Today in Mississippi July 2019 4-County

News for members of 4-County Electric Power Association

My Delicious Mississippi Life pages 5-6

Picture This: American Pride pages 8 -9

Mississippi Invitational Art Exhibit

Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)

pages 18 -19

pages 14 -16

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July 2019

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Did you know?

Did you know that the month of July was named for the historical Roman leader, Julius Caesar? In fact, he created the basis of the 365-day calendar model we now follow.

The month of July is a busy one for us all, with kids out of school, vacations and simply trying to beat the heat. We also have the privilege to observe a holiday that I know we are all passionate about – Independence Day – and I My Opinion hope you take a few moments Michael Callahan to see our American PrideExecutive Vice President/CEO inspired Picture This photo Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi contest display on pages 8-9.

These patriotic images, sent in by our readers, are extremely moving and inspiring.

And while we are in the spirit of honoring the month of July, did you know it is also National Watermelon Month? There’s a fun fact for you!

To change gears slightly, I have another question for you. Did you know that Today in Mississippi is the most widely circulated publication in the entire state?

That’s a pretty significant fact, right? We print and mail to more than 445,600 people in Mississippi, covering every corner of the state, every month.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to share

with you a special announcement about Today in Mississippi – in September, we will introduce a brand new look for the publication and will debut it as a high-end, full-color magazine. While the look will change, our commitment to you remains the same: to deliver a quality, family-friendly print publication filled with valuable and interesting content.

And thanks to the upcoming increase in page count that a magazine format will allow us, we will be able to share even more of the features that you have come to enjoy – including news from your electric cooperative, outdoor life, home and gardening tips, new recipes, travel destinations, events, columnists and highlights on many of the people and places that make Mississippi such a wonderful place to live and visit.

That big announcement brings me to my last question. Did you know that right now, in this month of July, your local electric cooperative and the statewide Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi are busy at work preparing Today in Mississippi to be the very best possible product for you, our valued readers?

On behalf of Mississippi’s network of electric cooperatives, always know that it is our collective goal to celebrate, with you, the exceptional offerings and lifestyle that make life in Mississippi so special.

Thank you for being a part of Today in Mississippi.

“Gulfport sunset,” Photo by Rickey McMillan, Today In Mississippi

Mississippi is...

Sunset

AT THE BEACH You can tell by the tranquility that you feel, when you are down in these Mississippi coastal towns!

Come and watch the colorful sunset for it is God’s awesome creation you bet!

Coming in SEPTEMBER...

On the cover Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary in Caledonia is a safe haven for domestic and exotic animals.

JOIN TODAY IN MISSISSIPPI

ON FACEBOOK Visit us online at www.todayinmississippi.com

Today in Mississippi OFFICERS Randy Smith - President Keith Hayward - First Vice President Kevin Bonds - Second Vice President Eddie Howard - Secretary/Treasurer EDITORIAL STAFF Michael Callahan - CEO Ron Stewart - Sr. VP, Communications Sandra Buckley - Editor Mark Bridges - Manager, Support Services Elissa Fulton - Communications Specialist Rickey McMillan - Graphics Specialist Kevin Wood - Graphics Specialist Chris Alexander - Administrative Assistant

Vol. 72 No. 7 EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING • 601-605-8600 Acceptance of advertising by Today in Mississippi does not imply endorsement of the advertised product or services by the publisher or Mississippi’s electric power associations. Product satisfaction and delivery responsibility lie solely with the advertiser. The publisher (and/or its agent) reserves the right to refuse or edit all advertising.

• National advertising representative: American MainStreet Publications 800-626-1181 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300 Circulation of this issue: 463,364

The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Today in Mississippi is brought to you by your member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative to inform you about your cooperative and its various services, including wise energy use. If you are not a member of a subscribing cooperative, you can purchase a subscription for $9.50 per year.

Today in Mississippi (ISSN 1052-2433) is published 11 times a year (Jan.-Nov.) 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.

By the shore, kick your shoes, and listen to the whispering waves swoosh!

Sit back and relax, cold drinks in your hand.

Raw oysters in half shell makes you re-demand.

—Ingrid Sly, Saucier Coast Electric member

What’s Mississippi to you?

What do you treasure most about life in our state?

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

Please keep your comments brief.

Submissions are subject to editing for length and clarity.

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July 2019

Memorial Day Memories On many past Memorial Days, Mr. Roy grilled out and we had a picnic of sorts. Some of those times included family and friends; but some, like this one, were just the two of us. Before we started to eat our meal, Mr. Roy gave our prayer of blessing and thanks. Then he said, “I wonder how many people today really stop and think about the purpose of this holiday? So many young men and women have given their lives so that Grin ‘n’ we can enjoy the Bare It freedoms of this

by Kay Grafe great country. I am always amazed when I think about common people performing uncommon acts of valor during combat, even to the point of sacrificing their lives.”

I remarked, “Yes, and I know you are remembering your friend, Roscoe Woodard.” Mr. Roy said, “Yes, it’s just something that I have to do. Roscoe and I played football together and graduated from high school in the same class. He was a great guy. I can still remember during games he would come back to the huddle with a big grin on his face, which meant he was whipping the opposing guard in front of him. Whatever he did, he put his whole heart into it.”

I said, “I know that after high school he joined the Marines and was killed in Korea because I went with a friend to his funeral. In fact, my friend Carol Lynn Wilson played taps. Give me the details again to refresh my memory.” Mr. Roy said, “We graduated from high school in April 1951. The Korean War had started in 1950, so it was raging by this time and most young men were faced with being drafted or joining the service of their choice. I remember in September 1951, I was at football practice at Perkinston Junior College along with my friend, Johnny Tipton. Roscoe came to visit us and to say goodbye as he headed to basic training. I believe that he probably got to Korea in early-to-mid 1952. I never saw him again.

“The best information the Woodard family received about Roscoe’s last days came from a Navy Corpsman who knew

him during this time. His name was Billy Penn. Billy arrived in Korea in February 1953 and was assigned to Roscoe’s company. He soon met Roscoe and described their time together as follows: ‘Roscoe and I had long talks about home. He was from Lucedale, and I was from McComb. We talked about family and the corp.

‘On a patrol, I was ambushed on the way back. I had one casualty that I was dragging back when I ran into some enemies. I hid in a ditch with the casualty for a long time. After the enemy left, I heard Roscoe calling for me, he had come back for us. Thank God for Roscoe. Roscoe already had two Purple Hearts, and the last time he had been in a Navy hospital for three months. He was given the choice of going home or back to his comrades.

He refused the opportunity to go home and returned to combat.

‘One afternoon we got word that a corpsman was needed at the front, and I volunteered to go. I knew that Roscoe was already out there as a machine gunner.

There were several thousand enemies attacking. The fighting became fierce and soon turned into hand-to-hand combat.

The last time I saw Roscoe, he was standing outside a machine gun bunker, swinging his M2 rifle like a baseball bat, still trying to kill the enemy. I was wounded and captured and never saw Roscoe again.’”

Mr. Roy added, “Billy Penn spent the last four months of the war as a prisoner, tortured mentally and physically. The Korean War ended in July 1953, and Billy returned home. He attended Louisiana State University as a pre-med student and then graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He later became an OB-GYN and practiced for many years in Baton Rouge.

Roscoe Woodard was only 20 years old when he was killed. His sacrifice is just one of thousands made throughout the history of this great country by courageous young American men and women.”

For more information about Dr. Penn’s experiences and the Korean War, read his “Agony and Redemption” account online at www.koreanwaronline.com.

