Greenwood Soul Mates — Lydia & Emmett Chassaniol
What is “soul”?
For us, “soul” represents the unique essence each person contributes to their community, weaving a colorful tapestry of stories, talents, cultural experiences and more. In Greenwood, this tapestry is formed by numerous unique individuals who embody the city’s mantra – “Heart and Soul of the Delta”. Their captivating stories and deep connections to the region’s food, music and history define our identity as a town and make Greenwood such an extraordinary place to visit. These remarkable individuals are our “Soul Mates”.
Today, we introduce Lydia Chassaniol – a Mississippi State Senator who represents the 14th District, which includes the city of Greenwood – and her husband Emmett, who was born and raised in Greenwood and has watched it grow from World War II to now.
History is the present’s way of connecting with the past to understand the future. And when it comes to Greenwood, we have our fair share of individuals who are deeply in touch with Greenwood’s rich history. Whether through the eyes of Lydia Chassaniol, who has represented Greenwood as part of the 14th District for more than 16 years, or her husband, Emmett, who was born and raised in the Heart of the Delta and grew up alongside it, one thing is for certain, Greenwood’s legacy is as dynamic and vibrant as its people.
Lydia Chassaniol was raised 25 miles away in Winona, Mississippi, but her story began in her birthplace of Greenwood. Today, her passion lies firmly within Greenwood and the region’s growth.
“I’m an artist by trade, so I see beauty and inspiration in everyday things. And since I’ve been representing the city in the legislature, I’ve come to develop great relationships with individuals and institutions, with one of my goals being to expand the Delta’s cultural outreach across the state and beyond to show its beauty.”
As the Chair of the Senate Tourism Committee, her latest initiative is a particular point of pride for Lydia. She’s recently partnered with Greenwood’s Viking Cooking School and Museum of the Mississippi Delta – among others – to propose a new program focused on amplifying the voices of different cultures. The program involves finding the matriarchs and patriarchs of local families that span different cultures and backgrounds, encouraging them to provide family recipes and to serve as instructors at the Viking Cooking School. One local Chinese family has already agreed to share a 100-year-old recipe from their popular restaurant, Mai Little China, right here in Greenwood.
“We have real opportunities to show Mississippi as it really is: a wonderful patchwork design of different cultures and peoples.”
Her husband, Emmett, is just as fond of his hometown. Born in Greenwood in 1939, his earliest memories began during World War II when the cotton industry was booming in the Delta. His family was right in the mix of it all, giving him a unique insider’s view of how the town has changed over the years.
“Growing up, Howard Street was mostly offices of cotton companies since the nearby railroad station made business easier. My uncle’s office was near the old Hotel Irving, now the Alluvian Hotel,” shared Emmett.
Today, there are a lot of fine shops downtown, including the old station, which was transformed into the Rail Spike Park and Pavilion, where Greenwood hosts its summer concert series called Rhythm on the Rails – a nod to the venue’s history, of course.
The ability to experience Greenwood’s evolution in real-time is a unique privilege afforded to those with generations of family here and those who chose to keep their roots firmly planted. From watching numerous generational cotton businesses dwindle down to a handful to the installments of the Mississippi Heritage, Blues and Writers trail monuments across Greenwood – Emmett has a deep appreciation and touch of nostalgia for how the city’s cultural heritage has changed. Despite its evolution, however, he is the first to proclaim that its best qualities remain.
“Greenwood is such a unique place. From the music venues to the restaurants, so much of what’s here has been for years and will always be here. It’s who we are.”
Thanks to her innate Southern hospitality and great working relationship with the Mississippi Film Office, Lydia – and her husband – have had the opportunity to interact with a variety of noteworthy individuals who have passed through Greenwood at one time or another, including Hollywood celebrities.
One such notable celebrity is Tate Taylor, director of the Academy Award-winning film “The Help,” whose insistence on filming in Greenwood brought approximately $15 million into the city’s economy in six short weeks. While, at first, he admitted that he struggled to get actors to agree to film in the Delta, Lydia said:
“Now they all want to come back. They just love the Delta! They were so astounded by our warmth. Our people opened up their homes and their hearts, took everybody in, and made them feel like they were lifelong friends. And, to me, that’s the most important thing about a community like Greenwood, our Southern hospitality.”
Others didn’t even need convincing, like actor Morgan Freeman, who spent part of his childhood growing up in none other than Greenwood, Mississippi.
“Morgan Freeman is good people. He lives in Mississippi, and he cares about our state. He puts his money where his mouth is, giving large donations of scholarship money to schools across the state. And I’ll never forget this one time he took us to lunch and told us there were three things he’d never eat: crackers, ketchup or rice – because that was all he had to eat growing up. He truly understands our area’s struggles and is more than willing to help where he can.”
Lydia believes that it’s folks like Freeman who give Greenwood its Heart and Soul. When asked what “soul” means to her, Lydia shared:
“The soul is the essence of the person. It’s your very essence. It’s what makes you who you are and how you live your life. That’s what each person brings to Greenwood.”
Emmett, on the other hand, shared his thoughts on the Soul of Greenwood as a city, saying:
“The people, the families like mine and so many others who have roots going back hundreds of years. The Delta is the sort of place that you have to visit to understand. You can’t just read about it or see a TV program on it. You have to be immersed in the culture, and the only way you can really appreciate it is to come and experience it for yourself.”
Lydia and Emmett are living proof that Greenwood gives back tenfold what its passionate people pour into it. From watching it evolve over time to seeing how caring people have helped it prosper, Greenwood is filled with Soul Mates that will continue to keep its soul alive and well for years to come.
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