Plenty of TheatricsPerforming, visual arts entertain and educate

EVERYDAY ELVISTributes to The King endure

SLOW-COOKEDGOODNESS

Restaurants offer barbecue favorites

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2011-12 | ImAGESTuPELO.COm

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TuPELO, mISSISSIPPI

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2011-12 EDITION | VOLumE 10

TuPELO, mISSISSIPPI

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contents

Features

14 NO PLACE LIKE hOmETupelo’s abundant housing market appeals to diverse population

18 SLOW-COOKED GOODNESSBarbecue restaurants dish out local flavor

22 EVERYDAY ELVIS

Tributes to The King endure

26 PLENTY OF ThEATRICSPerforming, visual arts entertain and educate

30 bOTTOmLESS WELL OF GENEROSITYTupelo supports charities through

fundraising, volunteerism

34 ChANGE IS GOODCDF spurs job creation through industry recruitment, workforce development, small-business support

26

14

imagesTuPelo.com 1

anniversaryissue

10th

www.bancorpsouth.com

www.bancorpsouth.com

www.iccms.edu

imagesTuPelo.com 5

48

ON ThE COVER Lyric Theatre Photo by Jeff Adkins

departments

10 Almanac

38 biz briefs

40 Chamber Report

41 Economic Profile

42 Image Gallery

48 Local Flavor

50 health & Wellness

56 Arts & Culture

58 Sports & Recreation

60 Education

63 Community Profile

64 Through the Lens

all or part of this magazine is printed on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

pleaserecyclethismagazine

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PROOFREADING mANAGER RAven PeTTy

CONTENT COORDINATOR JessiCA WALKeR

STAFF WRITER Kevin LiTWin

COPY EDITOR JiLL WyATT

CONTRIbuTING WRITERS BARBARA BiehLeR, CARoL CoWAn,

Jennie BRADFoRD CuRLee, JuLiAnnA eDmonDs,

CARy esTes, PAuL LADD, Kim mADLom,

sPenCeR moheAD, Joe moRRis, KARi QuiLL

mEDIA TEChNOLOGY DIRECTOR ChRisTinA CARDen

SENIOR GRAPhIC DESIGNERS LAuRA GALLAGheR,

JessiCA mAnneR, JAnine mARyLAnD,

KRis sexTon, viKKi WiLLiAms

GRAPhIC DESIGNERS RAChAeL GeRRinGeR, TAyLoR nunLey

mEDIA TEChNOLOGY ANALYSTS BeCCA ARy,

ChAnDRA BRADshAW, LAnCe ConzeTT

PhOTOGRAPhY DIRECTOR JeFFRey s. oTTo

SENIOR PhOTOGRAPhERS JeFF ADKins, BRiAn mcCoRD

STAFF PhOTOGRAPhERS ToDD BenneTT, AnTony BoshieR

WEb CONTENT mANAGER John hooD

WEb PROjECT mANAGER noy FonGnALy

WEb DESIGNER II RiChARD sTevens

WEb DEVELOPER I yAmeL hALL, neLs noseWoRThy

WEb ACCOuNT mANAGER LAuRen euBAnK

AD PRODuCTION mANAGER KATie miDDenDoRF

AD TRAFFIC ASSISTANTS KRysTin Lemmon, PATRiCiA moisAn

I.T. DIRECTOR yAnCey BonD

I.T. SuPPORT TEChNICIAN DAnieL CAnTReLL

SENIOR ACCOuNTANT LisA oWens

ACCOuNTS PAYAbLE COORDINATOR mARiA mcFARLAnD

ACCOuNTS RECEIVAbLE COORDINATOR DiAnA GuzmAn

OFFICE mANAGER/ACCOuNTS RECEIVAbLE

COORDINATOR sheLLy miLLeR

INTEGRATED mEDIA mANAGER BRAnDy mADDox

SALES SuPPORT COORDINATOR ALex mARKs

COLOR ImAGING TEChNICIAN ALison hunTeR

ChAIRmAN GReG ThuRmAn

PRESIDENT/PubLIShER BoB sChWARTzmAn

ExECuTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAy LAnGen

SENIOR V.P./SALES ToDD PoTTeR, CARLA ThuRmAn

SENIOR V.P./OPERATIONS CAsey hesTeR

SENIOR V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPmENT JeFF heeFneR

SENIOR V.P./buSINESS DEVELOPmENT sCoTT TemPLeTon

V.P./ExTERNAL COmmuNICATIONS TeRee CARuTheRs

V.P./CuSTOm PubLIShING Kim hoLmBeRG

V.P./VISuAL CONTENT mARK FoResTeR

V.P./CONTENT OPERATIONS nATAshA LoRens

V.P./SALES ChARLes FiTzGiBBon,

heRB hARPeR, JAReK sWeKosKy

V.P./TRAVEL PubLIShING susAn ChAPPeLL

CONTROLLER ChRis DuDLey

CONTENT DIRECTOR/buSINESS PubLICATIONS

BiLL mcmeeKin

CONTENT DIRECTOR/LIVAbILITY.COm LisA BATTLes

CONTENT DIRECTOR/AGRIbuSINESS Jessy yAnCey

mARKETING CREATIVE DIRECTOR KeiTh hARRis

DISTRIbuTION DIRECTOR GARy smiTh

ExECuTIVE SECRETARY KRisTy DunCAn

humAN RESOuRCES mANAGER PeGGy BLAKe

RECEPTIONIST LinDA BishoP

Images Tupelo is published annually by Journal Communications inc. and is distributed

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For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact

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What’sonlineimagestupelo.com

Plenty of TheatricsPerforming, visual artsentertain and educate

EVERYDAY ELVISTributes to The King endure

SLOW-COOKEDGOODNESS

Restaurants offerbarbecue favorites

SPONSORED bY ThE COmmuNITY DEVELOPmENT FOuNDATION

2011-12 | ImAGESTuPELO.COm

®

TuPELO, mISSISSIPPI

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In Tupelo, it’s not about getting people to pitch in – it’s about coordinating what is usually an overwhelming response.

This is a giving community. Whether it’s for the various activities of Project Hope, the United Way, the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi or any of literally dozens of other worthwhile organizations, Tupelo’s citizenry is always ready to answer the call.

“I think one of the reasons we’ve always been so successful is because we target heart disease and diabetes, which affect so many people directly,” says Bobby Geno, president of Project Hope’s board and also a database manager at Renasant Bank’s Tupelo technology center. “People really do come up alongside us and commit themselves to helping in this ongoing battle.”

Project HopeProject Hope works as a

community health initiative for Lee County, and hopes to expand its programs through the entire state. It works along with the CREATE Foundation, North Mississippi Health Services Live Well Community Health Initiative, Good Samaritan Health Services Free Clinic and other groups on many annual programs, including the annual Festival of Hope, which features a survivors’ walk, education and counseling opportunities, and

TUPELO SUPPORTS CHARITIES THROUGH FUNDRAISING, VOLUNTEERISMGenerosity

STORY BY JOE MORRIS

Kids play at the Boys & Girls Club Haven Acres.J

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INS

IMAGESTUPELO.COM 31

GenerosityBOTTOMLESS WELL OF

IMAGESTUPELO.COM 31 30 TUPELO

Welcome to Tupeloan inTRoducTion To The aRea’s PeoPle, Places and evenTs

Bye-Bye Training Wheelsin July 2010, Tupelo set a precedent for the rest of

mississippi by passing a law requiring all motorists to

allow a 3-foot safeguard when passing cyclists on the

road. Taking advantage of Tupelo’s cyclist-friendly

streets, members of Bike Walk mississippi supported

safe biking and healthy lifestyles during the

successful 2011 Bike to Work Day. Cyclists can

also ride for charities and prizes in the annual Riding

with the King race, part of the Tupelo elvis Festival.

it’s your PickA greener alternative to a grocery store, the Tupelo Farmer’s market

is open every Tuesday, Thursday and saturday beginning at 6 a.m. from

may 9 through oct. 31. The market’s 26 stalls offer locally produced food

items ranging from honey and bee products to wool and fibers. shoppers

can enjoy live music one saturday each month, and while dog owners are

always welcome to bring their pups, the market hosts Dog Days at the

market once a year. For more information, visit www.tupelomainstreet.com/farmers-market.

