JANUARY 2019
COMMUNITY SUPERHEROES Celebrating the fantastic feats of the 2019 Crystal Ball honorees
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426 Perkins Extd, Memphis
(901) 590-3268
Billy Frazier, DVM / Jeremy Keen, DVM / Ryan Kennedy, DVM
MEDICINE DENTISTRY LASER SURGERY DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY BOARDING GROOMING
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BEHIND THE COVER Community Superheroes JANUARY 2019
COMMUNITY SUPERHEROES
This month’s cover feature, “Community Superheroes,” is all about everyday citizens who have accomplished fantastic feats of service to the region, including Palmer Home CEO Drake Bassett, Krewe of Hernando co-founder Derick Biglane, President of the Cleveland Music Foundation Becky Nowell, and Dinesh Chawla of Chawla Hotels. The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi will celebrate the accomplishments of these four individuals at the 19th Crystal Ball Gala on January 19. With a guiding theme of “The Superhero Gala: Use Your Powers for Good!,” this annual fundraising bash won’t be one to miss.
Celebrating the fantastic feats of the 2019 Crystal Ball honorees
Illustration by COURTNEY SPENCER
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10 WHAT'S INSIDE 10 The Greatest Show on Dirt 16 The Muscle Behind the Hustle 20 Community Superheroes 26 Faces of Fitness 34 Recipe of the Month 36 End of the Road 43 Beer from Here
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62 Animal of the Month
OUT & ABOUT 46 Garden Club Holiday Fundraiser 48 Eagle Bank Customer Appreciation Day 50 Southaven Christmas Parade of Lights 52 Community Reinvestment Action Luncheon
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54 Celebrate Hernando Annual Awards Luncheon 56 Mallory-Neely Holiday Open House 58 A Victorian Holiday with Opera Memphis 60 Merriment Under the Mistletoe Gala
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From the Editor
Party Like It’s 2019 A new year has come and with it comes another brand-new edition of Click Magazine. In case you haven’t noticed from the cover, this month is all about celebrating the superstars of the South, with a ton of stories about philanthropy and fun events. This month’s cover feature, “Community Superheroes,” profiles four honorees who will be receiving Community Star Awards at the upcoming 19th Annual Crystal Ball Gala. See their stories on page 20. As the son of a cowboy, I can always appreciate a good rodeo. And few know rodeo like 81-year-old rodeo clown Lecile Harris, one of the organizers behind Rodeo of the Mid-South and a local legend in his own right. Lecile has been riding and clowning for the better part of his long life and was able to share a few interesting stories and anecdotes with us in advance of his January 19 show at the Landers Center. Take a look behind the curtain at “The Greatest Show on Dirt” on page 10. And speaking of the Landers Center: did you know Desoto County has its own basketball team? Now in its second year, the Memphis Hustle is on track for a banner year of local games at the Landers Center. This month, we sat down with Memphis Hustle Coach Brad Jones for a quick Q&A session about his thoughts on the Grizzlies and coaching in the ever-changing G-League. Check it out on page 16. Those of you looking to shape up in 2019 might find some inspiration in this month’s “Faces of Fitness” feature, where we take a look at three unique local exercise facilities and their benefits. Read all about it on page 26. So from all of us to all of you, Happy New Year! Rest assured, 2019 is going to be our year, but it can be yours, too. Read on,
Casey Hilder
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Write to us Editor @myclickmag.com Click Magazine P.O. Box 100 Hernando, MS 38632
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Editor Casey Hilder editor@myclickmag.com
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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.
Depp Britt
Mike Lee
Depp Britt is an IDS associate with Howse and the designer behind many of the homes featured in Click magazine. With an eye for detail and an emphasis on the unique, Britt brings approaches each home like an extension of his own. For more info on Britt's work, contact him at 901.937.9241 or via email at depp.britt@thehowse.com.
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.
Eugene Pidgeon Eugene Pidgeon is a writer, actor and lontime Click Magazine and Desoto Times-Tribune contributor based out of Memphis, Tennessee. Pidgeon was first published in 1986 by the Santa Barbara News and Review in Santa Barbara, California, where he lived for 20 years.
Robert Seymour, DDS • Jason Parolli, DMD • Bryant Trotter, DMD myclickmag.com
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THE GREATEST SHOW ON
Dirt Legendary rodeo clown Lecile Harris ushers in the new year with the edge-of-your-seat thrills and excitement of Rodeo of the Mid-South Interview by CASEY HILDER | Photos courtesy of Rodeo of the Mid-South
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Some days, Lecile Harris just knew when a bull had his number. “When you fight bulls as long as I did, you run into several tough customers,” says Harris. “There was one called ‘Eighty,’ and you could definitely say he was a contender. Every time he got me, I knew the mistake was my own. I can only compare it to being on a basketball court and trying to guard someone who is simply a better athlete than you are.” Harris, a native of Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, has worked as one of the country’s top rodeo clowns for more than 30 years. And while he gave up riding more than three decades ago in favor of the comedy-infused shenanigans associated with the rodeo clown lifestyle, he’s never forgotten the feel of a one-ton bucking beast. Maybe it’s the thick layers of make-up but old photos reveal Harris doesn’t seem to have aged much since his debut on the rodeo scene 64 years ago when he initially showed up at the rodeo to meet pretty girls. After experiencing the excitement of the show and coming up on the losing end of a college football scholarship, Harris knew he had a single career option in bull riding. “I’m 82 years old now, and I rode bulls ‘til I was about 12
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52,” says Harris. “But because I had incorporated comedy so much throughout my career, when the time finally came for me to stop fighting bulls and pick up something else, the choice was easy.” As a rodeo clown, Harris’ job is to fill gaps in the show by way of prop comedy, pratfalls and whatever it takes to make the audience crack a smile and draw attention away from recovering riders. “When the bull rider makes his 8-second ride, he’s gotta get off sometime,” says Harris. “When the rider makes the whistle or gets thrown off the bull, it’s up to me to make myself a more desirable target. After that, you have to be agile or educated enough to get away on your own. That’s the whole job.” An in-depth knowledge of how things work for both the rider and rodeo clown allowed Lecile to play both sides of the fence at different stages of his career. “You can be a really good bullfighter but bad at comedy – you used to need to be good at both,” says Harris. “Nowadays, the whole show is sped up. We have less guys who do both and now tend to use either comedy bull fighters or our more serious bullfighters for the show.”
