“The McDaniel campaign, they seem to always be on the wrong side of a door,” said former Gov. Haley Barbour. “Have you ever heard of a group of people who were in places they weren’t supposed to be more often?”

Gov. Barbour’s question is a good one. It’s curious how Sen. Chris McDaniel’s campaign has been so scandalous and yet so successful leading into the June 24 Republican Primary against incumbent U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran.

Joel McNeece

Barbour is referring to the two much publicized incidents, beginning with the group of McDaniel supporters that slipped into the Madison County nursing home where Sen. Cochran’s wife Rose is bedridden to take her picture for political gain and followed by the curious incident at the Hinds County Courthouse where McDaniel staffers gained entry to the building around 2 a.m. long after election workers had departed.

Both incidents are under investigation with arrests made in the first. No illegal activity is believed to have come from the late night courthouse visit, but it’s the latest instance of red flag raising regarding the McDaniel campaign.
Despite the drama, McDaniel still managed to earn the most votes in the June 3 primary and appears to be the favorite to win the June 24 runoff.

There’s been no unethical behavior alleged within the Cochran campaign, but there were many stories on election day that questioned his desire to be involved in the race to begin with.
There were reports of the 76-year-old senator appearing disoriented on campaign stops and rumors that he preferred to retire, but was strong armed by leaders in the Republican Party to stay in the race.

If re-elected for a seventh term, Cochran is expected to rise to chairman of the powerful appropriations committee in the U.S. Senate. That would be a huge coup for Mississippi, which more than any other state relies on federal monies.

That is the battle cry of McDaniel, however, to get Mississippi and every other state off the federal government teat, regardless of the consequences here at home.
He and his supporters believe that despite the probable hard row to hoe that would follow the loss of federal funds in the Magnolia State, it is the answer to get America back on a more prosperous and sustainable track for the future.

Another conundrum to this race is the interest of non-Mississippians in its outcome. Close to $9 million was pumped into the primary from political groups outside of Mississippi, with McDaniel receiving the majority of it. More is certainly flowing in for the runoff.

It’s no mystery why non-Mississippians would like to see a 6-term U.S. senator with tremendous influence replaced with a freshman, but it’s odd that so many Mississippians would want the same.

Put it all together and you have the most fascinating race in the nation. Regardless of the outcome, June 24 will be a historic day in Mississippi politics.

Email Joel McNeece at joelmcneece@gmail.com & follow him on Twitter @joelmcneece

Bruce football coach James Ray is seeking info from all former Trojan football players who played in college to be part of a display in the field house.

Ray is putting together a “Wall of Honor” in the team’s new film room where every Trojan that played college football will be listed under the helmet of their college team.

Contact Coach Ray to share your years played and college by emailing him at jray@calhoun.k12.ms.us.

Food has truly come full-circle for members of the Lewis Memorial Methodist Church’s Costa Rica Mission Team. The team of 13 –Bro. Allen and Debra Dearing, Connie and Darby Claire Caviness, Charles Diamond, Michelle and Mason Good, Kimberly and Sarah Grace Ruth, Royce and Trista Tidwell, and Daphne and Jayden Warren–began fundraising for the July Rice and Beans Ministry trip last October.

And mainly, through food-related events, the group raised the $20,000 necessary for the trip. “We are the eating church!” said Kimberly Ruth, and Bro. Dearing added, “the church of the potluck!”
One of their biggest projects is a cookbook containing over 500 recipes, compiled by all members of the team.  According to Connie Caviness, it contains good, basic recipes, and lots of old recipes– “from Methodist Women and their dinners, many family recipes, older members of New Century Club,” and more.

Seated, Mason Good, Darby Claire Caviness, Sarah Grace Ruth, Debra Dearing, Trista Tidwell; standing, Royce Tidwell, Kimberly Ruth, Connie Caviness, Bro. Allen Dearing, Charles Diamond and Michelle Good. Not pictured are Daphne and Jayden Warren.

