Today in Mississippi May 2025 East

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

Try Rockin’ Salvia

If you’re looking for plants that are easy to grow, bloom nonstop, and attract a flurry of pollinators, let me introduce you to two standout salvias: Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink. These vibrant, long-blooming beauties not only add stunning color to the garden but also provide essential nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

Rockin’ Deep Purple is an absolute showstopper with bold, velvety, deep purple blooms. The tubular flowers emerge from nearly black calyxes, creating a striking contrast that intensifies their rich color. Arranged in a whorled pattern along tall, upright spikes, the blooms add a dramatic architectural element to the garden.

This salvia reaches 2 to 3 feet in height and commands attention, whether planted in garden beds or containers.

Unplugged Pink o ers a softer yet equally captivating presence.

Its delicate pink, tubular flowers bloom profusely on sturdy, upright spikes, standing out beautifully against the backdrop of deep-green foliage. They emerge from dark calyxes, which accentuate their soft pink hue.

Beyond their beauty, these blossoms serve as an irresistible nectar source for pollinators.

The foliage adds to the plant’s appeal, with lance-shaped, slightly serrated leaves that release a pleasant fragrance when you brush against them. At a slightly more compact height than Rockin’ Deep Purple, this variety fits well in both garden beds and containers.

Both of these salvias are heat- and drought-tolerant, making them excellent choices for warm climates. They thrive in full sun, needing at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day to produce their best blooms.

During extreme heat or dry spells, give them an occasional deep watering to keep them looking their best. Apply a balanced, slowrelease fertilizer in spring to give them a strong start. I advise supplementing this with a liquid bloom booster every few weeks during peak flowering periods.

While these salvias are self-cleaning and don’t require deadheading to continue blooming, I like to trim back spent flowers occasionally to encourage fresh growth. A light midsummer pruning helps maintain their bushy, compact shape.

Most people in the South grow Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink as annuals. However, with protection, these resilient plants can sometimes survive a mild winter.

When it comes to companion planting, they pair beautifully with plants that enhance their rich colors and attract even more pollinators.

For a striking contrast, I recommend planting them alongside yellow or orange blooms like lantana, coreopsis, or Rudbeckia, often called black-eyed Susan. The salvias’ upright form pairs well with mounded plants such as Blue My Mind evolvulus, which has a low-growing, trailing habit and bright blue flowers.

To add texture and movement to the garden, ornamental grasses like muhly grass make an excellent backdrop for these salvias.

The ornamental grasses sway in the breeze and complement the salvias’ vertical spikes.

For a more cottage-style look, I recommend mixing them with verbena, zinnias, and gauras, which create a natural, free-flowing display.

Give Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink a try in your outdoor space this year. These beautiful, low-maintenance plants are guaranteed to bring joy – both to you and the pollinators that visit.

by Dr. Eddie Smith

Southern Gardening columnist Dr. Eddie Smith, a gardening specialist and Pearl River County coordinator with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, is an internationally certified arborist, Produce Safety Alliance certified trainer, and one of the developers of the Mississippi Smart Landscapes program that encourages the use of native plants in the landscape.

For a striking contrast, I recommend planting them alongside yellow or orange blooms like lantana, coreopsis, or Rudbeckia, often called black-eyed Susan. The salvias’ upright form pairs well with mounded plants such as Blue My Mind evolvulus, which has a low-growing, trailing habit and bright blue flowers.

Many community parks established disc golf courses that people can play for free. To find courses, download the Udisc app, which gives the location of every disc golf course in the country.

Equipment doesn’t need to break the bank. Most sporting goods stores sell discs. People can buy anything they want at some specialized disc golf stores or order anything imaginable o the internet.

“People can get started playing disc golf for less than $30,” Parker said. “Many stores have bins where people can buy used discs for about $5 to $7. A golf disc is di erent from a Frisbee that people throw on the beach. Golf discs are specialized pieces of equipment. Golf discs are a little bigger in diameter with a deeper well. Putters have a blunt nose and are not as big in diameter.”

Professionals compete in the Disc Golf Pro Tour (dgpt.com).

The best ones can compete in the Champions Cup and the United States Disc Golf Championship. For information on the Professional Disc Golf Association, visit PDGA.com.

The best players in Mississippi can get enshrined in the Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame. Look up the Hattiesburg Disc Golf Association and Hall Of Fame on Facebook. For more information, call 601-543-3120.

by John N. Felsher

John N. Felsher is a professional freelance writer, broadcaster, photographer, and editor who lives in Alabama. An avid sportsman, he’s written more than 3,300 articles for more than 170 different magazines on a wide variety of outdoors topics. Contact him at j.felsher@hotmail.com.

