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FOR MEMBERS OF PEARL RIVER VALLEY ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION

KERMIT THE FROG’S

HOME TOWN

SEPTEMBER 2021

TALES OF A

RECORD COLLECTOR

SWEET AND SPICY

FRIED CHICKEN

on the menu

outdoo scene around the ‘sip

107⁄8 1

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outdoors today 107⁄8 1013⁄16 3 10 ⁄4 101⁄2

picture this my opinion grin ‘n’ bare it

Hunting season means good eating – and safety

September means we’re getting closer to our most popular hunting seasons in Mississippi. Hunting season is a time when we gather with family and friends and take to the outdoors to engage in a sport that is near and dear to many generations of Mississippians. I love this quote about hunting by columnist and big game hunter Robert Ruark: “The old man used to say that the best part of hunting and fishing was the thinking about going and the talking about it after you got back.” With that quote in mind, we present a Today in Mississippi cover story this month about what happens just before and after the hunt. We talked to three Mississippi hunters about the cooking, eating, and fellowship that occurs at their hunting camps before everyone picks up their weapons and heads out to the deer stands and duck blinds. If you haven’t eaten before reading the cover story, it might just make your mouth water. Food is big part of hunting camp life. We’ve included three recipes that our trio of hunters like to make at camp in case you’re looking for new dishes to serve during your next trip. And even if you’re not into hunting, the recipes will work just Price as well in your home kitchen or at your ❏ next back yard grill out. The other thing that comes to mind Logo & about hunting is safety. Address The electric cooperatives of Mississippi ❏ are militant about safety when it comes to Job Code

power restoration operations. We have to be. It’s dangerous work, so safety measures are part of our DNA. Safety is also key when hunting. Make sure you, your family, friends, and others in the area remain safe during your hunt. Here are just a few safety tips from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks to keep in mind while hunting. Don’t shoot across roads, trails, or waterways. These areas may be occupied by people. Avoid alcohol and medications that may impair judgment before or while handling firearms. Educate yourself: Obey all the rules of firearm safety and insist that those around you do the same. Watch that muzzle: Keep it pointed in a safe direction at all times. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. Check your barrel and ammunition: Make sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions. Point a firearm only at something you intend to shoot.

by Michael Callahan Executive Vice President/CEO Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi

Mississippi is... It’s where I’m from. Born in Laurel, Jones County. Raised on a dead end dirt road. Walked most every branch of water, climbed most every tree around home. It’s where I am. Clarke County near Quitman. Home now. Beautiful country around here. Wonderful people around here. It’s where I’ll be. My wife and I have been blessed to visit all 50 states, and Washington D.C. Also, Canada and Mexico. Love it all. But no other place like Mississippi. Yes, it’s where I’ll be.

by Michael W. Boutwell, a resident of Quitman and a member of EMEPA

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What’s Mississippi to you?

Tracking Code

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Yellow Snipe

And we think you’re going to love ours. So let’s work together: As electric cooperatives, we were built by the communities we serve —and by members just like you.

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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 2021 | TODAY 3 101⁄2 103⁄4 13 107⁄8 10 ⁄16

in this issue

5 southern gardening Introducing the Rudbeckia

7 scene around the ‘sip A look at special people and places in Mississippi

outdoors today Just like a cliché, a flintlock is a tool

10 local news 16 feature

Here’s what’s cooking at three Mississippi hunting camps

20 on the menu

Time for sweet and spicy fried chicken thighs

The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi

Vol. 74 No. 9

OFFICERS Kevin Bonds - President Eddie Howard - First Vice President Randy Carroll - Second Vice President Ron Barnes - 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 Elissa Fulton - Communications Specialist Rickey McMillan - Graphic Designer Kevin Wood - Graphic Designer Chris Alexander - Administrative Assistant 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: 477,498

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

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On the cover A pan filled with steak and other meat prepped for grilling at Chris Gouras Jr.’s hunting camp near Vicksburg. Photo by Chad Calcote.

HARVEST SAFETY TIP Maintain a 10-foot clearance around all utility equipment in all directions.

4 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2021

When Mississippi’s oppresThe flowers are displayed atop sive heat and humidity drive stiff, upright stems, creating gardeners indoors, there’s one a breathtaking sight along blooming beauty sure to perennial color borders. Cherokee Sunset has a blend bring us back outdoors: the of warm autumnal colors in a Rudbeckia. mix of single and double flowThese flowers, also commoners, especially when grown in full ly known as black-eyed Susans, sun. The blooms of Rudbeckia make gorgeous cut flowers for Prairie Sun are very distinctive. indoor use. These bicolor flowers have Rudbeckias produce an orange petals tipped in bright, abundance of bright-yellow The golden yellow petals and dark red halo of Denver Daisy rudbeckia refuse to primrose-yellow with light-green flowers, each with a dark, wilt in the hot summer landscape. centers. button-shaped cone in the cenAnother variety to look for is Denver Daisy, which has flower ter. These sunny-colored flowers have been recognized as Missispetals of pure, bright yellow with variable splotches of dark red at sippi Medallion and All-America Selections winners in past years. the base. Plant all Rudbeckias in full sun for best flowering and color. An old standby that should not be overlooked is Rudbeckia They give peak performance in compost-amended and wellGoldsturm. The multitudes of golden-orange flowers have darkdrained soils, but they tolerate poor, clay soils. brown center cone. It has a clumping growth habit, making it a Although these plants are known and grown for their drought terrific choice for mass planting. tolerance, dry conditions limit flowering. For best landscape The Irish Eyes variety differs from other rudbeckias because it performance, keep a consistent soil moisture for your Rudbeckias, has emerald-green center cones instead of black or dark brown. and they will reward you with continued flowering. This plant produces clear-yellow blooms from summer into fall Rudbeckias are all considered lower maintenance plants, and will grow up to three feet tall. but they need deadheading, which is the removal of the fading If you don’t have these perennials growing in your landscape, flowers to keep the plants blooming all summer. There are several species for gardeners to choose from. Rud- you need to rethink your garden plan for next year. These plants actually shine in our summer heat, refusing to wilt like both beckia hirta, a Mississippi native wildflower, is a staple in natupeople and many plants in the heat of summer. ralized areas and meadows. Black-eyed Susans are also reliable garden and landscape performers for the butterfly garden. Some varieties are true annuals, others are true perennials, and the rest are somewhere in between. It really doesn’t matter by Dr. Gary which you choose because all will put on a summer show in the Bachman landscape. Rudbeckia Indian Summer, Cherokee Sunset and Prairie Sun all Gary Bachman, Ph.D., Extension/Research Professor of Horticulture at make great cut flowers with their large blooms and strong stems. the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Indian Summer has flowers that reach a whopping 9 inches Biloxi. He is also host of “Southern Gardening” radio and TV programs. across with a delicious-looking, rich chocolate-brown center cone. He lives in Ocean Springs and is a Singing River Electric member. SEPTEMBER 2021 | TODAY 5

VERSION #______________ RON Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested STEVEN Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested CHAD Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested ELISSA Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested CHRIS Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested ARTIST __________ Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested

The stiff, upright stems and 9-inch blooms of Rudbeckia Indian Summer create a breathtaking sight along perennial color borders.

