THE DISPATCH s CDISPATCH.

COM s SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010

C
SECTION

BRIGHT LIGHTS AND HOMETOWNS

LIFESTYLES EDITOR
Jan Swoope: 328-2471

Broadway veteran, Columbus native, remains a Southern girl at heart

BY JAN SWOOPE
jswoope@cdispatch.com
S
he may be only 15,
but Ashley Reneé
Jordan is already a
poised veteran of the
Broadway stage, as well
as national television
and print ad campaigns.
For most of the year,
Get your
the Columbus native
lives in New York City,
moving with savvy
through a world of
country on
auditions, subways, late
night performances
Bates, Collie and more lend efforts
to help build new animal shelter
Lifestyles
and early morning
school bells. There, life
is fast-paced, filled with BY JAN SWOOPE
hard work, punctuated jswoope@cdispatch.com
by bright lights.
T
Excitement is possible rip Richmond has a soft spot for animals. Dogs,
around any corner. especially. The country music artist and his girl-
Which may be why, friend, Kim, currently have five rescue dogs
for Ashley, coming among their
home to Mississippi for menagerie.
long summertime visits But the
with her grandparents, memory of
Bobby and Reneé one very
Jordan, and the rest of special shel-
her large family, is so ter dog
essential. Here, hang- fuels
ing out with cousins, Richmond’s
skating, shopping with inspiration
her grandmother, cook- for a major
ing — even shelling concert in
purple hull peas — is a Columbus
welcome change of Aug. 14, to
pace. benefit the
Columbus- Courtesy Photo
See JORDAN, 5C Trip Richmond of The Trip Richmond Band
Lowndes
Humane is pictured with three of his shelter res-
cue dogs. The country music artist has
Kelly Tippett/Dispatch Staff Society.
Ashley Jordan, 15, and helped organize “Max’s Dog Days of
Max’s Mississippi,” an Aug. 14 concert to help
her grandfather, Bobby Dog Days
Jordan, relax at Jordan’s fund a new shelter for the Columbus-
of Lowndes Humane Society.
Barber Shop and Salon
Mississippi
on Military Road, where
Ashley spent a lot of is named for “the most beautiful blue merle Chihuahua
hours as a youngster. you ever laid your eyes on,” Richmond said from his
She moved to New York new home in Columbus Wednesday. He recently
from the Friendly City
five years ago to pursue See CONCERT, 5C
a performing career.
2C SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

Magic MILITARY NOTE

Meeks honored
of-hand Dictionary). In some ways, the very end of the Just paying a visit, I sup-

D
o you
believe in
magic? I
do ... maybe a bit
too much.
A recent ad in
The Dispatch’s
classifieds, under
“personals,”
caught my eye.
“Join local magic
club,” it said.
Adele Elliott
Wow! Magic in
Columbus? Who
wouldn’t want to be a part
of that?
I imagined sorcerers
and wizards, witches and
beautiful fairy godmothers, welcome. Beginners may
gathering under a full
moon, to work amazing
feats. Maybe we could all
be granted three wishes.
Maybe more.
As it turns out, I might
have been prematurely
excited. Local magician
Shawn Evans is forming a
club for magicians. That
means card tricks, coin
tricks, all sorts of sleight-
effects,
close-up
and stage
illusions,
too.
Shawn
has worked
his magic
in New
Orleans,
Las Vegas
and
Phoenix.
Now, in the Golden
Triangle, he is bringing
together like-minded con-
jurors. All skill levels are
want to learn, and old pros,
with a few tricks up their
sleeve, may share some
secrets. You can learn
more at mimesis-
magic.com.
I had to run to the dic-
tionary to look up “mime-
sis.” (After all, I am
blonde.) The word means
“art’s imitation of life”
(Encarta English
all art is an imitation of life.
That’s the goal, anyway.
I knew many magicians
in New Orleans. I even
dated one, many years
before I met my husband.
I had to run to the
dictionary to look
up “mimesis.”
(After all, I am
blonde.) The word
means “art’s
imitation of life”
(Encarta English
Dictionary).
But, the Golden Triangle is
different. Magicians are a
rare breed here. However,
there is no lack of enchant-
ment.
My friend, Beverly, told
me about a walk she once
took with her grandsons to
Riverwalk. “I felt that there
were fairies all around us,”
she told me. “The tree
trunks looked like perfect
homes for mystical beings.
You would have loved it!”
Columbus has lots of
charming vignettes, unex-
pected encounters with
scenes so delightful that
you have to stop for a
moment of wonder. I love
to drive the stretch along
Airline Road, where the
trees arch over the wind-
ing path like a canopy. You
can almost imagine a faun
dashing across the road.
Most of us have heard
the story of the wild ram
who lives in some wooded
areas on the north side of
town. The story goes that
he escaped from a live
crèche some Christmases
ago. Although I have never
seen him, an acquaintance
once told me that he was
startled by a huge goat
standing at his front door.
pose.
Few visions inspire as
much awe as a stained
glass window. We have
some extraordinary ones
in Columbus. Annunciation
Catholic Church has win-
dows with colors like illu-
minated jewels. It’s enough
to make an atheist convert.
When speaking of
stained glass, we cannot
forget the Tiffany window
at St. Paul’s Episcopal
Church. It is exquisite, his-
toric and immortalized in
“Streetcar Named Desire.”
I dare any other city to top
that!
A stroll through
Friendship Cemetery can
be filled with curiosity.
Imagine the lives of people
who lived so long ago.
Some say the Teasdale
Angel tires of resting on
her right arm and switches
to her left. Wish I could
see that.
So, to all you magi-
cians out there, enjoy
your new club. But
remember, it’s not easy to
compete with the magic of
Columbus.
Adele Elliott, a New
Orleans native, moved to
Columbus after Hurricane
Katrina. E-mail reaches
her at adeleelliott@bell-
south.net
Brandon J. Meeks has been
named Soldier of the Quarter
for the 3rd Sustainment
Brigade.
Selection was based on the
individual’s exemplary duty
performance, job knowledge,
leadership qualities, teamwork,
significant self-improvement,
personal achievements,
notable accomplishments, and
community service and sup-
port.
Meeks is a mail
clerk/orderly room specialist
assigned at Fort Stewart,
Hinesville, Ga. The specialist
has served in the military for
three years.
He is the son of Thomas
and Sally Meeks of Fayette,
Ala.
He is a 2004 graduate of
Fayette County High School.
BIRTH
Presley Kate Leathers
Preston and Kala Leathers
of Starkville announce the
birth of their daughter, Presley
Kate Leathers, on July 2,
2010.
She weighed 7 pounds 13
ounces.
The maternal grandparents
are Tommy and Trish Hughes of
Columbus, and Mimi Mask of
Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
The paternal grandparents
are Pam Dallas of Pontotoc,
and Don and Debi Leathers of
Tupelo.
Also welcoming Presley
Leathers are great-grandpar-
ents Carrie Compton of
Columbus, Willa Rea Hughes of
Columbus, Devan and Ellouise
Dallas of Pontotoc, and Leburn
and Verlene Leathers of Fulton.

