Today in Mississippi October 2021 Singing River by American MainStreet Publications

on the menu

outdoo scene around the ‘sip

Make your home more comfortable than ever

involvement Your upgrade fromco-op couch to southern gardening first class has been approved.

Whether you want to sleep, read or watch TV the perfect sleep chair is . . . Just perfect NOW

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”

also available in Genuine Italian Leather and New Chestnut Color (as pictured here)

— J. Fitzgerald, VA

Three Chairs in One Sleep/Recline/Lift

ACCREDITED BUSINESS A+ You can’t always lie down in bed and sleep. Heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – and dozens of other ailments and worries. Those are the nights you’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in: one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises your feet and legs just where you want them, supports your head and shoulders properly, and operates at the touch of a button.

prevent back and muscle pain. The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. It even has a battery backup in case of a power outage.

Our Perfect Sleep Chair® does all that and more. More than a chair or recliner, it’s designed to provide total comfort. Choose your preferred heat and massage settings, for hours of soothing relaxation. Reading or watching TV? Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of settings. And best of all, it features a powerful lift mechanism that tilts the entire chair forward, making it easy to stand. You’ll love the other benefits, too. It helps with correct spinal alignment and promotes back pressure relief, to

White glove delivery included in shipping charge. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! You get your choice of Genuine Italian Leather, stain and water repellent custom-manufactured DuraLux™ with the classic leather look or plush MicroLux™ microfiber in a variety of colors to fit any decor. New Chestnut color only available in Genuine Italian Leather. Call now!

The Perfect Sleep Chair®

1-888-760-5870

Please mention code 115661 when ordering. REMOTE CONTROLLED EASILY SHIFTS FROM FLAT TO A STAND-ASSIST POSITION

Genuine Italian Leather

Chestnut

classic beauty & durability

Long Lasting DuraLux™

Mahogany (Burgundy)

Tan

Chocolate

Blue

Burgundy

Cashmere

Chocolate

Indigo

stain & water repellent

MicroLux™ Microfiber

breathable & amazingly soft

Because each Perfect Sleep Chair is a made-to-order bedding product it cannot be returned, but if it arrives damaged or defective, at our option we will repair it or replace it. © 2021 Journey Health and Lifestyle

46571

Footrest may vary by model

outdoors today picture this my opinion grin ‘n’ bare it

Cooperative spirit is strong after Hurricane Ida October is National Cooperative Month, so each year, we take a moment to consider the impact that electric cooperatives make in our community. Their impact was best defined in the days following Hurricane Ida’s trek through Mississippi and Louisiana. Hurricane Ida’s Category 4 wind speeds of more than 140 miles per hour brought a path of destruction through southwest Mississippi, causing more than 85,800 members to lose electric service across our state. Hurricane Ida is tied for the fifth-strongest hurricane to make landfall in the United States. Ten electric cooperatives in Mississippi initially had power outages caused by Hurricane Ida with the hardest hit being Magnolia Electric Power in McComb, Southwest Electric in Lorman, and Coast Electric in Kiln. Cooperatives are guided by 7 Cooperative Principles; one of which is Cooperation Among Cooperatives. After personnel from each of these cooperatives restored power to their respective members, their linemen got up early the following morning and went to another electric cooperative in our state or neighboring Louisiana to repair electric service. Linemen and support staff did this for nine days in our state until electricity was restored. I came to work for the electric cooperatives 16 years ago after Hurricane Katrina devastated the state of Mississippi. I was impressed then with the willingness and fortitude of the employees of our local electric cooperatives to serve their communities, even when their own homes had sustained damage. Hurricane Ida proved once again that our electric cooperatives are committed to the principle of Cooperation Among

Cooperatives. Although there are 26 individual electric cooperatives across our state; there is strong unity when a disaster, like Hurricane Ida, strikes. Speaking of Cooperative Month, I would like to share a few facts with you about electric cooperatives and their impact on our state. Collectively, our 25 distribution cooperatives serve more than 802,000 homes and businesses in Mississippi through more than 95,000 miles of distribution power line. Our cooperatives were founded more than 80 years ago to serve rural areas in Mississippi. Today statewide, they average 8.4 meters per mile of power line, meaning we are still true to our heritage by serving rural areas. This is a low number when considering a major city in Mississippi averages about 30 meters per mile of line. Think about that for a second. When our linemen repaired a mile of power line after Hurricane Ida, they got eight homes or business restored compared to other utilities in more urban areas. Their job is a tough one, and they did it with a strong cooperative spirit. Carrying through with that same spirit, I would like to say, “thank you,” to you, our members, for your support and patience in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Your kind words of encouragement and thanks mean a lot after working long days in the summer heat to restore power.

by Michael Callahan

Magnolia Electric Power’s service area

by the Numbers The following numbers are the effects on Mississippi electric cooperatives:

Power outages Ida’s maximum wind speeds Electric co-ops with outages of power restoration

Tied as the fifth strongest hurricane in the U.S.

Executive Vice President/CEO Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi

OCTOBER 2021 | TODAY 3

in this issue

5 southern gardening Crotons mean bold fall foliage

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

outdoors today Getting ready for this year’s hunting seasons

10 local news 16 feature

Blues guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is a future legend

The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi

Vol. 74 No. 10

OFFICERS Eddie Howard - President Randy Carroll - First Vice President Ron Barnes - Second Vice President Tim Perkins - Secretary/Treasurer Michael Callahan - Executive Vice President/CEO EDITORIAL STAFF Ron Stewart - Senior Vice President Lydia Walters - VP, Communications Steven Ward - Editor Chad Calcote - Creative Director/ Manager 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: 467,745

picture this Mouthwatering Mississippi meals

20 on the menu

You don’t have to be at the game to tailgate

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

www.facebook.com/TodayinMississippi www.todayinmississippi.com

23 mississippi seen Why Mansfield Downs is important to our state

On the cover Clarksdale blues guitarist and singer Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is being hailed by the music press as the future of the blues. Photo by Jim Fraher.