ECM’s 2021 engineering scholarship winners

From left: Tucker Bourland, Barry Rowland, Andrew Hokanson, Brian Hughey, Trevor Amason, Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Executive Vice President/CEO Michael Callahan, Josh Hall, Chris K. Rhodes, Ron Barnes, Maria Serratos, and Jeff Bowman.

The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi (ECM) Foundation recently announced their 2021 engineering scholarship winners. The ECM Foundation was created by the 26 electric cooperatives in Mississippi to give back to the communities they serve by providing scholarships to outstanding and deserving students. These scholarships were awarded to college engineering students who are in their junior or senior year. Monroe County Electric General

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Manager Barry Rowland presented Tucker Bourland of Hamilton. Singing River Electric General Manager/CEO Brian Hughey presented Andrew Hokanson of Lucedale. Southern Pine Electric President/CEO Chris K. Rhodes presented Trevor Amason of Mize. Coast Electric President/CEO Ron Barnes presented Josh Hall of Picayune. Cooperative Energy President/CEO Jeff Bowman presented Maria Serratos of Clinton.

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by Steven Ward Kermit the Frog was born in So how did Kermit the Frog spring Mississippi. from Henson’s imagination while living It’s true. in Mississippi? Jim Henson, creator of Sesame As a boy, Jim Henson spent hours Street and The Muppets, was born playing along the banks of Deer Creek. at King’s Daughter Hospital in Looney said that’s when he dreamed up Greenville on Sept. 24, 1936. Henson the character of Kermit the Frog who would have turned 95 this month. was named (some have said) after his He died at age 53 in 1990. childhood friend, Kermit Scott. Henson spent his early years “He loved the outdoors and playing in Leland. Henson lived in Leland with frogs and snakes. After he moved because his father, Paul Henson, to Maryland, Jim Henson never came Someday we’ll find it worked with the U.S. Department back to Leland, but his experiences here The rainbow connection… of Agriculture. Leland was the and fond memories gave him what he place where Henson’s imagination The lovers, the dreamers and me. described as ‘an idyllic time,’” Looney said. and interest in art combined to trig— “The Rainbow Connection” ger an idea that wound up changHenson was invited to Leland to help Music and lyrics by ing the face of entertainment. celebrate the city’s 100th birthday in Paul Williams and Kenneth Asche Today, visitors interested in the 1980. Henson wrote back to the mayor origins of The Muppets and Kermit thanking him for the invitation but had the Frog can visit a museum in to turn him down because he was slated Leland known as Leland, Mississippi: to be London for the next two years. Birthplace of the Frog: An Exhibit of Henson wrote that he planned to return What: Leland, Mississippi: Birthplace of Jim Henson’s Delta Boyhood. to Leland for a visit, but he died before the Frog: An Exhibit of Jim Henson’s Rhonda Looney, the museum’s that happened. general manager and curator, said Henson sent a photo of himself and Delta Boyhood the museum is housed at the WashKermit the Frog to the mayor. The photo Where: 415 South Deer Creek Drive East ington County Welcome Center. was signed by Henson with a note that “After Henson passed away in said, “To Leland — Birthplace of the When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Labor Day 1990, some Lelanders decided to Frog.” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Memorial Day honor him by creating a museum/ The museum features documents of More information: 662-686-7383 exhibit from his childhood. His his birth in Greenville and school attenwidow, Jane, and his children were dance in Leland. There are photos from contacted, and they were wonderful about helping us get Henson’s childhood in Leland, Muppets photos, a playroom, started,” Looney said. videos for children and a life size Kermit to take photos with. The Henson family gave the museum a big photo of Kermit There is no admission, but donations are welcomed, and with his banjo. Jane and the family later visited the museum. proceeds from the gift shop help fund the museum. SEPTEMBER 2021 | TODAY 7

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■ Use your generator only outdoors, away from open windows, vents and doors. Do not use it in an attached garage. ■ Never plug your generator directly into your home outlet. Connecting a generator to your home’s wiring requires the professional installation of a power transfer switch. ■ Read and heed the manufacturer’s instructions and safety warnings.

THINK SAFETY! 8 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2021

SEPTEMBER 2021 | TODAY 9

frizzen with enough force to open it and generate Clichés are handy tools upon occasion. But they sparks. The result is an untimely eruption and stray became clichés because they had served their purpose, round ball before the shooter is prepared. A leather had been overused, no longer rang with import because the objects or conditions to which they refer were lost from experience. Enter the flintlock. The quintessential flintlock is an entity commonly known as the Kentucky Long Rifle, though these units were not made in Kentucky. They are those long, graceful, and peculiarly handsome firearms, often with stunning maple stocks. This Long Rifle was and is a purely American design, and its influence cannot be dismissed. Flintlocks are made with three primary components. The lock is the firing mechanism, the barrel holds the charge and sights, and the stock keeps everything together in a neat package. Clack, whoosh, boom: Tony Kinton’s .32 just sent a ball on its way. No flash in the pan here! So, if one has lock, stock, and barrel, that one has the entirety. sheath covering the frizzen is prudent Flintlocks require a protracted procedure for loading while moving about with a loaded and subsequent firing. Black powder goes down the flinter. That going off half-cocked is bore, a patched round ball is placed on the muzzle and a disagreeable occurrence. rammed home, a dose of priming powder is trickled So, where do we get cliches? Some into the pan, and the frizzen is then snapped shut to definitely from the flintlock. Should make the rifle ready. we use them? From a former English Interesting things happen during the firing of these teacher’s perspective, absolutely not. elegant tools. The cock (hammer) carries a piece of That said, take care that you don’t go flint that strikes the frizzen, opening it when the flint off half-cocked or become a simple hits. This exposes that pan of powder, and the flint flash in the pan and lose out lock, stock, scraping the frizzen creates sparks that drop into that and barrel on some grand elements waiting pan. There is then a whoosh as the tiny charge of life. And by all means, keep your ignites. The flame from that, jumps through the touch powder dry. hole and sets off the primary charge. Simplicity and complexity partner during this. Tony Kinton’s squirrel rifle: If for some reason the touch hole is clogged or the .32-caliber, Tennessee-style, curly primary powder damp, that main charge will not ignite. maple – lock, stock, and barrel. All that occurs is a flash in the pan. This serves little purpose since a charging grizzly or some other adversary is generally not impressed by that flash. by Tony Kinton Flintlocks have one primary safety system, and that is the position of half-cock on the hammer. Some Tony Kinton has been an active outdoors writer for 30 years. He lives in malfunction can potentially occur and the hammer fall Carthage and is a Central Electric member. Visit www.tonykinton.com for more information. from half cock. Even at that, the flint may strike the

PAY BILLS or REPORT OUTAGES: 855-2PRVEPA (855-277-8372) COLUMBIA: 601-736-2666 | HATTIESBURG: 601-264-2458 | PURVIS: 601-794-8051 | WIGGINS: 601-928-7277 Member owned. Locally operated. That’s the cooperative difference. • Visit us online at www.PRVEPA.com.

