By Misty Strieff Prine “Lord, if it’s not Your will, let it slip through my grasp and give me the peace not to worry about it.” Sometimes in life, we face opportunities that we've waited for our entire lives. Maybe it's that promotion that seemed always just out of our grasp, that perfect spouse to spend the rest of our lives with, or maybe even an answer to a seemingly unanswered question that you've had for a very long time. How awesome are these moments?? But then, sometimes, we are also faced with the answers that we may NOT have wanted. That job opportunity falls through at the last moment, that person you thought was meant for you was most definitely not THE one, or that answer doesn't come in the nick of time like you'd hoped it would. What's the deciding factor? GOD'S WILL. The problem that so many of us face, is the fact that we don't pray for God's will to be done in our lives in the first place. If we do, we don't trust or have ample amount of faith to remain patient for His timing or the ability to not question the outcome that we didn't expect. We just sit idly by with fingers crossed in hopes that the answer will come that we want and when it's convenient for us, instead of asking God to begin with for His will to be done in our lives in HIS time. God knows what is ultimately best for us. The problem lies in what WE think WE know what's best for us, when in all actuality we have not a clue. Sometimes the outcome is what we hoped for...sometimes the outcome is far from it. You see, if God doesn't will for it to happen in our lives, folks, it will not happen! We must have the kind of relationship with God where we can come to an understanding that it's okay if we do not get our way because He ultimately knows what's best for us. If our relationship with God is not what it should be, often it is really hard to remain positive when we do not receive the answer we would have hoped to receive. We get angry and question why things are going so terribly wrong in our lives. With every single decision in our lives, we should ask for God's will to be done and the wisdom to know the difference when the answer is not what we would have hoped for. Being able to think clearly in such a situation will often be revealed when our relationship with God is where it should be. Think for a moment where you are in your life right now. Is there something that your heart has desired for so long and you wonder often why it has not come to fruition? Maybe it's because God's will is far different from your own. That answer may not have come yet because God is still working on laying out the pieces to the puzzle that are unseen to your eyes but all knowing to His. **For daily devotionals, you can follow me on Facebook at The Upward Way or on Instagram at the_upward_way.

Johnnie Sebe Ward Munn (1942-2025) Johnnie Sebe Ward Munn, 82, of Wesson passed away at home on March 3, 2025. The service will be 12pm on Wednesday at Stringer Family Funeral Chapel in Hazlehurst with burial at Rocky Hill Cemetery. The visitation will be 10am-12pm Wednesday at the funeral home. She was born to Toxy and Carrie Mae Ward in Lawrence County, Mississippi, on July 7, 1942. She moved to Wesson upon marrying Ernest Munn in 1962 and lived there for the remainder of her life. She worked various jobs outside the home from time to time, but her calling was as a homemaker. While her husband worked in the oilfield and was out of state one-half of the time, she took care of everything at home as well as the children. She was an outstanding cook, and nothing pleased her more than feeding people. She was never put out if you showed up for dinner with an extra person or two--she would just get them a plate and make them welcome. She was gifted at anything artistic and excelled at everything from cross-stitch to jewelry-making but was especially known for her beautiful painting. She was generous with her talent, teaching painting lessons and other skills to many people over the years. She loved to travel and did so extensively throughout her life. She especially enjoyed camping and loved to fish. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Brookhaven Moose Lodge, where she held various leadership positions and was active in helping with events such as Special Olympics and fundraising for various charitable organizations. She was of the Baptist faith and attended Rocky Hill Baptist Church before becoming mostly homebound. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be missed greatly by all those who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Sherman Ward and Denmon Ward, sister Sue Hall, and her daughter-in-law Tiwana Munn. She is survived by her husband of more than six decades, Ernest Munn; children Timothy Munn, Charles "Ernie" Munn (Lisa), Terry Munn (Elise), and Carmen Garrett (Steve); brothers Dr. Joe Ward and Danny Ward; sister Kathy Bryant; grandchildren Josh Garrett, Will Garrett, Quentin Munn, Ashley Munn, and Mary Beth Munn Smith; and eight great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Hospice Ministries/Arden Hospice for the excellent care provided and the compassion with which it was rendered, with a special thank you to Pat and Mindy. Watch service here: https://youtube.com/live/GqPgcWHb_Ds?feature=share To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Johnnie Munn please visit our Sympathy Store .

