Hometown Madison - May & June 2017

Volume 3 Number 3 

may/june 2017 

Field of Dreams 

____________________ 

Watercolored Smiles 

____________________ 

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4 • May/June 2017

publisher & Editor 

Tahya A. Dobbs 

CFO 

Kevin W. Dobbs 

Consulting editor 

Mary Ann Kirby 

Account Executives 

Dacia Durr Amis 

Contributing Writers 

Camille Anding 


Susan Marquez 

Holly Perkins 

Abigail Walker 

staff Photographer 

Othel Anding 

Contributing Photographer 

LeeAnn Culp 

Administrative Assistants 

Alisha Floyd 

Brenda McCall 

Layout Design 

Daniel Thomas - 3dt 

Advertising Design 

Leah Mitchener 

Spring is a reminder of a lot of things, but two of high priority have to be the celebration of mothers 

and fathers in May and June. 

It’s almost impossible to summarize all the duties that go into being a parent. Only a parent 

understands the immensity of the assignment. When I think back on the roles my parents played in 

my life, I remember their hard work in their photography studio and the weekends that they were 

always working. However, the times that they were with me are the memories that hold the most joy. 

I remember the times my dad would have the school secretary call my name in my classroom, 

“Tahya, please come to the office. Your dad is here to pick you up.” It wasn’t for a doctor’s appointment 

or a haircut. It was a date! We would drive to town – twelve miles away and shop for a new outfit and 

have hamburgers for lunch. It was never scheduled but a treat I have never forgotten. 

After school, I remember sitting on the kitchen counter and watching my mother stir up the evening 

meal or add cinnamon to the pot of apple butter on the stove. She would listen as I told her about what 

happened at school or the drama that was going on among my friends. She was 

in-tune with my feelings and devoted to keeping me on the “right” path. 

Now that I’m a parent I still find that the days of hard work mesh into the 

past, but the times spent with my children are singular joys that I will always 

treasure. My parents always told me that TIME was the most valuable 

commodity that I was given – and to use it wisely. I fully agree. 

There’s no doubt that work is necessary, too. And we know that. A heartfelt 

thank-you goes to all our readers and advertisers. We at Hometown Magazines 

hope you all enjoy Mother’s Day and Father’s Day weekends 

and celebrate the time you have together. 

• • • 

On the cover: Stephanie Stanford Keith 

www.facebook.com 

/hometownmadisonmagazine 

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 Madison 

may be reproduced without written permission from 

the publisher. The management of Hometown Madison 

is not responsible for opinions expressed by its 

writers or editors. Hometown Madison maintains the 

unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted 

material. All advertisements are subject to approval by 

the publisher. The production of Hometown Madison 

is funded by advertising. 

In this issue From One Generation to the Next 9 

The Moments That Matter Most 16 

Field of Dreams 20 

Mother’s Day Tips 24 

Watercolored Smiles 28 

Mannsdale Kids Q&A 34 

Of Medicine & Murder 40 

A Swanky Cookie Affair 46 

The Town of Flora, Mississippi 54 

Mississippi Euro Fest 68 

Hometown madison • 5

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From One 

Generation 

to the Next 

Camille Anding 

It was an observant person who understood families and said, 

“They’re like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.” And while it’s for 

certain a few “nuts” are scattered throughout all our families, for the 

majority of these God-ordained collection of humans, 

we stick like glue or hair and bubble gum! 

This Mother’s Day, we’re pleased to feature a multi-generational family 

from right here in our own backyard. You’ll see some similarities, 

and some vast changes, but there’s one constant–and that’s love. 

That’s the key ingredient that binds families together 

from “start to finish.” 


Marcee Perkins Messer 

Graduated from 

Madison Central 

in 1997 

Sheila Hubbard Perkins 


Louisville High School 

in 1973 

Mollee Brooke Messer 

2nd Grade at 

Madison Avenue 

Lower Elementary 

Margie Thweatt 

Hubbard 


Clarksdale High School 

in 1945 


What was your favorite childhood game? 

Margie Hide and seek. 

Sheila I loved being outside. I was always playing 

basketball. 

Marcee Roller skating and riding bikes. 

Mollee Candy Land. 

Describe a typical high school outfit 

you would wear to school. 

Margie A dress and saddle oxfords. 

Sheila Usually a dress or skirt/blouse. Probably 

knee socks and some kind of loafer. 

Marcee Jeans or skirt. 

What age were you allowed to begin 

dating? 

Margie Didn’t really have an age but I met my 

future husband at 19 and we married at 20. 

Sheila I was pretty shy and really didn’t have a 

boyfriend until I met Wayne in college. 

Marcee 15 

Describe a date night during your 

generation. 

Margie Visiting with family. 

Sheila Movies and watching TV at your parents’ 

house and dinner dates. 

Marcee Dinner and a movie. 

As a child, what was your favorite 

sweet treat? 

Margie Strawberries and tea cakes. 

Sheila Orange push-ups and ice cream sandwiches. 

Marcee Homemade iced sugar cookies. 

Mollee Gummy bears! 

Who was your favorite movie star? 

Margie We didn’t have TV but I really liked 

John Wayne. 

Sheila Shirley Temple. 

Marcee Julia Roberts. 

Briefly describe a typical church service 

you remember as a child. 

Sheila My dad was always the music director and 

mom sang in the choir, so we would have to sit 

close to the front so my parents could keep an eye 

on us. 

Marcee We always went to church as a family and 

sat in the same spot. We have been members of 

FBC Madison since the ‘80s so I’ve always loved the 

consistency of worship and the people around us. 

What was your favorite family vacation 

growing up? 

Margie We would go to Oxford and Water Valley 

to visit relatives. 

Sheila Our family, along with another family, went 

to Six Flags Over Texas together. It was the first 

real amusement park I had ever seen. 

Marcee Colorado snow skiing. 

Mollee Colorado ski trips. 

What do you think was the most 

important value your parents taught 

you? 

Margie Be a good person. Treat others as you 

want to be treated. 

Sheila Be kind and treat others the way you would 

like to be treated. Also my Christian values– 

trusting Jesus as my Lord. 

Marcee Christian values and work ethic. 

Mollee Never lie. 

How did you celebrate birthdays 

as a child? 

Margie Mama would fix my favorite meal. 

Sheila I have a Halloween birthday so I would 

sometimes have a cake at school. But usually I just 

celebrated with family at home. 

Marcee With small parties and close friends. 

Mollee Sleepovers and parties with friends. 

What was a favorite Christmas memory? 

Margie Apples and oranges and nuts in our socks. 

Sheila Circling toys in the Sears catalog and 

putting out socks (not stockings) for Santa to 

leave our fruit. 

Marcee Christmas Eve with our closest 

family friends. 

Mollee Christmas Eve service at FBC Madison. 

What was a family tradition that you 

insist or insisted on passing down? 

Margie Cooking vegetable soup for my family. 

My mama made great vegetable soup in her big 

black cast-iron pot. 

Sheila Taking family vacations. 

Marcee Taking family vacations. 

What chore did you most dislike 

as a teenager? 

Margie Washing dishes. 

Sheila Doing dishes after family dinners. 

