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October CONTENTS 2018 • VOLUME 15 • NO. 10
features 46 Casting a Line With Fly-Fishing Guides
60 Kayaking for Kids What You Need to Know
54 Celebrating Agritourism Down on the Farm
departments 14 Living Well It’s a Dog’s Life
42 On the Road Again Fayetteville, Arkansas
18 Notables Eagle Scout Nathan Fain
44 Greater Goods 66 Homegrown Blue Ridge Chair Works
22 Exploring Art Metal Museum of Memphis 26 Exploring Books Should the Tent Be Burning Like That? 30 Into the Wild Extreme Adventures
74 Southern Harmony HighRoad 76 In Good Spirits A Ghostly Drink from King’s Tavern
34 Table Talk The Kitchen at Shelby Farms
78 Exploring Events
38 Exploring Destinations Horsin’ Around in Aiken
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70 Southern Gentleman Old Car City
80 Reflections Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut
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editor’s note } october Choose an Adventure October is the perfect month for exploring the outdoors because it’s not too hot, not too cold. Temperatures are just about right for any adventure you want to pursue, and do we ever have a list of ideas for you and your family in this issue! Kayaking and canoeing are family friendly and growing in popularity. Assistant editor Andrea Brown Ross takes us on paddle adventures with her son and gives advice for how to get kids started. As you’ll read in her story, kayaking is a great way to enjoy nature, and the lakes and ponds in our area are perfect locations to learn. Being on the water means fishing to many folks. Arkansas writer Rebecca Bingham tracked down three well-known fly-fishing guides who share advice for being successful in the sport. If fishing and kayaking are too tame for you, then you’ll want to read Jill Gleeson’s round-up of extreme adventures, beginning with bull riding. And don’t think this rough-and-tumble sport is just for cowboys. Jill found a couple of bull-riding schools where anyone can channel their inner rodeo star. Jill also writes about her hairraising helicopter ride and her whitewater rafting experience. October is Agritourism Month, a perfect time for us to salute the many farms and farmers that drive Mississippi’s largest economic sector.
OCTOBER 2018 • Vol. 15 No.10
PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Adam Mitchell PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Paula Mitchell EDITOR-AT-LARGE Mary Ann DeSantis ASSISTANT EDITOR Andrea Brown Ross
Karen Ott-Mayer, as owner of Moon Hollow Farm, knows firsthand that combining agriculture with tourism is a win-win for the state and for farms. From books and art to outdoor eating or riding polo ponies, DeSoto Magazine covers the gamut of activities and explorations. So, what are you waiting for? Get outside and find your fall adventure. Happy reading,
Mary Ann
CONTRIBUTORS Rebecca Bingham Robin Gallaher Branch Cheré Coen Mary Fairley Fran Folsom Jason Frye Jill Gleeson Michelle Keller Debi Lander Karen Ott Mayer Charlene Oldham Andrea Brown Ross Pam Windsor PUBLISHED BY DeSoto Media 2375 Memphis St. Ste 205 Hernando, MS 38632 662.429.4617 ADVERTISING INFO: Paula Mitchell 901-262-9887 Paula@DeSotoMag.com DeSotoMagazine.com
on the cover Austin Beaty, 2016 True Grit Bull Camp Champion, at the Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association’s annual riding camp. Photo by Click Thompson Photography [clickthompson.com] and provided courtesy of SEBRA.
©2018 DeSoto Media Co. DeSoto Magazine must give permission for any material contained herein t o b e re p ro d u c e d i n a n y m a n n e r. Any advertisements published in DeSoto Magazine do not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s services or products. DeSoto Magazine is published monthly by DeSoto Media Co. Parties interested in advertising should email paula@desotomag.com or call 901-262-9887. Visit us online at desotomagazine.com.
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living well } healthy dogs
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It’s a Dog’s Life By Robin Gallaher Branch | Photography courtesy of thelittlegsp.com
Dogs need special care all year round – not just in hunting and hiking season. Veterinarian John Allen Ferguson offers tips for keeping canines healthy and happy. Elwood Jenkins is a house dog and knows it. The German Shorthaired Pointer enjoys his status over his seven compatriots, a mix of German and English pointers, that live next door in a kennel equipped with heating and air conditioning. The eight dogs run twice a day. Their owner, John Allen Ferguson, is also their vet. Consequently, they get excellent care. Ferguson, chuckles fondly when he talks of his dogs. “German Shorthaired Pointers seek more personal attention. The English pointers just want to get out and hunt. They’re not house dogs.” Ferguson, owner of the Animal Medical Center of Hernando and the new office in Senatobia, Mississippi, offers tips for owners and their dogs applicable for this hunting season and for year-round hikes. First, he says, get a dog in condition. “Most are couch potatoes,” he adds with a smile. Once a dog is ready to hunt or accompany you on hikes, you should continue with the following: • Maintain regular exercise • Control the dog’s weight all year • Treat its pads. Ferguson uses a commercial spray to toughen pads • Make sure a dog follows voice commands and is leash trained • Bring two liters of fresh water for a 60-pound dog During the hunt or hike, watch the dog. Signs of being overheated are easy to spot. The tongue hangs; the back legs wobble. The dog is agitated, or “hassling,” as Ferguson puts it. Treatment must be quick. Spray the dog or hose it down or let it swim in a pond. “It’s OK to put an ice pack, if you have it, on the groin area,” Ferguson says. “The dog won’t bite.”
Ferguson also shares guidelines for dog safety while hunting: don’t shoot until a bird is half way above the tree line, and never shoot toward the ground Ferguson notes that the last tip applies in particular to pheasant hunting. Sadly, he’s treated many dogs shot by their owners. Dan Gill, 69, of Hernando and owner of Heritage Farms Kennels, has watched, as he says, “John Allen grow up. I knew him as a little boy and went to school with his daddy.” Gill now calls on Ferguson for all the vet work for his Border Collies. “He keeps my dogs going,” says Gill, who runs dog trials all across the U.S. Currently, his dog Ren ranks number two in the nation. What makes a happy dog? Ferguson quickly answers, “Regular maintenance in terms of weight, diet, exercise, training and health care.” It’s also imperative to keep the dog’s living quarters clean, which cuts down on fleas. In the winter when temperatures fall below 40 degrees, have a heat lamp in the dog house. Put down fresh pine shavings or straw. “Don’t let your dog sleep on a cold floor,” Ferguson says. Health care also involves vaccinations and antibiotics like these: • Rabies (required by state law; available in one-year or threeyear dosages) • Doxycycline for tick-borne diseases like ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme disease. • DA2PP for distemper and other viruses. • Bordetella, if a dog is going to be boarded. Called the “kennel vaccine,” it protects the dog against airborne viruses. • Leptospirosis, for a hunting or hiking dog. It protects the dog against drinking water in the wild that’s contaminated by varmint urine. DeSoto 17
Ferguson adds some insights about the benefits of regular medical care. For example, with ehrlichiosis, a dog may have been bitten a year ago; but the disease might manifest itself only later in response to stress. “It can be fatal. It can be chronic and needs to be knocked back with antibiotics” Ferguson says. Furthermore, region plays a role. “The Southeastern United States is the heartworm capital of the world,” Ferguson continues. “Heartworm disease is transported by mosquitoes. It can be prevented.” Granted, keeping a dog healthy can be expensive, but it pays off in the long run. Spending $10 a month for heartworm medication beats an $800 treatment for the disease, Ferguson says. Owners need to remember that dogs are very much like them in terms of physical and emotional needs and susceptibility to illnesses. Care starts before birth. David Victory, a salesman for a specialty welding fabricator, Trumbo, Inc., calls on Ferguson as his vet for his dogs. “My wife and I breed British Labradors. We have one or two litters a year. John Allen takes care of the mommies and daddies and babies when they come,” Victory says. “He’s our pediatrician.” Ferguson, 40, became a vet only six years ago, leaving a career in banking and accounting. Why the switch? He pauses before giving a thoughtful answer that expresses his love for Elwood Jenkins and other animals. “It’s the ability to care for something that in general cannot care for itself. They can’t fix themselves; they can’t talk.” Then, he adds with a laugh, “And I enjoy tough problems.” hernandoveterinarian.com Robin Gallaher Branch, a Fulbright scholar, teaches adjunct classes in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Christian Brothers University in Memphis and writes for many news sources.