By Bob Garver              This week, I’m going to do what I usually do and review the biggest as-yet-unreviewed movie at the weekend box office with “Last Breath.” However, I’m also going to take a detour and review the film that just won Best Picture at the Academy Awards in “Anora.” My rationale is that the Oscar win may lead to renewed interest, and thus a spike in ticket sales, on a national level. Also, I’ve wanted an excuse to talk about this movie for months. But first, the “hot” new release… Poster Credit: IMDB “Last Breath”             This movie tells the real-life story of a mission to rescue a deep-sea pipeline worker stranded at the bottom of the ocean. Finn Cole plays the terrified diver, Simu Liu is his partner and the only diver capable of such a dangerous rescue, Woody Harrelson operates the underwater vessel that Cole and Liu use as a base, and Cliff Curtis is the captain of the ship in charge of the vessel. Everyone has to be very smart, capable, and careful, and they have to do it all in the middle of a huge storm. It doesn’t look good for our marooned main character, who has only a ten-minute supply of oxygen.             “Last Breath” has its heart in the right place, trying to make a memorable cinematic experience out of real heroism. It does what it can to wring every last drop of suspense out of an operation that, mathematically, must have been over relatively quickly (quickly for a feature-length movie, that is, not to be without oxygen). But the banter, emotional beats, and character types can be found in any number of similar films. The only thing this movie really has to boast about is its ability to recreate danger and make its audience very uncomfortable. How eager are you to sit through a movie that can’t sell itself on anything other than making you uncomfortable? Grade: C “Last Breath” is rated PG-13 for brief strong language. Its running time is 93 minutes.   Poster Credit: IMDB “Anora”             The newly-crowned Best Picture Oscar winner stars Mikey Madison (herself the winner of the Best Actress Oscar) as the title character, a sex worker who doesn’t allow herself to have any delusions about her life. That is, until she meets wealthy young Russian Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), who falls in love with her and promises her a life of luxury. For possibly the first time in her life, Ani allows herself to be hopeful about the future, and her dreams seem to come true when she and Vanya get married. But one day, three “business associates” (Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, and Oscar nominee Yura Borisov) of Vanya’s oligarch father show up at Vanya’s house, tasked with getting the marriage annulled. Anora’s chance at a better life is about to fall to pieces, and Vanya doesn’t help things by simply disappearing, which sends everyone on a crazed search together, but with conflicting goals.             The cast plays well off each other, and the desperate search scenes play deliciously into my anxieties in a way that no movie has triggered since 2019’s “Uncut Gems.” But the heart of the movie is in the Madison performance as a character who refuses to admit how pathetic she truly is, including and especially to herself. In that way, “Anora” is the most heartbreaking film of 2024. It’s also the funniest film of 2024, with all the shenanigans between Anora and the Russian goons, especially Borisov. Oscar-winning director Sean Baker made sure all tones were covered in his Oscar-winning script, then he went and won another Oscar for editing. This movie is so tragic, uproarious, infuriating, and beautiful that I was literally stumbling around in a daze after I left the theater. The one thing that was clear was that I had just seen the best movie not just of 2024, but the last five years. And if you have room in your heart for a very raunchy indie movie, I suggest you see it too. Grade: A for Anora! “Anora” is rated R for strong sexual content throughout, graphic nudity, pervasive language, and drug use. Its running time is 139 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send responses to:  andybowman839@gmail.com While watching our teen-aged son play four years of high school basketball games years ago, we both noticed an absolute truth; Our son could not seem to grasp that he wasn’t able to block every shot that was put up by the opposing team. He obviously believed that it was his God-given job to stop any player headed to the goal. Of course, you know what happened. He got his five allowable fouls in about, um, the first fifteen minutes of play. Then according to basketball rules, the referees would be obliged to ask him to leave the floor and spend the remainder of the game as the coach’s favorite ‘rider of the pine.’ Over and over again. No matter what he was told by his coach, his brother, or his parents, he simply believed that following his instinct, to ‘stop that ball, regardless of the consequences,’ was the only way to play ball. Never occurred to him to realize that  there is a section in   the rule book that   referees have to follow  as guardians of the game. Namely,  “Players are not allowed under any circumstances to use their body as a wrecking ball to prevent the opposing team from scoring.” It never seemed to register on his immature teenage brain that he would get a lot more playing time if he would learn to respect the referees’ job, and play the game by the rules. The truth of that old saying; “The referee has the power, so play by his rules!” totally eluded him. Instead, an automatic reaction would just seem to kick in as he faced an approaching ball handler, “I’ve got this. I know I can stop him, this time.” Every time. And way too often he was called for a foul. Go figure. Reminds me of those adult, supposedly grownup people, who insist on playing the game called Life on their own terms. Belligerent, rebellious, rule-benders.  Not bothering to pay attention to the ground rules laid out by the one and only Creator and Rule Maker of the game.  And of course, very often they get called for a foul. Then they have to ‘ride the pine’ for a while, as The Rule Maker attempts to teach them to play nice. Go figure. Folks, just write it on the wall;  The sooner that players, either on the basketball floor or in Life, learn that it’s a lot more fun to play within the rules, the better their experience.  But try teaching that truth to an energetic teen moron. Fortunately, most young male basketball players do eventually mature and become rational adults. They learn to play Life within set rules and boundaries, but still bring that ‘committed to a cause approach’ with them to their career. But unfortunately, others tend to grow up continuing to be rebellious, rule-bending players of Life – adult morons. And the consequences are so much more disastrous than when they were just playing basketball.

On National Slam the Scam Day and throughout the year, we give you the tools to recognize Social Security-related scams and stop scammers from stealing your money and personal information. Help protect your loved ones and people in your community this Slam the Scam Day by: Learning about the latest scams. Information can empower you to quickly recognize a scam. Signs of a scam include: An unexpected problem or offer of a prize or benefit increase, Pressure to act immediately, and A request for an unusual payment like cryptocurrency, gift cards, gold bars, and wire transfers, even with the promise of keeping your money "safe." Reporting scams as soon as possible. Victims shouldn't be embarrassed if they shared personal information or suffered a financial loss. We are all vulnerable. Sharing our  Scam Alert  fact sheet and helping educate others about how to protect themselves. Report Social Security-related scams to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Report a scam  here .

Special to Wesson News In the midst of the State Legislature’s debate over cutting taxes, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves called once again for eliminating the state income tax in his State-of-the-State address.    “This money does not belong to the government,” Reeves said of the income tax. “It belongs to the hard-working Mississippians who earn it.”   The State House heas passed a bill that phases out the state income tax, cuts the state grocery tax and raises sales taxes and gasoline taxes – a plan that, over time, would cut about $1.1 billion from the state’s current $7 billion general fund money.   Speaking to a joint session of the House and Senate on the south steps of the Capitol, Reeves appeared to side with the House, stopping just shy of endorsing its plan. “This piece of legislation – which was passed by a large bipartisan majority by the way – shows us a realistic path to eliminate the tax on work in Mississippi once and for all,” Reeves said.   Reeves did not mention the part of the House proposal that raises sales taxes and creates a new five percent gasoline tax. In the past, Reeves has said he opposes “tax swaps” that raise any taxes even if the net is a cut. Bottom of Form             The Senate has yet to release a tax cut plan, though Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, the leader of the Senate, has said he plans to unveil a proposal soon.   In his address, Reeves also, again, called on lawmakers to oppose efforts to expand Medicaid coverage to the working poor, a policy he calls “welfare,” because President Donald Trump’s administration could make sweeping changes to Medicaid policy in the coming months.   Medical leaders around the state have argued Medicaid xpansion would provide more health care options to poor Mississippians who can’t afford preventative medical care and economists have predicted that expansion would be a financial boon to the state. Neither legislative chamber has put forward a substantive proposal to expand Medicaid coverage, but both Senate Medicaid Chair Kevin Blackwell and House Medicaid Chair Missy McGee advanced “dummy” bills out of their respective committees that would serve as a vehicle for potential expansion legislation.

