Today in Mississippi June 2020 Pearl River Valley

FOR MEMBERS OF PEARL RIVER VALLEY ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION

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outdoors today picture this my opinion grin ‘n’ bare it

Thoughts and musings After two months of shelteringin-place, I have some thoughts, observations and musings. Please, if you have lost your sense of humor during the pandemic, you may want to stop reading now.

What if I had told you in January that by the end of April eight ounces of hand sanitizer would be worth more than a barrel of oil?

So, the government wants us to stay home, lay on the couch, order take-out and watch television. Finally, four years of college is paying off!

There are many physically fit and attractive people in my neighborhood.

I’m not one of them.

Anyone who puts his or her dog in a stroller and goes for a walk needs professional help.

Cigar smoke is good at keeping away pests — mosquitos, flies, wives and kids.

Is it really exercising if you are drinking wine?

Is making your teenage children walk with mom and dad 21st century child abuse?

The IRS said that two of my children are worthless and one was worth $500.

Daddy’s got a new favorite!

The IRS said that my wife was worth $1,200. I offered to pay the shipping, but the lady at the IRS refused to give me an address.

My wife is a genius. In less than a month and half, she graduated two college students and one high schooler and NONE OF THEM WERE SENIORS! All in favor of doubling teacher salaries in August say “Aye,” all opposed, obliviously haven’t been trying to teach children over the last two months.

Just think, teachers have 30 kids and no wine readily available.

The yardman came by for payment.

I gave him two rolls of toilet paper.

You can recognize these folks who haven’t ridden bikes in forever. They have bright yellow shirts, shinny new helmets

and move down the road like a snake.

Get out of their way!

To single people: if you cannot cook, marry someone who can. It will be important during the next pandemic.

To the $1.2 billion dollars in COVID-19 relief funds from the CARES Act.... In the words of pirate and philosopher Jimmy Buffett, “You got fins to left, fins to right and you’re the only bait in town.”

Dang, I love a good cigar!

There’s a difference between a dog who is joyfully out for a walk with its owner and one who has been dragged out of the house for the third time because one spouse is tired of the other spouse and kids. You can see it in their pleading eyes. The poor dog is thinking, ‘at least the mutt up the street gets a stroller.’

According to Proverbs 17:22, ‘A merry heart doeth good like medicine.’ In other words, laughter can be the best medicine. And sometimes, during the stress of the pandemic, we have to take time to laugh.

The pandemic also reminds us of how fortunate we are to be surrounded by everyday heroes. Thanks to the doctors, nurses, first responders, our electric cooperative employees, truck drivers, grocery store workers and other essential employees who worked tirelessly through these times. You are the reason we enjoy some semblance of a normal life.

And finally, and most importantly, to those who have lost family and friends to the virus: you remain in our thoughts and prayers.

Jeb Greene Grier, age 2 Great-grandson of Buddy and Cathy White of Philadelphia and Central Electric members

Mississippi is...

My mind wanders To childhood days And carefree ways.

Walking barefoot in Newly plowed ground, Wading in a cool, clear Stream I have found.

Resisting in a field of fragrant wildflowers as a gentle breeze brings a rush of showers.

The season changes to Multicolored hues of fall And I hear the wild geese call, As I vision heavy dark clouds And snow laden boughs.

by Ida Mae Teer Black East Mississippi Electric Power member What’s Mississippi to you?

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

What do you treasure most about life in our state?

Send your brief thoughts to Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158 or to news@ecm.coop

JUNE 2020 | TODAY 3

in this issue

5 southern gardening A summer garden must have

7 scene around the ‘sip A look at special people and places around Mississippi

11

5

outdoors today Going back outside after it’s over

12 local news 18 feature

Weidmann’s is the oldest restaurant in the state. Here’s to 150 years

The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi

Vol. 73 No. 5

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

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Circulation of this issue: 456,454

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24 on the menu

Summertime means berry time in Mississippi

27 24

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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.

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On the cover A steak and eggs brunch dish at Weidmann’s in Meridian.

Photo by Marianne Todd

Why the 2020 Census is important Census statistics aren’t just about which state or city has grown the most over the last 10 years. Statistics compiled from census responses help businesses, researchers, and communities make decisions about funding for everything from school buildings and lunches and new bridges or roads, to fire departments, rural assistance programs, and more. Knowing who lives throughout the nation means that communities can better support programs and services benefitting people aged 65 and older, low-income people, veterans, children, and newborns. When you respond to the 2020 Census, you are helping to shape the future of your community by being counted. By working with local markets and publications, we hope more Mississippi residents will do their part and participate in the 2020 Census.” — US Census Representative

4 TODAY | JUNE 2020

scene around the ‘sip co-op involvement southern gardening

picture this my opinion grin ‘n’ bare it

Melampodium

There are a few must-have plants for my summer Mississippi garden and landscape. You can count on me having Vista Bubblegum supertunia, marigolds and all kinds of zinnias to provide color for my yard. But another great plant that doesn’t get a whole lot of attention is melampodium.

I hope my talking about it will make melampodium become the latest item to fly off the shelves during the current COVID-19 situation.

Let’s face it: Melampodium is one tough plant when it comes to flowering and just plain looking good in the heat and humidity of the Mississippi summer.

Melampodium was selected as a Mississippi Medallion winner way back in 1997. And no wonder, because melampodium is a nonstop bloomer from summer until frost. It literally bursts forth with yellow to golden daisy- or star-like flowers.

It requires no staking. Because melampodium is self-cleaning, that means you don’t have to deadhead the flowers, either, which really is a plus when the temperatures start to soar in the summer.

Melampodium prefers full sun and looks great no matter how hot and dry it is. But it is important to maintain a consistent root zone moisture.

is a summer garden must-have

There are several standard melampodium varieties available, with more being introduced. Sizes vary from 10 to 24 inches tall.