23 NEXT IN PICTURE THIS:

Send us photos of churches. Mississippi is filled with beautiful churches, both old and new. We want to show off our state’s gorgeous church architecture. Send us photos of old, abandoned churches or of newer, active churches. Make sure to send us the name of the church (if you know) and the location (town or city). Photos must be high-resolution JPG files of at least 1 MB in size. Please attach the photo to your email and send it to news@ecm.coop. Each entry must be accompanied by photographer’s name, address and co-op. Submission deadline: Nov. 30. Select photos will appear in the January 2022 issue.

4 TODAY | OCTOBER 2021

My favorite plants for the fall season are crotons. These beauties have some of the boldest and brightest foliage found in garden centers. Their warm foliage colors of bright yellow, red and orange shades are perfect for autumnal decorations and displays. Some of the foliage rainbow color patterns look like abstract works of art. When grown outside in high light locations, the colors become even more intense. Crotons are not just great for the fall landscape and garden. They are attractive and add an exotic touch all through the year. I get a few questions from time to time about planting crotons into landscape beds. I usually advise against it because they are tropical plants that thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 to 12. In Mississippi, I suggest leaving them in their original pots or transplanting them into decorative containers. There are more than 100 varieties of croton, but we rarely find more than a few in garden centers. I don’t think it matters which variety you choose, as they all have magnificent warm, fall colors. Crotons also have a variety of leaf shapes, from long and short to thin and twisted. Growing requirements are pretty easy. Place them in the full sun, although some afternoon shade is beneficial. Feed with 20-20-20 watersoluble fertilizer once a month to keep your crotons happy. Maintain consistent soil moisture, as crotons don’t like to dry out. Being tropical, crotons don’t

Crotons such as this Petra variety offer some of the boldest and brightest foliage found in gardens.

like temperatures below 50 degrees, which is no problem in our summer season. Growing them in containers makes it much easier to bring inside for cold weather protection. It also allows you to enjoy the great color indoors if you place them in a bright window with indirect light. Once you take the plants indoors, be sure to mist the foliage every day or try this tip. Place the container in a dish with a layer of pebbles and water. This acts as a humidifier, as the water evaporates from the pebbles’ surface. An indoor problem to look out for are a few insect pests like mealybugs and spider mites that will show up if the containers start to dry out and stress the plant. Control these pests by washing the foliage with gentle dish soap and then rinsing. If you want a great plant for autumn impact, then I highly recommend getting a couple of crotons. The current selection of plants, in my opinion, has never been better at your local independent garden center. As you shop this weekend, be sure to pick up a couple of crotons to complete your autumnal decorations.

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.

OCTOBER 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 warm colors of crotons make them ideal for fall, but they add an exotic touch all year. Colors are most intense when grown outside in high light locations.

Mississippiʼs electric cooperatives ... serving more than 1.8 million Mississippians

everyday life!

Luter’s Supply

Buy & Take Home Same Day

- Tubs, Showers, Faucets, Sinks & More - 14 Walk-in Bathtubs On Display - World’s Largest Walk-in Bathtub Store

(single location)

601-876-3455 6 TODAY | OCTOBER 2021

Tylertown, MS

LuterSupply.com

scene around the ‘sip

bring legends to life by Nancy Jo Maples Historical tales abound among souls resting in Griffin and Krebs cemeteries of Jackson County. Such stories come to life each fall with reenactments of deceased figures’ lives. Progressive tours are put on by the Jackson County Historical Genealogical Society and local history buffs who organize the events, research the characters, and act the parts wearing time-period costumes. Moss Point’s tour is its ninth; Pascagoula’s tour is its 15th. The Historic Griffin Cemetery Tour in Moss Point will be Oct. 23. Tours are 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. starting on the hour and half-hour. Located at the west end of Dantzler Street, Griffin Cemetery has recorded burials since 1848 and indications exist of possible earlier interments. Griffin’s tour always Skip and Betty St. Amant act as Marie DuPont centers on Moss Point Krebs and John B. “Celestine” DuPont, Jr. at families. This year’s tour the 2020 Krebs Cemetery tour. Photo by Nancy Jo Maples includes six presentations at gravesites depicting the lives of icons like Edward Khayat and his wife Eva. Khayat was an educator, banker, and 32-year member of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors. The Khayats will be portrayed by their grandchildren, Dr. Matt Murray and Deborah Frost Coulson. Another Moss Point figurehead to be represented is Frank Jefferson Hammond, Jr., depicted by Roy Lang. Well-known attorney Hammond was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Tom Getz will play Marion McKay Evans, a former lieutenant governor. The Goleman and Rasmussen families will also be presented. Folk musicians, The Great Speckled Birds, will entertain, and local vendors will sell plants and pottery. Golf carts are available for those unable to walk the terrain. The tour at Krebs is Oct. 28. A United Service Organization (USO) style show with costumed hostesses will kick off the event at 4:30 p.m. Cemetery tours run 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. beginning every 10 to 15 minutes. Located at 4602 Fort St.,

