The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) is proud to announce that Governor Tate Reeves has signed a proclamation declaring September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Mississippi. This important recognition comes as a reminder of the critical need to address the issue of suicide and its far-reaching impact on the lives of Mississippians. This year, DMH is also excited to celebrate to 988 Day on September 8. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, an easy-to-remember number that provides immediate access to mental health support. In Mississippi, 988 connects individuals to trained counselors 24/7, who are equipped with local mental health resources and can dispatch mobile crisis teams anywhere in the state. According to the Mississippi Department of Health, suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals aged 15-24 in the state and the 14th leading cause of death for people of all ages. From 2015 through 2022, approximately 3,400 Mississippians died by suicide, leaving thousands of friends and family members devastated. Each suicide profoundly affects at least six other people, making its impact felt deeply throughout communities. "Helping people in mental health crisis is not just about providing immediate support; it's about creating a network of care where no one feels alone," said DMH Executive Director Wendy Bailey. "Suicide prevention is a community effort, and we want everyone in Mississippi to know that help is always available, especially through resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline." DMH encourages all Mississippians to take this month as an opportunity to stand beside those who have lost loved ones to suicide. Together, we can break the silence, offer support, and prevent further tragedies. For more information on Suicide Prevention, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and mental health resources, please visit www.dmh.ms.gov .

By: Mika Hartman October is here. As we commemorate both Down Syndrome Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), I can reflect on what I have learned on this journey, share some of the hard truths and hope for a better tomorrow for my son.    Hudson is only 6; however, the dreams I have for him should not be limited based on an outdated mindset or the “no longer applicable” laws that still exist. It is time to look at the success stories of our children and raise our expectations. It is beyond time to put back in the hands of people with disabilities what their glass ceiling is and whether or not they can break it; that is up to the individual. The laws, as written today, hold back our buddies and give society the doubt that greatness can be achieved. We currently live in a “prove you can do more” versus a “sky’s the limit” outcome all while holding back the tools needed to achieve the successes our buddy's desire.     Did you know that if two people with Down syndrome want to get married, they will lose their SSI benefits? Why? Because they would become a two-person income family and exceed the dollar amount cap to receive the benefits. All while many states still offer sub   minimum wages to our friends born with an extra chromosome. Many families find themselves fighting against raising wages to not put at risk the benefits that their loved one needs. How backwards is all of this? Penalize an individual who has to work harder at the job they have all while likely not being given the proper training. And let’s not even add in layoffs and who is first to go. And back to the thought of finding love and wanting a commitment in a legal way to be stopped by the government. It’s more than outdated, it’s discrimination.    Last year, I wrote about my hopes for Hudson’s future. I don’t care if he wants to build pizza boxes or run for President of the United States, it is up to me to make sure he is provided with all the tools he needs to be whatever he dreams to be. If he wants to be married, I absolutely want this for him, too. It’s what we should all want for him; to find love, to be loved and to have the choice to give a girl his last name. I more than welcome it, I pray for it.    Two individuals with Down syndrome, that I met years ago, may not have been able to be legally married; however, they did have a commitment ceremony. Heather and Craig Blackburn fight this issue at every turn. They didn’t let the law stop them from being committed in this relationship, but it has stopped them from being able to live together, because they currently live in two different states and moving will change their benefits. Crossing state lines can change so much for our buddies. We are a military family, and I understand this inconvenience all too well. Our families already have enough challenges, it seems like elected officials would help make some things easier on our journey.     Let’s also talk about what SSI provides: it varies per state, but the maximum monthly payment is $943. That is $11 316 per year per person. If a person earns $2 from work, their SSI payment will be reduced by about $1. If a couple gets married, their benefits go to $1 , 371 average per month for two people. Divide that in two, you see they go to $685 per person and that’s only if they don’t have a job, much less both be working. The system is so backwards; punish two people who want to be married and work, but who need the benefits because they have more health concerns and more needs like glasses, hearing aids, thyroid medication, heart issues, transportation worries, accessible living needs and more.     In celebrating NDEAM, my ask is that you get involved. Learn about the laws that need to be revised and be a voice for the needed change. I ask that you see my son and his possibilities, not his disability. Remove the outdated stigmas and do some research to see what all our buddies are accomplishing today. Help them achieve their dreams, don’t be the one stopping them.     My son is EXTRA; if or when he pops the question one day, I hope the worry of this issue is gone and we can focus on celebrating the future Mrs. Hartman and the next chapter of the life we want for our son….    … that is the life he EXTRA wants and EXTRA deserves!

