Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)
Coast Electric Power Association
4 Modern homesteading
in Oktibbeha County 14 Cooking with blueberries 15 Lawn mower racing catching on
2 I Today in Mississippi I June 2013
June 2013 I Today in Mississippi
Oklahoma tornado latest proof that preparedness saves lives nowing ahead of time how to respond to an approaching monster tornado undoubtably saved countless lives recently in Oklahoma. Residents of that tornado-prone region take disaster preparedness seriously—including the small children who demonstrated their tornado crouch before media cameras after the May 20 storm in Moore. Hurricane season in Mississippi opens this month. Are you as prepared as those Oklahoma students? Do you have a plan of action when a hurricane starts to spiral toward our coastline? Your electric power association certainly does. Representatives from all 26 electric power associations in the state are gathering in Jackson this month for the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Emergency Work Plan meeting. The purpose is to review, discuss and improve our collective emergency response to widespread power outages due to natural disasters. Even the smallest details will be scrutinized to see how we can make our power restoration faster, safer and more efficient. Electric power associations have the unique ability to call on a national network comprising more than 500 electric cooperatives ready to provide an emergency work force and equipment in a very timely manner. When you have the ability to pull in hundreds, possibly thousands, of additional line workers to help restore power, you better have your ducks in a row beforehand. They will need meals and a place to sleep in the outage area, or as close as possible. That can be a difficult task in some of the more rural areas of our state. Our Emergency Work Plan meetings are designed to leave no stone unturned in hurricane preparedness. We discuss: • securing line materials, tools and equipment • employee briefings before and during the disaster
K
I
Our Homeplace
My Opinion Michael Callahan Executive Vice President/CEO EPAs of Mississippi
• assessing damage to lines quickly to determine manpower and material needs • sleeping arrangements, meals and laundry for visiting emergency crews. In a natural disaster situation, an electric power association anywhere in the state can make one call to the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi office in Ridgeland to request help in power restoration. That one call activates a process to round up additional crews, sends them to the needy areas and tracks their progress, calling in more if necessary. This carefully planned procedure frees the local electric power association personnel to concentrate on storm damage assessment, power restoration coordination and crew support tasks. By the end of our Emergency Work Plan meeting this month, participants will have discussed, dissected, reviewed and revised every facet of our disaster response procedures. They will return to their local electric power association confident of their cooperative’s ability to keep the lights on for members—and restore them as quickly and safely as possible when a storm knocks them out. I hope you already have an emergency plan for your family. And please make sure everyone knows to stay away from downed power lines. JOIN TODAY IN MISSISSIPPI
ON FACEBOOK
On the cover
Today in Mississippi
Mike and Alison Buehler, the parents of three young children, have chosen to become modern homesteaders by incorporating fading rural traditions into their 21st century lifestyle. The 4-County Electric Power Association members also founded the Mississippi Modern Homestead Center. Their story begins on page 4.
OFFICERS Kevin Doddridge - President Brad Robison - First Vice President Wayne Henson - Second Vice President Randy Wallace - Secretary/Treasurer
EDITORIAL STAFF Michael Callahan - Executive Vice President/CEO Ron Stewart - Sr. Vice President, Communications Mark Bridges - Manager, Support Services Jay Swindle - Manager, Advertising Debbie H. Stringer - Editor Abby Berry - Communications Specialist Rickey McMillan - Graphics Specialist Linda Hutcherson - Administrative Assistant
Vol. 66 No. 6
EDITORIAL OFFICE & ADVERTISING 601-605-8600 Acceptance of advertising by Today in Mississippi does not imply endorsement of the advertised product or services by the publisher or Mississippi’s Electric Power Associations. Product satisfaction and delivery responsibility lie solely with the advertiser. • National advertising representative: National Country Market, 800-626-1181 Circulation of this issue: 433,242 Non-member subscription price: $9.50 per year
The Official Publication of the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Today in Mississippi (ISSN 1052-2433) is published eleven times a year (Jan.Nov.) by Electric Power Associations of Mississippi, Inc., P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300, or 665 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Phone 601-605-8600. Periodical postage paid at Ridgeland, MS, and additional office. The publisher (and/or its agent) reserves the right to refuse or edit all advertising. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Today, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300
Visit us online at www.todayinmississippi.com
Larger-than-life steel sculptures of native plants and wildlife (the heron weighs more than a ton) adorn “Nature’s Playground,” an impressive new 42-foot-high public art project and lighted fountain in Gautier’s Town Center. Topping the piece is a lighted sphere covered with stained glass. Designed by Fairhope artist Dean Mosher with decoration by local artists, the work reflects Gautier’s plan to become a destination for eco-tourists.
Mississippi is ... ... remembering Mamaw making butter rolls and Christmas in an old unpainted farmhouse. It is watching our citizens learn to appreciate each other without regard to skin color, and the evolvement of a two-party legislature. It is the never-changing delight of redbud and dogwood trees in full springtime bloom, and the reds and yellows of autumm splendor. It is fried chicken, from an iron skillet in the kitchen or the fast-food drivethrough line. With all its changes and all its sameness, Mississippi is where my heart is. Mississippi is home! — Jo Robbins, Pelahatchie I’m originally from Louisiana but I’ve lived in Mississippi for nearly four years now, and I call it home. The people are the best, there are plenty of churches, the landscape is beautiful and it’s peaceful. The lifestyle is slow, it’s very safe and very welcoming. I love Mississippi and I intend to live in this great state for the rest of my life. Thank you, Mississippi! — Joseph E. Colna Jr., Houlka Mississippi is a sojourner’s rest from relentlessly long winters, a revival of new beginnings and the harvest of fond memories. — R.D. Glover, Collinsville
What’s Mississippi to you? What makes you proud to be a Mississippian? What do you treasure most about life in our state? Send your thoughts to Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158, or email them to news@epaofms.com. Please keep your comments brief. Submissions are subject to editing.
3
4
Today in Mississippi
Growing
June 2013
a better life
Starkville family’s hobby farm revives rural traditions
By Debbie Stringer If her college friends knew what she was up to, Alison Buehler says they wouldn’t stop laughing. Hosting a workshop on home chicken processing is not what they would expect from this former special-education teacher. Yet Alison and her husband, Mike, a radiologist at a regional medical center in Starkville, have developed a deep respect for and interest in such old-time rural ways. Their own grandparents fed their families by producing their own vegetables, fruits, meats and eggs. If they needed something, they made it; if it broke, they fixed it. The Buehlers are reclaiming this sort of knowledge and making it a part of daily life. They grow organic vegetables and herbs, flowers, fruit trees and berry bushes. They keep laying hens and honeybees, raise pigs and make compost. They’ve built a henhouse, a greenhouse, deer fences, raised garden beds and berms. And they’ve learned how to cook and preserve the food they produce. In addition to developing a hobby farm from a small garden plot, they created an educational center to share information with like-minded people of all ages. The couple are part of a growing “modern homesteading” movement, which generally translates into the revival of traditional rural life skills to enrich modern living. “The things everybody used to know and now nobody knows,” as Alison put it. The Buehlers’ goal for themselves and their three children—ages 8, 7 and 4—is better health and a more meaningful
An organic strawberry, top, nears plump, ripe perfection in Mike and Alison Buehler’s organic garden. Seven-year-old Ben Buehler, left, examines a rye grass seed head while his mom looks over the herbs. Ben and his brother, Max, 8, enjoy eating fresh vegetables; their 4-year-old sister, Cecelia, will need more convincing. Laying hens, right, patrol the fenced garden for bugs, grubs and edible plants.
