Special to Wesson News Humans started keeping bees primarily for honey production 10,000 years ago, a tradition maintained locally by John Whitiker, who talked to the Wesson Lions Club last month about his operations.   Whitiker manages about 50 artificial hives with up to 60,000 bees, rebuilt from 35 hives during the COVID-19 pandemic. A healthy hive, he says, will produce 80 to 100 pounds of honey in a traditional ten-frame deep box which houses the bees.   Whitiker told the Club he uses four basic tools in his operations:   Artificial hives  -- square or rectangular with moveable cedar, pine or cypress wooden honeycomb frames, including a floor, brood box, honey super, crown-board and roof.  Hives also use queen excluders between the brood-box and honey supers to keep the queen from laying eggs in cells next to those containing honey intended for consumption.  “In construction and utilization of hives, I seek to eliminate waste of wood and materials,” Whitiker said   A smoker , which generates smoke from the incomplete combustion of fuels. Although the exact mechanism is disputed, it is said smoke calms bees. Some claim it initiates a feeding response in anticipation of possible hive abandonment due to fire. Smoke may also mask alarm pheromones released by guard bees or bees that are squashed in an inspection. The ensuing confusion creates an opportunity for the beekeeper to open the hive and work without triggering a defensive reaction.   Workerwear  -- pale-colored natural color cotton, different from the color of the colony's natural predators -- bears and skunks that are dark-colored. A fabric conditioner may have more impact on bees than the color of the workwear fabric, however, because bees see ultraviolet wavelengths and are attracted to scent.   A hive tool  used to scrape off burr-comb from around the hive, especially on top of the frames and to separate the frames before lifting out of the hive. “Varied plants attract bees to our property,” Whitiker said.  “Among them are white clover, flowers, including wild flowers, hedge, flowering and fruit trees – peach and apple particularly.  We use soap water and vinegar water solutions to ward off pests that harm plants because pesticides ingested by bees compromise their health.”   Whitiker explained that honeybee colonies include (1) a queen which lay eggs that develop into workers or drones, regulates activities and signals swarming (2) drones – the largest bees – which mate with virgin queens and (3) worker bees which clean and polish cells for new eggs, nectar and pollen, feed the queen, build combs, forage for food and water, create and store honey, guard the hive, remove debris and dead bees from the hive.   Honey, he said, starts as  flower nectar collected by bees, which gets broken down into simple sugars stored inside the honeycomb . The design of the honeycomb and constant fanning of the bees' wings causes evaporation, creating sweet liquid honey. Honey's color and flavor vary based on the nectar collected by the bees.   Whitiker described a six-step honey-collection process from hives:   Calming the bees  with a smoker to make them less aggressive and to obscure their communication pheromones.  Removing the frames  of honey from the hive.  Uncapping the frames – scraping off the wax caps that seal the honey in cells with a sharp knife. Extracting the honey  – placing the frames in an extractor, which is a large, round tank that spins the frames at high speed and flings the honey out of the comb. Straining the honey  to remove any remaining wax and other particles.  Bottling the honey  to eat.  Whitiker said this process occurs twice a year – spring and fall, and “I am careful to leave honey for bees to survive.”

