Invitation Tupelo - November 2016

NOVEMBER 2016

NOVEMBER 2016

42 ON THE COVER This month’s cover features tractors from Harry Collins’ collection of vintage farm equipment (read more on page 38). photographed by Joe Worthem

IN EVERY ISSUE

16

Pigskins in the Park

Tasks like practical preparation and pretty plantings keep gardeners busy in the winter.

18

Tupelo Chili Fest

20

Oktoberfest

38 History of the Harvest

22

ICC vs. East Mississippi

A collection of antique farm equipment recalls harvests of the past.

24

Golf & Tennis Fall Classic

26

NEMS Board of Realtors Fair

28

Celebration Village

30

Tallahatchie Riverfest

54

BNI Charity Golf Tournament

56

Home and Garden Expo

50 Made for Walking

58

Race for the Cure

Woodworker Billy Rodgers of Pontotoc crafts walking sticks that feature intricate, personalized designs.

60

When Pigs Fly Festival

62

Chris Stapleton Concert

64

Career Expo

66

Tupelo Ale Trail

68

Art for Animals

42 Home Town Pride

8 What’s Happening

Ole Miss graduates bring national attention to the state with their efforts to revitalize their Laurel neighborhood through an HGTV show, an online store and more.

12 In Season: Gingerbread Cookies 70 Out and About 72 Tupelo Spirit: Asia Rainey

INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

EVENTS

33 Cold Weather Gardening

6 Letter From the Publisher 10 Community Corner: Toy Run

4

FEATURES

12 50

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November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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H

oliday traditions run deep at our house, certainly those centered around sweets and candy. As a child, I used to bake with my grandmother. Since baking and candymaking require just the right weather, I would wait patiently for a cold, bright, sunny day because I knew that would be the day we would make divinity. We’d often choose a darker, gray day to make peanut brittle. My grandmother is no longer living, but my mother and daughter began their own tradition last year when Mary Katherine decided she wanted to make a gingerbread house of her own. I think they’ll both be excited to read the recipe and tips for gingerbread cookies on page 12.

It’s times like these that make the holiday season fun and memorable. But I’ve learned that if I’m not careful during this time of the year, I can get both overwhelmed and exhausted. Once those two things happen, I can honestly tell you the joy of the holidays disappears and I’m transformed into a tightly wound person I’d rather not be. So I’ve learned to set limits and to keep others in the forefront of my mind during this time of the year.

In this month’s Community Corner column, we feature the Tupelo Toy Run, which takes place Dec. 10. The charitable motorcycle ride brings holiday joy to area children and to the people who participate in the event. Read more on page 10.

This year, whether you’re discovering something new with your family or celebrating with established traditions, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

THE PUBLISHER

publishers

Phil and Rachel West

editorial

EDITOR IN CHIEF Emily Welly CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Lena Anderson EVENTS EDITOR Mary Moreton STAFF WRITER Melanie Crownover EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Katherine Henson COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson

advertising

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

art

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hallie Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Lisa Roberts Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Michaela Cooper Whitney Worsham

production

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Emily Suber

office

BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard COMPTROLLER Julie Clark DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney Brian Hilliard MAIN OFFICE (662) 234-4008 ADVERTISING INFORMATION ads@invitationtupelo.com

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

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

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

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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NOV. 15 - DEC. 15

11/17

Taste of Tupelo The Community Development Foundation’s networking event features more than 100 local businesses. 5-8 p.m. BancorpSouth Arena

11/18

Tune Into Tupelo A celebration of art, music, dance and film at the Lyric Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $10-$25.

Cash bar. 662-844-1935, tct.ms

11/19

Corinth Red Green Market The eighth annual season of Corinth’s monthly farmers market wraps up with a Christmasthemed event. Open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the historic Corinth Depot. corinthgreenmarket.net

12/2 Christmas Parade The 68th annual Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade is led by grand marshal Debbie Brangenberg, director of the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association. 7 p.m. tupelomainstreet.com

11/20

12/3

12/8-10

Willie Nelson & Family perform at BancorpSouth Arena. Tickets, $46.50-$86.50. 7 p.m. bcsarena.com

Tupelo Ballet presents its 34th annual pro­ duction of The Nutcracker, accompanied by the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. Tickets $30 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tupelo High School’s Performing Arts Center. tupeloballet.com

Tupelo Community Theatre presents The Gift of the Magi, a play based on O. Henry’s short story about a couple’s first Christmas together.

In a strange twist of fate, they find the perfect gifts for one another but at an unexpected cost.

Tickets $18 adults, $6 students. 7:30 p.m.

Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday. Lyric Theatre. tct.ms

Willie Nelson Concert

11/20

Caron Gallery Christmas Open House Stop in for holiday cheer and to visit with featured artists. Noon-4 p.m. thecarongallery.com

12/1

Christmas Lighting The annual lighting of Ballard Park and Oren Dunn Museum includes local school choirs, an open house at Tupelo’s Department of Parks and Recreation, train rides and a toy exhibit at Oren Dunn, and a meet-and-greet and photos with the Grinch. 6 p.m. Ballard Park.

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The Nutcracker

12/6

First Tuesdays at Lee County Library The final installment of the free speaker series features Dr. James Giesen on Boll Weevil Blues: Cotton and Myth in Mississippi and special guest, singer/songwriter Tom Kimmel. The monthly event is put on in partnership with the Mississippi Humanities Council. 6 p.m.

Lee County Library

The Gift of the Magi

12/8-11

Disney on Ice Tinker Bell and many more Disney friends visit BancorpSouth Arena for the Disney on Ice production Dream Big. Tickets $18-$53.

