EASY MOTHER’S DAY RECIPES
GIRLS GET DOWN TO BASS TACTICS INTO THE WILD
An EF-3 tornado struck parts of rural Mississippi March 24 causing historic damage that communities are still sorting through as of this writing.
The towns of Rolling Fork, Silver City, and Amory were hit hard that night. There were close to 20 lives lost, homes and businesses that were wiped out, and of course, major power outages.
Those three communities are part of the service territories of Twin County Electric and Monroe County Electric.
Once we knew bad weather was headed our way, we activated our emergency plan including rolling out our co-op mutual aid strategy.
Cooperatives around the world operate according to the same set of core principles and values, adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance. Cooperatives trace the roots of these principles to the first modern cooperative founded in Rochdale, England in 1844. These principles are a key reason that America’s electric cooperatives operate di erently from other electric utilities, putting the needs of their members first.
When disaster strikes, it’s the sixth cooperative principle that becomes key to power restoration — Cooperation Among Cooperatives.
Co-ops work together to improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more e ectively with social and community needs. They also assist each other during times of crisis.
Our cover story this month is about how co-op mutual aid is our most vital tool in safe and timely power restoration in the aftermath of disaster.
We hope you enjoy the May issue.
Mississippi to me?
It’s a thousand memories, of the beaches, and the breeze, and the lapping of the Gulf on my knobby-kid knees.
Mississippi to me?
by Michael Callahan Executive Vice President/CEO Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
It’s family folk, now departed, on the seawall, and the harbor, catching bounty from the waters; trout and shrimp, and crab and oysters.
Mississippi to me?
It’s the place that I am known. Where my soul can freely roam, where my heart and I belong.
Mississippi is my home.
by Penny Cox Caldwell, a resident of the Hancock County coast, and a member of Coast ElectricThe Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
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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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Two days after an EF-3 tornado hit the Rolling Fork area on March 24, members of a Twin County Electric work crew replace a power pole. Photo by Kevin Wood.
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.
The R.D. Morrow, Sr. Generating Station, located near Purvis, achieved commercial operation on March 16 as an advanced-class natural gas-fired plant capable of generating 572 MW of electricity.
The new plant operates on the site of the cooperative’s original 1978 coal facility. In June 2018, the Cooperative Energy Board of Directors announced a five-year plan to convert the plant from coal to natural gas due to improved e ciency and economic factors. As a not-for-profit, member-owned electric utility, responsibility, reliability, and a ordability were deciding factors for the project. Now complete, the plant generates more electricity more economically and provides the operational flexibility necessary to balance the increase in renewable energy sources across the country.
The Morrow Repower Project also set a new standard for employee retention. Whereas many plant conversions result in sta reductions, all Plant Morrow employees were retained throughout the project to assist with demolition, construction, and plant conversion activities, yielding a positive local economic impact and overall project savings.
“Plant Morrow represents forward-thinking energy solutions for our distribution Members at a competitive price,” said Cooperative Energy’s Senior Vice President of Power Generation Mark Smith. “Equally as important, the new Plant Morrow represents years of grit and determination by many Cooperative Energy employees for the benefit of our 11 member systems and those they serve across the state.”
Cooperative Energy employees collectively invested nearly 300,000 work hours in the Morrow Repower Project with a nearly perfect safety record, yielding more than $12 million in project savings.
CoBank, a cooperative bank serving the electric industry, agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States, has contributed $250,000 in support of NRECA International’s rural electrification projects in developing countries. This is the 12th consecutive year CoBank has donated to NRECA International, totaling $2.5 million in collective contributions.
NRECA International has helped more than 160 million people worldwide, improving their quality of life by providing access to safe, reliable, and a ordable electricity.
This year’s donation will be used to continue the support for electrification projects in Guatemala. For over a decade, electric cooperatives across country have joined NRECA International to bring power to more than 8,000 Guatemalans – significantly brightening their futures.
When the Guatemalan project initially began in 1987, just 45% of the homes in Guatemala had electric service, with only 10% of rural areas receiving service. Today, Guatemala has electricity service for 92% of all households and businesses — however there are scattered housing clusters and small villages in the more remote, mountainous villages throughout Guatemala that still need electricity.
Gene Rodrigues, assistant secretary of energy for electricity, said he shares the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s goal of ensuring that the electric grid “remains reliable, resilient and a ordable for all Americans.” The importance of grid reliability was the main message that co-op leaders took to Capitol Hill and federal agencies during April’s NRECA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
“We are all in agreement with every single one of you in this room that reliability is the foundation of everything we want to do,” he said.
Unfortunately, the American people and many of their elected o cials “take it for granted” that the lights will always come on when they flip the switch, Rodrigues said.
“That’s a problem,” he said, urging co-op leaders to “advocate, educate and collaborate” to sound the alarm about the potential risks to reliability.
“If it’s taken for granted, then we won’t have the champions we need to keep electricity reliable and a ordable over time. … Make sure they understand the absolute necessity of investing in a 21st century power grid for the American people.”
DOE o cial: ‘Reliability is the foundation’
by Shaun Robert Broderick
For example, I’ve never heard anyone having problems with hydrangeas popping up in the landscape unexpectedly. Nor have I heard someone call a hydrangea growing in the wrong spot a weed. Instead, I think of weeds as nuisance plants that have the capacity to outcompete desirable plants in the landscape or garden.
Unfortunately, we have introduced many plants in the U.S. that have become weedy problems. Kudzu, cogon grass, tallow tree, Chinese privet, and Chinese and Japanese wisteria are just a few examples.
