By Bob Garver Since “Challengers” begins practically at the end of its story, I think I’ll begin this review by talking about the movie’s ending. It ends, as we see in early scenes and is pretty predictable anyway, with feuding tennis stars Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O’Connor) playing against each other in the finals of a tournament, with Art’s wife Tashi (Zendaya) watching from the stands. While ultimately one player will have to win and one will have to lose, the real winners are fans of great tennis. As with the match, “Challengers” doesn’t concern itself with things like results and fate, it just wants to give you a thrill in getting there. The 2019 match between Art and Patrick is a framing device that we see throughout the film, but the story is mostly told through flashbacks, not all necessarily told in order. We go as far back as 2006 when Art and Patrick were doubles champions and best friends. They found themselves both smitten with up-and-comer Tashi, and they invited her back to their shared hotel room. A minor conflict arose when the two couldn’t work out who between them would get some alone time with Tashi. They figured that she’d give an indication of who she’d prefer, but Tashi…didn’t pick a side. Maybe it’s just me reading too much into things, but I think the film’s advertising has implied that more happens in the ensuing encounter. It’s just a makeout scene with Tashi promising her phone number to the winner of an upcoming match between the two. Patrick wins the match and Tashi’s phone number, and he soon turns pro with Tashi as his girlfriend. Tashi and Art both attend Stanford with plans to turn pro after college, but also have some additional skills if tennis doesn’t work out. A jealous Art engineers a fight between Patrick and Tashi, and although he didn’t intend it to go quite so far, he’s the only one there to comfort Tashi when she suffers a career-ending injury on the court. Years later, Art has become an international superstar with Tashi as his wife and coach (though their marriage is hanging by a thread), while Patrick’s career and life have deteriorated so badly that he’s living out of his car. Apparently too much time away from Tashi will do that to a man. Art and Patrick both have to win this small-time tournament, Art to gain momentum going into the U.S. Open, Patrick to resurrect his fledgling career. Of course, they’re really battling over Tashi all over again, as well as trying to one-up each other. I mentioned this movie wanting to give its viewers a thrill on par with the intense final tennis match. After the early stages culminating in the scene in the hotel room, the movie pairs off Art, Patrick, and Tashi in combinations of two for the rest of the movie. The three banter, argue, and manipulate one another in a series of scenes whose snappiness is worthy of the comparison to a well-contested match. It’s not exactly a nail-biting intensity, but the three keep up with each other in a complimentary fashion. Where “Challengers” fell apart for me (aside from my inability to understand tennis scoring, so I kept thinking the climactic match was over when it wasn’t, which affected the movie’s momentum) was the utter un-likeability of the three main characters. Yes, they have good chemistry, but that’s just another way of saying that these miserable people all deserve one another. It’s one thing to cultivate conflicting opinions about who to root for because it makes for a lively debate. But did the movie have to make me wish that all three characters could lose somehow? I read an interview with Mike Faist where he described the characters’ dynamic as “everyone’s right and everyone’s wrong.” Ironically he’s only right about the “everyone’s wrong” part. Grade: C “Challengers” is rated R for language throughout, some sexual content and graphic nudity. Its running time is 131 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

By Kara Kimbrough Visitors from around the world flock to Natchez during all seasons, for every reason imaginable. It's true, the city's beautiful antebellum homes are a major tourism draw, but Natchez is much more than the sum total of its pilgrimages. You don't have to look far to find 10 additional things to do in one of the state's oldest cities. 1. "Take the carriage ride." It's an invitation you'll hear over and over as you walk along picturesque downtown streets. The offer is one you should take. Sit back in the horse-drawn carriage and let the driver and professional tour guide take you on a 45-minute tour. The tour offers a unique view of homes and landmarks without having to leave the comfort of your carriage. 2. Get a snapshot of Natchez in historic photographs. Located in the First Presbyterian Church's Stratton Chapel is a collection of more than 500 photographs depicting life along the river, area merchants and commerce, and the early families and children who shaped the historic city. 3. Exercise in a beautiful setting. No trip to Natchez is complete without a brisk hike along the scenic Natchez Trails. The trails are a combination of city streets and walkways dotted with interpretive panels depicting the history of the area in which you are walking. The trails run throughout the downtown area and along the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Pedestrians and cyclists can share parts of the trails, which wind to the edge of the river. 