Writing Samples
Christmas Trees Take On a New Theme
ABERDEEN, MS – The Christmas tree has become the focal point of the holiday season. Whether it’s the Charlie Brown type, void of needles, or the over-the-top Clark Griswold variety, experts estimate we spend around $3.4 billion on both real and artificial Christmas trees. Then add in cost lights, garland, tree toppers, tinsel, beads, ornaments, etc., no wonder the business of Christmas is booming. Ruth Carter of Ruth’s Warehouse, along with her husband Wayne and daughter Cindy Winders spend the spring and summer months...
read moreDawson’s Different Life
NETTLETON, MS — Autism. It’s not like cooties. You can’t catch it from standing too close to someone who has it. There isn’t a medical test to diagnose Autism. April is National Autism Awareness Month and the town of Nettleton, MS is hosting its first ever Autism 5K Run/Walk and Marketplace on Saturday, April 28th to raise money for The Autism Center in Tupelo, MS. They offer free and low-cost services to all children on the Autism Spectrum and any others that may just be developmentally delayed in some way. No child is...
read moreConfronting Child Abuse: The Smallest Victims Need a Voice
AMORY, MS — Two events were held in April to recognize Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. In Aberdeen, the sky above the Monroe County Department of Human Services (DHS) was painted with blue balloons. Belle Elementary student council students, DHS staff, and families from around the county joined together to honor the most vulnerable amongst us. At Bigbee Baptist Church in Amory, Yvonne Funderburk with the Amory DHS office, Dana Copeland with Save-A-Life of Monroe County, and a group of social work students from The University of...
read moreCoping With Catastrophe in Wren
WREN, MS – April 27, 2011 has become Monroe County’s day of infamy. It was the deadliest tornado outbreak in history. Although sometimes overshadowed by the overall tornado devastation in area, it was a day of days for the Wren community as well. An EF-3 struck hard at 3 am and then the unthinkable happened twelve hours later. Another EF-3 tore through the community.
read more911 Dispatchers Answer The Call on April 27
ABERDEEN, MS — On any given day, Robert “Bunky” Goza, Director, Monroe County Emergency Management, E911 & EMA, Deputy Director Donna Sanderson, Julia Moore, Jimmy Dodd, Joanne Barnes, Bo Hill, Brenda McCullough, Tina Edwards, Pat Gordon, and Nicole Allen answer 911 calls from around Monroe County. However, on April 27, 2011, all their experience, knowledge, and endurance would be put to the ultimate test.
read moreEngine 1529’s Colorful History
AMORY, MS — Every year, Frisco Park plays host to tens of thousands of visitors during the Amory Railroad Festival. The park’s sole resident, locomotive Engine 1529, makes a wonderful host as it shares space with hobos, crafters, and food vendors. What Engine 1529 hasn’t shared, however, is how it ended up in Frisco Park in the first place.
read moreTrain Ride Is Good Medicine For Special Boy
AMORY, MS – Five year old Karson Stegall of New Albany proclaims, “All Aboard!” as he boards Engine 102 at the Mississippian Railway Cooperative train yard. This magical moment was the fulfillment of a very special promise his great grandmother, Janie Roberts, made to him while he was recovering from an injuries stemming from an accidental gun shot to the head. “I promised him when he got well, we would take a train ride.”
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