Invitation Magazine - March 2026

SERVING 10 COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI

the issue COMMUNITY

NEW ALBANY’S COLORFUL MURALS SPARK JOY SPRING BRINGS FLOWERS FROM FUDGETOWN FARM FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS UNITE FOR STORM RECOVERY

IN THIS ISSUE

Feeling Fern

Even in the darkest days, north Mississippi friends and neighbors stepped up to bring life back after January’s historic ice storm.

Off the Wall

Community murals add color and character to downtown New Albany.

Welcoming Spring

Tulips and ranunculus come into bloom at Fudgetown Farm, marking a new season on a family farm rooted in Oxford.

Community Through the Cut-Off

A dilapidated former car wash is now a business incubator and vibrant gathering space for the residents of Ripley.

Oxford’s Fudgetown Farm is ready to welcome spring as their annual crops of ranunculus and tulips bloom, see page 38.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

New Albany’s murals are a celebration of community and a welcome site to visitors. See more on page 32.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM

OUR TAKE

WWITH

e plan our concepts for each magazine a year in advance. We opted for the idea of “community” for March because we’ve been telling stories about our community for more than 20 years. Matter of fact, we’ve published over a million copies of Invitation for our community and told stories about the grit, love, talent, caring and success of our neighbors, friends and local heroes. Turn to page 18 for just a few such stories from the past.

Our concept of “community” couldn’t have been placed at a better time to tell the story of locals and strangers who showed up in the aftermath of Fern. Over the last several weeks, neighbors helped neighbors, providing food, blankets, heaters, warm meals and much more to help sustain us after the devastating impact the winter storm had here. Starting on page 24, you’ll see photos and facts about some of what we’ve been through.

While the ice has melted, the damage is still visible. The trees are clipped, and many no longer stand to shade our streets and yards. But what remains is the experience we shared caring for others and doing our part to be in community. Lessons were learned, survival was different for a while, but we weathered the storm. Let us not forget those lessons and continue to practice kindness, tenacity and care for others.

PUBLISHER

Rachel West

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Emily Welly

EVENTS EDITOR AND SOCIAL MEDIA

COORDINATOR

Meg Kennedy

FOOD EDITOR

Sarah Godwin

COPY EDITOR

Ashley Arthur

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lena Anderson

Eugene Stockstill

Sonia Thompson

OFFICE

BUSINESS MANAGER

Hollie Dalton

DISTRIBUTION

Allen Baker

Brian Hilliard

MAIN OFFICE

662-234-4008

ART CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bryan Nigh

SENIOR EDITORIAL

PHOTOGRAPHER

Joe Worthem

CONTRIBUTING

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Elsie Jane Adams

Rebekah Clayton

Joshua McCoy

Lisa Roberts

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Alise Emerson

Leigh Lowery

Lynn McElreath

Clifton Clements Odom

Keith Rainer

Moni Simpson

Whitney Worsham

ADVERTISING DESIGNERS

Paul Gandy

Markka Bartlett

Ryan Strickland

For advertising information, contact ads@invitationoxford.com.

To subscribe to one year (10 issues) or to buy an announcement, visit invitationmag.com.

To request a photographer at your event, email invitationmag.events@gmail.com.

Invitation Magazines respects the many diverse individuals and organizations that make up north Mississippi and strives to be inclusive and representative of all members of our community.

THE TALENT

RYAN STRICKLAND DESIGNER

Graphic designer and freelance marketing manager Ryan Strickland has been working with Invitation since 2025. Originally from South Georgia, she has made Oxford her home starting her freshman year at Ole Miss in 2020. A defining thread in Ryan’s work is drawing inspiration from the Velvet Ditch’s charm and creative energy. Through her freelance business, The Stamp Creative, she enjoys building and managing thoughtful brands, creating intentional content and transforming businesses to connect with their audiences in meaningful and memorable ways.

SONIA THOMPSON WRITER

JOSHUA MCCOY PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Oxford, Josh is the Media and Content Director for the City of Oxford, an Ole Miss IMC adjunct instructor and founder of Timber Creek Creative. Formerly the Ole Miss Manager of Athletics Photography for 13 years (@OleMissPix), Josh specializes in highimpact digital content and experienced storytelling. Beyond Josh’s professional and academic roles, he is the father to one beautiful daughter, Tannalee.