Pascagoula, Krebs Cemetery is the oldest active private family cemetery in the United States. Original tombstones date to 1820 with the marker of a 15-year-old girl written in French; however, burials are recorded for the cemetery as far back as the 1700s. The cemetery sits adjacent to the LaPoint-Krebs House. Dating back to 1757, the LPK House is the oldest, scientifically-confirmed standing structure in the Mississippi River Valley. The Krebs tour theme changes yearly. This year’s portrayals will focus on World War II in keeping with Pascagoula’s current effort to become an American World War II Heritage City. In addition to contributions from citizens and veterans during wartime, the city’s shipbuilding enterprises supplied many of the nation’s war vessels. Warren Gautier will portray his father, Hermès Frederic Gautier, local draft board chairman. Richard Lucas and Tee McCovey will portray Army and Army Air Corps

Ken DeAngelo portrays the late Rev. John Brock at last year’s Griffin Cemetery tour. Photo by Laura Cooley

members Mason Gray Farrell and Leonelle Bonam. Farrell is buried at Krebs. Bonam, Pascagoula’s only Tuskegee Airman, is buried at Biloxi National Cemetery but grew up near Krebs Cemetery. Harold Gautier and his sister Mary Elizabeth Gautier Mahaffey will depict Skip and Bettie St. Amant. Both served in the Marine Corps and are buried at Krebs. Two sailors buried at Krebs, James Thomas Kell, and William English Nolan, Sr., will be portrayed by Scott Logan and Arthur Portas. The Pascagoula event draws 200 to 500 guests; Moss Point’s tour draws more than 100. Admission is free to both. For more information on the Moss Point tour see its Facebook Page, Historic Griffin Cemetery Tour, or call 228-218-5239. For info about the Pascagoula tour, call 228-249-2697. Award-winning journalist Nancy Jo Maples has been writing about Mississippi people and places for more than 30 years. Contact her at nancyjomaples@aol.com. OCTOBER 2021 | TODAY 7

Culotta Insurance & Investments Serving Miss-Lou STATEWIDE Since 1992

1-844-AGENT4U

FIXED INDEXED ANNUITIES MORE GAINS • NO LOSSES • SAFETY Up to 10% IMMEDIATE INTEREST BONUS on Deposits ROLLOVER CD OR 401K TODAY!

Richie Culotta • Cameron Culotta • Zach Dustin

Medicare Supplements Guaranteed Renewable

Great low rates on G and F plans!

Plan G (Female) age: 65 $89.00 70 $95.00 75 $113.00 80 $134.00

Plan G (Male) age: 65 $102.00 70 $109.00 75 $130.00 80 $154.00

Plan F (Female) age: 67 $103.00 70 $110.00 75 $129.00 80 $152.00

Plan F (Male) age: 67 $119.00 70 $126.00 75 $148.00 80 $175.00

JEFF REGISTER BUILDINGS & TRUSS www.registerbarns.com

40’x60’x12’ - Installed

Roof only, closed gables. Or, Roof only, open gables. Call for prices.

30’x40’x10’ - Installed

Roof only, open gables. Call for price.

HUTTON INSURANCE AGENCY

800-880-2305 P.O. Box 85 Brandon, MS 39043

Not affiliated with any government agency.

601-928-5309 or 601-928-5308

jregister@registermetals.com

321 Madison Ave., Wiggins, MS 39577

Do You Have a 401K?

Are you leaving your job or no longer work there? We can help with stock market like returns with no risk.

L.D. O’Mire Financial Services

Rates with household discount, most zip codes.

Call today for other great Medicare supplement rates!

FINANCIAL FREEDOM

SAFE RETIREMENT STRATEGIES, MEDICARE SUPPS, LONG-TERM CARE, MEDICAL & LIFE

Better Business Bureau A+ Rating

Call For My 115 Page Growth Without Risk Safe Money Book Visit our website: www.ldomire.com

1Fir0st %

GUARANYTear EED

H Call 601-957-3841 H Or Call Me Personally at 601-209-3131 Guarantees subject to the claims-paying ability of the Insurance Company. Surrender of the Contract may be subject to surrender charge or market value adjustment. Product not available in all states. This is a single premium deferred annuity. Interest rates are subject to change. Withdrawals prior to age 59 ½ may be subject to a 10% IRS penalty.

SOON Church/Government uniting, suppressing RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, enforcing NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW. Be informed! TBS, Pob 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com

1-888-211-1715

ADVERTISE WITH

Mississippi’s largest circulated publication.

Watch out for power poles! Farm equipment’s a lot taller and wider than it used to be. That’s why you should use extreme caution when operating equipment near power poles and lines, leaving a clearance of at least 10 feet. Knocking over a power pole or getting tangled up in the lines can be dangerous — even deadly.

Think safety around power lines. 8 TODAY | OCTOBER 2021

Few things are more rewarding and enjoyable than being in the squirrel woods with a good dog.

