Things to Know about Columbus and the Surrounding Area
Welcome to Columbus, MS and the 41st FTS Help us keep this list up to date. Contact Wendy Hamilton if you have additions or deletions. Weh130@msn.com
SQUADRON INFO Phone Numbers U Flight (LeMay) 434-7676 V Flight (Mitchell) 434-7654 W Flight (Spaatz) 434-7646 X Flight (Arnold) 434-7611 Y Flight (Doolittle) 434-7672 Z Flight (Chennault) 434-7677 Duty Desk-434-7666 (If you really need to reach your spouse and you can’t get hold of him/her. Call this number.) Wendy Hamilton- Squadron Commander’s wife 240-0779
Spouse’s Activities New Babies Welcome and Meals- April Barlow 434-5136 Student Spouse Coordinator- Position Vacant (Wendy is interim) Treasurer- Kathleen Thurber (678) 358-0629 Play Group Coordinator-Leigh Anne Simmons 329-0198 NameTags-Tisha Krajicek 240-0539 HAIR SALONS Profiles- Lindsey, Zack 243-1146 Jami’s Hair Salon- Kelly or Sheri Salon 417- Kitty 327-9485 Blades-Amelia 327-5465 NAILS AND MASSAGES Lucky Nails- Bette 243-1133 Muscles, Nails, and Faces- 328-1199 Brickerton Day Spa 244-7100 (good waxing and massages) INTERESTING PLACES FARMERS MARKET Runs May to October at 2nd Av and 2nd St North Tues, Thurs and Sat from 6 to 10 AM. Saturdays are really fun for the family with live music and vendors as well as locally grown produce.
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MAYHEW TOMATO FARM Lots more than tomatoes. The best strawberries around Start calling mid march and see when they will be ready. Call the day or two before you want to pick up because they pick fresh the morning of the day you want to pick up strawberries. All kinds of produce including onions, okra, watermelons, beans, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers and the most inexpensive pumpkins around. Also homemade jellies, jams, preserves and tomato juice. They are open year round, but produce generally in only April to November. They plan to have a more kid-friendly pumpkin patch this year and a pumpkin-carver on site. Take 82 west towards Starkville and get off at the Golden Triangle Airport Exit. Turn left and then right on Frontage Road after you cross 82. Take a right on Artesia- Crawford Road (if you pass under an overpass you missed Artesia-Crawford Road) and look for the Mayhew signs on the right. 327-8700 COUNTRY PUMPKINS Caledonia’s Pumpkin Patch on/near Spruill Road. Run by Dwight Colson. This is the best patch for kids right now. Mayhew is up and coming. 356-6631. KROGERS Large, relatively speaking, selection of organic produce and goods. They will order special items for you here as well. HOLLYDALE HEALTH FOOD 3189 Highway 45 North # G, Columbus, MS 39705 327-6293 TENNESSEE WILLIAMS VISITOR CENTER in downtown Columbus is the hub for all things happening in Columbus from the annual Pilgrimage to Market Street Festival. Check out their website. http://www.columbus-ms.org/visitors/welcome_center.html RESTAURANTS In Columbus Harvey’s- All American Food- 200 Main St 327-1639 Grill at Jackson Square- 1927 Hwy 45 328-8656 Peppers Deli- Sandwiches and salads- Jackson Square Shopping Center 328-6889 o These three are all owned by the same family, and I’ve ranked them from more formal to casual, but Harvey’s does have a family atmosphere and it’s ok to bring the kids! Little Tokyo- The only place to get sushi just be prepared to wait a long timewhen you order it- 244-6030 Proffitt’s Porch- very casual, you can sit outside on the deck(weather permitting), and it’s close to base- sandwiches and gumbo. Closed on Mondays- 327-4485 The Front (or Back) Door- on Main St., downtown- open for lunch and dinner, great salads and sandwiches and wonderful desserts- 329-3693 Zachary’s- downtown, variety of food. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Has a small ice cream shop inside. Also has a bar with live music on most Saturdays. 240-0101
