Special to Wesson News Copiah-Lincoln (Co-Lin) Community College has been awarded a $482,025 Workforce Inclusion grant from the Center for Workforce Inclusion, Inc. (Center). Almost ninety percent of this grant – originally from the U.S. Department of Labor – will provide temporary employment to no less than eighty low-income older Mississippians living in Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln, Pike, Simpson, Smith, Walthall and Wilkinson counties. These older adults will participate in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), a cornerstone program of the Older Americans Act and the only federal job training program targeted exclusively to low-income, older job seekers.   In its 59th year, SCSEP promotes personal dignity and self-sufficiency through work. The training attained through SCSEP provides in-demand skills for older, unemployed, low-income Americans. The Center, a top-tier U.S. Department of Labor National Grantee of SCSEP, works through a network of local partners delivering career training programs for eligible fifty-plus-year-old workers across the United States. To date, the Center has helped more than 500,000 gain unsubsidized employment from the SCSEP program. “Our long-term, local partners are a key to the strength of the Center and provide the systems to train older Americans into strategic advantage for employers across the country.” said Gary A. Officer, president and CEO of the Center for Workforce Inclusion. “We are very pleased to continue our support of Copiah-Lincoln Community College for the 52nd consecutive year.”    “SCSEP helps our community’s eligible 55+ job seekers learn new skills and refresh old ones when they are coming back into the workforce,” said Dr. Dewayne Middleton, president of Copiah-Lincoln Community College. “At their training sites, SCSEP job seekers help local community, faith-based and public agencies carry out their mission, such as St. Andrews Mission, Copiah-Jefferson Regional Library Systems, Boys and Girls Club, Copiah County Human Resource Agency, Jefferson County Board of Supervisors, WIN Job Centers, Aging Gracefully Community Center and a variety of other non-profit and government agencies. This grant from the Center is essential to our being able to deliver these vital workforce training services to our community.”   For more information about Co-Lin’s program, visit www.CenterForWorkforceInclusion.org .

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum invites the public to attend the annual Pumpkin Adventure on October 2-5, 9-12 and 16-19. The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays. “The annual Pumpkin Adventure is a family-friendly event and the perfect outing this fall season,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “I encourage the families and individuals traveling to the capital city for the Mississippi State Fair in the coming days to also stop by the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum for even more wholesome fun, outdoor activities and agriculture-related entertainment.” The Museum’s Pumpkin Adventure will include a hayride around the museum grounds and Small Town, Miss., a complimentary snack of cookies and milk, a self-guided tour of the Heritage Center Gallery; a visit to the farm animals located inside the Children’s Barnyard, a corn pit to play in, a straw maze and a small pumpkin of choice to take home. The General Store will also be open for visitors to shop for souvenirs and enjoy an old-fashioned Coca-Cola in a glass bottle. Admission price for the annual Pumpkin Adventure is $10.00 per person for ages 1 and up. Concessions will be available for purchase on Saturdays during this event. The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, is located at 1150 Lakeland Drive in Jackson, and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 601-432-4500 or 1-800-844-8687, visit  www.msagmuseum.org  or visit the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum’s page on Facebook.

Special to Wesson News Commissioner Willie Simmons, chairman of the Mississippi Transportation Commission, has announced updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects across central Mississippi, including a mill and overlay of eleven miles of State Route 27 from the Copiah County line to State Route 18 in Hinds County, which is nearing completion. Work includes the repair of failed areas and damaged drainage pipes, the replacement of deficient traffic signs and guardrail upgrades.  Crews have completed the milling and paving work. Remaining work includes placing permanent paving markings and grinding for smoothness. Remaining work is on track to be completed by the end of the summer. The $4.7 million project was awarded to APAC-MS. Highway work zones are meant to protect the traveling public and workers on the side of the road. Work zones present new traffic patterns and configurations that may be unfamiliar to motorists. For information about how to navigate highway work zones safely, visit GoMDOT.com/DriveSmartMS . To view MDOT’s significant active projects, visit GoMDOT.com/Projects . “As summer maintenance season rolls on, construction projects are continuing to make headway across the district, improving the safety and mobility of our state’s infrastructure,” said Simmons. “Please do your part by slowing down and staying alert for roadside crews.” “Let’s give our folks enough space to safely wrap up the projects that remain underway.”

