Florals, finances lead off January Quick Bites

The dawn of a new year will bring with it a new slate of Quick Bites interactive video sessions available to the public through the Mississippi State Extension Service.

CHS singers are making a joyful noise

As the final note of “Carol of the Bells” faded, those listening at Leadership Plaza in downtown Columbus Wednesday morning showed their appreciation with applause.

Photos: Keeping Christmas

Tonight there may not be a creature stirring, but in the days leading up to Christmas, the young and young-at-heart have been active. Excitement has filled the air at parades, tree lightings and special events that lit up smiles and often touched the heart. Enjoy these few moments of the season captured by camera. And don’t forget to put out a little something for the reindeer.

Belle Fleur Garden Club goes retro, celebrates 50th anniversary

While not everyone may find turning 50 so much fun, Belle Fleur Garden Club is making the most of it.

Sweet spot: Carmel cakes are this Columbus baker’s specialty

Veronica Morris has “zero cooking background,” but the Columbus nurse seems to be making up for it now. Caramel cakes have become her specialty, and that is largely a matter of serendipity.

A kind undertaking: Grassroots effort returns dignity to a neglected cemetery

Crumbling brick pillars at Greenlawn Memorial Park cemetery in east Columbus show the wear and tear of time. The tangle of brush that covered them not long ago, however, is gone.

MSMS students seek input on Mississippi Fallen Heroes of WWII

Jesse Lynn Dodson, William (Willa) Jones, Thomas Ferguson Critz, Lee R. Jerry. These four men born in the Golden Triangle are among the estimated 4,187 Mississippians who lost their lives in World War II. Many of their stories are unknown.

My Book sends children home with early Christmas present

Excited first-graders filed into the auditorium at Fairview Elementary School in Columbus Tuesday morning to receive an early Christmas gift.

Self-starter: An avid cook in Steens gets enterprising

Haylie Quatrevingt is a busy working mom who recently decided to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

A Dispatch Special Report: Two Columbus families look at where we’ve been, and hope to go

Chloe Adams is considering her options. As of this week, she hopes to grow up to be a teacher and professional chef. Oh, and a doctor.

“And I want to work at Walmart, too!” she giggled.

Keeping time with history: ‘The clocks that saved a village’ still have stories to tell

Ella Benton fell in love in Paris in 2015. Not with her husband, in this particular reference, but with a clock. A curvaceous, charming thing she came across in a dusty, antique shop.

Experience sights and sounds of First Christmas Dec. 8-10

Work is well underway to transform a grassy lot on Military Road in Columbus into a bustling Bethlehem marketplace for First Christmas.

West Lowndes art department, band plan for first Arts Bazaar

West Lowndes High School fine arts department will host the first WLHS Christmas Arts Bazaar from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 in the school gym at 644 S. Frontage Road.

Multi-church collaboration leads to first Star(k)filled Christmas

When many minds meet, good things tend to happen.

Not a creature was stirring … Don’t look now, but here comes Christmas

November isn’t even quite out the door, and here I am touting Christmas goodies.

Floral design show will create art, support arts Dec. 3

For Ralph Null and Terry Conerly, the connection between floral design and the arts is a clear one.

Countdown is on to Wassail Fest festivities

The week ahead ushers in the Christmas season in earnest.

Columbus tree lighting Monday offers night of family fun

The annual lighting of the Columbus community Christmas tree Monday evening is a great way to kick off the holiday season, said Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow.

Thankful

Though it may feel as if Christmas has burst out of the starting blocks, this Thanksgiving weekend still serves as a respite.

Awareness is hope: Alzheimer’s awareness month prompts a sharing of insights

Deborah Guist remembers how the family used to lovingly tease her mother about having “a memory like an elephant.” That was before a form of dementia robbed Betty Lott of many of the faces and relationships that made up her past and present.