Hometown Madison - March & April 2016
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Volume 2 Number 3<br />
Mar/apr <strong>2016</strong><br />
the Heart shield<br />
______________________<br />
Veda’s Story<br />
______________________<br />
Providence Hill<br />
______________________<br />
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2 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />
2/22/16 3:38 PM
publisher & Editor<br />
Tahya A. Dobbs<br />
CFO<br />
Kevin W. Dobbs<br />
Consulting editor<br />
Mary Ann Kirby<br />
Account Executives<br />
Alicia Adams<br />
LeeAnn Evans<br />
Rachel Lombardo<br />
pulling... pulling....<br />
Contributing Writers<br />
Camille Anding<br />
Mary Ann Kirby<br />
Susan Marquez<br />
Anna Rogers<br />
Diane Ryan<br />
Abigail Walker<br />
staff Photographer<br />
Othel Anding<br />
Administrative Assistants<br />
Alisha Floyd<br />
Brenda McCall<br />
Layout Design<br />
Daniel Thomas / 3dt<br />
Missy Donaldson / MAD Designs<br />
• • •<br />
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visit www.htmags.com<br />
Contact us at info@HTMags.com<br />
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Brandon MS 39042<br />
• • •<br />
All rights reserved. No portion of <strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Madison</strong><br />
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is funded by advertising.<br />
In this issue Cathy Halford - A Volunteer Profile ....... 6<br />
A Leap of Faith ......................... 12<br />
Best Advice ......................... 20<br />
Veda’s Story ............................... 24<br />
Miss Mississippi .........................28<br />
The Heart Shield ..................... 30<br />
Providence Hill. ...................... 34<br />
Less Clutter & Less Stress ............ 38<br />
Mail Order Annie ..................... 50<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 3
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4 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />
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<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 5
6 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />
Orchestrating Compassion<br />
Cathy Halford - A Volunteer Profile<br />
Anna Rogers
Cathy Halford has been linked to<br />
service in the community in one way or<br />
another for almost three decades. At an<br />
early age, Cathy’s father had hoped she<br />
would be a concert pianist. She spent<br />
years practicing her music and training to<br />
be a pianist. She had no idea she would<br />
go on to dedicate her life to orchestrating<br />
kindness and compassion. Her 28-year<br />
career as a public school special education<br />
teacher fueled her desire to spread love<br />
and change lives.<br />
In 1997, Cathy was introduced to<br />
Kairos Prison Ministry. She spent six years<br />
working with women prisoners, helping<br />
the prisoners recognize, trust, and find<br />
peace. “The prison ministry helped me<br />
to trust more strongly in God and to<br />
believe that wherever life’s journey was<br />
headed, He would be there to support<br />
me,” she admits.<br />
In 2005, when Katrina devastated the<br />
Gulf Coast, Cathy was eager to roll up her<br />
sleeves and help. With her previous<br />
training through St. James’ Episcopal<br />
Church, she was well prepared to support<br />
the American Red Cross shelter at the<br />
Coliseum in Jackson, where so many sought<br />
refuge. She was among the hundreds of<br />
dedicated and trained volunteers that<br />
accepted the responsibility to feed, clothe<br />
and provide compassion to gulf coast<br />
residents. There, she organized clothes for<br />
the people that showed up with nothing–<br />
often times, giving out hugs.<br />
The holidays came quick for the victims<br />
of Katrina. When most people bounced<br />
back to their lives, Cathy traveled to<br />
Pascagoula to help with the long-term<br />
Katrina recovery efforts. When so many<br />
volunteers could not grip the devastation,<br />
Cathy was there to help the victims pick<br />
up the pieces. Homes were gone, lives<br />
were lost, and Cathy canvassed neighborhoods<br />
to help the residents survey damages<br />
and evaluate the loss. Cathy spent weeks<br />
on the Coast connecting victims to the<br />
much-needed resources and the support<br />
they required.<br />
Soon after, Cathy was encouraged to<br />
travel to Uganda and contribute to the<br />
Diocese of Mississippi’s humanitarian<br />
efforts. She traveled to the poverty stricken<br />
region and focused her attention on<br />
medical care and education. She would go<br />
on to travel to Uganda two more times.<br />
Cathy insists she received more than she<br />
gave, and each mission trip provided her<br />
with a renewed sense of unexpected love.<br />
Today, under Cathy’s leadership, St.<br />
Columb’s Episcopal Church in Ridgeland<br />
has a partnership with Sunnybrook<br />
Children’s Home. Cathy was instrumental<br />
in facilitating the partnership. She recently<br />
acted as a liaison between Sunnybrook<br />
and the Men’s Club to build tables for an<br />
outdoor pavilion; she organizes special<br />
activities for the children such as a movie<br />
afternoon at the church during holidays,<br />
and encourages volunteers from the<br />
church to develop long-term relationships<br />
with some of the children.<br />
“Cathy has a deep passion for working<br />
to help people who are in need, and she is<br />
tireless in her efforts to make this world a<br />
better place.” said Reverend Melanie<br />
Dickson Lemburg, Priest-in-Charge at<br />
St. Columb’s Episcopal Church.<br />
When Cathy is not arranging<br />
community outreach, she dedicates her<br />
time to enhancing the services of the local<br />
American Red Cross chapter. The Red<br />
Cross brings shelter, food, and comfort to<br />
those affected by disasters, large and small<br />
– a natural fit for Cathy. She utilizes her<br />
education experience to teach children<br />
how to prepare for disasters through the<br />
American Red Cross Pillowcase Project.<br />
“Cathy’s compassion, coupled with her<br />
dedication, is a perfect match for organizations<br />
like the Red Cross. She has provided<br />
assistance, support and often times a<br />
much needed hug to those who need it<br />
the most,” said CEO of Mississippi Red<br />
Cross, Ivy Williams.<br />
Cathy has a critical role with the local<br />
Red Cross chapter. She donates her time<br />
assisting with mass smoke alarm installations<br />
as well as serving as a caseworker<br />
for disaster victims that qualify for<br />
financial assistance and connecting the<br />
victims to resources and support. As for<br />
her future, Cathy Halford has no plans<br />
to stop giving her time and love. n<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 7
8 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />
Thanks to all of our<br />
readers and advertisers!
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 9
A Leap<br />
of<br />
Faith
On December 19th, the Mississippi<br />
Country Music Trail unveiled a trail<br />
marker honoring Faith Hill at the<br />
corner of Main and Mangum<br />
Streets in Star, Mississippi.<br />
As a young girl growing up in Star, Faith<br />
found her passion for music and singing and<br />
followed her heart to Nashville at the young age<br />
of 19. She has now been a force of nature in the<br />
entertainment industry for over two decades,<br />
having achieved unprecedented success in the<br />
worlds of country and pop music as one of the<br />
top-selling and most-awarded female artists of<br />
all time. Over the course of her career, she has<br />
had fourteen #1 singles and multiple albums<br />
topping both the Billboard Top 100 and<br />
Country charts, with six multi- platinum studio<br />
albums and selling more than 30 million albums<br />
worldwide. She’s won five Grammy Awards,<br />
twelve ACM Awards, four Billboard Music<br />
Awards, four American<br />
Music Awards, four<br />
People’s Choice Awards<br />
and three CMA Awards.<br />
We had the chance<br />
to ask Faith, and her<br />
close-knit family, a few<br />
questions and got a<br />
peek of what it was<br />
like for her growing<br />
up in Star.<br />
What is your favorite memory of growing up<br />
in Star, Mississippi?<br />
One of my fondest memories of growing up in Star was the<br />
winter that Highway 49 froze over completely from a big<br />
northeastern storm that fell down into the deep south in<br />
the early ‘80s. Highway 49 and everything else was closed.<br />
This is the day that Gaye McCann, now Gaye Knight, and<br />
I would become best friends. We played all day on the<br />
highway…sliding, falling, running, laughing, sliding, falling,<br />
and laughing again and again.<br />
What is the one thing you miss the most about<br />
living in a small town?<br />
Life in a small town is something everyone should have the<br />
opportunity to experience at least once in a lifetime. Dreams<br />
seem bigger when you come from a small town; although,<br />
somehow they seem more obtainable because either you have<br />
the support of friends and family, which gives you strength to<br />
work hard and be successful or you have so much drive to get<br />
out of the small town that it motivates you to work even harder.<br />
I miss my family and I miss knowing every road and where<br />
each one leads. There is power in that knowledge; the power<br />
of knowing where you are going, as well as the power that<br />
comes from the drive to get out of something so familiar and<br />
discover what the world has to offer.<br />
Is there a favorite tradition that you and your<br />
family had growing up that has been carried<br />
over to your family?<br />
There are many things that I have<br />
carried over to my family. Lots of<br />
traditions–and most all of them are<br />
related to food and faith. My<br />
parents had the most incredible<br />
vegetable garden. My brothers<br />
and I had the chore of weeding,<br />
shelling peas, butter beans–whatever<br />
was required. I absolutely<br />
hated it when I was growing up<br />
and usually found an excuse to<br />
not always be home when I<br />
needed to help.<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 11<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 11
But once I moved away, I realized how valuable that garden<br />
was to my parents and our family for so many reasons. After<br />
my brothers and I moved into our own homes, my parents<br />
worked the garden and would split the harvest evenly between<br />
us siblings. There is no one that can cook green beans and butter<br />
beans like Edna Perry. I do know the secret and I cook them for<br />
my family but they just never seem to be as good as my moms.<br />
When did you know that you wanted to be<br />
a country singer?<br />
I always knew I wanted to sing. Truthfully, there was never any<br />
doubt whatsoever. I just never thought of doing anything else.<br />
It was as if singing chose me. My soul was set on fire every<br />
Sunday with music from the church. That music transformed<br />
me to another place and still does to this very day. The soul of<br />
those old gospel hymns just resonated in me from as far back<br />
as I can remember. After seeing Elvis Presley in Jackson when<br />
I was 12 years old, I knew there would be no other path I could<br />
take but to sing. However, it wasn’t until high school that I<br />
decided country music was the music I wanted to sing. Country<br />
music was not as popular then as it is now, so without question,<br />
I was in the minority when it came to this style of music.<br />
Were your parents supportive of your decision<br />
to move to Nashville?<br />
My parents have always been supportive of all of their children.<br />
They worked hard and instilled in us a strong work ethic that<br />
my brothers and I share. We were taught that nothing comes<br />
without hard work, to treat people with respect and dignity,<br />
and never take one day for granted.<br />
Education was important as well. I begged to move to Nashville<br />
straight out of high school but my mom insisted I go to college<br />
before making my final decision to move away. The fact that I<br />