But one plant that shows up on nearly every invasive species list is Lonicera japonica, commonly known as Japanese honeysuckle. This vining plant was first introduced in the U.S. in 1806 at Long Island, New York. Since its introduction, it has taken o in the eastern U.S.
It is one of the most fragrant flowers in the landscape, and it blooms prolifically. Birds love its red berries and help disperse the seeds. From there, the seeds quickly grow to overtake other plants in the forest. Several states have outlawed Japanese honeysuckle sales, indicating how destructive and invasive this plant has become.
If you find Japanese honeysuckle on your property, it would be prudent to remove it, but it requires some e ort to get them out of the garden.
I had some growing along our fence line that I was able to remove over the course of a couple of years. I pruned the plants to the ground and dug out the shoots that reemerged over time. Herbicides can be e ective, but the plants I was trying to remove were next to other plants that I did not want to risk damaging. Once you remove Japanese honeysuckles, there are fantastic — and in my opinion, even more beautiful — noninvasive alternatives.
Weeds are often defined as being any plant out of place, but that definition never sat well with me. This simplistic definition underemphasizes the aggressiveness of plants that misbehave in the garden.
One of my favorite vining plants is the native coral honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens. These vines have trumpet-shaped, red-orange flowers that emerge in early spring. Hummingbirds love them.
Their leaves are often a powdery, bluish-green, while others are glossy green. These vines are usually evergreen in mild winters. In the fall, they often develop small, red berries that birds love.
Native coral honeysuckle also tolerates a wide range of soil types and sun exposure. Ours flower and grow very well at the Mississippi State University Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station in Crystal Springs despite the heavy shade of oak trees. These plants are also easy to grow with little to no disease and insect problems.
In full sun, flowering is especially heavy.
Coral honeysuckle is very versatile in the landscape. It can be grown on structures such as arbors or along fences. This can create eye-catching hardscape-softscape combinations in areas needing extra height. And unlike some vining plants that get out of hand, you can prune coral honeysuckle to keep it a manageable size.
Perhaps the only downside is their lack of the iconic honeysuckle fragrance.
The native coral honeysuckle emerges in early spring often develops small, red berries that birds love in the fall. It tolerates a wide range of soil types and sun exposure. (Photo by MSU Extension/Shaun Broderick)
Coral honeysuckle is very versatile in the landscape. It can be grown on structures such as arbors or along fences. This can create eye-catching hardscape-softscape combinations in areas needing extra height.
If you miss the fragrance of Japanese honeysuckle, a good alternative is the woodbine honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum. This selection is native to Europe but does not appear on any invasive species list. Several cultivars are available. Scentsation and Graham Thomas have flowers that look very similar to Japanese honeysuckle and o er good fragrance. If you have a spot needing a vine, give these alternatives a try.
Shaun Robert Broderick is a Mississippi State University Extension Service ornamental horticulturist and Southern Gardening guest columnist.
Several cultivars of the woodbine honeysuckle are available, such as this Scentsation, that are similar to Japanese honeysuckle and o er good fragrance. (Submitted photo/Spring Meadow Nursery)
Like in many other sports, most professional anglers take years to reach the top of their profession. However, two young ladies fishing their first year together showed others how to do it.
Competing in the Beaumont, Miss.-based Bass Tactix youth fishing league, Lillie Beach and Karlee Ann Harveston earned top honors in the junior high division of the tour. They placed in the top 10 during the 2022 Bass Tactics national championship. During the 2022-23 season, they became the best junior high bass fishing team in Mississippi and not just the top women’s team, but the best overall team for both high school and junior high students.
mean to us, but it feels good to beat them. They don’t like to get beat by girls.”
“We feel really good about our fishing,” echoed Karlee Ann, a 12-year-old who will begin 8th grade at the same school in the fall.
When Karlee Ann was young, we would use minnows to catch crappie, as time progressed, she started doing some bass fishing.
“The boys teams give us a little bit of trouble,” commented Lillie, a 13-year-old who will enter 9th grade at Adams County Christian School in Natchez in the fall. “Some of them can be
At an early age, both young ladies began fishing with their fathers, David Beach and Lew Harveston, both from Natchez. Attending the same school, the girls knew each other, but not very well.
“Lillie was my little shadow,” David recalled. “Wherever I went, she went. I remember having her in the boat with a little playpen as a cover because it was too hot for her to be in the sun all day. She really took to fishing. As she got older, she stuck by my side for hunting and fishing. She had a lot more patience and sportsmanship than her brothers did.”
The young ladies became fishing partners by chance. Neither of their partners wanted to fish one event, so the girls teamed together. Although the girls will attend the same school in the fall, because Lillie will be a 9th grader, she moves up to the high school division. Karlee Ann will need to find a new partner to fish in the junior high division.
“When Karlee Ann was young, we would use minnows to catch crappie,” Lew said. “As time progressed, she started doing some bass fishing. In the past two years, she showed a lot of interest in getting into the school fishing program and getting on the school team. She has picked up bass fishing very well and has given it all she can give. I’m proud to see what they both do. It’s been amazing to watch them. They stuck together and work great as a team.”
A Christian-based, non-profit organization, Bass Tactix conducts youth and adult fishing tournaments throughout the South. Each youth team includes an adult coach, usually a parent, who accompanies the competitors. The adult coach drives the tow vehicle and operates the outboard motor on the boat. The youngsters must decide how and where they want to fish.
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.
by Steven Ward
There are approximately 250 trained volunteers around the state spreading the gospel of conservation, natural resources, and environmental awareness.