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Because Harris came up in an era without wireless microphones or other modern technology, the bulk of his act leans heavily on body language and exaggerated movements. “That body language and acting is what eventually landed me a job on Hee Haw,” Harris says of a five-year stint on the country music-themed variety show that once aired on the likes of TNN and CBS. As a veteran of the national rodeo scene, Harris has watched as the classic American rodeo show grew and changed for a new generation of spectators. “We realize that a plain ole rodeo just isn’t gonna work east of the Mississippi River,” Harris says. “In fact, it doesn’t work much of anywhere anymore because there’s so much entertainment and so many options out there.” Rodeo has evolved into a total entertainment package over the years, according to Harris. While the essence of those old competitive cattle roping remains, the added emphasis on audience interactivity and largerthan-life characters in the form of contemporary professional cowboys and clowns makes for what Harris describes as “a total family-oriented extravaganza.” “We bring the kind of rodeo they’re doing out in Las Vegas down over to Southaven, Mississippi,” Harris says. “The sound, the lighting, and the comfort of the crowd allows us to put on quite a show there.” His upcoming show at the Landers Center is part of Rodeo of the MidSouth, which sprang from the ashes the old Mid-South Rodeo at the Coliseum in Memphis. “I performed there for years and did not want to see that rodeo die,” says Harris. “It was history when it was in Memphis – everybody had become so used to going. So we decided to pack things up and move to Southaven after the old fairgrounds closed down.” Harris works up to 80 performances a year, partially crediting his ability to stay limber to a semi-daily walking regiment. “Walking helps, but I get most of my energy out in the arena,” says Harris. “But the main thing is that I never quit. I have a lot of friends of mine who just up and retire from the rodeo and die. That isn’t an option for me.” Known among his peers as “The Dean of Rodeo Clowns,” Harris has been recognized multiple times as Clown of the Year by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “At the rodeo, we just want folks to come in and kick back,” Harris says. “Just let us entertain a crowd and we’re gonna throw so much stuff at ‘em; everything from saddle bronc riding, steer wrasslin’, comedy and specialty acts.”
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THE MUSCLE BEHIND THE HUSTLE With a record of 13-7 as of January, Memphis Hustle Coach Brad Jones aims to lead Desoto County’s NBA G-League team to a stellar season at the Landers Center and beyond Interview by CASEY HILDER Photos by BOB BAKKEN
With more than a decade of coaching experience and an acclaimed past as a basketball player at Lambuth University in Jackson, Brad Jones seemed like a natural fit to lead Desoto County’s NBA G-League team, the Memphis Hustle. Jones, whose background includes more than a decade of coaching experience in addition to stints as general manager of the Iowa Wolves and a pro scout for the Minnesota Timberwolves, now stands at the epicenter of the Mid-South basketball scene alongside big local names like the Memphis’ Grizzlies’ J. B. Bickerstaff and the Memphis Tigers’ Penny Hardaway. Jones’ coaching record includes winning a championship in 2012 with the Austin Toros and amassing a record of 148-118 over five combined seasons.
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Click Magazine: How did you get into coaching? Brad Jones: I attended Lambuth University up in Jackson, Tennessee, graduated and was accepted to dental school. I decided to take a year off in dental school, and in the meantime, my coach at Lambuth approached me with an entry-level coaching position. I took it up, fell in love with coaching and ended up never coming back to dental school. CM: How did you make the leap from college basketball to the NBA? BJ: My wife was a coach at Lambuth as well, and she landed a job at Southeastern Louisiana University. When I went down there, I was able to connect with the Jazz through a family connection. Jerry Sloan is my uncle. They started me with some scouting work, and one thing led to another and eventually a D-League opening came around. CM: Let’s talk about your time with the Utah Jazz. BJ: I did a number of things with the Jazz organization over the years, starting out as what they call an advance scout, which means I go to NBA games and come up with play call frequencies for the coaches so they can prepare to play. I also ended up coaching their D-League team for three years out in Orem, Utah. After that, I went to work with the Spurs for a few years before coming back to Utah for an assistant coaching position for four seasons, working under both Ty Corbin and Quin Snyder.
