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Special to The Bolton News The Bolton News is excited to announce a new partnership with Card My Yard, Clinton, MS bringing readers a fun way to celebrate special moments while enjoying exclusive savings. Through this partnership, Bolton News readers can receive $20 OFF their next Card My Yard order by using promo code Bolton20. Card My Yard specializes in large, professionally installed yard signs that turn everyday celebrations into unforgettable moments. From birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries to retirements, proposals, and welcome-home surprises, Card My Yard offers full-service rentals that include delivery, setup, and removal. “This partnership is all about celebrating our community,” said a representative of The Bolton News. “Card My Yard shares our passion for bringing joy locally, and we’re proud to offer our readers a meaningful discount.” Whether you’re planning a milestone celebration or simply want to surprise someone special, Card My Yard makes it easy, and memorable. To book and receive $20 off, visit:  https://www.cardmyyard.com/locations/mississippi/clinton-ms/ Use promo code Bolton20 at checkout. If you have questions or need assistance with your order, you can contact:Doris Bynum 601-335-3247 clinton-ms@cardmyyard.com Availability is limited, and popular dates fill quickly. Stay connected with The Bolton News for more local partnerships, community highlights, and exclusive reader offers.

By: Tommie Hart Cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, is one of the most challenging and under-recognized cancers, with limited treatment options and a grim prognosis for many patients. Despite its rarity, the need for awareness and focused research is immense, as early detection and innovative therapies can make a life-saving difference. With February being Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month, it is an opportune time to learn about this disease that affects too many lives. I am writing as someone who is personally impacted by cholangiocarcinoma. In August 2025, my husband, Rev. Mike Hart, and I were informed of a mass in his liver. We must give credit to Dr. Art Kergosien at Brookhaven Internal Medicine. He noticed that my husband’s liver enzymes were a little elevated and sent him for an ultrasound. As aggressive as this cancer is, early detection is essential. At that time, we had no idea just how complicated and difficult his fight would become. He had his biopsy at the start of September and that is when we learned that he had cholangiocarcinoma. It was a difficult thing to accept since he was in good health with no symptoms. Cancer treatment in Mississippi seems to move extremely slow. He was in the middle of October, still not having started treatments, when the symptoms began. His bilirubin started to rise. They could not start his chemotherapy with the elevated bilirubin, so he had to have a procedure called an ERCP to place stents into the bile ducts to help them to work correctly. That procedure caused pancreatitis and resulted in a five-day hospital stay. Unfortunately, those stents did not work and caused more problems and his bilirubin rose to 14.9. He had to have the procedure repeated just two weeks later and the stents changed for longer ones. Since then, there have been countless doctor visits, more hospital stays and more procedures. Things change so quickly with this cancer. Since cancer treatment is limited in Mississippi, we reached out to MD Anderson in Texas and were quickly set up with an oncologist. On our first visit in October with Dr. Xavier, he had blood work, a CT and was admitted to MD Anderson for the stent exchange. Dr. Xavier also started molecular testing on his biopsy sample. After three months of chemotherapy that he received at Jackson Oncology with Dr. Sheehan and coordinated with MDA, he unfortunately showed progression of the cancer. Because of this, he has developed a dangerous portal vein thrombus and has been referred to an oncology radiologist at MD Anderson. We have met with Dr. Grace Li Smith, and he will undergo Proton Beam Therapy at MD Anderson. Mike also has a fistula that complicates the radiation treatment even further. Once the radiation sessions are completed and the radiologist feels he is ready, Mike will then be able to start on the next form of targeted chemotherapy. Luckily, the molecular testing showed that my husband has the FGFR2 FUSION mutation. Only 10-20% of patients have this. Because of that mutation, there is a targeted therapy that works as a small-molecule kinase inhibitor, selectively blocking Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors (FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3) that have genetic alterations (fusions, rearrangements) in certain cancers, like cholangiocarcinoma. By inhibiting these faulty receptors, the medication stops the abnormal signals that drive tumor cell proliferation, migration, and survival, ultimately slowing or stopping cancer growth. He will start this treatment soon after radiation and we, as well as the oncologists, are very optimistic. Thankfully, my husband has decent health insurance, and he now has an oncologist and general surgeon in Mississippi and an oncologist, gastroenterologist, radiologist, and oncology surgeon in Texas. This is a trying and complicated health issue that we must traverse. Our new normal. Although this is an extremely dangerous health situation, we hold strong to our faith that God will take care of him. Mike is a resident of Wesson and the pastor of Mallalieu Methodist and New Hebron Methodist churches. They are full of Godly, caring members that have been with us every step of the way. February 19, 2026 , is World Cholangiocarcinoma Day , a global effort to raise awareness of this challenging disease and highlight the need for early detection, better treatments, and increased support for patients and their families. This year, I would like to encourage anyone reading to join us by wearing green on February 19  in honor of cholangiocarcinoma awareness. The simple act of wearing green sends a powerful message of solidarity to those battling this disease, their families, and the medical professionals striving to find a cure. It would also mean so much to our local community, where awareness can lead to earlier diagnoses and better outcomes for those affected. Cholangiocarcinoma is often diagnosed too late due to vague symptoms and limited public understanding of the disease, but by helping to educate others and inspire action could save lives. You can learn more about cholangiocarcinoma and World Cholangiocarcinoma Day by visiting   cholangiocarcinoma.org . Together, we can make a difference!