lifestyle based on sustainability, frugality and creative solutions. “For me, it’s something that brings together a lot of different passions or ideas, things like fitness,” Mike said. “This is how I get my exercise, out here building fences and digging ditches. And of course the food we’re growing is healthy. And then trying to re-learn some of these traditions and crafts and passing them on to your kids is a good thing.” He is quick to say his family has no desire to return to the 1900s; they like air conditioning as much as anyone. “It’s just learning how to do things that make sense, that aren’t quite so wasteful,” he said. “I don’t belong to a gym anymore because I’m out in the garden, or chas-
ing animals or children,” Alison said with a laugh. The Buehlers’ baby steps in homesteading started seven years ago when they bought a large home on an overgrown six-acre lot in Oktibbeha County. “When we were fixing this house up, we realized we didn’t know how to do just basic things, like fixing a toilet,” Alison said. Rather than hire the work done, the couple decided to become more self-sufficient by learning some fundamental skills. “We had an awakening: If we know this little, what are they going to know?” Alison said, nodding toward her 3-yearold daughter, Cecelia. Learning to grow food organically topped their list, but their first attempt
was a disaster. Gardening without chemicals in bug- and weed-infested Mississippi is no easy task. Undeterred, they visited organic farms and gardens in other states, read books, attended conferences and experimented fearlessly with different methods. Early on they discovered raised garden beds are the way to go when dealing with heavy clay soil. “I tried to till for two or three years and the tines just turned into a huge block of clay,” Mike said. After experimenting with several kinds of retaining structures for the raised beds, he settled on untreated pine 2-by-8 (or 10) lumber. The untreated lumber will last several years as long as termites don’t find it, he said. The more the Buehlers learned, the
June 2013
Alison Buehler and son Ben pet their Kunekune pigs, a small breed from New Zealand. The Buehlers chose the breed because of their docile nature. The pigs feed on pasture grasses and they especially relish clover growing among the raised garden beds.
more they wanted to know. “It was a slow realization but [it became] a real yearning for knowing how to take care of ourselves,” Alison said. Six years ago these 4-County Electric Power Association members had a 2400watt solar energy system installed to provide a supplemental source of electricity. “This house uses far in excess of what this system produces, but it’s sort of a demonstration of something that can be done,” Mike said. “I think moving toward solar and alternative energy is an important thing for the country. You’re not going to replace coal or
natural gas completely [as fuel sources for generating electricity] because you have to have always-on power. This is only going to be daytime, sunny-day power. It’s a complementary situation.” The Buehlers’ homesteading journey took an unexpected turn last year. After moving into another house nearby, they were considering the fate of the hobby farm they had nurtured through the years. Inspired by friends’ constant howto questions about gardening and keeping livestock, the couple decided to transform the property into the Mississippi Modern Homestead Center. Its function is to provide a public forum for sharing homestead experiences, information and hands-on demonstrations. “We had the idea to make this a teaching model of what anybody can do on whatever scale they want to do it,” Mike said. The center opened in January to host beginner-level workshops in topics such as chicken and goat keeping, home cheese making, cooking, food preservation, first aid, sewing, vegetable fermentation, fishing and homemade natural cleaners.
“This is cottage knowledge. People who have a knack for something come here and show somebody else how to do it,” Alison said. The center offers space for meetings, retreats, workshops and special events, plus overnight accommodations for up to 25. So far the center has hosted a women’s wellness retreat, a crafts festival, numerous workshops led by various instructors, as well as Farmstay events where families can try out hobby farming for a weekend. Events set for this summer include youth camps that emphasize learning and creativity. Judging from the center’s success in attracting people from Mississippi and several other states, it seems many crave basic knowledge in hobby farming and homesteading. “I think one of the reasons people are
Mike Buehler
Today in Mississippi
I
5
coming is they are curious about practical know-how that our generation has lost,” Alison said. “We’re recognizing that [these skills] are going to be gone if we don’t reclaim them.” The Buehlers also welcome requests for workshop topics. Alison has plans to cluster themed workshops to attract families who want to learn together. The Buehlers hope the center will help keep alive the rural traditions that sustained previous generations of Mississippians but have faded from modern life. “To me, this is a place to celebrate some of the best of Mississippi—food, practical know-how, people and rural living. It’s what Mississippians are good at,” Alison said. The Mississippi Modern Homestead Center is located at 402 Lake Valley Drive, just west of Starkville. For more information, call 662-694-0124 or go to www.msmodernhomestead.com.
Alison and Mike Buehler look over the last of their cool weather garden and make plans for the next planting. Founders of the Mississippi Modern Homestead Center, the Buehlers teach raised bed construction as part of their Farmstay weekends, where families can try out hobby farming to see if it will fit into their own lifestyle.
“We had the idea to make this a teaching model of what anybody can do on whatever scale they want to do it.”
I
6
I
Today in Mississippi I June 2013
Young gardeners ditch tractor for a mule
ayne Rogers, who has a farm south of Philadelphia, called me a while back and asked if I’d like to do a TV story about his boys, who use mules to plow their summer garden. I was thinking it had been several years since I had done a story about mule plowing. Going through my files, I discovered it was actually 20 years ago, in 1993, that Rev. Lewis McDonald invited me out to his place to watch him work his garden with his mules. He used a tracMississippi tor to break up Seen the ground to by Walt Grayson begin with, but then used a mule to do the intricate work in the garden. Wasn’t anything better than a mule, he said. I had no idea what to expect when I drove up to the Rogers place and saw 12-year-old Cody and 13-year-old Kalem hooking up their mules to get ready for me to video them plowing. Questions running through my mind were along the lines of why they use mules instead of a tractor or a tiller. Is it a throwback to old times? Is this garden something they want to do or is it something they have to do? Stuff like that, remembering my one summer when I
W
Cody and Kalem Rogers of Neshoba County work their summer garden the old-fashioned way, with mules, but for modern reasons. Photo: Walt Grayson
was about their age, working in the hay field on my uncle’s dairy farm and how that one summer of long, hot days cured me of ever being tempted to pursue an agricultural career. Wayne explained that the garden is the boys’ summer job and they make pretty good money at it. But it is theirs to do. All of it. Kalem told me the first thing they have to do is pay their dad back for the advance he gives them to buy the seed. And just like any other business, any
other expense comes directly off the bottom line. That is why the brothers like to use mules. “That diesel fuel for the tractor costs a lot,” Kalem says. Mules can have a little bit of a stubborn streak, but not as bad as a donkey. I was told that a mule is a cross between a donkey and a horse and hopefully retains the best of both lines. But a little of what you don’t want, like stubbornness, may slip through, too. Cody told me what to do if the mules
don’t do exactly what you want them to do: “Just put ‘em in a circle and go.” Meaning you lead them around in a circle and then head them back in the direction you wanted them to go to begin with. Mama and Daddy used to have to do something like that with us when we were kids, I told them. But old times has little to do with why these young entrepreneurs want to use mules. It is strictly economics and conservation for Kalem and Cody.
June 2013 I Today in Mississippi I 7
Kalem explained that one of the reasons he prefers a mule to a tractor is because it “doesn’t pollute the area around us.” Cody immediately snickered and added, “Well, not too much!” Which reminded Kalem that the mules also help fertilize the garden as they go. The boys’ mother, Tammy Rogers, says she’s pleased her sons have taken on
the garden as their summer job. She says she is delighted they are learning values a lot of other kids don’t learn anymore. I’d call them old-fashioned values. Walt Grayson is the host of “Mississippi Roads” on Mississippi Public Broadcasting television, and the author of two “Looking Around Mississippi” books and “Oh! That Reminds Me: More Mississippi Homegrown Stories.” Contact Grayson at walt@waltgrayson.com.
TICKETS: Adult Season: $20 • Adult Day: $12 Student Season: $10 • Student Day: $7 • Ages 5 and Under: Free Duck Dynasty Experience - Tickets $10 while supplies last Pre-fair reduced rates available June 24, 2013 to July 7, 2013 at PRR Welcome Center.
Wednesday, July 10 11:00am 6:00pm 7:00pm 10:15pm
Gates Open Chief Phyliss J. Anderson and Guests 2013 Choctaw Indian Princess Pageant World Series Stickball
Thursday, July 11
C h o c taw , M i s s i s s i p p i
11:00am 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:30pm 10:15pm
Gates Open Chief Phyliss J. Anderson and Guests Jana Mashonee Josh Turner World Series Stickball
Friday, July 12
For More Information: 601.650.7450 www.ChoctawIndianFair.com This is a family, non-alcoholic event. For More Information on Rez Run: 601.650.1765 www.racesonline.com
10:00am 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:30pm 10:15pm
Gates Open Chief Phyliss J. Anderson and Guests Kari & Billy Pat Green World Series Stickball
Saturday, July 13 7:00am 10:00am 1pm-4pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:30pm 10:15pm
Rez Run 2013 Gates Open Si Robertson of “A&E’s Duck Dynasty” Chief Phyliss J. Anderson and Guests Plateros Justin Moore World Series Stickball Championship
OPERATING HOURS DAILY OPERATIONS Now - August 11, 2013 Monday - Saturday • 10:30am - 6pm Sunday • Noon - 6pm
WEEKENDS ONLY August 17 - September 2, 2013 Saturdays • 10:30am - 6pm Sundays • Noon - 6pm
!"#$%&'( )'*$%&'$+,-$%.. Not valid on Saturdays.