Kay Grafe is the author of “Oh My Gosh, Virginia.” To order, send name, address, phone number and $16.95, plus $3.50 S&H, to Kay Grafe, 2142 Fig Farm Road, Lucedale, MS 39452.

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July 2019

My Delicious Mississippi

Life

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cook and then started to creatively share her new hobby with others on social media. From there, she launched a successful social media and local television brand called “Cooking with Honey and Friends.” That led to her six-year career hosting Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s “Deep South Dining” program, which ranked No. 1 in the state for local programming last year. Her latest venture is the debut of her cookbook and memoire, “My Delicious Mississippi Life.”

“There are so many wonderful memories that lie between the pages of this cookbook,” she said, noting that one of those is Mama Genary’s Homemade Chocolate Cake recipe from her grandmother, Genary Edwards Hunter. “She was such a graceful woman with the warmest heart you could ever find. Whenever I saw her, she would give me the biggest hug. I could feel the love and joy coming from the heart.”

The book also shares treasured quotes from her other grandmother, Daisy Bell Morris. One is, “Be willing to speak before you are spoken to, and always speak with kindness. And, if nobody speaks back still, it’s ok; they heard your kindness.”

“Her wisdom was very simple, never complicated; and when she spoke, it was in a tone that made you want to listen and remember everything she was saying,” Deborah said. “Without a doubt, I know it’s that wisdom and the kindness of her voice that carries me every day of my life, especially when things are a little difficult.”

For Deborah, “My Delicious Mississippi Life” is more than an opportunity to share special recipes and her life’s story – it is also intended to encourage others to follow their dreams and inspire adventures both in and out of the kitchen.

“We seem to always be in a hurry, but my one prayer for the readers, which I hope echoes from my heart and the pages of this cookbook, is that people would absolutely find some time to slow down a little. My hope is that they create a space for a delicious meal and to indulge themselves in the most wonderful conversation to better take care of themselves, their families and friends,” she said. “Because at the end of the day, it is those kinds of delicious moments and memories that will matter the most. It is what will make a life worth living!”

By turning heartache into healing, Deborah continues to bring life to her three passions – Southern hospitality, Mississippi and cooking – thanks to Ephesians 3:20 and that one simple prayer. “I hope to always be that curious little girl, in the presence of God, discovering something new everyday about myself,” she said, “and that somehow, my life and love will be a testimony to others that faith, a little prayer and determination truly will take you on the most amazing life adventures.”

To purchase the cookbook, in print or eBook, visit www.amazon.com.

Search Cooking-With-Honey-and-Friends on Facebook for more information.

(Recipes continued on page 6 )

By Sandra M. Buckley There are three things that Deborah Hunter of Ridgeland is especially passionate about: Southern hospitality, Mississippi and cooking.

“Southern hospitality is so much more than a slogan, it’s a wonderful way of life,” said Deborah, whose nickname has been Honey since childhood. “Mississippi is the place you really can pull up a chair, make yourself right at home and enjoy some of the best people, food and entertainment in the world while you’re at it!”

As far as cooking, that passion did not take root until she was an adult. It came after she experienced a personal tragedy, the loss of her brother, which shook her comfortable, content life. One day while standing in her gourmet kitchen, deep in grief and trying to make sense of her pain, she was struck with the thought that she didn’t use or appreciate her beautiful kitchen. In that moment, the Bible verse, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think,” Ephesians 3:20, came to her. And in a blend of sorrow and faith, she uttered this prayer: “Dear Lord, please teach me how to cook.”

Not understanding at that time the incredible chain of events that would soon follow, Deborah, at age 45, began a journey that she would have never dreamed – and it started with baking her very first cake. She dove headfirst into learning to

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Honey’s Watermelon Salad 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons honey 2 cups chilled watermelon, sliced 1 ⁄2 cup fresh mint and basil, chopped and mixed 1 ⁄2 cup pecans halved 1 ⁄3 cup feta or goat cheese Dash of coarse sea salt In a small cup, stir lemon juice and honey; set aside. Place watermelon in a large bowl, drizzle with lemon honey mixture and lightly toss. Toss in herbs, pecans and cheese.

Plate, add a dash of salt and serve.

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Mama Genary’s Homemade Chocolate Cake Frosting: 1 stick of butter, room temperature 3 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 teaspoon cold-brewed coffee Cake: 3 cups all purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1 ⁄2 cup unsweetened baking chocolate 11⁄2 teaspoon baking soda 11⁄2 teaspoon salt 1 ⁄3 cup vegetable oil 1 ⁄3 cup softened butter 2 teaspoons vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring 1 cup cold-brewed coffee 1 cup whipped cream (Will need two 9-inch round cake pans)

Honey’s Homemade Onion Garlic Biscuits 21⁄4 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 1 stick cold butter, cut into pieces 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 tablespoons green onion, chopped 2 ⁄3 cup buttermilk Milk, butter Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, add all dry ingredients and mix well using fingers. Pinch together the flour mixture into the mayonnaise and the butter, until you have pea-like crumbs. Using fingers, add in garlic and onions.

Add buttermilk and stir, forming a ball of dough. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface, kneading and folding several times, without folding the dough too tightly. Cut dough into biscuits, using a biscuit knife, glass or tin can. Place the biscuits an inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. In a small cup, add ½ tablespoon of milk to 1½ tablespoons of melted butter and brush on a small amount of the mixture. Allow the biscuits to set for 10 minutes. Then place in the oven, adjust the temperature to 425 degrees and bake 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Note: Green onions and garlic can be replaced with ingredients such as pecans, cooked bacon, cheddar cheese or cranberries.

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Frosting: In a large bowl, whip butter until creamy; fold in powdered sugar, vanilla and salt. Set aside. Fill a medium skillet less than halfway full with water, allowing it to lightly simmer (do not bring to a boil). Pour chocolate chips into a saucepan; place saucepan into the skillet. With a rubber spatula, stir chocolate until melted; remove from heat and lightly cool. Pour the chocolate into the butter mixture and blend well. Place mixture in the refrigerator and cool for 20-30 minutes before icing the cake. Fold icing with a large wooden spoon or hand mixer.

Cake: In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, chocolate, baking soda and salt; sift together and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix together oil, butter, vinegar and vanilla. Stir in coffee and whipped cream and mix together well. Pour oil mixture into flour mixture, beating well for 1-2 minutes; immediately pour into cake pans that are lightly oiled and floured. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and the cake is slightly firm to the touch. Allow cake to cool completely. Remove from the pan to a cooling rack or plate. Frost the top layer of one cake, place the second layer on top of the first, and frost entire cake.

July 2019

July

outdoor opportunities

Sunrises are spectacular, even in the heat and humidity of July. Photo by Tony Kinton.

So, what can we do outside during July in Mississippi? The dedicated water

by Tony Kinton enthusiasts will say there are a great many opportunities. In fact, this is likely the ideal month for watercraft of various persuasions. Pontoon boats will be about, perhaps with a grill and burgers aboard. There will be speed boats, a skier or tuber in tow. And jet skies are a near certainty. July’s heat and humidity are insignificant players in these games.

But there are some who shudder and wrinkle their brows at that question opening this treatise. That heat and humidity just mentioned are cause for concern among those, virtually removing July from any consideration apart from air conditioning. Yet, there are outside things to do in July that are somewhat palatable.

There is fishing. Not that regimen which requires one to be on the lake beneath sunshine’s fury, but that which is somewhat more agreeable. Specifically, fishing can be reserved for early mornings. These, even in July,

Outdoors Today

can be rather pleasant. Mist rising from the water; daylight gently peeking above the horizon; shade still unhindered by an overhead sun. Those early hours of a new day can be delightful. And a cane pole pulling bluegills from a pond or quiet stream can fill a duet of hours with grandiosity.