Sonia Thompson has a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and has worked in magazines for much of her career, writing for Lucky, Woman’s Day, espnW and Garden & Gun, and as editor of Invitation Oxford. She is director of marketing and communications for the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area. She has been part of the Oxford community for nearly 20 years, where she lives with her husband and their two daughters. When she’s not writing, she loves walking her rescue beagle, Rocket, to the North Lamar pocket park and catching up with neighbors along the way.

CLIFTON CLEMENTS ODOM ADVERTISING CONSULTANT

Clifton Clements Odom is a natural storyteller who studied theater and communications at New York University and the University of Mississippi. After a 20-year career in hospitality management, he transitioned to media sales and event production. In addition to selling ads for Invitation Magazines, he is Managing Partner of Clements and Company Estate Sales, and he continually finds ways to support Mississippi artists and authors.

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

BUILDING COMMUNITY

FROM THE INVITATION MAGAZINES ARCHIVES

To celebrate our anniversary we will rerun favorites from past issues!

First and foremost, Invitation is a community magazine. Through the years, we have strived to tell stories about the people, places and events that define who we are and to reflect the communities that make up north Mississippi. Here are a few of our favorite issues and feature stories that met that mission.

“Good Neighbors”

June/July 2020

In the spring of 2020, the world slowed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In our June magazine, we celebrated the many common folks and neighbors who became heroes in those difficult days. Because we were unable to photograph the usual large-scale gatherings for our event pages, we used that space to honor local heroes, including healthcare, grocery store and local government workers. That month, we also offered hand delivery of the magazine to make sure we could share this issue with our community.

“The Pet Issue” February 2016

Our annual Pet Issue and cover contest always brings our readers together! Over the years, thousands of you have submitted photos of your pets to be considered for this cover and have voted for the furry friends that make it to the final round.

“Looking Back at Local History” October 2013

A feature in this magazine looked back at three iconic establishments that helped define Oxford: Smitty’s, Avent’s Dairy and Mistilis Restaurant, each of which still holds a special place in the hearts of many.

“Thank You, Teachers”

August 2023

This story featured six well-known northeast Mississippians who each reflected on their favorite teacher and how that person influenced their lives and shaped the community around them.

“Hometown Harvest: Neon Pig’s Smash Hit”

November 2015

For years, Tupelo’s Neon Pig restaurant has been a hit, not only for the food it makes but also the way it supports other local farmers and businesses to give back to the community.

“2022 National Championship Commemorative Issue”

August 2022

We dedicated a portion of this magazine to celebrating the Ole Miss baseball team’s national championship win, an unforgettable moment for the Oxford and Ole Miss community.

Feeling Fern

EVEN IN THE DARKEST DAYS, NORTH MISSISSIPPI FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

STEPPED UP TO BRING LIFE BACK AFTER JANUARY’S HISTORIC ICE STORM.

WRITTEN BY EMILY WELLY | PHOTOS BY JOSHUA MCCOY, CITY OF OXFORD & JOE WORTHEM

The Destruction

In the days following Jan. 25, everyone in north Mississippi faced a harsh reality left by Winter Storm Fern. Here are some facts to put the disaster in perspective:

• 29 deaths in the state

• More than 180,000 power outages in the state

• In Oxford, 28,000 without power (95% of the North East Mississippi Electric Power Association system). Meanwhile, in Corinth, 100% of the Alcorn County Electric Power Association and 19,100 customers were without power.

• Thanks to hundreds of hours of work by linemen, North East Mississippi Electric completed power restoration in 3 weeks. They replaced 1,000 poles and rebuilt

many lines completely, and cleanup of downed poles and transponders continues.

• 500,000 to 600,000 cubic yards of debris in the City of Oxford alone. Sadly, nine massive, historic trees were removed from North and South Lamar after they were deemed too damaged to save.

• 100,000 cubic yards of debris left on the University of Mississippi campus. However, despite the extensive damage, Landscape Services believes 95% of the trees on campus survived, including two State Champion trees (the largest known of their types in the state): the Northern Catalpa tree near the Student Union and the Osage Orange tree near the University Museum.

State and Federal Assistance

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), distributed the following to 41 counties in the state:

• 1.6 million bottles of water

• 395,198 meals

• 16,304 blankets

• 3,424 cots

• 6,440 tarps

• 17 shower trailers

• 6 laundry trailers

By mid-February, 34 counties in Mississippi were approved for federal public assistance to continue rebuilding efforts.

