Today in Mississippi May 2025 Coahoma

Mississippi’s other ‘King’

When we think of kings and music in Mississippi, we often conjure images of Tupelo’s favorite son.

Elvis Presley was indeed the “King of Rock and Roll.”

But the world would not have had an Elvis Presley — or rock and roll for that matter — without the blues. Ground zero for this distinctly American artform was Mississippi. It’s impossible to have a conversation about Mississippi blues without talking about B.B. King.

Had he lived long enough, King would have turned 100 this year.

A decade ago this month, King, 89, died following years of health struggles with diabetes.

Although he was born in Berclair and spent his earliest years near Itta Bena, King considered Indianola his hometown. It was in Indianola where his body laid in state for mourners to pay their last respects back in 2015. Indianola is also home to the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, where blues and King fans from all

over the world visit to learn about where King came from, what he went through, and how he impacted the world with his mesmerizing singing and guitar playing.

For this month’s issue, we visited the museum; a beautiful tribute to a legendary life dedicated to one of this country’s truest and purest creative mediums.

But why should we let blues tourists and King fans from the UK, France, and Belgium have all the fun?

As Mississippians, we should visit to learn about King, Mississippi, the blues, and — in some ways — ourselves.

We hope you enjoy the issue.

by Michael Callahan

Executive Vice President/CEO Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi

Earth’s Bounty + First Saturday The MAX • May 3

Bud N’ Boilin’ Singing Brakeman Park May 3

Meridian Symphony Beethoven & Blue Jeans MSU Riley Center • May 3

Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival Downtown Meridian • May 12–18

Dailey & Vincent MSU Riley Center May 22 Thank You Please Come Again: How Gas Stations Feed & Fuel the American South Exhibit at The MAX On display through June 21

The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi

Vol. 78 No. 05

OFFICERS

Brian Hughey - President

Brian Long - First Vice President

Shawn Edmondson - Second Vice President

Brian Clark - Secretary/Treasurer

Michael Callahan - Executive Vice President/CEO

EDITORIAL STAFF

Lydia Walters - VP, Communications

Steven Ward - Editor

Chad Calcote - Creative Director

Kevin Wood - Graphic Designer

Alan Burnitt - Graphic Designer

Jill Sowell - Graphic Designer

Chris Alexander - Member Services Coordinator

Andy Tuccio - Media Solutions Director

Steve Temple - Social Media Director

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: 485,749

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 o ce. The publisher (and/or its agent) reserves the right to refuse or edit all advertising. The magazine is published for members of subscribing co-ops. The magazine is a bene t of membership.

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

Outdoors Today

While in college, we amused ourselves without spending much money that we didn’t have by throwing Frisbees at trees, road signs, mailboxes, and other objects.

We even had friendly little competitions to see who could hit the object in the fewest throws. That was more than 40 years ago. Since then, disc golf exploded exponentially across the world.

“I started playing disc golf about six years ago,” recalls Damon Parker of Petal, former president of the 1,900-member Hattiesburg Disc Golf Association. “I just planned to play casually with some friends, and it developed into competing in tournaments.”

“To start the game, players come to a T-pad and throw discs at a basket,” Parker said. “The disc must go into the basket. Anything else counts as a stroke. Like in golf with a ball, the object is to go from the T-pad into the basket with the fewest strokes.”

To start the game, players come to a T-pad and throw discs at a basket. The disc must go into the basket. Anything else counts as a stroke. Like in golf with a ball, the object is to go from the T-pad into the basket with the fewest strokes.

Disc golf generally follows the rules of golf with a ball. The major di erence, disc golfers try to put their discs into baskets 24 inches in diameter instead of hitting a ball into a hole.

Players throw di erent types of discs. Use fairway drivers from the T-pad to get the most distance to the basket. Use mid-range discs for throws of about 200 feet or less and putters for shorter throws on the greens.

“People used to go to parks and move garbage cans around to serve as baskets if they didn’t have a real course,” Parker said. “Now, we have courses all over the state. Most Mississippi state parks have courses. Disc golf is a sport that people of all ages can play alone or with a group. In our club in Hattiesburg, we have players from 12 years old to folks in their 70s.”

“As years of weekly changing menus passed, we felt limited by the available produce. My partner Adrienne and I were on vacation in Fiji when we visited an organic farm that was a garden of Eden with almost unlimited unusual edible and medicinal plants. On the flight back, we decided to look for a property where we could create our own little food paradise. That was about 2017 when we were on the trip, and we bought the Mississippi farm in 2018,” Foundas said.