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notables } nathan fain
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America’s National Eagle Scout By Jason Frye, Eagle (1995) | Photography courtesy of Nathan Fain
Nathan Fain is not your typical teenager. His determination and dedication resulted in a nationally recognized Eagle Scout service project serving special needs children. Nathan Fain of LaGrange, Georgia, is an exception to the belief that most teenagers are obstinate and unfocused. This 16-year-old member of Boy Scout Troop 326 is an Eagle Scout of national renown; in 2018 he received the Boy Scout of America’s Glen A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. The Adams award decides the top Eagle Scout Service Project in the U.S., and Nathan’s – a handicapped-accessible musical playground – was selected from more than 50,000 Eagle Projects for its scope and impact. “I think anyone who knows Nathan knew he could do it,” says Jay Fain, Nathan’s father an Eagle Scout (1980) himself. Jay’s words may sound like a proud father boasting about his son, but it’s more than fatherly pride. Scouting is in the Fain family’s DNA. Each of Jay’s children – Nathan, Nathan’s older brother and his three older sisters – are either
Eagle Scouts or Girl Scouts of America Gold Award (the highest GSA rank) recipients. To receive the Eagle or Gold Award, scouts earn their merit badges and advance through their respective ranks, gaining skills and knowledge in everything from the outdoors (wilderness survival, hiking and backpacking) to sports (archery, physical fitness) to personal and intrapersonal skills (communications, citizenship, personal finance), culminating in a final service project that, ideally, draws a line connecting their scouting skills, ideas of civic responsibility, and self-motivation. “I didn’t want my Eagle Project to be a throwaway,” says Nathan. “I didn’t want to just go through the motions, do the minimum required and get my Eagle. I wanted a challenge, and something that would impact people in a positive way.” Nathan’s project was anything but a throwaway. To complete his playground, he brought together the lessons he learned in Scouting, school and church; raised $40,000 in cash DeSoto 21
and in-kind donations; managed a crew of more than twodozen volunteers who gave more than 1,200 volunteer hours; and put off earning his Eagle for a year. “For me, it was about finding the right project, and this was the right one,” Nathan says. According to Nathan and Jay, the search for the right project took a couple of turns. One potential project fell through because it was simply too far from home for Nathan to manage. Another – a roadway improvement – was handled by the city after Nathan spoke with them about it. Others were too small or just not right in a dozen other ways. But when Nathan spoke with John Cipolla, headmaster of Lafayette Christian School, he found the right one. “I talked with [Headmaster Cipolla] about the school’s needs and he mentioned Rhapsody Outdoor Instruments as something he’d like to see on their playground. I remembered that, looked into it, and found my potential project,” says Nathan. The equipment would be the centerpiece for a playground serving special-needs children, allowing them to have an outdoor activity that was stimulating physically and mentally, and put them in the position to play with their classmates. Ordinary playgrounds have enough regulations governing their construction, and one that meets stringent ADA requirements presents a bigger challenge. But that’s what Nathan was looking for. In order to execute his plan, Nathan had to present his idea to an Eagle Project Review Board, raise the money, and find the professionals who could complete the work. That’s a big task for adults with experience but a monumental one for a 16-year-old. “They [the board] liked my idea but wanted me to succeed and earn my Eagle, so instead of the whole playground, 22 DeSoto
they wanted me to lay the groundwork for the playground, just in case I couldn’t raise the money or something else prevented me from finishing,” he says. “It was a lot of planning. I met with engineers who helped me set up a project schedule and track my progress. Another engineer worked with me to develop our Auto CAD drawings of the site. Others pitched in and cleared the site, poured the concrete, and helped with their own expertise,” Nathan says. Before any of this happened, he needed the money and manpower. “I raised money door-to-door, asking for donations, meeting with businesses, talking to people we knew and people I’d never met. Donations ranged from $0.67 to $5,000, and at times it was overwhelming. I asked myself, ‘Will you ever be able to raise this money?’” He did. And thanks to the sitework his volunteers performed, thanks to the help with his project schedule and the Auto CAD drawings, they put together the playground infrastructure – which came in pieces – in six hours and attached them perfectly. Leading a group of 18 teens, they hustled to complete the work, installing everything from a concrete path, the musical instruments – a trio of drums, a pair of four-footwide metallophones, and an enormous set of chimes – and a structure that makes the whole thing resemble a stage. Now the playground, called LCS Joyful Noise – for Lafayette Christian School and the verse in Psalms 98:4, “Make a Joyful noise to the Lord” – provides opportunities for students at all capability levels and shows just how far the lessons from Scouting can take you if you’re up to the challenge. Jason Frye is a freelance writer from Wilmington, North Carolina. Jason has authored three travel guides for Moon Publications and written for Southern Living and the Dallas Morning News.
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exploring art } metal museum of memphis
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Metallic Creations By Robin Gallaher Branch | Photography courtesy of the Ornamental Metal Museum and Jim Escalante
Learn to forge your own metal pieces, get family heirlooms repaired, or just enjoy the exhibits at the unique Metal Museum of Memphis. When visiting the Metal Museum of Memphis, the city’s internationally recognized showcase of blacksmithing and foundry arts, be sure to pause at the main entrance. Rosettes festoon the massive, steel, double gates. Kim Ward, marketing manager, admires them daily. “I always see something new,” she says. The rosettes, approximately three inches square and protruding possibly two inches, invite emotions like curiosity, pondering, and laughter. What does that M represent? What’s that crouching hedgehog thinking? Are those dentures smirking or laughing? No matter what visitors see in the rosettes, the overwhelming impression of the heavy gates – each approximately eight-feet-wide and 13-feet-high – is artistic beauty. For instance, consider the skill it took to cast the delicate bronze hummingbird on the right gate. It’s an exciting introduction to the museum, this one-of-a-kind, world class homage to metalwork.
“The gates were commissioned for our 10th anniversary in 1989. Some 200 artists from all over the world created 300 rosettes using a variety of metalworking techniques,” Ward says. Begun in 1979 and located on 3.2 acres across from Chickasaw Heritage Park, the Metal Museum borders the Mississippi River. “We’re on a bluff, the highest for 200 miles either way,” Ward says. “During the Civil War, Union forces captured the bluff, by then known as Fort Pickering. The property and fixtures became a hospital in 1884 and continued operating until the mid-1960s.” Today, towering oak, maple, and sycamore trees shade the property. Meanwhile, the Mississippi keeps rolling. Downtown, merely blocks away, seems another world. The work of museum metalsmiths abounds in Memphis. Ward mentions in particular the Children’s Museum’s famous shooting stars, a Brooks staircase, and Uptown’s bike DeSoto 25
racks. The Metal Museum presents an active calendar of year-round events, demonstrations, classes, and exhibits. Its Repair Days, this year October 18-21, are perennially popular. Part of the fun of taking an item for repair is seeing what others bring. Treasures are examined, stories exchanged, and friendships develop. If an encounter with your disposal twisted your silver spoon, there’s hope it can be straightened out at the Metal Museum. “We have artists who can repair old heirlooms!” Ward exclaims. “The metalsmiths donate their skill and time; all proceeds for Repair Days go to the museum.” Another popular event is the first Thursday of the month from April through October. Free after-hours admission from 5-8 p.m. allows visitors to tour the museum buildings, walk the grounds, be mesmerized by the brown Mississippi, and participate in Whet Thursday topics like military appreciation night, reflections on the dog days of summer, and an end-of-summer luau. “They explore the museum and enjoy watching the sun go down,” Ward says. “The view across the swiftly flowing river to Arkansas always elicits wonder.” The Metal Museum houses a permanent collection of jewelry, sculpture, tools, and what Ward loops together as “displayed works of art.” Iron and steel sculptures dot the grounds. One is a fascinating portion of a cast iron fence complete with corn stalks from about 1850. Another massive piece, built in 1987 by Fred Borcherdt, is aptly labeled “Steel, stone”. The museum offers classes in blacksmithing and foundry. Jeannie Tomlinson Saltmarsh, metals shop coordinator, describes both as “specifically designed to be short workshops. A lot of people who visit the museum don’t live in the area so time is concentrated in one weekend.” What’s a weekend like? “You get dirty and tired and go home with something cool you’ve made,” Saltmarsh answers with a grin. Students in both classes don what’s called “leathers”. A full outfit of protective clothing for the foundry classes includes gloves, jacket, chaps, heavy shoes, helmet, and face shield. Students in both classes cannot wear synthetic fabric because if molten metal lands on or touches a person in regular street garb, “it would melt to the skin,” Ward and Saltmarsh say. Saltmarsh started coming to the museum 30 years ago; she took classes, volunteered, and now serves in a paid position. Her life shows that one visit to this museum isn’t enough. She’s confident that you’ll keep coming back, too. And when a visit ends and you leave through the gates, see if you can find the snail. “Actually, there are two,” Ward confides. “They’re my favorites.” metalmuseum.org
Current Exhibit
Master Metalsmith: Lisa Gralnick September 30, 2018-January 13, 2019 Lisa Gralnick, professor of art at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, specializes in, among other things, oversized pieces. She describes herself as obsessed with murder mysteries, Sherlock Holmes, and Perry Mason. “Scene of the Crime” presents huge evidence of a just-committed vandalism. Amateur sleuths and visitors will enjoy a seven-foot long jewelry box in pink Naugahyde with shelves of peach velvet that’s open and obviously has been recently ravaged. Giant jewelry lies scattered across the gallery. The exhibit includes foot-high rings, enormous earrings, and a 10-foot pearl necklace. “The giant pieces are out of brass and bronze,” Gralnick says. “The pearls are ceramic. The jewelry is made out of all kinds of materials and looks like real gold.” Truly, this “Crime” invites an oversized imagination. lisagralnick.com Robin Gallaher Branch, a Fulbright scholar, teaches adjunct classes in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Christian Brothers University in Memphis and writes for many news sources.
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exploring books} should the tent be burning like that?
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Bill Heavey By Charlene Oldham | Photography courtesy of Grove Atlantic and Michelle Gienow
Not every hunting trip goes as planned, but outdoors writer Bill Heavey connects readers to nature through his own vulnerability in his new book. Although he’s been fishing since he was a kid, hunting for a couple of decades, and writing about the outdoors for publications including Field & Stream for much of his career, Bill Heavey finds it surprisingly easy to maintain his status as a professional amateur. “Writing about the outdoors doesn’t necessarily mean you get to hunt or fish as much as you want because I don’t get paid to hunt and fish; I get paid to write,” Heavey says. He does get to meet fanatical fishermen and hunters ̶ some literally living out of their trucks ̶ who seem to spend all their free time and money chasing steelheads, wild turkeys and, maybe most of all, the thrill of the hunt. Heavey also accompanies shooting coaches, hunting guides and others who’ve mastered skills that would be unfathomable to most
modern suburbanites. Despite his outdoor experience, he often includes himself in that group. “I’m still not an expert,” he says. “For one, I’ve been sort of an advanced beginner fly fisherman for about 30 years now and I can’t quite seem to get over the hump of having my casts go where I want them to go. I don’t know what that’s about.” In his columns and stories for Field & Stream and other publications, Heavey tries to express his reactions and feelings as sort of an enthusiastic everyman. Although he doesn’t always end an outing empty-handed, his writing contains heavy doses of humility that would be familiar to anyone who’s ever been outsmarted by an animal. “I think not writing as an expert gives you a lot of DeSoto 29
freedom because nobody has very high expectations of you, and I thrive in that environment,” he quips. Heavey’s latest book, a collection of columns and stories titled “Should the Tent Be Burning Like That? A Professional Amateur’s Guide to the Outdoors,” features many pieces about him living up to those modest marks and sometimes even exceeding them. He also touches on universal topics including aging, love and loss, meaning readers who’ve never cast a line might be hooked by his humor and humanity. For instance, one column ponders how William Faulkner’s “The Bear,” which Heavey calls “the flat-out best hunting story ever written,” can be almost impenetrable and utterly engaging at the same time. In others, he writes about the challenges connecting with one of the most-elusive species on the planet – teenage daughters. And one poignant piece recounts the story of a deer stand in central Arkansas being temporarily transformed into a sanctuary where a near stranger felt safe enough to share his deepest thoughts and feelings with Heavey. “There’s something about being with someone while they’re fishing or hunting. They’re taking a vacation from their normal lives and they’re not as guarded,” Heavey says. “It’s an incredible honor when someone trusts you enough to start sharing that stuff.” Hiking, camping and other outdoor pursuits can also bring out that refreshing vulnerability, Heavey says. As people connect with nature, they might find it easier to connect with themselves and others. “I think humans have this innate desire for the natural world, to appreciate the forces of nature. It’s energizing and there’s something we crave in that and that we’ve always craved,” he says. “Then, in the past 200 or 300 years, we’ve become divorced from that – especially in the last 50 years when 30 DeSoto
the pace of alienation seems to have become more rapid.” Through his writing, Heavey celebrates and honors his connection to nature, conveying thoughts, feelings and questions he thinks many readers would share if they could be there themselves. At the same time, he recognizes some might not understand the urge to kill an animal, even if it’s one you plan to eat. “I love to hunt and, this is going to sound crazy, but the older I get, the more I dislike the killing part of it,” Heavey says. “But you have to be willing to kill in order to hunt. Otherwise, it’s something else. It’s that intention to take the life of an animal that makes it hunting. For me, if you’re taking a photo of it, the consequences aren’t as powerful.” One of the pieces in Heavey’s book recounts an incident in which a fellow guest at a cookout sought him out to tell him she thought hunting was a cruel sport. He took the time to explain his own ambivalence about killing, but explained that the act brings him face to face with own mortality and his place in nature. By the end of the conversation, Heavey felt he’d done his part to change at least one person’s negative perceptions about hunting. And while he knows his columns, books and stories won’t necessarily make readers, or even some of his own family members, lifelong outdoor enthusiasts, he’s still striving to share his passion for nature – and maybe bag a few deer along the way. “My goal is just to keep telling people’s stories, experiencing things myself and writing about them for people so they sort of feel their feelings have been expressed,” he explains. “If you’re willing to be honest and be vulnerable, people really respond, and I guess I kind of live for that response.” Charlene Oldham is St. Louis-based writer who grew up in the Arkansas Delta. She has worked as a staff writer for both the Arkansas DemocratGazette and the Dallas Morning News.
