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Get the feeling for the 

ChristmasSeason 

Jingle BellMarket 

Clyde Muse Center 

at Hinds Community College 

515 Country Place Parkway • Pearl, MS 

Saturday, December 3 • 9am-4pm 

Arts & Crafts Vendors • Boutique Shopping • Food Vendors 

Make your own pics with Santa 

Like Us! 

Presented by 

For information 

call 601-939-3338

CHRiStMas for CliNtoN 

FeAtuRinG tHe WoRship CHoiR & ORcHestra 

December 11 | 6 PM 

CHRiStMas MemoRial ReflectioN 


CHRiStMas by CAndleligHt 


CHRiStMas DAY SeRVicE 

December 25 | 10:30 AM 

100 E. College Street, Clinton | 601.924.6705 

FBCCLINTON.ORG/CHRISTMAS 

4 • NOVEMBER 2022

FROM OUR CONSULTING EDITOR 

It seems like everything that happens between Labor Day and Christmas 

becomes one big blur. My husband says it’s because I try to do too many things 

at once. But I happen to think that if you don’t do everything you can, when 

you can, you may miss out on doing it at all. 

There are a couple of stories in this month’s issue that are really near and dear 

to my heart. The first one documents the traditional Secret Mission trip that my 

husband and two of his closest friends have created for all our collective kids. 

It started when my own child was merely six years old. Today, he’s a sophomore 

in college. But the point is that these dads were very intentional about the way 

they spent their time with their kids—going back to doing everything you can, 

when you can. 

The other is a follow-up story about Shower Power—a grassroots organization 

that serves the growing homeless population in downtown Jackson. It’s where 

I spend nearly 100% of my time and energy when I’m not working for the 

magazine. We’re overwhelmed by the generosity of our “village” that sustains us 

with time, talents, and resources, and wanted to bring you up to date on what’s 

happening in our little organization. 

Finally, I’d like to remind you about “A Home for Brad.” Madison County 

Sheriff Deputy Brad Sullivan took two bullets to the head in 2019 while pursuing 

a kidnapping suspect. Miraculously, he lived. After months in the hospital, he was 

asked what he wanted more than anything. His answers were simple. He wanted 

to WALK out of that hospital—and he wanted to be home for Christmas. 

Brad did in fact walk out of the hospital—with assistance—but he is confined 

to a wheelchair and his home isn’t ADA compliant. It just doesn’t work on any 

level. So, a group of people got together and, with the generosity and support of 

friends and complete strangers alike, have built Brad a new home. The goal is to 

get him “home” by Christmas. Building supply costs skyrocketed while they were 

slap in the middle of the build. Any contingency dollars they thought they had 

are long gone. If you feel led, they desperately need your financial support to 

get them across the finish line and get Brad into a home that works for him. 

Please consider giving at AHomeForBrad.org. 

I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving, a wonderful Christmas, 

and a Happy New Year. There’s so much to be grateful for—even when times 

are hard. We’re all called to love one another. I challenge you to find a way to 

make a difference in someone’s life. 

ON THE COVER: Our Art Contest winner, CHS 10th grader, Keyaira Watkins 

HOMETOWN STAFF 

PUBLISHER & EDITOR 

Tahya Dobbs 

CFO 

Kevin Dobbs 

CONSULTING EDITOR 

Mary Ann Kirby 

In ThIs IsSuE 

Reader Spotlight 8 

Neighborhood Eats 10 

Magic of Lights 14 

Real Men Wear Pink 22 

Make-A-Wish 29 

Cover Art Contest 36 

Kids Who Care 40 

Salute to First Responders 56 

SPECIAL PROJECTS 

ASSISTANT 

Caroline Hodges 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

ASSISTANT 

Alisha Floyd 

ADVERTISING 

ASSISTANT 

Lexie Ownby 

LAYOUT DESIGN 

Daniel Thomas 

3dt 

STAFF 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

Othel Anding 

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 

Nikki Robison 

...see you around town. 

www.facebook.com/hometownclintonmagazine. For subscription information visit www.htmags.com or contact us at info@HTMags.com / 601.706.4059 / 200 Felicity Street / Brandon, MS 39042 

All rights reserved. No portion of Hometown Clinton be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The management of Hometown Clinton is not responsible for opinions expressed by its writers or editors. 

Hometown Clinton maintains the unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted material. All advertisements are subject to approval by the publisher. The production of Hometown Clinton is funded by advertising. 

Hometown CLINTON • 5

6 • NOVEMBER 2022

YOUR HEART IS IN 

THE RIGHT PLACE. 

THEY SAY HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, 

SO WE PROVIDE HEART CARE CLOSE TO HOME. 

Our team of heart specialists are here for your routine 

and preventive cardiac care through lifestyle support, 

minimally invasive treatments and in emergent situations. 

When you put your heart in our hands, you get the 

benefit of skilled, experienced cardiovascular specialists 

and Merit Health Heart’s collaborative approach to care. 

To learn more, visit MeritHealthHeart.com 

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. 


READER 

SPOTLIGHT 

Laura 

IVY 

________________ 

Why did you decide to make Clinton 

your home? 

I have lived all over the world, but Clinton has 

always felt like “home.” My family is here, and I 

wanted to be close to them. Then I bought my 

house and got settled in. 

How long have you lived in Clinton? 

I have lived here 10 years. I didn’t grow up “in” 

Clinton, but my grandmother was here so we 

frequently came to visit. We did live here a few 

months when I was in 2nd grade, so I went to 

Northside for a few months. Then I went to 

MC, and lived here a couple of years after that. 

Tell us about your family. 

My husband, Ron, and I have two beautiful 

boys and two crazy goldendoodles. Our first 

son, Wyatt, went to be with Jesus before he was 

born in February 2018. Then God blessed us 

with our rainbow baby, Walker, who is a delight 

and just turned three. His smile is infectious 

and he keeps us on our toes. And then we had 

Sawyer, who is one and all about exploring all 

the boundaries! Our lives are kept full with 

these precious little boys. 

My parents, John and Sue Stevens, live in Flora 

and we enjoy visiting them as much as possible, 

which is at least once a weekend! My brother, 

Rob Stevens, is married to Tiffany and they 

have two sons, Moxon and Nix. They also live 

in Clinton, and we love to all get together. 

What is your favorite memory 

of living in Clinton? 

Please indulge me to tell a memory of before 

I lived in Clinton… back when I was growing 

up and would come spend weekends with my 

grandmother, Dorothy Stevens Rogers, I can 

remember Saturdays when it was the first day 

of the month and hearing the civil service siren 

go off at noon. That was always so special to 

me, and I still love to hear it. It makes me smile 

every time. 

Where are your three favorite places 

to eat in Clinton? 

The Bank, Froghead Grill, and Salt & Pepper 

on the Boulevard. 

What are three things on your 

bucket list? 

To see the Northern Lights, to go to Bali, 

Indonesia with my husband, and to make it 

to all the Disney parks around the world. 

8 • NOVEMBER 2022

What are some fun things to do in 

Clinton on the weekends? 

We love the market days where we can walk 

around Olde Towne! We are also very active at 

FBC Clinton and love the activities they have. 

Once a month our church has Parents’ Night 

Out, so we drop off the kids and go out to eat 

with other adults, usually at a local restaurant. 

Share some things you enjoy doing 

in your spare time. 

What spare time? I have two littles - haha! 

I love to bake, read books, take walks with the 

family, or go out to eat. It’s fun at this stage of 

life to get to enjoy things through my children’s 

eyes, such as going to the Children’s Museum 

in Jackson. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

I really admire my dad. He has been a great 

father to me, spoiling me like all little girls 

should be, and always made time for me 

growing up. He was a preacher for 20 years, so 

he helped guide my spiritual life and pathway. 

Then he completely changed professions, went 

back to school for another degree, and has been 

a counselor for 16 years now, which showed me 

you’re never too old to start a new journey. 

I have a great open-door policy with both of 

my parents, and can ask Daddy about all kinds 

of subjects and get a great answer! I’ve watched 

him navigate various situations in life, and even 

when faced with adversity he’s positive and has 

faced things with a smile, and usually a joke! 

Where do you see yourself ten years 

from now? 

I’d honestly be happy to still be in the same 

house, at the same job (communications 

director at FBC Clinton), with the same 

husband, and kids 10 years older! And I just 

bought a brand-new minivan, so probably still 

driving it. I’d like to take more mission trips 

overseas and give my boys a broad worldview. 

I can’t wait to take my kids on family vacations 

like I took growing up. 

What is your favorite childhood 

memory? 

My grandmother was a counselor at Clinton 

High School and helped start Attaché, which 

she was deeply involved with even after she 

retired. I loved coming to Clinton to watch 

them perform every year. When I was about 

10 years old, I got to travel with Attaché to 

compete in Birmingham. It was fun to ride the 

bus, stay in the hotel, do room checks at night, 

etc. I loved this one performer, Tiffany Eaves, 

and thought she hung the moon! On the way 

home from the competition, I was invited to 

ride with her parents, John Arthur Eaves, who 

had a limousine he was driving. I mean to tell 

you, I felt like quite the princess riding in that 

thing! I stood up in the sunroof and was waving 

like a crazy person when we pulled up to the 

location to meet my mom on the way home! 

Needless to say, she was surprised to see me 

in a limo! 

If you could give us one encouraging 

quote, what would it be? 

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start 

paving another one,” by Dolly Parton. It reminds 

me that it’s never too late to start over! 

What is your favorite thing about 

Hometown Magazines? 

I love looking through and seeing all the 

pictures from different local events! 


NEIGHBORHOOD 

NEIGHBORHOOD 

Genna 

Benna’s 

Susan Marquez 

A Mississippi-based restaurant 

chain with a local, smalltown 

mentality has opened in Clinton, 

and the response has been positive. 

Genna Benna’s opened mid-September 

at 734 Clinton Boulevard, in the 

former Atlas Greek Down South 

space. “They wanted to move in a 

different direction, so the owners 

contacted us about the space,” 

says Brent Robinson, VP of concept 

development for Georgia Blue and 

Genna Benna’s. “We took a look at 

it and the building really suits us. 

We had Clinton on our wish list of 

places to open, so it was a good fit.” 

Brent says the building was remodeled and upgraded, and features a great outdoor 

seating area, a small bar area, a private dining room that seats 25, and a main dining 

room that can seat up to 125. “Genna Benna’s is a sister store to Georgia Blue,” says 

Brent. “This is our second location. We opened our first Genna Benna’s in Brandon. 

The menu is smaller, and the seating is more intimate, in order to cater to those with 

families. We try to make it as inviting as we can to everyone. We have guests who 

come in shorts and t-shirts, and businessmen who come in wearing suits. We try to 

provide a comfortable atmosphere for everybody.” 

10 • JULY NOVEMBER 2022 2022

What makes Genna Benna’s special is its unique menu. Brent says the offerings at 

the restaurant are exceptional – good food with a Southern mood. “One of the items 

we feature is a fried pickled okra appetizer. It’s our take on fried pickles, a Southern 

classic.” The mini crawfish empanadas drizzled with queso and served with Genna 

Benna’s spicy ranch are popular as well. One look at the entrees, and it’s easy to see 

that Genna Benna’s is a burger joint, a steakhouse, and a pasta place in one location. 

“We also have fish,” Brent says. “Our catfish is blowing it out of the water, and our 

pan-seared redfish is delicious.” Blue plate lunch specials are served weekdays. 

