A rose to Mississippi University for Women’s Passport to Wellness and Bliss Yoga for collaborating on the third annual “Barefoot on the Bridge” yoga class on Thursday, the first day of fall.
The event was held at the old Highway 82 pedestrian bridge at the Columbus Riverwalk. Yoga enthusiasts from novice to experienced – 115 in all – were guided through an hour-long class under the guidance of Bliss instructor Michelle Linn. With the impending arrival of cooler weather (we hope) we love the idea of taking exercise classes out of doors. It’s a nice change of pace to break the monotony of the gym.
A rose to local firefighters and utility workers who rushed to the aid of our neighbors in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
Members of Columbus Fire & Rescue and the Starkville Fire Department spent four days in north Florida helping the rescue in the immediate aftermath of the storm, rescuing 18 people and 14 pets. A few days later, two crews from 4-County Electric – 15 workers in all – spent a week of 16-hour days restoring power to an estimated 3,000 customers in north Florida. We salute CFR’s Wes Mims, Scott Swain and Marco Rodriguez, SFD’s Stewart Bird and Justin Edwards for their hard work. Likewise, we tip our caps to the 4-County contingent of Eric Yarbrough, Kyle Elam, Jason Sellers, Jimmy Stewart, Curtis Collier, Rowdy Rigdon, Justin Marlow, Brian Glusenkamp, Chance Ingram, Derrick Brumfield, Wesley Champion, Dedrick Stevenson, Justin White, Justin Murphy and Jonathan Edwards.
A rose to the Starkville Board of Aldermen, which amended its alcohol ordinances during Tuesday’s board meeting, overcoming the hysterics of vice mayor Roy A. Perkins along the way.
Perkins’ over-the-top opposition to what he termed Starkville’s “Whiskey Bill” failed to convince a board majority, which approved the measure by a 4-3 vote. While we should be respectful religious views on alcohol, we also recognize the legitimate case made by those who sell alcohol, which is their legal right. The new proposal only conforms Starkville’s ordinances to the state standard. This is not an attack on religion: It’s a logical adjustment to the city’s alcohol ordinance.
A rose to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle for repurposing old hospital gowns, blankets and sheets by donating them to the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society.
This week, officials at the hospital delivered a grocery cart full of those items to the Humane Society, which will use the items for bedding and other purposes. Previously, the hospital had thrown away those items when they became stained or frayed and could no longer be used at the hospital. Now, those items will be put to good use. This should serve as a reminder: Before you throw something away, think about how it might yet be of some useful service by our community’s charities.
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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