July 2016 Issue - Clarksdale/Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce

A Publication of the
Clarksdale/Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce & Industrial Foundation
July - September 2016
Another Jubilee for the Books
D
elta Jubilee 2016
marke d the
33rd anniversary for the
event. Miller Spectacular
Shows kicke d off this
year’s festival two nights
in advance, with Family
Nights at the carnival,
followed by two days of
music and enjoyment. A
host of activities provided
fun opportunities for the
entire family, including a
gospel concert, 5K run and
walk, volleyball, horseshoe
pitching, children’s fishing
rodeo, pet show, basketball shootout, live musical
entertainment, Delta Idol
competition, MBN BBQ
competition, and more.
New events this year included kids’ bouncy games
and a kids’ firefighter
challenge course. Ideas
for other family-oriented
events are always being
sought to keep this family
event fun and exciting for
all. We would like to give
much-deserved credit and
thanks to our dozens of
volunteers and sponsors.
Without the continued
support and hard work
inside...
The big board on the grounds
recognized and saluted all of
our generous sponsors for the
various events. Thanks to all
of you!
Creative Enter tainment
provided plenty of inflatable
games and activities to keep the
children thoroughly entertained
and exhausted.
of these volunteers and sponsors each year, this effort would
not be possible. We encourage more members of the community,
boards of directors, and civic organizations to become involved.
Sponsors for this year’s festival included the following:
Platinum Sponsor: Merit Health Northwest Mississippi
BBQ Competition Sponsor:
• Isle of Capri Casino Lula
Gold Sponsors:
• Clarksdale Public Utilities
• City of Clarksdale
• The Clarksdale Press Register
• Kansas City Power & Light
• MAP of Easton, Inc.
• SafTCart
• Hugh Jack Stubbs
Silver Sponsors:
• RC Cola
• Entergy
Bronze Sponsors:
• Atmos Energy
• Coahoma Community College
• First National Bank
• Phelps Security Systems, Inc.
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
• True Value Building Materials
More Scenes from Jubilee
Industrial Foundation Update
Take Advantage of Your Membership
Dates to Remember MS Delta TN Williams Festival All Set
Festivals, Festivals, Festivals
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On Target
Approximately 60 young fishermen(women)
took to the Expo pond to try their hand at
snagging the big one. The kids managed to
wrangle in many catfish, both small and large.
The Memphis AllStars proved that
they are a top notch band with an
“AllStar” sound.
Much thanks goes to the MS
Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries,
and Parks for their assistance
in the fishing rodeo. Winners received fishing rods,
certificates, and other goodies
Local and area BBQ
teams put on a good
show and the whole
hog to secure top
placement in their respective competitive
categories.
There are two
kinds of people in
this world--givers
and takers. The
takers may eat
better, but the
givers sleep
better.
L. C. Grant crosses the finish line in stride in the 5K run.
He has been an annual winner for some time now.
Other winners in the 5K run/walk and kids’ fun run are
pictured here with their trophies and medals.
Delta Jubilee 2016
Other Sponsors (cont.)
Friends of Delta Jubilee:
• Abe’s BBQ
• Emily Cooper
• Cooper-Pang Eye Clinic
• Daylight Donuts
• Ellendale Planting Co.
• Ranchero
• Sonic
• Otis & Yvonne Stanford
• Temperature Control
• Westgate Drugs
Children’s Fishing Rodeo
Sponsors:
• Hartley’s Greenhead
Outdoors
• MS Dept. of Wildlife,
Fisheries, & Parks
• Coahoma County Youth
Outreach
Page 2 5K Run Sponsors:
• Comprehensive Insurance
Services (Teresa Hays)
• Merkel & Cocke
• Ed Peacock, III
• Snap Fitness
Volleyball Sponsors:
• Freeman Earth Moving
• Coors Light
Car Show Sponsor:
• Randy Arnett Jewelers
Children’s Games Sponsors:
• Phelps Security Systems, Inc.
• Planters Bank & Trust
U!
THANK YO
Contest Winners
5K Run
Men’s Overall: L. C. Grant
Women’s Overall: Sarah Crisler-Ruskey
Children’s 1-Mile Fun Run: Emma Ruskey
Children’s Fishing Rodeo
Largest Fish (girl): Adrianna Tribble (3.12 lbs.)
Largest Fish (boy): Rodell Burnside (4.7 lbs.)