only attended college for one semester probably broke my mom’s<br />
heart! And as a parent of three teenage daughters, with one in<br />
college, one on the way to college, and another not far behind,<br />
I can only, now, imagine the worry that I must have caused my<br />
mom. However, my parents raised us in faith and I know that<br />
they could not have survived what I put them through without<br />
that faith and without lots of prayer.<br />
12 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
If you could give one piece of advice or<br />
encouragement to anyone with big dreams,<br />
what would it be?<br />
Do what you love. Find your passion in life and work hard<br />
to make it happen. Nothing comes without hard work.<br />
Be a good person and treat people with respect, always…<br />
that is something that never goes out of style. Kindness is<br />
a universal language and no matter how far you climb and<br />
no matter how successful you become, always be humble<br />
and kind.<br />
You have represented Mississippi and your hometown<br />
well. How did it make you feel to be honored with a<br />
marker on the Mississippi Country Music Trail?<br />
I am proud to be from the great state of Mississippi and I am<br />
humbled to be included in a list of so many great artists that<br />
came before me.<br />
You have won numerous awards and accolades, but<br />
what do you feel is your biggest accomplishment?<br />
My biggest accomplishment in this life has been my children.<br />
I thank God everyday for my family. I was born to sing but<br />
I was raised to be mom. That is my greatest joy.<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 13
Harper Lee<br />
was once quoted<br />
as saying,<br />
“Many receive<br />
advice, but only<br />
the wise profit<br />
from it.”<br />
<br />
And while that’s likely true, we still decided<br />
to ask some of our readers what the best piece<br />
of advice they’d ever been given–and we’re<br />
very impressed with what they had to say...<br />
14 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
Susan McNamara<br />
The best advice given to me<br />
was to take time to get to know<br />
people, and treat them how you<br />
want to be treated. A partner<br />
gave me this advice when I<br />
was a young associate, and it<br />
has served me well both in my<br />
personal life and in my career!<br />
It’s important to take time to<br />
really know people–people<br />
you’re working with, go to<br />
church with, volunteer with, etc.<br />
And it’s even more important to<br />
be kind and treat them well.<br />
Eric Brooks<br />
Treat people the way you<br />
would like to be treated.<br />
Carrie Cullum<br />
The best piece of advice<br />
I’ve ever received is from my<br />
mom. She always told me to<br />
“Cope and adjust. Just deal<br />
with it.” In other words, don’t<br />
worry if things aren’t going<br />
according to plan. Adjust your<br />
plan and make the best of<br />
what’s happening.<br />
Perry Green<br />
To never entertain a thought<br />
that does not empower victory.<br />
Beatrice Stevens<br />
You must love and respect<br />
yourself in order to demand<br />
the same from others.<br />
Anna Sherman<br />
The best advice I have ever<br />
been given came from my Dad,<br />
Michael Bird. When I was growing<br />
up, and especially through<br />
my teenage and college years,<br />
every time I left our house he<br />
would say, “Remember who<br />
you are.” That simple statement<br />
has always stuck with me<br />
as a reminder to always know<br />
that I am a child of God and to<br />
reflect Him in all I do.<br />
Andy Dyess<br />
To sell WorldCom stock.<br />
Bertram Goodloe<br />
Trust in the Lord with all thine<br />
heart and lean not unto your<br />
own understanding. In all thy<br />
ways acknowledge him, and<br />
he shall direct your paths.<br />
Proverbs 3:5,6<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 15
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16 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
When things get hot, see us today!<br />
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18 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
A Peace Beyond All Understanding<br />
Veda’s<br />
Story<br />
Abigail Walker<br />
Morgan Rhea was 22 weeks pregnant when she received<br />
the news that her child had a congenital heart defect.<br />
On that day, doctors told her that her unborn daughter,<br />
Veda, was missing half her heart.<br />
Morgan’s entire life changed instantly as she was plunged<br />
into the foreign world of CHD–not even knowing if her<br />
child would live. The prayer requests were urgently sent<br />
out and within two weeks, Veda’s heart had grown. But<br />
this was just the first of many miracles in Veda’s life.<br />
Veda’s condition, known as complex CHD, produced<br />
a myriad of medical complications including contraction<br />
of the aorta and severe pulmonary hypertension. While<br />
15 percent of CHD cases are caused by genetics, the other<br />
85 percent have no known cause. Morgan was told that<br />
Veda wouldn’t be able to talk, walk, or even sit due to a<br />
chromosomal disorder. In fact, if it wasn’t for the miracle<br />
that was her third artery, Veda would not have even<br />
survived the pregnancy.<br />
Veda Garner was born at Vanderbilt University<br />
Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee on January 14,<br />
2013. She was only 7 days old when she had her first open<br />
heart surgery–the first of four she would have that year.<br />
With the exception of about six weeks, Veda spent the<br />
majority of her first year at Vanderbilt. The never-ending<br />
series of tests and treatments had Morgan practically living<br />
at the hospital. “Vanderbilt became our home and the<br />
doctors and nurses became our family,” she said. There<br />
were instants when Veda may flatline several times in one<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 19
20 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
night or be rushed to the emergency room<br />
because she couldn’t breathe. “It’s like we<br />
could never get her well enough,” Morgan said.<br />
But Veda’s health wasn’t the only battle<br />
Morgan was fighting. She and Veda’s biological<br />
father divorced while Morgan was in the<br />
hospital, and her resources were the lowest<br />
they’d ever been. “It’s a humbling experience,<br />
having people take care of you,” she said.<br />
“It’s a time where you are ripped of<br />
everything that makes you comfortable.”<br />
Morgan refers to this time as her<br />
“wilderness.” “At first I was scared. I had so<br />
many questions, and there were times where<br />
I felt alone–like God had abandoned me,”<br />
she said. “My perspective started to change<br />
when I stopped to truly think about my role<br />
as Veda’s mother. I felt that Veda was not<br />
really mine (or at least not mine alone).<br />
She was Christ’s child first, and He had<br />
graciously given her to me to nurture and<br />
love and protect. I decided that if I could do<br />
that, He would take care of the rest.”<br />
The decision to do the fourth heart<br />
surgery was the most difficult. “It was the<br />
end of the line,” said Morgan. “We were<br />
told, ‘Do it and she may not survive or don’t<br />
and she won’t.’” That last surgery was a<br />
success, but no one knew how much time it<br />
would give her. “It was so hard to hear that<br />
there was nothing else left to do–that we<br />
had exhausted all the options,” she said.<br />
Shortly after Veda’s first birthday in<br />
January 2014, they took the “greatest leap<br />
of faith” and moved down to Mississippi to<br />
stay with Morgan’s parents. Though doctors<br />
supported the idea, they only gave Veda two<br />
weeks to live, predicting that she might not<br />
even survive the 6-hour car ride there.<br />
But Veda made it to Mississippi, and<br />
Morgan decided to take advantage of what<br />
time she had with her daughter. “I had been<br />
told that Veda was not going to have a very<br />
high quality of life, but I said, ‘Oh no. She<br />
definitely will.’” Whether it was taking her<br />
to visit family or celebrating her birthday,<br />
she wasn’t going to waste a moment, even<br />
when each day was uncertain. “I wanted her<br />
life to be something more than just being<br />
in a hospital,” she said. “I wanted there to<br />
be memories that weren’t just confined to<br />
a room.”<br />
One of the memories that Morgan<br />
treasures the most was taking Veda to the<br />
beach. “The beach trip was a victory for us,”<br />
she said. “It was something that I always<br />
wanted her to experience.”<br />
The two weeks that the doctors predicted<br />
would actually be her last came and went,<br />
and Veda was still alive. Morgan said, “It<br />
was Veda and me against the world. We<br />
kept doing things that we were told were<br />
impossible–against all odds.”<br />
It was only two months after moving to<br />
Mississippi that Morgan met Brad Rhea,<br />
who, with God’s prompting, became the man<br />
to love both Morgan and Veda through<br />
their difficult time. They were married in<br />
November 2014, and Brad was able to be<br />
the father that Veda needed. Morgan said,<br />
“One of my biggest fears when I moved<br />
back was that if someday I re-married, it<br />
would be to a man who never knew my first<br />
love–my baby Veda. Brad may not have been<br />
with me when she came into this world, but<br />
he was there supporting me all along the<br />
way. I was thankful that I met him when I<br />
did and that I never had to convince him<br />
of how wonderful Veda was because he was<br />
able to experience it for himself and we were<br />
able to share a love for her together.”<br />
They learned to be joyful despite the<br />
daily challenges and to be grateful for every<br />
moment. The little things that parents<br />
normally take for granted–bath time,<br />
laughter, even the simple wiping of an eye–<br />
were triumphs for them. But it was mostly<br />
Veda’s spirit that supplied hope. “Veda was<br />
joy, and that joy came from the Lord,” Morgan<br />
said. “She inspired me, just as she inspired<br />
everyone else with her infectious smile and<br />
determined spirit. All Veda knew was love.<br />
It was the only language she spoke. How<br />
could I not feel joy as her mother?”<br />
Between the large amount of daily<br />
medications and the constant care Veda<br />
required each day, Morgan said she could<br />
have easily chosen the “woe is me” attitude.<br />
But there were many blessings in the midst<br />
of this challenge. In fact, it was the Lord’s<br />
provision that became the only constant in<br />
their life. With too many moments of divine<br />
intervention to name, it was a period that<br />
would teach Morgan how to trust the Lord.<br />
“God’s plan was going to trump ours every<br />
time,” she said. “His plan is always greater.”<br />
Veda was several months from her 3rd<br />
birthday when she passed away last November.<br />
“It’s by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to<br />
endure or will endure,” said Morgan.<br />
“But my hope and joy<br />
come from knowing where<br />
Veda is and that God has<br />
rewarded her for all that<br />
she’s been through and<br />
all that she did to further<br />
His kingdom. That’s what<br />
brings me peace.”<br />
Morgan and Brad are now in a time of<br />
adjusting–of trying to “find a new normal.”<br />
“Going from a family of three to a family of<br />
two is hard, but we are trying to find joy<br />
along the way,” Morgan said. “I want to move<br />
forward, but I don’t want to move on.” She<br />
said she will always remember the truths<br />
God has taught her and is looking forward<br />
to what He has for them. “It didn’t take me<br />
losing Veda to see that God was moving in<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 21
22 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
my life,” she added. “We didn’t have to look<br />
back. We could see it as it was happening.”<br />
She says the thought of going through that<br />
time without her faith is literally terrifying<br />
to her.<br />
“It’s so easy to feel robbed of things,”<br />
Morgan added. “But peace and joy trump that.”<br />