7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. bcsarena.com

12/10

Paul Thorn Benefit Concert Regional Rehab Center presents An Evening with Paul Thorn: Too Blessed to be Stressed.

Proceeds from the annual fundraiser event and concert benefit the center, which provides rehabilitation services to north Mississippians living with disabilities. Tickets ($100) include the concert, two drinks and hors d’oeuvres. 6:30 p.m. social hour; 7 p.m. concert. Paul Thorn Auditorium at Sadie J. Farm, 3118 Highway 6, Plantersville.

For tickets, call 662-842-1891.

12/10

Tupelo Toy Run Mingo Mid South Riders Association sponsors its 27th annual holiday motorcycle parade.

Participants and spectators are encouraged to bring gift cards; financial donations; or new, unwrapped toys or games to benefit children at Harden House, Faith Haven and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Riders should assemble at 10 a.m. at Ballard Park; parade starts at 11 a.m. toyrun.8k.com November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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TUPELO TOY RUN written by Melanie Crownover

Making sure the holidays are magical for area children is an annual tradition for the Mingo Mid-South Rider Association.

Since 1990, the chapter’s 200 members have gathered the second Saturday of December for a morning ride to deliver Christmas cheer. They call it the Tupelo Toy Run. “We ride from Ballard Park to Grace Memorial Baptist Church near Skyline with the Santa and elf hats flying,” 26-year participant Charles Palmer said. “The motorcycles are decked out in garland and Christmas tree decorations. It’s something to see.”

The event delivers an estimated 25,000 gifts each year to benefit Harden House, Faith Haven and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.

The group also donates stuffed animals to local police departments to help comfort children they encounter on calls.

The Mingos accept monetary donations; gift cards; and new, unwrapped toys the morning of the event. One donation also serves as the registration fee for a rider to participate.

Riders and groups come from all over Tennessee, Arkansas and Alabama for the toy run each year. Even Santa gives up his traditional sleigh for the event, opting instead for a motorcycle-drawn model.

“Lots of kids from the local homes meet us at the church for us to hand out the gifts, and you should see their faces when they see him ride in on that sleigh,” Palmer said. “Those smiling faces are why we do this.”

This year’s toy run takes place Dec. 10. To find out more, email palm8956@bellsouth.net or go to toyrun.8k.com.

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

GINGERBREAD COOKIES written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem

V

isitors to Endville Bakery and Catering in Tupelo smell the fragrant blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and molasses as soon as they enter. It’s the holiday season, and that means gingerbread cookies are in the oven.

“If I made them all year, I would be eating them constantly because they’re one of my favorites,” owner Elizabeth Gable said. “My grandmother [Gwen Hildreth] always kept those Little Debbie gingerbread men around, and I think that’s where my love for them came from.”

Now she shares that love by throwing a gingerbread party for her children and their friends every December. They have marshmallow snowball fights, make reindeer food and bake cookies.

While Gable uses her grandmother’s recipes at the shop for other popular goods like chocolate pie and German chocolate cake, the gingerbread recipe is her own creation.

Royal Icing 1 pound (4½ cups) powdered sugar 2 Tablespoons meringue powder 6 Tablespoons water Food coloring (optional) Using a handheld electric mixer at low speed, beat ingredients until combined. Increase speed to high; beat, scraping down sides of bowl often, until very stiff, shiny and thick enough to pipe, about 3-5 minutes. (Icing can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container with a moist paper towel pressed directly on the icing surface.)

To pipe line decorations, use a pastry bag fitted with a small writing tip about 1/8 inch wide. If necessary, thin icing with a little warm water. Always practice first on a sheet of wax paper or aluminum foil to check the flow and consistency of the icing. If desired, set aside portions of icing, and stir in drops of food coloring until desired color is reached.

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Gingerbread Cookies 3 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¾ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground allspice ½ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature ¼ cup vegetable shortening, at room temperature ½ cup packed light brown sugar 2/3 cup unsulfured molasses 1 large egg Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of oven; heat oven to 350°F. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, salt and pepper through a wire sieve into a medium bowl. Set aside.

In a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer at high speed, beat butter and shortening until well combined, about 1 minute.

Add brown sugar; beat until mixture is light in texture and color, about 2 minutes. Beat in molasses and egg. Using a wooden spoon, gradually mix in flour mixture to make a stiff dough. Divide dough into 2 thick disks; wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours.

To roll out cookies, work with 1 disk at a time, keeping the other refrigerated. Remove dough from refrigerator; let stand at room temperature about 10 minutes. Place dough on a lightly floured surface; sprinkle top with flour.

Roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness, being careful not to let it stick to the work surface.

Using cookie cutters, cut out cookies; place on nonstick cookie sheets, 1 inch apart.

Bake, rotating cookie sheets from top to bottom and back to front halfway through baking, until edges of cookies are set and crisp, 10-12 minutes. Cool on cookie sheets for 2 minutes, and then transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate with Royal Icing (see recipe at left).

November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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Gingerbread Cookie Baking Tips Baking a perfect batch of gingerbread cookies isn’t easy, but Gable offers these tricks to help.

1

Preheat the oven, and chill the dough for 2 hours in the refrigerator or half an hour in the freezer.

2

Line the cookie sheets with parchment paper to keep the backs of the cookies from crumbling when removing them from the pan.

3

Flour the work surface before rolling out the dough, and reroll dough as little as possible. If the dough is overworked, the cookies will crack and look layered.

4

Cut as many cookies out of the rolled dough as possible, rather than just using the cookie cutter in a straight line to make side-by-side figures.

5

Don’t overbake. Most gingerbread needs 10-12 minutes in the oven. Err on the side of underbaking if they look soft; they will continue cooking on the hot pan as they cool.

