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By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB It has been just over ten years since viewers were first introduced to the work of sci-fi author Andy Weir with Ridley Scott’s “The Martian.” In that film, a scientist (Matt Damon) was stuck on a planet millions of miles from Earth and forced to use his wits to survive against near-insurmountable odds, often punctuating his actions with smart-aleck remarks that only he could hear. New Weir adaptation “Project Hail Mary” is different. In this film, a scientist (Ryan Gosling) is stuck on a spaceship millions of miles from Earth and forced to use his wits to survive against near-insurmountable odds, often punctuating his actions with smart-aleck remarks that only he can hear… until he has an alien buddy that can hear them. Dr. Ryland Grace (Gosling) is on mission to save the Sun (and consequently Earth) from a bacteria that is severely diminishing its output. He’s not what you’d call a “likely” hero (just a schoolteacher with some controversial theories), and he doesn’t exactly “volunteer” for the mission. Sketchy mission organizer Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) has to use some nefarious means to get him on the ship, but only because she truly believes his way of thinking makes him the best hope for humanity. His “way of thinking” doesn’t extend to knowing how his spaceship works after over a century in an induced coma. After Grace spends a few days flopping around the ship, the whole vessel is intercepted by an alien spacecraft. Piloting the new ship is a creature that comes to be known as Rocky (voiced by James Ortiz, once he has a voice), because his body is so rock-like. He’s on a mission to save his own planet from the same problems plaguing the Sun. Not having many ideas of his own, his plan is to abduct Grace so they can pool their resources. Of course, Grace doesn’t really know what he’s doing either, but after a tedious process of learning to communicate with one another, the two of them start hatching something resembling a plan to save their respective worlds. And they might just become friends in the process. Okay, I won’t make it suspenseful, they become friends. Grace and Rocky’s friendship is really odd, considering that they never knew the other’s species even existed until they met in outer space. Also, neither can so much as breathe the air on the other’s ship. Grace has to keep his helmet on in Rocky’s, and Rocky has to travel around Grace’s in what I can only describe as a hamster ball. But through inspiring determination, they make it work. And though the attitude is usually kept light, there are very high stakes for both parties. Entire planets need to be saved and sacrifices need to be made. Will those sacrifices have to include our heroes’ ability to get home? How about their very lives? Can they even have a mission successful enough to warrant these kinds of questions? The story of “Project Hail Mary” is very familiar territory, especially if you’ve seen “The Martian.” I joked about it earlier, but Gosling’s character is basically a carbon copy of Damon’s in that film. And the friendship with Rocky has been done before too, in any number of movies where a human has to work together with an animal or alien (“E.T.” comes to mind). Fortunately, the writing, acting, and directing from the ever-enjoyable Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are all crisp enough to make this a decent version of a cookie-cutter space adventure. It could probably stand to eat up less time, but for the most part, “Project Hail Mary” is worth cheering on as much as your favorite sports team making the titular play. Grade: B- “Project Hail Mary” is rated PG-13 for some thematic material and suggestive references. Its running time is 156 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Special to The Bolton News Second Sundays at St. Mary’s will continue in April with a special Easter season concert featuring the renowned alumni Utica Jubilee Singers. The concert, titled “An Easter Season Blessing,” will be held April 12 at 3 p.m. and will bring an afternoon of music, worship and fellowship to the community. The program will feature the Utica Jubilee Singers under the direction of Dr. Bobby Cooper, a respected conductor known for his leadership and dedication to choral music. The group is known for its powerful performances and rich musical tradition, and the concert is expected to draw guests from across the area for an afternoon of inspiring music celebrating the Easter season. The invocation and benediction will be given by The Rev. Hailey Allin, Vicar of St. Mary's, adding a meaningful spiritual element to the afternoon’s program. Following the concert, a reception will be held in the Terry Brantley Parish Hall, where attendees will have the opportunity to visit with performers and members of the church community. Second Sundays at St. Mary’s has become a meaningful monthly event that combines music, community and worship, and the April concert is expected to be a special celebration of the Easter season. The community is invited to attend and enjoy an afternoon of music, reflection and fellowship.