Hometown Rankin - February & March 2017

volume 4 number 1 

february 2017 

Camel Crusade 

____________________ 

The Perfect Fit 

____________________ 

Restoration Grace

4 • February 2017

publisher & Editor 

Tahya A. Dobbs 

CFO 

Kevin W. Dobbs 

Consulting Editor 

Mary Ann Kirby 

Account Executives 

Dacia Durr Amis 

Kati Gaines 

Contributing Writers 

Camille Anding 

Bill Harvey 


Susan Marquez 

Leah Mitchener 

Brandon Middle School 

Venture Students 

Erin Williams 

staff Photographer 

Othel Anding 

Contributing 

PhotographerS 

Jill Parker 

Administrative 

Assistants 

Alisha Floyd 

Brenda McCall 


Layout Design 

Daniel Thomas - 3dt 

• • • 

As you begin reading this issue of Hometown Rankin Magazine, you’re going to see RED! And we 

have lots of it–but in the best kind of way. 

Red is for Valentine’s and the warm and fuzzy stories we share about valentines of all ages. We have a 

story about a couple who has just been engaged, another who has been married for twelve years, and then 

there are the Bairds, who have celebrate sixty-four years of marriage. 

Red is for Rankin’s Red Carpet Gala that we continue to celebrate. We were thrilled with the county’s 

participation in voting, the response of the businesses nominated, and the results of the inaugural 

Hometown Magazines and Rankin County Chamber’s event. 

You’ll enjoy sharing in the evening’s candids along with the list of 

winners. And congratulations to all of the nominees! We are blessed 

to live in a hometown that offers so much. 

Our cover spotlights the RED-hot junior college that we call our 

own and the man, Dr. Clyde Muse, who has been instrumental in 

fashioning this award-winning institution. Join us in the kick-off of 

the year-long centennial celebration of Hinds Community College 

and in honoring Dr. Muse, a master in education. 

We hope you enjoy this star-studded issue and will 

join us in celebration of our amazing hometown. 

On the cover: Dr. Clyde Muse 

www.facebook.com 

/hometownrankinmagazine 

For subscription information 

visit www.htmags.com 

Contact us at info@HTMags.com 

601.706.4059 

26 Eastgate Drive, Suite F 

Brandon MS 39042 

• • • 

All rights reserved. No portion of Hometown Rankin 

may be reproduced without written permission from 

the publisher. The management of Hometown Rankin 

is not responsible for opinions expressed by its 

writers or editors. Hometown Rankin maintains the 

unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted 

material. All advertisements are subject to approval by 

the publisher. The production of Hometown Rankin 

is funded by advertising. 

In this issue Camel Crusade 8 

Taking Heart 15 

Sweet Recipes 17 

Bullying Awareness 18 

The Perfect Fit 32 

MS Burn Foundation 44 

Restoration Grace 50 

Lessons from Lucky 56 

An Enduring Valentine 80 

Hometown Rankin • 5


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Camel 

Crusade 

Article and photos by Brandon Elementary Venture teacher Donna Mabus and her 5th grade students: Jada Bouldin, Bre Blackburn, Lindsey Braband, 

Preston Churchwell, Sarah Grace Karabelen, Tyler Peede, Jack Ransom, Luke Switzer, SophieWarren, & Baileah Wilson. 

We’re a group of ten quirky 5th graders 

from Brandon Elementary on a crusade 

to get the message out about the amazing 

health benefits of drinking camel milk. 

Sip on that thought for a minute while 

we explain the journey that led to this 

class project! 

We are students in Mrs. Mabus’ 

Thursday gifted class who started the 

year thinking about people and animals 

as allies in our quest to make life better 

for both. We were tasked with selecting 

an animal we could study, identifying a 

problem that might exist between this 

animal and humans, and developing a 

solution. At first we wanted to study 

donkeys after Sophie read an article 

about the benefits of drinking donkey 

milk. When we began our research, we 

discovered that donkey milk is a substitute 

for human milk and can help protect 

babies from infection and disease. It is 

also helpful for people with conditions 

like asthma, eczema, or psoriasis. There 

was just one problem…we really wanted 

to be able to interview some donkey 

farmers, but couldn’t find anyone who 

were milking donkeys in our area. 

Jack remembered that camel milk was 

mentioned in one of our donkey articles 

so he decided to chase that rabbit for a 

while. It’s a good thing he did, because 

that chase led us to discover that Frank & 

Friends Camel Dairy (check out their 

Facebook page) was right down the road 

in Pelahatchie, MS. This Rankin County 

camel dairy, owned by Jimmy and Tonia 

Godby, is the first of its kind in the 

Southeast. Mrs. Godby agreed to an 

interview, but didn’t have any nursing 

camels at the time, so she brought Frank 

Camel (check out his Facebook page) 

with her so we could see a camel up close 

and personal. It was love at first sight for 


all of us! Who knew you could grow these 

desert creatures right here in Mississippi? 

We learned so much from Mrs. Godby and 

by examining Frank and feeding him all 

the vines we could find on the playground. 

We even treated him to a can of Coke 

people allergic to cow’s milk. It is also 

high in insulin, which makes it good for 

diabetics. Camel milk reduces anxiety, 

promotes a healthy gut, treats and 

prevents some types of cancer, and has 

proved to be beneficial in the treatment 

the farm, but the sale of raw goat milk is 

legal. You can’t even drive to another 

state to buy raw milk and bring it home 

because the FDA has a ban on the 

interstate sale of raw milk. 

Frank & Friends Dairy does offer 

before he left for all his patience with us as 

we asked his handlers endless questions. 

We researched like crazy to find out 

everything we could about camels and 

camel milk. Who knew you could milk 

them like a cow? And who knew camel 

milk kept the nomadic people in the 

Middle East alive and healthy for 

thousands of years? Yes, camel milk, also 

known as “magic milk”, “liquid gold”, 

“elixir of life”, and “white gold,” has 

scientists and doctors from around the 

globe calling it the next super-food! So 

what’s so super about camel milk? It is 

rich in protein, which can boost the 

immune system. It has three times the 

amount of vitamin C that cow milk does 

and is rich in B vitamins and iron and low 

in fat. It is a good dairy alternative for 

of autism and those with autoimmune 

diseases. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? 

We thought so, too, until we realized 

there are a few problems with getting 

your hands around a tall glass of cold 

camel milk. First of all, those health 

benefits we just described are mostly 

referring to the ones that come from 

drinking “raw” camel milk as opposed to 

pasteurized. The pasteurized version is 

still good for you, but heating the milk 

not only gets rid of some of the nutrients 

and kills bad bacteria, it also kills the good 

bacteria. Over time, killing the good 

bacteria in our food supply has caused 

damage to our immune systems’ ability to 

fight the bad bacteria. In the state of 

Mississippi, the sale of raw camel or cow 

milk is illegal, both commercially, and on 

pasteurized camel milk whenever they 

have babies and at the time of this writing, 

our new friends, Coco and Passow, are 

anxiously awaiting the birth of their 

babies and their friend Mia is due in July. 

The babies will bring the total herd count 

to nine camels. The mommas can be 

milked for 14 to 16 months and will provide 

about 5 to 6 liters per day compared to a 

cow that produces between 20 to 40 

liters per day. The cost for one pint of 

camel milk or “liquid gold” is around $18. 

That might seem expensive, but it costs 

more money to buy a camel than a cow, 

production costs are high, and camels 

produce less milk than a cow. 

So, what does a kid have to do for a 

glass of raw camel milk? We decided that 

we need to help educate our local friends 


and family about the health benefits of 

camel milk and help change the laws 

about raw milk. We started our mission 

by contacting Dr. Millie Hinkle, ND, of 

North Carolina, an expert on camel milk, 

to discuss the research she’s involved 

with. Dr. Hinkle founded the American 

Camel Coalition, which introduces and 

supports laws that benefit camel owners. 

She has helped make it legal to sell camel 

milk in the US and is responsible for 

getting the camel dairy business started in 

the US, Australia, Canada, and Europe. 

She works with researchers to prove the 

health benefits and even prescribes camel 

milk to many of her patients. 

We also interviewed Marlin Troyer, an 

Amish camel farmer from Michigan. The 

sale of raw milk is illegal there too, but, 

just like in Mississippi, the owner of a 

camel can drink all the raw milk they 

want. That state supports “camel-share” 

agreements where you become part 

owner of a camel by paying the farmer 

a fee for taking care of the camel. This 

agreement allows you to “obtain” the 

milk from “your” camel. Drinking raw 

milk is legal in all states, but sales are only 

allowed in a few states. What good is it 

if you can drink it, but you can’t buy it? 

Mr. Troyer helped us understand that all 

citizens should have the right to choose 

whether they drink raw or pasteurized 

milk. He pointed out that the government 

allows people to choose whether 

or not they smoke cigarettes and drink 

alcohol, both of which we know is 

dangerous and harmful to our bodies. 

We realize we are just kids, but that 

doesn’t make much sense to us. 

After reading through raw milk laws, 

we realized that each state gets to make 

it’s own laws regarding the sale of raw 

milk. Problem solved! We would just 

have to find a way to change the law in 

Mississippi! What we didn’t realize was 

how hard that task was going to be and 

how long it can take to change a law! We 

were going to need help getting over this 

hump! A quick Internet search led us to 

state representative Dan Eubanks from 

Desoto County. Mr. Eubanks has been 

working on a couple of raw milk bills. 

When we first contacted him with our 

idea to legalize the sale of raw camel milk, 

he thought we were kidding because he 

didn’t realize you could milk a camel! He 

did some research and realized that we 

were onto something big. He emailed us 

his proposals for HB 1143 and HB 1133 

and asked us to read them and insert 

suggestions about where to change the 

wording to include camel milk. One of 

his bills will allow for partial ownership 

of dairy animals just like on Mr. Troyer’s 

farm. The bills also propose an act known 

as the “Mississippi On-Farm Sales and 

Food Freedom Act.” This will allow for 

the raw milk to be sold on the farm or at 

a farmer’s market as long as the milk label 

warns people to consume at their own 

risk. Even if these bills become laws there 

will still be another hump to get over 

because it is illegal to advertise the milk is 

for sale. Boy, our government can sure do 

some pretty weird stuff! But for now, we 

are excited about all the new friends we’ve 

made on this journey and Mr. Eubanks 

is so excited about camel milk that we 

invited him to go with us to visit Frank & 

Friends Dairy Farm as soon as the babies 

are born so we can all taste the milk 

together! We hope everyone reading this 

article will do your own research to see if 

camel milk is right for you and if it is– 

head on down to Pelahatchie and ask the 

locals how to get to Frank’s place! n 



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– Advertiser Spotlight – 

Taking Heart 

Susan Marquez 

The heart is a unique organ; fragile, 

yet resilient, capable of getting stronger with 

the proper care. Dr. James L. Warnock Jr. 

has seen it happen time and time again. 

“There’s something so satisfying about 

seeing someone who has been in dire straits 

improve their health and overall quality 

of life after experiencing heart failure,” 

Warnock said. “We’ve seen people come 

in who can barely breathe, with hearts 

pumping at only 15%, and with fairly 

inexpensive medications, expertise, 

coaching, and exercise, there has been a 

major turnaround. It’s so gratifying to me, 

and amazing at the same time, especially 

to see a heart that is so sick get so much 

better.” 

Warnock was born in Montgomery, 

Alabama, and raised in the Mill Creek 

subdivision near the Ross Barnett Reservoir. 

He finished high school in the third graduating 

class at Northwest Rankin before majoring in 

biological engineering at Mississippi State. 

After graduating college, Warnock attended 

medical school at the University of Mississippi 

Medical Center in Jackson then completed 

an internship at the National Naval Medical 

Center in Bethesda, Maryland. That led to a 

three-year-stint as a general practitioner with 

the United States Navy at the Naval Air 

Station in Meridian before returning to 

Jackson to finish his internal medicine 

residency at UMMC. He then spent a year 

as chief resident before completing a 

cardiac fellowship. 

“I began having a real interest in cardiology 

while in medical school,” Warnock said. “I 

had thought about doing primary care, but 

when I did the heart rotation in my residency, 

I really liked it.” Warnock said he enjoys all 

aspects of cardiology. “I enjoy being able to 

say that. I really like the variety it provides. 

But I guess if you had to pin me down, heart 

failure and valve problems are the areas I 

find most interesting. One results from lifestyle 

choices, but can be turned around. 

The other is a result of the way the heart 

was formed, a problem that some people 

have a tendency towards. It’s an issue that 

must be caught before there’s a problem 

and monitored closely. It is always so 

encouraging and amazing to me that we 

can do so much to help people these days.” 

Warnock practices with Baptist Heart. 

One of the things that is so encouraging to 

Warnock is that with proper treatment and 

lifestyle changes, heart patients almost 

always end up feeling so much better. 

“It’s not like cancer, where the treatment 

may be effective, but may cause the patient 

to feel bad. Any time someone’s heart gets 

stronger and healthier, they’re going to 

feel better.” 

As a cardiologist, Warnock practices 

what he preaches, eating healthy and 

exercising regularly. “Our oldest daughter 

is in college at Sewanee, and she’s really 

into healthy eating, and our youngest 

daughter avoids gluten.” Warnock also 

enjoys running and backpacking. “I’ve 

always enjoyed hiking and camping, but 

haven’t backpacked since college. I’ve now 

done it three times recently, taking trips with 

each of my daughters.” The entire family, 

including Warnock’s wife, Shannon, their two 

daughters and their son, took a family trip to 

Glacier National Park last August. “My 

youngest daughter gave me a map of the 

United States with all of the national parks 

on it. I’d love to visit each one before I leave 

this earth.” ♥ 


The River Revelers’ 

Masked Ball 

February 18 e 6:30 until Midnight 

VICKSBURG CONVENTION CENTER 

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Purchase Tickets @ 

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Cocktails e 6:30 • Dinner e 7:00 • Band e 8:00 

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Attire: Blacktie- Don’t forget your mask 

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February 25 e 4pm 

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ankin 

Recipes 

Hershey Bar Pie 

• 20 large marshmallows 

• 7 Hershey bars with almonds 

• 1/3 cup milk 

• 16 oz. Cool Whip 

• 1 graham cracker crust 

Combine marshmallows, Hershey bars (break 

them into small pieces) and milk in a double boiler 

or microwave safe dish. Heat on low until melted. 

