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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WAC Class of 2026 Wesson Class of 2026 Valedictorian Brendon Duguid Wesson Class of 2026 Salutatorian Noah Howell Wesson Class of 2026 Hall of Fame inductees Ty Turner, Mary Margaret Woods, Macy Loy, and Tate Brister : Wesson Class of 2026 STAR Student Brendon Duguid and his STAR teacher, Heather McKenzie WESSON ATTENDANCE CENTER CLASS OF 2026 Brayden David Allen Wallace Douglas Dunn IV Katherine Rae Norwood Jackson Stephen Barlow Jer'Keivsha Lasha Edwards Rylan Kesley Oswalt Jaxon Valor Barlow Jenny Joana Flores Delacruz John Patrick Parsons Allie Elizabeth Beeson Michael Lee Guess Lexi Grace Prestridge Jamera Tyonna Jenise Black Maria McKenzie Hall William Nick Raiford Blair Mitchell Boyd Tyrell Montre'z Harris Sullivan Mckenzie Roberts Trinity Rain Breland Jamirah Dameal Harvey Kylie Morgan Rorie Celeen Aleese Brice Melvin Hernandez Gustavo Ruiz-Garcia Charles Tate Brister Noah Nelson Marion Howell Dakota Rose Rushing Micah Van Britt Stephen Garet Hundhausen Samuel Cade Scopel William Gavin Greene Brock Alana Caroline Hux Karley Grace Shannon Brandon Parker Brooks John-Brayden James Warren Channell Shelton Ke'mari Jaquan Brown Jakyiah Telia Johns Joseph Thomas Shumaker Kievon Ashad Brown Gracey Victoria Lopez Baylor Lane Smith DaKiyah Kristian Butler Willow Margaret Love Connor Wyatt Smith Abigail Marina Cameron Macy Rebecca Loy Isaac Conner Stovall Walynn Richard Cline Mar'Shunti Quintayvea Martin Ty Rustyn Turner Brooke LouAnne Coleman Tripp Radford Martin Aiden Keith Wallace Kayleigh Rayne Cook Katherine Blair Mathis Akierah Denari Wallace Rowan Spencer Crapps Karter Brent Lee McLemore Sydnee Layne Westrope Conner Miles Davis Madison Victoria Morris Whitney Paige Westrope Natalya Maia Dickerson Ruston Dayne Newman Caeden Blake Williams Brianna Keshundra Dixon Ashtyn Lee Nieburg Jack Henry Wilson Brendon Robert Duguid Mary Margaret Woods

By Kara Kimbrough A replica of the Statue of Liberty, complete with a lighted torch, greets guests as they enter the lobby at the Beau Rivage, much like the original Lady Liberty greeted immigrants enroute to the U.S. in the previous centuries. (Photo by Kara Kimbrough) America’s 250th birthday is next week and for those of you who, like me, are excited about this milestone in our nation’s history, I’m happy to report that July 4, 2026 lands on a Saturday. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a weekend trip to celebrate and enjoy the festivities in one convenient location. If you live in Mississippi, Louisiana or other coastal area, there’s no better place to celebrate our nation’s monumental birthday than the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Specifically, a full lineup of festivities is planned at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino for hotel guests as well as anyone looking for a place to enjoy a holiday meal, entertainment and fireworks in a festive, patriotic setting. A prior commitment on the big day will prohibit me from celebrating down south, so last weekend, I stopped by the Beau to check out what I knew would be exemplary Fourth of July décor. The resort never disappoints with its beautiful, over-the-top flower arrangements, creative holiday-themed displays and themed meals and promotions. As expected, this year’s patriotic decor has been elevated to an entirely different level, complete with a massive, lifelike bald eagle holding court overhead in the lobby, Lady Liberty with lighted torch, fireworks simulations, U. S. flags flying in every direction and red, white & blue elements throughout the property. A majestic bald eagle hovers over the lobby and atrium at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi; just one of the many patriotic symbols on display in advance of America’s 250th birthday on July 4. (Photo by Kara Kimbrough) In short, there’s no shortage of patriotic spaces in which to shoot family photos and videos and create eye-catching content for social media. The weather on the Coast was dismal, so my plan was to spend the day indoors at the Beau. Once you’re inside the cocoon-like resort, there’s really no reason to leave. Everything from coffee and ice cream shops to fine dining; from people-watching to shopping or trying your luck in the casino, to relaxing by the pool or in the spa, can be found at The Beau. In short, there’s no need to leave once you arrive. I whiled away the hours enjoying the Beau’s festive decor, sampling The Buffet filled with over 200 items, including specialty dishes and Southern classics (the fried pork chops rivaled any I’d ever tasted), being entertained at Shrek the Musical in the Beau Rivage Theatre and the highlight of the day – experiencing a memorable dinner in the elegantly-appointed BR Prime Steakhouse. My first meal of the day was, as mentioned, a bounteous lunch at The Buffet. Sitting in the breezy open-air