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Opinion

Fielder’s Choice
By Barry Burleson

Blessings

I was riding with Pam in her vehicle Friday and the radio station was playing Christmas music.

And not just one song – continuously. I love the station. It turns to Christmas music every year, but this year I think it’s earlier.

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Close to Nowhere
By Linda Jones

What I’m thankful for

One of the first things that pops to mind that I’m extremely grateful for this year is safety pins!

I tend to generate a lot of static electricity! A lot! Recently, I shocked the copier here at the office and knocked the lights off the panel. Had to turn it off and back on again.

Right after that, inserting my card in the pump at the gas station, I zapped the pump. That scared me. You keep hearing all this stuff about cell phones blowing up gas pumps. That’s not one of my preferred ways to pass from this life!

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The Preacher’s Corner
By Rev. Dr. Milton Winter

You can meet the nicest people in train stations

My father would not want to be remembered as a gentleman who picked up ladies at the train depot, but that is exactly what he did at Thanksgiving in 1955. As it happened, the two ladies were my grandmothers, and therein lies a tale!

Thanksgiving in my family did not exactly involve “over the river and through the woods,” and certainly not a horse who knew the way to carry the sleigh, but on that particular Thanksgiving, snow was very much involved.

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Letters to the Editor

Thanks to volunteers:
Dear Mr. Burleson,

As we observe the season of Thanksgiving, the Mississippi Gulf Coast hospitality community would like to acknowledge the hundreds of thousands of Mississippi volunteers.

We offer a prayer of thanks for the incredibly, wonderful people of the State of Mississippi who gave of their hearts, hands and time in the rebirth of the Gulf Coast. Volunteers have been the major contributor in elevating the Coast from the depths of despair to a future filled with hope.

Before the winds of Hurricane Katrina subsided, Mississippi’s first responders were trekking south to deliver water and food to our devastated area. Within days more and more volunteers came to assist in digging out from under the rubble. And within months, the process of rebuilding had begun. The volunteers of Mississippi stood shoulder to shoulder with the residents to rebuild homes, churches, schools and businesses.

Because of this outpouring of love, support and kindness, many Coast residents will be able to observe this season of Thanksgiving in their repaired or rebuilt homes.

While, the task ahead is still a mammoth one, we are inspired by the ongoing commitment of so many people around the state, such as those from the Holly Springs area.

Mississippi’s people have shown to the world that the worst natural disaster in American history cannot deter their spirit of resilience and self-reliance. For this we are thankful!

With gratitude,
Janice E. Jones
Manager, Media Relations
Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau

Community support:
Dear Editor:

(Cc: Mayor DeBerry, Aldermen Colhoun, Hayes, Hutchens, Johnson, Liddy)

Many may know me as an active community supporter and volunteer as well as a Holly Springs homeowner. It has been brought to my attention that the city of Holly Springs will not light the holiday lights on the square this December. These lights add a festive air to the city and enhance the holiday spirit. Did you ever take note of the city lights from Highway 78? It is breathtaking.

The wiring is reported to be hazardous and therefore the lights will not be used. Why didn’t the city make plans to fix this problem in a timely manner so the lights could be used now and during other festivities?

Volunteers from all walks of life are participating in the parade, home tours, concerts and luncheons which will benefit different city organizations and bring visitors to see our pretty town.

Consider the publicity from the new book “Home to Holly Springs.” Everyone is working to enhance the town’s image.

There are newly purchased and renovated businesses such as Holly Springs Eyecare, BJ’s Cleaners and Fitch’s corporate office to name a few.

The county keeps the Court House grounds immaculate and they, also, have renovated a building on the square. Congratulations to Chuck Thomas on his perseverance.

We have over 100 carriage lanterns hanging on the canopy around the square. Many of the lights are not lit. The canopy poles need to be painted. These are small jobs. Speaking of lights, one of the more attractive businesses, Jennie’s Flowers & Gifts, is located in a block where no lights are operating.

To list a few other problem areas: broken patches of curbing, faded yellow striping, a pile of broken cement near the Utley Building, a garbage can on the square in the 100 block of College, the city garage in the Van Dorn parking lot is painted in two different colors, the old historic firehouse is boarded up like a derelict building, and, last but not least, the City Hall rear portico is falling apart.

Why doesn’t the city implement a proactive system whereby these situations are fixed before they become major problems? Appoint someone who has the responsibility to fix things when they happen.

We want to attract new homeowners and businesses. We want the city to be attractive for tourism. How do you think a tourist would react to peeling paint and derelict buildings?

The city has to do their part and they are not doing it. Let’s start with getting the lights lit for the holidays and the burned-out light bulbs replaced in the lanterns. If wires are broken, fix them. Set a schedule where other repairs are done and keep up with others in a timely manner.

Please accept these comments and suggestions in a positive manner.

Along with many other citizens, I am anxious for our city to succeed and grow.

Respectfully,
Jean M. Liddy

Tourism Matters

Stephanie Movre
Tourism director

Three year strategic plan presented, website launched

Officials of the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance (MHHAA) met with partners and stakeholders Thursday at the BancorpSouth Conference Center to present details of a recently completed three-year strategic plan, which calls for the utilization of a “string of pearls” approach to cultural and heritage tourism development within the region. In conjunction, a new promotional website, www.mississippihills.org, was formally launched.

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Historic holiday splendor

By STEPHANIE MORVE
Holly Springs Tourism Director

Holly Springs and Marshall County are getting into the Christmas spirit this year with a double-dip of yuletide cheer: two spectacular tours, December 1-2 and December 8-9, of beautifully decorated, historical homes, complete with holiday concerts!

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