While doves and some limited waterfowl — teal specifically — can be hunted in September, the bulk of hunting in Mississippi begins in October. And this is a grand month for beginnings. October is marked by fresh, brisk mornings and leaves dressing for autumn. Morning sunrises fill azure skies and shadows take on a peculiar slant unlike that of the suffocating summer just past. October is a grand time to be sure. Two hunting seasons that open in October are for game that occupies certainly the No. 1 slot in popularity — deer — and the probable No. 2 or No. 3 — squirrels. The latter tends to vacillate somewhat, and whether it is second or third in the line-up is inconsequential. It has long been and likely will be anticipated by most hunters of the Magnolia State. Deer in October may only be hunted with archery gear. While not as commanding of attention as is the later firearms seasons, this pursuit of bow hunting boasts a strong following. Thousands take to the woods with bows and arrows each year in hopes of gaining the proper distance from a whitetail while shooting short-range equipment. And most that put in their time doing so are richly rewarded. Squirrel hunting may, by some, be viewed as a strange attraction. Squirrels are common in city parks and along city streets and in backyards and on lawns. Wooded roadsides seem filled with them. Common they are, and that familiarity may coax the unschooled of squirrel hunting to disregard them as viable, to consider them as little more than cuddly bundles of activity. Dedicated squirrel hunters know differently. They recognize that squirrels are worthy of

pursuit, cunning and suspicious of intrusion into their wild haunts. In short, squirrels are a challenge. And they provide the makings of a fine supper. While growing up, I was introduced to squirrel hunting by my dad. There was not even a deer season in proximity to our humble home area. But those glorious autumn mornings, and at times bitter winter days, in the squirrel woods were the things of dreams, part of the journey into reality and adulthood, now memories treasured and often relived minus many regular companions from those early days. I, back then, became a squirrel hunter and remain such. I go every year. These days I seldom actually collect a squirrel, maybe a half dozen in singles or pairs scattered out over the season. Fried squirrel and biscuits coax me to do so. But mostly, I simply go. And sit and think and look and listen and marvel and recall who and what I really am. There is great profit in my squirrel hunting. Much too good to miss, this endeavor.

by Tony Kinton Tony Kinton has been an active outdoors writer for 30 years. He lives in Carthage and is a Central Electric member. Visit www.tonykinton.com for more information.

OCTOBER 2021 | TODAY 9

BRIAN HUGHEY

Bringing power and energy services to local communities

Public Relations Specialist

LORRI FREEMAN, APR

STEPHANIE CHISHOLM

For more information, call 601-947-4211 or 228-497-1313.

www.singingriver.com

@singingriverelectric

Manager of Public Relations

Public Relations Assistant

SRE is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

@SRECooperative

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

Concern for community means more here Each October, Singing River Electric celebrates National Cooperative Month along with more than 800 other electric cooperatives. As an organization, we are reminded of why and by Brian Hughey General Manager whom we were formed 83 & CEO years ago. Singing River Electric is operated by and for the people of the communities we serve. In addition to our steadfast mission to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity, we’re always seeking ways to live out the seven cooperative principles: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; members’ economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training and information; cooperation among cooperatives; and concern for community. These seven principles combine to help build trust among the co-op, its members, and the community. Throughout the pandemic, the seventh principle, concern for community, has been a driving force. We took strides to keep employees and members safe in our offices and communicated ways to pay with limited contact like the SmartHub mobile app and drive-through windows. We awarded Neighbors Helping Neighbors Community Grants to first responders, donated T-shirts to our local FabLab to create masks for students and teachers, cleaned boat launches and assisted at local food pantries. Singing River Electric’s employees and board of directors continued to aid in the economic development of our communities through personal involvement, financial support, education and innovation.

AMANDA PARKER

General Manager & CEO

Weather has certainly impacted our local communities during the pandemic. Our crews have responded to outages caused by ice storms, hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes and other weather events. Thanks to our dedicated and skilled employees, I am proud to say we made it through successfully. One of the challenges for many of our community members during the pandemic proved to be the lack of adequate internet service. This need brought a potential opportunity for your electric cooperative, and we have risen to the challenge to find a solution. Through our fiber subsidiary, Singing River Connect, we have three pilot projects that will bring fiber internet service to nearly 2,000 potential subscribers in five Mississippi counties. We are carefully working through the challenges associated with starting a new business and assuring its necessary relationship with our existing member-owned cooperative. We are also constructing a 400-mile fiber ring which will connect all Singing River Electric substations and offices. Exciting times lie ahead as we patiently wait for the fiber optic build-out within the pilot project areas and determine the project’s success and as we advance our electric service reliability through direct communication with our substations. Investments for the fiber ring and three pilot projects are expected to total $15 million; however, we know this is an investment in our local communities and one that will meet a great need. We are more than a utility. We are an electric cooperative: member led, member owned, and focused on the needs of the communities we serve.

@singingriverelectric

Energy Tips

Jeff Gray Energy Services Representative gray@singingriver.com

Know your light bulbs Light bulbs have evolved over the years to today’s energy-efficient LEDs. Whether you are using decorative light strands for the holidays or replacing a lightbulb in a lamp, here are some things to remember: • Incandescent bulbs are the tried and true original. Depending on the brightness you need, they range from 40, 60, 75 or 100 watts. The energy use in these bulbs is measured at 10% light and 90% heat, which is not efficient and can add to heat gain, causing your air conditioner to work harder. • Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs were the first energy-saving bulbs. A 60-watt incandescent bulb was replaced with a 14-watt (60-watt equivalent) CFL, using less energy. However, CFLs had a shorter use life than expected and disposal issues. • A 60-watt equivalent LED (light emitting diode) bulb uses nine watts of power and is currently the most efficient lighting choice. LEDs usually have a life span of 10 years or 11,000 hours. The lighting facts label on your LED bulb box will tell you the lumens or brightness of that bulb and also the light appearance or color of the light. Always read the facts label on the bulb box to know what kind of light you are buying.

Three Fiber Pilots, Seven Steps to Fiber Construction Fiber construction process SR Connect contractors prepare poles in the Brewer pilot area before running fiber.

