Today in Mississippi February 2023 Pearl River Valley

PAPER ROUTE MEMORIES

PHILIP GUNN: ATHLETE

SOUPS THAT WARM THE SOUL

Remember when you were a child and got your first bicycle? I do. It gave me a sense of independence . . . I felt like I could go anywhere, and it was so much easier and more enjoyable than walking. Well, at my age, that bike wouldn’t do me much good. Fortunately, there’s a new invention that gives me the freedom and independence to go wherever I want . . . safely and easily. It’s called the Zoomer, and it’s changed my life.

My Zoomer is a delight to ride! It has increased my mobility in my apartment, my opportunities to enjoy the out-of-doors, and enabled me to visit the homes of my children for longer periods of time. The various speeds of it match my need for safety, it is easy to turn, and I am most pleased with the freedom of movement it gives me.

Sincerely, A. Macon, Williamsburg, VA

After just one trip around your home in the Zoomer, you’ll marvel at how easy it is to navigate. It is designed to maneuver in tight spaces like doorways, between furniture, and around corners. It can go over thresholds and works great on any kind of floor or carpet. It’s not bulky or cumbersome, so it can roll right up to a table or desk– there’s no need to transfer to a chair. Its sturdy yet lightweight aluminum frame makes it durable and comfortable. Its dual motors power it at up to 3.7 miles per hour and its automatic electromagnetic brakes stop on a dime. The rechargeable battery powers it for up to 8 miles on a single charge. Plus, its exclusive foldable design enables

you to transport it easily and even store it in a closet or under a bed when it’s not in use.

Why spend another day letting mobility issues hamper your lifestyle? Call now and find out how you can have your very own Zoomer

Swivel Away Footrest

Dual

Control (adaptable left or right)

Putting action behind Concern for our Communities

I want to take a moment to reflect on the impact that co-ops truly have on the lives of their members – by supporting local charitable groups, educating members, or promoting economic development opportunities.

Our Mississippi co-ops have found numerous ways to support their communities from volunteering with local agencies or awarding grants for education or supporting business development and job growth.

In mid-January, cooperatives across the state participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, which is a designated by Congress to be a “day on, not a day o ” to serve others.

Projects included repairs at Head Start programs, building shelves at food pantries, working on little league field equipment, performing clean up at local schools, and working at local ministries that support nonviolence. This month, the magazine highlighted the work of our cooperatives around MLK Day, and the work they did to support this day of service.

I am proud to say that the work our co-ops do in their communities isn’t just one time per year; it is ongoing. Cooperatives are concerned for their communities and are constantly looking for ways to make them better.

One example is our upcoming youth leadership program. We bring together 80 plus high school juniors from across the state to teach them about the cooperative form of business, build leadership skills, and educate them on their nation’s democratic form of government. The Cooperative Youth Leaders program culminates in a six-day trip to Washington, D.C. where these high school students truly experience their nation’s capital.

Our cooperatives do so much for their local communities. Many of us never think about the impact that they have until there is bad weather and the power is out, but sometimes their greatest impact is behind the scenes, making their communities stronger and serving their members.

We hope you enjoy the February issue.

by Michael Callahan Executive Vice President/CEO Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi

Home to the Naval Air Station

Home to my Sailor son and daughter-in-law, Whom I indescribably love, and pray for their safety from the good Lord above!

Meridian carousel horses in sight from the road, such beauty, meaning, and detail depicted Only to be viewed, not to be rode.

The sound of morning and evening colors to be heard all over the base. Standing in respect and admiration, sure to bring tears to this Navy mom’s face

Everyone is so friendly and willing to help. A place of calm and a sense of peace, makes it harder each time to leave, but we must leave in order to come back, this I must believe!

The place where we will spend Christmas this year, blessed to make memories in this beautiful place, while spreading some of our Pennsylvania cheer! The place where I long to be, far after we are home. Counting down til our next visit, researching our next best place to comb!

PJ’s, Newk’s, The Grill, and the Daily Grind, wonderful places full of friendly faces, Where the food and coffee are so divine!

This state will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Wherever Navy life shall lead us, we will be back to the place where they had their start!

by Jessica M. Strickland, a resident of Mi inburg, Pennsylvania

Cooperative Energy employees volunteered for MLK Day.

Southern Gardening

Why gardening is still important

The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi

OFFICERS

Randy Carroll - President

Ron Barnes - First Vice President

The crappie of Grenada Lake

Scene Around the ‘Sip

Tim Perkins - Second Vice President

Brian Hughey - Secretary/Treasurer

Michael Callahan - Executive Vice President/CEO

EDITORIAL STAFF

Lydia Walters - VP, Communications

Steven Ward - Editor

Chad Calcote - Creative Director/ Manager

Kevin Wood - Graphic Designer

Alan Burnitt - Graphic Designer

Courtney Warren - Graphic Designer

Chris Alexander - Member Services Coordinator

Steve Temple - Social Media Director

Mickey Jones - Administrative Assistant

EDITORIAL OFFICE & ADVERTISING

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Today in Mississippi (ISSN 1052-2433) is published 12 times a year by Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Inc., P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300, or 665 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Phone 601-605-8600. Periodical postage paid at Ridgeland, MS, and additional office. The publisher (and/or its agent) reserves the right to refuse or edit all advertising.

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On the cover

Gulf Coast Carnival Association King and Queen of Mardi Gras Bobby Knesal and Madison Warren. Photo by Chad Calcote.

Central Electric Power Association, Coahoma Electric Power Association, Coast Electric Power Association, Delta Electric Power Association, Dixie Electric Power Association, East Mississippi Electric Power Association, 4-County Electric Power Association, Magnolia Electric Power, Monroe County Electric Power Association, Natchez Trace Electric Power Association, North East Mississippi Electric Power Association, Northcentral Electric Cooperative, Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association, Pontotoc Electric Power Association, Singing River Electric, Southern Pine Electric, Southwest Electric, Tippah Electric Power Association, Twin County Electric Power Association, and Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association.

Stennis Space Center wrapped up a year of strong testing, activity

A flurry of activity happened within and beyond the gates of NASA’s Stennis Space Center in 2022 as NASA continues exploring the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all.

