Search Results

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com If I was still a teen in high school, I would love AI. I could have my writing assignments for English done in a flash and be out the door. And have a lot better grades to show my parents than I did years ago. And later on, with those gnarly issues at work when I became an adult? “No problem, boss. I’ll just let my trusty friend who lives somewhere out there in NeverNeverLand figure it all out for me. I’ll get back to you on that in a little while.” But for the professional writer to use AI? Mostly, no way. For research? Great. Technique? Oh sure, there’d be great technique , “Hey Gemini, I need this column on ‘KIDS HAVING CELLPHONES’ written from a sarcastic humorous viewpoint. And, oh yeah, it needs to be no longer than five hundred and twenty words, please.” And presto, print it out and I would have a masterpiece worthy of my own puny plastic Pulitzer. But for creativity? There’s the real issue. There is no way you could really know how I feel about that subject. The real ME would be absent from that column on kids and cellphones. It’s not going to reflect the individual spark within that causes me to have my own feelings and thoughts. And after a few months of that kind of writing, the real me would be dealing with guilt, resentment, and very likely a stomach that keeps asking for more Pepto Bismol. Why guilt? Simply put, because I think it’s cheating to claim something as your own, when it’s not. Why resentment? There would be no outlet for the God-gifted creativeness that lies within. No doubt it would be great stuff, but just not my stuff. And great stuff is a poor substitution for personal satisfaction. Just like in any other field.  The carpenter who loves the feel of wood in his hands and takes great pride in his final product knows the satisfaction of creativity. A person born with a love of music and has a beautiful God-given voice would shrivel up inside if denied the satisfaction of singing. The naturally-gifted athlete feels compelled to move, and God help the people around him if he doesn’t get to use that gift. People denied the opportunity to use their natural gifts can get a mite testy. Now, if you’re a meteorologist with the safety of thousands at stake? By all means, use AI to your heart’s content. A construction engineer working on building plans for skyscrapers that will house thousands? The banker dealing daily with millions of dollars? Definitely. You people should use every tool available to you to do those types of jobs that affects the safety and wellbeing of so many. But writers? Unless your book, magazine article or column is vital to the safety of the human race, I believe AI has no business taking your place. Your own thoughts, research, tears of frustration, and hours spent pecking away at your keyboard should be the only contributors to your work.

Special to Wesson News   Hadleigh Denton (left), a Wesson Attendance Center, student and Maggie Miller, a Wesson resident who attends Copiah Academy, received a Gold prize at DTU competition for their duet.              Four dancers from the Precision Dance Company in Wesson PDCW brought home prizes for their solo and duet routines from the Mississippi Dance Teachers United (DTU) competition and convention at Hattiesburg January 23 and 24.               Harper Moore earned a Gold and placed ninth overall for “Mirrorball” solo routine.  Riley Floyd’s solo “I Lived” also earned a Gold prize.  The duet “Birthday Party” performed by Maggie Miller and Hadleigh Denton placed them seventh overall with a Gold prize.  Denton also placed eighth overall and received a Platinum prize for “The Life of a Showgirl.”               The DTU event was a warmup for the larger NYLA (New York-Los Angeles) competition on February 14 at Petal, Mississippi, in which PDCW will bring its full 32-member team to perform in 18 group and solo dances.  At Hattiesburg, the PDCW dancers also took full advantages of the convention experience which includes classes in which they learned and were inspired by teachers from throughout Mississippi. Riley Floyd (left), a Crystal Springs homeschooled student, and Harper Moore from Brookhaven High School, received Gold prizes for solos in DTU competition.               Kaila Denton brought Precision Dance Company to Wesson from Florida in 2023 to work with the Nena Smith School of Dance, which she took over in 2024 to serve dance students three years old to 18 years old in the Copiah, Lincoln, Lawrence and surrounding county areas.               The growing studio continues to be housed at 1047 Grove Street across from Wesson Attendance Center where Nena Smith taught dancers for many years.               “We are passionate about inspiring dancers through quality instruction in a supportive, family-friendly environment, Denton says.  “Our motto is ‘passion, perseverance, positivity, and precision,’ and we reflect that as we encourage our dancers to build confidence, creativity, and discipline.”   PDCW offers recreational classes in combined jazz, tap, lyrical, and ballet, as well competition dance team opportunities – about three group competitions and five solo competitions annually.  The studio also offers private classes and lessons, including offerings in jazz, tap, lyrical, and ballet, as well as ballroom dance, wedding dances, and custom choreography for special events, solos and groups.    For information, email precisiondancecomp@gmail.com   or call 601-643-2406

Special to Wesson News   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, with most of the events at Natchez Convention Center :   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, with most events at Natchez Convention Center:   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/ .