Lyric sings a new song

The new neon marquee

has lit up the Lyric Theatre

and downtown Tupelo for

the first time in more than

40 years. originally built in

1912 by R.F. Goodlett as a

venue for live productions,

the theater faced threats

of demolition in 1984. For

more than 20 years, it

has undergone major

construction projects.

The addition of the north

Annex in 1993 included set-

building space, dressing

rooms and a rehearsal hall.

most recently, patrons have

enjoyed more upgraded

amenities thanks to grants

from the mississippi Arts

Commission and the e.R.

Carpenter Foundation.

everyone wants to visit the

place where elvis allegedly

planted his first kiss. www.tct.ms

10 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 11

Almanac

Feeling FestiveDowntown Tupelo gathers the

community year round with a host

of festivals. highly anticipated is

the annual Tupelo elvis Festival

featuring a pet parade, beauty

pageant and 5K race. Recalling

the same era, participants

showcase their hot rods each

spring during the Blue suede

Cruise. movie fans will enjoy

movies in the Park in Fairpark

by City hall and the Tupelo Film

Festival at Lyric Theatre. other

major seasonal events, such as

the Chili Fest, Wine Downtown and

the GumTree Arts Festival also

draw crowds to the city’s center.

Bank on itThe headquarters for Bancorpsouth and Renasant

Bank, Tupelo is the local banking giant. Founded in

1876, Bancorpsouth takes pride in offering personal

service and reliable banking advice to individuals and

small to medium-size businesses. Renasant Bank is

known for innovation. Among other breakthroughs,

it was the first bank in Lee County to introduce a

debit card. Renasant Corporation, the parent of

Renasant Bank and Renasant insurance, has assets

of approximately $3.7 billion.

spread the healthhealthWorks!, a children’s health education

center created by memorial children’s hospital, is more than an average museum. The center aims to kick-start active lifestyles, motivating children to learn while enjoying parties, field trips and community outreach programs. Today, more than half a million people have experienced its contagious health “edutainment.” several membership options are available, as well as general admission visits.

10 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 11

imagesTuPelo.com 13

Tupelomade the list.10 Best Small Film FestivalsSee more Top 10 lists at Livability.com.

Traverse ciTy Michigan

asheville North carolina

beNd Oregon

MuskOgee Oklahoma

TupelO Mississippi

chaMpaigN-urbaNa illinois

greeNsbOrO North carolina

TucsON arizona

WichiTa kansas

saleM Oregon

10 best small Film Festivals

Introducing the Livability.com Top 10 Lists New lists every month | Not your average lists | Not your average website

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NATCHEZ TRACE PKWY.

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155

3030

37137

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Plantersville

Saltillo

Shannon

Mooreville

Belden

Baldwyn

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Tupelo

Future I-22

POPuLATION (2009)Tupelo: 36,337

Lee County: 81,913

LOCATIONTupelo is in northeast

mississippi, 90 miles from

memphis, Tenn., and 165 miles

from Jackson, miss.

bEGINNINGSTupelo was incorporated as a city in 1870, and its development was closely tied to the boom of the railroad industry.

FOR mORE INFORmATIONCommunity Development Foundation P.o. Box A Tupelo, ms 38802 Phone: (662) 842-4521 Fax: (662) 841-0693 www.cdfms.org

tupeloataglance

What’sonlineTake a virtual tour of Tupelo, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagestupelo.com.

Tupelo

TvA sheds Light on Tupeloin 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Tupelo and flipped a switch, making it

the first city to receive affordable power from the Tennessee valley Authority by way of

the Wilson Dam. visitors and residents can observe the original Crosstown arrow sign

located in the heart of the city marking the historical event. in fact, residents of the Willis

heights neighborhood can donate to improvement projects in the area by purchasing

lapel pins for $5 each that replicate the Crosstown arrow sign.

FastFactsn The Tupelo automobile museum, which includes an 1886 Benz and an 1889 Knox Porcupine, is regarded as the official car museum for the state.

n each year the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo attracts 140,000 visitors – who can safely view the big beasts by riding aboard a monster Bison Bus.

n approximately 80,000 people tour the elvis Presley Birthplace attraction each year.

imagesTuPelo.com 13

No Place Like

HomeTuPELO’S AbuNDANT hOuSING mARKET APPEALS TO DIVERSE POPuLATION

A swing decorates the front porch of a home in downtown’s Fairpark District.

imagesTuPelo.com 15 14 TuPelo

When Emily Oxford had the chance to purchase her childhood home

in the historic Highland Circle neighborhood, she didn’t think twice about it. The mother of two, her experience growing up in Highland Circle was ideal in every way.

“Highland Circle is the only place we wanted to live,” says Oxford. “We dreamed of raising our children in this house years before it happened, and I can’t wait for them to experience the wonderful childhood that I was able to enjoy. Highland Circle is where my heart is. It’s home.”

Oxford spends her days playing with her children in Highland Circle’s neighborhood park and strolling along the circle’s tree-lined sidewalks. While this picturesque place satisfies her desire for home, residents of Tupelo can also enjoy the fast-paced, urban lifestyle of downtown living or even the secluded, quiet routine of adults-only developments.

While Oxford has chosen to live in one of Tupelo’s oldest neighborhoods, the city offers an array of housing options, urban and suburban, old and new, that appeal to all ages, ensuring that every resident can say “there’s no place like home.”

North TupeloJust as Highland Circle was the

first planned subdivision in Tupelo, the Joyner neighborhood is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the community. Tree-lined streets envelop homesteads of both young and old, making the Joyner area a destination of choice for young

sToRy By jENNIE bRADFORD CuRLEEPhoToGRAPhy By jEFF ADKINSHome

imagesTuPelo.com 15

families with children and older adults nearing retirement. In close proximity to Rob Leake City Park, Joyner residents can walk to the city pool, tennis courts and baseball fields.

Downtown TupeloNew housing units are plentiful

in the Tupelo/Lee County area, but urban redevelopment is a hot theme in downtown housing. Tupelo’s Fairpark District offers accommodations from luxury apartments and brownstones to loft apartments and large family homes. Residents enjoy all the amenities downtown living has to offer, including shops, restaurants and parks, all in walking distance.

Mill Village, located adjacent to downtown Tupelo, was built in the 1900s to house cotton mill workers.

A National Register of Historic Places neighborhood, Mill Village is enjoying a revitalization that includes homes, businesses and green spaces.

East TupeloTupelo residents can walk the

paths that Elvis Presley walked in Presley Heights. This east Tupelo neighborhood is in walking distance of Veterans Park, the city’s largest municipal park, with ball fields, a splash park and veterans memorial area. Presley Heights hosts an annual Azalea Festival that features a driving tour of the area’s gorgeous azaleas at their blooming peak. The Elvis Presley Birthplace, located in Presley Heights, attracts thousands of visitors from around the world each year.

West TupeloFor residents with a taste for

luxury, Spring Lake is a 1,000- acre development with sprawling Southern manors and grand family homes. The neighborhood boasts a recreation center with clubhouse, pool, tennis courts and playground, as well as myriad walking trails.

Continuing west, 2004’s Subdivision Development of the Year, The Villages is an 89-acre gated community that caters to those interested in private, adult living. It offers residents a community center complete with fitness room, office center, kitchen, conference room and swimming pool. Community members may also take advantage of the lakes, walking trails and greenbelt areas the development comprises.

16 TuPelo

From left: Brand-new homes are located downtown in the Fairpark district; honey and the carter family practice football in the spring lake neighborhood; emily oxford and her family live in her childhood home in the historic highland circle neighborhood, Tupelo’s first planned subdivision.

16 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 17

Slow- Cooked

18 TuPelo

Have a craving for slow-cooked barbecue? Tupelo serves up its version of this beloved

cuisine at a variety of restaurants around town.

Romie’s barbequeRomie’s Barbeque recently

moved to a new, more spacious location on Troy Street. Bright colors, exposed-brick walls and neon lights create a fun, inviting atmosphere where you can feast on some of Romie’s signature dishes, like the pulled pork sandwich, sticky rib racks, BBQ nachos or fried green tomatoes.

