Browsing: Community Picks

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Leadership will host the fourth annual Southern Miss Cruisin’ on Monday, Oct. 6, from 3 to 5 p.m. on the Gulf Park Campus South Lawn in Long Beach.

A project first imagined more than three decades ago is moving forward in Pearl River County. Construction is underway on…

For nearly a year, I lived in Goodman Mississippi without ever stepping foot inside the little brick building on Main Street. I’d drive past it, see the sign out front with some message about story time or a craft night, and think nothing of it. Downtown Goodman isn’t flashy. There’s a post office, one restaurant, town hall, and that library tucked into what used to be a Presbyterian church. Nothing about it seemed urgent enough to stop for.

Internet provider Sparklight® has just launched “Connections That Give Back,” a charitable extension of its Refer-A-Friend program, benefiting Catholic Charities of South Mississippi Food Bank, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity for individuals and families.

Smith Park in downtown Jackson, Mississippi, was established in 1838 when the state donated the land to the city. Named after Scottish industrialist James Smith, who donated money for a park fence in 1884, the park underwent a redesign in the 1970s, which included the addition of an amphitheater and an artificial stream. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and declared a Mississippi Landmark in 2017. 

In 2009, Anne Reed and Leigh Gentry-Hickman met during a women’s Bible study in Tupelo, Mississippi. Their friendship began quietly, but a spark of connection was formed. Years later, that spark grew into something extraordinary.

On a lot once home to a shuttered garment factory, Leakesville leaders see a chance to remake their town. The Basila District, a planned hub of businesses and green space, is the centerpiece of a push to keep young people in Greene County and attract new jobs. 

Gleaners, Inc., also known as The Volunteers of Gleaners, is a Jackson, Mississippi-based nonprofit organization founded by Gloria Martinson in 1986. Today, the Volunteers of Gleaners salvage food that otherwise would go to waste and redistribute it to nonprofits in the central Mississippi area. 

Every September, Jackson’s historic streets and stately trees come alive with one of my favorite celebrations of the year—the Mississippi Book Festival. Known affectionately as the “literary lawn party,” this gathering is more than an event; it’s a love letter to stories, storytellers, and the people who cherish them.

Downtown Wiggins is getting a new look, thanks to $50,000 in grants helping local businesses repair, repaint and revive storefronts. Leaders of the Stone County seat said upgrades are drawing more visitors and energy to the small city’s two-street business district. 

September is here, and with it comes a month full of exciting programs, creative workshops, and community connections at the Jackson-George Regional Library System (JGRLS). Whether you’re a book lover, crafter, parent, or teen—there’s something for everyone at your library!

Dog owners understand the blessings that come with having a fur friend. But for those living with disabilities, dogs offer a wide range of benefits, including assistance with daily tasks, retrieving objects, and providing physical support to maintain balance. Beyond physical aid, dogs also offer emotional and mental health benefits, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness through companionship.

On Friday, August 22, 2025, a powerful reminder of community compassion will unfold as Operation Warm Heart donates 40 comfort kit boxes to the Biloxi Fire and Police Departments. Twenty kits will be presented to each department during a special ceremony that will bring together first responders, local officials, and community leaders.

Monica Robinson begins her day at 5:30 a.m., driving a school bus before starting her full-time job as a social worker for a Mississippi school district. 

Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission is inviting families to a spooktacular day of fun at Stennis International Airport’s third annual Hallowings Flightfest. This free community event will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

Danyell Latham watched as a crowd of Lambda Chi Alpha members celebrated the groundbreaking of her new home Thursday [Aug. 14].

Latham has worked for the university for nearly a decade and has served as a chef for the Lambda Chi fraternity house for about a year. By November, she and her sons, Robert and Kasen Kelly, will have the keys to a house built by volunteers from Mississippi State, Starkville Habitat for Humanity and the young men she sees every day at the university.