President’s Report by Hugh Gene Smith This year has been rewarding for our cooperative and the Board of Directors. In the last year, we have started PearlComm, an entirely new fiber internet company. While this subsidiary is separate from Pearl River Valley Electric, the Board was instrumental in approving its formation. Since the Mississippi Legislature passed a bill allowing electric cooperatives to consider offering broadband internet in 2019, we have investigated providing this service to our members. Fiber internet was an extremely complicated decision. Essentially, 4,700 miles of fiber optic line with an estimated cost exceeding $100 million needed to be built. We understand the need for this service, especially with more members working and attending school from home due to COVID-19. For this reason, we teamed up with Conexon, a fiber internet design and construction company, to help us develop a plan for bringing fiber internet to our service territory. While the Board of Directors voted to provide internet service, I can assure you PearlComm will have no effect on the cost of electric service. The last year has also brought economic volatility throughout our country. However, we are proud to report that Pearl River Valley Electric, now in its 83rd year, has continued its growth. While there is great economic uncertainty, we want our members to know that your Board of Directors is committed to maintain economic strength and stability for the Association.

Wholesale power costs Purchasing wholesale power accounts for nearly 68% of our overall cost of providing electric service to members. PRVEPA is a member-owner of Cooperative Energy, a generation and transmission cooperative. This arrangement ensures us of having our wholesale power delivered on a not-for-profit basis. Cooperative Energy’s strategy to generate electricity is to use a broad mix of fuels — including coal, gas, nuclear, hydro, and other renewable sources — which helps keep costs as low as possible. Finding new, cost-effective ways to meet our wholesale power needs is a continuing priority, and your PRVEPA Board will be closely watching developments throughout the industry. 10 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2021

Economic development/Community Many of our members may not realize it, but Pearl River Valley Electric plays an important role in helping our region grow economically. Your Association is very active in promoting economic development for our 12-county service area and belongs to various economic development organizations, which are committed to bringing new businesses and helping existing ones grow. In November 2020, we, along with Cooperative Energy and the Stone County Economic Development Partnership, helped bring in Adranos, a solid rocket fuel innovator through Cooperative Energy’s Cooperative Competes grant. The $25,000 grant will aid in site preparation and existing building upgrades on the former General Dynamics campus in McHenry. The 640-acre and seven-building campus has largely sat vacant since General Dynamics ceased operations in 2012. The Cooperative Competes grant will help rehabilitate the vacant buildings for state-ofthe-art research and manufacturing. As part of its relocation to Mississippi, Adranos is making a $525,000 corporate investment and plans to create 20 new jobs. This is just one example of how your Association works to improve the economic opportunities of its members.

Annual meeting As a member of Pearl River Valley Electric, you are instrumental in the direction of our cooperative. I encourage you to be active and informed and to attend our annual membership meeting. The annual meeting gives you an opportunity to learn about the Association and to participate in its decision-making process. Our cooperative is stronger than ever before as we prepare to enter 2022. In addition, our 83-year legacy is only growing more impressive by adding PearlComm. The decision of your Board to pursue this life-changing service shows how committed we are to making Pearl River Valley Electric a positive example of what a member-owned electric cooperative can be. As president of your Association, I am proud to present this report for your consideration.

Secretary-Treasurer’s

REPORT

by Lavell Bond The Association’s records and accounts were audited by Topp, McWhorter, Harvey, PLLC, Certified Public Accountants. The report was complimentary of your general manager and staff. It also showed the records and accounts in excellent condition and that the Association is in a financially strong condition. The following is from the annual audit dated December 31, 2020: • Total electric plant increased $5,829,560, bringing the total to $182,316,636. • Assets total $260,839,235, which reflects an increase of $8,585,681 for the year. • The member-owners of Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association have equity of 36.8% in the system.

Regular patronage refund Your Board of Directors is dedicated to the principle of returning patronage capital to our member-owners — in fact, we were the first electric power association in Mississippi to start paying regular patronage refunds.

This year, we refunded $4.1 million to our members. In addition, Cooperative Energy, our wholesale power provider that is a cooperative owned by PRVEPA and 10 other electric power associations, began returning capital credits in 2015. Those credits, totaling $938,088 for 2020, will be returned to applicable PRVEPA members, increasing the total amount returned to $5,038,088. We have now made patronage refunds to our memberowners for 58 years, totaling nearly $63 million. Very few electric cooperatives in the nation can surpass our record of paying patronage refunds to their members.

Patronage refunds to deceased and former members In 1988, your Board of Directors started a program where we return the accumulated patronage capital to the estates of deceased members. In addition, a program for offering discounted capital credit refunds to former members was initiated in 2016. We have returned more than $16.3 million through these programs, including $824,000 in 2020.

ANNUAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

All members of Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association are invited to attend the annual meeting of members on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the National Guard Armory at 1337 Highway 98 E. Columbia, MS 39429. The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. This year’s annual meeting will adhere to CDC guidelines in place at the time of the meeting. Hand sanitizer along with masks will be provided. As a member of Pearl River Valley Electric, your participation at the annual meeting is vital. At the annual meeting members vote to elect directors, hear reports covering the operation of the Association and to transact other business that may come before the meeting.

