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Joy of the holidays and the ordinary Christmas time is here again in Mississippi. I love Christmas because it’s about family, giving, the birth of Jesus Christ, community, and joy. Joy is the special feeling in our souls brought about by God’s presence on Earth and through the words and works of Jesus Christ. Christmas joy is evident all around the holidays — from the expectant eyes of a child on the morning of Dec. 25 wondering what Santa Claus might have left them to the smile on grandma’s face after she smells that first scent of her favorite peppermint hot chocolate on Christmas Eve. The spirit of the season might appear harder to spot on a daily basis outside of December. I have a suggestion for witnessing joy on an ordinary day throughout the rest of the year: read our cover story this month on The Mustard Seed in Flowood. Better yet, I would urge you to visit or volunteer sometime to see it up close and in person. Not everyone can drive to the Jackson area to volunteer. But you can bring joy to others and to yourself by volunteering in your local community. Volunteering in your community is intrinsic to the cooperative way of life. The Mustard Seed is a Christian community for adults with developmental disabilities.
Known as “Seedsters,” the adults who live at The Mustard Seed’s group homes and the participants in the day program are living their best lives — literally and figuratively. Don’t feel sorry for these folks — they are living productive, independent, and fulfilling lives away from their families of origin while working, playing, and learning. The Seedsters will tell you that as well as their families. But you can also see it in their faces, smiles and interactions together and with visitors. There’s an infectious spark of joy in what they do and how they live. Whether you and your family are struggling or thriving this holiday season, we hope this story warms your heart. It certainly warmed mine. As 2021 ends and the promise of a new year is just ahead, remember to always look for the joy in others, yourself, and God. From myself and all the electric cooperatives in Mississippi, we wish you and your family and friends a safe Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
by Michael Callahan Executive Vice President/CEO Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
Mississippi is... I come from baseballs and bats, from ponds and fishing poles. I’m from the buttermilk biscuits and duck rolls. I come from the saying, “If you gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough,” from Lucedale, and Agricola, with baked beans and fried chicken. I come from the tears of losing my grandfather, from the picture books on the wooden shelf, bringing back old memories and good times. I come from the gun beside my bed, from the slugs I’ve shot. I come from hats off at the table, from blessings before we eat, and prayers before we sleep. I come from the dirt on my boots, from the working sweat I’ve been through, And the tea I’ve drunk. I come from going to church on Sunday, And Bible reading at night. I come from a country world.
by Case Crawley, a resident of Lucedale and a member of Singing River Electric. Case, now 16 and a junior in high school, wrote the poem in the eighth grade.
What’s Mississippi to you? What do you treasure most about life in our state? Send your brief thoughts to Today in Mississippi, news@ecm.coop or mail to P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158
DECEMBER 2021 | TODAY 3
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in this issue
5 southern gardening Peppers at Christmas? Absolutely
7 scene around the ‘sip A look at special people and places in Mississippi
5
outdoors today
9
Remembering Christmas
10 local news 16
feature The residents of The Mustard Seed are living life to the fullest
The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
Vol. 74 No. 12
OFFICERS Eddie Howard - President Randy Carroll - First Vice President Ron Barnes - Second Vice President Tim Perkins - Secretary/Treasurer Michael Callahan - Executive Vice President/CEO EDITORIAL STAFF Ron Stewart - Senior Vice President Lydia Walters - VP, Communications Steven Ward - Editor Chad Calcote - Creative Director/ Manager Rickey McMillan - Graphic Designer Kevin Wood - Graphic Designer Alan Burnitt - Graphic Designer Courtney Warren - Graphic Designer Chris Alexander - 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: 466,752
16
20 on the menu Hopping on board with charcuterie
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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23 mississippi seen The state capital celebrates its bicentennial
23
www.todayinmississippi.com
On the cover A group of “Seedsters” at The Mustard Seed in Flowood take a break from painting for a group photo. Photo by Chad Calcote
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. 4 TODAY | DECEMBER 2021
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Ornamental peppers
have use as
above the foliage. Fruit As an ornamental hortistarts as yellow-green and culture guy, I’m always thinktransitions to a bright orange and brilliant red. ing about how to expand Chilly Chili is a great choice for container plantor extend the usefulness of our ing, as the plants reach just 1 foot tall and wide. landscape and garden plants. I’ve These peppers are not hot and are probably the safest been toying with a nontraditional to grow around curious children. use for ornamental peppers. The ornamental pepper variety Sangria holds its slender fruit This is a group of attractive plants many pointing upward boastfully as if getting ready for a party. This of us grow during the summer. They come in a colorful and wide pretty ornamental pepper bears fruit in almost unbelievable variety of selections. I have always marveled how the colors numbers so that they resemble confetti. change as the pepper fruit mature across the season. Young Sangria peppers emerge greenish yellow and then march The idea I’ve been playing with is growing some ornamental through a wonderful parade of colors peppers indoors during