RSP 05.30.12

2
EditorsNote
by Joseph B. St. John

Editor-in-Chief
FROM THE EDITOR
EDITORIAL
stjohnjb@realstorypublishing.com
J.B. ST. JOHN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Unfortunately, You Can Get Too Much of a Good Thing
May 30, 2012
JEREMIAH SHORT
SPORTS WRITER
jshort@realstorypublishing.com
rparlato@realstorypublishing.com kate@realstorypublishing.com ashaw@realstorypublishing.com
KATE SPENCER AIMEE SHAW

WRITERS
RON PARLATO
FEATURE COLUMNISTS
REALSTORYPUBLISHING.COM
INVINO VERITAS MEAGAN M. ONAN CANDI VEZINA MELINDA DUFFIE CLARE MALLORY MOLLY MURPHREE JOYCE SHAW WHITE TORI HAWKINS WHIT HARRINGTON PAIGE CANIDA-GREENE
dmahoney@realstorypublishing.com
Isaac Ike Haynes
Pamela T. Henson
Martha Liddell
Editors Note: Although Columbus Municipal School District Board President Tommie Prude has announced that a new superintendent has been selected, an ocial announcement identifying that individual has not been made, due to the necessity of resolving some legal issues. In the case of the Columbus Municipal School Districts (CMSD) search for a superintendent, it could be said that they "almost got it right". ey found three outstanding candidates and, for a time, it looked like they were going to set the standard to which all other boards should aspire. Unfortunately, Friday night occurred, and all hope for consistency was lost. e Real Story had made the editorial decision to send a dierent reporter to cover each night's events. Whit Harrington was covering Isaac "Ike" Leon Haynes Jr. Paige Canida-Greene reported on Dr. Pamela Taylor Henson and yours truly was to cover Dr. Martha Liddell. I would then tie all the articles together and make one nice, clean report. But, much to my chagrin, it did not end up being that simple. I observed Tuesday's process and it was as smooth as any citizen could hope for, as the board performed admirably. On ursday, Paige and Real Story employee Kate Spencer, observed the proceedings and found it so orderly that it was almost boring - which may be the highest compliment an organization can receive, when conducting an employee hiring process. On Friday, while having lunch at one of my favorite locally-owned restaurants, I ran into two good friends, and the talk turned, quickly, to the superintendent search. I expressed my amazement that the process had been so orderly, and all of us agreed that it was, indeed, a good thing for the city that this process had been so clean and polished. And, then Friday night happened. I had spoken too soon. First, it should be noted that Dr. Liddell is an outstanding leader and that any school district that hires her to be their leader will be blessed. She is fiery, dedicated and determined to get the job done. She can be overtly aggressive and charmingly soothing, simultaneously - which is no easy task. On Friday night, these attributes shined through. During her fieen-minute presentation", which lasted an hour, Dr. Liddell clearly laid out her plan and agenda for the CMSD. And, that is where the School Board let the train come o the tracks. Having participated in a number of these hiring and promotional processes, I operate under the assumption that, if I am not being stopped, I am to continue. Dr. Liddell received the unspoken go ahead for her PowerPoint presentation, when no one on the board took the initiative to enforce the time restrictions. And, with that decision, all concepts of fairness and order were destroyed. Quicker than Drowning Pool could sing, "Let the Bodies Hit the Floor", the idea that all of the interviews would be conducted in a fair and timely manner was crushed like a small bug on a pizza car delivering papers. at hope was over. Liddell wooed the partisan crowd with her "go for it" attitude. Starting o strong, she plowed through her presentation and even confronted the ghost of Del Phillips and the ever-expanding school budget of the past few years. She did it with charm, wit and flair. It just should have been accomplished in the hour and fieen minutes that the other two candidates received. Looking over at a citizen sitting beside me, I could see the same confusion on her face. She had watched the other two candidates, and she had the same what the &%## look that I am sure that I had on my face. Aer the hour was up, the board began their questions, aer a strange comment from Board President Tommy Prude: "at was a strange way to keep time." e crowd laughed, and that was the problem. Friday night belonged to Dr. Liddell. She was preaching to the home team and they loved her! Regrettably, it is the people outside the stadium who are circling, like sharks in the water, that are going to be the problem. For the few inside the room, as well as others out in the community, who want Dr. Liddell to fail, here is their chance to open the wound and let the feeding frenzy begin. I am sure that there are voices already clamoring that she got an unfair advantage. I can hear the echoes of See, I told you it was rigged; she did not even have to follow the rules. ere you go Marge. Just another snow job from the city. And, the greatest loser in all of this was Dr. Liddell, herself. She is a super-qualified candidate, and needs no assistance. She just needed a board that kept the playing field level. Aer the one-hour-and-fieen-minute time limit, I discontinued taking notes. It did not seem fair. e boards questions were moot; their concerns hollow; and their authority impotent. ey had lost the biggest race many of them will ever be in. Aer the meeting, I spoke with Board President Tommy Prude and asked him about the situation. He was honest and contrite, as he always is. When asked if anyone would question the decision to let Dr. Liddell speak an extra forty-five minutes, he simply stated, "I am sure they will. But, what she was saying was relevant, so I did not stop her." And, therein lies the dilemma waiting in the shark tank - waiting like a small drop of blood, soon to fully bloom to an open wound. Let's hope this cut doesn't allow the sharks to destroy a fantastic person!
DICK MAHONEY
GUEST FEATURE WRITER
ART & PRODUCTION

ART/LAYOUT DIRECTOR
ashaw@realstorypublishing.com
AIMEE SHAW
PHOTOGRAPHERS
MOLLY MURPHREE
jchapman@realstorypublishing.com
JASON CHAPMAN
molly@realstorypublishing.com
clynch@realstorypublishing.com
CINDY LYNCH
ADVERTISING
CUSTOMER SERVICE PUBLISHER
kate@realstorypublishing.com
KATE SPENCER J.B. ST. JOHN
ads@realstorypublishing.com info@realstorypublishing.com letters@realstorypublishing.com classifieds@realstorypublishing.com subscriptions@realstorypublishing.com
CONTACT US:
THE REAL STORY

Editorial Advertising P. O. Box 403 Columbus, MS 39703 662.497.2914 662.574.3893
ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO COMPROMISE
Check for daily updates online: http://realstorypublishing.com Facebook.com/rspublishing
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
Dont miss an issue!

$19.95 for 6 Months $34.95 for 12 Months
__________
Dont Miss An Issue... Subscribe Online!

Or send your payment and address information to: P.O. Box 403 Columbus, MS 39703
Joseph B. St. John MoJo
A Sharp Candidate for Columbus Schools Superintendent
Watch Out!
a recitation of his budgeting success at Jeerson Davis. In June of 2007, the district was in the negative by $2,000,000.00. By June 30th, 2011, the budget was $4,799,284.66 in the positive. Board Vice President, Currie Fisher had the first question. How did you bring Jeerson Davis deficit to its current balance? Mr. Haynes responded, "First, I look at the situation. I use three types of plans, a short-term budget, a long-term budget and a no-term budget. If the budget is over 79%, I dont allow any more spending. Im very conservative, in order to generate revenue. He went on to reiterate, as he did throughout the interview, that the children always come first, and all decisions will be made with them in mind. Board Secretary, Aubra Turner asked, If the district is not concerned, how do you demonstrate concern? Mr. Haynes confidently responded, I will not wait for the parents to engage me. I will make it my purpose to engage them. We have to make them feel welcome, because they are partners. I want to have parent meetings at churches and places they feel comfortable. ey should never feel unwelcome. My door will always be open. Another member of the board, Glenn Lautzenhiser inquired about raising student achievement. Mr. Haynes stated firmly, Mediocrity is not acceptable. We will use data from test scores, and what were doing right and what were doing wrong, to design programs for quality instruction and aer-school reading. e better readers we have, the better they will be in all subjects. Prude questioned Mr. Haynes on what the relationship should be between the board and the superin-
tendent. He answered, We have to work as partners and everyone should be held accountable. We have to make sure that the goals set by the board are met. Mr. Prude then asked Haynes how he had dealt with contrary board members, in the past. e crowd laughed, as he replied, Every board member is a wonderful person. In his response, Mr. Haynes displayed a sense of humor, along with his sharp mind and sense of duty. Aubra Turner, board secretary, asked what he would do about the epidemic of bullying. Haynes swily responded, Bullying is a national phenomenon. It causes children to be distracted from school. It is a major issue, and this is what Ive done at Jeerson Davis. I investigate every case personally. I have a system in which I give teachers a bully report. I put these in a file and give them individual attention. When asked about lack of male role models, he listed himself as one. Isaac Ike Haynes answered every question with determination and confidence. He knew every area of town, peoples names and even went to church at Mt. Zion, where the board president is a pastor. Other superintendent candidates should watch out. is man is hot.
CMSD SUPERINTENDENT INTERVIEWS
e first candidate to be interviewed for the position of superintendent of the Columbus Municipal School District was Isaac Ike Haynes, who currently serves as the superintendent of the Jeerson Davis County School District, in Prentiss, Mississippi. Mr. Haynes is the first African-American to be elected to superintendent of the Jeerson Davis School District. He graduated from the Harvard Superintendent Academy and brought his current school district out of a dire financial situation. He appeared before the Columbus Schools Board and selected members of the Citizens Committee, as well as community members.
Tommy Prude, president of the board, started the meeting by stating that there would be a fieenminute presentation, followed by an hour of questions by the board, only. e professionalism of the board made for a well organized and timely public interview.
May 30, 2012
Mr. Haynes started his presentation with his mission statement, Ill provide quality education for every child. He elaborated further, stating, Reading will be at the top of my list. Ill provide teachers with what they need. Everyone from the cafeteria workers to the teachers will be expected to maintain an excellent performance. He ended his presentation with
Whit Harrington
whit@realstorypublishing.com
Whit Harrington is a Marine Corps veteran, who has a B.A. in English (creative writing) from Texas State University. He enjoys reading, and has been a working drummer for the past eight years.
Henson Calm Under Pressure

Editors Note: Unfortunately, Dr. Pamela Henson has withdrawn from the superintendent search process, due to a death in her family. e Columbus Municipal School District resumed interviews for superintendent, this past ursday, with candidate Dr. Pamela T. Henson of Bay Minette, Alabama. Henson is currently Director of Instructional Support for Baldwin County Public Schools.
sult of those excursions, she developed a curriculum and would take her students into elementary schools to share their knowledge and experiences. In 1994, Henson was awarded the Christa McAulie Fellowship. She le the classroom for a year and traveled around the country as a science resource person. She was named Alabama Teacher of the Year in 1997, whereupon she le the classroom to travel the state of Alabama. Aer her term as Teacher of the year expired, she did not return to the classroom, but instead moved into administration, where she supervised science teachers until 2004. In 2004, she le administration and moved into a directors position, with the responsibility for curriculum programs in preK through 12th grade; special education programs for pre-K through 12th grade; career technical education; federal programs; the textbook warehouse; and the attendance department and dropout prevention program. Henson managed over 50 individuals in her department, as well as 100 other individuals who report to her directly.
In 2010, Henson attended the Superintendents Academy, sponsored by the University of Alabama. e program provides training in finance, law, instructional leadership, technology, diversity, and communication. During her presentation, she mentioned the names of successful individuals who graduated from Baldwin County schools, including Apple CEO Tim Cook. See HENSON Pg. 4
Henson is impressive, and articulates as well as she dresses, which is well. She did not miss a beat, as she handled questions from the board with confidence, ease, and, at times, with a sense of humor. Her passion for students and education was clear.
A fieen-minute presentation turned into twenty minutes, as Henson shared a long list of her career accomplishments in the Alabama school system.
She began her profession as a middle school science teacher and, aer seven years, went on to teach marine biology in a high school. Her passion for rain forests led her to grant writing, which enabled her to take groups of students into the rain forests, as well as to make some solo trips to the Amazon, Africa, and Australia. As a re-
NEWS/COMMENTARY
City of Columbus Awarded $400,000 Brownfields Grant

