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2 • MAY 2023

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Hometown MADISON • 3

4 • MAY 2023

FROM OUR PUBLISHER 

The unusual April we had has created a slow arrival 

of summer, it seems. 

The arrival of spring teased us with its early warm temperatures and 

balmy days. I even packed away my sweaters in anticipation of the 

long-awaited season. Then the temps dropped drastically with killing 

frosts that required our landscapes to regenerate the young leaves on 

all the trees and shrubs. 

With the arrival of new seasons and all the promises of new life, it’s 

difficult to think that death is still a part of every one of them – even 

spring. I encourage you to read about the life and home-going of a 

remarkable woman of God in this issue. Dorothy Henderson, and her 

husband, Gene, have touched thousands of lives throughout our state 

by sharing the gospel. Mrs. Henderson realized death was the final exit 

from this life, and she certainly hated the thought of the temporary 

separation from family and friends. But she rejoiced in the thought of 

meeting Jesus, face to face, and being united with the Savior whom 

she had loved and served the major portion of her life. I assure you that 

you will never look at death the same way again, thanks to the example 

of Mrs. Henderson. 

I continue to be grateful for all our readers along with the many 

advertisers that make this publication possible. It remains a joy to feature 

neighbors in our hometown. So, regardless if you read this snuggled 

under a blanket or on a sunny porch, we at Hometown Magazines 

wish you a blessed season and a renewed picture of “homegoing.” 

PUBLISHER & EDITOR 

Tahya Dobbs 

HOMETOWN STAFF 

CFO 

Kevin Dobbs 

CONSULTING EDITOR 

Mary Ann Kirby 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

ASSISTANT 

Alisha Floyd 

IN THIS ISSUE 

Reader Spotlight 9 

Hometown Family 12 

Camp is Calling 18 

Circle of Red 24 

Backyard Bliss 26 

USA International Ballet 32 

Setting the Tone 40 

Kids Who Care 52 

Friday Night Porch Parties 54 

Mental Health Wealth 63 

SPECIAL PROJECTS 

ASSISTANT 

Caroline Hodges 

SOCIAL MEDIA 

MANAGER 

Lexie Ownby 

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 

Nikki Robison 

LAYOUT DESIGN 

Daniel Thomas 

3dt 

STAFF 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

Othel Anding 

STAFF 

ASSISTANT 

Debby Francis 

ADVERTISING 

ASSISTANT 

Melissa Kennon 

...see you around town. 

www.facebook.com/hometownmadisonmagazine. 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 Madison may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The management of Hometown Madison is not responsible for opinions expressed by its writers or editors. 

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


Teresa & Mike Harland 

Camille Anding 

It was a worship service that 

Mike Harland won’t ever forget. 

He was a sophomore at Delta State 

University in 1980 on a baseball 

scholarship but also getting to use 

his musical talent as a part time 

minister of music at Calvary Baptist 

Church in Cleveland, Mississippi. 

On that select Sunday, Teresa 

Stovall, an incoming freshman, and 

her roommate, walked into the 

service as Mike was leading a song. 

The distance separating Teresa 

and Mike didn’t keep him from 

noticing how pretty she was. To his 

surprise and delight, he saw her the 

next day in the music department. 

She was a music major, too! On 

Tuesday he saw her again at a BSU 

party that was welcoming all the 

freshmen students. He introduced 

himself, and the couple still 

remembers the natural attraction 

they felt for each other. 

It took two weeks for Mike to 

get enough courage to approach 

her about a date. He asked her if 

she was going to stay on campus 

the upcoming weekend. Teresa 

thought he was going to ask her to 

sing at church, so she said, “I’m 

not sure. Why?” Mike said, “I was 

going to ask you if you’d like to go 

the football game with me.” Teresa 

answered, “Oh, I’ll be here!” 

After that first date, the two 

became steady companions and 

realized how much they had in 

common through their faith and 

families. Within two months they 

were engaged. 

Now serious decisions were in 

the making. Mike was a talented 

baseball pitcher with a lifelong 

dream of being a professional 

player. The Cincinnati Reds had 

tried to sign him as a free agent out 

of high school, so Mike knew his 

dream had real potential. He would 

have to work hard as a player for 

the next two years if he planned to 

pursue that dream. 

However, there was Teresa, the 

girl that he had fallen in love with 

and to whom he was engaged. 

Postponing marriage until he had 

finished school seemed like an 

impossible choice. Mike had also 

noticed that his focus was shifting. 

He had always considered himself 

an athlete in music. Since meeting 

Teresa, the love of baseball had 

faded. Now Teresa and music 

were his focus. 

When Calvary Church offered 

a pay increase that would make 

marriage and tuition feasible for the 

two, Mike gave up his scholarship 

and concentrated his pursuit on 

Teresa and music. Love had shifted 

his priorities. 

On August 8, 1981, the two 

exchanged marriage vows and sang 

together “Whether Thou Goest” 

as a part of the service. They 

returned to Delta State to complete 

their music majors as husband and 

wife and worked out their studies 

in order to graduate together. 

Mike’s first position as a music 

minister took them to Parkview 

Baptist Church in Greenville, 

Mississippi. Life was good. Seminary 

would need to be a part of Mike’s 

future, but now wasn’t a good 

time. That could come later. Dan 

Robertson, the Parkview pastor, 

insisted that Mike reconsider 

seminary. Mike wasn’t convinced, 

but when Robertson had a request 

from a Louisiana pastor to 

recommend a music minister, 

Robertson gave him Mike’s name. 

6 • MAY 2023

“If you will respect 

your husband, even 

if you think he may 

not deserve it, and 

submit to him, the 

love will come.” 

Only as God can arrange, Mike 

and Teresa were called to Istrouma 

Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, 

Louisiana, where Mike was able to 

complete his seminary degree from 

New Orleans Baptist Theological 

Seminary. Istrouma took care of 

the tuition expenses. 

After three years at Istrouma 

Church, First Baptist McComb 

was their next call. Teresa was 

becoming more aware of the words 

to their wedding song. God was 

continuing to chart Mike’s ministry 

path, and she was his supportive 

soulmate – “where you go, I will go.” 

Over the next years God gave 

them two sons and a daughter 

while Mike continued to follow 

God’s leading to Crossgates 

Baptist Church in Brandon, 

Broadmoor in Jackson, Hyde Park 

in Austin, Texas, and First Baptist 

Carrollton in North Dallas. 

The next ministry “door” called 

for a family meeting. Their oldest 

child, Lee, would be going into his 

senior year in Dallas, but this call 

for Mike meant the family moving 

to Nashville for Mike to be the new 

LifeWay worship director. After 

Mike’s explaining to his family 

about this position, their son said, 

“Well, Dad, you always try to do 

God’s will, so I don’t think doing 

His will will hurt me.” It was onto 

Nashville - a unanimous vote by 

the Harland family. 

Roots went down deep in the 

Nashville area for the next fifteen 

years. It was an amazing opportunity 

but one that required a lot of 

family adjustments. Teresa probably 

experienced the greatest adjusting, 

because the “team” that she and 

Mike had been, in previous 

churches, was not a part of his 

LifeWay position. She sought out 

ministries of her own and 

continued to give voice and piano 

lessons while being a wife and 

mother. 

Teresa and Mike don’t hesitate 

to thank God for having “three 

great kids.” Mike remembers the 

wise parenting counsel he received 

from one of his pastors – “Be sure 

you are the same person in the 

pulpit and around the dining 

table.” Jimmy Draper gave more 

advice, “After a day’s work when 

you step through the door of your 

home, your most important job 

just started!” 

Teresa shared a comment their 

daughter had made to her recently, 

“I’m glad you and Dad cared more 

about our character than you did 

our popularity or grades.” 

The Harlands’ advice for a 

blessed marriage comes right 

from God’s Word. Teresa believes, 

“If you will respect your husband, 

even if you think he may not 

deserve it, and submit to him, the 

love will come.” Mike added for 

husbands, “If you will put your 

wife’s needs above yours, all your 

needs will be met.” 

The Harlands are presently 

answering their call to serve at 

FBC Jackson. Their musical 

talents and Mike’s teaching 

wisdom continue to bless the 

Body of Christ. They readily 

admit their hearts’ pull when they 

left their three children, Lee, 

Elizabeth, and John, along with 

their spouses and their four 

granddaughters, in the Nashville 

area. But home for the Harlands \ 

is always where God leads. 


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8 • MAY 2023

READER 

SPOTLIGHT 

Janet 

PARKER 

Why did you make Madison your home? 

Madison offers a great quality of life with a small-town 

charm, top-rated public schools, friendly people, and 

accessibility to great restaurants and shopping. I’m 

always proud to show it off to friends and family who 

visit from out of state and to call Madison my home. 

How long have you lived in Madison County? 

I moved to Madison in 1992 from San Francisco, 

but I grew up in the Midwest. 

Tell us about your family. 

My friends all know how proud I am of my family – 

they have been my rock through good and bad times! 

My son, Isaac, and his wife, Carol, met in high school 

and married after they graduated from Mississippi 

State University. Isaac is the general manager for a 

large HVAC company and Carol is a physical 

therapist working toward a pediatric specialty at 

UMMC. They are active members of First Baptist 

Church in Jackson. My daughter, Mia, is also a recent 

graduate of Mississippi State with a degree in fine art 

and works as a concept artist while also building her 

ceramic studio. I work in marketing and business 

development for Innovate Mississippi and attend 

Broadmoor Baptist Church. My family also includes 

Ariel, the cat who runs the house, Louie, the Cowboy 

Corgi with an attitude, Angelica the fish, and 

Shoshana the Axolotl. My extended family lives 

primarily in Illinois where I grew up. 

What is your favorite memory of living in 

Madison? 

When we came home from the hospital after my son 

was born, my neighbors had stocked my refrigerator 

and pantry and had food prepared for us. When I went 

into labor with my daughter in the middle of the night, 

a neighbor came over at 3am and stayed at my house 

so we didn’t have to wake up my 3-year-old! There is a 

real sense of community here which has been extremely 

important to me, especially with my immediate family 

being so far away. My friends and neighbors have 

become my family. 

Where are your three favorite places to eat in 

Madison? 

Half Shell Oyster House is our go-to and we usually 

order the same thing every time we go – charbroiled 

oysters and crab claws! We also love Kristos and the 

lobster roll at Hokkaido Hibachi Grill. 

What are some fun things to do in Madison 

County on the weekends? 

I’m kind of a homebody so I enjoy cooking out and 

relaxing close to home with friends and family or 

catching an art fair or music festival when spring arrives. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in your 

spare time. 

I love to work out and distance run, and discovered 

Orange Theory in Madison about four years ago and 

became obsessed with it! You will find me there most 

weekday mornings and, on the Ridgeland multi-use 

trail running distance on the weekends. Currently, I’m 

also enrolled in the Executive MBA program at Millsaps 

College, which consumes the majority of my spare time 

during this season of my life. I also have a wonderful 

life group at Broadmoor Baptist Church. 

What are three things on your bucket list? 