The Copiah-Lincoln Community College Athletic Alumni Association inducted six members into the Sports Hall of Fame during Homecoming festivities on Thursday, Sept. 26.             This year’s class includes the late Calvin Butler, of Hazlehurst, Kiara Etienne, of Houston, Texas, Andrew McGee, of Stillwater, OK, Xavier Qualls, of Lutz, Florida, Marianna Reeves, of Camden, South Carolina, and Johnny Steptoe, of Amite, Louisiana. The six will be inducted during the Alumni Association Awards Reception at 3:15 p.m. in the Thames Center on the Wesson Campus. Calvin Butler             Butler was a 1947 graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Wolf Pack football team. He enrolled at the college after serving in World War II in the U.S. Navy.             After Co-Lin, Butler played football at Mississippi Southern College, where he was recruited for the professional football draft by the Baltimore Colts. After college, he worked as a high school coach and a sales engineer. He was a deacon and Sunday school president at his church, and he served as a poll worker and the president of the advisory council at Copiah Academy.             “This honor shows Calvin Butler has left a legacy of hard work, determination, and a love athletic excellence,” his daughter Aimee Butler Burns said. Butler was married to Susan Spitchley, and they had three daughters, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He died Sept. 21, 1985 after a battle with cancer. Kiara Etienne             Etienne is a 2011 graduate of Co-Lin where she was a member of the Wolf Pack basketball team. She was named to the second-team NJCAAA All-American in 2011, the NJCAA National All-Tournament Team, NJCAAA All-Region 23 and MACCC All-State First team. She led the team in scoring with 14.6 points per game. She made nearly 80 percent of her free throws and finished as the team’s top three-point shooter. Her team finished 27-4 overall and 11-1 in league play. They won the MACCC South Division Championship, the MACJC State Championship and the NJCAA Region 23 Championship. They also made a NJCAA National Tournament appearance.             After Co-Lin, Etienne played basketball at Prairie View A&M University. She currently works as a pipe fitter. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame means so much to me,” Etienne said. “Never in a million years, would I have thought a girl from a small town would accomplish such a thing. I’m glad to see all my hard work and dedication to the game of basketball had paid off.” Andrew McGee McGee is a 2008 graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Wolf Pack football team. While at Co-Lin, he was named 1st Team All-American and to the All-State team. He was also named Mr. Co-Lin. After Co-Lin, McGee played football at Oklahoma State University. He was named to the First Team All Big 12. He currently is employed as the director of education at Leadercast. He is actively involved in his church and regularly volunteers at the YMCA and juvenile centers. “My time at Co-Lin was one of the most important times in my life. It shaped who I am today,” he said. “Being inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame solidifies my time there and acknowledges my accomplishments during my time there.” McGee and his wife a have a 4 year old son. Xavier Qualls             Qualls is a 2006 graduate of Co-Lin where he was a member of the Wolf Pack baseball team. While at Co-Lin, he was named to the NJCAA All-American team.             After Co-Lin, Qualls played baseball at Southeastern Louisiana University. He was named to the 2000s All Decade Team at SELU. He currently works as a national sales executive with Molson Coors Beverage Company. He is a Lutz Little League baseball coach and a member of Disabilities United resource group.             “Being inducted into the Co-Lin Sports Hall of Fame is an incredible honor,” he said. “I'm extremely humbled to be among a fraternity that connects me to a long and impressive list of athletes and just overall human beings. I’m proud to be in such great company and inspired to give back to the community that has given me so much.”             He and his wife, Tara, have two children, Taya, 8, and Cassius, 5.   