OPEN SEASON ON POLITICIANS

Like most people, I’ll be happy when these elections are over. The politicians are in rut and running wild across the landscape in search of their one & only desire; your vote. It seems locally there are more people running for office than ever. The population of politicians may be getting larger than our environment can support. This is why I am advocating that in the future we remove the responsibilities of the election process from the Secretary Of State’s Office & put them in the hands of an office that knows how to deal with such matters; the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Let’s look at the facts. If there is any department of state government that has been efficient and done an excellent job over the years, it has got to be the MDWFP. If they could run elections half as well as they manage the hunting and fishing seasons here in Mississippi, the whole process would be much more bearable to the general population. In fact they could structure many of the regulations just like the ones they already have in place:
Seasons: Season opens six weeks prior to the date of the primary and closes one half hour after sunset the day prior to the primary. Season opens again two weeks prior to final election as most voters will have already chosen their candidate & excessive political activity is simply annoying to the voting public and may cause depletion of their population. Politicking out of season is considered a felony and the offender is subject to a fine of $2000 or one year imprisonment.
Voting License: A voting license may be issued to any resident over the age of 18 who has not been convicted of a felony and who knows the name of at least one candidate for each office for which they intend to vote. Those who do not know such information must attend a Voter’s Education Course. No license will be issued to non-residents.
Voting Hours: Voting may begin one half hour prior to sunrise and must conclude one half hour after sunset.
Bag Limits: Voters are only allowed one vote per office per season. Votes may be cast for either sex. Voters who exceed these limits are subject to fines & imprisonment.
Decoys & Bait: The use of decoys in the form of religion, children’s welfare, and tax cuts are legal but are discouraged unless the politician has no other manner in which to obtain votes. Bait in the form of bribes, driveway gravel, changes in zoning restrictions or free rides to the polls are illegal.
Politicking from Roadways, Vehicles and Boats: Is allowed with certain restrictions. Political signs on roadways must not obscure intersections or the signs of other candidates. Signs for individual candidates must be removed from the roadside within one week of the election. Signs remaining after this period will be collected by county or city employees, shredded into confetti and strewn about the candidate’s yard after midnight on the 10th day after the election. Politicking is allowed from cars, vans, buses, boats, planes and horse drawn vehicles during daylight hours but the vehicle must be in motion.
Vote Scavenging: Scavenging votes from old voter rolls, old folk’s homes and cemeteries is illegal unless a list of such voters is also provided to opposing candidates so as not to place such voters at risk of violating previously stated bag limits.
I think by turning this all over to MDWFP, we could eliminate a lot of the headaches and costs of the election process here in Mississippi. There’s just one problem. We’d probably have to vote on it.

IT’S ONE FOR THE MONEY

This is a reprint of a commentary posted in "Cornbread & Potlikker" in 2010.
"I half expected to find “Elvis Hunk-A-Burnin Love Condoms” and “Now or Never Chocolate Laxatives” behind the check out counters."


My family and I took a little trip back a few months ago. Spring fever had set in and we needed to get away from yard work and chasing down income tax receipts. We decided to run up to Memphis and visit Graceland. My daughter has always been curious about Elvis and I thought she might enjoy seeing his home and memorabilia and we could buy a t-shirt or two.
If it’s possible, Elvis is more famous dead than he ever was alive. He’s everywhere and without a doubt the biggest money maker in Memphis. He’s probably still selling more records (CD’s for you younger folks) than most new artists which isn’t surprising considering the sad state of the current music industry. People are still fascinated by his life and music and as a tourist destination; Graceland must rival the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.
But I have to say that I was disappointed. For eighteen bucks a person, you get a bus ride across Elvis Presley Boulevard, a digital recorder and headphones to hang around your neck instead of a tour guide and the opportunity to stand in a crowd of hot, sweaty people; many of whom speak in a foreign language (strangely enough, mostly Northern European) and be herded through the mansion and grounds like livestock at a sale barn. I kept waiting for them to bring out the cattle prod for the older couple in front of us who kept holding up the line because they couldn’t get the lens cap off their camera. The highlight of the tour for my daughter was when the security people watching through surveillance cameras would say “Thank you – Thank you very much.” As they cautioned people to not lean over the railing or attempt to touch the displays.
Now I love Elvis. It’s hard not to love Elvis. It’s a rags to riches story of a young man who changed not only American culture but was a worldwide cultural phenomenon as well. His story has all the pathos and tragedy of any good made-for-TV movie. But what’s been done to his memory is even more tragic.
Elvis has become like Sponge Bob. He’s everywhere. His image is on everything from clocks to cell phone covers. He is an A-number one marketing tool because people just can’t seem to get enough of him. The souvenir shops across the street from Graceland are loaded with everything Elvis. Products range from bobble heads to put on your dashboard to recipe books with “Hound Dog Chili Dogs” and 101 variations of the peanut butter and banana sandwich. I half expected to find “Elvis Hunk-A-Burnin Love Condoms” and “Now or Never Chocolate Laxatives” behind the check out counters.
Something just seems inherently wrong about using Elvis in this way. I felt slimy after the whole experience, like I needed a bath. Granted, Elvis was marketed during his whole career and he wasn’t necessarily known for his good taste. He also didn’t die in the most dignified manner. I think that’s God’s way of reminding us not to get too big for our britches (literally and figuratively). But for his family to license his image for the most inane products isn’t something that should sit too well with his true fans.
I don’t think I’ll go back to Graceland anytime soon. It just tarnished Elvis’s memory for me and I don’t really need another “Blue Suede Toilet Seat”. I’ll just try to hold on to a more pleasant memory of the Elvis that use to be while I’m singing “Don’t Be Cruel” in the shower and using my Kentucky Rain Shampoo, Love Me Tender Conditioner and my Elvis soap on a rope.
William McCully

