By Charlie Rook Photo Credit: The Copiah Monitor The Wesson Attendance Center improved to a 6-10 record after claiming a 5 point home win against Enterprise high school. The team has now won 4 out of their last 5, after starting on a 6 game losing streak.  The team continues to improve offensively, scoring over 50 points in every victory this season, a threshold they only hit twice in all of their losses this season. The teams were expecting a close one in a Conference battle, but the home atmosphere ended up being too much for the Yellowjackets to take as they fell to 5-14 on the season.  Wesson’s next game will take place on January 20th, in another home contest, against Loyd Star. Loyd Star come into the contest with a record of 2-11, and provide a great opportunity for Wesson to continue their momentum.

By Misty Strieff Prine “Should you ever find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, jealousy, lies and insecurities…don’t be mad. Remember things could be worse: You could be them.” Unknown. Have you ever found yourself saying, "I just can't understand why people treat people the way they do" and then you get the response "Well, not everyone was raised like you." It's such a sad situation to know that so many people have faced such hard lives. You are not born with bitterness, jealousy, insecurities or the ability to lie. All those emotions are learned and are gained by experiencing tough situations in life. I have not had a bad life by any means, but I have faced extremely tough situations. I am very blessed to have a huge support group in my mom, dad, brother, husband, and children. Unfortunately, today, many have no one to hold their hand physically throughout their toughest of days let alone be there to lend a helping hand and remind them that everything is going to be alright. Sadly, those very people have no one in their inner circle to witness to them about the love of Christ during those dark and lonely valleys they walk through. They have no one that seems to care about them enough to tell them they will pray for them or better yet, pray WITH them. That is why it is so very important to take a deep breath when those people hurt us by showing jealousy, bitterness and resentment and love them through it. Is it going to be easy? Absolutely not. Is it going to be worth it to love them and pray for them no matter how bad they treat you? Absolutely! That is why it is important to remember what it says in 1 Peter 3:19: "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." Being a better person during a tough situation brings forth more blessings than you could ever possibly imagine. The moment that you allow people who have unfortunately been raised in broken homes and have been subjected to repeated broken situations steal your joy and make you start believing that YOU have a bad life...you have done something terribly wrong. You allowed their bad life and tough circumstances to steal your joy that God worked so hard for you to have. We have to be mindful that we don't know what others are facing in their lives and that their negative treatment of others is probably their own cry for help. It just takes a strong person to see through the anger to see the need for love and prayer for that person. We are a walking ministry. People need the Lord more than ever today!

By: Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB             It’s time once again for that magical set of releases on the cinematic calendar: January Horror! Unable to get a Halloween release, unable to compete in blockbuster season, and unable to dominate a random weekend anywhere else on the calendar, January Horror movies are released at a time when their biggest competition is leftover holiday blockbusters and awards-season darlings. Studios are banking on audiences not wanting movies that are popular and… good, so maybe they’ll settle for some cheap thrills. In other words, the month is a dumping ground for bad horror movies. “Primate” is indeed bad enough to belong in January, though I’ll at least allow it the faint compliment that it’s pretty decent “for” January.             The film takes place at a cliffside (meaning somebody is definitely going over that cliff) mansion in Hawaii. College student Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) is coming home to visit her father Adam (Troy Kotsur) and sister Erin (Gia Hunter). Along for the trip are her good friend Kate (Victoria Wyant) and lousy friend Hannah (Jessica Alexander), as well as Kate’s brother Nick (Benjamin Cheng). Lucy isn’t just happy to see the humans in her family, she’s also happy to see Ben, a chimpanzee adopted by her late linguistics-expert mother, who communicates with both sign language (with the deaf Adam) and an electronic pad with an artificial voice.             Adam has to go out of town and Ben has been behaving strangely, so veterinarian Dr. Lambert (Rob Delaney) will have to swing by the house, but other than that, the kids have run of the place for a few days. Hannah might even invite over some party bros (Charlie Mann and Tienne Simon) she met on the plane. There’s just one problem: Ben has been infected with rabies. Everyone in the house is now in danger from the increasingly-unstable chimp. And as we learn from the opening sequence (because of course this is a movie that starts with a horrific scene and then flashes back to “36 Hours Earlier”), it’s mortal danger.             