the winter from orange, lilac, purple, and finally and using them in Christmas and on to a glorious crimson red. Unlike holiday season décor. Chilly Chili, Sangria peppers are hot, Now, this isn’t new idea. I rememhot, hot! ber a day over 30 years ago when Growing ornamental peppers for my fellow grad students and I were the holidays is really easy. kicking around ideas. One student Find a bright window where the came up with this totally out-ofplant can receive about six hours of bounds thought of growing pepsunlight a day. Temperature-wise, if pers specifically for the holidays. you’re comfortable, the plants will We’ll call them Christmas Peppers, The slender, colorful fruit of the Sangria ornamental pepper are produced be happy. To be more specific, this he said. in such numbers as to resemble confetti. The peppers are very hot. means daytime temperatures in the This was one of those wild and low 70s and a little cooler at night to the mid-60s. Temperatures crazy ideas — and maybe has a touch of horticultural heresy — in this range will help encourage and prolong the flowering cycle because everyone knows that poinsettias are the end-all, be-all and production of the colorful fruit. holiday plant forevermore. But still the idea stuck with me, and As with all indoor plants, correct watering is important. Keep I’m so glad it did. the potting mix consistently moist, not waterlogged, as this condiSlowly over the years, garden centers and floral designers have tion leads to root rot issues that cause the flowers drop off. been adding ornamental peppers into their holiday creations. In fact, the Chili Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University has developed an entire series of ornamental peppers to celebrate the holidays, from NuMex New Year’s Day to NuMex Christmas. What I like about using ornamental peppers as holiday plants by Dr. Gary is the fact that the plants continue to produce multicolored fruit Bachman over most of the winter. Most of the ornamental peppers grown for the holidays stay small and are well mannered. Gary Bachman, Ph.D., Extension/Research Professor of Horticulture at A couple of my landscape favorites are perfect for holiday use. the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Chilly Chili seems to explode in a dramatic, colorful demonBiloxi. He is also host of “Southern Gardening” radio and TV programs. He lives in Ocean Springs and is a Singing River Electric member. stration. This 2002 All-America Selections winner holds the fruit DECEMBER 2021 | TODAY 5
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SAFE DÉCOR FOR A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON
Keep these holiday lighting tips in mind for a safe holiday season. Inspect all electrical decorations. Damaged sockets and/or loose or exposed wires can cause serious shock or start a fire. Purchasing LED lights, they use less energy and run cooler. Never mount or support light strings in a way that might damage the cord’s insulation. Make sure cords are not pinched in doors, windows or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation. Always unplug electrical decorations before replacing bulbs or fuses. Turn off all indoor andoutdoor electrical decorations before leaving home or going to sleep. Source: Electrical Safety Foundation International
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scene around the ‘sip
by Steven Ward
Although his life is not much like the exciting cinematic universe of Indiana Jones, retired Mississippi State University professor and professional archaeologist Evan Peacock still has an interesting story to tell. Born in the Delta and reared in the hill country of north-central Mississippi, Peacock has just released a memoir, “Kudzu on the Ivory Tower: From the Backwoods to an Academic Career in the Deep, Deep South.” When he was 10, Peacock found a stone arrow point on his family’s land, and instantly fell in love with archaeology. One of the people in his life that helped Peacock follow his dream was his ninth-grade music teacher. “Mr. Hill had an impressive library that included many large, picture-heavy books about science, which he freely shared. After I helped him move a pipe organ from Tennessee down to French Camp Academy, he gifted me with a copy of a book about the Aztecs,” Peacock said. “Not only did that help spur my interest in archaeology, but it demonstrated that such interest could be taken seriously by others.” Peacock said he’s heard over the years that some mistakenly think archaeology is not a viable career. “I cannot say how many times people told me, “You can’t get a job doing that.” It turns out that archaeology is a well-developed profession with a need for smart, dedicated practitioners,” Peacock said. “Most of the jobs are related to what is called cultural resource management, that is, commercial archaeology done in the face of development. While I was working at Mississippi State University, we started a master’s program which
boasted over a 90% job placement rate for our graduates.” Peacock also said Mississippi is a bountiful resource for archaeologists. “Mississippi has a very rich archaeological record, stretching back some 14,000 years, that remains little explored. During my career, my crews and I found and recorded about 1,000 sites that never had been formally reported before, and we were just scratching the surface,” Peacock said. “Most of what exists in the state remains to be found. And much of what we find in Mississippi can be used to address Photo by Josie Strain very large-scale questions about humankind in general, like what led to the adoption of settled life and agriculture.” Late in his career, Peacock discovered something fascinating in the Mississippi Delta — shell rings. “These are large, circular rings of freshwater mussel shells and other artifacts; they are so large that they easily can be seen in aerial photographs. They mark where Native villages stood about 1,200 years ago, when people had their houses on top of the shells and other refuse, probably as an efficient way to lift their dwellings out of danger of periodic floods,” Peacock said.