Marcee Laundry. And I still hate it! Clothes end 

up in a pile. 


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12 • May/June 2017 

17ORIGIN050_WelcomeMattWilson_4x10.indd 1 

3/31/17 2:27 PM

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Gift Guide 

The Corner Market 

Ole Miss Rebel 

Abbye Grey 

Lollia Handcremes, Bath & Shower Gels, Candles 

Hook & Bullet Outfitters 

Hari Mari flip flops 

Shayna’s Boutique 

Ashley Nicole Designs 

Protea Dekor 

White Yoki Ceramic Chip & Dip (the Corner Market, Flora) 

Deviney Equipment 

Variety of Yeti Products 

Super Shakes 

Shake Wear, Super Gear, 

Sample Packets & Snacks 

Flora Feed & Farm Supply 

Texas Wildlife Supply Deer Stands 

Mon Ami Spa 

Obagi Products 


od 

and 

rd 

Hattiesburg 

om 

Material Girls 

Old Soul Jewelry 

Madison Marketplace 

Madison Pillow 

LuLu’s Sweet Shop 

Assortment of Petit Fours 

Body Anew 

Capri Blue Candles 

Janie Pillow 

Cotton Wreath 

Runnels Center 

Microblading Everlasting Brows 

Jackson Eye Associates 

RayBan Sunglasses 

Bicycle Revolution 

Authorized Cannondale dealer 

selling kids, road, mountain and hybrid 

bicycles starting at $260 


The 

Moments 

that 

Matter 

Most 



Having a child grow 

and change so rapidly 

creates a sense of nostalgia 

(and sometimes panic) 

in me like few things do 

and I often find myself 

reflecting back on my own 

childhood as a measure of 

comparison. There are 

particular memories that 

stick out in my mind– 

like sitting at the kitchen 

table with my grandmother 

playing endless hands of 

double solitaire and learning 

how to fry chicken in her 

cast iron skillet–that I hold 

near and dear to my heart. 

Then I think about the life 

that my husband and I have 

created for our son and 

wonder, of all the memories 

(good and bad) that he’s 

sure to have, what will he 

actually hold onto? 

I have to remind myself, on a near-constant basis, that I am actually contributing 

to a narrative that my son could possibly play in his mind for the rest of 

his life. And that one day, he’ll be creating and instilling memories and moments 

and traditions, God-willing, into his own children based on that narrative. 

No one has to be reminded that life is short. I already feel the personal 

pressure of not “maximizing” my time here on earth as I have tendencies of 

taking the same paths over and over again and have made, admittedly, little effort 

to change it. I get into these epic ruts where days or even months may pass and 

then I look up and it’s Christmas again! I start to calculate how many Christmases 

I have left–and I again worry that I’ve wasted precious time. Why do we do this 

to ourselves? Or maybe it’s just me. 

I really do have good intentions, though, and know I need to do better. 

So, in the spirit of spring renewal, I am becoming more intentional about 

making the most of every minute and creating the kind of legacy that will 

endure long after I’m gone. I’m gonna live like I’m dying, as Tim McGraw 

would say! (A quick side note, I’m not dying. I’m just middle-aged, hormonal, 

and waxing philosophical.) Hopefully it will serve as an important way to stay 

focused on what matters most. 

As parents, we tend to stress about things that don’t matter all that much, 

don’t we? Our kids probably aren’t going to remember every detail of our home 

decor or how perfectly the beds were made. They likely won’t remember that 

time the laundry was all piled up on the laundry room floor or whether our 

refrigerator was stocked with name brands or generics. And if that’s the case, 

and I hope it is, then what will they remember? 

Well, I think they’ll remember traditions . . . 

Despite my own parents divorcing when I was four and living full-time with 

my mom, there are some really specific things that I remember about my dad’s 

parents. I remember that they were tall. My dad is 6’6” and his dad was 6’5”. 

And I know that they loved to play golf and his mother made “trash” every year 

at Christmas. So several years ago, I decided to start making trash during the 

holidays, too. I went out and bought a huge glass canister with a lid that would 

hold up to two gallons of the savory homemade snack mix and, despite having 

no idea if the recipe was even remotely similar to that which I’d had so many 

years before, it turned out deliciously and my son now totally identifies it with 

Christmas–just like I did all those years ago. 

Kids have deep need for predictability. They’ll remember, with great fondness, 

the traditions you establish—whether it’s a weekly game night, places you 

regularly travel for family getaways, or, in our case, Sunday dinners around the 

table, a custom started by my own maternal grandmother. Be deliberate 

about creating some traditions that they’ll want to pass on to their own children 

someday. 

Continued on page 18 


I think they’ll remember the times they felt safe... 

There’s a vulnerability and a need for protection in the heart 

of every child, regardless of their age. Our kids will remember 

the times we chased the monsters from under their bed, kept 

calm during a storm, or talked them through a tough situation 

they encountered at school. When children feel safe and 

secure, they learn to trust other people. And when they 

learn that they can trust the adults around them, it helps them 

grow up happy, healthy, and better able to enjoy the world. 

I think they’ll remember the times we gave them our undivided 

attention... 

“Watch this! Mom, watch this!” Lord, how many times can 

we “watch this?” But kids measure love basically by our 

attentiveness to them. The times you stop what you’re doing 

to watch them–or when you go outside to throw the ball or 

actually jump on the trampoline–those will be the memories 

etched into their hearts and minds forever. Take the time to 

do the little things with your kids, because in the end, those 

will be the moments that matter most. 

I think they’ll remember the way we interacted with our spouses... 

We laugh a lot in our house–thank goodness! And, 

unbeknownst to him, my child is forming his views of love and 

relationships, in large part, by watching how my husband and 

I treat each other. I hope to have the kind of marriage that 

would make him excited to get married someday–and in the 

meantime, it’s nice that he actually still enjoys being around us. 

They’ll remember our words of affirmation–and our words of 

criticism... 

A child’s heart is like wet cement and the impressions 

made early in life will harden and become permanent over 

time. They’ll base their sense of identity, capability, and even 

self-worth largely upon the words we speak to them. And 

certainly while part of our job as parents is to correct and 

discipline them, our words must be full of love, encouragement, 

and positive reinforcement, even when we’re angry. 

We must be encouragers. The world certainly has enough 

critics already. 

So, time marches on. We can’t stop it, rewind it, or fast 

forward it. But don’t be fooled by all the pages of a calendar– 

there are only as many days of the year as we make use of. 

Appreciate every second to the fullest extent possible–and 

make every moment count. Even if you’re just starting today. 

DONT 

MISS 

OUR 

NEXT 

ISSUE 

JULY 

2017 




of 

Central 

Mississippi

Field of Dreams 

Abigail Walker 

As an avid baseball fan, Joseph Voynik 

spends a lot of time watching his favorite sport 

on television. But when he saw a commercial 

for The Miracle League during a Pittsburgh 

Pirates game several years ago, he realized a 

need in his community and wanted to meet it. 

The Miracle League “removes the barriers 

that keep children with mental and physical 

disabilities off the baseball field and lets 

them experience the joy of America’s favorite 

pastime.” There are over 250 Miracle League 

fields in the United States, and Joseph 

decided to add another by starting The Miracle 

League of Central Mississippi. 

