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50th Anniversary Of Possum Ridge

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50th Anniversary Of Possum Ridge


JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Check out Possum Ridge, an annual exhibit put on by Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson.

Possum Ridge is a fictional town in Mississippi featuring model trains that you and your family can come check out during the holiday season.

Drew Gardner is the museum’s programming manager.

He said, “Yeah, so this is Possum Ridge. We have been doing Possum Ridge, the train town here at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, for over 50 years. It is actually our 50th anniversary. The first time we did it was in 1974. We’re so proud. We have it out every December.”

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There are many museum staff members that help make this possible for visitors each year.

Gardner went on and said, “Yeah, so this is really a program from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History that we host. But we’ve got a group, some of our staff as well as others, that have really been dedicated over the years to making sure not only that we have this space but also that we continue to update it. So it’s kind of a unique combination of a community of folks that absolutely love and care for these trains.”

Plenty of visitors have already come through to check out Possum Ridge. We caught up with one family that was visiting the exhibit for the first time.

Mindy and Charles Freeman brought their grandson to the exhibit.

“I think it’s really cool. He went over with us. All of these buildings and stuff are a place in Mississippi. My little grandson here, his name is Sam, and he loves trains. So we just bought him out today to see the train exhibit,” Mindy Freeman said.

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The Mississippi Rail lines are nothing short of historic.

These tracks helped countless Black Mississippians travel out of Mississippi during southern segregation to cities like Chicago and Detroit.

“The Illinois Central, as we talked about the Great Migration story. Black Mississippians made their way out of places like Mississippi to Chicago and other places further north. So in Mississippi, these rail lines were a heart for so many,” Gardner said.

There is no charge to view the exhibit. You and your family can check out Possum Ridge until December 31.

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Mississippi Association of Coaches Inducts Six New Members

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Mississippi Association of Coaches Inducts Six New Members


Six new members were inducted into the Mississippi Association Coaches Hall of Fame on Friday.

Five electees and one surprise honorary inductee announced at the evening’s end.

Each says the MAC HOF is a special one and this is the ultimate honor for a coach in Mississippi.

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Fort Worth youth baseball team rescued after floodwaters trap families in Mississippi

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Fort Worth youth baseball team rescued after floodwaters trap families in Mississippi


Members of a Fort Worth-area youth baseball team were among dozens of people rescued from rising floodwaters in Mississippi as Tropical Storm Arthur brought heavy rain and dangerous conditions to the Gulf Coast.

According to a release from Cajun Navy 2016, volunteers conducted multiple water rescues along the Biloxi River in Gulfport over the weekend as rainfall caused water levels to rise and flooded homes and roadways.

Among those evacuated were members of The Pickles, a Fort Worth-area youth baseball team.

Trey Williams, communications director for Cajun Navy 2016, said the rescue effort began when the mother of one of the players contacted the organization through Facebook seeking help. Initially, the situation did not appear urgent, but rising floodwaters overnight quickly changed conditions.

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“They were just wanting to get to their game,” Williams said. “But overnight, the water rose a great bit, and it really did become more of an emergency situation where we needed to get them out of that house.”

According to Williams, volunteers working alongside the Gulfport Fire Department evacuated 12 players, nine adults, and three dogs; two German shepherds and a Labrador, from the flooded property.

The group was staying in an Airbnb near the Biloxi River when floodwaters began surrounding the elevated home. Williams said fast-moving water and changing currents created dangerous conditions for rescuers and those trapped inside.

“The most important thing was that water was very swift and fast-moving,” Williams said. “In that situation, it’s always best to get people out of harm’s way.”

The team rescue was one of several operations conducted by Cajun Navy 2016 during the storm response.

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Williams said the rescue reflected the mission that inspired the organization after the historic Louisiana floods of 2016.

“It was neighbors coming together to help neighbors,” Williams said. “Every time we help somebody, they’re very grateful and relieved. In this situation, everybody was safe, everybody got out okay, and that’s why we’re here.”



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Iconic Mississippi foods and top US foodie states

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Iconic Mississippi foods and top US foodie states


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When you think of Mississippi food, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? The state has lots of iconic offerings, including biscuits, tamales and mud pie.

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Talker Research surveyed 5,000 Americans for Hello Fresh. They talked to families about how much they cook at home, pride in local recipes and the states they think have the best cuisine in the U.S.

“Food has always been about more than just sustenance — it’s how we connect, share stories and pass down traditions,” said Michelle Doll Olson, senior manager of culinary development at HelloFresh US. “From California shrimp tacos and Minnesota Juicy Lucy, to Louisiana gumbo and New York bagels, the dishes that define each state carry generations of family memories and cultural pride.”

The average American reportedly cooks 12 meals at home every week. That’s three breakfasts, four lunches and five dinners.

Sharing food is a matter of community pride.

Get your groceries easily with Hello Fresh

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What does Mississippi taste like?

New Hampshire was proud of its apple cider donuts while Utah bragged about “fry sauce.” Ohio loves its “buckeyes.”

People said the most iconic Mississippi foods are fried catfish and soul food.

Which states have the best food?

The Top 5 foodie states, according to the survey, were:

  • California
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Louisiana
  • Florida

Residents of neighboring Louisiana were the most confident (94%) that they had the best cuisine.

What dishes and flavors represent other Southern states?

According to the data, here’s what other Southern states say represents them.

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  • Alabama: banana pudding, pinto beans and cornbread
  • Arkansas: catfish, country fried chicken
  • Florida: seafood, key lime pie, fresh orange juice
  • Georgia: peach cobbler, seafood boils
  • Kentucky: fried chicken
  • Louisiana: crawfish, Cajun cuisine, gumbo
  • North Carolina: barbecue, knoephla soup
  • South Carolina: soul food
  • Tennessee: barbecue
  • Texas: Tex Mex, barbecue
  • Virginia: ham

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@usatodayco.com.



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