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into the wild } extreme adventures
PBR Academy
Ocoee River Whitewater Rafting
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Extreme Adventures By Jill Gleeson Photography courtesy of Andre Silva -PBR Academy, Chattanooga CVB, Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Adventures on the Gorge
If you like to be more wild than mild, these outdoor adventures will get your blood pumping and your adrenaline flowing. Whether you’d like to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, zipline through the air with the greatest of ease or scuba dive the deep blue sea, opportunities for extreme adventure are everywhere these days. Nowhere is that truer than the South, where warm temperatures and stunning natural resources combine to offer adrenaline junkies plenty of places to get their fix, often all in one area. One caveat: While all operators listed below are pros who put safety first, these activities are not without risk. But that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? Bull Riding Lessons Hurt, Virginia or Bowie, Texas Think you’d get a kick out of getting on the back of a 2,000-pound hunk of ticked-off, massively-muscled beef ? There are two places in the southern U.S. that’ll teach you how to do just that.
The Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association contracts with True Grit Rodeo every May to offer a two-day “bull camp” for about 15 open riders and a handful of young “mini” riders. Located in Hurt, Virginia, the school welcomes all skill levels who want to learn. Organizer Daniel Lanier says the camp covers “basic knowledge, including gear – how to wear it, how to put it on a bull – and, of course, the fundamentals of bull riding like chute procedures and rope tying.” Meanwhile, Professional Bull Riders hosts an annual three-day bull riding academy for ages 16 and up every June. It’s held in Bowie, Texas, at rider Cody Lambert’s ranch. “Becoming a great rider is not just about getting on more bulls,” Lambert says. “It’s about learning the right way to do things and being mentally prepared. We instill accountability in our riders. Expect to ride every single bull you get on and hold yourself accountable when you don’t.” truegritrodeo.com; pbr.com DeSoto 33
Hanging from a Helicopter (or a Tree) Henry County, Georgia Henry County may be best known as the home of the Atlanta Motor Speedway, but extreme exploits here aren’t limited to taking a spin around the track with NASCAR Racing Experience. Located next door to the Speedway is the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum, staffed mostly by veterans who volunteer their time doing things like restoring vintage helicopters – and taking thrill-seekers up in them. There’s little more exhilarating than grabbing a ride in a battle-tested Huey, especially if you get a gun well seat. When the chopper banks, you’ll find yourself looking straight down at the ground, held in by only a seat belt. If you like your outdoor adventure more leisurely, head to Panola Mountain State Park for what park employee Brian Lainer calls “one of the most unique and exciting bucket list experiences in the area.” Tree climbing at the park isn’t an ordinary ascension along the low-hanging branches. This family-friendly activity uses a rope-assisted technical climbing system to help participants clamber up towering trees. There are even opportunities to sleep aloft in a treetop bivouac camp. armyav.org; gastateparks.org/PanolaMountain White-Water Rafting New River Gorge, West Virginia Renowned around the world for its whitewater, New River Gorge isn’t just about rafting. “The Gorge is also well known for miles of hiking and mountain biking trails,” says Roger Wilson, CEO of Adventures on the Gorge, the area’s premier resort and guide service. “Rock climbers flock to the Gorge year-round to challenge themselves on the thousands of routes that line the rim of the Gorge and beyond. Because of the varied terrain, other adventurers have found a home in the New River region, including some of the top ziplines and canopy tours in the country. Summersville Lake also boasts a variety of activities 34 DeSoto
including stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, boating and deep solo climbing.” But nothing beats rafting the Gauley River during dam release season when the Summersville Dam is cracked open. Filled with five Class V rapids, the Upper Gauley turns into a technical paddle through high-volume, extremely challenging rapids. In addition to day and overnight trips on the Gauley, Adventures on the Gorge offers rafting on the less-intense New River. adventuresonthegorge.com Hang Gliding Chattanooga, Tennessee If you’d like to learn hang gliding, or just take a tandem flight, then head to the Cumberland Mountains, near Chattanooga. The thermals that rise along the ridges can keep pilots soaring for miles, and Lookout Mountain Flight Park is the nation’s largest hang-gliding school. Take lessons there and you can be soloing within a half-day. Or grab a certified instructor and take a running leap off the side of the mountain, gliding like a bird a couple thousand feet in the air. The area also offers great rock climbing and rafting, but the city itself is no slouch in serving up extreme outdoor sports, according to Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke. “We’re called the Scenic City for a reason. We are surrounded by mountains, and we’re fortunate to have the Tennessee River running through our city.” The city attracts all types of outdoors enthusiasts for biking, hiking, kayaking and other water activities. “Our natural assets have been recognized by international organizations like IRONMAN, which we’ve hosted for both yearly and World Championship events in Chattanooga,” adds Berke. hanglide.com Jill Gleeson is a travel writer and memoirist who has written for Woman’s Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist and more. Find her at www.gleesonreboots.com.
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table talk } the kitchen american bistro
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Chef Brian Thurmond
Amazing Views and Locally Sourced Food By Michelle Keller | Photography courtesy of The Kitchen American Bistro
Locally sourced food and amazing views of Shelby Farms Park make The Kitchen a hidden gem among Memphis restaurants. Whether it’s a quick morning bite you’re after, brunch following a walk on stunning Patriot Lake, or an unforgettable dinner for two on date night, The Kitchen American Bistro at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis is the place to be. By day the interior is a chic and cheery spot offering menu items as elaborate as Smoked Salmon Lox, complete with hard boiled eggs, crispy capers, cucumbers, dill and crème fraiche or as easy as a Chef ’s Omelette with breakfast potatoes and simple greens. Known for its breathtaking sunset views and quality meal choices, the only regret you’ll have when you visit is that you didn’t come here sooner. As the sun sets, the clear blue skies on Patriot Lake
at Shelby Farms are replaced with hues of amber, purple and indigo, creating an intimate and cozy backdrop for dinner. Menu offerings are far better described as dining experiences with choices such as Blackened Lakes Catfish or Buxton Boats Sea Scallops. My dinner date and I were lucky enough to have dined during The Kitchen’s Late Summer Sunday Gulf Shrimp Boil feature that ran through late September. Cornmeal hushpuppies with hot pepper honey started this experience off as right as rain. Like no other hushpuppy, they are sweet, spicy and incredibly moist. With button mushrooms, red bliss potatoes and an option to add whole Maine lobster, our taste buds were captivated. Savory well-seasoned dishes, lakeside on DeSoto 37
an open-air patio—our evening was complete. As warm and authentic as her staff, General Manager Jennifer Armstrong can be found busied about The Kitchen on most days. “All of our food is sourced locally from farms that have been around for up to 100 years or more,” she says. “Our catfish is procured from Earl Lake who is a third-generation catfish farmer. He brings it to us himself, which speaks for itself in terms of freshness.” Armstrong added that the restaurant’s poultry comes from Marmilu Farms near Jackson and the scallops are diver scallops. They are hand-harvested from the ocean floor by professional fishermen who are licensed scuba divers.” “Committed to ethical farming, sustainability and animal welfare, the goal of The Kitchen is to provide food that you can enjoy and feel good about eating,” she explains. Armstrong says the idea is to support local farmers while providing quality food. “We want our guests to know that when you eat here at The Kitchen, you’re not just supporting the staff, the chef, or myself. The scope is much larger than that. You’re supporting local farmers in Memphis, Tunica, and Jackson. You’re supporting your hometown.” The restaurant, which also has locations in Colorado and Illinois, marked its second year in Memphis in September. Don Degnan, president of The Kitchen Restaurant Group, says the Memphis location is set apart from other restaurants because of how the food is sourced and because of the amazing views overlooking the lake at Shelby Farms Park. “What we serve is seasonal, exceptionally high quality, rustic food, sourced from many farmers, ranchers and other suppliers in the area. We love knowing where our food comes 38 DeSoto
from and building strong relationships with those who supply our ingredients,” Degnan says. “Shelby Farms Park is a world-class park and Memphis gem. We are fortunate to have the best views in Memphis; the sunsets are better than standing on the beach looking out into the Pacific Ocean.” Degnan describes The Kitchen as “a hidden gem that we see as an everyday vacation in Memphis.” As for his specific favorite dish, Degnan says it’s the Gulf Shrimp Salad on the lunch menu. The fresh shrimp comes with avocado, lime, aioli, tarragon and simple greens. Diners will also find exquisite desserts at The Kitchen, including a sticky toffee pudding that’s definitely rich enough to share, or the ‘Eton Mess,” a mound of whipped cream and strawberries that is more decadent than it sounds. Degnan noted that while there aren’t any immediate plans to expand in the Mid-South, new locations will appear in other parts of the heartland including Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana in the future. Another inside source reports that a family of ducks has taken up part time residency around the patio area and can be seen occasionally checking out the scene. See if you can spot them when you enjoy the day at Shelby Farms Park. thekitchenbistros.com Michelle Keller is a freelance travel, food, luxury and leisure writer based in Memphis. She is also an advocate/volunteer against domestic violence and can be found volunteering as a public speaker/host for charities, including AARP and Joyful Inspiration.