She said that Veda taught her to appreciate<br />
every moment, to love selflessly, to put God<br />
first and depend on him for every need. It<br />
was her daughter that made her realize the<br />
importance of not getting caught up in the<br />
things she couldn’t change and not feeling<br />
sorry for herself. Instead, Veda showed her<br />
how to be brave and find beauty in the trials.<br />
“I oftentimes say God sent Veda to this<br />
world to save me from myself,” she said.<br />
“To save me from a world I was all too eager<br />
to please.”<br />
Veda may not have been able to talk, but<br />
she spoke to the lives of many. Family members<br />
were reunited. People from all over the<br />
country followed Veda’s journey and lifted<br />
her up in prayer. Morgan received emails and<br />
Facebook messages from strangers who told<br />
her how much they were impacted by Veda.<br />
“I have peace in knowing that Veda’s life<br />
mattered. It still matters and will continue to<br />
matter and reach people from all over and<br />
from all walks of life,” said Morgan.<br />
Morgan has made it her mission to share<br />
Veda’s story and spread awareness of CHD.<br />
“God allowed me to not only be her mother,<br />
but to be her voice,” she said. In fact, plans are<br />
in the works to start a foundation in Veda’s<br />
name through Blair E. Batson that will aid<br />
families with CHD.<br />
This February, Morgan traveled to<br />
Nashville for CHD Week, where families<br />
affected by CHD met and a memorial<br />
service was held for those children who had<br />
lost their lives this past year. She also passed<br />
out gift cards, along with Veda’s story, to<br />
parents at Vanderbilt UMC to offer hope to<br />
the families that are in the same place she was<br />
not long ago. “When you are in that type of<br />
environment–in the highest levels of<br />
stress–you turn to those like you for love,<br />
encouragement, and support,” Morgan said.<br />
“It can be a very lonely place and some of my<br />
best friends are moms that I met during our<br />
time there. Those are the real true relationships–the<br />
ones formed in the trenches.”<br />
Through it all, Morgan remains faithful<br />
that God is in control. “If God has taught me<br />
anything, it’s that I can’t rely on my own plans.<br />
When the circumstances of life become<br />
overwhelming, God absolutely gives you what<br />
you need to handle it. So rely on Him for<br />
every need. He is always there. He will never<br />
leave your side. God is faithful to meet us in<br />
the middle of our mess and our pain.”<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 23
Allergies I Balance Problems I Bell’s Palsy I Cancers,<br />
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Deviated Septum EAR. Ear Infection I Enlarged<br />
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of Smell I Nasal Obstructions I Nosebleed I Parathyroid<br />
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Thyroid Disorders I Voice Problems<br />
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Easy, close parking at two convenient locations:<br />
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Call 601.815.4368<br />
© UMMC <strong>2016</strong>. All rights reserved.<br />
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2/3/16 8:56 AM<br />
24 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
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madison<br />
Recipes<br />
Salmon Quiche<br />
• ¾ cup mayonnaise<br />
• ¾ cup half and half<br />
• 4 eggs<br />
• 1 ½ Tbsp. cornstarch<br />
• 3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese<br />
• 1 cup chopped onion<br />
• Juice of 2 - 3 lemons<br />
• 2 small cans pink salmon<br />
Mix mayonnaise, eggs, cornstarch and half and<br />
half. Then add onion and cheese, followed by<br />
drained salmon and fresh lemon juice. Make sure<br />
it is enough. Pour into single unbaked pie shell.<br />
Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 to 45 minutes.<br />
Tiramisu Trifle Pie<br />
• 1½ Tbsp. instant coffee grounds<br />
• ¾ cup warm water<br />
• 1 - 10.75 oz. frozen pound cake, thawed<br />
(sometimes I use ladyfingers)<br />
• 1 - 8 oz. pkg. Mascarpone cheese or cream<br />
cheese softened<br />
• ½ cup powdered sugar<br />
• ½ cup chocolate syrup<br />
• 1 - 12 oz. whipped topping, thawed<br />
• 2 - 1.4 oz. packages English toffee candy<br />
(coarsely chopped package)<br />
Stir together coffee granules, ¾ cup warm water<br />
(may add ¼ cup Kahlua and ½ cup coffee).<br />
Cut cake into 14 slices diagonally. Place triangles<br />
in bottom and upsides 9” deep dish pie plate.<br />
Beat cheese, sugar and chocolate syrup at<br />
medium speed until smooth. Add 2 ½ cups of<br />
whipped topping and beat until light and fluffy.<br />
Spread cheese mixture evenly over cake. Dollop<br />
remaining whipped topping around edges of pie.<br />
Sprinkle with toffee candy. Chill for 8 hours.<br />
Turnip Casserole<br />
• 2 cans turnips<br />
• 1 cup mayonnaise<br />
• 1 can mushroom soup<br />
• 4 eggs<br />
• 2 - 3 tsp. horseradish<br />
Mix all together well. Pour in casserole dish<br />
and cover with cornflake crumbs dotted with<br />
margarine. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.<br />
Madeleines<br />
• 9 Tbsp. unsalted butter<br />
• 1 cup un-sifted flour<br />
• 2 large eggs<br />
• 2/3 cup sugar<br />
• 1 Tbsp. lemon peel<br />
• ½ tsp. vanilla<br />
• ¼ tsp. lemon juice<br />
In a small sauce pan, melt butter until it turns light<br />
brown. Remove and cool. In a small bowl mix<br />
1 Tbsp. butter and 1 Tbsp. flour; Brush pans with<br />
this. In food processor mix eggs and sugar until<br />
light yellow, then add flour and mix until smooth.<br />
Transfer mixture to medium bowl and let cool<br />
10 minutes.<br />
Stir in remaining butter, lemon peel, vanilla, lemon<br />
juice and dash of salt. Mix well. Cover and set aside<br />
for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spoon<br />
rounded Tbsp. into each cup. Bake 12-15 minutes<br />
until lightly browned around the edges. Unmold<br />
and cool. Makes about 2 dozen.<br />
(Note: Madeleine pans may be purchased at local<br />
cooking stores as well as online. Also, you may dip the<br />
ends of each cookie in melted chocolate if desired).<br />
Party Spinach<br />
Squares<br />
• 4 eggs<br />
• 1 - 10 ounce cream mushroom soup<br />
• 2 - 10 ounce frozen spinach, thawed and well<br />
drained and minced<br />
• ¼ cup green onions chopped<br />
• ½ cup chopped walnuts<br />
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese<br />
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese<br />
• 1 - 8 oz. pkg. Crescent rolls<br />
Combine all ingredients except rolls in large bowl<br />
and mix well. Unroll crescent rolls but do not<br />
separate. Press into bottom of a 13 x 9 buttered pan.<br />
Press seams together. Spread spinach mixture over<br />
dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until<br />
knife comes out clean. Cut in squares. Makes 50.<br />
English Toffee<br />
• 1 cup sugar<br />
• 1 cup butter<br />
• 3 Tbsp. water<br />
• 1 tsp. vanilla<br />
• 1 bar – 4 ½ oz. milk chocolate<br />
• ½ cup chopped pecans<br />
Combine sugar, butter and water in heavy<br />
saucepan. Cook to 300 degrees or hard boil crack<br />
ball stage. Stir constantly. Add vanilla. Pour into<br />
9” square pan. Allow pan to cool for five minutes.<br />
Break chocolate into pieces and sprinkle over the<br />
top. Spread as it melts. Sprinkle with nuts. Press<br />
into chocolate. Let completely cool. Break into<br />
pieces and enjoy.<br />
26 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
Peaches Imperial<br />
• 2 cans 29 oz. cling peach halves<br />
• 1 - 8 oz. package of cream cheese<br />
• ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts<br />
• 1 Tbsp. grated orange rind<br />
• ½ cup orange juice<br />
• ½ cup light corn syrup<br />
• 2 Tbsp. orange rind strips<br />
Drain peaches and set aside. Mix cream cheese,<br />
walnuts and grated orange rind well, and set aside.<br />
In small sauce pan combine orange juice, corn<br />
syrup and orange strips. Bring to a boil and simmer<br />
20 minutes. Put cream cheese in peach half and<br />
press other half of peach on top. Ladle sauce over<br />
peaches. Garnish with mint.<br />
Squash Pats<br />
• 1 - 10 oz. pkg. frozen yellow squash<br />
• 1 egg beaten<br />
• ¼ cup flour<br />
• ¼ cup cornmeal<br />
• 2 tsp. pepper<br />
• ½ tsp. salt<br />
• 1 medium onion chopped<br />
• Vegetable oil<br />
Boil squash until tender. Drain all water.<br />
Add all other ingredients and deep fry.<br />
Mexican Dressing<br />
• 1 cup self-rising corn meal<br />
• ½ tsp. salt<br />
• ½ tsp. soda<br />
• 2 eggs<br />
• 1 lb. ground chuck, raw<br />
• 1 large onion, chopped<br />
• 3 jalapenos, finely chopped<br />
• ¼ cup oil<br />
• 1 cup milk<br />
• 18 oz. can creamed corn<br />
• 8 oz. Velveeta cheese<br />
Mix all together. Pour in greased 8 x 13 pan.<br />
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.<br />
Rum Pecan Pie<br />
• 2 eggs slightly beaten<br />
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar<br />
• 2/3 cup corn syrup<br />
• ¼ cup dark rum<br />
• 2 Tbsp. butter melted<br />
• 1 tsp. vanilla<br />
• 2 cups toasted pecans<br />
• 1 - 9” unbaked pie shell<br />
Mix well and pour in unbaked pie shell.<br />
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.<br />
Brandied Oranges<br />
• 1 pkg. large marshmallows<br />
• 1 carton sour cream<br />
• 2 Tbsp. brandy (or more)<br />
• 1 can mandarin oranges, drained<br />
• 1 cup chopped nuts<br />
Cut marshmallows into quarters and soak in<br />
brandy for an hour. Mix with other ingredients<br />
and refrigerate.<br />
Tarragon Chicken<br />
• ½ cup soy sauce<br />
• ¼ cup lemon juice<br />
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce<br />
• Salt and pepper<br />
• Garlic powder<br />
• Tarragon leaves<br />
Mix first 3 ingredients in a 2 cup container. Finish<br />
filling with water to 2 cups. Line baking dish with<br />
foil. Season skinned chicken with salt, pepper and<br />
garlic powder. Place chicken in baking dish and<br />
pour liquid over chicken. Liberally sprinkle<br />
tarragon leaves over the chicken. Place in oven<br />
and bake uncovered at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes.<br />
Turn chicken, and put tarragon leaves on that side<br />
and finish baking, about 30 more minutes.<br />
(I like this with boneless, skinless chicken thighs).<br />
Onion Wine Soup<br />
• 5 large onions<br />
• 5 cups beef broth<br />
• ½ cup celery leaves<br />
• 1 large potato sliced<br />
• 1 cup dry white wine<br />
• 1 Tbsp. vinegar<br />
• 1 cup light cream<br />
• 1 Tbsp. minced parsley<br />
• Salt and pepper<br />
Melt butter in large saucepan. Add chopped onion<br />
and mix well. Add beef broth, celery leaves and<br />
potato. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 30<br />
minutes. Puree in blender and return to saucepan.<br />
Blend in wine, vinegar and sugar. Stir in cream,<br />
parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Heat but DO<br />
NOT boil. 6 - 8 servings.<br />
Chocolate<br />
Bread Pudding<br />
• 3 cups soft bread crumbs<br />
• 4 Tbsp. cocoa<br />
• ½ cup nuts<br />
• 2 eggs<br />
• ½ cup sugar<br />
• 3 cups milk<br />
• 1 tsp. vanilla<br />
• ¼ tsp. salt<br />
• Whipped Cream<br />
Stir together bread crumbs, cocoa and nuts.<br />
Set aside. Beat eggs until foamy. Add sugar. Beat<br />
well for 1 minute. Stir in milk, vanilla, salt and<br />
breadcrumb mixture. Pour into greased 1-¾ quart<br />
casserole. Bake for 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees.<br />
Serve with whipped cream.<br />
Gaye Ragland, MSN, RNC, is an assistant professor at the University of Mississippi<br />
School of Nursing and a resident of <strong>Madison</strong>.<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 27
28 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
A Mississippi Girl<br />
Hannah Camille Roberts was crowned Miss Mississippi in 2015<br />
and went on to compete for the title of Miss America <strong>2016</strong> where she was named as first runner-up.<br />
As a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Hannah majored in biochemistry with a minor in biology.<br />
