I was no stranger to Leland, having traveled there for several high school football games through the years.
Lillo’s, a wonderful Italian restaurant on Hwy. 82, has long been a favorite of traveling companion Dr. Bruce Longest and mine, as was the Bourbon Mall, located south of town, which unfortunately was destroyed by fire several years ago.
I was back in Leland last Thursday visiting with Stephanie Patton, owner and publisher of the Leland Progress and the newest addition, along with Daily Journal Publisher Clay Foster, to the Mississippi Press Association (MPA) Board of Directors.
Leland Progress Publisher Stephanie Patton and MPA President Joel McNeece at the newspaper office in Leland.
My favorite responsibility since becoming MPA president has been visiting newspapers all across the state. I learn something new at every stop and always marvel at the professionalism of the local newspaper in some of Mississippi’s smallest towns.
Leland isn’t small by Calhoun County standards, however, with a population of more than 4,300 and an attractive and vibrant downtown area that escapes passers-by on Hwy. 82.
The newspaper office, which like many small towns doubles as a community meeting spot and economic development headquarters, is something to see. The incredibly attractive decor looks like something right off the pages of Southern Living, which is appropriate since Stephanie worked at the magazine for years before coming to Leland in 2010.
The history of the building was evident when you looked up to see, like all the adjoining buildings, that it originally had a skylight used to grade cotton. Despite its old bones, Stephanie had introduced a modern comfort to the building prompting me to suggest I would find it difficult to get work done because the surroundings were too relaxing. She obviously manages quite nicely, publishing the weekly paper predominantly as a one-woman operation.
She and husband Kenner moved to Leland four years ago so he could return to farming with his family. He also builds handmade furniture on the side and they, along with a few other couples, own The Thompson House bed and breakfast – a near 100-year-old Colonial Revival mansion overlooking Deer Creek just a few blocks north of downtown. I couldn’t resist paying it a visit as well.
Following our brief meeting in her office, we walked next door to the Leland Cafe for lunch where Slate Springs native Jon Doler spotted us and came over for a visit.
I left Leland with a new appreciation for the birthplace of Muppets’ creator Jim Henson, information for booking a stay at The Thompson House, and hopes that the high school football playoffs might require a return visit later this fall.