The Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium begins Thursday.
What’s that?
It’s a literary event put on by Mississippi University for Women, and this is its 26th year. Over three days, more than 10 respected authors will speak and read from their books.
The events are free, open to the public and take place on the university’s beautiful campus, near the heart of downtown Columbus.
It’s hardly an isolated event.
Just last Friday evening at The W, in Rent Auditorium, the Starkville Symphony Orchestra opened its 2014-15 performance season with a free concert.
Maybe authors and concerts aren’t your thing. Just down the road, in Starkville, the current number one D1 college football in the country plays. Fifty miles south, in Scooba, the current number one junior college in the country football plays.
Maybe sports aren’t your thing. Coming right down through our town is the Tomgbigbee River, and its banks, for many miles in either direction, offer camping, fishing and other outdoor opportunities.
Maybe the outdoors isn’t your thing. On Thursday evening the Columbus Arts Council is hosting a concert at the Rosenzweig Arts Center.
And during this past weekend, one of the premier arts festivals in the United States was an hour away in Northport.
Support our local universities by taking advantage of cultural offerings. Be entertained by area sports. Seek out new things to do. Introduce your children to something they haven’t seen before.
Too often, the same few faces are seen at cultural events around town. We encourage everyone to poke around, seek out and attend these type of events.
Sometimes taking a step back and finding a diversion from our own hectic lives and pursuits can not only broaden our horizons, but inspire us and bring us in contact with people who can give us perspective that deepens our appreciations.
We are fortunate enough to live in a part of the country with no shortage of first-class inspiring activities for all walks of life.
Unfocus on your own life. Get out and soak up something foreign to you. Get away and take in something unknown.
Find something to enjoy.
We are a lucky bunch with much to be thankful for — and Thanksgiving is still a month away.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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