May 28 is National Poppy Day. The red poppy symbolizes the bloodshed protecting Americans' freedom. Handcrafted red poppies have been worn by Americans since World War 1 to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. Poppies are handcrafted by veterans with the assistance of unpaid volunteers. A veteran who donates five to six hours assembling the red crepe poppies can make as many as 2000, to 3000 poppies a week. More than 5.5 million dollars has been raised from poppies, 100% of the money raised is used to support veterans and their families. Poppies are distributed by American Legions and American Legion Auxiliaries; a donation is asked for the poppies - they are not for sale. You can get your poppies at any American Legion. Poppie coloring books that tell the story of the Poppy and the Poppy poem "In Flanders Field The Poppies Blow" are also available by contacting Terri Knight -babbitt153@gmail.com or Anna Radell Weaver -annaradell@gmail.com.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has financial assistance available to qualified Mississippi landowners wanting to create or restore longleaf pine stands on their land. This Longleaf Pine Initiative (LLPI) is offered under the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) to qualified landowners and forest managers in Central and Southern Mississippi to restore longleaf ecosystems. Longleaf pine forests nearly vanished, but a coordinated conservation effort led by NRCS and other conservation partners is helping this unique ecosystem of the Southeast recover. Longleaf pines provide valuable forest products, pine straw production, scenic beauty, suitable wildlife habitat, and harbor many threatened and endangered species. There are 29 threatened and endangered species that depend on these forests for survival. Two specific species are found in Mississippi, the gopher tortoise and the black pine snake. “NRCS is committed to working with land managers to help restore and expand this critical ecosystem,” stated Kurt Readus, NRCS state conservationist for Mississippi. “Longleaf pine forests provide vital habitat to a variety of species as well as valuable timber. We look forward to seeing what we can accomplish with our partners.” NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to help landowners and land managers plant and manage longleaf forests. LLPI is in its ninth year and has helped restore more than 350,000 acres of longleaf forests. Applications for all NRCS financial assistance programs are accepted on a continuous sign-up process, with specific sign-up deadlines established to rank, contract, and fund qualified tracts of land. Applications for the Longleaf Pine Initiative received by June 25, 2021, will be considered for funding in the second-ranking period. For additional information about the Longleaf Pine Initiative, visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/. To find your local NRCS office, visit https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=MS&agency=NRCS. NRCS financial assistance covers part of the cost to implement conservation practices. Interested landowners are encouraged to contact their local USDA service center or go to the EQIP link for technical and financial assistance information. For more information, visit our website at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/ms/home/.

MEC's Leadership Mississippi program will host a Virtual Interest Meeting on Thursday, May 20, 2021, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Individuals interested in learning more about Leadership Mississippi are invited to join this informal virtual meeting. During the call, we will discuss the history of the Leadership Mississippi program, our distinguished alumni, and how individuals can be a part of a future class of Leadership Mississippi. Interested parties can join the call using the Zoom information below. ________________________________________________________________________________ Leadership Mississippi Virtual Interest Meeting Thursday, May 20, 2021 6:00-7:00 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88913211094 Meeting ID: 889 1321 1094

The University of Mississippi recently announced students named to the Spring 2021 Honor Roll lists, including Chancellor's Honor Roll. The following students were named to the Chancellor's Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.75-4.00: Mary Munn of Wesson, MS. Kimberly San of Wesson, MS. "Our students on the Chancellor's Honor Roll are among the best and brightest at the University of Mississippi," said Chancellor Glenn Boyce. "I commend them for their hard work and dedication resulting in their incredible academic achievements and this well-deserved honor." In order to be eligible for honor roll designation, a student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and may not be on academic probation during the semester. The University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, is the state's flagship university. Included in the elite group of R1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and business. Its 16 academic divisions include a major medical school, nationally recognized schools of accountancy, law and pharmacy, and an Honors College acclaimed for a blend of academic rigor, experiential learning and opportunities for community action. Recognized among the nation's most beautiful, Ole Miss' main campus is in Oxford, which is routinely acknowledged as one of the country's best college towns.

