Invitation Magazine - May 2018

MAY 2018

MAY 2018

14

ON THE COVER Invitation is proud to present a guide to the 2018 Gumtree Festival. This year’s festival poster features artwork by Charlie Buckley. artwork provided by Gumtree Museum of Art

IN EVERY ISSUE 4

Letter From the Publisher

6

Calendar

8

Shoutouts

10

Community Corner: Together for Tippah

12

In Season: Photography

50

Out and About

56

Recipe: Tomato Jam

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FEATURES

EVENTS

14 The Water Is Calling

28

Connect Career Expo

These nearby summertime destinations offer sandy beaches, water slides, fishing holes, float trips and more.

30

Toyota Reception

32

Denim and Diamonds

34

Guntown Middle School Color Run

36

NMSO Fundraiser

38

Breakfast of Champions

40

Special Olympics

22 Guide to Gumtree

42

Tupelo TitanCon

Tupelo’s premier arts festival continues to evolve. Use our information and map to find your way around this year.

44

Red Rasberry Awards Dinner

46

County Line Music Festival

48

Southern Nights in SoCo

20 Life’s Work The reigning Miss Amory, Molly May, shares her personal experience with breast cancer on the pageant stage and beyond.

26 This Old House A Highland Circle home has been a labor of love for generations of the McGrath family, and now they are preparing to pass it on.

12

20

56

May 2018 | INVITATION

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THE PUBLISHER

L

ast summer my family and I opted to do short trips throughout the season, rather than take one long vacation. My daughter, who has never met any type of water she didn’t like, decided she wanted to go to as many water parks as we could fit in. So off we went to six different water parks around the Southeast. It was a journey to remember, and it didn’t break the bank. Matter of fact, much to our surprise, some of the spots we chose cost less than $10 for an entire day.

Our summer splash tour inspired the story “The Water Is Calling” on page 14. Whether you’re zipping down a slide or lounging near a lake, it’s a great way to make memories and enjoy the hot summer days soon to be upon us.

Of course, the start of summer also marks the start of festival season here in northeast Mississippi, and we are excited to be serving as this year’s Gumtree Festival guide. Flip to page 22 for a detailed map and an overview of what’s in store, and be sure to visit downtown Tupelo to take part in the action May 12-13.

On page 56, we share a recipe for tomato jam from a local food truck that’s participating in the festival. Tomatoes are high on my list of favorite fresh produce this time of year, so I am excited to try making (and tasting) this new twist on the summer staple.

Lastly, don’t miss the story on page 20 about Miss Amory, Molly May. Her story is inspiring, and she has exciting months ahead.

Thanks for reading, and keep an eye out in June for our annual bridal issue.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

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Top: Tishomingo State Park offers many options for water fun. Middle left: The artwork featured on this year’s Gumtree Festival poster was created by Charlie Buckley. Middle right: Miss Amory, Molly May. Bottom: Brunch Box tomato jam.

publishers

Phil and Rachel West

editorial

EDITOR IN CHIEF Emily Welly CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Allison Estes EVENTS EDITOR Mary Moreton STAFF WRITER Melanie Crownover COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR AND EDITORIAL INTERN Olivia Barrow

advertising

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Stacey Raper Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Zach Fields Becca Pepper

art

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hallie Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Amanda Cody Alise McCreary Elizabeth Roberts Anthony Teague Megan Wolfe Whitney Worsham

production

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Emily Suber

office

BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney Brian Hilliard MAIN OFFICE 662-234-4008 ADVERTISING INFORMATION invitationmag.com

To subscribe to one year (10 issues) of Invitation or to buy an announcement, visit invitationmag.com.

To request a photographer at your event, email Mary at mary.invitation@gmail.com.

Invitation respects the many diverse individuals and organizations who make up north Mississippi and strives to be inclusive and representative of all members of our community.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

May 2018 | INVITATION

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calendar

MAY/JUNE 2018

Now-5/31

6/6-10

Tupelo Automobile Museum displays several yet-to-be-restored antique and classic cars.

Admission $10 adults, $5 children ages 5-12.

Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m. 1 Otis Blvd., Tupelo. tupeloautomuseum.com

The 20th annual Tupelo Elvis Festival includes special concerts and events at the Elvis Presley Birthplace, an Elvis homecoming parade in downtown Tupelo, the Tupelo Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition, the Running With the King 5K, a pet parade and more. This year, a free “Friday Night at Fairpark” concert featuring Muscadine Bloodline, Bishop Gunn, Memphis Jones and Spunk Monkees takes place June 8 at 6 p.m. In addition to the Birthplace and Fairpark, festival events are also held at BancorpSouth Arena and the Lyric Theatre.

For a detailed schedule and to buy tickets to specific events, visit tupeloelvisfestival.com.

Barnyard Finds

5/18

Farmers Market Kickoff Concert Join Aberdeen Main Street for a free concert with Sam Mosley & Band at 5:30 p.m. at the Farmers Market Plaza in Aberdeen. The market opens May 25 and will be held on Fridays throughout the summer from 8 to 11 a.m. aberdeenms.org

5/25

Story Time at Oren Dunn Preschool children are invited to learn about history with a story time followed by a short activity. Donations appreciated. Sessions will be held 9-10 a.m., 11 a.m.-noon and 1-2 p.m.

Oren Dunn City Museum, Tupelo. facebook.com/orendunnmuseum

6/1-7/31

Tupelo Elvis Festival

6/7

Movie at the Magnolias Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a free showing of a family-friendly movie on the front lawn of an antebellum mansion. The gathering begins at 7:30 p.m., and the movie will start at dark. The Magnolias, Aberdeen. aberdeenms.org

6/7

A.E. Hindsman: Architect of Tupelo

Biscuits & Jam Farmers’ Market Demo Booth

A two-month-long exhibit features the designs of A.E. Hindsman, the architect who designed many of the buildings in Tupelo, including the Private John Allen House. Tickets $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 children ages 4-12; veterans free with military ID. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.5 p.m. Oren Dunn City Museum, Tupelo. facebook.com/orendunnmuseum

Stop by New Albany Main Street Association’s demonstration booth at the Biscuits & Jam Farmers’ Market, held every Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. throughout the summer. Each week the booth, open 4:30-6:30 p.m., will host guest speakers and local chefs. Tallahatchie Riverbank, New Albany. newalbanymainstreet.com

6 INVITATION | May 2018

6/8

Ladies Night: Unwine’d & Walk Downtown New Albany Explore New Albany with a progressive wine tasting tour with local retailers. Tickets $10.

