Things to Do In Kemper County, Mississippi
Summer
is finally here, and the hot Mississippi weather can make you want to stay
inside . The long awaited break from school can mean a quick getaway or some
much needed time at home. If you are on Summer Break…or even if you’re not…but
you are not ready for a major vacation yet, there are some fun and inexpensive things
that you and your kids can do right here in Kemper County, Mississippi.
Where
in the World is Kemper County…
Kemper
County is located in the United States of America in the South. It is on the
central eastern border. It is on the Alabama state line. It has two cities,
DeKalb and Scooba.
So,
what can you possibly do in this little, cozy, southern county? Here are a few
ideas for your quiet town staycation.
Tea/Garden
Party
Grab
some sweet tea, a plate of “tea cakes”, and head out for a southern
style garden party. Kemper County is mainly a rural area, so we don’t have a
shortage of vegetable nor flower gardens.
Your
garden party can be hosted by your actual garden, or you can consider some
alternatives. One alternative is to host your garden party near your flower
garden instead of near your vegetable garden. Let’s not forget that the back
yard.
Make
some finger foods like mini-sandwiches, cookies, “tea cakes”, and chips to
serve to any guests that you might invite. Don’t forget the sweet tea or tall
glass of homemade lemonade. Then, all that’s left to do is round-up some
guests.
What
is a “tea cake”?
Tea cakes are a southern tradition that originated in England. These tiny, buttery delights were once served with tea. However, here in the South, they are served as a special treat. Most “tea cake” recipes have been tenderly guarded and handed down for generations.
Nature
Walk
Nature
can be found in abundance here in Kemper County. The summer weather can get a
little hot, but if you pick the right day and time a nature walk is a great way
to spend a summer staycation.
Be
sure to prepare before heading out. Grab your bottled water, some bug spray, a
good communication device, a map (if needed) and head off on a nature walking
adventure. Always be sure to check the weather and the area. You don’t want to
get caught in by a “pop up” shower. You
also want to avoid snakes and any other creatures what could be dangerous.
Most
importantly, let someone else know where you are go. Double check communication
devices before you go. Remember, safety first.
Fishing
Fishing
can be a relaxing adventure this Summer Break. Whether you want to head to the
bank of a creek or you want to head to a larger area, Kemper County can offer
you some ideal fishing spots.
Kemper
Lake
is located on 652 acre four miles north of the county seat of DeKalb. It can
provide a picturesque spot for fishing, relaxing, or taking pictures with its
calming blue waters.
Sewing
Sewing
is a southern tradition. And, no, it hasn’t died out over the years. Purchasing
cheaper imported goods may have been the norm, but the pandemic helped to bring
sewing back to the forefront. As needs for masks and “shelter-in-place” orders
went into effect, people begin to pull out their sewing machines.
If sewing is your thing, Kemper is the place to do it. The Village Cloth Shoppe has a wide variety of cloth. It is a sewer’s dream. It cozy, little shop is a family owned and operated store. It is an intrigant part of what makes Kemper County so special. The Village Cloth Shoppe has been open since 1971. It was founded by Ola Mae Botts, and it is currently ran by her daughter, Carolyn Botts Hobgood.
Journaling
Now
is a great time to start a Gratitude Journal. While you are relaxing and
enjoying some much needed time away from work, you can also spend some time
reflecting upon all of the things that you are grateful for. Journaling has
been shown to help reduce stress and create a sense of calm in those who do it.
You
don’t have to spend a whole lot of money on a large, fancy journal. You can use
a table you purchase from one of our local stores.
Blogging
Have
you thought about starting a blog? Well, now is the time to do just that. Blogging
is a wonderful way to share your ideas and feelings with the world. It is similar
to journaling. However, blogging is not private. Blogs are posted on the World
Wide Web. Best of all, blogging can be done from anywhere that there is internet
access.
Take
this time to find a hosting site that you like and go ahead and create your own
WordPress blog. WordPress blogs generally cost from as little as $35.00
per month. It is important to create your own website if you are considering
making blogging a career.
However,
if you don’t have the money to invest at the moment, then consider using Eblogger. (blogspot.com). Eblogger is a free website. It is owned by Google. And, it is perfect for
beginners who only want to blog as a hobby.
Scrapbooking
Gather
those favorite photos of your and start a scrapbook. A summer staycation is a
great time to put together those photos that you want to hold on to.
Scrapbooks
aren’t just for old memories. You can create one using new photos. You can use
your camera or your smartphone to take pictures for your scrapbook. Be sure to
capture plenty great pictures of our county.
Summer
Photography Journal
How
do you create a summer photo journal? Simple take some pictures of your
favorite summer things like flowers, birds, or other greenery here in Kemper
County. Our county courthouse is surrounded by beautiful magnolia trees and
boasts a historical walkway. The Veteran’s Memorial Engraved Walkway is located in the
front of the Kemper County Court House. Deer, turkey, birds,
and other wildlife photos can be captured to add to a photo journal.
You
can either print the pictures or create a digital journal. Jot down a few
memorable things about your pictures. Now, you have created a beautiful spring
photo journal that you can share.
Kemper-Newton Regional Library
The Kemper County library may not
be historical site…not yet anyway…but it is an important part of Kemper County.
During your summer staycation, make sure you stop by.
The library has a children’s area,
a meeting room, and a general room. It also has a ton of books. So, if you are planning
on doing some reading this summer, drop in on the library.
If
you are plan on staying in Kemper County this Summer Break, you can still find
some fun, inexpensive things to do. Happy Summer Break!