1.25.23

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

138TH YEAR | ISSUE 13

Author, daughter of civil rights leader set to kick off MSU's Black History Month Jacqueline Hamer Flakes to speak on her biography of the life of her mother, Fannie Lou Hamer and hardships, she said she hoped to transport listeners to a keystone moment in African American history — a time that Flakes believed was significant to revisit today.

“If you go back in time and reference what she was doing in the early '60s, then just know that this is the same thing that's happening now.

We're going through a lot now, so this is the time that we are coming to work together and get our lives right and try to step back into what Mamma Fannie was doing back then,” Flakes said.

“Because if we don’t, then we're going to lose a lot.”

SAmuEL HugHES STAFF WRITER

On Feb. 1, Mississippi State University’s Mitchell Memorial Library will celebrate Black History Month with a visit from author Jacqueline Hamer Flakes.

Flakes is the daughter of Fannie Lou Hamer, a prominent civil rights leader during the 1960s and 1970s. In her novel, “Mamma Fannie”, Flakes detailed a biography of Hamer’s life.

Despite brutal violence and attempts at intimidation, Hamer worked tirelessly during the later years of her life to empower thousands of people during the Jim Crow era. She traveled

Samuel Hughes | The Reflector

Hamer Flakes will discuss her novel, “Mamma Fannie”, which dives into her mother’s legacy. The discussion will be held on Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. in the John Grisham Room.

extensively to educate people on the reality of what was happening in the South.

Hamer formed

community organizations, like Freedom Farms, that benefitted many Mississippians. Through this organization, 640

Aldermen critique curbside recycling proposal HEATHER HARRISON

acres of community farmland helped provide stability for families of the Mississippi Delta.

Flakes will speak on

her mother’s legacy at 2 p.m. in the John Grisham Room.

In Flakes’ discussion on her mother’s success

BLACK HISTORY, 2

Sean Starwars exhibit will display colorful prints, woodcuts PAYTON BROWN NEWS EDITOR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Starkville’s Board of Aldermen criticized a curbside recycling proposal for its incomplete budgeting statistics at last Tuesday’s meeting.

Ward 5 Alderman Hamp Beatty and Mississippi State University’s Students for a Sustainable Campus members pushed the curbside recycling narrative in Starkville.

In a November board meeting, the SSC team spoke to the aldermen about the club’s interest in helping Starkville reestablish curbside recycling. Alderman Beatty noted his support for the movement and said he would further discuss it at a future meeting.

During the board’s Jan. 17 meeting, five SSC members returned to the citizens' podium with research data

Jahari Bell | The Reflector

Starkville discontinued curbside recycling in 2020 and moved to a drop-off program.

about recycling for the board to consider.

Emma Van Epps, SSC’s president, said the students surveyed around 300 Starkville residents. Of those polled, 92.6% stated they “are willing to pay $6 a month to reinstate curbside

recycling services, and 86% were also willing to pay an additional fee for buying their own bin,” Van Epps said.

In an interview with The Reflector, Van Epps explained SSC’s reason for spearheading the idea.

RECYCLE, 2

On Jan. 26, Mississippi State University’s Visual Arts Center Gallery will display the works of Mississippi printmaker Sean Starwars in the "Star Wars: American Dream / Mississippi Nightmare" exhibit.

Native to Laurel, Mississippi, Starwars’ work presents vibrant colors and humorous profiles of Stormtroopers, Mississippi artists, mythical creatures and more.

The exhibition’s opening reception will be hosted from 5 to 6 p.m.

Along with the exhibit, Starwars will give an “Artist Talk” on Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. in room 209 of Briscoe Hall. Additionally, the artist will lead a

Courtesy Photo | Sean Starwars

Sean Starwars is a Mississippi printmaker and woodcutter from Laurel, Mississippi.

printing workshop from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in room 204 of Briscoe Hall.

Starwars has spent lots of time hosting exhibitions at universities, workshops and art lectures.

“I just had a blast with the students in Birmingham these last couple of days. When

you're actually showing the work, that's always good, too, and when you're talking about the work, that's always good, too,” Starwars said. “My favorite thing to do is to get to work with students and just get them as excited about printmaking as I am.”

STAR WARS, 2

The reality of gambling in college: Online betting increases gameplay LIzzIE TOmLIN

The bookie claimed that gambling addiction was not a problem with the game but rather the people playing it. “(If) you don’t have the accountability skills to properly manage your money, and you put your money down on my table, that’s on you,” he said.

However, William Blossom, a senior majoring in business information systems, disagreed with the bookie and claimed the problem lies in the system.

As a user of Underdog Fantasy, a popular sports betting app, he highlighted the way they take advantage of their players.

“Underdog wraps you in by offering an incentive to players who influence someone else to sign up,” Blossom said.

The app offers money to use for bets in exchange for users convincing their peers to sign up as well.

“Every dollar you put into the app immediately doubles, so they're fronting you, everything that you put in. Basically, telling you that you can’t beat their odds and take their money,” Blossom said.

