Today in Mississippi East June 2014

Perio

dica

l pos

tage

(IS

SN 1

052

2433

)News for members of East Mississippi Electric Power Association

4

10

11

Mike Duke’s life-longdevotion to amateur radio

Connecting with naturebrings welcomed respite

Mississippi Cooks:Southern fare from the B.T.C.

2 � Today in Mississippi � June 2014

Medicare SupplementsLow Rates!

(Female age 65, “Plan F” = $100.76)

E. F. HuttonInsurance Agency

P. O. Box 5277Brandon, MS 39047

1-800-463-4348E. F. Hutton nor its agents are affiliated with the Federal Medicare Program.

RA

MB

LING

TH

RO

UG

H P

LEASA

NT

MEM

OR

IES TO

NY

KIN

TO

$9.95+ $2.50 S&H

You’ve read Tony Kinton’s Mississippi Outdoors column for years. Now enjoy Kinton’s musings in hisnewest book, “Rambling Through Pleasant Memories.” Order a copy and read excerpts at

www.tonykinton.com

601-939-8233 • 888-991-0333

SAFE SALE!Home Security & Fire Protection

Protect Your Valuables for Your Family’s Future withTHE HIGHEST FIRE RATINGS IN THE INDUSTRY

Liberty TruckloadSALE

Discount Gun Safe2636 OLD BRANDON RD. • PEARL, MS 39208

Save Hundreds on America’s #1 Selling Safes

• Local• Trusted • Experienced

“A Mississippi Company Serving Mississippians”

• Columbus 662-329-9090• Gulf Coast 228-206-1521• Desoto County 662-298-5040

“A Mississippi Licensed Mortgage Company” nmls# 55275 294-B Chubby Drive Columbus, MS 39705

Mississippi’s #1local resource for

Reverse Mortgages

wwwwww..MMssRReevveerrsseeMMoorrttggaaggee..ccoomm

Statewide service, call us today!

‘Rambling ThroughPleasant Memories’

http://www.MsReverseMortgage.com

http://www.tonykinton.com

Teens head to Washingtonfor week-long Youth Tour

Today in MississippiOFFICERSBrad Robison - President Randy Wallace - First Vice PresidentKeith Hurt - Second Vice PresidentTim Smith - Secretary/Treasurer

EDITORIAL STAFFMichael Callahan - Executive Vice President/CEORon Stewart - Sr. Vice President, CommunicationsMark Bridges - Manager, Support ServicesDebbie H. Stringer - EditorElissa Fulton - Communications SpecialistTrey Piel - Digital Media ManagerRickey McMillan - Graphics SpecialistLinda Hutcherson - Administrative Assistant

EDITORIAL OFFICE & ADVERTISING601-605-8600 Acceptance of advertising by Today inMississippi does not imply endorsementof the advertised product or services bythe publisher or Mississippi’s ElectricPower Associations. Product satisfactionand delivery responsibility lie solely withthe advertiser.• National advertising representative: National Country Market, 800-626-1181

Circulation of this issue: 430,493Non-member subscription price: $9.50 per year

T oday in Mississippi (ISSN 1052-2433) ispublished eleven times a year (Jan.-Nov.) by Electric Power Associations ofMississippi, Inc., P.O. Box 3300, Ridge-land, MS 39158-3300, or 665 HighlandColony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157.Phone 601-605-8600. Periodicalpostage paid at Ridgeland, MS, andadditional office. The publisher (and/orits agent) reserves the right to refuse oredit all advertising.POSTMASTER: Send address changesto: Today, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland,MS 39158-3300

The Official Publication of the Electric Power Associations of MississippiVol. 67 No. 6

Visit us online atwww.todayinmississippi.com

Mississippi is ...... the soft-spoken drawl of the South asking,“Where are you folks from?”

Fe reCection of the South inviting,“Y’all get on down and sit a spell.”

Fe best of Southern hospitality oAering,“Let me Bx y’all a glass of iced tea.”

Fe most gracious in saying,“Yes, ma’am, than you very much!”

Fe most compassionate in expressing,“Bless your heart.”

And my favorite,“Y’all come back! You hear?”

–Dottie Dewberry, Maben

My Mississippi is the smell of fresh cut grass in the summer,the Brst leaves burning in fall, listening to the laughter of chil-dren at play, sitting in the swing on the front porch in lateafternoons with a sweet, cool breeze blowing from the big oaksthat seems to whisper, “Come on over.” My Mississippi has abeautiful soul and a warm spirit that welcomes everyone tocome and see her beauty.

–Jannie Sue Smith, McLain

Fe smell of freshly cut grass, the sounds of birds singing theirown melody, a child’s laughter muEed through the pines andthe softness of a spring breeze as it brushes my skin. Fese arethe reasons I call this place home. Mississippi lives deep in theheart of this proud Southern girl.

– Lesia Bruno, Neshoba County

Our Homeplace

What’s Mississippi to you?What makes you proud to be a Mississippian? What do you treasuremost about life in our state? Send your thoughts to Today in Missis-sippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158, or email them to:

[email protected] keep your comments brief. Submissions are subject to editing.

Jackson resident Mike Duke neverallowed blindness to stop himfrom pursuing a career in broad-cast radio and an avocation inamateur, or ham, radio. Duke hasbeen a licensed amateur radiooperator since the age of 14, havinglearned Morse code at age 12. Heshares his personal story and moreabout the appeal of ham radio inour story on page 4.

On the cover

June 2014 � Today in Mississippi � 3

A water lily bobs peacefully in a Mississippi lake. Taking time to observe the beautyof nature, whether in the wild or the backyard, is restorative to the soul, accordingto columnist Tony Kinton. See page 10.

his month, a group of 66 Missis-sippi high school students willjoin some 1,600 teens fromacross the nation for the week-long Rural Electric Youth Tourin Washington, D.C. Each stu-

dent is sponsored by his or her local electriccooperative, having earned the trip in a competi-tive process.Youth Tour turns 50 this summer, a remark-

able milestone for any youth-centered event. It issaid that Youth Tour grew out of a speech bythen-Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson at the 1957 annu-al meeting of the National Rural Electric Coop-erative Association. Johnson envisioned sendingstudents to Washington where they could “actu-ally see what the Cag stands for and represents.”Some 28 years ago, electric power associations

in Mississippi decided to include Youth Tour asa component of the Electric Power Associationsof Mississippi Youth Leadership program. Fetour not only rewards students for their partici-pation in the program but also provides them anincomparable educational experience. Whetherthey have been to the nation’s capital before ornot (most haven’t), they see and do new thingsand make new friends.Youth Tour is a rich, once-in-a-lifetime expe-

rience for every student who participates, and weare proud to oAer it.We’ll report on our students’ trip to the 2014

Youth Tour in the August issue of Today in Mis-sissippi.

•••Fis is the time of year when you should

expect a rise in electric bills simply because youare using more electricity to keep cool. But thereis something you can do to reduce the impacton your budget.To spend less on gasoline, you drive less. To

save on electricity cost, use less electricity.Your electric power association can oAer

budget-friendly tips on reducing your energyuse, and there are several online resources toconsult, including togetherwesave.com andenergy.gov.

For now, allow me tomake a few suggestions toget you thinking aboutenergy-eDciency everyday:• An air conditioner musthave a clean, obstruction-free Blter in order towork eDciently. We rec-ommend installing a newBlter every month duringperiods of heavy use,especially if you haveindoor pets.

• Raise the air conditioner’s thermostat settingby a few degrees. It will run less and you proba-bly won’t notice the diAerence.• Launder in cold water. Yes, it will all get clean.• Run the dishwasher in the cooler hours of theday, and use the “air dry” cycle.• Limit your swimming pool’s Bltration time tosix hours. If the water doesn’t appear clean,increase the time in half-hour increments until itdoes. In most cases, it isn’t necessary to recircu-late the water every day to remove debris; use askimmer or vacuum instead. Consider installinga timer to control the pump’s cycling.• Run the bathroom exhaust fan while bathingto remove warm, moist air. But don’t let it runmore than a couple minutes after you’re done,to minimize loss of conditioned air.Your electric power association was created to

provide you with safe, reliable electric service atan aAordable cost. Nobody works harder to keepthat promise. But ultimately, you are in charge.

T

My OpinionMichael Callahan

Executive Vice President/CEOEPAs of Mississippi

JOIN TODAY IN MISSISSIPPIO N F A C E B O O K

http://www.todayinmississippi.com

mailto:[email protected]


By Debbie StringerIt is a childhood memory MikeDuke still relishes: listening torock ‘n’ roll pulled from the etherby a vacuum-tube AM radio.“I would turn it on and wait

for the tubes to warm up, thenElvis would come out,” he said. “Ithought, this is so cool.”When he found out a person could getpaid for playing records on the radio, heannounced to his mother, “When I growup I’m going to work at the radio sta-tion.” He was 4 years old.Duke made good on his promise.

