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TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES

The Holiday that Unofficially, Officially Begins Summer

Creating A Unique Space and Entertaining Ideas

History of the Orgeon Trail

JP PELHAM: Panhandle Pelham

102

The Buzz About Tinnitus

ML PROVISIONS: The Hatter In the Hay Loft

The Great Gaither

MYFIRESIDE

CAMP OZARK FOUNDATION: For the Kids

KC CATTLE COMPANY

The Lighter Side with Southern Tab's Michael Peters

Shades of Blues

DIXIE CHICKEN: Where Everybody Knows Your Name... Texas Edition

SPORTDOG: Tips to Improve Summertime Marking Drills

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34 The Hatter in the Hay Loft

SideBar 10

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

PAGES

42 The Great Gaither

PLEDGE

PASSING THROUGH

FRONT STEPS Abby Carlton

NATIONAL PARKS Crater Lake Mammoth Cave

BARS Mt. Lookout Tavern Margaritaville/Myrtle Beach

106

PERSPECTIVE Kevin Martone "The Gift of the Blues"

110

PEN & POET Kelsi McKee "Memory"

112

92 Panhandle Pelham

BACK PORCH Peder von Harten "Great Expectations"

Spring

EQUINOX ENDEAVORS

Summer

MAGAZINE FOUNDER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Peder von Harten

SUMMER RETREATS

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

FALL

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

winter

Kurt Miller, Kelsi McKee, Robin Young, Kevin Martone, Abby Carlton, Dr. Grace Sturdivant, Charlie Jurney, Carmen Johnston, Kaleigh Montgomery Adam Kovar, Michael Peters, Isabel Saralegui

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

WINTER ESCAPES

Todd Malone

Abby Carlton

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Scott Slusher, Yuri B., Mark Davis, Lee Thomas Kijos, Hector Sanchez, Carmen Johnston, Rebecca Rentz, Jeremiah Valerio, Matthew Huang, Clarence Alford, Holly Mindrup, Ashley Knedler, Joanne Plenio, John Ehrlich, Drew Patrick Miller, Cotton Bro, Timothy Eberly, Amy Hanley, Robert Thiemann

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Porch + Prairie is published four times a year by Flying V Media, LLC DBA Piper Ranch Media,Oxford, MS 38655. Subscriptions are for one and two years (4 issues per year), available at porchprairiemag.com/subscribe Postmaster: Send address changes to P.O. Box 587 Oxford, MS 38655

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To offer stories and /or photographs to be considered for publication in Porch + Prairie, email them to todd@porchprairiemag.com. Emails should include full contact information. We reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, brevity and print quality. Porch + Prairie may not be reproduced or photocopied without permission of the publisher Flying V Media, LLC or Piper Ranch Media © Flying V Media, LLC 2021.

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SUMMER 2022

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PORCH + PRAIRIE magazine | SUMMER 2021 - 9

LETTER FROM

THE EDITOR Peder von Harten - Editor-in-Chief Dear Friends, Each issue we print of Porch + Prairie feels a little bittersweet to me. Of course, there is great excitement that comes with telling the stories contained in each issue, but each issue translates to a literal turning of the page in my life. I miss the old days, I really do. There was just something that was more authentic about them, and as each quarter passes, I realize that those days are further and further in the past. It would be great to go back just one time, roll the windows down (literally), and just cruise down the highway. Even before I started Porch + Prairie, I thoroughly enjoyed life on the road--- in fact, its where I am most comfortable. The road has never let me down, and because of it, I’ll always feel at home chasing the horizon on some highway through the middle of nowhere. Somewhere in his easy chair, my father is probably reading this and recalling that handful of times where I didn’t want to get in the car for a long trip, but overall, life on the highway is a happy place for me… or whatever my version of happy is. I have spent the vast majority of my professional life on the road, usually by myself, and being left to my own devices to discover what’s around the next bend. Being on the road alone is a welcome spot for me—a comfort zone, if you will. In fact, I look forward to it, as odd as that may seem. In all of its solitude, it has led me down some of my most daring and adventurous moments and with every new vista or uncovered piece of the country I come across, I am reminded that I’ve been rewarded handsomely. In creating P+P, my goal was to take what I saw and experienced on all of those trips and bring them to our pages. As we look ahead to this issue and many others in the future, I invite you to ride shotgun with us as we dive even deeper into the great road trips that are out there. Our National Parks, our historic landmarks, the prairie highways, the mountain passes, and the dirt roads alike--- they all represent a part of this crazy road I’ve been on for the past two decades. I find myself incredibly blessed to have seen these places with my own eyes, but will feel even more fulfilled knowing that I was able to tell their stories to you and that one day, you too will want to get behind the wheel and discover what lies just beyond the next mile marker. Sincerely, Peder von Harten Founder/ Editor-in-Chief

