The Star Blog

Ahhh, the fair

2008-07-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh, the fair.

I actually look forward to it every year.
It's the one place that you know you will, or can, bump into friends you haven't seen in years. Like someone you went to high school with (so long ago) and getting the chance to reminisce about silly pranks you used to play on teachers or ole friends. Rehashing, how at one time, you used to be in a garage band. How your antics helped create such a memory that still, to this day, sparks a laugh out of your chums everytime they see you. Realizing how much older you are and how stupid you used to be, and sometimes still are.

It's like for one week out of the year, you're young again. Now that I am, ahem, 42, I've started noticing that I get grumpy about the teenagers that do some of the very same things I used to do. I gotta tell ya, they irritate the living mess out of me!

"Uh, please don't toss a water balloon into my car. I know I did it when I was your age, but by golly, I'm the victim now!"

I remember being 15 and making cracks about the older folks. "Look at that old guy; is he a real person or part of the cabin?"

Making snide remarks about people you walk past. "Is that a zeppelin or is there actually a person that big?" (I'm probably the youngest person to even know what a Zeppelin is!)

Well, now I am that old fat person getting the comments and nasty remarks, but I take it all in good humor.

There are likes and dislikes about the fair, but whether they are good or bad, they sure do make great memories at any age.

This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.

Different cabins, same fun

2008-07-25T17:53:00.001-07:00

Different cabins, same fun

By Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

For most of the year, the Long cabin and the Bates cabin couldn't be more different.
The tiny Long cabin was built in 1968, didn't get air conditioning until a decade later, and is still unfinished on the inside. The Bates cabin is brand spanking, is equipped with a large, new kitchen, a flat screen t.v. It's 3 stories high and sleeps 52.
But during the week of the Neshoba County Fair, what happens in and around the two cabins could hardly be more similar. As fair cabins, both are home to enormous meals, family reunions, hospitality, camaraderie, and fun.
Tommy Long lives in Huntsville, Ala., but was born and raised in Neshoba County and has been coming to the fair his entire life. Over the years, he said, only one really noticeable change has taken place at the fair.
"50 years ago," he said, "there were not nearly as many cabins. But the atmosphere, the food, the fun, the family activities (haven't changed)."
Like many families with fair cabins, the Longs make the fair a time for family reunions - bringing in relatives from as far as Portland and as near as 2 miles down the road.
Family, friends, and fair neighbors all love to gather at the Neshoba County Fair. "If they don't come here, they never see each other," Long said of some of his family.
To Long, the real value of the fair comes from the people and the atmosphere of hospitality.
"You could walk into any cabin at any mealtime and get fed," he said. "When you're fixin' for 20 people, fixin' for 30 is not that big a deal."
Still, Long said, he doesn't just hang around his cabin visiting with friends and offering drinks to strangers all week long. He likes to get out and enjoy the events of the fair as well.
The horse races, he said, are exciting, and he loves to watch the night time music programs.
One of Long's favorite memories of fair music, though not his favorite listening experience, is of Molly Hatchet, a 1970's hard rock band.
He had never heard of the band, he said, when he decided to go a check them out. Based on the name, he expected a solo female act.
"The two walls of speakers on the stage should have been a clue," he said, "I sat there about 10 minutes and had to leave. My body couldn't take the soundwaves."
For the Bateses, The Miss Neshoba County pageant is the main event. Hannah Lee, who won the title two years ago, comes by it naturally. Her mother and aunt both placed in the pageant in their day.
The best thing about the fair for the Bateses, though, is the same thing that attracts the Longs.
"To me (the fair has changed) just because I've gotten older," said Hannah's mother, Tammy Bates Lee, "but the family part is still what we really enjoy about the fair... Just getting to be with friends and family is the best part of the fair."
Tammy has been coming to the fair, where her parents, W.J. and Carolyn Bates, own a cabin, since she was a small child. But to her, the cabin itself is the only thing that's really changed.
The new cabin is built where the old one once stood, but has been updated and expanded to sleep 52. The clever use of numerous bunk beds, all extremely colorful and pushed close together, and the efficient placement of the cabin's many bathrooms help the cabin sleep so many. The cabin is large, but looking from outside, one would never guess it could hold so many.
"We have one double bunk bed for each member of the family," she said, "So each one has room for three guests."
At the Neshoba County Fair, whether it's done through feeding as many people as possible or sleeping them, the party is all about the people.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.

