I'm a big fan of old things. Architectural salvage, vintage accessories, old books—I like the idea of things that have a history. Apparently, though, I'm getting to the age where I have a past myself.
Millsaps College (1701 N. State St., 601-974-1000) is my alma mater, and this year's homecoming festivities marked my 10-year reunion. (Go ahead. Do the math and figure out how old I am; I don't mind.) Millsaps classifies alumni from classes up to 10 years out as "young alums," so I was determined to make my last year count. A number of my sorority sisters from my pledge class returned for the reunion with the same goal in mind. I was eager to catch up and to show off Jackson's progress in the years since our undergraduate days, so after they checked into the Hilton Garden Inn at the King Edward Hotel (235 W. Capitol St., 601-353-5464), we hit the ground running.
Our first stop is what I now refer to as the night the Tri Deltas invaded Babalu Tacos and Tapas (622 Duling Ave., 601-366-5757). About 15 of us, along with some spouses, commandeered the island seating between the bar and dining room from around 6 p.m. until they kicked us out. As we reminisced, Sally O'Callaghan discovered the Baba-Blue cocktail on the menu, and we all squealed with delight when it arrived—it's evocative of a secret recipe for a blue drink handed down from the graduating seniors to the rising seniors each year (blue is one of our sorority colors). Over food, drinks and laughter, things felt just like old times.
The next day couldn't have been more perfect for a football game. (Never mind that I didn't actually watch said game.) After attending the open house at our sorority house (where the chapter members put on the recruitment skit for us), we headed over to tailgate. I know that the state schools' reputations for tailgating are solid, but I have to say that Millsaps did a great job.
The alumni tent was huge, with a well-stocked and staffed bar and killer food, and the turnout was great. (I even spotted some non-alums, like Ben Allen.)
For a break between the game and the alumni party that night, the crew headed to a place full of history—Keifer's (705 Poplar Blvd., 601-355-6825). The new location had just opened that week, and the fact that it's basically the old location rotated 180 degrees and moved across the street made everyone feel like they'd never left.
Saturday night, the college hosted an all-alumni party at the University Club (210 E. Capitol St., No. 2200; 601-969-4011), so I put on my party pants (they're sequined) and was off. As I mingled with alumni from all years, we shared stories of the school and her people, renewed old friendships and made new ones. Reminiscing also included remembering late nights spent at the Subway Lounge in the old Summers Hotel, listening to the House Rockers.
As luck would have it, the House Rockers were playing at Underground 119 (119 S. President St., 601-352-2322), so lots of Millsaps alumni headed over and danced the night away. This blend of familiar sounds in a new venue was a perfect way to round out the evening. The best part of the weekend, though, was on Sunday when one of my friends said the weekend may have convinced her to move to Jackson. The city's blend of history and a sense of place combined with a new energy and excitement is what will keep us moving forward and, as the saying goes, make everything old new again.
Follow Julie on Twitter @jcskipp.
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