By: Kara Kimbrough Ship Island, located 12 miles from the Gulf Coast, is the perfect getaway due to its white sand beaches and clear blue water. (Photo courtesy of Coastal Mississippi.)  I’m calling it now…March is going to a great month! Why would I make such a bold statement? For starters, it contains two of my favorite occurrences of the year: Daylight Savings Time begins on March 9 and spring is sprung on March 20. And for those that have children at home or work in education, spring break falls somewhere in the middle. Need I say more? Cool, balmy March is the best time to enjoy and explore all that Mississippi has to offer instead of jumping ship to another state. I can’t list them all, but here are a few on my top places to enjoy March, spring break or simply take a leisurely day or weekend trip. 1. Take advantage of one of Mississippi’s 25 state parks extending from the Tennessee state line to Hancock County's waterfront. Camping, fishing, biking, hiking, bird-watching and a number of water sports are offered at scenic parks filled with natural beauty, all for a low cost. Tishomingo State Park, located in the northeast corner of the state is the largest, while Clark Creek in Woodville features over 50 waterfalls, some as high as 50 feet tall. For a complete list of state parks and amenities at each one, visit:  mdwfp.com/parks-destinations 2. Our Capital City is filled with museums offering something for every age group and interest. A few that come to mind are, in no particular order: Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum; Two Museums: Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum; Children's Museum; Sports Hall of Fame/Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. As I’ve mentioned before (maybe more than once) my favorite is the Old Capitol Museum. Learn more about these and other museums around the city at:  visitjackson.com  and  mdah.ms.gov .   3. It’s one of those “places everyone should visit in their lifetime” spots. I’m referring to the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, which draws visitors from around the world to Tupelo nearly 50 years after the famed singer’s passing. The small white shack where Elvis was born is the first stop, but after touring the museum, chapel and church, a picnic in the 15-acre park is the perfect place to relax and reflect on the life of one of Mississippi’s most beloved natives. For hours of operation, admission prices and more, visit:  elvispresleybirthplace.com . 4. Two more perfect picnic spots are often overlooked for busier areas, but hear me out of this. Nothing is more relaxing than enjoying the sight of the Mighty Mississippi as it rolls by. Both Natchez and Vicksburg offer scenic picnic areas overlooking the river and luckily, they’re usually not overrun with others with the same idea. In Natchez, relax and picnic in Bluff Park, while Riverfront Park is the place to visit in Vicksburg. Once you’ve enjoyed a meal and all the beauty you can handle, head out to explore these two bustling cities filled with hundreds of interesting things to see and do. Find out more at:  visitvicksburg.com  and  visitnatchez.org .  5. A trip to our greatest treasure - the beautiful Gulf Coast – is never a bad idea, especially when one is in need of sun, sand and soothing breezes. Harrison, Hancock and Jackson Counties are packed with thousands of opportunities for family fun. Just a few things to do include visiting the Mississippi Aquarium, taking a riverboat cruise or shrimp boat tour; visiting a museum, exploring the swamp (and gators) at the Gulf Coast Gator Ranch; enjoying fresh seafood or other cuisines at hundreds of area restaurants, shopping and much more.        Or, board a ferry in Gulfport for the short 12 mile trip out to Ship Island. A Ship Island excursion offers blue, Caribbean-like waters and white-sand beaches for visitors to relax and enjoy sunbathing or swimming. It's the perfect getaway and best of all, it can be enjoyed within a few hours without a long trip out of state. Visit Coastal Mississippi to learn about activities, lodging, dining and more at:  coastalmississippi.com .       All this talk about Mississippi’s iconic spots and natives made me remember a small recipe book in my collection created by Elvis’ favorite cook, Mary Jenkins. Contrary to popular belief, Elvis dined on much more than fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. He also loved spaghetti, as evidenced by the recipe’s inclusion in the booklet containing recipes for his favorite meals. I’m sharing the recipe so you, too, can dine like Elvis. Hopefully, you'll add a visit to Tupelo – and these other wonderful Mississippi sites – on your spring to-do list.   Elvis’ Favorite Spaghetti 1 pound spaghetti 1 cup each: chopped onion, bell pepper, celery 1 tablespoon garlic powder 3 tablespoons chili powder 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning 1 bay leaf 2 cans tomato paste 1 bottle ketchup (small) 2-1/2 pound ground beef      Mix all ingredients together except for ground beef and spaghetti. Cook sauce over low heat, stirring as needed. In a separate pan, brown ground beef and drain; then add to the sauce as it cooks. Boil noodles and drain. After simmering two hours, remove bay leaf and pour sauce over noodles.                                 Recipe adapted slightly from Mary Jenkins’ “The Favorite Recipes of Elvis Presley.” Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at  kkprco@yahoo.com .

