$300 Million & 500 Jobs for the Delta -- What Could It Be?

The Mississippi Economic Council held its annually Hobnob event this morning in Jackson. Gov. Haley Barbour said a $300 million facility which would create 500 jobs would be coming to the Delta, but he didn't give further details.

Read Mississippi Business Journal writer Clay Chandler's Magnolia Marketplace blog for more info.

Tutwiler: Mississippi's Boomtown?

By Amy McCullough
Courtesy of the Mississippi Business Journal.

TUTWILER — Tutwiler’s beer, pork rinds or plate lunches must be going like hot cakes, because the Sept. 2009 sales tax revenue of more than $6,000 is double what it was for the town last year. Tutwiler’s main businesses are two gas stations with convenience stores, a restaurant and a juke joint.

Maybe the state Legislature could learn a lesson from this Delta town with a population of 1,364 in the 2000 census. It’s one of a handful of state towns that has seen a financial positive in the current recession.

Mayor Genether Spurlock did not answer cell phone calls at press time and was therefore unable to speculate about drinking, dancing, driving or fried food consumption being the cause for the economic upturn.

Owner of Big Poppa’s restaurant, Henry Gipson, said business is “so bad I’m about to close my door.” Gipson said the Double Quick on Highway 49 replaced the Shell station about five months ago and has taken 70 percent of his business. Gipson believes the Double Quick is getting everybody’s in-town and highway business.

Double Quick manager Clarence Hudson said he does not know why the town’s sales tax revenue would have increased. “Business has slowed down,” he said.

Chris Jackson, an employee at Double Dy Express, which sells gas and lunches, said the business also has not increased, and there have been no special events in town that would have provided tourism dollars.

Total Tutwiler sales tax revenue for fiscal year 2009, which includes the months of July through September, was more than $13,000. For the same period in 2008, total collection was more than $9,000.

'Ink' Delta Art

Because it's never too early to start thinking about Christmas or birthdays or anniversaries for your favorite Delta person!



"Cotton Row Club with Power Lines"

The Cotton Row Club has been the unofficial fraternity house of numerous Greenwood gentlemen for years. Located on Ramcat Alley near Cotton Row, this famous venue featured an old bed, a Viking Range, a Coke machine with one button labeled “beer” and a bookie.

Hand-painted print measures approximately 14″ X 11″. Watercolor and gouache on watercolor paper.

$125 unframed




"Ramcat Alley"

The Greenwood, Miss. alley home to the Cotton Row Club.

Hand-painted print measures approximately 14″ X 18″. Mixed media on watercolor paper.

$125 unframed


Visit inkoriginalart.com. Or visit the gallery at The Mississippi Gift Company in Greenwood at 300 Howard St.

Half the Dirt is Gone

Dear Loyal Readers,

I want to thank you for your support of The Delta Dirt and let you know I probably won't be posting too frequently anymore due to the fact that I have moved to Jackson, MS to write for the Mississippi Business Journal.

I also wanted to tell you Facebookers that you should definitely become fans of the MBJ.

Also, I've recently become a twit who Twitters: http://twitter.com/mcculloughwrite

If you'd like a guaranteed source of humor, check out Clarion-Ledger cartoonist Marshall Ramsey's Twitter page: http://twitter.com/MarshallRamsey

Cheers!

Amy

River to the Rails 2009: A Delta Good Time

GREENWOOD -- Join Main Street Greenwood for a weekend street party featuring good food, great music, and dancing under the Delta stars at the 5th annual River to the Rails festival Friday-Saturday, September 18-19, 2009. Although the forecast calls for rain, we all know that a little inclement weather never kept a Delta resident from having a good time.

As in years past, this year's musical entertainment showcases an all star lineup of regional and national acts. Friday night features a no holds barred jam session with musicians from the Tangents and Curb Service while national recording artist Denise LaSalle will light up the stage on Saturday night.

Music coordinator Andy Hackleman is especially proud of the entertainment lineup for this admission-free event.

"We really pulled out the stops this year in organizing a variety of entertainment to please just about any musical preference," Hackleman said. "We've got blues, gospel, and rock and roll, among others. If you can't be happy with this lineup, then there's a techno club in New York City with your name on it," he said.

In addition to all the entertainment, River to the Rails is back with a few of its most popular events. All dogs are called to this year's Paws Parade, said organizer Aubrey Whittington of the Human Society of Leflore County. Entrants are encouraged to dress dogs as their favorite costumes. Trophies will be awarded following the parade, with an original painting by Charles Chapin given for the best costume.

Main Street Greenwood director Lise Foy said 30 to 40 pets strutted their stuff at last year's festival. "Some people dress in costume to match their dogs. It's just cute," Foy said.

Entrants will register for the 9 a.m. parade at 8:30 a.m. on the corner of Howard and Washington streets. The entry fee of $15 per pet benefits the Humane Society.

The Artist Village on Saturday afternoon will feature works for sale by local painters, potters, photographers, woodworkers and others and has even more artists signed up this year, said artist coordinator John Beard. River to the Rails is still taking booth applications.