After earning a degree in communica-tions with a broadcasting emphasis atMississippi State University, he launcheda life-long career in commercial andpublic radio broadcasting. For the past26 years, he has been director of Missis-sippi Public Broadcasting’s Radio Read-ing Service of Mississippi, which pro-vides on-the-air readings of print mediafor people unable to read due to visualor other physical disabilities.Duke is also known as K5XU, the call

sign of a self-described amateur radio“junkie” who earned his radio license atage 14. Also known as ham radio, ama-teur radio is an FCC-licensed form ofwireless communication that makes con-tact possible with other ham radio oper-

ators, or hams, on world-spanning fre-quencies.Duke holds the “amateur extra” class

license, thehighest ofthreelicense lev-els—asdoes hiswife, Kath-leen(K5KKD).Cey aremembers ofthe JacksonAmateurRadioClub.At the

home the couple shares in Jackson, oneroom is dedicated to their hobby. Awide desk holds both vintage and mod-ern equipment: radios, microphones,power supplies, a computer keyboardand keys for transmitting Morse code.

After a day at the oBce, Duke looks for-ward to settling into his comfortablechair, Aipping on the electronics and lis-tening to the hams’ on-the-air chatter.

He tends tolisten morethan hetalks.Howmany hamradios doeshe own? “Ithink I have@ve on thedesk andtwo orthree otherssittingaround, anda couple of

receivers in storage. I have way morethan I need,” he said with a grin.

Duke’s interest in radio communi-cations started at age 10 when his olderbrother got into citizens band (CB)

radio. “Cat was when I @rst discoveredthere was radio out there other thanmusic radio, where you could talk andpeople would talk back to you,” he said.Cat interest led him to amateur

radio. Talking to people around theworld via the airwaves was a mind-blow-ing prospect for a boy born blind in thesmall town of Newton.But @rst he would need to pass a writ-

ten exam to earn an entry-level amateurradio operator’s license. At that time theexam required pro@ciency in Morsecode, plus some basic knowledge of elec-tronics. By age 12, Duke had taughthimself the code.Ce following year, his parents gave

him his @rst “real” ham radio receiver, avacuum-tube model made by Hammar-lund. “It would light up and get warmon the top and smell good,” Duke said,laughing at the memory. (He still hasthe receiver and recently had it

Expert at being an amateur

Kathleen (K5KKD) and Mike Duke both hold “amateur extra” class radiolicenses. Her Austrian mother was a radio operator who translated Ger-man weather information for American troops during World War II.

Mike Duke (K5XU) operates his ham radio station at hishome in Jackson. His owns and uses both modern andvintage equipment. One of his favorites is a World WarII-era J-38 telegraph key, the “straight key” style heused to learn Morse code at age 12.

Amateur radio a life-long passionfor enthusiast Mike Duke


the receiver and recently had it rebuilt by a technician.)His parents supported his new inter-

est in ham radio, he recalled. “My dadwould say to people, I don’t care a thingabout it but it gives him something todo, gives him some challenges andmakes him think—makes him worktoward something.”Duke prepared for the license exam

with the help of a Braille instructionalbook, some recorded material and amath teacher’s tutoring. A local ham,also blind, served as Duke’s role modeland mentor. “I learned a lot from him,not just about ham radio but beingblind and other things. He helped mebuild that support network that all hamradio operators need at some point. Weall help each other put up and Ex anten-nas, and so forth.”Hams from all walks of life share an

unusual world-wide camaraderie. Com-municating on a regular basis tends tobond people who may have nothing incommon other than the enjoyment oftheir hobby.Hams exchange postcards, called QSL

cards, printed with their call sign to con-Erm radio contacts with each other. Gislong-standing tradition grew out of theirpride in being able to receive distant sig-nals.

Hams also have a long tradition ofvolunteerism in the Amateur RadioEmergency Service, including severeweather reporting and emergency com-munications. Hams provided on-the-ground weather and damage reports astornadoes caused extensive damage andfatalities in Mississippi April 28.Ge desire to participate in such pub-

lic service eDorts motivates many peopleto become an amateur radio operator.“9/11 and Hurricane Katrina—those

two events did more to boost interest inham radio than anything in recentyears,” Duke said.Had his Erst license exam not been

delayed by a vacationing tester, Dukemay have taken part in hams’ service asemergency communicators after Hurri-cane Camille slammed the Mississippicoast Aug. 17, 1969. Duke stayed by hisradio for days, listening as hams relayedurgent messages between authorities onthe coast and in Jackson. “I spent untoldhours listening to that. I was listeningwhen it actually came ashore,” he said.“Gis was long before cell phones,

long before the Internet, long before a

lot of the other backup [communica-tions] sources we have now. At thattime, ham radio was it in terms of com-munications out of the coast for severaldays.”Amateur radio communication sup-

port became critical in the aftermath ofthe 2013 Boston Marathon bombings,when conventional telecommunicationssystems quickly became overloaded.Some 300 amateur radio volunteers pro-vided communication support toenhance security at the recent 2014Boston Marathon.

When amateur radio emerged as apopular avocation in the early 20th cen-tury, many hams built their own radios.Some still do, although electronic com-ponents have long since replaced vacuumtubes.“It has become computerized, like

everything else in the world. Gere areradios out there that are basically plug-ins for your computer,” Duke said.Despite all the digital capabilities of

modern radio equipment, some hams,like Duke, still enjoy using vintage tube-type equipment too.

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day, June28-29, is a highlight each year for amateur radio operators,or hams, in the U.S. and Canada. Hams set up their stationsin a single location outdoors to operate “o8 the grid,” usingonly generators or batteries. The idea is to simulate an emer-gency situation under abnormal conditions.

During Field Day, hams attempt to make as many on-the-air contacts as possible during a 24-hour period.

“The true idea of it is to test your emergency equipmentand your operating skills,” said Mike Duke, a member of theJackson Amateur Radio Club (JARC).

JARC has participated in Field Day for more than 50 years.The o9cial start of its 2014 Field Day operation is 1 p.m. Sat-urday, June 28, inan outdoor spacebetween Bass ProShop and Sam’sClub, in Pearl. Theevent is open to thepublic beginningSaturday morning,and club memberswelcome visitors’questions.

JARC membersmade some 1,000contacts withother hams dur-

ing last year’s Field Day. More competitive clubs may contactfar more, Duke said.

“We don’t make a contest out of it like some groups do.We’d rather spend a few minutes talking to somebody whowalks up and wants to know what’s going on. We’ll let themwatch us make some contacts,” he explained.

There are more than 2,000 amateur radio clubs and morethan 600,000 radio amateurs in the U.S., according to ARRL,the national association for amateur radio. Some 4,000 indi-viduals hold amateur radio licenses in Mississippi.

For more information about all aspects of amateur radio, including FieldDay information, visit ARRL.org or the Jackson Amateur Radio Club websiteat msham.org

For some, it’s easier than ever to getinto amateur radio, he pointed out. Inthe past, visually impaired people whocould not see the radio’s metering sys-tem had to make modiEcations to pro-duce audio signals, but this is not neces-sary with today’s equipment.ProEciency in Morse code is no

longer required to obtain a license, askill Duke likened to learning a foreignlanguage. Yet some hams, Duke includ-ed, enjoy Fexing their code muscles onthe air from time to time.Ge expense of amateur radio equip-

ment is up to the individual. Abasic, hand-held radio for localcommunications can cost lessthan $200, according toDuke.“You can spend as much

money as you want,” he said.“Ge ‘bigger boat, bigger Esh’ syn-drome kicks in: Ge bigger boatdoesn’t always mean biggerEsh.”For him, the lifetime of

enjoyment and camaraderieham radio brings is worthevery penny spent. He has no

idea how many hams he has “met” onthe radio through the years, but thenumber surely soars into the thousandsaround the globe. “Radio is like going Eshing. You

might land a conversation with some-body across the street or somebody as fararound the world from you as you canget. Gat part of the magic is still there,”Duke said.Just as magical is the realization of his

childhood dream—a career in radiobroadcasting.“I feel fortunate that I was able to dosomething that I really had wantedto do my entire life, as far back as Ican remember,” he said.

Field Day tests hams’ skills

Doug Spencer, left photo, a JARC member, helps make contact with other hams during his club’s 2013 Field Day event in Pearl. ToddWarren, right photo, demonstrates the use of a ham radio for a young visitor to Field Day. Photos: Bob Bullock/JARC

Duke’s workhorse radiois this Kenwood unit.


irst off, let me fall allover myself apologizingto Dewey Phillips,George Klein and thememory of Elvis Presley(assuming he really is

dead) because of a series of errors in mycolumn last month. I incorrectly attrib-uted former WHBQ Memphis discjockey George Klein as being the firstperson ever to play an Elvis record onthe radio.

