MLK Day celebrated
Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s day. It is a state and federal holiday to reflect and celebrate the life and legacy of a great leader. King was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a Baptist minister and prominent American civil rights movement leader from 1955 until his assassination in 1968 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. He promoted nonviolent means to end racial segregation in the United States. He participated in and led marches for the right to vote, labor rights, and desegregation. In 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent means. In 1986, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was named a federal holiday.
The holiday has been observed with events such as marches, rallies, and speeches by politicians and civil rights leaders. The Marshall County Branch of NAACP will host its 37th annual commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s day with a birthday breakfast. The breakfast will be at the Eddie Lee Smith Multi- Purpose Center, 235 N. Memphis Street, at 9 a.m. This year’s theme will be “Thriving Together.” The special speaker for the event will be Kamal Karrien, Jr., of Columbus, Mississippi. Karrien is a preacher, pastor, civil rights leader, and former Columbus city councilman. The community is invited to attend this free event.
CareNow will host the 6th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. The afternoon will be filled with many actitvities in downtown Holly Spring square. The annual parade will begin at 11 a.m. The master of ceremonies will be Dale K. DeBerry, and the guest speaker will be pastor and attorney Vandell Bland. There will be warming stations and free hot cocoa will be served to all who attend. Rust College’s acapella choir, and 6IX Figures will be performing. A 250-word essay contest, post-board contest, and other games and giveaways will be held throughout the evening. For more information, contact Roland Lester at 662-544-1027.
The Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum will host activities Monday through Friday, Jan. 15-19, at the museum, located at 220 N. Randolph Street in Holly Springs.
Activities will include storytime and historical films. Storytime will be held from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. for ages pre-K to 12 years old. Refreshments will be served. All activities are by appointment only. Call 662-252- 3232 or 662-579-5747 or email idabwellsmuseum@gmail.co m to make an appointment for these events.
The weather this past Monday evening kept some without electricity on Tuesday due to power lines down in the area from the storm Monday evening and high winds Tuesday. Many have kept their fingers crossed over the past year, hoping the electricity to their homes, businesses, etc., does not shut off due to wind, rain, or sometimes a pesky squirrel. I hope the City of Holly Springs mayor and board of aldermen consider the changes mentioned in the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association assessment report to help make the power more reliable. It would make a difference in the lives of so many people living in the area.