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2 TODAY | MAY 2020
At your electric co-op, we help you find more ways to save energy, save money and help the environment. So small savings today lead to big savings tomorrow.
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Coming together during a crisis We are living in unprecedented times. Our country has asked for sacrifice and discipline during the COVID-19 crisis. That has meant a temporary change in the way residents of our communities live as well as the way our electric cooperatives interact with our members. I’m proud to say that our electric cooperative family – both employees and members – has responded to these unique challenges professionally and with empathy. The choices we have made have been about what’s best for our community. Concern for community is a core principal our electrical cooperatives have always promoted and prioritized. COVID-19 has brought out the best in all of us and serves as a reminder that Mississippi’s electric cooperatives have always done what’s necessary to help one another. Members have stayed indoors to work from home, teach and nurture children while school is out and to take care of loved ones. While some of our members don’t have the luxury to work from home, they have stayed home anyway for the communal sacrifice to stop the virus from spreading. Cooperative employees have changed the way they serve our members. Those changes, however, have not affected the cooperatives’ ability to respond to the needs and services our membership deserves. Across Mississippi and the country, cooperative leadership has assessed priorities and needs to ensure power outages are dealt with in a timely and safe manner. Many cooperative employees are working from home like other Americans across the country. That decision was one of necessity to stop the spread of COVID-19. Although our customer service representatives miss the personal one-on-one interaction they usually share with our members, the cooperatives have
created other ways to pay bills and deal with other service requests via online or by phone. More than 1.8 million Mississippians rely on the electric cooperatives for electric service. But the relationship between cooperative employees and members is more than a simple service. A true concern for our community is at the heart of what we do. Speaking of serving community, last month I wrote that April 13 was National Lineworker Appreciation Day. Instead of participating in that celebration on their day, the brave men and women that ensure Mississippi’s electric cooperatives have power were out restoring power to areas hit hard by Easter Sunday storms and tornadoes. At the peak of the storm outages, there were more than 55,000 electric cooperative meters without service and more than 1,500 poles had to be replaced. Several Mississippi and out-ofstate electric cooperatives assisted the distressed systems in restoring service in the heavy damaged areas. Because of social distancing, it took a few more days than usual to restore service to all the areas in need. A sincere thanks to all our members for their patience during the storms’ aftermath and for continuing to stand strong during this difficult time in our country’s history. Mississippi’s electric cooperative employees and members continue to work as one to lift and strengthen ourselves because community is everything.
by Michael Callahan Executive Vice President/CEO Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
It was a typical evening on the patio — kids chasing the dog; all the while, tripping over toys galore strewn about our backyard. And me — well, I was either buried in my phone finishing up emails left over from work or checking the most up-to-date news on Facebook ... or both. We had just finished dinner and the weather was pleasant enough to enjoy the rest of the evening outdoors. The sun continued to set and it was just about dusk when I heard Olivia yell out some unintelligible series of words. Since she had just reached a new level of talking, I didn’t pay her much attention. By this time my wife had joined us. She said it again and I looked up from my phone to see her pointing toward our landscaping. Then, she said it again ... “Red! Red! Red, flow-der Daddy!” and reached out toward a rose bush with her tiny, little finger. In that moment, I believe I saw the most beautiful red roses I had ever seen. Not literally, of course — the roses hadn’t changed at all; it was my heart that did. I’m going to be honest ... being a dad is the most difficult thing I have ever done. It seems like life has tripled in speed. Gratitude and perspective seems to dim with each passing day. And, in all the rush and movement, it’s so easy to lose direction and focus on the things that matter most. It’s humbling to serve a God that knows all of the little moments like this about our lives. His text in Matthew 18:2-5 speaks directly in advance — almost foreshadowing — my season of life today. Keep it simple. Appreciate the beauty all around you. Slow down enough to be amazed at what God is doing right in front of your very eyes. Be grateful. Be humble. Don’t lose focus on what’s important. May you be ever more simple. May you trust Him recklessly. May you laugh often. And, may you stop long enough to see the roses all around you. by Derrick Cowan, Madison photo by Ron Stewart
MAY 2020 | TODAY 3
in this issue
5 southern gardening Gardening offers many stay-at-home benefits
7 scene around the ‘sip A look at special people and places around Mississippi
11 outdoors today
8
Hope for the Bobwhite
12 local news 18 feature
Thacker Mountain Radio Hour: Bringing live music and storytelling to all of Mississippi
18
the love of 23 for the game Baseball has been good to Squeaky
24 on the menu
Mississippi produce can pack a punch of flavor in Mexican cuisine
27 mississippi seen
24
We are all closer to one another than we think
The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
Vol. 73 No. 4
OFFICERS Keith Hayward - President Kevin Bonds - First Vice President Eddie Howard - Second Vice President Randy Carroll - Secretary/Treasurer Michael Callahan - Executive Vice President/CEO EDITORIAL STAFF Ron Stewart - Senior VP, Communications Steven Ward - Editor Chad Calcote - Creative Director/ Manager Elissa Fulton - Communications Specialist Rickey McMillan - Graphic Designer Kevin Wood - Graphic Designer Chris Alexander - Administrative Assistant EDITORIAL OFFICE & ADVERTISING 601-605-8600
Acceptance of advertising by Today in Mississippi does not imply endorsement of the advertised product or services by the publisher or Mississippi’s electric power associations. Product satisfaction and delivery responsibility lie solely with the advertiser. • National advertising representative: American MainStreet Publications, 800-626-1181
Circulation of this issue: 466,387
Non-member subscription price: $9.50 per year. Today in Mississippi (ISSN 1052-2433) is published 11 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. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 507.1.5.2) NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: send address corrections to: Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300
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On the cover Blues guitarist Grady Champion plays at a September 2017 broadcast of Thacker Mountain Radio Hour. Photo by Taylor Square Photography
thanks to the dedicated men and women who restore our power! Storms and tornadoes roared through Mississippi on Easter Sunday, knocking down poles and wiping out power for members of several of the state’s electric cooperatives. When bad weather strikes, lineworkers stop what they are doing and head out to restore service. They serve on the front lines for power service restoration. The next day, April 13, happened to be National Lineworkers Appreciation Day. Most of our lineworkers were still busy and out bringing power to our members. So, even though April was National Lineworkers Appreciation Month, it’s never too late to thank a lineworker for their service. Go online and use #thankalineworker or tell them when you see them out in the community.