Selections to look for include Derby, Medallion, Million Gold and Jackpot Gold.

Plant in the landscape at the same depth as they grew in the container. Space them on 8-inch centers to allow the plants to grow together and form a brilliant mass. A happy surprise you’ll get next spring is that melampodium reseeds. The new plants can be thinned if needed.

I always allow reseeded seedlings to grow because it seems to me that is where Mother Nature thought the plant should be growing.

Melampodium likes dry conditions and makes a great container plant. Transplant into a light, well-drained soil. It is easy to grow and has few demands.

Melampodium really likes to have consistent fertilization. Use a controlled-release fertilizer at transplanting and then once a month through the summer. I like to use water-soluble fertilizer since I’m going to have to water anyway.

In my experience, snails and slugs are the only pests that bother melampodium. Use snail baits or sprinkle diatomaceous earth — the fossil remains of prehistoric algae — to control these pests.

The flowering display of Melampodium is strong enough to stand on its own, but try pairing it with other yellows, reds, and oranges to create a warm color scheme that will be hot this summer. This is where combination planting with my zinnias is always a hit.

The only problem with Melampodium is that it only comes in one color, but that’s not enough of a problem to stop you from enjoying it in your garden this year.

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

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events

mississippi marketplace on the menu outdoors today scene around the ‘sip picture this

A recipe for success

opinion co-op involvement L E A D E R S H I Pmy AN D GRIT: southern gardening grin ‘n’ bare it

by Elissa Fulton In 2012, Alise Matthews was selected as Dixie Electric Power Association’s representative for the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. That same year, she was selected among a larger group to represent Mississippi on the national Youth Leadership Council.

As a junior in high school, Matthews was already a leader in her school, but when she attended the national youth conference in Washington, D.C., she quickly appreciated that she could be a leader outside of Jones County. Matthews made many contacts around the nation that summer, but she already knew she loved interacting with people.

“I always had a dream of being an orthodontist since the age of 10 when I got my braces off because it helped my confidence so much,” said Matthews. “In high school, I worked retail in Laurel, and I loved talking to people and I came to the realization that I didn’t want to look in mouths every day, but I wanted to be interacting with the public.

Some people hate retail, but I thrive on it. I just love it!”

After graduation, Matthews went on to Mississippi State University and majored in marketing with a goal of becoming an entrepreneur. She finished her marketing degree in three years and came home to Laurel with the dream of opening her own business. She grew up in the kitchen working with her mother in her catering business.

“My mom asked me if I wanted to take over her business, but I really didn’t want to cook meals,” she said. “I wanted to have a bakery and do sweets. When I was young, I would help my mom make homemade candies for her catering business and that was kind of the basis of my business. None of the bakeries in town were doing homemade candies, so I thought it would be really cool if we combined that idea with the nostalgic candy store.”

With a love of her hometown, sweet treats and a bit of nostalgia, Shug’s Cookie Dough & Candy Bar was opened in downtown Laurel in September 2017, just one year after Matthews graduated from college. In addition to the homemade candies like pralines, turtles and millionaire’s, Shug’s has a candy wall with more than 120 different candies to choose from. Customers can make candy bags, or they can enjoy the edible cookie dough and cookie cakes.

The recipe for success included a group of business owners that had already begun a revitalization project that turned the once ghost town of downtown Laurel into a bustling community.

“I feel like I definitely came in at the right time,” Matthews said.

“They were already seven years into the revitalization of Laurel, and it was perfect timing for me.”

There were many that thought Matthews’ idea of a sugary heaven was crazy, but her youth, determination and marketing degree paid off.

“I totally believe that marketing was a huge plus for me,” she said. “And social media is such a big part of our world today. We have a large social presence and I believe it has had a huge impact on the success of the business.”

Matthews has proven to be a leader in larger arenas, but she is proud to now be a business owner in her hometown. “I believe being from a small town, sometimes its frowned upon to move back after college, but that’s also what I think is so special about electric cooperatives,” she said. “They are about community and Laurel was a great town and community to start my business.

I have been so blessed to have a community that has been so supportive of me.”

Visit shugslaurel.com to view a menu and order online. Photo by Megan Clark.

JUNE 2020 | TODAY 7

FROM THE MOST

by Steven Ward Ten years ago, Lea Margaret Hamilton was driving on Highway 82 near Itta Bena and heading to Greenville in the Mississippi Delta when she had an epiphany. The time was the harvest season for soybeans.

“I looked out and saw thousands of acres of soybeans. I thought, nobody is using soy wax to make candles.

We have this wonderful Mississippi resource,” Hamilton said recently from her Greenville home.

Following that 2010 drive, the idea for SoDelta Candle Company was born.

Hamilton said she researched everything she could to “figure it all out” and started making them and selling them at a consignment store in Leland. The first batch at the consignment store sold out in 15 minutes, Hamilton said.

According to SoDelta’s website, “The result is a line of southern-inspired, high quality, long-burning candles with fragrances that remind us of what we like the most – huntin’ camp, cotton fields, church, and mama’s sweet tea.

“Each SoDelta candle is lovingly hand-poured in our restored, turn of the century tenant house. We feature our candles in vessels of glass, locally-made pottery and repurposed containers. Only the highest grade of American grown soy wax, cotton wick and natural materials go into each candle,” according to the website.

Hamilton wound up opening a retail studio that she operated out of for about 8 years. These days, Hamilton runs her business out of her home.

“From there we just got to be known through word of mouth. It was an organic thing,” Hamilton said.

Word of mouth hit California when an Academy Award-winning actress

PLACE ON EARTH

Photo by: Michael Kelly

with Mississippi ties heard about the candles. Hamilton wouldn’t name the recent Oscar winner but said she and her mother haven been regular customers ever since.

