Invitation Tupelo - October 2017

OCTOBER 2017

Reclaimed , Restored Skull Guitar Art •• Sugar Wooden Furniture Venture • Parkgate’s Mess to Masterpiece + HOPE CONTINUES 5K , A FALL-FLAVORED CURRY RECIPE

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October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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OCTOBER 2017

15 ON THE COVER Artist and musician Tara Nolan Moody’s sugar skull-themed guitars are sought-after pieces of artwork, especially this time of year. photographed by Joe Worthem

IN EVERY ISSUE 4

Letter From the Publisher

6

What’s Happening

8

Community Corner: Hope Continues 5K

10

In Season: Fall Curry

52

Out and About

56

Tupelo Spirit: Amanda Foster

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FEATURES

EVENTS

15 A Perfect Fit

29

Delta Waterfowl Heroes Hunt

An extensive home renovation project gave new life to an old house and raised money for a local organization.

30

Tupelo Ale Trail

32

USTA League Mixed Doubles

34

Tupelo Marathon

36

Veterans Memorial Golf

38

ICC Tailgate Contest

40

MS Bicentennial Celebration

25 Music Maker

42

Bodock Festival

Discarded instruments become colorful pieces of art in the hands of musician and artist Tara Nolan Moody.

44

Teacher of Distinction Awards

46

NEWMS Lip Sync Battle

48

Faulkner Garden

50

Celebration of Cultures

20 Natural Beauty Woodworker Michael Gibson embraces the imperfections of untreated lumber and gently transforms it into beautiful furniture.

10

20

56

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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THE PUBLISHER

R

ecently, my daughter and I visited a dear friend who is in her 70s. We try to visit her at least once a month, and it’s always a treat for us. One of my child’s favorite parts of our visits is playing with an old rotarydial telephone, Pick-Up Sticks, a View-Master, wooden puzzles and other gadgets and toys from generations ago. When we departed after our last visit, Mary Katherine asked me, “Mommy, why don’t they make things like that anymore for kids to play with?” It’s such a good question.

As this issue of Invitation Tupelo, about things that are remade and repurposed, came together, I was amazed at how many people right in this area are passionate about preserving pieces of the past and giving them a new function, place and meaning.

In this issue, we’re featuring Lee County residents Michael Gibson (pictured above center) and Tara Nolan Moody (above right), who both see value and beauty in things others might consider to be old junk. Gibson looks for something authentic before he transforms it into a new work of art (page 20). He has built several things from discarded wood from the 2014 tornado, and he loves to find treasures like old church pews or discarded antique furniture. It’s a hobby-turned-career for Gibson, and without a doubt he is passionate about it.

For her “guit-art,” Moody reinvents musical instruments, specifically guitars, from start to finish (page 25). Her colorful art was selected for our cover because of her creative vision for transforming things others have tossed away. Her artwork is also perfect this

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Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic’s Mess to Masterpiece fundraiser is another example of bringing new life to something that had been abandoned. The home, pictured above, was remodeled and sold earlier this year to raise money for the clinic. Read about its new owner and transformation on page 15.

time of year as we approach Halloween.

Speaking of the holiday, you’ll meet Amanda Foster in this month’s Tupelo Spirit column (page 56). Foster, a nurse in the pediatric unit at North Mississippi Medical Center Women’s Hospital, keeps her young patients laughing through tough times. For years, for Halloween, she and the staff there have been dressing in costume and organizing themed

celebrations to make sure the children in the hospital get to have a little fun, too.

We hope you enjoy reading about all of these locals and their unique talents for turning old into new. Have a safe and happy Halloween!

RACHEL M. WEST, 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

art

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hallie Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Lisa Roberts Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Kim Westhouse Whitney Worsham

COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson

production

advertising

office

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

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Emily Suber

BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard 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

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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OCT. 15 - NOV. 15

10/18-21

Celebration Village In addition to regular shopping hours, the 16th annual holiday market fundraiser for Sanctuary Hospice House includes a preview party, a girls’ night out, breakfast with Santa and more.

Tupelo Furniture Market. For times and ticket information, visit @CelebrationVillageFanPage on Facebook or sanctuaryhospicehouse.com.

10/19-21

The 39 Steps

HALLOWEEN EVENTS NOW THROUGH Haunted Theater

10/28

Tupelo Community Theatre Off Broadway presents a four-actor play based on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film and John Buchan’s adventure novel. 7:30 p.m., 215 E. Franklin St. 662-844-1935, tct.ms

10/31

Tupelo Buffalo Park Pumpkin Patch Pick your own pumpkin, take a hayride, get lost in a corn maze and more. Admission $11.

Open at 9 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.

