Invitation Oxford - November 2019

NOVEMBER 2019

OXFO R D

MADE I N mississippi A MODERN OXFORD CREAMERY

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GRANTING AN OLE MISS WISH

LONGREEN FOXHOUNDS ON THE CHASE

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Q U ILTIN G WITH THE PIECE M A KE R S

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DEPA RTMENT S

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EVENTS

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Letter From the Publisher

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EDF Golf Classic

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Calendar

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Alpha Kappa Alpha Dinner

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Shoutouts

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Kudzu Kings Concert

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InstaLove: Riley’s Dog Portraits

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Mickey and Minnie Visit

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Oxford Newcomers Club

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Miss University Pageant

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Michael Bolton Concert

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In Season: Scented Candles and Soaps

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Out & About

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Recipes: Cranberry-Orange Bread

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Oxford Food Film Fest

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Thacker Mountain Radio

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Delta Waterfowl Banquet

ON THE COVER

This month’s Made in Mississippi story features nine businesses providing products sourced in the Magnolia State, including homegrown goods from Delta Grind Grits.

Read more on pages 46-54.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

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F E AT U R E S

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FE ATURES 26 Oxford Creamery

42 Meet the Piecemakers

30 Thrill of the Chase

46 Made in Mississippi

An old-school creamery is revived in a cool new spot for craft ice cream featuring local ingredients and flavors from the South.

Riding to hounds is alive and thriving in the Delta, where all are welcome to join the Longreen Foxhounds at Opening Meet.

38 My Ole Miss Wish 26

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The Ole Miss Student Veteran’s Association grants wishes to military families who have children facing life-threatening illnesses.

A diverse group of talented Oxford craftswomen serves a local and global community through quilting.

From silky gin to buttery popcorn, 10 brands born in Mississippi are winning fans far from home. Meet the local makers behind them.

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L E T T E R from the P U B L I S H E R There’s something about autumn I enjoy more than any other time of the year. I think it has to do with the beauty of the sunlight at dawn and dusk. And a bright harvest moon on a cool autumn night is just about perfect in my book. Fall reminds me that the time has come to get outside and celebrate cooler weather and seasonal offerings, whether on a bike trail, a golf course, a football field or in your own back yard.

By November, we’re officially ready for warm sweaters and scarves, and cozy evenings by the fireplace. And ready or not, just around the corner is holiday time, and the search for gifts to share with family and friends. With that in mind, starting on page 46, we’re introducing you to some of

the most talented artists and entrepreneurs in Oxford and neighboring towns. From family-farmed popcorn, house-roasted coffee and homestyle Southern food mixes, to handcrafted knives, candles and soap, we’ve highlighted the brightest and best from local growers and artisans.

We also are highlighting one of Oxford’s newest places to go for a sweet treat, The Oxford Creamery, where you’ll find craft ice cream made from local ingredients. Turn to page 26 for this great story about coming home, following your heart and sharing a dream with others.

In the spirit of sharing and giving, meet the Piecemakers Quilt Guild on page 42, with ongoing projects like handcrafted

FOLLOW US

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@INVITATIONOXFORD

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isolette quilts for infants in intensive care at NMMC Women’s Hospital in Tupelo. And there’s My Ole Miss Wish and the Student Veterans Association helping veterans and spreading joy to children with lifethreatening illnesses. Turn to page 38 to read about one child’s big surprise reveal coming Nov. 9.

We hope with this issue you’re inspired both by the spirit of autumn and all the goodness we make right here in Mississippi.

RACHEL M. WEST, PUBLISHER

@INVOXFORD

PUBLISHERS Phil and Rachel West

EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE EDITORS Allison Estes Emily Welly EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR Mary Moreton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shanna Flaschka Caroline Heller Calyn Hoerner Ginny McCarley Harriet McFadden EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Meredith Hull COPY EDITOR Ashley Arthur

ART

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Holly Vollor STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Gandy Nancy Manroe Jessica Richardson Alex Sage Megan Wolfe CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Abbey Edmonson SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR & ART ASSISTANT Alexis Lee

INTERN Abbey Edmonson

ADVERTISING OFFICE

BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney Brian Hilliard MAIN OFFICE 662-234-4008

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham Anna Zemek ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Paul Gandy Becca Pepper Hallie Thomas ADVERTISING INFORMATION ads@invitationoxford.com

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

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

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

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

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CALENDAR

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C OM M U N I T Y

C A L E N DA R NOVEMBER 2019

OLE MISS

FOOTBALL NOVEMBER 2

at Auburn | Time TBD

Ron Shapiro Celebration NOVEMBER 1

The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council hosts a community celebration in memory of Ron Shapiro, with cocktails, refreshments and music. Free. 5 p.m., the Powerhouse.

NOVEMBER 9 M I L I TA R Y A P P R E C I AT I O N G A M E

vs. New Mexico State | Time TBD NOVEMBER 16

vs. LSU | Time TBD NOVEMBER 28

at Mississippi State | 6:30 p.m.

Water Valley Art Crawl

OLE MISS

NOVEMBER 4

vs. Mississippi College NOVEMBER 8

vs. Arkansas State N OV EMB E R 12

NOVEMBER 2

All Oxonians are invited to watch Ole Miss vs. Auburn at this community tailgate hosted by YAC. Big screen TV, local food and door prizes. Free. Doors open two hours before kickoff, the Powerhouse. oxfordarts.com

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INVITATION OXFORD | NOVEMBER 2019

General Election Day NOVEMBER 5

Exercise your right to vote. Polls are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Registration, polling places, candidates, sample ballots and more available at vote411.org.

NOVEMBER 6

BASKETBALL

Our Team Our Town

NOVEMBER 3

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m.

Remember to set your clocks back.

SouthTalks Lecture

NOVEMBER 2

Pick up a map at BTC Grocery or Trusty Diner for Water Valley’s 11th annual art crawl. 5:30-9 p.m., with an after-party at Hometown Pizza that features The Eric Deaton Trio.

Fall Back

vs. Norfolk State NOVEMBER 15

vs. Western Michigan NOVEMBER 19

vs. Seattle NOVEMBER 23

at Memphis

November is Native American Heritage Month. Professor Mikaela M. Adams discusses segregated health, federal responsibility and the Mississippi Choctaws during the 1918 influenza pandemic in this SouthTalks lecture, one in a series presented by the Center for the Study of Southern Culture. Free. Noon-1 p.m., Tupelo Room, Barnard Observatory. southernstudies.olemiss.edu

Veterans Day Concert NOV EMB ER 11

The UM music department and Oxford Civic Chorus present a free evening of patriotic music with a special video presentation. To include a loved one, send a picture along with their name, rank and service branch to Don Trott at dtrott@ olemiss.edu. 7:30 p.m., the Ford Center. fordcenter.org

Glass Recycling Event NOVEMBER 15

The City of Oxford, in partnership with Jackson-based Door2Door Recycling, marks national America Recycles Day by collecting glass recyclables for free for one day only. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. City of Oxford Recycling Center, 55 County Road 3067. facebook.com/oxfordrecycling

Yoga for a Cause N OV E MB ER 17

Baptiste Power Yoga Oxford hosts a free power flow yoga class benefiting My Ole Miss Wish. Donations are encouraged.

3-4 p.m., the Yoga Space. theyogaspaceoxford.com

Mini Masters NOVEMBER 21

It’s the last fall session of these drop-in workshops for toddlers and a parent or guardian. $5. 3:45-4:30 p.m., the University of Mississippi Museum. museum.olemiss.edu

Holiday Art Market N O V E M B E R 2 9 -3 0

The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council’s sixth annual holiday art market features vendors of Mississippi-made arts, crafts and holiday gifts. Friday 1-7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.7 p.m., the Powerhouse. oxfordarts.com NOVEMBER 2019 | INVITATION OXFORD

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S H O U T O U T S O x fo rd ’s Fo o d Pa nt r y

Since 1982, the Oxford Food Pantry has been providing food on an emergency basis to eligible residents in the L-O-U community. With its discounted food sources temporarily curtailed and funds depleted, donations of food items are welcome, and monetary donations are especially needed.