By: Kara Kimbrough Just like the old adage that white shoes can't be worn after Labor Day, there seems to be a misconception that vacations need to cease as well. In the south, the weather is still extremely warm. Let’s be honest: summer-like conditions will be around for quite a while. So, why not extend summer a little longer with a quick weekend getaway or longer trip using one of these suggestions? The Mississippi Gulf Coast offers adventures around every corner. However, leaving the mainland and exploring the gulf waters is something most of us rarely do. One of the best ways to see magnificent views of the coastline, barrier islands and marine life is to book North Star Sailing Charters. North Star offers morning, afternoon and sunset charters. Best of all, trips of varying lengths can be booked, ranging from an entire day on the water or a shorter tour. Additionally, Eco-Tours of South Mississippi takes adventure-seekers out for an up-close tour of the often-overlooked cypress swamps and salt marshes of the lower Pascagoula River as well as views of the barrier islands. And, the 2-hour sunset cruise is an amazing way to see the entire coastline and watch the glowing sun descend over the glistening gulf waters. For the true thrill-seeker, a visit to Moss Point’s Gator Ranch is in order. At Gator Ranch, visitors can view some of the area’s oldest and largest gators, hand-feed the gigantic reptiles and view the abundant bird life on the Gulf Coast. A little further north, the Mississippi Petrified Forest in Flora allows visitors to step back in time – 36 million years, to be exact – into an intriguing, beautiful area filled with archaic trees and stones. The forest’s earth science museum is filled with petrified wood samples from Mississippi as well as the other 49 states. Dinosaur footprints, fossils and minerals from around the world, whale bones and other interesting artifacts are also on display. Don’t forget to walk through the (mostly) shaded forest to view prehistoric fir and maple trees. After the tour, stop by the growing town of Flora for a variety of dining and shopping opportunities. While you’re near the Capital City, stop by the Old Capitol Museum built in 1839 and take a walk back in time courtesy of hundreds of artifacts and photos depicting the origin of Jackson and the state; interesting elements of the Civil War and many other historical milestones during the state’s early years.       Touring the beautifully-restored former chambers of the State Legislature and a replica of an early governor’s office is an amazing experience. However, my favorite part is simply wandering through the cavernous building and soaking in the elaborate architecture, stunning rotunda and breathtaking dome while imagining the important people that have walked the halls, including U.S. Presidents. Last, if a longer trip is an option, September is the perfect time to hop on a plane and visit New York City now that summer crowds have diminished. A visit to the 9/11 Museum and Memorial near the anniversary date of the terrorist attacks in 2001 is a moving experience. During the anniversary week, family members and others place state flags, flowers and other mementos on the names of their loved ones etched into the panels surrounding the memorial pools near the museum.      For nighttime entertainment in the Big Apple, going to a Broadway show has never been easier. From Sept. 3-23, 23 Broadway productions like The Notebook, The Great Gatsby and Water for Elephants are offering 2-for-1 tickets, according to New York City Tourism + Conventions. Tickets are available for purchase at nyctourism.com/broadwayweek .    As always, before visiting any site, it’s a good idea to check the website for hours of operation and fees. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com .

As the 2024-2025 school year progresses, students are gearing up for an essential milestone: Term 1 Midterms. These exams provide a great opportunity for students to showcase what they’ve learned and set the tone for the remainder of the year. Whether they’re excelling in every class or working to improve, preparation now will pay off later. Students are encouraged to organize their notes, establish study schedules, and prioritize rest. This midterm season is a chance for hard work and dedication to shine through.