“Though there are plenty of great fields 

in the area,” says Joseph’s mother, Tammy 

Voynik, who uses a wheelchair, “there is not 

one handicapped-accessible field.” 

Over the past three years, the 15-year-old 

Jackson Prep student has raised around 

$395,000 to build the first Miracle League 

field in Mississippi. 

Joseph, at the time a 7th grader, presented 

the idea to his leadership class, and they set out 

to help by hosting the Miracle Mile fundraising 

walk. Joseph began visiting businesses, seeking 

out sponsorships and gaining support for his 

vision of a baseball field that would bridge 

gaps and allow kids and adults with disabilities 

to enjoy a beloved sport. 

About $450,000 is needed to begin the 

reconstruction of one of the fields at Hite 

Wolcott Park in Ridgeland into a speciallydesigned 

Miracle League field. The field will 

be made of rubber cement for a flat, barrierfree 

surface to accommodate wheelchairs, 

canes, and other devices. Dugouts, bathrooms, 

and parking will also be accessible. 

The Miracle League field will be part of a 

quad with three already-existing fields for 

able-bodied players. Joseph says it’s important 

that the new field feels inclusive. “I want 

everyone to have the same game day experience,” 

he says. “And the people at the other fields 

will see what’s happening and want to be a 

part of it.” 

“The community has really gotten behind 

this,” Joseph adds. “People from all over want 

to get involved.” Sponsors have included 

Methodist Rehabilitation Center and 

BankPlus, but there are many who can’t wait 

to participate. College students are already 

offering to volunteer with players. 

Joseph has worked closely with the City of 

Ridgeland’s Recreation and Parks to make this 

dream a reality. A groundbreaking ceremony 

on October 31, 2016, was held where Joseph 

announced the field would be named after 

Zeita and Wayne Parker, a key sponsor of 

the Miracle League of Central Mississippi 

and lifelong advocates for children with 

special needs. 

“We are hoping to start construction this 

summer,” Joseph says. “It should take about 

four months to complete.” However, it all 

depends on financial support in the coming 

months. 

“I’m most excited to see the kids playing 

and having fun,” Joseph adds. “So many great 

relationships will be built between the players 

and the volunteers.” 

Through three years of campaigning and 

starting a nonprofit, Joseph has grown his 

business skills. “I’ve learned relationships are 

really important,” he says. He adds that 

speaking in front of a crowd at the groundbreaking 

ceremony and talking to sponsors 

has gotten him out of his comfort zone. 

“He has a good heart,” says Tammy. 

“When he sets his mind to something, he 

really goes after it. I’ve seen this process grow 

his confidence.” 

Though it’s taken a while for this project 

to develop, Tammy says once the Miracle 

League field is open, it won’t take long for the 

community to see the impact and want more. 

“This field will be the first of many,” she says. 

To donate for the Miracle League field, 

visit www.miracleleagueofcentralms.com. 


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Mother’s 

Day Tips 

Holly Perkins 

Mississippi Community Education Center 

At Families First for Mississippi, we offer programming in several 

different areas, including youth development, job readiness, 

workforce development, education, literacy, and parenting. 

In honor of Mother’s Day, I thought I’d share some of my 

favorite tips from our parenting classes to help make the job 

of being a mom (or dad!) a little easier. 


Tip #1 

Communicate with your child. 

The concept of communication is one of the most important 

things we cover in parenting classes. Communication should start 

from the time a child is only a few months old and continue into 

adulthood. If your child is an infant, imitate the sounds they make 

and try expanding their understanding of consonants like “M” and 

“B” by having them focus on the shape of your mouth as you 

make the sounds. As they grow into toddlers, have conversations 

with your child about things they’re learning such as colors and 

shapes. Into adolescence and teen years, make sure to stay 

engaged in their lives, their friendships and how they feel about 

daily happenings in their lives. This casual dialogue will open 

channels of communication so your child feels more comfortable 

sharing if they need to communicate a more serious issue. It will 

also help to foster a relationship of mutual respect, which is 

helpful in many aspects of parenting, specifically regarding 

matters of discipline. 

Tip #2 

Get to know your child. 

This concept is simple when children are young, but as they 

grow older stay in touch with their interests, hobbies and 

personality. Show interest in the things that they care about and 

take the time to bond with your child one-on-one. If you have 

multiple children, this could mean setting aside time for each child 

individually or equally encouraging their separate hobbies. This 

will help your child feel like what they care about matters. Also, 

the better you know your child the easier it is to pick up on 

changes in mood or behavior, which will help you tend to their 

needs more directly. 

Tip #3 

Don’t get discouraged in comparing yourself to 

“perfect parents”. 

We all know that “perfect parent”. The one with the curated 

social media posts with pictures of their perfectly clean house and 

well-dressed children with A+ report cards who tell stories of how 

“easy” their children are and how “lucky” they feel. If that’s your 

reality, that’s wonderful! However, if it’s not your reality and 

you’re a parent with mountains of laundry whose children refuse 

to change out of their pajamas each day or you have a teenager 

who struggles in school, you’re not alone and you’re no lesser of a 

parent than anyone else. Each child is different and each parent is 

different. As long as you’re doing the best you can for your child, 

don’t get caught up in comparing yourself, because there’s no 

such thing as “perfect”. 

Tip #4 

Have fun with your child. 

There are so many things you can do with your child to make 

parenting fun. Here are some examples of some of my favorite 

activities to do with children: 

Have a picnic. Make dinner together or pick up some food, lay 

out a blanket in the yard and enjoy being outside! If you can’t be 

outdoors, put a blanket on the floor in your house and have an 

indoor picnic. This change of scene for dinner can create a fun 

time to engage with your child. 

Have a scavenger hunt. Set up clues in each room of the house 

that lead to a reward. This can also be a fun way to have kids do 

chores, with a task in each room that leads them to clues and a 

final reward. It’s also helpful to have them learn to earn things 

and work for them if you were planning on gifting them with 

something anyway. 

Dance. Almost every child I’ve ever worked with has loved to 

dance. I am the first to admit that I’m not a great dancer, but 

don’t be afraid to look silly. Let your child teach you a new dance 

or just jump around to a song you both enjoy. Letting your guard 

down in this way with your child is a great way to bond. 

Think of the things that you love and ways you can engage 

your child in them. If you enjoy cooking, let them help by doing 

age-appropriate tasks while preparing a meal. If you love 

basketball, teach your child how to dribble. If you love art, let 

them paint or draw with you. There are lots of ways children can 

be involved in the things you enjoy. 




Watercolored 

Smiles 

Susan Marquez 

When Stephanie Stanford Keith took an art class in the 

second grade, she did it for the joy she got out of 

creating pretty pictures. In the eighth and ninth grade, 

her school in Grenada offered art as an elective. “We really 

didn’t learn much about art,” she recalled. “I remember that 

we did projects, like papier mache and such.” 

Despite not having a strong education in art, Keith painted 

regularly for many years. “I’ve done acrylic work since I was 

twelve.” But when she went to school to be a physician’s 

assistant, there wasn’t time for painting or anything else. 