The year began much like it ended – by testing RS-25 engines to help power NASA’s Space Launch System rocket on future deep space missions. Every RS-25 engine that will help power the SLS rocket at launch for Artemis missions will be tested at NASA Stennis, including those that will send the first woman and the first person of color to the Moon.

Between test series, NASA Stennis completed multiple upgrades to the Fred Haise Test Stand uniquely tailored for the RS-25 testing e ort. The projects included installation of new test stand piping, drilling a special flame bucket hole pattern to help cool RS-25 engine exhaust, and updating the stand’s thrust vector control and data acquisition systems.

Congress passes for co-ops

Looking back at 2022, co-ops marked a huge victory in August when Congress passed a sweeping budget bill that included, for the first time ever, direct-pay tax credits they can use to deploy new energy technologies such as carbon capture, nuclear energy, energy storage, renewables and more. The legislation also created a voluntary $9.7 billion U.S. Department of Agriculture grant and loan program designed specifically for co-ops that buy or build new clean energy systems. — NRECA

Additionally, a vital component needed for Green Run testing of the Exploration Upper Stage to be used on future Artemis missions arrived at the B-2 Test Stand at NASA Stennis as teams continued preparation work.

At the same time, there was some notable testing activity in the NASA Stennis E Test Complex. NASA led and supported testing at the E-1 Test Stand and E-3 Test Stand for commercial companies such as Relativity Space, Blue Origin, Launcher Inc., Ursa Major, and Virgin Orbit. The NASA Stennis team conducted campaigns to test a range of rocket engine components throughout the year, and operations and design work for existing and new partners also is underway to support E Test Complex projects in 2023.

On another front, the Autonomous Systems Laboratory (ASL) at NASA Stennis continues to be a leader in the design and deployment of autonomous systems. NASA Stennis is working with other agency centers to create a concept for a lunar rover that will autonomously mine lunar raw materials for processing and use on the Moon.

In 2022, the Strategic Business Development O ce continued its work to promote the NASA Stennis federal city model and attract new companies on site. The center also received a prestigious agency award for its work as a leader in sustainability and energy use reduction.

Singing River visits St. Martin Upper Elementary School

St. Martin Upper Elementary School 4th graders recently learned about electric safety, and which tools a lineman uses to safely perform his job duties. Thanks to Singing River Metering Supervisor Brian Havens, Safety Coordinator Jason Hataway, and Construction Foreman Jason Hitt for sharing their knowledge!

Southern Gardening

Most gardeners start planning their flower and vegetable gardens after the first of the year. This makes sense, as cabin fever from the winter months is compounded by a case of gardening fever due to the appearance of garden catalogs.

But it wasn’t always like this. Gardening came about as a matter necessity; in fact, gardening can take credit for the development of our society today.

When you look at the development of human culture, having a garden was a pretty big deal and was a driver in us becoming civilized. It’s generally recognized that about 12,000 years ago, humans were hunter/gatherers following their next meal.

But right about this time period, Atouk — who was portrayed by Ringo Starr in the 1981 comedy film, “Caveman” — discovered that with the domestication of plants and animals, he and his family could live in one place. Agriculture was “discovered,” and it would provide a consistent food source and put an end to the constant wandering.

I’m sure that bragging about the best-tasting tomato started shortly after.

Evidence of the importance of having gardens dates back to the Egyptian Pharaohs and is documented in the elaborate tomb paintings they made of the gardens of their various kingdoms.

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. These gardens were said to have been built on terraces and were probably the first raised garden beds, a style of gardening still practiced today.

The story goes that King Nebuchadnezzar had the gardens built for his wife. Many modern gardeners — myself included — grow flowers and vegetables because our spouses like them.

Fast forward to gardening today. My gardening friends know I have quite the home vegetable garden. I really enjoy the taste of homegrown vegetables. I start at the very beginning with starting my own seeds.

I pore over the catalogs that are already stacking up, selecting new varieties to try in 2023. With all the seed and plants we have available today, I kind of feel sorry for Atouk’s struggle. There is a bit of satisfaction in knowing that a home garden can produce good, nutritious food.

One crop I grow for my wife are fresh, heirloom tomatoes. She loves them and she loves me for growing them for her, even though I really don’t like fresh tomatoes.

Thank goodness we don’t have to rely on our gardens for everyday survival today, though some of you know how Katie and I are prepping for the zombie apocalypse.

I’m encouraged that because of COVID, we have up to 20 million new gardeners enjoying their very own gardens. Gardening helps to build community, self-confidence, and reliability. So, get those seeds ordered and have a great garden this year.

by Dr. Gary Bachman

Gary Bachman, Ph.D., Extension/Research Professor of Horticulture at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. He is also host of “Southern Gardening” radio and TV programs. He lives in Ocean Springs and is a Singing River Electric member.

seed catalogs allow gardeners to pick exactly what kind of plants they want to grow in their next garden.

Growing your own plants from seed is one way to keep gardeners busy before they can actually get outside.

Grenada Lake: Home of the 3-pound crappie

Across the nation, anglers hoping to land giant crappie always think of the “I-55 Corridor” in northern Mississippi as the road to monster slabs.

All of the “Big Four” flood control reservoirs along Interstate 55 — Arkabutla, Enid, Grenada, and Sardis — produce massive crappie. Two produced current crappie records. Arkabutla Lake in Tate and DeSoto counties delivered the state record black crappie at 4.25 pounds, but Enid near Batesville gave up the world record white crappie at 5 pounds, 3 ounces. However, Grenada Lake, about three miles northeast of the town of Grenada, consistently produces the most crappie topping three pounds.

“All four of the lakes are capable of producing crappie exceeding three pounds,” stated Keith Meals, a Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks biologist. “I would rank Enid and Sardis best for numbers and Arkabutla and Grenada best for size. Grenada Lake produces many 2- to 2.5-pound fish with the biggest crappie in many tournaments often coming in around 3.5 pounds or better.”

Each fall, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers draws down the reservoirs. The lakes begin to refill in mid-January, depending upon the amount of rain. Although anglers might catch huge crappie all year long at Grenada Lake, the best fishing for big ones typically occurs in late winter or early spring before the spawn.

