Hope floats: the invigorated and evolving Delta city of Indianola prepares tot Christmas on the bayou.Indianola, everyone is home for the holidays, whether you live here or not. Residents of the small town in the heart of the Delta believe in the power of hospitality and homecoming, and there's no better time for those sentiments than Christmas. Indianola resident Leslee Linn linn n. Scots 1. A waterfall. 2. A steep ravine. [Scottish Gaelic linne, pool, waterfall.] says visitors often tell her Indianola is such a warm and friendly place that "they have trouble getting out of here." It's even harder to leave during the holidays, when the city is draped drape v. draped, drap·ing, drapes v.tr. 1. To cover, dress, or hang with or as if with cloth in loose folds: draped the coffin with a flag; a robe that draped her figure. in lights and garlands for a unique celebration called "Indianola Illumination." For this special event, businesses, families, churches, and organizations decorate special holiday-themed floats and seaworthy sea·wor·thy adj. sea·wor·thi·er, sea·wor·thi·est Fit to traverse the seas: a seaworthy freighter; a seaworthy crew. Christmas trees that light up Indian Bayou from Thanksgiving through New Year's. The lights of the bayou are turned on with a flourish during a ceremony that is part of the town's Holiday Open House, set this year for November 25-27. The Open House weekend will also feature special shopping hours Customs and regulations for shopping hours (times that shops are open) vary from country to country. Shopping days and impact of holidays Some countries do not allow Sunday shopping. In Islamic countries some shops are closed on Fridays during noon. , refreshments, and door prizes at area stores and live holiday music from local church choirs and hand-bell groups. Just about everything shoppers might want to tuck under the Christmas tree can be found in Indianola, locals attest. "Our retailers are some of the finest in the Delta," says Indianola Chamber of Commerce second vice-president Amy Hawkins. "From florists to gift shops, they are all homegrown unique boutiques." More than one of those homegrown businesses has become known around the world. The Crown in Town, which specializes in Mississippi farm-raised catfish The U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Industry began in the early 1960s in Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) quickly became the major catfish grown as it was hardy and easily spawned in earthen ponds. dishes, has been featured in national magazines and on cable television's Food Network. For the true Crown experience, visitors are encouraged to start with the catfish salad on crackers, a Crown original featuring catfish fillets cooked in crab boil Crab boil usually refers to a spice mixture that is used flavor the water in which crabs or other shellfish are boiled. But Crab boil can also refer to a social event in which boiled crabs are featured (see Seafood boil). and mixed into a light seafood salad. The most popular entree is Catfish Allison, a poached poach 1 tr.v. poached, poach·ing, poach·es To cook in a boiling or simmering liquid: Poach the fish in wine. catfish fillet fillet /fil·let/ (fil´et) 1. a loop, as of cord or tape, for making traction on the fetus. 2. in the nervous system, a long band of nerve fibers. fil·let n. 1. gratineed with parmesan cheese a kind of cheese of a rich flavor, though from skimmed milk, made in Parma, Italy. See also: Parmesan , butter, and a green onion sauce. Every meal includes a house salad and fresh bread. Afterward, diners are invited to choose from a variety of pies, trifles, and Pavlovas at the dessert table. In the Crown's gift shop, which is operated in tandem Adv. 1. in tandem - one behind the other; "ride tandem on a bicycle built for two"; "riding horses down the path in tandem" tandem with sister company Taste of Gourmet, visitors can find mixes for all the desserts and breads they just enjoyed and shop for Delta-themed holiday gift baskets. Another spicy local company that's made quite a name for itself is the Indianola Pecan pecan: see hickory. pecan Nut and tree (Carya illinoinensis) of the walnut family, native to temperate North America. Occasionally reaching a height of about 160 ft (50 m), the tree has deeply furrowed bark and feather-shaped leaves. House, which offers a wide variety of goodies including pies and pecans that are candied can·died adj. Permeated, covered, encrusted, or cooked with sugar: candied sweet potatoes. candied Adjective coated with or cooked in sugar: , roasted, or dipped in chocolate. The Pecan House, built like an old-fashioned country store, also features Mississippi-made gourmet snacks and gift baskets and ships its products to pecan-lovers everywhere. Christmastime might bring out Indianola's unique charm and character, but the welcome mat is out year-round. "People tell us all the time that because Indianola is not so big, we can maintain a strong, warm, welcoming sense of