Hometown MADISON CLINTON • 11

Susan Marquez 

The Brandon Amphitheater will be transformed into a light-filled venue 

for the holiday season. The lights will be turned on for the drive-through 

holiday-themed display starting on Friday, November 18, 2022, 

and will shine nightly through Sunday, January 1, 2023. 

14 • NOVEMBER 2022

The event will feature dozens of light displays, illuminated canopies, and digital animation, 

all constructed with over two million lights, including one million individual LED lights. 

“With our focus toward being a quality community for families to live, work, and play, the 

Brandon Amphitheater is the natural destination to host an enjoyable, drive through 

Christmas presentation of this caliber for people of all ages,” says Brandon 

Mayor Butch Lee. “Our efforts are geared towards transforming our Quarry Park 

Trails that surround the Brandon Amphitheater into a magical experience filled 

with memorable moments for years to come. We are excited this year to be 

one of 21 locations in North America to host a Magic of Lights show. Attracting 

a show of this magnitude, with sister show events in locations 

such as the NFL Gillette Stadium in Boston, and the Daytona 

National Speedway in Daytona, Florida, speaks well for our 

hometown and life in Brandon.” 


The Magic of Lights display will be produced by Family 

Entertainment Live, a family-oriented entertainment holding 

company headquartered in Medina, Ohio. The event is 

presented by WLBT-TV. “We are excited to bring Magic of 

Lights to the Brandon community and the Brandon Amphitheater 

for the first time ever and hope it becomes an annual 

holiday tradition,” says Ken Hudgens, CEO of Family 

Entertainment Live. 

Ted Fortenberry, Regional Vice President and GM of WLBT 

says, “We are excited to present the Magic of Lights at 

Brandon’s Amphitheater. It is the perfect setting for this 

fantastic family holiday experience. Helping to bring in 

events like Magic of Lights so families can create lifelong 

holiday memories fits perfectly with WLBT’s commitment to 

serve the communities of Central and Southwest Mississippi.” 

Visitors to the event can enjoy the tour’s displays from the 

comfort of their own vehicle. Displays will feature a 32-foot 

tall, animated Mattel’s Barbie, and prehistoric Christmas 

display featuring life-sized dinosaurs celebrating the season. 

Other displays will include Big Foot Monster Trucks, Winter 

Wonderland, as well as Magic of Lights favorites including the 

Twelve Days of Christmas, Toyland, and the 200-foot long 

Enchanting Tunnel of Lights. “Magic of Lights is a nostalgic 

and festive experience for guests of all ages,” says Hudgens. 

The numbers to create the event are staggering. The total 

Magic of Lights event will use 12.6 miles of light cord. It takes 

3,750-man hours to set up each Magic of Lights event. Each 

Magic of Lights event uses about ten miles of steel to build 

the displays and ten miles of LED lighting installed inside of 

the displays, which are designed, bent, cut, and welded into 

about 800 frames that are combined in different color 

configurations to create each show’s giant winter holiday 

scenes. Each frame of each scene is designed using state-ofthe-art 

technology. And each display is hand-built in-house 

from fifteen pages of design specifications. Scenes are as 

high as 32 feet tall, and as long as several hundred feet. 

Magic of Lights shines nightly from 5:30pm until 10pm. 

Mayor Lee says more than 10,000 vehicles are expected 

to drive to Rankin County to experience the event. “This 

Christmas light event will pave the way for this to become 

an annual, family friendly show in the years ahead.” 

Tickets for this festive holiday event are on sale now and 

can be purchased for any day starting at just $15 per vehicle. 

For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets, visit 

MagicOfLights.com/Brandon. 



CLINTON HIGH Q&A 

I am thankful for all the friends 

I have made through cheer, 

soccer, student council, 

and all the opportunities 

at Clinton High School. 

Grayson Temple, 11th 

I am thankful for the experiences 

life has given me and the opportunities 

that I have been given throughout 

my lifetime; it has really shaped 

who I am today. 

Mattise Pickett, 11th 

I am thankful for my friends and 

the family I have made, and all the 

organizations I’m in at school. 

William Johnson, 12th 


I’m thankful for the hospitality 

Clinton High brings. We are a 

very diverse school. There are 

kids that are in athletics hanging 

out with kids that are in the 

band, everyone just gets along 

and it’s always a good time. 

Everybody is nice to everybody 

and that is something 

I am thankful for. 

I’m thankful for the experiences 

I get to have that continue 

to help grow my character 

in high school. 

Abigail Young, 12th 

I am thankful for my friends 

and family and the amazing 

teachers that have taught 

me everything! 

Kristine Van, 12th 

I’m thankful for my mom 

and my MiMi. 

Emma Grace Markham, 11th 

Charles Chisolm, 12th 

I am thankful for the family that 

student council has given me. 

Heaven Chamberlin, 11th 

I am thankful for my family, my 

mental health, just being here, 

my cheer team, and my friends 

uplifting me. 

I am most thankful for 

the people in my life who 

care about me, and my health, 

even though it may not be 

perfect. And for God. 

Chase Banks, 10th 

I’m thankful for life and for 

the people around me always 

teaching me to live my life 

to the fullest. 

Charity Donald, 11th 

Caila McKinley, 11th 

I am thankful for my friends 

and family as well as the 

opportunities Clinton High 

School has given me. 

Zoe Zumbro, 11th 

I’m thankful for my mom 

and my two little siblings 

because even through stressful 

times like senior year, they 

make life a bit easier. 

Yisseth Romero, 12th 

I am thankful for all of the 

experiences that I have had 

because they have given me 

new insight on life and have 

helped me become the person 

that I am and hopefully 

will shape me into who 

I will be in the future. 

Kelsi Murriel, 11th 

I am thankful for music and the 

opportunities that I have been 

blessed with in this school; 

Attaché and band have really 

shaped me into who I am and 

both are such musical things 

and I really do enjoy that 

I am able to do them! 

Brayden Bullock, 11th 

I’m thankful for my friends 

and my family. 

Alyssa Gray, 12th 


ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT 

Established in 1990, Capital Ortho was 

founded by a group of orthopedic surgeons in the 

Jackson area. The practice has grown over the 

years. They now call Flowood their home base, 

with eleven orthopedic surgeons in the practice, 

all of whom either grew up in the metro Jackson 

area or studied here. All of the physicians were 

trained at the University of Mississippi Medical 

Center, and maintaining their local ties is 

important to each one. That local connection 

leads the surgeons at Capital Ortho to provide 

a hands-on, personable approach to healthcare. 

“Our doctors spend time with the patients,” says 

Molly Staley, who has served as Capital Ortho’s 

marketing director for the past seven years. 

“It’s important to us that our patients feel fully 

supported and heard.” 

Capital Ortho expanded into Clinton in 2020 

with a physical therapy clinic. “We have had a 

presence in Clinton for two years,” says Molly. 

“We realized there was a real need for specialized 

care on the western side of the state. Clinton 

serves a whole different market, including 

patients who come from Natchez and Vicksburg.” 

With the opening of their newest clinic in 

Clinton, Capital Ortho is excited to be offering a 

new medical model through their partnership 

with NewSouth Neurospine. “It’s a joint 

partnership,” says Molly. 

“The doctors at New South Neurospine offer 

something different from Capital Ortho. They 

have fantastic physicians. Our doctors primarily 

treat hips, shoulders, knees, and other orthopedic 

issues. However, we do not have a back surgeon. 

Th ough our partnership with NewSouth 

Neurospine in Clinton, we’ll have the ability to 

treat necks and backs as well. It will be much 

easier for our patients to have it all under one 

roof. We are excited for this partnership.” 


The new Clinton clinic is located at 745 Clinton 

Parkway, across from St. Dominic and Merit clinics. 

“We want it to be very accessible.” The Clinton 

practice is a walk-in model, open daily. Brittany 

Fitzgerald, a family nurse practitioner, will be 

available daily to assess strains, pains, neck, and 

back pain, and any other unexplained bone or joint 

issues. Brittany began her career in healthcare twelve 

years ago as an athletic trainer, then transitioned 

over to nursing. She has spent the last eight years 

working as an ER nurse. “Working in these fi lds 

has allowed me to care for individuals across a 

broad age span who are suffering from various 

injuries. I believe the knowledge I have attained 

from my previous experience is essential to my 

move to orthopedics, and it is valuable in the 

healthcare I deliver.” 

Physicians from Capital Ortho and NewSouth 

Neurospine will rotate through the clinic daily. 

“People in Clinton and the surrounding area will 

have access to world class care in their own 

hometown,” says Molly. “From children to the 

elderly, we will treat all ages.” 

Brittany says she genuinely feels the new clinic 

is special, and the services offered set it apart from 

others. “Our walk-in clinic is not just for acute or 

urgent injuries but also for chronic issues. Individuals 

can also schedule an appointment if they prefer. 

Th s allows individuals to have the ability to receive 

optimal care that is timely, and that fits their schedule. 

The individuals I have already had the privilege of 

providing care to have been very gracious and 

welcoming, which affirms that this clinic is in the 

right place, providing a service that is much needed. 

Being a part of Capital Ortho and having this 

opportunity to provide orthopedic services to such 

a unique town, like Clinton, is very exciting.” 


REAL MEN 

WEAR PINK 

Central MS 

Ambassadors 

Why 

do you 

wear 

pink? 

BLAKE BRENNAN 

PATRICK HILTON JACKSON ELLIS 

WLBT – 2022 CHAIRMAN OF RMWP 

Using my platform to be a ‘wind of 

change’ to advocate and push for 

early detection, better treatments, and 

further research for women and men is 

important so that one day no one else 

will ever hear the words, “You have 

cancer.” The more people we have in 

this fight, the quicker that will happen! 

FRANK DIAZ 

HERRIN GEAR – CURRENTLY RANKED 

IN THE NATIONAL TOP 10 REAL MEN AMBASSADORS 

20 years ago, I found out that my wife 

was pregnant with our second child. 

Soon after that, we found out that she 

had breast cancer. We were told by 

multiple doctors that we needed to 

have an abortion and move along with 

chemotherapy. We believed that God 

would provide a way to have chemo and 

still have a full-term healthy baby. And 

He did just that. We had a healthy baby 

boy, who is now a senior at Ole Miss. We 

lost my wife to this horrible disease eight 

months after our second son was born. 

I want to do what I can to contribute to 

finding a cure for cancer because I do 

not want to see any family have to go 

through the pain and sorrow of seeing 

a loved one pass away from cancer. 

TRIPP SPRUILL 

THE INSURANCE CENTER 

I was still in high school when I first 

learned how ugly cancer can be. My Aunt 

Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer 

shortly after marrying my uncle. She 

fought courageously but unfortunately 

passed away three years after her 

diagnosis. Since then, my wife and I have 

been affected by breast cancer through 

many friends and other family members. 

This impacts us all! Because of that, I have 

always felt the urge to do more. Which 

is why I am extremely excited about the 

opportunity to be a part of this year’s 

RMWP campaign! 

DR. ZACH ASHCRAFT 

THE WINNING SMILE 

I choose to wear pink because I have 

seen the impacts of breast cancer hit all 

too close to home, and I want to be a 

part of helping families who are fighting it. 


