24783 Highway 19 N, Kosciusko, MS 39090-6725

Love Ms Betty. Sweet lady. Love seeing the orchards with Blue Berries, Black berries, muscadines and more. They make Jellies, Jams & wine. Their products are sold in a variety of places across Mississippi and on their website.

Oprah Winfrey’s popular daytime talk show, filmed in the West Loop at her Harpo Studios, came to an end in 2011, but she’s back in the neighborhood in the form of a new mural that pays tribute to her influence.

The mural, completed in October, is about 300 feet long and 26 feet tall. The focal point is a portrait of Winfrey, looking rather regal, painted by artist Shawn Michael Warren, a Chicago native who was among the artists collaborating on the piece.

“It’s almost like planting a flag of a person that has claimed the territory,” says Warren, 33.

The West Loop “was her territory long before it went through this major evolution in terms of being a go-to destination in the city of Chicago.”

The building that provided the canvas for the mural is part of a development called Porte, 855 W. Madison St., that includes townhomes, 585 apartments and retail space. The mural is on the side of the building that faces Green Street between Monroe and Madison.

Warren also painted the huge bird featured in the mural — a magpie, a particularly smart bird that he says can recognize itself in a mirror and shows the kind of self-awareness Winfrey is known for.

“You have Oprah, and this magpie kind of serves as her spirit animal,” Warren says.

Levar Hoard of B_Line Projects directed the project and says coming up with just the right image of Winfrey to work from was especially important. The one that was chosen was a recent image with a classic feel.​

“It was very glamorous, very timeless and still looked like Oprah from ‘86,” says Hoard, 42.

That was the year “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was first broadcast nationally.

As you look beyond Warren’s portrait of Winfrey and the sprawling wingspan of the magpie, you see a mix of florals, geometric shapes and graphic patterns, elements woven together by three other artists.

Rapisarda, 31, says he took elements already in the mural and weaved them together to create a sense of movement. Much of the piece already had been completed when he added his part.

“Instead of actually starting with a totally blank slate, it actually makes it a little bit easier because you’re reacting to a decision that’s already been made,” Rapisarda says.

When Winfrey saw the mural, she recorded a video message to thank the artists, especially Warren for his portrait of her.

chicago.suntimes.com

In a small town nestled along the historic Natchez Trace you will find a magical place.  A place that will take you back in time… a place that has a little bit of everything and a lot of nothing… a place where trash is treasure… a place where old is new… a place where junk is reborn.

This place is the Central Mississippi Flea Market!  Located in the old Jordan Furniture Company building just off the square in downtown Kosciusko you will find over 17,000 square feet of things old and new ranging from antiques and collectibles to handmade jewelry.  This is a destination spot you sure don’t want to miss!  We’ve had visitors all the way from New Zealand and Canada and of course all over the southeast.  Be sure to bring a your pickup or trailer because you are sure to find many items you can’t live without.

Established in 113 North Natchez Street, Kosciusko, MS 39090 2011, Central Mississippi Flea Market has become one of the premiere permanent flea markets in Mississippi.  We are located one block east of Kosciusko’s Historic Downtown square in the old Jordan Furniture Co. building.  Kosciusko is a fantastic place to stop when traveling the Natchez Trace or just a short 20 minute drive from I-55. 

Visit the Church where Alberta Truss Merritt is buried. 3329 Pope Street, Ethel, MS, United States, 39067

Alberta Truss Merritt married Chester Merritt in 1900, and together they have built so far 6 generations of their bloodline. Alberta Truss after marrying Chester Merritt became a stay at home mom and raised several children. She mastered her craft in the kitchen, making delicious food made from scratch. Alberta Truss Merritt is the grandmother to Regina Edwards La Rue, whos known today to be an Earth Angel in the 21st century. Alberta Truss merritt spent her life living in Ethel, Ms, helping her children raise their children. She was the go-to mom when her grandchildren wanted a yes to something after their parents said no. Big Mamma Alberta could never say no to her loving grandkids. Alberta Truss Merritt in her younger years was the midwife to the entire town. She helped deliver most of the babies in Ethel during the 80's and 90's. In (date) she developed old timers and her health declined, she needed around-the-clock care from her youngest daughter, Mary Charlotte Carr. Alberta Truss Merritt lived until she was 96 years old.