UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED. On Sunday, December 12, free Covid-19 vaccination shots will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mt. Olive M.B. Church. Pfizer and Moderna first, second and booster shots will be administered by the Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center. Children and adults are welcome and no advance appointment is required. See flyer, below. Location: Mt. Olive M.B. Church Fellowship Hall 6449 W. Northside Drive Bolton, MS 39041 Date and Time: UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED Sunday, December 12, 2021 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet (MMB), opens its 29th season on December 4 and 5 with the holiday favorite “The Nutcracker,” featuring a cast of over 150 local dancers and guest artists from Ballet Memphis. Attending a performance of the ballet at Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center is an annual tradition for many in the metro area. In addition to witnessing the exciting choreography, sparkling costumes, beautiful sets and artistic feats of the production, patrons will have the opportunity to begin a new tradition this year as MMB introduces its Land of Sweets. “The Nutcracker” follows the story of Clara as she attends her family’s Christmas party, where she receives the gift of a nutcracker from the mysterious and magical Herr Drosselmeyer. After the party, Clara’s nutcracker comes to life, battles the evil Mouse King, and takes Clara on a magical journey. Clara and the Nutcracker Prince are awed by the Snow Queen and her corps of Snowflakes in the snowy forest before meeting the Sugarplum Fairy in the land of sweets. There Clara and the Nutcracker Prince enjoy dances or divertissements from around the world presented for their entertainment. Following the 2 p.m. matinee performances of MMB’s “The Nutcracker,” patrons may step into Clara’s slippers and travel to the Land of Sweets. In this immersive experience, guests will have their personal passport stamped as they visit Clara, the Snow Queen, the Dewdrop, the Sugarplum Fairy, and other characters from the ballet. Travel stops will offer character photo opportunities and souvenirs including a miniature nutcracker. The afternoon’s activities will be capped with “Spanish'' hot cocoa and light refreshments from Nothing Bundt Cakes. “The Land of Sweets is sure to please ballet fans of all ages, especially aspiring young dancers. The opportunity for a personal encounter with the dancers seen on stage and an up-close look at the beautiful costumes is not to be missed!” says MMB Guild president Christine Bridges. Emily Garner of Madison will dance the role of Clara this season. Emily is a senior MMB company member and a freshman at Rosa Scott High School. She is the daughter of Elizabeth and Andy Clark and Adams Garner. MMB principal dancer Madeline Page of Madison will dance a number of roles including the Snow Queen and Dewdrop Fairy. Page is a senior at Jackson Prep and the daughter of Audrey and Jeremy Page. Artistic director Jennifer Beasley notes, “As in professional companies, many of the roles in the production, such as the Snow Queen, Dewdrop Fairy and divertissement leads are split cast. A split cast means that more than one dancer performs the role over the course of the production. We have so many strong dancers among our principals, soloists and senior company members. Challenging each dancer with new, varied and appropri ately-difficult choreography helps them develop their artistry and technique. Our four performances over the course of Nutcracker weekend will give them all an opportunity to shine.” Sharing the role of Snow Queen with Page is Hallie Young. Young is an MMB soloist and a senior at Northwest Rankin High School. Page shares the role of Dewdrop Fairy with fellow principal dancer Brelyn Binkley. Binkley attends Northwest Rankin High School and is a junior. Young and Binkley also split the role of Mirliton lead. Other soloists and senior company members in the cast are Annalee LeDuff, Hart Maley, Sydney Sanders, Rebecca Trowbridge, Southern Callahan, Brooke Carter, Mari Finseth, Grace Gardner, Sophia Huang, Amelia McCaughan and Emma Raush all of Madison County and Eleanora Ellis, Laurel Larsen and Annalyse Binkley of Rankin County. Joining the local cast are Cecily Khuner, Oscar