Hometown Madison - November & December 2017

Volume 3 Number 6 

nov/dec 2017

Hometown madison • 3

During the holiday season, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have 

made our success possible. We’re thankful for every advertiser 

and every reader who continue to give us purpose each day. 

It is in that spirit that we say thank you and best wishes for the holidays. 

Merry Christmas 

and Happy New Year 

from the staff of 

Hometown Magazines.

publisher & Editor 

Tahya A. Dobbs 

CFO 

Kevin W. Dobbs 

Consulting editor 

Mary Ann Kirby 

Account Executives 

Dacia Durr Amis 

Karla Johnson 

Carrie Truhett 

Contributing Writers 

Camille Anding 


Annie Oeth 

Ken Sandridge 

Staff Writer & Graphic Design 

Leah Mitchener 

staff Photographer 

Othel Anding 

Contributing Photographer 

Lea Anne Culp 

Administrative Assistants 

Alisha Floyd 

Special Projects Manager 

Brenda McCall 

Layout Design 

Daniel Thomas - 3dt 

When your son buys a puppy that grows into a relationship 

reminiscent of Old Yeller and Travis, there’s seldom a good ending. 

I knew that, so I appreciated the training time Carson spent with 

his canine friend, Thatcher, but I distanced myself from any 

long-term attachments to the brown lab. 

Isn’t it strange how dogs don’t know how to talk or possess a 

single word in the dictionary but they still possess skills that can 

weave themselves into human lives? That was the case with 

Thatcher. He became Carson’s constant companion and became a 

four-footed member of our family. We all fell in love with Thatcher. 

When Carson moved to Oxford to become an Ole Miss Rebel, he took Thatcher with him. 

The off campus apartment with the room-to-run backyard was the model set up for the two devoted 

companions. Life was good—the perfectpicture of carefree college days. 

Then we got he call. Thatcher had been hit by a car after breaking out of his fence. The inseparable 

were now permanently separated. We were all heartbroken and miss Thatcher to this day. He will never 

be replaced, but Carson does have a new companion....a German Short-haired Pointer named Bambino. 

Hopefully this month’s outdoorsy magazine theme won’t be an overload of nostalgia but will invoke 

memories of happy, fall days from your own memory banks. As for all you dog lovers; 

we’ve got some beauties. Almost as good-looking as Thatcher. 

• • • 

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 Movie Premier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Cooking with Class . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

The Hunting Dog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

The Choir Guy . . . . . . . . 24 

An Interest in Pinterest . . . . . . . . . 34 

Keeping it Fresh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Gift-wrapped Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . 42 

Gator Archery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 

Eye on the Ball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 

Christmas Wonderland. . . . . . . . . . 70 


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Ridgeland 

High’s 

Academy 

of 

Culinary 

Arts 

puts a 

Titan 

twist 

on 

holiday 

dishes 

Cooking 

with 

Class 

Annie Oeth 


The tantalizing aroma wafts down the hall. The culprit, 

a stainless steel bowl filled with roasted red and yellow 

peppers, their skin browned in spots, their scent telling that 

their sugar has caramelized. 

Soon busy hands were preparing them to go in pasta 

fagioli, a traditional Italian dish of pasta, beans, and, on this 

day, grilled chicken and roasted peppers. 

The room, with its professional-grade appliances and 

gleaming pots and pans, might make one think it’s the 

kitchen of an upscale Ridgeland restaurant, but it’s the home 

of the Academy of Culinary Arts at Ridgeland High School. 

The only such program in Madison County, the 

Academy of Culinary Arts gained its kitchen, just down the 

hall from the ROTC, choir and band rooms, last year. 

Chef Levi Williams, the program’s instructor for sophomores 

through seniors, got to design the space, a dream for 

a former restaurateur. 

“We did everything the right way,” said Williams, who, 

before becoming a teacher, owned the Hattiesburg restaurant 

Shallots, which served upscale Southern dishes in the 

late 1990s. 

Chef Sametra Gardner instructs freshmen and some 

sophomores in the four-year program, which instructs 

144 students this semester. 

Culinary students spend class time studying everything 

from restaurant management and communication to 

techniques. Their focus now is a holiday luncheon, which 

starts with pecan-crusted cheese spreads with baguettes. 


Although 

cooking is 

a big part 

of the 

holidays 

for many 

people, 

you want 

to spend 

time with 

your friends 

and family 

instead of 

off in the 

kitchen. 

A mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette 

and the pasta fagioli follow, with banana 

pudding for dessert. 

“This menu is warm and hearty but also 

a break from holiday food,” said Williams. 

“We have grilled chicken with ours, but you 

could easily substitute leftover turkey and 

add a little sage.” 

Another plus of this menu is that it’s fast 

and doesn’t require lots of preparation time 

in the kitchen, he said. “Although cooking is 

a big part of the holidays for many people, 

you want to spend time with your friends 

and family instead of off in the kitchen.” 

Students in the program say they’re 

enjoying using their new-found culinary 

skills to whip up dinner for friends and 

family. “I’ll usually make something simple 

but good, chicken or soup,” said Ford Sterling, 

a sophomore. “I wanted to take these classes 

so, when I go to college, I’ll be able to cook.” 

Patrick Wilkerson, also a 10th-grader, 

said he knew the Academy of Culinary Arts 

was for him early on. “When we visited 

Ridgeland High in the eighth grade, I saw the 

kitchen and was fascinated by it.” Cooking 

breakfast foods for family is now a favorite, 

and pancakes are his specialty. “Breakfast is 

the most important meal of the day,” he said. 

Williams shared the class’ recipe for pasta 

fagioli as well as a scalloped Yukon Gold and 

sweet potato gratin with fresh herbs, which 

can be served up as a side dish on a holiday 

or any day. n 


Pasta Fagioli with Grilled Chicken 

Chicken 

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 

• ¼ cup olive oil 

• 2 tsp. kosher salt 

• 2 tsp. black pepper 

• 1 tsp. garlic powder 

• Juice of ½ lemon 

Toss together and marinate for 1-4 hours. Grill until 

it has an internal temperature of 165° 

Pasta 

• ½ onion – small dice 

• 2 cloves garlic chopped 

• 1 red bell pepper – roasted, peeled, seeded, and diced 

• 8 oz. mushooms (any type) – sliced, tossed in oil, and 

roasted in 400° oven 

• 1 cup cooked beans – lima, white, butter, etc. 

(fresh are better, but not required) 

• 1 lb. cooked pasta (any type) 

• ½ stick butter 

• ½ cup half and half 

• 1 cup parmesan cheese 

• Salt and pepper to taste 

Sautee onions and garlic over medium heat in a small 

amount of oil until soft. Add roasted peppers and mushrooms, 

cooked beans, and cooked pasta, and lower the heat. 

Stir together and add butter and half and half until fully 

incorporated. Turn heat off and add cheese. Once cheese 

is melted, serve pasta and top with sliced, grilled chicken. 

Top with more parmesan if desired. 

Scalloped Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato 

Gratin with Fresh Herbs 

• 1-1/2 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes 

• 1-1/2 pounds medium red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams) 

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream 

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter 

• 2 garlic cloves, minced 

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh flat leaf parsley 

• 1 Tbsp. minced fresh sage 

• 1 Tbsp. minced fresh thyme 

• 1- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 

• 3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 

• 1- 1/4 cups (packed) grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese (about 5 ounces) 

Fill large bowl with cold water. Working with one Yukon Gold potato at a 

time, peel, then cut into 1/8-inch-thick rounds and place in bowl with water. 

Repeat with sweet potatoes. Combine cream, butter, and garlic in medium 

saucepan; bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Mix all herbs in small bowl. 

Mix sea salt and black pepper in another small bowl. 

Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Drain potatoes, then pat dry 

with kitchen towels. Transfer half of potatoes to prepared baking 

dish. Use hands to distribute and spread evenly. Sprinkle with half 

of salt-pepper mixture, then half of herb mixture. Sprinkle with half 

of cheese. Repeat with remaining potatoes, salt-pepper mixture, 

herb mixture, and cheese. Pour cream mixture over gratin, 

pressing lightly to submerge potato mixture as much as possible. 

