By Venessa Yates, SVP and General Manager, Walmart+ Helping people save money and live better is at the core of everything we do at Walmart, and Walmart+ is that mission supercharged. Since launching Walmart+ in 2020, we have worked hard to curate a membership offering that partners benefits with savings, providing unrivalled access to life’s everyday needs at an affordable price. We at Walmart+ believe that everyone should be able to enjoy all the ways a Walmart+ membership helps them save time and money, with benefits like free shipping and grocery delivery, nationwide gas discounts, and video streaming with Paramount+ at no extra cost. That’s why we’re proud to introduce Walmart+ Assist, a program that offers customers on government assistance 50% off a monthly or annual Walmart+ paid membership plan. Walmart+ Assist was designed to do exactly what’s in the name: assist those who need it most. We’re making it easier and more accessible for government-assisted customers to become members and take advantage of the full suite of savings that Walmart+ has to offer them. The program is available to all eligible new and existing members. Existing members who qualify and sign up will receive a prorated refund and the new price will start immediately. Here’s how to do it: Visit Walmart.com/Plus/Assist to verify your eligibility through SheerID. Sign up for a Walmart+ Assist membership at the new price of $6.47/month or $49/year. Start enjoying all the benefits of your new Walmart+ membership. This is not the first time Walmart has innovated to support customers who use government assistance. In 2019, Walmart was one of the first retailers to begin taking part in the USDA’s SNAP Online Purchase pilot. The multi-year rollout allows customers to pay with their SNAP benefits online, giving them access to conveniences like pickup and delivery. With the recent addition of Alaska into the program, Walmart is now the first retailer to accept SNAP benefits online in all 50 states. Walmart+ Assist is another huge step forward in helping those who need it most experience all the benefits at the heart of our membership. To learn more about Walmart+ Assist or to sign up, visit Walmart.com/Plus/Assist.

The Mississippi Farmers Market will host Sliced into Summer 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 29. Alongside usual vendors who carry produce, eggs, meat, dairy products, honey, flowers, artwork and plants, the Market will feature complimentary watermelon slices; Back to School lunchbox bundles; a photo opportunity with the 2023 Watermelon Queen; and kids’ activities. “Join us at the Mississippi Farmers Market for our Sliced into Summer event this Saturday,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “We’ve got the 2023 Mississippi Watermelon Queen, Saylor Sullivan, who will be joining us from Mize for pictures and Mississippi-grown watermelon for everyone to enjoy. Come experience the benefits firsthand of shopping and supporting local producers.” The Farmers Market Café, located inside of the Mississippi Farmers Market, is open 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every weekday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. For daily menu schedules, visit the Farmers Market Café on Facebook. The Genuine MS® Store, also located inside the Mississippi Farmers Market, is open 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. For additional information about the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce’s Genuine MS® program, visit www.genuinems.com or follow Genuine MS® on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The Mississippi Farmers Market, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, is open 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on select Thursdays. For additional information about the Mississippi Farmers Market, visit www.msfarmersmarket.com or follow the Mississippi Farmers Market on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

By Guest Cooking Columnist Charles Fortson, Jr. With summer heat already upon us, light, easy to make meals are the order of the day. That means salads. This egg chicken salad is purely chicken and egg – none of the other salad stuff – mixed with recommended seasonings and amounts (but season to your taste and tweak as desired). If your main ingredients – that is, the chicken and eggs – are handy, you can quickly whip up this summer eating treat. This recipe starts from scratch with a whole chicken, but the salad is great with any leftover chicken -- broiled, baked, rotisserie, fired. The spicy eggs make this chicken salad special. So pay attention! Ingredients: 12 eggs. 1 whole chicken. 1 tablespoon of Crab Boil 1/tablespoon of salt and pepper. ½ cup of mayonnaise. 1 tablespoon of mustard. 1 medium sweet onion. ½ cup sweet relish Directions: 1. Starting from scratch, you’ll need to prepared the chicken and eggs the day before your meal. 2. Boil chicken 45 minutes on medium to high heat in water with 2 tablespoon of Crab Boil added. 3. Boil eggs for 30 minutes, cool and peal. Put in gallon ZipLoc bag with water in which chicken was boiled, and sit for six hours in refrigerator to absorb seasoning. Add a few more eggs to keep around the house as nutritious snacks. 4. Debone chicken and chop it finely.. 5. Chop eggs and onions 6. Mix chopped chicken, eggs and onions with mayonnaise, mustard, sweet relish, salt and pepper. Serves at least eight. EDITOR’S NOTE: Charles Fortson, Jr., is proprietor-chef at Uncle Ray’s across from Lake Lincoln State Park. He makes lunches and dinners to take out or for table service, while also operating a convenience store and bait shop at his Sunset Road location. Follow his cooking tips on Uncle Ray’s Facebook page or call 601-643-0174 to check on his daily specials.