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CONTRIBUTORS

Kelsi McKee has been writing poetry and stories since she was old enough to scratch words on paper. She completed her first novel when she was 18 and continues to write while balancing a full-time job in the news industry. Originally from Northwest and a graduate of Texas A&M, Kelsi has enjoyed adventuring across the country and making her way to her current home in the Northeast US. Away from pen and paper, Kelsi enjoys her time on the golf course and of course, cheering on her Aggies.

Kevin Martone balances a busy professional life with his passion for the outdoors. A nationally recognized expert in mental health and the Executive Director of a national non-profit, Kevin’s business travels enable him to enjoy the local culture and landscape in states throughout America. From Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, to New England and across the South, Kevin creates opportunities in the outdoors whenever and wherever he can. Kevin spends his personal time hunting, fishing, trail running, and enjoying sunsets with his wife, Sasha, on the dock of their family pond.

Abby Carlton was born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, where her and her family never shied away from a road trip or flight to a new city. She loves exploring new places she’s never been before and creating traditions around spots worth returning back to. Whether it’s making someone smile or laugh, or spending a little time out of her day helping others out, Abby is always appreciating the little things that help her choose joy each day. Abby currently lives in Oxford, Mississippi and enjoys traveling to visit her family on the Mississippi Coast and back in Louisiana, which will always be home.

Robin Young is a senior pre-law student at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS, majoring in Criminal Justice with minors in Psychology and Intelligence and Security Studies. She is an adventure-lover at heart with a passion for the outdoors and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. In her free time, you can find Robin spending time with her dogs or her two horses named Izak and Too, hiking in a new city, playing the acoustic guitar, or at the gym. Robin is an active member of the Chi Chapter of Delta Delta Delta and the Ole Miss Equestrian Team.

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Dr. Grace Sturdivant completed her Doctorate of Audiology degree at Vanderbilt University Medical School before diving headfirst into the world of diagnosing and treating hearing loss. First working in the medical and research environments, she created OtoPro with the mission to prevent the debilitating hearing problems she spent years treating. With OtoPro, Dr. Sturdivant combs the marketplace for the best products so you can focus on doing the important work you love and continue trading campfire stories about those worthwhile pursuits with the next generation.

Carmen Johnston, Creating lush, beautiful spaces engaging the senses while creating a backdrop for unforgettable moments is the driving passion over the past decade for Georgia-based garden and outdoor living designer Carmen Johnston. In addition to on-site projects, Carmen provides online design services creating Bespoke Garden Plans for clients across the U.S. creating fabulous spaces large and small. She just completed the outdoor living and garden design for the HGTV Smart Home 2022 in NC and be sure to check out her tutorials on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok @ CarmenJohnstonGardens.

Cameron Riser, A coffee enthusiast, dog lover, and considerable sports fan, she stayed in the south pursuing a B.A. in Journalism from The University of Mississippi. She is not a twin but a triplet, born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. In her free time, you can find Cameron on the tennis courts or with a camera in hand, snapping pictures at whatever fancies her eye.

Isabel Saralegui is a writer with pieces being published in the Spring '22 editions of The Pinyon Review and The Tenth Street Miscellany. She holds a Bachelor's in English from the University of Alabama. She lives in Austin, Texas with her girlfriend and dog. She is probably out hiking with them right now

PORCH + PRAIRIE magazine |Summer 2022 - 13

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Photo by Jeremiah Valerio

Passing Through Photo by Ashley Knedler 20 - Summer 2022 | PORCH + PRAIRIE Magazine

Front Steps by Abby Carlton

remember the first time I took a photo of a sunset. What I also remember is how quickly the disappointment set in when the photo looked absolutely nothing like the pink and purple cotton candy sky that was actually in front of me. That day I made a promise to myself, from now on--stop what you’re doing and take it in. Stare into every sunset you see, remember what it looks like, and say a quick little “thank you” to the big man upstairs. You see, sunsets are my thing. You know---the thing where old friends from years ago still think of you when they see one. Will I ever stop being fascinated with the different color combinations He comes up with each evening? Maybe you’re relaxing on vacation, or maybe you’re driving home after a long day listening to the hum of the highway, either way, wherever you are, someone else halfway across the country is admiring the sky too. That’s the beauty of a sunset, it forces us all to stop and appreciate right where we are in that moment. I’ve learned the hard way over the past few years the importance of living in the moment---when I miss the feeling of those Sunday evenings on the back porch with my grandfather watching the sun go down. But instead of looking in the rearview mirror at what could have been, or what I could have done then, I choose to start truly seeing instead of simply looking. Seeing all that’s around

