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Furr gave each visitor a Co-Lin t-shirt. Pictured L to R: Angela Furr of New Hebron, Executive Director of Co-Lin Foundation/Alumni Relations; Jordyn Buckley, Keylon Barnes, Brandon Maye, Bryson McDuffey, Carmen Henderson, Railyn McDuffey A group of students from New Hebron Attendance Center recently visited Copiah-Lincoln Community College's Wesson Campus to sharpen their presentation skills ahead of the HOSA International Leadership Conference later this month. The students will represent their school at the international competition, scheduled for June 17-20 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The future health professionals earned their place at the conference after successfully submitting health-related video projects in their respective competition categories. As part of their preparation, the students traveled to Co-Lin to practice presenting their projects before an audience. They worked with the college's public speaking instructors and rehearsed their presentations in the auditorium of the nursing program building on campus. The upcoming competition will require students to present their topics in person before a panel of judges, making public speaking and presentation skills an important part of their preparation. HOSA, formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America, is an international student organization dedicated to preparing future healthcare professionals through leadership development, educational opportunities and competitive events. The International Leadership Conference brings together thousands of students from across the United States and around the world to compete in healthcare-related events, attend educational sessions and network with industry professionals. The New Hebron students will join some of the nation's top young healthcare leaders as they showcase their knowledge and skills on the international stage. For additional information about the students' participation in HOSA, contact Ashley Henderson, school nurse at New Hebron Attendance Center, at ashley.henderson@lawcosd.org. Additional information about HOSA and the International Leadership Conference is available at HOSA.org.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB Last week, I reviewed “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which was based on a series that I hadn’t seen, but I was well-aware of its larger world and its place in popular culture. This week is “Backrooms,” which is also based on a series that I haven’t seen, and was in no way known to me until a few weeks ago. Even once I did hear about it, it struck me as an obscure, niche product for horror nerds. Yet both films are estimated to have made over $81 million at the domestic box office in their first three days. How does this movie based on a simple series of web shorts find itself performing just as well as an entry into one of the biggest franchises in history? Like everything about “Backrooms,” I don’t know, it makes no sense, but I like it. The film, which I understand to feature characters never before seen in the series (I also understand that one does not need to have seen the series to understand the movie… to the degree that one can understand the movie), follows Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor), an unhappy, unsuccessful furniture salesman in early 90’s Santa Clara. He sees psychiatrist Dr. Kline (Renate Reinsve) following an ugly divorce, but she doesn’t seem to be much help, partly because he isn’t receptive to her treatment, and partly because she’s can’t help but be distracted by her own emotional baggage. Late one night, Clark notices light coming through a crack in the wall in the office of his store. He goes to investigate, and finds himself inexplicably transported through the wall. On the other side is a room not unlike what one would expect to find in the back of a furniture store: dull and dingy with annoying fluorescent lights and a big stack of furniture that doesn’t seem fit for the showroom. Even though it’s his store, Clark has never seen this room before, and he certainly didn’t know about the magic portal. Further investigation reveals that there are more, similar rooms beyond the first, to the point where he can’t tell where they end. Also, “something” is skulking around back there. Clark is able to escape the Backrooms through the same portal, and tells Dr. Kline, who doesn’t believe his far-fetched claims about walking right through a wall and a series of rooms with furniture that isn’t quite right. He goes back in with his employee Kat (Lukita Maxwell) and her cameraman boyfriend Bobby (Finn Bennett) to document