CM: How important is the NBA’s G-League in terms of shaping players? BJ: Before it became the Gatorade-sponsored G-League, it was known as the Developmental League. And we are a true developmental organization. We bring in young guys out of college or guys who might have been playing overseas for a year or two and give them an opportunity to grow and get better in real situations on the court. A lot of the time in the NBA, young guys don’t always get the experience of getting on the court and playing through things, learning that way. We’re very fortunate at the Hustle because the Memphis Grizzlies are all in on the training process. We practice in the same facilities as the Grizzlies, our coaches attend training camp right next to their coaches. It’s a trueform team mentality type of deal we have down here. CM: What are your primary duties as coach of the Memphis Hustle? BJ: First, I come up with developmental plans to make each player better. This year, we’ve had Jevon Carter, a second-round pick for the Grizzlies, and Ivan Rabb, a second-year player for the Grizzlies. The most important thing is that we have a plan on how to get them better to achieve what the Grizzlies want from us. We’re very lucky to have a good connection with the coaching staff and the front office of the Grizzlies. We sit down often and meet and we’re in constant contact as far as planning and finding out what they want to see from our players. myclickmag.com
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CM: Who are some of your standout players this year? BJ: We’ve already had one NBA call-up this year in Brandon Goodwin, who now plays with the Denver Nuggets. He was averaging 24-25 points a game. However, since Denver doesn’t have a G-League team yet, there’s a chance that he might get assigned back to us. So that’ll be kind of cool to have him come back and play with us for a minute now that he’s had his call-up. CM: G-League Rosters can change up quickly. Why is that? What are some ways that you’ve had to adapt to keep your team a cohesive unit over the years? BJ: It’s the nature of the league. Guys get called up, guys get sent to us. We even had a time this year where JaMychal Green was assigned to us. Not necessarily playing out playing games for us but practicing during a rehab stint. So, in many ways we’re basically a total support structure for the Grizzlies. There’s been times when I get a call at 1 in the afternoon from Chris Wallace when we have a game that night telling me that they want to send Jevon or Ivan down to play. Of course, there’s always the opposite where guys are expected to play and they end up getting yanked out on gameday. We held a G-League showcase in Las Vegas about a week before Christmas and had Ivan Rabb on the court warming up on the court. With 13 minutes before the game, I had to pull him off the layup line to sub for a Portland player who had come down with illness. CM: What are you guys doing to get more fans in the seats at the Landers Center? BJ: We’re in a sort of education process right now in Desoto County as far as what the G-League is and who the Memphis Hustle are. It’s the team’s second year here and my first, so we’ve still got a ways to go, but we’re one step below the NBA. These guys could be playing for the Hustle one night 18
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and the Grizzlies the next night. So the big thing is letting people know how good a product we have. But the really cool part of it is that it’s not like going to a typical NBA game. The Landers Center is an intimate settings, fans are able to get down courtside and interact with players and see just how hard they go. CM: What’s the toughest part of your job? BJ: When we have to waive or cut a person. It’s no fun. CM: Did anything surprise you about coming to coach down here in Mississippi? BJ: I’ve been gone from the area for almost 20 years. I guess the one thing that surprised me most is coming back to this area and seeing just how many people remembered me, as well as seeing how passionate the people in the Mid-South area are about basketball. They love the Grizzlies, they love the Tigers, and we’re hoping they love the Hustle. CM: Any hobbies outside of coaching? BJ: Chasing my kids around. I have three kids: one in college, one in high school, one in middle school. The second I’m not consumed with basketball, I’m consumed with what they’re doing, from ball games to school events to homework. I guess you could say that’s my wife and my only hobby right now. CM: What can we expect from this upcoming season? BJ: We currently have the #1 offense in the league, so when people come, they’re going to see a lot of offense. We also provide a lot of excitement and a fun atmosphere. We like to have fun, but also win. Overall, it’s a fun product for fans in Desoto County to come out and watch. For a full schedule of upcoming Memphis Hustle games, visit memphis.gleague.nba.com/schedule
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COMMU SUPERH CELEBRATING THE FANTASTIC FEATS OF THE 2019 CRYSTAL BALL HONOREES
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UNITY HEROES Feature by CASEY HILDER | Photos by CASEY HILDER & JOEY BRENT
The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi is gearing up to honor the noteworthy people and organizations of the Mid-South at its biggest annual fundraising endeavor of the year: the 19th Annual Crystal Ball Gala. With a goal of connecting people who care with causes that matter, CFNWMS President Tom Pittman and his board of directors handpicked a man, woman, nonprofit organization and business that exemplify the values of charitable contributions, education and community service to honor at the upcoming bash. This year’s 19th annual Crystal Ball celebration will bring together more than 1,000 community leaders under the theme of “The Superhero Gala: Use Your Powers for Good” for an evening of fundraising and fun.
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DEREK BIGLANE
Co-Founder of the Krewe of Hernando DAN MADDOX MAN OF THE YEAR
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Derick Biglane’s 15-year record of volunteering and serving Desoto County can be described as nothing short of comprehensive. “There’s a quote from George H.W. Bush that says something like: ‘No definition of a successful life can do anything but include serving others,’” says Biglane. “I can’t think of a better saying that isn’t something religious to sum up why we’re all here: to help the next person.” Biglane, who works as senior vice president and commercial lender at BancorpSouth by day, is a former rotary club president in both Southaven and Hernando, where he helped put together some of Desoto County’s most popular yearly events including the Crawfish Countdown in Southaven and Hernando’s October BREWfest. Biglane is also a founding member of the Krewe of Hernando, a nonprofit men's organization dedicated to raising money and providing services to the Hernando area. One of the Krewe of Hernando’s largest annual events, The Mardi Gras Ball, will take place February 23 at The Gin in Nesbit. “We like to have a good time,” he says. “But the main thing is raising money for the city. Every dollar we take in goes back to something in Hernando – whether it’s the library, a needy family, improving the parks – every dime goes back to Hernando.” This past holiday season, Biglane helped organize a “Santa Claus Caravan” to collect gifts for needy families in the area. Other seasonal acts of service from Biglane include a summer raffle for teacher grants and volunteer assistance on local Habitat for Humanity projects. “We have a good time doing it, but at the end of the day it’s some real meaningful stuff,” says Biglane. An avid sports fan, Biglane coached youth baseball for several years for different teams in the Hernando Parks and Rec league and served as president of the Hernando Soccer Association, leading efforts to raise more than $75,000 in funding to improve the Hernando Soccer Complex. He also serves as board member of both the First Regional Library and Desoto Arts Council in Hernando. “We’re a five-county library system and the first or second biggest library system in Mississippi,” says Biglane. “I’m now the Desoto County representative and the treasurer, so that requires me getting together with the other representatives several times a year to make decisions. We have a great library director, Meredith Wickham, who makes things easy for me with detailed reports.” While Biglane’s various volunteering efforts across the county might seem like a daunting schedule, he says he’s found a supportive employer in BancorpSouth. “The bank encourages us to be part of the community,” says Biglane. “It fulfills something for me personally, and it helps the bank publicly because they have a representative out there being seen.”
