FEBRUARY 2019
Southaven
ARTS COUNCIL Wolf River
BRISKET CO. Tennessee Williams
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Denim
MUSEUM
Diesel
Southern Songstress Grace Askew shares her journey from front porch pickin’ to playing at music’s most legendary locales
SEPTEMBER 2018 Click SINGLE PG Template.indd 1
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BEHIND THE COVER 500 Days of Grace This month’s cover features Southern songstress Grace Askew. A singer-songwriter by trade, Askew has exercised her musical muscle for more than a year by writing and performing a new song daily with subjects that run the gamut from heartfelt to humorous. Read her story on page 20. Feature & Photos by CASEY HILDER
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10 WHAT'S INSIDE 10 Meet the Chef: Gannon Hamilton 14 A Blank Canvas 20 500 Days of Grace 27 Table for Two 28 Pottery with Purpose 33 See & Do: February 2019 34 Recipe of the Month
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36 Cocktail of the Month 38 Inside the Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum 43 Beer from Here 62 Animal of the Month
OUT & ABOUT 46 19th Annual Crystal Ball Gala 52 Repticon 54 AutoZone Liberty Bowl President’s Gala
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56 Southaven Chamber 101 58 Horn Lake Chamber 1st Quarterly Luncheon 60 The Science of Beer
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From the Editor
An Everyday Thing If I’ve learned anything in these past seven years working at Click Magazine, it’s this: craftsmanship requires consistency. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Let me elaborate. In addition to serving as editor of this lovely magazine, I occasionally teach journalism classes at the University of Memphis. These classes can be about anything from proper punctuation and grammar to photography or publication design, but one of my assignments that students always struggle with is a simple challenge to take one photo a day. One photo a day for 30 consecutive days. Doesn’t matter what’s in the photo, just as long as it’s properly hashtagged. Most students are unable to complete this assignment, and the few who do are rewarded with extra credit. Consistency can be tough. Honing your craft can often be tedious and time-consuming, but the marginal improvement soon becomes exponential and it all becomes worth it in the end. The February issue of Click Magazine features several MidSoutherners who excel at their craft through daily practice and hard work. This month’s cover feature details the musical journey of Southern singer-songwriter, Grace Askew, who has written, composed and performed more than unique 400 songs in what began was a 365-day challenge. Read her story on page 20. We’ve also got a dash of Southwestern spice with a feature on Chef Gannon Hamilton of Wolf River Brisket Co. in Olive Branch. Gannon shares just what makes a better brisket on page 10. The artist featured on page 28 maintains he’s still very much a student of pottery, but don’t let Jim Anderson’s modesty fool you – his handmade line of pots, mugs, and other functional items is the real deal. Looking for a nice dinner spot to share with your beloved this Valentine’s Day? We’ve got you covered on page 27 with our “Table for Two” feature that takes a brief look at some of the best places to grab a bite as a couple in Desoto County. And speaking of love: don’t forget to check out myclickmag.com/ wedding for a chance to submit your wedding to be featured in Click’s upcoming Wedding Issue. So from all of us to all of you: get back to that thing you’ve been working on. Do it every day. Become the greatest. And, most importantly, Read on.
Casey Hilder
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Write to us editor@myclickmag.com The DeSoto Times-Tribune 2342 Highway 51 North Nesbit, MS 38651 Phone: 662-429-6397
Co-Presidents Jonathan Pittman Angie Pittman Editor Casey Hilder editor@myclickmag.com
EXPERIENCED, COMPASSIONATE CARE FOR YOUR BEST FRIENDS
Art Director Courtney Spencer Copy Editor Taylor Smith Writers Casey Hilder Mike Lee Photographers Frank Chin Casey Hilder Mike Lee Doug Farris Sales Director Lyla McAlexander lyla@dttclick.com
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The DeSoto Times-Tribune 2342 Highway 51 North Nesbit, MS 38651 Phone: 662-429-6397 We make every effort to correct factual mistakes and omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Casey Hilder at email address listed above.
Submit Your Event Interested in having your next party featured in Click? Submit your event by going to myclickmag.com or email us at events@myclickmag.com. Š2018 P.H. Publishing. Click Magazine must give permission for any material contained herein to be reproduced in any manner. Any advertisements published in Click Magazine do not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser's services or products. Click Magazine is published monthly by P.H. Publishing, LLC.
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Click Contributors
Brian Anderson
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Taylor Smith
Various events and in this month's issue were shot by local photographer Brian Anderson, a Memphis-based artist that started shooting professionally about six years ago and has been featured in Southern Living Magazine, Oxford American, MBQ and the St. Jude Gallery Collection, to name a few. He primarily focuses on concerts, with a focus on blues and old-fashioned Southern music, as well as the Mississippi delta and cityscapes.
Taylor Smith really should change her name to “Word.” She’s been a reporter for multiple publications in the Mid-South, including The Daily Helmsman, The Leader and The Commercial Appeal, and she journals every day. When she’s not moonlighting as a copy editor, she’s working full-time as a project coordinator for City Gear, an urban streetwear retailer, or watching another episode of Forensic Files with her fiance, Jason.
John Klyce
Mike Lee
John Klyce is a senior at the University of Memphis studying Journalism, French and English. In addition to writing for Click, he has also worked for the the Daily Helmsman as a Feature Writer and currently contributes to them as a guest columnist. Born and raised in Memphis, Klyce has also trained as a classical pianist and worked as an actor. Last year, he appeared in an episode of the CMT series Sun Records as a young Johnny Cash's friend Louie.
