Mud & Magnolias July 2020

Mud&Magnolias October.

November 2013 July 2020

the TRAVEL issue

Glamping State Parks Travel Snacks Ice Cream Trail Trailhead Bike & Bed

CONTENTS

23 32

43 21

RECIPES

35

GLAMPING 101

43

S’MORES GALORE

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That fancy vacation may not have to be canceled after all, merely adjusted. Grab your tent, air mattress and a few of your favorite decorative staples, and head into the outdoors to camp in style.

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EXPLORE

TRAILHEAD BIKE & BED

At the top of the Tanglefoot Trail trailhead in Houston, a quaint little hotel just opened up with all things bicycles. But, it’s not just cyclists who can stay at the Trailhead Bike & Bed, everyone is welcomed.

Is it “sa-mores” or “s’mores”? Either way, we broke down this summer staple and reconstructed it into new creations. Think: strawberry wafers, peanut butter cups, even minty flavors.

ALSO:

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Foreign beaches may be out of reach this summer, but there’s nothing quite like Mississippi’s outdoors. Get out and stretch your legs in these state parks, and you’ll be delighted by what you see.

We’re hitting the road this summer, and that calls for car snacks. We mixed up some variations of fan-favorite travel snacks like trail mix, popcorn and pretzels to keep your carload happy and full until you get to your destination.

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July 2020

ICE CREAM TRAIL

We all scream for ice cream, especially during the summer. Hop in your car and make the trip to try out just a few of the ice cream stops Northeast Mississippi has to offer!

TRAVELING: AN INSIDER’S SCOOP

DIY NO-SEW PACK ‘N GO

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ON THE COVER Get out and explore Mississippi this summer.

Check out this month’s DIY at mudandmag.com.

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T

ravel is something I look forward to each year.

Whether it is a relaxing week at the beach or a weekend trip to watch the Rebels play, I am always planning for our next adventure.

This year, travel looks different to my family and others.

Many of us are not venturing far, but still have the itch to get out of the house. We decided to focus our travel edition more on exploring some of the wonderful things north Mississippi has to offer.

I’m excited to take a hike through some of the beautiful state parks in the area this summer. We feature a few of them beginning on page 35. While they all offer the opportunity to explore the great outdoors, some allow you to make a weekend of it. Use some of our glamping tips (page 23) to take your tent to the next level.

Hit the pavement riding your bike on the Tanglefoot Trail and enjoy the evening at Trailhead Bike and Bed (page 43). The new Houston spot is perfect for cyclists or just a summer stay-cation. They have plenty of outdoor areas to relax and enjoy a summer evening.

When you want to cool off, the best way to beat the summer heat is an ice cream treat. Throughout north Mississippi there are many wonderful places to stop and snack. I am excited to try a few from our ice cream trail (page 53) this summer. The over the top floats from Saxon’s and Magnolia Creamery are at the top of my must try list.

Enjoy north Mississippi this summer — there’s plenty to get out and explore.

1242 S Green St. Tupelo, MS 38804 662.842.2611

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sarah Brooke Bishop

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Lindsay Pace Kristina Domitrovich Robyn Jackson

FEATURED SALES CONSULTANTS Leigh Knox June Phillips Nick Boone Angie Quarles Tyler Vuncannon Teresa McDonald Shelley Ozbirn Darla Webb

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dennis Seid

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jeff Lambert Courtney Vines

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RECIPES

GRAB + GO for the road These sweet and savory snacks are packable, portable and kid friendly — ideal for your summer travels.

Pretzels

recipe on pg. 21

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RECIPES

Popcorn

recipe on pg. 21

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RECIPES Peanut Butter Granola Bark recipe on pg. 21

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RECIPES Trail Mix

recipe on pg. 21

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RECIPES

Cheerio Mounds

recipe on pg. 21

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RECIPES

Crushed Cone Snacks recipe on pg. 21

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RECIPES PRETZELS Ingredients: Buffalo Bites 1/2 cup preferred hot sauce 1/2 cup butter, melted 2 1/2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon preferred seasoning salt 16 ounces pretzels Parmesan Garlic 1/2 cup butter, melted 5 tablespoons parmesan 4 teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs 16 ounces pretzels Directions: In a small bowl, combine the butter with other ingredients as listed. Pour the pretzels into a large bowl or a gallon bag, and pour the liquid over the contents; cover and shake until evenly coated. Rest on the counter for 15 minutes, and serve.

