Tag Archives: Clinton

City in Hinds County

Local authors plan book signing in Olde Towne Clinton

BookCover

Four local authors have been brought together in a special Christmas novella collection from Barbour Publishing. The authors  will be signing copies of Plantation Christmas Weddings at Pentimento Books (302 Jefferson St.) in Olde Town Clinton this Saturday from 9-11 a.m. All four of the novellas are set in Natchez and each involves one of the historic homes of the area.

Author Biographies:

Sylvia Barnes resides in Pelahatchie, Mississippi with her husband of 45 years. She is the mother of two daughters and grandmother of three. Sylvia is a retired manager of BellSouth, and the author of “A Proper Christmas” in the best-selling novella collection, “A Biltmore Christmas.”

Cynthia Leavelle lives in Clinton, MS and teaches English and ESL at Belhaven University. A native of New Mexico, she has two degrees from the University of North Texas. She has published one book with Crossbooks, The Cord: The Love Story of Salmon and Rahab, and has written numerous devotionals and short stories. She is married and has three grown sons.

Virginia Vaughan is a multi-published author of Romantic Suspense for Love Inspired books. A single mom of two grown boys, she resides in Byram, where she is a teacher and leader in the women’s ministry of her church. Her book Jamison Family Values was a Genesis finalist in the ACFW Women’s Fiction category in 2007.

Lorraine Beatty is a multi-published, best-selling author currently working on her eighth novel for Love Inspired Books. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, she lives in Brandon, Mississippi with her husband of forty-six years. Lorraine is a member of RWA, ACFW and is a charter member and former President of Magnolia State Romance Writers.

Upcoming Book signings:

November 16 – Barnes and Nobles, Ridgeland, 1-3 pm

November 23  – Walmart, Flowood, 1-3pm

December 7 – Turning Pages Books, Natchez, 1-3 pm

Mississippi photographers’ work featured at Mississippi College

See various images of some of Mississippi’s renowned photographers at a newly curated exhibit at Mississippi College’s Gore Art Galleries, which debuted on Sept. 12 and lasts through Sept. 27.  The “J” exhibit features the news photographs of  Michael and Dianne Barrett, Chris Todd, Barbara Gauntt and Melanie Thortis. All are former award-winning photographers with The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson.

For decades The Rev. H.D. Dennis of Vicksburg had made the home he shared with his wife into an ever-changing work of folk art. Throughout the tour of his home, yard and the transformed bus from which he preached, tidbits of his life were intertwined with lessons from scripture. Rev. Dennis passed in 2012.

For decades The Rev. H.D. Dennis of Vicksburg had made the home he shared with his wife into an ever-changing work of folk art. Throughout the tour of his home, yard and the transformed bus from which he preached, tidbits of his life were intertwined with lessons from scripture. Rev. Dennis passed in 2012. By Barbara Gauntt

MC held a reception for the photographers followed by a brown bag luncheon where they talked about their adventures taking pictures and their careers. The exhibit features 40 photographs and admission is free to the exhibit at the Gore Galleries at 199 Monroe Street.

“The show is terrific,” said Randy Jolly, the Gore Galleries director. “There is a varied selection of photos, sports, human interest and current events. There is a mix of dynamic black and white and strong powerful color images,” he said. “I can’t imagine anyone leaving the show without being touched by these images.”

The five Mississippi photographers selected, Jolly said, “have captured the human feelings of happiness, wonder, excitement and despair.”

One of the photos in the exhibit captures the mood of a man, his fiancée and friend who can do nothing but helplessly watch as the couple’s home is burned to the ground in 2005. Another photo depicts the unusual residence of the Rev. H.D. Dennis that he shares with his wife. The structure is really an ever-changing piece of folk art in Vicksburg. Both were shot by former Clarion-Ledger photographer Barbara Gauntt.

Gauntt, a New Jersey native, said the gallery exhibit “is a wonderful example of the vast diversity of subject and environments in which they work, often under extreme deadline pressures and less than optimal circumstances. The adrenaline rush is worth every moment!”

Photographers Michael & Dianne Barrett, Gore Galleries Director Randy Jolly, sculptor Sam Gore, & photographers Barbara Gauntt, Joe Ellis and Chris Todd. At MC through September 27, the exhibit will feature the news photographs of the Barretts, Todd, Gauntt and Melanie Thortis. All are former award-winning photographers with The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson. Admission is free to the exhibit at the Gore Galleries at 199 Monroe Street.

Photographers at the brown bag lunch (l to r)- Michael & Dianne Barrett, Gore Galleries Director Randy Jolly, sculptor Sam Gore, & photographers Barbara Gauntt, CL photographer Joe Ellis and Chris Todd.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Parking is provided behind the First Baptist Church Clinton Activities Building. For more information, contact Randy Jolly at 601.925.3880 or rjolly@mc.edu.

Photos and information submitted by MC.

Clinton High tailgate

I can’t say if I ever attended a high school tailgate. At my alma mater, Cleveland Heights High School, I never attended a tailgate. In fact, I don’t remember us having any while I was a student. What I always looked forward to was attending games just to hear our great marching band and dance (in the stands, of course) during halftime. It wasn’t until college in Atlanta where I realized the importance of tailgating events. Food, copious amounts of beverages (alcoholic and non), people for miles it seemed, and hanging out with friends.

