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By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB Krypto the Superdog isn’t very cute in “Supergirl.” I understand that the way the pup was rendered for this film involved taking a real dog (who probably was very cute) and slathering CGI all over his likeness. The result is a dog whose face looks unnatural and with whom I couldn’t connect during emotional scenes. You know your Super-whatever movie is in trouble when you can’t make a character like Krypto loveable. Krypto’s owner is more bearable, but just barely. Milly Alcock stars as Kara Zor-El aka Supergirl, a cousin of Superman’s who was raised on a sort of Kryptonian bunker after the planet’s destruction. Eventually the bunker couldn’t sustain life and Kara had to be sent alone to Earth as well, but unlike Superman, she knew a home and a family on Krypton only to have it all taken away. As a result, she doesn’t take to Earth like Superman did and now mostly spends her days moping around with no friends, save for Krypto. For this film, Supergirl finds herself teaming up with Ruthye (Eve Ridley), a teenager looking to avenge her family’s death at the hands of space pirate Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts). Krem needs to be defeated (for the murders, for child trafficking, and for poisoning Krypto and tauntingly carrying around an antidote), but Supergirl also wants to teach Ruthye that revenge through murder will not bring her the closure she seeks. On the other hand, Krem and his crew are perfectly willing to kill Supergirl, Ruthye, and anyone else they see fit. Killing him may save the lives of others, does that make it right to kill him? The Supergirl/Ruthye dynamic is based on “True Grit,” and grit-ting is what I had to do with my teeth every time the stiff, overly-formal-yet-too-immature Ruthye had a line in this movie. On their quest, Supergirl and Ruthye cross paths with what the film thinks is a colorful gallery of otherworldly background characters. But this isn’t Mos Eisley where the alien designs are so interesting that viewers will instantly wanf to know the backstory of every character in the room. They’re all basically indistinguishable rubbery space-takers. The exception is space biker/bounty hunter Lobo (Jason Momoa), who gets to steal some scenes. One of the few downsides of the DCEU folding a few years ago was losing Momoa’s Aquaman, but now fans can rest easy knowing that he’s landed on his feet in a more fitting role. Speaking of the larger DC Universe, it’s worth mentioning that yes, Superman (David Corenswet) is in this movie. He gets one of the few gags that actually works when he tries to welcome Kara to Earth, even though he only speaks English and she only speaks Kryptonian. It’s good to see that Superman is still reliable, because while I don’t dislike this version of Supergirl, this movie is clearly going to bomb and she isn’t going to be allowed another standalone movie anytime soon. If she, Krypto, and Lobo want to have any future in film, it’ll have to be as part of a Superman or Justice League movie. Choppy action, a disjointed story, a muddied moral, a bland villain, an annoying second banana in Ruthye, and an overall ugly aesthetic all conspire to make “Supergirl” one of the worst big-budget movies of the summer. Even Superman can’t save it and saving things is his whole reason for being. But what do you expect from a movie that can’t even get the beloved, iconic, usually-adorable Krypto right? Grade: C- “Supergirl” is rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, action, language, and smoking. Its running time is 107 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Fireworks at home on the fourth of July? Almost a given in a large percentage of American homes on that day. If you think that getting fireworks from your local roadside seller is just too expensive? Well, they are nothing compared to the real home-made variety - explosive family arguments. The actual cost of the fireworks we create and ignite at home is astronomical, and most of us don’t even realize it. Here is a version of a typical American household on the 4th of July; Him: “Uh, honey, I need to start up the grill. Where is the charcoal that I told you to pick up while you were out yesterday?” Her: (facing the kitchen sink) “Huh? Sorry, I wasn’t listening, I guess. What’d ya’ say? Him: “The charcoal, where did you put it?” Her: “I haven’t moved your charcoal. I never use the grill, you always do that. So why ask me?” Him: (sighing dramatically) “Okay, dear. Let me start over ve-ry slow-ly, so you can follow. Where. Did. You. Put. The. Bag. Of. Charcoal. When. You. Brought. It. Home?” Her: (offended and glaring over her shoulder) And I repeat….I haven’t had your stupid charcoal! Wherever you put it last time, go look there.” Him: (now angry) “Are you telling me in your usual scatterbrained way that you forgot to buy charcoal, even after I reminded you yesterday??! Great, just absolutely great!” Her: (Furious) “Me scatterbrained! Look who’s talking! You’re the one who didn’t remember to write charcoal on the BUY LIST I keep on the fridge! If you would have just stopped and thought for two seconds, you could have used those three brain cells God gave you and remembered to write it down! This isn’t my fault, and don’t think for a minute you can blame me! Oh, yeah, I forgot. You don’t bother thinking most of the time.” Him: “My ‘three brain cells’ are working just fine, thank you! Working well enough to tell me that I don’t have to put up with your @$!#&*!!! I’m outta here. You can do whatever ya’ want. But I’m goin’ where some sane people are having fun together.” Her: (Hurls a carton of eggs at his disappearing back) “Fine! Do what you always do! Run like a chicken when things don’t go your way and it gets hard around here!” _____________________________ I really do hope this doesn’t sound like I have been watching a camera discreetly placed in your kitchen. But unfortunately, I believe there are some of you who could have used past memories to write your own version of this made-up scenario. Earlier, I referred to the cost of “homemade holiday fireworks.” The emotional cost to your family is enormous, so do your family a big favor this year. Vow to listen. And listen patiently, not jumping to conclusions. Or you could very easily find yourself providing free fireworks for the entire neighborhood that day. And believe me, nobody enjoys hearing those.

