A rose to Jasmine Murray, who was crowned Miss Mississippi Saturday, a week ago, in Vicksburg. Murray, who was runner-up in the pageant two years ago and participated last year, has become the fourth Columbus native to earn the Miss Mississippi title and the right to represent our state in the Miss American pageant, which will be held in September in Atlantic City. The talented singer is the first Columbus native to earn Miss Mississippi honors since Christine McClamroch (now Spain) in 1970. Patsy Puckett (Gray) in 1965 and Dorothy Fox (1942) were the others.
A rose to the members of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Ridge Road who are providing sweet tea to passing motorists. The church’s pastor Luke Lawson says it’s a way for his congregation to meet people in the community. What a great idea. A good excuse to drive out Ridge Road on a hot afternoon.
A rose to the Columbus Lowndes Recreation Authority for its help in pursuing a grant from Toyota to provide 25 Samsung Chromebook computers for the community center in Crawford. Often, elderly in poor, rural areas are cut off from essential services and opportunities for lack of Internet access. These netbook computers will improve the lives of many county residents who would otherwise find themselves incapable of accessing a wide variety of services at no cost.
A rose to the Columbus Nationals 8-year-old Coach-Pitch team that captured the Dizzy Dean state tournament title Monday in West Point. Team members are Grey Stokes, David Dupler, Brady Kluse, Colin Perrigin, John Leyton Lewis, Daniel Pate, Caleb Jenkins, Spencer Singly, Cole Crawford, Colton Evans, Charlie Langford and Nick Perrigin. Coaches are Scottie Perrigin, Danny Lancaster, Scott Singly, Chris Crawford and Clint Stokes. Nice work, everyone.
A rose to former Front Door/Back Door restaurant owner Sarah Labensky and her crew for their one-day fundraiser. Labensky, et al, sold their trademark chicken salad and other menu favorites Monday afternoon at Zachary’s. In only a few hours, they raised an impressive $3,600, most of which came not from purchases (Labensky said they sold out of chicken salad in the first two hours), but from donations. The money goes to the family of another former Front Door worker, Quinton Hill, who was shot at his Columbus home on July 6 and died two days later. Hill, 31, had an infant child. A rose also to Zachery’s owner Doug Pellum for offering the use of his restaurant for the fundraiser. And a rose to all those who contributed.
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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