By: Mika Hartman Each year , National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) host a conference. If you are lucky, you don’t miss it; you can’t miss it, so much happens in a year of research and technology.  I attended my first one in 2022 in New Orleans and was immediately filled with hope, inspired by everyone there and left with many tools to better navigate this journey. The best part, the families you meet that become your family. In 2023, this is the year for me that this no longer was a conference, it became a family reunion.  This year I was blessed to travel with several ladies from Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Society (GCDSS) and, again, traveled on a scholarship provided by GCDSS. Already traveling with GCDSS family, this was a perfect start to our time in Phoenix, Arizona. While the temperatures were blazing outside, the coolest people on the planet were inside the event center. You can’t attend anything better, you can’t learn without the best teachers and you can’t see a better tomorrow without walking through the door… this door!  The family part is already present just by showing up; the conference part, for me, is in two parts that tell me it was a great conference. 1) I want to learn about a new technology or medical updates that help children like Hudson and 2) I want to hear what other states are doing/pushing new legislation that help families like mine.  As per the norm, this conference delivered. I love sitting as close to the front of a classroom as possible. In 4th grade, it was because I couldn’t see the board from a far distance and needed glasses; today, it’s because I want to absorb all I can. This class was a dual diagnosis class: Down syndrome and autism; three ladies made up the panel of speakers, the same three I have been going to their classes since my first conference. As Teresa Unnerstall (author of A New Course: A Mother's Journey Navigating Down Syndrome and Autism) gave her presentation, she shared a great tool to have: a one-pager, like kids often do in school, with information that would help caregivers, doctors, therapists and anyone really, to help understand your child best. By sharing likes, dislikes, ideas to help with communication, the intent is to make visits better for all. One of her “struggles” about her son is blood draws; this brought up all the same trauma Hudson feels at the dreaded blood draw. Hudson breathes heavy and more audible just pulling in the parking lot. The smells and all the scrubs make him anxious. The room, the chair, the latex band… all of it upsets my sweet boy equally as bad as the needle itself. So I understood this so much. After the presentation was finished, the call for questions was offered. The microphone was really close to me up at the front and a gentleman wearing joggers walked up. It was Dr. Espinoza, a huge champion in the medical field and research for our families. He stated that it wasn’t a question he wanted to ask, but wanted to offer that new technology may be of some relief over Nick’s resistance to blood draws… wait…. what?! Dr. Espinoza shared with Teresa and the attendees, that a company called Tasso, Inc. had created remote blood collection patient-centric technology. All I could do was cry. I just looked at my friend on the panel, Dr. Lina Patel, and cried. I am crying now. What a relief to know that the future for Hudson holds technology that he could have his blood drawn at home by a simple patch and button to collect the blood. All while watching Woody with no clinic smells, no scrubs, no panicking and no bruising from the fight of it all! What a win! This is why you donate to research. This is what brings dignity and restores trust in needed medical services. Check them out. I don’t know them, but I love the work they are doing. It’s like Elizabeth Holmes’ promise, but with truth and integrity.  As for the legislative opportunities for Mississippi, I attended the NDSC Advocacy Bootcamp with Jawanda Mast and several others, even Mississippi’s own Jessie Smart. Jessie represented us so amazingly and eloquently. Then Mr. Jon Meyers, with Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, was called to talk about new legislation that just passed after four years in Arizona: Supported Decision Making. It doesn’t get more common sense than this. This replaces the need for Power of Attorney or Guardianship and gives the individual with the disability say in what they want, how they see their future, who they want helping with decisions. You know it’s not talked a lot about, but sometimes those having the power can be selfish or the ones causing harm. This ensures that the agreements includes the voice of the one the decisions are for. It actually saves the states money with no court costs and no judges involved.  