Included on the agenda is the election of three directors to 3-year terms: District 3 - Hugh Gene Smith

District 8 - Jeff Tinnon

(Nominated by Nominating Committee)

District 6 - Matt Thomas (Nominated by Nominating Committee)

PRVEPA will award 13 attendance prizes, including a $1,000 certificate for electricity. You must be present at the meeting to be eligible for the attendance prizes. If you cannot attend the meeting, mail in your annual meeting ballot today. By returning your ballot, you are eligible for the absentee prizes. SEPTEMBER 2021 | TODAY 11

General Manager’s Annual Report This year has been a year of change for all of us at Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association. In January, I began my new position as CEO/general manager for the Association. I have worked at Pearl River Valley Electric for 22 years, first as a system engineer, next as the Wiggins office district manager and eventually manager of operations for the entire Association. The electric cooperative world runs in my blood. My uncle was a general manager of a sister Mississippi cooperative, and my father was the assistant general manager at Cooperative Energy. Throughout my life those two taught me about the important role that an electric cooperative plays in the community. In addition to my family, I have also had the opportunity to see first-hand the skillful leadership that Pearl River Valley Electric has had. During my time at PRVEPA I learned valuable leadership skills from our previous general manager, Randy Wallace. He successfully guided PRVEPA into the 21st century, and I plan to continue that strong leadership while expanding on the great legacy of our Association. Over the last 18 months, the pandemic changed everything for us at Pearl River Valley Electric. I would like to personally thank our members for understanding our desire to keep our employees and the public safe with our COVID-19 protocols. As if the pandemic wasn’t enough, the beginning of 2021 started off with an ice storm in February. The ice storm brought extensive outages and damage to Pearl River Valley Electric’s infrastructure. At the height of the storm, we had over 3,500 members without power. Over the course of three days, linemen and servicemen battled through inclement weather to restore power. Most of the damage came from limbs and trees coming down on power lines. The frigid temperatures also forced our power provider, Cooperative Energy, to issue warnings regarding high electric use due to extreme low temperatures. Thankfully, temporary outages were limited and short. Thanks to everyone who helped restore power throughout our territory. FIBER INTERNET UPDATE Our biggest announcement this year was the formation of PearlComm, our fiber internet subsidiary. The pandemic spotlighted the importance of this utility and the need for greater access to it in rural areas. Previous studies had shown that it wasn’t financially feasible for us to pursue this project, however money awarded through the FCC Rural Digital Opportunity (RDOF) made it possible. In October, Pearl River Valley Electric joined the Rural Electric Consortium, a bidding entity of over 90 cooperatives to secure RDOF funds. Overall, $1.1 billion was awarded. We received over $25 million through this fund. Since our announcement in January, we have been working hard to bring this service to our members. In March, we announced the first phase of our fiber roll out which includes areas around Columbia, Foxworth and Maxie. We began putting up fiber on our poles in June with the goal of providing internet service to our first members in the third quarter of 2021. We are on pace to achieve this milestone. We expect the first phase of the project to be finished in the third quarter of 2022. If you haven’t pre-registered for internet service, please do. No commitment is required, and you will be able to receive updates on our fiber internet progress.

12 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2021

NEW LOOK FOR OUR COOPERATIVE You may have noticed a new logo for Pearl River Valley Electric this year. When we launched PearlComm, the decision to refresh Pearl River Valley Electric’s brand was made too. The new logo showcases our Association’s rich heritage and ties to the Pearl River located near our headquarters in Columbia. The logo was created by graphic designers from Conexon, who also helped us design the PearlComm logo for our fiber internet subsidiary. The new brand is also meant to have design elements that match PearlComm. We look forward to showcasing the new logo on everything from signage to printed materials. SYSTEM GROWTH AND IMPROVEMENT For 2020, the number of meters served by the Association increased 1.34% from 50,466 to 51,145 while our annual sales of electricity — 123,112,060 kilowatt hours (kWh) — were about 1.8% below 2019. Maintaining reliable service to our members requires continual planning and upgrading of our lines and equipment. In 2020, our crews added nearly 26 miles of new overhead and underground lines to our system, which has 6,166 miles of lines and 25 substations throughout our 12-county service area. .RIGHT-OF-WAY TRIMMING Right-of-way (ROW) trimming is an essential part of our maintenance program. Our goal is to rotate through our entire system every 10 years, which means we trim nearly 500 miles of ROW annually. This year we used a combination of trimming and cutting trees along with the application of economical and environmentally friendly herbicides. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to maintain a safe and reliable system for our members. SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND OUTAGES Pearl River Valley Electric has an excellent outage record that is well below the national average. Typically, our members experience very few outages lasting only short amounts of time, which is remarkable when you consider that electric service is a 24/7 commodity. However, despite our best efforts to provide excellent service, we are still at the mercy of severe weather, like the ice storm in February. Along with our ROW maintenance, we continue to implement a pole inspection program to change out bad poles that could possibly cause power outages. As always, over the past year we also replaced, upgraded, or retired equipment and facilities as needed. SAFETY All our employees are committed to working safely. They have adopted a full-time culture of safety and strive to work accident free each day. An effective safety program not only ensures the well-being of employees, but it also saves your Association money. Along with existing safety standards we have improved the sanitation of offices, vehicles and equipment due to COVID-19. Over the course of the pandemic, we have made personal protective equipment available to employees to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

MEMBER PROGRAMS One of the changes everyone has made due to the pandemic is the way they do business. Now more than ever, the importance of having alternate ways for our members to access their information along with being informed about important events and issues is a priority. Online Tools: We have recently renovated our website making it easier for handling your day-to-day needs. Through our website PRVEPA.com you can pay your bill, access your energy use history and report outages. In addition, we have added the ability to apply for service as well as access our levelized billing and bank draft forms. In addition, the new site houses a Help Center which contains all our information from bill payment options to energy efficiency brochures. The website’s member service portal has also received a makeover. Now called “EmPowered”, the portal is more user friendly. This is a wonderful tool for keeping up with your electricity use and payments. While our website is our flagship for communication, we also understand that much of our member’s work is done on mobile devices. We offer a mobile app that offers similar services to our website. You can access the app by searching for “PRVEPA” in your app store. It is free. You may also call us about home energy audits, advice on the proper sizing on heating and air-conditioning systems, and educational programs for civic groups and schools.

@MyPRVEPA It’s important for our members to stay informed, especially during severe weather and large-scale events like the COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, we use our Facebook and Twitter pages to supply up-to-date information. These sites are meant to educate and inform our members about our cooperative. During large scale outages, we can update you about restoration efforts. In addition, these sites will be used to alert members to important information such as scam alerts, program and policy information and news about the positive impact your cooperative is having in the community. These sites aren’t monitored 24/7, so we ask that you refrain from posting outage notifications.