A slice of the in Hancock County

by Steven Ward

Chef Ernest Foundas hopes to put Pearlington on the international map of culinary inventiveness and have chefs from around the world come to his Mississippi food lab to collaborate and experiment.

That’s a lofty goal for Foundas’s Tiki Food Lab and Fermentation Learning Center, a South Pacific-themed food farm and learning and research center overlooking a bayou in Hancock County.

Powered by Coast Electric, Foundas, 56, uses the farm and food lab to explore and create new flavor profiles as well as grow unique and unusual produce that supplies his New Orleans restaurant, Suis Generis. The restaurant changes its menu weekly.

Suis Generis is a zero-waste restaurant, Foundas said.

“The idea came to me when I was working at various restaurants in Boston in the early 1990s, when I saw the excessive amount of waste caused by static menus. I thought it was irresponsible, and it had a negative impact on food costs. I also did not want to cook the same

thing every week, because that is not challenging. So, I decided that I wanted to create a restaurant with a constantly changing menu to maintain constant creativity and to minimize waste and focus on foods in season,” Foundas said.

Foundas grew up in New Orleans and started out working in French Quarter restaurants. Legendary New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme taught Foundas to create all kinds of special dishes.

Foundas went to college in the Boston area and worked at restaurants there. He wound up going to law school at Mississippi College. Although he earned a law degree, his dream was to own and operate his own New Orleans restaurant.

Foundas considered Mississippi a second home. He visited the Mississippi Gulf Coast often as a child and spent time in the state for law school.

Because of those connections, Pearlington wound up being the perfect spot for his farm and food lab.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

For 12 years, EMEPA employees have dedicated time and e ort to supporting the fight against cancer through our annual Shoot for a Cure event. This e ort is about more than just fundraising — it’s about standing with families a ected by cancer and contributing to life-saving research.

Cancer touches people of all ages, and its impact on families is profound. As a cooperative rooted in community, we are committed to doing our part to support those battling this disease. Shoot for a Cure brings together employees, vendors, and community members in a friendly sporting clay competition, all with the shared goal of making a di erence.

This year’s event was our biggest yet, with more than 220 shooters participating over two days at Camp Binachi. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and participants, we raised $38,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Anderson’s Cancer Patient Benevolence Fund — bringing our 12-year fundraising total to over a quarter of a million dollars.

The power of community and giving SHOOT FOR A CURE:

If you missed us this year, we hope to see you next spring. Every shot fired is a step toward a future without cancer, and together, we are making an impact.

Together, we can continue to support cancer research, provide assistance to families in need, and fight for a future free from cancer. Thank you for your unwavering support — your involvement truly makes a di erence.

Let’s keep shooting for a cure!

by Randy Carroll

OFFICES CLOSED MAY 26

EMEPA o ces will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.

Dispatchers and crews will remain on call and ready to respond to any outage or emergency.

Account information and outage reporting is available 24/7 on our app or at EMEPA.com.

by Abby Berry

May is Electrical Safety Month

Every May, Electrical Safety Month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of preventing electrical hazards at home. Electricity powers nearly every aspect of modern life, but if handled improperly, it can pose serious risks, including injuries and property damage.

Your electric cooperative understands the risks associated with improper electricity use, which is why we’re committed to reminding you to stay vigilant and practice electrical safety not only in May, but year-round.

By following key safety practices, you can reduce the risk of electrical hazards and ensure your family stays protected.

Here are five essential tips for powering up safely at home

1. BE VIGILANT Regularly inspect your home’s electrical system for any signs of damage or outdated components and replace any frayed electrical wires or cords. The Electrical Safety Foundation International estimates roughly 3,300 home fires originate from extension cords every year, either from overloading, overheating, or fraying. If you’re relying on extension cords as permanent power solutions, consider contacting a qualified electrician to install additional outlets where you need them.

2. USE SURGE PROTECTORS Safeguard your sensitive electronics and appliances from surges with surge protectors. These handy devices help divert excess voltage away from your electronics, reducing the risk of damage or electrical fires. Not all power strips include surge protection, so read the product label carefully. Additionally, surge protectors can lose e ectiveness over time and should be replaced when damaged or outdated.

3. PRACTICE SAFE POWER STRIP USE Avoid overloading electrical outlets with power strips that exceed the outlet’s capacity. High-energy devices, like heaters, microwaves, and hairdryers should be distributed across multiple outlets. Overloading an outlet with a “busy” power strip can lead to overheating and create a fire hazard, so be sure to check the power strip’s wattage rating before plugging in items.

4. WATER AND ELECTRICITY DON’T MIX It may seem obvious, but accidents involving water contact with electrical items happen. Always keep electrical appliances and devices away from water sources, like sinks, bathtubs, or swimming pools. Make sure your hands are dry before touching any electrical switches or appliances — never handle electrical devices with wet hands. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) should be installed in areas where water and electricity are typically in close proximity, including kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor outlets.

