Our Readers - Spring 2018

Fred tyner

Retired, Former Professor at MSU, Starkville

Is what you’re doing in life now what you wanted to do when you grew up?

Actually, I started out majoring in vocational agriculture because my high school agriculture teacher was my greatest role model. I changed my major to what is now called Agricultural Engineering Technology and Business. I eventually got my Master’s in the Agriculture Economics department after eight weeks in the Army, and then I was encouraged to go to get a doctorate. I’ve been in the field ever since. 

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

I would tell myself to do exactly what I did, but do it more intensely and to pay more attention.

What’s the one thing people always misunderstand about you?

I’m trying real hard to think of something, but I’ve always thought I was an open book. I think if I had to name one thing people have misunderstood about me, it was something I brought upon myself by not appearing as forthcoming and cooperative as I could have.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I don’t think I’ve ever been an extravagant person. In fact, I have two adult boys and they would tell you that instead of being extravagant, I was probably more like Scrooge. But now, I think my greatest extravagance is just taking my wife out to a nice dinner. Or, whenever the family comes in town for Thanksgiving or holidays, treating them as well– just having a good time and not worrying about anything.

If you could master one new skill what would it be?

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to buy a double-neck, pedal steel guitar. I wanted one when I was in high school, and I have it now. Besides having a double neck and nine petals, it’s also got knee pads and levers. I mean, I can’t hardly even picture that. In my junior and senior year of high school, I was in a radio program. There was a thirty-minute country music program and thirty-minute gospel program, and I played the accordion. And Boots Harris, he played the double-neck steel guitar. He had a nightclub in Jackson, but I found out later that he was the first guy to play a double-neck steel guitar on The Grand Ole Opry stage, and I guess I’ve never pursued it because, well– I don’t think I’ll ever make that. Anyways, for what it’s worth, that’s something I would like to do!

Sharon Jones

Manager at Columbus Best Western, Columbus

Is what you’re doing in life now what you wanted to do when you grew up?

No, it wasn’t. Not at all. I changed my mind a few times. At first, I had always wanted to be an FBI agent. And then I wanted to be a stewardess, but my parents were worried the plane would fall out of the air–so that didn’t happen. And then I did some freelance modeling when I was younger, but I don’t do that anymore. But now, even though I didn’t plan on it, managing a Best Western, I get to see people from all over the world. That’s what I always wanted to do–help people. So, I feel like what I’m doing now is my perfect mix of everything I used to want to do. 

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

Go for your dreams early. Whatever you are passionate about, just go for it whole-heartedly. 

What’s the one thing people always misunderstand about you?

What I stand for. I think coming from New York to Columbus, people already had their views on what a “New Yorker” was. But, I’m a New Yorker with a Southern Belle twist. My mom was born and raised in the south, and my dad was from Alabama, too. I think people often misunderstand my Christian values, too. Coming from New York, I noticed people didn’t really think you had a lot of biblical principals. But, my mom was an evangelist. 

What is your greatest extravagance?

I have my own non-profit, Paroled 2 Pride, and we identify the needs of non-violent felons and help them transition back into society by giving them professional training and trying to give them the proper support to find employment. So, I think my greatest extravagance is just seeing their transformation. That’s truly extravagant. One of the guys got married to his girlfriend, secured a job at Toyota and that was a great transformation. But, I fund this non-profit out of my own pocket, so it truly is my greatest extravagance. 

If you could master one new skill what would it be?

This is simple, but I really wish I had the skills to clean my house more. Or the skills to want to clean my house more. The older I get, I look into my kitchen and I’m like… great. I mean, it’s nice– but it could be cleaned more. And I probably should change that, because I have a four-year-old that I adopted from one of the women in my non-profit program. So, for him, I should probably master that skill. 

Kenny Dill

Former Mayor of West Point

Is what you’re doing in life now what you wanted to do when you grew up?

I was the mayor of West Point for 33 years, but I didn’t plan for that career. After I graduated college, I went to try out for the San Diego Charger’s football team. But I broke my leg so I went back to Mississippi. I did like giving back to a community that had given so much to me. I was mayor from the time I was 33-years-old to the time I was 65-years old. 

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

Well, my wife passed away in 1994 due to breast cancer, and that was about after three or four years of battle. I would tell myself to seek a more aggressive treatment for her so she could be here longer, or just learn more about breast cancer and the ways to fight it, in general. 

What’s the one thing people always misunderstand about you?

