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SEPTEMBER 2020
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One year of the new Today in Mississippi The issue of Today in Mississippi you with the stories of the people and places are holding in your hands is a special one. that make Mississippi a remarkable place A year ago this month, we debuted our to live, we also want to provide the best publication’s new look. The September information we can on the state’s electric 2019 issue was our first magazine version cooperatives. of Today in Mississippi. Providing that information is one of the After decades in newsprint, we decided Seven Cooperative Principles. The fifth to make the change to better serve our principle is Education, Training and Inforreaders. The response has been overmation. Part of the fifth principle states, whelmingly positive. We continue to re“They inform the general public about the ceive phone calls, emails and notes from nature and benefits of cooperation.” readers to tell us how much they enjoy There’s also some of the seventh printhe magazine. ciple in what we We appreciate do at the magathe feedback. zine — Concern Like I wrote in last for Community. It’s our privilege to bring you year’s Septem“While focusing ber issue, putting stories that highlight the people, on member needs, together this magcooperatives work places, culture and creativity azine is a privilege that make Mississippi so special. for the sustainable that we take very development of seriously. their communities through policies acIt’s our privilege to bring you stories cepted by members,” the principle states. that highlight the people, places, culture Readers, members and community — and creativity that makes Mississippi so you are all three and Today in Mississippi special. We want to continue to entertain, is here to foster the world of electric inform and inspire you each month. cooperatives in service to our members. We do that with a dedicated and So, enjoy this issue and let’s celebrate talented communications team, but the a year of the magazine format. readers are at the heart of the success of We want Today in Mississippi to continue Today in Mississippi. Because of that, we to be part of the cooperative community will continue to seek your input and feed- and tell this community’s best and most back to make the magazine even better. interesting stories. Never hesitate to reach out to editor Steven Ward with story ideas and feedback — both good and bad — so we continue to improve. Email us at by Michael news@ecm.coop so we can publish a Callahan magazine that reflects the values and Executive Vice President/CEO interests of our readers. Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Although we love to entertain readers
Mississippi is... Warm summer days, The sun with a haze, Honeysuckle scent in the air, Bumble bees humming, A soft guitar strumming, A child without a care. A lone rooster crowing, An old cow lowing, A tractor plowing the earth. A squeaky screen door, Kids playing on the floor, Buttermilk churning on the hearth. I’ve traveled afar, By bus, plane, and car, Making my fortune, then some, But none of its worth, The place of my birth, Mississippi, I’m going home. by Pat Ballard A resident of Nashville, Ballard owns a home near Quitman and is a member of EMEPA.
What’s Mississippi to you? What do you treasure most about life in our state? Send your brief thoughts to Today in Mississippi, news@ecm.coop or mail to P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158
SEPTEMBER 2020 | TODAY 3
in this issue
5 southern gardening
Time to spice things up with peppers
7 scene around the ‘sip A look at special people and places around Mississippi
7
11
The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
Vol. 73 No. 8
OFFICERS Keith Hayward - President Kevin Bonds - First Vice President Eddie Howard - Second Vice President Randy Carroll - Secretary/Treasurer Michael Callahan - Executive Vice President/CEO EDITORIAL STAFF Ron Stewart - Senior VP, Communications Steven Ward - Editor Chad Calcote - Creative Director/ Manager Elissa Fulton - Communications Specialist Rickey McMillan - Graphic Designer Kevin Wood - Graphic Designer Chris Alexander - Administrative Assistant
outdoors today The intrigue of September
12 local news
EDITORIAL OFFICE & ADVERTISING 601-605-8600
18 feature
Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport is going to be a one of kind experience
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: 468,787
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.
18
24 on the menu
A can of milk secret to dinner and dessert
27 mississippi seen
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
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Speaking of back to school
www.todayinmississippi.com
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On the cover The entrance of the new Mississippi Aquarium is marked by three giant sails that represent the three pillars of the facility – Education, Conservation and Community. Photo: Chad Calcote
HARVEST SAFETY TIP Maintain a 10-foot clearance around all utility equipment in all directions.
4 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2020
HOT, HOT, HOT PEPPERS WITHSTAND HEAT AND HUMIDITY
It’s the end of summer, and much of my vegetable garden is a distant memory due to the heat and humidity. But I’m always encouraged by the production I enjoy from my pepper plants. I marvel at the way these plants seem to laugh at the heat and produce fresh peppers all the way to frost in the fall. There really isn’t anything better than picking fresh peppers from my home garden. I guess that’s true for all of our garden vegetables. The options for growing peppers are endless. I personally grow a wide variety, ranging from sweet to rather spicy peppers. I used to grow and enjoy the weapons-grade, super-hot varieties like Ghost, Trinidad Scorpion and Carolina Reaper, but I guess I’ve gotten smarter as I’ve gotten older. I watch the cooking shows looking for ideas not only for recipes but also for new, trendy vegetables to grow. This year, I’m growing a superb group of peppers that are changing my thoughts about an already versatile fruit. Yes, a fruit. Although its classified as a vegetable, a pepper contains seeds, making it a fruit. A fun little pepper I’m growing for the first time is the biquinho red, commonly called Brazilian Little Beak. This small pepper has a pointed shape that starts out pale yellow and transitions to bright red. It has a mild heat profile that I enjoy pickled and used as a playful garnish. A popular pepper to grow is the Fresno pepper. Taste-wise, a Fresno is similar to a jalapeño, but it has a smoky flavor note to me. The peppers are 2 to 3 inches long and about an inch in diameter. As they transition from glossy green to bright red, they tend to increase in heat level. The peppers are cone-shaped, and many will be slightly curved. Another popular pepper I’m growing is the Shishito. This is an
old Asian variety that is thin-skinned and about 3 inches long. Shishito peppers are mild, but one in 10 is randomly hot and can be a pleasant surprise. I first enjoyed these peppers at Chef Morimoto’s restaurant in Orlando, where they were flash fried. The wrinkly skin made them perfect for holding onto the peanut dipping sauce. I’m growing an improved Shishito hybrid called Mellow Star. This is a Shishito crossed with sweet red pepper that is deliciously mild and sweet. I like to wait until these peppers display their bright, glossy skin before harvesting. One of the best peppers I continue to grow in my home garden is Giant Marconi. This is an elongated, Italian sweet pepper selection that tastes great with no heat. It produces up to 8-inch-long fruit that have a smoky flavor without the need for the grill. I think they taste best when fully bright red. Giant Marconi is an All-America Selection winner that produces strongly through the heat and humidity of our Mississippi summers. It’s too late to start from seed this season, but I’ve noticed that garden centers have a nice supply of transplants that will still bear a late-season pepper crop.