Sunday. tupelobuffalopark.com

10/20

10/26

Join owners Dot and Jackie Courson for the opening of their new art gallery. The working studio also serves as an art school that brings students from all across the nation. The grand opening will include exhibits, entertainment and painting demos by special guests and friends. 5-8 p.m., 63 Hidden Creek, Pontotoc.

662-617-3100, dotcourson.com/events

Halloween Egg Hunt & Trunk-or-Treat Tupelo Department of Parks and Recreation hosts a Halloween egg hunt and trunk-or-treat event for children ages 12 and younger. Admission is one bag of candy per family. Bring your flashlights! 6 p.m., Ballard Park. 662-841-6440

10/31

Trunk-or-Treat An annual safe and fun community trunkor-treat event hosted by Tupelo First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, St. Paul United Methodist Church and Lee County Library.

5:30-7 p.m., along Jefferson Street.

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Oktoberfest Tupelo’s Bavarian-style Oktoberfest is presented by Better Brands Distributing and hosted by the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association. 5-10 p.m., Fairpark. tupelomainstreet.com

10/27

NEWMS Women’s Conference New Expectations for Women in Mississippi holds its third annual women’s conference featuring inspirational speaker Elizabeth McCormick, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot. Registration $49. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., BancorpSouth Conference Center. For more information, email charliselatour@gmail.com or chenning@bcsarena.com.

Tupelo Community Theatre presents its Haunted Theater at the Lyric Theatre. 7-11 p.m. Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28. Find TCT Haunted Theater on Facebook for updates.

NOW THROUGH

10/26

Dot Courson Art Gallery Grand Opening

10/24

A Fresh Take on the Holidays Tupelo Garden Club and Jody’s Flowers present a luncheon and floral design program featuring Sybil Sylvester, a renowned floral designer and author of Fresh, a new book on arranging flowers. 11 a.m., St. James Catholic Church. Tickets, $30, include lunch. For more information, call 662-610-9406.

10/27

Jason Aldean Concert Country music superstar Jason Aldean performs as part of his They Don’t Know tour, along with special guests Chris Young, Kane Brown and Dee Jay Silver. Tickets from $33.25.

7:30 p.m., BancorpSouth Arena. bcsarena.com

10/28

ICC Homecoming The Itawamba Community College Indians take on the Holmes Community College Bulldogs in their homecoming game. 2:30 p.m., ICC Eaton Field. letsgoicc.com

10/28

Hope Continues 5K The inaugural Hope Continues 5K will benefit breast cancer research, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to local organizations in North Mississippi. 8 a.m., Fairpark. Read more about the event on page 8.

BALDWYN HISTORIC DISTRICT

11/2

Vietnam Replica Wall Dedication

NOVEMBER 9TH - 11TH

Tupelo’s Vietnam Replica Wall will be dedi­ cated in a public ceremony. The new Tupelo wall is 60 percent the size of the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington, D.C. 10 a.m., Veterans Memorial Park.

662-841-6440

11/10

Tupelo Arts Showcase Civic Ballet’s annual Tupelo Arts Showcase features art exhibits and performing artists in a free community event. Art exhibit opens at 6:30 p.m.; performances begin at 7 p.m. at the Link Centre. civicballet.org

Join us for carriage rides, cocoa with Santa, songs of the season, extended shopping hours and much more! #lovemytown

WWW.BALDWYNLIVING.COM

BALDWYN HISTORIC DISTRICT

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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HOPE CONTINUES 5K written by Melanie Crownover

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8 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

Not having a race for cancer patients and survivors was not an option for Adam Morris.

“When I heard [in August] Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was pulling out of Mississippi, I was at the CREATE Foundation that day,” Morris said. “I’ve got cancer survivors in my family, and my girlfriend’s mother is a survivor, so I know what that event meant to this area. They deserve to celebrate and remember.”

With only two months to plan, Morris founded the Hope Continues 5K race and 1-mile family walk.

The new event will include live musical entertainment during the run; instructors from VOW Fitness will hold a pre-race yoga session; and food truck vendors will be on-site. Most important, 100 percent of proceeds will go to local organizations in 16 northeast Mississippi counties. Recipients such as Access Family Health Care and Good Samaritan Clinic use the money to help fund treatments and fill financial gaps in cancer patients’ care.

“Keeping proceeds in the community means it stays here to directly affect our patients and their families,” oncology nurse and race volunteer Abigail Farris said. “This is a way to keep honoring our loved ones who’ve fought or are still fighting.”

The race is at 8 a.m. Oct. 28 in Fairpark.

Register in advance at racesonline.com or on race day from 6:30-7:30 a.m. Entry fees are $25 per person for the 5K or $20 for the 1-miler. Both are stroller and wheelchair accessible. Registration fees go up $5 on race day.