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB “Mercy” was the  #1 movie at the box office on a weekend where the weather showed little in the way of mercy to much of the country. Hope you’re all safe out there. As if the weather weren’t enough of a disadvantage, “Mercy” is saddled with one of the stupidest cinematic premises I’ve ever seen. It takes place in a dystopian future where murder trials take the form of “Mercy trials,” suspects being strapped unsupervised to a chair in a tech-filled, but otherwise empty room and given 90 minutes to prove their innocence to an A.I. judge. If they can’t establish a reasonable doubt within the time limit, they’re executed on the spot. To give the suspects a fighting chance, tech is at their disposal to examine the crime scene, check security cameras, call witnesses, look at evidence like strangers’ personal financial records, and so on, all in the name of making the system think that they are less than 92% guilty. But emotional pleas do no good, the way they might with a human jury. Also, there are no lawyers to navigate (some would say “manipulate”) the justice system. No suspect given this kind of trial has ever been found not guilty. Detective Chris Raven (Chris Pratt), a major proponent of the Mercy system, awakens one day to finds himself strapped to a chair for a Mercy trial. On a screen, Judge Maddox (Rebecca Ferguson) informs him that he’s the prime suspect in the murder of his wife (Annabelle Wallis). His probability of guilt is deemed to be 96.7%. If he wants to avoid being… the movie never says, but I’m guessing electrocuted, he’d better get cracking on getting that number down below 92%. Oh, and he suffered a brain injury when he was arrested, so he doesn’t remember anything about the morning of the murder – including whether or not he did it. Chris goes about uncovering the truth. He knows that he wasn’t always the best husband, struggling with anger and alcoholism, but he couldn’t have done it… in the emotional sense. In the literal sense, maybe. He doesn’t get much help from friends and family, like his less-angelic-than-he-thought daughter (Kylie Rogers), his sponsor (Chris Sullivan), or his partner (Kali Reis), who are seemingly of the attitude that they want to help him, but the evidence isn’t looking good. He uncovers layers upon layers of secrets: his wife may have been having an affair with a chef (Jeff Pierre), she may have been involved with illegal drug manufacturing with her co-worker (Rafi Gavron), and there may be a conspiracy to unleash untold terror. And he may have to come to the conclusion that the Mercy system itself may not be as perfect as he previously thought. Who would have thought that putting a murder trial in the hands of a judge that can simply be unplugged might have flaws? “Mercy” is one of those movies that wants to warn us about the dangers of A.I., that this is where society is headed if we entrust in it too much. Except no, we’re not. A.I. is indeed creeping its way into all facets of life, including the justice system, and there are dangers that come along with it, but we’re a million miles from this strapped-to-a-chair-with-no-humans-around nonsense. The whole thing is ridiculous. It’s so ridiculous, in fact, that it warrants being seen by people who like ridiculous movies. This movie gets my rare “B-minus-minus” rating, reserved for movies that I would never recommend in the traditional sense, but do make me shake my head and chucklingly say, “You gotta see this.” Grade: B- - “Mercy” is rated PG-13 for violence, bloody images, some strong language, drug content and teen smoking. Its running time is 100 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Hopelessness. That terrible, hollow, empty sense that makes you believe there is absolutely nothing that can change your circumstance. Notice I wrote ‘believe.’ Not just ‘makes you feel.’ You may be someone who has already spent an endless amount of brain juice and time hashing and rehashing, searching for a way out of your dilemma. Nothing. Zilch. Nada. And you have come to the conclusion that nothing can make the final results end in your favor. Fear brought on by circumstances has won the war. And you have found yourself furiously battling against Hopelessness. Until you finally give up struggling against that emotion and just let it carry you into Depression. Depression can change brain chemistry, and make a person  believe  that it is all over for them. Whether that belief is actually warranted, or not. So that person gives up, emotionally lays face down, and just lets life circumstances take over. Circumstances. On and on that list can go. The cancer is spreading. The boss has already delivered your pink slip. The bank let you know last month that they are foreclosing. Your spouse left a note on the table that they have left you permanently. Circumstances like this create breath-taking fear, and often end in feelings of hopelessness and defeat. With no way to win the war. So, what to do? How can people survive such a one-sided battle? Earlier in this column I mentioned, “Whether that belief is actually warranted, or not.” Here is what I mean. The severe emotion of hopelessness can make a person actually see their personal world as having absolutely no good left in it…anywhere. Nothing to rescue them. No way that they can start over, if the worst actually happens. That person can’t perceive that if ‘the worst’ happens, that they can survive and actually begin again. So they give in and give up. And ‘the worst’ wins again. I plead with you, fight with all your might against the emotion of hopelessness. It is like turning down a pitch black, dead-end alley, where there is no way out and a dozen of your worst enemies are coming at you with deadly knives at the ready. Hopelessness leaves you defenseless against depression, and depression takes away your ability to want, to think, to do, to believe in Tomorrow. Yes, I realize that ‘the worst’ happens in people’s lives. That we can live in fear of it coming. But to let hopelessness for all our Tomorrows take control? That is the very worst that can happen to anyone. Believe in tomorrow, even when life is crushing you today. Believe that you can start over if you lose it all. Believe that you can create a new beginning for you. Because, if you let hopelessness take over when those horrible times hit your life, you are already on the losing side without even attempting to defend yourself. Life is hard. Don’t let hopelessness make your life even harder. Believe in your tomorrow. Even in the bad times.

By: Lisa Miller, BoltonMS.com St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Bolton will welcome the community on Sunday, February 8, for its Second Sunday service of Holy Eucharist, beginning at 3:00 p.m. The afternoon gathering offers a meaningful time of worship, reflection, and fellowship in a setting rooted in tradition and hospitality. The service will be led by the Rev. Hailey Allin, Vicar, alongside Harvey Smith, who will serve as Lay Worship Leader. Together, they will guide the congregation through the liturgy, emphasizing the spiritual rhythm and reverence that define the Holy Eucharist. Music will play a special role in the service, with several guest musicians contributing to the worship experience. Sid Champion will provide piano accompaniment, while Allison Jenkins will offer a vocal solo. Matthew Magee will add to the program with performances on violin and guitar, creating a blend of music that complements the service and enhances its reflective tone. St. Mary’s Second Sunday services are known for their welcoming atmosphere and thoughtful worship, inviting longtime members and visitors alike to participate. The church encourages anyone seeking a quiet, meaningful way to observe the season to attend and share in this afternoon of faith and music.