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum will celebrate its 40th birthday with an event on Saturday, September 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $4 for all ages. “In September of 1983, the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum officially opened its doors to the public,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “Since then, visitors have enjoyed ag tours, exhibits, demonstrations and wholesome, family fun. We are excited to celebrate this incredible milestone of 40 years educating the public on Mississippi’s rich agricultural heritage. Mark your calendars for this historic and entertaining event coming up September 9, 2023.” In addition to all the usual exhibits, festivities for this event will feature the Dixieland Old Engine and Agricultural Club’s display of antique engines and other agricultural tools, and much more. Living History Presenters from around the country will be dressed in period clothing and interacting with museum visitors as Small Town, Mississippi, comes to life. The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum has partnered with several organizations who will assist in providing 40 unique experiences across the museum grounds that visitors can enjoy. Additional details regarding the museum’s 40th birthday event will be forthcoming soon. For more information on the different experiences scheduled for this event, contact Rachel Bone at rachel@mdac.ms.gov. The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, located at 1150 Lakeland Drive in Jackson, is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information about the Museum, call 601-432-4500 or 1-800-844-8687, visit www.msagmuseum.org or visit the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum on Facebook. The Ag Museum is a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

Children enrolled in the WAC kindergarten and grades one through six must bring a variety of supplies, including tools for their school work such as pencils, crayons, scissors, and notebook; and personal hygiene items such as hand soap, wipes, sanitizers, and paper towels: Kindergarten 2-facial tissue 1-blunt tip 5" scissors 4-paper towels 4-crayola crayons 24 ct 1-crayola assorted thick markers 12 ct 1-crayola Artista watercolor set 8 ct 1-poly pocket with brad folders 2-plastic pocket only folder 1-elmer's school glue 4 oz 2-waterless hand sanitizer 8 oz with pump 24-#2 Dixon Ticonderoga pre-sharpened pencil 1-12x18 construction paper 50 ct 1-12x18 manila paper 50 ct 4-elmer's washable glue stick 1-four color pack of playdoh (4 oz cans) 1-11 x 7.25 natural canvas pencil bag w/grommets 1-dial pump bottle soap 1-ziploc/glad gallon freezer zip bags (boys) 1-ziploc/glad quart freezer zip bags (girls) First grade 1- pencil bag with grommets 4- Crayola crayons 24 ct 1-fiskars 5' blunt tip scissors (ages 4+) 2-wide ruled spiral notebook 2-mead 5-star plastic folders 2-pink pearl beveled erasers 1-pack of pencil cap erasers 1-4 pack expo black fine tip dry erase markers 1-package 12"x18" manilla drawing paper 1-1" 3 ring binder 1-dial pump bottle soap 1-80z pump waterless hand sanitizer 3-boxes of Kleenex 1-chlorox disinfecting wipes (not for skin) 1-ziploc or glad quart freezer zip bags 1-ziploc or glad gallon freezer zip bags 4-rolls of paper towels (85+count) 1-pair of sturdy earbuds Second Grade 24- no2 Dixon Ticonderoga pre-sharpened pencil 6-elmer's small washable white glue stick 3-facial tissue 2- pencil cap erasers (large pack) 1-11x7.25 pencil bag