By Misty Strieff Prine “Every next level of your life will demand a different version of you.” – Unknown I thought about whether to do this one for a little while and it finally hit me why my attention kept being drawn back to it. Our lives are kind of like onion layers. (Ha...got that from Shrek!) Each layer of our lives will demand different versions of ourselves. Some layers are made of sadness, vulnerability, regret and frustration. However, there will be times where our special, positive and God given layers of empathy and compassion will be required of us in order to help others that can’t quite seem to get past a hardship in their lives. Even in YOUR hardest of moments, God may call you to step up to the plate and put them aside in order to minister to others that, believe it or not, are weaker than you in that moment. The most beautiful layers we all possess are that of love, selflessness and humbleness. May we never lose sight of the blessing we can be to others, even when we are called to set our own difficulties aside and rise above them to help others in need. Our actions and beautiful layers can be life changing. I bet if we all think hard enough, we can remember others that were a blessing to us even when they themselves were facing unimaginable difficulties. What a beautiful blessing it will be in return when we can pay it forward to them! God has an amazing way of turning our blessing others around to pull US out of our sad, vulnerable, regretful and frustrated states. Sometimes helping others is the answer we ourselves need! It’s amazing how blessings and testimonies are born!

Special to The Bolton News (Photo from JSU Athletics) Jackson State University Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson is leaving JSU to take on a new leadership role at Texas Southern University. Robinson has accepted the position of vice president and director of athletics at Texas Southern University, ending a tenure at Jackson State marked by conference championships, academic accomplishments and increased national attention for the university’s athletic programs. Jackson State congratulated Robinson on the move and recognized his contributions to the university. “Under Ashley’s leadership, Jackson State Athletics achieved competitive and academic success and gained national visibility,” JSU President Denise Jones Gregory said. “From multiple conference championships to the 2025–26 Dr. James Frank Commissioner’s Cup, the results speak for themselves. As Mississippi’s most decorated athletics director, he has built on tradition and blazed new trails.” Gregory also thanked Robinson for his work on behalf of Jackson State’s student-athletes. “We are grateful for his service, his leadership and the opportunities he has helped create for our student-athletes,” Gregory said. “We wish Ashley and his family continued success in this next chapter.” Robinson’s tenure included numerous achievements across Jackson State’s athletic programs, culminating with the university earning the 2025–26 Dr. James Frank Commissioner’s Cup. The award recognizes overall athletic excellence within the Southwestern Athletic Conference. As Jackson State begins its search for new athletics leadership, Gregory has selected Associate Vice President and Senior Woman Administrator Alyse Wells-Kilbert to serve as interim vice president and director of athletics. Wells-Kilbert’s appointment is pending approval by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Have you ever had the chance to watch quail in the evening when the sun is setting? Those tiny birds make it very clear; they want home. And home to them usually means gathering in a circle of other quail, with their heads toward each other and tails outward. If you sit quietly nearby their chosen roosting place as the day closes down, you can hear a rustling in the air, as quail after quail arrives and settles in for the night. Might be on the ground in a protective circle of family and friends, or sometimes on the perfect branch in a tree with all the other quail in their covey. Guess we could call it ‘going home for the night.’ Finding security in a sense of community and belonging. Quail and most people are a lot alike, they both have 'something within’ that draws them to their special place, that place that they call home. Sure, we humans love to vacation, to go someplace else for a while and enjoy the uniqueness of something different. To get away from stress, or the humdrum of our daily life. But most of us, after being away from home for a period of time, finally find ourselves feeling an itch, a longing, a certain need that draws us back to the place we call home. Even if it’s filled with tension, stress, loneliness or worry, home still has a certain drawing element to it. It's true, we may not like everything or everyone who represents home to us. But still, it is home. Our family and our jobs are a huge part of “home” to us. In fact, those two factors are usually the main reason we find ourselves counting the weeks until our next scheduled get-away. If we don’t enjoy those two important parts of home, then it’s likely we will be one of those people who walk in their living room, set down their suitcase, and grab their calendar. For them, scheduling the next vacation is just part and parcel of arriving home. But still, most people find that by the end of their time away from friends, family, job, and house, they are ready to touch base with home again. At least for a little while. Home gives a feeling of normalcy and foundation in our lives. Sure, there are some of you that disagree with me on this. You are more like one of those fiercely independent, free-flying loner birds like an owl or an eagle. You prefer to sail around in the sky alone, not needing a covey, or a flock of family and friends around them. Home to you means opening the door to a stateroom or your current hotel room, and feeling an immense sense of satisfaction with the freedom in your life. But not many of us are true loners. Most of us have a quail’s homing device in us, that causes a sense of need to touch base with familiar people and places in our life. Quail, or eagle? Either way, just enjoy living.