6

For soft icing, store-bought cans work; mix in powdered sugar 2 Tablespoons at a time until it’s consistent enough to hold its shape. Gable prefers her homemade Royal Icing (see recipe on page 12) because it’s hard enough to allow for stacking the finished cookies, which makes sharing them easier.

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Decorating is a matter of taste. In addition to icing, you can use candies, sprinkles, decorative sugars or baking chips. Hard candies like M&M’s and Red Hots can be pressed into the dough and baked without melting; a dot of icing glues the rest. To add chocolate chips, stick the flat side onto hot cookies.

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Icing can be spread with a knife or applied with a pastry bag. No pastry bag? Use a ziplock bag with a corner cut off.

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To avoid decorating at all, use a crinkle recipe that calls for powdered sugar to dust the cookie’s surface.

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November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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PIGSKINS IN THE PARK C Spire hosted a college football tailgate and watch party Oct. 22 at Fairpark. The Ole Miss and Mississippi State games were broadcast live on a Jumbotron in front of Tupelo City Hall. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Tawanda Johnson and Jimmy Adkins II

Anita and Brad Clounch

Courtney and Mackenzie Holcomb

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Bryan Vail with Stephanie and Bryan Hunt

Debra Sahin and Eve McCormick with Harold and Barbara Neuert

Kaylin Costello, Tim Overton and Emilie Chandler

Kim and Richard Caron

Roberts and Chelsea Marzoni with Bummer

November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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TUPELO CHILI FEST Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association hosted the 17th annual Tupelo Chili Fest Oct. 7. The festival included lunch, dinner, live music and, of course, a chili cook-off. Community Bank won the “Make Ya Wanna Slap Your Mama Good” grand prize. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Will Crockett and Catherine Hughes

Holly and Dan Goodwin with Ian, Harper, John and Katie McCustion

Alex Farned, Leigh Mattox, Laura Kramer, Sheila Young, Alex Wilcox and Jerry Duckett

Lara Lowrance and Adam Simmons

Monica Lindsey and Alix Gunner

Tricia Arnold, Anna Grace Ward, Kathy Grantham-Pitts and Donna Stevens

Tawana Cooper, Charlotte Crump, Dianna Carr and Tiffany Kozlowski

Kelly Clark, Michelle Johnson, Fred Cook, Andi White, Paris Roth and Louis Marascalco

J.P. Rhea, Lacy Bennett, Lisa Bost, Donnie Kisner, Mark Hinton and Ashley Lindley

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Amanda Robinson, Christy Stewart, Austin Runnels, Sherri McClain and Patrice Gamblin

Corey Littrell and Glenda Witherspoon

Savannah Clark, Camille Campbell, Sarah Taylor and Retta Maxwell

Kortney Roe and Shelbie Jamison

Karen Dickey, Holley Meriweather, Mason Lee and Zelda Dexter

November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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TUPELO OKTOBERFEST The third annual Tupelo Oktoberfest was held Oct. 20 at the Farmers Depot. The Germaninspired event was sponsored by Better Brands and included craft beer, food, games and live music. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Jessica and Casey Hardy

Cynthia Cockridge and Justin Hughes

Vickie and Jamie Griffin

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Amy and Tim Williams

Jim, Jamie and Tracy Lewis

Tyrone and Chanita Dixon

Karl Utsurogi and Rita Banuelos with Zella and Chuck Stambaugh

Tony Banuelos and Carol Fields

John Goodwin and Tom Booth

Cozy up with Pro p erly Tied!

Historic Downtown Tupelo 662.842.6453 • Mall at Barnes Crossing 662.842.5287 • reedsms.com November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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ICC VS. EAST MISSISSIPPI Itawamba Community College hosted a military appreciation night during the Sept. 22 football game against East Mississippi Community College.

A NMMC helicopter landed on the field and presented the game ball to Col. Smitty Harris. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Britney Whitley, Tonya Davis, Kristi Dempsey, Tammy Jones and Kevin Russell

Alexis Harris, Hannah Grace Garrison, Madison Colley and Haley Gray

Gracie Atwood, Maggie Caldwell, Braeden Cooly and Shelby Hughes

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Dayon Moore, Irijah Kinard and Ryan Williams

Hunter Holley, Taylor Kelley and Sarah Radcliff

Shauna Langford, Lisa McNeese, Lori Little and Angie Morris

Brianna Collier, Shay Alvarez and Carol Beth Bray

Mike Eaton, Leneisha Houston and Leslie Potts

Alyssa Tutor and Caitlyn Dora

Smitty and Louise Harris

November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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GOLF & TENNIS FALL CLASSIC The Tupelo Community Development Foundation hosted its Golf & Tennis Fall Classic tournament Oct. 13 at Tupelo Country Club. The event included lunch from Mugshots and an awards ceremony. photographed by Lisa Roberts

J.C. Kendrick and Luke McAlpin

Jay Bryan, Sarah Hopper, Ian Banner and Kurt Shettles

Tanner White and Tommy Taylor

Scott Cochran and Chris Rogers

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Arnaldo, Omar and Leonel Alcaino

Marty Rowe, Mark Stevens, Mike Joe Jackson and Wally Davis

David Rumbarger and Hunter Aycock

Randy Harris and John Oxford

Terry Fuell, Larry Blythe, Maury Giachelli and Tommy Collins

Mallory Moreland and Amanda Caldwell

namesTabitha names names Pitts and names Candace names Browning names names

Gay Ramsey, Mindy Austin, Tia Goodwin and Ashley McLellan

Maribeth Holliman, Brenda Ostrander and Allie West

Barry Replogle, Justin Brantley and Todd Bates

David Copenhagen and Chauncey Codwin

November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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NE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF REALTORS FAIR The first Northeast Mississippi Board of Realtors Affiliate Fair and Festival was held Oct. 13 at Elvis Presley Birthplace. The networking event included food, fun, fellowship and prizes for attendees. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Leah Sheffield, Karen Jenkins and Leslie Pettey