by Dr. Gary Bachman Gary Bachman, Ph.D., Extension/Research Professor of Horticulture at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. He is also host of “Southern Gardening” radio and TV programs. He lives in Ocean Springs and is a Singing River Electric member.
SEPTEMBER 2020 | TODAY 5
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“This little FastHelp device is my guardian angel. I’m so glad my daughter-in-law got it for me.” -Pete Shaw Decorated WWII Veteran first. But then Pete’s daughterin-law, Maryanne, began to notice the shuffling steps, the difficulty with mundane tasks, but worst of all she found out about the falls, nothing serious yet but disturbing. Maryanne began to worry that something might happen when they weren’t around. That wasn’t a risk Maryanne was willing to take. “I started looking into medical alert devices. But they are like $50 to $100 a month.” said Maryanne, “We just didn’t have it plus all the other costs, equipment, installation, deposits, it never ends.” “Just when it seemed like Pete was headed for a nursing home, I saw an ar ticle about FastHelp™ in my newspaper,” continued Maryanne, “I found out it instantly connects you to unlimited help, nationwide, everywhere cell service is available.” “I also learned there are no contracts, no deposits, and no monthly bills ever,” Maryanne explained, “it was like all my prayers were answered, Pete
would be able to stay with us.” “If Pete would have been sent to a nursing home we could have lost him forever,” said Maryanne, “FastHelp has been a Godsend for us.” FastHelp works at home or anywhere cell service is available so whether Pete or one of the brand new 50,000 users are out watering the garden, driving in a car, at church or even hundreds of miles away on a tour or at a casino they are never alone. “Folks absolutely love the sleek new modern design and most of all, it’s free for life,” said Joseph Rodgers, Chief of Staff for U.S. based Universal Physicians. Millions of seniors fall every year and spend painful hours praying for help. But seniors who fall and get immediate help are much more likely to avoid getting sent to a nursing home and get to STAY living in their own home safely and independently. Yet countless seniors are still risking their safety because they just can’t afford to pay the monthly bills that come with old style medical alert devices. That’s why seniors who want to avoid the nursing home and its potential death sentence are rushing to get FastHelp free for life once they cover the first month as long as they call before the 7 day deadline ends. Heavy call volume is expected so if lines are busy keep trying, all calls will be answered.
WWII HERO GETS TO STAY AT HOME: Pete Shaw has always been sharp as a tack, but when the minor falls started, Pete nearly landed in a nursing home. But Pete dodged all that when his daughterin-law found this number (1-800-929-8049 EXT: FHHW209) and got him a tiny medical alert device that instantly connects him to help whenever and wherever he needs it with no monthly bills ever.
How FastHelp keeps seniors out of nursing homes We sat down with Philip Howren MD, top emergency room physician, to find out how FastHelp can help seniors stay out of nursing homes. This is what he said: “I see it every day, one fall or major health event and seniors land in a nursing home. In an emergency situation seconds count and a few minutes can make all the difference. “ I l o v e Fa s t H e l p b e c a u s e i t immediately and directly connects you to highly trained emergency operators who can help you. That saves time and can be the difference between coming back home or a potentially fatal nursing home
confinement. “Another reason seniors end up in nursing homes is they can’t afford the cost of a medical alert device but with FastHelp they are never alone and they are never exposed to any monthly bills. And the best part is they get to continue living in their own homes and their families don’t have to worry. “ H e re ’s t h e b o t to m li n e , t h e Coronavirus Pandemic hits seniors harder than anyone else and the nursing home is the worst place they can be, so if I can help them keep living in their own homes with FastHelp, that’s a win for everyone.”
HOW TO GET FASTHELP FREE FOR LIFE For the next 7 days seniors born before 1956 are getting FastHelp Free For Life to help them avoid the catastrophic health and financial risks associated with a nursing home confinement. Here’s how it works. The sleek little device normally goes for $299 and an open line to immediate help whenever and wherever you need it is worth $149 per month. This week only, if you were born before 1956 the device is free when you cover only the first month for just $149 and you never see a monthly bill. In other words it’s Free For Life. Seniors are urged to call 1-800-929-8049 EXT: FHHW209.
