Archives August 2024

by Emma Embellischer

It’s always great to see a local Valley company doing well, especially in this economy. It’s tough for local clothing and retail companies to thrive these days because of Amazon, Wal-Mart, and other large corporations. But, the Valley Dungaree Company (VDC) is doing great right now, and the future looks even brighter.

VDC was founded 2 years ago by Valleyan, Levi “Blue” Denham. Denham had worked in retail most of his life, and he’d most recently worked as a manager at Factory Connection. He had gotten burnt out working long hours, and he had been wanting to start his own clothing company for a while. He comes from a family of Valley farmers. His dad is a farmer, his grandfather was a farmer, and his older brother is also a farmer. Denham had always seen his dad and grandpa wearing overalls, and he always wore overalls when he helped out on the farm.

Denham decided a couple years ago that he was going to start a clothing company that sells overalls only. But, his company was going to be different. Denham said, “I wanted to market my overalls to the masses, not just men and farmers. Also, as someone that cares about the planet and sustainability, I wanted to source my materials from sustainable plants/materials. After doing some research, I decided that I was going to use bamboo to make my overalls. Luckily, I didn’t have to go far. I was able to find a farmer in the Valley who owns many acres of land covered by bamboo, and he allowed me to harvest free of charge.”

VDC has really taken off in the past 6 months. His storefront on Main St. in Valley City is doing great, and he also sells a ton of product online. Denham uses Tiktok and Instagram to promote his overalls, and he has thousands of followers. He has also used a couple well known influencers to peddle his overalls, and that has helped too. He is now shipping overalls to shoppers all across the world. There a couple features that set Denham’s overalls apart from other brands.

Denham said, “First, my overalls are super soft and lightweight. They’re not rough and heavy like a lot of jeans and overalls. It’s almost like you’re not wearing anything at all. Also, we offer our overalls in different fits including regular, tapered, and slim. This has helped us appeal to many different types of people including teens, hipsters, farmers, and more. We also offer shorts overalls, and the ladies love them. We’ll remain flexible and adapt as styles change, so we’ll probably offer more in the future.”

I talked to a couple proud VDC shoppers. One young hipster male said, “I love my VDCs! They are so soft. I have 3 different pairs, and I love the skinny fit. Plus, I feel good about wearing them because they’re made from sustainable bamboo.” One Valley farmer told me, “I’m done with my Liberty overalls. They ain’t got nothing on Blue’s VDCs. They are so soft, and they’re also very durable. I’m hoping he’ll ask me to be a model for him, but I ain’t gonna hold my breath on that. Haha!”

We’ll see if Denham can make overalls mainstream. He’s off to a good start. Come on down to Main St. in Valley City and try on a pair of Blue’s VDCs.

by Ima Phibber

Donald Buffett is a well known business owner and real estate investor in The Valley. Buffett’s primary business is a body shop, but he also owns a mobile home park, RV park, laundromat, vape shop, and more. He recently formed DG Ventures, LLC, and it’s going to be a very unique real estate investment firm.

Buffett plans to acquire rural properties in and around The Valley that would be ideal spots for new Dollar General stores. Buffett said, “I’ve always had a knack for buying properties at low prices that turn out to be prime properties in the future. I was driving down the road the other day, and I noticed they’d built a Dollar General out in the middle of nowhere. I thought about the person that owned that land probably made a killing. Then, I decided that I was going to start buying property in rural areas that would be prime properties for the next Dollar General. I may be a little late to the party, but I think I can do it.”

Buffett has made contact with the Dollar General corporate office about his plans. They appreciated his interest, but they made no commitments to him and DG Ventures, LLC. Buffett said, “I managed to get through to their real estate guy, but he really didn’t have a whole lot to say. I asked him where they were looking to add stores in MS, and he wouldn’t tell me. I even tried to bribe him with two months of free rent in my RV park. So, I’m just going to have to go on my intuition on this, but I think I can do it.”

Buffett has contacted multiple farmers and land owners in rural areas of The Valley and Central MS, but he hasn’t acquired any property as of the publication of this story. He said, “You know the old saying- Build it and they will come? Well, I’m going to change it up. For me, it’s going to be- Buy it and they will come.”

