Editorial: An honor well deserved

As thousands of Columbus residents and visitors from around the region flocked to downtown this weekend, enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of the Market Street Festival, few probably realized the gargantuan effort that goes into staging the festival each year.

Roses and thorn 5-9-2010

Roses to recent graduates of East Mississippi Community College, Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi State University.

West Alabama softball teams set for regionals

Two pitchers have helped the South Lamar High School softball team keep opponents off stride at the plate.

The Lady Stallions hope the trend continues when they play in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class A North-Central Regional Tournament.

Brooks makes most of his opportunities

As a reserve outfielder on the Mississippi College baseball team, J’Marcus Brooks hasn’t gotten many opportunities to display his skills this season.

But when the sophomore from Columbus has gotten to play, he’s made the most of his chances.

The 5-foot-10, 173-pound fleet-footed Brooks has played in only 11 games this season for the Choctaws, but he’s produced when his name has been called.

Jay Lacklen: Cairo

Flying large Air Force cargo jets provides a marvelous tour of diverse cities world-wide. I found few as I expected them to be.

David Creel: Hairstyles for all facial shapes

When invited recently to be a guest lecturer on beauty and style for an upcoming event, I rolled up my shirt sleeves and dove into the notes from classes, workshops and seminars that chronicle my past 18 years as a student of beauty in some of the most glamorous cities around the country.

Shannon Bardwell: Cancer be not proud

I woke up one morning thinking about Sue. There wasn’t anything Sue couldn’t do, except beat cancer. She was the epitome of the “earth mother.” She made everything from scratch, organically. She organized food co-operatives: “Apple Blossom,” another “Milk and Honey,” one beautiful; one basic. Every Tuesday her garage was filled with brown paper bags. Women came to retrieve their weekly rations, the click click from the high heels of the bank teller to the soft padded steps of the soccer mom.

Roses and thorns 5-2-2010

Roses to East Mississippi Community College for hosting Industry Appreciation Day at its Mayhew campus, Wednesday.

Letters: A bridge story

I am writing this letter to let you know of another bridge success story.

Letters: A well-deserved rose

Sunday’s Commercial Dispatch very appropriately awarded a rose to Annunciation Catholic School for its lead in teaching “Save Energy.”

Letters: Important meeting

As early as 2004 the original designs for a proposed sportsplex were presented to our city and county leaders. After a long six years, the proposal has been refined and is now openly embraced by our current leaders.

Steve Rogers: Our own worst enemy

The response – and lack of – to the recent fatal shooting at a Columbus nightclub is not only disturbing but also indicative of the city’s propensity to sometimes be its own worst enemy.

Letters: Lost and found

Quick action and cool heads found two lost 20-year-olds that started at the Lake Lowndes nature trail and ended up in Alabama Thursday evening.

South Lamar baseball will try to extend playoff ride

South Lamar High School baseball coach Lane Wright has seen his team peak at the right time of the season.

South Lamar is just 11-17, but has advanced to the third round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class A playoffs by sweeping the first two rounds.

Rob Hardy: Angels

Angels are all around us. They flutter in stained glass windows, of course, and in cemeteries, but little ones shoot arrows into hearts, especially around Valentine’s Day, and they show up in movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “Wings of Desire.” Something like 70 percent of Americans believe in real angels, not just the one shown in art, and they believe that angels are busy doing things and helping us along.

Hallmark perseveres as Delta State reliever

When Brent Hallmark struggled with his control as a freshman pitcher at Delta State, he contemplated hanging up his cleats.

But Hallmark didn’t give up that easily and has persevered to become a solid late-inning reliever his sophomore season at Delta State.

Hallmark, a 2007 graduate of New Hope High School, has found a remedy for his control issues by going to a sidearm delivery as recommended by former Delta State and major league pitcher Matt Miller, and he’s thriving out of the bullpen.

Appreciates Baptist care

I have a tale to tell you about a person who was afraid to go into the hospital. She had heard all sorts of stories of how the hospital did not care for the people who were ill. She had even had several incidents herself. When her doctor said he would do the surgery and replace her knee, not only was the doctor worried about infection, but she was afraid of things also.

Appreciates coverage

Two thumbs-up for the outstanding work by the WCBI-TV staff all day Saturday during the bad-weather that came through our area.

Betty Stone: The circus!

Recent TV ads informed me that Ringling Brothers-Barnum and Bailey Circus was performing in Tupelo. I remembered the last time I went to a local circus, when our children were small. I vowed I’d never, never, no never, go again.

David Creel: Fine tuning tresses

Shampoo. Rinse. Repeat. It might seem trivial to explore shampoo, to dive deeper into such a staple in the daily routines of sanitary personal care, but with all the shampoos on the shelves today, I deem it essential to elaborate on the subject.