The appeal of the movie lies in its chimpanzee antagonist, and to that end, the film actually fares quite well. Effects that go into Ben reportedly include puppetry, animatronics, motion capture, and a physical performance by actor Miguel Torres Umba. It’s more complex than a Halloween costume, but doesn’t take the shortcut of computer-generated artificiality. I never had any problems with visual phoniness or the uncanny valley, at least no more than with any real-life primate. I really was all set for Ben to be a memorable slasher villain. And then the movie did something with Ben that greatly detracted from all that hard work: it made the character unnaturally smart. I’m not talking about the early scenes of the chimp functioning in the household. I’m talking about how, if the character’s homicidal tendencies are driven by rabies, then he’s a crazed, full-steam-ahead killing machine, and I’m afraid of that. But the film gives Ben the presence of mind to taunt his victims and get creative in his attacks, and it’s just not “rabid” behavior. It’s the behavior of a standard movie slasher, and by the end of the movie, I couldn’t see Ben as anything more than that. I don’t want to dismiss the idea of a killer primate movie entirely, with the threat of an unfamiliar species posing unique dangers. But the movie doesn’t capitalize on that potential, instead offering up dull January Horror fare with a killer that happens to be a chimp and kills that are only impressive when they can only be committed by a chimp. And the lazily-written human characters certainly can’t carry this movie. If the makers of “Primate” liked fleshing out their characters as much as they liked the chimp ripping flesh off of them, there might have been a recommendable movie here. Grade: C “Primate” is rated R for strong bloody violent content, gore, language, and some drug use. Its running time is 89 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Special to Wesson News Wesson Friends of the Library (FOL) will begin developing a plan of action for its 2026 programs, but already the thinking has begun.   For National Library Week, which will be celebrated April 19-25, the American Library Association, has already identified the theme as “Find Your Joy” towards encouraging exploration of personal interests at libraries.  The week also encompasses Right to Read Day and National Library Workers Day as part of the celebration to recognize the vital role libraries and library workers play in transforming lives, to promote library usage and to support libraries as community hubs.   Charlie and Kennedy Garcia pictured at Wesson Library to pick out some of their favorite books. They love reading and often visit the library with their grandmother, Robin Furr. For the annual Wesson Public Library (WPL) Summer Reading Program in July, WPL Librarian Marilyn Britt is suggesting the 250 th birthday of the nation as the focus of the event, which is oriented to children.  FOL member Dr. Steven Liverman is already researching patriotic books for readings to children in kindergarten and lower grades.  The Library will also highlight patriotic books in special display and feature a parchment paper replica of the United States Constitution in décor with a patriotic theme that makes the nation’s 250 th  birthday celebration understandable to children and adults alike.   Also on the FOL planning agenda:   The second “Babies and Books” outreach to new parents, particularly to moms, in May to start using the library as a resource early for themselves and their child through its development. A reading contest for adults to build library traffic during September. The annual library book sale at Wesson Founders Day in October.

Send any responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com “The chief fault and default position that seems to lead to the decline in the number of husbands and wives.”  A line taken from a song released decades ago, and recently re-released by Brookes & Dunn. Still so true today. The song is talking about Pride - the chief fault of us all. And invariably, the default position that every member of a couple falls back on, when they find themselves in an disagreement. Everybody wants to see themselves as the one who holds the position of ‘being in the right.’  Also known to the successful combatant as “The Winner.” Really? Just because you can yell the loudest or out argue your spouse, or prove that your logic is closer to the truth, you should declare yourself The Winner? Folks, there is a problem with this age-old way of conducting relationships. It is this. For there to be a winner, there has to be a loser.  And being the loser in a battle sets that loser up to feel resentful. And slightly ‘less than.’ And more often than not, angry at the winner. Resentful, ‘less than,’ and angry. Oh yeah, this is an outstanding basis for that couple’s day, or week. Now certainly, if the winner bases their self-worth on the ability to always come out on top in an argument, then that partner walks away from the battle feeling confident and absolutely justified. But the so-called loser of the skirmish? Those feelings of resentment, ‘less than,’ and anger certainly do not make good ingredients for making that person feel growing love for the winner. Negative emotions do not make a loser want to spend time with their partner. To want to please, to comfort, and to laugh with that person. In fact, it is pretty easy to see that insisting on being The Winner is gradually accomplishing the opposite of what you are truly wanting. To be loved, accepted and appreciated. Honestly, is that kind of losing really what you are trying to achieve? Because that is exactly what is happening. So, Winner, I predict that you lose more than you ever realize, when you insist on being right every time. You would be a much smarter and effective victor if you would choose back off the ego-boosting need to win-at-any-cost every skirmish and clash between you and your partner.

