Search Results

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com The office was in its usual Monday morning subdued chaos, nothing new about the muffled exclamations, one-on-one conversations, and general hubbub. But still, there was a decidedly different element in the air. The reason? The new chief-of-staff was beginning his first day in the office, and everyone was feeling slightly jittery with quite a few unanswered questions about him. Micromanager or Mr. Can’t Be Bothered? Looks the other way or will examine everyone’s time card himself? Will he want to be one of us, or just talk to us as simply underlings? If he even notices us. A few were confident that he would be easy to work for, because after all, “He is from down South, and we all know how laid back and friendly those Southerners are!” But there were also some who had heard rumors to the contrary, that the new Big Boss expected things to be done as of yesterday, and they had better be in perfect order. Others wisely were voicing no expectations, content to keep their head down with computers clicking until they actually could see the lay of the land. One or two less-than-brave souls silently contemplated hiding under their desks, updating their resumes, just in case. The first few hours rolled by, and nothing was heard from inside the glassed-in walls of the supervisor’s office. No one was called into that private sanctum, and no inner-office memos appeared on their computer screens from the new supervisor. More than a few anxious glances were thrown toward the man’s closed door, but otherwise they finally began to settle down and attempt to throw together a semblance of a normal Monday morning’s work. Then it happened. No one had seen the new chief of staff squeeze his head with both hands in total frustration. No one knew when he abruptly shoved his office chair away from his desk and agitatedly leaped to his feet. And his office assistant was certainly not prepared when he stomped to her office and threw the door open so violently that it thudded against the wall. As her head jerked up in surprise, she heard his angry bellow as it filled the room, “The durn thang just won’t cooperate!” Finding her voice, she anxiously asked, “Wha—wh- what thing won’t cooperate, sir?” “That !&(@^% stupid computer! I can’t get it to do anything that I need done!” Following into his office as she listened to his complaints, she quickly realized the problem. Her new boss was a Windows man, and the entire company ran Macs. So which would be correctly identified as ‘uncooperative’ – Mr. Mac or Mr. Chief of Staff? Who was going to have to swallow his irritation and pride, and concede to the other’s insistence that the job be done only their way? Mr. Mac just stood his ground – no change necessary, or even capable, on his part. Sometimes you just have to own up to the problem being totally yours, and be the one who has to learn to cooperate. Or fight it out until one of you yells, “UNCLE!” Guess who that will be.

Special to The Bolton News The Hinds County Congress of Christian Education will host its 134th Annual Session June 29 through July 1 at Belmont M.B. Church in Raymond. Nightly sessions will begin at 6 p.m. at the church, located at 14011 Highway 18. The event will bring together churches and community members from Bolton, Edwards, Raymond, Terry and Utica for three evenings focused on spiritual growth, leadership development and Christian education. The annual session will feature four leadership classes designed to strengthen faith and equip participants for service within their churches and communities. Organizers say the theme, “Empowering Faith and Leadership,” reflects the Congress’ ongoing mission to inspire and develop Christian leaders throughout Hinds County. Rev. Tonie Crisler will serve as host pastor for the event. Shirley Burns will oversee the annual session as dean of Congress. Organizers said attendees can expect engaging instruction from experienced teachers and leaders who will provide practical and spiritual guidance during the classes and nightly sessions. The Congress of Christian Education has served churches throughout the region for more than a century, continuing its mission of equipping believers through biblical teaching, fellowship and leadership training. The public is invited to attend all sessions.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com You have natural abilities and inclinations. You love doing certain things. That's normal and good. But what you love in life was never intended to be all that is important in your world. Family, friends, co-workers, church family, strangers, and even supervisors, they are all supposed to be important to you. Granted, holding importance in varying degrees, but definitely holding a place in that tight little circle that some of you seem to believe should be all-consuming…The Orb of Me. Don’t agree with me that others really should be important to you? Okay, look at it this way… if you happen to be having a little trouble seeing outside The Orb of Me. If you neglect being there for others when they need you, you may find them hard-of-hearing when your turn comes and you need their help. Oh yes, I know, that still smacks of catering to the Orb of Me, but at least it has you paying attention to the needs of others, if only for the wrong reason. But I would much rather that we all realize this ill-fated reality. Basically, we have become a selfish and self-consuming people, who have a lot of trouble looking through our Me And Mine Only stained glasses, and seeing others who are suffering and need help. We all seem to be living in our own Orb of Me. If it doesn’t directly affect us, then the issue can be relegated to the back burner. To likely stay there until it burns up. And our world is reaping the results. Very unfortunate results. You can click on the local and national news at any minute of the day and witness this. But how do we stop the mayhem? I really have no idea. I am not a world leader with a miracle plan to whip out of my back pocket. And I personally do not believe in a man or woman leader coming anywhere on the near horizon who does have that pocket. But I do know this. Like the old saying says, “No, you can’t save every fish in the sea. But you can make a world of difference to that one little fish you find washed up on the beach. Pick him up and toss him back into the water.” Miracle in your back pocket for that little guy. Think of someone you know who is struggling, and then spend some mental time living life in their shoes. In other words, try to envision what life for them is probably like. Then step back into your world and reach out, as only you can. Your involvement and help could be enough encouragement to give them hope. Hope that just might energize and spark determination in them. Because success always has to have hope, energy, and a determined spirit at its very core. Folks, step out of your "Me Only" orb. It is very true that you are your Creator's prized possession, but you are not the only one.