Fernandez, Joey Dlearo and Dominiq Luckie of Ballet Memphis. Khuner and Fernandez will dance the roles of the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier. Dlearo will appear as the Nutcracker Prince, and Luckie will perform the role of Snow King. Cecily Khuner began her dance training at Berkeley Ballet Theater and then attended San Francisco Ballet School. She joined Ballet Memphis in 2010. Her favorite works/roles with the company include Juliet in Steven McMahon’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Sugar Plum and Dew Drop in “Nutcracker,” George Balanchine’s “Square Dance,” Trey McIntyre’s “The Reassuring Effects of Form and Poetry,” Matthew Neenan’s “Water of the Flowery Mill,” Julia Adam’s “Devil’s Fruit,” Gabrielle Lamb’s “Manifold,” and Helena in Mark Godden’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Cecily is a National YoungArts Foundation award winner for ballet. Oscar Fernandez is from the village of Santillana de Mar of the state of Cantabria, in the North of Spain. He trained in classical, contemporary and Flamenco dance at the Real Conservatorie of Dance Mariemma in Madrid before joining San Francisco Ballet School on scholarship. He joined Ballet San Jose as Corp member in 2014 where he performed in George Balanchine's “Theme and Variations,” Ben Stevenson’s “Cinderella” and Ohad Naharin's “Minus 16” among others. He joined Ballet Memphis in 2016 and performed in Steven McMahon productions, including Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet” and the Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz,” Cavalier in “Nutcracker,” as well as Spanish, Russian and Arabian. Oscar also has performed in George Balanchine's “Square Dance,” Reggie Wilson's “I Am a Man,” Matthew Neenan's “Water of the Flowery Mill,” and Mark Godden's “Midsummer Night's Dream.” Oscar teaches Adult Ballet and Latin Dance in the Ballet Memphis School. Performances of MMB’s “The Nutcracker” will be at 2 and 7 p.m. on December 4 and 5 at Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the performance are $30 - $35. Land of Sweets tickets are $25 and are sold separately. Both are available at msmetroballet.com or by calling 601-853-4508. Supporters of MMB’s 29th season include the Mississippi Arts Commission; Gertrude C. Ford Foundation; Jackson Optimist Club; Ergon; Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi; Eventful; Harper, Rains, Knight and Co.; Hilton Garden Inn Jackson-Madison; Larry and Michael Johnson Family Foundation; and The Pig & Pint. For more information on MMB or MMDA, visit www.msmetroballet.com or follow them on Instagram @msmetroballet and @msmetrodance.

Hinds County voters go to the polls Tuesday November 23rd to elect a new Sheriff to serve the time remaining in the term of Sheriff Lee Vance, who passed away in August. This is a special run-off election between the two candidates who received the most votes on November 2nd: Marshand Crisler and Tyree Jones. Crisler and Jones participated in a Hinds County Sheriff's Debate hosted by WJTV. A video of the debate, part 2, is below. Polling places will be open from 7 am to 7 pm. Be sure to bring your photo ID.* Find your polling place using the Polling Place Locator tool on the Mississippi Secretary of State website: https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/polling-place-locator Ballot information is also provided. Acceptable forms of photo ID include: driver's license; ID card issued by a branch, department, or entity of the state; U.S. passport; government employee ID; firearms license; student photo ID from an accredited Mississippi university, college or community college; military ID, tribal photo ID, Mississippi Voter Identification Card, according to the secretary of state's office. An expired photo ID is ok as long as it is no more than 10 years old, has a photo of the voter and was issued by the state of Mississippi or federal government. If a registered voter doesn't have one of the acceptable forms of photo ID, a free Mississippi Voter Card can be provided at any circuit clerk's office in the state. Applications may be submitted during normal business hours. A Sample Ballot for the "Bolton" precinct of Hinds County, is below. It was obtained from HindsCountyMS.com To reach the office of Hinds County Circuit Clerk, Zack Wallace, call 601-968-6628.

