More than 150 vendors -- individuals, church groups, clubs and civic organization and businesses -- will line the streets of downtown Wesson in their special tents to offer arts and crafts items, fleas, clothing, food, snacks and refreshments, among other things, to thousands of browsers and shoppers expected to flood into town on Saturday, October 21, for the 52nd annual Flea Market and Outdoor Arts and Crafts Show. Wesson Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) Chief Ken Carraway, who is coordinating the Flea Market for WVFD, the managing organization, predicts a big crowd will be browsing, shopping and munching on the concessions. The Flea Market will start at 8 a.m. on Highway 51, Factory, Spring and Beech Streets and run until 4 p.m. While their parents shop, kids can play and run off their energy at a special fun zone. “With help of some good weather, it will be a time for great food, shopping and fellowship,” says Carraway. At a food court on Spring street near highway 51, shoppers can consume or take home varied edibles offered by civic clubs and church groups -- pulled pork parfaits and sandwiches, pork skins, egg rolls, jambalaya, burgers, chicken strips, chicken on stick, turkey legs, kettle corn fish plates, funnel cakes, jellies. jams and baked goods, along with Mississippi’s favorite beverage -- sweet tea, of course. Vendors from throughout Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Tennessee will be on hand to help visitors with their gift lists for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, offer seasonal decorations and meet varied home and personal needs. Shoppers will find drawings, paintings and ceramic and glassware of local artists and artisans. There will be yard art, wreaths, door hangers, candles and much, much more for those wo want to add charm in and around their homes. Pets, flowers and plants, an array fleas and crafts -- dolls and doll clothing, wood and iron work, men’s and women’s clothes, leather products, bath products, collectible knives, hair bows, jewelry and antiques – will all be part of the mix. Friends of the Library will hold its annual book sale in the building next to the Wesson public library pavilion. Town Hall staff will be in a special tent, where residents can get to know government officials. Started by a local merchants association, WVFD turned the event, better known today as the "Wesson Flea Market," into a major fundraiser held annually on the third Saturday in October. The volunteer fire fighters generate some $5000 each year on sales of the 10-foot-by-10-foot display areas at $45 each to purchase equipment for the fire department, Carraway says. Vendors and exhibitors can still reserve display areas. They must furnish their own tables, chairs, and other display equipment and may sell from tents, booths or their cars and trucks. Set-up for the Flea Market is after 5 p.m. on Friday, October 20, and before 8 a.m. on Saturday. Get information at 601-265-1694 or wessonfd@gmail.com.

In our country there are entire families who will suffer through a severe issue that eventually severs family relationships for many years. Eventually, someone might tentatively extend an olive branch, and another will cautiously reach out to accept it. Filled with anxiety, dread and hope, the family will then arrange to meet together for the first time in a long time. As everyone smiles and talks about a united future together, the past will never be brought up in the discussion. No attempt will be made to understand another’s point of view, no misunderstandings clarified, no apologies made. The issue will be left untouched, leaving important questions unasked and unanswered. Nothing will be finally understood, forgiven, and put to rest. Therefore, free-roaming imaginations will be permitted to misinterpret everyone’s future behavior. In other words, the dirt of the past is swept under the rug – out of sight, hopefully never to be seen or heard from again. But the problem is this; dirt is still dirt, even lying unseen under the family living room rug. It doesn’t just magically disappear. Nor does it somehow lose its power to be just what it is - ugly, hurtful, and always underfoot, with the ability to cause more misunderstandings and conflict in the future. So much safer, in the long run, for the family members to meet, greet, sit down together and begin the awkward process of getting everything out in the open. Always talking and listening with this in mind: “It is a mighty thin pancake that only has one side.” It is very difficult to try to understand the other person’s point of view when you are unwilling to listen with an open mind and a willing heart. And don’t let it become “Just the facts, ma’am, just the facts.” The discussion needs to include thoughts, emotions, and fears. That is real and honest communication – and given time, it can heal a family who is sick of the hurting and is willing to forgive and reconcile. Difficult? Sure it is. Along with scary. But well worth the effort. Ask a family who did that hard, scary work and is once again a caring and loving bunch. A bunch that has learned some hard lessons. a) Try to always communicate openly and fairly, unless you are willing and ready to suffer the long-term pain of a family split. b) And if a split does happen, be willing to set aside pride and assumptions that the other person is deliberately and totally in the wrong. c) Accept that you may not be sinless in this family crisis. You ain’t Jesus Christ. d) Forgive. Everyone including yourself, for your part in the entire mess. Family is too precious a commodity to give up easily. Think long and hard before you make the decision to angrily pack up your long-suffering pride, gather up your self-righteous skirts, and simply walk away.