Jan. 1–31, 2026
■ Eudora Welty Traveling Exhibit: The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum will host a traveling exhibit featuring a collection of photos and short stories by Eudora Welty throughout January. The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular museum hours, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Donations are appreciated.
Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026
■ First Day Hike: Kick off the new year with a self-guided 5-mile hike at Lake Lowndes State Park in Columbus. Meet at the Equestrian Trail Parking Lot (3319 Lake Lowndes Road) from 9 to 11 a.m. Trail maps are available at the Gate House and Honor Box. The event is included with park admission.
Monday, Jan. 5, 2026
■ Friends of the Starkville Library Book Sale: Friends of the Starkville Library will host their monthly book sale from 11:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at the Starkville-Oktibbeha Public Library
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026
■ America 250 Kickoff: Join Susannah Ural, Mississippi State University professor and Frank and Virginia Williams Chair for Abraham Lincoln and Civil War Studies, for the opening talk of the “A History of Us” traveling exhibit Jan. 6 at Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. The exhibit explores rare documents tracing the story of American freedom, from the Declaration of Independence to the Civil War and beyond.
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026
■ Community Event Speaker – Nancy Hargrove: Nancy Hargrove will discuss Eudora Welty’s works and short stories at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum, 206 Fellowship Street, Starkville. The event is free and open to the public. Tours are encouraged and available by special arrangement; contact the museum at (662) 323-0211 for more information.
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026
■ Books and Authors Program – W. D. McComb: Friends of the Starkville Library will host the Books and Authors Program Thursday at noon at the Starkville Public Library, 110 West Main Street. Mississippi author W. D. McComb will discuss his book The Truth That Lies Between. Refreshments will be served at 11:30 a.m. The program is free and open to the public.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