By: Bob Arnold Wesson's annual Christmas parade rolled last week (Friday, December 6) for the 52nd year, with Santa again returning to town as a highlight of the event framed thematically as “Christmas through the Eyes of a Child.” Santa on his sleigh and others tossed candy to bystanders lining the sides of Highway 51, who also came to see the bands playing holiday music, high school and college beauties and local dignitaries riding in convertibles and on decorated floats reflecting the creativity of organizations and businesses, along with the jolly gift-giver from the North Pole. – all helping them prepare to celebrate this special time of year in Wesson. Wesson Volunteer Fire Department (WVF), which organizes the parade, worked to create an event that “expresses Christmas as wondrous, amazing and magical,” according to WVF Chief Ken Carroway. Parade participants lined up at 3:30 p.m. at Grace Foam Solutions (the old Sunflower store), and they started marching at 4 p.m. led by Grand Marshall Nena Smith, honored as she began her retirement after 50 years teaching students at Nena Smith School of Dance. “Along the parade route, hot chocolate was available on the cool evening, and punch and cookies, too,” Carroway said. The parade proceeded south to the Highway 51 stoplight and reversed direction northward, with trucks and vehicles from Copiah and Lincoln County volunteer fire departments and the Wesson Police and Copiah County Sheriff Departments at the front and Santa Claus in the rear as the climax for whom everybody -- particularly the kids -- were waiting. In between were the Wesson High School and Co-Lin bands, interspersed with cars and other vehicles carrying, among others, the Founders Day Queen, members of Wesson High School and Co-Lin homecoming courts and beauties and beaus from kindergarten through college freshmen and sophomore classes chosen in pageants at Wesson Attendance Center and Co-Lin; along with floats of varied commercial, faith, civic, service and social organizations carrying their workers, volunteers and members, many with children from the community on board as well -- the little ones who are readily awed by Christmas magic. The floats were numerous this year, including those built by the American Legion, the Wesson Junior/High School Beta Club, Butterbeans Wesson Garden Club youth organization, Copiah County government, Fastpace Healthcare and Mossy Oak Properties, among others. Then there were the cheerleaders who danced to the music and fired up the Christmas spirit, along with the Co-Lin Wolf mascot, Collette dancers, and students from Nena Smith Studio. Following the parade, Santa Claus brought a bag of goodies to the Wesson Volunteer Fire Department, where he met with children and punch and cookies were served. Friends of the Library also hosted an open house at Wesson Public Library, where Mrs. Santa Claus read stories to children and they could catch a train operated by the Brookhaven Exchange Club to ride around the decorated town.

By: Misty Strieff Prine “Take time today to appreciate someone who does something you take for granted.” – Unknown How many times, in a day’s time, do you think we take something that someone does for us or even maybe “that” someone in general, for granted? There may be a person who smiles at you although they are having a terrible day themselves and you may never ever know it. There may be a person who lets you go ahead of them in the dollar store line because they have a buggy full and you only have a few items.... even if they have to be somewhere. I’m talking about that person who gives of themselves so unselfishly in order that you may be happy, even if it means giving you all that they have and then some. They just feel like doing a random act of kindness and you are the blessed recipient of it. You see, so many of us are guilty of being in such a hurry some days, that we fail to see the multitude of blessings that God pours out on us through people that we have day to day interactions with. We take so much for granted my friends. We often walk around so blindly that we often fail to recognize those who lift us up little by little who go unnoticed and are so unappreciated every day, yet they never stop being a blessing to us. We walk around on our, what we think may be “bad days” but forget that there is always someone out there that has it a whole lot worse than us. Funny thing is a lot of people who give of themselves whole-heartedly in order that they may help others are often the ones that hurt so deeply behind closed doors and need our encouragement tenfold. They fall apart when no one is looking. So how often do you stop and simply be still and truly appreciate those people who go out of their way to make sure you receive that constant blessing so that you will have a little bit better day...even if you never even realize it? That is until now. I encourage in this season of Thanksgiving, to focus on this daily and be more observant of those around you. Those that you may pass and repass each day. From the time the good Lord opens your eyes in the morning until the time you lay your head down at night, "stop and smell the roses" if you will. Be more attentive to those people who do the beautiful, little things for you that so often go unnoticed. Now do something that you might not normally do...be a blessing back to them! Some people make the most of it and some hurry through life never appreciating the opportunities they have been given. May we never take someone for granted. Everyone needs to know they are appreciated. It may be just what they need to get through their day.

