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This Is My South

A travel guide to the Southern USA

A Home Town Fan Guide to Laurel, Mississippi

February 9, 2022 By Caroline Eubanks 12 Comments

The charming town of Laurel, Mississippi came to prominence as the yellow pine capital but most recently has appeared on the hit HGTV show Home Town , which premiered in 2016. Starring Ben and Erin Napier, the couple restores homes in their town while also highlighting small businesses.

It’s made Laurel a popular destination, especially for fans. Want to see where your favorite episode was filmed? Look no further. We’re highlighting the most popular spots from Home Town in the charming Mississippi town.

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Home Town Places to See in Laurel

You might recognize these landmarks from your television screen! We haven’t included the many homes designed for the series, which are private property, but these places are open to the public.

Bird Dog Cafe

Set in a former home, Bird Dog Cafe was one of the locations the Napiers renovated during the fourth season of the show. The cozy cafe has sandwiches and coffee by day and cocktails and live music by night. It’s full of reclaimed wood and artwork. You might even spot some familiar faces there.

Laurel Mercantile

If you only make one stop in Laurel, it should be here. Laurel Mercantile Co. is the Napiers’ shop where you’ll find the iconic blue truck parked out front, along with a mural designed by Erin. Inside the store is everything a fan needs, from Erin’s artwork to Ben’s coffee, along with coffee mugs, candles, clothing, and home decor.

The lawn next to it, called the “Front Yard,” hosts events, and a few blocks away is a lot where the film crews set up during the season. You never know when you might spot them!

Lauren Rogers Museum of Art

Erin has gained inspiration for her design projects at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art , located a few blocks from the downtown shops. The museum opened in 1923 as a memorial to a local man who died at age 23.

The Georgian Revival building has artwork and artifacts from all over the world, including rare titles from Mississippi native William Faulkner . You can also get a walking tour brochure while you’re here to see other landmarks around town.

Pearl’s Diner

Featured on the show, Pearl’s Diner is often mentioned as one of their favorite places to eat , set in a former jewelry store. The meat-and-three style restaurant is known for its fried chicken and collard greens, not to mention the Kool-Aid Pie. Be sure to go early or expect to wait.

Scotsman General Store

Ben’s store and woodworking shop, Scotsman General Store , is right by the Amtrak station . There’s a lawn next door where you can grab a popsicle and watch the trains pass. Inside the store is a window where you can see him work as well as gifts like dog gear, beard oil, and Ben’s line of coffee.

Nearby Places to See for Home Town Fans

The Napiers have also featured nearby places, including in Hattiesburg, a 30-minute drive south.

The Lucky Rabbit, Hattiesburg

This funky store has been featured on the show for the unusual items found here, including vintage video games, signs from closed businesses, antiques, and gifts. There’s a converted school bus full of Pyrex crockery and pop-ups based on television and film, including Schitt’s Creek and Stranger Things .

The small town of Ellisville appeared during a season five renovation. While you’re here, check out The Carpenter Bros Emporium of Wonderful Whatnots & Hole In The Wall Food Joint, a flea market and restaurant with vintage furniture, clothing, and artwork.

Where to Stay in Laurel, Mississippi

Laurel has seen a large influx of Airbnb properties to meet fan demand, including some of the homes featured on the show. Erin’s sister Mallorie runs the Laurel Cottages , a collection of rentals throughout town.

Bonnie’s Laurel Cottage is a two-bedroom rental. The Edlin House in nearby Ellisville was even featured on the show.

If you’d rather stay in a traditional hotel, you can choose from the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Laurel or the Hampton Inn & Suites Laurel .

About Caroline Eubanks

Caroline Eubanks is the editor of this website, a Lowell Thomas award-winning travel writer, and the author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States. Her stories from the South have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Thrillist, Roads and Kingdoms, and BBC Travel.

Reader Interactions

February 19, 2022 at 10:14 am

Thanks for the details on Laurel and it’s must sees. My friends and I are visiting there soon and this article provided the information we need to get the most out of our visit.

February 21, 2022 at 5:13 pm

I lived in Laurel Mississippi for about 20 years and his constantly grown it was beautiful then and it’s even more beautiful now please go visit Laurel Mississippi have a great visit

February 27, 2022 at 1:49 pm

I live in and Laurel and have all my life unfortunately. This place is a shit hole except for the FEW places they show on TV. You will be sadly disappointed if you wander far from the places listed and I wouldn’t cross the train tracks or stay downtown after dark unless you want to get high or mugged.