A resident of Starkville, “Kudzu” tells the story of how Peacock became an archaeologist and college professor.
I was born in Clarksdale, but was reared in the backwoods of Choctaw County. The nearest town, French Camp, was four miles away. At the time, it held fewer than 200 people, so we really lived out in the sticks. We were very poor; being the sixth of seven sons meant that I wore a lot of hand-me-downs, and government cheese was a welcome menu item.
Visit borgopublishing.com/evanpeacock for more information about Peacock and his new book. DECEMBER 2021 | TODAY 7
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Wild game was a key component of sustenance back then and was only supplanted by the customary salt pork and black-eyed peas found on every New Year’s lunch table. Daddy and I were the hunters of our family, but neighbor boys and dads joined regularly. Quiet lessons were taught and learned during such outings and formed the basis for living decently. Those lessons shaped us. And those outings set the stage for my lifestyle and vocation that eventually afforded an audience of kind and gracious readers who follow the writings of that country boy now fully grown and tasting old age. I took my first deer during the Christmas holidays, the day after Christmas in fact — my birthday. We had to travel a considerable distance since deer were not handy to home, and that first encounter with a whitetail is etched deeply into my being. It was then and is still now sobering, intriguing, exhilarating, and yes, heartbreaking. The experience is cataloged among those lessons of life, lessons from the past that now impact the present and future. So, Christmas is again near. I hope it makes pleasant memories for you. And I particularly hope that the true essence of this season is known and celebrated in peaceful joy for you all. Merry Christmas.
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 or email tkinton@bellsouth.net for more information.
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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
Christmas memories can take many forms and illicit an array of emotions and sentiments. Memories stepping back to childhood can be particularly poignant and are perhaps the most recalled. Christmas for us was a grand celebration but one with few fluffs and no superfluous ingredients. We had ample farm food, and never did we go without adequate clothing. But gargantuan bundles of purchased presents simply were never a part of the season. One paramount adventure was our going into the pasture and chopping down a small cedar for the living room. That tree, even when decorated sparingly, was, we always concluded, beautiful. There were also those Christmas programs Nature’s perfect Christmas tree – at that little Baptist fully decorated. Church down the road, the kids dressed as angels and shepherds and as Mary and Joseph. Some men wore bath robes and filled roles of the Wise Men. We all sang Christmas carols and closed with “O Holy Night.” No Wagnerian opera or Mozart sonata could compare. And there are yet Christmas memories of hunting, memories fresh as this morning’s sunshine. We hunted during the Christmas season — squirrels and rabbits primarily, but the occasional duck and quail when opportunities presented.
BRINGING THE POWER WWW.SOU THERN PIN E.COOP | P.O. BOX 60 | 1349 1 H WY. 28 | TAYLO R SVIL L E, MS 3916 8 | 800.231 .524 0
Let’s Focus on the True Meaning of Christmas Some of the best memories many of us have are from Christmas celebrations throughout the years. The presents may soon be forgotten, but the memories of fun with family and friends are what make Christmas a wonderful time. Ask anyone, child, or adult, what they got for Christmas last year or in years past. In most cases, the answers are not easily recalled. Ask the same person what they remember about past Christmases, and they’re quick to tell you about time spent with family. While Christmas can be a great time with family and friends, it can also be hectic and expensive. This can lead to a very stressful time of year. Stress of the holidays can come quickly when we focus on the commercial side of Christmas. This year let’s all try to focus on the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. Let’s avoid the traps of the commercial holiday season such as worrying about finding the perfect gifts. Don’t let the holiday stress creep in because the gifts will not be remembered in the end. With supply chain issues this year, choose to have a simpler holiday, and create more memories that will last a lifetime. So many of us are blessed with good lives and thankful hearts, but we should remember that this time of year can be difficult for others. For some, loneliness and isolation are
constant, depression and sadness are real, and families are missing a loved one during the holidays. For others, the struggle of having enough food on the table or a roof over their head is genuine. Some of our members are facing challenges that only get heightened during the holidays. There are a lot of ways we can make a difference. Let’s show the love of Christ by serving others as he would. There’s no act too small to make a huge impact. Something as simple as a visit can make a significant difference for a lonely person. Invite someone to church or to join your family for the holidays and help them create new Christmas memories. It’s a choice we won’t regret. On behalf of the Southern Pine employees and directors, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
by Chris K. Rhodes President/CEO Southern Pine Electric
10 TODAY | DECEMBER 2021
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G R
Christmas Memories
524 0
Angela Jordan — Front row, L to R, Erin, Angela Jordan, Brooke, Blake Back row, L to R, Trevor and Ethan
Karen Moseley — L to R, Karen Moseley, Kaiser, Camden, Trey, and Sage
DeDee Taylor — DeDee Taylor’s grandchildren, L to R, Haiden, Zaiden, and Farrah
Mandy Stanley — L to R, Austin, Jenna, Mandy Stanley, and Chuck
Lisa Boone — L to R, Lucy, Delton, Hannah, Ken, Trenton, Lisa Boone, Chase, and Charlie
Merry Christmas!
