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THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL CLASS OF 2014 ARE PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION IN MISSISSIPPI AND NATIONWIDE, MANY ON FULL SCHOLARSHIPS.

HOW FAR CAN A ST. ANDREW’S EDUCATION TAKE YOU?

Appalachian State UniversityAuburn UniversityBarnard CollegeBirmingham-Southern CollegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityClaremont-McKenna CollegeColorado State UniversityEmerson CollegeFlorida Atlantic UniversityFordham UniversityThe George Washington UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyHarvard UniversityHoward UniversityLiberty UniversityLouisiana State UniversityLoyola Marymount UniversityMillsaps CollegeMississippi State University Shackouls Honors CollegeNew York UniversityOccidental CollegeOhio State University Rhodes CollegeSewanee: The University of the SouthSoutheastern UniversitySpring Hill College

Stanford UniversityTrinity UniversityTulane UniversityUnited States Military Academy at West PointUniversity of AlabamaUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamUniversity of California at DavisUniversity of Central FloridaUniversity of Colorado at BoulderUniversity of Mississippi Barksdale Honors College Center for Manufacturing Excellence Croft Institute for International StudiesUniversity of Notre Dame University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern MississippiVanderbilt UniversityWashington University in St. LouisWheaton College

St. Andrew’s students were also accepted at more than 85 other prestigious universities nationwide, including:

Brown UniversityDartmouth CollegeDavidson CollegeDuke UniversityEmory UniversityGeorgetown UniversityNorthwestern UniversityRice UniversityUniversity of California at BerkeleyUniversity of ChicagoUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Pennsylvania University of Texas at Austin University of Virginia Yale University

TO FIND OUT HOW FAR A ST. ANDREW’S EDUCATION COULD TAKE YOU OR YOUR CHILD, VISIT GOSAINTS.ORG.

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A FAIRY TALEPROPOSALSeth orchestrated a fairytale-style extravaganza thatincluded him wearing a Prince Charming getup,Taylor in a Cinderella gown, dancers from Seth’syouth group, and his and Taylor’s closest friends andfamily in the audience, all at Prep’s performing artscenter.

HEATHER AND TOMMY HIXONJackson natives Heather and Tommy Hixon areknown for their hospitality and frequently open theirhome to friends and family. Hospitality is more thana time-honored Southern tradition to the Hixons.Hospitality is an act of giving, which begins in theheart, at home with family.

HEART OF THE HOMEThe Jackson Prep Parent and Teacher Association(PAT) is excited to present Heart of the Home 2015.This annual community event is open to the public,and scheduled for April 9-10. It will feature two beau-tiful homes, with a focus on the heart of every home- the kitchen.

MS MODThe Mississippi Heritage Trust will sponsor its newproject “MS MOD,” a celebration of Mississippi’smodernist banks, dry cleaners and churchesFebruary 26 - 27. The heritage trust, in partnershipwith the Mississippi Humanities Council, theMississippi Development Authority, the EastoverFoundation and BankPlus, will welcome guests toexplore Eastover neighborhood’s modernist legacywith a “Mad MOD Affair.”

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northsidesunthe magazine

FEBRUARY 2015VOLUME 9, NUMBER 12

CONTENTS

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WE

DD

ING

S/E

NG

AG

EM

EN

TS Elizabeth McBee Aiken/

Charles Seth Hudspeth

Anne Elizabeth Eastland Vickery/Cole McKee Richardson

Taylor Jean Townsend/David Seth Conerly

Camille Rene Worley/Keylon Thomas Pittman

Meredith Rose Magro/Matthew Samuel Lusco

Emily Evans Stacy/Charles Bennie Holmes

Macey Simmons Baird/Matthew Rush Benton

Marion Elizabeth Keyes/Dr. Andrew Robinson Gowdey

Blakeney Anne Rader/Jacob Temple Black

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ENGAGEMENT PARTYAn engagement celebrationhonoring Camille Worley andKey Pittman was held recentlyin the Eastover home ofCharlotte and Richard McNeel.

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Tennis AdvantageJenny Markow

FoodWiseMarlana Walters

Chef Tom RamseyGet It Right

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Mahaffey ChristmasPartyA Christmas party was held inthe home of BeverlyMahaffey.

Debutante BallThe Debutante Club ofMississippi announced the2014 debutantes at theDebutante Ball.

Prep ’84 ReunionJackson Prep Class of 1984held their 30-year reunion atthe home of Lesley and JohnDavis.

Ballet Tea PartyThe Sugarplum Fairy’s TeaParty was held at theMississippi Museum of ArtLand of the Sweets prior tomatinee Ballet Mississippi per-formances of “TheNutcracker.”

MS International FilmFestivalThe Mississippi InternationalFilm Festival was held atCinemark Tinseltown Cinemain Pearl.

Habitat DiningChefs Rick Tramonto andJohn Folse supported themission and work of Habitatfor Humanity MississippiCapital Area by hosting abenefit dinner at SeafoodRevolution.

Moonlight AttitudeFriends of the USAInternational BalletCompetition (USA IBC) held afund-raiser, MoonlightAttitude, at the Old CapitolInn.

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Being BelhavenThe Greater BelhavenFoundation hosted the BeingBelhaven Annual FundCelebration.

Rembrandt DinnerThe Mississippi Museum ofArt (MMA) held its annualRembrandt Society Dinner tothank some of its most dedi-cated supporters and mem-bers.

MKF UptownDrawdownBoard members and sup-porters of the MississippiKidney Foundation gatheredto kick off plans for the 2015Uptown Drawdown.

Go Red For WomenSt. Dominic’s hosted awomen-only premier party atDuling Hall for the AmericanHeart Association’s Go Redfor Women.

Millsaps Alumni PartyA Millsaps College alumniclub holiday party was heldrecently in the WoodlandHills home of Holly and AlanLange.

Art of AdoptionJackson-based adoptionagency 200 Million Flowershosted its third annual Art ofAdoption fund-raiser at TheSouth. The evening featuredguest speaker RobertGelinas, adoption advocateand pastor; cocktails, foodand jazz; a silent auction forartwork and other items; andartist DeAnna Backel paint-ing live.

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D E P A R T M E N T Snorthsidesunthe magazine

FEBRUARY 2015

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Our li� � registrants is being continua�y updated.�is li� is current as � January 6, 2015.

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TO REGISTER.

Your Bride’s Favorite Wish Li(

May 2015LAURA HEWATT WILSON BRAND 5/02/15STEPHANIE HENSON JAMIE MCNAB 5/02/15HANNAH NEELY HARLEY WHITE 5/09/15MADELYN MARDIS JON DAVID JOHNSON 5/09/15HANNAH FOREMAN WILLIAM IVISON 5/16/15KATIE PUCKETT MARCUS GINN 5/16/15MARY CLAIRE CAIN WILL BUCK 5/16/15CAROLINE CASTLE HUDSON HOLCOMB 5/16/15MIMI EDGE ANDREW HEARD 5/23/15KELLIE OBERKIRCH WILLIAM JOHNSON 5/23/15SALLY CLARK JOSEPH GEX 5/30/15 June 2015BESSIE BURTON JONES STEWART HOWORTH 6/06/15TREVOR TINDLE SAMUEL HALL 6/06/15KATHARINE BUTTS WESLEY WAGNER 6/13/15VIRGINIA THOMPSON KEVIN THOMAS 6/20/15ANN KIRK JACOBS NEIL HARRIS 6/20/15ALYSSA DAVANT JAKE JOHNSON 6/20/15

July 2015KESLER ROBERTS EMMETT MANNING 7/25/15HANNAH KORTE NATHAN DYE 7/25/15

Septem-r 2015MOLLY CARPENTER ALLEN TATE 9/25/15ANITA MENON EDWARD HANLON 9/26/15

Octo-r 2015SARAH LLOYD ALLRED PETER STEVENSON 10/17/15ELLEN ELLIOTT STEVEN BLEVINS 10/24/15

Decem-r 2015AUDREY SMITH JACK NEILL 12/13/15

January 2015MEGAN STOUT WES EHRHARDT 1/17/15

Fe3uary 2015MARION KEYES ANDREW GOWDEY 2/07/15TRACIE HAAG DANIEL JOHNSTON 2/07/15ASHLEY EMERSON WILLIAM JORDAN WINDHAM 2/07/15GRAY MARCHETTI TYLER BLOCKER 2/07/15TAYLOR TOWNSEND SETH CONERLY 2/14/15JULIA SCHIMMEL JORGE GONZALEZ 2/14/15SARAH QARQISH MORGAN WELCH 2/21/15ELLON EUBANK JARRETT LITTLE 2/28/15ERICA HARVEY TED LLOYD, JR 2/28/15KELSEY GRIFFIN MICHAEL TARTT 2/28/15BLAKENEY RADER JAKE BLACK 2/28/15

Mar4 2015LESLIE WARING MARK HOSEMANN 3/07/15ANNE EASTLAND VICKERY COLE RICHARDSON 3/07/15MACEY BAIRD MATT BENTON 3/07/15OLIVIA HOLIFIELD JOHN LIENARD 3/07/15 EMILY STACY CHUCK HOLMES 3/14/15MARY KATHERINE COLE CHANDLER MANGUM 3/21/15JOY KATE WATERER DANIEL GILMER 3/21/15BETH AIKEN SETH HUDSPETH 3/28/15LINDSEY AKERS DAVID LYNCH 3/28/15

A6il 2015CARLOINE BIEDENHARN ALBERT LIN 4/11/15BROOKE TRUSTY JOHN GRANT 4/11/15SAVANNAH GOODMAN STUART TIREY 4/11/15BAILEY CRENSHAW PEYTON ELLIS 4/11/15MORGAN HEWES BRAD CONWILL 4/11/15ASHLEY PHILLIPS TRAVIS MEYER 4/18/15ADRIENNE HINTON HUNTER AIKENS 4/25/14HEATHER LOGAN MICHAEL BIERDEMAN 4/25/15EMILY STORY GRANT SAXTON 4/25/15AMIE GUFFIN PETER HENDERSON 4/25/15

northsidesunthe

magazineA MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF

THE NORTHSIDE SUN NEWSPAPER P.O. BOX 16709

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39236601-957-1122

EDITORJimmye Sweat

ADVERTISING DIRECTORHolly Dean

ART DIRECTORWanda McCain

WRITERSSusan Deaver • Glenda Wadsworth • Anthony Warren

Jenny Markow • Jenny Woodruff • Marlana Walters • Katie EubanksJudy Smith • Jana Hoops • Tom Ramsey

PHOTOGRAPHERSBeth Buckley • Lonnie Kees • Christina Cannon • Chris Grillis

David Johnston • Anthony Warren • Jenny Woodruff • Allison Muirhead

ADVERTISINGKaty Agnew • Carly O’Bryant • Lauren Breazeale • Amy Forsyth • Misti Sims

PRODUCTION MANAGERBeth Buckley

PRODUCTIONJo Ann WardNikki Hodum

BOOKKEEPINGDani Poe

CIRCULATIONDottie and Jeff Cole • Kerri Hawkins

THE NORTHSIDE SUN MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE NORTHSIDE SUN NEWSPAPER. ALTHOUGH THE MAGAZINE IS DISTRIBUTED FREE ON NEWSSTANDS, PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR

$25 ANNUALLY AND MAILED DIRECTLY TO YOUR HOME. FOR NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS, CHANGES OF ADDRESS OR OTHERSERVICES RELATED TO SUBSCRIPTIONS, CALL 601-957-1542. FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR CURRENTAD REP. FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING WEDDING SUBMISSIONS, PARTY COVERAGE OR FEATURES, CALL 601-957-1123

OR E-MAIL JIMMYE@NORTHSIDESUN.COM. THE MAGAZINE OFFICE IS LOCATED AT 246 BRIARWOOD DR., JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39206; THE MAILING ADDRESS IS: P. O. BOX 16709, JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39236.