6 p.m., downtown New Albany. newalbanymainstreet.com

6/9

Joyner Neighborhood Home and Garden Tour The second annual tour of Tupelo’s Joyner Garden District includes several homes and yards, as well as public areas such as Joyner Cemetery and the neighborhood’s two mini parks. Tickets ($20) include lunch by Sweet Tea and Biscuits at St. Luke United Methodist Church. The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. Call 662-397-3060 or 662-871-1069 for tickets or more information.

6/9

West of Shake Rag Show Tupelo’s improv comedy troupe performs a family-friendly show that encourages audience participation. Tickets $5; popcorn is free. 7:309:30 p.m., Link Centre, Tupelo. facebook.com/westofshakerag

6/14-16

“Angel Street” Tupelo Community Theatre Off Broadway presents “Angel Street,” a mystery about the Manninghams, a couple living in 19th-century London. Tickets $20 adults, $10 students.

7:30 p.m., 213 E. Franklin St., Tupelo. tct.ms

May 2018 | INVITATION

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shoutouts MAY 2018 Cheers!

With festival season in full swing, Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association’s Leisure and Recreation District, otherwise known as a “Go-Cup Zone,” is now officially open for business. Under an ordinance passed by city council, patrons to permitted establishments can order drinks to take outside on specified downtown streets.

HERE’S WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU: • The ordinance is in effect Thursdays and Fridays, 5 p.m.-midnight and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-midnight.

• Drinks must be in the clear, compostable 16-fluidounce cups provided with the drinks purchased from the participating establishments.

• Before entering any establishment, the cups must be thrown away. Recycle bins will be conveniently located.

• The ordinance includes provisions for increased police presence, on foot or bicycle, to ensure safety in the area.

The Leisure and Recreation Ordinance is currently in a six-month trial period. For more information, call the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association at 662-841-6598 or visit tupelomainstreet.com.

Visit the Historic Natchez Trace

Volunteer Northeast Mississippi Finding volunteer opportunities in northeast Mississippi just got easier. CREATE Foundation and United Way of Northeast Mississippi have partnered to form Volunteer Northeast Mississippi, a hub for nonprofit organizations and volunteers seeking opportunities in the area.

Part of the statewide Volunteer Mississippi network, this new platform focuses specifically on volunteerism in Alcorn, Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union counties.

“Volunteer Northeast Mississippi creates a place where everyone in our area can go to find what volunteer opportunities are available and where all of our nonprofit partners and other organizations can post their needs in one centralized place,” said Melinda Tidwell, president of United Way of Northeast Mississippi.

Learn more at volunteernems.org, or search “Volunteer Northeast Mississippi” on Facebook.

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You don’t have to venture far to explore the great outdoors and discover local history. Free, familyfriendly activities and events are scheduled every week at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center, located on the parkway near Tupelo at milepost 266.

Call 800-305-7417 for more information.

DULCIMER DAY: The North Mississippi Dulcimer Association shares dulcimer music and teaches guests about the history of the instrument. First Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

READ WITH A RANGER: Children age 6 and under are invited to a story time featuring the book “Pitter Patter,” an activity and an optional half-mile hike. Second Saturday of the month, 10-10:45 a.m.

JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM: In “Trees Have Families, Too,” junior rangers learn about the trees growing along the Natchez Trace and how animals and people depend on them. Appropriate for children ages 7-12. Third Saturday of the month, 10-10:45 a.m.

PIONEER DAY: The Tombigbee Pioneer Group demonstrates pioneer crafts and skills. Children are invited to dress up in pioneer clothes and participate. Fourth Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

TOGETHER FOR TIPPAH written by Melanie Crownover

T

eacher Kelly Gates knew exactly where to go for help when the home of one of his middle school students burned this past year. He rifled through the school-supply closet at Pine Grove School K-12 to provide new pencils, paper and even a backpack for the boy.

Then he contacted Together for Tippah, the organization that stocks the closet and helps provide supplies for the after-school tutoring program Gates directs. Within days, the student and his family had clothes, shoes and other necessities to go with the school supplies.

“I knew [Together for Tippah] would come through,” Gates said. “They do what they can to make sure we have the resources at school to focus more on what we need to learn, instead of being distracted by what we might not have otherwise. They’re always there for our students and teachers.”

Since it was founded in 2015, Together for Tippah has been helping residents of all ages all around Tippah County, including the towns of Blue Mountain, Chalybeate, Dumas, Faulkner, Pine Grove, Ripley and Walnut.

“Our mission is to help our community with whatever they need, from the youngest to the oldest,” founder Heather Lefler said. “We bridge the gap with other local services and get them to the right resources when it’s out of our area of expertise.”

Together for Tippah assists families with emergency needs, helps distribute hygiene bags at local schools, heads up projects to benefit

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Clockwise from top: Together for Tippah keeps a school-supply closet stocked for students in need. Christmas trees set up by the organization are decorated with wish lists for donors to fill. Donations from the community pile up.

local nursing home residents and coordinates an annual Christmas drive for area children.

The organization is volunteer-run and is funded entirely by donations, including money raised at booths that the group sets up during community events to sell T-shirts and food.

In addition to monetary donations, volunteers accept new school supplies, hygiene items and clothing year-round to keep the services available. They begin preparing in October for their holiday drive, which provided 225 area children with Christmas gifts in 2017 alone.

The group’s Random Acts of Kindness Week, which heralded Together for Tippah’s official start in the summer of 2015, was so popular it became a biannual event.

“We actually have a RAK club at our school. [They focus on that week] but also meet

sporadically throughout the year to do things like leave happy notes for the teachers and inspirational quotes for the students during our first week or do things to encourage our athletes when games are coming,” Gates said.

“It’s been a big influence for good here.”

This summer’s RAK Week is planned for July 8-14. Check out Together for Tippah on Facebook for good-deed ideas, to post pictures of your random act of kindness for a chance at a prize and to get “You’ve Been RAK-ed” printouts that encourage RAK recipients to pass on a good deed to another.