History buffs will enjoy reading this interesting bit of history from our area. During the 1800's Rev. Preston Cooper, a Methodist minister, dug a well whose water proved to be of medicinal help and people came from everywhere to drink the water. The July, 1899 edition of the Jackson Evening News stated that "the waters had a high reputation in curing dyspepsia and the various intestinal diseases of long standing; in liver complaint, chronic inflammation of the bladder and malaria, in dropsy, and especially in chronic diarrhea." Steve Kelly recently shared the following photograph, and had this to say, "Raymond, Mississippi in the1890s: Cooper's Well Resort was one of the South's largest and most popular spas, especially between 1880 and 1920. The main attraction was the supposedly curative sulfurous waters." Michele Grigsby Lavigne shared, "My sister and I were metal detecting in Raymond and found what looked to be a key or room plate. Even had Cooper's Well on it." Here is a photograph of the item they found: Following is an excerpt from an article 'A Kaleidoscope of History' a series on the history of Raymond written by Rebecca B. Drake, originally published in the Hinds County Gazette. A book called History of Cooper's Well was written in 1851 by a newspaperman and in this book we find an accurate account of Rev. Cooper's experiences set down in his own words: "One night as I lay on my bed wrapped in a peaceful and quiet sleep, induced by a consciousness of being at peace with all men, I dreamed that I saw a figure of a man with a familiar face stand before me, and when I looked the man said: 'Cooper resume the digging of your well; much depends on it; it is all important you should do so, see you do it!' and vanished. So when I awoke I could scarcely persuade myself that it had been a dream." He listened to the dreams which continued for several years and became more determined than ever to dig until he struck water. On Friday 16th, 1841 his dream was realized. After hiring four diggers the well had reached a depth of 100 feet. Neighbors gathered around the well on the final day of digging expecting a disappointment. Reverend Cooper was leaning on the windlass looking down into the well expecting the realization of his dream. Anxiety was at its highest point! A few moments after Cooper looked down the windlass the digger struck his mattock into the crevice of a rock and water appeared. Said Cooper... "It looked to me like a bright coin at the bottom of the well, and in answer to my question, 'what is that,' the digger said, 'it is water but it stinketh mightily, it stinketh so bad you can never use it." On analysis the water proved to be of medicinal help and people came from everywhere to drink of the water. The July, 1899 edition of the Jackson Evening News stated that "the waters had a high reputation in curing dyspepsia and the various intestinal diseases of long standing; in liver complaint, chronic inflammation of the bladder and malaria, in dropsy, and especially in chronic diarrhea." In 1848, ten years before his death, Cooper sold the land to his brother in law who began to make improvements. In less than ten years after the Well's discovery it became a popular resort for the wealthy planters and merchants from Mississippi and neighboring states. A hotel was built on the site as well as a 50-foot observatory where smoke from the steamboats could be seen on the Mississippi and Yazoo River 40 miles away! The hotel became famous for its many attractions - a grand ballroom, a shooting gallery, a billiard hall, afternoon toilettes for women, and mint juleps in the saloon for the men. The largest crowd ever recorded at the Wells was in 1851 when U.S. Senator Foote, then the Union Candidate for Governor in opposition to U.S. Senator Jefferson Davis, addressed possibly 2000 people. The Wells opened for the Season that same day and after the ball that evening over half of the visitors could not be accommodated. Many slept in chairs on the galleries and in the parlor or on the office floor. During the Civil War "Cooper's Well Resort" was destroyed by Union troops. After the war the Spengler family from Vicksburg bought the facility and a new hotel was built. The resort then reached its zenith from around 1880 until 1920. Known as the "Saratoga of the South" the hotel could accommodate up to 800 guests. Even today some Raymond citizens can remember Cooper's Well when it was at its height of splendor... "the pavilion for dancing, military parades, the wonderful food that was served, Lake Catherine, a man-made lake covering several acres at the foot of the hills, with all its geese and ducks..." The other popular health spa before the Civil War was "Mississippi Springs", a settlement even older than Cooper Wells, located off what is now Highway 18, near Raymond. The settlement was famous for having seven springs, each with a different water mineral. "Mississippi Springs" became more or less a camp site where people would go that had faith in the healing qualities of the water. Many of these people would build cottages and stay for long periods of time. Seven Springs Road, a few miles from Raymond now marks the area. Little is known about what happened to Mississippi Springs and why it passed in popularity. Cooper's Well, on the other hand, died a slow death. During the Depression it became an artists colony housing painters and writers working under WPA grants. In 1940 Joe Dehmer of Jackson bought the property but the once famous hotel burned to the ground in the same year. The Pavilion, a two story open structure over the main well - used for dancing - was the last structure remaining on the site. It burned after 1970. The graveled Cooper's Well Road has been replaced by Midway Road as access to State Highway 18. Lake Catherine no longer exists.