When you’re elected– and this probably happens to most elected officials– when you go out to eat, or go out to the grocery store, people always confide in you about their problems. You finally get to the point where you like to go home and not worry about all of those questions. I guess that was the thing that was misunderstood about me, they think that is the only thing I know something about– being a Mayor. Once a Mayor always a Mayor, I guess.  

What is your greatest extravagance?

You know, it used to be traveling. I would like to visit the coast, and at one time, I used to like visiting New Orleans. But now, I guess my extravagance is just being outside. I just like walking and being outside. I don’t get out as much anymore, but that’s what I really enjoy. 

If you could master one new skill what would it be?

I guess I would like to get physically fit. I think that is everybody’s at one point. I can’t sing or play a musical instrument either. So, I would really like to learn how to play an instrument, too. I guess another thing is that I would like to be more technologically advanced. I have grandchildren that are more equipped in some technology than I most likely will ever be. We didn’t have TV, so when I was a kid we would go outside and chase lightning bugs or play hide-n-seek.

Chris Taylor

President, Oktibbeha County NAACP

Is what you’re doing in life now what you wanted to do when you grew up?

What I wanted to do growing up was join the military, which I did. I was in the Army and stayed 30 years, nine months, and 12 days. After I retired, I moved back home to Starkville in 2006. I wanted to follow my uncle’s footsteps. My uncle, Clarence Taylor, was involved in the NAACP in Oktibbeha County from the start, and he was instrumental in starting the chapter back in 1969. So, I really wanted to continue the family legacy and now I’m the president of the NAACP in Oktibbeha County. 

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

 It would be financial wisdom at an early age. That was my problem, and I’m sure it is a lot of other people’s problem, as well. You have to put back something– you have to sacrifice. I figured that out, eventually. And now I have a budget for nearly everything. So, that’s my advice to my younger self, and all younger people. 

What’s the one thing people always misunderstand about you?

 People always think that I’m a party animal, but I’m really not. That’s just the bottom line. They always see me everywhere, and think I’m a social butterfly– I’m really not. I just know people, and in order to get what you want in these days you have to network. I’m misunderstood, I guess about my lifestyle. I could party with you today and then with Dr. Keenum at MSU tomorrow. 

What is your greatest extravagance?

It’s travel. I feel like I’m never in Starkville. I mean, if my grandkids called me today, I would be in Atlanta tomorrow. Last year we went to Disney World, and the year before that we went to New York. And this summer we’re going to California. 

If you could master one new skill what would it be?

It would be billiards. I love shooting pool. If I could master that skill, it would be great. We play at Starkville Billiards, and sometimes go to West Point for tournaments– and those people are so good, it’s crazy. I just want to master the game. 

Erin Kempker

History Professor at MUW, Columbus

Is what you’re doing in life now what you wanted to do when you grew up?

I was always interested in ideas, even as a young person. I grew up in a really rural area in Central Missouri, and people didn’t have the types of jobs where you could play with those ideas. It was a very working-class, rural class. I had no idea what a faculty person or history professor even was. But, once I got to college, and was kind of introduced to these ideas, I realized pretty quick that was what I was meant to do. 

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

The ones that are fit to print, I would tell myself to try to relax more and not be so worried. It’s just the anxiety of not knowing if you will get a job, not knowing if you are in the right profession that has always got to me. I was always worried, even about things I couldn’t control. But, I would definitely tell myself to stop the worrying. 

What’s the one thing people always misunderstand about you?

I have no answer to this. Honest to God. But, if I had to say something it would be about my profession. It’s not really about me, but more about history. People always find out that I’m a history professor, and they always say “History is the worst subject. It’s so boring.”  It always makes me cringe because I think about everything they are missing, and what they are not getting by avoiding history. 

What is your greatest extravagance?

I don’t guess it would surprise you that I buy books. A lot of books. It’s the one thing that I don’t look at the cost of before I buy it. The only thing, really. I just tell myself “I need this. I need these books.” I feel like I just get free reign to buy all of the books, and in every other part of my life I’ll look at prices. I mean, I always look at the price tag but it never actually phases me. “I’m like, 70 dollars? Look at all of the images in here. This IS worth 70 dollars. DONE.” 

If you could master one new skill what would it be?

I have never really been good at language. I would love to learn a new a language. I would love to be able to speak it fluently. Spanish, French, anything. Or, any musical instrument. I would love to be able to play an instrument. I’m actually still going to sign up for a beginner’s piano class, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to play beautifully but I would love to learn.