4 TODAY | MAY 2020
scene around the ‘sip co-op involvement southern gardening
picture this my opinion grin ‘n’ bare it
Gardening offers many stay-at-home benefits
10 years, and they are easy for the home With much of our workforce telegardener to grow. commuting from home and with school Another idea I’ve often shared in group suspended or canceled for the kids, presentations is the concept of Little Free cabin fever has already become an issue Gardens. This was an idea that originated for many households. in the Fargo, North Dakota, and Morehead, Gardening is an activity everyone can Minnesota, area with the hope of building take advantage of during the coming relationships and sustainability in local weeks to relieve the growing pressure. neighborhoods. One activity for the kids that can be a Microgreens grow quickly indoors with minimal effort Little Free Gardens are organized learning experience is planting seeds. and make nutritious additions to many dishes. much like Little Free Libraries. People It’s amazing when kids — and adults are encouraged to plant something, — realize that seeds are actually living give something, take something or leave components of plants. The potential of a something. My wife and I established our tiny acorn to produce a mighty oak tree Little Free Garden in 2018, and it is No. 146 always inspires me! These tiny objects nationally and the first in Mississippi. We have all the information required to grow seasonal vegetables all year. With grow a complete plant. Use quick-growthe current situation we’re all in, we hope ing flowers like marigolds, sunflowers to share fresh herbs and vegetables with and zinnias to get started. our neighbors. Another way to observe the power of Americans have always stuck together tiny seeds and to make a delicious salad Consider planting a Little Free Garden in your yard, in adversity. During World War II, Victory is by growing microgreens. where people are encouraged to plant something, Gardens fed our country. When the econoIf you’re staying inside, growing give something, take something or leave something. my went into recession in 2008, interest in microgreens is a perfect and easy way growing vegetable gardens rose exponentially. to garden. Microgreens grow quickly indoors with minimal We’re faced with adversity again. More gardeners putting in effort on a window sill or under lights. They don’t take up a lot Little Free Gardens would increase availability of fresh food for of space, but they can have big meal-time impact. everyone. Little Free Gardens could be called the COVID-19 You harvest microgreens at a young growth stage, usually Victory Garden. cotyledon or first true leaf stage. This ranges from 7 to 21 days Remember, the garden is not canceled. after germination, and microgreens will have reached approximately 1 to 3 inches tall. Growing microgreens is a fun way to add fresh flavors along with a tender crunch to dishes. They have a variety of uses. As vegetable confetti, they add flavor, texture and color to evening by Dr. Gary Bachman meals. They can be added to salads, eaten as the salad themselves, layered on sandwiches and used as a colorful garnish. Gary Bachman, Ph.D., Extension/Research Professor of Horticulture at Microgreens are rich in phytonutrients. Different varieties can the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in have high concentrations of vitamins C and phytonutrients. Biloxi. He is also host of “Southern Gardening” radio and TV programs. He lives in Ocean Springs and is a Singing River Electric member. I have been growing and enjoying microgreens for more than MAY 2020 | TODAY 5
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events
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AND ABILITY WORKS: I N S P I R I N G A C U LT U R E O F I N D E P E N D E N C E by Elissa Fulton When stepping into a Sephora store, there is a cachet feeling amid the elite black and white striped walls and exclusive beauty products on the shelves. There is no place like Sephora when it comes to convenience and brand exclusivity. Sephora is an omni retailer owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, headquartered in Paris, France. Since its global launch in 1998, the corporation operates hundreds of retail locations across the United States. As a global leader in beauty and prestige, merchandise must arrive to its retail locations and to its e-commerce customers through a timely approach. For Mississippian Derek Coulter, director of operations for the southeastern supply chain of Sephora, distribution productivity is his area of expertise. In 2017, Sephora opened its fourth warehouse — and selected Olive Branch, Miss. as that site. For a shipping location, the proximity of air and ground shipping facilities, the new I-269 corridor, as well as the workforce availability, north Mississippi is a perfect central location to service southeastern customers. Sephora ships approximately one third of their e-commerce volume for the network from the Mississippi warehouse. As operations manager, it has been extremely important to Coulter that the culture and environment he strives to create for his employees should match the brand philosophy. Sephora strives for distinction in the beauty market and Coulter brings that excellence into the warehouse. “I have a saying for our operations groups,” said Coulter. “You are only as good as you were yesterday. In operations that is so true. I believe that motto, and I don’t take anything for granted. What we did in the past doesn’t mean anything. 2019 was a great year for us, but all that matters now is going forward.” One distinct culture change that Sephora has made in the Olive Branch location is that approximately 30 percent of its associates have a disability that may have prevented them from holding a job in the past. To implement this pilot project for Sephora, Coulter and the leadership team reached out to Jim Flanagan and the Desoto Economic Development Council who got them in touch with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) and its Community Rehabilitation Partner called Ability Works. The initiative was communicated through the facility recruitment process and has been a group effort of several organizations to launch.
The Olive Branch Sephora warehouse currently employs more than 400 associates with 30 percent of the workforce being hired through the Ability Works program. Though the initiative is exclusive to the Olive Branch location, Coulter feels hopeful that the North American company will adopt its practice companywide because of its success in Mississippi. Part of this initiative’s success is due to Billie Walker, Ability Works project supervisor at the Sephora Warehouse. Once a person expresses interest in working at Sephora, their counselor refers them to Walker. They then go through a nine-week training program. The first week begins in a classroom and weeks two through nine are on the warehouse floor learning actual job functions of the Sephora employees. Once the trainees complete the program and have been able to meet production in all areas of the job, they become an employee of the Sephora corporation with full benefits. “The partnership between the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and Sephora has resulted in successful careers for people with disabilities throughout the state of Mississippi,” Walker said. “This project has further demonstrated, if given the opportunity, people with disabilities are a valuable asset to the workplace.” Sephora has had positive feedback from the family members and friends of their disabled associates, and it has been a true testament to the capability of these workers. The employees have a sense of wellbeing and pride for being able to provide for themselves and manage their day-to-day lives. Coulter hopes to see other companies adopt similar programs. “Some companies are still nervous to take that leap or try something outside of their comfort zone,” said Coulter. “But if I could impact other CEOs or other Supply Chain VPs, I would. This is an untapped market that has so much potential to positively impact someone’s business in such a major way. Being a part of this and seeing the way that it changes people’s lives who are not only a part of the program, but people that work in the building and the leadership staff is just unbelievable.” The Ability Works and partnerships like the Sephora project help disabled community members gain freedom many have never experienced before. To contact Ability Works, visit www.mdrs.ms.gov or call 1-800-443-1000 for more information. MAY 2020 | TODAY 7
CRAFTING
old treasures INTO
beautiful birdhouses How a son’s special gift for his father took flight