Hamilton makes thousands of candles a month, she said. She makes them all, sometimes with a little preparation help from her husband and son.

Hamilton and her candle company have a strong presence on Facebook.

Through the social media website, people from all over have reached out for masks Hamilton started making about the time COVID-19 struck the country hard.

“When I was a child, my grandmother and I always had projects. She taught me how to sew and we would make aprons,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton and five friends started making masks after seeing medical professionals on social media ask for them. Hamilton alone has made between 200 and 300 masks that she has donated to local hospitals and paramedics.

Hamilton said she is always creating something.

“If a day goes by and I don’t create something, it’s a day wasted,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton said her business is supported by her community and that concept is more important than ever today.

“It’s so important to support local, family-owned businesses. They are the ones who will donate to your schools and charities, who will support your soccer teams and who will donate gift certificates when you need them.

The big box stores just won’t do that,” Hamilton said.

Visit www.sodelta.com for more information.

JUNE 2020 | TODAY 9

mississippi seen events

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on the menu

scene around the ‘s co-op involvement

southern gardening

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mississippi is...

mississippi marketplace u outdoors today d the ‘sip picture this my opinionAfter ement

rdening

Life

grin ‘n’ bare it

The sunrise was spectacular. Yellow and orange peeping through friendly clouds just above the horizon, the source of those colors resting, or so it seemed, on treetops in the distance, those trees dressed for spring in their finest greenery. A pasture wearing similar hues beneath those trees and creating an expanse that proffered a welcome. All presented in a glorious form that could never suggest anything other than the ideal. But prevailing conditions spoke otherwise. We, when this particular sunrise greeted, were under shelter-in-place guidelines.

The virus was raging.

And it may still be. These words are being written more than a month before they will be published.

Hopes are high, right now while I’m sitting at the computer that the severity Camping, in its various forms, is a pleasant will abate. Soon! Regardactivity that has a great many devotees. less, if not soon it will abate.

Things will get back, at least to some degree, to the old normal with which we were and still are familiar. No one knows for sure when, but changes will come and we will be free to ramble about, the outdoors waiting.

So, what are we to do with this renewed freedom? A great many opportunities are available, and don’t go thinking that all these demand great expense or far-away venues. More than we can get around to are virtually in our back yards.

Take for instance those sunrises like the one just mentioned — and there is one every day, a day in which to offer thanks for the blessing of life. These can often be observed from home. And for some of us with a propensity for birds, our own yards will suffice as a laboratory from which to watch, to learn, to admire. I saw my first indigo bunting on a feeder out the kitchen window last week (as this is written). My heart lightened, the day brightened, and I was filled with awe.

Staying Inside Don’t overlook fishing. I have often written that everything I really needed to live a happy and successful life was learned with my dad on a simple bream lake. Now let me quickly say that I do not dismiss my formal education. I learned there to open my mind, to think, to analyze things from the perspectives of others.

I learned how to build an essay. But elements such as creativity and nurturing a dream rode the still surface of a bream lake.

Perhaps the most important life lessons to come from a bream lake were respect and perseverance.

Dad and I paddled a tattered wooden boat around a curve in a bream lake and came upon an aging gentleman catching bream. He was then my age now. Old. I encouraged Dad to move closer so that we could get in Social distancing at its finest. These anglers are on the action. He said quietly, enjoying a simple afternoon along a stream.

“You wouldn’t want somebody to do you that way.” He was right; the lesson took. We had to press on, a heavy task with paddles, to another spot. Respect and perseverance sank completely to my core.

And there is camping. Tent, RV, travel trailer. No matter. Choose which you prefer. Campgrounds are open or will be open soon.

Most if not all afford some quiet surroundings in nature. Any of these activities noted are not bad ways to get back to normal.

by Tony Kinton Tony Kinton has been an active outdoors writer for 30 years. He lives in Carthage and is a Central Electric member. Visit www.tonykinton.com for more information.

JUNE 2020 | TODAY 11

Columbia: 601-736-2666 Hattiesburg: 601-264-2458

Purvis: 601-794-8051 Wiggins: 601-928-7277

To pay bills or report outages:

855-2PRVEPA (855-277-8372) Visit us online at www.PRVEPA.com Member owned. Locally operated. That’s the cooperative difference.

Right-of-way maintenance is underway in your area Pearl River Valley Electric’s distribution system has grown significantly over the past 80 years to meet the needs of our members. We now have more than 6,000 miles of power lines across our 12-county service area. Maintaining clear rights-of-way (ROW) along those lines is vital to the Association’s ability to provide reliable service. It is also necessary to maintain a proper distance between trees and power lines to ensure public safety.

We want members to understand that maintaining ROW is not an inconvenience, it’s a necessity. Controlling vegetation within the ROW floor assures safe access for employees when they are troubleshooting outages and repairing downed power lines.

The overall result of ROW maintenance is quicker restoration of outages during storms.

12 TODAY | JUNE 2020

Clearing brush and other low-growing vegetation is accomplished by a combination of bush-hogging and herbicide application. We use off-the-shelf, non-restrictive herbicides because they are effective, economical, and environmentally friendly. They are not harmful to humans, pets or livestock. Managing vegetation in this way also allows native grasses and wildflowers to grow, thereby improving the aesthetics and wildlife habitat along the ROW. For a more detailed map of this year’s ROW spraying, please visit www.PRVEPA.com and click the “ROW Spraying” tab at the top of the home page.

Also, if you have any questions about our ROW maintenance program, please feel free to call any of our offices. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

B E P R E PA R E D F O R

HURRICANE SEASON

Every summer, people in south Mississippi brace themselves for the potential threats brought on by hurricane season.

The 2020 season begins June 1 and continues through Nov. 30. “We are committed to providing our member-consumers with dependable and safe service in all kinds of weather,” said Randy Wallace, general manager of Pearl River Valley Electric. “Once a hurricane reaches the Gulf of Mexico, we will be prepared and ready to work our restoration plan in case a storm affects our service area.”