Bryan Miller, Andi White, Margaret Peel and Brenda Pearce

Kenneth McNeal and Eric Cole

Helen Pitts, Jennifer Summers and Leigh Anne Pitts

Chesley Ruff and Tina Wood

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Amanda Angle and Mendy Ramey

Bronson Tabler, Nancy Young and Danielle Walker

Laura Norman, Anya Feathers, Brandy Schulz and Carolyne Ott

Britni Rutherford, Connie Rieves and Jack Nunley

Anne Mauney and Tonya Hensley

Kim Harbin and Rhonda Rodgers

Keith Henley and Jack Curtis

November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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SANCTUARY HOUSE CELEBRATION VILLAGE The 15th annual Celebration Village was held Oct. 19-22 at Tupelo Furniture Market. Proceeds from the holiday shopping event benefited Sanctuary Hospice House. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Lexye Divita, Daisy Aycock and Sheryl Blackburn

Stephanie Sonwineski with Gracie and Caroline Killough and Angeles Lopez

Shelby Pulliam and Hope Reed

Zoee Rakestraw, Christy Weston and Kourtney Davis

Leeann and Jesse Leslie

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Hayley Gholston and Katlyn Chism

Johnnie Creely, Judy Jones, Emily Gray and Cherie Harris

Glenda Kelly, Bettye Sheffield, June Leonard, Gabrielle Cooper and Sherry McKenzie

Dana Robinson, Ella Rose and Hailee Spradling

Kristin Kent and Allie Newby

Heather Herron, Michael Gibson and Tracey Durham

Erica Holloway and Jenene Sullivan

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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.

TALLAHATCHIE RIVERFEST Tallahatchie Riverfest took place Oct. 7-8 in the Park Along the River in New Albany. The annual festival features live music, art vendors, children’s activities and more. photographed by Michaela Cooper

D’Andrea Theodore and Kelsey Amos

Elly and Michelle Strockbine with Amariz Tellez

Shanna Campbell with Ginger, Mackenzie, Madeline, Payton and Kurt Young

Katherine and Maria Saldana

Macy Kirk and Cole Means

Molli and Don Robinson

Leah Robbins, names names Marynames Shaw, names Ellie Myers names and names Lauren names Whiteside

Mckenzie Parker, Chloe Amos and Molly Keener

names names Gabriella namesand names Kimberly namesGray names names

Liam Neely, Lewis Creekmore, Adam Conlee and Maggie Jo Everett

Tiffany High, Larry Cathey and Elijah Jones

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Madison Taylor, Anna Grace Daines, Drew Langford and Amanda Keierleber

INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

names Jananames Bond,names Priscilla names Talleynames and Angie namesBond names

Jesus, Eiza and Martina Villegas

Patricia Cook, Amber Joyner and Kailey White

B.J. and Abigail Armstrong

Josh Woods, Keona McWilliams and Patrick Moore

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

There’s plenty to keep gardeners busy in the winter, from practical preparation to pretty plantings. written by Melanie Crownover

Fading flowers and falling leaves don’t necessarily mean the yard and garden have to take a long winter’s nap. Gardening experts from Mississippi State University’s North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona know how to make a property functional and look good, even in the colder months.

“Winter is a season where a lot of people take time off from their garden, but there’s so much you can do out there to keep it going and get ready for the next season,” regional horticulture specialist Dr. Jeff Wilson said.

The first step to winterizing, he said, is decluttering the property. Whether tending to a vegetable garden, flower beds or just the lawn and shrubs, ridding the site of weeds, dead

leaves and fallen limbs or produce will benefit future plantings.

In general, these types of debris can perpetuate disease in soil as they decompose.

Gardeners accustomed to recycling raked leaves and grass as ground cover to be tilled into the land later should watch for signs of turf or tree problems before doing so.

Vegetable gardeners should consider planting some type of cover crop in late fall or early winter to let grow until the ground warms up in the spring. Ryegrass, vetch and cowpea are some of the most popular. Their growth and addition to the soil as tilled-in matter before warm weather planting add nitrogen and organic matter to the dirt, improving soil

structure and helping with drainage.

Other tasks that can benefit future shrubbery or flowers before the thermometer drops include amending the soil and mulching.

Knowing the type of soil you have is essential to getting both right.

Digging up and flipping the dirt or grabbing a handful in the desired plot is revealing.

Clay-based soil sticks together if squeezed or packed, while sandy soil falls apart. The type of ground a gardener faces factors into whether amending means adding materials to help clump soil or separate it for better drainage.

Further soil testing, available at the extension service, can provide more details, such as pH balance and what nutrients are present.

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“That’s a lot of help when you’re picking plants to put in the ground anywhere,” Wilson said. “We tell people all the time here that it’s much easier to fit the plant to your soil than to try to change the soil to match the plants.”

Mulching provides the same benefits as any other time of year: keeping out weeds while holding in moisture and warmth. Finding the correct mulch is mostly a matter of personal preference, unless a drainage issue caused by soil type dictates the choice between wood chips, pine straw or gravel.

But winter gardening doesn’t have to just be about preparing the soil, according to Wilson’s co-worker, ornamental-horticulture researcher Susan Worthey. It can also provide a more lush landscape until the flowers start blooming again.