4.  Retail therapy is alive and well. Shopping is a way of life in Natchez, dating back to Natchez' first days as a crossroads for American trade from the Natchez Trace. With many antique stores (Franklin Street is referred to as "antique alley"), specialty shops, art galleries and locally owned treasure troves, you don't want to miss exploring the retail side of Natchez. 5.  Channel your adventurous side. Natchez is a paradise for adventurers and those who love being outdoors. The Natchez State Park features clean campsites and amenities. With the Mississippi River and several nearby lakes dotted throughout the area, swimming, fishing, bird-watching, kayaking and boating are yours for the picking. If water is not your thing, play golf, go hunting, or pick up a geocaching map and add a treasure hunt to your trip. 6. Explore the Indian village. Take the short drive out to the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and stroll the hallowed ground of the home of the city's original inhabitants. There are ceremonial mounds at the site, along with a replica of an Indian dwelling and a museum with artifacts that have been recovered over the years. 7. Great restaurants are as plentiful as antebellum homes. Shopping, hiking and exploring can work up an appetite. Some must-tries: • Biscuits & Blues, which helps perpetuate Natchez' reputation as biscuit capital of the world • Local favorite Roux 61 serves up notoriously huge portions of its delicious fare. • Stopping by Fat Mama's Tamales is a rite of passage in Natchez. *  The desserts at Mammy’s Cupboard are legendary. Try a slice of the mile-high meringue pie served atop a variety of flavors. Tip: you won't go wrong with a slice of my favorite, coconut cream pie! 8. Visit King Cotton for a day. Don't care to visit an antebellum mansion? Then stop by Frogmore Cotton Plantation & Gins for a more down-to-earth look at what it took to make cotton king. You'll tour the 1,800-acre working plantation, complete with several restored slave cabins and a 19th-century cotton gin replica. Weather permitting, drag a sack through the fields and pick your own cotton. 9.  Visit the Turning Angel at the Natchez City Cemetery. It sounds a bit strange to consider a cemetery a major must-see, but once you glimpse the beauty of the Natchez City Cemetery and learn the history of some of the characters buried there, you'll understand why. One of the most famous attractions is the Turning Angel, the statue that some say appears to turn when they drive by it at night. The statue is such a Natchez landmark, it inspired the title of the novel "Turning Angel" by bestselling author and Natchez native Greg Iles. Take a self-guided tour of the cemetery with a brochure and map or hire a tour guide to provide history lessons and details of the deceased. Tombstone inscriptions, embellished by romantic and mysterious tales, draw portraits of the departed interned in this historic, beautiful place. 10.  Explore Natchez' ghostly side. If the cemetery tour whets your appetite for "the other side," sign up for a ghost tour conducted by locals. You'll get a firsthand look at Natchez' "inhabited" buildings and hear stories of their tenants' wanderings. The ghostly getaways include drives to view local haunts and legends as well as a journey down through "occupied" spaces. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Mika Hartman The word “audible” automatically makes us think American football; I can hear Peyton Manning yelling “Omaha” as I am typing. Actually, calling an “audible” can be applied to most everything we do. Some people are great with the quick pivoting and some have difficulty in change(s) to routine. In my world, “audibles” are a must. I actually seek those who can make changes quickly to best serve Hudson. It’s a game changer for our family. Every year, we visit several medical specialist here locally, some out of town and even a couple out of state. I call everyone on our team “Team Hudson the Strong”. Now that Hudson is 6, I have had many years of figuring out what works best, what he will tolerate and what we just have to “grin and bear” and get through. The people and professionals who call “audibles” for Hudson are my faves. They see him, truly see him, and call plays according to his behaviors during this visit, not solely to their checklist. Example of an audible: Hudson has sensory issues with his dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. Brushing his teeth, trimming his nails, cutting his hair, etc., all cause him to become very upset. If you know me, you know I often say, “Momma tried, momma failed, but I tried”… I will always try and pivot as needed. This is because I know one day the “momma failed” part will be omitted. I know one day, this will be easier for Hudson. And when “audibles” get called, it helps us get closer to this goal and more quickly. Last month, I called an audible