Becky Nowell
President of the Cleveland Music Foundation MARGARET MADDOX WOMAN OF THE YEAR
For Becky Nowell, retirement from a 31-year career with Baxter Healthcare Corporation meant the beginning of a new life entrenched in community-focused philanthropy and volunteer work. “Since I retired four or five years ago, I’ve really enjoyed having more time to do things now,” says Nowell. “I’ve been involved with the community and done volunteer work all my life, but I have a lot more time to do things now.” Nowell is known to some as the First Lady of Cleveland. Her husband, Billy, was elected mayor in spring of 2009 following endorsement from former Cleveland Mayor Martin King. “This is his third term as mayor after being an alderman for nine years,” she says. Nowell recently led a holiday fundraising effort to wrap Downtown Cleveland in a dazzling array of $250,000 worth of Christmas lights for a project titled “50 Nights of Lights.” The light display was unveiled on November 10 to coincide with Cleveland’s Christmas Open House. Nowell, a Delta State alum, also serves as president and co-chair of the Red Carpet Guild Society and member of the Crosstie Arts Council board of directors. “I’m always willing to jump in there and help whenever I’m asked to do something,” says Nowell. “Whether it’s the church, downtown or for the Grammy Museum.” In addition to spearheading a bevy of local projects through the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce including voting initiatives and after-school care programs, Nowell acts as President of the Cleveland Music Foundation, which serves as a board of directors for the city’s Grammy Museum, a $20 million project that opened its doors in March of 2016. Nowell was elected following the passing of former president Lucy Janoush in 2017. “I had always been involved with the Grammy Museum and knew a lot about what was going from doing volunteer work,” she says. The staff of the Grammy Museum works closely with a teacher advisory board composed of retired teachers to help develop lesson plans for school-age children to immerse themselves in during a visit. These plans include songwriting, guitar playing, music production and the study of different musical genres. “I’ve gained a much better understanding and appreciation of music education since I’ve taken a position with the Grammy Museum,” she says. “Though people might think it’s all about having big name artists and concerts, the true mission of the museum is education. Though the big names don’t hurt, we’re very fortunate to have events that have hosted Peter Frampton, Mary Wilson and others.”
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DRAKE BASSETT
President and CEO of Palmer Home NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR
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The sprawling, serene surrounds of the Hernando campus of the Palmer Home for Children represents a stark change from Palmer Home CEO Drake Bassett’s former home of New York City. “The first word that comes to mind is ‘peaceful,’” says Bassett. “I’ve come to appreciate that even more for our own children, who often come from places that might be chaotic, noisy, violent or even abusive. To come out to this campus is the beginning of a process that can calm a child’s heart and mind.” A former Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Human Resources at Nielsen Corporation, Bassett returned to his native Mid-South in 2012 looking to shift from a career of 20 years in information technology to nonprofit work. “The pace is different, for sure,” he says. “The intensity has a lot more to do with the overall demand and needs of vulnerable children and that’s where a lot of the push comes from. It’s quite a contrast to New York City, which was very busy and very demanding, but for very different reasons.” Since, 1895 Palmer Home has pledged to provide residential care to vulnerable and neglected children from Northwest Mississippi and beyond. Named in honor of Rev. Benjamin Morgan Palmer of New Orleans, Palmer Home’s 100-year mission began in Columbus, Mississippi under the watchful eye of William States Jacobs, a local pastor at First Presbyterian Church. “We’ve been through two turns of the century, two World Wars, two Depressions, a lot of World Series,” says Bassett. “We’ve been around a long time and the ripple effect is substantial. Thousands of children have made their way through here. Last year, we served 204 children total. This year, we’re on track to break that with somewhere around 210-220.” Today, the Palmer Home for Children employs a “whole child” initiative that involves understanding the effects of trauma attachment on a child better serve their educational, physical, emotional and spiritual needs. “If we could just drive on those four areas, we can uncover where the struggle is and unwrap where the opportunity might be,” says Bassett. Palmer Home currently hosts 109 children through its combined services. The 150-acre Hernando campus of Palmer Home includes onsite counseling, tutoring and six homes for resident ranging in age from infancy to late teens. The average residency is around five years, though some children have spent their entire lives living at the facility. “The common denominator is a child who is experiencing a situation that they have no control over,” says Bassett. “You’ve got environments that are neglectful, parents who might be struggling with addiction or rehabilitation.” Palmer Home also assists in the process of rebuilding families and building new ones by training and equipping local families to serve as foster homes. “We always make the biological family a priority with us if reunification is possible, we’re going to make that happen,” says Bassett. “That’s just part of our DNA, we want to be connected with our own parents. If that’s not possible, we can’t replace that family what they’ve lost. We can, however, introduce them to what a family environment can be and all the positives that come along with that.”
DINESH CHAWLA CEO of Chawla Hotels BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
As an immigrant and the son of a refugee living in the Mississippi Delta, success didn’t come easy for Dinesh Chawla. “When we first moved down to Greenwood, Mississippi, my father had left a job as a government scientist to open up a gas station and fried chicken restaurant,” says Dinesh. “I can still cook chicken pretty well and repair some of those old-style gas pumps, but I wouldn’t call that a very marketable skill these days.” Today, Dinesh works alongside his brother, Suresh, as the CEO of Chawla Hotels, Inc., the largest privately held hotel company in the Mississippi Delta. Since its founding in 1989, the Cleveland, Mississippi-based business has grown to encompass more 19 hotels across the region, including Comfort Inn Clarksdale, Hampton Inn Indianola and Holiday Inn Express Greenwood. “Around 1985, my dad decided that the hotel business was a lot more lucrative than grocery stores, gas, or even fried chicken,” says Chawla. “He wanted to leave something for us to pick up if we wanted to take over his business and he didn’t see us sticking around for that.” Dinesh’s father, V. K. Chawla, opened his first hotel – a 40room Comfort Inn located in Greenwood, Mississippi – in 1989. Since then, Chawla Hotel branches have sprung up in seven cities across Mississippi including Grenada, Indianola and Yazoo City, creating more than 200 jobs in the Delta. “We love having Mississippi as a base,” says Dinesh. “Both of my kids are attending Oxford right now.” 2018 was a busy year for Chawla Hotels, establishing a licensing deal with the Trump Organization for a four-star chain of hotels tentatively titled “Scion” in