And there is camping. We do occasionally camp during hot weather, but such activity takes place while employing a camping trailer with an AC. Oh, I love tents; always have. But their use these days is only for cool weather. No winter camp possesses more mystery and romance than does one with a big canvas unit as its centerpiece, a pipe puffing wisps of wood smoke from the inside stove which keeps the tent cozy warm and free of moisture.

A favorite activity of many outdoors types is hiking, and this doesn’t have to be a protracted ordeal consisting of all-day, many-miles excursions. My top choice is a hike simply around the yard or on an agreeable neighbor’s holding, these all done, if possible, shortly after sunrise. There is a great deal to experience during

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these brief sojourns.

The first is that sunrise itself. It is glorious. A new day, at least when the weather is peaceful, is gentle, inviting, appealing. Fog becomes rays of light emanating in treetops and drifting downward to a leaf floor. The world comes alive. Squirrels shake water droplets from overhead limbs. Birds call and scurry and flutter from one locale to the next. A doe, maybe with her spotted newborns, may filter across a path or woods road. It is all quite marvelous.

And referencing those birds, they are too good to miss. My top pick of woods birdlife is the Pileated Woodpecker. My dad always called them Indian Hens, and I firmly recall the first he ever pointed out to me. We were squirrel hunting in the Pearl River swamp when our ears were assaulted by a raucous and unnerving cry. My eyes widened when we heard it, and he simply said in a hushed voice, “Indian Hen.” I saw it then, flitting from a tree trunk in an up-anddown flight pattern before alighting on another truck. I was mystified. Still am. I love the call of a Pileated Woodpecker, and that early-morning hiker is likely to hear and/or see one in wooded terrain.

My next in the line of favorites is the yellow-billed cuckoo. A secretive bird I grew up knowing as a rain crow, this one is difficult to see. But its call is not difficult to hear. It is often a clicking sound that paints an aural picture of two aka two aka ka kow kow kow.

Beautiful, wild, haunting. And that call will often precede a coming rain or storm. That’s why, I suppose, it got that name rain crow. If you actually see the bird, you are fortunate.

More fortunate still you will be to hear that most treasured of all, at least among some, the quail. Its melodious “Bob White,” with a crescendo and accent on the “t” of “White,” is far too rare in recent years.

Once a common sound across the countryside, numbers have dwindled. However, it appears there is some increase, and I hope this is true. I was thrilled to that call in my youth and even more so today.

If you opt for outside activity in July, a warning is in order. There are nasties out there. Ticks, chiggers, wasps, mosquitoes, poison oak and ivy and snakes.

Treat clothes, even skin if this is tolerated, against biting insects. Snakes, feared by most but not nearly the threat they are perceived to be, choose to avoid a hiker as much or more than a hiker chooses to avoid the snakes. Be aware but not paranoid. Give them a wide berth and go about your business; allow them to do the same. And always check clothes and body for ticks upon your return. These pesky rascals can be truly dangerous.

July is hot and miserable. But it can also be welcoming when the participant plans wisely.

Get outside as you can. The rewards are many.

Tony Kinton has been an active outdoors writer for 30 years.

His latest book is “Rambling Through Pleasant Memories.”

Visit www.tonykinton.com for more information.

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# AMERICAN PRIDE I

Today in Mississippi I July 2019

“Picture This”

“Happy birthday, America” This is a portion of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force deployed in Iraq. My son, Cpl. Jeremiah Burns, is the first “A.” I am a proud mom of my marine and proud of all of our military – past, present and future – for serving this country. By Pam Burns, Carrollton; Delta EPA member.

1. Sydney, the cat, accepted the opportunity to be patriotic. Had so much fun taking this picture! By Jean Cannon, Pachuta; Southern Pine Electric member.

2. “Stars, stripes and silkmoths” By Patti O'Neal-Cornwell, Vancleave; Singing River Electric member.

3. Every 4th of July, we get as many of the children as we can decked-out in their patriotic attire on the banks of beautiful Lake Washington. It’s like herding cats! By BJ Nichols, Glen Allan; Twin County EPA member.

4. Retired Sgt. Dana Bowman (U.S. Army) parachuted onto the Fallen Oak Golf Course in Saucier to deliver the American Flag at the opening of a recent PGA golf tournament.

By Ron T. Obranovich, Ocean Springs; Singing River Electric member.

5. Baylor Baugh showing his “American Pride.” Our children should be taught at an early age to honor our flag and our country; and more importantly, to honor all those who have fought and served to win our independence and to protect the freedoms we enjoy and to love our great nation. By Jennifer Thompson, Morton; Southern Pine Electric member.

6. Luke Upchurch sitting on his PawPaw’s John Deere tractor that is decorated with the American flag. By Wendi Steadham, Central EPA member.

7. “Home of the brave.” This is my son’s training gear he used preparing for basic training. He and the other soldiers training to protect our great country is my definition of “American Pride.” By Beth Rolison Ethridge, Enterprise; East Mississippi EPA member.

8. “All American boy” My grandson, Case Bowlin. By Norma Bowlin, Summit; Magnolia Electric Power member.

9. “Put me in coach” What could be more American than a little league baseball game on a summer’s evening at the Dean Griner Baseball Park in Columbia? By Jon Stephenson, Foxworth; Pearl River Valley EPA member.

10. Oakley White, pictured with his dog, Pippa, chose a patriotic theme for his birthday.

By Leah White, Byhalia; Northcentral EPA member.

11. Celebrating the 4th of July at the Amite River in Liberty. By Janice Sterling, Liberty; Magnolia Electric Power member.

12. I painted this star on my gazebo; I love the red, white and blue. I love to decorate with “American Pride.” By Donna Ferguson, Hernando; Coahoma EPA member.

13. A ship docked at Ingalls Shipyard, West Bank – America's shipbuilders! By Debbie Scott, Singing River Electric member.

14. “Waveland” By Tammy Jones, Florence; Southern Pine Electric member.

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July 2019

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“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”

— J. Fitzgerald, VA

NEW Footrest Extension for even more head to toe support.

We’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie down in bed and sleep, whether it’s from heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – it could be a variety of reasons. Those are the nights we’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises feet and legs to precisely the desired level, supports the head and shoulders properly, operates easily even in the dead of night, and sends a hopeful sleeper right off to dreamland.

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Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! You get your choice of bonded stain and water repellent leather or plush microfiber in a variety of colors to fit any decor. Call now!

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July 2019

www.4county.org • 1-800-431-1544

Board of Directors John E. “Jay” Gilliland Jr., President • Mike Banks, Secretary/Treasurer • Ernest H. “Bud” Tumlinson

Johnny Johnson, Vice President Bill Bell • Kenneth Seitz • Marty Crowder

YOUR COOPERATIVE

By Brian Clark, CEO/General Manager

Unplug to be More Connected “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

Author Anne Lamott cleverly captures the benefits of unplugging in today’s device-driven, multi-tasking world. Keeping up with work, family and school activities or the latest trends on social media makes most of us feel compelled to constantly check our devices.

Summer is a great time to take a family vacation, but it’s also a good opportunity to unplug from our devices and enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends. Research has Brian Clark shown that we all need downtime after a busy day to recharge––even though we may resist it. Take a moment to slow down and enjoy some peaceful hours away from technology.

While you’re unplugging from your devices, take a look around your home to identify electronics that consume energy even when they are not in use (this is known as “vampire” energy loss). TVs, gaming consoles, phone chargers and computers are some of the biggest culprits.

If your summer plans include a staycation, take time to recharge your relationships and be more present with those you love. Stop by your local Farmer’s Market, enjoy a park, get involved in your church. Enjoy our beautiful surroundings with your family and friends.