Special to The Bolton News The Town of Bolton is receiving new support for community improvement efforts after being selected as a recipient in the latest round of the Soul City Solar Community Grant Program funded by Apex Clean Energy. Bolton was awarded $2,500 for its “Clean & Green Community Clean-up” initiative, a project aimed at improving the appearance of the town while encouraging community pride and beautification efforts. The grant is part of more than $30,000 distributed by Apex Clean Energy to eight organizations across Hinds County. This round of funding focused heavily on STEM education, workforce development and projects designed to strengthen local communities. Town leaders said the funding will help support ongoing efforts to keep Bolton clean, attractive and welcoming for residents and visitors alike. “We are so excited about the work that these grant recipients are doing throughout Hinds County,” said Brian O'Shea, director of public engagement at Apex Clean Energy. “They are taking the initiative to seize workforce development opportunities, support Hinds County students, and make meaningful improvements to their communities.” The Bolton project was one of several selected for funding through the Soul City Solar Community Grant Program, which was created to invest in local initiatives that improve quality of life and create long-term opportunities for area residents. In addition to community improvement projects, the program also supports educational and workforce development initiatives throughout Hinds County. “We are grateful for the continued support of Soul City Solar and Apex Clean Energy,” said Matthew Jones, vice president of advancement and executive director of the Hinds Community College Foundation. “Their financial commitment ensures that students studying STEM-related fields have access to scholarships throughout their academic journeys.” Bolton’s Clean & Green initiative is expected to help enhance public spaces and encourage residents to take an active role in keeping the community clean and beautiful.

Special to The Bolton News The Bolton Mayor and Board of Aldermen convened for their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, May 5, at Town Hall, addressing community concerns, infrastructure updates and municipal business. During the meeting, town officials presented a proclamation to the Jackson Association of Black Social Workers in recognition of Social Workers Month. The proclamation was accepted by Ms. Cindy Henry. Several residents addressed the board during the public appearances portion of the meeting. Robert Brister spoke regarding residential development within the town, outlining a proposal to construct homes ranging from approximately 1,500 to 1,600 square feet, as well as options near 2,000 square feet with carports. Ms. Antionette Kimple raised concerns about traffic safety on Church Street. She cited issues with speeding vehicles in areas where children are frequently at play, as well as vehicles parking on both sides of the street, creating difficulties for navigation. Braylon Williams of the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department also addressed the Board. Williams expressed concern about vehicles parking in front of the fire station bay, which can delay emergency response by obstructing the exit of fire equipment. He also discussed the department’s need for Wi-Fi service to assist with timely entry of call reports. Additionally, Williams proposed the purchase of a brush truck to improve response capabilities in situations where the use of a full-sized fire engine may not be practical. Mayor Butler-Kidd reported that installation of new fire hydrants in Bolton is expected to begin soon. In other business, the board approved updates to several municipal ordinances, including those governing use of the town pavilion, regulations concerning junk and inoperable vehicles without current tags, and animal control measures. The board also approved travel and training requests, including authorization for Town Attorney Shundra Baldwin to attend the 2026 Mississippi Municipal Attorneys Conference in Gulfport in June. The town’s court clerk was also approved to attend training at BBI related to the implementation of a new court system. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Willie Cornelia Johnson Harvey February 3, 1942 - April 28, 2026 84 Years of age Willie Cornelia Johnson Harvey was born on February 3, 1942, to the late Lacey Allen Johnson and Willie Mae Marshall Johnson. She was the eleventh and youngest child born to this union. She answered the Master’s call and entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Funeral Arrangements: Visitation: May 6, 2026, 4:00-6:00 PM Bolton Funeral Home, 205 Bolton Brownsville Road, Bolton Cards may be sent to: Bolton Funeral Home, Attn: Family of Willie Cornelia Johnson Harvey, P.O. Box 67, Bolton, MS 39041 Funeral Service: May 7, 2026, 11:00 AM Mt. Center Missionary Baptist Church, 3789 Sam Herring Road, Bolton Additional viewing will take place one hour prior to the start of the funeral service Interment: Orange Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery 4080 Cox's Ferry Road, Bolton To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willie Cornelia Johnson Harvey, please visit our flower store.