How these volunteers came to provide that education to their communities is the story of Mississippi State University’s Extension Service’s Master Naturalist program.
The program, which is free, gives adults an opportunity to learn more about Mississippi fish, wildlife, and ecosystems. In return, the volunteers provide outreach and service education to their communities.
“There was an identified need to expand the educational capabilities of MSU Extension by the dissemination of natural resource management information to people in our communities,” said Adam T. Rohnke, state program co-leader and Central Mississippi program coordinator of the master naturalist program.
Rohnke said the program formally began in 2008 and was mostly focused then on the Gulf Coast. Today, the program is active in the Jackson area and the on the coast.
“On average, we graduate 35 to 50 participants combined annually from both locations. We intentionally keep the class size to 20 or less most years to improve the overall experience,” Rohnke said.
The primary program provides training and field experiences across various topics including ecology, natural resource management, paleontology, soils, water, wetlands, as well as the study of wildlife — birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, insects, and more.
Master naturalists also learn how to conduct basic research on a conservation issue and present a group project at the end of the program, Rohnke said.
Some examples of events the trained volunteers have produced include the Pearl River Clean Sweep that involves more than a 1,000 people across the Pearl River watershed in Mississippi and Louisiana removing thousands of pounds of trash from the waterway. That event was founded by Abby Braman, a graduate of the program. The Snappy Sync Firefly Soiree and Tours hosted by the Craftsman Guild of Mississippi in Ridgeland every spring involves master naturalists giving tours to hundreds of visitors to view and learn about synchronous fireflies. This program was founded by master naturalist Claire Graves.
Many other volunteers contribute to established programs such as Mississippi Museum of Natural Science educational events and participate in citizen science projects such as the Jackson Metro Urban Wildlife Project and the Mississippi Coastal Cleanup Program, where master naturalists actively participate in the collection of and help analyze data which directly contributes to peer-reviewed science.
When asked about one of his favorite parts of the program, Rohnke said he loves the “ah ha” moments that occur.
“We spend a day in the upper Pearl River learning about water and fisheries by being in the river for multiple hours. One year it began to pour — I mean Forrest Gump, Vietnam scene kind of rain — and all the participants started o hunching over to stay dry,” he said.
“But when we all finally realized it wasn’t going to stop, they embraced it and I got to watch adults ranging from age 18 to folks in their mid-70s completely soaked and loving every minute of it. I’ll never forget one older participant who said ‘I haven’t played in the rain since I was 11. What a refreshing and life changing moment this is. Thank you for doing this and making us brave the weather!’ I’ll never forget that moment and I can honestly say those 15 people from all walks of life, professions, races, generations, political a liations, and beliefs became one after that day in the rain.”
Register for a basic course on the Gulf Coast or in central Mississippi. Complete a 40-hour course that includes class and field instruction. Complete eight hours of advanced training annually. Complete 40 hours of volunteer service annually.
For more information, visit masternaturalist.extension.msstate.edu
I’ll never forget that moment and I can honestly say those 15 people from all walks of life, professions, races, generations, political a liations, and beliefs became one after that day in the rain.
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Spring and summer are opportune times for home upgrades and DIY projects. If you’re planning to make improvements to your home, you may want to consider upgrades that promote better energy e ciency.
Technology has come a long way and can enable our members to save money each year on their power bills. Here are a few smart projects that can help you save energy and money, and increase the comfort of your home. Best of all, some of these upgrades pair perfectly with DE Fastlink high-speed internet.
Installing a smart thermostat is one of the simplest ways to manage home energy use and keep summer bills in check. Smart thermostats are easy to install and allow you to control your heating and cooling system from your phone. You can purchase an ENERGY STAR®-certified smart thermostat for as low as $100, saving you 8% on annual heating and cooling costs, about $50 per year. This upgrade will quickly pay for itself, and you’ll gain insight into better ways to heat and cool your home.
Speaking of smart, additional devices like smart LED bulbs also o er convenient control and help boost energy savings at home. With smart lighting, you can schedule when and how your lights should be turned on or o . Smart lights come in a variety of shapes, colors, and brightness levels, and you can purchase bulbs for indoor or outdoor use. You can also schedule smart outdoor lights to illuminate your home at night and when you’re out of town for better security.
A tried-and-true method for making your home more energy e cient is sealing air leaks around your home. Applying new (or replacing old) weather stripping around doors and windows can instantly make your home more comfortable and reduce energy waste. Applying caulk to fill gaps can also improve the seal of your home. Caulk can be applied to various areas, including windows, doors, bathtubs, and sinks.
If your home feels too warm during summer, and too chilly during winter, even after you’ve sealed it with weather stripping and caulk, your home may need additional insulation. Insulation is considered a more expensive e ciency upgrade; however, if your home is under-insulated, additional insulation can greatly impact energy use and costs. The cost of new insulation depends on a variety of factors, like materials, the size of the home, and whether you use a contractor. Typically, the project costs can be recouped in a few years, and your home will immediately feel more comfortable.
If you want to make your home more energy e cient but are unsure where to start, your best bet is to find out where your energy dollars are going. Our website o ers free online energy audits to help you identify areas to boost e ciency. You can then determine the projects you want to tackle first based on your budget and needs. You can scan the QR code to the right to access our free energy calculators.
And as always, we want to be your trusted energy expert.
by Randy Smith General Manager
Dixie Electric’s free SmartHub app is easy to use, convenient, and valuable. Once downloaded to your smartphone or tablet, it will help you better understand and improve your energy habits in a variety of ways. Best of all, if you are also a DE Fastlink subscriber, you can manage your devices, change your password, and pay your bill through SmartHub.