That isn’t true. It was DeweyPhillips. It was played at WHBQ,though, and at least one person whocalled this month to help me see theerror of my ways said that George wasinterning at the station at the time andmost probably was in the room whenthe record was played. But that ain’tclose enough to even be a half-truth.Dewey Phillips gets the points.

And then to add insult to injury, Ididn’t even spell George’s last namecorrectly. But spelling has always beenan approximate science with me. MarkTwain said he never thought as muchof any man who only held to one wayto spell a word. (I bet George neverasks my younger brother how I’mdoing again. That was the springboardfor the whole affair, George askingabout me at a Tennessee BroadcastersHall of Fame luncheon where he satwith my younger brother, Rob.)

Anyway, I hope I’ve quelled therebellion by giving Dewey his due,manually entering “Klein” into myspell-checker, and promising never tozip out another article just because it’sin the wee hours the night before thedeadline and I still haven’t written any-thing.

The first whiff that there may be aproblem with my last month’s “Missis-sippi Seen” column came up when myMendenhall friend Kirk Hill took meon a tour of Simpson County in one ofhis Model T vehicles. I was shooting aTV feature about the county’s newHeritage Trail and asked if I couldromp the trail with Kirk in one of hisold cars.

We started to take his 1914 ModelT because it was 100 years old this year.But instead he brought a later modelconverted into a pickup. I understandthat many old Model T sedans wereretrofitted with homemade truck beds

for use on thefarm. It was theperfect vehicleto shoot videofrom.

As we wererolling aroundthe county fromplace to placemaking conver-sation, Kirkremarked healways enjoysmy articles in Today in Mississippi. Imodestly thanked him while asking afew leading questions to get him to tellme more about how wonderful my arti-cles are.

Kirk told me, “I thought thismonth’s article was interesting aboutthe degrees of separation between peo-ple and Elvis Presley.” I beamed. Butthen he added, “But it really seemedyou didn’t have much to write about.”

My beam dimmed. And truth beknown, I was searching for a reason touse the picture of the Jacinto CourtHouse and the remark Billy Hester toldme about him financing a Carl Perkins,Johnny Cash and Elvis show inBoonville back in the 50s.

Then the emails and phone calls

F

started coming in about the mis-spellings and errant attributes anddemands for me to recant or renounceor do penitence for or retract my state-ments. Well, three emails and a phonecall came pouring in. I figure therewere more folks than that who spottedmy mistakes but took Jesus’ advice andwithheld throwing the first stone.

But one thing comes from all of this.

MississippiSeen

by Walt Grayson

My friend Kirk Hill drives one of the many Model Ts he has resurrected over the years. He took me on a tour ofSimpson County recently. Next time I ride with him, I think we'll talk more about his cars and less about mywriting. Photo: Walt Grayson

About that Elvis column last month ...

Walt Grayson is the host of “MississippiRoads” on Mississippi Public Broadcastingtelevision, and the author of two “LookingAround Mississippi” books and “Oh! ThatReminds Me: More Mississippi Home-grown Stories.” Contact Grayson [email protected]

emember what Billiesaid,” I remarked to Mr.Roy last April. “If itthunders in February, itwill turn cold around the

same date in April.” My phone weatheralert had warned that the weeks’ lowswould be in the 30s.

“Everybody knows February thunderpredicts cold weather!” he answered.

“Only if folks keep passing the infor-mation down from generation to genera-tion, as people in the Bible were instruct-ed to do. Besides not everybody has thatlittle gem of info.”

My friend Billie also knows most everycure for what ails you. Without herknowledge my doctor(s) appointmentswould mushroom. She can also usher inmiracles. Really. She snaps her finger andcorn grows in the shade of an oak—thatis, if she's the one planting it. Her thumb

“RPass it on, Mississippians

isn’t just green; all her fingers have flowersprouts for fingernails. This is slightlytongue and cheek, but I’m telling you thetruth: She can rejuvenate, even bring lifeback to life dead plants. If not for BillieTilley my flowers and shrubs would eitherdie or never bloom.

Billie was one of my many studentswhen I was teaching at George CountyHigh School. She was smart and verytalkative. I had to put her on the frontrow so I could watch her mouth! She nowworks for the school system. She keepsthe grounds of George County schoolslooking beautiful.

Back to the remedy for ordinary ail-ments. Check your memory and try toremember what your grandmother toldyou that old folks used for cures. I’ll onlymention a small sampling. Vicks VaporRub or Mentholatum salve was used forhead and chest colds. Billie said her

Mommy gave her a hot bath and rubbedthe salve overher wholebody. Especiallyher chest,armpits, feet,and then put aglob below hernose. My BigMommarubbed mychest andplaced a toweland hot pad onit, then but-toned my flan-nel pajamas to my neck. I hated it, but Igot well. If children or adults had a cough,a syrup was made from honey, lemon,peppermint and a tad of whisky. Or theytook a teaspoon of sugar and pouredwhisky over it for a dose.

Grin ‘n’Bare It

by Kay Grafe

I am finally convinced Elvis is dead.Because if not, surely I would haveheard from him too.



Kay Grafe is the author of “Oh MyGosh, Virginia.” To order, send name,address, phone number and $16.95, plus$3.50 S&H to Kay Grafe, 2142 Fig FarmRoad, Lucedale, MS 39452.

broad, lobed leaves with flowers thatseem to float on long stems. Coreopsisgrandiflora typically has a clumpinggrowth habit in the landscape.The variety Early Sunrise has a semi-

double flowering habit. Related to thisvariety is the variegated Tequila Sunrise.I like this variety so much that I havegrown it wherever I have lived for more

than 20 years. It has a compact growthhabit with individual, semi-double flow-ers that are a bright, clear yellow.I also like the coreopsis selection

Corey Yellow. Its flowers are huge com-pared with other coreopsis, and its petalsare deep, bold yellow with maroon cen-ter splotches.Growing coreopsis in our Mississippi

ou can hardly miss theyellow flowers of Coreop-sis lanceolata along high-ways in the summer, soit’s easy to see why this is

the state wildflower of Mississippi.Several species of the plant fall under

the common name of tickseed. Coreop-sis lanceolata grows up to 2 feet tallalong roadsides and in prairie-type sites.Its flowers are daisy-like with bright yel-low petals and centers.Another com-

mon Mississippinative is Coreop-sis tinctoria,which many folkscall calliopsis. Ithas the familiaryellow petals buthas centers ofbrownish-red.Several selectionsare available ingarden centers,and one of thebest I have seen is Cha Cha Cha.But if you are looking for a coreopsis

for the garden, I always lean towardsCoreopsis grandiflora. As the botanicalname suggests, this plant is commonlycalled big-flowered coreopsis. It has

Y

SouthernGardening

by Dr. Gary Bachman

Dr. Gary Bachman is MSU horticul-turist at the Coastal Research and Exten-sion Center in Biloxi.

Coreopsis lanceolata is the state wildflower of Mississippi, and it grows frequently along the state’s roadsides and in prairie areas. The huge flowers of Coreopsis Corey Yellow are deep, boldyellow with maroon center splotches. Photo: MSU Extension Service/Gary Bachman

landscapes and gardens is pretty easy aslong as you maintain well-drained soil.Go easy on the watering, as coreopsiswill tolerate a droughty spell, but it doesbest with consistent moisture.Coreopsis varieties produce abundant

flowers, especially Early Sunrise. Dead-head spent flowers to keep the plantblooming. This selection freely self-seeds, a trait shared among varieties ofcoreopsis, and the seedlings are very sim-ilar to the mother plant.Coreopsis tends to be a tender, short-

lived plant, but the self-seeding traitallows it to act as a perennial. Divide theplant every two to three years to main-tain vigor. Don’t forget to share thesedivisions with your friends and neigh-bors.Tidy up the appearance of coreopsis

plots by pruning as needed late in thesummer if the main plants open up orstart to sprawl.Now a word of caution: Coreopsis is

well adapted for northern Mississippi,but it can struggle in the coastal regionbecause of the winter’s cool and wetconditions. Don’t let this stop you fromenjoying coreopsis in southern Mississip-pi. Just consider it an annual and plantit anyway.

State wildflower Coreopsis shines in landscapes

People used garlic for stomach aches.Have you ever taken castor oil for bath-room stomach problems? An old remedy for teething babies was a

necklace made out of the hard core of net-tle root. It was a bush with purple flowersand yellow berries, according to Billie.Mothers would string it with a thread andput it around the baby’s neck. When thebaby drooled on the necklace it had anaroma that was soothing to the child. Mercurochrome was swabbed on tonsils

for tonsillitis and for minor abrasions.Iodine and Merthiolate were used forskinned knees and arms. Still is. Cole taror fat-back meat for sores (boils) and tur-pentine for bad cuts. If you were city-raised, some of these

remedies sound ridiculous. When folkslived a few miles out of town and didn’tlive close to a doctor, they used a remedythat was passed down through generations.Folks also had a large garden and flowerbeds.According to Billie, above-ground crops

such as peppers, squash and cucumbersshould be planted with the rising moon.Root crops such as potatoes, carrotsand onions go in with the waningmoon.Billie’s Daddy kept his bushels

of sweet potatoes in a large rounddeep hole lined with pine strawand placed the potatoes there andshaped them like a cone. He addedanother layer of pine straw and a layerof dirt, then placed a car hoodon the top where he hadleft a hole for retrievaland dryness. I keep myfive pounds of sweetpotatoes in thekitchen drawerwith my fivepounds of Irishpotatoes. How about you?