Ben Albert Flowers October 22, 1964 - April 26, 2026 61 Years of age Ben Albert Flowers was born on October 22, 1964, in Bolton, Mississippi, to Albert Flowers and Fannie Thomas, both of whom preceded him in death. Ben departed this earthly life on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Funeral Arrangements: Visitation: May 8, 2026 from 4:00-6:00 PM Bolton Funeral Home, 205 Bolton Brownsville Road, Bolton, MS Cards may be sent to: Bolton Funeral Home, Attn: Family of Ben Albert Flowers, P.O. Box 67, Bolton, MS 39041 Funeral Service: May 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM Chapel Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 5131 N. Chapel Hill Road, Edwards, MS Additional viewing will take place one hour prior to the start of the funeral service. Interment: Chapel Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ben Albert Flowers, please visit our flower store.

By Bob Garver Poster Credit IMDB The big problem with “Michael,” the new Michael Jackson biopic, is that it has the approval of the Jackson family. As such, we are going to get a very flattering portrait of possibly the single most controversial personality in the history of the music industry. The scandals that plagued his later years are an unignorable part of his legacy, no matter how much this movie tries to ignore them. Simply put: a movie with this much love for Michael Jackson, made by people who unconditionally love and want to protect Michael Jackson, is not going to be an interesting portrait of Michael Jackson. The film follows Michael from his youth until 1988 – basically the first 30 years of his life. Growing up in Gary, Indiana, young Michael (Juliano Valdi) was essentially robbed of his childhood by his father Joe (Colman Domingo), who demanded that his musician children pursue fame at the expense of their happiness, and some would argue, sanity. The real Jackson family – so protective of Michael’s image - apparently has no problem with Joe being portrayed as a monster. Valdi does an excellent job singing, dancing, emoting, and overall playing a young Michael. Maybe if the whole movie was built around Michael when he was this young, it wouldn’t need to bother giving us a shortchanged version of his adult years. Of course, Michael does grow up to be played by Jaafar Jackson, son of Jermaine Jackson and Michael’s real-life nephew. Well, you can’t say the resemblance isn’t there, even if Michael stopped resembling himself after a certain point. Seriously though, Jaafar is fine. He’s obviously putting every effort into what he surely knows is the role of a lifetime. Is he as talented a musician as his uncle? No, but then Michael wouldn’t be the one-of-a-kind performer he was if he could be easily emulated – even by members of his own family. The movie knows it can’t get a musical performance to match Michael’s stage presence, so it keeps the musical sequences… not exactly “to a minimum,” but they’re never as thorough as fans probably want them to be. I’ll put it this way: I never thought that Michael could take the pop world by storm based on the songs and dances we get in this movie. Nor do I see audiences demanding “cult” screenings of this movie that emphasize the music in the years to come. Come to think of it, the dull musical sequences are as big a problem with “Michael” as the toothless storytelling. I’m just less mad about them because I can see that people – namely Jaafar – are really trying. They just fall short because of their choppiness. But the musical numbers are the selling point of this movie, since I think audiences know in advance that the biography stuff is hardly hard-hitting. Maybe this movie should