CALENDAR
Thursday, Aug. 12
Luncheon with Books
— West Point’s Bryan Public
Library presents Mississippi-
born author and Harper Lee
Award-winner Carolyn Haines
at noon. Haines’ just-released
book, “Bone Appetit,” is part
of the Sarah Booth Delaney
mysteries and takes place in
Greenwood. Luncheon cost is
$6. Reservations are not
required. For more information,
contact the library at 662-
494-4872.
Saturday, Aug. 14
TWT Acting workshops
— As a benefit for the
Tennessee Williams Tribute,
the Frank Phillips YMCA, 602
Second Ave. N., Columbus,
hosts acting workshops with
actor and acting coach Rus
Blackwell. A youth workshop
(ages 13-17) is from 8 a.m.-
noon ($50). An adult work-
shop will be held from 1-5 p.m.
($75). Registration forms are
available at the Y office. For
more information, contact
Brenda Caradine at 662-574-
4275.
Max’s Dog Days —
Country music artists Jeff
Bates, Mark Collie, Crossin
Dixon, the Trip Richmond
Band and more perform at the
John C. Stennis Lock and Dam
East Bank to benefit the
Columbus-Lowndes Humane
Society fund for a new shelter.
The show starts at 6 p.m.;
gates open at 5 p.m. Children
12 and under free; pets
allowed. Tickets are $25 in
advance, or $40 at the gate.
Buy tickets at the Humane
Society, 13 Airline Road in
Columbus (10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday), or at
www.etix.com. For more infor-
mation, contact the CLHS at
662-327-3107.
Tuesday, Aug. 17
Cooking and art —
Aberdeen Main Street will host
a fundraiser Aug. 17 featuring
well-known chef and cookbook
author Robert St. John, as well
as watercolor artist Wyatt
Waters. The event will be held
at the Aberdeen American
Legion facility. Tickets are
$25. For more information,
contact the Aberdeen Visitor’s
Bureau at 662-369-9440.
Thursday through
Sunday, Aug. 19-22
Sturgis South —
Diamond Rio, Crossin Dixon,
Willy Waggs, Trademark and
more will entertain at the
14th annual Sturgis South
Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis. A
$40 weekend pass offers
access to all entertainment
and events, including a dice
run, bike show and games.
Daily passes are also avail-
able. Visit www.sturgismsral-
ly.com for complete schedule
and more information, or e-
mail ksmithpa@bellsouth.net.
Friday and Saturday,
Aug. 27-28
Roast-n-Boast — This
Mississippi barbecue champi-
onship at the Columbus
Fairgrounds offers a variety of
food vendors, arts and crafts,
inflatables for the kids and
more than $8,000 in prizes.
Bands include Cooter Brown
(Fri., 8-10 p.m.); Juke Joint
Gypsies (Fri., 10 p.m.-mid-
night); and Spunk Monkey
(Sat., 8 p.m.-midnight). Gates
open Friday at 5 p.m. and
Saturday at noon. Deadline for
team entries is Aug. 22. Visit
www.roastnboast.com, or con-
tact Mike Law at 662-549-
5054.
Saturday, Aug. 28
Cruisin’ the River Car
Show — Southern Cruisers
Car Club presents the 19th
annual Pride and Joy “Cruisin’
the River” car show at the
East Bank of the John C.
Stennis Lock and Dam in
Columbus. Bring the family to
enjoy cars of all models and
vintages, games, prizes and
novelty races. Attendance is
free to the public. Registration
of autos will be from 8 a.m.-
noon. (Pre-register a car for
$20; $15 second car.)
Activities begin at 8 a.m.;
awards will be presented at 3
p.m. For information, visit
www.southerncruisersms.com,
or call 662-574-2678, 662-
323-4540, or 662-494-6086.
Friday, Sept. 3
Howlin’ Wolf Blues
Festival — The 15th annual
Howlin’ Wolf Memorial Blues
Festival in The Civic in West
Point will feature Homemade
Jamz, James “Super Chikan”
Johnson, Cherry Lee Mewis,
Mark “Mule Man” Massey,
with Billy Earheart; Blind
Mississippi Morris, and more.
Gates open at 4 p.m.; music
begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are
$15 in advance ($20 at the
door), available in Columbus at
Dill & Norris; in West Point at
Bits N Pieces; in Starkville at
Jack Forbus Insurance; and
online at www.wpnet.org /
Howlin_Festival. htm. For more
information, contact Richard
Ramsey at
rramsey@wpms.net., or 662-
605-0770.
Saturday, Sept. 4
Prairie Arts Festival —
West Point’s 32nd popular
annual festival of arts, music
and family fun is from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. downtown. With
more than 600 exhibits, it
offers fine juried arts, crafts,
down-home Southern cooking,
four stages, Kidsville, classic
cars and much more. For more
information, visit
www.wpnet.org, or call 662-
494-5121.
Ritz Blues Bash — The
Ritz Theater and Conference
Center in downtown West
Point hosts this tribute to 100
years of West Point native
Howlin’ Wolf. Music begins at
1 p.m., featuring the All Night
Long Blues Band, Ben
Prestage, and Cedric Burnside
and Lightnin’ Malcolm. Food
and cash bar available. See
rare footage of Howlin’ Wolf on
the theater screen between
acts. Tickets are $15 in
advance ($20 at the door) at
the Cafe Ritz; 125 Commerce
St., West Point. For more infor-
mation, contact The Ritz at
662-494-7489.
 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010 3C

Exhibit explores Oktibbeha aviation heritage CAC

SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH Lt. George M. Bryan.
The “big bang” in aviation issues
A
n aviation exhibit is on dis- research began in 1948, when
play through August in the
Greater Starkville
Development Partnership lobby at
200 E. Main St., in Starkville.
August Raspet, an aero physicist,
came to the college. His work
with sailplanes was augmented
by observing buzzards in flight
call to
Photographs and information
depict examples of aircraft from
the World War II period. The
exhibit may be viewed between 9
and resulted in the development
of fixed-wing aircraft capable of
flying at low speeds. This tech-
nology greatly improved the safe-
artists
ty of crop-dusters, who often
SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday. crashed at low speeds.