To volunteer or make a donation, email tft@dixie-net.com or call 662-993-LOVE. For more information on upcoming events and needs, visit togetherfortippah.com or facebook .com/togetherfortippah.

A PARTNERSHIP WITH TUPELO BLOGGERS

SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHY interviewed by Emily Welly photographed by Ryan Coon

Clockwise from left: Look for an interesting point of view to capture an artistic shot of a familiar tourist location. Bright summer colors are eye-catching and contrast well with neutral beach landscapes. Capture special moments during activities like sporting events. For posed photos, lighting can make all the difference, so try to take important photos during “the golden hour.”

F

rom playing in the backyard sprinkler to vacationing in a beautiful location, summer offers ample opportunities for photography. Tupelo Bloggers photographer Ryan Coon offers these tips for capturing summertime fun with a camera.

Q: What is the best time of day to shoot photos

tees and shorts, while summer dresses always work great for girls. Most importantly, the family should stay true to who they are. I always suggest being yourselves while finding a way to make it fun and timeless too.

Q: What are some tips for getting action shots during summer activities, like sporting events?

brings children more joy than playing in water outside in the yard! In these conditions, however, you don’t want to ruin your camera or gear, so be sure to provide a break, such as a Popsicle snack. An opportunity like this can really get the kids smiling and helps in creating those natural giggles.

during the summer?

A: The professionals call it “the golden hour,” basically one hour after sunrise and then one hour before sunset. During these times, the light is soft enough to make your photos really stand out. However, most people don’t have that kind of time or just want to take fun photos during the day, so I would suggest any time on a cloudy day when the sun is hidden behind clouds, or try to find a nice shady spot.

A: There are plenty of tips that can get way too

Q: I’m vacationing in a beautiful place. How

technical, but for the most part have fun with it!

Make sure to capture the best moments, not just random shots. You want to find those moments where your children are laughing, playing and showing how fun a summer day truly is. Try to fill the whole frame with your subjects without cutting off hands or feet, and just remember to have fun! It’s more about the moment and less about being artsy during these times.

Q: If my family is going to be photographed,

Q: How can I capture candid photos of my

can I photograph my surroundings so they look as lovely in my pictures as in person?

A: This one can be tricky because some places are just too beautiful, and a photo will never do it justice. However, with photo apps on your phone and computers, a lot more is possible these days. After capturing your surroundings, you can upload the photos to your favorite photo app and try to match the colors you see in person. Try brightening the photo or adding some contrast, and just have fun with your edit.

what are the best clothes to wear?

children giggling and smiling naturally?

A: During the summer, I like to use bright

A: Try to provide engaging activities for your

Q: What are some ways to take unique photos

summer colors to really make the photos pop.

You can find a fun balance between dressy and relaxed for young boys with solid-colored

child that make it easier to capture natural smiles and laughs. I would suggest some fun water activities on hot Mississippi days. Nothing

at familiar, touristy sites?

A: This is where you can get really artistic! I would suggest trying to take the “popular”

12 INVITATION | May 2018

Top: Fill the frame with your subject. Bottom: Set up fun activities to capture photos of kids smiling and laughing.

tourist photo from a different angle or perspective by zooming in on specific areas, settings or subjects, bringing out something new that maybe no one has ever seen. I also like to use a technique called “leading lines,” which is basically finding lines in settings that will draw a viewer’s attention to a specific area or person within the photo.

Q: Do you have any tips for how to display or store memorable photos?

A: Storing photos is definitely something everyone should already be doing. I try to back up all my photos (whether from my phone or digital cameras) whenever I get the chance.

With my digital camera, I tend to back up the photos as soon as I am back home and done with a session. After editing I store them in their own personal file. I apply this to everyday random photos from my phone as well. I like to make a file with the specific dates they were taken and then file them under “phone.” That way I know that fun, giggly photo of the kids playing in the water is in the June 2018 folder and can locate it immediately.

May 2018 | INVITATION

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guin waterpark

The Water is Calling These nearby summertime destinations offer sandy beaches, water slides, fishing holes, float trips and more. written by Melanie Crownover

With school ending soon and the weather heating up, vacation time is near. There’s no need to sweat about finding a place to take in the season with friends and family. These four nearby getaways offer entertainment, relaxation and a splash of water to cool you off all summer long.

Slip and slide There are two priorities at Guin Waterpark in Alabama: Keep visitors cool, and make sure they have fun.

This city-maintained leisure site got its start in the 1980s with the installation of an Olympic-size swimming pool. A decade later, it became a summer destination when added features made it a water park. The recently renovated 328-foot-long slide that earned the

14 INVITATION | May 2018

spot its renown now includes a modern splash pad with a rain tree and toddler area.

“We have one of the longest slides in the state of Alabama, plus a whole lot more,” manager Keith Rhudy said. “It’s a really exciting place for an outing, so we see a lot of travelers from north Mississippi come over every summer.”

Many of those families spend the day at the water park and then drive five minutes down the road to the Blue Moon Drive-In Theater for a movie before heading home, according to Rhudy.

Upgrades throughout the years have continued to attract visitors of all ages. A sound system pumps music of varying genres through the park daily to keep the gatherings lively.

Umbrella-covered cabana tables and more

than 100 deck chairs around the pool await crowds each summer, as does the full-service concession stand offering snacks and drinks.

Those who prefer to bring their own food may picnic at tables outside.

Guests are permitted to leave and re-enter the park on the day of their visit. Admission is $8 per person for all-day access; $5 twilight admission allows entry from 3 to 5 p.m.

Night swim sessions are Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. Often the evening is a themed event like Mardi Gras Night, featuring a live band or DJ; sometimes there is a family movie night.

“We try to make sure that we do everything we can to make this a place for families to come and enjoy the summer together,” Rhudy said. “Everything here is geared toward that.”

Unless it’s booked for a gathering or party,

pickwick landing state park

the site is open to the public from May 26 to Aug. 5. Hours are Monday-Friday, noon5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Learn more by calling 205-712-8536 or searching “Guin Waterpark” on Facebook.

wildlife on the water Getting close to nature is the main attraction at Pickwick Landing State Park, which boasts a 43,000-acre body of water and more than 1,400 acres of accompanying land situated between the borders of Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama.

“Pickwick Lake is by far the most diverse lake in the nation as far as ecosystems go,” park manager Mike Dobis said. “There are over 325 species of aquatic life alone. That’s not even taking into account all of the other animals

we have in the woods and air here.”

