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EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
J.B. ST. JOHN
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THE REAL STORY
P. O. Box 403
Columbus, MS 39703
Editorial 662.497.2914
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by Joseph B. St. John
Editor-in-Chief
EditorsNote
The WOW of the
Second Amendment
Oentimes, a synergy occurs that cannot
be denied. In discussing the front cover of
this week's edition, the idea of the Second
Amendment was brought up as the page
two topic. Not all news weeks are equal.
Sometimes there are a hundred stories and
other times there are none - not hard
news, anyway. So, the question becomes
what do we put on the cover during the
slower news cycles?
e Constitution is always big, because,
for many politically-minded people, these
rights are being eroded every day. And,
whether real or imagined, it drives their
voting habits and their thought processes.
ey view any government that would try
to control their right to own a gun, as a
government that cannot be trusted.
Well, lo and behold, what was waiting on
"ye olde" email? A message from God, for
sure. A digital miracle. A gi from a dear
friend.
And, what would this miracle of biblical
proportions be? A message on gun control
- the answer to all of this weeks problems
- coming through the post-modern
medium, like a bullet in the night (pun in-
tended).
e body of the message was intriguing,
and went like this:
Attorney General Holder says, "WE
HAVE NO RIGHT TO POSSESS GUNS."
TAKES 10 SECONDS ... DO IT AND PASS
IT ON.
Guess they were not happy with the
poll results the frst time, so USA Today
is running another one...Vote now...
Attorney General Eric Holder has al-
ready said this is one of his major is-
sues. He does not believe the 2nd
Amendment gives individuals the right
to bear arms. This takes literally 2 clicks
to complete. Please vote on this gun
issue question with USA Today. Then,
pass the link on to all the pro-gun folks
you know. Hopefully these results will
be published later this month. This up-
coming year will become critical for
gun owners with the Supreme Court's
accepting the District of Columbia case
against the right for individuals to bear
arms.
Here's what you need to do:
First - vote.
Second- launch it to other folks, then
we will see if the results get published.
Click to vote: click link below
USATODAY.com
I clicked the link and voted (yes, I think
the Second Amendment gives us the right
to own guns. at's what my daddy taught
me.) To no ones surprise certainly not
to me - the vote totals were overwhelming.
Of the 10,752,497 people who voted, 97%
voted yes, 2% voted no, and 1% of the
respondents, who are too confused to un-
derstand that voting in a poll, when you
don't have an opinion, is a colossal waste
of time, voted undecided. God Bless
them!
So, where is the confusion? Is it in gun
ownership? Is it in government control?
Is it simply in the citizens responsibility to
be safe gun owners, or is it making sure we
all receive due process under the law?
Whatever the case, the Second Amend-
ment receives lots of attention. It is one of
the "BIG DADDY" amendments, along
with the 1st, 4th, 5th, 13th, 14th, and 15th.
ese freedoms can start either a debate or
a fght, depending on the situation. Make
no mistake not all amendments are cre-
ated equally.
No one is fred up about the 3rd Amend-
ment - "Prohibiting the forced quartering
of soldiers out of war time." In Columbus,
the citizens feel a commitment to help the
Columbus Air Force Base that is unparal-
leled in most communities. If the base
were suddenly overfowing with person-
nel, many people in this community
would welcome the soldiers into their
home, with no hesitation.
e topic of guns is dierent. It is a hot
button and deal-breaker. Right or
wrong, it drives a lot of politics.
Prior to the latest poll, the following re-
sults were gathered from USA
Today/Gallup:
POLL EXCERPT
Do you believe the Second Amendment to
the U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights
of Americans to own guns, or does it only
guarantee members of state militias, such
as National Guard units, the right to own
guns?
Right of Only state
all Americans militias
All adults 73% 20%
Gun owners 91% 6%
Non-Gun owners 63% 28%
Source: USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,016
adults, Feb. 8-10. Margin of error for all
adults: 3 percentage points; for gun own-
ers: 6 points; for non-gun owners: 4
points; Julie Snider, USA TODAY
Without the push from the internet and
pro-gun groups, Americans still over-
whelmingly believe that the Second
Amendment is in support of private citi-
zens owning guns. It is what many Amer-
icans have been taught, and that belief is
not going to die very soon.
What may be the more important ques-
tion is how and when do peoples rights
have to be restricted, for the safety of the
community? Most people want the simple
balance of having the right to own certain
guns. ey do not, however, advocate
people owning tanks or machine guns.
e citizenry wants rules on when and
where you can use frearms, and they un-
derstand that, with gun ownership, comes
an awesome responsibility.
And, most of all, folks want strong laws
that ensure that when people use guns to
commit crimes, they are punished. Vio-
lent crime should be the focus of all police
departments and prosecutors. Period. No
debate. e rest of it is window dressing
and busy work.
In the fnal analysis, however, Americans
should view every amendment with a jeal-
ous eye. If the government can change the
meaning of the Second Amendment,
where will it end? Freedom of the press?
Search and seizure? Civil rights?
Once a single right is nullifed, when do
the others come under attack? As Ben-
jamin Franklin so famously said, ose
who desire to give up freedom in order to
gain security will not have, nor do they de-
serve, either one.
Rules to ensure our safety are important,
and some gun restrictions will always
apply. Let's keep the rules in focus, with-
out giving up our rights. Even if the gov-
ernment doesn't think we have them.
Joseph St. John
Mr. MoJo Rising
The Right to Bear Arms Has Nothing
To Do with Wearing a Short Sleeve Shirt
Even the Wrong Ones -
The April 27th Lowndes
County Supervisors' Meeting
Near the end of what had been,
for the most part, one of the most
boring Supervisors' meetings in
the history of humanity, electric-
ity flled the air as District 5 Su-
pervisor Leroy Brooks re-opened
the scab of the county's take-
home vehicle policy, or lack
thereof. And, what is most per-
plexing is that there is not a right
answer -just the best answer or
what is the best answer, today. In
the blink of an eye, it could all
change, and the supervisors
would have to revisit the prob-
lem, again.
Clearing the air,
i mmedi at el y,
Brooks addressed
the fact that
many county
employees be-
lieve the Road
Department re-
ceives extra priv-
ileges. He also
addressed the
fact that many
people think he
has an exagger-
ated concern
about the well-
being of Cindy
Lawrence of Emergency Man-
agement. Leroy stated, "I know
people think I am partial to
Cindy Lawrence, but I was disap-
pointed that everyone (those
who lost their take-home vehi-
cles at the last meeting) had to
read about it in the paper." e
fve who have been aected by
the decision are:
E911 Director Sheri Fancher
Emergency Management
Director Cindy Lawrence
Fire Coordinator Sammy
Fondren
Juvenile Detention Center
Administrator Anthony
Nelson
Youth Court Baili
Joe Richardson
Leroy continued to dispute the
notion that IRS rules are causing
What To Do When All the Answers Are Right...
See ANSWERS Pg. 3
3
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WWW. SUDOKUPUZZLES. NET SEE SUDOKU ANSWERS ON PAGE 6
Today's lesson, boys and girls, is about
meeting etiquette. As the months have
progressed, e Real Story has witnessed
Robert's Rules of Order being bludgeoned,
on more than one occasion. So, here are
some simple instructions from the web-
site http://www.robertsrules.org/:
Guidelines
Obtain the foor (the right to
speak) by being the frst to stand
when the person speaking has fn-
ished; state Mr./Madam Chairman.
Raising your hand means nothing,
and standing while another has the
foor is out of order! You must be rec-
ognized by the Chair, before speak-
ing!
Debate cannot begin until the
Chair has stated the motion or reso-
lution and asked "are you ready for
the question?" If no one rises, the
chair calls for the vote!
Before the motion is stated by the
Chair (the question) members may
suggest modifcation of the motion;
the mover can modify as he pleases,
or even withdraw the motion without
consent of the seconder; if mover
modifes, the seconder can withdraw
the second.
e "immediately pending ques-
tion" is the last question stated by the
Chair! Motion/Resolution - Amend-
ment - Motion to Postpone
e member moving the "imme-
diately pending question" is entitled
to preference to the foor!
No member can speak twice to the
same issue until everyone else wish-
ing to speak has spoken to it once!
All remarks must be directed to the
Chair. Remarks must be courteous in
language and deportment - avoid all
personalities, never allude to others
by name or to motives!
e agenda and all committee re-
ports are merely recommendations!
When presented to the assembly and
the question is stated, debate begins
and changes occur!
Sounds simple enough, but in the spirit
of cooperation e Real Story oers the
following additions or modifcations, so
to speak:
1. Do not, under any circumstance,
talk to just hear yourself speak, Even
if you fnd yourself amusing, the rest
of us may fnd you to be a bore and
disruptive.
2. Talking louder than everyone else
does not make you right. It just makes
you loud and annoying. As a matter
of fact, being loud and wrong is more
than a little messed up.
3. If you have not read the minutes
before the meeting, when everyone
else has, shut up. We are all busy and
that is no excuse for your being ill-
prepared.
4. If you hate someone on your
board, keep it to yourself. Your petty
concerns about other people are of no
interest to the community.
5. If you are an elected ocial and
you're scared by your shadow, quit.
You are a waste to the community
and to your ward, district, etc. Being
afraid of the Mayor, Joe Higgins, or
the community is tragic. e only
thing worse is pretending that you're
not a coward.
6. Do not form little cliques to force
your own agenda on the rest of the
community. As soon as you forget
you work for the community, quit.
(See #5)
7. Do not think people don't realize
when they have been screwed. If you
wanted to get elected to be a big
wheel, quit, (See #5)
8. And last, but not least, doing
something because the state Attorney
General says it is okay is a cop-out.
Period. Just because some dude in
Jackson wrote something does not
mean it is the right thing to do. Have
the guts to do what is right, regardless
of what they say in Jackson. If you
don't understand this concept, quit.
(and - you guessed it - see #5, and
read it over and over)
So, there you go boys and girls. Always
remember, the government works for
you not vice versa. And, regardless of
what the AG says, each board member
and elected ocial is there to serve the
community. If you don't understand
that.....SEE # 5!
MoJo
And as a special note: Please, Mr.
Elected Dude, don't send plants to
your meetings to do your dirty work. If
you do, someone might report it....It's
all about #5.
When All Else Fails, See #5
this problem. Board President and Super-
visor Harry Sanders was quick to point out
that IRS rules were not the problem; how-
ever, concerns about the tax implications
did dominate the last meeting, on April 13.
And, who can blame anyone for getting
fxated on the IRS? In a world where most
people live day-to-day, the idea of an IRS
agent auditing the county and holding nu-
merous employees accountable for a tax
violation is no small matter. Harry is right
in his opinion that the county would have
no responsibility; instead, the employee
would bear the brunt of any violation.
During the time between the last meet-
ing and the April 27, 2012 meeting, it was
apparent that Brooks and County Admin-
istrator Ralph Billingsley had had a discus-
sion, and that the two did not see
eye-to-eye.
Leroy was quick to point out that he
wanted to change his vote, from the last
meeting, when he voted in favor of taking
the vehicles from the fve eected employ-
ees.
Brooks was adamant in his reasoning:
He felt that the IRS information that
had been presented to the board was
"not totally correct."
He believed that the discussion was
"cloaked under the (concerns of the)
IRS."
He is not convinced the road crew is
exempt by the IRS.
Add the fact that the dra of the policy
that was requested of Mr. Billingsley was
nowhere to be found, and the drama was
quick to escalate.
District Two Supervisor Bill Brigham in-
terjected that the problem was not only
"gas, but the wear-and-tear of the vehicle."
is point is valid; however, it fies in the
face of what was discussed in the last meet-
ing, where the IRS and the practicality of
taking home vehicles were the dominant
issues infuencing the discussions. And,
on numerous occasions, board members
pointed out that their concern was "not
about the price of gas."
Vice-President John Holliman clearly
defned the real underlying questions that
are on peoples minds: 1. Why should a
person get a take home vehicle?; and 2.
What justifes such a privilege?
ANSWERS cont. from pg. 2
See ANSWERS Pg. 4
4
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In one of his most animated moments, Holliman
frmly pointed out that Fire Coordinator Sammy Fon-
dren does not even go to active fres, so why should he
get a take-home vehicle? at point is valid and typifes
what is oen the "unspoken" question: do those who
get the perks really earn them? And, that, plain and sim-
ple, is the essence of the matter. John doesn't always say
much, but, on Friday, he said what everyone else in the
room was thinking.
e fve who lost the o-duty use of county vehicles
all have important jobs, make no mistake about that, but
do they need to take home the county vehicle? at is
the million-dollar question and can only be answered
by looking at each case individually. And, if Holliman's
concern is correct and the fre coordinator never goes
to fre scenes, there are bigger problems than just the
take-home vehicle situation.
e cold, hard reality is that no one is wrong if every-
one is right, even if no one can agree on what is right.
From the beginning, District 4 Supervisor Je Smith has
asked for a complete review of the situation. On Friday,
Leroy changed his view and agreed. Harry, Bill and John
disagreed and the vehicles will remain parked. Harry,
Bill and John are not wrong;
neither are Leroy and Je.
Until Billingsley and the
Board draw up a fair "take-
home vehicle" policy, even if
it does not change anything
that occurred, Friday, this
problem will raise its "ugly" head, again. And, maybe
Holliman is "dead on", beyond what he even imagines.
Perhaps the bigger issue is not about the taking of vehi-
cles home, but, rather, establishing policies to ensure that
all administrators are performing their duties correctly.
And, that has nothing to do with taking your vehicle
home.
Notes: Leroy Brooks announced that he was not run-
ning for Mayor, at Friday's meeting. What made this in-
teresting, was that Robert Smith was in the audience,
with the Mayors Youth Commission. ere have been
lots of rumors circulating that Leroy was running, but
he ended those discussions, on Friday.
Two thumbs up to the organizers of Friday's County
Government Day. As always, it was an enjoyable aer-
noon and a great way to say thank you to County em-
ployees!!!!!
Joseph B. St. John
Mr. MoJo Rising
Have you ever thought about how not
making time to exercise is costing you?
You always hear about the need to exer-
cise to be healthy, but never take into ac-
count all the benefts of exercise. It is easy
to get caught up in the busy things of life
and not realize what you are losing along
the way YOU. You just adjust to the
pace and keep going until, one day, the
reality of these things sets in. So, lets enu-
merate on a few of the biggest costs.
