A rose to Sharon Jones, whose program, “Paroled2Pride” provides career placement assistance for those who have recently been released from prison. Jones, the general manager of Best Western on Highway 45 in Columbus, shared information on the program during Tuesday’s Columbus Rotary Club meeting. The program helps cover the cost of covering probation fees, restitution and even child support for up to three months after release so these folks can get back on their feet. A job is probably the biggest factor in fighting recidivism and with an 80% success rate since its founding in 2007, Paroled2Pride is making a difference. In a state that leads the world in incarceration rate, the work of Jones and others reaching out to former inmates is of tremendous value, not only to the ex-inmates, but to our entire community.
A rose to Mississippi State baseball fans, who turned out in record numbers for last week’s three-game series against rival Ole Miss. MSU’s Dudy Noble Field is referred to as the Carnegie Hall of college baseball, but it could just as easily be called the Mecca of College Baseball. Last Saturday’s game drew a crowd of 16,423, breaking MSU’s own national record for an on-campus college baseball game. The three-day attendance of 43,986 also shattered the previous on-campus record. MSU finished last in the SEC a season ago and were near the bottom of the standings when the Ole Miss series started. That says much about how devoted Bulldog baseball fans are. There’s simply no comparison where that is concerned.
A rose to the organizers, attendees and volunteers who have made a full week of events possible. In Columbus, we saw the final week of Columbus’ Spring Pilgrimage and Jubilee of Homes, Catfish in the Alley, a play at Columbus Middle School, Barbeque and Blues at the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center; in Starkville, we had Super Bulldog Weekend, King Cotton Crawfish Boil, and, today, the opening of the Starkville Market. (And this isn’t even an exhaustive list of the events!) Efforts like these help make the Golden Triangle a great place to live. Thanks to everyone involved.
A rose to Chuck Yarborough and his students from Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science for their production of Tales from the Crypt, which on Friday night wrapped its two week run. This is the 33rd year MSMS history students have researched community history and shared it in a unique way with locals and visitors. The event challenges us to reflect on how our present and future are shaped by our past while also revealing elements of our history which have previously gone untold. The event has justifiably garnered national attention; it’s a well-produced and informative event, set in beautiful Friendship Cemetery.
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 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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