Solving puzzles is fun. Watching other people solve puzzles is less fun. Watching entire movies built around fictional characters solving puzzles (where the filmmakers have already decided whether or not the characters will ultimately solve the puzzles) is even less fun. It’s why I could never get into those “Escape Room” movies. Frankly I’m questioning how much I’m going to enjoy Batman doing battle with The Riddler in two weeks. But I do know that I didn’t have much fun at “Uncharted.” Tom Holland stars as Nathan Drake, a descendant of explorer Francis Drake, who dabbles in studying history and artifacts when he’s not stealing small treasures from bar patrons. He’s recruited by treasure hunter Victor Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to find a stash of lost gold belonging to Ferdinand Magellan. Sully was working with Nate’s brother, who went missing and is presumed dead (feel free to roll your eyes at that presumption). Nate received a series of postcards from his brother, which may be a clue as to where the treasure can be found. Sully really just needs Nate for that one clue, but he also sees that the kid can be useful as a consultant, a decoy, or a temporary ally, but certainly not as a partner or a friend. Of course there will be an arc where the two become uneasy partners and friends. Also after the Magellan treasure is Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas), a wealthy banker obsessed with finding the fortune he feels is his birthright (Magellan reportedly double-crossed one of Moncada’s ancestors). Moncada leads a rival search party along with henchwoman Jo Braddock (Tati Gabrielle), herself a jilted former partner of Sully’s. I know the movie needs an excuse to have action sequences, but it doesn’t make sense that Nate/Sully and Moncada/Jo don’t just team up. Nate and Sully have all the clues and know-how, and Moncada and Jo have the resources to actually obtain the treasure. Also in the mix is Chloe Frazer (Sophia Ali), a clue possessor in business for herself, though she’ll form temporary alliances with both sides since she’s presented as a master manipulator, when in fact she has neither side’s strengths. She’s so out of her depth that the movie can’t think of a convincing way to include her in the film’s climactic action sequence. The treasure hunt stuff is lame, the jokes are mostly unfunny, how are the action sequences? Passable. I like the idea of the cargo plane sequence from all the advertising more than I liked the sequence itself, where gravity isn’t factoring in naturally as the characters climb bulky boxes hanging from strained cables. The same can be said of the climactic sequence involving two boats and two helicopters. Great idea in concept, not so much in practice with choppy editing and unnatural special effects. The film is based on a video game, and I’m sure the action works better in that setting, where everything is computer-generated and the world can have its own rules of physics. But in live-action, where the characters need to play by the same rules as the rest of us, this movie isn’t pulling it off. The opening graphics of “Uncharted” indicate that we’re at the dawn of some sort of PlayStation cinematic universe, similar to Marvel’s. Two mid-credits sequences indicate that we’re going to get at least one sequel to this film. I’m fine with the latter, this movie has done well enough on a holiday weekend to justify a follow-up commercially, if not creatively. But the PlayStation people are getting way ahead of themselves if they think they can do what Marvel is doing. Just because they have Tom Holland doesn’t mean they have Spider-Man. Though shooting and swinging from webs makes more sense than some of the climbing in this movie. Grade: C- “Uncharted” is rated PG-13 for violence/action and language. Its running time is 116 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Mississippi home gardeners will participate in vegetable research this year. The Mississippi State University Extension Service has received applications from Mississippi Master Gardeners, home gardeners and garden club members from which 80 participants statewide have been selected for its 2022 Home Vegetable Variety Trial. Trial plants will include different varieties of cucumbers, peppers, squash, tomatoes and other vegetables, involving two varieties of six crops each to compare during the growing season. Selected participants will grow the varieties, record and return to MSU requested data on taste, germination rate, highest yield, disease resistance and when then they produced. They will receive enough seed of each variety for 10 row feet of garden space, plot labels, an evaluation form and instructions for collecting data and planting and growing. “Extension specialists can research new plant varieties at current facilities, but including citizens increases its ability to test varieties across the state,” said Reid Nevins, MSU Extension agent in Lowndes County. “Having home gardeners throughout the state participate helps Extension learn which varieties perform best. This can provide valuable data to determine which varieties are more adapted, more productive and most preferred by Mississippi gardeners.” Participants were selected evenly throughout the state. Seeds and other materials will be mailed to the applicant’s county Extension office by late this month for pickup. MSU is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodation, please contact Nevins at ran18@msstate.edu or 662-328-2111.

