Hometown Rankin Magazine

07/28/2024

Happy Sunday, Friends!

07/25/2024

We are excited to promote TWO books by people we love.

Lexie Ownby, a former employee of Hometown Magazines, has published a book of her travels to Europe. Lexie currently lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and we're proud of her accomplishments. Check out her book!

Camille Anding, writer of "The Time Coin" in Hometown Magazines, has published a book of devotionals. She has written a weekly article, "The Playhouse," for over 40 years, and some of her favorites have been put in book form. Hundreds of people have already purchased this book, and some have even come back for more to share with family and friends. You can find her book on Amazon, or drop by our Hometown Magazines office to purchase one. (200 Felicity Street in downtown Brandon)

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Europe-Photographic-Collection/dp/B0D9TVTPB6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=3Q4QYGSLMM1AP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lg02xf-AieTU_vXNRlkzz5fXrW7aF23TqQFROkUyjlP-kRpTzhC8oY7NjYo11TN6205BjsPjtnXRBZJpzHroepYA69UWrBIMX9N9TEpESIk.pbQvWS-lG-WYgnnaT_nQP_YzpPgLY6fm5REpTQq8Sj8&dib_tag=se&keywords=book+by+lexie+ownby&qid=1721927950&sprefix=book+by+lexie+ownby%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1-fkmr0

https://www.amazon.com/Playhouse-Lessons-Daily-Walk-Jesus/dp/B0BW32R6B3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AS7NTIBAYEWK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.w6uo2hLMPAewnK2Ig44dGg.0YURRL-PzMq4C3c2pAcORMj3GcZ-ZzvTRz_2YB7fHYw&dib_tag=se&keywords=book+by+camille+anding&qid=1721928002&sprefix=book+by+camille+anding%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1

07/24/2024

Take a look at the rest of the St. Jude Dream Home in Flowood you can win on August 22!

07/23/2024

Top 40 under 40 luncheon
July 23, 2024
Brandon Civic Center

07/21/2024

Have a great week!

07/20/2024

Do you have a busy family who loves to entertain? You’ve GOT to see the kitchen in the St. Jude Dream Home. You could win it all on August 22, so grab your ticket TODAY!

07/19/2024

Looking for some great entertainment this weekend? Check out these talented kids at Brandon Middle School.
Show times:
Friday-7pm
Saturday-10:30am and 3pm
Sunday-3pm
Tickets $10
Kids 10 and under FREE!

These kids have worked hard! We are so proud of this show, you’ve got to come see it!!! The show opens tonight.

07/15/2024

Want to see the first 3 rooms and bathrooms inside the St. Jude Dream Home in Flowood? Check out the builder details on this home set to be given away on August 22!

07/15/2024

Congratulations Konnor Griffin, MLB draft pick for the Pittsburgh Pirates! ⚾️⚾️⚾️

07/14/2024

Happy Sunday, friends! Have a great week!

07/12/2024

Shannon's Hope
Third Annual Evening of Hope
July 11, 2024
Magnolia Lake Venue

07/11/2024

City of Brandon Freedom Fest
July 3, 2024
Brandon Amphitheater
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

07/10/2024

MSU Football Coach Jeff Lebby spoke today at the Mississippi Association of Coaches in Flowood.

07/05/2024

07/05/2024

SALUTE TO FIRST RESPONDERS || Eva Matyus-Bailey, Paramedic Pafford EMS

Sponsored by Merit Health

What made you decide to work as a first responder?
I've always wanted to serve my community, so I decided to become a first responder. Since day one of EMT school I knew this is the career for me and I've been loving it ever since.

How long have you been with Pafford EMS?
I have been with Pafford EMS for over seven years. I started as an EMT right out of school. A couple of years later, I became an Advanced EMT and now I work as a paramedic.

Tell us about your family?
I live in Brandon with my husband, Brad. We have two daughters. Emily will start ninth grade at Brandon High School in the fall and Clara will be in sixth grade at Brandon Middle School. We also have a black Poodle named Lilly.

What is the toughest thing you have experienced in your job?
The toughest part of the job is responding to calls involving sick children.

Share some things you enjoy doing in your spare time.
I really enjoy relaxing on the beach, cooking, and shopping with my daughters.

Read more about Eva in the latest June/July issue!

07/04/2024

Happy Independence Day from our Hometown Family to yours!
God Bless America! ❤️🤍💙🇺🇸

07/03/2024

FAITH, HOPE AND TIME-TRAVEL || The River Queen Book Story by Stephenia McGee

Inspiration is an interesting and sometimes fickle thing. It can come from just about anywhere.” Stephenia H. McGee, an author of stories of faith, hope, and healing, is a mom of two rambunctious boys, and is a writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. She recently released her 20th published book, The River Queen, October 2023. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. Mrs. McGee’s love of books and writing began at a very early age. “I was the little girl who took a paper grocery sack to the library, filled it as full as I could get it, and then had them all read by the time my mother took me back two weeks later.” She continued, “I crafted a children's story from my first grade spelling list, regaling my parents and any classmate who would listen with a swashbuckling tale from the perspective of a pig traveling to America on the Mayflower. So, you could say that I have always had a story in my veins.”