Beverly Danahy of Oxford has been a volunteer at the Pantry since 1998 and works closely with clients.

According to Danahy, about a third of the people served are elderly, over 65. Many

receive only a social security check, and some not even that.

Many pay rent, and some report having to choose between buying their prescription medication or food. Many are grandmothers raising grandchildren; and these families do not qualify for SNAP or TANF assistance.

The Pantry also serves people who do contract work and may have periods of no employment during school breaks. Some may have had medical emergencies or been victims of a house fire. Others are on disability. Younger families often have small children to feed.

Nobody is turned away, but families are encouraged to come no more than once a month. About 125 families receive food each week, with about six to eight new families per week; about as many drop out each

week, when they no longer need assistance.

“In September, 474 families were served, and 4,000 year-to-date,” Danahy said.

“That’s a lot of food.”

For some clients, the Pantry also provides another kind of sustenance. The doors open at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, but many clients arrive as early as 6:30 a.m., not to be first in line, but to socialize.

“Some of these ‘regulars’ have stories to tell from earlier days when times were better for them or their health was better,” Danahy said. “You would think there’s a party going on on the back porch. … They get to know the volunteers, and these bonds create yet another layer of the social fabric of Oxford.”

Food items may be left on the front porch of the Pantry at 713 Molly Barr Road on Monday or Tuesday. Other days, call 662-234-2907. Checks may be mailed to the Oxford Food Pantry, P.O. Box 588, Oxford, MS 38655.

More information about the Pantry is available at givegab.com/nonprofits/thepantry-of-oxford-and-lafayette-county.

K id - Fr ie nd ly M i s s i s s i p p i Allan Innman, an Oxford expat now living in Brandon, is an artist and stay-athome dad to 4-year-old Annie and 2-yearold Olivia. He recently created the website kidfriendlymississippi.com, a compilation of locations, attractions and events for kids.

Long days alone with little ones can be tough. Innman opts to spend time out of the house, park-hopping and going to museums.

“It can be a lot of work, but we all enjoy getting fresh air and a change of scenery,” Innman said. “I was fortunate to be adopted by a wonderful group of moms that maybe took pity on my plight as probably one of the only stay-at-home dads in the area.

They started inviting me to playdates at

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parks, libraries, museums.

That’s where we would all discuss the cool places and things to do.”

Innman, who studied graphic design at the University of Mississippi and had some website experience, thought it wouldn’t take long to compile the content. He was wrong.

“Even after spending months on the site, I still haven’t even added probably a quarter of all the things going on in the state,” Innman said. “There are just gobs

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and gobs of places to go here, from historic homes to state parks.”

To suggest an attraction or an event, email kidfriendlymississippi@gmail.com.

SHOUTOUTS

continued

H a r ve s t A n ge l P ro je c t

Oxford Community Market’s third annual Harvest Angel Project will take place the day before Thanksgiving. Volunteers will deliver bags full of seasonal foods from local farmers to the Oxford Food Pantry and directly to families in need.

The bags include fall produce, fresh eggs, bread, honey and a cookbook, “Good and Cheap,” written by Leanne Brown. The cookbooks were given to the project by a grant from Move On Up Mississippi.

Volunteers will be packing bags from 3-6:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Old Armory Pavilion, and anyone is welcome to help.

Monetary donations to OXCM to purchase food for the bags are also greatly appreciated.

“It’s a way to connect the market to our community,” said OXCM director and project coordinator Betsy Chapman. “It’s always so rewarding, and the people are so appreciative.”

For more information on how to get involved, call 662-816-7413 or email oxcmkt@gmail.com.

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instaL O V E

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iley Fitzgerald, a 2019 University of Mississippi graduate, has taken her talents to the heart of everyone’s home: the family dog. Fitzgerald has a degree in integrated marketing communications with minors in business administration and fine art. She has combined her knowledge from all three fields of study into her painting business, Riley’s Dog Portraits.

“I started selling my dog portraits my sophomore year of college,” Fitzgerald said.

“I decided to paint a picture of my family’s yellow lab, and my mother posted it on Facebook. Before I knew it, I had people

RILEY FITZGERALD

R i le y ’s D o g Po r t ra it s

commissioning me to paint their own dogs.”

Fitzgerald has loved dogs and art since she was old enough to pick up a paintbrush.

“For as long as I can remember, my mother was enrolling me in art classes,” Fitzgerald said. “My mother received her bachelor’s in fine arts from Rhode Island School of Design, so she’s always been an inspiration to me. Plus, I was fortunate enough to have amazing art teachers in high school.”

Her Instagram, @rileys_dogportraits, showcases her artistic talent and aptitude for detail. By the end of the year, Fitzgerald’s FOLLOW ON INSTAGR A M @r ileys_dog por tra its

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commissions for dog portraits will be close to 90. However, she plans to expand her horizons with new subjects and focus more seriously on art as a career.

“In the future, I plan to participate in pop-up art shows, art festivals and donate to silent auction events,” Fitzgerald said.

“My dream is to become a full-time artist.

I will always paint dogs, but I plan to broaden my subject matter and paint other things as well.”

To keep up with Riley Fitzgerald on her artistic journey and to test your knowledge of dog breeds, follow @rileys_dogportraits.

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JOE WORTHEM

scented C A N D L E S and S O A P S

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n the season of lights and giving, a family-run company in Oxford has holiday shoppers covered.

Four years ago, Jonathan Caudill ordered some supplies and began crafting candles as Christmas presents. Word spread, and requests for more candles led Caudill to start Cross Candle Company in 2016.

The company makes soy wax candles with enticing scents like red currant, cedarwood and eucalyptus, and magnolia and oak.

Caudill said his fascination with candles began when he was a child.

“I daydreamed of starting a candle company and even went as far as to create a catalog full of custom candles I designed,” Caudill said. “My prior interest in the craft was rekindled as soon as my gift supplies arrived. Although, I had no idea how much I would come to love the process or how well-

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received the candles would be.”

Caudill is a physician with a background in chemistry and biology. Candle-making allows him to apply creativity to his love of science. The process requires an understanding of the unique properties of soy wax, which melts at a relatively low temperature, as well as how the container, the fragrance, and the size and type of wick affect the candle flame. Caudill tests the candles to ensure they burn safely and evenly, creating just the right amount of melted wax while also releasing the scent effectively.

“It’s a rather lengthy and involved endeavor,” Caudill said. “I also spend a considerable amount of time considering and researching the scents. I tend to be drawn toward earthy and natural fragrances that are reminiscent of a walk through the woods.”

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Caudill crafts the candles but attributes a lot of his success and happiness in the business to his wife, Ceresa, who helps out at seasonal shows and manages orders.

“The best part of the business is the joy of working together with my wife in this endeavor,” Caudill said. “Cross Candle Company would not exist without (her) continued encouragement.”

Like her husband, Ceresa Caudill has also discovered a creative avocation: She has branched out into making scented soaps. Square Soap comes in two sizes and is available in orange, lemon-basil and rosemary-mint.

To soothe and pamper yourself or others, look for Cross Candle Company and Square Soap products at Oxford Floral, seasonal shows such as the Double Decker Arts Festival or at crosscandleoxford.com.

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AN OLD-SCHOOL CREAMERY IS REVIVED IN A COOL NEW SPOT FOR CRAFT ICE CREAM FEATURING LO C A L I N G R E D I E N T S A N D F L AVO R S F R O M T H E S O U T H.

