Issuu

December 2025

A Generous Grinch | Traditon of lights | Family Tree Farm

Bridal Collection

3850 N Gloster St 2220 S. Harper Rd, 1141 Vann Drive, Jackson, TN Suite B, Tupelo, MS Corinth, MS (731) 660-3030 (662) 840-4653 (662) 286-5041 2

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Even as the world pushes relentlessly forward, the holiday season can often seem frozen in time. As an example, think about the music. Outside of modern takes on familiar staples, you’ll hear the same songs spilling from retail store speakers and filling the backgrounds of holiday commercials as you did decades ago. Bobby Helms belting “Jingle Bell Rock.” Burl Ives’ mellow crooning of “Holly Jolly Christmas.” Elvis Presley bemoaning his “Blue Christmas” without you. Even the most indisputable modern Christmas classic, Mariah Carey’s comically ubiquitous “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” was released in 1994. That’s over 30 years ago. Another “contemporary” staple, Wham’s “Last Christmas,” hit turntables 41 years ago. At its best, the season – despite the bustle of gift-buying and cooking and travel and everything else – is a chance to look back and appreciate where we’ve come from and where we are now, to relive a bit of childhoods and to share those memories with new generations. The songs and the lights and rituals are largely what they’ve always been at Christmas, at least as we know it. For those who celebrate the season, they are a welcome reprieve from life’s unfaltering momentum – a chance to slow down, breathe in the crisp winter air, indulge in just a bit too much food and make new memories by basking in the old.

1242 S. GREEN ST. TUPELO, MS 38804 662.842.2611

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If you have any thoughts about this issue, please email us at editor@mudandmag.com subscriptions@mudandmag.com advertising@mudandmag.com info@mudandmag.com mudandmag.com This magazine is a monthly publication of Journal Inc.

OUR STAFF CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Dennis Seid

Adam Armour, Editor; Shannon Johnson, Creative Director; LaReeca Rucker, Copyediting; David Johnson, Creative Team; Janey Shimp, Creative Team; Missha Mize, Sales Coordinator CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Leslie Criss

Meredith Biesinger

Thomas Wells

William Moore

Eugene Stockstill

Adam Robison

SALES TEAM Missha Mize Molly Self June Phillips Teresa McDonald Rebecca Walker Taylor Randolph Danielle Daugherty Angie Quarles Leigh Knox Paul Fullerton Tim Watson

A LIGHT TO GUIDE US HOME

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

IN TIMES OF NEED

Inspired after witnessing the pain endured by a grieving friend, Monroe County native Thomas Poe started the Mississippi Angels Foundation last year to give financial and emotional support to families grieving the deaths of loved ones.

Tupelo attorney Denvil Crowe’s dazzling Christmas displays are a calling of sorts – something that began with a childhood moment of wonder and grew, one bulb at a time, into a 20-year tradition of light, laughter and faith.

THE GRINCH WHO GIVES BACK

If you’ve ever watched the Annual Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade roll down Main Street, you’ve probably spotted the one and only Tupelo Grinch. He’s not mean. Behind the green fur, mischievous grin, and elaborate costume is Louis Armour, a local artist, storyteller, and all-around creative.

45 On the cover: A wreath hangs from the mantel of an elegant fireplace in a house designed by Tupelo’s Ty Garner. Cover photo by Adam Robison. Decemberw 2025, Vol. 13 No. 12

ROOTED IN TRADITION

The Worthey family’s story is one of legacy, love, and deep roots. What began as a desire to continue a local tradition has blossomed into a three-generation family farm that draws visitors from across Mississippi and beyond.

CHRISTMAS CRAVINGS

COOKING MATTERS

Cooking in the South doesn’t have to include unhealthy fats and loads of salt. There are other options, and the Mississippi State University Extension Service is ready to show folks how to cook and shop for more nutritious meals.

Toasty, sweet, buttery, nutty – the smell of cooking caramel is unmistakable. It fills the air and seeps through the walls of the CaramelCorn Shop, founded in 1972, but located in the Crosstown area since 2018.

DESIGN IN HIS DNA

Ty Garner has filled his 28 years on the planet with passion projects that all involve design. He renovates, refurbishes, and remodels living spaces, sometimes creating them from scratch.

A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS FOR ALL

Christmas at Wise Family Farm in Pontotoc has evolved into much more than a business venture. It’s become a way to share the holiday spirit with those who need it most.

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wellness

cooking

matters Story by William Moore Photos by Thomas Wells

Tamika Pannell, Sheritta Hobson and Ajia Cobbins cook together during the MSU Extension Service’s Cooking Matters course.

Program teaches the art of making healthy meals

ooking in the South doesn’t have to include unhealthy fats and loads of salt. There are other options, and the Mississippi State University Extension Service is ready to show folks how to cook and shop for more nutritious meals.

