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V94<br />
723<br />
The Freedom Farm<br />
SNAPPY SYNCHING IN THE WOODS<br />
Madison Farmer’s Market
2 • JULY 2023
Hometown MADISON • 3
4 BRANDS<br />
1 LOCATION<br />
1685 High Street<br />
Jackson, MS 39202<br />
(601) 354-3882<br />
www.herringear.com
INDOORS OR OUT,<br />
WE HAVE A PERFECT<br />
TABLE FOR YOU<br />
STEAK • SEAFOOD • WINE • COCKTAILS<br />
8 • JULY 2023<br />
601.957.3753 • KOESTLERPRIME.COM<br />
1000 HIGHLAND COLONY PKWY SUITE 6001
FROM OUR<br />
CONSULTING EDITOR<br />
There’s a relaxedness about summer that changes my pace.<br />
I work from home year-round, but there’s something about summer,<br />
in particular, that’s just different. Maybe it’s the red, white, and blue themes<br />
that bring me joy, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Maybe it’s that the<br />
plants I potted in the spring have yet to succumb to the scorching<br />
August days that lie ahead. It’s the lightening bugs and the smell of<br />
neighbors grilling on a Tuesday and the kids still out after dark that remind<br />
me of my own summers—on which I reflect fondly.<br />
This summer also brings with it great news! Hometown Publishing<br />
is thrilled to welcome Barbie Bassett to our team! Barbie is a former<br />
television anchor and chief meteorologist and is a successful entrepreneur<br />
and public speaker. She knows this market and can leverage her expertise<br />
in ways that can grow the business of our advertisers.<br />
Hometown Publishing is now in its tenth year of publishing. We<br />
publish Hometown Rankin Magazine, Hometown Madison Magazine,<br />
Hometown Clinton Magazine, Our Town—39042, and various<br />
chamber directories including those for the Rankin County Chamber,<br />
the Pearl Chamber of Commerce, and the Flowood Chamber. We now<br />
direct-mail over 7,000 copies of of Hometown Madison (of the 10,000<br />
printed) to high-income neighborhoods and deliver a highly-qualified<br />
customer through the doors of our advertisers.<br />
Barbie’s enthusiasm for life and her easy-going spirit make her a<br />
great fit for our publishing family. She has innovative ideas and brings<br />
a fresh perspective to the table. We look forward to watching her star<br />
continue to rise as she makes her way across the areas in which we<br />
serve. And we look forward to many more summers serving the people<br />
of Madison and telling their stories.<br />
Please help us welcome Barbie to the Hometown family! We’ll be<br />
seeing you soon!<br />
PUBLISHER & EDITOR<br />
Tahya Dobbs<br />
HOMETOWN STAFF<br />
CFO<br />
Kevin Dobbs<br />
CONSULTING EDITOR<br />
Mary Ann Kirby<br />
ADMINISTRATIVE<br />
ASSISTANT<br />
Alisha Floyd<br />
IN THIS ISSUE<br />
Reader Spotlight 15<br />
Hometown Family 18<br />
The Freedom Farm 29<br />
MRA Tennis Team 38<br />
Barbie Bassett’s Eyes on the Street 42<br />
A Love Story for the Books 48<br />
Snappy Synching in the Woods 54<br />
Madison Farmer’s Market 64<br />
One Year After Roe 70<br />
Mississippi Mysteries & Thrillers 74<br />
SPECIAL PROJECTS<br />
ASSISTANT<br />
Caroline Hodges<br />
CONTENT MANAGER<br />
Susan Wolgamott<br />
SPECIAL PROJECTS<br />
ASSISTANT<br />
Nikki Robison<br />
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE<br />
Barbie Bassett<br />
...see you around town.<br />
LAYOUT DESIGN<br />
Daniel Thomas<br />
3dt<br />
STAFF<br />
PHOTOGRAPHER<br />
Othel Anding<br />
STAFF<br />
ASSISTANT<br />
Debby Francis<br />
ADVERTISING<br />
ASSISTANT<br />
Melissa Kennon<br />
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<br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
Hometown MADISON • 9
10 • JULY 2023
Hometown MADISON • 11
Fall<br />
soccer<br />
Ages 2+ | 769.233.7445<br />
soccershots.com/jackson<br />
14 • JULY 2023
READER<br />
SPOTLIGHT<br />
Elizabeth<br />
TYLER<br />
Why did you make Madison your home?<br />
The quality of life that Madison County offers -<br />
safety, convenience, schools, and opportunities.<br />
How long have you lived in Madison County?<br />
I have lived here for 17 years.<br />
Tell us about your family.<br />
I am married to Van Tyler. We have four children,<br />
five grandchildren, and another grandchild on the way.<br />
And of course, two fur babies!<br />
What is your favorite memory of living<br />
in Madison?<br />
Some of my favorite memories of living in Madison<br />
are when my son played football at Madison Central.<br />
It was fun getting together with other parents to<br />
tailgate and follow the team. My son Steven, who has<br />
Down Syndrome, was also a part of the team as a<br />
manager and that was a bonus. I also have great<br />
memories with my daughter who had horses. Helping<br />
her take care of them and being a part of that was<br />
special.<br />
What are your three favorite places to eat in<br />
Madison?<br />
Being the director of the Gluckstadt Madison<br />
Business Alliance, I can’t choose just three! All of our<br />
member restaurants are my favorites!<br />
What are some fun things to do in Madison<br />
County on weekends?<br />
My husband and I enjoy playing golf together or even<br />
just practicing at the driving range. The weekends are<br />
a time to unwind and relax, so we enjoy just hanging<br />
out at our house and working in the yard.<br />
Share some things you enjoy doing in your<br />
spare time.<br />
I love being with family. My husband and I also love<br />
to go inshore fishing. We have a fish camp in South<br />
Louisiana that we go to as often as we can. We fish<br />
primarily for speckled trout and redfish, but you<br />
never know what you might pull into the boat!<br />
It is so relaxing and I love everything about it.<br />
What are some things on your bucket list?<br />
1. My husband and I want to go fishing in Alaska<br />
with one of my best friends from childhood and her<br />
husband, who is a guide there.<br />
2. Going to the Grand Canyon.<br />
3. Fishing in Florida for snook.<br />
Who is someone you admire?<br />
My father. He passed away this past month but<br />
was the finest person I have ever known. He was a<br />
physician, and he took excellent care of his patients.<br />
He taught me the value of hard work, respecting all<br />
people, and serving others. He was also a fabulous<br />
father and always had time for us. He had a very strong<br />
faith in Jesus and this was evident by his day-to-day<br />
living and interactions. He was simply the best!<br />
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?<br />
We have just celebrated the first year of the Gluckstadt<br />
Madison Business Alliance, where I am the director.<br />
I truly love what I do in serving our members and<br />
being a part of the exciting growth of Gluckstadt.<br />
I am looking forward to many more years serving our<br />
member businesses and enjoying life in Madison<br />
County!<br />
What is your favorite childhood memory?<br />
I grew up in Jackson. My parents bought a lake house<br />
in Madison County in the early 1970s and we would<br />
pack up and spend most weekends there. It was such<br />
great fun being outdoors and being with our family.<br />
It seemed like it was so far away because there were<br />
not very many stores around and certainly no<br />
groceries. We had to pack all that we’d need for<br />
the weekend and hope we didn’t forget anything.<br />
We would come home exhausted and sunburned,<br />
but what a wonderful time we had! Our family still<br />
has this place and loves to get together there.<br />
If you could give us one encouraging quote,<br />
what would it be?<br />
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean<br />
not on your own understanding. In all of your ways,<br />
acknowledge him and He will direct your paths.”<br />
–Proverbs 3:5<br />
Hometown MADISON • 15
MAIS 6A BASEBALL CHAMPIONS<br />
FOR THE SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR<br />
Champions are made of hustle, humility,<br />
and heart. Our goal at Jackson Prep is<br />
not only to encourage our athletes<br />
to strive for greatness, but also to<br />
FIND THEIR WAY<br />
academically, athletically,<br />
artistically, and spiritually.<br />
Brent Heavener, Varsity Baseball Coach<br />
jacksonprep.net<br />
PreK-3 through grade 12<br />
16 • JULY 2023
Hometown MADISON • 17
18 • JULY 2023
The<br />
Kneips<br />
Tell us about your family.<br />
Chris - 46, Orthopedic surgeon, originally from Temple,<br />
Texas. Hobbies are any activities the kids are involved with,<br />
Crossfit, watching all Texas A&M sports, and complaining<br />
about all Texas A&M sports.<br />
Olivia -46, Educator, originally from Philadelphia, Mississippi.<br />
Hobbies are any activities the kids are involved with, Crossfit,<br />
gardening and consoling Chris when the Aggies don’t win.<br />
Harper - 19, A typical 19-year-old and is getting ready to begin<br />
her college journey at Texas A&M!<br />
Laird - 17, Will be a junior at Jackson Prep and is a member of<br />
the football team.<br />
Liam - 9, Will be a 4th grader at Jackson Prep and loves all<br />
things sports!<br />
Eliza James “EJ” - 8, Will be a 2nd grader at Jackson Prep and<br />
loves soccer and legos!<br />
Annie & June Our precious little weenie dogs!<br />
Hometown MADISON • 19
How did you meet, and how long have you<br />