DO AHEAD – can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover with plastic wrap 

and chill. Remove plastic wrap before baking. 

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cover gratin tightly with foil. Bake 30 minutes. 

Uncover; bake until top of gratin is golden and most of liquid is 

absorbed, about 25 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes; serve. 



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Madison, MS 


The 

Hunting 

DOG 

Happiness is a good 

gun, a great dog and 

just the right spot. 

Our recent hunting dog 

photo contest yielded 

some great results! 

These beloved Madison 

County fur babies have 

captured the hearts of 

their owners as well as the 

staff here at 

Hometown Madison Magazine. 

Gage 

Yellow Labrador Retriever 

Owner: Chelsa Jones 

Rainee 

Chocolate Labrador Retriever 

Owner: Chris Hopkins 

Featured are three 

of our favorite pups 

that were submitted, 

so snuggle up with your 

own four-legged 

companion and learn 

about some of 

man’s best friends! 

Willow 

Black Labrador Retriever 

Owner: Greg Owen 

Labrador Retriever 

Owner: Will Moore 

Ridge, a six and a half year-old Labrador retriever, has been by owner Will Moore’s 

side almost since the very start. Purchased from the Double TT British Kennels in 

Kansas, Ridge was brought to Will at the young age of 7 weeks old. When not 

lounging around at home, playing with crushed water bottles and acting like a 

“big baby” in the offseason, Ridge is intensely busy out in the wilderness aiding in 

all types of hunting expeditions. Will and Ridge have gone out nearly every single 

weekend on hunts all over the southern states from southern Louisiana to northern 

Ava 

Arkansas, and tracked everything from ducks to deer. Ridge’s stats are impressive 

Rogue 

and include over 575 duck and waterfowl retrievals over his lifetime. He is in the 

prime of his hunting life but starting to show a little soreness after a particularly long 

trek. Will takes wonderful care of him, though, and makes sure that Ridge gets all of 

the supplements Pudelpointer and nutrients he needs to keep going German strong Shorthaired for a long time to Pointer come. 

Owner: Greg Stanton 

Owners: Ryan & Haley Collins 


Jasper 

Beau 

Chesapeake Bay Retriever 

Bloodhound 

Owner: Hunter Walters 

Owners: Jennifer & Shelby Warren 

Hunter Walters could set his watch by his dog Jasper’s 

consistent daily routine. Being up and ready for breakfast, 

back to sleep until Hunter comes home from work, having 

a quick jaunt around the yard, dinner (sometimes 

consisting of baby-back ribs), and sprawling over most of the 

king-sized bed at night are the on the daily task docket for this 

six year-old bloodhound. Purchased from a breeder when Hunter 

was still in law school, Jasper has been there through thick and thin 

for his owner. An expert deer-trailer for Hunter and his friends 

and family, Jasper has aided in countless hunts. He’s the closest 

thing Hunter’s parents have to a grandchild for the time-being, 

and Jasper is treated like a king when he stays with his 

“grandparents.” Hunter often receives texted photos of Jasper 

Gabby 


shamelessly eating stacks of pancakes, red velvet cake batter, 

and brownie batter from his father. There’s one thing is 

for sure–this is one well-loved bloodhound. 

Owner: Melissa Shanks 

Teal 

American Lab 

Owner: Peyton Sharplin 

CLYDE 

Beau 

REBEL 


Owner: Toler Robinson 

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Black Labrador Retriever 

Owners: Jennifer & Shelby Warren Owner: Lindsey Kirkland 

Clyde is a two year old black lab that loves to retrieve. 

In the winter, he wakes up ready and goes to sleep eager to hunt. 

Even at just two years old he’s proving to be one of the smartest 

dogs ever witnessed. At night he can be found in a king-size bed 

on his own pillow right beside his big brother, Cooper. Along 

with picking up ducks, Clyde loves to blood-trail deer and most 

anything else that consists of being outside. In a house of five 

retrievers, Clyde is very active, but is definitely spoiled being 

the baby of the bunch. Hopefully in the next few years 

Clyde can achieve his Master Hunter status. 


madison 

Recipes 

Louisiana 

Duck Gumbo 

• Flour 

• Oil 

• Celery 

• Bell pepper 

• Onion 

• Garlic 

• 3 duck breasts 

• Andouille sausage 

• Tony Chachere’s seasoning 

• Bay leaf 

• Tomatoes 

• Rice 

• Chicken stock 

First make a roux by cooking 3 tablespoons of 

flour and oil in bottom of pan. This should be a 

slow process as not to burn your roux. The longer 

you cook it the darker your gumbo will be. When 

roux is ready, in separate pan cook one onion, 

4 stalks chopped celery, one chopped bell pepper 

and pepper and 5 cloves of garlic. When done, 

brown chopped duck breast and andouille sausage. 

Combine all in one pot add one quarter of the 

chicken stock, 2 cans of chopped tomatoes 

and 2 bay leaves. Season with Tony’s to taste. 

Simmer 30 minutes to one hour while stirring 

occasionally. 

Serve over rice and add file seasoning for taste. 

Dove on a Stick 

• 12 dove breast filets 

• Worcestershire sauce 

• Italian dressing 

• Garlic 

• Salt 

• Wood skewers 

Marinate dove overnight in one part Worcestershire 

and three parts Italian dressing. Put dove 

breast on skewers and season lightly with salt 

and garlic powder. Cook medium on grill over 

low heat. 

Pan Fried Elk 

Steak & Gravy 

• Tenderized elk steak 

• Garlic powder 

• Salt and pepper 

• 1 egg 

• Flour 

• Oil 

• Milk or buttermilk 


Soak meat for a short time in buttermilk and egg 

mixture. Season flour with salt, pepper, garlic 

powder, and Tony’s. Sprinkle meat with a little 

extra Tony’s. Roll meat in seasoned flour, fry in a 

black iron skillet until golden brown. Remove 

meat and add 1 tablespoon of flour to remaining 

oil in pan. Brown flour, add one cup of milk bring 

to a slight boil; turn down heat to simmer, season 

to taste. Spoon over elk steaks. 

Louisiana 

Redfish 

on the Half Shell 

• 2-5 lb. Redfish filets with scales left on one side 


• Garlic powder 


• Lemon 

Season fish with Tony’s, salt, and garlic powder. 

Place fish scales side down on grill. Cook on 

medium heat until fish is white and flakey. 

Squeeze ½ a lemon 

Bacon-Wrapped 

Deer Tenderloin 

• Deer tenderloin 



• Worcestershire 

• Italian dressing 

• Cream cheese 

• Jalapeno peppers 

• Bacon 

Slice tenderloin in ½ inch thick strips. Marinate 

tenderloin overnight in one part Worcestershire 

and three parts dressing. Season with salt, pepper 

and Tony’s. Lay tenderloin flat. On top of each 

piece put a dab of cream cheese and a jalapeno 

pepper, roll into a ball, wrap each piece with a ½ 

piece of bacon and stick with a toothpick. Cook on 

medium heat until bacon is done. 


Wild 

edition 

Recipes from the kitchen of 

Kenneth Lancaster 

Elk Chili 

• 1 lb. of ground elk 



• Onion 

• Garlic 

• Petite diced tomatoes 

• Yellow mustard 

• Chili powder 

• Red kidney beans 

• Pinto beans 

• Water 

Brown elk and drain excess liquid off. Slice ½ 

onion and 5 garlic cloves, cook until soft. Add 

ground meat back in pot along with two cans of 

petite diced tomatoes, ½ can drained kidney beans, 

½ can drained pinto beans, one teaspoon of salt, 

teaspoon of pepper, teaspoon of Tony’s, one cup of 

water and two tablespoons of chili powder. Bring 

to a boil add 1 teaspoon of mustard and stir. Let 

simmer for about 20 minutes and serve with 

crackers or over rice. 

A native of Lake Providence, Louisiana, Kenneth Lancaster has an 

exceptional reputation in the hunting industry. His background in 

archery and his work as a guide, videographer, and hunter, have 

enhanced his popularity as a devoted outdoorsman. 