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Old Hickory Steakhouse- great steak on Hwy 45 across from Comfort Inn next to Jim’s Clothing Store. Family owned and operated, been around since the 60’s. 328-9753 The Golden Horn-North Frontage Road going towards Starkville it is on the right hand side. Go to Airport exit then turn right and come back towards Columbus. 328-4509. Steak and seafood, chicken. The Little Dooey- Great Barbeque 327-0088 The Little Kitchen- Chinese and diner/burger joint food right outside the back gate in a trailer (don’t be scared) great for takeout and breakfast. Call before going, weird hours. 434-8777 or 434-9954 Ruben’s Fish House- good catfish, can be a little greasy 171 Moores Creek Rd 328-9880 or 328-7779 J Broussard’s- Fancy restaurant, serves chicken, steaks, seafood, pasta 309 Main Street 243-1480 Garibaldi’s Mexican Food 2420 Military Rd (across from Lowe’s) 243-2080 Mi Torro- Mexican Food (some say good, some say bad) 2420 Hwy 45 329-4099 The Golden Horn- Steaks and seafood 5286 N Frontage Rd (go towards Starkville and you’ll see it on your right hand side) 328-4509 Woody’s on the River- 233 Marina Drive 329-1616 White tablecloth type service and a casual bar. Good food and one of the ―nicest atmosphere‖ restaurants in town. Beans N Cream- coffee shop with pastries in the morning and soup at lunch, located in the Brickerton Square shopping center, they love military people. Also have casseroles to go. Tasty, easy dinner. 328-2003 Bartahatchi Outback- 78 Brickerton—only open for dinner Tues-Sat. 240-9922 Le Gourmet—513 Main St. Offers a military discount. Wines, cheeses and gifts. Will order cheeses for you. Nice small gathering place. 328-2021 Ole Country Bakery- Mennonite Bakery about 30-45 minutes south. Fun trip for lunch. 18217 Hwy 145 South in Brooksville. Great breads and ice cream. (662) 738-5795. They come here every Friday and sell breads and baked goods in front of Gary’s Pawn and Gun on HWY 45 across from K-Mart. They also come to the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. In Starkville Old Venice Pizza Company- Italian food 662-320-6872 Mugshots- Great hamburgers. 101 N Washington St 662-324-3965 Chili’s- On Hwy 12 662-323-2455 Abner’s- It’s the ―local‖ famous chicken place with a ―special sauce‖ that every college town has. Very good-518 S Montgomery St 662-338-0098 The Veranda- good martini bar and ―fancy‖ restaurant- 208 Lincoln Green St 662323-1231 Cappe’s- Steakhouse, owned by the same family as Old Hickory Steakhouse in Columbus, also serve chicken and salads. 105 Eckford Dr 662-324-1987 Coldstone Creamery- great ice cream mixed the way you like it! 605 Hwy 12 E 662-320-7066 La Fiesta Brava- Mexican food, 662-495-2484
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In West Point (15 minutes west of the base, out the back gate) Anthony’s Market- Seafood 122 West Main St 662-494-0316 Old Waverly Country Club
SHOPPING Yes, there are places to shop for clothes in Columbus besides Belks! Melange- Small, but cute clothes in the front and Yellow Box shoes located in Brickerton shopping center 243-2434 The Attic- vintage clothing and random finds- cute stuff located on 3rd street by Harvey’s in an old house Collections- small boutique, cute clothes but a little pricey. In the same shopping center as Pizzaz and Joy’s Flowers 327-9555 The Carousel- for children, downtown on Main St, gorgeous smocked outfits and some maternity clothes 327-1101 Cooper’s Closet—Twice a year large consignment market for children’s and maternity wear. Location depends on where they find space. Been on HWY 45 last couple times as well as in the mall. Fashion Apparel Warehouse- Happens twice a year, closeouts Reeds- Sells brands like Seven Buffalo, Timberland, Northface, Birkenstocks, etc. Men’s, women’s, and children. In the Jackson Square shopping center (with Pepper’s deli) 327-2684 Fashion Barn- Women’s clothes, has some formal and semi-formals. Downtown on the corner of 5th and Main 328-3032 Belks- large department store, carries a little bit of everything Good stores for gifts include: o Joy’s Flowers and Gifts (next to Collections) o Hollyhocks (downtown Main St; retired military) o The Purple Elephant (downtown Main St) o Kaboodles (Brickerton)- also has paint your own ceramics o Party and Paper- 328-8469 (downtown next to Kwik Kopy) o Pitty Pats- 327-3358, 74 Crescent Drive. Eclectic collection of gifts and home décor. Also Christmas rooms. o Pizazz- 243-1234. On Hwy 45 across from Belk’s. Pricey but nice. Linens, crystal, table settings, and house stuff. o The Paper Daisy- AT Brickerton. 244-8300 Scrapbooking supplies and more. She makes custom designed cards about $1.00-$2.00 a piece. Owner—Natalie Pusser Antiques/Home/Lighting/Furniture o Woodland Furniture (Woodland, MS) Humongous selection, located in an old school about an hour northwest of Columbus. Worth the drive. 662456-4315 o Aspen Bay Candle Outlet in Starkville o Lighting Plus o Lighting Unlimited o Annabelle’s Antique Mall in Westpoint 4
