and washed the pot.
I never stored another pot in the frig. It would have been breaking
my mother’s rule, and her rules were time-tested and taught with love.
It was only natural to follow them. n
66 • May/June 2016

Because there’s Merit
in faster care.
In a medical emergency, every minute matters. So, at Merit Health, you’ll
find faster care in the emergency room. We work diligently
to have you initially seen by a medical professional* in 30 minutes –
or less. And, with a team of dedicated medical specialists, we can provide a
lot more care, if you need it.
The 30-Minutes-Or-Less E.R. Service Pledge – at Merit Health.
Central
Madison
Rankin
River Oaks
River Region
*Medical professionals may include physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
MyMeritHealth.com
Hometown madison • 67

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