Welcome Helpers

In addition to local and state officials, law enforcement and fire departments, many organizations from outside north Mississippi came to help in the days following the storm. Some of those included:

Eight Days of Hope responded to Oxford in the weeks following the storm, bringing in hundreds of volunteers from states including Ohio, Indiana, Texas, Florida, Georgia, New York and even Alaska to remove ice, distribute generators and clear debris from fallen and damaged trees.

Volunteers from Mercy Chefs worked tirelessly to serve more than 40,000 meals in just the week following the storm in Hickory Flat, Ashland, Dumas, Walnut and Potts Camp.

The United Cajun Navy mobilized to north Mississippi, distributing thousands of donated meals and bottles of propane and coordinating chainsaw crews to clear roads and debris.

Operation BBQ Relief from Kansas City spent 10 days in the area serving 24,250 hot meals to people in need in Oxford and Ripley.

Hundreds of volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse worked to tarp damaged roofs and move tree debris. The organization took almost 1,500 work orders, and its volunteers worked almost 8,000 hours.

Matthew 25: Ministries served people in Oxford, Ripley, New Albany and Hickory Flat providing: 2,500 loads of laundry; 230 showers; 475 P&G Personal Care Kits; 14,000 rolls of paper products; 80 cases of diapers; 220 cases of Tide pods; 350 Cintas First Aid and Safety Kits; 9,600 Duracell batteries; and 1,700 Duracell power banks.

Continued on page 26

Rebuilding Together

In the aftermath of the storm, neighbors began helping neighbors. Some of those efforts morphed into organizations that continue to meet needs.

Spearheaded by Oxford Community Market, Second Responders started with an informational Zoom meeting on Jan. 29 to brainstorm action items for community care and recovery. The group very quickly opened more than 15 sites around northeast Mississippi for residents to donate and pick up household supplies, food, water and more. Other local organizations including More than a Meal and Oxford Love Packs were integral in this effort.

The Oxford-Lafayette Community Assistance Fund started in mid-February as a collaborative community response among local churches and organizations dedicated to working together to help neighbors swiftly recover and rebuild. First focused on electrical repairs, plumbing issues and large tree removal, the group takes requests for assistance from residents of the City of Oxford and Lafayette County and then comes together to spring into action.

The CREATE Foundation established the Northeast Mississippi Ice Storm Recovery Fund to support communities across the region impacted by the storm. According to CREATE, the fund will provide both immediate and long-term recovery support with 100% of all donations going directly to grants and no fees charged.

The United Way of Northeast Mississippi awarded supplemental grants to the Salvation Army of Tupelo and the American Red Cross of Mississippi to help those organizations respond to needs.

Replanting Oxford’s Trees

The tree canopy in north Mississippi was forever changed by Fern. Looking ahead, the City of Oxford plans to create a replanting plan and hopefully move on it in the fall. Donations to the tree fund will be directed toward replanting new trees. To donate to the fund, visit oxfordms.net/ donations-to-tree-fund.

OFF THE WALL OFF THE WALL

COMMUNITY MURALS ADD COLOR AND CHARACTER TO DOWNTOWN NEW ALBANY.

New Albany has an ongoing art exhibit that’s open 24 hours a day to everybody free of charge. The painting, in fact, is all over the walls.

A $100,000 grant from the American Rescue Plan Act recently brought a quintet of artists to “The Fair and Friendly City,” who created murals on the exterior walls of several businesses throughout the downtown area. Visitors to New Albany are likely to be pleasantly amused by these public works of art, much like they are by the city’s unique middle-of-theroad parking option.

“These murals … bring life and color to the area, showcasing themes that reflect the city’s culture, history and natural beauty,” according to the website for the New Albany Main Street Association, which oversaw the project. “They are a part of an initiative to beautify the city and attract visitors.”

Let’s start west of town, where you’ll find the first one: A big welcome sign that proclaims the city’s establishment in 1840. Mississippi

native Graham Carraway, who now lives in Denver, did that one.

Then, veer east onto Main Street, where you’ll find two more. One is by Carraway’s pal Gavin Bird, who lives in Jackson. Bird applied for the New Albany project at the same time as Carraway, and you can find a sample of his work on the east end of the Muddy Mallard store.

