The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is launching a program to reduce transportation to healthcare in both rural and urban areas. Funded by a new federal grant, Transportation to Health, which started November 1, is providing patient transportation to and from county health departments and offices for health services. In addition, patients will have the opportunity to pick up prescriptions at partnering pharmacies if they were prescribed during their health department appointment. State Health Officer Dr. Edney explains: “Improving and protecting the health of all Mississippians is the mission of our agency. This new program will assist us in achieving the mission. Creating access to health care is always the best choice.” For new or existing appointments, patients will contact the MSDH call center at 855-767-0170 to request transportation. The Office of Health Equity will coordinate an Uber ride at no cost to the patient, and no need to download an app. “Transportation to Health can eliminate delayed or missed appointments by the most vulnerable people in Mississippi,” said Victor D. Sutton, Chief of Community Health and Clinical Services at MSDH. “With Mississippi being a rural state, this initiative will also create opportunities for community and economic development by creating jobs. Uber will support MSDH in developing a plan to support driver availability within the program service area.” For more information about the new Transportation to Health program, visit HealthyMS.com/rides.

Seems like I am noticing a trend – and not a healthy one. As a whole, our nation is losing the ability to pronounce some words. In fact, people seem to have forgotten some words exist in the English language. Phrases like, “Thank you,” “Thanks so much,” “I appreciate that,” seem to have slid into a dark hole somewhere and vanished. And if you do hear those magic words spoken, it is more of an auto-reply rather than a sincere response. Today people seem to feel so entitled to services and products that there is very little appreciation shown to the worker who delivers it. Or maybe, folks have gotten so trapped by their personal worries, fear and woes that they don’t even realize they are not really connecting with others anymore. After all, when your most of your focus is all about you, it can be difficult to remember to look into the eyes of another and genuinely care about their feelings. Either way, it means we are seeing our United States citizens evolve into people who are acting like they are the only ones living and breathing. Think about it. When was the last time you sat down with someone who was a positive part of your childhood and thanked them? And when was the last time you really noticed the depressed-acting young teller at your bank, or the older lady who slowly and painfully works her job at WalMart? Has anyone ever heard a sincere word of appreciation come from your lips? Or is your attitude more “Hey, that’s their job, deal with it. After all, I have to.” Yes, absolutely, it is an employee’s job, and they certainly should earn their pay by doing good work. But here is my point: Everyone needs and thrives on being appreciated. All of us need to know that we are seen and that what we do matters to someone. (Yes, if you’re being honest, you would agree that includes you.) Gratitude is very important in a healthy society. Whether it is expressing thankfulness to your pouting teenager who obeyed your request that their bedroom be vacuumed and fumigated, your local car mechanic getting your car back to you by closing time, or the waitress who isn’t snarling in your face as she takes your order. We all need to play nice-nice with each other. Because when we don’t bother making that effort for the other person’s sake, then we start to become self-centered, and blind to everyone else. And that begins a downward spiral of me-centeredness, where ME and mine is all that matters. That attitude is viral and infectious, eventually descending into a broken society. And that is the beginning of the end. This can also refer to the world’s end of time, where the Bible says in II Timothy 3:2, “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.” Gratitude is important.

For retirees looking to stretch their dollars the furthest, Mississippi is best place to live in the U.S., GoBankingRates has discovered in a study of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Researchers looked at five factors, including “an individual’s spending on groceries, healthcare, housing, utilities, and transportation,” according to the GoBankingRates report. The research team then calculated the annual retirement income needed to cover these living expenses and added 20 percent to create a “comfortable” budget. The findings do not account for Social Security payouts, pension income, or interest from savings accounts. Mississippi’s total yearly expenditures came out to $44,059. When the team added the 20 percent “comfort buffer” of $11,015, the “cost of a comfortable retirement” became $55,074. That’s a stark difference from the most expensive state in the U.S. — Hawaii. There, GoBankingRates found that someone would need enough to cover $96,982 in expenditure costs and $24,246 for a total of $121,228 for a comfortable retirement. Of course, there are plenty of states in between to explore too. The second-most affordable state for retirement, the team said, is Oklahoma, which came to $56,508 for its comfortable retirement figure, closely followed by Alabama in third, at $56,769. Outside the U.S., of course, there are places to go. At Aguascalientes, Mexico, for example, GoBakingRates finds that it’s entirely possible to retire comfortably for under $1,000 a month.

