You asked for it … Top 10 Over Fifty
The 10 faces gracing the cover of the April / May Edition of Timeless Meridian Magazine are the inaugural class of Top 10 Over Fifty !
An offshoot of the annual TOP twenty under 40 ( which recognizes the Meridian area ’ s top “ movers and shakers ” under the age of 40 ), Top 10 Over Fifty was prompted by public demand , which often followed after the annual TOP 20 presentation . Each year after the announcement of the TOP 20 honorees and their being featured in Meridian Home & Style Magazine , I am often asked , “ When are you going to do something similar recognizing people over 50 ?”
With 2020 ’ s introduction of Timeless Meridian Magazine , a publication by The Meridian Star Newspaper centered on the 50-plus audience , it seemed only fitting to recognize the Meridian ’ s area ’ s “ movers and shakers ” over age 50 who are making a difference in the community . As with its predecessor , Top 10 Over Fifty is presented by Meridian Power through a partnership with The Meridian Star Newspaper and Timeless Meridian Magazine . The inaugural class includes men and women from various walks of life who are making a difference through volunteerism as well as random acts of kindness . We think you ’ ll agree these movers and shakers are setting the path for those following in their footsteps .
This edition of Timeless Meridian
Magazine also includes a brief listing of local organizations and agencies for those looking for ways to volunteer and give back to the community , a spotlight of two residents in observance of May is Older Americans Month as well as an update of what ’ s going on Meridian Activity Center .
You ’ ll also enjoy a feature about the Magnolia Quilters Guild , whose members not only are preserving the time-honored tradition of quilting , but also establishing friendships and a support network . There ’ s also several health-related articles , the cook feature In the Kitchen With … this time featuring vegan cook Bettye Jones , a finance column evaluating older adults biggest expenses and other features .
A new face
Timeless Meridian Magazine welcomes Kimberly Gowdy , the new MSU Extension Service Family and Consumer Science Agent III for Lauderdale County .
A Gulf Coast native , Gowdy relocated to Meridian with her husband of 23 years Maurice , who assumed head football coaching duties at Northeast Lauderdale High School in 2020 .
In her new position with the Extension Service , Gowdy will primarily focus on areas of development related to parenting , child development , adolescent development , nutrition , health and finance .
“ I absolutely love working directly in the community hands on . I feel that community sustainability is truly successful with direct involvement by impacting and strengthening our families ,” she said .
Throughout Gowdy ’ s 10 years as a Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent she has conducted and trained 700 parents in parenting classes , developed and implemented various programs within area school districts such as Taming Temper Tantrum Thursdays and Teen Mom Tuesdays . She said her communication skills have been most effective during her current position in providing effective researched based trainings to strengthen the knowledge of people within a truly diverse community . She also has 10 years experience working with the Latino / Hispanic community in the East Biloxi area , having developed , marketed and implemented continual programs within the Biloxi School District , Hispanic community .
Gowdy will write educational articles on a variety of subjects , including education , health and finance specifically focused on older adults .
Ida Brown Timeless Meridian Magazine Coordinator
On the Cover
TIMELESS MERIDIAN
APRIL / MAY 2020
TIMELESS MERIDIAN
EDITOR — Bill Graham COORDINATOR / WRITER — Ida Brown ADVERTISING SALES — Lisa Webb , Michelle Yelverton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS — Monique Harrison-Henderson , Glenda Sanders PHOTOGRAPHER — Trenton Steele GRAPHIC DESIGNER — Helen C . Reynolds TIMELESS MAGAZINE — 814 22nd Ave ., Meridian , MS , 39301 — 601.693.1551 — Advertising information , advertising @ themeridianstar . com
A publication of The Meridian Star
PAGE 7 : Introducing Meridian ’ s Top 10 Over Fifty
Timeless is published six times a year and is a publication of The Meridian Star . Annual subscriptions are $ 24 . To subscribe , email class02 @ themeridianstar . com www . meridianstar . com
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