Starkville named best small town in the south

[gtowndawg]

by USA Today. If it were Oxford their people/fans would talk not stop about it (and rightfully so, it's a great honor). But our fans seem to trash Starkville more than brag about it? Why? Honest question.

We know a ton of Memphis area families that have kids at State and they rave about the school and Starkville. We have family friends, a Doctor in Louisiana (and a massive LSU fan) that just toured State with his daughter for the second time and they absolutely love it. The school just had their largest preview day in history. So obviously a lot of people love the school and town but many of our own "generational" fans don't. I don't get it?


Here's the link (https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/starkville-mississippi/)

[Coach34]

50 plus year old me would love to live there now.

21 year old me did not enjoy it that much. Now I will say modern StarkVegas is a helluva lot better than 1992 Starkville was

[gtowndawg]

Now I will say modern StarkVegas is a helluva lot better than 1992 Starkville was

Night and day

[BrunswickDawg]

50 plus year old me would love to live there now.

21 year old me did not enjoy it that much. Now I will say modern StarkVegas is a helluva lot better than 1992 Starkville was

Ah, 1992 Starkville. I had a helluva time there.
Somehow I'm still married to the hot girl I met at The Club one Thursday night that year..

[R2Dawg]

Can't be, everyone on here tells us Starkville sucks.****

I had a great time there in late 80s to 91. Yeah more stuff there now and better but I had a great time then. If some of yall didn't, you didn't do it right.

[Coach34]

Ah, 1992 Starkville. I had a helluva time there.
Somehow I'm still married to the hot girl I met at The Club one Thursday night that year..

hahaha- that may be why I didnt like it as much. Met my 1st one at The Landing

[KB21]

Something else I've noticed. NMMC/NMHS are really pushing the advertising of their clinics in Starkville on social media. I suspect that they are in the lead towards buying OCH.

[Santiago]

by USA Today. If it were Oxford their people/fans would talk not stop about it (and rightfully so, it's a great honor). But our fans seem to trash Starkville more than brag about it? Why? Honest question.

We know a ton of Memphis area families that have kids at State and they rave about the school and Starkville. We have family friends, a Doctor in Louisiana (and a massive LSU fan) that just toured State with his daughter for the second time and they absolutely love it. The school just had their largest preview day in history. So obviously a lot of people love the school and town but many of our own "generational" fans don't. I don't get it?


Here's the link (https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/starkville-mississippi/)

The busier the world gets, the more appreciative people outside want to be in this environment. I know a few parents out of state right now, who did not go to MSU, but are pushing their kids to go there. They think that environment is safer, and more conducive to the personality of their kids.
I should have told them the lack of bars, right? ***

[Political Hack]

Won it in 2024 and 2025.

[gtowndawg]

The busier the world gets, the more appreciative people outside want to be in this environment. I know a few parents out of state right now, who did not go to MSU, but are pushing their kids to go there. They think that environment is safer, and more conducive to the personality of their kids.
I should have told them the lack of bars, right? ***

I know you guys think I'm crazy, but I swear, there's so many kids from the Memphis area that go to State (compared to 15 years ago) it's incredible. I got to the point where I would say what kids from Memphis DON'T go to State? I would say there's at least a dozen in my neighborhood alone that are at State or headed to State next fall. Two girls on my street alone just visited State last week (juniors) and neither of their families had ever been to Starkville in their lives. Both families and the girls loved it.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I know you guys think I'm crazy, but I swear, there's so many kids from the Memphis area that go to State (compared to 15 years ago) it's incredible. I got to the point where I would say what kids from Memphis DON'T go to State? I would say there's at least a dozen in my neighborhood alone that are at State or headed to State next fall. Two girls on my street alone just visited State last week (juniors) and neither of their families had ever been to Starkville in their lives. Both families and the girls loved it.

Then it stands to reason that maybe if we gave a flying 17 about Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, etc we could probably make the same kind of headway in those areas that we apparently now make in Memphis. We have to expand our footprint and expand our reach for a message like this, which is good because Oxford wins one of these ever year, to reach a wider audience and start changing the perception.