Pickwick Landing hosts fishing tournaments throughout the year and is known for holding state records for the largemouth and smallmouth bass caught there. The on-site aviary offers visitors chances to encounter owls, vultures, red-tailed hawks and other native birds in an intimate setting.

A stay at the park can be as rugged or pampered as guests prefer. Overnight accommodations range from primitive campsites and rustic cabins to a 119-room premier hotel and new two- and three-bedroom villas.

Activities also appeal to a wide range of tastes. Guests can hit the tees at the 18-hole golf course or rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak for a day on the water. The more daring will be tempted to plunge in off the rope swing

at Great Swing or jump from the 50-foot height of Pickwick Falls.

Another lure to Pickwick Landing is the constantly updated event schedule. There are free pontoon tours of the lake twice a day every weekend after Memorial Day, and rangers lead child-friendly presentations throughout the season. The park’s daylong Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display is one of the largest in the area, bringing in nearly 10,000 visitors annually.

Learn more at tnstateparks.com or at facebook.com/lakepickwick.

calling all beach bums Locals craving a beach getaway without hours of road time or a pricey hotel stay could opt for an excursion to Bay Springs Lake in May 2018 | INVITATION

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bay springs lake

Mississippi. In addition to 6,700 acres of water and 133 miles of shoreline, this site on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway also has two white-sand beaches that draw visitors.

“They’re a unique thing for our area,” park manager Jayson Adams said. “We bring in sand during the off-season to keep it replenished because so many people from all over spend their time there when it warms up. It’s nice to be able to offer everyone the chance to visit a beach right here in north Mississippi.”

Old Bridge Beach, on the southwest side of the lake, is one of the most visited areas because of its easy access from the Natchez Trace and Highway 4. Pressed against Whitten Dam on the southwest side of Bay Springs Lake, this beach is open for day use throughout the summer. Several covered pavilions, grills and picnic areas are available, and buoys mark a designated swim area.

Piney Grove Beach, on the west side of the lake, welcomes day-use visitors and campers at the nearby Piney Grove Campground, an RV- and tent-friendly, 141-site area complete with electricity and water for each camp, two playgrounds and two basketball courts. Also equipped with pavilions, picnic tables, grills and boat ramps, this beach features an island accessible via a cordoned-off swimming area.

The beaches aren’t the only reason to visit, though. The lake is a haven for water sports, including riding water scooters, wakeboarding, water-skiing and tubing. The accompanying

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tishomingo state park

land has amenities for archery and permitted hunting and hiking, as well as a new 18-hole disc golf course that also functions as a nature trail. Several U.S. Army Corps of Engineersmaintained boat ramps and Bay Springs Marina also make the area a magnet for boaters with sailboats, pontoons and kayaks.

“We like to think we have a little bit of everything you could want to do outside here,” Adams said. “You can get out and take advantage of the break, no matter what you like to do best.”

The beaches are open from May 1 to Labor Day. Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. A day pass for beach access is $5 per car, up to eight passengers. Campsites at Piney Grove Campground and nearby Whitten Campground can be reserved at recreation.gov for $22-$24 per day.

Boat-launch fees are $5. Annual passes offer discounts for repeat visitors.

float the day away

Tishomingo State Park has been a popular destination for travelers for hundreds of years.

“It got its name because this was a favorite area of Chief Tishomingo and the Chickasaw tribe when they were traveling from Tupelo to hunt in Alabama,” park manager Terry Harp said. “This park has an extensive history.”

Today, park activities attract thousands of visitors every year to explore that same wilderness in the 1,530-acre park. One of the most popular summer opportunities there is

the Bear Creek Float, where adventurers enjoy a 6.25-mile unguided, leisurely Class 1 ride through lush scenery that ends at the swinging bridge. Groups of up to 32 can tackle the journey together in two-person canoes, usually making their way back in around three hours from the drop-off point upstream. The float trip is offered from April to October.

Also in the park are 13 miles of hiking trails winding through the heavily forested area. The vast canopy makes it a prime location for birdwatching, and photographers regularly break out their lenses for sights like the circa-1939 swinging bridge and the waterfall accessible from Outcroppings Trail. The bridge and lake also offer stargazers unadulterated views of the night sky, even on busy weekends.

Two of the most popular sports in the park are rock-climbing and disc golf, thanks to a large, permitted areas for climbers and three on-site disc golf courses.

Primitive camping is available, and there are also 62 developed campsites with modern amenities as well as six family cabins, some of which were built by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps not long after the park opened in 1936.

“We bill ourselves as Mississippi’s premier nature park now,” Harp said. “If you love the outdoors, this is the place for you.”

For more information, call 662-438-6914 or search “Friends of Tishomingo State Park” on Facebook.

splish splash

Looking for a free way to cool down the kids this summer? Try out a splash pad in a community near you.

FLOORING & INTERIORS

869-3545 2715 Hwy 145 S. Saltillo, MS

Design By Norma Jean Estes Install by MasterTile

tupelo

• Veterans Park • Theron Nichols Park in the Southern Heights neighborhood • City Park in the Joyner neighborhood • Fairpark

booneville

• Booneville City Park next to Kids Town playground

fulton

• Fulton City Park

new albany • Beside the New Albany Park Commission

May 2018 | INVITATION

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18 INVITATION | May 2018

Bringing Healthcare Home Since 1974

Medical Management • Physician Directed Services • Advanced Nursing Care • Pain Control and Symptom Management • Continuous Care • Medical Equipment and Supplies • Short-Term Inpatient Care

Personal Care Assistance • Personal Care through Certified Nurse Aides • Light Housekeeping Services • Incontinence Supplies

Emotional and Spiritual Support • Medical Social Services • Respite Care • Crisis Counseling • Spiritual Counseling • Thirteen Month Bereavement Program • Trained Volunteers

499 Gloster Creek, Suite I-7 Tupelo, Ms 38801 Phone: 662-844-2870 Fax: 662-844-2871

www.camellia.com

A hospice nurse is available 24/7 to promptly respond to the needs of our patients.