Note: After I wrote this column I waspoking around my many book shelves andfound the perfect book for those of uswho believe in folk remedies: “Bottom

Line Books: Secret Food Cures and Doc-tor-approved Folk Remedies” by JoanWilen and Lydia Wilen, published in2007 by Bottom Line Books. Only

$10. Let me know if youthink it’s a winner.

Nettle was used widelyin folk remedies.


Quitman601.776.6271

DeKalb601.743.2641

Meridian601.581.8600

Louisville662.773.5741

East MississippiElectric Power Association

I didn't see the actual tornado, onlypictures of this evil looking storm. Butwhat I did see gave me great confidencein the Winston County community.Every EMEPA employee who didn'thave other necessary responsibilities wasassigned in the area restoring power.EMEPA’s Management Team was han-dling logistics and coordination smooth-ly and effectively. So, I had the opportu-nity to check in with other emergencyservice providers, Louisville Utilities,elected officials (local and statewide) andeyewitnesses and victims of the storm.

I observed pain and shock from manyvictims, but I didn't sense despair.Everyone I spoke with was thankful andtold me amazing stories of survival. Ahusband and wife told me of climbingout of the bathtub covered with debrisafter the storm passed. There was noth-ing left except that bathtub and a littledebris.

One man showed me the remains ofhis chicken houses and the clean slab ofconcrete on which his home once stood.I asked about his family, and he told mehis wife was in the house and receivedonly minor scratches. I must admit, Idon't see how she survived. When thehuman spirit survives such a devastatingblow and remains thankful and commit-ted, it is an encouragement to all whowitness it.

I don't mean to minimize the pain asten people were killed and numerousothers were injured, some seriously.There were stories of heroism during thestorm and great examples of peopleworking side by side in search and res-cue operations. Not the least of whichwas Mississippi First Lady DeborahBryant, who along with her security offi-

cer, took cover from the storm inLouisville and then worked tirelessly inthe relief effort through the night andmost of the next day.

Having worked many storms in my40 years at EMEPA, I have never seen astorm with as much concentrated devas-tation, but I also observed one of thebest-coordinated relief efforts that I havewitnessed. Local government officials,both city and county, worked side byside not concerned about who got thecredit but about serving the needs ofpeople. State and federal officials wereon hand quickly, and coordination wasespecially good. I offer all of them mycongratulations for a very effectiveresponse.

Emergency teams both local andfrom the surrounding areas cleared theroads and assisted in all theses reliefefforts quickly and effectively. What

they observed will be sealed in theirminds for life.

If you could have experienced thecooperation we saw among the EMEPAcrews and the crews from five other elec-tric cooperatives from across the statethat came to help us restore power, youwould have been impressed. All suchwork must be done in a very deliberatemanner with safety stressed at all times.The work hours are long, and exhaus-tion is a real safety concern. We gath-ered at breakfast and dinner to reviewthe work and encourage safety. And wemet and ate along side people workingon the Louisville Utilities system as well.There is great support for one anotheramong utility workers. These men arecommitted to their task, and the workthey do helps restore quality of life forour community.

The last observation is the patience

and cooperation we received from ourmembers. Everyone could see the devas-tation and the degree of difficultyinvolved in electric service restoration.

If you were affected by this storm weoffer our sympathy and our support. Asthe community recovers, EMEPA isready to help rebuild your quality of lifethrough the electric services we provide.And be assured you are in our prayers.

Observations from an EF4 tornado

CelebratingIndependence Day

EMEPA offices will be closed Friday, July 4,in observance of Independence Day.

A dispatcher will be on hand to handle emergencies.

Wayne Henson, Chief Executive Officer

June 2014 � Today in Mississippi � 8a

EMEPA Severe Weather Safety Week

� Make plans for action: The best way tocope with a hurricane is to always be prepared forone. A hurricane warning is issued when hurricaneconditions are expected in a specified area in 24hours or less. If a warning is given, stay tuned toradio or TV for official bulletins. Secure lawn furni-ture and other loose material outdoors. Fill thebathtub with several days supply of drinkingwater. Turn up refrigerator to maximum cold anddon’t open it unless necessary. Wedge slidingglass doors to prevent their lifting from theirtracks. Check batteries in flashlights, stock up oncanned foods and make sure you have plenty of

medical supplies. Windows should be securedwith either tape, plywood or shutters.

� Stay or leave? When a hurricane threatensyour area, you will have to make the decisionwhether to evacuate or ride out the storm in thesafety of your home. If local authorities recom-mend evacuation, you should drive carefully tothe nearest designated shelter using recommend-ed evacuation routes. Make sure the house islocked and the water and electricity are shut off atmain stations. Leave food and water for pets,since many shelters do not allow them. Take small

valuables with you, but travel light.

� Freezers/refrigerators: First, open the freez-er door as little as possible. With a freezer that’sfull, foods can stay frozen up to 72 hours. Ahalf-full freezer can still keep food frozenup to 24 hours after the power goesout. Should the power stay off for sev-eral days, dry ice can preserve thefood in the freezer.

� Be cautious: During high winds,electric lines can be torn down by limbsand trees. Any dangling line or lines onthe ground can be deadly. CallEMEPA’s office to report a downedline, outage or any hazardous situa-tion. Our crews will be on the job 24hours a day.

EMEPA is committed to supply itsmembers with dependable andsafe service in all kinds of weath-er,” said Henson. “A hurricane isnot a pleasant experience. Yet, staying safe andcalm can make it an easier one.”

Be prepared for 2014 hurricane seasonEvery year at this time, people across the state of Mississippi brace themselves

for another potentially destructive hurricane season.Wayne Henson, CEO of EMEPA said that the 2014 hurricane season begins

June 1 and continues through Nov. 30. “Since we can’t stop hurricanes,”Henson said, “the only thing we can do is work on being better prepared andknow what to do in case one hits.”EMEPA is offering suggestions on what should be done to protect life and

property if a hurricane threatens: Henson is asking the residents of the areasserved by EMEPA to consider these safety tips when a hurricane warning isissued.

The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak seasonfrom mid-August to late October.

Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred milesinland. Hurricanes can produce windsexceeding 155 miles per hour as well astornadoes. Additionally, hurricanes cancreate storm surges along the coast andcause extensive damage from heavy rain-fall.

Floods and flying debris from the excessivewinds are often the deadly and destructiveresults of these weather events. Slowmoving hurricanes traveling into moun-tainous regions tend to produce especiallyheavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger land-slides or mud slides. Flash flooding canoccur due to intense rainfall.

For disaster related information, vist

www.FEMA.go

The time to prepare forsevere weather is now.

Stop by your local EMEPA office fromJune 2 – 6, 2014 for East MississippiElectric Power Association’s SevereWeather Safety Week.

Pick up educational materials* on preparing forhurricane season as well as other severe weatheroccurrences. This storm safety information, such asproper use of a generator, will better equip you toprovide for and protect your family during a severeweather situation. The time to prepare is now. *While supplies last

http://www.FEMA.go

8b � Today in Mississippi � June 2014

In the darkest time

East Mississippi still shinesEast Mississippi was struck with severe weather and devas-

tating tornadoes on Monday, April 28. Many are blessed tobe alive in the wake of these violent storms. Our thoughtsand prayers continue to be with the families who lost lovedones, homes and businesses as a result of the storm.When the storm was over and lights began to come back

on, EMEPA received notes of thanks and encouraging wordsfrom many in the community. As frustrating as it is to bewithout electricity, your patience during the recovery isexceeded only by your willingness to help your neighbors inneed. The scars will remain, but our community continues toshine.

East Mississippi Electric Power Association sends a specialthank you to Mississippi’s First Lady Deborah Bryant for herselfless aid following the devastating tornado in Louisville.Bryant was traveling through Louisville when she sought

shelter at the Winston County courthouse during April 28’sdeadly tornado. Following the storm she went to work pro-viding assistance to Winston County Emergency Management

teams, even coordinating the setup of relief shelters.The week following the storm, she returned to Louisville

to continue her relief efforts volunteering with Samaritan’sPurse.We extend our sincere thanks for her dedication to fellow

Mississippians during such devastation. Her example demon-strates the compassion of the people in our great state.