AUSTIN RESSER, 

CED JACKSON 

BEN COLLINS 

SMOAK SALON 

BRIAN LOTT 

NOLA LENDING 

I wear pink for the family that found out 

this year that the wife has Stage II breast 

cancer and is battling chemo daily. I wear 

pink for the family that last year received 

the news that the oldest daughter has 

breast cancer, then later discovered that 

not only has the wife been diagnosed with 

breast cancer, but the youngest daughter 

tested positive for the BRCA gene, leading 

to all three of them having to undergo 

mastectomies. These two families, who 

mean the world to me and my wife, are 

why I wear pink and have dedicated my 

efforts in this campaign to them! 

When I was eight years old, I lost my 

great-grandmother to cancer, who I 

was remarkably close to. At twenty-eight, 

I lost my great uncle to cancer. Last year, 

my grandmother received a breast cancer 

diagnosis. With a smile on her face, 

always kind words, and never a complaint 

(except that she could not taste food), 

she raised up to fight against cancer and 

she won! I wear pink for her, for those 

that did not win, for those yet to receive 

a diagnosis, and because one day it could 

be me. 

My grandfather Victor Aguzzi, who 

battled cancer almost 20 years ago, 

unfortunately passed in 2004. When 

asked to stand beside 27 others Real Men 

for 2022, I envisioned how proud he and 

my family would be for me to represent 

the cure for cancers. While visiting with 

family, friends, coaches, teammates, 

my church, and working friends, I have 

learned that it was more than just my 

grandfather that fights this disease. Pink 

is one of my favorite colors. It is loud and 

full of love. While wearing pink, I fight for 

all of those battling. 

CHRIS ROBERTS 

BANKPLUS 

DURDEN PILLOW 

MAGNOLIA HEALTH 

MARK PAYTON 

MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE 

I am raising funds and awareness for 

my mother Kathy Roberts who was 

diagnosed with breast cancer in October 

2020. Since that time, she has undergone 

chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. 

She is two years past her diagnosis and 

is nearing retirement from a 35-plus 

year career in insurance. She is looking 

forward to traveling and spending time 

with friends and family in the years to 

come. 

My why is easy. Cancer affects every 

family, but breast cancer has affected 

my family over the years. My mom had 

breast cancer in 2001 and my dad, yes 

men make up ~1% of all breast cancer, 

had breast cancer in 2012. Others in my 

family have had or are beating breast 

cancer as we speak. The research and 

advancements in treatments have allowed 

my family to be survivors. This is my why! 

In my family, cancer is something that 

we often have to worry about and think 

about. We have lost great pillars in my 

family line due to various cancers. But, we 

also have warriors and survivors that have 

conquered cancer. I wear pink to honor 

those who have passed and to celebrate 

those who are not only living but thriving. 


Why 

do you 

wear 

pink? 

WARREN HERRING 

TRUSTCARE 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer 

among women worldwide. As a husband, 

father, and son, any movement aimed at 

helping my wife, two daughters and mother 

live their lives free of breast cancer has my 

tireless support. There are so many 

courageous women diagnosed with 

breast cancer each year. Wearing pink 

is an opportunity to support them while 

continuing to raise awareness for the 

disease and promote the importance of 

catching it early by scheduling regular 

check-ups. 

SHAW CASE 

STRIBLING EQUIPMENT 

My wife, Roxanne, was diagnosed with 

breast cancer at age 49. God has blessed us 

with many gifts, including our connection 

to people. The more people we spoke to 

about cancer, the clearer it became that 

this disease affected 1 in 5 women, but it 

seemed like more. That’s why I’m stepping 

up to fight breast cancer with all I have. 

Since I’m in a position to make a difference 

within my community, I believe I have an 

obligation to do so. By raising money and 

awareness through Real Men Wear Pink, I’m 

helping save more lives from breast cancer. 

MIKE PATEL 

WEALTH HOSPITALITY GROUP 

Cancer. It’s a word no one wants to hear. 

It has affected so many people whether 

it be a parent, sibling, relatives, or friends. 

My first cousin was affected by it and has 

been in remission for quite some time. My 

wife’s grandfather lost his battle with lung 

cancer. My grandmother had breast cancer 

and my wife’s dad has been in remission. 

We have had some losses—but we’ve also 

had wins along the way and that is why I 

continue to raise funds for the American 

Cancer Society. That’s why I wear pink! 

ANTHONY BROWN 

EXP REALTY 

I’m wearing pink for all the awesome 

women I have in my life and family. 

Each one of them deserves to be fought 

for daily, but especially for a cause as 

important as the fight against breast 

cancer. The great ladies I’m blessed to 

have in my immediate and extended 

family are shining examples of what it 

is to be good and loving in a world that 

seems so upside down so often. 

NATHAN SMITH 

BOAR’S HEAD PURVEYOR 

I wear pink because I have seen what 

breast cancer has done to our friends, our 

sisters, and our mothers. I wish that no one 

would have to go through battling this 

disease—that we wouldn’t have to worry 

about our spouse’s pain and suffering or 

what life is going to be like without them. 

That children didn’t have to watch their 

moms suffer and then grow up without 

them by their side. My hope is that we 

can one day truly defeat this disease. 


STEPHEN WILSON 

GEORGIA BLUE 

JAMES SWANNER 

2021 RMWP CHAIRMAN 

ANTHONY WEBB 

COMMUNITY BANK 

BILL LATHAM 

TABLE100/SUPERCHIX 

After losing three family members to 

cancer, I know firsthand the hardships 

many face after hearing the words “You 

have cancer.” The American Cancer 

Society provides services that build the 

bridge between surviving and thriving 

for those living with cancer, especially in 

Mississippi. By wearing pink, I’m doing 

my part to ensure fewer people struggle 

when facing the obstacles that come 

after a cancer diagnosis and funding the 

research that could lead to a cancer free 

future. 

BLAKE FULLER 

CHICKEN SALAD CHICK 

CHRIS KIMMEL 

MOSQUITO MARSHALS 

DR. SCOTT BERRY 

UMMC 

TRAVIS FOSTER 

WATKINS CONSTRUCTION 

DR. THOMAS DOBBS 

UMC 

DR. THOMAS WILLIAMSON 

JACKSON ONCOLOGY 

ASSOCIATES - BAPTIST 

HEALTH SYSTEMS 

GEROLD SMITH 

BDAY 99.1 FM 

I wear pink for my grandmother who 

passed away too soon due to cancer. I 

wear pink for my four girls because I want 

a future for them that doesn’t involve 

breast cancer or cancer of any kind. I 

wear pink because our moms, wives, and 

daughters are worth fighting for! 

KENNETH HERRING 

KERIOTH CORP 

RONNIE CALHOUN 

TEAM NATCHEZ 


Staff Sides 

Squash Casserole 

• 3 lb. cooked squash 

• 1 small onion 

• 1 cup sour cream 

• 1 cup grated cheese 

• 1 cup Minute Rice 

• 1 stick butter, melted 

• 1 can cream of mushroom soup 

In a large saucepan, steam squash 

with onion, stirring occasionally. 

Once tender, gently combine with 

other ingredients. Transfer to 

a glass baking dish, and bake 

35 minutes at 325. 

LEXIE 

Broccoli Salad 

• 5 cups broccoli florets 

• 1 cup bacon, cooked and 

crumbled 

• ½ cup sliced almonds 

• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 

• ¼ cup red onion, chopped 

Add broccoli, bacon, almonds, 

cheddar, and onion in a large 

mixing bowl. 

Dressing 

• 1 cup mayonnaise 

• ¼ cup sugar 

(or your preferred sweetener) 

• 1 Tbsp. white vinegar 

• Salt and pepper, to taste 

In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, 

vinegar, sweetener, salt, and pepper. 

Add dressing mixture to broccoli 

salad and toss to combine until 

evenly coated. Refrigerate one hour 

and serve. 

Carrot Souffle 

• 3½ lbs. peeled carrots 

• 1½ cups sugar 

• 1 tsp. baking powder 

• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract 

• 6 eggs 

• ½ lb. margarine softened 

(butter works too) 

• 1/4 cup flour 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

In a large pot filled to just below the 

steamer with water, add the carrots. 

Steam for 12-14 minutes or until 

very tender. Into your blender add 

carrots, sugar, baking powder, vanilla 

extract, eggs and margarine. Mix 

until creamy with no chunks of 

carrots. Add flour and pulse a couple 

of times until just combined. Bake in 

a 13x9 casserole for one hour until 

golden brown on top. 

MARY ANN 

ALISHA 


Strawberry Pretzel Salad 

Pretzel Crust 

• 2 cups crushed pretzels 

• ¾ cup butter melted 

• 3 Tbsp. sugar 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

Combine crushed pretzels, butter, 

and sugar in a bowl and press into the 

bottom of a 9x13 pan. Bake 10 

minutes and cool completely. 

Creamy Filling 

• 8 oz. cream cheese softened 

• ¾ cup sugar 

• 8 oz. Cool W hip, defrosted 

In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese 

and sugar with a hand mixer on 

medium until fluff y. Gently fold in 

Cool W hip. Spread mixture evenly 

over the cooled crust and refrigerate 

at least 1 hour. 

Strawberry Topping 

• 6 oz. strawberry Jell-O 

• 2 cups boiling water 

• 4 cups sliced strawberries 

In a large mixing bowl combine 

Jell-O and boiling water until jello 

is dissolved. Allow mixture to sit at 

room temperature until completely 

cooled. Place sliced strawberries over 

the cream cheese mixture. 

Pour cooled Jell-O overtop. 

Refrigerate until firmly set, at least 

4-6 hours or overnight. 

TAHYA 

Loaded Hash Brown 

Casserole 

• 1 20 oz. package shredded 

hash browns (thawed) 

• 1 cup cooked bacon (about 16 

slices), chopped into crumbles 

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 

• 1 can cream of chicken 

or cream of mushroom soup 

• 3/4 cup sour cream 

• 4 Tbsp. butter, melted 

• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Spray11x7 baking dish with nonstick 

cooking spray. In a large bowl, 

combine hash browns, half of the 

bacon and cheese, cream of 

mushroom/chicken soup, sour 

cream, and butter. Mix well and 

spread evenly into baking dish. 

Bake 50-55 minutes or until 

potatoes are tender. Top with 

remaining bacon and cheese and 

return to oven to bake for an 

additional five minutes or until 

cheese is melted. Remove from 

oven and top with green onions. 

Serve and enjoy! 

NIKKI 

Green Bean Casserole 

• 2 lb. fresh green beans, ends cut off 

• 4 slices bacon, cut into 1/4 inch pieces 

• 3 cloves garlic, minced 

• ½ whole large onion, chopped 

• 4 Tbsp. butter 

• 4 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 

• 2½ cups whole milk 

• ½ cup half-and-half 

• 1½ tsp. salt, more to taste 

• Freshly ground black pepper 

• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper 

• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese 

• 4 oz. sliced pimentos, drained 

• French fried onions 

Cut green beans in half, blanch and 

drain, set aside. Cook bacon over 

medium heat for two minutes, add 

onion and garlic, continue cooking for 

3 to 5 minutes, until bacon is done 

and onions are golden brown. In a 

separate skillet or saucepan, melt butter 

over medium heat. Wisk in flour to 

evenly mix into the butter. Cook for a 

minute or two, pour in milk and half 

and half. Continue cooking, whisking 

constantly, while sauce thickens, about 

2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, cayenne 

and cheddar. Stir while cheese melts. 

If sauce is too thick, splash in some 

chicken broth. Turn off heat. Add 

pimentos and bacon/onion mixture. 