GAMBLING, 2

STAFF WRITER

Gambling has been romanticized in movies and television for years, and now, it has made its way to college campuses like Mississippi State University.

As technology advances, the gambling world has seen a shift from in-person gameplay to convenient online betting, which has increased gambling addictions by 30% between 2018 and 2021, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Websites and apps like DraftKings, Stake and BetMGM allow users to bet real money in online books and casinos. Mississippi officially legalized betting apps in 2017, and the first retail sports book in Mississippi was opened in August 2018.

However, for many players, their experience with gambling began much earlier.

A junior at MSU and previous Las Vegas resident requested anonymity because he illegally participated in betting in his youth. He recalls his early

Aubrey Carter | The Reflector

The National Council on Problem Gambling reported statistics that showed an increase in gambling addictions. The shift from in-person to online gameplay has impacted these statistics.

memories of playing with slot machines at the airport or in gas stations. He explained how this led to his use of online betting apps.

“It’s easy, it’s accessible, it’s on your phone and you can find bookies in any state that will help you find a way to gamble. I bet on sports because you can make any sports game interesting if you put money on the line,” he said.

The sports bettor said he thought other students were bad at managing money and

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are at a very high risk of developing a gambling addiction. He explained his theory on how limited regulations can affect users.

“College students around here are some of the more likely crowd to bet on SEC sports for sure. Neither in person or online betting is regulated enough. There’s not a single casino that turns away people addicted to gambling,” he said.

A 27-year-old bookie from Alabama, who asked that his identity not be

shared, takes bets for bettors in his state because it has not been legalized yet. He described how his experience betting while he was younger influenced his decision to become a bookie.

“As time goes on, you start to realize more and more, no matter how good or bad you’re doing, the house seems to always win. So, I switched sides and started taking the bets instead of placing them,” he said in an email to The Reflector.

FORECAST: Welcome back to MSU! After a winter season full of both chills and hot weather, it seems Mother Nature has made up her mind.

This semester has started out with colder weather with high temperatures in the high 40s and low temperatures in the low 30s.

Courtesy of The Weather Channel

The bookie implied that betting is rarely beneficial to the bettors. He claimed that gambling has no preferred crowd and encouraged anyone who has money to bet.

“I’ve got 16-year-old high school punks betting with Daddy’s money; I’ve got middle-aged divorcees trying to cover alimony ...

Gambling doesn’t care if you’re old, young, black, blue, pink, white or orange.

All it cares about is green,” he said.

Reader’s Guide: Bad Dawgs

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Policy: Any person may pick up a single copy of The Reflector for free. Additional copies may be obtained from the Henry Meyer Student Media Center for 25 cents per copy.

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BLACK HISTORY DeeDee Baldwin, a history research librarian at the Mitchell Memorial Library, said she invited Flakes to speak so students can connect with a past that is not as distant as it seems.

“There's still stuff going on now with fighting over voting rights — we're still fighting some of the same battles,” Baldwin said. “A lot of people think all that stuff is over, and it's not.”

Flakes encourages those interested in this part of American history to attend her talk, titled “What Would Momma Fannie Do?” and view the documentary “Fannie Lou Hamer’s America.”

Flakes will hold a book signing after her talk.

Timothy Hopkins works in the Division of Access, Diversity and Inclusion at MSU to help organize some of the events for Black History Month. Of the events scheduled, Hopkins said he

was most looking forward to the Black History Month Mixer on Feb. 16, an event aimed at fostering strong connections between students and faculty outside of the classroom. Refreshments will be provided.

On Feb. 17, the Dawgs after Dark event Good Times will be hosted at 8 p.m. in the Perry Cafeteria. The event will be a game night where students are encouraged to wear '70s, '80s and '90sinspired outfits while enjoying bingo, culturally-based jeopardy and board and card games.

Next is the Maroon Lounge: Celebrating Black Music event on Feb. 23. The celebration will spotlight Black musical artists whose voices and songs have changed the world over decades and across genres. Attendees can expect a live band performance, social interactions and refreshments.

CONTINUED FROM 1

In the Colvard Student Union, the art exhibition "Called to Create: Celebrating Black Artists" will display a collection of works by African American students and community members throughout the entire month of February.

Black History Month events will conclude with Talented 100 on Feb. 27 in Lee Hall.

From musical and dance exhibitions to oratorical performances, various acts of African American talent will be showcased.

Hopkins said it is important for students to seize the opportunity to dive into the past and continue to reflect on African American history.

“I think that there's an opportunity for students to use it as an educational opportunity in order for them to learn, to grow and to continue to develop,” Hopkins said.

Samuel Hughes | The Reflector

Multiple Black History Month events will be hosted throughout February. The Black History Month Mixer will be held on Feb. 16.

RECYCLE “In 2020, that is when the (curbside recycling) program shut down,” Van Epps said, “and so now, we’ve reached the point where most things are in person, most things are open, so that gives us the greatest opportunity to reach as many people as we could.”