5. EDUCATE FAMILY MEMBERS One of the best ways to ensure the safety of everyone in your household is to talk about electrical safety. Teach children not to play with electrical outlets or appliances and ensure they understand the potential dangers of electricity. Create and practice a home fire escape plan that includes electrical safety precautions in case of emergencies.

Practicing electrical safety at home is essential for protecting your family, property, and peace of mind. Remember, electrical safety isn’t just a one-time e ort — it’s a year-round responsibility. Taking these steps can help ensure a safer, more secure home for you and your loved ones.

Abby Berry writes on consumer and cooperative a airs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

At age 28, her reputation led to her being hired by the then-named Memphis State University as their head coach. Coming from a winning program like USM to take over a program with only six wins was going to be a challenge. When she left the program 13 years later, the University of Memphis had 229 wins and had gone to four NCAA Tournaments and four Women’s National Invitational Tournaments.

“When I was in Memphis, a high for me was in 1995 when we beat the Cheryl Miller coached USC Lady Trojans in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to move on to the Sweet 16,” Lee-McNelis said.

In 2004, USM reached out to Lee-McNelis to coach the Lady Golden Eagles. Before her career was over at Southern Miss, she had won 339 games. A couple of highlights were the 2013-14 team that won 27 games followed the next year with a 25-win season. The 2022-23 squad also captured the Sun Belt Conference regular season title. She led USM to several postseason appearances. Her career 564 wins is significant in that only 61 coaches have achieved that many wins in college basketball history.

She was given the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award in 2024 after leading the team to a Super 16 finish in the WNIT. Lee-McNelis was also inducted into the Southern Miss Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and in February of this year was named to the Legends Club at USM for her prestigious career.

Coaching

at Southern Miss has been more than a profession. It has been a dream realized.

Having

the opportunity to lead the program has been one of my greatest honors.

“Coaching at Southern Miss has been more than a profession. It has been a dream realized. Having the opportunity to lead the program has been one of my greatest honors,” said Lee-McNelis.

Lee-McNelis has battled lung cancer for almost a decade, and she knows that is her toughest contest. She has battled the disease four times since it was first diagnosed in March 2016. She is still battling cancer and has had to fight o pneumonia three times. In 2017, as she continued to coach and battle cancer, the nation’s women coaches showed their love and respect for her as they sparked the “McNelis Strong” slogan that swept through the basketball community.

Lee-McNelis said she has been blessed with tremendous support from her husband Dennis, daughter Whitney, and son Connor. She understands the sacrifices they have gone through for her career.

“God has blessed me beyond words,”

Lee-McNelis said.

by Dale McKee

Dale McKee is a Waynesboro native who has been writing about sports in Mississippi since 1973. He is a member of Dixie Electric. Contact him at ddmckee18@yahoo.com.

On the Menu

I don’t remember much about Mother’s Day when I was a kid. I remember the year my dad got my mom one of those rings that had everybody’s birthstone in it. They were all the rage for a few years. My mom always wore hers. I keep it in my jewelry box now and pull it out every so often (along with the last bottle of her favorite perfume) just to remember. Then there was the year my dad got my mom a typewriter. I’m still not sure what that was all about, but I do remember her being thrilled with it.

As I was going through all her things after she passed away, I was amazed that she kept every card we’d ever gotten her. Some contained little drawings and were signed by tiny little hands belonging to her smallest treasures. And though I don’t think we ever honored her enough, I do know she worked hard at honoring HER mother. Alzheimer’s took my grandmother’s ‘self’ away when I was about 10. She lived in a nursing home for nine years. My mom never missed buying “pretties” for her and showering her with love in so many ways; my grandmother never knew. But we did.

I’ve loved going through mama’s things. I’m about done finally. She stashed recipes everywhere. Amazingly, I found a couple of recipes that I gave to her that I’d forgotten about. I’d wondered for years where my copy went. She would cut recipes out of newspapers and magazines, and in this age of technology, she’d even print them from the internet. I found the Cemetery Cake recipe in her stash. That recipe goes by lots of other names, but the premise is the economy behind it. Probably originating during the Great Depression/World War II era, it contains no eggs, no milk, and no butter. It is, however, a delicious little cake that’s simple enough for kids to make themselves.

Make one for Mother’s Day. And while you’re at it, surprise her with another simple but classic dish. Shirred Eggs are about as easy as it comes when it comes to breakfast — just ham and eggs, with a little cheese on top. Bake in the oven and serve with a side of grits. Or how about a nice after church brunch to celebrate the special women in your life? Paired with some sweet tea and chocolate cake, anyone would feel honored. And, regardless of who or what you are honoring or celebrating this month, I hope your May if filled with loads of springtime joy and plenty of good food!

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.

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.