What's Happenin This Weekend - June 3-5

Things have slowed down a bit now that most memorials, graduations and the Red Hills Festival and all that goes along with it are over, but there's still a lot going on in the area.  The first farmer's market of the year is set for 7 am on Saturday. Organizers had planned to open the market during the Red Hills Festival but with weather and planning issues, the opening was pushed back a week. It will again be located on S. Columbus in front of the Citizen's Bank. There was some discussion of moving the market to a different location because of safety issues but for now, this is the most viable site. (Just a note: northbound traffic on that block of S. Columbus will be closed during the market. Southbound traffic will proceed as usual but please use caution.) The market is not just for produce as local folk are encourage to bring craft items, home- canned goods, baked goods, artwork, etc. The market runs from 7 am til about 10 am - every Saturday morning into the Fall.
After the farmer's market , head on down to Dean Park on Hwy 15S for the Juneteenth Festival. This is the 27th year of the festival. Starting at noon, there will be political speaking, entertainment, door prizes, cakewalks, a variety of food and lots of games for the kids. You can also register to vote in the upcoming elections
And if you would rather be fishing, You can check and see if there is still time to register for the annual Fishing Derby at Noxubee Refuge. The 9th annual fishing derby is held at two fishing ponds stocked with catfish.  Children ages four through fifteen must pre-register to participate. If the limit is not met, some may register the morning of the derby. The two types of registration are
$10 with a rod & reel provided, or
$ 5 if using your own equipment
Prizes will be awarded in two age categories but each registered child will receive a goodie bag and a prize. Follow the signs to the ponds. Call  to find out if space is still available - 662-323-5548.
Just a reminder to everybody - It's hot out there- as if you didn't know. If you are going to be outside, please drink plenty of liquids, preferably water and slow down a bit. Also remember your animals need plenty of water and shade. Have a Great Weekend!!

Miles is Smiling Down

Tommy Joe Miles was in the hearts and minds of many people in the Nanih Waiya community lately. Just as he is every spring. But this year it was even more so. For those of you who don't know who Tommy Joe was, he was a teacher and a coach at Nanih Waiya. But saying that he was just a teacher and a coach would be an understatement. Known as Tommy Joe to his friends and Mr. Miles to his students and players, he literally built the baseball program at Nanih Waiya. His first love behind God and family was baseball. This time of year if you wanted to see Mr. Miles and couldn't find him all you would have to do is find the baseball field and he would be there. Well even now, some 22 years after his death you can still find him on that baseball field.

How is this possible you might ask? Well for one thing, his name is on the field. But more importantly his legacy lives on even in the players that just won the state championship this year. Nine out of the ten starting players for the 2011 Warriors have some ties back to Mr. Miles. Hunter Luke's dad Shawn, Jeffrey Hemphill's dad Jerry, Hunter Swart's mom Belinda, Colby Eaves' mom Gail, and even Nanih Waiya principal David Luke all were a part of the 1987 North State Championship team coached by Mr. Miles. At least one if not both of the parents of Tanner Dalton, Dominique Carter, Brandon Rigdon, and Luke Rosamond were either taught or coached by Mr. Miles. And of course Zach Hanna has ties to Mr. Miles as he is the son of Miles' nephew, Head Football Coach Tate Hannah. I would even venture to say that Mr. Miles had some influence over Stewart Ball even though his parents did not attend Nanih Waiya during that time. I am also sure he had some influence over Coach Tyler Rogers who grew up in the Nanih Waiya community.

The dream that Mr. Miles had for the Nanih Waiya baseball program almost came true in 1987. A group of young men that had played baseball together since they were big enough to pick up a bat had come together for a great season and won the North State Championship against a tough Mantachie team. But the Warriors faced an even tougher foe in the State Championship against Beulah Hubbard. The first game was a knock down/drag out, 11 inning battle between two great teams. Kevin Reel pitched 10 great innings but it just wasn't enough as Beulah Hubbard won the first game of the series. After that huge letdown the Warriors couldn't get back on track to win the second game and the hopes of a championship were dashed. It's hard to say who was more crushed after that game, Mr. Miles or the Seniors who had come so close.