“Nothing will bloom after it freezes because the plants are dormant, but sometimes you get surprises because our day temperatures

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

stay in the 40s and 50s a lot,” she said. “Your best bet is to focus on foliage to give you color in the winter while everything else sleeps.”

Sometimes plants from previous seasons help. Fall flowers such as dianthus, snapdragons, pansies and violas lose blooms as it gets cooler, but their stems and leaves survive. Fountain grass, which is a popular summer container plant, adds height and color to the ground with brownish-purple spikes when it freezes.

Adding edible crops into the mix can bring further interest.

“I do some mustards, cabbages and kales in with my fall flowering plants,” Worthey said.

“Those red, purple, yellow and green leaves give you some color and last until winter is over. If you plant enough, you can snag some leaves off for meals that are tasty and good for you.”

Vibrant ‘Bull’s Blood’ beets and rainbowtinted stems of Swiss chard also make vivid additions to any plot, although they don’t last

as long as the greens.

Planting bulbs like daffodils, tulips, crocus and hyacinths for spring is still permissible in late November and early December, as long as the ground is still warm. It’s also a good time to make sure those bulbs and the fall flowering plants that rebloom with warmth get nutrition throughout the cold season. A slow-release fertilizer placed in the hole before planting or on the ground surrounding the plant afterward provides food for winter’s duration. Watering this time of year is discouraged to keep plants from developing moisture-related diseases.

Winter gardening requires a little work, but the results can be worth the effort.

“Those flowers will start coming out again to make you smile as soon as you get a warm spell,” Worthey said. “You see them out there shivering, but that pop of color lets you know on those cold, blustery days of February that spring is almost here.”

“Your best bet is to focus on foliage to give you color in the winter while everything else sleeps.”

-Susan worthey

Cold weather gardening tasks include ridding yards of leaves and testing soil, but it’s also a great time to plant colorful ornamentals such as Swiss chard and fountain grass, both pictured, which add interest to gardens even in the winter months.

November 2016 | INVITATION TUPELO

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A collection of antique farm equipment recalls harvests of the past. photographed by Joe Worthem

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Harry Collins has been collecting vintage tractors and farm equipment since the 1970s. His collection includes 15 tractors, along with plows, a combine, a corn picker and smaller farming tools. Collins, an auctioneer, acquired many of them at auctions, but some have more personal ties. “I like to buy a tractor that’s got some history to it,” he said, recalling the time he drove one of his tractors in its original owners’ funeral procession at the request of the man’s family. He has also driven his tractors in local parades, at school functions and in family weddings.

“I LIKE TO BUY A TRACTOR THAT’S GOT SOME HISTORY TO IT.” -Harry Collins

In addition to the large machinery and tools, Collins has related farming memorabilia, which he said is also popular among collectors. Old promotional signs that once hung in tractor dealerships are displayed in his barn. He also has more than 350 intricately detailed toy tractors and trucks, and an assortment of buttons from the many tractor shows he’s attended, including the annual event in Houston, Mississippi, where he announces the tractor pull. He’s traveled as far as Minnesota to share his love for antique farm equipment. “That’s my vacation – going to tractor shows,” he said, laughing.

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BETHANY BYRD

University of Mississippi graduates are bringing national attention to the state with their efforts to revitalize their Laurel neighborhood through an HGTV show, an online store and more.

written by Melanie Crownover

W

hen Erin and Ben Napier open their store Laurel Mercantile just before Christmas, it will bookend a wildly successful year for the University of Mississippi graduates.

In January 2016, the pilot for the couple’s renovation show, Home Town, premiered on HGTV to an audience of 2.2 million viewers.

There was so much support for the television project that the server for Erin’s blog temporarily crashed the day they announced network approval for the series. The first season of the show will feature the couple renovating various houses in their neighborhood. Filming just wrapped up, and the show will air in 2017.

The Napiers have the same goals for the show and the store, which will be the brickand-mortar version of their successful online shop at erinandben.co: to showcase and fortify the town they love. It’s a mission they’ve attached to almost every personal and business venture they’ve undertaken since they married and moved back to Erin’s hometown of Laurel in 2008.

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY ERIN NAPIER

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Going Home “This is a lumber town that almost died in the 1990s,” Ben said. “When we moved here, the Main Street Association had just started, and there were hardly any people living downtown. That was our neighborhood then, and we just wanted people to see what we saw.

We kind of became the unofficial ambassadors after that.”

He became president of the association; she was the pro bono designer for neighborhood projects.

Meanwhile, Erin’s event and wedding stationery business, Lucky Luxe, took off, and Ben, who was working as a student minister, started making furniture. In 2008, they took on the renovation of their 1910 downtown loft.

The website Apartment Therapy featured the renovations, and Erin continued to tell their story through social media when they moved into another downtown home in 2011 that was structurally rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina.

Instagram pictures of the cosmetic renovations to their home, along with shots of Ben’s furniture and Erin’s graphic designs, drew an HGTV exec to their story. By the time they shot the pilot, their own home renovation was finished and Ben had been a full-time woodworker with his own business, Scotsman Co., for about a year.

The Napiers renovated their own home while also focusing on Erin’s stationery business and Ben’s furniture business. His kitchen cart is pictured here. Erin is on hiatus from Lucky Luxe to focus on Home Town and Laurel Mercantile.

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY ERIN NAPIER

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mississippi made Keeping their products local was a point of pride from the beginning for the entrepreneurs.

Ben still uses reclaimed Mississippi pine and oak in most of his handmade furniture, including his trendsetting elder’s bench and mobile kitchen cart. Even his outdoor pieces, which need more durability to face the elements, are made from Delta cypress.