I won’t share names here, but I am dear friends with a family that this change would have made a huge difference in their adult child’s life. It was a marriage, it was a very publicized event and when the cameras stopped rolling, the brides mom forced the marriage to be annulled against her daughters wishes; there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. I am a firm believer in God and His plans, the groom had to heal over this but has risen much stronger. I am unsure of how the bride is today, but I know her mom robbed her of a life she wanted. Selfishness is ugly. We should be supporting the most independent life that is possible; not what works best for us, but what’s best for the person. The one with the power may just be the abuser. I get that not all people with disabilities may benefit from this and might not be able to make some decisions with a practical foundation, but those who can, they deserve this. When a person with Down syndrome had a life expectancy of 25, this made sense. Not much adulthood to need choices for a lifetime; however, now our buddies are living full adult lives; wanting to get educations beyond primary schooling, wanting to be married, wanting to live independently and living to age 70+. That's 45 years of being an adult and much of a life to have input on how they want to live, right? It’s called “supported”. It is a process that allows people to make decisions about their lives with the help of trusted people. SDM can be used by anyone in any are of life, but it’s often used by people with disabilities. SDM can help with gathering information, asking questions, evaluating options, and communicating decisions. It can help people develop and pursue their own goals, and exercise control over things that are important to them. I told you, good common sense! I have no idea why something this good took 4 years to pass in Arizona, but I believe it is needed here in Mississippi.  I didn’t even hear the whole presentation and I was already texting my legislative friends from both sides of the aisles. Hudson and his buddies should all have input, to the best of each individuals ability, to live the life they want to the best of their abilities. This isn’t a far fetched dream, this is a right. And it will save our state money. So, this is me saying that I plan to fight for this.  So this conference checked this mom’s two hot buttons of technology and legislation: easier blood draws from home with Tasso, Inc. and Supported Decision Making (SDM). I learned so much more, laughed the best belly laughs, one special buddy bought me a drink, I had lunch with one of my very favorite momma’s, I met up with friends from Alabama, I connected with many new faces and absolutely loved seeing the familiar faces that I am blessed to call my EXTRA family.

On September 8 at 3:00 PM, St. Mary’s invites everyone to a special Homecoming Blue Grass Mass. The service will feature lively music by the Bolton Blue Grass Band, blending the timeless tradition of bluegrass with the spirit of worship. Following the service, a reception will be held in the Terry Brantley Parish Hall, offering a wonderful opportunity for fellowship. Whether you're a longtime parishioner or a new visitor, this event promises a joyful afternoon of music, community, and celebration. Don't miss it!

By: Bob Garver             I was on vacation two weekends ago, so I missed the chance to review this movie when it nearly took down “Deadpool & Wolverine” for the #1 spot at the box office. Two weeks later, the film has dropped to #3, but it still outperformed everything that opened this past weekend, not to mention racking up an impressive $120 million domestic total. It is time to officially take a look at this movie, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do so.             Blake Lively stars as Lily Bloom, a woman who loves flowers. Fortunately the movie is only this annoyingly on-the-nose this one time. She meets handsome neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni, also the film’s director) on the roof of her apartment building while he’s in a furious mood over a dead child. She’s put off by his violent anger, but supposes that anyone can lash out over something so horrific. He apologizes, and the two get to talking. He discloses that he’s not one for relationships. She discloses that she had a relationship with a homeless guy named Atlas as a teenager (she is played by Isabela Ferrer and Atlas by Alex Neustaedter in flashbacks). The conversation isn’t exactly what you’d call a Meet Cute, but it does make Ryle want to see more of Lily.             