WRITTEN BY SHANNA FL ASCHKA PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM VINTAGE PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY AL FENGER

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lthough many were despondent at the recent closing of Holli’s Sweet Tooth, now there is something to smile about. In the former location of Local’s at 309 N. Lamar Blvd., The Oxford Creamery opened in mid-August, adding to the Square’s growing dessert scene.

Owner Hudson Magee is originally from Oxford, but he hadn’t lived here since he was 12. It was the dream of the cream that brought him back. Magee still has family here, and after visiting often throughout the years, he noticed that a craft ice-cream shop was a missed opportunity in town.

“I have always been a ‘foodie’ with an obsession with desserts,” Magee said. “When traveling, I always make a point to scope out the local ice-cream place. I have lived in Chattanooga and Bozeman, Montana, and traveled everywhere in between. Almost every vibrant town that I have been to has a creamery that makes and serves craft ice cream and, honestly, I was surprised that Oxford did not have one yet.”

Magee was leading the sales team at a high-growth tech company in Bozeman — not a job that most would have just up and left — when he began to seriously consider pursuing his dream.

“I had to convince myself it was the right thing to do,” Magee said. “And after that convince my wife and family that I was going to drop it all to build this business.”

In March, Magee and his wife, Lo, packed up their lives and their infant son, Wilder, and made the journey back to Mississippi to start building The Oxford Creamery.

The name of the store might inspire nostalgia in older Oxford residents. The Oxford Creamery Co. was in operation for decades in the space now occupied by Funky’s Pizza & Daquiri Bar. Al Fenger, of Oxford, said his grandfather, Albert Fenger, who had emigrated from Denmark as a teenager, opened the creamery in the 1930s.

“He came from a long line of creamery people,” Al said. “They moved from Iowa to Starkville where he ran MSU’s teaching creamery.”

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Al’s grandparents, aunts, uncles and later his father all worked in the creamery, which produced and delivered butter, ice cream and unpasteurized “sweet milk,” straight from the cow. Deliveries were likely kept chilled with ice from the old Ice House, located below Neilson’s.

“I always heard about their ‘Co-Ed Ice Cream Bar,’” Al said.

“I’m not sure what it was, but probably like an ice-cream sandwich with Ole Miss colors.”

Albert sold the business to T.E. Avent (of Avent Dairy) in 1952.

Photos of Oxford Creamery Co. are displayed in the new space, and Magee plans to incorporate a vintage milkshake machine from the old creamery into the decor, bringing old traditions full circle.

With Pistacchio Gelato Italiano and YaYa’s Frozen Yogurt already established, one might be tempted to assume that the Square doesn’t need another ice-cream place. Magee actually sees it as an opportunity to create a further draw to the area.

“There is a bit of competition involved between us, YaYa’s, Insomnia Cookies, and the gelato place, but we are all very different at the same time,” Magee said. “Historically, the Square The Oxford Creamery has a gallery wall of vintage Oxford Creamery Co. photos.

Al Fenger’s grandfather (Albert Fenger) founded the Oxford Creamery Co. in the 1930s.

Al’s grandmother (Erma) and aunt (Elda Blatt) worked the front counter. Al’s dad (George) worked in production, and his uncle (Richard, pictured with the truck) handled deliveries.

Pictured in front of the original Oxford Creamery Co. building are (from left) George Fenger, Richard Fenger, Bert Fenger, Albert Fenger, Elda Blatt, (unknown), Erma Fenger, (unknown), (unknown).

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has not been a place to go and get dessert. You could order one at a restaurant, or go to YaYa’s. But now that we have a few more options around, I think it helps us all out (by) bringing more people to the Square in the afternoons and evenings to get something sweet.”

The Oxford Creamery isn’t just scooping out ordinary flavors; its ice cream is made from scratch, using local ingredients as much as possible. Brown Family Dairy in Yocona, for example, supplies the milk and cream.

“Our goal is to source everything that we can from Mississippi farmers,” Magee said. “To ensure the best quality, but also to connect the Oxford community to the flavors of the state.”

Fall flavors include Maple Bacon Brittle, Cinnamon Roll, Apple Butter and Biscuits, and Butter Pecan — made with Mississippi pecans when possible, along with perennial favorites Mint Chip and Sweet Tea. Ice-cream sandwiches, sundaes, milkshakes and floats are also available, as well as dairy-free options.

“We make cashew milk from scratch and do our base with part that and part coconut cream,” Magee said. “The result is a creamy, wonderful tasting ice cream. The science that goes into making the dairy-free ice cream is what makes it fun for us.”

“Ice cream is nostalgic, and (our) classic flavors allow our customers to have that experience,” Magee said. “Our approach to ‘Southern’ ice cream will also incorporate nostalgic flavors of the South to create something new but familiar. One example of this would be our seasonal pecan pie flavor.”

Magee first dipped into making frozen desserts several years ago. In 2012, he started a branch of Atlanta’s popular King of Pops

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Creamery owners Hudson and Lo Magee

Ice-cream maker Denver Bridwell

in Chattanooga, making gourmet popsicles and selling them from pushcarts at markets, festivals and on street corners. In Bozeman, he became good friends with the owner of an ice-cream shop, who taught him about the business and the art of making ice cream.

“I have since had a passion for food and, specifically, grown a love for ice cream over the last few years,” Magee said. “My friend in Bozeman owns a very successful craft ice-cream business, and I was able to spend time with him in his kitchen and learn from the best of the best.”

That passion will be matched with some serious know-how in the form of ice-cream maker Denver Bridwell, mastermind behind the kitchen operations at the creamery.

Bridwell was the ice-cream maker for some time at Saint Leo but is now at The Oxford Creamery full-time.

“At The Oxford Creamery, we are always creating and trying to raise the bar for what ice cream can be,” Bridwell said.

“Creating new flavors to be both nostalgic and new is the most fun part of the process.

A chef speaks through the food that they make, and I have a lot to say!”

Magee plans to cater events such as weddings and parties with an “ice-cream bike.” Look for the bike soon at markets and festivals in the area. For updates, check Instagram @theoxfordcreamery.

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Th r i l l

of the

Chase

THE ANCIENT SPORT AND TRADITION OF RIDING TO HOUNDS IS ALIVE AND THRIVING IN THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA, WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE LONGREEN FOXHOUNDS AT OPENING MEET. WRIT TEN BY HARRIE T MCFADDEN

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he first Saturday in November dawns crisp and clear.

On the lawn, riders in their hunt colors assemble. They down a stirrup cup, while the hounds are ushered into the gathering for the Blessing of the Hounds. After a moment of reverent silence, the huntsman blows her horn and leads the hounds off to a covert, where they cast about. One picks up a scent, gives a deep, bugling cry, and the rest of the pack joins in as they take off on the trail, with the field in pursuit. Opening Meet has begun.

Fox hunting is one of the oldest sports in America. It began in what is now Maryland, when Robert De La Brooke brought his pack of hounds over from England in 1650. With abundant game and land to hunt on, fox hunting spread through the Southeast with the people who settled this country.

In Mississippi, the sport, with all its centuries-old traditions intact, is still actively enjoyed by staff and members of the Longreen Foxhounds.

The Longreen Foxhounds, established in 1957 in Germantown, Tennessee, by Bart Mueller, are descended from a pack owned by President George Washington. They are Penn-Marydel hounds, named for the PennsylvaniaMaryland-Delaware country they hark from, and known for their long ears and resonant, bugling voices — so enthralling

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

they embolden horsemen to follow the sound anywhere it leads. Traits like the ability to find and follow scent are also hallmarks of the breed.

Today, Longreen chases foxes and coyotes in the Delta and the hill country near Como from November through March. The first hunt of the season, Nov. 2 this year, is called Opening Meet. At this event, pomp and tradition are on display, and riders and nonriders alike can experience the sport in all its glory.