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me and the big picture, and not just what’s on the planned path in front of me. I invite you right now, to do the same. Put down our phones, turn off the news, and search. Search for what you’re passion-ate about and ponder on what your legacy will be. What do I want my legacy to be? My vision for the future of Porch + Prairie, if you’re willing to join me, is ultimately to encourage you to live in the moment too. Watch the sunset, spend time with your loved ones, and travel our great nation we are so blessed to live in. The opportunities for P+P are as bountiful as the stories America has to tell. There are so many people I want to give a voice to, foundations that deserve a bright light shed to---and then there are those sweet, small, one red-light towns like Lecompte, Louisiana and Mount Ida, Arkansas that hold a special place in my heart. That’s what this is all about. This magazine belongs to you,our entire Porch + Prairie community. I hope you’ll feel welcomed with open arms to our community issue after issue and continue to join me in finding those best kept secrets America has to offer. Sometimes I wonder if we will ever find them all. Maybe that will be my legacy---that I was a part of this great mission to find all of the heroes with a story to tell, all of the sunsets worth living in the moment for, and everything in between. So, what do you say? Let’s go on this journey, together.

Creating A Unique Summer Space And Entertaining Ideas! Written by Carmen Johnston, Carmen Johnston Gardens Photos by Hector Sanchez

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Your Perfect Type of Getaway Awaits in Oxford Upcoming Events MAY 19 BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL MAY 21 VELVET DITCH GRAN FONDO MAY 21 DESTINATION OXFORD CAR SHOW MAY 26-29 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OLD TIME PIANO CONTEST & FESTIVAL SUNDAYS IN JUNE SUMMER SUNSET SERIES JULY 17-21 FAULKNER & YOKNAPATAWPHA CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 3 OLE MISS FOOTBALL VS. TROY For a full listing of events, go to VisitOxfordMS.com

PORCH + PRAIRIE magazine |Summer 2022 - 33

The Hatter in the Hay Loft Written By Kurt Miller • Photos by Mark Davis

"Red barn by the antebellum house." The directions alone evoked a higher level of intrigue than one usually has when heading off to meet someone new. To be fair, the description was 100 percent accurate and as we pull into the unpaved lot smashed between the red barn and a feeding horse, you knew something special was inside. In the hay loft of the old red barn lies the studio of ML Provisions, proudly owned and operated by Mary Landrum Pyron—native Mississippian, passionate turkey hunter, and a perfectionist who creates masterpieces from the friendly confines of the small town of Crystal Springs, Mississippi. What Mary Landrum does is magical. A humble woman who works tirelessly in that pursuit of perfection, her creations are not just hats--- they are time capsules. Each as seemingly unique as a thumbprint, Mary Landrum spends a great deal of time to work with each client to make sure their new hat expresses every bit of their personality. No detail is overlooked and the individualism of each piece and each person comes out of that red barn, ready to tell the story. A quick stroll through the space showcases all the influences on Mary Landrum’s life. The photographs on the wall reflect days gone by. In the breakfronts, family relics that are both treasured and inspiring sit in their place, reminding her of the family roots that are ever-present in the setting and in her work. The walls are covered in hats in almost every color, ready for selection by their new owner. But on the tables around the studio are the pieces that one can get lost in. Completely covered in items to make each hat special and tell that story, the list of what all lies there is nearly endless. Various band colors, feathers of all shapes and sizes, you name it and its there. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the long pause I had standing over the table and seeing what different pieces were laid out there. It creates a bit of introspection—What would I want to include? What would I want my hat to say about me? How do I want to express myself to a world that might not know a thing about me? While I am more accustomed to a simple cowboy hat on my head (a cattleman, naturally), this is the one opportunity to incorporate other elements of my life into an heirloom piece that someday might be handed down in my family line. Mary Landrum knows all-too-well what 34 - Summer 2022 | PORCH + PRAIRIE Magazine

the churning of my mind is all about, yet with each client that comes through her door, she finds a way to take exactly what they value the most and transform it into a true treasure. The time spent with Mary Landrum reveals two very simple truths. The first is that this is a woman who works incredibly hard to make each person’s story translate to each piece that comes off the bench. The second, and in my opinion, the most important--- she is the real deal. Talking with her, hearing how time-consuming and arduous the tasks are, and watching the entire process unfold reminds you that the name Mary Landrum Pyron has the type of old-school work ethic and commitment to quality that you just don’t find much anymore. Every stitch of every project is 100% authentic, which in today’s world, is the best compliment that one can place on another. Our time at ML Provisions was as much about watching and taking in the sights as it was about talking through Mary Landrum’s journey as a hatter. Nonetheless, we needed to know more about what is behind this rapidly-growing company with cult-like following from an old timber farm in central Mississippi.