After getting to know her here, we were quick to realize that she’s as smart as she is beautiful.<br />
We are so proud of this Mississippi girl!<br />
At what age did you first begin dreaming<br />
of being Miss America?<br />
I’ve watched Miss America every year since I was<br />
a young girl and I have always looked up to those<br />
women.<br />
Were you a regular in pageant competitions<br />
growing up? If so, were you encouraged by<br />
your results?<br />
I truly did not compete in a lot of pageants as a<br />
child. Other than Miss Mississippi, I have only<br />
competed in Jr. Miss/Distinguished Young Woman.<br />
Describe a typical day during your time<br />
at the Miss America competition.<br />
The days at Miss America typically included a<br />
rehearsal time in the morning until mid-afternoon<br />
and then a night event such as dinner.<br />
Who did you consider to be your biggest<br />
competitor in the talent division?<br />
I definitely considered Miss Georgia, Betty<br />
Cantrell, now Miss America, to be my biggest<br />
competition. She has one of the best voices<br />
I have ever heard in any pageant.<br />
What kind of food did you eat at the<br />
competition and was it all provided<br />
by the pageant?<br />
Our meals were all catered or provided by the<br />
Miss America pageant and were selected by a<br />
dietitian. I have never been a huge fan of dieting<br />
or restricting food so I had everything from salad<br />
to ice cream during those two weeks!<br />
What was your most enjoyable part of the<br />
pageant?<br />
The most enjoyable part of any pageant is meeting<br />
other young women. I made so many friends at Miss<br />
America and stay in touch with them all the time.<br />
What is something you learned at the pageant<br />
that most people would never know?<br />
Many people assume that “pageant girls” are mean<br />
or snobby. But through this organization, I have<br />
learned that these women are real girls. They all<br />
have struggles and they aren’t perfect, but they are<br />
supportive and loving and want to make a<br />
difference in the world.<br />
What was the most difficult part of the<br />
pageant competition?<br />
The most difficult part was not being able to see<br />
my family. My family arrived in Atlantic City very<br />
early in the week, but I had very little time to<br />
communicate with them and did not get to see<br />
them until Tuesday night. We are a very tight-knit<br />
group, so this was a struggle for me.<br />
Give some pointers to other girls who aspire<br />
to being Miss America.<br />
Being competitive at Miss America is all about<br />
preparation. If this is your dream, start preparing as<br />
soon as you can. Whether it’s developing a talent,<br />
creating a fitness plan, or learning about politics<br />
and interview skills, starting early is a huge benefit.<br />
Describe your interview with the judges.<br />
My Miss America interview was the most difficult<br />
10 minutes of my life! It’s set up like a press conference<br />
and all types of questions are fired at random.<br />
What was the one food on your “can’t eat<br />
list” that you craved the most?<br />
Although it may have been a good idea to have a<br />
“can’t eat list,” I never made one. However, my<br />
favorite “bad” food is Taco Bell all the way! I am<br />
known for showing up to interview practice with<br />
a take-out bag in one hand and my interview<br />
notebook in the other.<br />
Was there ever a time in the week that you<br />
wished you were back home living your<br />
normal life?<br />
Absolutely not. Only one girl from Mississippi gets<br />
to go to Miss America each year, and this year it was<br />
me! There was not a single moment that I regretted<br />
being there and I soaked up every second of it.<br />
What is your favorite memory from the<br />
competition?<br />
Sunday night (crowning night) after the top 15<br />
were announced. I was announced 14th and one<br />
of my best friends, Miss Arkansas Loren McDaniel,<br />
was announced 15th. I think I screamed louder<br />
when her name was called than I did for my own.<br />
I was very close to all of the girls that made it into<br />
the Top 15 and we were all so excited for one<br />
another. That is a moment I’ll never forget.<br />
What are your goals for the future?<br />
I will begin medical school at UMMC in August<br />
and plan to specialize in pediatric reconstructive<br />
plastic surgery. I hope to live in Jackson or Oxford<br />
once I graduate.<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 29
30 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
A few years ago, my grandmother passed away and I was tasked with<br />
having to close her estate. I had never done it before, so every step of it was<br />
an educational and eye-opening experience. Despite my desire to keep<br />
everything I had ever known of her, it became necessary to let go of many<br />
of her possessions. So, we had an estate sale. There was just no way to keep<br />
96-years’ worth of stuff.<br />
The day of the sale, I drove over from Jackson and as I turned toward<br />
her house, there were cars lining both sides of the street. I couldn’t for the<br />
life of me imagine what had happened and quickly<br />
became concerned that anyone interested in<br />
attending our event, scheduled to start an hour later,<br />
wouldn’t have a place to park.<br />
But as it turns out, they were there for the sale–all<br />
those people. I started to cry. “Please God! Don’t let<br />
me fall apart now!” I prayed He’d allow me to quickly<br />
compose myself.<br />
That day, people from far and wide came to my<br />
grandmother’s house that had, for this occasion,<br />
been fully converted into one big retail space.<br />
Things that I had seen my whole life and completely<br />
taken for granted apparently not only had value–<br />
but now had price tags on them, as well. Dishes,<br />
step-stools, hammers, and clocks. Vases, rocking<br />
chairs, cast-iron skillets and cookbooks–all valued<br />
differently to different people. And for the first time in my life, I started<br />
to see things differently, too. I actually noticed them.<br />
American Pickers is a popular show on The History Channel that<br />
explores the fascinating world of antique picking and, since my own estate<br />
sale experience, has become one of my favorites. It follows two of the most<br />
skilled pickers in the business as they search for America’s most valuable<br />
antiques–along with stories of the people that owned them. They call<br />
themselves antique archeologists and they’re on a mission to recycle America,<br />
restore forgotten relics to their former glory, and learn a thing or two<br />
about American history along the way.<br />
So with my new-found interest in things of the past, I began to enjoy<br />
going into antique stores and thrift shops looking for items that have “value”.<br />
Value to me might be something that reminds me of my grandmother’s<br />
former possessions. Even just recognizing things can often bring me joy.<br />
And I don’t know what anything is worth–I just know what I like.<br />
One day recently, I was in one of my favorite places and spotted this<br />
unusual little book—no bigger than the palm of my hand. It was in a glass<br />
curio cabinet with a thousand other completely unrelated objects and why<br />
I gravitated to it, or how I ever even saw it in the 50,000-plus-square-feet<br />
of antiques and random estate-type items, is beyond me. It turned out to<br />
be a Bible. And on its gold-plated steel cover were engraved the words,<br />
“May this keep you safe from harm.”<br />
Mary Ann Kirby<br />
♥<br />
The<br />
Heart<br />
Shield<br />
It was sold by the Know Your Bible Sales Company of Cincinnati, Ohio,<br />
and was designed to fit into the left-breast pocket of a combat uniform.<br />
The metal plate was securely attached to the front cover to stop a bullet<br />
from reaching a soldier’s heart. Commonly nicknamed the “bullet-proof<br />
Bible” it was officially marketed as The Heart-Shield. What I was holding<br />
in my hand not only served as a shield of faith, but as a shield against<br />
bullets, too. It literally felt sacred.<br />
The year was 1943. It was World War II.<br />
Pearl Harbor had been bombed in early<br />
December, 1941. In his famous “date which will<br />
live in infamy” message to Congress requesting<br />
that the United States officially declare war on<br />
Japan, President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated that,<br />
“With confidence in our armed forces–with the<br />
unbounded determination of our people–we will<br />
gain the inevitable triumph–so help us God.”<br />
His assurance in God and our military was<br />
further evidenced in the form of a letter from him<br />
that was included with every Heart-Shield Bible<br />
sold. It said, “As Commander-in-Chief I take<br />
pleasure in commending the reading of the Bible<br />
to all who serve in the armed forces of the United<br />
States. Throughout the centuries, men of many<br />
faiths and diverse origins have found in the Sacred<br />
Book words of wisdom, counsel, and inspiration. It is a foundation of<br />
strength and now, as always, an aid in attaining the highest aspirations of<br />
the human soul.”<br />
What changed with the bombing of Pearl Harbor was the fact that<br />
this war was one that the United States could not avoid. It was a war<br />
against a totalitarian ideology that was bent on world domination and,<br />
if left unstopped, would affect the course of human history. It was a war<br />
for the soul of the world. Sound familiar?<br />
President Roosevelt made no bones in reminding the nation of the<br />
Bible’s importance in America’s formation and continuance. He was also<br />
quoted as saying, “We cannot read the history of our rise and development<br />
as a nation without reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in<br />
shaping the advances of the Republic.” And yet here we are, all these years<br />
later–removing it at every turn. My how times have changed.<br />
I paid a whopping $25 for my newly acquired piece of history. And in<br />
my quest to find its “true value”, I’ve learned more about our nation than<br />
I ever might have known otherwise. In some ways these current times<br />
seem unprecedented. In other ways, they don’t. But there should continue<br />
to be a profound longing to make things right with all humanity by people<br />
of every faith and conscience.<br />
We’re always at war, aren’t we? Sometimes literally–often figuratively.<br />
Your faith is your best armor. Don’t ever enter battle without your shield.<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 31
Urology Associates<br />
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32 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
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<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 33<br />
2/11/16 10:01 AM
34 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
Exceptional<br />
Experience,<br />
Always<br />
at Providence Hill<br />
Susan Marquez<br />
Travel west of Flora along winding country roads with gently rolling hills, and you may discover<br />
a hidden gem. The sight of the Providence Hill Farm Sporting Club’s majestic stables atop one of<br />
the largest hills in the area is simply breathtaking. The name comes from owner Jamie Martin’s<br />
belief that the property is God-given. “Providence actually means manifestation of divine<br />
intervention. My ex-husband and I felt strongly that we would not have gotten this property<br />
without God’s hand being in it. Also, his grandfather led the music at Providence Hill Baptist<br />
Church. The name just seemed natural for this place.”<br />
The property was purchased about twelve years ago, with a 160-acre lake built in 2005.<br />
Privately owned for several years, the farm was a place for Jamie to indulge her passion of riding<br />
and training horses. Later, a shooting range was added and in June 2014, Providence Hill Farm<br />
became a private club.<br />
A full equestrian program is now offered, from boarding to private lessons. The farm has its<br />
own equestrian team, and Jackson Prep has an equestrian team that also trains at the facility. On<br />