Speaking of spending time outdoors, you can also enjoy energy savings by incorporating LED products and fixtures for outdoor use, such as pathway, step and porch lights. Many include features like automatic daylight shut-

off and motion sensors. You can also find solar-powered lighting for outdoor spaces.

Save energy by keeping warm summer air outside where it belongs. Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows. You can also employ a programmable thermostat to adjust the settings a few degrees higher when no one is home.

In our connected world, we have forgotten how to slow down. We multitask and text. We check email, then voicemail, then Facebook. Do yourself and your family a favor. Put down the device and smell the fresh air.

We can help you save money and energy by connecting you with our energy-saving programs and services. When you do plug back in, we’re just a call or click away.

And as we celebrate Independence Day this month, please take time to reflect on the freedoms and blessings we enjoy as Americans, as well as the sacrificices that have been made by so many so that we, at least for today, remain free. Democracy is not a spectator sport; it takes active civic engagement by citizens to thrive. This Independence Day, I hope you will embrace the local celebrations and actively participate in your community – and vote at every opportunity! Be safe! Happy 4th of July!

Coming in

SEPTEMBER...

We are excited to announce that the September issue of Today in Mississippi will have a new look. The state’s most widely circulated publication will transition to a magazine format. The publication's content will continue to reflect 4-County Electric Power Association’s pride in the communities we serve and our beautiful home state.

For more than 72 years, Today in Mississippi has been the primary resource to keep our cooperative members informed while also offering a unique blend of feature stories, columns, photo contests, recipes and more – all centered around life in Mississippi.

What will change? The new magazine format will reflect a highquality, colorful and sophisticated design.

By increasing to 32 pages, the additional space will allow us to deliver even more interesting and entertaining content along with dynamic photographs – and all in an easy-to-read layout. As we tran-

sition to the new format, we will also improve the online digital offerings of Today in Mississippi.

What will not change? Our commitment to our loyal readers. Since our beginning in 1948, we have listened to you – through phone calls, letters, emails and surveys – and can proudly say that our publication has been designed and inspired by our readers. We will continue to work hard to maintain the trust you have placed in us.

We look forward to sharing with you soon the fresh, new look of our publication and also a renewed commitment to delivering quality stories and familyfriendly content celebrating life in Mississippi. And, it continues to be our privilege to be your source for valuable information about your cooperative, new recipes, travel, events, gardening, outdoor life and so much more.

Thanks for being a Today in Mississippi reader.

Co-op Connections Card saves Since the Co-op Connections Card was unveiled in September 2011, 4-County members have saved over $722,239 on prescription drugs through May. Look here each month to see the savings total!

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Today in Mississippi I 12a

Book has roots in family

trees

By Brad Barr row crops, lumber, cattle and dairy cows. “Our family Benny Graves has deep roots in the rich soil of history mirrored what was going on in Mississippi at Choctaw County. the time, the way we utilized our land,” he added.

If you don’t believe it, just ask him. He has a tower- 4-County Electric Power Association played a key role ing story to tell, one tree at a time. in expanding their dairy business. “The advent of elecIn “Dancing with Trees: A Family Journal,” the tricity in this area definitely upgraded the lifestyle of first-time author tells the story of five generations of his my family,” he said. family’s toils and struggles, celebrations and milestones Pines, oaks, gums and cedars dot the landscape. The on a 120-acre plot of land in Ackerman. old Sweet Gum tree, for example, is inspiration for the The book, published March 15 by Sartoris Literary account of “Buster,” one of several tenant farmers who Group in Brandon, is a series of short stories rememworked their crops on the farm. Today, Buster’s shack bered against the backdrop of 28 ancient trees on the remains and so does the gum tree just next to it. “I family farm. “Every tree has witnessed something. never knew Buster. He was before me. But I always Every person has special memoheard stories about him as we ries associated with particular approached the Sweet Gum. He trees. I’m no different. I just and his wife lived in that 800 decided to sit down and write square-foot shack with 13 chilabout it.” dren,” Benny said.

Silent sentinels like the Big A lifelong resident of Oak were witness to the blood, Choctaw County, Benny is a sweat and tears invested in cargraduate of Mississippi State ing for the family farm. Older University (MSU), with a bachoak trees, Benny explained, were elor’s degree in plant pathology often spared when land was and a master’s degree in forest cleared for farming. The reason? pathology. He retired recently “I know every tree on the farm.

Shade from the blistering heat from the Mississippi Departof a Mississippi summer. The ment of Agriculture after 33 I realized that each tree had a Big Oak, 17 feet in circumferyears of service. Based at MSU, story to tell.” ence and over 100 feet tall, was Benny also worked as director a fine place to take a break. “I remember, as a boy, of the Sweet Potato Council. drinking Mason jar water with my father under that He and his wife of 35 years, Deanie, have two chiltree. He’d take a break from the tractor and we’d spend dren: Claire, who works in public policy for First Place some time under that big old tree,” he said. for Youth, a non-profit organization based in Jackson; Growing up, Benny said, the family farm was used for and Ellen, who works at MSU in the Agriculture Com-

munications department.

Benny was the only child in his immediate family who came back to the farm. He never really left, the self-taught naturalist explained. “I knew the ropes,” he said. “I could have gone to a larger city after college, but I felt like I could raise a family just as well back here. I wanted to raise my family in a small town.”

How did he become an author? In 2015, while they were walking around the farm, he and Deanie began noticing that Benny had special memories associated with each tree. “I know every tree on the farm. I realized that each tree had a story to tell.”

He spent four years writing and conducting research for the book. Deanie, a native of Crystal Springs and a graduate of Mississippi University for Women and Vanderbilt University, assisted with editing. “It’s been a fun process,” he said. In addition to writing the book, Benny took most of the photos.

People relate to trees, Benny said. They climbed them, took respite under them and harvested from them. “I respect them and what they provide,” he added.

The book has spent time as the No. 1 new release in Amazon’s Forest and Forestry category. Here’s an excerpt: “Sitting on a bucket, alone in the silent moonlight, I feel the beat of my heart. I see my breath rise in the cool evening air, and I realize I’m living and breathing exactly where I’m meant to be.”

And that, Benny explained, pretty much tells the story.

“Dancing with Trees: A Family Journal” can be found online at Amazon, Books a Million and Barnes and Noble.

For more information, go to Facebook and type in Dancing with Trees.

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July 2019

June 6 annual mee

Amanda Pippins of Columbus, bottom, is joined by 4-County CEO Brian Clark and board members as she receives the keys to the annual meeting grand prize, a retired 4-County fleet truck.

Some 500 members of 4-County Electric Power Association attended the cooperative’s annual membership meeting Thursday, June 6, at the East Mississippi Community College auditorium in Mayhew.

Those attending the event enjoyed a day full of food, fun, fellowship and information. Registration and a health fair for members began at 9 a.m. A catfish lunch with all the fixings for members began at 10:15 a.m. The business portion of the meeting began at noon.

Members viewed a variety of displays featuring 4-County programs, services and equipment.

4-County CEO Brian Clark said there was something for everyone at the meeting. “We provided our membership with good information, elected two directors and, of course, gave away some great door prizes – including a truck,” Clark said.

Held in conjunction with the annual meeting, the health fair provided members the opportunity to receive a variety of healthcare screenings.

In addition to the pre-meeting health fair, the business session included financial and management reports along with the election of two directors to the Association’s board of 4-County’s Brian Clark conducts his first directors. Two incumbent directors were reannual meeting as CEO June 6 at the Golden elected: Johnny Johnson of Columbus for Triangle East Mississippi Community District 1, Lowndes County; and Marty College lyceum.