[Thick]

Something else I've noticed. NMMC/NMHS are really pushing the advertising of their clinics in Starkville on social media. I suspect that they are in the lead towards buying OCH.

I cover NMMC for my company, and a fewer staffers told me that NMMC will be taking over. Apparently OCH didn?t like UMMC?s offer.

[R2Dawg]

The busier the world gets, the more appreciative people outside want to be in this environment. I know a few parents out of state right now, who did not go to MSU, but are pushing their kids to go there. They think that environment is safer, and more conducive to the personality of their kids.
I should have told them the lack of bars, right? ***

Bingo, I've talked to two this past week. Their out of state kids are bout to go to State. It is one of best kept secrets in University circles. Yep the parents,adults know it is a really good place. One of parents went to Tenn the other Aub. They liked Starkville and MSU way better than their alumni schools.

[gtowndawg]

Then it stands to reason that maybe if we gave a flying 17 about Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, etc we could probably make the same kind of headway in those areas that we apparently now make in Memphis. We have to expand our footprint and expand our reach for a message like this, which is good because Oxford wins one of these ever year, to reach a wider audience and start changing the perception.

Or Birmingham maybe? That's where my daughter's roomate is from (and her Dad is a huge Ole Miss fan - I've known him for years). But yes, I think we can target some new areas and be aggresive.

[KB21]

I cover NMMC for my company, and a fewer staffers told me that NMMC will be taking over. Apparently OCH didn?t like UMMC?s offer.

The advertising they are doing shows that they apparently are already sending hematology/oncology, neurosurgery, cardiology, pulmonology, and already have primary care there since they bought Steve Brandon?s clinic.

I know NMMC has wanted to increase their footprint in the Starkville area. If they get it, I wonder if they will find specialists to come to Starkville and utilize that hospital or if they will use it like their other regional hospitals as a referral hub for the main unit in Tupelo.

I also think I?m seeing why OCH didn?t follow through with their plans that I had talks with them about. At that time, which was around the end of 2021 into 2022, they had plans of getting into the urgent care market. They were going to build a facility off Lynn Lane over by Starkville Academy, and I am the doctor they were planning on hiring to run it. It got to the point where the architect was working on the plans, and then things went radio silent. Needless to say, I didn?t end up there. I?m in Columbus instead.

[RisperDawg]

The advertising they are doing shows that they apparently are already sending hematology/oncology, neurosurgery, cardiology, pulmonology, and already have primary care there since they bought Steve Brandon?s clinic.

I know NMMC has wanted to increase their footprint in the Starkville area. If they get it, I wonder if they will find specialists to come to Starkville and utilize that hospital or if they will use it like their other regional hospitals as a referral hub for the main unit in Tupelo.

I also think I?m seeing why OCH didn?t follow through with their plans that I had talks with them about. At that time, which was around the end of 2021 into 2022, they had plans of getting into the urgent care market. They were going to build a facility off Lynn Lane over by Starkville Academy, and I am the doctor they were planning on hiring to run it. It got to the point where the architect was working on the plans, and then things went radio silent. Needless to say, I didn?t end up there. I?m in Columbus instead.

Have you worked urgent care before? I would say you dodged a bullet. Ha. I haven't personally but all my primary care friends from medical school loathe it. My buddy in Tampa said the volume was insane. Maybe with enough autonomy as clinic director it could be better though.

[KB21]

Have you worked urgent care before? I would say you dodged a bullet. Ha. I haven't personally but all my primary care friends from medical school loathe it. My buddy in Tampa said the volume was insane. Maybe with enough autonomy as clinic director it could be better though.

Yes. I was at NMMC?s clinic in West Point on the urgent care side for 3 years and at their urgent care clinic in West Tupelo before that. I did some sports medicine in between.

Before covid, I was seeing 35-40 patients a day on average. During covid, I was seeing 70 plus a day on average. It was insane.

I like the pace of urgent care more than I do primary care. However, I was getting close to wanting to slow down on the patient load.