By Jessica Breazeale God has eyelids?  Psalm 11:4 says in a poetic metaphor that “His eyelids test the sons of men,” and that has me wondering if it’s maybe not a metaphor. What if God really did  have eyelids? It’s possible. We are  made in the image of God. Is God so astronomically gigantic, and we are super itty-bitty versions of Him? We’ll never know. Things that make ya go hmmm…    There are planets and stars known to be “lonely”. The loneliest star is often considered  Fomalhaut , a bright, isolated star in the southern constellation Piscis Austrinus that appears to shine alone. There are even lonely planets. The loneliest planets are  rogue planets  such as  CFBDSIR2149-0403 , which drifts untethered by any star. These objects, often called "orphan worlds," float alone in the galaxy, unbound to any parent star. Now, THAT’s lonely.     Did you know honey never expires? Reader’s Digest said it’s because the combo of the honey’s low water content, high acidity, and antibacterial properties means the honey doesn’t spoil. This probably explains why modern archaeologists found pots of edible honey in ancient Egyptian tombs. Maybe that’s why wisdom, kindness, God’s laws, His scriptures, goodness, words are described as “honey”. These things never get old or go out-of-date.    Why would God want to bless us when we are oftentimes pretty terrible people? God blesses people despite their actions because of His nature, not based on human merit. Blessings are a reflection of divine grace, intended to lead people to repentance, show kindness to all creation, and empower them to become conduits of goodness to others. How does God have such a gracious, kind, and generous nature? How is this possible? I can only guess it’s because He’s more like a dad.   A black hole is known as an  astronomical body  so compact that its gravity prevents anything, including light, from escaping. A black hole is not even a hole. It’s actually an object containing massive amounts of matter packed into a very small, dense region, not empty voids. NASA explains that these are the most mysterious cosmic objects , much studied but not fully understood. No matter what you call it or how these are described, I don’t like the dark, so I do not want to check out the inside of a black hole.   I don’t want to be around one to potentially get sucked in either. One thought is that according to  Luke 2:52 , Jesus increased in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and men, highlighting a balanced development—physically, intellectually, and spiritually—from childhood to adulthood. This growth signifies that while being divine, Jesus underwent a normal human maturation process, maturing in body and spirit, providing insight that maybe his development was not "lopsided" but balanced.   Max Liebermann's The Twelve-Year-Old Jesus in the Temple (1879) caused a major scandal because it rejected idealized, divine imagery in favor of raw realism, portraying Jesus as a common, intellectually sharp Jewish boy. Critics and the public in 19th-century Germany reacted with anti-Semitic outrage, viewing the depiction as blasphemous and "crude. The public objection was so awful that it was debated in Bavarian Parliament. Arguments: Jesus didn’t look divine enough. The rabbis looked like critics rather than scholars. Even art and its viewers have always had their fair share of drama.   Did you know there’s a galactic year, also known as a cosmic year? It’s the duration of time required for the  Sun  to  orbit  once around the  center  of the  Milky Way Galaxy .   One galactic year is approximately 252 million  Earth years . This should get us all thinking more long-term. Why do we overly concern ourselves with the few years we are on planet Earth?     Did you know it's impossible for pigs to look up. Their neck muscles and spine structure make it physically impossible for them to look directly up at the sky. They can maneuver around to make it work if they wish to view the stars. If a pig can change its perspective to get a better view, surely we can, too. Can’t see the bigger picture?  Try moving into new, different positions .   That’s enough thinking for one day. At some point, I have to do some work! Downloadable version