Because Foundas’s restaurant focuses on zero waste cooking and complex flavors, fermentation is a key aspect of the process.

“For example, at the end of a weekly menu, we may have extra brussels sprouts and roast corn. So, we might make brussels sprout kimchee and roast corn miso,” Foundas said.

The Tiki Food Lab and Education Center is not just about fueling the menus of the restaurant. There are food experiences open to the public at the Pearlington facility, including a farm tour, cooking classes, and chef-curated meals based on di erent topics.

“We have done classes on miso making, introduction to fermentation, wine and vinegar making, and barbecue techniques from around the world. We have also had events featuring well known neurologists discussing the synergy between the micro biome and brain function — and then prepared a meal that provides food for thought! Another event is the poetry menu, where the guests prepare an eight-line poem that turns into their eight-course menu,” he said.

The reaction from the public has been positive.

“People seem to be really interested in foods that make you healthy and boost your immune system, which is what fermented and organic foods do. Plus, an evening at the Tiki Farm is like being on vacation in the South Pacific, but just a short drive from New Orleans, Biloxi, or Picayune,” Foundas said.

Although Foundas spends most weekdays at the restaurant, his weekends are spent in Pearlington at the farm.

“I’m originally from New Orleans and have been visiting the Gulf Coast since I was a child, so I have an a nity for the area. We love the proximity to the coast, the beauty of the bayou, and the interest in business development from Hancock County.”

For more information about the farm, visit tikifoodlab.com or call 504-338-2986.

Transition, celebration, and new beginnings

by Qua’Shara Monix

May is a month of transformation, marking the transition from the freshness of spring to the warmth of summer. The weather is comfortably warm, but not too hot, making it perfect for outdoor adventures. Gardens burst with color, trees are lush and green; birds are more active, filling the air with cheerful songs, while the scent of fresh-cut grass signals that summer is just around the corner.

For many young athletes, May signals the beginning of summer baseball. Little League and youth baseball programs swing into full gear, bringing excitement to fields across neighborhoods. Kids in their uniforms, eager to hit the diamond, improve their skills, and make new friends. Parents cheer from the sidelines, enjoying the return of America’s pastime and the sense of community it brings.

May is a significant month for students, as it is often the time for graduation ceremonies. Whether it’s high school, college, or even kindergarten, graduation represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Families gather to celebrate achievements, and graduates prepare to embark on new journeys, some stepping into the

workforce and others continuing their education. It’s a time of pride, reflection, and anticipation for what the future holds.

One of the most solemn and meaningful observances in May is Memorial Day, which takes place on the last Monday of the month. This federal holiday honors the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. military. Many families visit cemeteries to place flags and flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers. Communities hold parades and ceremonies to remember and pay tribute to these heroes. It’s also a time when people gather with loved ones, often marking the uno cial start of summer with barbecues and outdoor gatherings.

Embrace the spirit of May that’s filled with change, celebration, and anticipation. From the beauty of the season to the joy of graduation, from honoring heroes on Memorial Day to the crack of the baseball bat on the field, May o ers something for everyone. As we embrace the warmth and promise of the coming summer, we find ourselves inspired by the sense of renewal and the endless possibilities ahead.

Besides the potential for lineworker injuries, roadside accidents can also damage or destroy expensive service vehicles, reducing a co-op’s ability to respond to outages and other problems.

The design of today’s vehicles contributes to distraction. Many vehicles have complex controls for entertainment and climate that demand the driver take their eyes o the road to make even simple adjustments.

Geography can also be a factor. Co-ops serving rural and remote areas often have power lines along twisty and hilly roads. Locals accustomed to driving those roads at fairly high speeds may be startled and have little time to react when they encounter a work crew past a hill or around a curve.

Besides the potential for lineworker injuries, accidents can also damage or destroy expensive service vehicles, reducing a co-op’s ability to respond to outages and other problems. Power poles and other infrastructure may also su er severe damage.

Additionally, many of the tasks performed by lineworkers, such as reconnecting high-voltage power lines, are inherently dangerous and require their complete focus. When their attention is distracted by speeding or noisy vehicles, they’re more likely to make mistakes that can complicate the repair or cause injury.