New music from Meridian and elsewhere

2008-06-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

I was hoping to post a music video, "A Lot to Ask" by the Bloodsugars, in this blog. Unfortunately, the song contained the "f" word, and so is not Meridian Star material.

Instead, I encourage everyone to check out the Bloodsugars - a very catchy 80's-esque band from New York who once graced the Meridian's music scene with a very memorable performance - by visiting their myspace at www.myspace.com/bloodsugars, or watching the Bloodsugars' new video "Purpose was Again", which contains zero curse words, here:

http://www.spinner.com/2008/06/27/the-bloodsugars-purpose-was-again-video-premiere/

The Bloodsugars' new EP "BQEP", on Engine Room Recordings, is available on iTunes.

On another musical note, Shielded by the Protector put on an excellent CD release show Wednesday night at the Meridian Underground Music Exchange on 22nd Ave. They provided not only some great local original music, but a sword fight as well (don't worry, the swords were made of foam). They also treated the audience to some lovely Yamaha keyboard demo music. Great show Shielded!

Shielded's new EP on S2S Records is available at Meridian Underground. If you like music that is Zeppelin-y and prog-rock-esque, go and check out Shielded by the Protector at www.myspace.com/yeticlothesline.

S2S will again be providing Meridianites with an opportunity to purchase quality original music made here in Lauderdale County when they release the Dark Sundays/Calamity Backpack split LP "Burden of Dreams". This album is in the final stages of production and will be available at Meridian Underground sometime in the very near future.

You might remember Dark Sundays (Logan Comby) and Calamity Backpack (Cory Brown) as recent Meridian 360 featured artists. If you enjoyed their videos on www.meridianstar.com, go check them out at www.myspace.com/darksundays and www.myspace.com/calamitybackpackmusic.

Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

Are we in Florida?

2008-06-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

There was a time during the summer months when I would go to visit friends in Orlando, FL. It was always a great trip, but one thing I'll always remember is the weather.

It rained everyday it seemed. However, the rain would only last usually around 30 or so minutes, and then it would quit. Then about 15 minutes later it was as if it never rained at all.

Has anyone noticed that it's been like that lately here in Meridian. Rain, sunshine, rain, sunshine. Just curious if I'm the only one who has noticed.

With that, I give you yet a another crazy video find from the internet.

This guy is my hero. (Sarcasm intended.)

Hats off and a Salute

2008-06-04T08:19:00.000-07:00

By Stephanie Denham, Editorial Assistant

I do as part of my job, the "cop shop" which is who is arrested for what each day in the paper. I would like to say a hats off and a salute to the law enforcement officers, Meridian Police, Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department and the Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop H, for the "Click it or Ticket" campaign and also for the overall diligence of DUI enforcement over the years. I have said many times to many people over the years all over this country, that I was proud of our DUI enforcement here. I have also told many that I believe that for every DUI person that they arrest, it was a good possibility they saved a life. Just because a drunk driver killed my daughter, I know that I do not have an invisible shield or bubble around my family now and that it could not happen again. I know that it can. I pray daily that it doesn't and I pray daily for our men and women out there on the front lines if you will combating DUI. I dream of the day that we wake up on New Year's Day and the news is....No One Killed by Drunk Drivers Last Year!" The only way that this dream will come true is through education, legislation and diligence by the law enforcement officers. I can not imagine why anyone who is drinking would get behind the wheel of a car and drive. The laws must not only be passed but they must be enforced in courts. But I am thankful that the officers who are diligent and aware of the drunk drivers out there. I wrote the incident reports last weekend, and saw where they arrested five or six suspected drunk drivers on one stretch of highway over like a three night period! Thank you and my hat is off and I will not only salute the officers when I find out who they were, but you can rest assured, I will also hug them when I see them, for the great job that they did, protecting my family and me and countless unknown families out there from the potential heartbreaking and devastating results that drunk drivers cause. Please, to the drinking public out there, please, don't drink and drive! I will beg of you as one mother who has had the greatest loss of all....a child.

