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picture this my opinion grin ‘n’ bare it Continuing
to change the quality of life in Mississippi
In the 1930s, farmers created electric cooperatives to bring electric power to rural areas across Mississippi. Now 80 years later, our electric cooperatives are bringing high-speed internet to rural areas, once again changing the quality of life for rural Mississippians. The Broadband Enabling Act became legislation in January 2019; in less than three years, the electric cooperatives collectively have done a substantial amount of work to bridge the digital divide. Our co-ops are setting an example for the rest of the nation in deploying high-speed internet and providing quality internet service. Seventeen electric cooperatives are working on implementing reliable highspeed internet in some capacity in their service territory and have formed subsidiaries to offer the services. These subsidiaries are securing and continuing to seek low interest financing and grants. In 2020, The Mississippi Legislature awarded 15 electric cooperatives with grants provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) for the purpose of pilot projects in their service areas. Of that investment, $160.1 million benefitted extremely rural areas and was funded as a match through the CARES Act — $73.2 million in CARES Act money from the state and $86.9 million matched by the cooperative subsidiaries. These grants allowed the co-ops to test the viability of offering high-speed internet in some of the most rural areas of the state. It worked. In a brief 12 months, co-op subsidiaries strung 5,747 miles of fiber, passed 39,332 buildings, and connected 19,020 homes and businesses with high-speed internet. Another 900 plus customers are in the queue for service. More than 50% of the Mississippians who had access to the service took it. With the success of the pilot projects, the subsidiary companies are currently
installing high-speed fiber technology across our state. Our co-ops are building the most reliable, technologically advanced high-speed internet systems possible. The subsidiaries have spent $255.9 million, in addition to the CARES Act, totaling a $416 million investment so far. As of November 2021, more than 14,500 miles of fiber were installed, passing 148,352 homes; 46,823 homes are taking service, and 15,507 homes are in the queue to receive service, which is a 42% take rate and exceeds the goal of 32%. Currently, we have a proposed plan in front of state lawmakers for grant funds that include 17 co-op subsidiaries expanding high-speed internet through 57 projects for a total cost of $451 million between 2022 and 2026. The funds we are seeking are federal dollars earmarked for rural infrastructure projects and are slated for distribution through the states. Ask your legislator to help co-ops continue to bring true, affordable high-speed internet to rural Mississippi. I would like to thank our state legislators for their support over the past two years. They have shown great commitment to their constituents by supporting the cooperative subsidiaries’ projects with funding, which has improved distance learning, telemedicine, and work from home opportunities. The feature story for the magazine this month highlights the efforts made to bring electric power to rural Mississippians during the Great Depression. You will recognize the similarities in what took place 80 years ago, and our continued commitment to change the quality of life in rural Mississippi.
by Michael Callahan Executive Vice President/CEO Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
Riding off into the sunset Longtime Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Graphic Designer Rickey McMillan has moved on to the next phase of his life. Following 21 years of professional and exemplary service, Rickey has retired. A key player in the creativity and hard work that makes Today in Mississippi a special statewide publication, to say Rickey will be missed by the co-op community is an understatement. Ron Stewart, senior vice president of communications, has worked with Rickey for his entire time at ECM and known him ever longer. “He’s more of a friend instead of ‘just’ a co-worker. I’ve known Rickey since childhood as we were involved in the same church in the 1970s. We lost touch, so I was happy to get reconnected when he applied for a job in 2000,” Ron said. “He’s very talented and has been a dedicated and loyal employee. He totally understands the cooperative network and served as an outstanding member of our electric cooperative family. He played a vital role in the success of Today in Mississippi and his willingness to put in extra time and effort to help us meet deadlines has demonstrated his commitment to excellence. Thanks for being such a valuable member to our team.” Following stints as the marketing director of the Metro Center Mall in Jackson, advertising manager at Gayfers, and fashion illustrator at McRae’s, Rickey came to the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi to work as a graphic artist in 2000. A stellar graphic artist and editorial page and advertisement designer, Rickey’s skills stretched into the world of video. In 2014, Rickey won two separate awards for his work on a 75th anniversary video for Singing River Electric. One of those awards came from the Southern Public Relations Federation and the other from the Public Relations Association of Mississippi. Rickey said he’s going to miss working at ECM because of the people. “I know it sounds like a cliché, but it really is like a family here. I’m going to miss being with everybody. But I just think it’s time,” Rickey said. Rickey’s retirement will include time spent playing guitar (which he’s done since he was 13), fishing and watercolor painting. Rickey is also looking forward to spending more time with his family. Rickey is married to Harriet McMillan. The couple has three children: Rachel, Daniel, and Rebecca as well as one 16-year-old grandson, Andrew. “This never felt like work. I always enjoyed the job and I will miss it,” Rickey said.
JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 3
in this issue
5 southern gardening It’s time for winter vegetables
7 scene around the ‘sip A look at special people and places in Mississippi
7
9 outdoors today Everyone has a beginning, and an ending
12 local news 16 feature
A look at the Great Depression in Mississippi and the origin of co-ops
22 22
picture this Readers sent us photos of Mississippi churches
24 on the menu
The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
Vol. 75 No. 1
OFFICERS Eddie Howard - President Randy Carroll - First Vice President Ron Barnes - Second Vice President Tim Perkins - Secretary/Treasurer Michael Callahan - Executive Vice President/CEO EDITORIAL STAFF Ron Stewart - Senior Vice President Lydia Walters - VP, Communications Steven Ward - Editor Chad Calcote - Creative Director/ Manager Rickey McMillan - Graphic Designer Kevin Wood - Graphic Designer Alan Burnitt - Graphic Designer Courtney Warren - Graphic Designer Chris Alexander - Member Services Coordinator 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: American MainStreet Publications, 800-626-1181
Circulation of this issue: 491,080
Non-member subscription price: $9.50 per year. Today in Mississippi (ISSN 1052-2433) is published 12 times a year by Electric Cooperatives 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 all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 507.1.5.2) NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: send address corrections to: Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300
A tale of two shrimp po’ boys
27 mississippi seen
www.facebook.com/TodayinMississippi www.todayinmississippi.com
Pearl Harbor history in Mississippi
On the cover 27
Ora Baptist Church in Collins. This submitted photo was part of this month’s Picture This feature, Places of Worship. The photo was taken by Southern Pine Electric member Rhonda Wade of Collins.
READER SURVEY NOTICE Today in Mississippi is conducting a readership survey this month, so please be aware that you may receive the survey in the mail or by email. The survey gives you an opportunity to give us feedback on the job we’re doing. It’s always our goal to deliver a quality publication filled with content that is timely, informative and — most of all — of interest to you!
4 TODAY | JANUARY 2022
Plant cole crops now for This red cabbage is in the same family as broccoli, kale, and other cole crops. It grows in winter gardens after summer crops succumb to freezing weather.
I never have to worry about my plants having wet feet. Even though I still have tomatoes and peppers producing While we want good soil drainage, we can’t let the plants dry in my home garden, I know these summer vegetables are on out. These plants need consistent soil moisture to be productive. borrowed time. It’s the time of year to appreciate the great We’re likely to have droughty weather during the winter months cool-season vegetables we can grow. in Mississippi. In my Ocean Springs garden, we received less than From broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and collards to cabbage and 2 inches of rain in November. Brussels sprouts, these vegetables are commonly called crucifWinter cold can rapidly deplete soil moisture. Apply mulch erous or cole crops. I think they are delicious, especially after to help retain moisture, but be prepared to water as needed. a freeze takes out my tomatoes and peppers. And here’s a heads up: After The variety of shapes, sizes, and watering, don’t leave the hose colors within this group of attached to the spigot. Freezing vegetables is amazing. But what is temperatures can burst pipes even more amazing is that these pretty quickly. vegetables are all closely related For best growth of cruciferous genetically. In fact, they have a vegetables, do not neglect common ancestor. fertilizing the plants. Wild cabbage is a little plant These vegetables are heavy from the region around the feeders all through the winter Mediterranean. Because of its crop season. I like to add slownutritious foliage, farmers grew release fertilizer at transplanting and domesticated selected plants to get the plants off to a great based on their desired traits. Broccoli performs well in winter gardens. It is part of the Brassica oleracea family start. Then I use a water-soluble Over many, many thousands domesticated for what are actually flowers. fertilizer on a monthly schedule of years, we have developed to keep the plants healthy and growing strong. leafy versions — kale and collards; buds — cabbage and Brussels Now is the time to pick up some transplants at your favorite sprouts; and flowers — broccoli and cauliflower. independent garden center. Follow these tips to enjoy nutritious As a group, they’re known botanically as Brassica oleracea, and and tasty vegetables all through the winter gardening season. each has its own varietal designation: broccoli, B. oleracea var. italica; cauliflower, B. oleracea var. botrytis; kale, B. oleracea var. sabellica; collards, B. oleracea var. viridis; cabbage, B. oleracea var. capitata; and Brussels sprouts, B. oleracea var. gemmifera. Because these vegetables are so closely related, they have similar growing needs and conditions. by Dr. Gary The first is they don’t like wet feet. Like so many of our landBachman scape and garden plants in Mississippi, good soil drainage is a must. Raised beds are a great choice for good drainage, and Gary Bachman, Ph.D., Extension/Research Professor of Horticulture at adding composted materials creates an optimum planting bed. the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in I really like growing these plants in containers because of the Biloxi. He is also host of “Southern Gardening” radio and TV programs. He lives in Ocean Springs and is a Singing River Electric member. superior growing media available that allows for good drainage. JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 5
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Crosby Arboretum: An ecological paradise in our backyard by Steven Ward There are so many places to visit and “see the sights” in Mississippi that, sometimes, both tourists and locals need a reminder of all the hidden gems just waiting for discovery or rediscovery. One of those gems sits on 64 acres in Picayune near Interstate 59. The Crosby Arboretum is a public garden owned by Mississippi State University and operated by the MSU Extension Service and is a unit of the Coastal Research and Extension Center. The site offers both recreational and educational opportunities and is dedicated to educating the public about their environment as well as serving as a scientific and educational organization that documents and shares information about nature to the public. The Arboretum manages acreage in seven associated natural areas and supports over 300 species of plants. The Crosby site functions as a celebration of local native flora. The Arboretum’s mission is to preserve, protect, and display plants native to the Pearl River Drainage Basin ecosystem. The American Society of Landscape Architects awarded the site an ASLA award in 1991 calling it the “first fully realized ecological garden in the U.S.” “Many times we’ve heard our visitors say, ‘I’ve always known you were here, but I never stopped in.’ Or, ‘I wish I had come 20 years ago, so I could have been enjoying it all this time.’ Visits to the Arboretum are much like peeling back the layers of an onion. No two days are alike. New creatures, blooms, and experiences are always waiting for you just around the
bend in the path,” Arboretum Director Pat Drackett said. One of the highlights of the site is the award-winning Pinecote Pavilion designed by architect E. Fay Jones of Fayetteville, Arkansas. The structure received an Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects in 1990 and was recognized by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History as a Mississippi Landmark. Some of the more recent visitor draws at the Arboretum include, The Gum Pond Bridge, a bridge spanning the headwaters inlet of the site’s gum pond and The Rosen Memorial Pavilion, accessed by a crisscrossing boardwalk that extends from the bulkhead of a new pond overlook. A visit to the Arboretum means moving through exhibits on the pathways, or “landscape journeys.” Visitors to the public garden who walk the three-mile trail system will travel through three main exhibits: a woodland exhibit, an aquatic exhibit, and a Savanna exhibit. Along the pathways, interpretive signage focuses on various coastal ecosystems and their values, and native plant communities and the species within them. “My favorite area is the south pitcher plant bog, where changes are dynamic, plant populations, patterns, and textures are continually shifting due to fluctuations in moisture and are never the same from year to year,” Drackett said. Drackett said the bog changes in color constantly. “The bog will change from the blackened landscape following a prescribed fire, to the yellow pitcher plant blooms in early spring to the pinks and yellows of delicate spring ephemeral blossoms and orange and purple milkweeds,” Drackett said. “This constant change is the reason behind the stories we hear about the magic experienced in visitors’ journeys — each walk brings unexpected and delightful discoveries.”