It has “things you would cook,” said Dearing, and, “people gave up their ‘Granny’ recipes,” said Kimberly Ruth, and  “something you love that’s been passed down to you,” said Michelle Good. “It has all the good recipes together in one book so you don’t have to look different places for them,” said Connie Caviness.
They sold t-shirts, had memorial sponsors, and in addition to the regular offering each Sunday, the children collected a “bucket” offering for the ministry, which raised $2,400 – enough to feed 200 families. Cookbooks and t-shirts are still available. The purchase of one cookbook ($15) will feed a family of four for a week, said Dearing.

The group also raised money by cooking. They prepared one  Sunday lunch a month with all of the team members participating. They had some theme lunches like Super Bowl Sunday, a salad lunch, and fish fry. “Our team is so grateful for the support of our church members,” said Ruth. Each dinner was successful and “awesome,” said Michelle Good. “We are all about the food!” said Kimberly Ruth. The team members all enjoy cooking, even the kids. Mason Good served his meatball soup at one of the fundraising lunches, and when Sarah Kate Ruth cooks, the Cajun Chicken Pasta, is her dish of choice.

They will hand out over 200 bags of food, which will feed over 1200 people. Each bag holds 22 lbs. of food.  They will deliver  bags in the afternoons to people’s homes, at which time they will also pray with the families. Each morning, they will have Vacation Bible School for the children. The Dearings have been to Costa Rica once before with this ministry about two years ago, and are the only two who have ever been out of the country. Only five of the 13 have ever flown before.

Meatball Soup
Mason Good
1 pkg. (3 oz.) beef-flavor Ramen noodles
3 cups water
14 oz. tomato sauce
1-16 oz. frozen fully cooked Italian style meatballs
Break noodles into small pieces in a bowl and set aside. Put water, tomato sauce and noodle seasoning packet  in 2 qt. saucepan and heat over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Add noodles and meatballs. Heat again until it comes to a boil, then turn to low. Cook and stir soup 4-5 minutes using wooden or bamboo spoon. Six servings.

Toasted Pecans
Charles Diamond
2 handfuls of pecans, shelled
1/2 stick butter or margarine
Palmful of salt
Preheat oven to 450°. (First time making so you know what size pan to use, place  pecans in baking pan so they are not on top of each other and set aside.) In separate dish, melt butter. Put butter and pecans in covered bowl or bag and shake until coated. Put in salt and shake again. Put coated pecans back in original pan and scatter so they are not on top of each other. Place in pre-heated oven and turn it off right then! Go and do something until oven has oven cools down. Remove when oven has cooled off.

Cajun Chicken Pasta
Sarah Grace Ruth
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 tsp. Cajun seasoning
4 Tbsp. butter or margarine
3 cups heavy cream
1/2 tsp. lemon pepper seasoning
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
8 oz. cooked Penne pasta, drained
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
Freshly shredded Parmesan, to taste
Slightly moisten chicken with water. In large resealable bag, shake chicken and Cajun seasoning until thoroughly coated. In large skillet, saute chicken in 2 Tbsp. butter (or  olive oil) over medium heat, turning when necessary. When chicken is about halfway done, in second skillet combine heavy cream, 2 Tbsp. butter and remainder of seasonings. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When cream mixture begins to bubble, add pasta and turn off heat. Stir well. When chicken is cooked thoroughly, place on cutting board and slice into strips. Spoon pasta and sauce into pasta bowls or dinner plates. Top with chicken, diced tomatoes, and Parmesan. Serve with garlic bread or Texas toast.

Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
Daphne Warren
1-8 oz. Cool Whip
2 eggs
1 box strawberry cake mix, dry
Confectioners sugar
Mix cake mix, Cool Whip and eggs in a bowl. (It will be kind of sticky.) Pour powdered sugar in large bowl. Drop teaspoonfuls of dough mixture into powdered sugar. You will have to push it off spoon. Roll dough/sugar mixture into ball until coated (kind of messy). Place balls on cookie sheet and bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes, depending on how large you have made balls. You can use any flavor cake mix.

