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Hometown Clinton - Summer 2016

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Volume 3, Issue 2<br />

may/june/july <strong>2016</strong><br />

The Rock House<br />

_______________________<br />

Dancing Through Life<br />

_______________________<br />

The Lew Crew<br />

_______________________<br />

Teddy "We Care" Bears


McRaven Rd.<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong><br />

Raymond Rd.<br />

I-20<br />

Lindsey Creek<br />

Springridge Rd.<br />

College St.<br />

Hwy. 80W<br />

A market leader for over four decades...<br />

because we know (and love) our market.<br />

Just ask <strong>Clinton</strong> homeowners about Century 21 David<br />

Stevens, Inc. They’ll tell you we know <strong>Clinton</strong> and we know<br />

homes. In fact, David Stevens has been helping families like<br />

yours find their dream home in <strong>Clinton</strong> since 1973.<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> has great schools, great neighborhoods,<br />

great shopping and dining areas and great entertainment<br />

and recreation options. We know this town.<br />

We love this town. And we’re ready to help you<br />

feel right at home here!<br />

Give one of our Century 21 David<br />

Stevens, Inc. hometown real estate<br />

professionals a call. We’re all about<br />

finding homes, selling homes and<br />

making dreams come true.<br />

David W. Stevens, CRB, CRS, GRI<br />

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Cell: (601) 951-9100<br />

C21DSTEVEN@aol.com<br />

century21davidstevens.com<br />

Metro smart.<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> friendly.<br />

Laci Pittman<br />

Cell: (601) 573-4748<br />

lpittman@usa.net<br />

Leah Sandidge<br />

Cell: (601) 540-6086<br />

leahsandidge@gmail.com<br />

Tronnie Lacy<br />

Cell: (601) 672-2496<br />

tntlacy@bellsouth.net<br />

Jackie Barksdale<br />

Cell: (601) 918-2914<br />

jackie.barksdale@comcast.net<br />

Charla Conlee, GRI<br />

Cell: (601) 954-4565<br />

cconlee@comcast.net<br />

David Stevens II<br />

Cell: (601) 540-1219<br />

david090977@aol.com<br />

Cindy Robertson<br />

Cell: (601) 331-5599<br />

CindyWRobertson@comcast.net<br />

Debbie Thomas<br />

Cell: (601) 941-7361<br />

DTHOMAS3333@aol.com<br />

Estelle Sherer<br />

Cell: (601) 940-5955<br />

esherer@bellsouth.net<br />

W Northside Dr.<br />

Pinehaven Dr.<br />

Doris Lepard<br />

Cell: 601-259-5134<br />

doris.lepard@century21.com<br />

Erin Baxter<br />

Cell: (601) 410-3793<br />

estanley084@yahoo.com<br />

Jared Fleming<br />

Cell: (601) 906-8609<br />

jflemingms@gmail.com<br />

701 Highway 80 West, <strong>Clinton</strong>, MS 39056<br />

(601) 924-7552 • 1-855-875-0879<br />

FAX (601) 924-7591<br />

Scan to view our<br />

entire inventory.<br />

Kelly Womack<br />

Cell: 601-502-5411<br />

Kelly.womack@century21.com<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> Blvd.<br />

Steve Rives<br />

Cell: (601) 951-1457<br />

srives3@gmail.com<br />

Sissy Wagner<br />

Cell: (601) 954-2405<br />

sissy_wagner@bellsouth.net<br />

Shelly Withers<br />

Cell: 601-988-7070<br />

Shellywithers1229@gmail.com<br />

Old Vicksburg R<br />

Jackie Dalton<br />

Cell: (601) 594-5344<br />

jackied21@att.net<br />

Ellen Horton<br />

Cell: (601) 291-6922<br />

efhorton@bellsouth.net<br />

Cliff Coleman<br />

Cell: 601-955-1950<br />

jccoleman.isproperties@aol.com<br />

E Northside Dr.


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4 • Spring <strong>2016</strong><br />

4 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


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6 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


PUBLISHER & EDITOR<br />

Tahya A. Dobbs<br />

may/june/july <strong>2016</strong><br />

CFO<br />

Kevin W. Dobbs<br />

CONSULTING EDITOR<br />

Mary Ann Kirby<br />

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES<br />

Rachel Lombardo<br />

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />

Camille Anding<br />

Elizabeth Bennett<br />

Mary Ann Kirby<br />

Bryan Presson<br />

Abigail Walker<br />

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER<br />

Othel Anding<br />

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER<br />

Elizabeth Bennett<br />

LAYOUT DESIGN<br />

Daniel Thomas - 3dt<br />

Missy Donaldson - MADdesign<br />

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT<br />

Alisha Floyd<br />

Brenda McCall<br />

• • •<br />

www.facebook.com/<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong>-<strong>Clinton</strong>-Magazine<br />

For subscription information<br />

visit www.htmags.com<br />

April showers bring May flowers AND<br />

Mother’s Day celebration. I did a bit of research<br />

about this special day and found that the American<br />

holiday was first celebrated in 1908. Ann<br />

Jarvis had been a peace activist who cared for<br />

wounded soldiers on both sides of the American<br />

Civil War. After her death, her daughter Anna<br />

wanted to honor her mother by setting aside a<br />

day to honor all mothers. Anna believed that<br />

mothers were “the person who has done more<br />

for you than anyone in the world.”<br />

I got a special glimpse into motherhood<br />

just this past weekend. My husband and I had a<br />

great visit with our oldest daughter, Camea, and<br />

her husband Justin whose jobs have relocated<br />

them to downtown Dallas.<br />

As we drove away from their new home, I<br />

felt the pain of “snipped apron strings” and recalled<br />

how my mother must have felt when leaving<br />

me in Knoxville, Tennessee as a newlywed.<br />

A wise someone said, “Our children are<br />

first on our knees but always on our hearts.” As<br />

a mother, daughter and granddaughter, I have<br />

experienced the emotions of motherhood in<br />

many directions. That’s why I am honored to<br />

highlight some special mothers in this issue and<br />

honor all who have been blessed with the role of<br />

mother.<br />

Happy Mother’s Day from <strong>Hometown</strong><br />

Magazines!<br />

Contact us at info@HTMags.com<br />

601.706.4059<br />

26 Eastgate Drive, Suite F<br />

Brandon MS 39042<br />

• • •<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> is published by<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> Magazines.<br />

All rights reserved.<br />

No portion of <strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong><br />

may be reproduced without written<br />

permission from the publisher.<br />

The management of <strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong><br />

is not responsible for opinions expressed<br />

by its writers or editors.<br />

All communications sent to our<br />

editorial staff are subject to publication<br />

and the unrestricted right to be refused,<br />

or to be edited and/or editorially<br />

commented on.<br />

All advertisements are subject<br />

to approval by the publisher.<br />

The production of <strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong><br />

is funded by advertising.<br />

Pictured on cover: The Lewis Family<br />

In this issue Dancing Through Life 8<br />

The Rock House 16<br />

Meet Jerry File, Jr. 28<br />

Kids Q&A. 30<br />

The Lew Crew 34<br />

Chalkboard 46<br />

Teddy "We Care" Bears. 61<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 7


8 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


Dancing<br />

Elizabeth Bennett<br />

Through Life<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> is home to a lifelong ballerina. Eleven-year-old<br />

Collett Hudson has been a ballerina since the age of three.<br />

Collett has taken ballet at Ballet Magnificat every year<br />

since she began dancing and is now a part of MiniMag. She<br />

is in the fifth grade at Eastside Elementary School and she<br />

has two loving parents as well as two older brothers.<br />

“I took Collett to see Ballet Magnificat’s Christmas<br />

production when she was three and she was so mesmerized<br />

that she watched the whole thing. I signed her up for<br />

ballet and she has been taking it ever since,” said Aimee,<br />

Collett’s mom. “I love that she loves ballet.”<br />

Most eleven-year-olds are engrossed in a variety of<br />

things, but Collett has found her passion in life early and<br />

loves to practice her art. She goes to ballet practice three<br />

times a week and loves every minute of it. Ms. Pam, her<br />

ballet teacher for MiniMag, was also Collett’s first ballet<br />

teacher when she was 3 years old so they know each other<br />

quite well. “Ms. Pam challenges me and gives me stuff to do<br />

that older people are doing. I like it when my teacher gives<br />

me correction so I know what I have to improve on,” said<br />

Collett. Ms. Pam instilled the love of ballet in Collett.<br />

MiniMag is one of Ballet Magnificat’s youth performing<br />

groups. It consists of girls between the ages of<br />

11-14. Acceptance into the group is by audition only. It is<br />

a performing group whose purpose is sharing the gospel<br />

of Jesus Christ through dance. They regularly perform at<br />

nursing homes to encourage the residents there. They also<br />

perform at some schools and the Mississippi Children’s<br />

Museum. MiniMag consists of 15 girls that live in the Jackson<br />

Metro area. This is Collett’s first year to be in MiniMag.<br />

Collett’s MiniMag group is currently working on a<br />

dance to the song “Lead Me to the Cross.” She loves being a<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 9


10 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


part of MiniMag because not only is she doing ballet,<br />

but she is also in an encouraging community that uses the<br />

Gospel to minister to other people through the art of dance.<br />

After dancing at the nursing home, Collett enjoys spending<br />

time talking to the residents and praying with them.<br />

“I most admire Kathy Thibodeaux because she created<br />

Ballet Magnificat and she is still dancing and is 65 years old.<br />

She still dances en pointe too,” exclaimed Collett. Collett<br />

also looks up to the older ballet students who are en pointe.<br />

She enjoys watching them and seeing what she has to look<br />

forward to. “What I love most about doing ballet at Ballet<br />

Magnificat is that it is a Christian atmosphere,” said Collett.<br />

“We also have prayer partners in MiniMag. It is meant to<br />

encourage one another in ballet and as a believer.”<br />

Collett’s favorite ballet costume is a rainbow costume<br />

and she recently enjoyed dancing in the school play,<br />

Romeo and Juliet. Collett also likes to sew, but her main<br />

passion is ballet and that is what she spends most of her<br />

time doing when she is not at school. After high school, she<br />

hopes to be a ballet trainee with Ballet Magnificat. Ballerinas<br />

who wish to be in Ballet Magnificat’s professional ballet<br />

company that travels around the world are required to be a<br />

trainee for three years first.<br />

The future looks bright for Collett Hudson. She has<br />

found a passion at an early age and enjoys using her gifts<br />

to serve others while putting smiles on their faces. It is evident<br />

that she has a heart for helping other people.<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 11


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<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 13


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14 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


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<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 15