In addition, a roundtable dis-
cussion will be held at the
Starkville Sportsplex Thursday,
Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. Ten individu-
als who were involved or closely
associated with early research
will participate. They include
Dave Raspet, son of August
Raspet, Chester McKee, Terry
Camp, Ernest Russell, George
Bennett, Mel Swartsberg, Estel
Wilson, Stuart Vance and Tom
Hardy. Greg Stewart, director of
development for Aurora Flight
Services, will also be a panel
member.
Glimpse at history
Twenty-three years before the
Wright Brother’s flight in Kitty
Hawk, N.C., a Starkville resident,
Charles A. Sullivan, in 1880, was
awarded the first U.S. patent on a
flying aircraft.
Aviation has been in the blood
of many who lived in this area,
beginning with Sullivan and fol-
lowed by Sumter Camp, who
received his flight instructions in
1923 in St. Louis under Charles
Lindbergh. Camp built and
owned the first airport in
Starkville in 1932. He taught stu-
BEING BEAUTIFUL
These items are part of an aviation history display up through August
in the lobby of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.
dents to fly at Mississippi State
College, as well as many Air
Force cadets for services in
World War II.
How hot is it? Know the terms
Courtesy Photo
After World War II, the
Starkville Municipal Airport was
renamed to honor the first local
Army Air Force pilot to be killed,
T
he Columbus Arts
Raspet received the first non-
Council’s
agricultural research funds ever
at Mississippi State, thus creat- Rosenzweig Arts
ing the spark that compelled Center, 501 Main St.,
other departments into research. announces an upcoming
The first aircraft made of com- gallery show and sale,
posite materials occurred under “Mid-Century
his watch and allowed Japan’s Expressions: Art inspired
Honda Motors to build an annex by the 1940s, ’50s and
at the Raspet Center. An eight- ’60s.” Area artists are invit-
passenger executive turbine-pow- ed to participate.
ered aircraft was built for Honda Exhibition dates are Nov.
using composite materials. 1-Dec. 31.
Without a doubt, Mississippi The show is open to
State University was considered artists of all media, taking
the aviation center for research the place of the annual
in Mississippi and possibly the Starving Artists Show. To
entire southeast U.S. Many com- be accepted for this exhib-
panies came forth with their it, all artwork must be for
unique needs to solve aviation sale and ready to hang or
design problems. Some of these display.
were DuPont Aerospace, Many great art move-
Westinghouse Electronics, ments began during the
Florida-based Mod-Works and 1950s and 1960s, such as
Bosch Aerospace. abstract expressionism,
The fruits of this early and pop art, op art, and mini-
ongoing research can be seen in malism. Researching
the quality of the industries that these on the Internet
have located in the Golden would be a good place to
Triangle, including Aurora, Stark find inspiration. This show
Aerospace and Eurocopter. will be held in conjunction
This release contains informa- with the Decorative Arts
tion provided by Bill Poe of and Preservation Forum
Starkville.
Antiques Show at the
Trotter Convention Center
For more information
on submitting artwork for
the exhibition, contact the

Unforgettable
Columbus Arts Council
MSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS 5 to 6 feet off of the ground the air temperature is 72 662-328-2787
and normally over a grass degrees Fahrenheit and

red hot mama I

t’s August, and the mer-
cury continues to peak.
Not surprisingly, many
are mystified by the terms
weather professionals use
for these can
surface,” Brown said. “The
instrument shelter ensures
the thermometer is shaded
and therefore does not
absorb radiation from the
the dew point temperature
is 70 degrees Fahrenheit,
the relative humidity is 94
percent, a number indicat-
ing the air is 94 percent

I
can to describe the dog days of sun, which would give a saturated.
n Heat index: A num-
remember be a bit dry-
summer. higher and unrealistic air
several ing. For the
most staying What do terms like temperature reading.” ber indicating what the
occasions “heat index,” “relative
power apply, The problem, Brown body “feels” when heat and
when my humidity” and “dew point”
blot once added, is that people tend moisture are combined.
mama, fully mean, and why does it
and reapply. to spend a great deal of The heat index equation
dressed to seem so much warmer out-
Next, I time in the sun, experienc- quantifies the impact of air
the nines and side than the official tem-
call them ing a greatly different temperature and moisture
seconds from perature?
“classics” sense of temperature than on the body’s ability to
her destina- Michael Brown, associ-
because they that recorded as “official.” cool itself. The greater the
tion — a ate professor of geo-
represent He lists a few common air temperature and the
graduation,
David Creel the lipsticks sciences at Mississippi terms that may crop up in
Tupperware greater the moisture, the
my mama State University, says a local weather reports:
n Dew point tempera-
party or wed- higher the perceived body
used and are host of terms are used to
ding — would look up temperature.
the most popular of understand the impact of ture: The temperature in
in the rear view mirror
them all. The color certain factors on tempera- the atmosphere at which
of our family
palette is more diverse tures. Methods of measur- dew would begin to form if
Oldsmobile and discov-
with orange-reds to ing official temperatures the air temperature were
er she had left home
blue-reds and beyond. may yield results that are cooled. The higher the
without lipstick. Well,
she did what any self-
Try them in the store
whenever possible
up to 15 degrees different
than those recorded at
dew point temperature, the
greater the amount of
150 Items Daily with Alternation
respecting lady would
because the classics most people’s homes. moisture.
do ... stomped the come in mattes and “The official air temper- n Relative humidity: A
662-328-6200 Best Seafood
brakes, wheeled the car glosses. ature is measured by measure of the percent of 1208 Hwy 45 North
around in the opposite
direction and flew home
The most modern instruments that are locat- saturation relative to tem- Columbus, MS Buffet in
SEAFOOD • STEAK • SUSHI
take on red lipstick is ed in an instrument shelter perature. For example, if
in a mad dash for a tube
of her forgotten favorite
the power of gloss, Town!
Mulberry or Wine. We
were late a lot.
Lipstick is just that
which I think of as the
most subtle of them all.
A bright red will glide Moving to college? BEST
LUNCH BUFFET
on the lips in a glowing,
BUFFET
darn important. It has
been stealing the spot-
light for centuries.
glass-like finish almost
like clear topcoat for the
Women feel naked with- nails, but the sheerness
is genius. Also keep in
Keep it simple IN TOWN $ 75 Monday-Friday 5
MSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS comfortable, cool clothes
out its presence on all
Monday - Sunday Saturday & Sunday
Buy 1 Lunch Buffet
the stages of life. Red is mind that a red lip per- and shoes;
n Think light. When Buy 1 Dinner
P
often regarded as the forms best with a reparing to leave for
quintessential hot hue matching lip liner to
for those dinner parties, trace the line of the nat-
college can be hectic
and confusing for stu-
possible, pack belongings in
Get 2nd 1/2 Price Get 2nd 1/2 Price
easy-to-carry containers and Valid only with coupon. Not valid with any Valid only with coupon. Not valid with any
galas and formal soirees ural lips before filling in dents and parents, and get- bring lightweight hand other offer. Adult Buffet Only, Expires 9/01/10. other offer. Adult Buffet Only, Expires 9/01/10.
where the little black the entire lip and glid- ting the new student moved trucks and wheeled lug-
© The Dispatch

