By: Bob Garver Poster Credit IMDB             “Thunderbolts*” certainly scared off the competition in its second weekend at the domestic box office. This sometimes happens the weekend after the opening of a huge blockbuster. Other studios will know that they can’t compete against the powerhouse, so they hold off on releasing anything that they think has the potential to be a big or even midsize hit. When that happens, I have to review either a holdover or a newcomer that can only hope to become, at most, a tiny hit. “Clown in a Cornfield” definitely falls into the latter category. This thing is cheap even by horror movie standards, yet in a minor victory, it managed to open in fifth place for the weekend. I’d admire its pluck, but there’s no sleeper hit here, just a movie that didn’t fail too badly when it was sent out to die.             The film follows Quinn Maybrook (Katie Douglas), a teenager moving to the rural town of Kettle Springs with her doctor father Glenn (Aaron Abrams). Sullen and supposedly shy, Quinn is expectedly standoffish toward her unsophisticated classmate Rust (Vincent Muller). But she’s able to make surprisingly fast friends with the cool clique: jock Matt (Alexandre Martin Deakin), joker Tucker (Ayo Solanke), friendly Ronnie (Verity Marks), mean Janet (Cassandra Potenza), and leader Cole (Carson MacCormac). Cole is the son of wealthy corn syrup magnate Arthur Hill (Kevin Durand), who chews scenery so viciously in straight scenes that it’s hard not to picture him delivering villainous exposition by the movie’s end.             It soon becomes apparent that the adults in the town don’t much care for teenagers, especially Cole’s group. Teachers, shopkeepers, and the local sheriff (Will Sasso) seem to have a vendetta against the kids, punishing them for pranks that they only sometimes pull. Quinn knows that it’s normal for kids to “think” authority figures are out to get them, and it’s not like the teens completely abstain from mischief, but something seems off about the dynamic. Cole explains that it’s because the group is being unfairly blamed for a recent fire at the corn syrup factory that had a devastating economic effect on the town. Quinn takes him at his word that the fire was an unrelated accident, but should she trust him? Can any teenager ever be trusted?             Never mind filling in blanks about the town’s past, there’s a killer on the loose! Somebody dressed as Frendo the Clown, the mascot of the corn syrup company, is killing off teens that have upset the establishment. As a matter of fact, their master plan seems to be to attack a group gathering for a booze/drugs/sex/music party set in a barn. And the barn is right next to… that’s right, a high-end golf course. Just kidding, it’s a cornfield. Get ready for some deaths by pitchfork.             I wasn’t digging “Clown in a Cornfield,” and not just because it doesn’t do scares and violence well. It doesn’t, but I think the bigger problem is with the characters. These are some of the least-likeable protagonists I’ve seen in a while. The “broken family getting set up in a new town” trope has been done to death in every genre, but especially horror (and don’t think I’ve forgotten about you, “adult is barely able to keep custody of a child and scary happenings are the last thing they need”). Quinn and her father just seem like they’re this movie’s plug-in for character types, not characters of their own, and nothing about their chemistry with one another seems natural. And this is to say nothing of the collection of one-dimensional clown fodder that make up the circle of friends or shady townspeople. I live in New York City, and I’m about as likely to see this movie again as I am to see an actual cornfield outside my window. Grade: D “Clown in a Cornfield” is rated R for bloody horror violence, language throughout, and teen drinking. Ita running time is 96 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Wesson News The Event Room is a new Wesson venue featuring a 825 square foot main room.       A venue for small events has been opened by C&L Treasures (CLT) around the corner on Spring Street from its store on Highway 51.         Birthday parties, baby showers and a workout coach have already been using The Event Room since its opening on March 22, says CLT owner-manager Christy Shaw.         “We have 825 square foot main room, kitchenette and bathroom,” she adds.  “It’s ideal for relatively small events, including meetings, receptions and classes and trainings.”         The building that houses it has been a project in the works for several years, evolving from a shell building with a dirt floor, walls and a roof that needed to be finished and installation of electrical and plumbing systems.         Before moving into its current Highway 51 location, Shaw used it for CLT where customers acquire fleas, arts and crafts and boutique items, support home-operated businesses around town that make many of the special gift products it sells and help victims of child sex trafficking, all at the same time.         Like CLT, the profits generated by The Event Room will support Life View Ministries (LVM), which Shaw started with her husband, Wesson Mayor Alton Shaw “to help people view their lives and inform their life through Christ” with a specific focus on child sex trafficking.   “The Events Room is LVM’s  latest  step beyond yard sales that became a store,” Shaw relates.  “We grew as donors started giving us items to resell and home-based businesses in the community looked to us to sell their products.  Our profits go to one home for child sex trafficking victims, and we hope our work can support other places where they can not only find a safe place, but get help in ongoing recovery.”   Rental fees for The Events Room are $75 for a half-day, $125 for a full-day and $100 per day for multiple-day use.  Telephone 601-918-3344.