NOW - AUGUST 11, 2013 Present this coupon at the Geyser Fall ticket booth to receive half off one admission with the purchase of a $35.00 (plus tax) general admission ticket. No Junior discount. Kids 3 years and under are FREE. Sunday - Friday only, not valid on Saturday. Not valid with any other offer. No cash value. Not for re-sale. Coolers, food and beverages may not be brought into the park. Hours of operation and available attractions are not guaranteed. Valid for one use only. Offer valid Now - August 11, 2013.
Geyser Falls Water Theme Park 209 Black Jack Road • Philadelphia, MS 39350 A Development of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
8
I
Today in Mississippi I June 2013
Country wisdom and predicting the future ne distinct advantage to country living is the collection of small towns associated with the lifestyle. And I suppose I should add also the marvelous tales emanating from a great many of those so domiciled. Grand stories and small towns seem inseparable, for it is in these towns that folks gather. Enter any retail establishment and you are likely to find someone you know. And that someone will want to talk. So, please don’t rush; take time to visit. Hurrying away could cause you to miss matters of significant import. In just such a setting it was that I found myself on April 18. I had stopped in at a store that handles practically everything from plumbing and electrical supplies to pocket knives and baseball caps. I walked in wearing knee high lace-up boots, a sloppy hat, faded jeans, green chamois shirt and carrying a wooden longbow. No one thought anything of it.
O
I was there to buy a section of PVC, but fortunately not for plumbing. I was intent on fabricating a tube for the takedown Osage bow that would fit in my duffle for a trip to Africa. When I announced my purpose for being there, all ears turned in my direction. But soon my story grew dry and inconsequential, and the subject turned quickly to weather. A perfect topic, politics aside. “The weather forecast says it’s gonna be cold tomorrow,” one customer noted. Tomorrow Mississippi would be the Outdoors 19th, but it was by Tony Kinton the 22nd that immediately became the focus. “You know it will,” the lady at the register added. “It thundered February 22 and it is always cold in April around the same date it thunders in February. It
The prediction of a late cold snap didn’t thwart the propensity to bloom in these azaleas. Photo: Tony Kinton
will probably frost.” Two days off is not so bad when making a long-range prediction with nothing more than the past as a radar. “It won’t frost now.” Another customer entered the debate. “The bluebirds have already laid their eggs.” “Well, the eggs may freeze ‘cause it’s gonna be cold.” There was now another individual opining in reference to this long-held belief. I had to agree with the prognostication of cold weather, for as long as my mother was cognizant and capable, she recorded any day in February when there was thunder. Seldom did the pattern prove false. And if you are wondering, yes, there was a touch of frost during that cold snap. All this banter set me to thinking of the many “truths,” perceived or otherwise, I had heard during my life in the country. And since most were somehow affiliated with nature, I concluded that these would fit in an outdoor column such as this is purported to be. Here are a few: • It’s too cold to snow: I have heard this all my life in regards to Mississippi. But after I was the first time in snow with temperatures far below freezing, I began to question this. However, there is likely some element of truth when confined to the immediate area. We get our coldest weather when the sky is clear and heat is able to escape. Snow doesn’t fall from a clear sky.
• Stinging snakes bury up in the mud and wait for somebody like you boys to step on them: While likely believed by a scattering of folks, it was probably employed to keep errant barefoot boys from walking in the mud—and ultimately tracking assorted debris attached to the feet of those errant barefoot boys into the house. I close with a few more upon which I will not expound: • A dream told before breakfast will come true. • If the wind spreads a chicken’s tail feathers, it is going to rain. • If you see lightning in the south, it will be dry weather. • It will soon rain when smoke from the chimney falls to the ground. True or false, these old country sayings? I don’t know. But I do know that I will eat blackeyed peas and pork on New Year’s Day! And like the words to that old song as these relate to my life in the country, I shall not be moved. Tony Kinton has been an active outdoors writer for 30 years. “Uncertain Horizons,” book two in Kinton’s “Wagon Road Trilogy,” is now available. Order from your local bookstore, Amazon.com or Kinton’s website: www.tonykinton.com.
June 2013
I
Today in Mississippi
I
9
Plan now for later irrigation needs lthough many Mississippi gardeners are wondering if it will ever quit raining and let their landscapes dry out a bit, now is actually a good time to think ahead to the inevitable hot and dry weather of summer. Dry conditions create problems for our home gardens and landscapes, and gardeners water their lawns and landscape beds a lot more than usual during these times. We typically water garden plants based on soil moisture, and when the soil feels dry, we water thoroughly. A common recommendation is to apply 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week. This irrigation is usually done with overhead sprinklers, but they are an inefficient method of applying water. A much better approach is to maintain soil moisture by slow and steady watering. Homeowners actually have a variety of options that can provide water more effectively and efficiently. One option is to use microirrigation, also called drip or trickle irrigation, to apply water directly to the root zones. Maintaining a moist root zone reduces plant stress significantly. It also reduces water use by up to 70 percent
A
Microirrigation is an effective way to apply water directly to the root zones. Options include soaker hoses, drip tape and microsprinklers. Photo: MSU Ag Communications/Scott Corey
compared to overhead sprinklers. This can make a big difference in the monthly water bill. Soaker hoses are another effective method of microirrigation. These hoses work by “sweating” along their entire length and are good for vegetable garden rows or long flower beds. Drip tapes are somewhat similar to soaker hoses and are used for long and straight rows in vegetable gardens.
CD or IRA COMING DUE?
4 -11.5%
Work Hard, Invest Right, and the Sky’s the Limit.
First Year GUARANTEED
(Includes up-front bonus)
Learn the Safe & Secure Way to Earn Stock Market Linked Returns Without Market Risk to Your Principal Richie Culotta
601-657-4271
Culotta Insurance & Investments www.culottainsuranceandinvestments.com
Guarantees subject to the claims-paying ability of the insurance company. Surrender of the contract may be subject to surrender charge or market value adjustment. Product not available in all states.
Serving Mississippi & Louisiana STATEWIDE Since 1992
SAFE SALE! Home Security & Fire Protection
Protect Your Valuables for Your Family’s Future with THE HIGHEST FIRE RATINGS IN THE INDUSTRY
Liberty Truckload
SALE Discount Gun Safe 2636 OLD BRANDON RD. • PEARL, MS 39208
601-939-8233 • 888-991-0333 Save Hundreds on America’s #1 Selling Safes
Emitters create uniform and efficient water flow and come spaced from 1 to 3 inches apart to accommodate different plant spacing. Because water use can vary between plants, adjustable flow emitters can regulate irrigation volume accordingly. Microsprinklers are useful for wider areas. While these are overhead sprinklers, volume is limited to 10 gallons per hour. If you are interested in really controlling the amount of water you use in the garden, consider using pressure-compensated emitters. These emitters regulate the amount of water regardless of water pressure. Microirrigation is an effective method of watering plants grown in containers. Starter kits make systems easy to install and are available at home improvement stores and garden centers. You can easily add additional tubing and emitters to these systems to irrigate additional containers. If you are like me and have an existing irrigation system that uses pop-up sprinklers, you can buy a conversion kit to switch to microirrigation. I did this in my front landscape beds. The early-morning hours are the best time to water, as temperatures are cooler and the soil can absorb the water before the heat of the day. Watering during the middle of the day is not very efficient, as some of the water evaporates before it can do any good.
Plants, like people, have preferences and knowing when and how much to water plants is one skill all gardeners need to cultivate. Too much water encourages root rot problems; too little leaves plants wilted and lifeless. Careful observation and experience will keep your landscape plants Southern alive during a Gardening long, hot and by Dr. Gary Bachman dry summer. Soil conditions in the garden and landscape have a big impact on watering needs. Most gardens and beds can benefit from the addition of 3 to 4 inches of composted organic matter that will help improve drainage. Top that off with 2 to 3 inches of mulch to help the soil retain valuable moisture and keep temperatures down. Even though there has been plenty of water so far, spend some time in your landscape and garden planning on the best way to meet your plants’ later moisture needs. This way, you’ll be able to keep your landscape looking beautiful regardless of the weather. Dr. Gary Bachman is MSU horticulturist at the Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi.