Crowder of Ackerman for District 5, Choctaw and Winston counties. They will serve three-year terms.

Amanda Pippins of Columbus was the winner of the grand prize, a retired 4-County fleet truck. There were a variety of other attendee prizes.

July 2019

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Today in Mississippi

eting a day of fellowship and fun

4-County members took advantage of a variety of displays and presentations at the meeting. Retired veteran Buck Ray of Ackerman, above left, led the pledge of allegiance.

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Today in Mississippi

July 2019

Watts Happening This listing of area events is compiled from information provided by area chambers of commerce and visitors’ bureaus. The events listed are subject to change. Please call to confirm dates, times and additional details.

FRIDAY, JULY 5 Western Horizons (art by local artists) and a movie showing of Monte Walsh; Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. in Columbus; 5:30 p.m.; details, (662) 328-2787.

SATURDAY, JULY 6 End of the Trail Concert & Dinner with Shane Tubbs; Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. in Columbus; dinner, 6 p.m., concert 7 p.m.; details, (662) 328-2787.

Starkville Community Market; intersection of Lampkin and Russell Streets; 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.; details, (662) 323-3322.

things The more

change...

stthae y

The more they

MONDAY, JULY 8 Story hour with Mrs. Rainey; Starkville Public Library, 326 University Drive; 10 to 11 a.m.; details, (662) 323-2766.

TUESDAY, JULY 9 Summer Reading Ages 5-12; ColumbusLowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N.; 10 a.m.; continues each Tuesday through July; details, (662) 329-5300.

Harvey’s Celebrity Wait Night; 406 Hwy. 12 E. in Starkville; 5 to 9 p.m.; details, (662) 323-1669.

same

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 Camp Chick-fil-A; 701 Hwy. 12 E., in Starkville; 1:30 to 3 p.m.; details, (662) 3244460.

THURSDAY, JULY 18 Movie Night at the Library: Iron Giant; Starkville Public Library, 326 University Drive; 3 to 5 p.m.; details, (662) 323-2766.

Jazz Open Mic Night; Colvard Student Union, 198 Lee Blvd. on the campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville; 7 to 9 p.m.; details, (662) 323-3322.

FRIDAY, JULY 19 Lego Engineering at the Library; Starkville Public Library, 326 University Drive; 10 a.m. to Noon; details, (662) 323-2766.

Rain, sleet or snow! For 80 years, 4-County employees have done what it takes to keep em the liights on. Technology, equipment and training may have changed, but our commitment to serviice has not.

SATURDAY, JULY 27 10th Annual Dancing in the Park; McKee Park, 405 Lynn Lane in Starkville; details, (662) 323-3322.

MONDAY, JULY 29 Golden Triangle Alliance for Arts and Education Summer Camp; Academy of Performing Arts, 2133 N. Eshman Ave. in West Point; details, (662) 323-3322.

We are Powered by you ...the 4-County members!

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13

4-County continues rights of way management Keeping your lights on is “job one” at 4-County Electric Power Association. And when one tenth of all power outages can be traced to vegetation issues – trees, branches, etc. – maintaining a healthy right-of-way (ROW) is a key component of getting the job done.

4-County uses an integrated vegetation management program that incorporates several methods of ROW maintenance, including using mechanical methods.

4-County has hired Deviney Construction to begin mechanical rights-of- Hwy. 15 between Hwy. 12 way line clearance work in July. and Sherwood, Hwy. 9 Deviney will be working in areas to between Hwy. 12 and the include Hwy. 15 between Hwy. 12 and Natchez Trace and Sherwood, Hwy. 9 between Hwy. 12 intersecting roads and the Natchez Trace and intersecting between. roads between.

Workers with the company will be driving vehicles that have signs identifying them as 4-County contractors.

For more information about where the pruning will be taking place, please contact 4-County by calling 1-800-431-1544.

CAUTION

Morning light, morning bright for Dawkins Most mornings, Journeyman Lineman Derek Dawkins can be found jump-starting his day by reading scripture from the Holy Bible.

“It’s a great way to begin the day,” Derek said prior to joining his 4-County Electric Power Association crew for a venture in the field. “I appreciate a company that allows us to worship. Without prayer, nothing works.”

Derek relies on that divine intervention to take care of his work family and his home family.

“I enjoy spending time with my boys and teaching them what life is all about, how everything revolves around the Lord.

That’s my goal,” he explained.

A member of Tommy Reed’s Corporate Center crew, Derek lives in Starkville with his wife, Lena, and their sons, Clark, 9, and Luke, 5. They are members of Calvary Baptist Church in Macon.

The Dawkins clan lives on a 300-acre cattle farm, watched over by Jake, a jovial bloodhound who has a tendency to announce visitors in a most resounding way. “He’s a good house alarm and a good deer tracking dog, too,” Derek said.

Turkey hunting is actually his outdoor hobby of choice. Derek has hunted in Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee and Wisconsin. “I’m planning to go to Texas soon and anywhere else

that’s open to a Mississippi turkey hunter,” he said.

The family also spends much of its time on ball fields, fishing and spending time with other family members. They attend an annual wooden boat show each year at Pickwick Lake.

His wife’s grandfather restores and builds wooden boats.

Derek began his 4-County career March 2010. Prior to 4-County, he worked for the City of Macon as a lineman. The Noxubee County native has served on 4-County’s Activities Committee. His wife is in the midst of starting her own business venture, a wedding design/coordinator business.

Derek said his main focus in life is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. His favorite verse is Romans 10: 9-10: “That is you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

His faith drives him to do the best job possible at work, Derek said. “This job is not for everyone. People need us. I enjoy outage work, for example. People always come by and express their thanks. It gives you a surge,” he stressed. “I know about 80 percent of the people in Noxubee County.

They can count on us to get the lights on.”

From left: Ethan Sevier, Carrington Davis, Zachary Wilson and Ben Brown stopped for a photo in front of the North Lawn of the White House while touring the nation’s capital.

4-County leadership group tours D.C. Ethan Sevier of West Point, Carrington Davis and Zachary Wilson, both of Columbus and Ben Brown of Starkville, were among more than 1,800 high school students from across the country who participated in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour held June 15-21 in Washington, D.C. The 4-County Electric Power Association delegates traveled to Washington with a group of 77 other high school juniors from across Mississippi.

The Youth Tour is designed to offer students from across the nation the opportunity to meet their elected officials, watch government in action and tour historically significant sites, memorials and museums.

Highlights of the event included meeting with their elected representatives in the U.S. House and Senate to discuss the process of government and issues of the day, and learning more about electric cooperatives and American history.

The Youth Tour is a joint effort of 4-County, the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Look for more details and photos in next month’s issue of Today in Mississippi.

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Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary Mississippi’s safe haven for domestic and exotic animals

By Sandra M. Buckley “Caring for animals is not what I do, it’s who I am.” Kay McElroy, founder of Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary in Caledonia, often stated these heartfelt words.

Earlier this year, Kay passed away – though she has left a lasting legacy through Cedarhill’s compassionate mission to save domestic and exotic animals that have been abused, neglected or exploited. “Kay created a safe haven for all kinds of animals that lost their rightful place in society, by no fault of their own,” said Nancy Gschwendtner, who has stepped into the role of executive director. “We, here at Cedarhill, will continue to carry on for Kay.” Kay’s mission to rescue and protect animals began in 1987, soon after she moved to Mississippi, when she happened across an ad in the Sunday paper that read, “Six-month-old cougar cub for sale. $1,000.” Curious, she contacted the owner and visited the cub. What she found there left her heartbroken. The cub was chained up in a small pen, malnourished and despondent, and its paws were severely infected from an unprofessional declawing procedure.