Kenneth's respect for the great outdoors began as a child, having 

a father who was a trapper and hunter, and a grandfather who was 

a commercial fisherman on the Mississippi River. At an early age 

Kenneth developed a love for archery, shot in 3D tournaments, 

and worked in a local archery shop. 

His background includes nine years with Primos Hunting Calls 

and his passion for hunting continues through his work with 

Michael Waddell's Bone Collector and with Antler Insanity. 

Kenneth has hunted elk, whitetail deer, mule deer, moose, 

woodland caribou, barren ground caribou, black bear, waterfowl, 

and all species of turkey. 



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Choir 

The 

Guy Camille Anding 

“It was my dream to be 

governor of Mississippi,” 

Lavon Gray declared from behind his desk on the third floor of First Baptist Church 

Jackson. It was so much a plan for his future that after graduating from Mendenhall 

High School, he enrolled in Co-Lin Junior College to pursue a political science degree. 

By the time he finished Co-Lin and entered the University of Southern Mississippi, 

he relinquished his own plans for his life to follow God’s gentle but persistent leading 

into music ministry. 


Photos: Judy & Lane Rushing 

His preacher friends encouraged him to stick with 

completing his political science degree because they assured 

him he would never be able to make a living doing church 

music. Gray heeded their advice and got the political science 

degree but continued to follow his call by entering New 

Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. From there he earned 

his Ph.D. at Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth. 

After serving in churches in Mississippi, Texas, and South 

Carolina, he accepted the minister of music position at FBC 

Jackson in 2001. For the past thirteen years he’s led in 

worship in front of a 300-voice choir (when all are present). 

Plans are going forward to renovate the choir space to hold 

an additional thirty to forty members. 

When asked about his favorite part of being minister 

of music, he didn’t hesitate: “I’m a people person; I love 

people and building relationships with them. And secondly, 

I love leading worship on Sunday mornings.” With the 

unusual experience of serving with three pastors plus 

interims in his thirteen years at FBC, Gray’s sense of 

humor speaks, “Everyone may not like me, but I am a 

consistent presence!” 

The meetings that are a necessary part of the music 

calendar are his least favorite part of the ministry, but how 

else does one involve and delegate 800 volunteers in the 

annual church Christmas program, Carols by Candlelight? 

Fifteen thousand tickets have already been given out for 

this year’s musical theme, Love Came to Me, scheduled for 

December 14-17. 

Larry Black, a former minister of music, began “Carols” 

in 1971. His choir of twenty grew to one hundred by the 

first performance. Dr. Gray gives Black credit for the music 

foundation that he left for his successors. 

Gray’s customary smile turns to laughter when he recalls 

glitches in the performances. In 1988, because of church 

renovation, the presentation was relocated to the coliseum for 




that year. Live animals are never used in the sanctuary, 

but for the coliseum “Carols,” it was the perfect opportunity 

to use them. Humphrey, the camel, was rented so one of 

the wise men could ride aloft him to the manger scene. 

Humphrey overreacted either from the crowds or stage 

fright and took the first exit out after entering – along 

with his wise man. Theirs was a brief exposure. 

Another time, Gray realized within moments of the 

overture that his music was upstairs on his desk. Ava Hart, 

pianist and music assistant, rushed to his office to retrieve 

his music. On another occasion a stage crew member crawled 

in guerrilla warfare style beneath Gray’s podium to handdeliver 

a message. 

The “Carol” glitches are seldom in the presentations that 

are spectacular with a dedication to sharing the Gospel. The 

labor of love begins in January with the meeting of thirty key 

leaders who volunteer to cover all areas of the production. 

February is take-a-breath month. March is for theme 

selection; April, May and June are song selections months. 

Orders are made in July and rehearsals begin in August. 

Lavon, as most members call him, has always been at 

home in his musical world. His mother, the church pianist, 

eloped when she was fourteen. A year later Lavon was 

born, and one week after that his grandfather carried him 

to church to have their pastor dedicate the future minister. 

“I’ve not missed much church,” Lavon added. 

He remembers family reunions with his mother on the 

piano, his dad playing guitar along with more guitar-playing 

cousins and kin. “We might start out with Johnny Cash and 

Hank Williams songs, but we would always end up singing 

gospel music.” 

When away from the church, his greatest enjoyment is 

his family. His wife of twenty-nine years, Wendy, is mother 

to their three daughters, Kayla, Lizzie, and Katibeth – all 


homeschooled. “I was the principal,” Lavon says with 

a laugh. Their two oldest daughters are married, and 

ten-year-old Katibeth has been and is their “back side 

blessing.” A recent grandson, Grayson, has given the 

Grays a new favorite title. 

On Thursday nights Lavon reaches for his striped shirt 

and whistle to referee junior college football games. Sports 

officiating for the past thirty years is another favorite 

pastime of the multi-faceted minister. 

Humility is a recognizable trait in Dr. Gray when he 

speaks of his limited ability in music while praising the 

talents and gifts of his choir, staff, and network of volunteers. 

He also gives much credit to his administrative assistant, 

Terry Sims, a fellow laborer for forty years in the music 

department. 

He refers to himself as a sophisticated redneck from 

Simpson County and whose favorite hymn is ”Victory in 

Jesus.” “I’ve never been the most talented; I’m not the greatest 

musician, but God has given me the ability to be a great 

minister of music. I guess I’m just a choir guy,” he says 

with his down-to-earth charisma. 

Then he adds, “I’m just so honored to lead here.” For the 

vast majority of all who will hear the sounds of Carols by 

Candlelight this Christmas, their response with emotions and 

hearts brimming will be, “You didn’t need to be governor.” n 




222 Bedford Drive • Brandon, MS • 662.414.1707

Shop online at fireandpatio.com • Madisonfireplacepatio.com • 1437 Highland Colony Parkway • Madison, MS • 601-853-6699

serving our community 

Assistant Chief Steve Wilson 

ridgeland Fire Department 

Why did you decide to be a firefighter? 

My brother-in-law, Alan Patterson, was a 

volunteer firefighter for Ridgeland at the time 

and he put the idea into my head. Thank you A! 

How long have you been with the 

Ridgeland Fire Department? 

A long time. 

Tell us about your family. 

My mother is Jo Wilson—and I have two sisters, 

Kae and Karen. 

What is the toughest thing you have 

experienced in your job? 

There is no single toughest thing but it is always 

hard to watch people suffer during the times we 

aren’t able to prevent or mitigate their suffering. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in 

your spare time. 

I don’t have much spare time but I enjoy reading 

and I’m a movie fan. I collect western gear and 

I teach diving. 

What are three things on your 

bucket list? 

I’ve never had a bucket list. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

Mike Rowe, because he has a passion for work, 

all work! 

Where do you see yourself ten years 

from now? 

Retired to the farm. 

If you could give one piece of advice 

to a young person, what would it be? 

As long as you are taking a check from your 

employer, give them 100 percent. Oh, and 

make your bed every single morning...it's your 

first success of the day. 

What is a favorite childhood memory? 

I can’t remember being a child. I’m serious. 

What is the biggest mistake you think 

young people make today? 

If you are going to do something, give it 

everything, make it your passion, live it and 

love it, or find something else to do. (I am 

certainly not able to answer that question 

because I don’t pretend to understand young 

people today.) 

What is your favorite thing about the 

City of Ridgeland? 

I travel a great deal to departments, police 

and fire, throughout the United States, so 

I am fortunate enough to be able to draw a 

comparison. While I may occasionally run 

across a city that is our equal, I never run across 

one that is better than ours, and the majority of 

them can’t hold a candle to us. 


idgeland’s finest 

Lt. Stephen Patrick 

madison police Department 

Why did you decide to be a policeman? 

When I graduated high school, my oldest 

brother, Jamie Patrick, became a police officer 

with the Jackson Police Department. I looked 

up to my brother and wanted to become a 

police officer like him. Law enforcement has 

created an avenue for me that has enabled 

me to serve this community by building a 

working relationship with the people we 

serve every day. 

How long have you been with the 

Madison Police Department? 

I am currently a lieutenant with the Madison 

Police Department and have been serving for 

18 years. 


