080812 Corinth E Edition by Daily Corinthian

Wednesday August 8,

2012

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Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 190

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• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • Two sections

Officials eye possible disaster declaration BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

Alcorn County is almost within reach of seeking a federal disaster declaration following the severe storms of the night of July 30, according to emergency management officials. Ricky Gibens, emergency management director, said reports are needed from any home or business owners who have not already reported storm-related damage from the storms that happened around

11 p.m. and 2 a.m. on the night of July 30 and early morning of July 31. “It looks like we had about eight or 10 homes that we classed as destroyed,” said Gibens. Ten to 12 had severe damage. Another 20 had moderate damage with a total of about 50 homes affected. No reports of business damage have been received. Representatives of the American Red Cross and EMA have done field surveys.

The numbers are not currently enough to seek a declaration, but officials believe there could be some unreported damage that would put the county within range. Anything related to the storm and the numerous downed trees and limbs can be reported. Shingles blown off, broken glass, chipped bricks and any other damage to a home would qualify. In one case following the storm, some workers cutting a tree limb caught the cor-

ner of a house with a trailer, resulting in damage. That type of situation also qualifies. The threshold is generally about 100 homes or $300,000 in total damage to qualify for a major disaster declaration. The threshold is lower for a declaration through the Small Business Administration. A federal disaster declaration could help the county and city recoup cleanup expenses. “We potentially could receive some help in the clearing

away of [debris] that people put out on the street,” said David Huwe, director of community development and planning for the city. Right now, the affected departments hope not to bust their budgets, he said. The city received 24 reports of downed trees in the night’s storms as the east side of the county took the hardest hit. Citizens can contact Gibens at 286-7737; leave a message if no answer for a return call.

Quick thinking Biggersville fireman honored in ceremony BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com

A Biggersville fireman was recently honored for singlehandedly extinguishing a fire in a local business. Biggersville Fire & Rescue Capt. William Hutcheson was among several firefighters honored in a recent ceremony at the fire department’s North Station. Hutcheson received Biggersville Fire & Rescue’s Meritorious Conduct Award for actions during a call on Nov. 18, 2010. Hutcheson was shopping in a Biggersville convenience store when a grease fire ignited in the kitchen area. According to the official report on the in-

cident, “Capt. Hutcheson was quick to act by retrieving the only fire extinguisher in the store only to discover that it was not charged. Thinking quickly, Capt. Hutcheson went to the retail section of the store and retrieved multiple boxes of baking soda which he used to smother the fire.” Due to his quick actions and ability to act according to his training, Hutcheson was able to prevent heavy loss to the business and possible injury of its occupants. “We are very proud of our volunteers for what they do and Please see CEREMONY | 2A

Church uses baseball to share Jesus in Ukraine BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

Staff photo by Steve Beavers

School bound

8-year-old Lauren Talley along with the rest of Alcorn County students headed back to school for a new year Tuesday. Talley, the daughter of Todd and Lori Talley, is a third-grader at Kossuth Elementary.

Baseball was the tool which planted the seed. Seven members of Holly Baptist Church used “America's Pastime” to spread the Gospel in Feodosia, Ukraine, during a mission trip on June 29 through July 8. During four days, the local men worked with about 50 children from the city on the basics of the game. “The first day was an adventure on what to do,” said church member and Kossuth baseball head coach Daniel Threadgill. “Teaching the ba-

sic things like putting a glove on right and how to hold a bat were new to me.” The idea for taking the game to Feodosia — a port and resort city of about 40,000 on the Black Sea — was one of former Corinthian Gary Watkins. Watkins, whose International Equipping Ministries is located in Collierville, Tenn., spoke at the church about the possible mission trip. “I didn't know how it was going to work, but we were going,” said Holly pastor Bro. John Boler. “Baseball was goPlease see BASEBALL | 2A

Photographer Lowry Wilson looks for unique perspectives in work BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

In a bullet-smashed windshield on an abandoned vehicle, a lonely Confederate cemetery or a Ferris wheel shrouded in a dusky haze, Lowry Wilson seeks the essence of the South. The New Albany photographer’s work is the featured exhibit for August at the Corinth Artist Guild Gallery. An opening reception for the “Old South Images” exhibit is set for Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. “Everything I do, I try to find unique perspectives of,” said Wilson, who was also featured at the gallery in 2009. “I try to look for things that are different; things that capture the eye.” Wilson ran a photo studio for about 10 years, shooting weddings and portraits. “For the last several years, I have been teaching studio lighting and wedding consultations for one of the largest photo labs in the world, along with leading several tours along Route 66 in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.” A series of images from the