Round Up for Education

YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Our Youth Leadership Program has been altered significantly due to COVID-19. This year, like the year before, we were forced to provide a scholarship instead of the annual trip to Washington D.C. Each year, Pearl River Valley Electric sponsors an essay contest for junior class students in high schools located within our service area. A judging committee reviews the essays and selects the winners. Normally, the winners then attend a three-day youth leadership workshop in Jackson and during the summer travel with other Mississippi students to Washington, D.C. for the week-long Youth Tour. This year’s scholarship winners were Sterling Robbins of Presbyterian Christian High School and Will Watson of Columbia Academy. We hope to get back to normal in 2022 by attending the Washington D.C. trip. In addition, we are planning to expand our Youth Leadership Program by doing a Cooperative University in October. Many cooperatives already use the Cooperative University format which entails a daylong event where students learn about electric cooperatives and the power industry. Schools in our service territory will choose two representatives to attend. We are excited to bring this new aspect of our Youth Leadership Program to you COMMITMENT TO OUR MEMBERS Pearl River Valley Electric was established in the 1930s to bring electricity and its modern conveniences to rural areas. Now with PearlComm, we are recommitting to this purpose. Please keep an eye out for future updates on our fiber rollout through our Today in Mississippi magazine, social media, and our website PRVEPA.com. It is extremely exciting and rewarding to look at the bright future for Pearl River Valley Electric and our subsidiary PearlComm. The potential for both these companies is what drew me to the position of CEO/ general manager, and I hope you find the future of our cooperative as exciting as I do.

This will be our ninth year of operating Round Up for Education, a community college scholarship program designed to encourage members and their children to continue their education. Most of our members are rounding up their bills each month, which is providing the money to fund the scholarships. Over the past eight years, more than 1,600 students have received nearly $1.4 million in scholarships to help with their education costs, and this year we have more than 180 applicants. Without doubt this program is a unique and collaborative way to improve the quality of life for hundreds of families in the communities we serve. It is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished by cooperative members working together.

by Matthew Ware CEO/General Manager

Attention Participate in the Youth Leadership Program If you are an 11th grader served by Pearl River Electric Power Association, make this year memorable by participating in the 2022 Leadership Workshop in Jackson, Miss. and tour of Washington, D.C.

See your guidance counselor. Homeschool students, call 601-731-7830 for more information.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | TODAY 13

Crews to inspect PRVEPA’s power poles Pearl River Valley Electric maintains more than 6,100 miles of line and more than 100,000 power poles. Our utility poles reach into every corner of our 12-county service area and form the backbone of our infrastructure. To maintain our high level of service, our poles must be able to support the weight of power, phone, and cable lines and withstand the effects of extreme winds and weather. Over the years, power poles can become susceptible to decay and pests. As a result, they slowly deteriorate and can fall or break during high winds, 42 ) Â resulting in power outages. In addition, decayed poles can pose a safety hazard for our linemen and the public. For these reasons, Pearl River Valley Electric has developed a systematic inspection program so that every pole is inspected for decay or other damage on a regular cycle. Poles that show signs of decay or aging are treated with environmentally safe preservatives to inhibit the decaying process and prevent further deterioration. Poles that are found to be unsafe are replaced. To assist in the pole inspection and maintenance program, PRVEPA has contracted with Osmose Utilities Services, Incorporated. A nationally recognized company, Osmose has

been in the wood preserving business since the 1930s and has inspected and retreated poles for PRVEPA for over 30 years. Below is a map of the inspection areas Osmose will be working in. For a more detailed map of this year’s pole inspection areas, please visit PRVEPA.com and visit the Technical Services section of our help center.

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Pearl River Valley EPA 2021 POLE INSPECTIONS

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Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c)

11 OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community £ ¤

Pearl River Valley — the future is almost here with PearlComm Fiber As we work on connecting our first fiber customers this year, we also wanted to update everyone on our NEW website. In the coming weeks we will be adding all our service options for residential and businesses to PearlCommFiber.net. The new site will include features for our members to place orders and manage fiber accounts once service becomes available in your area. Right now, everyone can still go to PearlCommFiber.net 14 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2021

and pre-register if interested in service. This is the best way for us to get news to you quickly when fiber is ready! With PearlComm’s fiber-to-the-home network, you’ll have access to the fastest internet around. That means uninterrupted access to online resources, tools, and applications. No buffering, no delays. Plus, we offer packages that work with your budget. You can rest assured your local cooperative will deliver quality service and support that is second to none!

10” Inside Spread

13” Main Beam

Estimating a 10 inch spread is accomplished by observing a buck’s ears in the alert position. When in the alert position, the distance from ear-tip to ear-tip measures approximately 14 inches. If the OUTSIDE of each antler beam is 1 inch inside the ear-tip, the inside spread is approximately 10 inches.

To estimate a 13 inch main beam, the buck’s head must be observed from the side. If the tip of the main beam extends to the front of the eye, main beam length is approximately 13 inches.

Mississippi’s 2021-2022 DELTA ZONE

HUNTING SEASONS

A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 12 inches OR one main beam at least 15 inches long. How to estimate a 12 inch inside spread:

How to estimate a 15 inch main beam:

12” Inside Spread

15” Main Beam

Estimating a 12 inch spread is accomplished by observing a To estimate a 15 inch main beam, the buck’s buck’s ears in the alert position. When in the alert position, head must be observed from the side. If the the distance from ear-tip to ear-tip measures approximately 15* tip of the main beam extends between the For Ifathecomplete list of hunting seasons, bag limits, inches. OUTSIDE of each antler beam reaches the ear-tip, front of the eye and the tip of the nose, main the inside spread is approximately 12 inches. (Therefore, if thewww.mdwfp.com. beam length is approximately 15 inches. and other legal restrictions, go to outside of both antler beams reach the ear tips, the buck is legal).

DEER ZONES

*Due to body size differences in the Delta Unit, ear-tip to ear-tip measurements are slightly larger compared to the other units. WHITE-TAILED

DEER

DELTA, NORTHEAST, NORTH CENTRAL, EAST CENTRAL, AND SOUTHWEST UNITS

BAG LIMITS ■ Antlered Buck Deer: The statewide bag limit on antlered buck deer is one (1) buck per day and three (3) per annual season. One (1) of these three (3) may have hardened antlers that do not meet the unit legal antler requirements on private land and Holly Springs National Forest. For youth hunters fifteen (15) years of age and younger, hunting on private land and authorized state and federal lands, all three (3) of the three (3) buck bag limit may be any antlered deer. Antlered buck bag limit in the North Central Deer Management Unit (DMU) is one (1) buck per day and four (4) per annual season. No antler restrictions apply to this DMU. All four bucks may have any sized hardened antlers. ■ Antlerless Deer: Private lands: The statewide annual bag limit on antlerless deer is five (5). The antlerless bag limit for private lands in the North Central DMU is ten (10) antler-less deer per season. Antlerless deer are male or female deer which do not have hardened antler above the natural hairline. Only two (2) antlerless deer may be harvested from the Southeast Unit. There is no daily bag limit on antlerless deer in the Northeast, North Central, East Central, Southwest, and Delta units. Only one (1) antlerless deer per day may be harvested in the Southeast DMU. U.S. Forest Service National Forests: The bag limit is one (1) per day, not to exceed five (5) per annual season except in the Southeast Unit, which is two (2) per annual season.