By: Frank Corder, Magnolia Tribune It’s that time of year again, time to reset those clocks and spring forward into Daylight Saving Time. Most Americans will lose an hour overnight this coming Sunday, March 9, when the time changes at 2 a.m. That means darker mornings and more sunlight later into the evening. According to  Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , surveys from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) have found that  about 63% of Americans  would prefer to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, and  55% experience tiredness  following the switch. The school goes on to note that the time transition does more than just inspire mixed opinions, grogginess, and foul moods. Researchers say that the change has long-term negative consequences for our bodies and minds.  “The scientific evidence points to acute increases in adverse health consequences from changing the clocks, including in  heart attack  and  stroke ,” says sleep expert Adam Spira, PhD, MA, a professor in Mental Health.  The school went on to note that the time change “is also associated with a heightened risk of  mood disturbances  and  hospital admissions , as well as elevated production of  inflammatory markers  in response to stress. The potential for car crashes also spikes just after the spring forward, Spira says; a 2020  study  found that the switch raises the risk of fatal traffic accidents by 6%.” Proponents of the change have long said the extra daylight adds in outdoor work, such as farming, and helps with mental health as there is more daylight during the day. However, as Spira notes, “exposure to more light closer to bedtime makes it harder to fall asleep at our usual bedtime, and can reduce the amount of sleep we’re able to get each night.” Either way, until Congress acts to change the clock winding practice, most Americans will continue to live by the annual spring forward, fall back routine. Legislation has routinely been filed to support ending the twice-yearly change but it has never reached the President’s desk. President Donald Trump has previously voiced support for keeping Daylight Saving Time permanent. Notably, Mississippi is among roughly two dozen states that have passed measures to end the practice once Congress acts. Hawaii has never observed the annual time change and Arizona opted out of it in 1968. This year, Daylight Saving Time lasts from March 9 through November 2 when clocks will the fall back an hour. The longest day of the year will be the summer solstice on June 20, 2025, while the shortest day will be the winter solstice on December 21.

By: Mika Hartman Planning for the future is filled with both excitement and uncertainty. The future holds many variables that complicate the planning process, some within our control and others completely out of it. Hindsight may be 20/20, but when trying to predict the future, you’ll likely encounter numerous forks in the road. Depending on the choices you make, your course can change multiple times. Adulting is hard. This applies to everyone; however, when you have a disabled child living at home, the necessity of "getting all your ducks in a row" turns every plan upside down. As older parents, we don’t have the luxury of unlimited time, and with the rising cost of living eroding our savings, it's nearly impossible to feel optimistic about the future. How much money will Hudson need to live a good life after we are gone? Who will step up to be his guardian when we can’t, especially if that situation arises sooner than we expect? How can we ensure that he won’t be placed in a nursing home at 40? Will the government take away his benefits if he inherits too much? What constitutes "too much"? Will his sister be able to live the life she dreams of before she becomes responsible for him? Will she have a better support system than we’ve had? The questions linger on endlessly. I recently read a heartbreaking article about a mother diagnosed with terminal cancer who took her own life and her disabled son’s life as well. She must have felt utterly unsupported on their journey. Her husband had already passed, and she saw no other option. As a Christian, I understand what the Bible says, but I also empathize with how that mother must have felt. Living in a bubble, it’s clear who truly cares. The harsh reality is that those who show up in person are far fewer than those who simply make a donation or post on social media for awareness. While I am grateful for both, it is not a balanced scale. When you have only a few friends willing to be present in your life, you start to feel guilty for asking for anything. The fear of driving them away is palpable. Thoughts run through your mind: “Oh gosh, what do they need now?” “Is there another fundraiser?” “Another walk?” “Is there something else they want me to buy?” “Hudson is only six; how much more will they ask?” As mentioned, Hudson is six. My husband and I have become very skilled at "tag teaming" everything we need or want to do that isn’t for Hudson. We’ve even tasked our 17-year-old with some babysitting responsibilities. Unfortunately, we