Stir to combine. Pour over green 

beans and stir gently to combine. 

Pour into a baking dish and top with 

French fried onions. Bake at 350 

for 30 minutes or until 

sauce is bubbly. 

Sweet Potato Casserole 

• 4 cups large sweet potatoes, 

peeled and cubed 

• ½ cup packed brown sugar 

• 8 Tbsp. (1 stick) butter, melted 

• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 

• ½ cup milk 

• 2 large eggs 

• ½ tsp. kosher salt 

• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 

• ½ cup all-purpose flour 

• 4 Tbsp. butter, melted 

• 1 cup chopped pecans 

• 2½ cups mini marshmallows 

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 

9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. 

Place sweet potatoes in a large pot and 

cover with water. Bring to boil, reduce 

heat and simmer until tender, about 

15 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly. 

In a large bowl, stir together sweet 

potatoes, sugar, butter, vanilla, milk, 

eggs, and salt until smooth. Pour 

into prepared dish. In a medium bowl, 

stir together sugar, flour, and butter 

until it clumps. Stir in pecans, then 

spread evenly over potatoes. Top 

with marshmallows. Bake until 

cooked through and golden, about 

30 minutes. 

CAROLINE 

DANIEL 


Need a routine eye exam, cataract or eyelid surgery, glaucoma care, or a new pair of glasses or 

contacts? Our physicians are the key to unlock your eye care plan. From pediatric to geriatric, 

we want to be your forever eye care provider. Schedule an appointment today. 


Together, 

WE CREATE LIFE-CHANGING WISHES 

FOR CHILDREN WITH CRITICAL ILLNESSES. 

Wh o We Are an d Wh o We S erv e 

Who We Are and Who We ere 

Since Make-A-Wish Mississippi’s inception in 1984, more than 2,528 children with critical illnesses have experienced 

life-changing ine MakeAWish wishes. We Mississiis serve children ineion the 65 southern in most ore counties han in the state, hildren spanning wih every riial socioeconomic 

factor illnesses and ethnic hae background. eeriened We’ve lifehanin never turned wishes away a We child sere eligible hildren for a wish. in he A family’s souhern financial os status, race, or 

religion ounies has in no he bearing sae on sannin whether a eery child will soioeonoi receive a wish. faor and ehni akround Wee 

neer urned away a hild eliile for a wish A failys finanial saus rae or reliion has 

Our no continued earin on success wheher at Make-A-Wish a hild will reeie Mississippi a wish 

only achieved with great people and great relationships. 

It’s through the generous support – our community of donors, staff, volunteers, medical professionals and sponsors – 

the ur real oninued heart and soul suess of the a organization MakeAWish – that Mississii we will reach is our only vision. ahieed wih rea eole and 

rea relaionshis s hrouh he enerous suor our ouniy of donors saff 

On oluneers August 11, a edial kick-off social rofessionals for W.I.S.H. and Society sonsors (Women he Inspiring real hear Strength and and soul Hope) of he was oraniaion held at Char Restaurant 

in Jackson. ha we Twenty-three will reah our women ision were As being you honored read hrouh which means he inforaion that twenty-three in he wishes isal will ear be granted for 

deserving annual reor kids fighting lease to overcome reeer unimaginable how ioran odds right you are here o in all Mississippi. he roress we hae ade 

and all ha is ye o oe our ia is rofound and eaninful 

Thank you for your commitment to our organization and the precious lives we transform each year. 

Thank you for your oien o our oraniaion and he reious lies we ransfor 

eah year 


2022 W.I.S.H. SOCIETY HONOREES 

M 

illie B aker 

Meeks Cockroft Agency 

Shelter Insurance 

Insurance Agent 

eaher Benne 

W.G. Yates & Sons 

Construction Company 

Corporate Counsel 

Taeika Benne 

Bennett Law Office, PLLC 

Owner/ Managing Partner 

Lo rrain e B o ykin 

Currie Johnson & Myers 

Attorney 

When I was in school at Ridgeland 

High School, we lost a friend in our 

class to cancer and Make-A-Wish 

was able to send his family to the 

Augusta Nationals in his honor. 

I’ll never forget that. Through that 

experience, I was forever touched, 

and I desired to continue a friend’s 

legacy of inspiration by being an 

honoree for W.I.S.H. Society. 

A specific philanthropic achievement 

that I will forever be grateful for is 

raising over $15,000 for malnourishment 

supplements for But God 

Ministries in Haiti. I then got to help 

distribute them during my summer 

internship in Haiti. It was a massive 

honor that I will forever remember. 

Being an honoree for W.I.S.H. 

Society is a great honor. Having a 

platform to help grant wishes in my 

home state of Mississippi is the 

highest honor. I’m very grateful! 

Make-A-Wish is a wonderful 

organization that has a lasting impact 

on people and one that I love very 

much. My goddaughter was gifted 

with a trip to Disney World several 

years ago. She was still healing from 

a life-threatening illness and her 

two sisters and parents were all 

tired, scared, and in need of JOY! 

Make-A-Wish brought so much 

joy to them. 

I am thrilled and excited to be given 

the opportunity to help give to an 

organization that has given so much 

to others and to meet and work with 

other like-minded women. 

I am truly humbled to be a W.I.S.H. 

Society honoree. I believe that this 

opportunity will help me be of service 

to those in need and encourage me to 

reach out and assist deserving people. 

Helping others experience joy is 

something that is very important to 

me. In this exciting and fulfilling 

experience as an honoree, I hope to 

serve others! 

I’ve seen firsthand the power that a 

wish can give to a family! I’ve worked 

with several children whose wish was 

a Disney vacation, and I’ve seen the 

value to these families of time away 

together! Instead of focusing on 

hospital visits and medical treatments 

ahead, these families had the ability 

to enjoy their time together and 

make memories that they will always 

cherish. I wanted to be a part of the 

W.I.S.H Society to help raise funds 

to provide even more wishes to 

Mississippi children through 

Make-A-Wish. 

I am thrilled to be among this 

group of women bringing awareness 

to Make-A-Wish and what this 

organization does for families. Every 

child should be able to just be a kid, 

and that’s what happens when a 

wish is granted. It gives me great joy 

to know that our efforts will help 

provide even more opportunities to 

Mississippi families. 


atie Brownin 

CDFL Architects & Engineers 

inny ear 

Pediatric Physical Therapist 

aerne dney 

Butler Snow Law Firm 

Tanya llis 

Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP 

Principal 

Owner McB’s Bar & Grill 

Attorney/ Partner 

Partner 

I have had the privilege of working 

in healthcare design throughout my 

career. I work with providers and 

clinicians to create spaces that promote 

healing and allow medical professionals 

to provide exemplary care. In 

doing so, I have had the opportunity 

to meet patients and learn more about 

the medical needs in our community. 

Most recently, working on UMMC’s 

new Children’s of Mississippi project 

and the Children’s Center for Cancer 

and Blood Disorders, I have met 

numerous professionals who are 

working to care for the children in 

our community. By participating as 

a W.I.S.H. honoree I can support 

Make-A-Wish, honor our health care 

community, and provide another 

level of support and encouragement 

to children in the metro area. 

I am humbled to be recognized as a 

W.I.S.H. honoree. Community is 

incredibly important to me because 

when we work collectively to lift one 

another, we can do great things. 

Make-A-Wish is an organization 

that inspires hope and strength for 

so many and our efforts and support 

will enable them to fulfill their 

mission and positively impact lives. 

After graduating college, I worked in 

hospitals and clinics doing therapy 

with kids and adults. In 2006, I 

made the decision to start a similar 

business providing therapy to 

children. As a pediatric physical 

therapist, I work closely with children 

and their families in helping them 

achieve their gross and fine motor 

skill milestones. The children are 

happy with the achievements made 

with therapy; however, being able to 

help a child’s wishes and dreams 

come true through this organization 

helps them on a much grander scale. 

I personally believe that being a part 

of a child’s big wish and dreams 

coming true is the ultimate gift– 

there’s nothing that compares in 

their eye! 

It is an honor to be invited to 

represent the W.I.S.H. Society that 

helps to make the wishes and dreams 

of children come true. As a true lover 

of children, it is the best feeling to 

make a child smile or laugh or have a 

good time. I have accepted this role 

because I will be involved, in not 

only making a child happy but in 

making their wishes and dreams 

come true. 

This role will allow me to be a part 

of making children’s wishes come 

true. Before accepting the role of 

W.I.S.H. honoree, I did my 

independent research. I was pleased 

to see the mission of the organization 

and the many lives that have been 

changed by the generous donations 

of others. After confirming the 

organization’s mission and the 

impact it has had on children in the 

world, I gladly accepted the role of 

W.I.S.H. Society honoree. I’m 

honored to be a part of a good cause. 

Knowing that it is not about me, but 

about how I can help others makes it 

even more worthwhile and honorable. 

I am looking forward to seeing 

children happy when their dreams 

become reality. 

The past few years have been hard 

for all of us. There is rarely anything 

positive in the headlines these days, 

and divisiveness seems to be the new 

norm. Amidst all of this, Make-A- 

Wish is serving as a light to families 

and children in the darkest of 

times- something we can all support. 

I’m serving as an honoree to be a part 

of that light and help this amazing 

organization continue its work. I am 

humbled by this opportunity and 

grateful to be a small part of this 

extraordinary effort. 



Wh it n ey F o st er 

Material Girls & Highland Park 

K at h leen G rig sb y 

Jackson Public School District 

S u e G rish am 

University of MS Medical Center 

T o n d ra H all 

Nissan Manufacturing 

Owner/ Founder 

I am grateful to have been selected 

as a W.I.S.H. Society honoree. 

I cannot wait to help with the 

Make-A-Wish organization and 

aspire to bring more awareness to 

Make-A-Wish Mississippi. I hope 

to assist in sharing more about the 

organization and spreading the word 

about Make-A-Wish being a local 

non-profit organization in our area. 

Assistant Superintendent of 

Elementary Division 1 

I am truly humbled to be selected 

to serve in this capacity as a W.I.S.H. 

Society honoree. I am looking 

forward to meeting others who 

embody the idea that we are all one 

part of the whole. This will be my 

first time engaging with Make-A- 

Wish on a project, and I am so 

excited. I accepted the role of 

honoree simply because I want to 

help the organization in achieving 

its vision! 

Pediatric Hospitalist 

I have had the honor for almost ten 

years of taking care of the children 

and families of Mississippi during 

some of their most challenging times. 

I see firsthand the complexity of 

health care challenges in some of 

our patients and the joy that an 

experience such as this can bring. 

I have witnessed the difficulty of 

families and patients trying to 

navigate life when it changes in the 

blink of an eye. This is an organization 

that I am thrilled to be a part 

of to positively impact these precious 

children in need. Through this 

opportunity, I hope to serve these 

children and help fulfill wishes they 

will treasure, give them the opportunity 

to make memories, to dream, 

sustain hope, and feel celebrated 

and loved. 

Senior Manager, HRBP 

Make-A-Wish Mississippi is near 

and dear to my heart, and I am 

grateful for the opportunity to help 

make a difference. My first interaction 

with Make-A-Wish came over 

twenty years ago when I was a 

manager at our local Toys-R-Us. 