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exploring destinations } aiken, south carolina
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Horsin’ Around in Aiken By Debi Lander | Photography courtesy of Flat Out Farm, Mary Ann Keisler, Debi Lander
One of the world’s oldest team sports, polo is attracting the attention of novice players around the South. Learning to play is easy in Aiken, South Carolina, home to America’s oldest polo field in continuous use. Polo is often called the sport of kings, which makes Aiken, South Carolina, an even more unlikely site to enjoy – and to learn to play – the fast-paced game. You don’t need royal blood to play, but it can take a king’s ransom (well, maybe a just an earl’s) to join the equestrian ensemble. Each player needs a string of 6-to-8 horses to play – in addition to training, equipment and stabling costs. Aiken proudly boasts a polo history that began in 1882 on Whitney Field, the oldest polo field in continuous use in America. Regulation matches take place on grounds the size of nine football fields. The exhilarating game pits four-member teams opposing each other on horses, galloping at speeds up to 30 mph. They score when the hard plastic ball, hit with mallets in the right hand, crosses the goal line. Periods (called chukkers) last 7.5 minutes, and games include six or eight chukkers. Polo
ponies often run one-to-two miles per chukker – hence the need for a strong bench. Fortunately for the majority of enthusiasts, there’s a new game in town called arena polo, played on a footballsize field: 100 yards long and 50 yards wide. Plus, and this is important, four-foot walls surround all four sides. Arena polo uses an inflatable ball, slightly bigger than a softball, that bounces or ricochets off the walls, thus keeping the play going. Arena polo teams consist of three players also competing during 7.5-minute chukkers. The compromises all add up to a lot of scoring and fun. Arena polo gives novices and the curious the chance to learn the sport in an economical and unintimidating way. “No prior equestrian experience is necessary although those comfortable on horses will progress quicker. All you need DeSoto 41
You don't even need a horse to begin learning!
is a pair of jeans and closed toed shoes,” says Ken Cresswell, owner and manager of the FireStar Polo Club in Aiken. Sign up for a lesson with Cresswell, a United States Polo Association (USPA) certified instructor, who provides everything else needed: horse, helmet, knee guards and mallet. Other than a trail ride or two, I was a newbie rider but Ken got me on my mount and shortly after that actually hitting the ball while staying astride. No, I wasn’t ready for a game, but I excitedly entered the arena to begin my taste of the sport. Riders are grouped for play by their rank, similar to a handicap, so sex and age do not matter. Polo is the only contact sport in which men and women regularly play together on an equal basis. “Growing up in Aiken, I had seen polo all my life but never got the opportunity to play it until I took lessons from Ken,” says student Justin Wheelon. “I’m really grateful for his patience, kindness, and how he shared his knowledge with me. Can’t recommend arena polo more highly for those interested in the game.” Cresswell adds, “Since arena polo is played in a smaller, controlled environment, the horses don’t get going as fast. Hence, it’s safer and you don’t need to bring a trailer full of horses.” Still, riders often change mounts between chukkers to give them a rest. For arena polo, two ponies are ideal. “They don’t need to be any specific breed of horse, but their legs must be wrapped for protection and tails tied to keep a mallet from tangling up in there,” Cresswell explains. Watching the real deal is exciting. While you are in Aiken, you can see one of the famous Sunday USPA games on Whitney Field. Polo season runs from April to June in the spring and September to early November in the fall. The social nature of polo brings many residents and visitors out to picnic and gather with friends. During halftime, the crowd doubles as 42 DeSoto
the grounds crew, doing the “divot stomp.” You stroll out onto the grass to replace divots and get a firsthand understanding of the size of the field. Why Aiken? Aiken first achieved fame as a health retreat for those with breathing troubles. Coastal residents from Charleston came to escape malaria and yellow fever. New York horsemen Eustis and Hitchcock bought their horses, along with their wellheeled friends from the north, to extend the equestrian season. They laid the foundations for the city’s ‘winter colony’ and passion for riding, racing, foxhunting and polo. Today, more than 40 polo fields dot the Aiken area. Flatoutfarm.com, Aikenpoloclub.com
Closer to Home: Memphis Polo Club
Polo lessons are available for all skill levels at the Memphis Polo Club. Bring your horse or let the club provide one. You’ll learn basic horsemanship, hitting techniques and game strategy at the club grounds on Rossville Farm. Polo has been played in Memphis since 1954, starting at the Memphis Hunt & Polo Club, then moving to Germantown, and in 2003, to the 200-acre Rossville Farm. Fall tournaments open to the public Oct. 6-7 and 20-21. memphispoloclub.com Debi Lander is a freelance writer/photographer and seasoned international traveler based in Ocala, Florida. She maintains a website at Bylandersea.com.
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, e l l i v e t t e y Fa rkansas
on the road again } fayetteville, arkansas
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A Natural Beauty
9:00 Start the day with breakfast at Little Bread Company. Enjoy a cafe au lait or latte with a made-from-scratch goody. Breakfast sandwiches are piled high with bacon or ham, eggs, cheese and spinach or avocado. If you prefer a sweet treat, try a croissant, muffin or cinnamon rolls – all are baked fresh daily. 10:00 Take a short walk to the Fayetteville Square, the hub of downtown, and home to one of Arkansas’ best farmers’ markets. Spend some time on Dickson Street, which is lined with unique shopping, local dining and art galleries. Dickson Street is also the primary entertainment district for the region, so it has a fantastic nightlife scene. Be sure to check out the Walton Arts Center, which offers classes, performances and events for all ages throughout the year. 1:00 Have lunch at Hugo’s, a local hot spot since 1977. Hugo’s serves award- winning burgers, famous homemade French fries, salads, beer-cheese soup, and sandwiches. Save room for dessert. Grasshopper crepes, which are filled with mint ice cream and topped with homemade hot fudge, are a favorite with locals. 2:00 Arkansas is nicknamed the “Natural State” for a reason, and Fayetteville’s Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is one of the best places to experience the region’s natural beauty. The garden is a collection of 12 themed gardens and includes the region’s only butterfly house. Be sure to check the website to learn more about the many events for adults and children throughout the year. 4:00 Hit the trail. The Northwest Arkansas Razorback Regional Greenway is a 36-mile-long, shared-use trail that extends from the Bella Vista Trail in Bentonville to the Frisco Trail in Fayetteville. The paved trail showcases the area’s beauty. Bikers and hikers encounter bridges, numerous creeks, farmland and wooded areas. The greenway also links dozens of popular destinations, including six downtown areas, arts and entertainment venues, restaurants, historic sites, playgrounds, and residential communities. 6:00 End the day with dinner at Bordinos Restaurant and Wine Bar. A wonderful atmosphere, award-winning wine list and delicious food keep locals and visitors returning. Start with a salad or small plate like calamari or charcuterie and cheese. Follow with a pasta dish or entree. Seafood risotto, homemade fettuccine, beef tenderloin and chorizobraised lamb shank are just a few of the menu items. Open for lunch, dinner and brunch.
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To plan your visit:
experiencefayetteville.com littlebread.com hugosfayetteville.com bgozarks.org bordinos.com
Annual Events: First Thursday Oct. 4, 2018 On the first Thursday of each month (May through October), locals and visitors gather at the city’s downtown square for an outdoor arts event with more than 40 artists who create items in a variety of mediums. The event also includes live music, street performances, children’s activities, food trucks, a craft beer garden and more. First Thursday runs from 5 - 8:30 p.m. Joe Martin Stage Race & Gran Fondo joemartingranfondo.com Artosphere Festival waltonartscenter.org/artosphere Fayetteville Roots Festival therootsfest.org Fayetteville Film Fest fayettevillefilmfest.org Bikes Blues & BBQ bikesbluesandbbq.org
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greater goods } fall favorites
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9 1. Fall scented Woodwick candles, Bon Von, 214 W Center Street, Hernando, MS 2. Fall shoes, The Pink Zinnia, 134 West Commerce Street, Hernando, MS 3. Southern Colliegiate pullover, SoCo Apparel, 300 W Commerce Street, Hernando, MS 4. Volatile Marcel boots, The Bunker, 2631 McIngvale Road #106, Hernando, MS 5. Yard banners, Bon Von, 214 W Center Street, Hernando, MS 6. Handbags, Cynthia’s Boutique, 2529 Caffey Street, Hernando, MS 7. Kork-Ease boots, Center Stage Fashions, 324 W Commerce Street, Hernando, MS 8. Women’s Niko top and She & Sky skirt, SoCo Apparel, 300 W Commerce Street, Hernando, MS 9. Jadelynn Brooke pullover, The Bunker, 2631 McIngvale Road #106, Hernando, MS 10. Corduroy skirt, black tank blouse & Dolce Vita mules, The Pink Zinnia, 134 West Commerce Street, Hernando, MS 11. Kork-Ease boots, Center Stage Fashions, 324 W Commerce Street, Hernando, MS
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greater goods } fall favorites
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12. Spiced Pumpkin lotion and soap, The Wooden Door, 6542 Goodman Road, Olive Branch, MS 13 Fall decor, Commerce Street Market, 74 W Commerce St, Hernando, MS 14. Door hanger, Commerce Street Market, 74 W Commerce St, Hernando, MS 15. Boo! Door hanger, Paisley Pineapple, 6542 Goodman Road, Olive Branch, MS 16. Fall decor, The Wooden Door, 6542 Goodman Road, Olive Branch, MS 17. Purses in assorted colors, Paisley Pineapple, 6542 Goodman Road, Olive Branch, MS 18. Sweater and tank, Upstairs Closet, 136 Norfleet Drive, Senatobia, MS 19. Hand towels, Ultimate Gifts, 3075 Goodman Road E, Southaven, MS 20. Mudpie tin candle holder, Merry Magnolia, 194 E Military Road, Marion, AR 21. Etta B platter, Mimi’s on Main, 432 Main Street, Senatobia, MS
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I look into my fly box and think about all the elements I should consider in choosing the perfect fly: water temperature, what stage of development the bugs are in, what the fish are eating right now. Then I remember what a guide told me:
“90 percent of what a trout eats is brown and fuzzy and about five-eighths of an inch long.”