By Kara Kimbrough America’s 250th birthday is finally here! This momentous milestone that only rolls around every two and one-half centuries deserves special recognition. Whether you’re entertaining a crowd at a backyard barbecue or plan to watch fireworks shows on TV, this once-in-a-lifetime occasion deserves more attention than a regular 4th of July holiday. A festive, patriotic tablescape…red, white and blue snacks…a special holiday meal of grilled classics…and of course, a flag cake made of strawberries and blueberries…these are just a few ways to pay homage to our country’s founding 250 years ago. Each of the suggestions listed above are ones I added to my trial run leading up to the 4th. I don’t mind sharing that I’ve been thinking about this special holiday for months. I’ve purchased items for my table, gathered ideas and dreamed of ways to make the holiday extra special without spending all my time in the kitchen. Here are a few of the tips and photos from my trial run; hopefully, they’ll serve as inspiration to you as you prepare for the most memorable Fourth of July many of us will experience in our lifetime. Set a table that’s patriotic, colorful and fun for guests Nothing sets the mood for a holiday meal like a festive table courtesy of colorful linens, dishes, centerpieces, candles and decorations geared to the occasion. As mentioned, I’ve been planning for this Fourth of July for quite a while; as a result, I’ve also been shopping for months. Several weeks ago, I purchased a patriotic tablecloth from TJ Maxx, a store that always stocks some of the best holiday decorations. Browsing through my local thrift store, I found four red dinner plates and patriotic salad plates that paired well with water goblets with navy stems I already had on hand. I had dreamed for a while about making a Betsy Ross cake (similar to princess and Barbie cakes at young girls’ birthday parties) and using it as my centerpiece. While I successfully made the cake and was happy with how it turned out, it lacked the height and “wow factor” I wanted for the main centerpiece. Instead, I filled an old wooden crate purchased years ago at a vintage store with red and white plants. Empty spaces were filled in with U.S. flags and an old red lantern. I painted white taper candles red and red to add to a candelabra, placed Betsy Ross in a place of prominence and just like that, I had the Fourth of July table of my dreams. Note: One final touch I’m adding to my table this week are inexpensive photo frames filled with old-fashioned patriotic scenes, a copy of the Star-Spangled banner and other assorted scenes and phrases I’ve collected over the past year. The Fourth of July tablescape of my dreams, Courtesy of red, white and blue linens and dishes; festive centerpiece of flowers, flags and a red lantern and holding court on the left, foreground, homemade Betsy Ross cake. (Photo by Kara Kimbrough) Shortcuts for a special 4th of July meal While nothing’s better than grilled burgers, ribs and steaks hot off the backyard grill, the temperature will likely be in the 90’s on the big day. To keep everyone cool, why not do what I did and purchase most of the items already cooked and assembled? At Sam’s Club, I found a box of fully-cooked cheeseburger sliders that received favorable reviews online. When I stopped by Kroger, I picked up a box of Nathan’s Famous Coney Island Pretzel Dogs. A few minutes in the oven and microwave and just like that, dinner was ready. To add my own special touch, I placed U.S. flag picks on each one and served them with dipping sauces. They’re colorful, easy to walk around with and best of all, really tasty. No grilling required! Sliders and pretzel dogs that can be prepared easily indoors and decorated with patriotic touches are the perfect Fourth of July meal. (Photo by Kara Kimbrough) Red, White and Blue Snacks Scrolling through