‘Sold’ on service: Young ‘ad execs’ promote community causes with inaugural IB exit project

Two months ago, fifth-grader Jalyn Collins had never heard of guerilla marketing. Her classmate, Morgan Williams, could not imagine she would “pitch” a product to random shoppers at the mall. And 11-year-old Kevin Brown certainly had no idea what an elevator speech was.

But these students at Sale Elementary International Studies Magnet School — an IB (international baccalaureate) World School — and their fifth-grade classmates have become pretty savvy since March. With a public exhibition Monday evening, they completed the K-5 school’s first-ever IB exit project.

‘Faulkner’s World’ offers glimpse into famed author’s life in Mississippi

Photographer Martin J. Dain was one of the few who photographed author William Faulkner at Rowan Oak, the writer’s home in Oxford. A selection of those images are compiled in a traveling exhibit, “Faulkner’s World: The Photographs of Martin J. Dain,” on display at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library through June 22.

Grants bring out community’s artistic side

Grants can often make the difference between a project coming to fruition or languishing unfulfilled. This academic year, the Starkville Area Arts Council has awarded more than $5,000 in grants in Starkville schools to support artistic pursuits.

Mississippi Picnic in the Big Apple set for June 9

There will be a decided Southern drawl added to New York City’s Central Park Saturday, June 9, when Mississippians and friends from far and near converge for the 33rd annual Mississippi Picnic in the Big Apple, presented in part by the Mississippi Development Authority.

Go bananas: This isn’t grandma’s banana pudding

Southerners love their banana pudding.

Girl power: ‘Mom’ nurtures 11 girls under her wing, with love to go around

“Why did the chicken cross the road?” giggled 8-year-old Stella, entertaining her house sisters and “Mom,” Kara Copes, at Palmer Home for Children in Columbus. Her audience, gathered under the gazebo on a bright May afternoon, pretended to be stumped.

Sweets and savories: Desserts and delicacies are part of annual May tradition at St. Paul’s

In kitchens throughout Columbus, preparation is underway for the annual bake sale to be held in conjunction with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church May Luncheon Friday, May 11. The Episcopal Church Women’s fundraiser is a major event on the congregation’s calendar, for almost everyone takes part in one capacity or another.

CONTACT fish fry helps keep phone lines open

On Saturday, CONTACT Helpline will hold its annual fish fry from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Kroger parking lot on Highway 45 North in Columbus.

‘Pop’s songs’: After years of jotting down ditties, Dr. Smith goes to Austin, where family ties help realize a dream

“Some of these go back years and years,” murmured Perrin Smith, shuffling through a stack of well-worn legal pads and spiral notebooks on a coffee table in his den. He kneeled on the floor, thumbing through pages, pausing from time to time when a remembered lyric caught his eye.

The notebooks are filled with songs he’s written, some finished, some not. There have been hundreds in all. But then, the retired Columbus physician will tell you he always has a song percolating.

“Every pocket in my closet has notecards or little notebooks in them because, when something comes to you, you need to write it down then, or it will be flat gone in 10 minutes,” he said, moving to an easy chair and hooking one knee comfortably over the padded arm.

Mass installation of “clay bodies” headed for Thursday opening

Every artist’s work is unique, embodying something elemental of its maker, but Dylan Karges’ “clay bodies” are a rare sight indeed. It’s not often one comes by a mass installation of more than 1,000 ceramic figurines.

Each is “deliberately different, though roughly the same,” says the Starkville artist and sculptor, who individualizes his characters using small variations in clay composition, texture, size, firing techniques and color.

MSMS to present Eighth of May Emancipation Day history

On Tuesday, May 8, a historically African-American cemetery in Columbus will become the setting for dramatic and musical lessons in local history.

Students from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science will present the third Eighth of May Emancipation Day History Program in Sandfield Cemetery at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The cemetery is located at the corner of College Street and 25th St. S. The presentations are free and open to the public.

Mother’s Day: Mother and son make discoveries while brewing up new venture

This upcoming Mother’s Day takes on special meaning for Brent Davidson and his mom, Carol Davidson. Since recently deciding to team up commercially, they’ve made new discoveries about each other and added a fresh dimension to their already-strong bond.

Clay and canvas: Friends pursuing creative dreams after retirement find fun, fellowship in Market Street Festival

For years, Gail Funderburk moved in the banking world. One of the friendly faces of Trustmark Bank in Columbus, her days were shaped by finite numbers and critical tallies. Her friend, Becky Abrams, spent 22 years in the classroom as a music educator, a joy occasionally weighted by paperwork and regulations.

But, enter Act II. Retired and energized, both Funderburk and Abrams are now free to scratch creative itches, a luxury postponed during full-time careers. Today, Funderburk does her adding and subtracting with clay, molding bowls, trays and vessels in a “Jimmy Buffet blue” workshop tucked in the woods of western Lowndes County.

Former Columbian pens an infantryman’s memoir to his daughter

When Jim Tucker graduated from S.D. Lee High School in 1952, it’s possible he imagined that, six decades later, he might return to Columbus for a milestone class reunion. But he could not have envisioned he’d be sitting beside his daughter, signing books filled with memories from a significant part of his life.

Got marinade?

With beef on the mind, what better time to think about marinades?

Fire the grills: Cattlemen’s Association preps for annual steak dinner fundraiser

Where’s the beef? Look no farther than the Lowndes County Cattlemen’s Association steak dinner sale Friday and Saturday.

Hinojosa brings Latino-influenced music to Columbus Wednesday

Award-winning singer-songwriter Tish Hinojosa will bridge cultures and musical genres in a solo acoustic performance at the Columbus Arts Council’s Omnova Theater Wednesday, April 25, at 7 p.m.

Columbus marks the second stop on a three month cross-country tour for the former A&M recording artist, who relocated from Austin, Texas, to Hamburg, Germany, after meeting her husband, Andreas Sedlmair, there while on tour in 2004.

Holding hope: One family’s trial, like so many others, brings Relay for Life’s purpose into sharp focus

Tuesday was a good day. The Daren Coggins family headed out for their favorite fishing hole in Lowndes County. James, 7, and Justin, 8, could barely contain their excitement: on this outing they would learn how to bait a hook with minnows. Dropping a line in the water for crappie and brim is one of their favorite pastimes.

Muted plops of casts breaking the sun-dappled pond’s surface mingled with the boys’ chatter. And for a little while, 37-year-old Daren could push to the back of his mind thoughts of the next chemotherapy treatment looming on his calendar.

‘Off the charts’ Grow a year’s supply of vegetables and fruit for a family of four? Yes, Melby’s chart shows how

ete Melby’s affinity for the good earth is rooted in his childhood, growing up in St. Louis. “My fifth-grade teacher challenged us to grow a garden,” said Melby, now a professor of landscape architecture at Mississippi State University. “I enjoyed it so much, I sold (produce) to the neighbors from a basket on the front of my bicycle.”

What’s all the buzz about? … a sweet collaboration between a bee farm and young artists

Call it whimsical thinking, but it seems the honeybees at Mark and Keri Lewis’ apiary in Mayhew have plenty to be abuzz about this spring — especially after moving into newly-decorated digs. The Lewis’ bee yards are bursting with color, thanks to a creative partnership with Heritage Academy art students.