Our agency operates in compliance with Title VI under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Federal HIPAA Privacy Practices briefly describes how we may use or disclose protected health information. You may call our office to request a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Licenses: (MS) 089, 091, 129, 131, 189, 190 (LA) 2203781724, 2203781723 (AL) 01-1670, 01-1682, E3507, E4605

May 2018 | INVITATION

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Life’s

WORK

The reigning Miss Amory shares her experience with breast cancer on the pageant stage and beyond. written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem

E

very beauty queen on the pageant circuit has a philanthropy, a platform that she advocates for in competitions and throughout her reign. But not many women vying for a crown have a cause as close to the heart as Miss Amory, Molly May. Born in Amory and raised in Houston, Mississippi, Molly was only 8 years old when her mother, Debra May, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

“Even then, she just wanted to help,” Debra said. “She didn’t know it, but she did just by being there. She gave this scared single mom a reason to fight.”

Molly watched as her mother endured a double mastectomy and aggressive chemotherapy treatments to beat the disease. She’s now a 15-year survivor. Unfortunately, Debra tested positive during treatment for BRCA1 — a gene mutation associated with an increased risk of breast cancer that frequently passes to the next generation.

Knowing that she could carry the gene shadowed Molly through her formative years and led her to take on breast cancer awareness as her cause in her first major competition.

Winning the crown as Miss Mississippi’s Most Outstanding Teen in 2012, Molly moved on to place in the top five finalists and win the talent portion of Miss America’s Most Outstanding, singing “I Am Changing” from “Dreamgirls.”

Following her state reign, she decided to take a year off from the pressures of the pageant circuit to enjoy her first year at Mississippi State University. But the year off didn’t turn out quite as she’d planned.

“They called it stage zero,” she said. “I tested positive for BRCA1, and they found a radial scar [lesion] in my right breast. I think they said six in every 15,000 get that diagnosis.

20 INVITATION | May 2018

They told me at 19 that I would have breast cancer by the time I was 22, so my reaction was immediate. I just said, ‘OK, so when are we doing surgery?’”

When school let out for summer break, Molly became the youngest person in the state to have a double mastectomy. After reconstructive surgery and physical therapy, she became even more dedicated to supporting others facing the disease.

She and Debra began hand-making hats they call “chemo caps” as fast as they could and sending them to medical facilities to comfort and adorn the heads of patients losing their hair from treatment. Soon, outside donations increased their reach. Molly officially turned the venture into a 501(c)(3) organization called Caps that Care in 2018. By the end of June, her home-based organization will have provided 2,000 caps to breast cancer patients all over the United States.

Returning to competition took longer.

Molly didn’t brave the pageant stage again until June 2015, when she was named Miss Belle of the Bayou, qualifying her to compete for the Miss Mississippi title for the first time.

“It was almost a year from my mastectomy, and I was standing on a stage in front of people in 4-inch heels and four pieces of fabric for the swimsuit competition,” she said. “It was one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever done but probably the most empowering.

That’s part of what’s gotten me to the place where I realize that it doesn’t matter what this looks like to anyone else. I saved my own life, and that’s beautiful.”

Molly became Miss Amory in 2016 and then took her second try at Miss Mississippi and was named second runner-up. In 2017, she competed as Miss MSU and placed in the top 10. As Miss Amory, she’ll get her fourth chance at the state title June 23.

Although the opportunity to win a state crown is a rare one, Molly says the experience means more to her than that because it led her to share her own story to help others.

It was only after her post-mastectomy debut that she found the courage to speak to area organizations, clubs and churches about breast cancer awareness and the importance of monthly breast self-exams. Her biography, “My Crowning Achievement: Beating Cancer,”

“i saved my own life, and that's beautiful.” — Molly May

Molly May, pictured opposite, advocates for breast cancer awareness on the pageant stage and through Caps that Care.

Molly founded the nonprofit to distribute hats, pictured above, to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

will debut in June through Dogwood Press.

“I don’t think anyone could be prouder of her than I am,” Debra said. “We talk all the time about how we never thought God could

take something so horrific and use it to save her, and maybe so many more, through what she’s doing now. Even more since her surgery, this has really become her life’s work.”

May 2018 | INVITATION

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22 INVITATION | May 2018

Tupelo’s premier arts festival continues to evolve. written by Melanie Crownover

In May, nearly 20,000 people flock to downtown Tupelo to take part in an event that has become a Mother’s Day weekend tradition for both locals and visitors: the Gumtree Festival, now in its 47th year. The festival’s artists, music, youth activities and food are still the headliners; they’re just getting better.

Up to 100 fine artists from every medium and all around the country are on the bill for Gumtree this year. According to festival coordinator Belle Naugher, this is the best crop of creatives the event has drawn in recent memory.

“The backing for the arts here always brings in a strong set of candidates, but last year we had a number of our artists sell completely out, and word gets around,” she said. “Going through the jury process here is like Christmas morning with all the talented entries. We have so many return alums that people know, plus new artists that bring a whole other perspective to the show.”

Getting children more involved in art is also an emphasis. Naugher, also director of the

Gumtree Museum of Art, schedules three twoweek youth art exhibitions leading up to the festival. And this year, along Youth Art Street on Jefferson, new activities funded by the Tupelo Rotary Club will give budding artists up-close views of creativity at work.

William Heard of Our Artworks will do live painting demonstrations, as will plein air artists from the Mississippi Society of Painters, along with other regional talents. The Junior Art Market hopes to expand in coming years.

“We only had three out there last time since it was our first try with student artists, but everyone was so supportive,” volunteer Anna Garner said. “This is an amazing chance for them to learn how to market themselves as artists and gain confidence in their works while showing the younger kids that art is something you really can keep pursuing. They get that with the adult artists too, but seeing those teenagers out there makes it more real to them.”

Thanks to the rotary club grant, the festival

will also feature a collective art project: a paintby-number mural families can help finish.

A hands-on arts table will offer interactive projects led by three art teachers from the Tupelo Public School District. Additionally, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts can help at the tents to earn badges for volunteering or completing arts and crafts projects.

The music portion of the event is also getting an update, with Michaela Compton leading the Singer-Songwriter Competition.

Also, in addition to the main stage and the youth performance stage, a third stage at the corner of Broadway and Court will offer contest entrants more opportunities to perform.

The festival foods the audience has come to expect will all be back, but even that selection will be bigger. Naugher worked with the growing number of local food-truck vendors to enlist the best for the food court. Hometown favorites will include Big Bad Wolf Truck, Brunch Box and the Popsy cart.