Warm Chicken Dip
Kimberly Watkins Ruth
2 large cans chicken
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1/4 can tomato soup
1 cup mayonnaise
12 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. garlic salt
2 cups shredded cheese
Green onions and celery, optional
Mix all ingredients in bowl. Transfer to greased baking dish and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Serve warm with Scoops chips or your choice of crackers.

Chicken Crescent Rolls
Allen Dearing
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, shredded
2 cans low-fat refrigerated crescent rolls
1-26 oz. healthy low-sodium Cream of Chicken soup
1 cup fat-free Cheddar cheese
Boil chicken breasts, then shred. Roll out each individual crescent. Place about a tablespoon of shredded chicken in center and roll up. Bake on 350° for about five minutes until it is just starting to turn golden. Pour cream of chicken soup over the top. Bake an additional 10 minutes. Top with Cheddar cheese and bake 10 more minutes.

Bacon Roll Ups
Michelle Good
2-3 oz. pkgs. cream cheese with chives
1 Tbsp. milk
25 slices bacon, halved
25 slices whole grain bread
Remove crust from bread slices and cut in half lengthwise. Combine cream cheese and milk, stirring until spreadable. Spread about one tsp. cream cheese mixture on each piece of bread. Roll tightly and wrap with bacon. Secure with toothpick. Place in broiler pan. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Turn, if necessary, to prevent over-browning.

Mamaw’s Squash Delight
Connie Caviness & Lillie Darby
4 medium yellow squash
1 stick butter, melted
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 cup mayo
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 small can sliced water chestnuts
3 medium carrots, grated
Butter cracker crumbs
Slice and cook squash in small amount of water. Drain and mash. Mix all ingredients except crackers and place  in 9×13” dish. Top with crackers. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

The Calhoun County School Board will hold a hearing Monday, June 16 at 7 p.m. to receive input from the public on the proposed $21.2 million budget.

The proposed budget does not include a request for a tax increase.
Superintendent Mike Moore said 80-85% of the budget is salaries and benefits. Proposed salary changes for next year are a $1,500 increase for teachers as approved by the state; a 4% increase for non-certified personnel granted by the district; and a $4,000 salary increase for the superintendent approved by the school board.

Mike Moore

The budget includes a few new positions in the school district including a SpEd position at Bruce, a gifted position at Vardaman High School, a 2nd grade teacher at Bruce Elementary and an engineering position at the Career and Technical Center.

The budget addresses several improvement projects including some new desks for students that cost approximately $150 each, ongoing renovations of the restrooms at Calhoun City Middle School, four new air conditioned buses (should allow all students to be riding an air conditioned bus next school year), a new awning and concrete work at Vardaman High School, an upgrade to several computer labs, and more of the ongoing security improvements at each of the schools.

Moore noted the school district is also trying to upgrade its internet service, citing several issues with testing and other state components that are online based.
“We can’t test all our students at once right now because the service isn’t reliable enough,” Moore said. “We’ve been working to get this upgraded for several years.”

Moore said the district has also applied for several grants that, if approved, they would hope to hire reading/literacy coaches and two additional school nurses. The district currently only has one nurse for the entire county.

A wet spring and early summer has slightly delayed the planting of the 2014 sweet potato crop as demand for the product continues to grow.

“Mother Nature hasn’t worked with us very well so far,” said Benny Graves, executive director of the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council. “The start of the 2014 crop has been slow. We’re not ahead of schedule, but we’re not way behind either. We’re just having to work between the rains.”
The first sweet potatoes were planted around May 20, Graves said, and then the rains moved in.

Benny Graves

“We’re still at the very early part of this crop. All the field work is in pretty good shape. We’ll have a lot of June planted potatoes. We’re hoping we don’t have a lot of July, but we could.”
“Good farmers are flexible. We have good farmers around here,” Graves said. “They learn how to work with the weather and succeed. You have to be able to adjust your plan.”

Graves projected the first sweet potatoes would be harvested the first of September, but most would be middle to late September.
Hopes are the demand for the product will continue into the fall as it has the past year.
“There’s been a little bit of tightness in sweet potatoes nationwide and in Mississippi, which means the market has been up and that’s a good thing,” Graves said. “There are buyers that want sweet potatoes. They want last year’s crop that we’re still selling and are already putting out feelers for the 2014 crop.”