By Kara Kimbrough For the first time in six months, give or take a few pleasant days, it’s finally cool enough to venture outdoors and enjoy the best of Mississippi’s wide open spaces, natural beauty and colorful fall foliage. There’s no way I can narrow down each and every category into a “best of” list. I’ll just say, here are a “few” of the best places and pastimes to enjoy fun fall activities before winter’s chilly weather arrives. Feel free to email me your top pics in each of these areas and I’ll include them in future columns. 1. Enjoy an Outdoor Picnic – From Oxford’s Rowan Oak to scenic state parks in almost every county to beachfront spots on the Gulf Coast, picnic grounds abound. If I had to recommend just one, I’d list Natchez’ Bluff Park. Overlooking the Mighty Mississippi, the park is the best vantage point from which to take in the beauty and splendor of the river. The best time to be on the bluff is at sunset, because, weather permitting, sunsets on the river are, well, a spectacular sight. Spread a blanket in one of the spacious picnic areas or under the gazebo and bask in cool breezes and magnificent vistas near the water’s edge. 2. Go Outdoors for Leaf-Peeping and Photographing Fall Foliage –Many are surprised to learn Mississippi boasts a number of areas filled with varying shades of red, orange, yellow, brown and bronze leaves and foliage. The Natchez Trace Parkway, which begins in Natchez and winds through Ridgeland and through northeast Mississippi enroute to Nashville is, hands-down, the best road on which to travel to view fall's splendor. If you want to stop and stay awhile, Tishomingo State Park, also in the northeast part of the state, offers breathtaking scenery in a myriad of vibrant colors. 3. Hiking Season is Here – Mississippi is packed with hundreds of state parks, national forests and off-the-beaten path wooded areas highlighted by hiking trails for all ages and skill levels. One of the best (notice I said “one of”) destinations is Clark Creek Natural Area in Woodville. Three separate trails, including one leading to the majestic waterfall, are found in this southwest Mississippi oasis. 4. Sit Down to Comforting Fall Soup -I’ve often lamented the lack of good homemade soup in today’s restaurants. Luckily, there are still a few locally and family-owned eateries that serve their own versions of my favorite fall comfort food. One of the best bowls can be enjoyed at Madison’s Strawberry Café. A rotating soup of the day is always a good choice, but the best of the best is cream of crab soup. 5. Al Fresco Coffee with a View – I’m a major coffee lover, but sitting outdoors while sipping on a hot cup of java isn’t recommended for most of the year. Take advantage of cool fall days and grab a cup of coffee at Cat Island Coffee House located inside Pass Books in Pass Christian. Outdoor seating offers a breathtaking view of the Pass’s harbor and shimmering gulf waters. In addition to several coffee drinks, Cat Island serves breakfast and lunch items. Last, readers have asked for help in planning an affordable, yet enjoyable fall trip to New York City. I’ve visited the city at Christmas and in the fall and while both seasons are amazing, I preferred the latter’s milder temperatures and vibrant colors. New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for NYC’s five boroughs, shared a selection of free and affordable ($10-and-under) experiences for visitors this autumn. Here’s a small sample; email me if you'd like the complete list: Go leaf-peeping: NYC is home to more than 29,000 acres of parks and open spaces across all five boroughs where visitors can view breathtaking fall foliage. Central Park is one of the world’s most iconic parks. Spanning 843 acres, the park features open fields, woodlands, a zoo, ice-skating, ponds and more. It's one of my favorite places to visit in NYC. Walk the High Line: Built on a former elevated rail line, the High Line offers unparalleled views of Manhattan’s far west side. The park has several different gardens and green spaces along with free wellness programs and artwork. Arts & Culture: There are literally hundreds of museums in New York City, many offering year-round free (or sometimes free) admission. Two with no admission fee include the American Folk Art Museum and The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. For a complete list of all there is to do and see in New York City, including hundreds of upcoming holiday events, visit nyctourism.com. Whichever fall