Event photos in this issue were captured by Click photographer Mike Lee. Mike started in news in 1971 as a TV writer, photographer, and art director. For 20 years, his work appeared on national and international television broadcasts, and was published in print media worldwide.
Andrea Letard
Andrea LeTard is a personal chef, cooking instructor, and creator of Andrea’s Cooktales, a recipe website and video series where there’s a story behind every recipe. Her recipes are what she calls next-generation Southern: fun and fresh with a modern twist using unexpected ingredients. Follow Andrea on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or read her blog and watch her video series at AndreasCooktales.com.
Robert Seymour, DDS • Jason Parolli, DMD • Bryant Trotter, DMD myclickmag.com
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MEET THE CHEF:
GANNON HAMILTON Wolf River Brisket Co. offers a Southern-style take on a Texan classic Feature & photos by CASEY HILDER
The tantalizing, welcoming scent of freshly smoked brisket hangs in the air outside 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the recently opened Wolf River Brisket Co. just off Goodman Road in Olive Branch, and for good reason: each signature brisket cooks for up to 18 hours before being incorporated into a wide variety of signature dishes.
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“There are as many different ways to prepare brisket as there are to present it,” says Head Chef Gannon Hamilton. “People get into crazy arguments about the best way to do it, even in Texas where brisket is King.” Wolf River Brisket Co. is the creation of Chad Foreman, the owner of Pyro’s Pizza. Hamilton was hired by Foreman last year to oversee both the Collierville and Olive Branch locations. Hamilton, whose background includes 20-plus years in the restaurant industry starting as a dishwasher, took some inspiration from his family’s Texas roots when he took up the position of head chef. “My father and I are pretty much the only little branch of our family to exist outside of Texas,” he says. “And as far as Southern food roots go, a very small part of my family is Cajun, so you could say I’m really used to that blend of Texan, Cajun and traditional Southern foods.” Despite its status as what Texans commonly known as barbecue, Hamilton says the b-word is seldom heard at Wolf River Brisket Co.
“We don’t use that word around here to differentiate ourselves from the crowd of barbecue restaurants,” he says. “I think I can smoke pork well, but so can thousands of other people in the South.” As expected, WRB’s signature brisket permeates nearly every dish on the menu. In addition to the standard Sliced Brisket and Burnt Ends plates, Wolf River Brisket Co. offers a selection of composed dishes like grits and brisket, brisket chili, brisket stew and brisket-stuffed biscuit sliders. “We have a few other protein options that we smoke in a similar way like salmon and chicken, but we really focus on the brisket,” he says. In addition to a variety of brisket-based dishes, Hamilton says that one particular menu item has been received well by the locals. “We offer a choice of either a cornbread waffle or a biscuit with a lot of dishes,” says Hamilton. “99 percent of the time, people choose the cornbread waffle because it’s something different and interesting. It’s really good, too.”
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As part of his day-to-day, Hamilton tackles contentious questions in the world of smoked meat such as how long to smoke a brisket, how to properly trim the meat, and what kind of meat to use. “We use Prime Certified Angus beef for all of our brisket,” he says. “We tested out a few really nice other options, including American Kobe beef, but we found that the Angus was just the best. The cattle are all raised in the U.S. and, most of the time, they’re coming straight from Texas.” When it comes to trimming, Hamilton suggests half an inch of fat on the fatty side and a quarter inch of fat on the lean side, seasoned with Wolf River Brisket Co.’s signature brisket rub. “Once again, the rub is a serious point of contention,” Hamilton says. “I read a book from Aaron Franklin – currently the most famous Texas barbecue guy out there – and he says he uses salt and pepper. I don’t buy that. Around here, you can’t get away with cooking smoked meat and only using those two seasonings.” Wolf River Brisket Co. combines elements of Texan seasoning like chili powder and cumin with a Memphis dry rub along with a signature tomato-based, not-quite-BBQ sauce. “In Texas, I might get laughed at for putting sugar on a brisket rub,” he says. “But around Memphis, you best put some kind of sugar on your smoked meat.” When it comes to smoking, Hamilton says that brisket is a patient man’s dish, recommending up to 18 hours at low heat (around 205 degrees). “My old boss at The Farmer in East Memphis used to say, ‘We take this food that God made and try not to mess it up,’ and I try to stick to that,” says Hamilton. “People with a certain knack for it put a lot of time and a lot of effort into raising these cattle and for us to grind it up into something like sausage – not that there’s anything wrong with sausage. The core idea is to take the cut of meat you’ve got and try not to manipulate it too much.”
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Dano graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) Medical Center, where he received the George Hampton Clinician award and was also chosen for the LSU Alumni Faculty Award. Prior to attending physical therapy school, he received a Bachelors in Science (B.S.) in Biology from Delta State University (DSU). While in college, he was also a starting Nose Guard for the DSU Football Team. Dano has an extensive background in fitness, strength training and received specialized training in the rehabilitation of Osteoarthritis, Degenerative joint disease and Degenerative Disc Disease. In 2014, Dano became a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, as well as ce certified in Dry Needling by the Dry Needling Institute and Mississippi Board of Physical Therapy. “I am proud to have served the residents of DeSoto County in clinical practice for 17 years. I believe that my clinical experience and extensive training in healthcare will enable me to meet the personal goals of our patientʼs and community.”
