Browsing: Living

Sending kids back to school is a bittersweet time of the year. Yes, moms and dads are ready for the return to a school-based routine. (A lot of kids are too, if the truth is told.) But the loss of that slower, relaxed schedule and the reality of less time together as a family is sad. Plus, summer is just fun, filled with comfy clothes, outdoor fun, and more spontaneity.

Ready or not … it is time for Mississippi kids to head back to school. 

Of course, that also means it is time to buy new clothes and school supplies. For parents that can be a daunting, expensive, time-consuming task. But for grandmothers like me, shopping for school supplies is a yearly adventure filled with laughter, good food, and lots of cash. 

Mississippi knows how to make an impression—and now the rest of the country is catching on. Tucked in the rolling hills of Oktibbeha County, the vibrant city of Starkville has just been named the No. 1 Small Town to Visit in the South by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. That’s right—Starkville topped the list, and anyone who’s ever spent a Saturday strolling through downtown or cheering on the Bulldogs knows exactly why.

Nothing says summer like ice cream! National Ice Cream Day, celebrated annually on the third Sunday in July, was officially declared by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. He also proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month. This action aimed to recognize the popularity of ice cream and the importance of the dairy industry. The day is now widely celebrated with various ice cream promotions and events. 

In the heart of Yalobusha County, where small-town charm meets Southern celebration, Water Valley is gearing up once again for one of Mississippi’s most beloved summer traditions—the Watermelon Carnival, now in its 51st year. Always set for the first Friday and Saturday in August, this iconic event transforms historic Main Street into a lively festival that draws an estimated 20,000 visitors annually.

Most people don’t think twice about a shoebox. It’s one of those everyday items that serves its purpose and gets tucked away without much thought. But the origin of the shoebox? That story begins in Mississippi—and it’s a good one.

Tucked along the southern edge of the Magnolia State, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a hidden gem that offers a rich blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. With 62 miles of scenic shoreline, charming coastal towns, and some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet, the Gulf Coast is where Southern hospitality truly meets the sea.

Mississippi shoppers, mark your calendars! The 2025 Sales Tax Holiday is happening next weekend—from Friday, July 11, through Sunday, July 13—giving you a chance to score some serious savings.

Just above the banks of St. Catherine Creek in historic Natchez stands a house that has quietly watched Mississippi’s story unfold for over two centuries. Known as The House on Ellicott’s Hill, this unassuming home—built in 1798—it is the oldest surviving building Natchez. And like any old Mississippi home worth its salt, it has some stories to tell.

Mississippi’s Gulf Coast is aging faster than the rest of the state, and Hancock County sits at the center of that demographic shift. 

In Mississippi, the Fourth of July is more than fireworks and barbecue—it’s a day that blends patriotism, community, and tradition in a way that feels deeply personal to the people who call the Magnolia State home.

The school bells are no longer ringing, the temperature is rising even higher, and the kids are home all day, saying they’re bored.

Hip hip hooray! 

It’s time to celebrate our nation’s 149 years of independence on July 4, 2025. And lucky for us, this year’s Independence Day celebration falls on a Friday, making for a nice, long weekend filled with good food and fireworks. 

Independence Day is one of America’s most important and celebrated holidays. On this day, we celebrate our freedom from British…

“I’m bored! There’s nothing to do.”

The first month of summer is not even over yet, and a lot of Mississippi kids have already voiced this complaint – probably more than once.

Well, the teacher in me always loved creating a summer scavenger hunt for my kids. Ours usually started around the house and sometimes branched out to include nearby family and friends. 

School is officially out, and summer break has arrived. In usual fashion, camp season has begun. Mississippi has a variety of specialty camps for youth—ranging from fine arts to STEM‑centered programs. Business owner Jennifer Clark has created a one‑stop shop for parents called the Pine Belt Kids Central—a database packed with valuable information on how to involve your children in statewide activities. Below are three summer camps pulled straight from this resource that will help brighten your children’s summer.