Greg Patton is a Longreen member from Oxford. This will be his fourth season riding to hounds. “(At first) it all appeared to be a bit too ‘Downton Abbey’ for my liking,” he said. “But I reconsidered, acquired the outfit, and experienced my first ‘Tallyho!’ on the verdant rolling plains just west of Como. The thrill of the hunt is primordial, but what I have particularly come to enjoy is the comradery of other riders.

There is a shared sense of stewardship, for not just preserving a hunting tradition and the natural habitat required to sustain it, but to also engender friendships which persist long after the hounds are retired to their kennels and the horses turned out to pasture.”

Susan Walker is the master and huntsman of the Longreen Foxhounds. Walker began riding with the hunt at age 13, and

Opposite page: “Tallyho!” Longreen Foxhounds at Opening Meet. Above, left: “Longreen Klown ‘14,” born in 2013, entered to hunt in 2014, aunt to the newest litter of pups. Right: Susan Walker, huntsman and master of foxhounds, sounds her horn.

soon joined the staff as a whipper-in, assisting Mueller with the hounds. She has spent more than 50 years developing her skills.

“My parents both hunted with Mr. Mueller, so I was born into it,” Walker said.

It’s Walker’s job to keep and train the 30 or so hounds in the kennel. She also manages breeding, and takes them to hound shows, where they are repeat champions.

“I breed for conformation and performance in the field,” Walker said. “I try hard to maintain the old genetics of great hounds of the past, so I line breed (breeding cousins).”

The litters are identified by the alphabet. Currently Longreen is on the “U” litter, born in June, so all nine puppies have names beginning with U. “I stress socialization, so the puppies start meeting lots of people by 12 weeks of age,” Walker said. “To begin their training I start walking them daily at about 5 weeks. I love to see the puppies gain confidence stumbling over logs, splashing in streams and following me with their noses to the ground.

By the time they are 4 months old, they begin to distinguish smells. That’s when I need help from other people to encourage their interest in the scent of coyote and fox and discourage other scents like deer.”

At the start of Opening Meet, riders and spectators assemble, and a bourbon-laced “stirrup cup” is offered. The hunt staff escort the hounds to the center of the gathering.

Then a priest wearing formal vestments blesses the animals, the people and the great outdoors, just as it’s been done since the 1700s. Notes from musicians’ horns enliven the day.

All nonriders, especially children, are welcome on the “tallyho” hay wagons, to watch the hunt. The fee, which includes lunch, is known as a “cap fee” because traditionally, the hunt secretary doffs his hunt cap and passes it among the guests to collect the contribution. All of the proceeds from Opening Meet go toward the upkeep of the hounds.

After the blessing ceremony, Walker leads the way, surrounded by the pack, to the first covert thick enough to hold a fox or coyote. Those who follow the hunt are known as “the field.” These riders are led by a field master, whose job is to keep the riders close enough to see the action, while maintaining room for the hounds to work the area for scent.

Spectators on the tallyho wagons are positioned nearby. A short note on the master’s horn is the signal for the pack to leave her side and begin hunting.

Walker and her staff, the whippers-in, wear scarlet coats so they can be seen against the bare winter landscape. All other riders wear black coats to blend in together. Each hunt club has its own color of felt, sewn over the original collar. Your Top to bottom: Riders and spectators gather for a hearty hunt breakfast on the grounds at Birdlands near Como; Riders and hounds assemble for the Blessing of the Hounds; “Tallyho wagons” allow nonriding spectators to view the hunt in safety and comfort; Huntsman Susan Walker with hounds.

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“colors” show you are both friendly and competent to ride.

“To have your colors awarded to you by the master is a wonderful thing, and often your proud moment occurs at Opening Meet,” said Julie Chadwick, another Oxford member.

North Mississippi is home to both the grey and red fox.

When coyotes began migrating into the area in the 1980s, they competed for food with the fox population and began pushing the fox out.

“Since the 1970s, our sport has been coyote,” Walker said.

“We hardly ever see a red fox.”

Penn-Marydel hounds, while superb hunters, lack the drive to finish their quarry. Hunting with Longreen is all about the fun of the chase.

“We do not try to kill the game,” Walker said. “My hounds are not competitive enough to really want to catch (the coyote).

The occasional coyote we catch up with is mangy, or sick, or goes to bait — decides he doesn’t want to run. The coyote has

full advantage over the hounds by knowing his territory. He can discern how close hounds are by their cry, and then will begin to tease them by letting them close in then spurting off again. I need a good horse to keep my focus on the hounds, but my joy comes from watching the hounds search for the right game, work out the scent and follow it until they lose it or I call them off.”

At Opening Meet, and throughout the hunting season, for riders and spectators both, it’s not only the joy of the sport, and the great outdoors, but also the sense of community that prevails.

“There’s no place I’d rather be than looking out over the countryside at the huntsman, hounds and horses,” Chadwick said. “I’ve grown to love the community as much as the sport.

Longreen’s a family, dear folks I wouldn’t know anyplace else.”

To attend Opening Meet or learn more about the hunt, email Susan Walker at longreen57@yahoo.com.

Continued on page 36

Top: Jumping is part of the fun — a Longreen staff member clears a “coop”; Nonriders and hunt staff dress for the occasion in traditional attire.

Above clockwise from left: Spectators in the “tallyho wagons” enjoy a champagne stirrup cup; Children are welcome to attend as spectators or riders; Whipper-in Allison Crews in formal sidesaddle attire; Glorious fall weather and good companions make for a perfect day at Longreen Foxhounds Opening Meet.

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Continued from page 34

Fox Hu n t i ng 101 TERMS MASTER OF FOXHOUNDS RIDING TO HOUNDS OPENING MEET CAP FEE STIRRUP CUP COVERT CASTING VIEW

Person who oversees the workings of the hunt (may be more than one) Hunting on horseback with a pack of hounds The first formal hunt of the season, usually the first Saturday in November A fee paid by nonmembers attending the hunt; in the old days, it was collected in a hunt cap A drink enjoyed before the hunt begins, traditionally port wine A thicket where animals may hide Ranging by hounds in search of a trail See (a fox, a coyote, a bobcat, etc.)

PEOPLE HUNTSMAN WHIPPER-IN FIELD MASTER THE FIELD FLIGHTS HILLTOPPERS

Person responsible for training, caring for, and hunting the hounds (“Whip”) Hunt staff member who helps manage the hounds Hunt staff member in charge of the field Riders who follow the hunt staff and hounds Groups of the field that ride at different paces and distances from the hunt The slowest flight, farthest from the action but still within view

THINGS YOU SAY TA L LY H O! HARK TO HER/HIM ’WARE A HOLE ’WARE A HOUND

Called out by the hunt staff when quarry is viewed and the chase begins A command given by whips to stray hounds being summoned by the huntsman's horn (“Beware” a hole) Called out to warn riders of this potential hazard to horses A warning to riders that hounds are approaching; riders must immediately position their horses to face the hounds — it’s considered a cardinal sin for a horse to kick a hound

CLOTHES SCARLET COATS BL ACK COATS STOCK TIE CANARY VEST RATCATCHER COLORS

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Formal attire worn by the hunt staff, originally designed by an English tailor, Mr. Pinque Formal attire worn by the field A white tie knotted in a particular way and secured at the neck with a stock pin, traditionally worn in case a bandage was needed A golden yellow vest worn under the coat by both staff and field Less formal attire, including a tweed jacket Strips of felt sewn to the coat collar identifying members of the hunt

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THE OLE MISS STUDENT VETERAN’S ASSOCIATION GIVES BACK TO MILITARY FAMILIES, GRANTING WISHES TO THOSE WITH CHILDREN FACING LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES. WRITTEN BY GINNY McCARLEY PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM ILLUSTRATED BY ABBE Y EDMONSON

S

hhh ... 4-year-old Rowan Neff is about to get an unforgettable surprise. And Rebel fans will get to celebrate with her in Vaught-Hemingway stadium during the Nov. 9 football game against New Mexico State University.