May 2018 | INVITATION

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“We want to showcase the arts we bring together and the beauty of Tupelo to make it a Mother’s Day they won’t forget. It’s one weekend our town is totally dedicated to breaking down the walls and making the arts truly approachable for all.” –BELLE NAUGHER

24 INVITATION | May 2018

For the first time ever, foodies will also get the opportunity to buy from a pop-up farmers market hosted by Native Son Farms.

This resource enables attendees to purchase fresh, local produce during the festival and to learn more about sourcing fruits and vegetables throughout the year from Native Son Farms’ Community Supported Agriculture program.

The Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association will be on hand to pass out city maps, schedules of events coinciding with the festival and coupons from downtown businesses.

“We want to showcase the arts we bring together and the beauty of Tupelo to make it a Mother’s Day they won’t forget,” Naugher said.

“It’s one weekend our town is totally dedicated to breaking down the walls and making the arts truly approachable for all.”

The 2018 Gumtree Festival takes place May 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and May 13, 10 a.m.5 p.m., around the courthouse square. Roads downtown will close May 10 at 8 p.m. Additional parking lots are near the train tracks on Front Street. Entry is free and open to the public. Adult artist awards will be presented Sunday at 10 a.m., and the youth arts and writing awards will be presented after lunch. For this year’s schedule, visit gumtreefestival.com or facebook.com/gumtreefestival.

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May 2018 | INVITATION

25

This Old House A Highland Circle home has been a labor of love for generations of the McGrath family, and now they are preparing to pass it on. written by Melanie Crownover

T

he bones supporting the Tudor-style home at 626 Highland Circle are almost as strong as the bonds formed while Harold and Sharon McGrath were raising their family there.

Their eight grown children — Lynn McGrath, Beth Harrison, Jennifer McGrath, Stephen McGrath, Margaret McGrath, Suzy McGrath, Michael McGrath and Ginger Reason — began to realize just how well built their childhood home was when they started remodeling the house last year to sell.

The group planned to sell the house “as is” after their mother died in 2014, but the tornado that spring helped change their minds.

“We realized while Stephen and his family were staying here after they lost their house just how much attention it needed, so we were surprised when the contractor said it probably took 35 men a year to build because it’s so structurally sound,” Beth said, adding that the home’s

strength became even more evident as the recent remodel began. “They were going through concrete in the ceiling downstairs to put in the new lighting. Even though many of us have old houses we’ve redone, the carpentry work inside these walls was like nothing we’ve seen.”

Built in 1929, the 5,000-square-foot house sits atop a hill in Tupelo’s first planned subdivision. It was one of two model homes that began the neighborhood.

The McGraths moved to Tupelo from Tennessee in 1968 for Harold’s job at DayBrite, a commercial lighting manufacturer. At the time, there were four children. But as the family expanded, so did the house.

“I remember Mom and Dad taking us to other homes around Tupelo to find a bigger space in the ’70s, but they were finally like, ‘We’ve got another whole house upstairs in that attic,’” Beth said. “They hired contractors

photographed by Joe Worthem

to do the technical work. The family worked together to make sure the rest was done.”

The parents added on rooms in the spacious upstairs, adding four dormers to accommodate the transition to a five-bedroom, three-bath space. They also rewired the house and removed the radiators in favor of central heating and cooling. The odd wall angles and storage nooks created by the attic renovation still lend a quirky lightness to the upstairs living space.

The most recent renovation, which started in July 2017, focused on modernizing the home and bringing it to code. Contractors upgraded the wiring, plumbing and air-conditioning unit to align with current standards.

The siblings worked together through text messages and email to keep everyone informed as construction progressed and to confer on the changes to come. With the guidance of contractor Clay Bowen, the help of neighbor

The McGrath family has owned this Highland Circle home since the 1960s. Recently, the eight siblings who grew up there completed a transformative renovation to modernize and make more efficient use of its 5,000 square feet. The home is now ready for a new family to make memories.

26 INVITATION | May 2018

Kelly Holcomb from Staggs Interiors (along with sibling Jennifer, who works at Staggs), and the expertise of two other McGrath siblings who work in real estate, they agreed on a plan that would both appeal to potential buyers and honor the family’s history with the house.

“You don’t see houses built like this anymore, especially ones that are 89 years old that only two families have lived in,” Michael, a Las Vegas real estate agent, said. “When this house was built, it was all functionality, lots of small rooms for people without that emphasis on entertaining. We had to find a way to update that and respect the original flow and character here.”

The group updated the downstairs by turning the den into an ample master bedroom and bath, and the guest room into an accom­ panying walk-in closet and dressing room. A

room that works as either an office or a guest bedroom opens off the new master suite. A wall was removed to transform the kitchen from a galley layout into a more open space and to make way for new cabinets, a farmhouse sink and a 12-foot-long island. They kept the family gathering and entertainment area at the back of the house the same, adding a half bath with a laundry area and an enclosed mudroom as a side entry to the kitchen.

As they revamped their childhood home with recessed lighting and modern fixtures, the McGraths were careful not to lose the parts of the space that defined it. The white pine floors downstairs needed nothing more than a sanding and a coat of polyurethane to bring them back to their prime, and the gum tree trim in the formal areas was in near-perfect condition. Unique touches, such as the built-in arched bookshelf in the living room, the brick

kitchen chimney, the retro built-in hall phone table and the mini hall coat closets, were left intact. Although the upstairs received window upgrades, the original Tudor diamond windows remained on the main floor.

The primary change upstairs was the addition of a landing at the top of the stairs to act as a den for the four-bedroom, three-bath area. The family finished out the space with trim, recessed lighting and carpet throughout, a task their father was unable to complete before he died in 1989.

“We’re just glad we got to pay tribute to our parents by renovating this together before we sold it,” Margaret said. “There’s a lot of great memories in this house, and now another family will get to make new ones here when we’re finished. I think Mom and Dad would have been proud of what the place has become and what it has in store.”

Clockwise from top left: The now-open kitchen was one of the biggest transformations. Seven of the eight McGrath siblings. A walk-in closet with plenty of built-in storage was added to the master bedroom. Dark wood and original Tudor diamond windows maintain the character of the house.