activity you choose, you’ll likely have less time to cook elaborate desserts. Here’s a solution: use your Crockpot to make dinner – and dessert -while you experience fall’s fleeting days. This recipe is easy to prepare, cooks quickly and due to the addition of oatmeal, is healthier than most traditional desserts, affording the opportunity to add a scoop of ice cream, guilt-free! Crockpot Apple Dessert with Oatmeal Crust 6 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced 2/3 cup old-fashioned oatmeal (not quick oats) 2/3 cup flour 2/3 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon Few grates of fresh nutmeg 1 stick of butter Add and arrange the sliced apples in the bottom of the Crockpot. Mix together the oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cut in the butter to make crumbs using a pastry blender or your fingers. Crumble the oatmeal mixture over the apples. Place a double layer of paper towels over the top of the Crockpot to absorb any condensation, then top with the lid. Cook on low for 4 hours. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream if desired. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Guest Columnist Eddie Smith I recently admired some gorgeous ornamental peppers that were still popping with color despite the state starting to get some cool weather. Did you know that you can grow ornamental peppers in spring, summer, fall and winter? They are a great way to add color and spice to your home or garden. During the late fall and winter, you can grow them indoors to make a dramatic statement with their stunning hues and varied shapes. If you decide to grow ornamental peppers indoors, you need to get a few basic supplies. Start with the right container. Choose one that is large enough to accommodate the plant’s root system and that has drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating. Then fill it with well-draining soil. Place your container in a sunny location or use a grow light to provide the necessary light. Ornamental peppers need at least six hours of sunlight each day. Finally, water the plant regularly and fertilize it every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth. If you prefer to grow ornamental peppers outdoors, keep in mind that they prefer warm temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees. That means you can keep your plants indoors until the weather warms up enough to transplant them outside. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. You can start the plants from seeds or purchase young plants from a nursery. Plant them in the ground or in containers, making sure they have enough space to grow. Whether grown indoors, outdoors, in containers or in the ground, ornamental peppers have these same water and fertilizer needs. The Masquerade pepper plant is truly stunning. Its fruit undergoes a mesmerizing transformation, starting off purple, then turning orange before maturing into a vibrant red. This transformation is a sight to behold and adds an extra layer of beauty to an already impressive plant. The Purple Flash pepper plant has dark, almost black foliage with occasional flashes of bright purple or white on the leaves. These beautiful leaves have a slightly glossy texture and retain their color throughout the growing season. I can’t wait to add it to my garden this spring and experiment with using it in my cooking. Another plant I’m considering is the Sedona Sun pepper plant. This versatile and compact plant is perfect for containers or small spaces. It produces small, cone-shaped, upright peppers that turn bright yellow when ripe. Finally, the Samba DK Orange pepper plant, a beautiful and spicy plant that’s perfect for adding color and flavor to any space. The plant produces small, cone-shaped, upright peppers that turn a vibrant orange when ripe. The plant itself is quite attractive with a bushy, compact growth habit and glossy leaves. I’m excited to start growing ornamental peppers this fall and adding beauty and flavor to my home and garden. With a little care and attention, I’ll be able to enjoy their unique characteristics year-round. You can, too. EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Eddie Smith is a gardening specialist and Pearl River County coordinator with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. He is also host of the popular Southern Gardening television programs. Locate Southern Gardening products online at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/southern-gardening.