Stir until everything is combined. Add half of the 

cool whip. Mix well and spoon into graham cracker 

crust. Chill for several hours. Top with remaining 

Cool Whip and shave a little chocolate over the top. 

Salted Nut Squares 

• 3 cups salted peanuts (no skins) divided 

• 2 ½ Tbsp. butter 

• 2 cups peanut butter chips 

• 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk 

• 2 cups mini marshmallows 

• Kosher or sea salt (optional) 

Place 1 ½ cups peanuts in bottom of an ungreased 

pan. Melt butter and peanut butter chips in a large 

saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth. Remove 

from heat. Stir in condensed milk and marshmallows. 

Continue stirring until smooth. Pour mixture 

over peanuts in pan. Sprinkle remaining 1 ½ cups 

peanuts over top of mixture. Sprinkle lightly with 

salt if desired. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. 

Then cut into bars. Can be served chilled or at 

room temperature. 

Note: You may add another ½ cup of peanuts to bottom 

and top layer and make in a 13 x 9 pan. The bars will 

be a little thinner. 

Three Ingredient 

Peanut Butter Cup Fudge 

• 24 Reese’s peanut butter cups (full size) 

unwrapped and divided 

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk 

• 3 cups milk chocolate chips 

Line an 8 x 8 glass dish with foil so that the foil 

extends over the sides of the pan. Lightly spray foil 

with cooking spray. Line pan with 16 whole peanut 

butter cups. Set aside. In a large microwave safe 

bowl combine condensed milk and chocolate 

chips. Microwave in 30-second increments (it will 

probably take about 2 minutes) until melted and 

smooth. Pour the melted chocolate mixture into 

baking pan over the peanut butter cups and smooth 

out evenly. Break the remaining peanut butter cups 

into pieces and sprinkle on top. Press lightly into 

the top. Allow the fudge to set out for about 1 hour 

to reach room temperature then refrigerate for 2 

to 3 hours. Once the fudge is solid, use the foil to 

remove from the pan. Peel away the foil and cut the 

fudge into squares. 

Casserole Cookies 

• 2 eggs 

• 1 cup sugar 

• 1 cup chopped pecans 

• 1 cup coconut 

• 1 cup chopped dates 

• Powdered sugar 

In medium mixing bowl, beat eggs well and add 

sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add nuts, coconut, and 

dates. Stir well and pour into an ungreased 2-quart 

casserole dish. Bake 30 minutes in 350-degree 

oven. Remove and stir down with wooden spoon. 

Let cool. Roll small spoonfuls in powdered sugar. 

Shape into balls. Let cool completely before storing. 

Oreo Balls 

• 1 bag of Oreos 

• 1 package cream cheese 

• Dipping chocolate 

Use a food processor to grind up Oreos into a fine 

mixture. In a bowl mix Oreos and cream cheese 

until completely blended. Roll mixture in balls 

(any size works, but truffle size is best). Melt 

dipping chocolate and dip balls. Set on wax paper 

and refrigerate overnight. 

Reminder: the chocolate shells do melt so keep cool. 

White Chocolate - 

Orange Macaroons 

• 3 egg whites 

• 1 cup sugar 

• 14 oz. package sweetened flaked coconut 

• 1 cup white chocolate flavored morsels 

• 1 tsp. orange zest 

Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with 

parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat egg whites 

at high speed with a mixer until foamy. Gradually 

add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Gently 

stir in the coconut, white chocolate morsels, and 

orange zest until combined. Spoon mixture by 

heaping tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking 

sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges 

are golden brown. Let cool on pans for 2 minutes. 

Remove from pans and cool completely on 

wire racks. 

Kathy Coker has lived in Brandon since 1986. She is 

married to Lu Coker and they have two grown kids who 

are both married and live in Brandon. They also have four 

precious grands. Kathy has been employed in the real 

estate field since 1992, first as a realtor, and has been 

a mortgage loan officer since 2005. She enjoys spending 

time in the kitchen in her spare time. 


Bully 

Prevention 

Awareness 

During the month of September, 

Rankin County Schools sponsored 

it’s 1st Bully Prevention Awareness 

poster contest. Students were 

asked to submit original posters 

addressing any of the following: 

• Physical Bullying 

• Emotional Bullying 

• Social Bullying 

• Cyber- Bullying 

• Positive Friendships 

• Peer Pressure 

• Peer Conflict 

Category 1 

Pre K-Second Grade 

1st Place 

Micah Lea 

1st Grade 

Pisgah Elementary 

2nd Place 

Wyatt Irby 

1st Grade 

Richland Elementary 

3rd Place 

Bethany Tucker 

1st Grade 

Pelahatchie Elementary 

There was an overwhelming 

response district wide and over 

700 posters were submitted for 

judging in four age categories. 

Each of the four categories had 

1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. 

Rankin County School District has 

had the winning posters reproduced 

to display in district schools and 

offices and the Foundation for 

Rankin County Public Schools has 

provided checks to each 1st place 

winner for $100, second place 

winners, $50 and 3rd place winners 

$25. RCSD is looking forward to 

making the contest an annual 

event to raise awareness for 

bully prevention. 


Category 2 Third-Fifth Grade 

1st Place Aubrie Barr 

3rd Grade, Northsore Elementary 

Second Place Patrick Bowen 

4th Grade, Brandon Elementary 

Third Place Lottie Feathers 

3rd Grade, Highland Bluff Elementary 

Category 3 

Sixth-Eight Grade 

1st Place Skylar Simmons 

7th Grade, Northwest Rankin Middle School 

2nd Place Christina Guzman 

6th Grade, Florence Middle School 

3rd Place Cameron Rivers 

7th Grade, Northwest Rankin Middle School 


Bully 

Prevention 

Awareness 

Category 4 

Ninth-Twelfth Grade 

1st Place Daniel Welch 

10th Grade, Northwest Rankin High School 

2nd Place Allisa Pickel 

12th Grade, Brandon High School 

3rd Place Cara Leigh McCrory 

11th Grade, McLaurin High School 


Join Us February 26 

for the Daytona 500 

Located in the Holiday Inn, across from Trustmark Park 

110 Bass Pro Drive, Pearl, MS 39208 • 769-572-6012 

Check Out the schedule for the Monster Energy 

NASCAR Cup Series at www.alumnihousepearl.com 

© 2017 Alumni House Pearl, all rights reserved. NASCAR is a trademark of NASCAR. 



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• Business Plans • Post Cards • Promotional Items 

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601.933.9550 

marketing marketing signs signs 

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115 METROPLEX BLVD 

PEARL MS 39208 

www.us646.alphagraphics.com 



If you visit the Puckett High School campus, it won’t take long 

to notice that you’re walking amid a large, beautifully landscaped 

garden. Chuck Rhoads, art teacher extraordinaire, would give the 

credit to his students and all the friends that have been a part. 

But Chuck Rhoads is the brain-child behind the living artistry. 

Rhoads joined the Puckett faculty in 2005 with the assignment 

to create an art department. He fulfilled that assignment with a 

growing, vibrant department that’s gotten state-wide recognition. 

Shortly before 2009, Rhoads’ artist-trained eyes saw a garden 

instead of the overgrown walkway that students passed through 

every day. After administration approval, he shared his vision with his 

students and drew from their talents in design and landscaping. 

Today that unsightly walkway is a grand garden landscaped by the 

students complete with an arched bridge donated by Prentiss Calhoun 

of Puckett. The bridge overlooks a stone-covered creek whose 

accessories were donated by Dr. Milton Matthews of Pearl. 

BEFORE 

after 


Bob Stribling, better known as the 

Fern Man, contributed an abundance of 

ferns with detailed instructions on 

planting and tending them. 

Rivers Greenhouse and Garden, with 

the help of Joy Foster and Rhonda Rivers, 

helped with The Tribute Garden, another 

campus garden area dedicated to the 

memory and honor of military individuals 

from Puckett. Burnham family members 

donated perennials from their old home 

place. Other Puckett residents have 

donated a variety of plants, too, as 

locals continue to help make it the 

Gardens of Puckett. 

Lowes Heroes partnered with the art 

department and built a pergola that adds 

beauty to the front of the campus and installed an irrigation system. 

In the spring, over 1500 daffodils brighten the campus into a flowering 

showcase. The courtyard area sings with original, student-designed 

fountains, and sitting areas, paved by art students using donated stones, 

add additional textures to Mr. Rhoads’ outdoor “canvas.” 

The Sculpture Garden is next on the art department’s landscaping 

project. A group of art students, named “The Legends” by their teacher, 

are presently sketching designs for the new venture. Rhoads will invite 

judges to study the sketches and choose the winning plan. It’s Rhoads’ 

ambition to teach his Legends to become a legend that generations will 

continue to follow. 

With so many projects going on outside the walls of Puckett High 

School, Rhoads still shares equal time with the in-house art students. 

As they produce their art work, Rhoads finds the means to display their 

artistry. In 1992, he arranged an exhibit at the Mississippi State Capitol 

and called it the Capitol Art Exhibit which continues as an annual event. 

Youth Art Month, observed in March, will give students opportunity to 

showcase their art and have it judged 

by accomplished artists that will visit 

the school. In late April, the department 

will host a Painter’s Garden where 

Mississippi artists will paint in the 

garden campus while students 

observe their techniques. 

Rhoads’ students participate in 

local and regional contests, and a 

number of his talented artists have 

earned scholarships along with local 

and national recognition. 

With art departments at the end 

of the line for educational funding, 

Rhoads has turned to writing grants 

for supplementing the department. 

Those grants, along with donations 

from businesses and individuals, make up the total funding for the art 

department. Susan Wellington, a nationally recognized watercolor artist 

from Flowood, has been a faithful donor and supporter of the high school’s 

art projects. The students have also found the fall Canton Flea Market to 

be a lucrative fund raiser for the department and its students. 

Rhoads is a visionary and continues to flourish in a teaching atmosphere 

that he describes as “wonderful.” After earning his art degree and 

masters at Mississippi College, his talents carried him into the business 

world of malls and large department stores where he dressed windows 

and floors. His talent even gave him opportunity to step into management 

of some of the stores. 

Then the classroom called, and Rhoads wanted to follow his goal of 

being an art instructor. His ability and expertise of creating art departments 

carried him to several schools, but he appears to have found home 

at the Gardens of Puckett. This is where his artist’s pallet has spilled out of 

the classroom and onto the landscape. This is where he will continue to 

design and deploy legends. n 






LOOKINGFOR 

THE 

STORY 

Everyone has a story, don’t they? I often 

make up peoples’ stories in my mind so that I 

can fill in the gaps created from not knowing 

details—and I’m not entirely sure why I do 

it. I guess I’m just an observer of life. And 

because I like to write stories, I’m always on 

the hunt for one. 

My husband and I have even made a 

game of it. We’ll see a couple that we don’t 

know at a restaurant and spend the next 

thirty minutes creating their fictitious story. 

It has made for some hilarious conversations 

between the two of us as there are no limits 

to the depth of detail that make this couple 

extraordinary. 

On Sundays, when people are asked 

to come to the front of our church during 

invitational, I often cry at their “stories”— 

even though I don’t know what those are. 

I sometimes wonder if they’re broken and 

hurting and I all of a sudden ache for them 

and the burdens that they may carry. 

I imagine the single mom, raising a 

family alone and trying to make ends meet. 

Or the one that dreamed of children but 

struggled with infertility. I imagine the man 

that has recently lost his job and his insurance 

benefits only to have just gotten a bad report 

from the doctor. And all this is completely in 

my imagination, mind you. I can’t hear them 

when they speak to the pastors at the front of 

the church—but I can see them—and for some 

reason I’m compelled to give them a story. 

Maybe I’m crazy. Or maybe it’s how I make 

strangers more relatable. I have an intuitive 

desire to connect. 

Several years ago we had just moved 

into a new neighborhood with super-strict 

covenants. Our first Christmas season in our 

new home had come and gone and Mardi 

Gras and Valentine’s Day decorations had 

begun to pop-up everywhere. Every day I 

would ride by this one house that still had 

Christmas lights hanging from their eaves. 

And every day I would think, “Surely they’ll 

take those down soon.” 

I’m certain there were guidelines 

somewhere that addressed the timely 

removal of neighborhood Christmas 

decorations. If not, there needed to be. 

Another week would pass and the lights 

still remained. I had become indignant 

that they weren’t following the rules (what 

rules?). I mentally drafted the letter that 

would be sent to the homeowners association 

demanding that their lights be removed. 

When had I become Nosey-Nellie, the 

judgmental neighbor that made everyone else’s 

business her business? Why did I even care? 

Aren’t we all guilty of doing this in some 

form or fashion—making other people’s 

issues our business? Don’t we often judge 

people’s choices without fully understating 

their reasons for making them? 

The adored actress and comedian Betty 

White was once quoted as saying, “I don’t 

know how people get so anti-something. 

Mind your own business, take care of your 

own affairs, and don’t worry about other 

people so much.” She’s 94-years old. I wonder 

how long it took her to figure that out. 

So on the 21 st of February of the very 

first year in our new covenant-protected 

neighborhood, 58 days after Christmas and 

7 days after Valentine’s Day, the offending 

home was lit up like I had never seen. I’m 

certain it could be seen from space. Their 

Christmas tree stood defiantly in the living 

room window and the icicle lights that 

hung from the eaves blinked as if to signal 

their rebelliousness to the entire world. I 

absolutely could not believe my eyes. Their 

blatant disregard of holiday decorating code 

was mind-boggling. 

As I slowed my car and rounded the 

corner to get a better view, a banner that 

read, “Welcome Home Ryan” hung across the 

garage doors right next to a flag bearing the 

United States Marine Corps emblem. And then 

it made sense. Their son was returning home 

and they had “saved” Christmas just for him. 

