Co-Lin has named six outstanding sophomores on its Wesson campus to its prestigious 2022-2023 Hall of Fame. -- the highest honor bestowed on a student at Co-Lin. They were Akura Brown of Hazlehurst, Ty’China Byrd of Brookhaven, Larson Lewis of Wesson, Harold Rhodes III of Silver Creek, Isaac Sivils of Bude and Haden Stephens of Brandon. Akura Brown serves as President of the Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, President of the Trailblazers, representative for the Student Government Association, and secretary of Sigma Kappa Delta. She is a member of the Council of Presidents and the Women's Resident Council. The recipient of several scholarships, Brown was elected Miss Co-Lin, selected as Trailblazer of the Year, and to Who's Who at Co-Lin. She is the daughter of Tracy and Derek Brown of Hazlehurst. Ty'China Byrd is the daughter of Tamantha Byrd of Brookhaven. She is the President of Sigma Kappa Delta, Vice President of Fellowship for the Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, and Blue Wave Show Band Color Guard Captain. She is a member of the Trailblazers and Future Teachers of America. Byrd was elected 2022 Homecoming Queen and was selected Coca-Cola Silver Scholar (one of only 50 students nationwide), Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic First Team, William Winter Scholar, and to Who's Who at Co-Lin. Larson Lewis serves as President of Mu Alpha Theta, Vice President of Scholarship for the Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, and Vice President of the Student Government Association. He is a member of the Trailblazers and an active member of the Baptist Student Union. Lewis was selected Who's Who at Co-Lin and a Campus Favorite his freshman and sophomore years. He is the son of Amy Lewis and Russ Lewis. Harold Rhodes III is the son of Akimi and Harold Rhodes, Jr. of Silver Creek. He is a member of the Trailblazers and the Co-Lin Wolf Pack football team. Rhodes was elected by his peers as Mr. Co-Lin and was the recipient of a Co-Lin Foundation Scholarship. He graduated from Co-Lin in December 2022 and is now continuing his academic and football career at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. Isaac Sivils is President of the Baptist Student Union, Vice President of Research for the Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, and Vice President of Sigma Kappa Delta. He is a member of the Trailblazers and Mu Alpha Theta. A President's List student, Sivils was selected to the Phi Theta Kappa All- Mississippi Academic Second Team and Who's Who at Co-Lin. He is the recipient of Co-Lin Foundation Scholarships. He is the son of Thomas and Samantha Sivils of Bude. Haden Stephens serves as the Vice President of Leadership for the Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, manager for the Blue Wave Show Band, and Representative for the Student Government Association. He is a member of the Sojourners and Mu Alpha Theta. Stephens was selected as a Campus Favorite and to Who's Who at Co-Lin. He is the son of Ryan and Stacey Stephens of Brandon.

The Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) will launch a pilot program for its 2023-2024 incoming juniors to earn a high school diploma and associate college degree at the same time. Through a partnership with Co-Lin, juniors will be able to apply for the new MSA Collegiate Academy program to pursue an associate degree while in a dual enrollment/dual credit program with Co-Lin. Since 2011, MSA has partnered with Co-Lin to offer dual credit and dual enrollment opportunities to students through online work as part of the MSA class schedule. The pilot program will be offered free to enrolled students. Dual credit courses taken by students will be paid by MSA “We have been working on this since 2018,” says MSA Executive Director Dr. Suzanne Hirsch. “Now, MSA juniors who want to save time and money for college will have the opportunity to do so. We are so grateful for the funding to be able to make college accessible to all our students.” The dual enrollment/dual credit coursework will support graduation requirements of MSA as well as degree requirements of Co-Lin. Student application paperwork will be distributed before summer 2023 with an application deadline of early fall 2023. The program will begin in January 2024 with anticipated completion in May 2025. “We are thrilled to bring this long-awaited pilot program to fruition for our MSA students,” says Co-Lin Dean of Academic Instruction Dr. Stephanie Duguid. “As the only performing arts school in the state, these dedicated and determined students from MSA have unique skill sets, opportunities, and intense focus that drives them daily. Co-Lin is proud to partner with MSA not only with academics leading to a degree, but also to collaborate on other fine arts ventures forthcoming.” Dual enrollment means a student is enrolled in a community college while enrolled in high school, and receives college credit for work. Dual credit means a student is enrolled at both the community college and high school, and receives both high school and post-secondary credit for coursework. Students must meet minimum ACT and Carnegie Unit requirements as set by the college as well as MSA to enroll. MSA is the state’s only residential high school for Mississippi eleventh and twelfth grade students to intensively study the arts – dance, filmmaking, creative writing, theatre, visual art, and vocal music. Auditions for the Class of 2025 are open for application at www.msabrookhaven.org. Auditions are on May 12, 2023.

