Our Mississippi Home
Award-Winning Mississippi Educator to Serve as Guest Conductor for Pride Preview
SUMMARY: Louise Smith, a distinguished music educator and band director at Gautier Middle School, attributes her career choice to the influence of legendary USM professor Dr. Tom Fraschillo. Returning to USM as a guest conductor for the Pride Preview, she was honored as Mississippi’s Teacher of the Year in April 2023 and was subsequently awarded the NEA Foundation’s Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence. Over her 22-year career, Smith has contributed significantly to education and earned recognition for her dedication. She credits her time at Southern Miss for shaping her professional journey, aiming to inspire future educators and students through her experiences.
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Our Mississippi Home
Porch Lights and Lightning Bugs: An August Evening in Mississippi
SUMMARY: August evenings in Mississippi unfold with a golden warmth that lingers, accompanied by the chirping of crickets and the hum of distant country music. Time slows on wide, weathered porches where people sip sweet tea, watch lightning bugs blink like tiny lanterns, and savor the simple comfort of shared stories. The air is thick and ripe with garden fruits, and the porch becomes a sanctuary of stillness and memory. This in-between moment, marked by fading fireflies and porch lights flickering on, feels sacred—capturing the essence of Mississippi’s slow rhythm, timeless stories, and the gentle magic of a summer night.
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Our Mississippi Home
Water Valley Watermelon Carnival: The Last Taste of Summer
SUMMARY: Summer is ending in Mississippi, marking the loss of homegrown tomatoes and watermelons. The 2025 Watermelon Carnival in Water Valley celebrates the state’s famed juicy watermelons, drawing up to 20,000 visitors each year. Recognized as a top festival in the Southeast, the carnival features delicious food like funnel cakes, live music, arts and crafts, contests, entertainment for kids, and a fireworks display. Originating during the Great Depression in 1931 to boost the local economy, the event began with overwhelming attendance. This year’s festivities start August 1 with a street dance and fireworks, followed by a parade, races, and more on August 2. More info at the Water Valley Chamber Facebook page.
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Our Mississippi Home
Mississippi Isn’t Just a State—It’s a State of Mind
SUMMARY: Mississippi’s charm lies in its quiet strength and soulful stories—from the sunrise over cotton fields to the hum of pine trees and the comfort of a porch swing. Known for hardworking, proud people, the state is the birthplace of blues and gospel, shaping much of America’s culture. Its communities rally with kindness, respect, and close connections, while embracing both tradition and progress. From small-town festivals to innovators shaping the future, Mississippi balances resilience with growth. Its unpredictable spirit defines its dynamic people. More than a location, Mississippi is a feeling, a family, and a true home.
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