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A stack of trusty reporter’s notebooks sits on the corner of my desk, filled with notes from interviews and dozens of observations, questions and ponderings that deserve chasing or sharing. It’s been a while, so it’s time once again to empty some of those notebooks and share some thoughts …

A television commercial for a well-known air freshener touts the dangers of becoming “nose-blind” to unwelcome scents in our homes and vehicles. It’s a great concept, and one that I suspect applies to many aspects of our lives – including roadways and road signs.

A recent visitor who came to Natchez for a couple of weeks made some pointed (and uncomfortable) observations about the state of both our roadways and road signs. The major corridors – such as U.S. 61 from U.S. 84 all the way to Broadway on the Bluff – are, well, more than a little bit unkempt and offer a less-than-stellar first impression. Overgrown medians; trash; unsightly lots that need attention and more are easy to find. Yes, I know that the Mississippi Department of Transportation has jurisdiction over state roads and there are always issues with rights-of-way and challenges forcing homeowners to clean and clear lots or abandoned properties. I also remember former Mayor Butch Brown’s almost obsessive focus on those same corridors. He was constantly pushing and prodding MDOT; challenging local officials to enact sign ordinances; and looking for ways to present Natchez’s best first impression.

And it’s not just the roadways that need some attention. When’s the last time you paid attention to the signage in town, particularly around Downtown Natchez? The visitor challenged me to do just that and, well, I suddenly saw plenty of faded signs and crooked, leaning or rusting sign poles. And, as one Facebook poster noted, there seems to be no signage for the new Visitors Center location at the Depot. I’ve no idea how much a new sign costs, but it seems like replacing and updating signs could be a low-cost, big-impact effort for the city and/or Downtown Natchez Association.

While signage and roadways are not the most pressing issue facing our community, it’s good to remember to stop and see the town we love through the eyes of a visitor – just to make sure we don’t become “sign blind” …

Nearly two years ago, Ben Hillyer and I were trading “things I’ve read lately” information, and he mentioned the book Horse. I’d seen it on popular booklists but assumed it would not interest me. Then Ben casually mentioned the book had a Natchez connection. It went on my TBR list, where it remained until the Community Reads 2025 effort was launched.

This new annual program features community book readings, discussions, tours, and author talks that will focus on a book related to Natchez each year. Partners in this year’s “Natchez Reads” endeavor include Natchez National Historical Park, the Historic Natchez Foundation, the George Armstrong Library, the City of Natchez, and the Mississippi Book Festival. And if you’re reading along, make sure you have these important dates on your calendar:

July 22 – Book Discussion of “Horse” led by Betty Jo Harris, 6: p.m., Historic Natchez Foundation.
Aug. 26 – M.B. Gibson, author of “Pryor Knowledge,” in conversation with Kathleen Bond about writing historical fiction, 6 p.m., Historic Natchez Foundation.
Sept. 12 – Pulitzer-prize winner Geraldine Brooks, author of “Horse,” in conversation with historian Alan Huffman, author of “Mississippi in Africa,” 6:30 p.m., Natchez Grand Hotel.
If you don’t have a copy of the book yet, check out the George W. Armstrong Public Library for lending copies or purchase one at Silver Street Gifts at Natchez Under-the-Hill. I’m looking forward to finally moving this one from my TBR stack …

And let’s wrap up on a positive note about roadways and such. Friends who recently returned to New Orleans after living in Natchez for several years came back to town for a quick visit just before Memorial Day, and the note that followed the visit is worthy of sharing:

“We came back this afternoon from our whirlwind trip. The scenic route through Centreville and Liberty was so lush and luxuriant in fields and forests that it took the yawn out of the back-to-back driving days. Although brief, we were richly reminded of what makes Natchez so very special.”

I hope you, too, are often reminded of all that makes Natchez and the greater Miss-Lou so special.

Stacy G. Graning is publisher of The Democrat. Email her at stacy.graning@natchezdemocrat.com