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The world lost one of the most influential conservationists of the past century with the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall. Her love of the natural world and subsequent call for us to champion a balance in the way we view nature began with her ground-breaking research on chimpanzees in the forest of Tanzania, Africa. She was a household name, right up there with Mr. Rodgers, and Big Bird. She carried herself with dignity and was a forceful voice for the creatures and places she loved.

PASCAGOULA—What started 29 years ago to celebrate antique, classic and hot rod vehicles, nostalgic music and related events with only 374 registered participants in Biloxi. It has now spread from state line to state line with block parties all along the entire Gulf Coast. Cruisin’ the Coast 2025 is revving its engines for a week of vintage cars, music and parades from October 5 to 12 and expecting to surpass its 9,961 registered cars.

PASCAGOULA—Zonta…it isn’t just a festival, but to the Jackson County community, Zonta is synonymous for a fun day of shopping…

A few days ago, I came across a social media post that really stuck with me long after I read it. The exchange involved three businesswomen from Tupelo, Mississippi, all of whom own businesses within the food service industry that are similar. 

Opera Mississippi in Jackson is celebrating 80 years, highlighting Mississippi’s rich history of Opera. It is the state’s only professional opera company and the ninth-oldest continuously operating opera company in the U.S., dating back to its 1945 founding. For eight decades, Opera Mississippi has worked to produce accessible, high-quality Opera, musical theatre, and popular music experiences. Over the years, Opera Mississippi has featured notable national and international artists, including its latest executive director, John Christopher Adams from Fannin, Mississippi. 

Baldwyn, Mississippi is on the grow!

Now, for those who have not visited this small North Mississippi town lately, or for those who might not have ventured there yet, the growth is both exciting and enjoyable. And the latest welcomed addition to Baldwyn is also delicious.

PASCAGOULA—Since 2022, lively music and bright colors have helped kick off Hispanic Heritage Month at Pascagoula’s Beach Park.

Everybody knows Mississippi for the big ones—our blues roots in the Delta, the stately homes in Natchez, the seafood suppers on the Coast. And while those places are worth bragging about, there are some corners of this state that don’t make the headlines but will absolutely steal your heart. They’re the kind of spots you stumble on, tell your friends about, and then go back to because they stay with you.

For 75 years, guests from across Mississippi and the country have explored the beauty of the LaPointe Krebs House overlooking Krebs Lake in Pascagoula, a milestone worth commemoration through a resolution from the Jackson County Board of Supervisors.

A medical condition called pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) caused Cathy Maberry to lose her sight partially in 2017. Within three years, Maberry went completely blind. Despite her circumstances, Maberry never lost sight of her goal to complete her degree at Jackson State University (JSU) and pursue her life’s purpose. 

Mississippi’s greatest treasures are her people. They always have been, and they always will be. No matter where a person travels within the borders of our state, I can guarantee that there will be some kind, hospitable Mississippians to greet and help that traveler along the way. Seriously, kindness and hospitality are absolutely part of our Mississippi DNA.

When people talk about the soundtrack of America, Mississippi is always playing in the background. The Magnolia State gave birth to the blues, nurtured gospel and soul, and shaped the rhythms of country and rock. You can’t talk about American music without talking about Mississippi.

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.

Mississippi has always been known for its rich cultural heritage, its stories, and its people who turn everyday life into something extraordinary. Now, that legacy will take center stage on a national level as our state heads to Pasadena for the 137th Rose Parade on January 1, 2026. The theme? “Where Creativity Blooms.” And if there’s one thing Mississippi knows well, it’s creativity.

This week, as I sat down to write, I started out looking for an event to cover. There’s always something happening along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but I kept circling back to the thought that we don’t always have to wait for an event to get out and do something. One of the greatest gifts of living here is that our waters are always open—ready for us whenever we are.

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.