“We show them how to make it tasty without using bacon grease,” said Tabitha McRunnels, nutrition educator with the Lee County Extension Office. “We are using herbs and spices – other than salt – like cayenne pepper. “We trade out ingredients for healthier

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options. Instead of meat, they make black bean quesadillas. For the barley jambalaya, the traditional white rice is replaced with a whole-grain barley.” Cooking Matters is a hands-on cooking class for adults. The six-week course features weekly two-hour classes during which participants prepare and cook meals. They cover food preparation, kitchen safety, grocery shopping, food budgeting and nutrition. “The goal is for them to become more confident, to eat better, and to save money,” McRunnels said. “We talk to them about budgeting and how to shop when they go to the store.” The course is aimed at new families and those with small children. The goal is to acclimate younger generations to healthier eating so they can spread it to future generations, but the instructors know real change takes time. “We’re not expecting overnight miracles,” said Cassandra Hainsworth, Lee County’s family consumer science agent, who teaches with McRunnels. “One little change here or there can add up and make a difference.” Each class begins with around 30 minutes of classroom instruction on different topics, such as food safety or how to properly handle a chef ’s knife. It’s followed by 90 minutes of small groups using supplied ingredients to prepare the week’s recipe. Students are sent home and encouraged to cook the same recipe for their families. “They’ll come back the next week and tell us what they did differently, if they changed the spices or other ingredients,” McRunnels said. One week will include a field trip to a local grocery store. Students will examine labels for specific ingredients, like finding which bread has whole grains or which product has lots of added sugar. “We’ll talk with them about unit pricing. We also look at fresh vegetables versus canned or frozen,” McRunnels said. “If it is out of season, the fresh vegetables will cost a lot more. And frozen vegetables were picked at the peak of freshness and frozen that day.” The final class is a cooking challenge inspired by Food Network shows. Students are given a list of items someone might find in a pantry or refrigerator. They must choose a protein, a grain, a vegetable, a fruit and a dairy product and create a meal. “This is a real-life challenge that people face every week,” McRunnels said. “What do I have, and what can I make with it?” It is McRunnels’ favorite class of the course – seeing how people respond and the dishes they invent. Top: Sheritta Hobson prepares ingredients for a healthy dish.

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“That’s when I learn the most,” she said. The current course has 11 students, both male and female. While most students are middle-aged, there are plenty of young people learning to cook and older folks learning to cook healthier. “I have even had couples use it as a date night,” McRunnels said. Tamika Pannell took a Cooking Matters course in Pontotoc County several years ago. “I really did learn a lot, and there are some recipes that I still use,” Pannell said. So when she wanted to do it again, she got some of her friends to join her. “I cook a little bit, probably three days a week,” Ajia Cobbins said. “I want to learn how to prepare food healthier and work more on portion control.” Others want to improve the quality of the food they prepare. Tanesha Davis cooks multiple full meals daily for her extended family. The event gave her the night off and an opportunity to learn more about healthier cooking techniques. “I am used to cooking the way my grandmother cooked,” Davis said. “I want to find ways to make things more nutritious, and find things for my grandkids to eat.” Top: Ajia Cobbins and Tamika Pannell review a recipe together.

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This page: Tanesha Davis and Sheritta Hobson prepare ingredients.

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When McRunnels started teaching the course 18 years ago, it was only in a classroom. Now it’s more interactive, involves more life skills, and the classes are not always held at the Tupelo extension office. “We do it four times a year, and we do travel,” McRunnels said. “We’ve held it in Baldwyn, Shannon, wherever there is a big enough kitchen to fit 15 people.” The MSU Extension Service offers the Cooking Matters course in 22 counties across the state. In Northeast Mississippi, that includes Chickasaw, Lee, Lowndes and Oktibbeha. M

Right: Tanesha Davis, Ajia Cobbins and Sheritta Hobson work together in the kitchen.

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DESIGN IN HIS

DNA

home

Ty Garner turns family craft into bold, beautiful homes

Story by Leslie Criss Photos by Adam Robison

From remodeling playhouses at age 5 to leading his own design company, the Tupelo native is now building his dream home Ty Garner has filled his 28 years on the planet with passion projects that all involve design. He renovates, refurbishes, and remodels living spaces, sometimes creating them from scratch. He gets it from his family. His great-grandfather was a roofer. His grandfather and uncle started Garner Millwork & Cabinets, and his father worked in the window and door industry. “It is sort of in our blood, I guess,” said Ty, who has worked in just about every aspect of building and design. He’s built cabinets and molding with his dad and uncle, worked in an Oxford lumber yard, and was once employed in a Memphis showroom that sold tile and countertops. Today, he owns TenseDesign Co., described as “bold ideas, breakdowns and high-end drama: designing homes where restraint meets rebellion.” Ty’s husband, Luke Garner, works with him, focusing on the exterior, while his mom, Angie Ross, is the office manager.