50 million Americans will take to the roads for the long Thanksgiving weekend this year, says the American Automobile Association (AAA). AMR, Mississippi’s busiest ambulance service, urges drivers to put safety first in their holiday driving. Ryan Wilson, operations manager for AMR says, “Every year, Thanksgiving is one of the with a huge surge in traffic crashes. This year, lower gas prices may well increase the number of travelers, which brings more crashes. Our paramedics and EMTs want everyone to reach Grandma’s house safely and return home without a scratch.” Wilson advised drivers to: Be sure the vehicle and the drivers are in good condition. Have the vehicle serviced before the trip. Especially check the tires, brakes, windshield wipers, headlights, tail-lights, belts and hoses. Be sure the driver is alert at all times. Drivers should be well-rested before departing. Take frequent breaks. Switch drivers every two hours or less. If all drivers get drowsy, go to a motel and sleep. Do not pull off the road, take a short nap and then resume driving. Schedule the trip so you drive mainly if not totally during daylight hours. Start your trip early enough to avoid rushing to reach your destination. Expect heavy traffic and delays. Stay on interstates and divided four-lane roads all you can. Avoid two-lane roads if possible. Insist that everyone in the vehicle wears safety belts or uses a child safety seat anytime the vehicle is moving, no matter how short the trip. Almost half of those killed in vehicle crashes were not wearing a safety belt. Avoid distractions behind the wheel. Turn cell phones off and put them out of reach. To make your vehicle more visible, drive with headlights on, day and night. Remove items on dashboards and rear view mirrors which may restrict the driver’s view. Holiday traffic often includes big, slow recreational vehicles. Be on the lookout for them, especially on hills and curves. Stay alert for construction zones, stalled vehicles and deer. Impatience can kill. Observe the speed limit. Don’t pass in no-pass zones. Don’t rush through yellow lights to beat the red light. If your vehicle begins to fail, pull off to the road shoulder. Park as far as you can from the traffic. Pulling off at an exit ramp is safer than parking next to the main road. If at all possible, stand on the side of the vehicle furthest from the traffic. Designated drivers save lives. Never drink and drive. Remember: A designated driver is someone has drunk zero alcohol, not the person in your group who has drunk the least.

By Bob Arnold A fourteen-year banking veteran has joined the Wesson branch of Trustmark Bank as Bank Supervisor, moving into the position Marilyn Britt left vacant following her retirement after more than four decades. Brittany Brister comes to Trustmark after serving at the Regions Bank Brookhaven branch since 2010. A native of Enterprise, she graduated from Enterprise Attendance Center and studied at Co-Lin before starting her career as an assistant teller and moving up the ranks to become head teller, assistant manager and a relationship banker. As Bank Supervisor at Trustmark in Wesson, Brister will serve as overall bank manager, while assisting loan applicants, addressing account needs, and working the cash line as needed. Brister and her husband Blake, who work with Hitachi (formerly ABB) at Crystal Spring, are now residing in the Midway area of Wesson on Sylvarena Road with their two children – Raelynn, 4, and Noah, 1. Brister started at Wesson Trustmark in September with the departure of Britt, who had risen to Vice President and branch manager there from her initial job as a bookkeeper after graduating from Wesson High School at Co-Lin and studying at the college. During her service at Trustmark, she climbed to job ladder as a teller, head teller, customer service representative, assistant branch manager, branch manager and assistant vice president and finally vice president and branch manger. Except for ten years with Trustmark in Hazlehurst, she worked at the bank’s Wesson branch throughout her career. Her distinguished service had been recognized by the Mississippi Bankers Association, and she received the 2017 Trustmark President Club award. Outstanding Young Women of America also recognized her for her accomplishments.