Visit crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu or call 601-799-2311 for more information. JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 7
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AN END The old year just ended; the new year just began. All entities restricted to this temporal existence have a similar cycle — beginnings that eventually lead to endings. This realization prompts some measure of contemplation should we afford our thoughts the opportunity of mining the depths and looking into shadowed corners that may too often be neglected in favor of comfort. I recently found myself on such an expedition. The episode was my annual October woodcock hunt in Vermont. This is a challenging regimen and one closely monitored. Three birds Spur (left) sleeps on his master’s leg. Finn daily, not much bounclaimed his favorite chair! Photo courtesy of Bob Rose. ty for the effort some might say, but to go, do, and see firsthand changes the perspective. It really is about the totality of experience. My first hunt, close to a decade past, found me in the presence of a new acquaintance, Bob Rose. He was at that time a pilot for American Airlines and chose his schedules to keep October open. That was woodcock-hunting month. He is now retired. Bob employs Old Hemlock Setters as his chosen canine companions. The history of this breed is far too expansive for a treatise of this length, so I shall refrain. But one important element is that on that first hunt, Bob had a new dog, a dog that was just beginning his second season. Fionn Mac Cumhail, his registered name and the Old Irish pronounciation. Finn McCool in modern English. He answers to Finn.
Finn was a true marvel. A gentleman. A professional. A dog with perfect discipline and demeanor. I was mesmerized. And that remains the case even now. Finn is 11, not finished yet, but closer to the end than to the beginning. On this most recent trip, Bob had added another Old Hemlock. Hotspur. He answers to Spur. He is 11 months old. And the makings are there. Spur is destined to the same levels of greatness as Finn has already achieved. This first season Spur still fumbled with the occasional puppy blunder, but not much. I watched and participated in three days of pure wonderment. And during that watching and participating, I found myself mining those depths. I concluded I was more like Finn than I was like Spur. I am not finished, but I am definitely closer to the end than the beginning. I considered my admiration for Finn and felt a peculiar bond with him, we two on the same path of winding down. I celebrated with Spur, young, ready, and excited as I once was — just beginning an exhilarating life. And, in all this thinking, I came to some point of resignation. Things would end, some more quickly than others. Regardless, life had been a spectacular experience. Finn knows that; Spur will know that. And I now give a nod of appreciation to both in the varying steps of their journeys.
by Tony Kinton Tony Kinton has been an active outdoors writer for 30 years. He lives in Carthage and is a Central Electric member. Visit www.tonykinton.com for more information.
Autumn in Vermont is spectacular. Colors, even in their brilliance, suggest an end. Spring will bring new life.
NOVEMBER 2021 | TODAY 9 JANUARY 2022
Next in Picture This:
We want to see your children! Send us photos of your children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews. Make sure to let us know their names and how they are related to you. The photos must be high-resolution JPG files of at least 1 MB in size. Please attach the photo to your email and send it to news@ecm.coop. Each entry must be accompanied by photographer’s name, address, and co-op.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Feb. 25. Select photos will appear in the April 2022 issue.
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Working with local legislators to advocate for our community At Dixie Electric, we think it’s critical to develop and cultivate relationships with local legislators because they craft, introduce, and vote on legislation that impacts our community’s local business climate, environment, and quality of life. That’s why we work closely with our local elected officials. After all, our purpose is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy, but our mission is to help our community thrive. Dixie Electric is a local business that powers economic development and prosperity for our region. As a cooperative, we have deep roots here, and we listen closely to our members to better understand the community’s needs. Our leadership, board members, and employees live and work right here in the community that we serve. We strive to advocate for our community, ensuring that local legislators know, understand, and act on the important issues in our area. You can view your local legislators on pages 14 and 15. Providing industry guidance and expertise Today’s energy landscape is an increasingly complex topic covering not only the traditional engineering and vegetation management aspects of the industry, but also encompasses technology, cybersecurity, the electrification of the transportation sector, and more. Our experts provide briefings and backgrounders to legislators, committees, and staff, and we offer testimony for hearings as well as other legislative or regulatory meetings or gatherings. Because we’re involved in economic development and know local community leaders, we can provide insight into how issues and policies under discussion might impact our region.