First o, how many sizes of clothes are
in your closet right now? More than
likely you have numerous clothes sizes in
your closet that you cant wear, perhaps
from yo-yo dieting, or just gaining
weight, year aer year. You buy bigger
sizes, so that you do have some clothes to
wear, but you hate to go shopping, be-
cause nothing looks good, anyway.
Maybe you look in the mirror and dont
like what you see, or you put on your fa-
vorite pair of jeans and they dont ft; and
you say I have had enough. So, you
dont like what you see in the mirror;
therefore, it constantly perpetuates a neg-
ative self image, whether that is conscious
or subconscious. Does this sound famil-
iar? is lack of positive self-image af-
fects every area of your life, including get-
ting a job, succeeding at a career, having
healthy relationships, spiritual balance, or
destructive behavior.
Next question: how many activities do
you have trouble doing, or maybe you
cant do them at all? Maybe you are ex-
periencing a decline in those simple
everyday activities that were once easy. It
simply takes more eort to do those rou-
tine tasks, such as cleaning, taking out the
trash, yard work, picking up the children
or grandchildren, or navigating stairs.
Maybe you would like to take a vacation
and engage in physical activities that re-
quire more energy than you are used to,
such as hiking, skiing, walking around
theme parks or down the beach. is loss
of stamina, strength and agility decreases
gradually over the years, if you do not ex-
ercise.
Last question, and one of the most
costly: how oen do you get sick and go
to the doctor? Enjoying bad health, with
frequent visits to the doctor, for ailments
such as colds, fu, pneumonia, heart at-
tacks, and cancer can result in possible
downtime from work without pay, loss of
work altogether , and the overall costs as-
sociated with skyrocketing healthcare
costs. Even though you may have co-
pays and a low deductible, it still means
money out of your pocket, not to men-
tion the premium you pay every month
for your policy. en, to add insult to in-
jury, that premium goes up every year.
Government reports show that, last year,
the cost of healthcare, per person,
was $8,000. is is expected to reach
$13,000 by 2018. is does not in-
clude additional costs incurred
with major health events, such
as heart attack, cancer, and dis-
abilities. is also highlights the
fact that you are sick and, if se-
rious enough, could cause
death.
Now, the reality of the real YOU
right now catches up. At this point,
counting the cost comes into play. So,
what are your choices? Well, you can
choose to continue to do what you have
been doing and wish things were dier-
ent. Remember, if you dont take care of
yourself, at some point, you cant take
care of your family or those around you,
either, let alone truly enjoying life. e
better option would be to make time for
yourself, by exercising, creating a more
healthy lifestyle and generating a positive
outlook on life. You DO have the time.
Stop making excuses and dont give your-
self the option to do nothing.
So count the REAL cost -
YOU are priceless.
How Much Is It Costing You Not To Exercise?
Melinda
Due is
a
certifed
personal
trainer, with
additional
expertise in
nutrition
counseling and life
coaching, as well as
a B.A. in Business.
Melinda Due
mvpft@yahoo.com
ANSWERS cont. from pg. 3
Ole Miss Coach Freeze Woos the
Golden Triangle Rebel Club
Rebounding from two years of total dis-
appointment in their Rebel football pro-
gram, area alumni were captivated by
their easy-talking new head foot-
ball coach, Hugh Freeze. En-
tertaining the packed
house at Old Waverly
Golf Club, Freeze shared
his warmth and enthusi-
asm with the Rebel faith-
ful. Mixing jokes and
anecdotes with a cheer-
leader's fervor, Freeze
carved out his vision of Ole
Miss' future.
ursday mornings program was part
of the Ole Miss 12 Rebel Road Trip,
which will take Freeze, new Athletic Di-
rector Ross Bjork and Chancellor Dr. Dan
Jones throughout Mississippi, to share the
excitement of Ole Miss athletics. Starting
with a video highlighting all of Ole Miss'
sports programs and the importance of
stewardship by alumni, the meeting
quickly took on the positive atmosphere
of a pep rally for the fans of "Oxford's Fa-
vorite Team. Complete with a tour bus,
the program was part fundraiser and part
variety show, with each speaker taking
their turn delighting the partisan crowd.
"We want to be the fagship program in
Mississippi, Freeze announced. "We are
going to do it by having a confdent swag-
ger."
Outlining the steps to success and the
core values of the program, Freeze
showed a friendly, warm side that is oen
missing from today's big-time college
football coaches. Without taking any
"cheap shots" at Mississippi's "other" SEC
program, Freeze sent a message that
was loud and clear to the Rebel
fan base: Ole Miss Football
is committed to returning
to glory.
A common theme that
reverberated through-
out Dr. Jones opening
speech, and continued in
the oen-humorous pre-
sentations made by him and
new Athletic Director Bjork, re-
turning the football program to brilliance
will take eort from the school and a
commitment from the fan base. Conse-
quently, energizing season tickets sales
and donations will be "part and parcel" of
each stop on the road trip.
And, through it all, a young energetic
era of commitment and openness has
been born. Anyone who can tell a story
and make themselves the butt of the joke
is a man of confdence. Anyone who can
issue a challenge to another team, without
insulting their program, is a man of wis-
dom. Ole Miss alumni are hoping this
combination breeds a winner.
Mojo
Yes, I have rooted for the Rebels
a few times in my life!
A New Days Dawning:
5
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Oentimes, in the course of everyday life, clichs and
over-worked terms and phrases are bandied about.
One of my favorites is the word hero. People have a
tendency to bestow this title on individuals like
sports fgures, movie stars, and celebrities most of
whom wouldnt know heroism if it smacked them in
the face. O.k. I am stepping down from my soapbox,
now.
One term that I feel comfortable in associating with
Columbus artist Caleb Hunt is natural; as in, He is
a natural, when it comes to being an artist. How else
can you describe an incredibly-talented 22-year-old,
with very little formal art training?
Caleb, whose work is currently on display at Renee
Reedy Studio, is a freshman graphic design student at
Mississippi State University. is show, his frst as an
emerging artist, includes two of his acrylic paintings.
Birds is a diptych that features striking illustrations
of these winged creatures, both in fight and perched
in the barren branches of a tree. On the other hand,
Misty Forest has an oddly ethereal quality about it. I
am attracted to both of these works, but for dierent
reasons.
When asked from where he draws inspiration,
Caleb replies, I pick things in nature, and consider
which colors would illustrate them best.
Surprisingly, Caleb doesnt sketch his subjects, be-
fore applying paint to the canvas, saying, I just wing
it, when I begin a painting.
Caleb indicated that his favorite subjects are land-
scapes, which makes sense, considering the skill ev-
idenced in the two aforementioned works.
Aer graduating from MSU, Caleb intends to em-
ploy a two-pronged approach
to his art career. One goal is to
work as a concept artist for
Pixar Studios or Marvel
Comics flm production
arm. In addition, he states
that he would like to pursue a
career as a gallery artist. If this
frst foray into the fne art
world is any indication, Caleb
has a bright career ahead of
him, indeed!
Although Emergence", the
show in which Calebs paint-
ings are featured, has ended,
individuals who are inter-
ested in viewing his work can
call the gallery at
662.368.8181, to make
arrangements.
e Real Story
Sta Report
Misty Forest
Courtesy Photo
Birds
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Whew! Im tired!
If you didnt get to see Porkchop, this
past Friday night at Relay for Life,
hopefully, you will have another op-
portunity to meet him. He did very
well, and we are so proud of that fat
pig!
e aernoon started out a little
sketchy. We had hoped to paint Pork-
chops Mohawk purple, to match the
Relay for Life colors, but he was hav-
ing none of that. Either he didnt like
the noise, or the spray was cold, or he
just didnt like the idea; so, it did not
happen. Even food wouldnt hold his
attention long enough! en, to top it
all o, we had to put his harness on,
multiple times, to get it tight or loose
enough so that he couldnt back out of
it. We bribed him with treats for that,
too, but it worked like a charm for the
harness. I think he sort of likes sport-
ing his red harness, though! We took
him outside, one last time, before we
headed to Relay, and he walked per-
fectly on the leash, in the side yard.
e leash experience, out of the yard
and to the truck, was a dierent story.
At this point, we were beginning to
think Pictures with Porkchop was
going to be a bust. Porkchop threw a
giant piggy ft - squealing and acting
out - and we just knew he was going
to do the same thing at the event.
Once we got him in the car, on his
new cushion in the back seat, he was
perfectly fne. We never heard an-
other peep out of him, until we got
him out of the truck, at Relay. He
made it perfectly clear he was not
going to walk on the leash, and we
couldnt make him! Once again, a
(much-subdued) piggy hissy ft was
thrown. I had to pick his rather larger,
hey body up and walk him over to
the pen with him fussing all the way
but, as soon as he was in his digs for
the night, he was perfectly fne. Aer
about four or fve grapes, he seemed
pretty content.
Porkchop was a star - he climbed the
steps for the pictures, sat for the
crowd, and ate, and ate, and ate, and
ate. We were very happy about how
well he fell into the routine. We ar-
rived about 4:30 and stayed until
11pm. ats a long time for a thir-
teen-week-old pig! Be alert for all of
the photos of Porkchop and his ad-
mirers, as well as other beautiful event
photos, in our center spread.
Porkchop has been resting up, since
we got home. And, I think the next
time we tell him hes going to be the
star of the show, hell be ready to go!
(As long as we dont try to spray paint
his hair!)
For all the Porkchop photos, up-
dates, and videos you can stand, visit
Porkchop on Facebook: http://www.
facebook.com/PorkchopsPigTales
Aimee Shaw
ashaw@realstorypublishing.com
Aimee is the Oce Manager at Malone
Electric Company, Inc. and also has her own
freelance graphic design business.
She is married to Kenneth Shaw of Columbus.
13-week-old Porkchop at Relay for Life this past weekend.
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Allegra
Brigham to
Speak at
MUW
Mag Chain
Ceremony
Mississippi University for Women
alumna Allegra Brigham will address
graduates at one of the universitys most
treasured traditions, the Mag Chain, on
Saturday, May 5, 2012. e event will
begin at 8 a.m., on Shattuck Lawn.
Brigham currently serves as interim vice
president for university relations and ad-
vancement, and served as MUWs interim
president for eighteen months.
She became CEO of 4-County Electric
Power Association, an electric cooperative
now serving some 46,000 members in
eight counties in northeast Mississippi, in
March 2003. She was the frst female in
Mississippi co-op history to hold the po-
sition. She retired
from the cooperative
with more than
twenty-two years of
service, to become
MUWs interim
president.
Brigham received
her bachelors and
masters degrees
from MUW. She served as a high school
teacher and as a reporter, lifestyles editor
and managing editor at e Commercial
Dispatch. In addition, she is a former
MUW director of public relations and
taught in the Department of Communi-
cations at the university.
She currently serves on the Board of Di-
rectors of the Mississippi Economic
Council and the Columbus-Lowndes De-
velopment Link. Brigham is a member of
the board of directors for the Mississippi
Childrens Museum, the Girl Scouts Heart
of the South, and the Memphis Branch
Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of St.
Louis.
Brigham and her husband, Bill, are the
parents of two daughters and have fve
grandchildren. ey attend First Baptist
Church, where she teaches a Sunday
school class.
e Mag Chain has taken place in some
form, since 1890. During this event, the
magnolia chain is carried by seniors
singing the Magnolia Chain Song from
the front of Columbus Hall to Shattuck
Lawn, where the ceremony is held.
e procession is led by the senior class
president, who carries a bouquet of daisies
in honor of the graduates who began the
ceremony years ago. Daisies are carried
because the magnolia chain was originally
made of daisies and other fowers.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the
seniors form a circle around the magnolia
chain, lock arms and sing the Friendship
Circle song. Aer the song is completed,
the seniors make a mad dash for a mag-
nolia blossom.
Tradition holds that graduates who are
able to walk away with a magnolia blos-
som will fnd good fortune and romance.
Special to e Real Story
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Well, culture lovers, we are in the midst
of an embarrassment of riches, in terms
of cultural activities, over the next couple
of weeks! Where, oh where, to start?!
Postcards to Columbus, the latest of-
fering in the Art in Columbus series of
art exhibits, will open with a reception at
Renee Reedy Studio (101 5th Street
South; below Caf on Main), on urs-
day, May 3, from 5:30pm-7:30pm. e
show will feature postcard-sized works,
in a variety of media, by artists from
throughout the community. ese small-
scale works will be oered at a very af-
fordable $25 each, making this a great
opportunity to get an original piece of art.
e event is FREE and open to the pub-
lic, with food by Caf Aromas, beer by
Mitchell Distributing, and wine by
Wines, Etc. For more information on this
or other upcoming exhibits at Renee
Reedy Studio, visit www.randomactsof-
culture.biz or call 662.368.8181.
en, on Friday and Saturday, May 4 &
5, Market Street Festival takes over
downtown Columbus. Friday nights big
concert kicks o with Mingo Fishtrap at
7:30pm, before headliners Lukas Nelson
& Promise of the Real take the stage at
9:30pm. Tickets for the Friday night con-
cert are $10. Saturday will be a full day,
with art, cras, food, and music all day
long. e festival wraps with a free,
multi-act concert at the Riverwalk, called
Lounging with the Locals, which will fea-
ture, among others, songstress Eden
Brent.
e opening reception for Looking
Forward an exhibit of fgurative work by
Starkville artist Dylan Karges, is sched-
uled for ursday, May 10, at the Rosen-
zweig Arts Center (501 Main Street),
5:30pm-7:00pm. e event is FREE and
open to the public. Refreshments will be
served. For more information, visit
www.columbus-arts.org or call
662.328.2787.
Finally, on May 16th, the Omnova
eater at the Rosenzweig Arts Center
serves as the setting for a concert featur-
ing Ian McFeron and Alisa Milner. Tick-
ets for the 7:00pm show are $10 in
advance, and $12 as the door. To pur-
chase tickets or for more information,
call 662.328.2787.
Just thinking about all of the events is
making me exhausted! I think that I had
better rest up before this cultural on-
slaught!
As always,
Get out and get your
culture on!
A Cultural Bonanza
e Real Story Sta Report
Dr. Van Roberts, associate professor
of communication at Mississippi Uni-
versity for Women, was named Educa-
tor of the Year at the 2012 Public
Relations Association of Mississippi
(PRAM) state conference, recently held
in Columbus.
Roberts was nominated by members
of the Golden Triangle PRAM chapter.
In order to qualify, Roberts had to be a
full-time faculty member teaching in a
public relations/journalism/communi-
cation curriculum, at any rank, and be
a member of PRAM.
