By Guest Columnist Stephanie Duguid In July, summer continues to heat up, but school is right around the corner. Several challenges and opportunities can arise during the final weeks of summer in preparation for school. As the school year gets closer, it can be difficult to shift from summer fun to the organizing required for school, remembering everything from school supplies to back to school events, arranging drop off and pick up and lunches or lunch money. Getting back into routine takes a while. We must get used to the early alarms, packing school bags, finishing homework, and getting to school on time with the right supplies. A few back to school tips and tricks may help your planning: Clean out your child’s closet and donate clothes that do not fit. Buy school supplies early and take advantage of sales, or order the entire school list online. Post a calendar in a central location to keep track of family events. Take time to lay out clothes, pack lunches, and organize backpacks each night before a school day. Encourage children to use both shoulder straps on a backpack for the sake of back health. Plan to attend Meet the Teacher night with your child. Start getting up early a week or two before school starts to get acclimated. Designate a quiet place for daily studying and guidelines for what time homework needs to start. Go through backpacks together as soon as you and your child are home each day. Delegate chores ahead of time to keep the house running smoothly (a weekly checklist helps). Once the first day of excitement is over, kids realize they are back in the groove of school and find it harder to get up and get ready each day. There may be complaints that good friends are now separated in different classes, or that homework is a challenge. Finally, once school is over for the day, there are difficulties with scheduling and managing after-school events and family responsibilities. All of this together can get extremely exhausting. The limitation is time and energy. So what can we do to recharge ourselves? According to Consumer Reports, there are several things we can do throughout the day to assure the energy your need. Small changes can boost your energy levels: In the morning, let the sunshine in. The brain makes melatonin, the hormone that causes sleepiness when it is dark. Morning light helps stop the production of melatonin. Exposing yourself to light during the day can keep your sleep-wake cycle synchronized and helps combat daytime sleepiness. This will help everyone wake up each morning. Take a drink break. Dehydration, even in its mildest forms can zap energy, memory, and attention according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. To compensate, make a point to drink water at regular intervals throughout the day, beginning in the morning. Water is essential for most of our body functions. Focus on water rather than sugary drinks, energy drinks, and other quick fixes. In the afternoon, get moving! Physical activity is a powerful antidote for fatigue. Even 20-minutes of low intensity aerobic exercise three times a week can reduce fatigue by 65 percent over a period of six weeks. Take the stairs rather than the elevator, park farther away from the buildings, and take a daily walk. Stop sipping coffee and tea in the afternoon. Most people feel they need a pick-me-up later in the afternoons. However, consuming a stimulant late in the afternoon can disrupt sleep when consumed even six hours before bedtime. Also avoid quick boosts of caffeine from other sources including “energy shots” and energy drinks. These can be very dangerous over time. In the evening, try to power down. This means dim the lights, turn off the TV, and put away the smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime to help your brain trigger the production of melatonin. Your brain will not shut down unless you prepare it to do so. You will find the quality of your sleep will improve over time with this practice. Address your stress. If you feel you have stress that can create physical fatigue, try listening to a meditation or relaxation app before bed. This helps prepare your body for rest. Stress can cause systemic issues with all majors systems in your body. Be sure to find the source of your stress and address it. If you are experiencing other symptoms such as unexplained weight gain or loss, fever, shortness of breath, or morning headaches, see your doctor. Simple steps and a few changes to your daily routine can help combat exhaustion not only for you, but for those around you. Review your daily habits to see what positive changes you can make! Here is to a happy, safe, and healthy school year! EDITOR'S NOTE: Stephanie Duguid is Dean of Academic Instruction at Co-Lin. She is also an athletic trainer and nutrition specialist and has been teaching courses related to those two areas as well as practicing what she preaches for more than twenty years.