Buffett’s plan seems to be a tough proposition. The Valley and surrounding areas are already flush with Dollar Generals. I heard they just built one on the moon, but I haven’t verified that. We’ll keep in touch with Buffett and his unique firm, and update you periodically.

by Heeza de Seaver

Goat yoga has taken off in many areas of the country. I guess it’s not enough to just stretch and bend your body in preposterous painful ways. Now, you need to put a small goat on your back while you’re doing it. I don’t understand it, but it’s becoming more and more popular.

Nanny Ridge Farms has been operating a successful goat farm for about 15 years in The Valley. They sell goats to buyers across the country, and they’re well known and respected across the country. In addition to breeding goats, they sell many goat products including goat milk (don’t tell the Dept. of Ag.), goat soaps, goat cheeses, goat jerky, and more.

Nanny Ridge Farms owner Billie Kidd said, “Our retail business at the farm has slowed recently. I think it has to do with Bidenomics and inflation. So, I was brainstorming on ways to get people out to the farm, and I ran across some videos on Tiktok with people doing goat yoga. I thought it was crazy to be honest with you. But, I thought that we could give it a try. Everyone loves baby goats, and you can mix in some yoga. What’s not to love?”

Kidd said, “I didn’t know anything about yoga, so I had to find someone that did. I started asking around, and everyone told me to contact Krishna Theegala. I was told she was the yoga instructor in The Valley. I contacted her, and she said she’d be happy to do some classes even though she’d never done goat yoga.”

Kidd added, “The first class attracted 9 ladies. It was a circus. The kids were kind of freaked out. They’d never had to stand on someone’s back for an extended period of time. I spent 80% of my time chasing the kids, and putting them back on the ladies’ backs. They did better in week 2, and they gotten even better the past couple weeks. Now, we’re up to about 25 ladies doing goat yoga, and I hope it’ll continue to grow.”

After the yoga sessions, Kidd provides cold goat milk along with charcuterie boards with her infused goat cheeses. Kidd said that his has helped her retail business a good deal. I talked with a couple yoga participants, and they love the goat yoga and refreshments. One said, “Honestly, I’m not crazy about the goat yoga. It really doesn’t feel good to have a goat walking on your back. But, the cold goat milk afterwards is so refreshing. I think I’m gonna keep coming back just for that. Another said, “The yoga is fun, and I love the little goats. But, Billie’s blueberry infused goat cheese is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. So awesome!”

Kidd said the yoga sessions have been good for the farm. Currently, she only does one session per week, but she plans to add another session as the numbers continue to grow. Never tried goat yoga? Come on out to Nanny Ridge Farms and give it a try. Sample some of the goat milk and goat cheese while you’re at it.

by “Stretch” DeTrooth

Valley hip hop artist, Bubba Swompz, has been getting noticed in the hip hop game recently. Bubba is releasing his first album called “Valley Born & Bred” next week to much fanfare. He is also releasing his sure to be hit single “Valley Born & Bred” tomorrow to all the major platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and more! I was able to have a sit down Q&A session with Bubba about his new record release, and I’ve included some the Q&A below.

Q: Your given name is Brian Swonk, so what was the genesis of the name Bubba Swompz?

A: I have a younger sister, and she started calling me Bubba when she started talking. It stuck with me; my family and friends started calling me Bubba too. Swompz came recently. When I started rapping a few years ago, my friends said I had to get a name to go with Bubba like Bubba Sparxx. I grew up next to a swamp, so one of my friends said, “How about Bubba Swompz?” I liked it, and I went with it. So, here we are!

Q: How did you get into the rap game?

A: I’ve always been interested in rap or hip hop music. I’ve been listening to it as long as I can remember. I’d turn on BET and watch it all day. I’d also listen to 99JAMZ as much as possible. I started doing my own stuff a few years ago. I’d sing at friends’ birthday parties and stuff like that, and I’d do a little gig here and there when I was off work from my day job as a mechanic. My friends and family have encouraged me for a while to make an album, so that’s what I did.

