 
Hernando celebrates ‘Healthiest Hometown’ designation
Hernando celebrates 'Healthiest Hometown' designation
Hernando leaders gave citizens the credit Saturday as they celebrated the city winning Mississippi's first "Healthiest Hometown" award.
"When you come to the Farmers Market, when you come to the parks and ride your bicycles or call me or your aldermen and make suggestions on how we can improve our parks and other programs, you are playing an instrumental role in helping make Hernando a healthier place to live, and I commend you for that," Mayor Chip Johnson told a crowd gathered at Lee's Summit Park.
Shelly Johnstone, director of community development for Hernando, echoed the mayor's sentiments.
"I think we're deserving of this award because we are pushed by our community," she said.
The celebration was preceded by a Back-to-School Bike Safety event sponsored by the city and the Hernando Optimist Club at the park, where more than 50 children in grades K-6 learned basic bike-riding safety skills. Participants who completed the class were awarded certificates and free bicycle helmets donated by Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Following the award celebration, Mayor Johnson led a community walk to show off the park's most recent improvements, including a new track and upgraded restroom facilities made possible through a $100,000 grant from Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
As part of the award, which was officially presented to the city at the Mississippi Municipal League annual conference in June, Hernando also received a $50,000 grant that will help cover the cost of resurfacing the walking track at the Hernando Sports and Fitness Park.
The grant award is the first of its kind created by the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation for cities that demonstrate leadership and commitment to the health and wellness of their citizens.
A panel of out-of-state judges who chose Hernando for the award among five cities throughout Mississippi-- the others being Hattiesburg, Tupelo, Ridgeland and Starkville -- commended city officials for adopting a smoking ban in public places, repairing sidewalks in the city's downtown area, and passing an ordinance that considers pedestrian and bicycle transportation when designing city roads.
The city also requires all new commercial and residential developments to have sidewalks, and a Safe Routes to School program is providing new sidewalks in the vicinity of Oak Grove Elementary School.
The city's Farmers Market, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other locally grown foods, is in its third year and is visited by more than 700 people per weekend each season.
The city also has a community garden that helps feed people who can't afford healthier foods. And it actively participates in the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi's fight against obesity and the DeSoto County School District's wellness policy and other health-targeted programs such as Project Fit America.
By Amanda Compton-Ortiz
The Commercial Appeal
Kevin Mills represents Tupelo, places First Runner Up in Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
Kevin Mills represents Tupelo, places First Runner Up in the 2010 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, TN
Tupelo, Mississippi – After winning a preliminary at the Tupelo Elvis Festival in June, Kevin Mills came in 1st runner at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist last tonight at the final round of competition in the 2010 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest (UETAC) sponsored by the Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Mills grew up in the small town of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, near Philadelphia. Ever since Kevin was a teenager, he has had a love for Elvis and his music, and he felt Elvis was the natural choice for him to emulate. The many facets and genres of Elvis' career provides Kevin with a never ending challenge.
Twenty-three semifinalists competed in the semi-finals for the “Ultimate” title last night at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN, with only ten making it to the finals tonight. Justin Shandor was named the 2010 UETA Winner. Shandor received the Title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2010, recognition by Elvis Presley Enterprise, a cash prize of $20,000 and the opportunity to perform as part of the Legends in Concert Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Tour along with a selection of other valuable prizes. Mills, placing 1st runner up won a cash prize of $3,000 and a selection of other valuable prizes.
Mills is certainly no stranger to the Elvis circuit. He has been a contender in the UETAC for the past three years, placing in the top 10 in 2008 and walking away as the third-place winner last year, which earned him a spot on the first UETA Tour in honor of the 75th anniversary of Elvis’ birth.
He has regularly performed as part of Legends in Concert and all three sailings of the Elvis Cruise and was featured among his many TV appearances, in the A&E documentary “Elvis: The Beginning.” In 1993, Mills delivered a tribute to Presley at President Bill Clinton’s Inauguration.
Tupelo, Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Presley is very proud to have a preliminary winner from the Tupelo Elvis Festival named the UETA for the second year in a row. "Kevin nailed his performance last night and the crowd loved him. We are proud to have Kevin represent Tupelo and he will always be our ultimate," said, Debbie Brangenberg, executive director of the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association, which produces the annual Tupelo Elvis Festival.
Mills’ wife and children were with him in Memphis for the UETA Contest along with childhood friend, Phil Kramer, now his manager. Mills and his family reside in Toronto, Canada.
About the Contest
In 2007, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. announced an inaugural Elvis tribute artist contest event that was a search for the “best representation of the legacy of Elvis Presley.” Twenty-four of the best ETAs from around the world, who had each won a preliminary round of the competition, traveled to Memphis during Elvis Week 2007 to compete, with Shawn Klush of Pennsylvania winning the first-ever ultimate title.
In response to the excitement generated by the 2007 contest, Elvis Presley Enterprises brought the contest back in 2008 and 2009 with winners of preliminary contests traveling to Memphis in August to compete. Brandon Bennett from Louisiana won the ultimate title during Elvis Week 2008 and Bill Cherry from Illinois was the 2009 winner. Bennett won the preliminary round in Tupelo in 2007 and Cherry in 2009. Victor Trevino, who placed in the top 5 in tonight's competition also won in Tupelo in 2008.
For more information: www.elvis.com/ultimatecontest/2010
Boosting Clinton Main Street with art, food
Boosting Clinton Main Street with art, food
Downtown development is currently a very hot topic.