Marianna Reeves             Reeves is a 1996 graduate of Co-Lin where she was a member of the Wolf Pack softball and basketball teams. Selected for her outstanding softball achievements, she was named a 1st team All-American by the NJCAA, with a batting average of .617 and a slugging percentage of 1.062. She was also named to the All Region team both years and Co-Lin softball MVP in 1996. Her team won the 1996 state tournament, finished in the top three of the Region XXIII finals and placed seventh in the nation at the national tournament. She was also recognized as a MACJC All-Star in basketball in 1996. The basketball team finished the 1995-96 season with a tie for the regular season South Division and runner-up in the Region XXIII championship.             After Co-Lin, Reeves played basketball for one season at the University of West Alabama. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in physical education. She currently is an elementary PE teacher and a member of the South Carolina Foster Parent Association.             “It means the world to me to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Co-Lin,” she said. “The two years I spent playing two sports that I love were filled with so many wonderful experiences and memories with people that I cherish every single day. She is married to Debbie Smith Reeves, and they have four children: JJ, 11, Bryce, 10, Xae, 9, and Finley 8.   Johnny Steptoe             Steptoe is a 1987 graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Wolf Pack basketball team. While at Co-Lin, he was named the No. 1 player in the country. After Co-Lin, Steptoe attended the Southern University in Baton Rouge. “It means a lot to be selected,” he said. “I really enjoyed myself when I went there, and choosing Co-Lin was one of the best moves I’ve made.”             Steptoe has three sons and one daughter.             Admission to the Alumni Awards Reception is free. Kickoff for the Homecoming game against Southwest is at 6:30 p.m. For more information on Homecoming events, visit www.colin.edu .

Matt Bowers (’92), of New Orleans, was selected as Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s 2024 Alumnus of the Year, and Jarvis Wilbert (’12), of Hattiesburg, formerly of Brookhaven, was selected as the inaugural Young Alumnus of the Year. They will be recognized during Homecoming on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Alumni Association Awards Reception at 3:15 p.m. in the Thames Center on the college’s Wesson campus.   Matt Bowers Bowers attended Co-Lin in 1992 where he was a member of the Wolf Pack baseball team under Coach Keith Case. After Co-Lin, he received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi. Bowers serves as president, founder and chairman of Matt Bowers Auto Group. He is responsible for the development of strategic operational initiatives that promote revenue growth and profitability across the company, including strategic acquisitions. Matt Bowers Auto Group is comprised of 11 award-winning franchise car dealerships doing business in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. His conglomerate of dealerships produces revenue over $1 billion annually and employs over 900 employees. In addition, Bowers was appointed by the governor to the Board of Commissioners for the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District. In his role at LSED, he is commissioned to manage the states’ assets in Metro New Orleans which include the Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center, TPC of Louisiana, and others. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two teenage sons, going to sport events, and relaxing on his ranch in Oxford. Jarvis Wilbert Wilbert graduated from Co-Lin in 2012, where he was a member of the Wolf Pack baseball team under Coach Keith Case. After Co-Lin, he received a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a Master of Business Administration at the University of Southern Mississippi. Wilbert is a senior territory Manager with Eli Lilly and Company, where he advocates for patients with chronic illnesses. He also gives back to his community through Lily’s Global Day of Service. He has worked in food kitchens serving underprivileged people in the Delta and assisted with the construction of an orphanage in Gulfport. He also has coordinated a 5K in Hattiesburg to promote suicide prevention. Wilbert was recognized as USM’s Young Alumni of the Year in 2021 and named to the Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40 in 2023. He received territory manager of the year and platinum performer for the Gulf Coast area in 2023. “To receive any accolade, I credit the people that helped me get there,” he said. “Whilst I may not be the wealthiest person from a financial standpoint, I’m wealthy in the fact that people notice my humbleness. They notice that I’m a hard worker. They notice I will go above and beyond to help the next person get to where they need to be.”