Mississippi Delta hangs on the gallery’s front wall. He plans to expand the series into a future gallery exhibit and book. He is also working on a series made with film-based toy cameras for a future exhibit. In addition to Mississippi landscapes populated with barns and aging vehicles, a sampling of other photos in the exhibit includes the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge against a pastel-hued sky, a colorful flag painted on the wall of Corinth’s old Railway Express Agency building, and a sea of old bathtubs and sinks captured in black and white. Non-color photos make up almost half of the exhibit. “I think the black-and-white photos are quite interesting with their shape and composition,” said Guild President Sonny Boatman. “Bullet,” which shows an old vehicle’s interior with a bulletcracked windshield, was captured on the camera of a cell phone. Wilson, who picked up firstplace wins in Tupelo’s Gumtree Festival the last two years, be-

An old pickup truck, idle in the Mississippi Delta, is typical of Lowry Wilson’s images of the South. He will be ata Corinth gallery for an opening reception Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. came interested in photography at 14 when he purchased an inexpensive camera from a lo-

Index Stocks...... 7A Classified......5B Comics......3B Wisdom......2B

Weather......5A Obituaries......3A Opinion......4A Sports......8A

cal drug store. He said he aims to “bring to life the story in the everyday moments that pass us

by.” Please see EXHIBIT | 2A

On this day in history 150 years ago Despite public sentiment in England to recognize the Confederacy or intervene in the fighting, Prime Minister Lord Palmerston officially declared that Britain would continue to preserve “a strict and rigid neutrality.”

2A • Daily Corinthian

Local/Region

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

CEREMONY CONTINUED FROM 1A

Submitted photo

Holly Baptist Church member Chuck Hodum (left) works with some Feodosia, Ukraine youngsters during a baseball camp.

the passion they have for helping people in our community,” said Deputy Chief Jonathan Rider. “Tonight’s awards are just a small way we can recognize them and say how proud we are of them taking time out of their personal lives to receive this training.” Biggersville Fire & Rescue Chief Patrick Claunch said there is no doubt in his mind that Hutcheson’s actions saved the business from significant damage. “He showed initiative and prevented something catastrophic,” said Claunch. “My hat’s off to him.” Hutcheson is a Biggersville resident. He works at the Alcorn County E-911 Center and volunteers for

the Biggersville and Southwest fire departments. Hutcheson also goes on medical calls for the Kossuth Fire Department and is part of the Mississippi Search & Rescue Association. He regularly attends classes to increase his training. “He’ll take time out of his personal schedule to go to classes,” said Claunch. “That’s something I really appreciate. He’ll take the time to get training we all need.” Biggersville Fire & Rescue is a 100 percent volunteer department and answers over 300 calls for service each year with two stations in the central portion of Alcorn County. To find out how to join or make a donation, and for more information, visit www.biggersvillefire.com.

EXHIBIT

BASEBALL

CONTINUED FROM 1A CONTINUED FROM 1A

ing to be our bridge to share the gospel.” Missionaries Igor and Irena Novikov served as translators and guides during the trip. “Igor and Irena are the real deal,” said Boler. “I would go back tomorrow if God opens that door.” It became more about witnessing than teaching the game of baseball for Threadgill. “I never thought I would go on a mission trip to do baseball,” said the KHS coach. “The trip really humbled me to see the same Christ who died

for me died for them too … they might wear different clothes and come from a different culture than us, but we all have a soul.” Both Boler and Threadgill said the children who attended the camp were enthusiastic each day to learn the game. “Keeping their attention wasn't a problem at all,” said the coach. “Whatever we did -- no matter how small -- was fun for them … they thought we were professional baseball players.” “Not only did the kids want to know how to play, but the authorities

and director of the park would come out to see what we were doing,” added Boler. Those crowds gave Boler and the Holly team a chance to talk about Jesus. “We wanted to go and be a blessing to them, but any time you go on a mission trip you are the one who receives the blessing,” said Boler. Most of the villages in the port city are low income. “It was a culture shock for us,” said the pastor. “But it was also good for us to see how some people live in the world.”