The photograph, “Boots in the Air,” by Matt Bush represents 104 pairs of boots on the ground ‘Bringing the Power’ to our members. Whether during a storm or during the calm of a quiet, peaceful December night, Southern Pine employees are working to brighten the homes and lives of our members and communities.
WWW.SOUTHERNPINE.COOP | 800.231.5240 | P.O. BOX 60, TAYLORSVILLE, MS 39168
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The Essential and Unifying Message of Christmas by Darnell Moffett, Pastor Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Every year, around this time, a change occurs in the music that permeates our lives. Regardless of the preferred music genre, Christmas songs will play nonstop over the airwaves for a few weeks. Popular songs such as “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” will dominate the weekly Billboard charts as they usher in the holiday mood. No one can deny the nostalgia these songs produce, as thoughts of snowfla es, presents, and reindeer flood the mind But something is missing concerning the real “reason for the season” that other songs capture. Songs like “Joy to the World,” “Away in a Manger,” and “Silent Night” offer a much deeper message that is especially relevant in today’s highly divided world. This message, however, can only be understood through a knowledge of the virgin birth, righteous life, sacrificia death, and victorious resurrection of the One whom the lyrics reference — Jesus Christ. Jesus was born into a world divided between two peoples — Jews and Gentiles. This Biblical distinction was about more than Jews being the separated people of God. Acts 10 and 11 testify to the fact that there was deep-seated hostility between the two races that seemed an almost impossible barrier to overcome. That is, until Jesus. His blood that was shed on the cross not only reconciled sinners back to God, but also reconciled us to one another. In Ephesians 2:14, Paul writes, “For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.” The blood of Jesus Christ created a new race of man that
is called the church. 1 Corinthians 12:13 tells us that Christian baptism identifies us with this n w race: “Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.” This connection does not mean Christians ignore, deny, or trivialize each other’s differences. It simply means that our differences do not define us sin e all divisions are void through the finished ork of Jesus Christ. All barriers have faded away. All distinctions are lost. Whether you are young, old, tall, short, male, female, rich, poor, Jewish, or Gentile, it does not matter because all Christians are considered God’s children and loved equally. “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus,” writes Paul in Galatians 3:26. He goes on to say, “And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” John sums it up in Revelation 5:9, “...For [Christ was] slaughtered, and [His] blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation...” All of this is the essential and unifying message of Christmas. As Christmas songs inevitably begin to saturate our lives this holiday season, let them remind us not only of eggnog, sleigh bells, and mistletoe, but of the spiritual harmony that affirm the bond between us in Christ. Let them remind us of the unifying message of Christmas — that Christ shed His blood to bring us all together before God. If Christ can sacrifi e so much for us, then surely, we can abandon our prejudices and strive to live in a way that prioritizes unity in Him over all our differences.