2008-05-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

ok, this goes on my list of things that scare me.

Yes, folks. That's a robot. I'll leave you with that.

Robbery suspect

2008-05-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

By Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

This was sent to us today. It had me laughing... then I sighed when I realized it was true.

Amy Grant Concert

2008-05-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

By Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant

Ok, I dug down deep and attended the Amy Grant concert on Sunday. As I wrote last week in my blog, the last concert that my daughter, Lorien and I went to was to see Amy Grant. Lorien was killed 17 years ago by a drunk driver here in Meridian. I went to the concert Sunday at the Riley Center. I cried from the moment she walked on stage. But it was a good cry that I needed to have again. The Lord sends people into your paths for different reasons. I met three of the nicest ladies from the Gulf Coast who came in and sat down behind me. We hit it off from the moment we sat down! We ended up eating dinner together at Deli on 5th after the concert and had a delightful time. We found that the four of us had so much in common, there was no way that I feel like it was an "accident" that we met! It was as we all decided, "divine providence." Amy Grant was fantastic! She had a terrible head cold and I truly do not know how she was able to sing and put on such a great show. I enjoyed it so much, she was so warm, gracious and made it seem like you were sitting in her living room and just listening to her. She took requests from the audience and just played her songs. So something that I knew was going to be painful and bittersweet turned into new memories and sweetness from now on. I just wondered later on that night, as I was thinking about it, I wondered if Lorien and God had as much fun planning the details of my concert experience and the meeting of my new friends, as I did in receiving them. I almost heard Lorien giggle and could see her sweet smile when I closed my eyes to go to sleep. As one of my new friends said, in a "gratitude attitude."

Remembering a great man

2008-05-06T21:49:00.001-07:00

By Fredie Carmichael
Editor@themeridianstar.com
My world feels void of something meaningful ... something I feel is likely commonplace the past few days in our community.
Bill McBride, who passed away over the weekend after a short bout with illness, was someone I will forever hold dear to my heart. I still can't believe he's gone.
It took me a while to work up the courage to write. Part of me didn't want to believe he was gone, so hard to write about him in the past tense. Another part of me felt as though my words couldn't possibly convey anything close to what my heart feels. I want to do this man, my friend, justice with words.
But how do you put into words what he meant to so many ... it's impossible.
Bill McBride was one of a kind and true "believer" of this community. For those who only heard criticisms, you weren't listening to Bill. His heart was for the progress of this community. And he lived it.
If you want to talk about someone who loves their community, don't pony up someone who only talks glaringly about their community and ignores the problems— show me a man like Bill McBride.
Show me a man who spent Saturdays planting flowers at a neglected park.
Show me a man so involved in the restoration of a local cemetery that he volunteered his time to plant bulbs there every spring and fall, and conducted tours for organizations and schools.
Show me a man that, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, served as shelter manager for the American Red Cross at his church.
Show me a man that defined volunteerism by doing something most don't ... getting his hands dirty and working.
Show me a true patriot who proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy for 30 years.
Show me a man who would look you directly in the eye and passionately express his opinion ... while also listening and respecting your opinion, even if it opposed his.
Show me a man that constantly lifted others ahead of himself.
Show me a true man of God ... not a phony, self-righteous Christian who had all the right things to say, but a man who was equally comfortable displaying his faults in a profound example of how God works in our lives. A man more concerned about helping his fellow man and showing God's love through his actions than pretending to be perfect.
Show me a man who drew attention to others, never looking for the credit.
After all of that, show me a man courageous enough to look that community in the face and tell it what it needs to be doing to reach its full potential.
Show me a man who cares enough to examine and investigate its problems in an effort to reach a solution.
Show me a man with heart, substance, honor and respect.
Bill McBride was, in short, a man I will constantly aim to be like. He leaves shoes impossible to fill.
I could give you countless stories of why Bill has a special place in my heart, stories of true compassion, caring, brilliance, and humor. Instead, I'll leave you with something I've struggled with the past few days ... something that perfectly illustrates who Bill McBride was to me.
It was my last encounter with Bill on his radio show two weeks ago. I walked in and saw Bill, frail from his treatment, his oxygen tank next to him with tubes in his nose. I went white. I was distraught seeing him in that condition.
Bill sensed my shock and, instead of complaining about his condition, reassured me he was OK.
"I'm fine buddy ... doc told me I could eat all I want and do everything I could until I get tired," he said with smile.
"I wish they'd diagnosed me sooner," he joked.
His main goal was to put me at ease, never wanting to draw attention to his condition. He looked in my eyes and saw my worry; he wanted to ease that.
As I left, I leaned over to tell him I loved him and I was here if he needed anything. He looked at me as he always did — with sincerity in his eyes — and simply said, "thanks." Then he joked off his condition again.
"This won't slow me down," he joked.
I've struggled with that for days because I didn't realize how serious his condition was. I should have done more. I could have done more for him.
But tonight at Bill's visitation, I realized one thing: Bill hasn't gone anywhere.
He's still deep inside everyone of us he touched along the way.
I can smile tonight knowing one thing: Bill hasn't slowed yet, he's just getting started.