Boler hoped a simple question would give them the opportunity to talk of the answer they needed to hear. “I wanted them to ask why did you bring baseball here?” he said. “If they did that, we could plant that seed about Jesus.” Threadgill returned home a changed person following the mission adventure. “I came back different,” he said. “My wife says I just light up when I tell others about the trip … it's not about me, it's that Christ died for all of us.”

In other gallery happenings, Boatman wants the public to know that the gallery is not planning to close. The owner of the building has put

it up for sale, and a “for sale” sign posted in the window has prompted questions about the gallery’s future. Boatman hopes any new owner would allow the gallery to continue as a tenant.

Iuka man charged with drug distribution Staff Reports

IUKA — A Iuka man was put behind bars following a two-year investigation. Freddie Dobbs, 403 County Road 172, Iuka, was arrested after a search warrant was issued for his residence. Dobbs was charged with five counts of sale/barter/ transfer of a controlled substance. The Iuka man also

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faces charges of possession with intent to distribute Diazepam, possession with intent to distribute Dilaudid and possession to distribute Fentanyl. “The North Mississippi Narcotics Unit also seized five firearms and approximately $7,000 in cash,” said Tishomingo County Assistant Chief Deputy Jeff Palmer.

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3A • Daily Corinthian

Deaths William Stricklin SAVANNAH, Tenn. — William Melvin Stricklin, 67, died Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at his residence. All other arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Magnolia Funeral Home.

Aden G. Penney

TISHOMINGO — Funeral services for Aden G. Penney, 89, are set for 11:30 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Somerville, Tenn. with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in McKenzie, Tenn. Mr. Penney died Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at his residence. Born October 7, 1922, he was a retired Soil and Water Conservationist

with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil C o n servat i o n Service. He was also a member of First United Methodist Penney Church i n Somerville, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rex Ray and Nell Aden Penney; a brother, John Weldon Penney; and a sister, Gladys Crocker. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Ruby T. Penney of Tishomingo;

Velma Long

two sons, Terry G. Penney I and wife Rebecca of Cairo, and Paul Michael Penney of Mountain Top, Pa.; grandchildren, Terry Penney II and wife Lisa of Cairo, Rhonda Crum and husband Daniel of Cairo, Adrienne Penney of Mountain Top, Pa., David Penney and wife Shannon of Booneville; two great grandchildren, Beau Crum and Chloe Crum; and a sister, Broxie Barksdale of McKenzie, Tenn. Rev. Larry Kendrick will officiate. Visitation is 5-6 p.m. tonight at Magnolia Funeral Home. The body will lie in state Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until service time at the church.

denoting the joys and benefits of a life lived in companionship with God. In her last days, Psalm 118 was an extreme comfort. She was preceded in death by her husband, Erst; and parents, Marlin and Sue Griffin; and two sisters, Estelle Henry and Grace Dandridge. She is survived by a daughter, Susie Marshall (Bob); 2 sons, Sam Long(Frances) and Randy Long (Penny); grandchildren, Barnes Marshall (Leslie), Sam Marshall (Danielle), Scott Marshall (Helen), Peyton Hutchinson (Burney), Meredith Kimbrell (Aubert), Laura Kate Carmichiel (Colby), and Ben Long; 11 great grandchildren, Maggie Marshall, Cate Marshall, Tilton Lee, Taylor Marshall, Molly Marshall, Clark Carmichiel, Griffin Carmichiel, Katherine Carmichiel, Annabelle Kimbrell, Max Hutchinson, and Sam Hutchinson. Also surviving her are sisters, Elsie Blanke, Clairice Duff, Wilma Chittom, Marlene Michael; and one brother Max Griffin. Pallbearers will be Barnes Marshall, Sam Marshall, Scott Marshall, Ben Long, Colby Carmichiel, Burney Hutchinson and Aubert Kimbrell. Visitation will be at First Presbyterian Church EPC in Corinth on Thursday August 9, 2012 from noon until 1:45 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at the church. Dr. Don Elliott will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to First Presbyterian Church EPC, 919 Shiloh Road, Corinth, Ms 38834.