Pinterest and other online sources, I became overwhelmed with the hundreds of creative ideas for red, white and blue cookies, candies, snack mixes and more. To keep things simple, I settled on white chocolate-dipped strawberries decorated with blue sugar and patriotic sprinkles. I’ve dipped hundreds of strawberries in my lifetime and never had an issue with baking chocolate. This time, the baking chocolate decided not to melt, despite repeated attempts. The closest store only stocked marshmallow crème so I took what I could get. After microwaving for a minute or two, the crème was the perfect consistency for dipping. The end result wasn’t as firm (or perfect-looking) as baking chocolate, but the taste was surprisingly good. White chocolate (or in this case, marshmallow crème) dipped strawberries decorated with sprinkles and blue sugar makes the perfect patriotic snack. (Photo by Kara Kimbrough The grand finale…a flag cake, of course The Fourth of July wouldn’t be the same without a festive flag cake made of rows of icing and strawberries and a top left pocket of blueberries for stars. While I made the original version, I also discovered a way to make a quick and surprisingly eye-catching flag cake using inexpensive dessert cups, whipped cream in a can, chopped strawberries and blueberries. Creating this shortcut version is the perfect way to allow children to help with the holiday dessert and have fun in the process. An easy way to make a Fourth of July flag cake is to fill dessert shells with chopped strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream in a can to create the stars and stripes.( Photo by Kara Kimbrough)[/caption] A traditional flag cake of a 13x9-inch yellow cake topped with frosting, then decorated with strawberries and blueberries, is the perfect ending to a special 4th of July dinner. (Photo by Kara Kimbrough) I hope you’ve been inspired by my Fourth of July trial run and most importantly, are excited about our nation’s once-in-a-lifetime milestone birthday. If all of the photos of the above-mentioned ideas aren’t published in your publication, drop me an email and I’ll send them to you, along with additional recipes and way to create a memorable meal. I hope everyone has the best Fourth of July and food, fun and fireworks aside, remembers the many sacrifices made by the Founding Fathers to ensure America would become what we are today…the best country in the world. Happy Fourth of July!

Wesson Attendance Center recently recognized its girls volleyball and basketball student-athletes during its annual athletic awards program, celebrating accomplishments from the 2025-26 school year. Awards were presented to the players in a variety of categories, recognizing both individual performances and contributions to their teams. The award winners were recognized before family members, teammates and friends as the school concluded another successful year of Cobra athletics. Volleyball Award Winners Pictured (l to r) are, front row: Brianna Dixon, Senior Award; Bella Sills, Most Improved; Preslee Newman, Best Digger and All-Region; Caroline Smith, Rookie of the Year; Sydnee Westrope, Senior Award, Best Server, Hustle Award, All-Region, and Senior Awards; and Jerkeivsha Edwards, Senior and Coaches Award; and back row: Da’Kiyah Butler, Senior Award Jamirah Harvey, Senior Award, All-Region, and Best Attacker. Girls Basketball Award Winners Pictured (l to r) are, front row: Natalya Dickerson, Senior Award; Akierah Wallace, Senior Award; Jamirah Harvey, Senior Award and Best Offensive Player; Brianna Dixon, Senior Award and Best Rebounder; Aleyia Kees, Coaches Award; and Sarah-Grace Glasper, Best Defensive Player; and back row: Caroline Smith, 6th Man Award; Kennedi Johnson, Hustle Award; Da’Kiyah Butler, Senior Award; Jer’keivsha Edwards, Senior Award and Most Valuable Player; and Celeen Brice, Senior Award.