Contractors string fiber in Richton for a section of fiber installed along one of three feeders, or power line sections, in pilot project 1.

There are seven steps to fiber construction, demonstrated in the graphic above. But what step are the different pilot projects on? Let’s discuss that. Pilot project 1 in the SRE Brewer substation area serving co-op members in Greene, Perry, and Wayne counties is projected to be in Step 7 - Scheduling Installations this month for the first of three feeders (power line sections) in this pilot. Contract crews are currently finishing up service drops and drop splicing. Prospective subscribers in this pilot area will receive a mailed postcard and email, as well as notice yard signs along streets in their area alerting them when to call and schedule an installation. Prospective fiber subscribers in Pilot 1 – feeders 2 and 3, outside of the National Forest area, will follow and receive emails and postcards in late October or early November. Pilot project 2 in the Vestry community and SRE Aleco substation area of Jackson County

is in fiber construction Step 2 - Make-ready Construction and projected to enter Step 3 - Fiber Construction shortly. Contract crews are changing out poles, rearranging equipment on the poles as needed, and installing fiber and fiber splice points. Pilot project 3 in the SRE Agricola substation area serving members in George County is projected to be in Step 1 – Make-ready Engineering in December 2021. During this step, contract crews will conduct pole-to-pole inspections and decide if poles need to be changed out or if existing pole attachments need to be modified. Great effort is being put into communicating with SRE’s membership on the fiber pilot projects’ status. Dates are subject to change, but all effort is being made to complete the work as safely and quickly as possible. Fiber expansion beyond the pilot projects is dependent on the success of the pilots. SRE’s board of directors will be monitoring this progress into the new year.

Upcoming right-of-way projects Singing River Electric clears trees, limbs, and underbrush from the area around and below the power lines called the right-of-way. Right-of-way clearing helps decrease the number of outages and reduces the risk of someone coming in contact with the power lines. Here are the substations and surrounding areas that are either currently being cleared or where clearing will begin soon:

• Basin Substation – Highway 63, Barton-Agricola Road, River Road and surrounding areas. • Forts Lake Substation – Independence Road, Forts Lake Road and surrounding areas. • Lucedale South Substation – Highway 26, Twin Creek Road, Highway 63 and surrounding areas. • Escatawpa South Substation – Highway 613, Saracennia Road, Coda Road and surrounding areas.

OCTOBER 2021 | TODAY 11

Hurricane Ida makes presence known on Gulf Coast

eadly and destructive Hurricane Ida made landfall on the Louisiana coast as a Category 4 storm with top wind speeds of 150 miles per hour. Making landfall on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Ida made sure her impact was felt across the Gulf Coast before downgrading to a tropical storm and moving inland. Though Louisiana took the brunt force of impact, Mississippi shared the destruction. Mississippi’s electric cooperatives together experienced more than 85,000 power outages following Hurricane Ida. Singing River Electric alone restored power to a total of 11,959 meters

throughout the event. “Our employees truly excelled,” said Singing River Electric General Manager and CEO Brian Hughey. “They responded and worked the long hours necessary, in rough conditions, to get power restored quickly and safely to our local communities.”

For photos of the restoration progress, visit Singing River Electric’s Facebook page at facebook.com/singingriverelectric.

Answering the call for help SRE crews assist Magnolia Electric and South Louisiana Electric following Hurricane Ida

any Mississippi electric cooperatives were impacted greatly by Category 4 Hurricane Ida, including Magnolia Electric Power headquartered near Summit and serving six counties in southwest Mississippi. MEP had 26,600 of their 32,000 meters without power on August 30, following Hurricane Ida. Our crew of 11 trucks and 18 employees headed to MEP late on Monday, August 30, after restoring power locally. They returned on Wednesday, Sept. 8. On Wednesday, Sept. 22, Singing River Electric sent four linemen to South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association to assist with post-Ida power restoration. Based in Houma, La., SLECA serves 21,000 meters and had more than 19,000 meters out after the storm. The marshy bayou area and more than 1,000 broken poles are making power restoration a challenge. SRE linemen are reporting to Morgan City.

Flashback Give back after Hurricane Katrina.

One the evening of August 28, 2005, SRE prepared for a monster storm. We had no idea that the next day would re-write the history books on storm response and preparation, or just how truly devastating a monster storm could be. Our fellow cooperatives in Louisiana have sadly now lived this nightmare. SRE employees swelled to more than 1,000 following Katrina. We were ever so grateful to all who came from near and far away. We will always answer a co-op’s call for help.

OCTOBER 2021 | TODAY 13

Businesses answer to shareholders. But with a cooperative, the shareholder is you.

Member-owned. Member-led.

of app-enabled by Maria Kanevsky Out of all the smart home technologies available on the market, smart lighting is one of the easiest technologies to integrate into your home. Smart lighting can be controlled by voice command, through your smart phone or through a smart home hub (like Amazon Alexa), making them relatively easy to control. They are also among the most affordable smart home devices, starting at about $10 per bulb. There’s a Out of all the smart home technologies available on range of benethe market, smart lighting is one of the easiest and most affordable technologies to integrate into your fits from using home. Photo Credit: Philips smart light bulbs. One of the most useful aspects of smart lighting is the ability to control the lighting while you’re away from home. For example, if you leave for work and forget to turn off the lights at home, you can easily turn them off with a few taps on a smartphone app. Alternatively, if you’re traveling but want to appear as if you’re home, you can turn on your lights at a certain time to create that illusion. Similarly, many smart lights offer the option for a customizable schedule. Consumers can schedule lighting to turn on or off at certain times of the day depending on their preferences. To increase safety at home, many smart light bulbs have motion-detection technology that can sense if a person is in the room or nearby. This feature can be programmed to send an alert to your phone when the smart lighting detects an unexpected motion, either inside or outside the home. Beyond the more practical applications, smart lighting can simply be fun to use. Bulbs are available in a variety of colors and dimming options that can help to set different themes or moods for the room, from an exciting bright white to a calming dim light. Various color temperatures can create different moods and also potentially help with winding down at night and improving sleep quality. Blue light, which mimics daylight, prevents the release of melatonin, an important hormone to feel sleepy. Setting smart lights to warmercolored lights at night can help release melatonin, and therefore lead to a better night’s sleep.