have taken the “jukebox musical” route of just being a glorified concert of epic performances to celebrate Michael’s style. Jaafar probably couldn’t have carried the whole thing himself, but taking on a few numbers could have lent authenticity to compliment a necessary cast of career professionals. But no, “Michael” had to take the dialogue-heavy biopic route and it falls flat on its face. Not only does the movie cut out Michael’s crazy, scandalous later years, but it doesn’t handle the years we do see particularly well. Surely Michael had more going on than just being a man-child who liked toys and animals and whose worst deed was failing to stand up to his tyrannical father. I’d have a hard time believing that anybody is this wholesome, let alone the obviously-disturbed Michael Jackson. This movie would have you believe that Michael lived like an angel to match having the voice of one. It’s bad, but ironically not the cool Michael Jackson brand of “Bad.” Grade: C- “Michael” is rated PG-13 for some thematic material, language, and smoking. Its running time is 127 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com If we are talking about your teeth, yep, that’s true. Just totally ignore them, and you have a pretty quick way to rid yourself of a tiresome repetitive responsibility. “She don’t care about us, and always wishin’ that we weren’t so needy all the time? Oh, yeah, we’re outta here! We may leave one by one, but we’re all leavin,’ sooner or later.” But emotional trauma? No way. There are way too many families that seem to believe that if they ignore the painful “it,” the trauma will go away. But usually the opposite happens. Granted, conversation about “it” may stop, but “it” is still there. It simply goes underground, like ugly unwanted plants that over a period of time begin putting out tiny roots. Roots that sooner or later, will grow and likely produce offspring that can make the original “it” seem like a walk in springtime. When an unfortunate incident happens, too often the ones who are most affected refuse to ever consider talking about it. Because talking means reliving that painful memory, and that is the last thing they want to do. Hoping it will just disappear from their lives, they try to just turn their back and walk away. Mentally and emotionally. But emotional trauma and pain that are left to go underground have a way of reappearing later in life. Often reappearing in the form of rebellion, misunderstood anger, isolation from loved ones, crime, or questionable sexual behavior. Like I said, a walk in the springtime a few years before. Unaddressed trauma changes lives, period. And never for the better. And I am not speaking of just the person who experienced the original pain. Here’s why. Every life touches other lives. And if a life has been lived saturated in emotional pain, then that person can’t help but have their relationships affected by their trauma. And this is especially true for the parent-child relationship. Emotional input into the life of a child creates a permanent impression on that child’s life. And if that input is stained by second-hand trauma that has never been resolved, then the effect is very real and very unfortunate. And if that child’s trauma stays unresolved, then it can easily be passed down to the next generation. In an ongoing generational chain of pain. Until someone has the guts to decide that “It” stops with me, and seeks the help that the family has been needing for so long. Then the chain of pain can be broken. Have the courage to speak up and stop the hurt. Like my husband says, “It’s bad enough to fall headfirst into a mudhole, but it’s a whole lot worse to just lay there.”