POPCORN Ingredients: BBQ Popcorn 3 tablespoons paprika 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 bag of plain popcorn Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn 4 tablespoons peanut butter powder 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder Pinch of salt 1 bag of plain popcorn Fiesta Popcorn 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 bag of plain popcorn

Ranch Popcorn 1/2 package low-sodium ranch seasoning 1 bag of plain popcorn Directions: Begin popping popcorn as directed by packaging. In a small bowl, combine desired recipe’s spices, and stir. Transfer popped popcorn to a bowl or bag, sprinkle with seasonings, cover and shake until evenly coated.

PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA BARK Ingredients: 10 ounces peanut butter chips 1 tablespoon peanut butter 1/2 cup, preferred granola Directions: Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment. In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter and the chips. Microwave on 20-second intervals, stirring between each heating, until melted and smooth. Pour into the baking dish, and top with granola. Allow it to set by leaving it at room temperature for about two hours, until it snaps and can be broken into bark.

TRAIL MIX Ingredients: Apple Pie 1/2 cup candied ginger cubes 1 cup walnuts 3/4 cup freeze-dried apples 1/4 cup white raisins 1/2 cup white chocolate chips 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon Tropical 1/2 cup banana chips 1/2 cup dried pineapple chunks 1/2 cup dried mango cubes 1/2 cup cashews 1/4 cup coconut shreds 1/2 cup almonds 1/2 cup peanut M&Ms 1/4 cup craisins Strawberry Banana 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries

1 cup banana chips 1 cup cashews 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips 1/4 cup white raisins Directions: In a large bowl or bag, combine all the ingredients for desired recipe; cover and shake until distributed.

CHEERIO MOUNDS Ingredients: 1/2 cup almond butter 1/4 cup honey 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 cups Honey Nut Cheerios Directions: Line two baking sheets with wax paper. In a large bowl, mix together the almond butter, vanilla and honey. Microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring between each heating, until melted and smooth. Fold in Cheerios until evenly coated. Use a 1/3-cup measuring cup to scoop mounds onto the baking sheet.

Transfer to the fridge or freezer for two to three hours or until set.

CRUSHED CONE SNACKS Ingredients: 12 waffle cones White chocolate Milk chocolate Suggested toppings: Chopped nuts Flakey sea salt Candy pieces Sprinkles Sugar crystals Directions: Melt the chocolate in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring between each heating. With the back of the spoon, gently tap each waffle cone individually, until it shatters into desired sizes. Dip into the melted chocolate, allow excess to drain off, and sprinkle with desired topping. Set on a plate and allow it to cool for about 15 minutes, or until the chocolate has set. M

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[ SUMMER VACATION]

Glamping 101

by LINDSAY PACE

Mud & Mag

tent tour

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#TRENDING hygge

w

e channeled all things “hygge” - the Norwegian art of coziness - when decorating our glamping tent. Complete with a bookshelf, record player, wine serving tray and rugs, this tent makes for the perfect long weekend.

#TRENDING Tassels, tassels, tassels. We made a DIY chandelier in our favorite calming colors. Find the DIY video at mudandmag.com.

LET THERE BE LIGHT Use a portable generator to illuminate your tent come nightfall. There’s nothing like a cozy glow.

LET THERE SOFT + WARM BE LIGHT We coordinated every color in our tent down to this cozy throw. Bring lots of blankets - even a comforter for maximum relaxation. And as a Southern rule: the more pillows, the better.

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CREATE WITH CRATES Stack crates on top of one another to create a simple bookshelf. Here, we stored our alarm clock, lamp, books, shoes and record player.

