Venture FREE
South Magazine
DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY
A unique view DR. ALI’S
Love of boxing
Summer fun in Mississippi
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I Drones: A unique view Publisher
Jason Niblett jason@myventuresouth.com
Production Manager & Graphic Designer
Anna Griffing anna@myventuresouth.com
Contributing Photographers
Lower prices and better technology advancements help drones become a hobby just about anyone can enjoy
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Dr. Ali plans boxing event
Julie Null | Hilda Hellwig Marvin Overstreet | Shannon Holder Jason Niblett | Debra Jefcoat
Known as a popular physican, this Laurel man hopes to advance the 22 love of boxing across the state
Hilda Hellwig | Debra Jefcoat Becky Collins | Holly Green Jason Niblett
Summer fun
Contributing Writers
Advertising
Kevin Dearmon kevin@myventuresouth.com
Debra Jefcoat debra@myventuresouth.com
Venture South Magazine is published monthly by Venture South Media LLC. Laurel, Mississippi email: info@myventuresouth.com facebook.com/myventuresouth
Š 2019 / All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the publisher. Venture South Media LLC/Venture South Magazine cannot be held liable for errors and omissions. Copies are available at locations throughout Mississippi.
A beautiful beach at Waveland is one of the great spots to visit on the Mississippi Gulf Coast this summer Cover photo by Jason Niblett
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There is something to do for every age in every part of Mississippi this summer
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Visit the Gulf Coast
A day trip or weekend to the Mississippi Gulf Coast can be just as relaxing 34 or exciting as one would want!
Enjoy where you live!
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A different view
A MAN, TWO SONS, AND A DRONE Story by Jason Niblett. Photos by Josh Rutledge.
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he routines of life can become stressful, as most people know. There are careers, bills, relationships, and errands all competing for a spot in hectic schedules. Occasionally, a few hours of downtime can refresh the soul. For a Meridian man, a hobby he “landed into” gives him the pleasure of relaxation and a creative outlet either as downtime alone or enjoyed with his two sons. Josh Rutledge has a high-pressure career. As a conductor for Amtrak, he works more hours than what many people would consider a fulltime schedule. The job takes him away from home, and he’s responsible for keeping hundreds of people safe every time he puts on a uniform. In addition to his career, he has cherished two sons – a teenager and an almost-teen – needing guidance and time with Dad. With a love for photography for
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many years already, he and his sons are also interested in technology and the outdoors. Drones came on the scene several years ago, but there were a lot of questions and high cost investments required to get started. As with many gadgets, the technology increased, and drones became more affordable. It was a little more than a year ago that Rutledge became serious about buying his first drone. “I have always enjoyed photography, but I wanted to find a way to get a different perspective than most,” Rutledge explained. “Drones have been an interest of mine for some years now, but I just couldn’t justify the cost of doing business. Drones offer the ability to change the perspective, capture moments one would never see, reach places once perceived as off limits, and create some spectacular videos while doing so. Videography is a huge bonus that comes along with owning a drone allowing some breathtaking videos to be created.” It was here that he spent days and weeks preparing for his first purchase. The price of a drone ranges as far as the features available.