w/grommets 1-9x12 construction paper 1-wide rule composition book 4-paper towels 2- plastic pocket only folder 1- highlighters 4 pack 1-wide rule 8x10.5 filler paper 100 ct 1-9x12 manila paper 1-waterless hand sanitizer 8 oz with pump 4-crayola crayons 24 ct 1-blunt tip 5" scissors 2-disinfecting wipes 35 ct - not for skin 1-ziploc/glad gallon freezer zip bags (boys) 1-ziploc/glad quart freezer zip bags (girls) 1- Refillable Water Bottle I- pair of sturdy earbuds Third Grade 1- pencil bag with grommets 4- packs of 12 Ticonderoga pencils 2- boxes of Crayola crayons (24 count) 1- pair of blunt tip 5” scissors 4- Elmer glue sticks 4- expo dry erase markers (black only!) 2- packs of 4 sharpie highlighters (yellow only!) 2- 2 inch binders 2- packs of 5 multi-colored plastic tab dividers 2- packs of pencil cap erasers 2- boxes of Kleenex 2- rolls of paper towels 3- bottles of Clorox wipes 2- large bottles of germ x 1-pair of sturdy earbuds Fourth Grade 2- packs of 24 ct. USA Gold or Ticonderoga pencils 2- containers of Clorox wipes 1- bottle of germ-x 3- boxes of 24 ct. Crayola crayons 2- plastic pocket folders with prongs 4- packs of cap erasers 4- black dry erase markers 4- pair of earbuds (1 per 9 weeks) 2- packs of wide ruled loose-leaf notebook paper 1- box of Ziploc bags (boys – gallon; girls – quart) 2- composition notebooks (no spiral) 2- boxes of Kleenex (100 ct. or more) 2- packs of Crayola markers 2- rolls of paper towels 2- packs of 4 ct. highlighters 1-9x12 sketch pad I- pair of sturdy earbuds Fifth Grade 1- pencil bag or box 1- sturdy ear buds for laptop 1-36 count#2 Ticonderoga or USA Gold pencils 2- 25ct pencil cap erasers 1- pre-sharpened colored pencils 1- 24 count crayons 1- pack of colored markers, broad tip 1- regular pencil sharpener 1- blunt tip 5” scissors 8 count assorted highlighters 4 count chisel tip dry erase markers (BLACK only) 4 count Elmer’s glue sticks 2- 1” binders with clear pouch on front 1 pack of insert dividers with tabs 1 plastic folder with pockets and prongs 2 packs of wide ruled 8X10.5 filler paper, 100 count 3 boxes of facial tissues 3 rolls of paper towels 1 bottle of germ-x 2 containers Clorox wipes 1 Ziploc quart storage bags 25 count heavy duty sheet protectors, clear 1- composition journal Sixth Grade 36-7mm mechanical pencil 1-7mm pencil lead refill 1 tube 2-pink bevel eraser 2-1" hardback vinyl binder 1-pencil bag w/grommets 1-plastic pocket only folder 1- poly pocket with brad folders 4-wide rule 8x10.5 filler paper 100 ct 1-assorted insertable dividers 8 tab 1-assorted highlighters 4 pack 4- black chisel tip dry erase marker 1-12ct Crayola 7" colored pres-harpened pencils 2-paper towels 2-germx 8oz with pump 2-Clorox wipes- not for skin 2-basic calculator 2-3x3 assorted sticky notes 50 ct 2-sturdy pair of earbuds for computer 1-ziploc/glad gallon freezer zip bags 2-facial tissue Parents no longer have to shop stores for the tools and supplies. They can order them online at www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacekets in kits customized to Wesson Attendance Center teacher specs that will be delivered to WAC and placed in classrooms of children before school starts. Costs of kits not including sales taxes are $74.64 for kindergartners, $64.18 for first graders, $66.56 for second grade boys and $66.31 for second grade girls, $63.96 for third grade boys and $63.12 for third grade girls, $61.09 for fourth graders, $66.63 for fifth graders and $60.77 for sixth graders. Use the WES895 code when ordering for direct shipment to WAC.

