From the editor ’ s desk
Spring brings annual festivals , new beginnings
Spring is by far my favorite season of the year . Flowers are blooming . Trees are budding . Grass is turning greener . The days are getting longer , and winter ’ s cold temperatures are behind us .
It is also the start of festival season in Meridian , and there ’ s no better way to get acquainted with the Queen City ’ s rich cultural history than one of our many springtime events . With festivals celebrating Southern cuisine , people , music , and the arts , the city ’ s downtown will be buzzing over the next couple of months .
This edition of Meridian Life takes a look at two of those upcoming events , the Allie Cat Run & Festival , created to honor the memory of Allie Carruth and to bring awareness to organ , eye and tissue donation , and Sipp & Savor , an annual fundraiser for the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience that is becoming quite popular among food and drink enthusiasts across the state .
Miss Mississippi USA Sydney Russell , a native of Collinsville , is this edition ’ s cover story . With beauty and brains , Russell has spent the past year juggling representing the state in the Miss Universe Organization while finishing her last year of pharmacy school . As she prepares to crown her successor in early April , Russell takes a look back at this past year before she steps onto a new career stage in life .
Dennis Whitlock , who resides in the Clarkdale community , has picked up a new hobby in his retirement . The Artist Corner feature , Whitlock hand crafts beautiful designer-like wood cutting and charcuterie boards , as well as butcher blocks and cheese serving boards . They are just amazing !
In the Community feature , Darlene Withers , who touched the lives of a few hundred radiologic technology students at Meridian Community College a quarter century ago , is now touching the lives of a family in Cambodia through access to clean drinking water from a well built in her memory by her former students .
In Along For The Ride , travel writers Brandi Perry and Dori Lowe take readers on a day trip to Brookhaven , a quaint town full of historic charm nestled in the heart of southwest Mississippi . Additionally , we have features on Cater ’ s Market and the Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival , as well as a couple of quick and healthy recipes .
We wish you a beautiful and happy spring . Be sure to check out some of the upcoming festivals in downtown Meridian . They are sure to be a fun time .
Glenda Sanders Meridian Life Editor
MERIDIAN LIFE The people and communities of Lauderdale County
EDITOR Glenda Sanders
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Thomas Howard Dori Lowe Tom Mayer Brandi Perry Glenda Sanders
PHOTOGRAPHY Tom Beck Demarcus Bowser Jeremy Eastmond Thomas Howard Glenda Sanders
ADVERTISING Tayler Dailey Lisa Webb
DESIGNER Inga Bass
PRODUCTION Jennifer Hammond
DISTRIBUTION Bobby Fields Melissa Miller
Meridian Life , a publication of the Meridian Star , is published six times a year .
814 22nd Ave . Meridian , MS 39301 601.693.1551
Comments or editorial content , including photos , should be sent to gsanders @ themeridianstar . com . Meridian Life is not responsible for unsolicited submissions .
Reproduction or use of any content in this publication for any manner without permission is prohibited .
Meridian Life can be found online at www . meridianstar . com . www . meridianstar . com
• 5