HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS !

Can you believe Elvis " THE KING " Presley was born in my hometown???!!!
Elvis Aaron Presly was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935, to 18-year-old Vernon Elvis and 22-year-old Gladys Love Presley in the East Tupelo two-room "shotgun" house built by his father , uncle and grandfather. Jesse Garon Presley, his identical twin brother, was delivered 35 minutes before him, stillborn. As an only child, Elvis was very close to both parents and formed an unusually tight bond with his mother.  In November 1948, the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee.

Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953.
In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. By 1956, he was an international sensation
Known all over the world by his first name, Elvis is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture

 Elvis Aaron Presley
Born: January 8, 1935- Tupelo, MS
Died: August 16, 1977 - Memphis , TN

Thousands of tourists and fans from all over the world 

come to Tupelo, Mississippi every year to 

visit this two room "shotgun" house built by 

Elvis' father, uncle and grandfather

* Beautiful watercolor by friend Debra Estep-Ohio
#Elvis #ElvisBirthplace #TupeloMississippi

THANKS, MATT LAUHBAN!!!! Tupelo, Mississippi Appreciates You !

There is a story in the Clarion Ledger about how our weatherman Matt Lauhban helped to save so many lives in the Tupelo tornado ! 

Let me tell you, this is absolutely true. It is coming from one..namely me...who ignores the HECK out of storm warnings ! 

Schools let out early, I am sure mainly due to his warnings.  Even then, as the time got closer to when he said the storm would strike, I was still on the computer (as usual)..
Very casually listening to warnings (as usual)..passing them on to my Facebook friends 
(as usual ) I turned away from the station looking at some stupid reality show. 
My son Henry was playing games on the computer ( as usual) 
Then...I saw a Facebook post about a how a tornado had been spotted about 8 miles from the Barnes Crossing Mall (which is a couple of miles from me) So, I switched back to watching Matt. OMG! He was talking fast..giving updates at a feverish pace..
He was spouting out directions for us..and the staff at WTVA. 
Then, he started telling them that he was going to be telling them very soon to go to the basement. Then he told all of the non-essential staff to go to the basement. 
He has gotten my attention...I was up telling my son we might need to go to the basement ..so be ready. I was getting the candles and flashlight all rounded up that I had readily available ..because of Matt. 
Our power went out..so I didn't get to see Matt tell them on the air to hit the basement...or didn't see when he ran off himself...but he had done his job. Later, after the storm was over and our internet finally came back up, I overheard my son telling one of his friends on Skype about the storm...about how his Mom was going crazy! He called me just telling him several times that this might get bad..I didn't raise my voice..or yell ...or anything like that ...but he is SOO ....unused to me saying ANYTHING AT ALL during a storm.. I barely raise an eyebrow...even during the two bad windstorms that we had several months before which damaged the roof, uprooted huge pine trees in our yard and knocked over a neighbors wood fence!!! One very good friend told me that he is definitely alive because of Matt's warnings. He said that he was out in the streets on Gloster when he was receiving warnings. He sped up to get to his father's house right off of Gloster. He said that he grabbed his father (who is bed- ridden) dragged him in the hall and the storm hit all around them in less than a minute. We know that God is ultimately in control, but our weatherman went above and beyond the call of duty. He says that he was only doing his job, but he started Thursday really giving urgent warning about this storm. He was telling us how to prepare and kept saying not to ignore these warnings! My Facebook feed was filled with his updates! So many people did not hear any type of warning sirens ....and out of all of the destruction (THERE WAS A LOT) there was only one death! 
This man was on it...and he wouldn't let us ignore it !!!!! Thanks, Matt Laubhan WTVA


#TupeloStrong  

 To see the video of Matt Laubhan as the newsroom evacuates during tornado that hit Tupelo, Miss., on April 28, 2014.  GO TO THIS LINK ......
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2014/05/04/tupelo-residents-say-weatherman-saved-lives/8707515/

The Storm 

Keep Mississippi in your thoughts and prayers!

  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS ...from a Huge Fan In Your Hometown !

It's Elvis' Birthday Week !

Elvis fans from all over the world will be having /hosting events celebrating Elvis Presley's Birthday . I am one of those who will be celebrating ! 

The Birthplace in Tupelo held one event this past Saturday January 4th and will have another event on the actual birthday,on Wednesday, featuring various Elvis tribute artists. Festivities will start at 1pm with cake and punch! 