Cheating – taking what you didn’t earn. Yeah, that’s a real self-esteem builder. “I’m not brainy enough or strong enough to do it myself, I have to ‘borrow’ from someone else.” Stealing – So, you are the squirrel that doesn’t bother finding your own nuts. You’d rather follow your neighbor squirrel to his stash, steal it, and give it to your family. Real class act. Making your family so proud of you. Violence – Now there’s a class act! Using brute force on someone else to get what you want. Might as well take out an ad in the local paper stating you know you are ‘less than.’ Sexual Perversion – Simple logic tells anyone that a bolt doesn’t fit a bolt, and a nut doesn’t fit another nut. God had it all figured out for us. Better to be alone and not offend your Creator. Lying – You have to be one of those people who love the thought of standing stark naked on Main Street with a sign above your head reading “Liar.” Because Numbers 32:23 in the Bible warns, "You will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” Adultery – Stepping outside your marriage for sex. An accepted norm in today’s world. But still, a guarantee of causing yourself pain in the future. Might as well take an axe to a leg or two, if guaranteed pain is your aim. Drunkenness – Another of the many examples of stupidity and self-centeredness. Losing control of your own behavior and emotions. Not to say anything of the real danger you can cause to those around you. Jealousy – Whine, “I want what she’s got.” You may want the same as what she has, but don’t make the mistake of wanting hers. So self-defeating. Grow up and just go work to get your own. Idolatry – Putting anything or anyone in this world before the Creator of this world. If that’s your idea of intelligence – angering the One who created you and can snuff you out in a heartbeat, then go for it. Entitlement – Expecting others to hand you everything you need or want, simply because you are you. Grow up and work for it, like a mature person. Using the people around you stinks, and that smell will eventually run them off. And then you are left alone to breathe in your own stench. Bitterness – A real no-brainer! Go ahead, live your life hurt and angry. Drink that rat poison and expect the one who hurt you to suffer. Gossiping – Are you deliberately trying to make certain you become the butt of gossip at some point? Because that is the end game of talking about other people behind their back. Fact: A good friend who is willing to gossip with you, is usually willing to talk to another good friend about you. Remember, a juicy piece of gossip about you is often just too good not to share. Just asking you to think.

By Bob Garver Last summer, when “Top Gun: Maverick” was making roughly all the money printed in the United States during that fiscal quarter, I read a number of articles (many publications jumped on the trend at once) calling Tom Cruise various iterations of “The Last Movie Star.” The moniker is obviously an exaggeration – Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt haven’t exactly been left in the dust in Hollywood – but it’s understandable where it comes from. It may take a few beats to remember that the “Avatar” movies star Sam Worthington or that Tom Holland is the most recent (live-action) version of Spider-Man, but there is no such confusion with a Tom Cruise movie. I bet most people, when discussing the “Mission: Impossible” movies, say “Tom Cruise” instead of his character’s name of Ethan Hunt. For that matter, I wouldn’t be surprised if people say “Tom Cruise” instead of “Jerry Maguire” when discussing the film named after the character. All of this is to say that Tom Cruise has an undeniable screen presence and charisma. He certainly has the straight-up talent to justify this popularity, but his blockbuster appeal is about more than that. He clearly believes that if he’s going to be at the top of the industry, he should push himself harder than the rest of the industry. That’s why he insists on undertaking difficult tasks like long sequences of running and dangerous stunts involving planes and motorcycles. This kind of dedication is why “Mission: Impossible” is a respectable franchise unto itself and not the James Bond knockoff that it would be otherwise. The new installment sees Hunt racing around the globe to stop The Entity, a computer program that has seemingly become sentient and bent on world domination. Whoever can access The Entity first, whether it’s a government or an individual, can basically control the world. Hunt is initially sanctioned by the U.S. government, represented by Impossible Mission Force leader Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny), but he soon realizes that nobody should be allowed to have that much power, so he goes on a rogue mission to destroy The Entity. Hunt is aided by faithful teammates Luther (Ving Rhames), Benji (Simon Pegg) and Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson). Complicating matters are money-driven duplicitous characters like high-class pickpocket Grace (Hayley Atwell) and black-market arms dealer Alanna (Vanessa Kirby). Full-on villains include assassin Gabriel (Esai Morales) and his henchwoman Paris (Pom Klementieff, gleefully maniacal in a role that frankly doesn’t call for it), who are apparently representing The Entity itself, and no, I’m not sure how that business relationship works. The mission involves gaining possession of two halves of a key and then figuring out what exactly the key opens. It also involves an elaborate series of druggings, pickpocketings, thievery, bomb scares, knife-fights, shootouts, car chases, crosses and double crosses, and a ton of antics with a runaway train. Oh, and those super-realistic masks that this series loves come into play. This movie really