To become a sponsor or volunteer at the race, email adamtigerequipment@yahoo.com.

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A PARTNERSHIP WITH TUPELO BLOGGERS recipe by Lauren McElwain photographed by Joe Worthem

C

hanging seasons inspire food blogger Lauren McElwain to experiment with new recipes in her Tupelo kitchen.

Anticipation of cooler weather and falling leaves led her to imagine this dish featuring international flavors, warm spices and seasonal produce.

“International flavors inspire me to put a different twist on Deep South cooking,” McElwain said. “Soups are always a coolweather favorite at my house. For something a little different, curries offer the same comforting experience with a bit of a worldly flair.”

Find more of McElwain’s recipes at invitationtupelo.com/food and 1cookingchick .blogspot.com.

Butternut Squash, Kale and Chickpea Curry 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 sweet onion, chopped 1 shallot, minced 2-3 garlic cloves, minced 2 Tablespoons red curry paste 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon coriander 1 teaspoon turmeric ½ teaspoon cumin 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced 1-2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped 1 bunch kale (stems removed), roughly chopped 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 can coconut milk 1 cup water Juice of ½ a lime Salt and pepper, to taste 2 cups cooked basmati rice Fresh cilantro for garnish Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pan or Dutch oven. Cook onion, shallot and garlic in oil, stirring, for about 5 minutes, until onion starts to tenderize. Add the curry paste and spices, and cook, stirring, for a couple more minutes. Add the butternut squash, jalapeño, kale, chickpeas, coconut milk, water, lime juice, salt and pepper, and stir. Turn up the heat, and allow mixture to come to a boil. As soon as it starts to boil, turn the heat down to medium-low, and simmer, covered, for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the butternut squash has reached desired tenderness, remove from heat, and serve with basmati rice or warm naan (see following recipe to make your own). Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Naan 1 package active dry yeast 1 cup warm water ¼ cup sugar 3 Tablespoons milk 1 egg, beaten 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon white pepper 4½ cups bread flour 1 Tablespoon garlic powder ½ cup crumbled feta cheese ¼ cup butter, melted In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes, until it foams. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, pepper and enough of the flour to make a soft dough. On a lightly floured surface, knead 6-8 minutes or until smooth.

Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise.

After 1 hour, punch down dough, and knead in garlic powder and feta cheese. Divide dough into small balls, about 2 inches in diameter, and place on a tray. Cover with a towel, and let rise again until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat grill pan over high heat.

Roll dough balls out into thin circles. Oil grill pan, and place circles of dough on it, cooking each for 2-3 minutes or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and flip. Then brush cooked side with butter, and grill until browned, 2-4 minutes.

Remove from griddle, and serve warm.

Lauren McElwain is founder and creator of Tupelo Bloggers, a group of creative people from the community who are excited to share their ideas and thoughts about things that matter and inspire in Tupelo. Learn more in this monthly column and at tupelobloggersblog.wordpress.com.

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A Perfect Fit An extensive home renovation project gave new life to an old house and raised money for a local organization. written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem

It’s hard to believe Suzanne Russell has lived in her

West Jackson Street home for only a few months. Each piece of furniture, accessory and picture on the wall looks as if it were made for the space.

The interior is modernly appointed but has a casual comfort that creates the feel of a lived-in home.

Although Russell outbid other buyers for the house in Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic’s Mess to Masterpiece house-flip fundraiser earlier this year, her connection to the place started well before.

“I’d actually looked at this house to fix up myself a while before it went off the market,” Russell said. “I had a couple of guys come out to look at it for me, and they said no way should I do it because of the

BEFORE

dilapidated condition it was in. When I found out who had bought it and what they were doing with it, I kept my eye on it every time I drove by because I knew I was still going to buy it.”

It turned out she had the chance to buy it for a good cause.

Parkgate acquired the house in November 2016 to renovate and sell as a fundraiser. Organizers planned to use the proceeds for clinic services, including parenting classes, ultrasounds for women facing unplanned pregnancies and the abstinence program they teach in Tupelo and Lee County Schools.

Ten local churches and 50 community businesses donated materials for the makeover, and Tupelo charitable building organization Eight October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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During the past year, Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic acquired a West Jackson Street home that had been in disrepair, oversaw its extensive exterior and interior makeover, and then sold the home, with proceeds benefiting the clinic. Local organizations donated materials for the project, and construction was done by volunteers from Eight Days of Hope.

Days of Hope signed up to help with manpower. The construction, which began in January, took three months to complete, despite some setbacks.

“It wasn’t one of our usual natural-disaster rebuilds, but this house was worse than we thought,” Eight Days of Hope rapid response team director Chris Chiles said. “The floors were like a trampoline when you walked through the front door, and it didn’t get better the more we dug in. We had to basically take this house down to the walls and framing with a little siding left to fix it.”

