As we approach one of the biggest weekends on the festival calendar — the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race — let us take a look at some of the week’s good news:

• Natchez was in the pink last week in an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of mammograms and early detection of the disease. Surrounded by residents dressed in pink T-shirts, Mayor Darryl Grennell proclaimed Friday Paint Natchez Pink Day. Friday morning’s event on the Adams County Courthouse steps ended a week of events focused on women and women’s health, spearheaded by Merit Health Natchez. Monday, residents were invited to a women’s health expo at the Natchez Convention Center. Other activities included handing out free pink ribbons, the Susan G. Komen River Runs Pink 5K run and walk and the hospital’s ninth annual Caring Women program.  Thanks to Merit Health Natchez for the reminder of the importance of breast cancer awareness and other women’s health issues.
• Adams County Christian School senior Harley Martin said she wanted to help when she learned about the devastation from Hurricane Harvey in Houston and south Texas. A member of the Mayor’s Youth Council and a former member of Youth Leadership Natchez, Martin knows the importance of community activism and leadership. After the hurricane, she started with the school’s student council and soon had her whole school donating items that filled the stage in the school’s lunchroom. With help from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Martin and her schoolmates were able to get the items shipped to Texas in early September.
• The Natchez Fire Department and Adams County volunteer firefighters hosted separate events during National Fire Prevention Week. Thanks to our local firefighters for reminding residents about the importance of fire prevention and how they can practice fire safety.

Let us remember thank those who continue to make our community great.