The first thing is getting my MBA. After my MBA, 

there are a few things I would like to do including 

identifying a physical challenge to conquer, going on 

a solo-vacation, and having every closet, drawer, and 

cabinet in my entire house and garage in perfect 

organizational order all at the same time. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

My son and daughter-in-law for their work ethic, 

strong faith and commitment to their church, friends, 

community, and to each other; and my daughter for 

embracing her talent and pursuing what she loves, her 

warmth and compassion for others, and her confidence 

and determination. 

Where do you see yourself in ten years? 

Throughout my life, I’ve discovered that my 10-year 

plans have not always worked out exactly as I 

envisioned, but that I’ve ended up in positions and 

with experiences that I could have never imagined. 

That said, in 10 years I plan to be a better version of 

myself today spiritually, mentally and physically – 

while preparing myself for opportunities that I don’t 

know exist at this point. 

What is your favorite childhood memory? 

When I was in fifth grade, some of my friends and I 

wanted to play basketball, but our school didn’t have a 

girls’ team, so we joined the boys’ team. The boys were 

so embarrassed to have girls on the team! As a result, 

the school started a girls’ team the following year, 

and we ended up going to the state championships. 

I received a trophy that just says “Janet” on it. It’s one 

of my favorite memories! 

If you could give us one encouraging quote, 

what would it be? 

There are so many great quotes, so I decided on one 

from a great Mississippian, Zig Ziglar, whose teachings 

on the power of positive thinking literally changed my 

life when I was first exposed to them in the 11th grade. 

One of his quotes is “You never know when a moment 

and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.” 

Our words can have a profound impact on others 

(good and bad), and my goal is to look for opportunities 

to encourage those around me. 


Registration 

NOW OPEN 

10 • MAY 2023

CB STUDENT 

CHECKING 

PRACTICAL FOR YOUR 

STUDENT AND YOU! 


12 • MAY 2023

The 

Bateses 


We are the Bates family, Cliff and Amy, from Ridgeland/ 

Madison area and we have three sons, Ellis (19), Owen (17), 

and Levi (10) and three dogs, Leo, Mable, and Stevie, that are 

also family. 

How did you meet, and how long have you been married? 

I met Cliff our junior year at Ole Miss in March of 1995 and 

honestly, it was love at first sight. We met as I was coming out 

of the bathroom, and he was going in, and two weeks later we 

were officially dating! We dated for five years and have been 

married now for almost 23 years! 

Do you allow time to be with your spouse for a date night? 

Cliff and I love date nights, but our favorite thing is to make 

time for an “at-home date night.” We get takeout and either sit 

outside by the fire pit or in the dining room away from the TV 

and noise and try to have some intentional conversation. Cliff’s 

love language is quality time, so making time to connect and 


have fun together is important for our marriage. As children are 

little, it is really hard to make time for this, but we have found it to 

be an investment in our marriage! Get the babysitter, make the 

plans, and take the trip! Honestly, the best gift you can ever give 

your children is to love each other well. 

What brings you the greatest joy as a parent? 

It brings me joy when I see or hear one of my sons being kind. 

Kindness is just loving our neighbor well and it’s the second 

greatest commandment Jesus gave us. For them to love God and 

love others is really all that matters to me as a mother. When I see 

one of my sons going out of their way to “see” someone, stand up 

for another, and show kindness, my heart is so full. 

Who is the financial manager in your home? Please elaborate. 

Cliff is definitely the financial manager in our home. Hey, if it 

weren’t for Amazon, I would be much better staying within the 

budget! I blame Amazon and Target! 

When your children were younger, what was your discipline 

philosophy? 

We have learned by parenting three sons, that all children are not 

the same. You really cannot use a one size fits all method to 

parent different children. They all have individual personalities 

and respond in their own unique ways. God keeps us on our toes 

for sure. And parenting is a humbling journey. I think once you 

feel like you have it figured out and start feeling puffed up, God 

will serve you up a big ole slice of humble pie! We have also 

learned that children come into this world with a natural bent 

toward sin, and their choices are not a reflection of our parenting. 

It has been really freeing to realize that truth. 

What are some of your favorite things about Madison County? 

Our family loves to travel in the summer when we can. And my 

sons and husband love playing golf at the Reunion golf course in 

Madison. A big highlight of my summer is hosting a gathering for 

high school and college girls in our home called Summer Sisters 

and it’s been a highlight of my summer for eight years now. Any 

high school or college girl is welcome to come and learn about the 

love of Jesus and hear God’s truth from different speakers every 

June and July. It’s a sweet time to bring truth and some community 

to girls in a season that is so hard for so many of them. It’s 

something I wish I’d had growing up, so I’m thankful to be able 

to provide a safe place for these girls. 

What drives you to have the job that you have? 

And what do you do for a living? 

I am a stay-at-home mom, but as my sons have gotten older, I’m 

able to do more volunteer work and it has been so life-giving. 

Cliff develops senior living /assisted living homes with VH 

Companies. We are members of City Heart Church in Jackson. 

What’s a quick go-to meal that isn’t fast food? And who does 

the cooking? 

A quick go-to meal for our family I make is always poppyseed 

chicken. I do most of the weekly easy cooking, but Cliff really 

enjoys cooking and is much better at it than I am! He enjoys 

cooking fish and steak and I make more of the spaghetti and 

casseroles. I get a lot of recipes from The Dinner Darling. She is 

local and you get a weekly meal plan and recipes. It is so helpful 

and yummy! 

How long has Madison been your home? 

Madison County has been our home for almost 23 years. We love 

the hometown feel of Madison and all the wonderful restaurants 

and shopping that are offered here. Our favorite things about 

Madison County are the people and the convenience of everything. 

Our favorite restaurant is Local 463, and we love Krilaki’s 

salads, and their burgers and fries are the best in town! Everyone 

is so warm and friendly in Madison County and we are thankful 

to call this area home. 

14 • MAY 2023

QUESTIONS FOR THE BOYS 

What’s your favorite thing to do as a family? 

Levi Play Uno and a friendly game of horse with his daddy. 

Owen Vacation together. 

Ellis Attend sporting events with Dad and brothers and a family 

beach trip. 

What your favorite restaurant? 

Levi Chick-fil-A (where my brother, Owen works). 

Owen Char (never met a filet I didn’t like). 

Ellis Nagoya in Madison. 


THIS IS 

BALLET. 

THIS IS 

JACKSON. 

JUNE 

10 – 24 

2023 

TICKETS: 

USAIBC.COM/ATTEND 

OR 601.973.9249 

Derek Dunn 

USA IBC 2010 Bronze Medialist 

Principal, Boston Ballet 

Photography by Michael J. Moore 

Pickle Fest 

It’s kind of a big dill 

June 10 

3pm-8pm 

 

16 • MAY 2023


18 • MAY 2023

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT 

Camp 

is Calling 

Mistie Desper 

When that last bell of school 

rings in May, summer camp 

is gearing up for a few months 

of fun and a lifetime of 

memories. 

Twin Lakes Camp and Conference Center has been “the” place 

to be since 1970. Nestled in the rolling hills of central Mississippi, the 

camp covers over 580 beautiful acres with two lakes and activities to 

suit everyone. Each year, the grounds and facilities host thousands of 

guests for camps, retreats, and conferences. 

Summer camps are a huge draw for students each summer 

looking to have fun, hang out with friends, deepen their faith, and 

make memories. 

With counselors and staff that are dedicated and joyful servants of 

Christ, Twin Lakes has helped transform the lives of countless young 

people over the years. The summer camp program was founded on 

“God’s word.” It provides a safe and fun environment where students 

form deep and meaningful relationships with old and new friends, 

their counselors, but more importantly, with God. 

With activities and time to study God’s word, the counselors and 

staff members strive to live God’s word daily and show students the 

immense joy in knowing Jesus Christ all while having loads of exciting 

adventures, day in and day out. Twin Lakes believes, “the influence of 

Christian mentors and time in God’s creation greatly influences the 

tone and direction of a child’s life.” 

As a ministry of First Presbyterian of Jackson, the camp’s mission 

is to help students cultivate a love for God. They believe that “those 

whose first love is Christ, are those best equipped to love Christ’s 

creation.” The program not only aims to create a lasting, meaningful 

relationship with Christ, it “aims at the preservation of each camper’s 

childhood away from the distraction of technology and modern 

culture.” 


20 • MAY 2023

Mark Magee 

Andrew Vincent 

The grounds are home to cabins, meeting rooms, and dining halls, but the 

activities are where the magic happens! Anything your student could desire 

can be found. 

Activities include rock-climbing, ziplines, rope bridges, horseback riding, 

kayaking, swimming, archery, riflery, outdoor games, water activities, and so 

much more. 

Campers can choose from day or overnight camps. Day campers spend 

their day learning camp songs, enjoying various activities, and participating 

in outdoor adventures. Overnight campers get to experience the beautiful 

outdoors during the day, special events at night, and loads of hangout time. 

Treehouse Time is a camp favorite. The entire camp gathers together to 

hang out, eat snacks, swing in the giant swings, play a variety of games, fish, 

raft, and more. For many, this is the highlight of their day and their favorite 

activity at camp. 

Twin Lakes also provides a place for churches and groups to host retreats, 

conferences, and various seminars for their spiritual growth. 

Without many helping hands, Twin Lakes would not be possible. Along 

with a large staff and trained counselors, former Executive Director Mark 

Magee devoted the past 30 years to the ministry and community at Twin Lakes. 

Mark has left a lasting impact in the lives of thousands of children, along with 

numerous summer staff members and retreat guests, and helped to spread the 

gospel and grow the ministry of Twin Lakes. 

Filling his shoes as the new executive director is Andrew Vincent. Andrew 

is no stranger to the camp. He has been an integral part of the camp for over 

two decades serving in various positions and “has a true passion for the camping 

ministry and leads in a way that exemplifies the Fruit of the Spirit.” 

Andrew admits that stepping into the role of director is such an honor. 

He said, “I have served under Mark for my entire employment at Twin Lakes 

and have benefited from his leadership. He has been such a humble, godly 

example for everyone to follow.” 

Admitting that Mark will likely “cringe” at the mention of his name, he 

humbly served and never wanted any recognition, yet his character has 

impacted so many. One fellow employee said, “To Mark, Twin Lakes wasn’t just 

a place to come to work every day. Next to his family, it was his life. He went 

above and beyond daily to make sure Twin Lakes was dedicated to God and 

existed to further the kingdom of God.” Another humble, not-wanting-to-benamed 

employee added, “He is an encourager at his very core. The ways the 

Lord has used him in ministry at Twin Lakes are immeasurable this side of 

heaven.” 

Andrew is excited for his future as executive director. “I can’t imagine 

leaving a fraction of the legacy Mark has left from his time here but am trusting 

the Lord to provide the wisdom and direction that will be needed to continue 

to lead well in this new role.” With the support, wisdom, and determination to 

continue God’s work at Twin Lakes, the staff and counselors will continue to 

keep the camp, in Mark’s own words, “the greatest place on the planet.” 

For more information or to register for summer camp, visit 

twinlakescamp.org or email at registration@twinlakescamp.org. 


22 • MAY 2023

Circle 

The American Heart Association’s 

signature initiative, Go Red for Women ® , 

is a comprehensive platform designed 

to increase women’s heart health 

awareness and serve as a catalyst 

for change to improve the lives of 

women globally. 