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“Luke’s knack is landscape design,” Ty said. “I will draw something, hand it to Luke and ask him if it will work.” Ty is passionate about design and working with clients. “I want to be a part of every aspect, whether it is remodeling or new construction,” he said. “That means the planning stages, to choosing the furniture, hanging draperies and artwork.” The time it takes to complete a remodeling project depends on the client. “If a client knows everything they want, it can take four to six months,” Ty said. “If the client is unsure, maybe 12 to 18 months, and rebuilding could take eight to 10 months, but I’ve also seen it take two years.” Ty has learned the business by doing. He’s received no formal education in building and design, unless you count studying four years of architecture and drafting under Virginia Mathis at Tupelo High School, where he won first place in state and regional competitions. “We were given some guidelines to design the most

Ty Garner highlights details of a house he and his husband, Luke, designed in Tupelo.

economical house,” he said. “A house where you got the best for your buck.” When Ty advanced to the national competition, he was fifth out of 500. After a 2014 tornado damaged swathes of Tupelo, Ty and three other students in Mathis’ Architecture & Drafting II class worked with their teacher on house plans. “It was for Scott and Annette Reed’s house,” Ty said. “I can’t recall whether it was for an addition or for repairs for tornado damage.” Design may be in Ty’s DNA. “I’ve loved design since I was 4 and would redecorate our house,” he said. When he was 5, he learned to use his dad’s table saw and remodeled his playhouse. Later, he designed and built a house with Lincoln Logs. He drew house plans for fun. Ty has bought five houses since 2019, all remodels • one in Holly Springs, one in Oxford and three in Tupelo. “I learned what works and what doesn’t,” he said, “especially in regard to my personal style. I also learned what I like and don’t like. I don’t like dark or pine floors, and pecan is the most durable for floors.” For three years, Ty had been looking at a house in the Parc Monceau area. “I wanted that house,” he said. “But I could never come to terms with the seller. But early in 2025, I reached out to a real

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estate agent and finally got the house. I loved it because it is a mix of styles, it’s close to town and, yet, it’s surrounded by woods.” The Garners and their son, Parks, 5, moved into their new house, and Ty, at once, started doing what he does best. “We renovated upstairs first and then moved upstairs while we renovated the rest,” he said. The renovation included adding built-ins, a massive fireplace, a 14-foot kitchen island, a mudroom with a dog-washing station and a movie room. “We reconfigured the master bedroom, opened up the windows (which were mostly covered), added a zero-entry shower and a bar,” Ty said. “It took a month to clean the outside, where we refinished the pool and added a greenhouse.” The house was renovated in three months, gutted and taken down to the studs after sitting empty for two years. After six months of living there, a real estate agent asked if she could bring over someone interested in the house. “I told her it was not for sale,” Ty said. “I told her more than once. Finally, I let the interested people come and look.”

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It didn’t take long for Ty and Luke to receive an offer. The family was out of the house they loved by Oct. 1. They lived in an Airbnb while they began building their dream home. “We went from 6,100 square feet to 1,000,” Ty said. “I am going to plan many trips for us during our time in that little space.” In early November, the family was living in a 2,100-square-foot house in the Joyner neighborhood Ty had purchased for extra space. Their house is under construction, and Ty is excited. “The foundation is done and the building is starting,” he said. “Our house will be spectacular. We’re not leaving that one. This build is my baby. I want to design it where it can’t be resold. We are staying put.” M

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community

In Time Of Need BY EUGENE STOCKSTILL

New foundation helps grieving families with money, compassion

onroe County native Thomas Poe started the Mississippi Angels Foundation last year to give financial and emotional support to families grieving the deaths of loved ones. He created it after witnessing the pain endured by a lifelong buddy and his family. Nathan Steele’s daughter, Carmen, died March 17, 2023, at the age of 18 after suffering throughout her brief life with subcortical band heterotopia, a rare neu-

rological brain disorder. Boys born with it almost always die in infancy. Girls with it usually live for a few years. Steele and Poe both grew up in Hatley and have been close friends since their childhood days. “(Poe’s) dad and my dad were best friends growing up,” said Steele, who now lives in Fulton with his wife and his other three daughters, one of whom has the same condition as Carmen. “His parents babysat me.”

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As a newborn, Carmen had 27 seizures in a two-day span, which sent the family to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis and then to Children’s Hospital of Alabama at UAB in Birmingham. A specialist there diagnosed her condition and gave her seven years to live. Carmen defied all expectations. At one point, the entire family traveled to Florida to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where Poe was working. Being with the dolphins brought happiness to Carmen, who could not attend school, could not speak and wore special equipment to help control her near-constant seizures. After recovering from a medical emergency in late 2022, Carmen seemed to be doing much better. Then one morning, her mother went into her bedroom, sang to her and tried to tickle her awake, only to discover that she wasn’t breathing. “All she could scream was, ‘She’s gone! She’s gone!” said Steele, who had hugged his daughter for the last time just a few hours before while she was sitting up in her bed and giggling. “That was the last time I saw her alive.” To make matters even tougher, Steele is on disability, waiting to receive a mechanical heart. When Carmen died, Poe stepped in and ultimately brought the Mississippi Angels Foundation into existence. “He watched what we went through,” Steele said. “You’re never ready to bury your child. You’re never prepared. We had to borrow money.

