Articles by Jan Swoope
Star Wars, wizards, heroes, oh my: Comic, Toy Expo comes to Columbus
The Golden Triangle is about to be invaded. Nothing to fear, however; the incoming are gathering to celebrate geek culture, gaming and the world of fantasy.
Noted artist to honor grandson with ‘Art for EB’
Like other third-graders at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School in Starkville, Gabe Valentine has been anticipating the first day of school.
And the Lowndes Tomato Battle winner is …
Weigh-ins are done and results for the third annual Lowndes County Tomato Battle are in.
Full circle: Artist, radio host renews an early passion for interpreting the faces around him
As an artistic soul, J.L. Summers has come full circle. After years of putting his talent to use as a professional sign painter and calligrapher, he has returned to an early passion for capturing people on paper.
CHS students win their way to San Diego
Three teenage girls from Columbus on an adventure of “firsts” were among passengers on a jet departing the Birmingham airport July 3.
Go crackers: An artisan baker’s ingenuity opens new doors
One might say baker Troy DeRego is going crackers. And it would be a compliment.
GTHR on a mission: placing healthy horses with loving homes
Dappled sunlight danced across the back of a brown and white pinto mare staying one step ahead of the patient man in the paddock with her.
MSU Riley Center new season lineup touts some big names
The MSU Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts in Meridian has released the roster of musical and theatrical performances set to celebrate the prominent venue’s 10th anniversary.
And for her next act, Mother Nature presents sweet, luscious figs
One of the perks of living in the Prairie — where we tend to define “neighborhood” in square miles rather than streets — is that folks are, well, neighborly.
It’s sunflower time. Smile … c’mon, you know you want to
Try being depressed in the middle of a field of sunflowers. Just driving by a patch is a pretty potent mood-lifter, their vibrant rays of yellow petals fanning from spiraling centers ripening with seeds. They may be nature’s most optimistic plant, a living expression of botanical sun worship and radial symmetry.
Plans underway for 15th Tennessee Williams Tribute
Members of the Tennessee Williams Tribute Board are busy finalizing plans for the 15th annual Tribute honoring the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and poet born in Columbus March 26, 1911.
Crawford pavilion celebrates small town can-do
The town of Crawford in southwest Lowndes County celebrated the long-awaited completion of a community pavilion July 7.
Don’t throw that out: Farmers’ Market welcomes glass, egg cartons for recycling
Visitors to the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market on Saturdays this summer may have noticed a new feature near the welcome table.
At the mic and outside the box: EMCC revives the old-time radio serial
Before television annexed the American landscape, many an early-20th century family passed evenings crowded around the home radio set. The “talking telegram” opened windows on a wider world.
Light bulb moments: Culinary camp builds and broadens horizons
There was a lot of “building” underway this past month at Mississippi University for Women’s Culinary Camp for Kids — building skill sets, building palates, confidence and friendships.
One of a kind: Self-taught, self-styled, a Clay County metalsmith is still making his mark
Artisans come in all forms and guises. Genuine artisans, however, have at least one characteristic in common — a passion in the veins for what they do. That could describe Ed Sanders.
Propst Park train gets facelift and more
Many in Columbus still recall the curious sight in 1972. The C&G Railway steam locomotive No. 178 had escaped the scrapper’s torch and, along with the rolling stock accompanying her, made a slow, painstaking journey eastward on Highway 182 to Propst Park.
Fireworks food: Bring a red, white and blue pop to the holiday table
It’s that time — time to think about bringing some food “fireworks” to your Fourth of July table.
Second chances: Daniel and Nellie, helping each other heal
Editor’s note: The original version of this story stated that Daniel Lowery was injured in Iraq. Lowery’s injuries, instead, were sustained during military training. He
Experience the unique: music, live painting and spoken word
A unique experience in music, art and spoken word describes “Artists in Revision,” an “experiment in performance across different mediums.”