“We’ve had a national trend of increasing demand for sweet potatoes, and it is continuing,” Graves said. “Sweet potatoes are beginning to be more of a year-round thing. The market bumps at any holiday time – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July – anytime America is cooking, we have a demand for sweet potatoes.”

To meet that growing year-round demand, Calhoun County farmers have invested heavily in temperature and humidity control storage units.
“The technology out there is amazing,” Graves said. “They have temperature controlled buildings you can monitor with your cell phone and adjust the temperature accordingly from wherever you are.”
“We don’t have a lot of grand openings and ribbon cuttings, but there’s a lot of investment taking place in this industry around Calhoun County every day,” he said.
Graves explained the increased investments are necessary to compete in today’s market.

“If you want to sell sweet potatoes in the summertime, you either pay for quality storage facilities with all the electronics, or you pay for the loss in sweet potatoes,” he said.
“Either way, you’re paying for it. You’re going to pay for a certain percentage of loss if you don’t do these things.”
Graves estimates total sweet potato acreage in Mississippi will be up 1,500 acres.

“I don’t think we’ll quite hit 20,000 acres this year, but we’ll be just shy,” he said.
The increase in acres is coming primarily from expansion of established growers, although the state is seeing some newcomers.
“I have three new growers this year for a total of 102,” Graves said.
The state considers anyone growing four acres or more a commercial sweet potato grower. The overwhelming majority of those growers remain in the Vardaman/Calhoun County area.

“Vardaman remains the center, and you have a 40 mile radius that includes almost all of those growers,” Graves said. “That makes Mississippi and Vardaman unique, and it’s used to our advantage by sharing equipment, labor, knowledge.”
The concentration of the sweet potato industry in the Calhoun area is best illustrated by the fact that out of 25 packing sheds in the state, 19 are located inside Calhoun County.

“Every potato goes through one of those packing houses,” Graves said.
Despite the rainy planting season, Graves said he is very optimistic about the 2014 crop and the abilities of the local growers.
“I’m upbeat. I’m excited,” he said. “We can grow sweet potatoes. We’ve got experienced growers of all different sizes. It’s an exciting time for us.”

Calhoun City dentist Dr. Julia Brandon was honored with the Citizen of the Year award at the Calhoun City Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet Tuesday night.

Dr. Julia Brandon

Chamber President Laura Edwards said Brandon is always “willing to volunteer for community improvement projects and always looking for opportunities to help the community improve.”
Other award recipients included Neta Redwine as Chamber Member of the Year and the Piggly Wiggly as Business of the Year.

Chandler Drug Store was honored for more than 50 years of business in the community and honors were presented to several “Hometown Heroes” – Calhoun City Fire Chief Mike Dunagin, Derma Fire Chief Shane Childs, Calhoun City Police Chief Benny Langford, Derma Police Chief Stan Evans, Sheriff Greg Pollan and County 911 Director Wayne Stone.

“We wanted to recognize those who are often overlooked, but who represent the forces that protect us day in and day out,” Chamber President Laura Edwards said. “We wanted them to know that we know they are there and they are appreciated.”

Rep. Jim Beckett was the featured speaker at the banquet which was held at the Methodist Corner on the Calhoun City Square. Read a recap of his presentation and see pictures from the banquet at calhouncountyjournal.com and in next week’s edition.

Hometown Heroes were honored at the Calhoun City Chamber Banquet Tuesday night. Those honored included, from left, Calhoun City Fire Chief Mike Dunagin, Sheriff Greg Pollan, Calhoun City Police Chief Benny Langford, Derma Police Chief Stan Evans, Derma Fire Chief Shane Childs, Calhoun 911 Director Wayne Stone. Photo by Joel McNeece

So, we were watching Game One of the Lafayette Super Regional on TV. ULL was two runs up on Ole Miss when Rebel relief pitcher Jeremy Massey was called for a balk, allowing another run to score.

