Hometown Brandon - Winter 2015

volume 3 number 1 

Winter 2015 

Another Place at the Table 

______________________ 

cookng up success 

______________________ 

A Picture and a Thousand Words 

______________________ 

Cultivating Potential

Call us to schedule 

your next visit. 

(601) 825-3368 

Sarah Langston, DMD 

14 Woodgate Drive 

Brandon, Mississippi 39042 

2 • Winter 2015

118 service drive suite 5 | brandon ms 

woodgate crossing shopping center 

shop online at faithncandy.com 

601.825.8778 

Christmas Hours | Monday - Friday 10am-6:30pm | Saturday 10am-6pm | Sunday 1pm-5pm 

Christmas Open House Sip & Shop | December 4th 10am-8pm | December 5th 10am-6pm 

Hometown Brandon • 3

4 • Summer 2014

Publisher & Editor 

Tahya Dobbs 

CFO 

Kevin Dobbs 

editorial CONSULTANT 

Mary Ann Kirby 

Account Executives 

Alicia Adams 

Rachel Lombardo 

LeeAnn Evans 

Staff Photographer 

Othel Anding 

Contributing 

Photographers 

Charla Jordan 

Taylor Sims 

Layout Design & Production 

Daniel Thomas • 3dt 

Missy Donaldson • MAD Design 

Contributing Writers 

Camille Anding 

Johnny Beck 

Kyle Brown 

Charla Jordan 

Susan Marquez 

Melanie McMillan 

Bailey Poole 

Taylor Sims 

Kerri Walker 

www.facebook.com 

/hometownbrandonmagazine 

www.HTMags.com 

This special Christmas edition marks Hometown 

Magazines’ second anniversary. As I celebrate our 

wonderful, exciting venture, I also reflect over the 

year’s happenings that have made up life for us in 2015. 

There were wonderful things that happened 

along the way but it was also a year of great loss. 

We attended two funerals—my grandmother’s and 

father-in-law’s. Then, in October, we experienced the 

loss of our family pet, Thatcher. Maybe it was that it 

all happened within a relatively short period of time 

–but it felt like a lot to deal with and it was hard. 

However, sunshine always follows the storms, 

and the July sunshine was a big part of our oldest 

child’s wedding. Camea and Justin’s ceremony was 

a memorable highlight of 2015. 

CandyLee, our youngest, added to the fanfare 

when she enrolled in summer school in order to 

graduate high school a year early. She completed 

her endeavor and is now a freshman at Hinds. 

And while we helped get her registered in early 

August, we packed Carson’s belongings to move him 

into an apartment in Oxford as a junior at Ole Miss. 

All those back-to-back highlights saved me a lot of 

tears because there was no time to cry! 

One of my favorite articles in this issue is the one 

on foster parenting. My own family cared for four 

brothers in the foster program for two years and saw, 

first-hand, the challenges and rewards. It changed 

our lives in such a profoundly positive way. 

In this season of giving, God may not ask you to 

become a foster parent, but He may touch your heart 

to encourage a foster parent you know. Perhaps you 

would consider a Christmas donation to an orphanage. 

Or, like the article suggests, be willing to help parents 

that foster by giving them a much needed break and 

offering an occasional hand. 

Christmas originated with the 

greatest Gift. In honor of Him, 

why not continue the giving spirit? 

Contact us at 

info@htmags.com 

601.706.4059 

26 Eastgate Drive, Suite F 

Brandon, MS 39042 

• • • 

Hometown Brandon is published by Hometown 

Magazines. All rights reserved. No portion of 

Hometown Brandon may be reproduced 

without written permission from the publisher. 

The management of Hometown Brandon is not 

responsible for opinions expressed by its 

writers or editors. All communications sent to 

our editorial staff are subject to publication and 

the unrestricted right to be refused, or to be 

edited and/or editorially commented on. All 

advertisements are subject to approval by the 

publisher. The production of Hometown Brandon 

is funded by advertising. 

In this issue The Way We Were .....................6 

Another Place at the Table............ 1 0 

Cooking Up Success................. 16 

A Picture and A Thousand Words .. 30 

Cultivating Potential .......36 

Sister: Sister ........................ 28 

Everything's Coming Up Roses....... 64 

It's a Wonderful Life ................ 66 

Brandon On The Move ............... 50 


The 

way 

we 

were. 

Marianna & Dan 

Martin 

One of nine children, Dan Martin learned 

a lot about relationships during his childhood 

in Puckett. When his mother died after 

childbirth, leaving him and his siblings with 

one parent, Dan became an adult with adult 

responsibilities at the age of sixteen. 

That life-changing situation held the 

potential for an unfavorable future, but God 

had special plans for Dan. After a move to 

Alabama with his grieving family, his dad 

moved them back to Puckett for his senior 

year. That’s when Marianna McLain, a ninth 

grader, spotted Dan. She recalls how all the 

girls “fawned” over this good-looking young 

man, and she also remembers how he never 

gave her a second look. 

In 1958, Dan returned home after a three 

and a half year military stint in Germany. 

That’s when he spotted Marianna. He hadn’t 

seen her in almost four years, but his immediate 

response was, “Good gracious alive!” He had 

found a “doll!” 

He asked her for a date in December, and 

they were engaged the following Valentine’s 

Day. That next Christmas on December 27, 

1959, Dan gave his doll his last name. 

Marianna said their wedding day was 

marked with torrential rains. Dan laughs as he 

recalls getting lost on the way to the coast for 

their honeymoon. He believes the flooding 

had a lot to do with it. 


The description of their married life is 

filled with fond memories – a cute garage 

apartment in Jackson, law school at night for 

Dan and a daytime job of delivering mail from 

six to six o’clock to help make their living. 

Marianna graduated from Mississippi College 

and worked as a nutritionist at the University 

Medical Center. 

Even though the couple sat opposite each 

other during the interview, it was obvious that 

their hearts were side by side. When describing 

their marriage, Marianna said, “We just get 

along – we enjoy each other’s company!” She 

describes her mate as possessing a generous 

portion of thoughtfulness. 

Along with his years as an attorney, Dan has 

served in the senate, and Marianna is still a 

member of the Official Mississippi Women’s 

Club where she’s served as president. First 

Baptist Church Brandon has been their church 

anchor since 1960. 

The two have been active mixed-doubles 

tennis players, and Dan touts a thirty-year span 

of playing tennis every Sunday afternoon with 

Waymon Tigrett, Jack Root, and Jack Rhodes. 

The Martin’s two children, Dana Penick 

and husband Durell, and son Garron Martin 

and wife Wanda, live close by so enjoying their 

four grandsons and one granddaughter-in-law 

brings them added delight. 

When asked about clues to their happily 

married years, Dan spoke first, “Marianna has 

never contested any decisions I’ve ever made.” 

Marianna added, “He’s always discussed 

decisions with me, but it’s been his call. His 

decisions are usually wiser than mine.” 

After being with them briefly, it’s obvious 

that two of their wisest decisions were 

choosing each other. ■ 

“We just get along – 

we enjoy each other’s 

company! ” 


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Another Place at the Table 

Kerri Walker 


Scott and April Selman found a new calling when they discovered 

the great needs of foster care in Mississippi. 

The Selmans have four adult biological children, three adopted 

children, and currently two foster children. Two of their children were 

adopted through foster care, and one was adopted internationally. 

When their four biological children began transitioning into 

adulthood, the Selmans began to wonder what was next. 

“We started hearing about the needs of foster care,” said April. 

“We listened to a sermon series by David Platt on the book of James. 

He talked about how his church in 

Alabama was basically emptying the 

foster care system. They were licensing 

families in their church to become foster 

families, and we started thinking that 

was something we could do. James 1:27 

calls us to care for orphans and widows. 

meal that day and they will have clothes to wear and they will be 

protected and safe. It’s a big change.” 

This healing brings joy into the Selmans’ hearts. April said, 

“We’ve had kids come through who really had no idea how to give or 

receive affection, and we see that slowly start to change. All kids crave 

love–they need it. It’s incredible. I never expected to be able to 

witness that. You get so much joy out of seeing that healing take place.” 

“The ultimate goal is for the kids to gain the ability to become 

functioning adults—to break the cycle and to have the ability to 

come to know about God’s love,” 

continued Selman. “A lot of kids come in 

and don’t know the first Bible story and 

have never set foot in a church, which is 

unfathomable with us living in the bible 

belt. It really happens, and it’s great to see 

them learn about the Bible and God’s 

We got started. It’s our next step.” 

love. They become different people.” 

The Selmans have cared for several 

“One day after supper, we had a child 

children placed in foster care throughout 

who asked, ‘How do y’all always have 

recent years. “Group homes are not the 

food?’ I asked, ‘What do you mean?’ 

best solution in my opinion, and that’s 

“Once our eyes are open to the need, 

The child said, ‘Well at my house we don’t 

where a lot of kids end up,” said April. we are commanded to respond.” always have food, and we’re hungry. Y’all 

“I think that giving kids a chance to see a 

always have food,’” April recalls. “This 

–Scott Selman 

functioning, healthy family is way more 

child was trying to figure out how we 

preferable. It also brings you a lot of joy to see them heal and grow could make that happen, and it kills your heart when you hear a kid 

and start to flourish. There are kids every week that need a place to say that. Here in Brandon, Mississippi, there’s a kid who is hungry. 

sleep. We’re a very affluent society, and a lot of us have extra bedrooms. That seems crazy to us. There shouldn’t be a kid who is hungry when 

Why not meld kids who need a place with us who have extra space? we all have so much to give.” 

I think God calls the church to take care of vulnerable children and 

“It’s bittersweet when a child goes back to his or her family 

people. You just don’t get much more vulnerable than a kid in foster because you do get attached and learn to love them,” said April. 

care who doesn’t have the support of his or her biological family.” 

“In some cases, you can still have contact and in some cases you can’t. 

Becoming a foster parent is not without its challenges. “Kids who You just have to pray that you’ve done a little bit of good for them 

come from traumatic backgrounds have many different behaviors than while they were with you. That’s the number one thing that people 

our biological children did,” said April. “The biggest challenge is say to me: ‘Oh, I could never foster because I would get attached.’ 

learning how trauma affects children and how to best help them heal.” You do get attached. But fostering isn’t supposed to be about the 

Despite the challenges, the Selmans have seen a lot of healing in adults. It’s about the kids. If everyone decided they couldn’t do it 

their home. “It really is amazing to see a child that comes into your because they would get attached, then we would just have group 

home withdrawn, introverted, closed off from building relationships, homes filled to the brims because kids have to have somewhere to 

and completely at a loss for how to function, go through a complete go and somebody to take care of them.” 

transformation—to laughing, telling jokes, smiling, and wanting hugs. “I think it’s good when you can step in and be a safety net for a 

To go from almost being expelled at school to being a great student family and give the parents time to stabilize so they can get their kids 

within a short period of time. The kids learn how to feel safe and back,” said April. “That’s good because kids should be with their 

how to count on people when they’ve never been able to count on families. That’s the ideal solution. It’s bittersweet because you miss 

someone before. They learn how to trust that they will have another them and think about them, but if their parents are able to get things 


ight and have their kids returned, then that’s where the kids should 

be long-term. That is the goal of foster care—to help families fix what 

needs to be fixed and reunify. When a family is able to do that, it’s a 

good thing. And sadly, sometimes they’re not able.” 

“You don’t have any idea what you’re getting into if you haven’t 

been exposed to it,” said Scott. “It’s a lot of work, a lot of energy, a lot 

of sacrifice. But at the end of the day, you have to look at what you’re 

sacrificing for. We all take for granted the luxuries in our lives. There 

are so many people who don’t have those. If you educate yourself and 

get exposed to it, it’s hard to turn away. Once you’re aware, it takes a 

pretty hard heart to back away from it. I went into it thinking these 

must be some bad kids. I don’t know why I thought that. But once you 

get into it, you realize that these children have done nothing. They 

don’t deserve the hand they’ve been dealt in life. It breaks your heart 

because they didn’t ask to be born into these situations or handed 

disabilities, diseases, or whatever. But here they are, and a lot of times 

they just have no chance. I think we should all do something to help.” 