The app allows you to easily report a power outage or view our live outage map.
Paying your bill through the SmartHub app is simple and e cient. You can view and pay your bill, sign up for autopay or paperless billing, and view your payment history.
SmartHub gives you access to your energy use and allows you to see where your energy dollars are going. It provides graphs to illustrate energy use in an easy-to-read format. This near real-time data lets you see how household demands correspond to outdoor temperatures and helps you better manage power use.
For more information about the SmartHub app, visit dixieepa.com and click the SmartHub app button at the top of the screen.
For DE Fastlink subscribers, you can easily manage your devices through the SmartHub app. You can check the status of your connection, change your Wi-Fi password, run a speed test, and reboot your router. password, run a speed test, and reboot your router.
It was a beautiful, sunny day at the Laurel Country Club on Thursday, March 30, as Dixie Electric hosted its 14th annual charity golf tournament. The four-man scramble tournament featured morning and afternoon flights with a total of 43 teams participating.
The one-day tournament raised $15,200 to be divided equally among four local charities: The Glory House in Laurel, Junior Auxiliary of Laurel, Junior Auxiliary of Wayne County, and Macedonia Church in Petal. All funds will go to feed those hungry in our communities through food pantries and secret meal programs for kids, which allows teachers to send food home with students who experience food insecurity at night and on weekends.
Dixie Electric appreciates its vendors and local community members who supported the charity golf tournament through donations and team members. Chick-fil-A of Laurel provided breakfast, and lunch was sponsored by B-Line, Welch Construction, and Runnels Construction. Hole-in-one prizes were provided by Kim’s No Bull.
Donations:
· Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
· Kim’s No Bull
· Boomtown Casino Biloxi
· Canebrake Country Club
· Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
· Golden Nugget
· Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast
· Harrah’s Casino Gulf Coast
· IP Casino Resort Spa
· Island View Casino Resort
· Pearl River Resort
Driving Range Sponsors:
· Burroughs Companies
· CFC
· ADTRAN
Hole Sponsors:
· Aertker Company
· Allen & Hoshall
· Altec Industries
· Anderson Design Center
· Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Inc.
· B-Line
· B & R Industrial Supply
· Boot Country
· Bourne Brothers
· Cadence Bank
· Calix
· Chain Electric Company
· Chancellor, Inc.
· Clark Engineers
· Community Bank
· DeSoto Treated Materials
· Ditch Witch Mid-South
· First State Bank
· Gresco Utility Supply, Inc.
· Headrick Outdoor Media
· Holt & Associates, PLLC
· Howard Industries, Inc.
· Irby
· MDR Construction, Inc.
· Mississippi Paving & Construction
· National Information Solutions
Cooperative
· NRTC
· Osmose Utilities Services
· RJ Young
· Runnels Construction
· RYCO Rental Services
· Southern Pine Electric
· Walters Construction Co., Inc.
· Welch Construction
· Wesco Distribution, Inc.
· Wireproof Communications
by Amanda Mills
After 37 years of service to Dixie Electric, Line Foreman Guy Shelton retired in December 2022. Guy can be described as a man of few words. But when Guy spoke, you listened. Guy came to work for Dixie Electric in January 1985 as a warehouse-general helper trainee. Fairly quickly, he was promoted to a groundman on the crew in February 1985, where he remained until May 1988.
“Guy was all about safety and teaching anyone under him,” Line Foreman Adron Presley said. “He was a great lineman and foreman and still is a great friend. I drove Guy on the bucket truck for approximately a year and worked most of Hurricane Katrina with him.”
Guy was promoted to the engineering department as a staking technician in May 1988. In January of 1990, Guy returned to work on the line crew. In March 2015, Guy was promoted to line foreman where he managed a crew of six men. He mentored his crew by teaching them the importance of safety in every aspect of their job.
“Guy has always been a good employee,” said Operations Manager Pat McCarthy. “He has worked his way through the ranks and proven himself a good foreman. He is very direct and to the point; there is no way to get confused with what he is telling you. I wish Guy the best in his retirement.”
When asked what his most memorable moments were during his career at Dixie Electric, Guy responded, “hands down, Hurricane Katrina and the Glade tornado.”
“I will miss the relationships with my coworkers the most. Everyone has good and bad days on the job, but at the end of the day, we remember that we are here to help people.”
Guy and his wife, Pam, lives in the Myrick community. After retirement, Guy plans to work on his small farm, hunt, fish, and attend Journey Church.
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.
Diamond: Waynesboro, Chapparal, Cypress Creek, Shubuta
Macedonia: Macedonia, Sunrise, Barrontown, Union Cleo Sub: Cleo, Poole Creek, Mill Creek, Strengthford, Myrick
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Before March 24, Twin County Electric members were lucky.
“The last time we needed other co-ops to come in to help us restore power was in 1998,” Twin County Electric General Manager Tim Perkins said recently while sitting behind his Hollandale o ce desk. Perkins said his co-op has dodged some bad storms over the years.
Usually, he was the general manager sending his lineman crews and equipment to help other cooperatives restore power following rough weather.
That changed on March 24 when a deadly EF3 tornado ripped through the Rolling Fork and Silver City areas leaving behind twisted wreckage, uprooted houses and businesses, and miles of rural destruction. Twin County’s Rolling Fork o ce was one of the businesses hit hard.