It’s no surprise that Americans rank Thanksgiving among one of their favorite holidays. Family, football and a feast... what's not to love? Most people relish the traditional Thanksgiving meal, but they also appreciate a more light-and-lean day of grazing leading up to the main event. Try this idea for a Thanksgiving day snack board that's sure to satisfy and stave hunger pangs without ruining appetites. Fill a large serving board with: whole grain popcorn fruits veggies & hummus pickles & olives nuts small sweet treats Be sure to vary colors and textures, adding whatever appeals to your crowd. Popcorn is: ✓ Non-GMO There are no known GMO crops of popcorn in the U.S. All popcorn is GMO free, even if it is not labeled non-GMO. ✓ Whole Grain Popcorn is a 100% unprocessed healthy, whole grain. It contains the bran, germ, and endosperm. One serving can provide about 70% of the recommended daily intake of whole grain. ✓ Gluten Free Popcorn is gut friendly. It does not contain gluten. ✓ Low Fat Popcorn is virtually fat-free (only 0.1 g per cup) and contains only 100 to 150 calories in a serving of 5 popped cups. ✓ Low Calorie Air-popped popcorn has only 30 calories per cup; oil-popped popcorn has only 35 calories per cup. ✓ Sugar Free Popcorn has no artificial additives or preservatives, and is sugar-free. Popcorn adds an element of surprise and good taste to soups, chili, and even mac and cheese. Make a batch of Herbed Popcorn so guests can help themselves to this fun topping or simply eat as snack. Recipe for Maple Pumpkin Spice Popcorn The flavors of fall make this recipe perfect for cool crisp nights around the fire pit. Yield: 5 cups Ingredients 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin spice mix 1 tablespoon butter or margarine 1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional 5 cups popped popcorn Directions In a large saucepan or pot, heat brown sugar, maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice mix over medium heat. Cook, stirring, 3 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and mixture is bubbling. Stir in butter until melted and well blended. Add pecans, if desired, and popcorn and stir until well coated. Allow mixture to cool before serving. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container. Nutrition Facts 100 calories 4.5 g total fat 2 g saturated fat 5 mg cholesterol 20 mg sodium 16 g carbohydrates 1 g fiber 10 g sugar 1 g protein 39 mg potassium Recipe for Cranberry & Chocolate Spiced Popcorn Sit by the fire and warm up with this fall-inspired popcorn blend that’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Yield: 8 Cups Ingredients 8 cups popped popcorn 1 cup dried cranberries 1 cup toasted pumpkin seeds 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 4 ounces dark chocolate, melted 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt Directions In large bowl, toss together popcorn, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, coconut oil, cinnamon and nutmeg. Lay mixture flat on parchment paper–lined tray. Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt. Let stand at room temperature for about 20 minutes or until chocolate sets. Break apart into chunks. Popcorn Served At Thanksgiving? Historically, at the first Thanksgiving? No. There is no indication that popcorn had made its way East at the time of the earliest settlers. Today? Yes. Popcorn is a satisfying whole grain snack that won't ruin appetites. Find more ideas and recipes at www.popcorn.org.