“At one point, we wrote down verses that jumped out at us,” said 

April. “We were filling up books with verses. If God puts something 

in the Bible over and over, clearly it’s very important to Him. Isaiah 

1:17 tells us to bring justice to the fatherless. Ephesians 5:1 says to be 

imitators of God. That’s so simple. If you’re going to imitate God and 

He’s commanding us over and over to care for children, then we ought 

to care for children.” 

“At some point, Christians abdicated compassion to the government. 

I think it is up to us as the church to pull it back,” said Scott. “The 

story from Biblical times is that if Romans had a child that they didn’t 

want, they would set that child beside the road or outside at night and 

it would die. It was the Christians that would pick these children up, 

care for them, and show value for them. I think that’s what we are 

called to do today. There are a lot of children that are being cast aside 

by society. It’s up to us to show compassion and take them in.” 

Jonathan Nason, the Next Generation pastor for Crossgates 

Baptist Church in Brandon, shares the view that the church should 

step up to the plate. Nason has two biological siblings and one 

adopted brother. His parents have been foster parents since before he 

was born. Some of Nason’s foster siblings were with his family for just 

a weekend, but most were with them for one to six months. Many of 

the children became like family, and a couple of sibling groups were 

with the Nasons for up to three years. By the time Nason moved out 

of the house as an adult, he had been a brother to 73 children who 

had been placed in his family through foster care. His parents 

continue to foster children to this day. 

“Foster care has been my family’s ministry for my whole life,” said 

Nason. My brother who was adopted is my best friend. I can’t imagine 

not having him as well as other foster brothers and sisters growing up. 

It’s highly affected my wife and me because we want to do the same 

thing. I don’t believe the church has done a very good job of taking 

care of orphans and widows in the state of Mississippi. My wife and 

I want to make a statement of taking care of orphans and widows.” 

Nason and his wife plan to become a foster family when they 

become fully eligible. “My wife and I haven’t spoken on foster care 

here because we haven’t led by example on that. We fully intend to do 

so, but you can’t ask people to do something that tangible that you 

haven’t done, yourselves. We see ourselves as advocates for orphans 

and widows, but in order to advocate for that as a pastor, we have to 

model that. We want our kids to have what I had—to see the nations 

in our home. It changed my life.” 

“Kids who are adopted or in foster care go through a season of 

realizing: ‘Yes, I was adopted, and I’m thankful for that, but in order 

to be adopted, I was rejected at one point by my parents.’ For kids to 

be in a gospel-centered home when they’re going through an identity 

crisis is extremely important. We can explain that we were all like that 

in our sin, but Christ adopted us. As the church, we should model the 

gospel of adoption. My wife and I are passionate about that.” 

“Christ gave his life so we could be adopted. We should be willing 

to give our lives, our time, our money, our energy, our complacency, 

whatever it may be, for the sake of adoption. It’s about taking one more 

that doesn’t have a home or family and giving them something that they 

could never earn or get on their own. People’s lives are at stake, and 

you have the opportunity to change someone’s future in an extremely 

tangible way. That’s pretty rewarding in and of itself,” said Nason. 

The Selmans cited a number of ways that we can help foster 

families. Clothing and school supplies donations are great when a 

new placement arrives. Meadow Grove Baptist Church in Brandon 

accepts brand new clothing and hygiene items to have on hand for 

foster children. The church also accepts duffle bags to put the items 

in so children do not have to carry a trash bag or grocery bag. Families 

can also become licensed to provide respite, allowing foster families 

to have a safe home to temporarily keep the children when the foster 

parents, themselves, must go away overnight. Or just delivering 

meals, mowing the grass, and visiting the children. The possibilities 

for lending a hand are endless. 

“Not everyone is called to full time foster care, but we are 

commanded to care for orphans and widows,” said Scott. “There’s 

not more clarity than that.” n 



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–engagement– 

ShelbyTaylorSirmon 

& BradleyDevonThomas 

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gene Sirmon of Brandon, Mississippi, announce the 

engagement of their daughter, Shelby Taylor, to Mr. Bradley Devon Thomas of 

Holly Springs, North Carolina. Bradley is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Thomas 

of Noxapater, Mississippi and Ms. Barbara Novoa Walton of Tampa, Florida. 

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. Eugene F. Worthen of 

Monroe, Louisiana, and Mr. and Mrs. Gene A. Sirmon of Brandon, Mississippi. 

The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Devon Thomas and 

Mrs. Blanca Soto. 

Miss Sirmon is a 2008 honor graduate of Brandon High School. She graduated 

summa cum laude from Mississippi State University in 2012 with a degree in 

psychology and was a member of Phi Mu Fraternity. She is also a 2014 graduate of 

University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she received a BSN as a registered 

nurse and served as president of the school of nursing. She is employed at Duke 

University Children’s Hospital in the bone marrow transplant unit. 

Mr. Thomas is a 2008 graduate of Winston Academy and attended Mississippi 

State University, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. In 2007, he 

joined the Mississippi National Guard. He fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 

2009-2010 and Operation Enduring Freedom from 2012-2013. He is currently 

employed by the United States Army, where he is stationed at Fort Bragg. 

The couple will exchange vows December 19, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at First United 

Methodist Church in Brandon, Mississippi, with the reception to follow at the 

Northpointe Red Barn in Jackson, Mississippi. 

 


Cooking Up 

Success 

WITHQuail Ridge Press 

Susan Marquez 

Quail Ridge Press has always been committed to producing 

the highest quality books and cookbooks—and now they 

celebrate 38 years of preserving America’s food heritage. 

Barney and Gwen McKee have figured out the recipe for 

success. As co-owners of Quail Ridge Press in Brandon, the 

couple has created a publishing powerhouse—one cookbook 

at a time. Barney and Gwen are both Louisiana natives. 

Barney ran the LSU Press in Baton Rouge, then was assistant 

director of the University Press in Hattiesburg for two years 

before moving the family to Brandon in 1973. 

Their company started in 1978, when Barney, production 

manager of University Press of Mississippi, brought home a 

cookbook manuscript that the University Press couldn’t publish. 

It was a little book called The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookbook. 

Gwen thought it was a clever book that would sell well, so 

the couple began Quail Ridge Press on the dining room table 

of their home, which was located on Quail Ridge Drive in 

Brandon. The company went full time in 1986 when Barney 

retired from University Press. 

The book was printed and when they arrived Gwen put 

them in the garage. “She has a background in journalism,” 

said Barney. “She knew writing, editing and recipe testing. 

But she had no experience in sales.” That didn’t deter Gwen, 

who said anyone can sell a product if they love it. “I knew that 

anyone who bought this book would love it, because it would 

make them happy.” The book sold out in three weeks. 

The company continued to publish cookbooks, and 

Gwen soon became known as “the cookbook lady.” Barney 

had an idea to include all the best recipes from the best 

cookbooks in the state. “That was way before computers and 

email,” recalled Gwen. “We had to contact each publisher and 

get permission to reprint recipes.” That was the beginning of 

a successful series of “best of” cookbooks by state. 



18 • Fall 2014

Their big break, however, came in 1997, when folks from 

the QVC network came to town. “They were traveling around 

to various states looking for products from those states to sell 

on TV,” said Gwen. She took the books for an audition, and 

they chose the Best of the Best from Mississippi, which soon got 

Gwen on live TV. “I had no idea what I was doing. There 

was a little band playing in between sales, and when it was 

my turn, I began to comment on how much I liked the band. 

I realized later that each second counts.” 

The folks at QVC liked what they saw—both the book 

and Gwen. She was invited to go to the QVC studios in 

West Chester, Pennsylvania. “We were lucky to sell 5000 

copies of a book in two years,” said Barney. “But on QVC, 

we sold out the 2000 books we had in two minutes. The 

QVC folks said it was one of their fastest sellouts ever. That 

destroyed all the metrics and changed our way of doing 

things. We now give QVC first look at our cookbooks to 

see if they would like to have it on air.” Gwen said that QVC 

knows that Quail Ridge Press cookbooks will always be of 

the highest quality. “We have a fantastic designer, Cindy 

Clark, and our cookbooks always look really nice and are 

easy to cook from.” 

Quail Ridge Press has since published several other state 

cookbooks, and Gwen has appeared on QVC many, many 

times selling her state cookbooks, and has since created 

cookbooks especially for them. “We still do about half of our 

sales through QVC.” She laughed when she recalled 

preparing the food for some of the early QVC segments. 

“We had a friend who lived in town, so we bought our own 

groceries and prepared the food in her kitchen. I didn’t know 

anything about food styling for television. We did it ourselves 

for a year or two before we discovered professional food 

stylists.” 

After their success with the Twelve Days of Christmas 

Cookbook, the same author wrote Seven Chocolate Sins and 

A Salad a Day. They then branched out with a Mississippi State/ 

Ole Miss Joke Book, which was also a great seller. 

But it’s the “best of” cookbook series that have been the 

most successful. “After the success of the Best of the Best of 

Mississippi book, we went to Louisiana, and that book did 

fantastically well,” said Barney. “We then went to Texas 

where we did two books. By 2004, we had completed a 

cookbook for every state. In all, the company has published 

nearly 200 books, and 150 of them are still in print. “We 

just enjoy seeing a book professionally developed and 

produced,” said Barney. Our latest book is The Crown of 

Southern Cooking: Recipes from the Birthplace of the Blues. The 

book is by Evelyn Roughton, owner of the Crown Restaurant 

in Indianola for nearly forty years. “Evelyn had never 

published her own personal restaurant recipes,” said Gwen. 

“But it looks like it was written by a seasoned professional.” 

While the books have sold great on QVC, the “best of” 

series also sells well in Cracker Barrel restaurants and regular 

book outlets. “We sell a good many from our company 

website too,” said Barney. “We charge a flat fee of $5 for 

shipping, no matter how many books are ordered. We are 

focused on customer service.” 

While cookbooks are the mainstay of Quail Ridge Press, 

the company does publish other titles including A is for Angels: 

A Bible Alphabet and Cat Hymns, a beautifully illustrated book 

that comes with a musical CD. Beach Verses is a book of 

beautifully written Haiku verses by George Thacker 

describing the grandeur of life and nature of the Mississippi 

Gulf Coast. 

For more information on Quail Ridge Press, and to see their entire list of books, visit their website at www.quailridge.com 


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Mr.& Mrs.ThomasHarmonJackson 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Harmon 

Jackson of Brandon, Mississippi along 

with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Flowers 

Dickson, Jr. of French Camp, Mississippi 

are pleased to announce the marriage 

of Mr. Tristen Harmon Jackson to 

Miss Jessica Lynne Dickson of Oxford, 

Mississippi. Tristen is the grandson of 

Mr. and Mrs. George Dudley Ward of 

Brandon, the late Ms. Martha Egger 

Jackson of Shreveport, Louisiana and the 

late Mr. and Mrs. William Hutchinson 

Jackson of Shreveport. Jessica is the 

granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. 

Joseph Henry Nettles of Brandon and 

Mr. and Mrs. Tommie Flowers Dickson 

of Hendersonville, North Carolina. 

Miss Dickson graduated as the Class 

of 2008 salutatorian at Grace Christian 

School in Louisville, Mississippi. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in 

Chinese with a minor in biology from the University of Mississippi in 

2012. During undergraduate, she was a member of the Sally McDonnell 

Barksdale Honors College. Jessica was also a Luckyday Scholar and 

earned a Critical Scholar Scholarship, which allowed her to travel to 

China in pursuit of mastering the Chinese language. She then earned 

a Master of Science in Biology from the University of Mississippi 

Medical Center in Jackson in May 2015. Jessica is currently employed 

by Innovative Construction Management in Oxford and plans to 

attend medical school. 

The bridegroom is a 2004 honors graduate of Brandon High School. 

In 2008, He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a 

bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences. During his undergraduate 

time at Ole Miss, he was a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale 

Honors College, and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, elected campus 

favorite and Who’s Who Among College Students, and he was actively 

involved with the associated student 

body as pharmacy senator representative. 