been married?<br />
Chris and I met while training for triathlons.<br />
I helped him when I noticed he put his<br />
wetsuit on backwards—and the rest is history!<br />
We’ve been married for 10 years.<br />
Do you allow time for a date night?<br />
Date nights are our favorites, but we definitely<br />
don’t have a set schedule for them. We make it<br />
happen when we can! With four kids,<br />
sometimes just an evening together on the<br />
swing has to be considered a date night.<br />
Anything to stay connected.<br />
What brings you the greatest joy<br />
as a parent?<br />
I love seeing them shine at their own thing!<br />
All four of the kids are SO different.<br />
Watching them grow up into their own<br />
personalities is so fun!<br />
Who is the financial manager in your home?<br />
Both! We both paid our own bills and made<br />
our own money before we met so we had to<br />
come together at the beginning of our<br />
marriage and agree on how we would handle<br />
that.<br />
When your children were younger,<br />
what was your discipline philosophy?<br />
Consistency and follow through. Since we do<br />
have teenagers now, we have learned to say yes<br />
when we can so that they understand our “no”<br />
is for an actual reason, whether they understand<br />
that or not.<br />
What do you see in your role as the<br />
greatest benefit to your family?<br />
I’m very much the entire family’s cheerleader!<br />
This really gets on the teenagers’ nerves, but I<br />
get really excited about the tiniest of things<br />
and try to let them know they are all my<br />
favorite people on the planet!<br />
What’s a quick go-to meal that isn’t fast<br />
food? And who does the cooking?<br />
I love to cook! I have three “go-to” super-fast<br />
meals that I keep stocked: Spaghetti (jarred<br />
sauce), breakfast for dinner, and “spoon<br />
burgers.” Spoon burgers is a meal my mom<br />
made for our large family growing up. Instead<br />
of making hamburger patties, you just<br />
scramble the meat and put it on a bun! I<br />
usually make extra meat to have ready for the<br />
next night and throw together tacos if we<br />
need something quick! Cooking is definitely<br />
how I try to show my family love. Feeding<br />
them is a joy for me!<br />
How long has Madison been your home?<br />
We’re newbies! We moved to Ridgeland in<br />
April.<br />
20 • JULY 2023
What are some of your favorite things about<br />
Madison County?<br />
COSTCO!<br />
How do you spend your summer breaks?<br />
Ubering the kids around, baseball fields, and<br />
as many lake days as I can talk my family into!<br />
Summer is also my favorite time to be in my<br />
garden!<br />
What accomplishments make you proud<br />
during your time living in Madison?<br />
We haven’t lived here that long to have many<br />
accomplishments, but I am super proud that<br />
I haven’t killed any of the deer that are eating<br />
everything I have planted since living here!<br />
What drives you to have the job that you<br />
have? And what do you do for a living?<br />
I LOVE teaching!! While at Millsaps College,<br />
I had such wonderful education professors.<br />
They put a fire in me for teaching and it has<br />
never gone out! I will be helping other teachers<br />
this fall in an assistant teaching role and I’m<br />
so excited about having a helping hand in the<br />
beginning stages of Prep Lower!<br />
QUESTIONS FOR THE CHILDREN<br />
What’s your favorite thing to do as a family?<br />
Harper Sitting down for dinner together<br />
Laird Anything that includes my mom! I love<br />
hanging out with her! (answered by Mom)<br />
Liam Vacations<br />
EJ Spending time with my family<br />
What your favorite restaurant?<br />
Harper Chipotle<br />
Laird Buffalo Wild Wings<br />
Liam Zaxby’s<br />
EJ El Sombrero in Flowood<br />
What’s your favorite TV show?<br />
Harper Scary movies and real crime shows<br />
Laird Any hunting or survival show<br />
Liam Super Mario Movie<br />
EJ Bunk’d<br />
Hometown MADISON • 21
22 • JULY 2023<br />
Visit us at 2160 Main Street in Madison or online at www.ginadiamondsflowerco.com
Hometown MADISON • 23
Find Answers.<br />
Feel Better.<br />
Enjoy Every Day!<br />
Rheumatoid Arthritis<br />
Psoriatic Arthritis<br />
Osteoarthritis<br />
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)<br />
Osteoporosis<br />
Polymyalgia Rheumatica<br />
Gout<br />
Lupus<br />
Myositis<br />
Raynaud's Phenomenon<br />
Sjogren's Syndrome<br />
971 Lakeland Dr · Jackson, MS · 601-362-6900 · mississippiarthritisclinic.com<br />
24 • JULY 2023
My Grandparents<br />
Randy Mascagni<br />
I grew up in Natchez in a small family, and at<br />
nine years old, became the only child. There were<br />
a lot of dynamics going on in my home–but then<br />
there were my grandparents. If you lived in Natchez<br />
and were familiar with the Morgantown community,<br />
you would have known my grandparents. They<br />
lived about five miles away from our home, and<br />
every afternoon, after school, my mom and I would<br />
go to their house.<br />
My grandfather operated a little barbershop<br />
right next to their home. Men would come to enjoy<br />
a Coke and nabs, tell their stories, and get a haircut.<br />
Oh yes, his shop had the typical “ole” 10-cent Coke<br />
machine (small bottles), a Tom’s nabs machine<br />
(yes Tom’s peanuts and nabs), and a vintage penny<br />
fortune scale.<br />
By the age of eight or nine, one of my favorite<br />
pastimes was playing with that old vintage floor scale. My<br />
grandfather would give me the key, and I would open the scale’s<br />
coin box to see how many pennies were there along with<br />
an occasional “buffalo” nickel. After a while, my grandfather<br />
told me that if I took care of the scale, I could have the coins.<br />
I experienced the thrill of my first job. I took special care<br />
of that scale, a relic in today’s world, carefully<br />
wrapping the coins and eventually depositing<br />
them in the bank.<br />
In the same frame of that memory is<br />
my grandmother’s chifforobe that housed<br />
her prized collection of silver dollars.<br />
I was intrigued by all my grandmother’s<br />
stuff, particularly her coins.<br />
In fact, she said I was a meddler, as I periodically went<br />
through her stuff, particularly her white City Bank bags of coins.<br />
She let me count and play with her silver dollars. I also was<br />
intrigued with her dollar bills that were kept in envelopes with<br />
names like “groceries” or “light bill’ and “gas.” Only years later<br />
did I understand those envelopes.<br />
There was a time when I thought it wasn’t normal to go to my<br />
grandparents’ every afternoon. But reflecting, God knew I needed<br />
those long hours to soak up many lessons. You see that time with<br />
my grandparents brought a sense of normalcy to my life and was<br />
the seedbed for good values. They loved me deeply. In fact, if<br />
you had known my grandmother, you would have known I was<br />
her “pride and joy.” I quietly watched them live their lives, run<br />
a small business, raise chickens, have a garden, raise a couple of<br />
cows, pick up and sell pecans, go to church where my grandfather<br />
taught Sunday school, and yes, drop their tithe envelope in the<br />
collection plate. In fact, they, and my mom, were charter members<br />
of Morgantown Baptist. They loved their church.<br />
No, this article isn’t about the top ten financial planning<br />
strategies. It’s actually about the foundation of sound money<br />
management, which is the value of hard work, saving and planning<br />
for future needs, and the provision of our great God to meet our<br />
personal needs even through time at a grandparent’s house.<br />
Oh, the joy I would have spending one more afternoon<br />
of meddling at Nannie and Roe-Roe’s. And yes, I still<br />
have her big bag of old silver dollars!<br />
601-925-8099<br />
mascagniwealth.com<br />
Hometown MADISON • 25
26 • JULY 2023
Where the experience of being healthy,<br />
is leading to an even healthier tomorrow.<br />
Call today! 601-664-4300 bluehealthbaptist.com @BlueHealthBaptist<br />
Hometown MADISON • 27
28 • JULY 2023
Camille Anding<br />
Four cats, one dog, one rabbit, six goats, seventy chickens<br />
and one rooster are happy, contented occupants of Twelve2<br />
farm in Canton, Mississippi.<br />
It might remind you of Old McDonald’s farm, but this particular farm is home<br />
to Sean and Dana Nowell, along with their children; Saier, 12; Deiliana, 11; Galea, 8;<br />
Leonia, 6; and Thaven, 3.<br />
Dana, a California transplant and homeschooling mom, dreamed of a farm<br />
to give their family space to grow and play. Because the family enjoys growing<br />
vegetables, she also wanted space for gardens that bloomed with color and bounty.<br />
The Nowell’s former home was in Brandon. Their homeowners association<br />
wouldn’t allow compost collecting in their back yard and even had to approve<br />
Dana’s color choice for painting their front door. All those rules kept calling Dana<br />
to a home with open spaces and freedom. Three or four acres would be adequate<br />
to see her dream materialize. The search was on!<br />
Hometown MADISON • 29
30 • JULY 2023<br />
“ We want Christ to be central<br />
in all our decisions...”