By Bob Arnold It is said “if we take care of the land, the land will take care of us.” For Randy Chance, the Grounds Supervisor Team Leader at Lake Lincoln State Park, it is now his turn to take care of the land that has taken care of him over the years since he settled with this family in the area near where the park now serves thousands of visitors every year. “I grew up there,” he says. “My parents and brother and sister lived not far away in a two-bedroom ranch style house on 100 acres. I fished in nearby creeks, was baptized in one of them and learned about the outdoors in a Boy Scout Camp.” The Chances built their home on Mission Hill Road when Randy was five years old next to the Baptist Church with the same name as the back country byway. As part of a logging family, Chance started working at a tender age during the summers, but while he was cutting down trees for the family business between 11 and 19 years old, he also found time to play baseball on the field he remembers was on the current location of the Wesson Attendance Center (WAC) gymnasium and earned the Eagle rank in the Wesson Boy Scout Troop guided by then Co-Lin basketball Coach Alton Ricks. He went to elementary school through the eighth grade in the initial building on the site of what became WAC after the addition of the ninth through twelfth grade facility. He graduated from the high school housed at Co-Lin in 1979. His return to care for the land that nurtured him took nearly five decades, work stops in every U.S. state except Alaska and Hawaii and a career that encompassed carpentry, the oil fields, installing fire protection equipment and making t-shirts. After high school, Chance stayed around the area for a few years – first as a carpenter for Troy Pitts at the former Timberlane camp grounds and the company doing construction at the new Lake Lincoln Park next door, then as a delivery man for Georgetown Furniture. Soon, however, he was off to the offshore oil fields and living in Leesville, Louisiana, and moving on to do oil exploration as a seismograph operation for Jackson-based GFS from Lafayette, Louisiana. With Goss Fire Protection headquartered in Forest, Mississippi, from 1984-1996, Chance was dispatched throughout the continental United States to install sprinkler fire protection systems. “I lived throughout the nation near government and private facilities where we did the work,” he relates. “We installed sprinkler systems at the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia; stealth bomber hangars in New Mexico, Saint Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson and throughout government agencies Washington, DC, among other places.” In 1996, Chance returned to his boyhood home on Mission Hill Road and started working with his mother, who was the recipient of 20 sewing machines from the retiring owner of T’s Apparel at Crystal Springs, to produce and sell their own line of Hawaiian shirts. “We changed the name of the company to Chance Apparel and made specialty for organizations and events such as the New Orleans Jazz Festival,” he says. “Mom did the sewing with employees as needed, and I was a cutter, boxer and shipper.” Chance devoted most of his time to his ailing father after he became ill in 2006, hunting and fishing with him and caring for him as needed; and Chance Apparel cut back the nature and volume of its business while he still worked as he could. In 2014, Lake Lincoln State Park, which encompasses more than 1,000 acres of his youthful stomping grounds, hired him to help do its maintenance following his father’s death in 2013. On October 22, Chance celebrated his sixty-fourth birthday. He lives in the old house built by his parents on ten acres of the 100 acres in which he shares ownership with his brother Greg Chance, who is retired, and his sister Pam Stamps, a Brookhaven accountant. Saying “I guess I just stayed on the road too much to get married,” he is still single, and now as the Grounds Supervisor Team Leader at the state park, he is responsible for cleaning its physical facilities, general park maintenance, electrical and plumbing systems, delimbing and other landscaping, among other needs. Helping care of at least part of the land that has helped care for him. What are your hobbies? I fish in Lake Lincoln and hunt behind my house. I’m a member of Mission Hill Baptist Church, but am not the most faithful attender. What kind of music do you like? I don’t sing or play an instrument, but I listen to country music and old rock and roll on Pandora. Maybe you could also call me a sound man for my brother-in-law Ken Stamps, who has played guitars in local bands over years. I have helped him with equipment, and he seems to like what I do. How about movies? I am into old westerns, particularly those with John Wayne – Rio Bavo, Rio Grande, Rio Lobo, Big Jake, McClintock and just about anything else that comes on Grit TV. What would you do with the winnings if you won the lottery? I would divide it with my family. I certainly couldn’t spend any big winnings on myself. How would you change the world? A day at a time. I can’t single out any one thing, but I would take it a day a time.