rarely receive offers to get away. Recently, I asked my best friend to save a future date so my husband and I could attend a wedding out of town. This requires planning, and it’s just for one overnight stay. The thought of planning Hudson’s entire future and well-being is, to say the least, daunting. All of this is true: - Down syndrome is beautiful. - Down syndrome is a gift. - My son with Down syndrome and autism is a real-life hero. - Hudson has made me a better person. - I look forward to seeing everything Hudson accomplishes in life, both big and small. - We feel honored and blessed to be his parents. - We laugh every day. All of this is also true: - Some days are hard. - Sometimes we feel lonely and forgotten. - The future is scary. - My death is the scariest part. - No one wants to hear about our challenges. - Not everyone on this journey is kind. - We have to ask for help but don’t always receive it. - The tears aren’t always from joy. If you’re reading this, I want to say that I love my life and face every challenge with hopeful enthusiasm. My life carries the pressure of needing to succeed because I have no alternative—I must get it right. Hudson depends on me. Some days are easy and well-executed, while others are challenging. Some days are a mix of both. I approach every day with my “momma tried” motto. Whether I meet all challenges with a five-star rating is determined by Hudson, and I would guess the answer is “yes” because of his love for life. Loving this life doesn’t mean I don’t second-guess or overthink everything. I need to do a better job of taking breaks; an occasional day off would be nice. Preparing for the future we wish for Hudson is our responsibility, but his future can improve if his circle is larger—all it takes is EXTRA planning.

By: Bob Garver Poster Credit: IMDB “The Monkey” is a movie on the sillier end of the horror spectrum. It’s so silly that the catalyst for the many, many deaths that occur throughout its runtime is a literal toy. Granted, it’s a toy that I’ve never known anyone to actually like, and come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one referenced in popular culture without accompanying commentary about its creepiness. I’m speaking, of course, about the eponymous monkey: a wind-up primate that plays a drum. The monkey in this movie is indeed creepy, but it’s far from the scariest I’ve ever seen. In fact, I’d say this hard-R horror movie has a less freaky monkey than the one in the G-rated “Toy Story 3.” But the scares here don’t come from the monkey itself so much as the horrific (but again, very silly) violence that accompanies the monkey everywhere. The film follows twins Hal and Bill Shelburn, both played by Christian Covery as children and by Theo James as an adult. I’m a sucker for actors giving multi-character performances (I’ve always been nuts about Mike Myers in “Austin Powers”) and this movie gives us not one, but two solid entries into the tradition. As kids, Hal and Bill stumble across a toy monkey abandoned by their absentee father (Adam Scott). The bullying Bill is quick to dismiss the toy, but the meek Hal sees potential in it. He winds up the toy, it bashes its drum, and later that night someone in the vicinity of the boys dies. Following one of the silliest funerals in movie history, Hal figures out that winding the monkey gives him power over life and death. He knows he shouldn’t use the power for evil, but maybe just one more time to fix a problem. The problem doesn’t get fixed as planned, and the boys’ dynamic with their jaded-but-loving mother (Tatiana Maslany) is changed forever. Hal confides with Bill about the monkey’s power, and the two try to destroy it to no avail. They imprison the monkey at the bottom of a well, and that works for a few decades, but this being a horror movie of course it’s going to come back to haunt them as adults. Adult Hal is a mess, feeling guilt over the deaths he caused and allowing himself very little contact with his son Petey (Colin O’Brien) out of fear that the monkey may strike again. The two go on a road trip for some rare quality time, but monkey-influenced killings start up almost immediately. Hal wants answers, which can only be found at the site where the monkey was exiled. It turns out that the monkey has been on a sort of killing spree throughout the town, but of course the townspeople just chalk everything up to a series of accidents. The answers must lie with Bill, from whom Hal is estranged, having never even introduced him to Petey. In order to stop the killings, Hal and Bill are going to have to reconcile and face their past, at which time they can hopefully think of something to do about the killer monkey. The story description of “The Monkey” doesn’t sound all that funny, but trust me, this is a movie with humor at almost every turn. I say “almost” because there are just enough serious scenes for the movie to suffer from tonal whiplash, especially in later stages. I know director Osgood Perkins wants us to enjoy the film while still considering the deep themes about the responsibilities one has to their family. It’s not that I mind the film attempting to balance the heavy with the light (to the extent that over-the-top violence can be considered “light”), but it never manages to pull off the balancing act as seamlessly as it wants. Still, I’m giving the movie a recommendation because its appeal lies in its dark humor, and on that front it manages to be roughly as fun as a barrel of monkeys. Grade: B- “The Monkey” is rated R for strong bloody violent content, gore, language throughout and some sexual references. Its running time is 98 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

