Thursday, July 31, 2008, 12:20 p.m.:
Barbour, McCoy talk Medicaid at the Fair
By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridainstar.com
The governor delivered a few barbs aimed at presidential hopeful Barack Obama and briefly spoke about Medicaid during his speech, the final one today at the Neshoba County Fair at Founders Square.
Gov. Barbour said of the proposed $375 million in Medicaid cuts: "We believe we have found a way to make them in a far less harmful manner."
But, he said, "make no mistake: the law requires the cuts."
"I expect an announcement of a revised proposal by the time the Legislature returns (for special session) on Monday."
Minutes after his speech, House Speaker Billy McCoy emerged from a cabin and responded to Barbour's Medicaid comments.
"We believe (the reduction in cuts) validates, vindicates and any other v's our position in the House," McCoy said.
The speaker said the Senate remains to act as the "left arm of the governor" and said he reminded reporters that the House's position is that the solution to Medicaid should be solved, at least in part, by an increase in the tax on tobacco.
"We've compromised," McCoy said.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
God and politics mix well at NCF
Thursday, July 31, 2008, 10:20 a.m.:
By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com
The podium at Founders Square might as well have been a pulpit when congressional candidates Gregg Harper and Joel Gill spoke at the Neshoba County Fair.
The issue of God was heard loud and clear.
Gill got religious first, saying that he "knew Jesus Christ." He later encouraged others to get to "know him" as well.
"I stand here covered in His blood and I'm not ashamed to profess His name," Gill said, drawing a few cheers from about a handful of his supporters in the crowd. Harper's supporters who covered the outside of the pavilion, however, never shouted or jeered during Gill's speech, some even applauded Gill's discussion on faith.
Harper got a rousing applause when he was introduced to the crowd. He also talked about his Faith on multiple occasions, even mentioning his friendship with Carl White of Meridian, pastor of Highland Baptist Church.
He also talked about conservatives getting back to their roots in Washington.
Republicans didn't fall from power in Washington because they weren't liberal enough, "they fell out of power because they quit being conservative," Harper said, drawing a bolt of applause.
"It's time we get back to that," he said.
Both candidates also talked about gas prices.
While it's no secret Harper likely will demolish Gill in November, it was nice, for once, to hear cordial speeches in which neither candidate bashed the other (or their respective supporters for that matter).
House Speaker Billy McCoy, as mentioned in my blog last night, has arrived and his making his rounds along with other state Democrat leaders. They're scheduled to rebut the governor's speech in about 30 minutes. The governor is up in a few minutes.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com
The podium at Founders Square might as well have been a pulpit when congressional candidates Gregg Harper and Joel Gill spoke at the Neshoba County Fair.
The issue of God was heard loud and clear.
Gill got religious first, saying that he "knew Jesus Christ." He later encouraged others to get to "know him" as well.
"I stand here covered in His blood and I'm not ashamed to profess His name," Gill said, drawing a few cheers from about a handful of his supporters in the crowd. Harper's supporters who covered the outside of the pavilion, however, never shouted or jeered during Gill's speech, some even applauded Gill's discussion on faith.
Harper got a rousing applause when he was introduced to the crowd. He also talked about his Faith on multiple occasions, even mentioning his friendship with Carl White of Meridian, pastor of Highland Baptist Church.
He also talked about conservatives getting back to their roots in Washington.
Republicans didn't fall from power in Washington because they weren't liberal enough, "they fell out of power because they quit being conservative," Harper said, drawing a bolt of applause.
"It's time we get back to that," he said.
Both candidates also talked about gas prices.
While it's no secret Harper likely will demolish Gill in November, it was nice, for once, to hear cordial speeches in which neither candidate bashed the other (or their respective supporters for that matter).
House Speaker Billy McCoy, as mentioned in my blog last night, has arrived and his making his rounds along with other state Democrat leaders. They're scheduled to rebut the governor's speech in about 30 minutes. The governor is up in a few minutes.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
Fair speeches continue
Fair speeches continue
By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com
A parade of about 200 Gregg Harper supporters, led by the Republican candidate for Congress himself, have filed into Founder's Square and surrounded the pavilion in advance of his speech at the Neshoba County Fair this morning. They've crowded the outskirts of the pavilion as Chief Justice Jim Smith speaks.
On the Medicaid front, rumors continue to fly about the governor's announcement. A few top Democrats also have been seen combing the aisles under the pavilion.