by Elissa Fulton Woodworking has been a hobby for Chad Houston for as long as he can remember. His father was a carpenter and, as a child, he watched as he built beautiful artisan furniture in his shop. Houston has always admired his father’s work and is proud of the skilled craftsman that he is. Houston was born and raised in Hatley, Mississippi and is a copy machine repairman by day. Several years ago, he was looking for a hobby to occupy his free time and decided he would build a birdhouse for his father. He knew it couldn’t be just any birdhouse. He had to build it perfectly since he knew his father would silently critique his work. Because his father remodeled homes for a living, his shop was filled with old treasures, like doorknobs and fences and other cool items to choose from. Houston picked several items and went to work handcrafting a meaningful gift for his father. A month later, he had a special birdhouse to give his father for Christmas. Houston didn’t stop there. He scoured his father’s shop until he was able to build birdhouses for everyone in the family to give as Christmas gifts. He posted a photo of his father’s birdhouse on his Facebook account. That’s when he realized there was a demand for birdhouses and folks would pay good money for them. “These aren’t your average birdhouses,” Houston said. “I picked very special items to build them with that had meaningful connections to those I gave them to. They are very well built, and I took my time on each one. It takes me about two to four weeks to build one, and I generally just can’t make them fast enough now.” Some of his more special birdhouses are constructed from materials that 8 TODAY | MAY 2020
people bring to him. “When people bring me barnwood from their grandfather’s barn, or other unique things that are special to them, they make the best birdhouses,” he said. Lately, he’s also been spending time trying to find places to pick around for old stuff or cool materials to use on his latest projects. “People are always giving me things to work with,” Houston said. “But it’s not always the stuff that people give me that ends up on birdhouses. One of these houses kind of has to come together naturally. I found a doorknob a while ago, and I hung onto it for a couple of years before I found just the right birdhouse to put it on.” It’s not always easy for Houston to part with his birdhouses. He puts a lot of time and work into each one and the result is always very special. “It’s been hard to let go of each one of them because it’s like a piece of art,” he said. “You kind of grow fond of it, and it’s hard to let go.” Houston succeeded in making his father proud. He has since made several more houses for his father, but that first birdhouse is sitting prominently in his father’s living room, and to this day he won’t put it outside. “Most people don’t put them outside,” said Houston. “But they are well constructed and are built to last. If you put it outside, you can rest assured your kids and grandkids are probably going to enjoy this birdhouse.” Houston’s father was a high-quality craftsman, and he has proved himself to be quite the artisan as well. Houston said he learned from the best. Email chad7houston@gmail.com for more information.
BEEF It’s what’s for dinner
THE BEST STEAK AND BURGER IN MISSISSIPPI by Steven Ward Swaney said he always wanted to open a feed store or a gun Imagine two 61-year-old Mississippi men with no restaurant store. Plans eventually went forward to open a gun store but he background who decide to open restaurants in their hometowns thought it might be a nice idea to also have a spot to grill hamanyway. burgers for lunch. “That had me thinking there were no steakhouses Although the premise doesn’t sound like a recipe for success, in the area,” he said. “I love to eat a good steak. I didn’t know anyRandall Swaney and Keith Riley have proved backgrounds don’t thing about the restaurant business but I think God had a plan for necessarily dictate achievement. me.” So, the gun store turned into the steakhouse. Swaney is the owner and operator of Marshall Steakhouse in Swaney hired a chef to handle the kitchen. “What I do is walk Holly Springs and Riley owns and runs R House near Columbia. around the restaurant and make The Mississippi Beef Council sure the customers have everynamed the steaks at Marshall thing they need,” Swaney said. Steakhouse ‘Best Steak’ and He also takes their photos and the burgers at R House ‘Best posts them on the restaurant’s Burger’ in Mississippi this year. popular Facebook site, which has Andy Berry, executive dimore than 17,000 followers. rector of the Mississippi Beef So, what’s the secret at Council, said the contest has Marshall Steakhouse? been ongoing for more than 10 “We use prime beef and cook years. “We do this as a methit on a charcoal grill,” Swaney od to promote beef and the said. “That’s it. That’s the only restaurants that do a good job secret. We put kosher salt, pepper of preparing and serving the and garlic on it.” Either way, the products our cattlemen and Keith Riley Randall Swaney secret is out beyond Mississippi. women produce,” Berry said. R House • 2421 US 98 West • Columbia • 601-674-2021 Recently, The Food Network The council solicits votes Marshall Steakhouse • 2379 Highway 178 West • Holly Springs • 662-252-2424 named Marshall Steakhouse in through their social media Mississippi the best in the state during the network’s roundup, platforms and targeted advertising, which both link back to “50 States of Steakhouses.” an online survey page. They run the online voting portion for While the best steak in Mississippi, according to the Mississippi roughly two months. Once they gather the online votes, they Beef Council, is up north, the simplicity of a juicy burger will be name the top five finalists for each category and then send a found in the southern part of the state. panel of judges to each restaurant to anonymously judge the Is there a secret ingredient in the burgers at R House? “It’s steak or burger. made with love,” Riley said. Once the judges return their scorecards, the council contacts Riley’s R House sits just four miles east of Columbia. The both winners to inform them and arranges for them and com“old country store,” as Riley described it, sells fresh produce and panions to attend the annual Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson meat. Plate lunches are available Mondays through Saturdays where the winners are announced during Saturday night and and feature all the Southern plate lunch staples: think fried chicken Sunday afternoon performances. and hamburger steak. Swaney’s steakhouse, which opened in 2017, has won the Riley, a former cattle farmer and portable toilet business owner, award two years in a row. The steakhouse’s origin story is a tale cooks his burgers on a solid metal flat grill. “It’s an old-fashioned of twists, turns and do overs. A former billboard business owner, burger,” Riley said. “The meat is always fresh. Never frozen.” Swaney decided he wanted to build a barn and buy a sawmill Riley said he should be retired these days. “I call it (R House) to cut his own wood. But he needed a building to house the my midlife crisis,” Riley said laughing. sawmill and the building he bought was too big just to house one piece of equipment. MAY 2020 | TODAY 9
mississippi seen events
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on the menu
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CONTACT INFORMATION 601-425-2535 • www.dixieepa.com @DixieElectricMS
@DixieEPA
@dixie_electric
“Powering communities and empowering lives” Dixie Electric is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
Cooperation through crises: tornadoes and the coronavirus As we all deal with the new realities brought on by the coronavirus, I want to assure you that your local electric cooperative is here to help you. We have an Emergency Plan that has served us well in a variety of circumstances, including the new coronavirus crisis and the destructive tornadoes that came through on Easter Sunday. These two crisis situations have created some unique and challenging circumstances. We have followed our Emergency Plan in restoring power to our members while trying to maintain social distancing as much as possible. Serving our members and empowering them to rebuild their homes and lives remain our mission. Discussion on the Easter Sunday tornadoes is on pages 16 and 17 of this magazine. We thought you might want to know some of the steps we have taken in order to keep your power flowing during the COVID-19 crisis. We’ve closed our lobbies to help prevent the spread of germs. Instead, we are encouraging members to use pay online at dixieepa.com, the SmartHub mobile app, phone payment options or to mail in your payment. Drive-through windows at our three office locations remain open to serve you as well. We’ve divided departments into shifts or separated their duties for storm recovery, so they can practice social distancing even when in the office. If you call, the phones will be answered as always.