I remember the smiles on the 

children’s faces as they filled their 

shopping carts during their shopping 

sprees. I was happy to assist them 

with their wishes then, yet, I wanted 

to make a bigger contribution to 

their lives. I was fortunate enough to 

begin serving on the board in 2019 

and my wish has been granted to 

make an even larger contribution 

to these children through this honor. 

I am excited to accept this great 

responsibility and I look forward to 

working within our community to 

address the needs of these deserving 

children. I intend to partner with 

individuals, organizations, and 

businesses who have traditionally not 

been approached to offer their 

support to Make-A-Wish Mississippi. 

It is an absolute honor to serve our 

community through Make-A-Wish 

and I am looking forward to 

extending that privilege to everyone 

who is willing to serve and make a 

child’s life better. 


K ye H an d y 

Balch & Bingham, LLP 

Attorney 

M 

amie H erro n 

Skinny’s Nutrition Studio 

Owner 

Wen d y Lew is 

The Winning Smile 

Dental Group 

Co-Owner/ Dentist 

M o n a M c B rid e 

Mississippi Pharmacists 

Association 

Executive Director 

I accepted the role of honoree 

because I appreciate that all the 

money raised helps children in 

Mississippi. It is an amazing cause 

to put a smile on the face of children 

and families going through the most 

challenging time of their life. 

Community is extremely important 

to me, along with giving back to the 

community. Make-A-Wish Mississippi 

makes such a huge impact on so 

many lives and it is an amazing honor 

to be a part of that process. 

When I was in the Disney College 

Program in 1995, I volunteered with 

the Make-A-Wish program’s 

Parent’s Night Out and it was a really 

rewarding opportunity for me as a 

college student that I will never 

forget. I have always loved fundraising 

opportunities, and I feel that I have 

been given the opportunity to know 

so many generous individuals that 

love to support this type of event. 

Together, in the past, we have been 

able to accomplish great things! 

From this experience, I am excited 

to be able to contribute to fulfilling 

a wish through my efforts. 

I am truly humbled to have been 

thought of as someone who would 

represent this organization well. It 

gives me so much joy to know that 

others see me as someone who 

continues to use my God-given 

talents and abilities to bless others 

beyond just my practice. It is an 

incredible honor to not only have 

the opportunity to raise money and 

bring awareness to this great cause 

but also to do it alongside such 

amazing women who inspire and 

motivate me to be a better version 

of myself. Having worked with the 

Make-A-Wish foundation previously 

and being passionate about continuing 

to use my platform to bring awareness 

and smiles to others in our state and 

community, I knew this would be an 

incredible opportunity to make a 

difference by doing just that. I hope 

to leave this experience feeling as 

though I was successful in meeting 

the goals that we set. I pray that even 

one life will be changed for the better. 

My mentor, Dr. Heber Simmons, Jr. 

always said to “leave the woodpile 

higher than you found it.” I look 

forward to meeting and working 

with other women who share this 

mission and like-mindedness. 

It is such an honor to be able to serve 

others in this capacity as a W.I.S.H. 

Society honoree because I desire to 

help others. I accepted the role of 

honoree without hesitation to be 

able to help make a difference in the 

lives of critically ill children and see 

their wishes become a reality. I have 

always had a servant leadership heart 

and I am committed to helping 

others. From this experience, I strive 

to help a child’s dream be fulfilled. 



M ary M c N eely 

I am humbled to be recognized as a 

W.I.S.H. Society honoree, but even 

more excited to bring awareness to 

the Make-A-Wish organization. I 

look forward to sharing the mission 

of the Make-A-Wish organization 

and the value it has in our community. 

My husband and I love supporting 

different non-profits in our state. 

Having five children in our blended 

family, we see value in the Make-A- 

Wish mission. I am excited to 

support this wonderful organization. 

K ryst al M 

in o r 

BFAC.COM 

Chief Operations Officer 

I love children. Watching little ones 

grow into the leaders God called 

them to be is very special to me. 

I felt honored to be asked to 

represent or take part in an effort 

that will bless our future leaders. 

This organization’s goal is to provide 

hope and courage for kids as they go 

through medical treatment, and I 

want to be a part of this important 

effort. To be honored in this capacity 

is to know that the honor is in the 

cause and the mission to give a gift 

of hope to children who are going 

through life-altering illnesses. From 

this experience, I want to help raise 

enough money to at least help one 

child get his/her wish and to continue 

to bring awareness to this important 

organization. 

S u san M 

u rp h y 

Diabetes Foundation 

of Mississippi 

Board Member 

I’m honored to accept this role in the 

W.I.S.H. society. What a privilege to 

raise funds and awareness for 

children with critical illnesses and to 

grant more wishes throughout our 

state of Mississippi. I’ve accepted this 

role because I’ve found that helping 

children in need has been the most 

rewarding philanthropic thing I’ve 

done. Being honored in this capacity 

helps me to know that my charitable 

actions are truly making a difference. 

I hope that this experience is a 

springboard for future opportunities 

to continue to serve with W.I.S.H. 

and other organizations in our 

community. 

S w ayze P en t ec o st 

First Presbyterian Day School 

Advancement Director 

Make-A-Wish will always hold a 

special place in my heart. Working 

with families and seeing firsthand 

the impact of a wish is something 

that I will never forget or take for 

granted. These children continually 

have their childhood robbed by 

disease. They miss out on school, 

birthday parties, and just general 

“kid” things. Make-A-Wish lets 

them feel normal, even if for just a 

day. Because of these things, I happily 

accepted the role of honoree. 

Make-A-Wish has such an incredible 

community of volunteers and 

supporters. To be asked to participate 

in the WISH Society was such an 

honor and one that I do not take 

lightly. It is important to continue to 

support this incredible organization, 

and I am grateful to be a small part! 

I want to share with others the 

impact that Make-A-Wish has had 

on my life. I am excited to be 

involved and share the stories that 

have forever stayed with me from my 

time at Make-A-Wish. I hope it 

encourages others to get involved! 


Amy Ramsey 

The Fit Soul, LLC 

Liz Walker 

Ergon, Inc. 

Chianti Woodfork 

Prestige Dental Care 

Melanie Burrow 

2022 W.I.S.H. Society Chair 

President & Owner 

Healthy & Lifestyle Coach 

Independent Brand Partner 

for Savvi Corporation 

Founding Brand Partner 

in new athleisure company 

Accepting the role of honoree for 

W.I.S.H. Society was an easy “yes” 

for me as their mission aligns with 

my personal values and beliefs to 

make an impact by serving and loving 

others. I receive this role of honoree 

as an incredible privilege to be able to 

grant a wish to these precious children 

and their families battling critical 

illnesses, and maybe for a moment, 

deliver the gift of hope with an 

unforgettable experience. Being 

recognized as a female leader in our 

community and serving alongside 

other like-minded women, where we 

can use our talents, strengths, and 

resources to make a difference through 

Make- A-Wish Mississippi is an 

incredible honor, thank you for the 

opportunity! 

I am passionate about serving my 

community and especially children. 

I am excited to be a part of the 2022 

W.I.S.H. Society. I have seen firsthand 

what it means to a child and his/her 

family to have a wish granted. 

As a pediatric oncology social worker 

for 13 years, I referred many patients 

to Make-A-Wish. When I began 

working with children and their 

families at Children’s of MS in 1991, 

my very first referral from Dr. Pullen 

was to find a way to make Edward 

Earl’s wish to go to Disney World 

come true. 

Edward Earl had been approved to 

have his wish granted but he had 

taken a sudden turn and was not 

expected to live. The wish coordinator 

and I brought Disney World to 

Edward Earl. We got a Mickey Mouse 

costume, and the wish coordinator 

became Mickey. Her husband came 

with a video camera. We decorated 

his hospital room with all things 

Disney! 

Owner/ General Dentist 

I am passionate about serving my 

community and building relationships 

with those around me. I knew I 

could build long-lasting relationships 

and serve my community further by 

being an honoree. Being an honoree 

for W.I.S.H. Society is a uniquely 

incredible opportunity to not only 

inspire but be inspired by other 

like-minded women and leaders in 

the community. Make-A-Wish is an 

organization with a long history of 

bettering individuals’ lives. I was 

more than happy to accept this role 

and responsibility. 

I’ve had the opportunity to see a 

wish granted, firsthand. It’s such a 

special moment for everyone involved. 

The excitement is contagious. I’m 

honored to serve as chair this year. 

I am most excited about seeing what 

these phenomenal women will 

accomplish, and the joy that will be 

brought to all these kids, as a result 

of their efforts. 

Allison Tyler 

President & CEO / 

Make-A-Wish Mississippi 

I will never forget Edward Earl 

opening his eyes for the first time in 

days as we sang the M-I-C-K-E-Y 

song to him. I knew right then that 

Make-A-Wish makes a difference! 

Allison joined Make-A-Wish in 2019, 

and under her leadership, increased 

it’s fundraising by double digits.This 

continued level of funding will allow 

Make-A-Wish Mississippi a chance 

to grant every critically ill child their 

wish on time. 


Cover Art 

Contest 

For the 2022 holiday issue of 

Hometown Clinton Magazine, 

we asked for submissions of 

Christmas-themed art from high 

school art students throughout 

Clinton. We want to encourage 

the artistic ability in the city’s 

brightest young artists! We were 

thrilled to receive lots of entries, 

several of which are featured here. 

Congratulations to 

Keyaira Watkins, 

CHS 10th grader, 

for being chosen 

as our grand prize 

winner and having 

her submission 

appear on our cover! 

Keyaira will also receive 

a $100 cash award from 

Hometown Magazines. 

Arianna Mitchell, CCA - 9th 

Avery Cornette, CCA - 9th 

Arlin Dollar, CCA - 9th 

Cami Carpenter, CCA - 10th 

36 • NOVEMBER 2022 

Helena Amos, CCA - 11th 

Janie Wilder, CCA - 12th

Kaitlyn Norman, CCA - 9th 

Kyler Boyd, CCA - 11th 

Keyaira Watkins, CHS -10th 

WELCOME 

YOU 

BELONG 

HERE 

CLINTON 

Madison Curington, CCA - 9th 

Zak Foreman, CCA - 11th 

Yaria Taylor, CHS - 10th 

Merry 

Christmas 

Hannah Jackson, CHS -12th 

Jordan Dixon, CHS - 10th 


• ACADEMIC 

• CAREER-TECHNICAL 

• ADULT & CONTINUING 

EDUCATION 

hindscc.edu/betterlife 

With over 90 different 

options, our Pathways 

are designed to take 

the guesswork out 

of your future. 

JACKSON | NAHC | RANKIN | RAYMOND | UTICA | VICKSBURG 

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable Federal and State Acts, Hinds Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities and does 

not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status in its educational programs and activities. We recognize our responsibility to provide an open and welcoming environment that fosters a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion for employees and students to collaboratively learn, work and serve 

our communities. The following have been designated to handle inquiries regarding these policies: 

EEOC Compliance: Marquise Kessee, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion , Box 1100 Raymond MS 39154; Phone: 601-857-3458 or Email: EEOC@hindscc.edu. 

Title IX: DeAndre House, Associate Vice President Student Services, Title IX Coordinator , Box 1100 Raymond MS 39154; Phone: 601-857-3353 or Email: TitleIX@hindscc.edu. 

JOINTLY TREATING 

ORTHO-SPINE WALK 

IN PATIENTS AT NEW 

CLINTON LOCATION 

745 Clinton Parkway 

Clinton, MS 39056 

601-987-8223 

M-F, 8am - 5pm 


BALLET MAGNIFICAT! 