Special to Wesson News Copiah Nutrition, a popular local spot known for its nutritious teas and meal replacement shakes, now offers a free weekly Bible study open to the community. Every Tuesday at 11 a.m., anyone can join for biblical study, community and fellowship, with complimentary coffee provided. The business remains open for customers interested in their delicious, healthy drinks, but the Bible study provides a great chance for connection and reflection. Volunteers like Yemy Wolfe, who helps make teas and shakes, rings up customers, and assists with cleaning and organizing, are important to the Copiah Nutrition’s business model of healthy living - mind, body and soul. Pictured at the weekly community bible study are Yemy Wolfe, Sid Smith, and Tessa Young, along with Ana Mason, the owner of Copiah Nutrition.  “We started it last July to bring the community together,” said Mason.  Located at 1088 Beech Street in Wesson, Copiah Nutrition continues to foster community spirit and well-being. “We wanted to deepen our Faith and thought the Bible study would be a great way to build on that. We started with Women Coffee with Jesus Bible study - but when Tessa was speaking to some of her friends, one guy (Sid) asked if he could join. So we changed the name to Coffee with Jesus for men and women,” said Wolfe.  Mason and Wolfe started attending Pine Lake Church in Jackson last year because they have two ASL interpreters, and Yemy is deaf. “She deserves to be included in church. I am learning ASL and enjoy attending with her, said Mason. Additionally, Copiah Nutrition employees and volunteers are excited to take part in the upcoming GOAT (God Over All Things) Free Kids Camp on April 7th and 8th in Wesson Park. For more information, stop by Copiah Nutrition on Tuesdays or visit their social media pages.

By Bob Arnold   Nekitha Jackson, a longtime local cottage baker, just opened a permanent retail location to cook and sell her cakes, cookies and other treats in downtown Wesson. If there was ever a bakery in Wesson, it was so long ago that locals can’t remember it. Destiny Delights, which Jackson calls her business, has moved into the new 6,700 square foot mini shopping and office complex that Salmon Point Development has built on the southwest corner of Church Street and Highway 51. Jackson is renting the smaller 1,000 square foot structure on the property, which will have a total of three commercial spaces. Jackson says she bakes with love as her secret ingredient. Since 2014, she has done the bulk of her baking at her Wesson home on Lott Smith Road and sold her products and baked some of them on site at farmers and other outdoor markets throughout southwest Mississippi. Now she’ll go to work in her own bakery, where three or four workers will also help her serve customers. It’s a status that has been a dream since her childhood -- being known as a baker in her community beyond her home base. The pink and brown colors that she has made a trademark of her business as a tribute to her sister, who died in a car crash, will also be part the new status. As she prepared for her move to the retail location, Jackson reflected on the strength she has received from God, family and friends: “I’m thankful for God’s blessing and guidance. My husband, Clifford Jackson, Sr., has been an unrelenting force, pouring his heart and soul into making this dream a reality. His unwavering commitment, alongside Walter Jackson’s loyal support and Vernie Washington’s valuable insights, has been nothing short of remarkable. To everyone who’s contributed to this process, I express my deepest gratitude – your impact won’t be forgotten. Here’s to the bright future of Destiny’s Delights Coffee Shop and Bakery.” Ron Bath, a former Reno, Nevada, commercial and residential developer who retired to Wesson and transplanted Salmon Point Development here, continues to seek tenants for the 2,100 square foot and 3,600 square foot units in the new Highway 51 complex. Bath found Jackson, who has long been active in community service, on the Wesson Chamber of Commerce board. For many years, Jackson also served as president of the Wesson Attendance Center Parent Teachers Organization.