May 14, 2022 at 7:28 pm

Nick maybe you should try another town.!I am sorry you’re so unhappy. Personally, I can’t wait to visit!

February 25, 2022 at 9:28 am

Perfect place to visit! My mother-in-law and I stayed at The Grandiflora Bed and Breakfast, which was phenomenal and so relaxing. We visited mostly all of the places you mentioned and each place was amazing and so welcoming. I would love to live in Laurel if I could convince my entire family to move from Philadelphia with me. I will be coming back!!!

March 6, 2022 at 10:48 pm

Can’t wait to visit home town..planning a trip soon..

March 10, 2022 at 10:41 am

Visited day after Thanksgiving. Saw a few of renovated houses. Visited Ben’s shop and Mechantile.

March 16, 2022 at 9:18 pm

We watch your show and love it. We finally made the trip this past weekend. We were very disappointed. We had no idea that the streets were under construction. I wish we had known this. We would have never planned this trip. You should post this before people make plans.

March 21, 2022 at 11:04 am

It isn’t my show. This post is just about the town.

May 19, 2022 at 7:32 am

Not sure where you’d want it posted… Central is back open and Leontyne Price will be fully open soon. When you have an older town and a sudden influx of people, it can put a lot of pressure on systems and traffic. We’re just trying to make it better for the future,

May 28, 2022 at 8:21 am

Me and my honey came to visit. And we loved it. It was my birthday on Erin book signing. We talked to alot of nice people and it was awesome just to see Ben and Erin. And to visit the old town and there is lots of good things to do and food to eat.I love Ben and Erin store’s lots of nice things to buy.We would live here. It is awesome fixing up old places and making it new. God bless everyone.

January 8, 2023 at 8:56 pm

On a Recent show you went to a small place and had leaves bronze. What is the name of the place and how can I get a hold of them?

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Take a Tour of Laurel’s Historic Homes!

Walking Tour of Historic Laurel Homes

Sometimes, when you pass the same sights every day, you’ll stop noticing them. Thankfully, Laurelites have sights so beautiful during that morning commute, no one forgets the beauty of the Historic District.

Maybe you’ve seen HGTV Home Town, and you  love  the restored homes brought back to life by Erin and Ben. But have you seen the historic homes not shown on TV?

“Laurel’s historic district is a product of Laurel’s timber era (1893-1937) and is considered the largest, finest, and most intact collection of early 20th century architecture in Mississippi. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places both for its history and its wide variety of architectural styles – both with a high degree of quality and sophistication rare in the South and unique in Mississippi.” – Excerpt from the “Walking Tour of Historic Laurel Homes” Brochure

You can get your self-guided walking tour brochures at The Laurel Welcome Center , Lauren Rogers Museum of Art , or Laurel Mercantile . These brochures feature 24 significant locations in our Historic District, little-known facts, and amazing architectural details.

“Because we have such rich history built by innovators, artisans, and entrepreneurs, our buildings and homes are awe-inspiring to look at. (And live in!) I’m lucky enough to live in the Historic District in a very old home with tall ceilings and windows, a huge wrap-around porch, and plenty to look at right outside my door. And when I’m wanting to get out, everything is in walking distance. I’ve got a tennis court across the street, and can walk to work and Downtown in less than 10 minutes!” – Our own, Keri Rowell; Taken from our #iliveinlaurel blog.

540 North Fifth Avenue – Laurel, MS

White Oak – 540 North Fifth Avenue

“This 1910 Italianate Renaissance Revival was built by Phil S. Gardiner. The house is made of Roman brick (longer and thinner than regular brick), has terra cotta trim, large moldings on upper story windows, and an elaborate cornice around the roof (a characteristic of this style.)”

It’s our favorite because… This house is a fortress! Not only was it built to be fireproof, but it also stood up to the might of Hurricane Katrina. A tree fell on it, and the occupants didn’t even know until rain started leaking in. Impressive!

SWEET OLIVE

756 north fifth avenue – laurel, ms.

Sweet Olive – 756 North Fifth Avenue

“The house has Colonial Revival lines with Mediterranean details and is one of a few houses in the historic district still owned by descendants of the original family.”

It’s our favorite because… The gardens! The luscious gardens surrounding this house are a favorite view of locals as they drive into downtown to work each day, but are best enjoyed during a walk through the historic district.

THE GREEN BARN

726 north fifth avenue – laurel, ms.