The State Board of Education (SBE) today voted to approve a $17.6 million grant to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) to create a telehealth delivery system within K-12 schools to provide remote healthcare and healthcare provider access to students. MDE expects UMMC to deliver on-demand urgent care and telebehaviorial health during school hours. UMMC services to students will include urgent care, mental health, remote patient monitoring and specialty consultation healthcare. The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is using American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III funds to cover the grant. The grant period is from July 1, 2022 through Sept. 30 2024, with a liquidation period ending Dec. 31, 2024. UMMC plans to begin project implementation March 1 of this year. Clinical implementation will begin July 1 in four school districts and will be completed in all districts by July 1, 2023. MDE’s goals for the telehealth services program are to: Provide Mississippi school districts and charter schools that currently have a school nurse on staff or contract with the equipment needed to effectively implement and manage the delivery of telehealth services to students. Improve the overall healthcare outcomes of students in Mississippi by increasing student access to primary, acute and specialty healthcare providers. Expand healthcare offerings to Mississippi students beyond diagnosis and treatment to include services that focus on health maintenance, disease prevention and health education for students, families and school personnel. “Healthy students learn better. Implementing this telehealth program for Mississippi’s K-12 students will better ensure health issues are identified and treated,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “This program can potentially reduce absenteeism, help parents and guardians get quicker access to services for a child and even save lives.” UMMC’s Center for Telehealth, which has more than 200 sites in 73 of Mississippi’s 82 counties, currently implements a comprehensive telehealth program in various settings that address healthcare needs of Mississippians and others. UMMC plans to leverage resources of its Center for Telehealth to: Create a telehealth delivery infrastructure for all eligible schools in Mississippi. This includes need assessment of individual school districts/schools and delivery, setup, maintenance and training of all nursing staff on the required telehealth equipment and clinical workflows for the delivery of telehealth services. Engage stakeholders at all levels to include MDE leadership, school district administration, parents, school nurses, teachers and other staff, local providers and community resources to identify common goals and key performance metrics to measure success of the program for each individual community. Operationalize and implement telehealth delivery services in the following key areas: remote urgent care, remote behavioral health, promotion of dental health via education of school nurses by providers from the UMMC School of Dentistry, and lifestyle coaching of students at risk for developing diabetes. Undertake continuous quality improvement that will include ongoing evaluation of the program in terms of quality outcomes and monitoring process measures such as use and student enrollment.

The Wesson Board of Aldermen has jacked up the pay of the town's police officers. Base pay of full time officers is now $35,000 -- a $2,500 raise -- and the Assistant Police Chief's salary will go up $2,000 to $37,000 with Chief's pay remaining at $40,000. In other actions, the Aldermen: Accepted resignations of Keith McElvin, a full-time police officer, and Chad O'Quinn, the former Police Chief, who returned to serve temporarily as an officer; and terminated Brandon Williams as an officer. Decided to continue its contract with Copiah County to handle garbage collection and address communication issues with county officials rather than negotiate the town's own contract. Approved a low-speed vehicle ordinance based on state law that will regulate golf carts on town streets. The ordinance requires a one-time $25 ownership fee, police inspections of vehicles for properly working headlights, taillights, mirrors, among other things; and drivers to be licensed.