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“I bought my first drone 14 months ago. I spent days reading reviews, watching YouTube videos, comparing quality and ease of flight on numerous drones. For some reason, when the moment came to make a decision there was a lot of second guessing myself. Mainly because it was a new hobby, I knew nothing about it, never flew a drone and had to come to terms with do not pay to fly unless I’m ok with the possibility of watching it fall out of the sky,” he said. Rutledge said he fell in love with the hobby instantly. With practice and patience, the resulting photos and videos were impressive. There was one feature missing that he quickly realized he needed, however. “After going through three drones, I wish I had completely understood the importance of GPS-enabled drones with obstacle avoidance technology! Those two pieces of technology would have saved my previous drones from meeting their demise!” he advised. “The best and most essential equipment is a drone with GPS & obstacle avoidance. They do cost significantly more; however, it makes it very easy to fly, control and builds your confidence rather quickly to allow me to fly in places I would have avoided with the previous drones. Also, get an updated micro SD card to handle the write speed of the 4k cameras to ensure you’re truly seeing what the camera is trying to show you.” Over the past year or so, the drone has helped create
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great moments for the Rutledge trio. “Every chance I have to be with my sons Zachary and Jacob, I take full advantage capturing our moments with pictures and videos. Growing up in the late 70s and 80s, pictures were not utilized as much so I have millions of wonderful memories with my dad who passed away five years ago. I use the drone’s ability to capture our outdoor adventures so one day they can have something to look back on and smile. They are just as in awe of some the moments we capture as I am. Anytime we are out one of them will chime in, ‘This would be an awesome place to fly the drone,’ and eventually we end up going back to that location and doing so,” he said. Besides offering time as a family, he gets time with God and nature. “Growing up on a farm, always being surrounded by nature, and graduating from Mississippi State University with a Bachelors in Landscape Architecture, I believe it’s just instilled in me a unique appreciation for Earth’s landscape. I know that may sound a little corny, but it is the truth. I have always enjoyed what nature has to offer from lakes, streams, oceans, isolated countryside, to riding atvs down a dirt road, just being outside and taking in all nature has to offer. My absolute favorite things to shoot and video are sunrises and sunsets. It’s quite a humbling experience to be able to see the details in how God begins and ends every day for us,” he said. “The best ‘accident’ occurred one very foggy morning in Meridian. The fog was so dense that visibility was at best a block and a half. I went to the top floor
of a nearby parking garage and launched my drone and caught one of the most amazing sunrises I have ever seen. Apparently, it was one of the most amazing quite a few folks had seen by the likes and comments that showed up on my Facebook post.” Although drones have been around a while, the number of civilians with drones is still small. Rutledge urged patience as people learn more about the hobby. “Drones are not new; however, they are new to a lot of folks. I’ve had the police called on me, been confronted by angry people and, as long as I knew I was in the right and could convey that to law enforcement, I have never been forced to land and quit flying my drone. Stay current on FAA regulations, educate yourself on state/local laws and ordinances so flying a drone and creating incredible memories will be a genuinely satisfying hobby for years to come,” he advised. For anyone thinking of investing in a drone for a hobby, he has some suggestions. “Do the research to determine which drone packs all of what you will require from it and practice in open areas first to become comfortably familiar with the flight controls, and don’t be afraid of the price! Honestly, after a few videos and unique pictures I simply say it was money well spent!” he said. “Any laws or questions can be found at www.faa.gov/ uas/educational_users/ . On here, it guides you through the process of registering your drone as either a hobbyist or
licensed pilot. I do not fly mine for monetary gain so I am registered as a hobbyist. For $5 the registration is valid for thre years. Also, anytime I fly in other cities i have easily found restrictions about drones on their city’s website.” Even though the price tag of a drone can be high and there is more to learn before starting, the hobby has been worth every cent and every second preparing for a flight. “What makes this such an enjoyable hobby for me is the process. It’s walking around or simply sitting and taking in the area I want to film, creating a flight path in my head and where I want to film and where I want take pictures, making mental notes of the location of the sun, where the people if any are located, any overhead power lines or other objects that can interfere with the flight and then being able to let the creativity flow once I get home and upload it to the computer and try to create a more impressive video than the one before,” Rutledge said. “Flying a drone is a surreal experience. I get so focused on the monitor, trying to capture exactly what I set out to do that it’s almost as though I escape to my own little world. Everything around me disappears and my only focus is the monitor. It’s a rewarding and prideful experience in that I am taking a chance on flying an $1200 ‘toy’ as some call it, yet because of that chance I get to see the world around me in a whole different perspective that most will never see.”