That one includes a portrait of William Faulkner, zinnias and crape myrtles sprouting from a book (Faulkner featured those blossoms in print), the county’s courthouse dome, a deer, a steam engine, a bicycle (think Tanglefoot Trail) and, of all things, an ammonite fossil and an American mastodon.

The floral pattern in the background reflects a design on dinner plates preserved from the old Rainey Hotel, which burned down twice. The fossil and mastodon harken to prehistory in the area now known as New Albany, said Bird, who studied with Jill Smith at the Union County Heritage Museum before he started his work.

To learn more about how Bird transforms

a hodgepodge of squiggles and shapes into gigantic art, go to the New Albany Main Street Association’s website (newalbanymainstreet .com/downtown-murals) for a video of Bird himself explaining his process.

“I love painting on a large scale,” said Bird. “It is very impactful to be driving past a mural that is 20 times the size of your car.”

Bird’s work can also be seen in Belzoni, Yazoo City, Sunflower, North Carrollton, Water Valley and Hattiesburg. In December, he completed a mural just off the Square in Oxford. Turn to page 34 for more on that.

Carraway’s other mural is located a few feet away at Carter Avenue and Main Street in what was once known as the Jockey Yard. It features an old Double Cola logo, another picture of the courthouse, a donkey in mid-bray, a water tower, a man on horseback and a hand holding up a Bible. These images relate to turn-of-the-century reality in old New Albany, where mule trading, preaching and singing were all a part of the Carter Street Jockey Yard.

Continued on page 34

Meanwhile in Oxford…

WRITTEN BY EUGENE STOCKSTILL | PHOTO BY JOE WORTHEM

Jackson-based artist Gavin Bird also recently painted a huge mural right off the Square in Oxford. Moe’s Original BBQ on Lamar commissioned and funded “Magnolia Soul,” a partnership facilitated by Earl Dismuke, an Ole Miss graduate, sculptor and public art coordinator.

The mural is located on the side of Moe’s. From left to right, the mural depicts the late local bluesman R.L. Burnside; a fife (for the style of music known as hill country blues, which Burnside helped popularize); a water tower; the city’s courthouse; a magnolia flower; the Thacker Mountain fire tower; a red phone booth; a microphone; a squirrel (commemorating a famous incident at a football game); Ronzo (local icon Ron Shapiro); writer Barry Hannah; and a book.

“The week I got started painting was bitter cold, but it was just warm enough for the paint to cure properly,” Bird said. “I was having to dodge rainy days.”

Scott Burton, a local who was shooting film around Oxford at the time the mural was going up, is currently finishing a timelapse video of the project. Dismuke helped with the painting. Local mural artist Taylor Shaw heard about the work and came to help, too.

Bird has painted more than 60 murals across Mississippi. “Magnolia Soul” is his only mural in Oxford. “But it had to be the most fun mural I have painted,” he said. “Just based on how much the community got involved and wanted to contribute during the painting process. It was a great time.”

Just up the way, “The Musicians’ Mural” on the side of the Union County Appliance and Furniture Store (right by the Tanglefoot Trail) has pictures of Bobby Wood, Sam Mosley, Bob Johnson, Paid in Full, Roma Wilson, the Rev. Leon Pinson, Zeke Listenbee, the Rev. Lee Russell Howell and Billy Ball, musicians with connections to New Albany.

Deborah Mansfield and Chloe Welch of West Point and Marion Sansing, a native of Germany who now lives in Starkville, did that groovy one together.

And finally, a floral mural by Mansfield and Welch can be found on the upscale restaurant Nico’s. That colorful work includes, among other things, flowers, mushrooms, a frog, a bird and a butterfly, all bearing witness to the area’s biodiversity.

“Outdoor murals can change the look and feel of a space,” said Mansfield, a trained landscape architect who also has an affinity for murals. “I love the feeling of standing on a street and hearing the sounds of a town.”

Welcoming Spring

TULIPS AND RANUNCULUS COME INTO BLOOM AT FUDGETOWN FARM, MARKING A NEW SEASON ON A FAMILY FARM ROOTED IN OXFORD.

WRITTEN BY LENA ANDERSON | PHOTOS BY JOE WORTHEM

The anticipation of spring feels even more palpable this year, with a collective desire to bid farewell to a brutal winter and welcome its warmer, brighter counterpart.