Dubbed “the home of the 3-pound crappie,” the largest lake entirely within Mississippi spreads across 35,000 acres at pool stage. Relatively shallow and full of stumps and timber, Grenada Lake drops to more than 30 feet deep in the main river channels at pool stage.

“Anytime someone drops a bait into Grenada Lake, that person could possibly catch the biggest crappie of his or her life,” exclaimed Jarad Roper, a professional crappie angler. “Grenada does produce bigger than average fish every year. I’ve never seen crappie so aggressive as they are on Grenada Lake.”

The Skuna and Yalobusha Rivers flow into Grenada Lake, the southernmost of the Big Four. A little larger than the Skuna, the Yalobusha typically carries muddier water. Since the Skuna runs a little clearer, many anglers fish this arm first during the spawning season. Look for little ditches or creek channels that lead into shallow sunny backwater areas that might warm quicker.

“Water warms up faster on the Skuna arm than it does on the Yalobusha,” explained John Harrison with JH Guide Service (662-983-5999) in Calhoun City. “Crappie usually start spawning on the Skuna side about a week to 10 days before they start on the Yalobusha side. The Skuna has more sand in it so it clears up faster. Once the water temperature starts getting in the high 50s or around 60 to 62 degrees, the males start hitting the banks. I start fishing the Skuna in early March and fish around to the Yalobusha side.”

Many campgrounds, hotels, and restaurants o er accommodations around Grenada Lake.

by John N. Felsher

John N. Felsher is a professional freelance writer, broadcaster, photographer, and editor who lives in Alabama. An avid sportsman, he’s written more than 3,300 articles for more than 170 different magazines on a wide variety of outdoors topics. Contact him at j.felsher@hotmail.com.

Jarad Roper

Scene Around the ‘Sip

Five years ago, Cooperative Energy and its member systems brainstormed ways to give back to the communities each system serves, creating a positive statewide impact. In doing so, the group sought inspiration from the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. From that meeting, the Cooperative Day of Service was born and is now observed annually in conjunction with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Each year, the electric cooperatives join forces to volunteer in their respective communities across the state. Each system focuses on the local communities it serves, embodying the cooperative principle ‘commitment to community.’ Through the years, electric cooperatives from the Mississippi Delta to the Gulf Coast have joined the e ort, volunteering in schools, feeding their neighbors, repairing facilities, cleaning the environment, and performing other labor for non-profit organizations.

Employees from eight Cooperative Energy electric cooperatives volunteered in their local communities in honor of Dr. King’s legacy.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. urged his fellow man to consider what he or she is doing for others. And what better principle to embody,” Sara Peterson, director of corporate communications at Cooperative Energy said. “Serving our fellow man and giving back to the place we all call home aligns with the cooperative principle ‘commitment to community.’ The annual Day of Service is an opportunity for our employees and the employees of our Member systems to do just that — serve our fellow man and our communities.”

On Jan. 17, Cooperative Energy employees volunteered at The Arc Southeast Mississippi and performed various cleaning, maintenance, and computer tasks on campus; at the Hattiesburg Community Arts Center to clean, organize, and paint spaces to prepare for new activities; and to remove debris from the Glendale boat ramp area along the Bouie River and from the shores of Duncan Lake.

This year marks Coahoma Electric’s first year to participate in the MLK Cooperative Day of Service. Employees volunteered at the Clarksdale Care Station on Jan. 13, where they unloaded and stocked canned goods for the Station’s pantry. Employees also donated items for the pantry.

Singing River

Southern Pine

Coast Electric employees volunteered with two organizations on Jan. 13. The first was Manna Ministries in Pearl River County. Five employee volunteers helped to clean and organize Manna’s donations warehouse. The second organization was Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence in Harrison County. Ten employee volunteers sanitized toys and cleaned and washed the Center’s vans.

Dixie Electric employees volunteered with one organization on Jan. 12, one organization on Jan. 13, and another on Jan. 16. Three groups of volunteers prepared and served food, stocked shelves, and did other miscellaneous tasks at the Samaritan’s Closet and Pantry in Wayne County; the Petal Children’s Task Force in Forrest County; and the Christian Food Mission in Jones County.

Magnolia Electric employees continued their years’ long tradition of hosting food drives benefiting organizations within the Magnolia service territory.

Singing River Electric employees volunteered with four di erent projects on Jan. 11; Jan. 13; and Jan. 16. One group of employee volunteers painted the top of two sets of bleachers and two benches at Bear Creek Baseball Complex ball field. The volunteers also applied water sealant on six adult picnic tables and two children tables at Green Park on Main Street.

A second group of volunteers worked at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Jackson County to remove invasive plant species, assist in rebuilding the children’s play area, move and repost the story trail, and deadhead the garden/spread

compost in the garden area. The third group of volunteers worked to replace lightbulbs and ceiling tiles and cover the counters with laminate in the kitchen of George County’s Singing River Head Start facility.

Southern Pine Electric employees volunteered at Hazlehurst Elementary School in Copiah County, with the City of Brandon in Rankin County, food pantries in Newton County, and nursing homes in Copiah County. Volunteers at Hazlehurst Elementary School built a pollination flower bed, pressure washed, cleaned up, and performed various beautification tasks. In Brandon, volunteers installed wooden duck boxes around a quarry. In Newton County, volunteers transported food drive collections to local food p antries. Volunteers in Copiah County delivered collections from a sock drive to two local nursing homes. Other volunteers in Jones County served food at the Good Samaritan Center.

Employees of Southwest Electric performed an Adopt-a-Highway clean-up of roads within the Southwest service territory.

“Improving the communities where our consumer-members live is a staple of cooperative businesses,” Christa Bishop, executive director and chief communications o cer at Cooperative Energy said. “Cooperative Energy and our Member systems are spread across Mississippi, so by joining together for the Cooperative Day of Service, we are able to give back to communities across the state, making a larger impact than any of us could alone.”

Cooperative Energy and our Member systems are spread across Mississippi, so by joining together for the Cooperative Day of Service, we are able to give back to communities across the state, making a larger impact than any of us could alone.