My darling wife Latasha and I have three sons, 

Camron, Caleb, and Christopher. 

What is the toughest thing you have 

experienced in your job? 

The toughest thing that I’ve ever experienced 

in my job was the morning I received a service 

call to respond to an accident involving my 

fellow officer and motorcycle riding partner, 

Jimmy Brooks. He was fatally injured in that 

accident. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in 

your spare time? 

I enjoy weight training, hunting, fishing and 

outings with my family. 

What are three things on your 

bucket list? 

I would like to vacation in Hawaii and visit 

Denmark and Spain someday. 


I admire my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

He has been my provider and protector of 

my life. I have learned that with him, “all things 

are possible.” 

Where do you see yourself ten years 

from now? 

I would like to continue to further my career 

through the ranks here at the Madison Police 

Department serving this wonderful community. 

If you could give one piece of advice 

to a young person, what would it be? 

The best advice that I could give a young 

person is to trust God in everything that 

you do. Seek him for his direction and plans 

for your life. 

What is a favorite childhood memory? 

The times my family came together during the 

Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. 

There is always so much love, unity, and fun 

times among our family. 

What is the biggest mistake you think 

young people make today? 

Allowing the negative impulse of today’s 

society and media’s interpretation of things 

infect their minds. It causes them to be 

misdirected from God’s true plans for 

their lives. 

What is your favorite thing about the 

city of Madison? 

It is a beautifully growing community with 

excellent leadership, it has a great school 

system, and I love the support that the 

community gives to this police department. 


An 

Interest 

in 

Pinterest 

It wasn’t until 

we saw it on 

Pinterest that we 

ever considered 

using grandma’s 

vintage silver 

tureen and 

putting a fern in it! 

So just in time 

for the holidays, 

we’ve curated 

some of our 

favorite decorating 

inspiration images 

and put them 

here for you. 

Be creative! 

Shop your own 

cupboards and 

storage chests. 

Find new life 

for things you 

already have. 

And most of all, 

have fun. 

Happy Holidays! 



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Keeping 

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If you’ve ever driven down Old Canton 

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Crossing. They’ve been in just about the 

same spot since they opened in March 

of 1989. The summer rush always brings 

people searching for the best peas and 

butterbeans in town, but their great 

produce and other goods are popular 

year-round. Freshway is the go-to place 

if you are itching for a giant pumpkin for 

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beds. For owner Michelle Cockrell, 

getting to know her customers and 

meeting their needs is the highlight of 

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madison 

Recipes 

Iron Skillet 

Biscuits 

• 4 cups Bisquick 

• 8 oz. sour cream 

• ¾ cup club soda 

• 1 stick butter melted 

Mix sour cream and club soda together. Add 

Bisquick until just combined. Don’t over mix. 

Place skillet over low heat with 1 T of the melted 

butter. Melt the remaining butter in a small bowl. 

Dip biscuit batter by heaping spoonful’s into the 

melted butter then place in warm skillet until pan 

is full. Any remaining butter can be poured over 

the biscuits before baking. Bake at 450 degrees 

until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. 

Mock Chicken 

& Dumplings 

• 6 chicken breast 

• ½ box lasagna noodles 

• ½ t garlic salt 

• 1 t salt 

• 1 stick butter 

• 2 cans cream of chicken soup 

• 2 cans cream of celery soup 

Boil chicken until tender. Remove from broth. 

Break lasagna noodles into bite size pieces and 

cook in chicken broth for 15 minutes. Remove 

chicken from bone and chop into small bite-size 

pieces. Drain cooked noodles reserving broth. 

Combine noodles, chicken, butter, salt, garlic salt 

and soups. Add reserved broth until desired 

consistency. Simmer on medium low for about 

20 minutes adding more broth as needed. 

Chicken Lasagna 

• 1 rotisserie chicken 

(pulled and cut into bite size pieces) 

• 2 T butter 

• 1 small onion diced 

• 1 can cream of chicken soup 

• 1 can cream of celery soup 

• 1 8 oz. cream cheese 

• 2 cups sour cream 

• 1 cup half and half 

• 1 box lasagna noodles 

(prepared according to package directions) 

• 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese 

• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese 

In a large skillet, sauté onion in butter until 

caramelized. Add chicken until warmed through. 

Remove from skillet. 

Add soups, cream cheese, sour cream and milk, to 

the skillet. Stir until ingredients melt and thicken 

slightly. Add chicken back and simmer on low for 

2-3 minutes. 

Spread a thin layer of sauce in a 9x13 baking dish. 

Layer in this order, noodles, chicken cream sauce 

then cheese. Continue layering until your pan is 

full, ending with cheese on top. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until hot 

and bubbly. 

Broccoli Cheese 

Jalapeno 

Cornbread 

• 1 box Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix 

• 1 pkg. frozen chopped broccoli 

(thaw and pat dry) 

• ½ cup chopped onion 

• 2-3 T chopped jalapeno peppers 

• 3 eggs 


• 1/3 cup milk or buttermilk 

• 1 cup shredded cheese 

Mix all ingredients and bake in greased cast iron 

skillet or baking dish (if you want to cut into 

squares). Bake at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes. 

Great with any soup or as a side for a country 

vegetable dinner. 

Molasses Cookies 

• 1 cup sugar 

• 1 t cinnamon 

• ½ t salt 

• ¾ cup shortening 

• 1 egg 

• ½ t cloves 

• 2 t baking soda 

• ¼ cup molasses 

• 2 cups flour 

Cream together shortening, eggs, and molasses. 

Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, cloves, baking soda 

and flour together and add to creamed mixture. 

Mix well, roll into balls and place on greased 

cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until light brown 

and let cool on cookie sheet before removing. 


NAMED BEST NURSING HOME* 

Oatmeal Cream Pie 

with Cream Cheese 

Filling 

• 1 cup butter softened 

• 1 cup sugar 

• 1 cup brown sugar 

• 2 eggs 

• 1 T Mexican vanilla 

• 2 cups flour 

• ½ t cinnamon 

• 1 t baking soda 

• 1 t salt 

• 3 cups quick cooking oats 

Cream together the butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla. 

Mix cinnamon, baking soda, salt and flour together 

and add to creamed mixture. Mix in oats until 

combined well. Roll into evenly sized balls and place 

on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 

10-13 minutes. Do not overcook. Spread cream 

cheese icing between 2 cookies. 

Filling 

• 1 8 oz. cream cheese (softened) 


• 1 T Mexican vanilla 

• 4 cups powdered sugar 

Cream together the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. 

Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time mixing well after 

each addition. Spread between 2 oatmeal cookies for 

oatmeal cream pies. 

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SPECIALIZED SKILLED NURSING 

Recipes submitted by Martha Falvey. 

Martha lives in Madison and is 

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Wine & Wishes 

october 12 • Flora, MS 

the home of liz & troy youngblood 

benefitting make-a-wish Mississippi 





52 • November/December 2017 

Be the Light


Once you find the light at the end of the tunnel, 

become that light for others . . . 

There are very few times in my life that I can recall thinking 

to myself, “that was an absolutely terrible week.” An occasional 

bad day? Sure. But a whole week? Not that I can remember. But 

recent events have started to erode my optimism a bit and make 

me wonder if this is the new normal. Hurricanes and wildfires, 

earthquakes and epic flooding, the threat of nuclear conflict, 

24-hour doom-and-gloom news cycles, and a general sense of 

civil and political unrest have all played their part in undermining 

my broader sense of well-being. Frankly it’s becoming more 

and more challenging to stay above the fray in the midst of 

such negativity. 

While I’m usually a pretty positive person, I once made 

the critical social-media misstep of commenting on what 

seemed like a fairly benign political discussion among friends 

on Facebook, only to be completely hijacked and eventually 

eviscerated by a complete stranger. It took me days to get 

over it as I had never been the recipient of such a hostile and 

unprecedented lashing out by a keyboard warrior. And I’m no 

shrinking violet mind you . . . but nor am I able to function in 

a way that brings me joy while trying to think of the meanest 

thing I could possibly say in retaliation—all while salvaging 

my own sense of self-respect. 