By Kara Kimbrough July is almost over, then August lies ahead and before we know it, Labor Day will be here. I bring this up because I indulge in ice cream during the summer months, then stop my addiction cold turkey when Labor Day arrives. Before you say it, yes, I know that residents of Mississippi still eat ice cream after summer’s over. But let’s face it, ice cream – whether it’s homemade using slighter healthier ingredients, or purchased in the supermarket, is not very figure-friendly. In short, it’s filled with fat and calories, requiring a cut-off point in my summer indulgence. At the beginning of the summer, I happily pulled out my ice cream and sorbet maker, anticipating a delightfully-cool treat for dessert. I loaded it with ice cream ingredients, only to hear a sad little whimper when I plugged it in. That may explain its presence on the clearance aisle. Not to be deterred, I searched in vain for a replacement. I combined the ingredients in my mixer and froze the entire thing. The final product was chunky and somewhat rough in texture, but still delicious. Instead of seeking a replacement for my derelict ice cream maker, I decided there was only one sensible thing to do – go to the source…the king…the standard-setter for store-bought ice cream. In case you haven’t guessed by now, yes, I’m referring to Blue Bell. I don’t know how they do it, but their ice cream is quite simply the best I’ve ever tasted. I’ve tried almost every flavor and can report that each one of them lived up to my high ice cream standards. If your ice cream maker is still running and a trip to the supermarket isn’t on the horizon, here are three of my favorite ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt recipes. And remember, if things don’t work out, Blue Bell will be waiting. Frozen Strawberry Yogurt 1 bag (20 ounces) frozen unsweetened strawberries 1 8-ounce container vanilla or strawberry low fat yogurt 1 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Allow strawberries to defrost 10 minutes (they need to be soft frozen). Place berries in food processor and pulse until real fine. Add yogurt while processor is running. Add sugar and lemon juice. Serve right out of the processor or place in a container and freeze to serve later. Orange Sherbet 1 liter orange carbonated drink 8-1/2 ounce can crushed pineapple (undrained) 7-ounce can sweetened condensed milk Combine all ingredients and pour in ice cream freezer. After churning for about an hour, pour into a bread pan, cover and place in the freezer for several hours. Peach Ice Cream 3 pints half and half cream 1 pint whipping cream 1 teaspoon almond flavoring 3-4 cups fresh peaches, chopped, or 2 10-ounce packages frozen peaches 1-1/2 cups sugar Mix ingredients and pour in ice cream freezer to process. Makes 1 gallon. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame will hold its annual Induction Weekend presented by Sanderson Farms and the Sanderson Farms Championship on Friday, July, 29th and Saturday, July, 30th. Members of the Class of 2022 include: All-American swimmer Maggie Bowen Hanna, basketball coach Kermit Davis, Sr., football coaches Bob Tyler and Willis Wright, baseball players Barry Lyons and David Dellucci, NFL receiving great Eric Moulds, and PGA golfer Jim Gallagher, Jr. The weekend’s events will kick off Friday night with the Drawdown of Champions at the Madison Healthplex from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. The evening will feature an introduction to the Class of 2022, a silent auction, and a $5,000 drawdown. Guests can enjoy food from restaurants across the metro area, as well as an open bar. The Hall of Fame will host a Meet the Inductees autograph session from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Museum. The Class of 2022, as well as previously inducted stars, will be available to chat, take pictures, and sign autographs for fans. Regular museum admission will be charged. On Saturday evening, the Induction Banquet presented by Sanderson Farms and the Sanderson Farms Championship will take place at the Jackson Convention Complex. The eight members of the Class of 2022 will be available to the media for interviews at 5:00 p.m. From 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., inductees will be in the lobby reception to greet fans and supporters. At 7:00 p.m., the program and formal enshrinement will begin. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the museum offices or online at msfame.com

Co-Lin has hired Adam Chamblee of Brandon, Mississippi, as its new head baseball coach. “I’m extremely excited and thankful to be at Co-Lin to lead the baseball program,” Chamblee said. “Being a head coach in one of the toughest college baseball conferences in the country is a dream come true and I can’t wait to get to work with our guys.” A native of Winona, Mississippi, Chamblee comes to Co-Lin after three years as the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at East Central Community College. He also brings coaching experience from Nicholls State University, where he was Director of Player Development, and Meridian Community College, where he served as Assistant Baseball Coach. At East Central, Chamblee helped coach the Warriors to an NJCAA Region 23 Runner-Up finish in 2021 and saw the team ranked No.5 in the nation during the 2022 season. “We are very excited to have Adam on board as our new head baseball coach,” said Co-Lin Athletic Director Bryan Nobile. “He comes to Co-Lin highly recommended, and we look forward to him leading our program in the right direction.” Chamblee earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education with an emphasis in sports management from the University of West Alabama on a baseball scholarship and an academic trustee scholarship. He was a member of the 2015 Gulf South Conference Championship team, served as team captain, and was Gulf South Conference Player of the Week. “Recruiting is obviously a huge part of college athletics and I believe that my experience getting to recruit the state of Mississippi from top to bottom will be an asset as we look to build our program,” Chamblee said. Chamblee also boasts experience in fundraising, academic counseling, and facility upgrades. “The welcoming of Coach Chamblee marks the beginning of a new era for the baseball program at Co-Lin,” Co-Lin President Dr. Jane Hulon Sims said. “This is an exciting time to be affiliated with Wolf Pack Baseball.” Chamblee and his wife Emily Hester have one daughter, Mills Katherine.