12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022
We also keep them informed on our progress with bringing high-speed internet to rural communities through our subsidiary, DE Fastlink. With their help, we’ve been able to secure grant funding that has enabled us to connect people with high-speed internet who otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity. Our relationship with legislators — and their support of the broadband initiative — paved the way to bring fiber internet to homes and businesses, creating a better tomorrow and a better Mississippi. Representing your best interests We strive to be a trusted resource on energy issues. Because of our deep roots in the community, we have a firm understanding of local issues and needs. We will continue looking after the long-term interests of our members. This means that we are able to cultivate and foster positive, productive relationships with legislators who know and trust us, because we’re advocating on behalf of the community we serve. We’re proud to power your life and bring good things to the community. We hope you’ll continue to let us know what matters to you, so we can continue to advocate on your behalf and improve the quality of life for all.
by Randy Smith General Manager
t r o f m Co e g a t n Adva
by Amanda Mills On April 12, 2020, a catastrophic F4 tornado ravaged the tiny community of Hebron, continuing through Soso and Moss, destroying hundreds of homes along the way. One of those homes belonged to the Stringer family, and their lives were changed forever. “I remember that day,” said Megan Stringer. “It was unusually humid. We knew the weather was going to be rough. The forecast had warned all week long that a dangerous system could develop.” Weather warnings began to be issued, and the Stringer family saw that they were right in the projected path of the tornado. “I knew the safest place in our home was in the hallway next to the bathroom wall,” continued Megan. “I rounded up our little dogs. I grabbed the motorcycle helmet, put it on my 12-year-old son’s head, and headed down the hall. My husband, Douglas, was in the shower, and I yelled for him to get out and to come take cover. He made it right about the time I heard the tornado coming. He heard it, too, because the look on his face is one I will never forget. He grabbed the mattress from our son’s bed and held one end of the mattress, and I held the other, and we all got as close as we could. My little boy, Blake, looked up and said, ‘We need to say a prayer.’ My husband said the sweetest prayer I have ever heard, and we all hugged and braced for what was to come.” What happened next was described as the scariest event of their lives. The roof of the Stringer home was lifted off, and rain began to flood the home, glass began to
Safety Manager Joe Donald completes his final inspection to certify the Stinger’s home as a Comfort Advantage home.
shatter, and pipes began to burst. Afraid to move, the family took a minute to gather themselves after the tornado had passed before surveying the damage. Their home was a complete loss. “Thankfully, we only lost material things that could be replaced,” said Megan. “No one in my neighborhood was hurt, and we didn’t lose a farm animal or a pet. God spared us that day. I truly believe that.” When rebuilding their new home, the Stringers decided to build as energy-efficient as possible. They chose to follow Dixie Electric’s Comfort Advantage program, which offers cash incentives for building with energy efficiency in mind. The Stringers chose to use spray foam insulation in the attic and exterior and interior walls. They added a dehumidifier to the AC unit and an electric heat pump system. They lit their new home with LED bulbs and installed all energy-efficient appliances. By choosing these products, the Stringers will see energy savings each month on their electric bill, as well as a $650 credit through our Comfort Advantage program. “I am very thankful to Dixie Electric for all their kindness and quickness to respond to our needs during and after the storm,” said Megan. “I am also thankful for the Comfort Advantage program. The money I will save by purchasing these energy-efficient appliances and the money I received from Dixie Electric is very much appreciated.” JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13
Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Officials Dixie Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.
TATE REEVES
DELBERT HOSEMANN
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION U.S. SENATORS
ROGER WICKER
CINDY HYDE-SMITH
555 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510
702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510
NOW AVAILABLE
U.S. REPRESENTATIVES
MICHAEL GUEST Third District
STEVEN PALAZZO Fourth District
230 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
2349 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi
The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi offers an easy-to-use mobile app of Mississippi’s state and federal elected offi officials. Look for “Mississippi Legislative Roster” in the Apple App Store. An Android version is also available through Google Play.
It’s easy to know your elected offi officials. ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP 14 TODAY | JANUARY 2022
SENATE
Sen. Jeff Tate
District 33: Clarke and Lauderdale counties Address: 169 Springhill Rd. Meridian, MS 39301
Sen. Juan Barnett
District 34: Forrest,
Jasper, and Jones counties
Address: P.O. Box 407 Heidelberg, MS 39439
Sen. Joey Fillingane
District 41: Covington, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, and Smith counties Address: 8 Westbrook Dr. Sumrall, MS 39482
Sen. Chris McDaniel
District 42: Forrest and Jones counties Address: 506 South Court St. Ellisville, MS 39437
Sen. Dennis DeBar, Jr.