Special to The Bolton News Brenda Faye Barber DuPree May 12, 1958 - August 13, 2026 68 Years of age Brenda Faye Barber DuPree was born on May 12, 1958, to Mary Barber and John Williams. She departed this life on August 13, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents. Brenda will be fondly remembered for her joyful spirit and her love of having a good time. Known as the life of the party, she brought laughter, energy, and happiness wherever she went. Her warm and lively presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Though her earthly journey has ended, the joy and memories Brenda shared will remain in the hearts of her family and friends. Funeral Arrangements: Viewing: Friday, August 21, 4:00 PM-6:00 PM Bolton Funeral Home, 205 Bolton Brownsville Road, Bolton, MS Funeral Service: Saturday, August 22, 11:00 AM Mt. Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, 6398 Airplane Road, Bolton, MS Additional viewing will take place one hour prior to the start of the funeral service Interment: Mt. Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

There is no doubt in the necessity and importance of acquiring specialized HR credentials. This is because of the change that has occurred in this industry over the past few years. HR professionals are no longer just administrative managers or payroll processors. They have a key role to play in driving organizational culture. With only a general knowledge and understanding of HR processes and procedures, one cannot expect to tackle complex and modern business challenges effectively. Like all other professions, HR professionals need specialization. Within the HR discipline, several special competencies exist and HR professionals need to master them to stand out. Specialized HR credentials are in high demand today. Employers prefer candidates who possess special HR certifications. Elevate your career and positioning by obtaining recognized HR certifications. Specialized human resources credentials are important because they allow HR professionals to demand higher salaries from their employers as well as secure leadership opportunities. Those who are interested in securing a distinct, high-impact career path must pursue the following human resources certifications and credentials. HRAcademia Professional Certification Series of HR Certificates HRAcademia offers some of the best gold standard HR credentials for HR professionals which are considered as the global standard in HR certifications. These include internationally-recognized, career-focused HR certifications including Certified Human Resources Manager, Senior HR Professional, Certified Human Resources Business Partner, Certified HR Professional, Certified Human Resources Analytics Professional, Certified AI-Powered HR Professional, and Certified Training & Development Professional. All of these online HR certifications are accredited. In order to compete with other HR candidates, individuals will need to stand out by studying for and acquiring these industry-relevant HR certifications covering almost all areas of modern HR such as strategic business partnership, workforce analytics & intelligence, and artificial-intelligence based HR. For professionals with a a less investing budget, there is HRAcademia Professional Certificate Series™ that offers specialized certificates such as Certified Human Resources Strategy Professional (CHRSP™), Certified Total Rewards Management Professional (CTRP™), Certified HR Business Leadership Professional (CHRBLP™), Certified Global Workforce Management Professional (CGWMP™), Certified Talent Acquisition Specialist (CTAS™), and Certified Employee Relation Specialist (CERS™). All of these HR certificates cost only $195. SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) A well-known certificate that will instantly make you stand out among other HR professionals is the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credential offered by the prestigious Society for Human Resource Management. For a senior HR professional who is looking to play an instrumental role in driving business and company success, this is a good certification program. The content is based on research but may seems a bit outdated. Senior leaders who meet eligibility requirements will be required to solve complex organizational as part of this program. Human capital strategies must be aligned with financial goals of the company. Not everyone has the acumen and insight for this critical task. The professional with SHRM Senior Certified Professional is expected to handle such challenges in an organization. To acquire this certificate, one has to apply through the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge®, and schedule the exam, take the exam, obtain the certificate after passing the exam, and recertify every 3 years. You will need to spend $450 plus a recertification fee. Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) Most of the times, duties of HR professionals are not limited to a single region or country. Especially in multinational companies, HR professionals are expected to deal with issues on a global scale. They have to interact with people from different countries and have command over labor laws and regulations of different regions in the world. In this regard, a credential that is highly valued and well-recognized is Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) offered by the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). The certificate is recognized globally. By spending $595 covering exam and application fees, HR professionals can attain expertise in managing expatriates, ensuring multinational compliance, and solving human resource challenges in global enterprise environments. Global talent and risk management as well as global mobility are some of the core elements focused in this certificate program. The validity of GPHR certification is 3 years. Recertify by retaking the exam or earning global recertification credits. All in all, this certificate gives you an edge in managing international HR. People Analytics Certificate Program (AIHR) Including People Analytics Certificate Program in the list of best specialized HR credentials for HR professionals has a solid and obvious reason. Each and every business decision today is driven by data. In human resources, this includes and refers particularly to people analytics. In simple words, HR professionals and leaders must have an in-depth comprehension of all numbers and data related to employees. In reality, workplace data is quite complex but with People Analytics Certificate Program of AIHR, HR professionals can learn to translate that complex data into clear information, making it easier to reach informed HR and business decisions. In this course, the focus is on analysis of people data, development of dashboards and reports, and HR statistics. The certificate program is globally accredited and recognized. This certification also includes AI based HR modules. The cost of 1 certificate program is $ 1,125. Having 16 modules and 17 hands-on projects, this course will greatly develop your data fluency in HR and you will be able to present clear insights to senior management and leadership confidently and effectively. You can also develop proficiency in Excel and Power BI. The curriculum has been specially customized for HR professionals. Wrapping It All Up It is now clear that general HR knowledge alone is not at all sufficient to attain career advancement today. Studying for and acquiring specialized HR credentials must be one of the primary goals of every professional working in the HR field. The selection of a relevant certificate program depends on individual career objectives and domain of operation. An individual hoping to specialize in executive-level HR strategies can opt SHRM-SCP. Those interested in workforce numbers and data analysis can choose the People Analytics Certificate Program. If you are a multinational HR manager, the obvious and logical selection is GPHR. Finally, there is a whole series of different HR credentials offered by HRAcademia covering almost all the areas of human resources. Identify immediate career needs, determine core requirements of the business you are serving, make the right selection, study rigorously and thoroughly to pass the exam, and obtain the desired HR credential to establish yourself as a go-to expert in your area of operation.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB It takes a very generous suspension of disbelief to enjoy “One Night Only.” The film is set in a not-too-distant future where premarital sex is outlawed, save for one night a year. Comparisons to “The Purge” are inevitable, which to me raises an interesting question: Which would lead to more violent crime in this country – one night of legalized violent crime, or gradually-building sexual frustration on all but one night? Never mind that such laws would never in a million years be passed, enforced, or obeyed. The characters in this film – which takes place in a fully-recognizable New York City and not some bleak dystopian fantasy world – accept that the law is set in stone, and occasionally complain about it, but we never see any serious resistance. That’s a big strike against the film right off the bat – it’s hard to identify with anyone in this world because everybody is inherently ridiculous enough to go along with this law. To be fair, this film is not about the 364 days a year where this law wouldn’t work, it’s about the one upside, the lone night where all the single people are allowed to go crazy. And go crazy they do, with almost every shot in the movie showing people hooking up, in at least the background. Of course, it’s all in a tame R-rated way with the naughtiest bits out of view of the camera. I shudder to think what this movie would have looked like if it took the X-rated approach, though that movie would have at least been memorable. As it is, I probably won’t forget the weird premise anytime soon, but I’ll probably have forgotten the title of this movie by year’s end. The movie follows traditional rom-com characters Owen (Callum Turner) and Allie (Monica Barbaro). He’s a pizza cook who works too hard. She’s a singer who has stage fright. He has a girlfriend (Maya Hawke) who treats him badly and tells him he’s on his own for finding a partner for tonight. She’s not that serious about finding someone. Both have friends and family who tell them that they need to lighten up and have some fun. They bump into each other a few times while on separate adventures, initially having animosity that turns into a rivalry before considering that maybe they should be together. Will they become a couple, physically or otherwise? The good news is that Turner and Barbaro are sweet enough leads. I was digging their chemistry and interactions with one another. They’re basically having a PG-13 relationship while the world around them is super R-rated (though not as “hard-R” as it probably wants to be). It’s all corny, in traditional rom-com fashion, but mildly engaging, especially when compared to what else the movie has to offer. The bad news about “One Night Only” is pretty much everything else about the movie. I can poke holes in the premise all day, but the real problem is that the film wants to be both raunchy and edgy, but it can only manage the former. Sex gags permeate the movie (let’s just say it’s