Two years ago in March, they found the answer to their prayers –<br />
a twenty-acre farm near Canton. It was considerably larger than Dana’s<br />
dream, but Sean assured her that it was doable. The optimum home,<br />
wide open skies, bordering forest, plus a pond the kids adopted as their<br />
swimming retreat, were all wonderful additions to their new piece of<br />
freedom.<br />
What would be the name? Twelve2 Farm targeted Dana’s favorite<br />
Bible verse – Hebrews 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but<br />
be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove<br />
what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”<br />
“We want Christ to be central in all our decisions,” Dana explained.<br />
Their family has found Twelve2 Farm to be the perfect environment and<br />
atmosphere for the renewal and transforming of their minds and bodies.<br />
Deiliana presented the idea of growing flowers and inviting flower<br />
lovers to visit their farm and experience their new freedom. The sales of<br />
flowers, along with organically raised eggs, could also be a supplement<br />
to their family’s income.<br />
The flower beds are planted and growing. Sean has tilled the soil<br />
and the rest of the family has planted the flower seeds and continue<br />
the weeding. These flowers never taste chemicals and sprays.<br />
Twelve2 Farm will open for customers on June 23rd, and tickets<br />
are already on sale via their website. Visitors will be given picking<br />
instructions by Dana who has been studying flowers for the past two<br />
years, earning the title of Certified Flower Grower in September.<br />
Visiting Twelve2 Farm is a farm-flower-lover’s treat. Sean, who is<br />
employed as a softwear developer for American Healthtech may not<br />
be there, but Dana and her young farmers will impress you with their<br />
expertise in academics–and good manners. Saier can show you his<br />
favorite black and white hen. Galea, the eight-year-old, enjoys baking<br />
and can discuss recipes. Thaven and Leonie will probably introduce<br />
you to their cats, and Deiliana will show you their one of a kind shelter<br />
for their goats, a “goat-tel!”<br />
Directions and information are on their website. If you would enjoy<br />
picking your own bouquets while getting an up-close experience with<br />
farm life, make your reservations soon. It will be a space, animal, and<br />
flower-lovers happening.<br />
Hometown MADISON • 31
Our roots. Our home.<br />
Our greatest<br />
investment.<br />
At BankPlus, every decision we make is driven by<br />
community. We’ve done it that way for over 100 years.<br />
Learn more at bankplus.net.<br />
© Copyright 2023 BankPlus.<br />
Member FDIC.<br />
32 • JULY 2023
MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2023 AT ST. ANDREW’S<br />
have been invited to join the ranks of<br />
THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES<br />
IN MISSISSIPPI AND THE COUNTRY.<br />
But what a picture cannot show is the personal experience of each of these individuals — triumphs,<br />
setbacks, achievements, and lessons learned in the classrooms, on the playing fields and the stage, through<br />
thousands of hours of service to the greater community, and so much more. Each face represents a unique<br />
journey through an educational experience comparable to the finest independent schools in the nation.<br />
It also reflects genuine excitement — they are prepared and ready to impact their communities and world!<br />
WE INVITE YOU TO SCHEDULE A TOUR AT WWW.GOSAINTS.ORG.<br />
Hometown MADISON • 33
Madison County Youth Leadership Class<br />
2022-2023<br />
The Madison County Youth Leadership’s mission<br />
is to provide students with a deeper understanding<br />
of the careers available in Madison County in an<br />
environment that develops their leadership skills<br />
and encourages graduates to take their knowledge<br />
and their experience into the community for the<br />
betterment of Madison County as a whole.<br />
34 • JULY 2023
Scholarship Award Presentations<br />
Alisha Davis, Tri County Academy Anna Claire Mabry, Canton Academy Anna Edgar, Madison Central Caitlin Nelson, Canton High<br />
JJ Tice, St. Joseph Justin Lindsay, St. Andrew’s Landry Lester, Jackson Academy Miriam Hoerman, Germantown High<br />
Raniya Fisher, Ridgeland High Sarah Headley, Jackson Prep Sims Jones, MRA Terrelle Smith, Velma Jackson<br />
Sponsored by<br />
Hometown MADISON • 35
601-919-8575<br />
www.bellemeadefamilydental.com<br />
105 Belle Meade Point<br />
Flowood, MS 39232<br />
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New Patient Cleaning<br />
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Cleanings and Exams<br />
Cosmetic and Restorative Procedures<br />
36 • JULY 2023
Hometown MADISON • 37
Historic Season<br />
for 2023<br />
Madison-Ridgeland<br />
Academy<br />
Tennis Team<br />
38 • JULY 2023
Madison-Ridgeland Academy celebrated a historic season<br />
for the 2023 varsity tennis team—highlighted by the school’s<br />
first state title won by the boys’ team in the Midsouth Association<br />
of Independent Schools 6A state tennis tournament<br />
on May 1-2 at the Ridgeland Tennis Center.<br />
Individual honors included Will Hooks<br />
winning a third straight Boys #1 singles state<br />
title, and Price Dickerson winning his first<br />
state title in Boys #2 singles. Both players were<br />
also undefeated during their regular season<br />
schedule and at the state tournament.<br />
The girls’ and boys’ teams combined for a<br />
record-breaking season as the MRA tennis<br />
program continues to grow. Members of the<br />
2023 varsity tennis team are: (Girls) Taylor<br />
Agent, Anna Morgan Anderson, Lily Grace<br />
Barnes, Britton Dickerson, Ella Eatherly,<br />
Audrey Holt, Skylar Jacobs, Margaret Maloney,<br />
Kenzie Mooney, Madelyn Powell, and (Boys)<br />
Price Dickerson, Hudson Griffin, Beau Guest,<br />
Evan Holt, Will Hooks, Jack Madden, Judson<br />
Merideth and Eli Williams. Varsity tennis<br />
team captains for 2023 are Audrey Holt and<br />
Price Dickerson.<br />
Jay Stroble serves as head coach, with<br />
assistance from local teaching pros Brandon<br />
Frazier and Joan Solmer Almendros, and<br />
additional support from Justyn Shelver,<br />
Gabriel Ivanovici and Trey Woods. MRA also<br />
has junior varsity and developmental teams to<br />
improve younger players who are new to the<br />
sport. These teams are key parts of the overall<br />
program and are laying the foundation for<br />
future success.<br />
Hometown MADISON • 39
Anna Morgan Anderson & Ella Eatherly<br />
Will Hooks & Price Dickerson<br />
“This year was a milestone for MRA Varsity Tennis for many reasons,”<br />
MRA’s Athletic Director Ross Hailey commented. “From winning the<br />
school’s first state tennis tournament championship to expanding the<br />
program to develop younger players, MRA is rapidly building a program<br />
that is well-positioned to succeed for many years to come. I want to<br />
congratulate all of the players and coaches who help us reach our school’s<br />
mission of developing the mind, body, and spirit of each student through<br />
academics, athletics, and community involvement.”<br />
“It’s been rewarding to see these<br />
student-athletes experience some<br />
success as we continue to build a<br />
program,” said Head Coach Jay Stroble. “The kids represent the<br />
school and their faith in a first-class manner. They are working hard and<br />
starting to see the benefits of those efforts.”<br />
MRA’s Head of School Termie Land congratulated the tennis team and<br />
mentioned plans for the future saying, “There are many outstanding<br />
accomplishments by this year’s tennis team. I’m proud of the players and<br />
coaches who achieved success while also focusing on showing good sportsmanship,<br />
on and off the court. MRA has recently purchased four acres from<br />
Ridgecrest Baptist Church, just south of the school on Old Canton Road in<br />
Madison, to construct eight new home tennis courts. Interest in tennis has<br />
increased substantially over the last few years and a home tennis court<br />
complex will enhance safety for student-athletes while allowing for increased<br />
student and fan participation in the growing program.”<br />
Evan Holt, Beau Guest<br />
& Britton Dickerson<br />
40 • JULY 2023
Hometown MADISON • 41
WHAT DOES FREEDOM<br />
MEAN TO YOU ?<br />
ALAN JACKSON<br />
The power or right to act,<br />
speak, or think as one wants<br />
without restraint.<br />
BROOKE LEBLANC<br />
Having independence to<br />
do what we want, worship<br />
how we want, and be able<br />
to go to the schools and<br />
the churches we want.<br />
We have great men and<br />
women who fight for<br />
our freedom every day.<br />
TOM JAMES<br />
To enjoy doing what I like<br />
to do, and to not be worried<br />
about things that affect our lives.<br />
The freedom to go places,<br />
the freedom to make choices<br />
that I like to make<br />
without consequence.<br />
JARVIS BLACKMON<br />
Freedom is equal rights<br />
and privileges for each and<br />
everyone in the world.<br />
Being able to do what you<br />
like without any hassles<br />
or problems.<br />
NANCY CRUZ<br />
To be able to express myself.<br />
To be able to live life with<br />
no rules and just be happy<br />
and do whatever I want.<br />
I feel free every day.<br />
JACKSON WOOD<br />
The ability to do<br />
and act as you please<br />
within a law and manner<br />
that is conceivable<br />
by society and live<br />
together as one.<br />
42 • JULY 2023
BRETT GARRISON<br />
It means having choices<br />
and being able to make<br />
the choices I want that<br />
make the best life for<br />
my family and me.<br />
MARY TUCKER<br />
We have the ability to speak<br />
our minds and not have any<br />
kind of ridicule because of that.<br />
We have freedom to worship<br />
in a way that we see God in our<br />
lives. The freedom to do anything<br />
we want to do within the law.<br />
CHAD BROWN<br />
The ability to work where<br />
I want to work, spend my<br />
money the way I want to<br />
spend it, worship the God<br />
I want to worship, live where<br />
I want to live, and move<br />
where I want to move.<br />
KEYSHAWN SIMPSON<br />
The freedom to do whatever<br />
I like without any boundaries or<br />
anyone or anything holding me<br />
back. So, I can go out and live<br />