While the majority of cardiac events 

can be prevented, cardiovascular 

disease is the leading cause of death 

in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 

women. For 19 years, Go Red for 

Women has encouraged awareness. 

The movement harnesses the energy, 

passion, and power of women to band 

together and collectively wipe out 

heart disease. It challenges them to 

know their risk for heart disease and 

take action to reduce their personal 

risk. It also gives them tools they need 

to lead a heart healthy life. The Go Red 

for Women movement is nationally 

sponsored by CVS Health, with 

additional support from national 

cause supporters. 

For more information, please visit 

GoRedforWomen.org 

of RED 

Circle of Red is a society of 

passionate individuals who 

are in the fight against heart 

disease and stroke in 

women to win. 

In communities throughout 

the United States, Circle 

of Red members use their 

influence, generosity, and 

passion to help increase 

awareness of cardiovascular 

disease – the leading cause 

of death in women – and 

to inspire women to take 

charge of their health. 

Circle of Red members are 

leaders in their communities 

and families. For many 

members, the fight against 

heart disease is personal. 

As some of our greatest 

champions of the Go Red 

for Women movement, 

our Circle of Red members 

not only help save lives, 

but they are the heart of 

our mission. 

Why Join Circle of Red? 

As a member, you are a 

champion for women’s 

health. 

Members enjoy: 

• Special social events and 

VIP experiences both 

locally and nationally, 

with a national holiday 

experience in December 

• Exclusive mission updates 

• Recognition as a Circle 

of Red member 

• Membership in a 

meaningful community 

of women 

Join us and become a part 

of an exceptional group of 

women. 

For more information 

on joining, please contact 

Go Red for Women Director 

Katherine Byrd at 

Katherine.Byrd@heart.org 

or call 601-321-1211. 


Alissa Hebert-Wallace 

Veterans Health Administration 

Allison Muirhead 

Allison Muirhead Photography, LLC 

Amanda Fontaine 

Mississippi Association of Broadcasters 

Amy Lampton Walker 

Ergon 

Ann Barnes 

Prime Care Nursing 

Betsy Latham 

Betsy Latham Fine Art 

Brenda Barron 

Professional Staffing Group 

Brian Fenelon 

The Fenelon Group 

Cindee Herlocker 

Edward Jones 

Dana Stringer 

Dr. Ardarian Pierre 

University of Mississippi Medical Center 

Dr. Catherine Lowe 

Jackson Heart Clinic 

Dr. Danón Garrido 

Advanced Vascular & Vein Associates 

Dr. Debbie Minor 

University of Mississippi Medical Center 

Dr. Dotie Jackson 

MS Premier Plastic Surgery 

Dr. Erica Bass 

MS Premier Plastic Surgery 

Dr. James “Jim” Roberts 

St. Dominic’s Hospital Medicine 

Dr. Janet Harris 

UMMC Professor Emeritus 

Dr. Jeanne Calcote 

University of MS School of Nursing 

Dr. Joyce Wade-Hamme 

Tri-County Pulmonary Sleep 

Dr. Julia Thompson 

Merit Health Heart 

Dr. Leigh Ann Ross 

University of MS School of Pharmacy 

Dr. Myrna Alexander Nickens 

University Heart 

Dr. Natasha Hardeman 

Lakeland Premier Women's Clinic 

Dr. Nicole Cleveland 

Jackson Oncology Associates 

Dr. Rebekah Moulder 

St. Dominic Family Practice Associates, Madison 

Dr. Rishi Roy 

Advanced Vascular & Vein Associates 

Dr. Sandra McCearley 

Jackson Heart Clinic 

Dr. Sara Sanders 

Baptist Premier 

Dr. Tamika Bradley 

Dr. Teri Dyess 

St. Dominic Hospital 

Elee Reeves 

First Lady of Mississippi 

Emily Speed 

Speed Commercial Real Estate 

Erica Reed 

Jackson Medical Mall Foundation 

Gail Anderson Jamie Higdon 

TempStaff 

24 • MAY 2023 

NOT PICTURED: Diana Warden, Amy Elashry, Angela Byers, Margaret Moody, Margaret McLarty

Jamie Woods-Dull 

AllPro Clean 

Jan Collins 

Madison County Business League & Foundation 

Janie Jarvis 

The Bridal Path 

Jeannie Robinson 

EMC Insurance Companies 

Jennifer Boydston Johnson 

Roberts, Bridges & Boydston, PLLC 

Jimmy Blackwood 

Johnson & Johnson 

Dr. Terica Jackson 

Baptist Premier 

Joni McClain 

McCLain Lodge 

Karla Tye 

Children's Advocacy Centers of MS 

Kathy Smith 

City of Flowood, Alderman Ward 2 

Kim Stonecypher 

Stonecypher Consulting, LLC 

Lance Davis 

FORVIS 

Laurie Cutrer 

McClain Lodge 

Libby Dedeaux Sims 

Professional Staffing Group 

Leanne Brewer 

Millsaps 

Lin Bobbit 

Liz-Torricelli 

Children's Advocacy Centers of MS 

Maggie Clark 

Maggie Clark Media Services 

Meshelle Rawls 

Foundation for the Mid South 

Michael Parnell 

United Healthcare 

Gail Manton 

Gail Manton Florals 

Michelle Reef 

Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency 

Mike Barkett 

Mindi Kern 

The Winning Smile 

Missy McMullan 

Molly Staley 

Capital Ortho 

Pam McGee 

Compliance Advice & Training Solutions 

Karen Roberts 

ProTel, Inc 

Pam Ware 

First Commercial Bank 

Patti Daly 

BankPlus 

Patty Clark Peder Johnson Rebecca Haas 

Talking With Toddlers, Ltd 

Rebecca Martin 

Prudential 

Rhonda Moore 

Moore's Pharmacy 

Rita Wray 

Community Foundation for MS 

Sandy Stonecypher Sheramie Shore 

New York Southern Style, LLC 

Stacy McNinch 

Rankin County Chief Deputy Tax Collector 

Tammy Phillips 

Community Bank 

Tina Lakey Dr. Chloe Emery 

Lakeland Animal Clinic 


26 • MAY 2023

Backyard 

BLISS 

Everyone has that one space in their home that they enjoy escaping 

to kick up their feet after a long day, stargaze, eat their breakfast, 

read a good book, sunbathe, or just sit and relax from time to time. 

For the Haygood family, that place is their back yard. Nestled in 

the heart of the Deer Haven neighborhood off of Robinson Springs 

Road, Jameson and Christy Haygood have a picture-perfect and 

breathtaking back yard that features all the things you would want to 

check off on your backyard wish list. 

The main push behind such a scenic landscape when they open 

their back doors was simply just an outdoor space to host people and 

bring the family together. The Haygoods also wanted to have their 

own pool so they could swim anytime they wanted and spend nights 

in the hot tub. 

The landscape and design process of this back yard would not have 

been possible without some extra help. Jameson and Christy are very 

thankful and give all the praise to John Hertel and his team at Provision 

Designs for the production and landscape skills behind all of this. 


28 • MAY 2023

“John Hertel and his team are amazing. We saw a design of his in our 

former neighborhood and tracked him down because we wanted 

something similar,” Christy says. 

“The back of the house faces the street, so the original pool design 

would have required moving the septic tank. With fresh eyes and a 

little outside-the-box thinking, we moved the pool to incorporate the 

large screened porch, which was a huge selling point to me for this 

house!” Christy also adds how the huge boulders were already on the 

property, just not in the back yard. John incorporated them into the 

pool design, and it turned out to be a fabulous choice. She especially 

likes the design choice of the boulder in the water wall of the pool. 

“The Christy and Jameson Haygood project was such a fun project 

to design and build,” John Hertel said. Hertel envisioned a space where 

the pool and entertaining area were well connected, ensuring there 

was not a bad seat in the back yard. With so many features, he wanted 

them to feel connected to the warmth of the spa and fireplace while 

others gathered around the outdoor kitchen and island. 

If someone is looking to revamp their back yard, look at a bunch 

of outdoor spaces and find a designer that works well with you. 

“Communication is key!” adds Christy. John Hertel himself is very 

proud of the landscaping design he did over in the Deer Haven 

neighborhood behind the Haygood home and mentioned that their 

beautifully wooded lot gave him and his team a natural and organic 

backdrop and set the tone for the overall look. “We used natural 

Arkansas field stone on their outdoor kitchen and rough-cut cypress 

for the pool pavilion. We repurposed large boulders for accent and 

focal points on the water wall and surrounding the pool,” he said. 

The Provision Designs team did not hold back on the amenities 

either and set the back yard up with dimmable lighting, granite 

countertops, and tanning ledges to name a few. 

From hosting most of the family for a surprise birthday party, 

having friends over for grill outs and back-to-school parties, watching 

football games, roasting marshmallows on summer nights, and so 

much more, the Haygood family has made many memories in their 

adored space and continues to make more every day. Whether it be 

adding in a new landscape design, revamping a spot in your back yard 

to have a fresh new touch, or just wanting to have a welcoming place 

to sit and relax, there is no better place like Mississippi to turn your 

back yard into a place to make unforgettable memories and spend 

time with loved ones. Are you wanting a backyard makeover now? 


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XII USA International 

Ballet Competition 

Dances Into Mississippi 

this June 

Karen Gilder 

The USA International Ballet Competition (USA 

IBC) has invited 119 dancers from seventeen nations 

to compete in the 2023 USA IBC, the official 

international ballet competition of the United States 

by Joint Resolution of Congress. Normally held every 

four years, but delayed one year due to the pandemic, 

in Jackson, the 12th USA IBC is slated for June 10-24. 

The International Ballet Competition originated 

in Varna, Bulgaria in 1964. The competition eventually 

expanded to rotating annual events in Varna, Moscow 

and Tokyo. In 1979 the event first came to the United 

States in Jackson where it now returns every four years, 

all sanctioned by UNESCO International Dance 

Council. 

“Showcasing artistic excellence, the USA IBC is a 

platform for dancers to test their skills against the 

highest international standards,” said Mona Nicholas, 

USA IBC executive director. “Jackson is respected as a 

prestigious competition that launches dance careers. 

We anticipate a thrilling competition.” 

Fifty-three of the invited competitors are juniors, 

ages 15 to 18, and 68 are seniors, ages 19 to 28. The 

United States has the highest number of invited 

dancers (57), followed by Japan (17) and the Republic 

of Korea (15). Other nations represented are Armenia, 

Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Finland, France, 

Germany, Israel, Mongolia, Paraguay, Philippines, 

United Kingdom, and Venezuela. 

Selection is always a difficult process. Hundreds of 

videos must be reviewed and scored. The committee 

consists of seasoned dance professionals and final 

scores are tabulated using the exact tools used during 

the competition. 

Dancers can compete as soloists, with a partner 

who is also a competitor, or with a noncompeting 

partner. The competition’s two-week period is 

structured for approximately 100 dancers to proceed 

through three rounds of competition, successively 

trimming the field until judges determine medalists 

and prize winners. 

By accepting slightly more than 100 dancers, the 

USA IBC stands a better chance at hitting its 100- 

dancer target for the event since, inevitably, a few drop 

out because of injury, job offers or other issues. 