We have also separated our line crews from other employees and even from each other; this is challenging when we are rebuilding after the tornadoes but have worked well under normal circumstances. Our servicemen are receiving their work through mobile devices, which is technology we’ve used for a while, so they can head to the job site without coming to the office. New routines are in place for contractors working on our system in order to keep them away from employees. Our management team and board are meeting to fine-tune this plan. We are in contact with the other electric cooperatives in our state, with Cooperative Energy, and our statewide association Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, which in turn is working closely with our national association, the state legislature, governor’s office and MEMA, the state’s emergency management agency. Our focus here is on doing our part to keep life as normal as possible through this situation and beyond. We are all in this together and will get through it together.
by Randy Smith General Manager
MONDAY, MAY 25
To those who courageously gave their lives,
THANK YOU! Our employees will be observing Memorial Day and our offices will be closed. Servicemen will remain on duty, and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend. Please call 888-465-9209 to report outages. 12 TODAY | MAY 2020
*CORONAVIRUS PRECAUTIONS* Dixie Electric office lobbies remain closed Dixie Electric closed its office lobbies to the public on Monday, March 23, until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak. The health and well-being of the members and employees are a priority. Dixie Electric encourages its members to pay their bills by:
• • • • •
using the SmartHub mobile app visiting dixieepa.com and clicking “My Account” calling 601-425-2535; press 2 mailing in a payment using the drive-through windows or kiosks at the offices
Any member who needs to start or stop service can call (601) 425-2535 in Laurel, 583-1131 in Petal or 735-2072 in Waynesboro to handle those needs over the phone or make an appointment.
INSPECTION NOTICE Dixie Electric’s wholesale power provider, Cooperative Energy, has contracted Osmose Utilities to conduct wood pole inspections on their transmission lines beginning in April. The inspection process involves a small crew traveling from pole to pole on the rightsof-way in a utility terrain vehicle (UTV). The crews’ trucks will be marked with the Osmose Utility logo and signage identifying them as a Cooperative Energy contractor. Crews will be working in the following counties in the Dixie Electric service territory: Forrest, Jones and Wayne.
MAY 2020 | TODAY 13
Dixie Electric receives Spark Award for 2019 Annual Meeting Dixie Electric earned a Spark Award from the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, Pine Belt Chapter for its communication planning to increase voting in the 2019 Annual Membership Meeting. Voting, for the board of directors, increased due to the use of different approaches to encourage participation, including online voting, a colorful engaging mailer, an attention getter on the envelope, a community service donation and a consistent social media campaign. For the 2020 board elections and membership meeting, Dixie Electric plans to continue to offer multiple ways to vote and participate in the meeting. One of the judges commented, “They used elements that appealed to various components of their audience. The change in message delivery through direct mail hit the mark. Those who attended the meeting were more likely to be interested in energy savings and a health fair. The younger audience was engaged through social media with the community engagement component. All were good, successful ideas.” Communication Manager Lydia Walters and Community Relations Coordinator Pollyanna Magee received the award on behalf of Dixie Electric at the PRAM banquet held at the end of February.
Maintaining reliable service Right-of-way clearing projects underway Dixie Electric Power Association clears trees, limbs and underbrush from the area around and below the power lines, called the right-of-way. Right-of-way clearing decreases the number of outages and reduces the risk of someone coming in contact with the power lines. Clearing the right-of-way protects individuals from the hazards of electricity and makes power restoration quicker and safer for both Dixie Electric’s members and personnel.
West Waynesboro substation: Waynesboro, Big Creek, Dyess Bridge, Clara and Shubuta
Buckatunna substation: Winchester, Buckatunna, Progress, Chicora and Denham
14 TODAY | MAY 2020
Notice of Dixie Electric’s Director Qualification Period Candidates seeking election to represent Districts 2 or 7 on the board of directors for Dixie Electric must visit Dixie Electric’s headquarters office at 1863 Highway 184, Laurel, Miss., and obtain a Director Qualification Packet during business hours between June 1 and July 31. Please contact Melinda Padgett at 601-425-2535 or dixieelectric@dixieepa.com to set up a time. The forms and petitions in the packet must be completed and returned by close of business on
July 31, 2020.
MAY IS ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH
4 COMMON CULPRITS OF ELECTRICAL FIRES Outdated wiring and overloaded circuits are the most common causes of electrical fires. Check the following areas of your home to ensure your home’s electrical safety is up to par. Electrical outlets: Faulty electrical outlets are a leading cause of home fires. As outlets age, so do the wires behind them that you can’t see. Any loose, damaged or warm-to-thetouch outlets should be repaired or replaced.
Overloaded cords and outlets: Extension cords are not permanent solutions. If your big-screen TV, home theater system and other electronics are plugged into one extension cord, it’s time to call an electrician and install additional outlets.
Electrical wiring: Outdated wiring is another common cause of electrical fires. Frequently tripped breakers, flickering lights and burning smells are clear warning signs. If your home is more than 20 years old, it may not be able to handle today’s increased power load. If you suspect your home’s wiring is outdated, leave this one to the pros and contact a qualified electrician.
Old appliances: Older appliances are more likely to have loose or damaged wiring, which means they’re more likely to catch fire. Check older appliances for damage and determine if it’s time to upgrade or replace. Also check to ensure you’re using appliance-grade outlets. A qualified electrician can help with installation.
