On behalf of the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce and the Vicksburg Area Job Fair Committee, I would like to express our gratitude to the 72 registered employers and the over 2,000 job-seekers for participating in this year’s job fair. This was the most successful one we have had in the past 13 years. We hope that this event will be fruitful for all for many months and years to come. There were over 1,589 resumes accepted, 1,358 on-site interviews conducted, 717 provision/conditional job offers extended on that day and it is projected that 660 people will be hired as a result of attending this job fair.

A special thanks to DiamondJacks Hotel and Casino, Ameristar Hotel and Casino, and Riverwalk Hotel and Casino for allowing us to meet at their facilities and providing us with a wonderful lunch each time. Also, special thanks to Hinds Community College for hosting a job preparedness workshop, Becky Chandler and The Vicksburg Post for advertising and providing the name tags for all volunteers, Mayor Paul Winfield and Supervisor Richard George for welcoming the employers prior to the opening of the job fair, and Ron Anderson and River 101 for the live remote. And, of course, we could not have had this event without the guidance of Joe Buckner, director of the Governor’s Job Fair Network and his staff, Bessie Glass and Wanda Bell.

We are proud of what we have accomplished this year and hope to do even better on the second Tuesday in August 2010. See you there!

Don Brown

Job Fair Committee chair

Vicksburg

544 joined swim classes

It is hard to believe that the 2009 summer American Red Cross Learn to Swim season has come to a close. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all involved.

This summer, 544 students were enrolled. These students were taught water safety skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Not only were these students taught to swim, they were also taught to be safer, smarter, more confident around water, how to remain calm, and how to help to help themselves and others in dangerous situations involving water and to have fun!

A special thank you to our local Red Cross Chapter, Beverly Connelly, and to my head guards, Russell Wigley, Molly Beth Jourdan, Elizabeth McGehee and Ben Breazeale. Each has done an outstanding job, and I appreciate all the hard work.

A personal thank you to all the City Pool lifeguards for an exceptional job done this summer. Theses young people are awesome and have exceeded all expectations in teaching and guarding.

Thank you to our cage workers, Coach Bobby Huell, Megan Demeranville, Kristen Wright and Josh Tolliver, for the great job on collecting pool entrance money.

I would like to thank Mayor Paul Winfield and his family for participating in our Bigger Beginner’s class. We look forward to watching Paul Jr. grow up in our swim program.

Finally, I am truly grateful to the parents and students. Thank you for your enthusiasm and support! We hope to see you all again next summer!

Cathy Mitchell

City Pool manager

Vicksburg

Sponsors boosted band

The Vicksburg Lions Club wants to thank supporters for their contributions to Vicksburg members of the Mississippi Lions Band. They are Harry M. and Vickie B. Ogel, Vernon and Mary Jane Plett, Kent and Rebecca Turner, Mayor and Mrs. Paul Winfield, Phil Corley, Samuel B. Heltzel, Susan G. Loflin and Robert W. McCarley. Their donations helped the band members enjoy a wonderful experience, and we are proud to announce that the Mississippi Lions Band won first place.

The Lions Club has many programs — student sight screening, peace poster contest, district science fair, boys’ and girls’ leadership conferences, eye exams and glasses, leader dogs for the blind, the Lions Eye Bank and Magnolia Speech School — and are only able to help others through those who participate so wonderfully in our fundraisers.

Barbara Applebaum

Board member

Vicksburg

VIS has many friends

I have been in the field of education for 17 years and have always, for one reason or another, asked for donations from individuals and businesses in the community. Regardless of how big or small, my requests have been granted because the citizens of Vicksburg care about our youths and schools. This was never more evident than the opening of school this year.

I want to send a sincere, heartfelt thanks to Larry Garner and Cracker Barrel, Ken Alexander and McAlister’s, Brad Ratcliff and Walmart, Doris Brown and This’n’That Gifts and More, Joe Watson and Shoney’s, Lisa Martin and Fun Learning Stuff, Lin Yinahoo and China Buffet, Ramona Latham and Christian Book Store, Amanda McGee and Perfumania and Lester Tzotzolas of Guaranty Bank.

Because of their acts of kindness, the opening of the 2009-2010 school years was positive, uplifting and regenerative. I thank each of them for giving during a time when giving is difficult and for caring enough to help us make a difference in the young lives we touch.

Sharon D. Williams

Principal

Vicksburg Intermediate

Vicksburg

Art sale a big success

The Vicksburg Senior Center has experienced another successful project thanks to a group of faithful and talented seniors. Our first-ever art show and sale was a huge success and the outcome and support was more than we all expected.

So many hours were spent on this project, which was initiated by Joyce Grey, the leader of the “Art Pack.” Her artistic ability, patience and dedication was the driving force. She has been instructing, guiding and convincing her students of their inner talent for the past six months.

The entire community supported the senior center, but I want to publicly thank the seniors, who are now artists, for submitting their work for the show and sale, River 101, Neblett’s, Kim Hopkins and Main Street, Barry Graham and the many visitors who came to the center and admired all of the hard work that went into the show.

Jennifer Harper

Director

Vicksburg