By Misty Strieff Prine “As we celebrate the Christmas season, the greatest gift wasn’t placed under a tree, but He was hung on a tree.” – Unknown. Christmas is quickly approaching. It will be here in the blink of an eye. We live in a society where Christmas has become so commercialized that we tend to get so consumed in running out to buy that perfect gift for someone, just for the sake of getting one most times, that we lose sight of the beautiful gift that we all were given so many years ago. God sent His one and only Son to this wretched world to die for you and for me on Calvary's rugged cross. Salvation is a gift that came at a heavy price. Jesus could have called 10,000 angels to take Him off the cross, but He stayed the course God had planned for Him. Why? Because when He was hanging on that cross with the thorns on His brow, the nails in His feet and hands, and being mocked, ridiculed, and humiliated, His mind was not on giving up...it was on me and you. That's right. Not one single soldier on that day killed Jesus...He willingly gave His life. His journey began at a season we have come to celebrate as Christmas, when God sent Jesus to earth, being born of a virgin and was laid in the humblest of places, a manger bed. He was not wrapped in silk and luxury and laid in a fancy crib in a palace. Instead, He was laid in swaddling clothes and laid upon straw in a manger...humbly but mighty just the same. His journey while walking this earth was filled with miracles and unconditional love for us...which led Him eventually to the cross of Calvary for you and for me. He provided the ultimate blood sacrifice for us all. But that is not where it ends. Yes, He died but on that third day, the stone was rolled away and He arose from that tomb, and He is very much alive today! He lives in our hearts, and He walks beside us each day. He never gives up on us when many times we give up on ourselves. He loves us that much! The true gift of salvation, however, must be accepted. We must come to the realization that we are lost without Him. We are sinners and we are far from perfect. All we must do is humble ourselves, call upon His name and ask Him to forgive us and come into our hearts and save us. That's it. In that moment, our past is forgiven, and our future is secured. You see, love came down at Christmas! That is a gift that you cannot put a price on and one that brings true joy and peace. May we never lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas and the One and only perfect gift that was given to all of us.

By: Misty Strieff Prine “Let it hurt. Let it bleed. Let it heal. And let it go.” – Unknown. This message today is for those of you who may be in a season of hurt. Maybe your spirit is in a season of brokenness. I’m here to say that it’s okay to let that hurt bleed a little. It's okay to let the tears roll. What's not okay is that you stay in that place or dwell there for any length of time. Let the emotion out. Don't keep it bottled up inside. You may not want to talk to anyone around you about it but there is someone you can talk to. Talk to God about it. It's not healthy to keep it to yourself. When you do, it changes you into a person you yourself wouldn't want to be around. Letting it out is part of the healing process. Once you get ready to face your hurt and have faith that it will soon be a thing of the past, you need to find the peace in knowing that you do not have to, and you will NOT have to "heal this hurt" alone. In that moment of hurt, know that God is right there beside you to help you through the healing process. If and ONLY if you turn to HIM to heal, then will you truly be able to let go of that hurt. Why? Because if we try to heal in our own way, without Him, we will hold on to that hurt for the rest of our days. We know this to be true. We have a phrase for that. That's what we call "holding a grudge". When God's involved in the healing process and ONLY then, do we have true and genuine forgiveness. We may still be reminded of the hurt when we see that person but the hurt no longer steals our joy and controls us. We've moved past it because God has given us the power and victory over that hurt. He allows us to truly let...it...go. When we hold on to hurt, we allow that person to hold even more leverage over us by stealing our joy. Don't let them hurt you anymore because, I promise you, nine times out of ten, they probably don't even realize they hurt you in the first place. So why in the world are you letting them continue to hurt you by letting them steal even more of your joy?? Give it to God, pray for them, let that hurt strengthen you into a better person and let...it...go! Don’t let the hurt define you in a bad way, let it define you in a good way but letting it be a part of your testimony!