The<br />

Rock<br />

House<br />

16 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


Bryan Presson<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 17


Charles Dickens has said that every traveler has a home of his own<br />

—and he learns to appreciate it all the more from his wandering.<br />

My favorite memories growing up were made at a place<br />

called The Rock House. For any young boy, free reign<br />

of nearly 200 acres to fish and quail, squirrel and dove hunt<br />

is a dream come true. For me it was a reality made even more<br />

special by sharing it with my grandparents, parents, brother,<br />

sisters, cousins and friends. To me, the Rock House was a<br />

sanctuary. It was the place where our grandmother spoiled<br />

us by making sure Nehi’s and Moon Pies were ready for us<br />

when we got off the school bus in the afternoons. It was<br />

where we learned to work hard helping with chores on the<br />

farm but the work didn’t seem so hard since it was alongside<br />

my grandfather.<br />

In 1927, the McDonnell family built what we would later<br />

call The Rock House because of its unique limestone exterior.<br />

In 1940 the property was sold to Rex I. Brown. As the family<br />

tells the story, after Mr. Brown purchased the property, when<br />

he took Mrs. Brown to see it, she told him that she was not<br />

moving to the country. That being the case, he never spent a<br />

night in the house. That’s where my family comes in.<br />

Mr. Brown was president of Mississippi Power & Light at<br />

the time that my grandfather, N. I. Presson Sr., led the heavy<br />

construction department. Being good friends as well as coworkers,<br />

Mr. Brown asked my grandfather if he and his family<br />

wanted to live on the newly acquired farm so they could raise<br />

cows together. So in 1940 my grandfather moved his wife,<br />

high-school aged daughter and young son to South McRaven<br />

Road. Years later, after Mr. Brown’s and my grandfather’s<br />

retirement, my grandfather would pick up Mr. Brown from his<br />

18 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


assisted living apartment and bring him to spend some sunny<br />

afternoons at the Rock House. As a very young boy at the time,<br />

my memories of seeing Mr. Brown are very limited but all of<br />

them are cherished. He was always gracious to my family. Some<br />

40 years later I would learn that the apple does not<br />

fall far from the tree when I met one of his grandsons for the<br />

first time.<br />

While living in the Rock House during my early teenage<br />

years, I became a follower of Christ. I met two brothers that<br />

lived down the road. They befriended me, invited me to their<br />

house, and then to church at Morrison Heights Baptist Church.<br />

During the summers we spent a lot of time together hanging<br />

out. Through their friendship and the unconditional love I<br />

saw in their home, because of their genuine love of the Lord, I<br />

knew they had something that was real and lacking in my own<br />

life. Like yeast through dough, the Holy Spirit drew me to the<br />

Savior. He used the late Dr. Kermit McGregor’s preaching to<br />

lead me to the Lord. My thirst was quenched, eternity secured,<br />

but like many immature believers I had my focus on the wrong<br />

residence.<br />

From 1940 until the mid-1970s, my family in some way<br />

called the Rock House “home” although we never owned it.<br />

I took the time we lived at the Rock House for granted. You<br />

never truly appreciate what something means until it’s gone.<br />

Time always brings change; sometimes it can be painful.<br />

My grandparents built their retirement home on Hoover Lake<br />

near Florence, Mississippi, and lived out their retirement years<br />

there. Since my dad was a fireman for the City of Jackson and<br />

the city council changed the residency requirements for its<br />

employees, we had to move out of the Rock House and into the<br />

city of Jackson.<br />

With our family now living in Jackson, the house was<br />

vacant. So, Mr. Brown’s grandson, named Rex after his<br />

grandfather, moved down from Ohio to practice law in Jackson.<br />

He lived in the house for over30 years until his death around<br />

2006. Little Rex (a nickname given to him by his family) was a<br />

man that was cordial but very private. So, for 35 years I did not<br />

step foot on the property. The house sat vacant for three years<br />

after his death. The grass was cut and house looked after by a<br />

neighbor and close friend of the family.<br />

Even though I did not visit, the property remained a<br />

special place in my life—so much so that in 1981 on my first<br />

date with Penny, my future wife, we drove by the Rock House.<br />

I told her that if I could live anywhere in the world it would<br />

be there. Years passed, I married, raised a family and worked<br />

in <strong>Clinton</strong>. In 2001 I retired from the <strong>Clinton</strong> Fire Department.<br />

Afterwards I sold fire trucks for three years and was called<br />

to bi-vocational ministry. In 2003 while pastoring my first<br />

church I started Mid State Welding, now located in <strong>Clinton</strong>’s<br />

Industrial Park.<br />

One day in 2009 while talking with a friend, she mentioned<br />

she lives on South McRaven Road. I asked her if she knew<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 19


where the Rock House was and she said, “I love that place!” She went<br />

on to say that following Rex’s death, the house remained empty.<br />

To say that I was eager to find out the status of the property<br />

would be an understatement. I was given the contact information of<br />

the grandson of Rex Brown, the Honorable Charles Brown—a judge<br />

in Ohio. So I called his number and left a message. Judge Brown,<br />

because of his schedule, was not able to return my call until the next<br />

day. Patience for me is not one of my strong suits. While waiting for<br />

his return call I had begun trying to prepare for Sunday’s message.<br />

Needless to say, with all the memories racing through my head it<br />

was difficult to focus. Those who know me best can tell you that I’m<br />

a little ADHD. Ok, a lot ADHD. So trying to focus on the message I<br />

believed God wanted me to preach and thinking about the Rock<br />

House was a mental challenge, to say the least.<br />

At 1:00 a.m. I decided to lie down and pray. I had to get honest<br />

with God about the struggle going on in my heart and head. It’s<br />

not like He didn’t already know. While I was lying on my bed I told<br />

the Lord that I knew I had a home in heaven that was greater than<br />

anything I could ever imagine having here and asked Him to take<br />

this desire out of my heart so I could focus on His kingdom work. It<br />

was at that moment of surrender that He spoke to me in that still<br />

small voice and said “I am going to give it to you”. As I wiped away<br />

the tears of gratitude rolling down my face I got up and went into<br />

the living room where my wife had fallen asleep watching the news. I<br />

thought for a moment of how to tell her what I had just experienced<br />

so I took the throw off the back of the couch and more or less threw<br />

it on her to wake her up.<br />

She looked up at me and said, “What are you doing up?” The<br />

only thing I could think of was, “You got a minute?”<br />

Being married for years, she knew something pretty important<br />

was going on. She said, “Well, it’s 1:00 in the morning, so sure.”<br />

“Do you remember when we were on our first date and I told<br />

you ‘If I could live anywhere’, what I said?” Immediately she said,<br />

“Sure, you said the Rock House.” I wasn’t sure how to go about<br />

articulating what had happened so I said, “Just hear me out on this<br />

ok?” I told her that I learned about the house being vacant, about my<br />

prayer and about God’s promise to give the house to me. I told her<br />

that I really only wanted the house, lakes and barns. It totaled a little<br />

over 50 acres out of the 199. She said, “If God’s in this, it will happen”.<br />

I knew then and there that God had prepared her heart.<br />

20 •• Spring May/June/July <strong>2016</strong> <strong>2016</strong>


We were living on Heights Drive, a new development in <strong>Clinton</strong><br />

at the time, and had built our “retirement home”. We had put a lot<br />

of time and effort into its design and layout. It was a great house.<br />

We had already had a lot of family functions, fellowship with great<br />

neighbors and were content. But God is good and gives good gifts to<br />

His children.<br />

The next day Judge Brown calls me back and we talked like<br />

long-lost family. Even though we had never met, we did have an<br />

extensive family history. After catching up, he said that he and his<br />

family were not interested in selling the place but were keeping it<br />

to raise timber. He graciously granted me permission to take Penny<br />

out there, and for the first time in 35 years, it was like I walked back<br />

in time. The pasture had grown up with privet and you could not see<br />

the barn and pavilions—but I knew exactly where everything was<br />

and my wife followed me to the barn. When we walked in the barn,<br />

my grandfather’s hat was still hanging by the door. The house had<br />

not changed much at all. All the original fixtures were there. The<br />

hardwood floors, kitchen layout, the pecky cypress walls, the domed<br />

living room and library were just like I remembered.<br />

Believing the promise of God, I was not sure how things were<br />

going to unfold with a man that I had never met. The next day, I<br />

talked again with Judge Brown and told him that if he ever wanted<br />

to sell the place that I wanted to be first in line. He told me that he<br />

talked to his wife and sons and that if they ever did sell the place<br />

they wanted it to go to someone that it meant something to, like<br />

my family. He also said that they would only be interested in selling<br />

the area around the house, lakes, barn and pavilions. God had been<br />

dealing with them as well.<br />

Later in the week we went back out to the property to look<br />

again and the excitement began to grow. I called Judge Brown back<br />

later and told him that we wanted the property, which was an<br />

obvious understatement. I stammered a bit about a price, knowing<br />

the promise of God and not sure how He was going to work this<br />

out. And then the judge said, “Bryan, here’s what we want to do.<br />

We will sell you the acreage that encompasses the house, lakes,<br />

barn and pavilions, and we want to give you the house and barns!”<br />

My heart was, and still is, filled with gratitude for the goodness<br />

of God and the generosity of the Brown family. God gave me a house<br />

from a man that I had never met in Ohio, just like He promised.<br />

Things moved quickly. Judge Brown had all the necessary<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 21


paperwork done by a law firm in Jackson that had worked with<br />

the Brown family dating back to Rex I. Brown. We had saved<br />

over the years and were able to pay for the land and in August<br />

of 2009, the Rock House deed was recorded at the courthouse<br />

in Jackson in our name. All the paperwork was done via FedEx<br />

so we never actually met Judge Brown or his wife Sarah until<br />

2015 when they came down to meet us, the attorney and<br />

others who had helped care for the property, and talk with the<br />

forester who manages their timber.<br />

In the book of Joshua, chapter 4, after God caused the<br />

Jordan River to stop flowing, He tells Joshua to have the priests<br />

get 12 stones from the Jordan River where the Israelites crossed<br />

over to make an altar at the town of Gilgal. If you read the story,<br />

God gives them the reasons for the stones. One is that they will<br />

serve as an historical landmark for the next generation that<br />

gives God’s children a visual aid when teaching the Israelites<br />

that their God is a covenant-keeping God. Another reason for<br />

the stones was that they were to serve as a memorial to help<br />

people remember God’s goodness.<br />

But there are a couple more reasons for the 12 stones.<br />

When the next generation of descendants asks, “What do these<br />

stones mean,” the Israelites were to tell them the historical<br />

account (verse 22) to all who did not see God do the miracles.<br />

The other reasons are found at the end of chapter 4, in verse<br />

24. They are easy to overlook if we aren’t careful. The first<br />

is, “that all the peoples of the earth might know that the<br />

hand of the Lord is powerful…” God wanted to use rocks to<br />

communicate to people all over the earth. That is an unusual<br />

outreach program but it is God—so we can go with it. The last<br />

reason is “so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”<br />

Reverence. Something else people can lose on life’s journey.<br />

The reason the Rock House story is so important is that<br />

it is a visual aid that speaks more about God than it does of<br />

me. When we ask our Heavenly Father to take away a desire<br />

because we know, deep down, that it is a distraction, taking our<br />

focus off of His will for our lives, it is in that prayerful moment<br />

of surrender that He may give to us the very thing we asked<br />

Him to remove.<br />

This is a story about the goodness of God, His faithfulness<br />

to keep His promises, and His redemptive grace. It is my hope<br />

to honor the God of the Bible, to encourage others to read it, to<br />

take God at His word, and to believe His promises.<br />

God still speaks today. The Rock House is a memorial<br />

for generations in my family, my children, and their children.<br />

22 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


Dr. Michael Campbell<br />

Dr. Clayton Grubbs<br />

• Routine Cleanings<br />

• Crowns<br />

• Porcelain veneers<br />

• Children’s Sealants<br />

• Bridges<br />

• Lumineers<br />

• Fluoride treatments<br />

• Partial dentures<br />

• Zoom2 (1 hour whitening)<br />

• X-rays<br />

• Full dentures<br />

6 . .<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> Parkway - <strong>Clinton</strong>, MS<br />

Monday - Wednesday 7:30am - 5:00pm<br />

Thursday 7:00am - 3:00pm<br />

• At home whitening<br />

• Basic restorative<br />

• Gum disease control<br />

• Tooth bonding<br />

• Implant crowns<br />

• Porcelain crowns<br />

• Cosmetic services<br />

• Nitrous Oxide Sedation<br />

• Free Consultations<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 23


24 • Spring May/June/July <strong>2016</strong> <strong>2016</strong><br />

Druanne Clack of <strong>Clinton</strong> has always<br />

treasured the stained glass window that<br />

belonged to her father, but it’s more<br />

than just a beautiful work of art. The<br />

history of the ancient glass also pieces<br />

together a family story that is just as<br />

priceless as the window itself.


