While most of the Miss-Lou takes a well-deserved break this Labor Day, let us take a moment to remember some of good news from our community last week:

-The Adams County Master Gardeners marched through downtown Natchez Thursday and Friday ready to do battle with the crape myrtle bark scale. The volunteer group with the Mississippi Extension Service committed money, time and effort to treat the downtown crape myrtle trees to protect them from the insect that turns the trees and their surroundings into sticky, unsightly messes. Thank you to all of the Master Gardeners and the Extension Service for keeping our downtown trees beautiful.

-One might say Vidalia High School freshman Nick Scirocco is stuck on sticks. The 15-year-old marching band drum captain keeps a pair of drumsticks by his side wherever he goes. Scirocco’s love of the drums recently deepened after he returned from Northwestern State University’s drumline camp, where he connected other dummers and instructors. Scirocco wants to be a future college band director. Thanks to the camp and his stick-to-it attitude, Scirocco’s future is bright.

-The American Queen Steamboat visited Natchez Thursday bringing passengers and an economic message to local leaders and tourism officials. Representatives from the company that owns the American Queen reminded leaders of the millions of dollars in economic impact the boat brings each year. In 2015, the boat docked in Natchez 25 times. Since the boat returned passenger service to the river five years ago, the economic impact equals $8.8 million, officials said. That is good news for the area, especially as more boats are scheduled to bring more passengers to Natchez.

As we prepare for the week, let us remember to give thanks to everyone who is striving to make our community great.