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Mississippians to participate in the ‘Great ShakeOut’ earthquake drill on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 10:19 a.m. During the self-led drill, participants will practice the three essential actions to take during an earthquake, which are to: DROP to the ground. Take COVER under a sturdy table or desk if possible, protecting your head and neck. HOLD ON until the shaking stops. Individuals and organizations can register for the ‘Great ShakeOut’ by visiting www.shakeout.org/. Once registered, participants will receive more information on how to plan their drill and additional earthquake preparedness tips. According to the Great ShakeOut website, over 14 million people have registered to participate in the United States, which includes over 362,000 Mississippians. Although only a small number of earthquakes have been centered in Mississippi, the state has been affected by numerous shocks from neighboring states, particularly along the ‘New Madrid Seismic Zone.’ This is why earthquake preparedness is crucial for Mississippians. For more earthquake preparedness information, visit our website.

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) awarded Wesson Attendance Center (WAC) an A accountability grade for the 2022-23 school year, joining West Lincoln, which was graded similarly, as the highest graded school in Lincoln and Copiah Counties. Statewide student assessment data make up a large part of accountability grades. In 2022-23, the overall percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced reached an all-time high in mathematics, English Language Arts (ELA), science and U.S. History. “This year’s school and district grades provide further evidence that Mississippi teachers, school leaders and staff have done an outstanding job helping students accelerate learning after the disruptions of the pandemic,” said Dr. Raymond Morgigno, interim state superintendent of education. “I am confident our schools will build upon these achievements so that all students are proficient and prepared for success after high school.” Throughout the state, 87 percent of schools and 91 percent of districts earned a grade of C or higher. The components of the state’s accountability system are based on state and federal law and State Board policy. They include: Growth of the lowest performing 25% of students in ELA and Mathematics. Science proficiency in grades 5 and 8. English Learner progress toward becoming proficient in the English language. Performance on the ACT and high school Algebra I, English II, Biology and U.S. History assessments. Student participation and performance in advanced coursework such as Advanced Placement and dual credit/dual enrollment courses. Four-year graduation rate. For their performances in these categories, MDE awards up to 700 points to elementary and middle Schools and up to 1,000 points to high schools and districts, with up to 380 points awarded for growth. In the Copiah-Lincoln County area, Brookhaven School District (619 points), Copiah County School District (623 points) and Hazlehurst School District (605 points) received B accountability grades. Lincoln County School District earned an A with 684 points – the only district in Southwest Mississippi graded as highly. B-graded schools in the area were Bogue Chitto, Brookhaven Elementary, Brookhaven High School, Crystal Springs High School, Enterprise, Hazlehurst Elementary, Hazlehurst Middle, Lipsey Middle, Loyd Star and Mamie Martin Elementary. Alexander Junior High School earned a C. For it’s a grade, Wesson Attendance Center earned 776 points, showing student proficiency rates of 50.5 in reading, 69 in math, 77 in history and 70 in science; and an 89.7 graduation rate. The grades statewide are an improvement over 2021-22, when approximately 81% of schools and 87% of districts were rated C or higher. In 2016, when the Mississippi State Board of Education set a goal that all schools and districts be rated C or higher, the percentage of schools and districts meeting this goal were both 62%. Since 2020, school districts and the state have invested federal pandemic-relief funds in programs and services to overcome pandemic disruptions and accelerate student learning. The additional funds enabled districts to pay for extended learning days, tutorial services and intensive interventions, among other supports. State investments include the Mississippi Connects digital learning initiative, which provided all students with a computer device, and services including on-demand tutoring, high-quality digital curriculum subscriptions and digital learning coaches for teachers. Pandemic-relief funds for these services will end in September 2024, and school districts will be responsible for paying for any services they wish to continue. Mississippi’s accountability grades help teachers, school leaders, parents and communities know how well their local schools and districts are serving their students.