e City of Columbus has been awarded $400,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields grant program to conduct a community-wide environmental site assessment in three target areas of our community. Since the economic downturn in 2008, the city has lost several major employers, driving the citys unemployment rate up to 16.7%. e loss of jobs has resulted in 25% of the population being without health insurance and almost 26% of Columbus residents living in poverty. Areas of the city are marked with large vacant buildings and derelict properties that have increasingly been used for the manufacture of controlled substances. e brownfields assessment funds would assist the City in clearing these properties for redevelopment; adding jobs in our community; and driving out illegal drug manufacturers and associated crime, all of which will lead to a better quality of life for a very concerned citizenry. e City has targeted three areas in Columbus: Yorkville Park is a struggling industrial park on the southeast side of Columbus, with six properties at which the City hopes to encourage new industrial development; the Warehouse District abuts downtown Columbus, the Mississippi University for Women, and a low-income neighborhood. is area has nearly 20 vacant buildings and numerous vacant lots le by a 2002 tornado. e City has targeted eleven properties in the Warehouse District for commercial development and aordable housing; e Island was once the industrial district of the city. e exodus of industry from e Island le burned, derelict, and crumbling buildings and industrial facilities. e City has identified nine properties in e Island area for light industrial and mixed-use redevelopment. Although the twenty-six targeted properties are priority for the City of Columbus, this Community-Wide Brownfields Assessment grant will allow the City to clear for redevelopment other potentially contaminated sites, which include land uses such as railroad maintenance, agribusiness, and the numerous leaking underground storage tank sites scattered throughout the target areas. Eliminating brownfields properties as a source for contamination will protect local residents, especially children and senior citizens.
May 30, 2012
Special to e Real Story
Aer four months of publishing print editions, I am proud to say that I could never have asked for a better team. We are oen imitated, but never duplicated. In just 17 issues, we have set standards that would make companies years older envious. is could not be done without a very hard-working team.
Aimee Shaw is, without a doubt, one of the greatest graphic designers in the state of Mississippi. Her hard work and dedication have separated our publication from the competition. Cindy Lynch has headed up ad sales
and will be doing more in marketing, in the near future. Debbie Johnson delivers the paper tirelessly and with great vigor. Our sales are increasing, every day, and we are proud of their accomplishments. Add newcomers Kate Spencer, Melinda Due, Meagan ONan and Claire Mallory and the business side is in good hands. We can never forget our writers and photographers: Molly Murphree, Jeremiah Short, Ron Parlato, Invino Veritas, Candi Vezina, Joyce Shaw White, Tori Hawkins, Whit Harrington, Paige Canida-Greene, Jason Chapman and
Dick Mahoney. Without them, there is no paper. But, most of all, I must thank our readers and advertisers. You are the bread and butter that make our paper roll. You are the reason we exist. And, we will keep our promise to be a paper that you could send to anywhere in the world and be proud; a paper that is well-craed, intellectually sound and a pleasurable, professional read. at is our goal every week. And, we pledge to keep that fire burning for years to come. MoJo
HENSON cont. from pg. 3

e boards question-and-answer period lasted approximately one hour. Although there was some redundancy to some of the questions, with others being pointed in tone, but she handled each with calmness and grace. roughout this portion of the interview, Henson exhibited poise, a sense of strategy, and an aura of engagement.
Henson assured the board that her strong work ethic would make a dierence in the district. Her passion for education, children, and the community make her a strong contender for the position of Superintendent. e board will make their decision sometime next week, with feedback from the citizen committee factoring into the decision. On this evening, only 11 of citizen committee members were on-hand to provide written feed-
back, which consisted of a list of 20 questions, that were each to be rated on a 1-10 scale. Board President Tommy Prude indicated that the only situation in which a decision would not be reached by next week, would be if a run-o became necessary to decide between any two of the candidates. is, in turn, could lead to another public forum. Both nominees, thus far, revealed depth and competence, both of them inspiring. is person (referring to Henson) was really, experienced, selfassured, very knowledgeable, and a pleasure to listen to, also, said Prude.
Whoever is chosen superintendent, it is important to remember that the responsibility for the childrens success also lies with the parents to be involved with their childrens education.
As Henson stated, It takes a village to raise a child.
Paige Canida-Greene
paige@realstorypublishing.com
Paige Canida-Greene is a senior communications major (theatre minor) at Mississippi University for Women, and lives in Columbus.
Emaciated Dogs Seized Special Meetings Announced

If you own any animals, not just dogs, make sure they have plenty of fresh, clean water available to them at all times, and that they have a shady place to get out of the sun. Do not over-exercise your dogs during the summer, and keep them inside on the super-hot days. NEVER leave them inside a parked car! If you must keep your dog chained outside, do not keep them on concrete, gravel or asphalt, as the heat can burn sensitive paws, and cause the dogs to overheat quickly. We hope to have more information on this story in our next issue, so please stay tuned.
NEWS/COMMENTARY
On Monday, May 21st, Lowndes County Animal Control received a tip from an anonymous caller, concerning the welfare of several pit bulls near a vacant mobile home, located at 63 Freeman Road in Caledonia. irteen pit bulls were found on the property, and all but a mother dog and her two puppies were extremely emaciated. ere was absolutely no evidence that the dogs had been used for fighting, and they were not vicious.
SPECIAL MEETING THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBUS, MS MAY 31, 2012 6:00 P.M.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Columbus will have a Public Forum. e meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., ursday, May 31, 2012, in the Columbus Municipal Complex Courtroom, located at 1501 Main Street, Columbus, MS, as Ordered by the Mayor and City Council. e following topics will be discussed: Neighborhood Watch So Ordered, on this the 22nd Day of May, 2012. As determined by the Mayor and City Council
SPECIAL MEETING THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBUS, MS JUNE 4, 2012 6:00 P.M.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Columbus will have a Public Forum. e meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, June 4, 2012, in the Columbus Municipal Complex Courtroom, located at 1501 Main Street, Columbus, MS, as Ordered by the Mayor and City Council. e following topics will be discussed: Redistricting So Ordered, on this the 22nd Day of May, 2012. As determined by the Mayor and City Council
e owner, Brad Baird, was located and met the animal control ocer, Captain Billy Woods, and Chief Deputy Marc Miley at the property. Mr. Baird said that he did not live at that location, but fed the dogs every day. However, it was clear from the condition of the dogs that this was not true. Mr. Baird voluntarily signed over the dogs to the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society. e charge for animal cruelty could lead to up to six months in jail, and a $1,000 fine. e case is still under investigation by Lowndes County Animal Control.
May 30, 2012
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.
Six-week old Pekin ducks pose for a photo.
Find out more about this beautiful camel, Joe, and many more rescued animals in one of our future issues
NEWS/COMMENTARY
Are You Sure That You Are Safe?

As you all know, our area has seen a recent increase in the number of home burglaries. As a homeowner or renter, you should act responsibly, by taking the initiative to secure your homes and property from the. ere are a number of ways to make you home safer. Make sure that your property has security lights. Homes that are well-lit, at night, are less likely to be broken into, because the thief can be seen more easily. Check and secure all windows in your home. Make sure that the windows are completely closed and locked, at all times. If you have a window air conditioner, have the surrounding opening in the window enclosed properly and securely. is will lessen the likelihood that a thief can remove the air conditioner easily. All shrubs and trees around your property should be maintained weekly. Keep them trimmed, so that a person cannot hide behind them aer dark. If possible, fence your property in. It is harder for a person to get away, if there is a fence to jump. Also, having a dog in your yard that will bark and alert you to strangers is a form of protection. ieves are less likely to climb a fence with the sound of a large barking dog coming from the other side. Keep the doors of all vehicles locked, even if they are parked in your carport. Do not leave any items in plain sight, in your vehicle. is only encourages a thief to break into it. Also, when you leave your home, at night, check the rear seats, before you enter your vehicle, to make sure that no one is hiding there, in the dark. When you are shopping, whether you are going to the mall or making a quick should be securely locked, at all times. It is best to add a deadbolt lock to your door, to make it more secure. Never leave extra keys anywhere outside, around the doors. ieves will search the closest surrounding area for these extra keys. When you are at home, whether you are there alone or with others, never leave your doors open. In the length of time it stop at a convenience store, always lock your doors, when you exit the vehicle even if you will only be away from the vehicle for five minutes. Never leave your vehicle running and unlocked. If you have garden or lawn equipment in your yard, it is best to store it in a locked shed. Any items le outdoors are a target for the thief. Do not make it easy for these items to be picked up and carried away. Every door of your home that opens to the out side takes for you to step into another room, someone can easily enter your home without you hearing them, and they can be hidden inside the home, waiting for you to reenter the room. When you are returning to your vehicle, have your car keys in your hand before you reach your vehicle. is will may it easier for you to enter your car, quickly, and not have to search for the key. Always put your bags, purchases, and other valuable items in your vehicle trunk. If you exit a building and the parking area is dark, it is best to have someone walk with you. If you have no one near you, look all around the area, for any suspicious persons. en, walk quickly to your vehicle, and do not stop to speak with anyone. Women should always keep their purses closed and clutched closely in front of them. Men should always check to make sure that their wallets are pushed snugly inside their pant pocket and not half-way in, which is an easy target for pickpockets. Keep your children close to you when out in public. Never let them wander away from you, inside stores, or when walking across parking lots. Years ago, most people never had to lock their doors or secure their tools, or lock up their lawn equipment. In those days, people could leave their doors unlocked, all night, while they slept, and never worried about someone breaking into their homes. But, times have changed. Now, people need to secure everything, in order to keep themselves and their property safe from thieves. Always keep in mind that someone could be watching you, your family, and your property, at any time. Be alert and aware of new people in your area. Get to know your neighbors, so that each of you can watch out for any suspicious activity going on, when the other is away from home. When you notice a person or a vehicle, in your area, that you have not seen before, call 911 and request that an ocer be dispatched to your area, to check on the person or vehicle. It is better to be safe than sorry. It doesn't hurt to call and report strange things in your area. Who knows, your one call may be the only call received and it may be the call that stops a thief in your neighborhood. Remember, keep your eyes on your surroundings and be alert at all times. If you notice that things have been moved or that a door or window appears to have been pried at, do not touch the area; immediately call 911 and make a report. If homeowners were more alert and would take a few minutes to secure their items in a safe place, there would be fewer homes burglarized. Do not give a thief the opportunity to take what you have worked so hard to obtain.
May 30, 2012
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.
Religion in America is Big Business and Should Not Be Tax-Exempt

e New York Times has hosted an online debate, to discuss the issue of religious tax exemption. is exemption is misguided and oen abused, and in this time of fiscal scrutiny, should be discontinued. e IRS has published A History of the Tax-Exempt Sector and in it they give the original justification for the policy voluntarism. ey cite Alexis de Tocqueville: I have frequently admired the endless skill with which the inhabitants of the United States manage to set a common aim and to persuade them to pursue it voluntarily. Before there were public service programs government-sponsored health care, education, and social welfare churches provided these services, and still should. One of the Times debaters cited Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, for another insight into government policy: Religious groups provide a critical buer against the power of government, and religious autonomy has oen served as a shield against oppressive civil laws. Churches and other tax-exempt institutions should remain free from the political influences of the government and the IRS. Congress can change tax laws at any time, and if churches were not taxexempt, they might be subject to oppression: In 1890, Kentucky State Representative Whittaker summed up the sentiment nicely, when he said, Let an untaxed Gospel be preached, in an untaxed church house, from an untaxed pulpit; let the emblem of a crucified, but risen Christ be administered from an untaxed altar, and, as the spire points heavenward, . . . let it stand forever untaxed. (TownHall.com) e "intangible benefit" theory of tax exemption highlights the intangible and oen unseen benefits provided by churches to the community: reduced crime rates, resulting from transformed lives: suicides prevented, when people surrender to Christ; and See RELIGION Pg. 7
Another observer, a legal counsel for the Baptist Church, has added yet another dimension:
RELIGION cont. from pg. 6