Tristen spent time volunteering 

and serving for several organizations, 

including the American Heart 

Association Heart Walk, Campus 

Crusade for Christ, and was a worship 

leader at College Hill Presbyterian 

Church. He was the School of Pharmacy 

Honor Council representative, Ole 

Miss Ambassadors co-director of 

special events/ housing ambassador, 

and the CHEERS webpage chairman. 

Upon undergraduate graduation, 

Tristen attended pharmacy school 

where he received his Pharm.D. in 

May of 2010. He is currently working 

on his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical 

sciences with a concentration in 

pharmacy administration and has an expected completion date of 

May 2016. While in graduate school, Tristen has joined and is still 

a member of Rho Chi Pharmacy Honorary Society, Phi Kappa Phi 

Honorary Society, and Phi-Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership 

Fraternity. He has also served on the Graduate Student Council as 

secretary and president. 

The couple exchanged vows at half past five o’clock in the evening 

on the thirty-first of October at College Hill Presbyterian Church, 

followed by a reception hosted by the bride’s parents. Dr. Curt Presley 

officiated the double ring ceremony. The bride wore a Lillian West 

ivory gown with a fitted bodice and modified sweetheart neckline, 

accented by an Alencon lace bolero featuring a bateau neckline, and a 

“V” shape in the back with satin covered buttons. The natural waist 

was accented by a pleated cummerbund just below the lace bolero, 

and then shaped into a silk satin ball gown with a chapel length train. 

A cathedral length illusion veil, adorned with matching lace, accented 

the dress. 


The father of the bride escorted her down the aisle as she carried a 

bouquet of white O’Hara garden roses, pale pink roses, peach roses, 

and pale pink dahlia’s. The roses and dahlias were accented with a collar 

of lamb’s ear, and the stems were partially wrapped in an ivory ribbon. 

Serving as her matron of honor was Natalie Rose Dickson Richardson 

and serving as bridesmaids were Anna Beth Baker, Tabitha Bandi, Sarah 

Joy Champine, Andrea Thomasson Foley, Emily Powell Ford, Kaylin 

Mittan Satterfield, and Mollie Winter Wright. Each attendant carried a 

bouquet of pink and ivory roses with a touch of lamb’s ear that elegantly 

complimented their pale blue, cap sleeved, long chiffon dresses. 

The groom and his groomsmen wore boutonnieres made of a small 

pink rose, a mini succulent, a touch of silver brunia berries and backed 

with a leaf of lamb’s ear. Serving as best man was Brenden Reynolds 

Jackson, and serving as groomsmen were Edwin Brad Batte, Robert 

Louis Carr, Craig Neal Daniel, James Kyle Duff, Joel David Duff, 

David Daniel Sibley, and Clifford Thomas Wiggins. Serving as ushers 

were Samuel Thomas Dickson, Mitchell Chandler Goddard and 

George Brooks Richardson. Katherine Elizabeth Gilliam, Violet Wren 

Nettles, and Eva Valentina Nettles all served as flower girls. Robert 

Payne Gatewood IV and Beren Julian Nettles served as program 

attendants. Violinist Sarah Brannan and pianist Andrew Panney 

performed ceremony music. 

At The Lyric Oxford, guests were greeted by the bride’s three-tier 

cake that was finished with textured buttercream icing. Joyce Hudspeth 

of Mantee, Mississippi crafted both the bride and groom’s cake. The 

groom’s cake was placed to the right of the bride’s cake as guests entered 

and was an Ole Miss number “38” jersey and football. 

After walking past the cakes, guests were treated with a large spread 

of hors d’oeuvres. Upon the main food table, in the center of the room, 

sat a large arrangement of pink and white roses, white gladiolas, various 

greeneries, and curly willow. Each guest table was perfectly decorated 

with arrangements that consisted of flowers in the pinks, ivories, and 

gray-blue hues. Specialty lighting was brought in to accent the decor 

and a stunning five crystal column chandelier was hung over the dance 

floor. Brother of the bride, Samuel Dickson, introduced the couple as 

they made their way to the dance floor for the first dance. They were 

surprised to have Mississippi artist Wyatt Waters live-painting the 

scene of their first dance—a wedding gift from the parents of the 

groom. Following the first dance, the couple each held a special dance 

with their parents and Meet the Press kept guests on the dance floor 

for the night until it was time for the sparkler exit. 

The night before the wedding ceremony, the parents of the groom 

hosted a cocktail hour followed by a three course seated dinner in honor 

of the couple at the Oxford University Club. The theme of an “old 

world club” was kept with dimmed lighting, navy blue linens, wood 

chargers, wood club chairs, live piano music, and flowers upon each 

tabletop of blue hydrangea’s, yellow roses and calla lilies, peach roses, 

and touches of green berries, seeded eucalyptus, and various greenery 

in hand gold leafed containers. Following a salad, guests were treated 

to an entree created as a collaboration between the mother of the 

groom and bride that was a flight of proteins, consisting of a beef filet 

medallion, crab stuffed grouper, and creole chicken, all complimented 

with a side of asparagus, carrots, and mashed potatoes. Guests were 

surprised by dessert with another flight of New York cheesecake, 

chocolate cake, and bread 

pudding, all served on the same 

plate with a chocolate “J+T” 

written in the center. 

On the day of the wedding, 

the groom’s family hosted a 

“Groom’s Gathering” lunch 

held at South Depot Taco Shop 

on the Oxford Square for his 

groomsmen, friends, and 

wedding guests in town for 

the wedding. 

Following a honeymoon to 

San Francisco, Napa Valley, and 

Carmel, California, the couple 

will make their home in 

Oxford, Mississippi. 


Believe 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, BRANDON 

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12 & 13, 6:00 PM 

www.fbcbrandon.com 

601-825-6768 • 175 Boyce Thompson Drive (Next to Rouse Elementary) 


Teamed 

for Success 

Taylor Sims 

When the Crossgates Exchange 

Club sponsors an event, one 

can be certain that the end result 

will be changed lives. The active members 

who meet the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each 

month are always pursuing projects and 

plans to help with their list of sponsorships. 

For every project they sponsor, their focus is 

to support child abuse prevention centers 

and promote American patriotism. 

One such event was the “Healing Flag 

Field” in 2004. It was the largest in the U.S., 

showcasing a total of 4,000 flags. This special 

tribute honored victims of the September 

11th terrorist attack and Enduring Freedom 

by dedicating a flag to every solider lost. 

Other sponsorships close to the hearts of 

the Crossgates Exchange Club are Baptist 

Children’s Home in Star, Miss., the Military 

Ball, B-Club, and the Brandon Barbeque 

Challenge. The Club also grants $1,000 

scholarships to two Brandon High School 

students who will continue education in a 

vocational field and funds several mission 

trips for First Baptist Church of Brandon 

students who work the “Dark Zone”. 

The “Dark Zone”, which lasts for three 

weekends of October, is the Club’s most 

beloved project. The haunted house had over 

7,200 in attendance last year. People from 

all over the United States have visited and 

deemed it the best haunted house they have 

ever experienced–and this year’s event was 

another huge success! Mrs. Barbara Evans 

and Mr. Pat Pipitone of the organization 

take pride in the preparation that goes into 

this major event. Two members attended a 

haunted house exposition for the newest 

spooky ideas. 

Miller’s Pizza and The Back Porch catered 

delicious pizza and seafood while attendees 

were escorted to the haunted house in a 

hearse or trailer hayride. Upon arrival, the 

frightened spectators were introduced to 

the “spooks” designed by Pipitone and 

assembled by the students of FBC Brandon, 

the Mayor’s Youth Council and the Boy 

Scouts. This year’s proceeds will go to child 

abuse prevention centers in Vicksburg, 

Oxford and Gulfport. More details about 

this special October project can be found on 

the website www.thedarkzone.net. 

The Club’s compassion continues through 

December by aiding needy families in the 

community. If you are passionate about 

giving back to the community, the Exchange 

Club is currently seeking new members. 

Please contact Mrs. Louise Pipitone at 

601.825.7775 for information. Join this team 

that reflects a yearly winning record. 




Holiday Worship Events: 

Hanging of the Green - November 29 

Christmas Dinner Theater - December 9 - 11 

Vesper Service - December 13 

Mustard Seed “Bells of Faith” - December 16 

Church-wide Caroling - December 20 

Carols and Candlelight - December 24 

Sunday Worship Times: 

8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.—Worship 

9:30 a.m.— Sunday School 

6:00 p.m.—Evening Worship 




A Picture and a T housand Words 

Bailey Poole 

I’m sure many of you would be 

surprised that I am actually an English 

major. I literally spend 99% of my time 

inside Shakespearean plays, and when 

I’m not reading, I’m usually writing– 

or I guess now, drawing. 

When I was first asked to write about 

my art, and what I draw inspiration from, 

I honestly have to say that my English 

background inspires me. Now, I’m sure 

that sounds absurd, so let me explain. 

A couple of summers ago, I started to 

draw pictures out of words–only words. 

I came to realize I spend so much of my 

time reading and finding the beauty in 

the written word, that I wanted to take 

various prose and combine them with 

art in a unique and 

interesting way. 

So, one of my first 

pieces was Shakespeare’s 

image centered 

in the outline of 

England, all drawn with 

the first act of Macbeth. 

Sticking with the classics, 

I then moved on to Margaret Mitchell’s 

Gone With the Wind. I drew Scarlett 

O’Hara out of the paragraphs in the 

book that describe her, and one of the 

Tara landscapes. I think drawing 

pictures in this medium adds a deeper 

element in some way to the text that is 

being read, and I really enjoy how 

different each piece looks. 

Drawing with words was really my 

springboard. It gave me the confidence 

to try new mediums–especially water 

coloring. Just as I found beauty in 

Shakespeare’s plays, and other novels, 

I started to look at what surrounded 

me for inspiration. The place that has 

surrounded me since day one is Brandon, 

Mississippi. Being raised in Brandon has 

given me unique experiences of growing 

up in a small town, and I have memories 

etched on every square foot of the city. 

There’s nowhere in Brandon that I go 

that doesn’t draw back something from 

my childhood. 

One of the first things I drew was the 

statue in the downtown square. It’s been 

there since 1907–over one hundred 

years. It’s simple, with the three flags 

behind it, and the courthouse beside it. 

That area of the square is one of the few 

places in Brandon that has remained 

exactly the same, and I wanted to capture 

that. I think it’s a painting 

that resonates with everyone 

because the town 

square symbolizes the 

place they grew up, and 

the place they call home. 

Another place I 

have fond memories of 

are all the Friday nights 

I spent at Louis Gene 


Strickland Field. When I was a kid, you 

would have found me there in my “Eat 

Dirt PURL” homemade tee shirt with a 

Gatorade in one hand and a pack of sour 

straws in the other. In high school, not 

only did I cram in the student section on 

Friday nights with my friends, but I also 

played high school soccer and powder-puff 

football on that field. That stadium has 

almost too many memories to count, 

and I wanted to paint it. However, I 

decided to draw it the way I remembered 

it when I was in high school. 

The press box has “BRANDON” 

written across the top, and the Louis 

Gene Strickland Field sign is back in 

front of the bushes like it used to be. 

Selfishly, I moved the sign back because 

I had to fetch so many soccer balls from 

behind it when we missed the goal and 

kicked the ball in the bushes. I guess, 

subconsciously, I wanted to immortalize 

my struggle. So, for my teammates who 

climbed in the bushes as well, I know 

you’ll understand. 

I also wanted to paint the stadium 

because I know its days are numbered. 

Brandon High School will soon be 

opening its stadium out at the new 

campus, and the days of Friday night 

football on the field where it’s been 

played for well over half a century will 

be no more. Like all things, change is 

inevitable, but I think the painting of 

the old football field will be a special 

keepsake for those who have grown up 

in Brandon. 

Finally, another significant place that 

has my heart is Oxford, Mississippi. 

Oxford is where I have spent the past 

six years of my life, and it’s where I’ve 

grown up and experienced the first 

pangs of adulthood. I’m about to wrap 

up my last year of graduate school at 

Ole Miss, and I couldn’t love Oxford 

any more if I tried. It’s a town filled with 

as much history as it is creativity, and it’s 

a haven for artists and writers alike. 