“It’s a very rigorous program and I stayed busy all the time.” 

Keith graduated from PA school in December and began 

work as a physician’s assistant at Baptist Medical Clinic in 

Madison in February. The Madison resident began painting 

again about eight months ago when her niece, Blake, was 

born. “My sister-in-law knew I painted, and she wanted 

original art in the baby’s nursery. But instead of acrylics, she 

wanted me to give watercolors a try.” 



Keith’s husband is into art as well, and the two of them decided to 

give working with watercolors a go. “We sat down together and 

began painting. When I finished, he looked at it and told me it was 

really good, which gave me confidence,” she said. The more she 

painted with watercolors, the more her work improved. 

“One of the things I said I’d never do is to paint faces,” laughed 

Keith. “But I did a Miss Mississippi top five portrait on a 5 x 7 card 

and posted it on Facebook and I sold it within five minutes!” Keith 

has a history with the pageant, having been a contestant at one time, 

and performing in last year’s pageant. She sang in a trio while she 

was a student at Mississippi College. 

Because of her success in selling the top five portrait, Keith began 

painting more faces. “The internet is a wonderful thing. I watch 

YouTube videos to learn different painting techniques. And my 

husband is my best critic. His comments really help me do a better 

job. I also post on the Mississippi Artist Facebook page, and that’s a 

great place to get feedback from professional artists. Now painting 

faces is my main thing!” 

Painting children is one of Keith’s favorite subjects. “If you can 

capture a child’s expression, you capture the essence of their 

personality. It’s so exciting when the parents tell me that I’ve nailed 

the way their eyes look or that I got their smile just right.” 

Despite the fact that she’s only been painting portraits for about 

eight months, Keith said she is booked beyond Mother’s Day. 

“I just posted some portraits I’ve done on Facebook and people 

started contacting me.” She has not only painted children, but also 

families and pets. “I am really enjoying it. I’ve found something 

that’s marketable and something that makes others happy.” 

Painting with watercolor has been an interesting transition for 

Keith, who said that she’s had to learn to control the paint on paper. 


“It’s really different from working with acrylics.” Her artist studio 

doubles as a dining room. “I don’t use an easel. I just tape the paper 

down on my dining room table and paint right there!” Her new job 

has her working 8am to 5pm during the week, so her painting time is 

mainly on the weekends. “I do paint in the evenings sometimes, as a 

way to wind down. My job can be stressful, talking to people all day, so 

sometimes it’s nice to sit down and paint as a way to de-stress. But 

some days I come home and don’t want to do anything!” 

In addition to portraits, Keith has painted a few weddings, as well 

as houses and save-the-date cards. “It’s been such a blessing to me 

when people appreciate my work. It’s nice to paint something that 

evokes such an emotional response.” n 

Keith’s work can be seen on a Facebook page dedicated to her art. 

To view, search for Stephanie Keith Art. 




Ashley Turner 

I’d like to but I can’t because 

it’s too much money, but I’d 

give him a new truck. 

Chandler Sisk 

A blue kayak 

with two seats. 

Braylee Williams 

I would get him a day where 

he didn’t have to go to work 

and spend time with us. 

If you could give your daddy anything 

in the world, what would it be? 

Bryton Jones 

A hug. 

Mallory Mulhollen 

Coffee because he needs it 

to wake him up 

Hayes Marsh 

An iPad because 

I broke his on accident. 


Linley Fisher 

He plays with me 

and my sister a lot. 

Rhett Taylor 

He pushes me really hard to 

be good in sports, and spends 

time with me playing sports. 

Presley Elkins 

He’s fun – he plays 

with me a lot. 

What’s your favorite thing 

about your daddy? 

Hayes Flowerday 

He plays my video games and 

throws the football with me. 

Jude Taylor 

He comes home around 5 

so he has time to play with 

me before I go to bed. 

Ava Grace Long 

He’s always a good sport 

if we’re playing a game. 

He always says, 

“Awesome job girl” 

even when I beat him. 

Mabry Taylor He snuggles me. 


serving our community 

Firefighter Jason Tucker 

madison Fire Department 

Why did you decide to be a firefighter? 

I started as a volunteer at the age of 17 with 

Flora Fire Department. I enjoyed being able to 

help people in their time of need and decided 

to make it my career. 

How long have you been with the 

Madison Fire Department? 

12 years this past December. 

Tell us about your family. 

I have been married for 10 years to my 

wonderful wife who has been by my side 

throughout my career. My dad is a retired 

lieutenant for Madison County Sheriff’s Office. 

My mom and dad divorced when I was young 

but they were both an integral part of my 

growing up. When I was 6, my dad remarried. 

My stepmother is a retired highway patrol 

captain. She has been a great second mother 

to me and stepped up when my mom passed 

away in 2003. 

What is the toughest thing you have 

experienced in your job? 

Loss of life is always the hardest especially 

when it could have been prevented. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in 

your spare time. 

My wife and I enjoy going to car shows and 

taking cruises. 

What are three things on your 

bucket list? 

I would love to own a 1969 Camaro Z28 or a 

custom ’57 Chevy. I want to go to Hawaii and 

visit Pearl Harbor. I want to go to Europe to 

drive the Autobahn. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

That’s a tough one. My dad would definitely 

be up there at the top because of the strong 

man he is and taught me to be. I also would 

have to say the officers I have had in my career 

as a firefighter because they have taught me 

what I know and how to do my job safely. 

Where do you see yourself ten years 

from now? 

Still working for Madison Fire Department and 

enjoying my career. 

If you could give one piece of advice 

to a young person, what would it be? 

Unglue your eyes from your phone or tablet 

and pay attention to the older generation. 

You might could learn something. 

What is a favorite childhood memory? 

Riding bikes with my buddies around town 

during the summertime. 

What is the biggest mistake you think 

young people make today? 

I feel the younger generation doesn’t show 

respect to their elders as they should. 

What is your favorite thing about the 

City of Madison? 

The people. They are very friendly, generous, 

and caring for the fire department and the 

men and women who work there. 


flora’s finest 

Officer Kenny White 

flora police Department 

Why did you decide to be a policeman? 

To follow in my father’s footsteps who was a 

deputy sheriff with the Yazoo County Sheriff’s 

Department. 

How long have you been with the 

Flora Police Department? 

Since November 1, 2013. 


I’m married and have three grown children. 

What is the toughest thing you have 

experienced in your job? 

Watching good families battling drug 

addiction with their children. 

Share some things you enjoy doing 

in your spare time. 

Fishing and hunting old bottles. 

What are three things on your 

bucket list? 

Continue my law enforcement training, 

purchase a new vehicle, and go see the 

Grand Canyon. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

Both my parents for being able to raise six 

children and passing down the knowledge for 

me to do the same. 

Where do you see yourself ten years 

from now? 

Retired and enjoying family along with some 

traveling. 

If you could give one piece of advice 

to a young person, what would it be? 

Get a good education, find something you 

enjoy doing and stick with it. 

What is a favorite childhood memory? 

Spending holidays with family members and 

remembering how happy we all were. 

What is the biggest mistake you think 

young people make today? 

Not putting enough thought into what they 

want in life and not being their own person. 