The Co-Lin Softball team entered the final day of its 2023 season knowing one thing: a familiar foe stood in their way from winning the first national championship for any sport in school history – Mississippi rival Jones Community College. The Lady Wolves were up to the task, handing the Bobcats just their second shutout of the season in a 7-0 win on May 27. “What a day,” exclaimed head coach Meleah Howard. “I am so blessed and grateful to be a part of this team and program. To be a part of the first national championship in school history is a memory that will last a lifetime.” The game was scoreless through the first two innings, but the Lady Wolves scored their first two runs in the top of the third as Zykeria Cole (Magee) and Josie Meggs (Kosciusko) hit back-to-back singles with one out to get the offense going. Cole then scored on an RBI single by Madison Moak (Brookhaven) while both Meggs and Moak advanced to third and second respectively on the play. Meggs later scored in the inning on a wild pitch making the score, 2-0. The Lady Wolves then exploded for another five-run inning against the Bobcats, their second in as many games, as Meggs hit a leadoff single then Moak drew a walk. Maddie Weeks (Clinton) drew another walk to load the bases with no outs. Then Abby Grace Richardson stepped up, took one swing of the bat, and smashed a grand slam (her 24th home run of the season) to give the Lady Wolves a 6-0 lead. Belle West (Byram) then hit a single, took second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a single by Faith Kivett (Tallulah, LA) and then scored on a sacrifice bunt by Leia Phillips (Philadelphia) making the score, 7-0. The Bobcats then got back-to-back singles in the bottom of the fifth, but a double play followed by a groundout ended the inning. The Lady Wolves then allowed just one hit over the final two innings securing the 7-0 win and the 2023 NJCAA Division II Softball National Championship. The Lady Wolves totaled six hits as a team with Josie Meggs, Madison Moak, Abby Grace Richardson, Belle West, Faith Kivett, and Zykeria Cole having one hit each. Richardson led the Lady Wolves in RBIs with four while Moak and Leia Phillips had one RBI each. Belle West got the start for the Lady Wolves and improved to 11-5 with the complete game shutout allowing just five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. “This team was just on a whole other level this whole week,” Howard said. “Playing all these games against the best competition in the country and we never backed down. Every single player on our team contributed in a major way all week and I am just so proud of every single one of them. I love them all and I am just so happy to be able to say that we are National Champions!” Co-Lin finishes the season with a program record for wins at 49-10 overall in addition to winning the first Region 23 Championship since 2008. Madison Moak and Cara Biswell (Brandon) were named to the All-Tournament Team while Abby Grace Richardson was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player and the Offensive Most Valuable Player. Faith Kivett was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player, Cara Biswell was also named the Most Outstanding Pitcher of the Tournament, while Meleah Howard was awarded as Coach of the Year after the conclusion of the game.