hopes you like Vanessa Kirby, because you’re getting a double dose of her here (no complaints from me). I spent most of this movie having a hard time deciding if it was worth recommending. Cruise and his team are their usual delightful selves, but it seems like this movie’s been done several times before. The villains are more memorable than some of the others in this series, but their motivations are questionable. The action is mostly pretty exciting, but the stakes are affected by the “Part One” in the film’s title, which tells me that nothing too conclusive is going to happen here. At the last minute, the film pulled out an effective action sequence with a train that finally earned it my endorsement. I reckon you’ll have a good time with the seventh “Mission: Impossible” Grade: B- “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some language and suggestive material. Its running time is 163 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

The Mississippi Center for Justice (MCJ) will host “Voices of Mississippi,” an immersive multimedia experience and concert event, on September 13th at the St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Performing Arts Center in Ridgeland, Mississippi. “Voices of Mississippi” combines blues, folk, gospel music, and spoken-word storytelling to paint a powerful portrait of the state’s contribution to American culture. The event features live musical performances integrated with film, audio recordings, and archival photographs, all combining to tell a uniquely Mississippi story. The event showcases a lineup of artists representing multiple genres rooted in the Mississippi musical tradition. Featured performers will include two-time GRAMMY® Award-Winner and Blues Hall of Fame legend Bobby Rush; Sharde Thomas of the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band; and three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated Luther and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars. “Voices of Mississippi” is based on the GRAMMY® Award-winning film, book, and music compilation set of the same name by Dr. William Ferris, founder of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Dr. Ferris was the 2022 recipient of the MCJ Pathfinder Award, which honors those who promote equity through the arts. Dr. Ferris will MC the event, sharing personal stories from his life’s work documenting Mississippi musicians and artists. The “Voices of Mississippi” benefit concert will support the work of the Mississippi Center for Justice, a nonprofit legal firm that promotes racial, social, and economic equity. “Our state’s rich cultural heritage represents every Mississippian,” says Vangela M. Wade, MCJ’s president and CEO. “Much of our state’s most celebrated creativity and most influential work was born from our state’s most marginalized people and most difficult times. ‘Voices of Mississippi’ is an inclusive event that will bring all of us together to celebrate our state’s unmatched influence on American music, art, and culture.” “’Voices of Mississippi’ celebrates our state’s rich history of music, which has long been a bridge across troubled waters. Music comforts the soul, deepens our humanity, and builds solidarity,” says Dr. Ferris. “Like the courageous work of the Mississippi Center for Justice, the sounds of Mississippians and their rich musical heritage inspire us to work for a better future together.” EVENT DETAILS “Voices of Mississippi” September 13, 2023 7:00 PM St. Andrew’s Performing Arts Center 370 Old Agency Road Ridgeland, MS 39157 Tickets on sale July 19 via Ticketmaster VIP Seating $200 General Admission Tickets $125 https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1B005EEEA5F0548A For sponsorship information, including tickets to a VIP reception with the artists, contact: Tosha Taylor 601.709.0859 or 601.325.2269 ext. 107 TTaylor@mscenterforjustice.org For media inquiries, interview requests, or further information, contact: Mandesha Thornton Mississippi Center for Justice 601.352.2269 ext. 147 mthornton@mscenterforjustice.org

Have you ever thought that you could create a better message for the signs you see above the roadways? Now is your chance to prove it! The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is holding its annual Safety Message Contest. Submit your clever or punny message for the chance to win and see it posted on Mississippi DMS boards. The contest will run from July 17 through 31. “MDOT’s main focus is safety; we want everyone, the traveling public and our roadside workers, to make it where they’re going every day,” said Brad White MDOT Executive Director. “These messages you see along the roadways help remind drivers of easy ways to increase their safety when behind the wheel.” MDOT’s traffic safety messages appear on DMS boards along highways and interstates throughout Mississippi. These messages, which are often related to current events and pop culture, are part of an effort to encourage drivers to change their actions behind the wheel. However, any local emergency messages and traffic updates automatically override scheduled messages on the DMS boards. There is no limit to the number of messages you can submit, but below are some guidelines to remember: The message must relate to traffic safety. Signs can only accommodate three lines and 21 characters per line, including spaces. Hashtags, phone numbers and website addresses are not allowed. No emojis. For this year’s contest, participants are encouraged to focus their messages on the following themes: Speeding Distracted Driving/Texting and Driving Seat Belt Safety Sober Driving Work Zone Safety Turn Signals/Blinkers Left Lane Driving Etiquette Follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for details on how to submit your messages.