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Have you ever noticed that those rigid rules you insist your kids obey rarely bring about long-term enthusiastic obedience? “Mom told us to not do that. Yay!!!” Instead, rebellion later on is usually the result. When your back is turned. When your kid is turned loose on his own. When you are not there playing policeman. When they get to a place in their life that allows a teen to make a few of their own choices, often a young person who was reared under heavily restrictive guidelines with no explanations, will decide to find out what they were missing. Think along the lines of a kid going to college and out on their own for the first time. Feeling the heady thrill that comes with total freedom of choice. Coupled with long-denied desires of doing anything and everything that mom and dad declared off-limits. Add in the natural rebellion that comes with hormones that fluctuate like waves in the ocean. You potentially have what can be termed as a perfect storm. Ask any parent who dares to be totally honest with you. There is a second reason that using strict rules of conduct alone doesn’t really work long term. Unless you have been successful in instilling in that immature brain of your child the same line of reasoning, the same set of values, and the same fear of venturing off the safe beaten path of obedience that rules your behavior, then all you have accomplished is getting your kid to obey as long as you hold the reins. Good luck with that. I do believe that an average teen who is out on his own can be guided… to some degree. But for that to be true, effective loving guidance has to be started lonnnng before the teen years hit. So, just how do we parents accomplish the impossible? Beginning in the elementary years, the effective firm “ NO!” coupled with a smack on a diapered bottom that worked on your toddler has to have “Here’s why you can’t fill in the blank .” Stated unequivocally in logical and age-appropriate terms that your child can understand. Just yelling, “Because I said so!”  isn’t going to go very far in getting your kid to want to cooperate. If that tired old sentence is your standard go-to, then very likely you have on your hands a child living out the old saying; ‘I’m sitting quietly on the outside, but I’m defiantly standing on the inside.’  And believe me, it only gets worse when hormones are added to the mix. My belief for the almost impossible job of parenting? Imitation : Pick up your Bible and read how your wise Creator parents you. Patience:  Remember, your child is the student, you are the teacher, so teach. Loving firmness : Stick to your guns. I repeat, YOU are the teacher. How will Junior learn if you don’t stay firm? Fearlessness:  Do not be afraid to enforce the word NO. Parent, do your job well. Or you will regret the results later on.

By Kara Kimbrough   It’s not a “pretty” dish, but Dirty Spaghetti is a tasty alternative to traditional red sauce pasta. (Photo by Kara Kimbrough)   The month of March is shaping up to be a great one, filled with some of my favorite things: Daylight Savings Time; a few day trips, culminating with a few stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast; new food and treasure finds; spring break courtesy of a school-related job and of course, the advent of spring itself. In no particular order, here are the highlights from a week of exploring, traveling and dining: First, a quick trip to Monticello in Lawrence County to purchase a piece of furniture marked half-off at June Bug’s, a cute vintage and home decor store, brought back memories of living there right after college and working at the newspaper. I was impressed with the unique way the small town is utilizing once-empty stores and transforming them into attractive retail spaces, especially in the historic downtown area. June Bug’s is a delightful vintage/antique and treasure hunt-type of store filled with everything