Nor are co-op employees at risk only when their vehicles are parked and repairs are underway. Lineworkers frequently have to drive slowly along the shoulder of roads to pinpoint broken power lines or failed transformers, especially in darkness or conditions that interfere with visibility.

Many state transportation agencies have work zone awareness programs. Amplifying those e orts by devoting part of a co-op’s advertising, publicity, and social media reminds co-op members and other drivers of the importance of giving lineworkers a wide berth.

Co-ops are considering ways they can modify bucket trucks and other service vehicles to make them more visible. Bright colors and additional lighting such as flashing strobe lights and lighted detour arrows can attract attention from a distance. Reflective “work zone ahead” signs can also alert drivers to be ready for an unusual situation. Sometimes, a little bit of extra attention is all that’s needed to prevent a serious incident.

For more than four decades, business writer Scott Flood has worked with electric cooperatives to build knowledge of energy-related issues among directors, sta and members.

Mississippi’s “Move Over” law

Mississippi’s “Move Over” law was passed to safeguard law enforcement, fire, highway construction workers, and utility crews and vehicles.

According to the law, motorists passing a utility vehicle must slow down and yield the right-of-way by changing lanes, keeping at least one empty lane where possible. If a lane change is impossible, a driver must slow down and be prepared to stop.

Violators may be fined up to $250 for failing to comply and up to $1,000 if there is damage to the o cial vehicle or injury to any driver or passenger of an o cial vehicle.

Co-ops serving rural and remote areas often have power lines along twisty roads. Locals accustomed to driving those roads at fairly high speeds may be startled and have little time to react when they encounter a work crew around a curve.

What does “beat the peak” mean, and why should I care about it?

AElectricity generation and energy supply must match consumption in real time to ensure safe, reliable power. Every moment of every day, an entire workforce monitors energy use, adjusting power plant production up or down as needed to keep the grid balanced.

As energy demand grows, all of us can do our part to use less. To put this in perspective, peak electricity demand is expected to increase by 38 gigawatts over the next four years, according to the Energy Information Administration. That’s like adding another California to our nation’s power grid.

Peak time varies for each electric utility but typically occurs in the morning when people get ready for the day and in the evening when they return home from work and school. During these times, we turn on lights, cook, adjust the thermostat, run the dishwasher, and do laundry — to name just a few energy-consuming activities.

Typically, the price of power increases when demand is higher. Reducing your electric use during peak times can help lower market prices for everyone and lessen stress on the electric grid.

Electric cooperatives set electric rates to cover costs. Some utilities have time-ofuse rates that reflect higher costs during peak demand periods. Whether you have time-of-use rates or not, these tips can help keep costs down for your utility and establish o -peak energy habits.

When your cooperative talks about “beat the peak,” it is a call to action for energy consumers to reduce electricity use during periods of highest demand. Using less energy during peak times can ease the strain on the electric grid, benefit your co-op, and sometimes lower your electric bill.

As a general rule, I try to spread out my use of equipment and appliances. For example, I avoid washing dishes and clothes, and cooking all at the same time. Running a lot of hot water will cause your water heater to use more energy, too.

Increasing the energy e ciency of your home can lower its impact on the grid. Weatherize windows and doors and add insulation to improve the comfort of your home. You can also consider upgrading to energy e cient appliances or using energy-saving features on your existing appliances.

If you haven’t already, switch your incandescent lighting to LEDs, which use at least 75% less electricity and last up to 25 times longer, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. There are many a ordable options on the market.

Schedule your dishwasher run time. My dishwasher, which is several years old, has a “delay start” button. This is also handy if your dishwasher is loud. Setting it to start after you go to bed shifts that energy consumption to o -peak hours, and you don’t have to hear it.

Still haven’t made the switch to LED lighting? You could be using at least 75% less electricity with LED bulbs.

Running your washing machine and dryer during o -peak hours can help, too. If you’re in the market for a new washer or dryer, look for a model with a high Integrated Modified Energy Factor and a low Integrated Water Factor to save water and energy.

Also, consider switching your charging habits for all devices to opeak hours. If you have an electric vehicle, use the scheduled charge settings. You’ll plug in your vehicle when you get home, and it will start charging automatically during the o -peak hours you choose.

Small changes at home can make a big di erence to the energy grid. Incorporate these energy-wise habits into your daily routine.

Miranda Boutelle is the chief operating o cer at E ciency Services Group in Oregon, a cooperatively owned energy e ciency company.