Rowan is the third recipient of the My Ole Miss Wish program, a philanthropic effort, founded in 2018 by the University of Mississippi Student Veterans Association, that provides special experiences to military families with children facing life-threatening illnesses.

Rowan’s dad, a UM alum, is an Army veteran who served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rowan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia just before her second birthday and has undergone treatment for the last two years. Rowan, who loves cheerleading, will be treated to a number of surprises, including a spa day and special time with Ole Miss cheerleaders before the big reveal at the Nov. 9 game.

Naomi Neff, Rowan’s mom, is keeping the weekend a secret, so it will be a fun surprise for Rowan and her three brothers. The Neffs are big Ole Miss fans, and the weekend comes as a giant relief as the family finally settles back into a normal routine following Rowan’s chemotherapy.

“Now that Rowan is finished with treatment, we can breathe a bit, and get back to normal and have fun,” Naomi said. “We’re a huge Ole Miss family, we always have been, and getting to do something as a family and it getting to be a huge surprise for them is just really awesome.”

For many in the Ole Miss and Oxford community, supporting and surprising families who have battled pediatric cancer while serving in the military is a cause everyone can rally around.

“Because of what these families have gone through while they are also choosing to serve our country and put their lives on hold for us, it’s absolutely necessary for us to be able to thank them,” said

Opposite page: Rowan Neff and two of her brothers, Ridge and Miles, wonder about the surprise Rowan will receive from My Ole Miss Wish during the Nov. 9 football game.

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Andrew Newby, assistant director of the University of Mississippi’s Office of Veteran and Military Services. “We just want to let them know they are appreciated and loved. We get to make meaningful impacts in peoples’ lives, and it’s fun. We get to dream stuff up and make it happen.”

The first My Ole Miss Wish kid was 8-year-old Colton Bullock, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2013 at just 3 years old. After finishing treatment in April 2018, Colton and his family were treated to a weekend full of Ole Miss experiences.

That Friday, Colton was named an honorary lifetime member of the Ole Miss Student Veterans Association, before making his very own “walk of champions,” complete with an ROTC salute. He rode aboard an Oxford Fire Department fire engine to the Ole Miss vs. LSU baseball game, where he threw out the first pitch, hung out with the players and received a signed baseball. On Saturday, the Oxford community gathered in the Grove for a Nerf gun war, one of Bullock’s very favorite games.

Colton’s mom, Brittney Bullock, was stunned by how community members and the Ole Miss ROTC came together to cheer on Colton on the Walk of Champions, and to salute him and honor his bravery. It was an overwhelming show of love after a number of difficult years where Bullock managed not only Colton’s treatment but also her husband’s deployment.

“The Walk of Champions with everyone lined up, saluting my son, that hit me like a ton of bricks,” Brittney Bullock said.

“As his mother, of course I feel like he’s so special. But for all of these other people to honor him in this way, it took my breath away.”

Lauren Graham is vice president of the Student Veterans of America at UM. Graham, who has been integral to the planning and execution of the My Ole Miss Wish program since its inception, said the generosity and enthusiasm of the Oxford community is what makes the program special.

“One of the very best things (about the program) is getting all of these different organizations in on it to help,” Graham said. “We had a zero-dollar budget in the spring, and every single person was so helpful; I haven’t gotten a ‘no’ yet. Literally every single person on campus wants to be involved. It’s really nice to see an event that everyone can get behind.”

Last November, the second My Ole Miss Wish recipient, 13-yearold Benjamin Clark, was singled out at an Ole Miss football game, just as Rowan will be this year. More than 60,000 fans in VaughtHemingway stadium cheered wildly as the Clark family stood waiting near the 50-yard-line. Suddenly, Benjamin threw his hands in the air and grinned with abandon as Star Wars storm troopers and Darth Vadar approached and presented him with a football signed

by Rebels coach Matt Luke.

Next, an even bigger surprise played on the jumbotron: Newby and Coach Luke announced in a special prerecorded video that the Clark family would be taking an all-expenses-paid, weeklong trip to Disney World.

The special day came after a number of very difficult years for

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the family. Benjamin had just completed his course of treatment after enduring three and a half brutal years of chemotherapy for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Today, he is in remission.

“For me as his mom, the best part of the experience was seeing the joy and sheer surprise on Benjamin’s face when they told him about the trip,” Teri Clark said. “The kid got dealt a tough hand.

He handled it so well throughout the whole thing, and to see people willing to go above and beyond to help counteract the bad with some awesomeness was just really, really fun.”

S U P P O R T

MY OLE MISS WISH

Help support the Student Veterans Association at Ole Miss in a tangible way by purchasing an SVA car tag. All proceeds from license plate sales fund the work of the Ole Miss Student Veterans Association, including My Ole Miss Wish and the Welcome Home Fund.

Tags cost $51 in addition to any local tag charges, and your current tag does not need to be up for renewal to order.

My Ole Miss Wish is just one way the SVA at UM provides care for veterans: Through a variety of programs, the association works to support the veteran student population in their academic, personal and professional lives.

For more information, visit svatag.com.

Contribute directly to My Ole Miss Wish by donating to the University of Mississippi Foundation for the Welcome Home Fund. For more information, email Andrew Newby at andrew@olemiss.edu.

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P I EC E M A K E R S OXFORD CRAFTSWOMEN SERVE A LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNIT Y THROUGH QUILTING. WRITTEN BY CAROLINE HELLER PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

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f you are interested in learning how to sew a “Drunkard’s Path,” a “Card Trick” or a “Trip Around the World,” the Piecemakers Quilt Guild of Oxford is ready and willing to help you get started.

The guild meets at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the First Presbyterian Church on the second Saturday of each month. It maintains a well-stocked library of quilt patterns, fabrics and books, and is open to newcomers as well as seasoned quilters.

“Most sewing guilds have very strenuous requirements for admission,” founding member Ann O’Dell said. “But our guild has no membership requirements, just an interest in any kind of handwork.

The beauty of this group, besides the fact that we care so much for each other and are so applauding at each other’s projects, is that we help each other solve problems.”

“We welcome members who have never done quilting and make up little beginner packets to show them,” said guild president Deborah Robinson.

Since 1991, the Piecemakers have brought together a community of quilters as diverse and colorful as the quilts themselves. The guild connects local and international groups by helping each other improve in the art and techniques of hand and machine quilting. To foster these skills and a knowledge of quilt history, the Piecemakers host workshops and show-and-tells.

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The Piecemakers Quilt Guild of Oxford meets monthly to share quilting techniques and work together on service projects.

In keeping with its founding idea of serving local and global communities, the guild has benefited the victims of the tsunami in Japan, raised money for the recipients of Living Waters for the World water purification installations and sponsored a mission trip to Jamaica. Members have also used their prodigious skills to support programs in Oxford and surrounding areas.

The guild is currently making isolette quilts for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the North Mississippi Medical Center Women’s Hospital in Tupelo.

“They’ll use the quilts to cover the top of the isolettes, because the babies are in a very sterile environment with all the fluorescent light,” Robinson said. “The quilts help to protect their eyes and give them that darker environment that they need. When they can transition out of the incubator, the quilts can be used in a crib, or the moms and dads can have their baby in their laps with the quilts.”

The guild shares stories and history in its projects, show-and-tells, workshops and exhibitions. Members have created faith-themed quilts, such as “Women in the Bible,” and a “Noah’s Ark” quilt was gifted to the First Presbyterian Church’s secretary.

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creation of a quilt commemorating the university’s sesquicentennial in 1999. The quilt, which hangs on the third floor of the Lyceum, is made up of blocks representing the university’s different schools, the medical center in Jackson, the Square and the Grove.