people with destructive behavioral patterns that harm the community changing into hard-working and virtuous citizens, who contribute to the well-being of the community (TownHall.com). e churches insist on their rights to view social and political issues through a religious lens. Homosexuality, abortion, and contraception are against Gods law, so they are well within their rights to fight these issues. Gods law always trumps Mans; but, do churches step over the church-state line, when they enter a public arena? In 2007, Senator Charles Grassley initiated an investigation of six televangelists, asking them to disclose their organizations compensation plans, spending practices, assets and business arrangements. e investigation was prompted by complaints that these ministers live lavish lifestyles, with multi-million dollar homes and private jets. In 2011, Grassley concluded that he could find no wrongdoing, because most of the ministries refused to voluntarily turn over documentation or appear before Congress. Grassley was unable to pursue his investigations largely because of the special status accorded to churches: Religious organizations do not have to prove they are doing charitable work and automatically receive tax exempt status from the IRS. Religious organizations do not have to inform the public of what assets the organization has, what their annual income and expenses are, etc e IRS has special rules that make initiating an audit of churches, mosques, synagogues and other religious entities more dicult than with other secular non-profits. K-12 schools run by religious organizations (Secular Coalition for America) Religion in America is first and foremost a business a big business and it is aorded special status and protections that no other enterprise enjoys. In conclusion, since religion is a business, churches should no longer be afforded a tax exemption. If they are businesses, then let them compete like businesses. Congregants should either throw extra change in the basket on Sundays, to make up for taxes, or turn to lowbudget discount store-fronts. is alternative would challenge the most suspect mega-churches, while allowing religion to flourish, and would force churches to compete in the do-good marketplace
I think that this last justification gets as close as any to the real reason for continuing the exemption. America is one of the most religious nations on earth; and the evangelizing mission of most Christian churches should not only be protected, but promoted.
Rogers Wins Dining Services Logo Contest

Ernest Rogers Jr., a May graduate of Mississippi University for Women, has added another credit to his portfolio. e Crawford natives submission was chosen as the winner of the logo contest for Dining Services at Mississippi University for Women. Rogers design will appear on uniforms, stationery, signage, etc., as Sodexo seeks to brand Dining Services to the campus community. I tried to keep it simple and eective and incorporate the school colors, Rogers said about the design. e contest was open to students, faculty and sta of MUW and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, and participants only had a few days to come up with a design. A review committee selected the winning submission. As part of the branding process, Terry Woodard, district manager for Sodexo, said, We needed to come up with a design that speaks to the students. Roy Platt, interim director for Sodexo Dining Services, added that the logo affirms the partnership between the two entities. We need to be perceived as an integral part of the students lives. In addition to his design appearing on Dining Services communications in the fall, Rogers won a Kindle Fire. It was an honor to win, he said, about ending his time at MUW on a high note. Rogers is a designer at e Commercial Dispatch and also does freelance work. He won the poster design contest for the 2011 Market Street Festival and was the runner-up in the Cotton District Arts Festival. He also won the 2010 Empty Bowls Competition.
NEWS/COMMENTARY
ere are just as many arguments as to why churches should not receive tax exemption. e Teapot Atheist debunks the myth of special status, saying they are nothing more than businesses: ey have salaried employees; mission statements; they compete with other churches for market share; many of them sell products; they own property; and some run profits in the millions. Some churches, like the Catholic and Anglican churches, closely parallel the franchise model
May 30, 2012
e critic attacks the other principle of church exemption good works by saying that churches do very little, in comparison with individuals and other voluntary organizations: ere are many large religious charities (like the Salvation Army) and secular charities (like Doctors Without Borders) that do all kinds of important charitable works, but individual churches, by and large, do not do anything on nearly such a scale. OVO, an Oregon public interest group, summarizes the case against church taxexemption: Since there is no definition of religion to dierentiate real religious organizations from fake ones, decisionmaking for or against tax exemption is arbitrary. As importantly, religious organizations rarely make contributions to their community that are proportional to the amount they are awarded in tax breaks; nor are they held accountable for their programs. Of these, the definition issue is by far the most important. e Church of Scientology fought a long 26-year battle with the IRS, but, in 1993, the Church was awarded tax-exempt status because it convinced the courts that it was indeed, a church. e Church argued in court that it provided a much-needed spiritual refuge and an oer of enlightenment. e government argued for Christianity.
Congratulations, Ernest!
Perhaps the strongest argument against church tax-exemption is that, since churches are almost always political, they should not be tax-exempt. e Catholic Churchs engagement with government on public policy (contraception), or the obvious and deliberate use of the fundamentalist Christian pulpit to rail against socialism, gay rights, family values, and individual liberties, are examples.
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.
MY MS STORY
My MS Story
ere are 2 little letters that changed my life forever: MS. Does anyone know what they represent? No, in this case, I am not referring to Mississippi. ose 2 letters are the abbreviation for the disease Multiple Sclerosis. Many people have never heard of MS before and probably dont know anyone with it. I think the first time I ever heard of MS was when Richard Pryor was diagnosed with it, in 1986. I saw the movie Harlem Nights, in 1989, and he didnt look sick. By the time the early 90s came around, he was confined to a wheelchair and used a motorized scooter to remain mobile. is was my first introduction to Multiple In Sclerosis. 1992, Annette Funicello announced that she had MS. I dont know when she was diagnosed with it, but she went public to end rumors that her walking impairment was due to alcoholism. It was just human-interest stu that you hear about and file away, so that one day you can reach into the back of your mind and pull it out to answer a trivia question of some kind. Fast forward to November of 2001, I was having trouble with my eyes. ey just felt weird. Even watching TV became dicult. I had to turn my head slightly sideways and look out of the corner of my eyes, for the picture to look right. I didnt even realize I was compensating for my visual deficit. Actually, I didnt even realize that I had a vision deficit! I was sitting in the car, outside the bank, looking at a billboard, when it occurred to me that I was seeing double. As soon as I got back home, I made an appointment with the optometrist, because I thought I needed glasses. I got an appointment, the next day. e optometrist had a sense of humor, because he said I had perfect vision except that I saw two of everything. He said there were a couple of things that could be causing my double vision: a brain tumor or Multiple Sclerosis (MS). As you can imagine, I was stunned. I had zeroed in on brain tumor. He referred me to an ophthalmologist. I had an appointment with an ophthalmologist, the very next day. He echoed what the optometrist told me, and scheduled me for an MRI, later that day. I had the MRI, and the waiting game began. It was a Friday aernoon, so I was going to have to wait all weekend long to get my results. It was going to be a long weekend. On Saturday morning, my regular doctor called me (this terrified me, because he didnt work weekends, EVER) and said the MRI didnt show any tumors (whew, what a huge relief) BUT (dont you just hate those conversations where but is the segue to something bad) it did reveal some lesions on my brain. ese lesions are typically seen in people with MS. Monday morning, I had an appointment with a neurologist. Lucky me; I needed a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). e next day, he called with my results. e fluid was positive for specific types of proteins associated with MS. I had my diagnosis. e waiting game was over. Yay! I dont have a brain tumor, but I have MS. What is it? Oh yeah, I heard about that disease, before. I had to pull up that trivia information that I stored a long time ago, because it just might be useful during a trivia game. Hmmmm, I never thought that I might get MS. I guess that information I heard about, years ago, turned out to be not so trivial aer all. e only thing I knew about MS, at that time, was that Richard Pryor and Annette Funicello had it. I knew that it was a disease, but that was all I knew. Okay, so what happens to me, now? is is where my personal journey with MS begins. If you dont mind, I would like for you to come with me. Along the way, I hope you can learn a little about my disease - my MS.
Caledonia Sewer Rates to Increase

Citizens of Caledonia are expected to experience higher sewer bills, eective June 1, 2012, that could see the sewer rates rise to half of what their water bill is. For example, if your water bill is $20.00, your sewer bill may rise to $10.00, making your total sewer and water bill $30.00. All Caledonia residents are urged to attend the next Town Hall meeting, on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 7 p.m.
May 30, 2012
e Real Story Sta Report
Porkchop, naps with his pit bull buddy, Sadie Lady.
Candi Vezina
Candi is involved with several community groups. She enjoys doing things for others and spending time with her family.
ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO compromise
Corner of Community Road & Waverly Ferry Road
A Star Is Born
United Way of Lowndes County Seeks Community Input