Velma Griffin Long died August 7, 2012 at her home surrounded by family at the age of 87. She was born in Pontotoc County, August 9, 1924. A graduate of Blue Mountain College with a major in Mathematics, she taught school at Glendale and Corinth High School. She worked as a bookkeeper at Long Wholesale Distributors, Inc. and also was a licensed realtor with Bailey Williams Realty for many years. A member of First Presbyterian EPC of Corinth, she served as Elder, Deacon, PresiLong dent of the WOC, church bookkeeper, and Sunday school teacher. Her “heart” ministry for many years was sewing handmade baby samplers for children and grandchildren of friends and family. Each sampler had the phrase “God gave us” along with the name and birthday of the child. In the last years, she along with other ladies of the church, made these samples for every child born to First Presbyterian members. Her favorite verses are Psalm 23, loving the characterization of the Lord as a dependable shepherd and guide over us; Psalm 37, which has been an anchor verse for her since college, and Psalm 16,

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

McNairy County adds circuit clerk to November ballot BY JEFF YORK For the Daily Corinthian

An addition to the ballot in November will result in the election of a new McNairy County Circuit Court Clerk. This will fill an upcoming vacancy when Ronnie Brooks resigns to take over as county mayor. McNairy County Mayor Wilburn Ashe learned while researching how the vacancy could be filled that the office could be placed on the ballot in November. The person elected will serve the remaining two years of Brooks’ term as circuit court clerk. “We thought the county commissioners would have to choose a replacement, but the state law says it can be placed on

The Daily Corinthian include the following information in obituaries: The name, age, city of residence of the deceased; when, where and manner of death of the deceased; time and location of funeral service; name of officiant; time and location of visitation; time and location of memorial services; biographical information can include date of birth, education, place of employment/occupation, military service and church membership; survivors can include spouse, children, parents, grandparents, siblings (step included), and grandchildren.

“It will take some pressure off the county commissioners to let the people elect Ronnie’s replacement.” Ashe said he had notified both county parties they could have a meeting and nominate a candidate for the office. An independent candidate can qualify be getting the signatures of 25 registered voters on a petition. Brooks was elected last week as county mayor. He will have to resign as circuit court clerk before being sworn-in as county mayor on Sept. 1. Ashe was twice elected to fill a vacancy as county mayor, once in 2005 and another in 2011. The difference was the two vacancies were filled during an off-year for elections.

St. James Music Press publishes work of North Alabama student For Community Profiles

FLORENCE, Ala. — Drew Mills, a senior at the University of North Alabama, now owns the copyright to “All Blessings Flow,” his own arrangement of the familiar hymn tune “Old Hundredth,” commonly used as the Doxology in many churches. The arrangement was published by the prestigious St. James Music Press and recorded by Chanticleer, a Grammy Award-winning vocal male ensemble. Mills’ piece was a weeklong project that was originally submitted as an assignment for his Choral Techniques class, he said. Upon the encouragement of his instructor, Dr. Ian Loeppky, Mills submitted the

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the ballot if the office is open 60 days prior to an election,” said Ashe. “A couple commissioners had expressed interest in the position and I was concerned about how many votes would be needed because they could not vote.” Brooks is expected to resign his office as circuit court clerk by Aug. 31 and that would allow time to place his position on the Nov. 6 ballot. The deputy clerk in the office would run the circuit court clerk’s office until the replacement is elected in November. “The county commission could select an interim to fill Brooks’ office, but I do not think that will happen before the election,” said Ashe.

piece to the editor of St. James Music Press, who liked what he heard. “It was interesting to be a part of the collaboration process that happens between editor and composer,” Mills said. After it was accepted for publication, the final piece was emailed to Mills recorded by members of Chanticleer. “That someone of that musical caliber would be singing my piece was a really humbling idea,” Mills said. Chanticleer is the only full-time professional chorus in America and the first vocal ensemble to be inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. St. James Music Press is an online publisher

that operates on a subscription basis. Subscribers pay a once-annual fee and have access to any digital downloads on the site. “To get this kind of exposure for Drew as a young composer is really impressive,” Loeppky said. “I’m thrilled that his audience will be more than just me.” “All Blessings Flow” is available for download for all St. James Music Press subscribers. Mills’ arrangement will also be performed by the UNA Chamber Choir as part of the Fall Choral Showcase and on their Ireland Tour next spring. (For more information, contact the Department of Music and Theatre at 256-765-5122.)