By Misty Strieff Prine “I do not at all understand the mystery of grace – only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.” Anne Lamott Grace is such a small word with such a HUGE meaning that we often tend to overthink and misunderstand. So, what is grace? The definition of grace is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. Grace is sometimes hard to grasp, and it can so easily be shrouded in mystery if we "think" too much into it. What we do know is that grace meets us in the depths of despair and changes us completely. Grace never leaves us where it finds us. It lifts us up and pulls us out of that place where we once thought we couldn't and wouldn't make it out of. God's grace is such a beautiful thing. Where were you when grace and mercy found you? How deep was the valley you were walking through? Do you remember that moment when you felt the hand of God reach down and pull you out of the darkness and loneliness of that valley? That my friend is your moment of grace among many others to come. God's grace has no boundaries or limitations. Grace changes people. As the familiar lyrics say, "Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." Grace opens our eyes in ways that nothing else can. God's grace is immeasurable and unfailing. God's grace and mercy finds us when we are buried deep in the world and lost as could be. There is a song by the group Unspoken called “Call it Grace.” The lyrics are so powerful and so applicable here. Here are a few snippets from this the song that I want to leave you with. “It's the light that pierces through you to the darkest hidden place. It knows your deepest secrets, but it never looks away. It's the gentle hand that pulls you from the judgement of the crowd when you stand before them guilty, and you got no way out. Some may call it foolish and impossible. But for every heart it rescues, it's a miracle. It's nothing less than scandalous, this love that took our place. Just call it what it is, call it grace.” **For daily devotionals, you can follow me on Facebook at The Upward Way or on Instagram at the_upward_way.

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum is proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 Howell Trophy, presented annually to the state’s top men’s college basketball player, and the 2025 Gillom Trophy, honoring the top women’s college basketball player in Mississippi. This year’s finalists were selected by a panel of media members from across the state and represent the state’s best basketball talent from  Mississippi’s four-year colleges and universities: Howell Trophy Finalists (Men’s Basketball): Josh Hubbard – Mississippi State University Sean Pedulla – University of Mississippi Daeshun Ruffin – Jackson State University Gillom Trophy Finalists (Women’s Basketball): Jerkaila Jordan – Mississippi State University Madison Scott – University of Mississippi Taleah Dilworth – Jackson State University Mississippi’s basketball landscape has been filled with exciting performances this season. Josh Hubbard has led Mississippi State with his scoring prowess, while Sean Pedulla has been a key playmaker for Ole Miss,  helping the Rebels compete at the highest level in the SEC. Over at Jackson State, Daeshun Ruffin has been a dominant force in the SWAC, showcasing his dynamic scoring ability.On the women’s side, Jerkaila  Jordan has been a leader for Mississippi State, guiding the Bulldogs through a tough SEC slate. Madison Scott has been a defensive and offensive powerhouse for Ole Miss, while Taleah Dilworth has made a major  impact at Jackson State, helping the Tigers contend for a SWAC championship. The winners will be revealed during the Trophy Presentation Luncheon on Monday, March 10, at the Pearl River Resort, sponsored by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and Pearl River Resort. The luncheon  will feature special guest Victoria Vivians, a four-time Gillom Trophy winner and Mississippi State legend. She will take part in a Q&A session with Hall of Fame sportswriter Rick Cleveland. Tickets for the event  are available for purchase online at www.msfame.com or at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame business office. All proceeds from the event benefit the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Howell and Gillom Trophies are a part of the Outstanding Player Awards Series which also recognizes the top college athlete in football with the C Spire Conerly Trophy and the top college baseball player with the Ferriss Trophy presented by MBCI and Pearl River Resort.