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We were in a very bad, dark place.” The foundation aims to help other families the same way that it helped the Steeles, Poe said. “These families need our help,” Poe said. “Most of them have completely depleted their funds trying to fight the illness and are left at the end with no one to turn to for guidance, along with paying for a funeral (as well as monthly bills and other expenses.)” Poe said he felt driven to create Mississippi Angels because, unlike many other states, Mississippi had nothing like it. A friend of his – a CEO at a Florida marketing firm – came up with the name. The Create Foundation in Tupelo serves as the umbrella organization for Mississippi Angels. Poe expects to help at least 10 families each year and estimates they will spend at least $40,000 annually. A cremation can cost as little as $700, according to the National Funeral Directors Association, but a funeral can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 or even more. “We would like to ease the stress and financial burden of burying a child, to allow the family time to grieve properly,” Poe said. Steele said he’ll never forget what his friend did to help him during the most painful time of his life. “There’s a special place in heaven for people like him,” Steele said. M

| How can I help? | Mississippi Angels has been raising funds online. If you are interested in supporting the foundation or know of someone who needs help, contact Thomas Poe at (662) 401-3339.

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The Wise Family wants to Thank You for shopping with A & M Furniture this past year.

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Experience unforgettable holiday traditions, from Christmas in The Park at Pickwick Landing State Park to Christmas on Main in Savannah, TN.

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CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH UNITY Wishing you and yours a happy and prosperous holiday season.

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THE

I S S U E – Denvil Crowe celebrates 20 years of making Christmas magic – Tupelo’s Louis Armour dons green fur each holiday season to steal hearts instead of Christmas – The Worthey Family’s Christmas Tree Farm grows holiday joy in Amory – CaramelCorn Shop in Tupelo has been a favorite for more than 50 years – Wise Family Farm is a business with a heart for the community

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Denvil Crowe sets up Christmas Tree lights in his yard in Belden.

On a quiet November night in Belden, there’s a moment when the whole neighborhood seems to pause. The sky is deep and still, and then – click – the lights come on. Thousands of them. They shimmer, chase, and dance in perfect rhythm to Christmas music, wrapping the night in color and joy. For many families in Northeast Mississippi, that glow marks the beginning of the season. For Denvil Crowe, the Tupelo attorney behind the dazzling display, those lights represent more than just decorations. They’re a calling of sorts – something that began with a childhood moment of wonder and grew, one bulb at a time, into a 20-year tradition of light, laughter and faith. “I was hooked early,” Crowe said with a smile. “In the little town where I lived, my neighbor did duct work, A/C work –

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all kinds of things. He was creative. One Christmas, he built a Santa and reindeer that actually moved. Santa even went up and down a chimney! As kids, we’d just sit there for what seemed like hours watching it.” That magic stayed with him through the years. Life led him to law school, marriage, fatherhood, and eventually grand-fatherhood – but every December, something in

him still lit up. One Christmas afternoon years ago, he came across a set of lighted Christmas trees synchronized to music. “I bought them right then,” he said. “Those same three trees are still part of my display today.” From those small beginnings, his yard grew brighter each season. New songs, new colors, new technology – and more joy. Two decades later, what started as three glowing

If You Go Location: 4684 Sunningdale Drive, Belden, Mississippi Dates: Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s Day weekend Details: The display is synchronized to music – visitors can tune their car radios to the station listed on-site to enjoy the show from their vehicles. The lights are on from 5 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday. Please Note: To make the experience enjoyable for everyone, guests are asked to stop and park along the designated area, turn off their headlights, and be courteous to others enjoying the display. Please keep noise levels low, drive slowly, and be respectful of the neighbors who share this beautiful tradition year after year.

Denvil Crowe lines up his spot for setting placing Christmas lights in his yard

As it is each year, Crowe’s home will be covered in thousands of Christmas lights this holiday season.

Crowe uses a zip tie to mount Christmas lights at his home in Belden.

trees has become one of the most beloved holiday traditions in the region. “People come every night during the holidays,” Crowe said. “I never imagined it would get this big. I just did it because I liked it.” He laughs, shaking his head at the thought. “It’s amazing to see how many families make it part of their Christmas,” he said. Outside his home, amid the glow of thousands of synchronized lights, a small sign reads: “Guide us to your perfect light.” It’s a simple phrase, but it carries the heart of his message. “I’m a Gideon,” Crowe said. “I want my lights to point people toward Christ.” Technology has certainly changed since those first trees flickered to life. The systems are more intelligent, the setup more complex – but the purpose remains steady. “So many folks get caught up in the gift-buying and the hustle and bustle of the season,” Crowe said. “When they come by my home, they have to stop, look, and listen. I hope it gives them a moment of reflection and joy.” Each year, beginning Thanksgiving weekend and lasting through New Year’s Day, his lights continue to shine – welcoming strangers, neighbors, and old friends alike. It’s a sight that reminds those who look upon it that sometimes, the brightest lights aren’t found in stores or city streets – they’re right here at home, guiding us back to what the season is all about. For Crowe, Christmas has always been more than a holiday – it’s a time to remember what matters most. “Christmas is my favorite holiday,” he said. “Always has been.” M