ABOUT THE COVERcb_or^ov=OMNR=======================================================

Kirk and TraceyJeffreys andHeather andTommy Hixonwere photographedby Lonnie Kees.

16 n o r t h s i d e s u n

The T

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oeFits...

eth orchestrated a fairytale-style extravaganza

that included him wearinga Prince Charming

getup, Taylor in aCinderella gown,

dancers from Seth’syouth group, andhis and Taylor’sclosest friendsand family inthe audience,all at Prep’s performingarts center.

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B Y K A T I E E U B A N K S

A Fairy TalePROPOSALBy now, thousands of people have

seen the YouTube video of Seth Conerly’s July

18 marriage proposal to Jackson Prep alumna

Taylor Townsend. Seth orchestrated a fairy-

tale-style extravaganza that included him

wearing a Prince Charming getup, Taylor in a

Cinderella gown, dancers from Seth’s youth

group, and his and Taylor’s closest friends and

family in the audience, all at Prep’s performing

arts center. In case you had any doubt, she

said yes.

Both Taylor and Seth are well aware that their

love for each other is “cheesy,” a cheap adjec-

tive that cynics and Scrooges like to throw

around. But this unabashedly romantic prince

and his princess are the genuine article.

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 21

Taylor was graduated from Baylor University inDecember with a bachelor’s in business adminis-tration with an emphasis in entrepreneurship.Seth is minister to students at Venture Church inHattiesburg, and is working on his master’s ofdivinity out of New Orleans Baptist TheologicalSeminary. He does freelance video work on theside. They will wed, yes, on Valentine’s Day. Two years ago, Seth was working on some pro-

motional videos for Prep’s Global LeadershipInstitute, which is headed up by Taylor’s mother,

Cindy. Cindy started dropping hints about Taylor.So Seth did what any single guy would do: “I con-sulted the guru that is Facebook. Everything I saw[on her profile] really impressed me,” Seth says. Sohe finagled a way to meet Taylor at lunch withCindy at Primos. Seth and Taylor were both inter-ested in each other, without knowing the interestwas mutual, but Taylor was about to leave for asemester in London. They became Facebookfriends and followed each other online for thewhole semester. When Taylor returned, Seth askedif she’d like to be a leader on a mission trip hischurch was taking that summer. She wasn’t ableto go. “Then I had a ‘put up or shut up’ moment

because I had no other reason to contact her,”Seth says. “So I said, ‘I think you’re an awesomegirl. I know I don’t know you very well, but I’d loveto get to know you better.’ ” Taylor says Seth was a planner, even for their

first date. “He told me I had one of two options:kayaking on the Okatoma River for the day, or hecould come to Jackson and we could go to dinnerand a movie, sort of a normal date.” She chosekayaking, but they weren’t going to be able to gofor three weeks because of conflicting schedules.Then Seth called her that weekend and said hisplans were canceled. “He said, ‘How about I comeup to Jackson and we go to one of three places?’ Itwas really quick. This was at 4:30, he was inHattiesburg, and then he was in Jackson at 6. Weended up going to Mint for our first date, and thenwent and had frozen yogurt, and we just talked thewhole time,” she says. “When my parents askedme how it went, I said, ‘It was great. I’m going tomarry him one day.’ I was not the kind to say thator think that, especially off of a first date. But Iknew I was very, very interested, and he was theone I could see myself marrying.”

For their second date, Seth took Taylor to see“Wicked” onstage in New Orleans. “I guess I hadtold him that was my favorite musical,” saysTaylor, who’d played the lead role in Rogers andHammerstein’s “Cinderella” at Prep.And the dates continued, until finally the couple

discussed the “m” word. By the time Taylor wentto New York with Seth and his family duringspring break of 2014, she and Seth knew theywanted to get engaged. “We even looked in allthese beautiful, beautiful jewelry stores on 5thAvenue - even though he wasn’t going to be ableto buy a Harry Winston.”When Seth and Taylor went to see “Cinderella”

on Broadway, Seth got inspired. “We’re watchingit in the balcony, and I’m thinking about her andthat she was the one singing these songs [at Prep],and it just hits me like a lightning bolt,” Seth says. “Like right now, in the play, this is where Prince

Charming is going to propose to the girl. What ismore appropriate? It was literally unfolding beforemy eyes. So I started thinking, ‘How do I incorpo-rate this [into my proposal]?’ ”So between March and July, Seth and others

planned. “It was shockingly fluid. I am veryblessed with an amazing team here at Venture. Soit just all fell into place. I thought, ‘I’d love to havedancers.’ I happen to know a person who doeschoreography and students who dance [in my

youth group]. I’ve got an associate pastor whobuilds sets,” he says. “We even had a meeting hereafter hours at church with a big bulletin board andput it all together.”On Friday, July 18, Seth told Taylor he had a

meeting and wouldn’t be able to see her. Then herparents asked her to dinner. After dinner, Cindysaid she needed to run by Prep to pick up somethings, and asked Taylor to help her carry the stuffto the car. Cindy had had foot surgery that sum-mer and was using a knee scooter to get around,so her request made sense to Taylor.“It started to get weird when we pulled around

back and she said, ‘They have it around back so Ican load it in the car.’ My brother was standing

A Fairy Tale PROPOSAL

22 n o r t h s i d e s u n

there [just inside the door], next to this beautifulCinderella gown. I saw my dad immediately get acamera out,” Taylor says.The gown was hanging on a hanger that said

“Mrs. Conerly,” and attached was a note directingher to put on the dress. Her brother, William,escorted her into the auditorium, where dancersfrom Seth’s youth group performed onstage. Oneither side of the aisle were cardboard trees withspecial drawings attached. The drawings weretaken from a sketch pad Taylor had gotten forSeth. She had written prompts on each page, withtopics like, “What you would do with a milliondollars.” He drew a picture relating each topic totheir relationship and future wedding. William ledTaylor onto the stage.

Finally, Seth entered the auditorium in hisprincely duds and sang “Do I Love You BecauseYou’re Beautiful?” from the “Cinderella” musical.Then Taylor realized why Seth had been singingthat song a lot recently. “At one point I’d evensaid, ‘Why are you singing this song? You’re notgoing to sing it at the proposal, are you?’ He’deven tried to get me to sing it with him, so wecould nail it together [when he proposed]. But thatwould not have been good. I can’t sing when I’memotional,” she says. Seth made his way to the stage as he sang, and

then got down on one knee and presented Taylorwith a ring in a glass slipper. After she said yes, theyouth group dancers started dancing to Beyonce’s“All the Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It).”“We had a gorgeous reception afterward. Our

friends just joked we should have gotten marriedthat night. All our closest friends and family werealready there, there was a cake, I was in a dressand he was dressed up. It was a special night,”Taylor says. “But I had no idea once Seth put thevideo footage together, it would become so popu-lar.”The week after the proposal, Seth posted the

video online. Immediately, people started sharingit on Facebook. Local news stations picked up thevideo and called Seth and Taylor for interviews.Friends of Taylor’s in Massachusetts and Texassaid the video aired there, too. Then CNN got hold of the story. Seth and Taylor

did a live Skype interview with the cable newschannel. After that, the video reached more than50,000 views on YouTube. “And all of that hap-pened within the course of a few days,” Taylorsays. She and Seth agree they’re more than OKwith all the attention the video has gotten. “It’sone of those moments I’m happy to share,” shesays.On February 14, Seth and Taylor will wed at First

Baptist Jackson, with a reception following at TheSouth Warehouse downtown. No doubt the wed-ding will be as beautiful as the engagement. But Taylor and Seth are about much more than

beautiful productions and ceremonies. Whenasked to name his favorite thing about Taylor,Seth struggles at first - “She gives me a new reasonto love her every day,” he says - but finally puts hisfinger on it. Everything about her is a person whodesires to glorify God with her life - more so thanto uplift me. The reason I feel so loved by her isbecause she first and foremost is so dedicated tothe Lord with her life,” he says. Similarly, Taylor says of her fiancé, “The thing I

love most about Seth is his heart - his heart for theLord, and for people and for ministry. I think thatjust spills over into his thoughtfulness and kind-ness toward me. The thoughtfulness that he putsinto things - I think that’s just a spillover of hisheart.”

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 23

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Tommy and Heather both grew up in the Jackson area, but did not meet untilthey were graduated from college. Tommy attended Mississippi State University,and Heather went to the University of Mississippi. Although they attended rivaluniversities, the couple hit it off instantly when they met through mutual friendsin 1996. They were engaged on Christmas Eve of the same year. They married inOctober 1997, and have remained in their hometown of Jackson ever since. Family has always come first for the Hixons. They have three children: Gatlin

(age 14), Garner (age 11), and Lillian (age 7). Gatlin is in the eighth grade atJackson Prep, and loves football, duck hunting and tennis. Garner, a sixth-graderat Jackson Academy, also loves hunting and playing tennis. Lillian, a first-graderat Jackson Academy, enjoys tennis and art, and also shares her mother’s passionfor creativity and entertaining. The family are active members of Christ UnitedMethodist Church.In addition to raising three children, both parents stay busy outside of the

home. Tommy is the president of First Choice Medical Supply, and Heather is an

Opening their hearts and home

HEATHER& TOMMY

Jackson natives Heather and Tommy

Hixon are known for their hospitality and

frequently open their home to friends and

family. Hospitality is more than a time-

honored Southern tradition to the Hixons.

Hospitality is an act of giving, which

begins in the heart, at home with family.

HIXON

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 27

antiques dealer, with a booth at Interior Spaces inDeville Plaza. Heather enjoys going to market andselecting furniture, artwork and home décor thatreflects her personal style, which she describes as“simple and clean, with white and ivory tones.”