the labyrinth, but things don’t go so well this time. Eventually Dr. Kline tries the Backrooms herself to find that Clark has gone mad, among other horrors. You never know what will be around the next corner in “Backrooms,” except that it will make you feel uneasy. Not “terrified,” necessarily, there’s not much traditionally scary about piles of laundry or an indoor stop sign. But why is there so much laundry nowhere near a laundry machine and why is there a stop sign planted indoors? It’s unsettling in a way that you can’t quite put your finger on, like the hexagonal carpet pattern from “The Shining.” Of course, there are also things in the film that are meant to be scary in the traditional sense, but I found them underwhelming. The film is at its best when it’s subtle and mysterious, like a dream where things are recognizable, and yet not. I mentioned “The Shining” as a clear influence on “Backrooms,” I also got hints of “Being John Malkovich,” “Cube,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” and anything directed by David Lynch. All weird movies, combined, twisted and given elaboration by writer/director Kane Parsons – a name that this movie will instantly shoot to the top of the horror genre. Some critics are saying that it’s the performances that make “Backrooms” stand out, and while the Oscar nominees do put in excellent work, I say the real star is the Backrooms themselves, in all their uncanny-valley glory, as they do not-quite-convincing impressions of actual backrooms. Grade: B- “Backrooms” is rated R for language and some violent content/bloody images. Its running time is 110 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Four-year-old Jimmy stood motionless beneath the large bucket balanced above him. A bucket that held a lot of cold water already, with water being added constantly from the never-ending stream feeding it. Shivering in anticipation, Jimmy watched as the water level steadily inched upward. Then it happened. The slightly off-balance bucket suddenly reached its tipping point and completely doused the boy, causing him to run away screaming in delight. Then returned to wait for the exact same thing to happen again. Water parks are great fun for kids. And being hit with a wall of cold water on a hot day? Perfect. Jimmy knew what was coming and loved the shock to his little body. Time and time again, he would return to that spot under the tipping bucket. But Shawna was no little four-year-old. Shawna was an adult, an adult young woman who carried her responsibilities in life with seeming ease. Even as a child, her parents had watched her juggle schoolwork along with her own chores at home, and still had plenty of time for fun and friends. When her teen years came, she had no problems adding a part-time job to that mix. She was intelligent, driven, balanced, and knew she was capable of accomplishing whatever was needed. Huge amounts of homework added to her school load her senior year? No problem. She could handle more water in her bucket. Her work supervisor suddenly needing her to cover extra hours every week? She confidently worked it into her busy schedule. Her bucket definitely felt heavier, but “Hey, I’m strong and smart, and I like a challenge, I can handle this!” Then one day her parents sat down with her, and reluctantly told her the truth of their marriage. Dad was leaving, and Mom was going to need a lot more support and help with Shawna’s two younger siblings. The water rose a little more in the bucket, but Shawna took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and did whatever was needed. Every day. Every night. Life rocked on, with Shawna accepting every challenge head-on. A ready smile on her face, and a “Let’s do this!” attitude in everything that came her way. Marriage, high-pressure job, and tiny time-demanding kids of her own. But the bucket’s water level was nearing the top. Shawna was no dummy, she knew that lately she was feeling way too tired and stretched emotionally. But she also knew that she was needed. More than needed, she was irrevocably essential, on so many fronts. There was simply no way to slow down and change things. The bucket was teetering. One running-behind-again-morning, she was giving the baby her bottle and frying bacon, while refereeing another argument between her two preschoolers. Suddenly her husband bolted into the kitchen holding out his work shirt that was missing a top button, the shirt he had to wear today. The bucket tipped completely. A complete ‘unexplainable’ breakdown came next. With a doctor-ordered extended rest next on the list. Learn before it happens to you. Heed the warnings your body and your emotions are sending you.