A new bakery called Destiny’s Delights will have its grand opening and ribbon-cutting on Saturday, March 7th, 2026, at 11 a.m. The bakery is located at 2037 Highway 51 in Wesson. Owners and Wesson locals, Clifford and Nekitha Jackson, will offer free samples and giveaways. Everyone is invited to join the fun. The Jacksons say that Destiny’s Delights was born from love, faith and a passion for bringing joy through sweet treats. Founded in 2010, what began as homemade sweets prepared in the Jacksons' kitchen quickly grew into something much greater than a hobby. Baking became a calling to serve others, to comfort hearts, and to celebrate life’s sweetest moments.  Each recipe is made with care, intention, and a deep belief that God can use even the smallest gifts to make a big impact. “Our name, Destiny’s Delights, honors the beautiful life and memory of Destiny Amber Jackson, who tragically passed away in 2009. Destiny had a deep love for sweets and a special place in her heart for Kita’s creations,” said Nekitha, known locally as “Kita”. Naming the bakery after her allows her joy, light, and spirit to live on through every dessert we serve.” For years, Destiny’s Delights has proudly served the local community, built on the foundation of faith, family, and great sweet treats. The Jacksons say they hold close the scripture: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” — Proverbs 16:3 “This verse reflects the heart behind our journey—trusting God with our work and allowing Him to guide each step,” said Nekitha.  “We’re excited to continue growing by serving handcrafted coffees alongside our signature desserts. Whether you’re joining us for your morning coffee, a special celebration, or a moment of comfort, we are honored to serve you.” "To our customers: thank you for being part of our story. Every visit, every smile, and every bite supports a legacy of love and remembrance. When you walk through our doors, you're not just enjoying a treat- you're becoming part of the Destiny's Delights family. We pray our sweets and service bring warmth, joy, and a little sweetness to your day." “We are beyond grateful for everyone who comes out to support us. Seeing our bakery filled with smiling faces, kind words, and so much love truly means the world to us,” said Jackson.  This is just the beginning of their journey, and the owners say they’re so excited about what the future holds. “Thank you for believing in us and being part of our story…we can’t wait to continue serving you and creating sweet memories together,” said Nekitha. For more information, visit the Destiny’s Delights Facebook page or call the bakery at 601-643-4062.

Special to Wesson News Wesson Kindergarten student A'layrion Jackson recites "Black Boy Affirmation" Wesson Attendance Center celebrated its 19 th  annual celebration of Black History Month with a program on Friday, February 20 at 6 pm in the school's gymnasium. The program was sponsored by WAC staff members, Albert Brown, Dr. Kendra Armistad, and Tomeka Brice. This year's program had a theme, "Black Voices: Honoring the Past, Equipping the Present, and Inspiring the Future." WAC Gospel Ensemble Co bra Steppers Step Team The year's program featured performances by the WAC Gospel Ensemble, with solo performances by Charlene Hooks, DaKiyah Butler, and Celeen Brice. A Step Showcase was performed by the WAC Cobra Steppers, and poetic recitations and monologues were performed by students from the pre-kindergarten level all the way through the twelfth-grade. There was also over 800 pieces of student work displayed to showcase the accomplishments of African Americans throughout history. Dr. Christopher S. King brings his message to the crowd This year's keynote speaker was Copiah County's own, Dr. Christopher S. King. Dr. King has a doctorate degree in Theology. He is a three-time Bronze Star recipient of foreign wars and served three tours in Desert Storm. He is a retired fireman with over 20 years' experience. He is the founder and president of The Power of One Outreach Ministry and is the author of a book entitled  The Work is Plentiful, but the Positive Male Role Models are Few."  Dr. King addressed the audience, especially the youth, with positive words and encouragement on living life each day knowing your worth and that there is no one better than you. Wesson Attendance Center, Tommy Clopton, presents Dr. King with recognition for being keynote speaker