12 TODAY | DECEMBER 2021
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT:
DENISE CLEVELAND
In July 2009, Denise joined the Southern Pine family as a district operations clerk and has felt blessed to be here ever since. Denise makes a difference every day, according to Jamie Baucum, Newton district manager, because she handles a multitude of duties and wears lots of hats. He said she is known for getting things done and she genuinely cares for the safety of the men out in the field as if th y were her own. “Whether she is dispatching outages, processing work orders, or setting up a new account, she just knows how to take care of business. Denise cares about the members and puts them at the forefront of everything she does” Baucum said. Denise loves Southern Pine and is willing to tell anyone who will listen just how much. “I want to make a difference, and the fact that Southern Pine literally makes the difference between darkness and light in our members’ lives is amazing to me. I get to work in a place that is fun, exciting, and does good in the world,” Denise said. She makes that difference in the lives of all she touches. Denise grew up in Oregon and spent summers in Mississippi visiting her grandparents. She is thankful for a beautiful childhood, and truly believes every child deserves a great childhood. Denise worked hard to make sure her daughters, Aubrie and Deann, could say the same about theirs. “I wanted my girls to know that the world was bigger than the south, but if you end up in the south, it truly is an amazing place,” she said. Denise, and her husband of 40 years, Bobby, made sure they knew that by taking them on vacations around the country. Denise said, “I may drive an older car, but we were going to take those family trips.” That’s a tradition she upholds even today. Each summer, Denise and Bobby take the family on a trip to a different part of the country. The family has grown with a sonin-law, Luke, and two grandchildren, Jacob and Annley, but that only adds to the fun on these trips. She lights up when talking about her family trips and how much she loves her family. In her spare time, Denise loves to spend time with her grandchildren and their friends, as well as the college kids from her Sunday School class. A member of County Line Baptist Church in Union, Denise volunteers her time to help the youth with music, and she loves it. She is so proud of the young people she works with and is thankful for the time she gets to spend with the kids. Her love of music was born in her at an early age when she traveled with her Daddy’s men’s gospel group. Denise played the piano for the group and has even played on several albums the group recorded. “I feel like music speaks to some people better than conversation does,” she said. Whether it’s through words or music, Denise communicates her kindness and compassion to the world every day. Her dedication to her family, church family, and Southern Pine family always shows through.
“Whether she is dispatching outages, processing work orders, or setting up a new account, she just knows how to take care of business. Denise cares about the members and puts them at the forefront of everything she does.”
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
Southern Pine Member Dot Holder’s Christmas Cabin is a Joy to See
Dot Holder’s love of Christmas started at an early age. Her mother loved Christmas and always tried to make it memorable. That is what drives Dot to go all out for the holidays — to honor her mother. Dot decorates her home, just as most people do, but she goes above and beyond at the cabin that used to be her childhood home. The home was moved in 2010 from the Calhoun community in Jones County to 864 Lake Mike Conner Road in Collins. Then the real work began as Dot completely gutted the home’s interior and began restoring and transforming it to the cabin it is today. The wood floors, wood ceilings, and walls are all original, but the change was dramatic. She worked tirelessly refinishing the parts of the home that remained and making it into the cabin of today. Now, Dot uses it to celebrate the holidays. “It is my Christmas gift to everyone,” she said. As you approach the cabin, the first thing you see is the beautifully decorated front porch, inviting you to swing for a while and enjoy the setting. What awaits inside is even more of a surprise. Every inch of the place exudes the Christmas spirit. Dot’s face lights up with joy as she talks about her childhood home that’s now a celebration of Christmas. For her, it is an annual labor of love. She said it usually takes her and her family and friends about two weeks to finish it, but she is thrilled to do it and wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Everywhere you look is filled with the sights of the holid ys, and each room in the cabin is lit up with lights and scenes of Christmas. From nativities to the Santa collection to snowmen and elves — there’s something for all ages. Being in the cabin makes everyone feel like a kid again. Dot can’t help but smile as she watches others experience her “Christmas Cabin” for the fir t time. “There’s always something new. People who come back for another visit always see something they missed the fir t visit,” Dot said. She enjoys sharing the place with her family and friends, but she also invites others to see it. If you would like to schedule a visit, please call Dot at 601-517-1753.
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Seedster Logan Chew paints Christmas ceramics at the 2021 Mistletoe Marketplace in Jackson.