atrium adjacent to the main dining room, I was able to decompress and relax after a busy week. I enjoyed a multi-course lunch accompanied by lively music and plenty of people watching. There’s just something about the Beau’s atmosphere highlighted by beautiful decorations, music and an ever-present scent of fresh flowers that lifts one’s spirits. Besides the pork chops and accompanying Southern sides at The Buffet, finding Caribbean delicacies like Jamaican jerk chicken, Caribbean chicken salad and roasted banana pineapple upside down cake with coconut cream was a special treat. The dishes are part of The Buffet’s Global Cuisine celebration that presents “tastes from around the world” from a different country. Each month, nine dishes, including a dessert, are added at lunch and dinner to the more than 200 items normally found on The Buffet. Beginning July 1, American favorites like loaded potato salad, pulled pork, bourbon glazed grilled pork chops, grilled chicken wings, beer brats and onions and chocolate peanut butter pie will be offered in honor of the country’s 250th birthday. After lunch, I ventured over to the Beau Rivage Theatre to spend the afternoon enjoying Shrek the Musical. I didn’t see the popular Disney movie, but within the first few minutes, the professionally-produced stage version quickly illustrated the reason for the hype surrounding the green ogre, Princess Fiona, a talking donkey and a cast of nursery rhyme characters I remembered from childhood storybooks. The delightful musical is a fun, family-friendly production for theatre-goers of all ages. It didn’t seem possible after my two-hour lunch, but by dinner time, I was eager to visit one of my favorite restaurants. BR Prime is, in my opinion, the crown jewel of the Beau. The elegant eatery never disappoints in the areas of unparalleled ambiance, attentive service and innovative cuisine. Despite having been awarded numerous national awards for its food and overall dining experience, BR Prime is constantly changing and evolving, enhancing classic dishes and adding new, innovative items to the already-extensive menu. An overview of recent additions includes a delicious Baby Gem salad filled with bacon, pickled onion, cheddar cheese and peppercorn, Hen of the Woods mushroom with a truffle yogurt sauce that is smoked tableside, caviar service with traditional garnishes and poached lobster carpaccio, to name a few. My favorite new starter was a fresh, innovative take on shrimp salad courtesy of crème fraiche, dill, baby rock shrimp and baby gem lettuce stacked on a crispy pastry base. Steaks are undoubtedly the star at BR Prime and while the classics are still on the menu, new additions are quickly gaining in popularity. The Mishima Reserve Wagyu Hanger Steak with a black truffle bearnaise proved to be an excellent choice. The flavorful steak delivered intense flavor combined with a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Other new additions include a double-cut Iberico pork chop and Mayura Station Wagyu brisket. A decadent dessert of crème brulee topped by berries was the perfect ending to an amazing dinner at BR Prime Steakhouse. (Photo by Kara Kimbrough) A decadent but light crème brûlée decorated in patriotic colors courtesy of chopped a strawberry and blackberry topping was the perfect ending to a meal that rivaled any that I have sampled in New York City, Dallas and other large cities. To label BR Prime one of the best restaurants in the nation is not an exaggeration. Back to next week’s celebration…it wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without fireworks and the Beau has this important tradition covered. Beginning at 9 p.m. guests are invited to watch a special fireworks display from the observation deck facing the Mississippi Sound. The fireworks, which will be set off from a barge near Deer Island, will pay homage to America’s 250th birthday in a dazzling display choreographed to patriotic music. Next week I’ll share my picks for celebrating the 4th of July at home, including décor and menu ideas. In the meantime, if a trip to the Gulf Coast to celebrate at the Beau sounds appealing, check out additional information about accommodations, meals, tickets to Shrek the Musical, drawings for red, white and blue Corvettes and more Fourth of July activities on the Beau’s website: beaurivage.mgmresorts.com. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Jessica Breazeale So picture this: it's about seventeen years ago, and I'm making the rounds as a Life Skills teacher in the public schools of north Alabama. I check in at a middle school that wasn't on my regular schedule, and the sweet office worker does what office workers do — she announces over the intercom: "If you'd like to meet with Mrs. Breazeale, please report to room 101." A student shows up at my door. But she's not excited. She's not even neutral. She is perplexed. She looked at me like I was a math problem she didn't sign up for and said — "Yooooou're Mrs. Brazil?" "That's me! So glad you came!" She was not glad. She squinted a little and said, "I just would have thought you'd be much taller... with dark hair... more dark-complexioned." Now…I'm five-foot-four from Mississippi. I was not giving what she was looking for. I asked her why on earth she'd have that picture in her head, and that's when it all made sense. Apparently, there was a Mrs. Brazil — a beauty queen type, basically a walking, talking Miss America — who had made quite the impression on this particular student. And this girl showed up to room 101 expecting HER. Instead, she got me. I laughed and said, "Oh, honey, I think I see the problem. I'm not Mrs. Brazil, the pageant person. I'm Mrs. Breazeale — totally different spelling, totally different human. But I'm happy to meet you, and I promise I'm still fun." She left unconvinced. Possibly still grieving. I respect it. That moment has never left me. Whether we're talking about a middle school mix-up or a boardroom first impression, this happens all the time to me. How about you? We walk into situations with a picture already in our heads, and when reality shows up differently, we don't always know what to do with it. So, let's talk about it. Honest mistakes are just... honest. That girl did nothing wrong. She heard a name, built a mental image, and showed up with full confidence. We all do this. We Google someone before a meeting. We make assumptions based on a logo, a bio, a voicemail tone. It's human. It just means we must stay a little flexible. Not being what someone expected isn't the same as being the wrong person. I was never going to be a statuesque pageant queen, and that's fine with me. I had something else to offer that student entirely. The same goes in business or in ministry. You might not be the flashiest option, the biggest agency, or the one with the fanciest office – or the minister someone pictured. But you might be exactly what someone needs. Don't shrink because you're not their original mental image. Your reputation is already in the room before you are. That other Mrs. Brazil had clearly left a mark. This student expected her. That's the power of image — people start to anticipate you. What are people anticipating when your name comes up? And sometimes — let's be honest — WE'RE the ones with the wrong expectations. We've all been that disappointed student at the door. We've passed on a great opportunity because it didn't arrive in the package we imagined. We've underestimated someone because they didn't look the part. Worth checking ourselves on that one! The bottom line is this: stay open. Let people surprise you. And when you're the one who walks in and isn't quite what they pictured — own it. Stand in that room like you belong there (because you do), crack a joke if you need to, and let your actual self do the work. The right people will quickly figure out that you were exactly who they needed all along. Even if you're not a beauty queen. (Not that there's anything wrong with beauty queens. I'm sure Mrs. Brazil was lovely.) Downloadable version

THE UNITES STATES – DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: Rob Buchert: Dunlap Broadside Reproduction, 2026 By Rob Buchert The Document On the night of July 4, 1776, Philadelphia printer John Dunlap set the Declaration of Independence in type and printed an estimated 200 copies. These broadsides, large single-page printed sheets, were the document that spread the news of independence across the colonies. Twenty-six copies are known to survive. The auction record was set in 2000 at Sotheby’s: $8.14 million. Why This Reproduction Is Different In February 2026, Rob Buchert received an unlikely phone call: the history interpreter then portraying George Washington at Mount Vernon was having trouble sourcing paper made in the 18th-century style. The inquiry that followed led Buchert to the Dunlap Broadside, and to the question of whether anyone had ever reproduced it not as a facsimile of the artifact’s current appearance, but as a complete recapitulation of the original creation process. The answer was no. Most Americans picture the Declaration of Independence as the calligraphed parchment with the famous signatures, the document preserved today in the National Archives, familiar from countless reproductions. That document was produced weeks after independence was declared, and the image most of us know descends from an 1823 engraving. The Dunlap Broadside, what Buchert has reproduced, is the actual first publication: the document printed the night of July 4, 1776, before the parchment existed, and read aloud to General Washington’s troops in New York on July 9. The parchment reproductions everywhere this anniversary year are of a different document entirely. As the effective Birth Certificate of the nation, the Dunlap Broadside has attracted the attention of publishers and printing