This weekend was my husband’s birthday, and, like every year, his parents came to town to celebrate.
Because they could only stay for one night this trip, we mostly stayed at our house so they could play and spend time with their grandchildren.
That evening, my husband requested to have his birthday dinner at Sherman’s.
Aside from the delicious food and drinks, one of our favorite things about dining at Sherman’s is how personable the owners, Allison and Peter Nimrod, are.
They always make a point to walk up to the tables and ask everyone how the meal is going. Peter will crack a joke or two and then make his way to the next table. Service like that really stands out to us and I just want to thank them for always making us feel so welcomed.
The next day after church, we had a great lunch at Scoop’s. As we were walking back to our cars, my mother-in-law began listing off everything she enjoys about Greenville. She praised the history and culture, restaurants, festivals and shopping, all things many of us take for granted.
“You guys really have a lot going on here,” she said.
Her comments took me by surprise, I never realized how much my in-laws, who are from the small Choctaw village called Nanih Waiya, enjoyed visiting our city.
Growing up, I thought the Mississippi Delta was about the worst place anyone could live. When I was graduating from Greenville High School, I already had my acceptance letter to BYU-Idaho with the idea that I was getting as far away as possible and never coming back.
When I moved out west, I didn’t even want people to know where I came from. If it was ever brought up, I was embarrassed and didn’t talk about it for very long.
But, as life would have it, I did come back. I got a temporary job working at the U.S. Forest Service in Stoneville and that’s when I began to fall in love not just with my husband, but with my birthplace.
Fourteen years later, I’m still living in Greenville and I honestly have no complaints.
This is a beautiful area I’m proud to call home. It’s not perfect, but I have yet to find a place that is.
In a few months, my friend, Jennie, who I haven’t seen in seven years, is coming down from Michigan to visit. We were roommates in Orlando, Florida, and she has never been to Mississippi. What used to be unthinkable and shameful to my younger, naive mind now has me thrilled. I can’t wait to show off our little gem in the world.
One complaint I often hear about the Delta is “there is nothing to do.”
That’s definitely not the case.
When I found out Jennie was coming to visit, I posted a status on Facebook asking people for suggestions of things for us to do so I would be sure to give her a “true Delta experience.” The responses were overwhelming and affirmed everything my mother-in-law had said.
Within minutes, I had enough ideas that could last for several trips.
We really do have a plethora of wonderful eateries, including Doe’s, Sherman’s, Fratesi’s, Vito’s, Gino’s, Shipley Do-Nuts, Jim’s Cafe, Hot Tamale Heaven, Scott’s Hot Tamales, Downtown Grille, Cicero’s, Hattie’s Kitchen, Lillo’s, and that’s just a few.
The list of actives to enjoy was even longer, including Winterville Mounds; the Jim Henson Delta Boyhood Exhibit in Leland; Warfield Point Park; Grammy Museum in Cleveland; B.B. King Museum in Indianola; Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale; kayak Deer Creek; tour Belmont Plantation; Mississippi Wildlife and Heritage and Highway 61 Blues museums in Leland; the paddle boat Welcome Center; Greenville History Museum; and so much more.
For anyone who might have a visitor coming down for a visit, remember these ideas. Show people how awesome the Delta truly is. Be proud of our home.
Catherine Kirk is managing editor of the Delta Democrat-Times. She can be reached at ckirk@ddtonline.com.