Special to Wesson News Wesson American Legion Post #79 welcomed guest Mary Kitchens of Crystal Springs to speak at its recent monthly meeting. Kitchens is the founder of Camp  Kamassa , Mississippi's Toughest Kids (MTK) Foundation, who spoke to the legion about the camp and it's progress in construction. She also gave an update on its first camp which was held this past summer, June 30 through July 5.  Mississippi's Toughest Kids Foundation serves children and adults living with chronic illness, physical and mental challenges, and other special needs. Camp  Kamassa  is Mississippi's first, and only, year-round handicapped accessible camp, specifically designed to meet the needs of these extraordinary children and adults.  Kamassa  is the Choctaw word that means "toughness"; to persevere under difficulty and not give up. The word perfectly describes MTK's future campers. The camp is being built with help from the U.S. Department of Defense's Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) which teams reservists with needed infrastructure projects in communities nationwide. The first camp was held this summer with 31 kids and five adults. Fundraising for MTK began in 2007 and construction started in 2018. Camp  Kamassa  is offered to school-aged children with disabilities. Camp even accepts adults. The camp provides summer camps where each week has a specific focus and is staffed with medical professionals to provide excellent care while enjoying  Kamassa -life.  Different groups living with or affected by various diagnoses and challenges are served at weekend events at camp. A state-of-the-art sloped entry swimming pool is a fun highlight for campers due to its easy access for wheelchairs.  For information regarding special events and fundraisers throughout the year, call or visit online at w ww.campkamassa.com  or email  mtk@mtkfound.com .  The community can support Camp  Kamassa  by purchasing items from their wish list, donate to MTK Foundation, consider one of its "naming items", purchase an MTK car tag, shop their online store, purchase a cookbook, children's book, or t-shirt, or give through Kroger Community Rewards (organization number VG910). Camp  Kamassa   fully opens summer of 2025.

By Bob Garver             2016’s “Moana” is probably my favorite animated Disney movie of the modern era. I have plenty of nice things to say about “Frozen,” “Zootopia,” “Encanto,” and several others, but “Moana,” with its timelessly-relatable main character, sharp physical comedy, and multiple memorable songs, puts it just a coir above the competition. When an evidently-rushed sequel was announced earlier this year, I became nervous. What if the new film was so disappointing that it affected my opinion of the original? Now that I’ve seen the film, I’m happy to report that my enjoyment of the original is not tarnished by this underwhelming sequel.             The film takes place three years after the original, with Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) now her island’s premier wayfinder, or boat navigator. The community is thriving, and she’s gradually finding clues that will hopefully lead her to discover more islands with communities that can be joined. But she receives a vision that if she doesn’t find far-off island Motufetu very soon, everything she holds dear will be lost. She throws together a mission with a ragtag crew that includes overeager builder Loto (Rose Matafeo), grumpy farmer Kele (David Fane), oafish historian Moni (Hualālai Chung), pet pig Pua, and chicken Heihei, and sets off on an adventure with more self-doubt than she’s ever had in her life.             Along the way, she meets up with an old enemy: the tribe of sentient coconuts known as Kakamora. The two sides battle until they discover that they both need somebody to find Motufetu, at which point one of the Kakamora joins the quest as an enforcer. Not long after, the crew find themselves swallowed by a giant clam, which is home base for new villain Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), who has abducted Moana’s former ally, the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson). It turns out that Matangi needs Moana to find Motufetu as well, though her motivations probably aren’t as pure as the Kakumora just wanting to find their way home. With Maui now officially on the crew, it’s a race to reach Motufetu before unhappy god Nalo (Tofiga Fepulea’i) can stop them with his storm-conjuring powers.             Slowly but surely, the downgrades from the first movie come to light. New songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear try valiantly to give Moana an anthem as powerful as “How Far I’ll Go,” but “Beyond” falls just a bit short. “Get Lost” from Matangi isn’t quite as memorable a villain song as “Shiny.” And as far as Maui goes, “Can I Get A Chee Hoo?” is a fall off a cliff from “You’re Welcome” that matches Johnson’s own falling star power. His tired, somehow-mugging-for-the-camera-even-in-animation schtick is probably the worst thing about this movie, other than an inexplicable overreliance on gags that involve creatures excreting from various orifices.             