• Seniors born before 1956: To get FastHelp Free For Life, call this Toll-Free Hotline:1-800-929-8049 Ext: FHHW209
• Those born after 1956: You cannot get FastHelp Free For Life and must pay $448. Call: 1-800-929-8165 Ext: FHHW209
FASTHELP IS COVERED BY A 30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE LESS SHIPPING AND A 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY. FASTHELP IS A 3G GSM CELLULAR DEVICE. FASTHELP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE 911 CALLS WHEN CELLULAR SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE SUCH AS IN REMOTE AREAS. FASTHELP USES GPS TRIANGULATIONS TO APPROXIMATE YOUR LOCATION WHEN YOUR DEVICE IS TURNED ON. DR. HOWREN IS A COMPENSATED MEDICAL ADVISOR AND FRANK MCDONALD IS AN ACTUAL USER AND COMPENSATED FOR HIS PARTICIPATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. UNIVERSAL PHYSICIANS 7747 SUPREME AVE, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720. P7274A OF21807R-1
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Crossroads: Rural life in America
by Steven Ward “The United States needs vibrant and sustainable rural Later this month, residents of rural Mississippi will have a communities. Americans, no matter where they live, rely on the chance to explore the history and future of rural life in America. products of the countryside (and the productivity of rural people) “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” is a traveling museum for food and fuel. This is particularly true in Mississippi, a state exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute that will tour Mississippi that is ‘rural’ in every sense of the word. Mississippi is comprised beginning later this month in Senatobia through June 27 in of hundreds of small towns and communities, each with their own Greenwood. identity, challenges and successes. Understanding both our histoThe exhibit takes a broad look at the characteristics of rural ry and future as a rural state is an important step in learning more America and explores how change has transformed the rural about ourselves and our identity.” landscape and how rural Americans are evolving for the future. There is a local component to the exhibit that each host site is “The exhibit is combined into six free-standing kiosks and one responsible for, Gillespie said. interactive digital kiosk. Each of the six “Because we know that the Musekiosks examine different aspects and um on Main Street exhibits can’t fully themes like rural identity, connection explore specific Mississippi stories, each to the land, the role of community in Mississippi host site is required to develrural areas, persistence and how rural op a complementary exhibit that focuscommunities manage change,” said es on their own local Crossroads story. Caroline Gillespie, program manager of The local exhibit component ensures the Mississippi Humanities Council. that the themes addressed in the main For the past 15 years, the MississipCrossroads exhibit are also explored at pi Humanities Council has partnered the local level, and it’s an opportunity with the Smithsonian’s Museum on for local host sites to explore their own Main Street division to bring traveling community’s history,” she said. exhibits to communities around MissisSENATOBIA Those local portions of the exhibit sippi at no charge to host communiNorthwest Mississippi Community College Middle of September—October 27, 2020 could include student art projects, oral ties or exhibit visitors, Gillespie said. histories or public calls for artifacts The exhibit will arrive in Mississippi MOUNT OLIVE and memorabilia. in September and stay through June Jane Blain Brewer Memorial Library Gillespie said exhibit visitors can 2021, touring six different End of October—December 15, 2020 expect a real treat. communities during its stay. Each “The free exhibit is appropriate host community will have Crossroads WAVELAND Waveland Ground Zero Hurricane Museum for all ages and includes text, images, on display for six weeks, during which Middle of December—February 2, 2021 interactive objects and more. However, time they’ll also conduct public proCrossroads isn’t just a static, physical grams, events and community initiaSCOOBA exhibit for people to look at and enjoy. tives to complement the exhibit. East Mississippi Community College It goes beyond that by asking important “Americans have relied on rural Early February—March 23, 2021 questions about rural identity and rural America for generations,” Gillespie COLUMBIA communities that spark conversations, explained. Marion County Historical Society Museum & Archives stories and sharing. It’s a chance for “These places where people gather End of March—May 11, 2021 communities to come together to to exchange goods, services and celebrate, learn and grow,” she said. culture and to engage in political and GREENWOOD community discussions are an importMuseum of the Mississippi Delta Middle of May—June 27, 2021 ant part of our cultural fabric,” she said.
GO
SEPTEMBER 2020 | TODAY 7
TARGET PRACTICE
by Steven Ward Mississippi high school football, basketball and baseball may be known as traditional sports that teach students about teamwork, the importance of practice and sportsmanship, but there’s another pastime becoming more popular each year. In 2015, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) started the Mississippi Scholastic Shooting Program. The program provides an outlet for 7th-12th-grade students who want to compete in skeet, trap and sporting clays shooting. When the program began, they started out with four participating schools and 30 students. Today, 47 schools from around the state are involved with 800 students shooting competitively, said Michelle Carter, director of outreach programs at MDWFP. Almost half of the 47 schools that field teams are based in north Mississippi. Last year, a new shooting facility opened near Sardis in Panola County. MDWFP operates three shooting ranges in the state — Turcotte Shooting Facility in Canton, McHenry Shooting Facility in Perkinston and the new McIvor Shooting Facility near Sardis.