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The Great

Gaither

How a Cowboy’s Brushstrokes Capture the American West BY KURT MILLER • PHOTOS COURTESY OF LYNDON GAITHER

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Written by Adam Kovar Photos courtesy of MyFireside

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FOR THE

Kids

56 - Summer 2022 | PORCH + PRAIRIE Magazine

PORCH + PRAIRIE magazine |Summer 2022 - 61

KC CATTLE COMPANY

Written by Kaleigh Montgomery • Photos courtesy of KC Cattle Company

he story of KC Cattle Company has cattle roots going back three generations, so I guess you could say raising cattle is in our blood, but starting a business wasn’t even a speck in my husband, and owner of KC Cattle Company’s eye until tragedy struck on June 14th, 2011. On this day our brother-in-law, Staff Sargent Jeremy Katzenberger, was killed in Afghanistan during Patrick’s first deployment. As you get to know us here at KC Cattle Company I want to give you an inside peak into who we are, why we’re here, and what we do. Patrick wrote his experience of loss here, which helped to lead him to the mission of starting KC Cattle Company. It was founded to honor the memory of SSG Jeremy Katzenberger, and now employs a team made up entirely of Veterans.

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Photo by Amy Hanley 66 - Summer 2022 | PORCH + PRAIRIE Magazine

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The Lighter Side with Southern Tab’s Michael Peters In his own words, Michael explains the start of a brand, the place in Southern culture it occupies, and what it means to blend the history of an industry with newfound entrepreneurism in the new South.

Written by Michael Peters • Photos courtesy of Southern Tab

was born in the South Georgia town of Thomasville- home of 71 still-existing plantation houses and several still active tobacco farms. I spent my later years around the north Atlanta suburbs and eventually attended the University of Georgia as an undergrad. It was there that I had my first cigar. … on the front porch of one of those southern plantation houses like they had down in Thomasville Georgia. But this one had some greek letters above the door and I was enjoying a major victory of my beloved Bulldogs to our rivals from the Alabama plains, Auburn tigers. We won in overtime, which made the victory and this cigar, that much sweeter. One of my fraternity brothers offered it up and although I was not a smoker, I couldn’t turn it down. A 6 inch Romeo & Julieta. It was smooth and mild enough for this cigar virgin to make me appreciate it. 70 - Summer 2022 | PORCH + PRAIRIE Magazine

From this point on, I would enjoy a good cigar when there was an occasion to celebrate life in a proper way. Georgia football was an easy one, but of course beach weekend, the Kentucky Derby, the Masters tournament, weddings, and the obligatory birth announcement. As I got older, it became something more about the people I was sharing it with and not necessarily around an event. I found myself on the back porch, front porch, mountain cabin, beach hammock, or anywhere there was an outdoor campfire cutting up with good company. I realized that a cigar meant that you’re gonna be there for a while. It’s not a shot. It’s a forty-five minute to an hour and a half venture. That makes the conversation settle in and go deep. These can be solving world hunger and come to Jesus type talks. But also, guys just chopping it up about hunting, fishing, our families, the new football recruiting class, Summer plans, and any upcoming business ventures.

Shades of Blues Photo by Anthony Torres

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Where Everybody Knows Your Name... Texas Edition Written by Kelsi McKee • Photo courtesy of Dixie Chicken

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Tips to Improve Summertime Marking Drills Written by SportDOG® Brand Sr. Pro Staff Charlie Jurney photos by Lee Thomas Kjos of Kjos Outdoors

Hunting season is here! Well, OK, not quite. But summer definitely qualifies as the pre-season for retriever owners. Lessons learned now are going to carry right over into the real season. Summer is the ideal time to brush up on marked-retrieve drills so your dog performs better than ever this fall. Whether you’re training on land or water (and make sure you’re in or around water on hot days!), there’s no such thing as too much work on marking. A dog that’s a good marker watches the bird fall all the way to the ground or water and stays focused on that spot until he’s sent for the retrieve. Here are several tips to reinforce good marking habits and build confidence that will pay off in the duck blind.