my life without any fear of being<br />
told what to do or not to do,<br />
or where to go or not go,<br />
and just being free.<br />
HAROLD BRYAN<br />
Being able to do the things<br />
I enjoy with my family.<br />
It also means that I get to<br />
worship God as I see fit and<br />
not be dictated by someone else.<br />
It also means that I get to<br />
spend my money that I earn,<br />
as I want to.<br />
MELISSA SKELTON<br />
As a business owner, it means<br />
I can sell things in my store that<br />
I feel are relevant to my area.<br />
As an individual it means I can<br />
own my own business, worship<br />
the way I want, buy what<br />
I want, and live where I want.<br />
There is nothing greater than<br />
freedom in our country.<br />
JEFF NESBIT<br />
Freedom to me is Jesus Christ.<br />
He says in John 8 that if you<br />
know the truth, the truth will<br />
set you free. So, if you know the<br />
truth of Jesus, about anything,<br />
you will have freedom.<br />
SHAKURIA PARKER<br />
Being able to do what<br />
makes me happy without<br />
worrying about judgment<br />
from others.<br />
Hometown MADISON • 43
Spicy Cucumber Salad<br />
with Lime Garlic Vinaigrette<br />
• 2 cucumbers, very finely sliced<br />
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely<br />
diced<br />
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced<br />
• 3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice<br />
• ½ orange bell pepper, diced<br />
• 3 small red onions, sliced in rings<br />
• ½ tsp. salt<br />
• Black pepper to taste<br />
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil<br />
• 4 Tbsp chopped cilantro, to taste<br />
Slice jalapeno and red onion using a<br />
mandolin slicer or sharp knife and<br />
add to a medium sized bowl. Add<br />
lime juice, diced bell pepper, salt and<br />
black pepper. Incorporate olive<br />
oil with a whisk. Add cucumbers<br />
and cilantro and stir well.<br />
Serve immediately or let it<br />
sit in the fridge to marinate<br />
for a couple hours. Make<br />
sure to let the salad sit on<br />
the counter for a little<br />
while before serving if<br />
it’s been in the fridge; the<br />
olive oil solidifies slightly<br />
when it gets cold.<br />
Cilantro Lime Grilled<br />
Chicken Tenders<br />
Marinade<br />
• ½ cup fresh lime juice<br />
• 3 tsp. fresh lime zest<br />
• ¼ cup olive oil<br />
• 4 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped<br />
• 2 jalapenos, finely chopped<br />
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped<br />
• 1 Tbsp. honey<br />
• 2 tsp. salt<br />
Whisk until well combined.<br />
• 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken<br />
breast cut into strips.<br />
• 2 jalapenos, sliced<br />
• Bell pepper<br />
Rinse chicken and pat dry with<br />
paper towels. Add to the marinade,<br />
stir and coat evenly. Marinate for 30<br />
minutes. Thread on small skewers,<br />
alternating with jalapeno and bell<br />
pepper. Fire up the grill and brush<br />
with oil. Add a little bit of the garlic,<br />
cilantro, and jalapeno on top of the<br />
chicken and grill until golden brown<br />
and charred on both sides. Serve<br />
immediately. You can make these<br />
with a cast-iron grill pan or a regular<br />
skillet, or even broil in the oven.<br />
Grilled Bread<br />
(Garlic or Plain)<br />
• 8 slices of rustic bread<br />
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil<br />
• 1 clove of garlic, peeled and<br />
sliced in half<br />
• Butter<br />
• Salt<br />
Heat grill to medium-high heat<br />
(375-450 degrees). Brush each side<br />
of the bread lightly with olive oil.<br />
Place slices on a baking sheet and<br />
sprinkle with 1 pinch of salt on each.<br />
Grill 1-2 minutes per side until<br />
crispy and just starting to char on<br />
the edges. If desired, rub each slice<br />
with the cut side of the garlic and a<br />
bit of butter or additional olive oil.<br />
Add another sprinkle of kosher salt<br />
if serving plain.<br />
44 • JULY 2023
Strawberry Lemonade<br />
• 1 cup granulated sugar<br />
• 1 cup water<br />
• 2 cups fresh strawberries,<br />
hulled and sliced<br />
• 1½ cups fresh lemon juice<br />
(about 6 lemons)<br />
• 6 cups cold water or sparkling<br />
water<br />
• Ice cubes<br />
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced for<br />
garnish<br />
In a small saucepan, bring ¾ cup<br />
sugar and water to a boil. Remove<br />
from heat and let cool to room<br />
temperature. Meanwhile preheat<br />
your oven to 400 degrees or broiler<br />
mode. Place sliced strawberries onto<br />
a baking sheet lined with parchment<br />
paper. Sprinkle with ¼ cup granulated<br />
sugar. Toss well, arrange on one layer<br />
and roast for 10-20 minutes, until soft<br />
and bubbly.<br />
Transfer strawberries in a bowl and<br />
mash them with a fork. You can also<br />
use a food processor or blender and<br />
process/blend until smooth. Pour the<br />
pureed roasted strawberries into the<br />
sugar water. Add lemon juice and stir<br />
well. Pour strawberry lemon mixture<br />
and cold water or sparkling water into<br />
a large pitcher. Stir well, add ice and<br />
additional strawberry slices. Serve the<br />
strawberry lemonade into glasses<br />
over ice cubes and strawberry slices<br />
for garnish.<br />
Grill Potatoes<br />
• 2 lbs. russet potatoes (4-5 medium)<br />
• 2 Tbsp. plus 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt,<br />
divided<br />
• ¼ cup olive oil, plus more for<br />
grilling grates<br />
• 1 tsp. paprika<br />
• ½ tsp. garlic powder<br />
• Black pepper<br />
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.<br />
Heat an outdoor grill to mediumhigh<br />
heat. Scrub potatoes and cut<br />
lengthwise into wedges. Add 2 Tbsp.<br />
of the kosher salt and the potatoes to<br />
the boiling water. Reduce to a simmer<br />
and cook 8 to 10 minutes to par cook.<br />
Drain potatoes in a colander. When<br />
cool enough to handle, place the<br />
potato wedges on a rimmed baking<br />
sheet. Drizzle with ¼ cup olive oil<br />
and springle with remaining 1½ tsp.<br />
kosher salt, 1 tsp. paprika, ½ tsp. garlic<br />
powder, and black pepper. Use your<br />
hands to toss and thoroughly coat the<br />
potatoes. Oil grill grates with olive oil.<br />
Place the potato wedges cut-side down<br />
in a single layer on the grill grates,<br />
positioning them so they lie across<br />
the grates. Reserve the baking sheet.<br />
Cover and grill until golden brown<br />
and grill marks form on the bottom,<br />
5-7 minutes. Flip the potatoes, cover,<br />
and grill until browned and tender,<br />
about 5 more minutes. Transfer the<br />
potatoes back to the baking sheet.<br />
Toss with the oil and seasonings<br />
left on the baking sheet. Serve<br />
immediately.<br />
Campfire Apple Crisp<br />
Foil Packets<br />
• 4 cups apples, peeled, and sliced<br />
thinly<br />
• ¼ cup sugar<br />
• 2 tsp. cinnamon<br />
• ½ cup butter, melted<br />
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed<br />
• ½ cup flour<br />
• ½ cup quick oats<br />
• ½ tsp. baking powder<br />
• Aluminum foil<br />
Build campfire or preheat grill/oven<br />
to 350 degrees. Tear off 4 sheets of<br />
aluminum foil (8x12). Evenly divide<br />
apples between the four pieces of<br />
tinfoil. In a small bowl mix together<br />
sugar and cinnamon. Evenly sprinkle<br />
over the top of the apples. In a<br />
medium sized mixing bowl mix<br />
together butter, brown sugar, flour,<br />
oatmeal, and baking powder. Evenly<br />
sprinkle over the top of the apple mixture.<br />
Fold foil packets up and seal.<br />
Place on a grate over the campfire, or<br />
in the oven or on the grill grate. Bake<br />
for about 20 minutes. Carefully open<br />
foil packet, top with ice cream if<br />
desired.<br />
Grilled Corn Salsa<br />
• 4 ears sweet corn, shucked<br />
• 1 lime, halved<br />
• 1 Tbsp. oil, for grilling<br />
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes<br />
• ¼ large red onion, finely diced<br />
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro<br />
• 1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced<br />
• 1 garlic clove, minced<br />
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil<br />
• 1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar<br />
• 1 tsp. kosher salt<br />
• ¼ tsp. black pepper<br />
• ¼ tsp. ground cumin<br />
Preheat grill to medium-high heat<br />
(400-450 degrees). Brush corn and<br />
lime halves with 1 Tbsp. oil. Grill<br />
corn with the lid closed for 10-15<br />
minutes, turning occasionally, until<br />
corn is caramelized, and dark brown<br />
spots appear on the kernels. While<br />
the corn is cooking, grill the lime<br />
halves cut side down and remove<br />
after grill marks appear, about 2-4<br />
minutes. Transfer the grilled corn<br />
and lime halves to a large plate and<br />
let cool for 5 minutes, or until cool<br />
enough to handle. Cut the grilled<br />
corn off the cob and transfer to a<br />
large mixing bowl. Squeeze the juice<br />
out of the grilled lime halves and<br />
add all the remaining ingredients.<br />
Toss together to combine, cover<br />
and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve with<br />
tortilla chips, on carne asada, or in a<br />
burrito bowl. Store leftovers in an<br />
airtight container in the refrigerator<br />
for up to one week.<br />
Hometown MADISON • 45
I need to get<br />
an oil change.<br />
Send text about<br />
that meeting.<br />
Don’t forget<br />
to pick up<br />
DINNER!<br />
Report due<br />
TOMORROW!<br />
DOCTOR’S<br />
APPOINTMENT:<br />
SCHEDULED!<br />
THE DOCTOR<br />
WILL HEAR<br />
YOU NOW<br />
You’ve got a lot on your to-do list.<br />
With plenty of provider and location<br />
options, quick online scheduling and<br />
more, your health concerns are one<br />
less thing to worry about. Learn more<br />
at stdom.com/WeListenWeHeal.<br />
46 • JULY 2023
Hometown MADISON • 47
A<br />
Love Story<br />
for the<br />
Books<br />
Melanie McMillan<br />
It was the spring of 2020, and high school seniors<br />
Jameson Cook and Abby McCoy had both been invited<br />
to Mississippi College for scholarship interviews.<br />
48 • JULY 2023
The two were in a text group for incoming Mississippi College freshmen, and although<br />
Jameson had tried to connect with Abby, this was their first time to meet in person. “Abby’s<br />
picture immediately caught my eye on the class GroupMe, and I tried talking to her on social<br />