In the USA IBC, dancers come from around the 

world to compete before a jury of dance dignitaries as 

well as an audience peppered with ballet company 

directors and scouts. Medals, company contracts, 

Photos: Michael J Moore 

32 • MAY 2023

apprenticeships, scholarships and more than 

$200,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. All dancers 

who advance to Round 3 will receive a $1,500 stipend 

to off-set travel costs. 

The 12th opening ceremony will be held on June 

10, 2023, at Thalia Mara Hall. The evening will begin 

with the Parade of Nations honoring the more than 

twenty countries represented by the competitors and 

jury. Following a brief intermission, The Washington 

Ballet, including many competition alumni, will 

perform company repertoire. 

John Meehan, former American Ballet Theatre 

principal dancer, will chair the 2023 jury for the third 

time. “The USA IBC is about more than medals,” said 

Meehan. “It’s a celebration of dance that reflects the 

highest standards of artistic excellence.” Other jurors 

will be Paloma Herrera, Argentina; Frank Andersen, 

Denmark; Hae Shik Kim, Korea; Angel Corella, 

Spain; Lauren Anderson, USA; Ashley Wheater, 

United Kingdom; Feng Ying, China; Stanton Welch, 

Australia; Robert Curran, Australia; and André Lewis, 

Canada. 

David Keary, Ballet Mississippi artistic director 

and a former New York City Ballet dancer, will direct 

the 2023 USA IBC Dance School, held concurrently 

with the competition. Faculty members include, 

Lawrence Jackson, Charles Askegard, Lisa Johnson 

- Willingham, Gretchen Bernard-Newberger, Valerie 

Madonia, and Lisa Hess Jones. All classes will be held 

in the state-of-the-art dance studios of Belhaven 

University. 

Princess Reid 

USA IBC 2018 Competitor, 

Joffrey Ballet 


Julia Rust 

USA IBC 2018 Silver Medalist 

The Arts & Lecture Series will kick off with 

Ben Stevenson, USA IBC Honorary Chairman. 

Stevenson, a former dancer with Britain’s Royal 

Ballet and English National Ballet, has served 

as co-director of National Ballet of 

Washington, D.C., artistic director 

of Houston Ballet and Chicago 

Ballet, and served as the 

artistic director of Texas Ballet 

Theatre until his retirement in July 2022. 

Steel sculpture artist Jack Howard-Potter 

will discuss his creation, Dancer 12. Author and 

dance critic for The New Yorker, Jennifer Homans, 

will discuss her meticulously researched book 

Mr. B: George Balanchine’s 20th Century. Bournonville 

stager Frank Andersen’s lecture will highlight 

The World of August Bournonville. 

34 • MAY 2023

Brooklyn Mack 

USA IBC 2006 Silver Medalist 

In 2018, its most recent year, the USA IBC 

drew 40,400 attendees in two weeks and generated 

a $12.5 million economic impact for Mississippi. 

For a complete list of competitors, visit 

www.usaibc.com/compete. Tickets are on sale at 

www.usaibc.com/attend. 

For more information visit www.usaibc.com. 


MRA SENIORS 

As you 

graduate and 

reflect on your 

years in school, 

what is one 

of the 

most beneficial 

things you’ve 

learned? 

36 • MAY 2023 

Jonathan Latham 

As I graduate and reflect on 

my years in school, one of the 

most beneficial things 

I have learned will be the 

communication and public 

speaking skills that I gained 

through speech classes and 

firsthand experiences of 

speaking at chapel, 

at Fellowship of Christian 

Athletes, and through my 

time in the school’s production. 

I believe being able to 

confidently communicate to 

a group, in an educated and 

proper manner, will be a 

testament to my time studying 

at MRA and will be the most 

beneficial in my future. 

Parker Anderson 

Learning, I have learned, 

doesn’t just happen in the 

classroom. We are constantly 

learning and evolving as people 

and MRA has fostered the 

perfect environment for not 

only academic learning, but also 

introspective learning. I have 

discovered more about myself 

within the halls of MRA than 

I have on my own. MRA’s 

faculty and staff have helped to 

guide me from my kindergarten 

years when I was first discovering 

the world, all the way to my 

senior year of high school as 

I am preparing to truly enter 

the world for the first time. 

MRA has taught me how to be 

a lifelong learner and to actively 

seek new knowledge. In the wise 

words of Libbo Crosswhite, 

MRA has taught me 

“to stay curious and 

always ask questions.’’

Presley Horn 

One of the most beneficial 

things that I’ve learned at school 

is how important it is to create 

a good relationship with your 

teachers. While they are still 

your superiors and deserve 

respect, developing a friendship 

with them is essential for a 

better school and home life. 

Having a good relationship 

with my teachers has helped 

me become more engaged in 

the classroom and more 

empathetic to others outside 

of the classroom. 

Catherine Moore 

Reflecting on my years in 

school, my most accomplished 

learning and experiences have 

occurred outside of the 

classroom. For as long as 

I can remember, I have been 

encouraged to expand my 

horizons and develop my 

thoughts, ideas, and imagination. 

However, learning what I have 

learned, my love for education 

and discovery is credited to my 

diligent teachers at MRA who 

have always encouraged me 

to see the bigger picture and 

think outside the box. 

Hannah Potter 

One of the most beneficial 

things I have learned throughout 

my high school career is the 

importance of balance and time 

management. I love to be super 

involved in different activities— 

multiple sports, student council, 

civic activities, and leadership 

teams. But I can easily find 

myself overcommitted and 

overwhelmed. I have had to 

learn to work smarter not harder 

and to give myself grace and 

time to rest. I hope that having 

learned those things early on, 

will benefit me as I go forward 

in college and the rest of my life. 

Mary Hayes Maxey 

As I reflect on my years of high 

school, one of the biggest ways 

I’ve seen growth in myself is 

through my walk with the 

Lord and my relationships with 

others. I have been given so 

many opportunities to learn 

from others and be influenced 

by my peers and mentors at 

school, which has built some 

of the strongest relationships, 

and more importantly has 

grown my relationship with 

Christ. I can honestly say that 

I have come a long way over 

these past four years, and that 

I have grown as a person 

surrounded by encouragement 

and love each and every day. 

Robert McCraney 

During my experience in high 

school I have learned how to 

multitask. A lot of times it can 

be hard to compartmentalize, 

so I have grown to learn to 

multitask. Being able to multitask 

from time to time really helped 

me not get overwhelmed when 

work piled up. 

Julia Moore 

Throughout the past three years 

at MRA, I have learned to have 

patience in the tasks that are 

given to me inside and outside 

the classroom. Not only has this 

been one of the most beneficial 

aspects to learn, it has also 

taught me to work well with 

others and to always be 

a team player. 


. Skylar Jacobs 

Live in the moment!! The best 

thing I have learned throughout 

my time in high school is to live 

in the moment and try not to 

worry about taking pictures! As 

much fun as it is to take pictures, 

it can be distracting to the actual 

fun you could be having. I love 

taking pictures and my biggest 

tip is to take all the pictures and 

do not look at them or post 

them until you have some down 

time. You are only in high 

school once so worry about 

making the memories before 

you worry about taking the 

pictures! 

Vanndel Chinchen 

As I begin a new chapter and 

leave MRA, I will take many 

lessons from this spectacular 

school. I have been involved 

in multiple leadership opportunities, 

and the one that I have 

learned the most from is 

Student Leadership Institute. 

SLI is about spending time 

and studying the Bible, and 

then applying it to our lives. 

I have learned so much from 

the mentors in charge of the 

Institute, and I now feel 

confident I can defend my faith 

in the Bible and share the gospel 

to others with confidence. 

The MRA school motto is 

educating the mind, body, 

and spirit. I believe that I have 

thrived under each of these 

categories. Through many 

chapels, engage groups, and 

multiple extracurricular 

activities like SLI, I have been 

able to grow spiritually, 

and I feel like that is going 

to be key in my life after 

high school. 

MRA is a sports powerhouse, 

and I have been involved in 

multiple sports. I know this is 

something I will pursue 

whether it be at the collegiate 

level or for recreation. Through 

sports I have learned the true 

meanings of grit, responsibility, 

and how hard work beats talent. 

The thing that has impacted 

me the most has been the 

academics and the teachers 

that I have been blessed to have. 

I think the most important 

lesson that I have learned in my 

time at MRA has been to be 

compassionate to others and to 

always be available to help 

someone in need, just like so 

many teachers have 

been there for me. 

38 • MAY 2023

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Setting 

the Tone 

The Story of 

Dorothy Henderson’s 

Homegoing 

Sarah Rein 

“I won’t bow to idols, I’ll stand strong and worship You 

And if it puts me in the fire, I’ll rejoice ‘cause You’re there too 

I won’t be formed by feelings, I hold fast to what is true 

If the cross brings transformation then I’ll be crucified with You 

‘Cause death is just the doorway into resurrection life 

And if I join You in Your suffering, then I’ll join You when You rise 

And when You return in glory with all the angels and the saints 

My heart will still be singing, my song will be the same.” 

Cody Carnes – Christ Be Magnified 

40 • MAY 2023


42 • MAY 2023 

In our world of modern medicine - with a seemingly 

endless array of treatment options and breakthroughs - 

it is unusual to hear people speak openly of death. We 

are much more comfortable pursuing and praying for 

healing. And, in a sense, that is right. 

God has given us good, often amazing, gifts in the 

care and medicine doctors can provide. It is not wrong to 

desire to be well and to pray and work towards that end. 

But what about when treatments fail? What happens 

when age or disease weakens our body to the point that 

there is nothing left to be done? 

For the Christian - it is time to celebrate. At least, 

that’s the answer Dorothy Henderson embraced as she 

prepared to meet her Savior. From the day of her 

diagnosis, she set the tone for how her family would 

approach the end of her life on earth. 

In October of 2019, the Henderson family was 

planning a large birthday celebration for Dorothy. Her 

five children would be present along with some of her 

grandchildren. Her daughter, Dawn, who was hosting 

the party at her family’s farm in Itawamba, answered a 

call from her parents while she was decorating. At a 

doctor’s appointment that morning, Gene and Dorothy 

had received the shocking news that she had cancer in 

her bile duct and pancreas - a dire prognosis. But they 

were still coming. 

Dawn immediately reached out to her siblings and, 

on a group call, they wondered aloud, “How do we have 

a party now?” But it dawned on them that God had 

known the news Dorothy would get that morning. 

And He had planned to have the family together that 

day...for a celebration. So they proceeded to have a 

beautiful candle-lit dinner, cake, gifts, flowers, and an 

evening of dancing to Elvis. Afterwards, they sat 

together under the family’s enclosed porch as it rained 

and affirmed their faith together. Their mother was 

choosing to trust Him and they would too. 

Dorothy shared her thoughts as she initially processed 

the news. “I told them then that I didn’t want it to be a 

gloomy thing - no slow walking and sad singing. We’ve 

told people all our lives how to live and how to die.”

And, as her cancer returned after the initial 

treatments and her health continued to deteriorate, it 

became increasingly obvious that the time had arrived 

for Dorothy and Gene to model that advice. Dorothy 

had turned to Jesus for salvation as a young child. 