If Your Hands, Arms, Feet, or Legs Are Numb - If You Feel Shooting or Burning Pain or An Electric Sensation - You Are at Risk

Get The Help You Need - Here's What You Need to Know...

Purvis, MS - If you experience numbness or tingling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet or if you experience shooting or burning pain, this is important.

Please read this carefully

Peripheral Neuropathy is when small blood vessels in the hands, arms, feet or legs become diseased and tiny nerves that keep the cells and muscles working properly shrivel up and die.

Early-warning symptoms include tingling and numbness, mild loss of feeling in your hands, arms, legs or feet, inability to feel your feet, which increases your risk of foot-injury and falling

More Advanced Symptoms Include...

Loss of coordination & dexterity, which puts you at increased risk of accidents

Inability to feel clothing like socks and gloves

High risk of falling, which makes walking dangerous, and makes you more dependent on others

Burning sensations in your arms, legs, hands or feet that may start mild, but as nerves and muscles die, may feel like you're being burned by a blow torch.

Ignore the early warning signals long enough and you risk progressive nerve damage leading to muscle wasting, severe pain, loss of balance and a lot of staying at home wishing you didn't hurt

When every step is like walking on hot coals, sitting still may be the only thing you feel like doing But there's little joy in sitting still all day long

Now here's the scary part....

Nerve damage CAUSES cell damage Cell damage SPEEDS UP nerve degeneration

Without treatment this can become a DOWN-WARD SPIRAL that accelerates.

The damage can get worse fast Mild symptoms intensify Slight tingling, numbness or lack of feeling can turn into burning pain.

Before you know it, damage can become so bad you hurt all the time

Unless this downward spiral is stopped and nerves return to proper function - the damage to nerves and cells in the affected area can get so bad your muscles begin to die right along with the nerves and cells. And that sets the stage for weakness, loss of mobility, disability, and dependence on others.

If you have early warning signs of peripheral neuropathy, (tingling &/or numbness, loss of feeling or pain) it's CRITICAL you get proper treatment

It's critical, because with proper treatment the symptoms can often be reversed Without it, you are playing Russian Roulette with your health

Once your nerve loss reaches 85%, odds are there's nothing any doctor can do to help.

The most common method your doctor may recommend to treat neuropathy is prescription drugs

Drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, & Neurontin are often prescribed to manage the pain But, damaged nerves and dying cells do not heal on their own

Pain pills do not restore healthy nerve function. They just mask the pain as the nerves continue to degenerate and cells and muscle continue to die.

Taking endless drugs and suffering terrible side effects that may damage your liver & kidney and create even more problems, is not a reasonable path. You deserve better. Three things must be determined to effectively treat neuropathy 1) What is the underlying cause? 2) How much nerve damage has been sustained? 3) How much treatment your condition will require?

With proper treatment, shriveled blood vessels grow back & nerves can return to proper function How much treatment you may need depends on your condition

At Purvis Chiropractic we do a complete neuropathy sensitivity exam to determine the extent of your nerve damage The exam includes a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, & a detailed analysis of the findings.

Dr Rob Acord, D C will be offering this complete neuropathy sensitivity exam for $47 This special offer goes away at the end of this month as we have a limited number of exam appointments available

Stop Hurting & Start Healing

Call

As King ascended the ranks to headliner at juke joints across the American South, he continued racking up hit singles and earning praise from young rock ‘n’ rollers. But “The Thrill is Gone” made him a household name and ushered him onto the most prestigious stages in the world. He used this platform to entertain as well as educate about the Civil Rights Movement. For nearly 40 years, his annual homecoming concert celebrated the life and work of activist Medgar Evers, who was killed in his driveway in Jackson in 1963. King held those shows at Club Ebony, a famed chitlin’ circuit club he played throughout his career, and which he eventually bought and gifted to the museum.

Later in his life, King worked intentionally to make the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center tell not only his story but also set it in its native context of growing up African American in the Jim Crow South. He wanted visitors to learn about the struggles he and others like him endured and overcame.

Exhibits set the scene as he grew up in Mississippi, but the lens widens with artifacts from his early touring days such as ledgers with entries on how much money he was paid and various expenses. Tucked into a corner of one of those exhibits is a particularly telling piece, a travel mess kit one of his drummers carried for occasions when they couldn’t get service at whites-only restaurants.