and switched Hudson’s dentist to a new one, new to Hudson. Our last one wanted to start using a restraining board. Nope. I chose to go with someone that we already have a relationship with the family; this family also has a EXTRA bundle of joy. Making this change was easy, because I knew the understanding was built-in; however, I still had not taken Hudson to see if the fit was right. Boy, it was! The entire staff all “called plays” as we went. The first one being the dreaded paperwork for a new patient. I ran in and left Hudson and Henley, my 16 year old daughter, in the car. Hudson has a true sixth-sense about medical buildings and scrubs… all are bad. Avoid, if possible. So, the lady at the front desk gave me what was needed, told me what I could skip, and let me fill out in the car. After we went in, they called us back quickly, second good “play call”. Then, the dental hygienist realized the challenges we had and brought the dentist straight back to look FIRST. Hudson is 6 and this was the first time we 1) saw the dentist first 2) our dentist had me hold Hudson like a lap hug and lay him back into his lap. Hudson did awesome; he was way more relaxed, no papoosing or restraining him causing more fear. Lastly, the dental hygienist watched and learned this method, too. She used the same way to clean Hudson’s teeth. Our best dental experience to date. All because our new dental team each called “audibles” for Hudson… and mommy, too. Our pediatrician and team all work amazing for Huddy and his care: audibles, new play calls, outside the box thinking and listening. Example of sticking to the checklist: When we go to doctors appointments I can feel Hudson getting tense; but, I can also feel me getting tense too. I know some nurses or staff will absolutely not make changes to a routine and the weight of this can be heavy. When you or I go see the doctor we understand the whole “first, then” of what’s to come. Hudson is already on high alert. Hudson: “Will they need blood?”, “Will they need to stick instruments in my ears?”, “Will they hurt me?” It’s a very different experience for Huddy. He’s not wrong. He has been to enough clinics and through enough appointments to know what might happen. So if you are determined to get a blood pressure, well, good luck. All that is going to happen is try, retry, retry, retry, give up and leave Hudson even more distrusting. He has been bruised by the cuff, restrained to the point of choking on tears and snot, and has even cause bruising to his spine from the force he’s using to be free. It is awful. And when you get the “let’s try again”, it feels devastating. Oh, and, now let’s look at or listen to his heart. Really? It will not be accurate, he’s just been put through major anxiety and I am pretty sure the information is all inaccurate. What an audible here could be is to get the most important data needed at the start and then worry about blood pressure, height, weight, etc. Working backwards would ensure that the reason for the appointment was met. Yes, I agree that all information might be required for the full picture, but any good assessment is better than the whole thing going poorly and always talking about sedation. These conversations always lead to more appointments. Counterproductive. Call a darn audible. Help, not force. The audible might not work, I know. Trying is the key to finding out what will work better. Our next trip to see the dentist, Hudson might not lay back. New may have to pivot again. And that’s okay. It’s the willingness to pivot that matters. If it was a life or death, do whatever you need. If we want Hudson to ever be okay, you can’t hurt him at every visit with you. I know the staff gets frustrated. Guess what? So do I. Talking quietly when we come in never helps, working with us seems like a better conversation that we should have together. If we had more options of “specialist” on the coast, I would have already called for some new players on our team. I share this to say to people “be aware of your surroundings”. The way you would want to be treated is exactly how we do too. It may look different, but our need to do all of these appointments is great and shouldn’t be so difficult. We recently took Hudson to Great Wolf Lodge for his birthday. Our first evening after the drive we only had time to play in the main lobby area and go to dinner. Hudson was having a great time and then he tripped on a ramp. CJ heard the parents of the other children playing, telling them to back away and don’t look. Seriously? As a parent, you just missed a beautiful opportunity to call your own audible and teach your kids to be better humans. Down syndrome is not contagious; however, the world would have more love if it was. There are already challenges we face, and it should not be in our healthcare team, too. When life throws you negative looks, negative comments, negative vibes even, the least your own team should do is what is best for your child. These are the reasons why I will always advocate. Hudson makes the world more beautiful; calling EXTRA audibles could make his world a little easier, and we are grateful to those on our team who do.