addition to a more budget-friendly hotel chain called “American Idea.” “It was very exciting, very unique, I never expected to be in that environment,” says Dinesh. “I made an announcement at the same podium on the same stage that [Donald Trump] once made a big announcement, so that was kind of neat.” In addition to inking a deal with Trump Hotels, Dinesh and Co. worked alongside Coahoma Community College to establish the Chawla Hospitality Academy, a training center for hotel employees that encompasses customer service, quality control and technical maintenance. In addition, Chawla Hotels has led a number of fundraising efforts for the Boys and Girls Club of the Delta. “There’s really no typical day for me these days,” says Dinesh. “Every day your desks change, the workers change, the weather changes. Some days I train people, some days I’m in strategy sessions, some days it’s business deals. I’m definitely living a kaleidoscopic life.” Dinesh credits his father, V.K., for instilling his hard-driven mentality and work ethic, recalling childhood memories of how to properly apply gravy to mashed potatoes in between routine drills on how to arrange and deposit currency. “Staying longer, taking on extra challenges, asking for that extra responsibility – that’s how you get rich, not by picking the winning numbers of the Powerball Lottery,” says Dinesh. “Getting through life isn’t about gamesmanship or being clever. It’s an old-fashioned philosophy that helps me run this company.” myclickmag.com
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Shane Howell, Hammered Steel Crossfit
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Faces of Fitness Three unique Desoto County workout facilities devoted to living healthy in 2019 Feature & Photos by CASEY HILDER
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The family that runs, jumps and plays together, stays together. That’s the motto of ConXion Gym Owners Ryan and Lindsey McKinley and their five kids, “I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect space for what we were looking for,” Ryan says of Conxion Gym’s 16,000 square feet of space. A former manufacturing plant in Olive Branch provided ample room for a plethora of activities in the 200-foot-long by 80-foot-wide kid-centric, indoor play area. “We just want to be a place where kids can really move and get out there and enjoy themselves,” says Ryan. “We’ve got 310 kids in our program right now.” ConXion Gym teaches kids age 18 months to 18 years several different styles of recreational gymnastics and other activities ranging from from trampoline tumbling to rock wall climbing to Ninja Warrior-style obstacle training and basic parkour. “We have some pretty phenomenal athletes in our Ninja Warrior program right now,” says Ryan. “A few of them have even made it through the first three rounds of American Ninja Warrior Junior.” ConXion Gym opened in mid-2017 and was specifically tailored by Ryan to fit the needs of acrobatic youngsters. “Pretty much every piece of equipment we have in here was built by me,” says Ryan. In addition to the 8,000 square feet devoted to gymnastics, the back half of ConXion Gym boasts several hundred square feet of indoor turf for baseball and soccer practice. As the son of a Memphis State cheerleading coach and former instructor with River City Gymnastics in Bartlett, catching some trampoline-assisted air is nothing new for Ryan. “Me and my older sister cheered and I grew up in the cheerleading industry, and when I was 15 years old I started coaching at a gym called Crossfire Commandos,” he says. “That eventually led to a career in coaching and to what I do today.” Ryan’s interest in the aerial arts was solidified when his father built a connection with Ty Cobb, formerly one half of the Dixie Daredevils, a high-flying stunt dunk duo based out of the Mid-South. “I grew up working as a ball boy for them and eventually landed a job for the Grizzlies dunking during halftime shows,” he says. “I dress like Elvis and slam dunk basketballs,” Ryan says. “I’m the fat Elvis, you can’t miss me. Ryan’s wife, Lindsey, is also no stranger to acrobatics and gymnastics with her history of dance and cheerleading instructing. She currently teaches at Miss Pat's School of Dance in Cordova. A typical schedule at ConXion gym involves four weekly one-hour classes at $70 a month with discounts available for siblings. In addition to standard classes, ConXion offers a Saturday night “parent’s night out” with pizza drinks and free play throughout the facility. “It’s one of my favorite programs,” says Ryan. “I love teaching and helping kids improve their skills, but I can definitely see the value in just jumping and bouncing and playing around.”
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Parinati Yoga
Parinati Yoga Founder Gisele Hankins felt an immediate change when she began practicing daily yoga four years ago. “It was a physical, mental and emotional change that I went through,” she says. “Pretty soon, people were telling me about how I walked, talked and even stood differently – I was exuding more confidence.” Hankins is a retired pediatric nurse who had to leave the bedside for a desk job in 2000 because she experienced severe pain when on her feet. After her husband’s death in 2014, she began attending yoga classes at the suggestion of a friend and soon began to notice the positive effects. “At first, I felt stiff and awkward,” she says. “But after a year, I had regained mobility, improved f lexibility, significantly decreased pain, and processed my grief. Yoga changed my life by transforming me, body, mind and spirit.” So it’s only fitting that Hankins’ Hernando-based yoga studio that opened this past summer be dubbed Parinati, a Sanskrit word that means “transformation.” The studio’s logo, a butterfly, symbolizes the metamorphosis or change that Hankins believes yoga is capable of. Hankins became a certified teacher with the Yoga Alliance after 200 hours of training involving asana (posing), pranidhana (breathwork), meditation, and the study of Sanskrit and ancient roots of yoga. All of Parinati’s yoga instructors boast similar credentials. Hankins says a chance meeting with several likeminded individuals led to her securing a studio location in the area. “While I was going through my teacher training, which lasts about 11 months, I was attending classes at the Gale Center for their H.E.A.L. Program, I noticed that a lot of people were looking for a place to do yoga in Hernando and didn’t have an outlet,” she says. Parinati Yoga offers several different areas of focus in its classes, from Chair Yoga – a basic chair-assisted routine for those who might not be as flexible as they used to be – to Hot Buti Yoga, an energetic and cardio-intensive blend of Vinyasa and Kundalini yoga. Parinati is currently the only yoga studio in Desoto County that offers Hot Buti Yoga. “’Buti’ is a Marathi word that means ‘the secret that is kept hidden,” says Parinati Yoga Instructor Emery Jenkins. “It’s more of a power-style yoga. We do that in an 85-degree room and it is performed HIIT-style, which mean high-intensity interval training.” In stark contrast to the zenlike trappings of Vinyasa, Buti Yoga is more inspired by tribal dancing and plyometric exercise. “There’s definitely still that meditative element, but it’s a lot more fast-paced for people who might be looking to improve their strength or lose weight,” says Jenkins. Typical classes at Parinati last up to an hour, with walkin class or two scheduled classes costing $12. Also offers monthly packages and “unlimited, all-you-can-eat” yoga for $99.99 a month. “We have clients who show up as often as five days a week, so that’s a huge cost saving for them,” Hankins says.