By: Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB Audiences largely left last June’s zombie threequel “28 Years Later” thinking the same thing, “That was a good movie, but what the heck was up with that ending?” They were referring to the last-minute saving of young protagonist Spike (Alfie Williams) from a hoard of Infected by a gang of blonde-wigged, tracksuit-wearing ruffians led by long-missing earlier character Jimmy (Jack O’Connell). The tone of the sequence was one of stylized action, which clashed with the more ominous, meditative horror (short of the obvious Infected attacks) of the rest of the movie. Now, a mere seven months later, “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” provides answers as to exactly what the heck was up with that ending. It turns out that the gang, known as The Fingers (because together they form a mighty fist), while they like to take out the Infected, aren’t much kinder to uninfected humans. They’re a cult of serial killers, all stripped of their original names and now called Jimmy, who serve a Satanic deity known as Old Nick. O’Connell’s leader, now going by the name Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, agrees to take in Spike if he can kill a Jimmy in a battle to the death. Spike lives to be inducted, but he lives in terror. Sadly, that’s his one mode through the entire movie. In “28 Years Later,” the character had a great arc where he abandoned his lying father and safe-haven community to get help for his sick mother and then face an uncertain future, but here he’s just scared all the time. Granted, I’d be consistently scared if I had to spend my life around the vicious Fingers, but it’s not much of a “hero’s journey.” The story sometimes breaks from Spike and The Fingers to spend time with Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), a character from the last movie who built The Bone Temple, a tall pile of skulls, as a memorial to the dead, and not, as some thought, a collection of weirdo trophies. He subdues an “Alpha Infected,” who he names Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), and takes strides to study him, as there may be something inside his head (psychologically) that may be the key to overcoming not just the Infected, but the 28-year-old infection. Most of the movie is a noticeable step down from “28 Years Later.” Sure, charging Infected and satanic murderers are scary and all, but it’s missing that certain sense of timing and heartfelt touch given to it by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle (Nia DaCosta, of the mixed-bag “Candyman” remake, is at the helm this time). That is, until the two stories converge. Once some of The Fingers become convinced that Dr. Kelson is their god Old Nick (thanks to his iodine-coated red skin), Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal has to find a way to keep his own hold on the group. And that’s where the musical number comes in. It’s not Jack O’Connell performing like he did in “Sinners,” but there is a show-stealing musical number and a climax that redeems the entire movie… and then a poorly-kept secret surprise after that. “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” can be a slog at times, and by “at times” I mean pretty much the entire first hour. It shouldn’t be a slog, given the high-stakes subject matter, but I could never shake this feeling that I was just watching a lesser version of a world I had spent just enough time in only seven months ago. But then that ending is so explosive that all is forgiven. Supposedly Danny Boyle will be back to direct a fifth movie in this series (my guess is it will be the third with “Years” in the title, to complete the trilogy within the larger continuity), and if he can seamlessly add his sensitive touch to the spectacle of this movie’s most memorable sequence, we’ll have a horror movie for the ages. Grade: B- “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, graphic nudity, language throughout, and brief drug use. Its running time is 109 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send any responses to:  andybowman839@gmail.com     A mirror has a tough job.  To show you how fit, skinny or fat your body is. Your clothes have a tougher job, to make your body look good. Your body that is fit, ski…well, no need, you already have yourself categorized.  A washing machine’s job is to clean those dirty clothes you’ve had on your fit, skinny or fat body. The water in your shower or bath is to remove the dirt from your fat, skinny or fit body. A mirror reflects the truth of our usually pretty sad situation. Clothes help us cover up that…um, situation. Washing machines wash those clothes so that they look and smell better. All of those each do the important job designated to it. But it takes a bath or shower to clean the body, the most important thing you own. But about that clean body. It’s simply just a fit, skinny or fat shell that carries the real you around every day. And you can bathe it until it squeaks, but that will still only make it a clean shell. The real YOU is a living spirit inside that shell that you - hopefully- bathe. Want to be convinced of this? Ask three total strangers to allow you to study their bodies for a minute or two. If they give you that permission, instruct each of them to turn in a circle several times for you. Study them carefully and in detail. Even talk to them. Then as you look ONLY at their neck, ask them if they feel happy, sad or rather numb. Then follow your instincts and look in their eyes, not just at their body parts. Ask them the very same question again, whether they are numb, happy or sad.  I am willing to wager that you will be more convinced of their answer when you look straight into their eyes. Why? Because the eyes generally reflect the real emotions of the spirit within.  Shakespeare and Jesus Christ agreed that the eyes are the window to the soul. The eyes are pretty good at exposing what the body is attempting to hide from the world. A person can be doing a great job of acting happy and peaceful around you, but look into those windows and see what’s real. Our eyes tell the whole truth and are usually a dead-giveaway when we are struggling emotionally. Much like the six-year-old who has not yet learned the fine art of not telling the whole truth regarding what goes on in the privacy of your home. “Teacher, Mommy won’t let Daddy sleep in their bedroom anymore.”    Yikes!!!! Folks, you are not your body, you have deeper things to worry about than that. You have a spirit that needs real care. Take care of that body, definitely. But more importantly, take care of your spirit.