Fudgetown Farm is answering the call, as rows of specialty tulips and ranunculus unfurl across the farm’s former pastureland, signaling the return of one of Lafayette County’s most anticipated signs that spring has arrived.

Located on Fudgetown Road, now County Road 418, the third-generation farm is run by Jordan Daniels and her husband, James Bowker, on property owned by Daniels’ grandmother. The farm takes its name from the road itself, originally named for the Fudge family, a prominent early Oxford family that once owned the original City Grocery before it became the local restaurant it is today.

Daniels grew up in Colorado but spent summers and holidays visiting her family in Oxford. During the pandemic, she and Bowker returned to help care for the property and soon decided to stay. After completing farmer training programs and working on an established organic farm in Virginia, the couple converted one of the old cow pastures into a working cut-flower and produce farm, yielding thousands of flower stems and thousands of pounds of produce every year.

Fudgetown Farm is Certified Naturally Grown (CNG), a peer-reviewed certification that follows the same standards as USDA Organic.

“There are no synthetic pesticides or herbicides, no GMOs,” Bowker said. “It’s the same exact fine print. The only difference is who the certifier is.”

For many small farms in Mississippi, that distinction matters. While organic standards are federally regulated, the inspection process has been privatized and increasingly centralized in regions with higher concentrations of organic farms. For Southern growers, the cost of bringing in out-of-state inspectors can be prohibitive, making alternative certification programs like CNG a more accessible way to uphold the same standards.

Certified Naturally Grown emerged as an alternative that maintains rigorous standards

through peer inspections by nearby farms. Growers review one another’s practices using detailed checklists and rotating schedules, ensuring accountability without the financial barrier. The result is a network of local farms operating under the same principles, even if the label looks different.

In addition to flowers, Fudgetown Farm grows greens, strawberries, root vegetables, pumpkins and more, selling through local farmers markets, restaurants and Chicory Market in Oxford. For Daniels, buying local offers tangible benefits for consumers.

“Most of what we sell has been harvested within 24 to 48 hours,” she said. “You’re getting something fresher, handled by fewer people, and it lasts longer. That’s especially true for flowers.”

Longtime customer and flower club member Wendy Pfrenger agrees.

“I love that the flowers are so fresh that I can always have one in my office and one on the table at home, since they come in faster than they fade,” she said. “And I just love the textures! Some of the bouquets will have native plants mixed in, adding color and shape so you want to touch them, not just look at them.”

Supporting Fudgetown Farm also means investing in the local community. The farm employs two part-time to full-time workers, with hours that shift seasonally and often include students. In addition, volunteers from the University of Mississippi’s nutrition program regularly spend time on the farm, gaining firsthand experience with how food is grown. For Daniels and Bowker, sharing that knowledge is part of their work, extending the farm’s impact beyond the fields.

This spring, Fudgetown Farm is also expanding its role as a gathering place, with plans for U-pick strawberries, seasonal flower workshops and on-farm events that invite the community to engage more closely with where their food and flowers come from. By opening its fields to visitors, the farm reflects what spring represents: a return to warmth and color, and the reassurance that growth follows even the hardest seasons.

Spring in Full Color at Fudgetown Farm

Tulips: A Short but Spectacular Show

Tulips are among the first flowers to bloom each spring at Fudgetown Farm, but they’re also one of the most fleeting. Unlike garden tulips that may return year after year in colder climates, tulips grown for cut flowers in Mississippi must be replanted annually. Fudgetown sources specialty bulbs, including double and fringed varieties, chosen for their color, form and vase life. The result is a brief but brilliant window of blooms that signals the true start of spring.

Ranunculus: The “Rose of Spring”

Ranunculus are a standout favorite among customers and florists alike. Known for their tightly layered petals and vibrant hues, they resemble roses but thrive in cool early-spring conditions. Planted in the fall and harvested in late winter and early spring, ranunculus reward patience with long-lasting stems and exceptional texture. “They’re definitely a fan favorite,” co-owner Jordan Daniels said — and one of the most photographed flowers on the farm.

How Fudgetown Protects Early Blooms

Spring flowers are delicate, but Fudgetown Farm relies on high tunnels — greenhouse-like structures — to protect their most valuable crops from ice, wind and temperature swings. During extreme cold, additional frost blankets provide insulation. This layered approach allows the farm to navigate North Mississippi’s unpredictable winters while keeping flowers healthy and on schedule.