media, but she wasn’t interested initially,” says Jameson. However, as they waited for their<br />
respective appointment times that spring day, they struck up a conversation in the library.<br />
Jameson was smitten, but the timing wasn’t right. However, he saw he had a chance when<br />
Abby reached out to him on his birthday, May 19th. “That was a really busy day for me.<br />
I didn’t have time to look at texts or social media messages until late in the day. I was a little<br />
surprised, but excited, to see that Abby had wished me a happy birthday. I messaged her<br />
back and we struck up a conversation.”<br />
Hometown MADISON • 49
Two weeks later, Abby and Jameson connected<br />
through FaceTime and talked for seven hours.<br />
Jameson lived on the coast at the time and Abby<br />
was in Southaven, so traditional dating was a bit<br />
difficult, but they met for dinner twice and talked<br />
regularly. Jameson officially asked Abby to be his<br />
girlfriend one week before their freshman year at<br />
Mississippi College began.<br />
It didn’t take long for Jameson to know that<br />
Abby was the girl for him. “When I was in high<br />
school, my youth minister challenged us to make<br />
a list of everything we were looking for in a spouse,”<br />
Jameson says. “I actually made that list, and Abby<br />
was everything I could have ever wanted. Even<br />
better, she has qualities I didn’t have on the list,<br />
but should have. She is the perfect complement<br />
to me, she radiates joy, and she is a great example<br />
of God’s love.” It was clear that Abby was falling in<br />
love with Jameson as well. “The more I talked to<br />
Jameson,” Abby says, “the more I grew to know<br />
his heart, and the more I fell in love with him,<br />
the more I knew he was my best friend. Jameson<br />
loves me and others fiercely, and is everything<br />
I could want in a husband.”<br />
When Abby’s parents came to town in May<br />
of 2022 for an awards banquet at Mississippi<br />
College, Jameson asked Abby’s dad, Lee, for<br />
permission to marry his daughter. Unbeknownst<br />
to any of the family, the photographer taking<br />
pictures at the dinner that night snapped a photo<br />
of Lee and Jameson talking. When Abby saw the<br />
picture on social media, she asked Jameson about<br />
it. “It was really hard to keep a straight face when<br />
she asked me what her dad and I were talking<br />
about in the photo, but I just told her I didn’t<br />
really remember,” Jameson says.<br />
Fast forward to 2023, when Jameson began<br />
planning the perfect proposal. “The library at<br />
Mississippi College is special to us because it’s<br />
where we first met face to face,” says Jameson,<br />
“so I knew I wanted to propose to her there.”<br />
He enlisted the help of none other than Mississippi<br />
College President Dr. Blake Thompson. With<br />
the help of Dr. Thompson’s assistant, Jameson<br />
was able to get Abby to the college under the<br />
ruse that as a student ambassador, she had been<br />
selected to give a campus tour to a very prestigious<br />
alumnus. A fake birthday dinner for Jameson was<br />
also planned for after the tour, an excuse for the<br />
couple to get dressed up. “Abby ended up asking me<br />
to join her on the tour, so we drove over together<br />
and went to Dr. Thompson’s office,” Jameson<br />
says. “I excused myself to the restroom but<br />
instead went to the library steps. Dr. Thompson<br />
told Abby she had a big responsibility and<br />
needed to be on her ‘A game’ because of who the<br />
alumnus was. She quickly picked up on what was<br />
going on when she walked into Dr. Thompson’s<br />
office to see her dad, Lee, who is actually a<br />
graduate of Mississippi College School of Law.”<br />
50 • JULY 2023
Dr. Thompson, Lee, and Abby boarded a golf<br />
cart and drove to the library. Lining the street<br />
were dozens of friends and family members,<br />
each holding a rose which was presented to Abby<br />
as she passed. With her bouquet of roses, Abby<br />
climbed the steps of the library to meet Jameson,<br />
who knelt on one knee and asked her to be his<br />
wife. The happy couple celebrated that night at<br />
a party with family and friends.<br />
It’s been said that you don’t just marry a<br />
person, but also a family, which in the case of<br />
Abby and Jameson, is a perfect match. Jameson’s<br />
parents, Jay and Kristi Cook, and younger sister<br />
Amelia Rose, live in Canton. Interestingly, all<br />
three of them pointed out Abby to Jameson at<br />
the Mississippi College presidential dinner the<br />
day before the scholarship interviews and<br />
encouraged him to talk to her. Jameson laughs<br />
as he remembers that he had to tell them he<br />
had already tried, and she wasn’t interested.<br />
“As a mom I’ve prayed Jameson’s whole life<br />
for a godly wife,” says Kristi. “It was amazing<br />
how we all - Jay, myself and Amelia Rose - felt a<br />
connection to Abby before we even met her.<br />
We all saw her that night and just knew. We<br />
referred to her as ‘the girl in the striped pants’<br />
for a long time after that. We know that God<br />
brought them together.”<br />
Lee and Leticia McCoy, Abby’s parents, live<br />
in Southaven and also have three sons, Cooper,<br />
Reese, and Luke. Jameson says the two families<br />
have become close and he is grateful for the<br />
future in-laws he’s been blessed with.<br />
Abby is working this summer as a counselor<br />
at Camp Rap-A-Hope in Alabama, a ministry<br />
for children with cancer. She is an elementary<br />
education major and her long term career goal<br />
is to teach at a children’s hospital. Jameson is<br />
preparing for the dental admission test and plans<br />
to pursue a career as a dentist. He was inaugurated<br />
this spring as the Mississippi College student<br />
body president.<br />
While it’s not unusual for couples to meet<br />
and fall in love in college, not many can say the<br />
president of their school participated in the<br />
proposal surprise, from setting up the meeting,<br />
driving the golf cart, and even sweeping the steps<br />
the night before. For Abby and Jameson, and<br />
their family and friends, it’s a memory that will<br />
always be special.<br />
“God is still teaching me things<br />
about Jameson and us as a couple,”<br />
Abby says. “But I know that if we<br />
keep trusting in Him, He will give<br />
us a strong marriage.”<br />
Hometown MADISON • 51
Gluckstadt Madison Business Alliance<br />
Stadt Scramble<br />
May 5<br />
Lake Caroline Golf Club<br />
Gluckstadt Madison Business Alliance hosted<br />
their first golf tournament raising funds for the<br />
Gluckstadt Police Department to go toward the<br />
purchase of a K9. They were able to donate<br />
$6,000 from the funds raised.<br />
52 • JULY 2023
Hometown MADISON • 53
54 • JULY 2023
SNAPPY<br />
One of summer’s most magical offerings<br />
is the flashing lights of fireflies.<br />
What child hasn’t rounded up a Mason jar of lightning<br />
bugs to put in their room? The phosphorous glow is one<br />
of nature’s most fascinating things to watch.<br />
SYNCHING<br />
IN THE<br />
WOODS<br />
Susan Marquez<br />
Now imagine walking into the woods to see tens<br />
of thousands of fireflies flashing their lights in perfect<br />
synchronization. No random flashing here and there,<br />
rather a symphony of lights blinking on and off at<br />
precisely the same time.<br />
The Photinus Frontalis species of fireflies does just<br />
that, and they only do it in dense, old growth forests.<br />
There are very few documented places in the world<br />
where this species is found. One of those places is in<br />
the woods behind the Bill Waller Craft Center in<br />
Ridgeland, adjacent to one of Mississippi’s National<br />
Parks: The Natchez Trace Parkway.<br />
And for the record, fireflies are not flies at all,<br />
they are beetles. And the chemical reaction known<br />
as bioluminescence is how the fireflies convert<br />
energy into light.<br />
The “Snappy Synchs” have a short life span.<br />
They mate, lay eggs, and live about two weeks<br />
before dying. The eggs mature into larvae then into<br />
full grown fireflies that only come out once a year.<br />
The flashing lights are designed to attract a mate.<br />
Once they have mated, their work is done.<br />
Claire Graves, a native of Ackerman, heard about<br />
the Snappy Synchs at the craft center by attending a<br />
class of Mississippi master naturalists. “I have always<br />
been interested in nature,” she says. Similar to the<br />
Master Gardener programs, the Master Naturalists<br />
program trains people to be stewards of our natural<br />
environment and to teach those skills to others. Master<br />
naturalists receive many hours of both classroom and<br />
field instruction, and they are required to complete a<br />
number of volunteer hours along with annual continuing<br />
education requirements.<br />
Hometown MADISON • 55
56 • JULY 2023
“I was at a class in Clinton about fireflies with Paul and Libby Hartfield,” says<br />
Claire. “Libby told me about the Snappy Synchs along the Trace, behind the craft<br />
center. For a couple of years I went out there at night with friends to watch them.”<br />
Because Claire is interested in using nature to promote tourism, she had an idea<br />
of partnering with the Craftsmen’s Guild to do an event around the fireflies at the<br />
craft center.<br />
“That was in 2019, and we were planning a big event in 2020, then Covid hit,”<br />
recalls Claire. “We had to regroup, and due to the Park Service’s strong restrictions,<br />
we decided to do small group tours. It was such a hit that the event now centers<br />
on those tours.”<br />
The event kicks off with a “Snappy Synch Soiree,” a ticketed party featuring<br />
live music, specialty cocktail, and hors d’oeuvres. Party attendees also get a<br />
guided tour by the master naturalists. For the remaining three nights of the event,<br />
tours are scheduled every thirty minutes. This year’s event was a sell-out, with<br />
816 tickets purchased. Staff members and volunteers from the Craftsmen’s Guild<br />
assisted. Thirty, in all, engaged. Mississippi Master Naturalists had nine volunteers<br />
on hand as tour guides for 46 tours over a three-day period.<br />
To validate Claire’s idea that the fireflies could be a tourism draw, the unique<br />
