Now that the weather is finally warming up, my family calendar is beginning to fill up with Mississippi road trips. Jaunts north to Oxford for the Double Decker Arts Festival and south to the Coast to join friends for a boat trip to Ship Island are in the works.
My landlocked childhood never involved boats. The closest thing for me on those favored spring days was running through the homemade sprinklers that watered my mom’s gardenias and azaleas. I preferred flying kites at the nearby sandpits or riding my bike up and down our long driveway.
As I grew older and became acquainted with folks who’d “earned their sea legs,” I learned to appreciate time on the water — as long as someone else was operating the boat, I should say. Party barges are just like floating porches after all, right?
This issue tells the story of one beloved boat, the Vanalburt-Lee, legendary to many people along our Coast and a prized member of the Hewes family. For the four generations of Heweses who have spent spring and summer days on the Vanalburt-Lee, boating is in their blood. Their story makes even the boat-less appreciate the impression a treasured vessel can have on a family and a community.
Jump aboard and enjoy the ride — from your boat or your porch chair — your choice. This issue has a selection of stories fit for any spring day. Read about raising chickens, judging cats, Bill Ferris’ family farm, an award-winning pizzeria up north and more. You can also experience our newest treat, the ‘Sip Sack.
As we begin our second year in print, I am pleased to announce that The ’Sip was recognized in February with two Silver ADDY® Awards, presented by the American Advertising Federation in Jackson. I am honored to work with such talented and creative people. Thanks, especially, to our readers for taking this journey with us.
Cheers, y’all,
STORY Lauchlin Fields
PHOTOGRAPHY Melanie Thortis