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History of

The Oregon Trail By Robin Young

The historical Oregon Trail stretched from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon, ranging over two-thousand miles. This trail was utilized by pioneers headed deep into the American west during the middle of the nineteenth century. Despite being a difficult and tenuous trail, the Oregon Trail was essential for settlement into Oregon and California, and without it, immigration deep into the American west would have been much slower or may not have even been possible. “Manifest Destiny” is a phrase that was coined in 1845. This phrase revolves around the belief that the United States of America is destined by divine power to spread the influence of capitalism and democracy throughout the entire country. “Manifest Destiny” influenced Americans in the 19th century to explore and venture into the previously unknown (to them) territory of the American west seeking prosperity and pursuing the “American Dream.” Merchants, traders, and missionaries were among the first to head west across what would become known as the Oregon Trail by foot and on horseback. 88 - Summer 2022 | PORCH + PRAIRIE Magazine

The trail eventually became a route traveled by wagon, but prior to this, Europeans that wanted to travel west into Oregon and California sailed to the area by rounding Southern America, a long journey of upwards of a year. Eventually, the best way to travel the Oregon trail came to be by riding in a covered wagon pulled by a team of mules and oxen. Trips across the trail were quite extensive in duration and ranged from six months even up to a year. Those planning to make this trip often had to sell their homes and any possessions they had that could not make the trip with them, as well as purchase a multitude of supplies that would allow them to make the trip such as food, coffee, livestock, and weapons, to name a few. Interestingly, the wagons most utilized were around six feet wide and up to twelve feet long. These wagons were composed of hardwood with large canvases stretched over the wooden frame as cover from the beating sun and rain showers. The wagons carried their occupants as well as barrels of water and tar, back-up wheels and other parts, and food supplies. While many believe that it was

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Panhandle

92 - Summer 2022 | PORCH + PRAIRIE Magazine

Pelham Written by Kurt Miller Photos by Scott Slusher

n the northwest corner of Texas, JP Pelham is hard at work. From sun up to sun down, he’s working, and if you know him, you know he’s probably got a smile on beneath a thick mustache. His eyes, squinted to block the high Texas sun, look out over a piece of land that God might as well have painted himself. For a cowboy, this is Heaven, and its caretaker, is as real as it gets. There is nothing fake or contrived with JP Pelham, but rather a man who combines the love of the craft, the skill of the profession, and his natural ability to teach. The subtle details of him—the wrinkles on the sides of his eyes from squinting in the Texas sun, the wear and tear of his chaps, and the scars on the knuckles—are all visual representations of a man whose worked hard to perfect his trade and come the end of the day, can sign his name next to a body of work knowing that the job is done, and done well. That is JP Pelham.

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z z u The B

About Tinnitus: A Q&A with Dr. Grace Sturdivant of OtoPro Technologies

o your ears constantly ring or buzz? You may be one of over 50 million Americans who experience tinnitus.

While the pronunciation is often questioned, the definition is widely understood. As a Doctor of Audiology, tinnitus, more commonly known as ear ringing, is one of the top concerns of my patients. This isn’t surprising, with the US Centers for Disease

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Control estimating that nearly 15-20% of the general public have some form of it. The VA reports tinnitus as the leading servicerelated disability among our military veterans. Many outdoors enthusiasts and audiophiles likely reading this publication are in high-risk categories for the condition. So, what exactly is it? Why does it happen, and is it treatable? Let’s dive in.

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In a land where pheasants flourish, Paul Nelson Farm stands eloquently at the pinnacle of hunting-lodge experiences, apart from all the rest. Over 5,000 acres are solely dedicated to pheasant habitat to create a wingshooter’s panoramic paradise. But truth be told, it is far more than just the unparalleled bird densities that draw the wise hunter here. Discover for yourself the legendary lodging, long-range shooting, and hunting adventures found only at the Farm.

paulnelsonfarm.com PORCH + PRAIRIE magazine |Summer 2022 - 109

DEDICATED TO RURAL AMERICA Fay Ranches has facilitated the acquisition and sale of significant land assets across America for 30 years. In doing so, we have witnessed the inequalities in resources and opportunities in rural communities. Fay Ranches formed the Fay Ranches Community Foundation to address this directly. The Foundation’s mission is to support America’s rural communities by sourcing opportunities that focus on health, education, and youth. By focusing on these areas, and providing technology and resources to individuals and organizations, we are helping them thrive.

Scan the QR code to learn more, or visit:

FAYCF.ORG