Chiles led a shifting crew of more than 100 volunteers from the local community and as far away as Pennsylvania and Kansas to complete the extensive structural repairs.

The wiring, plumbing, roof, floor joists, flooring, central heat and air system, windows and doors all had to be replaced. The layout also needed to be modernized. The new blueprints did away with the small rooms that restricted movement and dated the house. The updated floor plan includes an open-concept living room, kitchen and dining area to ease congestion. Walls and doors were shifted to more evenly distribute

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bedroom space, as well as create an easier flow from room to room. The builders also added a full bathroom, making the 1,457-square-foot space a three-bedroom, two-bath house.

Practicality was also a crucial element. The kitchen lost an unused fireplace in favor of more cabinets. The back bedroom got a full-sized closet in place of a 5-foot-tall miniature one. That same bedroom lost nine of the 14 windows lining its walls and an exterior door to provide more privacy. And for the first time, the house had insulation.

Aesthetically, the home is now a stylish mix of farmhouse chic and industrial modern. Creamy-white trim and dusty-gray walls give way to white subway tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. Hardwood covers most of the floors, and the lighting is a combination of New Orleans-style wrought iron lanterns, distressed chandeliers and modern blown-glass orbs. Details that complete the look include an industrial pipe-anchored kitchen shelf, a two-blade living room fan and a sliding barn door on the pantry.

“We wanted to give this house a little of everything trending to make

In addition to structural upgrades and modifications, the construction team created an open-concept kitchen, dining and living room to modernize the space and maximize the square footage. Homebuyer Suzanne Russell was delighted to see how her furniture and accent pieces complemented the design and style of the newly rebuilt home.

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The remodeled home boasts 1,457 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Structural elements, from plumbing and wiring to doors and windows, were all replaced, and the floor plan was reworked to make the space more practical. Hardwood floors, neutral paint colors and a few special details modernize the overall look.

it a perfect fit for the buyer,” Jessica Roy, Parkgate’s development director, said. “It was a challenge, but everything we needed was provided.”

Russell closed on the house May 1, and the purchase resulted in $80,000 in funding for Parkgate. Her old house sold a week later. By midmonth, Russell was officially moved in. She made a few of her own changes to the home, including making the third bedroom into an office and constructing a new carport and breezeway over the summer. She wasn’t surprised when all of her furnishings fit perfectly in size and style, including some that came out of storage, like a study bookshelf her grandfather built.

“Even though I know most of the house is new, it still has all the charm of its old self,” Russell said. “It’s what I knew this place could be when I first saw it. I just got it for a much better price than I could have done it for myself, and the money went to something more than just making me a happy home.”

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Natural Beauty

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Woodworker Michael Gibson embraces the perfect imperfections of untreated lumber and gently transforms it into beautiful furniture. written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem

A

uthenticity is what Michael Gibson looks for in a piece of wood before he transforms it into something new. Imperfections that might send another woodworker back to the pile for other options are considered signs of character by the Tupelo native.

“If you find wood with those scars from its past life, that’s priceless,” he said. “I leave those there as much as I can so people can see a glimpse of what was beautiful generations before. It’s all character.”

Michael discovered his passion for construction in 2015, when he picked up a hammer for the first time and built the house he and his wife, Andrea, live in. His collection of tools began to grow, and he expanded his woodworking expertise to handmade furniture and other practical household items with the help of YouTube.

He actively seeks secondhand lumber, such as aged church pews or discarded antique furniture, to satisfy his love for reimagining the past and has built several pieces with wood from the 2014 Tupelo tornado.

When he doesn’t use repurposed lumber for his creations, Michael makes sure he starts

with wood that’s locally sourced. With most commissioned works, he often hunts for timber near the residence or hometown of the object’s future owner before beginning. “[One customer from] just outside of Gulf Shores wanted a piece from Fulton because that’s where she’s from,” he said. “Luckily, I was able to get some wood off the river for her mantelpiece and table. Finds like that just make a piece personal.”

He does gentle sanding rather than using an electric planer to preserve the original surfaces, regardless of the lumber’s age. Natural finishes, with a light coat of stain or some distressed paint, accentuate the grain.

Whether it’s a farm table or porch swing, Michael also gives each model he makes the name of a special person.

Butcher blocks are called “Perkins” blocks in honor of a family member who gave him the table saw that made his first. Candlesticks are known as “Gaga” candlesticks in reference to his daughter’s nickname for his mother, who gave him the lathe he used to make his initial set for her. “Gin” is the name for his handmade serving trays, in homage to the ones

his grandmother Ginny kept around her house, and his most popular farm table is called the “Campbell” table after the family for whom he first built one.

