Johnnie Billington (Video)

Lower Mississippi River Dispatch
Vol 9 No 5,
Wed May 1, 2013
This issue is a memoriam for “Mr. Johnnie” Johnnie Billington 1935 - 2013

Master blues musician, who dedicated his life to teaching children the music of the Delta, passed away on April 1, 2013. His inspiration led directly to the formation of the Mighty Quapaw Apprenticeship Program. When I first came to Clarksdale in 1991 Mr. Johnnie took me under his wing and through several years of instruction he alternately fostered, cajoled and then finally tricked me into learning blues keyboard (I had originally asked him to learn guitar!) My blues career died a decade later after a tenure with the Wesley Jefferson Band and a long stint with Tater the Music Maker. But Mr. Johnnie endowed me with a life-long commitment to keep important skills and traditions alive through the youngsters of the community. “If you know something of value,” Mr. Johnnie often taught, “you’d better share it. Otherwise it will die when you die…” That simple thought has sustained me through many bumps on the road of working with disadvantaged youth. Mr. Johnnie’s example led me to form the Mighty Quapaw Apprenticeship Program for Mississippi Delta youth to learn the skills of carving canoes and then paddle them on the big river. The program is all about self-knowledge, leadership, team-skills, and learning to overcome the challenges of becoming adults in a confusing and difficult world. In Mr. Johnnie words, its all about “helping a boy become a young man, and a girl become a young woman.” I am forever grateful to Mr. Johnnie’s unbending ethics and keen sense of leadership. Its not necessarily the kind of leadership that leads you to fame & fortune, but definitely the kind that leads you to a thoughtful and passionate life. His lessons were often difficult to accept. But ultimately they have led me and many others to become better individuals and citizens. Although he sometimes seemed short on compassion, his never-ending mantra was “Love is what its all about…” One of his favorite songs to perform was Bobby Blue Bland’s “I’ll Take Care of You.” He often introduced the song specifically for children, addressing the youth in his band or in the audience with the admonition to love and care for your parents. He named his last homesite, located in Lambert along the meandering Possum Bayou, “The H&H Ranch,” which stands for “Health and Happiness.” Long live Mr. Johnnie’s teachings! They surely live on through his his talented apprentices turned professional blues musicians: Arthneice Jones “the Gas Man,” Anthony “Big A” Sherrard, Lee Williams, “Big T” Terry Williams, Billy Gibson, and many, many others. They also live on in unexpected directions like the Mighty Quapaws. In honor and respect of Mr. Johnnie, may his gift of Health and Happiness reach you wherever you are!

                                                        - John Ruskey, Lower Mississippi River Dispatch

More than 75 colorful buildings dating back to the turn of the 20th century line this magnolia-and-oak-filled square. They've made it onto the National Register of Historic Places, as has the commanding 1857 Greek Revival courthouse.  (The Gallery, across Liberty Street from the courthouse, still has a drawer marked "Opium" from 100 years ago, when it was a pharmacy.) The town's southern charms lure visitors, most notably during the Canton Flea Market Arts & Crafts Show held each May and October. www.cantontourism.com

 

Maybe it's our freshly shucked corn, vine ripened tomatoes, plump blueberries, juicy watermelons, and a kaleidoscope of peppers, peas, and potatoes. It could be the sweet and savory local honey, or dairy products that are so abundant across the state. Fresh baked bread, or a jar of tangy pickles will add to your dining pleasure. Mississippi's Certified Farmers Markets provide fresh fruits and vegetables sold in a facility where you can be sure that the food you are buying is safe; a place where you know how the food was grown and where it was grown. To locate a Certified Farmers Market near you, visit www.msfarmersmarket.org 
Mississippi, it's where freshness grows.

Golfers will enjoy this video by golf writer and enthusiast, Ted McIntyre. Ted participated on our golf writer fam tour last summer and played in the True South Classic Pro-Am. Click on this link to find out what Ted experienced while in Mississippi. 

Golfing down in Mississippi

Get ready for adventure and fun in your new NauticStar 203 SC Deck Boat. Expertly built in Amory, Mississippi, the 203 SC is one of a new generation of deck style boats featuring beautiful styling and innovative design. The 203 SC merges an open interior with the ride and drive of a v-hull runabout. It also includes seating for six adults in the cockpit and four in the bow, 11 beverage holders, eight storage compartments, a self-bailing cockpit and wood-free construction. The NorticStar 203 Deck Boat is valued at over $30,000. To read the rules and sign up for your chance to win, just click on this link:  http://www.visitmississippi.org/deals-and-packages.aspx