any given day, horses are being groomed, prepped and saddled up for rides in an open air pen or<br />
under the pavilion, which has an area for parents and others to observe.<br />
Shooting is a major activity at the farm, with skeet, trap and sporting clay shooting. Jimmy<br />
Grant, farm manager, designed and built the sporting clay range. “The state championship will be<br />
held here this year,” said Grant. “It begins August 2 and runs a full week.” A pheasant hunt was<br />
held at the property in February, with participants coming from several different states. “Pheasant<br />
hunting is an English sport. In the past, we’ve had shooters show up in kilts. It’s a very refined<br />
sport, with a gourmet dinner on the grounds in a large tent following the shoot.”<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 35
36 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
Ben Blaine, clubhouse manager and marketing director for Providence Hill,<br />
explained that the club hosts a series of events throughout the year for members.<br />
“There’s the Taste of Game event, with an afternoon shoot. We bring in a chef,<br />
and afterwards, a meal is prepared with wild game served in some shape, form or<br />
fashion. We also have the Gun & Grub event, which is more casual. That event<br />
includes a shoot and a catered meal. Furs & Feathers is our big Christmas party,<br />
and we bring in vendors with all sorts of things for folks to do some Christmas<br />
shopping. And several times a year we do camaraderie shoots for our members,<br />
where losers buy the winner’s supper.”<br />
Another activity at the farm is archery. “We have a new 3-D archery range,”<br />
said Blaine. “Jackson Prep has an archery team that practices and competes here.”<br />
Fly fishing is one of the newest additions to the lineup of activities at Providence<br />
Hill. Christopher Haddad is the fly fishing specialist and teaches private lessons<br />
and leads fishing expeditions to Arkansas and other popular fly fishing<br />
destinations. “We have students from Jackson Prep and Mississippi College who<br />
fly fish here,” said Haddad. “Mississippi College recently added fly fishing as a<br />
physical education option. I think that’s a great idea, because fly fishing has<br />
become the new golf. Many companies now offer fly fishing as an outing during<br />
their conferences. It’s a great way to bond with others, and it’s something people<br />
can enjoy throughout their lives.”<br />
Blaine said that as the membership grows, the barn area near the back of the<br />
property will be expanded to include a clubhouse lounge. Already it features a<br />
shop with apparel from Circle 7 in <strong>Madison</strong>, as well as shooting attire and<br />
accessories, and a complete line of fly fishing lures and equipment. “We’ll also<br />
add more lodging as our membership grows, as well as meeting rooms and a<br />
conference room.”<br />
In addition to equestrian, shooting, fishing and archery, Providence Hill Farm<br />
has become a sought-after destination for weddings and receptions. The property<br />
makes a beautiful setting for rehearsal dinners and pre-wedding entertainment,<br />
and groomsmen, family and friends can be entertained on the clay range.<br />
Beautifully decorated suites situated above the stables are ideal for wedding<br />
parties to relax and get ready for the ceremony. The lakeside pavilion or the<br />
luxurious stables are both beautiful venues for receptions.<br />
“We do lots of weddings here,” said Blaine. “We also have a lot of organizations<br />
who use us for fundraising events. We like to say that Providence Hill Farm is a<br />
place of no boundaries. Our motto is ‘Exceptional Experience, Always” and we<br />
strive to provide just that.<br />
Martin said she’s thrilled with the partnerships the farm has with area schools.<br />
“We’ve only just started. I hope we get more schools on board that will bring<br />
their students out here to learn more about these sports and enjoy this place.”<br />
For more information on Providence Hill Farm Sporting Club, visit www.providencehillfarm.com.<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 37
<strong>Madison</strong><br />
County<br />
Junior Tennis<br />
Team<br />
Takes State<br />
Championship<br />
The 2015 Junior Team Tennis Fall State Championship was<br />
held December 12-13, 2015 at Ridgeland Tennis Center and<br />
Parham Bridges in Jackson. Teams from all over the state came<br />
to compete for the title of state champion.<br />
The 10U girls team Smartt Tennis/Topspinners coached by<br />
Robert Beacham and Amanda Campbell beat out teams from<br />
Oxford, Hattiesburg and Columbus for the championship title.<br />
They won an astounding 20 matches with only four losses the<br />
entire tournament.<br />
This is Coach Beacham’s second state title. His 2014 team<br />
won state and went on to compete in sectionals in South<br />
Carolina. His team competes in loving memory of tennis pro<br />
Brian K. Smartt. His motto was and will forever be, “Play hard,<br />
have fun.”<br />
All six girls hail from <strong>Madison</strong> County. They are (L-R)<br />
Mia Madelyn Hatfield, Elizabeth Johnson, Sophie Sosa,<br />
Julia Kate White, Bowen Winans, Caroline Fisher<br />
and Coach Robert Beacham<br />
38 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
For The Exceptional Sporting Experience,<br />
Join the Club!<br />
Designed and built as a premier private sporting facility, Providence Hill Farm has opened its gates to a limited number of<br />
Members who desire unsurpassed excellence within the sporting lifestyle. Membership in the Providence Hill Farm Sporting<br />
Club offers access to some of the most beautiful and well-maintained land in central Mississippi. Authentic and unique, the<br />
Club is just 25 minutes from downtown Jackson, MS, and provides both the experienced and novice outdoorsman state-ofthe-art<br />
equipment and facilities for a truly exceptional sporting experience.<br />
PROVIDENCE HILL FARM Sporting Club ACTIVITIES AND AMENITIES<br />
• 13 Station Clay Range<br />
• 5 Stand Clay Range<br />
• 8 Machine Duck Flush<br />
• Skeet Range<br />
• Trap Range<br />
• Long Range Rifle Range<br />
• Hand Gun Range<br />
• 3-D Archery Range<br />
• Fishing<br />
• Quail Shoots<br />
• Pheasant Shoots<br />
• World-class Shooting Clinics<br />
• Shooting and Archery Classes<br />
• Outdoor Pavilion<br />
• Clubroom<br />
• Meeting Facilities<br />
• Organized Out-of-State<br />
& International Hunts<br />
• Overnight Accommodations<br />
Each Membership represents a non-exclusive license to participate in the Club-sponsored activities and amenities for<br />
the annual membership period, subject to all the rules and policies adopted by the Club from time to time.<br />
schedule a tour today<br />
Jimmy grant – 601.720.0383<br />
jgrant@providencehillfarm.com<br />
providencehillfarm.com<br />
Providence Hill Farm Sporting Club is owned and operated by Providence Hill Farm Sporting Club, LLC.<br />
SPORTING CLUB<br />
1354-6472-SportingClub-Flyer.indd 1<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 39<br />
5/14/14 9:19 AM
Less<br />
Clutter<br />
&<br />
LESS<br />
Stress<br />
40 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
The Principles<br />
of Organizing<br />
& Decluttering<br />
Diane Ryan<br />
• Once the clutter has been removed, begin sorting through<br />
items and placing them in “like” groups or categories. Of the<br />
categories, decide what things need to be readily available<br />
and which items should be placed in a more secure area.<br />
• Define the perfect space to store these items.<br />
• Finally, choose the right containers and bins for certain<br />
things. For example, photographs and memorabilia could go<br />
in cardboard boxes, but clothes and shoes should go in plastic<br />
containers for safer storage.<br />
Once you start a project, your enthusiasm becomes<br />
For any family, it can be a true challenge to keep a household<br />
organized. Keeping up with growing children, spouses,<br />
pets and all of their stuff in a small space can overwhelm even<br />
the most organized of us all. Coming home to clutter and mess<br />
sets a tone that can be harmful to your family and lead to<br />
unnecessary friction.<br />
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines organization as<br />
“the act or process of putting the different parts of something<br />
in a certain order so that they can be found or used easily.”<br />
You see, being organized is not about being perfect; it’s about<br />
customizing your whole world to work for you.<br />
If you have clutter or an organizational problem, it may<br />
seem overwhelming to tackle the problem on your own. But<br />
don’t give up. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Using a professional<br />
organizer to walk you through the process will bring a<br />
new perspective, positive energy, and encouragement to your<br />
project with achievable goals.<br />
Here are some basic principles or steps in organizing any<br />
room of your house:<br />
• First and foremost, you must decide that you need and<br />
want to get rid of clutter. Ask yourself what is really important<br />
versus what you could let go of. Most importantly, answer<br />
these questions honestly.<br />
contagious. Knowing that there is a solution is half the battle.<br />
Another strategy used to declutter is home staging. Home<br />
staging is an organizational process in which professional<br />
organizers come into a home that is on or about to be placed<br />
on the market, and work to help remove clutter and make it<br />
as visually pleasing to the eye as possible. Staging your home<br />
before putting it on the market helps create a great first<br />
impression and sense of space for potential buyers. The goal<br />
is to highlight the strengths of your home, downplay any<br />
weaknesses, and appeal to the greatest pool of prospective<br />
buyers. This also helps a great deal with preparing the seller<br />
to move.<br />
For those who have gone through the decluttering<br />
process, there is a powerful feeling of accomplishment and<br />
freedom from the stress of “stuff” and the unyielding sense of<br />
obligation to deal with it. Organizing requires logic, common<br />
sense, and creativity; all of which tend to disappear when you<br />
are stressed and overwhelmed. Remember, no matter how<br />
large or small a project may seem, it can be done. With a little<br />
help, you may look at your task in a new light.<br />
Diane Ryan is the owner of DeClutter by Diane, LLC. Diane and her team<br />
would love to help you with your specific organizing projects. Consults are<br />
always complimentary. Diane can be contacted at (601) 291-0369. For more<br />
information, tips, or to join their email list, visit www.DeClutterByDiane.com<br />
or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DeClutter-By-Diane.<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 41
serving our community<br />
Lieutenant Paul Stegall<br />
madison Fire Department<br />
Why did you decide to be a fireman?<br />
I guess it’s in my blood. My father is a retired fireman<br />
and when the opportunity presented itself, I decided<br />
to make a career out of it.<br />
How long have you been with the <strong>Madison</strong><br />
Fire Department?<br />
I have been with the City of <strong>Madison</strong> for 14 years.<br />
Tell us about your family.<br />
I have been married to my wife, Jennifer, for 12 years.<br />
She works for the Rankin County school district. My<br />
stepson, Coleman, is 16 years old and my daughter,<br />
Madye, is 9. She loves to do competition cheer.<br />
What is the toughest thing you have<br />
experienced in your job?<br />
Seeing a young person lose their life way to early.<br />
Share some things you enjoy doing<br />
in your spare time.<br />
In my spare time I enjoy boating, camping and<br />
working on classic cars.<br />
What are three things on your bucket list?<br />
Traveling across America in an RV for a year when<br />
I retire. Taking my family snow skiing, and driving my<br />
‘67 Camaro on the Hot Rod Power Tour.<br />
Who is someone you admire and why?<br />
My father. No matter what he faces, he always keeps<br />
calm. He puts God and his family first and is always<br />