Dixie Electric
celebrates veterans
May is National Military Appreciation Month Adron Presley is a Dixie Electric serviceman and started his career with the cooperative shortly after his six years in the United States Marine Corps. Following his high school graduation in 1993, Presley joined the Marine Corps and spent six years in the 1st Battalion 6th Marine Infantry Division. Though he was not a wartime veteran, he was classified as a combat veteran and saw much conflict while traveling to 27 foreign countries during his military service. Presley got out of the military in 1999 and started his career with Dixie Electric in 2000. “I love what I do,” Presley said, “I couldn’t think of anything
different that I’d want to do. I love being outside and dealing with the members. When the members call you, they are wanting your help. That’s what I like about it. That’s why I went into the military, to do my part in helping this country.” Presley lives in Laurel with his wife, Johanna, and their daughter Madalyn who is 13. “I grew up in the Myrick Community and now I live in the Powers community,” Presley said. “I was born and raised on Dixie Electric’s system.” Dixie Electric would like to thank Adron for his dedicated service to the United States and to Dixie Electric. MAY 2020 | TODAY 15
Tornadoes and thunderstorms strike on Easter and cause
by Lydia Walters On Easter Sunday, April 12, a long-track tornado and thunderstorms brought destruction to Dixie Electric’s service area. Many individuals lost their homes, and sadly, some lost loved ones. Northwest Jones, Covington and Jasper counties were the worst hit areas, but there were power outages related to these storms in all seven counties that Dixie Electric serves. At the height of the outages on Sunday night, more than 7,000 members lost power. On Monday morning, approxi16 TODAY | MAY 2020
mately 2,000 members remained without power. These were in the worst affected areas where more than 340 power poles were broken or damaged. “Initially, we hoped to get power restored in two to three days. As we completed damage assessments on Monday, we quickly realized that this restoration process was better defined as a rebuilding project in some areas,” General Manager Randy Smith said. Operations Manager Pat McCarthy, who has worked at Dixie Electric for more
than 40 years, says this is some of the worst damage to Dixie Electric’s system he has ever seen. “Several miles of our electric system were completely gone and had to be rebuilt. Building a mile of power line normally takes a month. We were tasked with rebuilding several miles of the system in a matter of days,” McCarthy said. Dixie Electric’s line workers received assistance from neighboring electric cooperatives Singing River Electric, East Mississippi Electric and Coast Electric.
In addition, crews from MDR Powerline Construction company assisted with restoration. Right-for-way crews from Bush Construction, B-Line, Welch Contract Service and Taylor Construction cleared trees and debris from the power lines. Dixie Electric’s restoration process was tied closely with wholesale power provider Cooperative Energy. Cooperative Energy’s transmission system, that delivers electricity to Dixie Electric, sustained damage during the storms and tornadoes on Sunday, April 12. An aerial patrol plane and crews on the ground immediately began to assess damage to the system as restoration efforts began. The storm caused 18 of the cooperative’s high voltage transmission lines to go out of service due to damage to the lines, the lines’ support structures and associated equipment. The storm damaged 44 structures, leaving 51 transmission
poles broken and others leaning or need of repair. Additionally, debris on the lines and fallen trees also contributed to the outages. Damage to the transmission system directly impacted the following Dixie Electric substations: West Moselle Substation, which was restored at 6:08 p.m. on April 12, and the Hebron Substation, which was restored at 11:23 a.m. on April 13. The management and board of Dixie Electric would like to thank the community for their outpouring of support and understanding as Dixie Electric’s team worked to rebuild and restore electric service to members.
Editor’s note: At the time of Today in Mississippi going to press, the restoration process was still underway, so this is still a developing story. For example, the number of broken poles is likely to climb.
MAY 2020 | TODAY 17
A RU R A L R A DIO C L A S SIC:
R A DIO HOUR
18 TODAY | MAY 2020
There once was a time when a family would gather around their radio on a Saturday night to listen to music or storytelling. Because we live in a world of internet streaming, Facebook video and podcasts, the notion of a radio show in 2020 might seem quaint to some. The folks at the Oxford-based Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, however, would strongly disagree.
by Steven Ward
Q: Who came up with the idea for the show?
Created in 1997, the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour — hosted by Oxford author Jim Dees — is a weekly live radio show featuring author readings and musical performances from the Square in Oxford. The program also travels around Mississippi to record shows throughout the year. The show is recorded and broadcast every Thursday at 6 p.m. during the fall and spring and rebroadcast every Saturday at 7 p.m. on Mississippi Public Radio and Alabama Public Radio at 9 p.m. Besides Dees, the show features a house band — The Yalobushwackers — who plays during each show. In 2005, Thacker Mountain Radio received the Mississippi Governor’s Award for Broadcast Excellence. We recently spoke to Thacker Mountain Radio Hour director and producer Alice Pierotti about the origins of the show, her dream guests for future broadcasts and the allure of radio.
: The show was founded by former Oxford musicians Caroline Herring and Bryan Ledford, and Richard Howorth, owner of Square Books. I think it started probably as a natural marriage of good storytelling. Bryan and Caroline are good storytellers who played music. Richard was selling books from good storytellers. Square Books is a cultural hub and Thacker Mountain was born of out of that creative environment. Q: In a world of the internet, streaming, etc., why radio? Was a ‘throwback’ idea appealing or nostalgia part of that inspiration? : Thacker has been producing the radio show for over 22 years, and there is really nothing like it. We are a radio show, first and foremost and take great pride in that. I suppose now with the surge in podcasts and new ways of getting our entertainment, there is an element of nostalgia in defining ourselves as a radio show. We have such good partners with Oxford’s WUMS, Mississippi Public Broadcasting and Alabama Public Radio and our sound engineer, Jeffrey Reed, is so good at mixing our sound, we know we’re in the sweet spot.
MAY 2020 | TODAY 19
Q: Most of our readers live in rural Mississippi. With that in mind, can you talk a little bit about the idea behind traveling around the state to put on some of the shows? : We love Mississippi and the rural South! We strive to hold up a mirror to the small and rural areas that so define our way of life. We seek out authors and musicians whose art is a reflection of that rural life, and we see our remote shows as a way to expand our reach so that more folks can experience our live shows — which are pure entertainment. Q: How do you go about selecting your musical guests and authors? : We select musicians and authors for the show who are great storytellers. Thacker’s mission is to collect and archive the stories of an evolving South. The majority of our musicians are from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee but not exclusively. Before COVID-19 shut down our live spring shows, we were set to welcome musicians from as far away as Indiana and New York. The authors we bring to the show are mostly those promoting new books on national book tours, so they come from all over, but it’s a heavy dose of regional authors.
The Walker Family Singers
Q: Is there a musical guest or author on your wish list? A dream guest if you will. : Of course! Given that we are in the cradle of American music — where blues and jazz and rock-n-roll were born, there are some musicians or authors whose work and perspective and story we just need on the show. What I love is honoring musical families because family music factors so greatly into how our music evolved and expanded here. I’d love to welcome to the stage Bekka Bramlett or Mavis Staples or Vaneese Thomas or Roseanne Cash just to hear the stories of why these women continued with family legacy of creating music to make a living. Q: Has there been a particular show or guest that stands out for you? A magical show for you? : I have several of these moments, and I’ve only been producing the show since last fall. Last November we had the Ellis Family, a seven-piece gospel band, on the show at Off Square Books. The Ellis Family comes from a Pentecostal Gospel tradition in Panola County even though they now live in Missouri. The band consists of the mom and dad, two sisters and three brothers and they all play and sing and are incredibly talented and with the first two songs they played, they had the audience in their hands. Really good flat picking and family harmonies. For the final song, the youngest, Joshua, sang a song his sister wrote. As I listened, it occurred to me nobody in the audience was moving or making a sound. It was as if time stood still in that moment. I was thrilled the live audience got to be a part of that special moment.