By Kara Kimbrough Surveys listing each state's "most searched" recipe or food are often way off base when it comes to listing Mississippians' picks. Case in point: listing "turnips" as the most popular Thanksgiving dish in the Magnolia State was just wrong on many levels. But reading last week that the Smoky Mountains was Mississippians' "most googled" vacation spot made perfect sense. After reading the survey, I reminisced a bit about past trips to the Smokies highlighted by the fried apple pies at Pigeon Forge's Apple Barn. As a result, I made a batch of apple cider doughnuts...but that's another story. A little known fact about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: it's the nation's most visited national park. Established in 1934, the park is comprised of over half a million acres of breathtaking mountain vistas topped with wispy clouds that resemble smoke (hence the name), hundreds of scenic streams and waterfalls, some of the nation's best hiking trails, modern campgrounds, picnic areas and much more. There are actually too many natural wonders to name and I'm missing some good ones...but I'll go out on a limb and say a can't-miss site is Cade's Cove. This peaceful 6,800-acre valley is surrounded by mountains and filled with wildlife (expect to see wild turkeys, deer and on occasion, a black bear or two) and well-preserved 18th and 19th century structures in the form of log cabins, churches and a working gristmill. Another awe-inspiring feature that should be on the itinerary of any trip to the Smokies is Clingman's Dome. At 6,643 feet, it's the highest point in the park and in Tennessee, as well as the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. As a teenager on a church trip, I accepted the challenge to climb the very steep path that led straight up to the observation deck. At the time, it seemed like a 10-mile hike, but now I find out it was actually only half a mile. Once there, the trek is worth it; on a clear day, the deck offers views of up to 100 miles away, including of seven adjacent states. Another favorite activity is strolling at night along the quaint, yet modern downtown Gatlinburg streets lined with unique shops, attractions and restaurants. Adjacent cities of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are also filled with plenty of things to see and do, all while taking in the unbelievable Smoky Mountains surrounding the area. I'd be remiss if I omitted the Apple Barn and Cider Mill in Pigeon Forge from the "must do" list of a Smokies vacation. Visiting the property containing an apple orchard, Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, cider bar and best of all, unique general store offering homemade pies and numerous apple treats in a 1910 barn is one of my favorite memories of a trip to the Smokies. There's no shortage of apple treats to be enjoyed at the restaurant or general store, but my perennial favorite was - and remains - fried apple pies. With a side of fresh cider, there's really no better sweet treat. Bringing home a full-size homemade apple pie and a box of smaller fried pies was a requirement of any trip to the Smokies. I'm guessing the Apple Barn's fried pies fueled my obsession with apple strudel. A few years ago, I began making strudels every fall. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to watch the ladies at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gluckstadt prepare stacks of them in preparation for the church's annual Germanfest. As a result, I perfected my rolling technique. I also added apple cider doughnuts to my fall baking lineup, but strudel will always be my favorite fall treat. If a trip to the Smokies is on your bucket list and you need more information about where to stay and what to do, drop me an email and I'll share my travel tips with you. In the meantime, I'm passing on my favorite strudel, doughnuts and fried pie recipes. Besides cooler weather, what more could you ask for as we celebrate the fact that, "It's finally fall, y'all!: Germanfest Apple Strudel Crust: 1/4 pound margarine, softened 1/4 pound butter, softened 8 ounces sour cream 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour Dash of salt Filling: 1 cup applesauce 3 apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon apple pie spice 4 tablespoons flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup chopped pecans Mix together the filling ingredients in a saucepan, stirring constantly. Cook until thick, about five minutes. Let cool. For crust, mix the margarine and butter in a bowl and add sour cream. Mix the flour and salt. Add to sour cream mixture and mix well. Refrigerate overnight. Divide into four parts and roll each part out on a floured pastry cloth to 12x15 inch rectangle. Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts 1-1/2 cups apple cider 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon apple pie spice 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 large egg, at room temperature 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup milk, at room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract COATING: 1 cup white sugar 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon apple pie spice 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Reduce the apple cider: Stirring occasionally, simmer the apple cider in a small saucepan over low heat until you’re left with about 1/2 cup. Start checking at 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc until you have 1/2 cup (120ml). Mine takes about 20 minutes. If there are any spices or solids on top of your reduced apple cider, leave them. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two doughnut pans with non-stick spray. Set aside. Make the donuts: Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside. Whisk the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, white sugar, milk and vanilla extract together. Pour into the dry ingredients, add the reduced apple cider and whisk everything together until smooth and combined. Batter will be slightly thick. Spoon the batter into the doughnut pans, filling about 3/4 of the way up. Bake for 10-11 minutes or until the edges and tops are lightly browned. If doughnuts bounce back when touched lightly, they’re done. Cool for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Re-grease the pan and bake the remaining batter. Coat the donuts: Combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice together in a medium bowl. Once cool enough to handle, dunk both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then generously in the apple spice topping. Leftovers keep well covered tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Fried Apple Tarts 4 large tart apples, peeled, cored and slice 3 tablespoons water ¾ cup sugar ½ teaspoon cinnamon 3 cups flour 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1 cup shortening 6-8 tablespoons ice water Cooking oil In a 2-quart pan, cook apples with water over medium heat until apples reach consistency of applesauce. Add sugar and cinnamon and continue cooking 5 minutes longer, stirring often. Remove from heat and cool. While apples are cooking, prepare pastry. Sift together flour and salt. With knives or pastry blender, cut ½ cup shortening into flour until shortening is pea-sized. Cut in remaining ½ cup shortening until about the size of navy beans. Gradually add ice water until mixture forms a ball. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate 20 minutes. On lightly floured board, roll out thin layer of pastry. Cut 6-inch circles, brush edges with ice water and place 2 tablespoons cooled apple filling on ½ of each pastry. Fold pastry in half and crimp edges with fork. Prick fork tines into top sides of pie. Cover bottom of frying pan with ¼-inch of oil and heat oil. Carefully place pies in frying pan, two at a time, and brown evenly on one side before turning to brown. Remove from pan and dust with powdered sugar. Yield: 1 dozen. Adapted from The Apple Barn Cookbook, Wimmer Brothers, 1983. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Guest Columnist Eddie Smith Fall is a wonderful time to add some vibrancy to your garden, and French marigolds are an excellent way to do it. With such a wide variety to choose from, finding the perfect one to complement your outdoor space is easy. These stunning flowers feature delicate petals and bright colors that are truly a sight to behold. One of the many things that make French marigolds such a fantastic choice is how easy they are to grow. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them an excellent option for novice gardeners. French marigolds also boast a long blooming season, so you can enjoy their beauty for months on end. They are also versatile and can be planted in a variety of settings, including garden beds and containers. Another great thing about French marigolds is that they attract pollinators like bees and butterflies and repel pests, making them a natural and effective solution for pest control. The roots of marigold plants produce a substance that repels nematodes, a type of soil-dwelling pest that can damage plants. The strong scent of marigolds naturally deters other insect pests without relying on harmful chemicals. This makes marigolds an excellent companion plant for vegetables, herbs and other flowers. For a bright burst of yellow, I recommend the compact Janie Yellow marigold. It reaches just 8-10 inches high and 6-8 inches wide, making it a perfect choice for smaller gardens. If you prefer something with a bit more orange, the Bonanza Deep Orange marigold is sure to catch your eye. The vibrant flowers boast double-crested blooms in a bold orange hue. It grows upright and reaches 10-12 inches tall and 6-8 inches wide. Uniform branching and strong stems make them an excellent choice for borders and containers alike. For a unique twist, try one of my favorites, the Bonanza Bee marigold. This plant has yellow-edged, double-crested flowers. The compact plants reach 10-12 inches tall and 6-8 inches wide. Large flowers bloom against the dark green foliage. To encourage additional blooming, deadhead spent flowers. Deadheading simply means removing spent flowers from the plant. This practice helps promote additional blooming by redirecting the plant’s energy into producing new blooms instead of producing seeds. Deadheading also helps keep the plant looking neat and tidy by keeping it from forming seed heads. To deadhead marigolds, simply remove the spent flowers by pinching or cutting them off just above the nearest healthy leaf or bud. Deadhead regularly throughout the growing season to ensure the plant continues to produce new blooms and looks its best. Did you know that marigold flower petals are edible? Consider using marigold petals as a garnish with your favorite recipe. I highly recommend giving French marigolds a try if you haven’t already included them in your landscape. They are a wonderful addition to any garden and are sure to bring joy and beauty to your outdoor spaces. 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.]