By Jessica Breazeale Pitcher Plant I first learned of this predatory plant when one was for sale at the Garden Club booth during Wesson Founder’s Day several years ago. I was so intrigued that I’d never heard of this plant and that it could look so otherworldly. This is a carnivorous plant that attracts small bugs, luring them in with its sweet fragrance, sugary nectar, and bright colors. Once the small insects get inside, they can’t get out because of the plant’s sticky substance. These are cool. You definitely NEED one! BUTTERFLYS & MOTHS These interesting creatures have spots that look like eyes. I’m sure you already knew this BUT…I just discovered something cool. (Maybe you already knew.) Owl Butterfly has eye-like spots resembling owl eyes and snake-like patterns on the corners of their wings. The eye spots are so compelling that predators often pause long enough for the butterfly to get away. SEA HARE When I saw these, I just about died. Drop dead creepyyyyyy! We rented a boat several years back and went to Peanut Island, off the coast of Miami. While playing in the water on the island, these were all around us. I genuinely thought they were fall-looking leaves. They were very still. I tried to rake them away, and they "came to life and started swimming and spraying ink”. I’m still unclear if these are called sea hares or sea slugs, but these creatures scared the Jurassic Park out of me. These are definitely otherworldly creatures, and I get the heebie jeebies thinking about them. But they are interesting and amazing! MIMIC OCTOPUS This creature is the ocean’s best actor! It can impersonate multiple other creatures…on demand! Most animals have one defense. The mimic octopus has a whole cast of characters to choose from — and it picks based on who's threatening it. Discovered off Indonesia in 1998, it doesn't just change color like other octopuses. It reshapes its entire body — flattening, elongating, tucking arms, altering its swimming style — to become something else entirely. It becomes… Lionfish: Spreads arms out like venomous spines and floats slowly through the water Flatfish: Pulls arms together and ripples its body along the seafloor Sea snake: Hides six arms in a burrow and waves two in a banded pattern The really unsettling part? It appears to choose which animal to mimic based on the specific predator in front of it. When threatened by damselfish, it tends to become a sea snake. That's not reflex. That's something closer to judgment. It has no shell, no venom, no armor. Its only real weapon is the ability to become whatever you're afraid of. Like all octopuses, it has three hearts, blue blood, and a brain wrapped around its esophagus — meaning it literally thinks around its food. It also has neurons distributed through its arms, so each limb can process information semi-independently. In a sense, it's not one brain running eight arms. It's closer to nine. We've only been aware this animal exists for about 25 years. Which raises a reasonable question: what else is out there, hiding in plain sight as something it isn't? Look this up and watch videos...for real! The "true" Rose of Jericho (or Resurrection Plant) is native to Asia as is the only species or its genus in the mustard family. The small gray plant curls its branches and seedpods inward in the dry season, forming a ball that opens only when moistened, and can survive for years in that form. This is the one with genuine biblical roots. The plant enters a dormant state in the absences of water, avoiding tissue and cell damage by synthesizing trehalose, a crystallized sugar that acts as a compatible solute in place of the evaporating water, preventing dissolved salts from causing damage. The resurrection process typically starts within a few hours, and the plant usually unfurls completely within 24 to 48 hours of being exposed to water. It is called the "Resurrection Plant" as it symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus. According to legend, it bloomed on the day of Jesus' birth, dried up and closed at the time of his crucifixion, and opened again on Easter Day. P.S. I would like someone to get me this for Christmas! Barn Swallows These little cuties have been making a mess of my front porch, but I have officially adopted them as family members. The parents share parental duties, whereas both parents build the nest, feed the young and protect the nest. Sounds like our house! If you get too close, they’ll swoop in to scare you. As of today, three have flown off, but one was on the ground. His hair looks like Jack Nicholson’s hair. We put him back in the nest. He’s still there, so please pray he figures out how to fly. YOU! You are pretty incredible…if it weren’t so, you wouldn’t even be here. What are the chances you’re sitting here right now? The observable universe contains an estimated 2 trillion galaxies and up to 10^24 stars, yet Earth is the only known body to harbor complex life. The probability of being born is nearly zero… and yet here we are! You are pretty cool. Go ahead and believe it! What’s the bigger picture here? With all the busy in the world, with all the ugly in the world, with all the problems, chaos, drama, if you look for the incredibly amazing… you WILL find it! This planet has some pretty remarkable creatures. Now, go find some! Downloadable version

The Copiah County Economic Development District’s Board of Directors gathered recently for their monthly planning meeting at Rolling Hills Golf and Country Club in Crystal Springs. Pictured around the table are Arthur Evans, executive director; Brenda Harper, assistant to the executive director; and members Chris Palmer, Jim Bob Brock, Jerry Hood, James Mitchell and Aaron Oberschmidt. The CCEDD, established by resolution of the Copiah County Board of Supervisors, works to promote the civic, economic and social welfare of Copiah County residents. The district’s primary focus is job creation, business recruitment and industrial expansion throughout the county. The group meets monthly to review ongoing economic development initiatives, assess available industrial properties and coordinate with state and regional partners including the Mississippi Development Authority. Copiah County’s industrial park at Gallman features 465 acres of prepared land with infrastructure already in place, including electricity, gas, water and sewer services, and direct access to Interstate 55 and Canadian National rail service. For more information about the Copiah County Economic Development District, visit copiahworks.com or call 601-308-5140.

