A rose to Columbus Community Benefit Committee and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office as they prepare for their annual turkey drive to distribute to families in need at Thanksgiving. Organizers will quickly tell you that success of the program relies on the generosity of citizens who donate turkeys for the drive. LCSO Lt. Rhonda Sanders, who is again leading the drive, said they are halfway to their goal of collecting 2,000 turkeys. You can drop off a turkey at the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, 527 South Martin Luther King Drive, until Nov. 21. The turkeys will be distributed on the Thursday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 23) at 10 a.m. at the BankFirst Yards Sportsplex, 1336 N. Frontage Road. Sanders said the only requirement to pick up a turkey is to have an ID that shows you live in Lowndes County, though only one turkey will be given per family. Turkeys are inexpensive, so most of us can afford the participate in this program which, in some small way, ensures a happy Thanksgiving for those who are living through hard times. Isn’t that what the holiday is all about?
A rose to Mississippi State University and the Starkville Habitat Humanity as they move toward the completion of the 15th Maroon Edition Habitat Home. MSU and Habitat representatives gathered off 16th Section Road Wednesday to dedicate the nearly completed home. Twana Hubbard, a Starkville High School cafeteria worker who is a caretaker for her brother, Rico Coleman, is buying the home and will have the keys by Christmas. It’s the third Habitat home located at the site of what was once an 11-acre dairy farm, the third home built at that site and one of an 30-home plan, by far the most ambitious goal of the two partner organizations. There are no factors that play a larger role in securing a safe and successful life than home ownership. It is a testament to both MSU and Habitat that so many worthy folks are able to reach that goal of home ownership.
A rose to Hitching Lot Farmers Market organizers and Main Street Columbus as they prepare for the annual Holiday Farmers Market. The market, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. next Saturday (Nov. 23), is focused on locally homegrown, homemade, and handcrafted holiday food and gifts. It’s an opportunity for the community to support local artisans and craftsmen in a festive atmosphere that marks the arrival of the holiday season. Shoppers are encouraged to continue their shopping at downtown businesses after the event ends. With so many of our purchases made online or through large national retailers, the gifts we purchase at events such as this generate sales taxes, provide jobs and provide an economic boost to our community. So we encourage everyone to bring their Christmas shopping list and patronize our local entrepreneurs and artisans.
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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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 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