Tommy often accompanies his wife to market, andworks remotely on his laptop while Heather perus-es the showrooms for the perfect items for herbooth. Tommy and Heather love spending timetogether, and appreciate the opportunity to com-bine work with couple time. As avid exercisers, thecouple also share a passion for fitness, and run-ning in particular. “Tommy and I have alwaysenjoyed exercising together. We both love run-ning, and ran our first half marathon together lastyear in Seaside. We are training to run the SeasideHalf Marathon again in March of this year,”Heather says. The Northsiders cherish time with their children,

and they are adamant about sitting down togetherat night to share a meal as a family. Heatheradmits it has become more challenging as thechildren have gotten older and become involvedin a variety of activities. She is able to make itwork, however, by being persistent and thinkingoutside of the box. For example, when the boyscome home starving after sports practice, Heatherlets them eat early, but they have to come backand join the rest of the family at the dinner table.Spending time together has created a strong fami-ly bond, and has also instilled a sense of charityand community in the children. The children areencouraged to help others and give back to thecommunity. “The kids all have tender hearts, andit makes us so proud when we see or hear of their

random acts of kindness,” Heather explains. Closefriend Story Warren recalls a particularly heart-warming act of kindness. This year for Christmas,the family made gift bags for homeless peoplewith whom they routinely interact in the neigh-boring area. The family enjoyed shopping foritems such as warm socks, water bottles, snacks,and gift cards to Wendy’s for the gift bags.According to Story, “The Hixons went the extramile to create personal gift bags instead of givingmoney to the homeless, which made the experi-ence more meaningful. The gift cards were a greatidea, because Heather knows there is a Wendy’snearby where they can go inside and eat a warmmeal.” Story admires her friend’s desire to help

28 n o r t h s i d e s u n

others, and believes the joy Heather receives justfrom making someone’s day truly sets her apart. The two volunteer for numerous charitable

organizations. They are benefactors of MississippiChildren’s Home Services, and have worked onnumerous fund-raisers for the organization overthe years. Heather has also helped build a housefor Habitat for Humanity, and loved being handson and seeing the daily progress. In addition tothese activities, she served as special events co-chair for the Junior League of Jackson’s MistletoeMarketplace in 2009. Lea Easley, Heather’s friendand 2009 special events chair, describes Heather’ssupport as invaluable. “The creativity and enthusi-asm Heather brought helped make that year ahuge success. Heather and Tommy have very giv-

ing hearts. They are passionate about helping chil-dren, through their service at Christ United and inthe community,” says Lea.The couple also love to entertain and share their

home with friends and family. Their NortheastJackson home has been the venue for numerousevents - from school parties, to neighborhoodcookouts, to the Mistletoe Marketplace corporatesponsor party in 2014. The Hixons have a uniqueapproach to entertaining, which they view as morethan a time-honored Southern tradition. For theHixons, entertaining is about true hospitality. Thefollowing quote from the “Open Heart, OpenHome,” by Karen Mains describes the Hixons per-fectly: “Hospitality . . . seeks to minister. It says,‘This home is not mine. It is truly a gift from myMaster. I am His servant and I use it as Hedesires.’ Hospitality does not try to impress, but toserve.” Helen Summerford agrees that her closefriends are the epitome of hospitality, and amazedby their willingness to open their home to familyand friends for any occasion. “Heather andTommy became our close friends when we movedonto their street eight years ago,” says Helen.“Heather is a caregiver by nature. Every time Icame over, she would have guacamole or salsaprepared fresh from her own garden. I immediate-ly noticed Heather’s giving nature and love ofserving others. She is a devoted wife and motherwho puts her family first, and a caring, supportivefriend,” Helen says. The Hixons loved their previous home on

Brackenshire Circle, and particularly treasuredtheir neighbors, who are also their best friends.“We looked at our current house on Heritage Hilljust for fun. We had no intention of moving, butinstantly fell in love with the moss-covered treesand Southern plantation style home,” Heatherrecalls. The couple renovated the house in 2012,but tried to keep the character of the home thatthe previous owners, Mary Elizabeth and GeorgeSmith, intact. A pool house and cabana wereadded. “We love to entertain and share our home with

friends and family,” says Heather. “Our kids evenargue over who gets to have the party for a partic-

ular holiday or event.” Seven-year-old Lillian hasdefinitely caught her mother’s “entertaining bug.”Lillian delights in planning parties, and wasinvolved down to the last detail in the plans forher Bake Shop birthday party last year. The moth-er/daughter duo loved the idea of each child deco-rating a cake and taking it home as a party favor.The children also received chefs aprons and hats.Lillian’s attention to detail made the event specialfor the youngest Hixon. Lillian also loved organiz-ing a neighborhood lemonade stand, and this timeher older brothers joined in the fun. Gatlin andGarner were a big help, and Lillian hand-pickedmint from the Hixon’s garden. “That our childrenlove the house and want to be here makes us hap-pier than anything,” Heather says.

Lillian’s 6th birthday

Garner, Lillian and Gatlin Hixon

Gatlin, Lillian and Garner Hixon

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 29

HOME TOUR ATTRACTIONS

The Jackson Prep Parent and Teacher

Association (PAT) is excited to present

Heart of the Home 2015. This annual

community event is open to the public, and

scheduled for April 9-10. It will feature two

beautiful homes, with a focus on the heart of

every home - the kitchen.

The two-day event kicks off with a sponsor

party on the evening of Thursday, April 9, at the

home of Tracey and Kirk Jeffreys and will fea-

ture live entertainment by Martin and Farris

Antoon.

The Heart of the Home Tour will be held

Friday, April 10, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the

home of Heather and Tommy Hixon and will

include special events such as the Market

Gallery and live cooking demonstrations by

local celebrity chefs from some of Jackson’s

favorite restaurants.

Half of the proceeds from Heart of the Home

go directly to provide additional funds for the

Jackson Prep faculty through the teacher

endowment fund. The remainder of the pro-

ceeds will be used for academic programs and

school activities. Tour tickets are only $10 and

can be purchased online. For more information

and sponsorship opportunities visit heartofthe-

homeinfo.com.

THE MARKET GALLERY10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Handmade bath petals by A’marie’s Bath Happies & Body Essentials

Seaside Chalk-paint white Turkish potsGourmet foods and tailgate productsOnline Auction pickup locationHOTH Herb Sale (offsite)

ONLINE AUCTIONAuction opens March 23, 2015, at noon and goes offline April 9, 2015 at noon.

Some larger pieces of art will be on display at

Brown’s Fine Art & Framing during February.

Visit heartofthehomeinfo.com for details.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9SPONSOR PARTY

Home of Tracey and Kirk Jeffreys6:30 – 9 p.m.

Silent auction with live entertainmentby Martin and Farris Antoon

FRIDAY, APRIL 10,HOME TOUR

Home of Heather and Tommy Hixon10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

SCHEDULE

To become a patron sponsor and attend the sponsor party, visit

HEARTOFTHEHOMEINFO.COMfor more information

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y

M E L I N D A C O U R T N E Y

During the mid-1990s, Jackson Prep initiated Heart of the Home, an event heldon Mother’s Day weekend that focused on tours of kitchens in several homes inthe Jackson area. Sponsored by the Parent and Teachers Association (PAT), it wasthe only fund-raiser held during the school year. After several successful years ofkitchen tours, the PAT decided to embark on other options for its annual fund-rais-ing project. During the 2010-11 school year, the PAT decided to revive the Heart of the Home

project. Now held in April, the home tour was re-introduced with additionalattractions designed to appeal to the community - food prepared by top chefs, anonline auction, and a gala celebration for businesses and individual sponsors. Half of the proceeds from Heart of the Home go directly to provide additional

compensation for Prep’s talented and committed faculty through the teacher endowment fund. Other proceedsare used for academic programs, technology, physical plant improvements, and numerous co-curricular activitiesat the school. The level of success of Heart of the Home is a direct result of the hard work, dedication and abilities of the

Jackson Prep family, as well as the tremendous support of the community. As we head toward Heart of the Home2015, I am grateful for the members of the PAT who work tirelessly on this event each year; they are indeed a vitallink to the success of the school. Additionally, this project would not be possible without the sponsors, homeown-ers and volunteers. I encourage everyone to get involved this year as a sponsor or a volunteer. Let’s make Heart ofthe Home 2015 the most successful one yet.

Dr. Jason L. WaltonHead of School

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dr. Jason L. Walton

30 n o r t h s i d e s u n

SPONSOR GALAThe event will begin with a celebratory gala on the evening of Thursday, April

9, at the Eastover home of Tracey and Kirk Jeffreys. With the help of builderJames Hemphill, Doris and Tom Joyner created this beautiful colonial stylehome in 1978. The Jeffreys bought the home from the Joyner children in 2006and immediately began to make the space their own by opening up the kitchenand living space, adding a children’s media and play area, and incorporatingcontemporary design elements. The Jeffreys turned their attention to the out-doors in 2011 by expanding the pool area, continuing to use the modern touch-es to complement the traditional architecture. The gathering point for the fami-ly is in the kitchen around the oversized island, which features a gorgeous pieceof quartz. The Jeffreys employed Ry Hemphill, son of original builder JamesHemphill, architect Sam Coker, and designer Erik Kegler to work on the renova-tions and sleek designs. This exciting and fun event will feature live entertainment by Martin and

Farris Antoon and will provide an opportunity to preview several of the toponline auction items. Fabulous hors d’oeuvres by Shapley’s and dessert selec-tions by Fresh Cut Catering & Floral round out what promises to be a magnifi-cent evening.

ONLINE AUCTIONIn 2014, Heart of the Home’s online auction was a resounding success, with

over 15,000 visits to the Web site. This year, the committee plans to display a

number of the auction items at the sponsor party prior to the home tour. Inaddition, during February, several of the larger pieces of art will be displayed atBrown’s Fine Art & Framing. The online auction will be live from noon March 27to 11 p.m., April 10. For more information, visit heartofthehomeinfo.com.

THE HOME TOURThe Heart of the Home tour will be held Friday, April 10, from 10 a.m. until 2

p.m. at the beautiful home of Heather and Tommy Hixon. This Southern stylehouse was built in 1978 by Mary Elizabeth and George Smith. The Hixons weredrawn to the property because of the beautiful moss covered trees, lovely house,and New Orleans style courtyard. In 2012, the Hixons completed a major reno-vation project adding a pool house and cabana and providing a wonderful placefor the family to relax. “We tried very hard to keep the original character of thehome that the Smiths had created. Every brick, door and piece of wood wasreused in the remodel,” said Heather Hixon. While it feels like they are out inthe country, the Hixons are quite close to the hub of Jackson activities and caneven hear the local football games on their front porch. Within the home, the Market Gallery will offer items for purchase, including

beautiful, hand-made bath soap petals by A’marie’s Bath Happies & BodyEssentials, beautiful white chalk paint pots for tabletops, and gourmet foods andtailgate supplies. Various designers will showcase fabulous tablescapes andvignettes throughout the home, including Annelle Primos & Associates (diningroom), Antique Shops of Jackson (kitchen/breakfast nook), The EverydayGardener (Courtyard), and Lynn Myers Designs (foyer).

EVENTS

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 31

When I graduated from Jackson Prep in 1985, I had noidea who made up the Parents and Teachers Association(PAT) or what they did. As a parent of a 2014 Prep gradu-ate, a current 11th-grader, and another future Patriot, Ihave learned just how important the PAT is. The PAT supports the school’s mission in preparing

students mentally, spiritually and socially. All Prep par-ents are automatically members of the PAT. There aremore than 100 placed positions on the PAT and many more volunteers who collaboratewith the school in its various efforts to educate and train students. Every parent has theopportunity to get involved in the numerous activities throughout the year. Parents help plan events in the summer for families who are new to Prep, coordinate

grade level activities, provide snacks and special lunches for the faculty, work in thePatriot Shop, assist with events for prospective new families, conduct a uniform swapshop, help with Campus Ministry activities, work with our Global Leadership Institute,and many other events.Monies raised from Heart of the Home, the PAT’s only fund-raiser, provide us the

opportunity to contribute to the teacher endowment fund and assist with academic pro-grams, technology, physical plant improvements, and numerous co-curricular activitiesat Prep.As president of Jackson Prep’s PAT, I would like to thank all of our sponsors, home-

owners and volunteers who make this event possible. Each of you plays an importantrole in enhancing our students’ educational experiences as they are being prepared for alifetime of success and leadership.