By Bob Garver Being a dad involves a definite fact. Your kid craves and needs your attention. Some do more than others, but make no mistake, every child from your loins needs you to want to spend time talking and being together. To know what he enjoys, and also to be very aware when something is causing a problem in his life. The failures of the dads in this world who refuse to take their job seriously and fail horribly, are not recorded for billions of people to read. Oh yes, their kids certainly know, and the entire family and friends watch it all unfold, but not the entire world - for centuries. But authentic and historical records tell us of one good ol’ dad whose tragic parenting style was recorded for all the generations to come. Centuries ago, a well-known king was not the best role model for aspiring best-in-category Dads of the World. Three of his enormous group of off-spring got tangled up in a horrible web of rape, hatred and revenge. One son raped his step-sister, another son killed that brother in revenge for the sister, and then fled for his life. And Dad? Well, seems King Dad didn’t get very involved in the lives of his kids, and certainly didn’t display much concern over this terrible family conflict. But finally, Dad started getting droopy-drawered about his kids not being around. To the extent that his right-hand man decided to locate the king’s missing son and bring him home. He was finally able to locate the young man and convinced him that it was safe to return. But the next two years went by, and King Dad never acknowledged his son’s existence. Even though his son repeatedly requested to speak with him. Finally, the frustrated and angry son took matters in his own hands. He burned the barley fields of his dad’s friend. Talk about an attention-getter. The owner of the field came running and angrily asked him the reason for the arson. The sullen reply was, “I need to talk to my dad, and this seemed a likely way to accomplish that.” It definitely accomplished it. He and dad talked but nothing was really resolved, leaving things much like before. Finally, the son gave up and declared war on King Dad, trying to tear the kingdom from his hands. This tragic family conflict ended when the bitter son lost his life while fleeing from his dad’s army. All this because King Dad did a lousy job of being an involved, caring, and emotionally available father to his children. Dad, there is nothing in life that can substitute for time with you. The foundation of your child doesn’t have the strong underpinnings it needs without you. The result of your neglect will likely be a hurting adult. Want to read this true story for yourself? Read II Samuel, chapters 13 thru 15 of the Bible. Protect your kids… and your barley fields.

Katherine Westbrook of Wesson, was one of more than 100 current University of Iowa students to participate in the 2023 Spring Undergraduate Research Festival, an event staged annually by the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates. All students involved in mentored research or creative work are invited to present their work. Westbrook's poster/presentation was in the topic area of Social Sciences (e.g. Anthropology, Sociology, Speech and Hearing Science, Poli Sci, etc.) and titled "GRAMMAR IN INDIVIDUALS WITH AND WTHOUT APHASIA" Westbrook described his work this way: "Abstract Purpose: We aim to identify a neurotypical baseline for grammatical productions in order to determine the contrasts in fluent, non-fluent, and neurotypical speech and allow insight into strategies people with aphasia utilize to overcome their specific language deficits. Methods: We examine the grammatical structures of 40 non-brain injured participants' narrative story re-telling in relation to 20 participants with Broca's aphasia and 20 participants with Wernicke's aphasia, investigating the syntactic complexity and sentence component frequency at a group and individual level. Results: [in-progress] Conclusions: [in-progress]." Jean Gordon was Westbrook's primary faculty mentor. Gordon works in the UI's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. A variety of judges, including faculty, graduate students, and peers as well as members of the Iowa City community, were on hand to discuss the students' work and provide valuable feedback. "This is an incredible opportunity for Iowa students to practice and hone their communication skills," said Bob Kirby, director of ICRU. "From designing a poster, to giving a short pitch about what they study and why it matters, to fielding questions from experts in their field as well as non-experts, everything about this experience is designed to help students boost critical communication skills that will help them succeed in whatever comes next for them." One in three undergraduates participates in research by the time that they graduate from the University of Iowa. 2023 Spring Undergraduate Research Festival Program of Abstracts 4-5 pm Presenters 113. Katherine Westbrook Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduation: Spring 2023 Mentor: Dr. Jean Gordon (Communication Sciences and Disorders) GRAMMAR IN INDIVIDUALS WITH AND WTHOUT APHASIA We aim to identify a neurotypical baseline for grammatical productions in order to determine the contrasts in fluent, non-fluent, and neurotypical speech and allow insight into strategies people with aphasia utilize to overcome their specific language deficits. We examine the grammatical structures of 40 non-brain injured participants' narrative story re-telling in relation to 20 participants with Broca's aphasia and 20 participants with Wernicke's aphasia, investigating the syntactic complexity and sentence component frequency at a group and individual level. Therefore, knocking out TFE3 in highly invasive melanoma cells will disrupt the EMT pathway, resulting in greater resistance to EMT targeting drugs. About the University of Iowa As a top global university, Iowa is the ideal destination for learning, discovery, and innovation. We bring art and science together to create a truly unique interdisciplinary education. With over 200 areas of study to choose from, students are encouraged to mix and match majors, minors, and certificates to earn a degree that reflects their unique interests. From inside our world-class medical center to the most prestigious creative writing program in the U.S., students have access to quality academic support and are equipped with the tools they need to stand out in a competitive workforce. Our 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio allows students to work directly with experts in their field while earning valuable, practical skills. Our campus seamlessly blends into the heart of downtown Iowa City, making it easy to access academic resources and belong to a larger, welcoming community. With over 500 student organizations, clubs, and communities on campus, and countless in-town events scheduled throughout the year, Iowa makes it easy to build a network of friendships and connections that last a lifetime. To learn more about the University of Iowa, click HERE.

