With six days left before Christmas, many people are scurrying around making last-minute decisions before the celebrations begin. Amid the hustle and bustle of the season, let us pause for a moment to take a look at some of last week’s highlights:

-Three pickup trucks were filled with large cans of spinach, corn, beans and other kinds of food as part of the Adams County Board of Supervisors’ Pack the Pickup fundraising campaign for the Natchez Stewpot. The event has become an annual holiday tradition, during which each supervisor sets up at local grocery stores to accept donations from area residents. This year, Natchez aldermen and other city employees helped with the effort. Despite a day of cold temperatures and rain showers, the local leaders were able to fill three trucks and, more importantly, the Natchez Stewpot’s shelves. To local leaders and all of those who donated we offer thanks for helping contribute to feed some of the most needy people in  our community.

-Natchez High School senior Jordan Hamilton started playing the drums when he was 3 years old playing on his grandmother’s pots and pans with a pair of spoons. Thirteen years later, Hamilton was selected as one of the state’s best drummers during the Mississippi Bandmaster’s Association Band Clinic, which met in Natchez this year. The honor landed Hamilton a spot of the MBA top band, which played during this year’s convention. Even though he loves playing the drums, Hamilton said he would more than likely pursue a career in engineering or some other medical field. But Hamilton said he hopes to attend a university where he can play drums in the marching band. Whatever Hamilton decides, we know that he will excel at whatever he tries to achieve.

As we get ready to celebrate Christmas with family and friends, let us always be on the lookout for the best in our community.