Abigail Walker<br />

Family Window Holds Priceless History<br />

Kermit Canterbury was a chaplain stationed in Germany<br />

with the Ninth Army during World War II. While there, he came<br />

across pieces of glass from the bomb-damaged cathedrals and<br />

castles of Europe, and he would mail those pieces back to his<br />

wife, Juanita. By the time he returned home, Kermit had sent at<br />

least 30 packages of recovered glass.<br />

It wasn’t until 1953 that he took his collection to Binswanger<br />

Glass in Memphis, and for $100, the pieces of glass were fitted into<br />

strips of lead to make an elaborate stained glass window.<br />

The window was first placed in the parsonage of First Baptist<br />

Church of Indianola, where Kermit was pastor. In 1957, the<br />

Canterbury family moved to Jackson, and the window, without a<br />

proper place to be displayed, was stored away.<br />

Kermit passed away in 1968, and two years later, when Druanne<br />

and her mother built their homes in <strong>Clinton</strong>, the window<br />

was resurrected. “I begged her not to get rid of it,” Druanne said,<br />

so Juanita ended up building her living room around the piece.<br />

Juanita passed away in 2007, but Druanne owns the house and<br />

the one next door, so the window lives on in the family.<br />

Druanne always knew that the window was a unique creation,<br />

but it wasn’t until recently that she discovered some of<br />

its fascinating historical details. Around Valentine’s Day of this<br />

year, she received a package from a cousin’s friend who had<br />

found a stash of family mementos. Along with old photos and<br />

notes was a clipping of an article about her father’s window<br />

published on Christmas Eve 1953 in The Commercial Appeal<br />

newspaper. Along with the article is a picture featuring a seven-year-old<br />

Druanne and her father looking up at the window<br />

where it was, at the time, located in the Indianola parsonage.<br />

Druanne, who had never seen this article, was thrilled.<br />

“What surprised me the most was how old the glass was,” she<br />

said. It’s also amazing to her how the fragile glass was even able<br />

to survive being mailed across the Atlantic.<br />

The article describes the origins of the glass pieces that<br />

Kermit found: “The central design in the window is a coat of<br />

arms which came from a castle in Aachen, built by Frederick<br />

the Great. Another was found at the ruins of the famous old<br />

cathedral of<br />

Aachen which<br />

contains the<br />

tomb of Charlemagne.<br />

According<br />

to history,<br />

this is one of<br />

the oldest in<br />

Europe, begun about 805 and ranking in importance with Notre<br />

Dame in Paris. Other bits were picked up at the<br />

Cologne Cathedral, where windows were jarred from bombings<br />

of the Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge nearby.”<br />

Other pieces came from buildings in Hanover. According to<br />

Kermit, some of the smallest glass medallions are the most valuable,<br />

having been some of the earliest type of stained glass made.<br />

“It’s amazing how he took scraps and turned them into<br />

something beautiful,” Druanne said.<br />

The window is doubtlessly one of a kind—and it remains<br />

impressive today. From the moment you enter the front room,<br />

your eye is drawn to it. But Druanne loves the window because<br />

she remembers how important it was to her father.<br />

“Daddy always wanted to build a chapel around the lake<br />

where we used to live and put the window in the chapel,” she added.<br />

The goal was to also have cabins for missionaries on furlough<br />

to live as well. He also wanted to put Druanne’s organ in the chapel,<br />

but Kermit passed before that could become a reality.<br />

“I think of him every time I look at it,” she said. “He loved<br />

beautiful things.” She wishes Kermit would have been able<br />

to see the window in all its glory today. But Druanne and her<br />

grandkids are getting to admire it now, especially her grandson<br />

who loves to look at the lions.<br />

In fact, the life of Kermit Canterbury seems to be tethered<br />

to the window. It has taught the children about their grandfather<br />

and their lineage, and they have grown up appreciating the<br />

window itself. Most likely, the glass that dates back to Charlemagne<br />

will continue to collect stories as it’s passed down from<br />

generation to generation.<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 25


CLINTON PARKS AND RECREATION<br />

This summer, there are a plethora of exciting opportunities<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> residents can be a part of right in their own<br />

backyard! <strong>Clinton</strong> Parks and Recreation has a summer<br />

full of activities and adventures lined up for people of all ages.<br />

There’s no need to be bored this summer when you have so<br />

many exciting options in the great outdoors in <strong>Clinton</strong>.<br />

Traceway Park will host many sports tournaments this summer. The first one is the National Junior College<br />

Division II National Championship for Fastpitch Softball. This will take place May 18-21. Cole Smith, Director of<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> Parks and Recreation says, “This will be our fifth year to host this tournament in <strong>Clinton</strong> and it will consist<br />

of the top 16 teams from across the nation.”<br />

Traceway Park will also host all Mississippi Brilla home soccer games this year. The FASA (Fastpitch American<br />

Softball Association) State Tournament will be held June 24-26. CBA (<strong>Clinton</strong> Baseball Association) will host<br />

two baseball tournaments this year and CSA (<strong>Clinton</strong> Soccer Association) will be host several different soccer<br />

tournaments this year.<br />

And the kids won’t be left out of the fun this summer in <strong>Clinton</strong>, either! <strong>Clinton</strong> Parks and Recreation has<br />

leisure activities planned which include their annual Art in the Park. This event is a day kids can come out to<br />

Brighton Park and visit 12 different booths and do various art activities at each booth. These activities will be held<br />

both inside and outside. Some examples of the art activities are sun catchers, picture frames, sand art, necklaces,<br />

bookmarks, bead art and much more. Art in the Park will be on June 23, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. It is for ages three<br />

through sixth grade. It is a free event, but groups of ten or more need to RSVP by June 5 with <strong>Clinton</strong> Parks and<br />

Recreation.<br />

The <strong>Summer</strong> Art Camp will be July 18-21 at Brighton Park. This camp is for kids in kindergarten through sixth<br />

grade. <strong>Summer</strong> Art Camp is $110 per child which includes all supplies and snacks for the week. At the end of<br />

<strong>Summer</strong> Art Camp, there will be an art gallery filled with the campers art work on display and on the last day it<br />

will be judged by the mayor and other city officials. The winner’s artwork will be displayed at the city council. All<br />

campers will get to take their art projects home. Registration for <strong>Summer</strong> Art Camp begins June 20 and is available<br />

online at www.clintonparksandrec.com. There is very limited space so participants are encouraged to register<br />

early!<br />

Be sure to save the date for <strong>Clinton</strong>’s huge July 4th Extravaganza! It will be happening rain or shine! “Our<br />

biggest event for the summer is our Annual Family Fireworks Event held every July 4th,” said Smith. “We start<br />

the morning out with our Cruisin’ <strong>Clinton</strong> Bike Ride at 7:30 with 3 different ride lengths. We will have a 62-mile<br />

ride, 42-mile ride, and 11-mile ride. The 62- and 42-mile ride will both leave at the same time that morning with<br />

the 11-mile ride leaving an hour later. We will move into our main event that afternoon with gates opening at 4:00<br />

p.m. There will be fun and games for the kids ranging from space jumps to face painting. We will have different<br />

26 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


food vendors also. Our opening act this year will be Hannah Bell Southerland coming on stage at 5:15 p.m. to be<br />

followed by the band U.S. at 7:15 p.m.” said Smith.<br />

Both concerts will be family friendly concerts. Hannah Bell Southerland is a country singer who writes<br />

all of her own music and is a Mississippi College graduate. The band U.S is a popular band that plays a variety<br />

of music including classic rock. The patriotic evening will end with a great 30-minute firework show put on by<br />

PyroFire Displays. The cost for July 4th is $8 per car for parking.<br />

This will be the 10th Annual Cruisin’ <strong>Clinton</strong> on July 4th. The ride begins at Traceway Park at 7:30 a.m.<br />

Registration is $40 a person and registration will be open until July 3. The registration fee includes a lunch after<br />

the race and a t-shirt. To register go to www.clintonparksandrec.com or call 601-924-6082.<br />

Finally, there will be a youth football camp at Traceway Park on Saturday, July 23. The cost is $50 per<br />

person and registration will be June 20-July 8. It will be led by local high school coaches and those who are<br />

planning to play football in the fall are encouraged to attend.<br />

Cole Smith is very enthusiastic about all the great events <strong>Clinton</strong> Parks and Recreation has to offer this<br />

summer. He has a magnificent vision to get all <strong>Clinton</strong> parks back to the condition they should be. “We have<br />

had a lot of catching up to do, but are slowly but surely making those improvements! What I like best about<br />

working for the City of <strong>Clinton</strong> is having such a great department to lead and having great staff to work with to<br />

provide the best we have to offer for the residents of <strong>Clinton</strong>!” said Smith.<br />

As you can see, there is much to do this summer through the great programs that <strong>Clinton</strong> Parks and<br />

Recreation creates. If you want to do more than just attend an event, <strong>Clinton</strong> Parks and Recreation always<br />

welcomes volunteers to come out and help with various events. If anyone<br />

would like to volunteer, they can call the <strong>Clinton</strong> Parks and Recreation office<br />

anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. The summer is going<br />

to be a great time at <strong>Clinton</strong> Parks. Just remember your sunscreen and hat while<br />

enjoying the summer at <strong>Clinton</strong>’s many parks!<br />

COLE SMITH, DIRECTOR<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 27


MEET JERRY FILE, JR….<br />

The Former <strong>Clinton</strong> High Student and Mississippi College Graduate<br />