“Those names remind me of the people who encouraged me or inspired me to make that object in the first place, the ones who made it special to me,” he said. “Each piece has a story behind it, and I like to share that with the people who buy them.”

After selling his work at markets in his spare time, Michael recently was able to turn his hobby into a full-time job. He left his job at Tupelo’s Parks and Recreation department in April and opened Raw Furniture in August. He and Andrea keep the showroom stocked with his handmade items and other general store-era goods. They also take custom orders.

“He got so many orders during that last baseball season as sport director that we knew it was time,” Andrea said. “With a baby girl at home, having him build here and making it a family thing with the store just made sense. We took that leap together.”

To see Michael’s work and learn more about custom orders, visit rawfurnitureco.com.

Michael Gibson, pictured above with his wife, Andrea, started building with reclaimed wood just a couple of years ago. His pastime quickly became a side business, and earlier this year became a full-time job when the Gibsons opened Raw Furniture, where they sell Michael’s handmade furniture and take custom orders.

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Discarded instruments become colorful pieces of art in the hands of musician and artist Tara Nolan Moody. written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem

E

ver since Crave coffee shop co-owner Tiffany Franks hung the vibrant sugar skull guitar her husband commissioned six months ago, it’s been a conversation starter in the Tupelo café.

“We get a lot of questions about that one, no doubt,” she said. “We have a small Elvis theme going on in there, so it fit, but it gets quite a reaction. The table where it hangs is one of the most popular spots in the place now.”

The piece was made by country singer and professional artist Tara Nolan Moody (pictured at left). Her artwork has been exhibited in galleries throughout Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee for more than a decade; however, custom guitars have become part of her repertoire only in the past year.

“My mom had started buying me cheap old guitars at yard sales and thrift stores because of my music, and they’d started to pile up,” she said. “Painting them was just a natural progression because it combined two of the things that I love the most.”

Moody calls it “guit-art.” It takes her at least a week to reinvent one instrument from start to finish.

The process involves de-stringing her secondhand finds and sanding them down until smooth. Then comes a base coat of spray paint, preferably in a metallic finish. After freehand drawing the overall design in permanent marker on the back of the body, Moody applies acrylic paints to create the images. Each project is finished with a heavy coat of epoxy to give it durability and gloss.

Sugar skull guitars – resembling the traditional decorations for the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday – are her specialty and most requested pieces, but they’re far from her only October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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design. She does intricate foil motifs, butterflies and nature themes as well.

Moody is also open to suggestions. She once re-created the Hamsa hand, a symbol featuring an open eye in the middle of an open hand, in a design for her yoga instructor. As with her other commissioned work, the client picked the colors.

Although most of the guitars Moody converts spend the duration of their reclaimed existence on display, the personal instruments she paints for guitarists end up restrung for normal use after they’re customized.

Some are even rescued for familiar names.

Her newest commission, a working memorial for country music legend Merle Haggard’s son, Noel, to use onstage, features painted scenes from family photos. One woman even told Moody she bought a guitar for musician Zac Brown because of his affinity for sugar skulls.

“I wouldn’t want to paint [a guitar] that was super valuable or sentimental for someone unless they asked me to,” Moody said. “I would never paint my dad’s old acoustic, for instance.

I have too much respect for what they mean to someone who really plays because I’m a musician who grew up in a family of guitar-playing musicians. Making an old guitar look good is kind of my own way of showing that respect.”

Moody takes orders and shares photos of her artwork on her Facebook page, Art and Soul by Tara.

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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.

DELTA WATERFOWL HEROES HUNT The Alcorn County chapter of Delta Waterfowl hosted its second annual Heroes Hunt Sept. 9 at Quail Hollow Ranch in Ramer, Tennessee. The event honored local veterans, firefighters, law enforcement and EMTs. photographed by Whitney Worsham

Tilden and Mark Studdard

Noah Caldwell, Brantley Briggs and Walker Harville

Renea Hopple and Eric Butler

Billy Briggs and Jeremy Glidewell

Abby Grosinske and Macy Butler

Brent Anderson, Franz Schnabl and Shay Anderson

Shane Miller and John Butler

Brittanie and Eric Brown

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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View more photos at invitationtupelo.com.

TUPELO ALE TRAIL The Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association held a progressive craft beer tasting, sponsored by Clark Distributing, on Sept. 28 at various downtown locations. Spring Street Cigars hosted an after party at the Tupelo Farmers’ Depot. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Alisa Dowdy, Kim Whitaker and Amanda Smith

Kathy Brashears and Shane Little

Alicia Leblanc, Lesley Walters and Hunter Mitchell

Susan Hayden and Mary Pope

30 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

Mike Armour and Woody Watson

Danielle Taylor, Ethan Nolan and Chandler Vasquez

Ray and Becky Gentry; Stephanie McCormick; Doug and Brandie Wise; and Mindy and Tom Gransinger

Reagan Pepper and Sarah Stewart

Kristy Luse and Donna McCormack

Jim and Amy Murphree

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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USTA LEAGUE MIXED DOUBLES Tupelo hosted the 2017 USTA League Mixed Doubles 18 and Over Mississippi Championship.