Co-Lin has begun phase one of facility upgrades at its Sullivan Baseball Field. The initial upgrades have several important components, including new dugouts, infield turf, field and major drainage work, new bull pens, a new backstop, new fencing, and new Musco Lighting. “We are very excited to start phase one of upgrades to Sullivan Field,” Co-Lin Athletic Director Bryan Nobile says. “This is something that many, many people have worked hard on behind the scenes for quite some time. These upgrades are much needed, and we are looking forward to having our guys compete on a brand-new field.” The contract was awarded to local contractor Paul Jackson & Sons. Demolition is currently underway, with facility upgrades to be completed in early spring of 2023. “I believe the facility upgrades we’re making will allow us to attract high level baseball players,” says new head baseball coach Adam Chamblee. “Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of our Board of Trustees and college administration. We’re extremely thankful that they’re making such exciting things happen for Co-Lin baseball.” “The Co-Lin Board of Trustees is to be congratulated for its support in facility upgrades to propel the Wolf Pack baseball program into the next era,” says Co-Lin President Dr. Jane Hulon Sims. Individuals, families, businesses, or groups are invited to purchase commemorative brick columns at Sullivan Baseball Field for $6,000 each. Other opportunities for naming are also available upon request and are subject to approval of the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Board of Trustees. For more information on purchasing a column or exploring other naming opportunities, contact Angela Furr, Executive Director of the Co-Lin Foundation, at 601-643-8332. Donations for the baseball facilities upgrades or other athletic facilities upgrades may be sent to the Co-Lin Foundation at P.O. Box 649, Wesson, MS 39191 or online at www.colin.edu/alumni-foundation. Gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent of IRS regulations.

In a variety of settings during August, Wesson Attendance Center (WAC) will offer advice, information and support to help teachers, students and parents alike successfully navigate the events and challenges they will face in the ten months of the 2022-23 school year. Teachers return to WAC before students for a staff development program from August 1-5 that will orient them to their working environment, review the their job landscape and expectations and give them direction to perform well. Faculty and staff will get their ID badges starting at 8 a.m. on August 3. From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 4, parents and students can learn more about WAC: At an open house and students, parents and teachers will socialize informally and a Parent Teachers Organization (PTO) meeting will show parents how they can sustain their relationship with WAC throughout the school year. Kindergarten and elementary school children and their parents will have an opportunity to meet teachers, make sure they have acquired the proper school supplies required for the classroom experience and talk the nature of studies over the coming year. Incoming seventh graders and their parents can also learn about moving to junior high and high school. "In order to help our seventh grade students transition from the elementary side of the building to the junior high side of the building, we will host and orientation for parents and students," explains WAC Principal Tommy Clopton. "Students and parents will have the opportunity to meet teachers, see their classrooms, and ask questions that will help make the transition a smoother process. Moving to the seventh grade is a big step for our students, and our administration and staff aim to do everything we can to make the process a smooth one." Meet the Cobras on Thursday, August 18, will introduce students to WAC's athletic program. Players and coaches will make presentations in a rally-like atmosphere. WAC also publishes an annual 82-section handbook for students that informs and guides parents and teachers on elementary school and high school procedures and policies. Topics range from response to emergencies to counseling services and dress code to the grading system and truancy. The entire handbook is accessible on the WAC web site (http://wac.ccsd.schoolfusion.us).