Publishes a Popular Suspense Novel<br />

THE AUTHOR, JERRY FILE JR.,<br />

WAS A STUDENT AT CLINTON<br />

HIGH SCHOOL IN THE 1980S,<br />

AND GRADUATED MISSISSIPPI<br />

COLLEGE IN 1988 WITH A DEGREE<br />

IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.<br />

HOMETOWN MAGAZINE<br />

How long have you been writing?<br />

FILE: In a totally real way, I’ve been a<br />

writer all my life. Through schools, local<br />

work, travels and foreign work, and<br />

continual observations of people and situations<br />

and business and other models<br />

of human organization, I was building a<br />

tank, as Hemingway called it, of things<br />

I’d seen and understood when I saw<br />

them—or that I saw, then came to know<br />

over time. At any given moment I could<br />

write, or ‘invent’ from things I knew, and<br />

in writing them, I could say something<br />

worth something.<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> people have been a great<br />

help to me. The current presiding Mississippi<br />

Association of Educators President,<br />

Joyce Helmick, taught me English at<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> High School back in 1982-1983.<br />

She was a faculty advisor on the school<br />

newspaper and I wrote and was associate<br />

editor. Joyce was a great teacher<br />

and she was a great confidence builder<br />

and motivator. Much went into my tank<br />

through experiences at <strong>Clinton</strong> High.<br />

Then I went to MC as a biology major<br />

thinking I wanted to go on to medical<br />

school. Drs. Snazell, Cannon, Cox,<br />

Stark, et al, in the sciences, taught me so<br />

much and established my fundamental<br />

appreciation of the sciences that I call on<br />

today—even in this novel.<br />

I changed my major to business.<br />

Drs. Roberts, Lee, Hood, Parks, Quick,<br />

and numerous others expanded my<br />

understanding of economics, commerce,<br />

politics and my overall commercial world<br />

view. In fact, one of the things about the<br />

novel that jazzes and surprises readers,<br />

is the breadth and depth of things of<br />

national and international commerce<br />

(and politics) and how tightly I fit it all<br />

together. One high-information reader<br />

said it best; ‘It’s an ambitious novel. You<br />

swung for the fence and hit it out of<br />

the park and I watched you the whole<br />

way. You never made a mistake, and you<br />

continually surprised me.’<br />

The famous Mississippi author and<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong>ian Barry Hannah helped me<br />

a lot, too. I drove to Ole Miss one day<br />

about two years before he passed away.<br />

He was writer-in-residence at Ole Miss<br />

at the time and taught a limited number<br />

of classes. I introduced myself and told<br />

him I wanted to write well and I asked<br />

if I could take his graduate-level fiction/<br />

short story workshop coming up the<br />

following semester. I guess he knew I<br />

was serious by my willingness to drive<br />

up and back, once a week, for the threehour<br />

night class. He said yes.<br />

Being in a workshop class with<br />

Barry for a semester was pure gold. He<br />

was an off-the-charts expert about writing.<br />

I’ve always felt like Barry and Willie<br />

Morris, whom I regret I never knew,<br />

were so good with language and knew<br />

so much that they could write a great,<br />

publishable sentence, right off the bat,<br />

that didn’t need fixing.<br />

About three months after that class<br />

was over, the first story of an eight-story<br />

literary fiction/short-story collection<br />

came to me, followed by the other<br />

seven—all of which came in immediate<br />

succession, like puppies of a litter, until<br />

all eight stories were delivered. I titled<br />

the collection after one of the stories:<br />

The Short Happy Political Life of Amos<br />

McCary.<br />

The character I invented, Amos<br />

McCary, is a rural mail carrier in Mississippi<br />

with no political experience who<br />

decides to run for the Mississippi Senate.<br />

Unbeknownst to him, there is a political<br />

machine out there that he cannot see—<br />

and it chews him to bits.<br />

One of the stories in the Amos<br />

collection, Volvos and Water Moccasins,<br />

was placed in <strong>Clinton</strong>’s short story<br />

contest several years ago. Joann Prichard<br />

Morris was the final judge.<br />

HOMETOWN MAGAZINE<br />

Does <strong>Clinton</strong> figure into the Meet John<br />

Black novel’s plot?<br />

FILE: Yes! The novel is a work of historical<br />

fiction. The main protagonist, Heinz<br />

Saretzki, is a reluctant WWII Nazi who<br />

becomes a POW and is shipped to, and<br />

spends the remainder of the war in, the<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> POW Camp. He falls in love with<br />

an American nurse. WWII-era <strong>Clinton</strong>,<br />

MC, and Provine Chapel figure importantly<br />

into the story arc.<br />

HOMETOWN MAGAZINE<br />

Where does one get a copy of Meet<br />

John Black?<br />

FILE: Meet John Black is available<br />

from Amazon.com in book and Kindle<br />

form and also at Lemuria Book Store<br />

in Jackson.<br />

Everybody is raving about the recently released, 5-Star novel titled Meet John Black, published by an author with deep ties to <strong>Clinton</strong>.<br />

Readers are buzzing with comments like, “I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a long time!”<br />

“It captured my attention in chapter one and kept it throughout the entire book.” “A must read!” “Looking forward to the sequel.”<br />

28 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


JERRY FILE JR., AUTHOR<br />

OF MEET JOHN BLACK,<br />

HOLDS A COPY OF THE<br />

NOVEL ON THE PORCH<br />

OF PROVINE CHAPEL.<br />

WWII CLINTON AND<br />

PROVINE CHAPEL<br />

FIGURE IMPORTANTLY<br />

IN NOVEL’S PLOT.<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 29


Q&A<br />

What do you like best<br />

about your mom?<br />

e<br />

e<br />

Jessie<br />

That she<br />

homeschools us<br />

and takes her<br />

time to do it.<br />

Dhru<br />

She is always<br />

positive and<br />

keeps me on the<br />

right track.<br />

Emma<br />

I like her<br />

cooking the best.<br />

Hannah<br />

She does<br />

nails with me.<br />

Aubrie<br />

She sets<br />

healthy<br />

boundaries<br />

for us.<br />

Mason<br />

She kisses me.<br />

McRee<br />

She plays with me.<br />

Delon<br />

She reads to me<br />

and makes racecar<br />

cookies.<br />

30 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


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<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 31


SERVING OUR COMMUNITY<br />

Deputy Chief Alan Miller<br />

CLINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

Why did you decide to be a<br />

fireman?<br />

I always remember wanting to be a firefighter<br />

or an astronaut. As a child I watched “Emergency”<br />

and hoped, one day, I could have that<br />

job. It’s the best job on the planet!<br />

How long have you been with<br />

the <strong>Clinton</strong> Fire Department?<br />

I have been in the fire service for 25 years. I've<br />

been with CFD for 18 years, since 1998.<br />

Tell us about your family.<br />

Well there's me, my beautiful wife Angie, and<br />

three dogs Chloe, Moe and Mia.<br />

What is the toughest thing you<br />

have experienced in your job?<br />

Hard to say. It’s impossible to do what we do<br />

and not be affected. If you can imagine the<br />

most traumatic moments in your life, a<br />

firefighter was likely there. The most traumatic<br />

things one could see or hear—we have held in<br />

our hands. We are often there when loved<br />

ones die. Sometimes children. Vehicle<br />

accidents, entrapment, fires—we are there. I<br />

would have to say the toughest thing about<br />

what we do is understanding that we didn't<br />

cause these events but it is our job to deal<br />

with them, then move on. I saw a documentary<br />

that summed it up with this statement. “I<br />

wish my mind could forget what my eyes have<br />

seen.”<br />

Share some things you enjoy<br />

doing in your spare time.<br />

Angie and I travel when we can. We enjoy<br />

traveling in an RV and taking our furry kids<br />

along. Our favorites are camping, kayaking,<br />

hiking, especially to waterfalls, amusement<br />

parks, museums, gardens, touring old homes<br />

and seeing places we've never seen.<br />

What are three things on your<br />

bucket list?<br />

I want to find something interesting to see or<br />

do in every state. I want to ride all the best<br />

roller coasters in the country. I want to take<br />

Angie on an Alaskan cruise.<br />

Who is someone you admire<br />

and why?<br />

My Father, Cecil Miller. Next to God, I always<br />

felt like the most important person in his life.<br />

Still do. This man’s life is an example of<br />

sacrifice for the ones he loves. By his example<br />

and strong Christian guidance, he taught me<br />

what it meant to be a man. That kind of<br />

leadership is often missing in the world today.<br />

Where do you see yourself ten<br />

years from now?<br />

Angie and I have planned and saved for<br />

retirement for a long time. I will hang up my<br />

fire helmet in a few years and we hope to<br />

travel this country in a RV, working on our<br />

collective bucket lists.<br />

If you could give one piece of<br />

advice to a young person, what<br />

would it be?<br />

Life is so short. Make it count in a positive way.<br />

Everything that happens in your future is a<br />

direct result of what you do today.<br />

What is a favorite childhood<br />

memory?<br />

I grew up in a small rural community in<br />

Copiah County called Hopewell. My childhood<br />

was simply too amazing to just pick one<br />

thing. But If I must, I would have to say taking<br />

turns with cousins cranking an ice cream<br />

freezer at my grandmother’s house during our<br />

huge family gatherings.<br />

32 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


CLINTON'S FINEST<br />

Officer Mandy Shurak<br />

CLINTON POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />

Why did you decide to be a<br />

police officer?<br />

I decided when I was young that I wanted to<br />

be a voice for people who didn't know how<br />

to speak up for themselves or weren't able to.<br />

Knowing that I can bring some peace of mind<br />

and long overdue justice to some families is<br />

why I chose to do this job.<br />

How long have you been with<br />

the <strong>Clinton</strong> Police Department?<br />

It will be one year on May 1st. I also have two<br />

years prior service with the Tiltonsville, Ohio<br />

Police Department and graduated from West<br />

Liberty University in 2014 with my bachelor's<br />

degree in criminal justice.<br />

Tell us about your family.<br />

I grew up in a large Irish-Polish household in<br />

West Virginia and I am the 2nd oldest of six<br />

children. Having a lot of unruly siblings<br />

around and being one of the oldest gave me<br />

a lot of practice in how to deal with people. I<br />

guess it came in handy after all these years.<br />

What is the toughest thing you<br />

have experienced in your job?<br />

No matter how hard you try, you can't help<br />

everyone. Some people simply don't want to<br />

take the hand that is offered to them. It's<br />

difficult watching people with so much<br />

potential throw it all away. At the end of the<br />

day you have to learn not to take it personally<br />

and leave it at the door.<br />

Share some things you enjoy<br />

doing in your spare time.<br />

I enjoy spending time with family and friends.<br />

I also consider myself a budding gym rat and<br />

have started taking Jiu-Jitsu. I love being<br />

outdoors also, anything to do with hiking,<br />

camping, and fishing and I am there.<br />

What are three things on your<br />

bucket list?<br />

Visit Ireland. Visit Egypt. Write a book.<br />

Who is someone you admire<br />

and why?<br />

I admire anyone who can overcome and<br />

persevere even in the midst of great hardship.<br />

It's a great feeling being able to help someone<br />

who came from nothing to making their<br />

way in this world and leaving a positive mark<br />

on society.<br />

Where do you see yourself ten<br />

years from now?<br />

I have aspirations of moving into investigative<br />

work or working with troubled youth in the<br />

juvenile justice system. I also hope to start a<br />

family of my own.<br />

If you could give one piece of<br />

advice to a young person, what<br />

would it be?<br />

Our world is currently spinning on its head<br />

and seems as if no one is capable of getting<br />

along. It's important to have ideals and want<br />

to stand up for those ideals, but be a positive<br />

warrior for change. In a world where it seems<br />

like everyone is angry, we need a calm and<br />

steady voice. Be that calm and steady voice<br />

and be that positive warrior for change.<br />

What is a favorite childhood<br />

memory?<br />

I was raised on a farm most of my life, so<br />

learning how to be independent and selfsufficient<br />

was a large part of my upbringing.<br />

If there was something that I wanted, I had to<br />

earn it. Nothing was given freely.<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 33