The event was held Aug. 25-27 at Rob Leake Park. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Phillip and Caroline Ivanov with Catherine Figueroa and Leslie and Travis Ezell

Phil McClelland, Kenley Hays, John Brown Lee and Kelley Kohler

Elizabeth Palmer, Derek Klipstein, Lauren Pole and Brighton Lowther

Cheri Wood and Tress Gardner

32 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

Nikhil Kulkarni, Kate Ellard, Shaun Ivey and Cherie Runnels

Kyle Wilson and Amanda Azlin

Beverly Turner and Emily Coleman

Chris Murphy, Morgan McCargo and Phillip Schroeder

Shaye Caldwell, Delaina Lucus and Ted Hardin

Allyson Lofton and Christy Prine

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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TUPELO MARATHON The Tupelo Marathon and 13.1-miler was held Sept. 3 in downtown Tupelo. Two-hundred fifty runners participated in the race, which started and ended at BancorpSouth Arena. The marathon is a qualifier for the renowned Boston Marathon. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Owen Bradley and Layton Dossett

Rachel Tally, Lori Beth Ellis, Tabitha Smith and Ginger Howe

34 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

Rene Reder and Cheri Butzberger

Mary Kate Nobles with Sunshine and Clayton Fulgham and Rachel Gentry

Judy Thomas, Linda Meeks and Susie Scott

Kirbie Allen and Olivia Steele

John McGinnis and Jason Carter

Taylor Montgomery with Edward and Kayle Pierce

Arlana and Penelope McKinney

Emily Wade and Delia Steele

Frank Salinas, Stacy Earu and Scott Trou

Karla Hood and Cindy Bailey

Robin Trou and Tana Griffin

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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VETERANS MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT The fifth annual Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament was held Sept. 11 at Big Oaks Golf Course. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Matilda Moore, Julie Murphy and Ed Lewis

Scott Milam and Brian Hall

Frankie Simpson and Stephanie Baldwyn

Matt Bridges and Alex Wilcox

Pat Murphy, Jim Bowen, Charles Williams and Jerry Enis

Ken Hogue, Sam Tucker and Roger Nichols

Ben Inman, S.N. McDaniel, Billy Kendrick, Rex Moody and Bob Verell

Brent Rainey, Jimmy Pappis and Steven Thomas

Chris Hogan and Jason Thomas

(662)862-EYES Dr. Laurie Wade Cagle, Optometrist 36 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

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ICC TAILGATE CONTEST The Itawamba Community College community relations department hosted a communitywide tailgate contest Sept. 28. The contest was held on the Davis Center lawn before the ICC vs. Pearl River football game. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Evie Storey, Makaela Dickerson and Katelee Witt

Russell Applewhite and Ashton Martin

Mark Graham, Lance Martin, Roger Williams and Greg Spradling

Sylette Holland, April French and Sharina Smith

Brittany Sullivan with Barry and Carly Childers

Emily Mabus, Allison Wallace and Sharon Russell

Bradley Howard, Bronson Prochaska, Holli White, Delores Tull, Tammy Foster and Emily Jones

Kristi Dempsey and Mande Miller

Robin Lowe, Lela Ott, Hannah Dunlap, Heather McCormick and Jenny Baker

Patricia Nichols, Sydney Riley and Brenda Clements

www.iccms.edu

Itawamba COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Above the Bar Be better. Accomplish more. Make a difference.

38 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

THE COTTON BOLT Drapery, Upholstery & Outdoor Fabrics

Custom Drapery Hardware • Trims & Tassels • Feather Pillow Inserts • Vast Selection of Rugs

WHOLESALE PRICES AND BELOW. EVERYDAY! 1727 McCullough Blvd. Tupelo, MS 662-841-2621

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Tupelo celebrated Mississippi’s bicentennial Sept. 14 at various downtown locations. Events included historical reenactments, Mississippi-themed art exhibits, a kids zone and a Down on Main concert. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Barbara Mallory and Connie Tullos