By: Jessica Breazeale   Have you noticed how many trees are dying?   Maybe it’s just in my neck of the woods, but it seems to be an alarming number of trees that are dead - or on the brink of it. We need more sturdy, reliable trees that can withstand nature’s weather and insects. What tree are you ? Are you firm, steady, resolute? Is your tree being eaten alive by beetles and on the brink of falling over dead? Is your tree flopping around because you hadn’t grown very big before storms kept hitting one after another? Is your tree so big and grown that it provides shade and protection for the other trees? With the current alarming rates of dying trees, is there something we can do to help trees “make it”? How to make your tree grow? 1.    Be careful with lawncare.  – Even small knicks and bumps can have a lasting impact. Be careful with who and what is around you. a.   Be careful not to mow over a baby crepe myrtle. Yes, this happened to us. I was mad at my husband for weeks. But I got over it. Symbolically, if we mow over baby Christians, they never got a fair shot at what “real living” looks like. Be careful and not in a hurry with lawncare. 2.    Give it space to grow.  Some trees get choked out. There’s simply not enough room for light to penetrate through the darkness. a.   Jesus needed space to go off alone to be with His father to hear from Him, to see Him, to talk with Him. b.   We aren’t exempt. We all need quiet, alone time, space to see God for who He really is…TO YOU PERSONALLY. Distance from the world is good. 3.    Water it enough . You will start to wither if you aren’t staying in His presence or in communication with Him. We wither when we aren’t staying in His word, helping His people, who are our eternal siblings. If the leaves become pale and fragile, the tree isn’t getting enough water. It’s not growing or producing delicious fruit. The base of the tree needs to stay wet. 4.    Watch the roots. Surround yourself with good soil. Don’t overfertilize. a.   Now, I can’t tell you what that means for you. For some, they get addicted to church, and it becomes what they love more than God. b.   I can’t say what over-fertilizing is for you. I know what it is for me. Keep the roots wet and surround yourself with good soil. Get to the roots. Dig…dig…dig. As deep as you can dig, find out what keeps you from bending towards the light, facing the storm, and allowing your tree to grow. This picture speaks volumes to me. At first glance, it looks like this tree has a good roots system and would be fine. But all it would take is years of erosion and the perfect storm to change everything for this tree. It appears strong on the outside but is at the mercy of environmental factors. Is your tree  is being fully fed, fully nourished, fully satisfied in Christ ALONE? Identify the root cause of tree sickness and weed it out. Weed out the thinking that got you in trouble, that friend that got you in trouble, that addiction that got you in trouble, that marriage or that divorce, or that secret habit, whatever it is…all of it…find it , start bending towards the light to watch your tree start to THRIVE. I’m always in awe when I look at live oaks. They outlive humans and showcase strength, longevity, and beauty. I want to be a live oak when I grow up one day – ha!

