Friday Dec. 26,
2014
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Daily Corinthian
Partly sunny Today
Tonight
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Vol. 118, No. 300
• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • Two sections
Serving others on Christmas Basket fund tops $14,600 The spirit of giving this Christmas season is alive and well in the Alcorn County area. Donations continue to arrive for the 19th Annual Corinth Rotary Club/Daily Corinthian Christmas Basket Fund. A $25,000 fund raising goal was set so 1,000 food baskets could be given to local families on Saturday, Dec. 6. Baskets were given away based upon faith the goal will be reached. So far, $14,659 has been raised, meaning $10,341 still needs to be raised to make the goal. Recent donations include $200 from Dr. and Mrs. Tom Smith in memory of Ota May Maynard and Marguerite Truitt; $110 from the Cheryl Malone Starling family in memory of Coyt Marie Malone and L.Q. Starling; $100 Marcella and Frank Clark in memory of Jack and Gene Clark; $200 from Dr. and Mrs. Bryan Huggins in memory of Martha Huggins and J.W. Stokes; $100 from Tommy and Janie Kingen in memory of Tim “Turtle” Kingen; and a $487 anonymous gift. Contributions to the Christmas Basket Fund can be made “in honor of” or “in memory of” a special person or persons. The tribute will be published in the Daily Corinthian. Donations can be brought by the newspaper office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or mailed to: Daily Corinthian, Attn.: Christmas Basket Fund, P.O. Box 1800, Corinth, MS 38835.
Gala brings in New Year in ’60s style Staff photo by Mark Boehler
Latasha Dilworth, a shift leader at Walgreen’s in Corinth, was on duty Christmas Day. Walgreen’s is one of the few retail outlets open on the holiday.
Many people work on the holiday For some folks, Christmas is just another day on the job. Those who serve the Crossroads area on the quintessential holiday give up special time with family and friends to get their job done, many of which are very important on Christmas Day. None quite as important as the number one stop for area dads who forgot to “get batteries.” Walgreens shift lead Latasha Dilworth knows how important her store is to many on Christmas morning. “A lot of people are so thankful we’re open today -that someone is open today,” she said. “This is easily one of our busiest shopping days of the year.” Dilworth, who has worked Christmas Day every other
year since 2006, said she doesn’t mind working on the holiday. “It doesn’t bother me,” Dilworth added. “I don’t have any kids, so I handle working Christmas Day much better than some folks.” Across town Paula Campbell was enjoying a steady day in admissions at Magnolia Regional Health Center’s E.R. “There’s a mix of folks who come to the E.R. on Christmas Day,” the director of financial services said. “From children who have fallen playing with their Christmas gift to people who have eaten to much, we see it all on Christmas. Today, the overall hospital has been kinda busy. We actually have delivered several Christmas babies.”
Campbell, a 36 year veteran of the hospital industry, said she has worked at least half of the Christmases during her career. “My family learned a long time ago that everything comes second to my hospital job,” she said. “I have never made any of my staff work. I always ask if anyone can and if they can’t, then I work.” At Corinth Fire Station #4, Lieutenant David Smith and his two co-workers also reported a slow Christmas Day. “We want a slow day,” Smith said. “If we are having a busy day, then someone is having a bad Christmas. We don’t want that.” The 20-year firefighter said
PICKWICK, Tenn. — Partygoers will be transported back to the psychedelic sixties as they ring in 2015 alongside the beautiful Tennessee River. To be held on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at Pickwick Landing State Park and hosted by Tour Hardin County, the “Peace, Love & Pickwick” New Year’s Eve Party will feature live entertainment, good eats and epic fun. Please see GALA | 3A
Over 300 enjoy meal, fellowship BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com
Tommy and Marea Wilson opened their hearts and the doors at Living Free Ministries Christmas morning for their third annual Crossroads Christmas event. As “It’s a Wonderful Life” played on the big screen TV, strangers became friends over a Please see MEAL | 3A
Please see WORK | 3A
CT-A sets 4 shows in ’15 Biggersville High School principal, teacher retire BY SHERRY SHAWL
BY KIMBERLY SHELTON kshelton@dailycorinthian.com
Fancies will take flight as Corinth Theatre-Arts presents “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Wrapping up their 2014-2015 “Year of Wonderment,” the whimsical production, based on C.S. Lewis’ high fantasy novel, will replace “Isn’t it a Wonder?” as the last show of the season. Upcoming shows include: ■ “The Reluctant Dragon” by George C. Fosgate (Feb. 27) — A peaceful fellow who enjoys tea, poetry and an afternoon snooze, The Reluctant Dragon is content in his solitude. His peaceful existence is threatened after a group of mischievous youngster stir the villagers into calling in Saint George, the famous dragon slayer. Befriending both the dragon and St. George, a young lad arranges a meeting between the two. The comic battle that ensues provides provides an entertaining Please see CT-A | 3A
For the Daily Corinthian
Biggersville High School closed the first semester out this school year with an emotional goodbye to two of its own. Principal Gary Johnson and high school science teacher Cindy Condra retired from the positions they held for several years effective end of the year. Johnson, who came to Biggersville in 2001, began his career in education at fortyone. His history with Biggersville, however, goes much farther back. He started school in 1956 at Biggersville when there was only the old building at the front of the campus, a two-story agriculture and home economics building, and a wooden gymnasium. From that gym, he and his fellow basketball players made history. They earned Biggersville’s first county tournament championship, became district champs, and competed in the state playoffs. Johnson went on to play for the University of
Biggersville High School Principal Gary Johnson and science teacher Cindy Condra look forward to retirement. Mississippi after he graduated in 1968. That history may have a played role in the pride John-
Index Stocks......8A Classified......4B Comics......9A State......5A
Weather......8A Obituaries......6A Opinion......4A Sports....12A
son took in his campus. “This school has been a part of my life for 25 or 26 years. I was born and raised here and
have lived in this community all of my life,” he said. “I’m extremely proud of this school.” Scott Parvin, who teaches algebra at Biggersville, was in the eighth grade when Johnson graduated high school. The accomplished teacher now considers him a close friend as well. “He came into a school that had deteriorated over the years, physically. He worked hard to improve the campus and the technology in this school. He brought in a certain spirit that had not been here for a while,” said Parvin. That sentiment is echoed by all of those who were here when Johnson took the helm to work beside his employees. “I’ve been here since day one when Mr. Johnson came in,” said Ray Nash, who has been teaching ag sciences at Biggersville for 17 years and has worked hands-on beside the man who has become his friend for the past 13 years. Please see RETIREES | 7A
On this day in history 150 years ago The Army of Tennessee crosses the river at Bainbridge, a process that takes two days. As the corps make the crossing, they strike south to the Memphis & Charleston Railroad where by foot and cars they make the journey to Burnsville, Miss.
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