By Kara Kimbrough Last week I was perusing one of the few remaining bookstores (don’t get me started on the impracticality of ordering books online without at least holding it in my hands, thumbing through a few pages and deciding for myself if it’s worth buying) in the state and came across two intriguing titles: “100 Things to Do in Mississippi Before You Die” and “100 Things to Do in Coastal Mississippi Before You Die.” Flipping through the books (see what I mean?) I glimpsed several items I’ve been fortunate enough to see and experience. If you’re planning a last-minute getaway with the family before school starts or simply looking for a fun road trip, here is a list of some of my favorite things to see and do in Mississippi. I realize this list doesn’t come close to covering all the wonderful things in our state, so I’ll mention more in future columns. But here are a few to get you started: 1. Listing “Mississippi Gulf Coast” is simply too broad of a suggestion – after all, there are three counties along the gulf filled with cities and towns filled with shopping, restaurants, excursions and adventures. In short, they are all worthy of a visit in their own right. Narrowing it down just a tad, one of my favorite things to do is drive over the Bay St. Louis Bridge for a birds-eye view of the shimmering water fronting Hancock County. Another good idea is to head west over the Biloxi Bay Bridge for an equally memorable experience leading into Jackson County. Paring things down even further, stopping for a picnic at Jones Park at the intersection of US 49 and 90 in Gulfport is a free, enjoyable thing to do while on the Coast. Sitting under the massive Barkdale Pavililion near the water while cool breezes waft through the pillars creates the illusion of a beach vacation without the time and expense. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a meal. If it's not too terribly hot, walk a few feet to the sand and relax in a beach chair. Similar covered beach pavilions are found along the beach, but this one is my favorite. 2. Vicksburg, filled with history, beauty and of course, the Mighty Mississippi, is the perfect day trip or mini vacation. Simply standing on the banks of the river and taking in all of its magnificent size and splendid is something everyone needs to do at least once. If you’re feeling adventuresome, book a room in one of the Civil War-era bed and breakfasts to hear informative tour guides tell of their use as hospitals (and more...) during the Siege of Vicksburg. The hardwood floors in at least one of the homes still bear faint traces of the bloodstains left by wounded soldiers. According to friends who stayed overnight in one, the detailed war stories told by an entertaining tour guide were so convincing that they slept with a loaded pistol by their bedside to fend off any lingering “visitors." Email me if you’d like the name of this “lively” B & B. A stop by the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, the origin of the world-famous beverage, and the Old Courthouse Museum containing the first teddy bear will make any visit complete. 3. Natchez is another river city not to miss when traveling around the state. Mesmerizing water vistas are found in the area famous for being the oldest permanent settlement along the Mississippi. Natchez is also filled with antebellum homes and B & Bs, albeit minus blood-stained floors. If you know your history, you’ll remember the Union Army was a little kinder to this city. Fast forward to modern day and you’ll find plenty of antique shops, quaint downtown area and an Indian village, to name just a few things to see and do. 4. Speaking of the Civil War, if you’re a history buff, you'll love researching the history of the 5-year battle in which the state's soldiers played an integral role at Mississippi Department of Archives and History in Jackson. The impressive six-story building contains millions of researchable documents, including detailed information on Confederate soldiers, land rolls dating back centuries, genealogy records and much more. Trained staff are available to assist with research, but there’s also plenty of freedom to browse through mountains of information on your own. 5. You can’t visit MDAH without walking across the street and visiting my favorite building in the state, the Old Capitol Museum. Touring the state’s first legislative chambers and interesting displays of Mississippi history, including the Governors' and First Ladies' gallery, makes for an interesting experience. However, viewing the elaborate architecture and stunning rotunda and newly-restored dome is the crowning touch of any visit to this state treasure. 6. Don’t just drive through the Capitol City and adjacent counties in search of beaches, mountains and attractions in other states. Instead, stop and enjoy the natural beauty, scenic water views and parks near the Barnett Reservoir. The 33,000-acre Reservoir, or “Rez” as it’s called, and 17,000 surrounding acres with 105 miles of shoreline. One of the best spots is scenic Lakeshore Park located on the Rez's southeastern shore in Rankin County. The area is open to the public year-round for picnicking, boating, fishing and swimming in a secure sand-filled water with an adjacent beach. Admission is free Monday through Friday. A $5 parking fee is assessed on Saturday and Sunday at Lakeshore and other parks. Lakeshore Park is located at 1112 North Shore Parkway, Brandon. 