By Guest Columnist Eddie Smith The addition of colorful hanging baskets can make a front porch or patio feel welcoming. There’s something about a colorful hanging basket that makes a front porch feel welcoming. Whether it’s part of a quiet morning with a cup of coffee or an evening visit from friends, those baskets overflowing with blooms add life and charm to your outdoor space. A few well-chosen plant combinations can turn ordinary baskets into real showstoppers. One of my go-to plants for hanging baskets is Supertunia petunias. These vigorous plants have a naturally mounding and trailing growth habit, which means they work beautifully as both fillers and spillers in containers. Instead of needing constant grooming, they simply grow and spill over the sides of the basket, creating that full, lush look everyone loves. Another thing gardeners appreciate about Supertunias is that they are low maintenance. That means no deadheading is required, so you can spend more time enjoying your porch and less time fussing with the plants. They perform best when fertilized regularly, and because they grow in containers, it’s easier to keep their soil moisture just right. Another excellent companion for hanging baskets is Superbells calibrachoa. Much like Supertunias, these plants have a mounding, trailing habit that allows them to cascade beautifully from containers. They also share the same low maintenance nature with no deadheading needed. A steady diet of water and fertilizer keeps them blooming. One important thing to remember about both Supertunias and Superbells is that they don’t like constantly wet soil. Growing them in containers works in their favor because it allows you to better control moisture levels. One of my favorite hanging basket combinations features Superbells Grape Punch, Superbells Yellow and Supertunia Persimmon. Grown together, these three colors create a warm, sunset-like display. As the plants begin trailing over the sides of the basket, the mix becomes even more dramatic. Another beautiful combination includes Supertunia Vista Fuchsia, Snow Princess and Laguna Compact Blue with Eye. Supertunia Vista Fuchsia delivers bold pink blooms, and Laguna Compact Blue with Eye adds stunning blue flowers accented by crisp white centers. Snow Princess spills over the basket with cascading white blooms that soften the whole arrangement. Together, the basket feels bright and cheerful. No matter which plants you choose, the secret to keeping hanging baskets looking full is consistent care. Regular watering and a steady fertilizer routine keeps the plants actively growing and blooming. Your hanging baskets can overflow with color all summer long, turning your front porch into a welcoming garden space that everyone will notice. EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Eddie Smith is a gardening specialist and Pearl River County coordinator with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. He is also host of the popular Southern Gardening television program.

Special to Wesson News The late Bob Huckaby of Bogue Chitto has been inducted into the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame. Huckaby graduated with an associate’s degree from Co-Lin in 1954, where he played basketball. He continued his education at Mississippi College, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. A member of the Bogue Chitto High School Class of 1952, he was named an All-American after leading his team to a state championship. He had a successful two-season stint at Co-Lin under Coach Ray Busby, where he was the leading scorer and rebounder. He was inducted into Co-Lin’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. At Mississippi College, he earned Little All-American honors and continued his streak as the team’s leading scorer and rebounder. He was inducted into MC’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1983, and he is a member of the 500-point club. After graduating from college, he was drafted into the United States Army and spent two years at Fort Chaffe in Fort Smith, Arkansas. In the Army, he continued to excel in basketball, softball, and track, including a fourth-place finish in the Army High Jump. He coached at State Line, Mississippi, for seven years before returning to Co-Lin to be the head basketball coach from 1966 to 1968. He left coaching to become a vocational counselor until his retirement in 1995. He died on October 13, 2021. “I saw him play at Mississippi College against Southern Miss, and he was scoring every time he got the ball,” said Alton Ricks, former Co-Lin basketball coach and Huckaby’s colleague. “He was a left-hander; he was considered the best with his left-handed hook shot.” Huckaby and his wife, Katherine, had three children: Cheryl Shelby (Gus), Julia Everett (Jack), and Robert Huckaby (Leanne).