The famous Oxford square is in the 

middle of North Lamar and South 

Lamar, a street that is lined with 

Victorian era houses and antebellum 

homes. The trees lining the street have 

branches that lace over the road and in 

the fall, it’s one of the most beautiful 

places I’ve ever seen. 

32 • Fall 2014

Furthermore, there are so many 

interesting buildings around Oxford, 

and with each one I’ve painted, I’ve 

learned to look at in a new way. William 

Faulkner’s Rowan Oak is one of my 

favorite places. When you walk on the 

gravel towards the house, you can smell 

the cedar trees that line the path. I’m 

also attracted to Rowan Oak because so 

many people from all over the world 

come to see where William Faulkner 

wrote his tedious novels. One time when 

I was sitting in the grass sketching the 

house, a man walked up and started 

talking to me about what I was drawing. 

An interesting conversation started up, 

and I learned that he was from London, 

England, and was in Mississippi just to 

see Rowan Oak. Clearly he was 

Faulkner’s number one fan. 

But, it was interesting to talk to this 

man because his experiences were so 

different from mine. Now, how many 

places can you casually bump into 

someone from London? That’s what 

inspires me about Rowan Oak. Not 

only is it Faulkner’s home, but it’s a 

hidden gem in Oxford that attracts 

people from far and wide. 

Another neat place that I wanted to 

paint was Taylor Grocery in Taylor, 

Mississippi. It’s about twenty minutes 

from Oxford, and is home to some of the 

best catfish on the planet. The grocery 

is easily the town’s main attraction, 

because Taylor is a sleepy place that 

reminds you of days gone by. A church 

on each corner surrounds the grocery, 

along with a few houses where you wish 

the walls could talk. Just being there, you 

can tell it’s a special place, and I learned 

to appreciate every crooked board and 

every cracked brick when I painted it. 

It’s classically southern, and I love it. 

I see my art as a way to communicate 

with where I am, and as a way to capture 

what is special to me. 



H o m e t o w n L o v e 

brandon 

Johnny Beck 

Have you ever been asked a simple question 

that had such an obvious answer, only to realize 

how complex it could be to explain it? Someone 

once asked me what I love about Brandon. The 

answer as a child was, “everything”. After growing 

older in our beloved hometown, I later realized 

we have a few imperfections and that maybe that 

answer was no longer 100% accurate. But after 

compiling over 500 different aspects that keep 

me in love with Brandon, the answer became 

once again simple. It’s the people. 

This is the eternally true answer to thousands 

of people’s answers as to why we all love Brandon. 

Young and old, native or newcomer, married or 

single, with children or empty nesters, we can 

easily see the impact our fellow citizens, neighbors, 

families, friends, and co-workers have upon our 

community. 

Ever been to Shiloh Park on a Saturday during 

athletic tournaments? How about for the massive 

Easter Egg hunt? Try cooling off at the Splash Park 

on a sultry summer weekend. Have you ever 

driven around the downtown area neighborhoods 

to see the charming homes and the more recently 

newer developments? Did you ever get a haircut 

when Mr. Walters was downtown? Ever stood in 

downtown Brandon for a homecoming or 

Christmas parade? 

Have you ever seen your neighbor cleaning 

their yard? Ever seen someone picking up litter 

along the roadside? I know you’ve seen the 

countless organizations collecting money at the 

main downtown intersection on Saturdays. Ever 

seen someone else helping elderly ladies with 

their groceries? Or seen a sign that reads “Missing 

Dog” with a picture beneath it—only to see that 

sign replaced a few days later that reads “Found 

Mack, please call this number”? Who has 

participated in election campaigns, raised money 

for school equipment or donated blood at Kroger 

to help a young man earn his Eagle Scout rank? 

The list goes on and on. 

Now, as an aging young adult, the decision to 

return home to Brandon, rather than forge ahead 

to larger cities, has proven to be the wise option. 

There really was never a decision, to be honest. 

Brandon has provided me the best life experience 

one could ask for. We were never in danger as 

children because of the local leaders and law 

enforcement, as well as the citizens who hold those 

leaders accountable. Running all over Crossgates 

(and I truly mean the entire development from 

Timbers II back to the Hills) and parents not 

having to worry what you were doing or where 

you were. 

We received the best educational experience 

possible. The athletic coaches at BHS in the ‘90s 

taught us how to be model citizens, leaders, and 

how to do the right thing—even when nobody 

was looking. We had a church on every corner. 

When asking Amber where she wanted to live 

after we married, she firmly replied, “Brandon.” 

She understood my roots were here, everyone 

seemed to attend church, and were engaged in 

their children’s lives. She now understands why 

many of us claim Brandon to be “the center of the 

universe”. Everything we know and are is traced 

back to our upbringing here in this unique 

community. Amber and I are excited to raise our 

newborn Madelyn Rose in that same nurturing 

and compassionate family community. 

Our Brandon is where people stand up for 

Christianity, even when facing the Supreme 

Court. It’s where we play for championships in all 

ages of athletics and where we help remove trees 

from a neighbor’s roof before our own. It’s where 

we help people in need even when our needs are 

greater and where there’s no room to stand on the 

road to welcome home our military from overseas 

deployments. Brandon is where the American 

flag flies on the back of pickups and where the 

crowd at Louis Gene Strickland Field sings “How 

Great Thou Art”. It’s where our word is still more 

important than a credit score, and our neighbors 

a called friends. It’s where the most of America 

longs to live—but doesn’t even realize such a 

place exists anymore. 

These are a few of the reasons I fell in love, and 

remain in love with my hometown of Brandon. 

It’s the best city, in the best county, in the best 

state, in the greatest country—anywhere! 

Eternally Grateful, Johnny Beck 



ultivating 

Potential 

Melanie McMillan 

In 1918, Henry Adams wrote “A teacher affects eternity; 

he can never tell where his influence stops.” One way or another, 

teachers impact the lives of their students. 

Agriculture teacher Andy White 

is one of the many teachers at Brandon High School who is positively 

affecting students in the way that he leads, mentors, and inspires. 

Originally from Pelahatchie, Mr. White and his 

wife Margaret have been married for thirty years 

and have two children, Emily and Rebecca. 

He began his teaching career at Forrest County 

Agricultural High School in Brooklyn, Mississippi. 

He and another teacher lived in the dorm there 

and they, along with the students, managed a farm 

complete with cows, hay, an orchard, and a garden. 

He has fond memories of his time there, but one 

experience in particular stands out. 

Through a program called “Special Ag”, students 

with physical and mental challenges were able to 

participate in many hands-on activities and learn 

“Ag” related skills. They worked in the garden and 

learned how to drive a tractor. Mr. White recalls one 

of the students, whom they affectionately called 

Cotton, asking, “Mr. White, just one last time, can 

we drive the tractor?” The result of that request was 

one of White’s favorite memories. “We had three 

tractors and a trailer so we lined them up and had 

a little parade out in the pasture and around the 

school. They had a grand time,” he recalled. 

Upon leaving Forrest County, Mr. White took a 

position at the Vo-Tech Center at Hinds Community 

College, where he taught students from Warren 

Central and Vicksburg area high schools. There 

were nineteen different high school programs that 

students could participate in. At the time, it was one 

of the largest Ag programs in the state. 

Andy was happy there and was not looking to 

make a change when he received a call from Emmitt 

Williams, an Ag teacher at Brandon High School. 

Mr. Williams was considering retiring and asked 

Mr. White to consider coming to Brandon to lead 

the agriculture department. It was not until two 

years later that White left Hinds to teach Ag at 

Brandon High School. That was in 2002. 


“For a long time I built things with wood and steel, 

Mr. White has seen the Ag program at Brandon continue to grow since 

he began, thirteen years ago. There were twenty-one students enrolled his 

first year and this year there are one hundred twenty-five. Students must 

first complete the Ag Science course before they can advance to Agriculture 

and Natural Resources I and II, both taught by Mr. White. Students in all 

Ag classes learn with multiple hands-on activities and lessons. The Ag 

Science students are primarily in charge of the greenhouse, while Ag I and 

II students work mainly in the shop and do welding. 

Students in Ag Science are chosen to advance to Ag I and II based 

on their attitude, attendance, and achievement. Mr. White says, “Students 

are driven and want to put out the effort to excel. I just try to provide 

opportunities every day, and I have high expectations. They know what 

I expect of them.” 

Not only do Mr. White’s students learn lifelong skills, there are many 

opportunities to interact with the community. Recently, Ag II students 

welded and constructed a shed for a group in Tupelo. Preliminary work 

was done at the high school and then completed in Tupelo. Not only do 

students gain construction skills, they also interact with people outside the 

school, and in this case, outside the city. 

The Ag department also sponsors an annual plant sale that is the 

result of the collaboration of Ag Science students and 

community members. The students and community 

members work together to care for plants year round 

and then offer them for sale in the spring. Those who 

know Mr. White will not be surprised to know that proceeds from the plant 

sale are shared with the special education program at BHS. Mr. White said, 

“Those kids [in Special Ed.] will never go without as long as I’m here.” 

When one thinks of school Ag programs, visions of livestock judging 

and plant care are most likely the first things that come to mind. However, 

Mr. White stresses that these are not the only skills that students learn. 

“There is so much about our program that enables kids to learn how to 

speak and stand up in front of a group, as well as how to work with their 

hands.” Students who serve as officers of the local chapter of Future 

Farmers of America (FFA) participate in a public speaking competition 

called “Opening and Closing”. There are also Creed Speaking, Prepared 

Public Speaking and Extemporaneous Public Speaking competitions. 

Welding, Tractor, Tool Identification, Livestock Judging, and Dairy Judging 

are FFA hands on competitions that students participate in as well. 

Bob Robinson, Ag teacher at Pelahatchie High School, taught at BHS 

for five years with Mr. White. Robinson and White grew up about two 

miles apart and have known each other their whole lives. “I was very 

blessed to have the opportunity to learn about FFA and teaching 

from Andy,” Robinson says, “but I learned so much more 

than that. We worked side by side very closely and even 

though we didn’t always agree, there was never a harsh 

word that passed between us. Everyday I saw a life lived 

in service to Jesus Christ, as evidenced by his love for 

everyone he comes in contact with.” 


and now I’m building men and women.” 

One of Mr. White’s former students, Kramer Sowell, is now his teaching 

partner and speaks of the influence that White has had on his life. “I have 

had the pleasure of seeing Mr. White in three different lights. I first saw 

him as a teacher. I saw how he cared for all of the students and his passion 

for his job and his coworkers. Seeing his loving actions is what inspired 

me to become an agriculture teacher. The next light I have seen him in is 

as a partner/mentor. He still has that same passion for his students and 

coworkers. I have gained a better appreciation for his knowledge base 

and his skill set and his eagerness to share it with me and others. The last 

and brightest light I have seen him in is as a friend. He has helped me 

through tough decisions, been right by my side during a terrible accident, 

and shares the love of our Lord with me everyday. He is the best teacher, 

partner and friend, and has the biggest, most beautiful heart.” 

Mr. White and the Ag program at BHS profoundly impacted Harrison 

Lang, a 2011 BHS graduate and senior Agricultural Information Science 

major at Mississippi State. Harrison was involved in FFA through BHS 

his entire high school career, participating in several contests including 

Opening and Closing, Prepared Public Speaking and Tool Identification. 

He served as Chapter Vice-President and Chapter President during his 

Junior and Senior years. 

“When I became involved in Mr. White’s program my freshman year, 

I was extremely shy and timid. As I progressed through the program I 

began to open up and develop as a person. I give full credit to Mr. White 

and Mr. Robinson for this. These men pushed me to do my best, many 

times more than what I thought I was capable of. Mr. White saw potential 

in me when I didn’t believe in myself and worked tirelessly to cultivate 

that potential.” 

Harrison went on to serve as the 

2011-2012 president of the FFA for the 

state of Mississippi, traveling across 

the country and promoting the FFA 

organization as well as agriculture in 

the state. He firmly believes that none 

of his success would have been possible 

without Mr. White’s support. 

“I say, without hesitation, that Mr. 