Towns and cities all across Mississippi are filled with friendly residents – it is the Hospitality State, after all. However, when it comes to friendliness, Wesson really goes the extra mile. Revered as a “modern-day Mayberry,” it may very well be the friendliest town in Mississippi, making it a great visit when you need a pick-me-up. Straddling the border between Copiah and Lincoln Counties, Wesson is a small town of about 2,000. Its small size is (likely) responsible for some of its best qualities, like a quiet way of life, an almost non-existent crime rate, a wonderful family atmosphere, and community involvement. With all that in mind, it’s easy to see why Wesson has come to be known as a “modern-day Mayberry.” And like the original Mayberry, Wesson isn’t exactly brimming with excitement. However, it IS the perfect destination for those seeking a relaxing, small town escape. Established in 1864, Wesson was once the center for cotton fabric production in the South. Today, the town’s past comes to life through several historic sites and markers, which are scattered about Wesson. The small town also played a role in the cultivation of the blues, and in 2012, it became a stop on the Mississippi Blues Trail. There’s more to Wesson than historic sites, though. Wesson prides itself on its “rich past and promising future.” Part of that “promising future” can be found on Spring Street. Running through the heart of Wesson’s quaint downtown, the street is lined with shops and eateries. Wesson also boasts some great recreational opportunities. In 2016, the town park was completely revamped. Now, it includes a walking trail, a playground, and a splash pad. Lake Lincoln State Park is in Wesson, too. A great place to explore the outdoors in Mississippi, the park boasts a 550-acre lake, a swimming beach, nature trails, picnic areas, camping, and more. Boasting oodles of small town charm and welcoming vibes, Wesson is easily one of the friendliest towns in Mississippi, if not THE friendliest town in Mississippi. Want to know more about the Mayberry of Mississippi? For more info, visit the Town of Wesson website. Address: Wesson, MS 39191, USA This article was originally posted on Only In Your State by Daniella DiRienzo

Commissioner Brent Bailey announced today, on behalf of the Commission, the completion of the Public Service Commission’s Public Utility Infrastructure Review Report. The Commission launched a comprehensive review of the Magnolia State’s public utility infrastructure in February 2021 following the extreme winter storms. The report is being released during the one year anniversary week of the historic weather event. “Our jobs as regulators charge us with the responsibility to ensure utilities provide reliable services across a resilient infrastructure network,” Commissioner Bailey said. “New challenges for our utilities statewide were presented during the unprecedented 2021 winter storm event which we felt should be examined. Icy roads, downed vegetation, ice on utility infrastructure and other effects of the long-term, bitterly cold temperatures caused thousands of customers to go without power and/or water for several days.” The Commission sought information regarding the actions being taken to ensure reliable operations of electric, gas, water and telecommunication utilities in anticipation of other future extreme weather events and conditions. The report reflects the responses received from scores of utilities which were compiled and analyzed by resiliency specialists to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each sector and to provide recommendations on improvements. “Mississippi is no stranger to extreme weather events. I commend our utility partners across the state for their continuous work to improve and sustain the resiliency of systems that deliver critical, essential services to Mississippi’s utility customers,” said Commissioner Bailey. “Utilities spend millions and millions of dollars each year to maintain the safety and reliability of utility delivery systems. Those prudent expenditures are what keep the electricity, gas, water and communications flowing in times of extreme weather or other natural events.” The report was prepared by staff members of Del Sol Consulting, Inc. (Del Sol), a disaster recovery consulting firm specializing in expert consultation and staff augmentation to clients facing the daunting tasks of pre-planning for potential natural disasters, and effectively implementing long-term recovery strategies. Del Sol was supported by Royal Engineers and Consultants, LLC, a full-service engineering and consulting firm with significant experience in the management of disaster recovery programs.

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) expanded its Licensure Call Center Feb. 1, with longer hours and additional customer service representatives to better assist prospective and current educators. The Licensure Call Center now has 15 representatives available from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays to assist educators seeking information or inquiring about the status of a licensure application. Previously, four representatives took calls from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The MDE began onboarding the new representatives Jan. 5. The State Board of Education (SBE) approved a $1.8 million contract with a staffing agency at the Dec. 16, 2021 board meeting to hire the customer service representatives. The contract term is from Dec. 29, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2024. The MDE is using American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and ESSER II funds to pay the agency. During peak season, the number of calls received by representatives in the MDE Licensure Call Center ranges between 6,000 to 15,000 calls monthly. The goal of the expanded center is to reduce the impact of the calls. “I am aware of the frustration some educators have experienced when contacting the MDE with licensure inquiries,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “Now that the Licensure Call Center has expanded, I anticipate a more efficient process and positive experience for educators.” A self-service, automated and interactive voice response system will become active in the coming weeks to further improve the Licensure Call Center experience. By March 1, all educators will be required to create a four-digit personal identification number (PIN), which they will need to set up in their Educator Licensure Management System (ELMS) account. The PIN is an added security feature that will permit educators to speak to a customer service representative and/or obtain information on their ELMS account through the automated system. The phone number to the Licensure Call Center is (601) 359-3483. Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news.

