Articles by Jan Swoope
Caledonia Day offers fall fun Saturday
The town of Caledonia, 10 miles north of Columbus, will have the welcome mat out Saturday as residents and visitors celebrate the seventh annual Caledonia Day.
Fresh for fall: As seasons change, these recipes offers ideas for autumn
Even to the deep South, autumn finally comes. Temperatures tease us, hinting at sweater weather ahead. Daylight retreats, day by day, and nights are ripe for sitting out on the porch, happily hatching plans for Halloween costumes, holiday menus or letters to Santa.
Friends and Neighbors group spreads message that Columbus is a great place to live
When Ginny Konieczki moved to Columbus from Missouri 12 years ago she didn’t “know a soul,” as the saying goes, and wasn’t quite sure where to start.
‘Keep moving’: Shands goes ‘Casting for Recovery’ as Breast Cancer Awareness Month marks 25th anniversary
The nation’s rainbow trout may have nothing to fear from Alice Shands quite yet, but the newbie fly fisherwoman is thinking about changing that. And she won’t be letting breast cancer stop her.
Take me out to the … library: Players, historians, exhibit featured in baseball symposium
The Sam Hairston Celebration hits one out of the park with a “Meet the Players of the Negro Leagues” symposium Saturday, Oct. 16, 2 p.m. at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library at 314 Seventh St. N.
A decade of fine dining: J. Broussard’s brings back favorites for anniversary
From the moment they pass through handsome, carved doors that once fronted the old New Orleans Stock Exchange, diners know they’ve arrived at a distinctive destination.
A ‘legendary’ weekend: Baseball legacy, music giants highlight Sam Hairston Celebration
Growing up on Plum Grove Road in Crawford, Sam Hairston loved the sound of a zinging pitch, the crisp thwack of a bat. From the dirt lot ball he played as a child, to making history in Major League and Negro League Baseball, the late Lowndes County native left a legacy that inspired the upcoming Sam Hairston Celebration Oct. 13-16.
Two-partseries explores ‘Voyage of the Scientist’
The “Voyage of the Scientist” will be the focus of two Hazard Lecture Series presentations, Oct. 18 and Oct. 25.
Columbus writer authors book for church occasions
Through years of working with youth and church organizations, Columbus native Christine Butler-Williams recognized that some shy away from taking leadership roles because they feel they don’t know what to say.
Creamy, dreamy custard: Mimi’s of Caledonia specializes in this frozen delight
For Ray Merchant, serving up smooth, silky frozen custard cones, sundaes, splits and other sweet bliss is a far cry from the gritty sleuthing he did as a railroad detective for three decades.
Natural high: On the road of recovery, West Point man has new purpose
Mike Walker remembers the heavy knock on his door in January 2006 that turned life inside out. On the other side were law officers, with a warrant for his arrest.
Soroptimist’s 37th style show rolls out fall trends
The 37th annual Soroptimist style show, luncheon and silent auction Thursday, Oct. 7, will usher in fall with fresh trends like ruffles, “jeggings” and lace. But it will also have a much deeper purpose — supporting service projects including GED education programs at Recovery House, a Lowndes County chemical dependency residential treatment center for women.
Thirteen historic houses open for Fall Tour
The Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation’s second annual Fall Tour of Homes Oct. 1-3 ushers in autumn and a diverse display of antebellum and Victorian design. From cottages to grand mansions, 13 homes will welcome visitors touring some of the South’s finest architectural gems.
Bulldog Bash counts down to Jason Mraz, FanFare
Five days and counting. On Friday, two-time Grammy winner Jason Mraz will be the main attraction when Starkville’s Cotton District is transformed by Bulldog Bash. Billed as the largest free concert in Mississippi, the Bash estimates about 35,000 visitors will flock to festivities the night before Mississippi State University’s matchup with Georgia.
Move your paws: Zumba party to benefit Lowndes Humane Society
On Monday, Sept. 27, the air in Pohl Gymnasium on the Mississippi University for Women campus will pulsate with intense Latin rhythms. The entertaining event on tap is a two-hour zumba party to benefit the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society.
Dream trip to New York will benefit the arts
Four nights at the five-star Casablanca Hotel, two Broadway plays, dinner at L’Ecole, drinks at Sardi’s, brunch at the Essex House, limo transfers, plane fare for two, and more. All for $100? Yes, for the lucky winner of the Columbus Arts Council’s New York trip raffle.
Come on in! A restored Tennessee Williams Welcome Center rolls out the welcome mat
Like any noble, but aging, grand lady, the 135-year-old Tennessee Williams Welcome Center at 300 Main St. in Columbus had earned a bit of doting attention. While closed to the public from May until earlier this month, that is exactly what it got — inside and out.
Ripe off the vine, or in a recipe, the South’s muscadine can shine
As hot Southern summers wane into late August and September, young watchers who have patiently monitored vines at Palmer Home in Columbus finally hear the pronouncement: “Muscadines are ready!” And like other fans of the big grape, they fill up their shirttails with the sweet and tart fruit, to enjoy fresh off the vine.
‘Charlie’s Angels’ reunite for Waldron’s 96th birthday
When Charles Waldron came to Mitchell Engineering Co. (later CECO Corp.) in Columbus in 1965 as general sales manager, he had no way of knowing some of the colleagues he met that year would be helping him blow out birthday candles 45 years later.
HEARTS After-School Program ready for reading and reindeer
On Monday, the HEARTS After-School Reading Program opens its doors to Columbus students and begin its ninth year of service to the community. The tutoring ministry for children from kindergarten to fourth grade who need that bit of extra help will focus on a yearlong theme: “Inch by Inch — Reading is a Cinch.”