Sweet Amy Grant Memories

2008-04-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

By, Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant

My oldest daughter, Lorien Lea, loved music from the time she was born. One of her first "favorites" was of Amy Grant. I can so vividly remember driving and looking into the rearview mirror to check on her when she was in her car seat in the back seat. Her head was just moving so sweetly to "El Shadai" and moved faster to "Sing Your Praises to the Lord". As she got a little older, she talked really early and could talk in sentences and sing songs by the time she was a year old. She would sing those songs all the time completely through. Years later when she was probably eight, I took Lorien and we drove to Jackson, to see Amy Grant in concert in the coliseum there. She fell asleep amongst all the noise and opening acts, which absolutely amazed me. I woke her up when Amy Grant came on to play. She evidently had had her a "power nap" because she stood in her chair and sang almost every song to the top of her lungs with Amy. As most people around here know by now, Lorien Lea was killed by a drunk driver here in Meridian. Her crash happened on Palm Sunday in 1991 and she died on Good Friday and we buried her on April 1, the day after Easter Sunday. I have often thought of how awesome it must be to be in heaven on Easter and Christmas. I know that Lorien has enjoyed singing her "Praises to the Lord" for 17 years now. She would have just turned 26 in February. But I can close my eyes and see that baby's head bouncing and swaying in perfect timing to Amy Grant's songs.

live, unplugged, local

2008-04-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

Steve Gillespie
sgillespie@themeridianstar.com

There's a great lineup of local talent scheduled to play at the Meridian Underground Music Exchange tonight starting at 8 p.m., 817 22nd Ave., in downtown Meridian. The lineup includes Calamity Backpack, Dark Sundays and Daniel Sharp.

The Cable Blues

2008-04-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

I'm not a big TV person. I have rabbit ears on my television now, and they only pick up one channel. Even though I live near the TV station, the picture comes in double, which makes me even less of a TV person, because watching it for too long gives me a headache.

For the most part, I don't miss having cable. Sure, I there a few channels I sometimes wish for - The Weather Channel was always nice to have, and CNN, and I kind of miss all those Family Guy re-runs. But I don't miss any of those nearly as much as I would miss my $40 a month were I to purchase a cable subscription. I've thought about getting that $9 a month subscription; then I would get the three networks, FOX, and PBS - all good - but I would also be paying for the local access or "MCC" channel (does anybody ever watch that?), the Home Shopping Network, the TV Guide Channel (which I'm sure the cable company includes to show its "cheap" customers what they're missing) and so forth. I'd be paying for 11 channels, and watching 5. And I'd only watch those 5 every once in a while anyway.

Seems like a rip-off to me.

What I would like to see is a cable company that lets you choose your own channels. Most people get 100+ channels on their TVs, but probably don't watch more than 30. I know when I had cable I never watched the Golf Channel or the Outdoor Life Network. And I can guarantee my grandmother, who has a full cable package, never watches Cartoon Network, E!, or Comedy Central. Why not let me pick 20 or 30 channels that I'm actually going to watch, and pay according to the number of channels that I have? Then I could at least feel like I'm paying for something that I want, rather than wasting a bunch of money on something that is a big waste of time in the first place.