By Bob Arnold For area sweet potato lovers, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. For the ninth consecutive year, the world’s best sweet potatoes grown at Landreth Farms in the Vardaman area in north central Mississippi -- the "Sweet Potato Capital of the World" – local gobbled them up at a bargain basement rate to raise funds for the international and local charities supported by Wesson Lions Club. Members of the Club started selling them during the first week of the month and had run out of them within two weeks -- more than 400 forty-pound boxes of sweet potatoes sold for $20 per box, or 50 cents per pound. Individuals and area restaurants stocking up on the quality sweet potatoes supported the Lions Club's annual fundraising effort. Landreth Farms officials say it's the loamy soil – along with timely early rains – in the Vardaman area that make their potato crops sweet and special. Landreth plants sweet potatoes on 600 acres, among Mississippi farmers, who raise sweet potatoes on more than 18,400 acres across the state. The farm sells commercially to national food stores, such as Kroger and Wal-Mart; and canners, like Gerber; and produces a line of pre-wrapped sweet potatoes for microwave cooking. The annual sweet potato sale is among three major fundraising activities of the Wesson Lions Club. The Club also has an annual spring pancake breakfast and sells boiled peanuts at Co-Lin athletic events. It disburses some $10,000 every year to assist deaf and blind persons through the International Lions Club and to support local organizations and causes related to community improvement, children and youth, veterans, hospice care and address other issues and concerns.

Co-Lin’s Homecoming during the week of October 23-28 will feature an array of activities for alumni, friends and students on the Wesson campus and provide opportunities for folk to reconnect and experience the exciting changes happening at the college. At an awards ceremony on Thursday, October 26, Charles Fortenberry, class of 1961, will be honored as Alumnus of the Year.. He is originally from Bogue Chitto and currently resides in Fayetteville, NC. After Co-Lin, he graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science and Troy State University with a Master of Arts. He is a retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force and received 11 Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Cross medals. Homecoming week will kick off on Monday, October 23, with a karaoke night outside of the cafeteria to which all students, alumni and members of the community are invited. On Tuesday, October 24, the Alumni Association and Office of Enrollment Services are sponsoring a 5K Glow Run on campus. The event is free and open to runners and walkers of all ages. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female winners in a variety of age groups. The first 50 participants to register will receive a t-shirt. Registration is online on the Co-Lin website. The bulk of Homecoming events will be Thursday: A retiree brunch at the president’s home at 10:30 a.m.. All retirees from the college’s three campuses are invited to attend. Alumni Association chapter meetings for the Athletic Alumni Association in the Henley Building and for the Band/Colette Alumni Chapter in the Natchez Room at the Thames Center at 2:00 p.m. The annual alumni awards reception from 3:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Thames Center. Alumnus of the Year, Sports Hall of Fame, Band & Colette honorees and the 50-year reunion class will be recognized during this time. Check-in and social time will begin at 3:15 p.m., with the award program beginning at 3:45 p.m. The annual business meeting beginning of the Alumni Association at 4:30 p.m. Admission to the event is free, but guests are asked to RSVP with the Alumni Office. A tailgate party outside Stone Stadium from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with free food sponsored by Alfa Insurance, games and activities for kids sponsored by the Mississippi Army National Guard, and a pre Homecoming football game pep rally featuring the Blue Wave Show band and cheerleaders at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public. The Homecoming football game at 6:30 p.m. against East Central. The 2023 Sports Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized on the field prior to the coin toss. The Homecoming Queen and her court will be recognized on the field at halftime. On Friday, October 27, a four-man scramble golf tournament will be hosted by the Co-Lin baseball team at the Wolf Hollow course. Registration will be $100 per player, and hole sponsorships are available for $100. Registration is online on the Co-Lin website. A mixed doubles tennis tournament will also be hosted by the Co-Lin tennis team at the Co-Lin Tennis Complex. Registration will be $50 per player, and t-shirt sponsorships are available for $150. Registration is online on the Co-Lin website. For more information on Homecoming events and activities, visit www.colin.edu or contact the Alumni Office at 601-643-8498.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Mississippians to participate in the ‘Great ShakeOut’ earthquake drill on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 10:19 a.m. During the self-led drill, participants will practice the three essential actions to take during an earthquake, which are to: DROP to the ground. Take COVER under a sturdy table or desk if possible, protecting your head and neck. HOLD ON until the shaking stops. Individuals and organizations can register for the ‘Great ShakeOut’ by visiting www.shakeout.org/. Once registered, participants will receive more information on how to plan their drill and additional earthquake preparedness tips. According to the Great ShakeOut website, over 14 million people have registered to participate in the United States, which includes over 362,000 Mississippians. Although only a small number of earthquakes have been centered in Mississippi, the state has been affected by numerous shocks from neighboring states, particularly along the ‘New Madrid Seismic Zone.’ This is why earthquake preparedness is crucial for Mississippians. For more earthquake preparedness information, visit our website.