DANO NAPOLI MPT, OCS, CERT. DN OWNER/PHYSICAL THERAPIST
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A BLANK CANVAS Meet the women behind the brand-new Southaven Arts Council Interview & photos by CASEY HILDER
Three enterprising artists hope to build a burgeoning arts scene in the ever-expanding city of Southaven through the Southaven Arts Council, a new organization that hopes to join Desoto Arts Council and Olive Branch Arts Council as a creative outlet for locals. Executive Directors Spring Lamb and Sukie Nemeth and Vickie Neyman, president of the board of directors, incorporated the Southaven Arts Council this past October and the group held its first board meeting November 12 with a board of directors that includes members like Executive Director of Elmwood Cemetary Kim Bearden, Abstract Artist Julia Baker Bell and Writer William Hill. In this month’s featured Q&A, Lamb, Nemeth and Neyman sat down to share their ambitions for the organization.
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Spring Lamb
Click Magazine: What led to the creation of the Southaven Arts Council? Spring Lamb: Sukie and I met through Desoto Arts Council and, over the years, became interested in starting our own organization based here in Southaven. The thing that spurred all this was the tremendous amount of population growth around here. We felt like the existing arts councils in the county couldn’t accommodate everybody with so many new people coming in. So, one day I called Sukie and said “Let’s do this thing.” Sukie Nemeth: I started looking into all the legalities and steps, then I got started filing the paperwork with the state. The next step was getting the board together and ratifying the bylaws, getting our tax number and filing with the charities commission so we are able to accept donations CM: How did you get started? SL: One of the best things you can do is work with an arts council before starting to build one of your own since 501(c) (3) organizations don’t quite act like businesses. All of us have that similar background, so we pooled what we already did and took a look at all the resources online to see what other arts councils across the country were doing. SN: Nonprofitready.org is a terrific website that I’ve spent a lot of time using. They have free courses and really go through all the ins and outs. CM: What is your background as an artist?
SL: My mother was a cartoonist and older sister is an artist, so I kind of grew up in the arts. I went to West Virginia University and studied art and business with the intention to run a gallery. It’s all I’ve ever done, but art is one of those careers where you end up picking up a lot of side jobs. I’ve worked in advertising, graphic design, marketing and sales. I’m a painter, writer, metal sculptor and photographer who has a hard time sticking to one thing, so I like to do a lot of mixed media work. SN: I’m more of a crafter than an artist. I studied dance and art history in college before somehow ending up in marriage and family therapy as a career. I like to work with felt, polymer clay and crochet. I also like to cook and have a published cookbook along with a blog. I also have a small side business where I sell soaps called Raven Wing Sundries. Vicky Neyman: When my aunt asked me what I want to do when I was 3 years old, I told her I wanted to be a “colorer.” I went to school at Sinclair in Dayton, Ohio, for business and took an extended break from art as I went into the business world. I landed a job as director of training and management development for Gate Gourmet, an airline catering business. I worked there for 17 years and traveled all over the world and, as soon as I left there, I went right back to painting. I primarily work with watercolors and oils doing portraits and business-scapes, which are paintings of businesses or houses. What I do primarily with my art nowadays is a special-needs art class with The Arc Northwest Mississippi. myclickmag.com
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Vicky Neyman CM: Why do you think it’s taken so long for Southaven to cultivate an art scene? VN: When I was with Desoto Arts Council, there was an attempt to build an arts council in Southaven. However, it was the thought at the time that Desoto Arts Council would serve the entire county community. Of course, now Olive Branch has its own on their end and Southaven has never quite identified a cultural arts scene identity. And that’s what these two ladies want to do: they want to set an artistic standard in the community that Southaven can make its own. SN: I’ve noticed, coming from a larger city of Lubbock, Texas, that suburbs often have trouble forming their own community identity as opposed to a smaller town that developed from one or two farms and developed from there. Building an arts community is a really important part of developing that sense of togetherness. CM: Are there any other local groups working with the Southaven Arts Council? SN: We want to bring in other existing groups like Desoto Arts Institute, they do film and acting and their lead instructor, Robb Rokk, is on our board. We’re also interested 16
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in working with Desoto Family Theater and Desoto Camera Club. We kind of want to be that centerpiece where we can direct people to where they can best be served in the local arts community. We’re also looking into neighbor programs so we can incorporate Horn Lake, a city that gets overlooked so often, into many of our programs. CM: The Southaven Arts Council does not currently have a headquarters. Will this change anytime soon? SL: We’ve had our eye on the Silo Square development area, but there’s so much that we can do at the moment that we don’t necessarily need an overhead space right now. SN: We want to be as mobile as possible right now so we can take things into the schools and senior centers in the area. CM: How does someone join the Southaven Arts Council? SL: You can visit www.southavenartscouncil.com to contact us and purchase a membership.
