Opinion

Leaving for the Knotty Bolden Memorial Rodeo Saturday night, I had second thoughts about the shorts I was wearing.

My son Andy had put on jeans, more fitting for a rodeo, and apparently more appropriate for our third weekend of July weather, too.

He had gone to the event Friday night, too, and warned, “It got kind of cool out there. Some people were wearing jackets.”

We have a new columnist for The South Reporter, Richard Simmons (no, not the exercise guy).

I really enjoy reading his column, especially the “Did You Know?” section. Quite often, no, I didn’t know that. And I am a trivia junkie!

My oldest granddaughter has fixed me up though, with enough trivia to keep me satisfied for a while.

There is something special about returning to the sea. Some paleontologists believe humans evolved near the coastlines. Perhaps that explains the incredible soothing power of waves lapping the shore.

Ah, the beach! I would guess the coast is the number one vacation destination of Mississippians in the summer. I just came back refreshed. That’s a big check mark in the “Take Family on Vacation” line of my parental obligation list.

In the past two months, I have used this column multiple times to discuss the ongoing debate in Congress over health care reform. I have done so because I believe it is one of the more important debates of our time and because, while we have a great opportunity to implement positive reforms, we also stand to lose greatly if we take the wrong approach.

Letters To The Editor

Thanks for the help!:

On behalf of the Byhalia Area Chamber of Commerce, we wish to thank you (and your staff), the Clydesdale Christmas Store volunteers and the Byhalia Lions Club for support of the second Annual BACC Charity Poker Run held on Saturday, June 20. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from the poker run will go to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Donations will be made to the Byhalia Fire Department and the Clydesdale Christmas Store for Needy Children. The remaining amount will benefit the BACC’s 2009 objectives, programs and projects.

A special thank you to the Poker Run committee and volunteers – chair Mika Joyner, Leah Grant, Jeff Rhea, Vickie Smithey, Pam Thomas, Tim Joyner, Tyler Joyner, Doris Lee. This was a well-planned and organized effort by the committee and volunteers.

The festival organizers donated the admission and meal for the riders. The Byhalia Area Chamber of Commerce provided the Saturday afternoon band “Greenleaf.”

Another big thank you goes to our riders, 95.3 The Rebel, Piggly Wiggly (Byhalia) William and Diana Rose, the Olive Branch Shriners Club, the VFW (Holly Springs), Champion Awards, Barb Wires in Olive Branch and Bucksnort Country Store in Coldwater. Special thanks go to the landowner.

When organizations come together it is a win-win for all participating. Dual participation included a website presence www.gobyhalia.com other promotions/marketing/advertising through emails, flyers, posters, media articles, increased attendance, volunteers and staff. Working events together will decrease costs and time for each organization.

The only thing out of our control was the extreme heat!

Champion Awards did a great job in updating the graphics for the posters, flyers and printed our popular Poker Run T-shirts and lapel pins. These items are available for purchase at the Chamber office.

Please continue to check our website www.gobyhalia.com for the chamber calendar and our member listings. If you would like to help with the 2010 chamber calendar planning, this process will begin in October 2009.

Thank you to each and every one who makes a difference in the Byhalia area and Marshall County. Call 662-838-8127, visit our website or visit us at 2452 Church Street in historic downtown Byhalia to learn more on the BACC.

My best regards,
Sarah Sawyer
Executive director


Thursday, July 23, 2009
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