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– Allison Moir
Casting awithLine Fly-Fishing Guides By Rebecca Bingham Photography courtesy of American Forests, Fish The Fly, Gaston’s, and Ashville Drifters
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Jason “JB” Balogh Fish the Fly Guide Service
Jason “JB” Balogh April fishing
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Although the exact origin of fly fishing remains a mystery, a Roman named Claudius Aelianus is credited as being the first to use an artificial fly to catch fish near the end of the second century. Throughout history, however, the angler’s formula has remained consistent: Lure a fish with the promise of food. Obviously, authentic-looking bait increases the odds for catching fish assuming the lure is presented in the right way, at the right time and in the right place. (That’s where rod technique comes in.) Early flies were made from natural components like animal hair and feathers tied to look like local terrestrial and aquatic insects. Now, synthetic materials are quite common. Some baits float; others sink. The goal of every lure is to mimic the fish’s natural food. Today’s fly-fishing enthusiasts are probably most familiar with history of the sport in Great Britain, where in the 19th century, fly fishing developed a somewhat elitist reputation as the only acceptable way to catch fish in slower rivers. By the 1920s, U.S. anglers were experimenting in-country with a variety of artificial lures, a trend which spurred the development of cheap fiberglass rods and synthetic fly lines for more effective presentation and delivery of their baits. Fly fishing continued to flourish in the U.S. with sustained growth through its first big peak in the 1950s. Now, after more than a half-century of expansion, technological advances and commercialization, a new generation of anglers is embracing a style of fly fishing reminiscent of its simpler origins, with mindful restraint and conscious respect for minimal impact on the environment. Meet three of our favorite fly-fishing guides, each of whom has connections to the South and a life-long love of the sport: Jason “JB” Balogh Fish the Fly Guide Service Jackson Hole, Wyoming fishthefly.com After earning engineering degrees from University of the South at Sewanee and Washington University in St. Louis, Jason “JB” Balogh headed to a career path in outdoor adventures in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Founder of Fish the Fly Guide Service, JB admits even after 21 years in the business, fly fishing still takes him away from the world in a good way. In fact, when I first called to schedule this interview, his wife Laurie told me he was off the grid for a week, celebrating DeSoto 51
Frank Saska Gaston’s White River Resort
The White River at Norfork, Arkansas
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his 45th birthday, by fly fishing, hiking and rafting in one of his favorite remote areas. “We’ve been together 19 years now,” Laurie says, “mostly because of his calming, peaceful spirit. With a first-grade daughter and a 2-year old son, it helps to be married to a man who is thoughtful, patient, and a natural leader.” Dustin Jones, who functions as an operations director for Fish the Fly, concurs with Laurie’s estimation. “JB truly believes in the power of wilderness to restore the soul, which is why we hold rare permits to guide fly-fishing trips on waters designated as Wild and Scenic near the headwaters of the Snake River, as well as the Green River, Yellowstone National Park, backcountry creeks in the Gros Ventres, and also in the Black Rock Ranger District of the BridgerTeton National Forest,” he says. “Most importantly, JB is completely committed to crafting unique experiences tailored to each client. Even our non-fishing scenic trips are customized private affairs. We simply don’t do assembly-line outings.” Frank Saska Gaston’s White River Resort Lakeview, Arkansas gastons.com Frank Saska left the harsh winter climes of Lake Michigan and northern Indiana for the four-season pleasures of northern Arkansas. A guide with Gaston’s White River Resort for 25 years, Frank developed a love of fly fishing when a friend’s father offered him a summer construction job with great benefits. “I may not have even gotten paid,” he recalls, “but what I did get was a place to stay, homecooked meals and use of a boat every day. I never went back north.” Frank’s passion is teaching. As Gaston’s fly-fishing instructor for the past nine years, he encourages every novice to invest in forming good habits. “Don’t try to figure it out yourself,” he cautions. “Find somebody who is really good to teach you the basics so that you don’t form bad habits you’ll have to unlearn later. At Gaston’s, we’re fortunate to have handicap accessible docks, clean restrooms and rain sheds which makes trout fishing easily available to everyone. What’s more, we have no biting flies or mosquitos. And because the river is stocked regularly, you’re almost guaranteed to catch fish every time.” For more experienced anglers, DeSoto 53
Andrew Tashie Asheville Drifters
Saska says it’s important to communicate with a guide at a local fly shop to find out the best time of year and the best places to fish. “Most of all, be honest about your skill level,” he advises. “And whatever your level of expertise, don’t keep all your fish. Conservation is our friend.” Andrew Tashie Asheville Drifters Asheville, North Carolina ashevilledrifters.com Andrew Tashie of Asheville Drifters says his grandfather, M. A. Lightman, Jr., virtually baptized him with a love of fishing. “He built a 35-acre lake, just for fishing, on his property in Fisherville, Tenn., just outside Collierville. As soon as I was old enough to get in the boat, I was on the water with him.” After high school, Tashie traveled to South America 54 DeSoto
for a three-month session of the National Outdoor Leadership School. Upon his return, he enrolled at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, and completed his degree in Outdoor Leadership and Recreation. “Four years later, I came back to the South where I could fish all year,” he says. “At first, I got my clients through a guy who had a little fly shop in the back of a gas station. This was right about the time ‘A River Runs Through It’ became a popular movie.” Soon, Tashie moved to Boone, North Carolina, where he worked as a guide for a local outfitter. “Of course, it helped that Evie, a girl I dated in high school, was doing graduate work at Duke,” he says. Andrew and Evie eventually married and moved to Asheville. They now have a 14-year old son and a 12year old daughter. “The best thing about the Asheville area is the abundance of unique rivers within a one-hour drive,” he explains. “When I take clients out, they won’t see a bunch of
Andrew Tashie's boat
other guides and other people, either in boats or on the bank. Most people find that exciting!” When it comes to advice, Tashie recommends finding a mentor who can teach you what they know. “Fly fishing is not a muscle game; it’s a finesse sport. Unfortunately, many ‘experienced’ anglers think they already know it all. I’ve decided you can always learn something new. Try reading ‘Curtis Creek Manifesto: A Fully Illustrated Guide to the Strategy, Finesse, Tactics and Paraphernalia of Fly Fishing’. You’ll see.” Rebecca Bingham is a freelance writer based in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she plays cello in a professional string quartet. She is also writing a book called “Finding Home: Creating Comfort in a World of Chaos,” scheduled for publication in 2019.
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Celebrating Mississippi’s Agritourism Down on the Farm
By Karen Ott Mayer Photography courtesy of Virginia Tech, parenting.blog and Diamond C Corn Maze
As Mississippi’s Agritourism Month gets underway, farms are creating unique experiences for visitors and hoping to attract the next generation to farming. DeSoto 57
As long as there have been farms, there have been farmers seeking ways to make a steady living from the land. A simplistic notion perhaps, but when looking at how the American agricultural base has shifted in a short half century, this pursuit takes on a whole new dimension. Where families could once sustain a living on a smaller plot of land and even sell the excess, today it’s a difficult road. As for those wed to their land or lifestyle, lack of traditional farming ventures forced creative thinking about rural properties and farms, leading to a whole new industry called agritourism. In short, this trend seeks to answer several questions: How do farmers attract visitors and tourists to rural working farms, maximize an experience, and maybe make additional income? October marks Mississippi’s Agritourism month, and given that agriculture is still Mississippi’s largest economic sector, talking about the agricultural assets and tourism only makes sense. Agriculture touches all 82 counties in Mississippi, and agritourism activities are as diverse as the state’s farms. Farm festivals celebrate everything from sweet potatoes to sugar cane, hogs to chickens. Farm tours help connect kids to even the most basic rural practices like raising chickens or to just enjoying hay rides. Seasonal operations include pumpkin patches, Christmas trees, and Easter egg hunts. More and more rural properties are taking advantage of the event space, offering up barns or scenic spaces for weddings, gatherings and business meetings. Long before the new buzzword agritourism hit the airwaves, one north Mississippi family, owners of Cedar Hill Farms located in Love, began thinking about this concept more than 20 years ago. “My parents Mike and Martha Foster got the idea
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back in 1996. Agritourism wasn’t an official thing yet,” says son Robert Foster who has served as a Mississippi Representative for House District 28 since 2016 while helping run the farm. The Foster family approached the tourism concept from a different angle. “We didn’t think about the farm as a farm but rather as entertainment,” he adds. Foster reminds that many farms have always had what some might call a primitive form of agritourism with roadside produce stands. As the Fosters began formulating their plan, the family visited many operations including Eckert’s in St. Louis, a family orchard and farm that began in 1837 and has grown into a large, year-long agri-enterprise. They visited farm playgrounds, concession stands and petting zoos. “I really think we may have been the first farm in the Mid-South region that began offering farm activities,” says Foster. More than 20 years later, Cedar Hill Farms is a beloved destination for many families, many of whom Foster says drive from Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee. “I find people will drive up to four hours to find us.” Today, Cedar Hill Farms offers year-round fun. They began developing their farm with Christmas trees, pumpkin patches, blackberries and a corn maze. “We’re really selling an ag experience and there is a giant list of things farms can do.” Finding that niche or right mix takes time and creativity. What fits one farm may not fit another. Over the years, the Fosters have included paintball and a truck produce operation. “This year, we’re ending the paintball,” he says. Foster began selling his produce at the Hernando Farmers Market
almost 10 years ago and learned a valuable lesson during those years. “The produce just didn’t fit into our big picture, and it’s a really labor-intensive pursuit. Produce production can really be its own operation in itself.” Foster believes farms need to decide on a definite direction from the start and determine what fits in with the major activity. Their family decided to offer the farm for public and private events, hosting everything from birthday parties to weddings. In the end, the event business has proven to be a key part of their operation and success. In Panola County, brother s Marshall and Jemison Bartlett founded Home Place Pastures with the long-term goal of establishing a USDA-approved processing plant for beef, hog, lamb and goat. After several years of developing wholesale markets with noted chefs across the Southeast from New Orleans to Nashville, the Bartletts cut the ribbon on the new plant in late 2016, ushering in a new era for local meat production in the northern half of the state. More importantly, Marshall’s unwavering dedication to the rural county and its residents has led to a unique agritourism event that connects the most sophisticated urban food cultures directly to the rural food traditions ̶ specifically whole animal utilization. This year marked the 4th Annual Hill Country Boucherie and Blues Picnic where more than two dozen chefs gathered in August to create original small plate offerings for guests and locals. The event also celebrates Hill Country blues by including local musicians who have gained international recognition for their authentic voices and music, including Sharde Turner and the Como Mamas. “We just want to create an incredible, fun, open, warm weekend to just eat some amazing food, meet some new friends and experience some classic Hill Country music,” says Bartlett. Recognizing that more people wanted access to a complete far m experience, Home Place Pastures has grown to offer camping, educational tours, butcher demonstrations and farm tours. With a retail butcher shop located on the farm, travelers passing Como on I-55 have the rare opportunity to visit and purchase meat raised, processed and packaged right on the farm. DeSoto 59
Corn Maze
“This is something we can only do right here on the home place in Como, Mississippi,” he adds. As labor jobs have vanished from the farms due to technology, the modernday agritourism farmer values and believes that creating micro-economies through steady employment is just as important as the primary farm pursuits. “We want to be able to employ local labor in an area that doesn’t have a lot of jobs,” says Bartlett. Foster agrees. Cedar Hill Farms employs 150 seasonal full-time and parttime employees just through the fall season from September to November. With the legislature in full session through the winter months from January to March, Foster says he’s able to fulfill both his primary responsibilities as a state rep and a farm owner. “I could never have done both if the timing didn’t work out,” he says. As the industry has gained structure and recognition, state organizations like the Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce (MDAC) have introduced additional programs to support agritourism. One specific program offers increased 60 DeSoto
liability protection to farms and another provides additional directional signs to farms. Farmers like Bartlett and Foster share a distinctive drive and vision for their operations, equally enjoying building ventures and sharing them with the public. “I still enjoy being able to dream it up and build it ̶ then seeing people enjoy it.” While not on the farm, he continues to fight for farms as a legislator, working to change labor laws and create farm-friendly policies. “We have a huge opportunity to draw the next generation to the farm,” says Foster. Karen Ott Mayer is a writer and editor based in Como, Mississippi. As the owner of Moon Hollow Farm & Country House, she understands firsthand the importance of agritourism.