He was chosen from a panel of fve
senior public relations practitioners in
the Northwest Arkansas Public Rela-
tions Society of America.
Roberts said, is is a high honor for
me to be recognized as the PRAM Ed-
ucator of the Year. It means a great deal
for me, because it means that I have
made a dierence in the lives of others.
Roberts has taught at MUW since 1988.
He started as a broadcast writing in-
structor and has moved up the ranks -
most recently being promoted to asso-
ciate professor of communication with
tenure.
He grew up reading novels, watching
television and going to the movies,
where his love of fction prompted him
to major in English literature, with a
minor in communication.
Classes at Mississippi State University
nurtured his desire to tell stories and,
since then, he has never stopped writ-
ing.
Roberts has held many positions
within the communications felds, in-
cluding reporter for many Mississippi
newspapers, flm critic, radio news di-
rector, public relations assistant, televi-
sion news reporter and photographer.
e PRAM state conference was held
April 12-13, 2012. It was the frst time
that the conference was held in Colum-
bus, with many events hosted on the
MUW campus.
PRAM's membership consists of ap-
proximately 600 public relations profes-
sionals from advertising and public
relations agencies, corporations, non-
proft organizations, government, edu-
cation, industries and others.
Special to e Real Story
Educator of the Year
Courtesy Photo
Matt Ginn, PRAM's awards chair,
and Dr. Van Roberts.
8
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Safety Tips
from the NCPC
Gun Safety
Rules
e fundamental NRA rules for safe gun handling
are:
1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe
direction.
is is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is
pointed so that even if it were to go o, it would not cause injury or damage. e
key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed
at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on the cir-
cumstances.
2. ALWAYS keep your fnger o the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your fnger on the trigger guard or along the side of
the gun. Until you are actually ready to fre, do not touch the trigger.
3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device, if possible,
and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking
into the chamber(s), which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know
how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get
help from someone who does.
When using or
storing a gun,
always follow
these NRA
rules:
Know your target and what is beyond it.
Be absolutely sure you have identifed your tar-
get beyond any doubt. Equally important, be
aware of the area beyond your target. is means
observing your prospective area of fre, before you
shoot. Never fre in a direction in which there are people or
any other potential for mishap. ink, frst. Shoot, second.
Know how to use the gun safely.
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic
parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any
ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun's mechanical safety de-
vice is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.
Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular
cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun's general upkeep. If there is any
question concerning a gun's ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should
look at it.
Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
Only BBs, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fred
safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel.
Ammunition can be identifed by information printed on the box and sometimes
stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the
proper ammunition.
Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. ey can also emit debris
and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and
hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators.
Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while
shooting.
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical
bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.
Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Many factors must be considered, when deciding where and how to store guns. A
person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of
gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are
available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built
into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and
the observance of all gun safety rules.
Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require
additional safety precautions.
Cleaning
Regular cleaning is important, in order for your gun to operate correctly and safely.
Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun
should be cleaned every time that it is used.
A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned, before shooting.
Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidifed grease and oil, can prevent the gun
from operating properly.
Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. e gun's ac-
tion should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition
is present in the cleaning area.
Special to e Real Story
LettertotheEditor
Dear Editor and Citizens
of Columbus,
is past Saturday (April 21, 2012) our
Neighborhood Watch group kicked o
the start of our 5th year as a strong and
active group in this town. We have seen
much success, as our neighborhood has
become stronger and is now safe. Yes, we
have had success - but only because we
have been supported and backed by our
police department.
With the start of a new year, I felt it im-
portant that our neighborhood meet and
get to know Chief McQueen. Since he
has publicized, in print and on TV, how
he personally supports the Neighbor-
hood Watch programs and he is there for
ALL of the groups in our town, he was
given a personal invitation. is man
looked me straight in the eye and prom-
ised he would be there for us. We issued
an invitation to Ocer Rhonda Sanders,
at the same time. Reminders were sent
out, periodically, so there would be no
misunderstandings.
Can you guess what happened? Yes,
you got it - the Columbus Police Depart-
ment was a no show!!! Not a word, not
a call, not an email - nothing.
My husband sent a sorry you missed
our meeting e-mail to the Columbus
Police Department. Rhonda Sanders
replied back, almost immediately, with
an apology. She stated that she had
worked all night, Friday night, and knew
that she would not be able to attend, so
she arranged for Capt. Fred Shelton to at-
tend in her place. You guessed it he was
a no show, as well. In this day of cell
phones and e-mails, there are no excuses
for a lack of professionalism and com-
mon courtesy.
I do want to take this opportunity to
thank Capt. Mike Chandler from the
Columbus Fire Department. He
stretched out his program, explaining the
process of getting the Fire Department
accredited and the surveys they need us
to fll out, to fll the wide gap of free time
le by the missing ocials.
It is time for our city government and
the Columbus Police Department to re-
alize that every person in this town de-
serves equal treatment. Who you are,
where you live, the size of your bank ac-
count, or the color of your skin should
NEVERdetermine how we, the citizens
and taxpayers of Columbus, are treated.
Outraged in Columbus,
Frances Andresen
Coordinator for Cecil St., Vance St. and
McCrary Dr. Neighborhood Watch
On which side
of a Venetian blind
is the cord that
adjusts the
opening between
the slats?
Look for the answer on page 27!
9
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by Mo & No-Mo
As you walk in the door of Smack-
ers, you are greeted by friendly young
ladies who let you know, right away,
that they are there to help you in any
way they can. ey show you how the
machines work and oer you a taste of
any of the ten frozen yogurt favors
available at any given time. Some of
the favors are always available, while
some favors rotate, every week or so.
Once you fll your very large cup
with your favorite frozen yogurt, you
turn around and are overwhelmed by
the 60 dierent toppings you can heap
on that already-delectable frozen con-
coction. Just when you think that it
couldnt get any better, try one or two
of those toppings. Frozen yogurt just
gets better as you add toppings -
YUM!
Some of the choices are fat-free,
some are no-sugar added, and some
are regular. Several diabetics that we
spoke with, claimed that it didnt mat-
ter which frozen yogurt they got.
ose wonderful frozen confections
didnt seem to have any eect on their
blood glucose levels. How exciting is
that?! Be warned, though - some sug-
ary toppings will drive your glucose
levels up, so you do have to be careful.
Temptation is hard to resist!
ey are really cute tables and com-
fortable chairs for customers to use,
inside the shop, or you can sit in the
fenced-in patio area, so that you can
munch your frozen treat and enjoy
fresh air, at the same time.
All in all, Smackers is a delight, from
start to fnish and will leave you want-
ing more of the same.
is
local
eatery
is an
asset to
our
community. Lets
support this bright spot in
our town!
If you have a local business or establishment you would like us to consider for review, please e-mail us at:
consumercorner@realstorypublishing.com.
You will get our honest opinion of the business, their personal customer service, and the services oered.
We strive for fair, unbiased reporting, so we hope to hear from you.
e Mississippi University for Women Alumni Associa-
tion announced its Board of Directors at its annual meeting,
at Homecoming festivities, on April 21.
e President-elect is Cheryl "Sherrie" Ann Jackson
Cooper, a 1982 MUW graduate of Ocean Springs. Cooper,
co-owner and chief fnancial ocer for Back Bay Fuel & Ice;
oce manager for P&M Seafood; and consultant for CC
Cooper Communications, will serve as president during the
2013-2014 year.
Board members elected to serve a three-year term include:
Agustus Argrett, 2002, Madison - food technologist,
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
Jennifer Katool, 1978, Jackson - product development
manager, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
David Ivey, 1992, Lilburn, Ga. - attorney, Doeve Law
Firm
Katy Pacelli, 2000, Brandon - foundation assistant, St.
Dominic's Hospital
Mary Libby Payne, 1954, Pearl - retired judge, Mississippi
Court of Appeals
Amy Tate, 1997, Tupelo - government relations manager,
Tennessee Valley Authority
Andy aggard and Elaine Evans will serve as co-presi-
dents for the 2012-2013 year.
e MUW Alumni Association is ocially aliated with
the university and exists to support and promote the mis-
sion of MUW, by establishing quality relationships between
the university and its alumni. e association serves the uni-
versity and its alumni by providing opportunities for alumni
engagement with each other and in its eorts to advance
MUW.
Upcoming events planned by the board include: a Jackson
area alumni meeting, May 15; the Mississippi Picnic in New
York, June 9; Mississippi on the Mall Celebration in Wash-
ington, D.C., June 23; and the Mississippi Picnic in Atlanta,
June 30.
For additional information about the MUW Alumni As-
sociation and to become a member, visit www.muwaa.org,
or contact the MUW Oce of Alumni Relations at 662-
329-7295 or via email alumni@muw.edu.
MUW Alumni
Announces Board
Special to e Real Story
On Sunday, April 22, Greater
Mount Zion Church recognized the
Tenth Anniversary for Pastor Doran
V. and First Lady Mia W. Johnson.
e theme for the Anniversary
Evening Worship Service was: "And
the Lord answered me, and said,
write the vision, and make it plan
upon tables, that he may run that
readeth it. For the vision is yet for an
appointed time, but at the end it shall
speak, and not lie: though it tarry,
wait for it; because it will surely come,
it will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:2-3.
Pastor Chet Johnson spoke e
Rhema Word at the Evening Wor-
ship Service. Senior Pastor Chet
Johnson is from New Tabernacle
Missionary Baptist Church, in Gary,
Indiana. He is also Pastor Doran V.
Johnsons brother.
Pastors who came to show their
love and support of the 10th Appre-
ciation Celebration included: Rev.
Chet Johnson, Sr., Rev. Matthews,
Rev. Jeerson, Rev. Samuel, Rev.
Shelter, Rev. Love, Rev. Jones, Rev.
Cox, Rev. Hall, and Rev. Jones.
Many of these pastors were from
Columbus, while others traveled
from as far away as Indiana. A total
of 115 people attended the evening
service.
Greater Mount Zion Church is a
very loving church. I was greeted
with open, loving arms as soon as I
entered.
10-year Anniversary of Pastor at
Greater Mount Zion Church Celebrated
Jasmine Caruthers
jasmine@realstorypublishing.com
Above:
Pastor Doran V.
Johnson and
First Lady
Mia Johnson.
Right:
Pastor Chet
Johnson, Sr.
gives
The Rhema
Word.
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Local Talent to Exhibit at
Market Street Festival
Its safe to say everyone in Columbus knows what hap-
pens this weekend - its the 17th annual Market Street
Festival. For the past few weeks, Main Street has been
decorated with reminders of the upcoming festival:
posters, business cards and other promotional materials.
One Columbus local is especially pumped about the
Market Street promotional poster - and for good reason
- he designed it!
Every year, seniors enrolled in Mississippi University
for Womens Art Department compete to create the de-
sign for the upcoming Market Street Festival. is years
winner is Brad Kidder, a graphic design student who
earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2011.
Kidder is not new to graphic design. He attended the
prestigious schools of graphic design at both Mississippi
State University and Mississippi University for Women.
Numerous examples of his work have been displayed in
exhibitions at both universities. He won 1st place and
honorable mention, his senior year, in the student art
exhibition at MUW. Impressively, he also designed the
2011 Senior Art Exhibition poster. He has had a passion
for art, all his life, and excels in his feld. When asked if
he had any advice for other artists, his response was sim-
ple - Always strive to be the best.
Kidder had witnessed friends win the contest before
him, and was prepared when it was his turn. When my
time came, I submitted the maximum of three entries;
the fnal product was a mixture of two of my designs. I
knew it would be great exposure.
e idea for his design was something close to home.
I am a big fan of the Facebook group Columbus Con-
vention & Visitors Bureau, he explains. What I enjoy
the most, is how they put up old black and white photos
of Columbus. I kept thinking how much design had
changed. I wanted to make my design not so much
about a music festival, the way it had been shown. I
wanted to make it more of a festival celebrating Colum-
bus, downtown Columbus. I wanted to make it a cele-
bration of the whole town.
Anyone who has met Brad Kidder knows that he is
quite a character. His bubbly personality and unending
energy make him perfect for the spotlight. When he
found out that he had won the contest, the cameras were
there, I was psyched! When they told me I had won,
they brought in WCBI and the headline of me winning
was Award Winning Smile, because I was so pumped.
I think I did a happy dance.
As part of his prize for winning, Kidder will have his
own booth at Saturdays festival, where he will be selling
his artwork. Instead of just promoting his own work,
Kidder opened it up to other local artists, as well. Its
going to be wicked awesome. I am having street artists
from around Columbus sell their own art - spray paint
stencils, photography, boiled peanuts, a little bit of every-
thing. I will also have local DJ Blaine Gerrard playing
music, all day.
Along with all of that, Kidder will also be premiering
his new grabbling clothing line, Low.Co Fishin. e
whole thing behind Low.Co Fishin is its Lowndes
County Fishing, Kidder explains. Growing up on the
river, I did a lot of grabbling with my dad. I fgured the
only equipment you need for grabbling is t-shirts, tank
tops, hats, sunglasses, and huggies. So that is Low.Co
Fishin, and I am going to be selling all my hottest
Low.Co gear.
So, be sure to check out his awesome booth Saturday
at Market Street, booth #1 in front of Caf on Main.
Brad Kidder currently resides in Columbus with his wife
Celia.
Tori Hawkins
Why is Columbus known as e
Friendly City? Maybe it is because
the people here are so you guessed it
friendly! Have you ever noticed that,
when you walk down the street, peo-
ple will wave or nod or say hi to you?
When driving down a road, have you
experienced someone passing in an-
other vehicle waving or nodding to
you, even when they don't know you?
When you walk through doors of local
shops, the person coming out or going in
will hold the door for you. If you are bro-
ken down on the side of the road in your
vehicle, strangers will actually stop and
ask if you need help. When shopping,
with your arms loaded with bags, some-
one will be willing to open a door for you
or pick up an item you have dropped. Just
about any store or restaurant will gladly
welcome you in and wish you a good day
or night, when you leave. Yes, sometimes
this is a job requirement for them, but,
most of the time, you can tell whether it
is a job or if it is well meant from the
heart.
Driving down the street, you encounter
other examples of our friendly town.
Sometimes, trac is heavy and you just
can't seem to get a break, to pull out into
the roadway. en, along comes some-
one who will stop and let you into the
trac. When in the register line of local
stores, facing a long line and with only
one item to purchase, someone will
surely oer to let you go frst. is is
friendliness. is is courtesy. ese traits
can only be found in a city like ours. Peo-
ple like those who were raised in the area,
by good, down home, country parents
cannot be found in many places.