Everyone who knows me, knows what a huge Elvis fan I am.

They are always amused, when I frequently repeat the story of how I told my dear Hubby a few weeks after we were married that if he wanted to keep our relationship on track, there were two things that he needed to know : 

#1 I'm a star  (Hey, if I don't think it, who else will??!!!) (LOL)

#2 Elvis is still the King !  (Everyone knows that ! )

We have been married over 20 years and he faithfully remembers and repeats these facts. Sometimes, out of the blue, I will start a sentence for him to complete. While we are watching television together, I will say:

"Elvis is"... and he will dutifully chime in with "Elvis is still the King..and you are a star".  It is true that I don't particularly appreciate that monotone voice that he uses at times or that half eye roll that I seem to detect , every now and then, but that's all well and good ...as long as he KNOWS!!! LOL!!!

Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953. In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.

                                           The King 

 It is estimated that Elvis Presley has sold over one billion record units worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history. In America alone, Elvis has had over 150 different albums and singles that have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).



                                 The Birthplace 

 
Thousands of tourists and fans from all over the world come to Tupelo, MS every year to visit this two room "shotgun" house built by Elvis' father, uncle and grandfather.

Art Print available ....
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/elvis--the-birth-place-patricia-neely-dorsey.html

* Beautiful watercolor by friend Debra Estep, Ohio.

We would love to see you in Tupelo to celebrate Elvis' birthday !  

ELVIS WEEK CELEBRATES A (Tupelo) MISSISSIPPI NATIVE SON

Each August, Elvis fans from around the world gather in Memphis for a celebration of the music, movies and legacy of Elvis Presley and mark his death, August 16, 1977. Elvis Week includes events such as the Elvis Fan Club Presidents Event, Elvis Insiders Event and Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, plus special concerts, panel discussions, dances and more. 
The main event of Elvis Week each year is the Candlelight Vigil which always begins on the evening of August 15 and lasts into the morning of August 16. Fans walk up the driveway to Meditation Garden holding a candle in quiet remembrance of Elvis. Tens of thousands of participants gather on Elvis Presley Blvd. during the evening to listen to music, remember Elvis and enjoy memorials created by fans along the street.

After graduating from Boston University , I lived and worked in Tupelo for a few years before moving to Memphis in 1988.

My first apartment was on Winchester Road and less than a mile from Elvis Presley Boulevard and Graceland.

Several of my favorite stores and the church which I attended were on Elvis Presley Boulevard. But , during the night of the Candlelight Vigil, I would always take the long way around and travel on Shelby Drive or another street well past Graceland to get where I wanted or needed to go.

Living in Memphis for many years and in the Whitehaven area for the first several years,I knew ,as well as all of the locals not to even try to get ANYWHERE on the evening of August 15, traveling on Elvis Presley Boulevard between Winchester Road and Holmes Road.

It just was not worth the effort to try to tediously navigate through the throngs

GRACELAND- Memphis, TN

Though the main event of Elvis week for most fans is the Candlelight Vigil in Memphis, many Elvis fans and visitors start their celebration of Elvis Week in Tupelo.

You can find these poems and more in my books .....

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia -A Life In Poems
My Magnolia Memories and Musings -In Poems

BOOKS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON: 