dress, conversation and ing on a favorite shade. can be overwhelming. gage carriers;
diamonds deserve a lit- Blotting between coats The associate director n Know your room num-
tle more oomph. I must is a little trick of mine to for student housing at ber. You cut down unload-
confess that lately the ensure your lipstick’s Mississippi State University
ing zone time and confusion
modern woman has star never fades. says with literally thousands
if you know exactly where
been test driving bold Recently my parents of students moving into
you’re going. At MSU,
red lips on more than celebrated their 50th campus housing, move-in
day often appears to be little move-in volunteers label
red carpets, making wedding anniversary. A
more than controlled chaos. boxes with the appropriate
appearances at lunch- photograph that was
However, with a little plan- room number, so speed up
eons and even the gro- snapped of the lovely the process by being pre-
cery store. I have couple graced the local ning, parents can help ease
pared; presented by
n Stick to the basics.
always said, “All you newspaper. When I the transition.
need is confidence and phoned Mama to hear MSU’s Lari Wright advis- The Columbus Arts Council
red lipstick to conquer es keeping a few tips in You can always bring more
her rave about being
the world.” the town celebrity for a mind to minimize moving accessories later. For the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
stress: first day of moving, mini-
n Prepare for the heat. MUW Rent Auditorium
day, she answered the
mize stress by deciding
Take your pick phone with this: “I look
Saturday, September 18, 2010
August typically is how to arrange furniture
For those of you who like a corpse!”
Mississippi’s hottest month. and planning what you’ll
7:00 pm
would rather sit in the Apparently, I chose the
balcony than front and Be prepared by wearing need to add.
one photograph in the
center, craving a bit less family photo album of a

Log on.
attention, opt for the “lipstickless” lady. $20 Adults
$10 Students and Seniors
new way to wear reds. This was clearly a
Lipsticks come in differ-
662.328.2787
day when my daddy
ent formulas: stains,
refused to turn the car
classics and glosses.
Stains are the most around!
intense pigment on the David Creel of
market and in most Columbus is a former
cases will deliver the salon owner and has
written for several news-

www.cdispatch.com
most dramatic red lips
with a matte finish that papers and magazines.
will not rub off easily. E-mail him at beautiful-
Moisturize the lips first withdavid@gmail.com
4C SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

A STONE’S THROW

Caveat emptor taxes, and whatever efficient as possible. to lather up, you soap the walls learned how to haggle. I still

R
emember
Walter Mitty?
He was
James Thurber’s
comic and poignant
daydreamer who
frequently drifted
into reveries in
which he became a
superhero.
Ordinary sounds
like a knocking
engine — “poketa, Betty Stone
poketa, poketa” —
were enough to trigger his
flights of fancy.
Well, meet the flip side of
Walter Mitty. Sometimes I drift
into thoughts of distress.
Whereas Mitty’s daydreams
never turned out to be true, my tant surcharges? Would we be
nightmares sometimes come
close. For example, “poketa,
poketa, poketa” ...
I have always believed firmly dations for four put us in one
that, “If it sounds too good to
be true, it probably is.” So how
did I get blindsided by a “wind-
fall”? After ordering something
by phone, I was told that I had
“won” a three-day Caribbean
cruise for four. I demurred,
“No, thanks.”
“But, Mrs. Stone, it’s free!
It’s just to thank you for your
patronage. May I connect you
to someone to explain it to
you?”
I bit. After being assured
that I would pay only trans-
portation to the ship, port
incidentals I chose, I
signed up. When I
asked, I was told that
I was not agreeing to
any conditions.
I figured I could
take a daughter and
two grandchildren
and that, whatever
happened, we could
be good sports about
it. I invited them to
an “adventure.”
Second thoughts?
“Poketa, poketa, poketa ... ”
What had I done? Would we be
captives on a cattle boat? Would
we be presented with exorbi-
quartered in steerage?
The first unpleasant truth to
surface was that our accommo-
inside cabin. Naturally, I had to
pay for an upgrade to at least
two staterooms with windows.
In doing that, I later found that
I had forfeited the on-shore
meal vouchers for two of us and
had to get an extra bedroom at
the hotel before and after the
cruise. So much for the cruise
for “four.”
“Poketa, poketa, poketa ... ”
I worried that my arthritis
would make boarding the ship
difficult for me, but I deter-
mined that I would arrange the
logistics to be as simple and
In reality it turned out that
when we landed at our Ft.
Lauderdale destination, we
would have to go to one hotel
to get our room assignment
and vouchers for a different
hotel, and also to arrange trans-
portation to the Palm Beach
dock a couple of hours north of
there! The first hotel turned out
to be a so-called Florida
Welcome Center, where a sim-
pering director and a self-
important, sashaying hostess
treated us about as rudely as I
have ever been treated.
Finally escaping their “wel-
come,” we set out in our rental
car (which we would have to
leave in a parking garage for
three days) to find our “resort
hotel.” We passed it.
“I think that’s it,” I said to
Diana, who was driving.
“Ugh! It couldn’t be,” said
her daughter, Elisabeth.
It was. The “resort” had
seen better days. Much better.
However, our rooms seemed
clean, and there was a swim-
ming pool. Dinner was an insti-
tutional-style buffet. Not a five-
star rating.
The next day the ship
proved to be a little better, not
exactly the cattle boat I had
feared, but not five-star either.
Or four. Or three. As the come-
dian of the on-board show later
said, “When you take a shower,
and turn around!”
Three?
Our three-day itinerary went
like this: Board ship in the
afternoon, embark at 5 p.m.,
dock at Grand Bahama Island
early in the a.m.; second day on
shore, embark for return trip at
6 p.m.; disembark at Palm
Beach about 10 a.m. on third
day. Is something missing here,
like time?
We were rushed and crowd-
ed, but our day at Lahaya
Beach was delightful. The
waterfront had everything you
could hope for, surf, sand,
Calypso music, infinity pool, lap
pool, water trampoline, games,
contests, croquet, food,
“banana” boat riding, jet-skiing,
parasailing. Grandchildren
Elisabeth and John had a blast
parasailing and jet-skiing on the
ocean.
The temperature was in the
90s, but the sea breeze was so
great, we never got hot. Even a
beach mummy like me could sit
in a chaise lounge in partial
shade comfortably. Neither
were the concrete sidewalks
hot to my bare feet, as they are
here. Although we did not have
time to enjoy everything there,
when we had to leave, we had
about 30 minutes to shop at the
little market. I was amazed at
how quickly 12-year-old John
can’t do it.
The big catch
Back in Palm Beach we
encountered the stinger. We
were told we had committed to
sit through a two-hour sales
pitch for time share apart-
ments. Not true; I had never
agreed to anything like that.
But they held us captive on a
tour for a 4 1/2-hour marathon.
I thought I was going to have to
get a writ of habeas corpus to
escape.
One funny observation: A
young man, Brian, gave a little
pep talk extolling family values
and the importance of building
wholesome memories like vaca-
tion time with your children.
Then he polled his audience,
asking who was married. None
of the couples was! Poor Brian
was selling family fun to the
wrong crowd.
I’m not sorry I went, and I
think the children really had a
good time; but I am more con-
vinced than ever that: “You get
what you pay for,” “There’s no
free lunch,” and “Buyer,
beware!” Back to land ... “poke-
ta, poketa, poketa ... ”
Betty Boyls Stone is a free-
lance writer, who grew up in
Columbus.