My daughter recently noticed, while
walking and jogging at the Riverwalk,
how friendly people are. As she was run-
ning along the pathway, the other people
who were walking would oer a hello or
ask her how she was doing. ese were
complete strangers to her. Yet, they spoke
when passing by her.
ere are children in our town who
also display this warmth. I have seen chil-
dren who would hold doors open for
others and still know how to say the
words yes maam, no sir, thank you
and you are welcome.
I had really never noticed this, in our
town, until one family trip that I took.
While on vacation, I noticed people
walking by and never speaking to one an-
other. ere were no greetings or thank
yous. No one stopped to help a person in
need. It was as if they were invisible to
each other. It caused a cold, unfriendly
feeling to come over me. Never had I ap-
preciated the small town of Columbus so
much, as I did at that moment. It was a
blessing to be able to experience this from
another perspective. ere was no feeling
of friendliness or courtesy in that town.
What a terrible things that would be, to
walk along our streets and have others
pass, without even acknowledging the
ones around them.
Yes, there are a select few who choose
not to be friendly or courteous, but we
have far more that are happy to show
their positive upbringing and good side.
Our town has always been a place that
neighbors could call upon each other to
help, in any situation. We are quick to as-
sist when disasters come through our
Columbus...The Friendly City
See FRIENDLY Pg. 11
Courtesy Photo
Brad Kidder winner of the 2012 Market Street design.
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WWW. SUDOKUPUZZLES. NET SEE SUDOKU PUZZLE ON PG 15
town and destroy our area. People, here,
are willing to break out their chain saws
to cut downed trees; give spare food and
water to those who are without; give
someone a ride across town; or help re-
build homes and businesses that have
been damaged.
Columbus has always stepped up, to pro-
vide some types of relief for them -
whether it was supplying food, water,
clothing, toiletries, and even pet food. We
are a giving town, with compassion for
one another. If only all places could be
this way, what a perfect world this would
be.
So, next time you are out and about, no-
tice how many wonderful, friendly peo-
ple you meet. Exchange a smile or a nice
greeting to a passerby. Oer a hand to
someone in need. Show everyone that
you meet, that a kind word or a nod can
make another person feel better, and may
just put a smile on their face for the rest
of the day. And you never know who you
may be greeting on the street. at per-
son could be a visitor, who will go back
to their hometown and speak about how
friendly the people in Columbus are,
even to a stranger. ink of it this way, if
you make the gesture to someone, then
maybe they will return it and learn to
share this with others they meet.
FRIENDLY cont. from pg. 10
Joyce Shaw White
Joyce is a single mother and grandmother,
and serves our community as the night
supervisor for Lowndes County 911.
She enjoys researching genealogy and
has lived here all her life.
Physicians, nurses and other clinical
sta at Baptist Memorial Hospital-
Golden Triangle now have another tool
to help promote shared decision-making
and better outcomes. Baptist Golden Tri-
angle is the only hospital in Mississippi
and in the Memphis, Tenn.-based Baptist
Memorial Health Care System to use the
web-based collection of Advance Care
Planning Patient Education Videos.
e videos are designed to educate pa-
tients about advance care planning and
end-of-life care treatment options and to
help them make better informed deci-
sions about the care they want, said Dr.
Bryan Hilliard, the hospitals health care
ethics consultant. Hilliard is also a pro-
fessor of philosophy at Mississippi Uni-
versity for Women.
e videos are very patient/family-
centered and really do a good job of pro-
viding patients the information they
need to make informed treatment deci-
sions that are in accord with their wishes
and values, Hilliard said.
e hospitals Bioethics Advisory Com-
mittee (BAC) is taking the lead in intro-
ducing physicians, nurses and other
clinical sta to the videos. Hilliard, along
with Steve Brown, director of pastoral
care and vice chair of the hospitals BAC,
are educating clinicians in how to use the
videos with patients and families.

e videos were developed by physi-
cians at Massachusetts General Hospital
and Harvard Medical School.
Some of the video topics include the
goals of care, CPR, the goals of care in ad-
vanced disease, cancer and dementia
goals of care, advanced dementia and
feeding tubes.
We know that patients have a legal
and ethical right to information about
their disease process and the benefts,
burdens and alternatives to proposed
treatments. e advance care planning
videos are an adjuvant to, not a substitute
for, a meaningful and productive patient-
physician relationship, Hilliard said.
When clinicians and patient communi-
cate eectively, dignity is preserved, au-
tonomy is respected and values are
honored, he added.
With 328 beds, Baptist Golden Tri-
angle is the largest regional hospital al-
iated with the Baptist Memorial Health
Care system. With physicians and sur-
geons representing almost every medical
specialty practicing at the hospital, Baptist
Golden Triangle oers a wide range of
comprehensive medical care to patients
of all ages.
e hospital oers a variety of services
to the community, including the Baptist
Centers for Cancer Care; Baptist Behav-
ioral Health Care for those with behav-
ioral and mental health problems; an
emergency room with 24-hour ambu-
lance service; an extensive rehabilitation
department; and educational programs.
Baptist Golden Triangle employs more
than 1,000 health care professionals.
For more information, please call 662-
244-1000 or visit http://goldentriangle.
baptistonline.org.
Innovative Advance Care Planning Program Arrives at BMH
Special to e Real Story
Special to e Real Story
Baptist Memorial
Hospital-Golden
Triangle recently re-
ceived a Workforce
Services Best Prac-
tices award from
East Mississippi
Community College.
e hospital was rec-
ognized for provid-
ing outstanding
examples of work-
force training, qual-
ity management and
business practices.
e award was pre-
sented at the college's
23rd Annual Indus-
try Appreciation luncheon, held April 18,
at its Mayhew campus, near Columbus.
Baptist-Golden Triangle serves as a
model training site and training partner
for future healthcare professionals from
EMCC and Mississippi University for
Women in Columbus. e hospital has
served as an American Heart Association
Training Center since 1998, providing
training for AHA sta as well as mem-
bers of the community.
Baptist Golden Triangle nursing direc-
tor Lauri Sansing serves as coordinator
of the Training Center. She was also re-
cently appointed as Regional Faculty for
the State of Mississippi for the 2011-2013
term.
Sansing served as director of the hos-
pitals sta education department from
May 2009 until April 2012, when she was
promoted to director of the critical care
unit, progressive care unit and emer-
gency department.
Baptist is a major health care provider
for East Mississippi and West Alabama
residents. To provide quality health care,
Baptist employees are involved in contin-
uous training, to stay current on patient
care procedures and medical technolog-
ical advances, said Sansing.
e Workforce Services program at
EMCC is designed to enhance the eco-
nomic opportunities for residents in the
area. It allows the school to partner with
area business and industry to meet their
workforce training needs. e program
provides counseling and employability
skills training for individuals looking for
a job or looking to change jobs, and as-
sists local economic organizations in re-
taining and expanding existing business
and industry and recruiting new business
and industry to the community.
For more information, please call 662-
244-1000 or visit http://goldentriangle.
baptistonline.org.
BMH Receives Award from EMCC
What does it mean to have a servants
heart? It may mean serving meals to
homebound elderly people, volunteer-
ing at an aer-school program, or rais-
ing money for local charities. For
Caledonia native Kori Hankins, it
means something much bigger. Kori
travels all over the globe, serving on
mission trips, while visiting places such
as Haiti, New York, and Joplin, Mis-
souri, just to name a few.
is June, Kori will be teaming up
with Go Global Missions to travel to
Lima, Peru where she will be working
with a wheelchair ministry and also vol-
unteer at a local orphanage. "It blesses
me and gives me such a happy conf-
dent spirit," says Kori.
Go Global was founded by a group of
like-minded pastors and ministry lead-
ers with a desire to cultivate a passion-
ate, giving generation. eir hope is to
expose, ignite and encourage hearts for
world missions, and to support local
churches, existing organizations and
projects, through strategic partnership.
With this trip reaching a cost of
$3,250, Kori has $ 1,975 le to raise. To
donate to Kori's mission trip fund please
visit www.goglobalmissions.com; then,
in the Name Box, type Kori Hankins;
in the Area Box, type Peru; fnally,
type in the amount of your donation.
Kori Hankins Mission Trip Update
Courtesy Photo
Dr. Rick Young, president, EMCC, Lauri Sansing and Dr. Raj
Shaunak, vice president of Workforce & Community Services.
Courtesy Photos
Kori learned a lot from the Haitian women,
and made lots of new friends.
Molly Murphree
molly@realstorypublishing.com
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From the Citizen is a column that will appear, periodically, in the print
edition of e Real Story, and will feature commentary from members of the
community, and from both ends of the political spectrum.
Individuals who are interested in submitting commentary for this column should
write to stjohnjb@realstorypublishing.com.
It Sure Pays
to Run with
the Big Dogs
Mitt Romney is the presumptive can-
didate for the Republican nomination,
having outspent all other contenders by
enormous amounts. Money opens doors,
even if you are not a favorite. Top contrib-
utors to the Romney campaign and
Romney political action committees
(PACS) read like a Whos Who of Wall
Street. According to OpenSecrets.org.,
the power brokers behind his campaign
are, in order of giving: Goldman Sachs,
JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America,
Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse Group,
Citigroup, Barclays, Price Waterhouse,
HIG Capital, Wells Fargo, and UBS,
among others. Even Ernst and Young, the
highly-regarded and oh-so-capable audi-
tors and bookkeepers for now defunct
Lehmann Brothers are on the list of mon-
etary supporters. Remember them?
Lehmanns shenanigans and ultimate
downfall started the domino eect that
brought about the crisis and recession of
2008. e taxpayers are still on the hook
for that one, but the ones who escaped
bankruptcy, many listed above, are mak-
ing more money, now, than ever. Never
mind, we have short memories. It sure
pays to run with the Big Dogs.
Wait a secHow does he know these
contributors? How do they know him
and why would they support him?
Whats in it for them? Geez, maybe they
belong to the same clubs, do business to-
gether, have a history, friendships. Maybe
he is one of them. at would explain
their largesse. His net worth and yearly
income sure put him in the 1% bracket;
thats a given, though his reluctance to re-
lease more than a couple of years worth
of tax records suggest previous income
even greater than whats reported. Still,
success is an attribute in this country and,
as Mr. Romney likes to point out, hes a
successful businessman, a wealthy man,
something we all strive for, through hard
work, fair dealings and a strong moral
compass. He makes no excuses for his
wealth. In fact, Mitt points to his success
as a businessman as a major qualifcation
for the oce of president. Apparently, he
believes in running the country like a
business. Of course, government is not a
business, and is not designed to make a
proft for the friends and contributors of
the elected. at business approach was
tried, already, with dire consequences. No
matter; lets look at how Romney made
his fortune and what kind of business he
ran. at may open the curtain, a bit, on
those who are fnancing his political as-
pirations.
Romney was co-founder and CEO of
Bain Capital and ran a private-equity
frm that specialized in leveraged buyouts
of distressed or under-performing com-
panies for 15 years, ending in 1999. It is
one of the largest such frms in the nation.
More than any other source, his wealth is
derived from that venture, and his asso-
ciation with that frm is still paying divi-
dends (and campaign contributions).
is background acted as a springboard
for his political life.
Simply stated, heres how that type of
business operates:
Private Equity Partnerships are formed
and the partners raise money from out-
side investors (equity). en, they invest
this money, along with securing bank
loans to purchase distressed or under-
performing companies that they think
might be proftable to them. Once they
have a controlling interest in a company,
they restructure the operation to show a
proft. Since the highest cost in any oper-
ation is the workforce, the cuts begin
there. ey cut wages, pensions and
health benefts, lay o people, and even
go so far as to fre everyone and hire some
back at lower wages. Cost cutting, rather
than revenue enhancement is paramount
(ring any bells?). e company starts to
show a proft on the bottom line, due to
reduced personnel costs. Once it appears
proftable, they use the company as col-
lateral to borrow additional money from
banks. Like any loan, the banks charge
interest, but this interest is deductable
from the companys income. is makes
the company look even more proftable.
With the borrowed money, some of it
goes to pay a special dividend to repay the
original investors with interest; 20% is the
norm. e partners also get a generous
cut for putting the deal together. Now
that theyve covered the cost of buying the
company, anything they make thereaer
is pure proft. e company can be sold
or broken up and the assets sold o. Ei-
ther way, the partners proft handsomely.
If the now-proftable (on paper) com-
pany can be sold for more than they paid
for it which is generally the case - the
tax code treats these earnings as capital
gains and the partners pay only a 15% in-
come tax. Although the tax code was in-
tended to give that 15% break to those
who risk their own money, in this case
the partners risk nothing but get the tax
break anyway, along with those who in-
vest. Everybodys happy. e bankers
make money, the investors make money
and the partners make money. As far as
the raided company is concerned, some
make it, but some go bankrupt, under a
burden of outstanding debt. ose that
make it treat the debt as a write-o and
can actually end up paying no corporate
taxes on their profts. In any case, the
partners dont care; theyve walked away
with the spoils. It sure pays to run with
the Big Dogs.
Yeah, everybody got a piece of the ac-
tion - except the company, the worker
and the taxpayer; apparently those dont
matter. Taxpayers subsidize these busi-
nesses. When they lay o workers and cut
medical benefts, were stuck with the bill
for unemployment and medical costs, in
the form of higher insurance premiums
for those not covered. When they deduct
the interest on their loans, to increase
their profts, we pay the dierence in lost
tax revenue or reduced social programs.
In the same vein, when they pay only a
15% capital gains tax on profts not aris-
ing from their own investments, we make
up the dierence. When laid-o and un-
employed families qualify for food
stamps, we are handed the bill. Of course,
all this follows the letter of the law.
Hmmm, I wonder who wrote those laws
and what was the motivation? Another
time perhaps
But I digress, back to those contributors
to Mr. Romney. ey must be members
of the same club. ey compare notes
and know how to work the system. ey,
likely, invented it. Remember those bank
loans that the private equity partners took
out to buy those companies and to boost
their profts? Well, it turns out that the
lenders can insure their loans against de-
fault by selling credit derivatives, includ-
ing credit default swaps and collateralized
loan obligations to other institutions,
such as hedge funds. ey have it fgured
out. Yes, sir, theyre smart; in fact, theyre
too big to fail. ey privatize proft and
socialize risk, while producing nothing.