White has had as much of an impact on my life as my own parents. It is 

obvious that he is passionate about teaching and it’s much more than a 

job to him. He acts as an excellent example to all young people in how a 

Christian man should conduct himself and live his life. If I turn out to be 

half the man Mr. White is, I will consider my life a success.” 

The effect of a good, caring teacher is evident in the paths and 

accomplishments of Mr. White’s students. Not surprisingly, White credits 

his own Ag teacher, Johnny Carter of Pelahatchie, with influencing him 

to do what he does today. “He gave me so many opportunities to build my 

confidence. If I can help one person like he helped me, I’ll consider myself 

a success.” 

Mission accomplished Mr. White. 


BRANDON PUBLIC LIBRARY 

1475 W. GOV. ST • (601) 825-2672 • brandonatcmrls.lib.ms.us 

Dec-Jan-Feb Events 

Displays for December and January 

Nutcrackers of Betty James 

Fashion Classic Dolls of Josie Moore 

Cup Collection of John B. Strickland Jr. 

Weekly Events 

Mondays - 10:30am Toddler Time 

Come join us for stories. Songs and finger plays for ages 0-2 years. 

Mondays - 6pm Dulcimer Group 

Bring your own dulcimer and let’s jam together. 

1st and 3rd Tuesdays - 4pm Kid Connection 

Grades K-5 afterschool story and craft hour. 

2nd and 4th Tuesdays - Chess Lessons for K-6. 

Wednesdays & Thursdays - 10:30am Preschool Story Time 

Songs, stories, and crafts for preschoolers aged 3-5. 

Thursdays - 1 pm Bring Your Own Project 

Weekly daytime crafting group. 

Thursdays - 6 pm Creative Crafters 

Join us as we learn and craft together. 

Monthly Events and Meetings 

First Monday of the Month 

Brandon Quilters 

Second Monday of the Month 

Brandon Book Club - 10:30am Stop by and discuss this month’s book. 

December 14 Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber 

January 11 Six Years by Harlan Coben 

February 8 Roses by Leila Meacham 

Beading Class Please register. 

December 14 - 6pm 

Beading Class Christmas Party. Bring a munchie to share and ideas for 

next year. 

January 11 & February 8 - 4pm & 6 pm 

Beading Class - Call for details 

Second and Fourth Mondays of the month 

Extra-Ordinary Writers’ Club at 6pm 

Join other local writers as we get together, read each other’s work, and 

help each other improve. This group is open to teens and young adults. 

Second Tuesdays of the month 

Friends Meeting - 6pm 

Friends do not meet in December. They will meet January and February. 

Second & Fourth Tuesdays of the month 

December - Adult Chess Lessons - 6pm Please register 

January & February - Adult Chess Club Free play 

Second Wednesday of the month 

V.V.A. Meeting at 10:30am 

Join local veterans for their monthly meeting. 

First Thursday of the month 

Genealogy Club - 10:30am 

Genealogy topics and assistance are the topic of the day. 

Cancelled for December. 

Coin Club - 6pm 

Love old and new currency? Join the Brandon Coin Club for their 

monthly meeting. 

Third Saturday of the month 

Video Game Day 

(A new activity for teens and young adults) at noon 

Call the library for details. 

40 • Winter 2015 

December Special Events 

Teen Movie Nught - Tuesday, December 1 - 5:30pm 

Enjoy cocoa while watching The Nightmare Before Christmas 

Gingerbread Houses - Saturday, December 5 - 2pm 

Come join Ms. Bebe and make your own gingerbread house. This is the 

last year we will make Gingerbread Houses with Ms. Bebe. She is 

moving to Texas. There is no cost for this family program. Please 

pre-register by calling the library at 601-825-2672. (Limit 75) 

Family Night with Santa - Thursday, December 10 - 6 pm 

Mississippi Young Singers will be performing. Santa will read the classic 

The Night Before Christmas and visit with each child. Mrs. Clause will be 

here too. Bring your camera to capture this special moment. 

Teen Game Night - Monday, December 14 - 5 pm Play Apples to 

Apples, Man Bites Dog and more! Join us for snacks, drinks, and fun! 

Polar Express Movie - Tuesday, December 17 - 2pm Come in your 

pajamas and drink hot cocoa as we watch The Polar Express together! 

Movie Marathon - Star Wars Trilogy 

Monday, December 28 - 2pm A New Hope 

Tuesday, December 29 - 2pm The Empire Strikes Back 

Wednesday, December 30 - 2pm Return of the Jedi 

January Special Events 

Let’s Get Moving - A Walk in the Park - Fridays in January - 10:30am 

Did you know our park has a walking trail? Walking is one of the best 

ways we can exercise. Join us for a walk around our park this morning. 

Game Day - Chess with Friends - Saturday, January 9 - 10:30am 

Free play for chess players of all ages. 

Third Thursday Book Club - Thursday, January 21 - 6:30pm 

Come join our new club for the millennial generation as we read and 

discuss books. This month’s read: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and 

Terry Pratchett. 

Brandon Historical & Genealogical Society - Tuesday, January 19 - 7pm 

Join us for history and fellowship. Refreshments provided. For further 

information contact brgen@cmrls.lib.ms.us. 

Sign Language Class - Saturday, January 23 - 10:30am 

Learn to speak with your hands. Free class. Pre-registration suggested. 

Teen Night - Monday, January 25 - 5pm 

See what you’re made of in the Marshmallow Olympics. 

Family Night - Thursday, January 28 - 6pm 

Come Zumba with us and our instructors Kathy King and Lisa Spurlock. 

TEENS: Library After Dark - Friday, January 29 - 5:30pm 

Come to the library after closing. We’ll have games, pizza, and a movie 

exclusively for teens. ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE A PARENT SIGN 

THEM UP AND FILL OUT/RETURN PERMISSION SLIP. 

February Special Events - Library Lovers’ Month 

Social Security - Game Changer Deadline - Tuesday, February 2 - 6pm 

Social Security rules have changed due to the budget bill signed into law 

on November 2, 2015. These rules come with some very important 

deadlines (April 30, 2016) for those nearing retirement age. All interested 

parties between the ages of 62-65 should attend. 

High School Homeschooling - Saturday, February 6 - 2pm 

There are special considerations for homeschooling a high school 

student. Laura Schlett has some ideas and suggestions for you. 

Third Thursday Book Club - Thursday, February 18 - 6:30pm 

This month’s read: The Martian by Andy Weir 

Sign Language Class - Saturday, February 20 - 10:30am 

Learn to speak with your hands. Free class. Pre-registration suggested. 

Family Night - Thursday, February 25 at 6pm 

Jennifer Hutchinson from Magee Public Library will present our program 

about the violin. 

Painting with Carla - Monday, February 29 - 6pm 

We will enjoy a seasonal painting with Carla Nations. $6 supply fee. 

Please register. 

The library will be closed: 

December 25 for Christmas 

January 1 for New Years Day 

Monday, January 18 for Martin Luther King Day 

Monday, February 15 for President’s Day 

______________________________________________________ 

Brandon Public Library is part of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System, which serves 

Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith Counties.


42 • Fall 2014 

42 • Winter 2013 

City of Brandon 

Veterans Day 

Breakfast 

november 11, 2015 • Brandon Civic Center

Hometown Brandon • 43 


44 • Fall 2014 

44 • Winter 2013 

44 • Winter 2013

Hometown Brandon • 45 


serving our community 

Ben Warren 

brandon Fire Department 

Why did you decide to become a fireman? 

I wasn’t so much introduced to the fire service. 

Instead, I was completely immersed in it from birth. 

I watched my father enjoy a long career with the 

Mississippi State Fire Academy and even today see 

him continue serving his community as a volunteer 

fire fighter in Rankin County. I grew up around all the 

trappings of firefighting and learned from some of 

the best in the business even before my first day on 

the job. While other vocations may have caught my 

interest at some point, becoming a fire fighter proved 

to be what was really in my heart. 

How long have you been with the Brandon 

fire department? 

While it seems like yesterday when I first started, I’m 

now approaching my thirtieth year in the fire service. 

After moving back to Mississippi, I joined Brandon as 

a reserve fire fighter in 2005. I was appointed to a 

full-time position within the department’s Division of 

Fire and Life Safety in 2014. 

What do you enjoy most about your typical 

day as a fireman? 

I’m blessed to share my days with a team of incredible 

firefighters that span all three of our 24-hour shifts. 

These dedicated crews help make every day enjoyable 

when we connect with our customers. A typical day 

may start with teaching a group of kindergarten 

children and end with a visit to a neighborhood 

association or church group. In between is usually 

a combination of research, planning, and program 

development. A really great day is one where we see 

how our work has paid off and a person is kept safe 

from fire or some other disaster. 

What is the toughest thing you have 

experienced as a fireman? 

Early in my career, I had a wise captain tell me that 

once I had kids of my own, seeing another child hurt 

would cause a “different” kind of pain within. He was 

right. While my desire to help didn’t change after 

becoming a parent, the feelings I experienced when 

a child was involved have left behind some rather 

difficult memories. Many of us have experienced 

things that can never be fully understood and we can 

really only share them in the context of someone 

who’s been there with us. Some days, this can be a 

really tough job. 

Tell us about your family. 

I’ve been married for nearly twenty-five years to the 

love of my life and the girl who got me through college 

algebra. Elizabeth (a Brandon native) and I have lived 

in several other states but were fortunate to find our 

way back home to Mississippi. We have two children; 

Emily, our newest college student who has a heart 

the size of Texas for any stray animal and Braden, our 

7th grader who is looking for his own ways to save 

the world. My family has always been there for me 

and knows how to keep me focused on the things 

that are the most important in life. 

What do you consider your greatest 

achievement/accomplishment and why? 

It’s a humbling moment when considering this 

question. I can’t help but think of all those that helped 

me achieve so much. To cite just one event, it would 

have to be the day back in September 1986 when I 

graduated from basic firefighting school at Chanute 

Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. Had it not been for 

that single accomplishment, I would have missed out 

on an incredible fire service career and wouldn’t have 

the job I enjoy today. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

There are 343 “someones” that I not only admire but 

also give my never-ending respect to. These are my 

fellow fire fighters that on September 11, 2001 

decided not to run from a catastrophe but instead, 

charged right into the heart of it to save as many lives 

a possible. They chose to give of themselves and set 

the ultimate example of what this job can require. 

There’s a reason they’re given the title New York’s 

bravest. They’ve earned it. 

What is your favorite holiday and why? 

My favorite holiday is Christmas. Even with all of the 

hustle and bustle, there comes a moment of stillness 

when I think about the birth of Jesus Christ and what 

that means in my life. For me, Christmas is a time of 

blessings and I always look forward to doing the 

things that seem to bring my friends and family closer. 

What is your favorite childhood memory? 

Before Mississippi built a fire academy, a small group 

of instructors traveled around the state with some 

basic equipment and taught classes in local fire 

stations. Summers were the best, as our family would 

accompany my father on trips to these fire schools 

and conferences. I’d say mile-for-mile, I was probably 

one of the most well-traveled kids in the state. My 

favorite childhood memory is simply the time I spent 

traveling with my family and getting to discover some 

of Mississippi’s hidden treasures. 

What is the biggest mistake you think 

young people make today? 

It seems that some young people never really 

consider the possible consequences of their actions. 

So many times, we see where this lack of forethought 

ends in tragedy. I can say that one of the biggest 

mistakes a youngster can make is living with the false 

belief that they are indestructible. Human life is too 

precious just to be wasted on a single bad decision. 

Continued on page 72 


BRANDon's finest 

Officer Mark Miller 

brandon police Department 

Why did you decide to be a policeman? 

I grew up in the town of Flowood before it was a 

city. My father was in law enforcement, so I was 

always surrounded by the environment of policemen 

and firemen. After graduating from William 

Carey University in 2001, I felt it was my calling to 

make a difference by helping people. Becoming a 

police officer allowed me to have that privilege. 

How long have you been with the Brandon 

Police Department? 

Just shy of 12 years. 

Tell us about your family. 

I have been happily married for 8 years to Kristen 

Barnes Miller of Pearl. We have a son, Walker (3) 

who certainly keeps us on our toes! 

What is the toughest thing you have 

experienced in your job? 