The Green Barn – 726 North Fifth Avenue

“Derived from homes around Boston, Massachusetts, the Shingle style is characterized by horizontal lines. Frank Wisner, part owner of the Eastman-Gardiner Lumber Company, built this house around 1900 and is said to have handpicked each piece of wood used to construct the house.”

It’s our favorite because… Leontyne Price, the first African-American to become a leading artist at the Metropolitan Opera, got her start here! Her aunt worked for the family, who eventually became her patrons and helped to bring her stunning voice to the world.

706 North Fifth Avenue – Laurel, MS

Wisteria – 706 North Fifth Avenue

“Built around 1900, this house originally had a wraparound porch with rounded edges, and was in the Steamboat Gothic style. The porch was eventually replaced with a simpler brick porch, transforming the house into a more Colonial Revival style.”

It’s our favorite because… You can stay here! Wisteria is one of Laurel’s most beautiful Bed & Breakfasts and is located across the street from the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art and one block from Downtown Laurel.

ROGERS-GREEN HOUSE

566 north fifth avenue – laurel, ms.

Rogers-Green House – 566 North Fifth Avenue

“Lauren-Rogers grew up in this house built of redwood around 1902 by his parents, Nina Eastman and Wallace B. Rogers. At the time, the innovative Prairie Style was developed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago to recreate the flat horizons of the American prairie.

It’s our favorite because… This home is also a beautiful event venue! Many Saturdays you’ll find a wedding, party or other celebration happening on the lawn or in the garden. Stop by during the week for a look at the home, which is directly across the street from LRMA!

Next time you visit us , be sure to grab your Walking Tour brochure and explore our beautiful Historic District! We only shared a few of our favorites. There are plenty more homes worth seeing! 

Want to find out about more local Laurel events and happenings? Sign up for updates and  follow us on Instagram  for daily posts about our home town.

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Bethany Byrd is a Laurel & Jones County native, active adventurer, and lover of all things creative and handmade. She enjoys bringing together creative souls and encouraging those around her to “make it matter” in everything they do. Mother of 2 and wife of a fellow adventurer and creative, she is on a mission to guide entrepreneurs and communities toward growth.

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Laurel, ms: experience the filming location of hgtv’s home town.

Get a firsthand peek into HGTV’s Home Town with a tour of the area where the show is filmed: Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi.

The HGTV’s Home Town Experience

On HGTV’s Home Town , the darlings of Mississippi, Ben and Erin Napier take old houses and turn them into dream homes as they lovingly welcome people to Laurel, MS. With hotels, local Bed and Breakfasts, and Air BnBs , there’s plenty of room to make our hometown yours for the weekend so that you can enjoy Laurel, MS beyond the TV screen. Here’s a list of must-see places to complete your HGTV’s Home Town experience.

Take a Historic Home Tour

Start your Laurel experience at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art or the Laurel Welcome Center where you’ll find the official Laurel Walking Tour brochure. Wandering the oak-lined streets of the Laurel Historic District will give you and up-close-and-personal view of so many historic and stunning homes, plus the beautiful parks and streets you’ve seen on episodes of HGTV’s Home Town.

Downtown Laurel is basically its own character on the show. Episode after episode, viewers will see the twinkling lights, plus watch Erin grabbing fabrics, antiques, knickknacks, and more from the darling shops throughout the town.

To truly get a sense of the style showcased on Home Town, start your shopping at Laurel Mercantile Co. and Scotsman General Store . Style and American Made are the theme of Laurel Mercantile Co . This retail store includes apparel, candles (oh the candles!), sundries, kitchenware, bath-ware, home décor including pillows, fabrics, vintage finds, and art for your walls back home.

Meanwhile the Scotsman General Store is a step into Southern days gone by. An ode to general stores that were known across the south decades ago, visitors will find apparel, preserves (and other delicious perishables), soda pop, and a peek into Ben’s woodshop. Pro Tip: stop by during the filming of HGTV’s Home Town to watch him create custom pieces featured on the show!

For more places to find toys, apparel, accessories, and antiques, check out our list of where to shop in Laurel and Jones County .

If there’s one thing we Southerners know how to do, it’s gather around a table, so it comes as no surprise that there have been many dining establishments featured on HGTV’s Home Town. Here are a few fans may remember.