By Bob Garver The creative, commercial, and overall cultural impact of 1973’s “The Exorcist” cannot be overstated. Every Halloween, you’re bound to see and hear references to the film, from facsimiles of Linda Blair’s otherworldly-affected face to recreations of the iconic head-spinning scene to quotes of demonic threats that can’t be repeated here. The film spawned both sequels and prequels, none of which I’ve seen, but critical consensus indicates paled in comparison to the original. Now, a nice round 50 years after the original, comes “The Exorcist: Believer.” It pales in comparison to the original so badly that it’s worse than “pale,” it’s the putrid yellow color of the possessed girls’ flesh. Come to think of it, the phrase “beyond the pale” works very nicely here. 13-year-old Angela (Lidya Jewett) lives a disorganized life with her widowed, atheist father Victor (Leslie Odom Jr.). Her best friend Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) seems to have the more organized household with two Christian parents (Jennifer Nettles and Norbert Leo Butz). But both girls are at a rebellious age, so they sneak off after school one day to perform a ritual to contact Angela’s late mother. We’re not privy to what happens to them next, but their parents notice when they don’t come home that night. After a three-day, community-wide search, the girls are found in a barn 30 miles away from their school. The good news is that they’re healthy aside from some scarring, the bad news is that burning questions remain about what happened to them in those three days – and they don’t remember. The parents try to return the girls to their normal lives, but of course it’s not that easy. The girls hear nonexistent noises, they bleed terrible CGI blood, they attack people in cheap jump scares. Eventually they both have to be restrained at a hospital. Katherine’s parents believe demonic forces may be at work, but Victor just thinks they’re panicking. His nurse neighbor Ann (Ann Dowd) gives him a book on possession – written by Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn), the mother of Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair), the possessed girl from the first movie. He goes to visit Chris, who agrees to help. She confronts the possessed Angela for about a minute before being taken out of the action, if not out of the movie. To save the girls, the parents will have to do a proper exorcism. They’ll have to tie the girls to chairs and bring in at least four different religious officials. The local Catholic diocese insists on non-involvement, and there’s an eye-rolling subplot about a priest (E.J. Bonilla) and his willingness to help. Victor will have to get over his disillusionment with faith. It’s all typical exorcist-movie stuff, relying on a formula instead of recognizing a responsibility to write (or rewrite) the formula. Oh, and one character is definitely going to be a candidate for those “Biggest Idiots in Horror Movies” lists that are all over YouTube. They will be right at home alongside the mayor from “Jaws” and Paul Reiser in “Aliens.” The best thing I can say about “The Exorcist: Believer” is that some of the cast members are trying hard. I can’t find fault with the kids, Odom leans into his heavier scenes, Burstyn nails her cameo, and Ann Dowd, as always, steals the show. At first I thought her character was going to be the typical grouchy neighbor that gets killed early to illustrate that the evil entity is indeed dangerous (I have to be honest, even “M3GAN,” my favorite horror movie of 2023 so far, wasn’t above this lazy trope), but I was glad to see her stick around. But the film’s pacing, predictability, and special effects are a mess, and ultimately make this official “Exorcist” entry no better than any number of knockoffs of the classic. Grade: C- “The Exorcist: Believer” is rated R for some violent content, disturbing images, language and sexual references. Its running time is 111 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