The movie still gets a recommendation from me. Cravalho is great as always, the new characters are compelling enough, the jokes hit at an acceptable ratio, and there’s an overall agreeable tone for an animated adventure. There’s nothing here that makes me want to turn against the “Moana” brand, which is good because we’re going to be getting a lot more of it in the future. Supposedly this movie was supposed to be the first few installments of a television miniseries, and harsher critics will say that it should have been stuck on television. I don’t agree with that assessment, I think theaters are lucky to have “Moana 2,” even if it’s a step down from the original. But Moana’s journey is clearly far from over, and however it continues, I hope it doesn’t lose any more magic than it already has.   Grade: B-   “Moana 2” is rated PG for action/peril. Its running time is 100 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) is seeking applications from high school sophomores to serve as the new high school junior student representative on the SBE Board for the 2025-26 school year. Application deadline is Jan. 31, 2025. Now in its seventh year, the Student Representatives of the Mississippi State Board of Education program includes a high school junior and a high school senior who serve as non-voting SBE members to share their viewpoints on policy decisions regarding Mississippi public schools. The current SBE junior representative, Crosby Parker of Gulfport High School, will serve as the senior representative in 2025-26. Through a competitive process, the SBE will appoint a new junior representative to serve a two-year term starting July 1, 2025. The top 10 semi-finalists among applicants, including the junior representative appointed and an alternate representative, automatically get to serve on the State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. There were 33 students who were eligible applicants for the 2024-25 junior representative position. The SBE adopted policy in 2018 outlining criteria for adding student representatives to the State Board. Student representatives are responsible for attending monthly SBE meetings and any standing committees or subcommittees to which they are assigned. They are excused from school to attend SBE meetings as official school business, and they also work as liaisons for their peers to SBE. The application packet must be mailed and postmarked by Jan. 31, 2025. Access the application at mdek12.org/mbe/student-representatives-of-the-mississippi-state-board-of-education/ .  A video component of the application must be uploaded by 5 p.m. Jan. 31, 2025. For questions, contact Donna Hales at (601) 359-3857 or email dhales@mdek12.org . Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news .

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Four-year-old Barry was rambunctious and energetic. Gifted by God with charming smile, electric blue eyes and golden hair. From the moment those mesmerizing blue eyes opened, to when they reluctantly closed in sleep after he had raced headlong thru his day, Barry had to be on the move. He loved to run, climb, throw, jump and crash. In many ways, he was a normal, high energy, little boy in blue shorts, t-shirt and tennis shoes. Except for his tendency to be a forty-one-pound wrecking ball on a mission. His little body seemed incapable of operating at a normal speed for a preschooler. Mean spirited and deliberately destructive? No, not at all. He just had a nuclear-powered jet engine in a forty-one pound body, with only one speed – overdrive. If there were any brakes installed for slowing down that scary motor, they were well-hidden and rarely put to use. Does the description of this meteorite on steroids sound pretty charming? A gorgeous, precocious and intelligent little boy who was loving life? Yeah, absolutely, until you looked around in his wake at what used to be your living room that now resembled a glorified trash dump. This child seemed gifted with an ability to destroy a living room in ten minutes flat. Nothing was safe around this kid. Draperies, coffee table knickknacks, tv, or table lamps – all were fair game in his world. But to his credit, he never discriminated. Whether he was in his mom’s home, or in yours, it didn’t matter. He saw any place he was playing as his domain to be enjoyed – and accidentally obliterated. This normal, energetic, intelligent and charming little one had only one problem, and it wasn’t him. It was his parents. Because they “loved” him so deeply, and found his antics so impossibly cute and funny, they couldn’t bring themselves to do what was best for him. They never physically disciplined him. They put their own needs before his. Their weak-kneed attempts at civilizing him were limited to adoring words of affirmation and gently spoken corrections, such as, “Barry, honey, you shouldn’t throw that bat in Mr. Carl’s house, that’s not a good choice.” Or, “Sweetie, please try to just play with some toys on the floor. I know you’re bored, but climbing this sweet lady’s drapes to try to touch the ceiling is not a good idea. You might hurt yourself.” Tell me something, all you parents out there. How are little minds and bodies supposed to learn how to behave and act in society, when their parents lack the guts to say NO, and then won’t physically do whatever has to be done to enforce that word? That can result an energetic, untaught little four-year-old who will remind you of a lovable tornado, because a untrained and undisciplined four-year-old is exactly that! Moms and dads, your God gave you a tornado to tame and train, that is your job!! Love your child enough to do that job.