• Pearl’s Diner is Southern cooking at its best. From fried chicken to mac ‘n cheese and everything in between, you’re sure to get your fill of both mouth-watering fare and sweet Southern hospitality.
• Lee’s Coffee & Tea is the perfect spot to grab a cup of soup, a sandwich, fresh baked goods, and (as the name implies) a hot cup of coffee or tea.
• The Loft on Central Avenue features seafood, steak, and pasta in a beautiful setting. Settle in for a perfectly cooked steak in the courtyard, and you’re guaranteed a perfect Southern night.

Beyond the show, Erin and Ben regularly feature all the best spots to grab a bite in Laurel on Instagram.  They’ve named many local favorites including Café La Fleur, David’s grocery, The Knight Butcher, Shug’s Cookie Dough & Candy Bar, PDI / Phillips Drive-In (we hear Ben gets the #3), Mimmo’s Restaurant, The 5000 MS, and more!

For a full list of restaurants in Laurel and Jones County, head to our Where to Eat page .

Local Favorites Featured on the Show

Erin dropped the sweet tidbit that her parents went on their first date at The Little Laurel Theatre, and it’s definitely a must-see sight in Jones County, MS. Located in the heart of Downtown Laurel, Laurel Little Theatre features a varied season of shows every year, so check out what shows are playing during your visit . Be sure to nab a pic under the neon Arabian sign during your visit!

The murals seen on the show are a big thing here in Laurel and Jones County. Literally a big thing. Covering walls and the sides of buildings, these gorgeous quotes are both charming and Instagram-worthy. See how many you can find (and be sure to tag us in your Instagram posts).

Whether visiting in the fall , spending the holidays in Jones County , or joining us for a quick weekend getaway to Laurel, we’re so happy to get to share our little corner of Mississippi with you! Welcome to our hometown !

Find out more about  how to Visit Mississippi responsibly , and be sure to visit our  FAQ page  for the most current community and safety information.

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Let's Explore The City Beautiful Come and explore with Bolton Hometown Tours The City beautiful of Laurel, Mississippi. You will enjoy a comfortable ride on our eight ( 8 ) passenger cart throughout the city. Your ride includes site seeing of Laurel's historical downtown buildings and variety shopping stores. Our stops include the Laurel Mercantile Co. Scotsman General store, and our awesome Welcome to Laurel, Mississippi Mural where you will also have an opportunity to take pictures. You will also tour some of the homes featured on the Home Town HGTV show. So sit back and enjoy a nice ride of the city beautiful and learn some great facts about the city of Laurel, Mississippi We want to thank you for your interest in our tour. This is our hometown and we cant wait to share it with you. Here at The Bolton Hometown Tour everyone is family and we welcome you to our most preciouse posession ... The City Beautiful

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Across from Cafe La Fleur 401 North 5th Avenue, Laurel, MS, USA

A Visit to Laurel, Mississippi Home of Home Town

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Have you always wondered what it would be like to take a visit to Laurel, Mississippi? We recently got to visit this lovely town and it was full of fun adventures. Making A Visit to Laurel, Mississippi Home of Home Town.

Our first full day of travel of #roadtrip2017 was a visit to Laurel, Mississippi home of Home Town .  And of course it’s Erin & Ben Napier’s home town.   You will recognize them from the latest hit show on HGTV. Small town America being restored, one house at a time.  Hope you follow along and enjoy all the pictures.   

What is Laurel Mississippi famous for?

Besides Erin and Ben Napier, Laurel Mississippi is also known for being the birthplace of Lance Bass, one of the head singers from NSYNC.

Do the Napiers live in Laurel Mississippi?

They do! And isn’t that what their show is all about? Their passion for giving back to their town is amazing! 

How did HGTV find Ben and Erin Napier?

They were actually discovered after their home was featured in Southern Living. The rest is history. 

Now that you know a few more answers to some of the most popular questions surrounding the town, let’s dive into our journey of exploration! 

Before we made it to Laurel, we stopped at the Mississippi Welcome Center. It’s usually one of those things which is good for a time to switch drivers and pick up any information about the state and a photo op.

Immediately upon entering this rest area, you are welcomed with Southern Charm. The decor was as if you stepped into a parlor of an antebellum home not the ordinary welcome center. You just wanted to sit a spell and have a glass of sweet tea, but no time for that.

Now onto Laurel.

A stop at Laurel Mercantile , which the Napiers are part owners, you will find lots of items which have been featured on Home Town, but also many home items.

There may be anything from antique silver forks, to American made reproductions.  They are expanding items with their own designs or labels such as table ware or aprons.

Ben is a true craftsman and has added his own line of items from Scotsman Trade Co . 