there to lend anyone a helping hand.<br />
Where do you see yourself ten years<br />
from now?<br />
In ten years I hope to be able to retire from the<br />
fire department and start buying and selling classic<br />
cars full time.<br />
If you could give one piece of advice<br />
to a young person, what would it be?<br />
Listen to your parents. They have been through<br />
the same things you are going through. If you make<br />
a mistake, learn from it and move on.<br />
What is a favorite childhood memory?<br />
When I was 14, I got my first car and restored it with<br />
my dad.<br />
What is the biggest mistake you think<br />
young people make today?<br />
Wanting everything right now. Be patient, work hard<br />
and don’t live beyond your means.<br />
What is your favorite thing about the<br />
City of <strong>Madison</strong>?<br />
The city is very safe place to work or live. They give us<br />
the tools we need to provide a great service to its<br />
citizens.<br />
What is your favorite thing about <strong>Madison</strong><br />
County?<br />
My favorite thing about the county is the people.<br />
Whenever we run mutual aid calls or need help from<br />
other agencies, we all work well together.<br />
42 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
flora's finest<br />
Officer Andre Minter<br />
ridgeland police Department<br />
Why did you decide to be a police officer?<br />
I decided to become a police officer because of the<br />
passion I have for law enforcement and assisting<br />
individuals.<br />
How long have you been with the<br />
Ridgeland Police Department?<br />
I was initially hired November 16, 1998, as an animal<br />
control officer. I became a police officer in 2003.<br />
Tell us about your family.<br />
I have four sons, one daughter and three grandchildren.<br />
I love spending time with my family, especially my<br />
grandsons.<br />
What is the toughest thing you have<br />
experienced in your job?<br />
The toughest thing to me is losing a juvenile to<br />
a life of crime and I am unable to steer that child<br />
to a better path.<br />
Share some things you enjoy doing<br />
in your spare time.<br />
Fishing, attending church, singing in the choir,<br />
and playing with my grandchildren.<br />
What are three things on your bucket list?<br />
Go on vacation in Hawaii, visit the Grand Canyon,<br />
and go to Africa on a mission trip.<br />
Who is someone you admire and why?<br />
I admire my pastor for his wisdom and life<br />
experience.<br />
Where do you see yourself ten years<br />
from now?<br />
I would like to participate in a mentoring program<br />
geared towards the youth of today.<br />
If you could give one piece of advice to<br />
a young person, what would it be?<br />
I would stress the need for the young people to finish<br />
high school and attend college.<br />
What is a favorite childhood memory?<br />
I have many wonderful memories of my childhood<br />
so it is hard to choose just one, but primarily<br />
memories of my siblings and family.<br />
What is the biggest mistake you think<br />
young people make today?<br />
Having a lack of respect towards their parents<br />
and elders.<br />
What is your favorite thing about<br />
the City of Ridgeland?<br />
In my capacity as a community oriented police<br />
officer I have come into contact with so many<br />
fine citizens of this city.<br />
What is your favorite thing about<br />
<strong>Madison</strong> County?<br />
The mentality of the community leaders who think<br />
about the future of the county and how to provide<br />
a safe and productive place for individuals to live.<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 43
Mary Anna<br />
Chaney<br />
Why did you decide to make <strong>Madison</strong><br />
your home?<br />
I decided to make the move to <strong>Madison</strong> mainly for<br />
the fabulous public schools and because it’s a safe<br />
place to raise small children. I also had a dream of<br />
one day opening a children’s consignment shop<br />
because there was not one in <strong>Madison</strong> and I felt<br />
there was a need for one with so many young<br />
families here with small children.<br />
How long have you lived in <strong>Madison</strong>?<br />
I have lived in here for over 16 years<br />
Tell us about your family.<br />
I have 4 wonderful children, 3 girls and 1 boy.<br />
Ashlie Dye (31) lives in Merigold, Miss. with her<br />
husband Adrian and 2 sweet daughters, Willow<br />
and Maryella. Holly Richardson (28) lives in Yazoo<br />
City with her husband Zack and 2 precious boys,<br />
Wrigley and Riley Banks. My baby girl Maddie<br />
(18) is a senior at <strong>Madison</strong> Central and will be<br />
attending MSU in the fall. Maddie enjoys piano,<br />
spending time at the animal shelters and loves<br />
working at Trace Grill. Christian (16) is a 10th<br />
grader at <strong>Madison</strong> Central and on most any given<br />
day you can find him hunting, fishing or enjoying<br />
an afternoon of archery. We attend Grace Crossing<br />
church in Gluckstadt and absolutely love our church<br />
and the loving church families there. My dream came<br />
true over 14 years ago when I opened Leap Frog,<br />
a children’s consignment shop in <strong>Madison</strong>. As a<br />
family we all enjoy getting together for holidays<br />
and birthdays. The one thing as a mom I truly<br />
enjoy is having my entire family together. Weather<br />
permitting, we always end up in the backyard for a<br />
game of kickball.<br />
What is your favorite memory of living<br />
in <strong>Madison</strong>?<br />
My family has always enjoyed meeting our dear<br />
friends and their families for the Christmas parade.<br />
Since our babies were little, we’ve enjoyed hot<br />
chocolate and donuts together on that special<br />
morning to kick off the holiday season. The<br />
Scarecrow Festival is always a favorite in the fall.<br />
44 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Madison</strong><br />
Reader<br />
SPOTLIGHT<br />
Where are your three favorite places to<br />
eat in <strong>Madison</strong>?<br />
We enjoy Kristos on the patio, all the sushi<br />
restaurants and Donut Barn has the best donuts<br />
around!<br />
What are some fun things to do in<br />
<strong>Madison</strong> on the weekends?<br />
Our weekend fun will often involve going to the<br />
movies, boating at Lake Caroline, and taking<br />
Jeep rides to explore the beautiful backroads of<br />
<strong>Madison</strong> County.<br />
What is your favorite childhood memory?<br />
Our annual vacation to Biloxi, Miss. And riding in<br />
the large back window stuffed with pillows.<br />
Share some things you enjoy doing in your<br />
spare time.<br />
Well honestly, owning my own business doesn’t<br />
allow too much spare time but I gather unsold<br />
clothing donations through my business to send to<br />
various charities such as MADCAPP, The McCoy<br />
House, African Children Outreach, Teen Challenge<br />
and several others. I do enjoy any outdoor activities.<br />
Watching sunsets are always a joy. I love cheering<br />
for my son at the baseball field. I have a wonderful<br />
hobby of collecting pictures of everyday objects that<br />
are heart-shaped. I love this shape so much that<br />
I actually started noticing it in everyday objects.<br />
I glance over at an item, be it a water mark, spilled<br />
milk, food items or a leaf and always find the “heart”<br />
–so I snap a picture of it. It’s amazing to me what<br />
you can see in everyday life if you just stop to really<br />
see it. This hobby always brings a smile to my face.<br />
I plan, one day, to make a book of my large heart<br />
collection for all my loved ones.<br />
What are three things on your bucket list?<br />
Go on a cruise with my dear girlfriends. Own a<br />
secluded yellow beach house somewhere warm.<br />
Open a clothing center that any child in need<br />
could always come to and never be without decent<br />
clothing and shoes.<br />
Who is someone you admire and why?<br />
My mom is amazing, strong and loving during all<br />
seasons of life and is the most unselfish person<br />
I know. I also admire single moms that strive, on<br />
a daily basis, to provide for themselves and their<br />
children. Those that have a determination to climb<br />
the mountain even though the struggle is not<br />
always easy and believing that having faith in God<br />
that will get you through it.<br />
Where do you see yourself ten years<br />
from now?<br />
Hopefully in that secluded yellow beach house on<br />
my bucket list, enjoying visits with family. I hope to<br />
always be involved in collecting clothing for needy<br />
children.<br />
If you could give us one encouraging<br />
quote, what would it be?<br />
“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation<br />
determines what you do. Attitude determines how<br />
well you do it.” – Lou Holtz<br />
What is your favorite thing about<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> Magazines?<br />
I enjoy reading about all the talented, gifted, caring<br />
people that make up our great community–in<br />
addition to finding new places to shop and dine. n
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www.blackledgefacecenter.com<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 45
Overcoming Anger<br />
Do you ever get angry?<br />
Feel your anger gets out of control?<br />
Can anger even be controlled?<br />
What if you were told you didn’t even<br />
have to get angry?<br />
In the following interview, anger is the topic of<br />
discussion between Jim Thorn of 103.9 WYAB<br />
Radio and Dr. Perry Sanderford, a licensed<br />
professional counselor at Crossroads<br />
Counseling Center.<br />
Jim Perry, everyone has found himself or herself getting<br />
angry. From your perspective, how is anger defined?<br />
Perry Anger is an emotion of the body that is designed<br />
to reach a goal. Anger has an objective, it wants to<br />
accomplish something.<br />
Jim Is anger natural?<br />
Perry I would say, yes. It is instinctive. We begin in<br />
early infancy to use our body to get what we want.<br />
Jim Are there any times when it’s healthy to be angry?<br />
Perry We want to think that anger is good. For example,<br />
the recent act of terror in Paris. Anger was our initial<br />
reaction–one that we may think should accompany<br />
the response to such a horrible act. But the truth is that<br />
anger, itself, is not necessarily the most effective tool for<br />
responding. We can and should respond decisively to<br />
such horrific acts of violence, but most of the time the<br />
anger, in itself, doesn’t really accomplish all that much.<br />
What you can do with anger, though, can be just as<br />
effective, or perhaps even more so, in solving<br />
problems–even very large ones.<br />
Jim How can we suppress the anger emotion that<br />
bubbles up so quickly? For example, when we are on the<br />
road someone unexpectedly pulls out in front of us.<br />
Perry I don’t believe it’s possible to suppress anger<br />
surging in the moment–simply because anger is a<br />
trained and instinctive reaction of our body. To not<br />
instinctively react in anger, we have to have something<br />
in place internally before the incident occurs. Again, I<br />
want to make it clear I am not saying that we do not act.<br />
I am simply saying using anger is not necessarily the<br />
most effective problem solver.<br />
46 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />
Jim Are you saying we can eliminate anger altogether<br />
from our lives?<br />
Perry Pretty much. But to do so, one has to have<br />
confidence they have the ability to think and the ability<br />
to respond purposefully to solve the problem. Without<br />
that kind of confidence, we instinctively resort to anger.<br />
For example, a spouse who feels disrespected or<br />
controlled by an angry spouse often responds, in return,<br />
with anger. The problem here is that we now have two<br />
angry people–which, more often than not, creates an<br />
even greater explosive situation. On the flip-side, when a<br />
spouse is confident they can think and act appropriately<br />
to the reality of the situation, they then are in a position<br />
to respond with greater clarity and decisiveness.<br />
