Out of Halloween candy yet? We hope not. October left us last week with more than our fair share of festivals and goodies, but there were a few more things that made the week a sweet one.

4Nearly 600 school nutritionists and vendors filled the convention center for the Mississippi School Nutrition Association&8217;s conference. Though we probably needed their advice after all that candy, what we got was even better.

Many of the guests spent three nights in local hotels &8212; bringing their money with them.

Tourism Director Walter Tipton estimated the group would spend half a million dollars in town. The bigger the conference, the better for Natchez. Marketing our convention center is an industry of its own.

4Students at McLaurin Elementary School like math. It&8217;s almost unheard of, but in this case the increased interest in math and science is all part of a master plan. Administrators at the school have created a math and science lab. Students visit the class once a week to play math games, work with microscopes and open their minds. It&8217;s working. And it&8217;s bound to show up on state tests.

4Approximately 30 concerned citizens attended a public meeting on the future of the Forks of the Road site. Though the project is in its early stages, it&8217;s great to see our residents willing to voice their opinions. Often,s public meetings and hearings draw meager crowds of less than five. If city leaders truly digest what the people are saying, this project will be a good one.

Hopefully, this week will be as sweet at as the last, candy or not.