Q: What artists have influenced your musical style?

A: I love rap, but I have listened to different kinds of music as long as I can remember. I listen to country, rock, blues, and more in addition to rap. I love to listen to Snoop and Dre. As a white rapper, Enimem has been an influence too. I love country singers like Merle Haggard and Hank, Jr. as well. Kid Rock has been a big influence. I like to listen to bluesman like Muddy Waters, R.L. Burnside, and Junior Kimbrough too. It’s an interesting mix of artists that I’ve drawn inspiration from over the years.

Q: Can you tell us about your debut album “Valley Born & Bred”?

A. Yes, I’m so excited to release this record to the great people of The Valley and the world! I’ve been working on it for a long time. I’m proud to have grown up in The Valley. It’s part of who I am; you can take me out of The Valley, but you can’t take The Valley out of me. So, I wanted to put together an album that highlighted my roots and upbringing in The Valley. It’s a bit of nostalgia about my childhood and the things that I and other country folks experienced as kids. It’s a Valleyan and country folks anthem; they’ll be able to identify with all the songs.

Q: What’s next for you Bubba?

A: I’m looking forward to this album release. I hope it goes well. Everyone share on social media. Sharing is caring! Follow me on Spotify and other streaming platforms. I’m open for bookings. Contact me directly, I don’t have an agent or handlers. I’m just looking forward to getting my name and my work out there for the world to see and hear. Also, I’d like to thank my record label, Strong River Valley (SRV) Records; they’ve done a great job producing and promoting my album. Stretch, I appreciate you and the SRVO for doing this Q&A for me. I love you and the SRVO, and thank you so much.

Bubba is doing great things, and I think he’ll be a household name before long. The SRVO is pleased to introduce him to The Valley and the world.

by Tre McGyver

Greetings Valleyans! It’s been a while! I’ve been super busy trying to clean up Valley Meadows, and I pretty much had it how I wanted it. Then, the kids got out of school for the summer, and all hell has broken loose. I’m so ready for these little savages to go back to school.

I had our above ground pool and the area around it ready for the summer. The kids got of school, and it went downhill fast. The kids just throw their drink cans and bottles on the ground by the pool. There is also candy wrappers and potato chip bags everywhere. Also, I’ve had to use a ton of chemicals in the pool. These kids pee in the the pool constantly; I swear the water has a yellow tint to it. Also, no vaping is allowed at the pool, but evidently people can’t read the sign. I get a complaint every freakin day about someone vaping at the pool. I go to investigate, and they all hide their vapes. I guess I’m going to have to install a camera to deter vaping at the pool.

We’ve have had a gang of young boys wreaking havoc this summer. There are about 7-8 of the little turds, and the McCoy twins are the ring leaders. They stay up late making way too much noise. They play baseball on the street, and you have to threaten to run over them to get them to move. They ride their bikes everywhere including through our residents’ lawns. Old Man Cooper has threatened to shoot them 2 or 3 times for coming into his yard. They knock on residents’ doors and then take off running. It’s pretty bad, and I’ve done all I know to do including a pow wow with their parents. Before next summer, I may buy a PlayStation of Xbox for them to try to keep them inside all summer. School needs to start yesterday!

Let’s no start on July 4th. These little savages were lighting fire crackers by residents’ mobile homes. One elderly lady had a light heart attack after they set off firecrackers just outside her bedroom; we had an ambulance show up to get her. The police were called twice, but they never caught the little criminals. I talked to their parents, but it hasn’t done much good.

We also had a couple teenage boys riding their dirt bikes around the neighborhood. They’d rev those things as loud as possible. It was so annoying. Again, I talked to their parents, and that didn’t do any good either. Don’t tell anyone this, but I slit one of their tires. He was out of commission for a couple days, but they were back at it and louder than ever after a couple days.

It’s honestly been the worst summer of my life. I’ve had to get on blood pressure meds. It’s been bad. But, I’m not going to let these savages run wild. I’m bound and determined to calm this place down for our residents. Thank God these kids are going back to school this week!