That’s when I made a critical mistake.
“Where was the balk?” I asked to no one in particular.
They showed the pitch again, and I asked again:

Rick Cleveland

“Where the (devil) was the balk?”
And then came these words from my wife: “Honey, what’s a balk?”
Uh-oh.

Instantly, I was reminded of what Leo Durocher once said about baseball. Said Leo the Lip, “Baseball is like church. Many attend, few understand.”
Fewer, still, understand a balk.
My wife does not understand. She appreciates the beauty of a well-groomed baseball diamond. She knows left field from right. Most times, she knows a hit from an error. She definitely knows the home team bats last. She loves the fact you can watch a baseball game and work a crossword puzzle at the same time. She thinks Chipper Jones is “really cute.”
But she does not know what constitutes a balk (and neither, apparently, did the home plate umpire at ULL).

So, you tell me: How does one explain a balk?
Well, it’s like this….
Only, it isn’t.
Better to keep it simple. Balks occur when the pitcher tries to deceive a baserunner. When that happens, the umpire calls a balk and the baserunners advance one base.
Pretty good explanation, or so I thought.
“You got to be more specific than that,” my wife said.

Now seems the right time to point out that the official rules of baseball contain a lengthy treatise on what constitutes a balk. When I say lengthy, I really mean interminable. Baseball’s rule book uses precisely 3,302 words to explain all the ins and outs of what constitutes a balk. In other words, if you really want to explain a balk to the uninitiated, you can do so in about the time it takes to play a doubleheader with several rain delays.
A balk is really complicated, because if you really want to explain a balk, you must first explain such intricacies as a pitcher’s set position vs. a wind-up and the importance of whether or not a pitcher’s foot is in contact with the rubber.

Try it sometime….
“Rubber? Why do they call it a rubber?”
You also have to explain why it’s OK to fake a pickoff throw to second base or third base, but not to first base.
So, it’s OK to deceive a runner on second base or third base, but not first base?
Yes.
Why?
Just because.

See, the problem is, you would have to know why it’s OK to fake a throw to second base and not to first, and I don’t. Do you?
That makes no sense, she said.
And she’s right.
She usually is.
I don’t have a clue how they came up with the rules for a balk. But those rules date back to 1898 and I do understand them for the most part. I just do not understand how some umpires interpret said rules. Neither did Steve Carlton, the great lefthander. He balked 90 times, a Major League record.

By the way, the official explanation from the umpire in Lafayette was that Massey, the Ole Miss lefty, did not come to a pause.
But Massey did pause. He paused and he in fact paused pregnantly, which is something my wife does understand much better than I.

Rick Cleveland (rcleveland@msfame.com) is executive director of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.

Among the honorees at Tuesday night’s Calhoun City Chamber of Commerce Banquet were, from left, Neta Redwine, chamber member of the year; J.R. Denton as part of the recognition of Chandler Drug as one of the ‘City businesses more than 50 years old; and chamber president Laura Edwards. Photo by Joel McNeece

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department has changed its phone number in hopes of making it easier for the public to remember.

Sheriff Pollan

The old number of 412-3149 has been changed to 412-5000 effective immediately. The change was made as part of an upgrade to the phone system in the department.

“We hope the new phone number will be easier for people to remember when they need to reach us in a non-emergency situation,” Sheriff Pollan said.

In case of emergency, dial 911, but any other business with the sheriff’s department should be conducted at the 412-5000 number.

Inis Hall Roane, of Bruce, said she has no secret to long life. The 95-year-old is still an active gardener, although admits she’s cut back from what she did just a few years ago, has never eaten a piece of meat, loves working crossword puzzles and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Who are your parents and how many brothers and sisters do you have?
My parents were Robert Lee and Birdie Hall and I’m the oldest of five siblings – Cuvis Tyler, Elsie Mize, Bobby Hall, Billy Hall and the late Laudis Hall.
I have two children – Deborah Roane and the late Elton Whitt Roane, Jr.
I have three grandchildren – Lisa Roane Langford, Ginger Roane Dishman and Brandy Russell.
I have five great grandchildren – Jaslyn Brooks Langford, Mary Mason Langford, Conley Whitt Langford, Landry Blayne Dishman and Easton Whitt Dishman.