“I can tell you, as a co-op general manager, you want to be the one sending help to others. You don’t want to have others come to help you,” Perkins said.
But that’s exactly what happened on the evening of March 24, which was the same night Amory in Monroe County Electric’s service area was hit hard by a tornado.
“The March storm began wreaking havoc from a path that began at the Wren community which is located at the northwest section of our service area. The tornado continued on a northeastern path throughout our service area until it reached the northeast section of our territory located in Itawamba County. The tornado path spanned a distance of approximately 20 miles,” Monroe County Electric General Manager Barry Rowland said.
Electric co-ops operate on seven core principles. One of those is “Cooperation among Cooperatives.”
Mutual aid between cooperatives during these disasters is critical to restoring power quickly and safely.
For Twin County, Northcentral Electric and Yazoo Valley Electric sent crews to help restore power. Twin County also had help from a local, non-co-op contractor. Monroe County had help from five cooperatives — Prentiss County Electric, Natchez Trace, 4-County Electric, Pontotoc County Electric, and Tombigbee Electric.
“The help of neighboring cooperatives to rebuild and restore utility service is vital. Because the damage caused by this storm was so extensive, the time taken to rebuild and restore services with only our personnel would have taken a considerably longer amount of time. The help of additional skilled personnel and heavy equipment is invaluable during times like these,” Rowland said.
The man who orchestrates mutual aid for the state’s co-ops is Gerald Gordon, vice president of safety and loss control at the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi.
“I basically send an email to the co-ops asking them what and who can they send to other co-ops if they aren’t impacted by the weather,” Gordon said.
The toughest challenge during the March 24 tornado restoration?
“Housing, housing, housing,” Gordon said.
The help of neighboring cooperatives to rebuild and restore utility service is vital. Because the damage caused by this storm was so extensive, the time taken to rebuild and restore services with only our personnel would have taken a considerably longer amount of time. The help of additional skilled personnel and heavy equipment is invaluable during times like these.
Gordon’s work started days before the tornadoes hit when he was notified by storm experts that bad weather was expected to be in the state on March 24.
For Twin County, there was one local hotel in their service area that was small and filled up fast. Northcentral’s crews were able to stay there, Gordon said.
Because Yazoo Valley Electric’s crews — based in Yazoo City — were close, they could help, but drive to their homes after their shifts.
Monroe County had the same issue, but the five co-ops that helped them were all close enough that crews could drive back and forth from the work site to home.
Perkins was out on the scene in Rolling Fork right after the tornado.
Sometimes mutual aid comes not just from co-ops, but from members of the community.
“It was good to see so many people out there helping everyone. The speed that people mobilized was incredible. That’s the thing about Mississippi. People will always be there to help,” Perkins said.
“Mutual aid, or storm work, is pretty straightforward. The observation of the weather is the “cloud” that hangs over every mutual aid manager. The three major storm events begin di erently but have a similar process once mobilization of personnel and equipment is underway.
There’s ice, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
The response to each one of these events begins with collecting damage reports. How many lights are o ? How many poles are broken? Do we have enough wire, transformers, or reclosures? The answers to these questions will give us an idea of how long to expect our men and equipment to be away from home.
We first request help from any electric co-ops inside our state that were not impacted by the inclement weather. If there is a need for more help, we activate the nationwide network of mutual aid managers which provides access to thousands of professional linemen and various types of equipment and material.
There is often a balance to be found between the amount of help that the cooperative would like to receive and the amount that they can accommodate. Providing a clean and safe place to sleep and enough meals for grown men working 16-hour days can be quite an undertaking.
As the poles go back up and the lights come back on, linemen are released and sent back home. Large crews are no longer needed when only service taps and smaller jobs remain. Once everyone is home, they rest up, restock the trucks, and do it all again at home or where the next job calls.”
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“This is truly a miracle… I don’t even know how to begin thanking you for giving me my life back!”
Actor Gary Grubbs, a Prentiss native and former Southern Mississippi football player, has worked for some of Hollywood’s most famous directors, including Oliver Stone and Clint Eastwood. Grubbs has 180 acting credits in his 46-year career, including his role as an attorney in two of the all-time most watched television miniseries, “The Burning Bed” and “Fatal Vision.” Additionally, he made the circuit on TV shows such as “Will & Grace.” He has also written scripts for television movies such as, “If I Had Wings,” starring Delta Burke and fellow Mississippi native Gerald McRaney.
The son of a Mississippi Highway Patrol o cer, Grubbs was born in Amory. His family moved to Prentiss where he developed a passion for sports.
“I played all the sports in high school. I was pretty good, and my senior year I was named All-Dixie Conference in football, basketball, and baseball,” Grubbs said recently. Grubbs finished his high school sports career by being selected to play in the Mississippi High School All-Star football game in Jackson, with Archie Manning playing on the opposing team.
Following high school, Grubbs attended Southern Miss and played football. He said playing sports helped him in his future acting career, though, at the time, he had no plans to pursue acting. As Grubbs recalled, the persistence required to succeed in sports helped him later.
“What I have learned over my acting career is that there is a huge correlation between athletes and performers, and the lessons in tenacity learned in sports come in handy as an actor,” Grubbs said.
“I have been turned down so many times for parts. Sometimes up to 100 people will try out for a part. You have lots of rejection in this business. Even when you land a part, you can be completely cut out when the show is finally edited and airs,” Grubbs said.