6. I’ve mentioned my fondness the Mississippi Petrified Forest in Flora on more than one occasion. But just in case you missed it, every Mississippian needs to experience this intriguing, beautiful area filled with archaic trees and stones. After all, where else can you view an area formed 36 million years ago without leaving Mississippi? It sounds like something out of the Stone Age without the long flight to the long flight to Egypt. It's hot this time of year, but the nature trail is shaded and the earth science museum is air-conditioned. The museum is filled with petrified wood samples from Mississippi as well as the other 49 states. Fossils and minerals from around the world, dinosaur footprints, whale bones and other interesting artifacts are also on display. The forest is privately-owned, but open to visitors. Before you go, check out the website for hours and admission fees: mspetrifiedforest.com. 7. Even if you’re not an alumnus, put school loyalties aside and visit the only Presidential Library in Mississippi located on the campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville. Believe it or not, the library chronicles the life and presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, the commanding general of the Union Army during the Civil War. Equally surprising is the fact that the university's Mitchell Library contains the nation’s largest privately held research and display material of Abraham Lincoln, a U.S. President who was anything but sympathetic to Mississippi during the war. Historians, scholars and students from around the nation and world visit the museums to study the collections and learn more about the lives of the 16th and 18th presidents. For hours of operation and more, visit the library's website at: usgrantlibrary.org. 8. Looking for an outing with a waterfall involved? Believe it or not, there is a waterfall in Mississippi. Travel to east Mississippi in search of the Chunky River in Lauderdale County and you’ll find the Dunn's Fall's Water Park. The bluffs of the eastern bank of the river extend to amazing heights from which a natural majestic waterfall flows. Visitors can climb winding steps on the steep embankment next to the falls to view the majestic water from below. This natural wonder is located at 6890 Dunn's Falls Rd. In Enterprise. The park is open Wednesday-Saturday and there is an admission fee. Call 601-655-8550 for more information. There you have it - a few of my “can’t-miss” places guaranteed to provide an interesting, “only in Mississippi” experience not found in a bustling tourist area. I didn’t come close to the list in the “100 Things to Do” books, but at least it’s a start. If you’d like me to visit your favorite place, drop me an email and I’ll add it to the list. In the meantime, it doesn’t get more “Mississippi” than peach cobbler, especially now when they’re at their peak. Like our state, this a low-maintenance recipe that results in an unforgettable experience. Old-Fashioned Cobbler 2 cups of sliced peaches or your favorite fruit (if using fresh berries, place them in a bowl with a little water and sprinkle of sugar and refrigerate for one hour before baking) 2 cups of self-rising flour 2 cups of sugar, plus two tablespoons, divided 1 cup milk 2 sticks of butter, room temperature Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place butter in large ovenproof dish and heat in oven until melted and bubbling. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix berries with two tablespoons of sugar and bring to boil. In a separate mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar and milk. Pour batter evenly across baking dish of bubbling butter, then pour berries and juice evenly on top of batter; do not stir. Bake 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let cool slightly and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Wesson Public Library (WPL) showcased six contemporary artists throughout June in a new role as an art gallery and promote the arts in the community. Friends of the Library (FOL) member Dr. Steven Liverman pulled together the exhibit for the “Art Corner,” which FOL plans to make an ongoing feature of WPL. The month-long show featured works in watercolor, oil and acrylic of artists whose style and education varied. The six artists were: Richard Dorris III, a Wesson resident since 1993, who prefers watercolor, but has used oils and acrylic as well in paintings inspired by Leonardo DaVinci, Michelangelo, Leroy Neiman, Rembrandt and Picasso. A physical therapist until 2011, he started painting in 1987 after studying art at the University of New Orleans and Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi, where he was instructed by Sam Gore, and sometimes, Wyatt Waters. Peggy Kraft Harkins, a Crystal Springs resident who aspired to become a portrait painter and art teacher, but pursued