On the eve of its Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration (NLCC) later this month, Co-Lin mourned the death of former Mississippi Governor William Forest Winter in a special resolution that highlighted his contributions to NLCC. Winter died at age 97 in December. "The Copiah-Lincoln Community College Board of Trustees, faculty, students, alumni and leaders of the NLCC express their deepest sympathy to the William Winter family on the loss of a great Mississippi statesman and devoted friend to education," the resolution concluded after citing his several contributions to NLCC: Serving as Director of Proceedings at its inaugural event in June 1990 Suggesting program topics, speakers, award winners and films over three decades Participating in programs as a speaker and in sharing his research and first-hand knowledge of Mississippi history and culture Personal financial support and endorsements that helped secure grants and other funding Serving for 27 years on an advisory committee Lending his name to the NLCC William Winter Scholars program that recognized outstanding college-level students and faculty members in Mississippi The resolution noted Winter was recognized as the "Education Governor of Mississippi" and was a "longtime advocate and promoter of all levels of education in the State of Mississippi, including two-year colleges, and in particular, Copiah-Lincoln Community College."

By Bob Arnold Nine candidates are vying for Mayor, Alderman-at-Large and Aldermen representing Ward 1, 2,3 and 4 in Wesson municipal election June 3.   Only two races – the contests for Mayor and Alderman-at-Large – are competitive, with the incumbent Aldermen in the four wards running unopposed.   Wesson Mayor Race Alton Shaw Teri Bath In the Mayoral contest, incumbent Alton Shaw faces a challenge from Teri Bath, a relative newcomer to town with family roots in Wesson.   Shaw has served 22 years as Mayor, more than half the nearly 40 years he has been a resident-citizen of Wesson after settling here with his father, who served as police chief, and his mother, a church secretary.    The Mayor graduated from Wesson Attendance Center, worked with the Wesson Volunteer Fire Department when he was 19 years old, and has a Master's Degree qualifying him as a Family Nurse Practitioner. He has been involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Library and Wesson Lions Club.  He and his wife Christy started a Christian non-profit organization that raises funds to combat human trafficking.  They have two children, Benjamin and Parker.   Bath resettled in Wesson with her husband Ron, a real estate developer, four years ago from Reno, Nevada, bringing a background in economic development that has shaped her perspective and vision of leading the Chamber of Commerce, which she now serves as president.   Bath’s husband of 43 years, Ron Bath, is a real estate developer, and she also worked in commercial real estate for 20 years as a property owner and agent.  She and her husband have six children, 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild.  Wesson Alderman-At-Large Race Cathy Stroud Stanley Martin Chad Sills The crowded Alderman-at-Large race pits community activist Cathy Stroud, who directs Keep Copiah County Beautiful and whose volunteer activities encompass veterans organizations and Mississippi Health Ambassadors, against Stanley Martin, who is active in church leadership, and businessman Chad Sills.    Wesson Alderman Race Larry Hall Jarrad Ashley Billy Ellison Mike King In the uncontested Aldermen races, the incumbent candidates are: Ward 1’s Larry Hall, who visited Wesson in 1985, decided to stay, and met and married his wife of 29 years, Melanie Wilkinson Hall.  He does volunteer work, including fundraising for Socks for Heroes and various local charities. Ward 2’s Jarrad Ashley, who was born in McComb, grew up in Brookhaven and worked in construction with his father Larry.  He studied business for two years at Co-Lin, while also working for his father at the Shop 'N Wash, and worked six years in Atlanta area restaurants.  He manages local a restaurant, with seafood specialties, which he calls Z&Z in honor of the children he and his wife Brittany are raising -- Zoey, 6, Zada, 4, and Zane, an infant.  Ward 3’s Billy Ellison, who was born in Dr. Friedman's office in September, 1960, one hundred yards from where he grew up and has continued to live and work in sales-related and maintenance jobs in the area.  Ward 4’s Mike King, President and CEO of Summerwind Consultants, Inc., which develops antiterrorism and risk management decision-support software tools.  He spearheaded development of the Wesson Veterans Memorial.  A Brookhaven native, he graduated from Florida State University and started a law enforcement career with the Brookhaven Police Department, which he continued as a military policeman after being commissioned as a U.S. Marine Corps officer in 1983. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and U.S. Army Command and Staff College, holding a Master of  Military Art and Science.  He received the Legion of Merit Award, Defense Meritorious Service Meda and the Presidential Service Badge.   Wesson City Hall is the voting site for the election from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 3, with absentee voting underway throughout May on weekdays (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) and on Saturdays, May 24 and 31 (8 a.m. to 12 noon).