Puppy proofing SOUTHERN GARDENING

makes for a Deadhead flowers to make more color
such prob- later in the season or next fade, allowing the plant to

D
eadheading

happy home is an impor-

MSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS
I
t’s always exciting to
bring a new puppy into
the family, with the joy
that a furry bundle can
bring to adults and chil-
dren alike. But because
puppies are naturally
inquisitive, veterinarian
Mark Russak at the
Mississippi State
University College of
Veterinary Medicine says
danger can be lurking
right around the corner.
“Generally the same
rules apply for pets as for
small children,” Russak
said. “It only takes a sec-
ond for a puppy to get into
some mischief that could
end up being a big prob-
lem.”
Puppy proofing your
house, he added, will not
only keep your new babies
safe from harm, it will also
simplify your life.
Russak suggests these
tips for making your home
safe and happy for your
new arrival:
n Don’t be shocked.
Young animals love to
chew when they’re
teething. Keep electrical
wires out of reach, or use a
pet-repellent spray.
n Avoid a sweet tooth.
Chocolate can be danger-
ous to pets because it con-
tains theobromine, a pow-
erful stimulant that is toxic
to them. Sweets and cook-
ies also can upset a young
animal’s intestines and
lead to diarrhea, vomiting
and dehydration.
n Clean up household
supplies. Cleaning agents,
bleach, ammonia, disinfec-
tants, drain cleaner, oven
cleaner, paint, gasoline and
rat poison can be deadly to
animals. Keep them
locked up.
n Monitor house
plants. Some can kill ani-
mals. Poisonous plants
include lilies, philoden-
dron, dieffenbachia, ele-
phant ear, eucalyptus, spi-
der plants, azalea, ivy
amaryllis, pyracantha, ole-
ander, boxwood,
Jerusalem cherry and
plant bulbs.
n Use caution with per-
sonal care items and med-
ications. Cosmetics, sham-
poos, skin creams, hair
“perm” solutions, depilato-
ries, suntan lotions, sleep-
ing pills, antihistamines,
aspirin, acetaminophen, as
well as many other med-
ications, can all be lethal to
pets.
n Put away plastic.
Those plastic shopping
bags aren’t toys for pets.
Inquisitive young animals
who “play” with them may
suffocate. Do your pet a
favor and keep them out of
reach.
tant garden
maintenance activi-
ty, but many gar-
deners overlook
the importance of
removing spent
flowers.
We deadhead
flowering plants to
extend the bloom
period, to remove Gary Bachman
the seed source of
species that could
become weedy and to
maintain the health of
flowering garden plants.
Many plants rebloom
after you remove the flow- duction requires so much
ers. Some plants have a
life cycle with the ulti-
mate goal of producing
seed for the next genera-
tion. If we interrupt that
process by deadheading
spent flowers, the plants
will continue to bloom as
they try to complete their
genetic programming.
Flowering plants can
produce hundreds or
even thousands of seeds
each year. You might not
get what you expect if you the flowering characteris-
allow these seeds to ger-
minate. These seedlings
often do not match the
original plant due to the
complex breeding
required to produce the
mother plant. Also, the
seedlings could crowd out side flower buds, allowing
the mother plant.
Deadheading these
species before they pro-
duce seed will prevent
lems.
Plants like
coleus also
require
deadhead-
ing to
remove
the non-
showy
flowers,
allowing
the color-
ful foliage
to be the focus.
You can increase the
overall health of your
flowering plants through
deadheading. Seed pro-
energy from the plant that
it will sacrifice all vegeta-
tive growth to produce
the next generation.
Removing the spent
flower heads allows the
plant to spend its energy
on growing stems, leaves
and most importantly, the
root system.
How to do it
The procedure for
deadheading depends on
tics of the plants.
For plants with single
flowers, such as coreopsis
or Echinacea, you just
need to remove the flower
stalk. You can increase
bloom size by removing
the plant to send more
energy to the main flower.
This step also reduces any
seed production pressure
year.
Many garden plants
like achillea and verbena
produce new clusters.
Some plants like petu-
nia produce flowers over
have clusters of flowers. the entire plant. Removing
individual flowers would
You can increase
discourage even the most
the overall health dedicated gardener. The
easiest approach is to
of your flowering shear the entire plant
using snips or an electric
plants through trimmer, but be careful to
deadheading. Seed remove only the faded
flower heads.
production
So get out in your gar-
requires so much den and deadhead. The
technique you use to
energy from the
remove spent flowers and
plant that it will developing seed heads
doesn’t matter. If it helps
sacrifice all to listen to a little Jerry
Garcia while you work, go
vegetative growth for it.
to produce the The flower show your
efforts will produce for the
next generation.
rest of the summer and
into the fall will be worth
These plants can be trou- the effort.
blesome, as all the flowers Dr. Gary Bachman is a
do not mature at the same horticulturist with the
time and seed production Mississippi State University
is spread out. Remove Coastal Research and
flowers as they start to Extension Center.
Classes Begin September 1st.
Register your child for Kindermusik.
Find a schedule at
www.columbus-arts.com
or call 328-ARTS
All classes will meet at the Rosenweig Arts Center located at 501 Main Street

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© The Dispatch
 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010 5C

Happy 40th, Concert

Continued from Page 1C
moved here from Nashville, Tenn.