Do you remember this porch swing/bed from a recent episode?

One thing I love about any store is getting ideas for decorating. How about this collection of plates on a chalkboard?

But you also find items paying homage to Laurel such as these antique bricks.

After visiting Laurel Mercantile, we were ready for lunch. We did ask for suggestions but I had already checked out their list of favorites around town online . This includes sites, restaurants and shopping venues. They have a list available also if you didn’t know this before arriving in town.

If you have watched the show, you will recognize this truck. Erin and Ben were not in town (I later saw on Instagram they were at the beach).

While walking through Laurel, you saw a lot of signs of typical small towns. Lots of pretty store fronts, friendly people, and welcome signs. But, you also saw what is happening to small towns all over. Stores being abandoned and some even left to be run down. I’m not saying this in a negative way. I grew up in a small town, very small town. There was a lot of encouraging signs around town for the show and the Napiers.

As progress around local areas is made, there’s also casualties of this progress and many times it’s the small towns. They can get bypassed by roads or a large big box store or mall is built, taking shopping away from the downtown area.

This is the case in Laurel, but you also see so many local businesses flourishing and coming back to life. The Knight Butcher, Sweet Somethings, and Southern Antiques are just a few we visited which seem to be very popular with visitors and the home town residents.

After several suggestions, we chose Cafe la Fleur  as we wanted a more “sit down” meal and the choice was great for lunch.  **UPDATE AGAIN – I just found out this has reopened after a fire left them closed for a while.  

It’s not a really big place and only open for lunch during the week. In talking to a few locals while standing in line, we were encouraged to wait as it would be worth it.

And there was cloth tablecloths.  Little things mean a lot.  We were there right during the lunch hour but the wait was only about 10 minutes. I chose a grilled shrimp salad and Don had chicken salad croissant.

Both choices highly recommended.  Something I don’t see often is a basket of crackers being served with salads. Having the captain’s wafers was a throwback for me. No dessert as we knew we had to hit up the bakery for a cupcake later.

As you drive up and down some of the historic streets, many still are brick, you see the what a little progress can do. It seems like in any area, when a house or business is remodeled or even updated with just a little curb appeal, it can bring on more in the area to do the same.

We saw a few houses which had been featured on the show, but you also see many lovely older homes along the tree lined streets. People know their neighbors and kids are playing on the sidewalks.

We drove around on 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Avenues, along with Euclid Avenue as these had many historical looking homes and several which had been updated. Everything was green and just starting to see several blooms. We also made the circle around Homewood Drive which was Laurel’s first planned neighborhood and has beautiful historic estates most built in the early 20th century.

It was a great day for walking around the downtown area. One of my favorite shops I found was Southern Antiques .

We were welcomed into the shop and had a lovely conversation with everyone. Of course they were all familiar with Chattanooga and had visited. They told us how many items from their shop had been used on the show and how everyone seemed to love the show and the spotlight on Laurel.

A couple of things which caught my eye was chandeliers. How I wish for a tall enough ceiling for one of these.

And how did I miss these chargers?  I didn’t notice how gorgeous they were until I looked at my pictures.  Maybe I need to order these.

As a recommendation, The Knight Butcher makes their own jerky. This happens to be our son’s favorite snack, so what better treat from Laurel but homemade jerky.

Oh my, what a wonderful smelling shop. They were actually finishing up a batch while we were there. And if you are in the area and need any fresh meat, make sure you go there. I sure wish I could have had one of the rib-eye steaks I spied grilled up. If I had been on my way home, instead of starting the trip, there would have been some in my cooler.

We definitely needed more than just part of a day to visit all the lovely residential areas and recommended shops. Another trip will be planned.

The Wisteria Bed & Breakfast looked like a charming place to stay on our next trip.

Our last stop before hitting the road was Sweet Somethings for a cupcake. They didn’t disappoint and was a sweet way to end our visit to Laurel.

Our picks for the day were chocolate and coconut so we could share.  The strawberry looked so good but it had cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream.

I hope as Home Town becomes more popular, you will see Laurel become a destination for many visitors as Waco and Pawhuska has become.

And Laurel is on the Amtrack line, right accross from the Mercantile. Wouldn’t it be kind of nostaligic to ride a train into town?

You can also keep up with Erin on her blog .

Now onto Baton Rouge and Waco.  Here’s some highlights of those trips. 