But as segregation laws fell and American society integrated, the venues King and his band could play expanded. To wit, the final exhibit at the museum features one of his tour buses that carried them more than a million miles.

Sometimes, he even brought his family along for the ride. While on a weeklong European tour in 1998 that routed them to countries like France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, Williams got a thrill of her own from seeing her father perform on stage for adoring fans.

“I would just be overwhelmed at the crowds of people, the young people who would be completely excited about him,” Williams says. “They were shouting, ‘B.B., we love you!’ and that seemed to just inspire him to even play harder. It just amazed me.”

King’s passing on May 14, 2015, from complications caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, months shy of his 90th birthday, impacted people far beyond the music community. Thousands attended his funeral procession as he traveled Beale Street one last time and lined Highway 61 for the final leg of his journey home to Indianola, where he laid in state in the cotton gin where he once worked, now a wing of his namesake museum. More than 4,000

mourners, including famous friends like blues guitarist Buddy Guy, attended his visitation.

“People drove from all over to come pay their respects to him that day,” says Malika Polk-Lee, the museum’s executive director. “It was a continuous line, and we had to have help from the state troopers for security on top of the local police force. And it was a hot Delta summer day, but people didn’t care. They stood in line until they got a chance to view him and pay their final respects.”

People love the music, which is what draws them to him, but if you have a man who will stay ‘til 3 o’clock in the morning to sign your poster, your jacket, your album cover, your ticket, and have a conversation and make you feel that connection with him — that is why he has fans that have stood the test of time. It was the man himself and the sincere connection he made with his fans.

For all the thrills King brought fans through his music and performances, Polk-Lee believes the measure of the man himself keeps people coming back to Indianola to rediscover his legacy. Almost as much as the music he created.

“Everyone talks about his character, and I think that is how he created lifelong fans,” she says.

“People love the music, which is what draws them to him, but if you have a man who will stay ‘til 3 o’clock in the morning to sign your poster, your jacket, your album cover, your ticket, and have a conversation and make you feel that connection with him — that is why he has fans that have stood the test of time. It was the man himself and the sincere connection he made with his fans.”

For the Love of the Game

‘McNelis Strong’

At the age of 15, Joye Lee-McNelis knew that she wanted to play college basketball.

She even knew what college she wanted to play for. “I always knew I wanted to play for Southern Miss,” Lee-McNelis said recently.

Lee-McNelis just completed her 21st and final season as head coach of the Southern Miss Lady Golden Eagles. She announced her retirement in February.

The daughter of Louis and Nell Lee grew up in the community of Leetown in Hancock County. Her parents were the first to put a basketball in her hands. They were also some of her first coaches.

“I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home. We lived a pretty simple life. We went to church and played basketball. As soon as the chores and schoolwork were completed, we were out shooting hoops,” Lee-McNelis said.

Lee-McNelis played basketball with the boys in her early years. She would attend high school at Hancock North Central. “I was fortunate to have great teammates and coaches in high school. Every time I attend the state championships; I still remember the great victories.”

Hancock North Central went to the state tournament all four years she was in high school and won two state championships. She is still the school’s all-time leading scorer. Hancock North Central retired her jersey — No. 14 — in 1993.

Her journey to Southern Miss began in 1980 as a player for Kay James. Her winning success in high school followed Lee-McNelis to college. The Lady Golden Eagles appeared in their first ever

postseason in 1981 during Lee-McNelis’ freshman year. She left four seasons later as the second highest scorer in school history with 1,510 points.

Following her career as a player, Lee-McNelis began coaching at Southwest Texas State, which is known today as Texas State University. After two years, Lee-McNelis was brought back to Southern Miss by coach Kay James in 1986. She quickly became known as one of the best recruiters in the country.

During her five seasons as an assistant, the Lady Eagles went to three NCAA Tournaments and won 103 games. That success earned Lee-McNelis a reputation of an up and comer in the coaching profession.

Makes 1 9x13 cake

INGREDIENTS

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

6 tablespoons cocoa

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2⁄3 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 cups cold water

Beat all ingredients together until smooth. Pour into an ungreased 9x13 baking pan and bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 30 minutes. (I do spray the dish with cooking spray)

I found this recipe in some of my mom’s ‘stuff,’ and I’m not sure where she got her copy of it. Similar recipes have been called by names such as Wacky Cake, World War II Cake, and Depression Cake.