With all the benefits of smart lighting, there is also a higher price tag compared to regular light bulbs. Most smart lighting options on the market use LED light bulbs, which are more expensive but use less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs and need to be replaced much less often. Incandescent light bulbs cost about $1; however, their life spans are relatively short at around 1,000 hours. LED bulbs typically start at about $2.50 per bulb, but their life spans are almost 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Switching from incandescent bulbs to LED smart bulbs can help save energy and money over the long run, despite the higher initial cost. As a new technology, there are plenty of benefits but also a few potential issues to be aware of before implementing the technology. Some smart light bulbs may have minor technical issues, such as not properly responding to a voice command. However, sticking with reputable brands should ensure a well-functioning light bulb. Another factor to consider is not all smart lighting options are compatible with dimmers since smart bulbs come with their own built-in dimming mechanisms. This could lead to inconsistent lighting between smart and regular bulbs and could cause smart lights to flicker if they clash with the existing dimmer switch. To prevent this, simply avoid placing smart light bulbs in fixtures that already have a dimmer switch. Before making any purchases, be sure to research which smart lighting options work best for your home. Maria Kanevsky writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Smart light bulbs are available in a variety of colors and dimming options that can help to set different themes or moods for the room, from an exciting bright white to a calming dim light. Photo Credit: Cree

OCTOBER 2021 | TODAY 15

Photo by Justin Hardiman

16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2021

Photos by Chad Calcote

OCTOBER 2021 | TODAY 17

Revisions Requested Approved

CHAD Date_____ RON Date_____ VERSION #______________

Ask anyone who has witnessed one of Ingram’s live performances, and they will describe the moment when their jaw dropped in awe. Ingram has recently released his second album, “662” named for the area code of his beloved north Mississippi home. His debut CD, “Kingfish,” was nominated for a Grammy in 2019. Ingram has performed with living blues legend Buddy Guy, recorded with funk icon Bootsy Collins and has been interviewed by Sir Elton John on his Apple podcast. He’s been on the cover of Guitar World and DownBeat magazines and Rolling Stone wrote that “Kingfish is one of the most exciting young guitarists in years, with a sound that encompasses B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix and Prince.” Not bad for a kid who was taught to play guitar at an arts education program at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale.

Approved

Revisions Requested

STEVEN Date_____

Approved

Revisions Requested

by Steven Ward The history of the blues is embedded deep in Mississippi’s past. So, it’s no wonder that the future of the blues has blossomed from the same legendary locale. According to one legendary account, Mississippi blues icon Robert Johnson went to “The Crossroads” in Clarksdale to make a deal with the devil to sell his soul in exchange for the ability to play his guitar and become the greatest musician in history. Clarksdale is also the birthplace and home of 22-year-old blues guitarist and singer Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. A child prodigy who picked up the guitar at 11 after playing bass and drums, Ingram has taken on the role of blues savior. His record company wrote in publicity material that Ingram “has quickly become the defining blues voice of his generation.”

events

mississipp on the menu outdo scene around the ‘sip

During a break from his current tour, Today in Mississippi had a chance to ask co-op involvement Ingram a few questions. Today in Mississippi: Do you feel like your songwriting has matured or gotten better on the new album?

Kingfish: Yeah. The songs on “662” are more personal, and there’s been some growth — musically, vocally, and with the songwriting. Songwriting is not easy. You want to be original, but sometimes I overthink it.

TIM: You have a song on the new album called, “Another Life Goes By.” Why did you feel like it was important to write that song right now?

K: Actually, the song was written before what happened to George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. I wrote the song because blues has always been protest music. It’s our blues of today, and I think it’s mandatory that we talk about it. TIM: Do Clarksdale and Mississippi play a part in the man

southern gardening

K: Absolutely, Clarksdale is a big factor in who I am. Because of all the people here in the city. The blues. The music. The culture. Everything I’ve been through here. TIM: Tell me about your favorite blues guitar players and influences.

K: I mean I listen to and love Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Son House, Lighting Hopkins, Freddie King, and Otis Rush. All those guys are influences. I think the best player I ever saw live was a guy called T Model Ford. He was so authentic. There was something about his style. He could be out of tune, but the way he played really touched me. TIM: You have played all over the world. I’m sure you have had great experiences. But what do you miss about Mississippi when you are on the road in exotic places?

K: The cooking for sure. Food from home. But also, southern hospitality. I miss the people.

you’ve become?

TIM: If you were born and raised in, say, Iowa or California, do you think you would be a blues guitar player today?

K: Oh no. No. No disrespect to Iowa or California. But kids wind up doing what they see. It’s about what they are around. And being in Clarksdale, I’ve been around blues music my entire life.