Residents of Lowndes County have an opportunity to share their insight, experience and opinions by participating in a community-wide needs assessment being conducted by United Way of Lowndes County. e survey focuses on areas of human services and quality of life, and how needs can best be responded to through local non-profit service organizations. e last comprehensive study of this type in Lowndes County was conducted from 1992-93 by the Junior Auxiliary of Columbus. e project was funded by a venture grant provided by United Way of Lowndes County, which also served as a resource throughout the process. United Way of Lowndes County is moving towards a Community Impact funding model which will require organizations to provide goals with measurable outcomes that address current and emerging needs. e primary focus areas will be education, health, income, crisis intervention and disaster relief, stated Sarah McAnally Heinkel, chair of the United Ways Allocations Committee. In addition to raising funds for local service organizations that undergo a very comprehensive annual application process, United Way of Lowndes County is an indispensable resource and collaborator in developing community-wide services, initiatives and outreach that are responsive to the needs of people and families who live in Columbus and Lowndes County, added Heinkel. e on-line survey will be supplemented by hard copies that will be avail-
NEWS/COMMENTARY
of Lowndes County
able at participating local non-profit service and health agencies, neighborhood centers and businesses. Focus groups - comprised of community leaders, educators, health care providers, law enforcement, service organization professionals and others - will be asked for their input. e survey and the work of focus groups are crucial to developing a strategic plan for funding organizations that serve Lowndes County, noted Jan Ballard, executive director of United Way of Lowndes County. With the communitys help, well be better informed about the existing strengths and assets of our community, as well as gaps and redundancies in services. Well have an increased capacity to bring organizations and resources together to collaborate on solutions to some of the most pressing needs and issues. To participate in the survey, visit unitedwaylowndescounty.org and click on the survey link. For a printed version, contact United Way of Lowndes County at 662-328-0943.
May 30, 2012
Wouldnt it be nice to travel back in time, to the days before the huge chain stores took over our shopping experience? It would be so lovely to be able to run a few errands without having to set aside an entire day to go through the process, to get fresh meat and produce from a friendly and helpful sta, and, in the end, not have to stand in a line that seems as long as one for tickets to see Lady GaGa! Well, travel no further than Aberdeen, Mississippi, and you will find just such a place - e Big Star.
Je and Susan Doty reopened this long-standing grocery store, recently, and are bringing back the hometown family-owned experience. ey are doing so by oering quality merchandise, with a personal touch. e Dotys did not want to simply buy a grocery store and let other people run it for them; they wanted the full experience. Which is why, if you stop in at e Big Star, you will most likely find Je and Susan hard at work.
doors. Every item is in its proper place, and you can find things without needing a map! But, of course, if you cannot find what you are looking for, there is always a helpful employee around to point you in the right direction. e Dotys are definitely an inspiration to anyone who appreciates hometown pride and family values. You can just tell how much tender love and care has gone into this project, and how much e Big Star means, not only to the Dotys, but also to the community of Aberdeen. So, the next time that you are in the area, stop in and check it out. Je and Susan will be happy to have you. e Big Star Aberdeen is located at 118 North Meridian Street, in Aberdeen, Mississippi.
e Dotys are striving to create a hometown grocery store, with hometown ways. is is quite obvious, when you enter and are immediately welcomed by the homey atmosphere of this Aberdeen landmark. ough it is a full grocery with everything you need, you do not feel overwhelmed when you walk through the sliding
Tori Hawkins
tori@realstorypublishing.com
Tori is a native of Columbus, who studied communications at MS State University.
10
NEWS/COMMENTARY
The Election Takes a Obamas Support for Gay Turn for the Fabulous Marriage Sparks Debate
Unless you've been living under a rock or are extremely anti-media, it would be hard not to know that President Obama came out of the closet - to admit he's a Democrat - in support of same-sex marriage. is is note-worthy for a few reasons: he is the first President to ever vocalize support for legalizing gay marriage; he's about to start a re-election campaign in a political climate that's about as supportive of him as it is of naming Octo-mom Secretary of Defense; and his opponent, the robot programmed as Mitt Romney, as the governor of Massachusetts, issued 189 same-sex marriage licenses, while standing by his Charlton Heston-esque statement of 3,000 years has defined marriage as a man and a woman. is week, aer Obama came out, Romney had to fight back and said a very odd thing. He first said that samesex couples adopting children was just peachy with him, but marriage was not; then, when the hammer of Falwell or whatever evangelical threats came at him, he retracted that statement, saying that he really just meant that he was aware that same-sex couples adopted children, but stood by his original or 2nd or 3rd opinion, that marriage should only exist between a man and a woman. I believe the term flip-flop will apply to more than the annual Old Navy sale, this year, if this pattern continues. Here is what I genuinely do not understand: I have no problem with people having a moral opinion based in religion or values or what Ann Coulter told you to think. at's fine, but when you say this should be an issue le to the states, and then you immediately counter that statement with the idea of an actual Constitutional amendment defining marriage - that's when the Twilight Zone theme starts to resonate in my head. I'm a married, heterosexual 34-year old woman. If same-sex couples are allowed to marry, I have no worries about my marriage being weakened or cheapened or subject to a Newlywed Gamestyle situation, where we have to prove that we really know and love each other. If you need to define marriage, I think you might have bigger issues than that. I find it almost laughable that - in a time when unemployment is still skyhigh; gas prices that aect us work-a-day schmoes continue to rise for no concrete reason; kindergarten students have to take clear backpacks to school, for fear of Timmy packing an Uzi - were still actually having this discussion. Fiy years ago - especially in the South - interracial marriage would've been unthinkable, and yet, here we are, having creeped and crawled into somewhat of a progression in that area. Love, as a quality, is one of the best that we, as human beings, have to oer. It can almost cancel out all of the other reprehensible stu we do to one another. Keeping gay marriage from being legal is not going to simply eliminate samesex couples who have loving relationships. It just makes them unable to have the same legal rights that are aorded to other loving couples, who happen to be a man and a woman. Why would anyone, at this point in time, actively deny two people in love the chance to share and celebrate their lives together, while enjoying the same legal rights the rest of us married couples do? Without quoting the Bible - and by the way, Judge not others, lest ye be judged is a super-logical verse - withOUT quoting the Bible and using the oh-so-clever Adam and Steve argument, what is the genuine problem with families being allowed to be families, in every sense of the word? If anything, we need more of that, not less. President Barack Obama, in an interview with Robin Roberts, on Good Morning America, pledged his support for gay marriage. Obamas statement comes at a contentious time in the gaymarriage debate. Same-sex pairings are now legal in eight states (with Maryland being the most recent). Twelve states have placed bans on homosexual nuptials. e incumbent president has ocially thrust himself into the forefront of the gay rights movement. He has been dubbed the first gay president by Newsweek. e comments have, obviously, not gone without criticismespecially from several black pastors, nationally. His political opponent, Mitt Romney, has come out and taken the opposing position displaying his support for the Defense of Marriage Act (enacted in 1996), which states that marriage is between a man and woman. Robert Brown Sr., the pastor at Miracle Temple in Columbus, MS, shared his thoughts on Obamas statement: I feel that the President was wrong by supporting this type of marriage. But, at the same time, I can see another side of this issue that would help people to get a better understanding of the Presidents decision of why he supported this bill. Regardless of the decision made by the President, we must understand that people will do as their mind leads them. is was not the Presidents decision, alone; there were others there in Congress who also supported this bill. But the President gets the blame, says Brown. ere was a situation in the Bible that we can relate this problem to. In Mark 10:4, And they said, Moses allowed a man to write a bill of divorcement, and to put away his wife. Moses had permitted a man to write his wife a bill of divorcement, and the people complained about Moses decision and later went to Jesus, asking why did Moses do this in the first place? Jesus answered them by saying Moses did this because of the hardness of your heart he wrote this precept (Mark 10:5). I feel the President acted somewhat in the same manner as Moses, the people would have continued to live a life in the same manner before the bill was passed. erefore, by the hardness of their heart he signed the bill into eect. ere will be some to say he was right, some to say he was wrong, I speak according to the word of God, this type of marriage is wrong, but I also feel God will have to pass judgment upon President Obama. We, as a people, do not have the right to do this. Many people in the entertainment world have agreed with Obamas stance on gay marriage - namely rapper and mogul Jay-Z and actor Will Smith, who called his stance, brave. Simone Cottrell, 26, who is an oce associate at Mississippi State University, feels gay marriage should be legal. Marriage, as a straight female daughter of an interracial marriage, I take marriage as a consensual act between two adults. If it doesnt aect me, my money, or my family, what does it have to do with me? Who are we to say that you can or cannot do it, if its between two consenting adults? said Cottrell. She added, Why is the majority controlling what the minority is doing? As this debate rages on, the eects of gay marriage on society as a whole must be examined. e first area that must be touched on is how children of gay marriages or partnerships do, psychologically or socially. ere are already stats that show negatives and positives of children being raised by same-sex parents. In an article published by the Hungton Post in January, research showed that children of homosexual parents are more well-rounded and fare no worse than children of heterosexual parents. Another issue that must be addressed, is the potential economic boost generated from weddings of gay couples. I know some people will say, the money shouldnt matter, but we all know that it does. An article on CBSnews.com cited research that found that California would have experienced a $684 million surge in consumer spending, over three years, if they had legalized gay-marriage back in 2010 (also potentially adding 2,200 jobs). ese are interested findings and give lawmakers and citizens a look at a positive economic impact of making marriage available to for everyone. See DEBATE Pg. 11
May 30, 2012
Emily Gaither Smith

Emily is a former resident of Columbus, and now lives in Albertville, Ala., with her husband.
The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway

e Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (Tenn-Tom) is a man-made waterway that extends from the Tennessee River to the junction of the Black WarriorTombigbee River, near Demopolis, Alabama.** e Tenn-Tom links commercial navigation from the nations midsection to the Gulf of Mexico, and is the largest water resource project ever built in the United States. the waterway channel at Amory, MS.* Scorching temperatures didnt stop approximately 100,000 people, including many members of Congress, governors, and other elected ocials, from attending dedication ceremonies in Columbus, MS and Mobile, AL on June 1, 1985.* Numerous other celebrations were held the Mississippi River, and shied trac to the Tenn-Tom, which led to an on-going economic turnaround on the Tenn-Tom corridor, as trade tonnage and commercial investments have increased steadily, over the years. Given that the Tenn-Tom Waterway has an estimated lifetime of well over 50 years, the waterway is expected to play a significant world,* it is the largest earth-moving project in history, requiring the excavation of nearly 310 million cubic yards of soil.* e Tenn-Tom features 10 locks and dams, which are needed to raise and lower boats and commercial vessels a total of 341 feet, the dierence in elevation between the southern and northern ends of the waterway. e Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Region is also rich in heritage, nature, and unique recreation. Some $50 million of modern recreation facilities were built as part of the waterway construction. ese facilities provide convenient access to the 40,000 acres of lakes that are part of the waterway.* People can enjoy camping at eight major recreation areas; boating on the safest and most scenic route; picnicking, hiking, wildlife watching and more at one of the many day-use parks; fishing at one of the top sports fishing spots in the nation; and public hunting on thousands of acres along the waterway. For more history and information on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, please visit http://www.tenntom.org. See our center spread for more photos of the Tenn-Tom!
*Source: www.tenn-tom.org **Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ TennTom_Waterway
11
NEWS/COMMENTARY
Many obstacles and hurdles had to be overcome, during the long history of the Tenn-Tom, before the project was complete. Even aer construction was well underway, a small group of opponents exhausted every legal recourse in the federal courts and aggressively lobbied Congress to stop the project. ey nearly succeeded.* e dedication and untiring eorts of many waterway supporters overcame this opposition, however.
May 30, 2012
President Jimmy Carter announced plans to terminate funding for the Tenn-Tom,* among other water resource projects. Over 6,500 waterway supporters attended a public hearing held in Columbus, Mississippi on March 29, 1977, as part of Carters review of the waterway. is overwhelming outpouring of public support for the project led to the President withdrawing his opposition, and the Carter Administration later selected the Tenn-Tom as a national demonstration program of how large public works projects can favorably impact rural America.* Aer twelve years of construction - beginning in December of 1972, with Howell Heflin Lock & Dam (formerly Gainesville) - and at a total cost of nearly $2 billion, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway was completed on December 12, 1984, nearly two years ahead of schedule. e last plug of earth was removed from
throughout the four-state waterway corridor (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee), as far away as Paducah, KY and Guntersville, AL. e Tenn-Tom ocially opened to commerce on January 10, 1985 when the towboat Eddie Waxler, made its maiden voyage on the waterway.* For the first few years aer its completion, the criticism of the waterway appeared somewhat prudent. e Tenn-Tom opened in the midst of an economic recession aecting the barge business - a factor that initially resulted in a disappointingly low use of the waterway.** However, the 1988 drought closed
role in southern interstate trade for years to come. Today, the two primary commodities shipped via the Tenn-Tom are coal and timber products, comprising about 70% of commercial shipping on the waterway. e Tenn-Tom also provides access to over 34 million acres of commercial forests and approximately two-thirds of all recoverable coal reserves in the nation. Industries that utilize these natural resources have found the Waterway to be their most cost-ecient mode of transportation. Other popular Tenn-Tom trade products include grain, gravel, sand and iron.** One of the engineering marvels of the
Aimee Shaw
DEBATE cont. from pg. 10

e final thing that must be considered is the moral dilemma ministers face when deciding whether to marry homosexual couples. Robert Brown, Sr. feels he would stick to his religious beliefs on gay marriage, if the situation was presented to him. No! First, I am a man of God. I live by the word of God, and therefore I must follow the teaching of the Bible, regardless of what others think I should do or want me to do. I will have to stand before my Lord on the Day of Judgment, for my disobedience to the Word. e second reason I would not is Gods plan for natural sexual relationships is his ideal for his creation. Unfortunately, sin distorts the natural use of Gods gis. Sin oen means not only denying God, but also denying the way we are made. We are living in a time, now, when our society says that any sex act is acceptable so long as nobody gets hurt. We must admit that sin hurts people, individuals, families, and our society. Homosexuality is strictly forbidden in scripture (Leviticus 18:22), said Brown. Regardless of which side an individual stands on this issue, I think we all can agree that there needs to be a resolution on the matter, at some point. is country, obviously, has more pressing matters, such as a struggling economy or wars abroad. What are your thoughts on gay marriage? Visit e Real Storys website, www.realstorypublishing.com, and give us your comments.
Jeremiah Short
jshort@realstorypublishing.com
"We become whoever we can't or won't forgive."