She had built a life on the truths of His Word. She had 

partnered with Gene as he shepherded a church and as 

they raised five children to love Jesus. And now, she 

would follow Him through this last part of her journey. 

She would follow Him into death. 

Dorothy shares, “There is great joy and it takes away 

the fear. I did not like the word hospice but they said 

that will help your family - well, ok - I love my family. 

God’s plan started a long time before this so I can trust 

Him now. His plan didn’t change when I agreed to 

hospice. But heaven doesn’t scare me. I told my grandkids 

not to worry. I know where I’m going. If I’m not in 

this bed, I’m with the Lord.” 

Of primary importance to her as she prepared to 

meet her Savior was the salvation of the people around 

her. After a fall landed her in a rehabilitation center 

earlier this year, Dorothy’s unconventional attitude 

about what she was facing drew the attention of some of 

the staff. “A lady came in to take my blood pressure and 

she asked me how we could have signs celebrating what 

was happening. She begged me to tell her about Jesus. 

Her father was in the hospital after a heart attack and 

she wasn’t sure if or how she could bring him home. So I 

told her - we will just pray and ask the Lord for wisdom. 

So we prayed for her father and held hands while I asked 

her if she knew Jesus. And then she immediately left and 

asked her supervisor if she could go buy a Bible and 

stopped by later to show it to me.” 

Dorothy’s family has been a large part of the mission 

field God gave to her, and it has been a fruitful one. In 

their 62 years of marriage, she and Gene welcomed five 

children, seventeen grandchildren, and seventeen 

great-grandchildren - with one more on the way. 

Knowing she would be leaving them soon, Dorothy 

wanted to make sure the separation was a short-lived 

one. On February 22nd of this year, the Henderson 


family had a “packing party” - a time when everyone 

would fill out a packing list with questions about their 

salvation, their final wishes, and their own readiness to 

leave this world behind. The following day, with 

Dorothy too sick to get out of bed, all the children and 

some of her grandchildren were present for a larger 

family gathering. Arrangements were made for a large 

monitor to be brought into her bedroom so the grandchildren 

and great-grandchildren who weren’t able to be 

present could participate remotely. 

Gene recalls the celebration - 

“I called it the funeral before the funeral. 

You know people always say - I wish I’d told them....well, 

everyone got to tell Dorothy how they felt about her, and 

she got to bless them. We arranged for a musician to be 

there to lead us in worship and we all prayed for her.” 

The next day, a Wednesday, Dorothy was feeling 

good and had a group of ladies coming to visit. They 

showed up in boas, and ended up having yet another 

party. More women kept calling and showing up as the 

day progressed and, with about twenty women present 

in the end, they sang and prayed as they encouraged 

Dorothy in her faith. 

Then, on Thursday, a group of women from First 

Baptist Brandon - where her husband had been a pastor 

for many years - came for a “going to heaven pep rally.” 

There were songs and cheers and more celebrating. 

“I know people think we are crazy having all these 

parties but it’s been a fun time getting ready,” Dorothy 

smiles. “And mainly, if God can be honored and lifted 

up and understood...” her voice trails off. 

44 • MAY 2023

Gene picks up where she left off, “You tell people all your life that 

death is not an enemy to be feared. Paul tells us that to live is Christ and to 

die is gain. I comfort my mind by thinking that what she’ll have in heaven 

is far better than what we have here. Dorothy’s gain is going to be my loss 

but it’s a temporary loss. I pray for grace and strength to be as strong in 

living as she has been strong in her passing. As a Christian, you can face 

death victoriously.” 

Dorothy’s hope in granting this interview in the last weeks of her 

life was that Christ would use it to call more people to Himself. As the 

discussion drew to a close, Gene prayed for this article’s effectiveness. 

That it would help others prepare for their own time to die and so be 

an extension of Dorothy’s witness and legacy. 

She ponders as we end, “If Jesus says He’s going to prepare a place for 

us...can you imagine what it’s going to be like? And to get to see my mom, 

my daddy, so many others. I love the illustration of it being like a child 

going to sleep in the back of the car. You go to sleep in the back of the car 

and you wake up and you’re there. Maybe going to heaven is a little bit 

like that. There’s such peace in that.” 

On April 10th, Dorothy Henderson was carried to heaven in the arms 

of her loving Father. We honor her final wishes here by posing a question 

for you, dear reader. Are you prepared for your own death as Dorothy was 

for hers? Do you know the One who defeated that final enemy and, most 

importantly, are you His? 

“Let us prepare for death. 

Let us cleave to the Lord Jesus, 

who is our all. 

Make our calling and election sure. 

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, 

and believe intensely. 

Repent of sin and fly from it earnestly 

and with your whole heart. 

Live diligently. Live while you live. 

Let every moment be spent as you 

will wish to have spent it when you 

survey life from your last pillow. 

Let us live unto God in Christ 

by the Holy Ghost. 

May the Lord quicken our pace by the 

thought that it is but a little while!” 

Charles Spurgeon 

– Concerning Death 


46 • MAY 2023

Welcome 

Home 

Brad 

CAMILLE ANDING & MARY ANN KIRBY 

Imagine ninety plus rounds of ammo from 

a long rifle being fired at you, along with 

three other officers, and suddenly realizing 

you’re one of the wounded. 

On September 5th, 2019, Brad Sullivan, a Madison County sheriff deputy, 

just moments earlier, had dropped off his eight-year-old at Tri-County 

Academy when he got a 911 call. It was a hostage situation. 

Sullivan, trained in hostage negotiations, and two other 

officers, answered the call that turned into a chase on county roads east of 

Canton. When the assailant rushed from his wrecked vehicle, firing repeated 

high-powered rounds, Sullivan was struck twice, one bullet striking him 

in the right side of his head and exiting through the top of his skull. “I felt 

like I was being electrocuted, and I heard a loud ringing noise,” Sullivan 

recalls. 

From that life-changing moment, miracles began to take place for 

Brad Sullivan. The first was his never losing consciousness. He heard deputies 

scrambling around his bleeding body that had been catapulted to 

the passenger’s side after the attack that caused his own vehicle to wreck. 

Lieutenant Joey Butler was the first to open Sullivan’s door and assure him 

the attacker was in custody and an ambulance was on the way. 

Thirty-two days later, Sullivan woke from an induced coma that was 

ordered to compensate for his brain swelling. He was awake and cognizant 

– another miracle after suffering a stroke, post attack, and another 

during his surgery. 

But this is when the real work would begin. 

He was moved to Methodist Rehab—but a brain infection sent him 

back to surgery and another week in the hospital. By the middle of 

November, he was standing. 

The day before Thanksgiving, he took his first steps. On December 20, 

Brad Sullivan walked out of the hospital—with the help of a quad cane and 

hospital aids—surrounded by hospital personnel that had become family, 

and his cherished brothers in blue. He’d said repeatedly that he wanted 

to be home for Christmas. 

Sullivan has no doubt that God was with him that September day, but 

the real-life challenges ahead of him were still looming. His voice cracked 

when he shared a particularly low moment of getting home and having 

to depend on his nine-year-old son and seventeen-year-old daughter to 

help him to the toilet. 

Still, Sullivan refused to feel sorry for himself or live in bitterness and 

anger. He stayed active, drove a newly accessible truck, and counseled 

other shooting victims within law enforcement through Law Enforcement 

Alliance Peer Support (LEAPS). He speaks with irrefutable respect for 

law enforcement and the life-threatening situations they face every day. 


“There’s no such thing as a routine traffic stop for 

law enforcement officers,” he affirmed. 

His career, as he knew it, however, was over. 

And though he continued to find comfort in the 

continued support from his friends, the Madison 

County community, and the sheriff’s department, 

there were still overwhelming obstacles that 

faced him. 

That’s when the next big miracle happened. 

When Brad was released from the hospital, 

he returned to a house that he rented and was 

not handicap accessible. Minor modifications 

were able to be made but the house was simply 

not designed to accommodate a power wheelchair 

that requires a four-foot turning radius at 

every point in the home. 

Lieutenant Joey Butler and Deputy Dwayne 

Moak decided to take matters into their own hands. 

They created a non-profit called “A Home for 

Brad” with the intention of building Brad a home 

that would accommodate his specific needs. 

They approached the Home Builders Association 

of Jackson and pitched the idea. They 

solicited the help of Mad Genius Advertising 

Agency to help craft their message. And on August 

31, 2021, a massive campaign was launched 

to build Brad a home. 

In October, ground broke. In November, 

the slab was poured. In January, 2022, framing 

began without any idea what would happen if 

the money wasn’t raised to finish it. It was simply 

never an option. 

Fundraisers were held and countless phone 

calls were made. The Home Builders Association, 

and their network of talented and generous 

members, contributed both their time, supplies, 

and talents—and doing it all amid astronomical 

supply-chain related cost increases that threatened 

to derail the entire project. 

But God... 

On March 22, 2023, members of the Home 

Builder’s Association, suppliers, and the Madison 

County Sheriff Department, all gathered on a 

beautiful spring morning to dedicate Brad’s new 

home. A flagpole was erected in the front yard, and 

a flag that had rotated throughout and flown at every 

law enforcement agency around the Metro, was 

raised as a symbol of hope and new life. 

This is what happens when good people 

come together for the greater good. And it’s 

certainly a reminder of the goodness of God and 

His miracles. 

God bless our brothers and sisters that 

serve to protect our communities day in and day 

out. Thank you to everyone who supported this 

amazing project and those who made it possible. 

And most of all, welcome home Brad. 

48 • MAY 2023


Your new home 

for outstanding 

healthcare. 

St. Dominic’s Family Medicine - Madison 

(601) 200-4750 

St. Dominic’s Family Medicine - Gluckstadt 

(601) 200-4321 

Find out more by calling 

us at the phone numbers 

above or use this QR code. 

50 • MAY 2023


52 • MAY 2023

KIDS WHO CARE 

Breckyn Cooper 

Mistie Desper 

THE 19TH CENTURY 

WRITER AUTHOR PINE 

SAID, “WHAT WE DO FOR 

OURSELVES DIES WITH US. 

WHAT WE DO FOR OTHERS 

AND THE WORLD REMAINS 

AND IS IMMORTAL.” 

Germantown High School junior, Breckyn 

Cooper, is leaving her own mark on the world by 

serving those in her community. These acts of 

kindness and generosity are touching the lives 

of NICU families and healthcare workers. 

Breckyn’s passion for wanting to help others 

started at a young age. “When I was around nine 

or ten, I remember visiting my grandmother while 

she was in a nursing home and her friend did not 

have family to visit her. I wanted to do something 

so she felt special. I got with some of my 

friends and we baked muffins and brought them 

to the nursing home to share with the residents.” 

Pam, Breckyn’s mother, recalled, “Even as a 

young child, she always had that take-charge 

attitude when she saw something that needed to 

be done. She has such a huge heart.” Pam joked 

that sometimes her heart and spontaneity led 

her to fix things that didn’t quite need it, with 

or without permission, such as an impromptu 

haircut for her little brother or taking upset 

children out of the nursery at church without 

their parents knowing. 