With more extreme cold and winter weather possible in the days to come, it’s important to check the safety of your heating equipment. Most importantly, remember to keep clothes, drapes, and anything else combustible at least 3 feet away from all heating equipment, especially space heaters. The Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) Fire Services Division and State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) recommend the following heating fire safety tips. Never use space heaters while you sleep or in areas where children may be without adult supervision. Do not leave space heaters on when you are away from home. Always unplug space heaters when they are not in use. The heater should also be equipped with a tip-over shut-off switch. All heating equipment should be UL® approved and cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional before being used each year. Inspect the space heater’s power cord for damage, fraying, or heat. If the cord inspection reveals any of these issues, the heater should be replaced. Proper cleaning is essential and should be done regularly. Never use a stove or oven to heat living spaces. Kerosene is a poor choice for heating, as it emits poisonous fumes. Have chimney flues cleaned and inspected by qualified personnel. Burn only approved materials in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Never burn paper or trash in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old. Smoke alarms should be placed in every sleeping area and common hallways and on every level of the home. Should a fire break out in the home, have an emergency evacuation plan for the family to follow and have a designated meeting place for all family members. Once everyone is outside the burning home, call 911 and don’t go back inside the home under any circumstances. Below freezing temperatures, ice and snow could damage your roof and plumbing. Severe weather could also mean a high number of insurance claims. “Many insurance policies do not provide coverage for frozen pipes and other damage in homes that are no longer occupied or that are vacant. For example, if you’ve listed your home for sale, moved out, and turned off the heat, then the pipes freeze and burst, the insurance company could deny your claim because you did not take the proper steps to protect the home,” said Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney. Avoid an insurance claim by taking action now. Leave your faucet running with a slight drip and open the cabinet doors under your sinks. Look at the trees around your property and cut back branches or stems that are dead, dying, diseased, or broken. Clearing the debris from your gutters will help prevent ice dams by allowing meltwater to drain freely. Evaluate the insulation and ventilation (roof or soffit vents) in your attic, keeping the warm air in your home and out of your attic. Perform maintenance checks on your vehicle. Check the battery, antifreeze and wiper fluid levels. Fill up with gas, pack emergency supplies and keep a windshield scraper on-hand to remove ice.

Special to The Bolton News Building on its ongoing commitment to simplifying care, Walmart continues its 2026 health momentum with The Wellness Event — a free, nationwide health and wellness experience taking place Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Walmart stores across the country. Designed to help customers feel informed, supported and energized, the event brings together Walmart’s pharmacy, vision and wellness teams for essential health screenings, guidance and access to affordable or no-cost immunizations*. This year’s event also offers exclusive wellness sample boxes filled with nutrition-forward snacks, supplements and curated items to help customers jump-start and sustain healthier habits throughout 2026.  Walmart has also lowered prices on over 1,000 wellness products. As customers pursue their health goals for the year ahead, Walmart deepens its role as a trusted, community-focused wellness destination. With more than 4,000 stores in areas experiencing medical provider shortages, Walmart’s omnichannel approach – including in-store pharmacies and Vision Centers, a wide assortment of wellness products, online tools, enhanced delivery options and private Health Services rooms – ensures convenient, accessible care wherever customers are. Since 2014, Walmart’s wellness events have delivered more than 5 million free health screenings, underscoring its commitment to supporting healthier communities nationwide. “A fresh year brings fresh motivation, and The Wellness Event is our way of helping customers turn that motivation into meaningful action,” said Kevin Host, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy at Walmart. “With convenient, trusted care and everyday wellness solutions, we’re committed to meeting people where they are and supporting their health goals in practical, affordable ways.” Earlier this month, Walmart announced  the launch of Better Care Services , which give customers instant access to a curated network of third-party, virtual care providers. Select providers are currently offering a $15 discount on certain telehealth services. These initiatives showcase Walmart’s commitment to simplifying care, trust and wellness in the communities we serve. To make staying on track even simpler, Walmart Pharmacy Delivery brings prescriptions and everyday essentials straight to customers’ doors — reaching more than 95% of U.S. households, with express delivery available in as fast as 30 minutes. What Customers Can Expect on Jan. 24 Free health screenings including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and BMI at nearly 4,600 Walmart pharmacies. Complimentary vision screenings at select Vision Center locations. No-cost flu shots* plus affordable immunizations such as RSV, shingles, tetanus, HPV and more. Guidance from trusted Walmart pharmacists, offering nutrition insights, medication support and personalized recommendations. Curated wellness sample boxes featuring nutritious snacks, vitamins, supplements and other essentials to fuel 2026 health journeys.   Event Details Date: Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Location: Walmart pharmacies nationwide *$0 co-pay with most insurance coverage. Restrictions apply.