The House Democrats are expected to hold an impromptu news conference after Gov. Haley Barbour's speech later this morning. We'll keep you posted.
The clouds and slight breeze have kept things slightly cool this morning ... we'll see how long that lasts.
By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com
A parade of about 200 Gregg Harper supporters, led by the Republican candidate for Congress himself, have filed into Founder's Square and surrounded the pavilion in advance of his speech at the Neshoba County Fair this morning. They've crowded the outskirts of the pavilion as Chief Justice Jim Smith speaks.
On the Medicaid front, rumors continue to fly about the governor's announcement. A few top Democrats also have been seen combing the aisles under the pavilion.
The House Democrats are expected to hold an impromptu news conference after Gov. Haley Barbour's speech later this morning. We'll keep you posted.
The clouds and slight breeze have kept things slightly cool this morning ... we'll see how long that lasts.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Medicaid talk to heat up the Fair
By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com
Gov. Haley Barbour is expected to announce Thursday that he's suspending his proposed $375 million in Medicaid cuts.
There are several rumors flying around here as to what the announcement will be and how a deal (possibly with House Democrats) was struck.But I have been told he will announce it tomorrow. The ClarionLedger is reporting the Medicaid cuts — which were proposed by the governor as a necessary move to fund the $90 million shortfall since the Legislature failed to pass a plan to fund the gap — will not happen. They have a letter from State Attorney General Jim Hood's office to Hinds County Chancery Judge Patricia Wise that says the Division of Medicaid is withdrawing the proposal and canceling the administrative hearing that was required for the cuts.
A representative from the governor's office said he couldn't comment, but that the governor would be discussing it on Thursday at the Fair.
We'll let you know what he says as soon as we hear.
editor@themeridianstar.com
Gov. Haley Barbour is expected to announce Thursday that he's suspending his proposed $375 million in Medicaid cuts.
There are several rumors flying around here as to what the announcement will be and how a deal (possibly with House Democrats) was struck.But I have been told he will announce it tomorrow. The ClarionLedger is reporting the Medicaid cuts — which were proposed by the governor as a necessary move to fund the $90 million shortfall since the Legislature failed to pass a plan to fund the gap — will not happen. They have a letter from State Attorney General Jim Hood's office to Hinds County Chancery Judge Patricia Wise that says the Division of Medicaid is withdrawing the proposal and canceling the administrative hearing that was required for the cuts.
A representative from the governor's office said he couldn't comment, but that the governor would be discussing it on Thursday at the Fair.
We'll let you know what he says as soon as we hear.
Fair mishaps
By Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com
It seems like every time I cover an outdoor event where it's really hot and sunny, I have some kind of dumb mishap.
At the NAS-Meridian air show earlier this year, I had a mishap with a sunburn. Now, at the Neshoba County Fair, I have another mishap - locking my keys in the car.
I've always been pretty bad about locking my keys in the car, getting flat tires, and ending up in ditches, which is why I always keep my AAA card handy.
But this time, instead of AAA, it was Meridian Star photographer Paula Merritt, three construction workers from Philadephia, and a guy with some coat-hangers that came to the rescue.
As anyone who has been to the Neshoba County Fair knows, it is freakin' hot. This was my first year at the fair, and not knowing my way around, I parked about as far away from the fairgrounds as I could. After a hot but somewhat pleasant day of visiting cabins, I proceeded to make my way back to my car and realized I had no clue how to get there. I walked in the very, very hot sun for about half an hour until I found it. I can't describe how happy I was to see my car at that moment. I wanted nothing more than to sit down and turn on the AC, but to my extreme dismay, I found that my keys were not in my purse, but still in the ignition of my locked car.
After a few minutes of believing I was doomed to crawl across the red dirt screaming "Agua!!" until I reached the shelter of a cabin and figured out what to do about my keys, I was rescued by Paula, who picked me up off the side of the highway, found some coathangers at a friends cabin, and drove me back to the car to attempt to unlock it.
Just when it became clear that I was going to be unsuccessful in my quest to unlock my car, three Yates construction employees stopped and, after a great deal of arguing and picking on one another, unlocked my door.
Thank you Paula, Daniel, and Yates construction!!!
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
jjacob@themeridianstar.com
It seems like every time I cover an outdoor event where it's really hot and sunny, I have some kind of dumb mishap.