By Jessica Breazeale I have no idea why I was dreaming about this, but here we are.This morning I woke up with one thing on my mind: be a salmon. Now, if you know me at all, you know how strange that is. I am not a fisherwoman. You cannot pay me to take a fish off a hook. My fish are pets — I feed them, nurture them, watch them grow, and the only scenario where I’m eating one of my “pets” is a full-blown apocalypse. So for a salmon dream to shake me awake with a message? That got my attention. I think God was trying to tell me something. We all know salmon swim upstream. But have you ever stopped to think about why? It’s not stubbornness. It’s survival — for the next generation. Salmon fight against the current to reach safe, oxygen-rich waters where their eggs can hatch and their young can live. If they just went with the flow, the species would cease to exist. There’s a word for this in biology: rheotaxis — the tendency of an organism to orient itself and move against a current. And I believe this is exactly what real Christ followers are called to do. Romans 12:2 says it plainly — “Do not conform to the pattern of this world.” The world has a current. It flows toward self-interest, materialism, and comfort at all costs. The default is to drift. Easy, culturally comfortable Christianity isn’t discipleship. It’s just floating downstream with a cross bumper sticker on your back. Real rheotaxis starts with orientation — figuring out which way the water is flowing before you move. For me, that’s prayer and scripture. Discernment comes before direction. Really feel the current to know which way is different (or upstream). Then comes the effort. Swimming upstream costs something — energy, comfort, sometimes relationships. Carrying a cross was never meant to be a metaphor for mild inconvenience. But here’s what’s remarkable: for the salmon, that upstream fight eventually becomes instinct. For believers, that instinct gets cultivated through the Holy Spirit renewing our minds day after day until swimming against the current becomes who you are to the core, not just what you occasionally try to do. And then there’s the part that really gets me. The salmon exhausts itself fighting upstream, reaches its destination…and dies there. Costly. Purposeful. Complete. Here’s what I believe: real living isn’t found here on Earth. We’re on this planet for just a moment, just a breath. What I’m swimming upstream for is what’s coming — the Kingdom, eternity, and the people I’m hoping come with me. If we drift, they drift. If we fight upstream, we leave behind a path, a witness, a faith worth passing on. So the question I woke up with, and I’ll leave it with you: Which way are you swimming? The current will always take you somewhere. But if you want the life that’s real living, then be a salmon. Downloadable version

Special to Wesson News Chris Kings tells Wesson Garden Club members to place native plants in their yards to support birds and insects. An avid birdwatcher from Brookhaven highlighted the Wesson Garden Club (WGC) meeting last month. Chris King, who promotes bird conservation and protecting habitats, presented an informative program – “We Are All About Birds” – that encouraged his audience to place native plants in their yards to support birds and insects. Attendees at the WGC meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the American Legion Post 79 included Terri Bath, Marilyn Britt, Sherri Carty, Sonya Cowen, Robin Furr, Rebecca Harrison, Cherry Head, Rhonda Ishee, Camille Johnston, Vickie Martin, Jennifer Meilstrup, June Owens, Pam Owens, Jennifer Peets, Joy Phillips, Jean Ricks, Lisa Smith, Pollyanna Smith, Sheila Stewart, Stanley Stewart and Dixie Thornton. WGC President Sherri Carty called the meeting to order and welcomed members with an inspirational quote. The group recited the Garden Club Collect and the Pledge to the flag. Following the program, Pam Owens offered the “Gardening Tip of the Month” on recycling. After completing the club’s business and a closing prayer by Robin Furr, the meeting adjourned. Refreshments were enjoyed courtesy of hostesses Jennifer Meilstrup, Cherry Head, Dixie Thornton and Sheila and Stanley Stewart. The WGC is a member of The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., and the Natchez Trace District of GCM.

Special to Wesson News Brister speaking to classes on the Co-Lin Wesson campus. Building good money habits early can help students succeed later, says Brittany Brister, branch manager at Trustmark in Wesson. Brister, who has worked at the Wesson branch for about two and one half years, spoke about credit, savings and fraud during recent visits to local schools. She is making a similar presentation at Wesson Attendance Center, focusing on how credit works, at Wesson Attendance Center this month. She spoke to 71 seniors at Wesson High School. They played credit Jenga and munched on snacks and reviewed promotional items. “I enjoy helping customers achieve their goals,” Brister said. “I also like being part of the community.” During her school talks, Brister explains how young people can start building credit. She recommends secured loans or a line of credit as safe first steps. She also says teens can become authorized users on a parent’s credit card, as long as the parent uses the card responsibly. Brister says students should also learn how to protect their money. She warns that scams and fraud are common and can affect anyone. “Be careful,” she says. “Fraud is everywhere right now.” With the school year ending, Brister encouraged graduating seniors to open student checking and savings accounts. She says starting early can help students manage money better as they enter college or the workforce. Brister’s goal is to give students simple tools they can use right away. “Understanding money now can make a big difference later,” she says.