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#TRENDING details

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Our Team 1. STORAGE Convert a table with cabinets into an entryway piece. On top, place cheerful pieces that inspire. Inside, keep camping staples, like an on-site first-aid kit, extra water bottles or trash bags.

2. SWEET GREETINGS Place a doormat at the entrance to keep a clean tent.

We love this fun greeting!

3. GROOVY TUNES A battery-operated record player lends a touch of nostalgia to your retreat. Be sure to keep records cool by storing them in the shadiest part of your tent.

4. WARM WRAPS Camping essentials, like this travel-friendly coffee mug and snuggly blanket, sanctify mornings.

5. SUMMERY WINES A pretty tray houses evening essentials, such as a crisp, white wine and a travel-friendly drinking glass.

6. FANCY FIXTURES Our tassel chandelier in coordinating colors ties the tent together perfectly.

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S’MORES GALORE

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S’mores are kitchen-speak for summer. We welcome the season with delicious twists on a fan favorite.

recipes by KRISTINA DOMITROVICH photos by LINDSAY PACE

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KIT-KATS AND CARAMELS 1

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1. Kit-Kats + Graham crackers 2. Snickerdoodles + caramel 3. Strawberry wafers + Strawberry marshmallows

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4. Chips Ahoy + marshmallow creme 5. Stroopwafels, coconut and caramel 6. Oreos + marshmallow creme

COOKIES AND CREAM SUMMER TIP

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN If rain dampens your campfire plans, don’t sweat it! A microwave, broiler or kitchen torch (our favorite!) will work wonderfully.

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Variations: Filling: Reese’s Cups • Kit-Kats • Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme bar • caramel • shredded coconut • flavored marshmallows • Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme // Base: Thin Mints • Chips Ahoy • Chocolate Graham crackers • homemade cookies • Oreos • strawberry or vanilla wafers M

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explore

by KRISTINA DOMITROVICH photos by LINDSAY PACE

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hike walk trek

& See W

hile the world may look different this summer, one thing remains: Everyone still wants to get out and enjoy the sun and outdoors. It may look differently this time around, but those summer adventures can still be had.

Take a look at your local state parks, or plan a day trip to one a little further outside of your area, and think of it as a “stay-cation.” While you’re there, it’s a great way to stop in neighboring towns for a quick visit to experience what each has to offer. Call ahead to the parks to see what fun activities you can plan or what permits you may need, since each location is different, and you might even luck out on a kayak or canoe rental day. You can find waterfalls in JP Coleman State Park, Tishomingo State Park, or even along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Look for hiking and walking trails, pack some snacks and go wander.

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natchez trace parkway The Trace is a 444-mile route that stretches from Natchez, Mississippi, through Alabama, and ends in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mississippians are not lost on the Trace’s beauty, and it offers the perfect “go for a long drive” setting. While it’s a road, sure, the Trace offers much more. With exits for larger and smaller cities and towns alike, there are also hiking trails and nature walks speckled along the parkway. It’s the ideal way for travelers or otherwise adventure-seekers to get out, stretch their legs and sink back in time and into nature. Throughout the Trace, travelers can enjoy lookout spots, adjacent camping locations, plenty of biking opportunities, lakes and reservoirs and a waterfall to explore in Tennessee.

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sam d. hamilton noxubee National wildlife refuge Located just south of Starkville, the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge is fairly unoccupied during the summer months, when the students at Mississippi State University go home. Stretching over 48,000 acres, visitors have plenty of space to hunt, fish and enjoy the swampy atmosphere that attracts so much wildlife. This wildlife, like the impressive number of bird species, along with the occasional alligator, can be admired on the several walking trails and boardwalks. While camping is not prohibited in the Refuge, the neighboring towns, like Starkville, Louisville, Brooksville and even Columbus have amenities for overnight visitors.

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Tombigbee State Park is located right outside of Tupelo, and offers RV hookup, campgrounds and cabins, hiking trails, and water and fishing access.

While you’re in the area, you may as well explore Tupelo and walk the grounds of the Elvis Presley Birthplace, visit the Tupelo National Battlefield, drive through the Tupelo Buffalo Park and see what else Tupelo has to offer.