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THE

H C N I GR WHO GAVE BACK

Louis Armour dons green fur each holiday season to steal hearts instead of Christmas Story by Meredith Biesinger Photos by Adam Robison & Thomas Wells

f you’ve ever watched the Annual Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade roll down Main Street during the holiday season, you’ve probably spotted him – the one and only Tupelo Grinch. He’s not mean. He’s not stealing presents. In fact, he’s spreading joy, candy canes, and Christmas cheer – all from a float that looks straight out of Whoville. Behind the green fur, mischievous grin, and elaborate costume is Louis Armour, a local artist, storyteller, and all-around creative who has been bringing the Grinch to life for nearly two decades. What began as a fun father-daughter project has grown into one of North Mississippi’s most beloved holiday traditions. It all started 18 years ago when Louis’ daughter, Kristyn, then a student at Mississippi State University, decided to get more use out of a fawn costume she’d built. She turned it into a reindeer outfit, started visiting the mall, and handed out candy canes to holiday shoppers. “The idea was to provide some holi-

day cheer to tired shoppers, plus, it cost money to take a photo with Santa – but it was free to take one with her,” Louis said with a laugh. “I tagged along with an elf hat and a bag of candy.” A few seasons later, Louis decided he wanted in on the fun. “We discovered there weren’t a lot of Christmas characters out there,” he said. “So we brainstormed and thought, well, there’s the Grinch – and he’s kind of a difficult character to pull off. Maybe we wouldn’t have much competition.” That’s when The Tupelo Grinch was born. Louis didn’t do it alone. His lifelong friend, Victor Armstrong, a fellow creative he has known since their days at Milam Middle School, jumped in right away. “Back in the day, we terrorized the neighborhood,” Louis said. “We painted backdrops, built sets, and put on five-minute monster skits for our neighbors and friends. We were the original cosplayers before that was even a thing.”

Louis Armour as the Tupelo Grinch waves to the crowd during a Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade

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The two have been building and creating together ever since. The first Grinch costume – rough but full of character – debuted at the Union County Museum, where Kristyn appeared as a reindeer. “Everyone loved the Grinch,” Louis said. He paused momentarily, then added with a grin, “Santa might not have. But everyone else did. Santa’s on every street corner – the Grinch is special.” Not long after their debut, the Lee County Library asked Louis to appear in the Annual Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade. Could he build a float, they asked. But, of course! With no budget? Victor got to work using odds and ends from a junkyard and a wobbly 8-by-8-foot trailer. “That first year, the trailer actually came off the hinge,” Louis said. “We were upside down and backward! But the crowds loved it! People ran over to take pictures with the Grinch.” They’ve been a fixture of the annual parade ever since. Over time, their float became one of the parade’s most anticipated entries. Built from wooden pallets and scraps, it captures the true spirit of the Grinch – resourceful, clever and completely homemade. “We changed the parade, really,” Louis said. “When we came back the next year, the other floats had begun to level up, and you began to see less flatbed floats.” Their creativity paid off – the duo has won first prize in the parade several times over the years. Each year, the float gets reworked, repainted, and expanded. But finding a place to store it has always been tricky. “We’ve never had a consistent home for the float,” Louis said. “Thankfully, our ‘Grinch groupies’ have always helped us find somewhere to store it, but we’d love a permanent home for the float.” The Tupelo Grinch doesn’t just parade – he performs. Every holiday season, Louis visits schools, libraries, nursing homes, and the hospital, reciting Dr. Seuss’ classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas “ entirely from memory. And he never charges a dime. “To do the Grinch right, you can’t just throw on a mask,” Louis said. “It takes two-and-a-half hours to get into full makeup and costume.” After five years, their original suit was falling apart. Louis contacted National Fiber Technologies, the company that manufactures Hollywood costumes, Top: The Tupelo Grinch waves to attendees at the 2017 Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade Middle: The Tupelo Grinch added a little color and fun to the gathering of area Santa performers at Mugshots in Tupelo in 2023. Bottom: A photo of the earliest version of Louis Armour as The Tupelo Grinch and his daughter, Kristyn Armour, as his reindeer hangs from the Christmas tree in Armour’s Tupelo home.

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Top: Armour places the Tupelo Grinch prosthetic on his face. Bottom: Like most of Armour’s Tupelo Grinch costume, the gloves are covered in film-quality synthetic fur.