10
Today in Mississippi June 2013
Where our members have the power
Communicators: Melissa Russo and April Lollar For Today in Mississippi information, call 877-7MY-CEPA (877-769-2372) www.coastepa.com
CEO’s message
Are you ready for summer temps? June is here and everyone on the Gulf Coast knows that means hurricane season has arrived. Typically, we don’t see big storms at the beginning of the season but we all know how unpredictable these things can be. That is why I urge you to make a plan for your family now. Even if you have a plan in place from last storm season, take some time to sit down with your family and review it before there is a storm in the Gulf. I know several people base their storm preparations on the severity of the storm. They may ride out a category one at home and evacuate for a category three. Isaac taught us last year that every storm is different and even a category one can bring water into our homes and do some pretty bad damage. I also want to make sure that people with
special medical needs know that they should either plan to evacuate or go to a shelter during tropical weather. You just never know what Mother Nature is going to do. Flooding may block access to your home or there may be damage an electrician needs to fix before we can restore service. Believe me, our employees work tirelessly to restore service after storms. They especially want to help those in need, but storms are unpredictable and it is in your best interest to do everything you can before a storm hits to ensure you are safe and that your needs can be met. I can promise we will do our part to respond, and I hope you will also make a commitment to keep yourselves and your families safe. You are our member-owners and your safety and the safety of our employ-
ees is the most important thing of all, so let’s work together on this! Besides talking about storm season, I also want to tell you about a new program we are offering that I think can really help out a lot of our members who are careful with their budgets. Our Prepay Metering program allows you to purchase energy when you need it. Just like you fill your car with gas when the tank gets low, or when you choose to. Prepay allows you to purchase power on a pay-as-you go basis. There are also fewer costs associated with Prepay accounts so it makes it very budget-friendly. Make sure you take a look at the information on the following pages to see if Prepay might be right for you.
Robert Occhi President and CEO
Hot deals, cool savings See how Co-op Connections will save you big bucks on your summer getaway Kids are out of school and vacation season is upon us. Before you pack your bags and jump in the car, grab your Co-op Connections card and map out your savings. As a member of Coast Electric, the card is free and you get hot deals and cool savings this summer. If heart-pounding rides are in your plans, special pricing for all Six Flags Theme Parks is available. Lodging discounts from beachfront properties to road trip stop-overs can be found from the Wyndham Hotel Group,
Best Western, Motel 6 and La Quinta. The ideal rental car can be found with our Hertz, National and Alamo deals. For those of you enjoying a stay-at-home vacation, don’t miss out on the savings for Gulf Islands Waterpark, Ship Island Excursions, Lynn Meadows Discovery Center and many more great attractions. Parlay your savings and dine at participating Co-op Connections restaurants. Or grill up a masterpiece with goodies from Omaha Steaks or in custom smokers
from Smokin’ Tex. So, wherever you are traveling, there are money-saving, Co-op Connections discounts at more than 25,000 businesses across 47 states in our network of 458 participating co-ops! Visit www.coastepa.com and click on the Co-op Connections card to start saving!
And these are just a few of our participating businesses!
June 2013
QA
I
Today in Mississippi
QUESTIONS
&
I just bought a new energy-efficient refrigerator. Putting that old one out in the garage won’t cost me much, right?
ANSWERS
When we go shopping, fresh outfits don’t replace last year’s looks — instead, new clothes are added to the bulging closet. No one gets around to recycling the clothes they never wear anymore. The same situation often applies with refrigerators and other appliances. In both cases, it can lead to waste. In 2010 and 2011, a lot of folks got federal rebates for a new refrigerators, water heaters or other household appliances. About $1.7 million rebates were redeemed, and the U.S. Department of Energy estimates these appliances This month’s question is will cut $65 million from electric bills every year. answered by our Pearl River County Around $48 million of that will be saved mainly Senior Residential Energy by consumers who bought energy-efficient refrigRepresentative Scott White. erators, clothes washers and dishwashers. Great news, right? Sure, if folks really follow the adage, “Out with the old, in with the new.” But for one in five households, that’s not the case. A national survey by the Cooperative Research Network, an arm of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, found 19 percent of homes have two refrigerators; 2 percent own three or more. I understand we might hold on to an outfit from last year. But the problem with keeping an old refrigerator is simple: You’re not saving money. By sending these “energy hogs” to the basement or garage to keep sodas and popsicles cold for the kids, you increase electric bills even more. Appliances already use 13 percent of your home’s electricity, and older appliances drain even more. A refrigerator from the 1970s costs $200 more to operate every year than a current model; a 1980s fridge isn’t much better, wasting $100 in energy dollars annually. Are you in the market for a new fridge or another energy-efficient appliance? Although most of the federal rebates are gone, there are still a few ways to save. Check dsireusa.org for incentives in Mississippi. At Coast Electric, we offer credits to your electric bill for changing out that old central air conditioner with a new energy efficient heat pump system. Visit www.coastepa.com and click
A:
Comfort Advantage under Quick Links to learn about our Heat Pump Retrofit program. Save your money — we all know every dollar counts. If you buy a refrigerator, trade in the old one and save your electric bill. Want to save even more? Find out how little changes add up to big savings at www.TogetherWeSave.com.
Hancock County - Clay Sweet: 228-363-7261 Harrison County - Phillippe Michel: 228-539-5720 Pearl River County - Scott White: 601-889-5109
ENERGY efficiency tip Appliances account for about 13 percent of your home’s energy use. If they have energy-saving settings, use them! If they’re nearing voting age, consider replacing them with a new, energy-efficient model. And remember to try smart power strips for smaller appliances and electronics that continue to draw power even when turned off. For more tips, visit EnergySavers.gov. Source: U.S. Department of Energy
I
10a
10b Today in Mississippi June 2013
Want to take charge of your energy costs? ! u o y r o f e b y ma
y a p e r P
Download the CEPA Mobile app today!
Q: What is the Coast Electric Prepay Metering program? A: Prepay Metering allows you to purchase energy when you need it. Just like you fill your car with gas when the tank gets low, or when you choose to. Prepay allows you to purchase power on a pay-as-you go basis. Q: Is Prepay right for me? A: If it would be easier for you to make payments throughout the month, instead of just making one payment each month, then Prepay is a good option for you. If you want to pay $5 a day or $40 a week, it is up to you. Prepay makes scheduling payments around your paycheck easy to do. Q: How much does it cost to set up my Prepay account? A: If you are a new member: If you are a new member setting up service for the first time, you will pay a $5 membership fee, a $35 service fee, and you must start with a minimum credit of $50 for your electric use. That means you can set up service for $90. If you are already a member: If you are an existing member, your existing deposit (if applicable) is applied toward any outstanding balance owed, with the remaining credit (if applicable) applied to your Prepay account. If you have an unpaid balance on your account when switching to
June 2013
Today in Mississippi
10c
Prepay, this balance must be paid, or an acceptable Q: When will my service be disconnected? to restore your power. Service will be restored the payment arrangement must be agreed upon with the same business day the required payment was applied. A: If the credit balance on your account falls below member service representative. Your new Prepay $25, you will have a grace period of two days to bring Q: When will my meter be read? account must begin with a minimum credit of $50 your account balance to more than $25. Your service A: Meter readings are gathered daily with the use of for your electric use. our automated meters. will be disconnected on the third consecutive day Q: How does this compare to setting up a your account is below the minimum $25 credit. We Q: Why are my readings two days behind the regular account: will attempt to send you any of the courtesy notifica- calendar date? A: A member signing up for standard residential serv- tions mentioned above in an effort to avoid disconA: It takes two days for the metering data to travel ice is subject to a $35 service fee, $5 membership fee nection, but it is your responsibility to make sure from your home, over our lines and to our billing and a refundable $250 deposit. A member with a department for processing. you’re enrolled to receive these alerts and your constandard residential account, or a Time of Use resitact information is up-to-date. Q: How does this delay affect me? dential account, is also subject to additional deposits Q: Will I be charged disconnect and A: When you first activate your Prepay account, you and other penalties and fees if their service is disconreconnect fees if I am disconnected? will not receive your first daily use notification until nected. A: With Prepay there is no reconnection fee; however the third day your service has been active. This notiQ: How can I monitor my credit balance? there is a $10 disconnect fee that will be charged to fication will be for the kWh you used on the first day A: You can monitor your credit balance several ways. your account as soon as it has been disconnected. your service became active. It is helpful for you to Q: How do I add money to my Prepay account? You can call our