At the NAS-Meridian air show earlier this year, I had a mishap with a sunburn. Now, at the Neshoba County Fair, I have another mishap - locking my keys in the car.
I've always been pretty bad about locking my keys in the car, getting flat tires, and ending up in ditches, which is why I always keep my AAA card handy.
But this time, instead of AAA, it was Meridian Star photographer Paula Merritt, three construction workers from Philadephia, and a guy with some coat-hangers that came to the rescue.
As anyone who has been to the Neshoba County Fair knows, it is freakin' hot. This was my first year at the fair, and not knowing my way around, I parked about as far away from the fairgrounds as I could. After a hot but somewhat pleasant day of visiting cabins, I proceeded to make my way back to my car and realized I had no clue how to get there. I walked in the very, very hot sun for about half an hour until I found it. I can't describe how happy I was to see my car at that moment. I wanted nothing more than to sit down and turn on the AC, but to my extreme dismay, I found that my keys were not in my purse, but still in the ignition of my locked car.
After a few minutes of believing I was doomed to crawl across the red dirt screaming "Agua!!" until I reached the shelter of a cabin and figured out what to do about my keys, I was rescued by Paula, who picked me up off the side of the highway, found some coathangers at a friends cabin, and drove me back to the car to attempt to unlock it.
Just when it became clear that I was going to be unsuccessful in my quest to unlock my car, three Yates construction employees stopped and, after a great deal of arguing and picking on one another, unlocked my door.
Thank you Paula, Daniel, and Yates construction!!!
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
Fair family ... and food
By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com
Sitting inside the DeWeese's cabin at the Neshoba County Fair you quickly get what this place is about: family, neighborly attitudes, friendship and, most of all, FOOD.
After eating my share of peas, corn casserole, turkey and pulled pork sandwich at Sid Salter's cabin, I made my way to hang out at the DeWeese's cabin. There, I found her fair famous pudding. I also fell in love with the caramel cake.
Wow. OK, I'll admit, I probably ate a little more than my share (does four pieces count?)
Bet DeWeese picked up a pack of paper plates, with only a handful left, and said: "there were 175 in there when I first bought this; that's how many people we fed today."
So if you're at the Fair this week, stop by the DeWeese's cabin and meet the nice folks here ... and be sure and check out all the pictures on the wall.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
editor@themeridianstar.com
Sitting inside the DeWeese's cabin at the Neshoba County Fair you quickly get what this place is about: family, neighborly attitudes, friendship and, most of all, FOOD.
After eating my share of peas, corn casserole, turkey and pulled pork sandwich at Sid Salter's cabin, I made my way to hang out at the DeWeese's cabin. There, I found her fair famous pudding. I also fell in love with the caramel cake.
Wow. OK, I'll admit, I probably ate a little more than my share (does four pieces count?)
Bet DeWeese picked up a pack of paper plates, with only a handful left, and said: "there were 175 in there when I first bought this; that's how many people we fed today."
So if you're at the Fair this week, stop by the DeWeese's cabin and meet the nice folks here ... and be sure and check out all the pictures on the wall.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
Meridian Day at the Fair
By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com
Meridian Day got off to a great start here ... but it also included a slight jab from Lauderdale County Supervisor Ray Boswell to fellow supervisors Craig Hitt and Joe Norwood as Boswell welcomed guests to Meridian Day under the Founder's Square pavilion, according to those standing near the stage.
Boswell introduced Wayman Newell and Hank Florey of districts 2 and 1 respectively, as they stood near the stage. He then mentioned supervisors Craig Hitt and Joe Norwood, two supervisors with whom he's had public disagreements, and said they may be out there "somewhere." To be fair to Boswell, I never saw Hitt or Norwood either, though they could have been there. I also asked other folks and they didn't see them either. It could have been a fair, and very light-hearted, jab. And if you weren't from our area you probably wouldn't have noticed the jab. But everyone I spoke to noticed it ... it was the first thing they said to me.
Outside the pavilion, Meridian residents, elected officials and business people stood and talked with the crowd, passing out fans, lemonade and other goodies with Meridian-based logos. Nearly 1,000 folks gathered near the pavilion as Meridian had its chance to welcome fairgoers.
Before Meridian Day, the morning political speeches were highlighted by U.S. Sen. candidates Roger Wicker and Ronnie Musgrove.