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tishomingo state park

Tishomingo State Park, located right off of the Natchez Trace between Tishomingo and Dennis, is named after the Chickasaw Chief Tishomingo. The park’s claim to fame is the massive boulders, rock formations and crevices unique to Mississippi, along with the swinging bridge. The park is open year round, and takes reservations as early as two days prior to arrival. It offers RV hookups and cabins, boat launches and canoe rentals, fishing, a man-made waterfall, hiking trails for all levels, with plenty of historic sites and buildings to explore. M

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Tra ilh e

d a

B & e e d k i B

by KRISTINA DOMITROVICH photos by LINDSAY PACE

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Previous page: In the shared courtyard area are several antique bikes the couple has found, one with the help of Millette’s sister on her way to the beach. Right: A table below a TV in the wheelchair-accessible room.

“I started shopping in November,” Millette said on decor. “I just started picking stuff up really with no rhyme or reason ... It’s really amazing, once you start looking for bicycle decor, it’s everywhere.” Next page: While each room is centered on cycling, the decor varies from room to room. “I just tried to weave a common theme throughout, but made each room unique in its own way,” Millette said.

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n the throes of COVID-19, Millette and Lee Nabors were faced with a tough choice: Either open Trailhead Bike & Bed, a lodging site off of Tanglefoot Trail, or put it off. “‘We’re too far gone now to stop,’” Millette remembers thinking. “The day that I posted on Facebook that we were open and ready for business, the next day I actually had all four rooms rented.”

It turns out, bookings haven’t seemed to slow since that day they opened on May 16. In fact, through the pandemic, the couple has found biking as a whole and the Tanglefoot Trail are gaining popularity.

“Every afternoon, you could just hear the families and the kids and the chitterchatter and everybody unloading and getting on the trail,” Millette said. “It was refreshing to see all these families spending that time together doing something exercise related, getting out, expending some of that energy from being cooped up all day long.”

The couple has lived in Houston for 26 years and is well familiarized with the world of biking, as they themselves are cyclists. Millette took a break and is just now returning to the cycling community, but Lee said he’s been involved for over 10 years. In fact, he served as the Houston representative for the Tanglefoot Trail Board of Directors while it was under construction.

“It’s just an unbelievable experience,” Lee said on the trail. “It’s like being in the woods, it’s beautiful.”

The trail itself is pretty well shaded and fairly level, save a few inclines. In fact, the overall level path is one of the drawing points for many cyclists. In the past month, the couple has hosted guests from Illinois, Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia and Alabama, as the trail attracts cyclists from all over.

Since the Natchez Trace runs through Houston, too, they get more cyclists from that as well, though the Trailhead Bike & Bed’s property line goes right up to the Tanglefoot trailhead.

The trail, which starts in Houston and runs 44 miles to New Albany, is the inspiration behind the name. Millette said it’s a common misconception to think the trail starts in New Albany, but it doesn’t, it actually ends there and starts in Houston – hence, Trailhead Bike and Bed (a play off the traditional B&B).

Through construction, the couple realized that though they originally had solely cyclists in mind, their Bike & Bed was perfectly suited for any guest. “(We) started out as something with cyclists in mind,” Millette explained. “But as we built it and things progressed and changed, we realized that it can be a whole lot more than that. You don’t have to be a cyclist to come and stay with us.”

From birthdays and family reunions, the space is very versatile.

“I’ve even had people here in town have staycations,” Millette said. “One couple celebrated their anniversary here shortly after we opened.”

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When Millette told Lee about her idea for a cyclists’ lodge in 2019, he drew up a few sketches that the two would later take to an architect, who Lee said “brought our ideas to life.” He joked that of the couple, he did the “meat and potatoes part of the construction” and Millette “put the icing on the cake.”

Construction began in July, and the couple remained hands-on throughout; Lee, who owns a concrete company, poured the slabs.

The wifi and cable equipped pet-friendly, fourbedroom lodge sleeps 16 with three RV hookups complete with 30 and 50-amp and sewer hookups.