The first annual Mississippi Ag & Outdoor Expo, the largest outdoor show to ever be held in Mississippi, will be held August 6-8, 2021, at the new Mississippi Trade Mart located at the state fairgrounds in Jackson, Miss. The show will be hosted by The Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks and presented by Southern AgCredit. A concert featuring three musical acts will take place on Saturday evening, August 7, in conjunction with the new Ag and Outdoor Expo. “We are thrilled to bring a brand-new show in a new venue to Mississippi,” said Don Brazil, CEO of The Foundation. “This show will highlight the incredible hunting, fishing, agricultural and outdoor spirit of our great state. The Foundation is proud to be a part of this show and look forward to the great time we will have together in August!” Mississippi’s premier outdoor show will feature large displays of everything for fishing, hunting, agriculture and outdoor recreation, a Big Buck contest, and activities for the entire family including Fetch & Fish High Flying Dogs and Ax Women Loggers of Maine. “After almost 18 months of COVID-19 and staying home, we know people will be thrilled at the opportunity to get out and celebrate the Mississippi outdoors,” said Andy Gipson, Commissioner of Agriculture & Commerce. “Agriculture and the great outdoors go hand in hand, and this provides a great opportunity to bring those enthusiasts together at one event. We are excited to partner with the Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries and Parks Foundation and look forward to hosting the largest agriculture and outdoor show in the state.” For additional comments from Commissioner Gipson see the linked video. Show Hours 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Sunday Tickets Adults – 13 years & older … $12.00 Kids – 6-12 years old ………. $6.00 Kids – 5 years and under ….. Free Saturday Evening Concert A concert will be held Saturday evening featuring Travis Denning and Walker Hayes and headlined by Tyler Farr. Doors will open at 6 with Travis Denning taking the stage at 7:00 p.m. Combo tickets for the Expo/concert will be available as well as separate concert admission. About The Foundation In 2003, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) established a foundation to assist in protecting and preserving our wildlife heritage. The Foundation is the only outdoor organization that directly supports the MDWFP, which has the primary responsibility for hunting, fishing, shooting sports and conservation in the state. Through the Foundation’s financial support, various wildlife and educational projects associated with the MDWFP are made possible. The Foundation also helps fund many additional programs not directly associated with the MDWFP whose goal is to preserve and protect the natural resources of the state. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.foundationmwfp.com. For more information on the Mississippi Ag & Outdoor Expo, visit www.mississippioutdoorexpo.com. For additional comments from Commissioner Gipson, visit https://vimeo.com/552381673

Mike McIntyre of Wesson is a new member of the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame. McIntyre is a 1967 graduate of Co-Lin where he was outstanding in football and track. An All-State offensive guard for two years, he was named to the Mississippi Junior College All-Star Football Team and was a starter for the South All-State Team. In track and field, he was an All-State medalist in discus and shot put and a member of the 1966 State Runners-Up team and 1967 State Championship team. He competed in the Senior Adult division of the State Games of Mississippi and earned multiple medals in discus and shot put from 1993-2007 when he was a gold medalist in both events. McIntyre received his B.S. and MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi. He completed additional studies at USM, Mississippi College, Memphis State University, University of Utah, University of South Carolina, and University of Texas-Arlington. McIntyre served as chair of the Business Division at Co-Lin and was an economics instructor for 42 years. McIntyre also served as advisor for Co-Lin’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, in which his students won 67 state awards and 18 national awards, including four National Championships. He was inducted into the Phi Beta Lambda Hall of Fame in 2014. He coached men’s and women’s tennis at Co-Lin for 38 years and was a certified USPTR Tennis Teaching Professional. McIntyre was named MACJC Coach of the Year seven times and NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year four times. His career dual match record stands at 458–105, and his teams won seven state championships, 15 runner-up finishes, had 66 individual state and 59 individual NJCAA Championships, with over a dozen teams ranked in the National Top 25. Named Mississippi Association of Coaches Coach of the Year in 1986, 1989, and 1990, McIntyre received the MACJC Leadership and Service award in 1991. He is a former president of the MACJC Tennis Coaches Association and member of the NJCAA Region 23 executive board. He also served as MACJC State President and Tournament Director from 1985-1990. McIntyre was inducted into the Co-Lin Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. McIntyre and his wife Diane have one son, Michael, Jr. (Amy), and one granddaughter, Kylie Grace..

It’s May, and that means the art shows and contests are in full swing. Hazlehurst just completed a successful month of art shows and the Mississippi Music Museum opened on a limited basis. Now Our friends at the Brookhaven Regional Arts Guild have announced their annual competition, and it promises to be huge. Artists from all around the area have submitted works to be judged with the Best in Show, receiving a prize of $150. Other cash prizes are available, as well. This year, the exhibit will not only be viewed online but in person at the Thames Conference Center on the Co-Lin campus. Entries include acrylics, oil, watercolor and pastel paintings as well as mixed media, drawing, photography, digital and 3D design. All work must be original. The show will be up until May 28. The competition will be judged by a professional artist. Usually, there about 125 entries from artists all across the area. There were a few years the Annual Art Competition didn’t happen, but it has been held for roughly twenty years, and has grown into one of the region's most respected competitions. Co-Lin art instructor, Janet Smith is the current president of BRAG. Its website is bragarts.com, where you can view the annual show and learned about its Artists of the Month and what its members are doing. While the annual competition is open to persons 18 years old and up, younger artists are not left out. BRAG Jr. was begun in 2012, open to students K-12. Membership is $25.00 annually and includes free entry to competitions, access to BRAGjr Zone and a monthly newsletter. BRAG stated goals are to preserve the art of the area and encourage it. An offshoot of the Brookhaven Trust, it was established when a group of ladies got together each week to paint. I have written about them and the Art Barn where they work in a past article. They chose the word “guild” for BRAG because it suggests craftsmen with a mutual interest who encourage one another. That’s it for this month. Outside restrictions are being loosened. Get out and enjoy all that is going on around you. Until next month, support the arts. 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.

The Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center is hosting a multi-day career fair at its facility located at 940 East McDowell Road, Jackson, MS 39204. The dates and times for the fair are: Saturday, May 22nd from 10:00am to 2:00pm Saturday, June 19th from 10:00am to 2:00pm Saturday, July 24th from 10:00am to 2:00pm Whether hoping to find a fresh start, a better job, or a new career direction, job seekers will find a wealth of exciting opportunities at the free career fair. Henley-Young administration and staff will be available to answer questions and assist with the application process. The career fair is open to the entire community. Positions currently available for hire include: · Youth Care Professional · Youth Care Professional Senior · Licensed Clinical Psychologist · Clinical Social Worker · Food Service Worker · Treatment Director Applicants must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug test. They should bring the following items to the fair: Photo Identification Social Security Card

High Blood Pressure (otherwise known as Hypertension) affects nearly half of adults (45% or 108 million people) in the United States. “Blood pressure” is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. If this pressure rises and stays high, it can damage the body in many ways over time, including your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and more. Hypertension increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Only about one in four adults with hypertension have their condition under control. This condition is known as the “Silent Killer,” as there are no signs or symptoms. You can have it for years and not know. The main factors in developing high blood pressure include obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, salt intake, and family history. So, how can you find out if you are at risk? Know your numbers! When your blood pressure is taken, you may told your pressure is 120/80. The top number is known as “systolic,” the blood pressure when the heart beats, and the bottom number is the “diastolic,” the blood pressure when the heart is at rest. Compare your numbers to those in the chart and see where you stand! If you are in any category other than “normal” on a regular basis, see your physician. Blood pressure does not stay the same all the time. It fluctuates with your activity levels, excitement levels, and health issues. Take note of it often. There are places to have it checked on a regular basis -- drug stores, Walmart, and more. Many times, people ask which number is more important, top (systolic) or bottom (diastolic)? Typically more attention is given to the top number (the systolic blood pressure) as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over 50 years old. In most people, systolic blood pressure rises steadily with age due to increasing stiffness of large arteries, long-term build-up of plaque, and increased incidence of cardiac and vascular disease. Take control today. You can make a difference by making a few changes to your lifestyle, taking medication and/or following a treatment plan. If you have high blood pressure, there are steps you can take to get it under control: Ask your doctor what your blood pressure should be. Take your blood pressure medication as directed. Quit smoking -- and if you don't smoke, don't start. Reduce sodium (salt) intake There are other healthy habits that can help keep your blood pressure under control: Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Participate in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. Eat a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in sodium, saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol. Manage stress. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink (no more than one drink each day for women and two for men). Check your blood pressure regularly If you have a family member who has high blood pressure, you can help by taking many of the steps listed above with them. Go for walks together or cook meals with lower sodium. Make it a family affair! 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.