I burst into tears. First of all, I felt 

grateful. My sense of patriotism immediately 

outweighed my sense of incredulousness. 

How thankful they must have been to have 

him home and in the safety of their loving 

arms. But then I felt embarrassed. They 

don’t make enough lights to express the joy 

my husband and I would feel had our own 

son been returning home. To this day I am 

changed as a result of that experience. 

When you look at a person, any person, 

remember that they have a story. Everyone 

has gone through something that’s changed 

them. Life is hard and everyone has ups and 

downs—and fears and pain. Give grace, love 

and support to those around you who may 

have struggles you don’t see. Our opinions 

don’t matter. But how we treat people, does. 

I “imagine” Ryan and his family to have 

had the most extraordinary Christmas-in- 

February that ever was. And now, when 

I see something that doesn’t necessarily 

make sense to me, I try not to criticize it but 

rather look for the story. After all, when you 

actually realize there’s something you don’t 

understand, then you’re generally on the 

right path to understanding all kinds 

of things. 


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The Perfect Fit 


As Dr. Muse entered the grand hall of the Clyde Muse 

Center at Hinds Community College, his robust frame, fitted 

with a black business suit, walked with the gait of a much 

younger man. His gracious stature, firm handshake, and 

embracing smile gave a first impression that assured me our 

interview would be propitious for the one taking notes. I was 

on target with my impression. 

We sat down around a conference room in the building 

named in his honor–an appropriate recognition for an 

86-year-old educator who is president of Hinds Community 

College with five campuses at six locations in five counties of 

Mississippi. Thirty-nine years of leadership have designated 

him the longest serving president at the college. 

“I’ve never wanted to do anything else but teach and coach– 

I even knew that when I was in high school,” he said as he 

began retracing his career. “My daddy wanted me to be a 

preacher because he hadn’t gotten a preacher out of his six 

boys. Then he wanted me to marry a girl that could play the 

piano so we could be a ministry team.” 

Dr. Muse remembered a day while he was a principal at 

Starkville High School when his dad “got off on preaching 

again.” Clyde respectfully shared with his dad how preaching 

wasn’t the only means of having a positive influence on others. 

He explained how teachers can direct and impact students in 

the classroom that can last a lifetime. 

The senior Muse listened and was satisfied with his son’s 

dedication and bent toward the classroom. “My dad never 

brought it up again,” Dr. Muse said. 

Originally from Hickory Flat in Benton County, Muse 

graduated from Sebastopol High School, believing he had 

the ability to do one thing well–play basketball. His principal 

carried him to East Central Junior College and told the 

president, “Dr. Todd, this is a good boy and he wants to go 

to school.” 

Young Muse explained to the president that he didn’t have 

any tuition money but was hopeful for a job to pay his way. 

The president said there was just one job...milking cows, 

4am and 4pm, seven days a week. 

The relieved and grateful freshman said, “Dr. Todd, that’s 

nothing new to me; I’ve been doing that all my life.” 

While he milked cows for tuition money, he, along with 85 

other young men, signed up for the basketball team. Coach 


Arno Vincent, Muse’s greatest life-mentor, began scrimmaging all the 

hopefuls. At the end of each practice, he would have a chalkboard listing the 

names of players he wanted to return. 

The list got smaller and smaller, but Clyde’s name stayed. He got a uniform, 

“but it wasn’t the same color as the others,” Muse said with laughter. 

When their team played East Mississippi College, Clyde met Pap Presley on 

that team and described him as the best player he ever saw. In the middle of the 

third quarter, Coach Vincent asked Clyde if he thought he could stop Presley from 

scoring, an assignment none of Clyde’s teammates had been able to accomplish. 

Clyde said, “Just give me a chance. I’ve been watching him and have figured it 

out–keep the ball out of his hands.” Clyde did just that and never sat on the 

bench again. And, Coach gave him another uniform to match the starters. 

The acclaimed educator paused at the end of his basketball story and stepped 

into his teacher role. “I always teach my students to prepare yourself for the 

opportunity that comes your way.” 

He chose Delta State University after graduating from ECCC. His basketball 

playing continued to improve, but his greatest joy came during his senior year when 

he met his future bride, Vashti Underwood. Dr. Muse described her as a little 

towheaded freshman beauty that captured his heart. On their second date she 

informed him, “I’m gonna marry you.” Dr. Muse laughed as he shared his shock 

over her prophetic statement and remembered his own private response, 

“Good Lord, I’ve got to hang around and see what happens!” 

After Muse graduated in March, he married his freshman sweetheart and 

carried her with him to his first job at Canton High School. His first year’s 

assignment was teaching five science classes and coaching high school girl’s 

and boy’s track and basketball plus coaching junior high football. Muse said, 

I had a fulltime job, but I didn’t know it. I was just having fun!” 

His starting salary was $2,400 a year. Muse emphasized, “I knew I’d never 

have a lot of money teaching and coaching, but I never was in the business of 

education to make money.” 

The newlyweds continued to work together, and Vashti earned her degree in 

education, going on to teach all ages from kindergarten to college. She was known 

for never giving up on her students. During one of the numerous opportunities 

her gift of teaching afforded her, she was asked the difference between teaching 

the very young and the college level. Her answer: “None. Just bigger bodies.” 




Vashti and Clyde teamed their education-centered lives 

to touch and improve schools and colleges throughout our 

state and beyond while raising their family of two daughters 

and a son. On July 9, 2010, Vashti died in a car accident and 

left a legacy of accomplishments few could match. 

Dr. Muse recalls his doctors advising him to go back to 

work after losing his soulmate. It was good advice, but 

the void is still there. “How long were you married?” 

I asked. “Fifty-eight years and two weeks. It seemed short,” 

he replied. 

A daily routine now is waking up at 4am, Monday through 

Friday, exercise at the Wellness Center from five to six, back 

home to eat breakfast and in the office by 7:15 or 7:30. An 

average of three nights a week are taken for college-related 

events. His seven grands and seven great-grandchildren get 

“Granddaddy time,” too. 

Dr. Muse has earned a wealth of experiences in his field 

and recalled one eye-opening experience with his first 8th 

grade science class. “I noticed that a few of the students 

would walk to the pencil trimmer next to the door, trim 

their pencils and just walk out the door. The other students 

would laugh. I knew I was losing control of the class, so I 

went to the Ag teacher and asked him to make me a paddle. 

I slipped it in the drawer of my desk and waited for the first 

student to do the pencil routine. He did, and I grabbed the 

paddle and followed him out the door. I wore his rear end 

out! When we walked back in the room, you could have 

heard a pin drop.” 

That led to Dr. Muse sharing a major issue in today’s 

education. “We’ve lost discipline in the home, and it’s 

transitioned to the classroom. When I was a principal, a 

student didn’t want his mama to know he got a spanking 

because it automatically meant he would get a second one at 

home. Today, teachers don’t get support from the courts or 

homes. We must have discipline that creates an atmosphere 

that’s conducive to learning.” 

The educator wizard’s advice to college students is basic: 

Go to class, get up your lessons, behave yourself and take 

advantage of the opportunities to grow and develop. 

In his 65 years in education, he’s witnessed rapid changes, 

and the electronic-age is more than he wants to engage. 

He is learning to communicate through texting but knows 

nothing about computers. He explains, “I don’t need one 

as long as I have two people in my office.” 

Renee Cotton, District Director of Marketing and 

Community Relations at Hinds CC, listened to the 

interview and interjected her respect and awe of Dr. Muse’s 

wisdom and contribution to the education of the 30,000 

students that attend Hinds and those that have graduated. 

She also suggested we research his contribution as the T-Ball 

inventor. Muse laughed and said, “I didn’t have enough 

sense to have the game patented.” 

In response to his masterful career, Dr. Muse asserted, 

“It’s my great joy to help students be all they can be.” He 

sees educators as having the wonderful opportunity to serve 

others. “You know the Bible tells us that to be the best, be 

a servant.” 

I asked the gifted educator why or how he was able to 

stay at Hinds for thirty-eight years. Had there been other 

offers? He nodded yes and said, “I’ve had a few opportunities 

to go other places. But let me tell you, Hinds fits me. 

There’re a lot of people that need an education. They are 

just like ole Muse was when he walked in that president’s 

office and couldn’t afford an education. There’re still a lot 

of people out there that without a community college, won’t 

get an education. That keeps me going.” 

On Christmas day, Dr. Muse celebrated his 87th birthday. 

He said he often heard his mama tell him, “You’re the best 

Christmas present I ever had.” She was right because an 

inestimable number of lives have been touched by that very 

special gift that’s been education’s “perfect fit.” n 


AND 

We are thrilled to announce Today's Teen recipient honoring teens 

in our city that have exhibited exemplary leadership skills and serve as 

excellent role models. Brower Myers, an upcoming Junior at Pearl 

High School, was awarded this distinction by CEO of Merit Health 

River Oaks, Dwayne Blalock. Congratulations Brower and a big 

“Thank You” to Merit Health for investing in our leaders of the future. 

There’s Merit in the future. 



40 • February 2017 

Hinds Community College 

Centennial Convocation 

January 3, 2017 • Muse Center



Serving our county 

Deputy Sheriff Chase Beemon 

Rankin County Sheriff's department 

Why did you decide to pursue law 

enforcement? 

It was during college where I had chosen to take a criminal 

justice class to go towards my course credit hours. While 

taking the class I found the entire process of this career 

field very interesting and it was the first moment in my life 

that I realized I knew exactly what I wanted as not only a 

job, but make a career out of as well. 

How long have you been in law enforcement 

in Rankin County? 

I started my career at the Brandon Police Department and 

served the community of Brandon for a little over three 

years. It has now been almost two years that Sheriff 

Bailey gave me the opportunity to serve the entire 

community of Rankin County and I take great pride and 

pleasure in calling it home. 

Tell us about your family. 

I have a very supportive family. Starting with my wife, 

Bethany Beemon, who is a registered nurse for Baptist 

Medical Center in Jackson and my son, Riley Beemon, 

who is currently in the first grade at Rouse Elementary. 

Our entire family has a strong foundation for serving 

others and the community in which we live. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in your 

spare time. 

I am an avid (only) bow hunter and love all things archery 

related. The part that makes archery much more than just 

a hobby is that I am able to enjoy this with my wife and 

son, as well, who are both avid hunters. 

What are three things on your bucket list? 

My bucket list consists of getting the opportunity to 

harvest a 200-inch whitetail deer, travel the world, and be 

able to grow old enough to spoil my future grandchildren 

the way my son has been spoiled by his grandparents. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

There are several people whom I admire and many that 

have contributed to the person I am today. I admire my 

mother for going without so that I could always have more 

in life; my father for giving me the knowledge and wisdom 

of what makes a man; and my in-laws for giving me their 

support from day one and leading me down the right path 

which ultimately led to my accepting Christ into my life. 

Where do you see yourself in ten years? 

There are several places I see myself in ten years, but as 

for my career, I’m 100% positive that the Rankin County 

Sheriff’s Department is my home. I hope to continue here 

and advance my skills, knowledge, and career throughout 

my life as much as I can. 

If you could give one piece of advice to 

a young person, what would it be? 

My advice would be to think about what decisions you 

make and the impact they will have on your future. As for 

myself, I would have saved a lot of time using this advice 

and not having to learn the hard way. 

What is a favorite childhood memory? 

My favorite childhood memories involve going hunting and 

fishing alongside my Paw-Paw Jack and my father. 

What is the biggest mistake you think 

young people make today? 

Young people tend not to think about consequences. They 

can act on an impulse without any regard to what could 

happen as a result of their actions and choices made. 

What is your favorite thing about Rankin 

County? 

My favorite thing about Rankin County, hands down, is the 

people. The citizens of Rankin County are very helpful and 

very supportive of law enforcement and first responders. 

The citizens of Rankin County play a large part in contributing 

to why this job is very fulfilling and rewarding. 


Susan Marquez 

No one expects it to happen, but when it does, a burn injury 

can be devastating not only physically, but emotionally and 

financially. The burn victim isn’t always the one affected, as 

there must be caregivers to help the patient throughout the 

healing and recovery period, causing a disruption in lives. The 

good news is that there is help available through the Mississippi 

Burn Foundation, help that many Rankin and Madison County 

residents have benefitted from through the years. 

Amanda Fontaine heads that organization as its executive 

director, and she works tirelessly to make sure services are 

provided to everyone in Mississippi who suffers from burns, 

regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Fontaine says that 550 

patients a month are seen on an outpatient basis at Central 

Mississippi Medical Center Burn Center. 

Having a burn center in Mississippi is something Fontaine 

has fought for. “We had one in Greenville, but it closed while 

Haley Barbour was in office as governor. He came up with a 

task force which decided that Mississippi patients could go out 

of state for treatment.” That decision resulted in more than a 

few deaths in the state, as the protocol at that time was for an 

emergency room with a burn patient to call the nearest burn 

center in another state, and then wait for a return call to see if 

they had room for the patient. If there was no room, the process 

started again, with a call to another facility. “I thought there 

had to be something we could do to provide services to 

Mississippians,” sighs Fontaine. “I was getting calls from family 

members during the night wondering where their loved ones 

had been taken.” 

She spoke with Dr. Fred Mullins at the Joseph M. Still (JMS) 

Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, about what it would take to 

open a burn center in Mississippi. “He was very receptive and 

was instrumental in getting the outpatient center at Merit Health 

Rankin started. Now the inpatient facility on Chadwick Drive 

in Jackson, has 1200 to 1500 patients admitted throughout 

the year. 

In addition to their regular fundraising, the Mississippi 

Burn Foundation is currently raising funds for the Mississippi 

Burn Survivor Family Home, a 24-bedroom facility across from 

the hospital on Chadwick Drive where families and caregivers 

can stay free of charge while their loved one is hospitalized. 


“Each room will have a private bath,” says Fontaine. 