All guests get shared access to the hot tub, laundry

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room (an after-thought addition suggested by the architect), fire pit, the outdoor courtyard areas and the full outdoor kitchen. In fact, Millette said that upon request, she can stock the fridge with whatever the guests request ahead of time; but if guests would rather do it themselves, the Bike & Bed is within walking distance of a grocery store, along with a liquor store.

The Trailhead Bike & Bed is fully encased in a tall, secured privacy fence. The two said their friends who have visited seem to forget they’re in Houston.

“They’re like, ‘I feel like I just stepped into somewhere else, a resort that’s hours away,’” Millette said.

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The couple said that all along, they wanted the lodge to seem like a retreat, a private getaway.

“One of the things we told each other when we were designing it was that we want to design something that if somebody opened those gates, they would say, ‘I want to be here,’” Lee said. “And that’s what we’ve done, we’ve created something where people want to be here.”

More than just the out-of-towners want to be at the Bike & Bed, too, because the couple said they’ll find themselves going over when there aren’t any guests.

“We find a lot of times when we don’t have guests, we’ll come over here and grill and just hang out,” Millette said. “To me it’s just so relaxing, you can come inside these gates and just forget what’s happening.”

As far as guests are concerned, Millette said that has been one of her favorite parts of the job so far, getting to know new people, while still giving them space to enjoy themselves.

“Meeting people, hearing their stories, to me that’s the fun part,” Millette said. “I can be as hands-on as you need me to be.”

Lee laughed about some guests from Chicago who asked him “please come over here and tell us your story.”

“They just wanted to hear me talk,” Millette interjected, laughing, about her southern accent.

The couple said they spent about four hours hanging out with their guests. At the end, Lee said he explained a part of the SEC culture, how every school has a cheer. Lee and Millette, both University of Mississippi graduates, said they chanted Hotty Toddy for them.

For now, the couple prefers to stay hands-on with cleaning and maintenance. They laughed about how for their first multi-night visitor, they realized halfway through his stay that he would need fresh towels.

“I’ve never done anything in the hotel industry before in my life,” she said. “And I was like, “Huh, yeah, you would need some clean towels.”

While they’re still learning and having fun along the way — “Surprisingly enough, we really did not

Top: The couple made sure to include a full self-serve kitchen, complete with a wet bar and cycling bar stools. Right: Lee and Millette were very hands-on throughout the process of building Trailhead Bike & Bed. The two made the ladder, which they found on Pinterest. Above: Rocking chairs surround a fire pit, where a pig figurine sits. “The little pig’s name is Trek, and he watches the firepit. And his name, the owl up there,” Lee said, motioning to a fake owl in the ceiling above the lit ladder, “his name is Poppy.” “He takes care of the pigeons,” Millette interjected, smiling. “Lots of little quirks that we only know about.”

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argue through this project” Millette interjected, laughing — the couple already has plans for expanding in the future. Lee said he’s waiting for college sports to pick back up, as they expect additional guests through that; and Millette said they plan on starting bike rentals at some point, too. They want their Bike & Bed to eventually serve as a venue, and have already received expressed interest in hosting weddings, private bookings for reunions and special events. If it comes down to it, they said they could even knock down the fence to expand and add on more rooms — something the couple’s five sons may appreciate, as they like to joke that the Bike & Bed is their “family commune” whenever they’re all in town. M

Top: Pillows on the outdoor seating area reflect the cycling theme; Right: Millette and Lee Nabors, who met when Lee took a job on Millette’s father’s farm as a farmhand. “I fell in love with the famers daughter,” Lee grinned. The two went to the University of Mississippi together; Lee now owns his own concrete company, and Millette is a part-time pharmacist. Above: More biking decor in one of the rooms and Houston’s zip code.

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ICE CREAM TRAIL

by KRISTINA DOMITROVICH photos by LINDSAY PACE

Summer is officially here, and that means it’s prime time to enjoy some ice cream. If you’re feeling cooped up in your house, venture out and have fun with it – all while getting a scoop of your favorite flavor and getting out of town. Here are a few options Northeast Mississippi has to offer.