May 2018 | INVITATION

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tupelo

CONNECT CAREER EXPO Connect Career Expo was held April 24 at the Tupelo Furniture Market. Businesses from a variety of sectors provided hiring information to area high school seniors and current students at Itawamba and Northeast Mississippi Community Colleges. photographed by Elizabeth Roberts

Whitney Thompson and Angie Lepping

Tammy Floyd and Mitzi Cosby

Phyllis Stanford and Melinda Nowicki

Lauren Hatton and Mary Lemons

Carla Durham and Allison Montgomery

Emily Edwards, Cole McCallum and Chelsea Lefevre

Cody Bruff and Ashley Wilson

28 INVITATION | May 2018

Laquinta Limbo, Josie Booth and Dee Cook

Melissa Morgan and Azusa Morimoto

Rebecca Brantley and Karen Dubose

Dylan Evans and Renee Creely

Daphne Knox and Mark Jimerson

Treka Vaughn and Anna Hodges

May 2018 | INVITATION

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new albany

TOYOTA MISSISSIPPI PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi Inc. held a reception honoring its new president, Sean Suggs, March 29 at the Union County History and Heritage Museum. photographed by Megan Wolfe

Malcolm Leath and Avery Thorn

Lena Chewe and Beth Luther Waldo

30 INVITATION | May 2018

Joe and Polly Bailey with Betty and Dean Hancock

Frank Kossen with Lynn and Blair Madden

Wesley Wells and Donna Loden

Derrick Morrison, Shane Homan and Mike Clayborne with Sean and Janet Suggs

Zell Long, Susan Sheffield and Renae Bennett

Linda and Jeff Daniel

Kate Farabaugh and Hailey Stewart

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month Rhonda Sage, M.S., CCC-A; Stephenie Warren, M.S., CCC-A; Jennifer Mize, Au.D., CCC-A; Denise Boatner, M.S., CCC-A

Dr. Mont Berry, Dr. Robert Yarber, Dr. Ryan Simmons, Dr. James McAuley, Dr. Matt Stevens

www.entnorthmississippi.com I 877.944.6513

May 2018 | INVITATION

31

DENIM AND DIAMONDS The third annual Denim and Diamonds event was held April 7 at Sheffield Manor. The evening included food, an auction and live music, with proceeds benefiting Itawamba Crossroads Ranch. photographed by Amanda Cody

Mitzie and Eddie Moore

Jodie and Garry Boyd

Beth Martin and Michael Goff

Margaret and Bob Bain

Kathryn and Roger Ragsdale with Madilyn, Scott and Samantha Jenkins

Donna and Matthew Wilson

Emily and Brian Quinn

Larry and Grace Brymer with Donna Jarrell and Johnny Robbins

Baileigh Tanner, Lacey Case and Bethany Pruitt

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32 INVITATION | May 2018

May 2018 | INVITATION

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guntown

GUNTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL COLOR RUN

The Guntown Middle School Parent Teacher Organization hosted a Color Run April 13 at Guntown City Park. Proceeds will benefit a new school multipurpose building. photographed by Amanda Cody

Samantha and Milo Chilton

Reed Bingham and Logan Medlock

Lauren Crain and Claire Beck

Adrieanna Ford and Emilyah Prather

Jim Johnson, Caroline Hamm, Tice Timmons and Sam Baxter

Kaden and Trudy Bates

Emilee Parker and Banna Robinson

Mia Patterson, Grace Padgett, Jade Miller, Karmyn Gibbs and Kennedy Tedford

Jerry Holly and Stephanie Phillips

34 INVITATION | May 2018

May 2018 | INVITATION

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tupelo

NMSO “GREAT GATSBY” FUNDRAISER DINNER

The North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra hosted a “Great Gatsby”-themed fundraiser April 7 at the Tupelo Cotton Mill. The event included dinner, dancing and live music. photographed by Elizabeth Roberts

Alyssia Breck and Lisa Martin

Misti Wilcox and Charlie Williams

36 INVITATION | May 2018

Whitney Miller, Shelby Poteet and Maranda Kennedy

Josh and Haley Gumm

Lisa Nicholes, Tom Booth, Leslie Geoghegan and Nan Lawrence

Doyce Deas and Margaret Anne Murphy

George and Judy Rutledge with Donna and Gerald Wages

Amanda Angle and Bev Crossen

Adam Flaherty and Maddie Ludt

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BRIDAL ISSUE JUNE 2018

To reserve your space in this issue, contact your Invitation marketing consultant or call our office at 662-234-4408.

May 2018 | INVITATION

37

tupelo

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

Fellowship of Christian Athletes held its annual Breakfast of Champions March 30 at The Orchard.

Jonathan Evans, chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys, was the featured speaker. photographed by Alise McCreary

Robert, Brooke and Kinsley Gordon

Peyton Brassfield and Edgar Bedolla

Linda Rice and Melanie Golding

38 INVITATION | May 2018

Mandy and Ella Gaspard

Macy and Marty Walton

Sharone Wright, Quon Brand and Bill Stewart

Foster Yates with Avery and Aubrey Boren Jr.

Aaron Goldman and Anna Trautman

Max Hutchinson and Lauren Harrison

Greg Roy and Lee McAllister

Shelly and Bert Lauderdale

Sterling and Angie Yearber

Brenda Kennedy and Brianna Thompson

May 2018 | INVITATION

39

tupelo

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The annual Special Olympics field games were held at Tupelo High School April 11. More than 500 student-athletes from Alcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tishomingo and Union counties participated in the event. photographed by Amanda Cody

Tim West, Ryan Jernigan and Art Dobbs

Zeta Moore and Hannah Fletcher

40 INVITATION | May 2018

Caitlyn Vuckovich and Clarissa Jackson

Ahkeirra Chewe, Alondra Ramirez and Lauren Trimble

Amy Dawson, Joel Kennedy, Walt Wilkins and Trent Hammond

Austin Johnson, Trey Fager and Pierce Henry

Josh Cook and Ryan Hearn

Kaiyah Ruth, Jaliah Tiggs and Alivia Buchanan

May 2018 | INVITATION

41

tupelo

TUPELO TITANCON

The second annual Tupelo TitanCon was held April 7 at the Summit Center. The event featured comic and pop culture activities with special guests, gaming tournaments and family-friendly cosplay. photographed by Amanda Cody

Andrew and Eli Wise

Simeon Ridgell and Adam Curlyn

Dustin Edmonson with Dereck and Josh Harris

Dakota Nguyen and Leon Green Jr.