Once again, the taxpayer is le to clean
up aer the party. e party has moved
on, now, to the political arena, but, to un-
derstand the candidate, remember, hes a
successful businessman. Monkey busi-
ness. Forget running with the Big Dogs.
Watch your peanuts.
Laird Bagnall
Laird is a military retiree since 1993 and a
Columbus resident since 1995. He is a 2002
MUW graduate, with a degree in Fine Arts.
His interests include: visual and performance
arts, photography, biking, travel, kayaking,
camping and national politics.
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On the evening of Friday, April 27th,
2012, with the hum of people talking and
the aroma of charcoal cookers grilling a
wide variety of tasty delights, the 2012
Relay for Life On-Site Fundraiser began.
e soccer feld behind Columbus High
School was transformed into a world of
celebrations and memorials.
Master of Ceremonies Joe St. John wel-
comed everyone in attendance, and Rev.
Pam Rhea, from St. Paul's Episcopal
Church, gave the invocation. Doves were
released in honor of the survivors, the Air
Force ROTC from Columbus High
School presented the colors, and the na-
tional anthem was sung by Denise Lee.
roughout the Opening Ceremony,
presentations and announcements cre-
ated an atmosphere of anticipation which
could be felt by everyone in attendance.
Once the Presentation of Survivors and
Survivor Lap began, it was
an emotional time for
all. ere was re-
joicing and
pride, mixed
with sorrow
for things
lost, be that
body parts,
dreams, or
friends and
f a m i l y .
S t a n d i n g
ovations were
given for each
and every person
making that won-
derful walk with smiles
of pride and rejoicing on
their faces, and tears of joy, mixed
with sorrow, pouring down the faces of
those in the audience.
Each team created its
own campsite and de-
veloped its own way
of raising money.
ere were culi-
nary delights;
down home
goodies, just
like momma
used to
make; raes
and draw-
ings; and, last
but certainly
not least - Pork-
chop the potbel-
lied pig. Yes, our
very own Porkchop was
out there, to have his picture
taken with anyone who wanted to
make a donation. He was an instant hit,
and a good time was had by all - espe-
cially Porkchop, who ate his way through
the evening and enjoyed lots of love and
belly rubs.
Live entertainment was provided for
most of the evening, with team activities
being conducted through the night.
At dawn, the closing ceremonies were
held and each team knew that they had
done what they could to help fnd a cure
for this dreaded disease. As the rising sun
brings life to the new day, it also symbol-
izes the completion of treatment and the
beginning of a new life that is cancer-free.
Relay for Life:
What a Wonderful Experience!
Fran Andresen
fandresen@realstorypublishing.com
Fran is a homemaker who enjoys experimenting
and creating tasteful diabetic and kidney-
disease-friendly recipes. She is married to John
Andresen and likes to crochet in her free time.
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How many of you
have ever had that false im-
pression of love? How many
of you have had what you
thought was the love of your
life, only to see that person
run away and leave you bro-
ken? Roszalia Ellen Smith
has.
Born October 4,
1946, Roszalia had no idea
that her life was destined to go
down a dark path. Just four
days aer she was born, her
parents made the decision to
give her away. Roszalia was cared for by her maternal
grandmother until she was old enough to start school;
then, she returned to live with her parents. At the age of
eight, her father began fondling and touching her body.
A few years down the road, her own father would claim
her innocence. For Roszalia Ellen, this was only the be-
ginning of a life full of struggle.
Every two minutes, a woman in the United States is sex-
ually assaulted. irty-eight percent of sexually abused
women are victims of incest.
In her autobiography, A Crushed Rose, Roszalia tells
of her struggle through life, and her eventual decision to
move on and be happy. "I just want to use my experiences
to help people," says Roszalia.
To purchase Roszalia's book, A Crushed Rose" or to
schedule Roszalia for a motivational speaking engage-
ment, please visit www.acrushedrose.com.
Molly Murphree
molly@realstorypublishing.com
Molly is a resident of Columbus, who enjoys reading, cooking, cake
decorating, and spending time with her family. She is a member of
Lighthouse Baptist Church.
The author, Roszalia E. Smith, poses
with her autobiography, A Crushed Rose
Author Writes to Help Others
Spring Giant Possum Town Yard Sale at the
Hitching Lot Farmers' Market, April 21st
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Across
1: Nickname for
Margaret
4: Calf, e.g.
7: Moist
11: Retirees acct.
12: Ronny Howards
role
14: Jai ___
15: Penpoint
16: Out of shape
17: Filly feature
18: The____
Cometh
20: Doves call
22: Jolson and Hirt
23: Is contingent (on)
27: Prepared to
propose
30: Singer Torm
31: Refs colleague
32: Seep
33: Golfng term
34: ____ mater
35: Possessive
pronoun
36: Bandleader Kyser
37: Poes middle
name
38: Scoundrels
40: Supply weapons
41: They come after
ems
42: Spoke imperfectly
46: Drain obstruction
49: Signifcant times
51: Rowing imple-
ment
52: Scary Lugosi
53: Small change
54: Ace
55: Caesar et al.
56: Sun. follower
57: Sixth sense (abbr.)
Down
1: Start for van or skirt
2: Rocker Clapton
3: Comedian Kaplan
4: Blue shade
5: Unlatches
6: Emerge the victor
7: Matt of Oceans
Twelve
8: Fla.s neighbor
9: ____ overboard!
10: Slapstick missile
13: Engraver
19: Bachelor, e.g.
21: Canola or
faxseed
24: Albatross kin
25: Mme. Bovary
26: Reach across
27: Eccentric person
28: Person, place or
thing
29: Pound or Stone
30: Is allowed
33: Went by
34: Charity
36: Barbies ex
37: Gotten up
39: Las ______
40: San Antonio
landmark
43: Catholic leader
44: Bunnies features
45: Cough or gum
follower
46: ABC rival
47: Hawaiian
souvenir
48: _____ Devil
Moon
50: Cup edge
CROSSWORD 05.02.2012
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Since the beginning, mankind has lived alongside the
threat of bacteria and viruses. Disease and disorder are
found everywhere, stretching from one end of the earth
to the other. ey range from a moderate case of the
snies to the dreaded contagion, Ebola. One can
hardly go a lifetime without contracting the occasional
conditions of some form of illness. But, for millions of
people, illness is caused not only by an occasional an-
noyance of a microorganism, but by their own bodies.
For years, the human race has been struggling against
another kind of disease and disorder: cancer. Cancer re-
search and the search for a cure have been an ongoing
eort by thousands of researchers and projects, and for
the most part, the one stroke of insight and discovery
has eluded mankind.
Until now.
In a recent article published by e Telegraph, science
correspondent Richard Gray reports that a "universal'
cancer vaccine" has been developed. In his article, Gray
says that the new drug could vastly improve the ability
of the patient's immune system to fght o the otherwise
invisible cancerous cells. In normal cases of cancer, the
immune system of the people with cancer doesn't detect
the cancer cells as a threat because, well, they are re-
garded by the immune system as regular cells, existing
as part of the body. However, "preliminary results from
early clinical trials have shown the vaccine can trigger
an immune response in patients and reduce levels of dis-
ease," says Gray. Furthermore, the vaccine is believed to
be "eective against a range of dierent cancers"; but, the
article notes that the developers of the vaccine, Vaxil Bio-
therapeutics and researchers at Tel Aviv University, wish
to conduct more testing before the vaccine is given the
stamp of approval. If additional trials are successful, the
vaccine could be made "available within six years", Gray
mentions.
Up to this point, the main forms of treatment for can-
cer have included radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Each form leaves little to be desired, when considering
the side eects of these treatments. Recently, a fourth
option has been suggested by Bob Doyle of Novocure, a
company that specializes in the use of low-level electric
felds for producing therapeutic results. In October 2011,
Doyle presented his fndings at a TED (originally a con-
ference on Technology, Entertainment, and Design, the
scope of which has since been broadened) talk, later up-
loaded to the organization's website, for all to view.
Doyle explains that the electric felds used in the treat-
ment aren't electric current, but rather "are a feld of
forces ... [that] attract bodies that have an electric
charge." In other words, the patients are not zapped by
a strange, arcing beam of bright lightning-like energy,
but rather, the area of the body around the tumor(s) are
placed within an electrically generated feld. ese felds
will cause the proteins of the cancerous cells to align, and
prevent them from dividing. Once the cells fail to divide,
they either proceed to a "programmed cell death" or pro-
ceed towards apoptosis, a normal process leading to the
death of cells. is eect, Doyle explains, has been ap-
plied to over twenty variations of cancerous cells and the
same eects have been observed in all of them. e best
thing? According to Doyle, "these tumor-treating felds
have no eect on normal, non-dividing cells." In April
of 2011, the FDA approved the use of electric felds in
the treatment of certain types of cancer.
ere are no guarantees in life, and there are no ab-
solutes when it comes to health. Anyone who has un-
dergone life-altering trials such as cancer will likely
understand this idea. Having had a stroke, I, too, under-
stand research and the availability of treatments to be an
important step in the elimination of things like cancer.
But there seems to be little mention of these eorts.
Surely, the idea that we can eradicate the scourge of can-
cer would be big news. On the other hand, one concern
might be that access to lifesaving treatments and drugs
may be halted by pricing schemes practiced by multi-
national conglomerates. Another concern is whether or
not the drug will be produced at all in the interest of per-
petuating a more proftable process. ese are real con-
cerns, and each raises a serious moral argument. Will
patients have to dedicate themselves to a life of debt and
poverty to live cancer-free? Who will own the patents?
Which is more important: life or money? It is my nature
as a skeptic to question the future. While I should cer-
tainly revel in the delight of things such as cancer cures,
I cannot share that delight with those who prevent tran-
scendence beyond a society with cancer. Ironically, per-
haps, that is our own, albeit metaphorical, form of
cancer. But, hey, at least we have more options now,
right?
Cancer: New Hope, Old Argument
Invino Veritas
iveritas@realstorypublishing.com
Attempting to make sense of his universe, Invino Veritas bubbles
outward from the chaos, sometimes submitting to its infnite whirl,
and other times raging against its disregard for its own elements.
His writings incorporate multiple styles and energies which can be
found on his own blog of random things at
http://musingsfortheinsane.blogspot.com/
...and, theyre o!
First place, Tim Heard.
Second Place, Shelley Swails.
Third place, Vernell Davis.
County
Government
5K Run
Healthy County,
Healthy Families
Encouraging County Employees
to Get Involved in Health
19
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I have written, previously, on education
reform, and have taken the position that
there is little hope of changing the culture
of public schools; that the best hope for
progress in education is providing alter-
natives to a sclerotic, inecient, and un-
responsive system. I advocate private
education, and feel that a voucher system
is a good frst step in providing families
the option of leaving public education.
A recent article in e Atlantic focuses
on the crippling bureaucracy that aects
public schools. I have not talked much
about this, because, to me, it is a symptom
of the disease, not the disease itself; still it
is worth quoting some statistics:
86 percent of public school super-
intendents and 84 percent of princi-
pals say that "keeping up with all the
local, state and federal mandates
handed down to the schools takes up
way too much time"
82 percent of superintendents and
49 percent of principals say that poli-
tics and bureaucracy are the main
reasons their colleagues leave the pro-
fession
77 percent of superintendents and
72 percent of principals say that
"making it much easier for principals
to remove bad teachers -- even those
who have tenure" -- would be a very
eective way to improve school lead-
ership
64 percent of superintendents and
67 percent of principals say that
"markedly reducing the number of
mandates on schools and the bureau-
cracy and paperwork associated with
them" would be a very eective way
to improve school leadership
63 percent of superintendents and
66 percent of principals say the em-
phasis on "documentation and due
process" makes it "dicult to take ac-
tion against students who are disci-
pline problems"
47 percent of superintendents and
45 percent of principals say they gen-
erally have to "work around the sys-
tem" to get things done
44 percent of principals do not be-
lieve they have enough decision-
making authority to be fully eective
Following is an example of the govern-
ment mandates which make school ad-
ministrators jobs nightmares:
In one Public Agenda interview, a su-
perintendent provided this list to
show how it all adds up. By law, his
schools must: provide oral health in-
struction; give students information
about organ donation; set-up anti-
bullying policies; ensure that children
say the Pledge of Allegiance; make
sure that social studies classes cele-
brate Freedom Week; organize parent
involvement committees at every
school; set up committees on em-
ployee policies; set up school and dis-
trict committees on "closing the gap";
arrange for bus drivers and other em-
ployees to have two paid breaks; see
that each teacher has a specifed
amount of money to spend on class-
room supplies; and include the body
mass index of each child on his or her
report card. As he wrapped up the list,
the superintendent added this parting
shot: "Oh, by the way, remember No
Child Le Behind!"
Public schools, in addition to suering
from a crushing bureaucracy, obstinate
and immovable labor unions, an increas-
ingly homogeneous population of chil-
dren from dysfunctional families and
communities, has become a catch-all for
every progressive agenda in the country.
e author did not cite other, important
brakes to improved education, such as
the distortions in academic achievement
resulting from misplaced programs of
diversity; the disproportionate funding
for low-achievers at the expense of poten-
tially high achievers; and the 19th century
mindset of classrooms, teachers, and
books.
It should become clear to everyone that
public education is an American institu-
tion which needs structural change, not
merely reform. e system should be re-
viewed, from top to bottom, by working
backwards that is by asking the funda-
mental question How can the academic
achievement of low-achievers be im-
proved, while promoting the interests of
high-achievers?, and not by starting with
the answer, reformed public education.
e very nature of institutionalized pub-
lic education must be assessed. Should it
focus solely on academic achievement
(my preference), or should it also be the
crucible for social progress, as its support-
ers have always claimed? As illustrated in
the above observations by the school su-
perintendent, when he has to accommo-
date both objectives especially when
government gets in the way neither are
successful.
Home schooling, for years, has been
considered, by traditionalists, as fringe-
group paranoia, at best. Families that opt
out of the system were somehow un-
American, because they withdrew their
children from that diverse social brew
that was intended to teach community
values, respect, and patriotism - among
other objectives. Worse, they did so be-
cause they wanted to brainwash their
children with their own cockamamie,
wild ideas and insulate them from the
taming and co-opting mainstream.
While there is a lot of truth to this - fam-
ilies oen home school to instill funda-
mental religious and moral values that
they feel public schools cannot provide
the concept is rapidly evolving in the In-
ternet age. Why should all students learn
in the same outdated brick-and-mortar
environment? Why should a smart stu-
dent be slowed by less talented ones?