Mississippi’s First Lady aids in storm recovery

EMEPA storm restoration crews were assisted by crewsfrom the following organizations:� Delta Electric Power Association � Magnolia Electric Power Association� Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association � Southwest Mississippi Electric Power Association� Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association � Davidson Hauling, Inc.� Deviney Construction � Miller Enterprises, LLC� Hedgpeth Trucking

Our local business partners and emergency service personnel also provided valuable assistance.We are grateful to all who assisted us in helping our community recover.

We are grateful to all who assisted us in helping our community recover.

June 2014 � Today in Mississippi � 8c 2014

I

us in helping our community recover.

8d � Today in Mississippi � June 2014

East Mississippi Electric Power Association will conductits 76th Annual Meeting of the membership Saturday, Oct.4, 2014 at EMEPA’s Meridian Auditorium. Notices will bemailed later this summer to invite you and all EMEPAmembers to attend our annual meeting.The Annual Meeting will inform our members of the

actions taken during the pastyear in addition to conductingthe Association’s businessand the election of four

directors.

In accordance with the bylaws of East MississippiElectric Power Association, a quorum of the membershipmust be represented in person or by proxy in order to con-duct the business meeting and hold the election of thedirectors.Any member of EMEPA may obtain a complete set of

bylaws by contacting their district office in Louisville,DeKalb, Quitman or the main office in Meridian.Mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 4 and make plans

to attend our 76th Annual Meeting. If you have any ques-tions about the Annual Meeting or just want to knowmore, please contact EMEPA’s Marketing and

Communication Department at601.581.8624 or visit our Website at www.emepa.com.

EMEPA to hold 76th Annual Meeting

Electric bills vary with the seasons, driven by weather andconsumer use patterns.“Weather matters,” stresses Wayne Henson, CEO of

EMEPA. “When it’s cool outdoors, family members generallywant the house warm. When it’s warm outside, air condition-ers make living areas pleasant.”How much weather affects your electric bills depends on

many factors, including your home’s original constructionmaterials, insulation and air leaks. Personal comfort plays arole too, as does the difference between the thermostat settinginside and temperatures outdoors.“When a house stays at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, but the out-

door temperature varies from minus 20 degrees in winter tomore than 100 degrees on a muggy summer’s day, demand forheating and cooling can be significant,” Henson notes.“Cooled air leaving a home essentially wastes the money spentto cool it. The same is true for air a homeowner has paid towarm.”R-value offers a way of measuring insulation’s effectiveness

(a higher R-value indicates more effective insulation). Forexample, on a 28-degreeday, heat loss from a resi-dence set at 68 degreescould hit 2,464 BTU perhour even through an 80ft. x 10 ft. exterior wallpacked with R-13 insula-tion. Reverse that situa-tion on a scorching day—100 degrees outside—andheat gain indoors will stillreach 2,464 BTU perhour.To save money, set

your thermostat five degrees closer (higher in summer, lowerin winter) to the outdoor temperature.

This simplechangecouldresult in asavingsof 90wattsper hourof elec-tricity—about197kilowatt-hours(kWh) inthreemonths.At anationalaverage of 10 cents per kWh, this adjustment keeps an extra$19.70 in your pocket. In the meantime, adjust the thermostat. Keep blinds and

drapes on the sunny side of your home closed in summer andopen in winter. Find mysteriously “hot” or “cold” spots in thehouse and solve them by installing gasket seals around outletsand weather stripping along doors and windows, replacing oldwindows, and upgrading insulation. When practical, adjustlandscaping to provide shade for your property in summer andsunlight in winter.Weather doesn’t have to play havoc with electricity bills.

“There are a variety of tools, appliances, and resources avail-able to solve all sorts of energy challenges,” Henson stresses.“Some, such as new windows or a roof, require significantfinancing. But there are a lot of options that are inexpensiveand simple to benefit from.”Find more ways to save at www.TogetherWeSave.com.

Electric bills reflect weather patterns� Minimizing movement of conditioned air can cut costs Run your

appliancesafter dark

When it’s hot outside, the besttime to run your dishwasher or dothe laundry is after dark.Heat-producing appliances make

your house hotter, and that makesyour air conditioner work harder.The harder it works, the more itcosts you in energy bills. Same goes for your oven and

stove. Consider cooking dinner onthe grill and heating up food in themicrowave oven, which doesn’t addheat to the air.When you do run your washing

machine, minimize the amount ofmoisture and heat build-up it pro-duces in the laundry room by clean-ing the lint from its filter after everyuse and by having your dryervent—properly vented to the out-side of your house, of course—cleaned out once a year so it worksefficiently and doesn’t become a firehazard.It might seem like running your

kitchen and bathroom ventilatingfans would be a good way to clearstale, hot air from the house—andit is, after you cook a meal or take ahot shower. But turn those fans offas soon as the air clears. Running avent fan for just one hour will suckup a whole houseful of air-condi-tioned air and blow it outdoors.When the weather is extra hot,

no effort to conserve energy is toosmall to make a difference on yourbill and to your family’s comfort.

http://www.TogetherWeSave.com

http://www.emepa.com


Co-op ConnectionsBusiness SpotlightEvery month, EMEPA will be spotlighting local businesses that participate in the Co-op ConnectionsProgram. This month’s featured businesses are Stephanie’sShenanigans in Louisville and Custom CleaningCompany in Meridian.

Stephanie’s Shenanigans662-773-9524

• 110 West Main Street • LouisvilleMonday - Wednesday & Friday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

• Thursday 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. • Saturday 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.10 percent discount on regular priced merchandise. Like us on Facebook!

Effective May 1, EMEPA’s south system members inLauderdale, Clarke, Newton, Wayne and Jasper countiessaw a retail rate increase of approximately 5.7 percent or$7.50 per 1000 kWh. This increase is a result of increasesin wholesale purchased power from Mississippi PowerCompany.EMEPA also incurred a 4.22 percent wholesale genera-

tion fuel increase from Mississippi Power in December2013, though the financial burden was absorbed byEMEPA through the higher use periods from this winter’sbitter cold. In addition to the fuel increase, MississippiPower implemented a 4 percent wholesale base rate increasein May. Since December, the total increase to EMEPA was8.22 percent.Also effective May 1, EMEPA’s north system members

in Kemper, Winston, Neshoba, Noxubee and Attala coun-

ties saw a retail rate increase of approximately 1.5 percentor $1.92 per 1000 kWh. This increase is a result of increas-es in wholesale purchased power from the Tennessee ValleyAuthority.Much effort has been made to offset these increases by

reducing operation and maintenance expenses. Just as manyof you may have refinanced your homes to take advantageof lower interest rates, EMEPA refinanced the debt associ-ated with constructing power lines and substations thatserve members daily. Additionally, as employees haveretired, dedicated employees have taken on more responsi-bility to insure the service level members have come toexpect doesn’t change.Be assured, EMEPA remains committed to providing

you with safe, affordable and reliable electric service. Thathas never changed and never will.

Mississippi Power and TVAincrease EMEPA wholesale rates

Custom Cleaning Company601-679-5244

Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.$10 off initial service over $50

Call us for free estimates. We will customize a cleaning to fit your needs.


t is reasonable to con-clude that everyoneencounters difficulties inlife. Some are more com-plex than others, but

regardless of the depth and degree ofthose rough spots, they can disturb theemotions and even coax the sufferertoward despair.

The following is in no way intendedto discount those sometimes tragic cir-cumstances; these are real. But the pur-pose of this writing is to point out thosehealing glimpses afforded by nature.

Not long ago, while on the edge of adespondent episode triggered by someunavoidable demands that have becomea real part of living, I happened to stopby a window, outside of which are twobird feeders. This window is down thehall from my office here at home. Beadvised that I am not a dedicated birder,not one filled with extensive knowledgeof varieties, whether migratory or resi-dent, but I have for many years beenappreciative of these marvels of nature.On this day in question, I was unexpect-edly presented with a most pleasing andcaptivating spectacle.

The first to catch my eye was thegoldfinch, and since this sighting was amonth or so back from the time you arereading this, the tiny male was not yettransformed into his most brilliant colorscheme. Still, he was adequately attrac-tive.

Closer observation revealed 14 ofthese birds; at least that is what I couldcount. They flitted about with greatabandon, exercising that grand abilityomitted from the capabilities ofhumankind: flight. They would be firston the feeders, then scooting through acrepe myrtle, then on the ground andfinally scurrying away as a flock to sometree in the distance, only to returnmomentarily to repeat their perform-ance. It was all quite marvelous.

And then a bird I don’t recall seeingfor two years or more. An indigobunting. A handsome specimen, this onewas beneath the feeder collecting scat-tered seeds. Quickly one became five,their blue feathers glistening in an early-spring morning sun. They contested thepresence of the goldfinches, to which thegoldfinches reciprocated. But all man-aged to snatch a seed and perch daintily

until that seed was consumed. Then itwas back for more.

All the while this blue and yellowparade was taking place, additional colorwas added. Cardinals, the males a brightred. A nuthatch contributed its mottledplumage. The tufted titmouse, thoughdrab in comparison to the more vividparticipants, was intriguing just thesame. An oriole, almost gaudily dressed,shuffled about on the ground and in andout of low-branch shrubs. He was mag-nificent.