Facebook page for the event had 5,728 page views, and visitors from across<br />
Mississippi as well as Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Louisiana,<br />
Arkansas, Florida, and Missouri, attended the event. “Visit Mississippi sent a<br />
photography crew to take photos for a future Mississippi tourism campaign,”<br />
she says.<br />
“We also had the opportunity to give Senator Roger Wicker and his family<br />
a VIP tour Saturday night,” says Claire. “He asked questions about fireflies for<br />
nearly an hour! He had a great experience at Mississippi’s greatest National<br />
Park Service site.”<br />
The event has sold out every year, which delights Claire. “I am committed<br />
to preserving the Snappy Synchs habitat, and I think the more people who see<br />
it, the more they’ll want to take care of it as well.” Claire says that the master<br />
naturalists have also started identifying other nighttime creatures present at the<br />
site, and they are adding that information on their tours. “This year we identified<br />
several frog species, juvenile barred owls, and flying squirrels.” The highlight of<br />
the event may have been seeing the family from Utah who had never seen fireflies.<br />
“They were absolutely amazed!”<br />
Betsy Ross, the executive director of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi,<br />
says the Bill Waller Craft Center was thrilled to play host for Claire Graves’ Snappy<br />
Synch event in May. “We are pleased the event sold out. The Bill Waller Craft<br />
Center is an amazing facility and we are proud to host Claire and the Snappy<br />
Synch event and all of the wonderful volunteers and naturalists.”<br />
Hometown MADISON • 57
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Hometown MADISON • 59
IN MEMORIAM<br />
The City of Madison was blessed to have Randy Tyler serve the<br />
citizens of our community for over seven years after his retirement<br />
as the chief of police from the Ridgeland Police Department. Randy<br />
brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the younger generation<br />
of men and women at the Madison Police Department. While serving<br />
Madison, Randy was instrumental in developing and organizing a<br />
robust field training program for new officers so they could excel in<br />
their newly found careers. He also helped supervise the department’s<br />
narcotics division. Even as he mentored the younger generation of<br />
public servants, Randy’s heart was always dedicated to the protection of<br />
the community. He put his life in harm’s way many times as a member<br />
of the police department’s special response team. On June 1, 2023,<br />
he gave the ultimate sacrifice of community service while protecting<br />
the citizens of the metropolitan Jackson area. As we grieve for his<br />
family, the Madison Police Department and our community of<br />
Madison is forever grateful for his service and sacrifice for our<br />
citizens. May he rest in peace.<br />
Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler<br />
Madison the City<br />
Randy<br />
TYLER<br />
MADISON POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
I consider myself very fortunate to have worked alongside Randy for<br />
nearly 35 years in law enforcement. When I started my career with<br />
Ridgeland PD in 1989, I sought out a team member who ‘did it right’<br />
so I could use them as a mentor. Randy was that guy. He had been<br />
with Ridgeland PD for a few years and was well respected, so as<br />
Randy grew in his career, I did as well. The successes of the investigations<br />
division within Ridgeland PD are a direct result of the hard<br />
work Chief Tyler put into making the division the best while pushing<br />
the investigators to focus on working for the victims. The number of<br />
officers Randy touched in his career will never be known, but from<br />
my perspective, there will never be anyone who cared about this<br />
profession like Chief Randy Tyler.<br />
John Neal<br />
Retired Ridgeland Police Chief<br />
60 • JULY 2023
I had the honor of knowing and serving with Chief Tyler for over<br />
thirty years. During this time, Randy always conducted himself<br />
as a true professional and he will forever be remembered as a<br />
hero. Chief Tyler was always a leader, and his mere presence<br />
made you want to do things the right way. Even after his<br />
retirement from the City of Ridgeland, his desire to educate<br />
other officers led him to the City of Madison Police Department.<br />
For over seven years, officers at this department benefited from<br />
his leadership and expertise ranging in field training operations,<br />
narcotics enforcement, and special response. On June 1, 2023,<br />
Chief Tyler made the ultimate sacrifice while serving his<br />
community. I am forever grateful to him for not only his<br />
friendship but also for his leadership. May we all strive to leave a<br />
legacy as honorable as his. Rest in Peace, Brother.<br />
Assistant Chief Robbie Sanders<br />
Madison Police Department<br />
Brave men and women across our state and nation wake up<br />
each and every day to put on their badge and uniform to protect<br />
our citizens. That is exactly what Officer Randy Tyler was doing<br />
on June 1st. Losing a brother or sister in blue is heartbreaking.<br />
Officer Tyler was the definition of a hero. His outstanding<br />
leadership and bravery has left a mark on the law enforcement<br />
community that will allow his legacy to live on within those he<br />
supervised, trained, and worked alongside throughout his career.<br />
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during<br />
this time.<br />
Chief Bo Luckey<br />
Capitol Police<br />
I met Randy when I was 22 years old and had just started with<br />
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. He was assigned as a contract<br />
agent with us. He was kind, fair, and level-headed. I never doubted<br />
he had my back, and that I was safe while working with him.<br />
He was a true leader in law enforcement that gave so many<br />
years of his life to make our community safer.<br />
Leigh Cochran<br />
MS Bureau of Narcotics<br />
I never had the opportunity to work directly with Randy Tyler,<br />
but our paths crossed several times in my 34 years of law<br />
enforcement. While serving as assistant chief of police in<br />
Ridgeland, we worked closely with surrounding agencies,<br />
especially when there was some type of tactical measure that<br />
needed to be taken. Randy was known for his expertise in<br />
tactical policing. While at Ridgeland, I learned a lot about him<br />
as a leader of his troops. I started in Ridgeland about a year after<br />
Randy retired, but his legacy lived on through the people he left<br />
to carry it on. Part of his legacy is now the top cop in Ridgeland,<br />
Chief Brian Myers, who he mentored, and Assistant Chief<br />
Tony Willridge, who he served on SWAT with. Randy’s legacy<br />
will live on in law enforcement because he lived what he loved.<br />
Eric Redd<br />
Retired Ridgeland Police Assistant Chief<br />
Hometown MADISON • 61
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Madison<br />
Farmer’s Market<br />
Susan Marquez<br />
Before the advent of supermarkets, farmers needed a way to get their produce to consumers.<br />
That usually happened at a weekly farmer’s market, held in towns across America.<br />
Despite the convenience of buying produce from supermarkets and mega-stores<br />
pretty much 24 hours a day, people are flocking to community farmer’s markets<br />
not only for fresh, local produce, but for the community aspect as well.<br />
Madison the City has been holding a farmer’s market each<br />
summer on the grounds of the Madison Square Center for the Arts<br />
on Main Street by the red caboose for ten years. To be designated<br />
as a true farmer’s market, fifty percent of the things for sale must<br />
be produce, according to Beth Durrett of Madison’s Economic<br />
Development/Community Partners. “Our market is 75 to 80<br />
percent farm-raised products.”<br />
In addition to produce from area farms as far south as Hattiesburg,<br />
the market also has vendors selling jams, jellies, preserves, pickles,<br />
bread, gluten-free flours, organic chicken, and more. “We try to have<br />
as much as we can for people with special dietary needs,” says Beth.<br />
Some use the market as a way to promote their products or<br />
businesses. Leigh Bailey first sold her hydroponic lettuce and tomatoes<br />
from her company, Salad Days, at the Madison farmer’s market.<br />
Ray Horn sold his popular Mississippi Cold Drip coffee, now<br />
found in grocery stores throughout the region. Bless this Food,<br />
a Flora- based company that sells casseroles and other ready-to-eat<br />
foods, has recently opened a location in Madison. To bring attention<br />
to that new store, the company has a booth at the farmer’s market<br />
selling sourdough bread, cinnamon rolls, and cookies. “We have<br />
vendors who started at our market and have gone on to open<br />
storefronts,” says Amy Cummins, director of Madison the City’s<br />
Economic Development.<br />
“The farmer’s market is important to our city for several reasons,”<br />
says Amy. “First, it provides a direct and accessible avenue for local<br />
farmers and producers to sell their fresh, locally grown produce, meats,<br />
and other goods. This supports the local economy and promotes<br />
sustainable agriculture practices. Second, the farmer’s market<br />
encourages a sense of community by bringing people together in a<br />
vibrant and social setting. It creates a space for residents to interact<br />
with one another and connect with the individuals who grow their<br />
food. This fosters a stronger bond among community members.”<br />
Hometown MADISON • 65
Amy says that the farmer’s market can also contribute<br />
to the revitalization of neighborhoods. “They attract<br />
visitors, stimulate local businesses, and encourage healthier<br />
food choices while contributing to the economic and social<br />
well-being of our city.”<br />
With twenty-five vendors, the farmer’s market also<br />
features many foods that cannot be found in regular<br />
grocery stores, including heirloom varieties of produce,<br />
organic produce, artisanal bread, cheeses, honey, handmade<br />
crafts and more. Non-food items include hand-made candles,<br />