By Bob Garver After last week’s heavy, serious, ultraviolent “Civil War,” I needed a movie like the lighter, sillier, also ultraviolent “Abigail.” Is this film as intelligent and thought-provoking as last week’s offering - a film that still rules the box office, by the way? No. Is this film going to leave much of an impact on popular culture? Probably not – it doesn’t do much to stand out from similar movies, some from the same people that made this movie. But would I pick “Abigail” over “Civil War” to watch in my free time because it’s much more fun? Oh, yes. The film starts out as a kidnapping thriller. A team of strangers work together to abduct 12-year-old Abigail (Alisha Weir) from her family’s home and take her to a mysterious mansion overseen by Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito). He insists on taking everyone’s phones and tells them not to give each other personal details like their real names, though he assigns them nicknames based on the Rat Pack (seems like the kind of detail that should have been worked out ahead of the actual kidnapping, but you’ll be asked to suspend disbelief much further by the movie’s end). Lambert just needs the team to watch the girl for 24 hours while he does Head Kidnapper stuff, during which time Joey (Melissa Barrera) is the only one allowed to tend to Abigail, so she doesn’t see anyone else’s face. Assuming nothing goes wrong, they’ll soon be able to go their separate ways with their share of a $50 million ransom. Things go wrong. We spend a few scenes getting to know the team. The aforementioned Joey is a recovering drug addict that just wants to pull this one job and then be a doting mother to her estranged son. Frank (Dan Stevens) is a former cop that has thus far kept his obvious anger issues in check, but looks like he could snap at any moment. Peter (Kevin Durand) is a dumb musclehead that wants people to think of him as more than a dumb musclehead, but is too much of a dumb musclehead to figure out how to change his image. Rickles (William Catlett) is a former soldier clearly harboring many secrets. Sammy (Kathryn Newton) is a spoiled rich kid that turned to a life of crime out of sheer boredom. And Dean (Angus Cloud) is a 99%-useless idiot that happens to have a talent for driving. I mean no disrespect to Cloud, who passed away last year, but this is a movie where characters are expected to be killed off, and I was hoping that Dean would go early. Given how much effort Cloud clearly put into making Dean annoying, I’m sure he’d take me rooting for the character’s death as a compliment. But then there’s Abigail herself, and although I don’t want to go too far into spoilers, she turns out to be a doozy of a kidnapping victim. In one swift shift, this goes from a movie about a little girl being locked in with six kidnappers to a movie about the kidnappers being locked in with… what they thought was a little girl. She’s not happy with the kidnappers or what they’ve done in the past. Alliances and deals are made and broken to avoid slaughter at Abigail’s tiny little hands or huge deadly fangs. “Abigail” isn’t necessarily a great movie by itself, but it works well as something to hold over certain horror fans. Upset that the “Scream” series is in limbo? Here’s a movie from Radio Silence, the directors of “Scream VI,” plus star Melissa Barrera. Can’t wait until next year for “M3GAN 2.0”? Get your dancing little psycho girl fix here. Sorely miss people exploding like bloody water balloons like in Radio Silence’s 2019 horror hit “Ready or Not”? This movie just might have you covered. History will probably see “Abigail” as a middling horror movie at best, but here and now it earns bonus points for coming along at the right time. Grade: B- “Abigail” is rated R for strong bloody violence and gore throughout, pervasive language and brief drug use. Its running time is 109 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Do they bother you? Do walls and fences cause claustrophobia in you? How about locked doors and gates? Do they bring about a fierce need to find the key and escape? The obvious answer for most of us is, “Well, it depends. Am I trapped inside those barriers, or protected by them? Totally logical thinking. But the problem is that we humans are not always logical. Especially when it comes to our freedom. One tiny whiff of a suspicion that we are trapped in a situation, and some of us can begin to panic. Walls and locked doors that earlier brought about a feeling of security suddenly feel as if they are part of a prison. That situation is now seen in an entirely different light. Everything that was once viewed as normal and good is now the opposite, and anxiety can easily follow. “Katie-bar-the-door-and-prepare-thyself, ‘cause that door’s comin’ open!” There is just something within us that makes us fearful of not being able to run free, wherever and whenever we choose. Now, let’s look at a totally different scenario. You find yourself in a room with a locked closet, and suddenly you can easily have a