PRVEPA members should also make plans to protect life and property if a hurricane threatens our region this season (see box to the right). For more safety information, please go to www.PRVEPA.com.

ATTENTION

Start thinking now about the supplies you will need to make it through an extended power outage.

No doubt there are numerous other items necessary to meet the specific needs of your family. And don’t forget about pets.

• Water – at least one gallon daily per person for 3-7 days • Non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices – enough for each person for 3-7 days • Special food for infants or the elderly • Non-electric can opener • Toiletries • Cooking tools/fuel • Flashlight/batteries • Paper plates/plastic utensils • Blankets/pillows, etc.

• Clothing – seasonal, rain gear, sturdy shoes • Full tanks of gas in vehicles • First aid kit complete with prescription drugs • Radio – battery operated NOAA weather radio • Cash – banks and ATMs may not be open after a storm • Important documents – include items such as insurance, medical records, bank account numbers and Social Security cards, and store all in a water proof container

Beginning in June, Pearl River Valley Electric will begin disconnects again for delinquent accounts. Please contact one of our offices to speak to a customer service representative about your past due balance to avoid interruption in service.

A generator is an important necessity during hurricane season Whenever a storm interrupts electric service, especially for an extended period of time, many South Mississippi residents and business owners use emergency generators to help keep food refrigerated and to operate lights and other appliances. Several million portable or standby generators are now in use around the country.

However, it is critical that any auxiliary generator is hooked up properly and used correctly and safely.

“Generators can help make life bearable after a natural disaster,” said Leif Munkel, manager of member services for Pearl River Valley Electric.

“We cannot stress enough, however, how important it is that proper safety precautions be taken in order to prevent accidents that could affect consumers, their family members and neighbors, or our line workers.

A permanently-installed standby generator must be wired into a house by a qualified electrician using a transfer switch, which prevents electricity from backfeeding onto power lines whenever the generator is in use.

Putting electric current out on lines that are thought to be de-energized can cause serious injury to utility restoration crews or anyone else coming into contact with those lines.

Portable, temporary generators should never be attached to a home’s circuit breakers, fuses or outlets, and there are other important safety considerations whenever they are in use.

“The improper use of generators can cause serious injuries or death, it’s that simple,” Munkel noted. “That is why it’s so important to follow directions.”

• Before you try to start a new generator, read and follow all manufacturer operating instructions. Make sure it is properly installed and grounded.

Standby generators must have a transfer safety switch installed by a professional.

• Portable generators should never be plugged directly into a home outlet or electrical system—use an extension cord to plug appliances into an outlet on the generator.

• Never operate a generator in a confined space, such as a garage.

Generators produce gases, including deadly carbon monoxide. They require proper ventilation.

• Generators pose electrical risks, especially when operated in wet conditions. Operate a generator under an open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface. Always ensure that your hands are dry before touching a generator.

• When you refuel a generator, make sure the engine is cool in order to prevent a fire, should the tank overflow.

• Be sure to keep children and pets away from the generator, which could burn them.

For more information on the safe use of portable and standby generators, go to PRVEPA.com or SafeElectricity.org.

JUNE 2020 | TODAY 13

Applications for new service available online Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association understands that COVID-19 is making everything more difficult. That is why we have made our application process easier. Our application for service is now available on our website, www.PRVEPA.com. Go to the “New Service” tab at the top of our webpage and choose “Apply for

New Service.” Simply fill out the online form and click “submit.”

Our customer service representatives will handle it from there.

We have also added our bank draft and levelized billing forms to our website under the “Payment Options” section.

BACK TO BACK

APRIL STORMS DEVASTATE SERVICE AREA Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association was hit by two storms in April that resulted in over 365 broken poles and over 12,000 meters without power. The first storm came on Easter Sunday spawning a massive EF-4 tornado. That tornado started in Magnolia Electric Cooperative’s service territory, hit Pearl River Valley Electric and then went into Southern Pine Electric’s area. It was one of the widest tornadoes on record in the United States. Pearl River Valley Electric line crews and servicemen, along with assistance from Coast Electric Power Association

and contract crews restored power in three days.

A week later, another storm hit our service area. Once again, our employees went to work restoring power with assistance from Magnolia Electric Cooperative, Coast Electric Power Association and numerous contract crews. Restoration was extremely difficult due to wet conditions, difficult terrain and storm damage. We are extremely proud of the work our linemen and servicemen did to restore power during these terrible storms.

JUNE 2020 | TODAY 14

AT HOM E

Each year, electrical malfunctions account for thousands of home fires, injuries, death and property damage. The average American home was built in 1977, and many existing homes simply can’t handle the demands of today’s electrical appliances and devices. Keep safety in mind with these helpful tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International.

Learn the warning signs of an overloaded electrical system: • Frequent tripping of circuit breakers or blowing of fuses • Dimming of lights when other devices are turned on • Buzzing sound from switches or outlets • Discolored outlets • Appliances that seem underpowered How to avoid overloading circuits: • Label your circuit breakers to understand the different circuits in your home • Have your home inspected by a qualified electrician if older than 40 years or if you’ve had a major appliance installed • Have a qualified electrician install new circuits for high energy use devices • Reduce your electrical load by using energy efficient appliances and lighting

Working from home? Follow these electrical safety tips to keep you and your home safe from electrical hazards: • Avoid overloading outlets • Unplug appliances when not in use to save energy and minimize the risk of shock or fire • Regularly inspect electrical cords and extension cords for damage • Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis • Never plug a space heater or fan into an extension cord or power strip • Never run cords under rugs, carpets, doors or windows • Make sure cords do not become tripping hazards • Keep papers and other potential combustibles at least three feet away from heat sources • Make sure you use proper wattage for lamps and lighting • Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Test them monthly, change batteries annually and replace the unit every 10 years Source: Electrical Safety Foundation International

JUNE 2020 | TODAY 15

by Bonnie A. Coblentz Mississippi does not have to deal with plagues of locusts like those ravaging other parts of the world, but it does have to contend with a stinging caterpillar that is on the increase this spring.