District 43: George, Greene, and Wayne counties Address: P.O. Box 1090 Leakesville, MS 39451
Sen. Chris Johnson
District 45: Forrest and Perry counties Address: P.O. Box 18247 Hattiesburg, MS 39404
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rep. Mark K. Tullos
Rep. Omeria Scott
District 79: Jasper and Smith counties Address: P.O. Box 505 Raleigh, MS 39153
District 80: Clarke, Jasper, and Jones counties Address: 615 East 19th St. Laurel, MS 39440
Rep. Noah Sanford
Rep. Percy Watson
District 90: Covington, Jefferson Davis, and Simpson counties Address: P.O. Box 1900 Collins, MS 39428
District 103: Forrest County Address: P.O. Box 1767 Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Rep. Shane Barnett
District 86: Greene, Perry, and Wayne counties Address: P.O. Box 621 Waynesboro, MS 39367
Rep. Larry Byrd
District 104: Forrest County Address: 17 Byrd Rd. Petal, MS 39465
Rep. Robin Robinson District 88: Jasper and Jones counties Address: P.O. Box 1963 Laurel, MS 39441
Rep. Donnie Scoggin
District 89: Jones County Address: 1203 Pine St. Ellisville, MS 39437
Rep. Dale Goodin
District 105: George, Greene, and Perry counties Address: 72 Memorial Church Rd. Richton, MS 39476
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Co-op values translate to Dixie Electric’s core job is keeping the lights on, but our passion is serving our community. Because we’re a co-op, our purpose is to enrich the lives of our members and serve the long-term interests of our community. This focus on service is at the heart of who we are. In November, we had the honor of presenting checks to local nonprofit organizations on behalf of our membership. Our annual charity golf tournament raised over $11,000, allowing us to donate $2,800 to the American Cancer Society and three local secret meal programs for kids, funded through the Junior Auxiliary of Laurel, Junior Auxiliary of Wayne County, and Macedonia Baptist Church of Petal. These secret meal programs provide food for children through their backpacks at school for weekends when they may experience food scarcity. Historic voting in our 2021 Annual Meeting allowed us to donate $2,040 to three separate food pantries in our service area: Christian Food Mission of Laurel, Petal Children’s Task Force, and Samaritan’s Closet and Pantry in Waynesboro. As a local business, we are proud of our role in helping to bring good things to our community. While the larger environment in which we operate is constantly changing, one thing remains constant. Working together with you, the members we serve, will continue to be a catalyst for good.
Annual meeting checks
Petal District Supervisor Jerry Gibson presents a $2,040 donation to the Petal Children’s Task Force.
Administrative and Finance Manager Aaron Zumwalt presents a $2,040 donation to the Christian Food Mission.
Member Service Representative Margaret Little presents a $2,040 donation to Samaritan’s Closet and Pantry.
Golf checks
Petal District Supervisor Jerry Gibson presents a $2,800 donation to Macedonia Baptist Church of Petal.
Communication Assistant Amanda Mills presents a $2,800 donation to the American Cancer Society.
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for the
Administrative and Finance Manager Aaron Zumwalt presents a $2,800 donation to the Junior Auxiliary of Laurel.
Member Service Representative Margaret Little presents a $2,800 donation to the Junior Auxiliary of Wayne County.
CLEARING TREES AND LIMBS FOR RELIABLE SERVICE Dixie Electric Power Association clears trees, limbs, and underbrush from the area around and below the power lines, called the right-of-way. Right-of-way clearing decreases the number of outages and reduces the risk of someone coming in contact with the power lines. Clearing the right-of-way protects individuals from the hazards of electricity and makes power restoration quicker and safer for both Dixie Electric’s members and personnel.
Clearing project underway • • • •
Petal substation: Petal, Sunrise, Hillcrest, and Macedonia North Petal substation: Eastabuchie, Glendale, and Petal Ellisville Junction substation: Pecan Grove, Ovett, and Tuckers Crossing South Hoy substation: Laurel, Soso, Calhoun, Moss, and Shady Grove
Pole inspections are underway Osmose Utilities Services will be performing inspection and maintenance on some of Dixie Electric Power Association’s poles. Inspections began in November and will continue for approximately four months. The general areas to be inspected are the Eastabuchie, Moselle, Ellisville, and New Hope areas. This work will generally consist of excavating a hole about 18-inches deep around the poles to inspect them and applying a preservative and/or remedial treatment to the poles as needed. The purpose of the inspection and treatment is to identify poles that do not meet industry strength standards and to extend the useful life of all others. All Osmose contract workers will be identifiable by their yellow and orange Osmose work vests and hard hats. Osmose vehicles should be marked with Osmose Utility decals as well as Dixie Electric Power Association “Contractor” decals.
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The Farm Security Administration (FSA) was a progressive and controversial agency advocating government planning and economic intervention to improve living conditions in rural America. The FSA sponsored this “Know your Farmer” tour. Shown here are participants stopping at the home of a tenant purchase borrower in Lowndes County.
Until the Great Depression, soil erosion was not a national concern. However, the connection between the eroded land and impoverished people came into focus and New Deal programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration created jobs that included natural resource projects like the National Industrial Recovery Act of June 16, 1933, which permitted work on erosion control. The red clay hills of Alabama and Mississippi had the worst erosion.