By Misty Strieff Prine “God rebuilds you right in front of people who broke you. Trust me, you don’t need revenge, you need faith.” – Unknown.+ Trust me when I say, this is one of God’s BIGGEST ways to not only draw you closer to Him but for you to truly see God’s ability to turn complete brokenness into something beautiful. I am a living, breathing, walking testament of this more times than I can count. In many ways, being hurt by the very people that are supposed to lift you up, pray for you, celebrate and help further your ministry, encourage you, and love you through the rough stages in your life, are one of the most difficult things a Christian can experience and overcome. But here’s the thing. When you’ve had years upon years of that same hurt from multiple avenues, (church, career, life in general, etc.) but EACH time God shows up and shows out in such a way that you sit back and just are in complete and utter awe when you see what God turns that brokenness into! Wow. He does it every time! His plan is SO grand and thought out and perfectly timed and every event has to happen for it to fall into place. As they say, we all must be broken for the light to shine through. For a moment I experienced weakness, and the enemy would start to get the upper hand, and my first thought would always be to quit writing, singing, be sad and gloomy…but that would be quitting ALL of the thing’s GOD was having me do. That’s when it hit me. The enemy would win. No, no, NO! My Mama would always come through in a clutch and say, “Baby, the devil wouldn’t be fighting so hard to get you to quit if you weren’t doing something right.” So, every time I find myself broken, no matter what the case may be, God gives me HIS strength, and He always finds me a way to turn a mess into a message and a test into a testimony. Revenge is never needed. You may feel that human emotion at first. After all, we are all human. However, if you have faith that God is going to work it all out for the good of those who love Him like He promises and you TRULY do, He’s going to work EVERYTHING OUT right in front of the very ones that broke you but do it in such a way that is humbling and shows your heart is in the place it should be. If you handle correctly, you will turn it around and become a witness to them. Now how about that?

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is coming at an interesting time in the history of “Star Wars.” It is a test to see if the franchise’s recent success on the small screen can translate to blockbuster status on the big screen. I have not seen “The Mandalorian” streaming series on Disney+, though I know of its massive success. I could even imagine a world where a “Mandalorian” movie makes enough money to have a legitimate place alongside classic installments like “A New Hope” and “The Empire Strikes Back.” That world just isn’t this one, not with this movie that nearly put me to sleep. The movie follows Din “The Mandalorian” Djarin (voiced and played in “face scenes” by Pedro Pascal), a helmeted human bounty hunter who resembles, but is not related to, beloved franchise character Boba Fett. His young apprentice is Grogu, a non-speaking alien who resembles, but is not related to, beloved franchise character Yoda. I’m sure the origin of the team-up is explained in the series, but for now all I need to know is that that they are a team. The opening moments of the movie follow The Mandalorian and Grogu as they take out a leftover Empire loyalist (Hemky Madera) running a protection racket. The sequence is filled with action, comedy, and visual spectacle on a level that the rest of the film lacks. I’ve heard some critics saying that this film could have been a few episodes of television, I’m saying that everything after this sequence could have been cut and the whole thing could have been a short that plays in front of another Disney feature. I know it’s wishful thinking, but it could have added some much-needed incentive to see a fledgling effort like… “Wish,” come to think of it. The rest of the story follows the team as they’re sent on a mission by their employer (Sigourney Weaver) to capture another Empire henchman who has thus far escaped justice. This person’s identity is known only to the deplorable Hutt family, and Jabba’s twin siblings won’t give up the information for free. Mando and Grogu first have to rescue Jabba’s son Rotta (Jeremy Allen White) and return him to his aunt and uncle. It turns out that Rotta has carved out a nice little life for himself on another planet as a gladiator of sorts fighting for unscrupulous promoter Janu Coin (Jonny… Coyne is the actor’s name), and he doesn’t want to leave. The “rescue” mission is going to have to be more of a “capture.” At first I liked the adorable, Force-enabled Grogu so much that I wondered if the movie even needed The Mandalorian. Around the two-thirds mark, I got my answer when Mando was incapacitated for a stretch. The answer is that yes, the movie very much needs The Mandalorian, because with just