“Our fresh meat and homemade everything is what sets Romie’s BBQ apart from others,” Leeann Lesley of Romie’s Barbeque says. Romie’s makes its own dressings and other side dishes from scratch, and uses three types of beans and plenty of meat in its special house baked beans recipe. Romie’s is open

bARbECuE RESTAuRANTS DISh OuT LOCAL FLAVOR

sToRy By bARbARA bIEhLERPhoToGRAPhy By jEFF ADKINS

GoodnessCooked

Left: half-smoked chicken with baked beans, fried green tomatoes and Texas toast at Romie’s Barbeque Right: musician Weston smith plays for the Romie’s Barbeque crowd.

imagesTuPelo.com 19

Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, and has a full bar featuring live events Tuesday through Saturday night.

bbQ by jim BBQ by Jim co-owner Barbara

Beane says consistency is the secret to success after 19 years in business. BBQ by Jim uses only select meats, like Boston Butts and St. Louis-style ribs, to create its tasty barbecue. Choose from a variety of fresh-cooked meats and vegetables to create your plate lunch, served every

weekday. Bulk or carry-out orders can include pulled pork, smoked half chickens, and whole and half slabs of ribs. BBQ by Jim is open Monday through Saturday at two convenient locations, on Commerce Street and in the Mall at Barnes Crossing.

bishop’s bbQ Grill Bishop’s BBQ Grill in Saltillo first

served barbecue to its customers in 2008. Take in its “inviting down-home atmosphere” and order a jumbo pulled pork sandwich or the beef brisket plate. Bishop’s also

features unique items hungry diners will enjoy, such as the smoked Angus burger, smoked whole quail plate and gator taters. Bishop’s BBQ Grill is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Owner Ronnie Bishop says he will open a second location in Tupelo later this year.

Eli’s bbQ GrillAt Eli’s BBQ Grill on West Main

Street, you can choose from a selection of sandwiches, plates, side dishes and family packs. Try the beef brisket sandwich or smoked

a barbecue plate with ribs, pulled pork, baked beans, cole slaw and a roll at BBQ by Jim Right: customers fill the dining room for lunch at Romie’s Barbeque downtown.

imagesTuPelo.com 21 20 TuPelo

chicken breast plate with two sides and a slice of thick Texas toast. Specialty items include pig salad with pulled pork, BBQ nachos and smoked BBQ wings. Enjoy lunch or dinner at Eli’s BBQ Grill Monday through Saturday.

Papa V’s bbQ and DeliPapa V’s BBQ and Deli has

three Tupelo area locations where customers can sample its distinctive food. Each location offers different breakfast, daily and special menus. Two locations – Papa V’s at East Main Street and neighboring Verona – feature tailgating menus with pulled pork, smoked chicken, ribs and other barbecue favorites. Contact each location for hours.

magnolia bbQ and FishMagnolia BBQ and Fish recently

opened in east Tupelo. Barbecued ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, fish and shrimp are just a few of the items on the menu. While barbecue is a mainstay, owner Dameione Rogers says the specialty of the house is the Big Magnolia burger, loaded with cheese, pickles, onions and much more. Magnolia BBQ and Fish is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.

Crossroads Rib ShackThe newest arrival on the Tupelo

barbecue scene is Crossroads Rib Shack. The restaurant already has a loyal following for its ribs and barbecue in Corinth, so owners sought out a second location here. The restaurant opened in the new Tupelo Commons retail development off North Gloster Street in fall 2011.

imagesTuPelo.com 21

he may have found a new place to dwell, but Elvis Presley’s presence in his hometown of Tupelo is felt in more places than ever.

Elvis Presley Boulevard runs through town, and Presley Heights is a neighborhood of homes and businesses. People relax at Elvis Presley Lake, and Tupelo sports teams call themselves the Hound Dogs.

A local f lower business advertises that “nothing says love me tender” like its bouquets.

“Over the years the people of Tupelo have become more and more proud of the fact that we have this legacy, that our city played an important part in Elvis’ life,” says Debbie Brangenberg of the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association.

Tupelo’s tribute to Elvis began in the late 1950s with

TuPELO’S TRIbuTE TO ThE KING ENDuRES

sToRy By KIm mADLOm

elvisEVERYDAY

visitors take photographs of elvis Presley’s 1976 lincoln mark iv at the Tupelo automobile museum. Right: guitars for sale at Tupelo hardware, where elvis bought his first guitar

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22 TuPelo

22 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 23

the establishment of the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, and now includes an Elvis driving tour, a major annual festival and more.

Elvis Concert Funded museumThe Birthplace and Museum was established when

Elvis donated the proceeds from a 1956 concert in his hometown. Since then, the site has added a bronze statue of Elvis as a child, a fountain that illustrates his journey from poverty to international fame, and a chapel. In June 2012, a 10,000-square-foot addition will open, featuring a theater, cafe and reception space, Dick Guyton, executive director, says.

“Our charge is to keep this property in the memory

of the little boy Elvis, not the entertainer,” Guyton says. “We honor his humble beginnings and that’s what the fans who visit appreciate. Here you can see that Elvis Presley came from nothing and yet became the most important entertainer in the world.”

An Elvis Presley Discovery Driving Tour includes stops at the schools Elvis attended and Tupelo Hardware, where Gladys Presley took her son to buy his first guitar. Other stops include Johnnie’s Drive-in and the Lyric Theatre, both frequented by the young Elvis.

Thousands of visitors from around the world flock to Tupelo each June for the Elvis Festival, and in May the Blue Suede Cruise brings car enthusiasts to see antique, classic and hot rod automobiles.

The elvis Presley Birthplace and museum (top left) includes a bronze statue of elvis as a child (right), a fountain that illustrates his journey from poverty to international fame (bottom left), and more.

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imagesTuPelo.com 25 24 TuPelo

Public Art honors the KingAn artistic tribute to the King can be seen on

Main Street, where 15 Elvis-themed guitar sculptures are displayed. The Elaine Dundy and Roy Turner Endowment for the Arts funded the 6-foot metal guitars, which were designed and painted by each of the public schools and unveiled in January 2010. Recently, the second installment of 15 guitar sculptures were added.

Brangenberg says the sculptures emphasize an important lesson.

“I think understanding that someone like Elvis came from Tupelo builds a lot of pride with children in our schools, and they can see something they participated in on public display,” she says. “It’s a great project.”

The endowment was created with a $600,000 donation from Dundy, who came to Tupelo in 1981 to research and write her book, Elvis & Gladys, and was assisted by Tupelo resident Roy Turner. The endowment also installed a new silver screen in the Lyric Theatre, where Elvis is rumored to have had his first kiss in the balcony.

Downtown main Street guitar sculpture

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imagesTuPelo.com 25

26 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 27

arts and education thrive in Tupelo, thanks to cooperation between local arts organizations, schools and the community.

GumTree museumFor more than 25 years, the GumTree Museum

of Art has reached out with programs that make art accessible to people of all ages.

“We try to have many different opportunities to bring the community in and learn about the exhibits we have, and teach a little art history as well,” says Kit Stafford, GumTree’s executive director.

One of the museum’s most popular programs is Saturdays at the Museum, in which the Tennessee Valley Authority sponsors a children’s workshop relating to the artist currently on display.

“It helps make children comfortable with the museum and learn a little about art,” Stafford says.

Other programs include ceramic and pottery classes for adults, summer art camps for children and professional development for school art teachers in the summer. The museum also produces the annual GumTree Festival, a regional, juried fine arts show that has been around for 40 years. The event brings in 85 to 100 area artists each year.

Another of GumTree’s outreach programs is the Main Street Guitar Project, which showcases the work

TuPELO’S PERFORmING AND VISuAL ARTS ENTERTAIN AND EDuCATE

sToRy By PAuL LADD

Artsmart

Left: gumTree museum of art PhoTo CouRTesy oF AmAnDA KoonLABA

Right: main street guitar Project sculpture An

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26 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 27

582 654 2156 7 25 37 564 98 7125 19 5000 96 525 3 775 851 9500 45 2750 10500 1 65 2000 92 120 8525 8 465

of The Twelve schools in The disTricT, four are naTional Blue

riBBon schools

4learn fun and interesting facts about Tupelo in the By the numbers video at

imagestupelo.com

28 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 29

of local artists, including students. So far, 15 guitars have been installed around Tupelo and another 15 will soon join them.