- Poindexter Latimore, 11/23/11
14
LIFESTYLES
Columbus Exchange Club

At the latest Exchange Club meeting, members learned the ins and outs of the Mississippi Court System from one of their own members, 14th Chancery District Judge, Jim Davidson; and Ralph Null inducted new member, Elizabeth Johnson, interim executive director of the Columbus Arts Council. e Exchange Club is a group of men and women that work together to make the community a better place to live through projects of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities and Prevention of Child Abuse. Unity for service is their motto.
Ethelsville Girl Has New Outlook on Life

Part II
which is formed into a wig, and then glued to the scalp. On this first visit, however, the hairpiece was taped to her scalp, so that Chelsea could grow accustomed to the hair. As a sta member called Chelsea back to her private suite, Delilah and I went with Chelsea, while her father Buster stayed in the waiting area. e stylist came in and began by washing Chelsea's scalp, to remove all oils. Next, she brought in the freshlywashed hairpiece and placed it on Chelsea's head. Needless to say, this slightly unnerved Chelsea, since she has never had wet hair, before. e stylist took the piece o, placed it on a mannequin head, and dried the hair. Aer this was complete, the hairpiece was placed back on Chelsea, and she was a little more comfortable with the situation. Forty-five minutes later, aer her hair piece had been brushed, flat ironed, and she had received some styling tips, Chelsea was ready to show her new do to the world. As she entered the waiting area and ran to her father, tears welled up in his eyes and he said "Shes beautiful! She's been waiting on this, for a long time." He and Chelsea went out to the parking lot, as Delilah and I stood inside, talking to the receptionist. As I turned around to look out the window, I noticed a happy, smiling child, running her hands through her hair. en, she began to twirl around and around, laughing, watching her hair flow in the breeze.
May 30, 2012
Safety Tips
from SafetyatHome.com
Home Safety Checklist

Sound the Alarm: Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home and carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas. If already installed, test them! Tip: Replace the batteries every daylight-saving time change. Avoid Overload: Check for overloaded extension cords usage should not exceed the recommended wattage. Dont Get Tippy: If young children are in the home, bookshelves and other furniture should be firmly secured with wall brackets to prevent tipping. Paint Safe: Check walls for loose paint. If re-painting, do so in a well-ventilated area and consider VOC-free paint. Childproof, Childproof, Childproof: Check your local library or online for complete lists of childproofing suggestions. Cover Outlets: Cover all unused outlets to prevent children from sticking a finger in the socket. Watch Cord Placement: Extension cords should not be placed under rugs or heavy furniture, tacked up or coiled while in use. Get Grounded: All major appliances should be grounded. Be sure to check your ground fault circuit interrupters regularly. Plan Your Escape: Practice a fire escape plan with your family, where you identify two exits for every room and what to do with young children. Give Your Air Heater Some Space: All air heaters should be placed at least three feet from beds, curtains or anything flammable. Keep Extinguishers Handy: Place all-purpose fire extinguishers in key locations in your home the kitchen, bedroom and basement. Be sure to check expiration dates regularly and know how to use them safely. Create a Safe Exit: In addition to alarms and extinguishers, consider an escape ladder, if your home has two floors. Keep emergency numbers and contacts readily available by the phone. Unplug Appliances: Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use and store them out of reach. Go New in the Nursery: Check that all painted cribs, bassinettes and high chairs were made aer 1978, to avoid potential lead paint poisoning. Cool Your Jets: Set your water heater below 120 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid potential burns and to save energy. Put Away Medications: Take medications and medical supplies out of your purse, pockets and drawers, and put them in a cabinet with a child safety lock. Look for UL: e UL Mark appears on products that have been tested, verified and inspected for safety. Make sure to look for it, to keep your holidays safe and bright.
As reported in the May 23, 2012 print edition of e Real Story, Ethelsville, Alabama native Chelsea Ponds was diagnosed with Alopecia, at the age of 2. Alopecia is a condition where no hair will grow, anywhere on the body. Chelsea has no hair, no eyelashes, and no eyebrows. One morning, a Ponds family relative, in California, was watching Good Morning America, as they were doing a segment on Alopecia and similar conditions. e relative contacted Good Morning America, told them about Chelsea, and asked if they could donate their services. Good Morning America contacted Chelseas mother, Delilah Ponds, but when they found out that Chelsea was only 5 they declined the familys request. e family was, of course, devastated. However, Good Morning America soon called back and agreed to help. On May 22, I had the privilege of traveling to a clinic in Birmingham with Chelsea and her parents, for her first Matrix procedure. We cannot divulge the name of the clinic, in order to protect the patients privacy rights. A Matrix is a hairpiece made from actual human hair,
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.
Quarterly Veterans Ceremony Held
Summer Library Program

e Columbus-Lowndes Public Library announced the launch of its annual Summer Library Program (SLP). e program has something for everyone. e various library locations and their respective programs are listed, below: Columbus Public Library e Adult SLP theme is Between the Covers. No registration is required for this program. Programs will be held in the Meeting Room every Tuesday in June, at 5:30 p.m. e Early Childhood (Mother Gooses Storytime) theme is Bedtime Stories. Registration for children ages 2-5 is May 24th through June 1st. Programs will be held every ursday in June, at 10:00 a.m. and again at 3:30 p.m. 24th through June 1st. Programs will be held every ursday in June, at 5:00 p.m. Caledonia Public Library e Childrens theme is Dream Big READ!. Registration for children ages 5 to 12 is May 24th through June 1st. Programs will be held every ursday in June, at 1:00 p.m. Artesia Public Library e Childrens theme is Dream Big READ!. Registration for children ages 5 to 12 is May 24th through June 1st. Programs will be held at the Artesia Community Center, every Wednesday in June, at 1:00 p.m. Crawford Public Library e Childrens theme is Dream BigREAD!. Registration for children ages 5 to 12 is May 24th through June 1st. Programs will be held at the Crawford Community Center, every Wednesday in June, at 3:00 p.m.
15
LIFESTYLES
May 30, 2012
Members of West Lowndes Junior ROTC stand ready.
On May 24, 2012, the 2nd Quarterly Veterans Ceremony was held at the Columbus Municipal Complex. Keynote speaker Keith Gilmore educated the crowd about his time in the Navy, while Bernard Evans spoke about veterans aairs. Aer the ceremony, a large buet was served and door prizes were awarded. All of the food, as well as the door prizes had been donated by numerous area businesses.
e Childrens theme is Dream Big READ!. Registration for children ages 5 to 12 or grades K-6 is May 24th through June 1st. Programs will be held every Tuesday in June, at 2:00 p.m.; performers will include a magician, a puppeteer, an interactive musician, and an interactive storyteller. e Teen theme is Own the Night. Registration for teens ages 12-19 is May
One of the youngest World War II veterans and keynote speaker, Keith Gilmore, shares his story.
Vietnam veteran Bernard Evans, who is also the VA representative for Congressman Alan Nunnelee, addresses the audience
WWW.SUDOKU PUZZLES.NET SEE SUDOKU ANSWERS ON PAGE 18
CROSSWORD
Across
1: Korbut of gymastics 5: Golfers peg 8: Drippin 11: Mend socks 12: Bewitch 13: Enjoy tay 14: Pull 15: Inventor Whitney 16: Brave person 17: Luxurious pelts 19: Rotate 21: Seths mom 22: Stereo components 25: Nurse Barton 28: Jerrys dessert partner 29: Londons Old ___ 30: Bowler and derby 31: Newscaster _____ Koppel 32: Redecorate 33: Sept. follower 34: Soccers Hamm 35: Flat cap SEE ANSWERS TO THIS CROSSWORD PUZZLE ON PAGE 18 36: Aspiring drivers learners ______ 38: Not too many 39: Patty, or Selma, to Bart 40: Raised 44: Fictions opposite 46: Mrs. Ram 48: Vulgar 49: Vampires attack 50: Caviar base 51: Eat at eight 52: Federal tax agcy. 53: Help call 54: Break suddenly 13: Place for a goatee 18: Acress Gabor 20: Play on words 23: Go by burro 24: Tarta wearer 25: Use an axe 26: Doily material 27: Lures 28: ______ dear! (2 wds.) 31: Giggles 32: Prizes 34: Opposite of max. 35: Spelling competition 37: TV volume option 38: Releases 41: Demolish 42: Poet St. Vincent Millay 43: Still waters run ____ 44: X-Files org. 45: Ditty 47: Play court to
Down
1: Bookie term 2: Tomb Raider heroine 3: _____ bag 4: Fisherman 5: Not those 6: Electric fish 7: Was 8: Indefinite time 9: Always, in verse 10: Low card in poker
16
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.
CONSUMER CORNER
May 30, 2012
The Pit and Cone: Pure Down-home Goodness

A burger and a milkshake; this is a classic combination as old as Oreos and milk, and as American as apple pie. When you experience that craving, do you go to the drive-thru at some chain restaurant? Most people would probably answer, Yeah! ats all well and good, but, to me, there is nothing like a hand-patted burger, along with a milkshake made from hand-dipped ice cream, then spun into smooth, creamy goodness. At e Pit and Cone, you get that and so much more. Eager for some good food, I pulled into the parking lot, exited my vehicle, and opened the pink front door of the restaurant, allowing the amazing aroma of hot pit BBQ to tease my nose. Greeted by friendly servers, I find a seat and look over the menu, as my waitress brings me a huge cup of fresh-brewed sweet tea. It proves dicult to make a selection, because everything on the menu looks so good. Finally, I decide on the large cheeseburger. Waiting on my sand-
wich, I continue to look over the menu, which ranges from pulled pork BBQ plates, to a wide variety of sandwiches and other BBQ pit items. Soon, my smiling waitress arrives with a red, paper-lined basket, which contains my order, sets it down in front of me, and asks if I need anything else. I tell her, "No thank you" and she walks away. As I peer down at
the fullydressed mammoth of a burger, I pick it up and take a bite. I, then, experience a taste so amazing that all I can do is close my eyes and go mmmm. Aer savoring the rest of this delicious sandwich, I walk to the front and pay my bill, so full that I can barely walk. e ladies thank me and invite me back again; all I could muster was "I will definitely be back for more!" e Pit and Cone Ratings Cleanliness: Two umbs Up Price: ($10 or less, per person) Value for the Money: Two Major umbs up Friendliness of Sta: Two umbs Up Variety of Menu: BBQ, Burgers, Chicken Tenders, Chicken Salad, Hand-dipped Ice Cream, Milkshakes, and much more
e Pit and Cone is located at 302 Tuscaloosa Road, across from Cattlemans Steak and Fish, both owned and operated by Glenn Baldwin.
Stop in and see April, Delilah, and Timber; you'll be glad you did!!
What Is An American Pit Bull Terrier?