Wesson Attendance Center recently recognized its football and basketball student-athletes during its annual athletic awards program, celebrating accomplishments from the 2025-26 school year. Awards were presented to football and basketball players in a variety of categories, recognizing both individual performances and contributions to their teams. The football and basketball award winners were recognized before family members, teammates and friends as the school concluded another successful year of Cobra athletics. Football Award Winners Pictured (l to r) are, front row: Ke’mari Brown, Jim Lowery Award, Senior Award, and Super 22 All-Region; Jack Wilson, All-State, Super 22 All-Region, and Senior Award; Landon Cole, Super 22 All-Region and Best Defensive Back; JB James, Senior Award and Best Offensive Back; Ty Turner, Senior Award, Super 22 All-Region, Defensive Player of the Year, and Gridiron Academic Excellence Award; and Damarion Smith, Super 22 All-Region and Best Wide Receiver Award; and back row: Brenlee Shelton, Coaches Award; Layton Cloy, Best Linebacker; Tyler Berch, Coaches Award; BP Robbins, All-State, Offensive Player of the Year, Super 22 All-Region, and Most Valuable Player; Laiken Thomas, Super 22 All-Region; Micah Thomas, Best Defensive Line; Parker Brooks, Senior Award, Super 22 All-Region, and Best Offensive Line; Blayten Windom, Special Teams Player of the Year; Layton Earls, Most Improved; and Wesley Loy, All-Region and Most Versatile Player of the Year. Not pictured are award recipients JT Shumaker, Gavin Brock, Kievon Brown, Brandon Hutt and Patrick Shannon. Baseball Award Winners Pictured (l to r) are, front row: Aiden Wallace, Senior Award, Best Defensive Player, and Coaches Award; JB James, Senior Award; Jack Wilson, All-Region, Best Offensive Player, Scholastic Award, Black and Blue Award, and Most Valuable Player; Baylor Smith, Senior Award, Silver Slugger Award, and Team Captain; and Tripp Martin, Senior Award and All-Region; and back row: Blayten Windom, All-Region and Gold Glove Award; Parker Brooks, All-Region and Senior Award; Dawson Selman, All-Region; and Cooper Neely, All-Region and Most Valuable Pitcher. Not pictured are award recipients Brody Ponder and Levi Lockhart.

Most of the state is expected to see a heat index in the triple-digits this weekend. As we welcome July and all its sunny possibilities, we must prepare for the potential dangers that come with the hottest month of the year (a distinction it shares with August). The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is cautioning you to not only protect yourself from long days of scorching heat but to also take precautions to ensure your most vulnerable loved ones – who cannot always take care of themselves – are safe this summer. Consider these facts: A child left in a hot car can die of heat stroke within 15 minutes. The elderly are more susceptible to heat-related health problems. Heat stroke can happen to anyone, especially those working or exercising outside. During a heat stroke, the body's temperature rises quickly, its sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool down. If emergency help is not provided, it can cause death or permanent disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1,220 people in the United States die from extreme heat annually. Protect yourself and others from heat stroke by: Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, and avoiding alcoholic and caffeinated drinks. Always checking the back seat. Never leave children or pets alone in vehicles. Temperatures can soar to 125 degrees in less than 15 minutes in a hot car. Checking on seniors and vulnerable adults frequently. Warning signs of heat stroke may include the following: An extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees, orally) Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating) Rapid, strong pulse Throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea and confusion If heat stroke happens: Call 911 for immediate medical assistance and get the victim out of the sun or heat. Cool the victim rapidly using whatever methods you can. Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until it drops to 101-102 degrees. If emergency help is delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions. For more tips on protecting yourself from the Mississippi heat, visit https://msdh.ms.gov/heat Stay up to date on news on the MSDH Healthy Mobile App, on our website  www.msdh.ms.gov, and on social media: facebook.com/healthyms, twitter.com/msdh and Instagram.com/healthy.ms