custom straw hats, wooden children’s toys, specialty items<br />
for dogs, bird houses, and handsewn items. The Madison<br />
County Master Gardeners usually have a few members on<br />
hand to answer questions about plants, and they sometimes<br />
sell native plants at the market.<br />
More than an in-and-out shopping experience, the<br />
farmer’s market in Madison offers a place for people to<br />
slow down and visit with one another. “It’s a great place for<br />
the community to gather and to see old friends while<br />
making new ones,” says Beth. People are encouraged to sit<br />
and stay a while to listen to live music. “We usually have<br />
live music each week. We also have a food truck each week,<br />
as well as snow cones.”<br />
The Madison County Library Bookmobile will often<br />
be on hand for those who want to return books or check<br />
out new ones. “Kids love the farmer’s market,” says Beth.<br />
“One of the most popular activities is the big sand pile.<br />
Children love playing in the sand while their parents shop<br />
at the market.”<br />
The farmer’s market is held each Tuesday in June<br />
and July, except for the week of the 4th of July. It starts at<br />
3:30pm and wraps at 6:30. “It’s easy to find,” says Amy.<br />
“Madison’s Farmer’s Market is located in the historic<br />
downtown area on Main Street, where it is highly visible to<br />
people driving through town. We provide tents for all the<br />
vendors, adding a sense of uniformity and professionalism<br />
to the market. It gives an organized atmosphere for visitors,<br />
making it easier for them to navigate and explore the<br />
various offerings. This enhances the overall experience for<br />
both vendors and shoppers.”<br />
66 • JULY 2023
“It’s a great place<br />
for the community<br />
to gather and to see<br />
old friends while<br />
making new ones.”<br />
Hometown MADISON • 67
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Hometown MADISON • 69
One Year<br />
After Roe<br />
How the Center for Pregnancy Choices<br />
Metro Area is Strategically Addressing<br />
the Demand for Abortion<br />
Imagine, for a second, there is a young woman born and raised in<br />
Mississippi who has all the odds stacked against her; it’s been that way<br />
her whole life. She grew up in poverty, watching her parents battle addiction.<br />
She’s trying to get out on her own, but her housing situation is not stable or<br />
safe right now. She’s barely able to support herself financially. She’s in an<br />
on-and-off-again relationship, and he doesn’t always treat her very well.<br />
She doesn’t know what it’s like to be treated well because she doesn’t know<br />
that she has value, dignity, and worth.<br />
One night, this young woman finds out she is pregnant. Staring at a<br />
positive pregnancy test, she feels so isolated and overwhelmed. Where is she<br />
supposed to turn now? The only thing she can think of is that she wants the<br />
problem to go away. If she has an abortion, she thinks the shame and fear<br />
will go away, too.<br />
Abortion is not available at a physical location in Mississippi anymore.<br />
She knows that she can’t afford to travel out of state to an abortion clinic,<br />
so she decides that she will try to self-manage her abortion by purchasing<br />
abortion pills online.<br />
In seeking abortion care online, she is told: Purchasing abortion pills<br />
online, often from another country, is 100% safe with no risks. There is no risk<br />
of mental illness or emotional turmoil after an abortion. If you do experience<br />
complications, please report that you are having a miscarriage to ER staff and<br />
other healthcare professionals.<br />
What she does not know is that the risks associated with the abortion pill<br />
are uterine rupture, hemorrhage, extreme cramping and bleeding, incomplete<br />
abortion, and severe infection. She doesn’t know that these risks increase with<br />
the weeks of her pregnancy. She doesn’t know that it is unsafe to self-manage<br />
her abortion with no emotional or physical support.<br />
70 70 • • JULY JUNE 2023
Hometown MADISON RANKIN • 71
She doesn’t know that many women report feeling regret<br />
about their abortions for the rest of their lives and experience guilt,<br />
shame, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders,<br />
and substance abuse because of their abortions.<br />
She doesn’t know that the industry telling her she only has<br />
one choice also profits from that choice. The abortion industry<br />
tells her, abortion is female empowerment. But she doesn’t feel<br />
empowered.<br />
At the Center for Pregnancy Choices Metro Area, we don’t<br />
have to imagine this young woman. We meet her every day. It is<br />
our sincere hope and desperate prayer that before a woman ever<br />
begins to find avenues for abortion, she will first find the Cline<br />
Center, our medical clinic.<br />
While searching for abortion pills online, this young woman<br />
finds the Cline Center. Online it says that the Cline Center offers<br />
reproductive healthcare and support at no cost. She calls the Cline<br />
Center, and they ask about her and her circumstances. She learns<br />
that the Cline Center can offer her honest and respectful options,<br />
counseling, advocacy, accurate and objective abortion consultations,<br />
safe and professional reproductive healthcare including a<br />
lab-grade pregnancy test and limited ultrasound, and a plethora<br />
of continued support options to meet all her needs. She decides<br />
to make an appointment.<br />
At her appointment, the staff is warm and welcoming,<br />
and she is beginning to feel safe and cared for. Her pregnancy is<br />
verified, and she is given all the information she needs about all<br />
her options – parenting, adoption, and abortion – so that she can<br />
make a well-informed choice. She learns about fetal development<br />
and the abortion procedure. She has an ultrasound to determine<br />
the location and viability of her pregnancy. She is given lots of<br />
resources and support options. She never feels judged for whatever<br />
is going through her mind, all her questions are answered, and<br />
everything she says is kept confidential.<br />
After her appointment at the Cline Center, she doesn’t feel<br />
alone anymore. She feels empowered, educated, and equipped.<br />
Now, she knows that she is stronger than her circumstances.<br />
She knows that she is capable of so much more than abortion.<br />
The Cline Center continues to follow-up with her and care for<br />
her every step of the way.<br />
In a world after Roe, we have seen, firsthand, that the desperation<br />
for hope and help is even greater. At the CPC Metro Area,<br />
we work to meet that need by entering the crisis of an unplanned<br />
pregnancy with the woman and doing the real work to walk<br />
alongside her, offering personalized and comprehensive support<br />
from the first moment she finds out she is pregnant to long after<br />
her decision.<br />
72 • JULY 2023
We know that the issue of abortion is not simple,<br />
and we know that the solutions are not easy. It is our<br />
mission to strategically address the demand for abortion<br />
through prevention, intervention, and extension.<br />
The CPC Metro Area exists as a parent ministry for a<br />
number of programs that strive to prevent, intervene,<br />
and extend.<br />
Unscripted helps to prevent unplanned pregnancies<br />
by empowering integrity, one generation at a<br />
time. The Cline Center intervenes in crisis and equips<br />
women to make fully informed decisions. Cline Support<br />
extends support, hope, and resources in the JXN Metro<br />
Area. (UN)covered extends hope and healing for the<br />
post-abortive woman.<br />
We rejoice in the overturn of Roe v. Wade and the<br />
positive impact that we have seen in our state and our<br />
country, but the fight is far from over. One year after<br />
the Dobbs decision, your response is needed now more<br />
than ever. YOU can help enter into, walk alongside,<br />
extend support, and restore a culture of abundant LIFE<br />
in Mississippi. Join us, today.<br />
For more info, visit cpcmetrofriends.org<br />
or clinecenters.org<br />
Hometown MADISON • 73
74 • JULY 2023
Mississippi<br />
Mysteries<br />
& Thrillers<br />
Melanie McMillan<br />
“Darden North once again writes the<br />
prescription for a perfect thriller…<br />
a dose of current events mixed in<br />
an engaging story. Need a great<br />
book to read? Party Favors is just<br />
what the doctor ordered.”<br />
- Marshall Ramsey<br />
Such praise from Marshall Ramsey, editor-at-large of Mississippi Today,<br />
Emmy winner, and twice Pulitzer Finalist Cartoonist, is a testimony to the<br />
writing talent of Darden North, a Mississippi physician and author of six<br />
mystery and thriller/suspense novels. Since publication of his first novel,<br />
House Call, in 2005, North has gained many fans with his page-turning<br />
stories - not the kind of mysteries that begin with strange symptoms and end<br />
with a rare and surprising diagnosis - but<br />
stories of intrigue and murder set in the<br />
world of healthcare.<br />
As a board-certified OB/Gyn at Jackson<br />
Healthcare for Women, it makes sense that<br />
North’s novels center on medical themes,<br />
while still appealing to a wide audience.<br />
While he likely didn’t predict his success as<br />
a novelist back in his younger days, his stint<br />
as business manager of the Cleveland High School yearbook gave him a taste<br />
of the publishing industry. He went on to become editor-in-chief of the<br />
Ole Miss yearbook his senior year in pre-med, as well as editor-in-chief of<br />
The Medic, the University of Mississippi School of Medicine yearbook.<br />
North says his writing has definitely changed since his first novel. “My<br />
writing and character dialogue is a lot tighter and moves along more quickly.<br />
I develop each chapter as though it is a television series episode. I think that<br />
comes with maturing as a writer,” he says. He participates in various conferences<br />
across the Southeast, including the Natchez Literary and Film Celebration<br />
where he recently presented about southern gothic literature and how his<br />
novels relate. He also stays engaged with groups of writers such as “Pitch to<br />
Published,” an international group that meets virtually to advise and critique<br />