http://tinyurl.com/reflections-pnd 
http://tinyurl.com/magnolia-mem



CLICK HERE FOR ELVIS WEEK ACTIVITIES IN MEMPHIS
http://www.elvis.com/elvisweek

CELEBRATING ELVIS IN HIS (MY) HOMETOWN

Tupelo is all is abuzz with excitement about the upcoming Elvis Festival. It is one of the most anticipated events in the city each year.  People come from all over the world to enjoy the festivities.  The festival is a musical celebration designed to honor Elvis Presley, Tupelo’s native son, and the impact that his music has on the world. In addition to all of the great music, the festival features a number of local food vendors, a carnival midway, pet parade, beauty pageant, 5k run, disc golf, movie poster exhibit, an Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and much more.             Elvis Festival Schedule:   Thursday, June 6th - 3 pm Elvis Driving Tour Marker Unveiling Music Bend Nature Trail - 99 North Veterans Boulevard Tupelo's Elvis Presley Driving Tour marks significant sites in the life of Elvis Presley while he lived in Tupelo. This event marks the addition of a 11th site on the trail. 7 pm Concert with: Sonny Burgess and The Pacers with DJ Fontana Victor Trevino, Jr. Bill Cherry With The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Sold Out - Call 662-841-6598 for Simulcast Tickets Late Night: Elvis Tribute Artist Open Mic FREE Broadway Outdoor Stage Friday, June 7th-   9:30 am Round 1 of UETA Preliminary Competition with The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Sold Out 6:00 pm Gates open @ Fairpark - Get Tickets Here or buy at the Gate for $10 6:30 pm Elvis Tribute Artist Brandon Bennett 7:15 pm Kirk Chism and The Lost Highway 8:30 pm The Cadillac Three 10:00 pm Headliner - Cowboy Mouth (Fairpark Outdoor Music Festival) 7 pm Concert with: Kevin Mills Brandon Bennett with The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Sold Out - Call 662-841-6598 for Simulcast Tickets Late Night: Big Jim and Argo Dance Party FREE Broadway Outdoor Stage   Saturday, June 8th - 7:30 am Running with the King 5K Veteran's Park 9:00 am Pet Parade and Pageant Onsite Registration 8:00 - 8:45 am Broadway Outdoor Stage 10 am Conversations on The Ultimate with Tom Brown Brandon Bennett, Ultimate 2008 Bill Cherry, Ultimate 2009 Cody Slaughter, Ultimate 2011 Sold Out 1 pm Round 2 of UETA Preliminary Competition with The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Sold Out   6:00 pm Gates open @ Fairpark - Get Tickets Here or buy at the Gate for $20 6:30 pm Elvis Tribute Artist Cody Slaughter 7:15 pm Surviving Allison 8:30 pm Skylar Laine 10:00 pm Headliner - Montgomery Gentry (Fairpark Outdoor Music Festival) 7 pm Concert with: Finals of UETA Preliminary Competition Tyler Hunter David Lee Cody Slaughter with The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Sold Out - Call 662-841-6598 for Simulcast Tickets      Sunday, June 9th - 10 am "Ultimate Gospel for the Soul" Brunch Elvis Presley Enterprises "First Ever" UETA, Shawn Klush The Blackwood Quartet Joe Moscheo of The Imperials The Landmarks Tupelo Unity Choir with The EAS Band (Lyric Theatre) Get Tickets Here or buy at the Lyric for $25 *Each Event Requires a Separate Ticket* for more information check out the Elvis Festival website : http://tupeloelvisfestival.com/                                                                                                                                                                             Poems found in My Magnolia Memories and Musings -In Poems                                                                                                 (CLICK LINK TO AMAZON.COM)

Home Is (DEFINITELY ) Where My Heart Is !

My name is Patricia Neely-Dorsey. I am from Tupelo, Mississippi... located in the beautiful red clay "Hills" of Mississippi and yes, the birthplace of Elvis Presley!

I am the author of two books of poetry: 

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia -A Life In Poems.

My Magnolia Memories and Musings -In Poems.I call both books a true celebration of the south and things southern.   There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. 
I try to give a positive glimpse into my home state and region.  There is much to love about this much maligned and misunderstood part of our country.   I invite readers to get to KNOW Mississippi (and the south) in a different light I invite EVERYONE to Meet Mississippi Through Poetry, Prose and the written word.

I travel all around my state speaking at schools, churches, libraries and various civic organizations, delivering the message of a positive Mississippi and a positive southern experience....According to me, one of the best places to live in ALL of the world is POSITIVELY MISSISSIPPI !!!

LINKS TO AMAZON ..............

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems  -  


My Magnolia Memories and Musings- In Poems  



ENTER AT the BOX in the top of this blog post
for a chance to WIN these prizes......... 

1st Grand Prize: $40 Gift Certificate from your
favorite eBookstore
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favorite eBookstore
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, and more!

Any time from February 15th, 8:00 a.m. CT to February 18th midnight CT you can enter both individual blogger prizes and the Grand Prize by commenting on each blog. Be sure to give us an email address so we can contact you if you win.

TO WIN 1 OF MY BOOKS.... 
JUST LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS - For More info please go here...

To visit the other blogs on the tour...
Please follow these links below......

Gloria Harchar: Steampunk Novels

Bonnie Blythes: Pure Romance

 
Emerald Barnes Dreaming Awake Blog

 
Under the Trolls Bridge

 
Prism Book Group Publisher Blog

 
Just For Laughs

Catherine Chant Time Travel Romance

Cause Everyone Needs Romance

 Pauline Creeden Blog

 

 

Patricia Neely-Dorsey - (Unofficial) International Mississippi Ambassador

OMG!!! IT'S A SMALL, SMALL WORLD !