Special to Wesson News                 If you’re curious about those whimsical paintings that are, increasingly, adding interest to otherwise ordinary windows of stores, restaurants and other businesses, Lilly Harrison may be the culprit.                   An Atlanta native who grew up around Pensacola, Florida, Harrison came to the area with her now ex-husband in 2021 and decided to stay and make her life here after her marriage ended.  With her, she brought her art.                   Harrison was a year old when she came to Gulf Breeze with her parents – her dad, an entrepreneur and inventor with pickup truck tool boxes and knee braces for athletes among products to his credit, and her mom, who worked in children’s ministries and encouraged her daughter to express herself through painting Vacation Bible School and other church-related décor.                   “Growing up, I was mostly a beach kid,” she recalls.  “I was on the beach all the time.”  In the third grade, she started playing soccer, but quit the sport in the seventh grade after knee surgery.                   Harrison graduated from Gulf Breeze High School in 2019 and studied early childhood education briefly at Pensacola State College before marrying at age 18 a young man from Brookhaven she had met at a church camp three years earlier.                    “Instead of staying on at college where I planned to change my studies to chemistry, I relocated to Brookhaven and started building a life in the area,” she says.                   Harrison’s work life has been the key to making new friends and becoming part of the community.                   She now lives with two dogs, a boyfriend and his eight-year old and 10-year old two sons at a mobile home in Bogue Chitto and is the office assistant at Brookhaven-based SOG, which grows, processes and packages medical marijuana and distributes it to dispensaries throughout Mississippi.  She also moonlights at the Ice Daiquiri Shop, continuing her involvement in the Brookhaven food service industry that started at Tortilla Soup and later working at Magnolia Blues.                 Painting, although a growing part of her work life as she meets people who want custom pieces or art for their businesses, remains a sideline that she aspires to make a career.                   “My dream is doing my art full time on site at a businesses that wants to create a more interesting décor and in my studio listening to music,” Harrison says.                   She describes her painting as “fluid and funky on the verge tacky.”  “I like collages,” she says.  “They’re abstract, a bit weird with a twist, reflecting a Florida influence.  I’m pleased when kids pass by my paintings on store windows and I hear them ooing and awing.”   What are your hobbies? There’s my art, of course.  I missed beach where I first came to Brookhaven, but found Lake Lincoln State Park, where I can enjoy primitive camping, fishing and hiking.   Are you a reader? I am into sci-fi and thriller audio book to which I listen when I am painting or driving.   How about music? I am a listener, and enjoy live music – concerts and music festivals.  I am into Indie and rock ‘n metal music   Do you go to the theater or movies? I follow The Office  on television, enjoy comedies and suspense movies.   If you won a lot of money in the lottery, how would you spend it? I would buy a small house on a lot of land.  I would have an art shed where I paint and drink coffee.   How would you change the world? Assuring the human rights to food and water, shelter and clothing, and health care for all.