“It’s really like a small hotel.” The home was the last 

project designed by the late Michael Barranco, a muchloved 

Jackson area architect. “This was a project he felt 

strongly about,” says Fontaine. “One of the features of 

the home will be a prayer garden, named in his honor.” 

The slab for the home has been poured and 

construction is underway, but fundraising efforts are still 

going strong to raise the funds necessary to complete it. 

At the same time, Fontaine continues to raise funds for 

the many services provided to burn patients and their 

families by the Mississippi Burn Foundation. “We try 

to assist families with whatever they may need,” she 

says. That may include specialized supplies such as 

pressure garments to help with recovery, expenses 

associated with medications for treatment, gas cards, 

hotels and meals when patients come to Jackson from 

out of town for treatment and much more. 

The Mississippi Burn Foundation was founded 

in 1976 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the 

mission of offering financial assistance to burn victims 

who need help to overcome hardships that a burn 

injury presents. Tax-exempt donations and fundraising 

efforts from civic organizations, corporations and 

private citizens helps the Burn Foundation in their 

mission to help burn victims meet the high costs 

they incur during treatment and recovery. Firefighters, 

healthcare professionals, and first-responders 

throughout the state also help with the effort, 

including participating in the popular Heroes 

from the Heart calendar each year. To purchase 

a calendar, or to donate to the Mississippi Burn 

Foundation, contact director Amanda Fontaine at 

afontaine@msburn.org. 



“Shop with a Doc” gives children who 

have suffered excruciating pain and 

have been confined to the hospital 

for months at a time the chance to 

experience the thrill and excitement 

of going to a store to pick out gifts with 

doctors, firefighters and first responders. 

Wide eyes, big smiles and squeals of joy 

are always the theme for this special 

Mississippi Burn Foundation event.



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Restoration 

Grace 


In 1998, Mike Boyanton’s life appeared to 

be on a one-track journey to the American 

dream. He and his bride of only three months, 

hopeful for a bright and long-lasting marriage 

and career, worked together as nurses at 

University Medical Center. 

Then the phone call came. Mike’s bride had been in a serious 

automobile accident. Ten days later in ICU, a life support system 

and coma removed all hope for Mike and his in-laws. The 

heart-breaking decision was made, leaving Mike single, alone, and 

searching for a new beginning. 

Over the next year and a half, Mike moved from the EMT 

unit to ICU and a change of faces. He found additional healing 

as a travel nurse for several months. 

Meanwhile, a friend of Mike’s entered the “dating game” 

when she decided that Mike and one of her friends, Mandy, 

would make a perfect match. 

Mandy’s friend began promoting Mike and describing him as 

the perfect date. Mandy, a nurse practitioner in her late 20’s and 

quite comfortable with her single life, questioned her friend who 

was also single, “Why don’t you go out with him?” 

The friend replied, “Oh, he’s way too settled for me.” 

Weeks passed and with the help of his cupid friend, Mike got 

Mandy’s phone number and called her. Mike, who is quiet and of 

few words by nature, talked for three hours. 

Mandy enjoyed the conversation, but there were no bells or 

whistles ringing in her heart. A few weeks later, Mike called and 

said he would like to prepare dinner for her in his home. Mandy 

accepted his invitation and was amazed with the meal. She even 

wondered if he had actually had it catered. 

The relationship took root in the next weeks and began to 

grow. On New Year’s Eve of 2002, Mike proposed, and they 

were married October 4, 2003 in Mandy’s home church in Utica. 

Dealing gently with Mike’s first in-laws who still came from 

Canada to visit their daughter’s gravesite and his continuing 

through the healing process taught Mandy and Mike a lot about 

themselves. Their adjustments to married life under the shadows 

of the past were all a part of building a strong marriage. 


Mike spoke of his concerns for Mandy, “I tried to 

protect her from my past.” 

Mandy was obviously the perfect match for Mike 

because of her experiences with tragedy in her own 

family. “Through our own losses, my family had 

learned the beauty of moving on,” she said. 

Today they are a testimony to God’s healing and 

grace. Mike has been a nurse in Batson’s emergency 

room for ten years, and Mandy began a new venture 

in January as nurse practitioner in the Jackson 

Thyroid and Endocrine Clinic. 

Their lives revolve around Maley Grace, their 

seven-year-old daughter who is mature beyond her 

years and who helps her parents care for her petting 

zoo – a cat, dog, three donkeys, two horses, one pig, 

and two goats. 

The Richland family invests much of their time 

and lives in FBC of Richland where Mike and Mandy 

teach a young couples class. Their personal experiences 

continue to give encouragement and hope to their 

members. 

“Maley Grace was our miracle child,” Mandy said 

in her gracious manner. She and Mike experienced the 

trials of seven years of infertility and thirteen failed 

adoptions. When they began to doubt having a child 

of their own, God impressed to them, “Be still, and 

know that I am God.” 

Their waiting was abundantly blessed with the 

birth of Maley Grace, and its byproduct was 

compassion and hope toward other young families 

experiencing infertility. 

Needless to say, the Boyantons are a unique 

couple. Their goal is to “wind down” instead of 

“winding up.” Contentment and peace live under 

their roof, and their home stands firm on God’s sure 

foundation. Their marriage proves that even on the 

backdrop of tragedy, God can paint beautiful love 

stories. 

As for celebrating Valentine’s Day and its 

meaning, Mandy says, “We try to have Valentine’s 

most days of the year.” 


“We try to have 

Valentine’s most 

days of the year.” 




Erin 

Williams 

Loving When It Isn’t Easy 

olly was born On September 23, 2013. and our lives changed for 

the better. After being married for almost three weeks, my husband 

and I knew we wanted to add to our family. So when she turned sixweeks-old, 

Dolly, the golden retriever puppy, joined our household. 

Dolly is the perfect dog. She’s sweet-natured, obedient, cheerful, and was a breeze to train. 

She is truly one of those once-in-a-lifetime dogs, and we couldn’t love her more. 

Fast forward two-and-a-half years to when we stumbled upon a fearful, skinny, black, 

pit-bull mix puppy. She came crawling to us out of nowhere and we found out she had 

been living under a shack after being dropped off and abandoned a few days earlier. In less 

than 10 minutes, we pulled 14 ticks off of her. We decided to keep her, and, in that moment, 

she became “Lucky.” 


Although Lucky doesn’t have a mean bone in her little 

body, loving her hasn’t always been easy. When we decided 

to take Lucky in, we also took in her past problems, learned 

behaviors, and lack of training. We learned that she was 

deathly scared of leashes, ropes, water hoses, riding in a 

vehicle, and being picked up. 

On top of that, Lucky has turned our yard into a field 

of craters. She’s torn apart more than her fair share of 

pillows, towels, toys, mats, etc. If it’s outside, in Lucky’s 

eyes, it’s fair game. 

Between cleaning up after her, house training her, 

teaching her not to jump and to not be afraid of a leash, 

teaching her to trust humans, and showing her how to 

act around children, there’ve been many times that I’ve 

almost thrown in the towel. I mean, she’s just going to tear 

it to shreds anyway, right? In fact, I’ve almost done it more 

times than I’m willing to admit. 

However, in the last six months that Lucky has been 

a part of our family, amidst all the hair-pulling trials, 

she has taught me more about patience and love than I 

would’ve learned on my own. 

Lucky teaches me everyday how to love when loving 

isn’t easy. 

With Dolly, we fell in love with her instantly because 

she is the easiest, most cheerful and obedient dog we’d ever 

been around. Loving Dolly was easy. But in life, more often 

than not, loving isn’t easy at all. In fact, it can often be 

messy and difficult, at best. 

When we make the choice to love others, we have to 

love all of them—including their past problems, current 

issues, and future predicaments. Real love in relationships, 

whether with family, friends, or, in my case, a dog, is a 

journey full of detours, snags, and unlovable moments 

along the way. And, it’s not always easy. 


Lucky teaches me everyday 

how to love when loving isn’t easy. 



Loving when it isn’t easy doesn’t 

just change the other person, 

it changes you, too.

When we chose to bring Lucky 

into our family, much like how we 

choose to bring others into our 

lives, we made a commitment to 

love her, regardless. 

While Dolly draws immediate pats and smiles from 

others, Lucky doesn’t. I mean, who doesn’t want to love on a 

Golden Retriever? It’s harder to want to pet a rambunctious 

Pit-Bull. In many ways, Lucky has had the odds stacked 

against her and been discriminated against her entire life. 

How many of us know others like that: People that are 

easy to love and don’t look intimidating versus others 

who we stay away from based on their looks and perceived 

personas? 

In some ways, Lucky has taught me to go beyond what 

I’m comfortable with. Although I don’t have kids yet, I want 

them to grow up learning that you love others regardless of 

whether they’re lovable or not, especially if they’re different 

than you. I want them to learn that others, like Lucky, can 

come out above the circumstances they were born into, and 

that love transcends similarities or looks. 

I want them to love well. Whole love. 

How will our kids today know what we don’t exhibit? 

And if we’re really honest with ourselves, we’d see that 

there are times when we aren’t always as loveable as we 

think we are. 

At the end of the day, we’re actively training Lucky 

and teaching her what we expect of her. And while I hope 

she’ll someday stop tearing things up and start behaving 

better, I can’t say for certain she will. I think the same thing 

is true in life. While we love others and hope they will 

come out of certain scenarios and situations that make 

loving them hard, the stark reality is that sometimes they 

won’t. But choose to love them anyway. Loving when it 

isn’t easy doesn’t just change the other person, it changes 

you, too. n 



Call us to schedule 

your next visit. 

(601) 825-3368 

Sarah Langston, DMD 

14 Woodgate Drive 

Brandon, Mississippi 39042 

Nationally recognized leaders in cardiovascular care. 

You don’t have to leave Mississippi for expert heart care. The team at Baptist Heart is 

recognized by HealthGrades among the Best 50 Hospitals in the Nation for Vascular Surgery. 

Make an appointment today. 

Call 601-968-1966 or go 

online to baptistheart.org. 

Hometown Rankin • 63 

The Following Is Not For Print/For Information Only 

Placement: Hometown Madison. 01/2017. 8” x 5”. Commissioned by Diane Martin.

A small building with a drive-thru 

was available at the Reservoir area, and 

Stogner and his wife signed a lease and 

started their business. The business was 

originally called Super Shakes, but they 

had to change the name to Quick Quakes 

because the owner of the building served 

ice cream shakes next door and didn’t 

want any confusion. Once the ice cream 

store closed, the former owner gave 

Stogner the greenlight to change the 

name back to the original Super Shakes. 

“It was about that time we were 

Susan Marquez 

Jason Stogner had a problem. As a graduate of University of 

Southern Mississippi with a degree in nutrition and dietetics and being 

a registered dietician, he knew more than a little about good nutrition. 

But as a sales rep who traveled all day (making healthy meal plans for 

patients), Stogner was often forced to eat unhealthy fast food on the 

road, mostly because of the convenience and lack 

of other options. “I knew what I was eating wasn’t good for me.” 

Stogner began preparing smoothies at home to take with him on 

the road. “One day my wife, Jodie, tasted one and she thought they 

were great. She told me I should be selling those!” 

Stogner gave it some thought and looked into existing smoothie 

franchises, but the nutritional information for the drinks was not good. 

“They were high in sugar and low in protein. I started playing with 

some formulas at home, playing with different ingredients to form new 

drinks that would provide energy and nutrition while satisfying hunger. 

It wasn’t long before I decided to open my own place.” 

opening our second location in the 

Township in Ridgeland, so we used that 

as an opportunity to rebrand ourselves,” 

explains Stogner. Through a series of 

events, Stogner met his business partner, 

Taylor Lyle, who owns a label company in 

Richland. “He made the labels for Quick 

Quakes, and one day he delivered them 

in person and ordered a shake. Soon he 

was coming every day and he also started 

ordering shakes for his staff. We talked, 

and he asked if he could join me in the 

business, and we’ve gone full steam 

ahead ever since.” 

There are now two more Super Shakes 

locations, one in the Crossgates area of 

Brandon, and the newest inside the 

Healthplex in Madison. “Franchising is 


definitely in our plans for the future,” says Stogner. 

“We’ve had people contact us from all over the country, 

including New York, Florida and California. We definitely 

plan to grow.” 

Super Shakes are made to order at any of the locations. 

There are nine basic formulas that meet a variety 

of nutritional needs. “Everyone needs 15 to 30 grams of 

protein per meal,” explains Stogner. “People who skip 

breakfast often go up to 15 hours without a meal. What 

they don’t realize is the body will get its needed protein 

supply from the muscles or even from organ tissue, so 

it’s important to refuel the body each morning. When the 

body is deprived of essential nutrients it needs to stay 

healthy, the immune system is weakened and the body 

goes into a downward spiral. That’s why we offer Super 

Fit, to keep folks healthy and fit.” 


Other formulas include Super Fuel, Super Trim, 

Super Power, Super Charge, Super Calm, Super Meal, 

Super Gain and Super Sleep. All of the formulas are 

available at the Super Shakes locations, and can also 

be purchased in large containers that make 30 servings. 

The formulas can be customized with different 

flavors and supplements which can be added. 

All the powdered formulas are made in Mississippi 

with the best raw ingredients sourced in the United 

States. “We try to keep things as local as possible, 

especially with the fruits and vegetables we use.” 

The powders are made using whey protein isolate, 

the best form of protein available. There are also 

vegan versions which use pea protein or egg whites. 

Stogner says he usually drinks two of the shakes 

a day, which is helpful with his active lifestyle. He is 

still employed as a sales rep full time, and he has a 

country music band, The Jason Stogner Band, 

which has two releases on iTunes. 

“I think Super Shakes has a world of potential 

to grow,” says Stogner. “We started out to make 

a difference in Mississippi, one shake at a time. 

If we can make it in Mississippi, the least healthy 

state in the Union, we can make it anywhere.” 




1:1 Apple Device For Everyone | Small Class Size | Nurturing Environment 

Current Scholar, Future Scientist. 