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A love of boxing DR. RASHAD ALI’S MISSION Story and photos by Jason Niblett
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o most people, Dr. Rashad Ali is known as a great physician. He’s highly skilled, compassionate, and carries the all-around qualities one would find while searching for a healthcare provider. What many people don’t know, however, is this gentleman has a love of combative sports, and has quite a history working with some of the world’s most famous boxers. Dr. Ali serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Family Health Center, Inc., a network of clinics offering a range of services to take care of any person of any age of just about any need. With locations in Laurel, Sandersville, Taylorsville, and Waynesboro, Dr. Ali has grown his team to be fully immersed in each community served. Although established as serving the medical needs of people, he is also working to renew the love of his favorite hobby: boxing and combative sports. His love of boxing actually tied in directly with how he got his start in medicine. “I would come to the fights as
a fight doctor,” Dr. Ali explained. “I would examine these fighters. Then, it expanded. I would see kids with potential who needed help with training.” The desire to help these young boxers led into working with promoters. He would partner with combative athletes known regionally and throughout the world. He would work with businesspeople and stars. Eventually, he would focus more on medicine, and that would bring him to Laurel after living across the country. Although Dr. Ali has fully immersed himself in the local community, he still has the love of boxing, and he has some big plans to help grow the sport here and nationally. First, the Rhythm Heritage Foundation in partnership with the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame is planning an entire convention, held right here in The City Beautiful. The first-class weekend starts with a black-tie event at the Cameron Center in Laurel
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on Friday, July 5 at 5 p.m. The formal affair will serve as a fundraiser for expanding the Combative Sports Section at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. Besides being a fundraiser, they’ll also recognize the Hall of Fame during a nominee’s awards dinner. Tickets are $50 and will feature invited special guests George Foreman, Roy Foreman, Roy Jones Jr., Andrew English, and many others. “These guys are excited about coming to Mississippi,” he said. “I always tell people boxing is as American as apple pie. We want to be as inspiring as we can.” Then, on Saturday, July 6, a convention with sessions to help anyone interested in combative sports get started will take place. There will be sessions for boxing event communication, promotor’s responsibility, judging and refereeing fights, the corners, and ringside physicians. The seminars will last from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Cameron Center, and tickets are $50. Finally, on Saturday night, the convention ends with the Night of Champions, a night of professional and amateur boxing. Doors open at 5 p.m. and fights begin at 7 p.m. Featured fights include WBF Silver International Middleweight Title Hernandez versus Gaytan. Then, guests will see the ABF USA Mid America Super Featherweight Title featuring Brown versus Aparicio. The fights will also be held at the Cameron Center at 711 North 10th Avenue in Laurel. General admission is $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Ringside is $50 in advance or $55 at the door, and a VIP experience is $100.
Tickets for any event may be purchased by calling (847) 902-8163 or by visiting www.bkptv.com . BKPTV, now that’s even another venture by Dr. Ali. Found at www.bkptv.com , this is an international television network broadcasting from Hattiesburg and seen anywhere in the world. Started as another avenue to share the love of boxing, now viewers can find many forms of broadcast entertainment. “Where we intend to go is, we want to become a sports and entertainment network,” Dr. Ali said from his Hubcity studio, which is a fantastic remodeled space in Downtown Hattiesburg. He owns the block, which includes the building housing the popular occasional market known as The Lucky Rabbit. “We reach several countries,” he said. “We launched in February.” The network is already showing fast growth, and Dr. Ali is encouraged. He has already seen his medical practice become quite successful, and one of his foundations, the Rhythm Heritage Foundation is already well-known as the founder of the Historic Mobile Street Renaissance Festival in Hattiesburg. His foundation promoted the festival 12 years before passing it along to other organizations. Whether it’s through the Family Health Center, Inc.; the Combative Sports Convention; BKPTV; or any other endeavor, Dr. Ali said he simply wants to make life better for the people in his community.
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Enjoy these games & puzzles as you go on your next adventure.
Let us know what games and puzzles you enjoy! Email info@myventuresouth.com to give us your opinion on which puzzles to include every month!
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Independence Day Celebration Wednesday, July 3, 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. Flint Creek Reservoir Wiggins, MS Independence Day Celebration Saturday, June 29, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. Westside Community Center Perkinston, MS Cultivation Nation Triathlon Saturday August 24, 7:30 a.m. Flint Creek Reservoir Wiggins, MS Stone County BBQ & Blues October 18th & 19th Blaylock Park-Downtown Wiggins
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