Competitive student shooting at McIvor
McIvor, which is open to the public, allows visitors use of a 330-yard rifle range, two 100-yard rifle ranges, a 50-yard pistol range, two skeet/trap fields, a 5-stand Duck Flush and a 15 station sporting clays trail. The 300-acre shooting facility was built with a $1.425 million grant from Olin Chemical, the parent company of Winchester Ammunition, which operates a plant near Oxford. MDWFP and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were able to obtain additional grant money to help fund the facility, which began construction in 2016. This past June, the program’s state shooting tournament was held at McIvor where students competed for $10,000 in college scholarship money. In 2019, MDWFP and the State Treasury Department partnered with the Foundation For Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to provide the scholarships. The students who win the money will have interest-bearing Mississippi Affordable College Savings accounts established for them. The tournament is usually held in May, but was pushed back this year because of COVID-19. Carter said one of the many positives of competitive shooting is that the sport is considered low risk in the time of COVID-19. “It’s considered low risk by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the National Federation of High Schools because of easy social distancing, space, preventing opposing teams from interacting and the students don’t share equipment,” Carter said. Scottie Jones, the MDWFP shooting range coordinator, said the program teaches students about team building but is also another tool to teach gun safety and firearm responsibility. “We teach them, you don’t just shoot it. You respect it,” Jones said. Jones said it’s amazing to watch young people compete. “And it’s boys and girls. The girls shoot just as well as boys,” Jones said. Carter said the winner of this year’s state tournament was an eighth-grader who won $4,000 in college scholarship money.
Visit mdwfp.com/law-enforcement/ms-scholastic-shooting-program for more information about the program and mdwfp.com/law-enforcement/ mcivor-shooting-facility for more information about the shooting range.
SEPTEMER 2020 | TODAY 9
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hat first crack of thunder sounded like a bomb just fell on Ramshorn Peak. Black clouds rolled in and the wind shook the trees. I had ventured off the trail on my own, gambled with the weather and now I was trapped in the forest. Miles from camp. Surrounded by wilderness and watching eyes. I knew that if I was going to make it through the night I needed to find shelter and build a fire... fast. As the first raindrops fell, I reached for my Stag Hunter Knife. Forget about smartphones and GPS, because when it comes to taking on Mother Nature, there’s only one tool you really need. Our stunning Stag Hunter is the ultimate sidekick for surviving and thriving in the great outdoors. Priced at $149, the Stag Hunter can be yours today for an unbelievable $49! Call now and we’ll include a bonus leather sheath!
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INTRICACY AND grin ‘n’ bareOF it INTRIGUE
And above it all, at least on a clear day, is the most Genesis begins with a bold statement: “In the beginning brilliant and encouraging of all skies. The blue is bluer and God created the heaven and the earth.” And what an amazing the sunrise is soft and welcoming. There are leafy trees creation it is. This creation has been discussed and studied contemplating a color change, perhaps faint but inarguable. and theorized about since creation was created. As well, a On a September morning. great deal of philosophy has been generated surrounding this Then there are the aural suggestions. The rustling of aging topic. Let us, for a moment, set that all aside and move to a cornstalks or summer gardens, nearing specific matter relating to creation — the rest from their chores of production. changing of seasons. The call of crickets and katydids, a These changes result from the Earth’s near-constant whine that soothes and tilt — 23.5-degrees on Earth’s vertical Though not a loud proclamation smooths the wrinkles of a long summer. axis. An intricate business, this tilting. of autumn, black gum leaves Perhaps my favorite piece of music And that tilt allows the northern and in September whisper a hint southern hemispheres to have summer is Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 that fall is on the way. in E Minor, popularly known as the and winter — only at opposing times. “New World Symphony.” Generally I have visitied South Africa many times in July. Board a plane in Mississippi with a temperature of 96 built around American music melodies, it is a European composer’s rendition of what he heard and/or perceived from and step off a plane in Johannesburg with a temperature of 56. his time in the United States. One theme that permeates the But none of that is particularly relevant to the topic at hand. symphony is a tune called “Goin’ Home.” I hear those crickets That topic is September, month of the autumnal equinox. and see those withering corn stalks and want nothing more September’s intrigue presents in various forms. Visual than to go home. is likely the most recognized, for it, in a way, speaks softly The autumnal equinox will be here soon — in September. of autumn. No, that season has not fully arrived, this verified Don’t miss the intricacies and intrigue. by persistently disagreeable temperatures. But there is a whisper of fall in the air. The sight of changing shadows is a paramount indicator. This sight, caused by that tilting mentioned above and set in place by the Creator acknowledged in that passage from Genesis, is an odd and haunting thing to see. It comes on by Tony Kinton gently but is probably noticed suddenly as an observer steps outside one day and recognizes that the surroundings simply Tony Kinton has been an active outdoors writer for 30 years. He lives in don’t look the way they did a week earlier. Shadow angles Carthage and is a Central Electric member. Visit www.tonykinton.com for more information. are….well, different. A peculiar slant; a curious leaning.
