A rose to the city of Columbus Public Works department for the much-needed repairs on Second Avenue North in front of the Lowndes County Courthouse. County board of supervisors president Harry Sanders contacted Mayor Robert Smith asking for repairs after several trip-and-fall accidents where the sidewalk has buckled and cracked from the pressure exerted by the giant live oaks near the sidewalk. City Public Works employees made the repairs last week. They were badly needed. We appreciate the cooperation between the county and city in solving this problem.
A rose to Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary in Caledonia, which is now the home to three lions from a wildlife sanctuary in California that had to close. Conventional wisdom might have held that Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary had more than enough of their own rescued wildlife to care for, especially as a nonprofit that relies entirely on donations. With the addition of the lions, the sanctuary is the permanent home to close to 300 animals. Instead of saying, “no,” the sanctuary and its director Nancy Gschewedtner did what it always seems to do where endangered animals are involved: Find a way. We encourage everyone to support this worthwhile effort through generous donations. The support is needed now more than ever.
A rose to the Columbus Recreation Department in working with local businesses to enhance the experience at its youth sporting events. When games are being played, businesses have chipped in to make the experience fun for kids through such things as free cotton candy to booths with games and give-aways. It’s a nice added touch for the families who come out to the games.
A rose to Mississippi State for its exhibition of the refugee-themed artwork of Mohamad Hafez and Ahmed Badr, both of whom came to the U.S. from the Middle East. The two collaborated on small sculptures – miniaturized depictions of refugee life in home settings contained within suitcases – along with an audio narration. The art helps put a human face on refugees all over the world. Too often, the humanity of refugee groups is reduced to raw numbers. This exhibit, on display at the Cullis Wade Depot Art Gallery through the month of October, reminds us there are real people, with real dreams and disappointments, sorrows and celebrations, behind those numbers.
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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