I would have to say the toughest thing about my job 

is losing a fellow officer for senseless acts of violence 

beyond control. Whether you know the fallen 

officer(s) or not, we are all family where we stand 

as one on common ground. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in your 

spare time. 

I love sports and my 3-year-old loves sports about 

as much as I do, so we enjoy playing in the backyard, 

or in the house until mom catches us. I also enjoy 

golfing, hunting, fishing, and just being outdoors 

and thoroughly enjoy going to Mississippi State 

football games (HAIL STATE)! 

What are three things on your bucket list? 

First, I would like to go to Scotland to play golf at the 

old St. Andrews golf course with my father. Second, 

I would love for my family and me to go to Hawaii’s 

North Shore. Lastly, I would like to play a round of 

golf with Phil Mickelson (we’re both lefties). 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

I most admire my parents. No matter what life 

presented, my parents always used their faith to 

come out on top. They have always put their faith 

and trust in the Lord through the good and bad 

times. Their faith in me was indescribable and I have 

always been able to count on them. I would not be 

the person I am today without their guidance and 

leadership throughout my life. 

Where do you see yourself ten years from 

now? 

In 10 years, I am hoping to be retired and enjoying 

rounds of golf. Lots of golf! I may want to run for 

public office one day. 

If you could give one piece of advice to a 

young person, what would it be? 

Life is a free gift full of blessings, but not always 

easy. Facing obstacles and overcoming the 

struggles help build character and appreciation for 

life. In all you do, work hard to earn it! Never stray 

from your faith. 

What is a favorite childhood memory? 

I enjoyed the days of being a kid, riding bikes, and 

playing baseball and football out in the yard with my 

friends. My all-time favorite childhood memory 

would have to be traveling every summer playing 

tournament baseball with my friends. 

What is the biggest mistake you think 

young people make today? 

Not using caution when posting anything on social 

media. What people post on social media not only 

affects you, but your family and friends as well. 

Don’t do or post anything to hurt your character or 

someone else’s. It’s simply a matter of respecting 

one another. 

What is your favorite thing about the City 

of Brandon? 

I love the small town atmosphere that Brandon has 

to offer. Brandon is a great place to raise a family, 

which is one of the reasons why our police 

department works diligently in keeping our city 

safe. Throughout my time being employed by the 

City of Brandon, I have watched our city grow and 

prosper with the continuation of developments 

each year. I honestly believe the best is yet to come. 

What is your favorite thing about 

Rankin County? 

No matter where you go or what you do, you know 

somebody in Rankin County. Whether it’s lending a 

helping hand or someone lending you hand, Rankin 

County always has a sense of togetherness. We live 

in one of the fastest growing counties in Mississippi. 

We have one of the best and safest counties in the 

state. 


Amber Briswell, Mindy Gilmore 

Wanda Holloway, Kim Page, Sloan Sanders, Allison Long 

Baylea Callicutt, 

Ellen Morgan 

Nancy MaGee, Joy Christopher 

Annual Tablescapes 

First Baptist Church Brandon 

November 9, 2015 

Cindy Sephton, Leisa McCool 

Laura Wilson, Bo Maurer, Christy McIlwain, Michelle Simkins 

Mary Doyle, Melissa Doyle 

Christy Roberts, Leisa McCool, Carmen Dennis 

Ginger Sherman, Dawn Smith 

Sheila Varnell, Nancy Keisman, Jane Murphey, Wes Pharis 

Brenda Fannin, Frances Ratcliff, Melissa Smith 

Jane Lea, Anita Fortenberry 

Mary Ann Dale, Connie Gustavsen, Pam Hunt 

48 • Fall Winter 2014 2015

Holly Brantley, Claire Mutziger, Meagan Anthony, 

Charleigh Alford, Sloan Sanders 

Brenda Vernamonti, Margarett Baggett, Kay Basden, Debbie Edwards 

Camille Anding, Marni McKenzie 

Donis Simmons, Jean Milner 

Rachael Durr, Brittney Edwards 

Marianna Martin, Karen Clark 

Hannah Muffuletto, Nita Ferguson, Melissa Walters 

Marguerite Bennett, Mary Tucker, Dorothy Sessums 

Peggy Vanover, Brenda Stafer, Sandra McNair 

Liz McCearley, Charlotte Lafferty 

Diane Washington, Kathy Wilson, Sarah Bailey 

Marie Henson, Eva Williams, Mary Quinn 

Anita Fortenberry, Diane Shelton 

Rhonda Graham, Kristi Parker 

Sandy Palmer, Judy Williams 

Bettie Robertson, Annette Drennan, 

Dorothy Henderson 


50 • Winter 2015 

We Wish You 

a Merry 

Christmas

Crestview 

memorial 

gardens 

• 24-Month Interest-free Financing • 

• Discount on four or more burial spaces • 

• 50% Discount for Veterans with DD214 • 

MURPHY ADKINS • DEBBIE ALLEN • LEE BARLOW 

1106 Star Rd • Brandon, MS • 601-825-4240 • info@cmgardens.com 


Sister: 

Sister 

Brandon High School’s homecoming court 

was full of sisters this year–three sets, to be exact. 

We decided to ask them each a few questions to 

get to know them better and see what they thought 

about having a sibling share the spotlight. 




Onsby&StellaVinson 

What’s the best part about having a 

sister in high school? 

Onsby I get to watch Stella experience the 

things I did. 

Stella Onsby is not only my sister but my best 

friend and I love how we get to ride to school 

together. I also love running into her during the 

school day and getting to speak to her at school. 

What’s a negative about having a sister 

in high school? 

Onsby I don’t like being late and Stella takes 

forever getting ready so we’re late a lot. 

Stella I enjoy getting to ride to school with her 

but the down side is that I take longer getting 

ready than she does and that makes Onsby mad. 

What did you think when you heard that 

your sister had made homecoming court? 

Onsby I wasn’t elected my freshman year so it 

was exciting to see that Stella did make it. 

Stella I was excited we were both on it. 

What do you think is your sister’s 

best quality? 

Onsby Stella is so carefree and doesn’t worry 

about a thing. 

Stella Onsby is always smiling. 

Is there any item of clothing or jewelry 

that’s off limits to your sister? 

Onsby I don’t like Stella wearing any of my 

boots or shoes. They aren’t even her size but she 

tries to fit in them anyway. 

Stella Yes! My True Grit jacket. 

What’s usually the cause of an 

argument? 

Onsby Definitely clothes! 

Stella The dumbest stuff—mainly clothes. 

If you could have any quality or trait 

of your sister, what would it be? 

Onsby Her fearlessness. She’s not afraid to 

do anything. 

Stella Her sweetness. 

What’s the best part about being 

the older or younger sister? 

Onsby I get to help her in things she’s going 

through that I already have already experienced. 

Stella Onsby has to drive me around everywhere. 



Sydnee& GraceeWells 

What’s the best part about having a sister 


Sydnee This is our first year to be at the same school 

together. It’s cool to watch her go through her freshman 

year and observe our similarities and differences. 

Gracee I get to ride to school with Sydnee and I like 

seeing her in the hallway. 

What’s a negative about having a sister in 

high school? 

Sydnee I have to take her everywhere so we’re late 

everywhere we go. 

Gracee As a senior, she gets to leave early and doesn’t 

like coming back to get me because of the traffic. 



Sydnee I was in art class and heard her name called 

over the intercom as freshman maid. After they 

announced the freshman winners, the intercom in our 

room went out so I found out later that I was elected 

as well. I was also elected a freshman maid and had the 

blessing of experiencing that with my dad. In a way, 

Gracee and I share that bond even though my dad 

passed away in 2013. 

Gracee When they called out senior winners, there 

was a long pause right before her name and I couldn’t 

wait to hear if she made it. This will never happen 

again and we had fun dress shopping together. 

Is there any item of clothing or jewelry that’s 

off limits to your sister? 

Sydnee I don’t like sharing jewelry with her because 

she doesn’t value nice things like I do. 

Gracee My hair scrunchies. 


best quality? 

Sydnee Her heart and compassion. 

Gracee Thoughtful- Sydnee’s great with her words. 

What’s usually the cause of an argument? 

Sydnee We get tired of spending too much time 

together and it wears us out. 

Gracee Sometimes we just need a break from each 

other. 



Sydnee Gracee is very perceptive and sees people 

hurting more than I do and she takes action. 

Gracee Sydnee’s boldness. Sometimes that’s good 

and sometimes it’s not! 

What’s the best part about being the older 

or younger sister? 

Sydnee It’s cool to be the role model and know 

someone is watching your every move. 

Gracee I have Sydnee to look up to. 



Meridith&CallieMinshew 

What’s the best part about having a sister 


Meridith We share friends because Callie has older 

friends and I have younger friends so a lot of times 

we’re all together. 

Callie Meredith knows what to do in situations that 

I’m going through because she’s already experienced it. 

What’s a negative about having a sister in 

high school? 

Meridith I always see Callie at home but then have 

to see her at school too. 

Callie Every time she sees me, she runs up and gives 

me a big hug making a big scene. It’s embarrassing. 



Meridith I was excited because I like picking out 

dresses. My first year to make homecoming court was 

my senior year and Callie’s first year was her freshman 

year. It’s very special. 

Callie It meant a lot because I didn’t get to share 

high school with my brother Gardner but I get to 

with Meredith. 

Is there any item of clothing or jewelry that’s 

off limits to your sister? 

Meridith Anything I buy with my own money. 

Callie There isn’t really anything of mine off limits 

because Meredith’s good at talking me into anything. 


best quality? 

Meridith Callie makes friends easily. 

Callie Meredith makes people laugh and cheers 

them up. 

What’s usually the cause of an 

argument? 

Meridith Both of us want to wear the same thing. 

We share most everything. 

Callie If we take something of each other’s without 

asking permission. 



Meridith Being able to walk in a room and talk to 

anyone–even strangers. 

Callie Her study habits! 

What’s the best part about being 

the older or younger sister? 

Meridith Being able to give advice if Callie wants to 

ask for it. 

Callie Having an older sister who has made good 

decisions causes people to have high expectations 

of me. 


MilitaryBall 

November 7, 2015 Brandon Civic Center 

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ 



The UPS Store 

#6197 

PRINTING • SHIPPING • FAXING 

BINDING • LAMINATING 

NOTARY • MAILBOX 

Brandon MS 

601-824-2221 

Fax 601-824-2213 

M 8a-7p • T-F 8a-6:30p 

S 9a-2p • Closed Sunday 

store6197@theupsstore.com 

www.theupsstorelocal.com/6197 


Recalling Memories 


Three ladies representing a 

total of 271 years sat comfortably 

in a quiet hallway in Peach Tree 

Village, their assisted living home. 

Mary Gibbs, 95, Bessie Long, 94, 

and Mary Green, 82, were blessed 

with loving families and Christmas 

memories they enjoy sharing. 

Mary Green operated a florist out 

of her home in Morton, Mississippi. She 

remembers the long hours of work, especially 

when working with weddings and funerals. Mary said, 

“Flowers were always comforting to a grieving family and provided 

smiles for happy occasions.” 

Once, a customer requested a turkey-shaped floral arrangement. 

She challenged her creativity and cut out a turkey from a wooden 

board and then covered it with flowers. Mary stopped to laugh and 

said, “My family said it looked more like a duck!” 

Christmas in her 24/7 shop that was attached to her home was 

filled with poinsettia deliveries and glittering floral arrangements. 

She said that an in-house business was convenient but it also meant 

husbands ringing her doorbell at six in the morning, panicking over 

forgotten birthdays and anniversaries. 

Bessie Long whetted our appetites when she shared about her 

bakery in Westland Plaza in Jackson. Bessie and her husband, Joe, 

owned and operated Long’s Pastry Shop where they had a booming 

business with fourteen employees. 

Joe worked in the back, overseeing the baking while Bessie covered 

the front and decorated the cakes. She remembers decorating and 

selling 100 birthday cakes in one day. The work was strenuous and 

demanding. Often, customers would stand in line and be willing to 

wait for Bessie to perform her artistry on their cakes. 

