Saturday Nov. 24,
2012
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 283
Today
Tonight
47
24
0% chance rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
Black Friday draws shoppers BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Many shoppers sought the lighter side of Black Friday by hitting the downtown shops. Retailers saw bustling business while customers enjoyed a little breathing space and, at Sanctuary, a free cup of cider while browsing. “I’m more of a Cyber Monday kind of a gal,” said Sharon Hall of Raleigh, N.C., while browsing the store, “but this is an enjoyable way to spend Black Friday — around little handmade cute stuff instead of standing in line” at the big stores. She and several family members visited a number of downtown shops Friday morning. It was Hall’s first visit to Mississippi. “We’re having a lovely time,” she said. The casual browsing downtown was quite the contrast to Thursday night and the early a.m. hours Friday, when bigger chain stores had lines of people waiting to get at bargains such as $8 crock pots and 96-cent DVDs. Police Chief David Lancaster said anxious shoppers made it a busy night. “We responded to several calls at different stores of disturbance type activity, but we did not bring anybody to jail,” he said. Bo Bean of Michie, Tenn., was another shopping mostly downtown with a couple of family members Friday morning. “I bought my precious godchild her first pair of cowboy boots,” she said. “Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, we go shopping and she gets a pair of boots.” At Sanctuary, Chad Dickerson said Black Friday is a reliable boost. “We always expect that people
Sunny
Runoff election set for Tuesday BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Jebb Johnston
Lori Fakler of New York, formerly of Corinth, waits for her purchases to be packed up at the Green Door Trading Co. Friday morning. “This was a destination stop on my trip to come into this fabulous store,” she said. See additional photo, page 2A are going to go to the malls and the big stores and take advantage of those big sales, but we always end up covered up,” he said. “It’s been a steady stream of people in all morning, and they are buying.” Lamps are top sellers at Sanctuary, along with smaller gifts. “We’ve sold a ton of candles this morning and a lot of pottery,” said Dickerson. At the Green Door Trad-
ing Co., which opened at court square earlier this year, Nan Green was pleased to have a continuous stream of customers, even without opening early or breaking out the doorbuster specials. “I think they like the charm of the downtown,” said Green, taking a break from the busy checkout counter. Many customers had Christmas preparations in mind.
“Today, people are decorating for Christmas,” said Green. “They are getting some presents, but a lot of them are coming in and getting Christmas decorations.” Any item made from burlap has been a hot seller. “Colored burlap or natural burlap, burlap ribbon, burlap signs, burlap stockings — anything with burlap, I’ve sold,” she said.
Alcorn County’s 3rd district voters are set to return to the polls on Tuesday to elect an election commissioner. The two candidates on the ballot are the incumbent, Billy Bearden (D), and Jimmy Harwood (R). In voting on Nov. 6, Harwood led the three-man field. Bearden finished second, about 175 votes behind, and Everett Lee Davis (D) finished third. The 3rd District voting precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. That was the only race to carry over from the Nov. 6 ballot, which included election commissioners, one contested school board race, Congressional races and a Supreme Court seat. The circuit clerk’s office is open today from 8 a.m. to noon for absentee voting in this election. In other election news, Corinth City Hall is open today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for absentee voting in the Dec. 11 liquor election. City Hall will also open Saturday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, for absentee voting from 8 a.m. to noon. Mailed absentee ballots may be requested by phoning City Hall and must be returned by Monday, Dec. 10.
Farmington planning 1st parade BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
“It’s a good thing to meet people in the lines,” said Melvin. “You can talk to the people in front and back of you. People joking. A few who are disconcerted. We spent more time in line waiting to pay for things than shopping.”
FARMINGTON — A new Christmas parade is on the calendar in Alcorn County. Farmington has scheduled its first holiday march for 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7. Mayor Dale Fortenberry said he hopes the event will “bring a glimmer of hope and happiness to some folks.” The parade route will be along Farmington Road from in front of City Hall to Central School Road. Parade entries will begin to line up at 5 p.m. on the Ray Hughes property that is used for the annual reenactment if it is not muddy. Side roads may be blocked at that time. Alderman Johnny Potts said the parade will include Santa Claus and a surprise grand marshal. There is no monetary entry fee, but the city is requesting a nonperishable food donation. The food will be distributed in the Farmington area based on need. Top entries will be recognized in categories such as Christmas spirit and industrial float with judging between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Farmington officials believe the parade will be welcomed by the community. “I’ve been telling people as they come in that we’re having a Christmas parade, and everybody is excited,” said Municipal Clerk Debora Jackson.
Please see SHOPPING | 2A
Please see PARADE | 2A
Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
Kelsey Richardson scans one of the million books at Books-A-Million. The bookstore saw a brisk business Friday, said General Manager Elizabeth Willoughby. At Books-A-Million Friday was the day of the elf — the Elf on the Shelf, that is. With a reward card given with every purchase of the ultra-popular book and toy, as well as free gifts with every purchase over $25, the bookstore stayed busy throughout the day.
Black Friday shopping a tradition for many BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Black Friday shopping is a holiday tradition for Corinth resident Madinna Melvin. “I look forward to it. It’s different and something to do in Corinth, I guess. We’ve turned it into a tradition,” Melvin said. “It’s all part of it — turkey and
Black Friday!” Melvin’s shopping began in the early morning, joining hundreds of other bargain hunters at Belk for the midnight deals. It’s a tradition that goes back many years for her, and it’s not just about the bargains. “For me it’s about getting out in the crowd and seeing people
having a good time. In the early morning you get to see what people really look like — no makeup and sleep deprived,” she explained. Another part of the experience is the camaraderie — or lack thereof — of the multitudes of shoppers jammed together in the epic lines that quickly form.
Index Church........8 Classified......14 Comics...... 13 Wisdom...... 12
Weather........5 Obituaries........ 3 Opinion........4 Sports...... 10
On this day in history 150 years ago Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is given overall command of Southern forces in the western theater: specifically Tenn., Ga., Miss., Ala., western N.C. and eastern La. His main goal is to assist Gen. Pemberton in holding Vicksburg and Bragg in defeating the Union forces in Tennessee.