By Bob Arnold Brookhaven new base for international contractor. In an economy characterized by uncertainty in which employers are passing on location and expansion decisions, a major international construction and maintenance firm that serves downstream and midstream oil and gas companies, manufacturers and electric utilities throughout the world has established an operations base in the area that has created more than 70 jobs.   Baton Rouge-based MMR Group purchased Brookhaven-Lincoln County Economic Development Alliance’s (BLCEDA) 50,000 square foot spec industrial building in the Linbrook Business Park at Brookhaven in May, has been customizing it to meet its particular business needs and ramping up operations there at the same time.  It is one of 30 MMR Group offices and locations in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, where more than 5,000 employees serve clients across four continents in 36 countries.   The fifth largest electrical contractor and 16 th  largest specialty contractor in the nation, MMR Group’s work encompasses instrument and technical services, electrical construction, power distribution, panel and modular control buildings, telecommunication and security systems, commissioning and startup, power development, maintenance, mission critical construction and power engineering and design.  Since 1991, it has performed more than $6 billion in electrical and instrumentation services.   “In the near future the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce (BLCCC) will recognize this new addition to the area economy in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony,” BLCCC and BLCEDA Executive Director Garrick Combs reports.   For Combs, the MMR Group’s decision to locate in the area affirms two BLCEDA economic development strategies:     Spec buildings.   The centerpiece of BLCEDA efforts to attract industrial companies in recent years has been empty industrial buildings into which companies can take over, fashion according to their specialized needs and readily start operating.  Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) has recognized the unique BLCC-BLCEDA economic development model as an effective way to lure employers that want to deploy workers and machinery to get products to market as quickly as possible without a long wait to construct manufacturing facilities.     Economic sector focus.   BLCEDA focuses on attracting industrial companies unfettered by economic uncertainties that delay their decisions about locating new facilities or expanding existing ones.  “The best recruiting prospects are in the utility, logistics and forestry and timber sectors of the economy that are relatively unaffected by tariffs and supply chain disruptions unlike manufacturers – particularly the automotive industry in Mississippi -- and their materials suppliers, particularly of metals and plastics,” says Combs.   Looking to the year ahead, Combs says BLCEDA will be engaged in  planning conversations with new people who have not previously been involved in Brookhaven and Lincoln County economic development.  “Brookhaven has a new Mayor and Board of Aldermen members,” he notes.  “We will review and evaluate strategies that have brought us to where we are, build on them and move forward.”   One lingering industrial project on the agenda is Southwest Electric’s (SE) district headquarters, a 16 million investment for a dispatch office, IT services, a full warehouse, mechanic shop, a truck staging area and laydown yard to house emergency storm crews to better serve its 25,000 members in Lincoln, Copiah, Franklin, Amite, Adams, Hinds, Jefferson and Wilkinson Counties, increase overall system reliability and create more than 100 jobs in the process   Last year, SE purchased land for the facility on Highway 550 near Loyd Star instead of property, which had some wetlands issues, near Brookway Boulevard for which it had an option.  “The purchase on Highway 550 confirmed SE’s commitment to a Lincoln County facility, but when groundbreaking will occur remains a question,” says Combs.  “All in all, it was a good move for SE and BLCEDA, which can use the land formerly under option for something else.”   Grocery shopping for locals remains a question, too.  Although Combs’ work doesn’t encompass retail projects, he says grocery store chains no longer call him to ask about opportunities in the area as they did after the closures of two Piggly Wiggly stores in Brookhaven.  Brookhaven, Lincoln County and surrounding area shoppers now can buy food and other grocery items at three major stores – Walmart, Sullivans and Aldi’s.   A specialized organization paid by the BLCCC tourism committee with funds it receives from a two percent sales tax assessed Brookhaven hotels and motels seeks retail businesses, Combs notes.  The committee also uses the tax monies to build retail traffic and stimulate sales at existing stores through social media and special events – in the process, generating convincing data for retail organizations looking for new markets.    All and all, Combs says the area economy is healthy with sales tax revenues up, the unemployment rate below five percent and now a new major international construction and maintenance organization based in Brookhaven.  He looks forward to an exciting year.