By: Kara Kimbrough Easy Strawberry Butter Cake is the perfect spring dinner party (or meal) dessert.        It doesn’t take much to impress me. In fact, I’m often inspired by the simplest things. Take a video I watched this week of a cookbook author preparing four simple items for a spring dinner party: a large green salad with homemade vinaigrette dressing; white bean salad with crunchy vegetables; dry-brined, roasted chicken and for dessert, a simple strawberry butter cake.     Transfixed, I watched as she whisked the cake ingredients together in one bowl, then baked everything in a springform pan. It’s a dessert that can be baked the day before a party or special meal to save time as the meal is prepared.    For the meal, she coated chicken pieces with coarse salt and brined them overnight in the refrigerator. The day of her dinner party, she tossed a simple green salad with vinaigrette, then grated, chopped and sauteed vegetables for the white bean salad.     Continuing with the simplistic theme, she compiled a tray of appetizers that included sliced cheese and meat, pickles and olives. The bare table was simply set with two plain taper candles in glass holders, along with a milk glass vase of yellow daisies. Once the candles were lit, the stage was set for a casual evening filled with good food and fellowship.   End result: a tablescape and most importantly, dishes that are simple to make, yet create a delicious dinner that guests will long remember.    Here are recipes for similar dishes to the ones served at the “simple yet elegant” spring dinner party. Whether you’re expecting guests or just a regular night at home with family or, like the dinner party I witnessed, it will result in the perfect spring meal. White Bean and Charred Bok Choy Salad 1 bunch bok choy, rinsed and patted dry 1 bell pepper, sliced and finely chopped 1 stalk celery, sliced and chopped 2 can white beans, drained 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled ½ cup dill, finely chopped Salt and pepper to taste Olive oil for sauteing Dressing: ⅓ cup olive oil ¼ cup apple cider vinegar ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard ¾ tablespoon honey, adjust to your sweetness preference Pinch of salt and pepper      Remove stalk from bok choy and add leaves to skillet filled with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and saute, tossing frequently, until leaves are slightly charred and any excess water has cooked out, about 3-4 minutes. Once done, remove the charred leaves from the skillet, coarsely chop them and add to a large salad bowl.    Add remaining salad ingredients to the bowl. Mix together dressing. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, preferable longer, before serving. Dry-Brined Roast Chicken 6-8 chicken pieces (breasts, wings, drumsticks) 2 tablespoons coarse salt, more as needed 2 teaspoons grated orange zest 1 teaspoon dried rosemary 1 teaspoon dried thyme    Pat chicken thoroughly dry with paper towels. Place in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix salt, orange zest, rosemary, and thyme together in a small bowl; rub mixture all over chicken. Cover dish loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1-3 days.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove plastic wrap and bake chicken in preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 2-2-1/2 hours depending on size. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh near the bone should read 165 degrees. Strawberry Butter Cake 1 package strawberry cake mix 1/2 cup butter, melted 4 large eggs, divided 1 package (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened 2 cups powdered sugar 3/4 cup chopped fresh strawberries Powdered sugar for dusting      Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x3-inch round springform baking pan. (can also use a 9x13 pan)      In a large bowl, combine cake mix, butter, and 1 egg. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan. In a separate large bowl, beat cream cheese and 3 eggs at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until combined. Stir in strawberries.     Pour mixture over cake mixture; bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until center is set and top is lightly browned.     Cool before cutting. Garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar.   Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at  kkprco@yahoo.com .

Special to Wesson News   Sinners , a new Warner Brothers release directed by Ryan Coogler, may be a unique horror film coming out of the imagination of a filmmaker who has emerged as one of Hollywood’s new top talents, but it has won accolades for its realism in presenting local cultures. The  Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians , for one, said that from the very beginning of  the production, Coogler and his team at Proximity Media made it a priority to ensure authenticity by casting actual Mississippi Choctaws, using accurate Choctaw language, and paying close attention to period-specific dress and cultural representation. "We extend our heartfelt thanks to Director Coogler, Proximity Media, and Warner Bros. for their commitment to accurate and respectful representation of Native Americans," the group said. "Your dedication to using accurate Choctaw language and culture makes a meaningful difference." Sinners is Coogler’s fifth film.  He became a quick favorite of movie fans with Fruitvale Station  set in his hometown of Oakland, California, which explored the last day of Oscar Grant; Creed , dreamed up for his father, who loved Rocky unabashedly; and Black Panther , which let him grapple with the idea of what it means to be African. “I knew it would be a period piece and a horror movie, so I knew film made the most sense for that,” Coogler told the Associated Press. “But after getting into the research of the project and learning the epic scale of the contribution of Delta Blues when it comes to global popular culture, how this music kinda launched pop music as we know it … I realized that this was a larger-than-life story.” Sinners  blends elements of supernatural horror, gangster drama, romance, blues music and action across one eventful day in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1932 in which a community opens a juke joint and then has to defend it from a vampire army growing outside. Coogler’s family’s ties to a Mississippi of the past -- his maternal grandfather from Merrill, Mississippi, who moved to Oakland, where the family remains, and his Uncle James, who introduced him to blues music and died while Coogler was making Creed  – inspired the film’s setting. A lot of films, with  Jurassic Park , Get Out  and The Shining  suggesting the horror elements incorporated in Sinners , also inspired the director. In the film, Coogler’s longtime collaborator Michael B. Jordan plays identical twins -- Smoke and Stack who served in the war, worked with Chicago gangsters and returning to their Mississippi home with plans to open a juke joint. Smoke is a little grumpier, a little more serious and haunted by a loss. Stack is a little lighter — a charmer who smiles through the pain.  