Sukie Nemeth
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500
Days of Grace Southern Songstress Grace Askew shares her journey from front porch pickin’ to playing at music’s most legendary locales Feature & photos by CASEY HILDER
Every day sounds different for Grace Askew. For the past year and some change, Askew, a Tennesseebased singer-songwriter, has written one song a day as part of what was once a 365-day challenge to get her creative juices flowing after finding herself in a musical rut. “I had never given myself permission to work on the craft because I’d been so busy touring and promoting these past few years,” she says. “So, I decided to give myself a whole year to commit to a single song every day of the week and it’s been a truly enjoyable, transformative experience.” Askew exercised her musical muscle for a solid year, penning tunes that range from silly to serious and performing them through daily broadcasts on Facebook Live since January 1, 2018. On February 4, 2019, she will perform her 400th song on the way to a newly-refocused goal of 500 total. “People have questioned the challenge because they worry that it’s a matter of quantity of quality,” she says. “But the mind is a muscle, and the more you tap into your creativity, the stronger it gets.” For Askew, songwriting soon became a tactile, instant and powerful experience. Lyrics that once took hours to concoct now sprang to life in mere minutes. “I don’t plan anything
out an advance,” she says. “I like to sit down roughly an hour or so before going live and kind of sketching things out. I work well under pressure.” Askew’s songs run the gamut from heartfelt to humorous, drawing everyday inspiration from common and deeply personal sources. Memorable ditties include Day 195’s “Salvation Army Back Door,” an ode to the endless cycle of clothing reuse and rebirth at Nashville thrift stores. “I have an absolute obsession with going to Goodwill and Salvation Army,” she says. “I’m in a continuous flow of buying and giving back.” Then there’s songs like Day 369’s “True Detective,” inspired by the HBO TV series and recorded while Askew was on tour in Merritt, Oklahoma. “I was inspired by a little promo flier I saw by the table in the lobby, and the motto of the show was ‘Time takes everything but the truth,’” she says. “I thought that was a cool start to a song idea.” Askew also recorded a Southwestern seasonal tune in the form of “Santa Claus is Coming to Santa Fe,” performed live on Christmas Eve alongside her niece. “That isn’t to say that I’m pumping out high-quality, memorable songs every day, but that’s not quite what the challenge is about,” she says. myclickmag.com
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Wednesday, May 15, will mark 500 songs for Askew, and she may not stop then. “I still enjoy doing it and now I want that legacy of audacity,” she says. “I want people to look at my work and say ‘Man, that girl’s crazy. She really went there.’” Askew describes her songwriting process as primal and instinctual. “The second a word comes to my mind, I don’t judge it,” says Askew. “I’m in the passenger seat and the muse has the steering wheel.” Before she began her challenge, Askew gained national attention in 2013 as a contestant on season 4 of NBC’s The Voice. Askew’s time on The Voice marked a powerful departure from her days playing the smoky bars and saloons across Tennessee and the Southwest. “Doing The Voice was so different from my existing brand as a musician,” she says. “But I was really able to put myself out there.” Often described as boot camp for a rockstardom, Askew’s time on The Voice involved coaching sessions dedicated to forming a unique look and sound as an artist, creating stage presence and building confidence as a performer. Askew initially wowed a panel of judges including Blake Shelton and Shakira with her June Carter-inspired looks and soulful rendition of Nancy Sinatra’s "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" in episode 5 before being sent home in the Knockout Rounds late in the season. “I have nothing but good things to say about the experience,” says Askew. “But when the time came for me to be cut, I was ready to go back home.” Homesickness resonates with the well-traveled Askew,
who splits her time between living in Nashville, Memphis, and touring the Southwest. At 18, she began attending Loyola University in New Orleans and studying music business. Soon after classes began, thoughts of her hometown of Memphis weighed heavily on her mind. “I was not a fan of college,” she says. “It kind of amplified my social awkwardness and shyness. The whole time I was there, I was reading Johnny Cash’s biography and having these big dreams about recording in Sun Studio.” Askew dropped out and moved into an apartment above her grandmother in Midtown Memphis, where she started playing gigs at revered local dive bars like the Hi Tone Café , P&H, Murphy’s, and The Buccaneer. “All those smoky, wonderful little hidden-away places,” she says. “Those are always my favorite spots to perform.” Askew cut her first demo at Midtown’s Young Avenue Sound before moving on to record her first EP, Wasted Lipstick, at Ardent Studios in 2008. “Looking back, it was a very poppy kind of record, which isn’t what I’m about these days,” she says. “But I’m still proud of everything that went into it.” At 19, Askew finally booked recording time at Sun Studios alongside local producer Matt Ross-Spang for a cover of the Big Mama Thornton song “My Heavy Load”. The 32-year-old singer who once referred to Elvis as her guardian angel in an interview with Rolling Stone. “Back in the day, you could still go in and cut a song for like 50 bucks,” she says.
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Fast forward to 10 years later in 2015 and Askew returned to the former stomping grounds of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash at Sun Studios to record her fifth studio album, Scaredy Cat. “This was after The Voice had happened and I was looking for a project to really show off my roots and let everyone know that I’m still an authentic Memphis artist,” says Askew. Askew’s musical influences are decidedly old-school and include the likes of Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Jeff Buckley and, most notably, Cat Power. “I first heard her when I was like 16, and I was just blown away,” Askew says. “She had this beautiful tough, husky voice that really resonated with me. It was the first time I realized that women don’t need to be all lilty and Joni Mitchell-sounding.” Her moody, soulful brand of singing has been dubbed by some as “bluntry,” a portmanteau mesh of blues and country, but Askew prefers to describe her own sound as “Southern Gothic,” often drawing inspiration from the darker areas of life. “I like going to places like bus stops and other places that might be considered ‘seedy’ to some people,” she says. “I was lucky enough to grow up in a very stable home, but I always wonder what’s happening on the other side of the tracks.” While Askew says she dreams of one day collaborating with former Squirrel Nut Zippers frontman and Mid-South native Jimbo Mathus, she has already shared the stage with several legendary musicians, including the likes of the late T-Model Ford and Lisa Marie Presley. 24
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“I heard T-Model Ford Otherfest in Rosevale, Mississippi, playing at a different stage and rushed over to meet him,” she says. “He was very authentic and very flirty for someone in his 90s.” Her tour across the Southwest with Presley took an abrupt turn following a performance in Roswell, New Mexico. “She ended up cancelling the whole tour midway through, and I had TMZ calling me asking if I had any dirt on the situation,” says Askew. “Of course, I didn’t have any gossip for them. But I continued on with the tour and ended up playing a lot of very nice venues that I normally wouldn’t.” Askew’s spring and fall touring cycles lead her all throughout the Southwest and has left the 32-year-old singer-songwriter with a deep love of locales like Marfa, Santa Fe, Austin, Albuquerque, and Fort Worth. “Road life is something I’ll probably never get tired of,” she says. “There’s such a listening culture instilled in Texas and Oklahoma, they really dig songwriting out there.” This year, Askew plans to culminate her 500-song challenge with four studio albums culled from her best work. “I’m picking the top 10 out of every 90 songs from last year and focusing on the seasons,” she says. “I’m breaking it down and really refocusing on the lyrics.” To hear Grace Askew’s music and see upcoming tour dates, visit www.graceaskew.com.