Liz Walker, PresidentJackson Prep PAT - “Pulling All Together”

PARENT ANDTEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Liz Walker, Jackson Prep PAT president

HEART OF THE HOME STEERING COMMITTEE 2015

Deanna Blackledge, tour home; Alison Henson, Market Gallery; Holly Lange, 2016 chair-elect; Amelie Black, sponsor party; Sarah Young,placement; (front) Amanda Box, promotions; Stacey Ferreri, corporatesponsors; Stacey Griffith, creative direction; Jana Bell, 2015 HOTH chair;

Sharon McCreery, online auction; Sherry Gleason, tickets. Not pictured: Blair Hederman, HOTH co-chair; Melinda Courtney,

photography; Laurie Walton, herb sale

32 n o r t h s i d e s u n

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 33

34 n o r t h s i d e s u n

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 35

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by JENNY MARKOW

T R I - C O U N T Y A R E A J U N I O R S R A N K

O F T H E I R D I V I S I O N I N M O S T A G E G R O U P S

IN THE TOP FIVEWow, 2014 went by in a flash. Where did it go? There was a lot of ten-

nis activity on the Northside, that’s for sure. National champi-onship contenders Leah Warren and her Tri-Level 18 and Over 3.5-

4.5 team had a great run during the Paribas Indian Wells Tournament, lots ofteams made it from the state to the sectional level during the 2014 USTA Leagueyear, the Junior Team Tennis team finishing second at the USTA Junior TeamTennis National Championships, and in most age groups of juniors you will findkids from the tri-county area in the top five of their division. In the girls 10s

McKenna Wheatley finished number one, in the 14s Lailaa Bashir finishedranked number one, in the 16s, Meredith Roberts finished number one, and inthe 18s Tori Roberts finished at the top. In the boys 16s Stedman Strickland fin-ished number one, in the 12s Mathis Billman finished number one and in the10s Graham Storey finished at the top. In the novice division, Hilton Reynoldswas number one in the boys 10s, Will Frits finished number one in the 12s,Michael Joseph Payne tops the 16s and Brandon Norton finished number one inthe 18s. Congratulations on a great tennis year.

McKenna Wheatley, number one, Girls 10s Meredith Roberts, number one, Girls 16s Stedman Strickland, number one, Boys 16s Tori Roberts, number one, Girls 18s

Graham Storey, number one, Boys 10s Hilton Reynolds, number one, Boys 10s Novice Lailaa Bashir, number one, Girls 14s Mathis Billman, number one, Boys 12s

36 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Junior tennis is thriving on the Northside. There were more than 30 juniors that finished in the top five of their age groups, with eight juniors finishing 2014 ranked number one in their age group. Congratulations to all.

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f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 37

The first USTA League of the season has registration under way and play willbegin in February. The deadline to register your team is January 26. Play for 55and over will begin February 14, and 18 and over and 40 and over will beginFebruary 16. What better way to start 2015 off than to join a USTA League teamand find out what all the excitement is about. League players are truly passionateabout this game they love. You will hear a myriad of reasons why someone isplaying tennis. Topping the list are the social benefits, followed closely by itsgreat exercise and fun at the same time. I have even heard it was because of thegreat outfits you get to wear on the courts. Contact local league coordinator,Lesley Mosby; jacksontennisleagues@gmail.com for more details.For our 10 and under beginners, the first year free USTA membership will be

available for 2015. “The success we have had with our 10 and under juniors hasbeen outstanding,” says Geoff Norton, tennis service representative for USTAMississippi. “We are planning on taking our 10 and under Grand Prix Circuitstatewide in 2015, so the numbers should increase again this year,” continuesNorton. Angie Deleon will be the 10 and under coordinator for the tri-countyarea. Angie is a natural fit for this part-time position as she has been the USTAJunior Team Tennis coordinator for the past six years. In addition to her localleague coordinator role, Angie is the new director of school tennis for the state.“Angie truly loves tennis and has worked very hard to build the JTT program onthe Northside, and we are looking forward to working with her in her new role,”Norton said. If you haven’t played tennis in a while, dust off that racket and head to the

courts. If you are a veteran player, please make it a goal to bring at least one newplayer in 2015 to the sport we all love. If all 12,000 USTA members from acrossthe state would bring just one new player to the game, think how fabulous thatwould be. As always, for all of your tennis needs, go to www.mstennis.com. You

can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at ustamississippi. Leah Warren was the captain for the women’s Southern Section Tri-Level team

that competed at the national level during the 2014 Paribas Indian WellsTournament.

Cindy Hannon, Laura Carman, Jamie Fisher, Debra Byrne; (front) Jane Pillow, Audrey Thomas, Leah Warren, Lisa Chesney

Baptist Health Systems is Pleased to Announce the 2015 Baptist Health Foundation Board of Regents.

The Baptist Health Foundation enhances lives through community involvement and continuously improving Christian healthcare. To learn more, please visit www.mbhs.org/foundation.

Standing L-R: Chris Coleman; Chris Anderson; Chris Waterer; Alon Bee; Joe McCaskill; Andy Wimberly; Whit Hughes (Foundation President); Dolph Baker; Bill Ashford; Kane Ditto; Bill Lampton; Jason GreenerSeated L-R: Dudley Wooley; Margaret McLarty; Rick Calhoon (Chairman); Mary Shapley; Kurt Metzner; Tommy Thames (Vice Chairman)

38 n o r t h s i d e s u n

s the newness of 2015 begins to wane, I am still committed to getting back to basics.My husband and I have agreed to purge all of the unnecessary stuff that clutters our house.We have some guidelines for our decision to nip the abundance of stuff that we have accu-mulated. In order to keep an item, it must satisfy at least one of the three N.I.P. criteria orwe nip it: Need it/Use it/Love it; Important; or Place/Space for it.

I filled trash bags with broken toys from the kids’ rooms, cleaned out my closet and ridthe living room of stacks of stuff. I was on a mission, nothing could stop me – I was a purg-ing machine. Just when I thought nothing could hold me back, my decluttering came to ascreeching halt in the kitchen. I recited the N.I.P. criteria over and over, but the purgingmomentum slowed and nothing was eliminated.

I opened a cabinet of dinnerware. Nothing – I was paralyzed. I couldn’t move and thedishes didn’t either, but my mind was racing:

We have to eat. We need plates for the food that we eat. We may have company and need more plates for the food that we eat. And if we have company we need serving pieces that match the plates for the food. I closed the cabinet door and the thoughts stopped. Then, I opened a gadget drawer, and

my mind took off again before I could slam the drawer shut.I may not need an instant marinator or a four-inch strainer – but I have used them along

with each and every one of those gadgets at some point… and they all have a place…And so, the purging paused while I collected myself and accepted that we may have to

refine the N.I.P system to include some more strict criteria. I am embarrassed to confess Ihave cabinets stacked full of plates, bowls and mugs that comprise a minimum of eightplace settings of six different casual patterns - not to mention the 24 (yes, 24 place settings)of fine china. Oh, and I almost forgot, my grandmother’s china and 12 place settings of my

holiday dinnerware. Clearly, no one needs hundreds of plates or five drawers overflowing with gadgets. I

moved on to the cookware cabinet in an effort to regain some traction on my task. Iopened the doors and pulled out the drawers. I discovered perfection, without hesitation, Ican state my cookware assortment is ideal – not too much or too little, it’s just right. Withmy obsessive tendencies in collecting kitchenware, it may be hard to believe I have onlyone cabinet containing all of my cookware. I like and use many of my gadgets and dishes –but I love cookware. However my passion for pots and pans makes me very particularprocuring certain pieces.

Is there such thing as a selective hoarder? If so, my cookware collection is edited in com-parison to the other kitchen stuff I have acquired because I made a commitment to buyonly the most useful, highest quality pieces I could afford. My cookware collection hasevolved slowly. I have been deliberate in the selection of saucepans, fry pans and specialtypieces. (I just wish I had the same conviction when it comes to ceramic dinnerware.)

I read somewhere that the most important long-term investment you will make in yourkitchen is quality cookware. You do not need an abundance of cookware, and every piecedoesn’t have to match. Cookware should be an assembly of various pieces that work foryour meal preparation from newlywed to empty-nester.

Most good cookware has a lifetime guarantee, but according to the CookwareManufacturers Association, consumers often see and hear lots of confusing terms whenshopping for cookware. For example, I prefer multi-ply or “clad” cookware over single-plystainless, which means that a pan is made of three, five or as many as nine separate piecesof metal that have been fused together. The downfall of stainless steel cookware is that it isnot very conductive, which is why it is often combined with other metals, such as copper oraluminum to improve performance.

The more layers added to the vessel, the heavier the cookware. I havefound weight is a good thing when it comes to saucepans and skillets. Iavoid flimsy, light pans because heavier cookware is a better conductor ofheat. Usually, the inside and outside of the pan are made of stainless whilethe inside layers are made of a magnetic or more conductive material suchas copper or aluminum. Unlike copper or aluminum cookware, stainlesssteel is durable, non-porous, nonreactive with food, and resistant to rust,corrosion and pitting.

While the construction and weight of the vessel are important, the handleshould feel good in your hand and balance the weight of the pot when full.I recommend cookware with metal handles that are riveted onto the panbecause metal handles are much more durable and oven-safe. Lids areanother component that should be of high quality and craftsmanship. Thelids should fit securely to the pot, but must be easy to grasp for removalduring cooking.

People often ask, what pots and pans do I need? My suggested assortmentof stainless cookware: stockpot (eight-quart); skillets (eight or nine-inch and11 or 12-inch); saucepans (two and three-quart); and saucepot (four to six-quart)

You may wonder, what is the best cookware? I have to agree with the rec-ommendation of the Cookware Manufacturers Association, “The best cook-

FOODWISE

Marlana Walters, ProprietorThe Everyday Gourmet

BACK TO BASICSCOMMITTED TO GETTING

AND DECLUTTERING OUR HOUSE

phot

o by

Lon

nie

Kees

At e x t a n d p h o t o g r a p h y b y m a r l a n a w a l t e r s

40 n o r t h s i d e s u n

ware for consumers is cookware that matches their experience, their lifestyles and their budg-et. Overly expensive cookware won’t turn anyone into a gourmet cook, but results are moreeasily obtained with quality product.”

I am so glad to know it’s not my cookware that makes a quick dinner taste so good. Afterall the decluttering and thinking about cookware, I worked up an appetite. With the rightcookware on hand, I have just what I need to make Chicken Alfredo Fettuccini in 30 minutes– and with the help of some of my gadgets, my real dilemma is choosing a pattern of dinner-ware to serve it on.

CHICKEN ALFREDO FETTUCCINEINGREDIENTS

4 boneless chicken breasts

1 cup Italian dressing

4 tablespoons oil

1/2 cup butter

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

3/4 cup mozzarella cheese

1 pound fettuccine

DIRECTIONS

Place chicken breasts and Italian dressing in instant marinator. Suction four to five

times and allow chicken to rest without releasing the seal for five minutes to allow mari-

nade to penetrate deep into each piece. Or marinate for one hour in the refrigerator.

To prepare chicken, heat oil in a nine-inch skillet. Cook chicken on medium heat until

cooked through.