S.M.A.R.T. Kids Lab is just one of the ways students learn 

through “doing.” At Jackson Academy’s Preschool, 

all students explore the world through engaging 

curriculum that fosters enthusiasm for learning. From 

educational growth, character development, and Mind 

and Motor physical education, JA’s Preschool provides 

a nurturing environment that builds a strong foundation 

for success! 

Enroll Today! 

Call 601.364.3627 or visit jacksonacademy.org/japreschool 

Year-Round After School Program | Spanish | SuperKids Reading Program 


& 

Gives Back! 

Pure Air Consultants wants to give back to the community that has so graciously supported us. We have been blessed 

with continued growth and are humbled by the recent recognition as Best Heating & Cooling Company in Rankin County 

at the 2016 Rankin’s Best of the Best Gala. We recognize and appreciate the fact that we would not be who we are or 

where we are without the continued patronage of our customers and the support of Rankin County. 

Here’s Our Plan 

We’d like to find a family that’s truly in need of a new heating and cooling 

system. Do you know an elderly person on a fixed income, a family with a 

sick child or parent in the home, or a disabled veteran? Maybe it’s an existing 

system not operational or it’s very old and inefficient and the family cannot 

afford to replace it. The recipient’s home must be in Rankin County. 

How To Enter 

Log onto surveymonkey.com/r/pacgivesback or MyPureAirConsultants.com 

and nominate someone in need. People interested in submitting may enter 

themselves or nominate another person or family. All entries are completely 

confidential. Before and after photos of the job will be taken, and winner will 

be announced through social media. Media release required. 

What They Get 

The recipient chosen from online applications/nominations will receive the 

following: One (1) new 14 SEER (efficiency rating- current standard) Rheem 

heating and cooling system, installed. This is a complete system, providing 

new equipment both inside and outside, for a home that has existing central 

heating and cooling. Pure Air Consultants will also provide a new pad for the 

outdoor unit and a new digital thermostat. (Note: Replacement system must 

be of the same size/tonnage as winner’s existing system, and have the same 

heat source (gas, electric, or heat pump) as the existing system.) 

When 

We will accept submissions through February 28, 2017. The winner will be 

selected and announced on March 1, 2017. 

Enter today 

surveymonkey.com/r/pacgivesback 

www.MyPureAirConsultants.com 


At Just 

the Right 

Moment 


What sort of things pop into your head 

when someone asks your favorite thing 

about Thanksgiving? Probably visions of 

autumn leaves crunching under foot, the 

celebrated pumpkin-spiced latte gracing the 

cupped hands of chilly people wearing cable 

knit sweaters, or feasts of turkey and 

dressing. But Jordan Perry and Briana 

Outlaw will probably answer a little 

differently than most from now on because 

that is the day they got engaged. 

Their relationship has withstood the test 

of time and being high school sweethearts 

has given them over ten years to grow and 

explore life together. 

The two started dating after attending 

Brandon’s homecoming dance together. 

Briana recalled a special 

moment early in their 

relationship when Jordan 

had taken her to his 

grandmother’s house in 

Leakesville, Mississippi. 

“We were just hanging 

out and he put his arm 

around me and I said 

‘I’m gonna marry you 

one day.’ It’s kind of 

crazy looking back 

now because we had 

only been dating about 

six months. And here we are ten years later 

and we really are getting married!” 

The couple has shared everything from 

shrimp and steak at Yoko’s Japanese 

Restaurant to several ski trips. Though 

they had a short break-up during their 

college years, they soon got back together 

feeling that the separation helped them 

realize, even more, that they were supposed 

to be together. 

Briana, now a geometry teacher and 

dance team coach at Northwest Rankin 

High School, and Jordan, a commercial 

flooring estimator for Craft Croswell, held 

a ‘Friendsgiving’ at Jordan’s house on 

November 22nd. 

After two weeks of coordinating with 

their friends that would be in town for the 

Thanksgiving season, Turkey Day finally 

arrived. Briana busied herself with 

preparing food in the kitchen when Jordan 

made a comment about everything “being 

so stressful.” Confused by the statement, 

Briana shrugged it off and went on about 

her business. After everything was warm 

out of the oven and it was time for the 

banquet, their best friend, Matt, gathered 

everyone around for the blessing. Briana 

bowed her head and closed her eyes, 

awaiting the prayer but she soon opened 

them to see Jordan in front of her—down 

on one knee. She reflected on the moment 

saying, “It was special because all of our 

friends were there.” 

Unlike many girls who 

grew up dreaming 

about how lavish and 

gorgeous their 

wedding day would be, 

Briana never really 

focused on the occasion 

itself. “I don’t know that 

I’ve always had 

everything planned out 

to a ‘T’ before it happens. 

I’m just ready for it to be 

here and to be married to 

Jordan,” she said. 

The couple will wed at First Baptist 

Church of Brandon on July 22, 2017. And 

while additional plans are still in the works, 

it’s safe to say that this pair is not in it for 

the wedding–they’re in it for the marriage. 

After the wedding, Briana plans to move 

from the house she has been sharing with 

her brother in Pelahatchie into Jordan’s 

new home in Flowood. Jordan purchased 

the house almost a year ago, with Briana’s 

input, and had already planned on proposing 

to her. He just had to wait for the right 

opportunity when their close friends could 

be there to witness the special moment. 

Their goals involve a lot of traveling to 

visit friends, and continuing to share the 

shrimp and steak at Yoko’s. n 


Who is the one person 

Yolanda Anding 

My mother, Shirley Ware. 

She is the epitome of someone who exemplifies a 

compassion unlike any other. Her nature is 

summed up by her drive to always put the needs 

of others before her own. As I watch her, I can 

see the many life lessons she has taught me that 

make me constantly strive to be a better wife, 

mother and daughter. I can only pray that I 

make her as proud to call me her daughter as I 

am to call her my mother. 

JT Ginn 

My grandfather. 

He is a hardworking, selfless man who 

loves his family and always puts them first. 

Clint Emmons 

My youth pastor, Marshall West. 

He is there any time that I need to talk to 

someone and he always knows what’s best for 

me. He truly inspires me to be my best. 

Tricia Ingram 

My mother, Diane Jacobsen. 

Her gift of teaching children is what inspired 

both my sister and me to become educators. 

She finds joy in every moment and shows love 

to so many people in so many ways. 

Nikki Burke 

My mom, Tommye Porter. 

She inspires me because she is the most caring 

and loving lady I know. She is always willing to 

put the needs of others in front of her own 

and is willing to help anyone in need. 


who inspires you and why? 

Kristin Daniels 

Tammie Ferguson. 

As a military spouse, mother, and entrepreneur, 

she finds time to operate her small business, 

Tammie Ferguson Consulting, LLC, lead 

international mission trips through Habitat 

for Humanity, and encourage others to be their 

best selves. Tammie definitely inspires me 

to positively impact the world. 

Bethany Hill 

Beth Bowman 

The way she loves and cares for others 

and makes everybody feel special. 

She’s a great role model and I would 

love to be like her when I grow up! 

Barry Wesson 

My mom and dad. 

I am inspired by their work ethics, their love 

to serve others, and their love for Jesus Christ. 

They inspire me to become a better man, to 

work hard in life, and to raise my two boys with 

the morals and values they taught me. 

Mary Margaret Creamer 

My dad, Yale Canfield. 

He always sees the best in people, 

and he taught me by example to extend 

grace, forgiveness, and mercy to those 

who may not seem to deserve it. 

Alexis Knott 

My father, Sanford Knott. 

He is a God-fearing man of Christ. 

He knows that in this world, life is a faith walk. 

But with God, everything is possible. 



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of Rankin County 

Steven Wallace | 601-825-5242 

1301 West Government Street, Suite 105 

Brandon, Mississippi 


Rankin County 

Volunteer Fire Departments 

Bill Harvey 

The very core of democracy in America is 

self-rule. We pride ourselves on the ability to 

establish our institutions, make our laws, 

select our leaders, outline our goals and achieve our 

mission. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than 

with local volunteer fire departments (VFD’s). 

The first organized force of volunteer firefighters 

that history records was the Corps of Vigiles in 

ancient Rome about 6 A.D. The first volunteer 

units in the U.S. were formed in New Amsterdam 

(New York City) in 1711 when concerned citizens 

organized so-called mutual fire societies of 

approximately 20 members each. We are not privy 

to their accomplishments but we have their modern 

component today in the sixteen volunteer fire 

districts in Rankin County. These districts contain 

fire fighting units that serve the populace not 

included in Brandon, Pearl, Flowood and Richland 

which have full-time paid departments. 

Approximately 69% of all fire departments in the 

United States are volunteer in composition. Rankin 

is typical of the 3,000 counties and parishes in the 

U.S. in how it administers its volunteer emergency 

services. All political subdivisions have laws, policy 

standards and personnel requirements set up to 

administer aid and protection to their citizens. 

Volunteer fire districts are located in Robinhood, 

Lake Harbor, Leesburg, Langford, Pelahatchie, 

Evergreen, Monterey, Walters, Puckett, Shell Road, 

Cato, Star, Florence, Cleary, and Southwest and at 

the Reservoir, which is a partially paid entity. 

Rankin County Fire Coordinator Brett Ishee 

describes VFD’s as service units at the grass roots 

level. These units, located within their district, 

perform a wide number of critical services, many 

in coordination with local law enforcement and 

other emergency services. These include firefighting, 

rescue operations, medical emergencies, road 

accidents, drownings and inclement weather 

emergencies.” You can’t imagine what we are 

sometimes called on to do; from getting pets 

down out of trees to bringing our own water to put 

out a grass fire.” The demand for service is intense. 

“There were 20,559 runs or calls countywide in 

2015,” Ishee said, “and we ran well ahead of that 

demand in 2016.” 

Rankin County’s VFD’s are non-profit 

organizations and fall into two categories. The 

larger units are chartered under the county board 

of supervisors and have their own elected board of 

directors and commission which appoints a 

president and vice-president. These units have an 

official charter, bylaws and are subject to an 

annual audit. The small, unchartered units have a 

board of directors only but are subject to local 

statutes and authority. All real estate for individual 

units is acquired through funding from the county 

supervisors. 

Once a unit is established and operational it 

must acquire membership. Membership is attained 

by recruiting interested personnel through 

community events, church gatherings, fundraisers 

and word of mouth. Both men and women are 

firefighters and women receive the same training 

and adhere to the same training standards as the 

men. Most members have part or full time jobs 

outside the unit and when they receive a call they 

must leave work if possible. 

Even though the unit is voluntary, financial 

support is critical to the maintenance of a viable 

firefighting capability. In taxing districts, a millage 

is designated for the fire units. In each taxing 

district $18,000 per year is allocated from 


homeowner’s fire insurance rebate money collected 

by private insurance companies. This money is 

distributed to the county by the state fire insurance 

commissioner in his capacity as state fire marshal. 

In addition to rebate monies and in non-taxing 

districts there are a variety of means of generating 

financial support such as local fundraisers, corporate 

and private donations and occasional grants for specific 

needs. The State Surplus Property Commission is 

also quite helpful in providing equipment for all 

units. For example, an old army truck purchased 

from the Commission for $100 can be converted 

to a 3,000 tanker. After being in use for 90 days, it 

belongs to the fire department. 

Training of fire emergency personnel is provided 

by the State Fire Academy and the county fire 

coordinator. It is paid for out of county funds. There 

is some in-house training provided by the county. 

The State Fire Academy must certify this training in 

order for the unit to be in service. These training 

standards are the same as those employed by paid 

fire departments. 

VFD’s are on call 24/7. They are alerted to an 

emergency the same way any emergency notification 

is received. A citizen calls “911”.The dispatcher then 

alerts the fire department nearest the emergency. 

The Florence VFD is typical of the county’s larger 

units. Its 27 person force has an average response 

time of eight minutes to an area emergency. 

According to Chief Chip Taylor, “Once our pagers 

are activated by a 911 call to the sheriff’s office, we are 

on the way to the scene along with the local police 

and other emergency personnel as needed.” The chief 

understands the demands on his team and its place in 

emergency service. “Our service would be impossible 

without the dedication and sacrifice of our members 

who are personally concerned with the safety of their 

neighbors.” 

The VFD in Cato is a smaller unit serving a less 

dense population area. Its ten members have the 

same eight minute reaction time as Florence. 

Coordinating with other emergency services and 

reporting procedures is also similar. “We perform 

almost any service necessary to protect our citizens 

after receiving an alert,” says Chief Alan Hudson. 

“We answer fire and medical calls, clear downed 

trees and have even helped round up loose livestock.” 

How can the public assist these men and women? 

Chief Hudson says, “Donations and prayers are 

always appreciated.” 

Having proximity to a VFD can positively affect 

homeowner insurance rates. These are typically greatly 

reduced along the same lines as those in a paid 

district. This reduction often off-sets any increase in 

tax millage, if any, to maintain these facilities. 

Rankin County resident Camille Wright lives in 

District 4, which was previously outside a designated 

fire district. A lack of fire protection had a negative 

effect on insurance rates in her area. 

In March 2016, Scott Berry, chief of the Reservoir 

Fire assisted in getting Ms Wright’s area in his fire 

district. He was able to get the fire rating agency and 

the county supervisors to agree to this expansion. 

“As a result of Mr. Berry’s efforts, our fire rating has 

gone from a 9 down to a 6,” Ms. Wright says. “This 

has reduced my personal yearly homeowner’s 

insurance premium by half.” 

Volunteer men and women who make up these 

fire units are a special breed. They truly care for the 

security of families and their community. Brett Ishee 

sums it up well. “Come rain or shine, the volunteer 

fire departments are there to help. No matter what 

time or what they have scheduled in their lives, they 

put family and friends on hold every day. Even on 

holidays when everyone else is having fun they are 

there and on call to help others.” n 



sAY “i Love you” 

with 

Chocolate Covered Strawberry baskets 

order online • nandyscandy.com 

1220 E. Northside Dr. • 601.362.9553 

Heart Boxes with Assorted Chocolates 



An Enduring 

Valentine 


Jim Baird had a single focus seventy years 

ago when he moved from Chicago and entered 

Maryville College in Tennessee. He wanted to 

play football. What he didn’t expect was finding 

his forever valentine, but that’s exactly what 

God arranged. 