SEPTEMBER 2020 | TODAY 11
BRINGING THE POWER WWW.SOU THERN PIN E.COOP | P.O. BOX 60 | 1349 1 H WY. 28 | TAYLO R SVIL L E, MS 39 16 8 | 800.231 .524 0
Southern Pine and TEC Collaborate to Bring Fast Fiber Internet to Many Members Southern Pine Electric is excited to announce a collaborative agreement with TEC, a technology company providing fiber internet to people in rural areas of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. TEC will bring fiber internet to many of Southern Pine’s members that are unserved or underserved. With an aggressive work schedule of 10 years, TEC will bring innovative broadband, voice and security solutions to our members, communities and businesses that lack access to true broadband services. As most of our members know, Southern Pine’s board of directors spent tireless hours researching ways to provide broadband internet access to our members. At one point, we considered starting a subsidiary and providing it ourselves. However, after much study and analysis, the board made the difficult decision to not become a service provider of high-speed internet due to financial constraints that could threaten the stability of the cooperative and its members. While this decision ended Southern Pine’s consideration of becoming a service provider, it did not diminish the desire for Southern Pine to play an active role in securing connectivity for our members. Long after the announcement was made in February that Southern Pine would not become an internet service provider, the board continued to search diligently for an alternate way to help our members with access to high-speed internet even in the most rural areas. Through the announcement of this collaboration, Southern Pine’s board of directors and management team has made true on the promise to pursue a sound broadband solution that protects our members’ ownership in Southern Pine. “I am proud that TEC, which is a company with deep roots in our state, recognizes what our members have to offer and is committed to improving their quality of life,” said Don Jordan, president and CEO of Southern Pine Electric. 12 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2020
TEC, headquartered in Mississippi with a local office in Bay Springs, has been a leader in the ever-changing technology industry for close to a century. They have the ability and means to help our members and communities stay connected, informed and secure through their many services and custom solutions. “This endeavor with Southern Pine is a natural fit for our company and our goal of keeping people connected. Both TEC and Southern Pine are committed to our service areas, our customers and our employees. We look forward to bringing fast fiber internet where it truly is needed,” said Joseph Fail, president of TEC. This will be an exciting project that will bring many opportunities to our area. It will require several years of hard work before completion, but the end result will be well worth our efforts. By providing high-speed internet service, TEC provides Southern Pine members with a wealth of opportunities. Members will have more educational opportunities at their fingertips, they will be able to take control of their health and wellbeing by accessing virtual health visits and businesses will be able to thrive with quicker access to their customers and clients. With this need met, Southern Pine can remain singularly focused and financially strong and put additional resources towards strengthening our electric infrastructure and improving service and reliability. You expect and deserve superior service and we aim to deliver. This is our home. What matters to you, matters to us. We want to keep families here. We want better jobs and more opportunities. You are important to us and we believe in giving back. This is just one more way that Southern Pine brings the power to our members. For more information about TEC, please visit TEC.com/southernpine and to sign up visit TEC.com/southernpinefiber. For questions about Southern Pine Electric, visit our website at southernpine.coop or email voice@southernpine.coop.
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TEC: CONNECTING PEOPLE TEC is an innovative and independent company based in Jackson with a local office in Bay Springs. In 1923, with the purchase of the Bay Springs Telephone Company, Donnie and Estelle Fail had a single vision — to connect people. With 120 original subscribers, a switchboard and a house located in downtown Bay Springs, they began by providing basic telephone service to rural communities. As communication needs evolved over the years, the company has changed to meet those needs. In 1972, what began as a small, local telephone provider incorporated as TEC, uniting six rural phone companies from Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. For almost 100 years, their vision has not changed. TEC remains focused on delivering reliable and clear communications to each customer, community and business that it serves. From the introduction of automatic dial equipment to cutting edge broadband internet services, an honest commitment to their customers has driven TEC continually to develop creative technology solutions.
Today, TEC and subsidiaries employ over 200 people in four states. TEC has six local telephone companies located in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Additionally, TEC has a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) division located in Jackson with sales efforts focused in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee. TEC subsidiaries are also located in Jackson and Monroe, Louisiana. TEC serves almost 18,000 with fiber internet service or telephone service. They have approximately 1,300 miles of fiber in their rural territories with aggressive plans to build more fiber to serve more rural customers. Throughout the Southeast, TEC offers broadband internet access, local and long-distance calling, network management and security services. Today, TEC stands strong as one of the nation’s leaders in this ever-changing industry, and businesses and communities across the country rely on TEC to stay connected.
Joseph Fail, TEC president and CEO, with his two daughters, Brandi Callison, vice president of human resources (left) and Joey F. Garner, executive vice president (right)
Heather, Jon, Ava, Andrew White
SEPTEMBER 2020 | TODAY 13
MEET YOUR DIRECTOR:
DAVID TADLOCK SCOTT COUNTY
As the summer slowly gives way to cooler days and shorter nights in Mississippi, many of us are eager to be outside, enjoying the woods and open fields. You would be hard pressed to travel very far before seeing a herd of cows contentedly chewing on grass, swatting flies with their tails and looking as if they have no cares in the world. With nearly a million cattle grazing across the state, the picturesque scene is not the only value the cattle bring to our area. They generate jobs, income and provide food for tables. A high commodity, growing cattle throughout Southern Pine’s territory is ideal due to the climate that provides year-round grazing and highly adapted grasses. David Tadlock, owner of Tadlock Stockyards, Inc., in Forest, is no stranger to the importance of cattle in our state. David also serves on the board of directors of Southern Pine Electric representing Scott County and 3,828 members. A family business, he and his wife, Sandra Brantley Tadlock, work along with daughters Greggina Brown and Charlesa Fairley. Two sons-in-law, Kevin Brown and Kyle Fairley, and one extraordinary granddaughter, Jaybea Olivia Brown, accomplish the day-to-day business that keeps the stockyard successful and productive. According to the Mississippi Agriculture Department, for every $1 million in sales, cattle generate $2.35 million in total economic activity. Director Tadlock does all within his power to promote the cattle industry, Southern Pine’s members, Scott County and our state. Home of the largest cattle sales in the state, the Tadlock family has operated the stockyard for 45 years, providing employment and investing in the lives of their neighbors and friends. Selling high-quality cattle locally reduces freight costs, supports the local economy and helps to put food on the table for hundreds of steak-loving Mississippians. David and Sandy also enjoy spending time with their family and two well-loved dogs. With a quick smile, a warm sense of humor, and a mountain of quiet strength, their family shares blessings with everyone that they know. A resourceful director for Southern Pine, Tadlock is always searching for ways to improve the services provided by Southern Pine. Innovative and open to new technologies, he has spent hours in the classroom learning all there is to know about the electric utility industry. That knowledge has bene14 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2020
fited not only Scott County members but the entire membership. Accustomed to managing his own business, he utilizes that same wisdom when making decisions regarding Southern Pine. His skills and expertise are beneficial to our members in the rapidly changing world of governance, technology and operations required for our co-op to remain strategically on course and able to provide electricity at a competitive cost. We take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. Tadlock, for serving on the board and for making life better for so many people.