20 TODAY | MAY 2020
Memphis songwriter Mark Edgar Stuart
Q: These are challenging times with the coronavirus. Thacker Mountain has a double mission — a live show for an audience but also bringing entertainment into people’s homes. How have you managed to create content without a live audience? : We really have rolled up our sleeves to keep supporting artists and bringing music and literature to people who need art so much right now to get them through this unprecedented time. Fortunately, we have an excellent Board of Directors and they addressed COVID-19 quickly and immediately
with a plan of action. Jim and Jeffrey are bringing tremendous leadership to the table at this time and recording in the studio so that we can keep new radio shows on the air through spring. Some of our musicians chose to reschedule their live appearance but most are working with us in a remote capacity. The response from our fanbase has been overwhelming, and we are finding new ways to keep our audience engaged so stay tuned to our social media channels - we are remaining active with our weekly email blasts, website updates and socials. We are rolling out new content daily.
Author Michael Zapata
Q: Radio has been around for decades. Talk a moment about the power and allure of radio in 2020. : When I think of the power of radio, I can’t help but frame it in terms of current events with the majority of the world in isolation. I think about those in the rural South right now who are living with a digital divide, with no access to the internet. Or those who have lost jobs and won’t have the ability to pay for internet connection. And then I’m reminded of all the years where radio was the only way to hear music or spoken word or theatre or even ideas from afar. It is the definition of cosmopolitan of getting new and fresh ideas from other peoples and cultures that are different from yours. I think of how much having access to radio and good radio programming has molded our country and our world. If you ask an author and especially a musician what has influenced his or her work, more times than not they will mention radio or radio programming. It’s undeniable. And the thing about that kind of endurance, especially given the state of the world, is something truly truly comforting. Thacker Mountain is right there in the middle of that, for the last 22 years and into the future continuing to bring the stories and the music right to the people when and where they need it — using radio to make it happen.
Alice Pierotti
We love Mississippi and the rural South! We strive to hold up a mirror to the small and rural areas that so define our way of life. Visit www.thackermountain.com for more information. MAY 2020 | TODAY 21
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A DREAM COME TRUE Laurel native Kenny Parker, affectionately known as “Squeaky,” could name his autobiography “A Dream Come True.” He has been getting paid to play, scout or manage one of his loves — baseball — for the past 55 years. Last year, at the age of 82, he was consulting Dan Jennings of the Washington Nationals. Jennings is an assistant general manager with the World Champs. Parker, an exceptionally talented baseball player, grew up in the west side of Laurel. Ole Miss baseball coach Tom Swayze noticed his talents, but, in the end, Parker signed with the Baltimore Orioles. He was shipped off to Thomasville, Georgia, with the remaining Orioles minor leaguers. While playing, Parker, a feisty player known for arguing with umpires, was dubbed “Squeaky” by his manager who told him, “Hey you squeak when you argue with the umpires.” That nickname has stuck to this day. Squeaky’s pro playing career, unfortunately, came to an abrupt end after he broke his ankle sliding into second base during a game. After almost a decade of playing with various semi pro Squeaky Parker tossing out first pitch at Pensacola Blue Whaoos game with former baseball teams from Laurel, Detroit Tiger Travis Fryman. West Point and Jackson, he became a contact for the Boston Red Sox scout Frank Bolling. Finally, in February of 1970, Squeaky was asked by the Baltimore Orioles to help in their scouting office. Since then he has also worked for the Phillies, Giants, Reds, Pirates and the Major League Scouting Bureau. Squeaky has touched many lives in the game, and his impact on others was evident when 16 active Major League Baseball players attended the funeral for his wife Carolyn in 2010. Today, Squeaky is living back in Laurel after years of living in Pensacola. “The game has been good to me, and I have no regrets,” Squeaky said.
Q&A with Squeaky Q: What is your top honor in baseball? A: Scouting Hall of Fame Award in 2018 and being part of two World Series organizations with the 1970 Orioles and 1980 Phillies Q: Who do you think is the best baseball player today? A: Mike Trout of the Angels Q: Who is the best native Mississippian to play in the majors? A: Jake Gibbs Q: Who is the best team ever? A: Jesus Christ’s team is No. 1 Q: Who was your favorite team growing up? A: St. Louis Cardinals Q: Who was your favorite player growing up? A: Stan “The Man” Musial of the Cardinals. He was the line drive hitting machine. Q: Who is the best hitter of all time? A: Ted Williams Q: Who is the best defensive player ever? A: Brooks Robinson Q: Who is the best pitcher you have ever seen? A: Bob Gibson Q: Who is the most interesting baseball figure you have ever talked to? A: Ted Williams Q: What was the best era of baseball? A: When Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were playing for the Yankees. Q: Who are some of the local players you have signed? A: Will Clark, Jeff Brantley and Charlie Hayes. I also helped high school players by contacting college coaches. One was Buck Showalter. The best prospect I signed up, though, was my second wife, Carolyn. I was scouting the American Legion tournament in Greenville when I discovered her. Q: What do you think of the Houston Astros sign stealing? A: No big deal. Q: What do you think about Pete Rose and the Hall of Fame? A: That’s a joke. It’s what you do on the field. Not everyone in the hall is a choirboy. Q: Did a major league player actually give you a new car? A: Travis Fryman bought me a new car after he signed his first major league contract with the Tigers.
by Dale McKee Dale McKee is a Waynesboro native who has been writing sports in Mississippi since 1973. Contact him at ddmckee18@yahoo.com.