Dixie Electric Coast Electric

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Inflation hits co-ops especially hard

Whether you have been out to eat, bought groceries, or done a home renovation, it seems that the price of everything has risen. This has put a strain on everyone’s pocketbooks during a time when our budgets are already stretched thin. Those same fears you encounter have also been a reality for not-for-profit electric cooperatives like Pearl River Valley Electric. In the last three years, we have seen huge price increases and supply chain issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic and global financial instability. However, we are working to combat these irregularities by being proactive.

As of December 2022, the time this article was written, the inflation rate was 7.1%. While this is high, this number doesn’t provide the whole picture for increased costs. When we look at feeding our families, the expense of individual items has skyrocketed. For example, eggs have increased around 43%, milk 14.5%, and bread 14.8%. In total, eating at home has risen approximately 12.4%. This isn’t the only area of our lives impacted. The cost of motor vehicle maintenance and repair has risen 10.3%, health insurance rose 20.6%, and airline fares have reached 42.9%. These increases can be overwhelming for any family.

In our own industry, the increases have been extremely high across the board for essential materials used to maintain a reliable electric system. Our most visible pieces of equipment, our poles and transformers, have increased 44% and 8% respectively in the last year. However, these are only a small portion of the equipment we use. In order to maintain an electric system that is safe, e cient, and reliable, Pearl River Valley Electric must keep a supply of basic

equipment in stock. These include anchors, lightning arrestors, guy wire, conduit, conductor, hot line clamps, and insulators. All of these have increased dramatically (see chart).

While last year’s price increases have been di cult, what is even more staggering is the upsurges we have seen over the last three years since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Amazingly, standard materials such as conductor, used for our electrical lines, have increased from 64% to 148%, depending on the type. PVC conduit, which we use to protect underground electrical wiring, has increased a shocking 357% since 2020. While it is impossible to ignore these price increases, we are constantly searching for cost e ective ways to replenish our stockpiles by looking at various companies and distributors across the U.S. to get the best price.

Another issue we are facing that plays a role in surging costs is supply restraints. The lack of materials available to all electric utilities has increased pricing and forced us to work harder to find solutions to a lack of resources. In some cases, wait times for materials stretch out to almost a year. Your Pearl River Valley Electric purchasing department is constantly searching for materials, at the best price possible, to help us keep your electric service operating at the same reliability you’ve come to enjoy.

It’s hard to predict going forward how inflation and pricing will impact our cost of doing business in the future, but you have our personal assurance that we will do everything to keep costs as low as possible. Thank you for being a member of Pearl River Valley Electric, and we look forward to being your power provider in the future.

impacted power bills, electric grid Winter Storm Elliot

Winter in Mississippi can be a mixed bag of summer-like temperatures, harsh, bitter cold, and everything in between. During mild winters, our members can often see cost savings on their power bills, however during extended cold snaps, electric use skyrockets and bills can increase dramatically.

During intense cold in the winter and severe heat in the summer, bills typically rise because temperatures and weather are the biggest influence on power bills. In addition, your heating and cooling system is your home’s biggest user of electricity. These two factors account for higher electric bills during extreme high/ low temperature events. A prime example of this was during last December’s Winter Storm Elliot. During Elliot we saw record breaking cold including several days where temperatures were below 20 degrees. During this period, if you were trying to keep your home at 65 degrees, there was an over 40-degree di erence between your inside air and the frigid outside air. In a situation like this, your heating system worked non-stop to keep the air in your home at your desired temperature. On top of this, strong winds brought the “feels like” temperature down to the single digits. The wind helped the cold air infiltrate your home, making it even harder for your heating system to maintain your desired temperature.

Increased electric use wasn’t the only result of Winter Storm Elliot. The storm not only impacted Mississippi, but the majority of the U.S. Cold temperatures and blizzard like conditions caused higher than normal electric use, which put a strain on the electric grid. Unfortunately, this forced many to experience controlled temporary outages, including northern Mississippi.

Our electric grid is interconnected and when a storm such as Elliott a ects a large area of our country the grid can become strained. In extreme conditions such as this, you may be asked to minimize your electric use. This may include lowering your thermostat or putting o laundry to ensure the grid remains reliable. However, if this doesn’t alleviate the strain on the power grid, controlled temporary power outages may occur.

Controlled temporary power outages are implemented only when necessary, and only for specified periods of time to prevent longer, more widespread outages. In our case, Cooperative Energy, our power provider, would require its member systems to cut electric use. In a situation like this, PRVEPA may not have time to notify its members of where or when the power outages may occur. Because of this, it is recommended that our members who rely on medical devices prepare by having a plan in place in case of extended outages. Ideally, when these outages occur, they will be short, and we will make every attempt to alert our members of what is going on.

While we can’t control the weather, the good news is that there are several lowcost steps you can take to help make your home more energy e cient during these periods. First, purchase some low-cost caulk and weather-stripping. These can be used to seal around windows and doors to stop air from infiltrating. During the winter, set your furnace at 68 degrees or lower. Three to 5% more energy is used by each degree you set your furnace above 68 degrees. Lastly, make sure to have your heating and cooling system’s air filter changed every 30 days to prevent build-up of debris on the filter. While this won’t eliminate higher electric use during severe cold and heat, it will save you money during other periods of the year.

Please visit www.prvepa.com for more information on energy e ciency.

Use low-cost caulk and weather-stripping to seal around windows and doors to stop air from infiltrating.

Set your furnace at 68 degrees or lower. Three to 5% more energy is used by each degree you set your furnace above 68 degrees.

Change your heating and cooling system’s air filter every 30 days to prevent build-up of debris on the filter. This won’t eliminate higher electric use during severe cold and heat, but will save you money during other periods of the year.

Paying your bill has never been easier

You can now pay your Pearl River Valley Electric bill by text anytime, from anywhere with your smartphone (or your old flip phone).

STEP 1 • If you aren’t already enrolled in text alerts, simply text “JOIN” to #352667.

STEP 2 • When you receive your welcome text, choose “START.”