Be sure to check your area for other local favorites as well.

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[oxford]

OXFORD CREAMERY A

t the Oxford Creamery, the goal is to play on nostalgia.

“We strive to make ice creams that taste like they’re from here, or taste like another time,” said Denver Bidwell.

Before Oxford Creamery opened in August 2019, Hudson Magee, the owner, hired Bidwell as the chef. For Bidwell, who has worked from butcher shops and fine dining alike, his brain’s now frozen on the sweet treat.

“I’ve had a lot of fun,” he said.

“I look forward to coming here every day, and miss it when I’m not here.”

For Magee and Bidwell, the goal was to bring southern classic flavors and memories while sourcing ingredients locally and seasonally, trying to gather ingredients within three surrounding states. For certain flavors, Bidwell can supply some ingredients himself, like the mint he grows on his farm in Water Valley.

He’s found that ice cream presents a fun challenge of balancing sweetness and other flavors; one of the tricks up his

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sleeve? Buttermilk.

“I don’t know if anyone would argue with me, but I would say I’m the biggest fan of buttermilk that works on the Oxford Square,” he joked. “The thing that I’ve learned the most in the kitchen from all of my years is balance – try to achieve balance.”

Not all the ice creams use buttermilk, but some flavors, like the lemon butter cake, put it to good use.

Bidwell, who moonlights as a stand-up comic, likes to play on words for the names of his creations – Oxford Coma instead of death by chocolate, which also plays on the concept of an Oxford comma (he said that flavor garners the attention from a lot of English students and professors). But for him, the best part of his job is the availability to patrons.

“With $3 scoops of ice cream, we’re serving everyone. I hadn’t been in a restaurant setting where that was the case,” he said. “The most fun thing for me is looking through that window and seeing the looks of satisfaction on all the people’s faces.”

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Page 53: A peek into Chunky Chuck’s ice cream counter shows chocolate chip ice cream. Previous spread, from left: A half flight at Oxford Creamery consists of three scoops of ice cream. Pictured are Ole Town Road, Sweet Corn Blueberry Crisp and Oxford Coma; A pop of yellow fills the foyer. The half-sun shape doubles as a melting scoop of ice cream.

This spread, from left: Saxon’s Drive-In is hard to miss with this retro, recognizable sign; Saxon’s offers dozens of treats, from traditional ice cream cones to deckedout shakes. Pictured top to bottom: A strawberry cheesecake hand-dipped ice cream cone; A banana split, unique with pineapple, and a milkshake; A candy jar milkshake served in a Mason jar with their logo..

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[houston]

SAXON’s Saxon’s has been serving the Houston community since 1972. Ashley Henry’s weekly order was a chocolate milkshake and a cheeseburger – which is still her go-to – but back then she had no idea where Saxon’s would take her. In 2013, Henry and her husband bought the drivein and beloved restaurant. The meat of the restaurant remains: a slew of old-school classics one could expect from a drive in, “Something for the whole family,” as she puts it, and a fan favorite banana split. But the Henrys added in something a little sweeter. They expanded the cold treat selection, which now includes over 20 flavors on the board and even more milkshake options, but they also created their newest addition: candy jar milkshakes.

She said it all started when her family would take vacations and see the monster milkshakes on menus.

Over time, she decided to bring it back to the drive in.

She joked that when it comes to making milkshakes, employees “might find muscles where you did not realize you were wanting muscles,” but the employees have a lot of fun making the candy milkshakes, because they’re so crazy and fun.

“It’s almost like a piece of art,” she said.

In addition to these monster shakes, walk-up patrons can enjoy games in their outdoor seating area. Life-sized things like Connect Four, Jenga, corn hole and dice are there to help keep adults and kids alike entertained all summer long.

For Henry, the best part of her job is growing relationships with her employees.

“The kids become my kids,” she said. “It’s just extended family. That and the most fun part, too, would be putting smiles on the little ones’ faces.”