MAY 2020 | TODAY 23
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with Rebecca Turner
April showers bring May flowers and Cinco de Mayo! Cinco and boost nutrition without losing any of the flavors. de Mayo, celebrated May 5, isn’t widely recognized in Mexico; Take the traditional taco kit up a notch by adding in however, it commemorates an underdog military victory and sautéed vegetables, such as bell peppers and onions. Add a provides Americans a great excuse to eat tacos and toast touch of Mississippi by including yellow squash and zucchini with a margarita. But Americans don’t need a national to your fajita sauté. Make your ground meat go further with celebration to feast on fajitas or burritos. fiber and protein-rich beans like pinto Taco Tuesday has already become beans or black beans. Skip the cheese a popular staple in households and dips and let your homegrown Mississiprestaurants. While you might not think of pi tomatoes shine by making fresh salsa. While you might not think of Mississippi as having Mexican inspired agRoast or grill whole sweet corn for a Mississippi as having Mexican riculture, our summer harvest is ripe with tasty side or cut it off the cob to add to inspired agriculture, our summer Santa Fe salads or tacos. When choostomatoes, corn, hot peppers and fresh harvest is ripe with tomatoes, herbs galore. Don’t forget the Mississippi ing canned vegetables or pre-packaged corn, hot peppers and fresh Delta’s delightful rice and grains. spices, opt for lower sodium options, it herbs galore. Mexican cuisine isn’t typically assomakes a real heart-healthy impact. ciated with being nutritious. CommerWhile the taco shell — whether soft, cial Mexican menu items are notorious hard or fried — is connected with Mexfor being fried and greasy with full-fat ican cuisine, it’s the flavors and spices sides and enormous portions sizes. Most that make it a family favorite. Bypass the customers don’t realize that for every wraps or shells altogether and use rice tortilla chip that gets eaten, it is a gram of or quinoa as a whole-grain base for a fat. Mexican restaurant food can indeed Mexican casserole or meatloaf, utilizing be a trap for calories, fat and sodium. herbs like cilantro, chili powder, cumin Healthier Mexican dishes include chicken and cloves with garlic, onion, sweet fajitas, bean burritos, grilled entrees with and hot peppers. peppers and onions, hold the cheese, and Mexican food doesn’t have to be reach for a soft taco. But, preparing your off-limits when you are trying to live favorite Mexican fare at home opens up healthier. Give these flavor-packed, the opportunity to control the ingredients nutritious recipes a try at home. 24 TODAY | MAY 2020
INGREDIENTS 1 ½ pounds ground meat 1 cup crushed tortilla chips 1 cup shredded cheese 1 small onion, diced
1 taco seasoning packet, low-sodium 2 eggs beaten ½ cup milk ¼ cup mild red taco sauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine beef, tortilla chips, cheese, onion and taco seasoning in a bowl. Whisk eggs, milk and taco sauce together in a separate bowl. Add to the meat mixture and mix well. Press mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf pan and top lightly with taco sauce or salsa. Bake in the preheated oven until internal temperature reaches 160F at the deepest point and browned on top, 45 to 60 minutes.
INGREDIENTS 5-6 fresh tomatoes ½ cup loosely packed fresh cilantro ¼ cup red onion ¼ cup sweet onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 teaspoon salt 1 pinch granulated sugar
Wash tomatoes and cut out the core, slicing into fourths. Use a spoon or your hands to gently remove the seeds from tomatoes. The tomato pieces will look empty and that’s ok! Slice onions into 1-inch chunks. Lightly chop the fresh cilantro. Add tomatoes to a food processor or high-powered blender. Top with cilantro, onion, garlic, lime juice and salt. Place the lid on and pulse 5 to 10 times. Pulse till you reach a desired consistency of salsa, more for thinner, or less for chunkier salsa. Transfer salsa to a Mason jar. Refrigerate for at least 2 to 3 hours before serving. Salsa stays fresh refrigerated in an airtight container for one week.
INGREDIENTS 1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa 2 cups cooked chicken shredded (or rotisserie chicken) 1 ½ cups salsa 1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chiles, or ½ cup chopped fresh sweet or hot peppers ½ cup corn kernels, canned or roasted ½ cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped ½ teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon garlic powder salt and pepper to taste, as needed 1 cup shredded cheese, divided Optional garnish; diced avocado, tomato and fresh cilantro Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine whole-grain of choice, shredded chicken, salsa, green chiles, corn, black beans, all the spices and 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Spread mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Bake uncovered until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately, garnished with avocado, tomato and cilantro, if desired.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 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 no-nonsense 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.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
• Photos must be the original work of an amateur photographer (of any age). • Digital photos must be high-resolution JPG files of at least 1 MB in size. If emailing a phone photo, select “actual size” before sending. We cannot use compressed photo files. • Please do not use photo-editing software to adjust colors or tones. We prefer to do it ourselves, if necessary, according to our production standards. • Each entry must be accompanied by the photographer’s name, address, phone number and electric power association (if applicable). Include the name(s) of any recognizable people or places in the picture. Feel free to add any other details you like. • Prints will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot, however, guarantee their safe return through the mail. • Attach digital photos to your email message and send to news@ecm.coop. Submission deadline:
Share your favorite vacation spots in Mississippi!
• Or, mail prints or a CD to: Picture This, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300.
June 5. Select photos will appear in the July 2020 issue.
MAY 2020 | TODAY 25
mississippi seen
Ward named Today editor We’re pleased to announce that Steven Ward has joined our team as editor of Today in Mississippi. Ward has 25 years of journalism experience and is replacing Sandra Buckley, who will be relocating due to her husband’s job. While serving only a year, Sandra was very instrumental in our transition from newspaper to magazine and has been a valuable asset to our publication team. She had a sincere commitment to entertain and inform our readers of memorable stories about life in Mississippi and displaying the beauty of our state. Our readers enjoyed her interesting features and unique writing style. We wish her and her husband the very best in future endeavors. Ward served the past six years as an editor for the state’s largest newspaper, The Clarion Ledger, with direct responsibility for conceiving, writing and editing feature stories. “Steven has outstanding skills, including storytelling, content creation, feature writing, print planning and audience growth strategies,” said Ron Stewart, senior vice president of communications for the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi. “He has a complete understanding of publications and will be a valuable addition to our team.” Throughout our 73 years of publishing, Today in Mississippi has been a strong advocate of promoting the cooperative business model and the
events
contributions made to the quality of life in the communities we serve. “We will continue to work diligently to keep our readers entertained and informed. Steven will help us provide informative, valued and creative content you will enjoy,” Stewart added. Steven and his wife, Nisey, have one daughter, Audrey and reside in Canton. He is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University where he earned a liberal arts degree with a concentration in journalism and served his country in the U.S. Navy. We value the input of our readers and we want you to keep us informed. Know of a special place or story idea? You can help us uncover and share with our readers by contacting Steven at editor@ecm.coop. Please join us in welcoming Steven to the Today in Mississippi and our cooperative family.
mississi on the menu outd scene around the ‘sip
Events open to the public will be published free of charge as space allows. Submit details at least two months prior to the event date. Submissions must include a phone number with area code for publication. Email to news@ecm.coop. Events are subject to change or cancelation due to COVID-19. Please confirm details before traveling.