The two have been building and creating together ever since. The first Grinch costume – rough but full of character – debuted at the Union County Museum, where Kristyn appeared as a reindeer. “Everyone loved the Grinch,” Louis said. He paused momentarily, then added with a grin, “Santa might not have. But everyone else did. Santa’s on every street corner – the Grinch is special.” Not long after their debut, the Lee County Library asked Louis to appear in the Annual Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade. Could he build a float, they asked. But, of course! With no budget? Victor got to work using odds and ends from a junkyard and a wobbly 8-by-8foot trailer. “That first year, the trailer actually came off the hinge,” Louis said. “We were upside down and backward! But the crowds loved it! People ran over to take pictures with the Grinch.” They’ve been a fixture of the annual parade ever since. Over time, their float became one of the parade’s most anticipated entries. Built from wooden pallets and scraps, it captures the true spirit of the Grinch – resourceful, clever and completely homemade. “We changed the parade, really,” Louis said. “When we came back the next year, the other floats had begun to level up, and you began to see less flatbed floats.” Their creativity paid off – the duo has won first prize in the parade several times over the years. Each year, the float gets reworked, repainted, and expanded. But finding a place to store it has always been tricky. “We’ve never had a consistent home for the float,” Louis said. “Thankfully, our ‘Grinch groupies’ have always helped us find somewhere to store it, but we’d love a permanent home for the float.” The Tupelo Grinch doesn’t just parade – he performs. Every holiday season, Louis visits schools, libraries, nursing homes, and the hospital, reciting Dr. Seuss’ classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas “ entirely from memory. And he never charges a dime. “To do the Grinch right, you can’t just throw on a mask,” Louis said. “It takes two-and-a-half hours to get into full makeup and costume.” After five years, their original suit was falling apart. Louis contacted National Fiber Technologies, the company that manufactures Hollywood costumes, including those for Chewbacca. When he explained his mission – spreading Christmas cheer to the community – they quoted him a price of $1,700.

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Top left: The Tupelo Grinch tells his story to students at the Early Childhood Education Center in Tupelo. Rest: Armour’s home in Tupelo is filled with Grinch-related memorabilia.

“So we started a GoFundMe,” Louis said. “People from all over donated – even someone from Australia!” When he went to place the order, the company surprised him. “They told me, ‘We’re just charging a $25 shipping fee. We decided to donate the material because of what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.” With the leftover money, Louis and Victor upgraded their float, added new silicone accessories that would stand the test of time, and continued their yearly tradition of hand-sculpting every detail – from the Grinch’s hands to his perfectly curled smile. Louis isn’t just a Christmas character; he’s an artist whose creative career spans decades – including designing T-shirts for the Titanic exhibitions. “All roads kind of led back here,” he said. “From that Milam Middle School classroom to the Grinch.” Now 70, Louis still dons the green suit each year –

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wearing a cooling vest beneath the fur to manage the Mississippi heat. “I don’t know how much longer I’ll do it,” he admitted, “but I love doing it.” Victor nodded. “It’s hard work, and it’s expensive,” he said. “But when you see those smiles – it’s worth it.: He laughed and added, “Plus, I think some women love that green hair.” For Louis, the best part is simple: “It’s the reaction you get from the kids – and the adults too,” he said. “Their smiles keep us going.” So no, “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch” doesn’t apply here. Not even close. Because this Grinch’s heart isn’t two sizes too small – it’s probably one of the biggest in all of Tupelo. M

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Carter Worthey, back row from left, Alaina Dickens and her husband, Jacob, Linda Worthy, granddaughter, Finley Dickens, 3, and Lowell Worthey.

f you drive down the quiet country roads outside of Amory in late November, you might notice the scent of fresh pine drifting through the air long before you see the rows of Christmas trees standing tall and ready to be brought home for the holiday season. The sight alone – families bundled up in winter clothes together, children racing between the trees, and the distant sound of laughter – is enough to stir something nostalgic. That’s the magic of the Worthey Christmas Tree Farm. The Worthey family’s story is one of legacy, love, and deep roots. It’s a tribute to the work of those who came before. What began as a de-

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sire to continue a local tradition has blossomed into a three-generation family farm that draws visitors from across Mississippi and beyond. Carter Worthey, son of Lowell and Linda Worthey, grew up surrounded by the steady rhythm of farm life. Today, he’s an agriculture teacher at Hatley High School – a role he credits to his childhood on the family’s land.