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon melted butter

1 to 2 thin slices deli ham

2 eggs

½ tablespoon whipped cream cheese (or 2 tablespoons of heavy cream)

1 tablespoon melty cheese, your choice (string, mozzarella, cheddar)

Makes 1 serving

Brush a shallow ramekin (6-ounce small ovenproof bowl will work) with melted butter. Line the dish with the ham. Crack the eggs carefully over ham, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes until the egg starts to set. Remove from oven and top with cheese and the cream cheese/heavy cream. Return to oven until eggs set (don’t overcook) and cheese melts. Serve immediately from the ramekin or lift out onto a plate.

Makes a ½ gallon

4 single serving black tea bags (use 2 family size if you like)

2 quarts water

1 cup sugar

Bring 1 quart of water to a rolling boil. Turn off the heat and drop in 4 single cup size black tea bags and soak in water for 5 minutes. Pour hot tea over 1 cup of sugar in a heat-proof pitcher. Add 1 quart of cold water and stir. Cool down completely, then chill in fridge before serving over ice.

I learned to make sweet tea in high school home economics class. I didn’t cook much in those days, but the chore of making tea and coffee for supper fell on me. I was thankful to Ms. Hudson in those days for being very specific about how to make it “properly.”

by Vicki Leach

Vicki Leach is a full-time chef/culinary instructor at Mississippi State University in the Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion. She teaches Science of Food Preparation, Foodservice Organization, and Quantity Food Production. She lives in a 130-year-old farmhouse that speaks to her old soul.

Events

Events open 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. Events are subject to change.

Dianne Holloman Memorial Farmer’s Market. May 3. June 7. Quitman. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Quitman Depot, 100 South Railroad Ave. The market will feature fruits and vegetables, home baked breads, honey, jams and jellies, crafts, homemade goods, and plants and garden items for sale. There will also be live entertainment and food vendors. Details: 601-776-5701.

Antiques and Collectible Barn Sale. May 2 and 3. Purvis. 4799 Old Highway 11 (Oak Grove area). From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 85 collectors with trailer loads of antiques, collectibles, advertising signs, glassware, railroad, wagon wheels, bells, primitives, anvils, crocks, advertising signs, furniture, tools, cast iron, tractor seats, old bottles, old windows and doors, jewelry, and coins. There will be a concession stand. Parking is $2 for both days. Details: 601-818-5886 or 601-794-7462.

Arts on Beulah Festival. May 3. Tylertown. Presented by the Walthall County Arts Council, the inaugural downtown festival begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. The festival will feature live entertainment, food and shopping opportunities, arts and crafts vendors, and a children’s activity area. The festival is looking for vendors to participate. Details: 504-458-4788 or email Susan.Appeldorn@walthallcountyarts.org.

The Covington County Chamber of Commerce Annual Okatoma Festival. May 3. Collins. The downtown, free festival is held around the historic Courthouse from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The festival kicks-off with a 5-K run/walk and 1-mile children’s fun run. Activities include arts and crafts, food, a parade, antique car show, quilt exhibit, children’s park, health fair, and live entertainment featuring Jason Arnold and The Bird Dogs. Details: 601-765-6012 or visit covingtonchamber.com.

Divide Memorial M.P. Church Springfest. May 10. Monticello. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at 8 Divide Rd., 11 miles south of Monticello. Food, arts and crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, door prizes, an auction, a blood drive, and a car show will be available to visitors. Details: 601-405-4975.

Barnyard Marketplace Mother’s Day Extravaganza. May 10. Poplarville. The marketplace will be held at 295 Buck Kirkland Rd. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come shop the vendors in an open field. Off street parking. Crafts, food trucks, woodwork, plants, jewelry, baked goods, boutiques, jams/jellies, honey, quail eggs, soaps, and candles. A chance to win a Mother’s Day basket valued at over $350. Details: 504-234-3579.

Jackson Coffee Festival. May 10. Jackson. The first ever festival will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. at the Mississippi Trade Mart on the Mississippi State Fair Grounds. More than a dozen specialty coffee roasters will pour samples of their best brews. Tickets are $10. Parking is free. Details: 504-813-4656 or visit jacksoncoffeefestival.com.