Looking back: The Great by Steven Ward Electric power in rural Mississippi is the direct result of reading about the Greatest Generation and flourished while federal and state politicians working to stop suffering and writing my biography, “The Inspiring Life of Eudora Welty” and hunger during the Great Depression. my regional non-fiction book, “Lauderdale County, Mississippi: President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order A Brief History,” both of which featured the Great Depression on May 11, 1935, that created The era,” Putnam said recently. Rural Electrification Administration “So many New Deal projects still as part of the Emergency Relief exist in and around my Meridian Without electricity, perishable food Appropriation Act. community, such as the Meridian spoiled, and sanitation suffered. Urban Federal Building, the Meridian High The Great Depression tested the areas enjoyed electric lights, washing resolve of Mississippi’s population School Stadium, and Ross Collins machines, and refrigerators, but rural and people who lived all over the U.S. Vocational School (Ross Collins Career The nation’s reaction and fortitude to Mississippians struggled through grueling and Technical Center). persevere during the mass disaster “Entering the Depression, Mississippi days with only sunlight and kerosene was the catalyst for what is known had already suffered greatly from in their primitive environment. today as, “The Greatest Generation.” the 1927 flood. Extreme soil erosion How the people of Mississippi and the nation responded to resulted from soil depletion due to massive cotton cultivation the Great Depression was something that fascinated Meridiand the cutting of the state’s once-grand forests for financial an author Richelle Putnam and led to her new book, “Images gain. The 1930 Mississippi Valley drought added to an already of America: Mississippi in the Great Depression” (Arcadia), a tragic situation. Through research, I realized the many and more than 200-page history with 70 photos from that era. much-needed contributions of Roosevelt’s New Deal “In America, it brought forth the Greatest Generation to Programs that provided jobs and targeted solutions to which we often refer when reminiscing perseverance, strength, the consequences of financial greed and the neglect of and triumph over adversity. My initial interest built from natural resource conservation,” Putnam said. 18 TODAY | JANUARY 2022
Here, the owner scoops pine resin from a settling vat and then pours it into barrels for shipment to various locations. However, for many lumber companies selling stumps from cutover lands, like Crosby Lumber and Manufacturing Company, the Naval Stores Conservation Program drastically reduced the buyers to few or none. In 1937, Crosby built a plant in Picayune, and Crosby Naval Stores grew to 600 tons of stumps a day, the third-largest in the United States.
The sharecropping system in Mississippi was the subject of many Farm Security Administration images. Photographs detailed city street scenes, extravagant brick, and rustic wooden churches, cotton picking in the Delta fields, payday at plantation commissaries, and the lives of poor whites and black sharecroppers and their families.
Depression in Mississippi America’s rural population was at its most disadvantaged Electrification Administration, which offered loans to during the Great Depression. Only 10% of rural Americans had rural farmers and community leaders to provide power electricity, and the number was 1% in Mississippi. in rural areas. “Without electricity, perishable food spoiled, and sanitation Today, the TVA and, in south Mississippi, Cooperative suffered. Urban areas enjoyed electric lights, washing maEnergy generate and deliver power to the state’s 25 elecchines, and refrigerators, but tric cooperatives. Cooperative rural Mississippians struggled Energy, formally known as the through grueling days with only South Mississippi Electric Power sunlight and kerosene in their Association, formed in 1941. primitive environment. They lit Two key Mississippi movers their lanterns before sunrise, and and shakers behind bringing when darkness fell to begin and power to rural Mississippi were finish their labor,” Putnam said. U.S. Sen. Pat Harrison from the Although the need for rural Gulf Coast and U.S. Rep. John electrification was evident, Rankin of Tupelo. private investors and compa“Sen. Harrison and Rep. Known by his colleagues as “The Old Fox,” referring to backroom nies didn’t want the task and Rankin advocated heartily for persuasive power and strategic maneuverings, U.S. Sen. Pat Harrison of expense of running lines into electric power distribution in Mississippi helped shape much of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s rural Mississippi without reaping New Deal legislation. Mississippi. They would also a profit. And rural residents didn’t make enough money to welcome President Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor to do it themselves, even with pooling their money. Mississippi to tour New Deal projects, like the new homesteads The Roosevelt administration created the Tennessee Valley and the TVA, which began rural electrification in Mississippi. Authority (TVA), a federal electric company and the Rural JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 19
Due to Mississippi U.S. Rep. John Rankin’s position in Congress, Tupelo became the first municipality to purchase TVA power and officially became the “First TVA City” in 1934. Pictured here left to right: U.S. Sen. George W. Norris and Rankin photographed at the White House in 1935.
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In 1936, the state of Mississippi established the Rural Electrification Authority of Mississippi and passed the Electric Power Association Act, a law that created electric cooperatives. That law was updated in 2016. Mississippi was among the first states in the nation to pass adequate laws for forming electric cooperatives, according to the definitive state electric cooperative history, “Rural Electrification in Mississippi 1934-1970” by Winnie Ellis Phillips. Alcorn County Electric Power Association in Corinth was the nation’s first rural electric cooperative. Rural power wasn’t the only cooperative effort from Roosevelt’s New Deal. Credit unions came about as the result of The Federal Credit Union Act of 1934. Putnam said each Great Depression photo in the book tells a different story. “The images are so diverse. Each tells its personal story. However, the historical narrative expands when the combined photos and captions encompass the more extraordinary story of the Great Depression in Mississippi,” Putnam said. The research, writing, and acquiring the photos took Putnam over a year. “Thanks to other New Deal Programs, photographers employed by the Farm Security Administration and the Works Progress Administration, which included Mississippi’s Eudora Welty, took around 80,000 photos of life during the Great Depression. The Library of Congress, where these photos are archived, provided most of the images in the book,” Putnam said.
Two months after the approval of the TVA Act by President Roosevelt in May of 1933, U.S. Rep John Rankin of Mississippi, TVA Chairman David Lilienthal, and the Tupelo Journal reported that implementation of public power in northeast Mississippi was a distinct possibility as early as the fall of 1933. TVA, the prime investor in nuclear power and the principal user of coal, was the leading producer of electric power in the country. On February 7, 1934, Tupelo became the first municipality in the U.S. to receive TVA power.
