A rose to Director Dr. Kendall Dunkelberg and organizers of the 23rd annual Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium Oct. 20-22 at Mississippi University for Women. A diverse panel of 13 authors shared insights and inspirations with audiences who were able to attend at no charge, thanks to a grant from the Robert M. Hearin Foundation. Several writers hailed originally from far-flung locales including Puerto Rico, India, Nigeria, Egypt and China, aptly underscoring the symposium’s theme, “Crossing Cultures in the South.” The Welty Gala Oct. 21 welcomed internationally-acclaimed author Sebastian Junger, well-known for his best seller “The Perfect Storm” and his reporting from the battlefields of Afghanistan. We wish more took advantage of this remarkable opportunity.
The Hazard Lecture Series receives a rose as it celebrates its 20th year of bringing stimulating speakers to Columbus each fall. Started by the children of George S. Hazard — George Hazard Jr., Eulalie Hazard Davis and the late Florence Hazard Winton to honor their father’s interest in history and to serve the community, the program has presented scientists, musicians, archaeologists, authors and more. The two-part series this month featured Dr. Timothy Coker Oct. 17, speaking on Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, and will present Steve Pieschel Monday at 7 p.m. talking about “Tennessee Williams: From Columbus to the World” at the Heritage Academy Student Activities Building. A rose each also to series coordinator Brenda Caradine and annual host Heritage Academy.
A rose to Rick Garner of Columbus for being honored with East Mississippi Community College’s Distinguished Service Award in ceremonies Saturday on the Scooba campus. Garner played quarterback for Coach Bull Sullivan, earning North Division All-Star honors in 1968. He went on to graduate from Mississippi State University. He and his wife, Sharon, are regular supporters of EMCC throughout the year. Garner was also recognized Saturday afternoon during halftime of the EMCC Lions’ homecoming game, along with Alumnus of the Year and former Ole Miss senior associate athletics director Langston Rogers of Batesville.
A rose to Mississippi State University and Starkville city officials who are planning a free city transit system that will not only link the campus with downtown, but also provide free bus service into low-income neighborhoods and high-density areas.
Planners say they hope to have the system up and running by January 2013.
A big bouquet of roses to the New Hope girls softball team who recently won the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A championship with a 7-6, 15-4 sweep of Picayune in the state title series in Jackson.
The victories helped New Hope (25-7) secure its fifth state championship in a row and the 14th in the program’s history.
“Our lineup changed so much throughout the year and it took so many girls being selfless, being committed, and wanting what was best for this team,” New Hope coach Tabitha Beard said after the victory. “We have had ups and downs all year, but these girls have worked so hard, and it took so many people.
“We were rocks today. We had every reason to be jelly beans in that first game, but we weren’t. We were rocks.”
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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