office at 877-769-2372 to get your understand this delay in the event you attempt to credit balance either from one of our representatives A: Adding money to your account is quick and easy, reduce your energy consumption. Your conservation or through our automated system. You can access even on weekends and holidays. There are several efforts will not be reflected on your immediate notifiways you can add credit to your balance: your account information at www.coastepa.com or cation, but rather two days later. chat with one of our representatives by clicking the • Visit any Coast Electric office between 8 a.m. and Q: Will I receive a bill in the mail? chat link while visiting our website. Or you can view 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A: No, you will not receive a bill; however, you will • Pay online at www.coastepa.com your balance and use information by downloading receive a monthly reconciliation statement, summa• Use our automated phone system 24 hours a day our free mobile app available at rizing the total use and payments made on your account for the month. www.coastepa.com/memberTools/mobileAppSupport by calling 877-769-2372 • Use our free mobile app: .aspx. Q: Can I make arrangements if I can’t Q: How will I know when my credit balance is low? www.coastepa.com/memberTools/mobileAppSupport add money to my account? A: No. Payment arrangements are not allowed on the A: It is your responsibility to monitor your electric .aspx Prepay program. When your balance is lower than use daily by one of the methods mentioned above. Q: How do I get my service reconnected? However, we can help make this process easier for A: If your service is disconnected, a minimum $25 for the grace period of two days, your service will you with the use of our alerts and reminders feature. required payment must be applied to bring the balbe disconnected. You can receive a low balance notice when your ance back to the starting minimum credit of $50. account reaches a pre-determined balance that you Once the payment is applied, an order will be created choose; via the method you choose (email, text message phone call and/or all three). This will give you time to add money to your account before your account is low enough to be disconnected. This feature is $5 Membership fee Membership fee $5 offered as a courtesy simply to help $35 Service fee Service fee $35 you manage your energy costs. You No deposit, but must begin with Additional deposits may be required $250 *Deposit Deposit are responsible for managing and a $50 pre-pay credit balance. if service is disconnected. updating the notification settings and contact information on your account. $30 Disconnect fee Changes can be made either online, $10 Disconnect fee $30 Collection fee through our free mobile app or with $0 Collection fee $6 Late fee one of our representatives. If you do $0 Late fee $35 Reconnect fee not keep your contact information $0 Reconnect fee $45 Overtime re-connect fee up-to-date, you will not receive noti$0 Overtime re-connect fee (after 4:30 p.m. or on weekends) fications and your service may be disconnected. You are responsible for all standard text and email charges that may apply.
Prepay Account
Standard/TOU Residential Account
10d
Today in Mississippi June 2013
Storm season
refine them each year. We’re confident our employees will be prepared to restore electricity as quickly and safely as possible in the event a major storm affects our members.” As soon as there is a possibility of a hurricane making landfall On the along or near the Mississippi Coast, arrangements will be made Gulf Coast, we to ensure that adequate equipment and materials are available in spend six months in hurri- areas expected to be affected. Assistance will be coordinated cane season and the other six through the electric cooperatives’ statewide office, which can call months preparing for it. Coast Electric on line crews and tree trimmers from other companies in the Power Association employees have again been state and region, if necessary. reviewing plans and conducting training in prepa“If a storm comes our way, our first priority is to ensure the ration for tropical storm activity. safety of our members, employees and the electric system before “You can never let down your guard when it comes to hur- and during the storm,” said Occhi. “Once the storm passes, ricane season,” said President and CEO Bob Occhi. “Storm pre- we’ll implement our plans and preparations. We are prepared to paredness is a vital task for any utility serving areas near the face whatever the Gulf may send our way this year. We’re lookcoast. Our emergency restoration plans are extensive and we ing out for our members, especially when storms strike.”
is here ...
June 2013
I
Today in Mississippi
I
11
Hancock and Harrison County residents can now sign up for alerts Hancock County Emergency Management Agency is asking residents to register with its Emergency Notification Service Provider, FirstCall. The FirstCall Emergency Notification Service can immediately deliver emergency alerts to citizens and first responders. It gives Hancock County the ability to provide the community with important, timely information about hurricanes and other high profile events occurring in the area. This is done using an Emergency Notification Service to landlines, cell phones, SMS text messaging devices and email. Mass numbers of residents can be alerted with important information in five minutes or less. To ensure you receive these emergency notifications to your cell phone, email, and/or SMS texting device, residents must sign up for the service. Residents can now register online at https://alertregistration.com/hancockcoms/or feel free to call 228-255-0942. Harrison County residents can sign up for alerts with the Emergency Management Agency.
Outage reporting Call 877-769-2372 to report outages or do so via our free mobile CE on the Go app for iPhones, iPads or Android phones. Remember, you can get updates on Facebook and Twitter but it is NOT the place to report outages. The fastest way to ensure we know about your outage is to report it via our outage number or mobile app.
Members with special needs should have a plan Coast Electric would like to remind members who use electric medical equipment or have other special needs to evacuate or go to the nearest shelter. Coast Electric cannot guarantee any member’s electric service after a hurricane. Your electric cooperative will do everything in our power to restore your electric service as quickly as possible after the storm, but several factors go into the restoration process. Those with special needs should consider their safety above all and plan to be in a location where their needs can be met.
Want the latest information before, during and after the storm? Stay connected! Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, sign up for our e-news and visit our webpage.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/coastelectric Facebook: www.facebook.com/coastelectric
To sign up for e-news and for updates: www.coastepa.com
12
I
Today in Mississippi
I
June 2013
Our next ‘Picture This’ focuses on rural life What’s so great about living (or visiting) in rural Mississippi? The answer lies in your photographs. “Country Life” is the theme of our next “Picture This” reader photo feature. We publish a few of the most eye-catching photos that best illustrate the theme from among those submitted. Photographers whose photos are selected for publication are eligible for a $200 cash prize, to be awarded in a random drawing in December. Submissions must be emailed or postmarked by June 10. Selected photos will appear in the July 2013 issue of Today in Mississippi. I Submission requirements • Submit as many photos as you like, but select only your best work. • Photos must relate to the given theme. • Photos must be the original work of an amateur photographer (of any age). • Photos may be either color or black and white, print or digital, but they must be in sharp focus. • Digital photos should be high-resolution JPG files. • Please do not send a photo with the date appearing on the image. • Photos must be accompanied by identifying information: photographer’s name, address, phone and electric power association (if applicable). Include the name(s) of any recognizable people or places in the picture. • Prints will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot, however, guarantee their safe return through the mail so please do not send irreplaceable prints. I How to submit Mail prints to Picture This, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300. Email digital photos (as an attachment) to news@epaofms.com. If submitting more than one photo, please attach all photos to only one e-mail message, if possible. Or, mail a photo CD to Picture This, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300.
Southern hospitality meets its match
A
visit to our nearest allies across the Atlantic gave my travel companion and me another perspective of cultures that speak English. It makes life much easier than using sign language with strangers who don’t particularly like Americans. We knew we liked London enough to go back, but didn’t know about their close neighbors. Who would have thought that Mississippi and her southern sisters inherited their hospitality not only from the English, but Wales, Ireland and Scotland. These countries are good humored and also have innate friendli-
ness and kindness. The people we met have a genuine affection for Americans. That was our impression when we recently took a 12-day tour. Many of us claim ancestry from the four countries, especially emerald-green Ireland. Mr. Roy gave me one bit of advice before we joined our travel group in London: “Don’t invite anyone to come see us.” On a trip abroad five years ago, we invited Brian and Beryl, a couple from Australia, to come visit us. They took us at our word. Yes, they have been here three times. In the South, “come see us” flows smoothly off our tongues. But that’s OK. I’ve learned a lot
Building Americ merica’’ss Home Place, Inc., uildingg our home h with America’s Hom Place, Inc., er done! wwas as th thee easiest i t th thin thing ngg we’v we wwe’ve ’ve ve eever ver The Ho Home me Y Want... ... You ou Want W Where Whe re You u Want W It!
~ 100% Complete ~ Built On Your Land ~ Over 90 Plans To Meet Your Needs ~ Options To Fit Your Budget ~ Granite Counter Tops In Kitchen ~ Hardwood Floors In Select Areas
Call TODAY TODAY Y for a FREE Floor Plan Book!
*All floor plans and elevations are copyright protected.