Special to Wesson News Wesson Public Library is ready to help the town celebrate Christmas. Visitors to its open house following the town’s annual Christmas parade on Friday, December 6, will be the initial beneficiaries. Throughout the Christmas season, the Library is inviting town folk to drop in to see its special displays and check out a book related to the holiday. Librarian Marilyn Britt delved into the book collection and discovered more than 50 fiction and non-fiction tomes with Christmas themes. They are easy to find atop shelves and on tables throughout the Library. Special exhibits include a miniature Christmas village built by Chad, Rebecca and Aeplea Harrison, Jean Ricks’ collections Santas handmade by Hattiesburg artist Sherry Dole, a nativity scene provided by Kim Roberts and Julia Arnold’s Christmas dolls. Britt also strategically placed nutcrackers from her collection throughout the library. Those who visit the Library at its open house following the Christmas parade will also meet Mrs. Santa Claus (Linda Merhri), who will read stories to children and the Grinch (Lee Meredith), and a train operated by Brookhaven Exchange Club will ride children around town. At the open house, the Library will gift children with Christmas themed bookmarks and glow bracelets.

By Guest Columnist Dr. Stephanie Duguid Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, and it kills more people than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.  Despite the severity of this disease, early detection can significantly improve survival rates.   Thanks to advancements in medical technology, lung cancer screenings are now more accessible and effective. However, many people who are eligible for screening may not realize its importance or know how to get started, according to Jonathan Hontzas, DNP, NP-C, TTS, Director of the ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education, and Research Center, Lung Cancer Screening Services at the Cancer Center and Research Institute.   Lung cancer screening matters and it can save lives because the disease often goes undiagnosed until it’s in an advanced stage, which limits treatment options and reduces survival chances. The five-year survival rate for lung cancer patients is only 18.6%, but when the disease is caught early, at a localized stage, the survival rate jumps to 61%. Unfortunately, only 26% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at this early stage. That’s where lung cancer screening comes in—it helps detect cancer in its early, more treatable stages.   Low dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans are a key tool for early detection. These scans use significantly less radiation than traditional CT scans and have been proven to reduce lung cancer deaths by 20% compared to standard chest X-rays. Recent studies, such as the National Lung Screening Trial, have shown the benefit of LDCT, especially for high-risk groups such as long-term smokers. Lung cancer screening is recommended for adults between the ages of 50 and 80 who have a history of heavy smoking. This typically includes those who have smoked at least one pack a day for 20 years or more and are either still smoking or have quit within the past 15 years. If you fall into this category, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider about lung cancer screening. Medicare and most private insurance companies cover the cost of screening for those who meet these criteria.   Your healthcare provider will guide you through a shared decision-making process, discussing the risks and benefits of screening, your smoking history, and other health factors. They will also provide counseling on smoking cessation and emphasize the importance of annual screening for those at risk. Staying adherent to these yearly screenings is crucial in catching potential lung cancer early.   Getting screened for lung cancer can make a life-saving difference. Screening programs like the one supported by the Mississippi Lung Cancer Roundtable (MSLCRT) aim to increase awareness and access to lung cancer screening, especially in areas with high lung cancer rates. By improving outreach and education, more people are being encouraged to take proactive steps for their health.   Lung cancer screening offers a vital opportunity for early detection and treatment, especially for individuals at high risk. By taking part in regular screening, you’re giving yourself the best chance for survival if lung cancer is present. If you or a loved one is a long-term smoker or has recently quit, now is the time to talk to your doctor about getting screened. Early detection saves lives.   For more information, you can contact the ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education, and Research by visiting www.act2quit.org . For screenings call 601-984 - LUNG.   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).