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Opinion

Reece Terry, publisher

Mark Boehler, editor

4A • Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Corinth, Miss.

Letters to the editor

Future Fare provides many opportunities Dear editor, Keep Corinth-Alcorn Beautiful wishes to express our support for the City of Corinth’s proposed Future Fare. As you may already know, Keep CorinthAlcorn Beautiful is a part of the national organization Keep America Beautiful, whose mission is community improvement through waste reduction, litter prevention and beautification. The Future Fare plan would help enhance community improvement through many ways. The plan’s call for revenue to be applied to paving, milling and overlay would help improve the appearance of our community greatly. The other items included in the plan also serve to improve our community and lead to a greater quality of life for our citizens. We have seen other progressive cities in our region document success with similar plans. The FutureFare plan is an opportunity to make significant advancements and improvements in our community. Keep Corinth-Alcorn Beautiful supports Future Fare and its potential benefits for our community. Debbi Ward, chairperson Keep Corinth-Alcorn Beautiful

Think before you vote To the editor, Recently there was a statement made on Fox News that the Jewish community was favoring President Obama. Have they forgotten what happened during the 1940s and World War II? A man named Hitler led the Jews slowly from their freedoms. Please think, fellow Americans, before you vote in November! Jo D. Robertson CR 238, Corinth

Letter to editor notice Letters to the editor pertaining to the Corinth Future Fare proposed tax levy referendum need to be submitted by noon on Wednesday, Aug. 15. These include e-mails or hand delivered letters. Letters sent via the postal service must be postmarked by Tuesday, Aug. 14.

Prayer for today God of peace, we give you thanks for the blessing of life that unfolds with new surprises each day. Amen.

A verse to share Jesus said, “It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” — John 6:63

Hall isn’t afraid of raising taxes STARKVILLE — While most members of his party run like scalded dogs from the mere mention of anything resembling a tax hike (try getting out of a GOP primary as an advocate for higher taxes!), Republican Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall is loudly calling for an increase in the state’s gasoline tax. Has Hall taken leave of his partisan political senses? No, he’s simply continuing to beat the drum for a legitimate state gas tax problem that he’s been calling attention to for well over a decade. That Hall has the courage to go against the political grain on this question is admirable. One of the biggest public policy and economic misconceptions in Mississippi is the notion that as gas prices have risen, state gas tax revenues have risen with them. That’s not the case. Why? Mississippi’s 18.4 cents per gallon gas tax (CPG) is a flat tax. When we pay $2 a gallon for gas at the pump, the tax is 18.4 CPG. When we pay $4 per gallon at the pump, the state tax is still 18.4 CPG. The only way the

state takes in more revenue in gas taxes is for the volume of gas consumed to inSid Salter crease. The state’s Columnist 18.4 CPG gas tax was last raised in 1987. According to a report by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the state’s flat gas tax isn’t keeping pace with the inflation of rising highway construction and maintenance costs and with the modern fuel economy improvements in today’s vehicles. Hall says the ASCE report makes clear that Mississippi has an estimated $30 billion in highway and bridge needs between 2008 and 2035. But even in a “bestcase scenario,” the state’s current gas tax structure would only generate $15.3 billion to meet those expenses. Compounding that discrepancy is the fact that modern vehicles get better mileage. The ASCE report shows that total vehicle miles traveled in Mississippi increased more than 5 billion miles (14.2 percent)

from 2004 to 2008, gas tax revenues in 2008 were just .3 percent higher than that of 2004 because of improved fuel efficiencies. Can Hall make the case to fellow Republicans in the Legislature for a gas tax hike to fund roads and bridge construction and maintenance in Mississippi? Perhaps. But it will be a tough sell. Still, the numbers suggest that even some of the GOP’s most fiscally conservative legislators can see that Hall’s alarm is more than justified. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that the national average tax on gasoline is 41.66 CPG as of July 12. The federal tax on gasoline is 18.4 CPG. The national average state gasoline excise tax is 23.26 CPG. EIA reported that the national average tax on diesel fuel is 48.18 CPG as of July 12. The federal tax on diesel is 24.40 CPG and the national average state tax on diesel is 23.78 CPG. In Mississippi, drivers pay total federal and state taxes of 37.2 cents per gallon of gasoline and 43.2 cents per gallon of diesel. Mississippi’s excise tax totals 18.4 CPG on gasoline