METHOD

SEASON DATES

LEGAL DEER

Archery

Oct. 1 - Nov. 19

Either-Sex on private land, open public land, and Holly Springs NF

Youth Season (15 and under)

Nov. 6 - Nov. 19

Either-Sex on private lands and authorized state and federal lands.

Nov. 20 - Jan. 31

Antlerless Primitive Weapon

Nov. 8 - 19

Either-Sex on private lands. On open public lands, youth must follow below legal deer criteria.

Gun (with dogs)

Nov. 20 - Dec. 1

Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF. Legal Bucks only on open public land.

Primitive Weapon

Dec. 2 - 15

Either-Sex on private land, open public land, and Holly Springs NF. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.

Gun (without dogs)

Dec. 16 - 23

Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF. Legal Bucks only on open public land.

Gun (with dogs)

Dec. 24 - Jan. 19

Either-Sex on private land and Holly Spring NF. Legal Bucks only on open public land.

Archery/Primitive Weapon

Jan. 20 - 31

Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.

METHOD

SEASON DATES

Archery

Oct. 15 - Nov. 19

Either-Sex on private and open public land.

Youth Season (15 and under)

Nov. 6 - Nov. 19

Either-Sex on private lands and authorized state and federal lands.

Nov. 20 - Feb. 15

Either-Sex on private lands. On open public lands, youth must follow below legal deer criteria.

Gun (with dogs)

Nov. 20 - Dec. 1

Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land.

Primitive Weapon

Dec. 2 - 15

Either-Sex on private and open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.

Gun (without dogs)

Dec. 16 - 23

Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land.

Gun (with dogs)

Dec. 24 - Jan. 19

Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land.

Jan. 20 - 31

Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.

Feb. 1 - 15

Legal Bucks only on private and open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.

Antlerless Deer Only on private lands.

SOUTHEAST UNIT

Archery/Primitive Weapon

SEASON

LEGAL DEER

Fall Turkey DATES

BAG LIMIT

Fall turkey season is open BY PERMIT ONLY from October 15-November 15 on private lands in the following counties or portions of counties where the landowner/leaseholder completes a fall turkey hunting application to the MDWFP Jackson Office and receives tags. The fall season bag limit is two (2) turkeys, which may be of either sex. Delta Unit: Bolivar County - west of the main Mississippi River levee and those lands east of the main Mississippi River levee known as 27 Break Hunting Club; Coahoma, Desoto, Issaquena, Tunica, and Washington counties - west of the main Mississippi River levee. North Central Unit: Benton, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Tippah, and Union counties. Southwest Unit: Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Warren, Wilkinson, and Yazoo counties.

SEASON

Spring Turkey DATES

Youth (Private and authorized state and federal public lands. Youth 15 and under)

Mar. 8 - 14

Spring

Mar. 15 - May 1

SEASON

BAG LIMIT One (1) adult gobbler or 1 gobbler with a 6-inch or longer beard per day, 3 per Spring season. Hunters 15 years of age and younger may harvest 1 gobbler of choice (any age) per day, 3 per Spring season.

Small Game SEPTEMBER 2021 | TODAY 15 DATES

DAILY BAG LIMIT

Youth Squirrel*

Sept. 24 - 30

Squirrel - Fall Season

Oct. 1 - Feb. 28

Chris Gouras Jr. (center) enjoys an afternoon lunch he prepared for friends and guests at his hunting camp in Kings Point near Vicksburg. From left, Alex Littlejohn, Gouras, Cooper Mangham and Roger Mangham.

by Steven Ward Some hunters look forward to the hunt. Others look forward to the gathering before and after. Mississippi consultant and restauranteur Chris Gouras Jr. enjoys hunting — he grew up hunting and fishing in north Florida with his father and now enjoys big game hunting across the world. But when he spends time at the hunting camp he co-owns on Kings Point Island near Vicksburg, it’s the cooking that he lives for. “At Kings Point, I love for folks to have a good time, hunting, relaxing, and eating,” Gouras, 50, said. When friends or clients visit for a weekend hunt, Gouras makes sure everyone has a full belly. “Frequently, I will grill lamb chops and sausage for appetizers, serving them with peppers and cheeses,” he said. 16 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2021

Photos by Chad Calcote

“I will prepare seared spinalis cuts of ribeye, smoked prime rib, beef, and venison shish kabobs. When we have mallards, I like to cook them on the grill wrapped in bacon with jalapeños, with or without cream cheese. When they are almost done, I pile them in the center of the grill and pour a jar of orange marmalade over them, close the vent and lid, and let it melt over the poppers.” Mississippi lobbyist Ben Thompson is a friend who has spent time at the hunting camp Gouras co-owns with Gulf Coast resident Bo Mandal. “The hunting is great and everything, but that Friday night meal is just special,” Thompson, 43, said. Gouras, who co-owns four Another Broken Egg Cafes with his brother George, grew up in a restaurant family. “Growing up as a kid we would barbecue on our Sunday dove hunts,” Gouras said. “Later, after moving to Mississippi, my uncle Jimmy paid for me to have a hunting membership at Cedar Ridge, a hunting club in

Chicken Fried Duck INGREDIENTS Mallard or teal breasts, about 1 ½ pounds total 2 cups flour 2 tablespoons seasoning, such as Cajun, Cavender’s or whatever you like 1 tablespoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 1 to 2 ounces of Tabasco 1 egg, lightly beaten

Instructions To prep the duck breasts, cut the breasts into thin strips. Set each one between two pieces of plastic wrap, or better yet, a freezer bag cut open. Pound them with a mallet until the thick end of the breast is the thickness of the thin end of the breast. If you have a jaccard, run it over the pounded breast, so it’s full of little lacerations; this helps the batter stick to the meat. Salt the duck breasts well. Mix the flour, seasoning, salt, together in a bowl. Mix the buttermilk, Tabasco, and the beaten egg together in another bowl. Put the duck breasts in the buttermilk. You can leave them there for a few hours if you need to, in the fridge. Bread the duck strips.

Chris Gouras Jr. grills sausage, steak, and lamb chops on the back porch of his Kings Point hunting camp.

Port Gibson. Friday and Saturday night supper there was always great — steaks, fried catfish, and fried chicken were the normal fare,” Gouras said. Next, Gouras joined the Bell Island Hunting Club north of Vicksburg on the Mississippi River at Eagle Lake. Gouras said the cookouts at Bell Island were legendary. “Sometimes we would feed upwards of 40 people and go through two to three ribeyes a night. Supper meant giant ribeyes, fresh cut French fries, cold beer, and bourbon,” Gouras said. Breakfast at the Kings Point hunting camp has Gouras cooking country ham, biscuits, grits, eggs, and omelets. Gouras has a tip for hunting camp cooking food preparation. “Get some things done in a crock pot or on the smoker, so you don’t have to start cooking after the sun goes down!” “I enjoy spending time with friends and making memories. When folks leave our place, I hope they have a memorable experience, that they remember the land, the hunt, and the food,” Gouras said.