Jim From a Christian perspective you mentioned<br />
replacing anger with something else. Talk about anger<br />
from a Christian perspective.<br />
Perry Therein lies the very essence of Christianity.<br />
Christians have a great confidence in the sufficiency of<br />
God to provide for our every need. Christianity is not just<br />
a label, it is “trusting in God”. If Jesus can be crucified,<br />
placed in a grave, and then come back to life, then<br />
Jesus can certainly be trusted to protect us in any given<br />
situation. Confidence in Christ is what keeps us from<br />
being angry. And by the way, we don’t have to win every<br />
disagreement. In fact, Jesus said we can lose and still<br />
win. Now that’s powerful.<br />
Jim Often anger comes up because we defend our<br />
perspective and what we think is right. But are you<br />
saying that sometimes it’s best to kind of back away<br />
even if we stand firmly on our position?<br />
Perry I’m saying we can be powerful in the story. We<br />
don’t have to be a doormat. But we can be more powerful<br />
if we remain calm. We can think, and then if necessary,<br />
express ourselves with confident actions. We are not<br />
asking people to be stupid. You can distance yourself<br />
from someone that wants to harm you. Don’t make<br />
yourself available to somebody who attacks you. But at<br />
the same time, you don’t necessarily have to respond<br />
immediately with a fight. For Christians, there is a<br />
greater force within us and we can trust Him.<br />
Jim I would imagine that someone who gets angry<br />
fairly regularly would take a little more time to re-program<br />
in order to get back to the position that you are talking<br />
about.<br />
Perry Getting angry regularly is a way of saying we<br />
have programmed our body to use anger to problem-solve.<br />
But we can ‘un-train’ ourselves, too. It requires confidence<br />
and practice. It’s like jumping out of an airplane. You<br />
believe the parachute is going to hold you up–but you<br />
really don’t know until the ripcord is actually pulled.<br />
You hope life will go better if you don’t respond in<br />
anger, but you are not 100% sure until you try it. The<br />
more you practice trusting God and not attempt to solve<br />
problems with anger, the more confidence you build in<br />
this process.<br />
It’s a matter of learning how to do life in a way that works<br />
better. But, you may insist you can do life better with<br />
anger, and if so, then keep doing it. But my observance<br />
in everyday life is that people not only accomplish very<br />
little with anger, but they actually make the situation<br />
worse.<br />
Jim What would you recommend for someone that<br />
struggles with anger?<br />
Perry: Chronic anger means something in life is not<br />
working. If something is not working, you don’t want to<br />
keep doing it. A lot of people do, however. They go to<br />
their grave using that same anger that has accomplished<br />
very little. The definition of insanity is doing the same<br />
thing over and over again expecting different results. If<br />
anger is not working for you, consider doing something<br />
different.<br />
However, you may not know what to do. If I know where<br />
I want to go but am not sure how to get there, I use a<br />
map plotting the pathway to the desired destination.<br />
If you want to overcome anger but don’t know how,<br />
then find someone who knows, and ask. A good Christian<br />
counselor is actually a life-coach who can teach you<br />
how not to be angry. Remember, lots of people say they<br />
know the pathway to living well, but they may only be<br />
guessing. Guessing, when in error, has its own negative<br />
consequences.<br />
That’s why I think Christian counseling is the finest<br />
source of information available to the world. Jesus was<br />
the smartest human that ever lived. He knows how to<br />
live well. This information has been proven reliable for<br />
thousands of years or it would have died out by now.<br />
A confident life in the pathway provided by Jesus Christ<br />
is truly living well–even in overcoming anger.<br />
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<br />
For more information, please contact Dr. Perry Sanderford at Crossroads Christian Marriage & Family Counseling. 601-939-6634.
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 47
Bill Clark<br />
&<br />
Company<br />
Spring<br />
Musical Extravaganza<br />
48 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
Branson, Missouri is 445 miles from Brandon, Mississippi<br />
which means seven hours and fifty minutes of driving or travel<br />
time–and Bill Clark, a Brandon resident, was a Branson visitor<br />
six years ago. Since his life had been musically oriented dating<br />
back to his first piano lesson with Mr. Clyde Howell, Bill was<br />
immediately drawn to the music/variety culture of Branson.<br />
That’s when and where the idea came: “Why not provide<br />
the same kind of musical/variety show to Mississippians?”<br />
That meant assemble the talent, find the stage, and put it on<br />
the calendar.<br />
Bill did just that in December of 2010 at the Mississippi<br />
Agriculture and Forestry Museum. He was pleased with the<br />
quality of the musical performance but learned quickly that<br />
December was already over-loaded with music programs.<br />
Ticket sales were disappointing.<br />
November would be the next choice for his fall show. The<br />
results were so positive that Bill added a spring show. This year’s<br />
spring show is scheduled for May 12th with Dr. Dennis Swanberg<br />
as guest comedian. He will be the headliner at each of the four<br />
shows: 9:30am, 12 Noon, 2:30 and 7:00pm.<br />
Andrew Ishee, who played for the Kingsmen, will be the<br />
piano artist. He’s sensational. Allen Harris, the well-known<br />
featured tenor for The Singing Churchmen, will bless you with<br />
musical favorites. David Holmes, drummer for the First Baptist<br />
Church orchestra, along with his daughter, vocalist Victoria<br />
Holmes, will add significant talent to the roster. CandyLee<br />
Dobbs, another talented stage vocalist and aspiring artist, will<br />
round out the singing talents. Bob Saxton, famous Nashville<br />
guitarist, will accompany the musicians and vocalists.<br />
Bill Clark’s quick wit and keyboard-playing genius will keep<br />
the entertainment flowing with laughter and delight as he<br />
blends his talents while serving as master of ceremonies. His<br />
musical resume is convincing evidence of the quality of music<br />
he performs and the productions he brings to the stage.<br />
This year’s May 12th stage will be situated in front of the<br />
theater-style seating in the Christ Life Church at 670 Highland<br />
Colony Parkway in Ridgeland. Make early plans to purchase<br />
your tickets online and notify your church leadership of the<br />
musical extravaganza. Spring and music are in the air!<br />
For more information, go to: billclarklive.com<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 49
Mail<br />
Order<br />
AnnieSusan Marquez<br />
Those who aren’t used to driving past Larry and Janne Swearingen’s<br />
home in <strong>Madison</strong> might involuntarily slam on the breaks when they see<br />
a full-sized mannequin standing in the front window of their Tremont<br />
subdivision home. And it’s not just any mannequin, but a chocked-fullof-personality<br />
member of the family lovingly named “Mail Order<br />
Annie.” Annie’s permanent home is in the large picture window in the<br />
Swearingen’s dining room where she brings smiles to her neighbors<br />
and anyone else who drives past the home.<br />
It started a few years ago when Janne’s college friend would come<br />
to town for the annual Sweet Potato Queens weekend. “I had an<br />
inflatable doll that I dressed up and put in the front yard with a<br />
welcome sign. It was so well received that I did it again the next<br />
year, until the doll got a hole and I looked for a replacement.”<br />
Janne found a suitable substitute in Second Hand Rose–a<br />
half-mannequin. “She is semi-retired now, however, because she<br />
is very difficult to manage. She is heavy and hard to move.”<br />
With a “significant” birthday approaching, Larry asked Janne<br />
what she wanted as a gift, and she said all she wanted was a<br />
mannequin. “We did some research on mannequins and learned<br />
they are very expensive–but Larry was a good sport and soon<br />
Mail Order Annie was standing in our front window.”<br />
50 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
“She has<br />
more clothes<br />
in her closet<br />
than I do.”<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 51
Janne has fun dressing Annie for various holidays and<br />
creating corresponding window decorations. Her years as a<br />
middle school English teacher helped her in creating scenes that<br />
easily convey a message. Through the years, Annie has evolved<br />
as Janne’s interests have changed. While many of Annie’s outfits<br />
are holiday-related, others directly relate to things happening in<br />
Janne’s life, or causes she is passionate about. “If there’s no<br />
holiday, Annie is definitely my alter-ego,” Janne said. When<br />
she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, Janne became a<br />
supporter of the American Cancer Society and has had a<br />
“Save the Ta-Tas” window lined with bras. Her love of animals<br />
and her research on how raising animals is detrimental to the<br />
environment led Janne to become a vegan in 2012. “Before that,<br />
I’d include an inflatable turkey in the window with Annie, but<br />
last year I had a ‘Happy Vegan Thanksgiving’ window.”<br />
Janne has had a life-long commitment to animals. “I became<br />
affiliated with ARF and the work Pippa Jackson is doing there,<br />
and I became actively involved in volunteering to help animals.<br />
I helped the shelter move from Rankin County to Jackson, and<br />
I’ve fostered many dogs over the years. I love going to the shelter<br />
to sit with animals who may be skittish around people.”<br />
Mail Order Annie’s outfits are as varied as the holidays and<br />
other events throughout the year. “She has more clothes in her<br />
closet than I do,” laughed Janne. Annie dresses beautifully on a<br />
budget, with most of her outfits coming from secondhand stores<br />
and Goodwill. She’s dressed Annie in overalls and a tool belt to<br />
recognize blue collar workers on Labor Day, and as a horse<br />
jockey with the names of horses whose lives were lost while<br />
racing. She’s had a “School Daze” back-to-school outfit and<br />
“Downton Annie” attire. “I really just have fun with it,” she says.<br />
The neighborhood children especially like Annie, and look<br />
forward to her outfit changes, which Janne says happen about<br />
once a month. “I invited the neighborhood kids to dress Annie<br />
once, with the instruction that they could not spend any money.<br />
They got really creative, using pieces from Annie’s wardrobe.”<br />
So many people have become Annie fans that Janne has<br />
started a Pinterest board where she shares some of her favorites.<br />
You can find it at The Many Faces of Mail Order Annie on<br />
pinterest.com.<br />
52 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 53
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54 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
Tailored for a Lifetime<br />
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12<br />
Students’ minds develop uniquely. At Jackson<br />
Academy, we consider your child’s individual<br />
needs. From Preschool to Upper School, JA<br />
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positive influence can last a lifetime!<br />
Visit JA online at jacksonacademy.org.<br />
4908 Ridgewood Rd., Jackson, MS 39211 | 601.362.9676<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 55
Sunnybrook is the befitting<br />
name for the children’s home<br />
on Sunnybrook Road in<br />
Ridgeland, Mississippi.<br />
Camille Anding<br />
Why? It’s a place of hope and a brighter future<br />
for children ages five to eighteen who have been<br />
abused and neglected as well as for those placed<br />
there voluntarily by their guardians. Secondly, the<br />