Special to Wesson News The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) and Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) encourages fireworks safety this Independence Day. “I expect that this year, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, fireworks use will be at an all-time high. It’s up to you to implement safety standards when shooting fireworks at home. That means using common sense, never pointing fireworks at another person, and disposing of fireworks in water to prevent fire,” said State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were reports of at least 15 deaths and an estimated 13,000 emergency department-treated injuries linked to fireworks misuse and malfunction in 2025. There were an estimated 1,300 injuries involving sparklers alone. To avoid injury, the Mississippi State Fire Marshal suggests you follow these safety tips: Use common sense: always read and follow the directions on each firework. Never point or throw fireworks at another person. Buy from reliable fireworks sellers. Store them in a cool, dry place. Always have an adult present when shooting fireworks. Put used fireworks in a bucket of water and have a hose ready. Only use fireworks outdoors, away from homes, dry grass, and trees. Light only one item at a time and keep a safe distance. Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks. Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks. Never give fireworks to small children. Never carry fireworks in your pocket. Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers. You should also observe local laws. Some cities prohibit fireworks from being used within city limits. “Standard homeowners insurance policies cover damage from accidental fires, like those caused by fireworks, but there are exceptions. If you set off fireworks where they are not allowed, your policy might not cover the damage. Check local laws to find out if fireworks are legal in your area. Your insurance company can also tell you if there are any fire restrictions in your policy,” said Comm. Chaney. Attending a public fireworks show is also a safe option if you choose not to shoot fireworks at home. The SFMO performs pyrotechnic inspections for shows that are performed on state-owned properties. Pyrotechnics companies must apply for a permit for shows. Once received, the SFMO verifies all information pertaining to insurance, technicians, and local public safety information. Deputies must be on site for the firing of the display and clean up.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB Simply put, “Toy Story” is my favorite movie franchise of all time. The 1995 original about cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) fighting for relevance against hi-tech spaceman action figure Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) was a groundbreaking first for computer animation – not to mention about the most fun a kid could possibly have at a theater… until three worthy sequels came along. I’ve seen the original six times in theaters – my personal record. I was disappointed that “only” the third film in the series was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. I didn’t think that 2019’s “Toy Story 4” was in any way a step down from its predecessors. And yet here I am, saying that “Toy Story 5” is the first significant misstep in the franchise (not counting 2022’s sorta-spinoff “Lightyear,” which I’d like to banish to infinity and beyond). Despite all the emphasis on the Woody/Buzz reunion in the film’s advertising, the main character of this movie is actually Jessie the Cowgirl (Joan Cusack), a doll companion of Woody’s introduced in the second movie, where she shared a tragic backstory of being abandoned by her human owner. Now owned by 8-year-old Bonnie (Scarlett Spears), along with Buzz and other familiar figures, Jessie spends her days as the youngster’s favorite plaything. But Bonnie has a hard time making human friends, despite the toys’ best efforts to add to the number of children playing in the house. Her parents decide that the best way to connect with other kids in the neighborhood is to get her on social media, which is why they present her with frog-themed tablet LilyPad (Greta Lee). Soon Bonnie is addicted to the screen, “socializing” with so-called friends that aren’t in the room, and the cowgirl has to fight for relevance against the hi-tech newcomer. The film bafflingly never really comments on the parallels to the first movie. Couldn’t Woody say, “I’ve been through this before…” or Buzz ask, “Is this what is what is was like for you?” as he’s being replaced by something flashier? For all its reliance on nostalgia, the film is missing a lot of potential for callbacks here. A sleepover for Bonnie organized by LilyPad turns disastrous for Jessie, and she finds herself rejected, abandoned, and returned to the home to the home of her original owner. There’s a bright girl named Blaze (Mykal-Michelle Harris) living there now, but no time for her, Jessie has to get back to Bonnie. And the only way to do that is with the help of nearly-dead electronic potty-training device Smarty Pants (Conan O’Brien), even though Jessie is averse to all tech. Meanwhile, a reunited Buzz (who wants to marry Jessie) and Woody (taking a break from his life as “lost toy”) organize a rescue effort that will eventually lead them to a whole squadron of lost Buzz figures. The emphasis on helping humans make human friends is a nice touch, but too much of the movie is just a series of par-for-the-course toy rescues. Or overly-familiar jokes and bickering. Or throwaway lines given to returning characters just to remind viewers that they’re still alive (as toys go). Even heavy emotional moments are hit-and-miss, with one at a tree being suitably effective, but others (usually involving bullying) feeling like the writers just needed a “down” story beat. It’s also worth mentioning that the usually bright, agreeable, effective animation is often murky and ugly here, and not in a “haunting” way, more in a “shoddy” way. Don’t get me wrong, I’m recommending “Toy Story 5.” This franchise on its worst installment is better than a lot of franchises on their best. There’s enough heart and laughter and creativity here to save it… but just barely. And for someone like me who puts “Toy Story” on a pedestal, a movie that I can “just barely” recommend is a big disappointment. Grade: B- “Toy Story 5” is rated PG for some thematic elements and rude humor. Its running time is 102 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