to please, so that if an owner wants a dog to be aggressive toward humans and reinforces this behavior from an early age, the dog will most likely be aggressive towards humans as an adult. (D.Jessup) In the past several years, a number of towns have passed "breed specific" laws pertaining to pit bulls or "dogs that are found to be of pit bull-type. ese laws are written in vague language and range from requiring the dog to be muzzled in public and forcing owners to take out special insurance policies, to the outright banning of "pit bulls". ese laws are unfair because they discriminate against a dog just because it is a certain breed, or that it "looks" like a certain breed. ey fail to address the real problems of truly vicious dogs of any breed and irresponsible owners. A way to indirectly fight this mindset is through responsible ownership. A pit bull owner must take extra measures to ensure that their dogs never run loose and make an extra eort in socialization and training. (D.Jessup) e public automatically expects the worst; don't confirm their expectations. Aimee Shaw
17
WHAT IS AN AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER?
Although the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) was once used as a national symbol of courage and pride, the breed is largely misunderstood, today. e APBT has been bred, throughout history, for its performance as a working dog; a well-bred pit bull has a steady temperament and is NOT inherently aggressive towards humans. ey are extremely athletic, highly aectionate, and allaround happy-go-lucky dogs.
helped police nab a car thief. And it doesnt end there - I could fill an entire paper with stories of heart-warming, courageous American Pit Bull Terrier heroes. How many newspaper reports have you seen in which "concerned neighbors" are quoted as saying things like, "is time it killed a stray cat; tomorrow it may be a child!" Many people confuse aggressiveness towards other dogs with aggressiveness towards humans. ere is no reason to think that, because it killed a cat, that a dog - any dog, not just an APBT - will ever show aggression toward human beings. Dogs can and do discriminate, even if irate neighbors cannot. ey are, however, very loyal and eager
May 30, 2012
However, according to the media, your parents, and most anyone else youd care to ask, pit bulls are vicious, man-killing beasts, worthy of banishment - considered guilty, with no chance of proving their innocence. I, as an owner of pit bulls for over twenty-four years, can tell you that these dogs are the most loyal, intelligent, and good-natured dogs around. It is irresponsible owners that give this breed a bad name.
of sergeant; was invited to the White House by Presidents Wilson, Harding and Coolidge; and given a life-long membership to the American Legion, Red Cross, and YMCA. A WWI propaganda poster representing the rival European nations, with their national dogs dressed in military uniforms, featured an American Pit Bull Terrier in the center, representing the United States, declaring in the caption, Im Neutral, But Not Afraid of Any of em. Pit bull attacks are tragic, but isolated incidents. But, the stories of pit bull heroes the dogs who selflessly defend their families, save other animals from certain death, and pull their human guardians to safety in times of danger, are rarely publicized. is past April, in New York, a 12-yearold pit bull was shot in the head, taking a bullet meant for his owner. Miraculously, she survived. en, theres the pit-bull mix that saved his 21-year old pregnant guardian from an attacker. And, theres the pit bull in Sacramento, CA that
Did you know that Petey, of Little Rascals fame, was a pit bull? Petey was actually the first pit bull terrier to be registered with the United Kennel Club, and was a Colby dog. e Colby dogs are the oldest pure American Pit Bull Terrier bloodline still in existence today. Buster Brown Shoes mascot, Tige, is a pit bull; as well as RCAs dog, Nipper. In WWI, a pit bull named Stubby was awarded a medal for warning troops of a gas attack; and another medal for holding a German spy, until the American troops arrived. Stubby became the most decorated canine soldier in history, earning the rank
18
ARTS & CULTURE
Culture That Anybody Can Aord

As many of you know, we always end this column with the admonition, Get out and get your culture on! Some people may respond to that with I would like to, but money is really tight. Everybody knows that we are still experiencing a challenging economy, especially here in the Golden Triangle. However, one of the many wonderful things about living here, is that there are a number of cultural activities that are free. ats right I said FREE! Some of these options may be obvious; others may not. e Columbus Arts Councils Rosenzweig Arts Center (RAC) has a spacious gallery, with art by local and regional (sometimes national) artists. You are not required to buy any of the art (although Im sure they wouldnt mind, if you did!). e RAC is located at 501 Main Street, at the corner of 5th Street North. For more info, call 662.328.2787 or visit www.columbus-arts.org. Another great place to view artwork is the Eugenia Summer Gallery, located in the Department of Art & Design building, on the campus of Mississippi University for Women. ey oer rotating exhibits of student and faculty artwork, as well as national artists. For more information on exhibits, hours, etc., visit http://www.muwartanddesign.com/gall ery. Renee Reedy Studio, located at 101 5th Street South (below Caf on Main) offers free monthly art exhibits. For more information, including gallery hours, call 662.368.8181 or visit www.randomactsofculture.biz. If its music that you are interested in, many of the bars oering live bands, in most cases with no cover charge. Columbus is the birthplace of Americas greatest playwright, Tennessee Williams. His first home, which is located at 300 Main Street, now serves as a welcome center. However, the home also contains some amazing Tennessee memorabilia, including a stunning religious cross. Call 662.328.0222 for more information. Last, but certainly not least, the Columbus Lowndes Library, located at 314 7th Street North, oers a variety of programs with a cultural slant, such as authors readings, lectures, etc. As a matter of fact, their Summer Library Program, entitled Between the Covers, debuts on June 5th, and includes, among other things, screenings of two Alfred Hitchcock movies. More information can be obtained by calling 662.329.5300. Once again, the common thread about all of the above suggestions is that all of them are FREE! I am sure that there are other options, but this is a good start. So, regardless of what your finances are like, you can still
May 30, 2012
Have you ever played that game, where you give somebody the name of a musical genre, and ask them to say the name of the first musician or band that comes to mind? Rock & Roll: Elvis. Jazz: Louis Armstrong. You get the idea. Around here, in the Black Prairie, and especially in Columbus, say e Blues, and youre likely to get a three-word response: Big. Joe. Shelton. Joe took a break from his busy schedule to share with readers of e Real Story what makes this blues man tick. When asked how long he has been playing music, he replied that it has been close to forty years, and that he got his first harmonica or mouth harp when he was in his teens. He also admits that his first experience in singing was in church choirs. He says that his love of the blues was ingrained from the hours that he spent, as a boy, listening to a jukebox on the campus of Mississippi University for Women, which was stocked with all of the R&B talent of the time. Later, he began to draw inspiration from area musicians, such as Big Joe Williams of Crawford and local singer/songwriter Ed Reed, as well as blues legends Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Sonny Boy Williamson (both Senior and Junior). He also saw Roy Orbison perform at MUWs Rent Auditorium, before he became famous. When asked what the toughest aspect of learning to play the harmonica was, he pointed to the fact that he learned how to play the instrument before the advent of the internet. When I was learning, it was before the development of the internet, so I didnt have You Tube or other resources, like that, available to me. Instead, he learned from local players like Popsicle Rollins and Pool Hall Red, whom he listened to (and received occasional tips from), while hanging out at Jones Pool Hall, which used to be located on Catfish Alley, at the corner of 4th Street South and College Street. In response to an observation that it must have been hard to learn how to hold his mouth and lips to play the harmonica well, Shelton replied, You dont really play the harmonica with your
mouth and breath; you play it with your heart and soul. Shelton is not limited to the Mississippi saxophone; he also plays the guitar and a little banjo, although he admits that his banjo playing doesnt measure up to his standards. When hes not playing or listening to the blues, Joe enjoys listening to other musical genres, such as alt-country and jazz. He said that he finds new music and artists by listening to the CD that is included in the Oxford Americans annual music issue. Shelton is a man of many talents. He creates incredible stained glass objects, through his company Mid-South Stained Glass. In addition, he is a skillful graphic designer and print maker, with some prints currently on display in the art gallery at EMCCs Scooba campus. Joe has produced four albums, but only the last two commercially. e two most recent albums are Black Prairie Blues, which was recorded by the late Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Ian Evans (who also played on the CD): and e Older I Get, e Better I Was. e title track of the latter album was recently up for Song of the Year at the Blues Music Awards (BMA), the blues equivalent to the Grammys. Although e Older I Get, e Better I Was did not win, Joe and his band, the Black Prairie Blues Ambassadors rocked the house at a BMA event, in Memphis. e Black Prairie Blues Ambassadors are: Ben Ferrell on guitar; Ed Swan on bass; Bob Damm on drums; and Big Joe Shelton on harmonica and vocals. ey will be appearing next at the 15th Annual Freedom Creek Festival, on Saturday, June 2, in Aliceville, Alabama. For more information, visit http://www.alabamablues.org/Willie%20King/FreedomCreek%202012.htm. If you cant make it to see Joe at the Freedom Creek Festival, you can find out about his other gigs at www.bigjoeshelton.com or www.facebook.com/ bigjoeshelton.
Get out and get your culture on!

How many sides are there on a standard pencil?

Look for the answer on page 23!
SEE CROSSWORD PUZZLE ON PAGE 15
WWW.SUDOKU PUZZLES.NET SEE SUDOKU PUZZLE ON PG 15
Do you have a question about your life, career, or relationships? Ask Meagan! E-mail reaches her at meagan@realstorypublishing.com. Personal information, such as your name, with NOT be divulged.
19
ASK MEAGAN
Topic: Finding
the Perfect Mate

Question
Dear Meagan,
move on! Eventually, I landed in a house that was nothing like what I had pictured, but it was the right price, and guess what? Its in the middle of a solid community with great neighbors - two things I hadnt even realized I had wanted, but were ultimately more important to me than the physical details of the house itself. When considering any decision, whether it be a new house or a relationship, the first step to take is to get in touch with the truly important things you want. In your case, you are trying to figure out if you are in the best relationship for you: What really matters to you in a relationship? Is it being supported? Or is it trust, honesty, independence, good communication, loyalty, etc.? Getting to the heart of what you are really searching for will require you to take some time to search within. Without trying to sound too new age, only you know the right answers for you. No one else can tell you what you need. Something I can suggest, to get you rolling on whether or not you should stay in the relationship youre in is to begin taking time for yourself and listening to what your inner-self is trying to say to you. We busy Americans rarely want to find the time to be still, so when it comes down to tough decisions or re-evaluation phases, we oen neglect them until we no longer have a choice. Oen, at that point, its too late to communicate what should have been said months ago; then, the change is much tougher. If you are one of those types who think they cant be still, get some acupuncture, because, if nothing else, the needles will keep you still. I am only kidding, but there are many dierent options for having that time with yourself: get a massage, listen to music, go for a walk or run, process out loud with a counselor or life coach, clean your house, get acupuncture (it actually is good for that) - do something that makes you feel connected to the bigger you that is connected to the bigger picture of life. If you arent religious or spiritual, it doesnt matter;
at the end of the day, we all want to feel connected to that which is bigger than us that space where we find true meaning and we stop looking to others to fulfill us. Once you feel in touch and connected, sit down and make a list of qualities and characteristics that you feel you need and/or want in a significant other. Be very clear and concise with your list. If specific physical attributes are important to you, list them, but remember the kind of person you want to attract. Once you have your list, you can determine which qualities or attributes are must-haves for you, the ones that mean the most and the ones that would make someone a great partner for the kind of life you want to have. is list will help you determine if the relationship you are in now is in line with what you want from life, right now. If you choose to move on, then your list is ready for whatever may be next. If you decide that the person you are with is the right one for you, right now, then your list will help you feel empowered and even more committed to him/her. Most people dont adjust well to change (change is scary and forces us to deal with our emotions, which is oen where we feel the world will end), and so claiming what we want can be tough, even if the change will be a good thing for us. e best thing you can do for yourself is to take time to listen to yourself. We can never really know what we want unless we set the intention that we want a clear answer and that the answer will be obvious when the time is right. Taking time to be connected to the bigger picture of life will help you know exactly what and when that is.
May 30, 2012
I have been in a relationship for the past few years and have recently been feeling like I need to re-evaluate it. I know that I love this person, but Im not sure if we are good for each other, anymore. I feel like I might need a change. How can I figure out if this person is what I need to make a change from?
Answer
One of the hardest things in life to do is to get clear on what we want. Getting clear on what we want is the first step to the happiness we all seek. When we are able to claim what we want, and if we claim it from the depth of who we truly are, it comes true. e tricky part about getting clear about what we want is weeding through all of our own personal beliefs about who we are; what we think a relationship should be; what others may or may not think about us; other social pressures; what we learned growing up about relationships; etc.
Sometimes, what we really want isnt what we thought we wanted. For example, I spent several months, last year, looking for a house with specific requirements in mind (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, etc.). I found several dierent options that fit what I was looking for, but, for some reason, none of them felt quite right or worked out. My own general philosophy in life is to pay attention at all times to what the world outside is trying to tell me, so instead of giving in to frustration, I paid attention. e price was out of my comfort zone, the landlord didnt show up those were good signs, telling me to
Meagan M. ONan
meagan@realstorypublishing.com
Meagan is a trained and experienced Life Coach, award-winning author of Creating Your Heaven on Earth, blogger, poet, and supporter of the underdog. She has a life coaching practice in Columbus, MS. (Meaganonan.org)
Why Should You Hire A Personal Trainer?