STEP 3 • If you haven’t done so, set up a payment profile in our member portal through our website PRVEPA.com or through our app.

Once you are enrolled in text alerts you can receive account and payment information with easy-to-use commands.

Text “BAL” to receive your account balance. You will then be asked to choose your account or accounts.

Text “PAY” to make a payment. You will then be asked to choose your account or accounts.

Text “CALL” to make a call to our o ce. Other options available include “HELP,” “MENU,” “RESET” and “STOP”, which opts you out of text alerts.

Pearl River Valley Electric has made it easier than ever to pay your bill without the hassle of writing a check or leaving your home. Please check out these options to make paying your bill simple.

Bank Draft or Credit/Debit Draft • When it comes time to pay your bill, why waste the time to write a check? Relax knowing that your bill is automatically being paid from your account. Pearl River’s bank draft and debit/credit card draft programs are easy and convenient. Please visit our help center at www.prvepa.com to fill out these forms.

PRVEPA App • Pearl River Valley Electric members can access their account information from their smart devices. You can pay your bill, track daily electric use and view your billing history. You can also set up alerts for when your bill is due. Apps for Apple and Android devices are available. Simply visit your app store and search for “PRVEPA.” It’s free, convenient, and easy to use.

Website • Just like our app, paying through Pearl River Valley Electric’s website is e ortless. Go to www.prvepa.com and create a user ID in our customer service portal to access bill pay, electric use data, billing history, and more!

E-Bill • Through our PRVEPA customer service portal you can sign up for e-billing to receive paperless statements directly to your email. It’s friendly to the environment, convenient, and secure.

Applications for Community College Scholars program due August 11, 2023

Applications are available at PRVEPA o ces and at www.prvepa.com. Completed applications must be postmarked or emailed by August 11. Scholarship recipients must be a PRVEPA member, spouse or child of a member participating in the Round Up program.

Recipients must be full time (12 hours or more per semester) freshmen students enrolled in academic or career-technical programs.

• Scholarship funds will be credited to each student’s college account — no checks will be issued to individuals.

• Scholarships should be awarded by the end of September. Students must be enrolled in good standing at the time funds are released to the colleges.

Funded by members who are rounding up their monthly bills, these scholarships are intended to assist students who will attend a Mississippi community college as a freshman this fall.

seni s Snuggles for

Recently, Pearl River Valley Electric teamed up with the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District to put a smile on the faces of seniors in Stone and Marion counties at Christmas time. Employees from each of our o ces donated toboggans, socks, and blankets to be handed out to area seniors.

“Our employees really care about improving the quality of life in the communities we serve,” said Anthony Harris, manager of economic development and community relations. “By donating these items, we helped so many of our elderly members this last Christmas season.”

PRVEPA’s employees collected enough items across its districts to make 130 gift packets that were delivered to seniors.

The Journey Air Elite features the latest carbon fiber technology for the ultimate in portability and performance

Mobility issues affect over 1 in 5 Americans. These individuals, and their loved ones, know how decreased mobility can result in loss of independence, pain and falling hazards. They are often stuck at home, missing out on a variety of activities, in a vicious cycle that diminishes their quality of life. In the past, mobility devices like scooters and power chairs were too heavy and bulky to transport easily. Now, carbon fiber material invented for the aerospace program has been used to create the ultimate mobility device. It’s called the Journey Air Elite … and there’s nothing else like it on earth.

At only 26 pounds, the Journey Air Elite combines lightweight portability with world class performance. Its simple to use joystick and powerful dual-motor drive system enables you to zip around quickly and safely. It’s easy to maneuver, never tips, fits easily through doorways, and can go right up to a table or desk. Once you are done, just one pull on the seat handle folds it up. There’s a folddown back to make it even easier to stow and store. It features flat-free tires and rear anti-tippers for added convenience and safety.

the seat handle folds it up. There’s a foldit even easier to stow

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Just imagine how this chair can improve your life and make it easier for loved ones and caregivers to accompany you to activities and events you would have missed in the past. Don’t spend another day stuck at home. Call today, and a helpful, knowledgeable consultant will help you get a Journey Air Elite of your very own. Don’t wait – call now!

At just 26 pounds, only one folding mobility chair has the power to change your life.

MISSISSIPPI’S

by Steven Ward

Mobile, Alabama may have been the first place to host a Mardi Gras parade, and New Orleans has the biggest, most well-known celebration, but Biloxi’s Anna Harris said there’s an argument to be made that Mississippi’s Mardi Gras is the most fun.

“I love that di erent communities and krewes celebrate in unique ways. Here in Biloxi, we kick o Twelfth Night with a special celebration of the reigning King and Queen of carnival, turning o the Christmas lights on the Biloxi Lighthouse and parading to City Hall where they turn on the lights of carnival. It is a special way to begin the season,” Harris, director of the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum, said.

Mardi Gras in Mississippi is almost exclusively a southern county tradition. Part of that is due to coastal Mississippi’s proximity to Mobile and New Orleans, the primary reason is the celebration’s roots in French Catholicism.

“Today, Mardi Gras is very much a cultural holiday celebrated by people of all backgrounds, but it began as a Catholic holiday. Carnival is the season that begins on the Epiphany or Twelfth Night, the end of the Christmas season. The season runs through Mardi Gras Day, the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Christian Lent,” Harris said.

The state’s small Catholic population mainly live in the southern part of the state.

“Mardi Gras was hugely popular in France during the 17th and 18th centuries, and the French continued celebrating in their new American territories. Many other areas of Mississippi did not see the influx of early French settlers, and consequently, did not have those early ties to Mardi Gras,” Harris said.

The City of Biloxi mounted its first city sponsored parade on March 3, 1908, marking the o cial beginning of Mardi Gras in Mississippi, Harris said.

This first parade was led by the reigning royalty King Bienville, later changed to King d’Iberville, and Queen Ixolib, which is Biloxi spelled backwards. The parade also included a grand marshal, 17 floats, 50 flambeau carriers, and the Sun Herald newspaper’s 12-piece band. The annual parade was formalized into an organization in 1916 when the Biloxi Carnival and Literary Association was incorporated. As the celebration spread beyond Biloxi, this group was renamed the Gulf Coast Carnival Association making it the oldest carnival organization in the state, Harris said.