Community Theater ThrivesTupelo Community Theatre (TCT) stages several

events throughout the year that bring live theater up close and personal to area students. Each spring, artists are brought in from all over the world to teach elementary and middle schoolers about theater, says Tom Booth, executive director of TCT.

Every July, TCT hosts a youth theater camp, where students are divided into groups and rotate through art, theater and music classes, in addition to learning what it takes to put on a play. By camp’s end, the students have rehearsed and performed a play at the Lyric Theatre.

TCT also works with Tupelo’s Junior Auxiliary to take theater into schools within an hour of Tupelo. The joint effort is funded by a grant from actor and Mississippi native Morgan Freeman’s Rock River Foundation. TCT is a participant in the Tupelo Reads program, which encourages everyone in town to read a selected book and attend special community programs relating to it. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom was chosen as the book for 2011.

bringing history to LifeAt the Oren Dunn City Museum, the past is

celebrated with an eye toward the future. The museum has year-round tours and living history exhibits to illustrate life during the early days of Tupelo and the region. Each October, different artisans and presenters turn back the clock to the 1860s and demonstrate 19th-century crafts, including blacksmithing, soap making and butter churning. There are programs for all ages, with a focus on young people.

“I want them to develop a lifelong love of history,” says Janice Anthony, the museum’s educational director. “I want to catch them while they’re young. It’s very important.”

From top: students rehearse their roles during theatre camp at the lyric Theatre; Kids make family trees with a genealogist at oren dunn city museum.

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“I want them to develop

a lifelong love of history.”

28 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 29

GenerosityBottomlessWelloF

imagesTuPelo.com 31 30 TuPelo

In Tupelo, it’s not about getting people to pitch in – it’s about coordinating what is usually an overwhelming response.

This is a giving community. Whether it’s for the various activities of Project Hope, the United Way, the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi or any of literally dozens of other worthwhile organizations, Tupelo’s citizenry is always ready to answer the call.

“I think one of the reasons we’ve always been so successful is because we target heart disease and diabetes, which affect so many people directly,” says Bobby Geno, president of Project Hope’s board and also a database manager at Renasant Bank’s Tupelo technology center. “People really do come up alongside us and commit themselves to helping in this ongoing battle.”

Project hopeProject Hope works as a

community health initiative for Lee County, and hopes to expand its programs through the entire state. It works along with the CREATE Foundation, North Mississippi Health Services Live Well Community Health Initiative, Good Samaritan Health Services Free Clinic and other groups on many annual programs, including the annual Festival of Hope, which features a survivors’ walk, education and counseling opportunities, and

TuPELO SuPPORTS ChARITIES ThROuGh FuNDRAISING, VOLuNTEERISmGenerosity

sToRy By jOE mORRIS

Kids play at the Boys & girls club haven acres.J

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Top left: Festival of hope middle left and right: children listen during a book presentation by Julianne goodwin of the Rotary club of Tupelo; Tupelo symphony orchestra’s steinway piano at the link centre

other family-friendly activities.Project Hope also doles out

serious grant money: $72,000 in 2009. And all that is possible thanks to ongoing, solid and reliable community support, Geno says.

“We have a lot of team competitions each year, and our teams are absolutely the best at finding ways to generate income and get people involved,” Geno says. “Bake sales, T-shirt sales, you name it … there’s something going every week. Our ongoing goal is to hit $100,000 in fundraising; we’ve done it a couple of times, and we’re working towards making that happen every year.”

united WayThe sluggish economy has been

a challenge for the United Way of Northeast Mississippi, but it’s being overcome, says Melinda Tidwell, executive director.

“We live in a great community with a rich history of giving back,” Tidwell says. “When we began, it was a way for everyone at every income level to help others. It still is that way for us here, and so even in a bad economy we can meet our goals. People who are working are giving; we’ve had a lot to overcome, but people here are so very generous, and we continue to pick up new companies who want to take part in what we do.”

Link CentreTupelo also benefits from the

Link Centre, a cultural service center that is home to literally dozens of organizations offering a wide variety of services. The Girl Scouts, El Centro/Campo Brillante,

Sisters Network and many, many more are at the Link Centre, along with community favorites like the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra.

Sanctuary hospice houseOn a quieter but equally

important note, The Sanctuary Hospice House makes sure that

terminally ill residents get the quality care and comfort they deserve as they near life’s end. The nonprofit organization provides a full range of medical services and psychological and emotional support. It has been chosen as a National Medicare Hospice Demonstration Project.

“We live in a great community with a rich history of giving back.”

Building Tupelo and Lee County

Since 1941

2020 McCullough Blvd.Tupelo, MS 38801

(662) 842-3240 www.jescoinc.net

The Largest IndustrialContractor in the South

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In an economic climate where change is the only certainty, Tupelo’s Community Development Foundation

(CDF) is embracing this new standard, charging forward with its mission to create new and better jobs for Tupelo/Lee County.

Throughout its rich 63-year history, CDF has spearheaded the region’s transition from an agrarian society to one with a manufacturing focus. And today, the economic development group is helping move Tupelo/Lee County into a knowledge-based economy, ensuring that future generations will enjoy the same prosperity that has made this community a hub for business and industry throughout the years.

“The past successes of CDF have given Tupelo/Lee County a very favorable business climate and quality of life,” says Dr. David Irwin, 2011-2012 CDF chairman. “But CDF does not rest on its laurels. We are constantly seeking new ways to adapt to the global economy, and this is evidenced in the way we recruit new business and engage our existing industry.”

CDF embraced the region’s move

CDF SPuRS jOb CREATION ThROuGh INDuSTRY RECRuITmENT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPmENT,

SmALL-buSINESS SuPPORT

iS Good

sToRy By jENNIE bRADFORD CuRLEE

to advanced manufacturing, as demonstrated by its recruitment of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi. Fall 2011 marks the start of production for Toyota, where the Corolla will be assembled. With more than 900 team members already hard at work at the Blue Springs facility, Toyota’s $800 million investment will crest at 2,000 employees. Toyota suppliers like Auto Parts Manufacturing Mississippi, located in the Harry A. Martin North Lee Industrial

Complex, are also ramping up hiring to meet Toyota’s needs.

Training Tomorrow’s Workforce Today

Through a partnership with Itawamba Community College (ICC), CDF’s workforce development program has enabled more than 12,000 employees to upgrade their job skills through training offered as part of the CDF/ICC consortium. The program offers specialized courses, at greatly discounted rates,

CHANGe

Right: Toyota motor manufacturing mississippi Left: community

development Foundation PhoTo By JeFF ADKins

imagesTuPelo.com 35

dr. david irwin, a cardiologist at cardiology associates of north mississippi, is the cdF chairman.

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SOLDResidential Property Management Commercial

Since 1952

TRIINC/REALTORS®

www.TRIrealestate.net842-8283

allowing local industries to provide cost-effective training to their employees.

CDF is also helping train employees of the future through such programs as the Tek2Go Manufacturing Camp. Held each June, the camp is designed to help inspire the next generation of inventors, engineers, entrepreneurs and manufacturers, and is a technical, hands-on experience to introduce students to 21st-century manufacturing technology and basic entrepreneurial skills.

Growing businesses and Ideas

CDF is also helping usher in the knowledge-based economy for the area’s small businesses through the Renasant Center for IDEAs, Tupelo/Lee County’s regional business incubator. The incubator helps businesses of all shapes and sizes develop a plan for entrepreneurial success. Hyperion Technology Group, located inside the Renasant Center for IDEAs, is a technology-based company meeting the needs of its customers through innovative technological means. Geoff Carter, president of Hyperion Technology Group, has utilized the business incubator to grow his business, which now employs 11 full-time and five part-time personnel.

