| JFP Mobile | Jackson, Mississippi

Sweet and Safe

These days, not a lot of people go door-to-door for trick-or-treating. Many families attend local harvest festivals or parties at their kids' schools or churches. Nevertheless, if you are taking your kids out this Halloween, remember to practice these few candy safety rules.

Lester Hailey

Lester Hailey stands ready to help anyone who walks into Beemon Drugs. Since graduating from pharmacy school 28 years ago, he's been behind the counter, on the raised area occupied by shelf after shelf of pharmaceutical containers, filing prescriptions and answering questions.

Rhonda Richmond

Rhonda Richmond's voice comes as a complete surprise. An earthy, organic, smooth sound weaves itself around your soul and into your heart. I first heard Richmond sing, swaying softly to the music, for the small crowd of jazz-lovers gathered at the Mississippi Museum of Art atrium on an October Thursday.

Phil Reed

The soft-spoken, polite 60-year-old man enjoyed his homemade vanilla ice cream at the Fourth of July picnic in Crystal Springs. With his wry smile and informal stance, it was easy to see him as a former pastor. I had no idea when I met him two years ago that this avid runner is the president and chief executive officer of Voice of Calvary Ministries.

Rebecca Starling

Rebecca Starling hesitated a bit about being a JFP Jacksonian—she's not someone looking for the spotlight. Her deep-seated conviction to meeting the needs of Hurricane Katrina-displaced students attending Jackson Public Schools changed her mind.

Miracle Buckley

"I would say there is a testimony to my name because somebody in my condition is not supposed to be here," 19-year-old Miracle Buckley says.

Maggie Middleton

"When I was 5, I told my mom that I wanted to be three things: I wanted to be a lawyer, a cheerleader and an actress, and they're kind of all the same thing," Maggie Middleton says, laughing at her youthful comparisons.

Richard McKey

Richard McKey didn't know he was destined to be an artist. On a path similar to Van Gogh's, McKey first studied pre-ministry at Belhaven College.

Rob Hill

Framed pictures of friends, family and spiritual figures line the walls and desk of Rob Hill's dimly lit church office in Jackson. The 33-year-old pastor is enthusiastic yet soft-spoken as he speaks of his congregation at Broadmeadow United Methodist Church, marathon running and his love for preaching.

Eddie Gates

For most young people who aspire to a career in music, the trend is going into a studio to make beats. But one local Jackson State student chooses a more traditional form of music. Eddie Gates, a 22-year-old junior from Jackson, has been playing piano since age 6.

Margaret Cupples

When Natchez native Margaret Cupples graduated from law school at Washington and Lee in 1993, she was offered a year-long position in Jackson with Judge Rhesa Barksdale. After that, she worked at the firm of Lake Tindall, which later merged with Bradley, Arant, Rose and White, where the 37-year-old litigation defense attorney still works. Now, 13 years since her initial arrival in Jackson, Cupples has yet to consider leaving.

Robert Arender

If you've been to Martin's Lounge more than twice, chances are you know Robert Arender. He's been a regular fixture behind the bar there for nearly 10 years now. For about eight of those 10, he's been bringing some of the best independent bands in America and elsewhere to the tiny stage in the front of the bar, slowly putting Jackson on the indie circuit.

Zikri Arslan

For a man who has moved to a different place almost every year since he came to the United States from Turkey in 1996, laying down roots is a new experience for Jackson State University professor Zikri Arslan. "I'm getting old," jokes the 38-year-old environmental chemistry specialist. Between work and taking the kids to the reservoir, he says he only has time for the occasional pick-up soccer game. The University of Massachusetts graduate and father of 4-year-old twins describes himself as a "simple person."

James Bowley

"Take your family to a mosque or Hindu temple or synagogue this week. They need it and might learn something," reads the new bumper sticker that 44-year-old Dr. James Bowley recently designed for his green Nissan Sentra. Dr. Bowley, a native Nebraskan now in his fifth year as a religion professor at Millsaps College, professes and participates in this kind of interfaith dialogue both inside and outside the classroom.

Shirley Harden

Recently named Jackson Public Schools' Parent of the Year, Shirley Harden is a figure the students at Forest Hill High School see often.

Wanda Collier Wilson

Nestled in her austerely decorated downtown office, Jackson Convention and Visitor's Bureau CEO and President Wanda Collier Wilson is no stranger to hard work. Not one to put up a big fuss about the numerous awards and plaques hanging on her walls and sitting on shelves, she speaks with a calm and powerful voice that catches the attention of those around her.

All results / Stories

Sort By

Date

Authors