While the chicken cooks and the sauce is prepared, boil noodles in eight-quart stockpot

according to package directions. Do not overcook.

For the Alfredo sauce, melt butter in a three-quart saucepan over medium/low heat.

Add the garlic and shallots and cook until shallots are transparent. Add cream and white

pepper and reduce heat to a simmer. Stir frequently. For a smooth sauce, use a mesh

strainer to remove garlic and shallots from the mixture and discard. Add the Parmesan

cheese and continue to simmer sauce and stir frequently for six to eight minutes or until

sauce has thickened and is smooth. Add the mozzarella cheese and whisk vigorously

until completely smooth.

Slice chicken. Place pasta and chicken on serving plates and spoon sauce over pasta

before serving.

FOODWISE

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 41

ot like mine … I have just two words for you ...speaker phone. That’s right ladies and gents, I pro-posed to my lovely wife Kitty on a speaker phone. Atleast she was speed dial position number one (specialthanks to my then-assistant, Leann Smith).

Kitty and I had been talking about getting marriedand were already living together when all of this wentdown. I had recently changed the focus of my job andmy calendar was getting really, really full. So when Inoticed a two-week hole in October, I figured I wouldcheck on those dates with Kitty and see if she was alsofree. I reached over to the desk phone and hit the topspeed dial button. When she answered, I half-shouted,“Hey baby. Got your calendar handy?”

“I’ll get it open, baby. What’s up?” She answered.“How does Saturday the 8th of October and the fol-

lowing week look for you?” I asked. “It’s open. Why?” “I was just checking to see if that weekend would

work, you know ... for getting married.”“Well, are you asking me to marry you?” she asked.“Yeah. So that week after is fine too? You know, for

the honeymoon?” I asked.“Looks fine to me,” she said.“OK baby. I guess you need to go ahead and put in for

vacation that week. I love you! See you at hometonight,” I said, reaching to hang up the phone.

“OK,” she answered.And that was it. No flowers, no ring at the bottom of a

champagne flute, no flashing sign at a baseball game.Speaker phone. Believe it or not, it worked. We got mar-ried and we’re still married.

For years, I would sit and listen to other people prat-tle on about sunsets on the beach or romantic restau-rants and I would wait until they finished before pullingout the proposal story trump card of a lifetime ... speak-er phone.

When Kitty turned 44, we had a joint birthday partyfor her and Kim the producer on our back deck withgreat food, lots of friends, a steady flow of wine, andperfect spring evening weather. My friend Anne Scott (abig hot mess of a hippie Southern belle) had left aridiculously huge plastic “diamond” ring in our kitchen,and it caught my eye while I was making a run to theicemaker. I slipped it into my pocket, made my wayback to the deck, turned off the music and got every-one’s attention. I pulled the ring out of my pocket,showed it to everyone and announced, “A friend ofmine once said, ‘If there’s a problem with the ring ...

the problem ain’t the ring.’”I got down on one knee and

took Kitty’s hand. As I slipped thepreschool jewelry on her finger Isaid simply, “In front of all thesepeople, Kitty ... will you marryme?”

The crowd, all of whom hadheard the “speaker phone” storyat least once, let out a cheer. Shesaid yes. Again.

RECIPES (FOR A PARTY OF 20)

CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH MELON BALSAMIC

GASTRIQUEINGREDIENTS1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup balsamic vinegar1 cup cubed watermelon flesh1/4 tsp ginger powder1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp onion powder1/2 tsp white pepper

B Y T O M R A M S E Y

T O M R A M S E Y

When

Valentine’s Day

comes to my

restaurant,

La Finestra,

there will almost

certainly be a

proposal.

We are just the

right kind of

romantic spot. So

if any of you dear

readers are

contemplating a

Valentine’s Day

surprise, do it

right.

GET IT RIGHT THEFIRST TIME

Tom Ramsey is a chef, sommelier,restaurateur, writer and media

personality living in Jackson. At his“day job” as chef and proprietor of La

Finestra, he oversees all back-of-thehouse operations. He is featured on the

premiere episode of “Guy’s GroceryGames” on the Food Network. A pilotfor his own show, “Busman’s Holiday,”

is currently in development. He is awidely published writer of recipes,

fiction, essays, op-ed pieces and magazine articles.

42 n o r t h s i d e s u n

N

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts36 bamboo skewers

DIRECTIONSSlice each piece of chicken into six strips by cutting

the breast portions in half across the grain and then inthirds with the grain. Combine ginger, salt, onion pow-der and pepper, and mix thoroughly. Season chickenwith the spice mixture. Place one piece of sliced chick-en on each skewer.Combine the sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan

and bring to a boil. Reduce mixture by a half of its orig-inal volume and add watermelon. Sharply whisk themelon into the reduction and further reduce until thick-ened to where it will coat the back of a spoon. Grill or broil the chicken skewers for four minutes on

each side and check for doneness. Meat should bewhite throughout, but not dry.When the sauce is reduced, strain it into a metal mix-

ing bowl and discard the melon flesh. Fill a larger mix-ing bowl with water and ice to about two thirds capaci-ty. Set the mixing bowl with the sauce into the largerbowl with ice and water. Turn the bowl and stir thesauce as you turn. This will rapidly chill the sauce.Pour the chilled sauce into a dipping bowl and place

it on a large platter with the skewers.

GRILLED VEGETABLESINGREDIENTS2 zucchini2 yellow squash1 red onion2 Japanese eggplants1 bunch asparagus1 small basket button mushroomsSaltPepperPaprikaGarlic powderOlive oilSoy sauce

DIRECTIONSCut all of the vegetables into two-inch pieces. Put all

cut vegetables in a large mixing bowl and season liber-ally with salt, pepper, garlic powder. Let the vegetablesrest with the dry seasonings while you light the grilland wait for the coals to get ready. When the grill ishot, sprinkle the vegetables with olive oil and a fewdashes of soy sauce and toss in the mixing bowl untilall pieces are coated with oil. Spread some aluminumfoil on top of the grill grates and pierce with a knife toallow smoke to come through.Spread the vegetables evenly over the foil-topped

grill and cook until thoroughly hot, but still firm. Thisshould take about seven to ten minutes, but rely moreon temperature and feel than on time.Serve piping hot and sprinkle again with a little olive

oil to make them shine.

MELON WITH MORTADELLAINGREDIENTS1 fresh melon (cantaloupe, musk, honeydew etc.)1 lemon10 thin slices mortadellaBalsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONSSlice the melon into 20 long, thin strips and toss in a

large mixing bowl with juice from one lemon. Stack andslice the mortadella in half. Wrap each piece of melonwith a piece of the sliced mortadella and arrange on alarge serving dish. Drizzle VERY LIGHTLY with balsamicand serve cold.

BUTTERBEAN HUMMUSINGREDIENTS16 oz. frozen or fresh butterbeans (fordhook, babylimas, etc.)1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 lemons1/2 bunch cilantro4 green onions1 tsp. cumin3 cloves fresh garlic1/2 white onion1/4 tsp. white pepperSalt WaterCorn or Pita Chips

DIRECTIONS Roughly chop the cilantro and green onions. Finely

chop the garlic and white onion.Blanch the butterbeans in boiling, salted water for

two minutes. Drain the beans and immediately immersethem in an ice water bath to arrest the cooking. Drainthe ice water and place the butterbeans in the bowl ofa large food processor. Add mayonnaise and run themachine at high power. While the machine is running,add the juice from the lemons, and all dry ingredients(except for salt), onions, garlic, cilantro and greenonions. If the consistency is too thick, slowly add water

until the mixture is smooth and creamy, but not soupy.Taste and add salt according to your taste.Serve chilled in a dipping bowl with corn chips.

DRESSING TIPS FOR GETTING ENGAGEDThis will be a well-documented event so wear some-

thing classic: blazer, white shirt, tailored trousers, goodshoes. I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of your parents orother relatives sporting leisure suits, crushed velvetjumpsuits or poodle skirts - you don’t want be remem-bered as “Crazy Uncle Bobby who wore the Ed HardyShirts.”

HOW TO DO THIS THE RIGHT WAYAlthough the speaker phone was efficient, it just did-

n’t have the oomph that the occasion called for. Thismemory is something that will keep her around longafter you have thick ear-hair, a snoring problem andmany other annoying habits or attributes, so get itright. Don’t try to be cute or clever, just be sincere. Goto a place with significance to your relationship such asa favorite restaurant (even if that place is the KFC buf-fet). Don’t wait for the perfect moment. You’ll only endup making yourself more nervous. Once you are settledin to a good conversation, look her right in the eyes,place your hand on hers and repeat this phrase exactly:“___________ (insert name), I can’t imagine how Icould live the rest of my life without you. Will youmarry me?” When she starts to smile or cry and youare certain the answer will be “yes,” THEN get on oneknee and slip the ring on her finger. If you take a kneetoo soon, she’ll know what’s coming next and thewords will be lost in the expectation. Plus, if she runsaway, you’ll look like a jerk kneeling there on therestaurant floor while some hot lady bursts through thefront door hailing a taxi.

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 43

From investing to advising. We’re here for you.

Robert Webb V.P., Financial Consultant

Chad Mays, CFP® Associate Financial

Consultant

Jackson Branch 800 Woodlands Parkway

Suite 101 Ridgeland, MS 39157

(601) 206-8100

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f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 45

The Mississippi Heritage Trust will sponsor its new project“MS MOD,” a celebration of Mississippi’s modernist banks, drycleaners and churches February 26 - 27. The heritage trust, inpartnership with the Mississippi Humanities Council, theMississippi Development Authority, the Eastover Foundationand BankPlus, will welcome guests to explore Eastover neigh-borhood’s modernist legacy with a “Mad MOD Affair.”

Risa and Jack Moriarity will open their home on Thursdayevening for cocktails and jazz. Friday’s tour of homes will fea-ture the modern styled houses of Katie and Dee Lovelace, Sybiland Jim Child, Malinda and Jim Warren, Cindy and Jeff Wilson,and John Hooks.

Modernist buildings are now considered the “new historic,”with a whole new audience of building-huggers awakening tothe creative spirit that is embodied in modernism. From thelong, horizontal lines of the International Style employed in the33rd Avenue School in Gulfport to the festival of fountains andscreens that W.W. Easley used to create the whimsical Falk

House in the Eastover neighborhood, Mississippi has a wealthof modernist treasures waiting to be explored.

Artist Josh Hailey filmed Falk House owner John Hooks givingGov. William Winter a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoingrestoration effort. Constructed in phases from 1958 to the1970s, this masterpiece of modernist design is tucked into anurban oasis that gently slopes down to the water, where a can-tilevered concrete pier creates the perfect spot to watchwildlife. Meyer and Genevieve Falk, who embraced their newhome of Jackson, were highly involved in the construction ofthe house, which was designed to resemble a swan. John’s goalin the restoration process is to honor the vision of W.W. Easleyand the Falks, while bringing the home into the 21st centurythrough the reuse of materials and careful introduction of newand innovative technology.

The MS MOD web-based application will feature photo-graphs, stories and videos of much-loved civic buildings such asThalia Mara Hall in Jackson to endangered modernist treasures

like the Meridian Police Department. “Visit Mississippi is proudto partner with the Mississippi Heritage Trust’s MS MOD proj-ect. This one-of-a-kind project explores Mississippi’s great cul-ture and aesthetic through the modernist architectural move-ment in our state. By expanding Mississippi’s architectural storybeyond the oft thought of Greek Revival style, MS MOD is help-ing the world to better understand the diversity of our peopleand our places,” said Malcolm White, director of the MississippiDevelopment Authority’s tourism division.