What was life like for you growing up in Bruce?
I’ve lived my entire life here and in only four different houses.
Life was good! I guess times were hard sometimes, but we made it. I guess I really did not realize it then.
For our groceries, someone would drive through in a grocery truck, and we would buy our groceries from them.
We had an ice box – someone would come around and peddle ice.

What did you do as a kid for fun?  
We played like kids do now, I guess.  We played house. We would invite our friends over from school. We would get out in the     woods and rake leaves and make big seats to sit on.

Where did you go to school?
I went to school at Antoich Church until around 3rd grade and then went to school at Bruce.

Did you have a telephone or radio in your home grwong up?
We had a telephone on the wall that you could ring and a radio we would sometimes listen to.

Where did you meet your husband Elton Whitt Roane?
We met in school and got married June 14, 1941.
He served in the Army in World War II for four years, four months and three days. He was struck in the hip with shrapnel and was later awarded a Purple Heart.  He died April 28, 1959 at 40 years old. When he died, I had a 15 year old boy and a 15 month old baby girl.

What did you do for a living?
We farmed and raised cows.  My dad was a farmer and sold milk for a living.
Later in life, I worked at the garment plant, and Elton farmed and milked cows.

How long have you lived on “Roane Hill” just north of Bruce on Hwy. 9W?
I’ve lived in this house for around 52 years.

What are your hobbies now?
Working in the yard is my favorite hobby. I love working crossword puzzles, too.
And I really like Facebook. I like looking at what other people say.

How long have you gardened?
Ever since I have been big enough. I was probably 10 or 12 when I learned to garden from my mom.

Have you cut back on your gardening?
(She laughs.) Yes, a lot.  I’ve cut back a lot in the last two years.  When I was 90 I still had a full garden with peas, corn, butterbeans, okra, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, watermelon, and cantaloupe.

How much of your food do you get from your garden and do you put it all up yourself?    
Most of my food comes from the garden because I do not eat any meat. Yes, I put it  all up myself.

Why have you never eaten any meat?
When I was a little girl and was old enough to start eating meat, my mom would try to feed it to me and I would spit it out.  I just never had an appetite for it and never tried it again later in life. I’d cook it for my family, but I’d never eat it.

You’ve never been tempted to eat any kind of meat?
No.

Why do you love working in your garden and with your flowers so much?
Now that is one thing I don’t know. I just love it. I love to walk outside every morning and see what has come up and grown.

What’s your secret to a long, healthy life?
Well, I don’t have any secrets. I guess the good Lord has not been ready to take me yet. I always eat three meals a day, always cover my head with a hat and a bonnet when I’m outside, and working hard helps.

Kemon Hall of Calhoun City pulls in a pass ahead of Bruce’s D.J. Glaspie during seven-on-seven competition Thursday morning in Calhoun City. Photo by Joel McNeece

Rep. Jim Beckett urged Calhoun Countians not to take our emergency responders for granted just because you may have been spared from some disaster.

Beckett, speaking at the Calhoun City Chamber Banquet, said our emergency workers make Calhoun County a better place to live.

Jim Beckett

“I want to commend them for their service to our community and to our state,” Beckett said. “During the storms we all see them. We saw them on the Coast during Katrina. We saw them when the tornadoes hit Webster, Chicaksaw and Monroe counties. We saw them recently in Tupelo and Louisville during those storms.
“We’ve been fortunate in Calhoun County that we haven’t had any of those tragedies, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be the next and we always have to be prepared.”

Beckett explained that our law enforcement officers, fire departments, 911 officials and EMRs and ambulance crews are working every day, even if you don’t see them personally.
“When each one of us has a tragedy in our own lives, it’s just as big to us as a hurricane or a tornado,” he said. “If you haven’t had one of those tragedies, you will. You will have a car accident, or a sickness, or a house fire, or a break-in. You will eventually have some kind of reason where you will need one or more of these emergency responders.