Starkville native and MSU student Rebekah Carruth expanded Van Epps’ points.

“The Think Green Center is more difficult for residents with decreased mobility to haul their recycling to, which could be a concern for retirees,” Carruth said, “which is why curbside recycling is such an important thing to reinstate.”

After the SSC members and two non-student Starkville residents expressed their support for recycling, Alderman Beatty opened the board’s discussion.

“I’ve got a five-year-old grandson,” Beatty said. “… I want to do everything that’s possible, that’s socially responsible, to provide an opportunity for people in the City of Starkville to do recycling, every opportunity we can possibly give.”

He compiled data from seven other Southeastern

CONTINUED FROM 1

Conference college towns, stating that most of the compared towns have access to a local recycling facility, unlike Starkville.

“We don’t have that luxury here,” Beatty said.

Columbus houses the nearest WastePro location, where Starkville hauls its recycled items.

Accordingly, Starkville has an increased cost of transportation and labor for its recycling program, as opposed to the seven SEC towns Beatty listed.

Oxford has the most similar population to Starkville. Both Mississippi college towns have around 25,000 residents. Beatty said he spoke to officials in Oxford who reported that 40% of the city’s 14,000 households participate in curbside recycling.

Mississippi’s other SEC city discontinued curbside recycling in 2020 due to the pandemic, like Starkville, but Oxford reinstated it in 2022. According to its website, Oxford offers its current program at no cost to residents. However, the city charges participants $21 for a pair of bins when participants sign up.

Beatty unveiled his proposal for the board to consider. In his curbside recycling plan, participants

must opt-in to the $6-amonth program by contacting the sanitation department.

The department will pick up cardboard, aluminum and tin cans, paper and plastics #1 and #2 twice a month.

The city will issue two 18gallon recycling buckets for materials excluding cardboard. Beatty said residents would flatten cardboard and stack it under the recycling buckets on the street or request an optional 64-gallon container to place it in.

Ward 3 Alderman Jeffrey Rupp said he would sign up for the proposed initiative as a citizen but would not vote for it as an alderman until the board knew of the associated costs.

Beatty stated that the board would have the total budgeting data after the program began.

“We won’t know until we get in the recycling business and know how many customers we pick up,” Beatty said In the proposal, Beatty said WastePro would divide each resident’s recycled materials into four larger containers at their Starkville location, charging the city $300 per pull of each full container. He estimated the

town would fill each one about once a month.

Sanitation and Environmental Services Director Christopher Smiley assisted Beatty with the numbers.

He said WastePro container pick-up would cost around $1,200 per month, and servicing 250 participants would generate $1,500 per month to cover the waste management charges.

Beatty clarified that the program would not be able to service thousands of households.

“This program is not designed, and the way we’ve set it up with the $6 fee and the way we want to do it, to handle 1,000 customers,” the alderman said.

Sanitation employees driving a pickup truck with an attached alley cat trailer would collect recycling from residences.

Mayor Lynn Spruill said the city’s alley cat is old and asked if it could handle driving on the roads.

Sanitation Director Smiley said the alley cat was not specifically designed for street patrol but could do the job.

“We would have to factor in wear-and-tear because we’d be using it more than we’re using it

now,” Smiley said.

Along with the alley cat comes extra labor, transportation and gas expenses, Spruill said.

“This is not a sustainable option,” Smiley said. “This is just a starter.”

Alderman Beatty expressed his frustration about the board’s lack of support for his plan.

“What we’re trying to do is start a program, a bare bones program, because people want curbside recycling,” Beatty said. “… I would want my colleagues up here to try to work with me … I sense that we’re looking for every other way in the world not to do this.”

Alderman Rupp said he was concerned about the city starting and stopping the program due to budget cuts. He said if the town were tight on money, the board would cut curbside recycling first because the costs would outweigh the revenue during the program’s beginning stages.

Budgeting Chair Sandra Sistrunk echoed Rupp, saying the board supports curbside recycling, but the fees associated with the program would outweigh the revenue of a $6-a-month program. She estimated the city would need to charge

GAMBLING One of the more daunting issues with online gambling is its ability to accommodate underage players. Blossom described this phenomenon with his own experience.

participants $15 or $20 per month to be monetarily responsible.

“If it’s going to be an opt-in program, we want to price it right,” Sistrunk said.

The Ward 2 alderwoman recommended the board contract a waste management system to provide curbside recycling and decide on the price.

Aldermen Roy Perkins, Ward 6, and Henry Vaughn, Sr., Ward 7, agreed with Sistrunk and said they would not vote on Beatty’s proposal as it stands due to the unclear budgeting data.

“It’s very obvious that we’re looking for a way not to do this,” Beatty said in response, “instead of looking for a way to get in here and roll our sleeves up and find a way to make this, make curbside recycling work. There’s a way to make it work.”

Beatty urged the public to “put pressure” on the board to reinstate curbside recycling.

“If Oxford, Mississippi, can recycle, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, can recycle, we can recycle,” Beatty said.