Fry in vegetable oil or peanut oil at 350 degrees. Fry in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes or so. Set the finished duck on a cooling rack in the oven. Serve the chicken fried duck strips with a sweet and sour sauce, honey mustard or a white gravy.

Recipe by Chris Gouras Jr.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | TODAY 17

Camp Showtime Bread Pudding For the bread pudding INGREDIENTS 1 pound loaf of French Bread 2 cups half and half 2 cups milk 3 large eggs lightly beaten 2 cups sugar ¾ cup raisins 1 cup white chocolate chips 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon ¼ cup melted butter

Instructions Cut bread into crouton size portions and place in a large bowl. Add half and half, eggs, and milk. Let sit for 10 minutes. With a spoon, stir in the last 4 ingredients. Pour into a 13 by 9 pan and spoon in pudding mixture. Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 1 hour or until firm.

For the pudding sauce INGREDIENTS ½ cup butter ½ cup sugar ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 3 tablespoons of favorite bourbon

Instructions Combine ingredients in a saucepan. Heat until sugar has melted. Stir frequently.

Recipe by Rusty Larsen

18 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2021

Chris Gouras cuts up the meat he grilled for a recent lunch with friends at his hunting camp.

Rusty Larsen has been in the restaurant business for 36 years. He owns and operates Rusty’s Riverfront Grill in Vicksburg. Larsen, who owns a hunting camp in Warren County, said he got involved in hunting camp life because his sons and friends love to hunt. Larsen, 51, said a big part of the allure of hunting camps — besides the hunt itself — is the fellowship and the food. “We do a lot of steak and seafood at the camp. Every now and then, we throw in some high-end sandwiches including lobster rolls and Rueben sandwiches,” Larsen said. Larsen’s favorite hunting club meal: fried pork chops. “Everyone at our camp take turns pitching in to do their part when it comes to the infamous Tuesday night meal at Camp Showtime,” Larsen said.

Photos by Chad Calcote

Unlike Gouras and Larsen, Guy White does not own a restaurant. He owns and runs White Construction Company with offices in Ridgeland, Texas, and Florida. His lack of restaurant expertise doesn’t impact his love or skill when it comes to hunting camp Chris Gouras Jr. cooking. “Cooking is a big part of hunting camp life. I’m a big duck hunter, so I keep a Coleman two-burner grill in my boat, and we cook during hunting lulls,” White, 58, said. White said he and his friends have cooked everything from sausage, steaks, and hamburgers in their boats and held contests to see which boats cook the best meals. Back at his camp off Highway 3 near Satartia, friends and family gather around the fireplace, the fire ring outside or the large screen TV with a football game on in the background. White said he has gone “grill crazy” at his camp.

INGREDIENTS Throwaway aluminum pans 3 four chicken thigh packs, bone-in and skin-on Worcestershire sauce Soy sauce Italian dressing Newk’s white BBQ sauce Lemon Lemon pepper

Recipe by Guy White

“We have a Big Green Egg, Hasty Bake, a Louisiana steak broiler, a griddle, and several fish fryers. We cook everything, but I love stopping at the Flora Butcher Shop on the way to the camp and picking up some Wagyu steaks for the outside broiler,” White said. “Ribs are a staple on the menu. Yes, we fry all kinds of fish. Catfish, crappie, saltwater fish are all on the list. We even sear tuna and get fresh oysters when they are available. We like to prepare fresh good sides and usually a big salad in a big wood bowl.” White’s best tip for hunting camp cooking? Don’t be scared to try something different. “Sometimes you get into a rut where you just cook the same things. Crock pots are great for a good meal. Everything doesn’t have to be fried or unhealthy. There are a lot of options for menus. Be bold and mix it up,” White said.

Instructions Put the thighs skin down in pans and liberally coat them with Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and Italian dressing. Preheat oven to 280 degrees and cook for 1 hour. Take thighs out and flip over to skin up and increase temp to 380 degrees and cook for another hour. Take thighs out coat them thoroughly with Newk’s white BBQ sauce. Liberally sprinkle lemon pepper on the thighs and place a thin slice of lemon on each thigh, turn up oven to 420 degrees and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until skin is crispy. SEPTEMBER 2021 | TODAY 19

Delta Delicious Spicy Honey Fried Chicken Thighs Hot, sweet and spicy! These fried chicken thighs hit all the high notes. I’ve fried chicken hundreds of ways, and this is one of my favorites. The chicken is dipped in beaten egg whites to provide a light coating for a cracker crumb and flour mixture with baking powder to give the fried chicken a crisp crunch. Once the chicken is fried, a sprinkle of a savory seasoning gets sprinkled liberally over the deep golden thighs and a drizzle of honey finishes them off. Enjoy the sweet and heat! INGREDIENTS Canola oil for frying ½ teaspoon hot paprika ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon onion powder 4 egg whites 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper ¾ cup flour ¾ cup finely ground cracker crumbs ½ teaspoon baking powder 3 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs Honey for drizzling

20 TODAY | SEPTEMBER 2021

Pour 2 inches of oil into a Dutch oven or electric skillet. Heat over medium-high heat to 375 degrees. Combine the paprika, cayenne, garlic powder and onion powder in a small bowl and set aside. Put the egg whites into a bowl and whisk until slightly frothy. Combine the salt, black pepper, flour, cracker crumbs and baking powder in a pie pan. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg whites and press into the flour and crumb mixture to coat. Shake off excess. Working in batches, fry the chicken until crispy and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes and an instant read thermometer reads 165 degrees. Transfer chicken to a paper grocery sack or paper towels to drain. Season the fried chicken with the reserved paprika mixture. Drizzle with honey and serve while hot and delicious.

Social Banana Pudding I have become a big fan of Social Tea Biscuits and Marias Gamesa cookies. They are just simple, slightly sweet snappy little cookies perfect for dunking in tea or coffee. Turns out they are also quite good layered in a deep bowl of banana pudding. Of course, good old Nilla Wafers are the classic choice but why limit the options? Sometimes I will reach for gingersnaps, and occasionally take it in an Elvis direction with peanut butter sandwich cookies. What does stay the same is the rich vanilla pudding and marshmallowy topping.