“Because the Grove is such a big image for anyone who has ever been to Ole Miss, we put a “Tree of Life” in each of the four corners,” O’Dell said. “We let people from all over the state know that this was in the making and that anybody who wanted to make a quilt block could write in and say whether they were beginners, intermediate or advanced, and we sent them a pattern and fabric.”

In 2011, the Piecemakers sponsored the show “Celebrating Lafayette County: African American Quilts,” in collaboration with the University of Mississippi Museum’s exhibition of African American art historical quilts created in Gee’s Bend, Alabama. In the guild-sponsored show, black women of Lafayette County shared the rich history of their quilts, which, like the Gee’s Bend Quilts, often displayed the women’s ingenuity as they improvised with available resources to create quilts that were both functional and works of art.

Guild member Jane Thomas recalled one quilter’s modern interpretation of African American quilt making.

“A lady in the Mississippi Quilt Association was doing quilts related to the blues, and she did a program for us,” Thomas said.

“Some of the fabric she would stain with rust. And to me that is original.”

A mix of originality, family tradition and wit can be found in Owens’ story about an old, battered quilt her husband had picked the backing for when he was a boy.

“Well, when I got into quilting, I thought it would be fun for me to reproduce this quilt,” Owens said. “So I looked the pattern up in a book, and it was called ‘Little Boy’s Britches.’ I found some fabric that kind of … had an old look to it, and I matched everything the best I could and made it. Then I found a backing that was pretty near what he had. He had picked it out because it reminded him of olives as a child. I made (the quilt), and I named it ‘Old Man’s Pants.’”

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FROM SILKY GIN TO BUTTERY POPCORN, 10 BRANDS BORN IN MISSISSIPPI ARE WINNING FANS FAR FROM HOME. MEET THE LOCAL MAKERS BEHIND THEM.

WR IT TE N BY C A LY N H O ER N ER

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hether they are waking up early to grind corn into the perfect consistency for grits or spending hours getting a new recipe just right, these Mississippians are dedicated to their craft. Each one understands the importance of keeping their sources local and highlighting the great things happening right here in the Magnolia State. Get to know 10 Mississippi-based businesses providing quality products across the South.

Delta Grind Grits Water Valley

Sourced from farms across Mississippi and hand-ground in Water Valley, the grits, polenta, cornmeal and masa from Delta Grind Grits are Mississippi through and through. Julia Tatum became the owner of Delta Grind Grits when she bought the small business from her cousin, Becky Tatum. The latter purchased the company in 2008 and grew it to provide grits to over 50 restaurants and businesses. With a product that’s

ground to order and shipped the next day, Delta Grind Grits ensures freshness in every batch.

Today, the grits are served and sold in 20 states across the nation. They are also featured on the menu in several restaurants around Oxford — Southern Craft Stove + Tap’s Bloody Mary Shrimp and Grits, pictured here, is made with house-made Bloody Mary Mix, Mississippi Gulf shrimp and Delta Grind Grits.

deltagrind.com

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JOE WORTHEM

STONE-GROUND PRODUCTS GROWN IN THE HEART OF NORTH MISSISSIPPI

Crop to Pop Tribbett

The son of a cotton farmer, John Looney raised corn and rice on his small family farm in the Delta. He began trying his hand at growing popcorn after a friend suggested he add the crop to his offerings. While he already knew how to grow corn, the new challenge meant learning how to test the moisture content in corn kernels and adapting a process to dry them. Today, he supplies popcorn to more than 75 retail locations in seven states, with a farm staff that includes only himself, his father and two employees. He plans to continue to experiment with flavors and expand the offerings. sixmilefarmsllc.com

JOHN MARK LOONEY JR.

STOVETOP POPCORN SOURCED FROM DELTA CORNFIELDS

TUPELO RIVER COFFEE Tupelo SMALL-BATCH, CRAFT-ST YLE ROASTED COFFEE BEANS

KATE CHESTNUT

Peter Vance was not a big coffee drinker when he moved back to Tupelo from Memphis. His wife Kelley, however, yearned for a good cup of coffee like the ones she was able to get at craft coffee shops in Memphis. So, they took matters into their own hands. The Vances did their research by visiting different coffee shops in the area, experimenting at home and watching video tutorials in order to learn how to create their own syrups and roast their own beans. On their mobile coffee cart, customers have the opportunity to try coffees from all over the world that really focus on the flavor of the beans. tupeloriver.com

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JOE WORTHEM

DELTA RIDGE BBQ SAUCE Batesville V E R S AT I L E B A R B E C U E S AU C E I N S I X C R E AT I V E F L AVO R S

When Carey File tried the sauce sitting in the middle of his grandmother-in-law’s table, he knew he had discovered something special.

“I had never had anything like it,” File said. “We brought it home with us and gave it to a few friends, who loved it. We decided to make our own and sell a few jars at the farmers market, and it just exploded.”

Six flavors and 662 gallons later, File and his wife, Melissa, cannot believe the success that came from a little table sauce. Today, the couple produces the sauce at home in two-gallon pots. Their recipes begin with a simple spin on traditional barbecue sauce.

“You can separate most barbecue sauces into three categories: ketchup-, vinegar- or

mustard-based,” File said. “Our sauces have elements of all three ingredients.”

The formula helps make Delta Ridge BBQ Sauce a versatile ingredient, with fans adding it to stir-fry dinners, sprinkling it on salads and setting it out as a dip. To help satisfy their growing customer base, File and his wife are constantly developing new flavors. Their recently released Sweet & Tangy Watermelon has already sold 24 gallons. This new flavor joins other favorites like Fiery Honey Bourbon, Honey Heat and Smoked Hickory Mustard.

Neon Pig in Tupelo sells Delta Ridge’s sauces and features them with some of its specials.

The sauces can also be found in Oxford at LB’s Meat Market, King’s Steakhouse and Oxford Community Market.

facebook.com/DeltaRidgeBBQSauce

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ETTA B POTTERY Etta HANDMADE AND HAND-PAINTED DISHES, SERVING PIECES AND GIFTS

An experienced Oxford shopper could easily spot Etta B Pottery in any gift shop. Handmade in Etta, the beautiful pieces produced by Brent DeShea Weathers can be found in 13 states nationwide. Weathers branches out from the traditional with the unique shapes her dishware takes. Because every piece is handmade and hand painted, no one piece is exactly like another. The earth tones Weathers uses in her matte and glossy glazes, as well as the organic shapes of her designs, echo the textures of the Mississippi landscape. The artist is currently expanding her line of gifts, with a spoon rest as her latest release.

ETTA B POTTERY

ettabpottery.com

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KUDZU KUTTERS KNIVES Belden HANDCRAFTED KNIVES FOR RUGGED SKILL AND CUSTOM STYLE

“I didn’t even know people could make their own knives,” Lucius said. “I started doing research on how to make my own and taught myself everything.”

After building his own equipment, Lucius began

experimenting with different types of handles and blade sizes. In just two years, he has made nearly 70 knives. Lucius puts great care into shaping the grip of each knife, as well as finding the perfect balance for each blade. He believes this is what sets his knives apart from those made in a factory.

“Each knife I make will feel like an extension of the user’s arm,” Lucius said. “You just don’t get that with store-bought knives.”

kudzukutters.com

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JOE WORTHEM

Hunting and fishing all his life, Randy Lucius always understood the necessity of a good knife.

But it wasn’t until his son was gifted a custom knife that Lucius felt the desire to make his own.

TASTE OF GOURMET Indianola CUSTOM MIXES AND SAUCES FOR SOUTHERN-STYLE COOKING

After over 40 years in the restaurant business, Evelyn Roughton could no longer ignore the demand for her dishes to be accessible to the home cook.

“I wrote a cookbook, but people wanted it to be even easier,” Roughton said. “I started off just selling a mix for my catfish pate, and the demand just grew.”