By: Kara Kimbrough Watching the televised lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City always conjures up delightful memories of a special trip; ones that I pull up and think about as soon as the month of December rolls around. Hopefully by the time you finish reading this, you’ll be planning your own trip to what I can only describe as a magical place during the holidays. In the meantime, you can experience a little piece of NYC this Christmas by ordering a special gift from the shopping mecca of the world or at the very least, making one of the city’s most famous delicacies to enjoy during the holidays. But back to my reminiscing. A few Christmases ago, I was standing near the magnificent Rockefeller Center Christmas tree gazing up with awe at thousands of multi-colored tree lights and a brilliant star composed of 70 spikes covered with 3 million brilliant Swarovski crystals. At that time, visitors could walk right up to the tree, shoot photos and generally bask in the awesomeness of the glorious structure. Across the street, Christmas music synced to an awe-inspiring light show along the front of Saks Fifth Avenue added to the magical experience. A chilly December wind whipping the colorful flags circling the skating rink (and our hair) added to the excitement of the Hallmark movie-like moment. I would have missed this memorable sight if I hadn’t decided to leave the Rainbow Room on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center early with part of my travel group from Mississippi and Texas. On a whim as we exited Rockefeller Center, my friend Robin's husband, Word, guided us around the corner to the site of the tree near the ice-skating rink. This last-minute decision created special memories that we still talk about to this day. Fast forward to 2024 and visitors are no longer allowed to get up close to the Rockefeller tree due to security issues. And, Saks recently announced it was discontinuing its famous music and light show. Our impromptu detour to see the tree was indeed fortuitous, as that magical experience can never be recreated in quite the same way. Despite these setbacks, literally thousands of amazing light shows, Christmas decorations, entertainment with a holiday theme (the Radio City Rockettes come to mind) and much more are spread throughout the five boroughs of NYC for visitors to enjoy from now until New Year's. If you’ve visited NYC before and want to give a gift straight from the Big Apple to those on your list (or to treat yourself), it’s not too late to order a special item online and have it shipped to you in time for Christmas.  A few that come to mind include: Saks – Who wouldn’t love a gift from an upscale NYC store that’s unlike anything you’ll likely find locally? Even better, Saks’ shipping fees are reasonable. Check out the latest fashions, home décor and specialty items at: saksfifthavenue.com . A piece of Central Park – If you’ve ever explored this massive park in the heart of Manhattan, you’ll be excited to know you can easily order a variety of items from the Central Park Conservancy, the organization that cares for the 843-acre park. Books, Christmas ornaments, mugs, apparel and more can be ordered from the website: centralparknyc.com . Looking for a special gift for the foodie on your list? A number of NYC bakeries and food stores ship their most requested products around the country (and world). A few of my favorites are: Junior’s Deli’s famous cheesecake; Carlo’s Bake Shop’s black and white cookies and Levain Bakery’s variety of cookies. Bagel-lovers can choose between these favorites: Essa Bagel, Eli Zabar, Russ & Daughters, Zucker's Bagels and Brooklyn Bagel, to name a few. If none of these suggestions will work for those on your list, here’s a novel idea. Give them the gift of…wait for it…New York City in 2025! While a trip to the city during the Christmas season can be pricey (email me if you’d like my tips on the best week in December to visit and other cost-savings measures), prices drop quite a bit during the chilly month of January. A trip to the most fascinating city in the world is doable by taking advantage of special savings during NYC Hotel Week. This special promotion offers 25% off standard room rates at participating hotels from Jan. 2 -Feb. 9. Reservations are now open at the more than 120 hotels participate in Hotel Week, so it’s easy to book now and present the “gift” of a visit to be enjoyed just after New Year’s. Additionally, NYC Hotel Week is part of NYC Winter Outing, NYC Tourism + Convention's ultimate winter value program. Included are Restaurant, Broadway and Must-See Weeks offering rare discounts on meals, Broadway show tickets and a variety of entertainment venues. Winter Outing runs from Jan. 21-Feb. 9. I visited NYC in January and took advantage of many of these special discounts. I can attest that the savings are significant. The weather was cold, but not unlike January weather we sometimes experience in the south. If you’re considering a trip to enjoy NYC during the Christmas season (there’s still time!) drop me an email and I’ll share my “must-do” list and other tips. For more information about Winter Outing and Hotel Week as well as “all things New York,” visit New York City Tourism + Convention's website at: nyctourism.com . In the meantime, I’m adding NYC’s famous black and white cookies to my Christmas food gifts this year. Not only are they delicious, but the sight of them will tide me over until I land back in my favorite city. The recipe for black and white cookies is a little lengthy, so drop me an email if you’d like it and I’ll send it to you ASAP.