a career in advertising art after studying at Mississippi University for Women under Robert Johnson, Ann Parker, Larry Feeney, Tom Newrocki and Paul Fayard, and receiving a BFA in commercial art with a minor in printmaking. She works in all media to express something as beautiful or more beautiful than what you see, noting her career has allowed her “to develop her design abilities and learn to appreciate all beautiful design and creativities.” Her art, she says, is a way of showing the mood of a person, the time of day, or the atmosphere of a location or a special beauty. She is a member of local art organizations and the International Association of Pastel Societies. Keith T. Jones, originally from Wesson, is a professional designer, illustrator and educator, currently head of graphic design at the University of Alabama at Huntsville where he has taught for 28 years. He exhibits throughout the South, nationally and internationally, is a signature member of the Alabama Watercolor Society and conducts watercolor seminars in Birmingham, Alabama. He is also known for his illustrations in children’s books, including Susan Larson’s There’s a Fly in My Ear. The son of Dot Jones and the late James “Buck” Jones, he and his wife Teri live in Athens, Alabama, outside Huntsville. Pam Phillips Kelly, who now lives in Pickens, Mississippi, with her husband Mike, and is an office manager of Canton branch of Renasant Bank, graduated from Wesson High School and Co-Lin after moving with her parents, Freddie and Joy Phillips, to Wesson from Starkville, Mississippi, in the early 1970s. She has always love to paint, learning by painting with her family friends Ava Jane Newell and the late Peggy Smith. Pastor Lillie Deleace Stanton from Byram, Mississippi, pastor of New Life Cathedral of Worship in Hazlehurst, which is under the leadership of Senior Pastor Bishop Dr. Arnold Stanton, her husband, says “being able to paint what I see in the natural and in my mind, birthing it on a blank canvas, is all God.” Inspired by artists Bob Ross and Wilson Bickford, she paints in acrylic. She is a graduate of the former Utica Junior College, now Hinds Community College – Utica, and Bellhaven University in Jackson. Greg West, who is employed at the MAFES Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station Crystal Springs, started creating art “of a more personal nature” after coming to Copiah County 14 years ago following a 20-year career in graphic design, 15 years of which he spent as art director for Flatlanders Screen Printing in Cleveland, Mississippi. A 1989 Delta State University graduate with a BFA in graphic design, he studied art education in secondary school, and, on his own, spent many hours practicing perspective, human anatomy and cartooning.

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) will begin offering religious exemptions Monday, July 17, 2023, in addition to the existing medical exemption process in compliance with the federal court order entered in April 2023. Detailed information is now available on our website along with the proper forms to be completed and a statement from the Board of Health. "MSDH stands with the Board of Health in support of the current School Vaccination Law which has protected our children for over 40 years," said State Health Officer, Dr. Daniel Edney. MSDH issues medical exemptions when a Mississippi licensed pediatrician, family physician or internist completes the exemption form (Form 139-M) and submits it to the State Epidemiologist for review. For a religious exemption, a parent or guardian will schedule an appointment at a county health department (HD) and submit Form 139-R (available on the MSDH website and at HD locations). During the appointment, the parent or guardian will be required to watch a Vaccine Education Video and will have an opportunity to ask questions. HD staff will complete the Form 139-R and submit the completed form to the State Epidemiologist for review. The State Epidemiologist will approve and issue exemptions when parents or guardians (religious) or physicians (medical) complete the required process and request form. The Form 122 providing documentation of the exemption will be provided to the parent or guardian, the physician (if applicable), and the school if that information is provided on the form. In each exemption process, the parent or guardian will be informed of any vaccine-preventable diseases for which the child has not been adequately immunized and current outbreaks that may prevent the child from attending daycare or school. "Because of our long-existing and strong immunizations program, Mississippi has not recorded a measles case since 1992 even as other states have seen cases and outbreaks in recent years," states Interim State Epidemiologist Dr. Kathryn Taylor. "MSDH urges parents to carefully consider the importance of vaccinating our children and continues to encourage all individuals to remain up to date on all vaccinations unless medically contraindicated." For more information on health equity, visit: www.HealthyMS.com/equity. Follow MSDH by e-mail and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.