Special to The Bolton News Bolton-Edwards Elementary/Middle School parents and guardians have a special opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of their children’s teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4th–May 8th. This dedicated week is a time to pause, reflect, and intentionally show gratitude for the educators who work tirelessly to support, guide, and inspire students every day. Teachers play a vital role in shaping not only academic success but also confidence, character, and future goals. A simple act of appreciation can go a long way in lifting their spirits and reminding them that their efforts truly matter. To make participation easy and engaging, B.E. is encouraging families to join in themed days throughout the week: Monday – Words Matter Day Start the week with heartfelt appreciation. A handwritten note, card, or letter from a student or parent can leave a lasting impression. Genuine words of thanks often mean more than anything else. Tuesday – Treat Them Day Brighten a teacher’s day with a favorite snack or drink. Whether it’s a morning coffee, a sweet treat, or a refreshing beverage, this small gesture shows thoughtful recognition. Wednesday – Wellness Day Help teachers take a moment for themselves. Consider items that promote relaxation and self-care, such as candles, lotions, or even a simple encouragement to rest and recharge. Thursday – Throwback Day Celebrate the memories that make teaching so meaningful. Share a favorite classroom moment, a photo, or a note reflecting on a special experience from the school year. Friday – Favorite Things Day Wrap up the week with a thoughtful gift card or an item you know your teacher loves. It’s a simple way to show appreciation while giving them something they can truly enjoy. When families come together to celebrate teachers, it strengthens the entire school community. These small, intentional acts send a powerful message: our teachers are valued, respected, and appreciated. Let’s work together to make this Teacher Appreciation Week one to remember for the incredible educators at B.E.E.M.S.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB Prior to what I will generously call his “new take” on “The Mummy,” director Lee Cronin was best known for 2023’s “Evil Dead Rise.” Original “Evil Dead” director Sam Raimi had a new movie out earlier this year with “Send Help,” and he didn’t put his name in that film’s title. And his name carries real weight, he directed the Tobey Maguire “Spider-Man” trilogy back in the 2000’s. But the guy who directed the fifth “Evil Dead” movie thinks his name belongs in the very title of his next project. At least this way I know who to blame for this movie, so points for “owning it,” I guess. The film follows the Cannon family: father Charlie (Jack Reynor), mother Larissa (Laia Costa), son Sebastian (initially Dean Allen Williams, later Shylo Molina), and daughter Katie (initially Emily Mitchell, later Natalie Grace). They’re an American family living in Cairo next door to a mean matriarch known as The Magician (Hayat Kamille), who we know from the film’s prologue is the protector and caregiver of a malevolent Egyptian entity. Katie goes missing, and the local police, including young detective Dalia (May Calamawy) are no help. Eight years pass. The family is still devastated by the loss of Katie, but they’ve had another daughter named Maud (Billie Roy). One day, thanks to a deadly plane crash, they get an unexpected call from Cairo that Katie has been found alive… though very corpse-like. She was found wrapped in bandages inside an ancient sarcophagus found in the wreckage, in very poor health thanks to malnutrition and other forms of negligence, but alive. The parents want to know what happened to Katie in those eight years, and they’ll look to Dalia for those answers, but the important thing at the moment is that they have their daughter back. The family takes Katie home from what has to be the most incompetent hospital in the world to release a patient in her condition. And as you can probably guess, it doesn’t take long for things to start going wrong at home. Katie can supposedly barely move, but she keeps jumping out of her bed and scuttling around the house, eating scorpions, and hurting anyone in her vicinity, especially her religious grandmother (Verónica Falcón). Oh, and she spits up blood a lot. This is a movie that never passes up an opportunity to have its characters spit up any number of fluids. That’s where most of the “style” and scares lie for this movie – gross-outs and gore. Initially some of it is mildly shocking, but Cronin’s overreliance on these elements makes them downright boring by the end. And there’s plenty of time to become bored because this movie is way too long at 134 minutes. Cronin just had to keep Dalia, the Magician, and Cairo in the movie, even though dropping them and rewriting the script to keep things within the family probably could have saved the production millions of dollars, and more importantly, about 44 minutes of my time. “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” is a lame knockoff of better possession thrillers, mostly “The Exorcist” and “Evil Dead.” This movie has more in common with those movies than any “Mummy” movie I know. In fact, my theory is that Cronin wrote this script as a follow-up to his “Evil Dead” movie, and when he got this job, he just removed all references to Deadites and added a sarcophagus and some bandages. If that is the case, then the “Evil Dead” franchise dodged a bullet not having this uncreative dreck as an installment. Grade: D “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” is rated R for strong disturbing violent content, gore, language, and brief drug use. Its running time is 134 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Tommy Earl "T Dog" Kelly, Sr. May 30, 1962 - April 16, 2026 62 Years of age Mr. Tommy Earl Kelly, Sr., 62, was born on May 30, 1962 to Archie Kelly & Robbie Mae Jordan Kelly in Bolton, MS. Tommy passed April 16, 2026 in Learned, MS. Funeral Arrangements: Public Viewing: Friday, April 24, 2026, 1:00-7:00 PM, Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home (Jackson), 3580 Robinson Road, Jackson Funeral Service: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 11:00 AM, Chapel Hill M.B. Church, 5137 N. Chapel Hill Road, Bolton Interment: Chapel Hill M.B. Church Cemetery Send flowers to the service of Tommy Earl "T Dog" Kelly, Sr.