A rose to the former Coast residents who made the decision to make the Golden Triangle their homes after the devastating hurricane that battered the Gulf state 10 years ago. As we observed Saturday’s 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we note that many of those refugees, who came to our area in the immediate aftermath of the storm, chose to remain here. That is a testament to the quality of life they found here. We are also pleased so many of those expatriates have not only settled here, but have proven to be active members of their communities.
A rose to Bulldog fans, who broke a record this week. For the first time in the school’s history, season-ticket sales eclipsed the 50,000 mark. As of Tuesday, 50,311 season tickets have been sold, which includes 10,500 student tickets. Fewer than 300 season tickets remain available for purchase. The previous high for MSU football season tickets was 45,575 last year, and prior to that was 43,894 in 2013. The record speaks to two things; First, it is a direct reflection of the success the Bulldogs’ football program has enjoyed under head coach Dan Mullen, who has led MSU to bowl games in each of the last four years. But it is also a testament to the fans, whose support is critical to building and sustaining success on the field.
A rose to the Exchange Club, which is planning on setting up a foundation for abused children to honor the memory and last wishes of Robert “Bunky” Williams, who died last week. After storied career as a TV personality, the popular children’s show host began working with abused and neglected children through his position with Lowndes County Sheriffs Department. Williams’ experience with and empathy for children eminently qualified him for this difficult and heart-wrenching work. What better way to mark the legacy of this good man we will all miss.
A rose to those, like the man we observed on a downtown street last week, who commit unheralded acts of beautification. We happened to be walking behind someone who stopped to pick up scraps of litter. When he got to the corner, he deposited the collected garbage into the waste can. The litter was not his, yet he felt a responsibility to pick it up. This community is our home. The condition we keep it in is a reflection on all of us. Let’s do all we can to keep our towns beautiful.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“He played like Superman. He just wouldn’t let us lose the football game.” Noxubee County coach Tyrone Shorter on the performance of Tiger defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons, who had 17 tackles, five sacks, a fumble recovery and blocked extra point in Noxubee County’s dramatic double-overtime 26-20 victory over Starkville last week.
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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