By Bob Arnold   Angela Hester When locals visit Town Hall, they often bump into City Clerk Angela Hester embarking on another trip or returning from one.   Hester, who joined Wesson government in 2017 as Court Clerk and Deputy City Clerk and took over as City Clerk not long afterwards, didn’t know at the time that she was signing up for all the meetings and associated travel that are part of the job.  No one told her to buy a set of durable luggage, but packing and unpacking bags and waiting at airports is a constant for Hester to keep pace with the demands of a working environment that changes every day with new laws and governmental change.   “I need to keep up,” Hester affirms.  “It’s about making sure we do government right in Wesson.  These aren’t pleasure trips.  I am learning and working most of the time at the meetings I attend and participate in.”   Hester attends conferences and trainings and plays leadership roles in the Mississippi Municipal Clerks and Tax Collectors Association (MMCTCA), the Mississippi Municipal Court Clerks Association (MMCCA) and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC).   MMCTCA, including municipal clerks who serve as tax collectors in their municipalities or towns, provides a forum for discussion of problems common to municipal clerks and tax collectors and solving them through exchange of ideas and experiences, promotes the general welfare of Mississippi municipalities and upgrades the benefits, welfare and standards of its individual members.  Hester attends its spring, fall and winter conferences and serves as treasurer of the organization.  In spring 2026, the organization will conduct IIMC training to certify state city clerks.   Hester has served as vice president of MMCCA and will become its president in 2026.  The organization serves the crucial administrative officers, who are the  record keepers, financial officers, and facilitators for municipal courts, responsible for managing dockets, processing cases, collecting fines/fees, administering oaths, preparing for court, and maintaining official city records, essentially linking the court, city government, and the public. It provides online problem-solving discussions of issues common to its more than 300 members and hosts an annual summer conference, which Hester attends.   IIMC is the leading professional organization for city/town clerks, secretaries, and recorders worldwide , founded in 1947 to enhance their professionalism through education, networking, and Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) and Master Municipal Clerk (MMC).  It provides resources, training, and conferences to support clerks in managing records, conducting elections, and supporting local government to assure high standards of public service.    IIMC awarded Hester its CMC designation and she will attend its May 17-21, 2026, annual conference in Reno, Nevada, to continue work on her MMC. “The CMC is more than a pin, a certificate and three letters at the end of a name,” IIMC Certification Manager Kellie Siggson told Hester. “It is a declaration that you are proficient in your important position and that you have demonstrated mastery of administrative skills critical to good government.” For the CMC, Hester attended extensive education programs in which she earned 60 points toward the designation and demonstrated pertinent experience in work as Wesson Town Clerk to earn another 50 points.  She earned the designation over six years and is now in the four-year MMC program in which she will earn another 60 advanced education points and 40 professional contribution points. IIMC, which established the CMC program in 1970, says it prepares designees “to meet the challenges of the complex role of Municipal Clerk by providing quality education in partnership with institutions of higher learning, as well as State, Provincial and National associations.” The program is designed to enhance the job performance of the Clerk in small and large municipalities alike.  In Mississippi, municipal clerks like Hester are central administrative officials, serving as the hub between citizens and government by managing official records ( minutes ,  ordinances ), running  elections , handling public records requests, issuing  licenses /permits, and providing key support for the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, essentially acting as the city's historian, record-keeper, and primary public contact .    For Hester, the smaller state organizations are important, too.  That’s why when others were beginning to engage in the activities of the busy holiday season, you found her at the Sheraton in Flowood for 2025 MMCTCA winter conference December 10-12.  The three MMCTCA conferences are coordinated by the Mississippi State University Extension Service, the Center for Government and Community Development and Mississippi Institute of Municipal Courts, and the Winter conference covered “Customer Service and Public Relations in Local Government,” “Financial Basics:  Bank Reconciliations,” “From the Auditor’s Perspective:  Strengthening Accountability in Your City,” “Privilege License and Transient Vendor,” “Office Organization from Large to Small Municipalities” (a panel discussion), “Mississippi Municipal Service Company,” updates from the Mississippi Municipal League and PERS Tier 5 training.   The winter conference came as Hester was catching her breath from the October 8-10, 2025, fall conference that featured sessions on leadership development, “DOR Sales Tax & Modernization Funds,” asset management and modernization funds, wage garnishment and child support issues and “Best Practices in Human Resources.   As if the information and training sessions aren’t reason enough for Hester’s involvement in the organizations for municipal clerks, she values the networking at the meetings she attends.  “I meet people from all over the world as well as across the state,” she says.  “When we need help with something, I can go to municipal clerk elsewhere and usually find someone who can help.  Research we need.  The benefit of experience.  Advice on work.  Even a machine breaking down.”   So the next time you encounter Hester running off to the airport or readjust to work in her office after a trip, you might want to thank her for the role she plays in making Wesson government work.