During Christmas, there was a 

large demand for their ambrosia, 

rum, and candy cakes. She 

described the candy cake as a 

multiple, split loaf cake with a 

cooked chocolate filling. No, she 

wasn’t able to keep her recipes or 

formulas as her husband called them. 

Life is much more relaxed for Bessie 

at Peach Tree, but she still recalls the 

exhausting work in their bakery. “If the car hadn’t 

know the way home at night, I’d never have gotten there!” 

Mary Gibbs recalled wonderful, warm memories of her childhood 

Christmases. She and her eight siblings grew up on a farm with 

their parents. “We were poor but didn’t know it,” she said. There 

was no electricity or running water. The only kind of Christmas tree 

she can remember was a holly tree. Her dad would secure it in a 

bucket of sand, and the kids would string popcorn for decorations. 

After finding safe spots for candles to perch on the branches, the 

kids would light the candles and surround the tree to make sure it 

didn’t ignite. There were no accidents, but Mary remembers that 

glimmering, homemade joy. 

She still recalls her dad taking the wagon to town one rainy, cold 

Christmas Eve, not realizing that he was going to buy Christmas 

presents. On Christmas morning she was thrilled with her present 

– a green and white striped dress with a sash. She and her siblings also 

saw Santa’s boot tracks on the hearth and the empty cookie plate. 

The family would eat biscuits, sausage and syrup for breakfast and 

spend the rest of the day making popcorn balls and syrup candy. Then 

they would gather around the pump organ and sing Christmas carols. 

All three ladies agreed that times are far different now. Their 

Christmas memories have no resemblances to this generation’s 

celebrations, but they’re grateful for their treasured memories and a 

safe, happy environment where they can still reminiscence. 


It’s a 

Wonderful 

Life 

BRANDON 

64 • Fall 2014

December 5th, 2016 

Historic Downtown Brandon 

9am-1pm 

Tour of Homes 

RCHS Museum & Garage 

of Antique Cars 

Ticket required. 

$10 adults, 12 and under Free. 

Available at Brandon City Hall, 

Bay Window Books, CoBo’s Boutique, 

Faith N Candy Boutique, Miss Priss 

Boutique, O How Cute - Brandon. 

11am 

Presh Tots & Miss Priss 

Fashion Show 

Courtyard behind Busick Building 

1pm-3pm 

Mr. & Mrs. Clause 

Downtown Square - Bring your cameras! 

3:30pm-4pm 

XPress Dance Performance 

Black Rose Theater 

4:30pm 

Raffle Winners Announced 

Black Rose Theater Lobby 

5:30pm 

Black Rose Theater presents 

the radio version of 

“It’s a Wonderful Life” 

Black Rose Theater Lobby 

Free Admission 

Other Activities 

Play Bingo 

Visit the folowing merchants during the day 

and be entered into a raffle drawing: 

Bay Window Books, Black Rose Theater, 

CoBo’s, Faith N Candy, Merle Norman, 

Miss Priss, Presh Tots, Thortis Photography. 

Donate a New Toy 

Visit collection bins at various locations 

Entertainment 

In and around the Square 

Fire Truck & Vendors 

10am-4pm in the Square 


66 • Fall 2014 

Debby & Talmadge Jones 

313 East Brandon Court

Shelley & Mack McLeod 

704 South College Street 


68 • Fall 2014 

Kathy & Pete Lewis 

200 Pearl Street

COOL DEGREE #82 

ENTERTAINMENT 

INDUSTRY STUDIES 

www.deltastate.edu/admissions 


Brandon on the move. 

Kyle Brown 

People often joke that “You can’t go anywhere in Brandon without running into 

construction” which means now is an incredible time for the city. The temporary 

construction will leave benefits for decades to come. 

Orange barrels and construction zones have become a constant reality for 

anyone traveling around Brandon. The Highway 471 expansion and Downtown 

Brandon on-ramp have brought about an exciting, yet difficult, time. One of those 

difficult times involved the closure of Marquette Road while Eutaw Construction 

lifted 130-foot, 40-ton beams above the Kansas City Southern Railroad. Those 

closures have ended and people are beginning to see the new traffic signals with 

lighting installed. This complex project will add additional lanes of travel and 

enhanced turn lanes for those entering and exiting Interstate 20. The Mississippi 

Department of Transportation and Eutaw Construction are estimating this project 

will be completed by Spring 2016. 

If you have traveled north along Highway 471, one cannot miss the expansion 

of the highway. Joe Magee Construction has been incredibly busy adding three 

new lanes from the Brandon city limit to Luckney Road. While construction crews 

have been busy adding lanes on the north end of the project, others have been 

busy working on the new bridge over Interstate 20. This bridge has had concrete 

decking poured and concrete guardrails will be poured soon. The new bridge will 

accommodate traffic while the other bridge is removed and replaced. One phase 

of the project that may not be visible to many is the bridge over the railroad 

where concrete pillars are currently being poured. This new bridge will allow 

for smoother travel flow north and south along Highway 471. The construction 

of this project is just phase one of Highway 471 improvements with phase two 

adding additional lanes from Brandon city limits to Highway 25. 

The second phase of East Metro Parkway, which will take place on Jackson 

Municipal Airport Authority property, will soon be under construction. This phase 

includes a two-lane road to Old Brandon Road while extending the four-lane 

segment to El Dorado Road and bids have already been taken. The Mississippi 

State Legislature appropriated monies for the property acquisition and utility 

relocation along phase three of this process has already begun. The third phase 

will complete the four-lane road from Lakeland Drive in Flowood to West 

Government Street in Brandon. 

The road construction doesn’t end on major highways but has been extended 

into neighborhoods. The city has contracted two street resurfacing projects that 

involve digouts, milling, and paving. The projects span from Pecan Ridge to Glen 

Arbor and Overby Street to Remington Drive. All of these projects combined 

represent a nearly $100 million investment in transportation in Brandon. 

The city has been growing and applications received for residential home 

permits, commercial renovations, and new commercial construction are proof that 

people and businesses are choosing Brandon. The city realized over a year ago 

that growth was constant and more was on the way so we began the process of 

planning for that growth. The fruition of hundreds of survey responses, regional 

meetings, and interviews were unveiled on Monday, November 2. The Brandon 

Board of Alderman approved the Plan Brandon 2035 Comprehensive Master Plan. 

The plan sets a vision for the next 20 years for the city and is based strongly 

around place making, quality design, connectivity, and balanced mobility. Over 

the next few months the plan will lead to a complete overhaul of the city’s zoning, 

development ordinance, and design guidelines. The plans sets forth a very 

aggressive set of implementation projects following the code overhaul that, if 

70 • Fall 2014

followed, will transform Brandon over the next twenty years into 

an even better and more complete community. 

Two years ago the citizens of Brandon passed a 2% food and 

beverage tax to enhance recreational opportunities across the 

city. After careful planning and feedback from citizens, the city 

produced a Parks Master Plan that laid out concrete plans for the 

future direction of recreation. The first construction project that 

went out for bid and is now under construction is the enhancement 

of City Park. The old restroom/concession stand facility has 

been removed, three new tennis courts have been poured, lighting 

has been installed, parking lot enhancements are underway, 

and the new restroom/concession stand is under construction. 

This enhancement is being done by Cal-Mar Construction and 

represents an over $1,000,000 investment in Brandon. 

Many have driven by or visited Shiloh Park and witnessed 

one of the largest construction projects. Many of the old light 

poles have been removed, old concession stands removed; parking 

lots torn up, and a construction trailer added. These changes, 

though inconvenient, will mean a much-improved Shiloh Park. 

Three new fütbol fields along Kennedy Farm Parkway have already 

been constructed and will be ready for matches during the 

upcoming spring season. McCarty King Construction has begun 

site preparation for the new concession stands. Fields 1-8 have 

had fence lines moved and new fencing added and will have new 

drainage systems installed along with new concession stands. 

Fields 1-4 will have covered seating. The Shiloh Park upgrades 

will be completed by Memorial Day, 2016. 

One major park addition occurred when the city of Brandon 

purchased approximately 200 acres of land along Boyce Thompson 

Drive. The Boyce Thompson property will be home to the new 

Rankin Trails Park, which includes a major trail system, new 

baseball complex, and the Brandon Amphitheater. 

Initial construction at Rankin Trails Park has begun. The trail 

system along the north side of the property has begun to be 

cleared along with the site for the Brandon Amphitheater. An 

initial clearing for the baseball complex has been completed on 

the south side of Boyce Thompson Drive. The construction of this 

facility should begin February 2016. 

In October, the city announced a partnership with Red 

Mountain Entertainment, Neel-Schaffer Engineering, and 

Weir Boerner Allin Architecture to construct the Brandon 

Amphitheater. The Brandon Amphitheater will be a premier 

outdoor entertainment venue, which will showcase some of 

music’s most exciting touring artists. The construction of the 

amphitheater within a dramatic natural setting is an incredible 

opportunity for Brandon that will have a cultural and economic 

impact for the city and region for generations to come. The 

Brandon Amphitheater is centrally located between Atlanta 

and Dallas, Memphis and New Orleans. Construction of the 

Brandon Amphitheater should begin February 2016 and will 

be open for the concert season in 2017. 

Brandon is growing at a very healthy rate, which has given 

the city the opportunity to invest back into herself and provide 

better amenities for both current and future residents. The 

construction, once complete, translates to less time stuck in 

traffic, top notch recreational facilities for both children and 

adults, and the chance to enjoy a range of entertainment 

at a world class amphitheater. These amenities are a 

response to recent growth but in turn will promote 

future commercial and residential investment for the 

city, completing the circle and allowing to the city to 

continue improving day to day quality of life. n 


Ben Warren 

Continued from page 48 

If you could give one piece 

of advice to a young person, 

what would it be? 

I was fortunate to have some great 

teachers and mentors along the way, 

so here’s what I would pass along. 

Beyond common courtesies and 

respect, I would encourage those 

younger than me to learn how to 

communicate effectively. Everyone 

has the potential to think up some 

great ideas, but they have to be 

shared in a way that others will 

understand. Learn how to write and 

speak well regardless of the path you 

choose through life. 

What is most rewarding 

about your job? 

One of the most heart wrenching 

sights a firefighter can experience is 

a displaced family standing outside 

their fire-damaged home. But, the 

fact that they made it out is a reward 

in itself. In my position, knowing that 

the family was prepared, they had a 

working smoke alarm, and knew 

how to escape quickly is the most 

rewarding part…especially if our 

team had a part in teaching them 

how to survive. 

Where do you see yourself 

ten years from now? 

I can only hope and pray that the Lord 

gives me another ten years filled with 

the same wonderful opportunities I’ve 

enjoyed for the first forty-eight. I can 

see myself nearing retirement, but 

never wanting to give up the joy of 

being a firefighter, husband, father, 

and maybe even a grandfather. Our 

time shouldn’t be measured in just 

years but more so in the memories 

we’ve been able to collect along 

the way. 

2016 

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE 

JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF RANKIN COUNTY 

30 th Anniversary Charity Ball 

Saturday, February 27 

6:00 PM 

McClain Lodge 

HONORING MICHAEL & HALEY GUEST 

Entertainment provided by MEET THE PRESS 

Silent Auction, themed packages and door prizes 

$100 per couple (tickets may be purchased at the door) 

Cocktail Attire 

All printing donated by Dallas Printing 

PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT 

THE CHILDREN OF RANKIN COUNTY 

What are three things on 

your bucket list? 

I’ve never really considered having a 

bucket list. Having goals is fine, but 

life unfolds with the opportunities 

you’re blessed with each day. I’d much 

rather enjoy my experiences as they 

happen rather than check them off 

of a prepared list. If I did have a bucket 

list, it would probably just get lost 

under a pile of papers on my desk. 

Thanks to all our readers and 

advertisers for two great years! 


Growing to meet our community’s needs. 

Brandon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center's new therapy gym 

is now open for inpatient and outpatient therapy. 

335 Crossgates Blvd • Brandon Ms 

601.825.3192 •Fax 601.825.6398 


Patriot 

Parade 

September 11 

Brandon High School 



The CHALKBOARD 

Rouse Elementary school Somer Holloway 

Exciting Activities 

Rouse Elementary has done a lot of exciting things lately. In 

honor of Fire Safety Week, Brandon Fire Department came to 

visit and showed Rouse students all of the fire department’s 

equipment and vehicles. The central fire station put on a presentation 

about fire safety, where students learned to “Stop! Drop! 