by Steven Ward It’s easy to find The Mustard Seed’s booth at the annual when she was 21. She loved it so much she moved into the Mistletoe Marketplace in Jackson each holiday season. group home. She was always scared she was going to miss Just look for the longest line. something. She just didn’t want to leave at the end of the Shoppers line up each year to buy Christmas ornaments, day,” Cindy Chew said. ceramics, paintings, and other Founded 40 years ago, The Musartwork by The Mustard Seed’s tard Seed is a Christian community residents and day program for adults with developmental participants. The Seedsters’ joy for life and friendship disabilities in Flowood. On the first day of this year’s “Many of them do not have many is infectious. You may want to come out marketplace, the booth was options for ‘life after 21.’ That’s here to bless us as a volunteer and you will packed with shoppers eyeing where The Mustard Seed enters — we are so grateful for our volunteers potential gifts while Mustard their lives. “Seedsters,” as our and their time and gifts they share Seed resident Logan Chew, 37, clients and residents are affectionsat quietly and painted ceramic ately called, can become a part of angel after ceramic angel. the Mustard Seed when they are 21 or older,” said Mustard About an hour and a half after the marketplace Seed Community Relations Director Mandy Sisson. opened, Logan finished painting eight angels while “Many of our Seedsters compare their time here to sitting at the booth. college or work. Seedsters are enrolled as a day client or a While Logan painted, her mother, Cindy Chew of resident. They come to work every day with their friends/ Madison, stood by and watched, smiled, and answered coworkers/roommates, and they take such pride in the questions. feeling of independence that The Mustard Seed provides “She started going to The Mustard Seed’s day program for them,” Sisson said. 16 TODAY | DECEMBER 2021
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Sisson said many of the Seedsters have watched their brother, sister, cousin, or neighbor move out, go to work, and reach milestones. “It’s such a natural desire to want to have your own work and friends outside your family. The Mustard Seed provides this,” Sisson said. The Mustard Seed name comes directly from the Bible. Matthew 17:20 says that “if ye have faith even as small as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move and nothing will be impossible to you.” Sisson said the group’s aim is to meet the spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of adults with developmental disabilities by providing a loving and protected Christian community with meaningful activities that allow the participants to fulfill the potential that God has created within them. The Mustard Seed is a private 501(c)(3) and does not accept state or federal funding. Families pay a monthly tuition. Fees for services generate approximately a quarter of the annual operating budget while the remaining amount is generated through tax deductible contributions, donations, and proceeds from ceramic sales.
Photos by Chad Calcote
ote
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A
B
This mural of “The Seedsters” hangs on a wall behind the cash register in The Mustard Seed’s gift shop. The art was painted by former Mustard Seed employee and current volunteer Loris Nejam Davis.
D
E
C
F
G
A) Jerry Dearing B) Sarah Simonson C) Will Terry D) Matthew Nichols E) Matthew Davis F) Gabrielle Chambers G) Emily Olander
What is a typical day like at The Mustard Seed? There’s devotional time, painting and class time, a break with snacks, more painting, lunch and rest, more classes, clean up time, and chores. There is a group home for men and one for women. Ten Seedsters live in each home while 20 other Seedsters participate in the day program. Seedsters hail from all parts of Mississippi as well as other states. There are weekly activities including the Man Group on Monday afternoons, Reading with Peg on Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and Birthday Bashes once a month. Fridays are earmarked for off campus activities — restaurants, movies, baseball games, or bowling. Seedsters also have the choice to enroll in classes. They can choose from watercolors, rock and roll history, yoga, photography, creative writing, nutrition, coffee club, drama, Christmas carols, and hand-building ceramics. “I think people sometimes don’t realize how happy the Seedsters are to be here. I know for a fact that people misunderstand the group homes and how proud the Seedsters are to live there with their other family,” Sisson said.
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The holidays are always a special time for The Mustard Seed. Besides selling Seedster artwork at Mistletoe Marketplace, the site’s gift shop, which is open Monday through Friday, stays busy with Christmas shoppers at a steady clip. “We paint ornaments and Christmas ceramics all year. For every $7 it takes to run The Mustard Seed, $2 comes from our ceramics art program. That’s a huge number and a huge outreach tool for us,” Sisson said. Each piece of artwork sold by The Mustard Seed has the name of the Seedster who worked on it on the bottom of the piece. “In a way, each piece of artwork has its own story,” Sisson said. “We love to hear stories about how someone was gifted a mug and didn’t know about us, but then they turned the bottom of that mug around and saw Logan Chew’s name on the bottom and then looked her up on our website and learned about her and then wanted to write her a letter or come and meet her. “That is special. Logan is an artist. This is her work. This is her job. She is talented, and there is no denying that. And then the fact that someone bought that mug for you and you feel this connection to Logan is such a neat thing to be a part of,” Sisson said. One of the pillars of Christmas is giving. There’s an enormous atmosphere of giving on The Mustard Seed’s campus. There’s a feeling of warmth and giving to the Seedsters who thrive in an environment of creativity and everyday life. The Seedsters represent giving through their artistic talent and gifts, both personal and literal. Sisson said people should volunteer or visit. “I think people want to get involved; they want to ask questions; they want to bring their children here, but they are
sometimes intimidated or aren’t sure where to even begin. Call us, come shop, schedule a tour. Let us show you around and meet our friends. If you don’t like hugs, then this isn’t the place for you,” Sisson said. “The Seedsters’ joy for life and friendship is infectious. You may want to come out here to bless us as a volunteer and you will — we are so grateful for our volunteers and their time and gifts they share. But I think volunteers will be blessed far more by the Seedsters who I believe remind us how to be the hands and feet of Jesus. To love unconditionally and not see what makes us different.”