And there were sparrows and dovesand chickadees, the latter zipping off toa nearby tree and producing that odd lit-tle whistling chirp that has always putmy mind in a state of tranquility.

Today, as this is being written twoweeks after that discovery mentionedabove, there are two examples that I sel-dom see: the rose-breasted grosbeak.Most impressive, this big guy. That out-sized beak, though not the most attrac-tive appendage, takes nothing away fromthe rose breast and dark, almost blackwings. Another superb image of naturalbeauty.

A thought arose. These birds wereand are on the feeders because the feed-ers are there. If they weren’t, however,the birds would still be present some-where. They would not fret that I failedto put out and fill feeders. They wouldsimply move to a location more con-ducive to their likes and needs. No

I

Tony Kinton has been an active outdoorswriter for 30 years. His newest book,“Rambling Through Pleasant Memories,” isnow available. Order from Amazon.com orwww.tonykinton.com

Nature’s gift : Relief from life’s complexities

Relief from life’s complexities can oftenbe found in the simple things around us.

Photo: Tony Kinton

whining or scolding or dour mood.Certainly no worry. That latter practiceseems fully reserved for folks such as I.

An element of regret overcame me. Ihad, for too many days, been engrossedin justifiable concern, but I had let itrun amuck and had not kept that con-cern in perspective. I was doing all Icould to rectify the ongoing situation inwhich I found myself, or to at leastmake it a bitmore palatable,so why should Iworry aboutthings that werebeyond mycontrol or capa-bilities? Ishouldn’t. But Iwas. The birdswere remindingme of a valu-able truth.

It was thenthat I opted towalk outside, to breathe some spring airand further set those worries aside forthe moment. And what do I see? Bloomsand blossoms and all manner of restora-tive elements. An azalea in the back yardwas literally bursting to perfection. Asquirrel bounced away from an oak andthe buried acorns beneath it. A crowcawed in the distance.

There was no hint of worry or franticpacing. Just life playing out in its

intended fashion.Nature had once again provided relief

from life’s complexities. It was offering agrand gift.

MississippiOutdoors

by Tony Kinton

Work Hard, Invest Right,and the Sky’s the Limit.

Learn the Safe & Secure Way to Earn Stock Market LinkedReturns Without Market Risk to Your Principal

Richie Culotta

601-657-4271Culotta Insurance & Investments

www.culottainsuranceandinvestments.com

First Year GUARANTEED

CD or IRA COMING DUE?

Serving Mississippi & LouisianaSTATEWIDE Since 1992

up to 11%

Guarantees subject to the claims-paying ability of the insurance company. Surrender of the contract may be subject to surrender charge or market value adjustment. Product not available in all states.

(Includes up-front bonus)

SEE SAWTired of savings? Medicare Supplement

InsuranceLow Rates for Plan F

Male (Non Tobacco)

Age Mo.Prem.Female (Non Tobacco)

Age Mo.Prem.65 $123.0070 $139.0075 $167.0080 $188.00

65 $108.0070 $127.0075 $147.0080 $164.00

Call800-336-9861

6045 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211

HAMILTON INSURANCEAGENCY

Rates vary slightly by zip code.Not affiliated with any government agency

Philadelphia, Miss.Mississippi’s Giant Houseparty

Arts & Crafts market, garden & field crop exhibits, home arts & crafts exhibits, needlework andquilt displays. State dairy cattle show, beef cattle & sheep shows. Petting zoo. Harper, Morgan &

Smith PRCA Rodeo. Harness and Running horse races, pony pull. Antique car show. Local &statewide political speaking. Nightly variety & Nashville Entertainment. 35th Annual Heart O’ Dixie

Triathlon. Thacker Mountain Radio Show. Fireworks. Midway amusement & rides by MitchellBros. Amusements. 8 huge days of family fun and hospitality. For more information,

125th NESHOBA COUNTY FAIR

Fri., July 25 thru Fri., Aug. 1

visit www.neshobacountyfair.orgor call 601-656-8480

http://www.tonykinton.com

http://www.culottainsuranceandinvestments.com

http://www.neshobacountyfair.org


From a small grocery store/cafe in Water Valleyoperated by two enterprising women—one a talentedchef—in a once-derelict 140-year-old building comesa cookbook as enjoyable to read as it is tantalizing.“Ke B.T.C. Old-Fashioned Grocery Cookbook:

Recipes and Stories from a Southern Revival” by storeowner Alexe Van Beuren features 120 recipes by DixieGrimes, illustrated with full-color photographs andenhanced with Beuren’s lively storytelling.Ke story of the grocery itself is an inspiring example of

how hard work, fueled by dreams, can pay oH in a rural Mississippi town. Ke store’sname was inspired by a Ghandi quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”Since opening in 2010, the B.T.C. has become known for serving hearty break-

fasts and lunches, plus prepared foods like casseroles, salads and spreads—besideslocal seasonal vegetables and sundry grocery items.Recipes featured in the cookbook include Cora Ray’s Fried Pies, Honey Pecan

CatIsh, Tex-Mex Pimento Cheese, Hoop and Havarti Macaroni, Watermelon Saladwith Feta, and the three recipes reprinted at right.Ke 240-page cookbook is available in stores in hardcover and as an ebook from

online retailers. Signed copies may be ordered from Square Books atsquarebooks.com. Price is $29.99. Ke B.T.C. Grocery is located at 301 N. Main St.in Water Valley. For more information, call 662-473-4323 or go to btcgrocery.com

mississipp i CooksFEATURED COOKBOOK:

‘The B.T.C. Old-FashionedGrocery Cookbook’

Dixie Dale’s Shrimp Salad1 cup Old Bay seasoning1 pound shrimp4 cups Hellmann’s mayonnaiseJuice of 2 lemons2 Tbsp. dry white wine or dry vermouth2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce3 dashes Tabasco sauce

½ cup 3nely chopped green onions3 celery hearts, 3nely chopped

(½ cup)2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley4 tsp. garlic salt¼ tsp. cayenne pepper½ tsp. sweet paprika½ tsp. white pepper

Bring 6 cups of water and the Old Bay to a boil in a 4-quart stockpot set over highheat. Add the shrimp and cook until they start to curl and turn pink, 3 minutes.Using a mesh strainer, transfer the shrimp to a bowl of ice water. Let sit for 2 min-utes, drain the shrimp and then put them on paper towels to dry. Peel, devein andchop the shrimp. In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, wine,mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, onions, celery, parsley, garlic salt, cayenne,paprika and white pepper. About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve the salad,add the shrimp and return the bowl to the refrigerator. Serve when chilled. Kesalad will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. Serves 4 to 6.

Peach Pound Cake1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter,

room temperature½ cup Crisco shortening3 cups sugar6 eggs1 (3-oz.) box peach-4avored instant

gelatin

1 tsp. vanilla extract3½ cups all-purpose 4our¼ tsp. baking powder¼ tsp. salt1 cup buttermilk4 medium peaches, peeled, pitted and

chopped (2 cups)

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a Bundt pan (or four 4-by-7-inch loaf pans) withnonstick cooking spray. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter, shorteningand sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, and then add the gelatin and vanilla. In aseparate bowl, sift together the Jour, baking powder and salt. Alternately add theJour mixture and the buttermilk to the butter mixture and stir well. Stir in thepeaches and pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a wooden toothpickinserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 1 hour. Transfer to a wire rackand let cool completely before inverting onto a serving plate.

Yellow Squash Au Gratin¼ cup (½ stick) plus 1 Tbsp. unsalted

butter6 to 8 small yellow squash, sliced (4cups)4 eggs, beaten2 dashes Tabasco sauce½ tsp. sugar1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil1 tsp. dried basil½ tsp. white pepper1 cup panko bread crumbs2 oz. Swiss cheese, shredded (½ cup)2 oz. Cheddar cheese, shredded (½ cup)

Preheat oven to 375 F. In a medium bowl, melt ¼ cup of the butter. Add thesquash, eggs, Tabasco, sugar, ½ teaspoon of the salt and black pepper. In a sautépan set over medium heat, add the oil and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Heatuntil bubbly. Add the squash mixture, ½ teaspoon remaining salt, basil and whitepepper. Cook until the squash is soft, 15 minutes. Drain well and set aside. Puthalf the squash mixture in the bottom of an 8-by-8-inch casserole dish. Sprinklewith half the bread crumbs and then half of each of the cheeses. Repeat the layerswith the remaining ingredients. Bake until golden brown on top, 15 minutes.Serves 6.

