Christmas Open House At Welcome Center

Every year the Alcorn County Welcome Center hosts an open house. Locals and travelers are welcome to attend for free. It is a celebration of the season with singing carols and drawings for small gifts. Food is provided by local restaurants. This years’ special guest was local celebrity Kay Bain.
Kay Crotts is a native of Corinth who had been singing since the age of four. At the age of thirteen she sang on Buddy Bain’s Farm And Home Hour on WCMA. After graduating high school she joined Buddy Bain and the Buddies, who went on to open shows for acts like Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and many stars of the Grand Olé Opry. In 1957, Buddy and Kay had become a man and wife act.
In October of 1978, Buddy and Kay hosted a daily program called Mornin’. Among the nationally-​known celebrities who have shared a cup of coffee with them were Art Linkletter, Patsy Montana, J.D. Sumner, and Bill Anderson. Tim McGraw made his first television appearance on the show in 1991. The popularity of Mornin’ led to Buddy and Kay receiving an invitation in 1994 to appear on the country music show Hee Haw.
After Buddy’s passing in 1997, Kay, now in her 70’s, hosts Kay Bain’s Saturday Mornin’ Show on WTVA, in addition to entertaining at nursing facilities and personal care homes across North Mississippi. On an average of three times a week, Kay goes on a road trip for each visit and carries her own equipment so that she can entertain and personally chat with as many residents as possible. She looks the same as she did when I watched her in my childhood.
Local restaurants donated food for today’s event. Taylor’s Escape offered fish, chicken strips and hush puppies. The Dinner Bell offered sweet potatoes, cornbread salad, chocolate cobbler and chicken ‘n dressing. Pizza Grocery offered (a) pepperoni pizza and (a) cheese pizza. There were sausage and biscuits, pancakes, a variety of cookies, slug burgers, chicken strips, mashed potatoes and gravy. McAlister’s offered tea. Nothing was labeled explaining what restaurants provided what food items. I only mentioned the names and items that I was 100% sure about.
Everything about the event was pleasurable and seemed to be enjoyed by everyone in attendance. There is no reason to critique the food and beverages, since they were donated. I personally didn’t put anything on my plate that was unpalatable.
I approached Mrs. Bain for photo ops and an autograph. She is very warm and humble. She has not changed in looks since the late 70s and early 80s when I watched her on Mornin’. Still has that same smile, sincere and not forced.