Savor Mississippi’s true delicacies in January with a month-long celebration of food, restaurants, chefs, recipes, specialty items and a bounty of flavors that will satisfy anyone’s appetite to discover the authentic Mississippi.  Mississippi is known for great down-home cooking as well as distinctive upscale cuisine. Throughout the month of January, the entire state is highlighting the unique eateries, specialty foods and dining experiences that are such an integral part of the True South.  The Mississippi Culinary Trail, a virtual trail available online at: http://www.visitmississippi.org/culinary-trail.aspx, features an interactive map with background information, stories and details about the culinary heritage of eateries, restaurants and other food-related sites in every region of the state. The Culinary Trail highlights those singular local attractions travelers want to find, but often don’t know where to search for them. Now visitors can eat local throughout Mississippi and enjoy the bounty of farm-fresh produce and fresh Gulf seafood as well as traditional favorites like hot tamales, fried catfish, succulent barbecue ribs and much more. But don’t let the culinary experience end in January. There are unique restaurants, eateries and specialty items to enjoy all year long. To view all the sites on the Culinary Trail as well as the hundreds of other restaurants around the state, go to: http://www.visitmississippi.org/culinary-trail.aspx or: http://www.visitmississippi.org/food.aspx. Pull up a chair, grab a napkin and dig into a one-of-a-kind culinary experience in the True South.

Restaurants: No matter where you are in Mississippi, authentic restaurants are nearby. Whether you are sampling fresh seafood from famous local spots like Mary Mahoney’s in Biloxi, Cajun cooking at the Crescent City Grill in Hattiesburg, fine dining at Nick’s in Jackson, world-famous steaks at Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville, real Southern barbeque at Little Dooey’s in Starkville or irresistible fried catfish at Taylor Grocery near Oxford, there’s something delicious here for every tastebud!  

Chefs and Recipes: Mississippi is the proud birthplace or home of many past and present celebrities: actors, athletes, artists and, yes, chefs, too. Chef and humorist Robert St. John is not only a restaurant owner, he writes food columns and cookbooks that are quickly becoming some of the most popular gifts around. Chef John Currence of Oxford was awarded the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s award for Best Chef South in 2009. Other notable Mississippi chefs include Cat Cora, the only female “Iron Chef” in that franchise’s history, and Martha Hall Foose, another popular chef and storyteller. These and other well-known chefs, along with lots of soon-to-be-famous ones, can be found all across Mississippi.

Cooking Products and Specialty Food Items: Mississippi is home to Viking Range Corporation. What started as a small operation is now a household name in cooking appliances, accessories and cooking schools. Based in Greenwood, Viking continues to grow and flourish with its headquarters and cooking school there, as well as a new cooking school in Ridgeland near the capital city of Jackson. Jubilations Cheesecakes, based in Columbus, offers nearly endless flavors of cheesecakes that you can order online or over the phone. The Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory in Yazoo City is another favorite for holidays or anytime guests are gathered to celebrate any occasion, big or small. The Indianola Pecan House in the Delta celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with pecans fixed however you like them. And remember, that’s pronounced “puh-kan,” not “pee-kan.” There’s no better way to taste the flavors of Mississippi than by getting to know Mississippi’s fresh Gulf seafood, restaurants, cooking products, specialty items and Culinary Trail. Bring your appetite and a sense of adventure to enjoy all that Mississippi has to offer.  For more information about things to do and see in Mississippi, go to VisitMississippi.org or dial 1.866.SEE MISS.

Written by Sandy Bynum

Mississippi, if you don't already know it, is the Birthplace of America's Music. This claim is indisputable, fact, cannot be denied, undeniably true - period. This is especially true with regards to the Blues, a soulful genre of music born of back-breaking work, sweat of the brow, down on your luck, misery and pain. But, you don't have to live it to feel it. Just follow the Mississippi Blues Trail and discover the rich musical heritage that makes Mississippi a one of a kind unique experience. This music trail will take you along a path well traveled by legendary bluesmen - and women - whose lives influenced some of the world's most famous musicians, singers and songwriters. The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley and the Beatles are just a few who gained so much from the bluesmen of Mississippi. If you love Blues music, don't miss out on traveling along the Mississippi Blues Trail.

Enjoy the outdoors and Mississippi's rich history. Take a trip into the past with a visit to Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, located in Natchez, Mississippi - the oldest permanent settlement on the Mississippi River. The Natchez were one of the few North American Indian tribes who were ruled by a king. The Natchez king was called the Great Sun, because the Natchez people believed he was descended from the sun. Unlike European kings, Natchez royalty was traced through the mother's bloodline, not the father's. So the son of the Great Sun would not become the next Great Sun -- his oldest sister's son would. The Natchez Great Sun was an absolute ruler, which means that he had the power to make all the decisions for the tribe himself. In reality, though, the Great Sun usually had to listen to the opinions of a council of warriors, priests, and other important Natchez men, because he needed their support. Learn more about this extinct tribe at Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.

Throughout the months of November and December, Mississippi's award-winning welcome centers are promoting and encouraging visitors and residents, alike, to Shop Mississippi for those holiday bargains. Below is a list of welcome center websites to visit and learn more about area shopping opportunities.

Adams County Welcome Center
Alcorn County Welcome Center
Delma Furniss Hospitality Station 
Desoto County Welcome Center 
Hancock County Welcome Center 
Itawamba County Welcome Center 
Lauderdale County Welcome Center 
Pearl River County Welcome Center 
Pike County Welcome Center 
Warren County Welcome Center 
Washington County Welcome Center 
Woodville Hospitality Station