Van Epps said Students for a Sustainable Campus has a petition that Starkville residents can sign to support the movement.

CONTINUED FROM 1

“I’m 21 years old; technically, I should only have a year of betting under my belt, but I have four years under my belt,” Blossom said.

Online gambling sites

provide a platform that normalizes betting money, even before their users are of legal age. As these risky practices are promoted, players are encouraged to treat their money like a

game rather than a real-life necessity.

Blossom explained why he bets, but he emphasized that gambling should only be played responsibly.

“There's a thrill to

gambling. It’s fun, and I understand that, but I don’t understand how people get so hooked on that thrill because money is important and can’t be treated like nothing,”

STAR WARS Jacob Crook, an assistant art professor and printmaking director at MSU, reached out to Starwars about composing an exhibition of his work.

Years ago, the two had become acquainted in the printmaking industry.

“The planning of the exhibit has kind of been a year-and-a-half or two years long process with figuring out Sean's availability and coordinating that with the gallery schedule,” Crook said.

Lori Neuenfeldt, gallery director for MSU’s Department of Courtesy Photo | Sean Starwars Art, said the exhibit will Sean Starwars will use bright colors and pop culture references in his artwork. “Monstrous Diabolicos” is pictured above. be a great way for by his expressionists and then artificial smells, and students and the influenced community to see the s k a t e b o a r d i n g psychedelic poster that vibe is kind of what artwork being produced background. artist,” Starwars said. drives my work,” “Whenever I was in in Mississippi.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , Starwars said. school, it Starwars’ love for color “It's bright, it's high With his work being bold, it's raw, it's prompted me to look at has shaped his work seen on TV sitcoms and rough. The way I some other things that I into vibrant animations. on products for Hurley, describe it is, to me, felt were kind of “I want to go to Neuenfeldt said it was there's a sound to it. harmonious with the Walmart, and I want to exciting to host a It's rock and roll,” s k a t e b o a r d i n g stay into the laundry Mississippi artist with a aesthetic, and the thing detergent aisle and just wide Neuenfeldt said. range of Starwars said his I connected to was the be bombarded with experience. of German fluorescent colors and artwork was heavily work Crook said students

Blossom said.

The National Problem Gambling Helpline Network assists with gambling addictions and can be contacted at 1-800522-4700.

CONTINUED FROM 1

Courtesy Photo | Flickr User Ms. Sherwood

On Jan. 26, Starwars will give a talk about his research at 1 p.m. in room 209 of Briscoe Hall.

should expect to see bold marks, bright colors and interesting juxtapositions at the exhibit.

“Much of the work is centered around pop culture references and research of that kind,” Crook said.

According to Crook, Starwars straddles the line between an

“outsider” artist and a “professional” fine artist with lively artwork.

“I think that everyone should come and see his artwork because viewing artwork is a great way to expand your perspective as to what constitutes as fine art,” Crook said.

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THE REFLECTOR | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | @REFLECTORONLINE

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Weekly Horoscopes Scorpio- You will get mono from a Crystal Pepsi shared amongst friends.

Sagittarius- You’ll take your last drink of Sierra Mist ever. You will not take notice of the fact that it was your last drink of Sierra Mist. In a year or two, you won’t notice when the Sierra Mist spouts disappear from the Arby’s fountains. You didn’t even know they discontinued Sierra Mist until this horoscope.

Cancer - Your mom has had one too many glasses of chardonnay at her ritual wine retreat. Hold your breath, pronouns just came up.

Leo - Same thing with the mono, but you and I both know where you got it from. Did you at least enjoy yourself?

Aries - The Ice Spice album is good, but your friends don’t want to hear it every 30 minutes. They also do not want to hear about your thoughts on Palestine or your favorite quotes from Parks and Rec. Libra - You’ll get bitten by two different snakes in two very different contexts, set apart by eighteen hours.

Play it safe: avoid your friend from Pensacola with the face tattoo and any reptile petting experiences.

Dates to Remember

The Best of the Break: What did we miss over the holidays?

Break - There were a total of 22 instances that authorites responded to from December 23 - January 3 regarding water damage or burst pipes.

January 3 - An employee reported finding a bullet inside Raspet Flight Center. Damages were found to the roof, computer monitor’s screen and work desk.

January 8 - A student was arrested in Starkville for domestic violence.

February 27 - First progress reports

January 10 - An employee reported that counterfeit money was used to pay for services at the Wise

March 6 - Midpoint of the semester

Center.

Stay in the know!

January 20 - An employee was found semiconcious and breathing at the Wise Center. The subject was then transported to OCH via ambulance.

January 23 - Graduation registration opened. Deadline is March 24.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @reflectoronline

A full Bad Dawgs report can be found on www.reflector-online.com

THE REFLECTOR | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | @REFLECTORONLINE

4

OPINION

2023 Fashion predictions: Denim dominates lizzie Tomlin STaff WriTer

Everyone knows that going to class is no longer just “going to class”; it is a fashion show every day on the Drill Field. Keep your fashion forward with this forecast of future trends for this year.