Jane was a freshman, and she and Jim were 

introduced by a mutual friend. Their first date 

was attending a college play, “The Man Who 

Came to Dinner.” Jim recalls walking her back 

to her dormitory with concrete assurance that 

he would marry this girl. 

It took six years of dating, along with Jane’s 

mother’s prodding, for Jane to come to the 

same conclusion. “He had to grow up,” Jane 

said with her jovial smile. 

In the years that followed, Jane was 

instrumental in converting her Yankee spouse 

into a southern gentleman. Three years and 

their first of four sons later, God made a 

conversion of His own in their lives. He called 

Jim into the ministry. 

They have served in churches in Alabama, 

Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi and traveled 

the world sharing the Gospel. From 1983 to 1995, 

Dr. Baird was the popular and able minister at 

First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. 

Today they remain active in church ministry, 

and Dr. Baird continues to preach in various 

churches. They maintain a disciplined schedule 

of water aerobics and visit with their sons’ 

families and ten grandchildren. 

Valentines for sixty-four years is an amazing 

milestone. “We seldom argue,” Dr. Baird said 

while reflecting on the longevity of their love. 

Jane quickly added, “We know each other so 

well. We know when to stop!” 

Happy Valentine’s to a couple whose love 

story portrays the beauty and joy of ageless 

devotion. ♥ 



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Brandon Office: (601) 825-8300 

Canton Office: (601) 859-3464 

Madison Office: (601) 605-2259 

Ridgeland Office: (601) 957-9292 

Yazoo City Office: (662) 746-4312 

— WWW.OPTICAL2000.COM — 

THANK YOU 

for your continued support! 

100 Ridge Way, Flowood MS 

601.420.4202 | TableOneHundred.com 


Several months ago, with a collaborative 

desire to promote Rankin County businesses, 

Hometown Magazines and the Rankin 

County Chamber of Commerce decided to 

create a red carpet event that would 

celebrate the outstanding business 

community in which we live and work. 

Rankin County’s Best of the Best Red 

Carpet Gala was born. 

Fifty-three categories were established 

to start. We asked for submissions from 

the public for favorites in each category. 

Over thirty-thousand votes were cast 

as people voted for their top choices in 

each group. 

On January 12, nearly 500 people walked 

the red carpet at the sold out inaugural 

event where the winners were announced. 

Listed here are all the nominees and 

winners. We congratulate every single 

business for this incredible achievement. 

The 2018 Red Carpet Gala has been 

scheduled for January 18. Mark your 

calendars now! 





Best of the Best 

Nominees 

Dining Out 

BEST ASIAN FOOD 

Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi of 

Flowood 

Osaka Japanese Restaurant 

Fuji Japanese Restaurant 

& Sushi Bar 

OEC Japanese Express of Brandon 

Yoko Japanese Steak House 

BEST BARBEQUE 

Dickey’s Barbeque Pit 

Smokehouse of Florence 

Sonny’s BBQ 

Triple A Barbeque 

Little Willie’s BBQ 

BEST ITALIAN FOOD 

Amerigo 

Cerami’s 

Mazzio’s - Brandon 

Lost Pizza 

Soulshine Pizza 

BEST MEXICAN 

El Sombrero - Flowood 

Fernandos - Pearl 

Papitos - Flowood 

El Portrillo - Brandon 

Salsa’s - Flowood 

Health & 

Wellness 

BEST CHIROPRACTOR 

Kennedy Chiropractic 

Fowler Chiropractic 

Foxworth Chiropractic 

Chad A. Brown, D.C. 

Barnes Chiropractic 

BEST DENTIST 

The Winning Smile 

Wren Pediatric Dentistry 

Pediatric Dentistry of Brandon 

(Dr. Henry Cook) 

Mayatte Family Dentistry 

Dogwood Family Dental 

(Dr. Amy W. Sherman, DMD) 

BEST SUSHI 

Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi - Flowood 

Osaka Japanese Restaurant 

Fuji Japanese Restaurant 

Sushi & Grill 

OEC Japanese Express - Richland 

Asahi Japanese Restaurant 

& Sushi Bar 

BEST SEAFOOD 

Half Shell Oyster House 

Table 100 

Mudbugs 

Moss Creek 

Cafe Lagniappe 

BEST HAMBURGER 

Mugshots Grill & Bar 

Five Guys Burgers and Fries 

Table 100 

Taste of Detroit 

Kismets 

BEST FRIED CHICKEN 

Fannin Mart Restaurant 

Table 100 

Georgia Blue 

Abner’s 

Remember When 

BEST OPTOMETRIST 

Dr. Anna Taylor 

Taylor Eyecare Family Optometry 

Dr. Mark Allen 

The Optical Shoppe 

Dr. J. Minor Pace 

20/20 Vision 

Dr. Richard W. Pharr 

Dr. Tina Sorey 

Eyecare Professionals 

BEST PEDIATRICIAN 

Dr. Dennis W. Rowlen 

Rankin Children’s Group 

Dr. Joe Edwards 


Dr. Craig Flowers 


Dr. Sam J. Denney 

The Children’s Clinic 

Dr. Laura Mullins 


BEST PIZZA 

Lost Pizza Company 

Soulshine Pizza 

Millers Grill & Pizzeria 

Mellow Mushroom 

Papa Johns 

BEST STEAK 

Table 100 

Outback Steakhouse 

LongHorn Steakhouse 

Dukes Steakhouse and Restaurant 

Amerigo Italian Restaurant 

BEST COFFEE SHOP 

Cups – Flowood 

Mocha Mugs – Brandon 

Cups – Brandon 

Crave – Florence 

The Gathering Grounds 

BEST SWEET SHOP/BAKERY 

Nothing Bundt Cakes 

Sugar Magnolia Takery 

Corner Bakery 

Gigi’s Cupcakes 

That Special Touch 

BEST OUTDOOR DINING 

Amerigo 

Millers Grill & Pizzeria 

Newks – Brandon 

Papitos 

Georgia Blue 

BEST NURSE/NURSE 

PRACTITIONER 

Lisa Byrd 

Merit Health, Brandon 

Heather Kuriger 

Baptist Medical Clinic, Reservoir 

Kimberly Loe 

Baptist Medical Clinic, Brandon 

Aaron Katzenmeyer 

Merit Health, Flowood 

Candice Ashley 

Florence Family Medical 

BEST MEDICAL CLINIC 

Baptist Medical Clinic - Brandon 

Corner Clinic Urgent Care - Flowood 

Merit Health Medical Clinic - Brandon 

TrustCare Express - Brandon 

MEA - Spillway 

BEST SPORTS BAR 

Mississippi Legends Grill 

Alumni House 

Georgia Blue 

Buffalo Wild Wings 


BEST CHEF 

Mike Roemhild - Table 100 

Danny Eslava - Eslava’s 

Jay Bruner - Cafe Lagniappe 

Tony DeMartini - Old Fannin 

Restaurant 

Tim McSweyn - Outback 

Steakhouse 

BEST HAPPY HOUR 

Table 100 

Castlewoods Country Club 

Georgia Blue 

Mississippi Legends Grill 

El Sombrero 

BEST BREAKFAST 

Primos 

Cracker Barrel 

Heart & Soul 

Joe’s Diner 

Corner Bakery 

BEST VETERINARIAN 

Dr. Richard D. Kirby 

Hometown Veterinary Services 

Dr. David May 

Animal Medical Hospital, Inc. 

Dr. Scott Houston 

Brandon Animal Clinic 

Dr. Staci Rhodes 

Crooked Creek Animal Hospital 

Dr. Jennifer Sullivan 

Oakdale Animal Hospital 

BEST FITNESS CENTER 

The Club of Crossgates 

Anytime Fitness 

YMCA 

Focus Fit 

University Wellness - Brandon 


Retail & 

Personal 

Services 

BEST WOMEN’S 

CLOTHING BOUTIQUE 

Cobo’s Boutique 

Material Girls 

Faith N Candy 

The Girlie Boutique 

Miss Priss 

BEST PLACE TO FIND 

MEN’S CLOTHING 

Cozy Outfitters 

Shades 

Bass Pro 

Capital Menswear 

Heart of the South 

BEST CHILDREN’S 


Bows n Arrows 

Southern Raised 

Little Miss Sew & Sew 

O! How Cute 

Traditions 

BEST RESALE/ 

CONSIGNMENT SHOP 

Forget Me Nots 

From Me to You 

Wear It’s At 

Goodwill - Brandon 

Traditions 

BEST FLORIST 

Green Floral 

Flowers by Mary 

Chapman’s Florist 

That Southern Accent 

Willow Blu 

BEST PLACE TO BUY 

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS 

Corporate Apparel & Promotions 

Pollchaps 

One Way Promotional Products 

Global Screen Printing 

SignMark, Inc. 

BEST HAIR SALON 

James Jacobs Salon 

Lacru Salon 

Headwaves 

Kasha 

Hair & Company 

BEST DAY SPA 

Massage Envy 

Tranquility 

The Skin District 

The Face and Body Spa 

The Wellness Spa 

BEST JEWELRY STORE 

Newton’s 

Jackson Jewelers 

Crown Jewelers 

Crossgates Jewelers 

Courtyard Manufacturing Jewelers 

BEST GIFT SHOP 

O! How Cute 

Apple Annie’s 

Heart of the South 

AllyOops 

Mockingbird Marketplace 

Entertainment 

BEST LOCAL BAND 

Acoustic Crossroads 

Stace and Cassie Shook 

Burnham Road 

Chasin Dixie 

Jason Miller Band 

BEST GOLF COURSE 

Castlewoods 

Refuge 

Patrick Farms 

Bay Pointe 

Pearl Golf Course 

BEST PLACE TO TAKE KIDS 

Winner’s Circle Park 

High Heaven 

Party Safari 

Pump it Up 

Shiloh Water Park 

BEST PLACE TO HAVE 

BIRTHDAY PARTIES 

Pump it Up 

Party Safari 

High Heaven 

Fannin Lanes 

Funtime Skateland 

Professionals 

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER 

Brian & Hollie Hull 

Rachel H. Boyer 

Destiny Tillery 

Jamie K. Morris 

Alana Donovan 

BEST LANDSCAPER 

Ambiance Landscape 

Murphy’s Lawn & Landscape 

Carter and Gardner Landscape 

Lakeland Lawn & Garden Center 

Southern Oaks Landscape Design 

& Maintenance 

BEST NEW HOME 

CONSTRUCTION 

Mike Roberson Builders, Inc. 

Robert Bridges Construction 

S & S Builders 

Southern Pines Construction 

Neese Custom Homes 

BEST HEATING & 

COOLING COMPANY 

Pure Air Consultants 

Central Heating & Cooling 

Hermetic Rush 

Climate Masters 

Jamie Weeks Heating & Cooling 

BEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION 

Community Bank 

Trustmark National Bank 

BankPlus 

BancorpSouth 

Renasant Bank 

BEST INSURANCE 

COMPANY/AGENT 

Insurance Protection Specialists 

Malcolm Houston - State Farm 

Eddie Grimes - Allstate 

Steven Wallace - Insurance Associates 

Don Bass - State Farm 

BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER 

Jeff Arnold 

Julie Lewis - Casabella Interiors 

Alisa Berry - Casabella Interiors 

Cindy Phillips 

Magic Touch Interiors 

Miscellaneous 

BEST PLACE TO WORK SMALL 

BUSINESS (1-50 EMPLOYEES) 

Elliott Law Firm 

Brandon Methodist Kindergarten 

The Winning Smile 

Mocha Mugs 

Morgan Stone 

BEST PLACE TO WORK 

MEDIUM BUSINESS 

(50-100 EMPLOYEES) 

Precision Spine, Inc. 

The Face and Body Center 

Scott’s Miracle-Gro 

Chick-fil-A Brandon 

Performance Drilling Co. 


LARGE BUSINESS 

(100 + EMPLOYEES) 

Merit Health Rankin - Crossgates 

Nucor Steel 

Rankin County School District 

Blue Cross/Blue Shield 

GI Associates 

FRIENDLIEST PUBLIC 

OFFICIAL 

Larry Swales, Chancery Clerk 

Bryan Bailey, Sheriff 

Chris Vinson, Alderman Ward 2 

Gregg Harper, Congressman 

Butch Lee, Mayor 


Best of the Best Winners 

Dining Out 

BEST ASIAN FOOD 

Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi 

BEST BARBEQUE 

Little Willie’s BBQ 

BEST ITALIAN FOOD 

Cerami’s Italian Restaurant 

BEST MEXICAN 

Papito’s Mexican Restaurant 

BEST SUSHI 

Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi 

BEST SEAFOOD 

Half Shell Oyster House 

BEST HAMBURGER 


BEST FRIED CHICKEN 

Georgia Blue 

BEST PIZZA 

Lost Pizza Co. 