Living Blues He’s helped organize the benefit

SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH Living Blues, to survive
four decades,” said Husni
OXFORD — (aka “Mr. Magazine”).
presented by K94.9 and Craven Ray
Entertainment that will bring country
charting artists Jeff Bates and Mark
Collie, plus Crossin Dixon, Mulberry
Road, the Trip Richmond Band and
more to perform in an extravaganza

A
merica’s first blues
publication, Living
Blues, not only cel-
ebrated its Ruby
Anniversary when its
208th issue hit news-
stands Aug. 1, but also
marks 40 years of
setting the interna-
tional standard for
blues journalism.
“It’s a big deal
for a small maga-
zine like this to
make it 40 years in
such a narrow
genre,” said editor
Brett Bonner, who
has worked with the
magazine for nearly
25 years. “We are for-
tunate to have a loyal
core of people who
love what we do, and
they have kept us
afloat. It’s cool for us
to get this far.” The 40th annive ished in
Living Blues, pu
Founded in
Oxford, features
Chicago by Jim O'Neal past covers.
and Amy Van Singel in
1970, Living Blues has
been the authoritative
voice for blues legends
such as Howlin’ Wolf,
Muddy Waters, B.B. King,
Koko Taylor and John Lee
Hooker, just to name a
few. Acquired by the
University of Mississippi
in 1983, Living Blues is
published by the Center
for the Study of Southern
Culture.
“Living Blues delivers
an addictive content that
satisfies the needs, wants
and desires of a blues
audience that is hungry
for more,” said UM jour-
nalism professor Samir
Husni, the world’s pre-
miere authority on maga-
zine publishing and Living is still going strong and
Blues consultant.
“It’s remarkable for
any magazine, let alone a
specialty bimonthly like
Best of
Included in the mile-
stone publication is the
final installment of the
“Best of the Decades”
lists assembled by one of
rsar y issue of
bl
some if its
the nation’s most
respected blues journal-
ists, Jim DeKoster.
“Jim has compiled a
best-of-the-decade list for
each issue this year start-
ing with the ’70s,” Bonner
explained. “He has also
done a ‘30 you might have
missed’ list with obscure
gems from each decade.
The scope and breadth of
his knowledge of blues is
amazing. He’s been
invaluable to Living Blues,
and our readers love
him.”
“The emotional con-
nection with the listener
is what I love most about
the blues,” said
DeKoster. “It's rewarding
to know that Living Blues
better than ever.”
To learn more, visit
www.livingblues.com, or
call 800-390-3527.
on the East Bank of the John Stennis
Lock and Dam.
“We lost Max in February this
year, but he is totally my inspiration
for this,” said the singer and song-
writer, who has been a strong sup-
porter of animal shelters in areas he’s
previously lived.
When the Amory native visited
the local shelter soon after moving to
Lowndes County, he was moved to
do something to help the current
campaign for a desperately-needed
new shelter. Land has been donated,
plans have been drawn, and the
humane society is about halfway to
the goal it must reach before break-
ing ground.
CLHS director Karen Johnwick
said, “It we can sell 7,000 tickets, we
could break ground on the new shel-
ter the following week! We really
appreciate Craven Ray and K94.9 for
organizing this event to help aid us in
building a shelter. And our heartfelt
thanks to Trip Richmond for all his
hard work putting it together.”
Richmond said, “Karen’s attitude
is just fabulous, but as far as the state
of the (current) building ... well, it
just tore at me and Kim.”
The music
Jeff Bates is known for RCA
Records chart hits like “The Love
Song,” “Rainbow Man,” “One Second
Chance,” and “Long, Slow Kisses.”
The Mississippi native calls his
most recent collection of recorded
work, for the Black River Music
Group, “the most honest and accu-
rate representation of me and my
music yet. Nobody told me what to
sing or write, what direction to go
with or how it had to be done.”
Bates long ago bared his sub-
stance-abuse problems for his public
and these days focuses on his wife
and new daughter, born in April, and
his religious beliefs. He’s performed
to raise money for Toys and Tots and
Hurricane Katrina relief in his home
area near Bunker Hill.
Mark Collie — the “Hillbilly
Hitman” — released eight albums,
producing 16 chart singles on
Billboard’s Hot Country Songs in the
MAX’S DOG DAYS
What: Benefit concert for the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society
Who: Jeff Bates, Mark Collie, Crossin Dixon, Trip Richmond Band, Mulberry
Wine, and more
When: Saturday, Aug. 14; concert starts at 6 p.m.; gates open at 5 p.m.
Where: John C. Stennis Lock and Dam, East Bank, Wilkins-Wise Road,
Columbus
Tickets: $25 in advance at the Humane Society, 13 Airline Rd., or at
www.etix.com. $40 at the gate. Children 12 and under admitted free.
For information, contact the CLHS at 662-327-3107.
1990s. Probably best-remembered for Food vendors and free jumper
songs like “Even the Man in the inflatables for the kids will add to the
Moon is Cryin’” and “Born to Love atmosphere organizers aim for.
You,” the Tennesseean has also writ- Children under 12 will be admitted
ten songs for George Jones, Tim free.
McGraw, Aaron Tippin and Garth Johnwick said, “I’d like to encour-
Brooks. age everyone who reads or hears
Collie even appeared in several about Max’s Dog Days of Mississippi
films, once playing Johnny Cash in “I to come out and support us, whether
Still Miss Someone,” and TV series, you’re a country music lover, or just
including “JAG,” “Walker, Texas love animals. This is going to be a
Ranger,” and “The Strip.” The wonderful evening of great music.
Nashville-based musician has dia- Please come out with family and
betes and is a frequent volunteer for friends to benefit all the homeless
the American Diabetes Association. animals.”
Add to these Broken Bow Records
artists Crossin Dixon — not only How to go
Mississippi-based, but featuring Advance tickets to Max’s Dog
Sturgis native Jason Miller — and Days are $25, available at the
Richmond’s own Nashville-influenced Humane Society at 13 Airline Rd. in
“rockin’ hard” set, plus several other Columbus Monday through Friday
artists, and Max’s Dog Days of from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Or buy advance
Mississippi shapes up to be a rare
tickets online at www.etix.com.
opportunity for high caliber live
Admission at the gate Aug. 14 will be
entertainment.
$40 per person. The concert begins
at 6 p.m.; gates will open at 5 p.m.
Family atmosphere Concert-goers will watch the show
Richmond said, “Our goal is to from the sweeping hill leading to the
have a fun evening of great country upper parking level. Everyone is
music you just can’t get anywhere urged to bring lawn chairs or blan-
nearby. We have a real good team of kets to sit on.
volunteers, and security.” He praised For more information about the
the Columbus Police Department for benefit, contact the Humane Society
its assistance in planning for the at 662-327-3107, or e-mail Richmond
event. at trip.cravenray@gmail.com