By Misty Strieff Prine “There comes a day when you realize turning the page is the best feeling in the world – because you realize there’s so much more to the book than the page you were stuck on.” – Unknown             Often, we get hung up on the past, too much drama, bad days, bad decisions and even the opinions of others around us, that might not be our own but consume us as if they were. We get stuck on a page that starts to repeat like a broken record. We repeat what we don’t stop long enough to repair, and we forget that we can’t erase the past by dwelling on it. It’s written in ink. We can’t do anything about it. We need to turn the page. We must come to the realization that with each new day or each new page, the Lord grants us the ability to start brand new. Turning that page in our lives has the potential to change our lives completely. When we do get the strength and willpower to forget about our past and give the new day the good Lord blesses us with a go, we realize how beautifully full of peace and joy a fresh new day is. A new chapter is given to us every day. We just have to turn that page and never look back. We need to instead look forward at the opportunities afforded to us to make new memories, better decisions and even learn to surround ourselves with people who will lift us up, not tear us down, and remind us of how blessed we truly are. If you are reading this right now, God has blessed you with the privilege of seeing a new year. We serve a God of second chances and new beginnings. There’s so much more to our lives than spinning our wheels in the negative chapters of our past. Now go. Let God give you a fresh start. Make the remainder of your book a best seller...for Him! Let your life be a testament to others as to how good God has been to you and how far He’s brought you through the chapters of your life. **For daily devotionals, you can follow me on Facebook at The Upward Way or on Instagram at the_upward_way.

Copiah-Lincoln Community College has officially begun renovations on Josie G. Ellis Hall, marking a major investment in campus housing and the overall student experience. The approximately $6 million project will provide a complete overhaul of Ellis Hall, located behind the Ewing Administration Building, adding space for 64 students to Co-Lin's campus housing options. The project is designed to modernize the 10,000-square-foot, two-story building constructed in 1939 while expanding residential capacity to better serve current and future students. Each room will have two beds and a private bathroom. An apartment for the residence life advisor will be located on each floor. Renovations will also include converting the building from exterior-entry access to interior-entry access, enhancing security and safety for students. College officials say the Ellis Hall renovation reflects Co-Lin's continued commitment to improving campus facilities and creating a welcoming, modern environment for students. "Campus housing plays a vital role in student success and engagement," said Co-Lin President Dr. Dewayne Middleton. "The renovation of Ellis Hall allows us to expand our housing capacity while providing updated, high-quality living spaces that meet the needs of today's students." Major Design Studio Architects in Columbus is serving as the architect for the project, with Paul Jackson & Son of Brookhaven selected as the contractor.

The Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration (NLCC) will return February 26–28, 2026, bringing three days of events, speakers, performances, exhibits, and conversations centered around this year's theme, "Stories of American Freedom." The 2026 celebration brings together nationally recognized authors, historians, scholars, artists, and performers to explore the diverse narratives that have shaped the American experience. The majority of the NLCC is hosted at the Natchez Convention Center. Thursday, February 26, 2026 The festival opens with a lively and immersive musical event entitled "Raise a Glass to Freedom: Bar Songs from Then to Now" that brings the energy of the American Revolution to life. Taverns were more than watering holes during this era—they were hubs of debate, dissent, and dreams of liberty. This rowdy, spirited program revives the raucous bar songs that echoed through colonial taverns, reimagined for today. Guests will experience the soundtrack of revolution with a modern twist and step into the soundscape that helped inspire the founding of a nation. Plan to attend this exciting event hosted in partnership with the Natchez Festival of Music at Bowie's Rabbit Hole (100 Main Street) from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at https://www.colin.edu/community/natchez-literary-cinema-celebration/ . Friday, February 27, 2026 | Natchez Convention Center (unless otherwise noted) From 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Vance Fellows and William Winters Scholars Luncheon will be held at The Carriage House in the Queen's Room, located