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TABLE FOR TWO Five hot picks for a memorable Desoto County date night Feature by CASEY HILDER
AC’s Steakhouse: The CLASSIC Date
3964 Goodman Rd E suite 102, Southaven Voted Desoto County’s best for four years running, AC’s Steakhouse is a safe bet for a consistent and comfortable dining experience. Popular dishes here include bacon-wrapped filet alongside a crab-stuffed lobster tail, fried catfish and the ever-popular 16-ounce rib-eye steak. From Chardonnay to Sauvignon, both AC’s locations pack broad and diverse selection of wines that includes interesting reds like the German Schlink Haus Dornfelder and Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
Mississippi Ale House:
Pinks:
The COMFY Date 9120 Pigeon Roost Rd, Olive Branch Pinks in Olive Branch combines the coziness of a small-town coffee shop with the charm of a neighborhood deli. Owner Leanne Nastasi saw a little bit of her native Montreal, Quebec, in Pinks Olive Branch location. With its relaxed surroundings and abundance of casual seating, Pinks is the perfect afternoon delight in Olive Branch. In addition to a mini-bakery of sorts and full-service coffee shop, Pinks offers a plethora of special nights and activities ranging from Lego Build Night Thursdays to the upcoming “Pinks After Dark” wine and dessert tastings.
The CLEVER Date
Windy City Grille:
9211 Old Hwy 78, Olive Branch Since opening its doors in fall of 2017, Derric Curran and Alistair Clark’s Mississippi Ale House has quickly become a neighborhood favorite. Proclaimed by its owners as a beer bar for craft beer lovers, Mississippi Ale House offers a selection of more than two dozen types on tap. In addition to occasional live music and a rotating cast of food trucks that includes Look at that Butt BBQ and Mr. Joe’s Jamaican kitchen, Mississippi Ale House also offers a variety of entertainment options including weekly trivia, board games and classic video games.
330 W Commerce St, Hernando The Chicago-inspired Windy City Grille offers a taste of the world-famous City in a Garden at both its Hernando and Como locations. This restaurant has become locally famous from its variety of pizzas made from fresh, Chicago-style dough in addition to typical comfort foods like burgers, wings and cheese sticks. In addition to indoor and outdoor seating options, Windy City hosts happy hour five days a week from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The COOL Date
Urban Japanese Fusion Cuisine:
The ADVENTUROUS Date 5218 S. Goodman Rd. Olive Branch The dark, sophisticated atmosphere of Urban Japanese Fusion restaurant in Olive Branch is perfect for more adventurous tastes in search of something unique. This unconventional dining establishment has something for the pickiest eaters and even more for those willing to try outside-the-box dishes like Seafood Ceviche. In addition to a variety of fresh, fast sushi dishes, Urban Japanese Fusion offers a wide variety domestic and imports beers in addition to sakes and mixed drinks, including a cucumber-mint cocktail to die for and the popular Gekkeikan "Black & Gold" sake. myclickmag.com
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Pottery withPurpose Hernando Artist Jim Anderson brings a functional quality to his line of handmade pottery Feature & Photos by CASEY HILDER
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When Jim Anderson saw an ad in the DeSoto Times for night classes in ceramics at Northwest Community College more than 25 years ago, he figured a hobby would do him good. “I’ve always liked it,” he says. “I guess you could say I was drawn to it.” Now with hundreds of pots lining display shelves in his Hernando-based studio, what was once a weekend hobby for Anderson has grown into a finelyhoned craft he shares through various local craft shows such as A’Fair and on shelves at the DeSoto Arts Council. Anderson, who once served as director of the First Regional Library in Hernando, was taught by renowned local artist and former NWCC Art Department chairman Lane Tutor. Now 77, he still considers himself a student in the craft of pottery with a guiding rule that states “making any object well is a goal worth pursuing.” “I enjoy making pottery that fills a need,” says Anderson. “And it keeps me out of the house, which my wife likes.” Every piece of Anderson Pottery is meant to fulfill a purpose, no matter how small. The bowls can safely be cooked in and eaten out of, while the mugs are a perfect match for coffee and soup. “It’s not classical stuff by any means,” A nderson says. “It all has a use, even if that use is sometimes just taking up space.” Anderson’s work includes a wide selection of bowls, vases, serving dishes and cups that shine through cool and earthy tones, each one speckled with unique intricacies and beautiful imperfections that happen as often by accident as by design. No two pieces are the same, right down to the barely visible indentations on t he ha nd sc u lpted ed ges. An average piece takes a matter
of minutes for Anderson to form on the wheel, but the extensive process of finishing requires several weeks as the ceramic piece is trimmed, put in the kiln, glazed and refired. “From start to finish, a single piece can take up to two or three weeks,” he says. Fortunately for Anderson, his kiln can hold nearly two shelves worth of pottery in an individual load. “It gets pretty warm in here with that thing running,” he says. “Even during in the wintertime.” For A nderson, the most time consuming part of the process is molding lids for pots and casserole dishes. As pottery dries, it tends to shrink down a bit, which leads to some precise measurement requirements to make the lid f it just right. “That’s where you can definitely tell the piece is made by hand,” he says. “Those parts can get very tricky.” Armed with little more than a wry sense of wit and the warmth of the nearby kiln, Anderson’s hands seem to flow with a new energy whenever he sits down to work on a new piece. For him, it’s all about the feel of forming the perfect ceramic craft. “My pleasure in this craft is centered around work on the potter’s wheel,” he says. “Without the tactile enjoyment of feeling a lump of clay expand in my hands into a real pot with a real purpose, I am sure that I would lose interest quickly.” A nderson occasiona lly of fers indiv idual classes to interested parties, though he has some advice for enterprising artists: “If I were starting a craft now, I might consider one that isn’t so breakable or heavy,” he says. For more information on where to purchase Jim Anderson Pottery or contact the artist, visit www.jimandersonpottery.com.