Stuart Rockoff, director of the Mississippi HumanitiesCouncil, lauded the new initiative, “The Mississippi HumanitiesCouncil is pleased to be able to support the MississippiHeritage Trust’s MS MOD project. Thanks to the fine work ofthe Mississippi Heritage Trust, more people will realize thatbuildings need not have columns or be antebellum to be histor-ically significant.”

To watch a video tour of the Falk House, visitwww.lovemsmod.com.

a celebration of Mississippi’s modernist banks, dry cleaners and churches

MS Mod

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These areas representabout 50% of all o�ce visits. And 100% of our focus.

When you have chronic ENT problems, it’s good to know you have access to University physicians. University ENTs have received fellowship training to specialize in a particular area of the head and neck. This means when you see a University ENT, he or she is uniquely qualified to treat your specific need…so you can focus on getting back to life. To make an appointment, call 601.815.4368 or 888.815.2005.

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Call to register for a free info session: February 11 at noon February 25 at 6 p.m. at University Physicians–Grants Ferry

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50 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Warren Aiken Jr. of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter,

Elizabeth McBee Aiken, to Charles Seth Hudspeth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Allen

Hudspeth of Vicksburg.

Miss Aiken is the granddaughter of Mrs. Richard Warren Aiken Sr. and the late Mr. Aiken of Jackson,

and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rogers Williams of Dallas. Hudspeth is the grandson of Mrs. Charles Durr

Hudspeth and the late Mr. Hudspeth of Jackson, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Howard Bennett Ward Jr. of

Meridian.

The bride-elect is a 2006 graduate of Jackson Preparatory School. She was graduated from the

University of Mississippi in 2010 with a degree in hospitality management, where she was a member of

Kappa Delta sorority. She lives in New Orleans, where she is the management division coordinator of

Property One Inc.

The prospective bridegroom was graduated with honors from Warren Central High School in 2006, and

attended the University of Mississippi, where he was graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in insur-

ance and risk management. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Hudspeth lives in New Orleans

and is a commercial insurance agent for Eustis Insurance and Benefits in Metairie.

The couple will exchange vows March 28 at Fondren Church. They will live in New Orleans following

the wedding.Elizabeth McBee Aiken, Charles Seth Hudspeth

Elizabeth McBee Aiken& Charles Seth Hudspeth

MARCH 28, 2015FONDREN CHURCH • JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Edward Jackson Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Hall Vickery announce the

engagement of their daughter, Anne Elizabeth Eastland Vickery, to Cole McKee Richardson,

son of Dr. and Mrs. Charles David Richardson of Hattiesburg.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Eugene McRoberts Jr. of Jackson and the

late Champ Taylor Terney Jr., Earnest Edward Jackson Sr. and the late Martha Carley of Yazoo City, and

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Edwin Vickery of Jackson.

The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. George Clifton McKee and the late Mr. and

Mrs. Walter Burdette Richardson, all of Philadelphia, Miss.

Miss Vickery is a 2008 graduate of Jackson Academy. She attended Mississippi State University where

she received a bachelor’s degree in communication and was graduated magna cum laude. Miss Vickery

was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. She is also a graduate in health related studies from the

University of Mississippi Medical Center. She is a dental hygienist at the dental office of Dr. Mike Tramel

and Dr. Mary Tison Brown.

Richardson is a 2007 graduate of Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg. He received a bachelor’s

degree in biological sciences from Mississippi State University where he was a member of Sigma Chi fra-

ternity. He received his master’s in biomedical science from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

He is currently a medical student at William Carey University of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg.

The couple will exchange vows March 7 at the Seaside Chapel in Seaside, Fla.

Anne Elizabeth Eastland Vickery

Anne Elizabeth Eastland Vickery& Cole McKee Richardson

MARCH 7, 2015SEASIDE CHAPEL • SEASIDE, FLORIDA

ENGAGEMENTS

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 51

Mr. and Mrs. William R. Townsend Jr. announce the engagement of their daughter, Taylor Jean

Townsend, to David Seth Conerly, son of Dr. and Mrs. Don Conerly of Hattiesburg. The bride-

elect is the granddaughter of Barbara Jean Malone and the late Dr. Byron Ray Malone, and

the late Mr. and Mrs. Rex Townsend, all of Jackson.

Miss Townsend is a 2011 graduate of Jackson Preparatory School and a 2014 honors graduate of Baylor

University with a bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in entrepreneurship. She was a mem-

ber of Delta Delta Delta sorority, Baylor Business Fellows, Baylor Student Foundation, and a William

Carey Crane Scholar.

The prospective bridegroom is a 2009 graduate of the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s

degree in business with an emphasis in management. He is a student pastor at Venture Church in

Hattiesburg, and is pursuing a master of divinity degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

The couple will exchange vows in an evening ceremony February 14 at First Baptist Church Jackson

with a reception to follow at The South. They will make their home in Hattiesburg.

David Seth Conerly,Taylor Jean Townsend

Taylor Jean Townsend& David Seth Conerly

FEBRUARY 14, 2015 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH • JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Fulton Worley Jr. announce the engagement of their daughter, Camille

Rene Worley, to Keylon Thomas Pittman, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Terrell Pittman of New

Hope.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McCollum Jr. of Tupelo, and the late Mr.

and Mrs. Hubert F. Worley of Jackson.

Miss Worley is a 2007 graduate of Jackson Preparatory School and a 2011 graduate of the University of

Mississippi where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. At Ole Miss she was a

member of Kappa Delta sorority. She lives in Columbus, and is associated with Renasant Bank.

The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. James Henry Pittman and the late William

Craddock Boyd Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wesley Bonner.

Pittman is a graduate of New Hope High School and a 2011 graduate of Mississippi State University with

a bachelor’s degree in business management. He lives in Columbus and is associated with Steel

Dynamics Inc.

The wedding will take place February 21 at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson.

Keylon Thomas Pittman,Camille Rene Worley

Camille Rene Worley& Keylon Thomas Pittman

FEBRUARY 21, 2015FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

ENGAGEMENTS

52 n o r t h s i d e s u n

54 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Mr. and Mrs. William Nichols Phillips of Madison announce the engagement of Meredith Rose

Magro to Matthew Samuel Lusco. Miss Magro is the daughter of Mrs. Phillips and the late

Michael Lawrence Magro. Lusco is the son of Rhonda Finnell Lusco, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles

Matthew Lusco, all of Birmingham.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Charles Dean Benge of Madison and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur

Thomas Bryant of Canton, and Charles Joseph Magro of Florence, Ala., and Carol Lee Magro of

Ridgeland.

The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Gloria Jane Cotton of Amite, La., Mr. and Mrs. Harley Al

Finnell Sr. of Gulf Shores, and Margaret Gibson Lusco and the late Samuel Charles Lusco of Vicksburg.

Miss Magro is a 2007 graduate of Madison Central High School. She was graduated from the University

of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s of education in curriculum

and instruction. At Ole Miss she was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. She is associated with Madison

County School District where she is a third-grade teacher.

Lusco is a 2007 graduate of Mountain Brook High School. He was graduated from the University of

Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in business. At Ole Miss he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He

is a securities lending specialist with Sterne Agee.

The wedding will take place February 21 in Rosemary Beach, Fla.

Meredith Rose Magro

Meredith Rose Magro& Matthew Samuel Lusco

FEBRUARY 21, 2015ROSEMARY BEACH, FLORIDA

Mr. and Mrs. James Larry Stacy announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Evans

Stacy, to Charles Bennie Holmes, son of Jeri Holmes of Brandon, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles

Raymond Holmes of Magnolia.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Thomas Edwin Bruton of Madison, Mr. and Mrs. Edward

William Shackleford of Hollandale, Mrs. Charles A. Stacy Jr. of Ridgeland, and the late Mr. Stacy.

The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lee Sheridan Ferguson of

Meadville, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Monroe Holmes Jr. of Summit.

Miss Stacy was graduated with highest honors in 2004 from Jackson Academy. She was graduated

summa cum laude in 2008 from the University of Mississippi Medical Center with a bachelor’s degree in

dental hygiene and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi. She is a sales rep for Philips Oral Healthcare in

Little Rock.

Holmes is a 2001 graduate of Brandon High School and a 2005 graduate of Mississippi College where

he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is a full-time supervisor for UPS.

The couple will exchange vows March 14 at the Cotton Market Venue in Pearl.

Charles Bennie Holmes,Emily Evans Stacy

Emily Evans Stacy& Charles Bennie Holmes

MARCH 14, 2015THE COTTON MARKET • PEARL, MISSISSIPPI

ENGAGEMENTS

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 55

Mr. and Mrs. John Mark Darden Baird of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter,

Macey Simmons Baird, to Matthew Rush Benton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Rush Benton of

Nashville.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. James McKenzie Baird of Brandon and Mr. and

Mrs. Richard Earl Douglas of Brookhaven.

Miss Baird is a 2007 honors graduate of Jackson Preparatory School and a 2011 magna cum laude

graduate of the Sally Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi. Miss Baird earned a

bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in English. At Ole Miss

she was a member of Chi Omega sorority and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. Miss

Baird is a senior account executive for Sheridan Public Relations in Franklin, Tenn.

The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Carolyn Palmer Benton and the late Bruce Webb

Benton of Harrison, Tenn., and Mr. and Mrs. Gorman Jones Roberts of Louisville, Ky.

Benton is a 2005 graduate of Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, and a 2009 graduate of the

School of Business Administration at the University of Mississippi where he earned a bachelor’s degree

in economics. At Ole Miss, he was an active member of the Kappa Alpha Order. Benton is a managing

partner of Meadowbrook Franchise, which owns several Newk’s Eatery restaurants in Nashville and

Knoxville.

The couple will exchange vows March 7 at College Hill Presbyterian Church in Oxford.Macey Simmons Baird, Matthew Rush Benton

Macey Simmons Baird& Matthew Rush Benton

MARCH 7, 2015COLLEGE HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Keyes of Ridgeland announce the engagement of their daughter, Marion Elizabeth

Keyes, to Dr. Andrew Robinson Gowdey, son of the late Robbie Gowdey of Dallas, and Angie Smith

of Jackson. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Keyes of Jackson, the late Mr.

and Mrs. Alfred Adams of Nashville, and the late Hallie Keyes of Jackson. Miss Keyes is a 2005 graduate of

Jackson Academy and a 2009 graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she earned a bachelor’s degree

in family and consumer sciences, and also a Hinds Community College graduate with an associate degree in

veterinary technology. At Ole Miss she was a member of the Chi Chapter Delta Delta Delta sorority and served

as rush chairman her junior year for the Delta Delta Delta sorority and activities chairman her senior year for the

Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was also a member of the National Honor Society at the University of Mississippi

(2005-2009) and the National Licensed Veterinary Technician (2012). Miss Keyes is board certified with the

Mississippi Board of Veterinarians and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians. The prospective bride-

groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Smith of Jackson and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Allman of Dallas,

and the late Harry Robinson Gowdey of Dallas. Dr. Gowdey is a 2004 graduate of Jackson Preparatory School

and a 2008 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi where he received a bachelor’s degree

in managerial finance and a doctorate of medicine from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Gowdey

was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and the University of Mississippi Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He is

doing a residency at the University of Tennessee - Memphis.