BEST STEAK 

Table 100 

BEST COFFEE SHOP 

Café Crave 

BEST SWEET SHOP/BAKERY 

Nothing Bundt Cakes 

BEST OUTDOOR DINING 

Georgia Blue 

BEST SPORTS BAR 

Alumni House Sports Bar and Grill 

BEST CHEF 

Danny Eslava - Eslava’s Grille 

BEST HAPPY HOUR 

Georgia Blue 

BEST BREAKFAST 

Heart & Soul 

Health & 

Wellness 

BEST CHIROPRACTOR 

Fowler Chiropractic 

BEST DENTIST 

Mayatte Family Dentistry 

BEST OPTOMETRIST 

Dr. Anna Taylor 

Taylor EyeCare Family Optometry 

BEST PEDIATRICIAN 

Dr. Laura Mullins 


BEST NURSE/NURSE 

PRACTITIONER 

Candice Ashley 

Florence Family Medical 

BEST MEDICAL CLINIC 

Baptist Medical Clinic 

Brandon 

BEST VETERINARIAN 

Dr. Richard D. Kirby 

Hometown Veterinary Services 

BEST FITNESS CENTER 

Focus Fit 

BEST PERSONAL TRAINER 

RJ Barrett - Focus Fit 

BEST FAMILY DOCTOR 

Dr. Richard C. Randolph 

Retail & 

Personal 

Services 

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING 

BOUTIQUE 

Cobo’s Boutique 

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE 

Heart of the South Apparel & Gift 

BEST CHILDREN’S 


O! How Cute Boutique & Gifts 

BEST RESALE/ 

CONSIGNMENT SHOP 

Forget Me Nots 

BEST FLORIST 

Chapman’s Florist 

BEST PLACE TO BUY 

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS 

One Way Promotional Products 

BEST HAIR SALON 

Lacru Salon 

BEST DAY SPA 

Massage Envy 

BEST JEWELRY STORE 

Jackson Jewelers 

BEST GIFT SHOP 

O! How Cute Boutique & Gifts 

Entertainment 

BEST LOCAL BAND 

Stace and Cassie Shook 

BEST GOLF COURSE 

Patrick Farms Golf Club 

BEST PLACE TO TAKE KIDS 

Winner Circle Park 

BEST PLACE TO HAVE 

BIRTHDAY PARTIES 

Pump it Up 

Professionals 

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER 

Brian and Hollie Hull Portraits 

BEST LANDSCAPER 

Murphy’s Lawn & Landscape. Inc. 

BEST NEW HOME 

CONSTRUCTION 

Southern Pines Construction 

BEST HEATING & COOLING 

COMPANY 

Pure Air Consultants 

BEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION 

Trustmark National Bank 

BEST INSURANCE COMPANY 

Don Bass 

State Farm Insurance 

BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER 

Alisa Berry 

Casabella Interiors 

Miscellaneous 


SMALL BUSINESS 

The Winning Smile Dental Group 


MEDIUM BUSINESS 

Precision Spine, Inc. 


LARGE BUSINESS 

Rankin County School District 

FRIENDLIEST 

PUBLIC OFFICIAL 

Bryan Bailey, Rankin County 

Sheriff 

BEST NON-PROFIT 

ORGANIZATION 

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2017 

Winter 

Gathering 

January 24 

The Ivy 



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Vice President for Administrative Services, 34175 Hwy. 18, Utica, MS 39175, 601.885.7002. Dr. Tyrone Jackson, Associate Vice President for Student Services & Title IX Coordinator, Box 1100 Raymond Campus (Denton Hall 221), Raymond, MS 39154, 601.857.3232, titleIX@hindscc.edu 

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RCC-half-page-wide-Rankin-Jan2017.indd 1 


1/23/2017 11:38:11 AM

Hometown Rankin 

Reader 

SPOTLIGHT 

Bettye 

Massey 

Why did you decide to make Rankin County 

your home? 

Actually, my parents made that decision for me. 

They moved back to the “old family homestead” in 

the Concord community when I was a teenager. 

After my marriage I moved to Pelahatchie and 

have lived here ever since. When I visit my 

daughter in Houston, Texas, where four million 

people live with eight lanes of interstate highways 

weaving overhead, I am very happy to come home 

to my town with no traffic light and little traffic. 

How long have you lived in Rankin County? 

58 years. 

Tell us about your family. 

I am the middle child and only daughter of the 

late Edward and Roma Purvis of the Concord 

community. I was married to the late James 

“Schraunchy” Massey for 53 years. We have two 

children, Beverly of Houston, Texas, who is a nurse 

practitioner at M.D. Anderson and Jeff who lives 

in Mendenhall with his wife Donna. Jeff is 

employed with General Electric. I have three 

beautiful granddaughters and two wonderful 

grandsons-in-law. Kristin and Donald Berry live in 

Florence, Mississippi, Karli and Davis McGinnis 

live in Meridian, and Isabella Fayad is in Houston, 

Texas. I have been blessed this year with a great 

granddaughter, Della Rae Berry. I have also been 

blessed to be city clerk of Pelahatchie for 29 years 

and belong to Pelahatchie Baptist Church. 

What is your favorite memory of living in 

Rankin County? 

My favorite memory of living in Rankin County 

would be the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I 

witnessed our county coming together taking care 

of each other in unselfish ways. Rankin County is 

fortunate to have the best county officials! Being a 

city clerk, I often hear other clerks and mayors 

complain about their county officials. I am very 

proud to say Rankin County Officials will make 

every effort to help the municipalities. 

Where are your 3 favorite places to eat in 

Rankin County? 

Well the most favorite place to eat would have 

been my moms! She was a fantastic cook! Of 

course I love Duke’s in Pelahatchie, Newk’s in 

Brandon and Flowood and The Half Shell Oyster 

House in Flowood. 

What are some fun things to do in Rankin 

County on the weekends? 

Rankin County offers countless activities for all 

ages. There is the Yogi Bear Resort Park in 

Pelahatchie, unlimited shopping all over the county, 

the M-Braves games, and the Ross Barnett 

Reservoir. I think every municipality offers 

something unique for its citizens. 

What are three things on your bucket list? 

My bucket list is very simple. I have been blessed in 

my life to have a supportive family and wonderful 

friends so therefore I feel very content. My daughter 

thinks it is amazing that I attend church with 

people that I graduated with. My granddaughters 

laugh when I tell them that I was a cheerleader at 

Pelahatchie High School with ladies that are now 

in my Sunday school class! Of course I would like 

to spend more time with my family and to be more 

active in my church. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in your 

spare time. 

I love to read, work in the yard, take my dog Jake 

on daily walks and I love to be involved in my 

church activities and well as the town’s activities. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

The person I have always admired would be my 

Aunt Grace Bowman. She fought a mighty battle 

with breast cancer for over 20 years. She had an 

unwavering faith and was truly a “sermon walking.” 

She was a testimony to “Even so, God is good!” 

Where do you see yourself ten years from 

now? 

Surely, I will be retired by then! 

What is your favorite childhood memory? 

My favorite childhood memory would be the 

summers my brothers and I spent in the country 

with our grandparents enjoying the companionship 

of our Purvis, Patrick and Nobles cousins and 

going to Shiloh camp meeting and staying with 

Grandmother Minnie Nobles in her tent! 

If you could give us one encouraging 

quote, what would it be? 

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.” 

What is your favorite thing about 

Hometown Magazines? 

Hometown Magazine is a great asset for the county. 

It is both beautiful and tastefully done. The staff 

does an awesome job covering our county and is a 

great recruiting tool for people who looking for a 

great place to live. There is no place like Rankin 

County! n 



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The CHALKBOARD 

rankin county Schools 

Northshore 

Northshore Elementary students enjoyed Thanksgiving lunch 

with their families. 


Jackson Prep 

Jackson Prep is proud to announce that Stacey Ferreri has 

accepted the role of Director of Institutional Advancement. In her 

new role, Stacey will oversee all facets of school fundraising, 

including educational endowments, capital campaigns, The Legacy 

Society, and will work with Assistant 

Director of Annual Giving and 

Alumni Relations Melanie Schade 

to boost annual fund giving and 

alumni involvement. 

“We are extremely excited to 

have Stacey on board to run our 

development efforts at Prep. Her 

extensive experience in event 

management and non-profit 

fundraising makes her perfectly 

suited for this role and we are 

delighted to have her on our team,” said Dr. Jason Walton, Head 

of School at Jackson Prep. 

Stacey graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi 

in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies. 

Prior to graduating, Stacey studied at the University of London, 

London England in furtherance of her English minor. Upon 

graduation, Stacey worked for eleven years as a legal assistant with 

the Jackson law firm of Stennett, Wilkinson & Peden where she 

worked in all facets of the firm’s civil, corporate and administrative 

law practice. During this time Stacey volunteered her free time to 

help raise money and awareness for such local charities as The 

Junior League of Jackson, The Jackson Symphony League, and the 

St. Dominic Hospital Auxiliary. 

Combining her paralegal background and volunteer fundraising 

experience, Stacey became a political consultant to Governor 

Ronnie Musgrove, and served from January 2001 to May 2003 as 

his Campaign Finance Director, raising funds in preparation for 

his then upcoming re-election campaign. 

Ferreri Consulting LLC was born in 2004 with political 

consulting as the prime focus of the company as Stacey has directed 

the fundraising efforts of a host of mayoral, judicial, county and 

state races as well as congressional races. In recent years she has 

served as the Campaign Finance Director for former First District 

Congressman Travis Childers, former State Representative and 

Transportation Chairman Warner McBride, current Public 

Service Commissioner Brandon Presley (Northern District of 

Mississippi), and Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton. 

Stacey currently serves as Board President of the Greater 

Jackson Arts Council and sits on the Community Foundation of 

Jackson-Membership Committee. She is a past president of the 

Jackson Symphony League and the St. Dominic Hospital Auxiliary. 

She is a Sustaining member of the The Junior League of 

Jackson, a founding board member of the New Stage Theatre 

League, and past member of Board of Trustees of the Mississippi 

Chapter of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 

Stacey and her husband Glenn are the proud parents of Gabbi, 

a current 10th grader at Jackson Prep. The family resides in Brandon. 

2016 Jackson Prep Junior Varstiy Fastpitch Softball Awards: L-R: Grace Sinclair, 

Most Improved; Lauren Noe, Patriot Award; Carly Lewis, Most Valuable Player. 

Congratulations to Jackson Prep juniors Mary Margaret Mitchell and Anne Clark 

Harvey on the completion of the Making a Difference (MAD) project “Book it for 

Northtown”. These leaders collected over 500 children’s books for daycare early 

reader programs and assisted with young readers. 

Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion. 




Pelahatchie #PelahappyTHEplacetolearnandgrow 

Pelahatchie High School is generating entertainment and excitement for 

Chieftain fans with its winter sports programs. Three Pelahatchie teams are 

currently ranked in the state for their extraordinary seasons. The girls’ soccer 

team is ranked 8th in the 1A – 3A division. Their record is 11-0-1. As they 

progress through district play, they continue to roll over their opponents. In the 

most recent contest, the girls defeated McLaurin with a score of 8-1. 

As the basketball teams move into district play, both teams are ranked in the 

top five. The Lady Chiefs team currently ranks 4th in the state. Their overall 

record is 15-5. In their opening district game, the Lady Chiefs defeated the 

Puckett Wolves with a score of 52-44. The boys are ranked 5th in Division 2A 

with an overall record of 14-3. The boys also opened district play with a 69-62 

win against Puckett. 

Park Place 

Park Place Christian Academy is hosting our 2nd Annual Parent’s Seminar on Thursday, 

March 9, 2017. We are blessed to welcome David Barton, author and founder of WallBuilders 

– an organization dedicated to presenting America’s forgotten history and heroes with an emphasis 

on America’s moral, religious, and constitutional heritage. 

All parents of all public, private, parochial, and home-schooled students are welcome to attend 

this free seminar. For more information, visit www.goppca.com and/or www.wallbuilders.com 

PPCA congratulates our Teacher of the Year, Faith Mann. Mrs. Mann is a third grade teacher 

and has taught at PPCA for eight years. Anyone that enters into her classroom immediately 

recognizes her passion for teaching and her love for her students; but most importantly her 

passion and love for Jesus. She works diligently to incorporate creative teaching strategies that 

foster academic success in her students. This year, after much research, Mrs. Mann removed 

student chairs from her classroom and replaced them with medicine balls. This is just one of the 

many innovative methods she uses to help each student reach his or her greatest potential. 


Puckett 

There is nothing like seeing and touching United States history 

firsthand, reliving major historical times that shaped the world in 

which we live. Puckett Student Council had the opportunity to 

travel to Washington D.C. after the Christmas holidays. As soon as 

the plane landed, the students were able to tour Ford’s Theater, 

where John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln. The next 

morning the group enjoyed a snow shower as students posed for 

pictures at the U.S. Capitol and toured the Smithsonian Museums 

(Botanical Gardens, Native American, & Air and Space). 

One of the highlights of the trip included a visit to the United 

States Holocaust Memorial Museum where students learned about 

genocide, promotion of human dignity, and the importance of a 

strong democracy. Sunday began with touring the remaining 

museums of the Smithsonian (National Art Gallery, Natural 

History, and American History). It was an enlightening experience 

to walk into the National Archive Building and see such historical 

documents as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, 

the Bill of Rights, and the Magna Carta of 1215. 

The students were able to experience a sense of patriotism and 

pride in their country as they walked around a city still alive with 

history. The third day, the students enjoyed touring the Pentagon 

and National Zoological Park, home of the giant pandas. The 

pinnacle of the trip, though, was the personal tour of the U.S. 

Capital with Representative Gregg Harper. During the tour, Paul 

Ryan, the speaker of the house, passed and briefly spoke to the 

group. The knowledge garnered from the tour with Representative 

Harper was much appreciated. 

When it comes to learning about life, there is nothing more 

enriching than travel. Students do not have to be lectured; they can 

learn through living history. 

Student Council D.C. Group: Hannah Womack, Julia Peoples, Molly Welch, Mary Jo 

Benton, Mackenzie Downs, Mattie Hammock, Madison Tullos, and Ali Hammock 

Teachers and Sponsors: Nikki Hammock, Jennifer Johnson, Amy Smith and Amy Tullos 





Florence 

Florence High School DECA travelled to District I competition 

at Hinds Community College in Pearl on Friday, January 13. 

Twenty-six competitors, two current state officers, and two state 

officer candidates participated in the days’ events culminating in 

18 of the 26 competitors receiving medals and qualifying to 

advance to state competition in February. 

The following students placed in their respective events: 1st 

place - Jaiden Bell, Richard Milne, Gregg Stull, and Ethan Tullos; 

2nd place - Lydia Edmonson, Mary Beth Vanlandingham, and J.J. 