Western wear wins again While Mississippi fashion is no stranger to Western wear, in 2023, I expect to see boots, bell bottoms and belt buckles expand to a nationwide trend. In addition, I expect brands like Wrangler, Carhartt and Dickies to continue to grow in popularity. This is exciting news for my fellow Southerners who can now fashionably represent their redneck roots.

The staple sorority girl's pink cowboy hat and white game day cowboy boots are

expected to become a casual look for everyone. Marilyn La Jeunesse with Glamour reports on this trend as “Cowboy Cosplay,” and attributes its rising popularity to celebrities like Lil Nas X, Miley Cyrus and Brittany Broski, a TikTok star.

The ballerina bandwagon In a new approach to athleisure, ballerina wear is expected to become fully casual in 2023. Introduced in 2022, this trend produced a rise in sleek back buns and dainty pink skirts. Héloïse Salessy with Vogue labeled "ballet core" as “The Star Trend of 2023” and suggests that fashion and ballet have been closely connected for centuries. Due to the flexible fit of ballerina wear built for dancers, this style provides comfortable and functional options.

Fashion-forward celebri-

ties like Bella Hadid, Ariana Grande and Sydney Sweeney have popularized this look. I expect to see a variety of casual leotards and leg warmers. Garments like skirts, tights and tops are likely to be sheer and the color pallet is likely to follow shades of pink, white and black. Unfortunately, society should prepare for the return of ballet flats with blister bandages and ankle braces.

Denim dominates No surprise, denim maintains the tight hold it has over American fashion. Unfortunately for millennials, skinny jeans are not coming back, and I expect jeans to get even bigger than they were in 2022. Henrik Lischke with Vogue reports that the fashion cycle continues to ignore tight, uncomfortable denim fits and encourages extra baggy

jeans with extra leg room.

Denim is also expected to be seen in formal settings. I would like to thank Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake for their iconic and timeless contribution to the fashion world.

As grungy styles and thrifted outfits remain relevant, there is an expected rise in denim maxi skirts, denim dresses and patchwork denim. I predict everyone will be rocking jorts this summer and oversized denim jackets in the fall.

The resurfacing of low-rise jeans is a controversial addition to denim trends that was introduced in late 2022, and the jeans are expected fit EVEN lower this year. It’s finally acceptable to channel Hilary Duff and Christina Aguilera's energy again.

GTA core Men’s fashion trends are

expected to follow elements of the 1980s and '90s.

This means the mullets and mustaches from the '80s and the oversized graphic tees and varsity jackets from the '90s. The most exciting change in masculine fashion is the reintroduction of the male crop top as gender norms continue to be challenged.

Jessica Campbell with GQ reports that this trend was established by famous men like Kid Cudi, Ezekiel Elliott and Johnny Depp. Boys are expected to raid their girlfriends' closets and break out the belly button in 2023.

In a trend I like to call, “GTA Core,” men can look forward to wearing their wife-beater tank tops in

public again. This poorly named staple in American fashion is almost guaranteed to already be in the dressers of most men. Wifebeaters will be seen with dress pants and cardigans, giving the vintage look a new twist.

Remember, fashion is about wearing what makes you feel good. I expect to see everyone’s best looks in spring 2023.

SPORTS

A Pirate’s last voyage:

Mississippi State lost a hero, and nobody should forget it.

Tanner marlar managing ediTor

What can I say?

What words can be written that haven't already been felt, spoken or wept? The answer is none. But alas, I have to try.

Coach Leach wouldn't want it any other way.

A few weeks ago, which now feels like years, I wrote a lead for a story: "You never forget your first time." I was referencing Leach's first win in the Egg Bowl, the win which would wind up being his last.

For the last few days, I've wrestled with that sentence.

How it felt so sweet in the moment. You're not supposed to root for the teams you cover, but as a student journalist, how can you not? All I've ever known is the maroon and white ever since I was a little boy. I remember watching Dak Prescott and Dan Mullen take a team to the top of the college football world and how excited my dad was.

The excitement I felt in those days pales in comparison to the day that I, a freshman at MSU, found out that Mike Leach was going to be the next head coach at Mississippi State.

I remember calling my friends and family and screaming at the top of my lungs, "We got him!

We got the Pirate!"

That was the first time I had

felt that kind of excitement around a college football program. The air was different in Starkville, the city that I considered sacred as far as my college football beliefs were concerned.

That was my first time experiencing the "Mike Leach Effect". It's the most surreal thing I've ever seen — the buzz that one man could create. I'll never forget that first time.

Fast forward to the next fall.

COVID-19 is running rampant, and I was forced to watch from home as the "Effect" made its way down to Baton Rouge.

We all remember it, don't we?

In his first ever game at MSU, Leach had toppled a giant. He swung his sword, and from then on, the nation knew that the team in Starkville could play with anybody. Mississippi State was at the forefront of the college football world, if but for a moment.