Part II
monthly sessions, or you can schedule weekly sessions. You should commit to working out at least three days a week, minimum, to reach your goals. Your program should be changed out, at least once every four weeks. Your mind and body get bored, and progress stagnates, if you are not increasing the challenge. Now, its time fill out a health history questionnaire and log the physical assessment. is will include listing health issues; medications; surgeries; recording circumference measurements; weight; and body fat. Be sure to let your trainer know of any physical restrictions you have, as well as issues with basic movements such as going up and down stairs, loss of agility and balance. You must always know where you are starting, so you will know if you are progressing in the right direction. en, it is time to learn more about how food works and improving eating habits. Your trainer should help you develop a daily eating plan, based on: foods you like, such as proteins, fruits and vegetables; frequency of eating; and water intake, so your metabolism is raised and burns body fat. Going over daily food diaries, regularly, will also be very helpful in making sure that you work out any kinks quickly. A successful program always includes basic nutrition. When you are working out, it is very important that you learn the correct form of each exercise, so that the correct muscles are worked, to prevent injuries and maximize results. Be sure to ask questions if you dont understand, and take the opportunity to learn more about how the body works. Working out should be challenging, but it should be fun and educational, as well. A good personal trainer will understand how far to push you, without making you dread it. You should always feel energized aer your workout. e phrase no pain, no gain does not apply, here. It is one thing to be safely challenged, but not to be in pain. Be sure to let your trainer know if pain occurs. e relationship between you and your trainer should be one of trust, communication, motivation and accountability. You should be encouraged to do your best and understand how you are improving, whether it is a reduction in pants size, ease of carrying groceries, or an increase in energy and productivity. Remember, this is about you and your success and enjoying life. Highlights of personal training: Establish your budget Contact your gym to find a personal trainer or recommendation from friend, family or colleague Interview your prospective trainer Commit to a minimum of 3 days a week to workout Programs are individualized for your goals, health history, lifestyle and eating habits Track progress of body fat and measurements periodically Nutrition counseling, to improve eating habits to reduce body fat Take advantage of learning about exercise, food and your body Enjoy the journey
In the first part of this article, you discovered some very important reasons to hire a certified personal trainer. Your individualized program is based on your lifestyle and goals for maximum results; accountability and consistent support; health concerns; and nutrition counseling. is saves you time, money and, most of all, the frustration of not getting the results you want.
e very important part of the process is to figure out your training budget. Visit the gyms in your area and take a tour. Find out what the monthly gym fees are and the rates for their personal training sessions. A friend, family member or colleague may be able to recommend a gym and/or a personal trainer as well.
e next step is to decide whether working out at a gym, your home or office is more conducive to your schedule and budget. You dont have to have a full gym at your home or work, to be able to work out, either. You might need just a few items, such as dumbbells and a Swiss ball. e cost for these items is usually under $100. Now that you have determined the option that works best for you, it is time to make an appointment with a personal trainer. Usually, consultations are free, so you can discuss your goals, lifestyle, budget and schedule, to see if you are a good fit. Choose a trainer that you connect with and with whom you feel comfortable. Remember, you are interviewing them, just as much as they are interviewing you. ere are a variety of options, for your budget and accountability, as well. Typically, you can get a monthly individualized program, including a couple of
Melinda Due is a certified personal trainer, with additional expertise in nutrition counseling and life coaching, as well as a B.A. in Business.
Melinda Due
mvpfit@yahoo.com
20
May 30, 2012
PIG TALES
Porkchop: A Diary
When I write this column, every week, it is hard for me to remember all the funny or odd things Porkchop has done. So, as I was sitting here, working on the last edition of the paper, Porkchop, of course, did something that cracked me up. I knew I would forget it, if I didn't write it down immediately, so the idea of having a "Porkchop Diary" was born. Saturday: Pot-bellied pigs, while they do have both an amazing sense of smell and hearing ability, have horrible eyesight. So, as Porkchop was waddling in here, on his fat-roll legs (yes, he literally has fat rolls on his hind legs), he was grunting and talking to Toby. He was rooting around in his bed (a pillowcase with a towel in it) and I looked over the top of my MacBook and said, "You are such a cutie, Porkchop!" Well, that's what I started to say, anyway. About the time I said "You are", he jiggled, because I startled him. en, as if that wasn't enough, Sadie thought I was talking to her, and she jumped o the couch, right beside him! Porkchop jumped, grunted real loud a few times, and then hit the ground! at's his defense strategy - although I can't for the life of me figure out how that would help in a dangerous situation. Unless, of course, if the danger was underneath him! We had some quality snuggle and piggy-kisses time, aer that scare. Piggy-kisses are given on the end of the nose - and are so sweet!! Sunday: Porkchop threw a fit, today, because he wanted granola, but got fresh green beans, instead. Yes - that's right, folks - he knew what he wanted, and green beans were not it! He did not win that fight, however. I did try to at least get it on video, but, of
Rump Roast
course, he was Mr. Perfectly Quiet, when I got my phone out... Monday: You know it's bad, when you have to sneak around your own house, just so you don't wake up the pig! I had to go to work, early Monday morning, to get the paper put to bed, so I was trying to be pretty quiet. But, have you ever noticed how, when you're trying to be quiet, you end up making a lot more noise?! I've said it before, but Porkchop has exceptional hearing... I think he's one of those that have selective hearing, though, because he acts like he can't hear us when we call him, sometimes! Anyway, he heard me as soon as I got out of the bed, and came running from his closet (where he sleeps), grunting and whining like he was starving to death! at poor, pitiful, malnourished pig! We've spoiled him entirely too much, though, as I'm sure you've noticed from the articles I've written, he expects a treat every morning. His favorite treat, at this time, is a piece of granola bar. He LOVES those and goes insane when he sees that green wrapper. Hopefully, one day soon, I'll get it on video and you can see it on
Porkchop's Facebook page! Tuesday: We bought new bags of feed for the dogs and cats, today. We brought them in the house, set them in the kitchen floor, and forgot about them. at is, until we realized that Porkchop was nowhere to be found, and, then, we heard a ripping and tearing noise. It seems that he took it upon himself to try to tear open the bag of cat food, so the cats could have some food. He didn't actually get it open, because I ran in there and found out what he was doing! Wednesday: For those of you with pets, I would like to ask: do they continually step on your toes? I don't know what it is about our dogs and Porkchop, but I ought to have some really tough toesies...is morning, as I was attempting to feed a starving pig, he stepped (with all his weight) on the very tips of my three little toes, and just ground them into the floor. OUCH!! I hate to admit it, but I had to give him a piece of my mind, aer that. I told him, later, that I was sorry (even though he didn't care that I hollered; all he wanted was his food). ursday: If youve never had a potbellied pig as a pet, you dont know what you are missing! Porkchop is such a character, and he always keeps me laughing. Tonight, for whatever reason, he decided to take o, running at full speed, inside the house. He ran from the kitchen to the hallway; back through the kitchen; made a loop around the living room; then, ran
around the bedroom and back again. And, I do mean, at top-speed! You wouldnt think such a fat, low-to-theground piggie would be able to run as fast as he does. I believe the dogs were getting as tickled about it as I was, especially when he ran full speed into the couch and TV stand, because he used to be able to fit in between there! Friday: We have a board across the doorway of our bathroom, so that Porkchop cant come in there (he likes to pee on the rug)... For the first week, both my husband and I tripped over that board more times than we could count! Porkchop could jump over the board, but he hasnt figured that out, yet. is morning, he was crying and hanging his head over the top of the board, wondering why he wasnt allowed in there. I told him, You cant come in here, Porkchop; youll pee on the carpet. He looked up at me, with those beautiful blue eyes, and I could tell he was thinking, Yes, I sure would. Isnt that what its there for?! You can just see in his eyes how intelligent he is, and always thinking, or trying to get one up on you (for treats, or what-have-you). I love that fat pig!
Aimee Shaw
SportsTalk
by Jeremiah Short
21
SPORTS
Another Virges Starring for the Green Wave
Williams Looking to Bust Loose in 2012
May 30, 2012
e West Point (HS) Green Wave has been one of the more dominant running teams, in the state of Mississippi, for years. ey have continued to have success, the past few years. Mario Virges, the Green Waves starting fullback, has played a major role in their rushing attack, during that period. e stout fullback has been a starter since his sophomore year, in 2010; he helped West Point win their second straight state title, that season. ere is pressure coming in as an underclassman and starting on one of the states best teams: Its not easy and you think, its hard, said Virges. A tenth-grader starting in high school - its a big role. If I dont get my guy, then the whole play is messed up. Everything was on my shoulders. Virges might have been better prepared than most, according to him, since he has played football all 17 years of his life. Mario isnt the first Virges to lace up the cleats for the Green Wave; his older brother Curtis, a defensive tackle, starred for West Point from 20062009; the elder Virges now plays thirty miles down the road, for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Curtis Virges was known for being a weight room freak and his younger brother is following in his footsteps. He reports a bench press of 350 pounds and he squats 500 pounds. Cant just be a football, you got to have the heart to be a football player. at is what he always told me, said Virges, in discussing what his brother has taught him. e Green Wave went through a rebuilding year in 2011 going only 8-5. Virges had to block for a new starting running back, Tez Lane, who he feels makes his life a little easier. Lane is known as a homerun hitter that can break the long run at any time. Virges did suer a broken fibula during the 2011 season. He had to sit out the spring, but the powerful lead blocker should be healthy by the start of the 2012 season. e upcoming season is all about sacrifice, according to him. West Point Head Coach Chris Chambless values what Virges brings to the table. Mario is one of the hardest workers we have. Hes a workout freak. Hes a good student and person. He got an older brother at Mississippi State that he looks up to and emulates. Hes coming o an injury and couldnt go through spring with us. He is rehabbing hard, now, and doing well, said Chambless. Virges may be an asset to a Division I team in 2013. Mississippi State, Louisiana Tech, Alabama, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss have all expressed interest. Mario is following in his brothers footstepswhile creating a name for himself.
e state of Mississippi is blessed with a couple of talented running backs in the 2013 recruiting class - Ashton Shumpert and Kailo Moore - who should have their choice of schools. Aeris Williams, the West Point (HS) Green Wave back-up running back could garner the same type of attention in the 2014 recruiting year. Williams first saw action as a freshmanrushing for 51 yards in limited duty. His role expanded in 2011, as the bruising running back accumulated 1,353 total yards (778 rushing, 250 receiving yards, and 325 kicko return yards) and 14 total touchdowns. He doesnt feel his role has expanded - just changed. You have to look up to the running backs, here. And you have to work hard to get playing time, here, said Williams. It really didnt expand because weve got a lot of good running backs here. We just try to outwork each other and make each other better to get on the field. A healthy competition has developed between Williams and starting running back Tez Lane. Before every game, we go against each other, to see who is going to get the most yards, says Williams. He gets the long runs and I run over people. He added, I like running over people! Both running backs are aided by 210-pound fullback Mario Virges, who the rising junior considers to be a big factor in his success. It really helps, because you see the hole better. e only person that is there is the linebacker and youre o to the races, Williams said. Although Williams is a back-up, big-time Division I programs are taking notice. Some even feel that he can be the best running back in the state, his senior year. He keeps a level-headed attitude See WILLIAMS Pg. 23
I have really been waiting for someone to say that, because Tez think hes that guy! He is too quick. A big running back if you hold on to him, they go down, says Virges, on Lanes ability to take any play to the house.
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.
22
MSU - Ole Miss Rivalry