By Bob Garver The fall from glory of the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues with “The Marvels.” This is not to say that this movie is the “worst” the MCU has ever put out (for one thing, there’s no M.O.D.O.K. in sight), but the franchise has seen better days, both commercially and creatively. I think the problem lies with its middling ambition. It tries to upgrade elements that had been previously relegated to the small-screen when it probably should have made the hard decision to downgrade some big-screen elements. When villain Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) tears a hole in the universe, Carol “Captain Marvel” Danvers (Brie Larson) goes to investigate and is countered by Dar-Benn’s minions. Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) works on solving the problem from a space station under the supervision of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Meanwhile, teenager Kamala “Ms. Marvel” Khan (Iman Vellani) just hangs out in her room in Jersey City, fantasizing about using her mutant powers to help the Avengers, especially Captain Marvel. Suddenly the three switch places and are instantly in different settings. Without trying, they switch places several more times, ending up on the alien planet, the space station, or Kamala’s family home. Carol’s cat-like pet Goose also gets caught up in the switching, as do some of the similarly-bewildered henchmen, who nevertheless keep the battle going. After much confusion and hijinks, the day is won, but Carol, Monica, and Kamala all need to convene on a spaceship to sort things out. They determine that using their light-based powers at the same time is what causes the switch. They’d like to get a better handle on the matter, but Dar-Benn needs to be stopped before she tears the whole universe apart. The film’s action sequences mostly consist of the trio doing what they can with their individual powers, even though their individual powers may not be what’s needed at the moment. Staying close together means that the same three people are basically in the same place (hence why the inexperienced Kamala needs to be on the spaceship), but separations are inevitable. On the other hand, and this is learned through experience, the system also means that one can swap themselves out for another if the situation calls for the other person’s powers. It's fun watching the characters having to adapt to new settings in the midst of an action sequence. It’s also fun watching them train to become fluent in switching. They visit a planet at one point where people only communicate in musical numbers, and of course that’s fun. A sequence toward the end with Goose is one of the most fun Marvel has ever put out. And yet the film never succeeds on a level higher than “fun.” “The Marvels” lacks the gravitas that one expects from the MCU – especially on the big screen. Heck, it lacks the characters one expects from the MCU on the big screen. Yes, Captain Marvel had her own movie back in 2019 and was an important part of “Avengers: Endgame,” but so far the adult version of Monica Rambeau and the entire character of Ms. Marvel haven’t been proven outside of streaming on the small screen. And I think a streaming series would have been a better fit for this chapter of the MCU. Given some of the qualms I have with “The Marvels,” a streaming series makes total sense. The movie’s visit to singing planet Aladna seems rushed, maybe it could get its own episode. A minor conflict about Carol never returning to Earth to see Monica could be further explored instead of briefly mentioned and forgotten, all seemingly because an outline of the script called for a dramatic moment. Dar-Benn herself could be developed beyond a thousand-yard stare that’s practically begging to be mocked. Most importantly, home viewing is more conducive to the hangout atmosphere where these characters thrive. I know that the MCU can produce hits for both the movies and home, but it needs to make better decisions about which properties should be which. Grade: C “The Marvels” is rated PG-13 for action/violence and brief language. Its running time is 105 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports the first confirmed pediatric influenza death in Mississippi for the 2023-2024 flu season. Pediatric deaths are defined as deaths of individuals under 18 years of age. Including this reported death, there have been a total of 25 pediatric flu deaths reported in Mississippi since pediatric flu deaths became reportable in the 2008-2009 flu season. Flu season typically peaks in January through March in Mississippi, and the flu shot usually takes up to two weeks to produce immunity. "Vaccination is the best protection against flu and the severe outcomes from flu infection." says Interim State Epidemiologist Dr. Kathryn Taylor, "All individuals 6 months of age and older are recommended to get an updated flu and COVID-19 vaccine this season." Flu shots for those 18 and under who are eligible for the Vaccines for Children program are available at County Health Departments. Insurance, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are also accepted for children's flu shots. A list of all VFC providers can be found at www.HealthyMS.com/vfc. Adults who are underinsured or uninsured and who meet certain high-risk criteria qualify for an adult flu vaccination at MSDH county health department clinics. Flu shots for insured adults are widely available through private physicians, pharmacies and retail centers. While vaccination is the best protection against flu, basic infection control measures can also reduce the spread of flu and should be taken whether or not individuals are vaccinated. These measures include covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing, staying at home when you or your children are sick, and washing your hands frequently. Individual flu cases are not reported to MSDH. The agency monitors flu activity through the ILI System, made up of healthcare providers in Mississippi who report the percentage of patients with flu-like symptoms to a statewide database. Providers participating in the system also submit respiratory samples for flu testing to the MSDH Public Health Laboratory. State health officials use this information to determine the presence and spread of flu throughout the state. Follow MSDH by e-mail and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.