By Jessica Breazeale Swim instructor Mara Norwood and Elijah Lofton (age 2), son of Trent and Sarah Lofton of Wesson, are pictured in a recent, local swim lesson. As summer temperatures rise and families spend more time at pools, lakes and beaches, water safety instructors are reminding parents that close supervision is one of the most important ways to protect young children around water. Drowning can happen in seconds and is often silent, making distractions such as cell phones, conversations, alcohol and other substances especially dangerous while children are swimming. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 4. Nationwide, an estimated 900 children and teens die from unintentional drowning annually. According to the CDC, toddlers and minority groups are disproportionately impacted, with drowning rates having surged by 28% for young children in recent years. Parents should stay within arm’s reach of children who cannot swim and avoid allowing inexperienced swimmers into deep water. Swim lessons at an early age can help children become more comfortable and confident in the water. Parents are also discouraged from throwing children into pools as a way to “teach” them to swim, as the experience can create fear and panic rather than confidence. Families are encouraged to designate one adult as a “water watcher” whose only responsibility is actively supervising children in and around the water without distractions. “As a lifeguard and swim teacher, I find it extremely important to keep an eye on your children at all times,” said Mara Norwood. “Even strong swimmers can run into unexpected and scary situations quickly. Active supervision helps keep everyone safe and allows children to feel more confident while swimming.” Norwood, a certified lifeguard and swim instructor, teaches local swimming lessons during the summer months. With children out of school and spending more time around water during the summer, instructors say a few simple precautions — and attentive adults — can make the difference between a fun day in the sun and a preventable tragedy.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com This middle-aged female had a calm about her, even though her face was lined and shadowed. Past years of unmistakable bitterness and disillusionment were still etched into her face. But yet, her green eyes shone with a love of life, and she carried herself with self-confidence. Intrigued with the difference between the harsh wrinkles on her face and the glowing peace she conveyed, I finally asked her what had obviously happened at some point in her life. This was what she told me. “I discovered something a long time ago. God just doesn’t care. And you know what? I was absolutely one-hundred percent correct. For years I knew that He didn’t care about me and my problems, He always ignored my pleas for help. I figured that God probably didn’t see me as important enough to answer. After all, I felt worthless, so the absolute God of this universe certainly couldn’t see me any different. And besides, living my life like I was, there was no way that God would concentrate on helping me. He was The God Almighty, and I was….just… me. No doubt about it, that deep gut feeling that I was totally unlovable and insignificant caused me to make a decision. A bad one. I decided that if I was just worthless trash, then I might as well live it out. And I did. I won’t bore you or shock you with the details. Trust me, you don’t want to hear ‘em.” After all that, I couldn’t resist. I had to find out why her face looked so haggard, but yet her face had a glow and her presence projected self-assurance. So, I put that very question to her. Granted, I worded it without “haggard” in my question, but I still asked. Her soft answer came quickly. “Finally, when I had gotten to the point of so much self-loathing that suicide was constantly on my mind, I went to see a counselor. A man who saw right thru the anger and hardness. To the real problem…that I despised me, ‘cause I knew that God hated me. After all, people who acted the way I did? They had to be hated by God. That man told me that I was totally wrong about so many things, and proceeded to show me the truth.” (The truth? Yep, I asked, you know I did. Here’s her answer.) “Oh yeah, God doesn’t care. That’s absolutely the truth. But not about what I always thought! The truth is, He doesn’t care if you are a bad person. He doesn’t care if no one on this earth likes you and the way you behave. That means nothing to Him. He simply wants to rescue you out of the old lies you always believed. Lies about Him, and therefore, lies about yourself. Made a world of difference in how I view myself now. And Him.” She’s absolutely right. God just doesn’t care about all that other. He only cares about you.