One of her friend’s medical needs as a child 

sparked the idea Breckyn had to help specifically 

with NICU families. “One of my best friends 

from childhood was born with half a heart and 

was put into the NICU for an extended period 

of time. As we grew up, I realized that without 

the doctors, nurses, and surgeons, I never would 

have met her.” 

Breckyn created NIC and U, a service 

project that helps to collect supplies for families 

and workers in the NICU. With the help of 

donations from her peers at school and the local 

community, she uses the Sign-Up Genius app 

which allows students to sign up for particular 

needs. From there, items are packaged by 

volunteers and classmates and sent to the NICU 

for parents, babies, and the healthcare workers. 

Packages have been sent to UMMC, Baptist, 

and Merit Health Woman’s Hospital. 

“This is close to my heart because it is not 

easy for parents to have basic supplies in the 

hospital while tending to their sick child, and 

many times they can’t or don’t want to leave their 

child’s side. People have been so welcoming to us 

when we have brought supplies. It is so rewarding 

just seeing the joy on their faces.” Breckyn 

explains that items needed include basic travel 

sized personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, 

toothbrushes, soap, deodorant to baby blankets 

and preemie sized clothes. 

Breckyn is involved in various missions at 

Grace Crossing Baptist Church with her parents 

Kevin and Pam and siblings Shelby and Shelton. 

As a member of the Crown Club of Madison, a 

Diamond Girl, member of the school choir, and 

a volleyball player, she utilizes the time she has to 

serve in various areas. But one thing she enjoys 

the most is being a member of the Academy of 

Healthcare Excellence at her school. 

Germantown High School counselor, 

Shannon Cox, said, “Breckyn has a true heart 

for service. I knew that even before she became 

involved with the program that she had the 

passion and enthusiasm necessary for healthcare. 

Through this, she has set a standard for her 

peers to follow, and encouraged others to look 

beyond themselves in order to lend a helping 

hand.” 

Kevin added, “I gave her the nickname 

Sunshine Muffin years ago because every 

morning she would wake up with a huge smile 

on her face. She takes that loving and positive 

attitude into every day. She has always been the 

friend that would take care of others and wants 

to be the fixer of all things broken...hearts, 

relationships, and situations.” 

Breckyn plans to attend a local community 

college after graduation before pursuing a career 

in the very field that she passionately gathers 

and donates items to, the neonatal intensive 

care unit. 

She added, “I hope to just be a light in the 

world. Giving back to others is not for me or 

for how it may make me look. I want to do all 

I can to make someone happy or make their day 

easier. I hope to inspire others to volunteer and 

bring in items. My current hope is to have 

enough items to send off 20 care packages to 

each hospital.” 

Mrs. Cox concluded, “Breckyn is a true 

leader and the type of person that loves 

everyone—and it shows! Her character and 

personal values are second to none making her 

the epitome of the all-American girl.” 

To donate, visit Breckyn’s instragram page 

at nic_and_u. 


54 • MAY 2023

Friday Night 

Porch 

Parties 

LEIGH RAMSEY 

“Don’t you love it when people ask you over?” 

That’s the question Jay Morgan, a State Farm agent in the Delta, 

asked when discussing his Friday night porch parties. There was 

a time when Jay and his wife Lou Anne, a kindergarten teacher 

at Madison Station Elementary, along with their children, Anne 

Scott, Lucy, Ellen, and Jack were never invited to friends’ homes. 

Mr. Morgan stated that they assumed it was because of the size 

of their family, so they decided the solution would be to offer 

to host events at their own home. The weekly events originally 

were hosted every Thursday evening in their home in Belzoni, 

Mississippi. 

In 2004, when the family moved to a new subdivision in 

Madison, they were determined to continue the hospitality. 

Jay said, “We decided that the neighborhood could go two 

ways. It could be stuffy with everyone in their houses, or we 

could create an atmosphere that makes it a cool place to live.” 

The family decided to move the events to Friday evenings, since 

that was the day that Mr. Morgan was not traveling for work. 


56 • MAY 2023

That’s how Friday Night Porch Parties began. Because the 

neighborhood was just being developed, the family began by 

inviting new neighbors to the porch. They eventually had to 

tone it back because they simply could not fit 50-60 neighbors 

on the porch. Twenty years later, they still see the effects of the 

porch parties. Jay commented on what a social neighborhood 

Reunion has become. 

Their children are grown, and the family even hosted three 

wedding receptions for the three daughters on their porch last 

year. Now, when the children are home, that is when the biggest 

crowd shows up. “It’s weird to me when people 

don’t have friends over, but that’s just 

who I am,” Jay stated. He also encourages people to invite 

the children. “Having children at an event makes it so much fun!” 

Mr. Morgan usually does the cooking. He said that his 

favorite thing to cook is a big pot meal like chili or gumbo. 

When he cannot think of what to serve, he asks his kids. If 

friends give him the spoils from hunting, he’ll cook that. On 

busy nights, he may just ask neighbors to bring appetizers. 

“People don’t care what you are feeding them,” Jay encouraged, 

“they just want to get together with other humans. The things 

you think matter, really don’t.” 

In 2020, something unexpected came from Friday Night 

Porch Parties. The youngest of the daughters, Ellen, decided to 

start an Instagram page for the events. “I blame COVID more 

than anything,” Jay stated. “People were bored. We started out 

with 500 followers, then grew to 1,000. Now we have close to 

9,000 followers!” The followers are called “Friday Friends” and 

get to enjoy family updates, recipes, and stories from Lou Anne. 

Mrs. Morgan described their events as a big small-group. 

They’ve even had opportunities to serve people in their 

community. “A teacher friend needed a refrigerator. We shared 

the need with the group and the refrigerator was delivered the 

next day,” Lou Anne stated. “If someone is sick, we rally around 

them.” She shared that people are social creatures that just 

want to be included. 

“We’ve extended our family through Friday Night Porch 

Parties,” Lou Anne added. “You get tired of small talk at a 

certain age. This is where people can come and be real.” 


SALUTE 

to First Responders 

Why did you decide to be a policeman? 

I grew up looking up to my uncle who worked in law enforcement. 

He worked for Mendenhall Police and the Jones County Sheriff’s 

Department. During that time, he told me that one of two things 

would happen—that either I would love it or hate it. If I loved it, then 

it would be the only thing I would ever want to do. And if I hated it, 

I would at least respect the ones that did it. 

I then went to college and graduated with a criminal justice degree. 

During this time, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to work, but as always, 

God has a direction for me. It led me to Jackson. 

I grew up in Jackson until my 6th grade year and we moved to the 

coast where I graduated high school and went to college. My father 

was a Methodist minister at Capitol Street United Methodist Church 

during the time I graduated and I decided to visit in 1989. During this 

time, we drove around Jackson. I didn’t recognize it. When I left 

Jackson, the only things to do were go to the Jackson Mall, the zoo, 

the skating rink in south Jackson, and catch a Jackson Mets baseball 

game at the ballpark. I remembered the Presidential Hills area and 

I wanted to see it. We drove through it, and I saw burglar bars on the 

houses. This hit me hard. People having to put bars on their houses’ 

windows to keep their family and possessions safe is not a good 

thing. People shouldn’t live in fear. I knew at that moment where 

God wanted me to come and work. I applied with the Jackson Police 

Department and got the job. I worked my way up through the ranks 

and achieved the rank of commander at Precinct 4. 

How long have you been with the Gluckstadt Police Department? 

1 year. My anniversary date was March 21, 2023. 

Chief 

Wendell 

WATTS 

GLUCKSTADT POLICE DEPARTMENT 


I have three wonderful grown children: Austin Kyle, a sergeant in 

the U.S. Army based out of Manhattan, Kansas; Brandon Everette, 

biomed at UMMC; and Kelsey Morgan, a registered nurse at the 

Baptist ER. 

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

When I lost my best friend in the line of duty. He was killed during 

a domestic disturbance back on October 22, 1997. He had been a 

patrolman for the Jackson Police department. He and I were partners 

and worked together on the Jackson Gun Unit for several years. 

At the time of the incident, he was a field training officer and was 

training a recent JPD training academy graduate. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in your spare time. 

Golfing. However, I utilize the whole golf course when I play! 

58 • MAY 2023

What are three things on your bucket list? 

I am doing one right now and that is being chief of police. I want to 

go to Scotland one day. I hear it is absolutely beautiful. And I want 

to open and run a pet store. I love dogs and I love saltwater fish. 

My mom and I talked about that all the time before she passed. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

My brother-in-law, Danny Ladnier. He passed away too early in 

this life, but he really had an impact on me. I would go see my 

sister and him every afternoon after school. He was a self-made, 

one-of-a-kind, honest man. I went over one day after school, 

extremely upset and he sat me down and asked me what was 

wrong. I told him I was upset because of what some people were 

saying and doing. He looked at me and said, “Are you doing what 

is right?” And I said yes. He said, “Then what are you worried 

about what other people think if you are doing right? You do what 

is honest and with the highest integrity, and you can look yourself 

in the mirror and know that you are honest with yourself. Doing 

the right thing will have a trickle effect toward the people you are 

around and will also earn their respect. Respect is earned by being 

honest and fair. You can never demand respect.” 

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

what would it be? 

Treat people like you want yourself, and your family to be treated. 

What is your favorite thing about the city of Gluckstadt? 

Absolutely everything. It is a rollercoaster of emotions, and twists 

and turns, every single day. I work for a great mayor and wonderful 

board of alderman. They are 100% supportive of the police 

department. We would not be at this point with the department 

without their support and believing in me. When I came on board, 

I looked at how other start-up cities set up their police departments 

and most chiefs started them up without assistance. I brought staff 

on immediately, and we were able to get things up and running 

more quickly. My staff has also become more educated in the 

actual building and running of a police department. I want all my 

staff to be well trained and understand the inner workings of the 

department. I want them to understand the meaning of working 

within a budget and why it’s so important to continue to serve the 

public, and not just protect them. Gluckstadt will be one of the 

safest cities in the nation and will have some of the most highly 

trained officers on the department. I want to see the city of 

Gluckstadt thrive, and to do that, we will keep this city safe with 

the best police officers out there. 


60 • MAY 2023 

2023 

LEAGUE & LEGISLATURE LUNCHEON 

March 1 | Old Capitol Inn | Jackson, MS


62 • MAY 2023

Mental 

Health 

Wealth 

Did you know that 431,000 adults in 

Mississippi have a mental health condition? 

(According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness) 

That’s more than double the population of Madison 

County. So, what is “mental health” and why do 

431,000 adults in Mississippi have a mental health 

condition? Mental health includes our emotional, 

psychological, and social well-being. It affects how 

we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how 

we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy 

choices. Mental health is important at every stage of 

life, from childhood and adolescence through 

adulthood. 

We can all admit that we have struggled with stress, 

over-thinking, and feeling down in the dumps more 

times than none. May is Mental Health Awareness 

month and we wanted to exaggerate to you the 

importance of taking care of yourself in these trying 

times and point you in the direction of the right 

people to turn to when you aren’t sure of what next 

step to take in life. 


Mental 

Health 

Wealth 

Richard McMullan, CMHT 

Do you think mental health awareness 

is not talked about as much as it should 

be? If so, why? 

Mental health awareness is not talked about as 

much as it should be due to stigma. Stigma is having 

a negative perception towards a person or persons. 