The two start steadily building a relationship. Lily opens a flower shop with the help of Ryle’s sister Alyssa (Jenny Slate). They go to the finest restaurants, including one owned by the now-successful Atlas (Brandon Sklenar). Ryle still has some anger issues involving his late brother, and she has some trust issues involving her parents, but it’s nothing their love and support can’t overcome. Then a kitchen incident leads to him hitting her in the face. An enraged Atlas attacks Ryle when he sees Lily’s bruised face, which gives all three characters pause and forces them to consider the role of violence in their lives.             Going into this movie, I knew that the subject matter dealt with domestic violence. I briefly wondered if it was only going to go as far as the kitchen incident and then the feud between the men would escalate from there. Was this movie really going to build its entire conflict around a hot oven repelling Ryle’s arm into Lily’s face? Sadly, the escalation does lead to violence that is not an accident, and not just involving the men. Lily is abused in at least one scene that is bound to go down as one of the most disturbing of the year. I saw this movie the same day as “Alien: Romulus,” and the violence here was much harder to watch than Xenomorphs bursting out of people’s bodies.             With all due respect to the rest of the cast and crew, the movie is nothing without Lively’s performance. Everything about Lily in the last third of this movie is heartbreaking, from her literal pain to helplessness to anger to even understanding. With the sympathy she inspires with her anguish and eventually strength, I can understand why this property has the following it does.             “It Ends with Us” is maybe not a great movie all-around. The courtship scenes drag on too long, flashbacks are too frequent and awkwardly inserted, and certain elements probably worked better in the Colleen Hoover novel than they do onscreen (example: Lily jokingly calling herself an “unreliable narrator” and then the movie taking a second look at a scene it pretends we misread but is clearly completely different the second time). But what does work is too affecting to dismiss. It’s accurate to call this movie a tearjerker, but thanks to Lively, those tears are well-earned.   Grade: B-   “It Ends with Us” is rated PG-13 for domestic violence, sexual content and some strong language. Its running time is 130 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Wisdom from the lips of a wrinkled old worm.   “Okay, listen up, ‘cuz I’m gonna tell ya’ perzactly what The World is like.    Most of the time it looks real dark and kind’a dry ‘n crumbly feelin’. But when I tunnel straight up for a little ways, then I see a bunch’a green stalks at least twenty-six times bigger’n me. And there’s these enormous feet walking ‘round in them green stalks. All kinds of feet. Some with toes, some not. The ones with no toes have huge coverings on ‘em, guess they call ‘em ‘shoes.’   And another thing. There’s this ginormous bright yellow thang up there. ‘Causes me to get so bloomin’ hot that I can’t stand it. Can’t wait to turn around and dig back down to my home, where it’s heap cooler and darker.   But, fact is, nobody in This World ever notices I am around. Unless they’re diggin’ for sumthin’ they call fish bait. Then suddenly, I’m the center of their ‘tention! Yep, they start cuttin’ into my home, lookin’ for me and my neighbors. When they find us, they throw us into a can of that dark and crumbly stuff I done talked about, and put a lid on it. Scary stuff, I’m here to tell ya!    Naw, I ain’t gonna tell ya’ the rest of the story. Ain’t nobody needs to hear details ‘bout how they thread our body on sumthin’ really sharp. And then, while we’re jest trying to breathe, they suddenly fling us into what they call ‘water.’ There we dangle, awaitin’ on a HUGE-PLUMB-FEARSOME-LOOKIN’ thing called a fish to come at us with his mouth wide open!    Nope, ain’t gonna say a-nuther word. Ya’ don’t need to hear the rest…jest might ruin your supper tonight.”   Quite a contrast to Granddad and his ten-year-old grandson’s version of that same day:   “Hey, Johnny, it’s going to be a beautiful sunny day! How about you and I go down to the pond and go fishing? I’ll grab my shovel and a bucket, and we can dig up worms for bait before we get in the boat. Now, why don’t you go ask your grandma to fix us a picnic lunch. And then you and me are going to spend the rest of this morning drowning worms and fishing for that big old catfish that lives in my pond. I promise you, son, we are going to have a good time – just me and you, out on the water fishing together. And just maybe, we can get lucky and bring home supper for your grandma to cook!”   Different perspectives of the same day. Happens to all of us. And we need to remember that fact, on the days we come face to face with someone who has a completely opposite outlook on life than yourself.   It’s a sad fact. Sometimes we’re the one with the fishing rod, and sometimes we’re the worm.