Despite the national production, the show is still a very local product. All of the houses they redo, three at a time in an eight-week span, are in Laurel. The construction crew hails from there or Hattiesburg. And when a complex problem or needed supply takes them out of their zip code, they keep the outsourced work as close to home as possible.

“We’ll head to Tupelo and Jackson when the story line leads us there for a particular product, but we try not to go out of state,” Erin said. “Our production company and the network are as invested as we are in showcasing what’s here and changing the narrative about our state. It’s 100 percent positive and 100 percent Mississippi.”

new venture, same love Resuscitating the Laurel Mercantile, one of the town’s classic businesses, fits right into Erin and Ben’s ongoing efforts to revive Laurel.

The sizable department store had been a downtown hallmark offering home goods of all types from 1901 until it closed in the 1930s.

The pair partnered with their next-door neighbors and best friends – Ben’s college roommate, Josh Nowell, and his wife, Emily, and Erin’s college roommate, Mallorie Rasberry, and her husband, Jim – to make the revival happen. The couples are regulars on Home Town, and now they will help manage the mercantile, too.

“Erin and Ben already had a great online store, but since most of us are from here, we have that same passion for making Laurel what we’ve always known it can be,” Josh, the

A skillet breads towel, cutting board, Laurel candle, Scotsman Co. cap, soup and cereal mug, Scotsman Co. sweatshirt and rolling pin are just a few of the Laurel Mercantile products available at erinandben.co.

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY LINDSAY MILLER

mercantile’s chief operating officer, said. “We wanted to give people a reason to come here and see how charming it is in person.”

The mercantile will be housed in the 6,000-square-foot former Smith Furniture building, which had stood abandoned for dec­ ades. The partners closed on the site in August and began construction the following month.

The open-floor-plan structure was in good condition, requiring just functional repairs, including a new roof, minor masonry, salvage of the back freight elevator and reconstruction of the front facade to resemble a plate-glass storefront from yesteryear. Josh expects to finish in time for a holiday grand opening.

The online Laurel Mercantile store featuring Ben’s and Erin’s products launched in November 2015. The website (currently erinandben.co, which will change to laurelmercantile.com after the physical store opens) offers just a preview of the goods to come. It’s now the only place to buy Scotsman Co.’s line of furniture, men’s bags, flannel shirts and sweatshirts.

Other vintage and signature items available through the mercantile range from kitchenware and decor to hand towels, quilts and candles. Most of the products are made in the state, around the South or by a dedicated craftsman elsewhere in the United States.

The variety of merchandise should grow after the Laurel storefront opens. The Napiers and their partners plan to expand the mercantile over the next five years to rival its past glory, selling what Erin calls “well-made Americana meant to be loved and used until it’s worn out or passed down.”

“We know all [television] shows end eventually, but we want our brand to last because what you get with us is something you can depend on,” she said. “We want Laurel Mercantile to be a community place that inspires people to visit our local stores and other towns to see what’s there. If someone comes here because of Home Town, we want it to touch all of Laurel and this state in a positive way. ”

The Nowells (left), Napiers (center) and Rasberrys, best friends and co-owners of the Laurel Mercantile, are pictured in front of the historic building that will soon house the store.

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Made for Walking Woodworker Billy Rodgers of Pontotoc crafts walking sticks that feature intricate, personalized designs. written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem

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Sometimes Rhonda Rodgers has to remind her husband, Billy, to sell his handmade canes.

If not, they may take over the house.

At first, his canes were contained in a backyard shop. Then they were moved to the garage so he could work on them during winter. Now the most precious are lined up along an entry wall into the family room while some threaten to escape an overstuffed display in a converted glass-front gun case with knobs held tight by an Ole Miss sign.

“They try to slip into other parts of the house when I’m not looking,” she said, laughing. “Every once in a while, I have to tell him, ‘You know you can’t keep them all, right?’ ” The cane-making hobby began in 2007 when an aging uncle moved to Pontotoc to be closer to family, and Billy decided to make a cane out of a stick his elder picked up to help him get through the woods on a hunting trip.

Two years later, he began selling his “BC Sticks” at festivals and craft shows. Now he gets all his business by word of mouth.

“I guess I’ve become my own advertisement now that I need a cane to go out walking,” the 69-year-old retiree said. “I took my favorite hiker to an Ole Miss game and thought I wasn’t going to get it back from a group of fraternity boys. It went up and down the row for them all to look at before I could get going again.”

The simplest of his creations takes two or three days to complete. But some of the more intricate ones lining the family room took almost a month each: One is carved with scenes from old photographs of him, his father and his son hunting together; another features painted carvings of the Walk of Champions, Johnny Vaught and a Mississippi State University player trying to tackle an Ole Miss quarterback.

Billy starts with lightweight limbs primarily found on hunting trips or during his daily 1-mile walk down Tanglewood Trail near his house with his Alaskan Malamute dog, Miley.

Hickory, sweet gum, crape myrtle and bodock fill his work area, some naturally bearing the corkscrew markings of honeysuckle and other vines that wrapped around them as they grew.

Billy Rodgers’ handmade walking sticks are topped with elegant, contrasting handles made from animal antlers and carved wood.

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“I let [the sticks] keep their shape and save their nooks and crannies. I just give them a face-lift.”

-Billy Rodgers

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FEATURE: Made for Walking

In many cases, Billy can recount each cane’s humble beginnings. Some sticks, like two rare diamond willow specimens from Alaska, come from family and friends who know his appreciation for an interesting piece of wood.

“I let [the sticks] keep their shape and save their nooks and crannies,” he said. “I just give them a face-lift.”