What is your favorite thing about the 

City of Flora? 

Knowing that the citizens in Flora support their 

law enforcement officers. 



C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 


40 • Nov/Dec 2016 


Of 

Medicine 

& 

Murder 

Courtney Lange 

The term “Renaissance Man” might come to mind when you hear the 

name Darden North. A native of the Mississippi Delta, North is not only a 

board-certified physician in obstetrics and gynecology, he is also a national 

award-winning mystery and thriller novelist. 

He’s a physician partner at Jackson Healthcare for Women and is a daVinci 

robotic surgeon in gynecology. He is active in his profession, serving as the 

local director of the American Institute of 

Minimally Invasive Surgery and as a 

member of the editorial advisory board 

of the Journal of the Mississippi State 

Medical Association and as an associate 

editor the Obstetrics & Gynecology 

International Journal. He also serves as 

chairman of the board of the Mississippi 

Public Broadcasting Foundation. 

But North is different from most doctors–you can actually read his 

writing. He has authored five books to date including Points of Origin, which 

received recognition in Southern Fiction by the Independent Publisher 

Book Awards. North’s novel, House Call, was recognized as a finalist in 

Mystery/Suspense by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. The 

screenplay of his third book, Fresh Frozen, is currently in film development 

and his most recent novel, Wiggle Room, has been described as an “actionpacked, 

medical thriller.” 

“Although my books are classified as medical thrillers, they are different 

than what you might think of when you hear the term,” North said. “Most 

medical thrillers center on a medical procedure or virus or something that 

is technical in some way. My books focus on the characters, many of whom 

happen to work in the medical field or profession. I think, for that reason, 

these books have a broad appeal and offer something different.” 

His new novel, The Five Manners of Death, is a contemporary thriller set in 

Jackson and Oxford. The book begins when a construction worker uncovers 

a skull dating back to the 1960s, on the University of Mississippi campus, 

and follows a woman’s desperate attempt to erase history as she counts 

down the five ways to die. Suicide, accidental death, natural causes, and 

cause-undetermined are soon crossed off the list–leaving the woman to 

believe that only homicide remains. 


North said that his most recent book actually began with a different title in 

mind, but his mother Evelyn, who was a long time high school English instructor 

and who has a strong background in literature, suggested a different title, after 

having read the novel. North said he often leans on his mother to answer questions 

on grammar and as a proofreader. 

“If there is a gene for literature–if it is something that can be inherited, it came 

to me from my mother,” North said. 

North’s writing and publishing career sprung its roots early in his life when he 

won a book cover contest for Charlotte’s Web in junior high school and later at the 

University of Mississippi, as editor-in-chief of the 1978 Ole Miss yearbook and 

1982 Medic. Prior to attending medical school, North graduated magna cum laude 

from the University of Mississippi, where he also served as vice-president 

of the Associated Student Body, president of the Interfraternity Council, and 

Order of Omega. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order, Omicron Delta 

Kappa and Mortar Board. North was also named to the University of Mississippi 

Hall of Fame. 

In addition to being a physician and author, North leads workshops on 

constructing mysteries and thrillers at writing seminars and has participated in 

several author panels at author conferences including Killer Nashville, Murder 

on the Menu, and Murder in the Magic City. He is also available for appearances, book 

signings, and book clubs. 

He lives in Jackson with his wife, Sally, who is a realtor with Nix-Tann & 

Associates. The two met, became friends, and fell in love on the yearbook staff at 

Ole Miss. The couple has two adult children, William and Anderson, who work 

in the medical field, two dogs, and two grand-dogs. His son, William, is getting 

married this summer and moving back to Jackson with wife Kelsey to join the 

Runnels Plastic Surgery Center practice. His daughter Anderson is a registered 

nurse currently working towards her nurse practitionership in Florida. In his 

spare time, he walks to stay fit, travels with family, spends time with friends, 

gardens, hunts, watches Ole Miss football, reads and listens to fiction and, of 

course, imagines his next novel. 

The Five Manners of Death will be available for purchase in June, but can be 

pre-ordered online or at your favorite local bookstore. 

For more information, visit dardennorth.com and follow him on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook at 

/DardenNorthAuthor or email at darden@dardennorth.com. 


APRIL 

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Hometown Madison 

Reader 

SPOTLIGHT 

Nicole May 

Kitchens 

Why did you decide to make Madison 

your home? 

Having lived outside of Starkville for several years, 

my husband and I wanted to move nearer to where 

we were both raised. We love the positive opportunities 

for growth that Madison has to offer. We looked 

at land and houses in Madison County for a few 

years before finding the perfect house on acreage 

that suited our outdoor lifestyle. As a former 

professor in wood products at MSU, my husband 

felt the calling to start his own company and that 

freed us to move so that we could be closer to friends 

and family. Almost a year ago, we were blessed to 

find what we can now call our home, between the 

Town of Flora and the Livingston community. We 

love the small town feel of Flora that incorporates 

a sense of community and family values, but we are 

close to the Madison the City as well. 


My husband Shane and I have been married for 

almost 6 years. Both single and in our 40’s, we were 

introduced by our best friends in 2011. As an older 

Christian couple, we both knew that we immediately 

wanted a family but encountered fertility issues due 

to my age. Then, in 2014, our daughter, Maggie 

May was born. We call her our ‘miracle’ and she has 

been the biggest blessing to us. When Maggie was 

born, I left 15 years of employment in natural 

resources and wildland fire management with the 

U.S.D.A. to become a stay-home mom and also 

returned to college to find a career path that would 

allow me to travel less. 

What is your favorite memory so far of 

living in Madison? 

Since we are fairly new here, I have to say that our 

best memory so far has been closing on our new 

home. One of the things that sold us on the house 

was that the former owners had laid a bible in the 

foundation of the house when they built it in the 

early ’90s, with inscriptions in concrete that read, 

“Soli Deo Gloria!” (Latin for Glory to God Alone). 

We love to spend our evenings sitting out on the 

back patio watching the sunsets and observing 

nature with our toddler daughter and our two rat 

terrier dogs, Gus and Bertie. Sunsets in the 

Highlands of Madison are amazing! 

Where are your favorite places to eat 

in Madison? 

Being in Flora, we love to eat at Bill’s, T’Beaux’s 

and the Flora Butcher, to name a few. One of my 

favorite places for sweets is Campbell’s Bakery in 

Madison. You cannot beat their almond cookies 

or petit fours. 

What are some fun things you enjoy doing 

in Madison on the weekends? 

We love taking Maggie to Liberty Park in Madison, 

frequenting the shops and businesses in Flora and 

Madison, and attending church. The market in 

Livingston is a great highlight, too, on Thursdays. 

Where are some things you enjoy doing 

in your spare time. 

We love spending time outdoors (hunting, fishing, 

observing wildlife), teaching our daughter about the 

elements of nature and gardening. We raise our own 

chickens for eggs, and like to can our own fruit and 

vegetables. When we got married, we had two white 

doves at our wedding. Not wanting to release them, 

our flock has grown, and we now have about 20! 

What are three things on your bucket list? 