...the reigning King and Queen of carnival, turning o the Christmas lights on the Biloxi Lighthouse and parading to City Hall where they turn on the lights of carnival. It is a special way to begin the season.

Carnival Queen Ixolib for 2022 Madison Warren stands inside the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum.

Anna Harris – Director of the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum

Photos by Chad Calcote

TWELFTH NIGHT

About an hour before 2022 Gulf Coast Carnival King D’Iberville Bobby Knesal and 2022 Carnival Queen Ixolib Madison Warren climbed aboard a float to kick off Biloxi’s carnival season, they patiently posed for photos at the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum.

Knesal, 67, and Warren, 24, are both from Gulfport.

Warren said she first knew she wanted to be Queen of Mardi Gras after her father took her to her first Mardi Gras ball in 2011 when she was 13.

“My dad was a duke, and he took me to the ball. I looked at the queen at the ball and just pointed to her and told my dad that I wanted to be that one day,” Warren said.

Warren’s father told her that the maids in the organization have more fun and there was a lot more work to being the queen.

“That didn’t matter to me. This has been such a special time,” Warren said.

Knesal said he began his official Mardi Gras participation in 2007 as a duke.

“I’ve been married for 41 years. And our wedding anniversary is on Feb. 19, Mardi Gras weekend,” Knesal said.

Both Knesal and Warren waved to the crowd on the streets from the Biloxi Visitors Center across from the city’s lighthouse — where they turned off the city’s Christmas lights — to Biloxi City Hall, where they, along with maids, captains, and dukes, turned on the lights of Mardi Gras.

MARDI GRAS FAST FACTS – ORIGIN

Mardi Gras can be traced back to the very beginning of the French influence in the Gulf South. In 1698, Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville was sent by the French King Louis XIV to find the end of the Mississippi River. He landed on Ship Island south of present-day Biloxi, on Feb. 10, 1699. It was during this trip, on March 3, 1699, that he commemorated Mardi Gras just south of the Mississippi River, making d’Iberville and his party the first to celebrate the holiday in the Americas. Mardi Gras parties and parades were held in Biloxi during the nineteenth century, but it was not until 1908 that the first organization was established.

MARDI

Decorated fire engines and hook-and-ladder trucks served as floats in Biloxi’s first Mardi Gras parades in 1891 and 1892. Later, horses and mules pulled decorated wagons. Artist Salvador Navarro was contracted to design and build elaborate floats for the Biloxi Carnival Association in 1915.

GRAS FAST FACTS – FLOATS

100 YEARS

Since 1908, the celebration has grown to include over 40 different krewes across the three coastal counties of Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. The word krewe was first coined by the Krewe of Comus in New Orleans and is a private social club dedicated to the celebration of Mardi Gras.

In 1922, the female krewe of Les Masquees was formed in Biloxi making it the first private krewe in the Mississippi, Harris said.

Les Masquees was quickly followed by the first men’s krewe, the Krewe of Mithras, which held their first ball in Biloxi in 1924.

Harris is a member of the Krewe of Les Masquees and the Gulf Coast Carnival Association.

“Les Masquees is a ladies krewe that is especially dear to my heart. We are celebrating our 100th year as the oldest private krewe in Mississippi! It is a joy to share this krewe with both my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and many of my closest childhood friends,” Harris said.

Harris is the director of the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum. She said she loves her job.

“Throughout my career I worked as a curator in fine art museums and galleries. Combine that with my family’s long history in Mardi Gras and this position was the perfect fit! I love to share my love of Mardi Gras and learn more about the 40 different unique krewes we have in Coastal Mississippi,” Harris said.

PARADES

A list of just a handful of parades around south Mississippi, and a new parade in north Mississippi

GULFPORT

Feb. 18. Krewe of Gemini Carnival Parade. 2 p.m.

BILOXI

OLIVE BRANCH

Feb. 18. 1st Olive Twig Humanitarian Group Mardi Gras Parade. 1 p.m.

PASCAGOULA

Feb. 18. Jackson County Carnival Parade. 1 p.m.

HATTIESBURG

Feb. 18. Caerus Mardi Gras Parade. 1 p.m.

Feb. 18. The Krewe of Neptune. 5:30 p.m.

BAY ST. LOUIS

Feb. 21. (Mardi Gras Day) Krewe of Diamonds Parade. 1 p.m.

BILOXI

Feb. 21. (Mardi Gras Day) Gulf Coast Carnival Association Parade. 1 p.m.

A celebration on Jan. 5 that marks the beginning of the Mardi Gras season and the end of the Christmas season. The season lasts until Ash Wednesday, the day before lent.

A club that is formed for the specific purpose of celebrating Mardi Gras in a particular way.

MARDI GRAS FAST FACTS – KREWE

MARDI GRAS FAST FACTS – TWELTH NIGHT

WHEN USING SPACE HEATERS

by Susan Collins-Smith

Space heaters can help keep temperatures comfortable during cold weather. However, all types of heating equipment can be fire hazards if safety precautions are not taken.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, home heating fires happen most often in December, January and February, accounting for almost half of all home heating fires. Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and it is the third leading cause of home fire deaths.

“Space heaters and other types of portable heaters are a great way to heat a single room, or supplement a building’s main heating system, or even make outdoor activities more comfortable when temperatures are colder than normal,” said Leslie Woolington, Mississippi State University Extension Service risk management/loss control manager. “But you need to make sure you use them safely.”

Woolington suggested safety precautions for using space heaters

either indoors or outdoors:

• Keep heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including upholstered furniture, bedding, curtains, clothing, insulation, cardboard, and papers.

• Never leave heaters on when unattended. Turn heaters o , unplug electric heaters, and turn o portable propane cylinders when leaving the area.

Mississippi’s Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Connie Dolan said space heaters should only be used as a supplemental source of heat.

“Space heaters are intended only to give your home a little more heat when needed,” Dolan said. “They can easily overload circuits, causing a power failure or fire.”

Dolan pointed out that electric space heaters require a lot of power to run and draw high currents, which is why they should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet.