Pictured: Breazeale presenting Martin with award Wesson-based company Jessica Breazeale Consulting (JBC) recently named Chloe Martin of Hurley as the JBC “Student of the Year”. Martin received the award at the Pine Belt chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM) at its recent monthly meeting. Martin’s entire family made the trek from Moss Point to celebrate with her. The award came with a $500 scholarship and a membership to PRAM who recognizes her academic excellence, leadership and commitment to advancing the public relations profession. The award was given to Martin by JBC Owner, Jessica Breazeale of Wesson, at the Ogletree Alumni House on the University of Southern Mississippi’s campus. “It’s always been a bucket list item for me to give back to my profession by mentoring students and providing scholarship assistance. This is the first year for the scholarship, and I plan to continue for four more years,” said Breazeale. Breazeale’s consulting company started in 2017 with some freelance projects for clients who needed marketing help with websites and social media. It grew into full-time work with clients across the United States. She has served on the PRAM board of directors for eight years and currently chairs professional development - and serves as a state representative. “I have one employee, a college student who is a PR major, and I strategically hired a college student because I am a teacher at heart. I love teaching, mentoring, helping younger people develop their professional PR skills, “said Breazeale. “Anyone can do marketing. Not everyone does strategic marketing.” Breazeale holds an accreditation in public relations (APR), a special designation showing professional expertise, dedication to the field, progressive industry practices, and high ethical standards. She was the chapter’s 2023 PR Practitioner of the Year. Recipients are selected by an anonymous committee of public relations practitioners. Applicants must come from the Pine Belt region and be communication majors. Applicants submit an application packet, relevant work samples, a résumé, and two letters of recommendation from a professor and/or professional who can verify the student’s qualifications. “Chloe demonstrates outstanding academic excellence and achievements in public relations education. Her graduate coursework consistently reflects intellectual rigor, strong analytical thinking and a sophisticated understanding of public relations as a strategic management function,” said Dr. Jae-Hwa Shin, newly inducted community action chair for Pine Belt PRAM. Martin is a graduate student currently working on her master’s degree. She has served in multiple leadership positions in the Public Relations Student Society of America and other organizations, including the Communication Graduate Association and No Longer Bound at Mississippi State University. She has also completed internships at both True Story Public Relations and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, among other significant accomplishments. “I cannot express my gratitude for receiving this award,” Martin said. “I am so excited that these wonderful professionals see potential in me, and I could not be more excited to see what opportunities come next.” The Pine Belt PRAM Chapter supports public relations professionals and students across the region through professional development, networking and recognition programs. The Student of the Year Award honors a student who demonstrates excellence in public relations studies and involvement. Meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at USM’s Alumni House at noon. Students majoring in any communications-related field or professionals working in any communications-related positions are free to join. To join or more information, email kelsey.hester@fvrecycling.com . More info: Jessica Breazeale, APR State Representative; Professional Development Chair PRAM WEBSITE: Pine Belt PRAM – Taking PRide in Promoting the Pine Belt

By Misty Strieff Prine This is probably one of the most profound statements I’ve read in a long time. Think about it for a second. Here you have a person dangling a fishing line. (The Instigator) This person usually has no place in the argument to begin with and just wants to stir things up. At the end of his fishing line is a lure. (The Culprit) It gets yanked back and forth and jumps up and down, all at the hand of the fisherman. Think of that lure as the person that spews snide comment after comment, wanting you to open your mouth and take the bait. If you have a weak moment, run toward that “lure” and you open your mouth, you (The Gullible One) have a 100% chance of getting caught up in an argument with that person. You will more than likely say some things out of anger that you will one day regret...ones that could have been 100% avoided if you