Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page B6

6B SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2013 CLARIONLEDGER.COM THE CLARION-LEDGER METROSTATE Tupelo's GumTree Bookstore creates niche When writers schedule book tours, Lemuria Books in Jackson and Square Books in Oxford are natural stops. "We get them to stop here on their way between the two. That's why a lot of our signings are at noon," said Camille Sloan, man- By M. Scott Morris Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal TUPELO The people in charge of Reed's GumTree Bookstore in downtown Tupelo know its place, which is between Jackson and Oxford on the authors' map. ager of Reed's gift shop and bookstore.

"When they come through Mississippi, they come to us as well." The bookstore has carved out its own niche since 1984, when Jack Reed Sr. and his brothers paid $50,000 to buy the stock from a paperback store. "I thought that was a lot of money at the time," said Reed, chairman of the board. "We were going to give it a chance and see how it went. We wanted to make us a destination store." Charlie McGill's bookstore was located at Gum-Tree's current site.

The Reeds took over the lease and later bought the building. The idea from the start was to get away from the paperback business and focus mostly on hard backs. No one knew at the time, but the store's fortunes were about to change when a newly published author spoke at the Lee County Library. GumTree took a chance and added his book to its inventory. "A Time to Kill" didn't exactly jump off the shelves, but John Gris-ham's next book, "The Firm," became an international best-seller, and the author hasn't forgotten the value of that early support.

During a 2009 interview with the Daily Journal, Grisham said the reason is simple. "I was turned away from a lot of stores which is not unusual," he said. "There were a handful of stores in this area that not only said yes, but enthusiastically had book parties, has "Tupelo Man," a book about George McLean written by his son-in-law, Robert Blade. "A lot of times, someone will have a connection with an author they love and want to bring them here," Sloan said. People who've written books about Elvis Presley schedule their signings at the King of Rock 'n' Roll's hometown during the Elvis Presley Festival.

The GumTree keeps a black and white cut-out of Elvis near the front window of the store, where visiting authors sit and sign their books. "All the authors want to have their pictures made with Elvis," said Catherine Mize, assistant manager. "Karl Rove was the cutest one," Sloan added. "He had his lip curled and everything." "A lot of times, someone will have a connection with an author they love and want to bring them here." CAMILLE SLOAN, manager and GumTree was one of them. So it's always been easy to come back to Tupelo." The GumTree primarily focuses on Southern writers, though others are welcome.

Willie Morris drew big crowds in his day, and Natchez-based writer Greg lies ranks second to Grisham. Jack Cristil's self -titled autobiography has flown off the shelves lately, as Judge "Trailblazer of the Decade' der Gray bravely stood against rioters on the Ole Miss campus who were protesting Meredith's enrollment into the university as its first black student. Fifty years later, his son helped conceive "A Day of Remembrance" to commemorate Meredith's enrollment. Among other members of the Mississippi Trail-blazers Class of 2013 are David Cole of Fulton, retiring president of Itawamba Community College and former chief of staff to Gov. Ronnie Mus-grove, with the Mississippi Leadership Award; Al-legra Brigham of Columbus, former interim president of Mississippi University for Women, with the Rep.

Leonard Morris Award for Public Service and Integrity; and Phyllis Anderson, chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, with the Sam Haskell Spirit of America Award. sity through their professional work and public service. Three other Mississip-pians were selected for having made a significant impact on their state's journey toward racial diversity and reconciliation: University of Mississippi Chancellor Emeritus Robert Khayat and the Right Revs. Duncan M. Gray Jr.

and Duncan M. Gray III. The Grays, who have each served as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, will receive the first Dr. Robert C. Khayat Distinguished Award for Diversity and Racial Reconciliation.

Under Khayat's leadership, Ole Miss acknowledged its turbulent racial history. Part of his legacy is a monument centrally located on campus depicting James Meredith walking through the door of segregation. In October 1962, the el public administration, both from Syracuse University. He began his legal career in 1980 as a staff attorney at Central Mississippi Legal Services and worked as a professor at Jackson State University. He also James Graves served as an assistant attorney general.

Follwing his confirmation to the federal bench, Graves said he never dreamed of becoming an appeals court judge. He said he began practicing law because he "wanted to help people." Now in its 10th year, the Mississippi Trailblazers Awards has honored and recognized Mississippi-ans for their significant contributions to racial, gender and cultural diver The Clarion-Ledger Mississippi's only African-American jurist to serve on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will receive another singular honor next month in Tupelo when he receives the Mississippi Trailblazer of the Decade Award. Judge James Graves, a Clinton native who served as both a Hind County circuit judge and a state Supreme Court justice, is among those chosen by the Mississippi Trailblaz-ers board of governors for recognition at an awards ceremony and black tie gala May 4 at Tupelo's BancorpSouth Conference Center. Graves' nomination was approved unanimously by the U.S.

Senate in 2011. Graves, 59, is the son of a Baptist minister. He graduated from Millsaps College and earned a law degree and a master's in MP! DRIVEWAY GATES THAT ADD SECURITY TO YOUR PROPERTY MOVING SALE EVERYTHING ON SALE ALL CHANDELIERS 50 OFF RETAIL IRON FENCE STARTING AT $15 FOOT INSTALLED SINGLE GATE WITH OPERATOR INSTALLED $1488 DOUBLE GATE WITH OPERATOR INSTALLED $1888 ALL LAMPS 40 OFF RETAIL pm Sat. 9 am 4 pmVH A Nancy's Antiques Lighting City Market 601-605-9941 Hwy. 51 W.

Washington Street Ridgeland, MS AMERICAN IRONWORKS 601 206 9440 FOR FREE ESTIMATES- NO MONEY DOWN FINANCING Mon. thru Fri. 9 am 5 CL-0000276549 To My Beautiful Wife Sherry Jackson Our 30th anniversary, love, Bring feelings of delight, You are a thought of pleasure Each and every day of life. I thank the Lord above For giving me the precious gift: Of your deep, enduring love. CL-0000277484 untairv Ul II VIII ofY A.i our lives go on and on, One thing L) alway.i true: To the very end, I'll alway.i wish For more time, more love with you.

You have stood by my side everyday of our life together and on April, 9th 1983, I looked into your eyed while saying my vows and couldn't believe, I wad actually marrying my be.it friend, my partner, and my soul mate. I am honored to be your husband, and my love for you these pa.it 30 years had only grown stronger. I can only hope the Lord will allow me to have another 30 years with you. Always and forever, Harmon Bobby De Money Company 601 -940-81 67 601 -853-3337 100 Financing Available To see our complete line of bathtubs, go to: www. FOYBS.com BATH ROOMS CL-000027819C.