“Remember they are our friends and neighbors and they receive little pay and thanks for what they do. It’s time for us to stop and say thanks for the service they provide to our community.”
Beckett spoke of his nephew Brandon working at a community swimming pool years ago in Bruce where every two hours he would take a brief break from his lifeguard duties. During one of the breaks one of the small children said, “I don’t know why he needs a break. He hasn’t saved anybody yet.”

“So many times that’s the way we treat our emergency workers,” Beckett said. “We haven’t had a fire or a wreck. We haven’t needed their services so we take them for granted. But they’re always there.
“Just because we haven’t had that major tragedy in our community doesn’t mean they’re not working. They’re working each and every day.”

Beckett challenged community leaders to fulfill their responsibility by giving emertency workers the resources they need to do their job.
“It’s important that the leaders in this community and county provide them what they need,” Beckett said. “That’s our responsibility. We owe it to them.”

Calhoun County players played big roles in last night’s West victory in the NEMSBCA fastpitch all star game at Nettleton.

Grace Edmondson, of Vardaman, a Northeast Community College signee, earned the win on the mound pitching the final three innings for the West which rallied from an early 6-0 deficit to win 7-6.

Charlesy Lovorn, of Calhoun City, a Holmes Community College signee, hit a double and drove in a run with a sacrifice fly for the West team.

Alison Childs, of Calhoun City, an ICC basketball signee, also played for the West starting at shortstop.

Vardaman Coach Billy Dill, Genna Grace Edmondson, Charlesy Lovorn, Alison Childs, Calhoun City Coach Nick Doles.

Judy McNeece, director of Dixie Regional Library System, submitted a request for additional funding for local libraries to the board of supervisors Friday morning.

McNeece pointed out that the county currently designates one mil of tax for the libraries. That mil generated $73,000 in 2012, but only $60,000 last year.

“We’re very grateful for what you provide us. It’s very needed,” McNeece said. “We’re hopeful the mil generates more next year and if you have any extra money after taxes come in, we would appreciate any extra you can provide. We would like to be able to provide our employees a raise at some point.”

McNeece provided several sheets of data from the three libraries in Calhoun County.

In 2013, the libraries had a total of 32,997 visits from customers. Jesse Yancy Memorial Library in Bruce accounted for 18,108 of those visits. Calhoun City had 9,543 visits and the Edmondson Memorial Library in Vardaman had 5,346 visits.

The libraries have a total of 17 computers for the public to use. Last fiscal year Bruce had 6,364 computer users. Calhoun City had 3,507 and Vardaman 1,880.

Combining library books, magazines, computers, programs offered and other services provided, it was estimated the annual value of the Calhoun County libraries is $1.3 million.

It was also noted that according to a survey conducted by the national Institute of Museum and Library Services that the national expenditure per capita is $35.83 compared to only $11.82 in the Dixie Regional system.

“We believe libraries are still one of the best values in public service dollars for the citizens of Calhoun County,” McNeece said.

The board took the budget request under advisement and then Board President Barney Wade asked if the board of supervisors has any input when new hiring is taking place at the local libraries.

“I suppose you could,” McNeece said. “Ultimately the decision is made by Dixie Regional.”

Wade said he was told by some in Calhoun City that some local people felt left out of the process.

Quinnette Hardin, 79 of Calhoun City, died  Thursday, June 12, 2014, at North Mississippi Medical
Center in Tupelo. Born Monday, June 18, 1934 in Woodland, she was the daughter of the late Sherman Langford and the
late Eula Vanlandingham  Langford. She was the wife of the late Fred W. Hardin.
Surviving are sons, Billy W. (Melba) Hardin of Vardaman; David Hardin of Derma,  and Michael Ray (Wanda)
Hardin of Walthall; daughters, Sarah Ann (Bo) Duncan of Vardaman; Sandra J. (Odis) Tapley of Pearl,
and Melinda (Larry) Jeffcoats of Derma; brother, Harvis Gene (Sue) Langford of Derma; 11 grand children, and
18 great grand children.
She was preceded in death by brothers, Travis Langford and Junior A. “Pop” Langford. Grandchildren, Jefferson
Keith Davis, and Beth Hardin White.
A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with the Bro. Jimmy
Vance officiating assisted by Bro. Thomas Galloway. Interment will be in Oak Springs Cemetery, Derma.
Pallbearers will be John Hollinger, Larry Jeffcoats, Benny Langford, Kenny Langford, Tommy Langford, Steven
Tapley, and T.J. Tapley. Honorary pallbearers: Bo Garett Howell, and Terry Langford.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, June 13, 2014, at Parker Memorial Funeral
Home , Vardaman, Mississippi.
Memorial may be made to Parker Memorial Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the family at ParkerMemorialFuneralHomes.com