from yard and garden décor to collectibles and more. Some of the downtown stores were closed on the Saturday I visited, but after spotting similar stores and learning a friend operates nearby Fannies Flowers & Gifts, I decided I'd definitely have to return on a weekday. Another trip down memory trip occurred a few days later when I met a college friend at Genna Benna’s, a cozy spot in downtown Brandon. After moving from Monticello to the Jackson area, I eventually landed in Brandon not far from the downtown area. I always loved exploring downtown Brandon's shops and restaurants. I was pleasantly surprised to that even more clothing and gift boutiques, vendor markets, coffee shops and restaurants have opened downtown. Genna Benna’s offers something for every taste. Southern comfort classics like hamburger steak, grilled pork chops, red beans and rice are offered along with specialty pastas, sandwiches, burgers and steaks. Everything looked intriguing, but it had been a while since I'd seen a Cuban sandwich on a menu, so I had to order one. The sandwich was everything I expected and more, but since so many other dishes on the menu looked amazing, a return visit is on my to-do list. One benefit of having a few days off is slowing down enough to catch up with the rest of the world. After scrolling through a few social media sites, it was evident I was behind in trying “dirty spaghetti.” Inspired by Cajun (often called dirty) rice, the spaghetti version relies heavily on a browned ground beef, chopped peppers and onions and a roux of beef broth and flour that coats the pasta for a savory flavor. In short, there are: no tomatoes, no tomato sauce, no tomato paste. Nothing red…only brown; thus, the name “dirty.” I was a bit skeptical – spaghetti without red sauce just sounded, well…wrong. But I decided to see what had made this the “viral TikTok recipe of the week.” I can report that the dish is, indeed, tasty…as long as plenty of Cajun or Creole seasonings are added. If this important step is omitted, it’s somewhat bland. And here’s the worst part – it’s definitely not a “pretty” dish. I hesitated about sharing the photo I shot; it’s not very appetizing-looking, at least in my opinion. But again, if properly seasoned, the taste is above average and hey, maybe a change from my regular red sauce is needed. Last, the highlight of the week was a quick, but busy trip to the Gulf Coast. First up: I was excited to meet work friends for lunch at Uncle Joe’s Pizza and Wings in Long Beach. Several years ago, I wrote a food story for the Sun-Herald on the top pizza restaurants on the Coast. Uncle Joe’s, then solely located in Diamondhead, was on the list. I was anxious to check out Uncle Joe's expanded menu at another location. For the record, Uncle Joe’s serves many specialty pizzas, including Kitchen Sink and Cheeseburger, as well as over 20 varieties of wing sauces. Since a trip to historic Philadelphia may be on the horizon this summer, I couldn’t resist ordering the Philly Cheesesteak pizza. It's a savory combination of steak, plenty of cheese, green peppers, mushrooms, and onions. My friends’ choices of chicken, bacon and ranch and a vegetarian version also received positive reviews. Besides its Long Beach and Diamondhead locations, Uncle Joe's is open in Bay St. Louis and Pascagoula. So yes, March has been a good month. Before summer's oppressive heat descends, why not get out and explore, experience and enjoy these places and more? Happy Spring! Dirty (But Still Good) Spaghetti 1 pound spaghetti 1 pound ground chuck 1 each: green pepper, red pepper, yellow onion, diced 1 tablespoon minced garlic 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3-4 cups beef broth Seasonings: 1 teaspoon each: Cajun seasoning, Creole seasoning; salt and pepper to taste In a large skillet, brown ground beef until browned; drain grease. Move meat to side of skillet and brown chopped vegetables until wilted; stir in garlic. Add seasonings and mix together meat and vegetables, stirring well. Slowly add flour; stir well to coat and cook 1-2 minutes. Slowly add beef broth while stirring. Cover and let simmer on medium-low for a few minutes. Pasta options: Cook pasta separately in lightly-salted water until al dente. Or, add dry spaghetti directly to skillet mixture; break in half, cover and cook until tender, stirring occasionally.(I prefer meat sauce served over, not combined with pasta, so I cooked pasta separately, then spooned meat sauce over a dish of hot pasta). Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at  kkprco@yahoo.com .

The USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) is proud to announce the launch of a special  Official Artist & Poster Contest  in honor of its  50th anniversary , to be celebrated during the next competition cycle,  June 12–26, 2027 , in Jackson, Mississippi. This milestone event marks  five decades of artistic excellence  and the  13th time  the official USA IBC will be hosted in its long-standing home city. Since the inaugural USA IBC in 1979, each competition has been commemorated with a unique, original poster created by a selected artist—an enduring tradition that visually captures the spirit and artistry of this globally renowned event. The 2027 competition, a golden anniversary celebration, will elevate this legacy through an open call to artists. Official Artist & Poster Contest Announced The winning design will become the  signature visual identity  of the 2027 USA IBC. Its colors, themes, and imagery will be featured throughout: Competition branding and marketing Print and digital publications Merchandise and promotional materials In addition, the selected artist will receive: A  dedicated exhibition and artist reception Extensive promotional features  and media coverage A  press conference unveiling the official poster Recognition as the  2027 USA IBC Official Artist , joining a distinguished lineage of creatives A Legacy of Artistic Collaboration Artists who have previously contributed to USA IBC’s visual history have described the experience as both meaningful and career-defining. Reflecting on his selection,  Brent Funderburk , Official Artist of the 2010 USA IBC, shared: “As official artist of the 2010 USA IBC events I was thrilled and grateful! This privilege is one of the highlights of my life and artistic career; the poster is a wonderful medium by which to share the IBC and also the arts and artists of Mississippi and the region. It has been a great honor to have dance professionals and fans from around the world view my work.” Celebrating a Golden Anniversary The 2027 USA IBC promises to be a landmark celebration, honoring the competition’s enduring mission: to inspire excellence, elevate dancers on the world stage, and unite global audiences through the power of classical ballet. The Official Artist & Poster Contest invites artists to help shape this historic moment by creating a visual representation worthy of the competition’s 50-year legacy. For more information and to apply visit:  usaibc.com/poster-contest

Special to The Bolton News  The magic of pure imagination is coming to town as the Amiable Arts Foundation presents Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory  this April at Bolton Edwards Middle School. Set for two performances, the beloved story will take the stage on Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m. and Friday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m., offering local families and theater lovers a chance to experience the timeless adventure right in the heart of Bolton. Held at Bolton Edwards Middle School, located at 9700 I-20 Frontage Road, the production promises a vibrant showcase of local talent, creativity, and community spirit. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to each performance, giving attendees time to settle in before the curtain rises. The story follows the imaginative journey of young Charlie Bucket as he wins a golden ticket to tour the mysterious chocolate factory owned by the eccentric Willy Wonka. Filled with colorful characters, memorable moments, and valuable life lessons, the production is designed to entertain audiences of all ages. The Amiable Arts Foundation continues to play an important role in fostering performing arts opportunities in the community, providing a platform for aspiring performers to develop their talents while bringing high-quality entertainment to local audiences. Tickets for both performances are available online through Eventbrite, and early purchase is encouraged as seating may be limited. Whether you're a longtime fan of the classic tale or introducing it to a new generation, this Bolton production is set to deliver an unforgettable theatrical experience.