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Kayaking for Kids By Andrea Brown Ross Photography courtesy of Adventure Tours International and Andrea Brown Ross
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Kayaking has surged in popularity among outdoor enthusiasts over the last 10 years with 16 million people in the U.S. now described as avid kayakers. And it’s not just adults who want to participate in this environment-friendly activity. Kids are learning to paddle, too.
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W h e n o u r 9 - ye a r - o l d b o y consistently asked for a kayak for more than six months, Santa delivered last Christmas. Living on a farm, we are accustomed to outdoor activities and being in nature, but kayaking was unfamiliar to my husband and me. We had no experience with the activity, but we do we have various-sized cow ponds where my son can choose to kayak as his experience and ability increase. But what about families who do not have easy access to bodies of water? John Huskey, owner of Quapaw Canoe Company, based in Clarksdale, Mississippi, offers practical advice for parents with youngsters new to kayaking. “Rent a kayak first. Have your child try it out. You may not want to make a splurge until you see how your child likes it,” he shares. Huskey also suggests attending “demo days” at a local sports store. This gives the child and the parents an opportunity to observe proper techniques, to see appropriate kayak sizes for different ages, and – most importantly – ask questions. Ideally, the child would have someone with experience give them guidance and pointers in a one-on-one situation. If that is not possible, numerous demonstrations are available online. Huskey suggests tips and tricks that beginning kayakers need to know. When kayaking, he says, feet should be firmly planted against an adjustable footrest and the knees up. The motion to steer should be a full body movement with your torso. This will cause less wear and tear on the arms and works out the whole body. “Think like a fish. When steering a kayak, pushing hard sends you in the opposite direction. Hold the oar with one hand firm and the other loose,” he says. He also suggests not learning on a kayak with a rudder. “Definitely start on a calm day. I wouldn’t recommend trying it when it’s windy and so challenging. It should be a safe, controlled environment in a small nonmoving body of water,” he continues. And such has been our experience. Our son started on the living room floor near the Christmas tree. He simply sat atop his kayak practicing moving the oar. As the weather warmed, we eventually allowed him to venture out in ankle deep water in a small DeSoto 65
fishing pond near the farmhouse. As his confidence grew, we soon allowed him on a large cow pond with depth in some areas around five feet. Wearing a life jacket is a must, as well as being accompanied by an adult. He knows where the pond’s deepest parts are located, and he avoids them. Meri Smith of Como, Mississippi, recently began kayaking with her boys ages 14, 13, and 8. While her boys enjoy a variety of sports and outdoor interests, kayaking is a common thread. “It started about two years ago. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, but my experience with outdoor water recreation was limited to white water rafting as a teenager. When my father gave me a heavy, old metal canoe, I was up for the challenge. I took my two youngest boys to a local slow-moving creek, and we canoed for a couple of hours,” she shares. While she did rely on local bystanders to help her get in and out of the creek with the heavy canoe that first time, they had such a good time they decided to they wanted to continue exploring various waterways. Instead of lugging the old canoe around, they purchased kayaks from the sporting goods section of a national retail chain store. They quickly began planning trips around the Mid-South. “My youngest son was about 6 years old at the time. We started in the cow pond to get him comfortable sitting atop the kayak,” she shares. His first experience in moving water was at Black Creek in Brooklyn, Mississippi. 66 DeSoto
“We went with a large group of extended family of women and kids. No matter where we go or who we are with, we use a buddy system. We also give each other time to catch up if need be,” says Smith. Smith occasionally goes on girls’ trips kayaking and camping, such as the popular Buffalo National River in Arkansas. This allows her to test the waters and see if that particular destination would be something safe and fun for her family. “I think it’s important to know the depth of the water. It may be high due to flooding, or visa versa. It may be so low, standing up and walking in the water may be necessary in some parts. Also, having prior knowledge of any rapids we may encounter helps me plan accordingly,” she explains. This past summer offered a handful of opportunities to kayak. Bear Creek at the Tishomingo State Park was fun for a small group according to Smith. And the entire family enjoyed a trip near Alley Spring in Eminence, Missouri. “My husband loved his first trip! We planned our trip for about six-to-seven miles. It took us about four-to-five hours to complete,” she remembers. “We took a cooler with us and pulled off to the side to rest and snack as we needed. The weather was in the upper 70s, but the Ozark water is cold.” She says that her boys prefer to kayak in the clear water where they can see the bottom and the fish. Smith offers the following suggestions: “Wear water shoes, especially in the rocky Ozarks. They are fairly inexpensive and can be found at local outfitting companies and general stores. Carry floatable dry bags or a dry box for items like towels
and cell phones. Take a cooler with drinks to stay hydrated on longer trips.” Check with local outfitting companies when planning a trip. Kayak rentals are available, and many outfitters will move your vehicle to a designated area when ending your trip with your own kayak. They typically charge a minimal fee. “Have fun!” says Huskey. “It takes time. Expectations shouldn’t be too high or too soon. It’s like riding a bike. The more time you spend doing it, the better one will be become.” He cautions,” Don’t get on a river, especially the Mississippi River. You must start slow, and learn how to steer. It may be years before someone is ready to take on something as fast-moving as the river.” Sound advice. For now, we’ll stick to the cow pond and kayak till the cows come home. island63.com
Andrea Brown Ross is assistant editor for DeSoto Magazine. Based in Como, Mississippi, she can be found watching her kids kayak in the country.
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homegrown } blue ridge chair works
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Seated in Simplicity By Karen Ott Mayer | Photography courtesy of Blue Ridge Chair Works
Portable, yet sturdy outdoor chairs are the hallmark of a company founded on simple designs that withstand time and the elements. Alan Davis wore many hats in life prior to founding Blue Ridge Chair Works in 2000. A former river guide and founder of a T-shirt business in his early days, Davis’ world today is steeped in wood, furniture designs, and pushing the limits of simplicity. “I’ve done a lot in my life but this is the first time I got to start from a clean slate with this company. This work is truly a reflection of me,” he says. While that statement may imply he’s all about sitting, nothing could be further from the truth. From the time he was in high school, he connected with the outdoors and nature. “When I graduated from high school, it was the height of the Vietnam War so there was a lot of controversy,” he remembers. “I love nature and sort of disappeared into it for the next 15 years as a white river guide.” Running many of the big rivers out West in rugged,
remote areas, Davis began to appreciate anything that could weather days in the wild. In fact, the idea of Blue Ridge Chair Works began slowly forming on one such trip to Idaho. A few days into a week-long excursion, one guest’s portable chair broke. “Here we were only two days into the trip and the chair broke,” he recalls. Having always tinkered in woodworking, Davis began to think about simple, durable, utilitarian designs for portable chairs and headed into his workshop. His ultimate design? “A very simple design. There is a complexity to simplicity,” says Davis. A self-professed mountain guy whose business and life are based in western North Carolina and Appalachia, Davis believes equally in preserving the region’s traditional craft of woodworking. “When all the jobs left here, the craftsmen were still DeSoto 69
here. Today, the local mills handle our production,” he says. “It’s our way of keeping the spark of a 150-year heritage alive.” Blue Ridge Chair Works may have begun with one simple chair design but now offers customers several design options. And while the designs have expanded, they all share a common thread. “Everything folds up. Each piece is portable, sturdy and durable,” says Davis. One tour of the website reveals Davis’ vision in full, folding color. Blue Ridge Chair Works offers two main lines for different outdoor pursuits: action and leisure. “One line is geared for the outdoor action types while the other focuses on the more leisurely porch, deck and RV crowds,” explains Davis. Dedicated to innovating and tinkering, Davis likes to think about new, practical designs as well as whimsical products that always focus on sustainability and recycling. “I am an open faucet of clever ideas,” he says with a huge, sarcastic laugh. What others may see as disposable, he views as redeemable. In fact, the very idea of waste and poor design also played a key part in his drive to create a product designed to last. On a trip to the beach, he left with one clear memory. “At the end of the day, the garbage can was full of broken chairs.” It’s those pivotal moments that helped define what Davis calls the unchanged “general ethos” of his vision that was born nearly 20 years ago. Over his career, Davis and his team have sold more than 100,000 chairs all with a standard guarantee. Blue Ridge Chair Works also offers niche products like the Highlands deck chair, and an extra-large deck chair designed to handle up to 500 pounds. “The reality is we’ve become a bigger society and weight is a factor,” says Davis. Another cool design is the Looking Glass Perch, which is a chair designed with an adjustable seat. “The chair works through sliding mechanics so you can raise the seat depending on what you’re doing. It’s handy for a workbench or kitchen.” Customers can choose from several bright colors for canvas seats and backs for all the chair designs. Other lines include clever folding tables of different sizes, all designed to make the outdoors just a little more refined. Davis still uses White Ash for all his products, explaining that the wood brought in from Michigan and Ohio is stronger with dense rings due to the colder weather. As he approaches retirement years, his thoughts turn to how to ensure Blue Ridge Chair Works lives into the future long after he’s gone. “I don’t have a lot of family and I’d like for this company to become a legacy business.” blueridgechair.com Karen Ott Mayer is a writer and editor based in Como, Mississippi.