o Home and Garden Market o The Southern Attic—329-0028 The proprietress picks and chooses all the pieces herself, very stylish. Maternity Clothes o The Carousel- downtown Main Street o Old Navy o Motherhood Maternity- Tuscaloosa in the mall o Target- Tuscaloosa Jewelry/repair o Downtown 110 5th St S. 328-8824
COLLEGE CLASSES AND CONTINUING EDUCATION Mississippi Women’s University (the ―W‖) To look at the classes offered go to the following web site www.muw.edu, Class Schedules, then choose the Current Schedule i.e. Spring 2006, then click the department of interest i.e. Culinary Arts The 1-hour classes are usually held on the Saturday and are Certificate classes. This fall those classes will move to Friday and the Culinary department will have Community classes held on Saturday in which you will not have to register to be a MUW student. For Questions Call General Questions 329-7106 Distance Learning 329-7140 Culinary Arts Institute 241-7472 Mississippi State University Main campus located in Starkville (30 minutes southwest) Continuing education website www.ed2go.com/msstate/index.html Offers bachelors and master’s degree programs. For more info check out the website www.msstate.edu University of Alabama Main campus located in Tuscaloosa, AL (60-75 minutes east) Offers bachelors and master’s degree programs. For more info check out the website www.us.edu DENTISTS Willowbrook Dental Center- Dr. Harrelson 504 Willowbrook Rd, 327-4523 Dr Susanne Nichols- 328-8001 Dr Steven Porter- 328-1600 Dr. Ben Ogletree- 328-1825 Dr Chow 328-5411 Dr. Curtis (pediatric dentist) PEDIATRICS Columbus Children’s Clinic- Dr. Pam Sykes 327-8410
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Dr.s Skiwski (father and son team) Children’s Health Center 329-2955 http://www.drskiskids.us/
OB/GYN Physicians and Surgeons Clinic in Amory- 328-9331(Columbus Office);they deliver at both Baptist in Columbus and hospital in Amory Columbus OBGYN Specialty Center- Dr. Childrey and Dr. Murch 240-0095 Dr James Holzhauer and Dr. Burtman 329-9191 PET BOARDING/GROOMING Boswell Animal Clinic- 328-6432-boards Swan Kennels- 328-8877 (towards the airport- GTR)-Boards Furrbabies- 244-5988 (right by the airport; owner Paula Murff—she is also the animal control officer—she is a semi ―animal whisperer‖)-Boards Sassy Pups-245-0452 Grooming Pam Cunningham—Boards Horses and riding lessons husband is soon to be retired. In New Hope
VETERINARIANS Crawford Veterinary Clinic- In Hamilton, MS, about 15 minutes from the base. She does her work because she LOVES animals and is therefore very reasonable in price. Her clinic is a little far out from town, but she is wonderful! 662-3438365 Boswell’s Animal Clinic- Dr. Bonnie Blake On 45, near base. 328-6432 Animal Health Services- Great for any horse owners (large animal vet) 328-2821 Base Veterinarian- Open Wednesdays 1st & 3rd Wednesday vet is on site for shots and check ups. Hours are 8-4 pm; lunch 12:30-1:30 pm on doctor days. Other Wednesdays hours are 12-5pm, can make appts and purchase meds. No spaying and neutering or emergency services offered on base. Bldg 328 next to Auto Skills Shop 434-2281 Ellis Animal Clinic in Amory- This is the base vet’s regular practice 662-2564738 North Columbus Animal Clinic 4508 Hwy 45 328-9702 CAR REPAIR Dolan’s Car Repair – 356-4960 314 Dove Whitaker Rd, Caledonia MS (recommended by squadron spouse) Marty’s Service Center- 327-0364 1233 Gardner Allen’s Frame and Body 241-4567 1504 Gardner Robert’s Auto Garage-Looks like a dive out the back gate, but great service and very good prices. Bob’s Paint and Body-USAA approved; timely and used to military. They often sponsor SUPT classes-327-1221. 82 E. Plymouth Rd. Off Hwy 82 and Downtown Columbus Exit.