VISITING BATON ROUGE AND A GREAT HOTEL

Waco with a trip to Magnolia Market

DRURY INN IN NEW ORLEANS

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Happy Travels, 

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23 Comments

Ok, I want to visit now! Wonder how far it is from Nashville? Looks like a fun day. Thanks for inspiring me to visit!

I think total is was about 5 1/2 from Chattanooga, so probably about the same for you. About 3 hours from Birmingham. I would love to go back and have more time.

So much southern charm indeed! I’d love to travel to Laurel. I also come from a small town with little progress too he he. The restaurants look delightful. Kristie – you.theworld.wandering

Thanks. Unless you’ve lived in the South or a small town, it’s hard to understand what it’s like.

Really good post 🙂 Loved how detailed the photos are , and I got hungry from the cupcakes pic :p keep the good work going!

Thanks. I want to make you want to visit where I did. And the cupcakes were good.

I feel like I am in an episode of American Pickers while reading this 🙂

I think it is a lovely post 🙂 Thanks to your photos I would love to visit this charming little city ?

It is a cute southern town for all to visit.

Great write up on Laurel. I’ve never been there, but after reading this article, I’d like to experience it for myself!

What a lovely little town! Would love to visit 🙂

Nice pictures! I have never been to the Southern part of the US – drove cross country twice – but never actually stopped long enough to take in the special aspects of it. Maybe one day 🙂

thanks for sharing this! I like it that you took so many photos, that’s great 🙂

Thanks for the great write up about LAUREL . We own PEDDLERS JUNKTION within walking distance of downtown and we love for outoftown guests to come in and pin THEIR Hometown on our map . Maybe next trip .

We will put that down for next time. Thanks.

• Pingback: A Night in Baton Rouge at Hotel Indigo for #roadtrip2017

I was raised on Hwy. 11 between Laurel and Ellisville in the 50s. Went to Pendorff school, Harmony Baptist church and went swimming at a local spring fed lake. My wife and I are now in our 70s and enjoy visiting and exploring Laurel. Wish we had a detailed paper map of Laurel to help find our way around. We love Home Town and look forward to each episode.

I grew up in a small town in Arkansas, was even hard to call it a town. 200 people in a farming community. I love small towns and see them coming to life.

in a 2016 Facebook Live interview that this is “hands down” her favorite thing about Laurel and for what it’s worth, Ben seemed a little bummed he didn’t think to mention it first. “Everybody in the whole city comes to Oak Street and gets in line at the Y to go have pancakes all you can eat and then the Christmas parade starts, and it’s the largest Christmas parade in Mississippi, and it’s magical. Best day of the year.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS. J L D

Great post! We ended up here after hurricane Ida and have a few more days to go so will take some of these suggestions and explore around!

It’s a great town to visit – many new things are happening all around.

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Latest from the Journal

General election: Conservatives pledge £20m each for 30 towns

The Tories said the cost of funding the additional 30 towns would be around £60m a year over 10 years, which they said was "affordable" under plans to clamp down on tax avoidance.

By Alexandra Rogers, political reporter, and Samuel Osborne, news reporter

Saturday 1 June 2024 12:46, UK

The Conservatives have pledged to give £20m to 30 towns across the country - a move the Labour Party has branded a "reckless, unfunded commitment".

Rishi Sunak's party said it would add the towns - many of which are based in the Midlands and north - to its existing long-term plan for towns, increasing the number that will receive financial support to more than 100.

The Tories said local people in each area would decide how the money would be spent, through new town boards composed of community leaders, businesspeople, local government and the local MP.

Election latest: Starmer says Abbott 'free' to stand for Labour

The prime minister said the "bold action" would "transform" 30 towns, as he claimed Labour's record in government "shows they don't care about towns - neglecting their needs, allowing them to decline and focusing instead on cities."

"Sir Keir Starmer has no plan to unlock opportunities in towns and would take us back to square one," he said.

"Building on our strong track record of levelling up in Teesside and the Midlands, we will go further across the country to build a secure future for our children and grandchildren."

Andrew Griffith, the science minister, clarified that each of the 30 towns will be handed £20m, rather than this being the total investment.

Asked by Sky News how far the cash will really go, he said: "It's £20m for each of those towns. The cost of this policy is £600m, it phases in over the next 10 years or so."

Some of the towns proposed to be added to the scheme include Tamworth, Preston, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Corby, Halifax, Bognor Regis, Newtown, Flint, Perth and Newry.

A large number are being defended by Tory candidates in this election.

Read more: Starmer says 'wealth creation' is his top priority if Labour wins Sunak: Abbott decision shows Rayner 'in charge' of Labour How do Labour and Tory energy pledges measure up?