As Musgrove spoke and a throng of boos came from the crowd, the former Mississippi governor responded: "We'll get to the dirty old political tricks in a minute."
"Washington is broke and needs fixing," Musgrove said. "Roger Wicker is entitled to his opinion, but he's not entitled to his own facts."
Wicker, who was also heckled by groups of Musgrove supported, said, sarcastically: "I enjoyed Ronnie's speech; now I fully understand why he beat Haley Barbour."
"Ronnie Musgrove let us down as governor and we gave him his walking papers," Wicker continued.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
editor@themeridianstar.com
Meridian Day got off to a great start here ... but it also included a slight jab from Lauderdale County Supervisor Ray Boswell to fellow supervisors Craig Hitt and Joe Norwood as Boswell welcomed guests to Meridian Day under the Founder's Square pavilion, according to those standing near the stage.
Boswell introduced Wayman Newell and Hank Florey of districts 2 and 1 respectively, as they stood near the stage. He then mentioned supervisors Craig Hitt and Joe Norwood, two supervisors with whom he's had public disagreements, and said they may be out there "somewhere." To be fair to Boswell, I never saw Hitt or Norwood either, though they could have been there. I also asked other folks and they didn't see them either. It could have been a fair, and very light-hearted, jab. And if you weren't from our area you probably wouldn't have noticed the jab. But everyone I spoke to noticed it ... it was the first thing they said to me.
Outside the pavilion, Meridian residents, elected officials and business people stood and talked with the crowd, passing out fans, lemonade and other goodies with Meridian-based logos. Nearly 1,000 folks gathered near the pavilion as Meridian had its chance to welcome fairgoers.
Before Meridian Day, the morning political speeches were highlighted by U.S. Sen. candidates Roger Wicker and Ronnie Musgrove.
As Musgrove spoke and a throng of boos came from the crowd, the former Mississippi governor responded: "We'll get to the dirty old political tricks in a minute."
"Washington is broke and needs fixing," Musgrove said. "Roger Wicker is entitled to his opinion, but he's not entitled to his own facts."
Wicker, who was also heckled by groups of Musgrove supported, said, sarcastically: "I enjoyed Ronnie's speech; now I fully understand why he beat Haley Barbour."
"Ronnie Musgrove let us down as governor and we gave him his walking papers," Wicker continued.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Some things are universal
By
Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com
This is my first year to go to the Neshoba County Fair. I have to say that I didn't expect it to be what I expected, but after having it described to me by avid fair fans and seeing multitudes of fair photos, it turned out to be exactly as I had pictured it.
Hundreds of tiny cabins, most of which are similarly shaped but still look wildly different, are crammed together along narrow red dirt roads. It's hot, there's dirt everywhere, and you can find all manner of people running around the place.
All the cabins I've visited so far have been inhabited by very different people, but they all gave me the same greeting - "Can I get you something to drink?" When I sat them down to ask them about the fair, they all told me pretty much the same thing; that the fair is more about family and friends than horse races or political speeches, that anyone can get a free meal if they walk up to the right cabin, and that the true fair experience comes from staying at a cabin, not stopping by for a few hours to ride rides on the midway.
All the cabin-dwellers greeted me as if I were no stranger, and most tried to entice me to eat. I finally caved in and took some very delicious Neshoba County watermelon from a gentleman who I was interviewing about a huge party he throws at his cabin every year.
I've only spent one day at the fair so far, but it's been enough to learn that everything I've been told about it, good and bad, is true.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com
This is my first year to go to the Neshoba County Fair. I have to say that I didn't expect it to be what I expected, but after having it described to me by avid fair fans and seeing multitudes of fair photos, it turned out to be exactly as I had pictured it.
Hundreds of tiny cabins, most of which are similarly shaped but still look wildly different, are crammed together along narrow red dirt roads. It's hot, there's dirt everywhere, and you can find all manner of people running around the place.
All the cabins I've visited so far have been inhabited by very different people, but they all gave me the same greeting - "Can I get you something to drink?" When I sat them down to ask them about the fair, they all told me pretty much the same thing; that the fair is more about family and friends than horse races or political speeches, that anyone can get a free meal if they walk up to the right cabin, and that the true fair experience comes from staying at a cabin, not stopping by for a few hours to ride rides on the midway.
All the cabin-dwellers greeted me as if I were no stranger, and most tried to entice me to eat. I finally caved in and took some very delicious Neshoba County watermelon from a gentleman who I was interviewing about a huge party he throws at his cabin every year.