Christy Ratliff grew up in Brookhaven and has continued to live there throughout her adulthood, but she found her dream job in Wesson. Ratliff is Post Master at the U.S. Post Office in Wesson, a position in which she has served for the past twelve years. Growing up as a Brookhaven girl, she recalls walking the downtown streets there with her brother, and learning dance and to twirl the baton. "I wasn't an athlete, but did play basketball in junior high school, and was the bat girl for the high school baseball team," she relates. Mostly, however, she was a diligent student. She served on the staff of Brookhaven High School yearbook, and the BHS faculty and staff chose her for the National Honor Society. After graduating from BHS in 1995, it was off to Co-Lin where Ratliff thought she might want to become an accountant, but decided after the first semester of her sophomore year that college wasn't for her and took the Post Office exam on the suggestion of her father, a long-time postal service employee who retired in 2019. She scored well on the exam, but worked for five months at Super D Pharmacy as a technical assistant before the Post Office hired her for a night job at McComb where she unloaded letters and packages from mail tucks for distribution in the 396 zone encompassing Meadville, Brookhaven and Monticello. Ratliff never looked back, and has continued to pursue a postal service career. She got her first taste of the Wesson Post Office as a clerk. Unlike her father who remained in postal craft jobs, however, she decided to go into management, applying for Officer in Charge (OIC) jobs, temporary positions where post masters had moved on or retired. "I loved Wesson -- the people, a place where you became friends with all the other employees," she recalls. "My goal was to come back to Wesson as post master someday." OIC positions opened for Ratliff at Mendenhall, Port Gibson and Terry, where she became post master in 2008. When the long-time post master retired at Wesson in 2009, she returned to take her dream job. "I'll stay here as long as they let me," Ratliff affirms. While pursuing her postal career, Ratliff also started a family with Kelly Ratliff, who works on natural gas pipelines for Marlin Services. They have two children -- Lauren Smith, a sophomore at the University of Southern Mississippi; and Piker Ratliff, a Co-Lin freshman. What are your hobbies? Kelly and I like to travel to places that are warm, have a beach and sand and host music festivals where we can enjoy country. I cook for family and friends, get outdoors to care for my yard and jog to stay physically fit. Are you a reader? I follow current events and have enjoyed recent books by Fox News commentators Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity. I am also an avid Wesson News reader. Do you enjoy movies or theater? I am into Indiana Jones movies and follow the Hell's Kitchen and Good Doctor television series. What kind of music do you like? Kelly and I took our kids to Jimmy Buffet and B.B. King concerts. We have attended performances of Jerry Jeff Walker and Robert Earl King at the House of Blues in New Orleans. We also enjoy the local music scene -- Topher Brown, Cody Dunaway and others -- at Magnolia Blues in Brookhaven, which features live music along with a steak and barbeque menu. What would you do with lottery winnings if you were so lucky? I've always wanted a home on Key West. I would donate to local charities. Mississippi Special Olympics particularly. Of course, I would take care of family needs. How would you change the world? Nice breeds nice. So I would try to smile and be nice to all people, encouraging them to be nice, too.

Co-Lin has received a grant for tree planting and beautification throughout the Wesson campus, encompassing landscaping of the campus entrance and pedestrian corridor and creation of a fruit tree orchard. Mississippi Urban Forest Council (MUFC) in partnership with America in Bloom and Canadian National Railroad (CN) is bringing the project to the college as part of a planting program in varied locales throughout the state that will become part of the "Mississippi Arboretum Trail." “These types of activities are significant improvements to the community," says MUFC Executive Director Donna Yowell. "The social impact of green space, trees and gardens can be particularly pronounced when public spaces are transformed into places of beauty that foster safe places for neighborhood interaction, economic and property value enhancement, and improves the lives of those that live in or visit the community." “We are so excited to participate in this initiative for both campus beautification and educational opportunities it will provide.” said Dr. Jane Hulon, Co-Lin President. MUFC is Mississippi’s only statewide nonprofit that works with communities and local groups to improve quality of life through landscapes and support strong communities for economic success on a local level. The Mississippi Urban Forest Council and its’ volunteers, the Urban Forest Masters have planted over 379,000 trees and donated over 3 million flower bulbs in Mississippi since 2010. CN – Canadian National Railroad Company -- along with its operating railway subsidiaries serves the cities and ports of Vancouver, Montreal New Orleans, Mobile and Jackson, MS with connections to all points in North America. It is a true backbone of the economy, transporting approximately C$250 billion worth of goods annually for the wide range of business sectors, ranging from resource products to manufactured products to consumer goods, across a rail network spanning Canada and mid-America. America In Bloom promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. It envisions communities across the country as welcoming and vibrant places to live, work and play – benefitting from colorful plants and trees, enjoying clean environments, celebrating heritage, and planting pride through volunteerism. For more information on MUFC programs, visit www.msurbanforest.com.

It’s back again — the funniest, wittiest and most clever contest Mississippi has ever seen! Do you think your one-liners have what it takes to make the final cut? If so, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) wants you to put your skills to good use and encourage safe driving by entering MDOT’s Safety Message Contest! The contest will begin May 17 and runs through June 17. “Each time MDOT sponsors this contest, the messages pour in from the public and they continue to get more creative,” said Jeffery Altman, P.E., Acting MDOT Executive Director. “It’s been such a successful way to engage with the public and help remind motorists of the importance of practicing safe driving when behind the wheel.” Over 90 percent of vehicle crashes are caused by driver decisions, such as speeding, driving aggressively, distracted or impaired. MDOT’s witty traffic safety messages are part of an effort to encourage drivers to change their actions behind the wheel. The messages are often related to current events and pop culture. There is no limit to the number of messages you can submit, but there are some guidelines to remember: The message must relate to traffic safety. Signs can only accommodate three lines and 21 characters per line, including spaces. Hashtags, phone numbers and website addresses are not allowed. No emojis. After entries have been submitted, MDOT will select the top five messages, and each will be displayed on overhead signs along Mississippi highways. The winning messages will also be posted on MDOT social media. To enter, head over to GoMDOT.com/MDOTcontest.