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southern gentleman } old car city usa
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Automotive Treasures Among the Vines By Fran Folsom | Photography courtesy of Old Car City USA
Thousands of car enthusiasts, photographers, and curiosity seekers have streamed to this tiny Georgia town to see old cars buried beneath years of forested growth. Old Car City USA is an outdoor “museum,” of sorts. Trekking through seven miles of trails, visitors will find a collection of 4,400 rusted chassis of cars, trucks, vans, and school buses dating from the early 1920s to 1972. The junkers are spread over 34 acres of woods near the small town of White, Georgia, 50 miles north of Atlanta on Interstate 75. Tourists and photographers began streaming in after Hot Rod Magazine used Old Car City for a photoshoot. So many people went to the website to take a look that it crashed. Since then, more media came calling, including The New York Times, “CBS Sunday Morning,” and the History Channel’s “American Pickers.”
As I walked through the woods, I realized this place is not your typical automobile graveyard. Owned by 82-yearold Dean Lewis, Old Car City is – according to Lewis and the signs along the road – “The world’s largest known classic car junkyard.” Classic is the key word. The vine-covered, mostly rusty vehicles include rare Volkswagens, Edsels, Desotos, Studebakers, and even cars used in movies or by celebrities. Trees have grown through the ones that have been there the longest. Old Car City began in 1931, when Lewis’ parents, Walter and Lucille, opened a general store on the property. DeSoto 73
“Times were hard. It was the Depression. My dad was lucky to have a job at the Sugar Hill mines, and mother ran the store. They lived in the back room, had no running water and no electricity,” says Lewis, who was born there in 1937. “As years went on, they started selling parts from cars that dad picked up in junkyards. He would strip the cars leaving the bodies behind the store.” A tall angular man with a shock of white hair, Lewis remembers playing in and around the cars when he was growing up. His children and grandchildren have since played in those same woods. “After I graduated high school, I worked in the trucking business for several years, saved some money and started buying more land and cars – putting them in the woods before stripping off the parts,” Lewis says. “About 20 years ago photographers who heard about us started coming around asking if they could do photo shoots. Now we have as many as 6,000 visitors a year from all over the world, as far away as Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands.” At any given time, photographers are shooting modeling sessions or wedding photos among the thousands of junked autos that just happen to have trees growing through the hoods, trunks and roofs. The thick carpets of pine needles and vines covering the vehicles only add to the eeriness and patina. Photographer Len Garrison of Seeing Southern Photography in Farmington, Georgia, says professional photographers love places like Old Car City. “The American automobile has always been, especially in the earlier days, a blending of art and function,” Garrison explains. “There’s a parallel between what is going in the culture and the design of the automobile – like the wonderful Art Deco architecture of the late 1920s, early 30s. After World War II, came big cars covered in chrome to announce the nation’s prosperity.” “Places with large numbers of vehicles that span decades of time are harder and harder to find. That’s why photographers flock to them wherever they can find them,” says Garrison. 74 DeSoto
Lewis is a jack-of-all-trades, business owner, mechanic, piano builder, and artist. Helping in the shop are his son Jeff, who handles publicity, and Dane Campbell, his computer guru. Inside the garage near the shop’s entrance is a special car in pristine condition that Dean bought at an auction 40 years ago. It’s a 1977 maroon Lincoln Mark V that supposedly belonged to Elvis shortly before his death. The small museum over the shop holds Lewis’s collection of 3,000 Styrofoam coffee cups. He hand-painted different designs on each one, many with vine-covered classic American vehicles. Admission to Old Car City is $15 without a camera or $25 with one. Trust me, you’ll want to take photos because no one will ever believe your stories about your day in these woods. oldcarcityusa.com
Fran Folsom has traveled extensively throughout the US, and the South and her writing has appeared in the USA Today Go Escape, the Boston Globe, Cheese Connoisseur, Art New England, Fiber Art Now, German Life and many other publications.
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southern harmony } highroad
On the HighRoad to Success By Pam Windsor | Photography courtesy of HighRoad
Known for soulful, well-blended harmonies, the members of this all-female group are taking their music on the road. They come from different backgrounds, but the members of HighRoad are all “family.” They share a love of music, a deep faith, and an extremely close bond that shines through every song they sing whether they’re performing at a church, a festival, or even at a recent appearance on the muchhonored stage of the Grand Ole Opry. “We love playing together,” says Lauren Conklin, the group’s fiddle player. “When I first started with HighRoad I loved playing the music, but now just knowing everyone so well, we’ve all become so close, they feel like family. It’s added a new level to playing together.” Sarah Davison, the lead vocalist and pianist, spent a lot of time performing on her own and with other artists before 76 DeSoto
forming her own band. (She even toured with George Jones’ band on his final tour of Canada.) She and the other three members now playing with HighRoad have been together for the past several years. “We love singing together,” she says. “All of us grew up playing music, so whether it’s instrumental music or vocal music, we try to listen to each other and stay in tune with what the other person’s doing, so we can complement each other.” They are known for their soulful, well-blended harmonies, a musical style that combines bluegrass, country, and gospel, and a joy that shines through every one of them when they perform. Davison agrees they share something special.
“It’s something none of us could create on our own,” she says. “It’s something God has given to us and we feel honored to be a part of it.” All are talented musicians and singers who grew up in different parts of the country. Davison is from a small town in Iowa. “I grew up on a cattle farm,” she says. “My parents were super encouraging with music and my dad is one of those people who plays everything. My grandma taught me how to play piano, kind of the way I do now.” Her childhood included playing at country festivals with her dad’s bluegrass band before she eventually moved to Nashville to study music at Belmont University. “I used to yodel and clog as a kid, and yes, I won the Jimmie Rogers yodeling contest when I was little,” she adds, laughing. Conklin is a Nashville-native who describes her family as more “classic rock” oriented. However, she grew up around a lot of country and bluegrass music and was exposed to many different fiddle styles. “I love bluegrass,” she says, “and I love that we do a lot of things like that.” She, too, went to Belmont for music and majored in commercial violin performance. Kinsey Kapfhammer is from Louisville, Kentucky. She learned to play the family piano by ear and by the age 10 was learning to play guitar, and write and record her own songs on cassette. “Music has always been a part of my life,” she says. “I grew up listening to classic rock and singing in choirs. In middle and high school, I led worship at church with the youth band. She attended Northern Kentucky University before moving to Nashville to follow her dream of becoming an artist. Kristen Bearfield grew up in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. There, she got an early introduction to mountain and Appalachian music. In fact, her uncle played bass and fiddle for bluegrass great Bill Monroe. After high school, Bearfield moved to Virginia to pursue a worship
and music degree at Liberty University, but a devastating car accident derailed her plans. “I lost my voice and I lost my ability to play instruments,” she says, describing what happened in the wake of the crash. “I had an onset of traumatic arthritis they said might never leave me, and eventually I would end up in a wheelchair.” That tragic prediction is difficult to imagine today as she stands on stage playing the guitar, the mandolin, and the banjo. “It was a rough couple of years, but God really healed me and brought me through all of that. I had to relearn to sing and everything.” She later transferred to East Tennessee State where she took part in the Bluegrass and Country Music program and received a marketing degree. Since coming together, the women of HighRoad have worked hard to write, record and release music that showcases their talents, as well as their faith. They’ve been successful with critically acclaimed songs that have climbed the Gospel charts, like “Somewhere I’m Going,” “We are Broken,” and “Christ My Hope, My Glory” featuring Jason Crabbe. Thanks to that success, they’re spending a lot more time on the road. “We’re been very busy,” Davidson says. “We’re pretty much out every weekend. We’re already booking dates for next year, which is super-exciting because we weren’t doing that this time last year.” They’re hopeful about the future and wherever their music may take them. “We just have to trust and stay obedient and in tune with what the Lord wants and I think he’ll bless that above everything else,” says Bearfield. Pam Windsor is a Nashville-based freelancer, who has written for AARP, MotorHome Magazine, the Myrtle Beach Sun News, American Profile, Country Weekly, and other publications.
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in good spirits} spooky manhattan
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All kinds of spirits at King’s Tavern of Natchez By Cheré Coen | Photography courtesy of King’s Tavern
All kinds of spirits are floating around the historic King’s Tavern in Natchez, but you want to capture the one made with the tavern’s own Charboneau rum. In the late 1700s, Richard King opened a tavern at the beginning of the Natchez Trace — or terminus, depending on how you look at the historic trail that runs from Mississippi to Nashville. The building at 619 Jefferson Street in Natchez witnessed your average visitors moving up and down the 444mile Trace, but also the notorious Harp Brothers, considered “America’s first serial killers,” and other unsavory people. It’s no wonder that King’s Tavern reports paranormal phenomenon, including doors opening and closing on their own, unexplained noises and voices and appliances being unplugged. “We’ve had bottles fall off the shelves in the kitchen,” said Ricky Woolfolk, the tavern’s manager and bartender. “But fall off in the wrong way. They’d be leaning one way but fall the other way. One Worcestershire bottle was leaning against the side and fell eight feet away. Which means it fell with force. There’s no explanation for that.” They checked the alarm system the night the Worcestershire bottle was discovered crashed upon the floor and found nothing. Ask Woolfolk for more direct evidence and he’ll show you a video of the bar refrigerator opening on its own accord, taken after hours. It’s not a fridge easily opened. Woolfolk believes the activity belongs to Madeline, the tavern’s barkeep and mistress of Richard King. The story passed down is that King’s wife found out about the tryst and hired two men to kill Madeline. In 1932, when work was being done on the tavern, a chimney wall collapsed and three skeleton remains were found inside, two men and a woman with a dagger in her side. Woolfolk thinks King discovered the two men murdering Madeline and killed them too, then placed all three bodies inside the wall to hide the crime. Because of the tavern’s spooky history, Woolfolk offers a ghostly fall cocktail. It’s his take on the Manhattan, incorporating his homemade moonshine clove tincture and the tavern’s own Charboneau rum, which is distilled on the property.
To capture smoke to use in the cocktail, he blowtorches orange blossom water on a cedar plank, then places an old fashion glass upside down on top. He produces the moonshine tincture by mixing Mississippi moonshine with a handful of cloves and leaves both simmering in a mason jar for a month. He adds rum, vermouth and a diluted maple syrup to the cocktail that smokes when it’s delivered. “The flavor’s out of this world,” Woolfolk said. Still want more spirits of the out-of-world kind? “Ghost Adventures” visited King’s Tavern and each member of the crew experienced paranormal activity. The videos are available at travelchannel.com/shows/ghost-adventures. Manhattan in the Fall
2 drops orange blossom water Cedar Plank Blowtorch Old Fashion glass 2 dashes Angostura bitters 1 dash moonshine clove tincture 2 ounces Charboneau gold rum 1/2 ounce Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth 1/2 ounce maple syrup diluted 50 percent by boiling water. Candied cherry Directions: Place two drops of orange blossom water on the cedar plank and heat with a blowtorch. Place an old fashion glass upside down over the spot and let the smoke enter the glass. Mix the bitters, moonshine, rum, vermouth and diluted maple syrup in a glass. Place a large ice cube in the old fashion glass and pour the mixture over the ice cube and allow the smoke to billow up. Garnish with the candied cherry. Cheré Coen is a freelance food and travel writer living in Lafayette, Louisiana, with deep Mississippi roots.