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB Author Colleen Hoover is apparently dominant in the genre of tearjerkers. She’s best known for “It Ends With Us,” about the upsetting subject of domestic violence. Now comes “Reminders of Him,” which features both a death and a torn-apart family. It wants to inspire tears of sadness and sympathy, but the best it can manage is to bore me to tears. The story follows Kenna (Maika Monroe), fresh out of prison after serving a seven-year sentence for vehicular manslaughter. She returns to her small Wyoming hometown, where the first thing she does is rip out the cross along the side of the road that memorializes her former lover Scotty (Rudy Pankow), the passenger she killed in a car crash while intoxicated. It’s not malicious, she does it to honor Scotty, as “he hated memorials,” though she doesn’t seem to consider that memorials aren’t “for” the deceased, they’re for people in mourning. Then again, she’s not one to always use great judgement. Kenna’s life is a mess. She can’t get a job because of her criminal record, she can only stay in a lousy apartment by agreeing to take in one of the building owner’s cats, and she has no legal right to see Diem (Zoe Kosovic), the six-year-old daughter she had with Scotty, probably conceived minutes before the fatal crash. She had to give birth in prison and never even got to hold her baby before she was whisked away to live with Scotty’s parents (Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford). She’s looking for a way to become part of Diem’s life, but all of her ideas involve acting like a crazy stalker, which isn’t going to endear her to the child’s grandparents, who already hate her for what she did to their son. Kenna’s search for a job leads her to a bar owned by failed football player Ledger (Tyriq Withers). The two flirt and he instantly develops feelings for her. Things get complicated when it is revealed that he was Scotty’s best friend growing up and is now heavily involved in raising Diem. They get even more complicated when he learns that she is Scotty’s lover/killer and Diem’s stalker/mother. He demands that she leave town, or at least not insert herself into Diem’s life, but she has no intention of obeying. Besides, he doesn’t really mean that he wants her to leave town, he’s too smitten with her. Kenna and Ledger form an uneasy business relationship that turns into a friendship that threatens to turn romantic. Can he learn to love the woman who took his best friend away from him? And how will this affect the close-as-family relationship he has with Diem and her grandparents? No doubt it will involve lying and eventually exposure, but will forgiveness be around the corner? The film feels inexplicably stuffed with dragged-out scenes and unnecessary details. Kenna’s first job as a grocery bagger doesn’t really go anywhere, nor does Ledger not making much progress on a house he’s building far outside of town. And we don’t need a lengthy flashback to the night of the accident, everything has been sufficiently described in other parts of the movie. My theory is that a tight, early draft of the script came in at only sixty minutes and the studio insisted that it be stretched out to ninety, but then someone overcorrected until it was this nearly-two-hour snoozefest. Either that or the Hoover novel itself is over-bloated, in which case the movie should have done more to tighten things up. I’m not mad at “Reminders of Him” for being incompetent, just nonplussed that it’s so unexciting. Other than being too long and dull, it’s not even bad in an interesting way. By the end of the year, I’ll probably forget the very title of “that weepy mother-that-can’t-see-her-daughter movie.” And then I’ll need a reminder of “Reminders of Him.” Grade: C- “Reminders of Him” is rated PG-13 for sexual content, strong language, drug content, some violent content, and brief partial nudity. Its running time is 114 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Special to The Bolton News Rosie Lee "Poom" Taylor November 21, 1957 - March 14, 2026 68 Years of age Ms. Rosie Lee Taylor, affectionately known as “Poom,” was born on November 21, 1957, in Bolton, Mississippi, to the late Clyde Taylor, Sr. and Daisy Bell Strong Taylor. She departed this life on March 14, 2026, in Jackson, Mississippi, at the age of 68. Rosie was a lifelong resident of Hinds County and a graduate of Raymond High School, Class of 1975. She was known for her quiet strength, gentle spirit, and the love she shared with her family. She was a loving mother whose children were her pride and joy, and they loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Clyde Taylor, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Timothy Clyde Taylor and Elizabeth Marie Taylor of Raymond, Mississippi; her siblings, Bessie Mae Drone, Lydia Loraine Armon, Henry Lee Taylor (Johnnie Mae), and Ethel Lee West; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other loved ones. Rosie will be remembered for her kindness and the quiet impact she made on those around her. Funeral Events: Viewing: March 20, 2026 from 4:00-6:00 PM Bolton Funeral Home, 205 Bolton Brownsville Road, Bolton Additional viewing will take place one hour prior to the start of the funeral Funeral Service: March 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM Mt. Center Missionary Baptist Church, 3789 Sam Herring Road, Raymond Cards may be sent to: Bolton Funeral Home, Attn: Family of Rosie Lee Taylor, P.O. Box 67 Bolton, MS 39041. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rosie Lee Taylor, please visit our flower store .