Stephania shared how her stories became a career, “I used to tell my husband all kinds of story elements and scenes while we were driving. One day he stopped at a gas station and bought me a notebook. He told me I should start writing all these ideas down. That notebook eventually became my first novel. I graduated with a degree from MSU in animal science, but instead of going to vet school, I felt God leading in a different direction. A lot of study and learning the craft later, and I was eventually able to make writing my full time profession.”

Read more about this Mississippi Author in the Rankin June/July issue! on stands and online now! htmags.com

You can find out more about Stephania McGee and her books by visiting www.StepheniaMcGee.com

07/02/2024

HOMETOWN GOODNESS || Strawberry Ice Cream

Celebrate freedom with every bite of this refreshing strawberry ice cream! Perfect for hot summer days and 4th of July gatherings. 🍓🍦

07/01/2024

Congratulations to our 2024 Top 40 under 40! We look forward to celebrating you July 23rd!

06/28/2024

READER SPOTLIGHT || Tara Shipp

Why did you decide to make Rankin County your home? I can not imagine living anywhere else. When I moved away from Brandon for college and for my first teaching job,I realized quickly that there was no place like Rankin County. This town and the people here are a major part of me being the person that I am. When my husband and I started dating, we realized that this was still our home and that this would be the place that we would want to raise our family someday. People always talk about wanting out of the area they grow up in, but this town is in my blood.

How long have you lived in Rankin County? I have lived in Rankin County for 46 years, since I was 4 years old. Amazingly, my husband moved to Rankin County at the same age. We went to Brandon schools together since first grade and graduated high school together.

Tell us about your family. My family is so wonderful! My husband, Brian, and I have been married now for 22 years; and we have a 13 year old daughter named Emily. We are members at Crossgates Baptist Church, and my daughter attends Park Place Christian Academy. My parents and my husband’s parents still live in Brandon, and we see each other often. Monthly dinners with all of our family together is a tradition that we want our children to carry on! We are a family of faith in God and love for people!!

Get to know Tara in the latest June/July issue!! htmags.com or on stands!

06/28/2024

Join us for an unforgettable night as acclaimed vocalist, songwriter, and author, Charles Billingsley, performs at this years Freedom Fest on July 3rd at the Brandon Amphitheater. Best of all, it's free to the public! Don't miss out!

06/27/2024

Rankin County Chamber Health Fair
June 27th, 2024
Brandon Civic Center

06/27/2024

Thank you to our amazing coffee & lunch sponsors! It is businesses like you that help this event come to life!💙❤️

Get to the Community Health Fair by 10:30am to get your free lunch ticket!

06/27/2024

HOMETOWN GOODNESS || Watermelon Ice Cream

When life gives you watermelons, make watermelon ice cream! This recipe is a refreshing twist on the classic summer treat. Get the recipe now in the latest June/July issue and enjoy every last drop! ☀🍦🍉

06/26/2024

LOYALTY IS EVERYTHING || Bobby Walley / Hi-Performance Lures

"Life has been good, and God has provided all of this."

Bobby Walley first turned his hobby of fishing into a career in 1994. ML Hooks of Vicksburg was selling his fishing lure business called Mr. Hootie. Upon hearing this, Mr. Walley, who was a financial auditor, knew he wanted to purchase the business and immediately brought Mr. Hooks a cashier’s check to finalize the purchase. ML told him not to tell the secrets of making the fishing lures. “ML is an integral part of what I do. He taught me everything I know.”

Bobby owned that business for ten years. In 2005, he sold the business and focused on his career in financial auditing. That business no longer exists, but in 2015, after retiring, he picked the business back up, naming it Hi-Performance Lures. He commented on how it is fun to make and sell the lures, he likes having something to do, and he loves getting to meet people through this business. He also considers himself very fortunate that his hobby brings in an income.

Get to know Bobby and his passion about his work in the latest June/July issue! On stands or online now!

06/25/2024

HOMETOWN GOODNESS || Peach-Blueberry Ice Cream

Summer just got a whole lot sweeter! This peach-blueberry ice cream is the perfect way to beat the heat. Rich, creamy, and full of flavor - i guarantee you won't be disappointed!

06/24/2024

Freedom Fest Brandon is excited to have Central MS Co****le & Good Times run our 2024 Co****le Tournament at the Brandon Amphitheater Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024.

Double Elimination Tournament starts at 6:30PM

There will be two divisions: SOCIAL & COMPETITIVE Bring Your Own Partner

REGISTRATION FEES:
Social Division - $20 per team
Competitive Division - $30 per team

Registration starts at 5:30 pm and bags fly at 6:30 pm.

Prizes and/or Cash for the top teams in each division.

Admission is FREE, but registration for the co****le tournament is required.

Limited spots available, so don't wait!
Sign up here https://www.freedomfestbrandon.com/co****le to secure your spot.

We'll provide the boards, bags, and festive vibes. You bring the competition and patriotism!