“I was 10 when we started planting trees,” Carter said. “I do believe it helped shape me into who I am today.” Carter explained that his father, Lowell, first became involved in Christmas tree farming while working at Gray’s Tree Farm in the early 1980s. When the owners, David and Gray Vera, decided to retire years later, the Worthey family stepped in to continue what had become a cherished community tradition. “They hated to see the farm close down,” Carter said. “It was an honor for our family to take over that legacy.” The Wortheys planted their first trees in 2007 and helped the Grays close their farm in 2010. By the following year, Worthey Tree Farm officially opened its gates, welcoming families eager to create their own memories. Since then, it’s become a hallmark holiday destination for many – complete with Santa Claus, sleigh rides, a gift shop, a playground, and even a petting zoo. But behind the festive fun lies a yearround labor of love. It takes five years for a tree to grow large enough for sale, and from January through September, the family works tirelessly to ensure their customers have healthy, beautiful trees from which to choose. When the season arrives, they sell between 1,000 and 1,200 trees, with the beloved Murray Cypress remaining the most popular. “It’s just a good old-fashioned Southern Christmas tree, and people love it,” Carter said. Visitors come from all across the region – Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, even Memphis – to choose their perfect tree. The Wortheys have even sold 20-foot giants to families eager to make a statement centerpiece. For the Wortheys, the farm is about more than just business – it’s about connection. “We love doing this every year and being part of people’s holiday traditions,” Carter shared. “We’ve seen kids grow up, then return with their own children. That’s what it’s all about.” This year, Worthey Tree Farm opened on Nov. 22, with hours from 3 to 5 p.m. during the week, 9 to 5 on Saturdays, and 1 to 5 on Sundays. Trees are priced at $10 per foot, no reservation needed – just bring your family, your Christmas spirit, and maybe a thermos of cocoa for the ride home. At the Worthey Tree Farm, the holidays aren’t just a season – they’re a legacy still growing strong, one tree at a time. M

This page, from top: Finley Dickens, 3, walks through the rows of trees at Worthey Tree Farm; Worthey Tree Farm is filled with Christmas cheer; The Worthey family gathers under the farm’s gazebo.

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CaramelCorn Shop has been a favorite for more than 50 years

Story by Dennis Seid

Photos by Thomas Wells

oasty, sweet, buttery, nutty – the smell of cooking caramel is unmistakable. It fills the air and seeps through the walls of the CaramelCorn Shop, founded in 1972, but located in the Crosstown area since 2018. Like most stores, the CaramelCorn Shop is bracing for the holidays. “This is when we have a lot of corporate gifts, mostly popcorn tins, unlike the rest of the year,” said owner Jason Harris. “Instead of a lot of small and medium bags or boxes, we’ve got 4- and 6-gallon tins we’re filling.” Months of prep is involved in buying the needed supplies to fill popcorn orders. Harris and his father, Ken, have been busy with festivals, school fundraisers, the recent Celebration Village and the store. As more Christmas orders come in, there’s no rest for the weary. “When mid-October hits, it’s nonstop from there,” Jason said. “We can bring in seasonal help, but there’s still only one pot.”

That one pot is the same stainless-steel kettle the store used when Titus and Barbara Harris opened it at the old Downtown Mall 53 years ago. It is a custom-built, natural gas-powered air popper built by the Krispy Kist Korn Machine Co. of Chicago, and it has been reliably churning out batches of popcorn for more than half a century. Since the machines are no longer made and parts are scarce, Ken has been the popcorn popper’s handyman and mechanic, but no major parts have been needed. “It pretty much goes nonstop,” said Jason, who purchased the business from his aunt and uncle when they retired in 2017. At the time, the CaramelCorn Shop was in Midtown Pointe in Tupelo, but he decided to move it to the current location a year later with high visibility and thousands of cars driving by daily. Despite its name, the store offers more than popcorn, which comes in three

Top: Ken Harris makes a batch of caramel popcorn at the CaramelCorn Shop in Tupelo. Middle: Caramel boils in a pot inside the CaramelCorn Shop. Bottom: Ken Harris mixes a batch of caramel popcorn at the CaramelCorn Shop in Tupelo.

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flavors – caramel, cheese and butter. The shop also sells cotton candy, candy apples, fudge, peanut brittle and pralines, along with several cake flavors made by Westside BBQ & Cakes in New Albany. Food items like hot dogs, cheese dogs, Polish sausage, nachos, pickles

and barbecue remain on the menu from the store’s shopping mall days, and mylar and latex balloons are also available. But corn remains the core business. It’s popped fresh several times daily, which presents its own challenges this time of the year.

Above: The CaramelCorn Shop uses a specific type of popcorn kernel. Left: The shop offers a variety of tins in various sizes and featuring myriad designs

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“One of the things we have to be wise about preparing is the product itself,” Harris said. “We’ve got orders now that have to go out in a month. Unlike some products, we can’t make it now. You want it to be as fresh as possible. It’s not like some of the tins you get in a big box store (that) was filled months ago and sitting around for who knows how long.” It takes careful planning and plenty of time to fill the orders with only one popcorn popper. One batch takes about seven minutes and makes about 5 gallons. A large copper bowl where the caramel is made sits next to the popper. Butter and brown sugar are heated for about 15 minutes to reach the right color Above: Ken Harris makes a batch of caramel popcorn at the CaramelCorn Shop in Tupelo. Right: A batch of freshly popped caramel corn awaits being tinned.