For a Brookhaven Daily Leader reporter, people stories make better communities, and he urged Wesson Lions Club members to support the local newspapers that share them. Whether it’s the Daily Leader, the Wesson News or the Copiah County Monitor, whether it’s a printed copy you can hold in your hands or available in a digital format on the internet, local newspapers shape a citizenry that knows what’s going on without fighting for information, Hunter Cloud told the Club at its March meeting. Cloud said he started practicing community journalism in high school, worked on the student newspaper at Mississippi State and started his professional career at the Starkville News before going to Natchez and then on to the Daily Leader in Brookhaven. Offering news about local government, schools, churches, road construction, charity events, special and family events, local business happenings, even pet care articles is important for communities served by their newspapers, but he said telling stories about people readers can get to know may be the most important contribution he makes as a community journalist. “I cover events to which I am assigned, but I throw darts every day at a local map, go those places and meet people with stories,” Cloud said. For Cloud, people stories make the difference.

Co-Lin is mourning the loss of freshman football player Josh Ealy, who died in a single-car crash early Sunday morning. "Josh was a great kid," said head coach Glenn Davis. "We are heartbroken. He will be missed by his teammates and coaches very much." "Our hearts go out to the Ealy family, Josh's teammates and friends," said athletic director Bryan Nobile. "We are deeply saddened about the loss of Josh Ealy," said Dr. Jane Hulon Sims, president of Co-Lin. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, as well as his teammates and coaches. Co-Lin is a tight-knit family that supports one another. Please keep the entire Co-Lin family in your thoughts and prayers as we deal with this tragic loss."

By Bob Garver In between “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Star-)lording over the competition and “Fast X” running over anything in its path comes “Book Club: The Next Chapter.” This film’s marketing department looked at a lineup of second-tier holidays and noticed that nothing was opening the weekend of Mother’s Day, so this got slotted in. It’s as good a release strategy as any – it’s not like there was some better weekend to release this dreck - but I fear the only bonding children will be doing with their mothers while watching this movie is commiserating over how stupid it is. I did not watch the entirety of “Book Club” from 2018, but I did catch some highlights to prepare for this film. The premise was that a group of four female friends all read “Fifty Shades of Grey” and were inspired to take some initiative in their lives. Widow Diane (Diane Keaton) decided that it was okay to pursue a relationship with Mitchell (Andy Garcia). Married Carol (Mary Steenbergen) rekindled her romance with husband Bruce (Craig T. Nelson). Divorcee Sharon (Candace Bergen) decided to give online dating an open-ended try. And maneater Vivian (Jane Fonda) decided that old flame Arthur (Don Johnson) was Mr. Right. In the time between movies, Diane has moved in with Mitchell, Carol lost her restaurant to the pandemic (and nearly lost Bruce to a heart attack), Sharon retired from her federal judgeship, and most importantly, Vivian accepted a marriage proposal from Arthur. The ladies go to Italy for an elaborate bachelorette party. They go shopping, crack PG-13-friendly sex jokes, and practically deplete the country of its wine supply. I don’t think money or expense is mentioned once. In fact, the entire movie seems like little more than an excuse for the cast and crew to enjoy Italy themselves, a theory confirmed by the vacation-y photos that play over the credits. Inconvenience finally rears its head when the group’s bags get stolen. The ashes of Diane’s husband were in that bag, as she had planned to spread them on the trip. Other storylines include Sharon having a fling with a philosophy professor (Hugh Quarshie, admittedly the movie’s best surprise – the main can sing!) and running afoul of a local police officer (Vincent Riotta), Carol meeting up with an old boyfriend (Giancarlo Giannini), and Vivian questioning if she wants to go through with the marriage. I know the movie is ostensibly about the bachelorette party, but let’s just say this isn’t the kind of movie that doesn’t end with a gorgeous destination wedding. The movie is essentially a cross between “Sex and the City” and “Mamma Mia!” (readers expecting me to compare it to another movie, I’m getting there, I assure you) with all the wealth/travel porn and gentle sexual humor. Some of the jokes are truly painful. A typical scene: A waiter tells Carol, “The chef would like to show you his cucina.” “His ‘what?’” Anybody with common sense can tell that he means “kitchen” based on context, but not the characters in this movie. That’s why it doesn’t work nearly as well as “80 for Brady.” I take back what I said earlier about there not being a better weekend for “Book Club: The Next Chapter.” A better weekend would be one far, far, removed from that similar film – at least six months away instead of three. It’s not so much that there’s only room for one movie about four senior women (one of whom is played by Jane Fonda), it’s that the other movie was so funny and heartfelt that it draws even more attention to the laziness of this one. I hope you all had a happy Mother’s Day and did something more fulfilling than seeing this lousy movie. Grade: C- “Book Club: The Next Chapter” is rated PG-13 for some strong language and suggestive material. Its running time is 107 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

By Bob Arnold Robert Cook Jones was an architect by day and made woodblock prints and painted oils and watercolors as a pastime from the early 1960s through the 1970s before his death in 1980. Born in 1904 to Robert Hill Jones and Adah Elizabeth Cook, he was a member of a prominent Crystal Springs pioneer family, the grandson of Rebert E. and Elizabeth McKey Jones on his father’s side and related to Fannye Cook on his mother’s side. Jones attended Mississippi State University, graduated with a degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and took classes in drawing, painting and clay sculpturing at St. Louis School of Fine Arts. After working at several private architectural firms in St. Louis, he returned to Mississippi where he worked for a few private firms and eventually was hired as an architect by Department of Education, designing and consulting on educational buildings. At a tender age, Mrs. George Newton, Ora Newton Gibson and Dora Bennett Thompson nurtured his skills in the visual arts at Crystal Springs schools, and he studied for two years under Marie Hull. He designed several buildings in Crystal Springs – the former Methodist parsonage next the church, several private home, the school superintendent’s home and the Consolidated School, now the high school. He was involved in the design of the administration building at Co-Lin and Fulton Chapel at the University of Mississippi. In Jackson, he assisted in designing Poindexter Elementary, Livingston Park bath house, Hawkins Field administration building, the Robert E. Lee Hotel, which became a state office building; the James O. Eastland Post Office and Federal Building and the War Memorial Building. He painted when he could find time during his architectural career, and started painting in earnest at his studio after his retirement in 1974, focusing on oils, watercolors and block prints of landscapes, scenic life and flowers – especially magnolias – that are treasured by locals for their downhome charm. As a student in St. Louis, he won first prize for “St. Louis Levee 1840,” a watercolor, and won prizes in competition at the Mississippi State Fair when he returned to the state. He received other awards at the Holiday Inn Arts Festival in McComb, Mississippi Art shows in 1965 and 1967 and the Southwest Art Exhibition in 1970. His works were exhibited in Brookhaven, Oxford, the Jackson Municipal Art Gallery, Maynelle Gardens and multiple venues throughout Crystal Springs. Although he painted largely for fun, he also did commissions, some of which hang in the J.T. Biggs Memorial Library, the Rolling Hills Country Club, Crystal Springs City Hall and private collections. One of his most notable works was a commission for Crystal Springs City Hall which depicts a colorful East Railroad scene of vegetable shipping in its heyday. EDITOR’S NOTE: Throughout the 2023 Copiah County Bicentennial year, Wesson News will feature sketches of past and present visual artists, musicians, authors and photographers who are natives of the county. They will be excerpted from Tricia Nelson’s reporting in A Shared History: Copiah County, Mississippi 1823-2023 edited and compiled by Paul C. Cartwright and available through Cartwright for $25 plus $5 for shipping at 3 Waverly Circle, Hattiesburg, MS 39402. Nelson is a Crystal Springs writer who contributes to the Copiah County Monitor.