Which towns has Rishi Sunak pledged £20m in financial support to?

• Tamworth, West Midlands - Labour

• Preston, North West - Labour

• Kidderminster, West Midlands - Conservative

• Redditch, West Midlands - Conservative

• Cannock, West Midlands - Conservative

• Skelmersdale, North West - Labour

• Camborne, South West - Conservative

• Newcastle-under-Lyme, West Midlands - Conservative since 2019

• Thornaby-on-Tees, North East - Conservative since 2019

• Burton upon Trent, West Midlands - Conservative

• Little Hulton, North West - Labour

• Gainsborough, East Midlands - Conservative

• Halifax, Yorkshire and The Humber - Labour

• Ilkeston, East Midlands - Conservative

• Wythenshawe, North West - Labour

• Corby, East Midlands - Conservative

• Grantham, East Midlands - Conservative

• Wigston, East Midlands - Conservative

• Bognor Regis, South East - Conservative

• Dronfield, East Midlands - Conservative

• Fleetwood, North West - Labour

• Alloa, Scotland - Scottish National Party

• Perth, Scotland - Scottish National Party

• Mayfield, Scotland - Scottish National Party since 2019

• Helensburgh, Scotland - Scottish National Party

• Newtown, Wales - Conservative

• Abertillery, Wales - Labour

• Flint, Wales - Conservative gain in 2019, but independent since May 2021

• Enniskillen, Northern Ireland - Sinn Fein

• Newry, Northern Ireland - Sinn Fein

The 30 new towns come on top of Mr Sunak's decision on the eve of the Tory party conference in September last year to award £20m to 55 "overlooked" towns across the UK over a 10-year period.

A further 20 then formed part of the second tranche, which was announced in the March budget.

The Tories said the cost of funding the additional 30 towns would be around £60m a year over 10 years, which they said was "affordable" under plans to clamp down on tax avoidance.

It comes as Mr Sunak launched the Conservatives' campaign battle bus, emblazoned with the slogan "clear plan, bold action, secure future" in Redcar.

But Labour argued the funding ringfenced to pay for investment in the 30 towns was the same as that being used to fund recent announcements to create a new tax free allowance for pensioners and the National Service Plan that would compel those over 18 to take part in either community or military training.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Sir Keir Starmer has said "wealth creation" is his top priority in an election pitch to the middle class and middle ground, as he unveiled the party's plan to get more people into work , insisting "those who can work, will work".

Sir Keir joined shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and deputy leader Angela Rayner in unveiling the Labour battle bus this morning in Uxbridge, Boris Johnson's former constituency.

Labour has said its Take Back Control Act will devolve power from Westminster and give communities a new right to request more powers.

It has also put forward its own Green Prosperity Plan, which it says will create 650,000 jobs across the country - although it will no longer spend £28bn a year for the rest of the decade on the country's green transition.

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Ms Rayner said: "Just days ago, Rishi Sunak raided levelling-up cash to fund his teenage Dad's Army.

"Today he's back making yet another reckless unfunded spending commitment, sure to be broken as quickly as it was made.

"Everywhere you look, communities up and down the country are feeling the impact of 14 years of Tory decline: boarded-up shops, soaring bills and a widening wage gap with London."

Liberal Democrat levelling-up, housing and communities spokesperson Helen Morgan said: "This isn't fooling anyone after the Conservatives' broken promises on 'levelling up' since 2019 have completely failed to deliver.

"Their 'levelling-up' agenda over the last few years has pitted councils against each other and left them begging for scraps, and rural areas often failed to benefit at all. We need to see proper funding for local councils alongside more powers for them to make investments they believe in."

Related Topics

• Conservatives
• General Election 2024

The Peony Society of Maine hosts 23rd Annual Garden Tour

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - For all of you garden lovers who may want to take a break from your own and embrace another, we’ve got a perfect opportunity.

June is Peony month, and the Peony society of Maine will host their 23rd annual garden tour for two weekends.

It starts Saturday, June 8 and will return on June 15.

Roger Lycette and his wife have manicured their garden for 25 years for the community to come and enjoy the beauty of the unique flower.

Peonies only thrive in certain climates and Maine is the perfect home for them due to the need for a cold spell to bloom.

He said it’s their favorite time of year and to share it with the community is the cherry on top.