For the pudding INGREDIENTS ¾ cup sugar 1⁄3 cup cake flour ¼ teaspoon table salt 4 large egg yolks (reserve the whites for the topping) 2 cups whole milk ½ teaspoon vanilla extract A pinch of grated nutmeg ½ inch piece of cinnamon stick 1 sleeve (approximately 41) Social Tea Biscuits 4 medium bananas, peeled and sliced In a heavy bottomed saucepan or bottom of a double boiler over medium high heat, bring 2 inches of water to a boil. In a medium stainless steel bowl or top of a double boiler, whisk together the sugar, flour and salt. Whisk in the egg yolks, and then the milk, and nutmeg. Add the cinnamon stick.

For the topping INGREDIENTS 4 large egg whites ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar 5 tablespoons sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Whip the egg whites on medium speed with an electric mixer until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and slowly increase the speed as the egg whites become opaque. Slowly pour in the sugar. Add the vanilla extract. Whip until the whites form a soft peak. Spoon the topping over the pudding. Bake the pudding for 5 minutes or until the meringue is puffed and browned. Cool on a rack for 30 minutes, and then refrigerate for 2 hours (or until you just can’t stand it any longer). Note: Egg whites will separate easier when cold but will whip to higher highs at room temperature. So, separate cold and whip about 30 minutes later when the chill is off the egg whites.

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.

Place the milk mixture over the boiling water. Cook, stirring steadily, until the pudding is thick and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Stir for 12 to 15 minutes and until there is no taste of raw flour remaining. Remove from heat and take out the cinnamon stick and whisk in the vanilla extract. Heat oven to 425 degrees. While the pudding is still warm, layer the tea biscuits, bananas and pudding in a large dish. Sprinkle the top of the pudding with a few crumbled tea biscuits to help the topping adhere. SEPTEMBER 2021 | TODAY 21

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mississippi marketplace 2nd Bluegrass Festival. Oct. 23. Quitman. Acts SOON Church/Government uniting, suppressing Events open to the public will be published free includeoutdoors Bounds & Determined andtoday Kings Mountain on the menu RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, enforcing NATIONAL of charge as space allows. Submit details Band, both from Northport, Alabama; Patchwork at least two months prior to the event date. SUNDAY LAW. Be informed! String Band from Oxford and Rhonda Kelly of Submissions must include a phone number TBS, Pob 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. Quitman. Starts at 10 a.m. Clarkco State Park, scene ‘sip picture this thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com with area codearound for publication. Emailthe to 386 Clarkco Road. Details: 601-776-6651. news@ecm.coop. Events are subject to Highland Games and Celtic Music Festival. change or cancelation due to COVID-19. myReign, opinion 1-888-211-1715 co-op Nov 13-14. Gulfport. Featuring Highland Please confirminvolvement details before traveling. The Jollies, Blarney Coast, Celtic Crossroads, The Crescent and Clover Celtic Band, Emerald Accent, James Linden Hogg, New Orleans Celtic Harp Ensemble, Red McWilliams, jousting, axe throwing, storytelling, clans, vendors, the MacCrossan School of Irish Dance, Highland Cows, bagpipe bands, sheep herding, artisans, and authentic food. Harrison County Fairgrounds, 1532 County Farm Road. Road. Details: mshighlandsandislands@ gmail.com or 228-380-1642.

southern gardening

Magnolia Square Market. Sept. 9. Water Valley. Every second Saturday of the month through October 8 a.m. to noon. Local produce, crafts, plants, and baked goods. Live music and kids activities. 207 N. Main St. Details: 662-832-1528.

Turkey Shoot. Oct. 9. Jackson County. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Daisy Masonic Lodge No. 421, 25700 School House Road. About 14 miles north of Vancleave off Highway 57. Details: 228-861-3995. The 23rd Annual Craft Fair and Bake Sale. Oct. 9. Brandon. Door prizes, multiple vendors, baked goods, and hand-crafted gifts. Church proceeds to benefit social ministries such as: Harbor House, Center for Violence Prevention (assistance for abused women and children), Rankin County Human Resource Agency, Grace House, Mississippi State Hospital, VA Volunteer Services, Habitat for Humanity, Stewpot, and the church’s annual live nativity scene. Free admission. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nativity Lutheran Church, corner of Crossgates Boulevard and Old Brandon Road. Details: 601-825-5125. Barn Sale – Antiques and Collectibles. Oct. 15-16. Purvis. More than 70 collectors with trailer loads of antiques and collectibles. 7 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Barn sale auction Friday at 5:30 p.m. 4799 Old Highway 11, Purvis (Oak Grove). Details: 601-818-5886 or 601-794-7462.

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Miz Jo says after I listen to ALL of these I can MAYBE have a few more.

Well, another stack of old records followed me home recently. Several stacks actually. Some 1960s through 1980s rock-n-roll LPs from a reader in Indianola who was shutting down housekeeping to move to a senior living facility. Another stack came from a shelf-full of 78rpm records from the niece of a viewer Little Big Store in the old in Jackson. I did a story with the aunt several years Raymond Depot has rec ord collectors from all over dropping by. ago about her experiences at the Mississippi State Fair when she was a child. During our conversation, the topic Mississippi is a state associated with muof records came up. Before she passed away, she told her niece I sicians as much as we are with writers. So “shrines” to either should have her 78s. Besides, nobody else wanted them. should be expected here. The Mississippi Music Museum in HaMy wife, Miz Jo, told me if I brought home any more records zelhurst is one of them. The Robert Johnson Museum in nearby she was going to leave me. I told her I was sure gonna miss her. To which I QUICKLY added, “It was a joke! It was a JOKE!” It’s not Crystal Springs is another. The fact that there are more Grammy-winning artists from Mississippi than any other state factored like I haven’t brought home more records since then, but I quit into locating the first satellite Grammy Museum in the Mississippi telling her about it. Delta in Cleveland. And on and on — from Elvis Presley’s birthMy fondness for place in Tupelo to the Jimmie Rodgers Museum in Meridian. old records isn’t But the one place that puts my puny pile of records into because I love perspective is the Little Big Store in Raymond. It isn’t a museum music so much as it is a memory from but a used record store. They have one of the biggest collections of records in the nation. Room after room of the old Raymond my childhood of depot is stacked with shelves and piles of vinyl. I’m not allowed our family’s conto go there. sole radio. It had Just for the record — be careful what you introduce your kids a record player in to early on. It may stick with them for the rest of their lives. it, and evidently, listening to the records was one of my favorite things to do. Before I could read, I could tell what the song was by the design and color of the label. I figure lots of hobbies have roots back to early childhood. At the Eudora Welty House in Jackson, I noticed books everywhere. When she wrote about becoming a writer, she said that she loved books. Not even so much to read them. She just loved the look of them. She wrote of her early experiences of having been read to and then having her own library card and checking out books on her own. Her stash of books reminded me of my stash of records — way too many to be practical but they sure make a statement. One shelf on one side of one room at the Little Big Store.

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.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | TODAY 23

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