Mr. Miles pushed on until his body gave out while working on his field in 1989. But his spirit remained and kept the Nanih Waiya baseball program alive through the years. His former students and players began having children over the years and they coached their kids and allowed them to play the sport Mr. Miles loved. These kids came together as a team this last week and the sun was shining bright on May 19, 2011 at Trustmark Park. Mr. Miles was there, giving the signs from the 3rd base coaching box, throwing his hat down in disgust when something went wrong, moving his hair to the other side of his head before putting his cap back on, and grinning from ear to ear when his boys won the 2011 State Baseball Championship. That bright, shining sun was him smiling down on His Warrior baseball team.

Congratulations Mr. Miles. Job well done!!!

commentary from Jerry Hemphill

What's Happening This Week in Winston County - 5-19

Lots going on this weekend in Winston County! - There wil be a Live Shoot at Estes Switch (Off Hwy 15S) starting on Friday and running through the weekend. Period weapons and clothing are all part of the event - check out our events page for more details. The ECCC Jobs Fair in conjunction with WIN & Taylor Machine Works starts on Thursday & runs through Saturday..click here for more info . The Nanih Waiya Warriors play the 2nd game of a three game series with Falkner at 4 pm on Thursday. The Warriors took the first game of the series & a win today will earn the team a State Championship. The Dizzy Dean Tournament is in town this weekend as well. click here for more info..


And last but not least we have two school graduations remaining- Noxapater on Thursday & Louisville on Friday - both start at 7 pm.......Remember to check out our pages everyday for news and events. There's something new everyday. We appreciate your support & tell your friends and neighbors to follow us at winstonwebnews.com. ---and as always --SCROLL DOWN !!-- there's alway more to see..

Busy Week -- Busy Weekend Here in Winston Co...

A busy weekend is ahead of us in Winston County. Not mentioning specific memorials and graduation events and parties, Dizzy Dean baseball is in town as well as the Kids N Kats fishing rodeo held on Saturday at Legion State park. If you have a youngster 12 years of age or less, you don't want to miss this: concessions, doorprizes and 750 catfish just waiting to be caught.Registration starts at 7:30 and it looks like it will be a beautiful day.
There will also be a Relay for Life Survivor's Luncheon at the First Presbyterian church at 11:00 am. All cancer survivors are welcome to attend. ... And it may be too late to register but you can call the Library to find out - The Fancy Nancy Tea Party is scheduled for Saturday as well.. All these events are posted on WinstonWebNews on our events page and on our Coummunity Calendar.
The Community Calendar is a great tool to schedule your events and see what's going on - any given day across the area & you can print it out!!
There's been lots of news this week - from the tornado cleanup to all the board meetings to honoring our senior honor graduates - teachers and parents.. If you are not checking out WWN at least once a day (twice is better) then you are missing the most current news source in our area.. & REMEMBER _ SCROLL DOWN_ there is so much happening in the county right now that we are posting several stories a day. If you don't scroll down our home page - I guarantee you will miss something... for all the stories & links to all our pages click here.

Bad Weather Brings Some Things That Aren't So Bad

It’s been a long week here in Winston County. The news obviously dominated by the weather. We have to realize that we have been blessed when we start making comparisons to our neighbors in surrounding counties; damages and injuries and death in almost every corner. Wednesday was the worst. The last count I saw was 165 possible tornados across the Southeast and approaching 300 deaths, more than thirty of those right here in Mississippi. The little town of Smithville was all but wiped out and across the state line, Tuscaloosa & Birmingham had the highest death toll and property damage.

We did have our problems right here. Wednesday morning brought damage to my neck of the woods as some neighbors in the Evergreen & Poplar Flat communities dealt with downed trees and the resulting damages to their homes. But it was the afternoon storms that dealt a heavy blow not only across the South but here in our immediate area. A significant tornado made its path through Neshoba, Kemper and into the southwest corner of Winston County. The storm devastated the small community of Preston where three sisters with Winston County ties were killed. The path of the tornado made its way along County Line Road and surrounding area, across Hwy 397 and along the Shuqualak Road. Multiple homes were damaged in the County and some injuries occurred - But - it could have been much worse as the community south of Nanih Waiya was sparsely populated. As I surveyed the area and the path of the tornado, I realized just how powerful this thing was and how bad it could have been if this had hit a few miles further north and west.

The wrecked homes and property were a hard thing to see. It’s difficult not to be moved when you think of people’s lives turned (literally) upside down. But I saw something that affected me even more than the debris piles, turned over vehicles and missing roofs.

The morning after the storm , I saw yards full of cars and pickup trucks, people swarming rooftops covered in blue tarps, the sounds of hammers, saws, tractors and backhoes as people helped their neighbors, friends and family start to pull their lives back together. I saw the utility crews working methodically to restore power and I even saw a few smiles as people waved as we drove by.

I didn’t see FEMA, the Red Cross or a news crew from CNN; just people helping each other without waiting for the government or an aid agency to do it for them. In a very short time, homes will be repaired or rebuilt, lives will resume and only a few scars on the landscape and some personal stories will remain from the 2011 tornado. It’s good to be from the South -It’s good to be from Mississippi & it’s good to be from Winston County.

William McCully