“The CDF and Renasant Center for IDEAs has been an extremely valuable partner, helping Hyperion get off to a running start,” says Carter. “The flexible and economical space is only part of the benefits made available to us by this relationship, but it is the ‘behind-the-scenes’ benefits like entrepreneurial training classes and introductions to local, state and national business and government leaders that really helped us get started.”

As the economy continues to evolve and present new challenges, CDF will seek out diverse ways to create more and better jobs for the people of the region. Just as change is guaranteed, so is the fact that CDF is a constant, driving force, keeping Tupelo/Lee County on a path for success.

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scorecardbuSINESS AT

A GLANCE

$1billionAnnual retail sales

$29millionRetail sales

per capita

$93.5millionAnnual hotel

and food sales

3,627Total number

of firms

source: u.s. Census QuickFacts

Business

Biz BriefsBusinesses – BoTh laRge and small – ThaT helP deFine

TuPelo’s economic climaTe

TuPELO YOuNG PROFESSIONALSBiz: Networking organizationBuzz: Representing Tupelo’s ambitious and committed young professionals, TYP has fostered a sense of community and forged connections since 2006. Memberships are free. The organization hosts events the third Thursday of every month.www.typs.biz

38 TuPelo

mID-SOuTh NuRSERY & GARDEN CENTERBiz: Garden supply companyBuzz: The family-owned Mid-South Nursery has been nurturing myriad greenery for more than 50 years. Known for quality Fraser Firs and other Christmas trees, its popular shop features Christian Ulbricht nutcrackers and other collectible holiday decorations.www.msnla.org/mid_south_nursery_christmas_shop.htm

uNIVERSAL ASSET mANAGEmENT INC.Biz: AviationBuzz: This commercial aviation asset management, aircraft recycling and component sales company located an aircraft disassembly facility at the Tupelo Regional Airport in early 2011. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., UAM is an industry leader in aircraft recycling and reusable inventory.www.uaminc.com

KAY’S KREATIONSBiz: Bridal and formal attire shopBuzz: The largest bridal and formal boutique in north Mississippi, Kay’s Kreations recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Brides can choose from more than 1,000 gowns, and Kay’s Kreations also has attire for the rest of the bridal party and guests. Kay’s schedules showroom fittings and also accepts measurements submitted online.www.Kays-Kreations.net

mIDNITE POTTERYBiz: PotteryBuzz: Family-owned and operated, Midnite Pottery opened in 1997 as a small business inside an old horse barn in Eggville, Miss., and later moved to Tupelo. Customers can stop in and create their own clay pottery or purchase goods made by the owners, Dean Webb and Jennifer Hankins, at prices ranging from $10 to $65.www.midnitepottery.com

38 TuPelo

Business

chamberreportPRogRam suPPoRTs chamBeR, PRomoTes local Businesses

In a world of coupons and

Groupons and a dozen deals of

the day, the Tupelo Chamber of

Commerce is cutting through the

discount clutter with a program

designed specifically for members

of the chamber’s Community

Development Foundation.

Through the ChamberAdvantage

affinity program, CDF businesses

offer discounts and promotions

that are available only to members

of other CDF businesses. more

than 150 companies in Tupelo and

throughout Lee County currently

participate in the program,

providing CDF members with

special offers on an array of

products and services. There are

standard restaurant and retail

discounts as well as savings on

adoption services, auto repair, legal

advice and assisted-living facilities.

“This free service encourages

CDF members to do business with

other CDF members,” Tupelo

Chamber of Commerce vice

president Tommy Green says.

“it’s just another great benefit

of being a member of CDF.”

Exclusive Deals for membersCDF members can offer

any type of discount they wish,

but it must be exclusive to other

CDF members. These discounts

are publicized on the CDF

website, with contact information

for each business as well as a link

to the company website.

Businesses that take part in the

program are given window

stickers that identify them as

participating partners.

Any interested employee of a

participating business receives a

tag that can be attached to their

key ring. All they have to do is

show the tag at the CDF business

to be given the special discount.

most offers consist of a simple

percentage discount off the

purchase amount. Contests have

been held, with prizes awarded to

the person who visited the most

CDF businesses in a single week,

as well as to the person who spent

the most at a single business.

“you really can save a lot of

money, and you’re doing business

with CDF members,” Green says.

“it makes employees of different

member businesses aware of other

businesses that are also members

of the Chamber of Commerce.

it’s a very beneficial program.”

– Cary Estes

40 TuPelo

buSINESS CLImATEAs one of the most rapidly developing micropolitan areas in the

state, Tupelo/Lee County has consistently ranked in the top 10

for population growth, new business development and personal

income generation. The primary economic sector is manufacturing,

which employs more than 25 percent of the county’s workforce.

ECONOmIC PROFILE

TAx STRuCTuRE

0.25%city sales and use Tax

7.25%county sales Tax

7%state sales Tax

7.25%Total sales Tax

mAjOR EmPLOYERS

north mississippi

health services

6,500 employees

lane Furniture industries

1,678 employees

cooper Tire and Rubber co.

1,625 employees

Tupelo Public school district

1,200 employees

mTd Products

1,050 employees

Jesco, inc.

1,000 employees

Wal-mart/sam’s club

979 employees

lee county schools

931 employees

Bancorpsouth

800 employees

h.m. Richards

670 employees

INCOmE

$26,515Per capita income

$53,926average annual

household expenditure

TRANSPORTATION

Tupelo Regional airport

2704 W. Jackson st., 38801

(662) 841-6570

flytupelo.com

11.2%Workers Who carpool

0.4%Workers Taking

Public Transportation

1.3%Workers Who Walk to Work

1.9%Working From home

WORKFORCE

74%White-collar Jobs

26%Blue-collar Jobs

EDuCATION

27%associate degree

17%Bachelor’s degree

8%master’s degree

ECONOmIC RESOuRCES

community development

Foundation

P.o. Box A, 38804

(662) 842-4521

(800) 523-3463

www.cdfms.org

Tupelo chamber

of commerce

P.o. Box A, 38802

(662) 842-4521

(800) 523-3463

www.tupelochamber.com

GOVERNmENT OFFICES

Tupelo city hall

71 e. Troy st., 38804

(662) 841-6513

www.tupeloms.gov

Public Works

department

604 Crossover Rd., 38801

(662) 841-6457

department of Planning and

community development

71 e. Troy st., 38804

(662) 841-6510

lee county government

P.o. Box 1785, 38802

(662) 841-9110

imagesTuPelo.com 41

image Gallery

What’sonlineVisit imagestupelo.com to see more award-winning photography highlighting the places and people in Tupelo.

42 TuPelo

The sun sets over the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Photo by Jeff Adkins

imagesTuPelo.com 43

Peppers grow outside the clubhouse at the Tupelo Country Club.

Photos by Jeff Adkins

imagesTuPelo.com 45 44 TuPelo

A child plays in a fountain in the Fairpark District.

imagesTuPelo.com 45

46 TuPelo

Sand volleyball at Ballard Park

Photo by Antony Boshier

imagesTuPelo.com 47

Local Flavor

FromsweettosavoryTuPelo dineRs enJoy an aRRay oF delicious ResTauRanTs, eaTeRies and BaKeRies

It’s not hard to fill your belly in

Tupelo, as the city is home to

plenty of tasty dining options.

From upscale establishments to

casual eateries, complete with

sweet shops sure to satisfy even

the strongest sweet tooth, Tupelo

is a foodie’s paradise.

Finediningoffering a refined dining

experience, Park heights is open

for dinner beginning at 5 p.m.

monday through saturday. Diners

can choose from a broad selection

of entrees, such as Chilean sea

bass and pan-seared escolar.

The restaurant offers two

private dining rooms that can

accommodate up to 90 guests,

with rooftop seating available

from march through october. in

addition, Park heights provides

catering services for a variety of

events, including weddings and

corporate or social gatherings.

meat-and-threesandBarBecue

open seven days a week,

Romie’s Grocery is famous for

its homemade plate lunches.