Why should education in less traditional
subjects be deferred until later grades,
when children are more than able to pur-
sue varied interests online?
e school has, for too long, been
thought of as the anchor for American
society. It is the frst institution in which
we all fnd ourselves and, supposedly, the
defning one. It is societys frst attempt
to socialize, to homogenize, and instill
mainstream values. As society becomes
more complex, more mainstream val-
ues are added, until the mix becomes
chaotic and unmanageable.
e Republican primaries have been
sickeningly focused on family values
sickening, especially because they are
more sanctimony than substance. e
focus is correct and clear education will
not improve; citizens will not become re-
sponsible and civil; the country will not
coalesce around the core values of civi-
lization, unless families and the individ-
uals within them take responsibility for
this maturation. Communities are the
collection of families and individuals, and
they must take increasing responsibility
for providing the positive social and cul-
tural environment for civic progress. e
public schools time for playing this role
is over. Governments time for playing
this role is over.
Dont Reform Public Education
Totally Restructure It
Ron Parlato
rparlato@realstorypublishing.com
Ron Parlato is a writer
living in Washington, DC.
He has close ties with
Columbus which he visits
frequently. His writings on
literature, politics and
culture, travel, and cooking
can be found on his own
blog, uncleguidosfacts.com.
20
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Dr. Sue Jolly-Smith and Dr. Harry Sher-
man, both of Columbus, were honored
by Mississippi University for Womens
Alumni Association at the associations
annual membership meeting, during
Homecoming at MUW, April 21, 2012.
Jolly-Smith and Sherman were recog-
nized for contributions to their respective
career felds and Mississippi University
for Women.
A 1975 MUW graduate, Jolly-Smith
was presented the Alumni Service Award
for consistently demonstrating outstand-
ing commitment, dedication, leadership
and service to the advancement of the
university and alumni association.
She chaired the Campus Advisory
Committee for the 2011 MUW Presi-
dential Search. Jolly-Smith serves as
Dean of the College of Education and
Human Sciences, and is a member of nu-
merous campus committees. Her com-
mitment to teaching and learning at
MUW is evident in all that she does for
the University.
A member and supporter of the MUW
Alumni Association, she has attended
several alumni events in the area to give
presentations and updates on her Col-
leges programs and successes. Dr. Jolly-
Smith is well known throughout the state
as an accomplished education profes-
sional. She is an excellent representative
of MUW, its education program, and the
high caliber of MUW alumni. Her self-
less service to her alma mater is to be
commended.
Dr. Sherman was the recipient of the
MUWAAs Distinguished Achievement
Award, an award presented to alumni
and friends of the university who have
achieved professional distinction and
made signifcant community service
contributions at the local, national and/or
international level, bringing distinction
and honor to the University.
Dr. Sherman, who is MUWs longest
serving employee, was also honored at a
reception, during Homecoming. He
joined the university in September of
1961. Beloved by former students, he is
professor emeritus of biological sciences
and currently serves as the coordinator of
public programs at the Plymouth Blu
Conference Center. rough his persist-
ence, over several decades, his plans and
dreams of the Plymouth Blu Center be-
came a reality. Dr. Sherman continues to
expand the Plymouth Blu Center, by
improving upon the trails and other ed-
ucational oerings. He has dedicated his
life in service to MUW and his passion
for his feld of study.
Photo by Chris Jenkins, MUW Oce of Public Aairs
Dr. Sue Jolly-Smith, left, receives her
award from Emily Myers Garner,
co-president of the MUWAA.
Photo by Chris Jenkins, MUW Oce of Public Aairs
Dr. Harry Sherman, is pictured with
Andrea Godwin Overby, co-president
of the MUWAA.
Jolly-Smith and Sherman Receive Recognition
Special to e Real Story
is year is Sweet 16 for Gina ompson.
e chair of the Fine Arts and Human-
ities Division at East Mississippi Com-
munity Colleges Golden Triangle
campus was honored as the Columbus-
Lowndes Development LINKs Commu-
nity College Educator of the Year,
Wednesday, at the LINKs Education Ex-
cellence Luncheon at the Columbus
Country Club. And this comes on the
heels of ompsons recognition, in Feb-
ruary, as EMCCs recipient of the Higher
Education Appreciation Day - Working
for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE)
Award in Jackson.
Its a wonderful honor, said omp-
son. I hope were all making a dierence
in the lives of our students.
ompson, who is in her 16th year at
EMCC, was honored along with one
teacher each from the elementary, middle
school, high school and post-secondary
college levels, at Wednesdays event. Stu-
dents from area high schools with the
highest grade-point averages; Outstand-
ing Seniors; recipients of 13 corporate
scholarships; and one LINK scholarship
winner were also recognized.
EMCC Associate Dean of Instruction
Dr. Teresa Houston, who works closely
with ompson and was on hand
Wednesday to see her accept the award,
said ompson is deserving of all the
praise shes received this year.
Gina possesses a passion for teaching
and learning thats evident in her work in-
side and outside the classroom, especially
as it relates to developmental education
and student success, said Houston.
ere is no one more deserving of such
an award.
Before this semester, ompson, who
is also EMCCs chair of Developmental
Studies, spent the fall researching pro-
grams from across the
country, looking for one
which would help EMCC
accelerate students
progress through develop-
mental courses, allowing
them to move on quickly
to academic courses that
are transferable to four-
year universities. e new
program, implemented
this spring, added an hour
of laboratory time to de-
velopmental courses, al-
lowing some students to
complete the develop-
mental curriculum aer
just one semester.
Refecting on her 16
years at EMCC Golden Triangle,
ompson marveled at witnessing the
campus grow from about 500 mostly ca-
reer-technical students to about 4,000
students, in a wide range of programs.
Courtesy Photo
Associate Dean of Instruction Dr. Teresa Houston, David
Thompson, Gina Thompson, District Director of Job
Placement Linda Gates and Golden Triangle campus
Vice President Dr. Paul Miller.
Thompson Honored as EMCCs LINK Educator of the Year
Special to e Real Story
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21
East Mississippi Community College
recognized outstanding students, on
ursday, April 26, 2012, at its Scooba
campus, during its annual Awards Day
program.
Award winners were chosen by instruc-
tors, as exemplary students. More than 75
individual awards were handed out, as well
as recognition for EMCC-Scooba students
selected to Whos Who Among Ameri-
can Community College Students, the
EMCC Scooba Student Government As-
sociation, and inductees to Phi eta
Kappa, the national community college
honor society.
Awards Recipients
Mr. EMCC Blake Hutcheson (Guntown)
Miss EMCC Shelby Whitt (Houston)
Outstanding English Composition Student
Award Hunter Worrell (Louisville)
Outstanding British Literature Student Award
Matthew Wiggins (DeKalb)
Outstanding Reading Student Award Jessica
Eiland (Louisville)
Outstanding Reading Student Award Jacob
Gray (Scoba)
Outstanding Student Achievement Award
Jessica Eiland (Louisville)
Outstanding English Composition Student
Award Jondia Weatherspoon (Starkville)
Outstanding Computer Student Award Joey
Yarbrough (Louisville)
Outstanding Computer Student Award De-
braka Harris (Macon)
Outstanding Drawing Student Award
LaKeith Tate (Starkville)
Outstanding Design Student Award Emily
Bullard (Mantee)
Outstanding Painting Student Award Bro-
drick Scott (Columbus)
Outstanding Art Appreciation Student Award
Jamie Sciple (DeKalb)
Outstanding Ceramics/3D Student Award
Erica Ferry (Meridian)
Outstanding Exhibition Student Award Do-
minique Brown (Lauderdale)
Outstanding Health Care Assistant Student
Award Darnell Jones (West Point)
Outstanding Health Care Assistant Student
Award Beverly Hardin (Union)
Outstanding College Algebra Student Jacob
VanDevender (Preston)
Jesse Knight Conner, Biology Award of Excel
lence Derrick Wilson (Horn Lake)
Outstanding Welding Student Award An-
thony Reed (Panola)
Outstanding Welding Student Award
Steven Hunt (Louisville)
Outstanding English Composition I Stu-
dent Award Smokey Ethridge
(Collinsville)
Outstanding English Composition II Stu-
dent Award Smokey Ethridge
(Collinsville)
Outstanding American Literature I Stu-
dent Award Fredrian Davis (Steens)
Outstanding American Literature II Stu-
dent Award Matthew Wiggins (Wiggins)
Outstanding Honors English Composition
I Student Award Haley Pierce (Union)
Outstanding Honors English Composition II
Student Award Tyler Stanley (Meridian)
Outstanding Lineworker Student Award
Alex Pate (Columbus)
Most Improved Intermediate English Mon-
eice Mitchell (Monroe, La.)
Outstanding Intermediate English Student
Award Romonia Mosley (Shuqualak)
Most Improved English Composition Devin
Broadhead (Mendenhall)
Outstanding English Composition Student
Award Nakyda Osbourne (Columbus)
Outstanding Spanish Student Award Dayna
Miller (Crawford)
Outstanding Speech Student Award
Jashemia Dubose (Porterville)
Outstanding Speech Student Award Michael
Robertson (Shuqualak)
Outstanding Social Science & Business Stu-
dent Award Jessica Luke (Noxapater)
Student Athletic Trainer of the Year Coty
Seabrooks (Caledonia)
Outstanding Freshman Student Athletic
Trainer Award Brittney Brantley (Columbus)
Outstanding First Aid Student Award Alex
Chick (Hernando)
Outstanding First Aid Student Award Haley
Tutor (Columbus)
Outstanding Freshman Business Oce Tech-
nology Award Christina Sciple (Scooba)
Outstanding Sophomore Business Oce
Technology Award Laurin McDaniel
(Philadelphia)
Outstanding Student in Forestry Technology
Greg Guy (Meridian)
Outstanding Ophthalmic Freshman Student
Award Kaitlyn Warren (Louisville)
Outstanding Ophthalmic Sophomore Student
Award Veronica Flora (Louisville)
Outstanding Human Anatomy & Physiology
Student Award Kayla Fulton (Philadelphia)
Outstanding Human Anatomy & Physiology
Student Award Sarah Dudley (Scooba)
Outstanding General Biology Student Award
Donterius Jordan (Starkville)
Outstanding General Biology Student Award
Kathryn Penn (Daleville)
Outstanding General Biology I Student Award
Karley Hall (Pontotoc)
Outstanding General Biology II Student
Award Karley Hall (Pontotoc)
Outstanding Freshman Music eory Award
Deanna Burt (Philadelphia)
Outstanding Freshman Symphonic Bands-
man Jontrell Hill (Meridian)
Outstanding Rock Band Musician Josh
Harden (Tupelo)
Outstanding Sophomore Symphonic Bands-
man Kristy Alexander (Columbus)
Most Improved Symphonic Bandsman
Chanta Sherrod (Columbus)
Outstanding Jazz Musician Tommie Simon
(Columbus)
Outstanding Percussionist Avery Davis
(Meridian)
Outstanding Choral Activities Student (Choir
& Refection Singers) Hollie Lane (Macon)
Outstanding Vocal Music Major Deanna
Burt (Philadelphia)
Best Actress Award -- Music eatre Work-
shop Haley Pierce (Union)
Best Actor Award -- Music eatre Workshop
Cody Harris (Columbus)
Job Search Skills HCA Beverly Hardin
(Union)
Job Search Skills Welding Anthony Reed
(Panola)
Job Search Skills Welding Steven Hunt
(Louisville)
Job Search Skills Electrical Lineworker
Zachary Gaines (Toomsuba)
Outstanding Student Ambassadors Fredrian
Davis (Steens)
Outstanding Student Ambassadors Julianna
Persons (Macon)
Scholar Athlete Award Mens Basketball DJ
Evans (Brandon)
Scholar Athlete Award Womens Basketball
Asia Bragg (Birmingham, Ala.)
Scholar Athlete Award Baseball Spencer
Wilson (Wiggins)
Scholar Athlete Award Football DJ Jordan
(Starkville)
Scholar Athlete Award Football Tyler Stan-
ley (Meridian)
Scholar Athlete Award Soball Shelby
Whitt (Houston)
Scholar Athlete Award Rodeo Jacob Welch
(Laurel)
Scholar Athlete Award Cheerleading Vic-
torian Tilley (Columbus)
Courtesy Photo
EMCC student Dayna Miller, right, of Crawford,
accepts the Outstanding Spanish Student Award
from instructor Laura Damm.
Courtesy Photo
Fredrian Davis, right, of Steens, accepts his Outstanding
Student Ambassador certifcate from Student Activities
Coordinator, Taylor Ray. Davis was also recognized as
Outstanding American Literature I Student and for his
involvement as vice president of the Scooba Student
Government.
See EMCC Pg. 22
EMCC-Scooba Holds Awards Program
On ursday, April 24th, an evening of amaz-
ing artistry was held at Cafe Quartier Latin. Cafe
Night, as it is called, is a showcase of creative writ-
ing and English majors from Mississippi Univer-
sity for Women. e aroma of coee and the
warm breeze made the writers words fow like
honey, as a humble audience enjoyed the am-
biance on the back patio of this new coeehouse.
Award-winning novelist and creative writing instructor Michael F. Smith intro-
duced each of his students with pride, as they rose to read their works. When
asked what he loves most about writing, Smith stated, "e best thing would have
to be being my own boss, being responsible for my own production. Everything
your characters do is your responsibility. ere is something new every day and,
hopefully, something better than the day before."
Mr. Michael F. Smith started writing at the age of 30. While living abroad, in
France and Switzerland, he began reading - a lot. e more he read, the more he
thought about how he might like writing. Graduating in 1994 from Mississippi
State University with an undergraduate degree in Public Relations, it would be
fve or six years before he would apply and be accepted to the writing program at
the University of Southern Mississippi. "It served me well. Been out, lived some,
and got some good ideas knocking around in my head" said Smith.
Michael also serves as a Mississippi University for Women faculty advisor for
e Dilettanti. e Dilettanti is an annual student-run publication of Mississippi
University for Women and features art, fction, non-fction, and poetry.
Mr. Smith has a new book coming out in 2013, entitled "Rivers"; his novella,
"e Hands of e Stranger", is available at Barnes and Noble.
Fran Andresen
fandresen@realstorypublishing.com
Fran is a homemaker who enjoys experimenting and creating tasteful diabetic and kidney-
disease-friendly recipes. She is married to John Andresen and likes to crochet in her free time.