Jordan
Continued from Page 1C
“You just can’t get that
Southern hospitality any-
where else,” she said
Tuesday at her grand-
dad’s family business,
Jordan’s Barber Shop and
Salon on Military Road,
across from Lee Middle
School.
A dozen conversations
buzz in the background
as a steady stream of cus-
tomers come and go. A
big screen TV rolls the
news; a radio plays some-
where in the distance.
Through it all, Ashley sits
serene, slight of figure.
Her luminous eyes glow
in a flawless complexion.
This is a familiar environ-
ment for her. One might
even say it’s where she
got her start.
“She was always
singing and dancing,” her
grandfather — she calls
him “Daddy” — remi- she advanced to a major
nisced. “She used to hang showcase. The charming
out here a lot as a little young singer and actress
girl; she’d set up folding wow’ed judges and
tables and pretend she agents, including Shirley
was a talk show host and Grant Management, with
interview people,” chuck- whom she signed.
led a grandparent who An eventual move to
always knew Ashley had a New York led to ads for
special gift. television and print, as
well the bright lights of
Broadway.
‘Lion King,’ The former Hunt
‘The Color Purple’ Intermediate School stu-
For anyone who dent landed a year play-
dreams of “making it” one ing the role of “Young
day, Ashley’s experience Nala” in the Broadway
should serve as inspira- blockbuster, “Lion King.”
tion. She portrayed “Young
Her path to profession- Nettie,” “Young Celie,”
al acting began when her and other characters in
mother, Kammie Jordan, Broadway’s “The Color
took her to a tryout host- Purple.” She’s gotten to
ed by AMTC (Actors, meet Oprah and Julie
Models and Talent for Andrews, and a host of
other memorable names
Christ) at the Columbus
Holiday Inn. From there, in between.
Ashley, Familiar face
right, as You may have seen
“Young Ashley in ad campaigns
Nala” in for PBS Kids, Discovery
“The Lion Kids, Macy’s, Gardisil,
King,” poses NBA Cares, Nickelodeon,
in 2006 Hooked on Phonics,
with Justin AT&T, Chuck E. Cheese
Martin, who or others.
portrayed
“Young “It was fun,” she said,
Simba.” of making the commer-
cials. “I had a pre-con-
Courtesy Photo
ceived idea of what it
would be
like. I didn’t
know you
stayed there
all day for a
30-second
commercial,”
she grinned.
The
Gardisil proj-
ect was a
mother-
daughter
adventure.
Both Ashley
and Kammie
wound up on
the small
screen and in
print ads featured in mag-
azines like Oprah’s O.
Kammie, a popular
hairstylist in New York,
was nervous about the
audition, Ashley remem-
bers. “They just told us to
interact like we normally
would at home, and they
liked us and used it.”
Performing on
Broadway in a long-term
role will toughen up any
actor. “Broadway kids”
juggling eight shows a
week, plus school, learn
how to prioritize quickly.
“I’d be going to school
during the day, then be
working in the theater all
night ’til midnight, then
be back up at 6 a.m. to go
Courtesy Photo
back to school,” Ashley Ashley, far right, is pictured with screen and stage leg-
shared. Integrating work end Julie Andrews and others at “Kids’ Night on
and study wasn’t always Broadway” in November 2006.
easy at her former school.
Things are different now.
A touch of ‘Fame’?
“I’ll be a sophomore in
high school this year,
attending the Professional
Performing Arts School
in Manhattan. They’re
very used to working
kids. A lot of people com-
pare it to (the movie and
show) ‘Fame,’”Ashley
said. “Every student has a
major, in addition to aca-
demics; mine is drama.”
Her supportive family
encourages her to be an
individual, to be versatile,
Courtesy Photo
to be herself — and to
share some of what she’s This image of Ashley and her mother, Kammie Jordan of
Columbus and New York, from the August 2008 issue
learned with other young
of O magazine, appeared in a national print campaign
people who have aspira- for Gardisil. The mother-daughter duo was also featured
tions for the stage or in Gardisil’s television commercials.
screen.
As her grandfather line, you’ll be sick and sions can wait, at least a
observed, “A lot of kids your voice will sound ter- while. School begins for
don’t get exposed to rible, but you have to Ashley Sept. 8. She miss-
much ... They don’t know keep going.” es her mom, who
there’s a whole big world At the ripe age of 15, remained in New York
out there.” and gaining maturity with this summer, and she
From Ashley, “You just every passing month,
pines a little for the Big
really have to go do it; fol- Ashley is auditioning, but
focused on school and Apple’s options when it
low your dream. ... You’ll
what she wants to do with comes to cuisine, but
have a lot of ‘no’s,’ but
you have to do what it her life. She has plenty of she’s in no hurry to exit
takes; you have to have a options. the slower lane of life in
thick skin.” “I’m leaning toward Mississippi and her
She smiled, thinking writing or editing in the hometown of Columbus.
back to her own experi- fashion industry,” she “I really like being
ences. “Everything will shared. “I’ve always loved here; so many of my fami-
happen to you: You’ll fall to write ... ” ly are here ... I’m really a
on stage, you’ll miss a But life-altering deci- Southern girl at heart.”
6C SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH

July 31, 1968

HELP US LOOK BACK

Please think of us and our readers when you
clean out your attics, basements and garages.
Each Sunday we publish a page from The
Dispatch from years gone by. We need your
help with this stroll down memory lane.
If you have back issues of The Dispatch (15
years or more), we’d love to take them off your
hands (or just borrow them long enough to
copy). If you have old Dispatches we can use,
you can drop your papers by the newsroom, or
call us and we’ll pick them up.
Having a class reunion? We’d love to publish
Dispatch clippings from your scrapbooks on the
weekend of your reunion. Call 328-2471 for
details.
In the meantime, watch for Looking Back in
Sunday’s Dispatch.
THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010 7C
8C SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

Transitions: Area Weddings, Engagements and Anniversaries

Lindzey Hardin and Leroy Belk III Jessica Ann Keith and Austin Mims Bailey Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hodge