Photo by Laura Carbone

18 TODAY | OCTOBER 2021

Photo by Justin Hardiman

ssissippi marketplace outdoors today p picture this my opinion grin ‘n’ bare it

3 3

6 6

4 1. Death by Chocolate by Marlene Langford of Maben; 4-County Electric member. 2. Strawberry shortcake by Neetsie Gary of Yazoo City; Yazoo Valley member. 3. Ghoulish Guacamole dip with chips by Evelyn King of McComb; Magnolia Electric member.

7 7

5. Gluten-free bread and BLT fixings by Hannah McPherson of West Point; 4-County Electric member. 6. Carmel Cake by Coleen McKenzie of Eupora; 4-County Electric member. 7. Bread by Karon Netherland Wilcher of Carthage; Central Electric member.

4. Fried green tomato salad by Lauren Brumfield of Richton; Singing River Electric member.

OCTOBER 2021 | TODAY 19

with Rebecca Turner

Homegating: Graze and grab-n-go grub perfect for football season Fall is in the air, which means football season is back! And with football comes game-watching parties. The traditional tailgating party happens on campus, outside the football stadium in designated areas like The Grove, The District, The Junction, or The Roost. However, as long as football has been televised, fans have hosted parties from the comfort of their own home. Now, thanks to an ongoing global pandemic, more football fans are embracing the idea of “homegating” and scoring extra points for safety with at-home game-day festivities. Hosting your football tailgate at home gives you a chance to stay safe, avoid crowds, and keep your budget low and the fun high. Food is the life of the party on game day, but fans want to graze and gab about the game instead of sitting down for a meal. That is why making everything buffet-style or grab-n-go is the best setup. You can never go wrong with

bite-sized appetizers, delicious dips, miniature main courses, and dessert. The best part, you can try new recipes with each game day while keeping the MVPs in rotation. Classic tailgating foods include chili, ribs, hamburgers, wings, chips, and cheese dips. This year give rookie recipes a starting position on your table — kickoff the party with sausage and cheese cups, bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts, and creamy blue cheese onion dip. Go for the goal with walking tacos and air fried corn on the cob. Keep dessert simple with crowd favorites like individual ice cream cups, brownie bites, and chocolate chip cookies. Tailgating may still look and feel slightly different, but that doesn’t mean the party is over. Whether you’re headed to campus, ready to host a tailgate at home, or watch alone, throw on your school colors, get a plate of festive foods, and enjoy a game-day adventure.

SAUSAGE AND CHEESE CUPS INGREDIENTS 12-ounce package wonton wrappers 1 pound sausage 3 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese shredded 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup milk Spray mini muffin tins with non-stick spray. Carefully press wonton wrappers in the tins and fold edges back and flat. Should look like a cup. Bake empty at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. 20 TODAY | OCTOBER 2021

Brown sausage and drain off fat. Cool. In a large bowl, mix ranch dressing mix, cheeses, yogurt, milk, and sausage. Fill wonton cups with sausage mixture. Bake again at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Remove from tin to a wire rack to cool. Tip: Pre-bake the cups and store in an air-tight container until ready to fill. You can also mix your filling together the night before, refrigerate, and do steps 5-7 on game day.

BACON WRAPPED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

BLUE CHEESE ONION DIP

INGREDIENTS 8 slices of bacon 16 Brussels sprouts Toothpicks Salt and pepper to taste

INGREDIENTS 16 ounces sour cream 1 packet onion soup mix 1/4 cup whole milk plain Greek yogurt 4 ounces blue cheese crumbled 1/2 teaspoon dry dill weed 1 teaspoon dry parsley flakes

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together and let chill.

Trim, wash, and pat dry Brussels sprouts. Cut bacon slices in half.

Serve with assorted veggies and/or chips for dipping.

Line a baking sheet in tin foil. Wrap bacon around Brussels sprouts and secure with a toothpick. Place on a baking sheet. Salt and pepper to taste. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes until bacon reaches desired crispness.

AIR FRYER CORN ON THE COB INGREDIENTS 6 frozen corn on the cobs Butter Salt and pepper

WALKING TACOS INGREDIENTS 1 pound lean meat 1 taco packet (or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning) Individual sized Frito chips Favorite taco toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, pico, salsa, etc. 1 cup milk Prepare meat as directed on the taco packet. On game day, place prepared taco meat into a slow cooker and turn on warm. Allow guests to build their tacos with individual sized chips bags, and taco toppings. The chip bags can be their serving container.

Place your frozen corn on the cob into the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes at 360 degrees. After 12 minutes remove the corn. Place a layer of tin foil into your air fryer basket and then sit your cooked corn on the cob on it. Season your corn with salt and pepper and add some butter to each corn cob. Cook for an additional 3 minutes at 400 degrees. After 3 minutes roll your corn in the butter that has dropped down into the tin foil. I f not done enough, cook for another 3 minutes. All air fryers are different.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rebecca Turner is an author, registered dietitian, radio host, television presenter and a certified specialist in sports dietetics with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A lifelong Mississippian, she lives in Brandon and has spent the last decade offering no-nonsense nutrition guidance that allows you to enjoy good health and good food. Her book, “Mind Over Fork,” challenges the way you think, not the way you eat. Find her on social media @RebeccaTurnerNutrition and online at www.RebeccaTurnerNutrition.com.