To enjoy watching our daughter grow and see who 

she will become, to visit the historical gardens of 

England, Scotland, and Italy, and to find a need 

and meet that need in serving the community. 

Who is someone that you admire and why? 

I greatly admire my Mom, Jeannine May. She and 

my father, Ronnie, instilled within me the love of 

Christ and a great respect and appreciation for the 

environment at a very early age. Upon retiring 

from federal service a few years ago, she began a 

movement to improve water quality and 

community beautification efforts on the Barnett 

Reservoir, forming the affiliate Keep the Reservoir 

Beautiful (a non-profit affiliate of Keep Mississippi 

and Keep America Beautiful). Since, she has brought 

people from all over the Madison, Ridgeland, and 

Brandon areas to volunteer in community restoration 

and beautification efforts. She never stops, and 

continues to serve the community through her 

passion for the environment. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

My hopes are that 10 years from now, as a family, 

we will have become more involved in serving the 

community and our church through finding a need 

and meeting it within the Flora/Madison community. 

I personally hope to expand my new business, 

GrowForth Garden, in horticulture therapy, which 

involves using plant-based activities to work with 

individuals of all ages who have a need in rehabilitative, 

vocational, or community settings. In a small 

way, this is how I can help others and share my love 

for plants and gardening. I also want to serve my 

new community of Flora through Keep Flora 

Beautiful by implementing community-based 

efforts such as beautification, greening and 

environmental awareness, trash/litter prevention, 

and recycling. 

If you could give us one quote, what 

would it be? 

“I always wondered why somebody didn’t do 

something about that and then, I realized I was 

‘somebody’” – Lilly Tomlin 

What is your favorite thing about 

Hometown Magazines? 

I love that Hometown Magazines cover many 

communities, towns and cities throughout the 

area. Hometown Magazines opens the doors for 

citizens and readers to connect as a local community 

and become a family, of sorts, by highlighting 

individuals and businesses throughout the 

local area. n 


Desserts 

A 

Swanky 

Cookie 

Affair 

Susan Marquez 

First 

Everyone loves Girl Scout cookies, but imagine desserts created by 

top chefs using Girl Scout cookies as the main ingredient. That’s the 

premise behind Desserts First, a swanky affair held annually at the 

Yacht Club of Jackson. Presented by the Tall Pines Council of the Girl 

Scouts of Mississippi, the event was held recently for the third time, 

with nine chefs from area restaurants competing for the grand prize. 

The event was the brainchild of Gus Argrett, a food technician for 

Sanderson Farms. These kind of events are held around the country,” 

he said. “It’s a fun way to celebrate and invite the public in to learn 

more about Girl Scouts. It provides people with a way to view Girl 

Scouts through a different lens than just selling cookies.” 

His wife, Sekila Holmes Argrett, is a leader of a Girl Scout troop. 

“Our troop has girls from just about every school in Madison County, 

and a few from Jackson,” she said. “We have 29 girls, and the troop 

is very diverse. Our troop likes to travel, and we’ve been to Disney 

World, Savannah, Little Rock, New Orleans and many other places. 


Celebrating 100 Years of Girl Scout Cookies / March 4, 2017 / Jackson Yacht Club 



Each time we go somewhere, the girls are exposed to things they would not have 

been exposed to, otherwise. We went diamond mining in Arkansas, and we did a 

taste testing of Cajun/Creole foods at a restaurant in New Orleans.” 

Argrett’s troop is part of the Tall Pines Council which encompasses most of 

Madison County. Mary Brinson, communications director of the council office in 

Jackson said that her office serves Girl Scouts in 45 Mississippi counties. “We 

oversee cookies sales throughout our service area.” Nationally, nearly one million Girl 

Scouts participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, generating almost $800 

million in cookie sales during an average season. All of the net revenue through the 

Girl Scout Cookie Program stays with the local council and troops. Girl Scout 

cookies not only help Girl Scouts earn money for fun, educational activities and 

community projects, but also play a huge role in guiding girls to discover their inner 

G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader) as they learn essential life skills that 

will stay with them forever. 

Each year that the Tall Pines Council has presented the Desserts First event, 

they feature a different Girl Scout cookie. “The first year it was Samoas, last year it 

was Thin Mints, and this year it was Trefoils shortbread cookies,” explained Argrett. 

Chefs are required to come up with a dessert that uses the featured cookie as an 

ingredient. This year’s winner was Louis LaRose, owner/chef at Lou’s Full Serv in 

Jackson. The dessert was a white chocolate bread pudding with a Trefoil and toffee 

streusel topped with caramel and brown sugar ice cream. “It’s a fun event to do,” 

said LaRose. “I love helping out the Girl Scouts. We try to get involved to help with 

events in the community like this whenever we can.” 

The event featured live music by Chris Gill and the Soul Shakers and the master 

of ceremonies was Chuck Stinson of the Mississippi Organ Recovery Center. There 

was a live auction as well. 

“Desserts First is an adult event that raises money to support girls who can’t 

afford the expense to be a Girl Scout,” said Argrett. “Most of them are not 

mandatory expenses, but the girls want to feel included. We don’t want to turn 

anyone away who may not be able to participate, otherwise. We also award a lifetime 

membership to graduating girls and we support girls in a number of other ways.” 

Being a Girl Scout leader is something Argrett says she was destined to be. “I 

was in a great troop when I was growing up in Alabama, and another one when our 

family moved to Virginia. I’m a second-generation Girl Scout, and I wanted my own 

girls to have the same wonderful experiences I had and my mother had. I love doing 

what I do.” 

To keep up with plans for next year’s Desserts First event, like the Facebook 

page for the event: www.facebook.com/dessertsfirsttallpines. 



April 8-9 & 14-15 • Freedom Ridge Park


Flora 

The Town 

of 

Mississippi 

Nestled in the western tip of Madison County is a small 

town known as Flora. It is best known for its small-town flair 

and down-to-earth values. The 3.4 square miles of quiet 

streets and subdivisions on any given day will be teamed 

with families walking, riding bikes or taking afternoon strolls. 

It is a place where knowing your neighbor is a part of everyday 

life and a place where families have lived for generations. 

Its downtown is reminiscing of an old-town atmosphere. 

It’s a place where the community comes together to cheer on 

their favorite sports team and support the youth at local school 

events. On quiet afternoons when you feel the seasons 

changing, you can venture onto your front porch and listen 

to First Baptist Church of Flora bells chiming from the church 

tower at noon each day and on special holidays throughout 

the year. 

It’s a community that shares its love for family and friends 

that is involved in keeping up the home-town feel and welcomes 

those who want to be part of a caring and growing community. 

Flora is a place where many have called home, where many 

have lived their entire lives and where many who have left and 

ventured out into the world have come back to raise their own 

families so that their children will have instilled in them the 

old-town values that only a small town like Flora can offer. 

Flora–there’s no place like home. 


FLORA 




A Look 

Back 

in Time 

Susan Marquez 

Originally published in June 2016 


FLORA 

At one time, when rail travel was more prevalent, 

small train depots were seen at each town along the railroad tracks. 

It was the place where journeys began and ended, loved ones bid farewell 

or where they looked forward to seeing them again after they’d been away 

for a while. As rail service decreased and the popularity of the automobile 

increased, many of the train depots were abandoned and 

fell into disrepair before disappearing altogether. 