and diesel, with 0.4 cents going to an environmental protection fee. In coastal Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties, there is an additional 3 CPG seawall tax. That ranks Mississippi as having the 37th lowest gasoline motor fuel taxes in the U.S. and the 38th lowest diesel motor fuel taxes in the nation. Those rankings are misleading because of some ties among states with higher tax rates. More to the point, only six U.S. states charge higher total gas taxes than does Mississippi and only seven states charge higher diesel fuel taxes. Mississippi’s gas tax is lower than Alabama (19.25 cents per gallon), Arkansas (21.80 CPG), Louisiana (20 CPG), or Tennessee (21.40 CPG). It would seem then that the pertinent question would be whether Mississippi roads and bridges are in better shape that the transportation infrastructure in those surrounding states? (Sid Salter is a syndicated columnist for the Daily Corinthian. Contact him at 601-507-8004 or sidsalter@sidsalter.com.)

Sound Off Policy Effective immediately, the Daily Corinthian Sound Off policy will be the same as its Letter to the Editor Policy. Sounds Offs need to be submitted with a name, address, contact phone number and if possible, e-mail address, for author verification. The author’s name and city of residence will be published with the Sound Off. Sound Offs will only accepted from those who wish to have their names published with their opinion. All other Letter to the Editor rules apply for Sound Offs.

Letters Policy The Opinion page should be a voice of the people and reflect views from a broad range in the community. Citizens can express their opinion in letters to the editor. Only a few simple rules need to be followed. Letters should be of public interest and not of the ‘thank you’ type. Please include your full signature, home address and telephone number on the letter for verification. All letters are subject to editing before publication, especially those beyond 300 words in length. Send to: Letters to the editor, Daily Corinthian, P.O. Box 1800, Corinth, Miss. 38835. Letters may also be e-mailed to: letters@daily corinthian.com. Email is the preferred method. Personal, guest and commentary columns on the Opinion page are the views of the writer. “Other views” are editorials reprinted from other newspapers. None of these reflect the views of this newspaper.

Reece Terry publisher rterry@dailycorinthian.com

The musical story of Gina Forsyth NEW ORLEANS — Gina Forsyth is a tall, striking woman with Rita Coolidge hair and regal bearing. She strums and sings for a crowd of six the same as if it were 6,000. We are sitting in a little hamburger joint and bar on the shady street called Esplanade, having arrived early by New Orleans standards. Gina speaks to everyone in the place, which doesn’t take long. She’s friendly that way. I thought I knew a little something about Gina Forsyth, having heard her country fiddle at least half a dozen times at the annual Hank Williams tribute show in little Eunice, La. While I had a second home in Louisiana, in Henderson, I never missed the Hank show. Most years the backup band, besides Gina, included Don Helms, Hank’s old steel player, and the best accordionist I ever heard, Reggie Mott. Who in their right mind would miss all

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press foreman

that? I knew Gina lived in New Orleans and was a classically vioRheta trained linist. I knew Johnson she someColumnist times toured with a Cajun band. I even knew that she could sing. At one Hank show, she put down the fiddle and did an amazing duet in her distinctive deep alto. But I had no idea how versatile she was, or that her song-writing might rank even above her fiddling and singing. In the little club with the invisible crowd, I am about to find out. She’s pushing her first album in a decade, something with an ironic title and cover called “Promised Land.” In the CD photo, Gina sits with her guitar in front of a slice of vanishing Americana, a big white barn, presumably on a family farm. And the album’s lyrics

pretty much deliver on the promise of the photo. “Christmas in China,” for example, is a love story and political commentary all tied up together with biting wit: “Our Christmas was made in China, humanrights issues and all. From my brand-new socks to my old gym shoes, to the decorations on my wall. ... They don’t have Christmas in China, not like in the U.S.A. There they work for chicken feed, making things we think we need.” In a song called “4th of July,” she compares her relationship with this country to a troubled romantic one and wonders aloud if anyone else feels this way. “Will everything be all right in the morning?” she asks. She gets even more specific in “Sweet and Sunny South.” That’s a constantly evolving song, and tonight she works in quips about the recent Chick-fil-A controversy. “In the sweet and sunny South where I was born,