Applications to the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Mississippi Teacher Residency (MTR) program are now available for aspiring educators seeking a graduate degree in elementary and special education. The priority deadline to submit applications is March 15. Any applications submitted after March 15 will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until all slots are filled. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and either meet the minimum required passing score on the Praxis Core, have a 21 or higher on the ACT/SAT equivalent; or have a 3.0 GPA (60 hours of coursework) and Praxis Content Knowledge Test acceptable scores. The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) voted in December 2021 to award more than $9.8 million in grant funds to five university educator preparation programs. Those universities are Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University. The MDE is using American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to cover the grants. Up to 200 individuals can be accepted into this cohort of the MTR program, which seeks to enroll diverse participants. This is an adjustment from the 240 slots previously reported based on university partner eligibility and projections. Tuition and expenses, including testing fees, books and mentor stipends, will be covered for accepted applicants. The MTR program will include training alongside a mentor teacher, testing support, professional development, ongoing assessment and a commitment to teach in a geographical critical shortage school or district serving low-income children, racial/ethnic minorities and children with disabilities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. When applying, applicants will indicate what university program they want to join and select up to four school district options to work in. Confirmed participating school districts are included in the application and will be updated as needed on the MTR website based on each university’s established process for selecting district partners in geographical critical shortage areas. All complete applications will be provided to MTR universities to determine candidate eligibility. Eligible applications will then be provided to each candidate’s top-choice MTR partner school districts, which may then opt to interview applicants either in-person or virtually. After interviews are complete, the MDE will conduct a matching process based on information from MTR applicants, universities and school districts. Applicants will be notified of their possible acceptance into the MTR program by May 2022. MTR is one of the state’s strategies to address the national teacher shortage. An MDE survey to all public school districts in the state from Aug. 21 to Oct. 11, 2021 to assess educator shortage showed there are 3,036 certified teacher vacancies in Mississippi. MDE’s Office of Teaching and Leading has operated MTR since 2018 to increase the number of qualified teachers entering and remaining in the profession. The project is funded by a $4.1 million grant from the Kellogg Foundation. MTR is part of a statewide strategy to expand and diversify the teacher pipeline, so all students have teachers who are well-prepared, appropriately licensed and can serve as role models. For more information on the MTR program, visit mdek12.org/OTL/MTR. A direct link to the application is available here. Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news.

In our annual celebration of Heart Month, it's appropriate to look at healthy heart living. There are many conditions that affect the heart. Of course, heart attacks, arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm), cardiomyopathy (issues with the heart muscle), and congenital heart defects (heart conditions you are born with) are directly related to the health of our hearts. But did you also know that many other conditions including, but not limited to, cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure, can lead to heart disease, heart attack, or stroke? And now, COVID seems to have varied effects on many individuals. There are factors you can control such as diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption that are related to our heart health. Age, hereditary, and gender are things we cannot control that are also related to our cardiovascular status. Cholesterol is a “waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver and other cells.” It is found in certain foods such as dairy products, eggs, and meats. You need some cholesterol to function properly as it helps to support cell walls, produce hormones, and produce bile that assists in digesting fat. There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Lean fats such as avocados and nuts tend to be good cholesterol, while other fats like red meat, and fried foods tend to be bad cholesterol. However, you only need a limited amount of either type. When you have too much, plaque—a thick, hard substance---forms in your arteries which can impede blood flow leading to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). This itself can lead heart disease including high blood pressure, angina (chest pain), and even heart attacks. Type 2 diabetes is a condition that we typically think of when we mention challenges with glucose levels (sugar) and insulin. Adults with type 2 diabetes are at least 65 per cent more likely to die from some form of heart disease or stroke. High blood pressure is a condition that measures pressure your blood puts against the walls of your arteries when your heart is pumping compared to the pressure against the walls of your arteries when your heart is relaxed. When the numbers are too high, it can lead to heart related issues, and stroke. High blood pressure results from plaque build-up, salt intake, smoking, stress, and more. Since COVID is such a new condition that we are learning about daily, review the evidence-based information available from the American Heart Association (heart.org/en/coronavirus). Total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL. LDL (Bad) cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL while HDL (Good) cholesterol should be more than 50 mg/dL. If you are unsure of your numbers, consult your doctor!! Diabetes can be measured by taking your fasting blood levels first things in the morning. Your reading should be less than 100 mg/dL. If you are consistently higher than 100mg/dL, check with your doctor. Blood pressure should be read as the systolic pressure (heart contracting) over the diastolic pressure (heart at rest). That means it should be some number less than 120 over some number less than 80. Anything over 120/80 needs to be discussed with your physician. It is important to be educated about your health. It is always a great idea to have a heart screening to understand your current status, and to find things about which you should be concerned early before it is too late to address them. King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven offers a $100 Healthy Heart Screening the requires no physician referral. The Healthy Heart Screening is a combination of several on site-tests including a HeartSaver CT Scan, Lipid Panel, Electrocardiogram, Assessments for Peripheral Vascular and Stroke Rise, feedback on Blood pressure, Body Composition along with Nutrition Counseling. To schedule an appointment, simply call 601-835-9133. For more information, be sure to visit the American Heart Association at www.heart.org. 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.

