Solve the Mystery

In each issue of Mississippi Farm Country is a Mystery Photo. Everyone who solves the mystery will have his or her name entered into a drawing for a weekend getaway at a Mississippi Bed and Breakfast Inn sponsored by Farm Bureau. When all correct guesses have been received, we will randomly draw 20 names. These 20 names will receive a prize and have their entry placed in the hat twice for the drawing at the end of the year. This procedure is to accomodate members who receive their magazine at a later date than others. Families may submit only one entry. Federation staff members or their families are ineligible to participate in this contest. Good luck!

Answer the question correctly and you will qualify for the random drawing that determines our top twenty winners. You will also qualify for the bed and breakfast drawing at the end of the year.

Which central Mississippi town, located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, is the county seat of Sunflower County. Agriculture has historically been important to the town’s economy and remains so today.


Read the clues and make your guess.

Here are your clues from the magazine:

This town was originally named Indian Bayou for the body of water upon which it was built. In the late1800s, its name was changed to Eureka, Belengate and, finally, to its unusual present name.
Two theories attempt to explain the origins of the town’s name. One theory says it was named for a Choctaw Indian princess named Ola, while another maintains that the town was named in memory of a Texas town that was completely destroyed by a hurricane in 1875.

The Blues

This town is the hometown of legendary blues musician B. B. King and the birthplace of famous blues musician Albert King. A number of other blues artists have lived in or near this town.
An annual blues festival, held on the first Friday of June, is named for B.B. King, who attends the event every year. King recently purchased the renowned Club Ebony, which had been owned by Mary Shepard since the 1970s.

The new “B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretative Center” is scheduled to open on September 13.

This town is also home to the 308 Blues Club and Café, an innovative establishment that serves food and hosts blues, rock, country and hip-hop acts.

Dining

Located downtown, The Crown restaurant is well known for its delicious U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish dishes. The restaurant also sells an award-winning U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish pate and other specialty foods products. Over 30 years old, The Crown is a unique restaurant, antiques shop and art gallery.

Gin Mill Galleries, owned by talented woodworking artist Thomas Bingham, is another unique combination art gallery and restaurant. It is housed in the old Fletcher-Barnett Cotton Gin building (c. 1920s), which is said to have been the first gin to have electricity in this town.

Bingham has meticulously restored the structure.

Industry

This town is home to distribution centers for Dollar General and Supervalu. A Pecan House sells products locally, nationally and around the world.

Delta Western, a farm-raised catfish feed manufacturer that dates back to the 1970s, and Delta Pride, a farm-raised catfish processor, are located in this town and are important to the area’s farm-raised catfish industry.

This town boasts many thriving businesses. Abraham's, a renowned men’s clothing store, has sold fine clothing, accessories and shoes for several generations. The Enterprise-Tocsin is the town’s weekly newspaper.

One of the most interesting businesses is Dolly’s Stained Glass, located on Highway 82. A visit there might reveal Dolly piecing together a stained glass window for a local church. She also offers smaller stained glass artwork for sale.

The headquarters for the Catfish Farmers of Mississippi and Catfish Farmers of America can be found in this town. The Sunflower County Farm Bureau can also be found on Highway 82. Stop by and say hello.

Name this town.

To enter the contest:

Write your answer on a piece of paper and include your name, address and phone number. Send your entry to:

Solve the Mystery Contest
Attn: Glynda Phillips, Editor
P. O. Box 1972
Jackson, MS 39215-1972

Or you may e-mail your entry to farmcountry@msfb.com.

Deadline for entries is September 30.