"Cheers to 150 Years." Everyone is invited to a celebration at Gaddis & McLaurin on Thursday, November 18, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Gaddis & McLaurin, established in 1871, is celebrating 150 years in business in Bolton Mississippi. The Bolton After Dark event will feature music, food, refreshments and discounts at the store, as well as a tour of the cotton gin with Mr. Ted Kendall. Customers with purchases at the store of $100 or more, can receive a $10 gift certificate to be used at either B-Town Steakhouse or Bolton Nutrition. Location: 104 Madison Street, Bolton MS For additional information, call 601-866-2279.

The Bolton News is pleased to welcome a new writer and contributor to its team: Mrs. Shirley Burns of Bolton, Mississippi. Shirley Burns was born and raised in Bolton. She is a graduate of Sumner Hill High School and has a masters degree from JSU. She taught third and fourth grade elementary students for many years and served as president of the Clinton Teachers Association. After retiring from the Clinton Public Schools in 1987, she founded a successful daycare center for children, from which she retired in 2000. She and her husband of 62 years (who is a native of Bolton, as well), live in the house they built near their church, St. Thomas Baptist Church. The couple has four children and eight grandchildren. "My church work is my life," says Burns. "My children ask, 'Why don't you kick back and relax?' but I like to stay busy." She currently teaches Sunday School and serves as Education Director at St. Thomas. Roles she filled in the past include Director of Ministry for Women, Trustee and others. She also serves as Dean with the Hinds County Congress and as director of public relations for the Hinds County Ministerial Alliance. She is excited about the opportunity to serve as a correspondent, writer and researcher for The Bolton News, with much of her focus being on area churches, town government and needs of the community.

The Annie T. Jeffers Library in Bolton will be closed Thursday, November 11, 2021 for Veterans Day. The Library will reopen on Saturday, November 13, 2021.

Rep. Bennie G. Thompson has announced that the application period for the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program opened on Monday, November 8, 2021 at 8 a.m. ET and will close on Friday, December 17, 2021 at 5 p.m. ET. The purpose of the AFG Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire- related hazards. The program provides direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations, and State Fire Training Academies. The funds provide critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience. The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. No. 116-260), and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) include $460 million for the AFG Program and the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Program. Of that amount, $414 million will be awarded under the FY 2021 AFG Program to assist first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types. The remaining $46 million will be awarded under the to-be-announced FY 2021 FP&S Program. “Fire Departments should take advantage of this grant program,” said Congressman Thompson. “These funds can go a long way in training and equipping first responders with the resources they need to carry out their duty.” The funding notice and technical assistance documents for this program are available at www.grants.gov and on the FEMA website. Additional information about upcoming webinars to assist applicants is also available on the FEMA website. Applicants requiring assistance should visit the FEMA website, call the FEMA AFG Program Help Desk at (866) 274-0960, and/or email them at firegrants@fema.dhs.gov. The AFG Program Help Desk is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET. The Congressman’s Bolton office is located at 107 West Madison Street, Bolton, MS 39041. Telephone: (601) 866-9003. US Representative Bennie G. Thompson Bolton MS: 107 West Madison Street Bolton, MS 39041 (601) 866-9003 (601) 866-9036 (Fax) Washington DC: 2466 Rayburn HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5876 (202) 225-5898 (Fax)

When the #10 ranked Hinds CC Eagles played #1 East Mississippi CC in the MACC semifinal on November 6th, with just 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the EMCC Lions tied up the game. The Eagles then kneeled the remaining seconds off the clock and sent the game to overtime. In the opening drive of overtime, the Eagle's Jeffrey Pittman scored from four yards out and Ben Duncan's PAT made it 42-35, Hinds. The Lions answered with a touchdown and decided to go for two. The pass was tipped by Taylor Hunt and intercepted by Reginald Barnes to seal a 42 to 41 win in overtime for the Hinds CC Eagles. The Eagles (8-2 overall) head to Senatobia on Saturday November 13th to take on Northwest Mississippi Community College at 2 p.m. for the Conference Championship. Fans will be able to watch Hinds football games live here: https://hindsccsports.net/channel-1/ You can also follow @HindsCC_FB for live in-game updates. Related Article:

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has begun scheduling COVID-19 vaccinations for children 5 to 11 years old for appointments beginning Monday, November 8. Appointments will be available at https://covidvaccine.umc.edu/ for all county health departments. Appointments can also be made by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 866-498-4948 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Vaccinations for all Mississippians 5 and older can also be found from other providers including healthcare providers, FQHC’s, independent and retail pharmacies. “We are pleased this has finally been approved, and we recommend that all children 5 and older in Mississippi be vaccinated against COVID-19,” said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers. “If you have questions or concerns, we urge you to please talk with your pediatrician or healthcare provider.” The Mississippi State Department of Health has ordered 51,000 doses of vaccine for this age group, and they began arriving at county health departments and other healthcare providers last week. Children ages 5-11 years will be vaccinated with two 10-microgram doses of the Pfizer vaccine administered 21 days apart. The dosage is one-third of the adolescent and adult dose. For more information, visit https://msdh.ms.gov/c19vaccination.

With the world’s favorite natural fiber for cloth being cotton, most people don’t think about where the fabric of their favorite t-shirt or sweater originated – but that cotton may have been harvested and ginned in Bolton, Mississippi, home to the Gaddis and McLaurin Gin, owned by a partnership between The Gaddis Farms, Inc. and Gaddis & McLaurin, Inc. Purified cotton has many uses, including woven fabrics and surgical dressings. Sticks and leaves can be made into paper and cardboard. Seed meal can be used in livestock feed for cows and chickens, as well as a natural fertilizer to enrich soil for farming and flower beds. Cottonseed oil can be used in bath products and cosmetics, as well as for cooking. The short layer of fuzz covering cotton seeds contains a high level of cellulose, which can be used to make synthetic materials, including plastics and television screens. “Gin mote” cotton (or “dirty cotton”) is used for making yarn, bleached and non-woven products. Cotton fabric is breathable, has a soft texture and its qualities make it easy to dye and manufacture into everything from blue jeans to dress shirts, baby diapers to bed sheets, upholstery to towels, and much more. Although cultivated since antiquity, it was the invention of the cotton gin that lowered the cost of production that led to its widespread use, and, according to Wikipedia, it is the most widely used natural fiber cloth in clothing today. The Gaddis family has been in the ginning business since the early 1900s. During World War II, there were six gins in the family: three in Bolton, two in Raymond and one two miles north of Bolton. The current gin on Bolton Raymond Road is the only one of those six that is still in operation today. When it was built in 1956, it had a capacity of eight bales per hour. In 1985, a partnership was formed between Gaddis & McLaurin, Inc. and The Gaddis Farms, named Gaddis & McLaurin Gin. The gin was modernized, and today it can make up to thirty bales per hour. The owners have also added a 5,000-ton-capacity seed house, where seed from ginning season is stored. It is sold to dairy operations and cottonseed mills throughout the year. “Gin trash” is composted for a year, then sold to farmers and yard and garden customers in the spring (beginning on or about March first). Gardeners can see significantly improved results when they mix gin trash in the soil prior to planting vegetables and flowers. Cotton from farms as far away as Hattiesburg and Lorman is ginned in Bolton. In Bolton, Live Oak Planting Company, which is run by Ted H. Kendall, IV, farms on the land owned by Gaddis & McLaurin, Inc. Snake Creek Planting Company, which is run by Kendall Garraway, farms on the land owned by The Gaddis Farms. Their cotton is ginned in Bolton, as well. This article, which was written by Susalyn Bennett, was published in the November 2, 2021 issue of The Bolton News. Videographer, Ronnia Townsend. Photographer, Susalyn Bennett.