each other.<br />
While North’s writing style may have evolved since 2005, it’s not the only<br />
thing to evolve throughout the industry. As brick-and-mortar bookstores<br />
make a comeback, changes in technology, and the rise in popularity of<br />
eBooks and audiobooks, have also expanded the worldwide availability of<br />
books, including North’s. Four of his six novels are available in audio format<br />
through audible.com, providing another way to get his thrillers and mysteries<br />
into the hands, or in this case ears, of those who prefer to listen to their<br />
novels. North notes that when he began to put words on the page he used a<br />
desktop computer, which meant he had to write in one spot. But with the<br />
proliferation of laptops and wi-fi, he can write anytime, anywhere.<br />
Hometown MADISON • 75
Inspiration comes to Darden North in a variety of ways. “Sometimes a<br />
title comes to me first and the characters and plot follow,” he says. “Other<br />
times I’ll hear a phrase or topic in passing and formulate an idea from that.<br />
One thing I’ve learned is to make a note of a plot or character idea as it<br />
comes to me.”<br />
North’s latest novel, his sixth, is called Party Favors and centers on a<br />
financially struggling orthopedic surgeon on the Mississippi Gulf Coast who<br />
turns to the sale of his patients’ unused postoperative narcotics to try to save<br />
his practice. “The novel is loosely based on real stories of narcotic abuse and<br />
loss of life to drug overdose and abuse. I write stories to entertain, but if I<br />
can share an important message, that’s even better.” Like his novel Points of<br />
Origin, Party Favors received the IPPY Award for southern fiction.<br />
The success of North’s novels has caught the attention of filmmakers,<br />
and he has already seen his second book, Points of Origin, come to life on the<br />
screen. Produced in Mississippi by Paragenesis Media and Saint Studios Films,<br />
it was the first of his books to be adapted into film, but Dr. North hopes it<br />
won’t be the last. “The many streaming platforms available now have made<br />
it financially feasible for more independent filmmakers to produce quality<br />
films,” says North. “I’ve been working with Thadd and Wyatt Turner of<br />
Talmarc Films and hope to see more of my books on the big- or little-screen.<br />
I also learned a bit about screenwriting. We have formed a new company,<br />
Mississippi Films, to work with the Screen Actors Guild and the Mississippi<br />
Film Office to produce and film my novels Wiggle Room and The Five Manners<br />
of Death in Mississippi, bringing more industry to the state. I’m already at<br />
work on a third book as a follow up to those two, which will continue the<br />
plight of the same female lead character and other favorites.”<br />
When Dr. North isn’t practicing medicine or writing novels, he enjoys<br />
spending time with his family - which includes wife Sally and their two<br />
children and three grandchildren - traveling, working in the yard, and<br />
enjoying their lake house. North enjoys speaking at book clubs (in person or<br />
virtual) and doing book signings around the state and beyond. “I am<br />
thankful to the readers who enjoy my work just as I am grateful to the<br />
patients who have let me help take care of them and their families. I look<br />
forward to more novels - and movies - and years of office and surgical<br />
gynecology practice. It is an exciting time.”<br />
For more information on Darden North’s books or to schedule a book signing or book club event,<br />
visit www.dardennorth.com.<br />
76 • JULY 2023
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Hometown MADISON • 77
The CHALKBOARD Madison Schools<br />
Jackson Academy<br />
Jackson Academy recognized students<br />
who were selected for various<br />
end-of-the-year awards, including<br />
senior Beauties and Beaus, and more.<br />
This year’s Beauties and Beaus are –<br />
Back L-R: Louis Summerford,<br />
Adams Kennedy, Win Hooker,<br />
Thomas Antici, Cade Breland,<br />
Bennett Wier, Merritt Nations.<br />
Front L-R: Sydney Grace Hewitt,<br />
Mary Manning Farese, Caroline Bennett,<br />
Mary Elise Lowe, Amelia Dare Bowman,<br />
Hayes Tharp, Molly Baldwin.<br />
At JA Senior Awards Night this spring,<br />
Merritt Nations and Olivia Claire Williford<br />
were named Mr. & Miss Jackson Academy.<br />
JA celebrated Lakin Laurendine’s selection as a<br />
Gatorade Player of the Year. The Auburn commit is a<br />
two-time recipient of the honor, which recognizes<br />
students who excel in a sport and also academically.<br />
This is the ninth time in the last 10 years a Jackson<br />
Academy athlete has received a Gatorade Mississippi<br />
Player of The Year. Pictured are Lakin Laurendine<br />
and Head Volleyball Coach Melissa Denson.<br />
Each year, the artwork of four students, one from each grade,<br />
is selected to be displayed in the Mary Sprayberry Lower School<br />
Art Gallery. Mrs. Sprayberry was the elementary art teacher at<br />
JA for 17 years. The honor goes to students who demonstrate<br />
creative, artistic talent and a Christian spirit of encouragement and<br />
kindness as exemplified by Mrs. Sprayberry. The selected artwork<br />
remains on display in the Lower School library for one year.<br />
L-R: Fourth Grade: Vivie Howard, First Grade: Jackson Campbell,<br />
Second Grade: Audrey Gonzalez, and Third Grade: Scarlet Miller.<br />
JA Upper School Student Council provides leadership for the student<br />
body and contributes to the spirit and mission of the school. Grade-level<br />
representatives organize an event each year for their respective classes.<br />
Seniors also speak at various events throughout the year.<br />
Back L-R: Adams Kennedy, Coleman Chustz, Jeffrey Gao, Houston Hearn,<br />
Drake Lester, Merritt Nations. Front L-R: Mary Elise Lowe, Olivia Claire<br />
Williford, Molly Baldwin, Gracie Drew Pratt. Student Body<br />
President was Olivia Claire Williford.<br />
78 • JULY 2023
Madison Central<br />
Jaguar Spirit Award Winners L-R: Thomas Nichols, Hayes Henry, Casey Pierce, Elizabeth Delaney, Mary Jackson<br />
Brown, Sam Storm, Aiden Usry, Isaiah Spencer, William McKelvey, Harrison Palmerton, Avery Chambliss<br />
Blue & Orange Award Winners L-R: Bethany Abraham, Anna Kimbrell, Caroline King, Jessica Eibert,<br />
Olivia Heard, Claire Boykin, Charlie Ratliff, Kinsley Wilson, RJ Smith, Alexa Ainsworth, Matthew Blaylock,<br />
Ella Ruhl, Nina Gault, Marina Goupalova<br />
Madison Central’s junior Nataleigh Nix (left)<br />
was recently crowned Miss Mississippi’s Teen 2023.<br />
She will be competing nationally January 2024.<br />
Senior Claire Ulmer (right) was recently<br />
crowned Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2023.<br />
She’ll compete nationally in October 2023.<br />
Ulmer will be attending the University<br />
of Mississippi in the fall.<br />
Principal’s Leadership Award Winners L-R: Makenzi Denton, Simran Dhaliwal, Mary Scott Garrard,<br />
Jake Norris, Genna Ishee, Bryman Williams<br />
Hall of Fame Members L-R: Fabricio Neira, Shreya Sinha, Cassie Howell, Rithik Banerjee, Jason Tu,<br />
Kate Fairburn, Josh Maatallah, Adam Maatallah, Ava Dear, Leo Mei<br />
Hometown MADISON • 79
TheTime COIN<br />
Camille Anding<br />
“Put it on the list!”<br />
It’s been a household slogan of mine for multiple years. There’s an on-going grocery list that<br />
I keep by the fridge and a similar one for all sorts of items that I list on my phone. I try to make it<br />
a constant to list items when I’ve used the last one or emptied a box. The list makes for a more<br />
organized life.<br />
I suppose my list-making dates back to my high school days. There were assignment lists that<br />
were important to keep and lists of important facts that our teachers promised to ask on final exams.<br />
College lists carried greater weight. There were listings of grades outside professors’ doors that<br />
I sometimes asked a friend to check on for me. Chemistry lists were the most threatening. Grading<br />
on the curve was a new experience for me, but how I grew to appreciate it in chemistry class.<br />
One of my most exciting and joy-filled lists was the one I made for wedding guests.<br />
There were lists for showers – those attending and the list of gifts. Then there was<br />
an important list for thank-you notes. Mother reminded me that regardless of my<br />
new life as a wife it was absolutely necessary to keep a list of the thank you notes<br />
I wrote for all our wedding gifts.<br />
Quicker than I could have ever imagined, I was going down store aisles with<br />
a school supply list for our children. Then there was a required list for school<br />
vaccinations and a long summer reading list of books.<br />
The lists never ended. As my parents aged, and we switched many roles, I kept<br />
medicine lists for their doctors’ visits. There were dietary lists of what they could and<br />
couldn’t eat and a list of appointment dates for doctor visits.<br />
Years ago, I remember being in a Wednesday night church service where the<br />
pastor read a long list of prayer needs for members and other special needs outside<br />
our immediate church family. It was always a long list of names – the hospitalized,<br />
the bereaved, those facing surgery, those recouping from surgery, our military, the<br />
missionaries and church ministries and always a growing list of the sick.<br />
When our pastor asked us to divide into small groups to pray for those listed,<br />
Othel whispered, “Someday we’ll be on this list under one of these categories.”<br />
It was an unsettling thought, but it was a thought every individual should ponder<br />
and digest. There’s no way other than the Rapture that believers won’t be on a list of<br />
the sick, the dying, or the bereaved-someday.<br />
Such thoughts always turn me to the most important list ever written – the names in the Lamb’s<br />
Book of Life. That’s ultimately the only list that will matter. It’s hard to imagine anyone neglecting<br />
“so great a salvation” offered and paid for by the List Maker.<br />
80 • JULY 2023
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Hometown MADISON • 81
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Nissan Parkway<br />
River Oaks Drive<br />
EXIT 118B
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