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Around Town Carousels Abound

Did you know that Meridian is home to the last original antique Dentzel Carousel? It’s not only listed on the National Register of Historic Places but is also a National Landmark!

Pretty cool for a town in Mississippi, if I do say so myself. Now I understand why the cool, artsy horses are in front of businesses all over town!

What’s even cooler is that the horses actually benefit Hope Village for Children, which was founded by actress and Meridian native Sela Ward.

“Around Town Carousels Abound is more than a collection of beautifully painted horses,” says Ward. “It is a testament to what communities can do when they come together to help their least fortunate children.”

Here’s a list of where you can find all 62 carousel horses throughout Meridian.

I’m making it my personal goal to visit each one! Which one is your favorite?

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Lost arts remembered at the Soule Live Steam Festival

  I wasn’t sure what to expect. When I hear “steam engine”, I think of old trains and loud whistles. As a child of the late 20th century, it honestly never occurred to me that the foundations of our modern civilization centered around the concept of steam-powered engines. Modern power, transportation, factories- and even many conveniences- they all started with steam. So, the Soule’ Live Steam Festival in Meridian, MS was truly an eye-opening event for me.

As I made my way into the event, I really wasn’t sure what I was looking at. There were a few steam engines of varying size organized at intervals across the lawn. They were all making noise and venting steam and sweat and there was a heavy tar-like aroma in the air. This was all punctuated by the occassional howl of steam whistles standing atop the engines. I casually snapped a few photos and made my way into the alley way. Once inside, I began to understand the marvel.

Within the old buildings that were once the Soule Mill & Industrial Supplies Company, there was a labyrinth of belts and wheels and gears and fans and pipes- all buzzing and spinning and whirring with activity. It took a few moments of close inspection to realize that all of this activity was being powered by a single engine somewhere within the building.

http://www.soulelivesteam.com/home.html   http://www.facebook.com/soulelivesteam

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Don’t You Step on My Blue Suede Shoes

Well it’s one for the money Two for the show Three to get ready Now go, cat, go!

Meridian Main Street & the Temple Theater are celebrating Elvis’ 77th birthday this Sunday, January 8th, and YOU are invited!

Where: Temple Theater in Meridian When: Festivities kick off at 2 p.m. What: Love Me Tender, Elvis’ first movie, will kick things off followed by a performance during intermission as well as contests like “Best Blue Suede Shoes” and “Best Sideburns”… And there will be cake! We’ll wrap things up by showing Elvis’ last movie Change of Habit. Cost: Only $5!

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January’s Sucarnochee Revue: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band

The live shows take place at the Meridian Temple Theater for the Performing Arts on the first Friday of each month at 7 p.m. The first show of 2012 will feature the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band along with the regulars of the program. According to their website, “The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band not only know the music, they wear the costumes, tell corny jokes and even do slapstick gags that throw a cable-tv-numbed audience into hysterics. Grown women have lost control of internal organs when the Jug Band entertains … crying so bad there was tears a’ runnin’ down both legs!!”

The Sucarnochee Revue is a thirty minute Mississippi Public Broadcasting television show featured at 8:30 Friday nights and 11 Saturday nights on MPB.

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Trees of Merrehope

  Merrehope, one of Meridian’s only remaining antebellum homes, showcases beautifully decorated trees throughout the holidays. For 43 years the Meridian Restorations Foundation has decorated the Merrehope Tree, pictured to the right. It represents and honors the women who had the courage, wisdom and determination to acquire and restore the historic home as their legacy to Meridian and the women of its future.

For just $5 you can enjoy a tour and learn the background of the several Christmas trees throughout the home.  Each tree has its own story and is decorated by a different group or business.

A particular favorite is the Walter Anderson themed tree decorated by the 1st grade classes at Lamar Elementary School as they studied the Mississippi artist.

I highly recommend visiting the Trees of Merrehope; you have until December 31st!  For more information, call [phone]!

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As a small bonus, I found a clip on YouTube of my absolute favorite part of the whole show that you can enjoy from the Moscow Ballet in Meridian, Mississippi!