Co-stars Hailee Steinfeld and Wunmi Mosaku play Stack’s ex Mary Smoke’s longtime love Annie and deal with the twins’ personalities. Coogler also brings a new face to the screen  -- Miles Caton, a 19-year-old newcomer who is essentially third lead to Jordan’s twins as Sammie (or Preacher Boy), a blues prodigy who wants to play music and not follow his father to the church.  For his part, Coogler introduced him to some great blues artists -- Howlin’ Wolf and Charlie Patton, Buddy Guy. The film’s ensemble includes Jayme Lawson as a local singer, Omar Miller as a sharecropper, and Jack O’Connell as an Irish vampire. The Mississippi Choctaws involved in Sinners include Tobiah Ben as a stunt driver, Mark Patrick as a horseback scout, Marco Patrick as a horseback stunt rider, Jaeden Wesley as a chanter, Jay Wesley as a Choctaw posse member and cultural consultant, Eric Willis as a Choctaw posse member, Cynthia Massey as a cultural consultant, and Sherrill Nickey as a cultural consultant. Choctaw realism is only a part of the film’s story.  Sinners  also presents a more accurate version of the Deep South at the time than audiences may be used to seeing in Hollywood films, with Li Jun Li and Yao as Asian American shop owners. In their roles, cast members said they all seemed to learn a bit about themselves in the filmmaking process, according to Associated Press. “This film brought me closer to my family and my family history,” said Steinfeld, whose grandfather was half-Black and half-Filipino. “I think that it will serve as such an amazing conversation starter for people and maybe encourage them to look into their genealogy.” Delroy Lindo is the other side of the blues spectrum as Delta Slim, an older man in town who he said recognizes Sammie as the future, “not just musically, but of our culture.”   Sinners  also presents a more accurate version of the Deep South at the time than The Ryan Coogler effect.   There was a shared sense of purpose on “Sinners” that no wool costumes in 100+ degree temperatures, chiggers or stray alligators wandering onto the Louisiana set could spoil.   The cast and crew, many of whom Coogler's worked with before including composer Ludwig Göransson, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, production designer Hannah Beachler and cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, knew they were part of something special.   “When this man picks up the phone says you want to come play? You sort of don’t give it a second thought,” said Lindo. “This is a particular cat, this is particular filmmaker, this is the particular storyteller in our culture and in world culture because it’s cinema and cinema is international”     EDITOR’S NOTE:  Reprinted from A Shared History: Copiah County, Mississippi 1823-1823 , including articles written by Paul C. Cartwright, Tricia Nelson and Gene Horton compiled and edited by Paul C. Cartwright.

In recognition of the vital role hospitals and healthcare professionals play in the well-being of Mississippi communities, Mississippi legislative leaders have officially proclaimed May 11–17, 2025, as Hospital Week in the state. "Mississippi's hospitals are the backbone of our healthcare system, providing essential services and compassionate care to our citizens," said Richard Roberson, President and CEO of the Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA). "During Hospital Week, we acknowledge and celebrate the unwavering commitment of our state's hospitals - and the physicians, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, therapists, food service workers, administrators, volunteers, and many other devoted professionals - who work tirelessly to improve the health of our communities. We also appreciate our state's leaders joining us to recognize and celebrate hospitals across our state by issuing proclamations of support."  "The role that hospitals and health systems play in rural areas is even more essential," said Chad Netterville, director of the Mississippi Rural Hospital Alliance. "They serve as anchor institutions in our rural communities and are oftentimes the largest employer in those communities." National Hospital Week has been celebrated for more than 100 years. It began as National Hospital Day in 1921 and was changed to National Hospital Week in 1953. Mississippi hospitals will host various events and activities throughout Hospital Week to honor their staff and engage with their communities. These may include health fairs, staff appreciation luncheons, community outreach programs, and educational seminars promoting health and wellness. During Hospital Week, MHA will concentrate its social media messaging on celebrating Mississippi hospitals and health systems and recognizing the many ways they are more than healthcare.  MHA has teamed up with the American Hospital Association and hospital associations nationwide to encourage participation in Hospital Week by sharing stories and expressions of gratitude to Mississippi hospitals and healthcare professionals using the hashtags #HospitalWeek and #WeAreHealthCare on social media. This initiative aims to highlight the diverse roles within healthcare and the collective effort to provide outstanding care. For more information on National Hospital Week and resources to participate, visit the American Hospital Association's website at  https://www.aha.org/ahia/get-involved/national-hospital-week . For more information about MHA, visit  www.mhanet.org .