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PEST CONTROL Finch Pest Service- Ted Finch, owner 356-6432 or 251-6095 State Termite and Pest Control- 328-3571 Terminix- 328-4552 James Price Termite and Pest Control- 329-2796 MOM’S DAY OUT AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS 1ST Baptist Church of Columbus 245-1212 o Director for MDO and Preschool- Bonny Foreman United Methodist Church of Columbus 328-5252 o Sidney McCrory Program Director st 1 Presbyterian Church (on Bluecutt by the Post Office) 328-5992 o Willie Bell- Preschool director (no MDO) St Paul’s Episcopal Church 328-6801 o Director- Tara Handegard o Asst Directoro Offer preschool year round for ages infant to four/pre-k Main Street Christian School (at Main Street Presbyterian) 328-0240 o Director Jennie Paulding Immanuel Center for Christian Education K-3 and K-4; 6405 Military Road, Steens, MS 39766 328-7888 Columbus Christian School- Pre-K-5. Between Heritage Academy and Joe Cook Elementary 2401-7th Street North 245-0595
PROGRAMS FOR PRESCHOOLERS And others too Columbus-Lowndes Public Library 329-5300 o http://www.lowndes.lib.ms.us/children.htm o http://www.lowndes.lib.ms.us/ (Home) o The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library offers (be sure to check; the schedule below may change) Story Time 2-3 yr olds on Thursday @ 3:30 – 4 pm 4-5 yr olds on Thursday @ 10 – 11 pm Wee Story Time (mainly singing and using musical instruments) 6 mo to 15-18 mo on Friday @ 10 - 10:30 am (basically till they are able to walk) 15 mos to 2 yrs on Friday @ 10:30 am – 11 am
CAFB Youth Center An informal playgroup is held weekly at the CAFB Youth Center. The playgroup is currently held on Monday’s at 10am. Sports Programs 7
Basketball- ages 3-17 Soccer (Spring & Fall) - ages 3-14 Baseball/Coach Pitch/T-Ball – ages 3-14 For information contact youth center at 434-2504 Ballet Classes for ages 3- adult Gymnastics Classes for ages 18 months and up Jazz Classes for 3-adult First Baptist Church of Columbus Wee Music/Story Program for toddlers; children’s choir Wednesday evenings at 5:45 call Shelly Farmer – 328-3915 First United Methodist Church Kindermusik- Music and movement classes for children ages birth to seven years old. Call Cathy Portele 328-1181 or Katy Henshaw 241-7399 for schedules and prices. (Cathy and Katy are both 37th FTS wives.) Jumpin’ G’s In the mall. Offers by the hour or all day. Can drop off and go shop if you are brave enough. Has food service. If you ask up front you can get a frequent jumper card. You pay for a certain number of hours up front and get 1 or 2 hours free. Jumpers Great for birthday parties. Inflatable moon jumps at location that you can rent out on site for a party, or have them brought to your house. Military discount offered. On Hwy 182 near the Salvation Army. 327-6954 Children's Hands-on Museum of Tuscaloosa They have a lot of programs for different age groups so it would be best to look on line of call ahead to get the best benefit. Admission is $5/per person over 1 year and groups of 10 or more are $4/per person. Groups have to call ahead though - Bobbie Hamiter at (205) 349-4235 http://www.chomonline.org/ Columbus Arts Council 328-2787 http://www.columbus-arts.com/artunderground.php http://www.columbus-arts.com/index.php (Home) Art Together 10 wk program 2-3yr Parent or Guardian must attend with child
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Music Together 8 wk program Birth to 5yrs Parent or Guardian must attend with child ―Articipation‖ 10 wk program 4-6 yrs 7-13 yrs Intro to Pottery 6 wk Program 13 yrs to Adult Intro to Oil Painting 6 wk Program 16 yr to Adult YPAS—Young People Artist Series—Plays produced especially for children. Contact tavnote@yahoo.com to subscribe. Usually $10 for child to see 3 plays.
MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS (MOPS) Meets 1st &3rd or 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 9-11am at Hope Community Church in Columbus. For more information contact Hope Community Church at 3272010. MOPS is dedicated to the message that "mothering matters" and those moms of young children need encouragement during these critical and early formative years. MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. MOPS International exists to meet the needs of every mom - urban, suburban, and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single, and married moms - moms with different lifestyles who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be! BABYSITTERS The youth center on base keeps a babysitting list on hand that lists sitters who are all Red Cross certified in babysitting and First Aid. For more info call 434-2504 or stop by the center to pick one up. YMCA 328-7696 Three Locations – Downtown – Caledonia – New Hope Registration Fee is waived for Active Duty Family Members; you have use of all three facilities Individual Membership - $21/mo Family Membership - $27/mo Family Memebers of deployed soldiers-Free Childcare available $1.00/hr while using YMCA equipment or attending YMCA activities. The YMCA offers many programs for all ages Aerobics
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Cardio Equipment Nautilus Room – Initial Training on Equipment included in Membership Weight Room Indoor Pool at Downtown Location Racquetball Courts, Basketball Courts, Running Track Camp Henry Pratt – Summer Camp for 6 yr to 12 yr Youth Center/Teen Room Sauna/Steam Room/ Whirlpool Gymnastics classes– 3 & up Swimming classes Drama Homeschool PE Class (This one is outstanding. Directed by Melissa Parsons) Tues and Thurs 1:00 to 3:00. Homeschool Art Usually Thurs 10:00 to 12:00 for ages 5-9 Much More HOMESCHOOLER RESOURCES Starkville Christian Home Educators-The Purpose of the Starkville Christian Home Educators (SCHE) is to support and encourage home schooling families in Starkville and the surrounding areas as they seek God's will in training and educating their children. www.StarkvilleChristianHomeEducators.com Christian Home Educators in Lowndes County-CHELC rather informal group, but they organize field trips and at one time a ―Creative Communication‖ class where children could orally present reports or show projects.
DAY TRIPS FROM COLUMBUS TUPELO- Take 45 N and follow the signs, don’t miss the right turn! Take the Barnes Crossing exit and then take a left at the light. That will take you to most of this stuff. Shopping- Sam’s, Best Buy, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Home Depot, Toys R Us, The Mall at Barnes Crossing- typical mall includes the following- Ann Taylor Loft, Parisian, Victoria’s Secret, The Children’s Place, The Gap, and Gymboree Furniture Stores- Room to Room (locally owned, great selections), Ashley, Lane Restaurants- Olive Garden, Chili’s, Abner’s, Quizno’s, Baskin Robbins, Chick Fil A, Cracker Barrel, Logan’s Steakhouse, Red Lobster, Outback Tupelo is also the birthplace of Elvis. You can visit the house he was born in. Just follow the historical markers. Buffalo Park. Ride a bus out on the range. Also a mini –zoo. Mini-zoo is not great, but the wild bus ride is fun. Indoor Football—Mississippi Mudcats-made to final playoffs in 2006/07.
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TUSCALOOSA- Take 82 E, watch out for speed traps in Reform and Gordo. Stay on 82 through Northport; don’t take 69 to the right. 82 will make a big circle around Tuscaloosa and you will pass U of A on your right and come into the actual city. Travel time: an hour to an hour and a half Shopping- Sam’s, Circuit City, Hobby Lobby, Tuesday Morning, Big Lots, Super Target, Home Depot, Anna’s Linens, TJ Maxx, Dillard’s, Toys R Us, Stein Mart, Michaels The Mall- Parisian, Gap, Express, Talbot’s Children’s Place, Gymboree, Victoria’s Secret Restaurants- Olive Garden, Jason’s Deli, Schlotzky’s, Chick Fil A, Tokyo’s, Chili’s, Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, Outback, Texas Roadhouse, Logan’s, Honey Baked Ham, Heavenly Ham, Chuck E Cheese BIRMINGHAM-Hwy 82 E to I-20 E to 459 S for shopping at Galleria and The Summit More Restaurants than I can list. From the really pricey to fast food chains. Some ―nice places:‖ Surin West in Five Points has a sushi bar; Highlands Bar and Grill go casual or dressed to the nines—super service and ―southern food made with a twist. To-die-for crab cakes; Bottega--just check out their website and you will be drooling. Both the Malls listed above have lots of restaurants on site. Birmingham Zoo- Great Zoo- small and shady, great collection especially for a small zoo http://www.birminghamzoo.com/ Great military discount and some free-days. Visit the Botanical Gardens next to it as well. McWane Center- another outstanding Children’s Hands-on museum. They have rotating exhibits as well. A yearly subscription to McWane gets you into participating Science-technology Centers (http://www.astc.org/members/passlist_about.htm) around the world—over 250 of them! http://www.mcwane.org/ Last Updated August 2007
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