Jennifer Jacob
Staff Writer

Great Service is Hard to Beat

2008-04-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

by Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant
sdenham@themeridianstar.com

Ok, we probably should not use this as a "shout out" to a business, indulge me a bit here please. I have bought three cars over the years from Sunbelt Motors, all Mazdas. I have had my little Miata since I bought it in 1997. The service department can not I don't believe, be beat! My sister who lives in Brandon, just says, "You are sooo spoiled." I take my car in for service, for the oil changes and stuff, and Darrell, has brought me to my job for years now. I get to hear all about his kids and how their sports teams are doing. He is so nice. Then what can I say about James and George? They always take care of my car, not only do the maintenance but they I think go beyond the call of duty. They have even one morning years ago, after I left the parking lights on and run my battery down, they came, picked me up and took me to work, went back and jumped my car off and took it in to fix it. The reason for my writing this today is, I took my car in for its usual oil change and tires checked. Well last week I had an unfortunate incident inside my car with a Sprite. Let's just say, a can of unopened Sprite and heat of a car, don't match very well. The explosion that resulted was impressive to say the least...Well today, when I go to pick up my car, not a word was said, just the usual smiles, talking and paying. I get in my car to come back to work, well...whichever you wonderful sweet men at Sunbelt Motors, who cleaned all of the Sprite out of my car. I love you!!! And as a single middle aged woman...I will take any spoiling I can get! Thank you. I will buy more cars from Sunbelt, simply if for no other reason, but to be "spoiled" by the service department men! Thank you!

Don't bark unless you can bite

2008-04-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

By Brian Livingston
blivingston@themeridianstar.com
Monday evening I was assigned to attend the Road Dawgs Tour, the MSU Alumni Association event held at MSU-Meridian. I was there to get a photo of head coach Sylvester Croom as he talked to Bulldog supporters from the area. But a funny thing happened while waiting on Croom.

As anyone who knows me can attest to I'm a born and raised Razorback from Arkansas. I have the belt with the little hogs running around and a cell phone cover with the Hog prominately displayed. I get prodded a lot about it but I don't mind. In fact, as long as the Hogs keep beating MSU and Ole Miss, I'm fairly bulletproof from any shots taken at me and my team.

But Monday evening I had to deflect yet another shot.

The Village Kitchen, which has marvelous home cooking any Southerner can sink their teeth into, was catering the event. Lo and behold they had roasted an entire hog, complete with cute Bulldog coins in the eye sockets. The hog was quite delicious looking all laid out on the middle table and I couldn't help but smile at the irony of my being given this assignment and having a hog splayed out. I thought it was funny. Obviously, someone who is an ardent Bulldog fan noticed my college of choice.

"That's what we do to hogs around here!" he said as I looked at the roasted hog.

I immediately, without even turning my gaze from the table, said, "And what was the score of last year's game, and the games before that?"

The Bulldog immediately stopped barking.

For the record, MSU last beat Arkansas in 1998. That was a one point win. Since then the Hogs have completely dominated MSU which includes a 52-6 blowout in 2003, a 44-10 win in 2005 and last year's 45-31 shootout.

Hey, my daughter is a freshman at MSU and I will likely be sending a lot of money to Starkville for the next thousand years while she pursues her Masters Degree so I hold no ill will toward the Bulldogs. In fact, I used to root for the Dawgs and many of the other SEC teams when the Hogs were in the old Southwest Conference. I knew then, as has been proven year after year, the SEC in the dominate football conference, top to bottom, in the country. So it's been quite an adjustment for me since Arkansas joined the SEC, playing against teams I respected and liked.

But make no mistake, I'm not going to call the Hogs in the face of a Gator fan until we've beaten them several times!

And the roast pig? It was great.

Woooo, pig, sooie!

Stop the madness

2008-04-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

By Brian Livingston
blivingston@themeridianstar.com

I was watching the Will Smith movie "I am legend" recently when I noticed something in one of the scenes.

As Smith's character is getting gas from a gas station in a deserted New York City, and keep in mind this movie takes place in the year 2013, the price of gas showed $6.65 a gallon. I fear we are well on our way to that becoming a reality instead of a movie prop.

Everytime I go to put gas in my vehicle I curse the politicians who've allowed this to happen. Most people blame Bush but it really is the fault of all politicians who have let the common citizen of this country down. We shouldn't have to endure this attack on our livelihoods. When gas goes up, everything goes up. The price for food, clothes, everything that relies on gas to be transported to stores is higher. And who has to eat this? We do!