Currently, a plague of desert locusts is presenting an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihood in East Africa, Southwest Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, according to Locust Watch, an arm of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Blake Layton, entomologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said Mississippians face no similar threat to life and food supply from insects, but they do struggle with a large number of pests, including a stinging insect larva known as the Buck moth caterpillar.

Layton said Mississippi actually is home to a grasshopper that belongs to the same genus as the desert locust, but it never reaches high populations or triggers migratory or plague behavior.

“We used to have the Rocky Mountain Locust in the western U.S. that sometimes occurred in plague numbers, but it has gone extinct,” Layton said. “It is still possible to collect specimens — or at least pieces and parts — from the melting faces of Wyoming glaciers.”

While the Buck moth caterpillar isn’t a pest of Biblical proportions, it can cause painful stings to unwary Mississippians.

These caterpillars are active along Interstate 20 and are expected to move northward through April and into May, Layton said.

“These are native insects, but populations are more numerous some years than others,” Layton said. “At this point, it is difficult to say if this is an outbreak year, but I have received a few more inquiries than usual. Of course, it is still possible to get stung even in low or normal population years, especially if one does not realize these caterpillars can sting.”

Buck moth caterpillars are usually seen as purplish-black, spine-covered grubs that are about 2 inches long.

16 TODAY | JUNE 2020

“They look like they can sting, and they can,” Layton said.

“Close skin contact with Buck moth caterpillars results in painful stings. I have met several people who had roughly caterpillar-shaped scars from encounters with these caterpillars.

“Such stings usually occur when someone inadvertently sits on a caterpillar while wearing shorts, rests a forearm on one or has one crawl down their collar,” he said.

Fortunately for Mississippians, these caterpillars have only one generation per year, and they are only active for two to three weeks.

Oak trees, particularly live oaks, are the primary host of the Buck moth caterpillar. Although they are rarely numerous enough to cause serious defoliation, landscapes with large numbers of oaks tend to have the most caterpillars.

Like many tree-dwelling caterpillars, Layton said, these insects leave the tree and wander over the ground when they are ready to pupate.

“This is called the wandering phase, and it is when most sting events occur,” Layton said. “Wandering caterpillars sometimes form a follow-the-leader type processionary line as they make their way to the ground.”

Insecticide sprays are not usually very practical or effective against large, wandering caterpillars. The best defense is to simply be aware of the caterpillar’s presence and avoid close contact.

Layton said forest tent caterpillars and fall armyworms are other examples of caterpillar pests whose numbers in Mississippi vary from year to year.

For more information on caterpillars or other insect pests in the home landscape, visit http://extension.msstate.edu/lawnand-garden/insects-ornamental-plants at the MSU Extension web site.

Bonnie A. Coblentz is a writer and editor at the MSU Extension Service.

WE ARE PREPARED FOR

SUMMER

STORMS Summer is here and although COVID-19 has made the summer months look a little different this year, it still is a time that brings severe storms and hurricane season.

In the event of a power outage, you can trust that Mississippi’s electric cooperatives are ready to respond.

The major cause of most power outages comes from damage to power lines due to falling trees and branches.

We work year round – through right-of-way clearing – to ensure power lines in our service territory stand little risk of being damaged by trees, branches or other types of vegetation.

Despite our best efforts, during major storms, damage can occur to transmission lines, substations and distribution power lines. When this happens, our first priority is to safely restore power to as many members as possible in the shortest amount of time.

We start by mobilizing our line crews and other critical staff. Every phone line available is utilized to take your outage report calls. When electrical lines, which serve tens of thousands of people, are damaged at the transmission level, it can affect the time it takes to restore power locally; but this does not stop our line workers from going out to assess and repair damage in our local communities immediately.

Co-op crews inspect substations to determine if the problem starts there, or if there could be an issue down the line. If the root of the problem is at the substation, power can be restored to thousands of members.

Next, line crews check the service lines that deliver power into neighborhoods and communities. Line crews repair the damaged lines, restoring power to hundreds of people. If you continue to experience an outage, there may be damage to the line leading to your home or business. Make sure you notify your co-op, so crews can inspect these lines.

keeping you

SAFE

DURING AND AFTER

SUMMER STORMS No one knows electrical safety better than the experts who practice it every single day. Mississippi’s electric cooperatives encourage you to practice safety with these reminders – for during and after a summer storm:

AVOID WIRES AND WATER When lightning strikes a home during a storm, the electrical charge can surge through pipes and utility wires.

That means you can get zapped if you’re touching water or any device that’s plugged in, whether it’s a landline phone or toaster.

SKIP THE MAKESHIFT SHELTER During a storm, it’s tempting to take cover under a picnic gazebo or golf cart, but in open-sided structures with no conductors to channel strikes, a bolt’s path of least resistance to the ground could be you. On top of that, these structures raise your risk of a lightning strike because of their height. Keep moving toward suitable shelter.

PORTABLE GENERATORS Take special care with portable generators, which can provide a good source of power, but if improperly installed or operated, can become deadly. Do not connect generators directly to household wiring. Power from generators can back-feed along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including co-op line workers making repairs. It’s best to hire a qualified, licensed electrician to install your generator and ensure that it meets local electrical codes.

FLOODED AREAS Stay away from downed power lines and avoid walking through flooded areas. Power lines could be submerged and still live with electricity. Report any downed lines you see by calling your co-op immediately.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Never use electrical equipment that is wet – especially outdoor electrical equipment, which could be a potential danger after a summer storm. Water can damage electrical equipment and parts, posing a shock or fire hazard.

