~ MISS NORTHSIDE ~ by Patricia Neely-Dorsey

 The Miss Northside Pageant was a
"MUST SEE" event in the Northside /Park Hill Community
for over 20 years.
It was held during 4th of July week from the 60's to
the mid/late 80's.      Then...gone.

I'm excited to say, this year...SHE'S BACK !!!!




~ MISS NORTHSIDE ~

Our neighborhood beauty pageant
In the summertime
Was quite an event to see
In my 10th grade year, I decided,
The Miss Northside crown
Was waiting just for me.
I bought a stunning bathing suit
And did my stomach crunches
Advice from everywhere on how to win
Came to me in bunches.
In my high heels, around the house,
I practiced my stallion walk;
And considering the question and answer period;
I practiced how I’d talk.
For my talent, I did a ballet dance,
And I must say very well;
In my eyesight, compared to me,
The competition paled.
Our big night finally came,
And we strolled around the pool;
The (Neighbor) Hood - Back in the Day
The lights were bright
And the crowd was wild
But, I remained absolutely cool.
As it turned out,
I didn’t get that winning Miss Northside cup
But, I considered it just as well,
I got 2nd runner up.

2012 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
from My Magnolia Memories and Musings - In Poems

*1980 Miss Northside — Misty Douglas
1st Runner Up — Carla Floyd
2nd Runner Up — Patricia Neely

A (Southern ) LIFE IN POEMS

I would like to extend to you a ~ Warm Southern Welcome~ ...
along with an inside look at the southern way of life .

I am always on a mission to .......
"Celebrate the South and Promote a Positive Mississippi"

I want to introduce readers to Mississippi and the south through
Poetry Prose and the Written Word.

Step into my world......

I am thrilled and honored to be included in the ...
She Writes Southern Writers 4^th of July Countdown Blog Tour.

Please check out the above link to find the other blogs on the tour-

People who leave insightful comments on the blog post(s) during the
tour will be entered into a random drawing to receive a special
Southern Living-themed prize (worth $50) donated by Zetta Brown
and Jim & Zetta - Author/Publisher Services.

The more blogs you visit and the more comments you
make throughout the tour, the more chances you get to win!

My first book of poetry:
Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia- A Life In Poems
*Link to book on Amazon.com*
Published  February, 2008 (Grant House Publishers).

My second book of poetry:
My Magnolia Memories and Musings -In Poems
*Link to book on Amazon.com*
Published  February 2012.

I call both books a "celebration of the south and things southern". Using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. I want to show a flip side of the coin.

There is much to love about this maligned and misunderstood part of our country. I would really love for you to get to KNOW Mississippi (and the south) in a different light.

I have made it my life mission to be a cheerleader of
Mississippi and all things southern !!!

From this Magnolia Girl to all of you :
Thanks again for stopping by my blog and sharing
with me (through poems) this place that I so
lovingly call home !
Y'all come back ,now....You hear???

PLEASE come and ~FRIEND~ me on Facebook .....
Kick back, put your feet up and let's chat ....

https://www.facebook.com/patricia.neelydorsey

  Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems Book Trailer Video

Stop by this link below for some more
info, and links to interviews and reviews.

www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com

    

                                                              

.

'A State of Grace'

Ms. Oseola McCarty
(March 7, 1908 - September 26, 1999)

“We always hear about Mississippi being last. Last in this, last in that. Well, at last, Mississippi is first … in generosity.* And, in 1995, the world took note of Mississippi’s generous spirit through a single, unselfish act. 

Ms. Oseola McCarty of Hattiesburg had made a living washing & ironing for over 75 years. As a child, she was taught to save money by her mother, a single-parent who was a cook and sold candy to make ends meet.

Over the years, Oseola – who lived modestly, never even owning a car – accumulated a small fortune. In1995, she donated $150,000 to The University of Southern Mississippi for an endowed scholarship. It was the single largest gift ever given to USM by an African-American.

Having quit school in 6th grade to help take care of her ailing aunt, Oseola wanted desperately “to help somebody’s child go to college.” The Oseola McCarty Scholarship does just that by giving “priority consideration to those deserving African-American students enrolling at USM who clearly demonstrate a financial need.”

Prior to her death in 1999, Ms. McCarty received scores of awards and other honors recognizing her generous spirit, including the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation’s second highest civilian award. But all the awards and accolades in the world could never truly match the rich, warm, humble blessing that was Ms. Oseola McCarty.”



From Mississippi Believe It !



http://www.mississippibelieveit.com/home/