By Bob Arnold Wesson Chamber of Commerce members and folk from around the community helped Brian and Mandy King officially open Mississippi’s first antique vehicles museum at a special ribbon cutting. The ceremony culminated almost three years of work by the Kings, collecting early Twentieth Century cars, trucks and other vintage items and constructing the display building for the Good Old Days Museum located at 4179 Anderson Road in rural Wesson. Although the new museum started out as storage building for Brian King’s car collection, which his wife first jokingly suggest might well be a museum, it realizes a long-standing dream of King, an electrician at the Brookhaven Aptiv plant and a mechanic who is passionate about early automotive vehicles and is attracted to the period in history in which they were introduced when times were simpler and craftsmanship valued. Inside and outside the 40-foot x 80-foot metal structure are a variety of functional and drivable antique vehicles, including four Model Ts, first sold in 1908, a 1929 Model A, a 1919 Dodge pickup with a moonshine still in the bed, and a 1922 Roadster. They must be hand-cranked and have more complex transmissions than cars today, but are easier to work on. Interspersed with them are an old hearse, an 1868 rockaway carriage, some of the first gas pumps, antique plows and farm equipment, a pot belly wood stove, an old record player with a horn speaker, early household appliances, furniture pieces and clothing. The facade of an old general store and blacksmith shop and the interior of an old western saloon decorate the walls. It all creates a 1920s America look that sets the antique cars in scenes appropriate for their times. “It’s largely about vehicles, but most car museums are sterile and boring,” says King. “So we’re complementing them with other items and décor that recall the Good Old Days.” Before the museum commanded their attention, King and his wife expressed their passion for art and set design building up and maintaining a local Halloween tradition on their Anderson Road property -- Silent Oaks Cemetery, a family friendly mock graveyard haunted with visiting ghosts from a mausoleum, vaults, tombstones, crypts and the shaft of a mine where workers died in an explosion from which smoke is still wafting. “The work to complete the museum this year kept our Halloween display on hold, but we will bring it back next year on the museum property,” the Kings promise. In opening the new museum, the Kings singled out the special assistance and support of Kirk and Rita Hill, an older couple who helped generate donations of cars and other items, and encouraged them in pursuing their project. King considers Kirk a mentor who “stepped up and filled a hole when my parents died.” “We talk on the phone several times a day,” he says. “I don’t know what I would do without him.” The Kings say they envision constant change and growth at Good Old Days Museum with expansion of space to accommodate display items still in storage and material and monetary donations which they hope will continue to sustain it. Initially, the museum will be open free to visitors on Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For information about the museum and help with its needs, call 601-669-0860.

The Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health invites Black women aged 18-50 to participate in a crucial research survey to address the impact of healthcare providers' implicit bias on the utilization of breast cancer services by Black women in the State of Mississippi. Black women are more likely to develop breast cancer before age 60 and have a higher prevalence of difficult-to-treat subtypes (such as triple-negative breast cancer). To combat this disparity and foster equity among breast cancer patients, the Institute is working to identify unique and actionable solutions. The research survey is not limited to assessing bias. It will also investigate the impact of perceived discrimination on the quality of healthcare delivered to African American women between the ages of 18-50. This study is funded by the Preparedness and Treatment Equity Coalition (PTEC). PTEC awarded three $50,000 grants to multi-disciplinary research teams, like the Institute, that are identifying metrics and outcome measures that can be used to encourage policy and practice change. The ultimate objective is to decrease inequity in breast cancer screening, treatment, and outcomes. Black women 18-50 who've visited a healthcare provider within the past two years are encouraged to register and participate in this vital survey. “The Institute believes results from this survey may be useful in identifying factors that influence the development of breast cancer disparities,” said Dr. Sandra Melvin, CEO, the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health. “Together, we can make a meaningful impact on healthcare equity.” For more information and to register for the survey, please visit https://qualtricsxmfjg5mbl9b.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8vK8B69KMGEWS0e?Q_CHL=qr