Wesson Attendance Center (WAC) anticipates enrollment to hold steady in the coming 2022-23 school term. The new school year begins in Wesson on Monday, August 8. Eight new teachers will join WAC this year: Forrest Buck, high school social studies and football assistant coach Josh Garrett, high school physical education and assistant coach for baseball and football Tori Titus, fifth grade reading Anna Traxler, Algebra and math Kelly Delaughter, kindergarten Kristin Beach, first grade Amber Brinson, third grade language arts Morgan Tullis, sixth grade reading WAC athletic team will continue to play in 3A regional competition. "We expect about 895 students to enroll," says WAC principal Tommy Clopton. The enrollment would include some 420 students in the elementary school, between 155 to 160 students in the junior high grades, and more than 290 in high school. "All students attending WAC must reside within its district or have been released by their local school board and approved by the Copiah County School Board," Clopton says. "Otherwise, law requires students to attend school in the districts where they live. "Residency means a student resides full time, days and nights throughout the week and on weekends, at a place of abode within the limits of the school district. Students must reside full time at the address used for registration. Further, students must live with a natural parent or have legal documentation on file with WAC that they are under the guardianship of someone." To enroll for classes at WAC, four documents for each incoming student, who did not attend the school last year, must be provided: Birth certificate Social Security Card Original copy of Mississippi Immunization Form 121 The final report card from the previous school All students planning to attend WAC, even if they were enrolled last year, must show residency proof, including one document from each of three groups with the name of the registrant's parent or legal guardian: Real estate documentation. Mortgage papers or property deed, original apartment rental agreement or home lease (receipts will not be accepted) of a filed homestead exemption form; Utility bill or deposit receipt (lights, water, gas) dated within the last two months (cell phone bills will not be accepted); Other proof. Drivers license, voter registration card or automobile registration. If documents of legal guardians are used to prove residency, the registrant must provide a copy of the court order appointing the guardian or the filed petition for a pending guardianship decree. Children or youth living with an adult other than parents or legal guardians in the district may be enrolled at WAC in cases of death or serious illnesses of the parents or legal guardians, abandonment, abuse or neglect; unstable or detrimental family relationships or living conditions, or exchange students with host families. In such cases, the district resident housing the students must provide an affidavit stating the relationship to them and documentation fully explaining the circumstances. WAC may also require temporary placement and custody orders from courts. Call WAC for dates, times, and place for open registration in which parents or guardians can enroll prospective new students or returning students if they do not want to take advantage of online registration. WAC, however, encourages parents or guardians of returning students to register online at www.copiah.ms, where they will need to sign in as an ActiveParent. If they have forgotten login information, it is available at WACEnroll@copiah.ms or at 601-643-2221 Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Once logged in as an ActiveParent, a drop-down menu guides users through student selection and the registration process. Registrants should be prepared to download copies of required documents, the same ones required for new students. New students include those who have been home schooled or attended other schools. WAC staff and personnel are accessible by telephone, fax and email: Principal Tommy Clopton. tommy.clopton@copiah.ms. High School Principal Principal Dr. Barbara Roberson. barbara.roberson@copiah.ms. Assistant Principal Vanda Brister. vanda.brister@copiah.ms. Guidance Counselor Stephanie Allen. Elementary Counselor Ginger Heard, High School Secretary Gwen Shannon. Elementary Secretary Aretha Butler. Nurse Michelle Berch. Bookkeeper/Secretary Kristin Johnson and Jacque McCormick (also Records Clerk). High School telephone: (601) 643-2221/2222 Elementary telephone: (601) 643-2295 Fax: (601) 643-2458 or (601) 643-5838

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is responding to misinformation about the Mississippi State Board of Education’s policy update today regarding weapons on school campuses in the state’s public schools. MDE is offering this clarification in response to some media reports that misinterpreted the intent and effect of the State Board’s vote. The State Board has taken no action to allow guns in schools. The State Board’s action does not give school personnel the ability to carry guns in schools. Rather, the State Board’s vote today removed language from a policy that conflicted with Mississippi’s 2011 enhanced conceal carry laws. The policy update is part of an ongoing review of State Board policies to make sure all are up to date and in compliance with current law. Today’s State Board policy update still requires local school districts to establish policies regarding weapons on campus. In reviewing their current policies, local school districts should consult with their board attorney to ensure compliance with federal and state law. Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news.