In addition to the special edition of the Greenwood Farmer's Market, which will take place on Howard Street this Saturday, festival-goers can curb their hunger at the Food Court starting at 5 p.m. Saturday with barbecue, chicken on a stick, catfish, crawfish, hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza or get a sugar rush from ice cream, cotton candy, funnel cakes or deep-fried Twinkies. Cokes and beer are also available.

As always, the River to the Rails festival is brought to you by Main Street Greenwood, the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce and the Greenwood CVB. For more information, visit www.rivertotherails.net.


Music Lineup

Friday

Ole Skool Revue - A student band from DSU's Delta Music Institute
The Tangents' Reunion Show - The House Band of Mississippi
Curb Service Rock and Roll Band - Featuring the Curvettes

Saturday

Money Road - Local blues and rock band
The Banks 4's Michael Jackson Tribute - A group of four Greenwood musicians
Big T and the Family Band - Down home Clarksdale Blues
Denise LaSalle - A Sidon native and Queen of Delta Blues and Soul

Pimento Cheese Contest Winner: Marsh Pickett, Jr.

Marsh Pickett, Jr. with his prize-winning pimento cheese spread. Recipe below.

A history major by degree, Marsh Pickett, Jr. has been managing restaurants for most of his life, dabbling in the creation of what he calls "Southern comfort" foods. Although he didn't realize that the culinary arts would play such an important role in his life while a college student at Delta State University, Pickett would be the first to tell you that life has a way of steering you in the right direction.

Not one to back down from adversity, Pickett had to fight for his life in 2004 and 2005 by beating cancer and staph infection. Prior to this, he dabbled in cooking but once he regained his health, something clicked, causing him to pursue the culinary arts with a vengeance. "I learned mostly from watching the late Justin Wilson's cooking shows and the Food Network," Pickett said.

Speaking of the Food Network, Pickett readily admits that his favorite celebrity chef is Bobby Flay and confesses to watching Diners Drive-Ins and Dives religiously. "I literally take notes when I see something interesting," he states.

Although the comfort foods are perhaps his specialty, Pickett's truest love is good ol' bar-be-que.

Pickett recalls, "My father, Marsh Pickett, Sr., and my late uncle Billy Pickett hooked me on bar-be-que many years ago during our Fouth of July family outings--ribs and pork chops cooked on an open pit." He continues, "Daddy and Uncle Bill started before dawn, Daddy mopping one side while Uncle Bill mopped the other. I guess my bar-be-que love is genetic. I smoke my meats and even have a recipe for smoked meatloaf. I work for others while I continually refine my recipes and search for something new and exciting."

Pickett has been married to Deidre Nations Pickett for many years and together they have two daughters, Zola Kathryn Pickett and Haley Marsh Pickett. Although his dream is to one day own his own diner, he has put it on hold until his children graduate from college, another dream of his.

On his artistry, Pickett states simply, "What artist is ever satisfied? Some sing, some dance, some use a canvas. My art sits on a plate and I don't think I'll ever be fully satisfied. I'm always wondering, 'How can I make it better?'"


Delta Boy Pimento Cheese

3 cups grated mild cheddar
2 cups grated Monterrey Jack cheese
2 jars sliced pimento with liquid
4 slices crisp bacon crumbled
2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. granulated garlic
3 tbsp. dill mustard

Mix well. This melts nicely on burgers or hot dogs. Grill your pimento cheese sandwich in butter or on a sandwich press.

Greenwood Farmer's Market Promotes Healthy Lifestyle

Hal Fiore of "Three Guys Who Grow" sells a cornucopia of fresh vegetables at the Downtown Greenwood Farmer's Market. Courtesy photo.

GREENWOOD -- The Greenwood Farmer's Market continues to be a success for Greenwood-area residents who value freshness and quality at their kitchen table. Now in its second year, the Farmer's Market, which was spearheaded by Main Street Greenwood, Inc., will continue to be held every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until noon through October 31. The market takes place near the Columbus and Greenville Railroad at the intersection of Johnson and Main Streets.

The market was formed in the winter of 2007 by a small group of Greenwood citizens who liked the idea of a local market where area farmers could sell the fruits of their labor (pun intended). Assisted by grants from Blue Cross, MAC, and USDA, the market was able to open for business in Summer 2008. Tents and tables were purchased and the event was advertised across the Delta with these funds. In addition, there have been several fundraisers that have benefited the Greenwood Farmer's Market, including the Alluvian Harvest Ball last October, and a Viking Farm to Table dinner to be held this fall.

The Greenwood Farmer's Market would not have been the success that it is without the support of the community. "Greenwood is lucky to be home to many people who are passionate about the local food movement that is sweeping the nation," Main Street Executive Director Lise Foy said. She continued, "With Mississippi's high incidence of diabetes, obesity, and other health issues, our project offers a unique solution that not only encourages people to eat healthier, but supports local growers. It really is a win-win situation for the entire community."