By Bob Arnold Crystal meth – the common name for crystal methamphetamine – is a strong, highly addictive drug with no legal use that affects the central nervous system. Also called “ice” or “glass” because it comes in clear chunks or shiny blue-white rocks, it is a popular party drug, usually smoked with a small glass pipe, and sometimes swallowed, snorted or injected into a vein. First-time users may get hooked right from the start after experiencing a quick rush of euphoria, feelings of pleasure, confidence and energy; and becoming hyper-aware and sensitive to noises, smells and visual stimulants. As they continue to use the drug, they build up tolerance and need higher doses for the same effects. As their addiction grows, they forget hunger and thirst, with the drug at the center of their lives. As the drug works its seeming magic for those who crave the feelings it produces, it also damages the body and causes severe psychological problems. Lives of addicts crumble with economic losses and homelessness because they cannot – and do not want to – function on jobs; and their health deteriorates due to lack of self-care, including medical care, and to the drug itself, which can cause heart and lung damage, dental, skin and eye problems, cramps, insomnia, twitching and restlessness, among physical effects; and paranoia and psychosis characterized by auditory, visual and physical hallucinations. Eleven years ago, Chasity Hart – now a busy married mother of a 17-year old son and 15-year-old daughter who works full-time in Co-Lin’s maintenance department and part-time in several other jobs while starting an artisan business as a soap maker – was in the grips of Crystal meth and its downward spiral. In 2012, she came to a residential ministry for women that the New Beginnings Worship Center at Martinsville, Mississippi, ran at Wesson, where she says “I found Jesus, and learned how to be saved and loved rather than depending on a substance.” “Coming to Wesson saved my life,” Hart affirms. Until 11 years ago, Hart lived all around Wesson in South Central Mississippi, with a brief interlude in Alabama. Suffice it to say, she recalls an “unpleasant childhood” in “a dysfunctional family.” Hart, her mother and two sisters experienced life without a strong male presence. With her two older sisters, she moved from community to community with her parents, and sometimes lived with relatives. Whether it was the different changes in schools or the nature of the institution, she did not like school and quit after completing the ninth grade. Ironically, dropping out of school led to some of Hart’s happiest days as a youth as a resident of the federal Job Corps facility at Crystal Springs. Encouraged by her mother and sister, she applied for the program for youth and young adults from low-income families. Within an environment that provided housing, meals and care for personal needs, she spent two years there starting at age 16 in career studies, including a Business Office Technology course and Certified Nursing Assistant classes, and earned a high school graduation equivalency diploma. She also met her first husband there. With her then husband, she moved to Alabama, worked at the Washington County Hospital Infirmary and started her family, but returned to South Central Mississippi after a divorce where she fell into a drug-centered life. “I wanted to be around family, but found friends that turned out to be the wrong crowd,” Hart relates. She also found crystal meth, and started a two-year spiral downward, interspersed with some failed attempts at rehabilitation. “My situation was pretty ugly,” she recalls. “A communal living situation with friends not much better off than I. No work. Food stamps. I blamed others for my problems, didn’t keep sober company and made the wrong choices trying to manage my life alone.” Finally, Hart’s older sister Brenda stepped in. “She came to where I was living in Lawrence County, packed me up and extracted me,” she recounts. She took her to New Beginnings Worship Center’s Elizabeth House in Wesson. Unlike the hospitals and other voluntary organizations where she tried to find help for her addiction, Elizabeth House offered no medications to make rehab less painful. “They gave me a Bible and told me ‘it’s all here,’” she says. “There were also worship services twice a week, Bible studies, Godly people with whom I could talk and a wonderful counselor – Teresa Veramontez – who helped me spiritually and practically. But for two weeks before I finally opened the Bible and started reading, it was a living hell.” Over the course of a year, Hart says she did a lot of soul-searching. “I took the first step to get help in recognizing I needed a savior, that I couldn’t do it myself and finding the love of Jesus to change my life,” she says. When Hart moved out of Elizabeth House to a small house of her own just down the street, she faced a multitude of practical problems around supporting herself and two children and figuring out how to live, but one important thing had changed: she no longer depended on Crystal meth. Jesus’ love helped her make the right choices. She took her first real job at Shop ‘n Wash, where she helped prepare food, interacted with its grocery-shopping customers, checked out shoppers at cash registers and, in the process, learned about the working world’s