A little something you should know before going in the livestock business: Livestock are animals that are bred and raised to keep the producer broke, the commission man confused and the buyer crazy. Livestock are born in the spring, pastured in the summer, mortgaged in the fall, and given away in the winter. They vary in size, color, weight, and grade. The man who can guess nearest to the weight and market grade is called a buyer by the public, a robber by the rancher and a poor businessman by the banker. In talking to buyers and sellers, some say the market will go up and some say it will go down. Whatever you do will be wrong. When you have light cattle, the buyers want heavy ones. When you have heifers, they want steers and vice versa. When they are thin, they should be fat, and when they are fat, they should be thin. There is one thing you can depend on, the commission man will always say, “You should have been here yesterday.” Author Unknown
“Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong.” Unknown
SEPTEMBER 2020 | TODAY 15
MEET SOUTHERN PINE EMPLOYEE:
CASEY CLINGAN
To know Casey Clingan is to know that he is one of the most energetic people you will ever meet, and he is always enthusiastic when helping Southern Pine members. Casey is a man of many talents and one of those talents is taking care of our members as a member services representative at the Hattiesburg branch, where he has worked for two years. He puts his funny personality and strong wit to good use while making all members who come into the Hattiesburg branch feel welcome and they leave with a smile after seeing him. “My favorite part of working with members, as cheesy as this may sound, is being able to put a smile on their faces by providing them with a great experience,” Casey said. Karen Moseley, Hattiesburg branch manager, said Casey has a great sense of humor and quick wit and is very thorough with members. “He gives them information on all of the technologies we offer that can help members manage their accounts and make life easier for them,” she said. According to Karen, Casey is very organized, and he prioritizes his workday to make sure
“My favorite part of working with members, as cheesy as this may sound, is being able to put a smile on their faces by providing them with a great experience.” things are done and done correctly. As organized as he is, his humor shines through as one of his strongest traits. “Casey comes up with fun songs to end the day and makes everyone laugh,” Karen added. Another of Casey’s talents is photography and videography. He owns and operates Casey Clingan Cinematography, where he specializes in lifestyle, wedding, and documentary photography, and filmmaking. Some of Casey’s work is featured in the Southern Pine history book, “Making Life Better: The Story of Southern Pine Electric Power Association.” Casey attended Oak Grove High School, then USM majoring in History. He also attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and intends to complete his studies in theology. With his many talents, Casey’s biggest talents are being a great husband and father. Casey and his wife, Courtney, have been married for five years and they have one son, Noah, who is two and a half. Casey loves the mountains and hiking, but nothing compares to his love for his family. “The things that matter the most to me are being a good husband, a good father, and a good man. There is nothing more important in life than having a strong, Christ-centered family and living in a way that honors him,” Casey said. 16 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2020
AROUND THE TABLE by Jan Collins I am so thankful that September is here. My favorite month for many reasons, the promise of cooler weather, the leaves on the trees beginning to burst with fiery color, and most of all, it is the month God chose to send me my only son. September is truly a month filled with things we can all celebrate regardless of our station in life. A sapphire sky, a lazier evening pace as the days grow shorter and the adventures of a new school year. 2020 has presented so many challenges for all of us, but even a vicious little virus cannot stop the wonder of the seasons and the blessings that it brings. Fall is also the time when we most acknowledge, with grateful hearts, the bounty of the season. Peas, beans, soups, and other home-grown vegetables have been stored away for use during the cold wintery nights ahead. As school assignments roll in, kids are doing homework at the table and enjoying after-school snacks. It seems as if the school calendar once again signals the importance of the kitchen table. There, we gather for homework, projects, food, games and fellowship. Though food is an important part of just about everything in Mississippi, even it becomes secondary to the questions, long talks, and life lessons we have learned, and have yet to learn, around the kitchen table. I can remember the long list of Mama’s gentle and sometimes not so gentle reminders, to eat our vegetables, wipe our mouths and never talk with our mouths full. With a house full of boys and one tomgirl, not chewing with our mouths open and not eating with our fingers were constant daily reminders. More times than not, we did not recognize how difficult it must have been for her to work all day, come home to us and prepare dinner. Unlike me, who cooks as little as I can get away with and always looking for quick meals, she always cooked a full meal. Meat, potatoes, more than one vegetable, bread and tea. Desserts were prepared daily, and we gobbled them down without much thought for the tired hands that prepared them for us. I guess I heard her say “eat it or starve” hundreds of times when we had the audacity to complain about spinach or rutabagas being on the table. As I have grown
older with a family of my own, I am humbled and grateful for all that she did for me and our family. I can look back now and know that the kitchen table was not the focal point of those wonderful evenings. What I remember, and what most of us long for, is those brief evenings with the people in our world. They speed by and before you know it, you are only together for the holidays, weddings and funerals. Mama and daddy were the glue that kept our family bonded. I have finally learned how to duplicate many of her recipes and the whole clan gets together at least one time during the year. During those most precious times, we usually end up laughing, and sometimes crying, about the lessons learned around our kitchen table. We all have different recollections about who started what and who was always in trouble, but we all recall the one thing that matters the most, we were loved. Mama exemplified the old saying that we cannot stop our children from growing up so quickly, but we can be present the entire time, so we do not miss those vanishing moments. The empty nest rushes in before we are ready, and we must safeguard the privilege of participating in our children’s lives while we have them by our side. Here in the south, we accomplish that by good food, storytelling, listening and by the commitment to really be with our children and not just watch as the world calls them to a grand adventure outside our home. I hope that the kitchen table speaks to your heart as much as it does to mine, but if not the table, then your sofa or living room floor. At the end of the day, it is not where we gather but the fact that we make time to gather. One day those little beings will be called upon to take responsibility for the world, to provide for a family and rear children of their own. They will need those memories and lessons learned from around the table. Here at Southern Pine, we unite with our members to help Bring the Power that is needed for us to gather around the table. Join with us as we celebrate this most spectacular month of powerful blessings. SEPTEMBER 2020 | TODAY 17