e football rivalry between Mississippi State and Ole Miss is older than I am, and, probably, older than most of the people reading this column, right now. Some even believe the root of the rivalry dates back to the very founding of the two universities. Ole Miss was founded for the states elite, in 1848, while Mississippi State was established in 1878, due to Ole Miss inability to expand their university to accommodate agricultural students. e football rivalry, which is the nations tenth-longest, didnt begin until 1901, when Mississippi State was known as Mississippi A&M. e annual game didnt become the Egg Bowl until a violent incident aer the 1926 game. Students of both schools proposed that a Golden Egg be awarded to the winner of the match-up. Ole Miss leads the series, all-time, 60-426. ere have been eras where one team has dominated the game - Mississippi State from 1911-1925 (Ole Miss was winless); Ole Miss from 1944-1969 (Mississippi State only won four times); for the past three years, Mississippi State has dominated. e game has provided some great moments: the Immaculate Deflection (1983); e Stand (1992); e Pick and e Kick (1999); and e Comeback (2007). e rivalry certainly provided some special moments for both sides - even if there is no love lost between the Bulldogs and Rebels. I think, with everything that I mentioned above, the next statement will come as a shock, Its time the Egg Bowl rivalry comes to an end. I dont say this lightly, as I am aware of the significance of the game to fans on both sides, but I have two good reasons the game should end. First, I feel the game should end for recruiting purposes, which is the lifeblood of any Division I program. e toxicity that exists between Ole Miss and Mississippi State has led to some nasty recruiting battles that have painted both schools in a negative light, at times. e recruitments of Robert Elliot and C.J. Johnson are two examples. Elliot infamously switched his commitment, on signing day, to Mississippi State, aer a tense recruiting battle, where it is said things got to the point that Bulldog and Rebel coaches came to blows (never confirmed, obviously). Johnson was a commitment to Mississippi State for over a year, de-committed, and then signed with the rival Rebels, on signing day. ere was an article published by Yahoo.com, in which Johnson stated that Mississippi State fans made his life a living hell. Recruiting battles like this are fairly common with heated rivalries, across the country, but most schools can take in the publicity; I dont feel Mississippi State or Ole Miss can sustain the public relations hits. I think it puts in-state recruits in a position to leave the state to avoid the heat of competing fan bases. Out-of-state recruits have attended both schools, but I wonder if more prospects would consider the Mississippi schools, if there was less heat amongst the colleges. To be realistic, they dont even recruit the same athletes. Ole Miss started to put a focus on out-ofstate players, a few years back - while targeting the top in-state prospects. Mississippi State has taken the exact opposite strategy - focusing on Mississippi players. So, why is there all the beefing over recruits, when they dont even recruit the same ones? e second and final reason is that I feel that the rivalry isnt necessary, anymore. I know some might call that claim blasphemous, but what, exactly, are they fighting over, the right to not be last in the SEC West? I would think that beating LSU, Alabama, or Arkansas should be the goal. Ole Miss fans have stated that their real rival, in recent years, has been LSU, but, who do they think they are fooling? e Bulldogs are their rival, and we all know it. ere are rivalries, nationally, that are heated - Georgia-Florida, Ohio State-Michigan, and AuburnAlabama - are three that come to mind. e dierence between those and the Egg Bowl rivalry is that the other institutions are national contenders and are actually fighting over something significant, when they play each other. Ohio State and Michigan played for the right to play in the national title game, just six years ago. e Egg Bowl has never been played for those types of stakes. So, I ask, why doesnt the focus change to bigger fish? ere are some alums of both Ole Miss and Mississippi State, whose heads have probably exploded, by now, but Im hoping they at least consider what Im saying. As a Mississippian and a graduate of one of the institutions (Mississippi State), I want to see both programs succeed. at is why Im proposing that the Egg Bowl and the rivalry, in general, end. Do you feel that the Egg Bowl rivalry should end?
May 30, 2012
SPORTS
Jeremiah Short
Check out our website @realstorypublishing.com or facebook.com/rspublishing for additional articles and information!
Old F ashioned Potato Salad

1 tablespoon prepared mustard ground black pepper to taste 1/4 cup mayonnaise Directions Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool, peel and chop. Prep Time: 45 Min Cook Time: 15 Min Yield: 8 Servings Ingredients 5 potatoes 3 eggs 1 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 1/4 teaspoon celery salt Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, relish, garlic salt, celery salt, mustard, pepper and mayonnaise. Mix together well and refrigerate until chilled.
CLASSIFIEDS!!
GOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SELL?
FREE
23
SPORTS CLASSIFIEDS
May 30, 2012
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, located on on the Luxapalila River. 662242-0786. 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
www.plexusslim.c om/billslim, or call Bill 662-570-9299. We are looking to sponsor four people to take part in the weight loss project, Lowndes County Losers. For more info, call 662-574-7751. Active family of four needs CLEANING PERSON. House is 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, a little over 2000 sq.ft. Also, there is an indoor cat. I will purchase cleaning supplies. Interested parties should send email to theboxylady @yahoo.com with employment history and a list of excellent workrelated references. A resum with references would be nice. I need someone honest, trustworthy, reliable, and dependable. You must have your own transportation. Serious inquiries only. NO phone calls. Top $$$ for your college books! Call Slate @ 662-4974228 or stop by Cheyenne Station : 5475 Hwy E, Columbus MS
JACKET SALE: Kids NASCAR and Cartoon Jackets - Buy one at regular price and get second one at half price. LADIES JACKETS - 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.
selling 3BD/2BA singlewide with designer dcor and furiture. 205-339-5397 SPRING CLEARANCE SALE. Only two 3BR/2BA homes left! Call today to qualify! 205-339-5483 Do you have atleast $1300 a month in Social Security? Then you may qualify for one of our homes. Call 205-339-5628 4BR/2BA JUST REDUCED! All appliances, including washer and dryer. 205-339-5397 Your deed and $500 can put you in a brand new home! Call 205-339-5632! GOT LAND?! New home on your land. No cash out of pocket. 205-339-5397 LOTS ON THE RIVER ARE ALMOST EXTINCT! Dont miss this once in a lifetime opportunity! For sale are 9 dierent wooded lots. 6 are waterfront. Docks can be built. Location cant be beat. Waterfront lots can be bought for $50k per lot and $30k per lot across road. Call Patton Whitten with Century 21 Doris Hardy & Associates, LLC at 662.574.5196 Lots for sale! Ridge Lakes in Starkville, buy one or all, great investment! Development on a lake for retirees or college students. Call Dennis 662242-0786 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, 662-2420786 Downtown apartments for rent - Studio, 2 BR available. Furnished and unfurnished available. All appliances and laundry on site. Priced from $700$1000. 574-7176. HOUSE FOR RENT: 3BR/2 BA, 2413 3rd Ave. S. (Sandfield area). $525/mo, $450/ deposit. HUD accepted. 425-9071 Low maintenance, exceptional quality throughout, 3 BR, 2 BA, open LR, DR, kitchen, large sunroom. Private back courtyard, secure neighborhood. Plantation 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
WILLIAMS cont. from pg. 21

about the attention. of high school ball, and has a bright future ahead of himself, if he keeps a level head, said Chambless. e explosive running back feels that he needs to make improvements over the summer. Of course, get bigger, stronger, and faster - also see the hole better. Mario and I have been working on that, in the o-season, Williams said. Williams hard work should help him achieve his personal and team goals in 2012. Last year, I only got, like, 900 or so yards. is year, Im trying to get 1,000 yards, no fumbles, and 14 or 15 touchdowns, says Williams. We are going to go ham [play hard]; we got a younger oensive line. We are going to work hard over the summer and are going to be better - way better. If Williams reaches his goals, then the Green Wave could very well bring home their third state title in four years.
I dont really look at that. I try to keep God first, and stay humble. I dont want to get big-headed or anything like that, said Williams, in responding on how he feels about the hype surrounding him.
Paul Jones, Bulldawg24/7 writer, feels the hype is warranted for Williams, who he has covered on several occasions.
I think its safe to say that Williams and D.K. Buford, from Lafayette County, are definitely the best two backs. Hes 61, 210 lbs and runs a legit 4.5. He will be one of the top two or three prospects in the state.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITES
Salary Position Available Assitant Project Manager for Ground Maintenance Contract at Columbus Air Force Base. Job duties include, but not limited to: Safety Instruction, Heavy and Light Duty Equipment Operation, Training Employees, Managing Daily Operations, and General Maintenance. Serious inquiries only. Send resume to amgcolumbus@gmail.com. 662-434-6104
He cant ocially be oered a scholarship until September 1st, due to NCAA regulations, but two schools are showing him interest: Mississippi State and Alabama. Williams discussed what he liked about each school. Alabama: Alabama takes good care of their players - even if they dont play, says Williams, about how the Alabama sta treats their athletes. Mississippi State: I like State because they are hardcore; they dont play games over there! Williams is a highly sought-aer prospect, but he is very humble, according to his head coach, Chris Chambless.
SERVICES PROVIDED
INSURANCE - Burial, Cancer, and Life. Call for your free quote! 662738-4224 or 662738-4224 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 delivery! Need spring cleaning all year long? Call Shelia, 240-8979. References available.
Jeremiah Short
MISCELLANEOUS
King size bed frame, $99; 20 color TV, $99. 662-352-7995 Need AVON fast with no wait? Quick and simple, 24/7. www. youravon.com/jha mbrick Are you trying to lose weight? Would you like to try a free sample of something that could change your life forever? Go to
Aeris has a good work ethic; he takes the game very seriously. He loves his position and is very coachable. He is a humble kid. He has a couple years le
TRiV IA ANsWEr:
6
REAL ESTATE
HOUSE FOR RENT: 2413 3rd Avenue South (Sandfield Area). 3 bedroom/ 2 bath, $425/mo; $350/deposit. 662-425-9071 ONE TIME SPECIAL OFFER!! Our best
PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THE REAL STORY AT ANY OF THESE STORES

RSP 05.30.12

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

RSP 05.30.12

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2

by Joseph B. St. John

FROM THE EDITOR

J.B. ST. JOHN

Unfortunately, You Can Get Too Much of a Good Thing

May 30, 2012

rparlato@realstorypublishing.com kate@realstorypublishing.com ashaw@realstorypublishing.com

KATE SPENCER AIMEE SHAW

Isaac Ike Haynes

GUEST FEATURE WRITER

ART & PRODUCTION

CUSTOMER SERVICE PUBLISHER

KATE SPENCER J.B. ST. JOHN

ads@realstorypublishing.com info@realstorypublishing.com letters@realstorypublishing.com classifieds@realstorypublishing.com subscriptions@realstorypublishing.com

THE REAL STORY

ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO COMPROMISE

Check for daily updates online: http://realstorypublishing.com Facebook.com/rspublishing

Dont miss an issue!

Dont Miss An Issue... Subscribe Online!

Joseph B. St. John MoJo

A Sharp Candidate for Columbus Schools Superintendent

CMSD SUPERINTENDENT INTERVIEWS

May 30, 2012

Henson Calm Under Pressure

ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO COMPROMISE

City of Columbus Awarded $400,000 Brownfields Grant

May 30, 2012

Special to e Real Story

HENSON cont. from pg. 3

As Henson stated, It takes a village to raise a child.

ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO COMPROMISE

Emaciated Dogs Seized Special Meetings Announced

May 30, 2012

Six-week old Pekin ducks pose for a photo.

ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO COMPROMISE

Are You Sure That You Are Safe?

May 30, 2012

Joyce Shaw White

Religion in America is Big Business and Should Not Be Tax-Exempt

ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO COMPROMISE

RELIGION cont. from pg. 6

Rogers Wins Dining Services Logo Contest

May 30, 2012

Special to e Real Story

ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO COMPROMISE

Caledonia Sewer Rates to Increase

May 30, 2012

e Real Story Sta Report

Porkchop, naps with his pit bull buddy, Sadie Lady.

ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO compromise

Corner of Community Road & Waverly Ferry Road

United Way of Lowndes County Seeks Community Input

May 30, 2012

Special to e Real Story

ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO COMPROMISE

May 30, 2012

Emily Gaither Smith

ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO COMPROMISE

The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway

May 30, 2012

DEBATE cont. from pg. 10

ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO COMPROMISE

"We become whoever we can't or won't forgive."

Columbus Exchange Club