We will do our best to avoid power outages, but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans.

JUNE 2020 | TODAY 17

18 TODAY | JUNE 2020

photo by Marianne Todd

MI S S I S S I PPI ’ S

OLDE ST RE STAURANT

150 YEARS OF

by Steven Ward The year 1870 is notable for a few markers in American history: John D. Rockefeller incorporated Standard Oil Company, The National Weather Service issued its first weather forecast and construction began on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City.

Down in Mississippi, a Swiss chef on a transatlantic steamship decided to put down roots in Meridian by opening a restaurant in the Union Hotel.

That chef was Felix Weidmann and that restaurant, Weidmann’s, is still open in Meridian and remains the oldest operating restaurant in the Magnolia State.

Although Weidmann’s has had various owners throughout the years and switched locations to its current downtown spot on 22nd Avenue in 1923, the restaurant remains a popular business as well as a touchstone of the past for residents of Meridian and the state.

Past employees and customers of the restaurant have witnessed momentous events in history: two world wars, the Great Depression and the 2001 attacks of 9/11.

Today, Weidmann’s is experiencing another moment in American history that will seemingly change everything — COVID-19.

Current owner Charles Frazier said he’s doing what he can to adapt to the new, restrictive conditions dictated by the virus.

“COVID-19 has certainly brought some challenges to the restaurant industry,” Frazier said. “We have transitioned to all curbside and delivery, and this has meant that we have had to do some menu redesign and add new items that are more conducive to curbside and delivery service.”

The restaurant now has an increased presence on social media and also sends out an email twice weekly to their 15,000 email subscribers.

JUNE 2020 | TODAY 19

they are restaurants, retail or service.”

Frazier moved from New Orleans to Meridian in 2005 “Charles Frazier’s commitment to ensuring a great meal after Hurricane Katrina. for his patrons, a pleasant atmosphere to enjoy friends “I was managing a restaurant in the French Quarter and and family and his top notch customer service continue we closed due to the uncertainty after the storm,” Frazier to amaze me. He is not only dedicated to Weidmann’s said. “This, coupled with about 8 feet of water in our house, but to the community he calls home,” said Randy Carroll, precipitated our move. My brother in law had an interest in CEO, East Mississippi Electric Power Association. the Crescent City Grill located in Meridian and so I accepted Emmy-winning actress Sela Ward, a Meridian native, a ‘temporary’ position with the company while New Orleans has been going to Weidmann’s her entire life. sorted out the rebuilding process after the storm.”

Ward, who said she is passionate about the historical Uncertainty in the restaurant business is something preservation of her hometown’s Frazier has some experience with. past, said she’s happy Weidmann’s “People have mentioned the is still around and thriving. hurricane in relation to what’s “It’s the first place I would go to happening now with COVID-19.

It’s a mainstay. It’s part of a rich whenever I came home,” Ward said.

But it’s different,” he said. tradition that has always had a “It’s a mainstay. It’s part of a rich “I think that comparison has way of wrapping its arms around tradition that has always had a way come up a lot over the past six of wrapping its arms around me and weeks,” he continued. “Katrina me and the community. the community. I think it’s that kind was different because we knew of history and our memories of that the end point of the trauma, and kind of place that’s crucial to our then we could focus on the resouls.” build. COVID-19 has no clearly deWard, who was one of more than fined conclusion, nor do we have 50 investors in the restaurant in a roadmap for a rebuild. We are 1999, said she has a bittersweet anticipating new mandated safety connection to Weidmann’s. She measures, as well as changes in wanted to “preserve and keep the the expectations of our guests, great lady intact” but said all the but it is difficult to predict what investors back then were not on the those changes will be and how to same page in terms of specific goals make the adjustments.” of preservation.

Frazier takes some solace in the “Somebody asked me once, ‘Why longevity of Weidmann’s. do you care so much?’ I think we “The restaurant has seen a lot all need a guidepost from the past of adversity over the years and to the present,” Ward said.

I think that the community has Ward said the multi-investor supported it before and will do turmoil predated the arrival of so again,” Frazier said. “It’s very Frazier, who started running the important that we as a commurestaurant in 2010 and eventually nity support all of our localbought out the investors. ly-owned businesses — whether

20 TODAY | JUNE 2020

“I’m thrilled with Charles,” she said.

“He is why it’s successful today. He’s done such a great job. He has definitely helped keep the spirit of the original Weidmann’s alive today.”

Part of that spirit is the look of the restaurant including the vast collection of photographs of celebrities, employees and local guests. Another part is the modified menu which still includes one of the restaurant’s most famous dishes — Black Bottom Pie. And then there’s the peanut butter Sela Ward crocks.

Each table is set with a handmade peanut butter crock and assortment of crackers. The tradition dates back to the 1940s, when, legend has it, there was a shortage of butter due to World War II, according to Weidmann’s website.

A guest told then-owner Henry Weidmann that peanut butter would be a good substitute. He found a potter from Louisville to make the crocks. Today, a local Meridian potter makes the crocks by hand and the restaurant will sell the crocks to customers.

When asked if she’s worried about the future of

Weidmann’s due to COVID-19, Ward said the restaurant will be fine.

“This too shall pass,” she said. “People will be able to come back. Even though it won’t be exactly the same, there are those connections — the name, the sign, the location. Those will always be important connections for people.”

Frazier said, “The longevity of Weidmann’s does provide inspiration and a certain amount of obligation to the community to see it survive and thrive in the future. I think the future of Weidmann’s will be to carefully balance our history and legacy with the new normal of social distancing, healthy menu options and increased sanitation. I certainly feel like we are getting closer to opening up our dining rooms and bars, although I believe it will be an incremental process.”

