MERIDIAN LIFE Connecting East Mississippi and West Alabama
www . meridianstar . com
PUBLISHER Jack Robb
MERIDIAN LIFE EDITOR Ida Brown
ADVERTISING SALES Lisa Webb
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Glenda Sanders
PHOTOGRAPHER Terrell Clark
DESIGNER Inga Bass
Meridian Home & Style is published six times a year .
Annual subscriptions are $ 24 .
814 22nd Ave . Meridian , MS 39301
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Meridian Home & Style can be found online at www . meridianstar . com
Hello to a new T20U40 class … Farewell longtime friends
In 2016 , the inaugural class of Top 20 Under 40 was introduced during an evening reception at a downtown venue with Mississippi Power serving as sponsor .
Top 20 Under 40 honors outstanding professionals under the age of 40 who not only excel in their professions , but more importantly , contribute to the communities where they live through volunteerism and service . The young men and women in that first class were an impressive group , demonstrating a strong professional progression , as well as a vested interest in the growth and success of their communities .
By the end of the event recognizing some of the area ’ s outstanding “ movers and shakers ,” representatives from Mississippi Power had agreed to sponsor the program ’ s honorees for the following year .
And the rest , as they say , is history . This year ’ s Top 20 Under 40 class increases the number of honorees to 140 … and counting . While they are from all walks of life and work in various professions ( education , health care , law enforcement , banking , industry and business ), they are bonded by their dedication to serving others and making the community — and world — a better place for people of today as well as future generations .
In addition to being honored at a reception attended by family , employers , co-workers and friends and featured in the Meridian Life Magazine , the Top 20 Under 40 class will be showcased on billboards around the city of Meridian .
More than likely you will recognize one or several of this year ’ s Top 20 Under 40 honorees . Be sure to congratulate them !
Also in this issue …
This issue of Meridian Life Magazine also include features , informative articles , our “ In Every Issue ” segment on fitness , mental health , finance and more , a list upcoming end-of-summer / early fall events , plus more .
As in previous years , we spotlight a longtime local business , highlighting its origins , progression through the years and providing insight on what ’ s next from those who have taken on the reigns for the future . Anders Furniture Company is featured in the series we call “ Generations .”
Back to Top 20 Under 40 … Ever wondered what some of the individuals honored in previous years are doing now ? How are they continuing their spirit of altruism and giving back of the community ? And what advice do they have to those individuals just starting out in their careers ? In this edition , we pose these question to five Top 20 alumnus .
Parting is such sweet sorrow
I ’ m showing this picture of me from my first year as a reporter for The Meridian Star Newspaper for those who have grown with me during my 39-plus years here . What was supposed to be two years at most ( I was supposed to either enroll in law school or move to another paper ) has evolved into nearly four decades of me wearing many hats : reporter , assistant Life Editor , Life Editor , Special Sections Editor , Senior Staff Writer , News Editor , Magazine Coordinator and my current position of Magazine Editor .
Sept . 16 will be my last day here at The Star . I am embarking on a new career path , writing a new chapter in my life story .
I leave with a wealth of memories , friendships ( some have moved on , while others have passed on to the next life ), knowledge and experience . Thank you for your support throughout the years through letters , phone calls / emails and kind words when we met . You don ’ t know how much that has sustained me through moments of doubt and tough times .
I ’ ll still be around and when you see me , please don ’ t hesitate to say hello .
Ida Brown Meridian Home and Style Magazine Editor
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