Roughton now ships mixes for her most popular dishes all over the country. Each dish is tested in her restaurant, Crown Restaurant, or at an event she is catering. If she receives good feedback, she develops the dish into a mix. Taste of Gourmet now offers more than 40 items in their online store, from Mama’s Meatloaf Mix to Peach Pecan Pepper Preserves, and the company ships all over the country.

TASTE OF GOURMET

tasteofgourmet.com

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PABLO CORONA

DEJA SAMUEL

Wonderbird Spirits Gin Distillery Taylor GIN MADE FROM LOCAL INGREDIENTS IN THE REGION’S FIRST DISTILLERY

“Robert called me from Oxford and told me about Chand,” Alexander said. “He said if I wanted to do this thing, we needed to do it now.

A lot of stars had to align for this to happen, and they did.”

Leaving their careers, the three men converged in Oxford. Harlow and Alexander were familiar with the area; both were married to UM alumni, as was Forester, whose father had lived in Oxford

“We wanted to keep it local,” Alexander said.

“The jasmine rice we use for our gin is from Two Brooks Farm in Sumner. We are also the only distillery in North America that uses rice.”

The use of jasmine rice brings a floral character to the gin. It not only makes the gin silky but also is the flavor profile their gin is based on.

Today, Wonderbird Spirits Gin is available all over the state of Mississippi, in liquor stores, restaurants and bars. Fans of the spirit can also order it online through a distribution company called Seelbachs. Harlow, Forester and Alexander, currently the only employees of Wonderbird Spirits, look forward to developing new recipes and flavors in the future.

wonderbirdspirits.com

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WONDERBIRD SPIRITS

for 25 years. In the spring of 2019, the trio opened Wonderbird Spirits Gin Distillery, the first distillery in the region.

PABLO CORONA

Jobs in finance, law and business consulting drew Chand Harlow, Robert Forester and Thomas Alexander into big cities and away from their Southern roots. Alexander and Forester, old college roommates, often discussed their yearning for a slower pace. Each wanted to find work in an industry they were passionate about.

Forester met Harlow through a mutual friend, and the pair immediately bonded over their dream of starting a distillery.

WREN & IVY Madison STYLISH YET FUNCTIONAL HUNTING GEAR

UM graduates B.C. and Kim Rogers are passionate about hunting. They are also aware of the importance of functionality, style and feel of the gear every outdoorsman needs. The couple searched for gear that satisfied them, but they grew restless after failing to find any that perfectly mixed elegance and modern advancements. Thus, Wren & Ivy was born.

Starting with the basics, such as gun cases and rifle slings, Wren & Ivy has now grown to provide nearly everything the outdoorsman might need.

The Rogers have expanded their range to include dog supplies, duffel bags and even a gentleman’s grooming kit. Wren & Ivy products are available in stores across the South, as well as online.

GARNER AGENCY, INC

wrenandivy.com

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Earl Dismuke Sculptures Oxford C O M M I S S I O N E D S C U L P T U R E S F O R P U B L I C A N D P R I VAT E S PAC E S

Earl Dismuke is a Mississippi sculptor who is dedicated to enhancing community life through the power of public art, all the while pursuing his passion of creating his own body of work.

Dismuke, a Winona native, is a co-founder of the Yokna Sculpture Trail, a rotating outdoor sculpture exhibition in Oxford, and is also a recipient of the Mississippi Arts Commission 2019 Visual Arts Fellowship Grant. He stays busy with public arts consulting and installments, and commissioned work for private clients.

He believes the original components of every sculpture he creates makes them unique.

“Every piece I make is different,” Dismuke said.

“Each one is original. I enjoy incorporating rings into my sculptures, so some of the pieces have the same theme. However, the composition is never the same.”

When working on commissioned pieces, Dismuke creates a smaller example of what he intends to create and shows it to the client for approval. Dismuke displays his art at Studio

Waveland in Waveland, and at the Treehouse Gallery in Oxford. He installed a large piece in New Orleans in September.

“On Sept. 24, I installed my sculpture ‘Dingbat’ in New Orleans, at the intersection of Poydras and Camp Streets, as part of the Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition,” Dismuke said. “It was a successful installation. That evening I was able to celebrate with my friends and family at a reception at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. I built this 11-foot sculpture with the help of Darrick and Darrell Vanderford.”

The Poydras Corridor project, presented by The Helis Foundation, is a rotating public sculpture exhibition in New Orleans that was created shortly after Hurricane Katrina, with the mission of lifting the spirits of the people of the city.

Dismuke’s studio is in Oxford, where he lives with his wife, Samantha, and their four children. To request a commissioned piece, contact Dismuke on Instagram @earltheartist, or his website, earldismukeart.com.

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CRISTA ROCK

JOE WORTHEM

earldismukeart.com

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EDF GOLF CLASSIC PHOTOGRAPHED BY ABBEY EDMONSON

The Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation partnered with Deals Auto Repair to host the 12th annual EDF Golf Classic fundraiser at The Country Club of Oxford on Oct 11. Nicholas Air sponsored the awards ceremony.

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

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1. Michael Joe Cannon and David Calhoun 2. Mandi Buck, Colin Hill and Tracie Russell 3. Amy Goodin, Pam Swain, Julia Blackmon and Riley Kinnard 4. Rocky Kennedy, Tony Deal and Justin Childress 5. Logan and Chad Surber with Russell Cooke 6. Virginia Parkinson and Bryan Leggett 7. Allen Kurr, John Michael Marlin and Donnie Bell

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ALPHA K APPA ALPHA DINNER PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority’s Pumpkins and Pearls Scholarship Dinner took place Oct. 12 at the home of Sandra Cox McCarty.

The event included a raffle, dinner and dancing, with proceeds benefiting students in Lafayette and Panola Counties.

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1. Amy Boles with Crystal and Jennifer Williams and Shannda Jones 2. Tracey and Stephanie Scurlock 3. Herman Slack Jr. and Herman Slack 4. Edith Sims, Valencia Hunt and Tymingie Flowers 5. Vanessa Robinson and Isophene Owens 6. Judith Thompson and Torie Marion 7. Tyrus and Sandra McCarty 8. Dana Dixon and Carolyn Williams 9. Tiffani Garrett and Phalange Brutus 10. Barbara Price-Cage and Vernetta Price

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KUDZU KINGS CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESSICA RICHARDSON

The Kudzu Kings 25th anniversary concert took place Oct. 4 at The Lyric Oxford. The band, which originated in Oxford in 1994, plays a mix of country music, bluegrass and improvisational rock ‘n’ roll.

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1. Rachel and John Fitts with Smith and Bob Wilson 2. Charlie Brock, Kaylee Saunders and Jan Brock 3. Ric McAdams and Jeff Bailey 4. Jason and Katie Magee 5. Lyn Smith, Shaundi Wall and Randy Weeks 6. Daniel and Alison Doyle 7. Amy King, Liz Fowlkes and Toya McClay 8. Megan Black and Justin Mills 9. Haley Vassar and Brady Bramlett 10. Hunter and Chuck Deene

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MICKEY AND MINNIE VISIT PHOTOGRAPHED BY MEGAN WOLFE

Treehouse Toys hosted a visit with Mickey and Minnie Mouse Sept. 28. The familyfriendly event included photo opportunities and a meet-and-greet with the characters.

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

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1. Raelynn, Jaden and Dustin Golden 2. Samantha and Callie Grace Harrell 3. Joyce and Joyri Taylor 4. Aubrey, Robert and Karen Mehan 5. Christopher Slate, Wendy Rose and Nathan Erwin 6. Stephen and McLain Hedges with Allyn Roulhac and Mary Allyn Hedges

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Committed to Excellence Dan Finan, Realtor Ole Miss’15 MBA

CELL: 601.917.5429 wdfinan@hotmail.com www.resideoxford.com OFFICE: 662.234.5621

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OXFORD NEWCOMERS CLUB PHOTOGRAPHED BY NANCY MANROE

The Oxford Newcomers Club and Friends hosted an event called “Two Decades of Friendship” Oct. 2 at the Armory Pavilion.