18 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2020
by Steven Ward You can’t miss the sails. more than one million gallons of fresh and saltwater, more than The first thing you see when you enter the Mississippi 200 species in 12 habitats, 50 species of native plants, a half Aquarium are three massive sails that stand 65 feet in height. mile of walking paths connecting the habitats, summer camps, Each of the sails represents one of the aquarium’s three pillars: education programs, a large event space for meetings and wededucation, conservation and community. dings as well as a 30-foot long, 360-degree tunnel. After years of planning and construction, the new aquarium While most aquariums have a 180-degree tunnel on their on Gulfport’s coastline was slated to open on August 29. ground levels, Mississippi Aquarium’s 360-degree suspended “The aquarium sits on 5.8 acres and encompasses more acrylic tunnel goes directly through the primary habitat. This than 80,000-sqaure-feet of indoor will give guests a chance to “walk on water” and outdoor exhibits connected by while having views of marine life from every landscaped walkways with plants angle — above them and below them. that represent all the physiographic Later on, after the aquarium has been open The aquarium is an exciting regions of Mississippi,” said Mississippi for a while, the facility will allow guest and and welcome addition Aquarium Chief Executive Officer animal interactions through SeaTREK, a to our coastline Kurt Allen. helmet diving experience. Guests will be fully The aquarium’s construction and immersed in the main Aquatic Wonders habpre-opening costs were funded itat where they will get up close and personal through a public and private partwith fish, sharks, rays and more, Allen said. nership. Allen said 90% of the Once inside the main part of the funding came from the City of aquarium, children will be able to Gulfport, the state and Restore explore touch tanks, where children Act Grants and Gulf of Mexico can interact with small fish, starfish, Energy Security Act money. sharks and cownose rays. The touch tank was partially The other 10% came from funded by Coast Electric Power private donations through Association. the aquarium’s foundation. The aquarium features
photos by Chad Calcote
SEPTEMBER 2020 | TODAY 19
“The aquarium is an exciting and welcome addition to our coastline,” said Coast Electric President and CEO Ron Barnes. “This facility brings great educational experiences to residents and visitors, not to mention the economic impact it will have for our state. I am excited that through our Operation Round Up program and the generosity of Coast Electric members, we were able to provide a grant to the aquarium for touch tanks that will give students a hands-on learning experience,” Barnes added. Education is one of the three pillars of the aquarium. “Reaching the hearts and minds of all guests by connecting them with the planet’s most precious ecosystems is the driving force behind Mississippi Aquarium’s Education Department,” Allen said. Mississippi Aquarium will host Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) focused field trips that
give students and teachers an opportunity to experience onsite exploration and hands-on lessons in a state-of-the-art classroom. University education will play a role as well. The University of Southern Mississippi will participate in saltwater research and education, while Mississippi State University will support veterinary services that will provide their students with additional hands-on opportunities. The aquarium will also deploy a community outreach vehicle, the Mobile Marine Unit, that will travel across the state and region to provide education about animals and ocean conservation. The second pillar of the aquarium is conservation. Mississippi Aquarium’s Aquatic Research Center will be the foundation of conservation efforts. The
Ticket prices include daily admission. Visits — including dates and entry times — must be scheduled at the time of purchase. Visitors who purchase memberships receive unlimited daily admission and don’t need tickets.
20 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2020
aquarium’s research and conservation programs will make the maximum contribution to regional science and education while being integrated into the cultural, scientific and educational foundation of Mississippi. Some of those conservation programs include dolphin research on behavior, genetics, welfare and health; a health study initiative to study the connection between humans, animals and the environment and a conservation Mississippi license plate that will feature an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin and a Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle with the aquarium’s three sails in the background. The proceeds of the car tag will support conservation efforts for dolphins and sea turtles along coastal Mississippi and beyond. The third pillar is community. The aquarium is an anchor for economic development in and around downtown Gulfport with the creation
of nearly 100 full-time jobs, Allen said. The aquarium will also get involved with beach and river cleanup programs, recycling programs, mentorship opportunities and Project SAIL, an initiative that ensures diverse audiences, regardless of economic status, to participate in on-site programs at no cost to the school. When asked why Mississippi was the perfect location for a major aquarium, Allen said the Gulf of Mexico is one of the most beloved and thriving ecosystems in the world. “In downtown Gulfport, Mississippi Aquarium is located directly across from the white sands of the Coastal Mississippi beaches to showcase all the marine life our special ecosystem has to offer,” Allen said. “The aquarium has access to some of the most respected marine scientists and researchers in their fields. It was imperative that we bring these resources to Coastal Mississippi so we can learn, educate and protect the Gulf.”
A regular adult ticket (ages 13-64) is $29.95. • A child ticket (ages 3-12) is $24.95. Senior tickets (with ID) are $26.95. • Children 2 and under are free. Visit msaquarium.org for more information on tickets.