I left NMMC and went to Hattiesburg Clinic, and they screwed me on my salary. So, I came back to the area.

[dawgoneyall]

No brag...just fact.

[1eyedog]

del

[Duckdog]

AND WITHOUT A TARGET, holy shizzz

[Goldendawg]

50 plus year old me would love to live there now.

21 year old me did not enjoy it that much. Now I will say modern StarkVegas is a helluva lot better than 1992 Starkville was

Class of '77 grad here. Town was wet for liquor before beer. Went to the Crossroads, Len Lew's and The Landing was the Triangle Club. Trip to Columbus to dance at the Southern Air (perfectly accepted to drink until you threw up on the table) and the Iron Works. Many trips to Columbus to see girls we knew. No Internet to post we didn't have anything to do!**** Funny the previous thread mainly bashing Starkville got 5 Stars and this good, positive news has not even 1 so far. Son has been in school here for his fourth year and we love the town. Big changes since I was a student as there was nothing on HWY 12 beyond where Chic-fil-a is now (movie theater in that strip mall) and only chain fast food I remember was Burger Chef close to campus and Colemon's BBQ (My go to for Sunday lunch), and Sarge's was the 24/7 joint to get something to eat returning from a late night out. Concerts (I remember), Lynerd Skynerd, Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Jerry Jeff Walker, Leon and Mary Russel, John Prine, Wild Cherry, Charlie Daniels, Jerry Jeff Walker, Linda Ronstat. Going to baseball games sitting on wooden bleachers behind first base dugout, basketball in the student section. SEC football games were in Jackson, a big drag. Mostly fun times and knew people from all backgrounds all over campus. Out at all hours of the day or night.

[West Houston Dog]

You think 1992 Starkville was tough...i moved there in Jan 1970. From Florida! The difference in Starkvegas from 1970 to just 1992 was night and day. it was quite bleak in '70. The difference between 1970 Starkvegas and now is quite something. Much much much more liveable and enjoyable than when i moved there!!




50 plus year old me would love to live there now.

21 year old me did not enjoy it that much. Now I will say modern StarkVegas is a helluva lot better than 1992 Starkville was

[PGHBulldogBG]

Starkville is certainly not for everyone, but it is a great town and I am proud to have spent 4 years there. There are a lot of people out there that really enjoy it and they are shocked that it is so nice because it does not get much popularity. These kind of articles really help the town and school, so this was a really nice read.

[LC Dawg]

It is one of best kept secrets in University circles.

I've heard this said by many parents. When you continue to be a best kept secret it shows your leadership (university and municipal) doesn't know how to promote correctly.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I've heard this said by many parents. When you continue to be a best kept secret it shows your leadership (university and municipal) doesn't know how to promote correctly.

THANK YOU. Let's stop damn gatekeeping. It's another difference in Starkville and Oxford and why they are ahead. They don't try to be a secret. Hell they blast it on every form of social media to let you know how great Oxford is. We have to start doing that. Promote the hell out of Starkville far and wide. Don't let the message stop at the state line.

[gtowndawg]

Class of '77 grad here. Town was wet for liquor before beer. Went to the Crossroads, Len Lew's and The Landing was the Triangle Club. Trip to Columbus to dance at the Southern Air (perfectly accepted to drink until you threw up on the table) and the Iron Works. Many trips to Columbus to see girls we knew. No Internet to post we didn't have anything to do!**** Funny the previous thread mainly bashing Starkville got 5 Stars and this good, positive news has not even 1 so far. Son has been in school here for his fourth year and we love the town. Big changes since I was a student as there was nothing on HWY 12 beyond where Chic-fil-a is now (movie theater in that strip mall) and only chain fast food I remember was Burger Chef close to campus and Colemon's BBQ (My go to for Sunday lunch), and Sarge's was the 24/7 joint to get something to eat returning from a late night out. Concerts (I remember), Lynerd Skynerd, Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Jerry Jeff Walker, Leon and Mary Russel, John Prine, Wild Cherry, Charlie Daniels, Jerry Jeff Walker, Linda Ronstat. Going to baseball games sitting on wooden bleachers behind first base dugout, basketball in the student section. SEC football games were in Jackson, a big drag. Mostly fun times and knew people from all backgrounds all over campus. Out at all hours of the day or night.

