University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

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The road connectine Mississippi to Manhattan, famously trodden by the likes of Charlie Conerly, Eli Manning and Shepard Smith (to name a few) gets a litde busier each year. Sectional differences still remain. Southerners will always be quick to remind anyone outside Dixie ' s limits that soft drinks aren ' t pop, there ' s no such tiling as stuffing and restaurants that don ' t offer sweet tea are downright barbaric. Meanwhile, the lingering drawl of the South comes with its own misconceptions for North- erners, often painting an inaccurate picture of a South drowning in its own ignorance. However, manv on both sides believe some- where amid geograpliical conflict lies a core belief in the power of fellowship; and every year, thousands of Mississippians and New Yorkers gather in Manhattan ' s Central Park to prove it. Though the picnic is held in the heart of New York Cit ' , the event itself is designed to make Mississippians feel right at home with art ven- dors, book-signings bv Southern authors and deep-fried catfish washed down with McAl- ister ' s sweet tea - all set against the musical backdrop of classic Delta blues. ' iou see so many people that vou have no idea lived in New York Cit ' , alumna Margaret Taylor, who now lives in Manhattan, said. It is just so much fun to see familiar faces, and not only familiar faces, but people who will walk up to you and have a smile on their face and talk to you because you have something in common. Junior Taylor McGraw said it ' s great to hear Hott} ' Toddy while passing people on the way to the picnic. It feels like home when you show up and see all the tents and drink sweet tea, McGraw said. I think it is cool to show off the best of Mississippi. Though Mississippi is known for its blazing summers. New York Cm competed witii the South ' s sweltering temperatures. It has been cool all spring and suddenly it ' s hot, hot in Central Park, Adrian Benepe, New York Cit)- Department of Parks and Recre- ation Commissioner, said. It ' s so hot, I saw a robin pulling up worms from the ground wear- ing a pot holder. Native New Yorkers also joined in on the fes- tivities, gobbling up hush puppies, purchasing artwork and swaying to the beat of the Delta, x TOP LEFT and RIGHT Chicken tenders, fiied catfish and McAlister ' s sweet tea vi ' ere on hand tliroughout the event for Northerners and Southerners alike to enjov a taste of Mississippi. BOTTOM LEFT NLany students, alumni and fans dressed for Central Park as they would for tlie Grove, donning pearis, sundresses and suits. BOTTOM CENTER Though It was a statewide affair, glimpses of Oxford and the universit ' were ever «here in Central Park. BOTTOM RIGHT Chancellor Dan Jones chats with an attendee. -23-

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t.% Somewhere Above the Mason-Dixon The annual Mississippi Picnic in Central Park brings a little bit of the South to the heart of Manhattan. nrmsMcniCXMn . i l» « ' iCo I St. Mi COl etr aS bel n Yo: Yo, it k] dec

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HALEY SPEAKS Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour addresses the Central Park crowd about his love for Mississippi at the annual Manhattan event. All of you that have come up here from Mississippi, or your parents came up here, remember we have a place for you at home. SO COME ON HOME.55 -Governor Haley Barbour Chancellor Dan Jones said the picnic is a great way to connect with the university ' s New York family. There is a big connection between Ole Miss and New York, he said. Right now, one of our big contemporary connections is Eli (Man- ning). We love following Eli, but there are lots of folks from Ole Miss who eventually find their way to the big cit) ' and find success here. It ' s good to see. Wearing a friendly smile and red and blue is a great way to promote the school in New York, Jones added. Governor Haley Barbour also brought a warm Mississippi welcome to the Big Apple. More than 30 years ago, some Ole Miss peo- ple started the idea for the Mississippi Picnic in Central Park, Barbour said. This has served as opportunit} ' for Mississippians who live in the New York area to get together, but also for people from home to come up to New York. The founders have a lot to be proud of While many Mississippians have jobs and fami- lies in New York, Barbour told the crowd that there is always a home for them in Mississippi. All of you that have come up here from Mis- sissippi or your parents came up here, remem- ber we have a place for you at home, he said. So come on home. Barbour recalled an interview actor Morgan Freeman, a Mississippi native, once gave to a Los Angeles Times reporter. Why in the world would you live in Charleston, Miss.?, asked the reporter. Freeman responded, Be- cause I can live anywhere I want. As more Mississippians and New Yorkers alike keep discovering the picnic, it continues to grow and offer the best of both worlds. Each year it gets bigger and better and more people have heard about it, know about it and come up for it, Taylor said. It ' s fun to come up to New York and do something related to the South at the same time. It is a Uttie piece of home in the big city. story ELIZABETH PEARSON photos NICK TOCE -24-