First Fish Caught: Jemauri Calvin
Most Fish Caught: Will Rybolt (7)
Smallest Fish Caught: Gemma Pitts (1 oz.)
Memphis Barbecue Network BBQ Competition
MBN Grand Champion: Phat Chance (Marion, AR)
Patio Grand Champion: Rolling Bones (Rosedale, MS)
1st Place - MBN Pulled Pork: Phat Chance
1st Place - MBN Ribs: Phat Chance
1st Place - Patio Pulled Pork: Rolling Bones
1st Place - Patio Ribs: The Butt Stops Here
(Clarksdale)
1st Place - MBN Whole Hog: Pellet Porkers
1st Place - Sauce: Phat Chance
1st Place - Baked Beans: Lord of the Swine (Marion, AR)
On Target
Spotlight
on
Chamber
Membership
Make the Most of It!
The Chamber of Commerce could not function without people
-- people working together to make the Clarksdale/ Coahoma
County area a better place in which to live, earn a living, and
enjoy an excellent quality of life.
Chamber members represent business and professional men and
women and other citizens who collectively engage in promoting the
welfare of our community and area.
The Chamber of Commerce is a democratic organization,
operating according to a written set of bylaws.
The Chamber is a voluntary organization composed of members
who contribute personal and financial support because they choose
to do so.
The Chamber has two major functions: (1) it acts as a spokesman
for the business and professional community and puts into action the
group thinking of its members; and (2) it renders specific services
to its members and to the community as a whole.
You, your employees, associates, and neighbors are encouraged
to make the most of membership by getting involved as volunteers
with any of the Chamber’s various committees and special projects.
Your input is valuable.
Get involved! Stay involved! Involve others!
If you have an event that you would like to have listed on our
calendar of events, please contact us at least 2 weeks in advance of
publication. On Target is published quarterly. Next publication
date is October 2016.
The Chamber of Commerce is always seeking businesses
to host Business After Hours events for fellow Chamber
members. If you are interested in hosting such an event,
please let us know. Call 627-7337 to schedule a date.
Industrial Report
I t’s always hard to have to share unpleasant news, but it happens,
and we like to keep you well informed. Metso Minerals of Clarksdale
recently announced they are closing the manufacturing plant at the
end of October 2016. The plant currently employs approximately
60 workers. The plant has been in operation in Clarksdale since
1958. The plant was operated by Stephens-Adamson, Borg Warner,
Allis Chalmers, Svedala, and in recent years, Metso Minerals. The
company makes material handling systems used in grain, crushed
stone, gravel, coal, oil and other such operations throughout the
world. The company’s principal reason for closing the local plant
was due to lower fossil fuel prices and a general
softening of the economy. The Board of
Directors of the Industrial Foundation and
the Economic Development Authority are
currently working with City and County
officials. former company officials, Delta
Council, State and Federal agencies,
and financial advisors to try to devise a
strategy to purchase and continue to
Wealth stays
operate the company. The new
with
us for only a
company would manufacture the same
brief moment,
high quality products it has made for
decades. Progress on this effort is
if at all,
moving forward and we are optimistic
but
our
character
the purchase can be facilitated. The
remains with
jobs at Metso are high quality with
wages and benefits being one of the
us forever.
best in the Clarksdale and Coahoma
County manufacturing community. We
would love to see this long-standing
company salvaged and jobs retained for
our citizens who have worked so hard for it
for so many years. We will keep you posted
on our efforts.
Support for Youth Leaders
The 2016 Class of Youth Leadership Clarksdale (YLC) of 25
students recently graduated. YLC works with high school
sophomores and juniors from all four local high schools.
Each of the participants is required to give a minimum of
30 hours of community service prior to graduation. The
program is provided at no cost to the students and is possible only through donations from local businesses, civic
organizations, and individuals. Donations are already
being accepted for next year’s class, which begins in the fall.
Applications will be available once the school year begins.
If you would like to support this worthwhile program, you
may send any contribution to Youth Leadership Clarksdale
• P. O. Box 160 • Clarksdale. For more information,
please contact Tana Vassel at the Chamber at
627-7337. All help is appreciated!
YO
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On Target
Dates to Remember
July
October
4
INDEPENDENCE DAY
6
Ribbon-Cutting
Renovated Double Quick (Friars Point Rd.)
10:00 a.m.
Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival
Blues Alley District
27 - 30
31
MS Delta Tennessee Williams Festival
Various Locations Around Town
Pinetop Perkins Day/Cat Head Mini Blues Fest
Chamber/I. F. Annual Banquet
Hambone Festival (downtown Clarksdale)
HALLOWEEN
If you have recently renewed your membership
but have not received your current membership
sticker, please let us know. Duplicates are not
sent to multiple employees of any organization
unless there are multiple offices.
September
5
9
TBA
August
12 - 14
Sept.
30 Oct. 1
LABOR DAY
P. O. Box 160
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662.627.7337
www.clarksdale-ms.com
!
here
s
i
mer
m
u
S
Chamber & Industrial Foundation Staff
Ron Hudson
Executive Director
Tana Pittman Vassel
Economic Dev. Director
Cecily Allen
Administrative Assistant
Page 4
Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival
Award-Winning
Mississippi Delta
Tennessee Williams Festival
Right Around the Corner
The 24th Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams
Festival is all set for September 30 - October 1 in
Clarksdale. This year’s event will include a literary conference with lectures, scholar panels, film
screenings, live drama and porch plays, tours of
Clarksdale’s historic district, an elite student acting
competition, gospel and blues music, and gourmet
Southern cuisine.
The celebration honoring America’s great playwright is free and open to the public and funded
in part by the Mississippi Arts Commission, the
Mississippi Humanities Council, and many local
businesses and individuals. This year’s event will
be celebrating the Pulitzer Foundation Centennial
with scenes from Tennessee Williams winners: A
Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
performed in the Cutrer Mansion and on porches
by the fantastic theatre group from the University
of Idaho who presented The Glass Menagerie here
in 2015.
For additional information and background on
the festival, visit www.coahomacc.edu/twilliams
or call CCC’s public relations department at 662621-4157.
The 24th FREE Annual Mississippi Delta
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS FESTIVAL
Clarksdale, Miss. - September 30-October 1, 2016
Sponsored by Coahoma Community College - www.coahomacc.edu/twilliams
Friday, Sept. 30
Whiteside Lecture Hall
CCC Campus, 3240 Friars Point Rd.
9 :30 a.m. ‐ Welcome to the 24th MDTW
Fesval sponsored by
Coahoma Community College ‐
Dr. Valmadge Towner, CCC president
Music: The CCC Concert Choir
directed by Kelvin Towers
10 a.m. ‐Introducon of Dr. Ma Foss, di‐
rector of the University of Idaho’s Vandal
Theatre Lab followed by scenes from A
STREETCAR
NAMED DESIRE performed by his actors
in a special tribute during the Pulitzer
Foundaon Centennial Year.
11 a.m. ‐ Tennessee’s heroines: Ann
Fisher‐Wirth, Karen Kohlhaas, & Susan
McPhail
‐12:00 ‐ Noon ‐ Lunch on your own at
one of Clarksdale’s outstanding restau‐
rants
2:00 p.m. ‐Master Scholars crique ‐ A
STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
& CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF: Kenneth
Holditch, Colby Kullman and Ralph Voss.
Q&A
3:30 p.m. ‐ Mississippi Delta influences
on Tennessee Williams ‐ Coop Cooper,
Kenneth Holditch, Colby Kullman, and
Karen Kohlhaas
Fesval moves to the Cutrer Mansion
109 Clark Street
7 p.m. ‐ Grande Recepon, Southern
Cuisine by the Dutch Oven, blues gui‐
tarist Dave Dunavant; A STREETCAR
NAMED DESIRE by the Vandal Theatre
Lab; guests are invited to come as their
favorite TWilliams character
Advance Reservaons
Coahoma Tourism,
Visit www.coahomacc.edu/twilliams
P.O. Box 1770,
or call 662-621-4157.
Clarksdale,
MS 38614;
or call 662‐6271‐6149
Saturday, October 1
Student Drama Compeon: Georgia
Lewis Theatre: Last exit into CCC
Campus, off 3240 Friars Point Rd.
8 a.m. - Continental breakfast for
students and teachers
9 a.m. Welcome: Kappi Allen,
competition director; monologue
competition begins
10 a.m. - Scene competition begins
11 a.m. - Stella Calling competition
11:15 a.m. - Acting workshop
directed by Karen Kohlhaas and
Matt Foss
12 noon - Winners announced
followed by celebration luncheon
for students and teachers prepared
by Chef Brennon Warr & CCC culinary students, The Gallery, CCC .*
Reservations required for nonstudents/coaches.