34 • Spring May/June/July <strong>2016</strong> <strong>2016</strong>


THE<br />

ABIGAIL WALKER<br />

LEW<br />

CREW<br />

This May, the class of <strong>2016</strong> will be commemorating the end<br />

of a journey. But there’s one family that will be celebrating a<br />

household full of <strong>2016</strong> graduates.<br />

Kenny and Vickie Lewis and their children, Kendra and<br />

Amias, are all graduating from various levels of education this<br />

spring. It’s a rarity that their graduation years would line up,<br />

but it’s no coincidence that they’ve reached this point. The<br />

Lewis family has worked hard to get where they are.<br />

Kenny Lewis has worked for the <strong>Clinton</strong> Police Department<br />

for 11 years and is now a criminal investigator for the<br />

Hinds County District Attorney’s office, as well as being president<br />

of the <strong>Clinton</strong> Public School Board. He graduated from<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> High School in 1989 and earned his bachelor’s degree<br />

in criminal justice from Delta State University in 1993. This May<br />

he is earning his master’s in theology from New Foundation<br />

Theological Seminary.<br />

His wife Vickie is a guide for hearing impaired students at<br />

several local colleges, as well as an interpreter for events. She<br />

graduated from Pearl High School in 1990 and got an associate’s<br />

degree from Hinds Community College in sign language<br />

interpreting in 1995. She received her bachelor’s in theology<br />

from New Foundational Theological Seminary in 2014, where<br />

she is also earning her master’s in Christian counseling.<br />

Kenny and Vickie are both associate ministers at Emmanuel<br />

Tabernacle Church in Christ and own a daycare and a<br />

t-shirt business. To them, continuing their education was the<br />

obvious next step in pursuing more of their goals. With 4.0<br />

GPAs and a strong work ethic, they not only encourage each<br />

other, but also inspire their children to succeed. “What better<br />

way to set an example for them than to go back to school ourselves?”<br />

said Kenny.<br />

Their daughter, Kendra, 22, is a 2012 <strong>Clinton</strong> High School<br />

graduate who is earning a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship<br />

from Jackson State University, where she received a full<br />

athletic scholarship to run track. Kendra was also “Miss <strong>Clinton</strong><br />

2013.” Their son, Amias, 18, is graduating from <strong>Clinton</strong> High<br />

School this year, where he participates in choir and plays point<br />

guard on the basketball team.<br />

They call themselves the “Lew Crew,” not just because<br />

they are a family of athletes, but because they work as a team.<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 35


Whether it’s huddled around the dinner table discussing their<br />

day or encouraging each other in the stands, they “key in on<br />

quality time” and focus on support. “That’s the basis of our<br />

family—support,” said Kenny.<br />

“I can’t put into words the support and love that they’ve<br />

shown me,” Kendra said. “To look up into the stands and see<br />

my parents always means a lot.” For Amias, having his parents<br />

earn a degree while he’s also in school has brought them closer<br />

together. “My parents understand where I’m coming from with<br />

school,” he said. “They can relate and help me when I need it.”<br />

They are a family that is proud of each other, and their<br />

home reflects it. Accomplishments are showcased through<br />

scrapbooks, framed photos, and newspaper clippings. “Trophies<br />

are our home décor,” said Kendra. Kenny is essentially<br />

the record keeper and publicist of the family, while Vickie captures<br />

the moments on camera. Kenny loves to send out mass<br />

texts of his son or daughter at a game or receiving an award.<br />

“He is the proudest father,” said Vickie. “It’s a poor duck that<br />

won’t praise its own pond,” Kenny added. But he also stresses<br />

to his kids the importance of being servant leaders and<br />

bringing others up with you. “We don’t want the purpose to get<br />

distorted,” added Vickie. “And we don’t want to act below or<br />

above anyone.”<br />

But like the teammates that they are, the Lewis family is<br />

not afraid to push each other to excel. Vickie said they encourage<br />

their children to be authentic, but also “to go beyond the<br />

norm and not settle.” Kenny says that he wants to be the best<br />

he can be for them, and he and his wife’s decision to continue<br />

their education has been a motivator for their children to do<br />

the same. “My mom showed me that you can push yourself<br />

and provide for your family,” Kendra said. “And my dad is the<br />

backbone and gives us the structure we need.”<br />

They are a family that not only values education, but values<br />

the Lord above it all. Having God in their lives and applying<br />

biblical teachings to how they live every day is what’s most<br />

important to them, and they credit their success to Christ.<br />

36 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


“Follow Him and everything else will work out,” said<br />

Kenny. Their priorities have always been Christ first,<br />

then family, academics, and extracurricular. “Sports<br />

are rewards for doing well in school,” they agree. Amias<br />

added, “My mom always says, if you don’t pass, you<br />

don’t play.” Looking back, Kendra said she’s very thankful<br />

for her family’s Christian foundation and how it has<br />

shaped and prepared her.<br />

To celebrate their graduations, the Lew Crew plans<br />

to go on an “epic” vacation, preferably a cruise. But<br />

seeing what they’ve accomplished as a family brings<br />

them the most joy. “I still can’t believe it,” said Amias.<br />

“For my whole family to be graduating is pretty awesome.<br />

I’m enjoying it and making the most of it, and I’m<br />

proud of my entire family.” “I’m so happy that we get to<br />

finish this journey together,” added Kendra.<br />

But this is just the beginning for them. Kenny and<br />

Vickie’s goal is to use their degrees to give back through<br />

a community development center that’s in the works.<br />

Since Kenny has held positions in both criminal and<br />

educational fields, he realizes that “there is a direct<br />

correlation between being uneducated and prison.”<br />

Their goal is to provide the resources that people need<br />

to succeed. “I’m super excited to get the credentials I<br />

need to make this happen,” Kenny said. “We are getting<br />

more than a degree that we can put up on a wall. We’re<br />

pursuing degrees so that we can help others.”<br />

And that desire for education and “going beyond”<br />

has been passed down to their kids. Kendra plans to<br />

pursue a MBA at JSU. Amias, though his plans aren’t certain,<br />

knows he wants to play basketball and “keep the<br />

family tradition going” by pursuing higher education.<br />

Reaching this point has not only been a team<br />

effort, it’s been a “joyful journey” as Vickie calls it. “It<br />

looks like it should’ve been harder than it was,” she<br />

said. “But keeping our eyes on the goal made it less of a<br />

struggle and so worth it. We’ve been carried by love.”<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 37


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38 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong><br />

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CLINTON CHAMBER NEWS<br />

Giving <strong>Clinton</strong> Business a New Opportunity<br />

The next great business opportunity is not a new product or a new far-fetched idea. This great<br />

business opportunity comes in the form of a citywide gift certificate that is centered on growing the local<br />

economy. There is no upfront cost to <strong>Clinton</strong> businesses, and it’s easy to purchase.<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> Currency is an electronic gift certificate that acts as alternative form of payment redeemable<br />

exclusively at participating <strong>Clinton</strong> Chamber member businesses. The Currency is purchased through the<br />

Chamber’s website (clintonchamber.org) and sent to the recipient via email.<br />

Unlike big brand gift cards, <strong>Clinton</strong> Currency offers a way to ensure that business happens within the<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> community. Your gift of <strong>Clinton</strong> Currency helps increase revenue in our community, and in turn,<br />

helps the city flourish and grow.<br />

Several prominent businesses within the community are excited to join the program. As the list continues<br />

to grow, here are a few of the businesses that are signed up and are ready to accept <strong>Clinton</strong> Currency:<br />

ACORN STUDIO<br />

BRICK STREET POPS<br />

JAMES AND LEIGH<br />

CKARATS FINE JEWELRY<br />

FUNTIME SKATELAND<br />

LEWIS FURNITURE AND MATTRESS GALLERY<br />

LIFE LEADERSHIP<br />

LONDON BRIDGES CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE<br />

OPTICAL 2000<br />

PAXTON PEAK<br />

POSH DESIGN SHOPPE<br />

SECOND SHOT OUTDOORS AND<br />

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<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 39


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GOD AND COUNTRY CELEBRATION<br />

Sunday, July 3 @ 10:15 am<br />

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40 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


What is the best piece of advice<br />

you’ve been given?<br />

Dee-Dee<br />

If you have a big job you<br />

have to tackle, do it one piece<br />

at a time.<br />

David<br />

Think twice and speak once.<br />

Ryan<br />

Measure twice, cut once.<br />

Levi<br />

You can get away with<br />

anything as long as you say<br />

it the right way.<br />

Sudha<br />

Do what you have to do and<br />

let God take care of the rest.<br />

Don’t get stressed out about<br />

things you can’t control.<br />

Cheryl<br />

My mother always said, ‘Kill<br />

them with kindness.<br />

Ben<br />

If you’re going to do something,<br />

do it right the first time.<br />

Pamela<br />

Don’t let your child<br />

keep you from taking<br />

adventures.<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 41


The<br />

way<br />

we<br />

were<br />

Juanita & Tommy Walker<br />

Elizabeth Bennett<br />

Tommy and Juanita Walker are two former<br />

educators with a love for books and each other.<br />

Their love for each other has spanned many<br />

decades and their history in Mississippi is<br />

something you read about in textbooks. This<br />

summer they celebrate 54 years of marriage.<br />

Juanita hails from Edwards, Mississippi, and<br />

was born to Fred and Matlean Moffett. She grew<br />

up on a farm with over 60 acres of land that was<br />

passed down through her family. In 1957, Juanita<br />

graduated from Utica Institute High School. Then<br />

she attended Utica Junior College and ultimately<br />

transferred to Jackson College (currently Jackson<br />

State University), where she majored in secondary<br />

education.<br />

Tommy is originally from Corinth,<br />

Mississippi, which he calls “the crossroads of the<br />

South.” Tommy’s great-grandfather owned the<br />

biggest lumber company in Mississippi. After high<br />

school, Tommy signed up for the Navy, though his<br />

Aunt Emma would have nothing of it. She wanted<br />

Tommy to further his education right away so she<br />

helped Tommy get a scholarship to attend college<br />

so he wouldn’t have to go into to the Navy. Tommy<br />

majored in industrial arts which included<br />

welding, carpentry, electricity and metals. Tommy<br />

has always been very industrious. He cleaned<br />

houses and worked in maintenance to work<br />

himself through college. His Aunt Emma had<br />

connections at Jackson College and helped him<br />

find work.<br />

His Aunt Emma also worked behind the<br />

scenes to help him meet Juanita. Juanita first saw<br />

Tommy on the line trying to be in the fraternity,<br />

Phi Beta Sigma. “I thought he was the best looking<br />

man on the line. They marched together and<br />

dressed alike. Between classes they danced,” said<br />

Juanita. Eventually, Tommy introduced himself to<br />

Juanita. September of 1959 is when the sparks flew<br />

for Tommy Walker and Juanita Moffett. Tommy<br />

was 21 and Juanita was 20 when they met at<br />

Jackson College.<br />

“We realized we had a lot in common,” said<br />

Juanita. Juanita and Tommy enjoyed going to the<br />

library, movies and cafeteria. “I told her what I<br />

wanted in a wife and she had everything I was<br />

looking for. We work as one,” said Tommy. “We<br />

would go to the College Inn Café and Tommy<br />

would buy me a pig ear sandwich,” said Juanita.<br />

“We would play Ben E. King’s ‘Stand By Me’ on the<br />

jukebox,” she reminisced. “When Juanita and I<br />

were dating, I asked her if she would work. I’m not<br />

a mathematician, but I know two checks are better<br />

than one,” said Tommy.<br />

Juanita and Tommy dated their junior and<br />

senior years of college. After graduation from<br />

Jackson College, Tommy did his student teaching<br />

in Vicksburg.<br />

After graduation from Jackson College,<br />

Juanita did student teaching in Bolton, Mississippi.<br />

After that, she taught in McComb, Mississippi. Her<br />

salary at her first teaching job was $2,900 in 1961.<br />

In June of 1962, Juanita and Tommy were<br />

married in a private home in Vicksburg. Their first<br />

move as newlyweds was to Minneapolis where<br />

Tommy took a job at a sheet metal company<br />

producing sheet metal products. After their short<br />

stint in Minneapolis, they moved to Oglala on the<br />

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Pine Ridge,<br />

South Dakota. Tommy taught industrial arts and<br />

Juanita taught English, speech, and reading. They<br />

enjoyed living in their beautiful ranch-style home<br />

and lived over seven years in the very cold<br />

environment of South Dakota.<br />

42 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


In the midst of their expansive teaching<br />

careers, their three sons were born. Their sons<br />

were born in Minnesota, South Dakota, and<br />

Indiana.<br />

The Walkers attended Purdue University<br />

together to achieve their Master’s degrees, both in<br />

counseling and guidance. They were the first<br />

couple to be admitted at the same time for the<br />

same degree. Juanita remembers taking all their<br />

classes together but one. “One professor called us<br />

the ‘dynamic duo’. In that class the jokes and<br />

comments about myths about marriage were<br />

directed to us. We seemed to have defied the<br />

usual ‘not wanting to spend that much time and<br />

work together as husband and wife.’” They both<br />

received their Master’s degree from Purdue<br />

University and then moved to Gary, Indiana. They<br />

taught for a while and then Juanita became a<br />

middle school counselor and Tommy became a<br />

high school counselor.<br />

The Walkers made Gary, Indiana their home<br />

for 30 years. Juanita always likes to point out that<br />

Gary was also the home of Michael Jackson.<br />

Tommy retired first and Juanita joined him in<br />

retirement a year and a half after that. She had a<br />

lengthy career as a teacher and counselor that<br />

lasted 39 years.<br />

The glue that has held the Walker’s marriage<br />

together has been communication, respect, and<br />

forgiveness. “We can communicate with each<br />

other. We understand each other. We respect each<br />

other,” said Juanita. “We threw out the ‘I’ when we<br />

got married,” said Tommy. The Walkers also<br />

emphasize the importance of having a bank<br />

account together. “Don’t take the other person for<br />

granted. And always remember you marry the<br />

other family too.” Juanita even has advice for<br />

newlyweds and marriage in her book called The<br />

Powerful Web of Kinfolk.<br />

In January 2004 the Walkers moved back<br />

home to Mississippi. “We haven’t regretted it one<br />

bit,” said Juanita. The Walkers enjoy being<br />

involved with the community and their church<br />

during their retirement. They attend Little Zion<br />

Missionary Baptist Church in Edwards where<br />

Tommy serves as a deacon and leads devotions<br />

and Juanita sings in the choir and is the church<br />

announcer. They also spend a lot of time keeping<br />

up the family farm in Edwards. Juanita is<br />

co-founder and president of the <strong>Clinton</strong> Ink<br />

Slingers, a writing group for the <strong>Clinton</strong><br />

community. Juanita enjoys the casinos,<br />

community functions, public speaking and<br />

presenting books that she has authored. She spoke<br />

at five libraries in February during Black History<br />

Month. The Walkers also enjoy traveling to<br />

Florida, Virginia, and Indiana where their sons<br />

and grandchildren live. They cherish the time<br />

they are able to spend with their seven grandkids<br />

and four great-grandkids.<br />

“We chose <strong>Clinton</strong> to live rather than<br />

Edwards because it is a college town and both of<br />

us believe that college towns are progressive<br />

towns. We also moved here because <strong>Clinton</strong> is a<br />

certified retirement community,” said Juanita.<br />

“When we moved here, everyone accepted us.<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> has been very helpful and very cordial,”<br />

she said. Tommy added, “I see the signs around<br />

town that say ‘You Belong Here’ and it’s true. I<br />

belonged here then and I belong here now.”<br />

“We can communicate with<br />

each other. We understand<br />

each other. We respect each<br />

other,” said Juanita. “We<br />

threw out the ‘I’ when we got<br />

married,” said Tommy.<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 43


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• Nawlins Cobb Salad<br />

• Shrimp Creole<br />

BBQ & Beef Burger Oyster Rockerfeller (salad) Blackened Redfish with Spicy Crawfish Fondue<br />

Our Lil T’s Smoked BBQ<br />

Coming Soon<br />

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facebook.com/NawlinsGrill<strong>Clinton</strong>MS<br />

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601.924.7305 • 228 <strong>Clinton</strong> Boulevard • <strong>Clinton</strong>, Mississippi<br />

Hours : Monday-Thursday 11-2 and 5-9, Friday 11-2 and 5-10, Saturday 11a-10p<br />

44 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


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<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 45


The CHALKBOARD<br />

CLINTON SCHOOLS<br />

CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> Attache wins<br />

Xtravaganza show choir competition<br />

in California<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> High School’s Attaché show choir<br />

was named Grand Champion at the Xtravaganza<br />

show choir competition held March 17-19 in Los<br />

Alamitos, California. Attaché also won top<br />

awards for best costumes, best musicianship,<br />

and best showmanship. Senior Casey Collier was<br />

recognized as the top female performer.<br />

“I am so excited and honored to receive<br />

this award,” said Collier. “It’s a great way to end<br />

the season.”<br />

Xtravaganza is one of the largest show choir<br />

competitions in the United States. This year’s<br />

competition featured 54 middle and high school<br />

groups who competed in front of a panel of five<br />

judges. Four of the five judges scored Attaché in<br />

first place in music and visual performance with<br />

1078 points. The other top four show choirs<br />

placing in the competition were Burroughs<br />

Powerhouse of California with 996.5 points, first<br />

runner up; Mt. Zion Swingsations of Illinois with<br />

46 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL<br />

996 points, second runner up; Twinsburg Great<br />

Expectations of Ohio with 958 points, third runner<br />

up; and Bonita Vista-The Music Machine of<br />

California with 887 points, fourth runner up.<br />

“I could not be more proud of a group of<br />

students,” said Attaché director David Fehr. “They<br />

have become a true team.”<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> Attaché is composed of 45 singer/<br />

dancers, 18 instrumentalists, and 14 crew members.<br />

The award-winning show choir is led by directors<br />

David and Mary Fehr, pit director Robert Allen, and<br />

crew director Deborah Morgan. Choreographers<br />

include April James, Stephen Todd, Dexter Bishop,<br />

and Kellis McSparrin Oldenburg.<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 47


The CHALKBOARD<br />

CLINTON SCHOOLS<br />

CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL<br />

barrett barham<br />

Arrows football player Barrett Barham has signed to play at Jones County Junior College. Also<br />

pictured are (seated) his parents Benji and Pam Barham and (standing) Arrows head football coach<br />

Judd Boswell.<br />

48 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL<br />

Arrows Baseball Player<br />

Named to All-Region Team<br />

Kyler Johnson, first baseman for the <strong>Clinton</strong> High School Arrows<br />

baseball team, is joining the Rawlings-Perfect Game Pre-Season All Region<br />

team.<br />

“We’re extremely proud of Kyler,” said Arrows baseball head coach<br />

Trave Hopkins. “He worked really hard in the off-season and during the<br />

season, and I’m glad he’s getting some recognition. Anything that helps get<br />

these boys some exposure helps that athlete and the program as well.”<br />

Kyler has not yet decided where he will go to college, but plans to<br />

major in sports management. He has been a member of the Arrows<br />

baseball team for 3 years.<br />

“To receive the Perfect Game Preseason All-American or All-Region award is a tremendous<br />

achievement for these high school student-athletes,” said Jerry Ford, president of Perfect Game U.S.A.,<br />

in a statement. “We are proud to recognize their talents as they prepare for their careers playing<br />

collegiate or professional baseball.”<br />

The All-Region selections comprise nine regions around the country as well as Canada, according<br />

to its website. Each of the regions’ first teams forms a 50-man roster, complete with catchers, pitchers,<br />

infielders and outfielders.<br />

Perfect Game is the high school scouting service for Baseball America. It ranks players in every<br />

state and reports to all 30 major league scouting departments and more than 1,000 college programs.<br />

Check out their website for more information.<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 49


The CHALKBOARD<br />

CLINTON SCHOOLS<br />

CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL<br />

CHS Engineering Course Partners<br />

with CJHS on Solar Cars<br />

Seventh-graders at <strong>Clinton</strong> Junior High recently got a glimpse into the engineering program at the<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> High School Career Complex. “My engineering students have been building their own solar<br />

powered hydrogen fuel cell car,” said instructor Justin Odom. “We have built, tested and modified to<br />

make them all work.”<br />

Students in Jason Woodcock’s seventh-grade science class walked to the CHS Career Complex to<br />

learn about the cars and how they were made. “My students explained to them how it all worked as well<br />

as how they geared their car — either for torque or speed — and gave them a demonstration,” Odom<br />

said. The goal, he said, is to show how clean energy can be used for everyday things, such as hydrogen<br />

instead of a fossil fuel.<br />

“This kind of hands-on learning is central to what we do in our engineering program,” said CHS<br />

Career Complex Director Brett Robinson. “The collaboration with CJHS was mutually beneficial; the<br />

high school students reinforced what they learned in class by teaching it to others, and the junior high<br />

students were engaged in a real-world science and technology demonstration.”<br />