After weeks of discussions, the cub’s owner finally agreed to trade it for an old tractor Kay had.

As the new owner of a cougar cub, who she named Zack, Kay knew her limited options were to find a zoo that would accept him; place him in a rehabilitation center; build a special enclosure on her property and keep him; or euthanize him.

Kay decided to keep him; and from then on, her life’s work became focused on Zack and rescuing other domestic and exotic animals from all across the country that were in need of a safe, secure and loving home.

July 2019

Cedarhill was officially incorporated in 1990 and has since become an accredited member of the American Sanctuary Association. For nearly 30 years, it has faithfully served as a refuge for an array of animals with often harrowing backgrounds – including bobcats, chickens, cougars, deer, dogs, domestic cats, goats, horses, leopards, lions, parrots, pigs, rabbits, tigers, wolves and more.

“We are currently the only true animal sanctuary who has the range of animals we have in Mississippi,” Nancy said, adding that Cedarhill is presently home to 264 animals, with several being disabled or blind. “We have four exotic birds, three bobcats, 204 domestic cats, 20 dogs, nine horses (two being miniature horses), one donkey, two lions, seven potbellied pigs, two rabbits and 12 tigers.”

Many of the animals that make their home at Cedarhill experience problems socializing with other animals and people. “We do not adopt out any of our animals because of the neglect and abuse they have gone through,” said Nancy “In March, for example, we took in three cats from a hoarder who kept them in small, separate cages their entire lives.

They couldn’t stand up properly; their bodies are

proportioned incorrectly because the cages were so small, and they had no social skills. After one month here, Baby Love, Gizmo and Hope are in love with their caretakers. Hope even jumps on the couch and lies in her caretaker’s lap from time to time.”

Due to these animals’ tragic histories, Cedarhill is not open to the public. “We like to keep it as calm as

“We are not a zoo, and we are not a shelter.

We are an animal sanctuary.”

—Nancy Gschwendtner, executive director

it can be for them,” Nancy added. “Once they enter the gates, they don’t leave. We are not a zoo, and we are not a shelter. We are an animal sanctuary.”

The gated property sprawls across 25 acres and is surrounded with a dense, wooded habitat. Nancy described the sanctuary as having “two horse barns and a beautiful horse pasture; 12 tiger enclosures, each with their own special pool for swimming, along

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with luscious green grass and flowers that bloom every spring; two lion enclosures, each with their own raised den; a bobcat enclosure, which has trees and tall grass for the bobcats to hide in; the Big Cat House, which houses 140 domestic cats; the Senior and Disabled Cat House, which houses 46 cats; eight large dog enclosures, each with their own special den; a dog run field; and a pond full of turtles.”

To run an animal sanctuary of this magnitude, it takes a dedicated staff of 15 people, ranging from grounds keeper to exotic cat caretakers. “Our caretakers are extremely dedicated to the animals,” she said.

“This is not just a job to them; they would do just about anything for their fur babies.”

The day-to-day management, upkeep and financial commitments at Cedarhill are substantial. For example, there are constant medical and vaccination needs as well as endless demands for bulk purchases of cleaning products. In addition, feeding the exotic cats, such as the bobcats, lions and tigers, requires 2,000 pounds of beef plus 1,200 pounds of chicken each month. Horses require 4,000 pounds of horse feed, totaling about $1,400 per month, in addition to (Continued on page 16)

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(Continued from page 15)

How to help:

bales of hay. Every month, the dogs eat up to 560 pounds of dry dog food and another 50 cans of canned wet food.

The domestic cats each require 1,125 pounds of dry cat food, hundreds of cans of canned wet food and 2,700 pounds of litter.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Cedarhill relies on financial support and product donations. “We have some amazing donors who have kept us going all of these years, especially after the storms that blew through our area and destroyed our walk-in freezer, which was holding about $9,000 worth of meat for the exotic cats,” Nancy said of the recent April 18 storm. “We had so many people from the area reach out to us and donate meat in our time of need.”

Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary began with a passion to combat animal abuse, neglect and exploitation. And thanks to Kay’s vision and years of dedication, it has resulted in the rescue of hundreds of innocent domestic and exotic animals that found their “forever home” in Caledonia.

“My hope is that we can do right by Kay,” added Nancy, “and continue her mission long into the future – making the world a better place for animals.”

Sponsor a resident animal, then receive photos and updates throughout the year Make a one-time or recurring financial contribution Follow and promote on social media through Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube Start a Facebook fundraiser Shop on Cedarhill’s Amazon Wish List to purchase needed items that are directly shipped to the sanctuary Choose Cedarhill as your AmazonSmile charity – a free and easy way to help Choose Cedarhill as your Kroger Plus card’s charity – also a free and easy way to help Be an advocate and help spread the word!

“Without the help of others, Cedarhill would not be here.”

—Nancy Gschwendtner, executive director

Visit www.cedarhillanimalsanctuary.org or call 662-356-6636 for more information.

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July 2019

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Today in Mississippi July 2019

Mississippi Invitational A showcase of contemporary artists from across the state

M

By Sandra M. Buckley ississippi’s creativity spans countless forms of artists and is celebrated the world over – and our contemporary visual artists are no exception. “Not unlike the musical traditions born in Mississippi or the worldwide impact of Mississippi’s writers, our state’s visual artists are making work out of their particular personal narratives and lives that speak to universal themes and human conditions,” said Betsy Bradley, director of the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson. “It is that transference of the particular visual imagery to a shared human experience that makes Mississippi’s creative output so meaningful to the rest of the country.”

As a way to promote contemporary artists from across the state, the Mississippi Museum of Art hosts a biennial Mississippi Invitational, a distinguished art show that honors, recognizes and showcases these talented artists and their artwork.

And this year, from June 29 through August 11, the 2019 invitational exhibit is on view at the museum.

Of 130 artists who submitted entries of various art forms for the invitational, 23 will have their work displayed. “From Tupelo to Natchez, from Cleveland to Poplarville, from a community of 300 to a city of 200,000 – the artists included represent an array of Mississippi regions and cultural environments,” said Stacy Clark, director of communications and marketing for the museum. “The artwork depicts a diverse range of subjects – photographs of Mississippi sunsets, swamps, and black cowboys on horseback, paintings of flora and flooded fields, sculptures of colorful creatures under water and on land. Even Eudora Welty makes an ‘appearance.’”

Dwelling, by Kali Blakeney of Jackson

For each invitational event, a guest curator is invited to be a part of the artist selection process. This year, it was Dr. Kimberli Gant, McKinnon Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia. “Her role was to consider all submissions and narrow down the potential exhibition participants through a ‘blind’ selection process,” Clark explained. “She then visited those artists’ studios to meet them and see more of their work; and following those Harmony, by Andrea Kostyal of Hattiesburg visits, she curated the final and equipment,” said Clark. checklist of works that are included in the exhibiThe Mississippi Invitational is an esteemed event tion.” that offers Mississippi artists and art appreciators, “We hope to help cultivate an atmosphere alike, an exceptional chance to explore the world in Mississippi that rewards artists who build of contemporary art, right here at home. their careers here,” added Bradley. “We do this “The Mississippi Invitational provides families by connecting them with the out-of-state curators and Mississippians of all ages with a wonderful who visit their studios, building their exhibition opportunity to see art created by living artists resumes, publicizing their work throughout the who call Mississippi home,” added Clark. “These region, and financially supporting one artist are our friends and neighbors, our teachers and during each exhibition with a fellowship.” mentors, and their work is at the heart of the In addition, the invitational artists vie for the continued growth of Mississippi’s artistic legacy.” exclusive Jane Crater Hiatt Fellowship program.

