A rose to the folks who run the West Point First Baptist Early Childhood Ministry, for its field trip to the Hitching Lot Farmer’s Market on Thursday. Once each summer, leaders take the pre-kindergarten through fourth grade children to the market where they talk to farmers and purchase foods available there. Several children purchased small jars of honey, others small flowers and one child bought a watermelon.
In this age of pre-packaged foods, it is a wonderful idea to expose children to the real origins of the food we eat, while encouraging their interest in nutritious, home-grown foods. A group of 20 kids descended on the market, and “They loved it,” lead teacher Carolyn Ward told us.
If Mississippi is going to shed its dubious status as the most obese state in the union, raising awareness of healthy, natural foods is a message that cannot be delivered too early or too often.
A rose to Jay Stokes, Justin Wilkes and Break-Away Outdoors, a non-profit organization, begun by Stokes, which takes Mississippi youth, including those from Palmer Home in Columbus, on hunting and fishing trips. Stokes and the organization recently were recognized by Field and Stream magazine. The organization fills a need in serving children who don’t qualify for services from other organizations and wouldn’t have the opportunity for such trips otherwise.
A rose to the city for approving the hire of six additional workers for the Public Works Department. The six new hires will be used primarily for general labor and grass-cutting. Keeping the city’s green areas lush and well-groomed means a lot of hot, dirty work for these employees. It’s easy to enjoy their handiwork without pausing to think of the men and women who make it possible. Here’s one rose you don’t have to tend.
A rose to new Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School principal Timothy Wilcox. Wilcox comes to Cook from New Hope Elementary, where he was assistant principal. His hire completes the hiring process for principals for Columbus schools. With school only a few weeks away, the new principals will hit the ground running. We wish them all the best.
A rose to public defender Carrie Jourdan for her appearance at the Columbus Rotary Club this week. While acknowledging that public defenders are often viewed harshly, Jourdan spoke eloquently on the importance of the public defender and their roles in our justice system. It is important to recognize the humanity of all people, even those who have violated the law. Our system of justice is at its best when fairness reigns.
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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