Special to Wesson News Congrats to Wyatt Garrett, the Wesson Farm Bureau Player of the Week, sponsored by Farm Bureau Agent Austin Graham! With 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a sack, Wyatt was a game-changer in Wesson's 21-14 win over Lumberton. The Rangers are now 4-0!

Co-Lin Blue Wave Band and Colette Alumni Chapter Held its annual Meeting on Homecoming in the Thames Center - 2:00  pm. The organization’s president, Jessica Breazeale, welcomed alumni and guests and gave a chapter update. Angela Smith-Wilkinson, chapter secretary and Co-Lin faculty, reviewed minutes.   Breazeale presented the chapter’s annual awards. Receipts were:   2024 Stanley Stewart Outstanding Young Alumni award goes to Allison Dann.  Dann is a 2012 graduate of Co-Lin, where she was a trumpet player in the Blue Wave Show Band. After Co-Lin, Dann received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Mississippi University for Women and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in human resources. She is currently enrolled in Mississippi State University's community college leadership program. She currently serves as the coordinator of housing and student life at Co-Lin. She is a Cub Scout den leader for Family Pack 1248, assists with the Overbrook Festival and helps with several fundraisers held at Magnolia Blues BBQ.  2024 Band & Colette Hall of Fame inductee is Buddy Gibbons.  Gibbons is a 1990 graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Blue Wave Show Band, the Sojourners and the choir. After Co-Lin, he received a Bachelor of Science in social science from the University of Alabama. With over 250,000 placements on network television, Gibbons is a highly respected and sought-after musician. His work has garnered him endorsement deals with a variety of musical instrument, professional audio and consumer products manufacturers and his social media presence appears on NextBigSound.com as a "viral" content provider.    Gibbons has recently composed music for networks such as CBS, NBC, Fox Sports, Animal Planet, Hulu and Netflix. He was also commissioned by the Los Angeles Dodgers to create the team theme song and stadium intro music for all Dodgers home games, television broadcasts, and web presence. For the past several years, Buddy has been hosting a high level internet show called "The Groove Diner" in which he interviews some of the most successful and famous musicians and actors in Los Angeles. He and his wife, Natalie Gibbons, have one child named Walker. The honorees were presented a plaque at the following Alumni Awards Reception in the Thames Center at 3:15. After the reception, attendees participated in tailgating activities for pre-game fun.

By Bob Garver               I actually had high hopes going into “Transformers One.” Not because I’m a big fan of the toys or really anything about the property, but because this movie promised to correct some of the mistakes made by its predecessors. Namely, I was excited that there wouldn’t be any live-action actors. For some reason, this franchise has never shied away from shoving human Shia LeBeouf or Mark Wahlberg characters down our throats when we all know it’s the giant robots that sell tickets. This time, no humans, all robots. Also, animated versions of previously-live-action franchises have been pleasing me lately. Both “Spider-Verse” movies are outstanding, and last year for the first time I found myself liking a “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie with “Mutant Mayhem.” Could “Transformers One” turn me around on another property that I had previously dismissed as a series of glorified toy commercials? Sadly, no.             The new film is a prequel that looks at the friendship-turned-feud between Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry) back when they were just humble miners on the planet Cybertron. The robots, known then as Orion Pax and D-16, respectively, live to serve planetary leader Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), but they can’t do much since they lack the gears to Transform. Orion believes that if he can retrieve an ancient artifact known as the Matrix of Leadership, he can help the struggling planet more than Sentinel ever could. He hatches various harebrained schemes that include breaking into forbidden records rooms, entering he and D-16 in a race off-limits to non-Transformers, and exiting the mines and visiting the planet’s surface ultra-dangerous surface.             It’s on the surface that they meet left-for-dead Prime robot Alpha Trion (Laurence Fishburne), who warns them of a threat to the entire planet. They also come across a roving band of disavowed High Guard robots led by Starscream (Steve Buscemi), who may become allies if Orion and D-16 can win them over. History is learned, secrets are revealed, some characters are captured by the villains for the final act. Along for the ride are disgruntled ex-mining supervisor Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) and waste management grunt B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key). Supposedly the latter will eventually become Bumblebee, a Transformer I know to be more competent than Optimus Prime, but here is just an annoying screwup, making me understand why “Bumble” is part of his name.             