Other Great Depression-era improvements to Mississippi included action by Gov. Mike Connor, who initiated measures to improve the treatment of inmates at Parchman Prison in the Delta. Women also played an active role. The Natchez Garden Club successfully spurred tourism by starting the state’s first pilgrimage in 1932. Mississippians found employment through the Public Works Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps, which stimulated economic development through new and add-on construction in urban and rural areas and the construction of nine state parks. When asked if there were any lessons learned or to be learned by Mississippi from the Great Depression, Putnam said the power and influence of Roosevelt and the New Deal was immense. “There was political, social, economic, and cultural cooperation for the common good of all Americans and, of course, Mississippians. President Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms in office and is still considered one of America’s most influential and beloved presidents. We can argue all day about the pros and cons of his administration’s New Deal. However, the fact remains that the American people, including over 90% of Mississippians, voted him into office more than any other president in American history,” she said.
Visit arcadiapublishing.com for more information about the book. Author Richelle Putnam JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 21
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1. Brooklyn Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Greenwood by Angela Jones of Laurel; Dixie Electric member.
5. Old Advance Church in Lamar County by Sandy Lindsey of Sumrall; Pearl River Valley Electric member.
2 . First Christian Church in Columbus by Jean Bailey of Columbus; 4-County Electric member.
6. The Village Chapel at Landrum’s Homestead in Laurel by Evelyn King of McComb; Magnolia Electric Power member.
3. Evangel Temple Church in Meridian by Jason Dyess of Meridian; EMEPA member.
7. Antioch Baptist Church in Kemper County by Barbara Bishop of Meridian; EMEPA member.
4. First Presbyterian Church in Tupelo by Robbyn Rogers of Tupelo; Tombigbee member.
8. First Baptist Church in Starkville by Jay Reed of Starkville; 4-County Electric member.
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9. Lockhart Methodist Church in Lauderdale by Melinda Goff of Lauderdale; EMEPA member.
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10. Presbyterian Church in Toccopola by Sherry Sledge of Pontotoc; Pontotoc Electric member.
15. French Camp Presbyterian Church in French Camp by Larry Littlejohn of French Camp; 4-County Electric member.
11. Albans Church in Bovine by Denise Jackson of Wesson; Southern Pine Electric member.
16. St. Pierre’s Episcopal Church in Gautier by Scott Lenoir of Gautier; Singing River Electric member.
12. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Raymond by Margaret Wilson of Byhalia; Northcentral Electric Cooperative member.
17. Christ Church in Christ Hill by Teresa Lott of Perkinston; Pearl River Valley Electric member.
13. China Grove Church in Kokomo by Renee Timmons of Kokomo; Pearl River Valley Electric member.
18. Gillsburg Baptist Church in Gillsburg by Donna Williams of Osyka; Magnolia Electric Power member.
14. Bethel Black Jack Baptist Church in Vaughan by David Shipp of Midway; Yazoo Valley Electric member.
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Delta Delicious Serves two This is the po’ boy I turn to when I want a quick, saucy seafood sandwich. This is not to be confused with the pour on pulled pork barbecue sauce. This is a garlic and Worcestershire buttery sauce with fresh thyme and smoked paprika. It soaks down into the crisp bread and gives the shrimp a lemony, glistening sheen. Roll
INGREDIENTS 2 (8-inch) po’ boy loaves sliced lengthwise 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, divided 2 cloves finely chopped garlic 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ¼ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves Pinch dark brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Salt and cracked black pepper 1 pound medium (41/50) peeled, deveined shrimp
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up your sleeves and toast-up some extra bread just for sopping up any sauce that is left in the skillet. I sometimes make this BBQ shrimp and toss it with angel hair pasta or ricotta ravioli with a side salad for a fast dinner.
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spread cut side of bread with mayonnaise and toast until brown and crisp. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add 4 tablespoons of the butter. When the butter has melted add the garlic, Worcestershire, lemon juice, pepper sauce, thyme, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook and
stir for 1 minute. Add the shrimp and increase the heat to high. Cook stirring occasionally for 4 minutes until the shrimp are pink and very slightly curled. Remove from heat. Stir in the remaining butter until melted. Fill each po’ boy with shrimp and a big spoonful of the buttery sauce.
Martha Hall Foose, the author of “Screen Doors & Sweet Tea: Recipes and Tales of a Southern Cook,” won the James Beard Award for American Cooking. Her latest collaboration is “A Good Meal is Hard to Find: Storied Recipes from the Deep South” with Amy C. Evans. Martha makes her home in the Mississippi Delta with her husband and son. She is a member of Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association.
Serves four I love a big po’ boy on a Saturday for lunch. By frying the onion rings before the shrimp, the oil gets seasoned and gives the shrimp a special savory fl vor. I like to use a blend of flou , cornstarch, and seafood breading mix to coat the shrimp and onion rings. The flour oats them well. The cornstarch gives extra crunch, and the seafood seasoning adds some southern-style cornmeal fl vor without any grittiness.