Why Ice Can Be a Good Thing

It may sound counterintuitive, but snow and ice can actually help certain cold-hardy plants survive winter weather. Ice acts as an insulating layer, shielding crops from harsher temperature drops below. When paired with proper planting timing and protection, winter weather can become less of a threat, even in years that are marked by extremes.

When to Visit

Tulips and ranunculus typically peak in March and April, depending on temperatures. Because bloom times shift with the weather, visitors are encouraged to visit fudgetownfarm.com or follow @fudgetownfarm on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date availability and event dates.

Community Through The Cut-Off

A DILAPIDATED FORMER CAR WASH IS NOW A BUSINESS INCUBATOR AND VIBRANT GATHERING SPACE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF RIPLEY.

WRITTEN BY SONIA THOMPSON | PHOTOS BY LAUREN LINDSEY OF LOLLY LINS PHOTOGRAPHY

Cleaning up spaces that need improving must be ingrained in Elizabeth Behm’s DNA. As a child growing up in Ripley, her father owned the local car wash.

“He would let me keep anything I found in the vacuum if I cleaned it out,” Behm said, laughing.

So, it’s perhaps not a stretch that in Behm’s chosen profession as Ripley Main Street executive director part of her job is to beautify her hometown. And when it was her father’s former car wash that was in dire need of improvement, Behm took action.

The car wash building, which had sat vacant in recent years, is located just off of Ripley’s Main Street. Behm saw potential in the dilapidated area to create something unique in Ripley.

As her ideas percolated, she envisioned a place that would attract people from all aspects of her community. With the help of the Main Street Board of Directors, Behm and her team began cleaning up the real estate, painting, picking up trash, pulling weeds and watering new plants.

With grant funding from the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area, Mississippi Main Street American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds

and a Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center Revitalization Grant, Behm and the Ripley Main Street Association came together to help turn the once run-down area into a business incubator.

“Without grants from these organizations, we wouldn’t be able to do things like this,” Behm said. “We are always looking for ways to strengthen and grow our Main Street and our town. A place where small, local businesses can begin and grow is one way to help achieve that goal.”

They transformed the former car wash bays into two small retail spaces designed for entrepreneurs looking to bring their visions to life. From there, The Cut-Off was officially born. Ripley is located in Tippah County, and Tippah is a Chickasaw word that translates to “cut off.” Using a Chickasaw term in the name set the tone for the rest of the project’s aesthetic, which boasts a distinct Native American tribal flair in color and design. Paying homage to the native tribe are five large portraits of Chickasaw men and women in traditional dress, painted by Ripley native artist Annie Simpson Rivers.

The Cut-Off officially opened in September, and it quickly became clear that it would offer the citizens of Ripley much more than new

Open for Business

The first retail shop to occupy the business incubator space at The Cut-Off is Millie & Co. The boutique offers women’s clothing, accessories, candles, handbags and gift items. The other retail bay is reserved for pop-ups and small workshops.

places to shop. There’s a small stage and seating for live performances, as well as an expansive green lawn dotted with picnic tables. In addition to the five Chickasaw portraits, a large mural of the word Ripley beautifies the area and beckons highway traffic.

“There’s never a time I drive by when I don’t see three or four families just enjoying the space together,” said Chris Lewellen, Tippah County Development Foundation’s executive director. “We have lost the art of fellowship, and it’s nice to see people there talking to each other, talking with their neighbors.”

Now, The Cut-Off is a vibrant community gathering space, one that gives Behm a good feeling about her hometown.

“I love this project,” she said. “Not just because we turned something ugly into something pretty, but because of the impact it has on our community. It’s so great to drive by here on a Friday night — you see the tables full, kids running around, people playing cornhole. It just adds so much. It’s a real full-circle moment for me.”

Food Truck Flavor

The Cut-Off’s main food truck is family-owned Chula’s, which offers a variety of authentic Mexican tamales, tacos, sopes and more. Chula’s is open at The Cut-Off on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

upelo Young Professionals’ Forty Below networking event took place Jan. 17 at Tupelo Cotton Mill. Guests enjoyed live music from the Emerald Empire Band and a Mardi Gras theme. A portion of proceeds benefited CATCH Kids.

