MUW Culinary Camp for Kids’ demos let young chefs shine

Two pretty, young ladies wait in a hushed hallway in the Mississippi University for Women Culinary Arts Institute Friday afternoon. Nervous energy bubbles beneath the surface. They carefully look over their cart one more time to be sure nothing essential has been forgotten. Egg whites, sugar, half-and-half, mixing bowls — all there.

Through clay, this local therapist and artisan realizes a dream

Steven Garner dons a smudged apron and settles at the potter’s wheel to center and shape another piece of a dream-come-true.

This time, it’s a graceful bowl, to complete a set of three lipped nesting bowls destined to become a conversation-starter in someone’s kitchen. For Steven and his wife, Beverly, each completed piece inches them closer to officially opening Three Oaks Pottery, a vision they’ve nurtured for years.

Bernard Romans DAR chapter honors late members with insignia markers

The Bernard Romans Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution paid tribute to deceased members in memorial ceremonies at Friendship Cemetery May 30.

Young gardener nurtures herbs from garden to market

It’s been recorded that the ancient Greeks crowned their heroes with dill and laurel. Mint was credited by long-ago civilizations with mystical powers to neutralize the “evil eye.” Yes, man’s fascination with medicinal, ornamental and aromatic herbs can be traced through the ages, surfacing in romance, religion, food, health and superstition.

Caledonia senior’s education gets a boost with gift of car

Danielle Morales clearly remembers her pounding heartbeat during the recent Caledonia High School senior awards banquet.

‘Church without walls’ plans visionary move

If there is such a thing as a “good problem,” outgrowing your worship facility might be one of them. The Columbus Christian Center is experiencing those growing pangs and looking forward with excitement to a new building to be erected on a 21-acre plot on Highway 182 East, past the New Hope Road turn-off.

‘Listen to it’: Local man finds soul therapy giving new life to old wood

Under a huge, spreading oak in East Columbus, Roosevelt Davis listens to the wood … the cedar, bois d’arc and oak limbs and trunks he and his nephew, Tarvars Davis, have salvaged from the woods along rural country roads.

Sights and Sounds: For MSMS students, music’s past comes to life along the Mississippi Blues Trail

For years, Performing Arts Director Dawn Barham harbored the idea of hitting the road — or, more specifically, the blues trail — with her band and choral students from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus. That vision became reality a few months ago when Barham, history instructor Julie Heintz and 50-plus excited teens struck out for the fertile Delta to tap into the rich roots of America’s indigenous music at selected sites along the Mississippi Blues Commission’s official Blues Trail.

Big bikes hit the road for American Cancer Society

Motorcyclists will be out in force this weekend, revving their engines in the battle against cancer. The third annual Columbus Ride for Life event begins today with a bike show in center court at Columbus’ Leigh Mall and culminates with a roar Saturday.

Little ‘Jimmy Buffett’ … the educated squirrel

Like the famous native Mississippian of “Margaritaville” fame who inspired his name, “Jimmy Buffett,” the curious squirrel, is feeling carefree. He’s got a doting stepmom and stepdad, a comfortable place to lay his head, and all the grapes and nuts his tiny tummy can hold.

‘Mom and Pop’ roadside market offers fresh produce and good company

Except for the look of the vehicles steadily pulling in and out of the roadside lot, the scene at Don and Linda Beard’s open-air produce and curb market at 5731 Military Road, where Wolf Road intersects, could almost have been plucked from the fictional community of Mayberry.

Virtual dementia tours in Columbus offer vital insight

On May 18-19, Community Counseling Services will provide an unprecedented “hands on” glimpse into the mental and physical obstacles faced by adults with dementia. Monday, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., staff will offer virtual dementia tours to the public in two mobile crisis units at CCS, located at 1001 Main St.

Summer at the libraries: Open a book, open new doors

There’s always something interesting going on at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library — and not only for children. Two free summer programs soon to begin are “Be Creative @ Your Library!” for youngsters age 5-12, and “Master the Art of Reading” for adults 18 and up.

Never give up: There is hope and help on the road to addiction recovery

Janice’s story begins as do too many others — with marijuana. At age 15, a little pot, the “gateway drug,” seemed harmless enough. The fleeting highs and clandestine thrill gave no clanging warning of the demons that would eventually swarm through the door that had been opened.

CONTACT Helpline fish fry helps keep the lines open

Every morning around 8:30 a.m., 92-year-old June Kettinger relies on the phone to ring. The daily reassurance call from volunteers with CONTACT Helpline is one small but vital link that helps the Columbus resident continue living on her own.

Mommies and children: building better readers through word, music, fun

Retired children’s librarian Hope Ellis is passionate about making great readers out of today’s children. The Columbus resident, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in library science from Mississippi University for Women and a Masters degree in library science from the University of Mississippi, has amassed a treasure trove of educational resources in her 21-year career.

Willie King’s Freedom Creek Festival lives on

There’s an isolated field in the Old Memphis community, tucked behind a collection of mobile trailers circled, more or less, like a ragged, rust-pocked wagon train.

Palmer Home house moms have more than enough love to go around

Skinned knees and funny poses, school plays and runny noses. Homework, chores and playground fun; tussles, learners’ permits and big homeruns. If it were possible to write a job description for moms, the line items would fit right in, somewhere between wondering where the instruction manual is and becoming a grateful grandparent. For the house mothers at Palmer Home for Children, the tasks, freely undertaken, are never done. There is always another child in need of that special acceptance and patient, tender care.

Cattlemen’s Association fires up the grills for scholarship fundraiser

For beef lovers, few aromas can rival the enticing lure of a flavorful, tender steak expertly grilled. There will be plenty of temptation to go around as the Lowndes County Cattlemen’s Association prepares nearly 3,000 ribeye steaks May 8-9 on grills set up at the Kroger parking lot on Highway 45 North.

Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market ‘Celebration Saturday’ launches new season

Beth Rogers was delighted with her unexpected find. It wasn’t a long-lost locket, a forgotten $20 bill in a coat pocket, or even a great sale on spring shoes. No, Beth was thrilled to discover lettuce — fresh, crisp lettuce at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market on opening day April 25. Like most loyal market followers, for Chef Beth, of J. Broussard’s Restaurant, the new growing season couldn’t get here quickly enough.