That is not the case with the train depot in 

Flora. Located adjacent to the tracks that carry folks 

from New Orleans to Chicago and back again, the 

Flora train depot looks much like it did when it was 

built in 1883, thanks mainly to the efforts by the 

Flora Area Historical Society, who acquired the 

little depot in 2006. They’ve put a lot of work into 

not only restoring the building, but in adding a 

museum where folks can learn more about the area 

and what life was like in the 1800s. 

Presley Posey is a member of the Historical 

Society in Flora and says that many of the local 

items were donated by families who have lived in 

the area for generations. “Not everything in the 

museum is local, but they are all period pieces that 

tell the story of what life must have been like in 

Flora when the town was founded and when folks 

traveled by rail to go to other towns.” 

The depot sits on land that was donated by the 

Jones family. Flora was founded in 1882 when it was 

chosen as the site for a depot of the Illinois Central 

Railroad. J.C. Clark was the general manager in 

charge of surveys and construction for the Illinois 

Central and he determined that a rail line from 


It’s a beautiful 

building and 

an asset to the 

town of Flora 

Canton to Yazoo City would be ideal as a feeder line for the 

area, which was a very productive cotton-growing area. 

Instead, the route they built was from Jackson to Yazoo City, 

and it passed right through Flora. The depot was named 

after Jones’ wife, Flora Mann Jones, and subsequently, 

the city, which was chartered and incorporated in 1886, 

was named after her as well. 

Posey says that some of the more interesting items in the 

museum include an 1830s bell from the Flora Methodist 

Church and a surveying set used by a local man in the 

1920s. There is also an extensive bottle collection from 

the Barnes family. “We have lots of old photographs from 

around town, and of course, plenty of train memorabilia,” 

says Posey. 

The little depot ceased being a functioning depot in 

the 1960s. About seven or eight years ago, the waiting 

room area for the depot was renovated and is now 

used as the offices for the Flora Chamber of Commerce. 

“It’s a beautiful building and an asset to the town of Flora,” 

says chamber director Abby Enfinger. 

The museum is open the first and third Saturday of 

each month, from 10am to 2pm. A member of the Flora 

Area Historical Society is always on hand to talk about 

the displays and to answer questions. “There’s not always 

a big rush of folks waiting to get in each time we’re opened,” 

laughs Posey, “but we do get some tour groups from time to 

time and those who happen to wander in on their way to 

the Petrified Forest.” 

A visit to the Train Depot Museum in Flora is worth 

the trip, especially when you pair it with a delicious burger 

from The Blue Rooster, anything from Bill’s Creole and 

Steak Depot, or T’Beaux’s in nearby Pocahontas. n 


FLORA 



471 Railroad Avenue • Flora, MS 

601-879-7296 

o 

Sunday – 3pm - 9pm 

Wednesday – 3pm - 9pm 

Thursday – 3pm - 9pm 

Friday – 3pm - 10pm 

Saturday – 3pm - 10pm 


A 

Preserved 

Past 

Susan 

Marquez 

Originally published in January 2016 


FLORA 

Located in the hills of Madison County with ravines 

hollowed out by nature during the past century, the size 

of the now millions-year old petrified logs that lie there 

in repose indicates that as living trees, they were 

one hundred feet tall. 

If the state flower is the magnolia, and the state bird is the mockingbird, what 

might the state stone be? Surprisingly, the official stone for the state of Mississippi 

is petrified wood, which is found in abundance at the Mississippi Petrified Forest 

in Flora. With fewer than twenty of these geological occurrences in the world, the 

Petrified Forest is a real treasure. 

You may have seen the signs along the highway with a woodpecker sporting 

a crushed beak because he can’t drill holes into the petrified wood. I’ve seen them 

for years, and actually had my first experience in the Petrified Forest during an 

elementary school field trip in 1964, the year after the attraction first opened to the 

public. I visited each spring on subsequent field trips for the next five years. After 

that, I took a 25-year or so break before rediscovering the Petrified Forest in 1996 

when I visited the attraction with my Leadership Madison County class. It was 

our “quality of life” day, and we visited unique places around the county. At the 

Petrified Forest, we walked the trails and enjoyed a picnic lunch on the grounds 

before heading on to our next destination. Ever since, any out of town visitors to 

our home get a side trip to the Mississippi Petrified Forest. 

A National Natural Landmark, the Mississippi Petrified Forest is a privately 

owned family business. Two diehard rockhounds, R.J. “Bob” and Shirl Schabilion 

acquired the Petrified Forest in August 1962. They were concerned that the area 

might be lost to development, and they also recognized that the 36-million year old 

trees needed to be preserved into the future. Today the venue features a ½ mile long 

nature trail that showcases the petrified trees, as well as a visitor’s center with a 

world-class earth science museum displaying spectacular and rare mineral, fossil 

and petrified wood specimens from around the world. 

The gift shop is a rock lover’s paradise, with unique souvenirs, and a vast array 

of minerals, fossils, seashells and natural gemstone jewelry for sale. On the rock 

patio, kids of every age can enjoy the adventure of “fluming” for colorful stones. 

Bob Dellar has been working at the Petrified Forest for nine years. “It’s an 

interesting place,” he says. “It’s an ideal place for me because I’ve always been 

interested in rocks and nature. It’s a great place to come and experience peace 

and quiet, not that far from the city.” 

Dellar says that the attraction draws about 12,000 

visitors each year, and most years there are visitors 

from all 50 states and from 30 to 45 different countries. 

“It’s been designated a Southern Travel Treasure by 

AAA’s Southern Traveler magazine,” Dellar says, 

“and it has been featured in Reader’s Digest’s ‘Off the Beaten 

Path,’ as well as ‘Roadside America’ and ‘101 American 

Geo-Sites You Gotta See.’” 

Adjacent to the grounds is a beautiful wooded campground with full RV hookups 

and primitive tent sites with electricity and water. The large covered pavilion is ideal 

for family reunions and church picnics. The pavilion is available at no charge to 

school groups on field trips. “We’ve even hosted a few weddings out here,” says Dellar. 

Open daily except Christmas and Thanksgiving, the Mississippi Petrified Forest 

is pet friendly and handicap accessible. Dellar says it’s still a favorite destination for 

school field trips. n 

For more information, visit the Mississippi Petrified Forest website or call 601-879-8189. 



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THE MISSISSIPPI EURO FEST SERIES 

European engineering and beauty combined with Southern 

hospitality will be kicked-off this year with The Mississippi Euro Fest 

Series in Natchez, Mississippi on April 8; in Oxford, Mississippi 

on May 28; and in Ridgeland, Mississippi at Renaissance at Colony 

Park on October, 7, 2017. These automotive and motorcycle 

events are free, fun, and family oriented and will be held to help 

celebrate the state’s bicentennial. 

The event will open to the public at 9:00 a.m. with the 

awards presentation at 4:00 p.m., featuring a total of 42 awards 

in 16 classes. Rare and significant European automobiles and 

motorcycles, twenty-five years and older, are expected to participate 

from several Southeastern states. Also expected are some various 

regional European auto clubs conducting a showcase corral of 

their members’ newer autos. 