“We love to show our gardens and share them,” said Lycette. “It’s so much hard work and we enjoy them so much. It’s so pretty, how could you not share them. The tours are open from 10 to 3 and we’ve manicured our garden and told them to look pretty for all of you folks that are going to come.”

He went on to say no matter what the weather brings, they will have the event rain or shine.

This is one of two of their fundraising events and they’re asking for spectators to donate five dollars if they can.

If you’re not in the Bangor area the tour will take place in five gardens across the state.

However, if you want to start close by you can head to 1348 Ohio Street in Bangor for a full map and instructions.

To keep up with the Peony Society or if you have questions about possibly growing your own, you can follow the link to their website .

Copyright 2024 WABI. All rights reserved.

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Ben and Erin Napier Talk Balancing Parenting and Filming Home Town Takeover: 'An Army of Support' (Exclusive)

The couple is parents to daughters Helen, 6, and Mae, 3

Courtesy of HGTV

The success of HGTV’s  Home Town   Takeover, a spin-off of the much-loved  Home Town  series with Ben and Erin Napier , has come as no surprise to fans of the franchise.

The show, now filming its third season in Sebring, Florida, follows the couple as they renovate an entire town — lending their design expertise, craftsmanship, and charm to a whole community. But as the Napier family has grown - daughter Helen is 6 and Mae is 3 — the logistics of revamping multiple homes and businesses while traveling back and forth to their home in Laurel, Mississippi, was a bit more challenging (albeit more fun).

The Napiers recently sat down with PEOPLE and explained how they’ve combined family life with work in Sebring.

“Season 1 nearly killed us, it was the hardest thing we had ever done,” Erin says of their first  Takeover  in Wetumpka, Alabama. “I was pregnant, and we had a toddler, and it was COVID and we didn’t know anybody. But now, our girls are 6 and 3 and we have a little more freedom to bring them — they’ve been here with us every step of it.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

And the girls have absolutely loved it. “Their life here was totally different from our life here,” says Ben, “they’re on vacation, they’ve been swimming every day.”

Erin adds, “They swim and fish and take field trips to the orange grove. This is a dream for them.” That dreamy vibe carried over to the entire family. “We’ve had summer vacation feelings the whole time, even though we’re working harder than we’ve ever worked in our lives,” Erin says.

So, how do they do it — renovate six homes, four businesses, a town square, and more — all while running their other businesses and parenting two young children?

“There’s no way you do this without an army of support at home and here,” Erin says. Who is in that army? Two grandmothers, first and foremost. “We bring one of our moms every time we come,” Ben says. “And our moms don’t hate it either,” Erin adds with a smile. 

Additionally, the Napiers say the  Home Town  crew is like one big extended family. This season was a reunion of sorts, with  Home Town  veteran (and Florida resident) Jonathan Walters returning to oversee the project.  

“Our kids were little babies at the same time, we shared diapers,” Ben says of Walters and his family. “And now, the kids can do so much. We were just at one of the houses, doing gardening, and our kids were helping us paint garden signs,” says Erin.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now !

And the girls are never far from the process. “Mae likes projects! She wants to get in there, but she’s only 3,” Erin says with a laugh.  “Helen just likes to observe. She’s a mama’s girl, she wants to be wherever I am, so she’s watching. Then, she’ll get in the car and ask a lot of questions, talk about things she thought were pretty.”

There was one small, unforeseen catch to the Napiers' seemingly idyllic arrangement — Kindergarten.

Ben explains their sudden realization just before the season began, “We were worried because attendance was not a thing I had thought about before.” They found out that Helen was only allowed to miss 21 days of school, “So, we planned our trips around days off and weekends,” Ben says.

“It’s tricky once your kids are in school, but they’re our first priority. I mean, we love doing this and it’s a privilege, but we don’t ever want our girls to say, ‘Mom and Dad were just gone when we were growing up,’ ” Erin says. “But the school was very understanding, and we got everything done — all of the makeup work!” (For those counting, Helen only missed 19 days of school)!

Another unexpected element? The same one every working parent deals with — sick kids.

Ben and Erin had to cancel filming for a week when one of the girls got sick. “I hated it, and I know it was an expensive problem, but we had to be Mommy and Daddy,” Ben says. “It’s not their fault that our job is so demanding and strange,” Erin adds.

The couple, who are as beloved for their “home town” values as they are for their designs, summarize it quite simply. “We have to have our priorities, and our first priority is what  will  be when there is no TV, and  what  was there before there was TV, and that’s me and Ben and the girls. So, that’s the priority,” Erin says. 

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