“The fellowship provides funds to one artist to Visit www.msmuseumart.org or further their artistic development through study, call 601-960-1515 for more information. travel, research and even the purchase of supplies

July 2019

“ Not unlike the musical traditions born in Mississippi or the worldwide impact of Mississippi’s writers, our state’s visual artists are making work out of their particular personal narratives and lives that speak to universal themes and human conditions. It is that transference of the particular visual imagery to a shared human experience that makes Mississippi’s creative output so meaningful to the rest of the country.”

—Betsy Bradley, director, Mississippi Museum of Art

Transitory Spaces, by Philip Jackson of Oxford

Reef, by Amelia Key of Jackson

Stacked Houses, by Charlie Buckley of Tupelo

Colorful Rivermouth, by G. Douglas Adams of Natchez

Gee Rise Up, by Rory Doyle of Cleveland

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Marketplace

Today in Mississippi

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Type or print your ad clearly. Be sure to include your telephone number.

Deadline is the 10th of each month for the next month’s issue. Rate is $2.50 per word, 10-word minimum. Mail payment with your ad to Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300. Have any questions? Call 601-605-8600 or email advertising@ecm.coop.

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I Use your generator only outdoors, away from open windows, vents and doors. Do not use it in an attached garage.

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Connecting a generator to your home’s wiring requires the professional installation of a power transfer switch.

A safety message from your local electric cooperative.

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Minor Echinacea species make big garden impacts This past week, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Washington, D.C., while I stayed in Alexandria, Virginia. I was in town because the American Horticultural Society selected me, the Southern Gardener, to receive the Great American Gardener B.Y. Morrison Communication Award.

I grew up horticulturally deficient, so being named a Great American Gardener is extremely humbling. While in Southern the nation’s capiGardening tal, my wife and

by Dr. Gary Bachman I visited some outstanding gardens. The first was River Farm, home to the American Horticultural Society. We also spent a day on The Mall and visited the United States Botanic Garden.

I was blown away by the Echinacea, commonly called coneflower. There are actually nine different Echinacea species, all native to North America and found from the Canadian provinces to the Gulf

of Mexico. This week, I want to tell you about a few of the minor Echinacea species I saw growing in the gardens I visited this week.

The first is Echinacea angustifolia, commonly called the narrow-leaved coneflower. Its native range covers much of the Great Plains in the central United States. Echinacea has been used in herbal medicines for cold and pain relief, and this species has been anecdotally regarded as being the most potent.

This plant grows primarily as a rosette, and the flowers are displayed on tall stems. The leaves and stems are very hairy. The flowers feature purple, downward-arching petals that are much shorter than other coneflower species.

The next two species are on the Federal Endangered Species List.

Echinacea laevigata is commonly known to some people as the smooth purple coneflower. The plants grow to about 36 inches or taller, and the flower stalks are smooth. Flower petals are delicate and narrow in colors purple to light pink. These petals actually droop and can be up to 2 inches long.

This species is found sporadically in

faded flower heads are not deadheaded, the seeds are favorite winter forage for overwintering birds.

If you want to grow these minor coneflower species, you’ll need to purchase seed from reputable sources that can be found online. Most coneflower seed need a 30-day cold treatment called stratification.

Coneflower seed germination may also be enhanced by treatment with liquid smoke, sprayed at a 10 percent concentration. You may think this is a crazy idea, but believe it or not, I have actually performed research on starting coneflower seed using liquid smoke.

For more information all about coneflowers, check out my Extension publication, “Purple Coneflowers for the Mississippi Gardener,” which you can find at http://extension.msstate.edu.

sunny locations along the edges of wooded areas. Smooth purple coneflower distribution is thought to be related to seed germination in fire-created openings.

The other endangered species is Echinacea tennesseensis, the Tennessee coneflower. This plant is known to exist only in a few closely guarded locations in the Nashville area.

This coneflower has the classic purGary Bachman, Ph.D., is an associate plish (actually rosy purple) petals, but Extension and research professor of instead of arching down, the petals are horticulture at the Mississippi State slightly upturned. The plants reach University Coastal Research and Extension about 36 inches tall with narrow and Center in Biloxi. He is also host linear leaves. of “Southern Gardening” radio All Echinacea species are valued by and TV programs. pollinators for their nectar, and if the

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Family, The Russell Burton Family, The Trustys of Davo Crossing and Alan Sibley & The Magnolia Ramblers. Concessions. 1 – 9 p.m. Admission, $15, for non-MSBA members. Children 12 and under free. Details: 662-258-2334.

The Whisnants in Concert, July 29, Osyka.

Gillsburg Baptist Church; 6126 MS Hwy. 568.

7 p.m. Love offering accepted. Details: 601-248-7387.

From Rabbit Foot to Blues & Cruise Exhibit, Now-Aug. 30, Port Gibson. Learn more of the story behind Port Gibson’s first Mississippi Blues Trail marker through this interactive exhibit hosted by Mississippi Cultural Crossroads. Details: 601-437-8905; www.MSCulturalCrossroads.org.

Events MISSISSIPPI

Want more than 445,600 readers to know about your special event? 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. Send to Mississippi Events, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300; fax to 601-605-8601; or email to news@ecm.coop. Events are subject to change. We recommend calling to confirm details before traveling.

29th Annual Sawmill Festival, July 12-13, Bruce. Friday, 6 p.m., featuring arts & crafts, food vendors, local talent and music by the Gospel Warriors. Saturday, 7:30 a.m., 5K run; festival begins at 9 a.m. with more vendors, political speeches and live music, including the Sound of Tyme at 7 p.m. Details: 662-983-2222, chamber@brucetelephone.com.

Mississippi Opry, July 13, Pearl. Pearl Community Room; 2420 Old Brandon Rd. Featuring Harmony & Grits and also Alan Sibley & the Magnolia Ramblers. Concessions. 6 p.m.

Admission for adults, children free.

Brian Free & Assurance in Concert, July 14, Vardaman. First Baptist Church; 302 N. Main St.

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This issue will reach over 463,000 homes and businesses

Home Purchase Program

6 p.m. Love offering accepted. Details: 662-682-7458.

Ben Waites in Concert, July 15, Osyka.

Gillsburg Baptist Church, 6126 MS Hwy. 568.

7 p.m. Love offering accepted. Details: 601-248-7387 Equestrian Schooling Show, July 20 and July 21, Gulfport. Bienvenue Acres.This show is designed to be a fun, affordable and professional way to improve riding and showing skills.

8 – 11 a.m. both days. Details: 228-357-0431, www.bienvenueacres.com.

Magnolia State Bluegrass Association's Summer Show, July 20, Ackerman. Choctaw County Community Center. Featuring The Ellis

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Dear Darryl DEAR DARRYL: My home is about 10 years old, and so is my septic system.

I have always taken pride in keeping my home and property in top shape. In fact, my neighbors and I are always kidding each other about who keeps their home and yard nicest. Lately, however, I have had a horrible smell in my yard, and also in one of my bathrooms, coming from the shower drain. My grass is muddy and all the drains in my home are very slow.

My wife is on my back to make the bathroom stop smelling and as you can imagine, my neighbors are having a field day, kidding me about the mud pit and sewage stench in my yard. It’s humiliating. I called a plumber buddy of mine, who recommended pumping (and maybe even replacing) my septic system. But at the potential cost of thousands of dollars, I hate to explore that option.

I tried the store bought, so called, Septic treatments out there, and they did Nothing to clear up my problem. Is there anything on the market I can pour or flush into my system that will restore it to normal, and keep it maintained?