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[tupelo]

Creamery Magen Bynum saw a need and a market in Tupelo for snow cones, so she decided to open up shop. Since she also owns Magnolia Salt and Bath Co, she decided a snow cone truck would be the best option. Not only does she already have experience with food trucks through Southern Bugz Crawfish Company, but she thought a snow cone truck would be the perfect way to launch new locations for her other company, as the truck could make its way to new storefronts for grand openings.

Along the way of making plans for the sweets truck, Bynum saw another market: specialty shakes. She found the perfect ice cream vendor to use for the base of the shakes, and started making recipes from there.

“I created every one of our menu items in my kitchen,” Bynum said. “It was a fun thing for us as a family, to get together and just create a lot of these menu items and shakes.”

Bynum enlisted the help of her 5-year-old daughter, who got to weigh in heavily on taste and presentation to nail down the wow factor. Bynum said she was looking for “what appeased her senses and what she liked and said, ‘That was fun.’” That wow factor is what Magnolia Creamery strives for.

“We don’t just do normal or average, we always go above and beyond,” she said. “Shaved ice, but add the whipped creams and the fruits, and add the cotton candy and the toys and the fun things.”

At the end of May, Magnolia Creamery served its first customer. So far, Tupelo already seems to have picked its front-runner: the sugar coma with peanuts, caramel, fudge and chocolate, topped with a Scarlet’s donut. That’s another thing, Bynum makes sure to use local: Local growers for fruits, donuts from Scarlet’s, or famous blueberry donuts from Connie’s Chicken to top the shakes.

“That really supports locals, and also we know that their product is good,” she said. “It’s going to help my product, too, (to) taste a little bit better.”

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Previous page, from top: Magnolia Creamery offers specialty shakes. The Cookie Monster includes cookie dough and whipped cream, to start; The creamery’s Shasta trailer is painted bold with magenta; a rainbow snow cone is one of their most colorful treats. This page: A young visitor enjoys an ice cream cone in the summer sun.

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This page: A look into the Bluebell ice cream counter at Chunky Chuck’s. Next page, from top: The old-fashioned ice cream parlor offers trendy, “crazy” shakes; A coffee milkshake may intrigue caffeine afficionados; Decorated cones are displayed for guests.

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[columbus]

CHUcK’S Regina Unrue remembers when her friend Chuck showed her his next project: a pink-painted, flamingostuffed ice cream shop. Instantly, she loved it.

“You have people come in here and it’s just happy, it’s just a happy atmosphere,” she said.

When she bought it in 2019, she decided she didn’t want to change a thing – not the decorations and not even the name, though the original Chuck joked and told her she was too thin to own a place with a name like Chunky Chuck’s.

For Unrue, the shop has always felt like a beach getaway or somewhere you would visit on vacation. To foster the relaxation and fun, she never turns the TV to the news; she flips on game shows instead. The pink and bright atmosphere combined with “the children’s’ faces just when you hand them their ice cream with sprinkles on it and they just smile,” she said makes for a pretty relaxing and fun place to be.

At Chunky Chuck’s, they currently serve 32 Blue Bell ice cream flavors that can be turned into shakes and crazy shakes, along with a few baked goods like cinnamon rolls and banana bread.

One day, Unrue hopes to expand Chunky Chuck’s to include a lunch menu. She said that the store’s location in Columbus is ideal for it, serving as a halfway point for those on the Columbus Air Force Base who do not want to drive all the way into town. Those military patrons receive 20% off for their service, and the walls are lined with undergraduate pilot training class patches, which have been traded in for ice creams.

She said she gets connected with those on the base, and notices when they transfer for new orders.

“You see them, you connect with them and see the familiar faces, even though you don’t know their name,” she said. “And then they’re just gone and it kind of pulls at your heartstrings.”

Military or not, Unrue said seeing her customers enjoy their ice cream thrills her.

“Either they come in here and they sit down or (go) outside and enjoy their sweet treats. I love people,” she said. “I love working with the public.” M

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BUYER ’S GUIDE

Traveling: An Insider’s Scoop

by DENNIS SEID photos by JEFF LAMBERT and COURTNEY VINES

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Previous page and above: Photos of beaches taken by Courtney Vines.