The hope and plan is that Weidmann’s will be in Meridian for a long time to come.

“When we took over the restaurant, we understood that we are merely stewards of this establishment — it was here 100 years before I was born and will hopefully be here 100 more after I am gone.”

JUNE 2020 | TODAY 21

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grin ‘n’ bare it

by Chef Andy Chapman Ever since the first salad was prepared in the Garden of Eden, I imagine that folks have been asking the same question about what dressing they might want on the salad. I never realized how great a simple dressing could be and how easy it was to tweak it to fit any set of taste buds until a couple of years ago. That’s when I started to get the hang of this whole homemade salad dressing thing — and it’s good timing since salad greens are a healthy, nutrient dense and seasonally abundant produce right now.

A childhood memory of my late grandmother is of her pulling a plastic Tupperware out of the fridge and shaking the fool out of it before she’d pour the goodness onto her salad. I didn’t care for her oil and vinegar dressing as a young kid, but over the years I’ve had variations of that recipe that I’m crazy about.

Before we get started with the recipe, I want to remind you that ANY recipe — no matter how simple it is — is only as good as the ingredients with which you start. To that point, I got much more fond of vinaigrettes when I started using pecan oil, instead of (what to me) seemed bitter and harsh tasting grocery store olive oil. Now, there’s a thousand different olive oils, and I do like many of them, but the cheapest version at the grocery store wasn’t really my thing, and I bet you’ll upgrade, too, when you taste the difference.

The other side of the vinaigrette equation is the acid side, which for me is usually apple cider vinegar, but it can occasionally be a nice balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar.

Instead of giving you exact specifications of what to do, I’m going to show you the whole playbook of how I’ve been making dressing for the past few years and how to tweak it so you’ll have success no matter what ingredients you have 22 TODAY | JUNE 2020

stocked in your cabinet.

The basic premise is about a 1:3 ratio of vinegar to oil, but then there’s all of the variations of different oils, different vinegars and special additions that make a dressing especially yours. Do you like spicy? Do you like sweet? Do you like both? With this guide, you’ll be able to make the perfect salad dressing for any palate you have to feed.

To get started, identify: 1. What’s in your pantry? 2. What’s pleasing to your palate?

You may have an olive oil you like, or if you’re like me, maybe the flavor of some grocery store olive oil has been turning you off to salads altogether. Don’t give up! I personally love pecan oil, and when I was introduced to it a couple of years ago I’ve never looked back. It’s light, smooth, and has so many versatile characteristics. But you can use any oil you like. Grape seed, avocado, canola, olive — whatever you have on hand — remember rule No. 1.

What’s in your pantry? Use that.

Vinegar or an acid is your second component. Options here include citrus juice like lemon or lime or even fresh orange or grapefruit. Or you can use a flavored vinegar that’s hiding in your cabinet like apple cider vinegar, balsamic, white wine or champagne vinegar.

When you mix the oil and acid, I start by adding about 3 tablespoons of oil to 1 tablespoon of acid to a bowl or jar that I can seal (and shake). This is the base layer. Next, I add a big pinch of salt and pepper, particularly, I recommend kosher salt and fresh ground coarse black pepper, if you have it. It makes a difference. This mixture alone whisked briskly or shaken in a jar until it blends is a fine salad dressing in its own right. But, really, the fun is just getting started.

ANDY’S HEALTHY SUMMER SALAD INGREDIENTS Bag of fresh salad greens Cherry tomatoes 4-5 garlic cloves 1 shallot 1⁄3 cup Pecan oil* 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper 1 tablespoon Asiago or hard aged cheese

Now, it’s time to add an “accent” or three and let your creativity run wild. If it’s a sweet balance you’re after, I like to sweeten my dressing just a tad with a spoon full of pepper jelly or fruit sweet preserves. You can also use honey or a pure cane syrup like Steen’s to give it a depth of flavor. Feel free to play with this flavor profile until it’s just like you want it. The good news is you can either add more vinegar or more sweet to balance it out if you don’t like it. If you like more spice, add spicy paprika or whisk in your favorite Cajun spice blend. Again, look for flavors you already love hiding in your pantry.

Bingo! You are now a salad dressing champion!

Cheers to a happy, healthy, homemade salad dressing-filled summer.

Serves 4

Mince garlic cloves and shallot. Mix them with pecan oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Whisk or shake well. Add cheese and mix. Pour dressing into the bottom of a salad bowl. Spin bowl so that the dressing is on the sides of the bowl, then add your greens and gently toss to coat the salad.

Garnish the salad with cherry tomatoes and more fresh cracked black pepper and serve immediately. *Andy recommends Pecan Ridge Plantation pecan oil (pecanridgeplantation.com) grown and pressed on a family farm in southwest Georgia.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Andy Chapman lives in Gulfport where he owns and operates EATYALL and their newest subsidiary, Find Family Farms, businesses that help farmers and food producers connect to chefs & consumers around the globe who are looking for better ingredients. Andy would love to hear how your salad turns out. Contact him at andy@eatyall.com or visit findfamilyfarms.com to learn more.

JOIN THE FARM CLUB TODAY Support family farms and get safe, healthy foods delivered to your door.

Discover a new way to buy groceries with our list of family food farms that will ship directly to you, plus enjoy member benefits like exclusive product discounts, virtual food demos, grilling & cooking classes, live Q&As with chefs & farmers and more.

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with Rebecca Turner

Picking blueberries is a summer tradition in Mississippi. It only takes a few well-established bushes to feed a household till they’re blue in the face. Some of my fondest June and July memories are walking barefoot out to the blueberry bushes late afternoon with an emptied ice-cream gallon bucket.

When the bushes are at peak, you can quickly harvest one to two gallons per hour, if you don’t get distracted by eating them straight off the branches. Mom would tell me, ‘don’t pick white, green, or berries with any hint of red; they haven’t ripened.’