THALIA MARA HALL 

DEC 17-18 



KIDS WHO CARE 

Kelvin Bowens 

BETHANY COLE 

In the summer of 2003, Ardra Bowens gave 

birth to her first child, a baby girl. She named her 

daughter Janiya, which means “God is gracious” 

and “Beloved.” Like most young children, Janiya 

was energetic and playful throughout her early 

years of childhood. However, around the age of 

six, her mother and teachers began to notice 

changes in her movement. Janiya could not 

keep her balance and gradually began to lose 

fundamental motor skills. 

In search of a diagnosis, Ardra traveled the 

southeast, asking numerous pediatric specialists 

to provide her with information and a concrete 

verdict for what could possibly be wrong. “We 

went everywhere,” she says. When Janiya was 

eight years old, it was determined that she had 

spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), a condition 

marked by progressive problems with movement. 

As the disease advanced, Janiya eventually 

became completely wheelchair bound and 

mostly immobile. 

As expected, Janiya’s extent of daily care 

required is immense. With the help of Ardra 

and nurses, Janiya is cared for around the clock. 

However, according to those who know the 

family, one of her best caretakers is not a parent 

or a medical professional, but rather her younger 

brother, Kelvin, who arrived a decade after 

Janiya was born, in 2013. 

Kelvin, a fourth grader at Eastside 

Elementary, spends his morning and early 

afternoons at school, then often comes home 

and assists his mother or the attending nurse 

with Janiya. “He knows all there is to know 

about her medicines,” says his mother. 

Monica Devine, Janiya’s nurse of two years, 

agrees, “Kelvin can do everything.” This often 

includes Janiya’s nighttime care, administering 

her vitamins, or simple things such as putting a 

pillow under his sister’s feet when she is getting 

in her wheelchair. 

Each day, Janiya requires a ventilator during 

the afternoons and evenings, and typically she is 

done with her feeding around 9 p.m. Throughout 

the night, she is observed and tended to 

multiple times. Eye drops, which help alleviate 

muscle stiffness in Janiya’s eyes, are administered 

every three hours. Having a nurse on hand 

makes this detailed process easier; however, it is 

a process that Kelvin, even at his young age, is 

familiar with and able to provide aid when 

needed. “I can wake Kelvin up in the middle of 

the night, and he is always able to assist,” says 

Ardra. “I can trust him to care of her.” 

According to his mother, Kelvin is well 

suited to fill this role in his sister’s life. “He is an 

old soul,” she says. “He is very compassionate to 

be as young as he is; he feels things deep down.” 

Kelvin’s older siblings, his brother “Nico” and 

his sister Kelli, also contribute to Janiya’s care. 

“The Lord used Janiya to bring us all closer 

together,” says Ardra. 

The family’s solidarity helped with Janiya’s 

schooling arrangement, which involved having 

a homebound teacher from seventh through 

twelfth grade. In May of this year, Janiya 

graduated from high school. 

These days, with their routines established, 

the Bowen’s have a firm, if demanding, schedule 

in place. Janiya, who has been on hospice since 

2012, has outlived all expectations. Ardra says 

that community generosity, along with the 

investment the nurses and her own children 

make in Janiya, is what keeps her motivated. 

“People don’t understand this unless you live it,” 

she says. “It is worth it, but very overwhelming.” 

Living in Clinton, “a truly peaceful town,” has 

provided a comforting environment. The family’s 

neighbors, whom Ardra mentions fondly, often 

pitch in when they can help. 

As for Kelvin, he remains at the center of 

his sister’s life. “He is my baby, but very loving 

and honest,” notes Ardra. “He is responsible and 

wants to get everything just right. He has the 

most appreciative spirit and is truly merciful.” 

When asked about future goals, Kelvin says 

he wants to be a businessman of some sort. 

Given that his current favorite class is math, he 

is certainly setting himself up for success in the 

business arena. He also hopes to play football 

when he gets older. But during his current 

day-to-day ambitions, Kelvin is completely 

invested in tending to his older sibling. 

In the gentle spirit his mother 

has keenly observed, Kelvin says 

simply, “I just love everything 

about my sister.” 



A SHOWER POWER UPDATE 

Envisioning a 

Masterpiece 

Sarah Rein 

There is a short story by J.R.R. 

Tolkien called “Leaf by Niggle.” 

In it, the main character is an 

artist named Niggle who loves 

to envision his life’s great work 

- an exquisite painting of a tree 

in the middle of a forest. 

He pays an obsessive amount of attention 

to a single leaf - laboring to make it the very 

best it can be. But life is forever interrupting 

his focus. He has a lame neighbor with a sick 

wife who frequently needs his help. He can 

never quite get his work to take shape. And, 

before he knows it, he is called away on a long 

journey he has been putting off. Niggle is 

unprepared and frustrated that his work has 

never come to fruition. But, to his astonishment, 

when he arrives at his destination, his tree is 

waiting for him…the tree he had seen in his 

mind but had never been able to form into 

reality. Every feature is perfect. Every color, 

expertly chosen. Everything so much better 

than he was ever able to make it in his lifetime. 

When Teresa Renkenberger had the 

inspiration for Shower Power in 2019, it started 

with the moving story of befriending a homeless 

man named Benny who needed a place to get 

clean. She purchased a box truck with plans to 

turn it into a mobile shower unit—and then 

immediately brought her good friend Mary 

Ann Kirby on board. 

And so began the creation of their “leaf.” 

Teresa Renkenberger 

Like Niggle, they have paid a great deal of 

attention to the details of their project. And 

despite starting out as a potential solution for 

just one man, Shower Power’s ministry has 

now provided nearly 4,000 showers to people 

and added a food pantry and clothing closet. 

On Fridays, local churches, companies, and 

organizations partner with Shower Power to 

provide a meal to roughly one hundred members 

of the homeless community. And in October 

of 2020, Project Hope was created as an 

extension of the ministry. Project Hope 

identifies which of the unsheltered Shower 

Power visitors would be good candidates for 

a sponsored move to low-income housing– 

and then supports them for a time as they 

transition from life on the streets. 

Mary Ann Kirby 

Working Through Challenges 

Life has thrown them unexpected curveballs in 

much the same way as it did Niggle. In February 

2021, that came in the form of historically low 

temperatures.Operations Manager Mary Ann 

Kirby recounts that event. “Teresa called me one 

morning, and we talked about what it would look 

like to put some of our people in hotel rooms. 

We made a post on Facebook about raising $50 

per night to get people in from the cold. We 

figured we’d raise enough to put 25 or 30 people 

up. We ended up putting 137 people in hotels 

for eleven nights straight. And paid cash for it... 

all of which was donated in the span of about 

48 hours. Then, in January of 2022, we did it 

again. But this time we rented the entire Red 

Roof Inn. 150 people that would typically be 

unsheltered spent a total of 22 nights inside.” 


Even then, they faced the discouragement of 

knowing that three people had died of 

hypothermia…one just around the corner from 

where Shower Power was housing many others. 

So, they began adjusting their plan. 

Knowing that there would always be more 

frigid nights, they started collecting extreme 

cold-weather gear–zero-degree rated sleeping 

bags, ski gloves instead of flimsy knit gloves, 

and tents and tarps. Since implementing that 

approach in February 2022, they haven’t lost a 

single person to hypothermia. This year they 

are looking to stockpile 200 more zero-degree 

rated sleeping bags. 

As the women behind Shower Power labor 

to create their masterpiece, they continue to 

work through issues that can temporarily disrupt 

their focus. Kirby explains, “We’re funded 

almost entirely by private donations. Every can 

of food, every coat, every pair of shoes we give out 

comes from our “village.” Learning to manage 

those donations has come with a steep learning 

curve. We used to just give away everything we 

had, but then realized that we needed to try to 

start keeping up with what we were giving out 

to make sure that resources were going to those 

who truly needed them. We can achieve some of 

that just by implementing good record-keeping 

and good common sense. We’re actually in the 

process of putting those new procedures in 

place as we speak. It also lets us know what our 

greatest needs are so that we can be proactive 

in maintaining our supply inventory levels. So 

we’re growing not only in the people that we 

serve but in our systems and procedures as well.” 

Seeing What God is Making 

When Niggle is called away on his long 

journey, he is unprepared and his life’s work is 

unfinished. He has to leave with the stinging 

realization that his creation is incomplete. Such 

is the nature of a ministry like Shower Power. 

The work will never be complete this side of 

eternity. The complex realities of poverty and 

the brokenness of our world mean there will 

always be people to feed, clothe, and to provide 

the dignity of a shower. But through all the 

challenges, interruptions, and heartbreak, there 

are glimpses of the masterpiece being created. 


In 2021, Teresa and Mary Ann had identified 

their next candidate for Project Hope, a regular 

visitor named John who had gratefully accepted 

that 11-night hotel stay during February’s ice 

storm. He had been regularly showing up for 

Friday lunches, occasionally with his keyboard 

in tow to serenade the group with Lionel 

Richie renditions. 

During the storm, and through social media, 

God had providentially brought Shower Power 

to the attention of Charles and Tina Elliott, and 

their son Austin, as the ministry team worked 

to usher people into shelter during the freezing 

temperatures. 

It was only four days later, however, that 

Austin made his own long journey as his earthly 

life ended very unexpectedly. But through their 

own grief, and grappling with their unimaginable 

loss, the Elliott family made the decision to 

honor Austin by donating to Shower Power. 

When Mary Ann and Teresa sat down with 

the couple, they asked if they were willing to 

give a $7,200 Project Hope scholarship with 

John as the recipient. 

As they listened to the women describe John, 

the Elliotts were floored. Austin’s great love 

had been music. A guitarist who had traveled 

extensively to hear bands he loved, Austin had 

recently graduated from Ole Miss and was just 

beginning his adult life. And John, who is also 

a musician and plays the bass guitar, was now 

about to get a fresh start in his. God was doing 

what He does - making beauty from ashes. 

John’s new home is full of Austin’s furniture 

and his closet is full of Austin’s shoes…they wear 

the exact same size. Charles and John have 

become the closest of friends and speak on the 

phone daily. 

Their story gives a peak at the good God is 

doing behind the scenes. And it isn’t the only 

success story—there are likely many that will 

never be known until heaven. But there is plenty

When asked how Shower Power has 

changed her Teresa replied, “Our mission 

will always be to make people feel worthy 

and loved. I firmly believe that showing people 

love can heal them–like literally work miracles. 

And we’ve surrounded ourselves with all kinds 

of volunteers who demonstrate the same kind 

of compassion. We love the people we serve– 

and they love us back. That has changed me 

more than anything else.” 

Shower Power and the women and 

volunteers behind it have given a glimpse of 

something special and life-changing. And 

when its creators see the work God has done 

through it in eternity, they may have the same 

reaction as Niggle. The final masterpiece 

will be more glorious than they could have 

imagined in this lifetime. 

more work to be done. Mary Ann describes the 

growth they’ve experienced. “There are so many 

people that have come alongside us who believe 

in what we’re doing and willingly offer their 

time and talents. We found ourselves needing 

accounting and legal oversight and now we have 

it. We have people that arrange their full-time 

jobs around Fridays so they can be there to help. 

We have a spectacular lineup of businesses and 

schools and churches and organizations that 

come to us and want to be helpful. Their desire 

for involvement provides us with incredible 

validation.” 