Clays for Kids Benefit Skeet Shoot, May 16, Canton, for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta. Turcotte Shooting Facility; 506 Highway 43 South. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: kbradley@bgcmsdelta.org; 662-763-5234.
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41st Annual Harrison County Gem, Jewelry and Mineral Show, May 16-17, Biloxi. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Joppa Shrine Temple; 13280 Shriners Blvd. Details: www.gulfportgems.org; www.facebook.com/gulfportgems; 601-947-7245. 3rd Annual Sappington Colt Bucking, May 23, Pontotoc. Lunch will be provided by Hayseed Cowboy Church Youth at no charge, though donations are accepted. RSVP number of people in your group for meal planning purposes. 10 a.m. 2155 Highway 341. Free admission. Details: 662-305-5620. Choctaw Cruisers Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show, June 6, Ackerman. Proceeds support local charities. Choctaw Regional Medical Center; corner of Highways 12 and 9. Details: 662-285-7720; 662-2858249.
Shirley Holmes Memorial Golf Tournament, May 30, Ocean Springs. Great Southern Golf Club. Entry fee is $85 per person for 4-man scramble. Starts at 8 a.m. Lunch included. Details: 228-872-9663
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Wow! What was that? This COVID-19 thing? Talk about out of nowhere! Alright, I will try to settle down and make complete sentences for a while. But seriously! Did you ever expect that we would ever have a worldwide pandemic in our lifetimes, or ever again? I never imagined something like the coronavirus engulfing the globe with all the advances in medicine we have today. A couple of observations about the pandemic. First, evidently it is a small world after all. The blinding speed at which the whole planet was touched by the virus is amazing. How a microscopic entity that originated in China a few months ago could be the major topic of concern in the smallest villages in Mississippi right now is mind-boggling. The old “six degrees of separation” thing must really work. That’s the theory that we all know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody and so on — to the point that within six people we could have contact with anybody on the planet. I have a couple of neat stories about the degrees of separation. Years ago, I was introduced to a Yazoo City man in his 90s who had lived in Washington, D.C. as a young man. His landlady was in her 80s. She told him about her 15th birthday — an outing to the theatre — Ford’s Theatre the night Lincoln was shot. So, I’ve met a guy who met a lady who saw Lincoln’s assassination. That puts just two degrees of separation between me and Lincoln. Another quick story. I was interviewing a group of volunteers building a wheelchair ramp for an older lady in Rankin County. The leader of the group, obviously British by his accent, showed me a
photograph of his mother and her best friend. Her friend is Ringo Starr’s mom. So, he knows Ringo. So, there is just one degree of separation between me and Ringo. Oddly, that puts Ringo just four degrees of separation from Abraham Lincoln through his friend, then me, then the older gentleman in Yazoo City and his landlady in Washington when he was young. What does all of that have to do with COVID-19? Not much, except to point out that we are all a lot more related than we realize. And with the way we move around the world today, it’s not surprising something like a virus for which we have no natural immunity could whip around the globe at blinding speed. One other observation about COVID-19. The virus seems to have brought us all to some sort of redefinition of what life is all about. People have started visiting their neighbors, keeping their social distance of course. We have picked up hobbies that we “grew out of” because of the demands of life. We discovered we actually DO touch one another. So, we’ve started to make those touches more meaningful. Interesting that it took something that could easily kill all of us to point us back toward living.
by Walt Grayson 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.” He lives in Brandon and is a Central Electric member. Contact him at walt@waltgrayson.com.
MAY 2020 | TODAY 27
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DISH is the FIRST IN THE INDUSTRY to be named #1 in Overall Customer Satisfaction by J.D. Power for the second year in a row.*
CALL NOW! 1-833-933-2479 MENTION OFFER CODE “CARD100” TO RECEIVE A $ 100
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GIFT CARD
WE ARE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK; 8 AM – MIDNIGHT EST, SUNDAY 9 AM – MIDNIGHT EST. OFFER ONLY GOOD FOR NEW DISH SUBSCRIBERS • SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
Courtesy of InfinityDISH with activation, certain conditions apply. Free $100 MasterCard Gift Card when you order a qualifying service (premium customer qualification only).
All calls with InfinityDISH are monitored and recorded for quality assurance and training purposes. Offer for new and qualifying former customers only. Important Terms and Conditions: Qualification: Advertised price requires credit qualification and 24-month commitment. Upfront activation and/or receiver upgrade fees may apply based on credit qualification. Offer ends 7/15/20. 2-Year Commitment: Early termination fee of $20/mo. remaining applies if you cancel early. Included in 2-year price guarantee at $59.99 advertised price: America’s Top 120 programming package, local channels, HD service fees, and Hopper Duo Smart DVR for 1 TV. Included in 2-year price guarantee for additional cost: Programming package upgrades ($74.99 for AT120+, $84.99 for AT200, $94.99 for AT250), monthly fees for upgraded or additional receivers ($5-$7 per additional TV, receivers with additional functionality may be $10-$15). Regional Sports: RSN Surcharge up to $3/ mo. applies to AT120+ and higher packages and varies based on location. NOT included in 2-year price guarantee or advertised price (and subject to change): Taxes & surcharges, add-on programming (including premium channels), DISH Protect, and transactional fees. Premium Channels: 3 Mos. Free: After 3 mos., you will be billed $30/mo. for Showtime, Starz, and DISH Movie Pack unless you call or go online to cancel. Remote: The DISH Voice Remote with the Google Assistant requires internet-connected Hopper, Joey, or Wally device. Customer must press Voice Remote button to activate feature. The Google Assistant Smart Home features require Google account and compatible devices. Google is a trademark of Google LLC. Other: All packages, programming, features, and functionality and all prices and fees not included in price lock are subject to change without notice. After 6 mos., if selected, you will be billed $9.99/mo. for DISH Protect Silver unless you call to cancel. After 2 years, then-current everyday prices for all services apply. For business customers, additional monthly fees may apply. Free standard professional installation only. Internet: Internet speeds, prices, and providers vary by customer address. Call for details. Internet not provided by DISH and will be billed separately. Mastercard® gift card must be requested through your DISH Representative at time of purchase. $100 Mastercard® gift card requires activation. You will receive a claim voucher within 3-4 weeks and the voucher must be returned within 60 days. Your Mastercard® gift card will arrive in approximately 6-8 weeks. InfinityDISH charges a one-time $49.99 non-refundable processing fee which is subject to change at any time without notice. Indiana C.P.D. Reg. No. T.S. R1903. *DISH Network received the highest score in the Nation in the J.D. Power 2018-2019 U.S. Residential Television Service Provider Satisfaction Studies of customers’ satisfaction with their current television provider. Visit jdpower.com/awards.