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. This was on my heart to write as one of my devotionals on my Facebook devotional page “The Upward Way” the other night and I wanted to share with all of you in case you are not a member of that page to have seen it. I really feel like it was meant for everyone to see. 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 things 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? **For daily devotionals, you can follow me on Facebook at The Upward Way or on Instagram at the_upward_way.

By Guest Columnist Dr. Stephanie Duguid   Recently, Dr. Chelsea B. Crittle  talked to Mississippi Health Ambassadors about “Planning for the Caregiver,” pointing to the many people who care for older adults and the help that is available to them in Mississippi.   Dr. Crittle shared a powerful quote from former First Lady Rosalynn Carter: “There are only four kinds of people in this world—those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Her words dramatize how caregiving affects all of us.   The government has updated the definition of a “family caregiver” to encompass not just family, but also friends, neighbors, and partners who care for older adults or people with memory problems.   In Mississippi, the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) offer help for these caregivers. These local offices provide services like meals, rides to doctor visits, and time off for caregivers who need a break.   One helpful program Dr. Crittle talked about is called TCARE.  It helps caregivers figure out what they need and creates a special plan just for them. This plan is made with the help of a trained worker who checks in often and makes sure caregivers have the right support. This kind of personalized care is important because every caregiver’s situation is different.   Dr. Crittle also talked about MAC Centers (Mississippi Access to Care). These are places people can go or call to get help with long-term care, learn about Medicaid, and find ways to move from a hospital or nursing home back home. Other programs help caregivers of people with dementia and offer breaks so they can rest. There are even programs that pay older adults to do part-time jobs, which help them stay active and involved in the community.   Many caregivers do not know these programs exist, and they try to do everything by themselves. But asking for help is a smart and strong choice. Caregivers need to take care of themselves too. These programs can help with food, safety tools like grab bars, health insurance questions, and even find someone with whom to talk when things get tough. Dr. Crittle reminded everyone that being a caregiver is not easy, but it is important. With the right tools and support, caregivers can feel less alone and more prepared. She encouraged people to learn about these services and to share the information with others. Helping caregivers means helping families and communities grow stronger together.   Caregiver tips:   1.       Find out if you qualify.  Most programs are for people aged 60 and older. 2.       Contact your local AAA or MAC Center.  They can tell you about helpful programs. 3.         Do not try to do it alone.  Use respite care to get a break when needed. 4.       Plan early for changes.  There is help for moving someone home from a hospital or nursing home. 5.         Join a support group. Talking to others can really help.   Need help or more information?  Call the MAC Center at 1-844-822-4MAC (4622) or visit www.mississippiaccesstocare.org . Also visit www.cmpdd.org .   Caregiving can be hard, but you do not have to do it alone. Mississippi has many programs to help support you.   EDITOR'S NOTE:  Dr. Stephanie Duguid is owner of Do Good ProHealth (CPR Classes) and Do Good Leadership (motivational speaking, and leadership and success coaching).  She is also a Mississippi Health Ambassador.