B-127 is responsible for about a third of the unfunny comedy in this movie, meaning that he’s the “most” responsible, but he’s not the only one. There’s a weird… what I’ll call “frat boy” energy permeating the scenes with male robots in this movie, outside of Fishburne. It’s like Hemsworth, Henry, and Hamm are all competing to nail the perfect ratio of humor, chill, and action stardom. The result is three performances that are basically the same, which might work if the humor was funnier and the chill was necessary. And by “chill” I mean overly casual mannerisms, not the reassuring calmness that an actor like Optimus Prime’s previous voice actor Peter Cullen brought to the role.             The action scenes didn’t really do it for me either. It’s nice that the animated movie doesn’t have to worry about Earthly limitations, but with every character being an arguably-soulless robot, it’s hard to care about anyone having an advantage over anyone else. Plus, while the characters may have some color to their trim, their skeletons are all the same grayish metallic color, and that’s what you mostly see during action sequence, so it’s hard to tell who’s winning.             “Transformers One” doesn’t have much to offer outside of the Orion/D-16 relationship, which does provide some nice emotional moments from Hemsworth and Henry. Otherwise, this movie is right on par with the live-action “Transformers” movies that I wanted to leave behind. To be sure, getting rid of the humans is a step in the right direction, but it will take many more steps before I give one of these movies a recommendation.   Grade: C-   “Transformers One” is rated PG for sci-fi action and animated action throughout, and language. Its running time is 104 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Jessica Breazeale Consulting (JBC), a public relations and marketing firm in Wesson, was recently invited to participate in Strategic Communications Week at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in Hattiesburg. Wesson resident Jessica Breazeale, JBC owner, served as guest speaker for the week’s “PR Day” held on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Breazeale presented on “Real World, Real Talk – PR and Marketing” to communication majors on campus. The seminar focused on addressing Jessica’s unique work journey, lessons learned and tips and tricks for rising professionals to utilize. Other guest presenters included Kelsey Hester, Marketing Director of Jones Power; April Jordan, Assistant Director of Marketing/Public Relations for Southern Miss Recreation; and KaTrisha Roberson, Communications Coordinator for the Dubard School of Language Disorders at USM. After presentations, guest speakers gathered with faculty and staff from USM’s School of Media & Communications to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges facing current student success and future endeavors in the communications field. Oliva Fleming of Bude, communications major at USM, was in attendance during Breazeale’s presentation. Fleming is a former student of Breazeale’s and recently moved to Hattiesburg after transferring from Co-Lin Wesson. When Breazeale had a job opening at JBC, she remembered a former stand-out student from her class. “My favorite things about StratComm Week would be the opportunity I’ve been given to listen to real life strat comm professionals. I got to learn more about what they do, the challenges they face, etc. I think it’s really nice to be able to hear these perspectives, so I have insight into my future as a strat comm professional!” said Fleming. Fleming has been an employee at JBC since July, and now she even gets college credit as her intern. “I had no idea my employee would be in the audience. It was nice to see Olivia sitting there soaking it all in. We are usually in work-mode, so she probably hadn’t heard any of the stories I shared before. The guard was down, my journey was an open book in hopes that I might help some students avoid some of the hard lessons I had to learn,” said Breazeale. “USM did not have a Strat Comm division when I was a student. I absolutely love what they’re doing now.” Strategic Communications could potentially set these students apart from other communications majors – this program has a deeper focus on strategy, something the profession currently needs facing ethical concerns in the digital world and the ever- evolving artificial intelligence. The school is doing big things; it houses the undergrad programs of strategic communication, digital journalism, communication