Here's hoping 'Home Town' will show Vicksburg the love - The Vicksburg Post

Here’s hoping ‘Home Town’ will show Vicksburg the love

Published 2:34 pm Thursday, February 13, 2020

On this Valentine’s Day, I just wanted to let everyone know how much I love HGTV. And according to the network, I am not alone in my affection.

Viewers in their target demographic watch the network for an average of two hours and 14 minutes per sitting.

That sounds about right to me, and to squeeze in as many episodes as I can in that time frame, I will record the television show so I can fast forward through the commercials.

I am not terribly selective in which shows I watch since I find them all entertaining and educational.

Everyone can benefit from a few decorating tips.

However, some of my favorite shows to watch include “Fixer Upper” with Chip and Joanna Gaines, “Good Bones ” with Mina Starsiak and her mother, Karen Laine, “Windy City Rehab” with Alison Victoria and the plethora of shows that feature Jonathan and Drew Scott of the “Property Brothers.”

Another home and gardening television show I have grown to enjoy is “Home Town” with Ben and Erin Napier.

The show premiered in 2017, and the husband and wife team are revitalizing homes in their hometown of Laurel. And if you didn’t know, that’s in Mississippi.

That’s right. Good ole “m-I crooked letter, crooked letter I, crooked letter, crooked letter I, humpback, humpback I.”

The couple both attended Ole Miss, which I don’t hold against them, and one of their goals is to keep the character of the properties they restore.

Erin has a background in graphic design, and Ben is a talented builder, who oftentimes repurposes old wood from the homes to add architectural detail or make furniture pieces with his woodworking skills.

“Home Town” is in its fourth season, and in addition to continuing the revitalization of their hometown, they are launching a new series called “Home Town Takeover.”

The show will be a six-episode event that will air in 2021, and the cool thing about “Home Town Takeover” is they are seeking small towns with a population of 40,000 or less, which means Vicksburg qualifies.

And thanks to some folks here in town, Vicksburg may get a chance to shine.

About three weeks ago, a group of community leaders and residents got together to create and submit a video application for “Home Town Takeover.”

Launo Moore and Elizabeth Nelson got the ball rolling by reaching out to volunteers, who could help create the video and fill out the application.

It didn’t take long for the pair to find support, and those on the creative side began putting together a video showcasing Vicksburg’s unique features and destinations, while others in the community worked on filling out the paperwork for the application.

The end product is amazing, and if you haven’t seen the video be sure and check it out on our website at www.vicksburgpost.com/2020/02/08/video-vicksburg-enters-hgtvs-hometown-takeover-contest.

It has not yet been released as to when the winners will be announced, but since life is like a box of chocolates, perhaps Vicksburg will get picked; you just never know.

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. She can be reached at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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