In college, Grubbs’ dorm room adjoined the dorm room of Cooper Huckabee from Mobile, Alabama. Huckabee had plans to coach in the future, but he also harbored a festering acting bug. Huckabee tried out for several college plays, and Grubbs would help him learn his lines. When both men graduated from USM in 1972, the two did not keep in touch. Huckabee returned to Alabama to coach, and Grubbs used his business degree to land a job selling bulldozers in south Mississippi.
Fast-forward five years and Grubbs, lying on his couch watching TV in Hattiesburg, heard something familiar. He recalled, “I was half asleep when I heard Cooper’s voice on ‘Little House on the Prairie.’” Grubbs’ next move was to call Huckabee’s parents to acquire their son’s contact information. He called Huckabee, who quipped, “Beats the heck out of work!” Huckabee invited Grubbs to Los Angeles to see for himself. “I followed him to work and said, ‘I can do this,’” Grubbs said.
Huckabee went on to portray “Marshall,” John Travolta’s buddy in the 1980 film, “Urban Cowboy” as well as star in the 1981 Tobe Hooper-directed horror film, “The Funhouse.”
Grubbs didn’t have to convince his wife, former Miss Mississippi Glenda Meadows, to make the move. The couple sold everything and headed to Los Angeles.
Grubbs said contacts are essential for a shot at a successful career in Hollywood. Grubbs’ game plan was to start meeting folks from Mississippi who were in the business. His hunt was successful — one of those contacts helped him launch his career in 1978 when he landed his first job on the film, “Deadman’s Curve.”
The rest is history.
Grubbs said he feels grateful for his success but adds, “I’m very passionate and very determined to keep looking for that next job.”
Now back in Mississippi, Grubbs conducts acting classes in Gulfport and Mobile. He can be contacted at garygrubbsclass@gmail. com. His wife is an accomplished artist. Her work may be viewed at www.GlendaGrubbs.com. The couple has two children, Molly and Logan.
by Dale McKee
Like millions of older Americans, I struggle with mobility. For years, I watched my quality of life slip away, as I was forced to stay home while friends and family took part in activities I’d once enjoyed. I thought I’d made some progress when I got a mobility scooter, but then I realized how hard it was to transport. Taking it apart and putting it back together was like doing a jigsaw puzzle. Once I had it disassembled, I had to try to put all of the pieces in the trunk of a car, go to wherever I was going, and repeat the process in reverse. Travel scooters were easier to transport, but they were uncomfortable and scary to drive, I always felt like I was ready to tip over. Then I found the So LiteTM Scooter. Now there’s nothing that can hold me back.
Years of work by innovative engineers have resulted in a scooter that’s designed with seniors in mind. They created Electronic Stability Control (ESC) that makes it virtually impossible to tip over. If you try to turn too quickly, the scooter automatically slows down to prevent it from tipping over. The battery provides powerful energy at a fraction of the weight of most batteries. With its rugged yet lightweight aluminum frame, the So LiteTM Scooter is the most portable scooter ever—but it can hold up to 275 pounds—yet weighs only 40.8 pounds without the battery! What’s more, it easily folds up for storage in a car seat, trunk or even on an airplane. It folds in seconds without tools and is safe and reliable. Best of all, it’s designed with your safety in mind, from the newest technology and superior craftsmanship. Why spend another day letting your lack of mobility ruin your quality of life? Call now and find out how you can get a So LiteTM Scooter of your very own.
Native plants have garnered a lot of attention, especially because of their relationship to pollinators, but these plants are valuable for many other reasons.
In addition to pollen, they provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife, as well as creating biodiversity in the ecosystem.
“Native plants are critical to enhance biodiversity in the landscape,” said Bob Brzuszek, an Extension professor of landscape architecture at Mississippi State University. “Studies have shown even small backyards can be important habitats for pollinator insects, birds, and animal life.”
Native plants are critical to enhance biodiversity in the landscape. Studies have shown even small backyards can be important habitats for pollinator insects, birds, and animal life.
While nonnative plants do provide nectar and food sources for butterflies and birds, native plants play an important part in providing food and shelter to wildlife. In fact, some native plants have special relationships with certain insects. For example, some native bees can feed only on the plants with which they evolved.
Brzuszek notes that native plants are particularly important in urban and metropolitan areas.
“Having native plants is especially important in growing urban areas near Memphis, Jackson, and the Gulf Coast where wildlife habitat is dwindling,” Brzuszek said.
So, what makes native plants di erent from other plants?
Eddie Smith, Extension agent and county coordinator in Pearl River County, explains that native plants occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat, either on land or in water, and have evolved to thrive in that area. These plants include trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers.
Native plants are generally low-maintenance, easy to grow and less expensive to maintain because they have evolved to tolerate their environment.
“When you plant native plants, you’ll reduce pollution and use less energy and resources by reducing mowing and trimming,” Smith said. “You won’t have to use as much water or pesticides, either.”
Native plants are also important in food production. They support the insects, birds, and other animals that pollinate all types of food plants, including fruit trees and garden plants, Smith said.
These plants can also enhance aesthetics and add value to your property. They can be used in the same ways as other landscape plants, such as privacy fences, windbreaks, and shade. No matter what garden style one wants to achieve, there is a native plant that will work.
“The great thing about native plants is that they can fit any home style — from the most formal gardens to country estates,” said Brzuszek. “Cherry laurel makes an elegant privacy hedge and even wax myrtles can be trimmed into various shapes. Perennial herbaceous plants such as yellow coneflower, salvias, or our own state wildflower — Coreopsis — can be tucked into existing flower beds.”