And Roll!” and other important fire rules. 

Red Ribbon Week also put some delight in the air at Rouse. 

Each day during Red Ribbon Week, students dressed up in 

superhero gear, camo, neon, and favorite team clothing to show 

support for being drug free. Wearing Halloween costumes to just 

say “Boo to drugs” ended the week. 

The P.B.I.S. (Positive Behavior In School) store has put a 

good outlook on behavior at Rouse. Students spend bulldog 

bucks that are given out for good behavior in the P.B.I.S. store. 

Students can choose from a variety of toys and school supplies. 

The P.B.I.S. team of teachers held a Big Event day where students 

participated in an extra recess, karate demonstration, and had 

popsicles. Rouse Elementary will hold other Big Event days 

throughout the school year where students with good behavior 

can attend. 

In the upcoming months, Rouse Elementary staff and 

students will be involved in several events. Kindergarten students 

will participate in a Pow Wow day. Students will make tom-toms, 

vests, and rain-sticks while learning about Native American 

culture. Rouse Elementary kindergarteners and first graders will 

also hold a supply drive for Blair E. Batson where children will 

bring in band-aids, toothbrushes, and other hygiene items. ■ 



Brandon Elementary school Lisa Hudson, Principal 

Patriotism 

“True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, 

freedom and equality—not only for Americans but for all people on earth, 

universal brotherhood and good will, and a constant and earnest striving 

toward the principles and ideals on which this country was founded.” 

~ Eleanor Roosevelt 

We have had a wonderful fall at Brandon Elementary with a 

strong focus on patriotism. Students are studying our nation’s 

history through reading, writing, social studies and music. 

During our reading and social studies lessons, 

we have discovered many new things about the lives 

of Native Americans. The students were able to 

research the interactions between the Native 

Americans and early explorers. They gained an 

understanding of the cause and effect relationships 

between the Native Americans and early explorers 

by writing about their bravery and heartache. 

Students then progressed into studying the contributions 

of George Washington, Patrick Henry, 

Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere. They were 

comparing and contrasting the loyalists and the 

patriots. We have seen that these men and others are the framers of 

our nation. Boys and girls have realized that substantial sacrifices 

were made to establish this influential country. Historical documents 

such as the Gettysburg Address, the Preamble, and The Constitution 

have come alive during class time. 

Students, wearing their red, white, and blue, were treated to a 

Veteran’s Day Ceremony. Our Brandon High School Color Guard 

presented the flags while the students were at attention. Candy Lee 

Dobbs sang the National Anthem, joined by all students. Our guest 

speaker was Sergeant First Class Les Stapp, a member of the 113th 

Military Police Company here in Brandon. He shared with the 

boys and girls what it was like to be a soldier during his three tours 

of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. He spoke of bravery. He spoke of 

fear. He spoke of sacrifice. Brandon Elementary students whose 

parents are in the military were recognized and Sergeant Stapp 

told the group, “These students are the real heroes”. He and his 

wife live in Brandon with their two sons, Aaron and Justin, who 

are Brandon students. 

To add to the day’s events, our Brandon Elementary HALO 

group, a selected group of students who focus on service projects for 

our school, organized “Pennies for a Purpose”. Students dropped 

their change (and a few dollars) into a collection jug. All 

proceeds went to the organization, Wreaths Across America. 

With our donation, Wreaths Across America will purchase 

wreaths for Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in 

Newton, Mississippi. 

Our 4th grade music program, “Americana Showcase” was 

a delight. Students learned several famous patriotic tunes such 

as “The Star Spangled Banner”, “America, the Beautiful”, and 

a few new songs including “The Bells of Freedom”, “God Bless 

America”, and “This Is My Country”. The program included 

a recitation of the Gettysburg Address and audience singing 

participation in paying tribute to our country. With a large 

fourth grade class, the program was divided into four performances 

with close to 100 singers each performance. The 

cafeteria was packed for each performance with parents, 

grandparents, family, friends and community leaders. Seeing 

the audience clapping and singing along with pride in their 

child and in our nation validates that patriotism unites us. 

We love our school, community, state and nation. ■ 



Brandon high School Michaela Bankston, JROTC cadet 

Patriot Parade 

Friday, September 11, in place of a pre-game pep rally, students 

were lined down the hallways as all JROTC cadets, in full dress 

uniforms, marched through the school for the first ever Patriot 

Parade. Local veterans and Wounded Warrior Project members 

were invited to participate, weaving through the halls in front of 

fellow students and peers. We did this in hopes of bringing our 

soldiers, both past and present, to the forefront of the younger 

generation’s minds. 

Jake Mullins, cadet leader of the entire JROTC program and 

one of the collaborators behind the parade, was asked to give a few 

words on the parade. “This parade was solely about appreciating 

America’s veterans and the sacrifices they have made for this 

country. We also wanted to remember those who lost their lives 

on the September 11th attacks. This event will hopefully make 

students, as well as our whole community, more appreciative of 

what our soldiers go through and of the freedoms that the 

American people have.” 

This event was open to any parent/community member who 

wanted to join us. We loved seeing many people, not just students, 

come out to support the cadets and especially the veterans and 

Wounded Warriors who joined us on that historic day. We look 

forward to sharing much more patriotism with friends and family. ■ 



stonebridge Elementary school 

Teacher 

Scavenger Hunt 

Ready, Set, Go! We are off to an exciting start at StoneBridge 

Elementary and ready to have a fun-filled, rigorous, learning experience. 

Summer may be over, but the fun will continue for the students 

through captivating books, multi-step math problems, and learning 

through cooperative groups. The students aren’t the only ones who 

have all the fun; our teachers were energized through a teambuilding 

scavenger hunt on their first day back to work. Each group of teachers 

had to safely drive around town and hunt for key Brandon locations. 

They posed at the College Street sign, Shiloh Park, and the 

Brandon High School Football field. By the time the last group of 

teachers jumped out to take pictures at the police station and fire 

house, the Brandon policemen and Brandon firemen knew they were 

coming and were ready for the picture. Once the teachers made it to 

these locations and many more, they were treated to a lunch provided 

by the StoneBridge PTO. We were able to eat, catch up on life, and 

gear up for a great school year. After lunch the top three teacher 

teams were rewarded with prizes only teachers would get excited 

about: external CD drives for their classroom computers, pencil 

sharpeners, or printer ink. The teachers were having a blast, so if 

you saw teachers in pink shirts running around town, jumping in 

and out of cars, and taking pictures, it was our dedicated staff 

gearing up for the 2015-2016 school year. 

Our StoneBridge family knows how to have fun and work 

hard for our students. The teachers are thrilled to teach a 

brand new group of students and guide them down a successful 

path filled with love, support, and encouragement. Thanks to 

our community for jumping in our pictures, our PTO for a 

great lunch, and our StoneBridge family for making our jobs so 

much fun through all the hard work. 


Everything’s 

Coming Up 

Charla Jordan 

Blue Star Memorial 

Marker at Brandon 

Public Library 

(installed in 2009) 

Lest We Forget 

Members of the Brandon Garden Club (BGC) agree that two commonly used 

phrases, “Lest we forget”* and “Freedom is not free,”** represent their Blue Star 

Memorial Marker Project. They also acknowledge that every man and woman 

who serves in the United States Armed Forces is necessary to sustain that freedom. 

On Veterans Day, November 11, 2015, BGC and the Rankin County Board of 

Supervisors unveiled and dedicated a new Blue Star Memorial at the Rankin 

County Justice Center. The first Blue Star Marker dedicated on Veterans Day 

2009 is located at the Brandon Municipal Library and is co-sponsored by the 

City of Brandon and BGC. The Blue Star Memorial Marker program continues 

an American tradition begun in World War I with the display of a blue star 

banner for family members serving in the military. 

The Blue Star Memorial Marker program was adopted in 1945 by the National 

Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC) to honor World War II veterans, and a uniform metal 

marker, similar to historical markers, was designed. Only garden clubs affiliated 

with NGC may purchase Blue Star Memorial Markers. The NGC Blue Star Memorial 

program now honors all men and women who are serving or have served in the 

United States Armed Forces. Today highway and by-way markers can be seen in 

cemeteries, parks, veterans’ facilities, community sites, and across thousands of 

miles of highways throughout the continental United States and Hawaii. 

For the Brandon Garden Club, no program or project is more important. This 

is shown by its willingness to accept the task of maintaining Brandon’s Blue Star 

Memorial Markers. The Club hopes that all veterans who view the markers will 

know that our community is grateful for their commitment and sacrifices, and 

they also hope that non-veterans will remember the debt of gratitude that we 

owe to our veterans. ■ 

*Rudyard Kipling, “Recessional,” 1897, refrain 

**American idiom, coined by Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Walter Hitchcock, 

New Mexico Military Institute 

1 

2 


3 

4 

1 

Winston Parish, Vietnam 

Husband of Sandy Parish, 

BGC Public Relations/ 

Photographer 

2 

Ronald Joseph Osborne, Sr., 

Korea 

Father of Delena Hamel, 

BGC Co-Second 

Vice President 

3 

Andrew J. Hoffman, 

Active Military, Operation 

Noble Eagle, Operation 

Iraqi Freedom 

Son of Sharon Hoffman, 

BGC Member 

4 

Blue Star Memorial 

Marker at the Rankin 

County Justice Center 

5 

Dr. Charles Franklin Mitchell, 

WWII 

Father of Charla Mitchell 

Jordan, BGC President 

6 

Evelyn Barber Dickson and 

Jefferson Davis Dickson III, 

WWII 

Parents of Suzanne Dickson 

Ross, BGC Treasurer 

5 6 



The Time Coin 

It was with reluctance and a heavy dose 

of nostalgia that Maria turned the 

calendar page from December to 

January of a new year. She regretted leaving 

all the joys that spilled over the month of 

December. She wasn’t ready physically or 

mentally to leave the celebration and 

return to schedules and neat, uncluttered 

bedrooms – to meals that didn’t end in chocolate – to a pantry and 

cabinets void of grandchildren delights – to workdays that would 

replace lazy mornings of flannel pajamas and flavored coffees. 

Maria smiled as she remembered her pajama-clad family rushing 

into the frosty backyard to “ooh” and “aww” over the trophy buck 

draped over her grandson’s four-wheeler. She would want to remember 

the tastes of her mother’s ambrosia and grandmother’s tomato gravy 

brought to the table via their original recipes. 

Her December sound bank was packed with harmonious blending 

of grandchildren’s voices from the fireside carols and the squeals of 

grandchildren running down the hall Christmas morning. Reading 

books to her toddler grandchild still carried a warmth that blankets and 

thermostats couldn’t duplicate. 

Suddenly a regret from one of those December nights settled over 

Maria in a nostalgic cloud. The entire family had just finished another 

meal. The men had retreated to a lounging 

position near the den fire and the females were 

intent on making dessert and coffee last a few 

minutes longer. Virginia, her five-year-old 

grand, leaned into Maria’s ear and whispered, 

“Nana, let’s go snuggle in your bed and watch a 

Christmas movie.” 

Maria gave her a typical “just a minute” 

reply as the dirty dishes and clean-up took priority. In what seemed like 

a short time, Maria went to join her little bedfellow. She was under the 

covers but already in a deep sleep. Maria’s heart sank. She whispered her 

name, but Virginia’s childhood energy mode had switched to “recharge” 

and her day was ended. 

Maria had missed the special invitation and the calendar wouldn’t 

offer another like it in December. To most, it might appear a small thing 

among so many joys, but it continued to leave Maria with regret. Some 

joys, some invitations have expiration dates. 

The New Year begins with a new resolve for Maria. She’s acutely 

aware that the year will hold opportunities to respond immediately to 

life’s invitations and promptings. She could fall victim to busy-ness and 

forfeit blessings or indulge in treasured memory-making. It would be 

her choice. She had grown wiser. She knows from experience that regret 

is a heartless thief. ■ 


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Hometown Brandon - Winter 2015

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