really hard to procure protection at the last minute in this world), but they’re oddly toothless. Director Will Gluck previously made “Anyone But You,” an R-rated romantic comedy that I thought would have worked better without its cruder elements. This movie doesn’t work because it doesn’t have much cruder elements. Even though I champion the film’s cleaner moments, they would mean more if they were contrasted with dirty moments that were actually good at being dirty. Grade: C- “One Night Only” is rated R for sexual material, language, and brief nudity. Its running time is 102 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Special to The Bolton News Annie T. Jeffers Library in Bolton is inviting young readers and their families to join a new monthly program, Story Time Adventures, beginning Tuesday, September 15. Story Time Adventures will be held at 10 a.m. every third Tuesday of the month at the library, located at 111 Madison Avenue in Bolton. The program will give children an opportunity to enjoy stories while developing an early interest in books and reading. Regular story time programs also provide families with an opportunity to visit the library and introduce young children to the resources available in their community. The first Story Time Adventures program is scheduled for September 15, with additional programs planned each month on the third Tuesday. Parents, grandparents, caregivers and their young readers are encouraged to attend and make Story Time Adventures part of their monthly routine. For more information about Story Time Adventures or other programs available at Annie T. Jeffers Library, call 601-866-4247.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Pappa and his two small great grandsons were having fun playing in the park on a gorgeous afternoon. Kicking around a soccer ball, they soon decided to start a game. Well, a loosely-termed version of the game of soccer. The kind of game that has very few boundaries or rules. Or at least, rules that Pappa and the oldest grandson agreed upon. At his tender age, Pappa’s four-year-old great grandson, the youngest, had little understanding of how the game should be played. Soccer rules were still only a vague concept to him, largely stemming from overheard conversations between his dad and his uncle as they watched soccer games on TV. And what a little boy hears, and what a little boy can actually accomplish, is two drastically different things. Pappa knew this. So being an indulgent Pappa, the older man decided it was okay to simply bend the rules a little – creating a version of the game that his younger great grandson could actually play that day. He failed to take into consideration a few things. First, Oldest had recently started playing soccer on a local little boys’ team, and had a rudimentary understanding of the rules of the game. Two, his older great-grand was a stickler for rules being followed in life – at least any rules that benefited him. Third, that kid had a memory like an elephant. Need I say more? I probably don’t need to embellish any further, but I will. The game went off the rails at the point when Oldest vehemently challenged Pappa on one of the finer points of a rule for playing soccer. Yet Pappa stood firmly by his version, because of the inabilities of Youngest. Oldest began yelling his protests that Pappa was not following the rules. Pappa simply dug his figurative heels in the ground, following through on his recently-discovered personal belief that the guy with the most gray hair gets to change the rules to make the game fair for all involved. And the four-year-old? He quickly wandered off to find entertainment on the swings nearby. Young enough to lose interest when the game was no longer fun, old enough to sense the thick tension in the air, and self-protective enough to vacate the area. Smart kid. How long will this disagreement have an effect on the grandson-granddad relationship? Have no idea. Probably depends on two things. The elephant memory of Oldest, and the forgiving nature - or not, of The One With The Most Gray Hair. A simple example of how life can go haywire in just a few seconds, and ruin a great afternoon in the park. And possibly affect a close relationship for years to come. Like the Bible says; “For those who have ears to hear, let him hear.” And learn.

Special to The Bolton News Bolton residents will have an opportunity to learn more about the town’s financial plans during a public Budget Hearing and Tax Levy meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 25. The public hearing is part of the town’s budget process and will provide an opportunity for residents to hear information related to the municipal budget and tax levy. Budget hearings allow local officials to discuss anticipated revenues and expenditures and provide the public with an opportunity to be informed about how municipal funds are expected to be used. The tax levy portion of the meeting will focus on the property tax levy associated with funding town operations and services. A tax levy establishes the rate used to determine the amount of property tax revenue collected for governmental purposes. Public budget hearings also provide an opportunity for residents to become more familiar with the financial decisions that affect municipal services and operations. Community participation can help residents better understand the priorities being considered as town officials prepare for the upcoming fiscal year. Residents and other interested members of the public are invited to attend the August 25 meeting. The Budget Hearing and Tax Levy public meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Bolton Town Hall, 202 Bolton Raymond Road.