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moss on the magnolia, it’s grits and not granola, where we know it from Shinola, in the sweet and sunny South where I was born. ... Where we love our musicians and our fascist politicians .... I love it and I hate it, every now and then berate it .... Where Washington and Lee can’t get married legally....” She can say those kinds of things because she was born in Florida, grew up Baptist in Alabama, moved to New Orleans in 1983 to study at Loyola. Not only is she blessed with the brains to examine and question things, she knows how to put it all to music. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to the gutsy folk singers who used to roam the earth with their instrument and protest, check out Gina Forsyth. In the tradition of Guthrie, Dylan and Prine she is writing and singing, not just fiddling while America burns. (Rheta Grimsley Johnson is syndicated columnist for the Daily Corinthian.)

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Daily Corinthian • Wednesday, August 8, 2012 • 5A

Soybean-sucking bugs reach Mississippi BY JANET MCCONNAUGHEY Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — Kudzu bugs, pea-sized Asian insects with hearty appetites for soybeans as well as the weed they’re named after, have hitchhiked from Alabama to western Mississippi. Farmers and entomologists in Arkansas and Louisiana are keeping a wary eye out for an invasion. The bugs were found near Vicksburg, Miss., in July. “That’s too close for comfort for us in Arkansas and the rest of the Mississippi Delta,” Arkansas Extension Service entomologist Gus Lorenz said when he learned of

the Mississippi sighting. The LSU AgCenter also put out an alert asking farmers to keep an eye out for the bugs. Vicksburg is about 270 miles west of the nearest Alabama county where they’d been seen. Since first being spotted near Atlanta in 2009, kudzu bugs have spread to the Carolinas, southern Virginia, northern Florida, Alabama and east Tennessee. They are strong flyers, but also are known to hitchhike on trucks and other vehicles. Such a big jump out of Alabama would be surprising if the bugs were only flying from place to place, said Wayne Gardner, an entomologist at the University of Geor-

gia’s campus in Griffin. “We knew these insects were very strong flyers, but we also knew they’re exceptionally good hitchhikers,” he said. Kudzu bugs range from green to a brown so dark it’s almost black. They look a bit like ticks and a bit like dark ladybugs with squareish backsides. “If it was on you and sitting still, you might say, ‘Gosh is that a tick?’ If they were moving you might say, ‘What kind of lady beetle is that?”’ Gardner said. Like stinkbugs, to which they’re related, and like imported ladybugs, they emit a protective stink. Gardner said it’s a fruitier smell than stinkbugs’ stench, and has been mistaken at least once, by a

woman who called 911, for a gas leak. “There was no gas. But there were kudzu bugs all over her screens and door and windows and porch,” he said. That’s another way they’re like imported ladybugs — they’ll go into buildings for warmth. They especially seem to like white and pale colors. Gardner said he’s found them on his white car after checking beans or kudzu for the bugs, which are known to scientists as Megacopta cribaria. That’s why they were first noticed in Vicksburg, said Angus Catchot Jr., an associate extension professor in entomology and plant pathology at Mississippi State University. A woman saw them on a

Lily says, “NEW SHAPES AND COLORS OF POTTERY HAVE JUST ARRIVED”

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probably never know how, Gardner said, but we do know that every kudzu bug checked in North America can be genetically “traced back to one mom.” A geneticist is working to learn which part of Asia that bug came from, he said.

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car at a gas station on Interstate 20, then noticed kudzu across the road. Kudzu and soybeans both originated in Asia. Soybeans were brought in as food, kudzu for erosion control and fodder. Kudzu bugs came to Georgia by accident. We’ll

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Basic Welding (14 wks) 6:00 pm $100.00 Basic Machine Shop (14 wks) 6:00 pm $70.00 Cake Decorating (14 wks) 6:00 pm $60.00 Calligraphy (14 wks) 6:00 pm $70.00

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For further information call 662-286-7727 or visit our website at: www.alcorn.k12.ms.us/actc/index.htm

6A • Wednesday, August 8, 2012 • Daily Corinthian

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