values – being on time, business ethics and sacrifice. She also fell in love with Freddie Hart, a local carpenter, whom she married in 2017. Hart’s new life has continued to evolve. Today, Hart is part of the cleaning crew at Co-Lin, helps run Uncle Rays eatery, bait shop and convenience store across from the entrance to Lake Lincoln State Park on weekends and is trying to turn an interest in soaps and soap making into a local artisan business. Hart’s Essential Soaps, which she started in July, grew out of her reading interest in soap making and experimenting with melting-and-pour soaps – existing soaps with added ingredients. In her new business, Hart is making cold-processed soaps for sensitive skin and fragranced soaps from scratch with oils, lye and goat’s milk – her major additive. She produces about 50 bars of soap per week, which she sells to a customer base including 130 Facebook followers and patrons of various area flea markets. With Jesus, Hart, at 36 years old, has moved beyond a rough childhood and youth and Crystal meth to a new positive life in Wesson. What are your hobbies? I try to share the story of my recovery to help give other people hope and find the way out of their situations, whatever they are. I go to church, but am not an active member of Little Bahala Baptist Church. I maintain the New Found Hope Recovery Today website to encourage those who need motivation and strength in dealing with their issues. It’s a public page with 314 followers, which used to sponsor meetings at Elizabeth House in Wesson. Other than that, it’s all work for me. Are you a reader? I mainly read the Bible, although I may pick up something like Duck Dynasty, as I did recently, and get into it. How about music? I don’t sing or play an instrument, but I listen to worship music on Pandora and 106.7 rock on my car radio. What would you do with the winnings if you won the lottery? I would donate to the Boren Children’s Home, establish a new Elizabeth House in Wesson, and help set up my children for their lives.

No credit taken for this column’s title today. Before it hit File Thirteen, I read it on the front of a magazine that was promoting one of the articles inside and it stuck with me. Courage in a crumbling culture. Wonder what the original author actually said in his article? I don’t know for sure, but I’m going to assume it was along these lines: Folks, we are in trouble in our country. Everything we took for granted for years has changed, or is in the process of changing. Or being obliterated completely. Things like truth. We always assumed that truth meant actual unchangeable facts. Now? Not so, my gullible friend. Truth now is whatever the person wants it to be. And if the real meaning of truth is up for grabs, then there is absolutely nothing concrete we can stand upon. We have no bedrock foundation that can keep our culture firmly upright and stable, without wobbling, crumbling and finally collapsing. Obeying and depending on our God and Creator has also fallen by the wayside in the United States. Today people are worshipping and following something else – Self. Maturity and self-control that causes a man or woman to become a responsible citizen in our country has given way to “This is exactly how I feel and what I want to do, so I’m gonna do it. And besides, nobody ain’t the boss of anybody – so you or no &!@$* policeman is gonna stop me!” That belief has replaced doing what is right and good. Another concept lost is that of everyone doing steady ongoing work in today’s culture. Doing a day or a night’s worth of honest, responsible employment, week after week. Simply because bills have to be paid, kids need to be fed, and companies need trustworthy hard workers in order to keep our country thriving and strong. For a large portion of adults today, that thought is now only part of our dead and buried past. For them, work is basically for one purpose only. For self. To feed a habit, or to have enough money to party or travel. Far too many are viewing work as the short-term means toward doing what they want…right now. There is little thought given to committing - settling in and settling down with goals. That just ain’t fun enough. Courage today in this crumbling culture. You had better develop it, and in a big hurry. And it needs to be based on an unmovable foundation - called the Lord God and Creator. Because everything else is disintegrating quickly. The very foundations of our country and our world are wobbling and seem very close to following the prophecies found in Scripture. That everything will soon pass away. But not the Creator of it all. He alone will stand strong and undefeated when it’s all said and done.