The party celebrated the 20th anniversary of OCN&F and included a dinner by Taylor Grocery Catering.

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

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1. Cathy and Lester Williamson 2. Bonnie Siebert, Michelle Harvey, Judy Owens, Jonell McGiven, Anita Kimery, Richard Muller, Rosie Vassallo and Don Mason 3. Rebba and Lance Greer 4. Sylvia Pryor, Kay Shelby and Melanie Ladner 5. Betsy and Dave Dyke with Marge McCauley, Susan Hayman and Jim McCauley 6. Anne Milburn with Harper and Virginia Young

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MISS UNIVERSIT Y PAGEANT PHOTOGRAPHED BY NANCY MANROE

The 71st annual Miss University of Mississippi Scholarship Pageant was held Oct. 6 at the Ford Center. Lexie Harper was crowned Miss University 2020.

View more photos at invitationoxford.com.

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1. Hannah Oliver and Lexie Harper 2. Indyia Nellum, Lauren Hill, Maia Nellum and Dephanie Stoner 3. Margret, Anna Caroline and John Barker 4. Macey Crowder, Mollie Keeler, Molly Powell, Lucy Haddad, Kinlie Rackard, Kylie Applequist, Amanda Hagan, Tory Harless, Ellis Ross and Ashley Crowder 5. Emily Ruela, Aubrey Armstrong and Jamie Sproles 6. Sarah Gladney, Taylor Textor, Evelyn Rowan, Caroline Robiano, Anne Marie Conerly, Hailey Rikard, Caroline Underwood, Emily Wright, Margaret Virostek, Kennedy McClanahan, Sophia Ryan, Libby Foley and Meg Pugh and Alison Dabney

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MICHAEL BOLTON CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALEX SAGE

Multiple Grammy Award-winning singersongwriter Michael Bolton performed a concert Sept. 17 at the Ford Center. Bolton’s national tour features songs from his new album “A Symphony of Hits.”

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1. Jennie and Jim Mounce 2. David and Margaret Schaff 3. Rhonda and Lance Hickman 4. T.K. Funderburk and Kaleel Rahaim 5. Margaret Laney and Melissa Westbrook 6. David and Denise Goree 7. Karen and Duffy Morf 8. Grady Perkins and Margaret McEwan 9. Estella Dean, Bobby Jones and Tahnee Craft 10. Ashley Baker and Rebecca Phillips 11. Tammy Gillespie and Diane Brock 12. Missy McCracken and Tom Jenkins 13. Daniel and Jenna Moore

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MICH A EL B O LTO N

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OXFORD FOOD FILM FEST PHOTOGRAPHED BY MEGAN WOLFE

The Oxford Film Festival partnered with Oxford Community Market to host a screening of food-themed films Sept. 17 at the Old Armory Pavilion. Proceeds from the family-friendly event benefit the Oxford Film Festival.

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1. Joe Ann Allen and Melanie Addington 2. Tamara, Kyla and Kaylan Strong 3. Betsy Chapman with Sarah Strickland and Emily Klein 4. Benita Pretti and Larry Chapman 5. Madeline and Kristie Swain 6. Janie Dufault and Matthew Gray 7. Sarah McNamara and Eric Stevens

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THACKER MOUNTAIN RADIO PHOTOGRAPHED BY NANCY MANROE

A crowd gathered at Off Square Books to watch and listen to the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour broadcast Oct. 3. This live, weekly radio show features author readings and an array of musical guests, including The Yalobushwhackers house band.

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1. Mark Yacorone, Beth Ann Fennelly and Tom Franklin 2. Allstair Johnson, Gaby Brown and William Johnson 3. Jackie Daniels with Marge and Jim McCauley and Steve Stricker 4. Richard and Marilyn Frey with Paul Ogren 5. Tracy Lewis and Melisa Aldridge 6. Melissa and Ellie Tate 7. Liz and Andy Hyde

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DELTA WATERFOWL BANQUET PHOTOGRAPHED BY MEGAN WOLFE

The Oxford/Lafayette County chapter of duck hunting organization Delta Waterfowl held its fall banquet Sept. 26 at the Powerhouse. The event included cocktail hour, dinner and a live auction.

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1. Beth and Val Cuthbert with Patricia Weathersby and Jeff Lambdin 2. Mick Brown, Jake Muse, John Cromeans and Will Miller 3. Ty and Charlie Edwards with Blake Hodge 4. Trey Russell, John Town Day, Matthew Good and Jesse Ball 5. Robert Grantham, John Green and Ben Robertson 6. Sarah Grace and Austin Wallace 7. Breanna Radicioni and Franz Schnabl 8. Michael Smith and John Cromeans 9. Jim and Ann Greenlee 10. Ronda Hammock and Lexi Worth 11. Andy Howorth and Brad Feltenstein 12. Maddie Bassett with Austin Cole

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OUT & ABOUT VIEW MORE PHOTOS AT INVITATIONOXFORD.COM

T he G re at O xo n i a n E x p o s it io n

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Ba p t i s t C a nc e r C e nt e r P i n k O ut D ay

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I nt r ud e r I n T he D u s t S c re e n i n g

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1. Marsha Hunkele and Suzanne Coble with Angela and Fran Schneider 2. Ada Richardson, Jennie Vieve Richardson and Sage Holland 3. Michele and Don Price 4. Shirley Hentz, Antoinette Clark, Ginny Brown and Hayley Smith 5. Ann Margaret Compton, Lori Markle and Kris Dillard 6. Brooke Sykes, Damon Burks and Antonio Tarrell 7. Ryan Upshaw and Tamara Karakozova

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MISSISSIPPI'S BEST

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MISSISSIPPI'S BEST

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C R A N B E R R Y orange B R E A D BAKE YOUR OWN VERSION OF MRS. HIPPIE’S SWEET SPICED BREAD.

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RECIPE CONTRIBUTED BY K ATIE TOPBERRY

his Mrs. Hippie recipe is a fall favorite that’s fairly simple but fancy enough for a Thanksgiving dinner dessert.

Katie Topberry got her start at Bottle Tree Bakery, where she learned to bake under the tutelage of Pablo Sierra. In Sisters, Oregon, she worked at a vegan and glutenfree bakery, which inspired her to move back home and start her own vegan baking business, Mrs. Hippie’s Baked Goods.

Topberry also caters to those with food allergies and other dietary restrictions.

Her baked goods are available at Chicory Market in Oxford and Lost Dog Coffee in Taylor, and she takes orders for custom cakes and cupcakes. To learn more, contact Topberry on Facebook. Search “Mrs. Hippie’s Baked Goods.”

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

CRANBERRY

orange

BREAD

2 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup sugar ¼ cup brown sugar ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking soda 1½ teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ cup melted coconut oil

1 flax egg (stir together 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons water, and allow to sit 5 minutes) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup orange juice ½ cup dried, chopped cranberries or 1 cup fresh, chopped cranberries Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans or almonds or chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugars, salt, baking soda, baking powder, ginger and cinnamon. Then add coconut oil, flax egg, vanilla, orange juice, cranberries and optional

ingredients, if desired. Stir until just combined.

Pour into a greased loaf pan, and bake 45-55 minutes, checking for doneness after 40 minutes.

Cool on wire rack, and then top with orange glaze.

orange G L A Z E 1/8 cup orange juice 1 cup powdered sugar Whisk orange juice and sugar together well. When the bread has cooled completely, place the loaf and wire rack over parchment paper, and spoon the orange glaze over the top of the loaf. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

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