Students
Participate
in Caf
Night
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Whos Who Among American
Community College Students
Kemper County: Anna Sciple (DeKalb),
Cheyeanne Simpson (Scooba), Richard White
(Preston)
Lauderdale County: Erica Ferry (Meridian),
Kathryn Penn (Daleville)
Lowndes County: Fredrian Okoye Davis
(Steens), Barbara Tilley (Columbus)
Noxubee County: Rovontae Hopkins
(Macon), Hollie Lane (Macon), Julianna Per-
sons (Macon)
Winston County: Alma Flora (Louisville), Jes-
sica Luke (Noxapater), Jordan Mitchell
(Louisville), Joey Yarbrough (Louisville)
Chickasaw, Pontotoc & Webster Counties:
Emily Bullard (Mantee), Karley Hall (Ponto-
toc), Shelby Whitt (Houston)
Alabama: Mitchell Croxton (Forkland)
Student Government Association
President Blake Hutcheson (Guntown)
Vice President Okoye Davis (Steens)
Secretary Katie Rhaly (Lauderdale)
Treasurer Mariah Bohl (Meridian)
Chief Justice Cassandra Cobb (Kosciusko)
Election Commissioner Aaron Henderson
(Brandon)
Freshman Representative Adam Denson
(Lena)
Freshman Representative Hunter Worrell
(Louisville)
Sophomore Representative Mike Gunn
(West Point)
Sophomore Representative Kitty Sherrod
(Columbus)
Phi eta Kappa
Kemper County: Alyson Anthony (Scooba),
Dominique Bourrage (DeKalb), Quinderek
Carpenter (DeKalb), Michael Castro
(Scooba), Sarah Dudley (Scooba), Anna Sciple
(DeKalb), Christina Sciple (Scooba), Jamie
Sciple (DeKalb)
Lauderdale County: Jessica Dowdy
(Collinsville), Smokey Etheridge (Collinsville),
Aja Larkin (Toomsuba), Sydney Morgan
(Toomsuba), Alexandra Smith (Toomsuba),
Amber Spann (Meridian), Tyler Stanley
(Meridian), John Zettler (Meridian)
Lowndes County: Landon Ellis (Caledonia),
Zac Nagy (Columbus), Austin Roberts
(Columbus)
Neshoba County: Deanna Burt (Philadel-
phia), Kayla Fulton (Philadelphia), Justine Gif-
ford (Philadelphia), Haley Pierce (Union)
Noxubee County: Amanda Bradley
(Shuqualak), Cassidy Coleman (Shuqualak),
Kellie Hailey (Macon), Jamie Haywood
(Macon), Earnest Hunter (Macon), Lillian
Lindsey (Macon), Nicole Stewart (Shuqualak)
Oktibbeha County: William Dawkins
(Starkville), Donterius Jordan (Starkville),
Johniece Moore (Starkville), Amber Roach
(Starkville), Jondia Weatherspoon (Starkville)
Winston County: Alma Flora (Louisville), Jor-
dan Mitchell (Louisville), Hunter Worrell
(Louisville)
Clay, Forrest, Jones, Marion, Montgomery,
Neshoba, Panola, Rankin & Winston Coun-
ties: Chance Broom (Columbia), Shannon
Foster (Kilmichael), Terrolyn Grimsley (Petal),
Mikisha Jackson (Panola), Brianna May (Pela-
hatchie), Cortnee Meyers (Forest Home),
Comonella Prince (Philadelphia), Bernice
omas (West Point), Jacob Welch (Laurel)
Alabama: Kate Norris (Foley)
EMCC cont. from pg. 21
Special to e Real Story
Mississippi University for Women student Stefani
Sloma, a Brandon native, is taking the next big leap in
education, by pursuing a masters degree in publishing
at the University of Stirling, in Scotland.
During her tenure at the University of Stirling, which
starts in September 2012 and ends in August 2013,
Sloma will complete a publishing project that will span
an entire year, as she learns about the most important
aspects of publishing.
Ill be able to learn about all kinds of publishing, such
as digital publishing, marketing, paper publishing, and
Ill get my masters degree in the process, she said. In
addition, attending graduate school in Scotland is actu-
ally less expensive than attending in the U.S.
Tuition at the University of Stirling in Scotland is close
to $15,000 a year, whereas the average tuition for grad-
uate school in the United States is almost twice that
amount. Sloma has applied for a few grants to assist her
in graduate school expenses.
My family is also very excited for me, but they are
nervous about me being so far away, she added. I feel
the same way about the University of Stirling that I did
when I frst came to MUW, in 2008. It feels like it is
where I belong.
Sloma said MUW has prepared her for the step she is
taking in September.
I am the person I am today because of e W. MUW
broke me out of my shell and gave me confdence. e
classes and professors, here, have helped to prepare me
for my future; I know that I will be able to handle any
class or situation, wherever I am, because of what I've
learned here.
e whole reason I'm going to Scotland for graduate
school is because of the fantastic study abroad program
with the Honors College at e W. Applying to e W
(it was actually the only school to which I applied), was
the best decision I've ever made.
Sloma is a member of the Ina E. Gordy Honors Col-
lege at MUW. She has studied abroad in Edinburgh in
Scotland, twice, with the Residential Honors Program
that is a part of the Gordy Honors College.
Last summer, she worked on her senior honors proj-
ect, titled e City as Character: Edinburgh in the
Works of Ian Rankin. She is focusing on Rankins In-
spector Rebus Series, which is a crime fction series
based in Edinburgh. A highlight of her trip was inter-
viewing Rankin, in person.
Courtesy Photo
MUW senior Stefani Sloma is pictured with writer Ian Rankin, during her trip to Edinburgh last summer.
Special to e Real Story
Sloma to Pursue Masters in Publishing
Pothole Haven: Bluecutt Entrance to Bank & S. Perkins Pothole Haven: Bluecutt Entrance to Bank & S. Perkins
23
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Photos from Salon 7s
Relay for Life Fundraiser
Sugarland Concert
Top row: Gena Dichiara, Elesha Carr, Amy Chain, Mollie Carnathan.
Bottom row: Cassidy Prescott, Jaime Melton, and Angela Price
Jennifer Nettles with Sugarland singing Stuck like Glue.
Kids Night Out
Photo courtesy of Scott Oglesby
Columbus Motor Speedways Kids Night Out
Lions and Tigers,
and...well,
Just Bears!
Brad Young, a Mississippis Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks biologist, holds
cubs from a recent Black Bear Program
"den check". Prior to 2005, when the MDWFP
began the annual documention, Mississippi
had not done so for over 40 years. The
documentation recovered during the last
eight years is a positive sign that Mississippi
bear population is on the increase.
Courtesy Photo
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by Jeremiah Short SportsTalk
Historically, the Mississippi State fan
base has been subjected to less-than-stel-
lar oensive football. It has always been
said that the Bulldogs defense was top
notch, but their oense would prevent
them from becoming an elite team.
Florida Oensive Coordinator, Dan
Mullen was brought in to fx that prob-
lem, in December of 2008. He was tasked
with bringing to life a unit that fnished:
103rd, 113th, and 105th, the previous
three seasons, in total oense. His spread-
option attack was expected to give the
long-suering program a credible oense,
for the frst time in their history.
e task would not be easy to accom-
plish, as a spread oense requires incred-
ible depth at skill positions. e Bulldogs
were lacking in that area - considering
they were built to run the football, under
previous coach Sylvester Croom.
Mullen had to sign several bodies in his
frst recruiting class. He did just that, ink-
ing Leon Berry, Chad Bumphis, Brandon
Heavens, Ricco Sanders, and Chris Smith.
ey were expected to aid returning star
receiver Brandon McCrae and 65 speed-
ster ONeal Wilder. e Bulldogs also re-
turned Anthony Dixon, who was
considered one of the best running backs
in the SEC.
e Manchester, New Hampshire na-
tive seemed to have enough pieces to im-
prove the putrid oense. He managed to
bring more energy to the oense in 2009,
as the Bulldogs fnished 69th in total of-
fense, with the unit showing signs of
promise.
Brandon McCrae, Anthony Dixon, and
ONeal Wilder (the latter who quit, to
focus on track) were all gone aer the
2009 the season; however, there were sev-
eral talented players returning in 2010 -
headlined by Chris Relf, a player with a
skill set similar to former Florida quarter-
back Tim Tebow.
e 2010 season started with a bang,
with the Bulldogs displaying an oensive
explosion versus non-conference foe
Memphis, defeating them 49-7. Fans ex-
pected both the oense and team, as a
whole, to perform at a high level, in 2010.
But everything came crashing down, aer
a loss, the next week, against the Auburn
Tigers. e Bulldogs were embroiled in a
quarterback controversy that had the
team and fan base split, with Chris Relf
and Tyler Russell (Mississippi States fresh-
man quarterback) supporters myself in-
cluded - becoming emotional in their
arguments over who should start.
Relf eventually won
the starting job, but the
oense resembled
more of the ball-con-
trol oense Croom fa-
vored, for a majority of
the season, until a
match-up against the
Arkansas Razorbacks.
e Bulldog oense
exploded for 31 points,
in a heartbreaking
overtime loss. e
Bulldogs scored 83
points, combined,
against their fnal two
opponents - Ole Miss
and Michigan (Gator
Bowl). ey ended up
placing 42nd, nation-
ally, in total oense.
at side of the ball
was heading in the
right direction.
e expectations
were as high as ever,
for the Bulldogs of-
fense, heading into the
next season, with all of
the ingredients for a
terrifc unit in place.
e group sported the following: a vet-
eran quarterback, a solid running game,
experienced wide receivers, and four re-
turning linemen.
Mullen apparently thought the oense
could, potentially, be deadly, installing the
no-huddle oense popularized by the
Oregon Ducks and Auburn - hoping to
increase the oensive tempo. e Bull-
dogs, again, started the season facing the
Memphis Tigers, and they again had a
nice showing, beating the Tigers 59-14.
Oensively, the Bulldogs looked impres-
sive, scoring 34 points in a loss to the
Auburn Tigers, in a game that went down
to the fnal seconds.
e problems began in the next game,
at home, versus the LSU Tigers. e Bull-
dog oense sputtered in that game and
beyond, with the unit further damaged by
the loss of starting right guard Tobias
Smith. Relf, due to ineectiveness, was
eventually replaced mid-season by Rus-
sell, but the oense was still stagnant. e
Bulldogs tried to generate a spark, by ro-
tating three quarterbacks (Tyler Russell,
Dylan Favre, and Chris Relf) for the rest
of the season, but the struggles continued.
Relf ended the season as the starting quar-
terback, but Mullen had to fgure out how
to fx an oense that had regressed -
falling to 84th, nationally, in total oense.
Mullen took the frst step toward im-
proving the oense - squashing his failed
experiment with the no-huddle. Next, he
had to answer several questions - the frst
of which was, who was going to lead the
oense - Tyler Russell or Dak Prescott
(the dual-threat quarterback)? Other
playmakers needed to step up, and the of-
fensive line had to be stabilized, aer the
units horrid 2011 season.
ings fell into place, by the end of
spring practice. Russell took control of the
quarterback position; fnally living up to
his immense potential. Young wide re-
ceivers Jameon Lewis and Joe Morrow
emerged as key contributors. A few oen-
sive linemen - Blaine Clausell, Dillon Day,
and Charles Siddoway - stepped up, to so-
lidify the oensive line. e Bulldogs also
ran four-deep at the running back posi-
tion, and the pieces were in place, again,
for a good oensive unit.
Aer years of inconsistency, the Mullen
spread-option attack is poised to take o
in 2012. He has every element: a strong-
armed quarterback (Russell), depth at
running back (LaDarius Perkins, Nick
Grin, Josh Robinson, and Derrick Mil-
ton), a senior-laden receiving core (Chris
Smith, Chad Bumphis, Brandon Heavens,
and Arceto Clark), dynamic tight ends
(Malcolm Johnson and Brandon Hill), a
playmaker (Lewis), deep threat (Mor-
row), and a solid oensive line.
e Bulldogs oense could also receive
a boost in the form of incoming freshman
receiver Brandon Holloway. Holloway
could tag-team with Lewis, to form an ex-
citing game-breaking duo. e oense,
with all those factors working in its favor,
could break some records in 2012.
ere are some potential road blocks to
success in 2012 - the frst would be
Mullens naturally conservative nature.
e energetic coach may come across as
someone who values fash, but he tends
to go with substance. He must shake that
natural inclination, for the oense to take
it to the next level, in 2012
e second potential road block is sen-
ior receiver Chad Bumphis. Bumphis has
regressed, the past two years, and plays the
same position as Jameon Lewis. I think it
could hurt the oense if Mullen elects to
start Bumphis over the explosive sopho-
more (Lewis). e oense, at times, in
2011, was playing ten-on-eleven, when
Bumphis was on the feld. I think it would
be a grave mistake to go into next season
with a potential liability (Bumphis) in the
starting line-up. Im hoping Mullen makes
the right decision and starts the emerging
star Lewis.
e last road block is, naturally, the
quarterback position. Mullen, in my opin-
ion, cant rotate quarterbacks, for the of-
fense to be successful. He will be tempted
to play Prescott, because Russell isnt the
mobile quarterback normally required by
a spread-option attack. But, if he tailors
the oense to Russells skill set, the Bulldog
oense could keep some defenses on their
heels, in 2012.
Im not going to say the Bulldog oense
is going to be top-10, nationally, next sea-
son, but if the 2012 defense lives up to
hype, the Bulldogs could be poised for a
great year.
Mullens Oense Set to Take O in 2012
Courtesy Photo
Coach Mullen
Jeremiah Short
jshort@realstorypublishing.com
Jeremiah Short covers Mississippi State University
football and basketball. Follow him on Twitter,
@JeremiahShort26; or join his Facebook blog,
Real Story Sports: J.Shorts Blog.
25
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M.C. Miller, the current Louisville
Wildcat head football coach, has had a
long and storied career that has seen
him bounce between Noxubee County
and Louisville. He has managed to win
three state championships, as an assis-
tant and head coach. Miller has be-
come a true legend in the state of
Mississippi - compiling an impressive
204-84 career record.
Miller, like most coaches, started o
as a player. He starred for the Louisville
Wildcats from 1963-1966 - playing of-
fensive guard, nose guard, and line-
backer. Aer graduating in 1967, Miller
played for two years at Wiley College,
before transferring to Alcorn State, due
to the fact that Wiley dropped football.