The couple will exchange vows February 7 at the Paris Yates Chapel in Oxford.

Dr. Andrew Robinson Gowdey,Marion Elizabeth Keyes

Marion Elizabeth Keyes& Dr. Andrew Robinson Gowdey

FEBRUARY 7, 2015PARIS YATES CHAPEL • OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI

ENGAGEMENTS

56 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Charles Rader of Columbus announce the engagement of their daughter,

Blakeney Anne Rader, to Jacob Temple Black, son of Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Thomas Black of

Jackson.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stephen Weiss of Columbus, and the late

Mr. and Mrs. Thurston Connell Rader of Jackson.

Miss Rader was graduated from Heritage Academy in 2007. She attended the University of Mississippi

where she was a member of Tri Delta sorority. A 2011 graduate of the University of Mississippi School of

Allied Health, Miss Rader earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. She continued her education

at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, receiving a master’s in occupational therapy. Miss

Rader is a licensed occupational therapist in the state of Tennessee.

The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gerald Temple of Vicksburg, and

the late Mr. and Mrs. J.T. “Blondy” Black of Jackson.

Black is a 2006 graduate of Jackson Academy. He attended Mississippi State University where he was

a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. A 2010 graduate of State, Black earned a bachelor’s degree in

business administration. He is associated with Columbus Recycling Company in Memphis where he is

manager over regional sales.

The couple will exchange vows February 28 on the Central Park Green of Alys Beach, Florida. Blakeney Anne Rader, Jacob Temple Black

Blakeney Anne Rader& Jacob Temple Black

FEBRUARY 28, 2015CENTRAL PARK GREEN OF ALYS BEACH, FLORIDA

ENGAGEMENTS

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 57

PARTIESA N D C E L E B R A T I O N S

Bailey Roberts, Camille Worley, Paris Buchanan, Jess Anne Heppenstall

Key Pittman, Camille Worley

Camille Worley, Amanda JohnstonLeslie Harrison, Amy Strange, Martha Mangum, Allie Wells, Camille Worley, Rebecca Barr,

Bailey Roberts, Jess Anne Heppenstall

Graham Stevens, Leslie Harrison, Amy Strange, Camille Worley, Jess Anne Heppenstall, Bailey Roberts

engagement partyAn engagement celebration honoring Camille Worley and Key Pittman was held

recently in the Eastover home of Charlotte and Richard McNeel. Co-hosts were Claire and Richard Aiken, Maury and Kyle Ball, Leslie and Joel

Bobo, Mary and Paul Bowden, Betty and Bill Brown, Joy and Donnie Cannada,Bette and George Fair, Mary Kelly and David Farrish, Laura and David Flint,

Amanda and William Griffin, Nina and Carey Johnston, Ann and Jim Jones, Susanand Ed Lawler, Cathy and George May, Nancy and Billy Mink, Alice and MarkNicholas, Lisa and Lee Paris, Betse and Don Parsons, Janie and Joe Purvis, Joannaand Joe Roberts, Mary and Chris Shapley, Pat and Mike Stevens, June and HarperStone, Doug and Ernie Strahan, Ida and Hunter Yerger.

CamilleWorley andKey Pittmanengagementcelebration

Donna Worley, Graham Stevens, Camille Worley, Pat Stevens

60 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Key Pittman, Camille, Donna, Hubert and Bert WorleyBecky Cunningham, Tee Pittman, Camille Worley, Key and Terre Pittman

Jess Anne Heppenstall, Graham Stevens, Camille Worley, Bailey Roberts, Leslie HarrisonKey Pittman, Camille Worley, Charlotte and Richard McNeel

Hannah Claire McCullough, Camille Worley, Emily SandersBert Worley, Graham Stevens, Key Pittman, Camille Worley, Michael Stevens

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 61

e love a good partyand so do our readers!Don’t let your party end when the guests go home. Keep it going by submitting pictures from

it to The Northside Sun Magazine. It’s Easy. Just make sure when using a digital camera to have the setting at the highest resolution possible and e-mail them to us or submit a CD. Or the old fashioned

way using film prints still works great!!! Type up something about the fun event and identify everyone inthe photos and it’s done. And remember we like photos exclusive to us.

Still have questions? Gives us a call: 957-1123 or e-mail jimmye@northsidesun.com

62 n o r t h s i d e s u n

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 63

64 n o r t h s i d e s u n

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EVENTSMAHAFFEY CHRISTMAS PARTYA Christmas party was held in the home ofBeverly Mahaffey.Shown are scenes from the party.

Susan, Gail and Zach Coleman Tim and Sarah Largin, Melanie Clement

Melissa Evans, Diane GunterRick and Susan Ealy, Christie PoerSuzanne and Jeff Renfrow

Darren and Charlie Owens, Regina Ginn, Lisa Conway, Jamie Johnson Sheila Lindsey, Reul Sierra, Evangeline Zouboukos, Alex Zivira, Beverely Mahaffey

Billy and Lisa Dodd Kathy and Bill Clark Michael and Heather Penn George and Natalie Sandifer

66 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Billy and June SimsRobin McGraw, Jay and Lisa Spitchley Greg Patterson, Regina Ginn

MAHAFFEY CHRISTMAS PARTY

Gary Geiger, Sandy Bradley Melanie Clement, Eric Elam Kim and David Strickland Jeanie Malouf, Pam Cure

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 67

EVENTSDEBUTANTE BALLThe Debutante Club of Mississippi recentlyannounced the 2014 debutantes at theDebutante Ball. The black-tie event was held atthe Hilton Hotel of Jackson.Shown are scenes from the ball.

Callie Wallace, Emory Ryals, Reade Heredia, Charles McEuen Ben , Cassidy and Karen Turnage

Price Waltman, Katie Ferguson, Whitney BurnsJohn, Jill and Keavy Noblin, Brent FergusonChristy and Billy Quin

Kyle Culbertson, Dotsie Stevens, Johnny and Amelie Black, Keith, Elisabeth andKate Culbertson, Sandy Black, Brady Culbertson, Stephanie Kyser, John Black Todd and Story Warren, Janeanna Shell

Lily Waltman, Cameyn Kesternbaum Wesla Sullivan, Annie Leech Jay and Wendy Cole Sydney Turnage, Sam Ketchman

68 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Jill and Ashley Lane Beneke, Debbie WestbrookDavid and Lynda Conn, John and Iris IsaacsJohn and Susan Garrard

Brandon Schrouf, Bob and Sally Wilkerson, Ann, Avery, Jack and Susannah Burrell,Leah Wilkerson, Virginia Burrell, Mallory and Sara Wilkerson Courtney Richardson, Abbey Dennis, Blakele Palmertree

Gage, Lake , Michelle and Landon Garner Gracie Tew, Read, Scott and Virginia Carlton, Suzannah McGowan-Baroni, Joey Baroni

DEBUTANTE BALL

Micah McPherson, Kaysie Winston, Ali Gray Lil Hines, Sara Catherine Mills, Caroline Walker, Greer Andrews Kate Hamlin, Julie Vence

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 69

Betty, Mike and Clara Grace TurnerJessie Smith, Clay Blanchard, Norwood Smith, Meredith, EJ and Alicen Blanchard, Robin Smith

Zach, Cynthia and Steve Wells, Katherine Townsend, Anna Garrett Boyce Holleman, Caroline Walker, Anne Overton Waller, Annie Owen, Lil Hines, Margaret Horsley

70 n o r t h s i d e s u n

DEBUTANTE BALL

EVENTSPREP ’84 REUNIONJackson Prep Class of 1984 recently held their30-year reunion. Shown are scenes from theirgathering at the home of Lesley and JohnDavis.

Loren McLeod Gineris, Sandy Holman Taylor, Pam Daschbach Butts

Eliza McMillan Garraway, Kimberly Inkster Thigpen, Traci Pettit Maloney, Sarah Dearman Bower, Harriet Robinson Orstad, SarahStewart Orrecchia, Mary Youngblood Kent

Jim Coggin, Robin Harvey, Ann Coggin, Forrest Speed

Crisler Moffat and Doug Boone, Julie Wooley

Scot and Kimberly Inkster Thigpen, Michelle Gebhart Neilson, Holly Tickner, Daphne Daleand James Clark Lesley Davis, Tiffany Couch, Melinda Latimer Peoples, Holly Tickner, Traci Pettit Maloney

Carroll and Rob Stockett, Meg Joyner and Barney Robinson, Mary Nell and Richard Newman Kelley Williams, Harriet Robinson Orstad, Lily Yang

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 71

EVENTSBALLET TEA PARTYThe Sugarplum Fairy’s Tea Party was heldrecently at the Mississippi Museum of ArtLand of the Sweets prior to matinee BalletMississippi performances of “The Nutcracker.”The pre-performance party included a seatedlunch, live musical entertainment, and visitswith “The Nutcracker” characters. Shown are scenes from the party.

Naomi Wilson, Jackson Haber, Natalie Davis

Anna Holladay Craft, Amanda and Lucy Kate CrossFlorence Bass, Ruth Ann Watson, Susan and Mary Banks McAllisterPhoebe and Neeli Graham

Beth Townsend, Laura Barbour, Kitty Bryant, Leslie DeckerFront: Meg Barbour, Mary Thomas and Grace Decker, Elle Bryant Isabella and Andrea Pittman, Margaret and Bailey Taylor

Clemmie Mitchell, Cindy McGraw Shirley and Lauren Edmundson Helen Fulcher, Elizabeth Sweat Jackson Roberts, Tammy Goff

Ann Cole Hammons, Carlyle Davis, Lily and Emily Johnson

72 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Wanda Kennedy, Ava and Adyson McKnight Lawson Yelverton, Frances Fortenbery, Camille GradyLindsay Minyard, Sammie Gambles, Jack Madden

Lee Ann Hammons, Susan Johnson, Jennifer Emerson Katie Turner Rouse, Kylie Rouse, Sinclair Hey, Curran Quinn

BALLET TEA PARTY

Cynthia Goodman, Rebecca and Mary Alice Foster Peggy McGraw, Morgan Chancey, Mary Louis Quinn Jessica Smith, Mica StevensFront: Abby Smith, Belle Stevens

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EVENTSMS INTERNATIONALFILM FESTThe Mississippi International Film Festival washeld recently at Cinemark Tinseltown Cinemain Pearl. A Mississippi homecoming receptionwas held at the Courtyard Marriott in Pearl forLance Bass, who featured his new documen-tary in the film festival.Shown are scenes from the reception.

Eric Mills, Peter Holden, Tom Buttelfield

Annabeth Hatcher, Megan Harrell

Brandon Bouche, Roger Franks

Lance Bass, John Anderson, Joseph SpenceGlenn Garner, Olivia Goton

Brandi LaShay Wesley, Candace McFarland, Jennifer Allyn Winder, Regan Corder Robert and Michael Turchin, Edward St Pé, Stephanie Turchin

Ford Lofton, Dianne Bass, Stacy Lofton Jesse Emling, Maggie Hyer Bob Merrick, Jim Bass, Joe Williams

74 n o r t h s i d e s u n

EVENTSHABITAT DININGChefs Rick Tramonto and John Folse support-ed the mission and work of Habitat forHumanity Mississippi Capital Area recently byhosting a benefit dinner at Seafood Revolution.All proceeds from the evening were donated toHabitat.