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From left: Pan-seared escolar from Park heights restaurant; cupcakes on display at sweet Treats Bakery; dining at vanelli’s

Customers may choose from

three meats and 12 vegetables,

with a variety of daily specials

available. Permanent menu items

include sandwiches, burgers and

salads. For dinner, guests can

enjoy an entirely different

experience, with menu choices

such as steak and fresh fish. in

addition, catering is available,

and the restaurant hosts special

events such as crawfish boils and

live musical acts on Thursday,

Friday and saturday nights.

dessertoffering cakes, cake balls,

gourmet cupcakes and cookies,

sweet Treats Bakery specializes

in tempting Tupelo’s taste buds.

Cupcake options change weekly,

with flavorful choices including

chocolate toffee, strawberry cream

cheese and lemon raspberry

making appearances on the menu,

and staples such as chocolate and

vanilla available consistently.

Guests can also enjoy a variety

of cookie options, as both classics

and new favorites – like coconut

pecan – are provided.

The Bakery – formerly known

as the Dutch Pastry shoppe –

satisfies sugar cravings with

its cinnamon rolls, crème pies,

cupcakes and cookies. savory

dishes are available as well, such

as casseroles and lasagna.

At Creative Cakes & supplies,

customers can buy freshly baked

goods or purchase supplies to

make their own. Creative Cakes

is a combination retail decorating

supply store and bakery that

specializes in custom orders.

Goodies such as petits fours,

cream cheese mints, chess

squares, brownies, cupcakes,

fudge-covered tea cakes and

a variety of other cookies

are available.

– Jessica Walker

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North mississippi medical Center PhoTo By JeFF adKins

imagesTuPelo.com 51 50 TuPelo

health & Wellness

Located in Tupelo, north mississippi medical

Center serves a 24-county region, is the largest

hospital in mississippi and the largest rural hospital

in the u.s. The 650-bed facility’s comprehensive

care, provided by a staff of 450 doctors and 6,000-

plus employees, includes a cancer center, heart

institute, surgical services, diagnostic imaging,

emergency department, behavioral health, women

and children’s services, and more.improving the health of the region’s residents is

the goal; continuous refinement of strategic plans and processes is the method that keeps north mississippi medical Center on the cutting edge of health care, and has earned the hospital multiple awards of excellence.

neonatalicu,daVincisurgicalsystemamongadVances

Tangible results of nmmC’s drive to provide ever-

improving, patient-centered care include the recent

expansion of its neonatal intensive Care unit and the

addition of the da vinci robotic surgery system. And

more is soon to come.

opened in 2009, the neonatal iCu sits atop nmmC’s

Women’s hospital as a whole new second floor. it

accommodates 34 newborns, with the flexibility to

accommodate 50, plus space for 18 premature or

critically ill newborns and facilities for family members.

in another part of the nmmC campus, the operating

room now boasts the high-tech da vinci surgical

system, which provides a less invasive alternative

to open surgery and laparoscopy. The innovative

da vinci robot requires only a small incision and

gives doctors a 3-D, zoomable view of the surgical

area. it is used for a variety of procedures, including

prostatectomies, kidney surgery, hysterectomies and

some cancer treatments.

expansiontoadd250roomsComing soon is the hospital’s most ambitious

gettingBettersoonneW PaTienT ToWeR BRings even moRe imPRovemenT To Region’s PRemieR hosPiTal

imagesTuPelo.com 51

Treating Digestive Diseases for Patients in North Mississippi

Digestive HealtH specialists p.a.589 Garfield St., Ste. 201 • Tupelo, MS 38801 • (662) 680-5565 • Toll-free: (877) 942-7876

Stephen T. Amann, M.D.John B. Averette, M.D.Barney J. Guyton, M.D.Roger L. Huey, M.D.Noel K. Hunt, M.D.C. Allen Justice, M.D.Samuel C. Pace, M.D.John O. Phillips, M.D.

Carah W. Edgeworth, CFNP

W. Carl Kellum Jr., M.D. 1952-2006

Colon Cancer ScreeningHeartburn/GERD

Irritable Bowel SyndromeCrohn’s Disease/Ulcerative Colitis

Hepatitis and Liver DiseasesPancreas and Biliary Diseases

NutritionClinical Research

52 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 53

health & Wellness

improvement project to date: a $55 million

expansion and renovation of patient rooms.

The West Bed Tower Project will add 250 new

rooms that will be 50 percent larger than the old

rooms. And not only will the rooms be bigger, they’ll

be better as well. each room will be outfitted with an

ADA-accessible toilet and shower, non-slip flooring,

bedside table, closet and recliner.Patients will have bedside control of everything –

from the television and temperature to the lights and window blinds. Window views also will be expanded.

“All in all, the new rooms will provide quite a nice experience for patients,” says Bruce Ridgway, vice president of facility management and construction.

nursing staff will gain efficiency from identical placement of light switches and equipment, as well as in-room desks and sinks and linen cabinets that are accessible from both outside and inside rooms.

A brand-new, five-story tower to be built adjacent to the existing West Tower; the target date for its completion is october 2012.

All patient care then will be moved to the new tower while the existing tower is demolished and rebuilt to match, with completion of the second tower targeted for 2013. A wide corridor will connect

the two structures. – Carol Cowan

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The neonatal icu at nmmc can accommodate 50 newborns and 18 premature or critically ill newborns, and has facilities for family members as well.

52 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 53

Urology Professional association &

830 S. Gloster St. • East Tower • Fourth Floor Tupelo, MS 38801 • (662) 377-7100

The Continence Center: (662) 377-7279 www.urologypa.com

Paul B. Farabaugh, M.D.

C. Stephen Farmer II, M.D.

Jonathan R. Kalish, M.D.

Wm. Hughes Milam, M.D.

J. Timothy Posey, M.D.

Kristopher W. Whitehead, M.D.

Sally Morgan, CUNP

Lauri McKell, CUNP

Katrina Watkins, FNP-C

Sanders Clinicfor Women

C.K. White, M.D.

Johnny F. Miles, M.D.

Mark A. Ray, M.D.

Clay B. Hudson, M.D.

Kristen Y. Turner, M.D.

Cassie B. Hill, M.D.

1041 S. Madison St. • Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 844-8754 • www.tupeloclinicforwomen.com

GynecoloGy

InferTIlITy

rouTIne & HIGH rISk obSTeTrIcS

Assisted Living (662) 840-6163

Seniors Loving Life!

54 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 55

1542 Medical Park Cir.Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 844-4711

1790 Barron St.Oxford, MS 38655

(662) 236-2900

Nephrology &hyperteNsioNAssociAtes Ltd.

Thomas D. Wooldridge, M.D.

J. Martin Lee Jr., M.D.

Tzonko V. Milev, M.D.

Kenneth M. Kellum, M.D.

Morris R. Hamilton, M.D.

Christopher D. Miller, M.D.

Marcus L. Britton, M.D.

Son Lam, M.D.

Patricia McKnight, CFNP

Harminder K. Atwal, ACNP-BC

toll-free (866) 344-4711

Tupelo: 499 Gloster Creek Village • Suite A-2 • Tupelo, MS 38801 • 662-620-6800For appointments, call: 662-620-6801 or toll-free 866-620-6800

Columbus: 2459 5th St. N. • Columbus, MS 39705 For appointments, call: 662-327-3092

Starkville: 801 Stark Rd. • Starkville, MS 39759For appointments, call: 662-324-1475

Oxford: 2892 S. Lamar Blvd. • Oxford, MS 38655For appointments, call: 662-234-7441

©2011 Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi. All rights reserved.