Hattiesburg, MS Building Center
Jackson, MS Building Center
Tuscaloosa, AL Building Center
4700 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg
4205 Lakeland Dr, Flowood
1420 McFarland Blvd, Northport
601-579-0222
601-952-0002
205-752-1128
Scan this QR code with your smart phone and start browsing our plans now.
June 2013
about Australia from them. When they left, Brian laughed and said, “Y’all come on down.” I think they learned a few things from us too. One big hitch: Australia is extremely down under for me. Gravity could fail momentarily and off we’d go to another galaxy. My companion and I were flabbergasted when we joined our group of travelers on the tour bus. Like a magnet we sat next to an Australian couple. I looked at Mr. Roy, raised and dropped my shoulders and grinned at him. During our tour of the countryside we hung out with the Aussies, a mother and her 21-year-old daughter from Canada, and a couple from California. In London my traveling companion and I enjoyed the British Museum. I Grin ‘n’ wanted to see Bare It the Rosetta by Kay Grafe Stone and ancient sculptures from Greece and Egypt. We loved Westminster Abbey. We left London the next day with our tour group on a fast-paced trip to Wales, Ireland, Scotland and then back to England. We saw many memorable sights, but I’ll just touch on a few. First was Stonehenge, which has baffled archeologists for years, then the Roman baths at Bath England and the Cardiff Castle at Cardiff Wales. In Ireland we visited the famous Waterford crystal factory at Waterford, Ireland, and then to beautiful Dublin and Belfast Ireland. Our tour crossed the North Channel to Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland has so much history, but the centerpiece is the Edinburgh Castle and the crown jewels. Back in England our group traveled through the Northumberland National Park to the walled city of York and then to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, and finally back to London. As we sat in our seats on the airplane and were finally able to catch our breath, I asked my Mr. Roy what impressed him the most. He thought for a minute and then said, “I thought all of the cities were very clean and pretty, especially
Edinburgh and Dublin. The more I see of London the more I like it. “I had always wanted to see Stonehenge. But what impressed me the most in all four countries was the beautiful green countryside. I had no idea that England was that rural and had so many farms. And the same can be said for Ireland and Scotland. Another thing that impressed me was the friendliness of the people, even the taxi drivers.” Then he asked what I thought. “I agree with everything you said, but I will add the play ‘Jersey Boys’ that we saw our last night in London. I loved that.”
Medicare Supplements Low Rates! (Female age 65, “Plan F” = $104.50)
E. F. Hutton Insurance Agency P. O. Box 5277 Brandon, MS 39047
A SAFE PLACE 1-800-463-4348
E. F. Hutton nor its agents are affiliated with the Federal Medicare Program.
• Storm Shelters • Utility Buildings
JIM WILLIAMS
662-435-7889 Columbus, Mississippi bigjim4456@yahoo.com
Finally, I asked him a hard question. “Was it worth the expense?” Roy said, “Don’t you remember the little old lady that we met one afternoon on the famous street in York, England, named The Shambles?” “Of course I do. That was the afternoon we walked back to our hotel. An old English lady stopped us. She could tell that we were Americans and we could tell that she was lonely. She told us that she loved Americans and had visited the States several times. You asked her questions about growing up in England during World War ll.”
I
Today in Mississippi
I
13
When we started to part, she recited a phrase her mother used to tell her in old English. But we didn’t understand. With a smile she said, “You can’t take it with you.” And then she added, “Remember: Enjoy every day to the fullest.” Then she turned and walked away.
Kay Grafe is the author of “Oh My Gosh, Virginia.” To order, send name, address, phone number and $16.95, plus $3.50 S&H to Kay Grafe, 2142 Fig Farm Road, Lucedale, MS 39452.
14
I
Today in Mississippi
I
June 2013
Blueberry-Banana Pie
mississippi
ooks C RECIPES FROM OUR FEATURED COOKBOOK:
1 cup sugar 4 Tbsp. flour 1 tsp. lemon juice 4 cups fresh blueberries, divided
1 (9-inch) baked graham cracker pie crust 1 ripe banana, sliced
In a saucepan, mix sugar, flour, lemon juice and 1 cup of the blueberries, and cook over medium heat until thickened. Cool. Stir in 3 cups of the blueberries. Line bottom of pie crust with banana slices. Spoon blueberry mixture into crust. Serve with whipped cream or topping.
Blueberry-Orange Nut Bread
‘Blueberry Recipes: Martha’s Blueberry Collection’
They are tasty, versatile and available fresh from farmers across Mississippi. Rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants and nutrients, they are one of the healthiest foods you can eat. What’s not to love about blueberries? Martha Turner has produced a new cookbook bursting with fresh ideas for enjoying the blueberries grown at her family’s Spring Lake Berry Farm, in Vancleave, where her husband, Henry, planted 6,000 blueberry bushes. “I was inspired to write this cookbook because so many of our blueberry customers who came to our farm each year were requesting recipes,” Martha Turner said. The book contains 150 blueberry recipes and also gives a brief history of blueberries, nutritional benefits, plus hints on preserving and freezing blueberries. A member of Singing River Electric Power Association, Spring Lake Berry Farm invites the public to pick blueberries from June 1 through around July 4. For information or directions, call 228-826-4682. To order the spiralbound cookbook, send $10 plus $3 S&H to Martha Turner, 17100 Spring Lake Drive East, Vancleave, MS 39565.
3 eggs 1 Tbsp. orange rind, grated 2/3 cup orange juice 1/2 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup milk 3 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1 cup fresh blueberries 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Combine first 5 ingredients and beat on medium speed 30 seconds. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and soda in a large bowl, making a well in the center. Add egg mixture; stir until well blended. Fold in blueberries and nuts. Bake at 350 F for 1 hour. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.
Blueberry Pinwheel Muffins 2 cups biscuit mix 2 Tbsp. sugar 2/3 cup milk 1/4 cup margarine, melted
1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 cup chopped nuts 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 2 cups blueberries
Combine biscuit mix and sugar. Stir in milk until ingredients are moistened. Knead on lightly floured board (or waxed paper) until dough is smooth. Roll out dough to a 10-by-18-inch oblong. Brush dough with melted margarine. Combine cinnamon, chopped nuts and brown sugar. Sprinkle over dough, then spread blueberries over dough. Roll up like a jelly roll, starting at the 18-inch side. Cut roll into 12 equal pieces. Put each piece, cut side up, into a well greased muffin pan. Bake at 425 F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until light brown. Serve warm.
Creamy Blueberry Dip 1 cups fresh or frozen (thawed) blueberries 1/3 cup light cream cheese (from 8-oz. tub) 1 Tbsp. apricot preserves
In the container of a food processor or blender, place blueberries, cream cheese and apricot preserves; process until smooth. Serve with sliced fruit or use as a dessert sauce spooned over cut-up fruit, if desired. Makes about 2 cups.
Lemon-Blueberry Cream 3/4 cup whipping cream 1/3 cup sifted powdered sugar 1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup sour cream 2 tsp. freshly grated lemon rind Garnishes: lemon zest, fresh blueberries
Beat whipping cream and powdered sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until soft peaks form. Fold in blueberries, sour cream and lemon rind. Serve with pound cake. Garnish, if desired. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
Lemon-Blueberry Chicken Salad 2 cups blueberries 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise 3/4 cup lemon yogurt 1 tsp. salt 2 cups cooked, diced chicken breast
3/4 cup sliced celery 1/2 cup sliced green onions 1/2 cup diced sweet red bell pepper Lemon slices for garnish
Reserve a few blueberries for garnish. In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, yogurt and salt. Add remaining blueberries, chicken, celery, green onions and bell pepper. Stir gently. Cover and refrigerate to let flavors blend, at least 30 minutes. Serve over lettuce and garnish with reserved blueberries and lemon slices.