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and caramel consistency. Ken mixes it with a well-used boat paddle that has seen many seasons. “There’s no thermometer; it’s all visual,” Jason said. “You have to know by looking at it and when to take it up. Like anything, if you cook it too long, it’ll burn, and you have to start over. And the caramel is a formula we put together.” The CaramelCorn Shop uses a specific kernel for its popcorn. Some kernels provide a bigger “bloom,” but the shop has a tried-and-true kernel it uses for consistency. The caramel popcorn is a customer favorite, but the Chicago mix – a blend of caramel and cheese popcorns – is a holiday bestseller. Between corporate gifts and individual purchases, the CaramelCorn Shop will sell about 1,000 tins in 1, 2, 3, 3.5 and 6.5 gallon sizes during Christmas. “We’ve shipped as many as 200 of those 6.5 gallon tins, all customized, to a company in South Mississippi that’s been doing business with us for years,” Jason said. The next few weeks will be hectic at the CaramelCorn Shop, and Jason recommends pre-ordering. “Being food, we’re always last on anybody’s list, and people wait until it’s too late,” he said. “They want it fresh, but we have people who come in and out buying during the day as well, and we can only make so much. We just encourage them to come in and order as soon as possible so we can have it ready for them.” M Clockwise from top left: An apron featuring the CaramelCorn Shop’s name hangs inside the Tupelo store; orders for popcorn tins began ramping up in early November; the likeness of a nutcracker decorates one of the many tins of popcorn available at the shop.

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V Country Christmas Q All

Story by Eugene Stockstill | Photos by Adam Robison

an, elba Beam hnson, M Jo n n. a g so o n om left, L d Zak Joh hnson an cludes, fr in Jo y a il d n m a rm fa a Coker, W Family Fa ise, Glynd The Wise Stanley W

Wise Family Farm is a business with a heart for the community 54

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Christmas at Wise Family Farm in Pontotoc has evolved into much more than a business venture. It’s become a way to share the holiday spirit with those who need it most. The place annually welcomes residents of the Tupelo Children’s Mansion foster home for “a night of Christmas magic,” co-owner Wanda Johnson said. Children visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. They walk a trail while listening to the nativity story and find their way through the lighted maze. Then they visit animals at Barnyard Alley, ride a barrel train through a trail of blow-ups and lights, and enjoy an amazing light show while sipping hot cocoa. They end their adventure making hot dogs and s’mores at a campfire while listening to a praise band. This year, the farm hopes to welcome residents of other area foster homes. “The farm has been a healing place for me,” said Johnson, who began working at Wise during a messy divorce. “I felt that if I could share the farm with others, it could be a healing place for them, as well.” Wise is in the process of becoming a nonprofit organization called Seeds of Love. This Christmas, counselors will be present to speak with those who may need help. A ministry for shut-ins is also planned. Top left: Wanda Johnson puts snacks in a display inside the Wise Family Farm General Store as the family transitions from the Fall season to the Christmas season. Top right: Melba Beaman and Glynda Coker get Christmas products placed on the rack inside the General Store at Wise Family Farm preparing the store for the Christmas season. Left: the farm offers a variety of holiday treats.

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Wanda Johnson and Melba Beaman prepare the General Store at Wise Family Farm for the Christmas season, getting homemade fudge and other snack sorted for their visitors.

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The farm will welcome paying customers this Christmas season, offering karaoke, snowball fights with Buddy the Elf, horse rides, and even appearances by the Grinch. The sprawling, 80-acre family site is a five-generation farm established in 1926. Cotton, molasses and eggs put food on the family’s table. In the early 2000s, Stanley Wise Jr., a county agent with Mississippi State and an employee at Cooper Tire & Rubber

Company, decided to turn the farm into a business that could provide entertainment and education for others. “He pitched to all of his siblings and their spouses the idea of a family-fun business that would bring other families out to the farm for a day,” Johnson said. “Everyone agreed to give it a try.” When he planted five acres of field corn that first year during the off-season, neighbors began to question what was happening.

Zak Johnson installs Christmas lights over a

“Well, Junior’s got some wild notion that people are going to pay him … money to walk through a maze made of corn.” Boy, was Junior right. Today, the old family site is a thriving community enterprise that offers visitors a first-class Christmas on an old-timey farm. The farm has many flowers, pumpkins, cornstalks and other educational plots for students and visitors of all ages. Field trips, parties, cooperative

events, campfires and festivals take place throughout the year. Admission is $10 per person. Children under 5 get in free. A s’mores kit is included with each admission. The grill offers funnel cakes, hot cocoa, coffee, hot apple cider and hot dogs, and the general store has fudge, cookie kits and other toys and gifts, including a make-your-own ornament kit. M

pavilion preparing the Wise Family Farm for the Christmas season.

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| More Information | For more information on Wise Family Farms, visit wisefamilyfarm. com or see the Wise Family Farms’ Facebook page. If your foster home is interested in bringing a group to the farm, please contact Johnson asap.

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INDE X OF

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Tupelo Stone Company ........................... page 27

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North Mississippi Medical Center...... page 68

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