This can lead to people not seeking mental health 

services due to fear of being viewed negatively by 

others. 

What type of different counseling 

services do you offer? 

We offer individual, family, and group therapy 

for adults and children to address a wide variety 

of clinical needs, as well as a multitude of specialty 

individualized programs. 

Director of Children’s Services 

When a client is looking for a therapist, 

what are some questions they should 

ask to see if you are the right fit? 

Do I feel safe and that I can freely express myself with 

the therapist? Does this therapist have the necessary 

experience, skill, and certification to help me with my 

needs? Do I have a sense of connection with the 

therapist? 

Do you see more of a specific gender or 

age and if so, why do you think that is? 

We see an equal proportion of individuals, both male 

and female, with age ranging from early childhood 

to elderly. 

Why do you enjoy doing what you do 

every day? 

I enjoy what I do every day in mental health because 

I am giving back to my community and serving 

others with the knowledge and talents God has 

blessed me with. 

64 • MAY 2023

What is your motivation to keep practicing? 

I love watching the transformation occur in my patients. 

Watching people heal and create lives that they want is a great 

blessing to me. Having the privilege of seeing the light turn 

back on in a person’s eyes keeps me happy and hopeful for 

others. Instead of asking, “What is wrong with you?” I find 

myself asking, “What happened to you?” Trauma treatment is 

remarkable in its ability to help people accomplish their dreams 

and I love being a small part of it. 

Alyssa Killebrew, Therapist 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. 

This month is about bringing awareness to mental health and 

the stigma experienced by those with mental illnesses. As one 

in three individuals will experience mental health struggles at 

some point in their lifetime, this is a topic that we all need to 

educate ourselves on. If mental illness doesn’t affect us, it will 

affect someone we love. 

It is important to understand that mental illnesses are not 

always visible. But by talking openly about mental health, we 

give others a comfortable environment to talk about their own 

struggles. To kick off this month, I thought I would sit down 

and answer a few questions. 

What do you believe is the main issue that 

keeps people from seeking professional help? 

Stigma. We have come a long way in educating the public about 

mental health being just as important as physical health. 

However, the sad reality is that we still have many people who 

think mental illness is a moral issue. That incorrect assumption 

keeps people from seeking the help they or their loved ones 

need. 

How many clients have you had with similar 

circumstances to your own? 

The human condition, grief, and trauma, are just part of life. 

I would say I can relate to most clients I see because we are all 

spiritual beings having a human experience. Life is beautiful 

and tragic all in the same breath. 

What led you on this path to being a therapist? 

My parents were polar opposites, so I learned, at a young age, 

how to see truth on both sides of any topic. I am also the 

middle child, so I have had many instances where I tried to 

choose my battles, make peace, and roll with the dichotomy. 

These are all important traits to have as a therapist. 

What are some of your specializations? 

What type of different counseling services 

do you offer? 

I am a clinical psychologist, so I believe in psychological testing 

as part of treatment planning. We need to get a working 

diagnosis first, and then build a plan where we track progress 

across time. I also require bloodwork as part of this workup 

because sometimes medical issues can look like a mental health 

diagnosis, or they can complicate treatment. For example, I 

have hypothyroidism and for years I thought I was depressed. 

After trying an antidepressant to no avail, I was finally tested 

and found that my symptoms of depression could be explained 

by a low functioning thyroid. In order to effectively treat a 

patient, I need the complete picture. Thankfully, most mental 

health diagnoses are treatable. My goal is to do my job so 

effectively that my clients no longer need me. 


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66 • MAY 2023


First Annual Celebration Luncheon 

March 7 / The Station 

A celebration of their city, citizens, and businesses. 

Mayor Walter C. Morrison IV was a featured speaker. 

AWARD WINNERS 

Business of the Year- Sullivan’s Marketplace 

Ambassador of the Year- Michael Petyak, Oakmont Financial Partners 

Citizen of the Year- Kerry Minninger 

TOP 10 UNDER 40 RECIPIENTS 

Lindsay Kellum, Lee Hutchinson, Peyton Brown, Melanie Greer, 

Trisha Patel, Houston Cottrell, Jeanie Robinson, Meghan Petyak, 

Austin LaSource, and Spencer Mills 

Title Sponsor Trustmark 

Gold Sponsors BankPlus, City of Gluckstadt, 

Mississippi Government, PriorityOne Bank, Service Specialists 

Silver Sponsor Citizens National Bank 

Bronze Sponsors Community Bank, Deviney Rental & Supply, 

Southern Bancorp 

68 • MAY 2023


Welcome 

Neighbor 

Club 

April Luncheon 

Fashion Show 

April 11 

Country Club of Jackson 

The luncheon featured their 

annual fashion show sponsored 

by Soft Surroundings, a retailer 

offering casual-wear, shoes, 

and more for women. 

Soft Surroundings is located at the 

Renaissance at Colony Park. 

70 • MAY 2023


Habitat for Humanity 

Re-Stores The Community 

Susan Marquez 

72 • MAY 2023

When Merrill Tenney McKewen was hired to handle the 

25th anniversary of Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area 

in honor of Elise Winter in 2011, she didn’t realize she would, 

one day, be the organization’s executive director. 

“I came back as a consultant in 2012, and in 2013, 

I accepted the full-time position as development director, 

and became executive director in 2016.” 

It’s a job that Merrill loves, and the 

difference she and her team are making in 

the tri-county area is important. “I have the 

most remarkable leadership including our 

board of directors, and an incredible team 

of dedicated, hardworking team members.” 

Merrill is often called upon to speak at 

area civic organizations about HFHMCA, 

and she starts by clarifying that President 

Jimmy Carter did not start the Habitat 

organization. “Millard Fuller was responsible,” 

says Merrill. “He was a businessman 

with a vision of providing affordable 

housing for people who may have a 

difficult time getting into a home on their 

own. Jimmy Carter helped him get the 

organization onto a national stage.” 

The homes are not given to recipients, 

explains Merrill. “The people who move 

into a Habitat home must first complete 

classes on financial education, wills, 

do-it-yourself classes, and classes on 

community relations. They must also put 

in 175 hours of sweat equity on the home. 

After they qualify, we offer a 30-year, zerointerest 

mortgage loan. If they fail to pay 

their mortgage payments, we are forced 

to foreclose on the loan and they lose 

their home.” 

While volunteers are involved in the 

building of each Habitat home, professionals 

are used for things like electrical 

systems, plumbing, and other items that 

require a skilled, licensed professional. 

“We are a not-for-profit organization, but 

we are also an economic engine. We buy 

local, and we use local subs and contractors. 

Every dollar we spend generates $8 to $9 

for the local economy.” 

Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital 

Area is a construction company, a mortgage 

company, and a Christian-based organization 

that does not discriminate based 

on age, race, sexual orientation, or religion. 

A side venture for HFHMCA is the new 

ReStore, a retail store located at 615 

Stonewall Street in Jackson that takes 

donations of furniture, surplus building 

materials, appliances, art, and anything 

else a home may need. Their motto is 

“You Buy, We Build,” and Merrill says it is 

a way to raise money for the mission. 

“We sell the items to the public at a greatly 

reduced cost. It can be a bit of a treasure 

hunt, as no two days are the same.” 

ReStore is ideal for someone renovating 

a home, as well as an affordable way for 

new Habitat homeowners to furnish or 


decorate their home. “We welcome 

donations of light fixtures, furniture, or 

other items that may otherwise be thrown 

away. We have a few companies that 

provide us with lighting, flooring, etc. 

from their warehouses when things are 

discontinued. We also get rugs and 

furniture from a name-brand store from 

time to time when they are clearing their 

old inventory. It’s amazing how much is 

thrown into landfills. I am guilty of 

dumpster-diving – if I see a piece of 

plywood we might be able to sell, I’m 

going to get it!” ReStore is open Tuesday 

through Saturday, 9:30am to 5:00pm. 

Volunteers are always needed for unloading 

donations, pricing items, stocking 

floors, etc. 

Merrill says her personal philosophy is 

to wholistically help the neighborhoods 

where homes are being built. “We not 

only build new homes, but we demo, 

recycle, and rebuild homes. We remove 

blight and often build new homes where 

old ones have been torn down. We do 

what we can to lift up an area, because, 

after all, a rising tide lifts all boats.” 

HFHMCA serves three counties: Hinds, 

Madison and Rankin. “Homes we have 

built in Madison County have been 

sponsored by Nissan. We have funds to 

build in Rankin County but haven’t been 

able to find property there. We are not 

allowed to build near railroad tracks, in 

flood zones, or near superfund sites. It is 

important to us that we build homes that 

are both safe, decent, and affordable.” 

About fifteen homes are built each 

year. Applicants are assessed on their level 

of need, their willingness to partner with 

Habitat, and their ability to pay a mortgage 

through an affordable repayment plan. 

For more information, visit 

www.habitatmca.org 

74 • MAY 2023


Five Minute Taco Dip 

• 8 oz. cream cheese softened 

• 1½ cups sour cream 

• 1 packet taco seasoning 

• Iceberg lettuce 

• Shredded cheddar 

• Diced tomatoes 

• Jalapenos 

• Green onions or red onions 

Mix cream cheese with hand mixer 

on medium until fluffy. Add sour 

cream and taco seasoning. Mix to 

combine. Spread into a dish. 

Top with toppings. 

Pico de Gallo 

• 6 plum tomatoes, chopped 

• 1 small onion, finely chopped 

• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro 

• 1 to 2 jalapeno pepper, seeded 

and finely chopped 

• 3 Tbsp. lime juice (about 1 lime) 

• 1 Tbsp. cilantro stems, finely 

chopped 

• 1 garlic clove, minced 

• ¼ tsp. salt 

In a large medium bowl, 

combine all ingredients. 

Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours 

before serving. 

Cheesy Taco Skillet 

• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil 

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped 

• ¼ cup sliced green onions, plus 

more to garnish 

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 

• 1 Tbsp. chili powder 

• 1 Tbsp. ground cumin 

• Kosher salt 

• 1 lb. ground beef 

• 1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes 

• 1 cup black beans 

• 1 Tbsp. hot sauce 

• 1 cup shredded Monterey 

jack cheese 

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 

Heat oil in a skillet over mediumhigh 

heat. Add bell pepper and 

green onion and cook five minutes 

until tender. Cook garlic one minute, 

until fragrant. Add chili powder and 

cumin and stir until combined, then 

season with salt. Add ground beef 

and cook until no longer pink, five 

minutes more. Add diced tomatoes 

and black beans and stir until 

combined. Stir in hot sauce, cheddar, 

and Monterey jack. Cover and let 

melt, two minutes, then garnish 

with green onions and serve. Cut 

quesadillas into wedges and serve 

with lime wedges and sour cream. 