Emily and Zach Williams with Chad Sewell

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42 INVITATION | May 2018

Naomi Wise, Kerri Bland, Cheyene Etheridge and Ciara Gooch

Cray Pennison and Abbie Thornton

Rylee Scott and Sebastian Hall

May 2018 | INVITATION

43

tupelo

RED RASBERRY AWARDS DINNER

Regional Rehabilitation Center held its annual Red Rasberry Humanitarian Awards Dinner April 17 at the Summit Center. Rep. Steve Holland was the honoree and featured speaker. photographed by Elizabeth Roberts

Edward and Jean Hill

Dorothy Parker and Rosaland Jackson

Caude and Sara Hartley with Nita Cleveland

Gretchen Roper and Irma Foster

Cathy Todd with Colton and Brandie White

Karl and Sonya Gibbs

Pat and Binky Campeau

Sandra and Dan Ballard with Judy West

Brandy Evans and Hannah Long

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44 INVITATION | May 2018

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May 2018 | INVITATION

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baldwyn

COUNTY LINE MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Baldwyn Historic District held its fourth annual County Line Music Festival April 21. The familyfriendly event included art vendors, live music and a singer/songwriter competition. photographed by Amanda Cody

Gigi Costlaw and Jimmy Karow

Beth Douglas, Kelly Harrison and Amy Rhyne

Ashley and Grace Aaron Cox

Jake and Brian Harrison with Zack, Ellis and Weston Rhyne, Tom Douglas and Luke Harrison

Kaylie Griffin and Lea Grace Eaton

46 INVITATION | May 2018

Ruby Stewart, Gloria Wicks and Lesha Agnew

Alexa Dunahue and Chance Stanley

Sadie and Darbi Burns with Samantha Grisham and Sara Beth and Maggie Maness

Mary Mills Carothers, Lauron Darnell and Charlee Austin

Joe Stagner and Reina McKinney

Caiden Grissom, Haylie Hughley and Stacy Grissom

Jennifer and Lily Harwood

Gracie Gillespie and Marie Alice Hall

May 2018 | INVITATION

47

corinth

SOUTHERN NIGHTS IN SOCO

Southern Nights in SoCo was held April 19 on Wick Street. The family-friendly evening event included shopping, food and live music. photographed by Whitney Worsham

Chelsea Brown and Ashley Hampton

Alyssa and Ryan Smith

Bayleigh Pounders, Ashley Flowers and Paige Whitaker

Martha Albright, Cinnamon Martin and Journey McCalister

48 INVITATION | May 2018

Judy and Randall Wilbanks

Melissa Witt and Ruth Anne Crotts

Brenda Barbour, Lauren Edwards and Trudy Berryman with Amanda and Gina Dorsett

May 2018 | INVITATION

49

View more photos at invitationmag.com.

OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED ON PAGE 52

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Mike and Marsha Tapscott

Thais Lewis with Halie and Krista Cohyers and Denise Lewis

Wilma Jones with Janet and Sean Suggs and Denise Morrison

AUTISM 5K RUN AND AWARENESS WALK

Jessica Williams and Hayes Walker

John Curtis Hightower and Vickie Croker

Natalie Watson, Amber Chism, Dawn Jones, Will Hughey and Barbara Mask

Max and Larry Hill

Colby Cuevas and Kim Vance

Morgan Kent, Samantha Kelly, Brittany Cuevas and Lindsey Davis

CRAWCUTTA SCRAMBLE AND CRAWFISH BOIL

Steve Shelton, Daniel Bunch and Ed Tedford

50 INVITATION | May 2018

Bill Roberts and Jake Logan

Joey Hutcheson with Patrick and Julie Green

Tiffany Hollman and Derrick Gober

NATIONAL CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT

Ted Wiley and James Washington Jr.

INDIANS GOT TALENT FINALE

Russ Estes, Gavin Webb, Jay Tomes and Victoria Fuqua

Carmen and Isaiah Perkins

Chris, Jesse, Riley and Rourke Stevenson

May 2018 | INVITATION

51

View more photos at invitationmag.com.

OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50

MUSIC AND MIRACLES

Dennis Otono and Donna Maniece

Hogan Harrington, Lilla Reed, Dakin Redd and Koji Dijkwel

Carla and Rick Hill

BLUE TIE AFFAIR

Brandy Carr, Jaren Earnest, Sydney Maka, Selina Crayton, Stacia Hood and Allison Richardson

Newt and Lauren Harrison

Ken Dale and Jennifer Koon

Mary and Joe Huckaby

Ace and Diezel Ellis

ROBINSON RESOURCE CENTER OPEN HOUSE

Kenzo Assalam and J.R. Johnson

52 INVITATION | May 2018

Rod Robison and Steve Holland

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May 2018 | INVITATION

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54 INVITATION | May 2018

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recipe

TOMATO JAM written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem

M

ore local food trucks than ever before will be serving up seasonal fare during this year’s Gumtree Festival. To get your taste buds ready for the day, pick up some fresh tomatoes and try your hand at this tomato jam recipe — it’s the secret ingredient in the pork belly melt sandwich sold

by Brunch Box food truck.

“We’re thinking about bottling it someday because we sell it alone off the truck in coffee cups to a lot of customers,” owner J.D. Dill said. “This recipe is wide open [to interpretation] because tomatoes are such a blank canvas that take on tastes of what you add. The brightness of the peppers and lemon juice in this help cool you down in the summer, and we switch to a cinnamon-nutmeg mixture to give it a warm flavor in winter.”

Dill suggests pairing the sweet and tangy jam with a salty meat dish or smoky bacon to make it even more savory, or try adding more garlic and some cream to create a pasta sauce.

Brunch Box Tomato Jam 2½ pounds ripe tomatoes, diced 1 cup sugar 3 serrano peppers, minced Juice and zest of 1 lemon ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 2 teaspoons salt 3 garlic cloves, minced Toss tomatoes and sugar together in a nonreactive pot (such as stainless steel), and let sit for 10 minutes. Add all other ingredients, and bring to a boil. Lower heat, and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Recipe makes about 1 pint of jam. Store in refrigerator.

56 INVITATION | May 2018

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