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Hammered Steel Crossfit 32
January 2019
Before he discovered crossfit, Shane Howell’s fitness goals mostly involved to gaining mass rather than maintaining a balanced workout. “I trained a lot in powerlifting and bodybuilding when I was younger,” he says. “As I got older, I realized that wasn’t gonna keep me functionally fit. Sure, I could move a lot of weight, but I wasn’t able to run from here to the stop sign down the street without running out of breath. I needed something different.” Howell, co-owner of Hammered Steel Crossfit along with business partner Tom Herman, a U.S. Marine ROTC program instructor at Lake Cormorant High School, opened their own crossfit-focused gym two years ago just off the town square in Hernando. “Crossfit is a variation of powerlifting, Olympic lifting, cardio and plyometric work,” says Howell. “We kind of take a little bit of everything and put it all together in a programming that works for us.” It’s not unusual to see the crew from Hammered Steel Crossfit in Hernando running drills as early as 5 a.m. some days. For Howell, who is retired from the U.S. Army, that’s just the way he likes it. “The whole thing is based around functional fitness,” he says. “It’s not about trying to become the biggest or strongest or toning up for a marathon. It’s about maintaining blood pressure, a healthy weight, fighting off diabetes. Basically, it’s about keeping you out of a nursing home till you’re 80 or 90.” Howell credits the nationwide trend of crossfit and his own individual success to three things: community, programming and certified trainers. “Crossfit is done in class settings,” says Howell. “Even though everyone is working at their own pace and style, it’s still a communal activity and there’s an air of camaraderie among classmates.” Howell says the communal element aids in getting clients to walk through the doors of the gym on a consistent basis, something that can be tough for new clients. An average class with Howell and Co. consists of a 10-15 minute warm-up and stretching routine followed by an indepth explanation from the coaches on the workouts and movements of the day. Workout routines vary from day to day, though most involve some combination of four different movements focused on different parts of the body such as pull-ups, burpees and kettlebell exercises. “When you walk into the door at our gym, there’s no guessing what we’re going to do today,” says Howell. “We do all the programming for you.” In addition to Howell and Herman, Hammered Steel employs eight part-time coaches, each dedicated to their own intense program designed to promote cardiovascular fitness and muscle tone. “With each coach comes their own style,” says Howell. “It offers our members to kind of get a different feel on the routine and pick up what works best for them.” Hammered Steel Crossfit hosts free Saturday classes at 9 a.m. for anyone who would like to learn more about the program.
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RECIPE OF THE MONTH RECIPE & PHOTOS COURTESY OF SERENA WOLF
ONE-SKILLET BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS with SPINACH AND CANNELLINI BEANS - Makes 3 to 4 servings -
THE GOODS
METHOD
1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
Season the chicken thighs all over with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering (but not smoking!), add the chicken thighs to the pan and cook until lightly browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. (Be careful not to move the thighs for at least 3 minutes after you’ve added them to the pan, or the meat may stick to the pan and tear.) Transfer the browned chicken thighs to a plate and briefly set aside.
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Kosher Salt Fresh ground black pepper 1 small yellow onion, diced 3 large garlic cloves, minced 28-oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes 2 teaspoons dried oregano ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes 3 cups baby spinach, roughly torn 1 15-oz can cannellini beans, rinsed & drained For serving: (optional)
Fresh Italian parsley leaves, chopped Grated Parmesan cheese
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the diced tomatoes oregano, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Add the spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1 minute, then stir in the cannellini beans. Taste and season with a little salt if necessary. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet. (Really nestle them in there, peeps.) Cover and cook for 30 minutes until the chicken is very tender. Serve warm garnished with parsley and Parmesan if you’re feeling fancy.
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End of the RoAd
Frank Spain’s Tupelo Automobile Museum ends its 16-year run FEATURE & PHOTOS BY MIKE LEE
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Mississippi has numerous attractions, both natural and man-made for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. We have a beautiful coastline, state parks that rival any in the country, lakes that both fishermen and locals take advantage of, and even celebrities who value the state enough to call it 'home'. Jerry Lee Lewis, for instance, has a house in Desoto County, and Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo. But Tupelo has another attraction of equal significance to folks with a different interest...automobile enthusiasts. The Tupelo Automobile Museum (in 2003 officially designated the State of Mississippi Museum) opened on Dec. 7, 2002. But creating the extensive collection as it stands today of some 178 vehicles took over 28 years. It began when the creator and owner, Frank K. Spain – a Tupelo native – bought his first antique car back in 1974. Spain, a broadcast pioneer, started WTVA – Tupelo's first TV station – and along with Filo Farnsworth, helped in the development of color television. But Spain's real interest was automobiles, which he searched far and wide to find the ones he wanted to add to his ever-increasing collection. Spain and then-museum curator and business partner, Max Berryhill, purchased cars of every sort, often traveling across the country to retrieve them. Back then, there was no internet. Their resources were limited to newspapers and magazines, but the men found the cars they wanted and most often, they would fly to their location and then drive the cars back to Tupelo rather than have them transported back to Mississippi. Frank's wife Jane remembers the adventure she and Frank encountered when they found her favorite car in the collection, a 1954 Mercury Sun Valley – a special plexiglassed coupe that mimicked a converitble, but without the fussiness of the wind. “We went to Alaska where Frank had found the car and then drove it all the way back to Tupelo. Not without trauma of course. The seller asked if we intended to have it