Refried Bean Tostados 

• 6 flour tortillas (8 inches) 

• ½ lb. sliced fresh mushrooms 

• 1 cup diced zucchini 

• 2 Tbsp. canola oil 

• 1 jar (16 oz.) chunky salsa 

• 1 can (7 oz.) white or shoepeg 

corn, drained 

• 1 can (16 oz.) vegetarian refried 

beans, warmed 

• 1½ cups shredded lettuce 

• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese 

• 2 medium ripe avocados, peeled 

and sliced 

• 1½ cups chopped tomatoes 

• 6 Tbsp. sour cream 

In a large ungreased skillet, cook 

tortillas for 1-2 minutes on each side 

or until lightly browned. Remove 

and set aside. In the same skillet, 

sauté mushrooms and zucchini in 

oil until crisp and tender. Add salsa 

and corn; cook for 2-3 minutes or 

until heated through. Spread refried 

beans over each tortilla; top with 

lettuce, salsa mixture, cheese, 

avocados, tomatoes and sour cream. 

76 • MAY 2023

Easy Chicken Enchiladas 

• 1 10 oz. can enchilada sauce 

• 4 oz. cream cheese, cubed 

• 1½ cups salsa 

• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken 

• 1 15 oz. can pinto beans, 

rinsed and drained 

• 1 4 oz. can chopped green chilis 

• 10 flour tortillas (6 in.) 

• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend 

cheese 

• Optional: lettuce, chopped tomato 

sour cream 

Spoon ½ cup enchilada sauce into 

a greased 13x9 inch baking dish. 

In a large saucepan, cook and stir 

cream cheese and salsa over medium 

heat until blended, 2-3 minutes. 

Stir in the chicken, beans and chiles. 

Place about ⅓ cup chicken mixture 

down the center of each tortilla. 

Roll up and place seam down over 

sauce. Top with remaining enchilada 

sauce; sprinkle with cheese. Cover 

and bake at 350 until heated through, 

25-30 minutes. If desired, serve with 

lettuce, tomato and sour cream. 

Cheesy Beef Quesadillas 

• 1 lb. ground beef 

• 2 cloves garlic, minced 

• 1 onion, diced 

• 1 Tbsp. taco seasoning 

• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste 

• 8 oz. can black beans, 

drained and rinsed 

• 2 avocados, pitted and diced 

• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro 

• 4 tsp. canola oil 

• 4 large flour tortillas 

• 8 oz. shredded white cheddar 

• 1 lime, cut into wedges 

• Kosher salt 

• Ground black pepper 

• Sour cream 

In a large cast-iron skillet over 

medium-high heat, brown beef, 

breaking up with a wooden spoon. 

Season with salt and pepper. Sauté 

with garlic and onion until softened, 

3 to 4 minutes. Add taco seasoning, 

tomato paste, one Tbsp. water and 

black beans; cook on medium-low 

for five minutes. Turn off heat and mix 

in avocado and cilantro. Warm a large 

non-stick pan over medium heat with 

one Tbsp. oil. Place a flour tortilla in 

the pan and sprinkle half with cheese, 

beef mixture and more cheese. Fold 

tortilla over and fry lightly on both 

sides until cheese is melted. 

Repeat with remaining tortillas. 

Cheesy Chicken 

Enchilada Soup 

• 3 cups chicken broth 

• 2 lbs. chicken breast 

(skinless and boneless) 

• 1½ cup enchilada sauce 

• ½ cup yellow onion, diced 

• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 

• 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes 

• 1 15 oz. can black beans, 

drained and rinsed 

• 1 15.25 oz. can whole kernel corn 

• 1 7 oz. can diced green chiles 

• ½ tsp. ground cumin 

• 1 tsp. salt 

• 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded 

Heat one Tbsp. of oil in a large pot over 

medium heat. Add chicken to sear 

for 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook an 

additional 2-3 minutes on the other 

side. Remove the chicken from the 

pot, set aside. Add the onion and 

cook until softened. Add the garlic 

and continue to cook an additional 

30 seconds. Pour in the chicken 

broth and enchilada sauce. Stir and 

combine. Add diced tomatoes, black 

beans, corn and diced chiles. Add salt 

and cumin. Return the chicken to the 

soup. Bring the soup to a simmer. 

Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes 

until soup reached 165 and chicken 

is fully cooked. Remove the chicken, 

shred, and return to the soup. 

Remove the soup from the heat. 

Add shredded cheese and stir as 

it melts. 

Homemade Churros 

• ½ cup water 

• ½ cup 2% milk 

• 1 Tbsp. canola oil 

• ¼ tsp. salt 

• 1 cup all-purpose flour 

• 1 large egg, room temperature 

• ¼ tsp. grated lemon zest 

• Additional oil for frying 

• ½ cup sugar 

• ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon 

In a large saucepan, bring water, 

milk, oil and salt to a boil. Add flour 

all at once and stir until a smooth 

ball forms. Transfer to a large bowl; 

let stand for 5 minutes. Beat on 

medium-high speed for 1 minute 

or until the dough softens. Add egg 

and lemon zest; beat for 1-2 minutes. 

Set aside to cool. In a deep cast-iron 

or heavy skillet, heat one inch oil to 

375. Insert a large star tip onto a 

pastry bag; fill with dough. On a 

baking sheet, pipe dough into 4 inch 

strips. Transfer strips to skillet and fry 

until golden brown on both sides. 

Drain on paper towels. Combine the 

sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over 

churros. Serve warm. 


78 • MAY 2023

Where Public Meets Private 

Coming Together for The Betterment of All 

The Madison County Business League & Foundation is a private, stakeholder-based support 

organization that works with business owners and decision makers to discuss topics that 

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contribution they make towards our quality of life. 

135 Mississippi Parkway, Canton, MS 39046 | 601.707.3303 

madisoncountybusinessleague.com 

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! 

MCBLF_MCEDA_Ad-2022-Full.indd 1 

2/2/22 3:15 PM 

LIKEUS 


The CHALKBOARD Madison Schools 

Madison Central 

SENIOR CLASS FAVORITES Back L-R: Jake Norris, Hayes Henry, Bryman Williams, Deandre Pullen, 

Ian Robinson, Adam Maatallah. Front L-R: Kate Fairburn, Ava Dear, Kinsley Wilson, Genna Ishee, 

Anna Kaden Thomas, Davan Zenor, Bergen Bianchi, Zoe Zhang, Nina Gault, Nan Callum. 

Not pictured: Noah Robinson, RJ Smith, Isaiah Spencer, Vic Sutton, Alexa Ainsworth. 

MR. AND MISS MADISON CENTRAL 

Jake Norris and Ava Dear 

JUNIOR CLASS FAVORITES Back L-R: Zac Cook, Harry Singh, Camden Hood, Max Zuluaga, 

Grayson Engles, Ty Miller, Reed Cascio, Ellis Nichols. Front L-R: Rhyin Singleton, Morgan Walberg, 

Nataleigh Nix, Anna Edgar, Brooke Bumgarner, Callie Nation, Lauralee Hetzel, Kyra Davis, 

Lauren Sutton, Kylira Griffin. Not pictured Joe Koury. 

80 • MAY 2023 

SOPHMORE CLASS FAVORITES Back L-R: Drew Williamson, Emery Washington, Micah Jones, 

Tripp Higgins, Brandon Huerkamp, Trace Barefoot, Darren Woods, Evan Nicholson. 

Front L-R: Sara Reeves Thomas, Rivers Biggs, Mivie Barrett, Bailey Donahue, Brooke Highfill, Pearl Magee, 

Ella Joyner, Ella Trowbridge, Lana Nabulsi. Not pictured: Jaiden Johnson, Glen Singleton, Avarie Cheeks.

Madison Ridgeland Academy 

Madison-Ridgeland Academy partnered with Rise 

Against Hunger giving students the opportunity to 

participate in a campus-wide service project. MRA 

students packed over 41,000 meals in just four hours. 

The students were thrilled to take part in filling, weighing, 

and boxing meals that will go to those in need of food 

and nourishment across the globe. MRA raised over 

$16,000 to cover the meals, materials, and shipping 

costs. This will positively impact the lives of many 

individuals who are without access to adequate 

nutrition. 

L-R: Lily Ott, Ella Moses, William Patterson 

Four Senior MRA soccer players were chosen to play in the MAIS All Star Soccer Game. 

L-R: Colten White, Luke Harris, Coach John Kehoe, Hayes Middleton, Vanndel Chinchen 

Five MRA soccer players were chosen to play in the MAIS Futures Soccer Game. 

L-R: Wade Hansford, Will Ward, Coach John Kehoe, Case Thomas, 

Bryson Palmer, Mason Towler 

The MRA boys basketball team won the 2023 MAIS 6A State Championship title. 

Four MRA Patriots received the All-Tournament Team honor. 

L-R: Sam Hailey, Harrison Alexander, Josh Hubbard, Ashton Magee 

The MRA girls basketball team won the 2023 MAIS 6A State Championship title. 

Three MRA Lady Patriots received the All-Tournament Team honor. 

L-R: Ella Wesley Davis, Riley Hancock, Cameron Humphries, Coach Stephen Force 


TheTime COIN 

Camille Anding 

A chicken casserole is always a classic for a 

Sunday school fellowship. 

And that’s what I began making for the event. In the middle of the preparation the smell of 

the chicken swimming around in its hot broth made me remember a really old story relating to 

chicken fare. 

My younger sister and I spent a week out of several childhood summers at a cousin’s home in 

Memphis. There were three cousins who called their box-shaped brick house home. It was situated 

in the middle of a large subdivision with limited small trees and devoid of any large ones. Still, I wasn’t 

accustomed to city life, so the fenced-in back yards and the close proximity to neighbors on all 

sides meant a far from routine experience for me. 

We almost worked the hinges off their backyard swing set, and the limited amount of shrubs 

and no woods made hide and seek a game we didn’t repeat. At least once during our week, the 

entire family would take a picnic to the city pool. What a treat for me who learned to swim in my 

granddaddy’s pond behind his barn. The muddy bottom would always squish between my toes, 

and the water never came close to being clear. Nevertheless, my brother and sisters made lots of 

muddy, fun memories along with whatever might have been swimming below our thrashing limbs. 

The city pool was sheer luxury! Its water burned my eyes more than the pond water, but the ability 

to see beneath the surface all the way to the bottom gave a whole new meaning to swimming. 

One of their family’s favorite evening meals was chicken with an assortment 

of veggies. It was the way my aunt served the chicken that got my attention. 

She pulled the entire, plump, naked bird out of a big pot and plopped it on the 

serving platter. It was my first time to witness a chicken that wasn’t in bite size 

pieces stirred in a casserole or deep-fried with a golden layer of seasoned flour. 

I still remember how my sister and I stared at that chicken. I was wondering how we were supposed 

to eat it until my uncle began pulling wings and legs from the table centerpiece. Even though it was 

like nothing my mother had ever served, my childhood appetite insisted I try it. Not bad – I thought 

to myself as my sister and I joined my cousins with their city version of a chicken dinner. 

I didn’t realize it until I cooked for children of my own that my aunt had found a true time-saving 

chicken dinner. There was no greasy stovetop or skillet to clean and no time-consuming task of 

watching and turning chicken pieces in a layer of hot oil. And the flavor for a growing, hungry child 

wasn’t half bad. 

There’s a Bible verse in 1 Timothy that says: “For everything created by God is good, and not to be 

refused if it is received with thanksgiving.” I’m grateful I didn’t refuse that unpretentious, boiled bird, 

but I’m certain my thanksgiving wasn’t up to standard. 

82 • MAY 2023


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Madison523web

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