When I was assigned to cover the tailgate at Clinton High School yesterday, I was kind of excited! I parked in the visitor lot where only five cars sat because it was less than two hours until kickoff and over 100 Arrows fans were in process of tailgating. As I walked around, so many people offered food! I had to get my reporting out of the way before I enjoyed a little home-cooking. Here are some of the best parts of the tailgate in this photo gallery. Enjoy.

Clarion-Ledger article with video: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013308240006

Is new kitchen equipment helping lower obesity rates?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that obesity rates among low-income preschoolers in Mississippi are going down, some good news my colleague LaReeca Rucker shared today on her Mississippi Style Blog. Obesity rates declined between 2008 and 2011 in 19 of 43 states and territories studied, including Mississippi.

What I believe is helping decrease those rates is improving the access low-income families have to healthier food options like community gardens, farmers markets and co-ops. Another example is various school districts using grant funds to replace kitchen equipment with appliances that prepare healthier meals for students. The Clinton and Hinds County school districts come to mind.

Last academic year, the Clinton district added new kitchen equipment to schools, including the new Northside and Eastside elementary schools that were featured on the Rachael Ray cooking contest episode featuring First Lady Michelle Obama. During the episode, cafeteria cooks whipped up steamed veggies, hummus and other light, healthy fare.

In Hinds County, Utica and Carver elementary schools are serving healthy, popular meals thanks to a Nutrition Integrity 2012-13 grant from the Mississippi Department of Education. The schools removed existing deep fat fryers and replaced them with state-of-the-art oven steamers that cook foods with less fat. The baked and steamed foods are crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, and school nutrition directors say the children enjoy them just as much.

This initiative only influences more physical education activities like walking clubs or fitness challenges, and I’ve seen these programs at schools all over the Jackson metro area. You know the saying that this generation will have a lower life expectancy than its parents? This news could change your outlook.

Happy one-year anniversary!

Well, the one-year anniversary of this blog and the Suburban Digest page is actually May 24, but I’ve been swamped since then. It’s been a little while since I posted something here about the weekly Metro page, so better late than never, right?

The purpose of the Suburban Digest is to provide comprehensive coverage to cities in the Jackson metro area where majority of Clarion-Ledger subscribers reside — Brandon, Byram, Canton, Clinton, Flowood, Madison, Pearl, Ridgeland and Reservoir area. Last spring when Executive Editor Brian Tolley came on board, he talked about Passion Topics (subjects/issues important to readers) and how important it was to provide better coverage of the ‘Burbs. That’s where I came in as the reporter on the newly created suburban beat, to take charge of this effort and maintain the weekly content.

In its first year, the Suburban Digest raised awareness of several things you may not have known were happening in your area. By connecting through social media, emails, countless business cards and city government meetings, I have made so many connections with people living in my coverage areas. If a city mayor and board of aldermen voted on an ordinance that would have significant impact on you, it would appear on the page. If an area school or nonprofit is having an event to raise awareness of an issue, it appeared on the page. If local community groups are making positive changes and advancements, it appeared on the page. The main photo changes every week, alternating among the communities along with the column. We try to show people doing ordinary and extraordinary things every Thursday, and the Quotables section shows what people are saying/thinking regarding important local and national issues and public figures.

The first year was a big learning curve for me, as I went from covering two cities (Canton and Ridgeland for the Madison County Herald) to seven. I am learning a lot about these growing municipalities so the page is the best way to keep up with your city. Every Thursday it’s on the second page in the Metro section and online under the “News” tab at clarionledger.com. You can follow this blog for extra information, photos, videos, etc. and follow my Twitter account, @Terricha_CL  and follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/terricha.bradleyphillips?hc_location=stream to keep up. I appreciate all of the “likes,” views, follows and shares, and I’m ALWAYS open to comments, story/column ideas and tips. If you want to submit an idea, email tbradley@jackson.gannett.com. Please share this post with anyone living in the coverage areas.

You rock!

303 Jefferson unofficially opens this Saturday

My column in yesterday’s Hinds Ledger nondaily featured a new restaurant opening this weekend in Clinton, 303 Jefferson. The columns aren’t posted online unfortunately, but I want to share some photos so you can see how the place looks. The restaurant, at 303 Jefferson Street in Olde Towne, will serve hot Blue Plate lunches and dinners (this August) at reasonable prices.

From co-owner, restaurateur Raymond Jackson on the restaurant’s Facebook page: “Hey everybody! Thank you for all the great feed back and compliments and patiently work ing with us as we solve the few issues we have.
We cannot officially open until we have our Health Inspection from the State Health Department. We are taking the next couple of days to do some regrouping but on Saturday (June 29) we will be doing BBQ and Burgers and Grilled Chicken as an ‘unofficial open day’
Our Scheduled official open date is set for July 8th but we will be doing lunch on 1st, 2nd,and 3rd before the holiday weekend.
I pray for a safe and happy Fourth of July for everyone and hope to see you all real soon. 
Again thank each of you for all your support and encouragement.
Raymond Jackson”

I can’t wait to have lunch at 303 Jefferson the next time I’m in Clinton! “Like” the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/303jefferson and follow on Twitter at @303Jefferson.