Festival moves to Clarksdale’s
Historic District
2 p.m. Welcome to St. George’s Epis-
copal Church by the Rev. Jason
Shelby, 106 Sharkey, followed tours of
the former rectory being renovated into
the period when Dakin and Williams
families lived there plus Mississippi
Delta Tennessee Williams Festival
memorabilia since its 1993 inauguration - followed by the Clarksdale
Woman’s Club Open House.
3 - 5 p.m. - Porch plays featuring
scenes from Tennessee Williams plays
followed by conversations & interaction
with actors
Alice Walker, Susan & Johnny
McPhail, Wanda Lee’s students, Vandall Theatre actors, Sherrye Williams &
Jim Schnadelbach
Porch play locations: 415 Court St.,
203 Court St., 41 John St., and 235
Clark Street.
Page 5
Festivals, Festivals, Festivals
Sunflower River Blues
& Gospel Festival
Friday, August 12
MAIN STAGE - BLUES ALLEY - DOWNTOWN CLARKSDALE
5:00 - 5:45 p.m. Delta Blues Museum Band
6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Heather Crosse: Heavy Suga & The Sweet Tones
7:00 - 7:45 p.m. Joshua “Razorblade” Stewart
8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Vasti Jackson
9:15 - 10:15 p.m. Toni Green
10:30 - 11:30 p.m. James “Super Chikan” Johnson
Saturday, August 13
ACOUSTIC STAGE #1 - UNDER VIP TENT
10:00 - 10:45 a.m.David Dunavent
11:00 - 11:45 a.m. Pat Thomas
12:00 - 12:45 p.m. Lil Willie Farmer
1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Lucious Spiller
2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Educational Program
3:00 - 3:45 p.m. Leo “Bud” Welch
4:00 - 4:45 p.m. Sharde Thomas: The Rising Star Fife & Drum Band
ACOUSTIC STAGE #2 - SUNFLOWER AVE. & THIRD ST.
1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Deak Harp & Lee Williams
2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Jimmy “Duck” Holmes
3:00 - 3:45 p.m. Kenny Brown
4:00 - 4:45 p.m. Terry “Harmonica” Bean
ACOUSTIC STAGE #3 - DELTA AVE.
1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Mississippi Marshall
2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry
3:00 - 3:45 p.m. Watermelon Slim
4:00 - 4:45 p.m. Anthony “Big A” Sherrod
MAIN STAGE - DELTA BLUES MUSEUM
5:00 - 5:45 p.m. Bill Abel Band
6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
7:00 - 7:45 p.m. Terry “Big T” Williams
7:45 - 8:00 p.m. Awards
8:00 - 9:00 p.m. James “Jimbo” Mathus
9:15 - 10:15 p.m. Sweet Angel
10:30 - 11:30 p.m. Lonnie Shields
Sunday, August 14
GOSPEL STAGE - CIVIC AUDITORIUM - E. SECOND & LEFLORE
4:00 - 4:15 p.m. The Clarksdale Mass Choir
4:30 - 4:45 p.m. The Singing Echoes
5:00 - 5:15 p.m. Ned Johnson & The Jonestown Crusaders
5:30 - 6:15 p.m. The Myles Family
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s
The Sunflower River Blues Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization. Funds from grants, foundations, corporations, businesses,
and individuals are used exclusively to pay performers and production
costs. To keep the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival free and
open to the public, donations are always appreciated. Send your taxdeductible donations to:
Sunflower River Blues Association
P. O. Box 1562
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Page 6
Hambone Festival
On Schedule
Mark your calendars now for the
10th Annual Hambone Festival
October 27 - 30. The event will
again provide lots of local music
and southern hospitality. This
one-day event will last all weekend, celebrating the birthday of
local blues artist Stan Street,
owner of Hambone Gallery. With
good music, good people, and
a great location in downtown
Clarksdale, this is one festival
you don’t want to miss. For more
information, visit hambonefestival.com or e-mail Stan at stanwstreet@bellsouth.net.
Cat Head Mini Blues
Fest will be held on
Sunday, October 9,
following Arkansas
Blues & Heritage
Festival, formerly known as King Biscuit. It’s free and open to the public
and will be held in front of Cat Head,
252 Delta Ave., Clarksdale. Visit
www.cathead.biz for information.