Roses to the various organizers of a smorgasbord of fun-filled offerings this weekend. From the Pumpkinpalooza in Starkville to the Bukka White Blues Festival in Aberdeen, Caledonia Day in northern Lowndes County and the Dixie Road Race go-kart race at Propst Park in Columbus today, there has been no shortage of family-friendly events to get us off the coach and outdoors. And if you’re up for a drive to Northport, Ala., the Kentuck Festival of the Arts continues today. This weekend truly has had something for everyone, all within comfortable driving distance.
A rose to longtime Columbus police officer Terry Dentry, who is retiring after more than 23 years with the department. Fellow officers, city officials, family, friends and community leaders gathered Wednesday afternoon to celebrate Dentry’s career.
We sometimes overlook the dedication of the men and women charged with public safety. Twenty-three years is a long time to do anything. And with the demands of such a high-stress job, it certainly is a long time to be a police officer. We wish you well in the next phase of your life, Terry. Congratulations on retirement.
A rose to Mississippi State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine for three decades of turning out veterinarians. Friday, students, faculty and staff from the past 30 years came together to celebrate the vet school and the 30th anniversary of its first graduating class. The school accepted its first class of students in 1977. Prior to that, veterinary students had to travel out of state to attend college.
A rose to the Starkville Young Professionals for hosting the Oktibbeha County Candidates Social Tuesday and to the Columbus-Lowndes League of Voters for hosting a political forum Thursday.
The Starkville social featured supervisor candidates in each district, giving them a chance to tell community members, in person, what they stand for. Community members also got to talk with candidates for Oktibbeha County office in an informal meet-and-greet setting.
In Columbus, candidates had the opportunity to sound off on the issues for Lowndes County voters. It makes for a better democratic process when voters can make an informed decision. Forums such as these help to educate us before we get to the polls.
A rose to Starkville resident Vicki Burnett, whose poster was selected from more than 20 entries to represent Starkville’s Cotton District Arts Festival. Burnett’s poster includes graphic design by Charlotte Pickering and shows a man outfitted with a guitar that’s part art palette walking through the Cotton District. The poster design was selected by an anonymous, five-person panel.
A rose to the 21 community members who have spent hours combing through resumes to make a recommendation to the Columbus City Council on what applicants the board should consider for the police chief’s position. Pastors, politicians, area police chiefs, businessmen, members of the media and community activists put their heads together to select their top-five choices out of 25 applicants (whittled down from 82). The group also chose three alternates. The choices will be presented at Tuesday’s City Council meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Columbus Municipal Complex.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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