He never played for Alcorn State,
though, spending the remainder of his
college career recuperating from a knee
injury he sustained at Wiley.
Aer earning a degree at Alcorn
State, Miller traveled to various cities
across the country - seeing America,
according to him.
e Louisville, Mississippi native de-
cided to put his coaching degree to
good use by accepting an oer to be an
assistant at Noxubee County High
School, in 1975. He ended up coaching
three dierent positions - oensive line,
defensive line, and linebackers - before
becoming the defensive coordinator, in
1978.
In 1979, Miller became Noxubee
Countys head coach, a position he held
for the eight years. He decided to take
a job as an assistant at Louisville High
School, in 1987. e Wildcats won two
titles, while Miller was on the sta,
using his attacking style on defense.
I worked under three coaches, and
they all were successful - went to state
championships with all of them, said
Miller
e defensive specialist elected to re-
turn to Noxubee County High School
in 1995, hoping to turn around a pro-
gram that had struggled in his absence.
He won two games his frst year - more
than the Tigers had won the previous
two years. e Tigers had winning sea-
sons, over the next two years, but went
3-8, in 1999.
Coach Miller made a change, around
that time - he scrapped his power-run-
ning philosophy and went to the spread
oense. e Tigers, a team that had
long been defensive-oriented, now be-
came one of the most explosive of-
fenses in the state of Mississippi.
We were going to the spread, right
before Omarr (Conner) came. Before
that, Derrick Harden couldnt throw.
We had to be more of a running team,
then - with Albert Schofeld and
Michael Johnson, Miller said, on going
to the spread oense.
Finally, we had a quarterback that
could throw, in Chris Jones. He got
hurt and Michael had to go back to
quarterback. We had to go back to the
running game.
Chris came back, but he wasnt that
accurate. We moved Omarr up and
moved Chris to receiver. Omarr and
Chris gave us a good combination, and
thats when we opened it up and started
throwing the ball.
Conner started as a freshman and put
together one of the best careers in Mis-
sissippi high school football history.
Omarr could throw and run the ball
very well. We taught him how to read
defenses; it made a big dierence. We
never did have a good oensive line,
but, during that time, it all came to-
gether. We had four or fve receivers; we
had Joey Sanders, Chris Jones, Michael
Johnson, Brandon Tate, and LaMarcus
Windham. It just kept going, as time
went on. Aer Omarr le, (James) Pat-
terson stepped in. We started develop-
ing quarterbacks that could throw the
ball, Miller said.
Noxubee County established a win-
ning tradition from 2000-2002, while
Conner was the quarterback. It was
Millers best collection of talent, during
his years at Noxubee County. He feels
they should have won the state title,
during that era of Noxubee County
football.
at was the best team we had. We
only had four coaches. You got to have
a complete sta. We had the talent. e
coaches we had were coaching too
many positions. Sometimes, I was de-
fensive coordinator and oensive coor-
dinator, stated Miller, in describing
why he never won the state champi-
onship with that team.
Miller had problems flling out his
coaching sta, during the 20-plus years
in Macon, Mississippi.
I never had the coaching sta at
Noxubee I should have had. We never
had more than fve coaches. All the
other schools had nine, ten, eleven
coaches. We were competing with
them. When it got to the playos,
things got tough, said Miller, speaking
about his stang issues.
e Tigers continued to be dominant,
aer Conner graduated, but they didnt
win a state title until 2008.
Miller had sent several players on to
the college ranks. Omarr Conner, Joey
Sanders, Chris Jones, Patrick Patterson,
Vincent Sanders, Deontae Skinner are
just a few of the talented young men
who moved up to the next level. At one
point, 14 of his former players were
playing either Division I or II football.
When you are done playing for me,
I want you to go and play college some-
where. We always had seven or eight
players sign every year, said Miller.
is coaching legend le Noxubee
County, for the fnal time, aer the
2009 season. He took a coaching job at
Miller Has Had A Fall of Fame Career
Courtesy Photo
M.C. Miller, Louisville Wildcats head football coach.
See MILLER Pg. 26
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Harrison Central, but, shortly there-
aer, the hometown Louisville Wild-
cats gave him a call; he couldnt turn
them down.
at was a hard choice to leave Nox-
ubee County and go to Harrison Cen-
tral; they hadnt been winning in
football, period. I like a challenge; I al-
ways could build a team. Aer getting
down there and getting situated for
spring training, I was making more
money, but it was getting taken up in
rent. en, the job in Louisville came
open, a week and half later. e people
at Louisville called me and asked if I
was interested. I was like yeah, stated
Miller, explaining his feelings on leav-
ing Noxubee.
e Wildcats were expected to strug-
gle in 2010, aer losing several seniors.
Miller wasnt scared o by the chatter.
at was my frst year, here. Every-
body was saying the program was
down. ey had lost a bunch of sen-
iors; they said we would be lucky to
win only one or two ball games. I was
like Im going to win more than one or
two. ey were like how many games
you think youre going to win? Im like
if you say we will win two, and then I
will win at least three. We lost the frst
four games, then got on a roll, said
Miller.
e Wildcats fnished 8-5, in 2010,
aer the early struggles - showing
Millers ability to turn around a team.
e young team built o of the 2010
season and went 12-2 in 2011 - getting
put out in the third round of the play-
os.
M.C. Miller has had a special career
- possibly one worthy of the Hall of
Fame. He has never thought about
whether he will receive the honor of
being selected for that prestigious
recognition.
I had a good career. I just like work-
ing with kids. Ive been pretty success-
ful. I work hard at it, Miller said.
Miller hasnt decided when he will re-
tire from the profession, since he still
has that burning desire to coach the
game.
I play it a year at a time. I fgure if I can
go two or three more years. Ive been
coaching for 30 some years. As long as
I can get around, hoop-n-holla, and
raise hell, then I will continue doing it.
I like coaching kids and being around
them, stated Miller.
MILLER cont. from pg. 25
Jeremiah Short
jshort@realstorypublishing.com
Jeremiah Short covers
Mississippi State University
football and basketball.
Follow him on Twitter,
@JeremiahShort26; or join
his Facebook blog, Real Story
Sports: J.Shorts Blog.
Sheri Mike Arledge addresses the Columbus Exchange Club on how proud he is
of the dierent units of the Lowndes County Sheris Department
and their great amount of teamwork.
Columbus
Exchange
Club
This individual is wanted by the Columbus
Police Department for Burglary.
Michael Sparks, 22,
806 8th Street South, Columbus
If you have any information on the location of this
individual, please call Crime Stoppers, 1-800-530-7151.
27
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AUTOMOTIVE
1998 Honda Accord,
motor and 5 speed
transmission, $675.
662-425-9171 after
4:30pm
2001 BMW Z3 Road-
ster 2.5i, automatic,
71.7k miles, $9,500.
662-327-3191
1929 Mercedes Benz
Roadster, Convert-
ible w/ removable
canvas top; Tan &
Brown, Customized
w/ 3 speed auto-
matic transmission,
good tires, recent
tuneup; $9,000. -a
must see. 251-7691
Three rims w/tires to
ft 2001 Dodge Ram
1500 Quad Cab.
$50/ea., obo. 889-
3732
4 tires with rims - al-
most new tires,
came o Pontiac
Sports RAV, $300.
662-7295
BOATS, RVs, ATVs
MOTORCYCLES
Crossroads Cruiser
2005, 32x8, 2 slides.
Very nice for sale by
owner. $14,500, in
great condition. Call
for more info, lo-
cated on on the
Luxapalila River. 662-
242-0786.
2007 Honda Rincon
(680 cc). Excellent
condition, Warn
winch w/front or
rear mount, Kolpin
gun boot, 2wd/4wd
switchable, auto or
electric shift, digital
gauges, garage kept.
$5,000. 386-3467
2007 Tin Allegro
Open Road Class A
RV, 13k miles, 35.5 ft,
3 slides, 2 AC's, 2 TVs,
DVD, automatic lev-
eling jacks, in-mo-
tion satellite, Ford
V-10 engine, glass
shower, no smokers
or pets, garage kept,
showroom condi-
tion. $74,000. 662-
386-3467
2005 5th Wheel
Crossroads Cruiser,
32x8model 29RE, in
great condition! For
sale or rent. On the
Luxapalila River. Call
Dennis, 242-0786.
MISCELLANEOUS
4-5 Loads of oak fre-
wood, $50. You haul.
329-3216
6+10 V-nose en-
closed single axle
trailer, side door,
double doors on
back $2200.00 frm.
662-549-0484
MOVI NG S AL E ! !
HUGE!! May 4th &
5th Lana Lane, Mill-
port, AL, next to Stal-
lion Cove, just over
the state line on
Hwy. 50. Unbeliev-
able amount of
items! Furniture,
household items
from 2 homes,
clothes, etc. Call for
more info, 662-574-
5557.
Wooden dinette set
with 6 chairs, great
shape, $120; large
gray/beige love seat,
like new, used very
little, two large cush-
ions, $60. 329-3216
or 549-3006.
Cherry wood ar-
moire; large fle cab-
inet; pub (tall) table
and chairs (black).
Peggy, 329-0146
Whirlpool natural
gas dryer, white, $50.
328-2851
Need a Free Roof Es-
timate? Call 364-
7202 or 242-2825
14 roof ventilator
$65; food warmer
with 16 trays $375;
commercial duty
Riter Saw 2 1/4 hp
w/bottom cabin
$375; tiller for Club
Cadet tractor 3ft
wide $275; 1 pair
tree climbers w/ belt
$225, obo for each.
CASH ONLY. 662-
570-9279
Corner shower kit,
pan, 39 white fber-
glass walls, 2 glass
panels, glass door,
grab bar. $100. 241-
6595.
JACKET SALE: Kids
NASCAR and Cartoon
Jackets - Buy one at
regular price and get
second one at half
price. LADIES JACK-
ETS - Betty Boop,
Tweety, Diva, M&M,
others, $75. OVER
200 JACKETS IN
STOCK. Come see:
Sibleys Collectibles,
362 Waverley Ferry
Road, Ph: 329-1420.
Open 6 days, 12-5.
PETS & ANIMALS
Lab/Pit Bull puppies,
$40/ea. (4) 425.9171
Staordshire Terrier
Puppies - Blue Fawn
with White mark-
ings, 2 females, 1
male. Sire and Dam
UKC reg. Ready for
pickup. $800. Daniel
901-461-5324 or
662-386-5157.
REAL ESTATE
Lots for sale! Ridge
Lakes in Starkville,
buy one or all, great
investment! Devel-
opment on a lake for
retirees or college
students. Call Dennis
662-242-0786
RV Park on the Lux!
Camp on the river,
full hookups, lots of
room and private!
Minutes from work
or play! Call Dennis
for rates and more
info. Also have
camper for sale or
rent, 662-242-0786
House for rent: 2413
3rd Ave. S.. 3BR/2BA,
$525/mo; $450/de-
posit. 662.425.9071
Downtown apart-
ments for rent - Stu-
dio, 2 BR available.
Furnished and un-
furnished available.
All appliances and
laundry on site.
Priced from $700-
$1000. 574-7176.
HOUSE FOR RENT:
3BR/2 BA, 2413 3rd
Ave. S. (Sandfeld
area). $525/mo,
$450/ deposit. HUD
accepted. 425-9071
Low maintenance,
exceptional quality
throughout, 3 BR, 2
BA, open LR, DR,
kitchen, large sun-
room. Private back
courtyard, secure
neighborhood. Plan-
tation Pointe Estates,
2097 sq.ft. plus
porch and double
garage. Call for an
appointment! 241-
6595.
FOR ALL YOUR REAL
ESTATE NEEDS - call
Sheri Lipsey, ReMax
Real Estate 327-7750
or 662-549-1354
SERVICES
PROVIDED
For your best deals
on topsoil, sand,
gravel, clay, and
crushed concrete for
driveways, parking
pads, etc. Call D&D
Materials for a free
estimate! 662-549-
3431. Pickup or de-
livery!
Need spring clean-
ing all year long? Call
Shelia, 240-8979.
FREE
CLASSIFIEDS!!
GOT SOMETHING
YOU WANT TO SELL?
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TRiVIA ANsWEr: Left
Eighteen Mississippi University for Women
students recently participated in the annual
spring Campus-Wide Alternative Break, a week-
end of intense community service and student
learning.
Sponsored by the MUW Oce of Community
Service, students were selected to attend Alter-
native Break and volunteered in both the
Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Ala. areas, where
they performed a variety of work to beneft tor-
nado victims and those in economic need.
e students worked with the Tuscaloosa Area
Volunteer Reception Center, an organization that
seeks to provide recovery relief for tornado vic-
tims through volunteerism. ey worked for sev-
eral hours and removed debris from two home
lots.
Cassandra Hogue, a sophomore communica-
tions major, said, is experience made me re-
alize that the smallest deed can leave the biggest
impact on someones life. We only picked up
trash and to many, that may not seem like a great
thing, but I know the two homeowners whose
properties were adjacent to the lot were very
grateful and appreciative. e smallest deed can
make a dierence.
eir work continued with the Habitat for Hu-
manity of Greater Birmingham. Students com-
pleted a variety of tasks, including painting,
caulking, hanging siding and building cabinets.
is project not only benefted the students - as
they developed new skills while giving back to
the community - but also Freda Holifeld, the
new homeowner.
A native of Birmingham, Holifeld was thrilled
to be receiving a home.
She said, Being able to upgrade to a home is a
great feeling and accomplishment. My daughter
and I have invested a lot of time into this home
and watching it transform from a lot into a home
is worth every minute.
e construction of Holifelds home began in
February and will be completed within several
weeks.
Although the service portion of the project was
completed, the students also participated in sev-
eral refective activities to consider the skills they
developed; the projects they accomplished and
how the experience aected them, as well as oth-
ers around them; and how they can use that ex-
perience in other aspects of their lives.
e Oce of Community Service sponsors the
Spring Alternative Break, annually, in addition to
other service projects.
Jessica Harpole, MUW coordinator of leader-
ship and service, said, I continue to be amazed
by the spirit of service that lives within our MUW
students. eir gi of time and service will con-
tinue to impact the communities where we
worked, and I know they walked away from the
weekend with a sense of empowerment that will
keep them motivated to serve others.
Students interested in community service
should contact Harpole at jharpole@sa.muw.edu.
MUW Students Volunteer during
Alternative Spring Break
Courtesy Photo
MUW students in front of a Habitat for Humanity home in Birmingham, Ala.
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