Articles by Jan Swoope
Opening day: New ‘coffee cafe’ and Sizzling Second Saturdays highlight Farmers’ Market season
In three short days, Columbus’ Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market will be back in business for another prolific growing season.
Ducks to dollars: A watery trek was the mother of invention for one entrepreneur
Jerald Blakely Williams was up to his knees in cold, murky water a couple of years ago when he got the bright idea.
A classic comes to life: ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’
The Columbus-based Master’s Theatre will present “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Tuesday and Wednesday, May 10 and 11 at Rent Auditorium on the Mississippi University for Women campus.
Fellowship and outreach: May Luncheon’s impact is felt within local charities
For more than a century, the Columbus community has had a date with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church come the month of May.
Almost there: Goal within reach for project to honor a teacher’s legacy of excellence
Encourager, inspiring, joyful, dedicated, kind. These are all words used by friends and fellow educators to describe the late Martha Claire Kennedy Fitzner.
Good times roll for Market Street music
Dive into the closet for the purple, green and gold. Mardi Gras colors, masks, beads and boas will be in order Friday evening when the 21st annual Market Street Festival (MSF) kicks off at the Columbus Riverwalk with a Second Line parade and two high energy bands from the Big Easy.
Special touch: In a fast-paced world, a garden club takes time to create ‘an occasion’
In an age of drive-throughs, mobile banking and rapid-fire tweets, our attention is captured when someone slows the pace down, investing time and talents in going the extra mile.
Times two: Creative duo brings diverse talents to Market Street Festival
Some things are more fun times two. Katherine and Ryan Munson expect to prove it when they team up at Columbus’ Market Street Festival as vendors May 7.
Good neighbors: Columbus Friends of the Library helps out nearby county
When the Winston County Friends of the Library recently learned their application for a grant to purchase large-print books had not been approved, members were disappointed — but not for long.
‘God & Country’: Area mass choir to present choral event Saturday
A significant choral event in the Golden Triangle is set for Saturday, April 30 in Columbus.
Fire it up: Hot and fast, wood-fired pizza boasts flavor and flair
While pizza wars over who makes the best will always rage, one thing most pizza pundits agree on is that the way a pie is baked makes a big difference.
Sharing the fight: Daughter and mom unite against cancer and rally for Relay
Amber Robertson has helped raise funds for the American Cancer Society for six years as a Relay for Life volunteer. The certified family nurse practitioner never foresaw, however, that she would become a patient herself. No one does.
Musical ‘Footloose’ to hit the HA stage Friday through Sunday
Everybody cuts loose in Heritage Academy’s upcoming production of the musical “Footloose,” set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Columbus.
Growers, prepare for battle — the Lowndes Tomato Battle
Tomato growers, it’s time. Time to see who out there can produce the biggest tomato in Lowndes County.
In the kitchen (and around the house), get the most out of those lemons
Lemons are a powerhouse of flavor, bringing us everything from shrimp lemon pepper linguini and lemon creme brulee to the lemon-raspberry pound cake muffin recipe in today’s food pages.
Columbus students take on ambitious project: ‘Aida’
For the first time, Columbus Middle School and Columbus High School come together to mount a theatrical production for the community. More than 40 young people in sixth through 11th grades will present Elton John’s and Tim Rice’s “Aida: School Edition” Thursday and Friday, April 14 and 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School auditorium.
Spring strawberries are in at this pick-your-own field in Macon
In the heart of Noxubee County, out on Elon Road in Macon, there’s a pretty patch full of strawberries just waiting to star in a luscious dessert, fresh salad, salsa or summery drink.
‘First Encounter’ Monday explores Chickasaws and de Soto
When Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto and his army crossed through this geographical area almost five centuries ago, the Chickasaw people had already settled here.
Girlchoir ‘Riverside Tour of Homes’ highlights old and new
In a city known for its architectural styles, the Columbus Girlchoir presents “A Riverside Tour of Homes” Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. until noon.
Splinter, the art: An old house, willing hands — artists, community collaborate to open exhibit Thursday
Only five months ago, the aging white house at the corner of Third Avenue North and 14th Street in Columbus stood empty and silent.
Jelly Roll to perform at Jeffery Simmons Community Fun Day
July 3, 2025
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