“Small-gauge, low-quality extension cords cannot handle the high currents that space heaters use,” she said. “Many space heaters draw around 1,500 watts or more and should never be used with an extension cord. The high currents of electricity going through an extension cord can cause the extension cord’s insulation to melt, which could lead to a fire.”

When purchasing an electric space heater, Dolan said consumers should look for units with these features:

• A tip-over safety switch. This switch automatically turns the heater o if it is tipped over.

• An Underwriter’s Laboratory, or UL, mark. This mark is the most common independent safety certification in the U.S. and indicates the device has been tested and approved.

• A thermostat. Thermostats let the user set a temperature and allow the heater to turn o when the desired temperature is reached.

• A long power cord. Make sure the cord is long enough to allow the heater to be a safe distance away from anything combustible.

• A sturdy handle. This allows the heater to be safely moved.

Send us photos from your favorite holiday gathering. The photos could be with you and family or friends from Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s. The photos can be from the last year or a previous year. The photos must be high-resolution JPG files of at least 1 MB in size. Please attach the photo to your email and send it to news@ecm.coop. Each entry must be accompanied by photographer’s name, address, and co-op.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 1. Select photos will appear in the April 2023 issue.

For the Love of the Game

PHILIP GUNN: A sports and political leader

It’s no coincidence that competitors who excel in sports may also be poised to excel in other areas of life, including leadership positions. In the process of achieving in sports, players gain skills and lessons that will follow them into their careers. Successes on the fields, courts and diamonds followed Philip Gunn who today holds one of the most powerful positions in our state government as the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives. Gunn is the first Republican speaker of the Mississippi House in 136 years.

were something you looked forward to. Really the whole community looked forward to those games,” he said

The 6-foot-4 Gunn excelled on the basketball courts, and many thought that was his best sport. Gunn’s first love, however, was football. He was named All-State quarterback by the Mississippi Sportswriters his senior year and was selected to play in the North/ South All-Star game where he threw a 70-yard touchdown pass on his team’s first o ensive play.

Despite his status as an All-State quarterback, those D1 o ers never came, so Gunn ended up signing with Mississippi College. He would play the first semester at MC, but the desire and dream of playing for a Division 1 school was still gnawing at him. “I always wanted to play Division 1 college football,” Gunn said. Luckily for Gunn, a couple of Baylor graduates in his hometown told him about Baylor University, so he planned a visit to Waco, Texas, after that first semester at MC and met the legendary head coach Grant Tea .

“I really liked what I saw and decided to walk on at Baylor. We had some good teams back then. Even though I was only a scout team player, I really enjoyed my time and all the lasting friendships that I made at Baylor,” Gunn said.

During his last semester during his senior year at Baylor, Gunn met his wife, Lisa. They married a year and half later. Today, they are the proud parents of four children: Meredith, twins Alex and Andrew, and John David. He coached all his children through youth sports. “My parents were very supportive of me playing youth sports, and I made sure I did the same for my four children.”

Prior to the support of the voters, Gunn’s earliest and most vital support came from his parents who encouraged him as he played sports growing up. “My dad played basketball in college and knew the benefits of playing team sports,” Gunn said in a recent interview. Gunn was in his second year of law school at Ole Miss in 1988 when he lost both of his parents and his sister when their car was hit by an intoxicated driver in Oxford while they were visiting Gunn. “My mom and dad were my mentors and heroes when I was growing up,” Gunn said.

Gunn began playing sports in the fourth grade, and by the time he was a senior at Clinton High School, he was the only senior athlete to play football, basketball, and baseball. One of his highlights was leading his high school football team to the state championship in 1980. The Clinton Arrows were ranked No. 1 in the final United Press International (UPI) Coaches Poll.

“I really loved high school sports. Clinton played in the Little Dixie Conference, and when we played our rivals Warren Central and Pearl, we would have standing room only crowds. Those games

Even though Gunn was president of the Ole Miss School of Law where he was elected Student Body President, entering politics was never a plan. He was asked to run for the Mississippi Legislature in 2003 because of redistricting that year in his hometown, Clinton. He won a very contentious election, and today the citizens of Mississippi are fortunate to have him serving as Speaker of the House.

by Dale McKee

Dale McKee is a Waynesboro native who has been writing sports in Mississippi since 1973. He is a member of Dixie Electric. Contact him at ddmckee18@yahoo.com.

with Rebecca Turner

Soup warms the soul, and taste buds

Nothing spells comfort better than homemade soup. Whenever it’s frigid outside, you feel blue or need solace, a bowl of soup warms you from the inside out. And, when you’re under the weather, soups help keep you hydrated and well-nourished with essential vitamins, allowing you to feel better faster. But, making soups from scratch at home can seem daunting and time intensive. Don’t be intimidated, adapt any soup recipe to a slower cooker or improve recipes with a few suggestions.

Toss it in, turn it on, and let it simmer. That is the conventional way to make soup, but the timing of certain ingredients can take your soup to the next level. Some elements benefit from longer cooking times and should be added at the start. Onions, root vegetables like potatoes and carrots, winter squashes, tomatoes, celery, cauliflower, and broccoli. Lean cuts from the shoulder and rump of

beef, lamb, goat, pork, whole chicken, chicken thighs, and chicken legs. Most spices should be added at the beginning of cooking, except for the rosemary, which can become bitter over the most extended cooking times. For best results, keep rosemary till the end.

Softer ingredients cook quicker and can turn to mush or lose flavor the longer it cooks. Add the following ingredients in the last 30 to 45 minutes or (sooner if in the slow cooker) of cooking. Vegetables such as peas, corn, bell peppers, and spinach. Meat such as fish and other seafood. Milk, yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, and coconut milk are best added at the end. Cut down cooking time by adding rice, noodles, and other grains already cooked, though uncooked grains help soak up excess liquid and make them more flavorful.

Remember these tips, and warm up your family with a bowl of homemade soup.

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 large onion, chopped

3 carrots, peeled and sliced into coins

2 celery stalks, sliced

2 tablespoons poultry seasoning

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 bay leaf

salt

black pepper

8-10 cups low sodium chicken broth

8-12 ounces egg noodles

Put the chicken breasts, chopped onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and celery in your crockpot.