I might should just stick to pictures of puppies and kittens. 

And baby goats. And Pinterest recipes. 

People just seem so angry. Maybe it’s a sign of the times– 

and finding the best during difficult times can, no doubt, be a 

daunting task. But here are a few things I’ve learned while trying 

to do it, nonetheless, despite what’s happening around me: 

You gotta take the bad with the good. They say that bad days 

make you appreciate the good days more. It’s that whole 

Yin-Yang thing, I suppose. It takes negative space to create 

balance with positive space. What would it be like if all we 

had was good days? Would we any longer know they’re good? 

So, even on your worst day, try to find something good. Life 

is always going to contain a little darkness. We have to focus 

on the light that will follow. 

Life’s not always fair. There are so many things that happen 

that we may never understand, or can explain, that seem 

completely unfair. Like, why do some people retain their health 

despite their poor lifestyle choices while others that live “by 

the book” are blind-sided with a life-changing diagnosis with 

no apparent reason or warning? Why do some enjoy great 

success without significant effort while others seem to struggle 

their entire lives? Why do some good people die young? These 

are all challenging questions to which I don’t know the answer. 

Sometimes life just hits you so hard it knocks your helmet off– 

but what defines us is how well we rise after falling. The point 

is to rise. Get back up, every time. 

Every day is a do-over. The best part of this life is that we are 

given the chance to start over every single day that we wake up. 

Don’t drag the negative with you from day to day like a dead 

body. You’re not obligated to give it a free ride. Move forward 

with thoughts and actions that empower you, not the ones that 

weaken you. This is your opportunity to begin again, so be 

intentional. This is your do-over. 

Make a “good things” list. One of the best ways I’ve found to 


stay optimistic when times are tough is to focus on 

what I have rather than what I don’t. Gratitude is one 

of the best tools for overcoming any difficulty and, as 

counter-intuitive as it may seem, it’s particularly 

beneficial when things aren’t going well. The incredible 

thing about gratitude is that once we realize all the 

things we have in our lives and all the things we can 

do, it unlocks a fullness of life and turns what we have 

into enough. 

Learn to harness your opinion–or should I say, 

“articulate your thoughts and views in a more 

constructive way.” Lordy! Never in my life have I seen 

so many opinions shared about things that either have 

absolutely nothing to do with the person sharing them 

or are communicated in such a way that it creates 

complete divisiveness and hostility. And when did it 

become acceptable to rebuke someone because they 

happen to think differently? We live in the Universal 

Age of Sharing. Let’s commit ourselves to doing it 

nicely. Otherwise it will be the downfall of civility. 

Find a place for faith. If you’re Christian, faith is not 

only the belief that Jesus Christ can save you, but it’s 

actually knowing that He’s on his way to do it—and 

that promise alone provides hope for many. But 

regardless of your religious beliefs, the point is that it’s 

important to believe in something. It’s been proven 

that people of faith have a greater sense of optimism 

than those without it. 

They say that how we respond to life ultimately 

defines our character. There are plenty of days I want 

to crawl under the coffee table and hide from the news 

and the mean people and the storms of life. But then 

I remember that I have a job to do. We all have jobs 

to do. Our jobs are to be the light in a dark world. 

To spread hope and joy any way we can. To show love 

when no one else does. 

So when it rains, look for rainbows—when it’s 

dark, look for stars! And when you can’t find the 

sunshine, BE the sunshine. That would go a long way 

toward making the world a better place. n 


DECK the 

Table 

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©2017 Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Pricing and participation may vary. 


FBC Madison 

Tablescapes 

Home 

for the 

Holidays 

October 12 




It’s not every day that you casually walk into a shop 

and are confronted by a 13-foot, 571 pound alligator. But 

if you’ve ever popped over to Gator Archery and Outdoors 

in Madison, you’ve definitely lived to tell the tale of this 

experience. Owner Elizabeth Greer joked that, in the past, 

if she could ever figure out how to open a bow shop, she 

would make a huge spot for their alligator. 

The giant (stuffed) beast has been a focal point in 

Jimmy and Elizabeth Greer’s shop since they opened their 

doors in August of this year. Its presence on the wall may 

be slightly jarring to first-time visitors, but it is testament 

to the fact that they know their stuff when it comes to 

hunting. The gator is one of two that earned the Greers 

state records based on size and weight at the time they 

were caught. The other was a 13-foot, 6.5-inch monster 

weighing in at a whopping 741 pounds. So if you are 

looking for some hunting tips, you know Gator Archery 

and Outdoors is the right place to ask some questions. 

It took what felt like a lifetime for the Greer’s dream 

of owning an outdoor sporting goods shop to be realized. 

The couple has been hunting since each of them was a 

young child. Outdoor sporting has just been a part of who 

they are for their whole lives. “My dad had two girls and 

he always wanted a boy,” said Elizabeth. “Then we grew 

up and he said, ‘Well, y’all are as close to boys as I could 

get, so I don’t need a boy.’” 

The Greers believe that hunting is a great activity for 

the whole family, saying that even their seventeen month 

old toddles around the house with a bow and arrows. 

“We want to get kids into hunting instead of them being 


out doing who knows what,” added Elizabeth. 

Everyone they know that has started hunting has 

fallen in love with it, and it has turned into a huge 

hobby for them. 

As business people, Jimmy and Elizabeth aim 

for meeting people’s needs, not their pocket books. 

With bows ranging from $300 to $1,200, it would be 

easy to take advantage of a new hunter’s naivety 

and sell them something for top-dollar. But Elizabeth 

knows that that is not good business. They make a 

point to talk to everyone who walks through the front 

door of their establishment. “If you talk to someone 

like you’ve known them your whole life and treat 

them like that, then it’s a lot easier to figure stuff out 

and they’ll be more prone to ask you questions,” said 

Elizabeth. “I know what it’s like to walk into a store 

and not know anything about something that I’m 

looking at.” 

Patrons can expect to find almost anything 

they would need for a trip out into the woods at 

Gator Archery and Outdoors. They carry hundreds 

of different items including clothes, bows, hunting 

accessories, and much more. They even offer almost 

every bow-related service you can think of: Re-tuning, 

stringing, changing weights, adjusting draw lengths, 

etc. You name it, they do it! 

Though the couple juggle caring for their baby 

and Elizabeth’s full-time job as a nurse at the 

University of Mississippi Medical Center, in addition 

to this new business adventure, they still do their 

best to be family-focused and enjoy the great outdoors 

together. The Greers still love gator hunting when 

they have the opportunity, and participating in 3-D 

competitions whenever they arise in the off-seasons. 

Gator Archery and Outdoor is active on Facebook 

@gatorarchery, and are open Monday through Friday 

from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and 

closed Sunday so the Greers can have some family 

fun out on their own hunts! n 




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Sadie Robertson Live Original Tour 

First Baptist Church Madison / October 22 


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Learn more about our detailed 

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Ken Toler 

Ole Miss Rebels 

1977-1980 

New England Patriots 

1981-1983 

Greenville native Kenneth Pack Toler Jr., M.D. 

Eyes 

on the 

Ball 


has moved from the football field at Ole Miss to 

the stadium of the New England Patriots to the 

exam room for Jackson Eye Associates where 

he specializes in cataract and LASIK surgery. 

Though his days on the field as a wide receiver 

are at an end, Ken still remembers that time of 

his life fondly. Lessons he learned from his teammates, 

coaches, and especially his father stay 

with him to this day, and have helped him not 

only in the game of football, but the journey 

of life and in running a medical practice. When 

he’s not helping people restore their sight, Ken 

enjoys spending his free time with his wife, 

Kristi, their four children, and two grandchildren. 

Win or lose, Ken has learned how to approach 

every arena of life as a good sport. 


What was the foremost highlight of your football career? 

By far my favorite thing about football and what I miss the most 

is going through all the blood and sweat with my teammates. 

Then going into battle with them and striving to do our very best 

–win or lose. 

What was the most difficult part of being a college athlete? 

The most difficult part was time constraints. You have to practice 

football, watch film and then find time to study when you’re not 

in class. I found that I do my best in this structured environment 

when I make the best use of my time. 