Ten individuals and organizations, that contribute to the life of Wesson through business, education and not-for-profit service have been recognized by the Wesson Chamber of Commerce. Dump's BBQ, a local restaurant, the American Legion and its Ladies Auxiliary and Sonya Cowen received the Chamber's Business of the Year, Organization of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards in a special presentation ceremony last month. Also honored were: Wendy Harrell as Wesson Attendance Center Educator of the Year Dr. Reed Freeman as Co-Lin Educator of the Year Wesson Garden Club, Community Spirit Award recipient Wesson Ace Hardware, Best Customer Service Award recipient Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Innovative Business Award recipient Copiah Nutrition for Positive Social Media Presence Park Place Ice Cream as Best New Business The award recipients and their families attended the private ceremony held instead of the Chamber's annual public banquet -- the usual presentations venue -- because the resurgence of COVID-19. Dwayne McLemore, who owns and manages Steel Outdoors, a custom metal products fabricator based in Wesson, talked about the ingredients of success as featured speaker. McLemore, who said a church pastor's question -- "why do you do what you do" -- set him on his life-changing journey to start his own business -- cited "postivity," "always getting up when you are down" and "goal" as keys to success. Wesson Alderman Michael King and Co-Lin President Dr. Jane Hulon Sims also spoke to the honorees and their families, focusing on happenings in town and at the college. At the event, the Chamber introduced its 2022 Board of Directors: Stephen Ashley, president; Stephanie Duguid, vice president; Deemie Letchworth, secretary; Brent Duguid, treasurer; and members Jessica Breazeale, Phillip Knight and Ken Sullivan. Outgoing board members Kayla Bereh, Marilyn Britt and Steve Liverman were also recognized.

The Brookhaven Camellia Society will its their 69th annual show Saturday, February 19, at Homestead Whittington Farm (946 US 51 South), the former Brookhaven Nurseries. Blooms from local gardens and around the region and a plant sale will be at The Event Center on the property. Participating in the show and public viewing are free thanks to the generosity of sponsors. Entries may be submitted from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Mizell's Camellia Hill Nurseries at Folsom will start the plant sale at 8 a.m. The viewing of approximately 1000 blooms will be open to the public after judging from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Show planners encourage wide participation, noting that blooms may be placed on a Novice Table. So many people who have camellias growing in their yards and gardens could be participating, yet haven't, they say. Potential entrants should not be concerned about their varieties. It is very simple with reds, pinks, whites, striped and other categories. As in the general competition, prizes will be awarded. Anyone may win, with more than 80 prizes. There are K-12 youth categories as well. For more information, contact Bill Perkins, BCS President, at 601 757 4502.