By: Bob Garver             “Thunderbolts*,” the latest offering from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, seems like awfully familiar territory. In the film, a group of assassins, criminals, and burnouts band together to form a ragtag group of do-gooders looking for redemption. There are definitely shades of the MCU’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” in play. Or how about that Sony-controlled “Sinister Six” movie that may never materialize? Actually, the real template seems to be “Suicide Squad” from the DC Extended Universe. That was the crummy team-up of also-ran villains that had the hook of Margot Robbie playing Harley Quinn. “Thunderbolts*” can’t even boast Robbie’s Harley, but it also isn’t saddled with Jared Leto’s miserable Joker, so it’s roughly a draw.             For all the emphasis on the team effort, there is an unadvertised clear-cut lead. Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), the adopted sister of the late Black Widow, is starting to feel bored with an unfulfilling life of black ops work. She visits her father, Red Guardian (David Harbour), but he isn’t much help. He loves her very much, but he’s never been the best father, and he mostly wants her to help him advance his own shambled career.             Yelena takes an assignment in the base of a mountain, but it’s a trap. She’s ambushed by the molecularly unstable Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), seen here for the first time since 2018’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp.” Then the two of them are ambushed by disgraced soldier U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), seen here for the first time since the 2021 Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Then they’re all ambushed by Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), seen here for the first time since 2021’s “Black Widow,” and if this group is the Suicide Squad, then she’s the Slipknot. Also present is an amnesia-stricken stranger named Bob (Lewis Pullman), but there’s not much time to learn his story, as the mountain is about to be incinerated.             Pulling the strings and trying to cut off loose ends is CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Much like Amanda Waller of “Suicide Squad,” she’s a morally-compromising government official who’s a little too eager to sacrifice her own people. She’s in the middle of an impeachment and wants to eliminate four of her most embarrassing assets. So she assigned them all to attack each other, with a follow-up plan to blow up the whole mountain anyway. Even though they don’t like each other, they work together to escape. With some help from Red Guardian and the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), frustrated that he can’t stop the dangerous de Fontaine as an elected official, they form a team temporarily known as the Thunderbolts, named after Yelena’s pee-wee soccer team.             de Fontaine still wants to eliminate the Thunderbolts, but she’s intrigued by escaped test subject Bob. He unwittingly has tremendous superpowers, and with the right molding, he could be the best asset to the U.S. government since The Avengers. The problem is that he’s also capable of tremendous destruction and could also be the biggest threat to the world since Thanos. He’s so unstoppable with his ability to instantly turn victims into lifeless shadows that the Thunderbolts have to try to get him to choose to stop attacking people because they are in no way a match otherwise.             There’s an admirable emphasis on mental health in “Thunderbolts*,” with the movie taking sensitive looks at Bob’s repressed dark side, Yelena’s uncertainty about her place in the world, and everybody’s past traumas. It’s why a lot of people have been won over by this movie, and I’m glad they’ve been able to find something of value here. But all I saw was the MCU realizing that they had too many directionless minor characters, so they consolidated them into one unoriginal, uninteresting movie. Grade: C- *The asterisk in the film’s title is because the MCU wants fans to call the movie something different once they’ve seen it. I’m not getting behind that nonsense, and I hope the practice doesn’t catch on. “Thunderbolts*” is rated PG-13 for strong violence, language, thematic elements, and some suggestive and drug references. Its running time is 126 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

By Guest Columinsts Renea Smith and Kristie Jones To our local industry professionals and business: We are thrilled to announce that 5 students from the Franklin County Carpentry Program have been selected to attend the prestigious Sunrise Wyoming Skilled Trades Camp in Sunrise, Wyoming. This once-in-a lifetime opportunity allows our students to work alongside skilled tradesmen as they help rebuild the oldest YMCA in this historic ghost town. With only 25 students nationwide accepted, this is a tremendous honor for our FC SawDawgs! Carpentry instructor Kriste Jones and chaperone Ricky Wilson will accompany the students as they represent Franklin County on this remarkable journey. While the camp’s founders are generously covering lodging and project costs, we need your help to fund the round-trip airfare and travel meals for our group of seven. We humbly ask for your support in helping these talented students achieve this incredible opportunity. Donations can be made directly to the FC SawDawg Booster Club at the Bank of Franklin or by mailing a check made out to the FC SawDawgs to Kristie Jones at 129 VoTech Lane, Meadville, MS 39653. You can also contact Kristie to come pick your donation up directly. Checks need to be received no later than April 14 in order to secure the best pricing on flights. If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Kristie Jones at 601-248-0869 or kristieleigh75@yahoo.com. Your generosity will make a lasting impact on our students as they gain hands-on experience and represent our community on the national stage. Thank you for considering this request and for supporting the future of skilled trades in Franklin County. Sincerely, Renea Smith FC SawDawgs Booster Club President Kristie Jones FC SawDawgs Carpentry Instructor