News from Northwest Mississippi Community College Richard Diamond of Wesson, MS has been recognized as one of the top tier students at Northwest Mississippi Community College by earning a place on the President's List for academic work in the Spring 2023 semester. The President's list recognizes those students who earn a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 or higher. This semester Richard is among 793 outstanding full-time students to be recognized for their work. One of the benefits of making the president's list is the potential for inclusion into the international two-year honor society Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). Students who have completed more than 12 academic hours and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to join PTK and benefit significantly from membership. The chief interest for PTK membership is that four-year colleges and universities around the country give exceptional transfer scholarships for students who have earned membership in PTK. Students interested in knowing more about PTK can speak to their local campus PTK advisor or visit www.northwestms.edu/l/current-students/ptk. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a public, two-year institution primarily serving 11 counties in Northwest Mississippi. For more information visit www.northwestms.edu.

New Stage Theatre will present the musical Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash May 30 - June 11. Curtain times and dates for performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Sundays. Ticket prices are $40.00 with discounts available for students, senior citizens, military, and groups. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, charged by phone by calling the theatre at (601) 948-3533, or ordered online at www.newstagetheatre.com. This production is sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, BankPlus, and The Dorsey J. Barefield Charitable Trust. Security will be provided. Recommended for ages 10 and up. From the iconic songbook of Johnny Cash comes this unique musical about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, and home and family. More than two dozen classic hits—including “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” and the title tune—paint a musical portrait of The Man in Black that promises to be a foot-stompin’, crowd-pleasin’ salute to a unique musical legend! "This is, without question, the best ensemble I have ever had the good fortune to assemble for this show," says Director Chris 'Red' Blisset who has directed Ring of Fire eight times at various other theatres throughout the country. "I can hardly believe how lucky we are to have this mix of world-class professionals from Mississippi and New York. Some days I want to stop rehearsal and get their autographs they're so good. Seriously, come see this show; if you don't like it, I'll pay you back myself - I'm the red-headed guy," jokes Blisset. “Ring of Fire is a fantastic crowd pleasing show and is perfect as the closer for our 57th season," says Artistic Director Francine Thomas Reynolds. "I am thrilled that Chris “Red” Blisset is returning to New Stage not only as a performer but, this time, as the Director/Music Director for the show. He has assembled a very exciting and skilled group of performers. With everyone playing multiple instruments, audiences will be amazed and delighted with the musical talent of every one on the stage.” The cast includes: Rheanna Atendido* (New York), Chris 'Red' Blisset*(New York), Ben Clark*(New York), Trevor Lindley Craft (New York), Andrew Dillon (Jackson), Jennifer Smith (Clinton), Claire-Frances Sullivan (New York), Jayla Lomax (Jackson), Ryan Bergman (Gulfport). *Rheanna Atendido, Chris 'Red' Blisset, and Ben Clark appear through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association. PAY WHAT YOU CAN NIGHT: Patrons can come to the box office beginning at 6:30 on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. If tickets are available they can be purchased at any value with cash, check, or credit card ($5 minimum is required if using a credit card). This offer is only valid for the May 31 performance. YOUTH NIGHTS: Youth 18 and under can reserve $15 tickets for the performance on Friday, June 2, 2023. This discount is only available by calling the box office and mentioning “youth night” for the discount. STUDENT RUSH DISCOUNT: One hour prior to curtain for any performance, students with a current academic ID may purchase an available seat for $10. Limit one ticket per ID. Where: 1100 Carlisle Street, Jackson MS 39202 Dates: Open: May 30, 2023; Close: June 11, 2023 Performance Times: Tuesday thru Saturday: 7:30 pm; Sundays: 2:00 pm Tickets: $40; $35 seniors/students/military Box Office: Telephone: 601-948-3533 Online: www.newstagetheatre.com Email: tickets@newstagetheatre.com Hours: Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Hours During Show: Tuesday thru Friday: 10 am - 7:00 pm Saturday: 4 pm - 7:00 pm; Sunday: 1 pm - 2 pm Tickets Online: Tickets may be purchased 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.newstagetheatre.com (a per-ticket service fee of $3 applies to all online purchases) Production Information: Director Chris 'Red' Blisset Associate Music Director Trevor Lindley Craft Costume Designer Caleb Blackwell Lighting Designer Annalise Caudle Scenic Designer Cody Stockstill Sound Designer/Engineer Alberto Meza Properties Designer Jenna Kahley Production Stage Manager Peppy Biddy* Assistant Stage Manager Mattea Pierce Production Manager Clara Seitz Lead Electrician Matthew McMurtry Carpenter Dave Ellis Production Associate Antonio Juarez Production Assistant Darby Frost Assistant Costumer Nina Frost Scenic Painter Michael Montgomery

