Raymond News

R by Kara Culp Like many 2year-olds, Bob is in a full “Elmo” stage of childhood, similar to his oldest sister who had an entire Elmo themed birthday party herself at 2 years old. After nearly 9 straights years of Elmo, I think I have every song, episode, and dance memorized both backwards and forwards. Bob’s favorite Sesame Street episode right now is all about the letter “C” for community and comes with a catchy song that goes: “I’m here for you, you’re here for me, that’s what makes a community.” These lyrics are so infused in my mind that its now spilling into my column. And it certainly proved itself true this week for the Last Friday morning Robert’s youngest brother, 253 West M Stephen, who lives just outside of Raymond with his wife Ava, called to tell Saturday driving around us that their Great rural Hinds County Pyrenees dog, Tucker, roads looking for poor did not come home after Tucker. Every time I his daily morning walk opened Facebook on my around their property. phone, I saw a new comTucker is a sweet and ment or possible sightgentle guardian dog who ing - even photos of keeps a close eye on Tucker from folks checktheir ever-growing herd ing their deer cameras. of goats and farm aniPeople became very mals. Stephen and Ava invested in helping us were devastated when find Tucker before they couldn’t find him so another big freeze. I enlisted the help of Fortunately (and folks on Facebook and unfortunately) Tucker the Raymond Area Talk miraculously made his Town Group. way back to the goat I immediately barn Sunday morning started to get responses after he was hit by a car and leads from people sometime Friday. Even around town. Many peowith a broken hip and ple spent Friday and Mississippi College was formally recognized by leaders of the Mississippi State Legislature during a special Day at the Capitol in Jackson on Jan. 22 as part of the University’s 2026 Founders Week, marking the beginning of a yearlong Bicentennial celebration. The Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives each honored MC for its 200 years of service to the state, recognizing the University’s historic role as Mississippi’s oldest institution of higher learning and its ongoing commitment to academic excellence and to the cause of Christ. House Speaker Jason White and Sen. Hillman Frazier intro- On hand for MC Day at duced MC leaders in President Blake Tho their respective chambers, and Rep. Clay addressed the Senate Mansell presented a for- from the podium. mal resolution in the “Being recogHouse gallery. MC nized by both chambers President Blake of our State Legislature Thompson briefly When mailing back your r nam rece v l t w o S t o a w M t s a c f a d p c b s h T G t c p Main Street wins Yard of The Month (again)! s f n a d internal bleeding, Yard of the Month” for u y Tucker found his way February. I’m sure you D r back to protect his herd. could hear their squeals T I The Animal Emergency of delight from across g y and Referral Center town. In early January, C - operated by Mississippi 4 year old Lyda Belle and t - State University in I spent an entire weeks f Flowood confirmed the end planting purple pang - hip fracture and emer- sies in the brick flower b . gency surgery was per- beds leading up the a y formed. Tucker is stable steps to our house. We B s and there is great hope went a little wild for the t e for his survival! Thanks beautiful purple and a to everyone who invested white pansies at Home a d time and prayers in Depot and planted more a r helping find Tucker. in our hanging baskets t s The girls received and my favorite green u t some uplifting news pot (that came from Jack c g Saturday afternoon Moss’s office). Martha p r when Martha Ferguson said she loved our pops s n crowned our yard of color during this wint d “Raymond Garden Club ter season. Pansies are R H MC 200 Y ELLENCE URING AY A the Capitol are, from left, House District 56 Rep. Clay Mans ompson, District 27 Sen. Hillman Frazier, and City of Clinton e during our Bicentennial as an institution, but M year is a tremendous also celebrates the t - honor,” Thompson said. countless students, facs “This moment highlights ulty, alumni and sup- M e not only our long history porters who have shaped a UNTY AZETTE ENEWA renewal notice mail the entire en me and address to ensure you ke eiving your INDS OUNTY AZET LMA-PA S very hardy, just like my This wonderful little Lyda Belle, and group came together they are the perfect cold about two years ago weather flower. when Kathy Rankin and This is the sec- her husband, Matt, held ond time 253 West Main a Bible study on Lee Street has won yard of Strobel’s “The Case for the month. Our home’s Christmas.” The Bible original owner, WWII Vet study grew in number, and POW, Henry Lick, as did their friendships won in the 1970s. Olivia and love for their Mucha, Henry’s daugh- Raymond town. A sweet ter, told me that he was friend of Kathy encourso proud of his win and aged her to listen to a always took meticulous Podcast where the care of his yard and speaker said, “If you flowerbeds. Henry made can’t find community, a really beautiful foun- create community.” As a dation for Lyda Belle to recently retired teacher plant her pansies and and empty nester, Kathy continue a legacy of took that to heart and beautifying homeowner- the Lord has blessed her ship. I think she would immensely. People crave have made Henry proud! connection and commuThank you, Raymond nity and throwing fun Garden Club! events is a great way to You know all get to know and serve those fun and amazing people better. All this community events pop- fun and involvement ping up all over town speak volumes about the such as the mahjongg Raymond Community fundraisers, trivia and how much we all nights, Christmas Carols enjoy each other. at the Caboose, and the If you do not upcoming Valentine’s have Facebook - have no Day Raymond Prom? fear. I will share all There is now a Facebook upcoming events in the group called “Raymond . There Community Collective” are some great ones that you can follow and coming up that cannot see what an amazing be missed! group of community From helping to builders are doing find lost dogs to creating around town. Debbi unforgettable trivia night Braswell helped create fun, or even just a pleasthis page and Debbi, ant exchange at the post along with Kathy Rankin office – being together and Kim Williams, are and building each other administrators. It is up is what makes this their hope to post world (and our little upcoming Raymond community) go round. community events and I’m so thankful to be a pictures and have a “one part of it. stop” place to see everything that’s going on in Be kind and sufRaymond. fer well. Y F , C at the Capitol throughout the day to meet with state leaders and celebrate the University’s legacy. The MC Singers performed in the Capitol Rotunda to mark the occasion. Though inclement weather prompted the University to postpone some previously scheduled Founders Week activities on Friday, Jan. 23, MC will host numerous Bicentennial events in the coming weeks. They will include: * A 200th Bicentennial Birthday Party on campus, * The opening of “1826: The Exhibition,” a celebration of the University’s rich 200year history in conjuncsell, Mississippi College tion with the Institute for n Mayor Will Purdie. Southern Storytelling, * The unveiling of Mississippi College over a new Bicentennial Time the past 200 years.” Capsule, and Members of the * Art exhibits, MC community from academic lectures and across the state gathered other celebrations throughout the year. N ! nvelope and include your eep TTE!