environment is blessed with children-friendly<br />
amenities: a gated community, modern home<br />
housing, husband and wife parenting teams,<br />
gymnasium, library, commissary, and a staff that<br />
radiates with smiles and hospitality.<br />
The group home houses a capacity of thirty-two<br />
children with a maximum of eight per each of the<br />
four cottages. A husband-wife team lives in the home<br />
with the children 24/7 and fulfills the role, as closely<br />
as possible, of loving, protective parents.<br />
Sunnybrook was formed in 1964 by a group of<br />
concerned Christians. In 1967, it moved from<br />
downtown Jackson to its present location. Executive<br />
Director, Rob Salley, along with twelve administrative<br />
staff members and eight house parents, are responsible<br />
for the nurturing and care of the children. The<br />
majority of the youths come from abusive and<br />
deprived backgrounds, so love is Sunnybrook’s<br />
56 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
specialty. Sunnybrook also fosters the development of<br />
morality, responsibility, and spiritual strength through<br />
a belief in God where children are taught to hope and<br />
trust again.<br />
Shelby Waites, the Community Development<br />
Coordinator, is quick to share, “Only 5% of our budget<br />
is funded by the government. The remaining 95%<br />
comes from donations.” That brings up volunteers,<br />
another integral and much needed ingredient for the<br />
home’s operation.<br />
Anyone with a special skill or talent who would be<br />
interested in sharing with the children is always<br />
welcome. Other volunteers might want to sponsor<br />
drives to help with the home’s expenses. Sponsoring or<br />
hosting a museum or movie outing is another option<br />
that’s open to individuals, churches or civic groups.<br />
Shelby also offers to tell the Sunnybrook story to<br />
civic groups, clubs, sororities, schools or churches to<br />
help stimulate interest in the home’s worthy tasks.<br />
She adds, “We’ll entertain any ides that would be<br />
investments in our children’s futures.”<br />
Thirteen surrounding counties are being serviced<br />
by Sunnybrook Children’s Home. For children who<br />
have been denied the blessings of a safe, loving home,<br />
Sunnybrook is answering the need. If we, who are<br />
now informed, help carry their load through prayer<br />
support, giving and volunteering, their role to the<br />
children can be greatly enhanced.<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 57
Welcome To Our Neighborhood<br />
RIDGELAND’S NEWEST INDEPENDENT LIVING &<br />
MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY IS NOW OPEN!<br />
Beau Ridge Independent Living & Memory Care offers<br />
the highest quality of retirement living & memory care<br />
assisted living in a state-of-the-art setting that was built<br />
from the ground up specifically to meet the unique needs<br />
of the seniors it serves. Beau Ridge offers two gorgeously<br />
appointed, top-of-the-line freestanding communities;<br />
an exciting, engaging Independent Living community for<br />
active seniors, and a neighboring Memory Care community<br />
that provides highly personalized care to residents with<br />
Alzheimer’s/dementia.<br />
INDEPENDENT LIVING<br />
• Suites featuring personal entrances & private balconies<br />
• On-site beauty salon & fitness center<br />
• Gourmet meals prepared by regionally renowned<br />
Executive Chef Christopher<br />
• Complimentary housekeeping, laundry services, &<br />
scheduled transportation<br />
Call 601-863-8883 to tour Independent Living.<br />
MEMORY CARE CARE ASSISTED LIVING<br />
• A full-time memory care director<br />
• 24-hour nurses and care partners<br />
• Extensive, specialized dementia care training for all<br />
team members<br />
• On-site rehabilitation therapy services (Physical,<br />
Occupational, & Speech)<br />
Call 601-863-8442 to tour Memory Care.<br />
650 Highland Colony Pkwy. in Ridgeland<br />
www.Beau-Ridge.com<br />
58 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 59
The CHALKBOARD<br />
St. Joe<br />
madison county Schools<br />
<strong>Madison</strong> Station<br />
Elementary<br />
Bowling: Coach Chris Callahan’s team finished 7th in the state, the highest finish<br />
in school history.<br />
<strong>Madison</strong> Station Elementary held a Family Fun Night in conjunction<br />
with its annual reading fair on February 4th. This year’s reading<br />
fair theme was Charlotte’s Web. The school held a contest to raise<br />
money for the school’s library. The contest was between the school<br />
librarian, Mrs. Grimes, the assistant principal, Mrs. Hanna, and<br />
principal, Mrs. Johnston with the winner having to kiss “Wilber<br />
the Pig” belonging to the school maintenance man, Mr. Washington.<br />
Mrs. Johnston was the lucky winner that had to pucker up to<br />
Wilber. The event included games, a special appearance by<br />
Clifford the Big Red Dog, snacks, and of course shopping at the<br />
book fair.<br />
Bishop Kopacz with the cheerleaders at a basketball game.<br />
We hosted a blood drive during Catholic School Week. Allie Milner and Leah<br />
Blevins shown donating blood.<br />
60 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.
<strong>Madison</strong> Avenue Elementary<br />
1st Grade Career Day<br />
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 61
The CHALKBOARD<br />
madison county Schools<br />
<strong>Madison</strong> Avenue Upper<br />
Reading Fair & Upper Pathways.<br />
62 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />
62 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.
MRA<br />
<strong>Madison</strong>-Ridgeland Academy’s K-4 recently enjoyed<br />
“Career Day”<br />
Mrs. Sosebee’s Class<br />
Back Row - Julie Sosebee, Middle Row - Taft Johnson, Evelyn Smith,<br />
Camille Crawford, Maddie Glidewell, Alissa Martin, Sidney Doty<br />
Front Row - Jude Nichols, Tyler Triplett, Carson Lynch, Brooks<br />
LaRose, Harley Young, Mary Winston McCraney, Neely Grissom<br />
Mrs. Barber’s Class<br />
Back Row - Tonya Barber, Middle Row - Weslee Kyzar, Ann Austin<br />
Smith, Mae Myers Naccarato, Culley Hutchins, Adda Laine Patti,<br />
Luke Rhea, Eliza Reynolds, Front row - Ashton Jackson, Grayson<br />
Smith, Ava Claire McHann, Jack Heard, Mason Jones<br />
Mrs. Jones’ Class<br />
First row: Sims Wiggins, Ella McQueen, Collins Kirk, Brilee Lillis,<br />
Stella Grace Fuller, Adeline Murray, Hayden Banks and Mrs. Jones<br />
Second row: Lucy Mason, Ann Felder Cook, Will Fede, Hayden<br />
Hurst, Perry Hearst, Pablo Arcas Raez, Marko Laureano, and<br />
Sherry Jones<br />
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 63
The CHALKBOARD<br />
madison county Schools<br />
MRA<br />
On Tuesday, February 9, <strong>2016</strong> several<br />
elementary students who participate in<br />
Chapel Singers enjoyed performing<br />
during chapel.<br />
(L-R) Lucy Watt, Emery Grissom, Gracie Rhea,<br />
Clancy Baker, Emma Kate Cook<br />
MRA Seniors Named<br />
Candidates in the<br />
<strong>2016</strong> U.S. Presidential<br />
Scholars Program<br />
Kayla Lovitt and Anna Daniels, both<br />
graduating seniors at <strong>Madison</strong>-Ridgeland<br />
Academy, have been named two of more<br />
than 4,000 candidates in the <strong>2016</strong><br />
U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.<br />
The candidates were selected from nearly<br />
3.3 million students expected to graduate<br />
from U.S. high schools in the year <strong>2016</strong>.<br />
Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars<br />
Program, now in its 52nd year, is one of the<br />
highest honors bestowed upon graduating<br />
high school seniors. Scholars are selected on<br />
the basis of superior academic and artistic<br />
achievements, leadership qualities, strong<br />
character and involvement in community<br />
and school activities.<br />
Kayla Lovitt<br />
Anna Daniels<br />
64 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />
64 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.
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Camille Anding<br />
The Time Coin<br />
The walls were Wedgewood blue,<br />
a lovely shade of my mother’s favorite<br />
color. The back wall, with its door to<br />
the kitchen, was papered in a floral pattern<br />
with blues and rosy pinks. Another wall<br />
was home to a large mahogany buffet that<br />
sat beneath an oversized mirror, encased<br />
in a sophisticated gold frame.<br />
Mother’s heirloom wedding gift, a<br />
multi-gallon, Fostoria punch bowl, was<br />
fixed in its reserved spot on the buffet. Always generous, Mother<br />
loaned the party bowl for every community wedding reception and<br />
baby shower. Even as a child I learned that the things we value, but still<br />
share, have God’s hand of protection on them. At least that’s what was<br />
true of the heirloom bowl. It always returned unscathed.<br />
The mahogany table with its two center leaves stretched the length<br />
of the dining room and was flanked by ten ladder back, mahogany<br />
chairs. Dusting the furniture was always my job, and Mother wanted<br />
to see that table polished to a high gloss.<br />
That was confusing to me because when company came for a meal,<br />
one of Mother’s white, hand worked table cloths always covered the<br />
shiny surface. She ironed every wrinkle from the heavily starched cloth<br />
and then repressed it before spreading it over the table. It made an<br />
elegant background for the Lenox fine china setting. Our best<br />
silverware from the felt bed in the buffet drawer was freshly polished<br />
and rested adjoining the silver-trimmed plates.<br />
Fresh flowers completed the table setting.<br />
A crystal bowl to match the Fostoria ice tea<br />
glasses held arrangements from one or<br />
more of several flower beds in our yard.<br />
An occasional summer drought harassed<br />
our flower selections, but Mother was always<br />
competent to salvage some color for the<br />
dining table centerpiece.<br />
The visitors that sat around the table<br />
were the crowning touch. My parents were<br />
recipients of the gift of hospitality, so we enjoyed guests often. Cousins,<br />
aunts, and uncles were always welcome, but visiting evangelists and<br />
missionaries were my favorites. They shared stories of hardened<br />
sinners softened under the sword of God’s Word, miracles that proved<br />
the Old Testament God was still active, and described distant, remote<br />
areas that I had only read about in my geography books.<br />
Some spoke in strange accents and fascinated me with their<br />
choruses of “Jesus Loves Me” in foreign languages. They brought us<br />
carved animals from Africa and silk scarves from China.<br />
The floor fan that hummed in the background of our conversations<br />
dissipated the summer heat and helped to prolong our dining experience.<br />
No one wanted to hurry through Mother’s apple pie or leave the<br />
atmosphere of hospitality and good news.<br />
After my parents’ deaths, family members kept the mahogany<br />
dining set plus the china and silverware. Mother left me the crystal<br />
punch bowl and all the memories that hospitality makes. I’m blessed<br />
and extremely grateful.<br />
66 • <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
Charles Black, D.O.<br />
Orthopedic Surgeon<br />
Because there’s Merit<br />
in staying active.<br />
Merit Health Medical Group is proud to welcome orthopedic surgeon Charles Black, D.O., to the staff. Dr. Black<br />
focuses on innovative care that can help you quickly get back to living a happy, healthy and active lifestyle.<br />
Dr. Black provides treatment for many orthopedic issues, including:<br />
• Fractures • Hip and/or knee pain • Carpal tunnel • Breaks, sprains and strains<br />
Dr. Black is now accepting new patients, and same-day appointments are often available. No physician<br />
referral required. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 601-855-4840.<br />
Member of the Medical Staff at Merit Health <strong>Madison</strong><br />
160 River Oaks Drive, Suite C<br />
Canton, MS 39046<br />
601-855-4840<br />
MyMeritDoctor.com<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> madison • 67
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