just kept your mouth shut. In the midst of every argument you have three people...the instigator that probably is sitting back watching the show, the culprit who needs to quit egging things on to begin with and then you have the gullible one that just cannot keep their mouth shut and takes the bite...the argument ensues and a rivalry is born. Think about it. If the fish had just kept its mouth shut and swam on by, the instigator and the culprit would have eventually just been left dangling their ill intentions and would realize they didn’t have the power over the fish they thought they had. VICTORY goes to the fish! There will be people whose mission in life is to get you to open your mouth and ruin the good you stand for. They will wallow in the fact that you failed and let your anger get the best of you. (Your testimony and witness will be tarnished by those who hear about it or see it.) That’s why you must rise and be better than them. There is so much peace and satisfaction when you can say, “Not today, devil. Not today.” Turn the tables now. If you are the Culprit in the situation, you need to check yourself. Why are you letting other people influence your opinion of a person or situation? You are your own person, and God gave you the ability of thinking for yourself. If someone instigates you, it is probably THEM that has envy in their heart for that person (or fish) that they are trying to turn you against them. Stand up and do the right thing and YOU avoid the instigator. It’s time for you to be the better person. Now this part is for the instigator. If you have beef with someone, you need to pray about it. Pray HARD. Don’t get anyone else involved in your anger towards another person. You need to get your heart right and forgive that person. Learn to turn the other cheek and be the better person. Sometimes the pot just does not need to be stirred and needs to be left alone. If we all do our part, arguments, resentment will exist few and far between in our lives. Love and hate cannot exist in the same spot. I don’t care what anyone says. They just CAN’T. You need to kick anything other than love out of your heart and do your part in keeping things neutral and calm. Trust me, anger and bitterness will fester if you let it. Love will grow by leaps and bounds if you do your part to let it.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB “Wuthering Heights” is based on a classic novel by Emily Brontë. I’ve never read the novel, which is probably for the best. Reports of the movie differing from the novel are actually quite relieving to me. They’re relieving in the sense that I do not have to lose respect for people who like the novel, which I would do if this movie were any indication of its quality. I’m fine with not judging a book by its movie, especially when the movie is this terrible. Young Catherine Earnshaw (Charlotte Mellington) grows up in the Wuthering Heights estate in 18 th -century England, under the care of her rich, cruel, drunken father (Martin Clunes). Servants include same-aged companion Nelly (Vy Nguyen) and rescued street urchin Heathcliff (Owen Cooper). Cathy initially sees Heathcliff as her “toy,” but eventually comes to see him as a friend. As the two get older and Cathy turns into Margot Robbie and Heathcliff turns into Jacob Elordi, they both begin to think that they might become more than friends. It’s hard for me to buy Robbie, who played Leonardo DiCaprio’s wife in “The Wolf of Wall Street” back in 2013, as someone who is just now going through a sexual awakening, but sure, Cathy and Heathcliff are in love, but neither of them will admit it or make the first move. The problem with such a relationship would be the financial aspect. Cathy’s father has gambled away the family’s fortune, leaving them both “near-poverty,” and Heathcliff, as a servant, has practically nothing. Cathy confides in Nelly (now played by Hong Chau), with Heathcliff overhearing, that she needs to marry someone with money, like wealthy neighbor Edgar (Shazad Latif). She goes on to admit that she’d rather marry the broke Heathcliff, but he misses that part. Heathcliff abandons Wuthering Heights the next day and Cathy goes on to marry Edgar. At first, Cathy loves all the material trappings of her marriage (this portion of the film does some impressive things with the “wealth porn” element, with fine foods and flowers everywhere), but she just can’t bring herself to reciprocate Edgar’s love. A pregnancy makes her feel even more trapped. Soon after, Heathcliff returns, a wealthy man. He and Cathy could be together if it weren’t for that pesky lifetime commitment she made. Their workaround is to have an affair. When Cathy wants to cut things off (due to her pregnancy, not fidelity), Heathcliff gets revenge by marrying Edgar’s naïve ward Isabella (Alison Oliver) and treating her horribly. This