Due to the great success of the original Renaissance Euro Fest, 

first held in 2008 in Ridgeland, the City of Natchez asked that a 

like event be conducted to help celebrate their 300th anniversary 

in April of 2016. Once again, the inaugural event exceeded all 

expectations as it did again in April of this year. Fast forward to 

Oxford where the second show of the series will be held Sunday, 

May 28th on the lawn of the community pavilion, on the corner 

of University and Bramlett. This free, fun, family event will also 

feature European autos and motorcycles 25 years or older, starting 

at 9:00am until awards presentation at 4:00pm. 

On Saturday, October 7, the ninth annual Renaissance Euro 

Fest will be held at the Renaissance at Colony Park in Ridgeland, 

starting at 9:00am and concluding after the awards presentation, 

which starts at 4:00pm. Like all other Euro Fest events, this show 

will be free as well. In eight years, it has attracted over 100,000 

spectators and over 1,000 entries from 10 different states. Many 

of the great automotive names of the world, such as Ferrari, 

Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, 

Austin Healey, Rover, Maserati, Porsche, MG, Triumph, etc. will 

be on view along with motorcycles like BMW, Norton, Ducatti, 

BSA, Vincent, Vickers and others. 


Classic European 

Automobile & Motorcycle Shows 

For more information go to ww.euro-fest.net or contact mike_marsh@bellsouth.net 


The CHALKBOARD 

MADISON COUNTY SCHOOLS 

Germantown 

9th grade Night In The Spotlight winners 



Madison Central 


Paige McKay, a 2012 Madison Central graduate, recently met with U.S. Senator 

Roger Wicker during his weekly “Mississippi Morning” breakfast in Washington, D.C. 

Paige graduated from MSU in 2016 with a degree in public relations and is currently 

working for U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo. 

2017 Mr. and Miss Madison Central High School, 

Harrison McKinnis and Kate Russell Snopek. 


Senior Class Favorites 

(Back row L-R) Stephen Fowler, Harrison McKinnis, 

Parker Lick, Trey Cotton, Blake Collins, Connor P. Jones, 

Patrick Geary, J’ Sean Pittman, Jack Walker 

and Zain Shaheen. 

(Front row L-R) Allyn Hackman, Maggie Overby, 

Amelia Jarvis, Courtney Johnson, Anna Hill, Sarah Elkin, 

Abby Johnston, Logan Hollins, Kate Russell Snopek 

and Tori Lee. 

Junior Class Favorites 

(Back rowL-R) Cedric Beal, Stroud Tolleson, 

John Walker Webb, Will Stanard, Corbin Kirkland, 

Tucker Richmond, Truett Bourne and Kobe Cole. 

(Front row L-R) Isabella Wade, Mary Ranie Miller, 

Sara Whitehead, Megan Humphreys, Cayden Shirley, 

Blake Butler, Brooke Thomas, Mary Catherine Files, 

Catherine Whitten and Sidney Dean. 

Sophomore Class Favorites 

(Back row L-R) Jack Thoms, Westbrooks Ross, 

Wyatt Blalock, Myles Hopson, Jake Monk, Bailen Haynie, 

Michael Zhang and Haaris Patel. 

(Front row L-R) Katie King, Hallie Atkinson, 

Ashton McKinnon, Hannah Brady, Elle Muirhead, 

Amber McAlpin, Sydney Storm, Bonnie Hill 

and Cara Dale Palmer. 

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


The CHALKBOARD 

MADISON COUNTY SCHOOLS 

Madison-Ridgeland Academy 

MRA Presenting Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr., 

April 7-8, 2017. MRA’s cast of “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” 

opened car doors for kindergarten and elementary 

students. The cast was busy getting prepared for the 

musical. The cast was also preparing for “Belle’s Enchanted 

Tea Party”, on April 8th, where children were able to meet 

and take pictures with the cast. 

Above Left: Holly Ware and Samuel Smylie 

(Lumiere in the musical) 

Above Right: Emma Kate Roundtree (villager in the musical) 

and Ann Austin Smith. 

Fourth grade students at Madison-Ridgeland Academy recently invited family 

members in the medical field to set up for “What’s Up Doc Day.” They 

interviewed each person and learned about their profession. Chris Wallace, Lynn 

Gaddis, Luly Johnson from Methodist Rehab set up orthotics and prosthetics. 

Pictured: Chris Wallace, Lynn Gaddis, Luly Johnson from Methodist Rehab, Ford Johnson 

Madison Station Elementary 

Overall MCS Teacher of the Year and MSE Teacher of the Year is kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Kim Carlisle. Mrs. Carlisle has served a remarkable 

35 years in the elementary classroom with the last 25 years at Madison Station. Madison Station turns 25 this year and Mrs. Carlisle has been part 

of the magic since day one. Mrs. Carlisle has taught many grades, but kindergarten is her favorite. “I love coming to school. I’m from Madison, 

my children went through our schools, and one of my daughters teaches for Madison County, too.” Mrs. Carlisle has shared her classroom for the 

past fourteen years with her treasured assistant and friend, Rhonda Twitty. 



The Time Coin 

Juicy Fruit chewing gum and smiles 

always partner with my husband. It’s 

because his grandmother kept an ample 

supply in her car and when her grandkids 

rode with her, the aroma of Juicy Fruit rode 

along. In addition, she was generous in 

passing out that treat along with other 

candies and sweets. 

“She was one of the kindest people I ever knew,” he says often when 

remembering her, and her fragrances of love and generosity still linger 

through her tokens of love, especially Juicy Fruit! 

I can still picture my daddy standing in front of the sink and 

medicine cabinet mirror in our childhood home with his face lathered 

in soap and his muscular arm moving the razor in smooth paths down 

his jaws. A rinse of cold water and a brisk towel-dry would make for the 

last step – a splash of Old Spice cologne. 

That wonderful, masculine aroma drifted out of the bathroom and 

down the hall. It followed him to the kitchen and to goodbye hugs. 

I’ve seen a few recent Old Spice ads and they, like most, tilt heavily 

to the sexual appeal. That’s really not necessary. The cologne’s strong 

manly scent can stand on its own and lasts 

decades in a child’s memory. It will always 

remain one of my favorite fragrances. 

Another special fragrance is the jonquil. 

I grew up thinking it had to be the state 

flower because Mother planted hundreds 

of bulbs every spring for years. They bloomed 

in between rocks, in the back yard, front yard, lower front yard and on 

both sides beneath the family home. Our den always had fresh 

bouquets of spring jonquils permeating the air, chasing out the stale 

winter odors. Some of those jonquil bulbs moved with us to Brandon, 

and their aroma still lifts my spirits and relocates me to childhood joys 

with my mother. 

A verse from II Corinthians is one of my favorites. It speaks of 

God’s children diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 

When I think about fragrances that delight us and are radiated 

around us, I try to imagine the fragrance of kindness, generosity, or 

courtesy. Does respect leave an aroma? Can even a smile have a 

fragrance or what about sacrifice? What an arsenal of “aromas” we 

possess and what an assault we could make on life’s harsh pollutions. n 


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