The objective of the Farmer's Market is to create a community meeting place where every can come together to promote healthy lifestyles, provide farmers and back yard gardeners with a profitable location to sell their produce, plants, and other food items, and to build community pride in the downtown area. In those terms, the market has met its objective, but still seeks to expand their scope. The market averaged ten vendors per week the first year, and has increased to host as many as thirteen vendors each week in their second year.

Some of the vendors are regulars, including Hallie Streater, who brings peas, tomatoes, squash, and fresh eggs each week, and Bubba Fraiser, who sells fresh Gulf shrimp by the ounce or by the pound. Donald Bender supplies the market with his signature Mockingbird Bakery artisan breads and the Lay Sisters with their canned jellies and pickles. 3 Guys consists of Mike McClellan, Jamie Kornegay, and Hal Fiore, regularly ply the market with heirloom vegetables and fresh lettuce and Benny Blaylock is known for his great melons. Others offer products and services such as gardening tips, free range chicken to order, and homemade dog biscuits, all with an emphasis on sustainability.

Although your senses of smell and taste are the once most likely to be stimulated at the Greenwood Farmer's Market, you might find something pleasing to the ears if you decide to visit one Saturday morning. Each week, the Greenwood Farmer's Market plays host to some of the Delta's best local musicians as entertainment for the selective shopper. Musicians such as Cecil Ables, the Dillionaires, and bits and pieces of Curb Service, have all played on the makeshift stage in the parking lot behind Mallette Furniture. Each week offers up a different style of music, from blues and jazz, to rock and roll and acoustic guitar. "We have a lot of great musicians that play at the [Greenwood Farmer's] Market each week, which really transforms downtown into a fun place for families to spend their Saturday," Foy said.

And if that's not enough to bring you downtown on a Saturday morning, the market also offers plenty of activities for the kids, including the occasional face painting by Kelly and Jon Rayeski. In addition, the market offers the opportunity for young farmers to make a bit of spending money, as kids have set up shop selling sweet tea, lemonade, homemade brownies, and smoothies. So kids, if you are no longer entertained by cartoon marathons on your Saturday mornings, bring your best entrepreneurial spirit and tell those parents of yours that they can no longer use your allowance as bribery for making up your bed each morning.

With all that is going on at the Greenwood Farmer's Market, there are constantly opportunities for improvement. In the short run, the market hopes to increase the number of regular growers that sell their wares at the market and reach more shoppers and entice them to spend their grocery money locally, rather than at Walmart or some other grocery chain. Long term planning has focused on building a permanent structure for the market and to increase access to underprivileged segments of the population by expanding the Mississippi Farmer's Market Nutrition Program, which provides vouchers for people enrolled in the Senior Nutrition Program, providing a means for a health lifestyle, as well as additional sales for vendors.

With all that is occurring at the Greenwood Farmer's Market each week, it is no wonder that Main Street Greenwood takes pride in the project. "We are encouraged by what we have seen thus far and are looking forward to what this might become in the future, Foy stated. "With some time and increased support, the Greenwood Farmer's Market will become a fixture in downtown Greenwood, providing healthy options for Greenwood families for years to come."

For more information or to volunteer, call the offices of Main Street Greenwood at 662-453-7625 or online at http://www.mainstreetgreenwood.com/.

Greenville's Brown Water/Holiday Inn Express Make the Washington Post!

Then-presidential candidate Barack Obama and front desk agent Brian Credeur at the Holiday Inn Express of Greenville March 10, 2008.

President Barack Obama's alarm at Greenville's brown water during his campaign trail stay at a Holiday Inn Express and Mayor Heather McTeer Hudson's attempt to get stimulus money to fix the problem was the focus of an Aug. 24 Washington Post article.

The Delta Dirt was present at Obama's March 10 visit. Read our version here. The Washinton Post's story begins:

"GREENVILLE, Miss. -- In the blur of his campaign, it was just another overnight stop: a Holiday Inn Express in Greenville, dead in the heart of this forsaken land called the Delta.

In the lobby, atop the front desk, a card in a plastic frame greeted guests. It served as an alert, a quaint warning of sorts: "You may be wondering why our water is brown -- it's the cypress tree roots, in the springs underground. Y'all can drink our water and bathe without fear. For no one lives longer than the folks around here."

Barack Obama passed the card on the way to his room. There, the bathroom sink and shower offered exactly what the card predicted: a stream of yellowish-brown water, to be found in every room. It came from a Greenville city well, which pumped the same alarming-looking water into all the homes and businesses in the area. City leaders and hotel employees emphasized that although it looked bad, the brown water met all federal and state safety standards, and that residents commonly drank it and bathed in it."

In a car ride with Obama, the mayor explained that "She hoped to get rid of the color with a filtration system that several American and foreign cities had used to take care of their own brown-water problems. But struggling Greenville had no money to pay for such a system, another complication in an array of infrastructure quandaries for which Hudson was hoping to obtain federal assistance."

The article goes on to tell of Hudson's frustration that government stimulus funds have yet to materialize for her city's wish list. There is nothing new here: Empty government promises matched by a desire for money that at any price could never be quenched.