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com  Your spouse feeling extremely ill and hurting, with no rapid relief anywhere in sight? Don't expect him to act differently than exactly what he is feeling. Physical illness shows itself very plainly in our behavior – take a quick look at a hurting and fussy little baby who feels no qualms at all in expressing just how bad her body feels. Dealing constantly with real pain can make anyone of us cranky and hard to be around at times. So what is the solution when your spouse's behavior goes beyond simply being irritated? What should you do as his long-suffering partner, when the constant arguments begin to stomp on your last nerve? Walk away. Don't attempt to argue your point or reason out the issue with him. Simply realize he feels really lousy and is acting it out. And he is not going to be in the mood to listen to your side of the story, and try to work out a compromise with you. So do both of you a favor, and just walk away. Let a little time away from the situation cool the temperature in the room.   This maneuver can give both of you a chance to realize what is happening - that his ongoing pain is making him feel out of control. Feeling out of control is also known as that horrible emotion of helplessness. And helplessness very often brings on anger. And that kind of anger erupts quickly at the slightest outside provocation. And unfortunately, you can be easily that outside provocation. If you will learn to walk away from the immediate situation, hopefully there can come a point that he will start to realize why he reacted the way he did. And approach you to resume a more reasonable conversation ...usually trying to explain that his behavior is from the frustration with the illness or pain. Your second job after walking away? Listen to what he is trying to say to you, when he does begin to talk. Not just his words, but the emotions behind it all. Try to understand and sympathize. Your third job is to realize how badly you would probably be acting if you were to find yourself stuck in his situation. Remember this. There is absolutely no reason to continue an argument. No use trying. At this point, there is no winning for either of you. Because probably, neither of you is right or wrong. Just misunderstood, and not communicating very well at this stage. Pain inside a home has a way of making the people in that home seem to lose the skill of hearing each other very well. So, learn to walk away for a few minutes. For your own sake and for your spouse.

Special to The Bolton News Tucked quietly along Interstate 20, Bolton may seem like just another small Mississippi town—but beneath its modest appearance lies a rich and often overlooked history shaped by railroads, resilience, and generations of community pride. Long before modern traffic passed by at highway speed, Bolton was a vital stop along the railroad line that helped connect rural Mississippi to larger markets. The town’s early growth was fueled by agriculture and transportation, with cotton and timber moving through the area and helping establish Bolton as a small but meaningful hub in Hinds County. Yet, much of Bolton’s story isn’t found in textbooks—it lives in the memories of longtime residents and the quiet corners of town. Echoes of the Railroad Era The railroad didn’t just bring commerce—it brought people, opportunity, and cultural exchange. In its early days, Bolton’s depot served as a gathering point where news traveled as quickly as the trains themselves. While the depot may no longer stand as it once did, its impact still shapes the town’s identity. Landmarks with Stories to Tell Scattered throughout Bolton are buildings and sites that carry decades of untold stories. Older homes, churches, and community spaces reflect the craftsmanship and values of earlier generations. Some structures have been repurposed, while others stand as quiet reminders of a different era. Local churches, in particular, have long served as anchors of the community—hosting not only worship services, but also social events, meetings, and moments of collective strength during challenging times. Voices from the Past Bolton’s history is also defined by the people who called it home. From farmers and educators to small business owners and community leaders, their contributions built the foundation the town stands on today. Many families in Bolton can trace their roots back generations, carrying forward traditions and stories that rarely make headlines but remain deeply meaningful. Moments of Resilience Like many small towns, Bolton has faced its share of challenges—from economic shifts to natural disasters. Yet time and again, the community has adapted and endured. These moments of resilience, often unrecorded outside of local memory, are a defining part of Bolton’s character. Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future Today, there is a growing appreciation for preserving Bolton’s history—not just in buildings, but in storytelling. Community events, local initiatives, and conversations among residents are helping ensure that these hidden histories are not lost. Because in Bolton, history isn’t just something that happened—it’s something that continues to live on through its people.