Hardin/Belk Keith/Bailey The Hodges

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Hardin of Columbus
announce the engagement of their daughter,
Lindzey Estelle Hardin, to Leroy Elbert “Trae” Belk
III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Elbert Belk Jr.
The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Darrel
Griffin of Houston, Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Hardin of
Houston, and Le Riley of Tupelo.
She is a graduate of New Hope High School,
Northeast Community College, and Mississippi
State University, where she earned a bachelor’s
degree in human sciences. She is currently
employed as a pre-school teacher in Harrisburg and
is a day school teacher in Tupelo.
The prospective groom is the grandson of Doris
Belk of Tupelo, and the late Leroy E. Belk Sr., Tomi
Rea Shumpert of Dorsey, and the late Elwood
Shumpert.
He is a graduate of Mooreville High School,
Northeast Community College and Mississippi State
University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in
business administration. He is currently employed
at Gardner-Watson in Tupelo.
Wedding vows will be exchanged Aug. 21, 2010,
at 5 p.m. at Burnt Oak Lodge in Crawford.
Jessica Ann Keith and Austin Mims Bailey
announce their engagement and forthcoming mar-
riage.
celebrate their
The bride-elect is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
John H. Keith of Philadelphia and Ms. Sherry Keith
50th anniversary
of Madden.
Her grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. William S. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hodge of Columbus will
Cobb of Lena, the late Raymond Graham of celebrate their 50th anniversary Aug. 12, 2010.
Kosciusko, and the late Mr. and Mrs. George H. The were married Aug. 12, 1960, in Philadelphia.
Keith of Carthage. Mrs. Hodge is the former Mildred Johnson.
Keith is a 2005 graduate of Leake Academy, a Mr. Hodge is
2007 graduate of ECCC, and a 2009 graduate of retired from the
Mississippi State University, where she received a U.S. Postal
marketing degree. She is currently employed with Service. He is a
Aflac Insurance in Columbus. United States
The prospective groom is the son of Mr. and Air Force veter-
Mrs. Mark Bailey of Steens. His grandparents are an. Mrs. Hodge
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bailey of Tomnolen, and the late is retired from
Mr. and Mrs. James Curtis Mims of Greenville. the school
Mr. Bailey is a 2004 graduate of Caledonia High board.
School and enlisted in the Mississippi National They are
Guard in 2005. He has been serving his country for members of
the past year in Iraq. He is currently employed with Missionary
the Mississippi Forestry Commission in Starkville. Union Baptist Mr. and Mrs. Hodge in 1960
Wedding vows will be exchanged Saturday, Aug. Church.
21, at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Carthage. The Hodges have two children, Edward Hope of
A reception will follow at the Leake County Columbus and Jessica Hodge of Dallas. They have
Country Club. Friends and family are invited. one grandchild.
After a trip to Antigua, the couple will make their
home in Starkville.

Weddings, engagements and black and white. days prior to that publication date or the Forms may be hand-delivered to the
(The fee includes a one-month sub- date of the wedding. There will be no office of The Commercial Dispatch, 516
anniversaries scription to The Dispatch; this can be a exceptions. Main St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.
The Commercial Dispatch welcomes new subscription or added to an existing Wedding announcements should be to 5 p.m., faxed to 662-329-8937, or
wedding, engagement and anniversary
subscription.) submitted within six months after the mailed to The Commercial Dispatch,
announcements. All announcements
need to be submitted on forms provided Photos can be returned by mail if a date of the wedding. P.O. Box 511, Columbus, MS 39703.
by The Dispatch. Separate forms with self-addressed, stamped envelope is Anniversary announcements will be Forms can also be downloaded from The
guidelines for submission are available included with the form, or they can be printed for couples who have been mar- Dispatch web site at www.cdispatch.com.
for each type of announcement. picked up after the announcement runs ried 50 years or more. Forms should be Any questions concerning announce-
The charge for an announcement with in the paper. submitted three weeks prior to the ments should be directed to Sarah
a photograph is $25. The charge for an In order for an engagement event. Couples submitting a picture may Wilson, the editorial assistant, at 662-328-
announcement without a photograph is announcement to run on the desired include an original wedding picture at no 2471, or
$15. All photographs will be printed in date, it must be submitted at least 21 extra cost. editorialassistant@cdispatch.com.

Medieval trove lends charm to German town

BY BY CATHERINE HICKLEY state of Saxony Anhalt, an
Bloomberg News economically weak region
lumbered by a dwindling
QUEDLINBURG, Germany population and high unem-
— ployment. Yet the town’s

A
medieval castle hous-
ing ancient treasure;
crumbling city tow-
ers; crooked-beamed, half-
timbered houses that seem
to jostle for space on wind-
ing cobbled streets: It’s
hard to compete with
Quedlinburg for quaintness.
At the foot of the Harz
Mountains, this forgotten
home of early German
kings is a couple of hours
car journey southwest of
Berlin and looks central on
a map of the country.
Yet the whole mountain
region, steeped in history
and mythology, has a lost-
in-time, mystical feel. The
highest peak of the Harz,
the Brocken, is shrouded in
mist for an average of 300
days a year. Folklore main-
tains that the witches and
their gods (or in Goethe’s
version, the devil) hold wild
revels there on Walpurgis
Night, April 30, to mark the
arrival of spring.
The remoteness is partly
because the region strad-
dled the Iron Curtain until
German reunification 20
years ago, and, like many
border areas, was thinly
populated on both sides.
Quedlinburg, once an
important trading post, is
now part of the eastern
intact houses, spanning 800
years of architecture histo-
ry, earned it UNESCO
World Heritage status in
1994.
Tourism is now the
lifeblood of the local econo-
my, and Quedlinburg
attracts visitors all year
round. In summer, you can
hike, cycle and swim in
nearby lakes, or simply
wander through pictur-
esque lanes with names like
“Holy Spirit Street” and
even “Hell,” admiring intri-
cate, wood-carved facades.
In some places, the upper
stories lean so far into the
narrow alleys that neigh-
bors facing each other on Catherine Hickley. Bloomberg News
the street could shake
hands without leaving their cooked with care and ABOVE: A steam train
front rooms. served under the vaulted climbs the Brocken, the
In winter, cozy cafes stone ceilings of a 16th-cen- highest peak in the Harz
mountains near
beckon, as do the twinkling tury palace. For a light,
inexpensive supper, try Quedlinburg, Germany.
lights of Christmas market LEFT: The sun sets over
stalls in cobbled courtyards, Himmel und Hoelle for half-timbered houses in
where cauldrons of apple crispy Flammkuchen (like a Quedlinburg, Germany, in
punch and gluehwein bub- thin pizza with sour-cream this 2009 file photo. The
ble over open fires. You can topping) and fruit crum- town was awarded
sled and ski in the moun- bles. UNESCO World Heritage
tains nearby -- global warm- Quedlinburg was spared status in 1994 for its
ing permitting. by Allied bombs in World 1,300 intact, half-timbered
houses, spanning 800
There are also some War II because it had no years of architectural his-
excellent restaurants, not a strategic importance. It tory.
given in the east German largely escaped the anony-
provinces. Theophano im mous concrete monstrosi-
Palais Salfeldt offers sea- ties favored by planners in
sonal, local products communist East Germany. Catherine Hickley. Bloomberg News