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February 2019
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- See & Do One event not to miss this month
Krewe of Hernando Mardi Gras Ball 2019
WHEN: February 23 at 8 p.m. WHERE: The Gin At Nesbit The black tie is optional, but masks are required to get the good times rolling at the Krewe of Hernando’s eighth annual Bourbon Street-inspired bash. Musical entertainment for the night will be provided by Brad Birkedahl, a musician/tour guide best known for his work with The Dempseys. Proceeds from this event will benefit the First Regional Library in Hernando, as well as other local institutions such as schools and area charities.
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RECIPE OF THE MONTH Recipe courtesy of ANDREA LETARD
150-CALORIE CALIENTE BREAKFAST SANDWICH - Makes 4 sandwiches -
THE GOODS
METHOD
4 English muffins
Cut English muffins in half. Using your hands, scoop out and discard some of the bread on the inside (this is not compeletely necessary but will save you calories and carbs). Toast the muffins in a toaster until golden.
1/2 tbsp olive oil 1 cup egg whites 1 cup baby spinach - chopped fine
Kosher salt and pepper
1/2 avocado - sliced thin Sriracha or hot sauce, to taste
Heat olive oil in a sautĂŠ pan over low heat, and swirl around until the bottom of the pan is covered in the oil and glistening. Add the egg whites and sprinkle the spinach over top with a dash of salt and pepper. Scramble eggs, pressing down flat, so when they're done cooking they all stick together. Turn off the heat and using a spatula, cut eggs into 4 equal servings. Place eggs on the English muffins, folding over to fit the sandwich, if needed. Top with the avocado and sriracha or hot sauce.
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COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH Recipe & photo courtesy of SERENA WOLF
Pomegranate
VO D K A G I M L E T - Makes 1 cocktail -
THE GOODS
METHOD
2 oz vodka
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, lime juice and pomegranate juice and shake vigorously. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice.
1 lime, juiced 1½ oz pomegranate juice For garnish: 2-3 thinly sliced lime rounds 2 tbsp Pomegranate Arils
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Garnish with lime rounds and pomegranate arils. (You can also garnish your glass first if you prefer. You do you.) Note:
This is a very tart cocktail. If you prefer something a little sweeter, feel free to add a splash of simple syrup or a drizzle of honey!
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INSIDE THE
Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum Clarksdale’s latest attraction offers a glimpse into the history of one of America’s most revered playwrights Feature & Photos by CASEY HILDER | Additional photos courtesy of KAREN KOHLHAAS
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The newest hidden gem in the world of Delta tourism is the former home of Thomas Lanier Williams, known to some as Tom, but known to a most as Tennessee Williams, the playwright behind some of the most enduring works of the 20th century, including “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” and “The Glass Menagerie.” What is now known as the Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum was once a house purchased by St. George's Episcopal Church in 1919 to serve as a next-door living quarters for members of the clergy. The first rector to live there was Williams’ grandfather, Walter E. Dakin, who lived at the rectory until his retirement in 1932. Other rectors would take up residence for a while afterward until the church began to use the space for a day school. Two years ago, Father Jason Shelby, the director of St. George's Episcopal Church, was approached by theater enthusiast and documentarian Karen Kohlhaas with the idea to convert the second floor of the building to a museum devoted to Tennessee Williams. “He was completely open, supportive and ver y appreciative of the history of Tennessee Williams at St. George’s Episcopal,” says Kohlhaas. Kohlhaas, a New York-based theater director, teacher and founding member of the Atlantic Theater Company, was in the process of completing a feature documentary about Tennessee Williams in the Mississippi Delta. She first came to Clarksdale in 2008 to study documentary filmmaking with Barefoot Workshops and quickly became intrigued with Tennessee Williams’ Delta history.