Billy uses a band saw to cut them down to walker, adult-hiker or child-hiker sizes and sloughs away any rot with a Dremel tool and sanding. He strips the bark from most of his finds with his pocketknife, although he leaves the covering on more unique limbs to give the finished product a grained look.

For naturally topped canes, he attaches a wooden handle with J-B Weld before wrapping the juncture with epoxy to secure it. The fancier canes host a whimsical selection of headers, from deer antlers and doorknobs to wooden whistles and compasses. His trademark “button” is whittled in near the end of each handle.

Many of the bodies have scenes, sayings or college football team mascots expertly carved into the wood, a feature his friend Sonny Bumphis used to add before his health prevented him from woodworking. Jane Sipes, an artist and one of Billy’s high school classmates, also paints special requests onto the canes for customers.

Billy uses shellac instead of stain to bring out the natural variants of the wood.

“I tell my customers that I’ll do a monkey hanging from a vine for them if they want. I just keep the State and Alabama canes in the center of the storage barrel in my workshop until they get to their new owner,” he said, laughing. “I’m a little partial to Colonel Reb, as you can see.”

For information on BC Sticks, contact Billy Rodgers at bcsticks725@gmail.com.

Billy, pictured at left, began making walking sticks as a hobby 10 years ago. His unique canes are carved with themes ranging from hunting to college football.

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BNI CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT BNI United Professionals hosted a charity golf tournament Oct. 6 to benefit the Northeast MS Down Syndrome Society. More than 50 golfers took part in the event at Big Oaks Golf Course. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Charlie Kenney and Tommy Morrison

Kirk Phillips and David Jones

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Kim Wade and Cindy Googe

Nick Armstong and Trey Trapp

Greg Malatesta, Dennis Motsinger, Jerry Burgess and Jamie Alford

Rachael Potts, Becky Kellum and Amanda Angle

Bradley Smith, Jason Germany, James Tallie and Bryan Hall

Joel Driskell and Alex Wilcox

Scott Brazile and Adam Simmons

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WTVA HOME AND GARDEN EXPO WTVA held a Home and Garden Expo Oct. 15-16 at BancorpSouth Arena. New outdoor home products were featured, and local vendors offered gardening tips at the free, family-friendly event. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Perry Bumpers and Martha Nabors

Bev Crossen and Autumn Godwin

Carla Walker, Adam Potts and Daryl South

David Sparks and Carol Turner

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Brian Morgan with David and Rosie Vance

Thomas and Laura Ferguson

Jay Collins, Willie Gardner, Mike Ash and Tom Collins

John and Doris Daniel with Jason Tubb

Judy and Russell Gray

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RACE FOR THE CURE The Susan G. Komen North Mississippi Race for the Cure was held Oct. 22 at Fairpark. The annual 5K race and 1-mile fun run raises funds for local breast cancer screening, education and treatment. photographed by Jennifer Hudson

David and Casey Clayton

Ashley Ruby Griffin, Monica Elliott and White Brenda Inghram Rowe and Tashanda

Ruby Bradley, Bernice Caldwell and Sheila Collins

Blake Basting, Tom Speeks and Michael Warren

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Sandy Murray, Reneta Smith, Kaitlyn Pounders and Britney Jones

Ashley Griffin, Monica Elliott and Brenda Inghram

Tyler Wood, Devan Ramey, Wesley Pannell, Allie Bennett and Laura Todd

Sandra Gilliand and Easter Boyd

Angie Eaton, Susie Chunn and Tammy Pelegrin

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WHEN PIGS FLY CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL The Flying Pig Craft Beer Market, Clark Beverage and Iuka Advanced Technologies LLC held a craft beer festival Oct. 22 at The Depot in Corinth. The event benefited the Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter. photographed by Whitney Worsham

Montana Bryan and Korie Trulove

Shelaine and Beverly Butler

Katherine and Robb Marlar with Puppy and Renly

Joey Thompson and Ryan Winter

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Joshua Hudson, Fred Gooch and Heath Cleary

David Knight, Albert Stolz and John David Whalen

Angela Mitchell, Emily Daniel, Emily Carmichiel and Kristen Ferguson

Suzanne Davis, Susan O’Connell and Kim Pratt

Robert Davis and Patrick O’Connell

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CHRIS STAPLETON CONCERT Country music singer-songwriter and CMA Award winner Chris Stapleton performed live in concert Oct. 21 at BancorpSouth Arena. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Greg and Tracie Conwill with Skip Clayton

Chloe and Ty Crane with Jessica and Clay Dozier

B.J. and Nicole Johnson

Jennifer Ham and Kenzie Pennington

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Christian Thomas, Torrie Robertson and Duane Jones

Rebecca Cleveland, Shane Turner, Lindsey Shields, Hannah Johnson and Abbey Farrar

Sonia Franks, Randy Groover, Jennifer Hankins and Renee Hughes

Lauren Franks and Erica Kirkpatrick

Deah Webster and L.C. Lindley

names names Brooke names and names Jacobnames Harden names names

Kacie Cowart and Leah Richardson

names names names names names

Emily Davidson, Lindsey Tedford and Lauren Wilkins

Natania Darnell and Kari Hooker

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IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES CAREER EXPO The Toyota Wellspring Education Fund at CREATE Foundation sponsored a career expo Oct. 6-7 at BancorpSouth Arena. More than 3,000 area eighth-graders participated in the event. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Sha Merchant, Faith Collier and Shelby Allred

Brandon Langley and Cole Underwood

Lera Winders, Ashton McIntosh and Jatavia Smith

Chris Vasques and Miranda Carrisoza

Barry Smith, Ted Moll and Kebebe Wilson

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INVITATION TUPELO | November 2016

Jessica Sinak, Randy Moore, Michael Dobbs and Josh LaVanway

Gus Donaldson, Sean Suggs and Steven Smith

Marley Moore, Sara Craft, Emma Kate Hill, Lexi Green and Anna Grace Hankins

David McGuffey and Denzel Clemons

Addison Littleton, John Bremseth and Ella Williams

Madeline Ross and Daniel Brooks

Bill Hughes and Drew Edmonson

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TUPELO ALE TRAIL Clark Distributing sponsored a progressive craft beer tasting Sept. 29, with stops at various downtown Tupelo retail shops and studios.