By Kara Kimbrough King Charles just can't win. As the cameras rolled last Saturday on Coronation Day, he threw a tantrum while seated in his gold carriage on Coronation Day. Professional lipreaders say he testily shouted, "This is boring!" as he cooled his heels in the gold pumpkin. Turns out, Prince William and his wife were late in arriving with their children. As a result, the royal couple was forced to enter Westminster Abbey ahead of his much more photogenic son and daughter-in-law. The Wales' grand entrance with cute kids in tow upstaged the stodgy future King and his wife (sorry, I just can't call her queen). But this wasn't the only blunder of the weeklong build-up to the heralded Coronation Day. The King - or at least, the palace chef, released a special recipe ahead of the big day called "Coronation Quiche." To say it was downright horrid would be an understatement. The British aren't known for their fine cuisine, but this was ridiculous, even for them. According to chefs around the world who tried, unsuccessfully, to make a dish worthy of serving, the end result was a soggy, tasteless mess. Turns out, the palace's version produced a soft, not firm crust, runny sauce and tasteless, inedible toppings. To save the day, another English chef modified the recipe and reintroduced it, receiving much better reviews. All the negative publicity about the world's worst quiche brought to mind a statement I'd heard decades ago: "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche." I thought former Commissioner of Agriculture Jim Buck Ross had uttered the famous words. A little research proved it was the title of a book written years ago about the stereotypes often assigned to men. The incorrigible Ross' famous statement, "Down here, men don't cook!" was actually uttered in the early 1980's to Geraldine Ferraro, then-running mate to Presidential candidate Walter Mondale. While bragging about Mississippi's prolific blueberry crops, he asked her if she could bake a blueberry muffin. She shot back, "I sure can- can you?" Ross then famously uttered the lines that immediately hit the national airwaves - and not exactly in a favorable way. Capitalizing on the furor over Ross' statement, Mississippians Carol Taff and Linda Ross Aldy put it on the cover of a cookbook containing recipes from well-known Mississippi men like Trent Lott, Thad Cochran and others. Published reports say recipes included barbecued chicken, hush puppies and wild game. However, I was surprised to learn about one omission -a recipe for blueberry muffins. Back to quiche - it's not a dish of which I'm fond. I just don't understand the point. If there's a crust situation going on, I want to taste tangy apples, sugar and cinnamon...maybe lemon filling and meringue...or even better, sugary custard topped with crispy cooked pecans. Not baked eggs, bacon pieces or vegetable slices, the filling of most quiches. Call me a purist, but I've never been a fan of those baked breakfast dishes in which eggs, bacon or sausage and some type of bread are combined, then baked into a thick, dense dish. Just give me fried (very well done) eggs, crispy bacon and crisp, buttered toast topped with homemade jelly. And yes, I want each item to occupy separate, distinct areas on the plate. The same goes for a dish called spaghetti pie. I love pie...I adore spaghetti...but don't combine the two. Give me a bowl of pasta topped with tomato sauce, meat sauce or meatballs. Or a combination of all three. I just don't care to compress it into a pie plate and slice it like a pie. Why...just why? All this talk about quiche, pies, coronations, and impatient British kings caused me to unearth a cookbook a friend brought me from England. I'd planned to include a recipe, but after scrolling the list of steak and kidney pie, bubble and squeak, Eton mess and rice pudding, I decided to pass. Instead, I'm sharing an incredibly simple, but utterly delicious recipe for a dish that's part pie, part cake, a little like cobbler and unlike Coronation Quiche, 100% American - and amazing! Fruit Pie/Cake/Cobbler 1 bag Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Cookies 1 can blueberry pie filling 1 can lemon pie filling 1 box Lemon Supreme cake mix 1-1/2 sticks butter Arrange a single layer of cookies, sides touching, on the bottom of a 13x9 inch baking dish. Spread blueberry filling on top with a spatula, followed by a layer of lemon filling. Spread dry cake mix on top - do not mix everything together. Top with thin slices of butter, then bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Cut into squares. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.