Add the poultry seasoning and bay leaf — season with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Pour in 8 cups of the chicken broth and cook on low for 6 hours or till the chicken is tender.

Remove chicken breasts. Shred the chicken breasts, return them to the crockpot, and add at least 8 ounces of egg noodles. Add the whole 12-ounce bag if you like a lot of noodles and/or have the space. You may need an additional 2 cups of chicken broth. Noodles should be covered with liquid. Add extra broth accordingly.

Cook on low for another 30 minutes or until noodles are cooked but not too soft.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoons olive oil

1 yellow onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 teaspoons minced garlic

salt to taste

black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

1 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1 (15-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained

1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted

diced tomatoes

Heat butter and olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery, and sauté 10 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper. Add tomato paste, paprika, cumin, and thyme and cook a few more minutes.

Add drained red peppers, tomatoes, and chicken broth. Let simmer 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Using either a hand-held immersion blender or regular blender, puree until smooth. *Be careful adding hot liquid to regular blender. Add Greek yogurt, half-and-half, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until combined and let simmer for another 10 minutes.

3 cups chicken broth

1 (5-ounce) container plain

Greek yogurt

½ cup half-and-half

½ cup Parmesan cheese, shaved, plus more for garnishing

by Rebecca Turner

Rebecca Turner is an author, registered dietitian, radio host, television presenter and a certified specialist in sports dietetics with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A lifelong Mississippian, she lives in Brandon and has spent the last decade offering nononsense nutrition guidance that allows you to enjoy good health and good food. Her book, “Mind Over Fork,” challenges the way you think, not the way you eat. Find her on social media @RebeccaTurnerNutrition and online at www.RebeccaTurnerNutrition.com.

Barnyard Marketplace Sweetheart Fest. Feb. 11. Poplarville. Come shop the field of vendors for that special Valentine’s Day gift. Food, crafts, photo ops, and a whole lot of fun. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 295 Buck Kirkland Rd. Follow the red fence to the Barnyard entrance gates. Details: 504-234-3579.

Gospel Singing Jubilee. March 4. Magee. Performers include Gold City, QT, Terry Joe Terrell, The Revelations, and Tim Frith and the Gospel Echoes. 6:30 p.m. Magee High School, 501 Choctaw St. Details: 601-906-0677 or 601-720-8870.

Gospel Music Extravaganza. March 11. Hattiesburg. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and The Hoppers will perform at 6 p.m. at Heritage Church, 3 Baracuda Dr., Hattiesburg. Details: (601)-261-3371.

Melodies of Bluegrass Festival. March 24 and 25. Morton. Performers include: Bluegrass Cartel, Catahoula Drive, Edgar Loudermilk Band, Fair River Station, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, and Weary Heart. The shows start at 1 p.m. Roosevelt State Park 2149 MS. 13. Details: 601-604-4234 or 601-527-9127.

Veterans Resource Fair. March 29. Laurel. The Laurel-Jones County Library System hosts the fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Laurel Library. This free event is open to all veterans, activeduty members, reservists, and their families. Over 20 local and state agencies, organizations, and non-profits will be on hand to provide information about benefits and resources available for all those who have served our Great Nation. Light refreshments and door prizes will be o ered. Details: Melinda Youngblood at 601-428-4313 Ext. 112 or email myoungblood@ laurel.lib.ms.us.

Just an aside, I have let it slip into the conversation more than once that I was at the Delta Democrat Times during the Hodding Carter days. Association with a Pulitzer Prize-winning publication elevates your stature in literary circles. Usually, I go on and tell them that my position was a paperboy.

However, sometimes I let comments like that just ride. Sort of like at a wedding where I agreed to perform the ceremony. (Yes, I can legally

with a rubber band. In bad weather, instead of me having to deliver the papers riding my bike, daddy would take me in the car.

One windy February day I had run out of rubber bands and the paper was too thick to fold into a square and toss like a frisbee. So, I had to carry each paper up to every house and lay it on the porch or the steps.

But there was this one house where I put the paper down with the open side toward the wind. The paper blew all over the yard. As we picked it up, daddy said for me to lay it with the folded side into the wind. He added, “There’s an art to everything.”

I’ve remembered what he told me that day a lot. While I’m shooting photographs or video for a story. Or editing and trying to get it just right. Sometimes it takes a little longer, but there really is an art to everything.

marry folks, but would rather the couples’ pastor have the honors. After all, it’s the minister’s job to shepherd the family.) Anyway, years ago I agreed to perform the wedding for a reporter at WLBT and her fiancé. When we had finished and the couple had kissed, the guests started milling into the reception. A lady came up to me and said hello. Puzzled, she asked me, “How is it you can o ciate a wedding?” Most people know me from television. So, with a straight face, I answered, “Why, in Mississippi, weathermen can marry folks.” I should have told her I was kidding but she obviously took it for the truth. I didn’t want to her to think weathermen lied. So, I just left it at that.

I should have told her I worked for a Pulitzer-winning newspaper, too. I’ll keep that in mind.

Anyway, back to what I remember from my newspaper career. Daddy was very helpful with my paper route. My bundle of papers was dropped at my house midafternoon. Then I would roll the papers and snug them

Something else my paper route has done for me. Instead of having to make up that “walking to school in the snow” stu , I tell my grandkids, “Why, I’ve been working since I was 11. And my very first job was for a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper!” And it’s the truth!

by Walt Grayson

There are instances from my childhood that I vividly remember. One of them is when I was a paperboy for the Delta Democrat Times in Greenville.

Walt Grayson is the host of “Mississippi Roads” on Mississippi Public Broadcasting television and the author of two “Looking Around Mississippi” books and “Oh! That Reminds Me: More Mississippi Homegrown Stories.” Walt is also a reporter and 4 p.m. news anchor at WJTV in Jackson. He lives in Brandon and is a Central Electric member. Contact him at walt@waltgrayson.com.

While I’m shooting photographs or video for a story. Or editing and trying to get it just right. Sometimes it takes a little longer, but there really is an art to everything.