That was the first time I had ever seen a student body that excited about a football team up close and personal, including myself. By kickoff of week two, I had convinced myself that there was absolutely no chance we weren't winning a national championship, and if you're going to tell me the thought didn't cross your mind, then you're a liar. I'll never forget that first time.

After that season, I was hired as a sports writer here at The Re-

flector. I had just changed my major to journalism, and could not grasp the fact that I, a hick from Kossuth, Mississippi, was going to get the privilege to cover Mississippi State football.

Not just that, but I was also going to get to cover Mike Leach, a man that I had only been able to admire from afar for so long.

I can remember how nervous I was for the first press conference. I don't even think I asked a question until halfway through the season. I just sat and watched the pros work their magic. The way they asked questions was almost conversational, and as a young journalist, I had no idea how that was so. As time passed, however, I realized it wasn't because the questions themselves were conversational, coach Leach was.

The day I decided to ask my first question, I remember raising my hand only halfway, and Brandon Langlois was kind enough to notice it. I was handed a microphone, and through the worst case of the shakes I believe I've ever had, stumbled through a question. It had to be the worst one of the evening, but coach Leach didn't care. He ran with it.

He answered the question in full, and truthfully, just like I was any of the other people in the room getting paid to be there.

That was the first time I ever felt like a college coach noticed me, a lowly student journalist,

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asking a question in a room full of professionals. He had an effect that made you feel appreciated. I'll never forget that first time.

This past Thanksgiving, a much more comfortable and seasoned Tanner sat in the press box and got to watch his favorite team take back the Golden Egg. It was the first time I had watched Mississippi State win an Egg Bowl in Oxford. I almost couldn't contain my excitement. I was sitting next to Elizabeth Keen, another student journalist who does amazing work, and when the final buzzer sounded, we couldn't help but smile. Our Bulldogs had done it. I wore that

smile for days.

I'll never forget that first time.

Coach Leach had an innate ability to ingrain himself into the culture of wherever his path led him. He might have only lived here for a few years, but he was a Mississippian, and he loved being one. For a man like him, a man that is admired by so many people not just across the country, but across the world, to take pride in the place that I've been able to call home for my entire life was special to me.

But, then again, coach Leach was a special man. He marched to the beat of his own drum. He was unequivocally, unashamedly himself, no matter

what. He lived every day like it was his last, and in the end, I like to believe that's given me some level of comfort over these past few days.

There was one first I never got to experience, though. I always said that I would kill to have a beer with coach Leach. Tomorrow, I'll be going to Davis Wade Stadium, and I'll have that beer, and that will be the last item on a long list of "firsts" that I am incredibly proud to say all involved the pillar of college football that is, was and always will be Mike Leach. We'll miss you, coach.

Keep swinging.

"Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me."

Mary Georgia Hamilton | The Reflector

Mike Leach finished just one win shy of the winning percentage required to gain admitance into the College Football Hall of Fame.

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EDITORIAL POLICY The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University. Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff.

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THE REFLECTOR | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 | @REFLECTORONLINE

LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT

5

In time of need, community offers support

Viral Facebook post saves Starkville bakery from brink of closure tRey BaRRett

life & enteRtainment editoR

Tucked away in Suite 100 of 60 Technology Boulevard in Starkville sits Power of the Almond, the first low-carb, glutenfree and diabetic-friendly bakery in Mississippi.

A delectable aroma of freshly-baked lemon blueberry loaves and pecan chocolate chip cookies fills the air inside, while other baked goods, packaged with nutritional labels, line the shelves of the display cases. Kirk Hutchinson, the bakery’s founder, and Marlena Evans, a cook and deliverer, welcome each new and familiar patron with bright smiles and their Southern hospitality.

The Power of the Almond was founded in November 2020 after Hutchinson lost his eight yearlong career as a Harveys bartender due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The bakery has had success over the years, but many pandemic-related issues have caused the Starkville storefront to risk closure.

The bakery formed from Hutchinson’s lifelong dream of owning a ketofriendly bakery due to his dietary restrictions. The pandemic allowed him to learn baking recipes through popular quarantine baking trends and food blogs.

After a change in Mississippi’s cottage food laws allowed businesses to advertise their services

online, Hutchinson was able to advertise his allergen-friendly baked goods to earn enough money to open a physical storefront in Starkville.

“I launched (my business) to see if everyone would buy (these keto friendly options), and everybody loved it,” Hutchinson said. “I saved up enough money to be able to open up my own spot, and now we’re an allergen-friendly bakery.”

Power of the Almond saw a steady flow of income during its first year of service. Original recipes, such as Evans’ double chocolate chip cookie she helped put on the menu, and wholesale appearances in local grocery stores helped the Starkville storefront stay afloat.

However, Hutchinson said the store’s hidden location was a major cause of the store’s declining sales.

“One of the problems we are facing right now is that we’re in a startup building, and people have kind of forgotten that we’re here because of our location,” Hutchinson said. “It’s not that we have a bad product; it’s just that our building has no foot traffic.”