Describe the favorite character trait you saw in your 

head coach. 

Raymond Berry was my receiver coach at the New England 

Patriots and later became their head coach. His best trait was 

his attention to detail. I learned so many tricks and ways to beat 

defensive backs from him. He was not exceptionally fast and had 

one leg shorter than the other, but his attention to every little 

detail and pass route running made him an All-Pro Hall of Fame 

Receiver. 

Name some ways football influenced your life after football. 

Football taught me that if I work hard enough, I’m capable of 

anything. It taught me that if you push yourself and don’t give up 

you could accomplish way more than you thought possible. 

Who was the player you most admired on your team 

and why? 

Breck Tyler was one of our wide receivers at Ole Miss. Breck was 

an unselfish player who should have been thrown to a lot more 

than he was. He had the best hands of any wide receiver I ever 

played with, college or pro. He made some catches you wouldn’t 

believe. He could have been a good pro receiver if he hadn’t 

been injured. 

Share one of the ways your coach or coaches tried to 

motivate you for a “big” game. 

Some coaches try to get you ready for a big game by yelling at 

you and some are encouragers. But for me, the best way to be 

ready is to prepare and pay attention to all the details. You have 

to know that a football game, like life, is a long time. There will 

be times when things don’t go your way and times when things 

are going good. You just have to keep focusing on your job, 

overcoming obstacles, and be prepared and ready for anything. 





55 Days of Unforgettable Memories 

Ken Sandridge 

Holiday memory-making in Mississippi 

usually doesn’t include ice - unless, of 

course, it’s the ice in a glass of sweet tea. 

However, thanks to the vision of local U.S. 

96.3 radio celebrity and Big South Events 

partner, Scott Steele, Central Mississippi 

families will enjoy over 55 days of 

unforgettable memories on ice beginning 

November 12 during Steele’s event titled, 

Christmas Wonderland. 

Describing the nearly two-month 

long event as an ice skating, ice sliding 

extravaganza, Steele and his partners 

are ensuring skating and sliding fun - 

rain or shine - by holding the event in a 

giant 30,000 square foot tent filled with 

thousands of Christmas lights and 

decorations in the parking lot of 

Mississippi Braves stadium in Pearl. 

“Actually, the great memories my 

children and I had at the ice rink held in 

Madison a few years back,” Steele said, 

“were the inspiration for Christmas 

Wonderland.” “As my partners and I began 

developing the Christmas Wonderland 

concept, we knew we had to find a way 

to keep Mother Nature from shutting 

down the fun,” Steele said in referring to the 

more than 20 days of rain that prevented 

skating at the Madison event in 2013. 

“So, holding Christmas Wonderland in 

a massive tent was our only option,” 

he added. “If not for the underwriting 

commitments of our title sponsor, Merit 

Health, as well as other generous 

supporters like Outlets of Mississippi, 

BankPlus, and Coca-Cola,” Steele explained, 

“there would have been no way to bring 

an event of this magnitude to the Metro 

Jackson area.” Steele also praised Pearl 

Mayor Jake Windham and the businesses 

and organizations in the area for their 

support of the project - including the host 

venue Mississippi Braves, Bass Pro Shop, 

Holiday Inn, and Cavender’s. 

One of the nation’s most experienced 

providers of portable ice rink venues, 

internationally acclaimed Magic Ice USA, 

was tapped to develop and install the 

Christmas Wonderland ice rink and ice 

slide. In addition to a nearly 8,000 square 

foot ice rink, Christmas Wonderland will 

feature a double ice slide appropriately 

titled, The Arctic Blast, where two sliders 

climb stairs to the top of a 20-foot high 

ice-tower before zooming down a 120-foot 

long run of ice to the bottom of the run. 

As a bonus for younger children who 

may find it slightly challenging to navigate 

the ice rink and slide, Steele and partners 

also designed a kid-friendly area with an 

assortment of inflatables that will include 

a huge 22-foot high triple slide that gives 

even the youngest event-goers thrills 

galore. 

“Speaking of kids,” Steele continued, 

“we have a ton of things planned to make 

the event especially exciting for them 

during the Christmas season. For instance, 

moms and dads can have their children 

be a part of several Breakfast with Santa 

dates where the kids will actually have 

breakfast and visit with St. Nick himself - 

along with filling out their wish-list and 

dropping it in his big red bag!” 

“Birthday parties at Christmas Wonderland 

are another opportunity,” he added. 

We have already booked a ton of 

children’s birthday parties, which include 

skating, sliding and bouncing in the 

inflatables area!” 

“And not to be outdone by things for 

the kiddos,” he remarked, “Christmas 

Wonderland makes the perfect venue for 

Christmas gatherings of all kinds - including 

company, church, and other types of group 

and organizational gatherings!” 

Throughout the nearly eight-week long 

event, there will be a variety of local and 

regional concerts and entertainment 

appearing daily on the BankPlus Stage - 

ranging from church and school choirs to 

professional entertainers. 

“Almost everyone has a favorite 

Christmas memory,” Steele added. “This 

year, we’re confident Christmas Wonderland 

will become that magical place where 

friends and families celebrate the season 

and make memories that last a lifetime.” 

Christmas Wonderland will operate 

daily beginning November 12 thru January 

6, 10am - 11pm Monday thru Thursday, 

and 12 noon - 11pm Friday thru Sunday. 

For more information call 601-212-8810, 

email info@bigsouthevents.net, or visit 

www.christmaswonderland.ms or 

FaceBook.com/ChristmasWonderlandMS 


LuLu's 

Great little sweet treats for all the 

special people in your life. 

Germantown Wine 

Finest selection of scotches and 

bourbons for that special gift. 

The Perfect Gift 

jackson jewelers 

14k white gold sapphire and diamond 

necklace with an Art Deco design. 

1.08 Ct total weight in sapphires and 

.33 total Ct weight in diamonds. 

Bicycle Revolution 

Any cyclist would love this Ride Prep tool kit 

under the tree. $129.99 

3 JACKSON FAVORITES 

1 CONVENIENT CARD 

Make Us Part Of Your Giving Tradition 

AVAILABLE IN-STORE & ONLINE 

Mangia Bene 

Gift cards good at Bravo, Sal & Mookie’s 

and Broad Street Bakery 

Wee the People 

Awesome children’s gifts 

and stocking stuffers. 

CW Organics 

These herbal sets are the perfect gift 

for the holidays. $25 

Guns n gear 

Silencerco Sparrow 22 

and Omega 300 

NaturAl Health Project 

Complimentary First Session of 

Invisa-Red Weight Loss Laser Therapy 


Material Girls 

Kendra Scott Elisa necklaces $50-$75 

Madison Fireplace & Patio 

Big Green Egg 

Calistoga wine & Spirits 

Wine makes the perfect holiday gift. 

St. Anthony 

Tickets to A Starry Night Gala Wonderful 

Winterland featuring Doctor Zarr’s Amazing 

Funk Monster - December 9 at 7pm 

Body Anew 

Skinceuticals products to fit 

your skincare needs 

Gator Archery 

Crossbows, kid bows, apparel, 

candles, Muck boots 

runnels center 

Gift Cards 

Shayna's 

Sorelli jewelry and bar bracelets 

Mon Ami Spa 

HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator 

from SkinMedica 

Madison Marketplace 

Swig Wine Cups – Collegiate Collection 


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. Kenley Brooks, a senior at Germantown High School 

was awarded this distinction by Brit Phelps, CEO Merit Health Madison. 

Congratulations Kenley and a big “Thank You” to Merit Health 

for investing in our leaders of the future. 

There’s Merit in the future. 


Hometown Madison 

Reader 

SPOTLIGHT 

Shelley 

Hughes 

Why did you decide to make Madison 

County your home? 

Madison has such a small town feel by offering a 

sense of community, faith, and security. 


I have been married to Chris Hughes for 21 years. 

We meet in dental school here in Jackson. We are 

blessed with 4 children. Our oldest is Abby Grace 

who is a sophomore studying mechanical 

engineering in the CME program at Ole Miss. 

And we have triplets that are juniors attending 

Jackson Prep; Madeline Claire, Dixon, and Grant. 