Ratatouille2 Tbsp. olive oil1 cup sliced onion1 cup sliced green bell pepper1 cup sliced red bell pepper2 cups sliced zucchini

2 cups peeled and cubed eggplant2 Tbsp. Mrs. Dash tomato-basil-garlic

seasoning1 (14 ½-oz.) can diced tomatoes,

undrained

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over mediumheat; add onion, peppers, zucchini and eggplant,and mix well. Cook 8-10 minutes, or until veg-etables are crisp-tender. Sprinkle seasoning overvegetables and stir to combine. Add tomatoes andcook 5 minutes or until heated thoroughly.

This version of a traditional French recipe featuring summer veg-etables comes from the “Mississippi Farmers Market Cookbook:500 Fresh Not Frozen.” Price is $15 plus $2.50 S&H per book. Toorder, send check or money order (payable to MDAC) to Mississippi Farmers Market Cookbook,c/o Marketing Division, P.O. Box 1609, Jackson, MS 39215-1609. For more information, call 601-359-1159. Check it out!

Visit our website for more recipes:

www.todayinmississippi.com

http://www.todayinmississippi.com


FARM BARNSHattiesburg, MS • 1-601-296-0550

30 x 40 x 10 = $8,900.00 Painted Sides

40 x 40 x 20 = $16,900.00Painted Sideswww.farmbarnsinc.com

Our Prices Include

Labor & Metal Sides Also Available in Wood Sides

30X40X10 KIT$4900.

00

SAWMILL EXCHANGE: North America’s largest sourceof used portable sawmills and commercial sawmillequipment for woodlot and sawmill operations. Over 800listings. Call for a free list or to sell your equipment, 800-459-2148, www.sawmillexchange.com

WHOLE HOUSE GENERATOR. Minimum H.P. of Trac-tor 40. Never used. Paid $4280.00. Sale for $3000.00.228-219-8292.

10.5 Acres, 3 BR, 2 bath brick home, barn, ponds, fish-ing, hunting. Monticello $110,000. 601-669-1065.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITYCHRISTIAN VALUE GREEN TECHNOLOGY COMPANY seeks mature business professionals forPT/FT business opportunity. Home based office. Careerlevel income potential. Apprenticeship styletraining/support. 800-972-6983.

VACATION RENTALS SMOKIES. TOWNSEND, TN. 2 BR, 2 Bath Log Home,Jacuzzi, Fireplace, wrap around porch, charcoal grill,picnic table. 865-320-4216, [email protected], PIGEON FORGE, TN sleeps 2-6, great loca-tion, 251-649-3344, 251-649-4049. www.hideawayprop.com

APPALACHIAN TRAIL Cabins by trail in Georgia mountains. 3000’ above sea level. Snowy winters,cool summers, inexpensive rates. 800-284-6866.www.bloodmountain.com.GULF SHORES BEACH HOUSE. 2 BR. Summer,$995/week. Fall, $800/week. 251-666-5476.

WWW.GULFSHORES4RENT.com. Beautiful andgreat priced condos on West Beach in Gulf Shores. Call404-219-3189 or 404-702-9824.

SMOKEY MOUNTAIN COTTAGES PIGEON FORGE,TN. $85.00 Nightly. Owner 1-800-382-4393.

MISCELLANEOUSPLAY GOSPEL SONGS by Ear! $12.95. “Learn GospelMusic” - chording, runs, fills - $12.95. Both $24. David-sons, 6727MS Metcalf, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66204.913-262-4982.

BECOME AN ORDAINED MINISTER, by Correspon-dence study. The harvest truly is great, the laborours arefew. Luke 10:2. Free info. Ministers for Christ Assemblyof Churches, 7558 West Thunderbird Rd., Ste 1-114,Peoria, AZ 85381. http://www.ordination.org

FREE BOOKS/DVDS, Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as Church and State unite! Let the Bible reveal. The Bible Says, P.O. Box 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. 888-211-1715. [email protected]

Type or print your ad clearly. Be sure to include your telephone number. Deadline is the 10th of each month for the next month’s issue. Rate is $2.50 per word, 10-wordminimum. Mail payment with your ad to Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS39158-3300. Have any questions? Phone 601-605-8600 or email [email protected]

Mississippi

Marketplace

FOR SALE

40’x 60’x 12’

Pole Barn

Enclosed with

(2) 10’x 10’ Rollup

(1) 3’x 7’ Walk

$13,500Installed

30’x 40’x 10’Red IronAll Steel Building Kit(2) 8’x 8’ Rollup(1) 3’x 7’ Walk$6,775Kit Only

30’x 40’x 10’Pole BarnRoof Only$3,950Installed

40’x 60’x 12’Pole BarnRoof Only$6,850Installed

Advertise in the Mississippi Marketplace.

REACH OVER448,000 HOMES!


http://www.sawmillexchange.com


http://www.hideawayprop.com

http://www.bloodmountain.com

http://www.farmbarnsinc.com

http://www.ordination.org



Mobile Home Super Insulated Roof Over Systems.40 Year Warranty. Factory Direct from

ROOF KING 1-800-276-0176

Mobile Home Owners: ROOF KING

www.roofking.net SINCE 1982

Help keep them safewhile they keep your service reliable

Our crews work every day to keep miles of power lines energized. When you see them working along

roadsides, please slow down and pass with care. We want our line workers to return home safely

at the end of their work day!

http://www.roofking.net


EventsMISSISSIPPI

Want more than 400,000 readers to know about your event? Submit it at least two months prior to theevent date. Submissions must include a phone number with area code for publication. Mail to Mississippi

Events, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300; fax to 601-605-8601; or email [email protected]

Events of statewide interest will be published free of charge as space allows. Since events are subject tochange, we strongly recommend confirming dates and times before traveling.

Bibletones Quartet Homecoming, June28, Gulfport. Featuring The Bibletones, TheGold City Quartet and Original Florida BoysQuartet; 6 p.m. Free admission. GulfportBaptist Church. Details: 228-326-6107, 228-284-2306.A Day in the Park, June 28, Crawford.Includes Community-wide yard sale oJeringclothing, housewares, toys, home decor, tools,more; softball game and concessions. Details:662-272-5770.38th Annual Day in the Park, June 28,Beaumont. Entertainment, arts/crafts, food,Kreworks; 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Details: 601-784-3352.The Voice of the Fourth, June 28, Lena.Vocal competition for all ages; 6 p.m.Admission. Old Lena School. Details: 601-663-8101, 601-781-7830.Bruce Sawmill Festival, July 10-11, Bruce.Entertainment featuring The BouJants, golftournament, car show, 5K run/walk,arts/crafts, more. Bruce Square. Details:662-983-2222;[email protected]

Rockin’ on the Roost Summer ConcertSeries, June 7-27, Olive Branch. Fridays, 7-9 p.m. Old Towne Main Street, Pigeon RoostRoad. Details: 662-393-0888;olivebrancholdtowne.orgVegetable Field Day, June 12, Beaumont.Techniques for producing vegetables andfruits; demonstration garden; 8-11 a.m. Free.Mississippi State University BeaumontHorticulture Unit. Details: 228-546-1013; [email protected] of the Columbus-Lowndes PublicLibrary Book Sale, June 12 & 14 and July 10& 12, Columbus. Used paperbacks, hardbacksand audio books in most every genre.Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. Details:618-444-2591; lowndeslibrary.org13th Annual Noxubee CountyJuneteenth Festival, June 14, Macon.Parade/drumline, food, gospel and bluesmusic, and fun; 10 a.m. - dark. Free. NorthStreet and Hwy. 14 W. Details: 662-726-5475,662-352-4738.“Can’t Stop Singing,” June 14-15, Jackson.Musical with “Sesame Street” characters. Fourperformances. Admission. MississippiColiseum. Details: 601-353-0603;sesamestreetlive.comLower Delta Talks: “Delta Lagniappe:Trends and Tablescapes,” June 17, Rolling Fork. Featuring Sherry Smythe andSarah Smythe; 6:30 p.m. Free. Sharkey-Issaquena County Library. Details: 662-873-4076.Bluegrass, Country and Gospel Singing,June 21, Black Hawk. Featuring Mack AllenSmith & The Flames and Uncle Pug Kea &Bluegrass Friends; 6 p.m. Black Hawk OldSchool. Details: 662-453-0072;[email protected] Annual Deanash Children’s VillageCar Show and Mustang 50th AnniversaryCar Show, June 28, Hattiesburg. BeneKtsDeanash Children’s Village; 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.Spectators free. Pineview Baptist Church.Details: 601-467-1138;[email protected]

Southern Gospel Music Association ofMississippi Singing, July 12, Petal. Featuringseveral groups; 6 p.m. Bethel Assembly of God.Details: 662-299-4864, 662-216-3827.Mississippi Opry, July 12, Pearl. Bluegrass,old time, country and gospel music, featuringD’lo Trio and Harmony & Grits; 6-9 p.m.

Admission. Pearl Community Room. Details:601-331-6672.Pastor Appreciation Celebration, July 13,Bolivar. Honoring the Rev. Arthur J. Thomaswith speaker the Rev. James Dennis and choirs; 2:30 p.m. Galilee M.B. Church. Details:662-820-7146.