Grogu, this movie fell apart. Bless the writers for trying to give him a solo arc and the puppeteers for trying to make him sympathetic, but he just does not have a mode other than “cute.” He works in small, scene-stealing doses, but anything more than that is a mistake. “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is every action movie you’ve ever seen about a shady hero dealing with shadier secondary players, including, but not limited to, other “Star Wars” movies. Except it doesn’t quite have the ambition of other “Star Wars” movies. There’s too much blandness to the settings and periphery characters. I can see where Disney thinks this property is “too big” for television, but I can’t say this movie is theater-worthy, at least on the level that a “Star Wars” movie should be. It’s stuck awkwardly between the two tiers of entertainment hierarchy. I’m sure there will be another movie, and I encourage the creative team to step up their efforts (it won’t take much, just a few extra flourishes) so that film can unmistakably belong in theaters. Grade: C “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action. Its running time is 132 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Special to Wesson News Locals are discovering hometown banking with Renasant Bank is built on trust, convenience, and community support. Known for its friendly customer service and commitment to local growth, Renasant Bank continues to help families, small businesses and individuals achieve their financial goals. “With Renasant Bank, customer service is top tier. Also, when you walk in the door, you’re family,” said Misty Prine, Branch Manager of Copiah County. The bank has two locations in the county, Crystal Springs and Hazlehurst. Prine has been with the bank for 23 years. She also writes a weekly devotional that is featured on wessonnews.com. From personal checking and savings accounts to home loans and business banking solutions, Renasant Bank offers modern financial tools with the personal touch customers appreciate. Local residents say the bank’s knowledgeable staff and strong community involvement make it a reliable partner for every stage of life. Community leaders also praise the bank for supporting local events, schools, and charitable organizations throughout the region. As more customers look for dependable financial services close to home, Renasant Bank continues to stand out as a trusted name in community banking.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Lost terribly at the family game of cards? Tear up that score card and put it out of your mind. A silly little board game is not worth thinking about and ruining your day. But you know that. Or you should. Your fiancé lets you know that after thinking about your relationship, you just aren’t the perfect one? Go ahead and sob brokenheartedly for a while, mope around the house in your pjs, eat a gallon of chocolate ice cream, get angry and tear up the picture of you two enjoying a day at the beach together… and then determinedly move on. Grief over the death of a loved one? You definitely do need to grieve. Feel the depression that comes, experience the total loss that weighs you down and makes even simple walking feel impossible. That is normal. Painful, but normal. But, after falling headfirst into that mud puddle of despair, do not let yourself lay there endlessly. There has to come a time when you sit up, look around you, wipe off your face, then sigh and begin your life again. I could cite an endless list of things that can ruin your days…or even your life for years. But I’m telling you as emphatically as I possibly can – WHAT EVER IT IS, DO NOT LET IT CONTROL YOU ENOUGH TO DESTROY YOU. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is worth that. There is a real fact in life, and that is this; a traumatic day, or week, or even years, all fall into the category of ‘the past.” And when that day comes when you get hit below the belt by life - and you will - you will have to choose to move on past that painful yesterday. After all, you can't change what has happened, and dwelling endlessly on it is depressing and paralyzing, so don’t make that mistake. Give your pain all the attention that it is due, and then pull yourself up by your bootstraps, as your grandfather would say, and determinedly choose to start over. I say this because the day after that traumatic day happens, your tomorrows will rapidly begin arriving, one after another, and you will have no choice but to make a choice. Between starting over, or laying in that mud puddle of pain. One is guaranteed to keep you hurting and depressed. The other gives you a fighting chance to create a life you can enjoy. Choose wisely. Because you are the only fighter in this war. Sure, others will want to help you, and will offer endless advice, support, and loving wisdom. But ultimately, you and you alone, will decide if that painful ‘yesterday’ wins the battle and has the power to cause you to live the rest of your life on earth, wishing you weren’t here.