Explore what 4-H is all about at Lowndes 4-H Fun Day June 27

When Sharon Patrick became a Mississippi State University Extension Service Agent, her goal was to make sure all Lowndes County youth ages 5 to 18 were aware of 4-H and all it offered.

A Market on Main: Something new is blooming in Caledonia

It’s farmers market season, and Caledonia is joining the movement.

Hands on: This budding entrepreneur and would-be veterinarian thinks goats are cool

When Collier Hardy went to her parents, Mark and Charlotte Hardy, asking for goats a few years ago, her dad was pretty clever. Mark told his daughter to first come up with a business plan for how the animals could pay for themselves. Then, they’d talk about it.

Got an air fryer?: There’s more than one way to make a great summer burger

Three days ago, I enjoyed one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Ever. It was cooked in an air fryer. Not on an outdoor grill. Not in a hot cast iron skillet. An air fryer.

Celebrity waiters ‘will work for tips’ to benefit Camp Rising Sun

Eulalie Davis and Bobby Harper got an introduction in serving food and drinks Wednesday in preparation for their upcoming shifts as celebrity waiters.

Countdown is on for Girlchoir trip to Carnegie Hall

Christina Clark has plenty on her plate. After presenting a senior voice recital May 15 and graduating from Columbus High School over the weekend — and East Mississippi Community College’s dual enrollment program before that — the 18-year-old honor student has to worry about what to pack.

It’s 50 years and counting for Northwood Garden Club

Fifty years ago, 13 charter members met at the home of Jean Wilder to organize Northwood Garden Club in Columbus.

A handy man: After 70 years of fix-it, a retired carpenter, contractor puts it in a book

Frank Gilliam is one of those people everybody wishes they had around — someone who knows what he’s doing. After a 70-year career in carpentry, home maintenance and painting, Gilliam has pretty much been there, done that.

Loaves & Fishes 10th anniversary gala heads ‘Back to the Islands’

Aromas of a hearty vegetable beef soup lingered at the Loaves & Fishes Community Soup Kitchen Wednesday in Columbus. The last diner had departed and volunteers were busy making the kitchen clean for the next team scheduled to provide a meal for the hungry of Lowndes County.

Columbus native to be honored with lifetime achievement award

Robert Ivy always wanted to be a writer. That may, at first, seem unusual considering that Ivy is an acclaimed master architect.

Reminiscing and recipes: Sweet somethings for Mother’s Day

“What’s your name?” “Puddin ‘N Tain, ask me again, I’ll tell you the same.”

“Where’re you going?” “Crazy, you wanna go?”

Columbus’ Farmers Market to hold grand opening Saturday

Fans of fresh homegrown produce, baked goods, local crafts and community camaraderie will celebrate the season grand opening of the Hitching Lot Farmers Market from 7-10 a.m. Saturday.

Snakes alive: Area photographer offers an intimate look at ‘beautiful animals’

So here we were, Dispatch photographer Luisa Porter and I, trailing Tuesday in a second car behind Robert Lewis and his wife, Keats. The waning sun was headed to bed, draining light from the thick forest lining the Noxubee Refuge roadside in Oktibbeha County. We were cruising for snakes, not sure what to expect.

Paul Thorn brings the gospel to MPB Monday

There’s always been a healthy hint of gospel in Paul Thorn’s signature brand of roots-rock, but earlier this year, the Tupelo area native released his first true gospel album, “Don’t Let the Devil Ride.”

Longtime Caledonian’s ‘One Light City’ gets it down in writing

Bill Darnell will tell you he loves Caledonia and everything about it. He’s a native of the close-knit Lowndes County town and, making good on a promise to himself and others, he’s achieved a longtime goal — getting “the adventures” down in writing.

May Quick Bites: sweet taters, ‘maters, gardens and more

After an April that was all over the map — hot, cold, stormy, frosty, windy — May should usher in more consistent weather so green thumbs can really hit their stride.

Paddle Fest to return with more categories, activities

Island Paddle Fest returns to the Columbus Riverwalk Saturday, June 2 with added racing categories, a pre-party, music, food and prizes.

It’s Market Street Festival time, and this fabric artist is all wrapped up in it

When night is deep and all is quiet in a certain east Columbus neighborhood, don’t be surprised to see a light still on at Lukuise Swanigan’s house.

Those versatile cloves: April is for garlic lovers

Vampire lore aside, garlic is an interesting culinary character — a nutritional powerhouse, “nature’s wonder drug,” “the stinking rose,” revered through history for its medicinal properties, prized for its intense flavor.

The Father’s Closet: Many hands, feet and hearts turned an idea into a full-fledged clothing ministry

It started with an idea Beth Jeffers shared with her Sunday School class — an idea to start a community clothing closet. Children’s clothes, women’s dresses, slacks, blouses, men’s suits, all free to those who need them.