And future plans? “We are quickly reaching 

capacity with space. And while our weekly 

crowd size has soared, we know it is going 

to be important to grow horizontally and not 

just vertically. We are planning to purchase 

another shower and put it in a different part 

of town to meet those geographical needs. 

We’ll purchase the shower unit, brand it to 

Shower Power, and find a church or ministry 

outreach that would be willing to run it as 

their own. They’ll staff it, and we help them 

with as much coaching, underwriting, and 

foundation-building as they need.” 

If your church, business, volunteer group, 

or family would like to get involved 

with this vibrant ministry, 

visit showerpower.ms 

to learn more about the 

opportunities available. 


How It Started– 

How It’s Going 

PARKER KIRBY 


This is a story about being intentional with time... 

It’s kinda like that feeling you got as a kid on Christmas morning. 

The anticipation of it would put butterflies in your stomach. When I 

asked the others in the group how they would describe the mission, 

they used words like adventurous, exciting, memorable, and special. 

Since just about as long as I can remember, the “Secret Mission” 

trip has occurred right around Christmas—when all of us were out of 

school. When it started, there were four of us kids. One family had a 

baby brother at home that was too young to go. I can remember 

getting ready to go on our first ever trip and the nervous ecitement 

I had about it. Now I look back thirteen years later, and over 21,000 

miles traveled, and I’m more excited than ever to go on the next one. 

The Kirbys, the Heimers, and the Drydens have always been close. 

Being neighbors and friends since we were all practically born made 

it easy for us to become a close group. The group included our dads, 

Bill Heimer, Jamie Dryden, and Michael Kirby, and the kids, Anna 

Grace Heimer and her sister Emma, Sara Foster Dryden and her 

brother Jack, and me, Parker Kirby. Jack was just a toddler when 

this started so it would be a few years before he’d join us. 

Every Saturday morning, our dads would take us all 

to Chick-fil-A. or the dads, it was a chance to give the 

moms an opportunity to run errands or do things 

around the house without the kids underfoot. And for 

the kids, it was a great excuse to play! 

As our dads would sit there and have their coffee, 

they started brainstorming on what a little “day-trip” 

with the kids might look like. I don’t think any of us could 

anticipate what would come from it. 

So, one Saturday, they decided to shake things up from 

our normal routine. We were told that instead of going to 

Chick-fil-A, we’d be doing something new. When we asked 

exactly what that would entail, all we were told was, “It’s a 

secret. ou’ll just have to find out. And with that single 

mysterious statement, we were hooked. 

All we were told was that the day would begin at the train 

station in Jackson. I was six years old so getting on a train 

was a huge deal, in and of itself. We killed a little time by 

going across the street to the King Edward Hotel to get a 

picture in front of their hotel lobby Christmas tree. (This has since 

become a very important part of the tradition.) A little while later, we 

boarded the train, took our seats, and eventually started to pull out of 

the station. From that moment on, we were anxious at every stop, 

hoping that we had reached our final destination. 

We eventually made it to Brookhaven and spent the net seven 

hours going around the town completing a scavenger hunt that our 

dads had created for us—and exploring as much as we could. The 

scavenger hunt called for having a picture made with a police ocer, 

singing a Christmas carol in public, and getting a picture with Santa 

Claus, among other things. 

At the end of the day, we hadn’t made it fifteen minutes down the 

tracks, headed back to Jackson, before we were asking where we were 

going next year! And with that, the Secret Mission was born. 

All of us were very young at the time of this first tripyet I 

remember just about every detail of that day thirteen years ago. It was 

hard for us to recognize the magnitude of the tradition that had just 

been created, yet all of us seemed to understand how important the 

secret mission would be to us in the future. 

The Brookhaven trip was a blast! But the dads were about to catch 

a whole different gear. In hindsight, although the first secret mission 

wasn’t necessarily the most eciting trip we’d take, it definitely laid the 

groundwork for the trip as we know it today. 

The net few years were filled with new eperiences. We went to 

New Orleans, Memphis, and Little Rock, with more and 

more anticipation and excitement every year. And bear in 

mind, we never knew where we were going. We got to eperience 

trolleys, the Peabody ducks, and even a little snow! And being able to 

experience these things with the group at such an early age was 

even better. 

From the team building we had completing scavenger hunts to the 

closeness we gained playing card games late at night, the true meaning 

of the secret mission was becoming obvious. The trip was much more 

than a chance for the dads to get away for a weekend or for the kids to 



go have fun. This trip was created to be 

an opportunity for the group to form an 

unbreakable bond with each other that 

would span decades—and so far, it had 

done just that. 

Next thing we knew, four years had 

gone by, and we’d already made life-long 

memories with each other that we’ll be 

able to talk about forever. But little did 

we know, the best was yet to come. 

I would consider trips 5-11 to be the 

most iconic years of the mission—just 

because of our ages. We went all over 

and continued to make memories, but 

the later years started to feel a little 

different. We were getting older. 

During our sixth trip, which was in 

Nashville, the dads decided to try 

something new that they had heard 

might be cool. These places were 

called escape rooms—and they were 

new to the entertainment scene 

and quickly gaining popularity. 

The escape room experience was a 

turning point for the secret mission, and we have not done a single 

mission since without completing one or two of them—a continued 

staple of the trip. 

The bond of the group grew greater with the revelation of escape 

rooms, and the core traditions of the trip had been cemented. There 

could be no secret mission without the basics—scavenger hunt, escape 

rooms, and late-night conversations over card games. We had no idea 

how important these traditions would be in forming the relationships 

we have with each other today. 

After 11 years of the trip, we had watched NBA and NHL games 

together, had gone to Dave and Busters more times than the average 

person should, and experienced some of America’s greatest cities 

together. We’d ziplined, boat toured, ice skated, and theme park 

hopped. It was hard to grasp how much the trip had grown, and more 

importantly how much we had grown since the secret mission’s 

beginning. It’s still baffles me to think that we went from taking a 

train to Brookhaven to taking a flight to Chicago, making lifelong 

memories all along the way. 

The last few years of the secret mission have looked a little different. 

With COVID-19 and all the challenges that it brought to planning a 

trip, we were provided the opportunity to slow down and change the 

trip’s dynamic. We started as young kids—but now all but one of us are 

either in college or graduated 

college. We’ve grown up—and the 

secret mission has found yet a 

new meaning. 

Before, it was about keeping the 

kids entertained. Now, it’s about 

keeping the kids close. We used to 

talk about our favorite toys and how 

our sports were going, and now we 

talk about our values and what’s 

really going on in our lives. I’m not 

completely sure that any of us knew 

where the secret mission was going 

to end up, or how close we would 

become as a group, but I am beyond 

grateful for it. 

Thankfully the tradition is far from 

over. But it’s still fun to look back and 

reminisce over the times we’ve had so 

far. Looking back at the pictures, 

documenting the countless memories 

we have made, and charting the growth 

of the trip and the group really allows 

me to grasp the true meaning of our 

time together. The unbreakable bond and 

community we have formed makes the trip that much more worthwhile. 

I would want nothing more than to be able to keep the secret mission 

going with my own children with the hopes of creating the same 

traditions and instilling the same values that our fathers have created 

and instilled in us. I grow more and more grateful every day for the 

sacrifices that have been made and the time that our dads have spent 

crafting this trip to become what it has, and I hope that this tradition 

is one that will be handed through generations because of their efforts. 

I can think of no greater legacy. 

So here I sit, writing this piece as a sophomore in college, with 

the same enthusiasm and anticipation for this year’s trip that that 

six-year-old had sitting in the train station in Jackson thirteen years 

ago. We’ve been to Brookhaven, New Orleans, Memphis, Little Rock, 

Dallas, Nashville, St. Louis, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Asheville, 

Huntsville, and Orlando. And as time would tell, I have a completely 

different appreciation for the secret mission than I ever would have 

imagined. I am beyond grateful for the community-turned-family that 

I get to do it with, and I’m eager to see where it leads us in the future. 

And more than anything, I am extremely excited for this year’s 

trip. Of course, I don’t know where we’re going. They still keep it a 

secret. And like they’ve always told us, we’ll just have to find out. 



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LEIGH RAMSEY 

God’s Heart for Orphans 

“The story of Zacchaeus in the Bible is found in Luke 19:1-10. In this passage, we read 

that Zacchaeus’s life was forever changed when he encountered Jesus that day in the tree. 

Jesus radically changed my life as well on two very different occasions during the 

adoption of our two daughters.” Chris Gray of Brandon shared the inspiration 

behind the name of the adoption ministry he and his wife, Andrea founded. 

The ministry is called the Zacchaeus Tree Adoption Ministry. 

In 2008, the couple felt led to pursue 

adoption after struggling with infertility. They 

decided to adopt from Russia. Andrea had the 

idea that the couple should purchase birthday 

gifts for the little girl, Hannah Claire, who 

would soon be joining their family. They made 

a list of items they would get her for ages three 

through 18. One of the gifts they were searching 

for was a Bible written in Russian. 

On December 2, 2008, the couple went to 

Russia to meet their daughter. They visited her 

in the mornings. The afternoons and evenings 

were free to go sightseeing and find the items on 

their list. They visited street vendors, souvenir 

shops and bookstores searching for the perfect 

gifts. Each stop, they’d ask for a Bible, but were 

unable to find one. 

The couple later returned to Russia for their 

final trip. They’d be coming back to the U.S. with 

their daughter. It was extremely cold, and they 

were warned by the adoption agency that Hannah 

Claire would not be used to it and should not 

be taken out. But the clock was ticking–they 

still hadn’t found a Bible. Chris prayed, “God, 

how will I find a Bible in less than 24 hours?” 

They boarded a bus that was completely 

full except for one empty seat across from Chris. 

An older gentleman took the vacant spot, and 

began doing hand motions. He never spoke, 

just kept moving his hands. Chris and Andrea 

became nervous. Eventually, the mysterious 

stranger moved to the back of the bus. When 

the bus stopped and it was time to exit, they 

locked eyes with the older gentleman, who was 

now sitting on the steps of the bus. 

He stared at Chris and slowly stood to his 

feet, while putting his hand in his coat pocket. 

Chris began to step off of the bus, and the man 

put an item in Chris’s chest just before the doors 

closed. Chris knew immediately what he had 

been given, a New Testament written in Russian. 

Chris reflects, “That man changed my life 

forever. I hope to meet him in Heaven one day 

and thank him. That encounter was the 

cornerstone for starting the adoption ministry.” 


In January of 2012, the Gray family felt led 

to adopt again. Chris remembers thinking, 

“There is no way we’ll have another experience 

like we did with Hannah Claire’s adoption.” 

The couple had started the process and paid 

$27,000 toward the adoption. They were 

devastated to learn that Vladamir Putin had 

banned Americans from adopting Russian 

children. The money put toward the adoption 

was lost. The couple chose to start the adoption 

process again, this time in Moldova. Six 

months into that process, Moldova’s adoption 

process came to a standstill as well. The couple 

lost their money again. 

They eventually started the work to adopt 

from Poland. In January of 2014, Chris 

attended a Wednesday night church service at 

Pinelake. He had turned in a prayer request 

card that read, “God, if you want us to continue 

this adoption process, you’ll have to provide 

for it because we have lost so much.” Chris 

watched as Chip Henderson, the senior pastor 

at Pinelake, stepped onto the stage and held 

Chris’s prayer request and announced the 

prayer need to the congregation. 

