A rose to the Mississippi State football team, which ended its season with a 44-7 victory over Rice in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis Tuesday. The win gave MSU an 7-6 record for the year, but the record alone is not indicative of the Bulldogs’ season. MSU needed overtime wins just to be eligible for a bowl and its 37-point win over a 10-win Rice team was among the biggest winning margins of the bowl season. With only a few departures from this year’s team, the Bulldogs’ prospects for a very successful 2014 season, which begins with a game against Southern Miss in a expanded and renovated Davis Wade Stadium, are indeed bright.
A rose to Learnard Dickerson, Rev. Tony Montgomery and Lavonne Harris, co-founders of Dream 365, Columbus’ annual celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Each year since its inaugural program in 2005, organizers have improved on the previous year. We strongly suspect that will be true this year when, for the first time, the festivities will be held over a full week, beginning Jan. 13. Dream 365 has been recognized more than once as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for January. We never fail to be inspired and encouraged by the event. Be sure to check out today’s Lifestyles Section for more information on this year’s program.
A rose to Pankaj Patel, who is bringing Indian cuisine to Columbus. Patel, who operates Columbus Inn & Suites, said Tandoori Oven is slated to open Jan. 16. The new restaurant will be located at the inn, in the spot that once housed the Good Times Lounge. One of the most attractive qualities of any city is a diversity, not only in retail, but in restaurants. So, bring on the curry. We can hardly wait.
A rose to Myra McAdams, whose absence from the organ is certain to be missed today at Fairview Baptist Church. McAdams played organ at the church for 25 years until her decision to step down. That’s 25 years of playing each Sunday morning and evening services, Wednesday choir practices and all of the special events hosted by the church, including weddings and funerals. When she started, Fairview’s choir had about 15 members. By the time she played her last note, the choir averaged almost 100 members and featured an orchestra of 30 to 40 musicians. In the beginning, though, there was Myra.
A rose to state senate president pro tempore Terry Brown of Columbus, who appears to be well on his way to recovery from his fight with lung cancer. Brown reports that he has almost completed his treatments and should be on hand when the 2014 Legislature opens session in Jackson Tuesday. You can’t keep a good man down, the saying goes.
Do you have a submission for Roses and Thorns. Send your submission of 75 words of fewer to managing editor Slim Smith at [email protected] by noon Friday.
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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