“I didn’t even know that Tennessee Williams was from the town when I first stopped by,” she says. “After I did some research, talked to people, and heard how many of his characters were based on individuals from around Clarksdale, I just couldn’t believe how much of this theater history was deep down in the Delta.” Once she received the go-ahead from the church, Kohlhaas began fundraising efforts in both Clarksdale and New York City, garnering the support from across the country in advance of the museum’s October 2018 opening. “A lot of actors, teachers, playwrights, artists, friends and family chipped in to make this museum happen,” says Kohlhaas. “We also received a donation from his estate at The University of the South.” Many of his short plays, stories, and poems of Tennessee Williams are set in, or heavily reference the Mississippi Delta. He named characters after his grandfather’s parishioners and neighbors: Stella, Cutrer, Baby Doll, Brick, Baugh and others. Kohlhaas recalls strolling through historic cemeteries during her Clarksdale visit and seeing recurring names like Wingfield, Blanche and Gilliam – the very same names made famous in Williams’ plays. “It’s like finding long lost relatives you never knew,” she says. “One thing that strikes me a lot about the Delta is how the history is still right there on the surface. For many places, you’re able to look at a photograph from 100 years ago and it still looks the same today.” The museum itself is located on the second floor St. George’s Episcopal Church office in the former bedrooms myclickmag.com
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once occupied by Williams and his family and consists of four rooms. Mr. and Mrs. Dakin’s Bedroom includes a selection of family photos and a reproduction of an unpublished essay fragment by Williams, “The Curtains and Wallpaper in My Grandmother’s Bedrooms” which describes how Mrs. Dakin decorated this rectory. Kohlhaas used this essay as a guide when recreating the museum. A quotation from Williams about his grandmother’s comforting presence encircles the top of the room. Tom and Rose’s room is dedicated to Tennessee and his sister, who both lived with their grandparents in the rectory at different times. This room also tells the sad story of Rose’s 1943 lobotomy and showcases reproductions that include two of Rose’s favorite books; a birdcage and the story of the canary she kept in the rectory; and a copy of Tom’s yearbook from the University of Missouri. We know this was Tom’s room, according to Kohlhaas, because he wrote of seeing the brilliant stained glass windows of St. George’s Church from his bedroom. Mr. Dakins’ study room is dedicated to Tennessee’s grandfather’s career in the Episcopal Church. His close relationship with his grandson is told through photos, letters and stories of some of the parishioners of St. George’s whose names Williams gave to his most famous characters. This room includes a reproduction of Mr. Dakin’s handwritten parish register. Finally, the Tennessee Williams Room is dedicated to showcasing the worldwide appeal of Tennessee Williams
through dozens of original and reproduction posters, programs and memorabilia from plays and movies. This room, Kohlhaas says, gives visitors an idea of the impact of Williams’ plays and a glimpse of just how relevant his work is more than 70 years later. “He had such a deep, deep understanding of people and the human heart and a lyrical way of writing that touched so many people,” says Kohlhaas.”His phrases stay with people. Countless productions of his plays are still being performed around the world to this day” Kohlhaas will be involved with the 27th Annual Tennessee Williams Festival in October of this year. This city-wide Clarksdale event is sponsored by Coahoma Community College and includes scholar panels, student monologue competitions, and segments of Tennessee Williams plays performed on the steps of historic buildings across Clarksdale in “porch plays.” “It’s an event that’s as much dedicated to local history as it is Tennessee Williams himself,” says Kohlhaas. “Professional actors come in from out of town and perform site-specific scenes in the places where those scenes were originally set.” Kohlhaas hopes to complete her documentary project, tentatively titled “Tennessee Williams and the Mississippi Delta,” later this year. The Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum is open by appointment and occasionally at during one of Clarksdale’s many annual festivals. To make an appointment, visit their website at www.tennesseewilliamsrectorymuseum.com.
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February 2019
BEER FROM HERE WITH DERRIC CURRAN AND ALISTAIR CLARK Owners and Operators of The Mississippi Ale House
MISSISSIPPI FIRE ANT Whether you're looking for love or celebrating the love you have, get your one and only something better than chocolate and way better than some dumb flowers. You see where we're going here right? We're talking about beer! Match the fire in your heart with some fire in your belly by giving your sweetheart a bouquet full of Southern Prohibition's Mississippi Fire Ant. It's smooth malty taste and toasted caramel notes are buried in a mountain of hops to give it a bite your special someone won't soon forget. Plus, it's beer... We all know where that leads. Cheers y'all. BREW FACTS Brewery: Southern Prohibition Style: Imperial Red Ale ABV: 8% IBU: 80 Appearance: Deep Mississippi Mud Red Where to find this beer: Mississippi Ale House
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Brooks & Sherri Kennen
OUT&ABOUT
19th Annual Crystal Ball Gala
F 19th Annual Crystal Ball Gala
F Southaven Chamber 101
F Repticon
F Horn Lake Chamber 1st Quarterly Luncheon
F AutoZone Liberty Bowl President’s Gala
F The Science of Beer
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19th Annual Crystal Ball Gala With a guiding theme of “The Superhero Gala: Use Your Powers for Good!,” The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi hosted the star-studded 19th iteration of its annual Crystal Ball Gala at the Southaven Arena. This event honored the accomplishments and community service of several local “superheroes” including Jesse Holland, a Holly Springs native, award-winning journalist and the author of the first novel featuring comics' most popular black superhero: The Black Panther. Photos by Mike Lee & Doug Farris
JANUARY 19
Amy & Charlie Jordan
Corey & Shay Bateman
Brandy & Dewayne Williams
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February 2019
Ray & Patti Denison
Jeff & Cindy Holland
Bryan & Erica Johnson
Cynthia & Kiana Gleeton, Sarah Pride
Natalie & Jonathan Holloway
Casey Hilder & Ashley Tew
Jeremy & Sunny Hurst
Marketa & Mikki Mamiaro
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19th Annual Crystal Ball Gala
Kate McRae & Serena Flowers
Jake Linton & Sarah Goss
Karen, Katherine & Victoria Sanders
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February 2019
Marcus & Lisa Manning
Steve & Mandy Simpson
Michael & Yorika SIdes
Debrah Veracchi, Grady & Joann Phillips
Billie & Justin Madison
Cheryl & Tommy Harmon
Mark & Brittany Presley