Austin

Maddie King

C.J. and Chad Fleener

Brianne and Cody Payne

Breanna Miller, Maddie Hutto, Taylor Tutor and Lillian Salem

Ashlyn and Colton Ausbern

TUPELO JUNIOR AUXILIARY CHARITY BALL

upelo Junior Auxiliary hosted its annual Charity Ball Feb. 6 at Cadence Bank Arena, bringing together community members for an elegant evening in support of local service projects. Guests enjoyed a night of dinner and dancing while helping raise funds.

Mary Evelyn Maynard, Posey Richburg and Ava Babb

Meg Jones, Sophie Mulrooney, Chloe Becker, Marley Driskell and Lily Shettles

Stella Root, Carlyle Blossom and Summer Wilson

Amelia Clayton, Lanie White, Maisy Townsend and Lynden Williams

Emma Wallace, Summer Wilson and A’Myah Dancer

Kamari Foster and Dunaryhah Swing

TUPELO JUNIOR AUXILIARY LUNCHEON SOCIAL HOUR

Tupelo Junior Auxiliary hosted its Charity Ball Preview Luncheon Jan. 22 at Park Heights, bringing members together ahead of the organization’s annual fundraiser. President Kaycee Burrell addressed attendees, followed by a Charity Ball update from Catherine Thoms.

PHOTOS BY LISA ROBERTS

Lori Bevering, Megan Johnson, Courtney Finley, Hannah Claire McCullough, Kimberly Jeffares, Laura Miller and Arian Waldrop

Megan Johnson and Kimberly Jeffares

Gracie Menetre, Kory Hunter, Maggie Clark and Bonnie Mize

Elaine Lovorn, Belva Poland and Margaret Gratz

Heidi Eaves, Ginger Montgomery and Amy Blossom

Laura Spencer, Beth Eckard, Bess Leathers and Ginger Harbour

Catherine Thoms and Kaycee Burrell

Mary Elizabeth Williams and Betsy White

Kim Root, Karen Alvarez and Chanda Cossitt

n opening reception for A Touch of Red, an exhibit featuring work by the Mississippi Painter’s Society, took place Feb. 13 at Gumtree Museum of Art. The evening reception included a special performance by Tupelo Civic Ballet.

Sandi and John Armistead

Calvin and Jane Farmer

Rena and Jerry Jones

Maddox Harris

Clay and Janine Hassell

Rhonda Grammer

SOCIAL HOUR

IGNITE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2026

The Ignite leadership conference took place Jan. 29 at The Orchard in Tupelo. Hosted by the Community Development Foundation, the event brought together leaders, professionals and emerging talent for inspiring talks, practical insights and networking, featuring world-class speakers and peer interaction designed to strengthen leadership skills and community engagement.

Emma Rae Leathers, Justin Forsett, Chris Hussey and Emily Collins

Caitlyn Douglas, Cherie Demoran and Lori Jones

John “Gucci” Foley and Matt McCarty

Noelle Russell and Amy Speck

Emily Tucker, Tiawanna Pullium, Norris Grizzard, Megan Reynolds, Melanie Knight, Alysse Estes, Elliott Hall and Daniel Centeno

Coretha Chaney, Marquel Conner and Brittany Rose

Juanitte Easley, Grace Guntharp and Shannon Hendrix

Emma James, Jenny Savely, Carlee Morgan and Kim Rushing

Daniel Magee and April McVay

Anthony and Cailtin Golding, Holly Bailey, Lori Sharum and Connie Gusmus

REGIONAL REHAB 65-YEAR CELEBRATION

Regional Rehabilitation Center celebrated 65 years of service to the community with a special anniversary event Feb. 3 to honor the organization’s long-standing legacy of care, compassion and commitment to families across the region. As part of its “A Legacy of Hope” campaign, the organization plans to expand its dyslexia program and introduce ABA services, further strengthening its mission to meet

Lewis Whitfield with Jeff and Donna Cox

James Pirkle with Erin and Will Bristow

Robbie Parham with Clay and Whitney McNutt

Jaime Martin and Gracy Gamble with Bre and Shewana Ashe

Nan and April Pittman with Bethany Reed and Becky Ewing

Jordan and Anna Claire Bowers with Margaret and John Richter

Jenny and Anna Claire Harris, Leigh Springer and Susan George

Paris and Lige Mitchell

Pete and Belvia Poland

KING CITY CLASSIC

The King City Classic show choir competition took place Feb. 13-14 at Cadence Bank Arena, bringing high school and middle school show choirs from multiple states to Tupelo to compete.