Special to The Bolton News Chief Blackmon and Assistant Chief Williams The City of Bolton will welcome new leadership to its police department Tuesday, Aug. 11, with a swearing-in ceremony for Police Chief Ve'Nesha Blackmon and Assistant Chief/Chief Investigator Brandon Williams. The ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the City of Bolton Meeting Room, 202 Bolton Raymond Road. Blackmon will officially take the oath of office as chief of the Bolton Police Department, while Williams will be sworn in as assistant chief and chief investigator. The ceremony will mark the formal beginning of their leadership roles within the department and provide city officials, community members and others an opportunity to recognize the transition. As police chief, Blackmon will lead the department and oversee its law enforcement operations and officers while working with city officials and the community on public safety matters. Williams will serve in a dual leadership role as assistant chief and chief investigator. In addition to assisting with the department's operations and administration, the position includes responsibilities related to criminal investigations and other law enforcement matters. The appointments place Blackmon and Williams among the officials responsible for guiding the department as it provides law enforcement services to Bolton residents. The swearing-in ceremony comes as Bolton city leaders continue working on municipal operations and public safety efforts throughout the community. Residents and community members are invited to attend the ceremony and witness Blackmon and Williams take their oaths of office. The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at the City of Bolton Meeting Room, 202 Bolton Raymond Road.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB When we last left Peter Parker aka Spider-Man (Tom Holland) back in 2021, he had to submit to a spell from Doctor Strange that would make the world forget he ever existed. His Aunt May (Marissa Tomei) had died, so he had no family left, but he had to watch his friends Ned (Jacob Batalon) and MJ (Zendaya), go off to college without him, blissfully unaware of what they meant to him. As we rejoin Peter in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” he’s mostly turned himself over to superhero work full-time. There are plenty of dangers around New York City, from minor thugs to supervillains like Scorpion (Michael Mando) to people that just need rescuing. Peter is always happy to swing in and save the day as Spider-Man, but the years of anonymity are taking their toll on the human side of him. Peter has some help. He coordinates with Detective Jean DeWolff (Liza Colón-Zayas), as a liaison to the NYPD. A supposedly-benevolent organization called Damage Control, led by Bill Metzger (Tramell Tillman) deals in superhero affairs. Fellow vigilante Frank “The Punisher” Castle (Jon Bernthal) keeps an eye on things, though Peter disagrees with his violent tactics. If he gets really desperate, he can call upon Yelena “Black Widow” Belova, the leader of the New Avengers. Even Bruce “The Incredible Hulk” Banner (Mark Ruffalo) is still in play, wearing a device that prevents him Hulk-ing up, though it can be disabled. But these people are “allies” at best, Peter misses having friends. Eventually a threat presents itself that stumps Peter, his allies, and even his enemies. Somebody is possessing the bodies of whoever they please – often average citizens, though it can be a familiar face if specific deception is required - and wreaking havoc throughout the city. Their ultimate target seems to be Damage Control, which itself may not be on the up-and-up, as if Spider-Man battling the company’s ninja security team in all the film’s advertising wasn’t enough of a giveaway. The person behind the possessions is a shadowy figure, and it’s little secret that Sadie Sink of “Stranger Things” has been cast in a shadowy role, so the real question is, who is this character beyond someone played by Sadie Sink? Peter tries to keep from becoming possessed himself, but his biology betrays him and soon the villain learns that he’s still pining after MJ. He tries saving her impersonally as Spider-Man, but it soon becomes apparent that Peter Parker can’t stay out of her life forever. And this leads to some good conversations about what these characters are, what they’ve been, and what they can and can’t be going forward. It’s some of the best acting I’ve seen from the MCU in a long time. Also, Bernthal with his jaded attitude is everything you could want in a perfectly-cast Punisher. And yet, I’m not recommending “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” It’s an apologetic sort of non-recommendation, as the movie does a lot right, especially with its three(!) carryovers from “The Odyssey.” But for every scene where the movie admirably lets the actors and dialogue breathe, there are too many more that are just dull MCU retreads. Like how Damage Control is just the latest corrupt human organization to think that they can get away with crimes against superpowered individuals. Or how the villain is temporarily stopped the way most MCU villains are stopped in this era. Or how characters like (the new) Black Widow and The Hulk are wedged into the film to remind fans that they’re still a part of this franchise despite the story not needing them. Or, perhaps worst of all, how the film seems preoccupied with setting up more MCU installments down the road than making this installment particularly memorable. Compared to the satisfaction I got from 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” this movie… I won’t say “doesn’t have legs,” but is maybe a few legs short of an arachnid. Grade: C “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is rated PG-13 for sequences of action/violence and some language. Its running time is 145 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Special to The Bolton News Residents will have an opportunity to learn more about property tax-related topics during an informational session featuring Hinds County Tax Collector Eddie Fair later this month at the Annie T. Jeffers Library. The program is scheduled for noon on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the library, located at 111 W. Madison St. in Bolton. During the session, Fair will provide information on Homestead Exemption, Personal Property Tax, and other tax-related resources available to Hinds County residents. The event will also include a question-and-answer session, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and receive information directly from the county's tax collector. The program is designed to help homeowners, business owners and other taxpayers better understand important tax requirements, available exemptions and the services offered by the Tax Collector's Office. Homestead Exemption can provide qualifying homeowners with property tax savings, while personal property tax requirements apply to many businesses and certain types of taxable property. Fair is expected to explain eligibility requirements, filing procedures and important deadlines, as well as address common questions from residents. Library officials encourage community members to attend, whether they are seeking information about filing for a homestead exemption, understanding personal property tax obligations or learning more about available county resources. The free educational program is open to the public, and no prior registration has been announced. Residents are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early to ensure seating and take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions about property taxes and related services.