An after-party followed at the Farmers Depot. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Barbara Aguirre and Ann-Blair Huffman

Betty and Mark Harris with Otis and Susan Tims

Betty Caldwell and Patricia Fleishhacker

Madison Posey, Brett Duncan and Savannah Parker

Andrea Jones and Becky Gentry

Cindy and Hillary Stafford

Chad and Tiffany Harmon with Cheri Nipp and Billy Harbour

Danielle Burk, Ashleigh Greenhaw and Lauren Darsey

Jordan, Wesley and Amy Jaggers

John Michael and Samantha Parker with Jessica Belden and Bridget and Tyler Shook

Elizabeth and Jeff Hamm

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Lisa and Skip Oliver

Jess Wiygul and Paul Mize

Tom and Mindy Gransinger

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ART FOR ANIMALS The ninth annual Art for Animals event was held Sept. 29 at Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum and benefited the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society. The event included a cocktail hour, food, live music and a silent auction featuring live paintings by artists Carolyn Watson and Karen Barclay. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Carrie Jamerson and Joli Estes

Taylor Sellars and Linda Riggan

Susan Hayden and Vickie McAnally

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Cat Harder, Kenzie Bland, Katie Thornton and Audrey Anna Rowland

Kim and Joe Estes

Martha and Hoppie Whitaker

Jackie and Sheryl Blackburn with Trixie

Leath Johnson and Guy Conway

Jason and Denise Brown

Greg and Kim Napier

Marsha and Mike Tapscott

Sara Talton and Kathryn Barrow

Holiday Open House Downtown Pontotoc & surrounding Areas

Sunday, November 20th, 2016 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Special Sales, Wonderful Decorations, & lots of Christmas Spirit!

Christmas Parade

Monday, December 5th 6:30 pm

Holiday Open House

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OUT AND ABOUT STATE OF FLUX OPENING RECEPTION

SALTILLO SCARECROW FESTIVAL

Dustin Harris with Carley and Jennifer Noel and Ava Little

GUMTREE MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON

Kerry Collins and Casey Munlin

TAILGATE AT ROMIE’S

Annie McNamara, Betty Harris and Judy Jones

Rick Cleveland and Jack Reed

SERV-PRO 15TH ANNIVERSARY

MT. PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH HEALTH FAIR

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BALLARD PARK ZOMBIE RUN

Bryan Morgan, Gage Ennis and Jacob Williams

Jay and Hayes Hawkins

VETERANS PARK FAMILY CAMPOUT

Todd Kennedy, Brian Rigby, Nat Grubbs, Tom Johnson and Kevin O’Sullivan

Melanie Lindley and Janet Graham

Virginia Chambers, William Dexter and Belle Naughers

Batton Barber, Jet Adams, Kimmer Barber, Ryder Jones and George Bryan

CELEBRATION OF ADOPTION

Laura Leigh and Maddie Johnson

Ava and Cori Taylor

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BIKE ROUTE

Bob Franks, Vaunita Martin and Ty Robinson

TONI BRAXTON CONCERT

Contanna B. Purnell and Toni Braxton

TUPELO CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL

Rob Barnes and Janae Shackelford

Kalil and Theodore Delacoudray

CDF OPEN HOUSE

Carey Snyder, Ashley Prince and Donna Rumbarger

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ASIA RAINEY

interviewed by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem

Asia Rainey moved from New Orleans to Tupelo in May with a mission to make Tupelo a hub for creative writing and the spoken word.

Q: What made you move to Tupelo?

A: I’d [visited] as an artist-in-residence with the Link Centre for two years. This is a place with great writers, but there’s not a great writing community. I want to help build that.

Q: What is WordPlay?

A: A workshop I started in New Orleans in 2007 to advocate creative writing, especially Spoken Word, as a means of personal empowerment and positive social influence in the community. It gives writers a place to learn the tools, find their voice and share where people get them, and there’s no judgment.

Q: What is Spoken Word?

A: It’s the poetry I specialize in. It encompasses traditional poetry rules and opens the door to adding elements from theater to music to storytelling so the writer can freely approach subject matter using their own style and voice.

I teach it and whatever styles these writers need.

Q: Is it the preferred style at the open mic night you host at the Link Centre?

A: Open mic is open. If you want to sing a song you wrote, tell a story, read any type of poem, sign the list and share. Spoken Word is the core because it includes all those things.

You don’t have to do the workshop to come, and you don’t have to share if you’re not ready.

The audience is just as important.

Q: How do you plan to grow the community?

A: Partnering with the Link Centre for a Asia Rainey hosts Sessions Open Mic: Spoken Word Poetry at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month and WordPlay workshops at 6:30 p.m. the last Thursday of every month at the Link Centre. Visit the Link Centre on Facebook for more information.

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permanent WordPlay space for writers was the first move. In January, we’re making a national announcement to build a Spoken Word archive here. Each year we’ll select artists from around the nation and world to bring their works here.

We’d love to add a festival later with artist workshops and performances.