SEPTEMBER 2020 | TODAY 21
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For stovetop macaroni & cheese or quick custard pie, reach for a can of milk Three cheers for the red, white and blue cans of evaporated milk tucked in the back of my pantry. They have saved me countless trips to town. Shelf-stable evaporated milk is simply cow’s milk that has been slowly heated to reduce the water content by 60%, giving it a rich texture and slightly sweet, nutty flavor. I’ve always thought of evaporated milk as an old-fashioned ingredient, and it is. My great-grandmother and great aunt, two women who lived miles from town, seemed to always have a partial can in the refrigerator and splashed a dash in their morning coffee. They taught me to keep it handy. Up until the 1930s, when electric refrigeration became widely available, canned milk was found in most kitchens. It continues to serve as a convenient and useful ingredient. I use it in 24 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2020
a pinch as a replacement for half-and-half in recipes or thin it with a little water for recipes calling for whole milk. These two recipes come together with easy to have, on-hand ingredients and are perfect for school night dinners. So, reach in the cupboard for some milk and remember to keep those cans on your shopping list.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 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.
Stovetop macaroni & cheese
Simple custard pie
This recipe is great served up right out of the pot. It also can be made ahead, topped with buttery crumbs, and baked at 325 degrees until bubbly. I find all manner of additions to stir into the mixture. (Think broccoli and ham or bacon bits and grilled chicken.)
This recipe takes a short cut by skipping the crust. When just a little something sweet is called for, this pie fits the bill. Silky textured and simply flavored with a touch of nutmeg. When the weather cools, sometimes I add a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.
INGREDIENTS 1 pound large elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, cut in small pieces 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk 2 large eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon ground dry mustard or ¼ teaspoon prepared yellow mustard 1 pound extra-sharp cheddar, grated 8 ounces American cheese, cut in small pieces or grated 1 tablespoon cornstarch A few shakes of hot pepper sauce (I like Crystal brand) Salt and pepper, for seasoning
When it comes to toppings, a drizzle of chocolate sauce is easy as can be, so is a spoonful of your favorite fruit pie filling ladled over each slice.
1) While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the evaporated milk, eggs and mustard in a small bowl and set aside. Toss the cheeses with the cornstarch. 2) When the pasta is cooked, drain it well and return it to the pot. Add the butter and stir over low heat until melted and the pasta is coated with butter. Add the evaporated milk mixture and stir well. Add the cheese a handful at a time stirring after each addition. Continue to cook stirring constantly until the macaroni and cheese is thick and creamy.
INGREDIENTS 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk 3 large eggs ¾ cup granulated white sugar Pinch of salt 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (plus a little for dusting the baking dish) 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus a little for buttering the baking dish) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1) Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Place a buttered and floured 9-inch pie baking dish on a sheet pan. 2) Combine the eggs, evaporated milk, salt and sugar in a blender. Give the mixture a few quick whirls. Add the flour, melted butter, vanilla extract and ground nutmeg and blend well. 3) Pour the filling mixture into the prepared pie pan and place the sheet pan and pie in the oven. 4) Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until set and slightly puffed around the edges. 5) Serve warm or chilled. Leftovers should be stored covered and refrigerated.
SEPTEMBER 2020 | TODAY 25
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mississippi is...
events
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We measured the school year with the Magnolia tree when we were kids. In May, the fragrance of the blossoms drifted through our classroom windows (no air conditioning) when it was almost time for summer vacation. And the seed cones started forming about the time to go back to school. It’s not so much that we were botanists, but we used the seed cones as footballs during recess. So, when we saw them on the trees, we started choosing sides. School is different this year with COVID-19. Depending on the expert, going back to class is either the best thing we can do or the absolute worst. But whatever consensus the politicians and epidemiologists come up with, we will make sure our kids get an education. That determined attitude toward education is what saved the old Poplar Hill School building that now serves as the Poplar Hill Museum of African American Culture near Fayette in Jefferson County. Just after the Civil War, the first thing the freed enslaved people organized were churches. And the next thing was schools. Not big brick edifices, but classes. At first, they were held inside the churches. Then it became evident that a more adequate building was needed for education, so one-room schoolhouses were built next door on church property. That is what the Poplar Hill School building is — a restored oneroom school where children from every grade were taught in the same classroom by one, or maybe two teachers. After the Civil War, public education for African American children wasn’t provided by the state. Then, in the early 20th century, the teachers in these one-room schools began to be paid by the county school system. And then by the late 1950s, the last of the
students were absorbed into the public schools and the old one-room schoolhouses were closed. The Poplar Hill School building was rescued from decay and restored over a period of several years around 2010 or 2012 — somewhere along in there — by a group of former students and other people who wanted to preserve the building to honor the dedication and show the hard work it took for the children just to get an education. Google “Poplar Hill School Jefferson County, Mississippi” and you will find contact information and a web page with their history. You can find out how to go visit them and see the place for yourself — IF COVID-19 ever lets us visit anywhere again — depending on the expert. On education I will say this — I was interviewing former Governor William Winter and the subject of how to get Mississippi to become more successful came up. Gov. Winter’s face took on a serious expression and his voice grew very deliberate and stern as he told me that, “As far as the road to success, it runs through the schoolhouse doors.” And in tough times it takes determined people to make sure that road isn’t blocked.
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.” He lives in Brandon and is a Central Electric member. Contact him at walt@waltgrayson.com.
SEPTEMBER 2020 | TODAY 27
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