hospitality," says resident Leanne Silverblatt. "We are a close-knit community, and we are known for making visitors feel very welcome and very appreciated here." Helping others is a part of that welcoming spirit. Two of Indianola's most popular annual events, the Civic League's Old-Fashioned Tea in fall and the spring Delta Invitational Tennis and Golf Tournament, raise money for the American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, n.pr established in 1913, this national volunteer-based health organization is committed to the elimination of cancer through prevention and treatment and to diminishing cancer suffering through advocacy, scholarship, research, . The tea provides an opportunity for ladies to get dressed Verb 1. get dressed - put on clothes; "we had to dress quickly"; "dress the patient"; "Can the child dress by herself?" dress primp, preen, dress, plume - dress or groom with elaborate care; "She likes to dress when going to the opera" up in hats and gloves and to bid on special items in a silent auction, says tea coordinator Mary Ellen Holloway. Local Chamber of Commerce executive director Beth Lyon says Indianola is a "tennis town," so the Delta Invitational draws participants from all over the South for its worthy cause; the next tournament will take place May 6, 2006. But the biggest event that happens here each year involves a summer visit home from Indianola's most famous native son, B.B. King. For more than 20 years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time B.B. King Homecoming Festival has drawn music lovers to an evening of concerts from the "King of the Blues" and other popular blues artists. "People come from not only all over Mississippi but from all over the world," says Silverblatt. "It's amazing." In the past, proceeds from the Homecoming Festival were used to support city parks, but now the festival aims to promote the Delta's blues heritage through a new project in honor of King. The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretative Center, set to open in 2007, will be housed in part in the last known brick cotton gin cotton gin, machine for separating cotton fibers from the seeds. The charkha, used in India from antiquity, consists of two revolving wooden rollers through which the fibers are drawn, leaving the seeds. in the state. The site is located within walking distance of downtown Indianola and close to both the historic Club Ebony, where King played with his band in the early days of his career, and the street corner where King once performed for pocket money. Coincidentally, after the site was chosen, King told museum planners that he had once worked at the gin itself. The $10-million museum will feature a 18,000-square-foot exhibit space, an outdoor staging area staging area n. A place where troops or equipment in transit are assembled and processed, as before a military operation. Noun 1. for concerts, and a picnic area. The former C&G Railroad line borders the property, and organizers hope to develop train tours of blues sites throughout the Delta. "B.B. is our focus," says Linn, who serves as project coordinator for the B.B. King Museum Foundation. "He is the whole reason for coming here, but at the same time, while people are here, they will learn a little something about the Delta." For example, Linn says, visitors who are interested in the fact that King worked on a cotton farm can leave the museum and visit a local working farm or travel to Cottonlandia in Greenwood to see artifacts artifacts see specimen artifacts. of the cotton economy. For others, a visit here might be capped with a trip to the Delta Blues Museum The Delta Blues Museum exists to collect, preserve, and provide public access to and awareness of the blues. Along with holdings of significant blues-related memorabilia, the museum also exhibits and collects art portraying the blues tradition, including works by sculptor Floyd in Clarksdale, a pilgrimage to a bluesman's gravesite grave·site n. A place used for graves or a grave. , or an evening of live music in a local juke joint. History plays an undeniable role in Indianola's future, but for many, it is the area's natural appeal that keeps them here. "A lot of people look around and say, 'Golly, it is so flat,' but the beauty is in the details," Linn says. "It's in the textures of the terrain and the color schemes. It's in the wildlife. You don't have the majesty of a mountain or a lake, but it causes you to look at things on a smaller scale." That unspoiled landscape makes Indianola and Sunflower County a haven for duck hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, says Tim Climer, executive director of the Sunflower County Economic Development Council. "I would venture to say that we are probably the number one duck-hunting county in the state," Climer says. "People from all over the state come here each year and stay in hunting camps to hunt waterfowl waterfowl, common term for members of the order Anseriformes, wild, aquatic, typically