I've only spent one day at the fair so far, but it's been enough to learn that everything I've been told about it, good and bad, is true.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Ahhh, the fair
Ahhhh, the fair.
I actually look forward to it every year.
It's the one place that you know you will, or can, bump into friends you haven't seen in years. Like someone you went to high school with (so long ago) and getting the chance to reminisce about silly pranks you used to play on teachers or ole friends. Rehashing, how at one time, you used to be in a garage band. How your antics helped create such a memory that still, to this day, sparks a laugh out of your chums everytime they see you. Realizing how much older you are and how stupid you used to be, and sometimes still are.
It's like for one week out of the year, you're young again. Now that I am, ahem, 42, I've started noticing that I get grumpy about the teenagers that do some of the very same things I used to do. I gotta tell ya, they irritate the living mess out of me!
"Uh, please don't toss a water balloon into my car. I know I did it when I was your age, but by golly, I'm the victim now!"
I remember being 15 and making cracks about the older folks. "Look at that old guy; is he a real person or part of the cabin?"
Making snide remarks about people you walk past. "Is that a zeppelin or is there actually a person that big?" (I'm probably the youngest person to even know what a Zeppelin is!)
Well, now I am that old fat person getting the comments and nasty remarks, but I take it all in good humor.
There are likes and dislikes about the fair, but whether they are good or bad, they sure do make great memories at any age.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
I actually look forward to it every year.
It's the one place that you know you will, or can, bump into friends you haven't seen in years. Like someone you went to high school with (so long ago) and getting the chance to reminisce about silly pranks you used to play on teachers or ole friends. Rehashing, how at one time, you used to be in a garage band. How your antics helped create such a memory that still, to this day, sparks a laugh out of your chums everytime they see you. Realizing how much older you are and how stupid you used to be, and sometimes still are.
It's like for one week out of the year, you're young again. Now that I am, ahem, 42, I've started noticing that I get grumpy about the teenagers that do some of the very same things I used to do. I gotta tell ya, they irritate the living mess out of me!
"Uh, please don't toss a water balloon into my car. I know I did it when I was your age, but by golly, I'm the victim now!"
I remember being 15 and making cracks about the older folks. "Look at that old guy; is he a real person or part of the cabin?"
Making snide remarks about people you walk past. "Is that a zeppelin or is there actually a person that big?" (I'm probably the youngest person to even know what a Zeppelin is!)
Well, now I am that old fat person getting the comments and nasty remarks, but I take it all in good humor.
There are likes and dislikes about the fair, but whether they are good or bad, they sure do make great memories at any age.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Different cabins, same fun
Different cabins, same fun
By Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com
For most of the year, the Long cabin and the Bates cabin couldn't be more different.
The tiny Long cabin was built in 1968, didn't get air conditioning until a decade later, and is still unfinished on the inside. The Bates cabin is brand spanking, is equipped with a large, new kitchen, a flat screen t.v. It's 3 stories high and sleeps 52.
But during the week of the Neshoba County Fair, what happens in and around the two cabins could hardly be more similar. As fair cabins, both are home to enormous meals, family reunions, hospitality, camaraderie, and fun.
Tommy Long lives in Huntsville, Ala., but was born and raised in Neshoba County and has been coming to the fair his entire life. Over the years, he said, only one really noticeable change has taken place at the fair.
"50 years ago," he said, "there were not nearly as many cabins. But the atmosphere, the food, the fun, the family activities (haven't changed)."
Like many families with fair cabins, the Longs make the fair a time for family reunions - bringing in relatives from as far as Portland and as near as 2 miles down the road.
Family, friends, and fair neighbors all love to gather at the Neshoba County Fair. "If they don't come here, they never see each other," Long said of some of his family.
To Long, the real value of the fair comes from the people and the atmosphere of hospitality.
"You could walk into any cabin at any mealtime and get fed," he said. "When you're fixin' for 20 people, fixin' for 30 is not that big a deal."
Still, Long said, he doesn't just hang around his cabin visiting with friends and offering drinks to strangers all week long. He likes to get out and enjoy the events of the fair as well.
The horse races, he said, are exciting, and he loves to watch the night time music programs.
One of Long's favorite memories of fair music, though not his favorite listening experience, is of Molly Hatchet, a 1970's hard rock band.