whole different reaction. Hell and high water probably can’t stop you from wanting to find a way to compromise that lock. Nosy curiosity is a big motivator. But how about if it’s walls and locked doors that actually are meant to protect and shelter us? A whole different story. “Of course we need them. After all, in this crazy world that seems to be getting crazier every minute, I need all the protection I can get. And fences? Yep, I have the right to keep people on their side of the fence.” Funny stuff. The very same things - walls, locked gates and doors. But they bring out opposite emotional reactions in people, depending on their viewpoint. Maybe – just maybe, there is a lesson to be learned from walls, gates and doors. We need to make certain our reaction to them is a logical and reasonable one. Sometimes the irrational side of our brain causes us to fear what isn’t really a threat. We can perceive danger in a situation, when it is actually just a form of a flashback. Back to a circumstance when walls and doors truly were scary and dangerous. Of course we do need to be able to recognize bad walls and locked doors, to get away and protect ourself. But we also need to realize not all walls and doors are scary. They may be there for your protection, and you are not seeing them for what they really are. Remember, some rules and regulations are not made to harm you. I am specifically referring to The Ten Commandments written in your Bible. They are not there to take away the fun in your life and trap you. The One who created you only wants to help you.

By Kara Kimbrough Saying anything negative about local supermarkets goes against my beliefs. The 12+ years I worked for a supermarket chain still rank near the top of best work experiences of all time (flying around in the private jet didn’t hurt) and gave me a lifelong appreciation for neighborhood grocery stores. Fast forward to today and I’m happy to see shoppers in local stores instead of buying food online. So, advising against purchasing supermarket products – in this case, frozen meatballs and rotisserie chicken – is a little shocking. But hear me out before you judge too harshly. First, I have valid reasons for preferring not to buy rotisserie chicken. In the interest of staying off supermarkets’ bad list, I won’t share them here. I know they’re popular with some shoppers and that’s perfectly fine. Additionally, I don’t care for frozen, premade meatballs, probably because the homemade ones are so easy to make and taste, well, much better. And here’s another reason to make your own – they can be used as the base for tons of delicious recipes instead of boring browned ground beef. Personally, I love having extras in the freezer that I can pull out and defrost when I’m in the mood for spaghetti and meatballs. I make a few dozen at a time and freeze them in small batches. While this may sound very similar to using frozen meatballs from the supermarket, there’s a big difference between the two. I made them, I know what’s in them and unlike some (not all) products, all my ingredients are pronounceable. The Junior League of Jackson’s Come On In! cookbook published the recipe for Cinnamon Pepper Chicken over 30 years ago. It’s withstood the test of time and remains a favorite of many to this day. In fact, one friend says her family will revolt if she doesn’t make the dish weekly for dinner. I hope I’ve convinced you that making your own meatballs and baked whole chicken is worth the time and effort. Trust me, the taste alone will sway you if I haven’t. In the meantime, try these recipes - I can almost guarantee you’ll need no further encouragement from me to make meatballs and chicken at home. Cinnamon Pepper Chicken 1 whole chicken (4 pounds) 1-1/2 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon allspice Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Clean chicken and season well inside and out, with salt, peppers, cinnamon and allspice. Bake, uncovered, 2-1/2-3 hours, basting occasionally with pan juices Recipe from Come On In! by Junior League of Jackson Favorite Homemade Meatballs 1 pound ground chuck 1 large egg, beaten 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/4 cup finely chopped onion (can substitute packet of Lipton’s Onion Soup Mix instead) 2 teaspoons minced garlic 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the meat, egg, breadcrumbs, cheese, onion, garlic, salt and pepper, and parsley. Use a medium cookie scoop or spoon to scoop the meat mixture. Form into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on the baking sheet. Bake uncovered 17 to 20 minutes, or until no longer pink in the middle. Turn halfway through to brown evenly. Americanized Crockpot Swedish Meatballs 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can beef broth, low sodium 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 packet Lipton’s Onion Soup Mix 20-25 meatballs (I prefer homemade, but you can use frozen version; defrost before using) 16-ounce carton sour cream Large bag of wide egg noodles Place first 5 ingredients into a Crockpot and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. At the end of cooking (and when meatballs are done if using frozen variety), add sour cream. Stir and replace lid; cook 15-20 minutes while boiling egg noodles. When noodles are done, drain and add to Crockpot, stirring to combine. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Renowned singer-songwriter Tommy Rice is set to captivate audiences once again with the release of his latest singles, "All My Love I Give To You" and "Little Girl on the Corner." These emotionally charged tracks showcase Rice's unique ability to weave poignant storytelling with soul-stirring melodies, offering listeners a glimpse into his profound journey of love, loss, and faith. Rice's musical journey began after he tragically lost his beloved wife, Deborah, to an aggressive form of brain cancer. Throughout her battle, the couple leaned on their unwavering faith in God, finding solace and strength in each other's love. Three years later, Deborah's passing inspired Rice to channel his grief into creative expression, leading him to discover his passion as a songwriter and author. Driven by a newfound purpose, Rice poured his heart and soul into his craft, penning over 215 songs in just a few short years. Despite his initial lack of experience, Rice's talent quickly gained recognition, with 117 of his compositions recorded and 12 reaching number one status. His accolades include nominations for prestigious awards such as Crossover Artist of the Year and Country Breakthrough Artist of the Year, as well as victories in categories like Country New Group of the Year and IMN Inspirational Song of the Year. Rice's impact extends far beyond the confines of his home country, with his music resonating with audiences worldwide. His songs have garnered millions of views on platforms like YouTube and earned him a dedicated following in countries spanning from England to China. In recognition of his contributions to the music industry, Rice was honored to become a member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the International Singer Songwriter Association (ISSA). With the release of "All My Love I Give To You" and "Little Girl on the Corner," Tommy Rice invites listeners to embark on a journey of love, resilience, and hope. These poignant compositions serve as a testament to Rice's unwavering dedication to his craft and his commitment to sharing meaningful stories through music. But the journey doesn't end here. Tommy Rice has several more projects in the works, with a new single slated for release on May 15th. Stay tuned for more heartfelt music from this talented artist. For more information and to listen to Tommy Rice's music, visit: YouTube: [YouTube.com/@TommyRice] Facebook: [Facebook.com/TommyRiceMusic] Instagram: [Instagram.com/TommyRiceMusic] Twitter: [Twitter.com/TommyRiceMusic1] Official Website: [TommyRiceMusic.net] Contact: Tommy Rice Songwriter tommyricemusic@gmail.com

By Aliyah Veal, Mississippi Free Press Twelve-year-old Elizabeth Keyes is crouched over her sewing machine, hard at work on putting together her first-ever piece of custom clothing: an A-line, zebra-print shirt. The Bolton, Miss., native’s mother was blessed enough to hire Sharon Knott, a seamstress who worked at Hancock, to give her private lessons. Keyes is almost at the end of her seam when a stern, feminine voice interrupts her. “No, that’s not right. Undo it. Start again,” Knott critiques her. Frustrated, Keyes undoes her work to start anew at the behest of her teacher. She was impatient, but her tutor always taught her to be detail-oriented because a seamstress should not want a customer to turn over a piece of clothing and see that it is improperly sewn. “When I was 12, I was just discovering that skillset as a seamstress, and the technical work that goes behind making clothes is not a fast process, but you have to love what you do to make quality work,” an adult Keyes told the Mississippi Free Press around a decade later. Keyes’ hard work and dedication has all led to the launch of her first collection under House of E. Keyes, a women’s clothing brand she describes as bold, creative and inspirational. The collection is a collaboration with Shein X, a three-year-old program wherein Shein reaches out to emerging fashion designers, looks at their portfolios, interviews them and sponsors their five-piece collections. “What’s so unique about this collection is I thought about like that modern-day influencer, like the women in my life that did so much, but they just needed an outfit to match that swag,” the designer described. Keyes describes her upbringing in Bolton in three terms: hardworking, hospitality and faith. She grew up on family land with parents who were both ministers at her home church in Bolton. Elizabeth was homeschooled until high school, but that didn’t stop her from participating in various extracurricular activities, including dance. “I would say my love for fashion initially came from dance,” she