studies, and media and entertainment arts, as well as graduate programs in communication and public relations (online). The school has a Student Media Center called SM2, a place where students can find their “voice” and collaborate with USM faculty and professionals. SM2 houses five divisions, the newest being the Charles Scarborough TV studio in Southern Hall. Here, students are able to report, shoot and edit the weekly newscast known as SMTV. Student Printz, another division, was founded in 1927 and has traditionally served as the heart of student media at USM. Over the years, the Printz has launched numerous careers, won many awards, and added digital services such as a website, video and social media. WUSM FM 88.5 radio station, another school division, launched in 1954 and is a student-led program with news shows such as Southern Miss Today and Fourth Street Sports. The Creative Division does live-streaming events such as the Hattiesburg Christmas parade. In addition to special events, students work on producing advertising for the news and digital products. The school’s newest addition is Strategic Communications. This division is aimed at educating and training the next generation of public relations, media sales and marketing professionals. Students work on paid media advertising placements, public relations campaigns, and social media management for the Center and for outside clients. The school has paid positions, practicums, work-study, ways to volunteer, etc. Miss Teen USA, Addie Carver of Monticello, asked to job shadow Breazeale at USM for PR Day. “Hearing Mrs. Jessica’s journey from success stories to failures was super insightful! I learned that in this field, I will continue to learn and grow through my journey. I loved her advice about getting more involved with organizations and getting internships for my future resume,” explained Carver. Carver is a senior at Lawrence County High School and plans to major in communications. She has already been accepted to USM. She already does plenty of PR and marketing experience now as Miss Teen USA serving as an official spokesperson. “Small towns don’t typically have very many opportunities for PR/Marketing professionals, so it’s important to learn how to find your own way and carve your own path, said Breazeale. “That’s what I learned to do and have never been happier.” Breazeale often helps mentor USM students by evaluating their senior portfolios, giving feedback, speaking to classes, etc. She also teaches public speaking courses at Co-Lin. “The goal is to create, inspire and inform the rising communication stars, because it’s important to have a cheerleader routing for you,” said Breazeale. “JBC is doing just that.” Breazeale in “Real World, Real Talk”

Send any responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Two-month-old Lydia suddenly feels uncomfortable, so she begins twisting her little head back and forth, whimpering, and when that doesn’t bring her mom, she begins shifting her body around. According to her beliefs, that lady-in-waiting has only one function in life - to attend to Lydia’s every whim and need. Mom is supposed to be watching that tiny body 24/7, so as to catch the first indication that “Hey, ma’am, I am not happy, and you should have already fixed this situation forty-five seconds ago!” And if that dear lady is lax jumping to attention and attending to the baby’s immediate desire of the moment, then in another few seconds all hell is going to break lose in the room. Baby fists will flail, tiny feet will kick and her face will turn redder and redder, as she screams and demands the attention she wants NOW. And the din and chaos will only get louder until she gets her way.   There is no reasoning with the child – she doesn’t want to hear any explanation Mom could offer in self-defense. There are no excuses that will be acceptable to her. Mom could lovingly argue that the phone is ringing, someone is at the door, the soup on the kitchen stove is boiling over, and she just took a header on the tile floor rushing to see what her angrily screaming baby is wanting….it matters not. The tyrant wants what she wants. NOW. And absolutely nothing but the best for her. If she is hungry, there better be warm milk on tap at the ready. If her issue is a less-than-comfortable feeling between her legs, then by golly, nothing and I mean nothing, should prevent her from nestling her tiny bottom on a comfy and dry diaper.   Whine, squirm, complain loudly, and refuse to stop manipulating those around her, until the goal of getting what she wants is achieved.   That one simple sentence containing only twenty-two words describes the behavior of two-month-old Lydia…and our 2024 Presidential Election.   Here's my question.   WHAT IS WRONG WITH US ADULTS!!!!??  