I'd love to know, how the heck did we pull all those muscial acts back in the day when Starkville really was nothing? My parents saw Johnny Cash and Ray Charles.

[Brobi-wan]

I'd love to know, how the heck did we pull all those muscial acts back in the day when Starkville really was nothing? My parents saw Johnny Cash and Ray Charles.

I have often wondered that. Tina Turner and Billy Joel and others there too. Nobody even close to that level now.

[BrunswickDawg]

I'd love to know, how the heck did we pull all those muscial acts back in the day when Starkville really was nothing? My parents saw Johnny Cash and Ray Charles.

It's partly a major shift in how the music industry makes it's money now. Until the mid 1990s, top line acts made their money off album sales. Touring was done to promote the music, and most of the money from concerts was made by local/regional promoters.
Two things changed that - the cornering of the ticket sales market by Ticketmaster and streaming. Music acts don't make the money off albums sales anymore. Because of that, they limit the number of shows they play, and they work to make more money off things like residencies in Vegas. That's why it's $100 a pop for bad seats, and $1,500 for good seats with a VIP pass where you get a photo op with the band. Places like Starkville don't get shows like they used to unless you have a backer like the University that is willing to potentially eat a lose. Even larger secondary cities like Jacksonville don't get most of the big acts anymore.

[Lord McBuckethead]

I cover NMMC for my company, and a fewer staffers told me that NMMC will be taking over. Apparently OCH didn?t like UMMC?s offer.

The dumbasses in Oktibehha County and Starkville keep voting to not selling the hospital so they get to keep paying for the building, grounds, doctors, etc along with not having really any services offered at OCH. No cardiologist, no oncologist. Nothing. Two largest causes of death in people in Mississippi, heart and cancer. Might as well drive to Birmingham if you have a heart issue.

[Lord McBuckethead]

It's partly a major shift in how the music industry makes it's money now. Until the mid 1990s, top line acts made their money off album sales. Touring was done to promote the music, and most of the money from concerts was made by local/regional promoters.
Two things changed that - the cornering of the ticket sales market by Ticketmaster and streaming. Music acts don't make the money off albums sales anymore. Because of that, they limit the number of shows they play, and they work to make more money off things like residencies in Vegas. That's why it's $100 a pop for bad seats, and $1,500 for good seats with a VIP pass where you get a photo op with the band. Places like Starkville don't get shows like they used to unless you have a backer like the University that is willing to potentially eat a lose. Even larger secondary cities like Jacksonville don't get most of the big acts anymore.

Rick's has had some pretty good acts come through with their outdoor setup. I hope they keep doing it about every 2 months or so.

[BrunswickDawg]

Rick's has had some pretty good acts come through with their outdoor setup. I hope they keep doing it about every 2 months or so.

Pretty good acts are different then having A List popular acts that draw 10,000 people. Ricks has always had some good bands. I saw Better than Ezra there the first year Ricks was opened.
That's different then Garth Brooks being at the Hump at the height of his popularity and having 12,000 people there.

[Political Hack]

Brunswick, we're down in Amelia. First time down. It's great.

Snoop Dog at Rick's and Afroman at Dave's were the musical highlights of my time in StarkVegas. College towns do well on the musical scene, but Athens seems to have more good, young talent come through.

[BrunswickDawg]

Brunswick, we're down in Amelia. First time down. It's great.

Snoop Dog at Rick's and Afroman at Dave's were the musical highlights of my time in StarkVegas. College towns do well on the musical scene, but Athens seems to have more good, young talent come through.

Amelia is nice. Great village feel and easy to get around. I prefer my little city by the sea here in Brunswick, but coast living in general is far superior to the rat race I left in the ATL 25 years ago. Enjoy your time in the area!