Many local plant nurseries sell native plants. Local conservation groups or organizations, such as the Crosby Arboretum, also sell them. Many Master Gardener groups sell native plants during fundraising sales. Contact the local Extension o ce for more information about where to purchase native plants.
Native plants can grow throughout Mississippi, but gardeners should know that they have water, light, and soil-type preferences.
“There are coastal plants such as Sabal palmetto that can’t take the freezes in the north, or more northern plants, such as white trout lily, that simply won’t tolerate the heat of the Gulf Coast,” Brzuszek said.
Some native plant gardens can be viewed as unkept. If homeowners want to include minimally managed wildlife zones or native plant gardens in areas open to public view, Brzuszek recommends these tips:
• Create a well-managed edge, such as a mow zone or an edging of bricks or timbers to show that the landscape is being taken care of and not neglected.
• Include some architectural features, such as a bird bath or bench, in the planting area. These items add a human element that people can understand.
• Put a sign in a pollinator garden that helps convey the purpose to neighbors and passersby.
“Better yet, invite the neighbors over for a cup of co ee and tell them what you are trying to do. Education is the best way to prevent misunderstandings,” Brzuszek said.
Southern kitchens revolve around special occasions. May gives us a built-in day to honor the special women in our lives, whether they be our own moms, or someone else’s.
We’ve had a tradition in our family for decades. The small-fries in the house would participate — with the help of a step stool and a grown-up — in creating breakfast in bed for Mom on Mother’s Day, and the same for Dad on Father’s Day. My husband usually fared much better than I did because I could cook. I was the mom in our family portrait, so I su ered through burnt pancakes and yellow rubber marbles that resembled eggs only in color. But I always ate every morsel, gave thanks for their e orts, and tried to look like I enjoyed my breakfast. Each meal was memorable if not exceptional. They were proud. I was proud. Eventually, I would sneak into the kitchen and make myself a sandwich. They never knew.
They grew up. I have no idea if they remember the first thing about what they cooked on those days, but each of them are now fabulous cooks in their own right. I credit letting them get into the kitchen to make a mess, and I’d lie if I said I didn’t credit myself (and my stomach) as their most willing guinea pig.
So, here’s a jumping o place for you. A couple of easy peasy recipes that are kid friendly and possibly even spouse-proof. The Orange Bread uses canned biscuits, and, if you are insulted at the thought, a biscuit dough with a little less buttermilk will fill the bill. The Kitchen Sink Potatoes are a favorite at our house. It contains MY kitchen sink. Your sink may be di erent, so add or subtract to your hearts content. And finally, in homage to one of my long ago “mamas,” Miss Mary’s Fruit Dip. Think Creamsicle in a bowl. If the tang of the Tang is a little much, back o a little. You won’t hurt my feelings. Fresh berries are coming into season. That could be a perfect match.
Yield: Serves 12-15 depending on appetites
INGREDIENTS
30-ounce package frozen country-style shredded hash brown potatoes
1 pound mild breakfast sausage
16 ounces French onion dip
8 ounces sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup diced ham
½ cup real bacon bits
1 stick butter, melted
1 tablespoon dry ranch dressing (or the whole packet - you choose)
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese or cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 by 13 baking dish with no-stick cooking spray. Cook sausage and drain. Microwave the frozen potatoes for about 3 minutes to knock off some of the ice (the potatoes cook better if almost thawed). Combine potatoes, sausage, and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Pour into the baking dish. Bake until hot and bubbly all the way through — about 45 minutes.
¾ cup sugar
½ cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (11-ounce size) - you need 20 biscuits
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into 20 squares (half an 8-ounce package)
½ cup butter, melted
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 tablespoons orange juice
Combine sugar, pecans, and orange zest in a small bowl. Separate each biscuit; place a cream cheese square in center of one half of the biscuit dough, and fold over the remaining half, pinching sides together. They will resemble dumplings. Dip each biscuit in butter, then dredge in sugar mixture. Stand each biscuit on edge (folded side down) in a lightly greased or sprayed 12-cup Bundt pan, spacing evenly. They will all fit snuggly. Drizzle with remaining butter, and sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately invert onto a wire rack. Combine powdered sugar and orange juice. Spoon over warm bread. Serve immediately.
1 cup full fat vanilla yogurt
8 tablespoons Tang orange drink mix
8- ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Mix the Tang with the vanilla yogurt. Whisk it in so the drink mix dissolves. Fold in the thawed whipped topping, blending in completely. Refrigerate until time to serve, and use as a dip for fresh fruit, or as a dressing in fruit cups.
by Vicki Leach
Vicki Leach is a full-time chef/culinary instructor at Mississippi State University in the Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion. She teaches Science of Food Preparation, Foodservice Organization, and Quantity Food Production. She also serves as the food service coordinator for First Baptist Church in Starkville, where she attends with her husband, Rob. She has four children and five grandchildren, and lives in a 130-year-old farmhouse that speaks to her old soul. She still has the first cookbook she ever owned.
Barn Sale/Antiques and Collectables. May 5 and 6. Oak Grove. More than 85 collectors with trailer loads of antiques and collectables. Concession stand will have breakfast and lunch. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is $2. Price good for both days. Barn Sale auction is May 5 at 5:30 p.m. 4799 Old Highway 11, Purvis, (Oak Grove). Details: 601-818-5886 or 601-794-7462.
Divide Memorial Methodist Protestant Church Springfest. May 6. Monticello. Vendors still needed. Event will be held rain or shine. Food, auction, entertainment, and shopping. Details: 601-405-4975.