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB The 2020’s haven’t been kind to once-great animation giant Pixar, at least with its original titles. “Onward” had its box office cut down by the pandemic. Three straight movies had to forgo theatrical releases and go straight to Disney+. “Lightyear” was the first movie from the studio that I couldn’t bring myself to recommend. That movie, along with passable-but-middling efforts “Elemental” and “Elio” were all unable to win a single weekend at the domestic box office. Yes, “Inside Out 2” made more money domestically than any movie in the last three years, but that was an established property. Pixar needs an original hit to pull itself out of its rut, and I’m happy to report that “Hoppers” is just the movie to do it. The story follows outspoken college student and animal-lover Mabel (Piper Curda) as she tries to save the glade near her home from getting bulldozed at the behest of Mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm) to make room for a new highway. She’d have a better case if there were any animals making their home in the glade, but she’s sure that if the land can be protected, the animals will come. What she really needs is to move a beaver into the area that can dam up a stream and create a water supply for an ecosystem’s worth of animals. But finding a beaver turns out to be harder than she thought. The only one she can find is one that willingly gets into a car, rides to the university, and goes into the office of Dr. Sam (Kathy Najimy). It turns out that the beaver “is” Dr. Sam. The professor has created a machine that allows a human mind to enter a robotic animal body. This allows them to observe and study animals without their human-sized bodies causing a distraction. Think of it as the technology from “Avatar,” Mabel certainly does. Of course, Dr. Sam created the “hopping” technology for observational purposes only, and of course, Mabel disobeys all instructions and goes hopping as a beaver herself on a mission to save the glade. Mabel struggles to adapt to animal culture at first, especially the animals-have-to-eat-other-animals aspect. But she soon makes the acquaintance of King George (Bobby Moynihan), the beaver leader of a system of animals at a nearby pond and the character that I imagine will best lend himself to merchandising going forward. King George teaches her about “Pond Rules,” where everybody is friends, everybody helps out, and eating for sustenance isn’t personal. He sees the good in everybody, from the smallest creatures to dangerous predators to humans like Mayor Jerry. Mabel fulfills her mission and helps King George take back the glade for the animals. But then Mayor Jerry retaliates, and she hadn’t counted on escalation. King George summons a whole council of animal monarchs to decide whether to fight more ferociously, and the Insect Queen (Meryl Streep) wants to take it a step further and squish Mayor Jerry for good. Mabel didn’t want to take things “that” far, but soon things are out of control. Can she, in her fake beaver guise, diffuse an entire war between animals and humans? In some respects, mostly storytelling, “Hoppers” isn’t a huge step forward. Disney/Pixar characters get themselves in too deep over lies all the time, so this is par for the course in this era. And I did cringe at some of the jokes, especially ones that lean too heavily on modern slang. But this is what Disney and Pixar do best: adorable animals, clever gags, fun performances, and heartfelt emotional beats. I imagine that kids will love it and adults will like it. I liked it enough to say that I hope Pixar makes a well-deserved comeback with it, but I also hope that they have even bigger hits with more ambitious projects going forward. Grade: B “Hoppers” is rated PG for action/peril, some scary images, and mild language. Its running time is 104 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Special to The Bolton News The Bolton Baptist Church will host its popular Farmers Market and Animal Swap on Saturday, March 21, from 8 a.m. to noon, offering residents of Bolton, Mississippi and the surrounding area a unique opportunity to buy, sell, or trade livestock in a friendly, small-town setting. The Animal Swap portion of the event features a variety of animals, including chickens, rabbits, goats, and other small farm animals. It’s designed to be a welcoming environment where farmers, hobbyists, and families can connect, share knowledge, and find quality livestock for their homesteads. The swap provides a convenient way for local residents to acquire animals or pass them along to new homes while fostering a sense of community. In addition to the Animal Swap, the Farmers Market will feature locally grown produce, handmade goods, and other items from area vendors. It’s an ideal way to support local agriculture and small businesses while enjoying a morning outdoors. Organizers say the event is more than just a marketplace; it’s a chance for neighbors to gather, share tips about raising animals, gardening, and farm life, and strengthen the small-town bonds that make Bolton unique. The Farmers Market and Animal Swap will take place Saturday, March 21, from 8 a.m. to noon at Bolton Baptist Church. Everyone is invited to come out, browse the offerings, and enjoy a morning of community, commerce, and camaraderie.