shipped and Frank told the man, 'No, if I buy a car then I'm going to drive the car. If it isn't drivable, then I don't want it!' So we left for home. We had mechanical problems and found ourselves stranded in the Yukon for a couple of weeks, waiting for parts. But that was part of the adventure. Nearly every car we went to retrieve, we had something happen to make the journey memorable,” she recalled. Today there are some 178 vehicles in the collection, housed in a sprawling 120,000 square foot building located at 1 Otis Blvd on the north end of town, across from the BancorpSouth Arena. The facility has maintenance shops, fabric shops, metal shops, and paint booths to maintain the vehicles, all designed by Spain and his long-time partner Berryhill. The building in fact was created for more than one purpose, to be not only an automobile museum but also a working campus. Spain had originally intended the museum serving the community, especially younger men and women who wanted to learn a trade like metal and body work, mechanics and upholstry. It was his vision to give back to Tupelo in a way that would benefit high school and college age younsters. The complexity of the operation was larger than the building itself. Just keeping track of all of the museumowned cars and the ones on loan, has been mind boggling. But to this day, Jane Spain has made it part and parcel of her involvement with the company. She can still be found on site several days each week. “The record-keeping and paperwork is tremendous,” she said, “since with so many vehicles in the museum – and all of the related histories that go with each one – there are filing cabinets packed with everything imaginable relative to where a car was built, when it came off the line, who owned it, how it got to this point in its history; mechanical details, etc., etc., that are a full-time job that's a task in and of itself.” Frank Spain passed away in 2006, but before his death he myclickmag.com
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told his wife to “move on with life”, to dissolve the collection and to find other avenues of adventure in life. That she has decided to do and on March 31st, 2019, the Tupelo Automobile Museum will close its doors to the public for the last time so that preparations can be completed for the auctioning off of the assests...all 178 automobiles...April 25th – 27th, 2019. “It's been quite an adventure,” Jane recalled, “but it was time to accomplish our vision, that the museum would fund a charitable educational foundation that my husband envisioned. The collection, valued in excess of $10 million will go to the foundation...every penny,” she said. “I will not keep any of the money, nor will I keep any of the cars...even my beloved (Mercury) Sun Valley. If I were to hang onto one, with all the memories I have related to each of them, I'd have to keep them all. But that won't happen. They need to go to new homes, to be driven and enjoyed, and that's what will happen in April.” According to Director of Collections, Stephan Mancuso, “News of the auction has spread throughout the collecting community and to other auto museums, and some have already contacted us in hopes of securing certain cars. But we informed everyone that we will entertain no offers prior to the public auction in April. And we have had inquiries from some very prominent museums, collectors, and very famous individuals,” he recounted. Frank Spain's goal in creating the museum was to give back to Tupelo in a philantrophic way so as to benefit the youngsters of the city. The building is not only a museum, but a working automotive shop where students can and did 40
January 2019
learn skills that would give them a head start in the world. But the resources never came-in like Spain had hoped. There have been a few financial supporters who have helped to assure that the museum continues, but those funds have not been sufficient. And so the decision was made to proceed with closure. The loss will be felt, but the knowledge that the cars – some extremely rare vehicles – will go to new homes where others can see and enjoy them compensates for the vacancy they will leave behind. It is estimated that a few of the most rare cars in the collection might fetch in the many-millions of dollars. But that will depend on who will be in the audience and bidding on the cars. Auctions are, in some ways, like gambling and each of the Tupelo Automobile Museum's 178 vehicles will go on the block at no reserve under the hammer of the renowned auction house, Bonhams. Consultant Wayne Carini of Velocity Channel's “Chasing Classic Cars” is partnering with Bohams and will broadcast the auction from Tupelo over national television. Many of the cars will certainly stand out, including a 1976 Lincoln Mark IV that Elvis Presley purhcased. Also, some near-flawless automotive signage will be up for auction along with other related memorabilia. The event in April will draw crowds from all over the country, and even outside the U.S. Many of the cars, some one-of-a-kind and some of extreme rarity, are treasures that will be well-worth the prices that will claim them.
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January 2019
BEER FROM HERE WITH DERRIC CURRAN AND ALISTAIR CLARK Owners and Operators of The Mississippi Ale House
DEVIL'S HARVEST "BREAKFAST" IPA Are your New Year's resolutions to eat better and exercise? Well, we can't help with you being lazy, but we can help you eat better. The Hello-Low Carb-Bowl from SideStreet Burgers in Olive Branch can get you on track. This Keto-friendly mix of fresh veggies, cilantro, lime, black beans, chicken, street cheese, pico and creama is a healthy option, especially paired with the Devil's Harvest "Breakfast" IPA from Southern Prohibition. The light bitterness from this brew wakes your taste buds up so you can enjoy the freshness of the SideStreet masterpiece. A new year means making better choices for yourself in 2019--just don't leave out the beer. Cheers, y'all. BREW FACTS Brewery: Southern Prohibition Style: American IPA ABV: 4.9% IBU: 40 Appearance: Golden with a ghostly hue Where to find this beer: Mississippi Ale House
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January 2019
Barbara Kendrick & Sassy Mauldin
OUT&ABOUT
'The Seedlings'
% Garden Club Holiday Fundraiser
% Celebrate Hernando Annual Awards Luncheon
% Eagle Bank Customer Appreciation Day
% Mallory-Neely Holiday Open House
% Southaven Christmas Parade of Lights
% A Victorian Holiday with Opera Memphis
% Community Reinvestment Action Luncheon
% Merriment Under the Mistletoe Gala
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Garden Club Holiday Fundraiser The Hernando Civic Garden Club held a fundraiser at Hernando United Methodist Church on Mt. Pleasant in Hernando, showcasing a variety of Christmas-themed tablescapes and arrangements.
DECEMBER 1
Jeannie Hobson & Jean E. Hackman
Ann Lamphere & Mary Ashley McNeely
Kathy Sanford & Rhonda Purdy
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Heather Crain, Hollie Steele & Camille Pittman
Celeste Wilson
Carol Knight & Vivian Norris
Ellen Jernigan
Kathy Thompson
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Eagle Bank Customer Appreciation Day Eagle Bank Mortgage hosted its annual Customer Appreciation Day at the Desoto Cinema Grill in Southaven. The event included pictures with Santa and a movie screening.