And not to be forgotten are our 4 dogs and cat. 

What is your favorite memory of living in 

Madison? 

The “Doughnut Fairy.” Ever since my kids were 

little, my father shows up Sunday morning at my 

house with doughnuts for the kids. As you can 

imagine the amount of doughnuts has increased 

over the years with the size of my boys. He even 

brings a special box of doughnuts for the dogs! 

Where are your three favorite places to eat 

in Madison? 

Local 463, Nagoya, and Ruth’s Chris. 

What are some fun things to do in Madison 

on the weekends? 

Movies at Grandview, exercising on the Natchez 

Trace trails, and shopping around town. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in your 

spare time. 

Anything that involves spending time with 

my family. It can be a road trip to concerts and 

football games, family game night at home, 

or a night out for dinner and the movies. My 

heart is happy when the family is together. 

What are three things on your bucket list? 

Travel...to Italy, Israel, and Egypt. 

Where do you see yourself in ten years? 

If I have learned anything, it is that my plans are 

not always God’s plans. I am excited to see what 

he has planned for me. 


Hands down, my mother! She is the most selfless 

and positive person. She has gone through so 

much with her health over the years having heart 

surgeries and a kidney transplant with my older 

sister as the donor. But nothing stops her. Just ask 

her friends at the Pilates Studio of Ridgeland 

where she is a devoted class member. 

If you could give us one encouraging quote, 

what would it be? 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean 

not unto your own understanding; in all your 

ways submit to him, and he will make your paths 

straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6 

What is your favorite thing about 

Hometown Magazines? 

Whether it is a person, place, or event, discovering 

something new about Madison. 

Amy Edwards 

601-707-9434 

1716 Highway 51, Ste. I 

Madison 

+ = BIG SAVINGS 

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Illinois © 2010 Allstate Insurance Co. 

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OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS 

OPEN FOR YOU! 

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DIRECT DIGITAL GREEN CROSS MEDIA DESIGN 

247 Industrial Drive N Madison, Mississippi 39110 

601-853-7300 1-800-844-7301 

www.hederman.com 



St. Catherine’s Village 

Paint it Purple 

September 29 

benefitting Alzheimer’s 

awareness 


The CHALKBOARD 

madison county Schools 

Madison Central 

Madison Central High School is proud to announce its 2017- 

2018 National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Scholars. 

Back L-R: National Merit Semifinalists David McDonald, Noah 

Grovich, Jackson Dellinger, Chanu Cherukuri, Luke Little, 

Advait Praveen, James Michels and Commended Scholar Case 

Draughn. Front L-R: National Merit Semifinalists Rimika 

Banerjee, Maddie Gall, Anna Brock, Abigail Barton, Mary Ranie 

Miller, Commended Scholar Maeve Rigney and National Merit 

Semifinalist Claire Smith. 

Student Government Association senior members. 

Front L-R: secretary Spencer Castilla, president Cedric Beal, 

treasurer Chanu Cherukuri, vice president Parth Malaviya. Back 

L-R: representatives Mary Ranie Miller, Tara Amos, Catherine 

Whitten, Anne Daniel Embry, Brooke Thomas, Stroud Tolleson. 

Madison Central High School 2017-2018 Uproar newspaper 

staff is pictured. Front L-R: website manager Maeve Rigney, 

editor-in-chief Ashton Giesecke, Hayden Ray, Bradlea James, 

Sara Whitehead, website manager Bezal Jupiter. Middle L-R: 

Phoebe Waters, layout editor Katie King, copy editor Kaitlyn 

Sills, Lauren Barham, business manager Jordan Carter, business 

manager Sarah Elizabeth Johns, Adele Russell. Back L-R: Jillian 

Russell, Vanessa Anguiano, Katherine Pudish, Elizabeth Barton. 

Student Government Association junior members. 

Front L-R: secretary Haaris Patel, treasurer Michael Zhang, 

president Bonnie Hill, vice president Maggie McKinnis. 

Back L-R: representatives Caleb Smith, Westbrooks Ross, 

Sydney Storm, Saad Alamgir, Kathryn Scoggins, Bailey Naquin, 

Claire Iupe. 

Student Government Association sophomore members. 

Front L-R: secretary Jordan Williams, treasurer Emma Grace 

Trammell, vice president Anna Cate Strong, president Brooks 

Stewart. Back L-R: representatives Logan Landis, Allison Hill, 

Mary Morgan Williams, Miller Widemire, Sadderika Mason, 

Justin Storm. 


Student Government Association executive officers. 

Front L-R: co-presidents Cayden Shirley and Noah Grovich. 

Back L-R: vice president Maddie Gall, treasurer Luke Little and 

secretary Megan Humphreys. 

2017-2018 Pawprint Yearbook Production staff. 

Front row L-R: editors Emily Harms, Kaylee Ricchetti. 

Second row L-R: copy editor Austin Wilkins, Alex Ricketts, 

social media manager Reagan Leeper. Third row L-R: Sara 

Cavicchi, Ally Henson, Anna Warden, Bonnie Hill, Emma 

Barham, social media manager Cameron Rogillio. Fourth row 

L-R: Mary Grace Nelson, Jordan Williams. 

2017-2018 Pawprint Yearbook financial staff. 

Front row L-R: business managers Kalli Hedgepeth, Lucy Cavett, 

Elise Chancellor. Second row L-R: Timothy Seago, Ellen Morgan, 

Sidney Dean, Cayden Shirley. Third row L-R: Mallory Dale, 

Francie Davis, Victoria Stevens, Hannah Cloud, Elle Muirhead. 

Fourth row L-R: Maggie McKinnis, Claire Iupe, Courtney Reid, 

Addison Baney and Kathryn Scoggins. Back Row L-R: Sydney 

Stokes, Mary Morgan Williams and Allison Hill. 

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




Mannsdale 

Mannsdale students are learning about character education 

through their Pledge 4 Hope Fun Run fundraiser. Students learned 

about the importance of teamwork, setting goals, and treating 

others with respect. 


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

Ann Smith 

Building Ties With the Community 

Mr. Juan Gonzales understands, first-hand, the difficulty 

involved in leaving your home and family to move to another 

country. Mr. Gonzales left Mexico in 2011 to move to the Jackson 

area in order to attend Wesley Biblical Seminary. His desire was 

to gain the education and skills necessary to return to Mexico 

and help his community. 

After completing his studies, he did in fact become a great 

help to the Hispanic community, just not in the way he had 

expected. His opportunity to make a difference opened up as 

he became an assistant with the ESL (English as a Second 

Language) program at Ann Smith Elementary. During the past 

two years, Mr. Gonzales has been an amazing asset to the ASE 

community. He has been vital in building relationships between 

the school staff and families of Spanish speaking students. He 

not only has a kind and caring manner, but a genuine concern for 

the well-being of those he serves. Mr. Gonzales has translated 

many school forms and documents including report cards, 

newsletters, and all important communication between families 

and school. He has helped to plan and promote events and 

functions to bring together families, students, staff, community 

leaders, and businesses in an effort to help the ESL families 

become better acclimated and 

broaden the perspective of all 

involved. “We want all families 

at ASE to feel welcome and 

comfortable regardless of their 

background,” he stated. 

This year Mr. Gonzales’ role 

will be expanded. He will serve 

as the ESL liaison. He will work 

not only with ASE but with all 

schools and families in the 

Ridgeland Zone. He will be a 

wonderful asset to our schools and families as he seeks to grow 

relationships and increase academic growth for the ESL community. 

“We will plan and organize events, facilitate communication, 

and offer opportunities for parents so they feel less isolated and 

more able to be a part of their child’s education,” he stated. 

“Some of the opportunities that we are planning for the Ridgeland 

Zone are some of the ones that were successful at ASE and 

well as some new ideas. We will give the parents opportunities to 

attend classes to help them learn English as well as ways to help 

their children with homework,” Mr. Gonzales added. “We want 

families to grow academically, but we also want them to feel that 

they are a vital part of the school and community.” 

