rose to the West Point football team, which will be playing for the Mississippi Class 5-A State Championship Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville. The Green Wave, which last won a state title in 2010, defeated Lake Cormorant, 40-7, Friday to advance to the title game, where it will meet Laurel. Both teams are 13-1. After splitting the first two games of the season, West Point rides a 12-game winning streak into Saturday’s 7 p.m. game on MSU’s home field. We urge all to turn out to support the Golden Triangle’s lone state title contender, but if you can’t, the game will be televised on WCBI’s My Mississippi channel. Win or lose — and we expect the former — congratulations to the Green Wave.
A rose to all our public service folks who each year sacrifice their own family time to keep us safe during the long holiday weekend. As the busy weekend comes to an end, the unsung heroes — police, fire, medical, utility workers — have been on the job keeping us safe as we drive, shop and visit with friends and loved ones. These same dedicated public servants will answer the same call in a month’s time during the Christmas/New Year’s season. While duty requires this, we should all take a moment when we encounter these folks to make sure theirs is not a “thankless” job. Let’s start today!
A rose to all the community organizations who have made sure the less fortunate in our community were not forgotten this holiday season. Organizations such as the Columbus Police Department, Salvation Army, United Way, Loaves and Fishes and many other civic groups are tending to those needs through food and toy drives, meals and other means, often soliciting the help of our generous citizens to make it all happen. We thank all those who have supported these efforts and encourage those who have not to keep their eyes open for opportunities to help as Christmas approaches. Giving really is the spirit of the season and it would be sad for those who can help to deprive themselves of such opportunities.
A rose to all those who answered the call during yesterday’s national “Small Business Saturday” campaign. The campaign, sponsored nationally by American Express, urged people not to confine their shopping to the big chain stores, but shop at locally-owned and operated stores as well. When we shop local, we are helping our friends and neighbors and keeping the money that comes through those sales circulating here at home. It’s good for merchants and good for consumers, too, who benefit from the local taxes that are generated by these sales. Although Small Business Saturday has passed, we encourage shoppers to continue to patronize “our” stores and shops, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.
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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