By Kara Kimbrough Any untimely passing is sad but made even worse upon learning the person died tragically. Such was the story of Naomi Judd, beloved singer and actress, best known as the “dancing Judd” who harmonized with her daughter, Wynonna. What many don’t know is that Naomi was an amazing cook – so good, in fact, that she authored a cookbook in 1997 entitled “Naomi’s Home Companion” at the height of the Judds’ fame. Instead of focusing on the headline-making facts of her death, I reread the book filled with, as she described it, “favorite recipes, food for thought and kitchen wit and wisdom.” I purchased the book in 1997 after meeting her and her daughter at a pre-concert meet-and-greet backstage at Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson. Wynonna was touted as the best singer of the duo, but that night, everyone’s attention was focused squarely on the diminutive Naomi. She was luminescent in a short, white dress featuring a twirly skirt and millions of sequins. When it was my turn to walk up to the mother and daughter for a group photo, I vaguely remember hearing “Aren’t you sweet!” and possibly, “Bless your heart!” as I awkwardly blurted out that she had a beautiful complexion. Besides her genuine warmth, she struck me as one of prettiest women I’d ever seen. I bought the cookbook primarily to see photos of Naomi’s celebrity kitchen but was soon enthralled by her stories of cooking favorite meals for her husband, Larry Strickland, former backup singer for Elvis, health tips (she was discovered while working as a nurse), tales of growing up poor in the south and pages and pages of down-to-earth and quite useful life tips. One that’s stuck with me over the years was her advice to “never let others tell you who you are.” After hearing of her death in April, I pulled out Naomi’s Home Companion and flipped through the pages filled with upbeat commentary and as stated, very practical advice on how to successfully navigate life. I’m not sure what happened in the years between 1997, when she and her daughter appeared on top of the world and her upbeat words inspired me and her decision a few months ago to end her life. I’m truly sad she felt alone and sad at the end. However, I’m happy that her words and especially her recipes will endure through her book. Here are three of my favorite "Naomi recipes" – hopefully they’ll spread love and positivity in your kitchen and in your home. Stuffed Pork Chops for Larry ¼ cup butter ¾ cup diced onion ¾ cup diced celery 1 teaspoon ground sage 1-3/4 cups water 1 container (6 ounces) stove-top stuffing 4 thick, center-cut pork chops (about 2 pounds) In a medium saucepan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook stirring occasionally, until softened, 8-10 minutes. Stir in the sage and the 1-3/4 cups water. Bring to a boil and then stir in the stuffing mix. Remove saucepan from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir the stuffing with a fork to fluff. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9” baking dish. Meanwhile, cut a slit in the side of each chop to form a pocket. Stuff each chop with about ½ cup of stuffing. Place chops in the prepared baking dish and spoon remaining stuffing around the chops. Cover the dish with foil. Bake in 350-degree oven until chops are tender and no longer pink in the middle, about 40 minutes. Remove foil from the dish and bake another 10 minutes. Naomi’s note: “When Larry has a difficult day, he’ll call home and ask for (this dish), his comfort meal. The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Kara’s note: I don’t care for sage, so I substitute rosemary, thyme, oregano or other spice. Fresh Green Beans and Potatoes 8 slices bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces 4 pounds green beans, trimmed and snapped or cut into bite-size pieces 2 big onions, (optional), cut into quarters Water as needed, about 3 cups 10-12 small new red potatoes, scrubbed and with skins, halved ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper In a large pot, cook bacon to render the fat and then remove the bacon to paper towels to drain. Stir in the green beans and onions, if using, and cook until beans have absorbed some of the fat and turned bright green. Then add enough water to come to within 1 inch of top of beans. Cover and cook over low heat until almost done, about 1 hour. Add the potatoes, salt, pepper and more water if necessary. Cook until the potatoes are done, about 15 minutes. If you want, scatter bacon pieces over the top. Naomi’s note: “Mama made this summer meal of green beans and potatoes, with sliced tomatoes, fresh corn on the cob and a pan of cornbread.” Wynonna’s Cherry Jell-O-O Salad 2 cups water 1 6-ounce box cherry-flavored Jell-O 1 small can fruit cocktail 1 banana, diced ½ cup chopped walnuts In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in the Jell-O until dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in fruit cocktail, banana and nuts. Pour into an 8x8x2-inch square baking pan or 4-cup mold or bowl or 7 1/2 -cup molds. Refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. If you want the fruits and nuts to be evenly distributed, first chill Jell-O-O without any additions, for 30-40 minutes. Naomi’s note: “Growing up, Wynonna loved Jell-O-O salad- she still does. One day I didn’t have her Jell-O-O salad on the second shelf in the refrigerator and she hollered at me, ‘Mommy, you don’t love me anymore!’ Isn’t it funny who we show love for each other and how we’re comforted by little things?” Recipes from Naomi's Home Companion, 1997. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Bob Garver “Where the Crawdads Sing” is being pushed as one of those literary adaptations that kicks off a whole litany of adaptations. We had magic and fantasy with “Harry Potter,” supernatural romances with “Twilight,” dystopian ordeals with “The Hunger Games,” and that weird trend of relationships complicated by increasingly rare diseases with “The Fault in Our Stars.” I think this one is supposed to kick off a trend of adaptations of books about recluses. Or maybe about the South. Or murders and trials. Judging by this movie’s unimpressive critical reception and third-place box office finish in its opening weekend, I highly doubt that it’s going to be the start of any such movement. The movie opens with the discovery of a dead body in rural North Carolina – that of local (figurative) ladykiller Chase (Harris Dickenson). The police are baffled as to how he wound up dead, but suspect foul play, specifically by ex-girlfriend Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones). They come to Kya’s marshland shack to question her, and she flees, making her look even more suspicious. Kya is arrested and defended in court by angelic lawyer Tom Milton (David Strathairn, his Atticus-Finch-O-Meter turned up to 10). Milton makes mincemeat out of the incompetent prosecution’s case, but there’s still the matter of getting the jury on Kya’s side. Kya is something of a pariah in the community for her poverty and reclusiveness, and the jury is bound to be prejudiced against her. Frankly I found it a stretch that the pretty white woman was in too much danger from prejudice, but the movie insists that the town is ready to execute her because she lives off the beaten path. We follow Kya’s tragic life story through extensive flashbacks. Her abusive, alcoholic father (Garrett Dillahunt) drove away the rest of her family until one day he too disappeared. She had to learn to fend for herself from an early age, as she wasn’t welcome at the local school and didn’t want to live in a group home. But there were a few well-wishers like Milton, the couple that ran the general store (Sterling Mercer Jr. and Michael Hyatt), and the studious Tate (Taylor John Smith). Kya and Tate enter into a relationship, but he breaks her heart. As a rebound, she begins seeing eventual corpse Chase, who starts off pushy and mildly unlikeable and eventually becomes dangerous and deserving of his fate. These scenes are intercut with the trial, where it’s a wonder the jury doesn’t sympathize with Kya from day one. At the center of the film is Daisy Edgar-Jones’ star-making performance, and it’s a good one. I can’t say the movie does a great job of making her look like someone that has been beaten down by elements her whole life (similar to how I thought Ansel Elgort was too good-looking for his role in “West Side Story”), but everything she contributes to the performance, she nails. This movie isn’t quite good enough to shoot her to the top of Hollywood right away, but it’ll be enough to get her more leading roles that will get her to the top. Despite the strengths of Edgar-Jones, “Where the Crawdads Sing” is otherwise a mess. The balance of flashbacks and trial scenes is all out of whack, it’s hard to tell how much time is passing between flashbacks, and the whole thing is just too sappy for its own good, save for some horrific scenes of abuse. I’m not particularly happy that I had to see this movie, and I’m certainly not eager to see more like it. Going by its box office performance, neither is anyone else. Grade: C- “Where the Crawdads Sing” is rated PG-13 for sexual content and violence including a sexual assault. Its running time is 125 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Wesson Garden Club (WGC) helped the town last month participate in a national celebration of gardening. From the public library to Fountain Park to local businesses, the Club touched a wide spectrum of the community during National Garden Week in promoting the joys and benefits of gardening. Its wide-ranging projects during the celebration included: An educational setup on the benefits of gardening at Wesson public library. Decorating Fountain Park in the downtown area with butterfly sculptures made by Steel Outdoors. Wesson Alderman interrupted their June meeting to help Club members dedicate the whimsical sculptures that uniquely honor frequent garden visitors and one of nature's special joys which adds color to the world. Gifts of gardening books for Wesson Public Library to make available to the public and spread gardening know-how and appreciation of its rewards and benefits. Gifts of flowers to local businesses to symbolize the importance of nature even in commercial life. Gardening in America traces to 1565 when Spaniards brought plants from their native country and novelties from the West Indies to their new homes in St. Augustine, Florida. In 1607, English colonists carried seeds from their old homes to their new settlement in Virginia, where they also cultivated crops grown by Native Americans, such as tobacco, corn, beans, and squash. Between 1619 and 1865, African American slaves in the U.S. found time to cultivate garden plots, even as they attended to the crops of their owners, providing additional food to the enslaved community and sometimes being able to sell their yields for profit. John Bartram of Philadelphia, who established a botanic garden in 1728 -- the oldest one of its kind surviving in North America, is an important figure in American gardening. Considered the greatest naturalist in the world, he traded seeds and plants with Peter Collinson, a London merchant, and botanist; introduced 150 North American plant species to Europe and earned the title of "Royal Botanist" to King George III for his reputation in international trade and Botany. National Garden Clubs (NGC), established in 1891 with branches in 19 states, spotlights gardening and its programs during National Garden Week every year. The organization of local groups, including WGC, helps communities through gardening projects and educational programs, produces “The National Gardener" quarterly and provides college scholarships and grants for youth clubs planting pollinator gardens.