Peggy Grissom and Randy West

40 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

Darla Kirk and Terri Johnson

Kim Caron, Marsha Tapscott and Judy Tucci

Rhonda Lamb, Emily Hopkins, Reagan Pepper and Sarah Stewart

Cindy and Eddie Aune with Marie Hughes

Lamosha Bolden, Kim Burleson, Hollyann Friloux, Madison Garvin and Trip Toole

Jennifer Collins and Tanner Palmer

Austin Nolan and Caleb Walker

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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BODOCK FESTIVAL WITH TRENT HARMON The 24th annual Bodock Festival, headlined by American Idol Trent Harmon, was held Sept. 15-16 in Pontotoc. The festival included music, art and craft vendors, food, children’s activities and a pet show. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Trent Harmon

Kaylie and Chloe Pannell ,Elicia Hutchinson, Bridget and Naomi Freeman and Nalalia and Chelsie Conrad

Hayden Kyle, Charlee Wilson, Rhett Robinson and Drew Russell

Nikki Raines and Dylan Williams

42 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

Riley and Kacy Phifer with Betty Jean Harmon

Carolanne, Dawson and Hope Wingo

Brooke Johnson, Breanna Gault and Taylor Norris

Millie and Raelyn Hughes with Mary Aslynn, Ava Kate and Whit Fallin

Breanna, Isabella, Tonya and Emily Lopez

Breanna and Heather Russel with Hazel Irby

Eric Stogner and Jonathan Simmons

Kim Brown and Wanda West

Mallory Adair and Clay Kidd

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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2017 TEACHER OF DISTINCTION AWARDS The Teacher of Distinction Award luncheon was held Sept. 18 at The Summit. The event was hosted by the Tupelo Civitan Club, Rotary Club of Tupelo and Tupelo Kiwanis Club. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Vickie and Jaqueline Shumpert

Stephanie Johnson, Brooke Shoup and Anna Miles

Kimberly Brumley, Carolyn Beasley and Amy Alexander

Cathryn Richey, Brenna Politte and Rasheda Kemp

Katie Steward, Juanita Floyd and LaShanda Garrett

Michelle Powell, Holly Allgood and Taylor Sparks

44 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

is conducting a survey for our readers and advertisers. One lucky winner will receive $50 for completing it.

Please visit

www.invitationtupelo.com and take a short survey about our magazine.

For more information contact us at 662-234-4008 or email Hollie at hollie.hilliard@gmail.com October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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NEWMS LIP SYNC BATTLE New Expectations for Women in Mississippi (NEWMS), a nonprofit organization and special project of the CREATE Foundation, held a lip-sync contest Sept. 19 at Steele’s Dive. Proceeds will benefit local women’s and children’s projects. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Robert Hall, Allie Matin and Anthony Zappa

Mike Clayborne

46 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

Elise Hill, Fee Foster, Patsy Harris, Jim Johnson, Judy Govatos, Deana Franks and Kamesha McKinnon

Scott and Amanda Angle with Jesse Bandre and Blair Hill

Cheryl Henning, Rhonda Weaver, Rhonda Horton and Liddi Pate

Tom Booth

Craig Horton and Kay Bain

Victor and Courtney Armstrong

For more information about advertising in Invitation Tupelo, call (662) 234-4008.

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AN EVENING IN THE FAULKNER GARDEN The New Albany Garden Club hosted An Evening in the Faulkner Garden Sept. 21 at the Union County Museum. The event included live music, food and a preview of the Faulkner Folk Art Exhibit. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Beverly James and Brooke Alexander

Cheri Hobson and Jill Smith

Vickie Paquin, Sherra Owen and Kathryn Rakestraw

Jill Massey, Kim Laird and Laura Lea Cobb

48 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

Bill Everett, Kelly Coltharp, Carrie Rogers and Herb Stonebrook

Mary Tate Pannell, Libby Massey and Ann Holmes

Gale Campbell and Lila Stewart with Lydia and Gerald Kimbrough

Chanda and Paulette Cossitt

Vance and Parks Smith

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Fridays are tasty at INVITATIONTUPELO.COM! Visit our food blog for delicious recipes contributed by food blogger Kimme Hargrove each week.

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CELEBRATION OF CULTURES Tupelo Parks and Recreation hosted a Celebration of Cultures Sept. 24 at Ballard Park. Countries highlighted in the family-friendly event included the U.S., Japan, the Bahamas, India and Mexico. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Carol Johnson and Patrice Stone

Leticia and Ken Gassaway

50 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

Emi Uhida and Hisae Yoshikawa

Aima Diaz, Jacqueline Lopez, Danelly Hernandez and Alejando Cruz

Beverly Gonzalez, Brenda McGuha, Sharon Petty, Dell Hatch and Missy Donovan

Millie Williams, Grace Tucker, Alivia Agnew and Griselda Martinez

Lakshmi Alahan, Aashri Mukkera, Lakshmi Eathakothi, Akshahh Mukkera, Sandhya Bogi, Beena Agarwal, Khushbu Petel and Keyur Pankh

Miekokikuchi and Hiromasa Eason

Kareha and Kanna Watanabe with Kanon Sugiura

SHANNON & GRAHAM Eye Clinic

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Dr. Phillip Graham, Optometrist Bill Seawright, Optician • Melanie Sellers, Tech

662.489.4741 • 14 East Marion St. • Pontotoc, MS 38863

FALL

Celebrating Mississippi Families

2017

Pillows

Perso è nality

Oppo r in th tunity e De lta TACK LE

Invitation Family is a quarterly magazine published by Invitation Magazines. It is focused on trends and healthy lifestyle tips for parents and children of all ages. Areas of content include education, home, health, food and much more.