offices over the years. None combines handmade period paper with a matched watermark and letter-by-letter type composition drawn from period specimens. The National Park Service’s Franklin Court Printing Office (Philadelphia) and the Printing Office of Edes & Gill (Boston) both produce respected hand-press Dunlap reproductions on machine-made cotton paper at prices around $25–30. The only previous reproduction made to a comparable standard of material fidelity, the 1970 R.R. Donnelley/Lakeside Press facsimile, is available only on the secondary market at $500–$2,000+, and is no longer in production. Unlike the Donnelley facsimile, which sought to replicate the artifact as it existed in 1970, including its aged edges, staining, and toning, Buchert’s reproduction recapitulates the original creation process, producing something far closer to what those first readers across the colonies actually held: a freshly printed broadside on new paper, ink still sharp, carrying the news of independence. It is also a tribute to what is easy to forget about Dunlap’s overnight work: that it was not merely functional but genuinely beautiful: stately letterspaced caps, a commanding six-line initial, presswork that bears the excitement of the moment in every line. Buchert has sought to honor that beauty, not improve upon it. This project drew on approximately 1,300 hours of work between February and June 2026. What Rob Buchert Made A hand-printed recreation of the Dunlap Broadside that follows the Library of Congress’s copy of the first printing: the paper made by hand, the type set letter by letter against the original, the ink blended to match 18th-century presswork. Paper: Handmade from period-appropriate flax and hemp fibers, bearing the J. Honig & Zoonen crown-and-post-horn watermark, the same Dutch papermaker whose stock Dunlap used in 1776. The watermark is visible in the Library of Congress’s high-resolution scan of its surviving copy. Type: Re-set from Caslon’s 1766 type specimen book, letter by letter and space by space against the LOC copy, replicating the letterspaced caps in the title and the stately six-line initial of the text, including the typographic irregularities and evidence of haste characteristic of Dunlap’s original composition. Ink: Hand-blended to match the deep black characteristic of 18th-century letterpress printing. Press: Printed by hand, one copy at a time, on a letterpress. Dimensions: Approximately 19.5” × 15.5” (each sheet unique; handmade paper varies slightly). Expert Validation “I have examined surviving copies of the Dunlap Broadside firsthand, and the attention to detail here is remarkable. Although other credible efforts have been undertaken to produce faithful replicas of this document, I believe this to be the most accurate reprinting that has ever been produced. For the person who wishes to experience the sensation of holding a newly-printed copy of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence, there is simply no better option.” — Gove N. Allen, Ph.D., Member, American Antiquarian Society (speaking in a personal capacity) About Rob Buchert Rob Buchert is an artist, letterpress printer, type designer, and papermaker with more than thirty years of practice across crafts that the printing industry largely abandoned. He is co-founder of Tryst Press, an award-winning letterpress, papermaking, and fine arts studio established in 1993 in Utah, whose work has entered public and private collections throughout North America and around the world, with pieces exhibited at venues including The Grolier Club. He is a recipient of the Carl Hertzog Award for Excellence in Book Design. Buchert’s practice runs from raw fiber to finished page: he designs type, casts type (having trained at Monotype University), builds the wood-and-wire moulds and watermarks used in Western-style hand papermaking, and designs and illustrates books. He has been teaching letterpress printing and typography as adjunct faculty at BYU Provo for over twenty years, and collaborated for years with the Crandall Historical Printing Museum. Rob Buchert is available for interview. Process video and high-resolution photography available for download at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GWo6ACVxlvr7TH4tm2JYjQexkSsbdAQi?usp=sharing Key Facts at a Glance Document reproduced: Dunlap Broadside (first printing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4–5, 1776) Source copy followed: Library of Congress copy (LCCN 2003576546) Paper: Handmade from flax and hemp; J. Honig & Zoonen crown-and-post-horn watermark Type: Re-set from Caslon’s 1766 specimen book, letter by letter against LOC reference Printing: Hand-printed letterpress, one at a time Dimensions: ~19.5” × 15.5” Press contact: Rob Buchert / trystpress@gmail.com / +18013562579 (cell) Edition: Open Price: $76 through July 4, 2026; $150 from July 5 onward; free US shipping Available at: www.declaration250.shop