Clogged and Smelly – Lubbock , TX

DEAR CLOGGED AND SMELLY: As a reader of my column, I am sure you are aware that I have a great deal of experience in this particular field. You will be glad to know that there IS a septic solution that will solve your back-up and effectively restore your entire system from interior piping throughout the septic system and even unclog the drain field as well. SeptiCleanseÂŽ Shock and Maintenance Programs deliver your system the fast active bacteria and enzymes needed to liquefy solid waste and free the clogs causing your back-up.

This fast-acting bacteria multiplies within minutes of application and is specifically designed to withstand many of today’s anti-bacterial cleaners, soaps and detergents. It comes in dissolvable plastic packs, that you just flush down your toilets. It’s so cool. Plus, they actually Guarantee that it restores ANY system, no matter how bad the problem is.

SeptiCleanseÂŽ Shock and Maintenance Programs are designed to work on any septic system regardless of design or age. From modern day systems to sand mounds, and systems installed generations ago, I have personally seen SeptiCleanse unclog and restore these systems in a matter of weeks. I highly recommend that you try it before spending any money on repairs.

SeptiCleanse products are available online at www.septicleanse.com or you can order or learn more by calling toll free at 1-888-899-8345. If you use the promo code “MSS1�, you can get a free shock treatment, added to your order, which normally costs $169. So, make sure you use that code when you call or buy online.

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T o the Moon The moon has always fascinated humans. This is a shot I caught one night while taking photos of the full moon- a jet (no doubt heading to Atlanta) taking off from Jackson just happened to cross in front of my lens.

We (as a species) have walked on the moon and now plan to use it as a stepping stone to get us to Mars.

This month marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most significant events in the history of humans on planet Earth. The event? It was in July of 1969, 50 years ago- when, for the first time, humans stepped OFF of planet Earth and took our history onto another world – when Neal Armstrong walked on the Moon.

What’s amazing to me is it had only been 12 years before the moon landing that the space race started, when Russia put Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, into orbit. Sputnik was a tinker toy compared to the voyage to the moon. It circled and beeped for three weeks before its battery went dead. And then after a coupe of months it burned up. But humanity was now in space – and has been ever since.

I was fascinated by all the rocket stuff going on back then. I became the space expert in my third grade class because I brought in the newspaper clipping for current events the day Russia announced Sputnik. After that Mrs. Alexander let me tell all of the space stories for the rest of the year.

A dozen years is pretty quick to go from “Beep-beepbeep” to “One small step for mankind.” That is an even greater accomplishment than to have gone from the Wright Brothers first flight all the way to modern jet liners in just a little over a decade. Obviously a lot of groundwork had been laid in aerospace engineering by the time the space age began. But still, the moon

landing is a mind-boggling achievement.

But before anyone could walk on the moon they had to have a rocket that would get them there. And to make sure it would fly, the rocket’s engines had to be test fired first. That is where Mississippi got directly

A dozen years is pretty quick to go from “Beep-beep-beep” to “One small step for mankind.” involved in the space program. All of the Apollo Moon Mission’s first and second stage rocket engines were first tested at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi.

On the night of the moon walk 50 years ago I imagine I was doing what the rest of the world was doing if they had a TV and reception – watching Walter Cronkite tell us what he was watching on his monitors live from the moon.

And after Neal Armstrong stepped out of the lander and onto the moon, I figure I wasn’t the only person to step outside and look up at a moon that, even though it looked the same, would never be the same again. It and the rest of the world haven’t been. We became an interplanetary species that night – although we’ve only gone as far as the moon so far.

Charlie Tuna, radio personality in Los Angeles at the time of the moon landing probably seized the moment better than anyone when he told his audience that he needed to review his contract with the radio station. He vaguely remembered that some options wouldn’t kick in until “man walks on the moon.” I plan to steel that joke and modify it slightly when people walk on Mars. And I don’t think it will Mississippi take another 50 years to get Seen there. As a matter of fact, they

by Walt Grayson are already testing firing the rocket engines that will be used to develop the vehicles that will carry us to Mars at the Stennis Space Center here in Mississippi.

There is an old joke about traveling by airplane that you have to go through Atlanta to get anywhere! Well, you sort of had to go through Mississippi to get to the moon, and now, to get to Mars, too!

Walt Grayson is the host of “Mississippi Roads” on Mississippi Public Broadcasting television, and he is the author of two “Looking Around Mississippi” books and “Oh! That Reminds Me: More Mississippi Homegrown Stories.” Contact him at walt@waltgrayson.com.

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All offers reqquire credit qualification, 2-Year commitment with early termination fee aand eAutoPay. After 2 years then current everyday price applies. Upfrontt fees f may apply based on credit qualifications. For premium movie channels aft after 3 mos. you will be billed $30 /mo unless you call to cancel.

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All offers require credit qualification, 2-YYeear commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include de Hopper Duo for f qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper per 3 $$5/mo. more. Upfront fees may apply based on credit quualification. Fees apply for additional TVs: Hopper $15/mo., Joey $5/mo., Super Joey Joe $10/mo. DISH voice remote requiri es internet-connectedd Hopper®, per®,® Joe J y®,® or Wally™. ll ™

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WE ARE OPEN 7 DAY AYS A WEEK; ‫ ׈‬w ِ wX(yXJ JRÀ 0²À‫ ة‬²Çy( æ æ ‫ ׉‬w ِ wX(y yXJRÀ 0²À ‫ ظ‬II0ª ymæ mæ J ( ( I ª y0à (X²R ²Ç ²!ªX 0ª ª²‫ ظ خ‬SE HABLA ESPAÑOL All calls with InfinityDISH are monitored and recorded for quality assurance and training purposes. Offer for new and qualiifying former customers only. Important Terms and Conditions: Qualification: Advertised price requires credit qualification and eAutoPay. Upfront activation and/or receiver upgrade fees may apply based on credit c qualification. Offer ends 10/31/19. 2-Year Commitment: Early termination fee of $20/mo. remaining applies if you cancel early. Included in 2-yeaar price guarantee at $59.99 advertised price: America’s Top 120 progrramming package, local channels, HD service fees, and Hopper Duo forr 1 TV. Included in 2-year price guarantee for additional cost: Programming package upgrades ($69.99 for AT120+, $79.99 for AT200, $89.99 for AT250)), monthly fees for upgraded or additional receivers ($5-$7 per additionnal TV, receivers with additional functionality may be $10-$15). NOT inclluded in 2-year price guarantee or advertised price (and subject to chhange): Taxes & surcharges, add-on programming (including premium channels), DISH Protect, and transactional fees. Premium Channels: After 3 moos., you will be billed $30/mo. for Showtime, STA TARZ, and DISH Movie Paack unless you call or go online to cancel. Other: All packages, program mming, features, and functionality and all prices and fees not includedd in price lock are subject to change without notice. After 6 mos., if seelected you will be billed $9.99/mo. for DISH Protect Silver unless you call to canncel. 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 nd providers vary by customer address. Call for details. Internet not provided by DISH and will be billed separately. Mastercard® gift card must be reqquested through your DISH Representative at time of purchase. $100 Mastercard® M gift card requires activation. You will receive a claim vouccher within 3-4 weeks and the voucher must be returned within 60 days. d Your Mastercard® gift card will arrive in approximately 6-8 weekss. InfinityDISH charges a one-time $49.99 non-refundable processing fee whichh is subjecctt to change at any time without notice. Indiana C.PP.D. Reg. NNo. T.S. R1903. *DISH Network received the highest score in the Nation in the J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Television Service Provider Satisfaccttion Stuudy of consumers’ satisfaction with their current television provider. Visit jdpower.com/awards