15%First Year

GUARANTEEDIncludes First Year 8% Bonus

CD or IRACOMING DUE?

Learn the Safe & Secure Way to Earn StockMarket Linked Return Without Market

Risk to Your Principal.

L.D. O’MireFinancial Services

1-800-844-3254“Serving you for Over 50 Years”

Guarantees subject to the claim paying ability of theinsurance company. Surrender of the contract may besubject to surrender charge or market value adjust-ment. Product not available in all states. This is a singlepremium deferred Annuity. Interest rates are subject tochange. Withdrawals prior to age 591/2 may be subjectto a 10% IRS penalty.

‘Picture This’ gets patriotic for JulyFor our next “Picture This” reader photo feature, we are look-

ing for photos on the theme “Patriotism, Mississippi Style.”Submissions must be emailed or postmarked

by June 10. Selected photos will appear in the July issue ofToday in Mississippi.

Photographers whose photos are selected for publication areeligible for a $200 cash prize, to be awarded in a random draw-ing in December.

� Submission requirements• Submit as many photos as you like, but select only yourbest work.• Photos must relate to the given theme.• Photos must be the original work of an amateur photog-rapher (of any age).• Photos must be in sharp focus.• Digital photos must be high-resolution JPG files. Please do not use photo-editing software to alter colors or tones. (We prefer to do it ourselves, if necessary, according to our printer’s standards.)• Photos must be accompanied by identifying information: photographer’s name, address, phone and electricpower association (if applicable). Include the name(s) of any recognizable people, places and pets in the picture. Feel free to add comments or explanatory notes.• Prints will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot, however, guarantee their safe return through the mail.

� How to submitMail prints to Picture This, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300.

Attach digital photos to an email message, including the required identifying information, and send to:[email protected]

If submitting more than one photo, please attach all photos to only one email message, if possible.








LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 10/5/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

















LIMIT 1 - Save 20% on any one item purchased at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon, gift cards, Inside Track Club membership, extended service plans or on any of the following: compressors, generators, tool storage or carts, welders, fl oor jacks, Towable Ride-On Trencher (Item 65162), open box items, in-store event or parking lot sale items. Not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with original receipt. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 10/5/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

SUPER COUPON!

ANY SINGLE ITEM

20%OFF

LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 10/5/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

FREE

WITH ANY PURCHASE

SUPER COUPON!

NOBODY BEATS OUR QUALITY, SERVICE AND PRICE!

FACTORY DIRECT SAVINGSHow does Harbor Freight sell great quality tools at the lowest prices? We buy direct from the same factories who supply the expensive brands and pass the savings on to you. It’s just that simple! Come in and see for yourself why over 25 million satisfi ed customers and leading automotive and consumer magazines keep talking about our great quality and unbeatable prices. Visit one of our 500 Stores Nationwide and use this 20% Off Coupon on one of over 7,000 products*, plus pick up a Free 9 LED Aluminum Flashlight, a $6.99 value.• We Will Beat Any Competitor’s Price Within 1 Year Of Purchase• No Hassle Return Policy• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Customers and Experts Agree Harbor Freight WINS in QUALITY and PRICE

If You Buy Tools Anywhere Else, You're Throwing Your Money Away

QUALITY TOOLS AT RIDICULOUSLY LOW PRICESHARBOR FREIGHT

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!500 StoresNationwide

LIFETIMEWARRANTY

ON ALL HAND TOOLS!

SAVE 40%

SAVE $60

SAVE $50

SAVE $130

SAVE 45%

SAVE $80

SAVE 60%

SAVE $30

SAVE 30%

SAVE 42%

SAVE $120

SAVE 56%

SAVE $180

SAVE $50

SAVE $45

$1799 REG. PRICE $29 .99

21 PIECE SAE/METRIC GO-THRU SOCKET SET

LOT NO. 67974

$5999 REG. PRICE $119 .99

Item 68053 shown

RAPID PUMP®

1.5 TON ALUMINUM RACING JACK • 3-1/2 Pumps Lifts

Most Vehicles!• Weighs 27 lbs.

"The Undisputed King of the Garage" – Four Wheeler Magazine

LOT NO. 68053 692526056962160

LOT NO. 67831/61609

26", 16 DRAWER ROLLER CABINET

REG. PRICE

$499.99 $31999

• 1060 lb. Capacity

• 14,600 cu. in. of storeage

Item 67831 shown

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling

800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior

purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt.

Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be

presented. Valid through 10/5/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

SUPER

COUPON!

$9999

$14999 REG. PRICE

$199. 99

99999999SAVE$100

10 FT. x 20 FT. PORTABLE CAR CANOPY

LOT NO. 6903468218/60728

Item 69034 shown

$6999 REG. PRICE $99 .99

1.5 HP ELECTRIC POLE SAW

LOT NO. 68862

• Extends from6 ft. to 8 ft. 10"

900 PEAK/800 RUNNING WATTS

2 HP (63 CC)GAS GENERATOR

LOT NO. 66619 60338/69381

$9999 REG. PRICE

$179.99

Item 69381 shown

COUPON!800 RUNNING WATTS

COUPON!800 RUNNING WATTS

NEW!

Item 68887 shown

LOT NO. 68887 /61849

90 AMP FLUX WIRE WELDER

REG. PRICE $149.99 $9999

• No Gas Required!

WE CARRY A FULL LINE OF WELDING WIRE






SUPER

COUPON!

$3999

$5999 REG. PRICE

$79. 99

$$39$$39

SAVE50%

3 GALLON, 100 PSI OILLESS PANCAKE AIR COMPRESSOR

LOT NO. 95275 /6063769486/61615

Item 95275 shown

9000 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH REMOTE CONTROL AND AUTOMATIC BRAKE

REG. PRICE $399 .99

$27999

LOT NO. 68143 /6134661325/62278

Item 61325 shown

"An Excellent Means of Adding a Winch to your 4x4 Without Breaking the Bank"

– 4 Wheel Drive & SUV Magazine

10 PIECE DRAGONFLY SOLAR LED STRING LIGHTS

LOT NO. 60758 COUPON!SOLAR LED STRING LIGHTS

NEW!

REG. PRICE $9 .99

$699 Item 96289

shown

1500 WATT DUAL TEMPERATURE

HEAT GUN (572°/1112°)

$899 REG. PRICE

$25 .99

LOT NO. 96289/62340






SUPER

COUPON!

$10999

$12499 REG. PRICE

$169. 99

SAVE$60

Item 91006 shown

1.5 CUBIC FT. SOLID STEEL

DIGITAL FLOOR SAFE

LOT NO. 91006/61565

$7999 REG. PRICE

$129 .99

1500 PSI PRESSURE

WASHER LOT NO. 68333 /69488

Item 68333 shown






SUPER

COUPON!

$6499

$8999 REG. PRICE

$129. 99

$$64$$64

SAVE$65

RETRACTABLE AIR HOSE REEL WITH 3/8" x 50 FT. HOSE– Street Trucks Magazine

"Impressed with the Quality, Covers your

Entire Garage at an Unbelievable Low Price"

LOT NO. 9389769265 62344

Item 93897 shown

REG. PRICE

$59 .99 $3599 Item 69340

shown

MIG-FLUX WELDING CART

LOT NO. 69340/60790 90305/61316

Welder and accessories sold separately.SAVE

40%

AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT

CHARGER LOT NO. 42292

69594/69955

$599 REG. PRICE

$14 .99

Item 42292 shown

Item 90154 shown

$26999 REG. PRICE

$399 .99

1195 LB. CAPACITY4 FT. x 8 FT.

HEAVY DUTY FOLDABLE UTILITY TRAILER

LOT NO. 90154 /62170

• DOT certifi ed

8", 5 SPEED BENCH MOUNT

DRILL PRESS

$5499 REG. PRICE

$99 .99

LOT NO. 44506 /60238

Item 60238 shown






SUPER

COUPON!

$9499

$11999 REG. PRICE

$149. 99

SAVE$55

10 TON HYDRAULIC LOG SPLITTER

LOT NO. 67090/62291Item 67090

shown

WEATHERPROOF COLOR SECURITY CAMERA WITH

NIGHT VISIONLOT NO.

69654/95914

$3299 REG. PRICE $59.99

Item 69654 shown

3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHTNINE LED

ALUMINUMFLASHLIGHT

ITEM 6502069052/69111

VALUE $699

Item 65020 shown

SAVE 65%

$2199 REG. PRICE $49.99

Item 65570 shown

RECIPROCATING SAW WITH ROTATING HANDLE

LOT NO. 65570 61884/62370

Item 95692 shown

1-1/4 GALLON SPRAYER

$799 REG. PRICE

$13 .99

LOT NO. 95692/61280

™

Today in Mississippi East June 2014

Documents

Transcript of Today in Mississippi East June 2014