DECEMBER 7
The Edge Family
Santa & Dana Walters
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The Hodges Family
The Graham Family
The Jones Family
The Nowell Family
The Trentham Family
The Pollard Family
The Colom Family
The Walker Family
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Southaven Christmas Parade of Lights Southaven’s annual Christmas Parade was bigger than ever this year, featuring scores of themed floats, marching bands and, of course, a visit from Good Old St. Nick.
DECEMBER 15
Sandy, Patience & Shane Davis
Susan Shedden, RIck Underwood & Brian Churchill
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Maddy & Kristy Ferguson
Rob Forrest & Pam Vaughn
Lorenzo & Sharyn Jackson
Greg Hill & Megan Barnwell
Desoto County Ghostbusters
Diana Collins & Madison Rowe
Chuck & Jeanne French
Lexie & Debbie Hill, Kasee Carter
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Community Reinvestment Action Luncheon BancorpSouth in Southaven hosted a meet-and-greet for business and community leaders of Desoto County to promote investing time and resources towards small businesses and startups.
DECEMBER 6
Yvette Dixon
Leighanne Wamble & Rita Schelly
Martha Parks & Ruth Phillips
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Willie Mae Chaney
David Whitenton & Myles Wilson
Katie Patterson
Peter Abell & Rick Peeler
Just come as you are! myclickmag.com
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Celebrate Hernando Annual Awards Luncheon The Hernando Chamber held its annual awards luncheon at One Memphis Street. The event, which was sponsored by Renasant Bank, drew more than 180 business professionals together to celebrate noteworthy county achievements of 2018.
DECEMBER 11
Outstanding New Construction - Luke Saunders
164th OSS, Memphis
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Cynthia Bigham and Jerry Edwards Anne Krekelberg
Ambassador of the Year - Jody Woody
Outstanding Renovation - Christy Houston
Retiring Board Member - Neal Cannon
FIRST SECURITY BANK
Citizen of the Year - Derick Biglane
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Mallory-Neely Holiday Open House The historic Mallory-Neely House at 652 Adams Avenue in Memphis opened its doors for a free holiday open house featuring Victorian holiday decorations, refreshments and free photos with Santa Claus.
DECEMBER 7
Dwayne & Sondra Wilson
Harry & Rene DeYoung
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Tanya Vandesteeg & Prosper Shafer
Marc & Julie Caudel
Lukey Williams
Loren & Cherry Friesen
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A Victorian Holiday with Opera Memphis Opera Memphis hosted an evening of Victorian-era Christmas cheer at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens featuring caroling, festive drinks and magic from illusionist Jeffrey Day.
DECEMBER 14 &15
Angelica Carey & Kathy Zhou
Howard & Ella Meeks
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Bill & Laura McManus
Brooke & Maury Ballenger
Nancy & Tommy Brannon
Stephanie Doche
Mickey & Charlie Schaffler
Kate & John Phillips
Melanie White & William Britton
Marilane & Otis Warr
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Merriment Under the Mistletoe Gala The historic Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum hosted an evening of holiday fun in an effort to raise funds to preserve and maintain the mansion for future generations.
DECEMBER 15
Elena Williams & Carole Wooten
Braden Hixson & Ashley Trotter
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Ellery Ammons & Sydney Sepulveda
Keith Young & Woodie Whited
Lauren Camp
Santa (Carter Jackson)
FIRST SECURITY BANK
Della Adams & Richard Westbrook
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ANIMAL OF THE MONTH
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THE SURLY SNAPPING TURTLE Snarky but Successful BY RUSS THOMPSON
If you are looking for a Mid-South animal that would qualify as the most ornery, unattractive, and downright unpleasant, the eastern snapping turtle could very well be the number one contender. This animal is even more surly than that relative that you tried to avoid during those recent holiday gatherings. Well, almost. When it comes to their habitat, they aren’t particular as long as there happens to be water. Snapping turtles range from southern Canada, through eastern and central United States to Central America. They are common turtles that can be found in lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, or ponds, although they prefer shallow muddy waters where they can conceal themselves. I guess you could say their habitats match their murky dispositions. For reptiles, they can stand a wide range of temperatures from 49 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In their watery haunts, they will hunt for crayfish, regular fish, aquatic insects, snakes, frogs, birds, small mammals, and even vegetation. It has even been said that they can detect dead bodies in rivers and lakes. Who knows, there might be a new TV show coming out any day now—Special Crime Unit: Snapping Turtle. As hunters, the snarky snapper prefers the ambush method. They bury themselves in the mud, wait for their prey to happen by and emerge from the mud so they can snatch up their food. They prefer to hunt at night when they are the most active, which brings me to how they came by their names. They have very powerful bites
and long necks. Don’t try picking them up by the tail either. They can reach almost all the way back to their hind legs. If they are in the comfort of their usual habitat, they prefer to retreat, but they will emit hissing sounds and become aggressive if cornered or threatened. Snapping turtles are among the largest turtles in the Mid-South. They can grow to be up to 18 ½ inches in length and weigh up to 35 pounds. They have large, pointed snouts with rough, brown carapaces on the top portion of the shell, yellowish plastrons on the lower shell, and long, ridged tails. Often their shells are covered with mud or algae. Snappers breed in the spring and summer. Once they are ready, females will travel overland to find an area with loose soil to lay twenty to fifty leathery eggs. Once the young hatch, in 55 to 125 days, they are on their own. Don’t expect any motherly love from the surly snapper. The young must make their way towards the water as quickly as possible to avoid hungry snakes and mammals. I know I’ve been picking on the common snapping turtle for being overly unpleasant, but the truth is they are just trying to defend themselves the only way they know how. They are actually quite successful because they are generalists, which means they eat a wide variety of foods and are found in such a variety of aquatic habitats. So here’s to the surly snapper who reminds us that we shouldn’t judge nature’s creatures by looks alone.
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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HAPPY HOUR MONDAY - FRIDAY 5-7PM OLIVE BRANCH
5218 GOODMAN ROAD
GERMANTOWN
2015 EXETER ROAD
BEST SUSHI
BEST JAPANESE
DESOTO’S BEST
DESOTO’S BEST
2017
2017
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