General InvaSIve CardIOlOGy: W.B. Calhoun, M.D., FACC W. Steve Carroll, M.D., FACC J. Murray Estess, Jr., M.D., FACC Jack B. Foster, Jr., M.D., FACC Douglas L. Hill, M.D., FACC David H. Irwin, Jr., M.D., FACC James C. Johnson, M.D., FACC Nelson K. Little, M.D., FACC Francisco J. Sierra, M.D., FACC

InTervenTIOnal CardIOlOGy: Joseph Curtis Adams, M.D., FACC Barry D. Bertolet, M.D., FACC Benjamin D. Blossom, M.D., FACC Amit K. Gupta, M.D., FACC W. Hampton Jones, III, M.D. Roger A. Williams, M.D., FACC

eleCTrOphySIOlOGy: Karl J. Crossen, M.D., FACC Keith A. Kyker, M.D., FACC Jame E. Stone, Jr., M.D., FACC

nurSe praCTITIOnerS: Kitt Bailey, ACNP Chris M. Bell, ACNP Janet Bethay, FNP-BC Wanda Ikeda, ACNP Katie McDuffie, FNP-BC

CardIOvaSCular rISk ManaGeMenT: Todd Sandroni, Pharm. D.

health & Wellness

54 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 55

Tupelo may be best known as the birthplace of elvis

Presley, but did you know Tupelo also offers a wide variety of cultural experiences to visitors? Tupelo features a distinctive blend of interesting historical sites, museums, cultural centers, and musical and theatrical venues that everyone can enjoy. hop in the car and discover some of the interesting attractions around the Tupelo area.

tupelo’sciVilWarBattleFields

see where Confederate forces led by Gen. nathan Bedford

Forrest scored a significant

victory over union troops at

Brices Crossroads national

Battlefield, just 15 miles north

of Tupelo near Baldwyn. The

Brices Crossroad’s visitors and

interpretive Center allows guests

to learn more about the conflict

through informative exhibits and

recovered artifacts from the

battlefield. Located nearby is the

Tupelo national Battlefield, where

Confederate troops under Forrest

were defeated a short time later in

the Battle of Tupelo. This battlefield

is the last place Forrest’s famous

cavalry troops would fight union

forces during the Civil War.

tupelo’smuseumsWith 120,000 square feet

of exhibition space, the Tupelo Automobile museum is one of the biggest car museums in north America. A widely diverse collection of autos, from the 1886 Benz to the 1976 Lincoln mark iv that elvis Presley gave to a Denver police captain, are on display here. Learn about Tupelo’s history through exhibits and artifacts at the oren Dunn City museum. The facility houses permanent displays illustrating early european settlement, mississippi statehood and the Civil War. Love art and historical architecture? visit the GumTree

tupelo’sculturethrivesdiscoveR culTuRal aTTRacTions in TuPelo

Tupelo national Battlefield

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Hotel FacilitiesFull-service Great

American Grill® restaurant

Indoor pool and whirlpool

24-hour fitness center and Stay Fit Kit®

Complimentary newspaper

Pavilion Pantry convenience market

Fully equipped business center

Complimentary HSIA throughout hotel

Banquet and meeting space

Guest Room FeaturesMicrowave, mini-refrigerator and coffee brewer

Large work desk with Herman Miller Mirra® ergonomic desk chair

Remote printing to the business center

Phillips® 26” inch HD flat-screen television

Innovative MP3 compatible clock/radio

Hairdryer, iron and ironing board

Two telephones with voice mail and data ports

Everything. Right where you need it.®

Located in the heart of historic downtown Tupelo, The Hilton Garden Inn is the first choice for comfortable accommodations,

memorable meals and successful events.

Also Featuring:

Hilton Garden Inn Tupelo

363 E. Main St. • Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 718-5500 • Fax: (662) 718-5550 • www.tupelo.hgi.com

museum of Art, located in a downtown Beaux Arts building listed on the national Register of historic Places. The GumTree hosts high-quality art exhibitions, workshops, lectures and many more events for the public.

celeBratingmississippiartists To view works by dozens of mississippi artists, look no further than 122 main street in downtown Tupelo, the location of the new Caron | Prince Art Gallery. named for its owners, Kim Caron and Ashley Prince, the gallery showcases established and emerging artists creating all types of works, from oil and acrylic paintings and photography to pottery and handmade jewelry.

tupelo’sculturalcenters,musicVenuesandtheaters

Tupelo’s Link Centre is a unique

complex that is home to various

nonprofit organizations and

cultural groups, including the

Tupelo symphony orchestra.

The Tupelo symphony presents

a variety of concerts october

through April, with performances

by guest soloists, accomplished

musicians and other performers.

The symphony also brings classical

music to kids participating in

various cultural programs held

at the Link Centre.

seating a maximum of nearly

13,000 people, the Bancorpsouth

Arena hosts concerts, circuses,

comedy shows and conventions

throughout the year. Tupelo

Community Theatre, housed in

a historical downtown movie

theater known as the Lyric,

features a variety of regular-

season performances and special

events. Performing a number of

full-length productions, including

The Nutcracker and Don Quixote,

from september through march,

the Tupelo Ballet also sponsors

the performances of guest artists

and other professional companies

throughout the year.

– Barbara Biehler

Arts & Culture

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PhoTos By JeFF ADKins

Natchez Trace Parkway

Tupelo Country Club

ballard Park

58 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 59

reconnectWithnatureouTdooR RecReaTion oPTions include Fishing, camPing, golF

Tupelo is the ideal place for

outdoor recreation, from

simple outings to more significant

connections with nature.

FishingThe diversity and number

of fishing spots in northeast mississippi make Tupelo a fisherman’s paradise. some of the more popular spots include enid Reservoir, Pickwick Lake, Lake Lamar Bruce, the Tombigbee waterway, Trace state Park and, of course, elvis Presley Lake. The region is known for its crappie, smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish and bream fishing.

golFLush greens and sculpted

fairways await visitors to Tupelo’s various golf courses. The historic Bel Air public course offers nine holes, while members can enjoy the 72-par Tupelo Country Club, ranked as one of the best tracts in mississippi. The challenging natchez Trace and Bermuda-

grass Big oaks 18-hole courses

can be found in nearby saltillo.

natcheztraceBased on animal trails and the

ancient pathways of mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee’s first residents, the natchez Trace Parkway is a vibrant cable to the roots of America. The 444-mile parkway, headquartered in Tupelo, is open to biking, hiking, horseback riding and considerate

drivers. Along the trace sightseers

will find prehistoric mounds, civil

war battlegrounds and near-

pristine wildlife.

campingone benefit of being almost

smack-dab in the middle of the

natchez Trace is the number of

great campsites that serve Tupelo. Trace state Park, elvis Presley

sports & Recreation

Lake and Campground and

Tombigbee state Park are great

locations for primitive and

processed-site camping, cabin

rental and all kinds of outdoor

activity. scenic, affordable Rv

hookups can be found at Barnes Crossing, natchez Trace Rv Park

and certain sites in Tombigbee

state Park.

BallardparkFor a full range of activity,

check out Ballard Park. Ballard Park sportsplex has 153 acres of space dedicated to baseball, soccer and football, plus a lot of other recreation amenities. There is also a 3-acre lake, amphitheater, skate park, disc golf course and more.

– Spencer Mohead

6039-TR12260M_TGB_Livability.indd 1 3/22/10 11:40:09 AM

58 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 59

education

ForwardthinkingTuPelo conTinues To imPRove iTs educaTion sysTems

Tupelo makes quality

education a priority by

offering a well-rounded

education system that puts

students ahead of the curve.

tupeloschooldistrict

The Tupelo Public school District has a tangible list of accolades, which attests to its educational excellence. Four of the 12 schools in the district are national Blue Ribbon schools, and the district’s ACT scores are above national average. students are taught by the best, with 106 national Board-Certified Teachers on staff.

An initiative was kick-started

in the school district in order to

reallocate monies for paper-based

expenses towards the purchase of

Apple macBook laptop computers

for student use. After completing

training, each student is allowed

to use the computer both on and

off campus. starting with the

2010-2011 school year, every

student in the district from grades

six through 12 will have a laptop of

his or her own.

Additionally, the district invests

in its students future with the Lee

County/marchbanks helping

hand Tuition Guarantee Program,

which ensures that high school

graduates from Baldwyn,

mooreville, nettleton, shannon,

saltillo and Tupelo will receive two

full years of tuition-free assistance

to itawamba Community College.

Left: Tool and dye instructor Barry emison working at itawamba community college.; Right: university of mississippi-TupeloP

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60 TuPelo

uniVersityoFmississippi-tupelo

higher education institutions in

Tupelo are doing their best to keep

education both affordable and

convenient. The university of

mississippi-Tupelo offers several

undergraduate curriculums, in

addition to a master’s degree in

education and an online master’s

degree in business administration.

student enrollment is on the

rise, with approximately 650 to

750 students populating this

campus branch.