Some people on both sides of the issues are acting like spoiled br…um…babies. Just like tiny infants, the needs and fears of everyone else in our country are absolutely meaningless to them, and are being totally ignored. There is a terrifying amount of “I want what I want, and I will accept no less!” surrounding this presidential election. No holds barred. We are seeing grown adults – among our country’s leaders, no less! -  unwilling to listen to another point of view, with an arrogant smirkiness that smacks of the childish taunt, “Just talk to the hand ‘cause I’m not about to listen, and you can’t make me.”   Lydia is only acting her age.  But today we have adults behaving worse than tiny tots. It’s past time to grow up, people, before we lose everything we hold dear.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson provided updates on new online ticketing options, new attractions and security measures for the upcoming 165th Mississippi State Fair taking place October 3-14, 2024. Commissioner Gipson was joined by Michael Lasseter, Director of the Mississippi State Fairgrounds; Steve Shows, Chief of Security for the Mississippi State Fairgrounds; Commissioner Sean Tindell, Mississippi Department of Public Safety;   Chief   Bo Luckey, State Capitol Police; Colonel Charles Haynes, Mississippi Highway Patrol; Lt. Colonel James Ivory, Mississippi Highway Patrol; Chief Deputy Latasha Holmes, Hinds County Sheriff's Office; Chief Joseph Wade, Jackson Police Department; Captain Mark Hodges, Jackson Police Department; Colonel Jerry Carter, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; Colonel Keith Davis, Mississippi Law Enforcement Division; along with other state and local law enforcement officials.  "The Mississippi State Fair began as an agricultural exposition, and agriculture remains the heartbeat of this massive event over 160 years later," said Commissioner Gipson. "I'm proud to oversee this incredible, family-friendly event. With over 100 food vendors, over 60 rides, 73 expo participants, nationally recognized artists and so many great acts and shows in between, there is something for all to enjoy. And for the first time in Mississippi State Fair history, fairgoers can purchase general admission tickets and ride wristbands online ahead of the State Fair."  The 2024 Mississippi State Fair will open at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, and run through Monday, October 14. Gate admission will be $10.00 per person and parking is free. Children aged 5 and under will be admitted free of charge. The public can purchase advance admission tickets, concert tickets and ride wristbands at  www.msstatefair.com . Enjoy free admission every weekday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., except on Monday, October 14, Columbus Day. "I want to thank our fairgrounds staff," said Michael Lasseter, Director of the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. "It's a lot of work putting this event together and they work tirelessly for months to get everything ready and ensure an outstanding State Fair. This year, our goal was to make things even more convenient and accessible for fairgoers." The public now has the option to buy admission tickets in advance online or at the gate. Tickets can be  purchased at the gate through one of multiple kiosks or at the ticket booth. Tickets will then be scanned digitally from a smartphone or from a printed receipt next to the point of purchase. Therefore, fairgoers who purchase online tickets in advance can skip the line. Online tickets are available for purchase now through Wednesday, October 2, for a discounted price of $8 per person. Fairgoers can expect all their favorites, including the Taste of the Dixie National Rodeo; State Fair Marketplace Expo and Genuine MS® Store; State Fair Pageant and Talent Show; Farm Bureau Petting Zoo and pig races; 4-H and FFA livestock shows; Zerbini Family Circus; and the beloved Biscuit Booth. In addition to all the usual vendors, shows and rides, the 2024 State Fair will also feature all-new attractions like the Tumbleweed Crossing Wild West reenactment, the family-friendly Agri-Puppets show and the hands-on 4-H and FFA Barnyard exhibition. Fairgrounds and law enforcement officials also stressed that safety is a top priority for the annual Mississippi State Fair, highlighting the continued partnership between local and state law enforcement agencies, as well as first responders. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Highway Patrol, State Capitol Police, Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, State Fire Marshal's Office, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau, Hinds County Sheriff's Office, Jackson Police Department, Pearl Police Department, American Medical Response and Swetman Security are all working in collaboration with the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. "Ensuring a safe and secure environment for all attendees of the 165th Mississippi State Fair is our top priority," said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. "Law enforcement will work tirelessly to guarantee that everyone feels welcome and confident in their enjoyment of the fair here in our Capital City," said Commissioner Sean Tindell, Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Fairgrounds Chief of Security Steve Shows outlined the following safety measures that will be in effect at the 2024 Mississippi State Fair: Beginning at 9:00 p.m., any guest under the age of 18 seeking admission to the Fairgrounds must be accompanied by a legal adult (21 or older). Any guest may be asked to show official proof of age to be admitted after 9:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring identification. When entering the Midway, all guests will proceed through one of several entry security points utilizing a metal detector and/or be subject to magnetic wanding. All bags are subject to search. The maximum bag size that will be accepted into the Fair is 12"x12"x6". No outside food or beverage allowed. No marketing, soliciting, political or vending items allowed unless and as authorized under Fairground regulations. No animals (other than service animals or as authorized by Fair management for Fair activities), banners, fireworks/explosives or laser pointers allowed. Pursuant to state law, the legal carry of firearms by all lawful adults is recognized on the Mississippi Fairgrounds. Exceptions and challenges to these policies will be satisfied at the discretion of Fair Management. "Thank you to all our men and women in law enforcement who are partnering with the Mississippi State Fairgrounds to ensure the safety of our visitors so they can relax and enjoy their time at the 2024 State Fair," continued Commissioner Gipson. "I look forward to seeing you all there!" View  https://youtu.be/OOups_xYpr8  to watch the full press conference online. For more information, visit  www.msstatefair.com  and follow the Mississippi State Fair on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Each year, the Mississippi Book Festival unites readers and authors in an exciting celebration of books at its annual event in downtown Jackson. The 10th annual Literary Lawn Party was held on Saturday, Sept. 14. The event stretches from the entire grounds of the state capitol building to Galloway Methodist Church.  Wesson Resident Kim Whittington and two of her grandchildren volunteered at the event. Whittington has served as book festival volunteer for all ten years.  Authors from across the country, and sometimes international authors, come to speak on a panel about their books, host book signings and meet and greets, etc. Lemuria Books is on-site selling the authors' books.  The event had plenty of indoor and outdoor children's activities. One in particular was onsite public service announcement (PSA) filming by Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) anyone willing. Whittington's granddaughter Mary Murphy Brady of Petal can be seen in the photo below filming an MPB PSA.  State Capitol staff gave capitol tours to festival attendees. Whittington's grandson Harrison Brady of Petal can be seen below taking a capitol tour while at the festival.  As a MS Book Festival volunteer, Whittington's annual duties primarily consist of managing author check-in.  "My husband had just died in April (10 years ago), and I saw online they were looking for volunteers. I knew I wanted to keep myself busy, get involved with something great, and I reached out that I'd be happy to volunteer. They took me up on the offer and have needed me every year. I'm now over author check-in," said Whittington.  Whittington is also a member of Friends of the Library, serves as American Legion Auxiliary president, and is a member of the Wesson Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, she's been involved in different book clubs. Whittington is an avid reader.  "I don't know why I have such a love for books and reading...I just do. A book can take you somewhere you've never been before. Reading helps you have imagination. Since volunteering at the festival, I've expanded my reading genres. I don't read the same old things anymore. I have a much more eclectic bookshelf now," said Whittington. That last nine years, the festival was in August. This year, the festival was moved to mid-September.  "The coolest thing about the event this year, to me, was the temperature change. I appreciated how much cooler the festival was this year (as a volunteer)." said Whittington. "LaVar Burton who was on Reading Rainbow, Star Trek, Roots (for example), was a fan favorite author this year. Kate DiCamillo, children's author, who wrote Because of Winn Dixie' - and her latest book called "Ferris" - was another author with long lines to visit," said Whittington. Whittington encourages everyone to attend next year.  "You'll love it. There is plenty to do there. You can spend the entire day there...plenty of food trucks, too. Make plans to be there!"