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exploring events } october The Pumpkin Patch Through October 27 Merry Christmas Tree Farm Nesbit, MS Merry Christmas Tree Farm also has a pumpkin patch! Take a hayride to the pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkin. Price depends on size of pumpkin. Also available to purchase are mums, corn, corn stalks and hay. Picking hours are Fridays, noon-5pm, Saturdays, 9am-5pm and Sundays, noon-5pm. For more information, call 662-429-9462 or visit merrychristmastreefarm.com.
Cedar Hill Haunted Farm October 5 - 27 Cedar Hill Farm Hernando, MS Fri & Sat, 6:00pm-10:00pm Let Cedar Hill Farm entertain and scare you! Attractions include Flashlight Corn Maize & Hayride, Trail of Terror, Sensturbia, Mid-South Zombie Apocalypse. Trail of Terror and Sensturbia not recommended for anyone under age 10. For more information or to purchase tickets visit halloween.gocedarhillfarm.com or call 662-429-2540.
Cedar Hill Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maize Through November 3 Cedar Hill Farm Hernando, MS Take a tractor drawn hayride out to the pumpkin patch and let the kids pick their own pumpkin. All sizes, shapes and colors to choose from. Try your luck in the Hay Maze and large Corn Maize. Spend the whole day and enjoy a farm fresh dinner or supper in the Country Kitchen and browse the Country Store. No Pets! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit gocedarhillfarm.com or call 662-429-2540.
Kudzu Playhouse presents “Madagascar - A Musical Adventure JR” October 5 - 14 Hernando Performing Arts Center Hernando, MS Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar. For more information, call 888-429-7871 or visit kudzuplayers.com.
King Biscuit Blues Festival October 3 - 6 Helena, AR Featuring Dave Mason & Steve Cropper, Blackberry Smoke and Bobby Rush! For more information visit kingbiscuitfestival.com. Brett Eldredge The Long Way Tour October 4 Landers Center Southaven, MS 7:30pm Country singer Brett Eldredge with special guests Devin Dawson and Abby Anderson. Purchase tickets at the Landers Center Box Office 662-470-2131, Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com. Trash & Treasures Along the Tenn-Tomm Waterway October 5 - 6 Tishomingo County, MS 50+ mile yard sale, beginning on Hwy. 25 from MS/TN Stateline through Tishomingo County to the Belmont, Golden area. Also included is Hwy. 72 and old 72 to Burnsville, MS. For more information call 662-423-0051. Carrollton Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day festival October 5 - 6 Carrollton, MS 9:00am - 5:00pm Tour historic homes, churches and points of interest. Arts and crafts, food vendors, music and children’s entertainment. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the filming of The Reivers with Steve McQueen. Watch the movie where it was filmed. For more information visit www.visitcarrolltonms.com.
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Hernando’s Annual Play Day in the Park Octpber 6 Conger Park Hernando, MS 9:00am - 1:00pm The City of Hernando is designated as a Playful City USA and annually celebrates Play Day in the Park. Children will enjoy free activities, music and food, bounce houses and more. For more information, call 662-429-2688 or visit hernandorec.com. 32nd Annual Fall Fling for the Young at Heart October 11 Tishomingo State Park Tishomingo, MS For more information call 662-438-6914. Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival October 11 - 13 Clarksdale, MS This year’s featured play is Willams’ ORPHEUS DESCENDING. Join us for 48 hours of fun & enriching events devoted to America’s greatest playwright. For more information and a complete list of events visit deltawilliamsfestival.com. Front Porch Jubilee October 12 1 Memphis Street Hernando, MS 6pm - 11:30pm An evening of blues, BBQ and Art, silent art auction. Visit www.frontporchjubilee.ms Hernando Water Tower 10K Race October 13 Hernando Courthouse Square, Hernando, MS 8:00am The race features a course that will wind through the city’s
scenic, tree-lined streets in the shadow of the Hernando Water Tower. Proceeds from the race will benefit Hernando Excel By 5’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library. After-race party activities include live music, great door prizes and food and beverages provided by local vendors. For additional information or registration, call 662-429-9092 or visit hernandowatertower10k.racesonline.com. Brussel’s Bonsai Open House & Sale October 13 Brussel’s Bonsai Olive Branch, MS 8:30am-5:00pm Open house and Fall sale. All inventory discounted 20%. Free workshop with any purchase of $100 or more. For more information visit brusselsbonsai.com or call 800-582-2593. Chonda Pierce: Getting Back to Funny Tour October 19 Landers Center Southaven, MS 7:30pm Wesley Meadows Retirement Community in Hernando is proud to present Emmy®-nominated and best-selling comedian Chonda Pierce, featuring Karyn Williams. Purchase tickets at the Landers Center Box Office, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, Ticketmaster.com or Ticketmaster mobile app. For more information, call 662-470-2131. Bash at the Botanic October 19 Memphis Botanic Garden Memphis, TN 7:00 - 11:00pm $100 ticket includes fabulous entertainment, delicious food and drinks, and a silent auction. For more information visit creativeagingmidsouth.org/bash-at-the-botanic. 32nd Great Mississippi River Balloon Race October 19 - 21 Rosalie Mansion Natchez, MS Beer garden, music fest, kids carnival, balloon glow Friday night and much more! For more information visit natchezballoonrace.com or call 800-647-6724. DeSoto Family Theatre presents “Shrek The Musical JR.” October 19 - 28 Landers Center Theater Southaven, MS Fri & Sat, 7:00pm; Sat & Sun, 2:00pm Everyone’s favorite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and outrageous Broadway musical. Purchase tickets at Landers Center box office 662-470-2131 or Ticketmaster. For more information, visit dftonline.org or call the box office.
Kevin Gates - Luca Brasi 3 Tour October 20 Landers Center Southaven, MS 7:00pm Purchase tickets at the LANDERS Center Box Office, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, online through Ticketmaster.com, or through the Ticketmaster mobile app. 23rd Annual Walls Fall Festival October 20 Minor Memorial United Methodist Church Walls, MS 8:00am - 4:00pm Free admission! In addition to vendor and craft booths, there will be children’s inflatables and games, live musical entertainment, silent auction and various community exhibits from Fire, Police, Search and Rescue and more. The Country Cafe will be serving sausage biscuits, BBQ, catfish, hot dogs and more and the Bake Shop will have an assortment of homemade desserts. For more information, call 662-781-1333 or visit minormemorial.org/fall-festival. Hernando Halloween OFF the Square October 20 Hernando, MS 3:00pm-5:00pm Everyone is invited to bring out the children in Halloween costumes to trick or treat from the trunks! Anyone can participate by registering your decorated “truck” and passing out treats to the kids! Conxion will have activities for the children. Please contact the Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce if you would like to participate. For more information, call 662-429-9055 or visit hernandoms.org. Fright Fest featuring Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour October 20 Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson Southaven, MS 11:00am - 10:00pm Enjoy live music by Almost Famous from 5pm - 9pm, on-site vendors, a photo booth, fire spinners, giveaways & much more! Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour team will be performing shows all day! These American Daredevils perform stunts that include wheelies, acrobatics, burnouts, jumps, pyro, and whatever else these crazy performers have up their sleeve. For more information visit southernthunderhd.com or call 662-450-6655. Turnrow Books Author event with Elliot Ackerman “Waiting for Eden” October 23 Turnrow Books Greenwood, MS 5:30pm National Book Award finalist Elliot Ackerman makes his Turnrow debut with Waiting for Eden, a new novel that traces the intersection of three star-crossed lives. For more information visit turnrowbooks.com or call 662-453-5995. DeSoto 81
reflections} sometimes you feel like a nut
Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut By Mary C. Fairley
The aroma of heated vanilla filled my kitchen. We were having a Bible-study party. Our leader asked me to bring a sweet. Without hesitation, I prepared individual miniature pecan pies, also known as tassies. I filled a buttery, cream cheese pastry with a nutty praline mixture. Pecans were among my fir st memories. Our grandparents, Mom-Mom and Granddaddy, took care of my sister and me while our parents worked. Granddaddy was a graduate of Mississippi A&M and held a degree in entomology (the study of insects). Mom-Mom was the daughter of a botanist and physician. She attended Mississippi Normal College and had taught in a one-room school. When Mom-Mom and Granddaddy took us to harvest pecans, we bounced across field terraces in Granddaddy’s pickup truck. Mom-Mom insisted we wear scarves bandana style to keep the wind out of our ears. Granddaddy taught us the names of the pecan trees. Coconut, Jackson, Paper Shell, and Seedlings. They were not ordinary trees. Granddaddy had selected the saplings with care. When I was born, he planted trees in my honor. Mom-Mom and Granddaddy used pecan brooms that rolled over and captured the nuts. My sister and I searched the freshly plowed ground for the brown, black-striped treasures. Granddaddy cupped his hands and cracked the pecans to give us a taste. We received a shiny dime for every galvanized bucket we picked. No hulls or leaves were allowed. We thought ourselves to be rich. 82 DeSoto
We ate fold-over cheese sandwiches and drank cool water from a metal canteen with a screw cap lid. Nothing tasted better. At night, Daddy cracked the pecans on the back porch with a levered nutcracker. We placed the broken nuts in aluminum pie plates. By the fireplace, we shelled them trying to keep the halves intact. Our fingers were stained and sore, and as a reward we sampled the produce of our toil. Pecans were a staple in our baking. Mother covered pecan halves with a brown sugar, egg white meringue. We called them “Pecan Kisses.” Chopped pecans loaded chocolate chip cookies, and date loaves were chock full of them. When Mother retired, she wanted to be a good steward of the land. She fertilized the aging pecan trees, but the crop dwindled. The pecan orchard is now in ruins. The farmers who rent the land bulldozed and burned the trees in the field to increase the yield of cotton, peanuts, and watermelons. For quality control purposes, I tested a pecan tassie made for my Bible-study group. It was chewy and delicious. And I remembered two little girls with scarves on their heads. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Mary C. Fairley lives in Lucedale. She has written for Mississippi Magazine and Parents & Kids.