June 2013
Today in Mississippi
15
Who needs grass? Give my mower a race track By Nancy Jo Maples Grass isn’t the only thing sprouting. Lawn mower racing is a growing trend. Riding the motorized cutter used to be a weekend chore. Now, it’s a weekend sport. There are two national lawn mower racing associations. Drivers of all ages converge on tracks to go round and round for trophies, points and sometimes money. England is credited with the first organized effort of the sport with the formation of the British Lawn Mower Racing Association in 1973. However, lawn mower races reportedly occurred in the United States as early as 1963 in Twelve Mile, Ind. The first races used mowers with original factory parts and engines, but today’s mowers get an overhaul before the race. “They basically turn the lawn mower into a big gocart,” said Justin Miller, of Richland, spokesman for the Mississippi chapter of the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association. The first rule is that blades must be removed for safety reasons. However, Miller warned that motorsport enthusiasts should not assume they can remove the blades from their backyard mower and enter a competition. He said dedicated drivers put thousands of dollars into their machines. “This is a sport that should be left to the professionals. Anyone interested should look at the rules and disclaimers and talk to other drivers,” Miller said. Racing mowers can travel up to 65 miles per hour. Races occur on round dirt tracks one-fifth to onetenth mile long. Winning involves completing a specified number of laps first with motor size determining the categories of races. Races sanctioned by the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association require drivers to be at least 18 years old; however, drivers age 16 and 17 can
Don’t think you can simply remove your lawn mower’s blades to compete with these guys at the George County Motorsports Park. Photos courtesy of George County Motorsports Park
race with parental consent. The association also requires protective suits and helmets for drivers and their mowers must be able to achieve a minimum speed of 33 miles per hour. A complex opened in April in George County that races a variety of motorsports including lawn mowers. The George County Motorsports Park holds races every Saturday night April through October for lawn mowers, go-carts, dirt bikes, and four-wheelers. Races run from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. It is currently the only regularly operated lawn mower track in Mississippi. GCMSP is not a member of a national racing association and therefore can pay cash prizes from the entry fees. National associations have rules against
cash prizes. Also, the George County complex does not have age restrictions. Drivers as young as age four have raced with parental permission. “We have some as old as 80,” said T.W. Graves, promoter for the park. Graves said that the park carries a $1 million life insurance policy for drivers and spectators. The $15 pit pass paid by drivers to enter provides cash prizes to the top three winners of each race. Gate proceeds and concession proceeds pay insurance costs and maintenance on the track and grand stands. “Our largest head count has been 750, but of course that doesn’t include kids 12 and under because they get in free,” Graves said. The admittance fee is $8 for ages 13 to 65. Senior citizens and military personnel are charged $5. The complex is located in the Rocky Creek Community east of Lucedale at the corner of U.S. 98 and Donovan Road across from the Four-Mile Truck Stop. See the following websites for more information: George County Motorsports Park, www.gcmsp.com; United States Lawn Mower Racing Association, www.letsmow.com; and The American Racing Mower Association, www.racingmower.net. Writer Nancy Jo Maples can be reached at 188 Ernest Pipkins Road, Lucedale, MS 39452 or via email at nancyjomaples@aol.com.
16
I
Today in Mississippi
I
June 2013
Mississippi Marketplace Type or print your ad clearly. Be sure to include your telephone number. Deadline is the 10th of each month for the next month’s issue. Rate is $2.50 per word, ten word minimum. Mail payment with your ad to Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300. Have any questions? Phone 601-605-8604 or email
swindle@epaofms.com.
FOR SALE JACK FOSTER HANDMADE SADDLES. Hazlehurst, MS 601-894-3809, West Monroe, LA 381-397-0086. 3 BR, 2 BATH ON BARNETT RESERVOIR with Boat house, lift and fishing pier. $165,000 Call 601-572-4902 or 601-940-0760.
VACATION RENTALS APPALACHIAN TRAIL Cabins by trail in Georgia mountains. 3000’ above sea level. Snowy winters, cool summers, inexpensive rates. 800-284-6866. www.bloodmountain.com. WWW.GULFSHORES4RENT.COM Beautiful west beach in Gulf Shores - 4 great condos, each sleeps 6. Call 404-219-3189 or 404-702-9824. LEAF RIVER CAMP, two bedrooms directly on river, sleeps 8, private pier, full kitchen, fishing, hunting, swimming and very relaxing. 228-860-8689. CABINS/PIGEON FORGE, TN sleeps 2-6, great location, 251-649-3344, 251-649-4049 www.hideawayprop.com.
MISCELLANEOUS FREE BOOKS/DVDS, Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as Church and State unite! Let the Bible reveal. The Bible Says, P.O. Box 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. 888-211-1715. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com.
PLAY GOSPEL SONGS BY EAR! $12.95. “Learn Gospel Music” - chording, runs, fills - $12.95, Both $24. Davidsons, 6727MS Metcalf, Shawnee Mission, KS 66204. Call: 913-262-4982. DON’T LET YOUR FAMILY MEMORIES FADE AWAY! We can transfer your VHS, VHS-C, Betamax, Minidv ... to DVD. We provide Macintosh computer support with 28 years experience. Parrot Video Productions LLC. Call 601- 826-1168 or visit us at www.parrotvideoproductions.com. SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY Social Security-SSI denied? Internership-Supreme Court Justice. More than 45 years combined experience winning cases. No fee unless approved. Please call 601-649-6125, We Deliver! MISSISSIPPI LAND OWNERS: Get updated information on 2013 Estate Tax Changes. Protect your Estate from Taxes & Probate. FREE Packet. Toll-Free 1-877-266-0500 24/7.
$ 34.95 ONLY
EASY ORDERING ONLINE www.todayinmississippi.com Visa • MasterCard Discover accepted
Join Walt and many other Mississippians as they open their life albums and share their memories in words and photographs. This collection from the readers of Today in Mississippi prompted Walt to pull related tales from his vault of experience, collected while living in and traveling throughout his home state. “Oh! That Reminds Me: More Mississippi Homegrown Stories with Walt Grayson” is a valued gift, and the book is sure to become a collector’s item.
!"#$"%&'#()* +,-.%/0%&'#()12 *On Metal Roofing
0HWDO 5RRÀ QJ 6WHHO %XLOGLQJV
855-92-METAL
reedsmetals.com
HIGH QUALITY METAL BUILDING SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS Complete line of custom-designed, pre-engineered metal building and mini-storage systems.
6914 Hwy 2, Oak Grove, LA 71263 • Call Toll Free: (800) 421-4232 Fax: (318) 428-8360 Email: davidr@ruffinbuildingsystems.com or visit: www.ruffinbuildingsystems.com
June 2013
Medicare Supplement Insurance Female (Non Tobacco)
Age 65 70 75 80
Age 65 70 75 80
Mo.Prem. $116.00 $131.00 $157.00 $192.00
Today in Mississippi
Mo.Prem. $107.00 $121.00 $146.00 $177.00
E a s y, Poi nt & Go Joy s t i c k Ste e r i ng
Patentte ed
Stanndd Up U
Rates vary slightly by zip code. Not affiliated with any government agency
HAMILTON INSURANCE AGENCY
Welde ld ded Stte eel Deck
Call
!"# !" "##$ # #$$$%#&' ##$ %##&&''($$$)* $)*+ )*++( !"##$%#&'($)*+( Dallas, TX
800-336-9861
6 1-800-627-7276
30’ x 40’ x 50’ x 80’ x
50’ x 10’ . . . . . . . . .$7,126 60’ x 12’ . . . . . . . .$10,287 75’ x 14’ . . . . . . . .$15,196 120’ x 16’ . . . . . . .$36,874
Minis-30’ x 100’ with 20-10’ x 15’ units - $14,740
• Serving Mississippi over 20 years • NFBA (National Frame Building Assn) Accredited Builder • NFBA Building of the year winner • BBB Accredited Business with an A-Plus rating • The siding we manufacture is UL Listed, File # R23370 • Our Vice President recently passed the National Standard General Building Contractor Exam
1-800-766-5793
w w w.m a arrbr os. c om www.marrbros.com
6 River Bend Place, Flowood, MS 39232
Mobile Home Owners: ROOF KING
www.bcibarns.com e-mail: barn@bcibarns.com All buildings constructed with pre-built trusses w/stamped engineered drawings
8:00 to 5:00 Mon. to Fri. 8:00 to 12:00 Sat. CST
Mobile Home Super Insulated Roof Over Systems. 40 Year Warranty. Factory Direct from
ROOF KING 1-800-276-0176 www.roofking.net
SINCE 1982
CASH Paid for Arrowheads and Indian Artifacts call Brock(662) 801-1786
30X40X10 KIT
4900.00
$
FARM BARNS
Hattiesburg, MS • 1-601-296-0550 Our Prices Include Labor & Metal Sides Also Available in Wood Sides
30 x 40 x 10 = $8,900.00 Painted Sides
17
!"#$%&'#()*+,()-$,"#.