Ongoing ingredient and supply chain issues, along with the location, have also led the bakery to be on the brink of closure.

Hutchinson said it was normal for certain supplies to take six to eight months to arrive before the pandemic began.

Once the pandemic started, however, it became increasingly harder for Hutchinson to afford ingredients such as eggs, which have quadrupled in price, and find unique ingredients and supplies.

“It's weird ingredients people aren’t used to using, and I can’t just run to Walmart to get it. We have to order this stuff from specialty partners and overseas, so getting it in a timely manner and hoping that it's even in stock is a constant battle,” Hutchinson said.

The complications of inflation and ingredient supply issues led Hutchinson to reach out to the local community through the company’s Facebook page to ask for assistance.

“I was sitting on the couch at night stressing out about it. I said to myself, ‘I can’t even pay our rent this month. What are we going to do?’” Hutchinson said. “I told myself, ‘Let’s just post about it and tell the truth,’ and then the post went viral.”

Hutchinson published the Facebook post at 11:07 p.m. Jan. 12. He urged Starkville residents to visit the bakery and non-locals to order goods online that could be shipped nationally.

The post has now amassed over 2,000 shares and 500 comments, leading to an influx of business both online and offline.

“There are people that didn’t even know about us that have driven from all

Landon Scheel | The Reflector

Kirk Hutchinson, owner and founder, Marlena Evans and Natalie Dessommes help run Power of the Almond’s Starkville storefront.

over the state to see and support us, especially gluten-free people because it’s hard finding quality gluten-free food in the state. They are so excited because they don’t have to look at the menu and think ‘What can I get?’ Instead, it's ‘What do I want?’” Hutchinson said.

Evans, a former personal care assistant who has been employed with Power of the Almond for around four months, said the viral Facebook post was one of the highlights of her week.

“On a typical day, we have two to three visitors.

Today, we would’ve had over 20. So, we have been truly blessed with the viral post Kirk posted to send us where we are now,” Evans said.

Hutchinson’s appreciation for the post’s reception is evident through his interactions with each comment underneath it.

Natalie Dessommes, a junior psychology major at Mississippi State University and baker at Power of the Almond, said this love can be felt every day at work.

“Kirk is truly the best person to work with, and I truly look forward to going to work every shift.

I didn’t have much baking experience before working with Kirk, but he taught me everything he knows,” Dessommes said.

“I’ve gotten pretty good, and he’s a great teacher.”

Dessommes said she is grateful to see a community come together to support a small business, especially during a

difficult time.

“It was really heartwarming to see so many people show their love for the business and Kirk in a time of need,” Dessommes said.

The bakery now has a significant number of online orders to process as it manages to order new ingredients.

Ultimately, Hutchinson said he hopes the customers with dietary restrictions he serves experience the tasty food options they normally do not get.

“I hope they realize that baking with an alternative flour is a possibility and getting to try new stuff is an experience. I’m so glad they are coming here to give us that experience to try it out and spread the word to their friends,” Hutchinson said.

Bluto’s brings tastes of the Mediterranean to Mississippi

Katie RainwateR Staff wRiteR

At the former Humble Taco location on University Drive, a new restaurant enters the Starkville culinary scene. The flavors of Bluto’s Greek Tavern are something to behold.

My two friends and I arrived at Bluto’s Friday around 4:45 p.m., the night after the restaurant’s grand opening. We came in with high expectations, and we were not disappointed.

My first step into the restaurant foretold what my experience would be; the atmosphere was buzzing, yet intimate. The blue and white walls resembled the villages of Santorini, or so I have been told.

Immediately, we were seated and ordered the $6 Pita Mozz as our appetizer. Within minutes, our server delivered the warm, cheesy, doughy pita bread and homemade "Granch" dressing on the side.

We each ate two to three

slices of the pita, and the dressing’s texture felt like a combination of Greek and ranch dressing (I wonder if that is how they got the name).

We flipped the menu over to find an extensive cocktail list titled “Nectar of the Gods,” so we knew we were in for a good time. They offered both tried-and-true and original cocktails, but we were excited to see three different types of 40-ounce Fish Bowl cocktails joining the ranks.

Ah, the Fish Bowl. A mixture of spirits (typically vodka and/or rum) and fruity flavors in a fish bowl-shaped container with sour candies floating throughout. A fan favorite among college students that are sold at a numerous bars around Starkville.

We tried both the Finish It Flounder and the “Delta Punch” Fish Bowls, priced at $12 each and presented to us with dry ice smoking from the surface.

The Finish It Flounder

Landon Scheel | The Reflector

Bluto’s Greek Tavern, a Greek cuisine restaurant, opened on University Drive Jan. 16.

contained coconut rum, vodka, melon, lemon, pineapple and apple-ring gummies. This green goddess of a drink was our favorite. The Delta Punch contained vodka, rum, soda, watermelon, lemon and sour watermelon gummies. It was not as good as the Finish It Flounder, but we still drank every last drop.