said. “When I was around 4 or 5 years old, there was a dance school in Clinton. … What I loved about it was just the costume designs. I was always thrilled with how we had different looks for different scenery.” Her mother always dressed her in plaid skirts and matching sets, a style Keyes labeled bougie. While homeschooling Keyes and her siblings, Keyes’ parents regularly introduced them to lifestyles of creativity and entrepreneurship. Keyes started watching documentaries on notable designers like Oscar de la Renta and Mississippi’s very own Cross Colours co-founder TJ Walker and fashion designer Patrick Kelly, whom her high school would go on to honor. “One of my biggest inspirations was Kimora Lee Simmons,” Keyes said. “Like, I have a picture of me wearing Baby Phat as a teenager. That was my go-to.” While attending Raymond High School, she started the school’s first fine-arts club to encourage the arts and provide an outlet for her classmates who were interested in music, poetry, art, fashion and so on. “I just wanted to be that pioneer to create an outlet for us to start investing and looking at career opportunities, mentors, and just get more experience in the art field,” Keyes said. At 16 years old, she premiered in her first fashion show that raised money for a local charity for sickle-cell awareness. The collection contained six pieces for kids and teenagers, and her friends modeled her designs. ‘I Can’t Find Any Brand to Fit Me’ As a freshman at Raymond High, Keyes began researching colleges because she knew she needed to attend fashion-design school to sharpen her skills and knowledge of the industry. “There’s a program that still exists in Mississippi called Get2College, and there was an advisor, Stephen Brown,” she said. “I told him these are the schools I’m looking at, and I really want to look into SCAD (the Savannah College of Art and Design). So he went on the tour, brought me back some things, and my mom took me to SCAD Day.” What drew her to the school was the one-on-one attention that she received from one of the professors, along with the program’s focus on helping students attain careers in fashion. After graduating high school in 2017, she attended SCAD in the fall, majoring in fashion design with a double minor in graphic design and fashion marketing and management. She graduates June 2, 2024. “For me, my journey has been so unique because I truly have gained the industry skills that I need to land the careers that I have—like being a part of the Gucci Changemaker program in 2021, which is awarded by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. I had a two-year experience internship with Kohl’s as an intern designer,” Keyes said. All of the designer’s hard work and experience has culminated into her first House of E. Keyes collection with the Shein X program. When applying for the program, Shein loved the fact that her portfolio showed her creativity and the technical skills she learned from school like how to do a tech pack and how to draw, the student said. “All the looks are pretty much ready-to-wear, monochromatic silhouettes that are complimentary for all body types because that’s a part of my brand philosophy, to be more inclusive with size. Coming from Mississippi, that was my biggest thing to become a designer because I’m just like, ‘I’m 13 years old, and I can’t find any brand to fit me,’” she said. TJ Walker. Patrick Kelly. J. Bolin. Kollin Carter. All of these men are Mississippi fashion designers and stylists who have or had an imprint on the fashion industry. Keyes is honored to see herself as qualified and worthy enough to be a part of this collective of Mississippi creatives. To celebrate the release of her first collection, Keyes held a launch party in her hometown on March 19, the day after the line’s official debut. She has plans to host a fall fashion show of her collection in Mississippi and to establish her mentorship program, Girls in Grace, here as well. The program is her motivator for helping invest in the next generation of young women to help them follow their dreams. “I definitely see myself working in the industry,” Keyes said. “My prayer is to be a full time entrepreneur, but I feel like there’s room for a role as an assistant designer in the industry to help mold our private labels to be more inclusive through their sizing, through their advertisement.” ”Definitely have a goal to be a part of, like, New York Fashion Week in some capacity, some state fashion shows,” she added. “I know Mississippi has Rock the Runway, so I would love to participate in that.” House of E. Keyes officially launched on Monday, March 18, 2024, with new clothes dropping weekly. To purchase from the new collection, visit Shein X’s website here. Follow Elizabeth Keyes and her work at @_houseofekeyes on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and YouTube. View her portfolio at ekeyesdesigns.com and browse her personal shop at shopekeyes.myshopify.com.  To learn more about Girls in Grace, follow the program’s Instagram page.