Residential & Commercial Cutting Width 41”- 72”
Low Rates for Plan F Male (Non Tobacco)
40 x 40 x 20 = $16,900.00
www.farmbarnsinc.com
Painted Sides
599393TW
18
Today in Mississippi
June 2013
Mississippi
vents E Want more than 400,000 readers to know about your event? Send it to us at least two months prior to the event date. Submissions must include a phone number with area code for publication. Mail to Mississippi Events, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300; fax to 601-605-8601; or email to news@epaofms.com. Events of statewide interest will be published free of charge as space allows. Event details are subject to change, so we strongly recommend calling to confirm dates and times before traveling. For more events, go to www.visitmississippi.org.
“A Pieceful Celebration,” weekdays through June 28, Jackson. Exhibit featuring works of mixed-media artist Diane Williams and mosaic artist Teresa Haygood. Opening reception June 6, 5-7 p.m. Free. Mississippi Library Commission. Details: www.mlc.lib.ms.us. Living History Presentations, June and July, Fridays-Tuesdays, Vicksburg. Vicksburg National Military Park. Details: www.keytothesouth.com. “Old Masters to Monet: Three Centuries of French Painting From the Wadsworth Atheneum,” through Sept. 8, Jackson. Fifty masterpieces ranging from the 17th to 20th centuries, including works by Degas, Cezanne, Van Gogh and Monet. Admission. Mississippi Museum of Art. Details: 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org. “Bob the Builder—Project: Built It,” through Sept. 8, Jackson. Hands-on, multimedia traveling exhibit based on the children’s TV series. Admission. Mississippi Children’s Museum. Details: 877-793-5437; www.mississippichildrensmuseum.com. “This is Home”: Medgar Evers, Mississippi and the Movement, through Oct. 31, Jackson. Archival film footage, photographs, documents, artifacts to commemorate 50th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. William F. Winter Archives and History Building. Details: 601576-6850; mdah.state.ms.us. Annual Medgar Evers Homecoming Events, June 10-12, Jackson. Tours of civil rights sites, film festival, re-dedication ceremony of Medgar Evers Home Museum, literacy fair, more. Various locations. Details: 800354-7695; www.visitjackson.com. Kids’ Summer Nature Camp, June 11-14, Picayune. Hands-on lessons, games, activities for ages 6-12; 9 a.m. - noon. Admission. Crosby Arboretum. Details: 601-799-2311. Thunder on Water, June 12-16, Grenada. Music, carnival, antique cars, fireworks, vendors. Grenada Lake. Details: 662-226-2060.
LawFit Challenge National Competition, June 13-15, Olive Branch. Olive Branch Police Dept. to host law officer test of fitness with competitive events. Spectators welcome. Olive Branch High School. Details: 662-892-9400; www.lawfit.org. Prentiss Junior College School Reunion and Parade, June 14-15, Prentiss. Parade June 15, 9 a.m., Ole Time Restaurant. Details: 601-847-1984, 601-886-7930. Nesbit Blueberry Plantation Pick-YourOwn, June 15-30, Nesbit. Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Details: 662-4492839; www.nesbitblueberry.com. Tri-Lakes Productions Gun and Knife Show, June 15-16, Southaven. Admission. The Arena. Details: 662-934-9077; www.trilakegunshow.com. Summer Fun Art Camps, June 17-20 and July 15-18, Olive Branch. For ages 6-13; 9 a.m. - noon. Admission. The Painted Pigeon Art Gallery. Details: obarts.com. Lower Delta Talks: “The Blues, Muddy Waters, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones: The Mighty Mississippi River Connection,” June 18, Rolling Fork. Presentation by Willy Bearden; 6:30 p.m. Sharkey-Issaquena County Library. Details: 662-873-6261. Daylily Interactive Video Conference, June 20, Waynesboro. Explore growing daylilies with Dr. Wayne Porter; noon. Preregister. Wayne County Extension Service. Details: 601-735-2243. Civil War Relic Show, June 22-23, Brandon. Relics, antiques, books, currency, documents, weapons, reenactors, period music, much more; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free. Brandon City Hall. Details: 769-234-2966; www.scv265.com. Mid-South Swap Meet and Flea Market, June 22-23, Southaven. Held on fourth weekend of each month. The Arena. Details: 901831-9519, 901-412-6195. Stars and Stripes Festival, June 27, Greenwood. Family fun, fireworks and food. Details: 662-453-4152;
www.greenwoodms.com. Teachers’ Workshop: Flying WILD, June 27, Picayune. Project Wild workshop emphasizing art and math, conducted by Crystie Baker, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Educational Outreach biologist. Open to teachers and homeschool educators; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Also, WILD About Black Bears and Endangered Species workshop, July 11. Crosby Arboretum. Details: 601-799-2311; rstafne@ext.msstate.edu. Picnic and Parade Around the Square, June 28, Hernando. Children to parade in decorated, non-motorized vehicles; free movie under the stars; 6:30 p.m. Hernando Courthouse Square. Details: 662-429-9055; www.hernandoms.org. Juneteenth Family Fun Festival, June 29, Horn Lake. DeSoto County African American History Symposium event with games, food, live blues and gospel, dance troupes, arts, crafts, step show; 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Free. Latimer Lakes Park. Details: 901-481-3968. Bassmasters Weekend Series, June 29 and July 20, Grenada. Grenada Lake. Details: 662226-2060. The Landmarks Quartet in Concert, June 30, Mathiston. Victory Baptist Church; 1 p.m. Details: 662-617-2922. Aquatic Plant Sale, July 6, Picayune. Sale of non-invasive aqautic plants, including hardy water lilies, native iris, more; 9 a.m. - noon.
Free admission. Crosby Arboretum. Details: 601-799-2311. 10th Annual Mississippi Black Rodeo, July 6, Jackson. Coliseum, fairgrounds. Details: www.realcowboyassociation.com. Dizzy Dean Tournament, July 7-13, Grenada. Regional tournament. Grenada Athletic Compound. Details: 662-229-9936. 64th Annual Choctaw Indian Fair, July 1013, Choctaw. World Series Stickball, Princess Pageant, entertainment, Rez Run, more. Details: 601-650-7450; www.choctawindianfair.com; www.racesonline.com. Bruce Sawmill Festival, July 12-13, Bruce. Golf tournament, entertainment by Lyrix and The Flames, car show, 5K run, arts, crafts. Bruce Square. Details: 662-983-2222; chamber@brucetelephone.com. The Inspirations, July 12, Meridian. Temple Theatre; 7 p.m. Details: 601-416-1630. Mississippi Opry Summer Show, July 13, Pearl. Harmony & Grits with guest band Magnolia Drive; 6 p.m. Admission. Pearl Community Room. Details: 601-331-6672; sa5ash@aol.com. Diamondhead SPCA 50/50 Poker Run, July 13, Diamondhead. Land and water routes for boats, motorcyles, trucks, cars. Silent auction, raffle. Admission. Details: 228-363-2030. Mississippi Coast Jazz Society Dance and Jam, July 14, Biloxi. Non-member and student musicians may sit in. Admission; 2-5 p.m. Hard Rock Casino. Details: 228-392-4177. Tougaloo Art Colony, July 14-19, Tougaloo. Visual art workshops in various media, exhibit, art talks. Admission. Tougaloo College. Details: 601-977-7839; www.tougaloo.edu/artcolony.
COMING UP: Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight VI to World War II Memorial, Oct. 1, Gulfport. One-day free trip for WWII veterans to WWII and other memorials in Washington, D.C. Applications now being accepted. Leaves from Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Details: www.mgchonorflight.org or MGC Honor Flight, PO Box 1912, Gautier, MS 39553.
124th NESHOBA COUNTY FAIR Philadelphia, Miss.
Mississippi’s Giant HouseParty
Fri., July 26 thru Fri., Aug. 2
Arts & crafts market, garden and field crop exhibits, home arts and crafts exhibits, needlework and quilt displays. State dairy cattle show, beef cattle and sheep shows. Petting zoo. Harper, Morgan and Smith PRCA Rodeo. Harness and running horse races, mule races & pony pull. Antique car show. Local and statewide political speaking. Nightly variety and Nashville entertainment. 34th Annual Heart O’Dixie Triathlon. Thacker Mountain Radio Show. Fireworks. Midway amusement and rides by Mitchell Bros. Amusements. For more information,
visit www.neshobacountyfair.org or call 601-656-8480
June 2013
Today in Mississippi
19