Lesly Murray, Jackie Brown, Charlotte McNeel Jim and Geoff Mercer

Misty Gaskamp, John McCalebDyanne Ray, Toy Gathings, Johnny RayDara Rogers, Robin Gunn

Maura Jelliffe, Chef Rick Tramonto, Cindy Griffin, Larry Ratzlaff Cable and Carley Hawkins, Katie and David McRae

Elta Johnston Mark and Rebecca Wiggs, Dr. Steven Patterson Steve Edds, Margaret Carl, Lesly Murray

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 75

EVENTSMOONLIGHTATTITUDEFriends of the USA International BalletCompetition (USA IBC) recently held a fund-raiser, Moonlight Attitude, at the Old CapitolInn. A ballroom dance lesson with instructorJim Frechette was held prior to the event. TheCapital City Stage Band presented the music.Hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and an evening ofdancing to Big Band style music was included.Shown are scenes from the evening.

Montell Watkins, Frances Morse, Patsy Mounger Lynda Wright, Frank and Ivy Alley

Martha Cooke, Chris NicholasMary Schiele Scanlon, Sue Lobrano, Fred WombleLaura and Chris Walters

Ryan Vandeburgh, Elizabeth Lanoux, Kay and Jim Martin Lee and Charles Jackson, Robert and Claudia Hauberg

Mona Nicholas, Dolly Goings Allison and Emily Simmons Ray and Cindy McNamara Misty and Clark Monroe

76 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Frank Alley, Peyton ProspereLee Jackson, Nualnapa Brown, Rita JohnsonCassandra Walter, John Murphy

MOONLIGHT ATTITUDE

Ashby and Suzie Foote Louis Watson, Margaret Vise Mike McBride, Ellen Bourdeaux Brenda Trigg, Jenny Thomas

f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 77

EVENTSBEING BELHAVENThe Greater Belhaven Foundation hosted theBeing Belhaven Annual Fund Celebrationrecently in the homes of Marsha and TimCannon, Diane and Reed Hogan, and Angelynand Barry Cannada, all on Pinehurst Place.Proceeds fund the work of the GreaterBelhaven Foundation, including Bright LightsBelhaven Nights. Corinne Fox won the BeingBelhaven award, and Josh Wiener was winnerof the first Cavett Taff award.Shown are scenes from the event.

Patrick O’Mara, Josiah and Ashleigh Coleman Tara Ellis, Emmie King

Tim Cannon, Chuck LindsayPhilip and Carol Taff, Judy WienerChristy Ketchum, Beth Shivers

John Fike, Kate Eidt, Margaret Barrett Simon, Al Simon, C.B. Carroll, Jeanne Luckett

Bob Lodes, Mike Stevens Elizabeth and Warwick AlleyMarcus and Marc Treadway, Julie Moore

Mike Farrell, Tom McRee, Rod Clement

78 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Howard Jones, Susan Shands Jones Mandy Ferrington, Diane Hogan

Amy O’Mara, Marsha Cannon, Carey ArmstrongC.B. Carroll, Sherry Boyer, Jeanne LuckettVirginia and Rob Farr

Brad and Sara Tisdale, Caroline and Reed Hogan Beverly Painter, Julie Moore, Claire Barksdale, Marjorie Underwood

Steve Funderburg, Josh Wiener, Corinne Fox, Virgi Lindsay Sherry Boyer, Betty Allin, Royce Boyer, John Allin

BEING BELHAVEN

Jimmy and Linda Robertson, David Blount, Alan Moore

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EVENTSREMBRANDT DINNERThe Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA)recently held its annual Rembrandt SocietyDinner to thank some of its most dedicatedsupporters and members. Melvin Johnson, a30-year veteran of MMA and part of thepreparatory team that cares for and hangs theart, was a special guest and speaker. In recogni-tion of his contributions to the museum hisportrait, painted by artist Jason Bouldin, wasunveiled. His portrait will become part of themuseum’s permanent collection.

Bill Percy, Kim Breese

Melinda Warren, Mark and Sharon McCreeryTammy and Ramel Cotton, Stuart and Susan Rockoff Liz and Art Spratlin

Jason Bouldin, Malinda Johnson, Alicia Bouldin

Blake and Elizabeth Tyler Karen and Sam Begley Walter and Frances Jean Neely

Nell Wall, Jean Bush, Renee and Mayo Flynt

Betsy Bradley, Jack Becker; (front) Greg Frascogna, Robert Langford, Lester Katz Saundra and Duane Dewey, Ralph and Melissa Daniel

80 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Lynn and Edmund Lee, Gina and Mike O’Connell Lyn Pearson, Carol Peaster, Maison HeidelbergKitty Rushing, Billy Mann

Ora Reed, Lori Smith, Phil Burnett, Pamela Clark, Anna Burnett Ruthie Massey, Morgan Samuels, Burt Knight, Tom Knight, Mindy Kunz

Nora Frances and Vaughan McRae, Grace and Shinn Lee Dott Mann, Ruth Tant, Michael Beattie, Lynda Costas, David Bowen

REMBRANDT DINNER

Laurie McRee, Jason and Alicia Bouldin Dolph and DeaDea Baker, Reed Bowen, Anna WatsonGeorge Sturgis, Nan Smith, Bobby Grehan

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82 n o r t h s i d e s u n

EVENTSMKF UPTOWNDRAWDOWNBoard members and supporters of theMississippi Kidney Foundation recently gath-ered to kick off plans for the 2015 UptownDrawdown. The gala event, which will be heldFebruary 28 in celebration of the 50th anniver-sary of the Mississippi Kidney Foundation, willbe co-chaired by Ann and Ben Seale, and Lauraand Chris Walters. Patron level support of $350includes admission for two for the drawdownevent at the Country Club of Jackson, as well astwo chances to win the $10,000 grand prize. Italso includes the VIP room and bar, along withan invitation to attend a sponsor and patronsparty in early February.

JD May, Mary Elizabeth and Josh Evans, Meredith May Chris Walters, Sam Lane

Yoseph Ali, Gail Sweat, Muhannad SulaimanLori Quarles, Ann Seale, Laura Walters, Debbie MinorGeorge Patton, Nancy Clarkson

Bill Gober, John Webb, George Patton, Liz Lancaster, Tom Gober Cindy McKey, Lisa Brown, Becky Conley, Lynda Richards

Lee and Charles Parrott, Becky and Alvin Brent Barbara and LC James, Heather Bryan

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EVENTSGO RED FOR WOMEN St. Dominic’s recently hosted a women-onlypremier party at Duling Hall for the AmericanHeart Association’s Go Red for Women. The evening featured an array of fine wines,hors d’oeuvres, education and giveaways.Physicians and heart specialists were on handto discuss women’s heart health.Shown are scenes from the party.

Denise Amos, Helen Griffin, Linda Amos Carol Dendy, Martha Knudsen

Deidra Bell, Donna Sims Megan Mosley, Mindy Jo Byrd-Smith, Kate TottyRosalind Sanders, Rosa Wilson

Katherine Bryant, Carmen Keys, Katie Caldwell, Jennifer Wellhausen; (front) Rosey Bahadur, Rachel Lott Elizabeth Foster, Regina Curry, Wendy Lawless, Albertstein Johnson-Pickett

Katie Carone, Jane Phillips Caroline Fox, Blann Lutken Tawanna Tucker, Rochelle Culp Tammy Goff, Kristy Goff Jones

84 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Gina Hutton, Janice Thomas Katherine Barrilleaux, Kimberly Willis, Dellwyn SandersHonorine Weiss, Tammy Rubinsky

Marilyn Reed, Dionna Mitchell; (front) Sandra Hayes, Jennie Hall, Angela Glass Andy North, Maggie Mays, Stephanie Tapp

GO RED FOR WOMEN

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and so do our readers!Don’t let your party end

when the guests go home.Keep it going by submitting

pictures from it to theNorthside Sun Magazine. It’s Easy. Just make sure

when using a digital camerato have the setting at the highest resolution possibleand e-mail them to us orsubmit a CD. Or the old fashioned way using film

prints still works great!!! Typeup something about the funevent and identify everyonein the photos and it’s done.

And remember we like photos exclusive to us.

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EVENTSMILLSAPS ALUMNIPARTYA Millsaps College alumni club holiday partywas held recently in the Woodland Hills homeof Holly and Alan Lange.

John Mercer, Billy and Kimberly Crowder Mike Bishop, Ree Ridgway; (front) Mary Brantley, Nan Graves Goodman

Karen Redhead, Susan Jones, Virginia EzelleMichael Abramovich, VA Patterson, Lamees El-SadekMark Herbert, Nina Lott

Kendall Gregory, Mary Kate Rees, Katheryn Wise, Meg Huntington, MIkey Araeo, Taylor Parks Rob Pearigen, Alan Lange, Phoebe Pearigen, Mona Nicholas, Joel Brown, Holly Lange

Sandra Underwood, Mary Elizabeth Smith Albert and Lisa Davis Tye Menist, Anna Kathryn Phillips Amy and David Felder

86 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Dick and Betty MasonGeorge Pickett, John Wofford, John SewellBrian Beckham, Alan Burrow

Shannon and Matthew McLaughlin, Robert and Claudia Hauberg Hollidae Morrison, William Goodman, Nell Knox, Paul McNeill

LeAnn Williams, Susan Womack, Alex Lawson, Michael Abramovich Kenneth Townsend, Ann Phelps, Andrea and Robert Alexander

MILLSAPS ALUMNI PARTY

Marcus and Ellen Treadway, Phoebe Pearigen Doug and Crisler Boone Ray Harrigill, Tye Menist

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EVENTSART OF ADOPTIONJackson-based adoption agency 200 MillionFlowers hosted its third annual Art ofAdoption fund-raiser recently at The South. The evening featured guest speaker RobertGelinas, adoption advocate and pastor; cock-tails, food and jazz; a silent auction for artworkand other items; and artist DeAnna Backelpainting live. The Mississippi Heart Gallery,featuring photos of Mississippi foster kids wait-ing to be adopted, was also displayed.Shown are scenes from the event.

Stanton and Kelly Toler, Adam Cox Lacey and Brad Madden, Corrie Moncrief

Katherine Saucier, Mallory and Lee NormanDean and April Farrar, Megan and Michael ManuelVanessa and Lance Sceroler

Kevin Hankins, Joyce and Pete Poole, Sonya Hankins Cliff and Amy Bates, Leslie and Jarod Saucier

Valerie and Nick Pate Jimmy and Jennifer Anderson Nancy Valore, Stephanie Walley Susan and Robert Green

88 n o r t h s i d e s u n

Caylee Easterling, Rick ValoreApril and Scott Selman, Josh SullivanKelly Dixon, Krista Bowen

Angel Stoddard, Chris Cotton, Mike Stoddard, Amanda Cotton Marcus and Paige Whitman, James and Ruth Mayhew

Kenny and Angela White, Patti and Barney Daly Lynette and Jason Little, Jason and JoBeth Williams

ART OF ADOPTION

Heather and Brian Gibson Jan and Lee Feldman Perry and Nancy Cliburn Lindsey Godwin, Olivia Kneip

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