STEM visit: CHS junior Austin Tadlock explains to CJHS seventh-graders how his solar powered hydrogen fuel cell car works.<br />

50 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL<br />

Ole Miss UMAIT tournament<br />

Our 3 high school academic teams participated in the Ole Miss UMAIT tournament. The A Team<br />

won 2nd place overall, the B Team won 4th place overall, and the C Team won 6th place overall.<br />

Front row, l-r: Kayla Sartin, Jim Yen, Sponsor Zach Osborn, Jessica Barnett, Sabrina Yen and Simran Singh;<br />

second row, l-r: Patrick Vinzant, Kipp Gehris, Tanner DeYoung, Caleb Collins;<br />

back row, l-r: Noah Martinolich, Siri Yarlagadda, Edward Wiggins, Bailey Bynum<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 51


The CHALKBOARD<br />

CLINTON SCHOOLS<br />

CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL<br />

Ole Miss UMAIT tournament<br />

Team A - Edward Wiggins, Jessica<br />

Barnett, captain, Tanner De Young,<br />

Simran Singh<br />

Team B - Kipp Gehris, Patrick Vinzant,<br />

Jim Yen, captain, and Kayla Sartin<br />

Team C - Siri Yarlagadda, captain,<br />

Sabrina Yen, Caleb Collins, Noah<br />

Martinolich and Bailey Bynum.<br />

52 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


CLINTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL<br />

CJHS mom is CPSD 2015-16<br />

Parent of the Year<br />

Becky Pierson is the <strong>Clinton</strong> Public School District’s 2015-16 Parent of the<br />

Year. Presenting her award are (from left) CJHS Principal Dr. Bill Hardin and<br />

CPSD Superintendent Dr. Phil Burchfield.<br />

Becky Pierson is a welcomed face at <strong>Clinton</strong><br />

Junior High School. “I was impressed with her from<br />

my first introduction at the beginning of the school<br />

year,” said CJHS Principal Dr. Bill Hardin. “Her<br />

ability to keep the PTO focused on student<br />

achievement and improving the school culture for<br />

everyone has been such a blessing to <strong>Clinton</strong> Junior<br />

High School.”<br />

Pierson was named the <strong>Clinton</strong> Public School<br />

District’s 2015-16 Parent of the Year in a surprise<br />

presentation at CJHS. She will go on to represent<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> in the Mississippi Parent of the Year<br />

program this spring.<br />

Pierson is a Mississippi native and graduate of<br />

Tougaloo College with a bachelor’s degree in<br />

journalism. She is currently the manager of<br />

community outreach at Mississippi Organ Recovery<br />

Agency, and president of the PTO at CJHS.<br />

She is married to Eric Pierson and they have<br />

two children, Mya and Taylor, both in CPSD schools.<br />

She is an active member of Hope Springs M.B.<br />

Church and is currently participating in the <strong>2016</strong><br />

class of Leadership Greater Jackson.<br />

“PTO meetings are always so productive with<br />

active members faithful in attendance and Mrs.<br />

Pierson’s ability to help everyone see the big<br />

picture,” Hardin said. “She has demonstrated that<br />

most desirable balance of support and<br />

encouragement to teachers and students while also<br />

letting school administrators and teachers do what<br />

we are called to do.”<br />

Each school in CPSD has a Parent of the Year.<br />

School winners include:<br />

• <strong>Clinton</strong> Park – Tekla Sanders<br />

• Northside – Tiffany Brooks<br />

• Eastside – Wendy Copeland<br />

• Lovett – Phyllis Champion<br />

• Sumner Hill – Beth Raney and Jo Anne<br />

Humphries<br />

• <strong>Clinton</strong> High School – Jane Howell<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 53


The CHALKBOARD<br />

CLINTON SCHOOLS<br />

CLINTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL<br />

Leah Tucker Wins<br />

CJHS School Geography Bee<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> Junior High student Leah Tucker knows her way around a map. The seventh-grader recently<br />

won the school Geography Bee and competed at the state level on April 1. The event was held at the Clyde<br />

Muse Center at the Rankin County Campus of Hinds Community College.<br />

“The state winner will attend the National Geography Bee in Washington, D.C., this summer,” said<br />

CJHS teacher and bee organizer Kay Metz. Each year, thousands of schools in the United States<br />

participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society.<br />

The contest is designed to inspire students to be curious about the world.<br />

Schools with students in grades 4-8 are eligible for the competition.<br />

The national championship will be held on May 22-25 in Washington, D.C.<br />

54 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


SUMNER HILL<br />

14 students honored<br />

Sumner Hill honored 14 students for the obedience character trait. They will receive a<br />

Chick-Fil-A lunch sponsored by Chick-Fil-A of <strong>Clinton</strong>.<br />

First Row: Annissia Crump, Maegan Wilson, Jenny Vong, Ernest Tche, Talia Davis<br />

Second Row:Rachel Salassi, Amber Clark, Kyle Bennett, Jerry Powell<br />

Third Row: Mikenzi Laster, Noah Bullock, Will Duke, Glyn Heath<br />

Not Pictured: Taylor Anderson<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 55


The CHALKBOARD<br />

CLINTON SCHOOLS<br />

CLINTON PARK ELEMENTARY<br />

peer guidance<br />

Peer Guidance students at Sumner Hill Junior High recently visited Donna Robbins' first grade class at<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> Park Elementary to read to the students.<br />

56 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


CLINTON PARK ELEMENTARY<br />

St. jude fundraiser<br />

<strong>Clinton</strong> Park students recently participated in the St. Jude Math-Athon. Students raised<br />

over $3000 for St. Jude.<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 57


The CHALKBOARD<br />

CLINTON SCHOOLS<br />

MT. SALUS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL<br />

gracie dennis - 2nd grader<br />

Gracie Dennis, a<br />

7-year old 2nd grader at<br />

Mt. Salus Christian School<br />

in <strong>Clinton</strong>, was diagnosed<br />

with Cystic Fibrosis when<br />

she was just 1 week old. At<br />

3 weeks old, she started the CF regimen with<br />

medicine and breathing treatments. In December,<br />

2014, Gracie was referred to Make-A-Wish<br />

Mississippi by her CF clinic social worker and in<br />

the spring of 2015, the Junior Auxiliary of Warren<br />

County started the process in helping Gracie<br />

make her wish come true.<br />

Gracie wished for a camper or “trails” as she<br />

calls them since she likes to fish and be in the<br />

outdoors and having a camper or “trails” would<br />

get her closer to the outdoors. It will also help<br />

when her family travels—she will be able to<br />

take her treatments with her and have it all in<br />

one spot.<br />

On January 31st, the Junior Auxiliary and<br />

Make-A-Wish Mississippi planned a big reveal<br />

party (Camp Gracie) at Crossway Church in<br />

Vicksburg and totally surprised Gracie with her<br />

wish. She got her camper or “trails”. She wants to<br />

take the camper to Disney World, Wyoming and<br />

Ohio to visit her friends that live there. Many<br />

friends, family and her pediatrician came out to<br />

support Gracie and be a part of her special day.<br />

About Make-A-Wish® Mississippi<br />

Make-A-Wish® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience<br />

with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a<br />

wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their<br />

illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Mississippi’s chapter, based in Gulfport<br />

and Ridgeland, with the help of generous donors and volunteers grants at least 100 wishes a year. Visit Make-A-Wish at<br />

www.ms.wish.org to learn more. If you have a child you would like to refer, please visit our website or contact our<br />

Ridgeland office, 601-366-9474.<br />

58 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


Photos by Brittany Roberts of Acorn Studio<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 59