Visit mustardseedms.org or call 601-992-3556 for more information about volunteering, the gift shop, or donating.
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with Rebecca Turner
CHARCUTERIE BOARD THE BASIC CHECKLIST A WOOD OR SLATE BOARD SELECT 3+ KINDS OF CHEESE ADD SOME CURED MEATS ADD SOMETHING SAVORY ADD SOMETHING SWEET DON’T FORGET THE SPICE OFFER BREAD & CRACKERS DRIED FRUIT, NUTS & SEEDS VEGETABLE DIPS OR HUMMUS FRESH HERBS & EDIBLE FLOWERS CREATIVITY & IMAGINATION
Charcuterie boards first became popular in 15th century France and have been on 5-star menus and served at swanky shindigs for centuries. Now, thanks to social media, the concept of creating artistic food boards is trending. An authentic charcuterie board is truly a work of art with a curated array of flavor profiles that is also visually appealing. These edible works of art are piled high with cured meats, cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts, and more, and when done right, they look effortless. Putting together a show-stopping charcuterie board worthy of a viral internet moment is simple but not easy. Magnolia Milk Maids in Vicksburg creates customized sweet and savory charcuterie boards in all shapes and sizes. What started as a hobby has become a thriving Mississippi small business. Since I am still learning to master the craft of charcuterie, I went to the professionals to learn the basics. “The perfect charcuterie board needs to contain at least five elements,” said Lauren DeRossette, co-founder of Magnolia Milk Maids. “Starting with cheese! Use at least three different kinds of cheese, one being a domestic cheese that everyone is familiar with, like cheddar or Monterey. Add in a savory element with salami, pepperoni, olives, and nuts.” “Walnuts pair well with various cheeses. Provide a sweet bite from artisan chocolates, fresh local honey, or seasonal fruits. Go unexpected and add spice with spicy cheese, or spicy soppressata, to your favorite pepper jelly. An artisan bread or cracker gives something to scoop all of it up with!” Leigh Arnold, a co-founder of Magnolia Milk Maids, has additional tips to get you started if you need further inspiration.
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Photo of cheese boards provided by Magnolia Milk Maids
“A delicious spread that will please everyone is as easy as going to your local grocery store. I recommend a combination of well-known and specialty meats and cheeses. Pair pepper jack with a BellaVitano merlot soaked or an aged cheddar,” Arnold said. “Boar’s Head pit craft turkey compliments pepperoni and salami, and it is a meat option most guests will enjoy. “Fresh fruits and vegetables add color and crunch while citruses act as a palate cleanser, so include lemon wedges or orange slices. Vegetable dips or roasted pine nut hummus are always a crowd-pleaser.” A charcuterie board offers an answer to “What can I bring?” this holiday season. Pair your creativity and food favorites with Mississippi’s charcuterie influencers’ advice, and you’ll have an aesthetically pleasing and delicious spread.
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.
INGREDIENTS 1 (16-ounce) container cottage cheese 1 (14 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained 4 roasted garlic cloves 1 teaspoon sea salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper fresh herbs olive oil In the bowl of a large food processor, place cottage cheese, drained beans, garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. If necessary, scrape down sides and blend another minute. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs such as thyme and parsley, drizzle with a little olive oil if desired. Serve with fresh vegetables or crackers. Dip can be made 1-2 days ahead of time. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Recipe credits: The Dairy Chef, Rebecca Egsieker
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mississippi seen
mississippi is...
events
mississippi marketplace onEvents theopenmenu outdoors today to the public will be published free of charge as space allows. Submit details at least two months prior to the event date. Submissions must include a phone number with area code for publication. Email to news@ecm.coop. scene around the ‘sip picture this Events are subject to change or cancelation due to COVID-19. Please confi rm details before traveling. opinion co-op involvement Christmas Lights at Landrum’s my Christmas in Columbia. Nov. 20-Jan. 1. Columbia. Homestead. Lakeside Treasures. Dec. 4. Columbus. Arts and crafts Outdoor ice-skating rink. Christmas lights will shine after dark. Rides and booths open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Lightshows and music will continue daily through the season at the top of each evening hour. Parade of Lights on Dec. 4 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Will feature dozens of decorated floats. Uplifting live music for the Light Your World event on Dec. 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Dec. 31, there will be live music and fireworks for New Year’s Eve. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. and go until midnight. Tickets $15. Details: www.experiencecolumbiams.com.
Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18. Laurel. Take a Christmas
bazaar presented by The Friends of Lake Lowndes.
with Santa and a tour of the working homestead with more than 85 buildings. Hot chocolate, a marshmallow roast, funnel cakes and the open Smokehouse will be available. Tickets are $10. Children 3 and under are free. 1356 Highway 15 South. Details: 601-649-2546. Landrums.com.
662-549-0190.
tour of the past with thousands of Christmas to 2 p.m. Lake Lowndes State Park. 3319 southern gardeningwalking grin ‘n’ bare 8Lake ita.m.Lowndes lights. There will be Christmas music, Photos Road. Details: 205-399-1248 or
Trees of Christmas at Merrehope. Nov. 21-Dec. 30. Meridian. Two historic homes elaborately decorated including more than 40 trees and festive exhibits. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on four Sundays — Nov. 21, 28 and Dec. 5 and 12. 905 MLK Drive. Details: 601-483-8439.
The Life of Christ. Dec. 3. Monticello. Drive through presentation features volunteers from local churches depicting scenes from the life of Christ from birth to resurrection. A CD with music and scripture accompanies each scene. Atwood Water Park. 1362 E. Broad St. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Details: Email Kelsey Wells at wellskelsey2@gmail.com.
Carl Jackson’s 23rd Annual Home for Christmas. Dec. 18. Louisville. Benefit for the restoration of the historic Strand Theater. Featuring Larry Cordle, Jerry Salley, Val Storey, Bradley Walker, Johnny Rawls, and Issac Moore. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows. First Methodist Church Christian Life Center, 300 West Main Street. Details: 662-773-3921. The Inspirations in concert. Jan. 22. Petal. First Baptist Church of Runnelstown will host the group at 7 p.m. A love offering will be received. 9211 Highway 42. Details: 601-583-3733.
And we think you’re going to love ours. As a member of an electric cooperative, you can help guide our future as we efficiently deliver affordable, reliable and safe energy.
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their eyes! Well, actually not. There wasn’t even a decent road connecting Jackson to the outside world for four years, and the railroad didn’t come through until the 1840s. The new location was so remote and isolated that for the first 10 years of Jackson’s existence, every time the Legislature met, they proposed moving the capital elsewhere. In 1832, the constitutional convention declared Jackson would remain the capital city until at least 1850. Following that time, lawmakers would take another look at the situation. The thing is, by 1850, people were more or less used to the idea of Jackson as the state capital. But it wasn’t until the 1920s that Jackson finally had more people living in it than in Meridian. When Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman occupied Jackson during the Civil War, the government moved to Columbus and Macon. The original furniture from the Governor’s Mansion was lost at Macon. But after the war everything gravitated back to Jackson — except the Governor’s furniture. So, Jackson it has been for 200 years. And the city celebrates its existence over the next year for both being the capital in the first place, and managing to stay the capital.
by Walt Grayson Walt Grayson is the host of “Mississippi Roads” on Mississippi Public Broadcasting television and the author of two “Looking Around Mississippi” books and “Oh! That Reminds Me: More Mississippi Homegrown Stories.” Walt is also a reporter and 4 p.m. news anchor at WJTV in Jackson. He lives in Brandon and is a Central Electric member. Contact him at walt@waltgrayson.com.
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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 Requestedw
The most unlikely city in the state is celebrating its 200th birthday in 2022, starting right now, during the holiday season of 2021. Jackson is the “unlikely city” because the capital city was not supposed to be there. And if members of the early state Legislature had had their way, Jackson wouldn’t be the capital today. The very first capital of the Mississippi Territory was Natchez. But there was an element in government that thought there was too much “river” influence in Natchez, so they moved the capital to Washington, about six miles away. I guess six miles was a lot farther then than it is now. When Mississippi became a state, Natchez once again became the seat of government. But the capital needed to be more centrally located. So, in 1821, Columbia became the capital. That’s where the Legislature appointed a three-member commission to find a site in the dead center of the state for the permanent capital. Well, turns out, the dead center of Mississippi was a swamp. So, the commission started inching southwest along the Pearl River until they came to the bluff where Louis LeFleur had a trading post. It wasn’t the center of the state, but it met the other requirements — high ground near a navigable river, good drinking water, and soil rich for growing. Lawmakers planted their stake at LeFleur’s Bluff and created the new capital city and named it named Jackson, in honor of Andrew Jackson, war hero of the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. He had not been elected president yet. A new state house was built in Jackson, and the Legislature met there for the first time in December 1822. And people flocked to the new “Emerald City” with hopes and dreams and stars in
FOR THE MEMBERS OF
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