ASE Walks to School 

Ann Smith Elementary was one of 

thousands of schools in more than 40 

countries that celebrated International 

Walk to School Day to promote pedestrian 

safety, environmentally friendly forms of 

transportation, and health and fitness. 

Ann Smith students, parents, city leaders 

and community members walked to school 

on Wednesday, October 10. Walk to School 

Day has become quite a tradition at ASE. 

This was the 7th year that the school has 

participated in the event. 




East Flora 

The East Flora Elementary Choir performed “America the 

Beautiful” during pre-game at the Madison Central High football 

game. The choir consists of 28 students in fourth and fifth grade 

under the direction of EFE music teacher, Deborah Creel. 

Fifth-grade students Titus Gooden, Tymerria Crowley, Valeja 

Stapleton, Jekhyla Miles, and Malaiyah Kelly were selected to 

audition for the 2018 Mississippi All-State Elementary Honor 

Choir. 

East Flora Elementary School is definitely having “A Year of Great 

Expectations!” Students are learning what it means to have good 

character. In August the core trait was respect. Students who 

exemplified the core trait throughout the month were awarded the 

“Super Jag Award”. Front L-R: Chloe Amerson, Braylon Anderson, 

Maliyah Hunter, Essence Harden, Bryson Buckley, Riley Spicer, 

Kohner Richardson. Back L-R: Nathaniel Wilkinson, Malaiyah 

Kelly, Reyanna Williams, Ethan Carpenter, Javon Thames. 


Germantown 

Senior Receives Mecu Star Student Award 

Aurea Toledo-Dunham from Germantown High School has 

been selected as the Star Student of the Month for September 

2017. This award is voted on by the faculty and staff of GHS and 

is based on outstanding academic achievement and strong 

commitment to community involvement. 

Aurea is described by GHS staff as “the epitome of the 

All-American girl”! She is involved in a plethora of activities at 

Germantown High School such as Marine Corps JROTC, choir, 

Beta Club, HOSA, student government, and National Honor 

Society. Aurea has been awarded the Biology Award, Citizenship 

Award, Accelerated English Award, and she represented GHS at 

Girl’s State where she won a Mayor’s Scholarship and Good 

Citizenship Citation. She is also involved in numerous community 

service activities through her school and church, as well. 

“Members Exchange is honored to recognize students at 

Germantown High School through the Star Student program. 

We hope that more students will realize the importance of 

community service and this will motivate them to get involved in 

their community,” said Angela Mitchell, AVP Marketing at 

Members Exchange. 

Members Exchange is proud to recognize her accomplishments 

and reward her with the first Star Student Award of 2017. 

The MECU Star Student Award honors students who exemplify 

strong community engagement and service into their daily lives. 

We award 4 students at GHS during the Fall semester with this 

award, and they receive a certificate, $100 check payable to the 

student, and a MECU swag bag. 

Members Exchange is a not-for-profit financial institution founded in 1954 

as an alternative to traditional banking. Membership is open to persons who 

live, work, worship, volunteer or attend school in Hinds, Madison, Rankin, 

Simpson or Copiah counties in Mississippi; as well as immediate family 

members of current credit union members. 

Angela Mitchell, AVP Marketing, Aurea Toledo-Dunham, 

GHS Star Student, and David Broadaway, AVP Business and 

Specialized Lending 

Harrison Grimes and Gus Loshelder 

Germantown High School National Merit semifinalists 

National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names 

of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 63rd annual 

National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically 

talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue 

in the competition for some 7,500 national merit scholarships 

worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring. 

The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one 

percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring 

entrants in each state. 

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



Germantown 


Germantown High School crowned 

Alanis Johnson their 2017 Homecoming Queen. 

Senior Homecoming Maids L-R: Alanis Johnson, Ka’Briana Kirk, Cambria Luckett, 

Mary Morgan Agostinelli, Abbie Hanna, and Tiara Scott 

Junior Homecoming Maids 

L-R: Madison Smith, Emme Walker, 

Hailey Soper, Grayson Amis 

Sophomore Homecoming Maids 

L-R: Ava Aslam, JuKaela Knox, Nicole 

Easley, Iris Ball 

Freshman Homecoming Maids 

L-R: Anna Claire Savell, Ella Maulding, 

Mia Eskridge, Amelia Agostinelli 



Senior Homecoming Court L-R: Kyle Holmes, Josh Bell, Cade Pinnix, 

Howard Munroe, Benjamin Bell, Dra Donalson, Ka’Briana Kirk, 

Mary Morgan Agostinelli, Alanis Johnson, Cambria Luckett, Tiara Scott, 

Abbie Hanna 

Junior Homecoming Court L-R: Tyler Welch, Carson 

Fisher, Reid Lott, and Eli Thurman, Emme Walker, 

Madison Smith, Hailey Soper, and Grayson Amis 

Sophomore Homecoming Court L-R: Isaiah Wilson, Easton 

Wynn, Austin Lee, and Justas Bowers Nicole Easley, Ava Aslam, 

JuKaela Knox, Iris Ball 

Freshman Homecoming Court L-R: Drew Williams, Colton 

Gardner, Houston Haley, and Miles Denny, Amelia Agostinelli, 

Anna Claire Savell, Mia Eskridge, Ella Maulding 




Rosa Scott 

Rosa Scott held its annual golf ball drop fundraiser on October 2nd 

before the Rosa Scott versus Germantown football game. Students 

sold raffle tickets for a chance to win $2500. The winner was 

determined by whose ball dropped from helicopter landed closest 

to the target. 

PTO Golf Ball drop committee L-R: Joy Bourne, Jenny Layton, 

Amanda Ward, Principal Sean Brewer & Bridgett Chisolm. 

Not pictured: Beth Parker, Lindsey Thoms, Julie Darling, 

Teresa Wooten 

Top sellers L-R: Brendon Minor and J.T Evans both won $150. 

Brianna Williams was the 3rd place winner of $75. The winner of 

the $2500 was Frankie Deel and the winning ticket was sold by 

Summer Keith. 




Camille Anding 

The Time Coin 

Mississippi seems to be home to a 

lot of doves, and there are two that 

live right in our back yard. I wish 

they would migrate – permanently! It’s those 

forlorn bird sounds they make that take me 

back some thirty years ago when our children 

were adolescents and the “circle of life” in 

our extended family hadn’t been broken. 

I realize now what a blessed chapter that is in a family’s life cycle 

and how different life can become in the chapters that always follow. 

I should have relished those days more. 

The family dove shoot meant a cousins and siblings reunion. 

Daddy would have the sprawling pasture harvested from the doves’ 

favorite seeds, leaving behind an enticement for hungry doves to fly low. 

My brother and sisters along with spouses and kids would circle the 

perimeter of the field, waiting for the first morning’s rays to reflect off 

the gun barrels and the arrival of the breakfast-seeking doves. 

“Here they come!” someone would shout, and the battle would 

ensue. A barrage of shoulder-pounding shotguns would bring down 

the first kill followed by cousins racing our Lab retriever to fetch the 

feathered trophies. The war zone was active until noon when everyone 

left the field to gather around our table for 

lunch. It would be light fare so there would be 

ample room for the feast that night. 

By mid-afternoon, the hunters and 

retrievers headed back to the dove shoot for 

Round II. Sometimes the doves took their 

time in returning and other times they would 

fly over in supersonic maneuvers. While we 

waited, muffled conversations among the families and random dragon 

fly chases by the kids filled the quiet until we heard it again, “Here 

they come!” 

The evening meal was fare beyond description – biscuits, a 

hundred plus with bowls of dove gravy to match the heaping platter of 

fried doves. Fresh lima beans, chilled potato salad and sliced tomatoes 

were the usual accompaniments. The fellowship was the finest but no 

finer than the taste of that once a year delicacy of fried doves. 

I seldom travel down Hwy 30 in Union County. The dove pasture 

once seen from the highway is overgrown and blocked off by roadside 

trees. The doves probably never fly low over the neglected pasture, and 

laughter amid the shotgun booms is only a memory. A nearby cemetery 

is the resting place of my favorite cook and dove hunter. 

I should have relished those days more. n 


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Hometown Madison - November & December 2017

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