INGREDIENTS 2 large, sweet onions (Vidalia or Walla Walla) cut into rings 2 cups all-purpose flou 3/4 cup corn starch 3/4 cup fish fry seafood breading mix (I like Louisiana or Zatarain’s brands made with corn flour) 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning blend 1 cup yellow mustard 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (I like Crystal) 2 pounds large (31/35) peeled, deveined shrimp 1 quart oil for frying 4 (8-inch) French bread loaves or po’boy rolls sliced lengthwise 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1/3 cup cocktail sauce 1/2 cup shredded iceberg lettuce 1/2 cup shredded cabbage
Using a combination of prepared yellow mustard and eggs to act as a “glue” to hold the coating in place works wonderfully well. The mustard does not impart a strong fl vor because the vinegar and water in the mustard evaporates when fried. I like a combo of shredded iceberg and fresh cabbage to provide a fresh crunch.
Soak onion rings in a large bowl of ice water for 30 minutes. Drain the onions. Carefully remove the thin membrane from the inner wall or each piece of onion. Pat onions dry with paper towel. Return the onion rings to the bowl.
Coat onion rings with flour mixtu e. Shake off any excess coating. Fry onion rings until golden brown. Remove to drain on paper lined sheet pan. Pour any leftover mustard mixture from the onions into the remaining mustard mixture.
In a medium shallow bowl, combine the flou , cornstarch, breading mix, and Creole seasoning and set aside.
Working in batches, take the shrimp from the mustard mixture allowing excess to drip off and coat with the flour mixtu e pressing the shrimp into the mixture to coat.
In a large bowl, whisk together the mustard, egg, and hot sauce. Pour 1 cup of the mustard mixture over the onions. Toss to coat. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the flour mixture over the rings and toss to coat. Toss occasionally to keep the onions coated. Add the shrimp to the remaining mustard mixture and toss to coat. Heat oil to 400 degrees. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with crumpled brown paper sacks. Working in small batches, take onion rings from mustard mixture allowing extra to drip back into remaining onions.
Fry the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes or until slightly curled and golden brown. Drain on paper lined sheet pan. Spread the cut sides of each piece of bread very lightly with mayonnaise. Toast in oven cut side up until crusty and browned. Spread bottom of each cut side with cocktail sauce. Top with shrimp, lettuce, and cabbage. Spread each top with mayonnaise and stack the sandwiches. Serve with onion rings.
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mississippi seen
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mississippi marketplace The Inspirations in concert. Jan. 21. Petal. First Baptist Church of Runnelstown today will host the onEvents the menu outdoors open to the public will be group at 7 p.m. A love offering will be received. Mississippi’s published free of charge as space allows. 9211 Highway 42. Details: 601-583-3733. scene the ‘sip picture this Submit details ataround least two months prior to Lowest 2nd Annual Melodies of Bluegrass Festival. the event date. Submissions must include a Feb. 25-26. Morton. Bands include: Patchwork my opinionLife Insurance co-op involvement phone number with area code for publication. String Band, Catahoula Drive, The Pilgrim Family, Email to news@ecm.coop. Events are subject
Fair River Station, Tyler Carroll and Pineridge Bluegrass, Southern Gentlemen, and The Tennessee Bluegrass Band. Show starts at 1 p.m. daily. Roosevelt State Park, 2149 MS 13. Details: 601-604-4234 or 601-527-9127.
southern gardening
to change or cancelation due to COVID-19. Please confirm details before traveling.
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A piece of Pearl Harbor history at home So, after the first of January, how long did it take before you wrote the correct year on your papers at school? Or finally put the right date on a check the first time? Year-long habits are hard to break. It’s funny the snippets you remember from childhood. Daddy had a brother who lived with us off and on. I don’t remember much about him. But I vividly recall one day he grabbed a page of the kitchen calendar and announced he was going to make it into a new month and ripped it off. I wasn’t sure what to make of that. Can you do that? Does changing the calendar make time change? Or does the passing of time change the calendar? Later, when I’d recall this episode, I figured it was probably the first of the month, anyway. I think all of his verbosity was an attempt to put one over on a little kid — that he had some superpower over time and the cosmos. Maybe it was even a subconscious rebellion over the inevitability of the passing of time. But he wanted to make it look like it was his idea. Like he controlled it instead of the other way around. Another byproduct of time passing is museums. You don’t put new stuff in a museum. It has to age and take on the patina and esteem that only the passing of time can give it. We were shooting another “Mississippi Roads” show the other day at the Laurel Veterans Memorial Museum. There are exhibits there from the Civil War all the way through both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars, and more. One of the artifacts they have is an actual piece of the superstructure from the USS Arizona that was sunk in the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 (80 years ago last month) that culminated in bringing the United States into World War II. When the Arizona Memorial was constructed in the 1960s, some of the superstructure
was removed from the ship, and the Navy donated some pieces of it to qualified veteran’s organizations. One of those pieces is in Mississippi. The wooden case in which it is housed is sort of a museum piece itself. The case was built by Ben Napier from wood removed from the deck of the USS Missouri, as well as Piney Woods pine from Mississippi. You will recall Ben and his wife Erin host the HGTV show “Home Town” featuring the fantastic renovations they have been doing with the homes and buildings in Laurel. I suppose that’s another by-product of time passing — renovations. If time stood still, we wouldn’t need to remodel what deteriorated over time. But we might end up like “The Chronicles of Narnia,” where it was always winter but never Christmas. So, since it is going to happen anyway, enjoy the passing of time. Remember the things you choose to and impress your grandkids by making the month change every now and again.
by Walt Grayson 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.” Walt is also a reporter and 4 p.m. news anchor at WJTV in Jackson. He lives in Brandon and is a Central Electric member. Contact him at walt@waltgrayson.com.
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