Eight months later, Chris felt led to fill out 

the paperwork for an adoption grant. The 

grant was for $5,000 to help cover the cost of 

an adoption. But time slowly passed and both 

Chris and Andrea assumed they had not been 

selected for the grant. 

In November of 2014, Chris visited Target 

on his lunch break. He decided to check his 

email while he was there. He was surprised to 

see an email reading, “Congratulations Gray 

Family.” They had been awarded a $20,000 

grant. Chris shared that it touched his heart 

that God showed how much he loves and cares 

for orphans through providing a Bible for 

Hannah Claire and the money for Ava’s 

adoption. 

In 2015, Chris was attending another 

Wednesday night service at Pinelake. The 

sermon was on Jonah. Chip said, “If you’ve 

been running from something God has asked 

of you, stand and we will pray over you.” Chris 

stood, knowing he had been asked to encourage 

others who are in the process of adoption. 

He has now spoken about adoption and 

foster care at over 90 churches in Mississippi. 

He also teaches a class to families considering 

adoption or fostering at Crossgates Baptist 

Church on the first and third Wednesday of 

each month. He started the Zacchaeus Tree 

Adoption Ministry, which offers adoption 

grants to Mississippi families. Families can 

raise up to $2,500 toward an adoption, and 

the ministry will match it through Lifesong 

for Orphans. So far, the ministry has helped 

ten families fund their adoptions. 

Chris was recently recognized for his work 

in helping families who are on the journey 

toward adoption and fostering. In September, 

the Gray family traveled to Washington D.C. 

to receive this recognition. He said of the 

event: “It was an honor to be selected by U.S. 


Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for the Congressional 

Coalition on Adoption Institute Award in Mississippi. 

I am so proud to have had the opportunity to meet 

with Senator Hyde-Smith, and to know that she 

is a strong supporter of adoption. I had the 

opportunity to talk to her about creating legislation 

for a “Certificate of Foreign Birth” bill to help 

families who are adopting or who have adopted a 

child from a foreign country, so that these families 

would be able to get their child a birth certificate 

in Mississippi. It was interesting to learn that the 

CCAI, which was created by congress, is the 

largest bipartisanship caucus in Washington.” 

Mr. Gray shared how God has repeatedly 

revealed that He is a God who cares about all of 

the details that seem so small to us. Chris shared 

a bit more about how God’s character had been 

revealed to him through this journey, “I also find 

that God is quite humorous in that the street that 

I grew up on in Pearl was named Sycamore, which 

is the type of tree that Zacchaeus climbed up to 

see Jesus.” 


SALUTE 

to First Responders 

Why did you decide to be a fireman? 

My dad was a JPD officer when I was growing up. He was always 

helping others so I knew at a young age that I wanted a job that 

made a difference in a positive way. One of my childhood friends 

was a fireman at a neighboring department at the time and 

encouraged me to try out. 

How long have you been with the Clinton Fire Department? 

I have been with Clinton for a total of 15 years. 

Tell us about your family. 

I have been married to my wife, Erin, of Florence, for 14 years. 

We have three beautiful children. Eva June is nine and we have 

twins, Hank and Hattie, who are six. Between travel softball, 

dance, and Jiu-Jitsu, we are constantly on the go. 

What is the toughest thing you have experienced in your job? 

For me, one of the hardest things to do day in and day out is to remain 

positive. We see a variety of bad situations from structure fires to the 

passing of loved ones. We have to shine a light during what most 

people consider the worst day of their lives. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in your spare time. 

I enjoy hunting and spending time outdoors. On the rare occasion 

we have down time, my wife and I enjoy relaxing on the porch. 

Captain 

Brad 

GRICE 

CLINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT 

What are three things on your bucket list? 

I would like to travel out west and go elk hunting, restore a Chevy 

pickup, and build a cabin in the country to spend our retirement years. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

I would say my father. He was very strict when I was growing up 

and would tell you the truth whether you liked it or not. He died 

from heart cancer when I was 25 years old. He taught me not only 

how to be a man, but a good husband and father to my own 

children. He alway took the time to teach me how to fix things and 

never missed a chance to sit down and talk about life in general. 

Rodric McClain got out of the car to take a photo 

of his best friend, Tia Denise Cook of Jackson. 


If you could give one piece of advice to a young person, 

what would it be? 

Always stay true to yourself. No matter what, keep your word 

and your faith close. At the end of the day, life is simple. 

Do not complicate it. 

What is your favorite thing about Clinton? 

I really enjoy the small-town feeling of Clinton. The Brick Street 

Festivals and Fresh at Five are some of my favorite things. When 

we are out in the truck, we never meet a stranger. 

What is your favorite thing about Hometown Magazines? 

It brings small businesses and people behind the scenes to the 

forefront. 


Red Brick 

Roads 

Music & Art Festival 

August 27 




Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!

INTERVIEW WITH CLINTON’S COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR 

MarleePrice 

Tell us about yourself. 

Iam originally from Brookhaven, Mississippi, 

born and raised. I graduated from the University 

of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of 

Public Relations before venturing to Hinds 

Community College to achieve an Associate of 

Applied Science in Graphic Design Technology. 

Both of those degrees contributed to my passion 

for marketing and branding by allowing me the 

ability to incorporate the strategies and 

communication skills learned at the bachelor 

level in an effort to communicate those skills 

through creative visuals and innovative 

marketing campaigns in order to drive adoption 

and increase brand loyalty. 

Iam also the mother to a thirteen-year-old 

boy named Price Anthony May. He is currently 

in the 8th grade at Mt. Salus Christian School 

and enjoys all things basketball. 

Why and when did you decide to 

make Clinton your home? 

In July of 2012 I accepted a position as a 

graphic designer at Southern Farm Bureau Life 

Insurance Company. For a year I drove back and 

forth each day from Brookhaven to Jackson. As 

my son began to approach school age, I knew I 

needed to make a move closer to work to start a 

new life for my little family. Growing up in a 

small town, I knew I wanted to live in a city with 

a strong sense of community that also had a 

strong academic program for Price. God placed 

Cindy Robertson in my life as my realtor, and as 

I began to look at homes in the Clinton area, I 

knew this was where I wanted to plant my roots, 

and in April of 2013 I became a homeowner. 


What are a few things you love 

about the city of Clinton? 

Although the city of Clinton shares a city 

limit with the capital of Mississippi, within 

our city limits there is sense of small-town life 

reminiscent of rural communities, separated 

from the hustle and bustle of the big city. This 

setting allows for the nurturing of relationships 

between neighbors and residents that has become 

one of the reasons I adore Clinton. The events 

our city has for citizens cultivate a sense of 

community that allows each person the ability 

to bond with people who share their interests 

and pour back in to this city. 

If you could give us one encouraging 

quote, what would it be? 

Ihave a sign on my bedroom wall that I read 

every morning. The sign states, “Beautiful girl, 

you are capable of amazing things.” I am a firm 

believer in self-affirmation; on growing so 

tenaciously internally, that no external force can 

change your mindset without your conscious 

permission. God has given us all our own talents 

and skillsets, and by investing in yourself, we 

open up the opportunity to become who God 

created each one of us to be. 

Comparison is the thief of joy, so each day 

I set a challenge to be a better version of myself 

than I was the day before; fully acknowledging 

that the only person standing in my way is me. 

Share some things you enjoy doing 

in your spare time. 

Aside from binge-watching true crime and 

serial killer documentaries, taking road-trips 

with my son would have to be my most favorite 

spare time activity. As he has gotten older, quality 

time with him grows sparce. I’m sure the parent 

of any teenager can relate. Road-trips allow us 

time together to share new experiences and 

provides the opportunity for deep conversations 

about life. I cherish those memories more than 

any memory I have prior to motherhood. 

Iam also a HUGE crafter. I often singlehandedly 

keep Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, and 

Etsy in business. Last year, during quarantine, 

I started making clay earrings. I traveled to 

numerous markets in the local area and I did 

very well sharing my craft. I hope to find more 

“spare time” to dive back into this creative outlet. 

Aside from clay earrings I have always been 

an avid painter and holiday decorator. More so 

for my own collection than public interest. 

My absolute favorite holiday is approaching 

(Christmas) and I have already begun 

collecting new décor to adorn my home. 

Most likely by November 1st. LOL! 


has been taking the good news 

of Jesus Christ to children and 

families through residential and 

non-residential care 

for 

baptistchildrensvillage.com 

601.952.2422 

November 10th - 21st, 2022 

Save Now, Gift Later! 

Purchase online at 3in1GiftCard.com 

In person at BRAVO!, Broad Street, and 

Sal & Mookie’s 

Digital and physical gift card options 

No Limit to how many you can purchase 

GIFT CARDS NEVER EXPIRE! 

Plus, We Give 10% to Charity! 

Select 1 of 12 community chosen charities, 

and WE will donate 10% of your total gift 

card purchase to your selected charity. 

Plus, we will feature one of the 12 selected 

charities each month in 2023, and they will 

receive additional donations from each 



TheTime COIN 

Camille Anding 

Miracles! The word draws us and creates 

mystery and a bit (or a lot) of awe in most. 

We long for miracles and often just hearing of miracles renews our hopes and captures our 

attention again. 

I’ve read of many miracles, beginning with so many in the Bible. Some believe those kinds of 

miracles disappeared with the days of the disciples and apostles. I don’t! I believe miracles are still 

here - as long as we believe in a miracle-working God and his indwelling Spirit in his children. 

However, I’ve never witnessed a body of water split for a dry walk-through, and I’ve never had 

my spiritual eyes opened enough to see an army of angels encircling me. I’ve never watched anyone 

walk on water or heard and seen a single command turn a stormy sea into a glass-top surface. 

I would have been mesmerized to see thick clouds fall over a mountain and hear God’s Voice 

boom through the darkness, and to actually see the sun stand still would have been beyond my 

comprehension - but oh how I would have been an eager spectator. 

Yet, when I stop and consider miracles, I realize they are all around me - so 

many that I just take for granted. Gravity isn’t a subject that takes up any of my 

thinking space, but it’s a constant miracle in my life. Without gravity, I would float 

off into space along with anything or anyone that wasn’t tied down! 

Our universe is measured in billions, and there are galaxies that are so distant, 

a telescope has never come near them - and yet, here on earth’s planet, humans 

live and function daily - on the only life-inhabited planet that’s known. 

Even the animal kingdom is a network of the miraculous. Birds annually fly 

thousands of miles to migrate to warmer climates and then find their way back to 

their original location without any gadgets or road signs. When the hummingbirds 

return to my summer feeders, I never consider the miracles of their nonstop 

flights of up to 500 miles in a single day. 

It’s obvious that the scientific world can write volumes on the unexplainable and the hypothetical, 

but when I consider everyday miracles, I run out of brain space. The ability to see a rose in bloom 

and smell its fragrance, to be immediately sensitive to the touch of hot and cold, to hear sounds 

and have a brain to transmit their origin and meaning, to need sleep and stay in that mode for hours 

each 24-hour cycle, to be able to satisfy hunger with food. 

The list could be endless. Scientists continue to find unexplained miracles operating in the human 

body. So many of these scientists spend their lives in attempting to find a “how,” “where,” or “why,” 

to our universe and its occupants. I’m extremely grateful that God opened my spiritual eyes to his 

creation and miracles and gave me faith to believe in four simple words: “In the beginning, God...” 



Let’s Talk... 

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