Saylor Yturral, Lucy Saunders, Harper Ann Romano, Sydney Livingston and Julie Shirah Miriah Oges, Liza Rhea, Audrey Robertson, Linley Daniel, Carson Tippett, Kimey Rambo, Mary Frances Miller, Emerson Thomas, Lea Jeffares and Mary Addison

Kaelyn Cox, Kaydence Holtkamp, Paisley Inzerello, Sylvia Schulte, Chloe Phillips and Bella Tolly

Hailey Ott, Lillee Young, Olivia Berg, Miles Koopman and Braylon Armstrong-Brush AraCeli Santana and Mauricio Gomez

Lilah Miller, Sarah Ramiroz, Joley Brown, Abbie Madison, Molly Kate Jones, Ta'Mia Howard and Anna Ochs

Sarah Elliott, Jade Wilson, Kellen Rowland, Isabella Ross and Addie Graves

Tresah Bahev, Jordan Thomas, Selah Bagwell, Daphne Estes, Zaylon Clay, Easton Vickery and Maddox Acosta

Peyton Richoux, Elaina McClelland, Jaxson Salminem and Adore’ Davis

Taylor Harris, Olivia Hanks, Karissa Magee and Laykin Lambert

SNAPSHOTS

Janice Trawick, Brady Deramus and Brett Holt

Cora Yielding, Jessi Stevenson, Summer Maine, Caroline Meehan and Leslie Maine

Kim Fly, Rachel Wiygul and Ashley Seals

Catherine Lackey with Helen and Carrie Hancock and Erica Sullivan Richardson

Lilly Claire Word and Ella Hendry

Andrew Jarell, Lauren Grace Godwin, Carley Fryery and Davis McQuirter

HAPPENING NOW

NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI

PONTOTOC FARMERS MARKET

Saturdays pontotocfarmersmarket.com

THE “BLUES IS ALRIGHT” TOUR 2026

March 13

cb-arena.com

MISSISSIPPI MADNESS DEMOLITION DERBY

March 13

crossroadsarena.com

CORINTH SHAMROCK AND ROLL FESTIVAL

March 14

cityofcorinth.com

TASTE OF TUPELO

March 19

cdfms.org

“THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST”

March 19-21

tctlyric.com

PIONEER DAY LIVING HISTORY AND CRAFTS

March 28

nps.gov

COFFEE WITH THE COUNTY

March 28

pontotocchamber.com

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA WITH ALEXANDER MARKOV

March 28

nmsymphony.com

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PADDLE BATTLE

March 20-22

nemshabitat.com

TUPELO-GOLDEN TRIANGLE SERA RODEO

March 21

cb-arena.com

BASSMASTER ELITE AT TENNESSEE-TOMBIGBEE WATERWAY

March 26-29

bassmaster.com

“ALICE IN WONDERLAND”

March 27-28

civicballet.org

TUPELO FLEA MARKET

March 27-29

tupelofleamarket.net

MONSTER TRUCKS UNLEASHED

March 28

crossroadsarena.com

MARCH 28

tupelo.net

MONSTER JAM

APRIL 3

cb-arena.com

HARDY CONCERT

APRIL 10

cb-arena.com

MAIN EVENTS

2026 CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

TUPELO

MARCH 28TH

Welcome spring at Tupelo’s 10th annual Cherry Blossom Festival, taking place from 2 to 5 p.m. March 28 at The Depot in downtown Tupelo. The free, family-friendly festival celebrates Japanese culture with rice pounding, Japanese fashion, brush writing, origami, martial arts demonstrations and more.

tupelo.net

MARCH 19TH

Barnes Crossing Auto Group presents Taste of Tupelo the evening of March 19 at Cadence Bank Arena. Hosted by the Community Development Foundation, the business expo features more than 100 exhibitors from the food industry and beyond providing demonstrations, complimentary samples and information. Tickets available online until sold out.

cdfms.org

“THE

MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST”

MARCH 19TH - 21ST

Tupelo Community Theatre stages “The Miss Firecracker Contest,” a comedic play written by Beth Henley. Set in Brookhaven, Mississippi, it tells the story of Carnelle Scott, a young woman competing in an annual Fourth of July beauty pageant to redeem her reputation. Tickets available online.

tctlyric.com