I

magine sinking your toes in sand and soaking up the sun as the spray of salty water offers cooling comfort on an exotic island. Or perhaps you round the corner of a trail in the mountains, opening up to a flurry of colors, anchored by a turquoise lake.

Unfortunately, imagination is what many wouldbe tourists have had to use this spring, as travel has all but come to a stop.

In his 25 years in the travel industry, Jeff Lambert has sent people to all seven continents, from Bora Bora to Brazil, from Greece to the Galapagos Islands.

But this spring has been like no other, as the novel coronavirus interrupted many, many plans.

Up until mid-March, travel plans were plentiful.

“Each year it gets better and better, but I came to a screeching halt,” said Lambert, of Global Travel Service in Tupelo. “We got lucky – nearly all of our spring-break people went. Only one canceled, and it was a trip to New York.

Everybody else went to Disney and Cancun and all that. But it was after spring break – which is usually a slow time for us anyway – that things started dropping off.”

It’s the same thing for Courtney Vines of Adventure Therapy Travel in Clarksdale, which

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works with clients going to Orlando and Beaches and Sandals resorts in the Caribbean.

“We’ve had all sorts of cancellations and rebookings,” she said. New bookings vanished as well. “It started about mid-March, then there was nothing in April and May.” But with businesses opening back up across most of the country, people are traveling again.

They’re just not going too far. And long-range planning is still hit and miss.

“We’re seeing cancellations from tour companies stretch through August,” Lambert said.

“But I would be comfortable booking for this Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

“People are planning ahead for 2021 and even 2022 with some cruise lines,” added Vines.

Without a doubt, the travel industry has been devastated by COVID-19. The U.S. Travel Association and Oxford Economics recently released a new report on the American travel and tourism sector. The U.S. is projected to suffer a $519 billion decline in direct travel spending, translating into $1.2 trillion in lost economic output – a financial impact nine times worse than 9/11.

And it doesn’t get much better. Over the next

two months, the travel industry is set to suffer an 81% fall in revenue, while a 45% decline is expected for the entire year. Unsurprisingly, employment is badly hit as well.

The pandemic has shut down businesses and curtailed travel worldwide, and Lambert and Vines think it will take time for it to recover.

“I remember 9/11, we kind of started coming back after a month or two, but it was a year before it really came back. We’ve got people booked, and we’ve been doing changes and cancellations for the past few days,” Lambert said.

The Gulf Coast, always a popular destination, has slowly opened up, but the travel professionals say not to expect to see a break in prices for airline tickets or lodging.

“The airlines have cancelled so many flights and they’re just piling everybody on the flights they have left,” Vines said. “A lot of the non-stop flights have ended and the airlines are adding one or two stops to try to fill the plane.”

A tip here, Lambert said, is that an airline will refund your ticket if your former non-stop flight now has stops added.

As far as lodging prices, rates haven’t changed all that much, as they’re still in demand, especially along the beach.

Lambert and Vines said using a travel agent is especially important now since they have the knowledge and the contacts to help travelers with their questions, and they can help with refunds and changes if necessary. That isn’t always the case if you’re planning by yourself.

Above: A photo from a trip Jeff Lambert took to Africa.

Other traveling tips:

•Purchase travel insurance, which offers trip cancellation protection, coverage for baggage delays, medical coverage and venture sports coverage. And even if a tour company cancels, it doesn’t necessarily refund your money; rather, they may offer a credit. Travel insurance will cover that.

By the way, no insurance policy covers a pandemic.

•Plan far enough ahead. Flights can be booked as far as 11 months ahead, and many hotels and other lodging places have a similar time frame. M

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Mud & Mag Video

DIY

No-sew pack ‘n go add a flap on top to prevent items from spilling out

tie i t

line the inside with a towel to soak up water after your routine

bo w a h t wi

customize the pocket sizes for the products you know you’ll be packing

pick your favorite fabric

photos by LINDSAY PACE

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