Special to The Bolton News At the heart of Bolton’s downtown stands a cornerstone of learning and community life: the Annie Thompson Jeffers Library. For years, this branch of the Jackson/Hinds Library System has offered residents a welcoming place to read, learn, and connect, serving children, families, and lifelong learners alike. Located at 111 West Madison Street, the library provides access to books, computers, meeting space, and a wide range of programs designed to enrich lives and foster engagement. It is Bolton’s primary public library and part of the larger Jackson/Hinds Library System, which operates throughout Hinds County and the City of Jackson. The library offers much more than borrowing books. Regular programming includes children’s story times, reading clubs, seasonal events, and health and wellness sessions for all ages. Local groups such as the Friends of the Bolton Library support the library through book sales and outreach initiatives, helping expand resources for the community. In March 2025, the library celebrated a grand reopening following extensive renovations that refreshed the space and expanded its capabilities. The event brought together local leaders, residents, and supporters who helped make the project possible. Today, the library features modern reading areas, a broader collection of books and media, technology access, and interactive programs, making it a hub for education, connection, and community life. The library’s name reflects the enduring impact of Annie (Lauris) Thompson, a lifelong educator and devoted Bolton resident. Born and raised in the town, Thompson spent her life teaching in local schools, guiding generations of children with patience, knowledge, and encouragement. She was more than a teacher; she was a mentor and role model whose influence shaped the character of young people who grew into active, contributing members of the community. Mrs. Thompson-Jeffers completed a forty-year teaching career in the Hinds County Public Schools. While the majority of those years were spent in classroom instruction, her deep interest in literature led her to pursue state certification in library science. She was among the first Black teachers in Hinds County to receive certification in library science and served as librarian at the local school from 1967 until her retirement in 1981, further extending her impact beyond the classroom and into the broader intellectual life of the community. Beyond her professional career, Thompson-Jeffers was deeply committed to service and faith. She was an active and faithful member of Mt. Olive M.B. Church and was involved with numerous civic and religious organizations, including the Heroines of Jericho, Mississippi Baptist Congress of Christian Education, General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi, Hinds County Congress of Christian Education, Mt. Olive Recreational Development Corporation, and the Hinds County Home Mission Society. Through these roles, she worked tirelessly to uplift her community and promote education, fellowship, and outreach. At home, Thompson also played a vital role as a mother and mentor, instilling responsibility, civic pride, and a commitment to learning in her family. Among her children was Bennie G. Thompson, who would become one of Mississippi’s most prominent public figures. Her guidance and values were central to his dedication to education, public service, and leadership, which have benefited not just her family, but the wider community. The town of Bolton honored Annie Thompson’s lifelong dedication to learning and civic engagement by naming its library after her. The Annie Thompson Jeffers Library stands as a living tribute to her belief that knowledge and access to education are essential for personal growth and community strength. Through its programs, resources, and welcoming atmosphere, the library continues to embody the values Thompson championed throughout her life. Today, her legacy endures in classrooms, in homes, and in the library that bears her name. Annie (Lauris) Thompson exemplifies how one person’s commitment to family, education, and community can leave a lasting mark, showing that true leadership often begins quietly at home and in local institutions, inspiring generations to come.