The Advanced education

Center, a spacious building

offering 120 courses each

semester, is housed on the

campus. The center caters to

some 1,000 students who want

to earn college credit while

maintaining full-time employment

or other commitments.

icc,mississippiuniVersityForWomen

Two other educational facilities

can be found on the university

of mississippi-Tupelo Advanced

education site. itawamba

Community College and the

mississippi university for Women

further enhance Tupelo’s reputation

for academic quality. iCC offers a

low-cost, two-year education with

strong scholarship and financial

aid programs. Approximately 80

percent of students receive some

sort of scholarship or financial aid.

iCC’s curriculum includes more

than 30 early-career programs.

A branch of mississippi

university for Women provides

students with the opportunity

to earn a bachelor’s degree in

nursing from the um-Tupelo

campus.

– Julianna Edmonds

NowMORE

than ever

Tupelo Christian Preparatory School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in any of its policies or programs.

• Leadership you can trust• Effective discipline standards• Academic excellence• Innovative teaching NOT test prepping• An equal opportunity to be a part of various sports

662-844-8604 www.tcps.net

Christ first. Academics second to none.

Tupelo ChrisTian preparaTory sChool

5440 Endville Rd., Belden

1289

N. G

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804

(662

) 68

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visit ouradvertisersAvonLea Assisted Livingwww.avonlea-community.com

BancorpSouthwww.bancorpsouth.com

Cardiology Associates of North Mississippiwww.nmhs.net

Century 21 Sue Gardner Realtywww.suegardnerrealty.com

Coldwell Banker Tommy Morgan Inc. Realtorswww.tmhomes.com

Community Development Foundationwww.cdfms.org

Cooper Tire www.coopertire.com

Crye-Leike Realtorshttp://normacother.crye-leike.com

DB’s Floral Designs N’ More

Digestive Health Specialistswww.tupelogi.com

Downtown Tupelo Main Street Associationwww.tupelomainstreet.com

Express Employment Professionalswww.expresspros.com

Hilton Garden Inn – Tupelowww.tupelo.hgi.com

Itawamba Community Collegewww.iccms.edu

Jesco Inc.www.jescoinc.net

Kellum Dental Clinicwww.kellumdental.com

MLM Clothierswww.mlmclothiers.com

NEW Customer Service Companies Inc.www.newcorp.com

Nephrology & Hypertension Associates LTD

North Mississippi Medical Centerwww.nmhs.net

OB-GYN Associates PAwww.obgynassociatespa.com

Philips Day-Britewww.daybrite.com

Renasant Bankwww.renasantbank.com

Sanders Clinic for Womenwww.tupeloclinicforwomen.com

The McCarty Companywww.mccartycompany.com

The Woman’s Clinic of Tupelowww.womansclinicoftupelo.com

TRI Inc. Realtorswww.trirealestate.net

Tupelo Auto Museumwww.tupeloauto.com

Tupelo Christian Preparatory Schoolwww.tcps.net

Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureauwww.tupelo.net

Tupelo Smileswww.tupelosmiles.com

Urology Professional Association & Continence Centerwww.urologypa.com

Wal-Mart Supercenterwww.walmart.com

62 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 63

COST OF LIVING

$45,372median household income

$588median Rent for a Two-bedroom apartment

hOuSEhOLD INFORmATION

age:

37median Resident age

30%19 and under

45%20-54

25%55 and over

COmmuNITY PROFILE

Floral Designs N’ More Daily DeliverySpecializing in meeting your needs

Serving Tupelo and Surrounding Areas

Open Mon.-Tue. & Thu.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wed. & Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Danny Brown, Owner/Designer

• Fresh Silk Arrangements

• Gift Baskets

• Weddings, Free Consultation

• Funeral Arrangements

• Collegiate Items

• Willow Tree Angels

• Candles, Candle Warmers, Aroma Tea

• Pottery, Plants, Gifts, Balloons and More

388 Mobile St. • Saltillo, MS 38866 • (662) 869-3620 Fax: (662) 896-3621 • E-mail us at: dbsfloraldesignsnmore@yahoo.com

DB’sThis secTion is sPonsoRed By

CLImATE

91°July high Temperature

31°

January low Temperature

56”

annual Rain Fall (vs. national average annual Rain Fall of 37”)

TImE zONE

Central

LAND AREA

51.1square miles

marITal sTaTus:

52%married

48%single

eThnICITy:

66%White

30%Black

2%hispanic

2%other

TRANSPORTATION

15minutesmedian Travel Time to Work

SNAPShOTTupelo combines small-town charm with urban accessibility.

The relatively low cost of living here makes the city attractive

to newcomers. Tupelo has a thriving arts and cultural community

and is home to a symphony and ballet. The city’s close proximity to

professional sporting events and major universities adds to its appeal.

62 TuPelo imagesTuPelo.com 63

Ad Index 54 AvonLeAAssistedLiving

2 BAncorpsouth

55 cArdioLogyAssociAtes ofnorthMississippi

c3 century21 suegArdnerreALty

7 coLdweLLBAnker toMMyMorgAn inc.reALtors

6 coMMunity deveLopMentfoundAtion

9 coopertire

62 crye-LeikereALtors

63 dB’sfLorALdesignsn’More

52 digestive heALthspeciALists

28 downtowntupeLoMAin streetAssociAtion

37 express eMpLoyMentprofessionALs

57 hiLtongArdeninn–tupeLo

4 itAwAMBA coMMunitycoLLege

33 Jescoinc.

21 keLLuMdentALcLinic

49 MLMcLothiers

40 newcustoMerservice coMpAniesinc.

55 nephroLogy&hypertension AssociAtesLtd

c4 northMississippi MedicALcenter

52 oB-gynAssociAtespA

25 phiLipsdAy-Brite

c2 renAsAntBAnk

Ad Index (cont.) 54 sAnderscLinicforwoMen

28 theMccArtycoMpAny

51 thewoMAn’scLinic oftupeLo

37 triinc.reALtors

c3 tupeLoAutoMuseuM

61 tupeLochristiAn prepArAtoryschooL

39 tupeLoconvention &visitorsBureAu

53 tupeLosMiLes

54 uroLogyprofessionAL AssociAtion& continencecenter

c3 wAL-MArtsupercenter

Through the Lens

i don’t make a habit of taking strangers to my hotel room. But when

Bill J. Brooks arrived in Tupelo, miss., in street clothes, he needed a

place to change. so, i made an exception and let him into my room to

transform himself into The King of Rock and Roll.

Brooks, a professional entertainer who impersonates elvis, Johnny

Cash, Roy orbison, Conway Twitty and many other music legends,

drove in from his home in mantachie, miss. When he made his way back

down to the lobby to meet me, he was wearing his most expensive

hand-tailored elvis suit, complete with red scarf, sunglasses and guitar.

From that point on, heads were turning as we made our way around

downtown shooting photos for Images Tupelo.

FromourphotoBlog:tupelo

PosTeD By JeFF ADKins

moreonlineSee more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at throughthelensjci.com.

nowthatyou’veexperiencedtupelothroughourphotos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. visit throughthelensjci.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.

getthestoryBehindthephoto

64 TuPelo

it’s all in theDetails …

Century 21 sue Gardner realty

1720 McCullough Blvd. tupelo, Ms 38801

(662) 842-7878

©2011 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. CENTURY 21® is a trademark licensed

to Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company.

Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office is independently

owned and operated. C21Ad72

www.sueGardnerrealty.com

Sue Gardner Realty

(662) 842-7878

Over 100 classic automobiles from the 1880s-1990s!

Hours:Open Seven Days a WeekMon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sun. 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Closed:New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

1 Otis Blvd.Tupelo, MS 38804(662) 842-4242

www.tupeloauto.com

2270 W. Main St. (662) 844-4011

3929 N. Gloster St. (662) 840-8401

Sam’s Club 3833 N. Gloster St.

(662) 840-6459

TUPELO, MS

www.wal-mart.com

imagesTuPelo.com 65

www.nmhs.net/womens_hospital

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