As we all start to reflect on the year that is now past and to His birth and the (our) new beginning, I am reminded of how resilient we are; how hope is not gone. What the past two years have said about me is that I can bring needed change. My voice is power and my strength is unstoppable. At 46, I have stepped into bigger shoes and I CAN fill them. Three and a half years ago, I gave birth to our third child. Hudson was born with Down syndrome and a large hole in his heart. We didn’t know that he would be born with transient leukemia, but that gut punching news came on his first day of life. Even before his birthday, I was fighting for his tiny life and his best chance. Our team wanted to deliver him at 30 weeks. I refused. Less steep mountains are easier to climb. My goal each day was to flatten the mountain the best I could. We made it to 37 weeks. Our will has power. Being an advocate for my baby was easy, like with my other two. I am mom and I speak up. I ask questions. I need to be in the know. What I didn’t know is how many laws are against my son’s life and what it really meant to be his advocate; it’s more than the typical advocate that comes with a child’s birth. The reality is that I wasn’t affected by all the laws that are poorly written until now. I didn’t know what was broken in our system until my son was born. Sadly, I never educated myself on this. But now I clearly see God and His purpose for my life… the pieces of my puzzle are fitting perfectly now. I can see the changes needed to make this world a place where people are seen for their abilities and not punished for a disability. I will be heard. You see, I grew up in a small town of Oklahoma. We didn’t have inclusion. Children that were “different” didn’t sit beside me in class or have lunch with us. I still don’t remember even seeing a child with special needs in my school. Either I was oblivious or they were kept away. Typing this makes me sad. As the tears stream down my cheeks, I feel guilty for not asking or doing better. I know people with disabilities do exist. As a matter of fact, 1 in 4-5 persons alive do have a disability of some kind today. So we all should know more people, right? I think “small town” and “old school” ways of thinking are still a problem today. Fair and equal should apply, but it doesn’t. Unless we can accept a person and love them whoever and however they come into our lives, we can’t make real change. Hudson’s extra chromosome is permanent. He was born with it. It’s not a period, but more like a + sign. Let me explain. Hudson is Hudson. He’s beautiful and full of life and curiosity. His smile is contagious and his laughter should be bottled up and shared. It took him longer to walk, but he does walk (well, now he runs) everywhere. Remember that leukemia diagnosis, Hudson fought it off with no medication. You read that right, he beat cancer with zero help. And his heart was repaired at 3.5 months old. Hudson doesn’t talk yet, but he will. Even though words aren’t used, we still know what he wants and what he needs by him showing us. Hudson time is what we are on and his time is perfect. In the coming months, I will be sharing with you all the challenges my son faces and the laws that we have changed, working on change and the ones still to be changed. Don’t be a “Mika”, learn and make a difference today, not only when it affects you. Pro-life in our state is more than pro-conception or pro-birth; it is pro-LIFE for ALL HUMAN LIFE. Life is a gift and God makes no mistakes. He knew Hudson before he was in my womb and Hudson, too, was created in His image. We have passed the Human Life Equality Act and Hudson’s Law (Down Syndrome Information) in our state. In the coming months, you’ll hear about Cole’s Law (Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Law) and trying to eliminate Subminimum Wage (a person with a disability can sadly be paid less than minimum and as low as 20 cents per hour). In the year ahead, I pray we can reverse the discrimination on marriage for our friends, improve support and inclusion, improve special needs education and better embrace all human life. Clearly, Hudson fills big shoes, too! This Christmas, show EXTRA love to all HIS children, young and old. Teach your children to be kind and what inclusion really means. Celebrate life with me as we celebrate the GREATEST BIRTH. We celebrate everything. I often share Hudson’s inch-stones vs. his milestones. Forward moving progress is forward moving. It is all worth celebrating. There is more love on this journey than I ever could’ve imagined. Doors opening to help us make needed changes. Voices speaking up. People wanting to learn more and really help. I was asked for Hudson to be the teacher. I frowned at this at first… it is 2021, why does my 3 year old need to teach someone to be kinder and more accepting? Well, God calls us all, no matter our age. Why not Hudson is a better question. There is no one better for this job. Looking back on everything we’ve been able to celebrate and looking forward to all the new reasons, too, I am filled with hope this Christmas. The kind of hope that wakes you up before your parents on Christmas morning… the real joy in filling hearts with hope, love and peace; that the world we live in CAN be better. Merry Christmas with EXTRA love. "EDITOR'S NOTE: CJ and Mika Hartman are personal friends of The Wesson News' publisher, Clay Mansell. We wanted to use our publication to share Mika's journey as she works to change laws, perceptions and anything else she chose to tackle to make our state a better, more inclusive one. Her son, Hayden [Hudson?], has Down Syndrome, and she will share his journey and hers as she works with lawmakers to make Mississippi a better place to live for everyone. Please visit our website to view her blog and important information on how we can all help make Mississippi better. "