OCTOBER 2021 | TODAY 21

mississippi seen

mississippi is...

events

mississippi marketplace homemade goods, jewelry, purses, holiday gifts, and Events open to the public will be published free more. Proceeds go to help the Center Ridge Outpost, on the menu outdoors today a camp for children with autism. Raffle tickets will of charge as space allows. Submit details be sold for a community basket to support our local at least two months prior to the event date. mission, “Friends in Need.” Details: 601-214-7834. this scene around the ‘sip picture Submissions must include a phone number with area code for publication. Email to The 25th Annual Vancleave Arts and Crafts Fair and Sale. Nov. 20. Vancleave. More than 50 arts news@ecm.coop. Events are subject to my opinion co-op involvement Book and craft vendors will be present with many great change or cancelation due to COVID-19. Please confirm details before traveling.

hand-crafted items for Christmas gift giving. Inside the library, the year’s biggest book sale will be happening. All proceeds will go toward the Friends of the Vancleave Library’s projects and programs. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Vancleave Public Library. 12604 Highway 57 in Vancleave, Jackson County. Details: 228-8264143. JGRLS.org.

southern gardening 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.

grin ‘n’ bare it

The 67th Pre-Thanksgiving Gospel Sing Concert. Nov. 20. South Mendenhall. Featuring The Down East Boys, Terry Joe Terrell, Tim Frith and the Gospel Echoes, and The Revelations. New Life Fellowship. 2167 Highway 49. Details: 601-906-0677.

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. Landrum’s Homestead Fall Festival. Oct. 16. Laurel. Wagon rides, gem mining, shooting gallery, old time games, fishing, cake walk, woodcarving, and blacksmith demonstrations. The event will also feature food, homemade ice cream, and beautiful fall photo spots. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10. Children 3 and under are free. 1356 Hwy 15 South. Details: 601649-2546. landrums.com. Lumberton Olde Tyme Festival. Oct. 16. Lumberton. Arts, crafts, entertainment, and food. Presented by the Lumberton Economic Development Council. 201 West Main Ave. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: 601-796-4212. 2nd Bluegrass Festival. Oct. 23. Quitman. Acts include Bounds & Determined and Kings Mountain Band, both from Northport, Alabama; Patchwork String Band from Oxford and Rhonda Kelly of Quitman. Starts at 10 a.m. Clarkco State Park, 386 Clarkco Road. Details: 601-776-6651. Whistlestop Weekend. Nov. 5-6. Meridian. Formerly known as the Railfest, Soule Live Steam, and The Carousel Organ Association of America’s Fall Rally. Railroad memorabilia, live steam engines, classic cars, model trains, steam musical organs, blacksmithing, antique machine shop, broom making, and antique print shop operation. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: 601286-7738. The Annual Holiday Missions Marketplace. Nov. 6. Puckett. Sponsored by UMW of the Puckett United Methodist Church, 6412 Highway 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. A rummage sale and vendors will be outside. Come inside and enjoy a homemade soup lunch, a bargain at $5 a bowl. Also shop for the holidays, and holiday casseroles and desserts will be for sale or to order ready for Thanksgiving/Christmas. Past items included: arts and crafts, woodwork/yard art,

22 TODAY | OCTOBER 2021

Infants and toddlers are curious by nature. Open electrical outlets just beg for exploration, which can be pretty dangerous. To keep those little fingers out of trouble, pick up some safety plugs at your local store. They’re inexpensive and can be installed in seconds. And they’ll give you peace of mind while those curious little minds keep looking for new outlets.

A message from

Merit Falls in Simpson County

Long time Mississippi newspaper columnist Bill Minor was an acquaintance of mine. We bumped into each other from time to time at various functions. Often, he would come to the television station and be our commentator on election nights. Over the past few weeks, I have finally picked up a copy of Bill’s book, “Eyes on Mississippi.” It is a collection of his columns about Mississippi politics and associated issues over a 50-year period starting in the late 1940s. It’s an interesting insight into the issues of the day as they were unfolding. All of it is history now. But it was current events at the time Bill was writing about it. We have the perspective of hindsight. No one knew what was coming next as he was banging out his “Eyes on Mississippi” newspaper columns.

Fishing at a “good spot”

The tone of one of his articles caught my attention. It seemed a departure from his normal attitude about things. It’s in the last chapter of his book where he has compiled columns about people that he really admired. The gist of this particular article is how one person can make a difference. And in the 1970s, Mansfield Downs made a huge difference for those of us who like to explore a river or float a Mississippi creek now and again. Who is Mansfield Downs? Well, I wouldn’t have had any idea had I not read the book. It was Mr. Downs’ persistence that convinced the Legislature to redefine “public streams” in Mississippi. Until 1971, a public stream was one on which you could float a steamboat loaded with 200 bales of cotton for at least 30 straight days a year. All of the rest of the smaller rivers, creeks,

and bayous belonged to the landowners. That means if you wanted to try floating or canoeing one of our current popular creek or river floats back then, you could have been arrested for trespassing. But in 1971, the Legislature updated the public waterways qualifications and opened up about 90% more of the state’s waterways — places we use today. And that may never have been done — or at least it wouldn’t have been done when it was — had it not been for Mr. Downs from Pearl River County. Floating the Chunky River And I don’t know another thing about him. But if you ever play in Pelahatchie Creek or paddle the Pascagoula or ply the upper Pearl, thank Mr. Downs. They say three-fifths of the world is covered in water. Mississippi may not be quite that wet, but as a fisherman-cousin of mine told me once, you can’t go 20 miles in any direction in Mississippi without finding another good fishing hole. In October, the weather finally starts getting to where convertibles, front porch swings, and out of the way streams all become more purposeful. Thank you, Mr. Downs, for access to our watery quiet spots.

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.

OCTOBER 2021 | TODAY 23

FOR THE MEMBERS OF