History Alive at Landrum’s Homestead. May 10. Laurel. Experience history with interesting demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages. Antique engines, wood carvers, broom makers, pony rides, soldier encampments, blacksmiths, gem mining, and homemade ice cream available. Admission is $12. Children 3 and under are free. Landrum’s Homestead and Village is located at 1356 Highway 15 South. Details: 601-649-2546 or visit landrums.com.

Harrison County Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show. May 17 and 18. Biloxi. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 17 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 18. The event will feature vendors, exhibits, and children’s activities. Jappa Shriner Center, 13280 Shriners Blvd. Admission is $6 for 12 and over. There is a $1 coupon on show’s website and Facebook page. Details: 601-947-7245 or 205-296-3779.

Gulf Coast Military Relics, Antique Arms, and Collectible Show. May 23 and 24. Biloxi. Historical military artifacts and relics from all periods and all wars bought, sold, and traded. Firearms, swords, daggers, bayonets, uniforms, helmets, medals, insignia, flags, books, photos, currency, old bottles, and other collectibles will be available. May 23 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Joppa Shriners’ Center, 13280 Shriner’s Blvd. Admission is $7. Parking is free. Details: 228-224-1120 and 228-860-3575.

Big Gospel Singing Jubilee. May 31. Magee. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Magee High School Auditorium. The concert will feature the Hinson Family, Terry Joe Terrell, Tim Frith and the Gospel Echoes, and Revelations. Details: 601-906-0677.

Frost Bridge Camp Meeting. July 18-27. Waynesboro. The camp is located at 1455 Matherville Frost Bridge Road. The camp is a Bible-based family camp that meets once a year. Very reasonable rates for dining hall meals, boys’ and girls’ dorms, and newly remodeled hotel rooms for adults. Join us for service or come stay the whole week. Bible study daily at 9 a.m. in small groups for all ages. Morning worship begins at 10:30 a.m. and evening worship starts at 7 p.m. We have music led by the Isbell Family and enlightening preaching by nationally known evangelists, Rev. Friedeman and Rev. Womack. Youth rate to stay the entire 10 days is only $200. Hotel rooms beginning at $25 a night and RV with full hookups for $25 per day. Details: 205-292-9176 or visit frostbridgecamp.com.

The old proverb says, “April showers bring May flowers.”

I checked Google to find out where that saying came from. Google cites a poem published in 1557 — “A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry” by Thomas Trusser. The poem is online. I gave reading it a shot. It is written in old English and reminds me a lot of the original version of Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” which is also written in a version of English that is very di erent from the language that has evolved down to us.

In one of my classes at Mississippi College, we had to memorize as many lines of the introduction to “The Canterbury Tales” in Old English as possible. The more we could recite, the higher our grade. There was a recording of a reading of it in the library. That’s how we learned the poem. That was before the internet and downloading. We couldn’t even order a personal copy from Amazon back then. It’s a wonder we graduated at all.

The reading sounded to me like just a string of syllables. I could pick out a word that I recognized every now and again. But I had to take by faith that what I was hearing was English.

I still remember some of it. I can recite up to about as far as the line referring to “swish liquor,” which pretty much translates to “April showers” in the context of the poem. That was good enough for a “B.”

So here we are, standing on the verge of the time of year when the “April showers bring May flowers” equation gets put to the test. We’ve had plenty of showers this year. Of course, the big drought two summers ago and the deep cold snaps the past two winters have taken their tolls. But “spring hopes eternal” to invert a phrase making it fit this time of year.

Thinking of drought reminds me of a story my mother told me about. I shot that story for a television segment. This was so many years ago I can’t even remember the name of the couple involved. But they were an older couple who had a big yard full of azaleas in the Dorsey community of Itawamba County. The azaleas were beautiful. I asked them if they were hard to maintain. The gentleman said he had to water them occasionally. His wife chimed in and told me watering was an understatement. She said the previous summer had been dry and

one day they got a water bill for $500. She asked her husband about it, and he told her he had been watering the azaleas. He said, “I couldn’t let ‘um die, could I?” To which she answered, “If we get one more water bill for $500, I’ll die!”

So, if we keep getting dry summers, we’ll have to add to the old saying, “April showers and August waterings bring next year’s May flowers.”

by Walt Grayson

at walt@waltgrayson.com.

Download a free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

Look for “ECM Legislative Roster” in the Apple App Store. An Android version is also available through the Google Play Store.

The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi o ers an easy-to-use mobile app, which provides information on Mississippi’s state and federal elected o cials.