at 401 High Street. This special luncheon celebrates distinguished scholars and fellows for their academic achievements. Beginning at 1:00 p.m., art exhibits highlighting "Stories of American Freedom" will be on display throughout the festival in the Natchez Room. These works, presented by local artists, explore themes of identity, liberty, and the evolving American narrative. At 1:00 p.m., the Opening Ceremony takes place in the Tupelo Room, featuring remarks from Dr. Dewayne Middleton, President of Copiah-Lincoln Community College; Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson; and Dr. Pernell Goodwin, Vice President of Co-Lin's Natchez Campus. The ceremony includes special presentations by the Natchez High Choir, and a video made by local students. The afternoon continues in the Tupelo Room with a series of author sessions. At 2:00 p.m., Dr. Cynthia Kierner discusses The Tory's Wife , followed at 3:00 p.m. by James W. Miller presenting King of the Gunrunners . At 4:00 p.m., Dennard Dayle shares insights from his book How to Dodge a Cannonball , offering an hour of engaging conversation and literary exploration. A book signing will follow from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the lobby, giving attendees the opportunity to meet the day's featured authors. Two evening events round out the day. From 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., the Scholar's Mixer will be held in the St. Louis Room, offering an informal gathering space for the William Winters Scholars to connect. At the same time, the Nashville Room will host a screening of Natchez , a powerful documentary that examines how the city's residents navigate and interpret its complex history. The film, which won Best Documentary Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival, provides an intimate and thought-provoking portrait of the community. Saturday, February 28, 2026 | Natchez Convention Center (unless otherwise noted) The day begins with the art exhibits on "Stories of American Freedom" in the Natchez Room, open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., offering visitors a chance to explore powerful visual storytelling on the theme of liberty in America. Author sessions start in the Tupelo Room at 9 a.m., with Dr. Miki Pfeffer presenting Southern Ladies and Suffragists . At 10 a.m., Brian Altobello shares insights from Whiskey, Women, and War , and the morning concludes with Dr. William C. Meadows at 11 a.m., who discusses The First Code Talkers . After the morning sessions, attendees are invited to a book signing in the lobby from 12 to 12:30 p.m. A special ticketed luncheon event, Food Power Politics: The Food Story of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement , takes place from 12 to 2 p.m. at Rolling River Reloaded (406 Main Street). Dr. Bobby J. Smith II, author of the book, leads an engaging conversation on how food shaped Black freedom struggles in Mississippi, from dinner tables to protest lines. Guests will also experience a tasting of dishes inspired by the stories discussed, creating a unique blend of history, culture, and culinary exploration. The cost is $25 per person, tickets can be purchased at https://www.colin.edu/community/natchez-literary-cinema-celebration/ . The afternoon author sessions continue back at the Convention Center in the Tupelo Room, beginning at 2 p.m. with Dr. J. Janice Coleman presenting Three Years in the Life of Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer, an American Catalyst for Change . Dr. Coleman is a professor of English at Alcorn State University, and she is also a quilter and a storyteller. She will use her Fannie Lou Hamer "Is This America?" Quilt to tell the story of a poor, uneducated sharecropper on a plantation in Ruleville to a powerful voting rights advocate on a national stage. At 3 p.m., Dr. Erin Grayson Sapp explores themes of racial justice and football as a vehicle for social change in Moving the Chains , and the day's author program concludes at 4 p.m. with Louisiana Poet Laureate Alison Pelegrin discussing Our Lady of Bewilderment . A second book signing follows in the lobby from 5 to 5:30 p.m., allowing attendees to meet the authors and collect signed copies. The day culminates with a ticketed banquet, Voices of Freedom: An Evening with Gloria J. Browne-Marshall , in the Tupelo Room at 6:30 p.m. This evening of reflection, resilience, and resistance celebrates civic action and the ongoing fight for justice in America. Keynote speaker Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, a legal scholar, playwright, and author, draws from her acclaimed book A Protest History of the United States to explore stories of ordinary people who demanded extraordinary change, from the American Revolution to the present day. Browne-Marshall highlights how protest has shaped—and continues to shape—the soul of the nation. Tickets are $45, and can be purchased at https://www.colin.edu/community/natchez-literary-cinema-celebration/ .