Recently, a Facebook friend posted  this comment on her wall :
"I've been reading 'My Magnolia Memories and Musings In Poems' written by Patricia Neely-Dorsey. What a lovely book of poetry that truly captures the beauty of The Deep South!"

This Facebook friend is from Mississippi but, now lives in TEXAS
One of her friends (from SPAIN) replied:
"Thanks for sharing, have been looking for Southern literature."
I suggested that my Facebook friend's friend check out my website for more information and to read a few poems.
She replied: to me saying:
"I visited your state two years ago, and found it to be the most welcoming and warm state! Many greetings from Spain! Xx"

AFTER VISITING THE WEBSITE, SHE WROTE:
I just read that you are from Tupelo, which is where we visited. I read your Magnolia Tree poem, and it brought back childhood memories of a Magnolia Tree in our garden. Sadly we had to leave it behind when we moved to Spain, and I have pined for it since.

A LITTLE LATER , SHE WROTE:
"The Southern Man poem is exactly why we love the South, and why it will be in our heart forever more. We feel southern in our hearts, even if we are a mixed breed Thank you for sharing your beautiful words with us."
"I'm half Serbian half Burmese, but was born in Germany "

SHE SENT A FRIEND REQUEST, I ACCEPTED.
She responded::
"Thanks for adding me! I just realized you’re a fellow BU alumni, I attended BU in '91!"

PND: OMG!!!!
I Now I have a new Facebook friend in Spain ..
who loves my poetry and the South ....especially Mississippi...
AND loves the ways of our southern men...
AND loves magnolias...
AND HAS VISITED TUPELO...
AND WENT TO BOSTON UNIVERSITY, My alma mater !!!
Did I say .."It's a small world " ???!!!
Yes, I think I did !!!! 

I am so proud of my two book babies, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia -A Life in Poems and My Magnolia Memories and Musings -In Poems.
Because of the many negatives so commonly associated with Mississippi and the South, I have taken on a personal campaign of "Celebrating the South and Promoting a Positive Mississippi." I want to show that there is absolutely MUCH to love about my state and region. I have used my poems to help convey my platform and they have been very well received from people all over the United States ..and now , I see , beyond our borders! I am very encouraged to continue what I am doing:

"Always' Always,Celebrating the South and Promoting a Positive Mississippi"
PND -INTERNATIONAL MISSISSIPPI AMBASSADOR Signing off!
Woo Hoo !!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS !

Today, Elvis fans from all over the world will be celebrating the birthday of Elvis Presley .
Can you believe Elvis " THE KING " Presley was born in my hometown???!!!
Elvis Aaron Presly was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8,1935, to 18-year-old Vernon Elvis and 22-year-old Gladys Love Presley in the East Tupelo two-room "shotgun" house built by his father , uncle and grandfather. Jesse Garon Presley, his identical twin brother, was delivered 35 minutes before him, stillborn. As an only child, Elvis was very close to both parents and formed an unusually tight bond with his mother.  In November 1948, the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee.

Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953.
In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. By 1956, he was an international sensation
Known all over the world by his first name, Elvis is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture

Scheduled Celebrations:
TUPELO-1 p.m. - Birthday cake at the Birthplace
2 p.m. - Tupelo Unity Choir premieres video at the Elvis Birthplace
2:15 - Tupelo Unity Choir performs at the Elvis Birthplace
5:30 - Lighting Ceremony at Elvis Statue in Fairpark District Tupelo celebrates Elvis' birthday with several events in town

MEMPHIS-Elvis fans from around the world will travel to Graceland in January to celebrate the king's birthday and the opening of a new exhibit in honor of the 40th anniversary of his landmark “Aloha From Hawaii” concert. Numerous events are scheduled, concluding with the Elvis Presley Day Ceremony, which includes a birthday cake cutting and proclamation by both Memphis and Shelby County officials. The new Graceland exhibit “Elvis’ Hawaii: Concerts, Movies and More!” celebrating the 40th will also be unveiled.

Elvis Benefit Concert- 1957- Tupelo, MS

September 27, 1957 in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis performed a benefit concert.
After expenses, all proceeds, which amounted to over $14,000, went toward the construction of a youth center in Tupelo.

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

    

                                                              

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