There is no oil shortage. I was taught in college economics that supply and demand determines pricing of products. When shortages occur, such as happens periodically with the orange crop whenever there is a spring freeze, the price of orange juice logically goes up. Not so with oil.

Apparently our politicians own oil stocks and seeing they vote themselves hefty pay raises each year, what's a few more cents for a gallon of gas. They can handle it. But when we, the consumers, who've not had a pay raise in years despite mounting inflation, go to the pumps or the grocery store, we must fork out more of our hard-earned money to feed and clothe our families.

The problem with our system of government now is much like an old grandfather clock that is slowly winding down. Our government is grinding to a halt. Politicians are thought to be smart people. I beg to differ. The smart people are those who know better than to put themselves in a difficult situation, such as public office. Our federal government is full of people who have no inclination to change things otherwise we wouldn't be looking at $3.35 per gallon now.

I don't want a communist system or a dictatorship. I just want those responsible for representing me to do just that.....represent me and my views, problems and concerns.

If there is a silver lining to all of this outrageous oil pricing it may be in the form of alternate fuels. For years the technology has been out there but, again, because politicians were holding back the companies wanting to go mainstream with their ideas, the changes have been slow in coming.

My only hope is that something good will come from all of this, if not for me but for my children. But for how much longer do we have to put up with this? And when will the people of America say, "Enough already!"

Yep.

2008-04-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

Not sure what to say about this; but here it is!

New Meridian 360, and yes, Ida sings again...

2008-04-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

I had no clue that Ida losing her voice would be so popular! (Hehe)

Well, Ida returns for our new Meridian 360 preview, and while she did get her voice back, this stuff is still gold!

Click to play

Tuesdays with Morrie

2008-04-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

I'm not an Oprah fan, but sometimes she can really hit the nail on the head with her book recommendations.

This weekend I read Tuesdays with Morrie, a memoir about an overly ambitious sports writer, Mitch Albom, who learns how to live life to the fullest when he goes to visit his old college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is dying of Lou Gehrig's disease. After the fist visit, Mitch starts coming back every Tuesday, and spends the day listening to Morrie's advice on life, death, and all the other stuff.

Normally, I don't go for inspirational type reading - I'm much more likely to be seen toting a copy of something by Kurt Vonnegut or J.D. Salinger - and I would never have picked up Tuesdays with Morrie if I hadn't had to do so for a class I'm taking, but I'm glad I did. Against my will, the more I read this book the more my cynicism melted away to be replaced by cautious optimism about the ability of even the jerkiest person to positively affect someone else.

I think what really made me like this book was the fact that what's in it really happened. A lot of memoirs give representations of actual events that have been changed to replace the inadequacies of the author's memories or to make the story flow well. Usually when you read an autobiographical work, the dialogue isn't made up of verbatim quotations of what was actually said - no one has that good a memory. But Tuesdays with Morrie is based on taped conversations between Morrie and Mitch, so a good bit of Morrie's message in the book is written exactly as Morrie said it.

It's as if Mitch was taking dictation for Morrie in the way Milton's daughters wrote for him after he lost his vision - only Mitch is allowed a voice, and his story adds meaning to Morrie's words.

What makes this book better than the average touchy-feely "inspirational" junk is not just Morrie's message about refusing to let the culture get in the way of your life, but the way that it was captured, all recorded on tape by a writer who was very different from his subject, presented, for the most part, chronologically - almost like a slide show of Morrie's last Tuesdays on earth.

- Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

A weekend of great weather

2008-04-14T08:04:00.001-07:00

By Fredie Carmichael
Editor@themeridianstar.com

I must say, I began the weekend thinking I'd get a little work done in the office and, primarily, sit back and watch the Masters. What I ended up doing was much more enjoyable ... and involved a lot more sunshine. I wrote my Sunday column about things to do in East Mississippi. After being out in the gorgeous weather, I can't imagine wasting time in front of a television.
A few highlights I'll share:
• First, I went to the MSU Riley Center Friday to see "A year with Frog and Toad" — a wonderfully performed stage musical. Every time I visit the Riley Center I'm reminded of how fortunate we are to have a place to go to watch shows like that. What a great family event, too. After that, it was off to a party/mixer at Union Station for young professionals. It wasn't sponsored by the Young Professionals of Meridian organization I happen to chair, but another group — Southern Upgrade — I found out about that hosts mixers for essentially the same age group. I found out about it and talked with the organizer, Sheena Davis, weeks before the event. I had a great time and Sheena did a fantastic job decorating the second floor of Union Station (and there was a great dee-jay). Sheena and I plan on putting our heads together this week to see how we can combine our efforts and get even more young people involved in the community; she has a passionate heart for this area. I'm always inspired by people who are so driven they go out on a limb and make a difference. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. I'm pumped about that.
• Saturday, after a little work, I got to get out and enjoy the sunshine at Highland Park. If you haven't been there in a while, I encourage you to go check it out. The grounds seemed very well kept and picture-perfect weather made the old park shine. I realize we now have Bonita and Northeast, but it's hard to beat the carousel and the duck pond. My only regret: I didn't have a blanket. The field near the park looked perfect for a nap ... and the comfortable temperatures would have made it hard to wake up. Later that day, I attended an engagement party for one of my best friends in northeast Lauderdale County. It was a fish fry catered by Village Kitchen (I had forgotten how incredible their food is). The party was, fittingly, held outside. The towering pines made for perfect shadows cast from the orange sunset as I enjoyed joking with old friends about my days of playing on the golf team at Meridian Community College. The funniest story was told by former coach Lou Hart about driving me down 8th Street to the emergency room after I had an allergic reaction to something I ate at a truck stop outside of Hattiesburg after a tournament. True story, my eyes were swollen shut within 5 minutes of arriving back on MCC's campus. The funniest part of the story: Coach Hart, as she raced me down 8th Street in the MCC van, said, "the light's red Fredie, is anything coming?" Not being able to see of course, I said, "I think we're good, coach ... keep driving." OK, well it was a funny story for me.
• Sunday, after work, I decided to head to Bonita with my dog, Oreo. Again, great weather. I watched the ducks (and my dog trying to harass them) and people kayak on the upper lake. We truly have a gem in Bonita. It's a great place to run, walk, hike, picnic, fish, boat, throw a frisbee, simply get away and relax. Oh, and as for the Masters ... Tiger blew his chances any way so I didn't miss much. I would have hated to miss a great afternoon outside to watch that.

Golfer from UofA to play in Masters

2008-04-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

By Fredie Carmichael
Editor@themeridianstar.com

I must admit I got chill bumps this morning when I woke up and walked my dog. The reason: it's time for one of the greatest single sporting events of the year — the Masters. I'm not a huge TV watcher, especially when it comes to sporting events; I'd much rather be there to see the action in person.
Now I must admit, however, that HD technology gets you pretty darn close to that. Still, one of the things I watch obsessively each year is the Masters. Coverage begins today at 3 p.m. on ESPN.
There is a semi-local tie to this year's Masters. It's not every day that someone so young gets to play Augusta National, but such is the case for Alabama senior Michael Thompson. Former Clarion Ledger writer Ian R. Rapoport has a great write-up in today's Birmingham News.
Here's hoping he's playing well. It must be nice. I'll have to call up Wade Phillips of WTOK and get him to tell me how great Augusta National is again. Wade, as many of you will recall, moved to Augusta for a few years before returning to Meridian.

Newsroom Diva

2008-04-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

Steve Gillespie
sgillespie@themeridianstar.com

Another Meridian 360º can be found in Thursday's Meridian Star, full of the latest arts and entertainment news. You can view a video promo of it here on The Meridian Star's Web site or at the Meridian 360º myspace, www.myspace.com/meridian360. This week's video features Ida Brown singing during the Intermission. Be sure to give us some feedback about that AND let us know what you'd like to see her sing maybe next week.

Also this Meridian 360º will feature a special tribute to the late Charlton Heston. I tracked down Anthony Herrera this week. I met him many years ago. He's a veteran actor from Mississippi who got his start as Heston's stand-in during the filming of "Number One."