You learn to keep an eye out for the concentrated clusters of plump, full-bodied berries. It is still memorizing to hold a bucket under a cluster with one hand and, with your other hand, gently rub the berries with your fingers and watch them cascade into your bucket.

Growing up, I didn’t appreciate the health benefits of berries. All I knew was they tasted sweet, and mom didn’t care how many I consumed. As a dietitian, I understand that their vibrant colors and protective skin make them nutrient powerhouses. Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and even cherries come packed with potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Berries of all kinds can

24 TODAY | JUNE 2020

help with blood sugar control, improve insulin response, and may lower cholesterol. The beneficial nutrients in berries help protect your mind and fight against cancer. You can get all the benefits of berries by consuming a cup of fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried, daily.

Although you can get berries year-round, take advantage of purchasing them fresh in season. If you don’t have a berry bush in your backyard, locate a pick-your-own farm in Mississippi. One trip, and you can have several gallons of fresh berries for immediate use and plenty to can or freeze.

Once picked, don’t place the berries in a closed bag or container. Leave the box open or spread berries on a towel to avoid moisture build-up. Once room temperature, chill berries to increase shelf life. Whether store-bought or picked fresh, store your fresh berries in the refrigerator once you get them home, without washing them. If refrigerated, fresh-picked berries will keep 10 to 14 days. Freeze unwashed berries in one layer deep in zip-top bags, for easy freezer stacking.

Remember, both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained right before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.

Instead of a straw, use a spoon to enjoy your favorite smoothies.

Eating smoothies in bowls allows for a thicker consistency and more interesting toppings.

SMOOTHIE BOWL INGREDIENTS 1 banana frozen 1 ½ cups frozen berries ½ to 1 cup Greek yogurt TOPPING INGREDIENTS Fresh blueberries Fresh strawberries sliced Old-fashioned oats Walnuts 1. Combine frozen banana, frozen berries, and yogurt in a blender. Puree until completely smooth — the mixture should be thick. Add a touch more liquid if necessary to get it to blend completely smooth.

2. Transfer to a bowl and add toppings as desired. Enjoy!

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.

Responding Is Safe

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Responding Is Easy

To complete the census, answer a handful of questions online, by phone, or by mail. Choose the option that works best for you.

Every Person Counts

Whether it’s funding in communities across your state or helping determine the number of seats your state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives—every count makes an equal impact.

For more information, visit:

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Trains make the old bridge mandatory.

The nearest railroad bridges are in Baton Rouge and Memphis.

there. (Turned out I was wrong, but Ninety years ago this year, for that’s another story.) the first time you could drive a Automobile traffic no longer uses car from the Atlantic to the Pathe old bridge. It could. The struccific across the Southern United The old Highway 80 Bridge at Vicksburg is 90 years old this year. The modern Interstate 20 Bridge is just beyond it. ture is still sound. But several years States without having to ferry ago, the bridge was closed while the approaches on both the east across a river. Because in April 1930, the U.S. 80 Bridge was and the west ends were repaired. It was never reopened. completed across the Mississippi River at Vicksburg — finishing a But the bridge is far from unused. There are railroad tracks next dry, connected roadway from Tybee Island, Georgia to San Diego, to the traffic lanes — tracks that are in constant use all day and all California. night. Those tracks have been in use for 90 years.

It was the only bridge across the Mississippi south of MemIt is still the only railroad bridge across the Mississippi River in phis at the time. Five years later, the Huey P. Long Bridge opened the state. in New Orleans. In 1940, the bridges at Greenville and Natchez One other thing I find interesting is the old bridge is moving opened. westward. There is a fault under the east bank of the Mississippi Before bridges you had to drive to the nearest ferry (there River at Vicksburg and the bedrock on which the bridge is built was a ferry at Vicksburg, but still…) and wait for it to finish its run has slipped toward Louisiana about 30 inches at the east end of across the river. Then you would unload on the other side, reload, the bridge over the 90 years of its existence. Not so much on the chug back across the river, dock and unload again before you west end. But fault and all, the old Highway 80 Bridge is solid and could get on.

But when they opened the Highway 80 Bridge, any time of the sound and ready to stand another 90 years. day or night, in only the amount of time it takes to drive a mile But hugging the guard rail while crossing it will scare the and a half, you were in Louisiana. It was a time machine. Well, a gajeebers out of you. time saving machine, at least.

The traffic lanes on the old bridge at Vicksburg are a little gamey. Both lanes together are only 18-feet wide. Ninety years ago, a nine-foot wide lane was plenty of room for a Model T. However, the first time I went over that bridge was in a Greyhound

by Walt Grayson bus taking me to Fort Polk, Louisiana for U.S. Army basic training.

As soon as we got on the bridge, the driver cut the wheels to the Walt Grayson is the host of “Mississippi Roads” on Mississippi Public Broadcasting right and hugged the guard rail all the way across to make room television and the author of two “Looking Around Mississippi” books and “Oh! That for traffic going in the opposite direction. Halfway over, I decided Reminds Me: More Mississippi Homegrown Stories.” He lives in Brandon and is a basic training would be a breeze if I survived long enough to get Central Electric member. Contact him at walt@waltgrayson.com.

JUNE 2020 | TODAY 27

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All offers require credit qualification, 2-Year commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. After 2 years, then-current everyday prices apply. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more. Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification. Fees apply for additional TVs: Hopper $15/mo., Joey $5/mo., Super Joey $10/mo. 1The 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.

Call Now! 1-855-908-9108 MENTION OFFER CODE “CARD100” TO RECEIVE A $ 100 GIFT CARD Courtesy of InfinityDISH with activation, certain conditions apply. Free $100 MasterCard Gift Card when you order a qualifying service (premium customer qualification only).

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GIFT FOR YOU

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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 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. 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.