is supposed to entice Cathy to come back to him… somehow. Can Cathy and Heathcliff’s game of sexual chess end well for either of them? That’s the question I think we’re supposed to be asking. I was much more concerned about how things would end for well-meaning pawns Edgar and Isabella. Cathy and Heathcliff turn each other into monsters by the end, and not in a tragic, understandable way – more like they’re locked in a contest to see who can be the bigger spoiled brat. Cathy grew up a spoiled brat, but Heathcliff watched her and learned from the best. Speaking of “brat,” I liked the snippets of Charli XCX songs that played throughout the film, usually in scenes of heavy fog that seemed to match the singer’s breathy voice. Maybe she should have played Cathy. “Wuthering Heights” is a movie about two people who deserve each other. At first, this can be said with positive connotations that slowly turn to negative. Because there are so many erotic scenes with the main characters in fancy costumes, this movie is supposedly “romantic.” I’m worried about what young romantics will take away from this movie, considering how many of them came out of last year’s “Nosferatu” with a crush on Count Orlok. I walked away from this film wanting both main characters to fall from a height – Wuthering or otherwise. Grade: C- “Wuthering Heights” is rated R for sexual content, some violent content, and language. Its running time is 136 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

The 13th Annual Princess Ball brought a fun evening out and quality time for daddies and daughters on Saturday, Feb. 7 at Co-Lin’s Thames Center.  The event is an annual fundraiser for student scholarships hosted by the Blue Wave Band and Colette alumni chapter.  The ball had two sessions, 4:30 and 6:30 evening times. Refreshments were served. Namebrand  Photography had portraits set up for an additional fee. DJ Stanley Martin of Wesson, Owner of Super Sounds DJ/Karaoke, managed the music. The Colettes served drinks and hosted daddy/daughter limbo fun. Band members worked parking and set up/clean-up crew. Dalton & Haisley Rushing of Wesson Mallory Fisk of Wesson  Justin Smith and Emma Rae of Wesson Logan Carr of Wesson dancing with daughter Remi and Mallory Fisk dancing with her dad

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Old and slow-moving, nevertheless, Grace faithfully carried her blind rider on the snow-covered, lonely, and seemingly endless journey. There was no real visibility, due to the heavy clouds that hid the moon and stars.  But even if the moon had been as bright as the sun during that long night, the old man with his sightless eyes still would not have seen a thing. If left up to him, He could easily have wandered around endlessly, trying  to find the right path to his log cabin. Yet Grace instinctively knew. She had a horse’s unerring sense of direction, and she knew which path would take her rider home. Grace evaded a lot of dead ends that lead nowhere that night. And that horse also sidestepped dangerous holes in the ground that could have easily caused the old man riding on her back to plunge to the ground.  Hazardous ledges and crevices were all cautiously avoided, which undoubtedly made for a much longer and arduous journey, but also saved her rider from possible harm or death. Finally, the scent of the burning logs in the fire place of his old cabin scented the frozen air as horse and rider drew closer to the old homestead. Grace ambled slowly up to the ancient barn, then stopped and nickered  softly. The old man slowly raised his heavy head, and breathed a deep sigh of relief as he sensed that only steps away, his beloved daughter waited patiently just inside the door of his old house. In just a few more  minutes, love, warmth, security, and safety would wrap their arms around his shaking old body. Barely able to move, he stiffly leaned forward over the frost-covered mane of Grace and gratefully patted her neck,  murmuring his thanks and undying love for his faithful old horse. Reminds me of another faithful bearer of an equally blind and helpless rider. Only this faithful companion thru a long, dark and cold journey is not a horse named Grace. It is Grace. And that blind and helpless rider is every man, woman and child who has ever lived on this danger-ridden and evil-minded earth. Because when it comes to finally entering our Home in heaven, without the help of  Grace, it is impossible. The grace of our God is the only way we are able to eventually enter those gates. There are way too many pitfalls, dangerously wrong paths, and pure evil stalking us through our dark nights for  us to ever find our road home…without Grace. Always there for us. Always knowing the right road that we need to take. Always guiding us toward it. Faithful, perfect-sighted, older than time itself… Grace.