Let's come together for National Day of Prayer on May 2, 2024 at 12:20 P.M. It will be held ion the Bolton City Hall parking lot at 202 Raymond-Bolton Road in Bolton, MS. In case of rain, the event will be moved inside City Hall.

Mississippi Boychoir celebrates the conclusion of its 29th season with two spring concerts - a preview concert and a full concert on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Those interested in singing with the choir next season are encouraged to attend the preview concert where sign-ups for choir placement for the 30th anniversary season will be available. The Preview Concert will be held at the St. Richard Catholic Church at 2:00 pm. 1242 Lynwood Drive, Jackson. This concert is free and open to the public. The Spring Concert will be held at St. Columb’s Episcopal Church at 6:00 pm. 550 Sunnybrook Road, Ridgeland. $10 suggested donation at the door. Timeline for the day: 2:00 pm - Preview Concert with opportunity for choir placement sign-ups for next season. 3:30 pm - Choir placements 6:00 pm - Spring Concert Mississippi Boychoir and this event are funded in part by the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

By Bob Garver “Civil War” presents one of the most intriguing premises of the year, maybe of the last several years: what if Texas and California were to secede from the United States and join forces to wage war against their former home country? In short, everyone would lose. The economy would tank so badly that $300 would buy you a ham sandwich or cheese sandwich – but not both. There wouldn’t be a sports stadium left for sports and not crisis centers. Violence and death would lurk around every corner. And needless to say, things would be a nightmare for the press. Kirsten Dunst stars as Lee Smith, a hardened photographer. She’s not without her compassionate side, giving her life-saving press jacket to stranger Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) during a riot in New York City. But otherwise, she is fearlessly committed to bringing America (whatever that means anymore) the truth about the war. She and her colleague Joel (Wagner Moura) set off to Washington D.C. to get what will likely be the final interview with the President (Nick Offerman) before advancing Western forces inevitably take him. The two are joined by occasionally-annoying tagalong Jessie and veteran reporter Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson, always a great scene-stealing presence, and here making the most of his most high-profile role to date). Much of “Civil War” is a glorified road trip movie largely set in rural areas, which I suppose makes sense since the movie can’t afford to show major cities getting torn to pieces in every scene. But the small-scale villains are even scarier than the large-scale ones, with fewer authorities than ever around to keep them in check. The team visit a gas station where thieves are tortured for as long as the captors can have fun torturing them. Even worse is a militia group filling a mass grave of civilians that were probably not killed as an act of war, but whose disappearance will probably be lazily blamed on the war. “Civil War” can’t be bothered to answer all the questions it raises, like those involving the origins of the war. Given that Texas and California are the states that seceded, I can only assume that immigration was a major factor, though details are left unclear. Not all the violence in this movie is about the war anyway, some people just want an excuse to shoot people they don’t like. In fact, it’s not necessarily people they don’t like – some people just want an excuse to shoot people regardless of what they represent. Humanity is forever on the edge of destroying itself from within and all that. Watching “Civil War” reminded me of “The Purge” with its mass violence with or without sense. That franchise started off as a pretty standard home-invasion thriller with lots of bells and whistles about the overlying concept of The Purge that weren’t really necessary for the small-scale conflict. The sequels got deeper into why people needed to kill for reasons other than revenge, while at the same time expanding the scale of the action with ever-growing budgets. Maybe there’s a future for “Civil War” as a franchise. The sequels will need to spend more money, though, because the D.C.-set finale of this movie looks rushed and cheap. “Civil War” might be onto something as a first chapter in a series that will have many sequels and prequels. On its own, however, I found it bland. There are certainly some powerful scenes, like one with an unbilled Jesse Plemmons as a militia member chillingly doling out death sentences according to his whims. The stars of Moura, Spaeny, and Henderson are deservedly going to rise thanks to their performances here, though I can’t be the only one who walked out of the theater thinking that Spaeny’s character was responsible for too many deaths for her character to be likeable. I can’t say the film lives up to the ambitiousness of its premise, but with more worldbuilding in future installments, there’s potential here for a memorable dystopian future. Grade: C “Civil War” is rated R for strong violent content, bloody/disturbing images, and language throughout. Its running time is 109 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT! .