A rummage and bake sale. May 6. Brandon. The event will be held at Nativity Lutheran Church at the corner of Crossgates Boulevard and Old Brandon Road. The event will be held indoors o ering clothing, furniture, household goods, and baked goods. Church proceeds to benefit social ministry outreach programs such as Harbor House, Center for Violence Protection, Stewpot Ministries, Rankin County Human Resource Agency, VA Volunteer Services, and the Mississippi State Hospital. The event is free. Details: 601-825-5125.
Big Gospel Singing Jubilee. May 6. Pearl. The concert will be held at the Pearl Community Center, 2420 Old Brandon Road. Featuring the Hinson Family, Terry Joe Terrell, Revelations, and Tim Frith and the Gospel Echoes. Details: 601-906-0677 or 601-720-8870.
Historic Highway 11 Yard Sale. May 18 to 21. Meridian to Bristol, Virginia. Vendor sites available in Meridian, Russell, and Kewanee in Mississippi as well as Cuba, York, and Livingston in Alabama. Visit msantiquealley.com. Details: 601-917-3727.
Cruisin’ the River’s 32nd Pride & Joy Car Show. May 20. Columbus. The event will be held at Lock & Dam East Bank. Registration is open from 8 a.m. to noon with a $20 registration fee per vehicle. First 50 registrations receive a free dash plaque and T-shirt. Awards presented at 1 p.m. Trophies and cash prizes awarded. Spectators get in free. Concessions available. Proceeds support local charities, including Golden Triangle Outdoors and an area nursing home’s Christmas ministry. Details: 662-574-2678 or 662-251-2702.
Harrison County Gem and Mineral Society Show. May 20 and 21. Biloxi. The event will be held at the Joppa Shriners Center at 13280 Shiners Blvd on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: 601-947-7245 or go to Facebook com/gulfportgems.
Greater Shelby Kennel Club and the Kennel Club of North Mississippi Meet and Greet. May 20. Olive Branch. The event is an excellent opportunity to meet club members and learn about activities that you can do with your dog. The location is Kimberlin Farms, 8650 Center Hill Rd. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: 901 482-2922.
Spring Arts and Crafts Fair and Book Sale. May 20. Vancleave. The Vancleave Friends of the Library will host the fair from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the Vancleave Public library. The event is an annual festival in the spring and is a wonderful opportunity for crafters to market their handiwork, and for shoppers to buy great holiday gifts. More than 40 arts and crafts vendors will be present with many great hand-crafted items for home decor or gift giving. All proceeds will go toward the Friends’ library projects and programs. The library is located at 12604 Highway 57. Details: 228-826-4143
Daylily Open Gardens. May 29. Hattiesburg. The Hattiesburg Area Daylily Society will host open gardens. The event gives the public an opportunity to see large numbers of daylilies growing and blooming in private gardens. The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free. Some gardens sell daylilies. For a list of gardens and directions go to hattiesburgdaylily.com. Details: 601-466-3826
Holy Land Tour Oct. 27 to Nov. 5. Join Ronnie and Beverly Cottingham for their 23rd year to host the trip. Departures from Jackson or New Orleans. Details: 601-770-1447 or email rbcottingham@bellsouth.net
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.
It has been an odd spring in Mississippi. In March there was one week when we came within a degree or two of setting both a record high temperature and a record low. Same week. On the heels of that came the tornadoes that hit Rolling Fork in the Delta and into the hills at Wynona, and on to Amory.
A week after the Rolling Fork tornado a di erent round of storms hit Wynne, Arkansas and up to the Great Lakes and eastward. National reporters were saying how much worse the weather is now than it used to be. I’m not an expert, but I remember Google Xenia, Ohio, and the “Outbreak of the Century” in 1974.
Ken South, our chief meteorologist at WJTV, said he always looks forward to Mother’s Day. Usually by Mother’s Day, the severe weather track lifts out of the lower Mississippi Valley. I had never connected the two, but he’s right.
But late that night, looking out the window at a hedgerow about a quarter mile away, I saw a display of lightening bugs that struck me as unusual. Now, that was a long time ago, but I remember they weren’t the lazy floating kinds of fireflies like the ones we would catch and put in fruit jars in the front yard at twilight. The ones I saw were busy — almost frantic. Plus, you could easily see them from where we were, a quarter mile away. They were bright. Were they snappy
They very well could have been.
Graduation Day comes in May, too. The end of one era and the beginning of another. The end of May is also the psychological end of spring and the beginning of summer. Endings and beginnings. Maybe every ending is just another beginning. Just keep going when we think we hit our limit and find out.
Mother’s Day is the line of demarcation for at least one other natural phenomenon in Mississippi. It’s on the other end of the scale from severe weather. Mother’s Day is when the synchronous fireflies start to emerge. We’ve only known about these type of fireflies for a short period of time — about a decade or so. But I feel like they’ve been around for a long, long time. The thing about these fireflies — they only come out after dark. I mean really dark. They like secluded places way back in the woods. I can’t see grandma and grandpa ever taking a moonlight stroll way, way into the deep woods late at night back in their day. So, they would have never really had a reason to discover the snappy sync fireflies.
However, I do remember being at grandma’s house in Fulton when I was a youngster. My cousin Wesley Byrd and I had been banished to sleep upstairs while the grownups took the downstairs bedrooms. I think one of our uncles was planning to use a noise maker to scare us. But we overheard his plan. The walls were thinner than he thought.
by Walt GraysonMaybeevery ending is just another beginning. Just keep going when we think we hit our limit and find out. Photo by Je Davis