Main Street programs across the state are busy with the business of downtown revitalization. Main Street Clinton is no different; our organization has been focusing our energy on Clinton's Olde Towne area and the Clinton Boulevard Business District, and the many ways to attract destination businesses to these areas.
Our board of directors has come up with a creative way to raise funds to continue our revitalization efforts. On Oct. 7, we are thrilled to be holding our first fundraiser featuring the talents of Mississippi native and celebrity chef Robert St. John and award- winning watercolor artist Wyatt Waters.
This fun-filled evening, which the pair has titled "Dueling Demos," will consist of Robert cooking some favorite Southern recipes, while Wyatt competes to finish an original painting. Guests will be treated to an entertaining evening and dine on a five-course dinner prepared by Robert. Proceeds will benefit the Main Street Clinton mission of revitalization.
Most Clintonians would agree that Olde Towne, Clinton's downtown, is a jewel in our crown. It is well on its way to becoming a destination for residents and visitors alike with its abundance of brick streets and charming atmosphere. We have many components of a great downtown which neighboring communities try to emulate: attractive streetscaping, places for visitors to gather and linger and unique, locally-owned businesses.
We have wonderful specialty retail shops and art galleries, a great locally owned coffee shop and a unique Mediterranean restaurant.
Part of Main Street Clinton's vision for the growth and revitalization of Olde Towne includes an expanded retail/restaurant core. Our 26,000 residents and Mississippi College students, who live just a few hundred yards from downtown, need more retail and restaurant choices. Opportunities could include a trendy fashion accessory shop that would appeal to multiple age groups, a gourmet pizza and pasta restaurant, an ice cream parlor and sandwich shop, and a bakery. We could also support specialty clothing shops. We are headed in the right direction; we just need a few more businesses to become all that we envision it to be.
We would like to continue to see Olde Towne as a venue for more entertainment options, special events and festivals. The downtown should be the heart of the community, the go-to place for activities. Our successful Olde Towne Markets are helping to establish this. Organizations like the Arts Council of Clinton are already using Olde Towne to show their Flicks on the Bricks outdoor movie series.
The Main Street Clinton program has become a vibrant and respected part of the Clinton community in the short three and a half years since its beginning. We have been fortunate to have committed board members, volunteers and financial partners who are patient and tenacious. They understand that a program of this size and complexity which is governed by volunteers takes a while to get off the ground. We have begun to see how the incremental successes of the Main Street program are working.
The hard work and passion of the Main Street Clinton volunteers has made the program an award-winner at the state level. Mississippi Main Street Association has selected Main Street Clinton to receive several awards for three consecutive years. Recognitions of success are terrific to receive, especially for an organization that relies so much on its volunteers to implement its mission.
The awards re-energize us to tackle existing and new challenges. As with all nonprofits, funding is always one challenge we face. "Dueling Demos" will certainly help Main Street Clinton with our funding challenges. If you are interested in attending the event, tickets are $100 each and will be limited to 150. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For information, call (601) 924.5472. Visit Main Street Clinton at http://www.mainstreetclintonms.com.
Tara Lytal is manager of Main Street Clinton. Contact her at (601) 924-5472 or
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New Albany Main Street to host seminar on helping business bottom line
New Albany Main Street to host seminar on helping business bottom line
The New Albany Main Street Association will be hosting “Your Front line is Your Bottom line” customer service seminar on Aug. 19 from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. with speaker Diane O’Toole from the Mississippi Development Authority at the Magnolia Civic Center in Historic Downtown New Albany.
“In today’s economy, all businesses are looking for more customers,” O’Toole said. “How about keeping the customers you have who will then refer other customers to you? The major reason for business failures is lack of Customer Service Training and the understanding of what it is your customers really want from you and your business. Failure to deliver what customers want or need in the best possible manner can lead to an ever dwindling bottom-line.
“If you had a choice of frequenting two or three places that offered the same product for the same price, how would you make your decision? Chances are, you would select the place of business where you were well treated and received the greatest perceived value. It is likely the same place where you received the best customer service experience.”
A native Mississippian, Diana O’Toole, graduated from Belhaven College with a B.S. degree in Psychology and a double minor in Speech/Drama and Secondary Education. While at Belhaven, she was a member of Alpha Psi Omega, the National Honorary Theater Society and had roles in numerous plays.
Diana O’Toole has 22 years’ experience in the travel and tourism industry; eight as a professional leisure travel agent and 11 years with the Tourism Division of the Mississippi Development Authority. She currently serves as Senior Associate Manager with the Tourism Division and is Program Manager for the Community Development and Hometown MS Retirement Program.
Believing that Hospitality Training and Customer Service are the keys to the success of tourism, retirement or other economic development, Diana was instrumental in the development of an innovative approach to Hospitality/Customer Service Training for the State of Mississippi.
She serves as program speaker for Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Chambers of Commerce, and other civic organizations and as a tourism resource professional with the Mississippi Main Street Association. She is also in her second term as President of Toastmasters International Club “Guess Who’s Talking Now.”
Diana O’Toole’s seminar entitled, “Your Front line is Your Bottom Line” will teach the three things that owners/managers must do to increase the level of customer service and will offer the front line employee tips on increasing customer satisfaction.
For more information contact Vickie Duke, New Albany Main Street Association Manager, at 662-534-3438.
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Phillip’s Grocery
Holly Springs features daily home and garden tours, historic museums, art galleries, shopping, camping, world famous burgers at Phillip’s Grocery and a one-of-a-kind shrine to Elvis (Graceland Too) you have to see to believe! |
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