Williams; 3rd place - Blake Breaux, Charlie Millette, Taylor 

Young; 4th place - Abby Gipson; 5th place - Lauren Barnett, 

Nelson Buckley, Avery Burkett, Judson Cavanaugh, Riley Cohen, 

Shawnee Howard, and DeCameron Mayes. These students will 

compete at MS State DECA competition on February 16 and 17 

in Jackson and those who qualify there will be eligible to travel to 

DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) 

in Anaheim, CA in April. 

Lt. Ed Steed, Sgt. Cody Hamilton, and Rico from the 

Richland Police Dept. visited Florence Elementary recently. 

The FES Eagle Readers Book Club members were fascinated 

with the many facets of using a dog in police work. The officers 

shared the special bond and training required of a law enforcement 

officer and his canine assistant. Eagle Readers just finished 

Kavik, the Wolf Dog, the story of a dog’s 2,000 mile trek to a 

family who loves and cares for him. The visit was a great way to 

connect literature to our lives. FES Eagle Readers meet once a 

week before school to read and discuss books. These 40 students 

go above and beyond what is expected because they love to read! 

FHS Junior Katie DeRouen and Senior Adara Young are 

completing their tenures on the DECA State Officer Team with 

Katie serving as State President and Adara serving as State 

Secretary. Katie served the organization for one term while Adara 

served for two. These young ladies have represented DECA, 

FHS, and RCSD well. 

Continuing the tradition of leadership in MS DECA, two 

additional students seek state officers in the organization for the 

2017-18 school year. FHS Sophomores Sam Emerson and 

Jonathan Whittington are campaigning for State President and 

State Vice-President, respectively. Elections will be held at MS 

State DECA Conference in February. 


Flowood 

Nestled amongst the Flowood Nature Park , Winner’s Circle 

Park and the Flowood Library, Flowood Elementary School is 

proud to bear the same name of the community that supports its 

outstanding teachers in producing top scholars and world citizens. 

With partnerships from parents and the community, Flowood 

students learn to live out its creed every day as we proudly reaffirm, 

“I am ready, I am respectful and I am responsible–I am a 

FLOWOOD KID!” 

This past term, our students were exposed to the responsibilties 

of citizenship where they learned about the democratic process 

through campaigns and elections. They also learned about the 

sacrifices made to keep us safe as we honored veterans in the 

classrooms and created a tribute wall of fame to honor veterans in 

our families who have proudly served our country. 

Two major highlights for the second term were the Flowood 

Fall Festival and the Annual Christmas Grand Lighting at Winner’s 

Circle Park. Our students enjoy providing the entertainment and 

interacting with the community who appreciates and supports their 

scholastics and talents. Our next big event is the Multicultural 

Night scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, 2017, from 5-7 pm on 

the school campus. Students and their families will be provided 

passports for a learning excursion through researched information, 

and foods from various cultures around the world and in our school 

and community. 





Richland 

Academic achievement has always been the primary focus in 

creating opportunities for students in high school, and this 

practice is certainly evident at Richland High School. Teachers 

work collaboratively to define, develop, and implement strategies 

to improve student achievement daily. There is no coincidence 

the book study this year is entitled, FOCUS. Throughout the 

year, teachers will present lessons on fundamental practices, the 

basics of curriculum, and literacy. Teachers are seen working 

together across the table at lunch, between classes, after school, 

before school, and at night using technology to communicate. As 

professionals, teachers devote hours to develop strategies designed 

to enable students to learn and teach them how to think 

and solve problems independently. However, there is another 

critical factor of education that is evident not only at Richland 

High School but also throughout the Richland community. 

It goes without saying that the Richland community exudes 

tremendous heart, and this was obvious as the school became the 

hub for a community drive to collect items for families in 

Mississippi and Louisiana that were devastated by floods earlier 

this year. The idea started with one teacher and spread like a 

brush fire from one teacher to another and one student to 

another. Very quickly, Project Richland Response was established 

and soon spilled out into the community. The City of Richland, 

local families, and businesses quickly opened up their hearts as a 

truck full of goods were collected and delivered. Richland High 

School became the hub of this service-oriented project, which 

taught the importance of caring for those who needed help in a 

time of crises. The concept of service was obvious in this massive 

effort, but for Richland High School students, service is demonstrated 

daily and efforts of service come in all forms. 

At Richland High School, students help each other with peer 

tutoring. Students are often seen doing random acts of kindness 

during the day. Students plan to generate even more Ranger pride 

in the development of a project encouraging all of us to keep our 

school looking good. Many of our students volunteer their time 

working with the Mayor’s Youth Council in activities such as 49 

Fest and the Haunted Trails in the City of Richland. Several of 

our students are recognized each graduation with a Distinguished 

Service graduate for the accumulation of at least 200 hours of 

volunteer service over their high school career. Students log in the 

time, the activity, and provide verification of the time spent 

volunteering. 

Reading, writing, and arithmetic consistently remain the focus 

of education and certainly at Richland High School but building 

the concept of service to one another and one’s community is a 

character trait that is just as critical. It truly is exciting to be a 

member of caring community in Richland, Mississippi and 

Richland High School. 


At Richland Elementary our little Rangers take pride in their 

learning and the staff couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments 

they make daily. Our teachers thoughtfully plan lessons 

that engage our students in hands-on learning and problem solving. 

Many of our teachers have embraced using STEM (Science, 

Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) projects to challenge 

our students and teach them to collaborate, communicate, and 

problem solve. 

Recently, the students in Mrs. Perkins’ second grade class 

worked in groups to construct their own catapults. They were 

given craft sticks and a rubber band to use as the catapult. They 

had to knock down a cup using a unifix cube. After experimenting 

with their catapult to see if it worked properly, the students wrote 

about the process they went through to construct the catapult and 

what they thought about the project. Mrs. Perkins said, “It was 

interesting to see the different strategies the students used during 

the project”. 

Ms. Hernandez’s second grade class’s STEM project was to 

construct a teepee that could sustain weather. Her class compared 

and contrasted the Native American’s home with the pilgrims’ 

homes. The objective was for them to build a teepee structure 

that could sustain weather and at the same time be movable 

(since some Native American tribes would move from one 

location to another). 

Not only did our students learn from these experiments 

– they loved it! 





Brandon Middle 

Brandon Middle School’s Self-Contained classes were so thrilled 

to have Gold ‘N Fit Zumba come and show us some great dance 

moves during the month of December! Gold ‘N Fit ladies did an 

excellent job showing the students and teachers how to combine 

dance and fitness in a really fun way. We are so thankful that Gold 

‘N Fit Zumba donated their time, effort and energy to our students. 

Everyone had an energizing time! A huge thank you to each 

member from BMS! 

Standing Right to Left: Tiffany Withers, Teresa Green, Neisha Brown, 

Rozie Gray, Emilia Simmons, Artez Walters, Barbara Cook, Derrion Padgett, 

Justin Greer, Cole Ford, Scott Mills, Jonathan Cox, Brad Woods, Rose McKay, 

Wayne McDonald, Betty Ward, Phyllis Davis, Melissa Brooks, Brady Bennett, 

Will Ratliff, Theresa Bennett. Seated Right to Left: Shakita Howard, Henri 

Smith, Chloe Lacy, Scheheem Williams On Floor Right to Left: Mitchell 

Bargender, LaShaye Evans, Pat Moulds, Fair Strawder, Diane Bruce, Vern 

Price, Kathy King (Instructor), Josie Moore, Anne Waggoner, Evelyn Pryor, 

James Ward, Terry Watson, Ethan McIntyre, Corey Brownlow 

McLaurin 

Visitors Making a Difference 

Peyton Hendry & Ryleigh Johnson 

McLaurin Elementary is excited to welcome Move to Learn to 

our school on February 8. Move to Learn is a foundation that 

motivates kids to be more focused in school. Their top priority is 

to improve nutrition and physical activity levels for Mississippi 

schools. While at the school, they will present a live demonstration 

of their Move to Learn videos. It’s sure to be a fun experience! 

Sixth grade classes are also having special visitors throughout 

the next few months. In December, Carson and Bender visited us 

from Y101. They talked about how radio worked and possible 

jobs in the radio industry. They also participated in a question and 

answer session with the students. 

Future visitors for the sixth grade class will be Miss Mississippi 

along with First Lady Deborah Bryant. Miss Mississippi, Laura 

Lee Lewis, will discuss with the students tobacco and smoking 

prevention. The program is hosted by the American Academy of 

Family Physicians. Laura’s motivation is children, because “they 

are so eager to learn”, which makes this a great opportunity for our 

sixth graders. First Lady Deborah Bryant will soon visit as well. 

Her initiative is to promote literacy with her “Read Across 

Mississippi Program”. 

McLaurin can’t wait to give a warm welcome to these special 

visitors. They will provide us with inspiration and the chance for 

new opportunities. 


Pisgah 

The year of the Dragon continues with vigor at Pisgah High. 

Our students have been hard at work making an impact both at 

school and across the south. 

In December, seventh-grader Madison Goss initiated a project 

to aid those affected by the Gatlinburg wildfires. Madison 

sponsored a drive to collect supplies needed by the wildfire victims 

and successfully loaded an 18-wheeler provided by KLLM 

Transport Services. Madison’s project garnered the attention of 

local media, earning her a feature on the WJTV broadcast. In true 

Dragon spirit, Madison’s efforts showcase her tenacity and 

willingness to serve others. 

For Coach David Brown’s eighth-grade students, history 

became reality as they participated in an interactive “Wax Museum” 

exhibit at the conclusion of the fall semester. The students 

selected and researched an influential figure of U.S. history who 

lived between 1492 and 1800. On the day of the exhibit, students 

dressed in character to present short monologues for touring 

students and teachers. The experience was one that made learning 

both fun and authentic. 

Several seniors participating in the Capstone project are using 

their skills to make a direct impact on the PHS campus. Colton 

Pierce, Hunter Hartlein, and Skyler Moss all worked on a complete 

overhaul of the landscaping near the football fieldhouse. The 

Discovery 

Christian 

Discovery Christian School took 2nd place in 

the Florence Christmas Parade. The theme of 

their float was, “Jesus, the Sweetest Gift.” Drew 

Teten, Vhaun Beckham, Ava Martin-Campbell 

and April Mally, four of our preschool students, 

enjoyed throwing candy to the crowd. 

students planted 69 trees, installed attractive flowerbeds, and 

completed dirt work to divert rainwater away from the fieldhouse. 

These students’ efforts have been noticed and admired by all. In 

addition, Archie Sullivan and Brandon Watson built two picnic 

tables, which will be used near our cafeteria for break time, 

outdoor class experiences, and rewards for students who are 

chosen to enjoy lunch outside. 

Pisgah High School is proud of the valuable learning and 

community service experiences being initiated by the faculty and 

students in our Dragon family. 





Hartfield Academy 

Congratulations to our MAIS 1st Team All District football award recipients! 

Students are heading to Dominican/Haiti March 8th-15th 

Students are serving in Guatemala “Inner City” and Eagles Nest March 7th-14th 

A couple of members will start the season off for the State High School Bassmaster 

fishing circuit this weekend in D’Iberville, MS. Jonathan Harris and Blake 

Barnard will compete with schools across the state in several tournaments for the 

points championship and a chance at the National Championship this summer. 


We have after hours coverage 7 days a week! 

Conveniently located in Flowood off of Lakeland Dr. 

New Patients Welcome 

Our Doctors 

Sam J. Denney, Jr., M.D. 

Samuel A. Smith, M.D. 

Amanda H. Cook, M.D. 

Gordon H. Meador, M.D. 

M. Adam Adcock, M.D. 

Laura A. Barron, M.D. 

Visit us at www.thechildrensclinicms.com or 

find us on at /childrensclinicms 



The Time Coin 

Nancy was at home in her flower 

garden. The miracle of burying 

seeds and bulbs to see them push 

through the soil and fill her garden with 

color and fragrance brought sheer delight 

in her senior years. 

Now that she was retired, her garden 

was her new work place. No, make that 

playground. She studied seed and flower catalogs and spent creative 

hours designing her flowering oasis. 

Nancy’s daffodil collection had grown to a showplace in the early 

spring. January might bring its wintry mix, but February and March 

meant color would return. Neither the March lamb nor lion could 

intimidate the designs that God had programmed in her select 

daffodil bulbs. 

By late February, the blanket of leaves was raked and in compost 

mode. The daffodils were up and breaking into a parade of blooms. 

Nancy spent special moments perusing her inviable collection while 

searching for more planting areas. 

On the last February weekend, Nancy’s granddaughter, Milly, came 

for a visit. The crisp Friday evening was perfect for Milly to wander the 

garden paths and examine her grandmother’s prize blooms. Nancy 

suggested a cup of hot chocolate and stepped inside to prepare their 

treat. “Warm cookies would add to this special visit,” Nancy said to 

herself as she pulled a package of cookie dough 

from the freezer. 

Before Nancy could finish her surprise 

cookie bake, Milly had her own surprise. She 

pushed through the kitchen door with both 

of her seven-year-old hands clutching a huge 

bouquet of daffodils – the prize ones that 

Nancy adored. 

“Here! Non-Nee, these are for you! I picked the biggest ones I 

could find.” 

Nancy tried to act surprised instead of shocked, and pleased instead 

of annoyed. Milly had harvested her choice blooms with stems in all 

lengths. 

“They’re beautiful, Milly, but let’s don’t pick anymore – they last 

longer outside and look so pretty from the windows,” Nancy said with 

a forced smile. 

That night while Nancy and Milly slept warm and snug in their 

quilt-topped beds, the lion of March slipped into Nancy’s garden and 

left a surprise carpet of snow. 

During their pancake breakfast, Non-Nee and Milly reveled in 

the “snow garden” and Milly’s beautiful bouquet on the breakfast table. 

In twenty-four hours Nancy had learned to seize the joy moments 

because they’re fleeting and to spread sunshine – not hoard it. The 

lion of March and the Lamb of God had been the instructors. n 


More than 30 clinics. 

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Just call 844-MSMERIT for an appointment with a provider near you. 

116 • June 2015

Hometown Rankin - February & March 2017

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