By: Jeremy Pittari, Magnolia Tribune Mississippi’s Second Amendment Sales Tax holiday will be held this weekend, from Friday, August 30 to Sunday September 1. All purchases statewide of firearms, ammunition and selected hunting supplies will be tax free during the holiday. Applicable items include ammunition such as reloading supplies, shotgun shells, cartridges, pistols, rifles, shotguns, bows, crossbows, holsters, parts for firearms, holsters, and hearing protection, to name a few. Targets, sights and suppressors are also eligible. “This weekend, Mississippi will once again be honoring the right enshrined in our cherished Second Amendment,” Governor Tate Reeves (R) told Magnolia Tribune on Tuesday. “This sales tax holiday is a great opportunity to support local businesses, exercise our right to keep and bear arms, and remain steadfast in protecting this critical freedom all across our great state.” There is no limit on the purchase price to save on sales tax during this holiday. Know before you shop: rules of the sales tax holiday Qualifying items that need to be delivered to the purchaser, whether purchased online, via phone or in-person at a brick-and-mortar business, will remain tax exempt so long as the item is purchased during the holiday window and delivery of the item is not delayed due to an action on the part of the purchaser. If the purchase involves a bundle of items, the items that still qualify for sales tax during the holiday will have to be separated from the purchase and taxed at the appropriate rate. Layaway purchases made during the holiday do not qualify for tax exemption. Purchases  returned after the holiday can still apply for tax exemption  so long as the item is traded for a similar item, even if the new item is a different style or color, such as a holster. However, purchases traded in for a new/different item after the tax holiday will be subject to the appropriate taxes. “For example, a customer purchases a $300 firearm during the MSAW holiday. After the holiday, the customer returns the firearm, receives credit for the firearm, and then buys a $300 archery bow. Sales tax is due on the $300 price of the bow since the bow was not purchased during the holiday,” the Mississippi Department of Revenue’s sales tax holiday guideline document reads. Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann (R) said this is a great weekend to exercise your Second Amendment rights. Hosemann said the holiday helps Mississippians “get prepared for the upcoming hunting season (doves beware), and shop in a Mississippi small business for a new firearm.” “What a way to celebrate our freedoms and boost the economy!” Hosemann added speaking with Magnolia Tribune. Items that do not qualify for tax exemption include BB guns, air rifles, paintball guns and toy guns. Hunting supplies that do not qualify include ATVs, blinds, cameras, chairs, boots, knives, gun cabinets, trucks and tree stands. For a full listing of eligible and ineligible items,  click here .

ICYMI... Be there on September 3, 2024, as Bolton-Edwards Elementary Middle School unveils its new Football Stadium & Fieldhouse! Join us for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and stay to watch our first home football game. Let’s make history together! #GoRangers #BoltonEdwardsPride

By Kara Kimbrough    School has begun and for some, this means the end of summer adventures. However, vacation season is far from over for many and here’s an additional positive thought: decreased crowds create the perfect time for sight-seeing. In Mississippi, it’s hard to find a more magnificent site than the Mighty Mississippi River. One of the most commanding views of the river can be enjoyed from the 300-foot bluffs of the city of Vicksburg. Sweeping vistas of the rolling river aside, there’s so much else to see and do in this beautiful city rapidly approaching its 200th birthday.       Vicksburg has always been one of the favorite places to visit. It’s a love fostered by school field trips to the Vicksburg National Military Park. Ingrained in my memory are school bus rides up the rolling hills, once the battlefield for one of the longest and most notable Civil War battles. My appreciation of Vicksburg has increased in recent years through tours of the breathtakingly-beautiful Old Courthouse grounds and Museum, antebellum homes and historic downtown museums, shops and restaurants. No visit is complete without a stop by the Visitor’s Center along the breathtaking riverfront offering a birds-eye view of the two spectacular river bridges.      Back to the event that put Vicksburg on the map and cemented its permanent place in Civil War history. The 1863 Siege of Vicksburg may have occurred over 160 years ago, but its carefully-preserved remnants spread throughout the city continue to draw thousands of visitors annually from around the world.         The Vicksburg Campaign is considered one of the most decisive Civil War battles.  A 47-day battle in the city between Confederate and Union troops ultimately resulted in a surrender from the Southerners and as a result, permanent Northern control of the Mississippi.       