Dancing

2008-04-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

I am not a dancer. Let me say that from the beginning. I don't pretend to be and just plain have two left feet when it comes to dancing. However, I can truly appreciate what someone does when they dance. I am a sort of reality show junkie. I don't like all of them, but I have been watching Dancing with the Stars for a couple of years now. I know it is corny but I like the fact that there is something "clean" on TV and find it actually refreshing that there is something that might be viewed as "old fashioned" as ballroom dancing on TV. Anyway, this year I was pulled in by the fact that Marley Matlin and oscar winning actress is on there. She is profoundly deaf. I wanted to see how she did with not being able to truly hear the music. I was as I have written before, about 60 percent deaf as a child. I thankfully had surgery and my hearing was restored. However, I do remember it very well. I have due to this always had a "special place" in my heart for persons who are deaf. I am amazed at how beautiful Marley Martlin dances on the show. She is doing better than some of her "hearing" contestants. She should be a role model if she is not already for her dancing with the hearing impaired people. She is graceful and is spot on with her movements and timing. I am amazed. I encourage anyone who has not watched this show to do so. It is nice to see something that is a throwback to the "good ole days" and the variety shows. I of course am still waiting on the return of the variety show as a "new" show format again. You just can not beat in writing or humor "The Carol Burnett Show." Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant

Star Wars... Well, sorta.

2008-04-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

By Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

Ok, if you don't think this is amazingly awesome, then there is just something wrong with you.

That was your dose of sugar for today!

A video share ...

2008-04-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

By Fredie Carmichael
Editor@themeridianstar.com

Sorry I've been out of commission for a few days but I have a good excuse: I finally sold my house in Daphne, Ala. on the beautiful Eastern Shore (it was on the market for nearly two years) and have been down there. For those who've never been, it's a unique little spot, particularly the artsy town of Fairhope. I documented the final weekend at my house with a few photos and then put those to video. Sorry if the quality is bad; I couldn't get youtube to upload a better file. I'll see if Ben can help me out so you can appreciate some of the photos. Great sunsets there. Hope you enjoy.
A few things to note: I took photos of the things I love — the sunsets, the bluffs, the live oaks, the parks, etc. I also included some shots of my favorite bench and places where I love to grab a cup of coffee and just write.

Air show mishaps

2008-04-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

Although I was impressed by the displays at the Wings Over Meridian air show Sunday, I can't say I had an idyllic time. On the contrary, I had a time that made me wonder if maybe I should have taken one co-worker's advice about not walking under ladders.

For starters, I forgot my sunscreen. For most people, that's not too smart. But I have very fair skin, so for me, forgetting sunscreen is one of the most idiotic things I can do. After searching fruitlessly for a vendor who sold sunscreen, I finally decided to just hide in the shade under the wing of C17 for as many of my hours and hours at the air show as I could spare. I thought that would help, but boy I was I wrong. I wound up leaving the show with not only one of the most painful sunburns I've ever had, but easily the most funny looking one. All of my face was hot pink and shiny - except for the area that had been protected by my sunglasses. I had (and still have) a very bad case of raccoon face.

Everywhere I went Monday, total strangers would stop me to comment on my weird looking sunburn. But by Tuesday, people just asked me "Are you okay?" That's because by that time the burn on my forehead had swollen up so that I looked like some kind of weird cave-woman. Halfway through the day, I decided to go to the doctor about it. They wrote me some prescriptions, and on the way back to my car, looking down to keep the rain out of my face, I walked right into a tree. Now I have a two lumps on my forehead.

The sunburn was the worst of my air show weekend mishaps, but far from the only one. While there, I stubbed my toe. After getting home, I got a regular burn to go with my sunburn. Over the weekend, I suffered from intermittent nosebleeds. And Friday, I got air sick.

Right now, looking at my bruised toe, puffy head, and shiny pink face, I feel like I belong on a sitcom. But, at least I got to see some cool air stunts to go along with my mishaps - my air sickness occurred while flying on the most interesting plane I've ever been in, a B-25 Mitchell bomber from WWII, and while I was getting sunburned I was also busy being completely amazed by the Blue Angels and the unbelievable F-22 Raptor. I've also gained a greater appreciation of my ability to laugh at myself. Sometimes, I guess, you have to take the bad with the good...

- Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com