SUMMARY: Lubber Grasshoppers are often disliked by gardeners due to their large numbers and plant damage. Their bold warning colors signal toxicity, deterring most predators. Unlike Monarch butterflies that get toxins from milkweed, Lubbers synthesize toxins from various plants. Their large size, spiked legs, and defense behaviors—hissing, flashing red wings, and emitting foul-smelling froth—further protect them. Some predators, like lizards or toads, may try eating them but often vomit or die. Loggerhead Shrikes can safely consume them by letting toxins break down over time. Parasitoid flies and microorganisms also prey on Lubbers, highlighting their role in the food chain despite their tough defenses.

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SUMMARY: Jennifer Boone’s childhood visits to Natchez inspired her to transform The Dixon, a historic 1870s building on Main Street, into a community hub. Purchased with her family, The Dixon now features The Dixon Loft, a stylish 3,000-square-foot Airbnb blending historic charm with modern comfort. Boone, a former nurse, and her partners aim to create a welcoming space for guests and locals. This fall, the building’s ground floor will open as Dixon Books, an independent bookstore offering Mississippi authors, children’s books, and a café. Together, the loft and bookstore celebrate Natchez’s history, hospitality, and community spirit, inviting visitors to connect and linger.

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SUMMARY: Vardaman, Mississippi, known as the Sweet Potato Capitol of the World, produces over 100 million pounds of sweet potatoes annually from its 10,000+ acres of farmland. This small town of about 1,000 residents contributes to Mississippi’s rank as the third-largest sweet potato producer in the U.S. Renowned for their sweet flavor, Vardaman sweet potatoes are celebrated each November at the annual Sweet Potato Festival, marking its 52nd anniversary in 2025. Sweet Potato Sweets, a family-owned bakery in town, offers a wide variety of sweet potato treats made from local produce and traditional recipes. Their products are also available online for worldwide shipping.

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