Today, the 1,815-acre Vicksburg National Military Park commemorating the battle is comprised of a visitor’s center and USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum. Additionally, 22 designated areas along the park's scenic rolling acres contain beautiful, iconic monuments to soldiers on both sides of the battlefield. Visitors to this scenic section of the park can also drive or walk along the route on their own or schedule a guide for an informative tour.       Most notable is the Illinois monument honoring Union soldiers from the state who served and died as a result of the siege. The site of millions of photographs and quite a few marriage proposals, the monument is a grand and imposing structure of granite and marble modeled after the Roman Pantheon. Forty-seven steps lead up to the beautiful monument, one for each day of the siege. Inside, 60 unique bronze tablets line the interior walls, naming all 36,325 Illinois soldiers. Atop the memorial sits a majestic bronze bald eagle.      Visitors to Vicksburg can tour other museums offering additional insights into the city’s rich history. These include the Old Depot Museum’s historical exhibits on the Siege of Vicksburg and the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum’s exhibits on the soft drink that was first bottled in the city in 1894.      A can't-miss building is the Old Court House Museum in the heart of the city. The magnificent structure is more than a beautiful memorial to yesteryear, especially for those that know and appreciate history.      Confederate Generals Stephen D. Lee, John C. Breckinridge, and Earl Van Dorn watched from the Courthouse’s cupola as a Confederate battleship battled its way through the Union fleet to safety at Vicksburg. During the war, the building was the target of constant shelling from Union troops, but thankfully suffered only one major hit. And, it was at the Courthouse on July 4, 1863 that the Confederate flag was lowered and the U.S flag was raised as General Grant reviewed his victorious army.      Visitors who venture inside the Old Court House Museum find a plethora of exhibits that draw history buffs from around the world. This includes a large collection of Confederate memorabilia, antiques and portraits and tools used by Indians and early pioneers.       My favorite item in the Courthouse is the original teddy bear that President Theodore Roosevelt gave to a local child after a failed bear hunt in Mississippi. The bear is said to have inspired the name "Teddy Bear". The McCardle Research Library, which features more than 1,400 historical volumes, including cemetery records, business directories, marriage records and much more historical data, is also housed within and is managed by the museum.      There’s also an historic walking tour along the Vicksburg Heritage Walking Trail filled with 35 markers in the downtown and historic districts. Eleven perfectly-restored historic homes, including McRaven, built in 1797, are open for tours.       Vicksburg may be known for its Civil War history, but it was actually founded decades earlier in 1811 and incorporated as a town in 1825. In 2025, Vicksburg will celebrate its bicentennial through a variety of special events and activities to pay homage to 200 years of rich history. The bicentennial will honor individuals and organizations and spotlight its many roles and accomplishments over the past two centuries, ranging from its notable part in the Civil War to its preservation of historic sites.      The five major bicentennial events center around five themes: People, The River, Arts & Culture, Lifestyle and Government & Military. Kicking off the celebrations will be a week of events surrounding the actual anniversary on Jan. 29. 2025. Vicksburg will host a storytelling symposium, parade, banquet and other community events to commemorate the city’s incorporation in 1825. Other events scheduled throughout the year are a music and culture festival; fall family fair; Fourth of July extravaganza complete with fireworks and a commemorative New Year’s Eve celebration.       For more information about Vicksburg’s Bicentennial celebration or to plan a visit to the city, contact Visit Vicksburg at 1-800-221-3536 or check out their website at visitvicksburg.com .

By: Magnolia Mornings, Magnolia Tribune Congressman Bennie Thompson  (D-MS 2) announced Monday that 32 nonprofit organizations in Mississippi will receive $3.8 million through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Fiscal Year 2024 under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The program provides funding for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities for eligible nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, that are at high risk of a terrorist attack. Fifteen of the nonprofit organizations are in Mississippi’s 2nd District: Beth Israel Congregation $123,884 Calvary Missionary Baptist Church $150,000 Galloway United Methodist Church $145,000 Greater Fairview Missionary Baptist Church Boling $150,000 Greater Fairview Newport $150,000 Greater Pine Hill $115,660 King Solomon Baptist Church $150,000 Mississippi Muslim Association Madison $135,500 MT Zion M.B. Church $108,262 Mississippi Muslim Association Jackson $149,550 New Heaven Grove M.B Church $150,000 Northside Baptist Church $139,558 Providence Presbyterian Church, Inc. $8,118 Saint Andrews Episcopal Cathedral $117,400 URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp $150,000