He had never heard of the band, he said, when he decided to go a check them out. Based on the name, he expected a solo female act.
"The two walls of speakers on the stage should have been a clue," he said, "I sat there about 10 minutes and had to leave. My body couldn't take the soundwaves."
For the Bateses, The Miss Neshoba County pageant is the main event. Hannah Lee, who won the title two years ago, comes by it naturally. Her mother and aunt both placed in the pageant in their day.
The best thing about the fair for the Bateses, though, is the same thing that attracts the Longs.
"To me (the fair has changed) just because I've gotten older," said Hannah's mother, Tammy Bates Lee, "but the family part is still what we really enjoy about the fair... Just getting to be with friends and family is the best part of the fair."
Tammy has been coming to the fair, where her parents, W.J. and Carolyn Bates, own a cabin, since she was a small child. But to her, the cabin itself is the only thing that's really changed.
The new cabin is built where the old one once stood, but has been updated and expanded to sleep 52. The clever use of numerous bunk beds, all extremely colorful and pushed close together, and the efficient placement of the cabin's many bathrooms help the cabin sleep so many. The cabin is large, but looking from outside, one would never guess it could hold so many.
"We have one double bunk bed for each member of the family," she said, "So each one has room for three guests."
At the Neshoba County Fair, whether it's done through feeding as many people as possible or sleeping them, the party is all about the people.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
By Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com
For most of the year, the Long cabin and the Bates cabin couldn't be more different.
The tiny Long cabin was built in 1968, didn't get air conditioning until a decade later, and is still unfinished on the inside. The Bates cabin is brand spanking, is equipped with a large, new kitchen, a flat screen t.v. It's 3 stories high and sleeps 52.
But during the week of the Neshoba County Fair, what happens in and around the two cabins could hardly be more similar. As fair cabins, both are home to enormous meals, family reunions, hospitality, camaraderie, and fun.
Tommy Long lives in Huntsville, Ala., but was born and raised in Neshoba County and has been coming to the fair his entire life. Over the years, he said, only one really noticeable change has taken place at the fair.
"50 years ago," he said, "there were not nearly as many cabins. But the atmosphere, the food, the fun, the family activities (haven't changed)."
Like many families with fair cabins, the Longs make the fair a time for family reunions - bringing in relatives from as far as Portland and as near as 2 miles down the road.
Family, friends, and fair neighbors all love to gather at the Neshoba County Fair. "If they don't come here, they never see each other," Long said of some of his family.
To Long, the real value of the fair comes from the people and the atmosphere of hospitality.
"You could walk into any cabin at any mealtime and get fed," he said. "When you're fixin' for 20 people, fixin' for 30 is not that big a deal."
Still, Long said, he doesn't just hang around his cabin visiting with friends and offering drinks to strangers all week long. He likes to get out and enjoy the events of the fair as well.
The horse races, he said, are exciting, and he loves to watch the night time music programs.
One of Long's favorite memories of fair music, though not his favorite listening experience, is of Molly Hatchet, a 1970's hard rock band.
He had never heard of the band, he said, when he decided to go a check them out. Based on the name, he expected a solo female act.
"The two walls of speakers on the stage should have been a clue," he said, "I sat there about 10 minutes and had to leave. My body couldn't take the soundwaves."
For the Bateses, The Miss Neshoba County pageant is the main event. Hannah Lee, who won the title two years ago, comes by it naturally. Her mother and aunt both placed in the pageant in their day.
The best thing about the fair for the Bateses, though, is the same thing that attracts the Longs.
"To me (the fair has changed) just because I've gotten older," said Hannah's mother, Tammy Bates Lee, "but the family part is still what we really enjoy about the fair... Just getting to be with friends and family is the best part of the fair."
Tammy has been coming to the fair, where her parents, W.J. and Carolyn Bates, own a cabin, since she was a small child. But to her, the cabin itself is the only thing that's really changed.
The new cabin is built where the old one once stood, but has been updated and expanded to sleep 52. The clever use of numerous bunk beds, all extremely colorful and pushed close together, and the efficient placement of the cabin's many bathrooms help the cabin sleep so many. The cabin is large, but looking from outside, one would never guess it could hold so many.
"We have one double bunk bed for each member of the family," she said, "So each one has room for three guests."
At the Neshoba County Fair, whether it's done through feeding as many people as possible or sleeping them, the party is all about the people.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.
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