By: Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB             It’s time once again for that magical set of releases on the cinematic calendar: January Horror! Unable to get a Halloween release, unable to compete in blockbuster season, and unable to dominate a random weekend anywhere else on the calendar, January Horror movies are released at a time when their biggest competition is leftover holiday blockbusters and awards-season darlings. Studios are banking on audiences not wanting movies that are popular and… good, so maybe they’ll settle for some cheap thrills. In other words, the month is a dumping ground for bad horror movies. “Primate” is indeed bad enough to belong in January, though I’ll at least allow it the faint compliment that it’s pretty decent “for” January.             The film takes place at a cliffside (meaning somebody is definitely going over that cliff) mansion in Hawaii. College student Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) is coming home to visit her father Adam (Troy Kotsur) and sister Erin (Gia Hunter). Along for the trip are her good friend Kate (Victoria Wyant) and lousy friend Hannah (Jessica Alexander), as well as Kate’s brother Nick (Benjamin Cheng). Lucy isn’t just happy to see the humans in her family, she’s also happy to see Ben, a chimpanzee adopted by her late linguistics-expert mother, who communicates with both sign language (with the deaf Adam) and an electronic pad with an artificial voice.             Adam has to go out of town and Ben has been behaving strangely, so veterinarian Dr. Lambert (Rob Delaney) will have to swing by the house, but other than that, the kids have run of the place for a few days. Hannah might even invite over some party bros (Charlie Mann and Tienne Simon) she met on the plane. There’s just one problem: Ben has been infected with rabies. Everyone in the house is now in danger from the increasingly-unstable chimp. And as we learn from the opening sequence (because of course this is a movie that starts with a horrific scene and then flashes back to “36 Hours Earlier”), it’s mortal danger.             The appeal of the movie lies in its chimpanzee antagonist, and to that end, the film actually fares quite well. Effects that go into Ben reportedly include puppetry, animatronics, motion capture, and a physical performance by actor Miguel Torres Umba. It’s more complex than a Halloween costume, but doesn’t take the shortcut of computer-generated artificiality. I never had any problems with visual phoniness or the uncanny valley, at least no more than with any real-life primate. I really was all set for Ben to be a memorable slasher villain. And then the movie did something with Ben that greatly detracted from all that hard work: it made the character unnaturally smart. I’m not talking about the early scenes of the chimp functioning in the household. I’m talking about how, if the character’s homicidal tendencies are driven by rabies, then he’s a crazed, full-steam-ahead killing machine, and I’m afraid of that. But the film gives Ben the presence of mind to taunt his victims and get creative in his attacks, and it’s just not “rabid” behavior. It’s the behavior of a standard movie slasher, and by the end of the movie, I couldn’t see Ben as anything more than that. I don’t want to dismiss the idea of a killer primate movie entirely, with the threat of an unfamiliar species posing unique dangers. But the movie doesn’t capitalize on that potential, instead offering up dull January Horror fare with a killer that happens to be a chimp and kills that are only impressive when they can only be committed by a chimp. And the lazily-written human characters certainly can’t carry this movie. If the makers of “Primate” liked fleshing out their characters as much as they liked the chimp ripping flesh off of them, there might have been a recommendable movie here. Grade: C “Primate” is rated R for strong bloody violent content, gore, language, and some drug use. Its running time is 89 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send any responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com “The chief fault and default position that seems to lead to the decline in the number of husbands and wives.”  A line taken from a song released decades ago, and recently re-released by Brookes & Dunn. Still so true today. The song is talking about Pride - the chief fault of us all. And invariably, the default position that every member of a couple falls back on, when they find themselves in an disagreement. Everybody wants to see themselves as the one who holds the position of ‘being in the right.’  Also known to the successful combatant as “The Winner.” Really? Just because you can yell the loudest or out argue your spouse, or prove that your logic is closer to the truth, you should declare yourself The Winner? Folks, there is a problem with this age-old way of conducting relationships. It is this. For there to be a winner, there has to be a loser.  And being the loser in a battle sets that loser up to feel resentful. And slightly ‘less than.’ And more often than not, angry at the winner. Resentful, ‘less than,’ and angry. Oh yeah, this is an outstanding basis for that couple’s day, or week. Now certainly, if the winner bases their self-worth on the ability to always come out on top in an argument, then that partner walks away from the battle feeling confident and absolutely justified. But the so-called loser of the skirmish? Those feelings of resentment, ‘less than,’ and anger certainly do not make good ingredients for making that person feel growing love for the winner. Negative emotions do not make a loser want to spend time with their partner. To want to please, to comfort, and to laugh with that person. In fact, it is pretty easy to see that insisting on being The Winner is gradually accomplishing the opposite of what you are truly wanting. To be loved, accepted and appreciated. Honestly, is that kind of losing really what you are trying to achieve? Because that is exactly what is happening. So, Winner, I predict that you lose more than you ever realize, when you insist on being right every time. You would be a much smarter and effective victor if you would choose back off the ego-boosting need to win-at-any-cost every skirmish and clash between you and your partner.