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19th Annual Crystal Ball Gala
Sanford & Jackie Lyon
Nikkie Dunnewold & Heidi Smith
Rebecca & Craig Treadway
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February 2019
Stuart & Brooke Matthews
Terry & Toi Beckworth
Mikey & Jennifer McCrory
Mark & Janet Vaughan
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Repticon Scores of reptile owners and enthusiasts gathered at the Landers Center for Repticon, a biannual convention that celebrates all things scaly. This family-friendly event featured live animal seminars and a free raffle in addition to dozens of vendors on display. Photos by Mike Lee
DECEMBER 21
Charlie Queen with 'Monster'
Susan Shedden, Wordlow family RIck Underwood & Brian Churchill
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February 2019
Kevin King with 'Inara'
Rachel Box, Jack Anderson & Neri Way
Mallory & Jessica Arnold with 'Eddie'
Aaliyah Morris & Leah Dunn
FIRST SECURITY BANK
Jeannie Freeman with 'Draco'
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AutoZone Liberty Bowl President’s Gala The Peabody Hotel hosted a holiday gala in celebration of the annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl. This year’s gala honored the legendary Motown group, The Four Tops, with the 2018 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Outstanding Achievement Award. Photos by Brian Anderson
DECEMBER 30
Les & Stella Dale, Dale Templin
The Four Tops
Stacy Lee, Kim Adler, Georgia Smith, Darcy Farris, Lynn Feeney
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February 2019
Kevin Kane & Willie Gregory
Harold & Dawn Graeter
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Marty Marbry & Sue Skaer
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Southaven Chamber 101 The Southaven Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Chamber 101 of 2019 at their headquarters just off Stateline Road. This free event offered a chance for locals to meet the faces behind the Southaven Chamber of Commerce and catch a glimpse of the benefits of membership. Photos by Mike Lee
JANUARY 8
Carmen Kyle & Emily Newman
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February 2019
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Horn Lake Chamber 1st Quarterly Luncheon Local business leaders discussed Desoto Family Theatre, among other topics, during the Chamber’s First Quarterly Luncheon of 2019 at the Landers Center in Southaven. Photos by Mike Lee
JANUARY 10
Marta Smally, Allen Latimer & P. Carson Culver
Allison Christie & Shemika Mackey
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February 2019
Connie James & John Woods
Tom & Allison Freeman
(662) 655-4868 | SOUTHAVEN - HERNANDO
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FIRST SECURITY BANK
David & A.J. Linville
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The Science of Beer Q&A sessions with local brewers, the physics behind beer pong and – of course – lots of taste testing were just a few of the attractions on hand at the sixth annual Science of Beer, an event hosted by the Pink Palace Family of Museums geared toward educating visitors on all things hops, malts and barley. Photos by Frank Chin
JANUARY 18
Becky McCabe & Jessa Gillespie
Blake Marcum & Warren Wilson
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February 2019
Beth Shelton & Candice McColgan
Donnie Maynard & Stephanie Blanton
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Heather Gammel & Andy Johnson
Michael Marcin & Savannah Worcester
Kristine Truong & Michael Mendez
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ANIMAL OF THE MONTH
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February 2019
THE NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD A Many-tongued Mimic by RUSS THOMPSON
What sings a wide variety of tunes incessantly and divebombs your dog when it gets to close to its nest? If you guessed mockingbird you’d be right! This Tennessee state bird is well known for being able to mimic a wide variety of sounds. In fact, its scientific name is Mimus polyglottos, which means, ‘manytongued mimic’. It gets its common name, Mockingbird from its ability to imitate dozens of bird songs. It had also been known to imitate rusty hinges, bells, whistles, musical instruments, and car horns. These birds could very well get a job at a sound studio in the special effects department. The mockingbird doesn’t sing out of vanity, it’s usually trying to attract a mate. The more variety in the song, the more the females are attracted to it. They can learn up to 200 songs in a lifetime! Sometimes on spring evenings, a lone male will sing into the night! Don’t get too angry with him, he’s more than likely a loner who hasn’t attracted his partner yet. Once the birds find a mate, they will raise as many as four broods in one season, which is usually from March to August in the Mid South. These birds are also known for their dive bomb routine when people or other animals get too close to their nests. Once, my poor dog couldn’t go outside to do his business because of a territorial mockingbird. They have even been known to attack their own reflection, thinking it could be another mockingbird. Well, we all know where the term birdbrain comes from. Northern mockingbirds are common across much of the continental United States, Canada, and Mexico, and they
are year round residents. They have expanded their range to the north, but have declined in the south. The reason for the dropping population in the south isn’t well understood. Mockingbirds can be found in a wide variety of habitats, especially those with shrubby vegetation and open areas. Parklands, suburban neighborhoods, and farms are good places to find them. Their diet consists of seeds and berries and a wide variety of insects including beetles, ants, and grasshoppers. Open areas and forest edges make the perfect place for a female to build a nest where she will typically lay three to five eggs. Nests are made from dead twigs, leaves, rootlets and grass and may be built as high as fifty-two feet; although most are built lower than seven feet. Eggs are incubated for twelve to thirteen days. Both the males and females help to feed the young, which fledge in about twelve days. No deadbeat dads in a mockingbird family. These medium-sized birds are about ten inches in length with a wingspan of fourteen inches. Their bodies are gray on the top portion and white on the bottom. I guess you could say their superior singing ability makes up for their drab color. They have distinct white bands on their wings and long white tail feathers. Males and females are basically the same size and have similar coloration. So, the next time that mockingbird won’t shut up singing just outside your window or won’t stop diving at you, try and appreciate this songbird’s unique ability to learn new sounds and their devotion to family.
Russ Thompson was a science teacher for 14 years and has been a freelance writer since 2014 focusing mainly on science and nature writing as well as fiction. His science and teaching background has compelled him to take an interest in researching and writing about the natural world.
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