Inis Roane of Bruce still loves flower gardening at 95 years old. Read her story below. Photo by Joel McNeece

Studio on the Square recently held their Dance Recital “Rule the World.”Four-year-old performers were, from left, front Addison Conner, Lizzy Edmondson; middle, Jacey Watkins, Caylee Smith, Hannah Morgan Lowe, Piper Cannon, Maggie Mae Nichols, Landri Rutherford; back, Mattie Beck Gore, Annie Reese Wilson, Emma Alderman and Genna Brooke Waters. Photo courtesy of Photography by Trent

Calhoun County Supervisors approved a request for a tax exemption from Furniture Wood in Vardaman at a meeting last Friday morning.

Sam Griffis, with the Furniture Wood plant in Vardaman, submitted the request for the tax exemption on new equipment. He said the plant would still pay taxes on the land and building but they are putting in a lot of new and refurbished equipment and hope to get a tax break.
He noted they currently employ 77 people and have a payroll of approximately $3 million and any tax break they receive would aid in their expansion efforts.

Barney Wade

“It’s not a whole lot that they are asking for at all,” Board President Barney Wade said. “(Attorney) Sonny (Clanton) has looked over it and said it’s ok. This is the same thing we’ve done for Weyerhaeuser in the past.”
The board approved the request unanimously.

In other news, the board approved an NRCS project for a Banner Church site where erosion is damaging a ditch. Rip-rap will be installed.
Circuit Clerk Carlton Baker thanked supervisors for their assistance with getting precincts ready for the election and said they will be needed again for the June 24 runoff.

Chancery Clerk Ramona Tillman said the county had received a letter from the Region IV Mental Health center in Tupelo requesting an immediate increase in contract price. She said the county is paying $2,000 a month now and another $1,000 per month is requested for the remainder of the fiscal year which ends Sept. 30. She said it is expected they will seek even more for the next fiscal year.

Tillman told the board that the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department is not certified to hold “lunacies,” which the county is now able to take directly to the Region IV center. If the county does not come up with the additional requested funds and is forced to house its own “lunacies,” the county would be libel if anything happened with one in custody.

Earnest Fox

Supervisor Earnest Fox said the additional cost would be worth it to the county to not be exposed to such liability.
Sheriff Pollan agreed and said they currently don’t have an isolated empty cell in which they could house a “lunacy” client.
The board agreed to pay the increase.

The board also approved the hiring of James Lollar as a part time worker in district four.

Maida C. Stegall, 82, of Bruce, died Saturday, June 14, 2014 at her home. She was born April 29, 1932 in Bruce, the daughter of Carl and Erma Jewel Bennett Collins. She was a graduate of Ellard High School, and went to Holmes Jr. College on a basketball scholarship. She was a member of Mt. Comfort Baptist Church, and was a retired legal secretary.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 11 a.m. until time of her funeral service at 1 p.m. at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in bruce. Dr. Bobby Douglas will be officiating with Bro. Darrell Logan assisting. Burial will be in Bruce Cemetery.

Survivors include one daughter, Dr. Ava Lynn Stegall (John Lambert) of Bruce; two brothers, Brooks (Edna Earl) Collins, Bruce,  and Larry (Mam) Collins, Bruce,  eight grandchildren, Jay Stegall, Keith Stegall, Josh Stegall, Rusty Stegall, Jonathan Stegall, Jody Stegall, Nick Manuel, Jadwin Manuel, and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Ersa Pellum Stegall, and two sons, Danny Stegall and Paul Stegall.

For online condolences visit www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com