freshwater birds including ducks, geese, and screamers. In Great Britain the term is also used to designate species kept for ornamental purposes on private lakes or ponds, while in ." Indian Bayou, which flows through downtown, is another natural treasure. "The bayou is one of the things we tend to take for granted, but visitors always remark on it," Climer says. "It is really a beautiful place. We hope to enhance it and maybe do some things with the Main Street Association to support some more initiatives along the bayou. The best is yet to come." Simple pleasures like these, combined with deep historical roots and a welcoming atmosphere during the holidays and all year long, make Indianola a place that's uniquely Mississippi, uniquely Delta, uniquely its own. "We want to let people enjoy our town in that quiet way we are known for," Linn says. "Indianola is about to undergo a lot of changes, but we want to keep a lot of our laid-back, small-town ways." WHERE TO SHOP Abraham's Fine clothing, shoes, and accessories. 115 Front St. 662/887-2026 Alford's Signs & Embroidery Gifts and monogramming. 805 Hwy. 82 W. 662/887-3601 Baird & Fisher Oriental Rugs Custom-made lamps and fine rugs. 106 Front St. 662/887-8064 The Carriage House Fine gifts, accessories, home furnishings. 107 Front St. 662/887-9911 The Crown In Town 112 Front St. 662/887-4522, www.tasteofgourmet.com Delta Diamonds 101 Front St. 662/887-3272 Designs by Carole Fresh and dried floral arrangements. 1818 Hwy. 49 N. 662/569-2607 Gin Mill Mall Custom-made furniture, art gallery, and gifts. 112 Pershing Ave. 662/887-3209 Goldberg's Shoes & Sportswear 105 Front St. 662/887-2632 Indianola Floral Designs 106 Main St. 662/887-2173 Indianola Pecan House 1013 Hwy. 82 E. 662/887-5420, 800/541-6252, www.pecanhouse.com Paul's Jewelry 113 Front St. 662/887-3234 Pearson's/Tezi's Plants, floral arrangements, and gifts. 42 Bayou Rd. 662/887-4541 Queen City Furniture 136 Front St. 662/887-2981 Red Hat Eatery & Gifts Gifts for all ages, bridal registry A bridal registry is a system designed by department stores for the purpose of allowing an engaged couple to manage the purchase of gifts for their wedding. From what is available at the store, the couple creates a list of items that they would like to receive, then the list is . 118 Front St. 662/887-3848 Silver Exchange Potpourri of gifts, fine jewelry, home accessories. 111 Front St. 662/887-1129 Slater's Quality Outdoor Products Hunting supply capital of the Delta. 149 Hwy. 49 N. 662/887-3548 Young Ideas Large selection of children's clothes. 422 Hwy 82 E. 662/887-5539 WHAT TO DO Mississippi Delta This article is about the geographic region of the U.S. state of Mississippi. For other uses, see Mississippi Delta (disambiguation). The Mississippi Delta is the distinct northwest section of the state of Mississippi that lies between the Mississippi and Yazoo Regional Blues Challenge The Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola's annual event November 5 features Mississippi artists competing for placement in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Celebrity judges will include Dorothy Moore and Scott Barretta of Living Blues Living Blues, the journal of the African-American blues tradition, is America's oldest and most authoritative blues periodical. Founded in Chicago in 1970, Living Blues has set the standard for blues history, culture, and journalism worldwide. magazine. Club Ebony, 404 Hannah Ave., and 308 Blues Club and Cafe, 308 Depot. Ave. 662/887-4913 Indianola Illumination Lighted floats and trees on Indian Bayou from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year's. 877/816-7581 Christmas Parade Set for 10 a.m. December 3. Downtown Indianola. 877/816-7581 Mid-Delta Arts Association Upcoming performances include "Sweet River County" with visiting troupe Mad Dogs and Englishmen January 19-20; "The King and I" in March; and "Barefoot in the Park Barefoot in the Park is a play by Neil Simon. Its focus is on newlywed couple Corie and Paul Bratter, who are setting up house in a minuscule fifth-floor walkup apartment in a downtown-Manhattan brownstone. " in April. 316 Main St. 877/816-7581 WHERE TO DINE 308 Blues Club Southern food and live music. 308 Depot Ave. 662/887-7800 All the Marbles Grille All-American menu. 410 Hwy. 82 E. 662/887-7375 Club Ebony Historic club with live blues performances and hearty food. 404 Hannah Ave. 662/887-9915 The Crown In Town 110 Front St. 662/887-4522 Guadalajara Authentic Mexican cuisine. 420 Hwy. 82 W. 662/887-7887 Pea-Soup's Lott-A-Freeze Casual American fare and po-boys. 809 Hwy. 82 W. 662/887-1544 Red Hat Eatery & Gifts Sandwiches and salads. 118 Front St. 662/887-3848 WHERE TO STAY Bed on the Bayou Bed and breakfast with gorgeous views of Indian Bayou. 114 Percy St. 662/887-1129 Best Western Blues Travelers Inn 910 Hwy. 82 E. 662/887-6611 Days Inn 1015 Hwy. 82 E. 662/887-4242 Super 8 601 Hwy. 82 W. 662/887-7477 |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion