With Fall Pilgrimage in full swing and other popular fall festivals just around the corner, let’s take a look at some of the good news from last week:

-Natchez offered the best in Southern hospitality to tourism officials from every corner of the state during last week’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Gov. Phil Bryant and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves addressed attendees about why they think state tourism continues to play an important role in the state’s economy. Thanks to all who showed the rest of the state why Natchez is one of Mississippi’s brightest spots in tourism.

-Cathedral School senior Rudy Nugent is well on his way to not only becoming a trained medical professional but also a community leader. Nugent recently attended the National Youth Leadership Forum in San Francisco last summer. Nugent learned about the medical profession, including watching physicians perform knee surgery and talking to physicians who set up triage units during Hurricane Katrina. He also met other students from across the country and learned about their future aspirations. By broadening his horizon, we know that Nugent is headed for a bright future.

-Biscuits — both savory and sweet — were the star of the day during the first Natchez Biscuit Festival. Local cooks and regional chefs demonstrated why Natchez is the self-proclaimed Biscuit Capital of the World. Residents and tourists savored everything from Cuban pork biscuits with chimichurri to crawfish, pot pie biscuits. Congratulations to all who created the festival that we hope grows every year.

As we look toward a week and the promise of cooler weather, let us remember to give thanks to everyone who is striving to make our community great.