Each issue will be distributed four times per year in more than 460 LOCATIONS across the state, and it is free for readers.

@invitation_fam

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istmas

OCTOBER ISSUE

FOLLOW: @invitation_family

TEST Tips fr ANXIE om an TY ex

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INVITATIONFAMILY.COM October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

9/11 MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB

Cheyenne Guidey, Laura Layton, Wilson Weaver and Kolton Ferguson

Katie Sheffild, Karen Skou, Melinda Monts and Mary Shaffer

DANCING LIKE THE STARS

FAMILY CAMP-OUT

Emily Holmon, Mary Ann Plasencia and Symone Woolridge

Paul Welborn, Ann Monaghan and Rufus Van Horn

PIRATE PUB CRAWL

Britt Hester, Elizabeth Dodson and Jessi Bailey

52 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

Kristan Skou, Steve Shaffer and Kelly Monts

Sonya, James and Jim Smallwood

David and Joey Arnold with Michael Wilson

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION AT REGIONAL REHAB

Shana Wagner, Jesse Thomas and Leigh-Ann Hill

Brad and Donna Lunn

Doris Jean Pittman with Lisa and Ricky Ferguson

Lava Stone Fireplace Shop Fireplaces • Screens Stoves • Stone • Gas Logs Outdoor Kitchens 4115 West Main, Tupelo, MS 662.844.5178

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

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OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 52

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS 5K

RAW FURNITURE GRAND OPENING

Dell Green, Landon Tucker, Ram Mares, Erin Hill, Bo Swindle and Lane Fowler

Andrea, Hannah and Michael Gibson

THE MAGGIE FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER FOR DIABETES

Reid Knight, Mylee and Skylar Jones, Akay Knight, Mary Neely, Susan Davis, Erin Jones, Monica Knight, Robert Jones, Bonnie Hutcheson and Shea Johnson

NINTH ANNUAL OLE MISS VS. STATE RYDER CUP

Bill Donald, Trey Trapp, Mark Hatfield, Art Dobbs and Rick Nelms

2017 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S

Cassie Williams; Cami Christian; Mallory, Lisa and Makinsly Ellis; and Melissa Edwards

Rochelle Wright and Cheryl Stevenson

CORINTH HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING PARADE

Nico Crump, Baylee Cain and Dustin Albarracin

54 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017

L’Zareya Howard and Tayra Franconames

Davis Brawner and Will Gardner

Acoshia Davis, Imari Alexander and Adaja Williams

October 2017 | INVITATION TUPELO

55

AMANDA FOSTER interviewed by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem

Amanda Foster and the other nurses in the pediatric unit at North Mississippi Medical Center Women’s Hospital use doses of silliness to keep their patients, from newborns to teenagers, in good spirits.

Q: How do you spread cheer this time of year?

A: We go all out on Halloween. Typically, all the staff dresses up, and we decorate the whole unit from one end to the other. We bring candy to let them trick-or-treat with us that night.

Most of the kids don’t feel like dressing up, but we try to help them forget that for a little while.

Q: How does the staff dress up?

A: Last year we were all different superheroes; before that we were Minions, and one year we were all different types of fairies. We have one doctor who has come as Mario, Batman, Harry Potter. You just never know.

Q: Why is that time important?

A: It really is just to brighten

their day. If they’re happy, they’ll be more active and willing when movement is part of their recovery plan.

Even if they’re stuck in bed, a good mood and attitude can help you get better quicker.

Q: Do you go all out for every holiday?

A: Pretty much all the big holidays. No one wants to be in the hospital, but it’s really hard on a child when it’s a special day. Even on normal days you see the staff go out of their way to make the kids smile. When we had that big snow a couple of years ago, the staff built a snowman outside the unit’s common area windows since [the kids] couldn’t go play in it.

They even brought basins of snow inside so the kids could make snowballs.

Q: Do families participate?

A: The more involved the families are, the better. It [helps] the kids to feel more like themselves. We had one set of parents who brought the staff Nerf guns to have Nerf wars with their son while he was recuperating. We all loved it.

56 INVITATION TUPELO | October 2017