An unexpected winner

of the night was the Smoked Lemon Chicken Soup with Orzo. It was earthy, tangy, comforting to eat and only $4.

For our entrees, we opted to try three gyros out of the 17 they offered.

I ordered the Santorini gyro containing pork belly, onions, lettuce, french fries and tzatziki.

The pork was remarkably tender.

My first friend ordered the chicken cordon bleu gyro with chicken tenders, ham, grilled mozzarella and honey mustard. She enjoyed the unique flavors but looks forward to trying a different gyro next time.

My other friend ordered the Greek meatball Gyro with meatballs, French fries and pepper jack cheese. The meatballs were massive but a little dry on the inside. The gyros ranged from $12 to $15.

Somehow after all of the food and drinks, we still had room for dessert.

We ordered the fried Oreos; the $5 order came with four Oreos deepfried in batter with a small milk carton on the side.

They were good but could have used a little more powdered sugar.

We left Bluto’s content and eager for our next visit. The line extended out the backdoor nearing Commodore Bob’s and the wait time had risen to two hours. People of all

ages were excited to try the new Greek restuarant.

Bluto’s is unique not only in its menu but in its operating hours. According to Facebook, their current hours are every day from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., atypical for other Starkville restaurants.

The business will most likely benefit from the late hours and limited latenight menu starting around 9 or 10 p.m., as college students are known to have unpredictable eating schedules. The location also works in their favor being less than a 10-minute walk to the Cotton District.

In all, the addition of places like Bluto’s Greek Tavern excites me for what is to come for the Starkville foodie scene. It will quickly become a community staple where everyone will have their go-to gyro, Fish Bowl and appetizer.

The heart and soul of the American-Greek restaurant reflect the unique, yet sincere personality of our college town.

New gift shop celebrates ribbon-cutting ceremony heatheR haRRiSon

editoR-in-Chief

On Russell Street, a new gift shop held its ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday.

Best friends Alicia Harwell and Morgan Stonecypher said they opened Two Flamingos’ doors on Nov. 1 after dreaming of owning a business together. Harwell said the duo saw a need for an affordable gift shop in Starkville and wanted to fill that gap.

Last Thursday afternoon, their friends and family, local shoppers and Greater Starkville Development Partnership ambassadors gathered around the store’s displays of jewelry, wedding gifts, men’s toiletries, Valentine’s Day-

themed accessories, kitchenware and colorful candles.

“We picked out things that we like (for the store),” Harwell said, “things that we think that nobody else in town has, things we think everybody else would like … what would be fun, girly stuff.”

The owners explained how they created the eccentric title for their business.

“We came up with the name together, just brainstorming,” Harwell said. “We wanted something cute and girly, and so, we thought about flamingos and how pretty they are, and there’s two of us.”

Harwell and her husband also own Tough Guys Haircuts in Stark-

ville, while Stonecypher manages a home health agency. The gift store's owners call Eupora, Mississippi, home, and Stonecypher currently resides in Starkville.

The Two Flamingos team experienced its first Christmas season shortly after opening the shop.

Harwell said the community support during the holidays was “better than (she) expected.”

Stonecypher and Harwell noted their bestsellers.

“The So Delta candles have been great,” Stonecypher said. “Made in Greenville (Mississippi) … tons of earrings, anything girly you can think of, pink and frilly.”

The shop also sells high-quality accessory brands, Ronaldo and

Ella Stein.

“We also have Ella Stein jewelry, which is real diamonds, and they’re affordable, so that has done very well for us,” Stonecypher said.

Resident Cyndi Brown attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and browsed the shop’s selection afterward. Brown said she came to support her longtime friend, Harwell, in her new business adventure.

“Well, Alicia and I have been best friends for 20something years,” Brown said, “and I mean, we’ve supported each other through thick and thin and still do it. The things that they’ve ordered and got in here is just amazing.”

Brown said she purchased a Lily Pulitzer bag

Heather Harrison | The Reflector

Two Flamingos, a local gift shop, held its ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday.

set and wine cooler from Two Flamingos to gift her granddaughter for Christmas. The shopper commended the store’s affordability, saying Two Flamingos sells a variety of items for all age

groups at inexpensive prices.

Two Flamingos is located in the Russell Street shopping center near Vace Clothing. For more information, go to its Facebook page.

START THE NEW SEMESTER OFF RIGHT! Be kind & patient with yourself.

Remember that "New Year, New You" is a process.

Set realistic goals for yourself.

Participate in movement you enjoy!

Exercise is not a chore when you find activities you love.

Don't skip meals. Stay hydrated!

Take care of your mind.

Download the My SSP app to connect with 24/7 confidential mental health support.

Avoid mixing energy and caffeinated drinks with alcohol.

Identify alternative social activities instead of partying. Try avoiding situations where alcohol is present and you are likely to drink.

Volunteer to be the sober driver.

Spend time with friends who do not drink.

Look for our upcoming Be Well Wednesdays events to learn more healthy tips.

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