It was in 2008 when my path first crossed with a native Mississippian who was and remains a dynamite promoter of our state. I mean we were “two peas in a pod,” which continues.

Even Hubs said, “Y’all sound just alike.”

Like so many good friends, Patricia Neely-Dorsey and I began our friendship on Facebook. I think it was because our thoughts were so aligned.

“Love Mississippi.”

“Promote Mississippi.”

So it was a thrill to travel to New Albany this week to meet with Patricia and appear on her TV show, “Meet My Mississippi Authors and Artists,” aired by the Hill Country Network, www.hillcountrynetwork.net.

Dear Readers: If you can, please tune into this show that airs each Friday on the Hill Country Network, (9 a.m. and 5 p.m.). I can assure you the creativity of our Mississippi people is far beyond your wildest thoughts and imagination. You will be so proud.

It was like old-home-week. Patricia and I caught up quickly with our most recent Mississippi meanderings. Then it was time for her next guest, with one to follow, all recorded this past Tuesday morning with a Friday, June 28 air date.

Huge thanks to Patricia and Hill Country Network, because I was allowed 45 minutes in which I expounded about Rose Hill Cemetery Costumed Tour and my storytelling. I told my version of the Gypsy Queen story, also a story about the first governor of Mississippi and my Annie Oakley story with the Mississippi connection (last week’s column). It was great.

Then I was off, stopped at the Union County Museum with the Faulkner Gardens, the Union County Library and took lunch at the Tallahatchie Gourmet, all located in New Albany, a small town of 8,500 people, but do not count the place as small and insignificant.

New Albany is the birthplace of William Faulkner, now how impressive is that? Also, I think, the Union County Courthouse is one of the most beautiful in the state. It was built in 1909. But I must quickly mention the annual Tallahatchie Riverfest held each year in September (Sept. 27 and 28).

You remember “It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day?” Yes, that Tallahatchie River, where Billy Joe MacAllister jumped off the bridge. Well I crossed the bridge on Tuesday and the southern-gothic themed song “Ode to Billy Joe” played through my mind, one more time.

Then I was off to Tupelo. Hubs and I headed downtown to Tupelo Hardware where Gladys Presley bought 11-year-old Elvis his first guitar. It was said that on that fateful day in 1946, Elvis had selected a rifle and his mother selected a bicycle. It was a birthday present for him. To compromise, the guitar was purchased and “the rest is history.”

I then popped over to Reed’s Gum Tree Bookstore, a most delightful, literary-filled place in Tupelo where storytelling is presented each Friday morning. I must say I felt right at home as I fingered and flipped through books on display there of every genre, the bestsellers and old favorites as well.

Next stop was Aberdeen, a historic town, where old homes of yesteryear still sit side-by-side as if issuing an invitation to tea, but I didn’t have time, not this week, but definitely at a later time.

Because you see West Point was my next destination. Along the way we stopped at The Pantry, a lovely shop with handmade furniture and homemade desserts and sandwiches. Once we arrived in West Point, the beautiful Waverly Mansion was only four miles to the east, off Highway 45, built in the 1840s. The place is located on the Tombigbee River, the house is most especially known for its oversized octagonal cupola, which was used as a look-out during the Civil War.

If you have never visited this historic home, now is the time. But I didn’t have time this week because I had an invitation to the wonderful Bryan Public Library in West Point, possibly one of the best in the state.

This little jaunt as I traveled through my wonderful state this week all began with an invitation from Patricia Neely-Dorsey. I thank her for the opportunity and to once again reinforce the fact that Mississippi is truly a place to celebrate.

Anne B McKee is a Mississippi historian, writer and storyteller. She is listed on the Mississippi Humanities Speakers Bureau and Mississippi Arts Commission’s Performing Artist and Teaching Artist Rosters. See her web site: www.annemckeestoryteller.com.