The CHALKBOARD<br />

CLINTON SCHOOLS<br />

LOVETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL<br />

peer guidance<br />

Sixth-grader Bidu Sharma did his homework<br />

about cancer.<br />

“More than a million people get cancer every<br />

year in the U.S. alone,” he wrote in his “Cancer in<br />

the World” essay. “Some causes are radiation,<br />

tobacco, chemicals, viruses, hormones, chronic<br />

inflammation, lack of exercise, and obesity.”<br />

Bidu’s essay was published in international<br />

health magazine Health Action, a publication of<br />

Health Accessories For All based in India. Bidhu<br />

said his father Ram Lakhan has written articles in<br />

the same magazine and encouraged him to do<br />

the same.<br />

“I looked on the Internet at other articles<br />

about cancer, and added what I knew,” Bidhu<br />

said. The article is about the prevalence of cancer<br />

and tips for prevention. He also compiled charts<br />

and graphs to complement his writing. Now, he<br />

said, his goal is to have two more articles<br />

published before the summer, about malaria<br />

and about poverty in India and how it impacts<br />

public health.<br />

His article on cancer credits his parents and<br />

his teachers at Lovett – Amanda Rigby, Leanne<br />

Osborne, Connie Cade, Ellen Brunson and<br />

Eastside teacher Leigh Curtis – for their<br />

encouragement and support. “Bidhu is so<br />

attentive in class,” Osborne said. “It’s like he<br />

yearns for knowledge. He loves to participate and<br />

always has a plethora of information on the topic.<br />

He is excited to be here and to be learning. He<br />

excels in everything he does, but he’s humble too.<br />

He is very good at his work but he doesn’t boast<br />

about it.<br />

Principal Mike Pope concurred. “Bidhu is a<br />

sharp, hardworking young man who is an asset to<br />

Lovett Elementary,” Pope said. “He obviously has<br />

a bright future in front of him. He represents the<br />

best of what Lovett Elementary expects from our<br />

students.”<br />

Lovett Elementary School sixth-grader<br />

Bidhu Sharma wrote an essay about<br />

cancer that was published in international<br />

health magazine Health Action.<br />

60 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


Sonia Rathburn<br />

Teddy<br />

“We Care”<br />

b e a r s<br />

<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong> • 61


When disaster or trauma directly<br />

affects a child, they will need a<br />

time of adjustment in dealing<br />

with loss, change, and fear. Children are totally<br />

dependent on parents, other family members,<br />

teachers, law enforcement, and rescue units to help<br />

them through traumatic events or situations.<br />

For a child, his or her view of the world as a<br />

safe place is temporarily lost. Children become<br />

afraid that the event will happen again and that<br />

they or their family will be injured or killed. The<br />

damage, injuries, and deaths that can result from<br />

an unexpected or uncontrolled event are difficult for<br />

a child to understand.<br />

According to the American Psychological<br />

Association <strong>2016</strong> study with the presidential task<br />

force on post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma<br />

in children and adolescents, “7.9 million U.S. children<br />

received emergency medical care for unintentional<br />

injuries (from motor vehicle crashes, falls, fires, dog<br />

bites, near drowning, etc.) and more than 400,000<br />

for injuries sustained due to violence. Most children<br />

report experiencing a traumatic event by the age of<br />

16. Children and adolescents have likely comprised<br />

a substantial portion of the nearly 2.5 billion people<br />

affected worldwide by disasters in the past decade.”<br />

As a way of helping these children cope with<br />

the trauma, Teddy “We Care” Bears will collect<br />

bears and stuffed animals and provide them to<br />

local and state law enforcement and rescue units.<br />

The officers will keep these bears in their vehicles<br />

to give to the children-in-crisis they encounter to<br />

help them cope with any traumatic situation. It’s<br />

also a way to build trust between law and rescue<br />

units and children. This helps the children to see an<br />

officer as a friend and not just a big person with a<br />

weapon or a scary helmet.<br />

Teddy “We Care” Bears will work diligently to<br />

promote a sense of pride in our community by<br />

fostering an environment of cooperation and<br />

support within our organization and local<br />

and state community so we can all work<br />

together to bridge the differences<br />

between citizens and law/rescue<br />

personnel.<br />

The organization<br />

was started by Mrs. Sonia<br />

Rathburn of <strong>Clinton</strong>,<br />

62 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


Mississippi, and wife of Dr. Alan Rathburn. She<br />

is the mother of 5 daughters: Katy, Meghan,<br />

Cheyenne, Chara’Key, and Allison. Rathburn<br />

currently holds the title of Mrs. <strong>Clinton</strong> within<br />

the Magnolia State Pageant system and is<br />

an active member of the <strong>Clinton</strong> Chamber of<br />

Commerce Ambassadors, does charity work for<br />

CARA, the Ronald McDonald House, autism,<br />

and the Baptist Children’s Village. Sonia was a<br />

preschool teacher for 9 years.<br />

When the idea of a one-time teddy bear<br />

drive was mentioned to her husband at the<br />

Rathburn Chiropractic Clinic, she jumped in<br />

with both feet and started her own charitable<br />

organization. After researching, she realized<br />

that this was truly something that she wanted<br />

to do year-round as a state-wide foundation—<br />

with hopes of becoming a national foundation.<br />

“We have made good progress with this<br />

cause. Currently we are having year-round<br />

drives in Madison, Hinds, and Rankin counties.<br />

We have had successful drives to collect teddy<br />

bears in Gulfport, Pontotoc, Olive Branch,<br />

Vicksburg, Petal, and Bay St. Louis.<br />

There are still plenty of towns<br />

that we want to work with<br />

during the next two years and<br />

we have an amazing staff that<br />

can get you set up today for a<br />

successful teddy bear drive.”<br />

The foundation collects<br />

any new medium size<br />

(12 inch or smaller)<br />

stuffed animals.<br />

Teddy<br />

“We Care”<br />

b e a r s<br />

For more information:<br />

CEO – Sonia Rathburn<br />

treedee0421@yahoo.com<br />

Social Networking and Marketing,<br />

Madison County Rep.<br />

Jennifer Abernathy<br />

Jenniferallyn.teddybear@yahoo.com<br />

Community Outreach,<br />

Rankin County Rep.<br />

Jennifer Barton<br />

theredshoeagent@gmail.com<br />

Like Us on Facebook at<br />

Teddy “We Care” Bears


<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Clinton</strong><br />

READER<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Kate<br />

Newell<br />

Why did you decide to make <strong>Clinton</strong><br />

your home?<br />

Deciding on living in <strong>Clinton</strong> wasn’t a decision<br />

of mine. I have lived here since infancy. I have<br />

known no other place to call home. My<br />

grandparents moved to <strong>Clinton</strong> in the sixties.<br />

My dad, aunt, and uncle were all <strong>Clinton</strong> High<br />

School graduates. So you could say I’m a 3rd<br />

generation <strong>Clinton</strong>ian.<br />

Tell us about your family.<br />

I have a wonderful family. I have 3 beautiful<br />

children who bring me such joy and happiness.<br />

They are the light of my life. My oldest daughter,<br />

Hannah, is 20. She is a CHS graduate, is currently<br />

attending Hinds Community College and will be<br />

transferring to University of Southern Mississippi<br />

in the fall majoring in paralegal studies. My son,<br />

Jordan, is 17. He is a junior at CHS. He is a singer/<br />

dancer in Attache’ Show Choir, which he loves. He<br />

is also a member of the <strong>Clinton</strong> Community Youth<br />

Leadership program. He plans on attending<br />

Mississippi State University after graduation. My<br />

youngest, Abigail, is 15. She is a freshman at<br />

Sumner Hill Junior High. She is a singer/dancer in<br />

Ambassador Show Choir and is involved in many<br />

extracurricular activities. She is looking forward to<br />

attending <strong>Clinton</strong> High School next year. My<br />

mother, aunt, uncle, and cousins also make <strong>Clinton</strong><br />

their home.<br />

What is your favorite memory of living<br />

in <strong>Clinton</strong>?<br />

Narrowing memories of living in <strong>Clinton</strong> down to<br />

one favorite is very difficult. I will always<br />

remember being a student at CHS and loving the<br />

pep rallies. We always had so much fun. Also, there<br />

is just something about hearing the CHS band’s<br />

drum introduction to Superstar that still<br />

sometimes gives me chills. Friday night home<br />

games are the absolute best. They have been some<br />

of my favorite memories and I wanted to pass<br />

those on to my children as well.<br />

Where are your three favorite places to eat<br />

in <strong>Clinton</strong>?<br />

My three favorite places to eat in <strong>Clinton</strong> are 303<br />

Jefferson, Takara, and El Sombrero. All are superb<br />

locally-owned restaurants that have served our<br />

community well. You will always be greeted with a<br />

friendly face and great food. My family and friends<br />

alike all enjoy these places.<br />

What are some fun things to do in <strong>Clinton</strong><br />

on the weekends?<br />

As a parent, much of my weekend activities<br />

revolved around Traceway Park. From soccer, to<br />

softball, to baseball, to football. We love our sports!<br />

Now that my kids are older, they still take<br />

advantage of our wonderful parks. My son loves to<br />

play disc golf at Brighton Park. We also enjoy<br />

bowling at Indian Lanes or watching a movie.<br />

Share some things you enjoy doing in your<br />

spare time.<br />

With the little spare time I have, there are so many<br />

things I enjoy doing. Most of them revolve around<br />

being with good friends. When the weather is<br />

good, we always seem to end up cooking out and<br />

relaxing outside on the deck. I have some of the<br />

best friends a girl can have and love every minute<br />

I spend with them. We also enjoy going to trivia<br />

night at 303 Jefferson. We never win, but always<br />

have a blast! Go Spikey Donkeys!!!<br />

What are three things on your bucket list?<br />

Visit the Grand Canyon, visit the Redwood Forest,<br />

and see a live active volcano. I’ve always been<br />

interested in rock formations and trees. I used to<br />

love my rock collection as a child. I admire these<br />

natural wonders God created.<br />

Who is someone you admire and why?<br />

When I read this question, the first person I<br />

thought of was my mother, Linda Byrd Kilian. In<br />

recent years, she has lost much of her vision. This<br />

forced her into early retirement. She was an<br />

English teacher for many years and absolutely loved<br />

it. It was a calling to her. Witnessing her adapting<br />

to this new change in her life has taught me that<br />

first, life is short, and secondly, don’t take things for<br />

granted. She has handled this with such grace and<br />

humility. She isn’t bitter. She has said several times<br />

that she thanks God for giving her the opportunity<br />

to see for this long. On February 5th, my father<br />

passed away suddenly and very unexpectedly. We<br />

are still in shock and very sad. However, as sad as<br />

my mother is, she was and is able to see God’s grace<br />

through this tremendous loss. She is a strong<br />

woman and I hope to be like her one day.<br />

Where do you see yourself ten years<br />

from now?<br />

Hopefully I will be working as a nurse practitioner.<br />

I may even have some grandchildren, and if that is<br />

the case, I know they will be my world. Hopefully I<br />

will have visited at least a couple of places on my<br />

bucket list and will have shared them with my<br />

grandchildren.<br />

64 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


Camille Anding<br />

The Time Coin<br />

Mothers exert a powerful<br />

influence on their children<br />

– both intentional and<br />

unintentional. My mother was intentional<br />

in molding and instructing her youngsters.<br />

She taught my sisters and me how to<br />

make our beds, and we were expected to<br />

make them after each night’s sleep. I could<br />

never understand why beds were made in<br />

rooms never visited by anyone but family,<br />

but I never questioned Mother’s rules. I made my bed then and still do.<br />

Making our beds was considered routine like brushing our teeth.<br />

Folding clothes was listed with chores. We never doubted Mother’s<br />

experience at being a full time homemaker, so when she taught<br />

towel-folding, we listened and learned. Fold over twice, then left to the<br />

middle and fold back right. It made for neat, uniform storage just the<br />

same as it does in my home fifty-plus years later.<br />

For Mother, etiquette included thank-you notes. We were taught<br />

to say thank you verbally and on note cards with a stamp. She would be<br />

amazed that email versions are rapidly replacing “snail mail,” as it’s<br />

called now. Mother would never have substituted email for hand<br />

written notes. I’m confident of that.<br />

Another important instruction: Be on time, with early being<br />

optimum. Somehow Mother thought that staying home was better<br />

than arriving late to a function. She believed starting early was a simple,<br />

doable key for being on time.<br />

There were rules – mostly in concrete – concerning church<br />

attendance. Talking while the preacher preached was an offense<br />

resulting in some form of punishment, and there was no such thing as<br />

leaving worship to go “potty.” Restroom visits were made before the<br />

church service. It was amazing how easily my<br />

siblings and I learned that rule.<br />

“I’m too scared,” or “I don’t want to”<br />

weren’t in Mother’s list of acceptable excuses.<br />

When Mother recognized a God-given talent<br />

in one of her children, she helped us hone that<br />

talent and then expected us to use it every<br />

opportunity. I never wanted to disappoint my<br />

mother’s expectations.<br />

When there was a death in a church or<br />

neighboring family, Mother’s motto was “Do something!” She and<br />

Daddy were purposeful in expressing sympathy and assistance in those<br />

situations. Reunion-size servings of potato salad, fried chicken, and<br />

pimento cheese sandwiches were customary travelers in our back seats.<br />

Mother believed God gave us flowers to enjoy up close. Whatever<br />

was blooming in our yard would be shared on the coffee table or dining<br />

table. “Flowers always make a meal more special,” she would say.<br />

The kitchen had its rules too. Her set of heavy metal pots inevitably<br />

held leftovers when it was my turn to wash dishes. I suggested setting<br />

the pots in the frig, lids on of course. Mother smiled, handed me small<br />

bowls with lids and said, “Pots weren’t for storing food.”<br />

I remember using my new set of pots in cooking my first meal as<br />

a newlywed. Able to now make my own rules, I slid the pot with its<br />

leftover veggie into the refrigerator. But, somehow the notion of<br />

making my own rules and breaking Mother’s didn’t bring the joy and<br />

exhilaration I expected. Later that evening, I emptied the pot into a<br />

bowl with a lid, stored it in the frig, and washed the pot.<br />

I never stored another pot in the frig. It would have been breaking<br />

my mother’s rule, and her rules were time-tested and taught with love.<br />

It was only natural to follow them. n<br />

66 • May/June/July <strong>2016</strong>


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