By guest columnist R. Shaw Furlow July and August bring the hottest weather, and also the hottest entertainment of the year to our area. Yes, it’s time for Brookstock and The Overbrook Songwriters Festival. Brookstock is July 23. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. at the Brookhaven Building. The Overbrook Songwriters Festival is August 5 and 6 at five Brookhaven venues. Brookstock is Brookhaven’s famed rock festival that started as a class reunion and developed into a festival enjoyed by all. Brookstock XXI is this year. Don Jacobs, the father of Brookstock, has taken a back seat and turned the festival over to Tyler Bridge. Jacobs wanted to step away at year fifteen, but stayed on to help make a documentary film about the festival. Due to some health issues, he stepped away after year XX. “Basically, we are keeping the same format that’s been followed for twenty years," Bridge told me. "We are still at the Brookhaven Building (formerly FEMA building) and all the old favorites are there. They include solo artist Mike J Case, Ricky Brown and The Laughter of Ruin, which includes three original members Bryan Batson, Danny Dickey and Ed Tree. It really does my heart good to see these guys get together each year and enjoy playing.” Batson shared why he along with others return to Brookstock year after year: “When Don Jacobs organized the first Brookstock, I never realized the impact that it would have on me and all the Brookstock musicians, “ he relates. “It brought back the music of our youth and inspired me stay in music. Brookstock has made my friendships with people stronger. Every time we all get together, I get the warm fuzzies.” Batson and Tree have remained close friends through Brookstock. Batson, in fact, flew to California so Tree could produce his two albums. “Bryan came out here to do some pre-production things and figured out he had some work to do," Tree recalls. "When he came back he was prepared. Bryan is an athlete, and approached it with that attitude. Most of his vocals were done in one take.” One new wrinkle this year is the addition of the very popular band 4 Way Stop, which has become one of the biggest bands in the state after coming together at Co-Lin. It recently played at Hard Rock Cafe in New Orleans. Also on the bill are the Bridge Band and Ricky Brown, whose sets usually are fire. Where Brookstock is “maximum rock and roll,” the Overbrook Songwriters Festival is the opposite. Twenty-eight songwriters from four states converge on downtown Brookhaven to entertain with their acoustic guitars and original songs. The artists will be at Tortilla Soup, Betty’s Eat Shop, Magnolia Blues, Georgia Blue and Recess 101, all going at one time from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Betty’s also will host a 9 p.m. show on its deck. All the shows are free. Tyler Bridge will host a Friday night show at Recess featuring Brookhaven artists. Brookhaven native Sam Mooney will headline a show on Saturday at 7 p.m. there. Ten bucks gets you in to see a super talented musician who is on his way to making big noise in Nashville. It’s hot and getting hotter. Come out and enjoy these two festivals. I’ve encouraged you over the years to support the arts, but this month I'm asking you to do yourself a favor. Live music just hits like nothing else. EDITOR'S NOTE: Shaw Furlow is a local composer, musician and arts promoter. He produces an internet-based video show -- From the Shadyside -- that spotlights area musical talent and is a consultant to school bands in the region. Bob Arnold is Editor of the Wesson News.